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You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Burying the Lede

Burying the Lede

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I was so excited about my parent’s new dog and all the chaos of homecoming weekend that I forgot to mention Joelle and I are now officially engaged. I mean we were engaged already, but in lieu of big ceremonies and all the bachelorette/bachelor party bullshit, we had a traditional fraternity/sorority pinning ceremony. The brothers from my fraternity showed up, both alums and current actives, in robes, and three of my pledge class guys are all ministers so they ran the show. I looked like a fat slob and uncomfortable because fucking pants, but Joelle looked good and she had a great time:

Burying the Lede

Burying the Lede 1

My parents, brother, and one sister came, and it was a nice affair. My brother informed me that he went under duress, but once he got there and realized he was going to be able to watch me miserable and uncomfortable and unable to leave for the an hour, it was all very worth it and he enjoyed it far more than he thought he would.

So that happened.

Here’s another picture of Callie, who we went and met, and she is fucking adorable.

Burying the Lede 2

She’s apparently a rescue from a shelter that was given several of them from a breeder because they could not sell them. She’s a Maltese/Poodle mix.

Reader Interactions

121Comments

  2. 2.

    Miss Bianca

    John, you look great, and Joelle looks lovely, and Callie is adorable. Sounds like a fine day all around for all concerned. Congratulations to the Cole clan!

  4. 4.

    Gin & Tonic

    Wishing you and Joelle decades of happiness to make up for your hour of alleged misery. But I think you actually enjoyed it.

  7. 7.

    Gretchen

    We’re old folks who are realizing that although we’ve had many 60 pound labs, maybe our next dog should be smaller, on scale with what 70 year old people can handle. But we are also shelter/rescue people, and big dogs are the usual there. It’s encouraging to think we coud get a little dog at a shelter. And congratulations on the engagement. Joelle is indeed looking good, and so are you.

  8. 8.

    MisterForkbeard

    @Gin & Tonic: Personally, I’m going to say “I wish you decades of no pants, in return for your hour of pantedness”

    Sacrifice for the (healthy) marriage and the results are always worth it.

  11. 11.

    CaseyL

    I like all the different colored robes. Do the colors signify anything?

    I also like Joelle’s headpeice. Just lovely. The twigs-branches make me think of Druids.

    And Callie is Just. Too. Cute.

  15. 15.

    MaryRC

    Congratulations!  Joelle looks beautiful, Callie is very cute and you look fine too.  Nice to see the young guys from your fraternity showing up for you.

  19. 19.

    sab

    Wishing all of you well.. John because he is him and blogmaster, Joelle because he loves her, and also because she has been here too and we like her a lot.

    The new to you pup is a cutie who looks confused and frightened and hopeful. About what we’d expect in an adoption. She hopes for the best and fears the worst, and in your clan she will get the best. Pup is lucky. Your Mom has a few days of hard work in understanding and communicating. Everyone seems to be in good hands.

  20. 20.

    zombie rotten mcdonald

    I remember first hearing about John Cole when he was still a right wing grump.  Very amusing to watch him mature into an empathic, woke liberal who restores houses, saves animals, and takes care of his community.  So there!

  24. 24.

    dlwchico

    Congrats!

    Also I need a dog like Callie for my mom.

    She’s 81 and lives alone. I got her Maya, an Australian Shepherd/Poodle cross but Maya bonded with me and is basically my dog now.

  29. 29.

    Ken

    Congratulations!

    (And I’m reminded of a joke so old I first read it in Reader’s Digest: Parent is woken up by a late-night call from daughter, who happily chirps “We’re engaged!”  Groggy parent responds, “Engaged in what?”)

  30. 30.

    glc

    I hope going forward someone will always know (roughly) where the mustard is. Though if not, so be it.

    All the best!

  31. 31.

    Jackie

    @zombie rotten mcdonald: I was there, too!

    Gives me hope for all the Never Trumpers who have either shifted to Independent or shifted to full blown Dems! We are a Big Tent party!

    Joelle looks radiant! John, you’re looking great!

    Callie is adorable! I can’t wait to see her glam shot after she goes to the doggy salon – as I’m sure mama Cole will take her to get festive bows for her ears!

  34. 34.

    HeleninEire

    Great post. Just like your original post telling us all about Joelle, this is making me weirdly, crazy happy. Like I know you or something! ☺

  35. 35.

    frosty

    Congratulations John! Joelle looks great, Callie is sweet, and you even look non-grumpy! What a great engagement ceremony.​

  37. 37.

    The Kropenhagen Interpretation

    You don’t look like a slob in absolute terms. You look quite jolly and presentable, the beard and the polo are working together.

    It’s only that Joelle is such a vision.

  40. 40.

    Yutsano

    *ahem*
    MAZEL TOV YA CRAZY KIDS!!!

    Now comes the move to Arizona and the selling of the old homestead. Or maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Anyway much felicitations and happiness and yadda yadda yadda…

  41. 41.

    Kristine

    Congratulations and Best Wishes!

    Callie is adorable. Here’s hoping she settles quickly into her new home and it sinks in that she’s pretty much in Doggy Heaven on Earth.

  42. 42.

    Mel

    Joelle is absolutely lovely, and she has the kindest eyes.

    My hubby and I had our 26th anniversary this year, and he still lights my world. Wishing you and Joelle a lifetime of the same kind of love, friendship, and joy!!!!!!

  51. 51.

    BeautifulPlumage

    Congratulations all around! And thanks for sharing the great pictures. You & Joelle both beaming, the frat bros, Callie & your mom with Callie in the earlier post. A good day for all.

  56. 56.

    BellyCat

    Upvoted entirely.

    ETA: Although, finding it hard to believe your brother is a bigger curmudgeon than you, JC.

  59. 59.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @BellyCat: Yes, I find that incredible, in the literal meaning of the word.  Not credible that Cole’s brother is more of a curmudgeon than Cole.

  62. 62.

    geg6

    There is nothing happening here that I don’t love.  You looking so happy.  Joelle looking so lovely.  Your frat boys showing up for you.  And the awesomely cute Callie, with whom I have fallen completely in love.

  66. 66.

    randal sexton

    Congratulations!!!  And double so for taking the plunge,   Takes courage to take that big leap. Good on you to do it.

  67. 67.

    Dopey-o

    I mean we were engaged already, but in lieu of big ceremonies and all the bachelorette/bachelor party bullshit, we had a traditional fraternity/sorority pinning ceremony.

    “Susie Sorority said she wanted to get pinned. I told her to see me when she wants to get nailed.”

    ————Dan Chopin, professional comedian.

  71. 71.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    if Joelle can get you to put your pants on then anything is possible! Except finding mustard, of course. It looks like a nice cult meeting you folks had there. Where’s the gallows? ;)

    Congratulations Joelle & John! *It’s all downhill after the ceremony so enjoy yourself now.

    *Not really… Wednesday my wife and I celebrated 37 years of certificated never getting into a fight or saying something we would regret. People think we’re freaks because we have never been angry with each other.

    May you both have that luck!

  73. 73.

    Elizabelle

    John:  you look more happy and relaxed than I’ve ever seen in a photo.  Joelle is rocking that headpiece, and Callie is Callie.

    Cool tradition.  Wishing everyone much happiness.

  74. 74.

    Origuy

    Congratulations!

    There’s an ancient tradition called “handfasting”, which announced an engagement. This reminds me of that. It involves tying one wrist of each person with a ribbon. The movie The Doors had Jim Morrison and Patricia Kenneally in a handfasting.

  77. 77.

    tobie

    I’m late to this party but congratulations on what looks like a beautiful and fun engagement. Wishing you both many years of happiness together.

  79. 79.

    John Revolta

    Callie is a Maltipoo. Say it, Cole. Mal-ti-poo. However, she’s gorgeous, regardless.

    And you’re a lucky so-and-so. Congratulations, ya old malcontent.

  83. 83.

    opiejeanne

    Congratulations on your engagement. Joelle is lovely, her wreath of flowers is lovely, and even you, John, are lovely.

    I chuckled a little at the photo of your friends in robes because they look like some of the well-fed wizards from Unseen University (Terry Pratchett).

  86. 86.

    Chief Oshkosh

    Congratulations! Like Alison, I had no idea that such elaborations exist for engagements. Looks like yours gives Joelle and you joy, and adds joy to the lives of all involved, and gives joy to the universe. Congratulations again and thank you.

  88. 88.

    Studly Pantload, the emotionally unavailable unicorn

    I’m one of the Old Ones from, yes, the Naked Mopping days – still not sure how I wound up here, what with also originally knowing BJ as a surly righty site (this site’s transformation, along with Little Green Footballs, seemed a big deal back in those Bushian days, & even then who could anticipate Joe Freakin’ Scarborough becoming a sensible voice on the MSNBC), and gotta say — Oh My Apotheosis of the Cosmic Flux, I’m so happy for you, John! – as well as for the lovely Joelle (at least I think I *should* be happy for her – right?). (Picture winky emoji here)

    All seriousness aside — Cent’anni, mazal tov, skål, and fuckin’ a!

  95. 95.

    Rivers

    Stuck at the airport, flight delayed for which I got up at 3:45am – so I should be grumpy, but this news and the adorable photos fill me with joy. Thanks for rescuing my morning!

  96. 96.

    Barbara

    Congratulations. Joelle is so lovely in her finery and it sounds like a joyful and memorable occasion for all. Your mom won the jackpot– the happiness of a son and a new dog.

  97. 97.

    J.

    You are one lucky man, Cole. Joelle is a keeper. And your mom’s dog is adorable. Here’s to more good things.

  98. 98.

    satby

    It was lovely and must have felt nice to see and feel all the affection the fraternal brothers and sorority sisters had for you both!

  102. 102.

    lowtechcyclist

    Congrats, John, to both you and Joelle!! Cool that you got this formal engagement ceremony!

    Not that I’ve seen a bad pic of her yet, but she looks absolutely beautiful in that photo, and you don’t look half bad yourself! (Miracles still occur. ;-)

  111. 111.

    Citizen_X

    Congratulations! And it’s nice to see your frat brothers, past and present, continuing the Cole tradition of eschewing pants. Also nice to see that, like myself, you guys welcome the coming reign of our ungulate overlords!

  115. 115.

    brantl

    The line for you to repeat to your brother is: “And you know something is happening here, but you don’t know what it is, do you Mr, Cole?”

    Congratulations John, Joelle, Mrs. Cole and the pupster.

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