Friday, December 31, 2010

First 5/Last 5

Happy New Year from me, Bill, Reagan, & Nolan!

The first 5 pictures I took in 2010
(not bad for being a bit, ahem, intoxicated)






The last 5 pictures I took in 2010






and more than 8,000 in between.

Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Glass 1/2 Empty kind of day

I'm going to be negative here, because I can and i need to get it out.

1. surgery sucks
2. both my kids have barfed their heads off in the last 72 hours.
3. i can't do a thing for them, not even a proper hug.
4. there is a mouse in our basement eating through my stockpile of good deals. F-U mouse. hopefully, he ate some of the "treat" bill left for him.
5. WTF are my cats doing while there is a party going on in my basement?
6. i can't hold my camera. I haven't gone more than 2 days without taking a picture in 2 years. there is a ice-encased lighthouse to photograph that is calling my name
7. i am not patient. i do not want to do 6 MONTHS of rehab
8. the browns are losing
9. I'm not going to be able to take my kids to Country Lights this week.
10. my throat hurts, my ribs ache, my back is sore

sure there are positives, like I woke up this morning and I'm lucky to have Bill taking care of as much as he possibly can and my mom to take Reagan for the day, but at this minute my glass is 1/2 empty and this is my pity party.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Santa Take 4 or 5, I've Lost Count

http://www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com/

Bill was beyond excited when I announced that we would be attending yet another Breakfast With Santa.

No.
Really.
He REALLY was because it was at A BAR.
One that has a lot of great IPA’s on tap, especially his very favorite, Racer 5. (Hint, hint…foreshadowing) 


So last Saturday morning we set off for Happy Dog. We feasted on pancakes and sausage for the kids; hotdogs and tator tots for the grownups (who ended up eating the kids leftover pancakes because they were so good!)

Of course, the Big Guy was there. Yes, Reagan got right up on his lap. They talked a long time while many of us tried to convince Nolan that he needed to go tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.




After some small talk about her brother, Santa asked Reagan standard, “What do you want for Christmas, little girl?” Reagan replied, “The Playmobil Zoo and some Racer 5.”

I.AM.NOT.MAKING.THIS.UP.

My friend, Jen, was standing next to me as a witness. I thought I'd have to pick her up off the floor.

My three year old daughter, make that Bill’s 3 year old daughter, just asked Santa for a 6 pack of a hoppy California IPA.

BEER.

She asked SANTA for BEER.
(I’m sure there was a little coaching while in line, right Daddy?)

When in Rome, I guess.

Meanwhile, Tommy the pinball wizard was hanging in the back of the bar near the games. The only thing that got him up there was telling him I would actually put money in the pinball machine after suffering through a photo op for Mommy.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Santa and Reagan waited.....
...and waited.

Nolan slowly waked to the stage.

Santa went to put his arm around him.

Nolan took two more steps to the right and rolled his eyes upward. He didn’t breath. He didn’t blink. He wouldn’t even glance to the left.
The sheer agony.
When I told him to step away, he took a deep sigh and walked away. Santa offered him a popcorn ball, but he wasn’t going back for it, so Santa rolled it to him.
In the meantime, the Racer 5 Queen was busy making the bubbles disappear in her Daddy's beer by dipping her fingers in it while he chatted up the bartender.


Two peas in a (Bear Republic) pod.

Of course, when it is time for Santa to take his leave, Nolan was all over him.

Crazy fun times, people.
Or just crazy!
I wouldn't have it any other way.