My Epic Weekend In Pictures: 1 Of My Favorite Videos, EVER.

This was a fun Epic Weekend In Pictures here in Jersey. Let's get the elephant in the room out of my way, yes I did purchase a new electric fireplace. I then learned that there was "some assembly required." WHOOPS. It is definitely beyond my ability. When venting yesterday at The Cottage to my friends, Lou said "just have my wife Jess go over and help you, she loves assembling stuff like that." I then vented to Jess's sister Stacie, and she immediately also said "just have Jess go over and help you, she loves assembling stuff like that." I purchased a drill from Walmart. After charging that up the past day, hopefully this will help us this weekend. Hopefully next weekend I'll have nice, cozy, Epic new electric fireplace pictures to share with you.

In the meantime, my mind was on Walnut Street, Mansfield, Massachusetts, and also Disney World. I would like to tell you about my dear friends and neighbors I grew up with, Jill and Joe. Jill and Joe have a son named Luke who will be turning 17 this month. Luke is one of the most amazing kids you will ever meet. He's always so sweet, happy and caring. Luke has autism. Nothing makes me smile more that when I go back home to visit my family, I hear his sweet voice from the backyard next door saying "HI STEVE!" This kids melts my heart every single time I go back home. Luke's favorite thing in the world is marching bands. He loves parades. I know every New Year's Day when it's the Tournament Of Roses Parade he's in all his glory. That's like his Super Bowl. Every December when I can make it back home, and it's around Luke's birthday, I join our marching band. It started probably ten years ago where my family and I would join Luke for a parade march down our neighborhood. Now the whole neighborhood joins Luke! Luke assigns both our spots and instruments, directing every single one of us to follow his formation.

This year, it was a little different and special. Thanksgiving Day my family told me all about the big surprise, I have now watched this video probably 300 million times over the past few days and cry tears every single time. Luke got the ultimate surprise. I'll spoil it here, because even if you know what's going to happen, it's still freakin awesome. LUKE IS GOING TO DISNEY WORLD. LUKE IS GOING TO MARCH AROUND THE MAGIC KINGDOM. Even while typing these worlds I still can't believe it. Yes, there are miracles. You can see the amazing surprise by clicking here. Seriously one of my favorite videos, EVER. I'm so sorry if you've seen me within the past week, it's highly likely I made you watch this video if I've seen you in person.

While it's been a tough year for me, this has been a wonderful surprise. Knowing how much this means for Luke, Jill and Joe.

Friday I had fun debating how great the pizza is in New England. One of my friends Artie didn't quite believe me. I showed him just like I showed Steve Andrews, Borasio, Jasen + Brendan, Steve, etc lol. I gave Artie a frozen Cape Cod Cafe Pizza and he loved it. While they made fun of the size for being small (IT'S A BAR PIE PEOPLE, IT'S CALLED A BAR PIE!) they admitted it's definitely delicious. I gave them one of my pepperoni pizzas. We were joking around with our friend former Cottage bartender Tim, who grew up in Wakefield, MA. We joked about our north shore vs south shore rivalry, which is what led to me bragging about how the south shore pizza places are far superior. Is there anything better than passionately debating who has the best pizza with your friends? I say NO!

Saturday was my big mission into Newton day. I went to Lowe's to scout out a new electric fireplace. While I do love my current fireplace, I want to get more warmth. My current fireplace can help you warm up if you're 6 inches away, but not much more than that. A year ago I got my electric fireplace on sale for $40 just to see if I liked it or not. Turns out, I love it! I hate being cold just watching TV on my couch, losing so much heat through my slider door. While there are possible solutions like curtains, liners, etc, I know I love my fireplace look / vibe. I love the ambiance of my fireplace so much, even during the summertime I turn it on without the heat. It's just so soothing after a long day of work. Now if my new fireplace can also help me stay warm? Game changer!

I was so excited when I took it out of the box, only to get crushed knowing that there was some assembly required. While I'm not mechanically inclined at all (which has been well documented during my many Facebook Live videos where I fail at basic everyday tasks,) there was another challenge. I couldn't find my bag of tools. It's basically one of those starter kits with a tape measure, hammer, screwdrivers, level, etc. Apparently I might have left it at my Ex's. I have already asked my parents for a new one for Christmas.

In the meantime, I bought a new screwdriver and a drill - and will definitely be enlisting the help of my friend Lou's wife, Jess. Time for me to find a nice bottle of wine to bribe her.

Sunday I had a rather relaxing afternoon at The Cottage because my Patriots aren't playing until Monday Night Football. It was nice to just root for my friends to be happy, and for my Fantasy Football teams. Success. I had a great time with Lou, Jess, Mark, Kim, Stacie, Artie and Patrick. My regular friends said "Steve Allan, are you ditching us to hang out with the cute girls?" I said "in one word, YES!" lol

I had a quiet Sunday night in going to bed really early. My sleep has been extremely off this year, but next year it'll get better. We are on to 2022! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. Time to start planning next weekend, Gifts For Goldens Saturday at Rockaway Mall!