6 Days

Well, I am on the slippery down slope to the weekend. This week so far has been a wild ride. It seems 12-14 hours a day are the norm. At one point this weekend the old trigger finger sure twitched and I was extremely close to pulling the trigger and ejecting out of this mess. Bowling last week was ok but could have been better. The kids league was supposed to start but it was delayed until this weekend. #1 and #2 are still playing around with their job hunting exploits and they fail to realize the ride on the free ferry is about over with. As I see it, the swim to shore right now will be a hard one. AJ got a very good clean bill of health ... they may not even have to do any surgery now. We will have to see how the next one goes and hopefully the results will be the same. Did a prayer get answered? Peanut is happy and relieved with this news. That boy is growing like a weed, he rolls like a barrel going downhill, he even manages to make the walker move around a little bit, and given the time he will make noises back to you in response to those you make. Of course #2 tried to get AJ to break wind like him but AJ just ignored him. We only need one stinker and child in the house. Lady is doing well and nearly has her craft room cleaned out once again. Wow, that and even getting on the treadmill ... what a woman! Lew never ceases to amaze us as he grows. The things he says would be priceless on Art LinkLetter's , "Kids say the Darnedest Things." Lil Princess, what can you say, she is a doll and is a 1000 watt bulb in a dark cave. Just watching her play will make you laugh and the poor dog now has someone to chase him around till he runs out of steam and hides. Peanut is only 6 days away from going over the hill (21) and being forced to grow up. Gee, imagine ... she will be an adult ... no more kiddie movies and kids meals.

This weekend will once again be full as Sunday I am speaking at both services. I am still not completely sure about the subject but I do have ideas. Add both bowling leagues and I will be tired by Sunday night. Football? There is hardly anytime but I can console myself that the Redskins will lose. Some things are becoming a fact of life like the Redskins losing, the Nationals losing and the Patriots and Red Sox winning. Maybe I should move to Boston!

Well, work sucks and fixing stupid is really becoming a royal pain in the bum.

Oh ... Dark Thirty

Just for a change of pace ... it is 03:30 am on a Saturday morning and I figured it would be good to write ... not! Work called at 02:30 am and woke me up with a problem they were having. You guessed it ... the new stuff I inherited. Nothing like feeling inadequate and even worse ... lost. Gee, I knew I should have went to sleep earlier ... but I didn't get home from the training class until 11:00 pm and have to leave for the morning session at 06:45 am. These are the times that try my resolve to be a christian. #1 looked at me earlier tonight with a WTF? look ... why are you up now? With fingers crossed ... at 05:10 am the system seems to have settled back down ... for the moment. Now it is time to start my day and get ready for the class ... figuring out what I did right will come later.

As I reflect over the last 2+ hours, I really wonder about the fun-ness I am supposed to be having. I am reflecting on another time in my life when I felt just like this mentally ... I guess it boils down to your self-worth and what value you give to your life. Reminds me of the movie, "Saving Private Ryan," when the man asks ... have I been good enough to deserve the sacrifice made for me?

Oh, the first session of the class was good. It is titled ... Lay Leaders are Servant Leaders ... it makes you think though the author's book does challenge your thinking for a bit until you figure out what his words are driving at.

Yeah, I missed Friday Night dinner with Lady and our best friends and most likely I will miss Mexican food today at El Agave. The list of negatives for today is really growing so I best stop before I convince myself to retire today. I hope your day is a great one and be safe.

A Day Off

I figure I best update this site and get everyone updated. Life has been busy with the weekdays and weekends running into each other. We spent Friday night up on Skyline Drive and then drove along the Skyline drive to Charlottesville and then drove the normal roads back home. We had a blast seeing a lot of animal life including a black bear. He must have been about 4-5 years old and ran across the road in front of us. Dessert Friday night was Blackberry cobbler (me) and Blackberry ice cream pie (everyone else). The cabin was nice but Lady complained that when the lights went off it was a total blackout. Oh well, that is life but another trip to the mountains is a definite possibility. Sunday was the usual with church and the grandkids. Needless to say we were busy. Wild Mom is having fun getting wet from Gustav's rain. She was lucky and basically had no damage and the trailer did good at dodging twisters. Gee, looking at the Weather Channel today there are at least 5 more heading east from Africa. Work is slightly better ... it helps when 4 different people quit and two of them way overdue. Now the fun comes covering all the jobs with less people. Now the projects keep appearing faster than we can get them done. I guess that will keep us employed for quite a while. Next weekend is a lay Speakers Training Class, so my weekend will be full. This week the emphasis will be in clearing out the family room and getting it cleaned up. Gee, we will be disturbing a lot of dust. No change for #1 and #2. Peanut dyed her hair black once again. Even #2 tried his hand at dying his. Well, he looks the same and I am afraid it will take a lot bigger effort to look better.

The Redskins are praying for a quick start to the season and quit wasting their few available wins for the season during the preseason games.

McCain made a very good choice. I just hope she and especially her family survive the attacks by the Dems and Media.

Squirt

Well, things are relelatively quiet on the home front. A lot of what I write about is generated from activities at home and it has been quiet there for a while. Work is busy since a certain 2 people have left. I have inherited one of their jobs. That should prove interesting since they made it a full time effort and now it is considered an additional duty for me. Cheng is having fun and should be back next week. My home computer is down right now and hopefully I will get it back up soon. The bill collectors have this funny idea I must pay them every month or they get lonely and call me. This Sunday we start a new season on the Sunday Night Adult league. 36 weeks of fun as we try and stay close to the top of the pack. We will miss bowling with George but it is time to move on and make him proud. The Youth league starts September 7 and that one is still under consideration if I will participate. The biggest obstacle is finding two kids who want to have fun and learn something about the game. Wild Mom is enjoying the rain from the tropical storm and is getting a lot of free lawn watering ... now she will change her sonny-do list to cutting the lawn as the grass explodes in a growth spurt. It never ends. Lady continues her normal routine and is looking forward to the weekend trips we have planned. Buying some new clothes has also helped. No change for #1 or #2. We did hear from some old friends after about 15 years. They tracked us down through the internet so it will be interesting to see where this leads if it does anything at all. Peanut and AJ continue to fill a large spot in our life. AJ is rolling over now and talking to us in that magical baby language that every adult knows .... goo goo and gaa gaa. Peanut isn't half bad as a cook. She has been fixing dinner quite often and I know Lady likes that. Come on guys, what more could you want ... pretty, smart, has a great little boy, is a good cook and most of the time she is a lot of fun to be around. The line starts over there ----> Lew and Serenity continue to grow like weeds. Serenity is walking very good now with only occasional stumbles ... heck, even I stagger once in a while. Oops ... shouldn't admit that. The church has loaded up our calendar for the fall. So that will make our Sundays very busy. I love this window in my office as the sidewalk scene offers me a chuckle almost every day. I could easily see myself being retired and sitting at the mall all day just watching people walk by. Boy could I have an interesting and challenging blog doing that. Like right now, some lady heading to work came flying around the corner only to have her feet and shoes sprayed by the maintenance guy washing the sidewalk off with a water hose. Sorry, no fight but there were words. Let me see, he is pulling the hose along the sidewalk now ... will he trip someone or loop the hose around their foot and pull them down ... hum! Ok, no problem ... the cars backed up to get into the parking garage just parked on the hose ... stopping any more wet downs. Maybe he will check the hose nozzle for blockage when the car moves off the hose!!!

Let Me See ... 08 or 09?

TGIF ... another week is gone. We finalized some of our vacation plans last night. The Birthday get-a-way is planned for September 19 & 20. It looks like we will spend the night up around the inner-harbor in Baltimore and then spend Saturday at the Maryland Renn Faire. The ChincoTeague Trip looks to be set for October 17-19. We figured we needed to set some dates set or they would get lost as now we have only 2 weekends between now and November that are not obligated. We need a social secretary just to managed all our events. Lady is ready for these breaks and would even entertain the possibility of retiring for good. We wish we could move the cruise up and escape for the two weeks right now. Aidan rolled over one day this week so nothing is sacred now. And getting those toes to his mouth is getting easier and thus a whole lot noisier. Work is plodding along though two people who made it a pain have left this week. So hopefully things will improve and then Cheng returns. He is enjoying his vacation and was even able to listen to his favorite radio channel on the Eastern Shore. We added a new person to our Bible Study group bringing us to 8. We probably could add 2 more but sitting room would start becoming an issue. No changes for #1 or #2. Peanut spends all her time taking care of AJ and he is now interacting with us more and more. Now we will wait and see if he gets an attitude like him mom or will he remain an "angel." Lil Princess and Lew are growing and making the maximum use of the pool when they are here. It looks like some watermelon seeds that Lew spit out are growing underneath the deck out back. Star has a job interview next Tuesday so we wish her the best of luck. The weather here has been cool ... in the high 70's ... that is kind of a nice surprise for August. I have only seen small pieces of the Olympics and those Chinese gymnasts sure looked like they were 12-14 years old. Next thing you know they will offer diaper filling as a medal sport and toddlers under 1 year old will compete ... and the Chinese will find a 25 year old to pass them self off as less than 1 year old. Just like Korea, you can not trust them any further than you can see them.

#500

Well, the weekend is over and I am checking things to see if I am rested from the whole adventure. We did all the normal things like eat out and spend time with the kids. The Youth bowling league ended and the way it did was less than satisfying. I was the only person on my team to show up. So, the other team automatically got 30 pins forcing me to roll 210+ just to stay close. Well, the bright spot is the fall leagues start soon and that will be better time (translated new team). Lew and Lil Princess came over Saturday and life was not the same. Lil Princess really scoots around now as her walking is getting very good. Along with walking, came the climbing. Give her a toe hold and she is up lightening quick. Of course, the kiddie pool on the back deck got a workout too. Yard work was the password of the day on Saturday for me. There are days when you just have to cut the jungle back or live like Tarzan. Sometimes it makes you wish for a postage stamp yard so the work would be less. AJ is still growing like a weed. I must of held him too much since my arms are sore today. Wild Mom called and that was fun as usual. She is well and waiting for some company, it seems GungHo-Jenn is never there (work and party). Some of her good friends sold their house and are moving to Lake Martin Al. Work is the same. I received calls Friday and Saturday. I was lucky on Sunday since the Ops manager was there ... thus I received no calls. Cheng is having fun on vacation since he hasn't called to check on things. So I have my fingers crossed that all goes well this week. The September calendar continues to fill up with bowling, advanced speakers course, speaking on the 09/14 ... that is right I initially figured the wrong date so the 14th is right. Also in September will be a weekend away with the destination still up in the air. Oh, and Peanut gets older (16th), 21 to be exact. She will probably transistion to long dresses and combat boots.

Thoughts of a Swell Time

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend but you can never tell if it will be until it is too late. With Cheng on vacation until the 25th, I get to be on call for everything at the station. It is amazing how quickly things happen at times like these. This weekend is the last week of Youth bowling. We will most likely wind up 4th but everyone had a good time. If you are not busy on September 7th, you can come and hear me speak at Church. Besides, if I have to wake up early then you should have too. The week has been uneventful and went fairly quickly. We did take the youngest daughter out to eat for her 19th birthday on Wednesday night. peanut, AJ, and Lady were there to celebrate. I couldn't talk her into a movie afterwards. AJ is growing like a weed and starting to develop a personality. He still hasn't managed to roll over yet but oh does he come close. He drools all the time and a towel is standard equipment now if you hold him. So far no jobs for anyone on the home front. You know, it must be the water for surely it can't be the effort. Weekends mean yard work ... so that will be the order of the day tomorrow provided it doesn't rain. Lady's boss is on vacation too, so her workplace is really quiet. She even managed to go in late this morning. Let me see, what will it take to get her to retire? Wild mom is doing fine and already adding to the list. Hopefully, I will be able to get down there soon and get a few things done. We checked into riding the train across Canada and that is expensive ... about $2100 per person. Shoot, we could do two cruises for that much. We need to book another by December but we haven't figured out where too yet. It is time to get the brochure down and study it I paid my USBC Nationals entry fee this week ... so Vegas here I come. Gee, I wonder who is up to going there for a few days.

###### ##### #####

• Finally, Favre is moving on and maybe the news will include something else.
• Preseason football, oh boy.
• I have finally found a way to not hear any election news ... I turned the TV off. I watched Animal Planet for a while but now they keep showing Animal Cops all the time and I am tired if that series.
• I haven't followed or plan to follow the Olympics ... Chinese isn't my cup of tea.
• I haven't seen any Golf lately ... if they are going to make someone Player of The Year and they have been hurt half of the year ... then obviously, there is nothing exciting worth watching.
• The Tour has been over a few weeks and no doping scandal ... maybe we are over the hurdle.

A Real Yawner

Well, another weekend flew by and left very little evidence that it was there. Well, maybe except for the dirty house as the cyclones roared about. We stayed busy ... amazing how 2 toddlers and 1 kid will make time disappear. Some of the time was spent on the deck as Lady got a small pool for them to splash all the water out of. Just sitting on the deck meant you got wet. We ate at our favorite places and even managed to go see "Dark Knight." Let me see, now what do I want to go an see? Lady and Lew will go see Wall-E this afternoon. One more week of youth bowling and I will be glad for it. But the Fall leagues start in four weeks ... no rest for the weary I guess. I need to send in my money for Nationals in Vegas next March. That is only 7 months away. Gee, that means the cruise is less than 6 months now ... that I can not wait to get here ... sitting on the islands always generates dreams of retiring there. Lew, Lil Princess, and AJ were their usual selves and full of life. Sometimes they were all crying at the same time. Lil Princess is starting to imitate sounds ... I am glad I am older for she will break quite a few hearts one day. Work shows no change. More jobs and less time or people to do them. It will be interesting as the sales staff gets smaller. I hate selling so don't even think of that. Cheng will take a couple weeks off so that will keep me busy until he returns from his boon dongle. I put the caddy in the shop for all its inspections and work .. so I get to drive the pick-up for a few days. There was a rumors of a football game this weekend, but with the Redskins playing it was more like a coed flag football game ... a real laffer if you could stay awake. The Braves are having a bad year but even so, the Nationals are 10 games behind them ... how embarrassing. Demote them to Single A ball and someone go out and buy a better team ... the Florida Marlin's owner knows how.

Sidewalk Adventures - II

Well, one thing you don't do. A young lady wearing a dress decided to sit on the window sill in front of the building while she waited on a friend. Well, she stood next to the sill and jumped up as she tried with her arms to push up and sit on the sill that was about 3 foot high. Well, Murphy intervened and things didn't go so well. No, the building did not moved. She managed to get almost on the sill, of course the wind blew and her dress flew up in the back so when she slid back off, the granite edge was rough enough to tear the clothes she was wearing ... mainly her hose and panties. There must have been some minor bleeding as her friend tried to wipe her backside with some Kleenex. These two ladies were so involved in fixing the damage they forgot they were on a busy city street ( 5 lanes of traffic) and eventually they went inside the building.

Next time ... don't step out between two parked cars with enough room for someone to park in between. As a knucklehead was waiting to flag down a taxi another mentally challenged person decided to park in that space. So halfway through his backing into the slot he hit the taxi flagger and knocked them into the other car ... denting the hood of the park car. Then they were smart enough to start shoving as a precursor to fighting ... right in the street ... a street that is 5 lanes wide and with constant traffic. Luckily the police showed up soon and got them under control.

I am beginning to like this window office ... perhaps a good pair of binoculars would enhance my viewing pleasure ... now this is reality TV.

Anxious for a Moment

The weekend was filled with activities and not long enough. Saturday was the Oriole and Angels game. Of course the Birds lost 11-6. I did like it since there was quite a bit of hitting. We also added dinner at a restaurant at the inner harbor. Sitting outside and watching the crowds go by was fun too. Friday night was family movie night and the movie was "The Ultimate Gift". It was good but more of an adult movie. Peanut and AJ went with us, perhaps more for the free food than the movie. Sunday started good but ended a little on a downer. We had to take AJ to the ER. Viral infection and something else, well, he is ok and in a short time this will pass too. Other than that everything else was normal and part of our weekend routine. Since AJ needed the time Sunday night, I will have to find another time to go see "Dark Knight." I wonder who I can find? The Tour De France is over so my life will return to normal until next year. I guess Lady will start finding honey-do's and keep me busy and out of trouble. Lil Princess is walking very good now and that provides a new dimension to her life and ours. Now we can have her wear some of those pretty dresses that were too hard to crawl in. Lew is like any 5 year old .. a little bit precosious and a handful for #2 to handle. It is so much fun to see a 5 year old stand defiantly in the face of #1 and #2 ... as some analyst says ... it goes from adult-child to child-child very quickly.

Next Event: ChincoTeague or Cheat River

Road Trip #1

My First trip was quite eventful and enlightening. We left on Saturday after Lil princess's birthday party. Gee, I did not know finger painting your face could be so much fun. Well, we drove the first day to Pigeon Forge and I managed to get caught up on my sleep. Hey, I did managed to get Virginia and Tennessee as notches on my belt. I wanted to try out the neat go-karts but Papaw was too tired. So once again, they put me to bed with the bribery of a bottle. Sunday, I was determined to get out of the seat and look outside at the country side. So I made enough noise and fussed until Nana gave in and let me loose. Now that was fun watching the scenery whiz by. Nana thought she could force my medicines into my mouth but the "lips of steel" clamped down and I won. Eventually, I gave in since I do need the foul tasting stuff. We ate breakfast at Denny's where the waitresses went crazy over me. Naturally, I was on my best behavior and didn't cop a feel even when the blonde gave me a good shot to. At the Alabama Rest stop I managed to get my toes into that grass for a few minutes. Sunday meant I added Georgia, Alabama, and Florida to my long list of travels. Once in Florida, all bets were off. I pitched a fit at the restaurant because of some silly rule I had to be buckled into the car seat. One bad thing about being carried is that if the knucklehead stands where the sprinkler can get them ... I get it too. It was cold enough to make me catch my breath. But at least we both got wet. There was this black and white dog who constantly kept laying beside me. Just wait till next time when I can move ... I will even the score. While at dinner at Chet's, I kept amused by the waitresses and all the stuffed animals on the wall. And cheese grits won't kill me ... though I am not use to that taste. One night, I managed to stare down a squirrel. You see, the man of that house fed them pecans all the time. Then they will come to the glass door and sit there looking in until someone feeds them. So I conveniently parked myself there at the door and stared them down. Even waving my arms didn't scare them away. Then I was embarrassed when someone strapped rattles to both my arms and put these sock things on my feet that also had rattles. The socks had colored rings on them and fit very loosely and I looked like a clown with over sized feet. How embarrassing. Just wait till I can get even. Some day ... Some how. Well, finally it was time to come home so I added North Carolina and South Carolina to my list of travels. I have travelled the Southeast US by my 3 month birthday. We stopped off in Georgia to see some person named Star. Needless to say, she talked all the time. But the house was pretty and those cats amused me. One was cut to look like a lion and the other was crazy active. We ate at some restaurant where the waitress wasn't pretty and everyone managed to squirt the peppers all over the table. Then I started the long ride home. The carseat is hard enough and more so when they leave the pacifier in it. Just for consistency, I spit out my medicine again to make Nana mad. I have learned how to let out little stinkers that Nana blames Papaw for. Then I got home and Mom was all happy but complained how big I was ... well, it has been 5 days. Duh.

VBS ... Once Again

Another week and it should prove to be a busy one. Vacation Bible School starts Monday and will fill our days until 8:30 pm at night. Lady should be real busy. Lil Princess and Lew should be kept very busy with all the activities awaiting them. Saturday, we will head to Florida to get a few Sonny-do's done and maybe have a few minutes for doing something really fun. Wild Mom is anxiously awaiting our arrival. The sonny-do list is so long it has become unmanageable and too heavy to carry. Peanut and AJ are gone to her mother's for the week. So that should change the house dynamics this week. #1 and #2 have for the most part been on a different schedule than us. Perhaps one day when they are gainfully employed their schedule will align with ours. Who says things are dull? The day started with some excitement ... the hot water heater shorted out and smoked quite a bit and for a short few minutes had a nice flame. It was shut off after a few anxious minutes and now we await the plumber to show up and replace it. Then the cable decided to go on the fritz. Are we in that cycle now? Only 4 weeks left on the Summer Youth league and we doggedly hold onto 3rd place. We just can't seem to get that extra mark to win the 4th point right now. There have been a lot of close games this summer.

Ooops, I forgot

Another milestone in a parent's life has come and gone. My daughter has graduated from High School. Actually, she graduated on 08 June 2008, but I forgot I had wrote this and just found it as I was purging my files. So I have cleaned it up some and will finally get it posted.

#####

I can only imagine what she was like as the early years passed by but I am thankful God has allowed me to be a small part in her life the last 2 years. She has grown up so much I almost don't recognize her. Oh, I know who she is from her physical attributes but who she is inside is harder to see. But as soon as she says "I love You" I know. I marvel that in spite of my best efforts to get in the way, she has reached a goal that many don't reach.

I saw her struggle with Mathematics and Spelling wondering if she would ever "get it." No matter what she did, it never seemed to be good enough. But now I see it was good enough for the School System. You see, I saw her as my daughter and nothing is ever good enough except perfection. She is better than that I thought. But now sitting half a football field away in the hot evening sun, she was right. When I tried to smother her perhaps to keep her as a small child ... I had to let her go and by letting go I would give her the chance to come back not as a small child but a woman capable and ready to take on life. Perhaps we were all in school with her. She was learning how to cope with life and we were learning how to let go. So in reality, she made the "A" and we made the "C".

When we stood there arguing that night before the black gulf separated us for a season, I think it was fear on my part ... fear she wasn't ready. How could she make it on her own like that? Yes, we didn't see eye to eye, and yes, in many things we still don't. I wasn't seeing her as the person she was but as the little girl with pigtails carrying the barbie lunch box of years long past. But she is being who she is with some small amount of influence from me. It is hard to let that child ... or grown woman ... go. But she has survived 12 years of school and is ready for the next phase of life. Do I agree with all she says or does, no, but she is a sum of me, mom and her. God has given her to us for a season. To teach and guide ... now it is time to let her go and let him lead and guide her to the next point in her life. I now must become her greatest cheerleader and support her as she uses what we taught her. I must learn to stand back but be close enough to catch her when life shoves her down. So I wonder who has learned the most or grown up the most.

Am I proud of her ... yes I am. Do I love her ... yes ... more than I can say. Would I do this all over again ... in a heart beat.

In the 90's

Can you believe it ... the weekend and yard work is here! I have waited 7 days for this ... not! Things are slowly returning to normal as this project winds down. Mind you it is not without its bumps. And the one immutable law of nature ... Can't Fix Stupid ... continues to raise its head. As I sit here watching people scurry along the sidewalk on their way home, I wonder when time will slow down and take on a more normal pace. vacation Bible School starts next week so we will be very busy. Peanut and AJ are heading north for a vacation at her mom's place. So our house will be quite different. Maybe we will just have #1 wear diapers and whine a lot so we can feel like things are normal. Job hunting is slow for all personages at our place. Could it be a genetic flaw or perhaps a virus we suffer from. I guess one day we will be illuminated as to the reasons why. I do manage to watch the Tour De France every day. The scenery is beautiful and very relaxing. The American riders are doing quite well. Lady is busy but also hoping to have a brief vacation on the 19-23 in Florida. Wild Mom is busy dusting the sonny-do list off and double checking it to make sure everything is on there. Will Lil Princess be running now or just walking a lot faster. Next weekend is her first birthday including a party. I will be there and then leave for Florida afterwards.

Pop - Pop - Pop

Well, the holiday weekend is over with and we must trudge back to work. The project is complete for the most part but there will be a few monkeys to deal with for a while. The Holiday was quiet and mostly non-eventful. On Friday, we BBQ'd, made ice cream and watched the kids while the older kids went to the fireworks. Saturday was the usual with the Mexican restaurant the main part of the afternoon. Sunday was busy as it was the new Pastor's first day. Sunday School was easy for me since they had a pot-luck breakfast in its place. The night ended with youth bowling. It was kind of frustrating as people had the idea that "I bowled my average, so it was good. " Well, when the other team bowls over their averages, you lose with that attitude. And non-bowling kids are another issue or should I say a distraction.

Wild Mom is getting use to having GungHo Jen around. The major sonny-do's now are computer related. Perhaps in two weeks a trip can happen. The gazebo is getting a good workout in the evenings. I wonder how many mint juleps are consumed? The motor home is on the list to be disposed of if the price is right. It seems to becoming the proverbial "money pit."

Lady is busy getting ready for Vacation Bible School next week. No matter how much you plan, you can never get ahead and wind up rushing around at the last minute. Work is still the same for her. The workload has grown and her hours haven't.

#1 has been busy doing odd jobs. Bowling practice is a priority so he won't embarrass himself in August when the new league starts.

#2 is still looking but I sense the effort level is very low. I guess it is time to polish the boot and help provide some motivation.

Peanut is having a blast with AJ. He is a challenge at times and definitely keeps her busy. She is aching to get back to work and before long will test the market once again. Finding a way to sleep while he sleeps is another challenge. I wonder who will give in first.

Lil Princess is walking now. Though she is wobbly she does get around. It was fun watching her toddle around. Her first birthday is fast approaching. So a party is in the works. Lew was his usual self. He did love the fireworks and had a million questions as they went off.

Official language: Tarzan Yell

TGIF ... this week finally ends and the project deadline is just around the corner. I think I have finally crossed the rough spots and am ready for the changeover. Monday night will be a long one as we babysit this through the first night. The weekend looks to be interesting as we haven't planned every minute out. I might even get something done for once. This week was getting car inspections and emissions done. Carl and Lynne are on a mini-vacation so we are on our own this weekend. Gee, I swore someone just hollered "party". Wild Mom is fine and adjusting to Gung Ho Jen living there. I still need to find a good time to slip down there and tackle that sonny-do list. The kids are dong fine in the Summer League as we hang on to first place. There is only about 8 weeks until the fall leagues start back up and everything counts for real. Lil Bit has been fine since his episode back on Memorial Day weekend. Maybe we should call him "Lil Timex." This Sunday is the Pastor's last Sunday and next weekend the new one shows up. So the next few weeks should prove to be interesting as we all readjust. Well, since the weekend is here that means yard work. Sure would be nice to find someone who really wanted to do it ... I sure don't. Maybe I should pray for a massive rain system that would park itself over this region until Sunday night.

How crazy are things now? "the Spanish Parliament is expected to pass legislation that will extend rights to great apes." Does that make you feel good? So if they (the apes) get a passport then must we treat them like any other HUMAN being. We have enough issues with same sex marriages ... what about two gorilla's wanting to live together? Or a mixed marriage (Chimp and Gorilla), would they be free from discrimination? We have trouble with black and white marriages. If the Gorilla was born in a U.S. Zoo, has Human rights, over 35 years old, can he be President? Oops, that happened with Clinton ... sorry. Will the Gorilla be required to learn English as a language ... on second thought we have 12 million Hispanics that don't know English ... so forget the question. Kind of like giving the TV repairman the address of our house ... he couldn't spell "Pine" so instead of "Poppa-India-November-Echo" it was "Please-Ice-Nancy-Elephant." Well, PETA is happy and if they had their way the human race would turn everything over to the animals and let them run the world.

Summer in Full Swing

Well, I am amazed that is the weekend already. To be truthful, these past two weeks have just flown. Getting this new equipment up and running has consumed my days. Then add another piece of equipment that is acting up and my time has become a blur. Hopefully by the 1st of July things will quiet down and I can become normal again ... that is if I was ever normal.

Up Coming Schedule:
01 July - Work deadline
04 July - Holiday
14 July - Vacation Bible School

Life in the Davis household is just as hectic and busy.

Wild Mom is somewhat happy. Gung Ho jen is there and #1 and #2 spent a few days doing some of the most urgent sonny-do's. I still need to get down there soon and take care of those that need my touch (computers). She has had plenty of rain lately so the grass should be growing and getting green.

Lady is busy as the Vacation Bible School time approaches (July 14-18). That is another week of go go go. Work is the same and the boss even reversed himself and accepted her idea for the payroll. Whew, that only took how many years? She is ready for another weekend get away.

#1 is keeping busy and the job hunt is starting slowly. This week he will get 3 days of work as he helps at the Radio Tower construction site. His free time has been spent repainting his bedroom. It seems princess colors and manly man colors do not mix and match.

#2 has less hair now as he had it cut off. Now that was a goat rope. Hopefully with his shorn head he can move faster and finally get a job and do more than lay around and play games.

Peanut is doing great and AJ is growing like a weed. There are a lots of adjustments by everyone but they are fun adjustments. Something about a baby changes things.

Lew and Lil Princess are doing great. Lew has his own trunk monkey and Lil Princess is almost walking. Though lately, she is more of a Nana's girl. Put the three kids together and boy do we have exciting weekends.

##### ##### #####

Build your house in the rivers flood plain and it is hard to feel sorry for you. Just like building your house on the side of a hill prone to mudslides. Man can control nature about as much as a man can control his wife. Come to think of it ... man can't control himself. Hmmm.

Summer Time

Well, the weekend is over and it is back to work and today was no different than last week. Last week the AM transmitter took a lightening strike and while we have fixed it, the phone lines that control it are still down. Verizon is taking their sweet time about fixing it. The FM is back on line after its tower took a strike. We just need to find a better supply of diesel for the generator.

The weekend trip to Williamsburg was really nice. The TV stayed off the whole weekend. We stayed at the Williamsburg Hospitality House just a couple of blocks from old town Williamsburg. Saturday night dinner at the Mystery Theater was a blast ... and yours truly was the smartest sleuth there ... I was rewarded with a coffee cup. We finished the weekend off with some shopping time in the Merchants Square where we spent way too much and lunch at Pierce's Pit BBQ. We all agreed we should do this weekend over.

Wild Mom is growing her rats big as they took to eating her water pipe last weekend. They succeeded in gnawing a whole in it and for just a few bunches of dollars she had it fixed. maybe it is time for a good mouser to take up residence under the trailer. Could Muffin be taught to catch rats?

Looks like #1, #2 and GungHo Jen will head for Florida via Nashville tomorrow. She is ready to start work and pay some bills.

Peanut is adjusting to life as mommy and AJ is doing his best to cover all bases. He is growing stronger and more alert each day. The piles of used diapers attest to his appetite and drinking ability.

Future Events:

• South Caribbean Cruise
• Weekend on the Beach and ChincoTeague Island
• Trip to a Surprise Location
• Trip to Florida to wipe out some of the Sonny-Do list. (Unless #1 does it first)

TOP 8 MORONS OF 2007

1. WILL THE REAL DUMMY PLEASE STAND UP?
AT&T fired President John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked intellectual leadership. He received a $26 million severance package. Perhaps it's not Walter who's lacking intelligence.

2. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS:
Police in Oakland , CA spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line, shouting, 'Please come out and give yourself up.'

3. WHAT WAS PLAN B???
An Illinois man, pretending to have a gun, kidnapped a motorist and forced him to drive to two different automated teller machines, wherein the kidnapper proceeded to withdraw money from his own bank accounts.

4. THE GETAWAY!
A man walked into a Topeka , Kansas Kwik Stop and asked for all the money in the cash drawer. Apparently, the take was too small, so he tied up the store clerk and worked the counter himself for three hours until police showed up and grabbed him.

5. DID I SAY THAT???
Police in Los Angeles had good luck with a robbery suspect who just couldn't control himself during a lineup. When detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat the words: 'Give me all your money or I'll shoot', the man shouted, 'that's not what I said!'.

6. ARE WE COMMUNICATING???
A man spoke frantically into the phone: 'My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart'. 'Is this her first child?' the doctor asked. 'No!' the man shouted, 'This is her husband!'

7. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED! In Modesto , CA , Steven Richard King was arrested for trying to hold up a Bank of America branch without a weapon. King used a thumb and a finger to simulate a gun. Unfortunately, he failed to keep his hand in his pocket. (hellooooooo)!

8. THE GRAND FINALE!!!
Last summer, down on Lake Isabella, located in the high desert, an hour east of Bakersfield, CA, some folks, new to boating, were having a problem. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get their brand new 22 foot boat, going. It was very sluggish in almost every maneuver, no matter how much power they applied. After about an hour of trying to make it go, they putted into a nearby marina, thinking someone there may be able to tell them what was wrong. A thorough topside check revealed everything in perfect working condition The engine ran fine, the out-drive went up and down, and the propeller was the correct size and pitch. So, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to check underneath. He came up choking on water, he was laughing so hard.

NOW REMEMBER ... THIS IS TRUE.
Under the boat, still strapped securely in place, was the trailer!

Summer Begins

Well, the road trips are over and the Holiday's complete. Now it is time to rest and catch up. A lot has happened and a lot of fun was had. Going back to work tomorrow will be hard for both Lady and myself.

Wild Mom is just planning and thinking up the sonny-do's. The list has been registered as a short novel. Muffins is doing fine and controls most of the property at Mom's house.

Lady made her Indiana trip with Lew and had a great time seeing all the relatives. Grandpa and Grandma made quite an impression ... don't they all? Lew had no trouble finding things to do. Their part of the road trip was uneventful except for meeting Papaw in Richmond IN for breakfast as he was heading to Colorado. It appears Lil Bit had a stroke Saturday and that placed a damper on a lot of things. He is fine now with no really noticeable after effects. The Doctor couldn't really find anything so, however now we will have to monitor him for a while.

#1 is now in Virginia. The trip was fun but long. After 51 hours of driving time in 5 days we are glad to park the truck and relax. I received a good dose of his music ... my ears are still filled with white noise.

#2 stayed home and held things together. The job still eludes him.

Peanut and AJ came and spent the weekend. The time spent holding AJ was priceless and a whole lot of fun. Peanut is recovering well and despite the eclair's malfunction ... we love her. Now all we need is more time with them.

Gung-Ho J is here and resting from her experience with the Corp. Now we must find time to get her to Florida. maybe there is a job out there for her ... hmmmm.

Whimpy

All quiet on the home front this weekend. With Lady and Lew gone to Indiana there was a lot of quiet time in the house. The summer youth bowling league started and we managed to go 3-1. I even managed to set an average that I feel good about. I truly hope the struggles of last season are over. At work the crap continues. people who don't have the faintest clue about the simplest of email things and others that are paid good money and are clueless about their job. I was able to find the correct files and get the downloaded and I had never messed with that crap before. Shoot, if enough bosses leave for the day and it gets down to the weenie level ... I could be king-for-the-day. Our church found out Sunday we will be getting a new Pastor in July. I leave Wednesday afternoon for Colorado and will be back on the 26th.

Wild Mom is doing ok but her computer is on the fritz. So I must find some time to get down there soon. Muffin is establishing his territory down there.

Lady is having fun in Indiana. Now I must find a way to talk her back home.

#1 is packed and ready. Only a few more days left till I hit the road to get him.

Peanut is healing great. We had a long lunch Sunday and chatted about everything ... mainly AJ. We finished off the afternoon with a trip to Toys-R-Us.

##### ##### #####

Obama, if your wife spouts off about politics on your behalf, then she is fair gain for return words from the other side. Grow up.

God Squeezed Me so hard ... His love squirted out of my eyes

I ask myself "what really matters?" Sadly, only after you lose someone do we finally realize what we had. Then it is too late and many hours are consumed wishing we had it to do over. When my father died I mulled this same idea over and I feel then I made many changes. But now, I don't think I changed enough. It is like every day a loved one of yours that isn't told how much you love and appreciate them is a lost day. A lost chance to create a memory that will warm your heart when situations do keep you apart. I would venture to wonder just how much of a relationship you really have. If they mean something too you ... wouldn't they want some contact of even the shortest duration. I think of the "I will get back to you" or "we must do something soon" promises. For the most part they seem to mean ... "give me space and I might find time for you later."

• Does it really matter if we disagree or is better to have just spent that time seeing each other standing there?
• Does it really matter if we spend time together just drinking water or would it be better to always say "I will see you later."
• Does it really matter if we say "I will call soon" or would just five minutes face to face create a memory.
• Does it really matter if you say "I have to work, or I am busy, or catch me later or should we say "you are so important that I should drop everything and spend 5 minutes."
• I guess what matters is how much do I value you as a person. That value comes from how I make or spend my time with you. But also, your time tells me your value of me. So in the end I guess what really matters is you and me ... do we matter at all.

My Friend

George L. Wiseley
29 Jan 1943 - 13 May 2008

My friend, You will be missed but I will see you again one day.
Thanks for everything and I count it a privilege to have been your friend.

Thoughts through the Haze

George will have his next Surgery tomorrow. They will add plates and rods to stabilize his neck for side to side movement. They will also do a tracheotomy so they can eliminate the ventilator tube. They are trying to wean him off the major drugs so he is more aware of his surroundings. My prayers tomorrow will have a singular focus. Youth/Adult bowling starts Sunday and that too will be an interesting time. The rain has finally stopped but the sun is out with a vengeance and the grass is trying to make up the lost growing time. Lawn Mower to the rescue.

Wild Mom is anxious for me to get down there as her computer is really messed up. So I am trying to figure out the best time to go.

Lady is preparing for her road trip. I can only imagine what Lew is like as the day to leave gets closer. If it is anything like the weekend ... the excitement level will peg the meter.

Peanut is fine and healing nicely. Her feet are back to a normal size. AJ is growing and providing many good photo ops.

I keep pondering those who feel they have all the time in the world and I see how quickly that world can be turned upside down. Not only for them but for everyone around them. Every moment and memory is worth more than gold and will last longer than a diamond.

Dazed

Right now I am sitting in a daze and my heart hurts. My friend George had an accident and is paralyzed from the neck down and on a respirator. The doctor said the miracle will be when he gets off the respirator. As Connie, his wife said, George won't ever come home again. He is going to require medical attention that can't be provided at home. But I have to believe there is a greater miracle ... that is my faith. We have bowled together for almost 18 years.

Mother's Day was good ... Lady rested and had a quiet day. She is really looking forward to her trip home later this week. She went to the Sister's in Christ banquet with Peanut and Princess. They had a great time and ate too much food.

Wild Mom also enjoyed her day. The flowers I sent arrived a day late but they were really nice. I just have to find a way to get down there to wipe out that list of sonny-do's.

#1 is ready to come home and this week is his last to work. I am really looking forward to the ride home with him.

#2 may have a job ... fingers crossed.

Peanut managed to get out and go to the Sister's in Christ banquet at the church. She looked nice in her new dress ... now we have to work on them white legs. AJ is fine and growing. I will be glad when we can see and hold him on a regular basis. Soon!

Lew and Lil Princess were a blast. Wrestling matches were the order of the day. Even Princess managed to get caught in a few. Lil Princess was happy and laughing all weekend. Lew can't wait to head for Indiana ... especially when he got his new suitcase.

Cinco de Mayo

The mid-week hump is here. I finally had the stars align and I was able to do some yard work. Well, I worked too fast and too hard and my body let me know with cramps for the next few hours. But it did feel good. Maybe I can do some more Saturday ... well, a bit slower. We have many irons in the fire. Lil Bit feels better as he shed 10 pounds of hair. Now he looks like a dog and not a dust mop.

Wild Mom has been quiet lately ... perhaps Muffin has her trained.

Lady has been busy and is really looking forward to her trip home. This Saturday is the Mother/Daughter banquet. She is still not sure who will go with her.

#1 only has 10 more working days before his road trip back to Virginia. He will surely suffer from the lack of Bronco and Rockie hurrah.

#2 may have found a job ... but I will remain silent in case I spook it and it runs away from him.

Peanut is healing though it is too slow for her and for us. AJ is growing and eating everything she sticks in his mouth. Doctor appointments fill in any free time she has. Oh such are the trials of a "new mom." We are hoping she feels good enough to attend church Sunday for her first Mother's Day.

Lew and Lil Princess were the same this last weekend. We wrestled and played too hard as my knees barked at me. Lil Princess continues to get closer to walking.

May Day Fun

Well, the weekend is here and there is much to do. Sunday is payoff night for the bowling league. That makes the whole year fun. After the awards we will join some friends for dinner. We have been doing this after every league. Hopefully I will get some time to work in the yard before the rain comes Saturday afternoon. Friday night will be dinner with our buddies. Sure wish I had a movie partner to go and see a movie.

Wild Mom is fine and adjusting to Muffin. Now her focus is getting up here to hold babies and visit. I still have to find some time to get down there to deal with all them sonny-dos.

Lady is busy. She picked up some new mattresses for the #2's room and what will be #1's room when he comes.

#1 is enjoying the snow while we enjoy the sun and springtime. Less than 3 weeks till he heads home.

#2 is the same. At some point in time pride will kick in and he will get a job.

Peanut is home and doing well. AJ is sleeping, eating, and pooping like all babies. We just have to learn to cope with the withdrawal from not seeing him. Hopefully soon.

Lew and Lil Princess are the same ... active. Last Monday, she stood up from a crouch but walking was still a bit wobbly. She would take a step and fall. It is only a matter of time now.

Last night I was doing the bills like all good Americans do. The first envelope was the savings statement ... I got a whopping $0.69 in interest for the first three months ... a titillating $0.23 per month. The I opened the credit card statement, since I was one day late they charged $39.00 and raised my interest rate 10% more. If I didn't miss another one for 12 months they "may lower the rate" according to the statement. No guarantee they would. The pisser is this was the same company ... Capital One. Right now they at any one time average having $3000.00 of mine. I get crap from them in return for using my money and they squeeze me for blood for using theirs. I used $850 of theirs and they used $3000 of mine. So for April ... I get $0.23 and they get $39.00 + 25%. Any wonder that I now hate Banks. This whole relation will now get changed.

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

Who?

Well the weekend is over ... who authorized it being shortened. I know it was supposed to be longer. This one was short but we managed to have some fun and spend time with the family. Bowling was ok. The kids won and have 2 weeks to go and the Sunday Night crew lost with 3 weeks to go. This time next month I will have Sunday's free to have even more fun. But I am afraid my newfound free time will be occupied with chores of the non-paid nature. Miss GungHo is still at Camp Geiger with no time set for her to come home. Our prayers are with her, maybe she can come here for a short visit. Brother #1 and #2 are still running around Germany ... I guess they have been good since there has been no International Incident. With the bowling ending and baseball starting ... perhaps a few afternoon naps are in order.

Revised Upcoming Schedule:

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

Items still on the burner:

- Weekend trip to Chincoteague Island
- Weekend trip to Cheat River

Lady wanted more weekend but had to settle for work today. The search for a wedding dress to wear this weekend to Bobby's wedding began. I hope the pocket book holds up. The week trip to Indiana starts to take shape with Lady and Lew taking a short road trip. She also ordered us a new treadmill. Mind you, we didn't wear out the last one we just upgraded to a model that exercises for you. It will run once a day whether you are there or not.

Wild Mom survived camp and now attempts to survive my sister's visit with the grandkids and great grandkids. Hmmm, cut down on the sonny-do's and have them do them instead. She is still trying to get a cruising partner for next years adventure.

#2 still looking. Perhaps he is magnetically opposite to work. Maybe he is living proof opposites don't attract.

Peanut spent most the weekend with us and we had a lot of fun. It is interesting sometimes to watch the expressions on her face when the baby starts moving or fighting for a better position. As big as she is you would expect the boy to have plenty of room like there is in the trunk of a 56 Dodge.

Lew spent the weekend with us and even managed to see "Horton hears a who!".

Lil Princess spent Sunday with me at the bowling alley. Now that was an adventure. She is definitely a babe-magnet. And those baby-talk conversations sometimes seem so real.

Weekend Hopes

Well, the weekend is here ... wow! what a short week. I like this. This weekend should be full. I hope I have enough energy to get everything done (spread the mulch, clean-up the yard, might even have to mow). I am looking forward to El Agave since it has been a while. Isn't there a law about missing a Mexican dinner for more than 7 days? I also need to find me a new movie partner ... too many of them that I want to see and no one to go with. Plus, Sunday I will get to use the new bowling balls on the house lanes and see how they do. I am thinking I will do good.

Upcoming Schedule:
- Bobby's Wedding (04/05)
- Denver Trip (05/16)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Cruise (01/09)

Lady is busy getting ready for tax time at work. I think it is close to a Cheat River trip. I also need her to start walking with me more ...

#2 is still looking. Won't be long till the last of the finances runs out.

Peanut - still getting bigger, but also getting closer to the big day. I can't wait to see what she does with her hair. Most of the preparations are done, at least the ones that can be done.

Lew and Lil Princess should be over this weekend. That should be fun as it has been a while since I have seen them and at their age they grow so fast.

Thoughts for a Friend

Recently, a friend asked a question and I finally found the article I wanted to reference.

The Father Challenge

Sam Keen challenges us to recognize that "there is no way for men ... to recover wholeheartedness, to become passionate and truly free, without rediscovering the central importance of the family." To rediscover the family, we, as men, must rediscover ourselves as fathers and parents, and place this role of the many roles we play at the center of our lives. It is within the context of the family that we live our lives, and it is here that we receive our deepest wounds and most profound joys.

As Keen and many others have observed, we men tend to view ourselves as independent actors. As warriors, controllers, providers, protectors, and occasionally as lovers. We peg our self-worth on our tax brackets or how much we've published or how many women we've been with. We constantly look to the outside world for our valuation. Within the "men's movement" there is a tendency to talk about how I was treated by my father, about the lacks I had in my life, about my own confusion and pain and grief, about initiation (without any idea of what we want to initiate our children into). These are legitimate experiences that afflict our lives, but there comes a time when we men have to look beyond our own suffering and recognize that we are also causing suffering.

About a year ago I attended a symposium on fathering in Eugene, Oregon. One of the things that I learned, deeply, was how I was continuing to wound my own children in the way I was wounded. I was foisting the expectations and demands that my father laid on me onto my sons and daughter. It was a painful realization, but confirmed what I already knew intellectually about the "sins of the fathers," and how I needed to honestly and directly deal with what I was doing. I can't say that I've done as well as I'd like to on this or most accounts in my life. But one thing I have realized is that in as much as I consciously work to avoid wounding my children, and in loving them for exactly who they are, I am healed of my wounds. We receive our deepest and subtlest wounds within a family context, and it seems that here is the best place to heal them. This is not easy, as it requires a level of emotional courage, honesty, and sheer perseverance that few of us ever learn. Beginning what often seems to be a sisyphean task is a gift in itself, for it opens the door to our own hero's journey.

As fathers, we give our children many gifts along with many wounds. Paradoxically, the wounds and the gifts are two sides of the same coin. When we give time and attention, we heal the wound of abandonment. When we acknowledge a child's accomplishments, we give the gift of confidence. When we support the free expression of feelings, we give the gift of self esteem. In essence, if we show with our time, love, attention, nurturing, touch that we truly value our children, they will come to value themselves and us.

We have to be willing to be available to our children as often as we can, and to be with them as often as practicable. There is no substitute for time with children. They know it and so do we. As fathers, we can no longer afford to use such excuses as "college funds," "personal growth," "bigger houses," " more cars, gadgets, or other toys" to justify our abandonment of our children. For at a deep and profound level all men are the fathers of all children whether they are biological or not. We have to go beyond the personal to the communal, and work to heal all of the damage our forefathers still perpetrate through us.

Where to begin is the question I usually get asked when I talk about these issues. Where do we begin? The trite answer is still true - where we are. The process of change begins with the awareness that change is needed, then what needs to be changed, and , lastly, what options are available. As a movement, we're still back at step one, having realized changes in how we fathers are needed; however, we haven't begun to examine the options. I believe it is past time that we join together as we can to support and assist other men in re-creating what a father is and does.

firstborn

you were the golden child
framed by the sun that was your hair
my phaestos to grab the reins of my chariot
and be the child
and young man
my father wanted me to be
and still to be as you (me) are
i bind you in chains
teach you to fight your dream
witness the rising of your anger
and grief
i have held you
and held you apart
i have wondered at your neediness
and not seen
that it is not yours
but mine

Copyright © 1995 by Kent Cumbo

Most Excellent Adventure - Final

Well, things came to an end and we headed for home. Wild Mom flew home while Curious George and I rode the train back. We even managed to get a sleeper for the Albuquerque to Chicago leg. The countryside was beautiful especially through Raton Pass in New Mexico. We even had snow as we went through the pass. Antelope, Mule deer, coyotes, turkeys, hawks, eagles, wolf, and regular deer highlighted that passage through the remote mountains at 7500+ feet. The train ride was pretty uneventful and not very late in arriving home on Tuesday afternoon. We managed to get quite a bit of rest. Now it is time to start planning Las Vegas (2009) next year. There is a rumor that Baton Rouge La. will change to Orlando Fl. in 2011. Now it is time to see how the rest of the crew did while I was gone. Questions such as; when are you coming home (#1), got a job yet? (#2), baby hanging any lower? (peanut), will you share some of that energy? (Lew) and how's the tongue doing? (lil princess). I have a few other questions but they are for another day and another forum.

Work hasn't changed a bit. Today, while I was cleaning out some 30,000+ spam emails --- one person called to complain about their 12 spam messages. Get a Life!

Getting home I saw where the grass was growing and greening up. How I hate what comes next. Even the pixies didn't come and spread the 15 bags of mulch in the front yard. Sheesh, how much do I have to pay?

Wild Mom's shopping sprees required us to procure a 2x2x2 foot box to send everything home. It was a sight seeing her bouncing on the luggage trying to squeeze everything into it. She arrived home safely on Sunday and immediately started planning the next excursion.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 5

Well, like all things good ... it is time to return back to life. The tournament for me is over until Las Vegas next year. Though I wished I could have done better I have nothing to be ashamed of ... I am average. The day was spent getting the bowling balls being worked on at the Visionary booth. Wild mom went to the historic old towne and of course ... shopped. It is fun watching her stuff it into the luggage. Dinner was at the Texas Land & Cattle restaurant. That was some great beef. The sirloin was smoked and very tender. Wild Mom ordered fried pickles and took half of them with her as a snack while we bowled. The rest of the day was spent packing (stuffing in Wild Mom's case) and resting up.

Wild Mom continued her rampaging ways. First thing this morning she pulled the towel bar down after they unclogged the tub drain. Must of been her hangover from the Pina Colada's last night.

Do we have to come home? It is so nice out here. But if we do come here ... bring the body lotion for my poor skin is dry.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 4

It is Friday and the real work begins ... later. We went sightseeing and the weather was beautiful. Sunny, no clouds, and in the 60`s. We visited the Indian reservation and spent some money in the gift shop. There was a small herd of buffalo next to the Indian Center and that made for some good pictures. Even managed to not run over a Road Runner that crossed in front of the car. The rest of the day was spent checking things out at the Convention Center. In all cases Wild Mom helped the economy and made sure she needed another bag to haul stuff home.

Bowling was ok ... nothing to brag about but good enough to feel satisfied. The team was really different with 3 subs. Sure miss the old gang but that is life. Curious George did ok and his knees have held up pretty good so far. Tomorrow is doubles and singles and that should prove fun if not tiring since we start bowling at 11:30 pm.

Wild Mom is out checking out the Pina Colada's down at the lounge. Especially appealing is the tickets that makes them free. And yes, she has my tickets as I write this blog.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 3

We have arrived in Albuquerque. The day was filled with sights of wild animals as we passed through some beautiful country. There was even snow on the ground at the higher elevations. Breakfast was spent with a gentleman from from Minnesota (Highway patrol) and his daughter. They were on a father-daughter excursion for the weekend. We spent almost the whole day watching the terrain pass by and cat-napping in between the good sections. Unlike last years ride, we never got more than 15 minutes behind. Unlike the eastbound train from LA that was 25 hours behind. However, those train seats did get hard by the time we reached Lamy New Mexico. The train was full and I am glad we got off when we did because at our stop 28 people got off and 100 people got on. So there was no extra room.

Albuquerque is a beautiful town and even with a GPS system we managed to get turned around a few times. Curious George and I have had a blast chatting back at the GPS which we have named "Wanda." Kritty would love the rental car ... 2008 Ford Taurus ... and it is loaded. We had dinner tonight at Sadies, a southwestern Mexican restaurant. The food was great and if it was closer to home, El Agave would have some major competition. So if you ever come here ... make Sadie's one of your stops. The air is very dry and I can't drink enough water ... but I am trying.

Wild Mom made it without getting thrown off. She did manage to chat on the phone every time she had 3 bars.

Curious George met some new friends and one turned out to be a nun returning to her work in Raton New Mexico. A mild surprise when she changed into her habit just before she reached her destination. Go figure!

Sure miss everyone .. but I wouldn't miss this trip.

Top Speed: 82
Highest Elevation: 7852 ft.