July with Joe

Even though it was actually the last day of June, Joe and I kicked off July with another Dinner with Dad twist.  Joe won Brewer game tickets at work and decided to bring dear old Dad to the game so we made it into our Dinner with Dad - Thanks Joe!

Well we got there a bit before the first pitch so we had plenty of time for a fine Miller Park dinner.  Of course we both had brats but the big difference was that I added the kraut - gotta have the kraut.  The dinner was up to Miller Park standards and as we finished our fine dinning, it was time play ball!

The game ended up being a blowout - in a good way.  The Brewers ended up blowing out the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-2 including hitting 4 Home Runs.  Bernie Brewer got a work out that night.

We actually left in the middle of the ninth (I must be getting old, I was trying to "beat the traffic").  I dropped Joe off at the Park n Ride where we originally met up and we were both on our way by about 10pm.

Dinner = ??? (brats, peanuts, beers)  Time with Joe = Priceless!

June with Joe (and others)

Well, it's been a while since the last dinner with Dad and there have been a couple of new twists.  Technically last Thursday was a 5th Thursday of the month and should have been a dinner with my lovely wife Lisa.  But instead we spent the night burying a Suburban.  Ours 2001 Suburban is still hanging in there, but a bit worn and a bit unsure for another season of camping so we upped the vintage to a 2007 Suburban and are good to go.  Quite a bit more expensive than a dinner date, but it needed to be done.

As far as the June dinner with Joe (he missed May but we could make it up some day), it actually ended up being dinner with Joe and Dad and friends.

Joe moved his date back to Sunday.  Well after church Lisa and I talked about pulling some weeds and dead plants out of our landscaping.  Next thing you know we had Sara, Casey, Sara's friend Heidi and her Horticulturalist hubby Alex and Joe all over here either helping or at least giving "advice" from the sidelines.

By the time we got done moving all the plants 1) I was exhausted and 2) Lisa had prepared a fine dinner of barbecued shreded chicken.  I asked Joe if he minded having the whole gang joine us for dinner and he graciously agreed.

Joe and I did not get much time to talk until afer everyone else had left, but on the other hand I think Joe got a taste (pun intended) on what life was like at our house and how much fun it can be to be around family and friends.  I hope he shows up for more of these days and judging by the fun he had and the comments he made, I think he will be back soon.

Special note - thank you so much Alex, Casey and Henry for all your help - could not have done it without you!

Dinner = ???  Time with Joe (and the gang) = PRICELESS!

In the picture (L to R) - Alex, Rose, Casey, Joe, Me, Henry, Lisa, Sara and Heidi.

April with Joe

Well after a slow two weeks, things have picked up in the Dinner with Dads.  Sunday night was Joe's rescheduled night.

Joe came down late afternoon and we had the first repeat restaurant so far and that was fine with me.  For the second month in a row we went to Infusino's.  I would love to try other things on the menu but I can't seem to stray away from my favorite Eggplant Parmigiana - maybe I will try something next month ;).  Joe definitely tried something else and went with the Seafood Platter.  I loved my dinner as usual and took half home for Lisa (she loves it too).  Joe put down the Seafood Platter, some soup, fries and a baked potato - hungry man I guess.

Going out on Sunday evening always seems to be quite a slower pace which is nice.  Conversation was relaxed and we hit our our usuals of work and politics.  Joe is working a lot of hours and has not had a chance to do much else.  He is keeping a good attitude about it and is planning to possibly take some time off in the summer after earning some savings and some vacation days.  Perhaps we could do a Dinner with Dad at Summerfest???

Came back home and Joe joined Henry and I in a game of Monopoly.  Joe and I made an early game trade I got States Avenue and he got Park Place.  We had Henry just about out and then I hit Boardwalk wiping me out first followed shortly thereafter by Henry.  Nice win Joe.

Dinner = $28.28  Time with Joe = Priceless!

March with Joe

Now that Joe has his own wheels, we had some flexibility to change the day and time to allow for a not so rushed Dinner with Dad.  So we moved the dinner to Sunday and Joe came down to Racine.

We ate at the always great Infusino's.  You can never go wrong or go home less than stuffed when you go there.  Joe ordered the lasagna and I ordered my favorite Eggplant Parmigiana.  Of course at Infusino's, not only do you get a main course all too big to finish but you also get soup salad and a side of noodles - mostaccioli for me.

Being that the pace was much more relaxed we had time to discuss all kinds of things.  We talked about religions, science, politics and women - can't say we have any one of them figured out but we sure have lots of opinions and ideas.

Dinner was great and then it was back to the house for a couple rounds of Mario Kart on the Wii with Henry.

Dinner = $25.18  Time with Joe = Priceless!

February with Joe

Well January is already in the books and now it is on to month two of Dinner with Dad.  Joe's "Lunch with Dad" was moved back to Friday instead of Thursday.  I took a well needed day off of work today and Lunch with Joe was the only thing on my schedule so it was a chance to actually take some time for lunch rather than rush back to work.

So we walked to a place in downtown Waukesha where Joe had never been but he said he had been curious to try.  The name of the place is People's Park.  It's website describes it as "A charming Civil War era building, in the heart of downtown Waukesha, transformed into an airy urban space."  It was very nice and gave me a different view on downtown Waukesha.

Joe went with the grilled pork tenderloin sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries and I went with the chipoltle grilled chicken with avocado with a side saled of cucuumbers, tomatoes and greek olives.  We both loved the food and ate every last morsel.  Also, since I was on a vacation day, it was nice to have a couple Moon Mans with lunch (New Glarus seasonal brew).

Not much has change with Joe since last month and actually could be summed up with more of the same.  Still working the two jobs and saving some $$.  He is interested in buying the Verstegen's older car so we are going to make that happen next weekend.  Other than that just talked a little politics, Super Bowl and stuff.  Very pleasant and non-rushed conversation.

I think Joe liked the more relaxed pace and suggested moving my dinner with him to a weekend day so it is not so rushed - good idea.

Dinner = $38.49. Time with Joe = Priceless!

The picture is a little dark since we had our backs to the window - but it actually makes it look a bit artsy which fits the feel of the restaurant.

January with Joe

Right off the bat, we had to make a slight adjustment.  As of now, the monthly Dinner with Dad for Joe is going to actually be Lunch with Dad.  Joe woks second shift and thus Dinner is not doable.  The good thing is that Joe lives about 15 minutes from my office so it is a welcome break from my day - especially these days as we are having a tough time at work moving towards a rather large layoff in the near future.

I left the office about Noon to meet up with Joe.  I called Joe as I left and obviously just woke him up.  By the time I got there he was good to go.  He chose Jimmy John's - good with me because I am partial to a good sub.  I had the "Italian Night Club" (or a #9 for those of you that frequent Jimmy John's often) and Joe went with the "Turkey Tom" (or #4).

Joe just passed the 90 day mark at his job which meant getting hired on full time and getting benefits.  This is great news given that Joe has bounced around on jobs over recent years and now seems to have found a good place to work and is doing well.  Next step is to buy a car so we chatted about a possible car from Uncle Roy or possibly him buying our old Suburban - if I can actually pull the trigger on a new one.  Joe also talked about how he once again has lost contact with Melissa (the mother of his daughter Aura) but that is mainly because of Andrew (Melissa's SO) not being real keen on Joe talking to her.  Joe has gotten a good perspective on this situation and actually appreciates the fact that Aura has been raised by Melissa and Andrew and they have since had more kids so she is in a family and that is good.

Well I had to get back to lunch too quick and before you knew it we were on our way.  I dropped Joe off, he was very appreciative of the lunch and I think even more for the company which made my day!

Dinner = $15.46.  Time with Joe = Priceless!