tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37325687888808942822024-03-14T04:15:09.403-04:00Wacky DadErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-35616388727625287212014-12-10T07:00:00.000-05:002014-12-10T07:00:06.089-05:00Yes, ME, Wackydad! I have become a foodie. #foodie #meatheadforlife #foodobsessed #nowheat<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to admit it. I have become a foodie. Yes, a foodie. Stop shaking your head and laughing. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm serious. This here obesession is real (Not that I need another obsession, Just ask the wife). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am obsessed with all things food lately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have written here in the past about my cooking as well as about my pressure-cooker obsessio, but now I am seriously neck deep in this stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cook Every night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sing while I am cooking. Like happy-singing. Like whistle-while-you-work kind of singing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even regularly announce loudly, for the whole family to hear, that I am "Deglazing the Aromatics". (<i>What do you mean you don't know what Deglazing the Aromatics is....Oh it is amazing, and makes all food taste 1000 times better...Oh, I will have to share more about that in another post</i>) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even proclaimed in all seriousness the other night that I should have been a Chef.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yup, OBSESSED!!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I figure, there is no place better to share all about my recent culinary escapades then here on good old Wackydads!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just sit back, relax and check out some images from my recent handy-work. You're gonna get hungry!!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhKxYnBvblvTkTtcyoRPHz88MBAGo6am1xeQ3jbY5-cYDBZ-jwkubqsGTOM61pVgikE6tmNxItT9qNWpjnnEkP5Ev2XWxC7HMV2GYPnjWr060kNxGn0-kMbq1xBmAjZEeUW_3mvkxKjkA/s1600/chicchillbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhKxYnBvblvTkTtcyoRPHz88MBAGo6am1xeQ3jbY5-cYDBZ-jwkubqsGTOM61pVgikE6tmNxItT9qNWpjnnEkP5Ev2XWxC7HMV2GYPnjWr060kNxGn0-kMbq1xBmAjZEeUW_3mvkxKjkA/s1600/chicchillbefore.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">BEFORE - My homemade Chicken Chilli made with chicken I ground up myself.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vYz1wAGP3eIQN9cIC4nCGr7VMgDrZDyvIJOTHU-F8OAHr4bZBoWVqtk95rkRiJOpW2islHmy6UH2s5-7LHVB_-kQAoIA6kF1jfHg3vATUZvivGG645LpHynM7DxZpFRzXuiIvBJiKUNI/s1600/chicchillafter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vYz1wAGP3eIQN9cIC4nCGr7VMgDrZDyvIJOTHU-F8OAHr4bZBoWVqtk95rkRiJOpW2islHmy6UH2s5-7LHVB_-kQAoIA6kF1jfHg3vATUZvivGG645LpHynM7DxZpFRzXuiIvBJiKUNI/s1600/chicchillafter.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">AFTER - (SOOO GOOOD) My homemade Chicken Chilli made with chicken <br />I ground up myself.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifv1Bh1bdn3KVZY17Iw1Gj1mO4LHnTWZ6Rg2Sn8e0gpByGPkuoMFphVc_RU1vJubHSvzZzAySWDwdVS8GBe5xry-hYYEeBuJJavt8Nl-5pHbkulNMGYyuSo2Yr4o03a5v6XAzH2x2ZQJNw/s1600/Fresh+summer+squash,+balsamic,+oil+and+butter.+I'll%2Breport%2Bin%2Blater%2Bbut%2Bit%2Blooks%2Bgood!%2B%23food%2B%23dads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifv1Bh1bdn3KVZY17Iw1Gj1mO4LHnTWZ6Rg2Sn8e0gpByGPkuoMFphVc_RU1vJubHSvzZzAySWDwdVS8GBe5xry-hYYEeBuJJavt8Nl-5pHbkulNMGYyuSo2Yr4o03a5v6XAzH2x2ZQJNw/s1600/Fresh+summer+squash,+balsamic,+oil+and+butter.+I'll%2Breport%2Bin%2Blater%2Bbut%2Bit%2Blooks%2Bgood!%2B%23food%2B%23dads.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fresh summer squash, balsamic, oil and butter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's a picture of some fresh, local clams we dug ourselves, that are ready to be steamed and cooked in all different ways. Love Narragansett Bay!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Steamed Clams with hot pepper flakes, beer, and pepperoni, thrown in during the <br />steaming processes for an Oh-So-Good flavor!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-AGRFBECweHI5H71pSFEQKsilqHS7Nc82n2V2_qXcNF8zG8OZham-JcXZ6WHann3dWv0UwPBBZRzC4cxxMeZNMxY8EH3FkEkpSdDoh-6cHtiCtwUiyLM1NT0g89sy-41S6AqxzycPp59/s1600/Chowder,+steamed+cherrystones,+pasta+with+clams+sauce,+garlic+butter,+and+a+Mexican+Pizza+thrown+in+for+good+measure.+%23food+%23rhody+%23narragansettbay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-AGRFBECweHI5H71pSFEQKsilqHS7Nc82n2V2_qXcNF8zG8OZham-JcXZ6WHann3dWv0UwPBBZRzC4cxxMeZNMxY8EH3FkEkpSdDoh-6cHtiCtwUiyLM1NT0g89sy-41S6AqxzycPp59/s1600/Chowder,+steamed+cherrystones,+pasta+with+clams+sauce,+garlic+butter,+and+a+Mexican+Pizza+thrown+in+for+good+measure.+%23food+%23rhody+%23narragansettbay.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Home made Clam Chowder, steamed cherrystones, pasta with clams sauce, garlic butter, and hell, a Mexican Pizza thrown in for good measure. #food #rhody #narragansettbay</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4LivpvhV8vcwzUVWEN1wfh4y5HPo1n3b6epastLcnlHTObYutPCpOIUo2FoNS883lUYgwkcbfPZdGTASd7SSXSpCmKqIudDqQbjpiKw0k5qeKYfNjemicQP-fF_RtRWNbHjjGyIMqTHL/s1600/Eggs,+steak,+broccoli,+black+beans,+healthy+seed+mix+of+some+sort,+and+hot+sauce+of+course.+I+ate+too+helpings!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4LivpvhV8vcwzUVWEN1wfh4y5HPo1n3b6epastLcnlHTObYutPCpOIUo2FoNS883lUYgwkcbfPZdGTASd7SSXSpCmKqIudDqQbjpiKw0k5qeKYfNjemicQP-fF_RtRWNbHjjGyIMqTHL/s1600/Eggs,+steak,+broccoli,+black+beans,+healthy+seed+mix+of+some+sort,+and+hot+sauce+of+course.+I+ate+too+helpings!.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eggs, steak, broccoli, black beans, healthy seed mix of some sort, and hot sauce of course. I ate two helpings!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZaNG5_my1zLgjmv8zuXkXRJKAjK-8ilwsCauylB2FykKy0aF1lVPFIr16tDA1F7BeGGQqbmjiKYPpdxXSDQkpmJB948-Fm-SjWCL0X0T62eB4uHBrIqAAncOsBBcJypYZVfSm5aN3Ii8/s1600/glutenfreeBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZaNG5_my1zLgjmv8zuXkXRJKAjK-8ilwsCauylB2FykKy0aF1lVPFIr16tDA1F7BeGGQqbmjiKYPpdxXSDQkpmJB948-Fm-SjWCL0X0T62eB4uHBrIqAAncOsBBcJypYZVfSm5aN3Ii8/s1600/glutenfreeBB.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gluten Free Banana Bread made with help from my middle girl Ailey. It was really good, <br />especially heated with butter the next morning.<br /> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdKaEkCLS68clD_-tK-oOzmk6QqOgMmx4sNvYRVFxLn5-KRR2NzqkWPDCy2htmoOmYAFntn8jAcBCooHTj94yMFl7OYsuLg4NUL6iVKd9qIYOSXQEHcl1vl0D95Rnfjg2uFGAec7rmo1Q/s1600/Ailey+and+Eric+butchering+deer+Eric+shot+this+afternoon.+Not+your+typical+Father+daughter+project.+%E2%80%94+with+Eric+Costantino+and+Cheryl+Costantino..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdKaEkCLS68clD_-tK-oOzmk6QqOgMmx4sNvYRVFxLn5-KRR2NzqkWPDCy2htmoOmYAFntn8jAcBCooHTj94yMFl7OYsuLg4NUL6iVKd9qIYOSXQEHcl1vl0D95Rnfjg2uFGAec7rmo1Q/s1600/Ailey+and+Eric+butchering+deer+Eric+shot+this+afternoon.+Not+your+typical+Father+daughter+project.+%E2%80%94+with+Eric+Costantino+and+Cheryl+Costantino..jpg" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here is Ailey and I grinding up venison with our grinding machine <br />so that we can make all kinds of good stuff, like Venison Bolognese sauce. <br />This was sooo worth the work!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFbeUlr_7mUOrKR7OQWXKFHXa_ALm-ffPGwATqmrcoxovNlx-9rdLWp_eUq_NPaSsP_3lKv1HwoKTg9zdPnbA6gM5Itbx6vL-h48vQr6qNSD2zTAF_Cnk3Q6mXc1UNY3bneTn5hyhwoUV/s1600/The+ingredients+for+today's%2Bfood%2Bproject.%2BVenison%2BBolognese!%2B%23foodie%2B%23cooking%2B%23hunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFbeUlr_7mUOrKR7OQWXKFHXa_ALm-ffPGwATqmrcoxovNlx-9rdLWp_eUq_NPaSsP_3lKv1HwoKTg9zdPnbA6gM5Itbx6vL-h48vQr6qNSD2zTAF_Cnk3Q6mXc1UNY3bneTn5hyhwoUV/s1600/The+ingredients+for+today's%2Bfood%2Bproject.%2BVenison%2BBolognese!%2B%23foodie%2B%23cooking%2B%23hunting.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">All the ingredients for my homemade Venison Bolognese sauce.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUQScu2VGR_VfziHvQxXWM7u1u7jsoNhCvmkxbkSbNZ_MKFSZkxbUxJJN06EAiPbs4J8TwL_DgVT5NqRuHnjw-pgvCE69QIsMKLg-r4vNYox0kn1zLgP1b8RTK1bzkx5NvVWzV9yeAZcX/s1600/Stop,+Simmer+Time!%2B%23venisonbolognese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUQScu2VGR_VfziHvQxXWM7u1u7jsoNhCvmkxbkSbNZ_MKFSZkxbUxJJN06EAiPbs4J8TwL_DgVT5NqRuHnjw-pgvCE69QIsMKLg-r4vNYox0kn1zLgP1b8RTK1bzkx5NvVWzV9yeAZcX/s1600/Stop,+Simmer+Time!%2B%23venisonbolognese.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">DONE - Venison Bolognese sauce. Seriously good stuff. <br />My 6 year old had two huge helpings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx_uvuYohFapUcIojbOoj6-e-tdP2loWasrn_hLSuHyRdlsIrvB3eVqI-5wOjI8GAiskzyGiaqmB0rIiC7qAKz-fSmNgluueZqC7hL1sdXyYzFSmAczCrjmGPxzUi3hKYSqr-EZt4Dg5S/s1600/Gluten+free+pasta+with+venison+Bolognese+sauce.+Delicious!%2BHuge%2Bhit%2Bwith%2Bthe%2Bwhole%2Bfamily.%2BMy%2Bsix%2Byear%2Bold%2BMia%2Bhad%2Btwo%2Bhelpings!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx_uvuYohFapUcIojbOoj6-e-tdP2loWasrn_hLSuHyRdlsIrvB3eVqI-5wOjI8GAiskzyGiaqmB0rIiC7qAKz-fSmNgluueZqC7hL1sdXyYzFSmAczCrjmGPxzUi3hKYSqr-EZt4Dg5S/s1600/Gluten+free+pasta+with+venison+Bolognese+sauce.+Delicious!%2BHuge%2Bhit%2Bwith%2Bthe%2Bwhole%2Bfamily.%2BMy%2Bsix%2Byear%2Bold%2BMia%2Bhad%2Btwo%2Bhelpings!.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">DONE #2 - Venison Bolognese sauce over gluten free pasta (gotta use <br />gluten free since I Gotta keep my girlish figure)<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTn3tKHwqKymVjRyyYpJMyDP-TmiZu6_73jEr_J8aG0elDm3WhouW-ENOwwuawyEo63RUqBkvbEdhwJxqfjAoF4mwckQEpI2QENwxINqdmEBTGMYqOyX-z4s0GOvJT7bebnCxmH0M4kYzN/s1600/Sausage,+sweet+potatoes,+and+potatoes+ready+for+the+oven!%2B%23foodie%2B%23cooking%2B%23food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTn3tKHwqKymVjRyyYpJMyDP-TmiZu6_73jEr_J8aG0elDm3WhouW-ENOwwuawyEo63RUqBkvbEdhwJxqfjAoF4mwckQEpI2QENwxINqdmEBTGMYqOyX-z4s0GOvJT7bebnCxmH0M4kYzN/s1600/Sausage,+sweet+potatoes,+and+potatoes+ready+for+the+oven!%2B%23foodie%2B%23cooking%2B%23food.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of my Easy-to-Do favorites that the whole family loves. Italian sausage roasted over regualr and sweet potato cubes. The potatos get so delicious, with the sausage almost glazing them while they all cook together. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDkSkm5IOiRZkAsa_5iwBZdEnoAGTybGx4ggHaZUAptBdikjTa9-oZoqHMoHcDA5hQDQUG34cXIKskj571GU_UuMZZtGXjzpBbPojs7B2IrByoauzlShMYUGHCbKjtXyPP_w82zS4-crB/s1600/Roasted+potatoes+and+butternut+squash.+Doesn't%2Bget%2Bmuch%2Bbetter%2Bthan%2Bthat!%2B%E2%80%AA%23%E2%80%8Efood%E2%80%AC%2B%E2%80%AA%23%E2%80%8Efoodobsessed%E2%80%AC%2B%E2%80%AA%23%E2%80%8Efoodie%E2%80%AC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDkSkm5IOiRZkAsa_5iwBZdEnoAGTybGx4ggHaZUAptBdikjTa9-oZoqHMoHcDA5hQDQUG34cXIKskj571GU_UuMZZtGXjzpBbPojs7B2IrByoauzlShMYUGHCbKjtXyPP_w82zS4-crB/s1600/Roasted+potatoes+and+butternut+squash.+Doesn't%2Bget%2Bmuch%2Bbetter%2Bthan%2Bthat!%2B%E2%80%AA%23%E2%80%8Efood%E2%80%AC%2B%E2%80%AA%23%E2%80%8Efoodobsessed%E2%80%AC%2B%E2%80%AA%23%E2%80%8Efoodie%E2%80%AC.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A little change here from above. Regular potatos and Winter squash prepped for roasting with olive oil, salt and pepper. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWOfePlqgmMX3PfI9Vr3yJf8ASuN67H-n77F-fX6OFvVHy90Ae9NmCT-0Xe0lgUz84emyJQKBK6mUn0FIY7yt3VPQiWj_3ztuAzB7Lu-kRiUt7K-ZTOGHh42hMWzbkO5ry5RO4OFA9hyphenhyphenv/s1600/ribspotatossummersquash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWOfePlqgmMX3PfI9Vr3yJf8ASuN67H-n77F-fX6OFvVHy90Ae9NmCT-0Xe0lgUz84emyJQKBK6mUn0FIY7yt3VPQiWj_3ztuAzB7Lu-kRiUt7K-ZTOGHh42hMWzbkO5ry5RO4OFA9hyphenhyphenv/s1600/ribspotatossummersquash.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another Go-To favorite in our house all complete. Country-style ribs <br />on the grill with roasted potatos and winter squash along with a Tomato-heavy<br /> tossed salad. And of course GOOD SEASONING ITALIAN <br />DRESSING...since there is No Other salad dressing that compares. <br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">More to come in the future. Hope you enjoyed this "Eye-Candy" of delicious Food that I have created over the last few months.</span></span></div>
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<br />Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-16007325485946171172014-01-18T14:48:00.001-05:002014-01-18T15:05:40.131-05:00Wacky Wheat Belly<div dir="ltr">
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Yup, I'm on a new diet. I read both the Wheat Belly book, and the for Wheat Belly Cookbook and I have been intrigued enough to strictly follow the diet for the last 2 weeks. My first impressions are really good. Basically the diet is a traditional low carb diet, which has always been my diet of choice, and one which I have been on and off for years. The big difference with Wheat Belly is that your intake of any wheat products is totally cut off, as opposed to the Atkins diet, which allowed the use of wheat gluten in many of its recipes. I have lost about 9 holiday pounds since starting the diet, but that isn't what strikes me as most impressive about this diet. I have noticed several beneficial side effects that I would not have expected as a result of a change in diet. Here they are. </div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TJ_PTtHTIX8/Utrai-RinYI/AAAAAAAAGYM/aPZ5dTA40j8/%25252Fstorage%25252Femulated%25252F0%25252F.blogaway%25252F1390073928033.jpg%20cursor:%20pointer;" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TJ_PTtHTIX8/Utrai-RinYI/AAAAAAAAGYM/aPZ5dTA40j8/%25252Fstorage%25252Femulated%25252F0%25252F.blogaway%25252F1390073928033.jpg cursor: pointer;" width="240" /></a><b>1.</b> I'm historically a terrible sleeper. I have take meds of varying types for many years in order to sleep, with varying success. Even taking enough meds to put down a rhino, I never make it through the night without a period of wakefulness. I've never really been able to figure out a true solution to this problem and have always chalked it up to having too much on my mind. Although I haven't stopped taking my usual sleeping meds since starting the diet, I noticed starting about the second week I was on the diet, that I started to sleep uninterrupted through the night. Amazing! When you spend literally 15-20 years of your life waking up regularly at 2-3 in the morning for an extended period of time, and then actually sleep straight through the night for multiple nights on end, you definitely notice! I'm not sure what the reason for the change is, but I'm loving it! </div>
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<b>2.</b> I'm not hungry. It's true! Most of my friends and family know me as a guy who can put down epic portions of food, and can do it with panache! I can still do some damage when I want to, but that burning desire I've always had to pound down everything on the table has dissipated immensely. Satisfying myself at table has become a much easier prospect. I have to say, I have not tried to cut calories back at all, just cut out processed foods, starches, and of course the devil of all foods - Wheat. I've had a couple of crazy days at work where I never had a chance to eat until dinnertime. Usually you'd be taking your life in your hands to be in my presence on a day where I hadn't eaten. Now I feel a sense of hunger, but it is manageable and when I do finally eat, I can do it without gorging like a great white shark. I've also lost midnight snacking tendencies. A handful of unsalted in the shell peanuts are great after dinner, but no burning desire for cookies, etc. I totally love this new found sense of freedom from food! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ailey cooking up a batch of low carb/wheat free Banana Foster. Delicious!</td></tr>
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<b>3.</b> My chronic upper back muscular pain is gone. I have historically had tense muscles to the inside of both of my wing ones of my back. Again I chalked this up to stress. My daughter Abigail has spent many a night digging into those particular muscles on my back to try to help loosen up her old dad. I'm hoping she doesn't read this, because those awesome night time back rubs are really the bomb, and still feel good even though I don't have the pain like before. </div>
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These three changes have been enough to convince me that there is something to this lifestyle change. One thing I do notice is that my need for water seems to have increased. I have found myself becoming dehydrated more, and I am making a concerted effort to drink water on a regular basis throughout the day. So far I can't say enough about the diet. I'm hooked, and I think I'm going to be on this one for the long haul. I'll continue to update you on whether I feel this is a sustainable lifestyle, but so far I am not having any problems whatsoever! I'd love to hear some of your experiences with a restricted carb/wheat diet. Comment away! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0Warwick, United States41.6868934 -71.4599718tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-5668776291000983062013-12-16T20:21:00.002-05:002013-12-16T21:19:53.529-05:00Radio Shack For the Holidays! #sponsored #MC<div style="text-align: center;">
<i id="yui_3_7_2_1_1387241237329_12191" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for RadioShack. I received a gift card to facilitate a shopping trip and promotional item as a thank you for participating."</span></i><br />
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Holy Moly this year's holiday season has been a whirlwind! I think that Thanksgiving being so late this year has made everything much more bunched up and hectic than usual. I finally made it out tonight to do some Christmas shopping, and Radio Shack was my first trip of the season. I actually went in with my oldest daughter Abby yesterday, but had to take notes and come back, because a lot of the things I saw were actually perfect for Abby. Teenagers love electronics(so does their dad)! I can't give away too much, because my family reads this blog, and I shopped for them!</div>
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But I will give some vague hints. For my oldest daughter I got her an all important Ipad accessory. Abby actually has an Ipad program at her school. They provide the Ipads, but we need to provide chargers, cases, etc. There are so many cool products that help you become more productive on the Ipad, and Abby scored one of these. That's as detailed as it gets! My famous middle daughter Ailey is going to be the proud recipient of a cool new Bluetooth accessory for her Ipod (actually I think the whole family will be able to use this little beauty). Hint Hint - its electronic and you can use it in the shower! Finally I picked up a creative electronic toy for my youngest Mia. I can't wait to see her reaction to it! I will share this since odds are she won't catch me (if she does I'll let you know!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102914&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032058ProjectKits" style="text-align: center;">http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102914&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032058ProjectKits</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were at a family gathering this past weekend, and one of the kids got one of these as a gift. It was a total hit, and the kids were at it all night long with it! Nothing like playing with batteries, motors, and horns!</span></td></tr>
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As always I was struck by the level of personal assistance I got when I walked into the store. I was immediately greeted by an employee. I noticed right away that he had his coat and hat on - odd. Turned out that the heat was on the fritz, but even though he was bone cold he was still cordial and knew his stuff about the stores products! Another thing I noticed was that Radio Shack has gotten a facelift. It has a new fresh product line that is very relevant to the times, and everything was displayed very nicely. All in all I couldn't have been happier with my experience. I was in and out quickly, I got two of the three items I bought at aggressive sale prices, and the customer service was tops. I highly recommend that all of you last minute shoppers like me head on out to Radio Shack for all of those crowd pleasing electronic stocking stuffers and more! Visit the <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/category/index.jsp?brandCode=1028444&allCount=40&categoryId=28428986#hh" target="_blank">Radio Shack Holiday Hub</a> to research before you go out in the cold!</div>
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Happy Shopping!</div>
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Wacky Dad</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-34145144133282677282013-11-29T18:39:00.000-05:002013-11-29T18:39:24.044-05:00Radio Shack - Old Fashioned Values On New Fangled Products! #sponsored #MC<em style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of <a href="http://www.momcentralconsulting.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mom Central Consulting</a> (#MC) for RadioShack. I received a gift card to facilitate a shopping trip and promotional item as a thank you for participating.</em><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> It's not often that you get an opportunity to write about a brand/company that you truly love. As a kid I remember going into The local <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=24768236&utm_campaign=HOL13&utm_medium=RSCOM&utm_source=hh_hgc_menu&utm_content=nyd" target="_blank">Radio Shack</a> with my father, and remember being mind boggled by all of the transistors, capacitors, and every other manner of electrical gadget known to man. My father was deep into electronics of all sorts, and Radio Shack was like a candy store to him. Of course I thought it was all the coolest stuff as well (even though I had no clue what most of it did!). Things haven't changed much over the years. I still have trouble driving by a Radio Shack without stopping in to check out the latest gadgets, and when I bring my kids in to the store they're just as mesmerized as I am by all of the neat things in the store. I bought my wife's Laptop at Radio Shack 2 years ago after striking out at all of the big box stores. They had the best price and the most knowledge. Radio Shack always seems to hire smart individuals who are truly passionate about electronics. It refreshing when you go in the store and you don't get some bonehead that does't even know the difference between Android and IOS, or a transistor and a capacitor for that matter!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> This year Radio Shack left all of the fun up to the buyers to actually vote for, and ultimately pick all of the sale items for it's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales with their "Name Your Deal" promotion. What an amazing idea. Let the consumer decide what they want the deals on! The nation has voted, and the scores are in! Visit the following link to find some awesome deals! </span><a href="http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jsp">http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jsp</a><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> Whether you're looking for a new tablet, headphones, or a new phone, Radio Shack has a deal that you'll love, and I know you'll totally dig the shopping experience!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Happily Shopping!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Avant Garde', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Wacky Dad </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-81798385097907594372013-08-30T17:41:00.000-04:002013-08-30T17:41:22.212-04:00Keep It Cool and Dry With Gold Bond Powder Spray<div style="text-align: center;">
<i id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377892204241_5387" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">“I participated in a campaign on behalf of <a href="http://www.momcentralconsulting.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377892204241_5412" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">Mom Central Consulting</a> for Gold Bond. I received product samples and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was totally pumped when I recently got asked to try out a new Gold Bond product. You see I grew up with <a href="http://goldbond.com/home.html" target="_blank">Gold Bond</a> in the house. Dad was an active guy, and he always had a bottle of Gold Bond hanging around. Whether it was for riding the bike, running, or just plain trying to stay dry on a hot day, he almost always had a bottle on hand. In turn I have used it as an adult, and have always love the product. In my mind, Gold Bond is truly a "Man's Man" product. I am often ribbed by my father Leo for writing posts about products that don't measure up on his "Manliness Scale". Of course I ignore the meat head, but sometimes it does make me wonder! I know that won't happen this time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQxkD__tN7tPTSThchiyyXi2u5psMDIMXdxhAh0TgMuHsSGtU8" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQxkD__tN7tPTSThchiyyXi2u5psMDIMXdxhAh0TgMuHsSGtU8" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quite simply, the new product that <a href="http://goldbond.com/home.html" target="_blank">Gold Bond</a> has out now is a spray powder. What I love about it, is that when you apply it, it goes on a little wet. It allows it to stick right where you need it, and then it dries out and is just like the regular powder product. For most of us that need this type of product, you need it to stick "where the sun don't shine"! Most of my readers know that I'm an avid cyclist. If you're a rider you know what I mean, but if you're not a rider, you can probably appreciate what goes on inside the cycling shorts after 100 miles on the bike. Heck, maybe the thought of it is why you're not a rider! As an aside, I'll be riding 200 miles in one day in less than a month. This ride is to honor my friend Karen Petty who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. All proceeds from the <a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/karenpettydoublecentury/bikeride" target="_blank">Karen Petty Double Century </a> will support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll have a can of the new No Mess Gold Bond Spray along in the support vehicle on ride day, just imagine how nice that cooling spray will feel after being in the saddle for 14 hours!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG-iNgBGqDGyWnQCLPPiuZ7ccGznlFSvd3t8gkKYj_Jj_DR2dwjX0X9RixZcvYHQPfSSyVmujl4fC3ZQCc7jdS9xXiq48SrO1XxLtkymAv-YIGF403hNIswcj4ba5A6Oa0SVxEN67bmA/s1600/group+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG-iNgBGqDGyWnQCLPPiuZ7ccGznlFSvd3t8gkKYj_Jj_DR2dwjX0X9RixZcvYHQPfSSyVmujl4fC3ZQCc7jdS9xXiq48SrO1XxLtkymAv-YIGF403hNIswcj4ba5A6Oa0SVxEN67bmA/s400/group+photo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been using the Gold Bond spray for 2 reasons. Keeping my feet dry while at work is first. I'm a project manager for a construction company, and I always where boots to work. That coupled with driving around in my old beat up 1996 Chevy Truck with no air conditioning is a recipe for stanky feet and athletes foot. Since I've starting using the Gold Bond Spray, there has been an incredible decrease in the gag factor from my wife and three daughters, when I take off the boots at the end of the day. Also my feet are starting to approach something that I can present in a public setting, for example flip flops. I could clear a path in a crowded room when people used to see my "dogs" headed their way - before the Gold Bond Spray worked it's magic on my feet for the last 2 weeks. Secondly I've been using the spray pre and post ride for all of my cycling outings. I have noticed a marked improvement in chafing that normally occurs, and an improved heal time between riding efforts. As a rider this is important when you end you're summer a little plumper and more out of shape then you should be, and you really need to squeeze extra rides in to make up for it! 200 miles in a day is no joke! The beauty of the spray can is that you can direct that cooling and sweat absorbing spray where the sun shines least, and it is darned easy to do! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The short story is, if you ever sweat, then this stuff is for you. Whether you're a man or a woman, this product deserves a place in the medicine cabinet. I highly recommend this new innovative product from a company that has been the "Gold" standard in keeping us cool and dry for over 100 years! Well done Gold Bond!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">High and Dry!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Dad </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-34953948764127818082013-08-16T09:05:00.001-04:002013-08-16T09:35:34.356-04:00A Teenage Daughter. <div dir="ltr">
I can't believe that my "baby" Abigail celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday. Where have all of those years gone? I remember taking Abby out hiking in a backpack carrier when she was about one or so. She used to fall asleep back there all of the time, and the way she was situated her head used to lean on top of my head somehow. I miss those days. <br />
I'm a father of three daughters, and each of them are so special to me, but there is just something about the first daughter that is just different. I think that part of it is the fact that we just have so much history together. 13 years worth! Even more actually. I used to read to my wife Cathy's belly before Abigail was born. I also used to torture the kid by using a Mag-Lite flashlight and shining it directly through Cathy's belly. You can actually chase the little sucker around in there. Probably why Abby is still afraid of fireworks. Who knows, but it was fun. Anyway I have always felt super close to Abby.<br />
Next to my wife and parents she probably knows me as well as anyone. When we spend time together we don't always have to talk, we just understand each other. She makes it so easy for her socially challenged father! She is wise beyond her years. I am so proud of her, and am looking so forward to seeing her grow into a young adult. I have no doubt that my first born will conquer the world in her own fashion. Truly I just pray for her to be a happy person, and to follow her dreams. If I can help her make those dreams come to fruition then I will bury myself to do it. </div>
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I love you Abby, </div>
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Your Wacky Dad</div>
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Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-82030442849304524022013-07-25T20:58:00.001-04:002013-07-25T20:58:21.652-04:005 Eternal Truths Of Parenting 3 Daughters <p dir="ltr">1. Poop stinks. There just ain't no doubt about it. Little, big, short, tall, wide, skinny, it's all poop.  The days you stop wiping asses is one of the finest days of your life -  bar none.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2. All "boy" friends are evil. They are the devil incarnate. Their sole purpose in life is to give me acid reflux. That specific indigestion makes me want to castrate them. Hey boys, if your reading by chance... I will kill you if you screw up. </p>
<p dir="ltr">3. Having four women in my house is a free ticket to saintdom. Men,  If you qualify, I'll have a cold beer waiting for you. </p>
<p dir="ltr">4. Math homework sucks. Unequivocally sucks. Even thinking about it makes me want to yuke. </p>
<p dir="ltr">5. Brushing your 5 year old daughters hair is bound to shorten your life by 30 days every time you attempt it. Every time. I'm down about 18 years by now. My to <u>ticket</u> to saintdom is coming soon! </p>
<p dir="ltr">All kidding aside, I just couldn't live without all of my beautiful girls. I love you all! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Loving Dad Hood! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Wacky Dad</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1vrTSDIammIJCnvTQNH_c3uhBOVwLGmRaLnC5S58hnwfKEoKPvbojmDuNb-7drO8GoCdfxG6ZFtM8iPZ_zyPFI6vipai1A_MH-n6BTO1hpbZB3fugBH013dCZhl80J0DAqinyn0jW2AB/s1600/1369573294382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1vrTSDIammIJCnvTQNH_c3uhBOVwLGmRaLnC5S58hnwfKEoKPvbojmDuNb-7drO8GoCdfxG6ZFtM8iPZ_zyPFI6vipai1A_MH-n6BTO1hpbZB3fugBH013dCZhl80J0DAqinyn0jW2AB/s640/1369573294382.jpg"> </a> </div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-22631255565251957442013-07-21T18:41:00.000-04:002013-07-21T18:41:01.776-04:00Riding Down Pancreatic Cancer On Two Wheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">4th Annual Karen Petty Memorial Double Century Bike Ride Against Pancreatic Cancer</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">September 28th, 2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYECYblbi2fVA9yOYbjnpQFlPZ4hAQYKr06mxhTBuoSJa1DICTNhP4vnZOVE3OkzQQK9Qi5TPyn76DNdKaQ0C_YuMq9VtqfsGzHPtlrHrAJk-ZO85y2myBhzkMjVJXa980PJ_WU2d-MwI/s1600/Karen+in+golf+cart.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYECYblbi2fVA9yOYbjnpQFlPZ4hAQYKr06mxhTBuoSJa1DICTNhP4vnZOVE3OkzQQK9Qi5TPyn76DNdKaQ0C_YuMq9VtqfsGzHPtlrHrAJk-ZO85y2myBhzkMjVJXa980PJ_WU2d-MwI/s640/Karen+in+golf+cart.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Karen Petty - The reason we ride!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope this note finds you all well. Many of you who I write to today are dear friends of mine and some of you who support my ride are only bound to me by a common cause. That cause is our desire to end Pancreatic Cancer. I started the Karen Petty Double Century in 2010 in an effort to honor my lifelong friend Karen Petty, and to raise funds to defeat the disease that took her from us. For those of you who know Karen, you understand why I ride in her memory. Karen was loved by all who knew her. Her family adored her. I adore all of Karen’s family as brothers, sisters, and aunts, and uncles even though we share no blood relations. I grew up calling Karen “Auntie” and her husband “Uncle” Joe. As an only child, I didn’t have siblings. Karen’s own kids, Jason and Kerri, and her Nephew Billy were my brothers and sisters, and they are as important to me as if we were related by blood. I grew up with all of them, and always felt a part of their family. It only felt natural to do something “big” upon Karen’s passing, not only to honor Karen’s memory, but to show her family how much they all mean to me. This 200 mile, one day bike ride, which starts at Karen’s house in West Warwick, RI, to her Cabin in Thornton, NH, started as a deed I thought was honorable enough to memorialize Karen. I believe it has proven so over the past three years. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPMx1bVaI3FMClTSXGUQgxCexHyNIIsN31kHgr33ZALSOsA6MT7ybBZ_UG6j00DQ7a63UQMZDGby1mkEbdL3RGbGtYsvebHnEteGJmJ_ueJLM4uIEmkZwq6hvvBcmB_czKaJCY1xPkWY/s1600/884952_511418445565906_503728578_o.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPMx1bVaI3FMClTSXGUQgxCexHyNIIsN31kHgr33ZALSOsA6MT7ybBZ_UG6j00DQ7a63UQMZDGby1mkEbdL3RGbGtYsvebHnEteGJmJ_ueJLM4uIEmkZwq6hvvBcmB_czKaJCY1xPkWY/s640/884952_511418445565906_503728578_o.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since Karen’s passing I have become very involved in the Pancreatic Cancer community in Rhode Island, and on a national level. I have been part of a team that raised over $550,000 for the <a href="http://www.pancan.org/">Pancreatic Cancer Action Network</a> in Rhode Island since 2010. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only organization out there that is attacking this disease comprehensively, and that is why they have my wholehearted support. This ride’s supporters have been a key component of that fundraising success. I feel we are making true progress in fighting this disease. This year Congress passed important legislation that will move Pancreatic Cancer research forward, and that is a direct result of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s work in Washington. Our continued support of this great organization will be the keystone of driving a stake in the heart of this disease.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRImVdNjOC_bUzgecQrNpHM8IGt07n8CLe13tUEtkjJwbCSqFJeu7NrahsJ5rriQ6hyvuJgFKaUF-cTjPX1Bq06G_DpdS3Cr2fcDzXaoDlYf_p9BrSaaQSaD0Drxy-7wlROmfupBFisU/s1600/Peter+and+Eric+Bike+Ride.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRImVdNjOC_bUzgecQrNpHM8IGt07n8CLe13tUEtkjJwbCSqFJeu7NrahsJ5rriQ6hyvuJgFKaUF-cTjPX1Bq06G_DpdS3Cr2fcDzXaoDlYf_p9BrSaaQSaD0Drxy-7wlROmfupBFisU/s640/Peter+and+Eric+Bike+Ride.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Myself and Pete Washburn at the start of the 2011 ride</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through my affiliation with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, I have lost another close friend to this disease. Pete Washburn and I became quick friends when he was fighting pancreatic cancer. I never thought the disease would beat his fighting spirit, but even the strong succumb to this scourge. Losing Pete has only renewed my resolve to defeat this disease. Pete was a great supporter of my ride, and I have enjoyed meeting many of his family members, and fighting this disease side by side with them. I ride with his memory near to my heart at all times.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HROo-Saep8Qus1bqO0oxL4EjXcpQvIbnS5SFdRolFIzJKUQSmFZbPARqZmsR9KIWz0UHHgfTROpK8fOOMV1Lx8ZMKj-CMZ0nkmeHfxdmkZ9ugQvTNLC72Ivrowkcdl2rj7-dJtOztk0/s1600/group+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HROo-Saep8Qus1bqO0oxL4EjXcpQvIbnS5SFdRolFIzJKUQSmFZbPARqZmsR9KIWz0UHHgfTROpK8fOOMV1Lx8ZMKj-CMZ0nkmeHfxdmkZ9ugQvTNLC72Ivrowkcdl2rj7-dJtOztk0/s640/group+photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The finish line in New Hampshire on year two</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This will be my fourth time riding this annual ride. For the entire 200 miles this year, I will be accompanied by two great friends, Greg Anderson, who has ridden the ride with me twice, and Ed Hernaez who has completed the ride once in 2012. We also have a contingent of 100 mile riders. Newcomer Billy Fitts, Karen’s nephew and my lifelong friend will be tackling the ride. Billy is taking this challenge on after being off a bike for 20+ years. John Braica, a close friend of mine and Karen’s will ride the last 100 miles with us. Also my buddy Bill Fontaine and my father Leo Costantino (69 years young) will ride those last 100 miles with us as well. This diverse group of riders is a testament to how Karen positively influenced everyone she knew. Her positive attitude lives on in her friends and family’s drive to destroy the disease that took her. We are welcoming other riders, but bear in mind that this is a one way, unsupported ride, so if you do choose to make the trek, you will have to provide your own personal support vehicle. Thank you to all of the amazing people in advance for joining this fight with me. They are all true warriors, and I know we can ride this disease down to the ground together, all in Karen’s name. To support this year’s ride please follow the instructions below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please visit: </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/karenpettydoublecentury/bikeride" style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/karenpettydoublecentury/bikeride</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sincerely Determined,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eric Costantino</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">AKA Wacky Dad</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-60993641821058252012013-07-18T19:41:00.001-04:002013-07-21T18:50:50.944-04:00My Singing, Superstar Daughter! I just can't get enough of my daughter Abigail singing. I found out today that she did a cover of the Adele song "Someone Like You" on<a href="http://singwho.com/watch/4943#!id=4943"> SingWho.Com</a>. I am always blown away by Abby's ability to sing. I can say undeniably that she did NOT get this from her father or mother (Mom might contest this, but don't let her fool you)! Here is Abby in action. we don't have any fancy recording equipment, but Abby makes it sound great anyway!<br />
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Enjoy watching my beautiful and talented daughter, and please share on Facebook and Twitter. Abby would love to go to the top of the charts!<br />
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A Proud Dad,<br />
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Wacky DadAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-36783694386336087132013-07-16T21:10:00.001-04:002013-07-16T21:10:42.320-04:00Welfare Drug Testing - Yea or Nay?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm wondering what some of my readers thoughts might be on the subject of welfare drug testing. Do you think this is the answer to an over burdened welfare system, or is it a sure way to starve the children of this country's drug using welfare recipients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can lean toward the conservative side on some subjects, and that side of me likes this idea. As a father I think about the children who will be affected by this law, and it scares me. I'd love everyone to weigh in with a comment on this one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Dad</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-18187603548746925992013-07-07T19:56:00.000-04:002013-07-07T19:56:03.763-04:00Death By Burger!<span style="font-size: large;">What a great 4th of July! We were lucky enough to head up to New Hampshire this past holiday weekend and do some camping with our neighbors and close friends, Jen and Ed and their kids. We also met my old buddy Billy, and my "Uncle Joe" up there and had a fantastic time hanging with all of them. I don't want to say too much about the trip itself, because that will be another blog post. Gotta reserve my stories! What I do want to talk about now is last night's dinner. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyVlC_xOc-n6VPIBXjn-PlOKoSmtdFgYgd5TDgPQzD9HBs-GoDaF7VUiN1wNcVnaG5fAyunUr90U6Aiu4UQpUC9lb7bdO-DNAln1JHNkXMVIdYL9Nurg73MbcvKN-s1ItQzw-RWDCG4g/s1600/IMG_20130704_092249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyVlC_xOc-n6VPIBXjn-PlOKoSmtdFgYgd5TDgPQzD9HBs-GoDaF7VUiN1wNcVnaG5fAyunUr90U6Aiu4UQpUC9lb7bdO-DNAln1JHNkXMVIdYL9Nurg73MbcvKN-s1ItQzw-RWDCG4g/s640/IMG_20130704_092249.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Road Trip!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now over the years I believe that anyone who comes to this blog on a regular basis wants to read about the <u>Jackass</u> named Eric Costantino, AKA Wacky Dad. When I first started my blog it was easy to come up with a Jackass story every day, but as the years go by, it isn't easy to pull a "wacky" stunt every few days for a blog post. Sometimes I have to write about the mundane. I appreciate you all sticking through the lean times, but I have a true Costantino moment to write home about this time. <br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As many of my readers, family, and friends know I am a big eater. I derive serious happiness from a great dinner and a glass of wine or a beer. Last night we decided to head out to the <a href="http://www.woodstockinnnh.com/">Woodstock Inn</a> in Woodstock, NH for dinner. With kids and all, we had a party of 19 people. Just a little background on the Woodstock Inn. We've been going there for an awful long time at this point, and we love the site brewed Ales and Lagers that they showcase. I went there with the intention of getting a light dinner and 2 or 3 beers. I almost made it! I sat down and initially picked out a Chicken Cobb salad and ordered a nice hoppy IPA. All was well until the waitress lingered for a couple of milliseconds too long. I re-opened the menu. That is when I saw this.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4YtMd5vRT01skVQ9wMTLaaZwnvscPrdl6VZfee4a065uxbriII-5Z8mcAG2ooe_2A_aMR9IL3og_3je6xGlN6dbxKK1a67yWM3dt7vP8ktELaT-qcsEEQMyJr0QEia5XKAaN6yL8VSA/s1600/Death+By+Burger.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4YtMd5vRT01skVQ9wMTLaaZwnvscPrdl6VZfee4a065uxbriII-5Z8mcAG2ooe_2A_aMR9IL3og_3je6xGlN6dbxKK1a67yWM3dt7vP8ktELaT-qcsEEQMyJr0QEia5XKAaN6yL8VSA/s640/Death+By+Burger.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yup, The Double Death By Burger!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how I missed it the first time, but it definitely had my attention riveted now. I yelled over to my buddy Ed who was at another table. "Did you see the Death By Burger?" He nodded yes. Long story short we both ended up ordering the thing. I often underestimate things. This was one of those times. I kind of poo-pooed the whole thing. How bad can it be? It might be 36 oz of beef, but that's before they cook it. All manner of bullshit to convince myself that this thing was gonna be a cake walk. Hell I thought I'd down the thing, score my t-shirt, and walk away with a full tummy and a smiley face. I just never considered the consequences of what I was doing. I should know better, Ed had taken me to a place called Luxe Burger for my birthday this past January. Ed, Myself, and my old buddy Billy plowed through Luxe Burger's challenge, and we all finished it. Admittedly it was very tough, but we all brought home the t-shirt and were able to conquer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yc2FGZSpblb_2DuknWKG4wygjSAQ4TUg5fjPcSMfqaLNItnclX5CGpkKcuUFqTueyWTQerS8Y84FlD_PHPnpF7-_UTUTIHmtXObx4W1DjG75BSxwxnX3dNvHnLf-_V1w9ceAP4fcWXw/s1600/Luxe+Burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yc2FGZSpblb_2DuknWKG4wygjSAQ4TUg5fjPcSMfqaLNItnclX5CGpkKcuUFqTueyWTQerS8Y84FlD_PHPnpF7-_UTUTIHmtXObx4W1DjG75BSxwxnX3dNvHnLf-_V1w9ceAP4fcWXw/s640/Luxe+Burger.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luxe Burger!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I was cocky. I don't know. I decided to take a walk down to Woodstock's wall of shame where they post the photos of all the other idiots who take on the challenge. It took my breath away. The first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the burger. It was truly MONUMENTAL! Then I noticed how many folks were on the wall of shame as opposed to the wall of fame. It wasn't pretty. There were at least 3 failures to one success. Oh shit I thought. What did I get myself into? I waited with bated breath. Here is what I got myself into!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg4ydF4a8bV3tQGv1lS7jLJVzeYXtAAkjumsu2dFmRI7ofaxfxxYaY9I1XkTD5ILwiHq9u90ZGJ9WpYEPWqCUVnFB59Kq3_LMIrDEN6vbmfeJ5KTf3dgjqsfEZuF2FfNk7aljMmILxGM/s1600/IMG_20130706_175628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg4ydF4a8bV3tQGv1lS7jLJVzeYXtAAkjumsu2dFmRI7ofaxfxxYaY9I1XkTD5ILwiHq9u90ZGJ9WpYEPWqCUVnFB59Kq3_LMIrDEN6vbmfeJ5KTf3dgjqsfEZuF2FfNk7aljMmILxGM/s640/IMG_20130706_175628.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is a full sized plate. Look at my wife's expression in the background!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was gigantic. The bread was extremely heavy, and the burgers were very dense. This was serious stuff. I was scared to be honest with you. I was with 18 of the people that I love most, and I considered the fact that I might fail. I really didn't think I was going to make it, and I was going to fail in front of all of these people I love. I know this sounds stupid to all of you. I hate to lose and I love a challenge. It doesn't matter what the challenge is. If I'm in it, I'm in it to win, or to conquer. In my little mind this burger challenge was no different. I was going to be pissed if I couldn't get through it. I started. I plowed through as fast as I could taking small sips of my drink as I went. I got through half. Ed was eating his at the same time. He was moving along well too, but I could tell he was hurting. I was too. I just continued to eat, even after it hurt. The burger was charred a little, and it started to really make me feel kind of sick after a while. I kept going. I had doubts at about 2/3rd's of the way through, but I just said F*&% it and kept going. Ed threw in the towel, but he didn't have as much at stake here. I had all of these friends and family watching me. My daughters were standing over my shoulder cheering me on. Next thing I knew the <u>WHOLE</u> restaurant was cheering me on! It really would have been a fun moment if I hadn't felt like yacking on my plate! I actually finished the damned thing. I didn't yack it up, and I actually went for a swim after we finished, and didn't sink, or get a cramp!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJhnoxNaPVfJ-7j5NZvakgQ79rJr_LUdghOydKY5U1PTavHZCR7-JGIFPln_IDn64rlI835J1guzZjVqy3QQ87Pr2JadsAhsozgrkL0gWVFMrvYFvxPu6jSvkkpmJdGOWpjJx_Zf2Wl4/s1600/IMG_20130707_193819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJhnoxNaPVfJ-7j5NZvakgQ79rJr_LUdghOydKY5U1PTavHZCR7-JGIFPln_IDn64rlI835J1guzZjVqy3QQ87Pr2JadsAhsozgrkL0gWVFMrvYFvxPu6jSvkkpmJdGOWpjJx_Zf2Wl4/s640/IMG_20130707_193819.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The T-Shirt Back</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's the moral of the story? Well there really isn't one. I'm still an idiot, capable of sincerely idiotic acts. I'm still "Wacky Dad". I've still got it! That's it. I have reaffirmed my status as one of the premier morons in the dad blogger world, and I'm damned proud of it. To all of my fellow dad bloggers out there I'd like to throw down the gauntlet. Head up to the Woodstock Inn and take the challenge. If you win, you might be able to enter the Wacky Club!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCVARMF3Jbl4zZT3KinzYcWK8_3BMrqsnvoNzbLO6bbhrzG-L0bBZBLmHwsR49g5YJjmEHoZiBT0Z105lpkJJA7Fp_pXdR4_hLRT6WW5381zN7c6kBk2XgaN5D1owVKBoK9rIThyphenhyphenhKOc/s1600/IMG_20130707_193837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCVARMF3Jbl4zZT3KinzYcWK8_3BMrqsnvoNzbLO6bbhrzG-L0bBZBLmHwsR49g5YJjmEHoZiBT0Z105lpkJJA7Fp_pXdR4_hLRT6WW5381zN7c6kBk2XgaN5D1owVKBoK9rIThyphenhyphenhKOc/s640/IMG_20130707_193837.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bon Appetit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Dad</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-81699448256776037202013-07-03T14:45:00.000-04:002013-07-16T20:41:48.768-04:00Summer Vacation With Goldfish Puffs!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-BM7uAUKa83qgM_5R31fLFeTjN9vOyLHFoZqFaMgBrvJPB6KGKRsj2a6q3ph7zjqoNOacGFO9Hw_OKXaRabq808WAD5czEAXnxzLJnrOMOTljyozUY7bvq5j0CFjsRqHTS1qy3BlXc4/s600/CB-sponsored-post-white-script-600.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-BM7uAUKa83qgM_5R31fLFeTjN9vOyLHFoZqFaMgBrvJPB6KGKRsj2a6q3ph7zjqoNOacGFO9Hw_OKXaRabq808WAD5czEAXnxzLJnrOMOTljyozUY7bvq5j0CFjsRqHTS1qy3BlXc4/s400/CB-sponsored-post-white-script-600.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With the kids home for summer vacation it seems like they eat about twice as much as normal. Maybe it's all of the pool parties, and summer activities, but I swear that these kids are like little piranha's! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK9pblV_8Kgel8KLA7ts2UMTr2oxZQQ0D_vwfIUyN9xJGCMubafNZtZI1XcwqXAtJuhAcpygy_-DPEj5-5fwKoHTisktCVyUxGJlfdBWX15zlV6ZWkiMjVqAJtgAjCVId1NU6CkP45Sc/s1600/IMG_20130629_191408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK9pblV_8Kgel8KLA7ts2UMTr2oxZQQ0D_vwfIUyN9xJGCMubafNZtZI1XcwqXAtJuhAcpygy_-DPEj5-5fwKoHTisktCVyUxGJlfdBWX15zlV6ZWkiMjVqAJtgAjCVId1NU6CkP45Sc/s640/IMG_20130629_191408.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mia, Half Child, Half Piranha!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">a recent shopping trip we ran across a new product, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoldfishSmiles">Goldfish Puffs at Target</a>. They sounded interesting so we grabbed a couple of bags, as well as a couple of the traditional Goldfish that my kids love. For all of you that need gluten free snacks, it is good to know that these are a great go-to snack for your kids. I happened to have all of my daughters with me when we were at the store, so we ended up getting two bags of the Goldfish Puffs and two bags of the regular <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldfishSmiles">Goldfish Snacks</a>. I never get out of the store easy when shopping with all of the girls!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7xmYEei6kaYYJC8MDlAdbmhyphenhyphenUMH8wFho9mrALCc5vONdI3-HbM__dMmbcuyPieOWeM5jNqtZnhyuA4Hs_occGu8mqaMxhdiR6VrHHCfas7HG4-K1FfprhADnHXdUOk7SBR5HKlRvqNY/s1600/IMG_20130630_120027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7xmYEei6kaYYJC8MDlAdbmhyphenhyphenUMH8wFho9mrALCc5vONdI3-HbM__dMmbcuyPieOWeM5jNqtZnhyuA4Hs_occGu8mqaMxhdiR6VrHHCfas7HG4-K1FfprhADnHXdUOk7SBR5HKlRvqNY/s640/IMG_20130630_120027.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We grabbed 2 flavors, Mega Cheese and Cheddar Bacon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't waste any time digging into our new snacks. It was lunchtime when we got home. We decided to do a little taste test, comparing the old to the new. The puffs were definitely a welcome change for my two older girls Abby and Ailey, Mia on the other hand is smitten with the pizza flavored traditional Goldfish Snacks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluTSSGKQt2Rt1lPmzgz_NEe2pIfTLGDwN52GoEJ0co5J5I3MZvkwskVzGE9NxYydJPHAdQPZRg-fHphGGcHjFA-ELu8m4P2NiqOAkxmXXNGxiO4M9CDdhqt14R91JTCWonNMzmTGEsNU/s1600/IMG_20130630_121357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluTSSGKQt2Rt1lPmzgz_NEe2pIfTLGDwN52GoEJ0co5J5I3MZvkwskVzGE9NxYydJPHAdQPZRg-fHphGGcHjFA-ELu8m4P2NiqOAkxmXXNGxiO4M9CDdhqt14R91JTCWonNMzmTGEsNU/s640/IMG_20130630_121357.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A minding numbing array of Goldfish Snacks!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ate our Goldfish out of hand, but also implanted them in our turkey wraps. Definitely happy bellies all around, including Dad!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoO7StVhK2lC_oGXp4y0J13-uTLZbjbONaPbH_PGuLHSewtKRnRLSWXdy-bZWSe4TQ1SijXuW3pQ9Hdn6UM3vV6WEw7S7HkISaT4VjGZcQ-Bm20dgxGpp4JdVhpTR8AJq3ubW65wCXEY/s1600/IMG_20130630_120707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoO7StVhK2lC_oGXp4y0J13-uTLZbjbONaPbH_PGuLHSewtKRnRLSWXdy-bZWSe4TQ1SijXuW3pQ9Hdn6UM3vV6WEw7S7HkISaT4VjGZcQ-Bm20dgxGpp4JdVhpTR8AJq3ubW65wCXEY/s640/IMG_20130630_120707.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's something you don't see every day!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch we headed over to the neighbors pool for a fun afternoon of swimming and relaxing. I'm not sure if all of those Goldfish we took with us swam into the pool filter, but most of them disappeared by the end of the day! There were even some adult hands in the snack bag.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXCHE4brHek9ker0HNIbk4cqQ9O_y8frLFDzCS0yy5dPs-a4eUzkOfqDu4oBJir2AI6book91Dc8KqoxGlKEda-gT4gPLqGag4K8_Mdi6vsBL47l9MPXW20oJl0sA5gAYfI7F_fX0NX4/s1600/IMG_20130630_132728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXCHE4brHek9ker0HNIbk4cqQ9O_y8frLFDzCS0yy5dPs-a4eUzkOfqDu4oBJir2AI6book91Dc8KqoxGlKEda-gT4gPLqGag4K8_Mdi6vsBL47l9MPXW20oJl0sA5gAYfI7F_fX0NX4/s640/IMG_20130630_132728.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad we found this new snack before the summer! <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGoldfishSmiles&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFngKqKL73SdHzWS139DsgVolPFiA">Click Here</a> for more info on this new Goldfish product!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Summer and Happy Snacking,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Dad</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-36194317227204893892013-07-02T11:27:00.001-04:002013-07-02T11:37:43.896-04:00Gone too Soon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwohNAhk3cU5fjya7bpWufpd30xO1wO4SCcxUkvrOg-a6-C5INDWhOi-0RMO3m8LxyWrAJJF0Xb7-C-cSZFoRkVhLBYJaqv9b9uF5MIfBDqVrepLaEsu3sz9X7no1R0RFGUZObnEQN2A0/s1600/Soprano2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwohNAhk3cU5fjya7bpWufpd30xO1wO4SCcxUkvrOg-a6-C5INDWhOi-0RMO3m8LxyWrAJJF0Xb7-C-cSZFoRkVhLBYJaqv9b9uF5MIfBDqVrepLaEsu3sz9X7no1R0RFGUZObnEQN2A0/s320/Soprano2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was sad to hear the other day that James Gandolfini aka Tony Soprano passed away of a heart attack while traveling with his son. He was only fifty-one. Too young for-sure and sadly, he leaves behind a wife, son and very young daughter. A sad lose indeed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfVeCTPMdV-Nus0sW-dvx2GFW2z7HEAQGEkBwVIuH7M84i6HWzUT5nWkX364ixJMwyARLsBi__BBuvfFErmgYjzzN9NQQuLXSm8DQoZGeu_Amyy7gIDXTzvsdKjl0tcLN-6E4-ufLKS8/s620/sopranos.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfVeCTPMdV-Nus0sW-dvx2GFW2z7HEAQGEkBwVIuH7M84i6HWzUT5nWkX364ixJMwyARLsBi__BBuvfFErmgYjzzN9NQQuLXSm8DQoZGeu_Amyy7gIDXTzvsdKjl0tcLN-6E4-ufLKS8/s320/sopranos.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the tributes and conversations I was hearing about his acting talent and his off-screen, general good guy-ness got me thinking (yup, I do that sometimes). I knew I had watched quite a few of the Sopranos shows over the years but never the whole series from beginning to end. It was such a great show and I started to wonder what I might have missed in the episodes I hadn't seen. The other night I started watching the show again but this time from the very beginning. I plan to watch them each night until I get through them all. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQKxQ4guA0x8cZV9YprQYjLp-UImVEeFD9wBYFqAj53SOdd7emuMG5NCDdyCZ3O1rhm2_l6qL83aSnBYK0MT4oUedNMHnLBRk_sfaYCibbXMc65gvTG73gwo9MU33N7Tr7RBBqIOQ8_U/s250/Sopranos3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQKxQ4guA0x8cZV9YprQYjLp-UImVEeFD9wBYFqAj53SOdd7emuMG5NCDdyCZ3O1rhm2_l6qL83aSnBYK0MT4oUedNMHnLBRk_sfaYCibbXMc65gvTG73gwo9MU33N7Tr7RBBqIOQ8_U/s250/Sopranos3.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>Red wine in a little wine glass...<br />always on the table of a traditional Italian home</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I lie in bed each night with my earplugs in and my kindle fire on my chest, cracking up at all the crazy characters (who, by the way remind me of half the people I grew up around when with my Italian grandparents and their friends). The actors are awesome and the story lines are totally captivating. I love every minute of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My poor wife though, lying next to me in bed, can't be too thrilled about this new nightly routine of mine. I regularly wake her up when cackling away at whatever lunacy is happening on my little screen. And when I laugh, I howl like a bear and shake the whole freakin' bed in my fit of hysterics. She is definitely not enjoying this walk-down-memory-lane as much as me but sorry hon, Tony must live on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a side note, I found an article recently examining how the business people of the world could learn a thing or two about management skills from the ultimate Boss himself (Of course Tony's managing skills included using death threats to get things done but the article has some funny points). Check out the link below -<a href="http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/06/27/tony-soprano-james-gandolfini/">http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/06/27/tony-soprano-james-gandolfini/</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Jf6z8iNh1ySrEx4NQgxTmalwbH_K8ShWU7p4qqgXp2M0mm_v71Ct5Z9ucbTvIV_Q9nqnQ-xMacrDq_eXyu7Pz_xr7F-75qfKwpac7o8GO6vlfeaOGH-0DKPkGAJuzOr8wnpfkwUc5s/s1600/sopranos4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Jf6z8iNh1ySrEx4NQgxTmalwbH_K8ShWU7p4qqgXp2M0mm_v71Ct5Z9ucbTvIV_Q9nqnQ-xMacrDq_eXyu7Pz_xr7F-75qfKwpac7o8GO6vlfeaOGH-0DKPkGAJuzOr8wnpfkwUc5s/s320/sopranos4.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Tony's weekly "Board Meeting"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's to you James. RIP</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From this Wacky Italian Dad to you!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE DOING A SOPRANO MARATHON IN HONOR OF TONY TOO?</span></i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-30221502930546989772013-06-29T09:18:00.005-04:002013-06-29T09:18:48.912-04:00My Dancing Daughters!<span style="font-size: large;">This post is really a week overdue, but I wanted to get some photos up of my daughters at their most recent dance recital. I can't believe how talented my daughter Abby has become on stage.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhSl0vyQNfp0qmZnM5NPqT0TLn1WxW6Wpe7aMVl_QyDDZrIbYbsHtJZK4u8UcmHkgNSFHSYMIMbXVytSEkgKQsiVLZ7v7uR83gpSqYH1ejo8M5-xe9o99TH2O7_p4FcIcR65vTC9GVqo/s1600/DSC09494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhSl0vyQNfp0qmZnM5NPqT0TLn1WxW6Wpe7aMVl_QyDDZrIbYbsHtJZK4u8UcmHkgNSFHSYMIMbXVytSEkgKQsiVLZ7v7uR83gpSqYH1ejo8M5-xe9o99TH2O7_p4FcIcR65vTC9GVqo/s640/DSC09494.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's Abby at the center of the photo</span>.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It seems like yesterday she was three years old on the stage. She is now in her 10th season as a dancer! Unbelievable how time flies! And my little Mia is just so damned cute up there. I luckily got one of the best photos of my life as she finished one of her dances.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR6dn8GneudR2WtDKVvtOWOAY4TvyJz1NBuyuenMHmbI9733Y7iYtkhv86GAuWrKJjB1YBa9KcmCvqw34Cl0EuFviKdWcC3qxAFVnjw1hEjyZUbuwKi571wQM3W-1NIaXQhfUG9pfB9c/s1600/DSC09491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR6dn8GneudR2WtDKVvtOWOAY4TvyJz1NBuyuenMHmbI9733Y7iYtkhv86GAuWrKJjB1YBa9KcmCvqw34Cl0EuFviKdWcC3qxAFVnjw1hEjyZUbuwKi571wQM3W-1NIaXQhfUG9pfB9c/s640/DSC09491.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Mia at the end of her performance - They were dressed up as clouds. I think she pulled it off!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To my daughters I'd like to say well done! Enjoy your summer off and get ready to put those dancing shoes on again for next year! Congrats on a job well done!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifCnBrht0qWXKO5NFnOXydTvfOQVpVFvX-SIO14BAMC2qF22G8jv3IyHxm5X_FYYyxl_EamANB7kdkLgQXSL2dRPz1yhGZAHCcP2yRxNymJSa7v964tvEFWGc4HuY0tkinA_s5v6zTN0/s1600/DSC09503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifCnBrht0qWXKO5NFnOXydTvfOQVpVFvX-SIO14BAMC2qF22G8jv3IyHxm5X_FYYyxl_EamANB7kdkLgQXSL2dRPz1yhGZAHCcP2yRxNymJSa7v964tvEFWGc4HuY0tkinA_s5v6zTN0/s640/DSC09503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Aristokat!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAUD9PlRyP-OsnzfWLm1nknjKKQQR0s8oqpoK5JJ7aNCijptXPC7wTrmbCH6T97J5cL8fK3M9kYfvXSCmnluDbZWiK4_HTf4STsPEq_X36mrhyphenhyphen8_AQE8W7hUPS0tVakwgqIbQyTZneZ0/s1600/DSC09524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAUD9PlRyP-OsnzfWLm1nknjKKQQR0s8oqpoK5JJ7aNCijptXPC7wTrmbCH6T97J5cL8fK3M9kYfvXSCmnluDbZWiK4_HTf4STsPEq_X36mrhyphenhyphen8_AQE8W7hUPS0tVakwgqIbQyTZneZ0/s640/DSC09524.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Well Deserved Bouquets!</span><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Dad</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-14588239740813744892013-06-26T18:51:00.001-04:002013-06-26T18:51:17.439-04:00The Taming Of The Beard<div style="text-align: center;">
<i id="yui_3_7_2_1_1372284203475_11978" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I participated in a campaign on behalf of <a href="http://www.dadcentralconsulting.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1372284203475_11980" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">Dad Central Consulting</a> for AVEENO. I received product samples and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As many of you know, I am one hairy dude. I was recently asked to try a trio of <a href="http://bit.ly/11bd9Ya">Aveeno</a> shaving products, and I figured why not. Anything that might help to get through this mess is worth a shot. Also the women in my family have used Aveeno products for years and have always been happy with them, so I had a sense that the products would be good.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDVN-BDs66aC9ZBnwu4W-YDVdRvmQpYOj5C5dRxR99F2ZEfl4lFBo7a-os4GEuHN4OP3tgsPerJVsT4nNpbW3DV1h7-GDkecqRrXVif2DxDCltWybgQk5Ykf1bbE0uY7yhvTHHOMuack/s1600/156432_10151524133759884_2014098693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDVN-BDs66aC9ZBnwu4W-YDVdRvmQpYOj5C5dRxR99F2ZEfl4lFBo7a-os4GEuHN4OP3tgsPerJVsT4nNpbW3DV1h7-GDkecqRrXVif2DxDCltWybgQk5Ykf1bbE0uY7yhvTHHOMuack/s640/156432_10151524133759884_2014098693_n.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, so I'm fat, I had a few drinks, and I'm ugly.<br /><u>BUT,</u> this <u>IS</u> proof that I have one heck of a thick<br />beard. This thing grew in in 2 weeks.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.s4.exct.net/lib/fe941570746d067b7d/m/2/Aveeno+Mens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://image.s4.exct.net/lib/fe941570746d067b7d/m/2/Aveeno+Mens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's what I tried out. The Face Wash, Shave Gel, and After Shave Lotion.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
Even though I might be able to get away with it, as a former Marine, I never go to work without a shave in the morning. It just doesn't feel right. I always take a shower to soften up the mess, and jump right out of the shower with a wet face and jump right into shaving with my usual shaving cream and favorite razor. I've been using the same products for my whole life, like father like son I guess when it comes to shaving habits. Since I've started using the Aveeno products I have been following the same routine, except I have been using the Face Wash before I jump out of the shower. This stuff is pretty cool. It has an Active Naturals Oat Formula that acts to deep clean and strip away some of the dead skin on your face. But the thing that I like most about the Face Wash, is it leaves a slippery layer on my face. This really helps create a smooth shave when I actually apply the Shave Gel (which also has Active Naturals Oat Formula - just not the exfoliating component) and take a razor to my beard. It definitely seems to make shaving a little less harsh, and by the end of the week my face is not in quite as tough of shape as it can be after a week of regular shaving. Don't get me wrong, my beard is still tough, and I don't think anything short of my facial hair falling off is going to change that, but I am definitely happy with the results I'm getting from this product. Here are a couple of before and after mugshots. I know these photos will bring a lot of ridicule. My huge nose, and ugly mug don't lend themselves well to photos at 6:00 in the morning, or 6:00 at night either, but here goes anyway! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY3AdVKrVLzOawA92MTWblM6VKuj_6a7gLw5WE3LMKS2ZmhyphenhyphenJi29Dms-pK_hgoe9FHc5dk-t3c9LY335LCKdhcF9FlXIIgMLTZbWgN7XXWXN3ZSeURvO5fJwVaW5OetdCvbFjQranHfI/s1600/IMG_20130610_070351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY3AdVKrVLzOawA92MTWblM6VKuj_6a7gLw5WE3LMKS2ZmhyphenhyphenJi29Dms-pK_hgoe9FHc5dk-t3c9LY335LCKdhcF9FlXIIgMLTZbWgN7XXWXN3ZSeURvO5fJwVaW5OetdCvbFjQranHfI/s320/IMG_20130610_070351.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7qAii_8JXroZIJK9kArRyZbmWIhDZA5o5Y2Oo9Le6U5NF1tmyq1r28Ogpoa5Ms1H-8X3XVgVc1eLiiIw_kxBarUg2LD1ARVEg1cbEMfMht6ldsYTdsulJGRWSrPXf6n07zv7HXz-E3g/s1600/IMG_20130610_071108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7qAii_8JXroZIJK9kArRyZbmWIhDZA5o5Y2Oo9Le6U5NF1tmyq1r28Ogpoa5Ms1H-8X3XVgVc1eLiiIw_kxBarUg2LD1ARVEg1cbEMfMht6ldsYTdsulJGRWSrPXf6n07zv7HXz-E3g/s320/IMG_20130610_071108.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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That's really hard to look at, but you can see, I actually did get a pretty good shave out of it. I did try the aftershave lotion once, and I can see if you have dry skin that it would work great. I have anything but dry skin. To the contrary, I think my Italian face emits its own natural olive oil moisturizer, and I have never used any kind of aftershave throughout my life. All in all I really like these products, and the <a href="http://bit.ly/10TArSY">pricing</a> is pretty much in line with other products out there. I would categorize this as "definitely worth a try"!</div>
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Happy Shaving!</div>
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Wacky Dad</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-61846728856547856392013-06-18T10:53:00.005-04:002013-06-18T15:26:25.896-04:00Wacky Dad's friends doing good - The National Call-In Day to Support Pancreatic Cancer Research<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQV7PCDdPG6YCjgFm_26IXaKdWqFO2vPLTLmY4jdiu_sUtE5EbJTUYFBmAfd3D6TsfUQejyst_hU0IXJmmd92KJuqUfuEhZ-jAGm5pZ4LqOtCv1GVmabYlJIOXpeBLiIjClbl_twiWMDM/s1600/pancancallin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQV7PCDdPG6YCjgFm_26IXaKdWqFO2vPLTLmY4jdiu_sUtE5EbJTUYFBmAfd3D6TsfUQejyst_hU0IXJmmd92KJuqUfuEhZ-jAGm5pZ4LqOtCv1GVmabYlJIOXpeBLiIjClbl_twiWMDM/s400/pancancallin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">More info at </span><a href="http://www.pancan.org/nationalcallin" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">www.pancan.org/nationalcallin</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hundreds of of my PanCan friends who are Advocacy Leaders for <a href="http://pancan.org/">PanCan.org</a> are in Washington, D.C. today meeting with thei</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">r members of Congress to ask them to protect <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pancreaticcancer">#pancreaticcancer</a> research.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />I am hoping that you will help me support these hard working volunteers by participating in today's National Call-In.<br /><br />Will you help this Wacky dad out and take 5 minutes today to call your members of congress in order to ask them for their support for Pancreatic Cancer research?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just head to </span><a href="http://www.pancan.org/nationalcallin"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">www.pancan.org/nationalcallin</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> for your congress members' names and phone numbers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A sincere thanks from this Wacky PanCan Fighter </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-23874681547281572592013-06-17T17:44:00.000-04:002013-06-17T17:44:08.632-04:00Dishwasher Torture Test With Cascade Platinum<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><i>“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Dad Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a gift card to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.dadcentralconsulting.com/" style="font-size: small;">www.dadcentralconsulting.com</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey Wackys! For the past couple of weeks I have been using the new <a href="http://on.fb.me/10Y8RQQ">Cascade Platinum</a> dishwashing pacs for my dishes. I am the eternal skeptic, and am always resistant to buy brand names because I often think I am overpaying. We have used Cascade products in the past, and I have always recognized their products as high quality, but this new Platinum product is really a step up from any dishwasher detergent I have used in the past. I have been on a mission to defeat this stuff! I have introduced some pretty gnarly looking stuff to my dishwasher in the past 2 weeks, and without fail Cascade Platinum has come out on top. My three daughters and I haven't been able to best this stuff!</span> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A before and after shot of an guacamole encrusted bowl that I put through the Platinum torture test. I couldn't believe there wasn't one speck of guacamole left on the bowl!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">We haven't been pre-washing, or re-washing any dishes since I have started using Cascade Platinum. That has been a welcome change since we eat in the house almost all of the time, and our dirty dish load is always heavy. We do at least one load of dishes a day just to keep up with the demand. I am often disappointed by some of the other products I use, and have to do a considerable amount of pre-washing and post washing to get my dishes and glasses clean. Any money I am saving on cheap detergent goes down the drain. I'm sure I am wasting an inordinate amount of hot water, which isn't cheap by any means when you burn oil, and pay dearly for public water. I believe that my cheapskate self has actually been sold on this product. Not to mention that I know my family is eating off a clean and sterilized surface when I see the quality of what is coming out of the dishwasher. Another thing I have noticed is that my dishwasher is sparkling inside since I started using Platinum. It looks and smells fresh, you can really tell that this stuff is doing it's job. Here's how the magic happens. </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/:%20http://bit.ly/16Te3N5">Cascade</a> Platinum Pacs feature an advanced triple action recipe that is specially designed to leave dishware virtually spot-free and help prevent the build-up of hard-water film on dishwasher walls. Here is a short video by Bravo's Gail Simmons explaining how clean plates can really make your meal presentation pop. I'm happy to have a any meal on any plate in general, but she brings up some great points for all of you non-heathens out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visit the following website to enter to win a new Whirlpool Dishwasher Courtesy of Cascade! <a href="http://tinyurl.com/PlatBlog">http://tinyurl.com/PlatBlog</a>. I am happy to say that Cascade Platinum gets a big nod of approval from this dad!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-76858344626638904002013-06-15T18:55:00.000-04:002013-06-15T18:57:17.563-04:0010 Reasons My Father Is Still Cool!<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Fathers Day to all of the dads out there! I'm writing tonight about my own father. As any of my readers know, I am very close to my father. We share many of the same interests, and we really have a special relationship, that is more of a friendship, than a typical father/son relationship. I have tried over the years to emulate my father, with varying success. There is only one Leo Costantino, that is for sure! Ok here goes, here are 10 reasons that my father is still cool!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqjgpliJlYRUVy8K-6sXraW0qG3SkAF9usTvVswDzF77ovJBIB3hricCH0nGriZHACQD8JpPNE752RXVi7TPmc62QuQb0v7NeEZsGCsRj6HTYaNjluduKBIkR2Go6wj7FUaHwC7f3UZM/s1600/415890_336624479694980_1200554385_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqjgpliJlYRUVy8K-6sXraW0qG3SkAF9usTvVswDzF77ovJBIB3hricCH0nGriZHACQD8JpPNE752RXVi7TPmc62QuQb0v7NeEZsGCsRj6HTYaNjluduKBIkR2Go6wj7FUaHwC7f3UZM/s640/415890_336624479694980_1200554385_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He is pushing 70 and can still ski the moguls like a 25 year old, and he can do it all day long!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8jgdAW2e-XF4nfc5rzWvZ7RKIKzreg5FZlkMydyYEQc7ovckIIFaTpzVoxf5MsxoB5yAFwC5bOAI3CR2KLcM5Ql1vVzEXtoh_oi_dZZl52mW7UYKoHiSOoX71vVmg5zX2rdZOvin7ig/s1600/965492_10200617835839825_1705604698_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8jgdAW2e-XF4nfc5rzWvZ7RKIKzreg5FZlkMydyYEQc7ovckIIFaTpzVoxf5MsxoB5yAFwC5bOAI3CR2KLcM5Ql1vVzEXtoh_oi_dZZl52mW7UYKoHiSOoX71vVmg5zX2rdZOvin7ig/s640/965492_10200617835839825_1705604698_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Like my old Friend Billy to the left he is always there when I need him. This photo is at this year's Purple Stride Rhode Island which is a run/walk I have been the event coordinator for since it's inception. My Father never shies away from helping out when he can.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogknsD_ckZ__aHO7ZOcYg4sO1Jgx-EgHpEeGLg6wvWWFnGjFj_Pw0VGP6TB2VupyTHAuuOYVZBBlOtaqmOh6LshtqXa2LvwDu_xnreC5zA8lpygTVNHufV5sWikZKWfVXM3UpMscbaMGt/s1600/100_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogknsD_ckZ__aHO7ZOcYg4sO1Jgx-EgHpEeGLg6wvWWFnGjFj_Pw0VGP6TB2VupyTHAuuOYVZBBlOtaqmOh6LshtqXa2LvwDu_xnreC5zA8lpygTVNHufV5sWikZKWfVXM3UpMscbaMGt/s640/100_1054.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even when I have a stupid idea he still listens. Hell he loves stupid ideas too! This is me, and a water wheel contraption that I built out of an old heater blower. Notice the beer bottles in hand.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I rode my first 200 double century to honor my friend Karen Petty and to fight against pancreatic cancer he was there to support me in the support car for 14 hours straight, and then jumped on his bike for the last 10 miles to ride in with me. Last year he rode 100 grueling miles of the ride at 68 years old to honor our friend Karen, and to support a cause that he knows is so important to me. He has an iron will, and spirit that won't quit. This morning while we were all laying in bed he was out busting out 50 miles on his bike. He's 69 and he still does that like it's cool!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p0OZ-drDavUSBu6P71jyrjWgIyNGlYqTbhNNLbjOc13CD3spDqayPPtlLnAAQYzfrxXqnjOk7n5yrVnfGNtReDKx0pNAr8YWiJ_Y5L6UPHnHDm7sLmOGQv55DePpl-hAMTJF1HnI_j15/s1600/462409_436145853076175_1766223942_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2p0OZ-drDavUSBu6P71jyrjWgIyNGlYqTbhNNLbjOc13CD3spDqayPPtlLnAAQYzfrxXqnjOk7n5yrVnfGNtReDKx0pNAr8YWiJ_Y5L6UPHnHDm7sLmOGQv55DePpl-hAMTJF1HnI_j15/s640/462409_436145853076175_1766223942_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The man is the most mechanically talented person I've ever met. Here he is flying in a plane that he built from scratch. It was literally a pile of lumber when he started working on it. Last Christmas he built me a miniature working steam engine out of scrap metal, and it's beautiful!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy8edvTapJnGAFlRXWUHejAnfh7bMNgJ34FUuHDLw2N80QBWBMv8cXF3FcF8f0wqGLtzkQVOkJEGL9k_O8TZHLTygrySYOv6v7FdJcFSFk-K2EN3x27I2He2aZIKJtf12keiO8t1sjKrQ/s1600/965222_599521940071898_1981829088_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy8edvTapJnGAFlRXWUHejAnfh7bMNgJ34FUuHDLw2N80QBWBMv8cXF3FcF8f0wqGLtzkQVOkJEGL9k_O8TZHLTygrySYOv6v7FdJcFSFk-K2EN3x27I2He2aZIKJtf12keiO8t1sjKrQ/s640/965222_599521940071898_1981829088_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's still an awesome teacher. Where I sometimes lack the patience to teach my kids about the things I love, he calmly teaches them about things that he thinks might interest them. Whether its sewing with Abby or cutting foam with a homemade hot knife with Ailey, he is always thinking of cool ways to show the kids about the things we love, and he passes those interests on so well!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all of these years he can still take a joke!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqsjz1HJEK-uhu51-AiX4l2-VrlBbKdW8NPQi2myv_3aBDfXhNzJ_9ozFqgjnvpuEmso83lCxgf8vfzPzQUgPSdWGBm4h1b3VgX9fQkie41Gm_S_mCIFfM4Oel7b_5532XJ4tqqGCFQfP/s1600/IMG-20111112-00114+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqsjz1HJEK-uhu51-AiX4l2-VrlBbKdW8NPQi2myv_3aBDfXhNzJ_9ozFqgjnvpuEmso83lCxgf8vfzPzQUgPSdWGBm4h1b3VgX9fQkie41Gm_S_mCIFfM4Oel7b_5532XJ4tqqGCFQfP/s640/IMG-20111112-00114+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's always there right at the opportune moments to make a complete jack ass out of me. Here I am after snaking a 6" flue pipe down my chimney. Actually I couldn't have gotten that thing in without dad's muscle that day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB-Zacv3IrqUxu5ElJKuTCrGmwY9be5v6XDdVLF7yKFnYvdYukV5n_V6YIr5GQf9pnixe9hD-7Y1P9CCmZdr_U8nYLcASUcj4fGGMS_NQqj2RuUzPcxPgEZEtiQdmvLDqvgLYlPtCC0zP/s1600/VID01070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB-Zacv3IrqUxu5ElJKuTCrGmwY9be5v6XDdVLF7yKFnYvdYukV5n_V6YIr5GQf9pnixe9hD-7Y1P9CCmZdr_U8nYLcASUcj4fGGMS_NQqj2RuUzPcxPgEZEtiQdmvLDqvgLYlPtCC0zP/s640/VID01070.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's always there for my kids. Here he is at an event my daughters ran to help raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. This was a proud day for this Father/Son Marine duo!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqRNwr6-vahn1WkjyIcqhU6-zQTc-zJA4WXQQHtT5_mk_uCJ3t81Skfdr_D5fTsLke_E2abUSDKptOeUpX7L3EXsN1N-5k9sJaUIfPc1-mIHhMJI5jmLucqq8umaXt3tiSwY3PbbhYoBj/s1600/dad+up+don%2527s+shorts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqRNwr6-vahn1WkjyIcqhU6-zQTc-zJA4WXQQHtT5_mk_uCJ3t81Skfdr_D5fTsLke_E2abUSDKptOeUpX7L3EXsN1N-5k9sJaUIfPc1-mIHhMJI5jmLucqq8umaXt3tiSwY3PbbhYoBj/s640/dad+up+don%2527s+shorts.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He's an eternal jackass! Here he is goofing off with his buddy Frank. He's always up for a good time. Always!<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What can I say. I've been blessed to have such a great father. Almost all of my hobbies and interests that I love today were learned from my father. Those interests have led me to an active lifestyle that has been awesome for me and my family. I am truly honored to be called Leo Costantino's son.</span></div>
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Good God. This is all going to go right to his head. I'm almost afraid to press the publish button, but what the hell, it is Fathers Day after all!</div>
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Happy Fathers Day Dad!</div>
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You're Wacky Son - Eric</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-88140826428533551962013-06-14T07:51:00.004-04:002013-06-14T07:53:57.464-04:00Happy Flag Day - June 14th<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Happy</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: large;">Flag</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Day</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to all my fellow Wacky Americans.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yOEWJRfvoZMkzKQAykeezLwph2kRWilcnoaveAthF0oXcCRGzWbZFCKFP3WENeEoN-GK2u_ym3cmppyyXij0CJ8z_FJFcwBGIogZJrWvWvMrpOllvJWuqqskMlSN0eDtHfx9xtYdjZ0/s1600/flagdayjune14th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yOEWJRfvoZMkzKQAykeezLwph2kRWilcnoaveAthF0oXcCRGzWbZFCKFP3WENeEoN-GK2u_ym3cmppyyXij0CJ8z_FJFcwBGIogZJrWvWvMrpOllvJWuqqskMlSN0eDtHfx9xtYdjZ0/s640/flagdayjune14th.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-76091706911246137112013-06-14T06:56:00.001-04:002013-06-14T06:56:43.617-04:00Wacky Takes A Night Off - Grilling Steaks With Longhorn Steakhouse!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><i>“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Dad Central Consulting for LongHorn Steakhouse. I received a gift card to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.dadcentralconsulting.com/">www.dadcentralconsulting.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my house I do <u>ALL</u> of the grilling. Much to my chagrin sometimes. There are days when I walk in the house an I see my wife murdering perfectly good pieces of beef under the broiler. I instantly panic and see if she wants me to finish them on the grill to try to give them some life support. That usually elicits a scowl that makes me back off rather quickly, and I enjoy the shoe leather as much as possible! (Its great shoe leather Cathy!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QUsGx8NIvKZ-5dWsJ_Shfi2z-hB-oluo21u-TRK96X5GZaaISQvrjcppQCB2hXef7699UybP7Pi5lWfdYd8MTxrqY6xUmNBX0zddxkEnURw8NQbrpM9xoEBU-NGHSV8qxfIBBE5AD4I/s1600/LH+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QUsGx8NIvKZ-5dWsJ_Shfi2z-hB-oluo21u-TRK96X5GZaaISQvrjcppQCB2hXef7699UybP7Pi5lWfdYd8MTxrqY6xUmNBX0zddxkEnURw8NQbrpM9xoEBU-NGHSV8qxfIBBE5AD4I/s320/LH+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enter <a href="http://www.longhornsteakhouse.com/">Longhorn Steakhouse</a>. I recently received an offer to dine out at Longhorn Steakhouse and to write a review about my dining experience. Tough right? If anyone wants to take the grilling off my hands and do it for me, than I'm all for it. I love a good steak! We went last night, and I must say I was impressed! I considered it an early Father's Day present, and was really excited to try a steakhouse that I hadn't been to before. Longhorn is relatively new to our area, and with 3 kids we don't always get out to eat as much as we would like to. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibubZrKYJxjVonTxiyZGQ-iAVdOb-hR6Gc8TeQNb7unwcIueBw0oJiULS56vsminV5ZxUeTjw_Xxdmye_seL70Y9h58i4-gfJZyeUxGktDliDXyEIqAnmVjk0Y0syG2y9N__xe4AznE0/s1600/IMG_20130613_182925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibubZrKYJxjVonTxiyZGQ-iAVdOb-hR6Gc8TeQNb7unwcIueBw0oJiULS56vsminV5ZxUeTjw_Xxdmye_seL70Y9h58i4-gfJZyeUxGktDliDXyEIqAnmVjk0Y0syG2y9N__xe4AznE0/s640/IMG_20130613_182925.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see my deprived daughters are ready for a night of meat eating too!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were greeted warmly when we walked into the restaurant and even though they told us we'd have a 5 minute wait, we were able to sit right down after about 2 minutes. A good thing, because my 5 year old Mia was starving! Our server was great, she instantly made friends with my hungry little daughter, and got her some Crayons and Kids Menu to play with to give mom and dad a break.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgPXpGr3ZbhwKviXcBSAEQ_3mcw2YEtTQU7neacquRJnwdBoUzLu0IdYcLuqTKVFSK4EYerpMd4oLpuqHNl8Yn_z8hsmkN4qewm-72Pkda4zV0qVjJSDfnfVFd_zRVDq6sV-Wf0fsJiY/s1600/IMG_20130613_190037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgPXpGr3ZbhwKviXcBSAEQ_3mcw2YEtTQU7neacquRJnwdBoUzLu0IdYcLuqTKVFSK4EYerpMd4oLpuqHNl8Yn_z8hsmkN4qewm-72Pkda4zV0qVjJSDfnfVFd_zRVDq6sV-Wf0fsJiY/s640/IMG_20130613_190037.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe Mia mentioned something about me having big nostrils. That is her likeness of me!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We all ordered up our meals. I picked out the 20 oz. porterhouse steak with a one of those decadent butter and cinnamon sugar covered sweet potatoes to go with it and waited with bated breath for it to come out. The salads were great, and I was thrilled to hear that they had Italian dressing. That is an instant negative if a restaurant doesn't have Italian dressing. I mean come on! The food came out quickly, especially for a steakhouse, and it wasn't like the place was empty, they were actually pretty packed for a Thursday night. Here's what they presented to me. Can you see why I was happy?! It tasted great, perfectly seasoned and tender as can be!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeDKGK7zSfhmQmOoHj9APCO4QwEmbNZdwubGhODNUyqFeM-GHUHc77hZGx5lV46r-3W5Fwcz6hhgFnXVbtNjjnQE_rjxsXNS742J6k2vqcrYbU-XIwtnxiI0OkqaaYSqj3dP_2Ym7KCg/s1600/IMG_20130613_190827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeDKGK7zSfhmQmOoHj9APCO4QwEmbNZdwubGhODNUyqFeM-GHUHc77hZGx5lV46r-3W5Fwcz6hhgFnXVbtNjjnQE_rjxsXNS742J6k2vqcrYbU-XIwtnxiI0OkqaaYSqj3dP_2Ym7KCg/s640/IMG_20130613_190827.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice presentation - Here's the meat!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everybody else's food looked great, and even the 5 year old was raving about her chicken fingers (they were really good, dad snagged a taste). <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6U-XHXSSxskhi8gsjgbGkGXVLSzsLPJRFUNhKq5YdjxtQZDW6QiOjlqgsROBxbHCKDG9sT4x4EkzVR6rUuQhCHV8Bd4p-NsrNn95Vc9qfj-rnbvdMHdOnPW-tM11PEzul1bKzCcW2T4/s1600/IMG_20130613_191013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6U-XHXSSxskhi8gsjgbGkGXVLSzsLPJRFUNhKq5YdjxtQZDW6QiOjlqgsROBxbHCKDG9sT4x4EkzVR6rUuQhCHV8Bd4p-NsrNn95Vc9qfj-rnbvdMHdOnPW-tM11PEzul1bKzCcW2T4/s640/IMG_20130613_191013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was impressed that I actually got a perfectly "Medium" steak like I asked for!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What can I say. It was good times all around, everyone was happy with their meals, and we got in and out in probably about an hour which is great when you have young kids. I would recommend Longhorn Steakhouse to any family who is jonesing for a good steak, but just doesn't feel like firing up the grill that night! Oh one last thing. I always love the huge steak knives that are available at steakhouses, but the ones at Longhorn were really extra sharp, and heavy duty, and they actually have a signature set available for all of you Longhorn loving dads out there. Here's a pic of what they look like. They are very heavy in the hand, and I'm confident you might be able to saw through an oak tree with one!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eXmxXjrlEMmEFSIEnOO2KiFswjggWgfvj-xO_QCcBhNnnwgayRqtFPe8X05PrpDXYyNeX3KYKHxQWD9zMAL26Os_uVopN618EOVaa9YjUngX2yTeYpozRtyqmGrSCco6TtClREB2VPg/s1600/LH+Steak+Knives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eXmxXjrlEMmEFSIEnOO2KiFswjggWgfvj-xO_QCcBhNnnwgayRqtFPe8X05PrpDXYyNeX3KYKHxQWD9zMAL26Os_uVopN618EOVaa9YjUngX2yTeYpozRtyqmGrSCco6TtClREB2VPg/s640/LH+Steak+Knives.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And for any of you grill challenged folks out there, I have a nice grilling fact sheet to provide you with. Next time you even think about firing up the broiler, remember Wacky Dad, and break out this hand guide!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkBQIg_ae83iJGsN-1m_RYsul443RK4YUTRmsFJtnwVxiTvaLhQs9U8NdsAi-qgjm2vaCT6AmtmNYkgKtiU7wyrr3XFLWXuEl2R1c_YPq28zHyKqdC9ze_IrQK0r5iMvHPfAO5R9wgo4/s1600/Longhorn_Grilling_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkBQIg_ae83iJGsN-1m_RYsul443RK4YUTRmsFJtnwVxiTvaLhQs9U8NdsAi-qgjm2vaCT6AmtmNYkgKtiU7wyrr3XFLWXuEl2R1c_YPq28zHyKqdC9ze_IrQK0r5iMvHPfAO5R9wgo4/s640/Longhorn_Grilling_FINAL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a couple photos of our experience! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9RVt3ugwk9QrcZoicWJf7M7KFIzr97kroEZWx02dVWfmAxZOMcHTJ2krIu71qcY6xElXoOjNEwJzM38Y9oncjot5I_Yg8fdDxa_PUKoqLH-7nOqgBjXmnmjMFW9_InpMyWCPUKaailg/s1600/longhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9RVt3ugwk9QrcZoicWJf7M7KFIzr97kroEZWx02dVWfmAxZOMcHTJ2krIu71qcY6xElXoOjNEwJzM38Y9oncjot5I_Yg8fdDxa_PUKoqLH-7nOqgBjXmnmjMFW9_InpMyWCPUKaailg/s640/longhorn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy and happy grilling!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wacky Dad</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00293793248373141117noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-56171220918177193732013-06-10T06:34:00.000-04:002013-06-11T06:18:48.221-04:00The Energizer Bunny Goes Nightcrawling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7g4WNxIVWMvprEoMAR3KEG87-RdKdC-7lAwjZ5F3zKwf-b23UShzwaQLuWi1OC9ERlstyKeiYjDWcYQuIvgVDPLEEpF8jAY1nFEZuywiHOYUUOEpaoNcsQqB7GX7ukAMqBiJOz6pHZkQ/s1600/CB-sponsored-post-white-script-600.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7g4WNxIVWMvprEoMAR3KEG87-RdKdC-7lAwjZ5F3zKwf-b23UShzwaQLuWi1OC9ERlstyKeiYjDWcYQuIvgVDPLEEpF8jAY1nFEZuywiHOYUUOEpaoNcsQqB7GX7ukAMqBiJOz6pHZkQ/s640/CB-sponsored-post-white-script-600.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently, I was presented with the opportunity to write a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">post </span><span style="font-size: large;">about an Energizer Night-Headlight.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLzzvvUxDPlrhn8_8SrcIRH89S0n-P__Fe5odGLw0z7ejubOlZgDj7n8dRE4VKFbALD5DSBaldh35QNSLgsFyOsjNItvm0nfvGSNp3QeuPQs7iJOMl8m5GfKhWM6Lm45SnQUVxOdZj_ZP/s1600/IMG_20130608_203832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLzzvvUxDPlrhn8_8SrcIRH89S0n-P__Fe5odGLw0z7ejubOlZgDj7n8dRE4VKFbALD5DSBaldh35QNSLgsFyOsjNItvm0nfvGSNp3QeuPQs7iJOMl8m5GfKhWM6Lm45SnQUVxOdZj_ZP/s640/IMG_20130608_203832.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Night Headlight!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being the meathead that I am, I was super excited at the opportunity and <i>jumped at it</i>. I am a total flashlight junkie! While <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/101748367557617707273/albums/5885778037590383841" target="_blank">shopping at Wal-Mart</a> for the light, I opted for the 70 Lumens Trailfinder. As every self-respecting meathead should know, it all comes down to lumens when talking about lighting. I always opt for the most power, and I snagged the biggest, baddest version on the shelf. I have a graveyard of flashlights that I have beat up and destroyed over the years, and that included my previous headlight that my mother-in-law gave me when headlights first became popular. If you read my blog, you'll know that I am always up to some manner of activity that requires lighting. Cleaning a carburetor at dusk, working under the truck, climbing in crawlspaces and attics, you name it, I do it. I had something a little more fun in mind for my new, night headlight this time though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">NIGHT-CRAWLING!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl1qTrUXdCB385x_YrvOeOdUaQZP9lnhKZiyTtJ9xq7tBEoxzRgiBHXJ3I7qRfPMjEkccnZl-qWoeK5fhR8-ssPvk3O6W-E-8Vvmp3PDJWk5S98RPORhJS9ylYtIBRY5CX7tDTkBLBpjK/s1600/DSC09431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl1qTrUXdCB385x_YrvOeOdUaQZP9lnhKZiyTtJ9xq7tBEoxzRgiBHXJ3I7qRfPMjEkccnZl-qWoeK5fhR8-ssPvk3O6W-E-8Vvmp3PDJWk5S98RPORhJS9ylYtIBRY5CX7tDTkBLBpjK/s640/DSC09431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia, The Fearsome Worm Hunter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a kid we never bought worms for fishing. We all had "worm boxes". We went night crawling after every major rain storm. Those big, fat, juicy worms would be up, out of their holes, soaking up the moonlight, and we were there to grab them! My worm-box was an old wooden box I found somewhere that I re-purposed and turned into a worm-box. But a worm-box can be pretty much anything. The plastic container that Mia is holding in the picture above is just fine. It's been a while since I had taken the kids out night-crawling, and I had never tried a headlight to hunt for them so I was totally into the idea of freeing up one hunting-hand and trying the "two handed" approach!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLhj-2iOVsJaCPKKMFB-YEMsJ3GkadJl9YAKkj4QzbnU8det_yx8VoIIgTnYh9VQjkDZISMcJnHqox2n2QKhVrfxqyHDWvaKaW2AN6DwbooMdbqKwhVz3P02W0RLHzFltRjJTAk_2Vv8s/s1600/DSC09442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLhj-2iOVsJaCPKKMFB-YEMsJ3GkadJl9YAKkj4QzbnU8det_yx8VoIIgTnYh9VQjkDZISMcJnHqox2n2QKhVrfxqyHDWvaKaW2AN6DwbooMdbqKwhVz3P02W0RLHzFltRjJTAk_2Vv8s/s640/DSC09442.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fashion Diva Meets Worm Hunting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So basically, there isn't any brain surgery to hunting night-crawlers, except that you need to be very stealthy, and you need to be mindful of your light and where you point it. Night-crawlers can sense you coming at them. It must be the vibration of the ground that they feel because you need to tread very lightly. Also if you shine a light directly at them, they "scram" back into their holes as fast as can be. One thing I was intrigued by on my new beam headlight was it's ability to operate with "red light". My daughter Ailey and I hypothesized the red light would probably allow us to sneak up on the worms without scaring them away. It turns out that we were right on the money with that guess! The red light mode on our night <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.energizer.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFR_uISErmJpuuRqrGzTAAj1kXcQQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">headlights</a> was a "killer" for sneaking up on the worms. It was almost as if they couldn't sense it at all. It allowed us to get right up on top of them and grab them before they knew what was coming.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyToLZKODh7ujkaADfko77npyuUTlPrm2NEAd2qsb2hwk9gSoAh3vpuVfQSwElwdJ_4fWc82xmRxBsH1O9jR-rLYEN_H_vNUjNJwerrBcGFpCelh0Ssb0pZdx7etS-cfXHGbr_CzZSawh_/s1600/%2523lightmyway2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyToLZKODh7ujkaADfko77npyuUTlPrm2NEAd2qsb2hwk9gSoAh3vpuVfQSwElwdJ_4fWc82xmRxBsH1O9jR-rLYEN_H_vNUjNJwerrBcGFpCelh0Ssb0pZdx7etS-cfXHGbr_CzZSawh_/s640/%2523lightmyway2.JPG" title="Red Light!" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ailey Showing Off Our New Secret Weapon - Red Light!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note The "Two Handed" approach and the fabulous head-light quality and brightness!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This time of year you often find two worms snuggled up next to each other, which can only be some sort of worm mating ritual. Kind of gross if you ask me but invariably, you only catch one of the worms when you're holding a flashlight since you only have one hand free. Last night was the first time I was able to "Double Fist" and actually catch 2 worms at a time! Having two hands free, and the red light mode made us unstoppable! We probably pulled in about 2 dozen worms of assorted sizes. Below you can check out the big bruiser that Ailey spotted!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, I was super impressed with my new night headlight from Energizer. The build-quality seemed good, the water tight case impressed me, and the battery compartment was easily accessible as well as watertight. All things that are a must for any true outdoors-person. I am certainly a happy customer. I'm also glad that my kids and I were able to enjoy a night out, night-crawling, and reliving some of my childhood memories, while also helping them to hone their night-crawling skills!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwtldcT1aEnJ5f7EZjEtQE1oZDxkhjlzAESueR0ad9W8_8LACBe-OSett9dlP5lY-MFEFIyrtQWjaM2nDrLgn3s72HqKWzKGd4kaUdBS4Ve5iVHK2Q2x7vKfy4pLm6dFr_wUa8bJqPJaq/s1600/%23lightmyway6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwtldcT1aEnJ5f7EZjEtQE1oZDxkhjlzAESueR0ad9W8_8LACBe-OSett9dlP5lY-MFEFIyrtQWjaM2nDrLgn3s72HqKWzKGd4kaUdBS4Ve5iVHK2Q2x7vKfy4pLm6dFr_wUa8bJqPJaq/s640/%23lightmyway6.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the red waterproof gasket surrounding the battery compartment. Very cool.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For all of my fellow meatheads who are going to run out and pick up a headlight for their next worming excursion, I highly recommend the Energizer Trailfinder. Be sure to check out Energizer at <a href="http://www.energizer.com/" target="_blank">www.energizer.com</a> and on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Energizer">www.facebook.com/Energizer</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget when you store worms, you'll want to keep them in a very cool place (I prefer the refrigerator). We like to feed our worms old coffee grounds. It makes them fat and juicy, as well as super energetic (maybe the caffeine?)!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just A Teaspoon full Of Coffee Grounds! <br />
Disregard the messy kitchen in the background!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">OH, AND BY THE WAY...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Always put a warning sign on your worm box!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Hunting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wacky Dad</span></div>
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Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-75332027569262689372013-05-31T20:14:00.001-04:002013-05-31T20:14:06.544-04:00The Simple Things. <p dir="ltr">Sometimes the simple things in life are the best. A 40 year old kid and a 5 year old kid having a grand old time out in the sprinkler on a "wicked" hot day! Thanks for the fun Mia! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Love, </p>
<p dir="ltr">Wacky Dad</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO0w5h0kH3JJP_F4ZIwmv4qYrqWTuKiPA-4MPl2lJKK1Otk1GwW2ErakwovLdb6Qw6ryS8qGXId8FZJtWTlUBqFRzrlC9WQ11Y_cvvfU6pXvfMtfUndzrERkwl3NkgaD8cU4uKEHuiA5J/s1600/IMG_20130531_200627.JPG' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO0w5h0kH3JJP_F4ZIwmv4qYrqWTuKiPA-4MPl2lJKK1Otk1GwW2ErakwovLdb6Qw6ryS8qGXId8FZJtWTlUBqFRzrlC9WQ11Y_cvvfU6pXvfMtfUndzrERkwl3NkgaD8cU4uKEHuiA5J/s640/IMG_20130531_200627.JPG' /> </a> </div>Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-49175681032532685682013-05-28T19:48:00.000-04:002013-05-28T19:48:29.190-04:00A Wine Box - A Man's Best Friend!<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite box.</td></tr>
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Hey wackys! wait till you see what I have on "tap" for you tonight! As most of you know I am a big fan of boxed wine. Actually I'm a big fan of cheap wine, which happens to be in the box most of the time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevct1BMgWT93ensurn_axqF_hjgqJ4z_w8KPidrj2h5fKn0EsUomJ8JhmSZQxQP4ZACAKhG_7-gRUILGPvjFI7z63cwz8a-3Vu4AvoLJyx_4INc_lyVDlHERjV2ZrSotdeA3y4Em2RlfD/s1600/IMG_20130527_194454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Well last night I had a pretty huge revelation. There is a hidden gem inside of the box! The bladder inside has ohhhhhh so many potential uses. Can you see it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This revelation came when I pulled the bladder out of the inside of the box, and I blew it up like a balloon as usual. This puts the last dregs of wine under pressure so you can get every last drop out and not waste a bit (yeah I know, awesome trick. Learned that from my old friend Billy).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new friend - I call him Ralphie.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It was right about then that the light bulb went off (true : the bulb was hazy and purple)! </span><span style="font-size: large;">The bladder inside has so much promise! It can be a volleyball, a football, water wings, a best friend, etc. My God the possibilities are endless. Hell if you put enough of these things inside the Titantic, I'm pretty sure we could raise the damned thing. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It could be dock material, a scuba tank, a balloon. I could go on and on. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have found my ticket to ride. Look for me peddling (or drinking) these babies on a corner near you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wacky Dad</span></div>
Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-13824154514232244022013-05-23T23:14:00.000-04:002013-05-23T23:14:17.698-04:00A Star Is Born!Tonight was really a special night. My daughter Abby sang in her spring music concert. It is the culmination of a whole year of voice lessons and practice. I was really blown away by Abigail and her peers tonight. What a bunch of talented young ladies and men. I am not always the type that goes in for music and theater, but when it is good I really enjoy it. Except for the sweaty five year old bouncing on my lap for an hour and a half I would have been content to listen further.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpo7lfSTabrFrekgE-hSbSxLlDdgkM6wmoaazwu-m8OGXTJLwlXtrw0GJ7tNl5JsQbQUMxCMfaIMCLH5vuOzNxeOJUtDJci7LlBBWIIH0W6VnOWiHdOxjZEpWoKfKwrm101gpXz9MCYll/s1600/DSC00029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpo7lfSTabrFrekgE-hSbSxLlDdgkM6wmoaazwu-m8OGXTJLwlXtrw0GJ7tNl5JsQbQUMxCMfaIMCLH5vuOzNxeOJUtDJci7LlBBWIIH0W6VnOWiHdOxjZEpWoKfKwrm101gpXz9MCYll/s320/DSC00029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I am totally impressed by the level of awe all of these kids hold for their teacher <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phoebe-Madden/453234468068085" target="_blank">Phoebe Madden</a>. She really is an incredible singer and teacher. Her fantastic show tonight was proof positive. Of course I'm here mostly to brag about my own daughter! Abigail played three roles tonight. She sang her own solo, which included a small acting piece, she accompanied her friend, and it just so happens that she wrote the lyrics and the music for the song she accompanied.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHiWDeqedTARstWgkjxXUPRxy39IjjTAXKNYAdDSl46hrFvBDtid5I51LLFwWHJ2tCCXo6gN7OemvV2z5NBS-VBcxCoYeb-fQEkK2UjAAd82uWx0EiM0VqH7NB0dxP3MjwZzCr2pSmCJU/s1600/DSC00038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHiWDeqedTARstWgkjxXUPRxy39IjjTAXKNYAdDSl46hrFvBDtid5I51LLFwWHJ2tCCXo6gN7OemvV2z5NBS-VBcxCoYeb-fQEkK2UjAAd82uWx0EiM0VqH7NB0dxP3MjwZzCr2pSmCJU/s200/DSC00038.JPG" width="200" /></a>Now I don't know much about music, but I know enough to know that a kid who can pull that all off is got something going for her. The thing is that Abby seems to do it all with such ease. She really enjoys every second of it, and I am so happy to see her truly in her element enjoying herself so much. God knows she doesn't get it from me. I'm afraid to even go near a stage! Here is a video of Abby performing "Wouldn't It Be Lovely". Sorry for the small aspect ratio - Abby's dad can't remember which way to hold his phone while taking video..ughh.<br />
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To my Abby, I love you, I am so proud of what you can do, and with how well you hold it all together with so much grace and poise. I am truly humbled to be your father.<br />
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Love,<br />
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Your Wacky DadErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3732568788880894282.post-45272070441216545152013-05-20T22:54:00.000-04:002013-05-20T22:54:27.148-04:00Purple Power In Rhode Island! I'd like to start this post by saying just how saddened I am to hear about the devastation that has been wreaked upon so many families in Oklahoma. Why does it always have to be children who are hit by this kind of disaster. My thoughts are with the many families who have instantly had there lives turned upside today. I can't begin to imagine how they must feel.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Crew" at the completion of the 2nd Annual Karen Petty<br />Double Century!</td></tr>
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As many of my readers know one of my intense passions (one of many) is fighting against Pancreatic Cancer. I got involved when I lost a very close friend to the disease 3 years ago, and then lost another 1-1/2 years ago. I am deeply committed to fighting this disease, and have made it one of my missions in life to see it destroyed. I have brought the fight to this disease on 2 fronts. The first is a 200 mile, one day bicycle ride in honor of my close friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KarenPettyDoubleCentury" target="_blank">Karen Petty</a> who was taken by the disease in 2010. The ride brings me from her home in West Warwick to her cabin in New Hampshire. We raise funds for the <a href="http://www.pancan.org/">Pancreatic Cancer Action Network</a> every year, and the ride has raised on the order of $35,000 or so at this point. The ride really transcends fundraising though. Quite simply it is my way of duking it out with Pancreatic Cancer. As a former Marine it is natural for me to want to fight and win. It doesn't matter how long the battle takes, but accomplishing the mission goes without question. For that one day on the bike I am somehow in the ring with Pancreatic Cancer in my own way. Each mile I tick off, each hill I climb, each cramp I push through, is one more chink in the armor of Pancreatic Cancer. It feels tremendous to find a way to actively beat the hell out of this disease. It is also extremely important that I honor Karen's family on this day as well. They are truly like brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles to me. I grew up in a small family, and Karen's family is one big extended family to me. I love being able to show them just how much they mean to me, and how much Karen meant to all of us.</div>
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The second way that I have brought the fight to this disease was to become involved in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PancanRI" target="_blank">Rhode Island affiliate</a> of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. I realized early on that if I was going to be successful in killing this disease that I needed to be on a team that was committed to it as deeply as I am. I found that team in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. I got a letter from a local affiliate member in the mail inviting me to their first awareness event that they were running called Purple Light. They lit the RI Statehouse up in purple and had some speakers at the event. I met the key players that night and the rest was history. I signed on as the volunteer event coordinator less than a month later, and 5 months later we ran our first <a href="http://www.purplestride.org/rhodeisland" target="_blank">Purple Stride Rhode Island</a>. This is our signature fundraising event. Our headquarters was actually a little nervous about letting such a young affiliate take on a Purple Stride with so little time to prepare, but the will and desire was there. They set our fundraising goal at $50,000 and 500 participants. My goal was $100,000 and 1000 walkers, go big or go home I thought. What did "Little Rhody" produce? $130,000 and 1500 participants. WOW! I knew we were really on to something. You see I believe that Rhode Island is unique. There is no other place that has the "Rhode Island effect". We are so small, and connected that we are the place to grow the perfect team to defeat this disease. In 2012 we tickled the $200,000 mark. This year headquarters set our goal at $200,000. I felt we might be able to stretch that to $220,000. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Stride RI 2013</td></tr>
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We blasted our goals out of the park and are just under $230,000 with 1800 engaged participants on event day. Rhode Island has blasted onto the scene of what I feel is a nationwide grass roots movement in the fight against this disease. I believe Rhode Island's compact nature, much like the Marine Corps makes us nimble, quick, and fierce. The perfect spearhead. When I started this fight I felt like I was alone in the battle. I was committed to winning against the odds, but I knew those odds were very long. In three short years I am on a team with my fellow Rhode Islanders that is 1800 strong and is absolutely and unequivocally out to kick Pancreatic Cancer straight in the ass. I cannot tell you how proud I am to be a part of this team. I know in my heart and bones that this nationwide movement created by the <a href="http://www.pancan.org/" target="_blank">Pancreatic Cancer Action Network</a> is going to sweep this disease away and make it nothing but a bad memory. I cannot wait!</div>
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Purple Power!</div>
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Wacky Dad!<br /><div>
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Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17149785116298170456noreply@blogger.com0