Friday and a Holiday….

Ahh… does this mean summer is over? Labor Day weekend is here, it came so fast this time. It seemed like a few days ago that Memorial Weekend was upon us, now summer is ending. My older brother Luke and his crew are on their way down as I type, I for one, am very happy to see them; they can help us move Jacks. We all plan on going to the End of Summer Art Walk on Saturday for the last art exhibition and maybe some cooking out and beach time of course. Little Kyle and I have planned on watching the first football games of the season together (actually it’s Luke and I). We started the football squares for the extra entertainment during the games at work. I’m sure Bee will win every time, some how she manages to pull in a square. Last night Mom and I talked about a few things, I see her not very happy with my Pops and his whole attitude around the house. “He’s a totally different man now Mark, for Gods sake don’t turn out like him”. I think that’s one worry she won’t have to dwell on when it comes to that. This summer she really caught on how much he has changed; now just finding out why this has occurred is the next task. Lori won’t go in the same room with him alone again, I fear she’s witnessed the last few weeks with Pops and Jacks at war one too many times. She walks in her brothers’ room over and over, just looking at him, patting his back and playing in his hair. Right now the couch in my office looks so nice just to curl up on and nap…..maybe later.

Wednesdays fun

The day is about over here and I’m wasted tired from the last few days of work and moving. Jacks is preparing to go off to school, between myself and PG and Jacks everything seems to be in order. My Pops must be feeling the pressure that he wont have anyone to pick on after the move so he is in Jacks face constantly, the minute he walks in the door until late, late at night. Yesterday I knew my brother would be coming home early to finish up some projects so I had a feeling to come home as well, good thing. I walked in with Pops poking his finger in Jacks chest as he stood there and took every insult and jab without flinching a muscle. I stood in the kitchen on the ready to pounce if needed when my little sister came in screeching “Mark what are you doing?” I really need to teach her about volume control or maybe the inside voice. Pops caught that I was around immediately stopped his barrage of insults and walked in his office not to be seen for the rest of the night. I asked what might be the problem and he grumbled something about the lawn tractor not being covered properly. I was the last to use it and I let him know very quickly…nothing was said more about it. Jacks didn’t stay in the house long noticing some friends on the beach he ran out to see what might be up, I have feeling he’s going to miss that crew of people. I have a feeling I’m going to miss him too.

Life doesn’t always go …

So Friday I had planned on going out raising a bit of hell and knocking unruly heads back into place. Not to be – or maybe it was? Made it home a little before seven to find the house in havoc, I was sure my sister had a paper doll mishap due to the news paper being all over the living room. No, it was my Pops acting like an eight year old girl throwing one of his mature fits or rage on my brother because he failed to take a scholarship, something about his sculpture class being a waste of time and that he’s all around stupid. Anyone that knows my brother, he’s far from stupid and has talent beyond anyone’s imagination. Jacks sat in his room, face black and blue and nice scratches down his back from being pushed against the deck railings. Needless to say my Pops was not to be seen this whole weekend – good for him. Lori and I did the “I can build a bigger and better sand castle” on Saturday, she beat me. Of course, she had about nineteen of her little giggly friends helping her out and I had those cheap sand forms (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). After the contest, pizza for everyone was the prize; I sat on a deck chair and watched the clouds sail by as Trace tried out tunes on his new guitar. He’s trying his best to get me to go to California this fall when he attends some festival his manager signed him up for. “Come on man, the fun, the sun, the beach, the women!!!” I just popped a quick “Ok idiot, what are we doing now and where are we?” My Mom was NOT happy about this weekend’s event and needless to say she didn’t need the stress on her. This heat really pulls her health down, which in turn takes her energy, which makes her sick. Now I sit at my desk, about to hit the heat once more and hope for next weekend….maybe I will be able to crack some heads then?

Friday cometh!

I’m so happy it’s the weekend, this one I plan on taking off and enjoying myself. No making plans to go into work the whole weekend. The new girl has been given her two week notice, as of 30 minutes ago. Countless personal phone calls, she can’t seem to stay in her seat, wants to make this a part time job and is too chatty, she needs another job. So two weeks from now she can find one and be out of my face and nerves. Tonight the group wants to go out and celebrate “The Heat”, that’s right the temperature outside, we are thinking a little reverse psychology might help and asking it to hit 106 degrees tomorrow. I plan on making a whole weekend of celebrating just because I can and will. I’m in a mood or a funk or a go to hell sort of attitude so tonight will get interesting I’m sure. Right now Jacks and Trace are going to be in the mix as well with me, they both need some getaway time too. Pops might be going back to the Gulf in a week or so, not sure but I hope so soon just for Jacks sake of well being. Maybe Saturday this might become and interesting post today is just a heat warning. Still havent had a peep out of you new readers...... I know you are here...

Work in progress….

All day long yesterday, it was one battle after another -- first thing!! A battle to get out of bed, second my bike didn’t want to start. I walked in the office and the ladies had some battle going on but they chose to keep me out of it (Thank God). Not one but two customers called in complaints about one certain employee and the second customer decided to come in the office personally. My newest office girl didn’t even take the time to ask questions, she just ran in my office and said “some one is here to see you.” Fine… I dealt with them and continued with my work until past 6. I walked in the house and my Pops is in my face about Jacks and why HE didn’t take a full scholarship. How the hell was I supposed to know? Pops was in a full out rant about the whole incident and Jacks barricaded himself up in his room refusing to discuss the matter. Around 1 am he and I were able to speak about what had happened… more drama there. Right now everyone is getting on my last nerve about the “Cough” I can’t help it, I have to cough. I’m taking stupid new meds to stop it and they are making me grumpy. The new girl didn’t want to come in today, so that makes it quiet here. In a while, I’m going to go hide in the greenhouse where it’s peaceful and very calming maybe finish the rest of my paper work and phone calls.

Ever Plan?

This weekend I had planned on working on some much neglected projects around the house since my Pops is home and in full force. Saturday he flew in and started on how things weren’t to his liking in the garage and house, Jacks and I performed to the best of our abilities, jumping through hoops and doing back flips to satisfy him. Saturday night I decided to go out with the gang and relax a bit in a game or two of pool. I should have brought Jacks along because Sunday he and I talked, Pops was in a rant the majority of the night. “I sit down to do something Mark and he’s screaming my name or just saying Boy get down here”. I know that scream and that whole “boy” sentence; he did that to me for years until one day I got fed up and lost it on him, Jacks will have to do that as well. At Gs Lori and I decided to check on her pony Poky, making sure he was “still ride able”, that was her excuse. The heat was killing me along with the dust and hay blowing about I was in need of a mask. With this heat, is making Mom have a hard time; she’s been getting sick in the last week here and there. Monday was my doctor’s appointment, I have bronchial Asthma, what more fun can that be? Its just the heat and humidity that’s killing me, soon as the weather cools off things will be just fine.

We made it. Sort of.

The week is almost over – Homer Simpson Whoo Hoo!- My G says I wish my life away but I don’t think so, just the work part. The ladies in the office were in a dreamy state of mind most the day. Talking about men and how grand life would be if they didn’t have to work for a living, maybe if their kids “wanted” to go to school and how nothing should be fattening. Late afternoon Jacks rolled up wanting to have a bite and a word or two with me about our Pops coming home for the weekend, he’s as excited about it as I am, not. After he left I heard a huge sigh in one corner “Now, that is a real man” my ears perked up and had to find out who she was talking about, “Who/What?” is all I said. She reddened and said that she was talking about Jacks. The ladies she was sitting with all giggled and I smiled and shook my head at her, “Mm Yeah, real man” I snorted and walked away. I was sure she was talking about my friend Chris, the last few nights we have gone out to either dinner or drinks making a total nuisance of ourselves at times. With the heat waves and drought as bad as it is, the lawn business is going crazy, maybe not cutting grass but the City is on a “Cut Back Tree Limbs Project” to get the limbs out of the way of power lines and utilities. Since the hurricane season seems to have picked up now its time to prepare.

Yes, I will buy a vowel for some cool weather

Its blooming hot out here today, we rode to Gs for Sunday supper per usual on our motorcycles. I left a little early to get home to talk to Amy a bit before she had fun going to a wedding. G loaded us down with so much food it was insane, I should have pushed my bike home. One small problem today on the bikes at the gas station we always stop at. I’m filling up my bike and jacks is on the other pump across from me. I notice all the sudden this hopping around and arms swinging. “Oh my God!!, he’s on fire!!” That’s what my first instinct was, nope he had a huge toe cramp and was trying to calm it. I buckled over in laughter as he jumped around looking at me hard telling me “its not funny man!” Feeling guilty I slipped my Debit card in his machine and walked in the store and bought him a banana. “eat this and call me in the morning” Of course one banana isn’t going to cure him but it was a funny sight. Riding on our bikes the heat isn’t so painful but to still at a red light for any amount of time is killer. I was eager t get home and jump in the pool fast. The emails have calmed down now since I put the link on my old Xanga site, I’m glad to know I was missed. One girl emailed me and said “First JK Rowling stops writing and now you!” that one left me in stitches, however I do like this site better. It has a more mature theme to it, you don’t have to sign in to read it, the pages are organized. Which means not having 52 million clones popping in on here. Now I’m just waiting for Amy to give me a quick call and off to eat and then sleep for a nice crazy day work.

I’m a Dink

No that’s not a typo, I’m a dink or so I was told early this morning by Lori who was off to first day of the 4th grade. I cant help it if she’s easy prey to pick on, so I hid her bag for school, so what. As Lori walked out the door she looked back at me and Jacks and said “You better sleep with your eyes open tonight, Oh, yeahhh I went there”. We both cackled in laughed as she walked on out. Mom was eager to take her for the first day and drop her off, and was quickly informed the best thing she could do was to say goodbye in the car. Lori is becoming a big girl now, the look on my Moms face was priceless. Mom seems to be doing well with some new treatments that help her on her tiredness and headaches. I finally was able to talk to Amy some today since her trip to Disney World, she’s tying her best to get back on her time schedule. I guess she made it through the heat down here better than expected, although the family dramas in her life haven’t ceased in the least bit to make the changed any easier. Jacks is trying his best to get ready for school and packing things as he works as many hours possible to gain some spending money. He comes home blurry eyed and signs his computer on for a while and passes out at his desk. Trace has been making fun of him constantly on that venue, I’ve chosen to stay out of it now. Hopefully this weekend I will hear from Luke and the crew as they may be coming down for a visit. Baby Kyle was on the phone telling me he wanted to throw the “feets” ball when he gets there. Who am I to say no?

Its Hot In here....

Well the weekend once again blew by so fast. I worked most of it on Saturday since the weather has been so on and off. Sunday was a breeze with Gs, Jacks and I rode up on our bikes and ate like there was no tomorrow. He’s been in a sort of a good mood, but feeling some pressure to “talk” online once again. I fully understand why he doesn’t want to pursue this option as quickly as he did before; its just getting the other “insisting” parties to understand that is making it hard on him. My feelings on the whole matter is the last validity of getting close to other person/persons, once you step into that boundary of no longer being in the “text only” world, things steam up. Back at Gs I napped most of the day away on the sun room floor, sprawled out on the newspaper ads. Mom called while I was there and reported they should be home some time today. Lori starts the 4th grade or is phased in on Thursday. She seems very excited to be entering that class, possibly because she has a locker “like the big kids” and she’s allowed to change classes as they do as well. My City jobs are keeping me very busy, Bee and I have about gone over board on the Green house but I enjoy working with her more and more every day. The other night she and I just sat out and talked, really I think for the first time. Its funny, you work with someone and think you know them but if you take the time (and a few beers) you can really see another side. Today, I plan on a half day of work to go pick up my girls at the airport, also to super clean the house from a summer of two guys living alone.

Where does the time go!!

Wow this week has totally flown by me, been working late and accomplished so much in the last couple of days it’s frightening. Bee and I have been on a roll moving things around in the green house; she has a wonderful business sense about her. Diane and I reorganized the office as well and things seem to be rolling smoothly there. Cari and I sat in my office one day this week and laugh until her eye make up rolled down her face. Last night I ran out with the guys to wish some one well as they venture on a new job out of state. While I was out Luke called me to give me baby Kyle babble. He’s being potty trained on his own and the whole process is making me die in laughter. Sunday, while they were in church he did the “I got to Potty” grab-dance; Luke picked up on the clue to take him in the bathroom. A few minutes later Julie turned around to look for Kyle and someone said he’s gone to the bathroom; she turned to her mom to please go check on him, because Julie was feeding Camen, so Julie’s mom ran to the bathroom, not knowing Luke was there. Julie’s mom walked in just in time to see the back of Luke, slumped over (trying to help Kyle) and him saying “Ok grab your goob”. She immediately thought she walked in on Luke and flipped out, running out of the bathroom red faced. The whole church had a big howl out of that story, I asked how Kyle did on his aim and Luke said wouldn’t have been so bad but he put his finger over the hole and well, made his aim off to the left. That’s not as bad with us boys and my grandparents, they live on a farm so it was ok to just drop trough, to go out in the field. Jacks being too young to understand, did that at McDonalds in the play area, he couldn’t get why they came rushing out with the power wash.