Play it again, Sam....

...And so we bid a fond farewell to the piano player from the west... and his two groupies who follow him around. It was a nice visit and hope to see them all again real soon.

Bye Luke. Trust the Force...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DANI - OLA

HAPPY 40TH, DANIELLE!!!!

We've known you since you were a teenager and here you are, mom of 2 and turning the Big 4-0! Love you lots and hope you have an AWESOME 3-day Birthday Weekend!!

Mayor Blomburg's joke of the day

A guy is driving in Manhattan. It is in the middle of the day and he is late for a meeting.... desparately looking for a parking space. He starts to pray, "God, please help me to find a parking space. If you can help me find a parking space, I'll... I'll ... GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY...I'll visit my kids more often.... Oh, please God... I'll take my mother to dinner once a week..."

Just then, a car pulls out from the curb and a parking spot opens up right in front of the place where the guy has the meeting. The guy says, "Never mind, God. I found one."

How gorgeous is The Meems?

THIS gorgeous! I just think this is such a beautiful picture of our Meems, looking young and beautiful and happy. It makes me happy to look at this picture. WE LOVE YOU, THE MEEMS!

Heat Miser Hair

No, it's not red and it's definitely not this long yet, but yesterday when I got home from the gym, I ran my fingers through my sweaty hair and tugged at it here at there, and the resulting sPikes just reminded me so much of the Heat Miser's hairdo that I had to laugh. Or maybe I am just really jonesing for the holidays. Anyway...it's an excellent picture and hope it makes you smile too. I even did a little of the Heat Miser Dance, just for Fred and Boo!

Trivia Question of the Day

Had a very nice dinner last night with Mom's him and him friends... Meems made some delicious wet burrittos and key lime pie. Earlier this morning we were blessed with a visit with Polly and Molly and Booey was good enough to bring along the "Bumpus" dogs. they are a real trip. Gratefully, there was no turkey on the table nor screen doors to destroy. Now we are just waiting for the other faction.... Curley, Larry and.... no... there are only 3 of them.... maybe Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo... I know there was a Gummo, but he left the act early....

Now for the trivia question.... without looking it up anywhere, where is the Red River Valley located as in the Song of the same name? The song that goes, "...Come and sit by my side, if you love me. Do not hasten to bid me adieu. Just remember the Red River Valley And the cowboy who loved you so true..."

A surreal parenting day...

So Thursday was a day of dichotomous parenting reality for me. In the course of one day, I met my 18 year old son for lunch, in between his college class schedule. Listening to a whole world that has opened up for him (dorms, girls, new friends, etc.). Then at 4:30pm, I scurried across town to meet Paige and Luke for his fun little music class where he gets to run around with other kids, play instruments and dance. From there I drove home to take my near 17 year old daughter (and her entourage of friends) to the piercing / tattoo parlor to get her nose pierced.

Yikes - I know what you're going to say (or have already said) - but I think you'll agree from the picture that it is a cute look for her, and even if it's not one I would pick for my 'little girl' - it's part of my job to *slowwwwwly* let go and let her start making some harmless decisions that make her feel more independent and respected.

And she (as well as Corbin and Kelsey) have earned a lot of respect. They get very good grades, are responsible and unlike so many parents today - I never worry about some of that dark cloth that seems to enshroud the kids of today. In short - they are such great kids... well - kids and adult... ;-)

As for Luke - well, he's still in that 'comfort' area for me. One where I get to know his every waking (and sleeping) move. One where Paige and I get to decide every aspect of his life, even down to what he eats and when he changes his diaper or takes a bath. Ahhhh... it really is such sweet solace to retire to when so much is changing. It serves as a perch from which to watch my other kids getting older - and cherish even more the little moments of a world first experienced.

And as for Kylie - you'll also notice that another big event happened yesterday (and actually could be a very major factor in why she looks so beautiful). She got her braces off yesterday! (and of course instantly looked so much older to me). Sigh...

I Feel Shamed

Yes, it is true. I have managed to miss my parents anniversary. I have no excuses except that my mind does not get along with dates and names. Just ask my wife.....whats-her-name. That being said, I humbly throw myself at the mercy of the court. I apologize to the two most wonderful parents that a child could ever have. Happy Anniversary Captain and Pops!!

I think that one chick's birthday is coming up pretty soon. I better look that up ;>

That's all the time I have. You've been great!

TTS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MEEMS & DADDO!!!!!

We are all SO grateful to have such amazing role models as parents, and are all SO happy you two got together 48 years ago and started the Sheen Family. Thank you for staying so in love all these years. You have made this family a most wonderful, loving, and happy place to be, and it is my greatest honor to be your daughter.

HAPPIEST OF ANNIVERSARIES TO YOU, THE SWEET BABBBOOS!!

The Case of the Missing Cotton Candy Machine

Anybody finding Kirsten's Cotton Candy Machine.... just put it in storage with the "black bird." seems the company will issue its refund even tho it cannot be found. I will have to call off the Great Detective and tell him to go back into retirement.. keeping bees.

It never gets old...

...even after seeing the shuttle liftoff from up-close, I still get such a thrill seeing anything going up from Cape Canaveral, like this Delta II rocket that went up this morning, just before 7am.

I do love that I can just walk to my bedroom window to watch it. It was very clear and gorgeous to watch, a little orange ball shooting up, up, and away!

The Squirrel

Have you guys seen this picture? It was verified as non-Photoshopped. The couple in it had set up the camera to take a picture on timer, and right before it went off, this little squirrel, intrigued by the camera and the noise it was making, moseyed on over to take a look. I just think it's one of the funniest pictures. So, of course, I had to have some fun with it myself.

It's the most Ickiest time of the year....

Come January, February, the weather down here in Florida is gorgeous, idyllic, lovely...but long about mid-August is when it gets downright gross and nasty...the temps start hitting the mid-to-high 90s, and you FEEL it, to the point where you have to be VERY cautious getting into your car if it's been sitting outside all day. You really don't got a day without someone saying "man...it is HOT out!" And it isn't just August...down here, September is just as bad as August.

So unless I am at the beach or floating in a pool, I pretty much loathe this time of year down here...and I start longing for a Michigan Fall. September is a slightly better month, since at least I can be thinking "next month is Halloween!" Even tho we don't get a "Fall" here and it'll be in the 80s for Halloween, at least it's not the 90s, and the holiday cheers me up.

At least we are getting summer storms...something about the rain pouring down makes me feel better about...August. Let's just pray the hurricanes all stay away!

Ironically, I am so freezing in my office as I sit here and type this that I have my foot heater on. Stupid over-air-conditioned buildings.

A Close Shave

Although Kevin has already assumed that I had some part in this ritual shaving, as you can see, there is NO PART at all. Whether it's because of Uncle Terry's haircuts over the Summer, Aunt Kee's flirt with baldiness, or wanting to outdo his father's cuts, Tom opted for a number one the last time I cut his hair. Number one on my clippers says it leaves I believe an eighth of an inch. After liking it so much and wanting to push the envelope one more step before the commencement of school in just four short weeks, Tom pressed me and his mom into allowing him to have a "zero" cut. No big deal...it'll grow back, although I doubt Uncle Brendan would go there. Billy, on the other hand, though he followed the leader with a "one" cut last time, opted to forgo the cut of any kind this time. Even Ed and Jim got cuts, but nothing like this...just short enough to manage.

Well, I'm off to gather my bags and head up North with Terry and his crew of drunken, card-playin' rowdies. Good thing Terry and I are there to balance this out with peaceful sobriety.............AH HA HA HA HA HA ..........LMAO!!!! That report to come.

Today is a Slo Flo Day....

Flo is here cleaning... almost done now. Mom is safely in Frankenmuth. This is her overnighter with Maxine, so sPike and I will "batch" it for the rest of today. Tomorrow I have to take may car to the shop. Seems that the brakes shudder at higher speeds when applied. Told my guy about it and he said it sounded like the rotors were out of round. That sounds rather costly to me.... about $200 a wheel is my guess.... but cheaper than a car payment.

The Party

With special thanks to Peter Sellers where he plays this Indian or Pakastani...
First, as you walk in, there is this black man sitting in the front yard. He is the guard for the cars. Not sure what he would do if one of the cars were in danger of pillage, but he was there on duty....
Entering the back yard, tables and chairs were set up outside the fence enclosing the kidney shaped pool. We sat at a corner table with one of "the boys." Across from us at the next table, was a dead ringer for Anjelica Houston. Some guy walking around was obviously trying very hard to look like Ernest Hemmingway.... the way he looked in his latter years, sometime after running with the bulls.... then there was another Hemmingway... but shorter. This was really weird. Now I was starting to look for other comparisons and sure enough. This tiny old lady who almost falls forward as she walks.... Ruth Gordon.
Then I notice this really.... REALLY old guy... well turns out he is the husband of the hostess... it is her party and she is 91 and tends this lavish garden area on a daily basis by herself.... anyway, her aged husband quickly strips off his shirt and YUCK!, you don't want to look. Nothing worse than ugly folds of skin hanging on display.
Then in walks this guy in the Buy Detroit T shirt with the whitest hair tied in a pony tail. He was not that old... just strange looking.
At one point I almost broke into song with my Groucho Marx impression, singing "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady" cause we had one of those, too ... tattoos on her back and arms.... big ones... strange designs....
And that's the way it was.... except we were there. Food was good....

Just before we leave... as if for contrast, this guy who is the most good looking young movie star type... ala Brad Pitt... sits down at our table eating his food.... chatting with all, so he must live in this .... Village of the Outré.... but really personable.... Meems thinks he was a young successful doctor who has the biggest house of the lot.
After a couple of hours, we take out leave. Our car is still there.
Can it get more weird than that?

Building a deck

So here is the 'near' final state of the 26'x15' deck / gazebo. I say 'near' because besides adding the fascia and boxing in the step - there is building the planters / benches, replacing the grill, finishing the french drain (really not deck related - but more backyard related) and of course getting new patio furniture.

But I thought I'd post a 'work in progress' since things are starting to shape up. With the new landscaping, it's actually now a nice space back there and pleasant to spend time watching Luke play on the grass or on his mini-jungle-gym.

One thing that's interesting about this project. I'm usually pretty good about estimating. Snag here or there, but overall spot on my estimates. But in this project - EVERY step took TWICE as long as I thought it would (or more). No real snags, just lots of work. Along the way too - I made some decisions around 'doing it right' that threw extra work in it, but it seems like I've been working on it all summer.

Of course the end result is I have a deck you could park a car on. Even the stairs (resting on an 8 inche compacted gravel pit) are solid. And then there's the cost savings. All-in, this deck (with tool rentals along the way), cost less than $4,000. Where-as to have it built would have been around $10,000. And now I know why!

btw - The gazebo was a smokin' deal. Didn't plan on buying it this year, but Paige and I went into Lowe's and they had this one we had looked at and liked for half price. Normally it was $700 - which I felt was too much. But we got it for $350. It looks smaller in the picture than it is. It's 10'x10' - maybe it's the angle.

Not Too Humid When You're Wet

Agreeing with Daddo, the outside sun was quite overbearing yesterday. After a morning stay with mom and dad, we ventured home, where Jim napped, boys watched tv, Katie read, and I prepped some ribs for up north trek...all of us doing our thing indoors. However, when Jim woke, we did venture out once more. It was off to the Panni-Matka's. She had hors d'eourves of Doritos and broccoli...not in one bowl, and had her pool out in the shade for the boys. Ed gravitated toward that. However, the elder two went for the canal, as all of us Sheens would have been used to as well. I was downloading mom's pictures to her computer, down in the cool basement, or lower level, as one might call the sub-ground level of a tri-level home, when in down walks Jim in his bathing suit. I asked him if he was going swimming, and he let me know in no uncertain words that I was going swimming as well. Luckily I knew this was coming, and had brought my suit. I was soon outside with him and was ready to go into the pool with him. UH-UH!!! If brothers were in the canal, then so would he be. Of course I would go in first and get ready for him.

I was soon in the water, and surprised at the height, being chest high on me. This made me less thrilled that my 7-year old was in there, considering that unless he was at the ladder, he had to tread water. However, he had passed his swimming test(to the other side of the canal and back without stopping) so I put my parental worries aside, and was glad to be in there with them. Jim was soon making his way down the ladder and into my arms. He said C-O-L-D, a couple of times, when the water height hit his belly and chest, but only got out once our twice to tell his mommy how he was in the canal with daddy holding him. Then, it was right back in. I even think if I prompted him, he would have jumped right off the edge without reservation. This cooled us off immensely, and once dinner was over, the only thing swimming in the pool were a couple of little fish, and a foot long large mouth bass that Billy caught.

All said and done, it didn't seem too humid when you were in the canal and wet. That night, Jimmy worked on his sentences by telling his mom and dad how Jim...ca-al...dadda...hold...brothers. And of course, we all know what this means, right? Storms made for a restless night with the boys, but Ed and I are up and running...not literally running...this morning. Hope all is well with you. Here are some locals in the canal.

Julie & Julia

What a super movie. Two thumbs up. And the Garbage Burger at Max and Erma's was not too bad either.
Boys were here for breakfast and soon we will be heading to the birthday celebration in Indian Village. Man, is it hot outside. Just stepped out of the AC and found the sun most unpleasant.

Bon Apetite!

We are off to dinner at Max and Erma's at Partidge Creek mall with the Ritchies, then to the cinema to see Julie and Julia. Should be good. Has Meryll Streep ever made a bad movie? Tomorrow, Sunday, we look forward to vistors.

"SHE"

Just watched the award winning video by my grandson, Corbin "Orson" Sheen and I must say I am duly impressed. However, as usual, I never seem to understand the avant garde story line. But then again, I never really understood most of Orson Welles stuff either like Citizen Kane being a takeoff of William Randolph Hearst and that "Rosebud" was in fact.... well, never mind what Rosebud really referred to. This is a PG blog. Anyway, I see great things for Corbin. He seems to have his father's flair.

The Time Machine

With special thanks to H. G. Wells...
Are things so uneventful in the Sheen clan that there is nothing to write about in the blog? I think we have all been a bit .... lazy in my case.... busy with some of you....
I have been listening to the audio book of "The Time Traveler's Wife" since I saw that the movie is coming out soon. Not sure about my reaction to it, because it seems to me that a book can be going along swimingly and then have a crappy ending that just ruins it all... I will withhold judgment until the end.
We are going to a birthday celebration for Meem's friends ... former patients who swing from the other side of the plate... so I guess their party could be called a "Gay Bash."
I think not. (poof)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAIGE!!!!

Our amateur (tho her photos are far from Amateurish) photographer is celebrating her birthday today! We wish her the very happiest of special days! Love you, Paige!

A visit with Cousin Ira

Meems had an appointment today with the foot doctor, whom I have dubbed Cousin Ira, merely for the fact that he looks like Cousin Ira on "Mad About You". I credit him for curing my heel spur, so now we are hoping that he can alleviate the Meems' discomfort. If not, maybe he can make us laugh.

And now the ice cream is melted that I left on the top of the refridgerator last night. Why would I do that? Because I had to put the fresh ice cube trays back on the top shelf, and had to move all that ice cream off the top ice cube shelf to make room... And guess who always clutters up the top ice cube shelf.... and the first guess is not Cousin Ira.