California Visit

A bit delayed, but here are some photos of my trip to see John, Erin, Owen and Marcus. Brian flew in, too. There was plenty of good food, running around with nephews, Speed Scrabble, poker, and assorted fun. Erin put me and Brian to work helping pick out and install a new light fixture in the dining room. You can see the before and after pictures down at the bottom of this post on the Johnson's blog. 

It was really a team effort. Erin looked on line and found a couple she thought would work. It took Brian, John, Erin and me to take the old one down. It was heavy and awkward and ugly. Here it is waiting for me to take it apart and put it in a box. Erin found a woman to give her $200 or something for the whole thing and the ceiling medallion that was up with it.

We were a little concerned about getting that medallion down. Mostly just the unknown as to how it was up there. Luckily, the B was masterful with a putty knife and it was only up there with a couple finish screws. 

 

Once all that was down, Erin and I went to pick up the new fixture and assorted items to patch up the ceiling around where the medallion was. Brian did a fine job with spackle and sanding. I put up a coat of primer and we installed the new one. John played a very important role in getting the boys out of the house for a while. Brian was the height and muscle behind the whole operation. Owen was the vacuum cleaner operator to clean up our mess. Mar was just busy being cute. Erin finished up the painting in the next couple of days. I was the consultant/supervisor. ;) 

Here's a picture of Brian and me with the finished product.

 

Ever Wonder...

...what I looked like at age 9? Check out the video my cousin Sarah sent us.

I do believe that my voice is operating at what Quinn would call the Pousson frequency there at the beginning of that video.

Delayed Post of Christmas Fun

Over Christmas in Houston my cousins Kelli, Nick, Stephanie and Matt came over to play with Owen and Marcus and introduce us all to baby Ivy. They also brought along quite possibly the funniest present I have ever seen! We had a blast.

Erin got a little behind on her waxing. Marcus doesn't seem to care.

I think Owen looks like a junior Einstein with black hair instead of white.

Might be a good new look for Brian.

Even little Ivy got in on the action. She just didn't know it.

The Yellow Bandit is Back!

While sitting in the dining room reading other people's blogs, I saw movement in the back yard out of the corner of my eye. The Yellow Bandit is back! He was running across the parking slab and down the alley. Hope he finds a nice warm spot to curl up tonight. Maybe that sketchy garage on the other side of the alley, 3 doors down.

REK, Part 2

I just got back from going to see Robert Earl Keen at the House of Blues in Houston. It was such a good show. Very different from seeing him at the Capital Theater in Davenport. He had a full band, with steel guitar and everything. They were all excellent musicians.


We stood right behind this VIP-looking area before the opening band (Sons of Bill) came on. Turns out, that VIP-looking area was where REK's Uncle Joe and other family members sat. For not having seats, it was probably as good as you could get. We had a barricade to lean on and unobstructed views. 

Best part: they closed the show with "Merry Christmas from the Family" immediately followed by "Feliz Navidad." So much fun.

Christmas Memories

My friend Anne had a post this week about singing Christmas carols with her grandfather. So sweet, and it made me cry a little. 

Now, mind you, I do not ever recall hearing Papa or Grandpa sing. In fact, I distinctly remember Grandpa picking which mass he went to based on how much (or how little, really) singing would be done. I also remember that Grandpa would wear bright red suspenders under his sport coat sometimes to church. I think because it bugged Granny. 

It got me thinking about Christmases of my childhood. I don't remember lots, but I do remember one year (I don't recall which one) that the pipes in our house were frozen. We had to stay at Granny and Grandpa's on Christmas Eve. I am pretty sure that we all still believed in Santa Claus, and worried about how Santa would know where to find us. I remember opening presents on the blue shag carpet in Granny and Grandpa's living room. I think that was the year we got the "Dukes of Hazard" steering wheel toy. The other things I remember about assorted Christmases at Granny and Grandpa's was how sometimes Grandpa would light a fire in their fire place. I remember thinking that was the coolest thing ever. In retrospect, I wonder if it was ever really cold enough in Houston to light a fire in a fireplace.

Red-Assed Monkey

At lunch today, I learned how to say "red-assed monkey" in Japanese. I have since forgotten how to say red-assed monkey in Japanese. Apparently, it's an insult to call someone else. Kind of like calling someone a dumb-ass or perhaps my all time favorite (heard at KMNR by Matt, the trainee director in reference to one of the trainees) which is "fuck-stick." But I think I have a new favorite. And I am happy even if I can't remember how to say it in Japanese because it still sounds awesome in English. 

Oh, and it's tits-ass cold outside right now. Damn, I hate winter.