We have two grandsons. Owen Michael 16, and Will Parker 18 (19 on Thanksgiving). Prior to moving to Florida six years ago, they lived next door to us for three years, which was awesome.
Last month, their parents spent two weeks in Italy to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, and we were treated to 2.5 weeks of all boys – all the time. We had between two to eight friends that camped out at our home for this time. Yes, you visualized it right. The theatre, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, and the garages all had to be professionally fumigated after their departure.
So I’ll be 68 in just a few months, and as I age, truly do I realize that “age is just a number.” Yes, a cliche, but until a more appropriate one sticks, it’s one that I choose to embrace. Just like my age. :-). But what definitely makes me feel “older” is living with a houseful of teenage boys for 2.5 weeks. :-).
During their stay, we (and their friends) enjoyed endless hours of basketball (WP averaged 7 hours a day on our basketball court), baseball, wiffle ball, spike ball, wall ball, pickle ball, par 3 golf, Suite Shots golf, bowling balls, and probably a few other things with balls that my mind does not immediately recall. Everything had a ball. Except the computer games. Holy cow, can these “game boys” play computer games!
One evening, I was able to be the “designated pitcher” for both teams, and what a grand night it was going into extra innings in the dark of night. I believe the final score was 50-49 but it was the home run tally that they had the most fun with. Each of the eight boys (young men) had home runs, none of them were skunked.
The Barry Bonds of the night was Owen, with a total of 19 home runs. Which was more than the other seven boys combined. No matter what I threw, he only knew one swing, and it was usually for a home run, as he only struck out once. And these weren’t just barely clearing the fence homers either, as most of them were the majestic high arching bombs deep-deep into the neighbor trees.
I also really enjoyed having my lexicon updated. Over the duration of their stay, I found out that:
“Cool” is still cool. Just like it was 50 years ago.
“Groovy” is definitely back in vogue as I heard it multiple times.
“B Dubs” is the proper way to say Buffalo Wild Wings.
“Aura” is a compliment of the highest order.
“Dude” is a bi-sexual word, as it was used to summon fellow boys and our granddaughters that also stayed with us a few times during their stay.
“Halo” has replaced ‘goodie two shoes’.
“Sick” is a complimentary word related to something extraordinary. As in “Pappy, those tires on your Vette are sick.”
“That’s just stupid!” said with ear to ear smiles and adrenaline fueled laughter is a complimentary term used while taking Owen on a rocket ride in the Z06 that rockets from 0-100 in only 6.4 seconds on the way to 134 in only 10.4 seconds for the 1/4 mile. And of course, I could never possibly know what the top speed of 186 really feels like. Can you imagine? Wow, what a rush.
And have I talked about food? LOL. Almost impossible to fathom. GONE! are 7 cases of the 48 packs of large water bottles, 8 cases of pop, and let’s just say “well more than $1,000 of food required for assorted meals and snacks” to satisfy the appetites of these animals. A few times they assisted me in cooking burgers and dogs on our custom outdoor kitchen and grill areas; put to maximum usage for sure! And even then that was not enough as there were midnight runs to QT for food and drink, and a few nights even later than that to Cane’s for more chicken and fries.
BUT, I would not trade the memory of those 2.5 weeks for anything. We loved them being here every single minute, and we know that the love was reciprocated!
I am truly a blessed man!
~
* Mike Fournier is a multiple National, State, and Local award-winning contractor, and is the 2024 Remodeler of the Year, and the 2021 Builder of The Year. The NAHB awarded him with a National Remodeler award in 2017, and a National Builder Award in 2019 and again in 2023. Mike has been published in Qualified Remodeler magazine, and he has also published over 700 business blogs. Additionally, Mike has won many local “Best Of” awards, and several state awards over the years. Mike is the proud owner and founder of SonriseConstruction.com since 2000 and has served over 11,000 customers as a custom builder and remodeler. Mike holds the professional designations of CBC, CMB, CMR, and CAPS. License #CBC1265832. Primary Top 10 services are: kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, outdoor living areas, custom outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, custom decks, custom detached garages, custom room additions, custom attic build outs, and whole home remodeling.
“The Man In The Hat!” 