Ludington 2008...the run down so far...

So blog fans...once again the clan has gathered in Northern Michigan for the annual Ludington weekend. This weekend often includes drinking, eating, smoking cigars and general chaos. Well this year is no different...so here we go.

Well to start off I would like to take a moment of silence to honor the loss of Dan's 8 inches they took from the middle. Hang in there Dan, -4 inches is nothing to be ashamed of. Look at it this way...you won't have any unfounded expectations to live up to...on the serious note though, it is good to have you here this year Dan, we are glad the surgery went well and you are able to at least be here to share some time with us.

Ok...enough of that boring crap. On to the fun. Well for me it has been a successful weekend, 18 holes of golf, 18 holes of Putt Putt and so far one trip for Ice Cream(there is at least one more in my future...Super Pig, pictures to follow). Fire pit last night was a little quiet, with Dan layed up and all. The jello shots are gone. I believe the count was 200+ and they are all gone! I mean gone!, not partly gone, not almost gone...GONE!!! Not a straggler to be found.

The weather has been beautiful...70's and sunny. The evenings have been beautiful as well in low 50's. The girls and some of the less than tough men (sissies if you ask me) have donned the jeans and sweatshirts. I on the other hand have managed in t-shirts and shorts...yah we are up 'n da nort ya know, it's fair wetter up here.

I have to add here that we have noticed a sign every year we come up and I finally took a picture of it. The people up here have completely run out of creative names for roads. They are apparently out of dead Presidents, civil rights figures and generally poplular people to name roads after. Apparently they are out of trees, flowers, bugs or cleaver little titles to give their streets. In this day and age of websites to name kids, companies and cars they have evidentally not come into the 21st century. And here is why I say this...



More travesties have happened...Grammy Karen makes this delightful dessert. I am sure you have all heard of Red Cake. Well Grammy Karen makes the best Red Cake ever. She has managed to make the perfect balance of cake and frosting. I know, I know...you are thinking that is impossible, but...this is my blog and that is how I see it. Ok...back to the story. Last night at the fire pit, in honor of A.A.K.'s birthday on Friday, Grammy Karen made Red Cake. She made enough to share. She was very liberal with her portions(and I appreciate it). Well this morning when the aftermath was being cleaned up there was a very gruesome sight to behold. There were 4 pieces of cake with one bite out of them and left to die. Now that is not acceptable. So the guilty parties should be rittled with guilt. You know who you are...and that is all I have to say!

Well today is the shrimp boil. So I have to go and get ready to make shrimp boil. So I will update more when I get home tomorrow.

So be kind, be safe...

Shalom my Peeps!

Wisdom Learned from strange sources...

Hey blog fans...it has been 13 days since my last post. So I won't muddle up your valuable time with a play by play. Instead I will try and catch you up on the high points and then go from there. Here we go...

Well since the last blog I have tailgated with friends (actually basement-gated...it rained like nobody's business and we opted for the basement). We had a great time...hot dogs, Brats and jello shots. The girls did a great job with the Jello shots...well except the Orange. (Great job Jenny, AAK, Absofab & Ms. Croft)

Sharkboy has kept us busy. He has started fall soccer and seems to be doing well. We still have the periodic "Superfast Button" sighting, but he is at least kicking the ball more. On a sad note...we no longer have Coach Dan. Coach Dan is a staple in indoor soccer around her. He has decided to spend more time with his family in Texas...and by spend more time, I mean move. So...we will have to see how the new guy does.

We had a shift cookout at the BC's house. The kids were all there and we had a great time. Good food and even better company. Sharkboy discovered that in Uncle Jim's garage there was a 1958 Studebaker fire engine. He became the fire trucks official tour guide. He learned how to honk the horn and blow the siren (and he did often). He also took the opportunity to take every person at the party on a tour of the truck, and I mean everybody. He loved it...here are some picture:





That same day we enjoyed some company at Mimi & Papa's. They had a nice little football party. Sadly our Irish didn't pull it out, but the party was very nice. Some friends, some snacks, some libations add those all up and you get a great time. Thanks as always L.A...

Well that is the high points...throw in some work, some yard work and some day to day stuff and you will have my last 13 days.

So now onto the title of the blog. Lately some strange coincidences have occured. Leading me to learn "Wisdom" from unorthodox sources. Here are some examples.

The other day we were having tacos at home...you know shells, meat, and the usual accompnaments. Well Sharkboy was throwing a fit. He had nothing to say and then Jenny opened the Sour Cream. On the foil seal there was a quote..."Kind words can be as refreshing as a spring rain shower"...it couldn't have been more true at that moment.

While repairing something other day I was looking at the super glue tube. In the directions it said..."caution do not get on fingers, may cause finger to adhere together". Great advice.

While heating a microwave dish(you know, pre-cooked meal) the directions were on the back of the box and right at the beginning of directions..."do not turn box over". So how do you read the directions?

Went on a call where 2 brother broke out in a fight over a hot pocket. The one brother stabbed the other brother with a steak knife. (4 times...!!!). Now the brother that was stabbed was not hurt that bad, but I learned...No hot pocket is worth taking a knife wound over.

I also learned that a hyper sensitive "hebrew friend' reads my blog. Apparently, he took offense to my "shalom my peeps" tag line at the end (see "Brokeback Picnic" comments). Well in response...Shalom my Peeps will not be leaving the end of my blog. Shalom my Peeps is like Arrgggghhhh is to a pirate and I will not be changing my use of it...I think "TRUJEW" should remember the hebrew proverb “Who is mighty? One who makes an enemy into a friend”, or maybe “If a word be worth one shekel, silence is worth two”...just some matzah for thought. But thanks for your feedback.

Also...so I don't forget. Thanks Cassie for making the Leonard's heads presentable for our weekend. We all managed to pass through Artistic Hair today and you worked your magic as usual. Thanks!!!

Athena...I hear sister is going to be in town next week. We will make sure to send the empties from the beer you left us, with hopes to see more. Maybe when we come down in November....I think we are going to acquire some Pumpkin ale for the sister visit. You know...'tis the season.

Well that is about all I have for now...so until next time.

Be Kind, Be Safe...

Shalom my Peeps!!!

Sept. 11th Remembered

Hey blog fans...I am just jumping on here to express something that hits home to me. Today is Sept. 11th. 7 years ago there was a tragic event in New York City, Washington D.C. and in a field in Pennsylvania. Many people lost their lives, their loved ones and friends. You may be a conspiracy theorist, or you may believe what you saw. Regardless, people lost their lives...

343 of my brothers and sisters in the fire service gave the ultimate sacrifice. I do not forget this. They went in, when everyone else was trying to get out, that is what we do. I hope you keep their sacrifice in your mind today, but more importantly, remember the families of those heroes and the people that are out their still protecting you. Support your troops, even if you don't support the war. Support your local officials...not the politicians, your Police, Fire, Paramedics and 911 operators, we are there to make your worst day a little bit better, please help make ours a little better. Simple things go a long way. Pull over when you see our lights and sirens, slow down near accidents, wear your seat belt(everyone, even in a fire truck)! Remember, we don't put accidents in your way to slow you down, it could be you next time, so give us a brake and slow down and follow the direction of the police protecting me so I can go home the next morning...we will be out of your way faster that way.

Ok, well I am pushing the soap box in...Thank you for allowing me to protect you and your loved ones. It is an honor, one I respect with all my heart.

So until next time...

Be Kind...Be Safe...(Never Forget)

Shalom my peeps.

Brokeback Picnic

Hey blog readers...well I survived the 48 hour shift. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Well here is the update from the last few days in my little world.

Well the 48 like I said, for the most part was uneventful. We had a few calls here and there. Surprisingly not very many had anything to do with the football game...

Since we are on the game...The Irish didn't look all that strong. They had that hesitant, we are waiting for something bad to happen look. They really did well when they switched to the 2 min. drill offense, but they waited to look good until the end of the 4th quarter. There was a lot of fundamental mistakes. But, in college football, you can't tell a lot about a team by their first outing. GO IRISH!!!

Last night I watched the carnage that was the Colts vs Bears. To all my Bear fan friends...congratulations. To the Colts...now get your heads out of your asses and start winning some football games! Oh yeah, sweet tackle on Devon Hester...that will teach you to show off.

Saturday Jenny made the voyage to Notre Dame for some tailgating. She reports there was lots of fun to be had and we are planning to go out this weekend and have a little party. I can't wait. The girls are coming to the house tomorrow to make Jello Shots and finish up some plans.

Yesterday we went to a picnic/family reunion at L.A. & F.i.L. That is where the title comes from tonight. Jen has a flamboyant cousin. He has never officially come out of the closet, but we all have our suspicions. He is single (by single I mean, no girlfriend/significant other that we have been introduced to). I would guess he is in his 50's...but that is not important. He drives a minivan. The reason I came up with the title has more to do with his outfit choice/stickers on his van. He was wearing some Wranglers with a button up shirt that resembled a cowboy's shirt, cowboy boots and a belt. The belt was leather and had silver ovals on it with little leather tassels coming out of the middle(had gay cowboy written all over it). The minivan previously mentioned is adorned with several stickers: a bull riding sticker in the drivers side rear window. A crazy horse sticker on the drivers side, side rear window. A Cat outline sticker in the passenger rear window that is a merely an outline cut out of a rainbow. Then his license plate bracket says save a horse ride a cowboy. Now I am not a homophob...I know denial is the first sign, but if the above description doesn't scream cowboy Ala "Brokeback Mountain"...I don't know what does.

Well other than that...the picnic was a great success. L.A. is always capable of pulling off great little parties. I helped out with some of the cooking. We brought baked beans and I grilled the chicken. The food was great and the company was even better. We played cornhole(uh oh...I played cornhole with brokeback cowboy...yucky), talked, drank and enjoyed each other. Thanks L.A...it was a great time and I don't have to tell you how much I appreciate you.

Today I worked the PT gig. All and all not a bad day. A little busy at the end, but it wasn't that bad.

Well that is about it. Tomorrow should have some funny things. AAK, Ms. Croft, Absofab, and Jenny are making Jello shots and I am sure there will be some tasting and testing going on. I am golfing with F.i.L. and no, I will not give you any strokes if you are reading this, if your wrist hurst...go get it looked at, it is not an excuse to get charity.

Well, Jenny has dished up some ice cream, and if you know me...I am going to have some too.

So until next time,

Be Kind, Be Safe...

Shalom my Peeps.

Hot off the presses...

Well blog fans...here I sit stuffed to the gills with Olive Garden. The never ending pasta...well it did eventually end.

Today was a whirlwind day...so here is the wrap up.

Finished work at 7a. It was a pretty good day. Productive...we got lots done. I am not looking forward to pulling a 48 starting in the morning...but it is self induced.

Made breakfast and took Sharkboy to school. He really likes his new teachers. He actually told me today that he loves Ms. Ellen and Ms. Karla. He seems to be growing up pretty fast. He actually has been listening...I am sure that is just a phase and it will pass. He is pretty excited that this weekend we are heading for Mimi (L.A.) and Papa's (F.i.L.) for a cook out/family reunion...

Then I took Jenny's van for an Oil Change/Check up. She is really chomping at the bit for a new car. She wants a Chevy HHR...we are working on the details and where we are going to buy it.

Then off to the part time gig for a couple of hours. Just enough time to recieve 2 trucks and scoot out. I had to pick Sharkboy up from school. I am trying to always drop and pick him up from school when I am not at the firehouse. He is a really neat kid and I feel like I am missing things, on an almost daily basis.

Daisy Dog had a vet appointment today...yup, she is trying to chew her legs off again. She has a ragweed allergy and is miserable. So we got her a steriod shot and we are crossing our fingers that she doesn't go from Quadroped to Tri-pod.

Then finally tonight we met with "The Gang" for A.U.J.'s birthday dinner at Olive Garden...yummy. I had the never ending Pasta bowl...aka...Carboholics dream come true(guilty...) It was a great time and we got to laugh and catch up. I would like to add here and go on official record...that Ms. Croft(name changed to protect the not so innocent) is awesome. Good pick UNC...She is awesome and I think she is starting to catch on to our language and joke.

Now Sharkboy is walking around in the rain with no shoes...oh to be a kid again. Well that is about all I have for now.

So remember...Be Kind, Be Safe.

Shalom my Peeps...

Chipping away at this week...

Hey blog readers...here I am chipping away at a long week. Up until recently I never understood why the guys around the firehouse refered to Monday, Wednesday, Friday rotations as "Hell Week". For some reason, it is all starting to come clear...

Well this week so far has consisted of working, taking Sharkboy to school for his first day, Golfing with F.i.L. and a fun time at Hacienda with Scully...well here is the run down.

Working...actually got a pretty good nights sleep on Monday. Sta. 2 went out like 2 times, but all and all pretty good night.

Sharkboys first day at PDO. He woke up and was ready to take on his day. He was in a great mood. The definition of waking up on the right side of the bed. We made our way through our morning and to PDO. He didn't even bat an eye...he was in the group and playing in no time. From the reports, he listened all day and was a model student. Apparently they had him confused with some other child, but we will take a good report and run with it.

Golfing was good. All and all I can't really complain about my game this year. I have shaved about 15 to 20 strokes off my game from last year. I am no where near ready for the tour, but it has been great spending time F.i.L. I plan on playing as many Tuesday rounds as I can...

Well Scully was in town last night. We got to Hacienda around 7:30 and had something to eat. Then libations started flowing and fun was had by all. I got to see some people I hadn't seen in a very long time. Laughing was the rule of order for the night, but catching up just happened to occur also. Scully took me home about 10:30 and it was a great visit overall. It is funny how we change in life. You don't even think about the people that you went to highschool with, the first few years after graduation. Then all of a sudden you start finding people and it becomes interesting to see what they are doing and you catch the bug. Well the bug is caught and I have been enjoying it. It is sad to say, but I am actually looking forward to the 20 yr. reunion in 2012.

Well...it is that time of the night. Time for my head to hit a pillow. Tomorrow will be a busy day...school drop off, oil change in Jenny's van, part time gig for a couple of hours and then dinner out for Awesome Uncle Jon. Get to see some more people we can't get enough of. So for now...

Be Kind, Be Safe, Be rested...

Shalom my Peeps...