How Big are they?

Well, Aiden is here and nothing will be the same now. Peanut is gaining all them mom skills ... like hearing through doors and always knowing something isn't right. And the conversations you can hear in the room. "Gee, he has big b-lls, well, I wouldn't know since all I have ever seen is grownup b-lls. The night before it was boobie topics. Oh well, life in the fast lane.

Wild Mom and muffin are still bonding. Any odds on who will be trained first? I take Muffin and 14 days.

Lady is busy with payroll and spoiling Aiden. With 3 little ones now ... will she retire and take more time?

#1 is enjoying the last snow while we are warm.

#2 is totally mesmerized with all that is going on ...

Peanut is doing fine. The whole process went fine with only a few minor hiccups. It was fun talking with her as some realizations kicked in ... like "I am fixing to be a mother and Wow, I still have feet and they aren't swollen." Well, now life starts and from my limited perspective ... Aiden has a good start.

We haven't seen Lew and Lil Princess this week but the weekend grows closer and I know we will then. Lil Princess got Lady's heart rate up Sunday night as she tried to swallow a piece of paper. Finally she coughed it up enough to be pulled out. Of course Lil Princess was mad about all the fingers stuffed in her mouth.

Sidewalk adventures on a very windy day. They walk out of the building not realizing how windy it is and boom ... the skirt, both front and back, is up over their head. At least 3 hats have flown out into the 5 lanes of traffic going by ... and most have been flattened. One funny one was a hairpiece almost being launched ... caught at the last second. Forget counting the number of pieces of paper flying out of the hand. Another topic for another day is "following the signs."

Welcome To America

Aiden James Mellott
Born 28 April 2008 at 12:18 pm
weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21.5 inches long.

Oh ... Taxi!!

Well, it is Friday Night and it is party time. Another week has passed and to my suprise ... nothing changed. There is a lot to do this weekend so it will fly by and Sunday Night I will just as tired as now. Retirement is sure looking good. The kids (#1, #2, Peanut, Lew and Lil Princess) are all fine. I expect to see most of them this weekend and for the little ones we will play and do kids things together. #1 is enjoying the late spring snows in Colorado and it will only make his return to Virginia that much better. I have the route planned when I head out to get him and it is about 1800+ miles. Will Peanut make it to Monday? Maybe we should get a lottery going as to when the boy will be born. Work was the same this week. They complained that the room was hot ... so I corrected their screwing up of the thermostat ... and then they groused because the air coming out of the vent was too loud. Are we spoiled? Does someone need a reality check? Geesh, sometimes I wonder if this place is full of kids and prima donnas. I am sitting here watching a tour group (about 50) of school age kids walk by. It is amazing how they look like a gaggle of ducks going all over the place. Another good thing about my office is it over looks the construction dumpsters for the new building. Watching the homeless dig for stuff is another fun time. Two days ago, one of the guys went head first over the edge into the dumpster as he tried to get something. He only had minor cuts on his forehead as he definitely hit something good. Did he stop? Nope, he climbed right back in ... all to obtain a new cardboard box. Watching people walk bay this new building is an adventure all in itself. Sometimes they don't realize that someone might be watching. A young man and his female friend walked by and he got frisky, pinched her, she stumbled, then smacked him good. Of course, they made up but I sure wish I had a camera. Maybe I should start a new column ... "Life of the Sidewalk Looker" Oh, clothes is another fun item to watch ... how could someone wear something like that ... fashion or no common sense? Time to run and get ready for "Chinese Food Night."

You could have heard a pin drop.

Everyone should remember at least one of these Four Great Stories

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When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.

You could have heard a pin drop.

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Then there was a conference in France where a number of International engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?

You could have heard a pin drop.

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A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop.

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A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible, Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any damn Frenchmen to show it to."

You could have heard a pin drop

Dandelion Hell

Ok, time to catch up. The winter Bowling leagues are finally over after about 30+ weeks. The adult team finished in fourth. It was a wild finish with the last ball thrown being worth about $400 of prize money. No pressure. The youth team finished fourth and will have their trophy party this Sunday. Work is the same. Why doesn't it seem like a party that you see on TV ... they sing and dance and carry on. Less than a month till the road trip to Colorado happens. We bought a new electric lawn mower yesterday, in conjunction with the sump pump dying and one electric outlet shorting out. So it was a pretty interesting day. The weather has been nice ... rain and sun ... but now the grass and weeds are growing faster than Lil Princess is.

Wild Mom is still bonding with Muffin. The list of sonny-do's grows and I must find a time to get down there. Anyone want a Florida vacation?

Lady enjoys her job. That cruise sure looks good right about now.

#1 sold his cavalier and is pretty much ready to head east.

#2 still looking and now the odds start as to whether his hands will fit on the new mower handle. Odds?

Peanut still has about a week to go. She is dilated a bit but the boy is riding high in the saddle. She loved the new clothes. Sending the weekend with us was great as it always is. Now I get to hear more crafts and cooking stuff as Peanut and Lady chat away as we sit there.

Lew is ready to head for Indiana. he wants to go "right now."

Lil Princess is almost standing. It is a blast watching her grow. Of course, she loves to mess with all the knobs and lights on the TV. It is amazing how fast she covers the ground to the front of the TV.

***** *****
Enjoy the Off-Season ... Capitals!!!

Rosy Days

Gee, I have managed to miss writing this week. The good part is that the weekend is here and time to have some fun ... anyone say P - A - R - T - Y and I - C - E C - R - E - A - M!!!!! All the computers were finished and delivered. All the taxes were done with minimal pain and now the fun comes with the refunds and the rebate. This Sunday afternoon will be my first free one since last September as the Youth league finished last week. In one more week my Sunday will be completely free. The Masters Tournament was a bust as the TV died. I am still awaiting for the repair people to show up and fix it.

Wild Mom is doing "Puppy day" on Saturday. There goes the peace and quiet ... yap!

#1 is already. His car will be sold and there is basically nothing left to do but wait. Hmmm ... a month to go.

#2 no change as the jobs out race him.

Peanut is getting close ... almost close enough to even feel the pain. We are looking forward to having her with us this weekend. Last weekend she went to church with us and that was a great pleasure. We are selfishly hoping for a repeat. Oh, Lady went on another shopping spree for her ...

Lew and Lil Princess are special. Lew is all excited about going to NaNa's home in Indiana. He can't wait and wants to go right now. Lil Princess is very close to walking ... won't be long now.

The weekends are the best because I can see all the kids ... isn't life great?

Weekend Escapades

The weekend is here and there is a lot to do. 6 computers to be built out and delivered along with some taxes. Not to mention Lew and Lil Princess to fill up those free seconds I somehow manage to find. Throw in Church and bowling and ... wow, where did all the time go? Tonight we will try out another restaurant for the second time. Last time it was ok ... Throw in the Master's Tournament, there is no way a red-blooded American can miss that golf game. I am willing to sacrifice the Nationals ball games since they lose to much. The Capitals will basically be eliminated in the first round by the end of the weekend so there is no since in watching them.

Wild Mom is scoping out the puppies. Lhasa Poo?

Lady is staying busy and getting prettier.

#1 is prepping to come home by the Memorial Day weekend. That should be a fun ride back with him. Though I will have to try and keep him from stopping at all the Risque Cafe's along the way.

#2 - No Change.

Peanut keeps growing and how many ways can you say big? We love having her over on the weekends and this one will be no exception.

Lew and Lil Princess ... Batten down the hatches and hang on.

It is such fun having all the kids at the house on the weekend, in a couple there will be another wee one and come May, #1 will make it complete. Add our good friends, the Johnson's, and how could it get any better?

Love is in the Air

Well, are we having fun yet? I am. This is Master's week and I can get my fill of Golf. I love to watch this tournament. Bowling this weekend was ok. Since it is the end of the season it is hard to get really excited. This summer I would like to find a Bowling Alley that has a pro shot put down and see how I would do. There is one but it is on Monday Night and I would have trouble making that one. The kids are in third place and the night team is in fifth place. I most likely will be out of pocket a few days the end of this week. I am going to run down and pickup my niece and take her to Florida. That should be a real good time. She is a joy to ride with and we haven't done that in a few years. The downside is I will have to drive back alone ... too bad no one wants a free ride to Florida and back. The wedding last weekend was great and we all had a fun time. Though the music was a bit loud for my taste, it gave me a reason to get up and move around. The van seats are finally out of the driveway and the extra parking space is a luxury.

Upcoming Schedule:

- Trip to Florida (04-10)
- Youth League ends (04/14)
- Peanut's Baby watch (04/15)
- Sunday Night League ends (04/21)
- Lady heads for Indiana (05/16)
- Denver Trip (05/23)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Sonny-Do excursion (07/15)
- Cruise (01/09)

Wild-Mom is still keeping busy. I am not sure what her travel plans are but she sure wants me to find her a cruising buddy for next January. Hmmm, I wonder who might be available for a trip to the Southern Caribbean?

Lady is busy and is starting to plan her road trip to Indiana. Lew will be going with her and that should definitely provide her with some excitement. She is still busy getting the taxes ready for the company. The treadmill asked me to use it the other night since I go at a slower speed. Something about it needing some relief.

#1 doing those last minute things to get ready for the trip home.

#2 still looking and getting his hands dirty with some outside chores.

Peanut is waiting for her time. She spent the weekend with us and that was great. We need to do that more. All the bags are packed and things are at the ready for the grand entry of the baby.

Lew is a dynamo that has no stopping in it. He is learning how to jerk #2 around and that is interesting to watch.

Lil Princess just charms us all, luckily I have resisted her charms so far. It seems every weekend when we see her, she has changed so much. It is only a matter of time till she lets go and walks. She has learned the stand and reach attack and has found a whole new world to get into.

***** ***** *****
Go Braves ... Nationals, well try and not finish last or below .500.

SpringTime Thoughts

We survived and made it to the weekend. Now to survive that. The kids [] will be over tonight and the weekend. Saturday is Bobby's wedding and that should be a lot of fun. Sunday will be our usual activity as the bowling season winds down. I for one will be glad to see it end. I am now most of the way done getting the taxes done and it looks like I won't get crushed to bad by the amount to pay back. Some years it seemed like I owed enough to pay off the U.S. Trade Defict and have change left over. e managed to find a day to barbecue outside this week. Hopefully that will be the first of many this year.

Lady gave the new treadmill a workout the other night. I guess it is now my turn. Right! Retirement is looking better and better to her.

#1 has been quiet but the days till he returns to Va just keep clicking off.

#2 is still looking for that elusive job.

Peanut is still waiting for the wee lad to make his appearance. She now has a larger room and that will make storing all the baby gifts easier.

Lew continues to grow and even manages to frustrate #2. I can't wait for the day Lew beats him on the video games. That should really be interesting.

Lil Princess has learned to kiss. Time to get the baseball bat out and get ready for all the evil guys that want one. Marriage and Love isn't an option till she is 25+. She now has two teeth and I have managed to keep my fingers clear of those chompers.

Later this month, QSS (where the Blackhawke Servers are located) will be moving to a new location in Warrenton. The current building has been sold and will be torn down for a new Bank. Just what we need. I am surprised the Banking Industry is crying the woes and they want higher fees while they constantly build new banks. This is just like the Oil Companies bellyaching about the cost of new refineries while they divide their billions of dollars in profits.