woke up early
to spend some time with
madeline before handing her
off to grandpa tom l. and grandma bev
she mostly slept,
so i watched.
(and of course took some photos).
grandparents arrived at 9:00
and i turned madeline
over to them.
then i got ready for
what promised to
be a very long day
and night.
josh’s bachelor party.
starting on a golf
course, ending somewhere else.
the male broback picked me up,
and we drove to
the victoria to get sunburned
and likely a little drunk.
oh. and to play
some golf.
got to the golf course
and realized that i still had
liz’s
rings on my finger.
not sure i can
golf with them on
(don’t want a diamond to fall out)
but not sure where
to put them
(don’t want to lose them altogether).
damn it.
finally settled on placing
them in the camera bag
(i know that won’t leave my sight).
saw lots of familiar faces,
old friends from 12 years ago,
others i’d seen the night
before.
no one brought it up.
(thankfully).
i got to golf with the man
of the hour.
more importantly,
i got to drive the cart.
i also took a few
swings for only
the third time
in the last 9 years.
i retained my title
as the worst golfer
ever.
but i had fun
and beef jerky,
and beer.
even better,
my team won a bunch of money
thanks to our low team score
(no thanks to me).
after the golf
we headed back to
josh’s house
for a giant midwestern bbq.
i don’t think
i’ve ever seen so
damn much meat in my
entire life.
sat in a chair
near a fire,
listening to my brother nick
tell some of his
hilarious stories.
the laughing stopped
when he went
for more meat.
was left wondering how madeline
was doing.
didn’t want to call,
don’t want the grandparents
to think i don’t trust them.
sometime during the
eating and drinking, the wind kicked up
and the rain started.
everyone retreated to
the garage to continue
their drinking.
well,
almost everyone.
i went into josh’s house
and found three dudes
watching the notebook
(seriously).
one of these sensitive dudes
even said it was, “a good movie.”
i doubt it.
but it reminded me
that i still have
that fucking movie on
the dvr in the bedroom
back in the los angeles.
liz
recorded it while
she was pregnant
and i refused to watch it.
(the first 7 words of the synopsis killed it for me: “set in a modern day nursing home…”).
now i feel like a jerk.
if three manly dudes
could watch this movie
in the middle of a
bachelor party, then i
should have watched it alone with
liz.
decided to make a phone
call to friend in
the tx for a little reassurance.
then i went to
get more beer.
not sure who made the decision,
but we all headed to
a bar in the hopkins.
midwestern bars are
awesome.
they have things like
(photo taken last year at the same bar).
i think bars in the
los angeles should do this kind
of stuff.
aj and i
watched as a dude
wearing a motorcycle
helmet got punched in the head.
it was okay.
no one got hurt and
everyone laughed.
we left the bar
and headed back
to josh’s house.
aj pitched a tent
in the pitch black
of the backyard.
exhausted and without a
sleeping bag,
i curled up with my hoodie,
using it as a pillow and a blanket.
a good day with friends.
missed my little one
and her mom.
a lot.
140 Comments
I missed the boat.
I wanted so badly to attend today, but both my daughter and I were sick.
I look forward to hearing about new friends.
Happy Father’s Day, Matt.
Well then, you get that your Internet Broads ARE waiting lol.
Seriously though, I hope they were awesome.
I hope your first father’s day was wonderful. What did the little cutie pie get for you?
You’ll love when she gets old enough to make you cards and pictures.
yeah. nice. i spend my entire friday night reading your entire blog, getting addicted, and now you make me stare at FRIDAY for 2 days now.
Is this what I’m gonna have to deal with now? Be honest with me, so I have no expectations.
Oh, and Happy Father’s Day (again).
Hoping you had a wonderful 1st Fathers Day (well you have lots of fathers days over the last few months). You were in my thoughts today and most days actually.
Sending you joy and peace! – And looking forward to your next update.
hope you had a good weekend matt. happy fathers day!
I hope you’ve had an awesome Fathers Day weekend, Matt!
No worries. I’m actually relieved that you took some time away from your lil network here.
I hope you had a WONDERFUL First Father’s Day Matt!
you owe us nothing.
(cribbed from fugazi)
Happy Father’s Day, Matt. Thought about you and your Madeline all day.
I hope you were able to get caught up on some much needed sleep this weekend! Happy Father’s Day!!!
http://andria-and-co.com
Happy [fucking] Father’s Day, Matt!
(sorry I couldn’t resist dropping the obligatory f-bomb)
I look forward to hearing how your Saturday and Sunday went.
I’ve been checking all day like an effing dork. Only wish I could have been there to hold the little peanut along with all of her internet aunties/broads.
Grace
hope you had a great father’s day, matt!
Hope you had a great Fathers Day (and weekend) Matt!!!!
just wanted to get a “happy fathers’ day” in under the wire…
to the most heroic father i know.
i hope you had a truly beautiful day.
I’ve spent the last two nights reading through the archives of your blog. I don’t know what to say! I’m just another stranger. But a stranger that cares nonetheless. You and your precious baby girl are awe-inspiring, and, even in death, your sweet Liz sets an incredible example of the type of woman, wife, mother, and friend I strive to be each day to be.
No worries Matt! Just kick back and relax for a couple days up here! Mid 70s for the next few days. Get out and enjoy it!
Happy Father’s Day Matt!
You are doing a fabulous job with Madeline. I hope you were able to have a good first father’s day.
hope you had a wonderful father’s day. you are truely father of the year. how was your get-together with your internet broads yesterday?
hugs from NJ,
erica and Landon
Hope the get together was awesome, I’ve been refreshing your site for updates… get to it, man!
Just joking. Enjoy yourself in the MN and tell Madeline I said HELLOOOOOOO!
I hope you had a fabulous first Father’s Day! Makenna and I were all set to you and visit you all, but she decided to take a world-record-breaking 3-hour nap starting at noon yesterday!
I’m sure there were plenty other people on hand to celebrate with you and Madeline!
The newest pictures of Madeline are just great! She is getting so big and beautiful!
Thanks as always for sharing your story. We continue to read you each and every day! And I hope that we can meet in the near future!
Makenna’s mom
mtka
Happy 1st Fathers Day!!!
You are one awesome dad!
Denise
Cinti, OH
Matt-
I hope your 1st father’s day was wonderful. I am sure your day was filled with lots of wonderful friends and family. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Rian
Happy Father’s Day, Matt.
Happy (belated) father’s day Matt!!!!!!!!. I hope you had a happy day with beautiful Madeline!!! Can you imagine when she starts making Father Day cards for you?…with of course, robots!!!!
Hugs!
Andreina
FL
Wanted to wish you a Happy Fathers day! And also when you are looking for Birthday party stuff for maddy, this would be awesome!
http://www.hostessblog.com/2008/06/robot-party/#more–1428
That’s cool, Matt…take your time. We’ll just keep checking here…oh, like a billion times a day!
No, really. Looking forward to hearing how your 1st Father’s Day was…hoping it was a sweet time spent surrounded by people who love and care about ya.
Sarah
Happy Father’s Day. You are a wonderful Daddy.
Happy Father’s Day Matt…. Your internet broads in the la are working to have a get together with you………
hope the past few days have been good…………….
Debra
Maddy’s 1st pool party yesterday was excellent. Thanks to grandma Candee and grandpa Tom to opening their beautiful house to a bunch of stranger friends. I now know why Liz touched so many lives. Her family is beyond words. BTW, auntie Deb truly is AWESOME! Matt’s parents are equally awesome. Not that you don’t already know this, but you are so lucky to have such amazing family and friends. Makes me a little jealous
We have uninvolved grandparents (if you can imagine that)
Getting to hold Madeline made my week. She is such a sweet, precious baby. She just continued sleeping while being passed from person to person.
Enjoy the rest of your time in the MN. Thanks again to everyone yesterday for being so kind and hospitable.
So, I was talking to my mom this weekend, and she was talking about her friend, who had a brother, who lost his wife and was raising this great and adorable little girl, and she thought it was such a touching, awesome story because the guy had so many great friends to support him, but so sad because the wife was so incredible and beautiful and genuine and loved by all, and I was like. . . hmm, that sounds like MATT. And the friend was Tina Metz. Your sister!?! I love the small world connections in MN.
Hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day and a fantabulous weekend. I’m so happy the weather was nice for you (minus that little hiccup on Saturday night!).
Happy Father’s Day.
enjoy your time in the MN. Happy father’s day. Just know you don’t have to have a day on the calendar to be the father of the year. You have that title each of the year. I was hoping to make it to meet you but it did not work out with family events. I hope you had a good time and know that we thought about you. Enjoy your day!
hey Matt, I found your blog thru the glamour piece and i haven’t stop reading since. I think that you are a pretty amazing, strong person and you will be a great role model to your daughter. I wish you goos luck on everything you do.
**I hope you get to post a new entry soon, cuz I could only do so much at work until then**
Matt–
Your party yesterday was awesome! (I did regret that the robot couldn’t make it.) I’ll echo fellow Internet broad Laurie (whom I enjoyed meeting, BTW) and say how AWESOME it was to meet Liz’s family, and how kind of them to open their house to total strangers. We all agreed that although we felt like idiots walking up to the door, we were SO quickly made to feel like showing up at someone’s house whom you’ve never met or spoken to in your entire life was absolutely the most natural thing in the world. It’s easy to see where Liz got her outgoing, fun-loving nature. From what I can tell, she would have LOVED that party.
So great to meet you in person Matt! And to hear all the updates about your life, your future, etc. Thanks for letting us all in and not thinking we’re crazy!
I hope you had a great first Father’s day!
@Laurie and Katy —
looked for a few other internet blog broads while we were at the party yesterday. I made my two daughters be my sidekicks because, I too, felt like an idiot walking up to the door. And then instantly felt welcomed into their home/party. What a great group of people! I was blown away. Really amazing.
GOOD JOB keeping yourself busy and for sharing Princess M. I empathize with you as I just dropped my little princesses off with G & G as well, this weekend. If it makes you feel any better I cried for the 1st 15 minutes while I was driving away!! I keep reminding myself that they couldn’t be in better hands. Gotta share our beautiful babies! HAVE FUN!
Happy Father’s Day Matt – hope you had a wonderful day.
Loved the pictures – gotta love fully equipped golf carts!
Hope you had a good 1st Father’s Day Matt!! I walked in on my 23 y.o. brother watching the Notebook once in a room. by himself. It’s a good movie, but quite the tearjerker.
Ever thought of wearing Liz’s rings on a necklace? I dont know, just an idea
Sounds like some good times. Looks like you you are enjoying your visit.
Happy Father’s Day again!
Oh, yeah and…Please someone tell me how to get a tee shirt that shows the world I am one of Matt’s Fucking Internet Broads, because I need one!!!
)
i love the look of concern as the man with a motorcycle helmet gets punched in the head. i’m from iowa and i would venture to say that same thing quite possibly could have happened in my hometown this weekend, too….along with a meat auction. you aren’t in the midwest if you can’t find a good old fashioned meat auction.
hilarious.
FUCK! I should have asked my crib sheet homies (KATY!!) what time they were going over there so I could have gone at the same time…Now I’m kicking myself that I didn’t.
FUCK!
I’m glad you’re having a good time here in MN. I hope your Father’s Day was wonderful! By the way, The Notebook is one of my favorite movies. It starts off kinda slow but so good. I made my husband watch it and he liked it too.
It sounds like you had a fun & much deserved day of just letting loose with the boys! Golf, BBQ & Beer – can’t beat that for a Saturday! I’m sure Miss M loved being adored by the grandparents and all the folks that I’m sure stopped by to take a peek and hold her!
I loved the photos of her that started the blog- and Oh My Gosh does your brother ever look like you!! Is he a twin?
Happy Father’s Day again!
With all that beer your consuming- you’re well on your way to gaining some weight. You’re not missing much in socal.
I hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day Matt! It sound like the get together was a lot of fun. I wish I could have made it, but the in-laws were here for Father’s Day so it wasn’t meant to be. I second the suggestion of a necklace for Liz’s rings. They would be safe and out of the way for golfing!
Glad you are able to enjoy some of the best the MN has to offer. Thanks for bringing the good weather with you. I bet the grandparents were thrilled to get a healthy dose of the Madeline. Cool pics – as usual. Happy first Father’s Day!
Midwestern men rock. This is the conclusion I’m drawing from my association with you, Matthew. I have a new theory, that this is why I was so disappointed with men in general until I found myself a midwesterner. There’s somethin’ about you people… I dunno what it is… The beef? The cheese? The touch of a cute accent? The black socks with the orange Converse??? Of course, I have a Jew/Chicagoan/Midwesterner, which is some sort of Man Trifecta, I think.
ANYhoo… What was I here to say??? I lost my train o’thought.
Ahhh — The Notebook. Just for the record, I wouldn’t watch that fucking movie for anything or anybody. Stuff like that makes me wanna hurl.
Thanks for the wonderful update & the fabulous documentation,
xoxo
K in the N
Wow! I’m learning so much through you. Jag bombs, pull tabs and especially the meat raffle! LOL…all sounds crazy fun :O)
Wish I could have been there for the party on Sunday. Sounds like it was a hit! You really are lucky to have so many good friends and family around. All my family is a continent away and I really miss get togethers like that.
Oh, and I looove that first sleeping pic of the divine Miss M…beautiful!
Tschuß, bis nächstes mal!
Happy father’s day one day late… hope it was an amazing day!
When you get a chance, you should check out The Notebook, it really is a good movie. Don’t feel too bad for not watching it with Liz, I doubt you’re the first guy in the world to have refused to watch it.
Technical problem..don’t mind me…my website wasn’t working…hopefully fixed now…carry on! :O)
It looks like you had a great time. Good for you, and I am sure Miss Maddie had fun with the grandparents.
BTW, you are the second worst golfer ever. I swear, my foursomes actually start BEGGING me to cheat so that we can just move on (and we never win anyway so what the fuck)
Love the black socks and converse golf look!
– around here they kick you out for stuff like that. (well not the women, we can pretty much wear what we want)
I totally agree with you on the golf thing…the best place to be on the course is in the cart! It’s funny how you mention everything and just a little golf! Also…what is a pull tab? Never seen them – I guess down south here in Ga we don’t have those – or meat raffles for that matter!
Happy Fathers Day – I love the video of Madeline trying to smile – I can see why you watch it over and over again!!
Me again… it is so funny that you mentioned The Notebook. I stumbled across that on Sat. night. Watched maybe 10 mins, but thought that there was a slight resemblance between you and Ryan Gosling. (maybe it is just the beard) On another note, you were practically golfing in my backyard on Sat. Had I known I would have walked by to check out the golf moves-lol
@Kim in Mn- we stayed until about 3:30 yesterday, must have missed you. I also brought my daughter along, too funny!!!
post updated with hyperlinked-definitions of jagbombs, pull-tabs and meat raffles.
also,
@ kate in (the) northridge -
those shoes are brown.
Darcie–
You IDIOT! Just kiddin’. Would have enjoyed touching base for reals, as the kids say!
Matt–
Worst golfer…? Questionable. Worst-dressed golfer…? You nailed it.
ZING! Thanks, I’ll be here all week. Tip your waitress.
Ah yes, Jagerbombs in the Midwest. Hope you enjoyed!
@katy-
i thought dressing like an idiot was one of the rules of golf?
Ha! I love that you posted links to the definitions of jag bombs, pull-tabs and meat raffles… too funny. Guess I’ve taken for granted these awesome things we get to enjoy as Midwesterners!
Saturday sounds like a fun day…minus the camping with no sleeping bag part! Loved your dad’s comment on here letting you know that all was well with Miss M while you were away. I bet they loved having that time with her!
Can’t wait to read Sunday’s post – still lamenting the fact that I couldn’t make it over yesterday…especially after reading the comments of those who did make it.
Looks like the rest of the week here in the MN is supposed to be pretty nice…hope you and the little lady enjoy it!
p.s. I so totally love your golfing footwear
Happy Father’s Day! A belated Father’s Day present is coming.
And as a fellow Midwesterner (Wisco), I too enjoy the jagerbombers but I am unfamiliar with a meat raffle. Sounds scary though.
Glad you got to have some fun.
Your blog may be a Glamour Do, but the black socks are a definite Glamour DON’T!!
Kate, I’m with ya — those look like orange Converse to me.
That photo of you and AJ is priceless. I’m glad it wasn’t a major thing happening to someone. I hate hate hate seeing stuff like that. This is why I don’t go to bars. Drunk people are unpredictable. Especially those you don’t know. I did giggle for a second though.
I’m glad you enjoyed Sat and were able to get out.
I’m bummed that I didn’t make it over Sunday. Sounds like everyone had a good time!
it all looked like loads-o-fun ’til I saw the pic in the garage. I get the beer. I get the crocket (sp) set. Please explain the toiletpaper?
So I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now. Found it through a high school kinda-friend on Facebook, heh. Many times I’ve wanted to comment, such as last week I was mopping the kitchen floor, listening to Summerteeth, and thought, “Hmm, that Matt guy has never mentioned old Wlico until recently when namedropped Mermaid Ave…. hmm… He really shouldn’t listen to this album anytime soon….” (I was right in the middle of “How to Fight Loneliness.” Then I ended up making myself cry thinking about you and because “Via Chicago” came on next and reminded me of my brother, who was once flying back from (ahem) THE Barstow for Christmas, and had a layover in Chicago. He told me when I picked him up in THE Atlanta that he’d planned listening to that song when they approached the airport, heh. Don’t know why I got off on that…..
What my point was, was to tell you that if you enjoy those things that happen in a Midwestern bar, come to Georgia. Sweet Jesus, I can’t even begin to describe the deliciously white trash things that go on there, bahahaha.
Okay. That’s all.
Melanie, in THE Georgia, haha
Having been a “minnesotan” all my life I can speak to the power of the Jag bombs and the pull tabs. The taste of the Jag’s is god awful, however the nice thing is that after you have a few, come morning you won’t remember how much money you lost on the fucking pulls tabs. So that’s a nice perk.
My idea of golf is driving the cart and drinking beer – and just for fun putting every now and then. I apply the same philosphy to fishing – sitting in the boat drinking beer, however I am reading a book in the boat instead of putting – which is good for all who are in the boat with me.
Overall Matt it looks like you had an enjoyable day – black socks and all.
The Notebook is an awesome movie! My husband loved it and cried. My neighbor is a big and burly type-o-dude cried. This guy scares me. I’m not scared of anyone! Tee-Hee!
I’m glad you had a good day. My oldest is 7 and I miss him so much when he’s not with me. When my little ones go to grandmas I ache. It is so hard to be away from them! I bitch when they are home because they are so LOUD but I miss the noise when they’re not there. I miss the feel of a full house. That feeling never goes away. As they get older and do more and more on their own that feeling gets stronger and stronger. I know my time with them is limited. My job is not to keep them in my arms forever but to teach them how to live in this world on their own. It’s the greatest and saddest thing in the entire world.
That had nothing to do with the price of fish in China but oh well! I hope you had a nice Father’s Day!
1. I must agree with the assorted internet broads that previously posted. Fabulous party, even more awesomer (yes, that is a word) family. I thought about dragging a relative along so that I would feel less ridiculous approaching alone, but determined I would likely get us thrown out if I did. (Matt, remember what I said about my grandma’s date? Dinner that night got worse…) Most of my relatives shouldn’t be brought out in public.
2. K in the N: Absolutely dead on regarding the Notebook. Way too shmaltzy for me.
Matt, the mn dept of tourism should put a link to your blog on its site as you are acting as a wonderful ambassador of minn-ah-SOH-tan culture. You have people from all over just learning about pull tabs, meat raffles and jagermeister. You could start a tour company and make a killing. I miss Minnesota!
@Kate in the Northridge…”Man Trifecta”…I love it! You crack me up.
@Katy – Yeah…I KNOW! I typed up this LONG ASS post about how I was scared shitless to show up at the party, blah blah blah – don’t know what happened to that comment as I don’t see it up there anywhere but…I WAS and of course – now I’m kicking myself. Just as I knew I would be!
Matt – I guess you’re gonna just have to do this again for us!! And I won’t comment on the orange/brown converse on the golf course!
Matt,
I’m glad you found some happiness. It’s been almost 18 months since my husband committed suicide and I still spend time wishing for what might have been.
Your blog is so inspiring. I wish I would have started a blog 18 month ago instead of yesterday.
I have been listening to some blog radio at talk shoe. Maybe we could have a show about losing ones spouse. Get in touch with me if you are interested.
It has to be asked. What the hell kind of bachelor party has 3 dudes watching the Notebook?? I laughed So much just now. As far as the note book goes, man, don’t watch it. Just don’t. I’m a chick and I could only take it once. Never again, I swear it!!
Matt-In Kate’s defense, I thought the shoes were orange, too….but if they were brown, that might just be worse…
Here in good ole Central PA, we def. have the Jagbombs, but the meat raffles? Thats new…however, we do have gun raffles..yep, we give away guns, just like that….Rifles, pistols, you name it…(kids ARE allowed). Seriously.
Maybe Kate is on to something…perhaps I need to go west to find a decent man (don’t tell my fiancee I said that). But you all are just so NICE! All of these Pennsylvania Dutchmen could take some lessons, for sure!!!
Kate-not to let my cycism show, but Im not a fan of “The Notebook” either
and oh, Matt, sorry about the email, Im so afraid of offending people. Yet Im really sarcastic..makes for an interesting combo…
Hope your fathers day went well!
My sister and mom made me watch that fucking Notebook movie. Holy Fucking God was I surprised. It’s actually good, kinda hot for a chick flick (can and I get a “hells yeah” ladies?), and a bit predictable. i found it comforting when all was said and done.
I sent my MN friends back yesterday. I know that I live in very special place when my MN friends are shocked and surprised by the amount of cheese, meat, beer they encountered here in Milwaukee. Hard liquor at the Brewers game? No problem! Giant, clothed sausages running through our multi-million dollar baseball park as a form of entertainment? Absolutely! Cheese plates at a tailgate party that would shame any snotty foodie? Without a doubt!
Sounds like the party was one i should have not missed!
Grace
Hey Matt, hope you had a great 1st Father’s Day, and many more to come! I like how you hyperlink stuff on your posts, but is there any way you can set it to open as a new window, rather than take one away from your blog?
By the way, I thought you looked like a true golfer!
I think Matt’s hair and glasses looked good on the course…and that follow through with the club…WHEW! You have potential…I can see it.
Matt –
So great to meet you and the fam yesterday. I was shaking walking up to the house – feeling all geeky putting ‘Chris Internet’ on my nametag, but felt so welcomed walking through the gate. Your life is full of amazing people. Thank you for letting us invade!
Good ole boy bonding! What fun! Except for the missing pillow and the pansies watching The Notebook! Glad you could be a regular ole guy for a bit!
Hope your Father’s Day was great!
So glad you’re livin’ it up in Minnesota for the weekend! That state has a way of being fun and giving you a great big hug when you need it. And little Hopkins warms my heart! But I usually visit the Hopkins Antique Mall when I’m there…*read- slight nerd*
Hope the rest of your time there is refreshing even though the memories are (insert your fbomb here) tough.
Oh, Matt, don’t you know…every night in an LA bar is meat raffle night! At least for the single women out there.
Nothing says “bachelor party” like copious amounts of meat and beer. Looks like it was a great time. I’m concerned about the party animals you caught watching “The Notebook” – there is simply no excuse for that kind of debauchery, bachelor party or not.
@Kate in the Northridge: I’ll watch the Notebook with you, but only if you promise to hold my hair while I puke. I’ll do the same for you. I’m so not the chick flick type, either.
Glad you had a great Saturday, Matt. Looking forward to reading about what (I hope) was an awesome Father’s Day.
Maureen in the PA–
GUN RAFFLES?! Are you fucking kidding me?! That is totally surreal.
As you all can see by this, my third comment of the day, I have absolutely nothing better to do today than hang out on Matt’s blog. I gotta getta life…
Midwestern bars ARE the best! Living in Iowa, I just went back to my hometown this weekend and enjoyed jag bombs, and everything of the sort. Hope your Father’s Day went well.
i cant believe you are in the hopkins/minnetonka area and i have yet to run into you… i hope your trip is going well!
Happy Fathers Day, you are truly the best dad i have seen…
Hilarious about the Notebook!! You made me laugh really loud here at work.
Madeline’s hair is really coming in – she is adorable. Glad you had fun!
Loved to see you had a good Fathers Day. Your friends are so wonderful and your little brother gets his good looks from you
Stay strong.
yvonne
OK I’m going to give you some very annoying unsolicited advice… I really apologize!
Madeline’s chest clip in the car seat picture looks too low. It should be parallel to her arm pits. The harness looks nice and tight though (you shouldn’t be able to pinch anything from about waist up.) Maybe you just hadn’t moved the chest clip to the right position yet since she wasn’t in the car
Yeah I’m a bit of a fanatic about car seats, but they are sooooooo important!
I’m so bummed I had to work yesterday and couldn’t make it…sounds like it was a fabulous time! Matt, looks like it was a good ol’ guys day on Sat. Love the links for jagbombs, etc. I’m dying laughing over here….only in the MN! Can’t wait to hear and see pics of Sunday!
Oh and @ Kate….”man trifecta”…you’re absolutely hilarious!
Oh yeah, almost forgot…. Happy 12th (week) Birthday Madeline!
Sending you lots of love and hugs, from another Internet Broad Auntie
@Katy- it’s my 3rd comment today too, but I can’t resist. I guess I could be cleaning my house. ha, ha
black socks + brown chuck taylors = priceless golf attire
I’m so glad you had a great day with the boys even if you missed your little beauty.
Your post made me cry today (in the warm fuzzies kinda way) because I haven’t thought of pull-tabs in years. I grew up in Florida, but my grandpa (who I adored) in the midwest used to always buy them for me when we hung out in his favorite tavern in Indiana when I was a little girl. I used to get so excited, but he would never let me pull the tabs until we were outside in the car (because apparently gambling with your minor grandchildren is to be frowned upon, but hanging out with them in taverns isn’t…god, I loved that man). Thank you for taking me back there.
I cracked up about The Notebook shot too. I am so relieved to know I’m not the only woman who absolutely cannot stand that movie. Maybe I need some jagbombs to warm my cold, cold heart.
Hope your father’s day was fan-freakin (that’s for you Jill)-tastic.
:::big hugs from humid South Florida:::
Dude…not sure if you’ve kept track, but do you realize that you have nearly 13,000 comments on your blog? Seriously – nice work. Your wordsmithing and sharing has kept many people’s minds off of their own problems, and allows them to show empathy for others. Cheesy for me to say, but this type of novelty in the current world should not go unnoticed – and you’re the impetus for it. Bra-fucking-o.
If that’s what you came up with for golf, I can’t wait to see what you scare the walleye with on your fishing trip! (Just so you know, plaid hip waders will make your butt look fat, but then again, they’ll also hide black knee-his.) And if you’re really lucky, maybe someone will bring a crap-tastic Bridges of Madison County DVD — I hear that one can make even the Notebook seem butch. But I digress.
Matt, thank you, thank you, thank you for letting all us strangers brave enough to make that long walk up the drive feel welcome beyond all imagining yesterday. Sorry I didn’t get to meet any other Internet Broads while there, but Auntie Deb, Grandpa Tom(s), Grandma Candee, and the rest of your friends and relatives are not just awesome, they INVENTED awesome. And hey, Madeline wasn’t the only one who looked younger and more attractive in person…
And thank you, too, for providing links at the bottom of this very page to all sorts of wondrous consumer goodness courtesy of Google! I just wanted to point those ads out to any other commentors reading this, who might not realize that while they’re hitting refresh and waiting for new posts, they can click on those ads and not only find out about remarkable and innovative products and services, but also fill your coffers a bit without it costing them a dime. I’m just saying.
Happy 12th Monday, Madeline!!!
PS: I’ve lived here ten years now, and I have to say that the appeal of pull-tabs and meat raffles still baffles me just as much as lutefisk, Chinese food featuring cream cheese, and how there can possibly be so fucking many people named Peterson. But the public schools are good.
Happy Father’s Day!!! Hope it was a great day for you
Thanks for educating this CA girl on the midwestern bars! Wow -you do learn something new every day! I do have to say I know all to well what THE jager is….
I rarely comment and I’m *just* one of the Internet broads, but I had to tell you that it was terrific meeting you on Sunday — and I forgot to wish you a Happy 1st Father’s Day, so forgive me. HAPPY BELATED FATHER’S DAY. YOU’RE A FUCKING AWESOME DADDY!
I actually teared up today (tears of mush) telling a co-worker that I got to hold Maddy on Sunday. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.
I’ll be thinking of you both as I wing off to the LA on Wednesday and while I sit in class after class after class at LLS. (Thank fuck it’s only for four days!) It’s too bad for me that you won’t be in the LA. I would have loved to hang out and hear more stories about Liz.
Have a great time on your fishing trip and with your buddies. Kiss Madeline’s perfect little head three (thousand) times: One for you; one for Liz; one for me and 2,997 times for all your other Internet aunties/admirers.
I wish that the MA was closer to the MN – meeting you ‘internet broads’ would have been fantastic.
matt: your golfing skills + your beer drinking skills = stellar
my thoughts on ‘the notebook’: don’t watch it unless you’re ready to bawl your eyes out. i’ve seen it 18 million times and i still cry everytime. [it is an amazing love story though]. double edged sword for sure.
Katy & Matt-Yeah, its my second comment. Ive got nothing better to do either….work from home, etc.
I shit you not-we really DO have gun raffles, LOTS of them. The BEST part is, they are sponsored by the local FIRE DEPARTMENTS as fundraisers. We also have turkey shoots (honestly, I dont have a fucking CLUE what they are but definitely NOT going to those), AND, I hate to brag (sarcasm), but our county fair has the largest “encampment” of any fair in the country. Here’s a quote from the website:
“Even the size of the Fair has grown to include 950 tents, 1300 RV’s, hundreds of concessions, over 7,000 exhibit items, amusement rides, livestock, tractor pulling and much more!”
Seriously…people move into tents for a week to stay there. And the place only got flush toilets like 5 or 6 years ago.
Oh, its pure Deliverance around here sometimes. Fortunately, I live in State College, home of Penn State, so we have a tiny bit of culture (but I do mean tiny), and thats only because people come here from better places to go to school and inevitably bring some cool music, art, etc with them. Probably purely accidental but I take what I can get…
OK, so now I’ve become Sioux City Rich, just when folks were getting to know me as Iowa Rich. You said it sounded better, Matt, and with your writing and editing skills I’m yielding to your judgement. Johnny Utah can be the state guy, and I’ll be the Sioux City guy, admitting to my heritage.
Lets move on: Our Father’s Day party was wonderful, especially sharing it with you and Madeline!! Holding and burping Madeline was wonderful. Sharing the time with family and internet friends was great as well. Lots of folks in your life and tons of support going on here and at the party. Loved talking to your Dad, Grandma Brocolie (Mom), and of course Tom & Candee, and Awesome Auntie Deb. It was great to see the turnout as folks turned out for “Madeline’s 1st pool party” along with celebrations of the fathers in their lives.
I know folks hunger for your blogs and photos, but they’ll wait if you need a break, cause they all love you. Congratulations for bringing us together in order to do what we can to support you. Did I mention how great it was to hold Madeline? What a sweetheart!!! You and she are both special.
Love and prayers from the two of us, Penny and!
Sioux City Rich, aka Iowa Rich, aka Richfield Linksman
ps. Thanks for the blogging tip that I hope to work on some time this week!
Hey Matt, this is your cousin Jon from the Ostroushko side of things. Sorry I couldn’t make it out on Sunday to hang out, see the baby and hand you the robot I gave you myself. I got that robot a while ago and it was part of my personal vinyl toy collection, I bought it directly from the artist (hence the signature on the box). I felt it was more fitting in your hands than gathering dust in my collection. I hope everything is going all right and if you ever need anything give me a holler through my website.
Matt-
I have to say the last two lines of the post had me crying at my computer at work!!! But I quickly looked back at the awesome golf outfit you were sporting and it made me feel better. Madeline is really too cute for words.
She is going to be very thankful for this online journal you are creating. It is something she will cherish.
Okay I better get back to work…………..
BTW My family is from (the) Winona and I spent ever summer there and it was like heaven from the Florida summer heat.
Glad to hear you had a nice time out with friend! You need to take that time for you…and iM sure Madeline did just fine.
Sounds like little Madeline won’t be shy or have any “stranger danger” phases with all the friends she has made and Liz’s genetics in her!!!
Seriously…I thought they were orange too.
No Tiger Woods sudden death moves by Matt Logelin.
Garage partying…haven’t done that in ages. Not since the lighting flew into the garage!!
@em: Thanks for the 411 on the google ads; I thought that was the case — that the blogger got some pocket change when people clicked on the links — but I wasn’t sure.
Welp, I’d love to stay and chat with you broads, but I must go click myself into a repetitive strain injury.
I know this is forward planning but maybe you could use this (http://www.hostessblog.com/2008/06/robot-party/) theme for Madeline’s first birthday party. I have only recently stumbled upon your blog and haven’t stopped since. Every time I see a robot now, I think of you and pray for you and your sweet little girl.
Blessings from Delaware.
Katie
Hi, Matt. I’m one of those MN people who got hooked on your blog after the article was printed in the Strib several weeks ago. When I first read the article, I couldn’t get your story out of my head for days. You are an inspiration to parents everywhere (I have three little ones of my own). Thanks so much for your candor and honesty. I hope your Father’s Day was good and that you had loved ones all around you. Madeline is just gorgeous, by the way.
i love that 2nd pic of madeline. so cute with the sunlight and everything. sounds like you had a good time sat. good to hear. hope your having a stellar day.
BWAHAHHAHAHHAH! One of the ad links I found at the bottom of Matt’s page is for… is for… A WEBSITE PROFANITY FILTER!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh Lordy, that is funny. Mother-fuckers *clearly* do not know who they’re dealing with here.
Hey, I say this because I care: the socks and shoes are a little rough.
Happy father’s day!
Ok, I was thinking -there is all this talk of a “mattlogelin.com internet broad” t-shirts ! Well I can silkscreen them. I was thinking we should do it as a fundraiser for a savings account for Madeline!!
For example – All the internet broads who want one can pay 20 (or donate more for Madeline), half could go to the cost of the T and shipping and the rest would go to Madeline. You could start your own T shirt line. (there are lots of other popular phrases evolving lately) LOL Well anyone interested can contact me!
I am so jealous (and happy) for all those that got to go to the M&M get together. And now I hear one is being arranged in LA. I really think you need to go on tour to each state for all of us who are stuck in the states in between. You and Madeline have to keep your love for traveling going!! On the serious note, I would have loved to have meet you and Madeline in person- give you both the worlds biggest squeeze, meet Liz’s family and listened to all of the wonderful stories. I know you all have suffered the biggest loss of your life, but Liz’s life has brought you, Madeline and family, an abundance of friends. Whether they may be stranger/friend/internet broads or family, the love for you, Madeline and Liz is really amazing! You all have touched so many! For this, I thank you!! thank you Liz!!! I really enjoy checking in on you guys, it really brightens my day!!
I hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day!! You truely are an awesome Dad!!!
your face is priceless as you watch someone get punched with a helmet on…hilarious!
“i thought dressing like an idiot was one of the rules of golf?” <—–Agreed.
i’ve been once and it was exceptionally atrocious – but i must say, those golf carts are da bomb!
ok, and freaking beyond amusing about the dudes watching ‘the notebook’….(personally loved it) – but at a bachelor party? seriously funny stuff…
and i am SO jealous about all these fun-tabulous get togethers!! i vote go on tour ….and if you do…you MUST come to Hawaii so i can meet you and the beautiful miss madeline…. you down?
Leinenkugel’s! I miss that stuff from living up north!
and no one got tied to a golf buggy and set alight or pushed out to sea?
dude…
Leinies and brats — a true midwestern BBQ.
OK, I must say something because I know Matt’s too kind to do so, but to those “broads” commenting on Matt’s attire (you KNOW who you are), watch it. I mean, why is it important to comment on that, why does it matter that he’s not golfing in the “right outfit” or if he’s wearing black socks? Are you kidding? His clothes should be overlooked. It’s so inappropriate to critique him on anything right now. We’re lucky he’s exposing his life so publicly to the point where it’s even entertaining some of us, removing some of us from our reality a little bit, and then you talk about his outfit? Come on, if anything his experience should be an example of new perspective, as he demonstrates this very well as he’s publicly showing that he’s trying to move forward each day. Matt, wear whatever you want. You’re looking better and better. Sorry to confront this.
Oh man, Decoys. Only been there twice, but it’s left me with some funny and great memories. Glad you were able to kick back for a moment.
I’m just a lurker.
Don’t watch the Notebook. If anything can rip up your heart more than it already is, it’s that movie. Maybe some day, some year, you can do that for Liz, but I wouldn’t advise it now. You don’t need it.
Nuzzle that baby for me. She’s a doll. Your sweet photography takes me back 13 & 15 years when my girls were tiny beings. Sigh.
Back to lurking.
Hey Matt,
What a great way to spend a Saturday! There’s not much better than a few brews and a golf game with buddies for most men!! Love Love Love the pics of Madeline sleeping on the carpet. I wish I was HALF as taleneted as you are with a camera -and half as photogenic as Madeline too for that matter!! If you ever get to come to the maritime provinces the pics you could take would fab!!! I can totally see Maddy propped up against a lobster trap or something, lol.
Oh and by the way, we have Jag-bombs here in “the” NS – brutal. (well, they are the next morning anyway, lol)
Sleep well tonight Matt and Madeline!!
Jenn
I give you credit for not calling the grandparents.
Sounds like a good time…The Notebook and all. The MN knows how to do it up right.
And…I can’t believe the TX doesn’t embrace the meat raffle. I’m about to become a meat raffle pioneer.
would it freak you out if I told you that I was on vacation last week on a beautiful tropical beach….thinking and praying for you and your little Miss M? Keep on keepin’ on.
Leinie’s is a staple here in “the” Wisconsin, too!
your brother…is he single? sorry, I had to ask.
@ kate in the northridge: thanks.
You looked like Bill Murrays character from Caddy Shack, “Cinderella boy, tears in his eyes I guess…….IT’S IN THE HOLE!”
Well, I just have to say Tiger Woods would be so jealous of your golfing attire!
LOVED IT!
During my run last night, Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones, came on my iPod. I don’t know why but I thought of you and Madeline and prayed for you. Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you!
Your friend in Texas,
Amanda
Jennifer-
I think Matt knows we are kidding. Seriously.
Wow – Jennifer – Were you serious? Um, yeah. I think Maureen from the PA said it for the rest of us – Though he likes to break up fights between his internet broads – I really do think he’s ok with us bantering about his clothing – He wouldn’t mention it himself if he wasn’t ok with it – it just riles us up more! FUCK!
*sigh*
To:Darcie
Yes, I was serious but it bothered me more than Matt, as it seems. It was raising my eyebrows at the time. No need to get so fucking riled up.
it is truly a shame that sarcasm is not evident in typeface.
Love the converse! I’m not allowed to golf anymore, because with each swing, I take a chunk out of the grass. Damn.
I grew up in Kansas before I moved here to Brooklyn–this post makes me miss the midwest bbq’s and bars! Nothing quite like them. And you can’t beat the prices–I especially miss the $1 beer specials.
Hope your trip is still going well and you caught a lot of fish today.
That sounds like an awesome time, and I’m laughing my ass off at the guys watching “The Notebook.” (It really is a good movie… though maybe notsomuch at a bachelor party! lol)
this is undeniably one of my favorite posts. the look and yours and aj’s faces when the guy got hit with the motorcycle helmet is priceless.
Hey Matt –
LOVE your golf attire! too funny. I’m not a golfer, so non-conforming attire is perfect!
Hope your time in the MN has been swell.
How did I miss the party? Am I not lurking well enough? Jeez. Maybe I can at least score a shirt for my broadness. Or broadlihood. Broadacity?
Ask Nick why they call him an ankle. Also, ask Mals about the weather, she should know the forcast – ie. straight hair. Hugs to all of you from Mals’ “pod” mate at work. Been reading your site since Maddy’s birth. Bring her to Alaska soon, we’ll make you laugh until you poop your pants… Both of you.
Michael
I DONT GET IT! I THINK CHUCKS ARE FREAKIN AWESOME.
So… did you ever watch The Notebook?