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. :)

ZupPa Toscana

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

A GSA Field Trip to Rolleraero

Having fun with Girlscouts 😊

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

Dog with a Blog

Oh no! Stan's secret is out and now the government has kidnapped the family!

He Loves His Yogurt!

GusGus loves his yogurt!

Garth - Live!!!!

Lisa and I saw Garth Brooks in concert tonight. We had great seats, just the two of us on a side aisle in section 207. I didn't take pictures because my phone didn't do the seats justice, and besides I was too busy singing along to every song to even try. Too many great moments to list them here, among them Trisha Yearwood's set, but I was so happy to FINALLY see Garth in concert I teared up a little. This, to me, is on par with seeing Elvis or Michael - he is one of the all- time greats. What a show! :)

Random memories from the concert: 

1. The man two rows directly in front of us proposed to his girlfriend during "Unanswered Prayers" (she accepted)

2. In the melee on the way out an older woman tripped and fell in the street, dropping the contents of her purse. I stopped to help her, handing back a wad of twenties that had fallen. Despite there being officers all around, not one stopped to check on her, and it was a nasty fall.

3. We parked on the top floor of the Hyatt and were hustling to get out before the crowd boxed us in the garage for an hour. We got lucky and caught the elevator. As the doors were closing a woman ran for it, asking us to please hold the doors. Not one person in the elevator, including myself, so much as twitched to help her and the door shut almost on her nose. "Well, that wasn't very sportsmanlike of us," I said, getting a laugh from everyone

4. Judging by the (lack of) length on many of the skirts at the venue, I should go to more country concerts.

5. The backup singer clearly outdid Trisha when she sang part of "Georgia Rain", which Yearwood humorously acknowledged. 

6. Very proud of Milwaukee for nailing the chorus to Yearwood's " How do I live". I think she was genuinely moved.

7. Gracious of Garth to acknowledge most folks came out for the classics, and even nicer for him to thank the crowd for "treating the new songs like they were the old songs."

8. I love the fact that Garth unabashedly adores the limelight and the affection of the crowd. LOVE IT.

9. Lisa didn't think he'd play "The River", and when he did her eyes lit up and from then she was into the concert 110%

 Have I mentioned I love Garth Brooks?? lol

Boehner to Resign

BREAKING NEWS: Speaker of the House John Boehner will resign his seat at the end of October. This comes one day after he wept during Pope Francis's address to Congress, an event Boehner said was the culmination of a twenty year dream for him.

Call me Earl Anthony

Tonight I bowled a 118, 79, and 85, all personal bests. #YouAreWelcomeAlex

Subway Surfers

Just so good, at soooo many things. LOL #SubwaySurfers

Finally

I just completed my first mock negotiation on behalf of a "client" who was prepared to sue after being a victim of sexual harassment at her university. All parties left satisfied, but we conceded too quick on a punative measure when my client suddenly and publicly gave up a negotiation point in favor of something I feel was of moderate importance, but was obviously the brass ring for her. A lot of fun. Good to be doing something more practical than Socratic Mumbo-Jumbo.

1.2 Billion

Nothing gets some people's knickers in a twist more than having a hugely popular Pope remind them that there are 1.2 billion Catholics in this world. Some comment sections on Facebook were a frenzy of anti-Catholic bigotry overnight. #GetALife

A Swim Meet

At Riverside High School, cheering on YaYa at her swim meet!

Halloween is coming!

Fall has begun and costume plans started. In the works: Anna, Rosie the Riveter, a zombie, and Captain America.... With Dan and I going as "brains" n "brawn"....trick or treat here on Halloween night, open invitation to all, a fun night for catching up and carrying on 😉 - Lisa

Prudence

Prudence, the best dang dog that ever walked the Earth, IMHO. Why his original owner, my Uncle Ken  named his un-neutered male dog "Prudence" remains a mystery, but I adored him until he passed away. Scratch that - I *still* adore him.

The Beatles Dear Prudence?   - Lisa Z

A New Button

The newest addition to the collection. Thank you Christopher Gr--!