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…..