A New Microwave

Check engine light is on, microwave just literally began to burst into flames...ah, the familiar comforts of home lol - from a text i wrote this morning. While the engine light is still on, the day HAS improved

Used funds earmarked for other things to pick out a new microwave, a 2.2 cubic foot behemoth that with luck will serve this family well into the future. With the leftovers we put a downpayment down on Smiley's party and then treated him to a chili dog. So, all in all a productive day. Unexpectedly costly, but productive.

 With Lisa and Smiley at Fritz's Pub

The Tonight Show

We retired early last night, but not before watching the premiere of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. I liked it - the classic set, the fact that it's back in NYC where it belongs, and Fallon's humble performance. (how great was it that his parents were in the audience?). I could've done with a different set of first guests (Wil Smith and U2) but surprisingly, U2 was a funny, entertaining interview. I'm not saying I'll tune in regularly, as talk shows aren't my thing, but good on you Jimmy.

Stuck

Lisa and the kids got the van stuck in a snowbank this afternoon, and I had to walk to their location and help dig it out. Officially, and sadly, my first workout of 2014 Lol

Our Day

I had plans for today - not 'big' plans, but plans involving some travel - but aside from getting LuLu to the dentist at Marquette and a brief grocery run, all plans are nixed.

Too much snow, too much wind. I thought the driving conditions were fine, absent the intervention of any inexperienced driver, but it's not worth risking a half hour trip. Plus our wind tunnel of an alley has 10-12 inches of snow and growing.

Quoting the JSOnline FB page: "As of 7 p.m. Monday, Milwaukee had recorded 51.1 inches of snowfall since Dec. 1, about 20 inches more than the normal for the period."

Kudos to Smiley and YaYa for shoveling the alley and back, albeit just short of at gunpoint.

OH, and lest I forget, I want to thank our "diligent" city workers who - looooooong before the snow began, picked up our garbage and proceeded to leave garbage cans scattered up and down the length of our alley. We had to send scouting parties ahead to clear the path in front of us. My property taxes thank you for your effort.

Pork chops for dinner, followed by a nap, then an evening of watching bobsledding and ice dancing (congrats to all our medalists!). Not exactly an energetic, gung-ho night, but whatever, it's still early . . .

A Movie Marathon For Team Slap

It was classic movie day here at Team Slap. First, The Amityville Horror (although it was the boring Ryan Reynolds version), then Old School, Dirty Dancing, and finally YaYa and I sat down to watch The Exorcist. She found it slow and not very scary, which leads me to question her taste and sanity, but what can you do?

Andipose

These adorable Adipose - a creature from Doctor Who - were crocheted for me out of the blue by a supervisor at work. Thanks Cathie!

He's Gonna Be a Champion. Mark My Words.

Wanna see a future welterweight champion as he claws his way to the top? Go YouTube 2012 Olympian Errol Spence Jr. He is a joy to watch.

Smiley's Valentines Day Poem

This is a poem Smiley wrote and included in a Valentine's Day card:

"Roses are red, bees make honey, give me a kiss and I'll give you all my money!"

Sounds like he's ready for marriage already.

Ralph Waites

 RIP Ralph Waites, aka Papa Walton, dead at 85

John James McGinty

A belated RIP to Vietnam War hero and Medal of Honor recipient John James McGinty, who died of cancer at age 73 January 17th.

Sid Caesar

RIP the great Sid Caesar, TV comedy pioneer, dead at age 91

Shirley Temple

The great child star turned diplomat Shirley Temple Black died yesterday at the age of 85. RIP

Sweet Lu

 

WTH

 In other news, at around 3:45 we were driving down Oklahoma Ave when a postal vehicle refused to let Lisa change lanes for nearly a block, speeding up and slowing down to keep alongside us. This fine Federal employee then flipped us the bird and soared through a yellow light. My tax money at work. Postal Vehicle # 1260902

A School Dance and "You're Next"

Lisa and the three youngest are at a school dance for grades K-5, while YaYa and I are home watching the great horror film "You're Next" (my second viewing). From what Lisa just texted, the kids just danced the heck out of "What Does the Fox Say?"

Ralph Kiner

RIP baseball great Ralph Kiner, age 91

Phillip Seymour Hoffmandf

 RIP to the great Phillip Seymour Hoffman, dead at 46 of an apparent heroin overdose. A wonderful talent gone too soon.

update: You know what just occurred to me? With Hoffman dead, how will this impact the finale of The Hunger Games?

To My Kids

 

We Honor Them Still

Raise your glass to the memory of  JP "Big Bopper" Richardson, Roger Peterson, Ritchie Valens, and the *great* Buddy Holly, all gone 55 years today.  RIP

But of course, worry we do.

 

Puzzles the Reading Dog

This is my second visit to Puzzles, the reading dog. Smiley enjoyed it very much. This dog is so gentle and sweet. - Grandma Jeanne

Pete Seeger

RlP folk singer and songwriter Pete Seeger, who died yesterday. 

A prolific songwriter, his best-known songs include "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (with additional lyrics by Joe Hickerson), "If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)" (with Lee Hays of the Weavers), "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" (also with Hays), and "Turn! Turn! Turn!", which have been recorded by many artists both in and outside the folk revival movement. "Flowers" was a hit recording for the Kingston Trio (1962); Marlene Dietrich, who recorded it in English, German and French (1962); and Johnny Rivers (1965). "If I Had a Hammer" was a hit for Peter, Paul and Mary (1962) and Trini Lopez (1963) while the Byrds had a number one hit with "Turn! Turn! Turn!" in 1965.

 No water because a water main is being repaired on our street. Joy

A Suggestion from a Friend

So if Gov. Walker runs for President, which I'd love to see, why don't you try get a position with his campaign?  - Fred Bryan