This afternoon I was very pleased to have Smiley accompany me to the gym. We did a half hour on the treadmill (where he smoked me) then I introduced him to the weight machines. I'm happy to have a 3rd person available to keep me company when I work out!

When I was out at the gas station just now with OJ I ran into Dawn, a bi-sexual former prostitute from Job Prior. When she saw me she gave me a hug and congratulated me on law school. From the looks of it she's clean now and doing much better in life herself. I tried to play up the hug to OJ, just to prove how studly her Dad is, but she coldly said: "I'm not worried about it. No woman wants you anyway." #Ouch

I was cleaning but my Fitbit had to charge so I'm on the couch watching the White Sox-Rangers game lol

No TakeBacks

Waaah! (Stomp my feet) Waaaah! My side didn't win so change the rules! #pathetic

RIP Shakespeare - Even after 400 years

400 years ago today William Shakespeare died at the age of 52.

Grief shouldn't be Mocked

I've seen a bunch of comments and posts complaining about the outpouring of grief for Prince, and what a shame we don't do the same for soldiers, cops, and in one bizarre comment, some guy's Aunt. Only in modern America could grief be controversial.

Aside from the fact that people are allowed to grieve for who they wish, we all knew Prince, albeit at a distance, for 30+ years. If my brother or Grandma dies tomorrow, no matter the circumstances, I wouldn't expect the public to react the same. It's my place to mourn them, not America's.

You want the same attention as Prince? Get famous, stay famous, and influence the lives of millions. #Truth

RIP Prince

I'm genuinely upset to hear of Prince's passing, but I'm happy we got to hear him in concert. Great show, great guitarist. R.I.P.

Word of the Day

 Word of the day.

Milquetoast: a timid person or idea. "[A] man who speaks softly and gets hit with a big stick."

My hip is 40% better than it was Monday-Tuesday, which is a shame, as the kids finally noticed and showed some concern (3 days into it!). I still went to work, I still went to class, I still tried to get Lisa into the sack. So life went on. But if the pain had continued as is another day, or comes back just as strong, then I'm gonna have to call the hip doc.

On Sunday, while Lisa took the youngest two to see "The Jungle Book" at the Avalon #GoodMama, I took an axe to the two small trees in the front yard. My neighbor said I could have used his chainsaw, but using an axe gave the ladies of Bay View a sexier show. After carrying the debris to the alley and cleaning up, I still felt good enough to take 3 kids to the batting cages. Alas once the testosterone wore off the hip called me an idiot, and I have spent 2.5 days in utter misery. I still looked hot though, and that's what counts. #Ish

 With as bad as my hip has hurt since I woke up (and it's a doozy of a day), I feel like a bad-ass just for making it to class.

- at Marquette

In Right Field, Wearing #23 . . .

 My clandestine shot of my resident right fielder YaYa at her softball game - wearing #23 in honor of her birthday - and a second, "I told you not to take a picture" shot. I only had time to watch an inning before I left for Marquette.

Bible Belt North

I went to the gym, but arrived to find they closed at 7. So I decided to swing by the thrift store, but they closed at six. I got to the dollar store right as they were locking the doors at eight. A Sunday in Milwaukee is #BibleBeltNorth

For Record Day, 96.9 FM- faintly heard from lands far away - is playing complete album sides on vinyl. I listened to U2's Joshua Tree on the way to Parker's dance class. Great album, great radio gimmick.

 At Smiley's insistence I pitched to him again yesterday in the backyard, but he's much improved and I got sick of losing balls over the fence. So I took him to the batting cages, site of many a confidence crushing day for him. His study is paying off. He made contact with a vast majority of the 120 pitches he saw, baseball and softball, and drove a few with authority. He's come a long way, and if his interest continues he should make a fine hitter.

Some Artwork by YaYa

 A drawing and a separate self-portrait by GC. The self-portrait really does capture her look. I'm impressed.

Smiley visits JA Biztown

Smiley is headed to Junior Achiever Biztown today, where he will play the part of the town DJ. LK isn't doing anything special but wanted to dress up.

Awww

LuLu, back in 2011

Two memories from 2002

On September 8, 2002, YaYa fed herself with a fork for the first time. Three days later we visited the zoo.

 #PostsUWouldHaveReadonSlapinonsHadItExisted

Happy 99th Birthday Beverly Cleary!

Smiley rides the bus solo

 Smiley took the bus home from Grandma's yesterday (solo)

Smiley and I play some ball

Smiley dislikes going to the batting cages because his sister's outdo him there. To rectify this, I took him outside and started back at the basics: grip, stance ("belly button, eyes, knees! "), stride, and swing. Then, just as I learned back in the day, I broke out practice golf balls and pitched to him. By the end he raked a few, including one that he drove into my hip! Good job little man!

Some pics of Lisa's Dad

 I miss the old man. Gone too soon. 

A young YaYa with Dale C. at Wil D's wedding years ago

 

YaYa, Lisa, and Junie enjoying the park