Bob Iwen

RIP Bob Iwen, a leader in my Cub Scout troop thirty years ago who was very patient with a bumbling young Den Chief who was entirely too unsure of himself. 

I remember his blonde mustache, his hippe-esque past, he and my Dad driving us to someplace on 13th and Lincoln, his glowing review of the movie  Purple Rain (tho he stressed I was too young to see it) and his failure to embarrass me when I confessed a crush on Grace Slick of Starship. 

He was, in my Grandma's vernacular, a "good Joe", and I'm glad I told him so in our last communication (even if, despite his insistence, I could never call him "Bob.")

You will be missed 

A Visit with My Mom

My Mom was admitted to the hospital Tuesday. Knowing I'd be unable to traverse the mammoth St Luke's after the surgery, I went to visit her yesterday evening. I think she'll be fine, but I wouldn't object to you saying a prayer on her behalf.

Posted years later with a "SMH."

Thank you to the #Walmart cashier who, without hesitation, said "Merry Christmas," to us. I appreciate your courage.

- I've very pro-Christmas, but my preoccupation with the "War on Christmas" at the time of this post . . perplexes me as seen from 2024. Still, it was a genuine feeling and so it remains here in print. Who knows, maybe the depths of those feelings across the US helped turn the tide? 

A Surgery Update

My (rescheduled) surgery is tomorrow, and unlike last week when I was apprehensive, I just want the dang thing over and done. I'm sick of the pain, and resent the extra week I've had to wait.

LOL

SMH

Steve Harvey may never live down his error.

As long as you are out by 8, I don't see the problem. If not . . .

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

A Tree Lot Christmas

We were proud to come out and support the Olson kids at their Christmas pageant, "A Tree Lot Christmas." VERY good show! Afterwards, Lisa and PD enjoyed a rib dinner at the church food court :)

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

A Great Gift!

#TeamSlap is celebrating an early Christmas with Jennifer J. Look what she and Sydney bought me! #Creed

Here's JJ's gift to YaYa

And for Smiley,  Jenga Quake

UPDATE:  Dropped the kids off, went to the grocery store, then dropped Lisa off too so I could cruise around and listen to my new #Creed CD.

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

Fact

My Dad wore the same Eddie the Eagle T-shirt for (seriously) twenty years.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(3D) With Smiley  and his friend Evan. I saw Nancy Z there too!

My (spoiler-free) verdict? 1. It makes the Lucas prequels look just as bad as u remember. U suck George. 2. As a movie, it's not as good as Empire. But that's a high, high hurdle, innit? 3. Not impressed by the bad guy. Yawn. 4. Death Stars are to SW as Daleks are to DW: iconic but so overdone 5. It's a damn fine SW flick. I'd rank it only behind 4 & 5, and welcome the resurgence in the series!

 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

13 Going On 30

Great movie. One of my faves. With Lu and Lisa

Surgical Update

Just off the phone. Surgery is rescheduled for next week Wed, the 23rd. Same surgeon, different hospital. I'm very happy they could get me in before the new year, giving me time to get up and running before the spring semester starts.

LOL

Me. yelling up the stairs this morning: YaYa, are you almost ready?

YaYa: Debatable.

Me: Well, hurry up. Life ain't no box of chocolates. You KNOW what you're gonna get if you're late.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

 

Won house making competition- LuLu

Surgery

Earlier today. All dressed up and nowhere to go.

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.

The School Holiday Show

Tonight was the Holiday show for the younger three. LuLu played trumpet in the band, Junie sang Mr. Santa (to the tune of Mr. Sandman), and Smiley's class sang The Christmas Song. All three did great. :)

 I'm at Candy Cane Lane with Lisa and Junie 

Technically, the task was completed

"Put the silverware away Smiley," I said.