Stories of Fasha: Fatman-O-Ween 2011

 Dad went out and got enough candy to fill a big bowl this Halloween.

He stuck a flashlight in a carved pumpkin

and set up to hand out candy to the Trick-or-Treater kiddies.

 

 The lil bebes started ringing the doorbell around dusk.

 Dad and Rocky Dog were waiting.

For some reason the Tricky Treeters 

eventually started skipping our house.

 But Fatman has the Halloween spirit, 

and he made sure the candy didn't go to waste.

Balen Family Vacation, Season 1

This summer, I spent an amazing week in the wilderness 

with the two most important men in my life.

I made a 5-part series that documented the heart of it all.

Enjoy some classic Fatman moments and more.

Episode 1: Visiting ISU

Episode 2: Driving Games

Episode 3: Creeper Trail

Episode 4: Mountain Sunset

Episode 5: Finale

Stories of Fasha: Mowing the Lawn

Stories of Fasha: Texting Rage

My brother sent me this screenshot of a 

conversation he had with Dad.

Stories of Fasha: Happy Father's Day

Dad...I love a lot of things about you.

You tell a hell of a story, that's for sure.

Like the time when you were a chubby little fat kid

and your sisters ditched you in that shed full of yellow jackets.

 Or that time when you were a chubby little fat kid, and you fell out of that

tree and broke both wrists.

Or that summer when you were a chubby little fat kid and you shit your pants

while caddying for Uncle Steve at the country club.

 And you waited outside the country club entrance for Aunt Sue

to bring you a change of pants.

 No matter how many times I hear a story, 

I tune in just as well as if it were the first time.

I love how you always know just what to say, 

and you're full of good advice.

You'd send me off to school everyday 

with wise words.

 You'd drop me and my friends off at the mall

in that damn Ford Windstar 

(you always had to bring the stupid dog)

and holler cautionary tidings out the window as you drove off.

And while you have your moments...

 at the end of the day, you are the best Dad a kid could ever ask for.

So, Dad...

Today's your day...

I really wish I could spend it with you, but I know you're getting 

plenty of rest and relaxation.

I miss you and I can't wait for our plans this August.

 I love you, Daddy.

xo-Court

Stories of Fasha: Good Deal Bill

My Dad has a long-standing nickname back in our old neighborhood

in Naperville, Illinois.

They all call him, "Good Deal Bill".

Not every one knows the background story.

Here's why he was dubbed the title...

Fatman would wait in the driveway all day once a month

and wait for this guy who called himself "The Meat Man".

 He would drive around neighborhoods with different cuts

of different beasts like a butcher on wheels, and all of the dads in the neighborhood would

stock up on hams and jerkies.

 One particular day, my Dad scored a sweet deal!

 He filled our entire deep freezer with his purchases.

 Later that week, Fasha bragged to his poker buddies

about it.

 And that's why my dad is known as "Good Deal Bill" in the (630).

The End.

Stories of Fasha: Carpet Rage

 One day at our house in Virginia...

 Nick was home all day playing hookie and video games in the basement.

The sump pump started to flood the basement while Dad was at work...

 As soon as Nick noticed the water, he started to soak it all up and 

he set up fans to keep the carpet semi-dry before Fasha got home.

 Dad knew what he was coming home to...

 So he was hardly in the mood for puppy love.

 He went downstairs and ripped up the carpet

so the padding underneath could dry.

 A while later, he asked Nick to help him put the basement back together.

The End.

Stories of Fasha: Don't Wake Daddy

 Dad loves his naps midday on weekends.

He'll turn on the Golf Channel or amc to lull himself to sleep 

(change the channel on him and you die).

One time, Dad was in the basement watching some golf...

  

Fatman finally dozed off...

 My brother, Nick was upstairs directly above the couch Dad was napping on, 

kicking a ball against the wall like an idiot.

 Dad woke up in a rage.

 As he stomped upstairs to put an end to Nick's fun,

he heard the crash of a lamp falling over.