Cruisin'

Nothing like a week in the Caribbean to clear your head. What a fabulous vacation. Not as fab as the cruise we took with all the kids years ago, but still excellent. Our favorite port was Grand Turk. While we have been to many beaches in our travels the beach on Grand Turk was unbelievable. So soft and the water so clear. Just perfect. Grand Turk is on our list of places to go in the future. That list is getting so long.

One perk from the cruise is getting your picture professionally taken on "formal night." It is not often, almost never, that we get dressed up for a portrait. The last time was the last cruise six years ago. If you've ever been on a cruise, you know the routine. You have your picture taken and the next day you go to the "photo room" and try to locate your picture among the 3000 pictures posted. Actually, the cruise ships have it figured out pretty well, labelling each photo board with where the picture was taken making it easier to find the picture you're looking for. Rick and I searched long and hard and could not locate our picture. It must have been so good that someone else bought it. Oh well, maybe next cruise.

While we were gone.......

The Bears won one and lost one. The loss against the Falcons really hurt. They gave that game away.

The Cubs took a huge post season dump. End of story.

Lauren is finally back on the ice after her knee surgery. Taking it slowly. (IllinoiSkating is skating to an Aerosmith medley this year. The music rocks. I wanted to post it on my site but I can't figure out how to do it.) Hopefully she will be ready for their first competition on November 22, her 20th birthday. I can't believe she is going to be 20! She is also the newest member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. The sorority thing is right up her alley. She has already committed to living in the sorority house next year. And hopefully her senior year as well. I am getting too old to be moving her every year. Just stay put for 5 minutes!

Today is a New Day

Ryan Dumpster (Andersonese for Dempster) took a dump last night. 7 walks in 5 innings is not playoff pitching. In comes the Big Z tonight. I'm counting on Carlos. I told Debbie not to go. She never listens.

A Very Important Win

It was close. But in the end the Bears had a goal line stand to stop the Eagles in the 4th quarter. That was HUGE! The Bears needed this win in a major way after blowing the last two games. Now at 2-2, they are at least respectable. Maybe.

Super Fan Eddie was in rare form last night. He had all of his signature moves including "the sprinkler." No pictures of Eddie, I didn't want to bring my camera into the game. Perhaps when we play Minnesota in October.

Just the parents and kids last night. Rick, me, Justin, Bonnie, Kyle and Ron. Good times.

The Bad Saturday Morning Movie

One of our favorite things to do is spend a lazy Saturday morning watching a bad movie. We'll get up and have coffee and read the Tribune just like any other day. Then, and only if we have no other commitments, we will crawl back into bed (stop right there with those dirty thoughts) and watch a bad movie. The crappier the movie the better. Makes for more commentary. And you know how I love commentary.

This morning was one of the worst movies yet. "Deep Impact" from 1999. Packed with stars: Morgan Freeman as POTUS, Robert Duvall as the astronaut who saves the Earth, Tea Leoni, Elijah Wood, Leelee Sobieski, Laura Innes, Blair Underwood, Jon Favreau. The list goes on. Basically the premise is the Earth is about to be hit by not one, but two giant asteroids that will destroy civilization as we know it. Thankfully we tuned in with only about 30 minutes left.

We have seen some terrible movies over the years on Saturday morning but this ranks right up there with "Earth Girls Are Easy."

I Should Know Better

What an interesting two days with Mom and Dad at Karla's Michigan house. We arrived around noon on Monday. After a delicious lunch Mom and Dad were off to Meier. Any store that we do not have near us at home my mother must visit on her vacation. We went out for a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant during which I spilled a whole glass of red wine on my father. He looked like some sort of victim. On the pocket of his shirt said "I'm the Boss." I'm glad I wrecked that shirt!

Day two we made Dad drive us to Shipshewana. This place is enormous. We gave my Dad my Mom's cell phone so that we could call him later to pick us up. We then should have put a leash on my mother. It wasn't but an hour later that we lost Shirl. 1000 booths at Shipshewana and we lost my mother. At first, I was not that concerned. But after an hour or so I began to worry. I called my sister Denise for advice. I knew she would have some. She said, "I would try parking it at a food booth and waiting, it shouldn't be long." So true. Shirl needs to be fed frequently. As our last resort, Karla and I headed to the INFO booth to have Shirl paged. I had no other ideas. "Shirley Ubeerocco, please meet your party at the information booth. Shirley Ubee, ummm, Shirley U., please meet your party at the information booth." Karla and I could not stop laughing. In just a few short minutes along came Shirl. We should have come up with a meeting spot when we arrived in case anyone got lost. Like I used to do with the kids when they were small. I won't forget if there is a next time.

For whatever reason, Bailey (Karla's dog) took an extreme liking to Shirl. Every time Shirl would nap (which you all know is quite often) Bailey would nap right along side of her. They became fast friends. I'm sure Bailey is lonely today looking for her Nana.

Click on the photo below to view all the pics of our adventure with Bob and Shirl.

Karla's house with Mom and Dad

Actually, the first pic was taken at my house before we left for Michigan.

Nothing Worse Than a Rotten Peanut

While in Las Vegas last week, Rick and I met Charles Tillman's parents. We chatted for about 10 minutes or so and ended up inviting Mr. Tillman to join us for tailgating at the Bears/Minnesota game in October. We gave him all the pertinent information; where we park, what kind of vehicle we drive, etc. Now I wonder. I wonder if he will show up after his son got called for a 15 yard unnecessary roughness penalty in overtime of yesterday's game against the Bucs. That penalty allowed the Bucs drive to stay alive and, ultimately, allowed the Bucs to win. Bad, bad Peanut.

On another note, I love to play roulette. It is the worst odds game in Vegas and I try very hard to stay away. But when you add a bunch of cocktails into the mix it makes it virtually impossible for me. Some numbers I always play:
10 - for Ron Santo
17 - for Mark Grace (and Colleen)
23 - for Ryne Sandberg and Michael Jordan
22 - for Lauren's birthday and maybe now for Matt Forte
Matt has had a couple of impressive games already. I think he's going to be huge. Buy the jersey NOW!

Off to Karla's Michigan house with Mom and Dad for a few days. Should be a good time.

Cubs Clinch

The Cubs are the National League Central Division Champions! Two years in a row. Too bad me and Mom had to see such a shitty game on Friday. But Shirl was happy just be at Wrigley. We arrived early enough that she was able to walk around the entire stadium, twice. And we got a free t-shirt. Debbie and I both agreed that no one from our family can attend any playoff games since the Cubs lose 95% of the time we go to a game.

I'm off to the Bears home opener against the Bucs today. You all know I am a huge Cubs and Bears fan but I heard this joke the other day and couldn't help but laugh.

Do you know why the Bears suck?

They used to be Cubs!

B E A R D O W N !