Friday, December 08, 2006

Friday Flashback: Two Themes For The Price Of One

Yesterday was my dad's birthday (Yes...I called him. No, I didn't send him a card - I forgot!) and it's currently the yuletide season. So, I dug deep into the archives to find a picture that would combine these December themes, and I managed to pull out this picture of me and my dad from Christmas Eve 1987. Mrs. TBF and I had only been married for two months. Wow! The picture was taken by Mrs. TBF at my parents' old house (my dad built it) in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois.

In the late 80s and early 90s, when my parents still lived in Chicagoland, Mrs. TBF and I would go to their house and have Christmas Eve dinner with them and my sister. Then, after dinner, we'd open the gifts. Back then, we would spend the night (we lived about forty minutes away at the time), and then we'd drive to Mrs. TBF's parents' house the next day for Christmas Day dinner.

Apparently, on this particular Christmas Eve, my father and I both received new phones and new L.L. Bean pajamas from Joulupukki (Santa Claus). My dad is proudly sporting his Sony cordless phone which kind of looks like a G.I. Joe walkie-talkie. I'm telling you, it was cutting-edge technology at the time. And me? I actually received a regular phone. No...not a cordless phone - I'm talking a regular phone with a cord and everything. Do "they" still even make non-cordless phones for the home?

Ok...so I forgot to send my dad a birthday card this year. However, I did order him the Fart Machine Two! He should have it already which means that he's busy terrorizing his friends around the swimming pool at their place in Florida right about now.

Yes, nothing says "I love you" like a fart machine!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I recall those PJs. Mrs. TBF had a matching pair if I remember correctly and of course I do. You both wore them to a New Years Eve party that year at your former Amway partner's home.

The Big Finn said...

TMS - I have no idea what you are talking about.

Dixie said...

I'm so digging the plaid jammies!

Happy Birthday Mr. TBF's Dad!

The Big Finn said...

Dixie - Thanks. You know, after looking at this picture, I told Mrs. TBF that I think I'm going to order myself a pair so that they're waiting for me when I go to Chicago in January.

Michael Lehet said...

OMG - That is SUCH a great picture....you should really use that for a holiday greeting card!

CanadianSwiss said...

LOL! Happy B-Day TBF Senior! I'm sure he'll have fun with his gift. Just perfect for the Holiday Season. Love the PJs

christina said...

That is the BEST father/son Christmas picture. Happy Birthday to your dad!

The Sour Kraut said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
The Sour Kraut said...

You could have sent your dad a more personable gift, TMS. He's a living, breathing fart machine.

The Big Finn said...

Michael - I would except that I've been gradually phasing out mailing Christmas cards. I now only send them to the few people I know who do not have internet access.

Christina - I like it, too.

TSK - Aren't we all?

Unknown said...

happy belated! LOL - love the flashback pic, especially the history into those phones!