My grandpa Fitz passed away yesterday following a long bout with Parkinsons. It's very hard to let him go but it's better that he's at rest now.
Some of my strongest memories of him...
"DON'T YOU BREAK-A MY HOUSE!" he would tell us when he could tell we were about to roughhouse or otherwise get into trouble. ... not sure but I was probably about 6 at this point. I remember it being at least a little bit more scary than I'm sure was really intended.
Giving me pointers on shuffling and dealing while playing cribbage. I think I'd be about 8-10 at this point. I distinctly remember him showing me how I was revealing cards when shuffling - and revealing the bottom card when dealing.
Getting my hands washed... with Ajax or Comet. I don't remember what it was that we would regularly do at 701 E Ayer, but whatever it was: I remember hands caked with dried mud. Grandpa would scrub those babies pink with Ajax, but they would certainly be clean in the end! Not sure about this age, I'm going to with with starting at 5 ending about 20!
Smoke from his pipe - not sure how long ago he quit smoking but it was definitely a quite a while ago, so this is probably a very old memory. I definitely remember both the distinct smell as well as the actual pipe itself, sitting on the back of tobacco. Along with this, I remember him sitting out on the back porch of the house - I'd say he was reading or relaxing, but looking back on how many friggin kids were in the house: it was probably escaping!
Making cribbage boards out of Lake Superior driftwood. I remember him drilling the holes with the press in his basement - also burning the images of boats or sayings. I have two of these around the house.
This is obviously the short list. There are so many others that could be included.
It's definitely worth taking a minute to revisit a wonderful post from Maighie a while back on 701 E Ayer too.
4.26.2006
4.24.2006
When dogs attack
Rusty has been a great dog so far... up until the other night.
I was sitting there on the couch watching the baseball game when suddenly I was nearly knocked unconscious by the grand daddy of all farts. I thought for a second that the police were raiding my condo and had shot a canister or something through the window to knock me out or something. My eyes started tearing up and I was barely able to keep it together as I tried to crawl to the kitchen where I was finally able to open the door and fling myself out to get some fresh air.
Several hours later, after regaining full strength, it seemed like the danger had passed. Then, at about 1:30AM, I was awoken from my sleep by the same smell. I tried to put the covers over my head but there was no escape. The air was basically unbreathable in the room. I think there were more parts methane in the air than oxygen making it unfit to sustain human life. I tried to make a move to get out of bed but was knocked unconscious. Several hours later I awoke to find the air had cleared and all was well.
In other news: I am getting a fan.
I was sitting there on the couch watching the baseball game when suddenly I was nearly knocked unconscious by the grand daddy of all farts. I thought for a second that the police were raiding my condo and had shot a canister or something through the window to knock me out or something. My eyes started tearing up and I was barely able to keep it together as I tried to crawl to the kitchen where I was finally able to open the door and fling myself out to get some fresh air.
Several hours later, after regaining full strength, it seemed like the danger had passed. Then, at about 1:30AM, I was awoken from my sleep by the same smell. I tried to put the covers over my head but there was no escape. The air was basically unbreathable in the room. I think there were more parts methane in the air than oxygen making it unfit to sustain human life. I tried to make a move to get out of bed but was knocked unconscious. Several hours later I awoke to find the air had cleared and all was well.
In other news: I am getting a fan.
4.20.2006
Easter
We had a great Easter. Saturday was spent at the Halbergs. Rusty was definitely the star of the show.
Mom Halberg had a great easter basket for us, as well as some placemats created by Sheila and Claire!
Sunday was spent at Rick & Debbie's house. Great food and great company!
Many more photos here
Mom Halberg had a great easter basket for us, as well as some placemats created by Sheila and Claire!
Sunday was spent at Rick & Debbie's house. Great food and great company!
Many more photos here
Office so bright... I gotta wear shades
Continuing coverage of our evolving third floor:
As you can see, it's definitely a little bright in here in the morning but it's not so bad... as long as I wear sunglasses! Hey, if your big complaint about work is that you have to wear sunglasses: I think you're doing alright. Of course, the shades are forthcoming though.
So, anyway: How 'bout that monitor? It's ridiculous: 30 inch HD cinema display, from the folks at apple. No more minimizing/swapping between windows: I can have almost everything I have running displayed at once with very little overlap. VERY handy. It's actually a little annoying when I need to unplug and take the laptop somewhere offsite: I am very spoiled!
Rusty has been so well behaved during the day. He's eager to have attention when it's offered but more obedient than I could have ever hoped for when I need him to lay down and give me some space.
As you can see, it's definitely a little bright in here in the morning but it's not so bad... as long as I wear sunglasses! Hey, if your big complaint about work is that you have to wear sunglasses: I think you're doing alright. Of course, the shades are forthcoming though.
So, anyway: How 'bout that monitor? It's ridiculous: 30 inch HD cinema display, from the folks at apple. No more minimizing/swapping between windows: I can have almost everything I have running displayed at once with very little overlap. VERY handy. It's actually a little annoying when I need to unplug and take the laptop somewhere offsite: I am very spoiled!
Rusty has been so well behaved during the day. He's eager to have attention when it's offered but more obedient than I could have ever hoped for when I need him to lay down and give me some space.
4.14.2006
Rusty!
Monnie and I went over to Wauwautosa yesterday to pick up our new golden retriever, Rusty! He seems to be a very well mannered guy and we're very glad to welcome him to the family! Because he was a stray his age isn't really certain but the estimate is 7-8.
Rusty was a stray that was rescued by WAAGR. He's been living in Wauwautosa with a foster for a few months and seems to have done great there. We made a stop at the Fritsch's on the way home and his interaction with Coco (their lab) seemed to be very consistent with what we were told: he doesn't mind being around other dogs, but pretty much just maintains his laid-back personality.
Some keys so far, note the tennis ball in all these pictures... I think that is going to be a common theme. Although as I speak he's taking a little nap with it in the other room, so evidently it _is_ possible for them to be seperated.
Some other big things so far:
* Potty trained
* Knows the word "no" (how awesome is that?)
* Some combination of "no", "go lay down", and a finger point results in him seeking a place to go lay down
* LOVES tennis balls and fetching them
* Does a teeth clenching thing (ala Iceman from Top Gun). No word yet on how he feels about Maverick - or whether or not he thinks he's dangerous.
* Doesn't necessarily need a leash. Of course, we're going to start off being overcareful.
Rusty was a stray that was rescued by WAAGR. He's been living in Wauwautosa with a foster for a few months and seems to have done great there. We made a stop at the Fritsch's on the way home and his interaction with Coco (their lab) seemed to be very consistent with what we were told: he doesn't mind being around other dogs, but pretty much just maintains his laid-back personality.
Some keys so far, note the tennis ball in all these pictures... I think that is going to be a common theme. Although as I speak he's taking a little nap with it in the other room, so evidently it _is_ possible for them to be seperated.
Some other big things so far:
* Potty trained
* Knows the word "no" (how awesome is that?)
* Some combination of "no", "go lay down", and a finger point results in him seeking a place to go lay down
* LOVES tennis balls and fetching them
* Does a teeth clenching thing (ala Iceman from Top Gun). No word yet on how he feels about Maverick - or whether or not he thinks he's dangerous.
* Doesn't necessarily need a leash. Of course, we're going to start off being overcareful.
4.08.2006
Sports Day
Duel National Titles for the Badgers hockey teams!
5-0 for the Brewers! Crazy but they have trailed in all five of those games. They also continue to leave a disturbing number of runners on base.
5-0 for the Brewers! Crazy but they have trailed in all five of those games. They also continue to leave a disturbing number of runners on base.
Third Floor
It's been quite a while since I've posted about the condo, but we just completed some painting up on our third floor.
Check out Monica's post on the topic too: Tangled Up In Blue.
We're still not completely sure about the long term plan up there. At the moment we're thinking about putting a desk up there for me to work at - I think it would be very nice to have something up there near the big window. We're also thinking of adding some more furniture up there and (at some point) biggie-sizing our TV. Of course, other than the desk (which will probably be decided on next week) - there isn't really a timeline, but in the meantime: it's blue!
We painted 4 walls (counting the wall with the stripe as 1). Three different shades of blue are in play and our initial reaction is that we're quite happy with it.
Here you can see the 'stripe' that I was talking about on the left, leading into a slightly different shade on the right.
This is the only wall with anything hung on it at this point.
And a couple other shots:
Check out Monica's post on the topic too: Tangled Up In Blue.
We're still not completely sure about the long term plan up there. At the moment we're thinking about putting a desk up there for me to work at - I think it would be very nice to have something up there near the big window. We're also thinking of adding some more furniture up there and (at some point) biggie-sizing our TV. Of course, other than the desk (which will probably be decided on next week) - there isn't really a timeline, but in the meantime: it's blue!
We painted 4 walls (counting the wall with the stripe as 1). Three different shades of blue are in play and our initial reaction is that we're quite happy with it.
Here you can see the 'stripe' that I was talking about on the left, leading into a slightly different shade on the right.
This is the only wall with anything hung on it at this point.
And a couple other shots:
4.06.2006
Go Crew
Don't worry, I don't plan on posting about the Brewers everyday. I'm sure I'll cool down after the first week here...
Good results so far but I'm not too inspired.
You know they left 27 guys on base in that 2nd game and still scored 7 runs?
7 of those were courtesty of Prince Fielder who is NOT inspiring me thus far. 0 for his first 11 ABs is something that I'm not as concerned about as many people (although, it's hard to do worse). 7 Ks in your first two games though? Glad we finally got Jeremy Burnitz back.
Evidently he's not inspiring Jim Tracy either, who left in R.Hernandez (Righty) in that key situation against him last night. I was surprised that it was happening - and that the Brewers announcers didn't really mention much about it. Looked it up this morning and they did have Grabow (lefty) available in the bullpen. Granted, we had just got done shelling him yesterday: but I'd have to imagine that if Fielder were looking even "alright" so far this season - we would have seen a switch.
Turnbow has got the job done but hasn't looked so hot the last couple. Guys have been on. Leading runs have come to the plate. He's given up some walks. And his mullet looks a little unkept.
Bill Hall has not been good at the plate and when he did get on yesterday he got thrown out stealing by about 4 steps. It reminded me of the play in the movie Major League where the second basemen already has the ball and Willie Mays Hayes slide stops him a foot short of the bag.
The starting pitching has looked great though. Solid performances from all three starters.
Wise and Kolb have both looked very good which I think may be the best sign from this whole series (other than maybe JJ Hardy's start).
Anyway, 3-0 is great. They're getting it done. but they're going to have to step up if they want to make a run at anything this season - the opposition isn't always going to be the Pirates.
Good results so far but I'm not too inspired.
You know they left 27 guys on base in that 2nd game and still scored 7 runs?
7 of those were courtesty of Prince Fielder who is NOT inspiring me thus far. 0 for his first 11 ABs is something that I'm not as concerned about as many people (although, it's hard to do worse). 7 Ks in your first two games though? Glad we finally got Jeremy Burnitz back.
Evidently he's not inspiring Jim Tracy either, who left in R.Hernandez (Righty) in that key situation against him last night. I was surprised that it was happening - and that the Brewers announcers didn't really mention much about it. Looked it up this morning and they did have Grabow (lefty) available in the bullpen. Granted, we had just got done shelling him yesterday: but I'd have to imagine that if Fielder were looking even "alright" so far this season - we would have seen a switch.
Turnbow has got the job done but hasn't looked so hot the last couple. Guys have been on. Leading runs have come to the plate. He's given up some walks. And his mullet looks a little unkept.
Bill Hall has not been good at the plate and when he did get on yesterday he got thrown out stealing by about 4 steps. It reminded me of the play in the movie Major League where the second basemen already has the ball and Willie Mays Hayes slide stops him a foot short of the bag.
The starting pitching has looked great though. Solid performances from all three starters.
Wise and Kolb have both looked very good which I think may be the best sign from this whole series (other than maybe JJ Hardy's start).
Anyway, 3-0 is great. They're getting it done. but they're going to have to step up if they want to make a run at anything this season - the opposition isn't always going to be the Pirates.
4.04.2006
2-0 Baby
After attending the opener yesterday, the Brewers have won again tonight. At this pace, their 162-0 regular season record will slaughter the current 116 record wins.
Doug Davis gave the Brewers a solid start. Lehr/Wise/Turnbow looked solid as well to finish it out. On the hitting side, let's hope JJ showed us some signs of things to come. And that Prince Fielder did NOT. And you have to hand it to Cirillo who came through with a HUGE hit right when we needed it.
There are a bunch of pictures posted (not by me) right out here.
Doug Davis gave the Brewers a solid start. Lehr/Wise/Turnbow looked solid as well to finish it out. On the hitting side, let's hope JJ showed us some signs of things to come. And that Prince Fielder did NOT. And you have to hand it to Cirillo who came through with a HUGE hit right when we needed it.
There are a bunch of pictures posted (not by me) right out here.
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