Year Ends……

This is it for 2008 the crazy year that is was. I consider it the year that Oscar winners decided politics was fun! So much has changed, when I look back, even in these 229 blog pages I’ve notice it.
I’ve been talking to friends and catching up on things going on in their lives, sometimes I ask too many questions -- well, that is what I've been told. Maybe it’s because we get caught up in the “Have to dos” we forget to slow down and smell the roses and count the clouds. Not that I plan on slowing down or anything, I like a fast pace.
My sister grew up a little bit more this year, Jacks moved out and off to school. Luke has a new one; ok two… yes twins on the way. My Pops and I have come to an agreement that we will never see eye to eye. My Mom is graceful as ever but I see a change. Trace is married, working on a family of his own. Amy is working left and right. I feel like being in a bubble and everyone is blowing around and I’m trying to reach out to grab someone just missing them ---I feel I need to babble.
I’m doing my best to not watch those Year in Review shows, not that I don’t want to look back but now they all seem so depressing to me. The majority is Who Dity Who dies and we all must morn. Can’t we have a happy, jolly review show?
There wasn’t any memorable music to speak of, nothing that really clicked with me. Movies were all humdrum and bland. Nothing was a “must see” when I did go I fell asleep during them. I just realized about not going to one concert this year…do I sound depressed? It’s hard not to find the last 365 days as bittersweet.
For the next coming year I don’t plan on making any promises, no goals, and no chores; just living this one out seeing how it goes.
I thank you all for my well wishes and comments here and e-mails Here is to you and hoping you have a safe and happy night and beginning of a happy new year. Tonight, I plan on going out and partying like the year cost me 19.99.

Ahhh this one is over!

I like Christmas as any small minded person would – ha ha. With all the weeks of shopping and bustling about and then wrapping, for it to end in a few minutes is astounding. Afterwards you have to take all the Christmas items down and put the new away. That usually takes a few days; I manage to not put something up after running across some orphaned ornament or decoration.
On the eve we spent the most of the night at my grandparents, with so many people there, it was hard to count. The majority of the food cooked during that day was devoured in no time at all. One of my aunts broke out a couple bottles of wine and I waited for the action to happen – nothing to report. Luke called to wish everyone a happy holidays and let the kids say “ho ho”. I got a kick out of that.
One aunt had some friends to visit, which was interesting. Ever the match maker, she was trying to set them up with Jacks, myself or one of my other single cousins.
My Pops hung out with some of my uncles on the back deck, I was waiting for them to bang up on him but that never happened. I used to like to hang out with my uncles when they visited; you got all the good gossip and funny stories. I chose not to partake in the gossip drink fest this year and played flag football instead.
Christmas morning we all woke up to eat breakfast then go to unwrap and “ohh and ahh” over presents. I was pleased with everything and very thankful.
Later on that afternoon Jacks and a few cousins dropped over to see the new café or the start of the café. I was proud to show them how the greenhouse looked and would look after the new addition. Jacks and a cousin had to get behind the counter and pretend to be taking orders. Naturally if that were to happen we would have fire extinguishers on hand.
That evening I was so tired I decided to load everything in the truck and unload it at the house and then nap -- that didn’t come about until a little later. I had to set up my new monitor on the computer and naturally sign on where I found friends to chat with.
Jacks rolled in and I became very sleepy so I unloaded a few of his items and drifted off to sleep.
The next few days were spent running around with friends and organizing the house again. This week will be particularly busy for me since some of the contractors want to come in a do a few odds and ends in the café.
Thanks again for all the e-mail wishes and I do sincerely hope you all had a merry one.

All most time.

Santa at this writing is in the Marshall Islands, I don’t even know anything about the Marshall Islands. I guess I can Google today!
I have all the presents wrapped and packed ready to go in the back of my truck (SUV) if you are thinking “Oh man, they are going to get wet”.
Mom and G and another aunt have been cooking since early yesterday afternoon. I dropped off at Gs house to just get a good whiff of the smells. They had ham and turkey and some roast like creature with many legs all going. Mutli colored potatoes, beans and other vegetables, also breads and cookies and cakes and pies were being prepared.
Why so much? Well we do have an army of people coming to the house. G and PG and all of their kids and their kids and some of them have kids as well. It will be an easy 35 to 40 people packed and ready to roll today and tonight.
Since we of course don’t have snow here, we always try something new for fun. The guys always seem to like fireworks battles so I plan on partaking in that event.
There will be church services and then off to see the lights down town. I like doing that, you always run into someone you know; they are always amazed we have 52 billion family members with us.
Luke won’t be here this time; he’s spending this holiday with Julie’s side of the family, so I don’t get to pick on those the little ones. Jacks is on his way home, promising to stay until Saturday, I think he was scolded for coming home early over Thanks Giving.
Trace and his wife and little sister might drop in and from what I understand my aunt is bringing some friends of hers to meet us; actually I don’t know what she means by that so this will be interesting.
Not sure what Pops plans on doing; he is home and has been doing things with Lori for the last two weeks. Like shopping and decorating the house, helping her wrap gifts – I wondered how she had all hers wrapped and under the tree so fast.
I did purchase him something so I won’t feel awkward, I always like to be prepared.


Hoping all of you and yours has a very safe and happy holiday.

Awesomeness

Well, Saturday I forced myself to wrap and wrap I did for nearly 4 hours. I clipped paper and tape and then signed the little cards and ruffled bows. One I had finished wrapping and forgot who it was for and so I opened to peek, that was near the end of my task.
After all that fun I chose to run out to the mall and shop! No really I met some friends and we sat down, exchanged gifts and ate a huge dinner. I like doing things like this on holidays, going out and visiting people and eating at new places. The eating part is the best to me, the gifts are nice but the food is great!
That’s what I like about my friends and having such a diverse set of them helps in planning my weekends. I can go chill out with the married/serious dater group and do nothing but watch movies and cook out. Of course there’s the hard core drinking gang if I’m in a rowdy mood. The beach bunch and mall folk are nice as well. Most times since I’m around so many people during the week, I like to spend time alone. Letting my brain rest for the next week of craziness that’s sure to come
Right now in the office is a huge debate about keeping your children from bad things that naturally goes on in life. Diane says let the kids get out there and see the world, its going to happen -- let them be prepared. Cari says no, she’s going to keep her children from it; this comes from someone that has both her 5 and 11 year olds sleeping in the bed with her at night. I tend to agree with Diane, let them know there are idiots out in the world; just show them how to deal. Keep them under a rock they are going to act like they came from under a rock.

Being lazy

Yesterday was a slow day for me, I decided to hit Sams Club for a few last minute purchases and top myself off in groceries.
It rained the majority of the day so that kept the office at a slow pace. You just want to curl up on the couch in a big fleece blanket and doze to the ramblings of the TV. I didn’t but it sounds really inviting especially if you can spoon with that certain someone.
After unpacking everything the phone rang, it was Jacks. He’s tired and weary still from his wreck and can seem to knock it. He was having a problem with a roof line and it wouldn’t work the way he wanted so we chatted a while. I’d pace and think about the presents in my closet; maybe I can start a trend of brown boxes under the tree?
By the time we hung up he figured his roofline and it was time for me to go back to the office and lock the shop down, as I finished some of the gang wanted to go see a movie, Twilight. If anything it’s a Romeo and Juliet of Vampires but I give it two thumbs up because the girl in the movie is hot.
After that I ran home to jump in the bed and snooze a while, everyone else stopped for drinks and munchies, wasn’t really in the mood to socialize that much but I did enjoy the flick.
This morning I came into Cari being a babbler and a loud one at that. She’s all hyped up spewing out everything that comes to her mind. Now I really want to go home, I’d even go out and work in the rain to get away from that chatter.
Where did this mood come from?

Put-off-ski

That’s what I have been the last 3 weeks on wrapping my Christmas presents this year. I’m not the only one, Jacks was just saying “I swear I will pay someone a crisp 50 dollar bill just to wrap these things and I will even supply the paper and tape.” He hates it as much as I. Luke is no better but Julie usually is weaseled into doing all his wrapping. I don’t mind the shopping, or the idea of thinking of buying the presents, it’s the wrapping that kills me.
It’s the idea of cutting the paper and then figuring out what way to wrap it. I usually make the pointy ends and box it up, never do I get the paper patterns to meet and match. The bows won’t stick and I always seem to place them in the wrong spot so they get crushed.
I met with the contractor on Saturday about the café. It looks very promising and Bee is all in a thither to get started. She has color schemes and ideas flowing with all the kinds of foods she wants to try. Wonders if she likes wrapping?
Mom and G and I did last minute shopping, Christmas Eve G wants to have a big family party. I don’t mind it so much, I’m sure there will be turmoil for some of them that spend time with the “other side” of their families on that night. Luke won’t be able to make it since they live so far away but promises to come home soon to see everyone. I remember when I was little and we would have these parties away, I was scared Santa would come to my house and I was not there and awake. Then I aged a bit and liked them because it made the night go by much faster which means Christmas morning would be there soon.
Lori has her shopping down to a fine art, and the wrapping as well. Maybe it’s something in the female gene that likes to do this? Her presents are all under the tree with bows and huge cards attached. Everyday she looks under there for something from me to her and doesn’t find them. They are still in my closet not wrapped; I guess purchasing things early doesn’t help much if you don’t wrap them as well. Next year I plan on doing just that.
So for now I will just avoid my closet for another day or so and then break down and begin wrapping. Jacks you have too as well!

Santa

When you were growing up were you afraid of Santa? I don’t remember being afraid of him but sort of shy towards him. Luke was full on scared of the fat jolly dude, he would squirm and whine and stand behind me waiting on the candy cane and then run. I wasn’t particularly fond of him, he was loud and furry and his clothes were extra bright, something you don’t see every day. I knew he gave out toys and candy if you sat on his lap but I didn’t care for the idea. Jacks loved him; he would sit there a beam out a huge smile and yank on his beard per our PGs orders – something about good luck. Lori wanted no part of the freaky guy. We would walk in the mall and her eyes grew huge in terror knowing he was in the building. She would hold our hands and tuck her head down so she didn’t have to see him.
Luke and I talked about it a while back on one of those “remember when” conversations. He would dread going to the mall during the holidays, for fear of being asked if he wanted to see Santa. He said he hated the idea of some stranger coming in the house dropping off presents in the middle of the night, however all those fears left him when he got that bike or GI Joe.
Last year, PG and I sat in the mall one Saturday while Mom and G shopped; we chose the area where Santa was stationed. There was sure to be some sort of action going on in that area of the mall. I watched all sorts of kids clamber up on his lap. The screamers, the kids with fingers in their mouths and other holes, heads bent down refusing to look up, the ones with utter look of shock on their faces, happy kids and the shy ones. There was even a few they had to actually remove from his lap, they enjoyed the stay there so much.
Luke called me Sunday to let me in on the scoop with his crew and Santa. He said Kyle didn’t like him much. Luke said they stood in line for 20minutes waiting to get that picture. The whole time coaching him what he wanted for Christmas, he stood there with a smile on his face but with each step it slowly was fading away. By the time it was his turn his whole view of getting on that mans lap had changed. In the passing off to Santa, Kyle had decided to cling onto Luke for dear life. Luke figured if they plopped Camen on the other side he might like the idea but he hated it more, reaching for his sister but holding on to Luke screaming “sissy!!” Camen sat there but was confused the whole time; needless to say they have an action shot with Santa this year.
Looking at it now Santa is a mass of confusion, we teach our kids not to talk to strangers but we insist they tell this guy our secrets and to sit in his lap and take his candy. He is bright and furry and loud and huge, our parents pass us off to him as they stand there and laugh and try and coax us to smile.
I don’t know if I will force my kids to see him, maybe if we are in the mall and the jolly dude is there I might ask them if they would like to sit on his lap and tell what they want that year. Our church does a program that the kids can see Santa, seems to be a little easier on the parents and the kids and probably Santa as well.

Women….

Yeah, I’ve seen a few….that is from a line in a movie but I have been noticing them lately and the phone message from Amy yesterday made me think.
Amy has an allotted time she can call me each day, this way I’m sure not to miss her phone call, it insures that I get my lunch in and breaks up my day. Sometimes she doesn’t quiet make the time frame and I miss out, like yesterday she must have called early, so she left a message to tell me she’s getting her hair done and then about 3 hours later she calls me back to say she’s finished!
3 hours! What did they do, clip each hair individually? Really, I don’t know what they actually had done, we haven’t spoken as of yet, but three hours sitting in a chair to have someone work on your head is remarkable in patience.
Cari sits at her desk quietly then pungent aroma waifs across the room it’s her fingernail polish. How on earth she can stand the smell, let alone taking that tiny brush and painting her nails is a feat in its self. Some days I know she chips her nails on purpose to get that stink flowing in the air.
Diane has this gadget that looks like it would clean a mini toilet; she pokes it into a tube and dares to stroke along her eyelashes. I have to say that’s a disaster in the making.
Bee was telling me of her twice monthly rituals -- waxing. Now I knew that plucking eyebrows was painful and high heeled shoes are dangerous but come on, waxing? Letting some one, a stranger at that drips hot wax on your tender parts, then letting it cool to rip it off removing hair at the roots. Who would ever think to do this and why! The places they put the wax scares me.
Not to mention the more major procedures like breast augmentation and liposuction and botox, now there’s a good one, letting someone jab a needle in tight skinned places and inject you with a bacteria!
You ladies need to be congratulated and honored and praised for the heroic efforts you put into your beautification routines. However, I’m not stupid, you don’t do it for us guys!! You do it for the other ladies, I hear the “Did you see what so and so had on, that has to be after a week of clown college” or the “Oh my God, her hairline is so obvious it looks like Moses has parted the colors” –nods and whispers- I’ve been privy to your secrets ladies and its OUT.

Epp!

So last night I’m talking to Lori on the phone, she’s all a flutter over her little boy friend Todd. “What can I buy him for Christmas and it won’t be stupid?” I suggested another girlfriend that she was too young to want to do this now. She gasped at my answer and told me to get real and give her some ideas.
I guess they are doing this at a younger age, I tell you, when I was 10, girls still had cooties they were something during dodge ball you could throw extra hard at. Never would I have thought about buying them a Christmas present.
The guy she likes is almost 12 now, nearly a teen. He plays football and I swear he shaves. She’s just a baby still not even into the double digits but she likes a boy way older than her. Mom says to get used to it that she was just the same when she was younger.
Well, for the record I don’t have to get used to it, I plan on being the mean older brother and scare the bejeebers out of all her men. Todd is going to be in for a big surprise when he drops in and I’m around. He will get the 52 questions plus some from me, which will probably make Lori throw household appliances in my direction. Just for meanness I want to pretend to measure her windows for lock bars. Actually she’s moved up to Jacks old room on the third floor. This is a huge mistake on my parents’ part; Jacks would have “visitors” for the weekend there and slip out undetected late at night or slip in if the case may be.
I know, I know, be nice and let her have her boyfriends but why cant she just play cheerleader and do that “Color Clique Day” deal still? I liked her when she would be afraid of the jellyfish in the water and the waves were too high for her. Now she runs out in some string thing and hits the waves like a pro. She talks online or on her cell phone all hours of the night. No telling what she does on her little chat sites. Her notebooks are covered with hearts and smilies and boys names.
She and Julie both have posters of the current boy bands on their walls and giggle and dream about them. Once I walked in on them one day setting up for a mock wedding.
Oh man, my head spins.
In a good 3 or 4 years she will be dating and seeing guys in other ways, I know right now she just likes the idea of having a boyfriend, she’s had one since she’s been five. I still think back on the poor boy she made sandwiches for and they were really made of sand.
Has anyone invented a way to turn back time?

-Pats belly-

I am so full and happy and content, still! Thanksgiving was just perfect, everyone sitting around the house milling about talking. Luke and Julie came in a day early to settle in, since it’s more of a task to get her two monkeys in order. That night Luke and I sat on the deck drinking a beer or two and wondering where Jacks might be. He was with Jess of course and was to leave later on that night; he left around 2 am due to my coaxing him up and out the door, the earlier the better! Around 8 am he rolled in beaming his huge smile and wanting to cuddle the kids. He looked somewhat healthier than the last visit, maybe he’s gained a pound or two, and I had to go check out his new truck. Luke and he were going to have a long talk, Ha ha!
Lori was all of excitement because she decided that this year she would cook some sweet potatoes, she usually has the roll assignment but wanted to graduate. They turned out pretty good, along with an assortment of sugar cookies and multicolored sprinkles she felt like a huge help. Mom was proud she wanted to be included in the kitchen.
G and PG rolled in around 1; they have to share their time with the other kids as well.
Kyle and Camen were into everything, PG was having a grand time telling them all about how Santa goes about making toys and can see you do bad things. This means Kyle would look around before poking his finger into the cakes and licking the icing.
Around 2 it was time to eat, I was starving and ready to pile into that food, of course PG did the blessing, after that Luke stood up to make an announcement. That’s right; we have another monkey on the way. Mom cried and G teared up over the announcement, and then scolded Julie for not saying anything earlier. Lori was ever so excited because that will be another niece or nephew to dress.
The whole time, in the back of my mind, wondering where Pops might be, what he was thinking and how he might be feeling. His whole life was in that house at that very moment, celebrating and sharing food and memories. My heart was sad, knowing someone was alone that didn’t need to be, on a day like this.
After, we visited some old school friends, the three brothers wanted to go out and have a dinner and hang out at Wal-Mart like some sort of rednecks, actually I needed some oil for my truck and Jacks needed some Goop for the mural he was to be painting my dining room. We sat there and ate and laughed about old times and current happenings in our lives. After our dinner we saw three people from earlier school days that were in to see their families. One was a girl in my class and her younger sister; they were giggly as ever, I forgot how much fun it could be to talk and reminisce about the old days.
It was nearly midnight before Jacks and I arrived at my home, he was supposed to call Jess, his thinking it was late so he opted to call her the next day, I said it was a bad idea, he said I didn’t know her temper. He was still hyped up so he decided to start on the mural, I didn’t want him to paint it just yet until I had some furniture in there, only cast it out for painting later (Christmas). So he drew and we talked, I knew the fact that Pops not being there weighed on his head, in fact he was blaming himself for it. After many hours of drawing and redrawing he had his perfect cast for painting, he loaded up to go back home a day early, I knew he really wanted to be alone so I didn’t object.
Luke, Julie and Lori and I ventured out for Black Friday shopping. That was a treat in its self but I managed to get in a few good deals and home by noon.
The rest of the weekend Luke and I goofed off and did some occasional shopping, he gave me some ideas about the café and tips about the new house; we worked on the gate between PGs barn and my house, which brought me back to the old tree house days when we were growing up. Arguing what needed to be done and how, that I was right and he was wrong, just like old times.
That’s why I like the holidays so much because it gives me a since of family and caring and love, I see where I came from and the stock of people in my life, and feel blessed to have each and every one near me.
On a personal note: I have to be reminded it’s the holidays, when forgiving and understanding should be made easier. I plan on doing that and living my life without holding a grudge.

Holidaze

Those of you that read this blog and my previous one know I call this time of the year “Holidaze”. The next 2 months will be people blowing about the shopping stores, trying to find the perfect gifts, and cooking those wonderful meals for the whole family.
I start my shopping in July, this year I was a little behind but about right on track now. Cooking is reserved for Mom and Julie and G, only to run into the kitchen and nibble, it’s my job to go in there.
I’ve worked on my plans for the café this weekend and have it sorted out, maybe this week I can talk to a contractor or two and see about the permits. Bee is all fired up to serve and sell, why, I don’t know but if she’s happy then I am. Never realized that so many women wanted to do this sort of job in their lives, I talked to Jess last week and she said she always wanted a café as well.
I text and talked to Jacks, waking from his nap! Yes! He was taking a nap! We needed to get his arrival time down and his route due to the fact he always seems to have some sort of a mishap on his trips. He also wanted an idea of what to buy for Christmas, since he has no clue, if it were up to him he would still buy Barbie’s for Lori and no, I don’t know what to get Jess.
Saturday G dropped in the house looking about; I could tell she was trying to see what I might need. I suggested baking pans or some other cooking item, which seemed to please her.
Lori spent Saturday night at the house; she was all excited about being the first to sleep in the guest bedroom. I think she wanted to jump in that bed before Jacks did this weekend. We woke up on Sunday and I made breakfast for the two of us, she wanted to go look for Christmas trees, I don’t care for the real deal one so we opted for the nice clean bug free plastic model. Personally I don’t care to even have a tree up; it’s just me here so we bought a tiny table version to make her happy.
I talked to Jacks this morning he was all happy from his “Great weekend” they cooked American chopped suey, I had no clue what that was and impressed he was cooking something so exotic. Later I found out it was hamburger ground up in spaghetti sauce. Oh he fooled me! Maybe for Christmas he can cook one of these meals for me, also I should add Jacks to the list of people that will cook this turkey day, Mom, Julie, G, Jacks.

Another 100 things about me

You all can blame Amy for this:

1. My middle name is Jared. – No, I’m not that formally fat guy
2. I have two brothers and one sister, one bro & sis younger, one bro older
3. I can’t stand the sound of bones/joints cracking.
4. But I was a champion board breaker in Tae Kwon Do
5. I currently own my own business starting from a lawn cutting position
6. I currently have 22 employees.
7. Four of them work in the office.
8. I had an older brother to die before his first birthday.
9. I graduated from high school wanting to write professionally.
10. I wrote for a paper in Atlanta.
11. I attended College at Georgia State.
12. I graduated with a degree in Arts & Sciences.
13. I’m currently working on a degree in Horticulture.
14. I some day want to retire in Key West and write short novels.
15. I wear size 14 EE shoes
16. I still don’t know what the EE means.
17. I am left handed.
18. One parent is left handed and the other is ambidextrous
19. I used to swim in the ocean all night long talking.
20. I haven’t surfed in two years.
21. I hate the smell, look, feel and thought of tomatoes.
22. I can and do eat any other vegetable set before me.
23. One country I’ve never been to is Japan but would like to go.
24. I used to have a Norwegian elkhound named Tippy.
25. I don’t have a temper but known to stand my ground with much conviction.
26. I was once hit in the head with a huge rock, which provoked me to throw the wrath of God on the thrower. .
27. I don’t have kids but do want a houseful
28. I’ve moved over 6 times in my lifetime
29. Besides where I live now my favorite hometown was Nashville
30. I don’t have any piercings or have the desire to get any.
32. I’m not married but in love with a very special someone.
33. My first girlfriend was Courtney; we were in the 7th grade.
34. I have blonde hair that darkens in the winter
35. My brothers and I were always mistaken for twins at one time or another.
36. I love to read.
37. I’ve been known to tear up at beautiful art.
38. I took my training wheels off my bike at 4 and taught myself how to ride
39. During college years I wanted to play professional baseball.
40. My PG played for an AAA team in Nashville as a pitcher.
41. My PG & G eloped because my Gs parents didn’t like my PG.
42. He met my G in France.
43. My favorite color is blue.
44. My favorite flower is viola tricolor hortensis - you look it up
45. I lost my virginity at 17 to the woman I thought I would soon marry.
46. I like to sit and watch movies all night long.
47. If I’m in a mood, I close the door to my room and won’t come out.
48. I want to be just like my PG when I grow up – yes when I grow up.
49. I’m a good listener.
50. I like to give my advice.
51. I have a bad habit of looking my work over too much.
52. I have green eyes but are known to turn blue with certain shirts.
53. I have a fear of losing a child.
54. I like to dance but usually while intoxicated.
55. I took Tae Kwon Do for 10 years earning my black belt
56. I was home schooled until the seventh grade.
57. I am known to be a neat freak.
58. On nights with extra energy or something on my mind, I clean into the wee hours.
59. One whole summer I spent working on a three story tree house
60. The next year it fell to the ground.
61. That same summer my Pops helped me create it again but more sturdy
62. My younger brother and I made go karts out of lawnmowers.
63. My older brother ran mine under a parked car.
64. I’ve designed my house but wish to have the talents of my younger brother in that department.
65. I’ve been called a fashion plate and worry that I don’t know what that means.
66. I don’t like anyone touching my food on my plate.
67. I have an invention that needs a Patent.
68. I’ve a fear of electricity.
69. I once grabbed an electric hog wire fence.
70. I’m bad about not buying on impulse and don’t get why people do
71. I’m very organized.
72. I like rainy days and the sound of thunder
73. When angry I pace.
74. I chipped a baby tooth and when it fell out was disappointed the new one didn’t come in chipped.
75. I can multitask with ease with things that interest me
76. I can sit for hours just watching people walk by
77. I can not sing and never had the desire to.
78. I used to have a cowlick.
79. On my PGs farm I always looked for the cow that licked me.
80. I want a larger greenhouse.
81. I’m allergic to the smell of Lysol.
82. My favorite stuffed animal as a child was a duck my G made me.
83. I like dares and have been known to get into trouble trying to accomplish them
84. I love to camp.
85. The Atlanta Braves is my team of choice.
86. I met Ted Turner once
87. I believe in God.
88. I rarely talk religion or politics because I am set in my ways about them.
89. As a young adult my Mom baby sat for Ted Turner.
90. I want my kids to go to private schools instead of home schooling.
91. As of this moment I weigh 190 pounds working my way up to the 200 mark
92. I can easily bench press my weight.
93. I like playing word search
94. I don’t like mean girls that tell me they are cute, that’s something for me to decide.
95. I like to travel and would like to see the world.
96. My favorite way to travel is by cruise ship.
97. I don’t understand hunters nor feel the need to hunt.
98. I don’t like people barging in making demands.
99. I can be kind when asked to be.
100. I could go on but I won’t

Reckless

So yesterday I get this text message from Jacks “Hey, will you check on Jess for me she’s fractured her wrist and is home alone”. Ok sure, why not, it’s rainy here and I have late appointments.
She and I have this tag team affinity between us that we make jabs at one another, makes chatting fun. She fell in school in a puddle of water in the hallway and landed trying to catch herself -- natural reaction. Thus fracturing her wrist, this of course is very painful, so much so she takes pain meds that make her sick! What gets me is she is just like Jackson and runs to a Doc In The Box instead of going to her own doctor and getting the proper medications that may not make her ill. Ok Jess, I’m getting off your case now. Anyway, we had a nice long chat and giggled about my brother for a while then she drifted off to dreamland.
I checked out their project they are working on together -- it’s amazing. The house is one that Jacks drew for his new job, now they are decorating and landscaping. I didn’t know he had it in him. As you walk in the whole house it’s filled with love, time and patience put throughout the whole project. He says it has a lot of work and she says it’s perfect I have no opinion on the subject. Funny, he is very protective of this one, no one can add anything to it without his consent - it angers him and he grouses to me. I like to see him like that about his work, means he's taking pride in it. You can see both of their talents in it, she’s the shopper of the pair and he’s the creator.
The whole day each time we would come to a topic somehow it floated back to Jacks in one form or another. She loves him so. If I tried to knock him in a teasing way she would defend him and scold me for saying so. He of course loves her just as much, thinking of her the whole time he’s away and having to work. His conversations seem to go back to her as well, on things she said, or done or what they plan to do in the future. He busts his ass to be with her and make her happy, this I know because I’ve seen it. Juggling school and work and then coming home to her cant be the easiest task to pull but he does it with a smile.
Why do I call this reckless? Well, the two of them have to be the clumsiest people on the planet. One will get sick or injured as if in a competition, from walking pneumonia and car wrecks, fractured wrists, flu’s, stomach viruses they have shared it all, neither taking the time to take care of them selves properly for the other.
This is my rant for today since my weekend wasn’t really anything to comment on. There is always next weekend!

Thanks Jacks for the song Pink- Glitter In The Air

Look out, I’m sappy today!

Today Bee and I sat and had a nice heart to heart talk -- just because. She’s that type of person that you can sit and talk to about anything. It first starts off with casual chatter and then giggles, and then always turns to serious talk with tears and true feelings that come pouring out. Sitting in the greenhouse drinking a sweet tea, nice easy listening music chirping about, letting every emotion hit us, oblivious of the world around us, we are deep in conversation.
Good friends like that are hard to find, you don’t have to hold back on anything or worry later what you might have said. I wont have to dread about it coming back to bite me in the ass, she keeps things herself as I do her side of the conversation.
“Have you ever wished for an endless night?” those lines keep running in my head over and over. To me it means experiencing life with a wild twist and open point of view. It’s not like that I’m conservative in the way my life is lead but to know about thinking of taking other turns to make a different out come, I guess this is the bed I chose to sleep in. Not that I’m unhappy with it – don’t you ever have a George Bailey moment?
Bee is a different type of friend, not only that she’s a female friend, she’s sensitive to my feelings, be it about my Pops or work or some idiotic customer. She never compares herself to anyone else or brings the conversation back to how she feels. Always listening with an open heart and mind, eager to give and opinion if needed and an uncanny way of knowing just when a good time to have a long sit down chat. I have to say she knows me more than any of my other friends. It’s an appreciation for her insights on life and giving examples with her experiences along the way. It’s a breath of fresh air to have a semi adult conversation without someone interrupting you or wanting to be silly.
On the flip side of the card I try and do the same for her, listening to her stories about the guys in her life. How she misses being home with her family, where she sees herself in 5 years – that makes me snicker at times. She’s independent, a non whiner, drama free and set in her ways. She has a back bone and will tell you like it is in a minute, I can come to her and say something and she tells me flat out that I’m being silly.
I guess this is my “Thank you” for being there for me in the ADHD times and putting me in my place when it was needed. Telling its always best to stick to my guns and backing me up when I need it.
Oh yeah, Happy semi Birthday you!

OMG the sky is falling!

Jacks didn’t make a new dinner on Sunday! He couldn’t call me and brag about the great meal he had and the fun he had making it with Jess… I’m kidding, they were both too busy to cook this weekend.
On another note Mr. I hope you find the right truck in your shopping adventures. Just remember the rule of never buying a 1st edition on anything, let everyone else work out the kinks. I hope you are feeling better after the mishap, I swear between you and Jess I could start another blog on your antics.
I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with… Jess keep the reigns on him pulled tight.

I will go more into detail on this next week… ah Mark another cliff hanger!

Goofs and mishaps

Have you ever had one of those “insert foot in mouth” moments? I have for the last few days or have been witness to them. My hat goes off to….
The dingbat that hangs out with us -- I’m sure everyone has heard about the Freshman 10 but now it’s been adjusted to the Freshman 20, I guess this day and age Americans seem to be getting larger every year. That’s the set up, now the story – Last weekend I wanted to go out and have a nice dinner, play a few rounds of darts and pool and chill a bit. “Its all good” until you bring along some of the girls and they start off with the fat-chat and what not. Then you have some idiot guy that asks “when’s the baby due?” to one of the girls who isn’t fat, she’s just not stick thin. That’s when all hell broke loose and the girls were all against the guys. – I pity the fool.
To the waiter who needs to keep his yap shut. One of the ladies in my office who isn’t under the age of 30 went out with a few of the girls who are. “Will you be paying for this or your Mom?” Nice move there Sherlock and get a clue, if you don’t know what there status is don’t pretend to know. Sorry for your tip or lack there of, bud.
I made a major mistake today talking to a friend of mine and clearly didn’t think. She was hanging out in the hospital during the same time I was recovering from my dehydration days. Her mom was sick and she spent many nights there with her, which was the last time I saw her since today. She made the comment on how improved I was since our last talk and of course I had to ask her about her mom. She didn’t make it, I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me, of course this was nearly two years ago but I still felt bad bringing back bad memories for her.
We all goof or say things that come out wrong, maybe sound rude to the receiver, a lot of times it’s laid out in text where we don’t hear that sly snicker or the heart felt tones. I’m learning to roll with the punches and watch where I sling my words, “times, they be a hard one!”

Leaves are falling!

It’s getting that nice crisp feeling in the air now, this morning I woke to a slight rain and leaves on the ground. I used to get out on the weekends to go leaf peeking, up in the mountains; it's beautiful to ride your bike up or down and the colors of leaves swirling all around you.
I may bug Chris into taking a ride tomorrow. There’s nothing better than to go the night before and enjoy yourself then get up in the morning slap on a helmet and ride with the cool air in your face to drive out to eat a hearty breakfast of pancakes bacon egg and toast.
I visited Trace and Michelle finally after their honeymoon; I’ve been so busy that now was the time for me to endure the “room of love”. They looked happy or course, Trace was plonking on his guitar and Michelle in the kitchen making something that smelled out of this world awesome. Then forced to sit and look at the wedding videos and their trip to the islands (No, I didn’t get to see the gross stuff). Trace still had that “head resting on his palm with gooney eyes” just staring at her.
I want that, the perfect Cleaver family episodes every day. To come home and smell dinner cooking, have a meal then snuggle up on the couch and watch a little TV then off to bed. Someone to share washing the pots and pans with, and sorting the whites from the colors in the laundry, waking up with a sweetheart next to me every day. Not only missing them as I get ready for work but thinking about them as I am at work and eager to get home to them to discuss how their day was. Long snuggle weekends of doing nothing together of sharing the Sunday paper in PJs and long slow walks if we chose to do so.
I know my day is coming for all that and more and for one good thing, I’m in no hurry to have it. I think the anticipation of wanting it and then dreaming about it is more exciting.

Breaks...

We all need them, they rejuvenate the mind and soul, sometimes it’s just a break from school or work or even God forbid the internet, or that certain someone in your life.
My breaks have been from school and some whacked out people I know, not so much work because of the cooling weather it’s easing up now. Although the café is screaming to be worked on and my house isn’t fully furnished yet.
I had things to tend to this weekend i.e. Halloween and my birthday. Friday was fun; I of course sent the entire office ladies home so they may get the little guys ready to Trick or Treat. Signed online and talked to my buddy for a few minutes, she appeared to be extra busy and I was ready to hit the road on my journey of fun so I bolted on her early.
Lori and Julie wanted to go to the farm for the church Trick or Treat function and then spend the night after. Somehow I agreed to tag along with them and Mom and G for a part of the night. Last year it was at church and since it was such a success they wanted a bigger area so they chose a huge barn to have it. In there, they had a huge grain bin of corn the kids could hop around in and play, naturally my goofy sister decided that a full coverage of the corn would be fun until she found out the corn can and will get in her ears! I left after that excitement to meet the guys for some hot wings.
Luke sent me a cute picture of the “Monkey” Kyle sitting on a table, he didn’t look too happy up there. Camen was posed as some little princess all interested in her wand. I got a chuckle from them.
Saturday, woke to birds singing; I’ve not listened to or possibly noticed those sounds in a good while. The sky was crisp and clear and everything was quiet, minus the birds’ chirping. Enjoying the solitude and made a huge birthday breakfast, talked on the phone with Luke and the family and Jacks. After a long shower Amy called to give her wishes, and then ran out to have lunch with my girls.
That night was pure kayos and wildness, something that wasn’t expected, that’s what I get for having Chris back home. I was set for a night of Hooters, shooters, wings and beer and a side order of pool and darts. Chris had other ideas of spending the whole evening on the bar strip of Savannah.
Sunday came and I slept most the day away, that’s where plans were made for Jacks to do the mural and the café and when to start school again, now is time for a good break.

Schemers…

A definition of the word Schemer: a deviser of plots and plans, especially secret or cunning ones intended to cause damage or harm.
This is an interesting breed of a person, one I wish you never have to experience in life. There is a whole menagerie of schemers in the world. You have the “pity me” the “switch and bate” the out right “stealers” the “get a heads” I could go on and on.
I’ve worked with and have employed them, went to school with, dated, lived with, caught on the street and online, mostly ran from them. The schemer that gets me the most is the one that pretends to care or be your friend to get full advantage of someone else.
I remember in school the one girl that always seem to befriend the straight A student in each class (no, that never was me) How ever I did have one that wanted me to help her on her homework and projects in payment of pizza and beer.
My Pops is the king of smoozing and scheming to get clients, I’ve seen him go out and play a round of golf just to run into “old Joe” who just so happens has a condo plan going up or wants a complex drawn, I guess that’s business.
Politicians are keen on the smoozing, a friend of mine works for one, for 5 years out of the six years of their employer’s term she’s treated like garbage but when election time rolls in look out all is good. (Can’t say who this is but I’ve rapped about this before).
I’ve had people be nice to me to get close to someone I know, hence this rant today. When I was younger my older brother Luke was being followed a by a girl, Luke only having his head stuck under a set of dumbbells never noticed her, so she struck a friendship with me. She would come over to do homework or a movie or play a game of pool, what ever and the first thing she would ask “Where is Luke?” Her head constantly bobbing and weaving looking for him, I was crushed.
Now it’s come to my attention that it’s happened again but in reverse order. No, not someone was befriending Luke to chum around me but once again someone befriending me to go after Jacks. (Ok, do I smell?)
I write my blog, as you know, as a journal of my travels and tribulations of my life. I don’t blog hate shit, or falsehoods and rarely do I use a name unless it’s approved. When I think of something funny or that really pisses me off I babble about it here. But Shay, what you have done and said and the vile acts you have pulled is way beyond comprehension. I’ve e-mailed you to stop your banter comments and received words only a drunken sailor would spew from you. Let’s not make this a war of words because you know I can easily slay you.
What’s done is done, they only want peace as do I, and he isn’t bothering you nor has he ever. Take a step off the fantasy bus and get into the real world a while. He is happy just like life is and that’s dandy for the rest of us too why not you?
Why am I commenting on here? Well A: this is MY blog and B: she keeps clicking that “Contact me” button. In which I rarely respond to unless its here.

Humorous side of life…

Last week I had a power house of a head ache, because of the change in the weather. I slept most of Saturday which recharged my batteries; believe it or not it helps to just veg out for a day, something I’ve not done in months.
Some of you asked me if I still go to my Gs to eat, of course! Hardly miss a Sunday, in fact it’s less of the “eat and run” situation now. Jacks is too far away to indulge and Lori is willing to stay as long as Mom and I do. So I eat then nap, then work on whatever projects PG has for me to do, taking the trail down to the barn, and hop the fence and I’m home.
Lori is full of cheer rah-rah these days, once again being the cheerleader for her little schools’ football/basketball /volleyball teams. Mom says she out in the yard doing flips and whooping and hollering with the other little girls in her squad. Being 9 I’m surprised she has a major crush on a boy on the football team, he is huge to be 11! A big old linebacker, when I was that age I was considered a big guy but he is whopper big. I tease her and ask if he has his own bench in the gym, its not that he’s fat he is a big guy, his dad is large as well. I said he likes her for her cookies she makes, (every weekend) and then received the poke in the arm over it. “Leave my Todd alone mister”. Todd….she doesn’t want me to go there.
Speaking of cooking, I believe Jacks has entered into the culinary arts and not a school for architecture. Practically every weekend he speaks of a new Sunday dinner he created via the help of Jess. Its great he is learning to cook, God knows he needs to learn without burning the house down and gaining back a few pounds wouldn’t hurt him. They are doing quite well; “She’s the first person I talk to in the morning and the last at night”. I told him the other night he might as well be married to her; they spend every waking moment with each other. He just laughed at me and said “Leave my Jess alone mister”. Nah, he really didn’t say that, he just laughed and agreed!

Another down

It’s Friday and very quiet in the office at the moment. I let everyone off, why? Because I just wanted to let everyone off, this means I have to man the phones and the customers that come in the office. The guys in the field are working, they have due date projects that are not completed, and the ladies accomplished theirs yesterday. Besides around three today I plan on closing shop and us going out to Hooters to have wings and beer.
Maybe that’s what makes us a happy group that we all work together and go for one goal and reap the rewards in the end i.e. a three day weekend along with being paid for it to boot or a hot wing.
Living on my own now I’ve had some “get to know me time” learning about who I am and where I want to go. Oh, don’t worry, I’ve been extra busy so it’s not like there was much down time or ponderings. Maybe at the end of the day, when everything is quiet just reflecting on how my life is going and wondering what may come. (Sometimes I feel like the only person on the planet that does this).
Mom and I talk a bit more; I’ve been more vocal on a lot of issues, usually more so when I write, at least that’s what Amy says.
Nothing really banging around in my head, well there is: I don’t like how I treated my Pops on that last day home, yes he is an idiot but he is my Pops. Ever have that bad feeling when you see someone, lets say with a bad attitude and you think to yourself “I’m never going to get in that position or be like them” Well, you never know, maybe it’s a flaw in me to look at someone and worry that I might turn out with a trait in them I don’t like. I don’t want his temper.
I’m not looking for the “Oh Mark you did right in wanting to hit that crazy fool” believe it or not Mike Tyson, hitting isn’t the solution to everything. Whatever it is, my mind is churning that’s making me think things out and spatter them on this blog.
I need a good Jacks or Lori story to get me rolling, maybe this weekend I can poke at them and get one.

:/

Baggy pants are a waste of material
I’m not too proud of all my acts
High prices of gas bug me
I’m not always happy with my work
Girls that cackle to get attention
The way I feel about others
Dead silences on the phone annoy me
The way I feel about myself
I hate saying goodbye
Pretending not to feel guilty
People in my business
Being labeled as something I’m not
Thoughts of eating a tomato
Being pushed in different directions
Wanting to give up
Slow songs that make me sleepy
Wanting to hit someone
No rainy days

Read between the lines, you can either chose the silly route or how I feel. Or feel this whole post is nothing but babbles.

The real Friday

Well, it’s a lazy day here now, just like its supposed to be, I was hanging about hoping to meet up with my Online chat buddy but that seems for not, Amy has been calling in crazy times so I haven’t been able to catch her, things will settle down soon enough. I yapped with Jacks, correction, Jacks and I text one another, he is bored in class and all hyped up for getting another raise. I really believe to be in the wrong profession but congrats to him! He loves to draw those houses and is currently learning about landscaping at least I can give him pointers there.
Lori and I had a nice phone conversation last night, she wants to see a movie with me, Right! Me and five of her best friends I can hear it now and then and spend the night party at the house, maybe next weekend, and this weekend is for me to break the house in properly and give the neighbors and idea of what just moved in.
Ok not that bad but I do plan on inviting some people over since the weather is semi nice cook out and watch the game, I’ve missed that so much and it’s needed. We are buying spare ribs and BBQ and what ever meat someone else drags in to cook and have an all out good time. Of course the neighbors are welcomed to join in too!
Mom and I spoke Tuesday night for a brief few minutes, she said whatever Pops and I discussed must have struck a chord with him, he asks what he can do to correct the current situation. I say nothing but who am I? She seems more at ease right now, possibly because he isn’t being a jerk around the house and focusing more on her. Which is all good, let’s hope it keeps up.

Made it!

So last Friday rolled in like a lion, I’ve been packing all my belongings the majority of the week and poking them away in my newly built detached garage. This whole time having to dodge the old man now and then, he would look in my boxes to see if there was taking an item that wasn’t mine
The garage is the last area I pulled my belongings from, that’s where the fun started. Just as I was taking down my Bow Flex Pops drove into the garage, I kept on working and ignored him. He stood there for a minute grabbed his briefcase and walked into the house. “Whew, good no smart ass remarks”.
About fifteen minutes later running face to face with him, he pushed me up against the wall and insisted that he look in the back of my truck, I invited him to look. He found nothing of his in there, then continued to dismantle the Bow Flex, when he grabbed me by the shoulder and spun me around, “Give me Jacks phone number, I know he has my scales, I want them now!” standing there with a smirk on my face and flipped the wrench in my hand as if to let him know “I’m not afraid to use this” on him as well. Then pulled my shoulder from out of his grip and said that he might want to check his office that Jacks didn’t have anything of his, didn’t want anything of his and could care less if he did have anything of his. This reply infuriated him so he resolved to poke me in the chest accusing me of turning Jacks against him that Lori wouldn’t cuddle with him anymore because I said Daddy was mean.
Each jab made me angrier and with each one I would see or hear some stupid ass act he might have pulled on me or Jacks in the past. After the tenth or eleventh poke I swished his finger away and let him have it, I placed the head of the wrench in his chest and pushed with a smile on my face. I informed him I’m no longer living under “His roof” that this kind of torment was unacceptable, that his delusional acts of stupidity were going to stop. The next time he laid a hand on me he would find himself on the floor, no matter what. Then I chose to use some language he would understand and explained to him why Jacks wants nothing to do with him and how his own daughter is repulsed by the sight of him.
After I told him how I felt about him, how he needed to grow up and learn some of the values he gave us, everyone in the family thinks he’s off his rocker. How his own father feels like he needs to be put into a Nut House. How his mother was so sad because she didn’t know where she had gone wrong with him. He was an insult and embarrassment to every male on the planet and we were all ashamed of him. That if he was so afraid of us leaving him behind that pushing us out the door with evil acts was an odd way to keep us around.
I can’t believe when I was younger I wanted to be just like him, was so proud to have him as my Dad, if felt to trust him with my feelings and dreams and aspirations in life. Now all I see is an envious old man, someone that’s afraid to see his children go farther in life than he.
He stood there in awe, said nothing to me just looking. I could tell I hurt him with my words and possibly the wrench in his chest. I didn’t move, nor blink, only staring straight into his eyes. After a good five minutes he walked out of the garage and into his office, I continued to load up the truck with the last of my items. Called a few friends to go out to dinner with and tried to forget the look on his face. Walked into the house and said my goodbyes to Mom and Lori and that I loved them…….that is where I stand now.

Episodes

As I said last week – if you are interested- that I would update on the issues at home of me moving.
Personally I’m not a person to want to get the last word or the last lick in on a fight. Usually saying my piece or throwing a punch and going on my way, there is no need for constant battles. Nor is there need for drama to be created in your life for no good reason. If I’m wrong then prove it to me and I will be on my way, let’s be adults and carry on with our lives.
So, having said that let me digress a bit here with a back story of my Pops, some of you know him or know of him from this blog. He grew up with older brothers that all liked to pick on him which provided him to be a fighter, not to mention he’s half Spanish and they do have a good temper. He was taught to be a good guy, hence the reason why my Mom fell for him, I don’t think she would go for a jerk on purpose. In his defense he was taught to be “all boy/man” meaning to stand your ground don’t let anyone push you around and take responsibility for your actions.
When the 3 of us boys came along, not counting Matthew who didn’t live over a year, he felt that we three needed to learn how to be men. Not only that but gentlemen as well, we are to treat women with respect, love and understanding, there is no excuse not to. We aren’t to be pushed around or let anyone insult us, play hard and play to win. It was as if we were in the army with him at times, but he also let our Mom instill a soft side to us as well, say, in showing our emotions and creativity.
When we were growing up all the other kids wanted a Pops like ours, he built tree forts and games and go karts with us. He played paint ball and coached little league and did the grill outs and beach parties like a champ. When we hit out teens he became a little sterner with us, I think it was because he didn’t want to become a grandfather before he hit his forties.
Then my Mom has several rounds of sickness, that I believe threw him for a loop, he became shut off from the world in one sense. He did evil things in desperation at the time we thought we might lose her. Some I don’t like to think about because it still makes my blood boil.
He also was starting his own firm, which I do know how it is to start your own business, how stressful it is. One minute you’re flying high and the next you lost a huge client. Still none of these are excuses for the atrocious acts he’s pulled.
So with all that babble above we hit the current time of last Friday night….. it didn’t go well…..

Friday!

We made it! I say “we” because it irks me at times when the conversation is always one sided, “I” this and that. I had super long conversations with an old friend today, she was all about how she didn’t feel well, how her job was going and her family life, not once did she ask about me…. I wanted to tell her about the house!
Well “I” moved the vast majority of my worldly possessions to the garage in the last two days. Not that had enough to fill the garage, but one side is pretty well cluttered plus room for my bike. In the house there is my bedroom suite, some bathroom essentials and kitchen ware and two TVs. That’s enough to keep me going until the garage is sorted and cleaned.
Since my days of college I’ve collected a few odds and ends that do need to be chunked out to the garbage. During the cooler weather and weekends I plan on working on that.
When I walk in the house it echoes from the tile or hard wood and my boots, everyone that knows me, knows I clump when I walk as well. Still no living room furniture to be placed and knock down the noise levels a bit.
Lori and I are going to look for her bedroom furniture this weekend, nothing frilly due to the fact she won’t be the only one sleeping in the room. It’s the guest bedroom; in her mind she thinks it’s hers only. She can have it if she decides to spend the night instead of hanging out at Gs or if Mom and Pops decide to kiss and make up and travel she has a place to lay her head.
The other bedroom is going to be my office for a while, I think Mom and G are looking for the dining room and kitchen tables; my only concern is the living room. Tonight will be my first night there, the cable and internet are set to go as well as the electrical and water, all I need to add is me.
Did I do as I said and lay into Pops? Tune in next week and find out!

Tuesday’s child….

I do have far to go, not sure if I am a Tuesdays’ child although, oh of course I could use one of those handy dandy “What day were you born on” web pages but I’m too lazy. Hopefully this weekend I can move in a few items into the new house, nothing major yet because I still have some things to do around.
The garage is set and I plan on filling that up first with everything that needs to be moved in. Then in a slow drawn out process move each item I want into the house and discard what is no longer needed.
Lori spent most the day with me; she’s out of school this week with fall break. We went on a pumpkin hunt, since she is so confident I will have hundreds of trick or treaters this year. Which included the decorations and of course candy, yes we are early and yes the candy will be gone before the 31st, that’s how it works right?
Chatted a while with Luke some last night, one kid is a monkey and the other they don’t know yet. Kyle jumps from Batman to Superman, I say let him be a combo of the two. Kyle has a little girlfriend now in his class, they sit and pretend not to like each other but manage to play during the outside time. The teacher called to let Luke and Julie know about his antics during the day. What she doesn’t know is they go to Sunday school together as well.
Pop blew a gasket Sunday night, something about work and Jacks grabbed one of his tools and he needed. Jacks didn’t take any of Pops drafting tools, he just wanted to rant, after an hour or so of throwing out four letter words and all of us ignoring him he finally shut up. Mom has been speaking to the preacher once more about him wanting him to do more counseling. It’s a waste in my opinion but I won’t hold anyone back.
Michelle and Trace have invited me to dinner Friday night; I haven’t had the chance to see them since they have returned from the honeymoon.

2 Weeks

That’s how much longer it should take me to be able to start moving out. Am I happy? YES! This means moving away from the idiot or as Jess and I like to call him “ASSHOLE” yes in all caps.
For the last week, he has been rambling around the house making life miserable. I think it’s all because he knows it’s almost time for me to fly the coup. He rants about the yard, the TV or that I’m not in school, if I leave the news paper out of order, my clothes or boots. I work outside for a living, not pushing a scale and pen around so I sweat, get mucky and grimy, which means my clothes do as well. I don’t ask him to do my laundry; if he hadn’t drawn the house he’d not know where that damn room was! He complains that it’s in the laundry room and wants it out. Well, soon old man you will be getting your wish.
Yesterday, he was in an lather because Jacks sent him a thank you card for his birthday present, anyone else would be grateful for the acknowledgment “Generic card, the stupid brat!” he ripped it to shreds and insisted on calling to low rate him on the phone. Hey, I got one and so did Mom and G and PG and Lori, we thought it was very sweet of him to think to do. Lori giggled because Jacks drew some cartoon guy in hers; each of ours had some special note inside. Ok, maybe his didn’t but what does he expect? He pushed Jacks and continues to harass him, with insults and threats.
He tried to bribe Mom with a new car, she drives it of course but she’s still angry with him and told him the garage apartment would serve his purposes very well. Mom is in shock over his attitude and I catch them in heated battles often. She is confused as I about his actions.
Lori still won’t be in the same room as he; she scowls when he comes home and gives him dirty looks. She tells G that he is a mean man and he doesn’t love her Jacks and Mark like he should.
My PG at times says he wishes he was 30 years younger to pin him against the wall and tell him a thing or two. Now that would be a site to see, I made the offer to pin him and he could do the talking.
A few summers we visited his parents in Florida, his father is nothing like him. He is kind and considerate, like my Pops was in earlier days. His mom is funny, she likes to sew and do crafts, loves e-bay and reading my blog –waves to grandma- during my visit I tried to get to the root of why only my Pops out of 5 boys would be like this, I still don’t see why.
Well old man, soon enough I will be gone, you will only have Lori to scowl at you and Mom, just as you wanted it. The first thing I plan on doing is having a “Getting away from the asshole” party and then invite Jacks to paint my dining room wall.

Another one!

First off I have to say, Amy you are evil to the max this whole weekend. She knows exactly what I mean and will be repaid in a big big way! -laughs-
Now for the “Another one”, its Jess’s birthday today, not many of you know her but its Jacks girlfriend. She used to have a web page here, but from what I hear, freaked out when she had over 90 hits in an afternoon.
From all the chatter that Jacks speaks of her, she’s very well loved. She and I have had the chance to know one another as well, I like to talk and tease with her. I can tell Lori will be crazy about her because she loves the kids so much, in fact that’s what she does, is take care of the little ones in her class.
Very strong willed, and determined to get her way. Funny and a bit of a prankster, she’s the perfect match for Jacks because the both can’t keep their mouths shut for very long.
She’s been teaching him how to cook, which is a feat within its self. Jess; get Jacks to tell you about his dinner of crunchy macaroni and burned shrimp or how he peels the potatoes. Laundry is no longer a problem for him either, which is good because he is a clothes hound.
Anyway, I hope you have the very best day Jess and many more to come.

Milestones

Yesterday I was talking to Luke he of course was rambling on about the kids and wife, his little girl is now going potty in the proper place. Everyone was excited and they put stars up on a chart for “Camens’ potty progress” I guess that’s pretty cool. Kyle had to tell me all about how big she was, half the words he spattered I couldn’t understand so I gave the obligatory “Ohhh and yeah!” just to make him happy. They were playing tug-of-war with the phone each trying to get to talk to me. She is growing up; they both are, so fast.
Today is another milestone for someone else very special and near and dear to my heart. Its Jacks birthday, I tried to make plans with him this weekend, but could tell he’s beyond that point in his life now. “It’s just another day Mark”. I believe his office wanted to take him out to dinner, he wasn’t too eager to do that either. He’s never been one of those “Look at me!” kinds of people.
I asked him what they planned to do and he said that Jess has been pretty sick with a cold and extra busy in her new job to really settle down at the moment. I’m happy she’s going strong in a job that respects her talents as a teacher and recognizes someone earnest enough to want to work. Hopefully she will make a full recovery for her birthday that is coming up soon as well.
Lori and I mailed cookies out to Jacks yesterday so he should be getting that surprise today, along with a card and a long “I love you” note and drawings from her. She wanted to have a birthday party for him with balloons and cake and streamers and party hats. She doesn’t even want that why would she subject him to it? Wait maybe that is a good idea!
Mom and G sent him clothes and a cookbook, so I should send a fire extinguisher. PG is sending him the newest remote control helicopter to crash. My Pops wants to have a long sit down talk, like an adult with him, I foresee him cooking a soufflé before that happens. Actually, I’m sending him money and movies, money because I have no clue what he really wants and movies because he is a movie freak.
Any matter, Jacks I hope you have a great day/weekend. Know that we all love you and are thinking about you on this day.
FYI: for those of you that don't know hes changed his e-mail addy, like over a year ago.

Happy Birthdays

Its Amy’s birthday today she’s legal here now. That means no more looking over our shoulders while gambling at the casinos.
We have had a few birthdays and each one of the special in their own way. She woke up spry a chipper this morning to talk to me some and then off with her G to have a big lunch and hopefully shop a little for herself.
Anyways my baby cakes I hope you have a wonderful day and night keep it clean if you party – like I know you will! We have many more to come
Anyone that knows her give her a birthday shout out and hugs and kisses.

Checks

Flooring in? Check…
Tile set? Check…
Mold work in? Check…
Painting finished? Check…

Now, I ordered my major appliances to be delivered in the next few days, everything is pulling right along now. I wanted an extra garage/workshop in the back of the yard with a drive out to it. That company should be there for the next three days installing the building.
Next will be my job to work the yard, I’ve already have it in my head what I want and where. Of course me being a “lawn boy” by profession it needs to be a showcase of my talents. Just like a carpenter would want to display his work or an architect his creativity in home designs.
Mom and G have been dropping in making suggestions for the furniture; I want sturdy and masculine, nothing too dark however, but something to hop on during football games. Some of the ladies at work are eager to see what I put in my kitchen, since cooking is a favorite thing of mine to do and I made the kitchen extra large for entertaining. I promised them a dinner just as soon as I get settled in. Where did I put that number to Pizza Hut?
Bee has been a huge help for me in the kitchen department, not knowing the difference from one kind of oven to the next, she also suggested the type of finish, the no print stainless steel, and I was going for the bland white. Also the tiles for the kitchen floor and the counter tops, there were way too many items to choose from.
I’ve been keeping my promise of not staying in the office as much, only stopping here and there to blog and check my mail and reply if needed. The phone situation has cleared up some due to the fact that the majority of the random non scheduled callers have gone back to school or entered the work for themselves.

Busy times

I might become very busy for the next three weeks, helping on the house build. I want to get things rolling before the cooler weather comes in. Out of my Pops hair and foolish ways, I find it easy to want to crack him in the head lately.
With Amy all busy with her jobs and family and Trace all married and I sent Chris and Wayne out to South Carolina to see what we might find there, it’s very quiet here, easy for me to get into some trouble unless kept busy.
I was chatting it up with someone during a boring lag in the day when I noticed their replies were becoming shorter, as in two words or less and the smilies flew up, which made it harder for me to follow the topic; basically I was carrying the conversation. (Partially they weren’t feeling well and another is I think the conversations was a snore fest) When it dawned on me that I’m bouncing around trying to find entertainment when I should be out working on the house, I closed out my e-mail and dropped these few lines. Blogging wasn’t much help both because I want/need to rant about my Pops and it’s not quite baked in my head how to word it.
So, I plan to blog a little less frequently and most assuredly not to be on my account waiting to hear from people when there is work to be done. Tonight I plan on going out with a few of the guys for a real dinner and a game of pool and darts. I haven’t done that in a while, unless it was to plan for Traces wedding.
Oh yes, I need to comment on that, he enjoyed the suggestion for the honeymoon. From what I understand they were able to see some of the island before they left for home, I think they stayed there over 10 days. They somehow came home smiling and tanned and wagging souvenirs in hand. Maybe this weekend I can pencil some time in to check out how married life is going.
I really need to get back into school but opting out this semester would benefit me greatly in the house and organizing around the office, especially if next summer we plan on putting in the café. That will be a down time project during the winter months. I can’t believe that summer will be officially over on Sunday and fall will begin. Times fun when you are having flies!

House check!

The last two days I’ve been doing house checks, its moving right along. No big problems to speak of just yet, hopefully I’ve not jinxed myself. Only issue I’ve really had is with the roofers and nails, every where I look there is a loose nail lying around just asking to go into some unsuspecting foot or tire.
Helped Lori make some cookies last night, she is making a batch for the girls in her group and I forced her to make me some as well. There is nothing better that home made cookies fresh out of the oven, when you don’t have to bake them.
I talked to Amy some yesterday, she of course is working her fifteen jobs per usual. With the stupid bosses that always overlap one job with the other. She said she failed to make it to one job because she was informed that she had the night off, later she found out she was scheduled t work. – Idiots.
I signed on my e-mail account and found that Jess had sent me an e-mail, its funny to chat via e-mail. Ex: “Hi how are you?” Tap - Send… wait. E-mail chimes - Open and Reply. That went on for an hour or so, until some customers came in wanting some advice and help.
Yesterday the painters arrived and trimmed out the house, that morning the trim guy was there putting up baseboards and crown molding and what ever treatments he does.
Today I go to look for fixtures, cabinets and faucets, sinks, major appliances, etc. I think the tile guy is there today which I need to check on at some point, hopefully the guy that lays the wooden flooring is there before the weekend.
As I said it appears to me moving along at first I didn’t think anything would be started now that’s all changed. I should be moving in by next month.

Dear friends….

Last week I made mention of Jack, I also made the error in not mentioning that it wasn’t my “Jacks”. So all those e-mails sent to me in a worry over what “Rainman” has done now was for not. Jacks, my brother, is fine and living and happily in love and craziness.
Jack is another story; JD is a wickedly funny young man and brilliant and loved his God. Very active in his high school and church with lots of girls giggling after him and how he loves to make them giggle. He played varsity football and baseball, which was the main reason for me to go to some of the games. Huge smiles on his face always, mainly because of his beliefs in God and knowing he’s to be always happy. He would pull out some of the wildest kids and sit and talk to them, trying to entice them to join the church. It didn’t make a difference that you were, long haired, shaved, doper, slacker, jock, prep, rich, poor, he spoke to you with a smile.
The fourth of July they had a family outing where JD was doing his natural showing off on the Jet Ski when he lost control, a few tumbles and tosses across the water but he would recover, or so we thought.
In the weeks to come they noticed changes in his attitude, he wanted to sleep more, no appetite and he kept to himself, nothing like the JD of the past. He didn’t pick on his brothers, he wasn’t eager to get ready for school everything seems to be slowing down. I saw him a few Sundays ago and noticed the change, the spark left his face. He seemed less inclined to carry on any kind of conversation and more so appeared to be confused.
A few tests and x-rays to check him out they found the culprit a blood clot, apparently from the accident of the 4th. Trying out some techniques in hopes that it may work without surgery was their first option. It was a chore for him to be excited about going back for his senior year and a worry on his family.
He didn’t make it, a few Friday nights back he decided to go to bed early for the weekend of shopping and school preparations, he didn’t wake for the next day. That morning a few nudges from his parents to rouse him up were futile.
I guess that’s why I posted about showing your kids love and affection when ever you can. Not that his parents didn’t do that, just a reminder for others that life can change on a dime.
During the services the majority of the young adults all had their chance to say something about him, be it some humorous story that he may have done, or how he put a mark on their lives. Along with the classmates that wanted to give their stories about him it was a full house of tears and laughter and old memories of someone so young that can make an imprint on your life.
Think of that the next time you are in class and want to make fun of the odd person, to be apart of the gang. Think how your life will change and others around you if you treat them with respect, in the End, its more important to how you will be remembered.

I am a shell of a man…

Well, I own a shell of a house, yesterday was settled enough to really look at the production of the new house. There are exterior brick and roofing and the plumbing and wiring right in place now, this makes me feel better to see, it’s like something is really there. I walked over to my grandparent’s barn lot and you can see the roofline, this winter with the foliage down you really can see it.
Now comes the fun part of drywalls and ceilings and door jambs and doors and window treatments. I haven’t really picked out the paint colors; actually G and Mom will be sorting that out along with the appliances and cabinetry. All that I suggested was no carpet, only tile and wood floors, no sissy wall paints and curtains.
At one time I was afraid to come home to Barbie’s Dream Home, with Loris hand in the decorating. She’s more concerned that her Pokey wont be able to come over and visit.
With me being very close to the barn, we can work something out. PG was going to put a new gate in on my side of the fence so we could walk to each others houses.
My grandparents are getting older and I see little feeble ways every day, they need someone close to watch out for them. I need to get out of the house and be on my own. I don’t mind being close to my family but then again there is that needed time for privacy. Right now, if I wanted to invite someone over my Mom or Lori or my Pops would traipse in. Having a place of my own would be easier and under my rules, not that I plan on having wild sex parties or run around the house naked all the time, just to come home and relax and not have someone tugging at me.
My grandparents’ house is a good ways away from their barn; in fact you can’t see it from their house. Which in turn makes my house farther away, unless they made the loop around and drove into the subdivision, I’m all set on the privacy issues.
At least now the rain isn’t a factor in the projects since they are all inside. Maybe I can keep up and report where everything stands.

Ahh the Little Ones

I spoke to Luke today just he was checking on us, I was checking in on him. Of course he had to tell me all the adventures of Kyle and Camen, those two are pickles I tell you. Kyle is in Pre School and he loves it, right now the sport is to chase the girls and try to get smooches from them. Of course if you try and hold him and get smooches he makes the craziest faces and squirms away. His favorite part is of course story time, the teacher has a small platform that is slightly raised, he wanted to know where the pillows where because he thought it was a bunk bed. The other night he said he found a dollar, when they asked him where he found it he pointed to Luke’s billfold. His little incident with the umbrella hasn’t fazed him one bit, he’s still all over the place.
Camen is in the throwing stage of life, if it’s in her Pack N Play it’s on the floor. Julie says she can be cooking breakfast and Camen will be up and you can hear “plunk, plink, plonk” from in her room where she is throwing items out. Right now she gets into so much trouble throwing her bottle; she takes a sip and hands it to you instead of chunking it, the of course wants it back for another sip. She was helping her mommy do the laundry the other day, she would grab one items and say “Ma, ma” holding it up to Julie to fold.
Little rascals like this make me want to have a house full; incidents that happened last week make me worry in losing one. Jack you will be greatly missed, I don’t want to really blog about this right now maybe in a while when I can sort my thoughts. All I have to say is, if you have children no matter what age they are. Give them a hug or a kiss on the cheek or just a pat on the back, even if they do squirm and make faces at you, let them know they are loved and thought about.

Hannah fo Banana

Hannah wasn’t that bad, just a big old blustery wind and a lot of rain, she even scraped past to hit land north of us. At one time I was more worried about Ike who is going for the gulf now. No real disasters but my cell phone which I dropped into a puddle of water.
My dream town might have a good smack of it, which is Key West. I love that town, it’s small and quaint, bustling with tourists, some great food down there and since they do have a lot of flooding with the smallest of rain, I think they would keep me in business for a long while.
I’ve been thinking about that place more and more, I don’t know why, even with me building my own house. I dream about it. I can remember one summer we spent a few weeks there, my brothers and I would go to the most southern point in the United States and look out over the ocean. Jacks would jump in the ocean and say “Look, I don’t have a passport!” Luke would always be poking his head into the bars; we definitely weren’t of drinking age then. I did my fair share of doing odd things but mostly I enjoyed the people, the eclectic mix of old and young.
There was this old man that would sit and tell you stories of pirates and their treasures, it would keep us quiet for hours as he spun his old tales. I don’t expect to move down there now and find him still telling them but that was the kind of town it is. Just laid back, no expectations, you did your job and relaxed the rest of the time enjoying the beauty surrounding you.
Jacks and I were talking the other night about how we both wanted to live there; Luke wanted no part of it because he’s Mr. Big Computer Man. We even when so far as to pick out where we would live on the island - opposite sides of course. However, I don’t think Jess would go for such a slow paced place, I have no doubts Amy would love it.
At any rate, they are just dreams and wishes for later on in life, right now I will settle in completing my house and school.

Lori and Hanna

I foresee my little sister as being an actor or singer or the next Opera Winfrey when she grows up. She can sense when a problem is around, when I was her age, if anything but if my G was making cookies was going on I didn’t know about it. Lori knows of course my Mom isn’t well, she also sees my parents don’t get along as they should. She knows when I’m tired or in a mood because that’s the very moment she demands my attention, any other day I’m non existent to her. She can be loving and sensible and try to talk to you as an adult.
When she was much younger I could coax her to find Jacks and sing and dance for him, he hated when she came in his room and made her productions. Or at least he put on a great act of disgust when she put do her made up tunes and dance steps.
Right now we are getting ready for the tropical storm Hanna to blow in, I’m not so much worried about this one as I was earlier, due to the fact it’s diminished in strength. Of course, this is Thursday and anything can happen between now and Friday night when it’s supposed to make landfall.
Tonight we plan on packing a smallish bag and I do mean smallish to go to the inside house for a couple of nights. If there be a storm surge that may cause us some problems I don’t want my little sister or Mom to have to hassle with that.
I plan on picking up all the lawn items so they don’t blow away and making sure all electrical tools are high on shelves along with putting my Pops RX7 up on the ramp. Grabbing the required survival items for the inside house, bottled water, food, batteries, fuel, and movies!
Like I said, I don’t think we will be having any issues with Hanna when she does come ashore but it never hurts to be prepared.

Wedded bliss

Friday was a hustle and bustle day for everyone with great results and a wonderful outcome. I rose to my Mom asking me to come see her new present in the driveway, a sparkling new Jaguar. My jaw hit the ground; it was from Pops he wanted her to be able to ride up to Atlanta in comfort. Fine with me! We loaded Lori and her and all their belongings in the trunk and off we drove.
We made it in record time, to sit and chat with Luke and the family, meet Michelle’s grandmother and have a big lunch. I was sort of worried because Jacks hadn’t made it and he was all excited to have that big lunch with us as well. I found out why, after he called to let us know he’s on his way on two donut front tires.
I guess along the way he hit a board that wiped out his front tires on his truck, luckily he had a spare and a can of Fix A Flat to let him limp in to purchase the temporary tires. He made in nearly an hour before the wedding, raced to shower off all the sweat and grease on him and change for the wedding.
The wedding was spectacular; Lori and Julie pranced down the aisle after a little coaxing for Julie. Its funny to see how backwards she is now, when she was smaller there was no telling what may come out of her mouth. Now she is silent but still adorable standing around with her cute cherub smiles.
Trace beamed with pride when Michelle came up the aisle, I heard him gasp when she appeared. Her long dress was floating behind her and older brother walking beside. Jacks and I stood beside Trace to watch our friend so very happy.
With shaky voice, Michelle gave the vows as did Trace, then he turned to sing a song to her. She wept a few tears and trembled as he showed his love for his wife and new life to be. You could hear sniffles as the bridesmaids tuned up with tears as well and the groomsmen snickering.
After the wedding was the dinner, the guys sat on one side of the table and of course the bridesmaids sat on the other, except for Lori who insisted on sitting beside Jacks. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him the whole night, introducing him as her big brother to everyone. He loved it.
After the dinner Luke, Jacks and I and the other groomsmen did the traditional of mangling the car, with soap and paper streamers and foam and empty cans. I think that part of the wedding is the most fun, it’s like everything else is down hill from there. No more making sure to stand in the correct spot, eating with the right fork, or stepping on someone’s toes
Trace was so proud and happy and wouldn’t let her go; they had to pry him away so they could get ready to leave. When it was time, we flung birdseed at them as they left to jump in the nicely decorated car.
Later I caught my Mom with tears in her eyes, talking to Traces mom. During my Moms weakest moments of her sickness, Barbara would walk over and visit, they would talk about the future, watching their children walk the aisle and having babies. How happy they would be to witness it, I know in the back of my Moms mind she felt she wouldn’t be seeing any of that, of course she did and will see the others down the line as they do the same.
The weekend is over, Jacks has gone back to his home to be with his girlfriend, Luke and his group is home, Trace and Michelle are off to their honeymoon. We drove home slowly chattering about the wedding and the few days spent there. I came to ready for the upcoming hurricane Hanna…..

Rainy days never get me down

I’ve been sort of busy with the wedding plans, moving in and all around helping with all that jazz. It’s been fun to make fun of Trace with each day coming closer to his impeding nuptials. It looks like it might be fair weather for the wedding night, my G says if it rains on your wedding day that it’s a good sign.
Thinking back on Trace as we all grew up together, I never imagine him being married before me. It’s funny to see him take on responsibilities like a grown up, oh, he is going to kill me for that but I suspect he won’t be reading this for a while.
I remember the day I met him, well actually Jacks met him first. We just moved into the new beach house tinkering around on the beach. Jacks naturally gravitated to this guy on a surf board and they became instant friends. Inseparable they were, getting into trouble at Sunday school and later church services. Traces father is the preacher, so the wrath really was cast upon them just about every weekend.
Rock battles, colored water balloon fights, pranks, fires, fights, homework, football, baseball, racing, singing, crying, laughing are just some of the crazy thoughts that run in the back of my mind of us growing up
In our early teen years Trace would spend some time with me and Luke, buying fireworks and liquor. The summer that my parents left for Europe with the constant parties, he was always just a few houses away for some fun. The summer of haircuts, we three thought that if we cut our hair short on one side, this was Jacks idea, that we would be the coolest guys on the island, this lead to all three of us having a crew cuts and sun burnt heads for that year and constant taunting from the longer haired boys.
Triple dates and double dates was always an adventure with us, since he was the preachers’ son he always wanted to be out of the mold causing havoc where ever he may be.
Ever the defender of his friends he was just as eager as I, in fighting someone for the defense of a friend. During ball games he would be right in the mix of the battle if there was one.
The year I ended up massively dehydrated and in the hospital for those weeks, he helped with the family and made sure they were all comfortable. Especially my little sister, making his little sister hang out with her, he was just that kind of guy.
He and Jack learned to drive together in a beat up pick up truck on my grandparents’ farm. That tree is still nicked pretty furiously to this day and they still won’t say who the driver was.
Later the girls were older and the issues more serious, he kept up with the rest of us dating and being out. At a time I felt he would call off the whole idea of dating again and shunned us all for wanting a partner, those were some long hard weeks but are long gone. His heart is totally taken now; I see it in his eyes when he talks about his future in his little living room the other day. He had a glazed look in his eyes as if he had an open window to the next ten years in view. Trace, my friend I wish you nothing but happiness and hope in your next adventure. You found a wonderful caring and beautiful woman to spend the rest of you days with on this earth.

Fay come this way!

The last few days have been mildly moist for us, not that I’m complaining, we really need the rain. I’ve been talking to some of the farmers around here and they are all saying about how the peanuts and other crops are burning up.
I’m glad not to be a farmer, its hard enough to get yard plants to stay alive. Right now if my choice of planting could be it would be corn. So I could make some money off the ethanol production. Some day maybe they will make a car that runs off cotton seed oil, wow the world would smell sweet then!
I’ve been run ragged trying to help Trace and Michelle with moving, cleaning and organizing. Friday night is the big night for the two of them; Trace can’t seem to smear off that smile on his face. He wants to play a song for her during the wedding, brave man! It no surprise to her so don’t scold me for putting this in early. For the last week all he does it practice it over and over.
Spoke with Jacks a while yesterday to make sure he doesn’t come down on his bike, its still raining here and I believe at his house as well. That’s all we need, him down here with a cold to pass it along to everyone.
Lori is about to flip out, she’s excited to be a flower girl as well has having her big brother home for a day. She has put her dress on so many times now that the creases have worn out. Standing in front of the mirror, spinning about admiring herself in her pretty frilly dress and shoes. I can’t count how many plans she’s made for them in his short stay, actually he could be here a little longer since it is a holiday weekend.
As soon as I get home I will post as many details possible about the wedding

Trying on clothes is trying

I’m not a big shopper; clothes to me don’t make the man. I wear clean clothing to work and get them dirty/sweaty in the end result day.
Last night I was fitted for my suit for Traces wedding, what fun! Ladies, until you have Sam the Taylor sliding a measuring tape in areas you don’t feel comfortable you will never understand…. And don’t give me the “well try the gynecologist” routine please. I really am kidding ladies; don’t hit me with hate mail.
It is just a boring ordeal to stand there while he yanked on sleeves and checked the cuffs and shoulders, after 20 minutes it was over and done with. On to better things, the bachelor party plans. Of course Wayne and I made necessary arrangement of “special guests”. Trace wants to start out at Hooters, which is fine with me, at one point this weekend he is having a wedding party on the houseboat that he sings on during the weekends.
I spoke to Jacks early this morning and his suit is ready to rock for him as well, he’s gone down two sizes when G sees him….yeah.
Trace and I will at some during the week be moving him and Michelle into the apartment they found. It’s a cute one bedroom set up, only temporary until they find a home they both like. Michelle of course has the most to move in; I think Trace might have a truck full of personal items.
We are doing our best to include little Julie in the whole process, she’s a flower girl in the wedding along with Lori. Over the last two years she’s become very introverted and didn’t wish to be a maid of honor. If it were up to Lori, she would be front and center doing a dance and a cheer.

Parents

You know at times I want to pity some parents; then again, I want to pity some kids.
The other day I had to go to Builders Square for some equipment as I was there, two little boys were throwing a fit to go home. Granted Builders Square isn’t the most fun place to be but I noticed the Dad totally ignored them whimpering and whining the whole time. Eventually it began to get extreme when one of the little chaps decided to sit in the floor and carry on.
I’m not going into full detail what I’d have done to that kid but you can imagine; in fact a few people were relieved when they finally walked out of the store. If that were me or one of my brothers, we wouldn’t have been able to sit very comfortably for a while and really hated the site of two joining walls where our noses would have been firmly planted for a long, long while.
I know that parents mainly have their hands tied when they are out in public. Every time I think of punishment in a public area I think of child welfare coming down on my head for abuse.
My PG always said to “Keep it at home” in other words; if you do something out of line expect the wrath to come on you the minute you step in the house. If I did something wrong I paid for it in a big way. My grandparents made us work in the garden; my Mom was a believer of putting you in a corner, my Pops believed in the belt. I think chores are a good punishment, I can remember being pointed to the garden many times. Luke rarely felt my Pops belt but many a day he had to cut the grass or pick up the yard. Jacks would freak if he was sent to the corner.
So many parents give out that empty threat “wait till we are home” and the kids know it. “Oh, I forgot about it” or the ever popular “Well, they were so good at the time”. I would be good after being a brat if I knew it would get me out of a long corner standing.
The hard part of it all is that the parents don’t see that slighting their children with the results of being bad only hurts the kids. If Jimmy sees that he can race all over Wal-Mart and knock over the items without any repercussions, later in life Jimmy will think its ok to knock over Wal-Mart and walk out with their money.
I guess all this stems from a conversation this morning where one of the Moms came in late to work because her child refused to go to kindergarten class. In fact she stated “No mommy, I wont be going” which lead to an all out battle for the two of them. I asked if anything would happen when she got home and the Mom said “no, what can I do?” Well by all means get a good chuckle out of it and carry on! See you in about 5 years pulling your hair out trying to get the little brat to school and you ending up in jail for child neglect.
At least talk to the kid and explain to them in simple terms why they need to go to school or why its not cool to whimper and carry on in the store. Looking away and pretending they aren’t yours isn’t helping the situation.

Dates are set!

I had a semi busy semi slow day yesterday, in the morning I did my favorite job which is laying pavers down for a patio, in fact I will be doing a lot of that in the next few weeks. A new subdivision is being made and all the houses are having paving block patios and walk ways and the occasional retaining wall.
I hope to be in the mood to put my own down when its time to add it to my house. I checked on that late yesterday evening, it’s moving right along with the foundation. There are a lot of houses being constructed around mine so it’s interesting to watch the growth. I’m also curious to see who will be moving in next to me.
After the house check I stopped in to check on Trace, the wedding date has been set for August 29th at 7 pm. In the back of my mind for some reason I knew the wedding would be on Labor Day weekend. I was given my instructions from Michelle what type of suit she wanted and shoes. I like a woman who does that; she gives you exactly what she wants no whining or hemming and hawing she tells you flat out how it’s going to be. Besides Trace needs someone like that!
Trace was nervous about it already, he is asking me ideas where to take her on the honeymoon. Their deal was, she had the wedding she always wanted and he could pick out the honeymoon location. Tomorrow night I plan on picking her for likes and dislikes on her trips, I even gave him the one of the places I would go as a suggestion St Thomas.
Jacks will have to be fitted for his suit as well; at first it felt very awkward for me to be the best man. Because Jacks and Trace are very close and practically grew up together, but Trace and I are of the same age and in the last couple of years become just as close. Jacks took the news like a champ and only wishes the best for them, besides with him so far away it’s hard to plan and have dinner parties without the best man. Who would give him the proper bachelor party?
Now speaking of the bachelor party, I need to work on that!