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.

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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.

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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.

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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."