Last time I mentioned that it was a little too quiet around the house. If you have kids then you can understand that statement.
Last week was anything but quiet at the Lee house. To begin with, Big E and I took the week off work. We really needed a vacation (even though we had no plans for a trip, etc) or in this case, some time away from work. In addition, the girls were out of school for the week too. My sister and the twin boys (nearly 3 years of age) were in town too.
We spent a few days hanging with the little guys and doing fun things like playing monster, the playstation (they are really good!!), and generally screaming and laughing. The later seems to be a competition at times that is really funny and reallllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy loud.
I must mention that we took "the boys" to a local Japanesse steak house for lunch. Kabuki is one of our families favorite resteraunts. Of course we opted for the hibachi grill room so the boys could watch their food being prepared. Overall, the boys seemed to have a great time. The most amazing thing was watching Jacob use the chop sticks to eat his rice. That little guy couldnt grasp the concept of opening and closing the sticks around clumps of rice, but he mastered the art of sticks as a shovel technique. He liked the sticks so much that he took them home to be used again in the morning with his waffles. Im sure that his inner-Buddha was very proud.
Like most families, we had a big Thanksgiving lunch with various members of our family. I dont know how my mother can manage to cook that much food, for that many people and still have it all come together at the right time. As usual, the food was plentiful and excellent.
I am not a hunter, and I have no desire to ever do so. Dont get me wrong, I'm not a card carrying member of PETA, but getting up before the crack of dawn, in the cold to sit in a tree is not my idea of a fun way to hopefully prove I'm at the top of the food chain. I can prove that at the Publix across the street. However, our oldest daughter did kill her first deer this weekend. She and her father went a few times last year, but I dont think she ever took a shot. This year she got one on their first trip and she shot it on her own.
On a final note, Saturday is Big Elizabeth's big date. We are going to see Keith Urban for the umpteenth time this year. By no means is this guy or any other country artist on my must see list. However, if Elizabeth doesnt see another band in concert ever, she will see this guy every time he is within a reasonable distance (reasonable as defined by her not me, see the house rules).
For my part, I will give Keith credit for putting on a fun show (relative to country music) AND he attracts a LOT of ladies to his shows. For one night I am forgiven for the amount of beer that I drink and the number of young ladies that might get a second look.
Its a tough life, but its my life and I wouldnt trade it for anything.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Slow week ..
Its been a fairly slow week in the Lee house. In fact, its been too slow. Almost like the calm before the storm. Next week should be a fun week, as we are all out of school and work. In addition, my sister is in town with the twins. I am looking forward to hanging out with the boys and staying up late playing a variety of games with the family.
Changing subjects, have you ever noticed that you seem to be stuck in rut? Each of us have a little routine, or simple tasks that we perform every day that become so engrained into our daily lives that we hardly even realize it anymore.
Take Rusty as an example. A pet requires a certain amount of attention and daily care, in some ways its liking having another child. If your pet is spoiled, like Rusty, it can be even worse. This week has really demonstrated that for me. Each morning, we awake at 5:30 to let that dog go outside. At 6:00, he hangs out in the bathroom waiting for me to finish my shower. By 6:15, he is impatiently begging me for breakfast. From 6:17 to 7:00, Rusty goes in and out at least three times for his morning constitutional, and generally stretch his legs. In the afternoon, I am greeted at the door and forced to go play ball. Every night around 11:30 with go through the evening beating after he breaks into the cat food for a late night snack.
Dont get me wrong, I love that dog. We are the best of buddies, but whose trained who in that relationship?
Changing subjects, have you ever noticed that you seem to be stuck in rut? Each of us have a little routine, or simple tasks that we perform every day that become so engrained into our daily lives that we hardly even realize it anymore.
Take Rusty as an example. A pet requires a certain amount of attention and daily care, in some ways its liking having another child. If your pet is spoiled, like Rusty, it can be even worse. This week has really demonstrated that for me. Each morning, we awake at 5:30 to let that dog go outside. At 6:00, he hangs out in the bathroom waiting for me to finish my shower. By 6:15, he is impatiently begging me for breakfast. From 6:17 to 7:00, Rusty goes in and out at least three times for his morning constitutional, and generally stretch his legs. In the afternoon, I am greeted at the door and forced to go play ball. Every night around 11:30 with go through the evening beating after he breaks into the cat food for a late night snack.
Dont get me wrong, I love that dog. We are the best of buddies, but whose trained who in that relationship?
Thursday, November 8, 2007
A break from reality ...
Over the past week, our little tribe of misfits (those in the house with an X chromosome) have had one amazing ride. To their credit, the girls have handled it really well. I wish I could say the same ...
It started a couple of weeks ago, when we took "Big Blue", a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, in for a check up. There was this really loud knocking noise under the hood. Now ,when the mechanic tells you that its time to buy a new car, that is bad!!
So we began the research process. After researching our options, we decided that a compact SUV was the preferred choice. To understand this decision, we must refer back to one of the Lee house rules. This is not a democracy and if it vote is required, all girls will vote the same.
While out looking at and test driving compact SUVs, Big E spots a PT Cruiser convertible.
The night before the big purchase, I was telling the poker gang about her finding this car and I told them that there was no way we were buying that car. I mean, we had spent the past couple of weeks researching compact SUVs and other "mommy" style cars.
So the next day, we are at the dealership filling out the paper work on that convertible. She is so proud of her little "gangster" car.
Foiled again.
Now, rather than boring you with the details of some of our other fun, lets just say that we had several other minor (no hospital trips required) issues leading up to the next big one.
On Thursday of last week, Big E and I were enjoying a rare moment without the girls running a few errands in the "gangster" car (Yes, the top was down) when the phone rang. If you have teenage drivers, you dread but expect this call. Sure enough, Jessica was in an accident.
I knew that it was something bad because that little "gangster" car went from 25 mph to 100 mph in a matter of seconds. Ok, actually, that car cant go from anything to 100 mph in seconds but we were going really fast and Big E was a little frantic. Thats like a double dose of "you better be scared" for me.
All three of the girls were fine, minor cuts and bruises, but no trips to the doctor or hospital required and everyone in the other vehicle was fine too. BUT ... Jessica's car was not fine. In fact, her car was at least two inches shorter. Remember what happens if a mechanic tells you its time for a new car? Same for the body shop guys!!!
By this time, I felt like I was in the 10th round of a bare knuckles fight with reality and reality was obviously winning. When it comes to stress in the household, Big E is definitely the rock and I am merely a peeble. I needed a break from reality ....
Understand, I am not complaining about any of those events. The reality is that those events are all a part of this great life that I am living, but every now and again I need a break from them.
This time that break came in the form of a night out with some like minded music freaks. Last night, I went to see Reverend Horton Heat and Hank III live. The Hank III show was a first for me. I must admit that I dont regularly listen to his music, but it was a fun set and I was impressed by his ability to whip the crowd into a frenzy with honky tonk sing-a-longs and hardcore grind music.
Following that set was "the Rev". This was my fourth time to see his show and I continue to be impressed by this bands live concerts. I highly recommend his show to anyone that likes the psychobilly or hellbilly sound. In addition, I also recommend this bands Christmas music album. That might sound a little strange considering, but the band was VERY respectful of the songs, simply "kicking them up a notch" as Emeril would say.
I really want to thank the tribe at home for letting me go out and blow off a little steam. I also want to thank the concert gang for dragging me out to the show. I really wasnt in the mood for a concert, but that break from reality was just what I needed ...
Life can be a lot like tying to hit a baseball. Sometimes the pitcher grooves one and you hit a home run, sometimes he throws you a curve ball and you look a little goofy and sometimes he hits you in the head just to let you know that he has the ball first. When that happens, steal second on the next pitch after you've been hit.
It started a couple of weeks ago, when we took "Big Blue", a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, in for a check up. There was this really loud knocking noise under the hood. Now ,when the mechanic tells you that its time to buy a new car, that is bad!!
So we began the research process. After researching our options, we decided that a compact SUV was the preferred choice. To understand this decision, we must refer back to one of the Lee house rules. This is not a democracy and if it vote is required, all girls will vote the same.
While out looking at and test driving compact SUVs, Big E spots a PT Cruiser convertible.
The night before the big purchase, I was telling the poker gang about her finding this car and I told them that there was no way we were buying that car. I mean, we had spent the past couple of weeks researching compact SUVs and other "mommy" style cars.
So the next day, we are at the dealership filling out the paper work on that convertible. She is so proud of her little "gangster" car.
Foiled again.
Now, rather than boring you with the details of some of our other fun, lets just say that we had several other minor (no hospital trips required) issues leading up to the next big one.
On Thursday of last week, Big E and I were enjoying a rare moment without the girls running a few errands in the "gangster" car (Yes, the top was down) when the phone rang. If you have teenage drivers, you dread but expect this call. Sure enough, Jessica was in an accident.
I knew that it was something bad because that little "gangster" car went from 25 mph to 100 mph in a matter of seconds. Ok, actually, that car cant go from anything to 100 mph in seconds but we were going really fast and Big E was a little frantic. Thats like a double dose of "you better be scared" for me.
All three of the girls were fine, minor cuts and bruises, but no trips to the doctor or hospital required and everyone in the other vehicle was fine too. BUT ... Jessica's car was not fine. In fact, her car was at least two inches shorter. Remember what happens if a mechanic tells you its time for a new car? Same for the body shop guys!!!
By this time, I felt like I was in the 10th round of a bare knuckles fight with reality and reality was obviously winning. When it comes to stress in the household, Big E is definitely the rock and I am merely a peeble. I needed a break from reality ....
Understand, I am not complaining about any of those events. The reality is that those events are all a part of this great life that I am living, but every now and again I need a break from them.
This time that break came in the form of a night out with some like minded music freaks. Last night, I went to see Reverend Horton Heat and Hank III live. The Hank III show was a first for me. I must admit that I dont regularly listen to his music, but it was a fun set and I was impressed by his ability to whip the crowd into a frenzy with honky tonk sing-a-longs and hardcore grind music.
Following that set was "the Rev". This was my fourth time to see his show and I continue to be impressed by this bands live concerts. I highly recommend his show to anyone that likes the psychobilly or hellbilly sound. In addition, I also recommend this bands Christmas music album. That might sound a little strange considering, but the band was VERY respectful of the songs, simply "kicking them up a notch" as Emeril would say.
I really want to thank the tribe at home for letting me go out and blow off a little steam. I also want to thank the concert gang for dragging me out to the show. I really wasnt in the mood for a concert, but that break from reality was just what I needed ...
Life can be a lot like tying to hit a baseball. Sometimes the pitcher grooves one and you hit a home run, sometimes he throws you a curve ball and you look a little goofy and sometimes he hits you in the head just to let you know that he has the ball first. When that happens, steal second on the next pitch after you've been hit.
Welcome!
For the first post, I guess a little introduction would be appropriate. I am Stephen and I will be your guide through our little world. I have an awesome wife affectionately known as Big Elizabeth (Big E for short). We have three daughters; Jessica, Elizabeth (Little Elizabeth or Little Bit), and Brook. We've been married for a little over four years now.
In addition, we have two cats (Yogi and BooBoo) and a dog (Rusty) that we feed too. Luckily, all of the pets are male. Regrettfully, house rules dont allow them to vote. Therefore, I am ALWAYS out voted.
For fun, we enjoy music, concerts, videogames, horror movies (even the cheesy ones), volleyball and beeeerrrrrrr. OK, maybe I should clarify this one, Rusty and I enjoy beer (the girls dont like it).
We also enjoy holding hands and taking long walks on the ..... no we dont but sometimes I have to smile and pretend I do.
I decided to try this blog thing because I really like my sisters blog. Since her family lives a little ways away, its been a fun way to stay in touch and keep up with the twins. Speaking of my sister, you should check out her blog too; http://twinmommyproductions.blogspot.com/.
Also, check out her webiste and buy some stuff too.
Following that commercial break, we return you back to "Days of that Poor Mans Life ..."
Anyway, I hope that this little experiment will be entertaining and maybe I wont give it up after the initial honeymoon.
Stephen
PS - Is this the end of my private life?
For the first post, I guess a little introduction would be appropriate. I am Stephen and I will be your guide through our little world. I have an awesome wife affectionately known as Big Elizabeth (Big E for short). We have three daughters; Jessica, Elizabeth (Little Elizabeth or Little Bit), and Brook. We've been married for a little over four years now.
In addition, we have two cats (Yogi and BooBoo) and a dog (Rusty) that we feed too. Luckily, all of the pets are male. Regrettfully, house rules dont allow them to vote. Therefore, I am ALWAYS out voted.
For fun, we enjoy music, concerts, videogames, horror movies (even the cheesy ones), volleyball and beeeerrrrrrr. OK, maybe I should clarify this one, Rusty and I enjoy beer (the girls dont like it).
We also enjoy holding hands and taking long walks on the ..... no we dont but sometimes I have to smile and pretend I do.
I decided to try this blog thing because I really like my sisters blog. Since her family lives a little ways away, its been a fun way to stay in touch and keep up with the twins. Speaking of my sister, you should check out her blog too; http://twinmommyproductions.blogspot.com/.
Also, check out her webiste and buy some stuff too.
Following that commercial break, we return you back to "Days of that Poor Mans Life ..."
Anyway, I hope that this little experiment will be entertaining and maybe I wont give it up after the initial honeymoon.
Stephen
PS - Is this the end of my private life?
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