Monday, January 30, 2017

Katie gets slimed!!!

On Sunday, we took the kids to the NFL Experience, which is in town for the Superbowl.  It was pretty sweet.  There was lots to look at and do, including kicking field goals, throwing touchdown passes, designing your own helmet and uniform.  They also had a Nickelodeon booth set up where you could throw footballs into SpongeBob's mouth, look the Teenage Turtle's lockers, etc.  Well, they also had a slime booth set up.  When Nick first became a channel when I was a kid, there was a show called You Can't Do That on Television, where, if you said the taboo word, you would get green slime dumped on your head.  Well, as a kid, we all imagined what that would be like.  On Sunday, my 6 year old daughter got to find out.  Well, with clothes protection on at least.  Here it is in slow motion.






Besides the sliming, Luke got to see the inside of one his favorite players' locker.
Katie got to take a photo with some cheerleaders.
We even got to see the Lombardi trophy.
As someone who was very skeptical that I was going to get nickel and dimed, I was pleasantly surprised.  We did pay $25 per kid, plus $35 per adult to get in, but once we got in, we didn't have to pay for any other item other than refreshments.  Katie even dragged me onto the obstacle course where I lost, barely.  We got there at 10:00 and didn't leave until almost 4:00.  It was fun.






Saturday, January 28, 2017

Chili!!!

Here on the island, neighbor Craig hosts an annual birthday bash for his wife.  He hires a band and invites all the neighbors, and has a chili cookoff.  All those interested bring a crockpot of chili and hope for the best. It is not formal, and the judges are just people here and they change every year.

The first year I heard about this, I thought I would go and check it out.  I didn't know Craig but that didn't stop me from checking it out.  I was impressed enough that I told Marlina that next year, I would enter a pot.

Next year, I decided to batch up some and see what happens.  Only problem, Luke had a basketball game right during the judging.  I brought over a crock anyways.  I saw neighbor Priscilla and told her my secret number and to let me know if I win.  I didn't have high hopes, but I did have some hope.  Right about half time of the game, I get a text.  2nd place!  Not bad for a first timer.  Or a multi timer.

This year, I am having fun putting together the chili. 
Mixing the spices and this is the result.....


The party starts in about an hour.  The kids and I are gonna head over and see what happens.  Either which way, I have some Jerry Jeff Walker and the Flatlanders playing, drinking a Shiner Bock, enjoying the cool 55 degree weather.  I don't have high hopes, but there is hope.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

The Front Seat...

My son is now 9 years old and a whopping 62 pounds.  I don't know what the state law says about riding in the front seat of a vehicle, but I do know that his mother wants him to ride in the back at all times.  Well, normally I comply with her wishes and during drop off and pick up at various functions, our conversation goes something like:
"How was school today?"
"Ok."
"Learn anything new?"
"No"
"How was math?"
"Fine"
"What did you do?"
"I don't remember"


This past week, picking him up after basketball practice, I let him sit in the front seat of the truck.  He proceeded to tell me about his day without being prompted, then he explained where he wanted to live and how he was going to pay for it, and what kind of car he was going to have when he got older.  I don't know if it was solely because he was in the front seat with me and we could converse without looking in the mirror, but it was nice to hold a conversation with him, without him being on the ipad or telling me he doesn't remember.  Maybe he was just in the mood to talk, but I think he will be riding the front seat a little more often from now on.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Sam.....

Well, our family lost a member today.  Samantha Cat has now gone to a better place.

After being sick for a day or two, I began to see the signs, but it hadn't quite dawned on Marlina.  We discussed this and decided to send her to the vet, but at the same time, trying to prep the kids for the worst news.  This morning it was diagnosed that she had complete liver failure and wasn't processing anything.  It was just a matter of time.  We choose to do the humane thing.  That doesn't make it any easier on the family.

She was a good cat who never liked to be held, but was always ready with a purr.  She would scratch you and claw you and piss on your sheets, but she would jump up on my lap anytime. 

She will be missed.

RIP Sam.