So I sew, SO? - February 26th, 2011

I went with Jules Saturday to Joni's house because they were going to work on sewing curtains for Joni & Jason's room. Any time I can visit Brock is a good day! Visiting with Joni is pretty good too.

Brock & I were just hanging out while Jules and Joni were starting on the sewing. He was showing me some of his toy collection. He has good taste when it comes to toys! He says some of the toys taste good too. (That part of him I think is weird.)

Anyhow, I especially liked this one train. It whistled and drove around and was very friendly. Brock said he liked it a lot because it drives his Dad crazy when he plays with it. Brock said any toy that makes noise or plays music is his favorite kind. 

For some reason Brock thought it would be fun to add a green hat on top of my red hat. Brock seems to know a lot about what hat looks good. I just don't think he understands that you're only suppose to wear one at a time.

Well, about an hour after we got there is when the trouble started. Jules & Joni decided to have an Appletini while they worked. I'm not sure what an Appletini is, but I do know that after the third one they were giggling and not sewing anything! I never intended for this to get out, but yes, I can sew. I had to take over for Jules & Joni otherwise the curtains would have never gotten done.

I don't want to confuse anyone here. I don't sew for just any Josephine Shmoe. Although she did tip well, but I digress. Getting Jules and Joni to help with some of the measurements was trying to say the least. And watching them actually hang the curtains (since we all know about my being vertically challenged) was extremely entertaining.

I like using the zig-zag stitch the best. I think it adds that little extra something to my work.

I think they turned out quite good if I say so myself. After Jules & Joni hung the curtains they went back into the living room for more Appletinis. I should investigate those in the near future...

And just for kicks I made a couple of pillows for the bed.

It wasn't long after I had finished the curtains and pillows that Brock was getting a bit sleepy. So I read him a story and he fell fast asleep. Then I woke Joni & Jules up because they were sleeping in the living room. I think the Appletinis did their job.

That was my Saturday. I'll write more soon. Until then, stay out of trouble. If you can't, you better at least be able to run fast.

Football Sunday - The Big Game - February 6

OK, I like football as much as the next gnome. But to me a super bowl is extra large and filled with chips and has a smaller bowl of dip or salsa next to it.

The little guy is Brock, Jules & Norm's grandson. Brock is a Bears fan so the game didn't have as much meaning for him as it might have since the Packers were in it. But Brock's aunt Julie is a Packers fan so it wasn't all bad. We had the gathering at Brock's house. His mom, Joni, is a great hostess and has a flare for decorating like her mom. (As evidenced by the home made tablecloth for the event.)

This was Brock & me getting better acquainted. He is a really cool guy and seems to know quite a bit about football and a lot of other things.

I wasn't sure at first if Brock was messing with me because I'm vertically challenged. But it turned out he was showing me some football moves.

Later, Brock said it was ok to sit in his dad's chair. The funny thing was that Brock could sit in it, not me. He kept tossing me on the floor.

I made another new friend too. It was Brock's buddy. I figured the dog didn't get out much and I made a small wager with him. Brock decided that he wanted some of the bet too.

It seems Brock is extremely well versed in football. Clearly I was out of my league! I can learn a lot from Brock. He's good! I did learn something though. DON'T wager on football things when Brock is in the pool.

I got to spend some time behind the camera too.

These two shots are of Brock & his Aunt Kate. Kate was a Denver Bronco's fan but is now a Bears fan. Its just that she still fits in her Denver jersey that she got when she was like 10 years old. Maybe someone should get her a Bears jersey... When they have big game gatherings everyone wears their team's jerseys no matter if they are in the game or not.

This is Brock & his mom, Joni. Brock was getting a bit tired as the game was winding down. The fact that the Packers were about to win didn't help much either. The one consolation prize for the Bears fans is that the trophy is back in the NFC North. (Whatever that is. I really have to discuss this football thing a lot more with Brock.)

Well, more later.

Snowmageddon 2011 - February 1st & 2nd

Well, I sure could tell we were back in Illinois for this one! The blizzard of 2011. Blizzard, what a funny word. Sounds like a dessert. I prefer Jason's term for the storm - Snowmageddon! Sounds cool.

A lot of people, including Jules & Norm were worried about this one. Usually nobody gets too worked up about forecasts here because we all know weather forecasters just guess what the weather MIGHT be. Only this time they seemed real sure of themselves.
This was Jules little VW Bug Thursday morning at home.

This was Norm's van at work a couple hours into the storm Tuesday night. Jules gave him some real good advice and made him stay in town at work until the storm ended Thursday morning.

This is the kind of snow that I and most kids LOVE!!

NO SCHOOL deep!

Plenty of time to play outside and do all sorts of fun things. I especially like King of the Mountain!

Yes, we do in fact live in a pink house. I asked Norm about the shutters and the hearts in the middle of them. He said he made them for Jules and don't go there.

I hope when Norm shovelled out this walkway he reinforced the walls!

Do you know the BEST thing about snow like this?

SNOW ANGELS!

Making snow angels is a blast. Seeing where somebody else made one after they left always makes me smile because it is proof somebody was having fun and happy when they made it.

A close second to snow angels is snowmobiling! I just have to convince Jason to give up the keys and I'm outta here!

34" of snow?   I have to go out with a balloon tied to me in case the snow I'm walking on gives way.

That way they will know where to find me.  Come on Spring!



Robert's Going Away - January 15, 2011

One of Norm's co-workers, Cathy, was having a sending off gathering for her son Robert. It seems Robert had been dropped on his head recently and had joined the Army. I met Robert for the first time today. I can honestly say that I don't think he actually fell on his head. He made a very rational decision to join and we are all proud of him. This is me & Robert. I was really looking to see if he had fallen on his head, but I didn't see any dents.

This was the "snack" table. Snacks... It seemed more like a gourmet meal. The one sandwich thingy alone was bigger than me.

Robert showed me around and he had some really cool stuff. I especially liked his tent. Although I can't figure out how a guy so tall could fit into that tent. Maybe he is a contortionist. But I have to get one of those!

I'm not sure what the little white guy was thinking when he was trying to sneak over by my beer. I told him he had to go get his own. He made a high pitched noise that hurt my ears and left. I'd hate to hear him sing karaoke.

Robert leaves for boot camp in the next day or two and then on to more training. After that its anyone's guess. God's speed and stay safe my friend!

The Gulf of Mexico - January 10, 2011

Once we checked out of the hotel for the trip home we had a few hours before our flight. Luckily, Norm had something called a GPS and he was able to find the Gulf of Mexico. He seemed all full of himself for finding water. Jules, Jean and Steve were not so impressed. I hear Florida is pretty much a sandbar so finding water should be pretty easy, even for Norm.

I even got my feet wet. That water was COLD!!

Hi Joni!

Hello. I tried to introduce myself but this guy just kept his distance and seemed all aloof. Then it dawned on me that he was an actor from the Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The Birds". Hollywood types always seem stuffy when on the beach. I guess asking for an autograph would be out of the question?

Did I mention Norm was a goof? What kind of a bonehead walks out on an empty beach in WINTER eating anything?

Do you SEE anyone else out there? Nooo! Not a soul in sight! Just me and him.

When he actually started tossing crumbs I thought he was going to get us killed!

Didn't your mother ever teach you NOT to feed the animals?

I wonder if this is how Hitchcock did it?

Helloooo. Hey knucklehead, knock it off! Do you see them looking at me? They're circling! Jules is SO gonna kick your butt if I get bit. Thats it! If I survive and I get close to Norm I AM GOING TO BITE HIM!!

Peace and tranquillity returns to the beach. Because the GOOF left! I wonder what I'm going to have to do to get Jules to off-load that guy?

Florida 2011 - The REST of the story

After getting settled into the hotel and after my nap, I of course had to go and check out the amenities. I found paradise, the HOT TUB!! Yes, that LOOKS like a coffee cup. But a true party-boy knows how to carry a tasty beverage (strawberry daiquiri) without drawing attention to ones-self.

I was surprised at how chilly Florida was at 11:30 at night, in January. But the hot tub and daiquiri made the temperature less important. (Getting out of the hot tub and back to the room we won't discuss. Suffice it to say my voice went WAY up!)

I'm not sure why, but everyone was calling this mini golf. Hello! To the vertically challenged this is NOT mini anything! A little sensitivity please. That is Jean & Steve with Jules. Jean is Jules' sister and Steve is Jean's husband. I think that makes him some sort of in-law. I've heard in-laws are not good things, which I don't understand. Steve was a fun guy. We got along great. Plus, he had more tasty beverages.

Here we go again... Norm thought putting me by the gator feeding pond would be fun. I swear I'm going to bite him! Luckily Jules came to my rescue and told Norm to leave me alone. Did I tell you I really like Jules?

And WHY would you have alligators in the middle of a golf course? Did I mention Florida is weird?

At the clubhouse when we were done there was "almost" an issue. It seems my score was lower than everyone elses. I just explained that since this was my first time golfing it must be beginner's luck. I heard Norm and Steve mumbling something about math skills. I'm not too sure they bought it.

Of course after such a challenging course it was time for lunch. I have FOUND my favorite place to eat. Its called Cracker Barrel. Don't ask me why, it just is. The coffee was great and the food even better. The only drawback with the place is no tasty beverages.

After lunch we went to this touristy town because Jean said there were a lot of cute little places to shop in. Not being much of a shopper I took a stroll along the boardwalk and met some really cool guys. They were world travellers like me. We shot the breeze for a while and then I moved on. 

After talking with my new friends I thought I should find Jules and the rest of the gang. I went into this one shop and about had a heart attack! Now wait a minute, don't go jumping to conclusions! I swear to God this is my first visit to Florida! I have NO idea who this kid's parents are. No, I don't want to know who his mother is and if I have ever met her. I hope Jules doesn't go into that shop. I'm still trying to impress my new family. Where the heck is Norm, he has the car keys!

Got the keys, time to go!