Filed under: The Adventures, The Disaster Twins, The Family, The Yard | Tags: building a fence, dogs running free, fence
Spider-Husband and I have contemplated getting a fence ever since the first winter of Chow-Chow, where the Blonde family spent many a midnight fighting off frostbite and questioning why we thought getting dogs was a good idea while the Disaster Twins took turns circling around the yard looking for that one special spot where the serious business could be done. And, while the circling patterns have differed and the spots may have changed through the years, our fear of hypothermia and cursing through our clattering teeth has not.
But, still we have endured.
Well, until this spring, when the rest of our phase of the subdivision is being finished, including the building of a new house that sits behind our lot and will soon contain a home whose back corner is approximately six feet from our property line. ’Cause really…who needs a backyard? Thus, Spider-Husband has spent the past few weeks obtaining building permits, getting cost estimates, scheduling survey appointments, and picking out the perfect post toppers for our latest unexpected investment.
Last Friday was the big day. Spider-Husband took the day off since I was in Boston for a business trip, which is probably for the best since I’m sure I would have had a meltdown when forced to hand over the credit card to pay for the little project. And, I admit as I drove home from the Indianapolis airport, I was still a little uneasy about spending the money, worried that we’d made the wrong decision, and frustrated that we even felt like we needed a fence because of someone else’s decision to build as close to the property lines as possible.
Until…
I swear I had a hot flash of maternal pride – something like I imagine a parent must feel when they see their child doing something that makes them truly happy for the very first time.
Oh, Hal. Oh, Bard. You made Mommy’s day.
Filed under: The Adventures, The Disaster Twins, The Family | Tags: 3D glasses, Halas, Lombardi, Noah, Superbowl Sunday
So, I realize it’s well over a week past the Superbowl and that no one is particularly concerned with what the Blonde family did to mark the momentous occasion.
But, my totally-on-her-game mother-in-law was kind enough to pick up the much-hyped 3D glasses for the “Monsters vs. Aliens” halftime preview that I managed to forget on three subsequent trips to the grocery store. And, all she asked in return was the promise of a least one picture with all four of us all geared up for the Monstrous 3D Event…which everyone knows is the only reason I agreed to watch the game in the first place this year.
This little gem is all yours, Connie.
That’s a fine piece of photo composition there, eh?
Spider-Husband was able to snag a halfway decent shot of the three of us which may or may not have been, in part, possible thanks to the wonders of Scotch packing tape. I’m just saying.
And, lest Halas and Lombardi be the only hounds humilated in this post, I give you their canine cousin, Noah, or as his Aunt Blonde likes to call him “No, No”, who scored a touchdown of his own…
…then headed immediately upstairs to take a celebratory whiz all over the Blonde’s freshly washed comforter and sheets.
It was a Super Sunday, indeed.
We recently found out that Spider-Husband’s Gramma’ B is in the hospital for pneumonia again. Winter is always a rough time for her, and unfortunately, in recent years, she’s had to celebrate her birthday, which is on New Year’s Eve, in a hospital bed. Spider-Husband and I went to see her a couple days ago, but I’m still getting over a cold so I opted to stay in the car while he ran into visit and thus missed what might be my favorite Gramma’ B moment ever.
Spider-Husband: What have you been doing?
Gramma’ B: Not much. I’ve been watching this show about Paula Abdul.
Spider-Husband: Oh yeah?
(Clearly stunned since neither of us knew “Hey Paula” was still on the air and are a little horrified that Bravo thought the holiday season was the ideal time to show reruns of the total reality trainwreck. ‘Cause nothing fills the heart with Christmas joy like lots of crying, over the top drama, and near nervous celebrity breakdowns.)
Gramma’ B: Poor, poor Paula. She just works so hard and does so much and she’s so hungry and no one will give her any food.
(Which, of course, begs the questions, “What in the hell are you talking about?” and “Where exactly is Paula that she can’t find any sustenance?”)
Spider-Husband: Oh. Um. OK.
Now at a complete loss for words, my husband politely finished his visit then headed to the car to get me up to speed on Paula’s dietary needs. We both cracked up hysterically, chalked it up to Gramma’ B’s meds, and figured that was the most likely the extent of Gramma’ B’s fascination with Paula and her plight. And, then a few hours later, the phone rang…
Gramma’ B: I wanted to ask you something. Is Paula’s last name Jabbar?
Spider-Husband: You mean like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Gramma’ B: Yes.
Spider-Husband: Uh, no. And, his real name is Lew Alcindor, but he changed it to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when he became a Muslim.
Gramma’ B: Huh.
Spider-Husband: They aren’t related, Gramma’.
Gramma’ B: Alright. ’Cause I just wondered.
Filed under: The Family | Tags: chin ups, Christmas 2008, Iron Gym, Michael
My brother, Michael, gets ready to get strong, get lean, and get ripped…quick…with his new Iron Gym complete with Ab Straps.
It’s a total upper body workout not to mention one of his favorite Christmas gifts from Mom.
Filed under: The Adventures, The Blonde, The Family, The Husband | Tags: Fall, back to blogging, Christmas 2008, Halloween, work travel
In a perfect world, I’d have created a fun-filled video slideshow with pictures of all the important events and exciting adventures that the Blonde, her hot stuff Spider-Husband, and our amazing wonder pups had enjoyed since the last time we spoke. But, really, what fun would that be?
Instead, I’ll just hit the highlights and you can fill in the blanks. Just imagine a really cool montage with super cute pictures, and I know, it can even be set to the music of your choice! Something really cliché like “I Hope You Had the Time of Your Life” or maybe a little “Wind Beneath My Wings” – oh yeah, you’re feeling it, aren’t you?
It’s the Fall of the Blonde in fifty seconds or less…
Joined a book club.
Flew to Colorado in mid-October to hang out with a bunch of electrical workers and contractors for work.
Managed to get an ear infection in both ears and visited the very scary, but open on a Sunday clinic to get an antibiotic.
Carved pumpkins with Spider-Husband for Halloween. Planned to make mine a winking girl pumpkin, but after an unfortunate slip of the knife, revised my design and carved a Frankenpumpkin instead.
Finished reading Eat, Pray, Love in the waiting room during a trip to the doctor to figure out why my ears hurt worse than they did before I went to the clinic and why it hurts to swallow.
Missed my book club meeting after doctor shoots me up with corticosteroids and sends me to the emergency room to monitor my breathing after discovering I’m having a big-time allergic reaction to the antibiotic.
Finally painted the master bedroom and hung up pictures we’ve had since our wedding.
Stood in line for two hours to vote absentee.
Flew to Hoboken for work. Spent the first night at the hotel trying to pretend not to hear the very loud couple having very loud escapades during the very early hours after midnight. Spent subsequent night praying that the very mom-like, very middle-age woman I saw enter the adjoining room is NOT the woman I heard moaning and thrashing about the previous evening.
Cheered in complete amazement with the Spider-Husband when Indiana is called blue for the presidential election.
Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for book club. Struggled the entire way through, but managed to finish before our meeting.
Watched our daily exercise routine come to a grinding halt as temperatures dropped to near freezing with no signs of improving until after the winter.
Bought a treadmill that we can’t afford to avoid having to purchase a gym membership that we can’t afford either.
Discovered that exact treadmill is $200 cheaper online with no shipping charges direct from the manufacturer. Returned to Sears for the second time that day after verbal confirmation via phone that the manager would match the price.
Marveled that a treadmill that has an iPod dock, a digital control panel, a built-in fan, custom workout programs, and touch-screen technology has managed to have no place to prop a book or magazine.
Booked our long-awaited, two-years-of-saving-up-for-trip to Hawaii. Joined Spider-Husband and the chows in a happy dance to celebrate Maui in May followed immediately by a panic attack when our savings account balance plummets.
Visited Anderson for Thanksgiving with my extended family. Finally figured out the perfect baking time and temperature for my corn casserole recipe, but managed to completely destroy my mother-in-law’s homemade macaroni and cheese recipe in the process. Returned home with one empty casserole dish and two pound of overcooked, crusty, chewy macaroni for Spider-Husband’s dining pleasure.
Realized we have no money for Christmas this year once we hit the day after Thanksgiving sales. Pulled out the dusty Visa and crossed our fingers that our current eBay auctions will cover what we spent on gifts.
Enjoyed an afternoon shopping with my Aunt Donna, my sister Traci, and my niece Simony-Mony. Received frantic phone call from a still shocked Spider-Husband who ran into Lowes to return a light bulb and returned to find a John McCain bumper sticker stuck on top of his prized Obama sticker on the back of his magical mystery machine.
Flew to Las Vegas for work. Forced to wear a turtleneck every day to hide the giant hives that are all over my neck and shoulders after another allergic reaction to who knows what lest the conference attendees not freak out thinking they’re buying books from a leper at our booth during the show.
Got promoted.
Reunited with my former coworkers at the first ever Peterson PIO Christmas Party. Kicked in the ass by karma after stealing books from pregnant mommy-to-be in the White Elephant gift exchange and wound up taking my copy of Darby O’Gill and the Little People and Spider-Husband’s Desert Shield Trading Cards back home. Thanks Paul and Kelly. : )
Went Christmas shopping with Spider-Husband and his Mom.
Read The Glass Castle and picked January book club selection – The Lovely Bones.
Suggested Spider-Husband and I have a low-budget Christmas in light of the treadmill and Hawaii purchase – $25 each plus a $25 gift certificate for Amazon. Learned he intended to buy me a Wii after the fact. Managed not to weep openly and beg for a renegotiation of terms.
Took two weeks off work for the holidays. Spent first few days caring for a sick Spider-Husband. Spider-Husband spent last few days caring for a sick Blonde.
Put the Christmas tree and stockings up less than a week before Christmas after vowing that I wasn’t pulling decorations out of the garage this year.
Drove to Lowell for Christmas with the Duncans.
Drove to Greenwood for Christmas with the Trents.
Drove to Anderson for Christmas Eve with my Grandma.
Opened Christmas presents with Spider-Husband and the Disaster Twins. Went back to bed five minutes later.
Headed to my brother’s house for a Christmas Day breakfast with my Mom, Michael, his wife, and her family. Left after presents were done to spend rest of the day sick in bed.
Waited over an hour to see Marley and Me. Wept uncontrollably throughout the movie and emerged looking like Tammy Faye after a wicked crying jag.
Which brings us to about now.
Filed under: The Adventures, The Family | Tags: bean bag toss, birthday party, family get-togethers, jousting, tug-of-war
Last Friday was Spider-Husband’s sister’s birthday. It was a big one, so her husband and kids went all out to make the day memorable complete with a big party on Saturday afternoon. Media knew they were planning a get-together, so there were no secrets to keep.
Or, so she thought…
Turns out her hubby rented a giant inflatable “jousting” arena and turned the backyard into a mini-tournament area with a bean bag toss game, tug-of-war, a ton of food and drinks to keep the birthday athletes refreshed, and enough action to keep the Blonde’s camera snapping throughout the afternoon.
Check it out…
My mother-in-law caught some wicked air while bouncing with my nephew Gabriel on the inflatable jousting platform.
Yo, Adrian…
Spider-Husband and Media were undefeated in the tug-of-war challenge.
And, my father-in-law lived out every Daddy’s fantasy in the jousting ring…the chance to knock their baby girl’s husband down. : )
And, just in case you’re wondering…yes, the Blonde did partake in the fun.
In my flouncy dress and all its splendor.
‘Cause really, it’s not a party until somebody sees your panties, is it?
Filed under: The Family | Tags: Carter, Cassey, football, Indianapolis Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, nephew, niece, preseason games, Zack
My uber-cute niece, Cassey, and my ultra-cool nephews, Zack and Carter, got a sneak peek of this year’s Indianapolis Colts line up, not to mention an up-close look at the new Lucas Oil Stadium, at last night’s final preseason game.
Aunt Blonde is going to ignore the fact that they are so rooting for the wrong team instead of her Chicago Bears and let them enjoy the ignorance of their youth.
But, like the Emperor, Uncle Spider-Husband is not as forgiving. Someone’s going to be lobbying hard for Packers tees all-around come Christmas time this year.
Filed under: The Family | Tags: comedy club, ComedySportz, Family, improv comedy, Massachusetts Ave.
Spider-Husband and I met up with his sister, her husband, and the kids last night for a Saturday evening out on the town. Last winter, my friend Cathy introduced us to a local improv comedy club, ComedySportz, which, as you can probably guess from the name, follows a sporting event format during the show – two teams, one ref, the national anthem, halftime, scoreboard, and all.
We had a blast with Cathy, and ever since I’ve wanted to take our niece, Courtney, and our two older nephews, Zach and Jeremy. Both boys love baseball, and I really thought they’d enjoy seeing the show since it’s set up just like a game.
We finally got the chance to meet up last night. Mike O. had the evening off. It was the O Family’s weekend to have all the kids. And, Grandma Connie was available to chill with our youngest nephew, Gabriel, since a three-year-old’s attention span wasn’t going to hold out for the two-hour event.
Tons of fun. It was fantastic to be able to laugh with the kids and to catch up with Media and Mike O. It’s been a long time since we had the opportunity to just hang out and get together free of the demands of a holiday get-together, birthday party, or family event.
Just look at those smiles…we definitely need to get together more often.
Filed under: The Family | Tags: Brittnee, graduation open house, high school graduation, niece, Pantherettes
It’s official. I’m old.
Not really, but today, I feel old.
This afternoon is my oldest niece’s high school graduation party, which I’m bummed I have to miss since I’m still in San Francisco for work. I was in high school when Brittnee was born, so it’s a little hard to believe that she’s old enough to even be in high school, let alone be graduating from it.
Good for you, Brittnee. You’ve come along way since the days of standing in the front yard with your Aunt Blonde – me twirling the kitchen broom, you twirling your mini-plastic broom - practicing for Pantherette tryouts.
Have fun at your par-tay!
Filed under: The Family | Tags: birthday, Doc, Gopher, Lido deck, The Love Boat
Today is my sister Christina’s birthday. She actually got her birthday card on time, but what’s a birthday without a little public celebration?
Oh Stina, if only I wasn’t in San Francisco this week, I’d hop aboard the Pacific Princess with you and celebrate all Love Boat style just like we used to in our basement back in the day.
You could grab Gopher and I could find Doc, and we’d head up to the Lido Deck where Isaac would bring us margaritas while we work on our tan.
I’d even make you a bologna sandwich with potato chips crushed on top and pretend it was French cuisine.
It would be fantastic.
Sorta’ like an open smile on a friendly shore.
