And Everyone had a GREAT time ....

So, our Saturday Night went a lot like this ....

People enjoying each others time and thoughts......

Shrimp, crab, sausage, potatoes, and corn all brewed together over an open fire.....

And a few cold ones to keep the "boil masters" cooled off during the boil....

Its OK to be jealous, even the kids thought this one was awesome .....

Happy Summer to all!

Its Party time ....

I promise you this is true, I smell like a BBQ!!! Its not because I had one today (which I did) but because over the past 10 days we've had five different opportunities to have a BBQ. Yes, I have taken a shower or two over the past ten days, but the smoke smell doesn't seem to leave my body. At this point, the dogs are starting to look at me like I am dinner.

Last Saturday, we had 20-25 of our friends over for a summer kick off party that included Badmitton, Bocce Ball, Croquet, Beer Pong, and Mafia. Yeah, those are all games, mostly outdoors except mafia which is an indoor game that involves lying and guessing, two great activities for drinkers. Saturday was a blast.

On Sunday, I was at it again with a little BBQ action for just the family. Big E said that it was the BEST BBQ pork I ever made........she really knows how to make me happy.

This weekend, I managed to grill out on Saturday, another party on Sunday (where I helped to grill) and today I was on the grill again for a couple of nice smoked pork butts. Apparently today was pretty good, the neighbors enjoyed the all day smell and I enjoyed the complimentary calls later after Elizabeth delivered the extras to the neighbors.

The bottom line, its summer in the south and that means BBQ, steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs. Its like a carnivores heaven!!!!

Apparently I get next weekend off .... we will be enjoying a couple of concerts this weekend including one of BigEs favorites, POISON but I think I will be on it again the following weekend as we have another friend coming in from the St Louis area. I am really looking forward to him getting here. I am hoping he brings me some knowledge on "burnt ends" which appear to be a mid-west favorite.

If you are going to be in the area, let me know, any excuse for a day of grilling is a good day. If you have a good recipe for BBQ rubs or sauces, please share, I like trying them all.............

A Little Scare ...

Monday, my buddy BooBoo, was feeling pretty ill. To be honest, Ive never seen a cat projectile vomit with such violence. I was honestly scared for the little guy.

Now, I admit that its been a few years since BooBoo saw a vet. The reality is at his age, going for trips to the doctor are a rather dramatic event and he usually responds to those kinds of events by pee'ing EVERYWHERE.

However, after the poltergeist episode, I figured I would take him to the vet. The doctor took a quick look at him, looked at me and I figured it was time!!!! BooBoo has given me 15 years of fun so I was braced for the worst.

We agreed that a few tests would be necessary to determine the problem, so I left BooBoo with them and yes, he pee'd all over those poor people.

Around lunch, the vet called to inform me that BooBoo was fine except that he has diabetes. Diabetes!!!! Isnt one person in the house with diabetes enough? Now, in reality, the doctor explained that this was good news and promised that it can be controlled with daily shots (no, not the good kind of shots that you drink, actual needles being stuck into BooBoo).

I picked up BooBoo that afternoon. He was a shadow of himself but the doctor assured me that with a little diligence this can be handled. On Tuesday, BooBoo and I began our insulin shots. BooBoo takes the shot, I try to administer it. Its a team effort.

Its been half a week and BooBoo has figured out the pattern now. He hasnt started to hide yet, but he is a little skittish after eating especially when he sees me coming with the needle. Luckily, he is still a little weak so he cant escape. I have come very close to actually taken the shot myself in my finger once.

If he continues to progress at his present pace, we should start to see his weight stabilize in the next couple of weeks.

Junior / Senior for the next to last time ?!

Holy cow, I picture with Brooke and I, must be Junior/Senior. I think I've explained this one before, but the high school the girls go to does NOT do Prom. So, we have Junior/Senior, same thing without the dancing........

Brooke looking nice beside some ugly guy .....

Brooke and friends, each behind their date ...

Another one with the full gang ...

Brooke, at the house, improving the looks of the house ...

Spring Break, via Pictures

Twenty floors up is kinda scary ...

But the sunset is awesome ...

The kids getting setup for a new day ...

Me, preparing for my new day ...

Dolphins swimming by ...

Pretty good week! I think I made it to bed once before 2:00 in the morning. Blame it all on the kids.

Halloween 2010, Running a little behind with pictures

Halloween is one of Big Es favorite "holidays"! This year, they hung outside while I handed out candy.... Daisy, in one of my favorite pictures ever, tried to intimidate the kids with her means eyes ... Tell the truth, is that not one of the prettiest girls on Earth?!!!!!!

Rusty, took up Daisy's slack and scared many of the kids and adults with his sheer size....

I sat inside. with mask on, barking like a circus carnie calling for the kids to come get their candy! This was really the scariest part of the whole setup! Kinda creepy huh?

Frankie hung out behind me, setting the mood.

A quick update ...

That last update was a dismal one, so I thought I would do another ... but this one will be better.

Not two hours after the last update, we finally gave up and went to the emergency room. Let me be clear here, they went to the emergency room, I went to bed!!! Yeah, that sounds heartless, but my wonderful bride told me I was better in bed than at the hospital. You know, now that I think about it, that may not have been a compliment after all. All the same, we all survived.

Since then, little as occurred that is worthy of news.

This is the Sunday before Spring Break. With kids our age, that means beach trips and more. Big E and I had a weekend to ourselves ... no kids ... close the blinds ... lets order in .... kind of a weekend. I mean .... well you understand!

Next week, we head out to the beach for a day or two with some of the kids. Big E and I havent been to the beach in years and neither of us have ever been during spring break (and we are too old to participate in all the shenanigans of it today), but we are looking forward to great seafood, shopping and some relaxation. I am a little apprehensive about it being spring break, but Big E has informed me that it will be OK! Hopefully that means, long walks on the beach ...

I guess some good food, cold diet cokes and long walks on the beach will make it better!

If you aren't gong to experience that next week, sorry. I will! Until then, wait for the next update, it will be all about work, bills and the daily grind that makes some of us oh so happy. Of course, if your lucky, I may have pictures from vacation that you could enjoy too ....