Skinned elbows and patched jeans

Oh sweet jesus. Let the good times roll.

I need help building some ramps. Anyone have a dump truck?

a strange naked feeling, like I showed up to work without pants

He is gone. All his bark shedding, limb dropping, tree groaning ways are gone forever. Rest in peace, Big Nasty. Say hello to Skye for us.


Now just an ugly concrete drainage culvert will wish me luck as I leave and greet me when I return home. I feel exposed.

STATISTICAL UPDATE:
Public option - the city of Bloomington, 6 men, 4 trucks, 43 strategy breaks during which 9 gallons of coffee was consumed, over the course of FOUR DAYS to deliver the death knell to Big Nasty. Cost unknown.

Private option - local tree trimming company quoted me 3 guys, one full day. Cost nine hundred bucks.

I now have a true understanding of government bureaucracy. And they raised my property taxes this year.

More tree

Perhaps no one cares but me, and Harrison, but here is more tree destruction. H stayed home with Nana today and got to watch the bucket truck and the chipper do their thing. He loved it. And all the "free wood" is already gone. Some guy that lives up the street came back about 4 times to haul off truckloads of it. I hope he doesn't bring it back and dump it in my front yard next winter when he realizes that it burns like paper.

All that is left is about a 20 foot trunk. I assume they have to bring back heavier equipment tomorrow to cut it down.


This is his "wow, a bucket-truck and guy with chainsaw" face.

Big Nasty cottonwood takes a crippling blow

This pathetic sight greeted Harrison and I when we arrived home this evening. Kinda sad actually. I viewed Big Nasty as a big piece of natural history in our front yard. But I didn't realize this until he got hit with the chainsaw. Click for a comparison to a few days ago.

I hope the city doesn't consider this a job well done. Danza is worried they aren't coming back. Not me, but I still put the city's Urban Forester in my speed dial in case this project requires some follow-up.


Interesting how they put a 'free wood' sign on the leftovers. The city of Bloomington is always looking for new ways to fund the needy. Which is good. Usually. However cottonwood is about the worst possible wood for burning so this could be viewed as an evil municipal trick.

Regardless, thank you Monroe county taxpayers.

Harrison's diet

While I'm going solo with Harrison for five days, I have a little voice in my head telling me that Danza is worried about H's caloric intake (....as if she imagines me handing him bags of pork rinds followed by root beer floats). So here is proof of what lil' crazy legs is feeding on.

Ham
Potato salad
Butternut squash
Strawberries
Pineapple
Milk
Danza, we're doing just fine.

(then I slipped him a mini chocolate cupcake)
(then I gave him a gummy bear)
(then we watched Terminator)

Easter / egg hunt

Lots of pictures. The Easter egg hunt was a huge hit, the kids loved discovering eggs hidden around the garden! Harrison would light up like a light bulb each time he spied an egg hidden amongst the plants. Then he would drop it in his bag and clap.

Emmy and Harrison chased each other around the house and Emmy gave him lots of hugs. Unfortunately Harrison has learned some strong-arm tactics at daycare and he can be a little rough with his pushing.

Gran, aunt Jane, aunt Anne and Samantha also made it.


















Emmy would pull and tug on Harrison like he was a toy. Or maybe she was just being protective and didn't want him to fall off the chair.


Love the ear tugging!

Haircut #3

Harrison received what I think was his third haircut last week. It could be his fourth. Our friend Carla made a house call so he got his trim on the front porch. He was in a strange trance-like state the entire time.

Bracelets

Harrison loves wearing mom's bracelets. Ok, so long as he grows out of it. I'm not a big fan of bracelets on men.

Goodbye big cottonwood

We've wanted the big lightning-blasted cottonwood in our front yard to be GONE since we bought the house. We thought it was going to cost us $1000 to have it taken out. But on Diane's advice, I started making some calls, got in touch with the city of Bloomington's "Urban Forester" and he confirmed that it is in the city's right of way, and they would take it out on their dime. Of course, it has yet to be seen whether they will destroy the entire side yard with their heavy equipment.

Goodbye scary tree.

Family in town (while I was fishing)

Last week Don came to visit and from the sounds of it they had a very busy weekend of socializing and house shopping. With an accepted offer, we are VERY excited about having Don move to Bloomington! Danza has not lived close to him in many many years so we think starting this summer, for many years to come, there are going to be lots of great times, and barbecues, and pool parties, and camp-outs for the kids.

Emily and Max came down from Indy for an overnight stay, as did Bubbe and Randy, and on Sunday Ken, Jess and Parker made a visit!

Last Friday Diane spent the night before she and Danza left for Sante Fe. As I pulled up with a truck load of paper towels, toilet paper, light bulbs and laundry detergent, she made fun of me because I always seem to be bringing home loads of bulk house supplies from Sam's Club. My response: "Somebody has to keep the hotel well-stocked!"

The sandbox filled with balls is a big hit with the kids. Thanks mom! I'm not sure if sand will be more popular than the balls!




Harrison got a new etch-a-sketch from Grandpa Don. He loves it, and was even more impressed when he learned that someone in the family can actually draw well.

Harrison gets comfortable when watching TV.

Dix River trip last weekend

The trout fishing wasn't the best, but we managed to catch a few. This was my nicest one, 15 inches.

But the carp fishing from the Bergeron river house dock was outstanding. We caught carp after carp until 3 in the morning. We also drank a lot of beer and used a lot of curse words and spat on the ground.

This is a drum. We don't catch many drum and I don't remember who actually caught it.