There were three men around the fire, with the smell of coffee and of bacon frying. It was a two-bit camp in mighty rough country, with three saddle-broncs and a packhorse standing under a lightning-struck cottonwood. "Howdy," I said. "You boys receivin' visitors, or is this a closed meetin'?" They were all looking me over, but one said, "You're here, mister. Light and set."
From "The Man From the Broken Hills" by Louis L'Amour


Friday, June 19, 2009

Fan Letter


I just hope that someone writes him back.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Hungry?

Monday, June 1, 2009

"Men Only" Weekend


That's a picture of me and two of my favorite people in the whole world (the photo was taken a year ago at the top of the St. Louis arch).

Last weekend, their mother (Doesn't that make it sound like I'm divorced? Peculiar, huh?) went to have a wild weekend with her own mom and sister. Not to be outdone by three giggling females gabbing incessantly about scrapbooking, consignment clothing stores, tanning, girl-movies, and Chipendale's dancers (Ok, I was kidding on part of that -- I don't think they talked about scrapbooking) me and my crew had our own crazy-fun weekend.


On friday, Michelle left early in the day so I got to keep the boys at work for about 5 hours. I was pretty busy, but everyone that I work with said they were very good (Way to go boys). I think they even got paid to do a little work while they were there.


After work, we went to Hideaway Pizza. I'm pretty new to Hideaway, but I must say that it's my favorite Pizza. Hands down. It even beats the pants off the Chicago pizzas we tried a few weeks ago.


So anyway, after consuming a large "Mob Boss" (that's bacon, pepperoni, salami, italian sausage, black olives, and shredded garlic -- hmmm, pork... good) we went over to the used game store and picked up some new PS3 goodies and then to Target where we bought a movie - 'The Sandlot'.


We had a blast playing Motorstorm (monster trucks and four-wheelers) and Resistance (first-person shooter; blood, guts, and mayhem; only purchased by irresponsible parents who are encouraging similar behavior in their kids). Sandlot was very funny. I rarely use the word "Hilarious" because few things are to me, but my kids thought it was. This movie made up for the disappointment that was "Mall Cop".


I find that now I can watch certain PG and PG-13 movies with my kids that I used to avoid, due to language. Thanks to the lady down the street, I don't really have to worry about introducing anymore new cuss words to the boys vocal repertoire. Of course I won't be renting "Good Will Hunting" anytime soon to watch with them. Gotta draw the line somewhere.


Saturday, we played games for a few hours and ate breakfast at noon. We had to go out and purchase a couple of baseball gloves and a ball (thanks Sandlot for the inspiration on that).

We ended the day with ballpark hot dogs at the Tulsa Drillers baseball game (13 innings, ouch my aching back) and a fireworks show.


When we got home from the game, mom was home, effectively ending 'Men Only' weekend. The boys didn't care too much because they were wiped out. I certainly didn't care because I love my PHAT wife. She's the bomb.


Wes and Griff, I had a blast with you guys, as I always do. You guys rock.


COST OF "MEN ONLY" WEEKEND

1 Large "Mob Boss" and 3 Mountain Dews ...... $28.00
2 Used Video Games .......................................... 29.98
1 2-Liter of Coke and Sandlot DVD ............. 6.99
2 baseball gloves and a 2-pack of baseballs.... 34.00
3 Tulsa Drillers Tickets ................................... 18.00
3 Hot Dogs, 3 Small Mountain Dews .............. 19.50


1 excellent and memorable weekend with my kids............... $136.47
( You probably thought I was gonna say "Priceless", right? Get real. Did you see the cost of those hot dogs?? Ridiculous.)