Yea!

Well I talked a lot about it and I finally got out this morning. Few runs on the beginners, then an intermediate and I actually went down the bigger main runs. Felt good, only 1 small dump and a few 'Whoa' moments, but pretty good overall. The only negative was the 5 degree temperatures. I really did not have much on my face so my chin got quite cold after a while.

Cribbage anyone

Here is a picture of the 1st board I made. Walnut and Hard Maple. Card and peg storage under the bottom. Maybe I should go sell these at the bowling alleys. Only old time men league bowlers will get this...

Overstepped?

Last night we did Mineshaft pizza for Matt's Birthday. Most of the family went. Except Matt had to piss a moan so much, upset his mom and sat like a little jerk not eating etc at the table. I could go on with this. The fact that he has no influence or discipline in his life for the past 15 years that he thinks he can just get away with most stuff.

Tracy and I have tried over the past few years to be some calming influence for him. Doing what we can to integrate him into our family or at least a semblance of a family. Being a compass when he has none. For the fact he's slept here for at least 2 weekend every month makes me feel good that he feels comfortable with us.

Well, I am not his parent but since his real ones act like servants to him he's not sure what they are. Last night his moody ass sat across the table from me. Laurie took a phone call (for an auto accident she had, backed into another car, cause she was upset with Matt) and left the table.

I lit into him - at the table. His aunts, uncles, cousins and Nana all 11 others witnessed my hot head. I told him what a selfish little a-hole he was and that his mother bends over backwards for him and he just treats her like a pile of crap. I told him to get his act together, stop being an a-hole. Respect his mother and others. I went on about how he needs a good boot in the ass, etc etc. I was fuming. Once my 2 minute tirade was over I calmed down, looked at everyone, who was either slack jawed or looking at their plates, like they did not hear a thing.

His mom came back and it was as if nothing happened. Everyone continued as if it was a merry occasion. Except Matt, who still ate nor drank anything that entire evening. Basically ruining Laurie's attempt to make his birthday at least a little special. So much so she had tears at the end of the night. And that was not even knowing what I said.

Either way, I did send him an apology note. Not for what I said. Just my awful timing. You know I go back and forth on that too. Sometimes you have to make a spectacle. I said what everyone was thinking. What people are afraid to say. It's not often I do that. I dunno, we will see if anything I said sticks or makes it worse. I hate to see Laurie get stepped on (only because of her lack or discipline) and Matt became some thing worse with nobody to help. Only time will tell.

Times a bitch. Time will tell, Time heals all, all we got is time on our hands, no time like the present.......

Just a little note. Here is an elephant Kiki made with her clay. It was really well done. Too bad the same can't be said for my photography. Maybe next year I get the Nikon DSLR.... :)

Reilly was here on Thursday night. And the dog did not eat him!!! Actually I think the dog could care less about him. Reilly even seemed to have a good time. Next to get the other ones over here. I have never seen people so freaked out about a dog. Especially a 12 year old gentle giant like Bailey.

Anyway I also remembered that we missed our anniversary for the house. It was 13 years ago on 12/15 that we moved into this house. I feel older every day.

Well off to see the Packers put the Lions into infamy this season, or so I hope.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Turkey?

Ok, this was interesting, I let Bailey out this morning. let him back in. Then came back a bit later to see some odd tracks in the snow at the patio door. I let the dog out again and he started sniffing every one, I realized these were turkey tracks, 2 ft from the house and on the deck! I snapped these pictures and tried to enhance the contrast to see them a little better. Bailey walked through most of them but these were still clear.

Christmas Eve

Well, here it is the morning of Christmas Eve. Lot's to do around the house before company comes over tonight. Hey, guess what? It's snowing again! Hold on I have to get some coffee. Oh yea and take the garbage to the curb.

Really pretty and peaceful out there this morning. Too bad that won't last. Giving way to the frenetic pace of the next few days. I have yet to wrap any of the gifts I need to. Better get on that.

Again it will be a somber holiday, the first without Dad. It does get easier as time goes by but I still think of him a lot. I was doing projects in the basement and look at the chair parts that we were going to build. Then I got this crazy idea to make these custom cribbage boards and give them to Jenny, Jim and Mom. I have a prototype and it's not done and unfortunately won't be ready for Christmas. Just something I think about the last night we were all together playing cards.

Oh well enough reflection for the day, there is a carpet that needs cleaning.

Merry Christmas to all 5 or 6 of my readers!

-Jeff

Tuesday morning

Well let's see I wasted 90 minutes of extra sleep last night by watching the Packers give another game away. They cannot close out anyone.

On an up note the K-Town Freshman team won the rescheduled make up game with Kiel, 38-34. In packer-like fashion making this game much closer than it should have been. Joel had some quality minutes and 0-2 performance with a rebound or 2. The Varsity team showed some life with a lead after the first quarter! They still ended up losing by 20+.

II don't think I mentioned it, but it's snowing again. Too cold to snowboard last weekend and now I am doing too many last minute Christmas things. I just burned my next few weekends as I will be starting a new basement the Saturday after Christmas. I may never hit the slopes. Well We still have Kiki's lessons! I am excited for her.

Snow day

Ok this is getting a bit old. Not officially winter yet and we have our 3rd snow day of the season. Even Tracy's work shut down. We took it to the chops with another 10-11 inches. South got over a foot. Supposedly more on it's way. I have the need snowboard but no time. Oh yea Joels BB game is also cancelled.

Kiki and I did make cutout cookies, double chocolate biscotti, low fat fudge (low fat by accidental butter ommission). We will make some more tomorrow.

Tuesday Night Basketball

Freshman lost 58-52 to Sheboygan Falls, Varsity lost badly and so did JV.. That drops Joel's team to 2-2 and everyone else to 0 for the season.

Joel went 3-4 with 7 pts.

Snow time like the present

Yesterday I took the day off and tried to hit the slopes for some late morning boarding. The hill was empty, I exclaimed "wow I have the hill to myself!" Only to find out that I read the hill hours wrong and the Friday AM sessions don't start until next Friday. I was quite bummed out. At least I was able to sign up Kiki for her lessons. Next to get Tracy out there....That will require chloroform, nah it won't happen, unless she can board in Mexico...:D (Love ya Honey). Later in the evening we took Joel to Grafton Ski and Cycle (Plug - Cha-ching) for a trade in of his stuff. He has grown so much, (5'10") he looks like a giant next to his old gear. We went looking to get new boots and we ended up getting boots and a board. Thank God his bindings were adult. At least they have a liberal trade in program. Problem was they had no more used equipment in his size. This is the last set up Dad should have to buy him.

A little explanation on the picture. Bailey loves the snow, he will lay in it for hours. With so much snow the deck was about 3 ft high. Too much for this old dog to jump up on. Noticing he was laying the yard instead of the deck like he always does, I carved him out a snow bed, if you will. He was hesitant at first but now he jumps right in for a snow treat or nap.

Basketball update

Joel had a game in Waupun last night. We could not make it but they won by a close margin. Joel had 5 pts 1 Trey and a runner.

So the team is now 2-1. That's 2 times the wins of the JV and Varsity each....

Remember?

Remember the good old days when snow days were snow days, the horses could not get through and we went days without fresh supplies? Seems like just yesterday. Oh wait it was just yesterday. 3rd big snow of the season and it's only December 1oth. The tracks in the lower center of this picture are fresh deer tracks, not dog.

Breakfast With SANTA!

Needless to say this will NOT be our Christmas card this year. I hope someone else has a better picture. Breakfast was nice, a buffet this time. Missed having Papa there. It's been 2 months today.

Friday Night Hoops

Well we had our first Friday Night Basketball night.
The Freshmen beat visiting Plymouth 47-43. Joel was 1-2 with a 3 pointer. Freshman are now 1-1 on the season. JV Lost and so did Varsity. I will keep a new side bar. Time to remove the baseball stuff.

Proud Pop

Ok I admit it, I am proud that Joel's on the basketball team. Here is the picture in our local newspaper the Kewaskum Statesman. Joel also just missed Highest honors for school honor role because he got a A- in GYM! Missing make up work. DOH! We will just have to be happy with High Honors instead. Oh well get 'em next quarter.

Tired Wednesday

Joel had his first official Basketball game last night in Beaver Dam. Lets just say it was a loong nite. We did not get home until after 10.

They lost the first game(50-43), but it was pretty exciting. Joel played quite a bit, no points but a few boards, some good defensive help. The team matched turnovers for points. If I said literally I would not be stretching it. If they do a better job of taking care of the ball, they will do alright.

Happy December 1st

The Thanks Giving weekend was extended for the kids by one day. One snow day that is. We got about 7-8 inches and some nice drifts too. My sister put her car in the ditch. Side airbag deployed, but I guess she's ok. Gonna be a long winter at this pace.

The Christmas season is now in full swing. Shopping, running all over, parties, etc. I feel kinda scroogie already. Bah! Maybe cause Joel is growing out of everything. He's wearing my snow boots, his snowboard boots no longer fit, there is some more $$ I was not ready for.

A few other items, saw the Quantum of Solace movie with everyone on Saturday. Not the bond of old, no gadgets, not much sneaking, espionage etc. Lots of fights, gunplay and blurry camera transitions. I give it a 2 1/2 stars.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here it is, Thanksgiving morning. Not sure how to feel about it. Making a pie right now and maybe some lemon pound cake. Mom will me having everyone there for a actual dinner meal, instead of lunch as we have had for the last umpteen years. I expect some emotion from everyone, but its just all part of healing and getting on with life.

K-Town's Newest B Baller

Proud to say Joel made the cuts for the Kewaskum Freshman Basketball team. Cannot explain how excited I am for him.

As soon as I get some better schedules I will post them!

Parade

This is Grammy, Kiki, Jadyn and Joel after watching the Christmas Parade in Milwaukee, It was kind of cold. We went for breakfast after. It was a nice way to spend time together.

Been a while

I know my faithful readers (I know who you are) are craving more blog. Frankly I have not delivered as of late.

So where should we start. We find out today if Joel made the Kewaskum High School basketball team. 5 people were going to get cut, Joel actually said he was excited about the whole thing. I told him high school sports is exciting. Not everyone can do it and it takes dedication. He should be excited. I was excited that he was excited. He had better make the team -we just bought him some new sneaks for this. Just Kidding.

I have to go to Jacksonville on Sunday. Not looking forward to that. I will miss the MNF with the Packers as I will be flying home during the game. Must set the DVR incase its a really good game. I can watch 3 hrs of football in 1 hr with the DVR, its awsome. Tracy will argue that, but hey if you already know the score you only need to make a highlight reel. (lowlight?)

Lastly next week will be Thanksgiving. Again another holiday without Dad. I don't think a day goes by where I don't think about him some way or another. In some ways I am still in denial. These holidays do tend to cement the fact that he's gone and there is nothing we can do about it. I expect a bit of emotion to pour out at Mom's house come Thursday.

Party pooped

I think Mackenzie had a good time at the party. Sleeping almost standing up. I think Joel and Matt had a good time too.

Birthday Party Preparedness

Yep, it's that time again. To get ready for the swarm to come to our house, lay siege and leave, almost as fast as they come. I don't mean locust, I mean family.

6 weeks after his real birthday we are finally having Joel's 15th b-day party. Time to straighten up, get the food, beer etc. It would just be easier to give Joel $200.00 and call it even. Hmmmm, sounds like a plan..

Found out my brother is in Vegas attending some SOE/Marketing convention. (Search Engine Optimization, DUH!). Bastard never asked me.

I will be pestering him all week.

Another funny thing. Joel, great guitar purist, "I will never play Guitar Hero" Joel, Beat the game in 1 week on medium difficulty. "My hypocrisy only goes so far" Doc Holliday in the movie Tombstone Joel and I just caught the end of that on Saturday night.......bwahahaha.

Another Week

Well another week in the bag. The 1 month anniversary of Dad's passing. Still hard to believe. Every one still misses him. Great weather from Monday-Wednesday then it snowed a bit the last few days. Had a fire tonight. My Mom came over for the Packer game and dinner. I grilled. Only 28 degrees outside, not too bad.

Getting the kitchen started. Vanity is almost done. Maybe some pictures soon. What's next. Next week we have Joel's Birthday party, not bad - 6 weeks after his birthday.

Other than that it's been pretty pedestrian.

Going to the Dogs?

Hmm, seems lik this blog is going to the dogs. Great weather the last few days. Bailey is sleeping deep here.

Dog Sitting

Alli - Day One. Loves the kittys. They don't reciprocate. She stands vigil at the basement door waiting for them to emerge.

Whos Guitar Hero?

My Birthday present, but who's played it way more than me? Thats right Kiki! She's the Rock n Roll star!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary To my wife of 16 years.

I love you.

It's my Birthday

Nuff Said.

Pumpkins!

Carved Pumpkins last night. What a mess. Made seeds today. Yum

SNOW

October 27th First snow fall.....Part of me says ok cool, the old guys says not yet.

Early Trick or Treat

"Goth" Girl

Bagger Vance?

Friday Surprise

Well despite telling my wife I did not want anything huge for my Birthday, she pulled off a surprise anyway. Dinner Drinks and Comedysportz with some good friends.

Of course I went on stage at Comedysportz.

Thanks to Karen, Jim, Glen, Kathy, Tim, Susie and of course my lovely wife Tracy.

Grand Canyon

Vacation

Well another week plus has gone by since last posting. Tracy and I were in the AZ Desert for some RnR. Some Grand Canyon pics at my picasa public album. Maybe I will link to it on the side. Anyway I expect to provide more updates here now that I am getting back to normal.

Fall is here

Back in the Saddle

Well, It was an interesting week. Dad's visitation was nice, lots of people. Made the family happy. We buried him Thursday and that helped put some closure to this. It will take some time to get back to normal. Mom will have it the worse and we all have to help get through this.

Pumpkins!

A day at the pumpkin farm. Ok, more like an hour.

Dad you will be missed

Dad passed away this morning. We love you and will miss you.

Edited 10/15

Well I have not wrote much in the past few weeks. Just not sure where my head is at. We put Dad in the Kathy Hospice on Monday and where he is getting great care, it's so hard to watch him deteriorate.

I thought I was ready for the end, but seeing him on Friday, confirmed I wasn't. I don't think any one was. Getting closer. Speaking of getting closer, it brings a family closer together too.

Other notes: Was in New York on Wednesday and Thursday. I have to bring that up as that was the trip that started this blog back in March. Been there 3 times since. The more I go the more I like the place. Watched the Brewers lose to the Phillies at the Pig n Whistle Irish bar while there. Sitting at the bar eating, drinking and texting my Mom and Joel about the game and other stuff. Got to give Mom props, she has taken to texting and is pretty damn good at it. All with a regular phone, not my cheater full keyboard.

Saturday deflation

Well we went to our last Brewer game of the year. Awesome club level seats. They lost. Down to the last game of the year for a possible playoff to the playoff.