She's bald!

Katie is definitely cool now! Denise did a nice job on her.



Back to Harry Potter. I tell you, J K is a genious. With the very first page, she ramped up the suspense and anticipation. Within the first chapter, she's put forth an ominous feeling of dread and foreboding. I bet I don't get a damn thing done this weekend other than reading.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I got it first thing this morning! The last book in the series! I'll be reading it a bit over the next few days. I took Katie in for a hair cut, and I've got to retrieve her around noon. I'm looking at the book, but slightly afraid to start reading it. It's such a beautiful day out...maybe I could read outdoors! I'm afraid that once I start, I'll be unable to stop.

My friend Kelly had this to say about the book:

The Height of Nerdliness And I have reached it. I have a reservation for a hotel room this weekend. I've explained to my family I'm leaving them on Saturday morning and won't be home until sometime after 11 am on Sunday. That's right, I'm going to hole up in a motel room with the final Harry Potter book for 20 hours of uninterrupted reading! I am a nerd.



Here's a pre-grooming picture of Katie. I'm posting it so I don't forget to pick her up at noon. I'm off to start the last Harry Potter book! The race is on, Kel!

Interview

I stopped off at Mitchell's Tavern last night, after working a double shift. I had a couple of beers, watched whatever sports show was on the tv, and engaged in light chatter with the barmaids. I was about to leave, when one of the barmaids ended her shift, and sat down next to me to relax herself. She had just started there a few weeks ago. She's a pretty blond, age 24, with a nice figure. She's married and has a one year old. She told me about her son, and we compared scars (I showed her the hole in my arm), then the interview began.

Her: So, are you married?
Me: No.
Her: Have you ever been married?
Me: Nope.
Her: Are you interested in getting married?
Me: Yes.
Her: Do you have any kids?
Me: No.
Her: Do you like kids?
Me: Yes, very much.
Her: Do you want to have kids?
Me: Yes, I've been thinking about that more lately, as I get older.
Her: How old are you?
Me: 43.
Her: What age woman are you looking for?
Me: I'm not concerned about age as much as maturity. A girl too young won't have anything in common with me, and wouldn't be interested in me anyway.
Her: So you'd be looking for a woman in her late 20's, early 30's.
Me: Yeah, that sounds about right. I'm looking for a woman who wants to settle down and raise a family. The last woman I went out on a date with is divorced, and already has children. It's harder to find someone my age who wants to start a family now. Most women my age already have kids, and don't want more, or they don't intend to start raising kids now.
Her: What are you going to do tonight,when you get home?
Me: Take a shower and go to bed.
Her: Are you going to go to work tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Her: It's time for me to go home. It's been nice talking with you. See you later.
Me: Wait....I feel like I've just been through a job interview, and didn't get the job.
Her: It wasn't an interview.

So I don't know what was going on. It was just...weird.

I found a picture of my sister

Here's a picture of Kerry, and Stumpus the three legged dog from Father's Day. Her husband is the one slaving over the hot grill.

Sister's Birthday

My younger sister turned 40 today. Unforunately, she took most of the pictures, so I don't have any of her to post. We had a combination 4th of July/Birthday/Welcome Home party. The welcome home party was for my neice, who just returned from 21 days in Ireland, Wales, and England. I guess that's collectively Great Britain. She was still jet-lagged, and I actually got a picture of her in a relaxed state (not posing/hamming it up).

My brother in law is not jet-lagged. However, his portrait is the epitome of weekend relaxation. Cold beer in hand, scruffy weekend beard, sitting back in the lawn chair, under a large maple tree, listening to the Indians/Kansas City baseball game and chatting with my dad.


You tell me if this guy doesn't have "redneck farmer" written all over him. He's my dad, and I love him dearly. Damn fine looking man too. I wonder if I'll look that good in 30 years. I'll probably be much heavier. You know, from beer drinking, for motorcycle passenger safety.


My sister is the master of capturing embarrasing moments on camera.... Katie just kept doing her business. Kerry finally realized what picture she took, and got a lot of ribbing for it. Of course, I had to post it, so the ribbing can go on. Nice pic, Kerry! Next time can you zoom in on the poop? I'm sure we'd all like to know if Katie has solid, healthy poop, or runny poop! (For those with inquiring minds, it was semi-solid)


My friend Steve's wife and two daughters joined us for volleyball. We didn't play much because it was so hot, but we got a bit of 2 on 2 V-ball, and some frisbee. Notice how the eye drifts to the right to my sister's shirt.... I probably could have cropped that out, but naaaa.


Steve's oldest daughter was on the injured reserve list, having taken a bee sting to the middle toe. She watched Katie for me, proving to her mother that they could actually get another puppy, or a kitten.... (You're welcome, dudette!)


But his youngest daughter was indefatigable! I tell you, I thought I was in decent shape, but that about kicked my ass. No, it didn't "about" kick my ass. It totally kicked my ass. I need to work out some! I'm still panting!


It wouldn't be a very good blog of mine if I didn't post a picture of myself. This is me with my nephew. Actually, I'm such an egomaniac, I had to post one of me, and this is the least embarrasing one Kerry took. Remember Kerry, the taker of the dog-pooping picture...well, you can imagine what pictures she took of me.