google.com, pub-4909507274277725, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Slapinions: 2015

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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Die Hard

Lisa and the youngin's are in Chicago getting pizza, GC is at Grandma's, and I just introduced LuLu  to this great film! Her only critique was that McClane didn't "try" the phone before slamming it down - she didn't realize a landline has an audible dial tone lol

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Hour four of a BBC America marathon of Kitchen Nightmares - with Lisa  

Monday, December 28, 2015

Vegetable Soup

The wind is howling and sleet is tap dancing on the windows. A good day for homemade vegetable soup Lisa- thanks!

Sunday, December 27, 2015

The Christmas Paintings

We opened our presents at midnight on Christmas, because we were just arriving home from visiting my sister. I'll spare you pictures of the gifts, except for these: paintings Lisa had made for each of the kids. She snuck out to Splash Studio four times between Halloween and Christmas (once with Trudy), wanting to create something special for each of their rooms.







Saturday, December 26, 2015

Daddy's Home 2 and a Wonder Woman episode

We watched the Wonder Woman ('70's) episode "Amazon Hot Wax" with Rick Springfield and Judge Reinhold!

-and-

Daddy's Home 2 -  Obviously this isn't Oscar material, but what it is is warm, and honest, and funny - basically, everything Bad Moms was not.

Monday, December 21, 2015

It's A Wonderful Life

 #TeamSlap just watched my favorite movie of all time at the Avalon. I made Lu wipe the tears that were streaming down my face! lol

Sunday, December 20, 2015

I made French Onion soup from scratch today. I still have to perfect the recipe, but it wasn't half bad.

Is This Normal?

Ok....mind craft [Minecraft] /roblox moms and dads.... Do your kids watch videos of other people playing the game? I think my kids enjoy watching others play more then they actually like to play! Is this normal? Lol - Lisa

Friday, December 18, 2015

 I miss my Dad this Christmas even more then last. I think it's finally set in that there will be no other Christmases' with him, and that just sucks. Enjoy your parents while you can. Love you, Mom! Xo - Lisa

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Surgery Eve

Tomorrow morning is my surgery. I've tried to get done what I could beforehand, knowing I'll be out of action awhile. I put air in all the tires, ran some errands, stocked up on household products, and made sure to walk the kids home from school, as it's the last time it'll probably happen until spring. Now all that's left is setting the alarm for the wee hours.

 I'm at Candy Cane Lane with Lisa and Junie 

Monday, December 14, 2015

Technically, the task was completed

"Put the silverware away Smiley," I said.

Goodbye dear toaster

After 19 years the 4 slice Proctor-Silex toaster  Lisa and I got as a wedding present went kaput, ruining the last good thing to come out of that day. ;) So here's the new one, complete with fancy-dancy buttons and removable crumb trays. If you bought us the original toaster, thank you.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Counting On

We're watching the new Duggar show. We've missed them. #JillAndJessa

Elf

You either love Will Ferrell or you hate him. If you hate him, you're an awful human being.

Good Job Girls!

On Saturday morning Junie's Girl Scout troop spent time at the Rescue Mission helping prepare Christmas gifts for homeless families. Afterwards the troop retired to the leader's house to decorate gingerbread cookies and dine on pizza. Proud of you kid!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Fury

The Brad Pitt WWII flick. I enjoyed it a lot. I'm not saying it was realistic, or that the characters were good people, just that I liked the film. 

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Beautiful

I did YaYa's nails - Lulu

More Nightmares

My sleep was riddled with nightmares and I woke up angry about something I no longer even remember. Gotta shake it off.

Winter by Marissa Meyer


Friday LuLu begged me to go buy her this book at Target. 

Saturday she texted me and said she was bored. Read your book, I wrote back. 

Her response: "I finished that last night😕 smh."

Sunday, November 29, 2015

My Thoughts - Abortion

Not looking for an abortion debate here, but . . . arguing that because a pro-lifer isn't willing to adopt or pay for every unwanted child her argument is hypocritical and moot is just plain dumb. I don't want to assume your bills either, but that doesn't remove my right, and my obligation, to object to a plan to eliminate you.

False Memory by Dan Krokos

A book Smiley read recently. He's since moved on to the Harry Potter series (now on #3)

Friday, November 27, 2015

Rocky IV

In preparation for taking Parker to see the new Rocky movie tomorrow I had to introduce him to the series. IMO, IV is the worst of the bunch, a comic book monstrosity, BUT it has all the core characters and is the most kid friendly entry. Smiley liked it!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Makin' Friends

Last night YaYa and I watched the episode of Doctor Who where Clara finally bit the dust. We had a great time. Alas, I then refused to watch Misery - it's a great film, but it . . . discomforts me - and twelve hours later she still isn't talking to me. Such is parenthood.

YaYa: This whole house is awful.

Me: Why?

YaYa: Because you're in it.

#FeelTheLove

Monday, November 23, 2015

Did You Know?

It's true. Of the 600 people in the building, only about 130 escaped without serious injury.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Charlie Dick

RIP Charlie Dick, husband of the late Patsy Cline. I remember him best as the abusive husband played by Ed Harris in "Sweet Dreams," but Dick claimed that was largely fiction. At any rate, much of Cline's enduring legacy can be laid at the feet of the work Dick did to promote her music after her death.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

John Anderson

John Anderson, allegedly the last remaining survivor of the USS Arizona, has passed away at age 98. RIP sir.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Revenge of the Nerds

Most of the plot would result in criminal charges in this day and age

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Ouch

Me: You've got a good looking Dad, kid.

LuLu: Yup. It's a shame I've never met him.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Smiley was a zombie for Halloween, as you might remember, but he wanted it kept off FB until the holiday to preserve secrecy. The week of Halloween they allowed kids to wear their costumes to dance class, and when Lisa and I went to pick him up, I pulled up to where he could see our car, screamed "Zommbie invasion!" then took off like a bat out of hell, leaving him and OJ standing outside the studio. They were not as amused as Lisa and I were LOL

Monday, November 9, 2015

Starbucks and the War on Christmas

My take on the Starbucks red cup "War on Christmas" controversy: I believe the whole hoopla was manufactured by the company, through well-timed stories and a flurry of internet trolls in their employ. Well done greedy makers of overpriced burnt coffee, well done.

I'm a Proud Dad

Saturday was a great day for #TeamSlap. Smiley had a yardwork job, as you've seen; Lulu had her first (official) babysitting gig; and YaYa went to the movies with a boy who drove her to the show in his own car. Proud of all my kids.

Ear Woes

Lisa took LK to the ENT today because she continues to have problems with one of her ear tubes clogging. Medicine has failed to clear it, so the doc is having us put hydrogen peroxide in the ear twice daily for ten days. If that doesn't work, Junie will need to go under to have the blockage cleared. :(

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Bumper Bowling

This evening I took the Juniors to bumper bowling at Bay View Bowl. No tears, thank Heavens, although Junie did get grumpy and call me a show-off. If you ever want to give your ego a boost, bowl with a 10 and 8 year old.


Smiley the Workin' Man

Yesterday Smiley went to New Berlin to rake leaves for Alys H and Jim F.  With the money he earned burning a hole in his pocket, I took him to Southridge Mall for a pretzel, then to Walmart, where he bought a Nerf-esque bow and arrow and a pack of Pokémon cards (total cost: just over ten bucks).

Friday, November 6, 2015

A Good Night of Bowling (for me)

 Tonight I bowled a 128, 101, and 138.

Harsh

Smiley, walking into the living room this morning and seeing Star Wars Lego on TV: "[snorts in disgust] They managed to make Star Wars even lamer."

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Answered Prayers

I'm religious but not big on prayers of petition, as I think God favors us when we do our own work, but . . . I honestly think the intercession of St. Anthony just resolved a situation in an unlikely way - and in answer to the prayer of a non-Catholic too. #blessed

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The BEST answer

Me, to Smiley, after doing something spectacular: Who's the best Dad ever?

Smiley: *I* will be, someday.

Me: Good answer, boy . .. The BEST answer.

The JuneBug

Me and LK after her ENT appointment, waiting for a store to open so we could buy Smiley's Halloween costume.

A Helping Hand

Smiley helping me repair the back gate last week.

Junie The Artist

Some pretty darn impressive artwork Junie showed me on the walk home from school yesterday.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Yum

Lisa made cauliflower cheese soup and chicken fajitas with the leftover veggie tray from the party, and is considering making creamy radish soup with the rest. #DamnGoodCook

Monday, November 2, 2015

Champs!

Congrats to Ned Yost and the Kansas City Royals on their world championship!

What a Great Feeling

What gorgeous weather! And it's good to see some of the kids are still so happy to see me meet them on their walk home that they'll run a block to hug me :)

Winter Prep

We cleaned and prepped the backyard for winter today, and it involved an awful lot of frustration and threats to get the kids to do anything. Sometimes I'm certain they could build the Hoover Dam in a day if they wanted to, and on other days I can't get them to wipe their butt without guidance. Thank God Lisa got home and cracked the whip midway through, or we'd still be out there.

What Generosity

My niece wanted Lisa to send her a pic of the toaster we bought her, so she could see what it looks like. This is what we sent LOL

Sunday, November 1, 2015

LuLu has a fit

LuLu is literally whining and stomping her feet yelling "Take me to the library!" What a dork. #DNACannotBeOvercome

update: LuLu just blocked me on Facebook and reported me as a bully. "Have fun having one less daughter," she said.

update 2: After making her watch football for an hour as punishment, I drove LuLui down to Central library. I was stopped by an old co-worker from the '90's and chatted for ten minutes or so, again annoying my daughter. "Why do you have to stop and talk to someone everywhere we go?? Why can't you just be normal? 

Also, this gem: "I still disown you. You're not my father, you're my legal guardian now. I still love you, but that's because it's normal to have feelings for your guardian."

Twenty Questions

Lisa and I went to dinner at the restaurant where Caitlin works, and  our niece did a fine job of trying to squirrel out of my questions about her plans. :)

Friday, October 23, 2015

LOL

Right?

What's Wrong with Me?

Two days in a row now I've walked out of the gas station and got in the wrong car. On day one I even set off an alarm, and STILL didn't realize it wasn't my Taurus until I saw the Diet Coke in the cup holder (we're a Pepsi family). 

Apparently I'm an idiot.

My Scores

In order to clear the evening for YaYa's birthday, I pre-bowled for my league. (FYI, when you're the only person bowling in the building, it is LOUD. OTOH, it's much quicker when you don't drink shots between frames). I bowled a 97, 100, and 89.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

He's Back!

Smiley is back from his first ever sleepover at a friend's house!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Quote

I firmly determined that my mannerisms and speech in public would always reflect the cheerful certainty of victory—that any pessimism and discouragement I might ever feel would be reserved for my pillow. - D.D. Eisenhower #GreatMan #Ike

Night Court

Mac's 1st episode! S2/E1 "The Nun"

Heck yup.

Pro Tip

When you find that an author of a work of history places quotation marks around a word or concept that does not normally require it, your Spidey-sense  should start to tingle. 

Maybe the concept does have a duplicitous meaning, but more often than not it means the author has an agenda and is guiding her work within a less-than impartial framework. #Tip

Saturday, October 10, 2015

YaYa's First Job

Thanks to her cousin Caitlin, YaYa landed a one night job at a local restaurant, filling in for someone that called in sick. While she worked her butt off babysitting over the summer, this marks my oldest' s first day at a "real" job. #ProudDad #ProudMom

Because she was working, YaYa got out of Mass tonight. Because I messed up the time, the rest of #TeamSlap (and LK's friend Alyssa) showed up for church after it was half over, so . . . you're welcome kids. Following Mass we treated everyone to a chicken dinner at the church. It was pricey, and may curtail some weekend activities, but church should be followed by a good meal. :)

Friday, October 9, 2015

ZupPa Toscana

Mmmmm spicy zupPa Toscana soup.... It's what's for dinner. -Lisa 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Bed Bugs at Juvie

The Milwaukee County Juvenile detention center has bed bugs. That's awful. Do better Milwaukee County. 

You know what else is awful? That a Mom was gleeful to talk about it on TV. Not upset for her kid, just happy to be on TV.  Congrats. My kid is a loser thug in juvie, I'm a failure as a parent, but Aunt Anne, be sure to set your DVR, cuz I'm a star!

Monday, October 5, 2015

Why We Fought

American POW's John C Todd and Lee Rogers, following their release from Japanese captivity. 2/5/1945.

Yum

Lisa made homemade chicken vegetable soup for dinner: chicken breast, carrots, celery, onions, and kale. I don't like soup, but this woman can COOK.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

A forgettable night

Just a cr**py night, as Mike St. can tell you. Brutal. And now that the bronchitis is gone, I get to pay attention to the booming pain in my hip. Yippee.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Yup

Dumpster Dive

Yesterday, btw, when I was walking the kids to school, we dumpster-dived the local computer store. They left a box of PC games next to the trash, and Smiley scored about a dozen for his computer. 

In the box I also found a Megadeath and a Black Sabbath CD. About the only good thing about that wasted trip to the doc yesterday was seeing the embarrassment on LuLu's face as we drove with the windows down and "99 Ways To Die" blaring at full volume.

Happy Birthday!

A happy 40th birthday to my friend Eric. May you reach the midpoint of your life ten years from today. Salud!

Friday, October 2, 2015

Research

I'm at Golda Meir Library on the UWM Campus. I drafted a research assistant (LuLu).  A little young but on the upside I don't have to pay her much.

Unacceptable, Doc

I just drove 40 minutes for an appointment for LuLu, taking her out of school, got hung up in traffic, arrived 11 minutes late, and was told I had to reschedule for next month and she wouldn't be seen. Power trip much, Doc?

Now I'm eating my anger

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

FYI

For the record, and this doesn't diminish my love or admiration for the other three, but I love YaYa and like the young woman she's becoming.