The Ninja Turtle or SWAT Team Man.

While "The Madge" is hanging out in CT Caden drove down from Frisco with his Mom (Erin) and his dog (Riley aka Marley) to visit his Pops. Before departing "The Madge" had a quick three hour shopping spree buying some food, toys and a outfit for Caden to use around the pool. After Caden played with a few new toys and rearranged some of our furniture he decided to do a few laps in the pool. Here are a few pictures of Caden's last visit and rest assured if anyone tried to assassinate him while at poolside he was protected with his new outfit.

Uh Oh, What Have We Done???

Here We Go Again

The Madge is heading back up to Connecticut tomorrow for ten days and has again started discussing the possibility of purchasing a place. These discussions are not however with me, but with other people that would NOT financially contribute to her cause. If she told me that she would like a place in Newport RI, Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard I would say "Go for it" but not Trumbull CT. I do have a idea about this whole thing, if she had someone that who does want to live there, I would buy a place and rent it or sell it with financing to that person with the proviso that The Madge can share it when she wants to visit. It would therefore be a relative or very good friend that would be willing to be with "The Madge".
Colleen is the last stages of moving, the house gets packed tomorrow and it's Adios Texas on Sunday. Since she hasn't found a place in NJ the furniture will go to storage and she will be living in temporary housing for at least one month. It's so difficult to find a house that a couple of Texans are happy with, sticker shock aside (at least double) many of the homes are old and have not been updated or the layout is all wrong. In one house Mark could not fully stand erect in the bedroom nor basement as the ceiling was pitched and too low. They realize that concessions have to be made, but finding a house with the least amount of "dislikes" is tedious work.
So here's the schedule - Erin and Caden arrive today to say goodbye to Colleen, The Madge leaves tomorrow morning for CT, Brad arrives on Friday night, Colleen and Mark stay over Saturday night, Colleen leaves bright and early Sunday back to the Northeast and later that day Brad, Erin and Caden drive back to Frisco. This gives myself and Cooper just one week of bachelorhood.
The latest Caden pictures:

Obamacare

I know I shouldn't be doing this but I am sick and tired of hearing about "Obamacare" and spending more of OUR money. So for all the Nancy Norris's out there. If Obamacare care is for people that do not have insurance,then what is "Medicaid"? If a person can't afford health insurance Medicaid is the answer and the only people Obamacare is directed at are people that can afford it and don't want it and the Illegals. Sounds fishy to me. Please email me and tell me I am wrong. In the meantime here is a video that EVERYONE should watch.
AN AMERICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

After the insurance business is nationalized then comes energy companies. Another link
Oil companies

Sorry for this.

Here We Go Again

The latest news on the Murphy front:
Colleen - the closing date on her house here is still set for Aug 17th. She has been flying between the Northeast and Texas every other week. She is due back here either today or Friday to spend her last full week here in Texas. The reason that she is unsure of her flight here is weather. If it rains in the Northeast her golfing plans are postponed, so she flies in today. She still hasn't decided on a house in New Jersey but has narrowed it down to about six towns. According to her real estate broker in NJ, things are moving fast and she shouldn't delay, according to her father "time is on your side and don't compromise on the house". Besides the obvious sticker shock, the houses there are entirely different from what she is used to. "What's a Cape, Split, or High Ranch"? The floor plans are very different, our homes here are open and flowing while up there it's more choppy. So temporary living for a few months.
Erin - We hope to see the Frisco gang sometime next week, they all want to say goodbye to Colleen. Below are the latest pictures of Caden. Erin mentioned that her supermarket has carts that the front part is a car, truck or plane. Now I am sure you probably have seen these however on the dashboard of the little car is a screen and on the "Mommy Handle" are buttons that let you choose what video your kid will watch. Great gimmick, Mom shops in peace and buys more.
Meaghan - getting ready for a house guest, "The Madge". Better stock up on Pinot. I guess Meaghans camera is still missing as no new pictures of Sean.
Allison - Someone asked if Henry and Allison are still an item. Yes they are. Allison is living in fear as her company is talking about reducing the staff again, making pay cuts, and moving to New York City. I wish she would find another job.
Nothing new here except as I mentioned "The Madge" is leaving here on the 13th and will be in Connecticut until the 23rd. Great planning, Colleen leaves Houston on the 16th, and Madge will be in CT. Oh well, I guess she will see her at Christmas.
A friend of mine Tony Pisacano was kind enough to share some Amazingly Simple Home Remedies

1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU SLICE.

2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY SIMPLY USING THE SINK.

3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE ~ WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

Enough is Enough or No Horsing Around

I hate reading, looking at or hearing anything what is going on in Washington these days. Their spending reminds me of "The Madge" but the difference is they print the money. I did unfortunately hear about a passage of a bill regarding the control of wild horses. From what I've read there are about 33,000 wild horses that roam in ten states. It seems that these clowns in Washington are willing to spend 700 MILLION DOLLARS on the "Restore Our American Mustangs Act" for a horse census every two years and "enhanced contraception" or birth control for horses. OK now I am annoyed so I check out the Washington Post database to see who voted for this. It was close 239 "for" and 185 "against" with 9 "not voting", so now I'm curious of who voted for this joke. I am not 100% sure where these horses are located but I am willing to guess that the likes of Rhode Island, NY, NJ, CT, Mass, Vermont, and Maine should be safe from a wild mustang trampling their crops. Well these states amongst other unlikely horse over run states voted "for" while the states I would have thought HAD a problem voted "against". Check it it. I really don't get it. Sorry for this venting and I will now go back into my shell.

Wow, It's Been A Long Time Between Posts

I took a little heat from Erin for not posting pictures of the 4th of July and a slide show for Colleen who turned 40 on July 5. Here's some news to get you up to date. 1) 9 hours of rain since May 24, it was a nice light drizzle which probably kept a lot of trees/plants/grass from dying. 2.) Caden is walking, OK he looks like Charlie Chaplin but it's still walking. 3) Michael Jackson died. Do you think he got enough press coverage? 4) Colleen sold her house. On the market for two days and got the asking price. This is subject to inspection and bank appraisal, so I don't believe it will be a problem. Closing date is set for August 17th. Now the fun starts trying to figure where to buy in New Jersey. 5) My High School Reunion was a success. I've gotten various reports back from people and everyone had a great time. It's been fun looking at the pictures of it and trying to figure out who's who. Boy am I glad I haven't aged. Well enough news and on with the pictures and slide show.

Back From The Windy City

The troops have all returned to their homes from the Windy City (Chicago). No stories to report YET. Seems like they all had a good time on Daddy's dime. Oh "The Madge" bought me a T-Shirt that has Chicago on the front. Whatcha think, airport gift shop????

Party Time This Weekend

First things first - Still no rain here with nothing in sight. The temperature records are being shattered, 100 plus every day over the past week. The extended forecast calls for cooler days with a slight possibility of rain on September 12th. Things could be worse, we could own a hot dog stand on a beach in New York. Rain, rain go away. The Northeast has been underwater for most of the month and their seven day forecast is more rain.

This weekend the Murphy girls are living large in Chicago. The only phone call I've gotten was on thursday with "The Madge" telling me that they have all arrived safely and checked in to the hotel. While they were dining at the "Firehouse Restaurant", I was chomping down on a hamburger at "Mels" and when they are having lunch at the Signature Room, I will be enjoying the cold tuna casserole that "The Madge" left for me. I really do like that casserole and she has prepared at least five pounds of it, as it has to last me four days. Now I know how Cooper must feel after eating the same dog food every day, Yuk.
I am sure I will hear numerous stories about their weekend.

Last night was the kickoff of the Garden City High School Class of 64 reunion. The festivities began, for some people, in New York City and wound up in Leo's in Garden City. I did receive a phone call from William J Kenney Esq from the back seat of a Limo telling me that he missed me. I tried calling him this morning to see how his head felt but no answer. I am sure he is resting up for the big party tonight. I am also sure I will hear many stories about the reunion. Forty Five Years, wow.

She's BBBBaaaacccckkkk !!!!

"The Madge" is back from CT. Erin, Caden and "The Madge" all returned back to Texas yesterday from the soggy Northeast. During their stay they had one day without rain, this however proved beneficial for me. How many people want to take a one year old out in the rain to look at real estate? The only place she did see required too too much upgrading so I am safe for now.
As previously predicted she tried to see her "one" friend in CT, but Lorraine was M.I.A., which means she was at her second house in Spring Lake, NJ. The visiting Texans did however manage to see my sister, brother in law and their family for a BBQ at their house on Long Island. No, "The Madge" did not do the driving. Since her return she has been very quiet about her summer relocation desires. I was hoping that she would have brought some rain with her. We haven't seen a drop of it in nearly three weeks, and the temperatures are hitting 95 - 98 everyday. Jumping into the pool is like taking a bath, in the evening when you go skinny dipping, the air temp is cooler than the water temp. Yesterday I heard the familiar chimes of a ice cream truck but by the time I got there this is what I found.
The following are recent pictures of the Grandchildren.

Thousands of dollars worth of toys and they play with the empty box.

At least two people are interested in the story.

It's nice to share your toys.

A shopping cart for boy's ???????????

Aunt Allison and Caden

Aunt Tricia and Caden

Aunt Allison and Caden

"The Madge" will be here for a couple of weeks then it's off to Chicago. What's in Chicago you ask. All the Murphy girls are joining forces in the windy city to celebrate Colleen's birthday. Chicago is their preferred Big City. Colleen is turning 40, God I am old, so "The Madge" and the four girls are hitting the city for a girls weekend away. I can't wait to see that Amex statement. Turning 40, wow, that means I just turned 23 when she was born, double wow. Speaking of Colleen, she started her new job, that will relocate her to New Joisey, and I am so proud of her and how hard she works. Here's a few pictures of her "on the job".

Fishing in Key West

A day at the ball park with Shell's $600 per seat tickets

Hanging out with a couple of NY Jets prospects.

Colleen keep up all the good work but now and then take a breather.