Christmas in review

It was a crazy Christmas but a good one. We spent Dec 25 in Mission, Texas. Went and visited Alan. It was 80 degrees out! I spent a lot of time on his patio, watching sports. 

The kids handed out gifts, and had fun opening.

After we got home we celebrated again on Jan. 1st with my sister and her kids and Judy. We watched the Chiefs game (loss to Cincy) then ate a Mexican feast! I made chicken tortilla soup; Sis made enchiladas; Judy made tostadas. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Then we all went downstairs and did another gift exchange. We all got some really thoughtful gifts!

At the end of the party we played Throw Throw Burrito. It was hilarious! Marina won it all.

Here's a pic of the aftermath. That's my Chiefs carpet and it is now in the HOJ! 

Merry Christmas 2021!

Throw throw Burrito

This was an gift that entertained the kids for hours… THROW THROW BURRITO.

It is also a game I fully expect to throw out the car window before we get to the Oklahoma border… 

Merry Christmas 2021

This was an unusual Christmas for the Joneses, but after it is all said and done… it was still Christmas. We were all together and I think we'll remember this atypical Christmas for a long time.

We sat on the back patio in 80 degree weather and played board games for a few hours. Then we ate some amazing fajitas.

There's more to share, more we did, obviously. But just happy to say it's still Christmas when we aren't home and the weather is in the 80s. 

Merry Christmas from the Joneses! 

Weekend that was, Dec. 3

This was a few weekends ago but as the weekend was progressing, I thought… this would be a good “weekend recap” blog post.

 

Friday was unusual at it started out with a lot of strange objects in the sky. First, Evey and I saw two (what I think were) Blackhawk helicopters go over the house, LOW, around 4 pm. The Chinooks train in the area regularly, but they’re at a comfortable distance. The Blackhawks were low enough that, in my mind, they were just a few hundred feet off the ground. You could see the details of the copter very clearly. (I did snap a photo.)

 

That night, I was outside enjoying the HOJ when Adro pulled up late from work. It was dark out, maybe 6:30 or 7 pm. As I was chatting with her in the garage, I saw out of the corner of my eye a line in the sky. My first reaction was, “comet!” Then I looked closer and saw that there were about 25 balls of light in the sky, in a single line. STARLINK! We watched it for a full two minutes or so, then I went to the backyard deck to see if the view was better. At that point I lost them. They were in the southern sky, tracking northeast. 

 

An hour or two later Adrianne and I are sitting under the propane heater, the KU game was on (I was half-watching) and I was talking to her, facing the west (away from the house.) I saw another string of Starlink sattelites! I hollered for Adrianne to look and we both watched another string, real low in the western sky. I called Bub on the walkie this time (he was next door, having a sleepover) but this time it was only visible for maybe 30 seconds and it was gone. 

 

So that’s pretty cool, right? 

 

The next morning the whole family is starting a road trip to Joplin, Mo. We’re less than 5 minutes into the drive when Evey says, “Dad … are those jets?” I look to the west and we have four old military planes in a diamond formation, with a helicopter following. The planes flew directly overhead, then banked to the north and turned on the smoke. This is in the random northeast Kansas countryside! There was no football game about to kickoff anywhere that I know of. We first saw them while we were still on 1900^th Road, then we got on K-10 and they banked left to add to the show.

 

Crazy.

 

We were on our way to Adrianne’s Uncle Arlan’s funeral. He fought pancreatic cancer. Arlan was a lot of fun, he was kinda crazy and had no problem boozing and telling stories into the night. You knew a good time was going to be had if Arlan was there. He was just as good at listening to stories as he was at telling stories, which I admire. 

 

So we road tripped to Joplin. We stopped in… Carthage, Mo.? And were looking for food. We needed a spot to kill 45 minutes so we (I) was hopeful to avoid fast food. We drove around the downtown area and didn’t really see anything that looked too inviting. Then Evey worked some magic on her phone and said there was a beloved Mexican restaurant less than a half mile away. She counted down the distance as we neared it, turns out we were in a neighborhood right by it…

 

And it was really, really good! I got something called a Volcanita, it was a volcano of grilled chicken and ingredients in a large flour tortilla. I also got a house margarita and they served it to me in a giant flower pot! (You know that material they make flower pots out of? You know what I’m talking about. It’s kinda copper colored.)

 

From there we got on the road and went to Arlan’s service in Pierce City, Mo. 

 

We knew who would be there, and we were happy to represent. But you know how it’s kinda awkward right off the bat? I don’t know why, we know these people. I guess because maybe you don’t know how chit-chatty you should be. Maybe someone there is really struggling and you don’t want to be like, “hey let me tell you how awesome my kids are!” But after about 30 minutes of warm-up we got there and were chatting with Adrianne’s Uncle Aaron and Aunt Cindy, and his girls, and other family. Arlan’s son Wes. 

 

Arlan’s girlfriend spotted Adrianne and said, “there’s a sympathetic face” and bonded and cried with her over the loss of Arlan (this is why you don’t lead with the ‘let me tell you how awesome the kids are,’ right there. Good job Adro.) 

 

Alan and Di couldn’t make it so I did some photography and by then everyone knew everyone. The nicest thing, I think, was when a waitress from the local Chinese restaurant came by to pay her respects and told everyone how friendly Arlan was. We all knew, but it was cool to see someone who was like, I didn’t KNOW this guy but I knew him and I’ll miss him.

 

So then we drove home. By then we were outta gas… but we just had to get home. We tried to get Whataburger in Lee’s Summit (there may have been tears, me or Boyd, I won’t say who) but then, eventually… we got home.

 

It was a drag because the next morning I had to pack and get on a flight to Orlando for a week’s worth of work (back-to-back Summits). But it was still a memorable weekend with the family. And cheers to Uncle Arlan. 

Happy 15th birthday Evey!!!

She rocks that hat! 

Bike ride!

Look at these kids

I'm on my way home. These kids melt my heart. Can't wait to embrace them! 

Rock Chalk 21-22

Evey and I got to take in the exhibition game against Emporia State recently. Cathy our neighbor set us up with tickets.

We had a great time! Hit the new burger place by Jason's Deli before the game. Then KU game. Evey barely remembers the last game she was at so it's been several year…

We had a blast. We also watched KU beat Michigan State last night. Evey likes KU hoops, I think she will be my KU hoops buddy and Boyd is my football buddy.

I'll take it! 

Garage floor project

This weekend the kids and I put an epoxy down on the garage floor. I'm pretty happy with the results. I learned a few things and I also see a few mistakes I made. It'll look better when we have stuff back in the garage.

Evey was a rock star and did the whole project with me. Boyd came in at the end and was a useful helper who saw the project through to the end. Adro helped put the finishing touches on it as well, even though this was her Christmas present (from last Christmas.)

The worst part was trying to mix the two bags inside the big bag. Allegedly you roll the one bag into the other, they both burst inside this larger bag, and then you mix the goo inside. Well, I couldn't get that to work. On the first bag, the only bag I got to break was the one I didn't want to (the largest bag) and despite trying harder on bag two, I ended up slicing both bags through a slit and then squishing it carefully while holding the slit closed. It was a messy, ugly process and my hands are still gross looking.

But it's DONE!

Great work kids! Merry Christmas 2021 Adro!

Happy Halloween!

 

Four generations

 Together in the HOJ on Sunday! 

Chiefs got DESTROYED but we had a good time. Cousin Pete came by. Judy made awesome taco soup. Evey made brownies. The wind about blew the HOJ down but it survived! 

Happy 15th anniversary!

I'm in Louisville but we will be celebrating together soon. Here are the flowers I sent home.

15 years! Love you Adro! 

Happy 10th birthday Bub!

 

Weekend that was... 9.24.21

What a weekend! Let’s update…

 

On Friday I clocked out early. Went and picked up the kids, took them to Lawrence to drop off with Adro because Bub had a dentist’s appointment. I then turned around and drove to De Soto to play golf with Joe.

 

Waze took me a nice, relaxing back way to De Soto. Only problem? Some jackass tailgated me the whole way… even on two of my random-ass turns. I slowed down to 50 at one point, with plenty of daylight ahead of me … moron wasn’t interested, just wanted to be on my bumper the whole way. Apparently he had attachment issues.

 

When I finally got to the golf course, I realized I was coming in from the opposite direction of what I was used to, so instead of a right, it was a left… and it was sudden. I decided a hard brake was what this dude deserved and if he was going to play golf, I was ready to discuss. It was somewhat satisfying seeing him lock up his brakes behind me as I made my left into the golf course. Ha!

 

Golf was good. I dropped a bomb on Joe on No. 5 for par, taking a two-stroke lead, and I played solid from there. Weather was perfect. Music was just OK (sorry Joe.) Strangely the par threes are what killed me. My 3-wood is solid right now…

 

(Interpol on the jukebox right now… so, soooo good.)

 

Drove home and I missed Bub, he went next door for a sleepover. My pal Josh came over with his daughter Isla and we listened to the jukebox and played Uno. Made some frozen pizzas because I’m fancy. Isla took the Uno series, 3-2-2. 

 

Adro went and got Evey who was at the Eudora football game. They lost a close one. Her pal Ryan came over and they had a sleepover (I think they may have helped knock out the pizzas because I may have over-estimated the amount of food needed.)

 

Back at the HOJ, it was barely 10 o’clock and I was falling asleep. Josh and Isla went home and Adrianne reports I fell asleep instantly. It was a long week. Plus, my 3-wood. Dolla billz.

 

***

 

Saturday I woke up early (well, I went to bed early) and snuck in a work-out (I know!) then I made literally six omelets. Is that how you spell omelets? I think it should get an extra l. Omellets. Maybe not.

 

Then we went to Bub’s soccer game. We played in De Soto, on the crooked field. It slopes on a severe angle. If you’re defending the north goal, you have to be ready, the ball funnels right at you. Interestingly, Adrianne loves this field and doesn’t see the problem. The kids and I discussed it and we think she might have slope blindness. If that’s a thing. 

 

Boyd played goalie first half and only gave up one goal, when the team totally bailed on him. These kids… if they’re playing offense, they swarm their own teammate. If the ball penetrates our goal box? They scatter like it’s a grenade. I don’t get it. I may have made a girl cry but in my defense, she cried before the first practice even started. (She came back on the field and even had a few decent plays.)

 

Our team lost 2-1 (maybe 3-1) but honestly, the goalie single handedly beat us. He made crazy saves and we took a ton of shots… even dominated time of possession (TOP). We got three PKs. Kid saves three PKs!!! Crazy. I do think the kid was 17 or 18, but still — he had a nice game! I hope he enjoys college next year.

 

We got home and had a decision to make. Go play in the EHS boy’s basketball golf tournament? Or chill-ax? Both kids had sleepovers, and I had just cooked six ommmelletts. We decided we deserved a break. We called it a fun day to do whatever you want.

 

Boyd took a short rest then ran next door to hang with Aiden. Evey took a little nap then went to her room to watch Netflix. Adro was productive and watered then cleaned the garage. I mowed the yard then came to the HOJ and cleaned here and there in anticipation of the KU/Duke game. Everyone was happy (and the weather was beautiful.)

 

Adrianne finished her chores then came over to the HOJ and sold me a free beer. We collectively killed the Coors keg. It was a good keg. It was $59 and actually, North Coast paid for it. I don’t love Coors, but I love cheap keg beer. And I really love free keg beer.

 

Kansas played well for a half. I enjoyed watching them. They’re getting better.

 

As the sun was going down (and the weather was so nice) I proposed an outdoor movie to the family. Only Adrianne said no. So I set it up and we watched Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Adro even joined us! It was a nice cool night, we all had hoodies/stocking caps and blankets. The movie looked great. I’ve been wanting to watch that movie on the projector since we got it. Adro scored it on Redbox for $1 recently, good get!

 

I fell asleep by 10:30 again. I had a cool dream that my Dad and I went to a Wichita Wings game together. The only weird thing about it was it was at a strange location, maybe Southwestern Moundbuilder’s gym in Winfield, Kan. But I was my current age, and he was like I remember him.

 

***

Woke up around 6 a.m. because let’s be honest … that’s almost 8 hours of sleep right there. 

 

Did not go workout because instead we went to go praise sweet baby Jesus, in person for the first time since March 2020.

 

The return to church was… the return to church. (I have so many questions.)

 

We then went to McDonald’s where I got a bacon-egg-and-cheese biscuit, hold the bacon. Or, wait! There’s some bacon hidden in there. I was SO HUNGRY but McDonald’s chose not to feed me this time. I’ll never order that again. Or I’ll order three of them. Even church was more satisfying. 

 

Got home and I got my game face on. CHIEFS! Prepared the HOJ. 

 

Sis and Marina came over. Jess brought some good queso dip. Neighbors came over as well, minus the dad, who had to work. I grilled cheeseburgers and they seemed to be a hit! But the game was a dud, and the Chiefs lost again, falling to 1-2, last in the division. Frustrating game.

 

I decided to stay in the HOJ all day. It’s 6 pm as I write, and I’ve been out here since 11 am. But the Ryder Cup was on, then the afternoon NFL game (fun watching Tampa lose) and soon Sporting will kick off. 

 

Boyd came over and asked if he could go hang out at Aiden’s some more, I said yes, be home by 7:30. The girls are going to go see the move “Carrie” or “Karey” or “Carey” or “Cary” or “Kerry” I don’t know. Sounds awful. I’d rather go to church and then eat a baconless bacon-egg-and-cheese biscuit.

 

Weekend is almost over. It was a good weekend. Sad it’s over. But I’m looking forward to this mild weather.

(Interpol just came back on! So good.)