A Little Blah In Every Ones Life

Reunion time again...

2011-07-15T21:26:00.000-04:00

Well it was the second Sunday of July once more which means the yearly trip to my uncles farm to gather around the “pig pit” or BBQ pit and enjoy the smothering heat together. I of course cooked a small casserole so not to show up empty handed and look like some sort of useless dweeb. This year I stopped by G and PG s home to pick them up, it also looks like I really went out on helping for the picnic. PG has been having issues with his back lately and shuffling a full ice chest and countless dinner boxes couldn't make his back any better. I was there an hour early to help out and load up the truck, he seemed grateful but in a pesky mood.
Some always would gather up the night before so the older guys can watch the pit and share ghost stories and old family tales. When we three were younger I couldn't wait for that night, mom would let us take a sleeping bag and stay up as long as we could manage. I would inhale fried apple pies and sweet tea to keep me going until the sugar rush would finally hit me into a crash. Some times Trace would have dared to hang out that night with us as well and bring his guitar.
My Pops had already made it over to the farm and plopped down in a chair sharing stories of his youth with whomever would listen. All the older ones seem to enjoy hanging out under one of the many silver maple trees planted around the house with those industrial sized fans blowing about. All the men my PG age would occasionally comment on how they didn't have these fancy fans blowing about, “we just stood out here and sweated it out”. Of course no one points out you wouldn't catch any of them more than a meter away from the cool air now.
My uncle that sponsors the land for the picnic passed away last year just before that years reunion. I decided not to attend and fiend “a headache”. I cant take everyone being sad and down from the lost of a beloved relative. He has four sons who now have taken on the yearly task.
This year not as many people were in attendance, possibly because we are going through some of the hottest weather in decades. No matter how many huge fans we had blowing about it wasn't going to help much. The lemonade that's made every year couldn't cool you off, I of course opted out for the sweet tea.
The kids are getting bigger as well, the twin boys that I helped with a few years ago now have a baby sister and those boys ripped and romped around the yard chasing each other. I found it amusing to watch them when each family “group” did their yearly family photos. Just like our twins they found each other and wrapped their arms around their necks with heads together and stood to smile for the picture. When I was that young at picture time I wanted to be as far away from Jacks and Luke as possible, I disliked the “Oh they all three look so much alike” remarks.
The one child everyone was sure not to survive past 5 is now in the sixth grade. He is slow in walking and talking, head awkwardly shaped and topped off with shock bright red hair. He has the sweetest disposition in life and loves football sadly is unable to play, the school lets him coach. Friendly beyond friendly, he cruised the pods of families saying hi and getting whatever conversation he could out of them. He, my Pops and I had a long chat on his plans for his team. You go little man.
Lori is at the age now where she doesn't really care to be with family, it isn't cool, she couldn't wait for the storm clouds to come blowing in so we would have to scatter and run home. She wanted to hit the beach and be with the girls. Girls yeah right, I know what she wanted to be with, I was the same way at that age and I did want to be with the girls.
I kept my eye out for G, the heat wouldn't do her much good so she planted herself in a folding chair near a fan under one of the tents and chatted most the day away. I half expected someone to stand in the line to get her lunch but after the prayer she hopped right up and took her place to make her own plate. She seems smaller to me now, her white hair even whiter and silver blue eyes even bluer. She had a small patch on her shin from the surgery still, that damn staph infection hasn't totally cleared up there.
Subject topics haven't changed one bit, the older tell you all about their aliments and doctors visits. Then you have the ones that talk about who is and isn't married and those that talk about work and children. When the “why aren't you married yet” subject comes rolling in my direction I tend to slip out and play with the kids or suddenly get dry and in need of more tea because the next I hear is
“You need to come over to the house I have someone you should meet”. I swear every one of my aunts could get a job at Match.com. I like how things are now thanks.......
Fortunately for Lori, around an hour after everyone stopped with the food the clouds rolled in, of course that doesn't last long but makes it for a quick excuse to pack up and run home to nap. Which we did.

Happenings/a catch up/updates

2011-05-27T13:41:00.003-04:00

So I've been here and there the last week or so, with work of course. Its really picking up and throwing me for a loop. Memorial weekend is upon us, so the start of warmer days have cranked up.
Lori has graduated from her class and spending most of her summer at the beach. Shes almost a teen now. A teen!! She will also be helping with G and PG on the their farm for some spending cash.
My parents seem to be getting along, probably because the three major issues have moved out of the house and out of their hair. Another reason is my Pops is going to a counseling and the much improvement of my moms health. --- sighs a breath.
Mom is doing so much better with her health, she has some low days now and then but that's just the blood disease doing its damage. She goes for her tri-yearly treatments of new blood and shes perked up for a week or two.
Speaking of my Pops and his chats, how I would love to be a fly on the wall to understand what exactly it was that turned him against us. Well, not so much all of us just Jacks and I. Luke was spared the majority of his wrath and Lori only witnessed it on Jacks. I spoke to my mom a couple months ago and she mentioned he was attending something to help him. In my heart I knew it wouldn't last, he proved me wrong. She also mentioned that he would be at some time getting in contact with me to attempt to reconcile our differences. He did, on a few strained occasions. (something I really need to hit in depth later)
Luke is driving down with Kyle this weekend while Julie and Camen and the twins stay at home, surprising to me. Luke says that he and Kyle really haven't had time to spend together. I don't know if Luke is trying to over compensate from the way he was raised or what. Kyle is on his little T-ball team, which of course if hes anything like is aunt means that hes in the outfield rolling around in the clover.
I would like to spend a day or so with the two and get a laugh here and there. Luke wants to start him on a boogie board this go round. I hope I haven't let the cat out of the bag when and if Julie reads this.
Jacks is ever busy at work and school and that's all I know, at the moment hes cut himself off from everyone. Which pisses me off because I cant spew whats going on in his life.
Trace and Michelle update: they had that little rug rat. I wasn't supposed to really mention it until much later but its been nearly a week now. A little girl with sweet big wide eyes and named her Joy. Trace wont put her down so I imagine in a couple of weeks her name might be changed from Joy to something a little less happy.
Traces little sister, Julie is in heaven shes a big grown aunt now, actually shes grown now. I see her driving - oh wow, driving - down the road now and then. Remembering her cute little dances and her and Loris attempt to drive Traces truck through their garage.
I had to go buy PG and G a new BBQ due to the mishap with the newly purchased one that just so happened spilled out on the highway from their trek home. I wont even mention how angry G was with PG and his insistence of not listening to her when she suggested laying it down in the bed of the truck. I thought he knew better to lay something down that had wheels but I guess not.

In the news...

2011-05-23T14:55:00.000-04:00

Not only have I been keeping up with the weather in general but also the Casey Anthony case.
The weather appears to be getting worse as the days progress. Jacks still says he hears sirens from the police and ambulances racing up and down the highways. Also the slightest change in weather he loses his power and sits around waiting for that to come back up. To hear stories of families losing other members and all of their possessions and trials and tribulations and the courage to go on is inspiring to me.
The trial is interesting to say the least, very sad on the bigger side. I'm not sure where this diatribe is going, just something on my mind so bear with me here.
I'm seeing a young single mom who appears to claim she was molested by her father and her brother as a child. In turn being, after the accidental death of her 2 year old daughter she chose to block it out and party for I guess 31 days.
First of all I have to say the little girl is a total doll, the videos show her as a typical two year old rambunctious and rowdy. Big round brown eyes and toothy grin. How someone could purposely kill this precious child is beyond me.
The defense is stating that it was a possible drowning and Casey was overly distraught to come to the police to admit what happened because of her abuse by her father. The prosecution from what I manage to understand is saying Casey killed her daughter, stashed her in her car trunk for a while and then to bury her close to her parents home.
Right now they are questioning her father, boy was he really stern on the stand. I, of course couldn't fathom how I would react there. In some sense he appeared defensive and argumentative but I could see the defense badgering him as well. He appears to be tired of all the drama and for the odd reason the smell of gasoline and wants it settled.
Question: If George had control of the duct tape and he was aware the Casey was drowned, why would George have the need to cover the kids mouth with duct tape of an already dead child? Maybe I missed the point there.
Secondly she dated some real winners, one guy sold a picture of the mom and daughter for just a little over 4k to a tabloid.
When I first heard the story I thought: Oh another mom that had a kid super young that wanted to get out and party a little more and her daughter was holding her back. Her jailhouse video conferences showed her as a selfish brat with a bad temper, who in my first impression had control of her parents.
We will see where this one ends.

Whether its the weather......

2011-05-20T17:49:00.002-04:00

I've been talking to my brother the last few weeks, his town was nearly obliterated by a series of tornadoes. He was said he saw funnel after funnel blast past his home over head and heard the rumble as things were flung around him as they eventually touched down, multicolor clouds along with rain and hail.
It appeared the majority of the destruction was in one part of the county. He said about 2 weeks prior he was in that very area helping someone move a new bed in, now you wouldn't be able to locate the house or the neighborhood.
The weather men had been predicting some nasty weather days before and suggested schools to close early so either parents and or children wouldn't be on the roads. The storms started early that day and near evening he lost power, that's all nothing more.... He was lucky. Figuring that the power would return sometime in the next day or so, he planned on waiting it out. One night possibly two without electricity couldn't be so hard. Later the utilities company said it could be up to a week before power was restored. For entertainment and information he had a battery powered radio a huge book he planned on reading, the phone lines were either damaged or flooded with other callers. One radio station decided to use as an information grid instead of music, they some how had power. Apparently the main electrical towers had been damaged causing a massive outage of his county and the surrounding ones.
He said the first night was nothing much of him sitting there listening to the radio station and people calling in to report they had no electricity or what damage they might have had or seen. He laughed at some of the repeat calls of people asking when the power would be on. Worried about the elderly that called in asking how they would keep oxygen or other medical equipment running.
The next day he had planned on going to the local market to purchase some ice to keep the frozen items fresh in his freezer, nothing was open. The stores that were open by generators quickly ran out of supplies, there was a slight panic and a run on a few items. Then things began to get a little sketchy, there were reports of long lines at the gas pumps. With no power there was no way to run the pumps or cash registers. Some wanted gas for the home generators, some just wanted to top off their gas tanks. He decided not to venture out. Later that night they informed everyone there would be a curfew from sundown until sun up. The police patrolled the streets, there was two reports of burglaries and one ended badly.
His second night he began to get bored and finally got a call through to my oldest brother. They wanted him to come and stay until things improved. He wouldn't be able to leave until morning and really didn't want to, some of his friends were going to volunteer to help clean up and he wanted to do that. That night people were calling in the radio station suggesting where you could get gas or hot food or generators, still the reports of damage came in as well. People would call in asking where to purchase an item close to them and in a few minutes someone else would call in with the information. The whole town was pulling together, the DJs would cheer if they heard of a town or street that had their electricity returned. He would think “Hey that's not too far away and his hopes would rise”.
On his third day he decided that things were improving enough at least so he could drive out and get to our brothers home for a nice hot shower and food. He felt like a cheater leaving, normally it takes him three hours to drive out but this time it took over seven. Traffic was at a stand still in many areas. His attitude changed as he reach their home to food and decent rest.
That night we spoke on the phone a while and you could hear the concern in his voice over the families that had absolutely nothing, his meager three days without lights would be nothing in comparison to their lives. Without television he really had no idea of the destruction that was around him and was amazed to see what damage was really out there.
Now hes back home and making a plan of attack, next time he would be totally prepared. I cant wait to hear what hes got planned.

Ahh I suck!

2011-05-05T15:15:00.002-04:00

I've been so caught up in redoing the cafe and new accounts and running here and there I've totally forgot about my blog, I've so dismissed this thing.
Everything seems to be running along smoothy with me, not to jinx myself. We some how managed to grab five new big commercial clients to keep us even more busy. I like that.......
Some have e-mailed me and asked about G, she seems to be doing much better. Her “bugs” as she calls the infections in her leg and chest are almost cleared. She has been excused by the surgeon and now is up to bi monthly meetings with her heart doctor. I give them both the doctors and her thumbs up. In fact she was is much warmer than normal so now she doesn't burn me out of the truck anymore or the house.
Mondays have resumed once more with my G and mom dragging me about the city doing what not, now I've semi got in the act with them insisting they help me with food purchases. I want to learn how to cook so they have offered to help me in that department. I'm sick of take out and overly salty foods. This year I don't want to sweat gallons and feel rotten about it later.
Lori is the typical nearly teen blonde female. Its all boys all the time. I look back and think when Jacks and I used to trade up rocking in her in the rocker, making sure she was out of the ocean or the pool. The occasional nights of feeling little cold feet on you when a storm would blow up and she couldn't sleep. Shes a good girl and better stay that way.
Speaking of the cafe I have been hanging out there a lot eating and learning the tricks of the trade on some cooking. We shuffled tables around and the menu a bit, I try to get my Monday ladies to stop in but they insist that's a Thursday adventure. Bah One day I plan on giving them a surprise and cooking for them in the cafe.
I'm happy that summer is coming along so soon, ready for the beach and surfing (ha ha Jacks). I think and have been thinking that this is going to be one wild summer. With the winter being extra wild, extra cold and tornado's in the past few weeks of spring. I have no doubts that the summer will be hot and possibly a lot of flooding.
We shall see........
Bin laden you knew your time was up............

Technology.....what!??!!

2011-02-09T08:16:00.001-05:00

I've been watching the News, well not local News but those popular News/Weather channels on cable. I've decided they are getting on my last nerve.......
You sit in your favorite chair, turn on the one eyed monster, the News blips on and what happens?
Reporter 1” Welcome to tonight's local live weather report in down town Detroit. In just a few I will tell you about record snow”
BAM the screen flips
Reporter 2 “I'm about to show you what 20 inches of snow in Charleston can do as soon as we return”
BAM the screen flips
Anchor” Yes that's right, we have snow, snow and more snow to talk about soon as we return”
BAM the screen flips showing you highlights of weather stats and 3 seconds of flip shots of different weathers in different states. To keep you glued to your seat.
Commercial breaks, after you get sick of the volume being raised on those bad boys the show returns and give you these short MTV type reports with the shake-o-cam and flip and triple split the screen so you really don't know where to point your attention to. A good 3 minutes of that and BAM back to commercial/s, the volume pops up for those once again and a return of previews of the news to come.
I'm thinking they have sucked themselves in the all-day dramas such as shootings or the latest Lohan gossip or heaven forbid we don't hear about the rare occurrence of snow (shocker) up north. Maybe they have forgotten how to sit down and actually give a good in-depth report about a newsworthy subject. My favorite "Lets all be quiet and listen to the celebration" No, how about we get up and get out there and get a report? Maybe chat it up with the locals.
Are we really that much of an ADHD society that we need this much brain stimulation while wanting to get the latest weather or news report? That we need the dancing bears and screen scrolls and tri-split screens to keep our attention.
To add to this in this day and age of "new technologies" we can send a man to the moon but can't get a clear video or voice across the world?

Well I guess the one option is to flip the channels or just go back to the newspaper......

Ah excitement about this weekend!

2011-02-06T13:25:00.001-05:00

We have the Superbowl and then we have G who decided at four thirty this morning to start having chest pains. Nothing bad really, the doctors are thinking its her gall bladder. No more surgeries please!! In fact, they aren't going to do one until she recovers from this last one in spite of the infection she cant seem to rid of right now. Shes at home resting well.
I'm excited about the Superbowl not because of the teams in fact we really don't care about the teams. Julie and Luke and their bunch came in early Friday, not for the games but are helping in a wedding that's next weekend and wanting to spend a little time with my mom a bit.
I get to spend a little time with the monkeys, Kyle is showing off his new cast he received on his left arm this week. Julie said she saw him jumping on the chairs and told him to get off or a time out would be coming his way. He did jump off and right back on to fall on his arm. He has one of those cool colorful casts, we didn't have that kinds of casts when I was younger. If they did, I'm sure I would have broken more things to wear them. His is decorated with stickers from friends at his school. Camen insists that it is possibly the coolest in the world and wants one as well, I think she likes the stickers the most.
The twins are full blown football hounds running around in diapers and Jerseys. Screaming “Tuff down” and raising their arms in the air with a little dance. Luke taught them those moves for the game.
Lori wants to bring her latest victim....boyfriend to the house to watch the game. Shes such the queen right now and threatens all of us to be nice “or else”. I guess off with our heads. Shes doing great in school at the moment but started off with a rocky start in skipping. That was nixed after she was cold busted by my Pops, mom would have been bad but Pops caught her. I've never seen the house and yard and garage so clean in my whole life. I don't get spammed with stupid emails either...odd
Jacks is here as well, God I've missed him. I've been in need of some entertainment these last few weeks and hes the right one to fill it. He drove down here to see us, also he and Pops are going to knock heads this weekend hopefully in a good way. Jacks says its time to straighten matters up so that he can go on with stuff in his life peacefully. Whatever.........
Trace and Michelle, who is looking more lovely in her present condition are coming. Trace has cut down singing at the pub and spends most his time with her or at work at the garage. They bought a house and I plan on landscaping it for them as a baby present. Hey, what else could I do?
Last night we set out a barrel full of steaks to be grilled out and plan on making pizzas with chips and dip and bucket fulls of liquid libations. Luke, Jacks and I made tray fulls of jello shooters and going to boil some shrimp. All this is going down at my house, with countless numbers of friends I'm sure this will be an epic weekend and a start of great year.

Babbles..the weather.... fun

2011-01-13T18:31:00.000-05:00

Well this week is almost spent and gone, its been a pretty productive one on my end. I'm debating on whether I should take my last year of schooling now or wait just a bit longer. I vote wait.....
The ladies in the office are once more at odds, kid trouble I suspect. Diane has her way of raising kids and Cari hers. Its sort of comical they always rub each other wrong about 3 times a year and this time its coming a little early. I know its going on when I suggest one of them pair up with the other on a budget or project and they roll their eyes. Girls.........
Mom is doing well these days, I've been asked a few times how she is doing. She had a little problem with her blood pressure bouncing around there for a week or two but I suspect it was from all the tension with my G. Women........
Speaking of G she dropped in to see me after her antibiotics IV for the morning, yes, shes still having to go every morning for those treatments, so much for a few visits. She and PG has a little time to waste before she had her next heart doctors visit and instead of traveling home and back again she spent a little time with me, arranging my desk..... Women.......
Luke is still snowed in and in a grumpy mood from being in cased in his house all week long by the mini blizzard in Atalanta. He was complaining that the Weather Channel reporter standing on the streets of New York would be cleared in the Am for the kids to go to school. “What an idiot, Id like to kick him in jingly jewels right now” Atlanta's last snow of any real measurable about was back in the 70s. How would it benefit a city to invest in snow removal equipment and use it every ten years or so.
Lori is jealous and wants to trot up for a visit to play in it. Hopefully by the weekend I might start a slow melt. I told her to be happy its just rain here and a little cool. Shes planning on a spend the night party at the house, apparently there's a lot of new boys in her class so the girls need a gossip home base to talk to them and what not. Girls.......
Jacks is in the same predicament with the snow and ice and lack of snow equipment to remove it as well. He's had the good common sense to get out and enjoy it all week long. I guess they allow 4 wheelers on the streets when its bad there. I asked him how his better half is and he said “Who?” Apparently they haven't had time together since the holidays. Girls.......
PG and I are planning on trip up to Charleston either this weekend or the next to see some family. I don't want to make any plans on travel till the roads are semi clear. I really despise driving in ice or snow. I remember when we were all younger my mom was in Nashville driving home from a nail appointment or something of the sort. It was a light snow on the ground and we three sat in the back seat of the car play fighting with our G I Joe figures when the car started spinning around. I guess mom had to find a patch of ice and lost control. We of course were on one of the many hills in town and the car banged into the side of the mountain with the front two wheels hanging off into a ditch. We weren't going any where after that.

New Years and beyond.....

2011-01-07T11:22:00.000-05:00

Well that first of last night of the year has come and gone. (According to “The prediction” just one more New Year to go.) I've been pretty busy these last few days working on budgets and plans for the coming season. The cafe needs upgrading with more tables and seating areas, also the green house requires new products to present.
Its funny how the market shifts, at first landscaping was the main part of our business but it appears that the do-it-yourself folks are out in masses and swarming the greenhouse. Luckily we still have our contract with the city to keep us busy on the landscaping end.
Our new year night was up to par, everyone drank in excess but chose to stay at the hotel. I like that hotels here have packages you can purchase for that holiday so you have your party, party items, liquor, entertainment and room right there in one building, so no driving. I missed having Trace and Michelle out with us this go round but since she is expecting they decided to stay home and bring in the year there.
Just like every year since I was eight or so my grandfather taught us to reflect on the past year and think the best way to improve the new one to come. My mission is to get along with my father, this will be a huge task.(I've tried this before) Jacks says I'm an idiot for even approaching the idea, he and good old dad are still at odds with each other. Partly because Jacks still refuses to go to work for him, at times I think its a good opportunity for Jacks. Since dad is moving along in his business and branching out not only in commercial development but residential. I have a feeling that keeping your sanity is higher on priority line to Jacks.
Luke called me the other day wanting to go on a bike ride this summer. He rarely has the time to do something on his own. This apparently was his Christmas gift from Julie, she received a 10 day cruise. I jumped on the chance, soon we will plot out our course, I've been wanting to go out west and so has he. Watch out Alamo!
His brood is growing and prowling around. Kyle has the motorcycle itch just like his dad. I guess they have something called Tot bikers or something like that, for the younger set -- 6 year old and older kids with their parents. Julie isn't a fan of the idea but of course Luke is excited as well as Kyle. I think its better plan than what we did as kids with hopping on a bike and just going. Sorry Tennessee for all the damaged trees, barns, fences and sides of houses we caused.
Mom is doing well, she plans on getting the shopping Mondays up and running again. This means my nice quiet first day of the week is about to go into full force of bag carrying and door opening once more (not that I'm complaining). G is still disgusted with the staph infection in the incision of her chest and slight case she had where they harvested the vein in her leg. She says its improving but the doctor popped her with a new antibiotic which is making her sick.

Imagine if......

2010-12-25T21:17:00.004-05:00

That's a weird title sort of an “what if” since we watched the movie 2012 it has rambled around my head. If that being, this is our last Christmas. Now, I'm not saying I believe in all the hype but it does make you think. What if........Knowing this, what would you do on your last Christmas?
For Christmas eve my grandparents wanted our family to spend it with them, usually we stop over on Christmas morning and open presents there.
Luke and Julie and the kids were there running around the house getting acquainted with everything again. Julie looked beat. Jacks rolled in late that afternoon with a huge smile on his face, before he knew it the runts were all over him.
Luke, he and I were going to go down town for a while and see some friends. Whatever it is about the holiday/end of the year, seeing old friends from school and work is different. Its like an affirmation of “we made it through another year”. We sat at our favorite downtown cafe and people watched and laughed. We snuck in the house not too late but everyone was already in bed.
That morning was pancakes and bacon and cereal to gobble up, we had a busy afternoon of going out and visiting other family and friends and catching that new western movie True Grit.
Since my G insisted on no presents this year, she couldn't shop for us because of the surgery so she didn't want any from us. It was semi The Year Without A Santa Clause at the house. Her normal feast she cooked, with planning days ahead wasn't to be, if it weren't for Mom insisting we can make it a family effort and letting G supervise, it would have been takeout for us. Jacks and Lori worked on desserts -- oatmeal cookies with and without raisins and a white pan cake with some sticky marshmallow type icing splattered with red and green sprinkles. Mom and Julie were on turkey detail and main courses and overall management. Luke worked on different sides. PG was on twins duty, more like the twins were on PG watch.
It made dinner somewhat more tasty and filling. It was a mish mosh of people running here and there washing odds and ends, the occasional “Uh oh” would waif across the room with giggles. We laughed at the lumpy potatoes Luke beat. The over brown rolls I made, the white uneven cake with red and green sprinkles.
We all sat at our respective tables grown ups and kids table, this year Lori sat with the big folk and beamed the whole night. A side the fact that Jacks slipped his tomatoes from his salad on her plate and she fake scowled at him --- nothing ever changes. We ate and talked about past Christmases and the hilarity of some of the wild presents we were given. PG would always tell us about some interesting present he got as a child, it still astonishes Lori that a simple Orange was a cool gift.
There were no presents to unwrap or paper to pack away or boxes to burn later. We didn't have to worry about next year pulling down tree decorations or lights on the house. It was nice just to sit and enjoy family. We sat and read the paper or talked or watched movies. Why haven't we attempted this before, I see now it really isn't the boxes or packages or lights that make the season.......
After spending the whole day we needed to get back to my parents house and see what Santa had left us, in some way I felt like the little guys were cheated because they had to wait so long to open presents but they didn't seem to mind. The littlest guys really didn't get the concept and Kyle and Camen were promised three Santa visits if they could hold out. So they enjoyed one at mom and dads, then when they made it home they had another and then of course at Julies mom and dads. What a life.....
We opened our gifts and gave our hugs and thanks and wondered how Julie, Luke and Jacks were going to make it home since the northern part of the state had its first white Christmas ever with over 6 inches of snow.
So for our 'next to last' Christmas it was pleasant and enjoyable.

Tis the reason

2010-12-19T20:56:00.000-05:00

So G is home now out of rehab walking every day in the church gym making laps. Shes been out a good 2 weeks now still weak but shes chugging along. Worry set in last Friday when we found out she had some “infection” where her incision is draining. Now, I put the word infection in quotes because they aren't certain what type it is, shes worried that its a staph infection. Of course they don't use that word its just a infection of some sort. HOW!! How can this be? The night before the surgery the poor thing was shaved, had to bath 3 times with a special soap. Then bathed again that morning and just before the surgery she was swabbed down with some yellow crap that is pealing off of her skin right now.
I asked her how this comes about and she said the tools used in the surgery were NOT cleaned properly. Why? Why would someone that is responsible for cleaning the surgical tools not be efficient in that one very important job? Now you say “Mark microorganisms are some times hard to clean”, sure I accept that. But I would be damn sure they were cleaned, my gosh the woman was contorted to some finger numbing shape to let the doctor get to crack open her chest and worked on for over 5 hours. Sat in that hospital nearly three weeks being poked and prodded in pain only to find out the tools to work on her weren't properly cleaned. She was an RN in her younger years and she told of all the steps the scrub nurse had to do to clean the tools in her day. Lots of steps are involved, she also said it was rare to hear of a infection after the surgery.
I'm mad that G is now going to an infectious/disease doctor every morning for the next two weeks to get an IV full of antibiotics pumped into her. Its also the fact that the hospital there is full of other patients....does this mean they had the same problem? Does this mean the surgical instruments used on them weren't cleaned properly as well?
The first night the concoction made her sick, so the next morning she had to request another type to be used. She goes in at eight thirty every morning and is out by ten. Two weeks of this daily treatment even on Christmas day. I'm grateful to have her with us on the holidays but not too happy about these latest events..... we will see where this leads us....

Yum Yum!!

2010-11-25T23:33:00.001-05:00

We feasted like royalty tonight, G was given a pass for the day from the rehabilitation hospital which was a welcome from the small cramped room. Long days there just sitting around can be so tiresome to a night at Paula Deans restaurant and the rest of the night at home was just what we all needed. I ate like there was a shortage of food so did Luke and Jacks. After we made it home we three flung ourselves on the couches and passed out in the den.
It was just like the old days growing up except in dodging people in line we it used to be football. All the cousins used to get out and play a long game of football.
Those days aren't over just on pause this year. I got a good nap in until I heard the uproarious snoring coming out of Jacks, he never snored when he lived at home I don't know where this came from but it sounded like down from his toenails. It woke Luke up as well which prompted us to smile and use our only defense on him and that's holding his nose till he gasped for air. Well it was some entertainment.
Luke and Julie have been doing daily call ins on their tribe, they left them with Julies parents this whole time. Kyle informed them every dirty deed that Camen pulled and that he was in control of the twins. That his grandparents had no worries with him in charge, Santa promised him a new bike if he was good, old Saint Nick to the rescue.
My Pops decided that it was proper time to invade the house. Hes been out of pocket the majority of the time and not causing trouble for us. Of course we couldn't have a perfect holiday without some mishap and if you know my Pops you know who it was directed to. Jacks has pretty much been avoiding the man like the plague but after the nap Pop seemed to be filled with vim and vigor and needed to pick on someone. Jacks just packed up what he had and left to go my house for the rest of the night and relax. I'm sure so he could talk to that certain someone in private, why I dont know....I witnessed that too.
My mom gave my Pops a scowl and he calmed down and began reading the paper. His mission was complete any way by running Jacks off.
Luke and I broke out the Wii and played a little video football before it was time to take G back to rehab. She was eager to go which was odd to us all, I think she feels safer there for now.

I feel guilty

2010-11-18T13:29:00.002-05:00

Although G isn't in perfect health yet in any means, there is a lady here since November 2nd waiting on her husband to wake. The Monday morning we walked in the waiting room she sat with tears in her eyes, he was having a bad day, one of many. I didn't really speak to her much but of course Jacks did. He plopped himself down beside her and they chatted away, typical of him he had a smile on her face in a few hours. Shes watched day after day, family after family as they would progressed on to private rooms. We have, Jacks and I have been banished to the old waiting room with her again. G isn't doing so well on the removing of fluids so she is pretty swollen, they put the catheter back in. Her nerves are pretty well shot and our fidgets doesn't help matters much.
Today at three the lady has made the decision to let her husband go to surgery, I'm not sure exactly what his condition is but he has a a fifty fifty chance on survival. To have to make that kind of choice has to be nerve racking and one I hope I never have to make.
Speaking of Jacks, I don't know where he gets the power or input. Its like he goes into hyper drive to do whatever is needed. Right now he jumps up to walk G at her 4 am walk, she only wants him to help her and he doesn't mind getting up to be with her. He helps her get up from the chair and holds the walker, makes sure she has fresh ice water attached to it so when she stops for her break its there for her. When they return he puts his arm out for her support pulls up the leg on the chair and covers her up. Only for the fact that he dies at the sight of blood he would make a great nurse. Today after we were allowed to go back in the room – the rude nurses shift was over – he took her socks off and put lotion on her swollen ankle. Any woman that gets him will be lucky, she will be spoiled and those that had the chance to have him and lost have really lost out. I wish to be just as patient as him.

Day three

2010-11-17T14:04:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was uneventful G sat in her lounge chair with four IVs connected to her plus a chest tube, I glanced at her occasionally to see her pretty slate blue eyes open and shut. She was out of it but still with us.
My PG, I found out, doesn't get the concept of a whisper, no more than four times, I or someone else had to nudge him to tone it down. He thought everyone that came up to inquire about G needed to know that the surgeon had to put off the surgery two hours because he had an emergency the night before. It wouldn't be so bad but the family of the emergency was sitting across the waiting room.
Today G did her first of many laps, Jacks who always wakes with the chickens raced off to her room around five to help in her first go around. Which is surprising to me because he's just as squeamish as I am when it comes to blood and tubes and IVs. As each new family member arrived he beamed about her first lap. She really did well and didn't stop but once.
So now the long days of sitting either in her room or the waiting room begins. The good part is we are seeing some old friends we haven't seen in a while.
I've seen some people from church and Jacks is getting to see a lot of people he hasn't in a long while. I think he sees now how much hes missed, living away and refusing to come home but only for the holidays.
Luke and Julie have been extra helpful driving PG to and from the hospital and making sure he eats at night and changes his clothes for the next day.

Six and a half hours later

2010-11-15T23:14:00.001-05:00

Well she made it with flying colors as the doctor would put it, a triple bypass and valve reconstruction. He said he was shocked how well the valve is working now and how poorly it was before. It was a long hard battle I'm sure. I'm thanking God and what ever angels looked over her, now if my mom will relax we will be flying high. She has been getting upset the last few days and her blood pressure has peaked here and there.

Waiting

2010-11-15T11:18:00.002-05:00

So right now I've been sitting here what seems days, its only been four hours. G has gone for her surgery on her heart. It was supposed to start around six in the morning but an emergency came in around 3 AM that held up ours for a couple of hours. We all are semi sitting in a large waiting room on those low legged couches, I'm thinking for those that want to sleep they can. I cant sleep at home much less here. Since they are so low to the ground and our legs so long its not very comfortable.
Sitting here in a daze wondering what in store for us next, four hours is a long time sitting and wondering and not knowing.
Sometimes I get aggravated with all the chatter going on around me, I want quiet as if I could possibly hear seven floors down to know whats going on in the operating room. Every few minutes a cart is rolled past and all heads turn. Its nothing but stress and waiting in the room some people just like to talk to pass the time. Lori is trying to read a book and snuggle up to PG.
Jacks, bless him has had nothing but the fun task of waiting after he heard there was to be a surgery he drove straight in and took in camping, his duty was to entertain Lori so they rode the trams, anything to pass the time. I don't know how he withstood it the first five days waiting for a phone calls it was bad enough one day they are doing nothing but a catheter the next they wanted to do balloon and stints and the following its major heart surgery of a bypass and valve reconstruction. Sure it's my grandparent but it's not like she's some old person we never knew, she is and always will be a big part of our lives. I want my kids to know her and to see how wonderful of a person she is. The magic she had with scrapes and bumps and settling battles. She has so much wisdom to share......

Just a wait

2010-11-07T10:49:00.003-05:00

Well I'm trying something new, today I sit in the hospital waiting area seeing how my G is doing from heart/chest pains. Any cold air hits her and she panics which gives her pains. It must be hard getting old when the weather gets you down. My PG sits in the chair next to her napping off and on. Tomorrow will be more tests to see why she is having these problems. Sundays in the hospital are always an adventure people always make time to visit, so I'm getting the chance to see a few people I haven't in a while. G seems to be doing fine with no pains at the moment.

Crawling from out of the hole I've been in.......

2010-10-25T13:43:00.000-04:00

Not really, its just been one summer of super hectic rick rolling fun. My Mondays are full of shopping and organizing the two wonderful ladies in my life, OK so I'm their chauffeur and bag carrier and lunch decider. It is sort of fun and my Mom says its good training for my later life..... which makes me worry a bit. The rest of the week is making people smile shuffling the dirt for them.
Speaking of G shes doing well minus the episodes of arthritis in her knees, we shop along with the best of them.
Mom and her blood issues and heart condition seem to be doing fine right now. In fact not to jinx it her last doctors appointment was two thumbs up. So we manage to keep the walking and shopping schedules for each Monday.
Lori is doing great in school as far as I can tell, shes all about cheer leading and of all things boys.....
PG is just PG he has his scheduled naps – at least 3 a day. Hes excited because its time to dip apples in caramel and cinnamon then set them for sale.
My Pops, well hes not changed much. I still avoid him like the plague, anything to keep away from the drama. Hes usually on the road working on his high rise projects in fact hes on the west coast for the next few months working on a nice busy project.
Luke and his bunch are growing and giggling. Last weekend mom and G drove up for a visit to see the twins and some shopping. Mom told me Kyle couldn't be any more like Jacks if he was Jacks. He is everywhere with a color in his hand. He made everyone in church cackle with laughter because he was sitting in the pew holding his little sisters hand. He got the collective “Aww” in which he replied “Don t aww me I'm 5 and cookies are my life!” in other words if he is good and keeps Camen straight then he gets cookies as a reward.
Jacks is busy working like a fool at his job and knocking out school.
Trace and his wife are --- yes folks, expecting a little one some time in March.
So its all rolling along maybe not exactly as planned but is life ever managed to work that way? I figure we all are here and have one another that's aces to me. We just learn to bob and weave with all that's thrown at us.

Mom and her doctors visit.

2010-04-29T17:25:00.001-04:00

I didn't sleep well the night before because I worry over this day. This is the one doctors visit my Mom insists I go with her. The whole time she went through her breast cancer and colon cancer she wouldn't let anyone go with her. She even did her treatments for her breast cancer on her own. She insisted that all they were doing was taking a very strong picture of her body and there was no need for the whole family to attend that. Why she wants me to go with her to the heart doctor is beyond me, not that I mind going. But I think maybe that I get as stressed out about the visit as she does. She claims she cant understand the doctor and needs me to translate. It not like hes speaking Spanish, hes Asian.

While we sat and waited for him to come in she you could see her fidget about with her gown, so I would quietly talk to her and tell her the funny things that the guys would do out in the field or saw. This would keep her mind semi off what is about to happen and calm her nerves a bit. Of course her blood pressure was slightly up, which she quickly told the girl that her regular physician has just taken it and it was running on the normal side. I added that shes nervous and the girl grinned and seemed to understand.

A few minutes later the doc walked in, asked her a few minor questions and looked at her EKG. One question he asked her is if she had any pain and she said “no”. She also has one of those glycerin pills she can place under tongue if needed. What bothered me is later on the way out after he patted her on the back and said “see you next year” she mentioned that she does have pain in her chest but not enough to take a pill. Most of the time its if she moves quickly for a long period of time. Part of me wanted to make her turn around and tell him and another didn't. I think she feels if she did tell him then next procedure would be an angioplasty which she really doesn't want to go through or even worse a full bypass. Its not that shes old or over weight but the trauma shes put her body through that's given her this heart condition.
I guess we will have to continue to walk more but slowly and keep eating the salads for lunch on that day.

A tiny update

2010-04-19T10:09:00.001-04:00

Well the cafe is going very well already to Bees delight. I still try to get in a bit early on Tuesdays to have my lunch. Fridays have started to be fun again, its something I guess being from the south and going out during the cooler months. I don't like it, if it were up to me we would all stay in those months. Now its warming up a bit and doesn't hurt as bad.
I haven't mentioned Chris in a while, one of my very good but very crazy friends. I guess with good forethought I haven't said much about him. Hes settled down some what, I guess having a steady girlfriend does that. He seem not to want to do the weird stunts as much anymore, minus the mini brewery he decided to create. He and his brother live in a small home together and any night now there will be in the news of it blowing its self up from their contraption they've made. He may figure it out soon enough its going to rip into his actual beer costs in making the stuff. You walk in the house and it stinks to high hell but he says you get used to it. I don't see how his girlfriend puts up with it, at least put it in a garage or shed Mr Budweiser.
Mom and I are still doing the Monday walks/shopping. I'm telling you this has been a benefit to me as well. I learned what G likes and dislikes as well as Mom, I get tips on presents for Lori. Thereby I don't give out lame Christmas presents anymore nor I know what to give the ladies at work for whatever occasion that comes about.
Speaking of the girls at work they seem to be getting along very well which is one small feat. Diane and he kids and family are happy in their new home. I think shes seeing now from the tales that Carrie spoke of raising a brood isn't so easy. Carrie is building her home, she worried me for a while when she sold her house and decided to wait a while to build but soon the foundation is going to be poured.

The party

2010-03-14T21:30:00.001-04:00

I've been Mr. Putoffski these last few weeks but only on posting. Actually I post, its the part of adding it to the blog that puts me off.
Last I posted was the triple play birthdays, which went off without a hitch. I kept my eye on my Pops knowing any second he would run into a rant about something but he didn't. Maybe her grew up?
Jacks was here with Lori by one hand and Kyle in his other arm, they both know how to work him. He is going to make a great dad some day.
Camen did her baby stealing act this morning. I just so happened to watch her as she decided to grab one of the twins and slide him into the bed with her. I swear she thinks they are her walking/talking dolls. My G talked to Julie about it then she sat Miss Camen down and they had a good long chat. Yeah right G, lets see how long that chat will stick in her head. She loves the attention she gets nabbing the runts. Kyle just shakes his curly head at all of us and says “If dat was me I would be in dat corner dere on the button”. What he means is, Julie sticks a button on the wall and says for him to put his button nose on it and be still. It never lasts more than five minutes but I tell you he doesn't do it again.
Kyle to me is a riot, he makes me think of Jacks and Luke rolled up into one. G says she sees me because he is so stubborn. Bah, me stubborn?
Mom, Luke and myself cooked the lunch for Saturday as G and PG sat and enjoyed themselves with family. We had people from church stopping in and of course the little girls on PG softball teams he loves to watch to pop in, giggling and cooing over the twins. Its good to know you are loved and thought of on your special day.
That night we three brothers sat down on the deck and relaxed a bit. Some curly head brat would bobble out every once in a while but Julie would race and snatch them up so we might be able to catch up in peace. Its not like nearly every day we don't speak or e-mail one another. I guess “in the flesh” kind of conversations are better. Some days I think how I would love to go back a good ten years and start all over and redo some of the crazy antics. Maybe appreciate the times we spent together a little more, instead of feeling like one was a brat or the other bossy.
Luke started the fire in the pit on the deck which not only called every moth on the planet but the youngsters too. We sat out wrapped in blankets watching the flames crackle and pop. While Jacks would run from Kyle to Camen blowing out their flaming marshmallows. Lori would be the graham musher if you desired a Smore.
I looked over and poor PG with his head cranked to the side just about to drop off to sleep. It was very relaxing out there and the guy is about to turn 80 so he has every right to nod off. I love that old guy.

Pre party

2010-03-12T07:01:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day for the family, how ever it works out my grandparents have a similar birthday month. So instead of celebrating them one at a time we join them together. Lori has one pretty close to my G so she opted to have her birthday this weekend also, not that we don't do some tiny celebrating on the actual day. See, my sister is no dummy, she gets two birthdays this way.
Luke and his monster crew are here already, Kyle and Camen are running around the house and the twins are scrubbing their belly's on the floor sort of like little slugs with the drool trials.
Kyle is into pirate mode right now he talks like a pirate and makes you walk the plank. Poor Camen she just doesn't get it and bobbles all over the “plank” and it aggravates him. “Nooooo little sissy, its like diss!” and he does some little march and then pretends to go off into the brink. PG and I are making him a treasure chest for Easter with “treasures” inside for the both of them. Jacks is coming down on Saturday, he will be with them on the holiday so he will add a few items in it and give it away then.
I kind of miss Jacks a little bit, hes having a terrible time at his job, not that he cant do it. Back in July of last year a guy that works with them blew a gasket because Jacks basically walked in off the street and adapted to the position they gave him so well they promoted him. He has a really nice office on the 6th floor, with a pretty good view. A big desk for him to draw to his hearts content, which he does. Hes had plenty of compliments from the people he works with about his abilities and was progressing along. Although the guy was intimidated with him jumping up the ladder so quickly and reminded their boss, he was at the time, was only a temp.
Now hes no longer a temp and working his way back up once more, although maybe as a test, they paired him up with the jerk that squealed on him. From what I understand the man is a total ass and is willing to find any mistakes and blame them on Jacks, so he is on his Ps and Qs until the project is done.
Speaking of asses Pops will be of course here, matter of fact hes been home for nearly 2 months now without any real incident. I have a feeling hes waiting for this weekend to throw a good one. Because he keeps asking whomever will listen if Jacks is coming down as well. If anything I will be popping some popcorn to watch the action.
This year the weather has started off really odd, we actually had some snow, I think the last time that happened it was over a decade ago. Oh, we have the occasional sleet warning and may be frost or icing on bridges but never snow. This whole week has been nothing but rain, warm weather but rain. Which as kicked in colds, G has the sniffles and ear ache and now my left tonsil is aching and my throat hurts when I swallow. That's all we need is a group together and few of them sick.
I have to remember to set the clocks forward too!

Ah where have I been?

2010-02-16T10:09:00.000-05:00

Well its been a while since I've had a chance to settle down and write much less think. The holidays and winter weather, yes I said winter. That keeps us busy with the city, clearing streets and what not that may be. I feel guilty for not writing and had some many e-mails asking if I quit, I'm not a quitter but I do put off quiet a bit. Mondays are still spent with Mom making sure she keeps up her walking and she is doing quiet well.
My G is having a hard time of it with a case of the shingles, such a nice word “shingles” for a disease or skin condition. Per her, she says they are painful and I don't doubt her one bit not sure how she acquired them, she claims its from worry over all that's going on in the world. What can you do?
Work is going well, the cafe is still closed for the winter months so that's one less project to worry about. Bee isn't too happy with that but the Green house is getting a nice make over while we are down. The last month of the cafe being open the crowds began to grow. So much so I had to wait for my lunches on Tuesdays, that was my day to drop in and check. The girls in the office have been working famously together, no large quarrels or set backs.
Lori is growing so quickly, I looked at her the other day as she walked in from the kitchen and didn't know her. I still remember rocking in her rocking chair when she was sick and five. Scolding her the day she decided to walk to a friends house alone, I ran around the neighborhood like a fool looking for her. Why all the remembers whens? Shes having a birthday coming up soon and she pointed out exactly what she wanted for it. Hey, it helps me and its not a car so we are set.
PG and I have been clearing out a fence row on Sundays the cold weather helps with burning out the row. After maybe “long” half an hour to and hour of yanking weeds and taking in the latest gossip around town we manage to get out his remote control helicopters and fly them about chasing the cows around the fields.
The “idiot” of the family is back home again and in rare form. Bossing and shouting out commands on the evenings I am tempted to come home for a visit.
Jacks comes home next week. I miss him and Lori is all in a tither for him to be here. March is the month of birthdays in our family and we mush them all together, otherwise we spend the whole month birthdaying it away.

An answer of sorts

2010-01-28T07:15:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine has returned to bachelorhood after a three year relationship. Craig and his was-to-be wife decided to end it all because she felt the grass was greener on the sly and was caught. To be cold busted, with the guy she decided to cheat with called Craig and inform him is woman was a two timer had to be a blow for him. He is a great guy with a funny disposition in life. In fact we spent last weekend on the driving range pretending the golf balls were her head, drinking beer and counting how his life would be better without her.
Personally I felt she was about one of the more selfish people I've ever met, not that I've come up with that conclusion prior to her cheating on him. She would have complete melt downs over the slightest things, his money was her money always. When he would receive a raise you could see the wheels in her head working on what she could purchase for herself. She had a charm about her when she wanted to use it. Out of the blue she would do simple acts of kindness for him that would exonerate all the bitchy acts of selfishness.
Well, word travels fast amongst the women in the town, knowing a kind guy is now free and available. I mean the last Friday night we spent hanging out doing the usual of playing darts and listening to Trace plonk on his guitar, we had no less than four free beers sent our way. Hey, I'm not the jealous type in the least but the guy as been free nearly a week, give him a chance to clean out his closets! That's why I say “Ladies back off right now hes happy”. What is it about single women that feel the need to help a guy out during the hard times? Its like a bus load of saviors came into the pub the other night. The majority of the time there are eight to ten guys playing pool, doing shots and throwing darts or yelling at a game on the television, without hardly an interruption from the opposite sex. Oh they blow in every once in a while, do their little giggles and winks, in tight shirts and short skirts,the majority of the time to get a free beer out of us.
Speaking of Trace, hes doing well in his marriage with Michelle, they've moved into a home now, no more of the cute little apartment. I'm sure the thought of little feet running about will be the next project for the two of them.

Ahem!

2010-01-20T22:52:00.002-05:00

Ladies....leave him alone he's happy.

I will hit on that soon Lol

Still here

2010-01-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

Its been a good 45 minutes now G has gone for her procedure, they are doing some stints on her. I'm not sure just how I feel at the moment. I worry of course and I pray in the back of my mind. How should one feel? Do I act the tough guy or do I let my emotions run rampant?
I want to run, my nerves are shattered and I don't seem to want to focus, every cart that rambles down the hall I'm in hopes shes on it smiling.
She looked so scared as they wheeled her out. Eyes a bit watery and red wanting to hold back her own tears. She bit her bottom lip and semi looked away. I knew if she looked at us she might loose it.
Heaven forbid we lose her or something doesn't go just right. She truly is the glue and pillar in the family.
Some random nurse just rolled in a blood pressure meter and wants to change her bed linens.....
Times like this do you ever want a redo in life? Maybe to give that hug when the other guys were looking or the kiss on the cheek.
Maybe to let them listen to that old music and pretend to enjoy it. I don't know, sometimes grandparents bend over backwards for us and we don't see it. They are old and their hearts and feelings can be tender.
Im scrolling back on this post and thinking youre mad flipping crazy and nothings making sense.
From my post a while back I said we need to learn to bob a weave. I'm doing just that.

Christmas feva!!

2009-12-21T17:23:00.001-05:00

I have finally finished my Christmas shopping!!! Now for the wrapping, as I did last year I conned Lori into doing it for me at a price. My Mom and I knocked out the last of the stocking stuffers and PGs gift. That guy is hard to find something for; he still hasn’t really used the ones I gave last year.
So I didn’t really decorate my house, a smallish tree on a table to put a hint of holiday cheer in. Of course Gs and Mom looks like the Griswalds . Isn’t that going to be a treat to take down, not only once but twice?
I’m letting the office close down early this year, Tuesday will be the last day this week, Monday and Tuesday next week as well. It’s not that I am in the holiday spirit but eager to get out of the office for a while.
Beth has been coming around letting us see how Elijah has grown in the last few months. He talks now, more so he screeches things, I guess it’s a way to get attention with the big people. I pray that when Kyle comes home he doesn’t do the same or Camen, the little guys we will let slide since they are little and Jacks, well Jacks has no excuse.
This year Lori seriously was looking for her “boy friend” a present. His name is Ethan, which will be one point off to Jacks when he meets him. Oh yes, he’s been invited to the dinner we are having on Wednesday night. I plan on doing the big brother grill just to make the night pass.
Mom is doing so much better with the walking these days, she plans on doing 15 minutes every morning on her treadmill, of course she does her usual weekend shopping and just about every Monday we hit a mall. Today we walked and shopped from one end to the other and she wasn’t winded or needed to stop. It’s not like we raced up and down the strip but it’s a massive improvement. One I hope that continues.
I’ve been so lax in the last few weeks in writing and posting my thoughts, blaming a lot on the holidays and being busy. Maybe so…. Maybe by next week I can see what my problem is.

Thank you Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

So Lori is out of her “Prison” of sorts now, she really didn’t think that she would have to stay in her room without any outside contact the whole time. The holidays were a bit of a mess for the whole family. First my Mom is breaking out in some sort of rash on her arms and legs. She believes is her heart medicine she’s been taking. Whatever it is, she wakes in the middle of the night with scratching fits causing her to not sleep so well.
My PG lost a brother a few days before Thanksgiving, in fact so close that the funeral was the day before. After my PG had his stroke a few years back he tends to be more emotional. Not bad, every guy should show his feelings; he is more affectionate and talkative to everyone. Although, he does have a bad habit of repeating jokes over and over and does a few things backwards. Our dilemma with him was telling him how soon his brothers demise would really be, not that he didn’t know he was sick just not the extent. Well that was soon exposed when another brother blurted it out in the bluntest of manners. My PG took it well.
Thanksgiving was to say the least filling. The first time in a while that Jacks stayed more than a day, in fact my G and Mom really wanted him to hang out a few more days. We ate of course most the afternoon and discussed who would be getting what item for the little guys in the family. This year Lori was included in the discussion since she found out about the “Christmas Secret”. She felt like a big girl but continued to sit under Jacks the whole time.
The twins Gabe and Riley are big slobber monsters and coo and goo to every ones pleasure. Rolling about on the floor, while Camen looks over them, their big sister is very protective, Jacks had been dying to hold the two rascals and finally got the chance, the whole time getting a glare from her.
We did the usual going out on Thursday night and eating at a restaurant so that my G and Mom and whatever aunts were about could relax and have someone wait on them. Friday was spent of course with the ladies doing their black Friday shopping. PG and Jacks roamed in later to help bring in boxes and packages. Jacks wasn’t up to part with the Flu or a cold or whatever which later was to be pneumonia. Saturday we had breakfast and relaxed a bit, later on Jacks packed up to go home an idea my Mom wasn’t happy with.

Another Monday Bites the dust

2009-10-28T10:34:00.001-04:00

So walking was good on Monday NOTWe didn’t walk much really is was my workout day not my Moms. She wanted some wall paper hung on one wall to “liven” up a portion of the family room. I don’t mind really, she cooked a great lunch for me while I worked. She stood and watched and offered to hand me the tools I needed when they were needed. Four hours later and glued up hands the job was completed and I sat down to eat. After she and I did walk in the mall for a little while just to get her some walking time in as well. By that time I was worn out.The green house is booming, people are coming in by bus loads to purchase the mums and fall plants that are out. Fall is a time to decorate as well not only in spring.Bee is sort of sad because this is going to be the last week of the café for a few months. She loves talking to the customers and has a few regulars that come in she will miss. Its just too cool for an out door café in the winter months. She wanted her cousin to help and ended up getting her little sister instead during the busy hours to lend a hand. So I guess she will have to relocate to another job for the winter months.Luke and his mob are doing well the boys are drooling on schedule and burping in tune. Kyle is liking the idea now about them, he just figured out that they outnumber the cootiefied girls in the house. Camen still pretends they are dolls and wants to dress them in her doll dresses. She wants to be Tinker Bell for Halloween this year. I think that would be really cute for her.I have not really caught Jacks to talk to him much, he is preoccupied with his job once again. He plans on getting his position back from the time before. I say right on! This time he is going after that guy and his job.Lori is in big trouble once again and I didn’t even have to tell on her. She was cold busted straight out in the weather. Mom told her not to go to the pier on her own and she plopped her big feet out there the very next day. My aunt was out that way and called my Mom asking why Lori was out with a big gaggle of girls on the pier during school hours. Mom flipped, drove straight there embarrassed the fool out of her in front of her older friends and now she wont be going anywhere for the next four weeks. Its school then home and bed that whole time. No TV, no radio, no friends, no phones, no internet, just her and Mom and homework. I pity her, but she will learn to at least wait a day or two. Better yet, learn all the families cars so she can duck and cover.

Closing up tight

2009-10-14T14:04:00.001-04:00

Today we are getting a few items packed away before winter sets in, not that we have such winters here. Fall has hit upon us hard and heavy at least the rainy portion of it. I don’t mind rain so much anymore, it used to make me so angry with it holding me back on jobs. Lots of times now I trudge right on with it making due with other jobs to be completed. I guess trying to organize your working habits help.
A while back I had a business class and that was part of the assignment; we had to make a mock business and do “work arounds” on different problems that may arise. I of course used my landscaping business as my example, it helped me out tremendously and I got a few tips along the way.
Cari and I have been having some adventures as of late, her daughters are wanting to do a pumpkin carving at the greenhouse. I said yes of course because I cant but help to love those two little kiddos. The youngest one always races up to give me a hug and tell me the latest school gossip. I wish she attended the same school as Lori so I could get the dish on her. How I wish I could come in and say something to Lori about her school activities just to blow her mind.
Lori is doing really well in her classes, the last semester she couldn’t say that was it was reported she was a bit chatty in her classes and seemed to be easily distracted. A couple weekends of no phone, no computer and not leaving the house, the matter was cleared up.
Mom is a walking fool these days, she gets up early in the morning and walks just 15 minutes on her treadmill and then what ever she needs the rest of the day.

Rings & Tangled webs..

2009-10-08T13:53:00.001-04:00

The wedding went off without a hitch and they are off in honey moon land enjoying the island breezes in Hawaii and being happy in love. Just like its supposed to be, I guess.
I never did understand why they waited to have the wedding on a Monday night until it was explained to me. Apparently that’s the night they met during a football party, which is kind of cool. Meeting your true love during a festive event. If I already hadn’t, I wouldn’t mind meeting mine like that, during a game or a meal or golfing.
Cady looked beautiful in her dress as she marched down the row beaming. The after dinner party they changed and were ready to hop around the dance floor a bit. They both were giggles and snickering and whispers to each other -- I was jealous. I like to see that in couples, the hand holding and smiles that make your face hurt and the pure joy in their hearts, whispering whatever to each other and then laughing.
It proves to me there is true love out there.
It also makes me think of the game players, mainly because one of the game players was invited to the wedding as well. Women that tell you one thing and do another behind your back. That sets me off in a minute and I want to lash out with every four letter word I can at them and knock the dude in the head and tell them to wake up and smell the cheater.
My old Ex used to be very demanding of me, in what I wear, who I talked to, even wanted to dictate the classes I chose. At first, I thought of it as “Aww, she loves to take care of me” then I woke up and figured it out. In reality she was doing the cheating and sneaking around behind my back, doing whatever she wanted and she was afraid that I might be doing the same, so she kept tabs on me.
It took me a little over 2 years to figure that one out, she was caught one time and I let it slide, didn’t say much just nodded my head and rolled it off my back. “I promise it was nothing sweetie, honey, dearest.” “He was the one making all the moves on me!! I had nothing to do with it” - like an idiot I defended her. She was up my ass for two weeks catering to my every move, eventually the niceties diminished and she was back to her bitchy crabby self again.
Then strike two arrived and she was cold busted, this time the guy came to me and a couple of my friends. Once again I didn’t say a word, but this time I picked up my toys and walked away. I wanted to have nothing to do with her. I stewed for a couple of weeks, she called and knocked on my door and followed me around for the longest time. I was pissed off at the world and didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone, I blogged daily. Then that day came and I blew a gasket and told her how I felt.
It hurt me to say those mean words to her, but then again it was like a huge weight had been removed from my chest. I told her exactly how she was acting and how she treated me and how others felt about her. Looking back, mistakes on my part were made as well. I should have told her straight off the bat when she acted a fool around me. I do that now……I also should have told her when I felt she was lying to me….I do that now also. If someone acts like a selfish prig - its pointed out. I expect the same in return.
I guess it takes some kind of growing up when you are in a relationship. Some give and take of course, and patience of a saint. A lot of trust is needed but most of all respect. If you don’t give a damn how your actions are going to come back and hurt the one you are in love with then you need to end it and move on. Its going to save you and the other person a lot of pain later on down the road, or maybe in reality they don’t give a damn anymore and pick up there toys and move on themselves.

Weddings!!

2009-10-01T15:47:00.000-04:00

-sings like a giddy school girl- Wedding, Wedding Weddingg!! I forgot about the wedding. With all the other crazy antics going on my life I totally forgot about my first cousins wedding this Monday night. Weird night to have a wedding but she is in the service and wont be home until this weekend. Danny has been in Japan doing I guess Japanese duties, really he is in sales and they boot him around the world all the time. Nice job!
Cady is about to be released from service (or may have been already) so they planned the minute she is out they would do their vows and get it over with. Right on! They are both much older that I am and have their lives on track and set to go. That doesn’t mean everything will always be rosy for the two of them. No head games or fickleness between the two, which I admire. He wants to go all out, she wants to be modest. He wants to show the whole world who he is getting married to she wants a simple ceremony. I’m with him on that market, give her anything and everything she wants, hand her the world-then and tomorrow.
Its in our make up of who we are. (Ok now, I’m getting deep but I’ve been sitting on a lawnmower for four hours)
When you are born you are dependant on your parents right? To bring you up, show you manners, an education, well, its not the law but a good game plan on their part. You grow and learn and develop something or someone that is you. Your make up, something that defines you in life, every little of Life’s encounters help you in that development. The bully down the street, the guys on the ball team, the tree house you make with you dad, the pillow fights you have with your brothers. The funerals, weddings, birthdays, skate parties, the list goes on and on. Everything, Everything!! in your surroundings are your makeup, your being what you do with them is your choice.
High school the steaks are a little higher, an easy wrong move and your whole life has changed. Now Life’s lessons are a bit tougher, choices are harder. You can be the punk or jerk or asshole, a pushover or a geek or a jock. At times I think I hit everyone of them, but they “made” me the guy I am today. Do we want to do drugs or drink or go out every night and party, maybe be with all the girls and blow them off, maybe we want to be that baseball star or God forbid, crack a book open.
College hits us and of course Life is right there knocking it up a notch or two just to make that ride a little more bumpy. What are you going to be? Will you study? Will you drop out? Bills and more bills and responsibilities are swirling around you now like a psychedelic cyclone while you walk on a tight rope hoping not to fall off. If you are the parent you hold your breath and watch them fly.
Relationships hit a new high, they are deeper more meaningful less of a cute fling but hard cold feelings that can make you feel like you need to throw up, or stand in the rain and shout to the world in joy. They also can be pretty freaking scary, “Its in the plan man” who wants to hook up and not feel anything? Boring.
The job world, hopefully you picked the one you always wanted. Now when I was little I didn’t sit back and say “yeah, when I grow up I want to be a lawn boy” especially after an afternoon of weeding in my grandparents garden. It just happens.
Then that one person “the one” comes along, you don’t see it, you don’t expect it, “bam” right in you lap per se. Ah the euphoria and joy and newness of it all!! You wake up in the morning and it’s the first you think of, at night you slide into bed and they are the last. You cant have enough of them and when they are away there is such an emptiness in your whole being. You miss the giggles and laugher and ---- the arguments. We all got to have them, its in our make up but more so in that we find a way to learn and love. This is one thing my PG would always say to me “Mark, love always, always love, no matter how angry or bitter you are over the fight. Think about the love you have for that one person, because really the anger you have, is the fear of losing that love”. I’ve listened and I believe in my grandpa….because “Its in my makeup”.

Happless Birthdays

2009-09-30T15:01:00.003-04:00

It looks like September is the month for birthdays around here. Every one is having one, that’s one thing we all have in common, birthdays and death.
Enough of that, each one of you “birthdayers” know you had birthday this month have a jolly one will you?
I’m here to talk about the café which is rocking the place out. Bee and I have been extra busy with a new set of sandwiches and cookies, the cookies are my favorite to test out. She can make some home made goodness. I think soon my belt will need some loosening up. How ever the cooler weather is setting in and soon we will shut down till spring returns. I'm thinking right after Halloween will be the prime time to let it go.
Mom and I are having nice walk sessions each Monday, we get to chat it up on current life events. I get to spread gossip about my brothers and hear good stuff on the rest of the family. It makes the day go by pretty fast. I see a bit of glow in her cheeks now which makes me more at ease.
My Pops, ever the asshole, is up to his no good rants per usual, gleaming at the fact that Jacks was moved down to a temp position. Its all good because Jacks is busting his hump to be right back where he started and this time on a permanent basis. Besides my Pops pride was knocked down a notch or two when he lost a big account. He ran around the house grumbling for a week.
Lori is undecided what she wants to do on Halloween. I say go to a nice party and come home, forget the boys; she’s beyond the candy stage now. Besides it might mess up her girlish figure. (joke).
Luke is coming home this weekend with the new crew. I’m excited to see how much the two rascals have grown in the last few months, Julie doesn’t want to get them out until after the cold weather is gone so this will be our last visit unless we pop in to see them. I don’t mind doing that either the trip up is easy.
I think we all need a little fresh company, something new in our lives that makes us all smile. Those two little guys might be the ticket, too bad they have to share a birthday.

Walking, its good for you

2009-09-29T08:34:00.000-04:00

Since the visit with the heart doctor with my Mom, in which I think I was more nervous than she. It was suggested she get into a walking routine. I think after the giddiness of leaving his office and him saying “We don’t have to crack open your chest just yet” was emoted to her she was light as a feather and eager to do what ever to make her heart healthy. She did mention she had pains every once in a while after a long walk or walking too quickly or the cold. I think if we boost up her walking before the harsh stuff comes in it might help.
Mind you, my Mom isn’t over weight, in fact she is considered under weight due to the medications she takes for her blood cancer. She isn’t old, hardly over the age of 40. Stress, well if you think about the jerk she is married to that would be the only stress she has in her life. She doesn’t have to work, she spends most her time doing volunteer work. She doesn’t smoke and rarely have I seen a drink in her hand, she mainly nurses a glass of wine during parties. She used to be in key health, dancing and singing and being the life of the party, cancer takes that away from you. Not to mention 4 kids.
So our plan of action is to do a long walk session on Mondays, its usually a good free day for me. My job in the walking is to carry packages, due to the fact we are mall walking. Open doors, drop off and pick up at the front door of the Malls and tag along with her and G. Of course also helping in the chores of whatever they purchase i.e they bought a new bakers rack for the back deck to set plants on. My job of course it to put it together as they mangle the plants.
Last Monday she walked over 3 hours, a nice slow natural pace. We ate a decent lunch of a salad and sweet teas grabbed groceries and thought of what to do on next Mondays outing.
Lori is having a fit as to why we don’t do this on a Saturday so she can join in, which she can because on those days my G and Mom still do their rounds to the different malls, just minus me. A guy has to have his alone time you know.
I’m waiting until Thursday for my next post since its going to be about birthdays and what not.

Doctors and fun

2009-09-23T13:52:00.002-04:00

Today my Mom had a check up with her heart doctor for the first time since her last episode a few weeks ago. I was worried about it, more so since she asked me to tag along and listen in for her, this job is usually reserved fro my G or an aunt. Somehow I became the lucky one to be volunteered to sit in. Needless to say the last few nights I haven’t been able to rest well and its been running in the back of my mind.
I guess the fact of not really knowing what to expect, would they make her run on a treadmill or take blood or hook her up to different machines? All those thoughts ran through my head over and over.
It ended up we did an EKG a blood pressure check and a list of her medications, a run down of how she felt. The doc checked her heart beat and talked to her a bit and changed her meds around. No big deal! Since she’s not really had any pains lately he was please to hear it and let her go until March.
She practically skipped out of the office, it was like a new lease on life for her.
She called on her cell to give the 411 to my G and PG, her brothers and sisters and Luke. Luke was happy to hear the news and planned on making a run down to see us with the whole crew in the next couple of weeks.
She wanted to go to the mall, the Doc wanted her to walk more. For gosh sakes she is always mall walking but he wants her to do more. I volunteered to help her on Mondays, with walking, so for now on she and I plan on having a walking date every Monday afternoon.
I called Jacks to let him know everything was ok, he’s been worried about it, missing out on sleep and having head aches. Typical of him, anything worries him he gets quiet and wont sleep and on come the head aches.
I slipped in a text message to Lori and she gave me a quick “Yay, I love you” before her phone could be confiscated in class.
Now, since the rains seem not to want to stop I might just go a relax a while and catch up on some sleep.

Escapes

2009-09-08T14:50:00.002-04:00

We all have them, mine is in my blog, for some with food, or TV or running, or for some in virtual worlds. We all get lost in them in one way or another. Lately I’ve found myself lost in mine. With the state of the economy, people losing jobs or being laid off for what ever lame reason. You can’t pay for your bills like you used to or keep up that house payment it puts stress on a lot of us. Some glide right on through and some are really struggling.
Its easy to think about “me” how “I” feel, how this is going to affect “me” and we forget about “others” or “him” or “her“. Be it the latest in gossip or the new hateful word slung their way. how it apparently just rolls off the tongue with ease and with no care. Its amazing to me to think some people can be so heartless and careless of others feelings. Even if its for someone you never really met. When someone slaps you with a heartless gesture do you ever wonder if they actually feel that way or is it peer pressure forcing them to say it? I wonder, I wonder about a lot of things.
Sunday I saw my Mom cry again, she doesn’t cry that much and she didn’t then. Only a sad face and a few tears, which she quickly wiped away. “he looks so bad” She has a tender heart and a giving frame of mind. She doesn’t show much in emotions, big on hugs and kisses and says “I love you” every chance she has. Avoids confrontations when she can, even if it’s with my stupid ass hole of a Pops. The epitome of unconditional love. She cried because she saw the hurt in my great uncles face Sunday at the funeral of his wife. He of course was high on Valium, “I’m high as a Georgia Pine”. I had to laugh, she teared up but I pulled my best Jacks impression and made her giggle
Of course this isn’t where I’m going on this its just a ramble for me. I sat last night thinking about her and others, sort of my way of worrying. You ever think of the kids in St Judes Hospital? Or anyone in the hospital trying to recover from some disease. The pain and agony they go through daily, hourly by the minute. The tubes and needles and sickness of everyday life, just to get by to make it another day. I’m not talking about hunger, or being alone, I’m talking about people here in the US suffering daily.
It bothered me to think about it, and we whine about petty grievances and arguments, what so and so has and you don’t. It just at that moment in time seemed so small and insignificant to me. I don't know where I'm going on this and it may appear to be a mush of words flowing out endlessly. Maybe I should be so happy to be able to jump up and post about others complaints.

Another goodbye

2009-09-07T08:17:00.001-04:00

I have this great aunt that passed away early Friday morning, she was a hoot to be around so maybe that’s were the word “Great” aunt came from?
Anyway she’d been sick a long while from her kidneys not wanting to cooperate making her swell up three times her normal size. The lady was nearly eighty years old and wouldn’t take guff from any one-- even the nurses. I believe that might have been her down fall in the end because the nurses would try to get her to do her therapy and she would refuse.
In her younger years she would keep myself and Luke some afternoons just to give my mom a break whilst the taught school and prepaid homework assignments. Luke and I knew exactly what to do to push that her buttons. Once she gave us Kool Aid to drink with our lunch meal, Luke would say “Ahh, this is some great wine!” and of course I would chime in with “Yes, I love it, it‘s much better than the beer you gave us!” she would her us and get all riled up, “That is Kool Aid and nothing more!” I never could understand why she would lose it over us pretending.
In the food store we would follow her around up and down the rows of food puffing on our gum cigars or chalky cigarettes. Later on we advanced to the Big Chew chewing gum and drove her batty.
She had 3 kids that were older than us, so they wouldn’t really play with the two little guys much so we had to entertain ourselves.
Later on in her life she started turning for the worse, becoming more grumpy and opinionated that would drive people away from her. She became one of those nit picky people that would nail you on anything she could find. It would make holidays and family reunions interesting, especially if you had a cousin that had gained some weight, crazy hair color, child out of wedlock or odd clothing. Be assured she would have some comment on it. Her kids were shown no mercy.
However picky she might have been she was very sweet if you called her out about her mood. My G would break her with a “Calm it down” and she would chill out.
Sunday they laid her to rest, it was funny though, the rain and winds were blasting that morning and I dread getting out in it for the burial but as we walked out the chapel the sun was shining and everything was drying off. Its as if God was cleaning the patch of earth they were about to put her in.

Rain, rain…

2009-09-02T16:28:00.000-04:00

That’s all its done for the last day is rain…….that’s fine I needed a break from the world of sweat and dirt. Its now nothing but humidity and mud.
I have been extra busy the last 2 weeks closing out the country club and making new ideas for the next one. The City is also dong some changes here and there that’s kept us semi busy so that we have to split the teams up to keep both running properly.
Mom is doing well, she is having her weak moments but that doesn’t keep her from going shopping. That woman is a trouper, like the “heart attack” she was scared as the rest of us but she kept on. Making sure everyone in the house was taken care of and every thing was organized.
G has changed her cooking ways now, she uses less spices and salts and adds the fake butter to her foods. PG doesn’t seem to matter to him, “That man will eat anything” is what my G says and she’s right. Sunday dinners are still great and I cant wait to have them.
Lori is all into school and the boys, she’s hinting about wanting a laptop “to help her in her classes”. Right… Mom says if her first semester grades are good they could go shopping for one. I heard her the other day tell her friend “Oh my God, I said hi to him!” and they all giggled.
Luke and his growing crew are doing great, he says its hard to get a schedule for them, each on wants to do something at a different time. He told me he cant wait to get back to the office and work properly. I bet that’s why he wants to go…..
Jacks is doing fine, minus the H1N1 scare they have going around, a daughter of a lady in the office was tested positive with the flu, in fact 33% of her school. Which wouldn’t be so bad but the girl was diagnosed with it on Tuesday and the mom came to work that whole week. So they closed the office down until they see what the deal is. Jacks is happy because he has an extra long week for the labor day weekend.

Surfs up!

2009-08-20T12:14:00.002-04:00

It appears that Bill will not be coming anywhere near the costal US, good news for once. The rip current warnings are out but of course that doesn’t detain anyone from getting out in them. I can remember countless times of having to watch Jacks as he ripped up the waves prior to a storm he had to be out there.

This weather only slows my progress down in work, it’s been hot and muggy per usual with the occasional storms blowing up. That’s fine I guess.

Lori all about school still, loves the classes’ she’s in and the boys in her classes. In fact, she’s talking about having a pool party not this weekend but the next. “Just a get to know you party” is what she told Mom. She promised to do all the work and preparations because Mom is still on the weak side. I offered my services as a monitor and Mom could hang out at Gs.

Diane had her little boy; I don’t think I mentioned she was pregnant because she asked me not to. However was allowed to say something about the birth after. I was miffed at her the whole time because she wouldn’t find out what the sex was. I don’t see how people can wait to find out. I want to know! She wanted little girl since she has a boy. Well she had another boy………see if she had told me what it was then she would have had a girl, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Mom and young un is doing well.

Mom update, she’s doing slightly better, in fact she walked the mall like a champ and hardly was out of breath. That’s good news to me even better news for the malls. G is please with her progress.

Talked to Luke checking up on his crew these few days, the twins are still growing and drooling. Camen insists they are her baby dolls to dress and play with, just like Lori used to do her. Kyle is not impressed with them yet. “They are my little brudders and I get to play with them later” Good man. Luke says they planning on a Mickey Mouse Cruise next year. Camen said “I don’t know about getting on that big boat”. She astonishes me with the things she says.

I guess since Mom is doing well and Lori is going to have her party the next weekend Trace and I should take our bike ride this weekend. Wayne and Chris of course are all fired up to go. Today we plan on planning our route.

A Tuesday

2009-08-18T12:04:00.000-04:00

Well the last week was blasting by for me, work, work and more work and then some more. Tropical storms are starting up early again this year to hold us back on our progress. We are keeping an eye out on Bill. I’m keeping an eye on the gas prices to go up because of them.
Lori has started school and of course its all boys all the time. She told me the other day while we were in the hospital waiting on Mom she text a guy in her class, oh my God she’s already texting guys! She’s wanting to start some cheer thing in school and was asked if she would like to join. Its weird she no longer hangs out with the group of girls from the last few years. When I was in school I stuck with the same guys through out the whole time, I guess girls are different.
Mom is doing better and thanks for the well wishes e-mails for her. She still of course has her good and bad days, I walked in Sunday at Gs to find her on the couch all propped back with a blood pressure cup on her arm. At first it gave me a shock to see her like that, after she said she was improving. Her blood pressure was running 88/50 which was making her weak. G was cooking some home made mashed potatoes and potato soup so I nabbed a small plate of the potatoes and forced her to eat them. In about 15 minutes her pressure was 106/55 a slight improvement which made me feel a little bit better.
G was cooking a huge dinner minus salt and hardly any butter, now we are from the south -- who does that!?! We just seasoned it to taste ourselves I didn’t mind really I just like to pick on her, but Paula Dean might get upset with her if she found out.
PG and I had a few projects to knock out around the barn. I kept an eye out on the radio controlled helicopters he put in the little office he has in there. I was in the mood for some cow chasing.
I’ve been contemplating about going back to school instead of working on my country club projects. My Mom told me that stopping school was a bad idea and of course I didn’t listen. “Just get it over with Mark if that’s what you want to do” and my bull headedness insisted on quitting to keep up with work.
A life, Live and learn.

I'm waiting on baby news today.......

Drama Mama

2009-08-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

I haven’t had a drama blog in a while; this one isn’t so much a drama but a scare that started way back on Friday. I had the pleasure of working on a project by myself it was a fountain where I managed to get myself good and grimy. Not really paying attention to my phone calls coming in, as a matter of fact the phone had died on me.
I managed to scum myself up when my aunt came flying about the corner looking frazzled and mad at me “First, why don’t you answer your phone?” I had no answer for her “second you need to go to the emergency room your mom has had a heart attack” Ok nice slap in the face.
I grabbed what tools I could and ran to the truck and to the hospital trauma room. My G and PG where already there hovering over her, moms look on her face was one of worry and happiness I was there to pull them off of her a while. They had every imaginable cable hooked up to her.
If you know my mom’s history of medical problems then you know she has or had colon and breast cancer. Friday was her day for an endoscope and where they jab the tube down your throat and check you out. She’s been anemic for a while and they were looking for some internal bleeding. They found nothing…while she was laying flat her acid reflux decided to erupt and gave her massive pains. Which gave an alarm to the doc that she might be having a heart attack, ok this Doc is starting to annoy me even as I type this.
They rushed her over to the trauma room did an EKG and discovered that she had fluids on her lungs which could be covering damage from a heart attack. I started to sweat but mom insisted it was only the reflux and lack of food she had in her stomach because of the procedure that morning.
After over 8 hours of sitting in that room they decided to move her into another room for the night so they could do some tests on her the next morning. A good hour into me hanging out with her I would casually walk out and call Jacks to let him know what was going on then give a call to Luke. Of course Jacks flipped out and insisted to coming home that very second. I said wait till they do the catheter on her in the morning and we get the results of that, he wouldn’t hear of it
The next morning I get a phone call of “I’m at the airport help a brother out” I wanted to choke him. By the time we had returned to the hospital she had gone to take her test. If there was any flooring in the room Jacks walked it off, pacing back and forth. I wanted a staple gun but I let him be. Lori sat quietly reading one of her Twilight books and watching her brother pace.
An hour later the Doc strolls in says she did NOT have a heart attack but she did have three very small blockages and constricted veins that needed attending to. Moms had issues with breathing during long distances and in cold weather. So if they can correct it then they are going to have to eventually do a bypass.
They settled her in her room and she was shocked to see Mr. Long Tall and Skinny walking in. “where is my baby fat?” Jacks had no reply and G just shook her finger at him and said “I told you”. I did have to defend him and say he is gaining a lot of his weight back. He kept her entertained with funny stories and projects he’s been working on. Somehow he can make her giggle and forget everything which I’m grateful. All in all it was a very terrifying few days for us all; I don’t take shock very well. Luke came to show some pics of the new babies.
The doc came in later to let us know Mom would be coming home on Sunday and she would need to talk to her regular physician sometime this week to work out a strategy for her new set of pills. Jacks and I stopped off at Gs for a huge dinner and a breath and somehow me a nap.
All the family was there, even the ass hole, who for some odd reason kept his mouth shut the whole time. I do have to say I’m proud for that.
Soon as we get details on the regular doc and their decision I will post it. BTW Jess, Jacks does snore!

Good Monday

2009-08-04T08:31:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was extra nice, light work since it was a little rainy some shopping and then a long chat with Amy.
We rattled and babbled on for most the afternoon. She caught me up on all the family fun she was about to have and the trip she was making. I’m missing out on taking a trip so maybe this weekend we can plan a good long trip ourselves on the bikes.
We are working out the plans for another country club again. Which will be nice for some fall work, I really need some fall work. Really I don’t want much I have to get back into school again, another year and a half to finish up my degree. Gosh I’m slow.
Lori is home, full of snickers and phone calls; she sends e-mails to her new found friends from camp this year. For some odd reason she’s overly excited to go back to school again. I can’t ever remember being excited about going to school. Jacks they lucky devil was always home schooled so he never had the thrill of purchasing school supplies and clothes, although it’s a misnomer that he studied in his PJs.
Luke and his clan of kiddos are doing wonderful. He is still working the majority of the time from home, a luxury of doing all his IT work from home. The twins are spewing their cereals and milk just as they are supposed to. The older kids are enjoying the rest of their summer. In a few weeks they will be moving into their new home. I guess they will be needed a moving crew to come over to help out.

Rushing about

2009-07-27T13:47:00.001-04:00

The last few weeks have been nothing short of chaotic with everything coming to a close on the projects at hand. The country club is on its final round up and I have secured two more to revitalize as well. But they want those done in the off season, which is fine with me
I’ve been to the café every day this week to try and in a sandwich and huge glass of sweet tea but as soon as I sit down the phone rings and I’m off like a dirty shirt. That’s ok, I’m not complaining much but my pants are getting a bit baggy.
Lori and Mom are coming home in a couple of weeks; I sort of miss Lori punching about trying to get into some trouble. She is getting ready for the sixth grade, gone are the days of the Bratz notebooks, she’s on to the Jonas brothers stuff. However she’s still a huge webkinz fan but will only admit it to a very few people.
Luke is still the part time stay at home dad with the whole crew. He said the twins are growing like weeds and so are their lungs. Kyle has no interest in his little brothers yet, “they can’t do anything”. Camen thinks they are dolls and wants to put them in her baby carriage so Julie has to keep an eye out on that one for a while.
Mom and Pops must have had a pleasant stay at the gulf, when she calls she sounds so chipper. I like that, maybe that’s the deal they need to be away from us. I know life is much easier when he isn’t around growling at people then turning around and saying sorry.
Jacks has had some interesting turns on his job and school is of course blowing along for him. I just wish he could settle down and relax a bit now, he deserves it.
I hope to go back the “retired” ladies house this week, as soon as she decides what she would like done. I like to talk to interesting people and find out what’s going on inside their heads.

Letting go...

2009-07-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

As I said, I wanted to think about the lady I’m currently helping out in her yard and garden area. Apparently this woman has been working all of her life at the same job. “Forty eight and retired” is all she really said to me when we first met. She was sitting at the table smiling kind of softly like she was looking back at the nearly the last five decades of her life, she had only been retired a week.
From the sounds of it, she didn’t want to leave but it was forced upon her. “I was called in the office and asked to sign my computer off before I left”. She didn’t want to go into the details of the meeting; she just said it was all a huge shock to her system. Like someone came up from behind and hit her in the back with a board to knock the breath out of her. I told her good riddance on the job they lost an important cog in their net work. Again she smiled at me and looked down; she kept telling me “I don’t know what to do next, where to go”. The thought of that made me pity her even more.
To get up every week day for all those years, walk in do your work and walk out and accomplish what ever mundane tasks were required before the next day of work makes me think about my own life. After the lawn business and the café, where to next? Do I settle down and hope that maybe a son or daughter of mine would like to carry it on? Or grab a partner and just “retire” myself letting them handle everything.
Oh I know I have a long wait for all that, but to talk to her and listen to her stories. I see it all goes by so very quickly, in a flash your life can change without notice. When you are young death never creeps into your mind, in fact you feel invincible. Death is for the old or sickly. I’ve seen it far too well and know far too well that isn’t the case.
She rattled on about not trusting people in the work place; everyone smiles and is jolly – to your face. Then it’s all squabbles and cat fights to see who can get ahead. She told me she tried her best to keep to herself on all non office matters. It’s not that she was a snob or a prude but she’d see the inner workings of the other office people, she knew what they were capable of.
I look at her and see a woman that dedicated her life to her position. She never married; in fact she said the guy she was engaged to was caught cheating so she delved more in to her work to forget. She made some good friends along the way, made a lot of memories.
I guess life is funny like that, one minute you are working and another person is walking that same direction with the board in their hand to give you a shake or a rattle. Some people are evil and devious and can only be happy shaking that board and swinging it at others. All you can do is sit back and hope the board swings the other way.

A little bit longer

2009-07-15T15:37:00.003-04:00

Well we are going to have to hold off on the web page. I’ve been terribly busy the last 2 weeks it’s unreal. The café is rocking along with foods and smells like you wouldn’t believe. Walking in I get the instant hungries and still have to wait in line.
We are also about to knock out the country club and working on another project with another club, see, I said we were busy. Right now I’m lucky to get in a good 6 hours sleep with all the projects going on. Most of them are going to with the City projects. I get up work and then eat dinner and go right to bed. Gah, I'm boring!
We have the twins in now; they came last Sunday/Saturday. Julie and Luke checked into the hospital on Saturday afternoon and around 5 am on Sunday the little rascals were born. The naming of them was still a battle to the end; last I heard it was Gab and Riley – both boys. Luke didn’t care for either name so they did a bargain and lost Gabe and went with Levi instead, nothing like having a nephew named after a jean. They are cute round little chubs with curly blonde hair, nothing like their older siblings locks; I swear I couldn’t find Caymen when she was born for all the hair on her head.
My G and PG came a few days earlier to take care of the older runts while Julie was away. Jacks and I had the fun of coming in the last minute to see the two newest additions. Aunt Lori and Mom were already there jumping up and down to hold them.
I spend most the day there and then raced home, Lori and Mom and Pops drove back to the gulf and Jacks left to go home. Only to be hit with a storm that knocked his power/internet/phone out, talk about living in the Stone Age. I pitied him when we talked on Tuesday; he spent the night in a hot condo sweating to death hoping someone could fix his problems quickly. (Last account I heard from him he had power and internet) He said no one even noticed he was gone.
I met an older lady on Monday helping her in the garden and yard. She’s interesting to talk to a bit sad; I can’t wait to get what her story is all about.
Maybe in the next few weeks we can jazz up the new web site.

New stuff

2009-07-02T17:48:00.000-04:00

we are moving but dont worry the link will come!

Getting ready for the weekend.

2009-06-29T13:23:00.003-04:00

This last weekend was fun; I spent most of it on the beach. Friday I chatted with Jacks girlfriend the majority of the day and then ran home to cut my grass and what not while the sun wasn’t beaming on my head.
After all that fun I ran to grab a quick shower, so not offend anyone for the rest of the night. We had planned on a cookout and crab boil. Those kinds of parties will keep me forever. Trace played his guitar and I ate what more could you ask for?
Saturday was spent at the beach, its weird the weekend before the 4th and everybody and their mama was out. I hope that same mob is out this weekend.
Jacks is coming home, leaving early Thursday night or Friday morning to hang out and shoot fireworks and eat with me. PG has been anxious to see him and in fact that’s all he’s talked about is seeing Jacks. I wonder what plans he’s made for him. I need him to help on the Jacuzzi some time in the near future. He’s happy so we are happy, besides he said something about a mini-mester class on top of his summer courses he wanted to get into.
Lori won’t be home she’s still in camp and will be returning the weekend after, only to run back out in a church group retreat for another week. Mom has gone to the gulf to be with Pops, which means no drama on the home front! I don’t get her running after him and plan on a good long blog about this sometime in the near future.
I have already bought a truck load of fireworks and food and liquid refreshments for the Friday night and Saturday celebrations.
I don’t plan on working too hard this week, it’s a skeleton crew here, a lot wanted off for the whole week or parts of it. I said “yes” to everyone’s request so that leaves me to man all the stations.

Hotter than the sun

2009-06-25T12:59:00.005-04:00

Today could be about as hot as the sun, working outside. I feel for those that work on rooftops and roads; laying that asphalt has to be one of the hottest jobs around. The city has been doing a lot of paving at night or after five pm here.
I’ve been out some today and thought melting in my clothes was an option. Maybe later on this afternoon the summer showers will pop up and make everything nice and muggy. That’s always a pleasure having mud or grass stuck to your neck. When I do go home at night I grab the hose pipe and rinse off before going in the house. So I don’t scum up the place upon entering.
We are thinking the cuties (twins) will be here soon enough, well not soon enough for me. I want to pinch their cheeks and have them make pouty faces.
Jacks is in baby mode as well, he bought over 150 bucks worth of baby items in the last two days, of course he has a baby shower in his office to prepare for as well. He said the lady at the register looked at him like he was crazy when he walked up with onesies and bibs and caps and lotions and wipes and socks and few other assortments of baby items. His buggy was nearly full, he smiled at her and said “Kids, they need so much!” I told him he successfully made her think you have brats now.
I guess that’s where this blog is leading today, what people think or how they think. Jess and I had an in-depth conversation about how some people are nutcases and how to interact with them. I suggested my PGs method of “If you want to get rid of a stray, don’t feed it.” Sounds pretty natural to me, some people are so unhappy with their lives they have to have some drama floating about them. As if it gives them meaning in life.
Luke used to date this one girl that would start a fight mid week with him just to make things spicy and then “makeup” with him on the weekend. I asked him how he could deal with it and he would say “Oh Wednesdays and Thursdays were hell but wow I loved the weekends!” I guess so.
But why, what makes a person “Happy” in seeing someone having to deal with your turmoil?

*side note* Rest well Farrah, you will be missed. Cancer is a bitch.

?

2009-06-22T11:51:00.002-04:00

What makes you “burnt out”? I never can get that in my head, you are moving along in Life’s path and it hits you -- the burn outs. Is it that we are like every other average American that we over indulge ourselves and want to throw in the towel?
I feel that we are in a gluttonous state of being as it is; then get ourselves neck deep into either debt or a project or anything else and feel that our only excuse is we are burnt out. That’s just an easy way of quitting; a solid excuse like many of the phobias that prevents you from accomplishing a task.
Maybe its boredom and we can’t make it interesting to us anymore. Or laziness or just totally frustrated; that the best way is to walk away. It could be a good case of being overwhelmed or just don’t give a damn about anything or anyone else but ourselves.
I’ve seen it used on relationships when it gets too deep and you don’t know how to cope. The constant fights and battles over and every day existence just becomes too much. Here is where it’s easy to say “we need a break from each other”
It happens at work, letting your job pile up work on you or giving into the demands of your tyrant boss or coworkers and you wont stick up for yourself. This line works: “I just need some time off to regroup”.
I do it too, many times I want to get up and walk away, especially when something or someone pisses me off or disappoints me constantly. I’ve let work sit and pile up when I know just getting it done and over with would make me a happier person.
Is this a sign of weakness that we want to walk away and collect our thoughts? Maybe not if it’s done in the proper manner, just don’t throw a hissy fit and storm out but explain yourself to the parties’ involved
Some do it as a cry for help, “if I give up and announce that I am, maybe someone will acknowledge me”.
Where’s this all coming from? I’m not sure maybe the 3 hour phone conversation I had yesterday or maybe just me thinking too much. Did I have the right answers, that I'm not so sure --- I needed a break.

Short but interesting…..

2009-06-19T13:02:00.004-04:00

This week seems to have flown by for me; I’ve had so much work going on in different directions. I love it!
The country club project is coming right along; in fact I’m scouting out another one to try. There are a few around here in need of repair and if it keeps us rolling then we are eager to give it a go. The city has been doing some road widening here and there and of course we have to come right behind them and pretty it up.
Lori is having a great time at camp; she’s fallen in love with one of the camp counselors. “Oh Mark he has the biggest brown eyes” oh great. I asked her if she learned anything or made more friends but all she wanted to do was talk about him. I swear she gets overheated about guys at 10 I’m worried when she hits her teens.
Mom is packing up for an extended trip to see Pops in the gulf. Well, as long as it keeps him down there then all is well with the world. That means I can spend some time at the house and when I want tromp on out to the beach for some relaxation I can.
Jacks says he will be issued some free time soon since Jess will be going on a trip with her parents for a couple of weeks, I say perfect! He can come here and help me out on a few odd jobs and chill out as well. Trace and Michelle have been dying to have him over to show their culinary skills and movie showing talents as of late. I say he needs a good long break – long as in more than one night; he has some “pushies” in his life as well.
Luke and Julie are on the cusp of having the babies, the doctors said near the first of July if not then, its going to be induced. Their new house is rolling along but won’t be completed until mid September if they are lucky. They shouldn’t have built a huge ass compound of a house, but of course they didn’t expect two kids on this round either.
My G called early this morning hinting about the new Jacuzzi for Mom. I guess while Mom is away and I’m at the house I could put that in, also if Jacks were here he can help! She gave me the story about how she had a hard time walking in the mall the other day and having the AC on in the house hurts her knees.
The weekend is here! No!! I'm not going on a Miley Cyrus hunt this weekend but Kelly Preston... humm.

Pushies

2009-06-16T10:25:00.002-04:00

I really don’t care for pushy people, I was born and raised in the south; we aren’t really the pushy type. All laid back and easy going, don’t get me wrong that doesn’t mean we are lazy, just not intrusive to other people’s lives.
This week I had someone come into my “life” that was more so the take over type. That to me is annoying, everything is going smoothly here. I don’t need anyone else’s involvement in my direction.
The “I will be coming over to help you on this” or the “Get ready for me to do...” Nah, not for me, if I want you to come over and help, you will get the green light. If I asked for help; there again, you would get the green light – from me.
Telling me that this is how it is going to be really pisses me off.
A cousin has been going to school a while longer and a few years older than I just graduated from college earning his degree in horticulture and some plant sciences. Great, bully for you – start your own business.
So this dinkus now feels that they can just barge into my “play house” and take over, I say no way and in so many words this is how I talk this morning went:
First off I’m not looking into a partner, I had one before that didn’t work out too well. In fact, I don’t know exactly what that guy is doing now.
Second, don’t assume that “since we are family” that it’s ok to move in on my projects and take over. I’ve worked hard where I am now and have a sorted plan on where I want to go. I like how they way it is thank you very much.
Then I get the whine of “you don’t want to help family out” and “you don’t care about me” spiel. Ok there’s where my comment of “oh grow up and get a real life” came in; using a pity ploy or a guilt trip doesn’t work on me, I will just ignore the remarks and continue on with what I am doing, do it enough and the rudeness will begin to spew out and it will get ugly.
I really don’t understand people that assume you want them to take over your life. It blows my mind in so many ways.
Now this person will probably pout at me for months and not talk to me like some 8 year old not getting their way. So be it.

Small check in

2009-06-12T08:48:00.003-04:00

This week has been monster busy for me. We have been working round the clock, so to speak, at the country club. The tennis courts have different colors in them, the paths to and from are lined with new greenery and handicapped enabled. The biggest area we had was not only the pool but the commons area where everyone sat, to have snacks and lunch. New plant boxes and concrete treatments a million new plants and watering system through out the whole spot. In maybe three more weeks or less it should be completed. I hope to use this as an example to other country clubs maybe on a larger scale.
I did manage to squeeze in talk time with Amy and my brothers. Amy is trying her best to get a week off from one of her many jobs. I love her but I say it won’t happen; she will cave when someone calls in because their child got a bee sting or tummy ache.
Luke was all about being excited on the new house; they have the exterior walls up now Kyle calls them bones. He’s been ripping and romping around the new build “Helping” the guys with nails and small tools. I may send him a tool belt and hard hat. They had a slight scare/excitement this week with Julie and the babies when she thought she may have gone into labor. It was nothing more than a few pains and over with.
Lori is loving camp right now; she is all about singing and crafts and loves the idea that boys are allowed to be doing projects with them. I told her to write me often so I can giggle at what is going on over there – really to keep an eye out.
Jacks was home the majority of the day yesterday, he had an exam and of course blew that right out of the water. He said the night before he had about an hour sleep so he chose not to come into work and rest his head a bit. If I had an IQ running around in the 180s I don’t think my head would need resting. “Ring, ring Jacks – PARS is calling”.
Tonight I plan on going out with the guys and shooting some pool and a few jabs at darts. I guess my Friday night plans don’t change much? Never the less it’s too muggy out at night to stand on the pier.
Saturday will be a long game of golf and some of my own yard work. It’s a shame that I have to do my own yard. I wonder if people that clean others house clean their own, or those that baby sit kids want kids of their own.

Where are they?

2009-06-04T15:48:00.003-04:00

Everyone in the office is talking about going and seeing movie this weekend. Sounds like some fun to me, but I want to know why or where all the drive in theaters have gone?
I can remember being 7 or 8 Mom telling us to go get our PJs on after dinner and me thinking “Crap what I did I do?” I just knew Jacks pulled something and got us into trouble.
They wanted to go see a drive in movie, what freaking fun that was to be in the truck piled up with pillows and blankets and our Pops making mini runs to the concession stand.
Where did they go? Where they that unprofitable?
Right now they have “Bands in the Park” where Jacks lives they have “Movie on the Mountain” that sounds interesting to me. Drive up on top of a mountain and they play old movies on some huge wall. The bands in the park stop as soon as the sun goes down, and they aren’t those hard rock band its all easy listening (Yes, I like to chill to a little easy listening music). That way I can talk and enjoy the tunes too.
Lori doesn’t know what she’s missing out on. She’s spoiled with the upper level theaters where you go sit in heavily padded rocking chairs and order your food and have it brought to you. What fun is that? Where are the mosquito bites? The snooping into other peoples cars? The play ground under the screen?!!
Oh well, I guess the upper level moving showings aren’t that bad…. Now to pick the movie.

Another Monday

2009-06-01T13:37:00.002-04:00

This weekend was extra nice; I didn’t work on one single office project, only some hot weather fun, mostly on the beach.
Lori is packed and gone for summer camp and will be out of everyone’s hair for the next three weeks. I’m sure Mom is going to miss her but I think she plans on going to the Gulf to see Pops for a few days and she said something about checking in on Jacks.
Luke and I talked a little today, his house is finally getting the frame work up, and it will soon look like a house. He said Kyle really didn’t get the whole “moving” and wants to make sure his toys are coming along; also he mentioned it might be a good idea to have a roof since it rains.
PG and I ate like two little piggies all Sunday and then worked on a fence row the rest of the day. A couple of weeks ago he had his yearly physical and the Doctor noticed a erratic rhythm to in his heartbeat so for a few days they hooked him up to a monitor and watched him. I haven’t heard the results yet from that test but I like to make sure he doesn’t strain himself much while working.
That night he and I flew the remote control helicopters he bought last summer. That’s a really nice stress breaker, unless you hit the barn or G.
I came home to my cell phone with over 10 phone calls missed by Amy and a few other people. There was nothing urgent going on, so no worries there. I really tire of listening to messages on that thing. It’s the same lines over and over again.
Today the office is dead, two of the girls are on vacation for a few days and one is out sick with her kid. So that leaves Cari and I to do whatever we please and we darn well have.
Jacks wanted me to look at some numbers for him, just for the fun of it I made charts as well. Never ask me to do something when I’m bored, I go way overboard doing it. He is proud of his little business and is always trying to think of something new.
Let's see what trouble I can get into this week.

Breaks

2009-05-29T08:53:00.003-04:00

My little sister has flipped her wig this year, she’s getting ready for summer camp with high hopes of finding true love I’m sure.
She is happy to be out with the other girls in her class, ready romp in the woods, sing songs, burn marshmallows, and swim. Funny I always imagined girls and summer camp as doing each others hair or nails and talking or stalking the boys.
The guys always wanted to go outside and see who could skip rocks the farthest, water fights and climbing trees, when I was at camp at that age girls where still kind of silly to me.
Today its going to have a good chance of rain here so no real outside work for me, just shuffling papers a bit and catching up with the ladies and their gossip. Maybe I will take them out to lunch, that always gets them going. Trace and Michelle want me to come over for dinner and a movie; I swear they act like they are in their 50s or 60s. It’s really ok, I sort of like it.
Tomorrow however, the weather is going to be great, a round of golf and then some sleep time on the beach would be in order. I like to get in a few weekends of sitting on the sand, people watching and chatting it up before taking on weekend jobs. My favorite is to be dozing under the umbrella and cool shadow cross my body, to peek out to see someone standing there ready to yap.
Chris and Wayne want to get the Jet skis out and blast up and down the coastline, which is fine with me. They said there was a bike show some where close we might squeeze that in as well.

The apple doesn’t fall far

2009-05-27T10:50:00.003-04:00

I talked to Luke today, catching up on everything and we of course yapped about old times. He still likes to laugh at me on all the old stupid pranks he pulled but doesn’t seem to want to laugh much when we talk about the ones I pulled on him.
He said this weekend was gorgeous, they hung out in the new house lot for a while looking and planning. The foundation is poured and they have started on the framing. Its all down hill from now for them, once they get that roof up it seems to fly along. Besides when it rains after that they can still work.
He was telling me about the kids, how they are growing like two little weeds. In fact he said Kyle is like his uncle Mark in the playing with things he shouldn’t. Luke caught him trying to take off his training wheels to his bike. He had one off already so he just sat back and watched him struggle with the other for a while. About and hour later it was removed as well. Luke told him since he took them off he would have to put them back on if he couldn’t ride it. He just looked at him and smiled.
The after first 30 or so minutes he mastered catching himself before he hit the ground. Then he got the bright idea of getting next to the steps of the house sitting on his bike and pushing off, after about 10 or so attempts on that he pretty much was up and peddling. Unless he had to turn, he would then T-bone the front tire and drop like a rock.
Camen the whole time would occasionally stop to watch her older brother and giggle when he would land flat. She liked pushing her peddle car and getting in and out thank you very much.
I can remember when Luke was five he did the same thing, we both were playing with our bikes and he started taking off his training wheels to be like the older boys, naturally I had to follow suit. I thought he was insane to do this but of course I couldn’t be outdone by him. We had a time trying to get on them, our Pops would help but we insisted on doing it ourselves. The sun was about to go down when we got the bright idea of putting our bikes near the curb and jumping on. Countless times we rammed into each other because we had no control.
After a skinned knee and hand a few jags of crying Kyle finally mastered his bike riding. Luke beamed with pride that his son accomplished this without him having to help. He picked up the spare wheel parts and tossed them in the trash. They sat on the deck a while and celebrated with milk and cookies. Not bad for a four year old.

Memorials, memories and hangovers

2009-05-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

This weekend could have been longer and if it were I might not be alive today, ok, that’s an over statement but if there was to be some running about to do then I did it.
Friday night Trace and Michelle had a small cook out, a precursor to what they wanted to do on Monday. A small group of 8 it wasn’t too crazy in fact, I think I ate myself to death more than anything.
Saturday I worked in the morning on some paperwork, we have three big jobs coming in for the country club. Summer is about to roll in we really need to get these done but fast. Amy and I talked a while, then she had to go to work in one of her fifty two jobs she has. I left and romped over to the country club for a short game of golf and a peek at our progress. It didn’t look half bad and the pool is set to go now, new tiles around the deck a scrubbed and clean inside pool with sparkling clear water, new plants all about the area and some mini huts for massages and rub downs in the upper deck levels. I was pleased.
Saturday night was an outing with the guys in the small bar we like to call home, greasy fried foods and cold beers and the best darts in the south. This weekend they sported a new band, they weren’t half bad.
Sunday I was invited to go deep sea fishing for the day, drank more than fished. We did the round table of bullshit - the card game and talked of what we wanted in the future. I just wanted to make it on the boat ride without falling off or being jabbed with one of those damn giant hooks, my aspirations aren’t too high.
Monday we lay out on the beach trying to dry out from all the food and beer and bullshit. Slept most the afternoon watching people parade past with a few surfers giving it a go. Occasionally someone would stop and have a chat with us, some of the older people there sunning thought we were there to cause trouble, we had about 15 all milling about being our stupid and loud selves. Just before sunset I rode my bike buzzing down the highway, it felt great except when an unlucky bug flew into me.
Right now I sit at my desk just thinking of the work that needs to be done, the fun I had, all the while Cari is propped up on Diane’s cubical wall chatting about the weekend.

Still catching up

2009-05-19T09:38:00.003-04:00

So last weekend was “our” Mothers Day event, early Friday morning I was packing for the weekend to Atlanta when my cell rang. I just knew it was my G but nope it was Amy wishing me a safe trip and all that other mushy stuff. A good five minutes into our call the phone beeped in which was my G this time, I held off flipping over to answer it. Two minutes later the phone was beeping again so I had to let Amy go because it annoys the hell out of me to hear the beeps.
Nothing to speak of on the drive up, G napped, PG napped, Lori napped, and Mom napped – how I wanted to!
When we arrived Julie was in the driveway grabbing the last of her grocery list items so I jumped out to help, Luke was just bouncing out the door to help as well. Julie looked very well to be carrying two tykes; however she also looked like she would go into labor any second.
Two seconds later Kyle and Camen came running out to meet us. Jacks was already there with his big goofy smile, Kyle resumed his place right under him. They were about to do some coloring on the sidewalk and hunt for bugs to put on the girls.
No stress, no drama just us hanging about talking and enjoying the day, we later went down town to eat at a restaurant so no one had to cook or clean. Saturday was breakfast out and some shopping, Jacks packed his bag and was off and running home before we knew it. Kyle didn’t like that much so it was my job to entertain him. Luke and Kyle and I walked the new yard lot and grabbed some soil samples and measurements for the landscaping. Julie gave me ideas of what she wanted and Luke chimed in with a few of his.
We three boys decided that this year for Mom we would get her an updated Jacuzzi to sit in. Sometimes her bones ache and joints are in pain, besides my G was excited to hear that as well because she’s been having trouble with her knees.
Sunday was church services and lunch out, and then we needed to pack up and trek on home once again. It was nice to have family time with no drama or arguments just easy talks and visiting.
The drive home was about the same as the drive up, everyone napped and I was wishing to.
Later on Sunday I get a phone call from PG saying not to worry but G has fallen down the steps in the garage and may have broken her ankle, we later found out she pulled ligaments and needed to stay off it for the next couple of days. That’s good news at least.
Monday rolls in and Jack calls me to ask if it’s bad if his ear bleeds just a tiny bit after poking a Q tip in too far. What a ding bat, I told him yeah to get it checked and he said that’s what Jess said too, he was on his way to have that looked at.
Right now I’m peeking about trying to find the right Jacuzzi for Mom to have and I guess G as well, since she will be plopped in there with her. This is how weekends should be, with family relaxing doing things together and making memories.

Have you ever just want to say…

2009-05-12T13:11:00.003-04:00

“Jump straight up my ass” to someone? Today would be the day for me, in this mornings meeting with the picky country club lady. I came with an open mind, I slept well the night before, after having dinner with Trace and Michelle and a movie. However, if I see Wolverine one more time I might howl, spare me that movie now, and torture me with anything --- the Hanna Montana movie please!
Back to the lady – she was over forty minutes early, how do I know this? One of the waitresses told me as I walked in 10 minutes early myself. She promptly scolded me for being late, in which defense mode clicked in and asked her to check her appointment book to see our blocked set time… I won that battle.
We chose, I should say SHE chose a table away from traffic and large enough for me to lay out plans and explain in detail our ideas. Before I began my spiel with her, making it perfectly clear all of this was already agreed upon and if there was something she didn’t like she would have to talk to the rest of the committee about the changes. I think that statement blew in one ear and out the other.
Starting light, we sorted through the plants and the arrangements of them. I could have said every plant indigenous to the southern Georgia coastal area and possibly every plant in her yard she wouldn’t have approved of them. Holding my breath I let her give me her suggestions and wrote them down, she actually wanted me to mark up my plans to show the new changes. I did, but still stated that she would have to direct this all to the rest of the counsel not that I would change them until their approval.
We moved on to some more of the deeper end issues like the pool area and tennis court and landing point for the golf areas. Wanting loose gravel near the pool and tennis courts was a given “No No”, but making her understand the reasoning’s why was near impossible. After the third time of me explaining the pool guy would literally hunt me down and shoot after having to clean the filter every day because Jr. thinks its fun to watch the pebbles go “ploop” in the pool She mumbled that children shouldn’t be allowed in the club in the first place.
Materials used was another hill to climb with her, when I do estimates for projects I go out myself and find the cost of each item and include that in my final price, just as anyone else would do. She didn’t like the stores I was purchasing from…..there again trying to keep an open mind I let her give me suggestions.
After what seemed to be a week of her rambling on of “In my day” one liners we decided to take the meeting outside “so that I may take some notes for my changes” I bit my lip and followed her out of doors. She pointed and prodded to areas that were not even discussed, like the parking lot, the actual golf course, we were just trying to make the general public recreational areas more up to date and useable.
I’m not sure if she was dozing during the past meetings before or was in a semi comatose fog during them because none of this was ever discussed, not that I wouldn’t like to add them in. I was tired of her telling me “You’re doing it wrong” over and over.
After the fourth time of me telling her she would have to talk to the rest of the committee she might have been getting the point when we happened upon one of the other members. I exhaled long and hard when they explained why only certain areas were to be upgraded; it seemed to have stuck in her head that time.
After nearly four hours of her picking and prodding our plans and insisting we use hers, I was about to throw her into the pool, which just so happens to be empty. The chairman walked upon us, I guess getting ready to have his lunch, when he noticed the flustered look on my face. He decided to save me and invite the picky lady to dine with him and saving her a fate of seeing the bottom of the pool. She wanted me to give all my notes to him in which I eagerly did and said if you make any “improvements” to please give me a call and clue me in.
I walked out the same way I entered and the waitress that warned me smiled and said she was glad to see I was still alive. As I exited the grounds and entered the highway I blasted my radio and cussed so loud I’m sure people in South Carolina could hear me……..

Mother’s Day

2009-05-11T11:50:00.003-04:00

I guess the card makers needed days like this, Mothers and Fathers and Grandparents days. They are well and good in their own devices, personally setting aside one day of the year to acknowledge all their hard work for a life time doesn’t cut it for me. Maybe it doesn’t hurt to do a small pat on the back every once in a while, but you don’t need a card to do that.
My Mom is a wonderful person, she’s caring and giving and smart, and she raised four rowdy kids and still has her sanity. Taught us the best she knew how to care and respect for others, she married to what you would think a decent man. (I go no farther on this subject).
Many times I’ve chimed on about how she raised four brats and taught school or nursed and was able to keep the family together. Hell, I have a hard enough time getting up in the mornings and making breakfast and she does all this plus some.
Last Mothers Day Lori and I did a few odds and ends for her, this year Lori and Mom spent the day at a spa doing girl things. Lori came to church sporting new fingernail polish and toe nails and what ever else they do. She giggled about the mud masks she and Mom wore how the lady rubbed their feet with stinky oils. If anything my Mom enjoyed spending some girl time with her little baby. I didn’t really do anything for her yet, that comes later.
Next weekend we plan on visiting Luke and Julie and the two brats. Mom really wanted to visit Julie for a while now and see how she’s getting along. Besides, they need a little help moving some items out of their old house. He also wanted me to take measurements for the lot and soil samples since he is hiring me to landscape for them.
Jacks is going to run over to see her as well, which will make Mom and Lori happy, the last time they saw each other wasn’t on the best of terms. He is going to look at Luke’s new house plans and do a few modifications for them. He and I spoke a while this morning, he was all out of sorts and blames it on a being Monday. After 10 minutes of me pestering him, he spilled his guts to me and I can see why he is in this mood. I suggested a nice long break from the problems at hand and sorting them out, instead of flipping out on everyone. Then tell them all to go straight to hell.
Today for me will be interesting; I plan on having the picky lady from the country club give me some ideas of what she envisions from us.

My weekend

2009-05-06T11:47:00.003-04:00

So the last minute on Friday we get a call in to check out some new timbers and treatments that are being used for areas in the Country Club, ROAD TRIP!
Chris, Wayne and I quickly grabbed small bags and packed up the truck to check out the new stuff. Not only to do that but just to get out of town for a while.
I like to travel and see new places, I can be a home body if needed but just getting out a while and breathing new air is relaxing to me.
We made it in by midnight Friday and settled down for the next days exhibits. That morning we woke up, crammed as much food into us as possible and walked what seemed a million miles. Home Shows or Home Fairs can be boring if you let them, that’s how I met Shailana in Nashville a few years back, a total nutcase that one is.
That evening we found a cool bar to eat and drink a while in, nothing much really going on. Chris did try and hit on every waitress that walked within a 5 foot radius of us. Wayne and I had a wager on how many times he would be shot down.
Sunday was about the same, and then late that afternoon was the trip home. When I noticed a billboard about Mothers Day, great…..
I’m trying my best to get it organized since our Mom hasn’t had the best year so far with our idiot of a Pops, Jacks moving off and Luke being extra busy not able to come down as often. Lori keeps her semi preoccupied wither little dramas and she and G don’t miss a shopping day.
If I can get the 15th will be it, Jacks can spend the night at Luke’s with his crew. Then Mom, Lori and I can drive up and spend the weekend.

Pandemics

2009-04-30T12:03:00.004-04:00

So today I walk into work and everyone is in lather over the Swine Flu and the girl missing from Myrtle Beach.
What makes us all get into an uproar over things like this? One lady here loaded each desk up with rubbing alcohol and hand wipes. The seventeen year old girl missing is a tragedy but in the news report (and we can’t always believe that) said she was prone to leaving or running away. Poor girl needs to get her some help.
The Swine Flu is another interesting story, Cari the office germ freak, decided to wash everything down with Clorox. I about passed out from the smell and there’s not been any cases reported here yet. She actually had a book out of Reader Digest “Back to Basics” like she was going to go camp out on her husbands parents farm and live off the land. When and if the day does come she will be a train wreck.
I talked to Luke last night in Atlanta and they have a few cases reported there, their kids are not school age, Kyle is in a Mommy’s Day out like thing so he’s on vacation from that, because just like his daddy, if there is a cold to be caught Kyle will get it.
Jacks said there were two unconfirmed cases where he is and a few more reported this morning. They closed down the schools and daycares there, but not his college classes. He’s too rowdy to catch anything but he did mention his heads been hurting the last few days and throat is sore.
Lori is worried that it will come this weekend, since she wants to go see the movie again she was cold busted on before. I don’t get the closing schools and then the little runts are running around the malls and on the beaches together anyway. If they do close she may end up in class until Memorial weekend.
What blows my mind the sheer panic some are going through, stock piling gas and foods, tightening up houses? Some of the younger kids are all up in arms and the problem hasn’t even hit close to here yet.
Whatever the out come will be……no matter how hard you wash your hands.

Whirlwinds

2009-04-27T10:57:00.002-04:00

Last week was a super busy for me off and on; the weather is clearing up so I can work outside once more. Thursday was the first time in 3 months I’ve really had a nice sweat going from pulling up some stumps out of a lot.
The café did very well on Saturday so we may need that extra help now for Bee. I thought maybe sneaking in to get a sandwich would be a breeze but I had to wait. Not that I am complaining, so I walked around the green house thinking of other items that might go well. Earlier that morning I played a long round of golf with the guys and noticed I really need to hit the driving range.
When I was younger, my PG and I would go to the range and out past it was a train track In my entertainment my PG would whack the balls out there so I could hear the “thunk” as it clipped the train. The owner of the range finally came out and asked my PG to stop that he hated going out there to find the balls. One of my first jobs was to drive the truck that picked up balls in a driving range, my friends would come out to try and hit me.
The country club has no complaints as of yet, but of course, I’ve not seen the complaint lady.
I talked to Jacks for a few minutes on Sunday as I did an evil trick on someone (Can’t say just what—she reads this blog too) he is doing fine keeping extra busy, I think a little too busy if you ask me. His work is kicking him in the ass, not that he can’t keep up with it. But the worry of idiots in his office being jerks -- some of these people have kids older than him but they still want to act as if they are teenagers with the gossip. He wouldn’t go much into detail with me other than one guy is a total dweeb.
Lori was a perfect angel this weekend and only spent the night at Gs, getting ready to pick strawberries. Our grand’s have a huge patch and everyone loves to come out and pick them. I don’t mind eating them, just not having to get out there and pick them – I do enough “gardening” on my work week. At least the café will have some nice fresh strawberries for their treats.

*I found two pennies*

Being A Sneak

2009-04-20T12:16:00.003-04:00

It was nice these last two days, nothing major happened. I stopped into the café on Saturday to have a bite to eat, check inventory and pester Bee. After all that fun, hopping over to the country club to make sure some progress is being made there. Maybe it’s just me, but to let the members see that I check up and show interest helps a bit. Now if the rain would just let up.
That night a few of us decided to go see a movie, we wanted to go on Friday but drinking plans got in the way. So we are all marching in to see a movie and whose little blonde head do I see in line? My little sister, who was supposed to be spending the night with some other girls, I couldn’t believe my eyes, buying my ticket I kept one eye on her to see which movie she sauntered into. It was that 17 Again movie of course, she naturally, just like her older brother, made a pit stop at the concession stand. She placed her order in and before she could finish I asked her if she wanted extra butter on that popcorn.
If anyone could have measured her for a high jump record at that moment I’m sure she would have broke it. The look of shock on her face was priceless, “You owe me” is all I said and walked away with a smirk on my face. I stopped and turned around to see her jaw wide open and I gave her the two fingers to my eyes and pointed them in her direction gesture and pranced into my movie.
Sunday comes along and I wouldn’t miss church for anything in the world this weekend. Somehow I knew Lori would be there as well. Before church I had to stop in Wal-Mart and pick up a few items, one being donuts and a few odds and ends for myself. I was going to have my dinner cooked and house cleaned that night……I talked to Jacks early that day as well, he said that Amy might be calling me which was fine, so I had a chat with her while I shopped, she enjoys hearing me do the self check out and how it never works for me.
Church was interesting, Lori sneaked in beside me, glancing up at me every once in a while with a pleading face. After the services I told her how she could keep my mouth shut. Since she would be going to Gs after, she could come over to my house and find a mini list of chores to do and what I wanted for dinner. She grumbled at me but after my suggestion of letting Mom in on her where abouts on Saturday night she agreed.
After I came home to make an inspection of her job, she did well enough for me and we both sat down and had pizza together (She just had to call it in). I explained to her that its fun and exciting to do things like that and not get caught but there are always bad side effects that can happen and accidents. If she wanted to go see a movie or be somewhere to let me at least know and I could help her out if possible. Otherwise, next time she was busted I would have to tell Mom who would put down the wrath of God on her and she knows it.

Sleepies

2009-04-17T11:56:00.002-04:00

The other day Luke and I were talking about his kids, Kyle is running up on 3 now I think, oh my God I’m a terrible uncle. Whatever, Luke and I always get a crack out of talking about when we were growing up together.
He was telling me how Kyle is all against having the naps during the day and Julie has an all out battle with him and Camen then. I can remember naps and how I loved them, Luke was always napping ten or fifteen minutes before time. Because we were always racing around the house wearing ourselves down not to mention my Mom. Jacks hated it, you could never get him to drop and Lori would go only if you rocked her to sleep.
I remember one time Mom was about to kill us three, she would clean something up in the house and sure enough one of us would be right behind her messing it up. Our Pops would come home from lunch and right after he left it would be the time for our dreaded daily deed. Jacks couldn’t have been any more than two, Luke was out of that stage and I was getting pretty close. That day, Pops leaves to go back to work; Mom turns to us with a big smile on her face and claps her hands “Yay! Its nap time!!” At first I clapped in excitement, because she was excited but then realized what it was for and wasn’t too happy about it. Off we rolled to our rooms, we were duped all I could say was “Nooo!” but I’d clapped about it so I had to go. Mom was pretty proud that she found a new “fun” way to get us to hit the sack for a while and give her some peace and quiet.
The next day the plan was the same for her -- big smile, bending down and “Yay!!” I looked her dead pan in the face; I was on to her game and she knew the jig was up. I was proud of myself because I had caught on. Maybe just maybe, I would be excluded from the game from now on. But behind me I hear “Its nap time!” and clapping….. It was Jacks with his big cheesy smile and blonde curly headed locks bouncing up and down… what a goober!

Wigglin room

2009-04-15T12:21:00.005-04:00

So this older lady at the country club is really getting under my skin, with all her picking and prodding about with the work. Something has to be up with her…. Maybe she’s lonely or one of those type A personalities or a full on loon. Maybe she knows about how I like to make everyone happy with my work and she’s going to be the one challenge for me. It’s bugging me that I can’t seem to make her happy. I guess it’s the old adage” the squeaky wheel gets the grease” maybe it’s just the challenge to make her crack a smile with our work. ….Maybe I’m just a paranoid geek?
Talked to Luke a little while just making sure Julie is feeling well, she’s been on my mind for the last few days. I know that moving out of their old house into an apartment and building a new house, taking care of two little monkeys under the age of three. On top of that being pregnant with twins has to be harsh on a body. He said she’s fine, and the runts are as well. Luke says he might have to move out of state a month or so setting up a new project, oh boy. -- One worry off my mind.
Caught Jacks in transit to a class, usually I let him call me but I was in an extra chatty mood and crossed my fingers to talk to him. He’s swimming along in school of course, like it’s a day camp for him. Work is more stressful for him with some jerk worried that Jacks may take his job, all I got to say to the dude, is to get your game up Jacks is on your ass. He said that he and Jess are just fine thank you very much. --- No worries there.
Lori is on a man hunt, and this whole time I thought she would love the Jonas Brothers or that Jesse McCartney dude, you know the ones at are unattainable. How do I know this? She called me asking if I could drop her off at the long side of the beach. She’s about 100 yards from the beach, why would she want to go way over there? New boys of course! We will see if she gets a ride from me. -- One more worry for me there.

*Susan Boyle touched my heart, search her*

Still working

2009-04-14T10:34:00.004-04:00

The country club project is still moving right along, the directors romped about the areas we were working in this weekend and seemed to approve of our accomplishments. Except for one, this lady that has to be as old as Methuselah, nit picks at every over turned stone. “Why is this plant going to be here, coloring concrete is going to get on our feet” the complaints go on and on. I see there will be a lot of redoing work with this one; the other directors suggested that smiling and continuing the direction we are going in would be fine.
Mom and I had another long discussion about Pops this weekend, she does but she doesn’t want to let go. If it were me, he would have been history a long time ago, but it’s not me. I’m not so patient or forgiving and after a while the drama gets too much for me and I’m eager to walk away. Maybe the whole issue with Beth a while back still burns me; I don’t tend to put up with it anymore. I don’t have to put up with silly and petty drama and childishness and can live perfectly fine as it is.
Visited Trace and Michelle this weekend, they are talking kids, Trace a daddy? That almost as bad as Jacks being one, the world will spin backwards. They are all giddy and smiles still, their apartment is cute but cramped and way too small for them and another one the way. So they are waiting for a little while longer until Trace can get settled in his job and Michelle is in hers and they can buy or rent a house.
We did the cookout deal at their apartment Saturday night, Trace warned me that Michelle was in the “hook up” mode, I told her very quickly that my life was in perfect order, she scowled at me. “But I have the perfect person for you to meet!” Why do they always say that? Then she asked me when Jacks might be coming home that he would like to meet her, I jumped on that one fast. I told her that Jacks is very happy in his relationship with Jessica and not only would she claw my eyes out she would go for Jacks too.
I still have a year of school to finish up and my job is keeping me so busy right now that looking at another person is out of the subject, not to mention Amy. In this economy you have to have a good education and stable job to survive, money issues is half the reason why people break up. I want to be established and settled in my life, get out all the wild hairs, maybe be a bit more mature in my thoughts.

*I found sixteen cents*

A giggle..I think

2009-04-10T07:47:00.005-04:00

Not only does my Mom call me for a Honey Do list, she calls me about the latest gossip or a cool recipe that even I couldn’t mess up, but she calls me with giggles.
So Lori is all about being a grown up these days, she’s a woman in her own eyes. Even though she only hit the double digits this year.
First it was the little bra, I remember the day she decided she wanted one and just so happens I was with them as they shopped. I eased myself out to the nearest book store to hide while they took measurements and what not, I can’t imagine what they use to measure you for a bra and really don’t want to know.
A few months later the grumpies started with her, I couldn’t tease her or make her laugh without Lori biting my head off. That’s another reason why I’m grateful that Luke and Jacks were both boys, I would die or be killed being the middle kid of two girls. After that eventful day came about, she announce she was a woman and no one should mess with her, and yes Jess, technically she is but she is still my little baby sister until I say she’s not.
This week she decided that shaving under her arms would be cool; Mom says she has little peach fuzz there and nothing more. She told Lori it would be best to hold off on the shaving as long as she could but of course Little Miss Grown Up wouldn’t wait.
Mom bought her a safety razor like deal, I'm sure with some cutsie name. I suggested one of those that yanks the hair out by the roots, she wouldn’t be so hip to shave then. Anyway, she takes her bath and emerges out with a scowl on her face per Mom. “Mom, did you give me a fake razor?” Mom said she held back her giggles and asked her to show her the one she used, Lori didn’t remove the protective covering. Oh well, we all have to learn sometimes, I remember my first shaving experience, I looked like someone came after me with a hack saw, after that I ran to the electric razor and never looked back.
When I look at Lori I still see that chunky cheeked, blonde, curly haired kid running in circles making up songs to annoy us. When she would scream at the top of her lungs if a bug crawled in the house or someone (Jacks) played a trick on her. The summer that I had the joy of taking care of her while Mom was sick, I was able to rock her to sleep and read stories to her at night. Her little bubble head cracking my door open on Saturdays mornings wanting her “panny cakes” asking with a finger jabbed in her mouth. Teaching her how to surf and ride her bike and kick sand at bad boys if they were mean to her.
Now she’s taller, much taller and slim, long gone are those pinch able cheeks and the wild curly hair is flowing down her back. She makes her mind up on things and gives her opinion now more freely. If she’s hungry, she makes her own Pancakes….. I feel there will be no more of “color of the day dresses” and “monkey bar battles”. She has artwork of boy bands in her room instead of the Barbie collection.
My little sister, she’s a punk but I love her all the same.

Phase one

2009-04-09T12:31:00.004-04:00

We started on the ground breaking of some of the area of the country club; I’ve been making plans and thinking out just where to put the plants. I’ve been calculating concrete measurements and brick detailing, if the ground will dry some we plan on doing some digging. Which by the looks of the weather it’s not going to happen very soon, we can do many work a rounds to keep up the schedule.
Chris is just itching to get into the pool area, so I’ve had him painting out the general idea of the new planters and paths. Actually is a bit early for him to ogle the bathing suits, the warm temps really haven’t been there for us.
Tomorrow I plan on sitting down with a few of the directors and see if they like the direction we are going, sometimes its easier to visualize it on the ground instead of on paper.
Spoke to my mom a while the other night, in fact, I just told her to let me hang up and I would drive over for a visit. It was the first time I’ve been to the house since the birthday fiasco. It really doesn’t look good for her and Pops these days. (Why would I put this here?) I document everything that goes on, no holds barred. Besides how is this going to come back and bite me in the ass? I didn’t do anything; no murder involved however at times there could have been on my part. I see how she feels; it’s not easy to walk away from a 27+ year investment, you want to try and make it work. Hell, I can’t drop anything from a 3 month investment. Its evident that all the counseling and talking to the preacher, other family members isn’t working out for them, the same routine starts over in a few weeks of failed promises.
In my mind and heart I was half expecting him to grow up a little and expand his feelings. That’s just not going to be him; he can’t fathom a work around when it affects others. It’s his way or the highway and you can’t do that in a relationship. Just a little give and take and understanding, that accidents can and do happen and we will all make a slip in the road.
I don’t wish for the worst but when you see that it’s not going to work, sometimes in parting as friends is best. We will see how it goes in the next few months; I’m keeping tabs on my work progress and family progress in a big way.

*I found a dime on the street*

I’m baaack!

2009-04-06T09:48:00.005-04:00

I haven’t been able to babble on here the last few days due to the stomach virus from hell and a bout of bad weather here keeping us extra busy with the City folks.
I’ve fully recovered from the virus and the City projects are just about cleaned up. I wanted to touch upon the funeral of last week and why the cryptic message of the Stuckeys comment, it was an adventure to say the least.
Tuesday as I trudged out early that morning to meet Jacks in Atlanta I noticed my stomach was “talking” to me extra loud, I just finished a nice stack of pancakes and gulped down a massive amount of milk. When I was about half way there the chills hit me and a head ache, a few miles down the road I started to sweat. I knew this couldn’t be good but pressed onward.
By the time I arrived in Atlanta I was full on sick, waiting on Jacks I leaned my seat back and tried to rest some, we still had another 3 hour drive to get to the funeral home.
When Jacks pulled up his mouth dropped “Dude, you are so pale!” I grunted at him that he would be the driver and plan on making many stops along the way. We made it to the funeral home in time; I decided to stay back away from everyone else and linger in the background, hoping not to infect others.
The funeral was a full on Military with a side of the Masonic, so we had the loud twenty one gun salute the roaming bag pipe player and what ever rituals that Masons do. In other words it was a long, sad mother of a funeral. I swear during the folding of the flag I had to run out and make myself feel better and the old guys were still folding the flag when I came back in.
Our drive back right after the funeral was no less eventful, pulling over every hour or so. Jacks made it no better when he decided to stop at Burger King and ordering two Whoppers with cheese a large fry and onion rings no less. All I could think was “Please God take me now” when that smell wafted over to me. I can’t fault him -- he had to eat; the day had been just as terrible for him minus the virus.
When we traveled as young-uns, we always stopped at the Stuckeys truck stops, they had great little gadgets to play with – my Mom hated the place because of the had rubber snakes they sold. We always looked for the signs on the highways. When it was just Luke and I, she would see them long before us, Mom would always manage to have something for us to look at in the opposite direction, so we wouldn’t spot the sign. When Jacks (old eagle eye) came along and could read the signs she was out of luck, he would spot them miles away.
We arrived in Atlanta at the prime time of 5:10; if you ever drove in that traffic during “rush” hour then you know how I felt. We made it to Julie and Luke’s house where they insisted I stay the night at least until I could sit up properly to drive home. Jacks refused to stay in the virus fog and drove home.
The next day I was some what better and by afternoon faked that I could make it, something about being sick and being at your own home makes it a little easier. That whole day I slept, only getting up every once in a while to make myself feel better. By Friday I could tolerate the world again.
This weekend I took it easy, worked a little bit and relaxed a lot. I called Jacks today to make sure he was feeling fine; he was, as he munched down a bacon sandwich. I swear that guy has a cast iron stomach.

All I have to say is......

2009-04-02T09:01:00.003-04:00

Where did all the damn Stuckeys go!????!!

(Will post later)

It’s going to be a long week.

2009-03-30T09:41:00.003-04:00

Talked to Luke this weekend he of course had a hard time with the kids on Thursday, Camen has learned to run --- to the road. Since they decided to have more kids the house they live in isn’t going to be large enough so they are building. This means of course packing up furniture into storage until its time to move in. Julie was busy packing what she can and Luke would take the boxes and load them up. Camen was on the watch as her daddy walked in and out of the house, that’s when she got the bright idea to run out the door. Julie spotted her right away trucking out the door and ran to stop her, she thought it was a game and ran faster, straight to the road. They don’t live on a busy street but of course the minute your child aims in the wrong direction a car will be there and it was. Julie screamed her name Luke turned and yelled at her it scared her enough to stop; luckily the guy driving spotted her and stopped. Let’s just say she couldn’t sit well for a little while.
Last week my Moms brother was out enjoying the day playing golf, he mentioned that night he had a slight head ache and wasn’t feeling so well but figured the nice air might help him, mid game he fell from a massive stroke. My grand’s came home early from their trip to be with him and the family, Sunday he passed away. It tore a hole in my Gs heart to have to bury another child so soon; my Mom didn’t take this one so well. I guess being such a shock makes it worse.
Mom called me in tears trying her best to tell me about Uncle Dave, her stuttering and sniffles were hard to decipher exactly what had happened. It breaks my heart to hear the pain; she has such a sweet light springy voice as if she’s singing all the time. Before she hung up from me she was going to call Luke and Jacks to let them make arrangements. Tuesday we all are driving up to Anderson, SC to have his funeral.
I can’t say I really knew him that well because he did live so far away, we saw him on holidays and family reunions, their family traveled as much as we, with him being in the army.

Got it!

2009-03-26T10:40:00.003-04:00

I can’t say just how excited to be, that the country club is allowing our crew to do a major landscaping makeover, we didn’t get every project we wanted but to have the opportunity to do what’s assigned will surely lead to more doors opening. I stressed over this job for weeks, working and changing my plans about to get them to see we can do the perfect job.
This means a summer full of long hours but assures us of a job for the summer, the way the economy is I’m happy to get what we have. Chris is overjoyed to be around a pool full of bikinis and happy hours that will be close to work.
I had a few e-mails asking if I finished off that Dagwood sandwich Bee made me, of course I did and almost had room for a donut. --- I was miserable later and gave the Bowflex an extra workout that night.
This weekend Lori and I watched Twilight twice, she didn’t seem to get the movie as much as the books. That’s pretty common since the book goes into greater detail than the slide show of a movie. She asked me over and over why his lips were so bright and why it seemed to be in black and white. I gave her the spiel about how it needed to look dark and dreary and his lips needed to look that way because vampires have blood stained lips. She gave me a “eww” on that and snuggled in tighter under me.
During the second showing I knew the topic would change, she rambled on how the main girl in the movie (Bella) parents weren’t together anymore. But that she seemed to get along with her dad really well, unlike we do with ours. I asked her how exactly she doesn’t get along with our Pops, and in her slow but blunt way she told me. “I don’t like his loud voice, he yells at you and Jacks and makes Mommy cry and sometimes he slams”. I was worried the old fool was picking on her; if he has, she never admitted to it.
She’s worried that Jacks won’t come home anymore, I told her not to even think like that. That he loves her more than she could ever imagine and would be home soon enough to pick on her and make her giggle. Just sometimes its best to stay out of someone’s way when they are so angry, she asked me “like the vampires have to stay away from the werewolves. “ --- Exactly.
Sunday came in and hoping the grandparents would be home from the vacation but its two weeks not one, so I had to fiend for myself on the Sunday dinner and lunch scene.
Monday rolled up and I received the good news about the new job and have been running ever since. Now, if I can keep a slight document on how that progress goes it should be interesting, all that fun will start next Monday.
Thanks for all the well wishes!

Spring is in the air

2009-03-20T09:50:00.004-04:00

It’s going to be a busy day for me today and then a long weekend; I planned it just like that. After the dread of last weekend I feel the need to keep super busy. I am pretty proud of myself and have kept my temper intact, even when some loon kept calling wanting me to do something over that I worked on about 3 years ago. I offered to make an estimate but they want it for free, if you don’t want my maintenance plan then don’t expect free later on.
Today, I go for my final meeting with the country club peeps, keep your fingers crossed for me. It does look promising per one of the members.
Later on well, mid day, I’m going to pig out at the café and drink oh, about a gallon of sweet tea. Bee is making a Dagwood sandwich for me that I have been excited to try out, minus the tomatoes. She says I can’t finish it, she doesn’t know my eating habits very well.
The majority of the week I’ve been out of the office, working with the guys, I miss that. Mostly dropping pavers down, it’s relaxing to lay out a pattern and figure the best route to go, kind of like when you were a kid playing with Lego’s. For some crazy reason old George keeps popping up in my mind.
I just finished with a impromptu meeting with the girls in the office; they want to do a cookout one weekend with the whole crew before the season starts off. Sounds like a great idea; I’m letting them make the particulars and offered my home or the greenhouse for the locations.
Lori called me last night, she thinks she forgot something at my house so this weekend will be at Gs house and she might stop over. She knows she doesn’t need an invitation to see me but I get why she’s doing it. Maybe she and I can catch a movie together at the house; I think Twilight is on DVD now, have a little pop corn and a chat.
Chris and Wayne are talking Florida again; I’m not so sure, since the economy is so bad its best to keep things close to home. Besides if the country club offer pulls through this will keep us busy enough and them swimming in bikinis right at home. Although the stupid stunts they pull on women most of these girls know them. Well, they need a challenge.

*I found a shiny quarter on the side walk*

Whoops it’s Wednesday!

2009-03-18T10:07:00.004-04:00

Hump day, over the hill day, all easy from here day, what ever you’re flavor is, Wednesdays can’t be beat. After my long Monday I slept for what seemed a year, this time change is kicking me in the pants.
The weather here is beautiful, the breezes are picking up and I see spots of yellow from the pollen forming, most people would snarl their noses at that but it just means growth to me. I’ve kicked myself back into gear with putting everything in schedule, this means phone calls and appointments and play time. -- No really, everyone is in that attitude that Mark owns his business so he can stop what ever he’s doing and chat it up for 45 minutes --- wrong. .
I spoke to Luke last night; he’s kicking about the nu-kids that will be arriving in about 5 months. The economy has him worried that they might not be able to enjoy their arrival as need be. Well, no one asked him to pop out a tribe in 5 years or less, he will and they will be fine.
Lori had a visit with the dentist and just like her older siblings she could run into the 13 months of fun with braces, of course she’s a bit young for them now. This rang terror of wire and rubber all crammed in that pie hole of hers, she doesn’t get that the small portion of geared up humiliation, it brings a life time of enjoyment later. Luke wore them for 2 years and Jacks and I managed for a little over a year. Now with the new technology she could go with those plastic trays and no one would notice.
This morning I spoke with Jacks before he raced off to his busy life of work and school. He was proud that some girl at work was going for her licensing exam for architecture. He must have been tutoring her during work hours or something because he had that task and the “Lady of Many Changes” still bothering him. His love life is going swimmingly now that he’s putting his foot down on a few rules himself.
I won my bet on who would sell their house first; Diann came in for the win. Poor Cari who has had her house on the market three months longer just received her first offer yesterday. She came in the office all jubilant that she may have sold it, when I asked her how she was sure, she told me when a prospective buyer comes to the house they turn on some recording device to hear the conversations. When she told me that, a chill ran up and down my spine, she’s hit the bottom of the paranoid barrel now. This also prompts me to want to send a “Plant” in to take a tour of her home. Evil be my nameo……

Birthdays – revisited

2009-03-16T12:16:00.002-04:00

So this month is considered the birthday month my grand’s and Lori, even though they aren’t at the same time we like to celebrate them together. Why Lori wants to celebrate at this time is beyond me, I think she likes the idea of getting two birthdays.
The whole family was in, not only my brothers but Pops and some of my aunts and uncles and of course a load of their kids. They had 7 boys and 4 girls so we had a pretty big bunch.
Early Friday we had breakfast, catching up on everyone’s lives and where they might be going. Luke and his gang were banging about, Jacks was talking about work and school, two of my cousins are getting married and a few are about to have either their first child or just another. We had breakups and divorce conversation and of course, my all time favorite -- health chat.
That afternoon was shopping or cooking or napping for the ladies and golf or walking around on the farm for the guys. The kids hit the beach or down town.
Dinner that night was at a Japanese restaurant, that we all love, you know that kind the cook comes out and does a show over the hot skillet flinging food at you.
Of course, it wasn’t all giggles and smiles, I won’t go into the drama before dinner just yet, but most of it was outside the restaurant, so we didn’t look so much like the redneck family screaming at each other
During dinner I’m sitting at the table and my phone rings and I get the scowl from G, I forgot to turn it off and why I even brought it was goofy. Everyone that I needed to worry about was at the table; however I can say mine wasn’t the only one that rang.
After dinner presents were given out and giggles, my PG is a true nut at heart. He would be happy making everyone smile. He told stories of his youth and how he met G, funny little tidbits of what my aunts and uncles were like as kids it was pretty entertaining.
Today I am sleepy, tired and all on wore out, ready for a long nap. I plan on running in schedule for a few weeks, to regroup and then laze off.

Friday at last!

2009-03-13T08:41:00.003-04:00

I called my brothers this week to make sure they had everything cleared for today and a little of tomorrow, they both were set.
Luke will be here before noon and Jacks is already here jumping around, happy to be home. Every once in a while I hear a crash and then “sorry”. You would think, after all this time he would have grown into his big puppy feet.
The other night Lori calls me all excited about her Wednesday in school, she’s going to have “The” talk in class, you know, the one where the guys go in the gym and the girls in the library, then chat it up about what’s going to happen to them in the next few years.
I cringed when she told me, “It’s time for “that” talk already?” She giggled, the weird part is she wasn’t excited about the talk; it was the sparkly deodorant they would be passing out after. Well if the girls receive deodorant I’m worried about what the guys might be getting.
They didn’t pass out anything when we had the group sex chat; of course the person who talked to us was the Coach/Drivers Ed teacher. I think at that time he was seeing one of the senior girls in the joining high school, he was a great role model.
I plan on having my on Sex Ed example for Lori and her name is Julie. Julie is getting on up there now, but of course having twins makes a difference. Showing how hard of a time she’s having walking, sitting, sleeping - moving in general would be a great moving slide show.
They are having a time with her being pregnant and then two tikes all over the place. Kyle is a handful in himself, full on hyperactive that one is. He races through the house like its all about to blow away, as if he needs to see if for one last time. Julie says you know there is trouble if he’s quiet; a while back she walked in on him making a sculpture out of cheese - in the middle of his bed.
Camen is in the grunt and point stage, my G doesn’t like that one bit, “she’s old enough to start talking.” Julie just has a bit much going on, I’m sure its easier to give her what she wants right now than to force her to say it. Anyways Luke says he can be in a sound sleep and his eyes pop open as if someone is looking at him, sure enough, Camen is nose level at the mattress staring at him. Grunting and holding her pillow wanting up with them. Luke says he grabs her pillow and she takes off down the hallway padding to her room to get a stuffed animal as well, and then climbs into the bed. The minute she’s down asleep he grabs her and takes her back to her room. Needless to say my G scowls on that practice too.
Well, today is going to be jam packed with festivities and family, so no work for me today or tomorrow.

Ponderings

2009-03-09T13:09:00.003-04:00

So today Diann flops in my office chair a bit misty eyed, oh please don’t say you are quitting! She wasn’t, she only needed a bit of down time and a chat with someone other than her family.
We all have those days I’m sure, everyone tugging you in fifteen different directions can be overwhelming to a body. Doesn’t matter how old or healthy you may be, not having some alone time is disturbing. When I do have that time I cherish it, maybe that’s the key time to sit down and write out your feelings or listen to music – really loud or go watch a sunset. Hum, watching a good sunset sounds pretty nice to me; I haven’t seen one in weeks.
Its those small things in life that bring me back together, sunsets, misty meadows, waking to birds singing hell, waking period is pretty awesome. The misty meadow came to me this Sunday, I jumped out of bed around 4 am and sat out on my back patio, my grands pasture is connected to my back lot; the meadow there was so peaceful. Although there was one cricket chirping about that sporadically would get a little loud on me. PG hasn’t cut the hay so it was waist high with a slight mist floating above it as the sun rose. All I needed was some chick walking towards me in it with a plate full of hot breakfast. As I sat there day dreaming I noticed the grass moving as if some thing were walking in it, there was – it was Poochie. Who names their dog Poochie? My cousin does! Jeff and family are visiting the grands this weekend and I guess the mutt was out on a tour of the farm and made it down my way. Wet dog, yes, that’s another great part of life, that robust musty smell and the nice habit they have of shaking off right beside you, so much for going back to bed.
I did have a nice weekend, visited the café and ran about with friends. I also pulled in a round of golf. I plan on taking Jacks to the new driving range here this weekend. He loves to whack at the balls as much as I do without having to walk after them.
This new time schedule has me all messed up, today the day will fly by and tomorrow it will be an eternity. Thanks to all that visited the café and sent well wishes to me it’s much appreciated.

Café

2009-03-06T09:33:00.004-05:00

We didn’t do too bad on our first day, a few mishaps here and there. We forgot a few non essential items that will be gathered this afternoon. Nothing was burned or complained about but of course, most of the people there was family, all the guys came in to eat. – They get a 10% discount.
My Mom and grand’s were there all smiling, Lori wanted to skip school so she could come but lets not get her into bad habits as of yet.
Bee asked for her cousin to help only during the café hours, at first I was thinking that might not be needed but soon as the weather starts to warm it might just be helpful to her. Since she also has to manage the greenhouse during those hours as well, it could get hectic. Right now the hours are from 11 am to 2 pm until we see what might be needed.
At the end of the day all I wanted to do was go to bed, being wiped out. Maybe it was the stress of the opening or maybe because it felt like I was run over by a Mac Truck. What ever the reason, it didn’t take long to drop off to sleep.
Talked to Jacks a little just before knocking out to let him know how the day went down, and coaxed him into a bit of a bike ride next weekend. I need my buddy around some and miss him a lot, he needs it as well—at least, that’s my excuse. *There's not a lot to give if you're giving in*
Next Friday is the big birthday bash for my grandparents and Lori, have I found presents yet?
Today will be checking on the café then making a short jaunt down to the country club to give my spiel of what improvements can be made there. After that, a night out with the gang and maybe a movie, there’s this creepy haunted movie being advertised on TV but not sure if it’s out yet.

**yesterday I found a nickle on the ground **

OMG!

2009-03-05T11:20:00.003-05:00

Amy, just give me the name of the group and song again please! You know how I adore hearing half way on a phone, Miss Yawns.... I love you!

(For those of you that don't understand)

She called me late last night, played a song on my voice mail that she has been dying for me to listen to. It had to be playing on a crackly radio or some sort of juke box made of tin.

Flitters…

2009-03-04T12:26:00.003-05:00

Jacks and I spoke some today, he was in some sort of quandary (oh yeah serious stuff). It wasn’t much really, he’s just is lost in his direction right now, that happens to the best of us. Not too long ago I went through the same process, I assured him that it’s just a wait and see deal, hoping that some light comes and points you where to go.
He has above average intelligence to work it out, but I was proud that he came to me to talk. Where he is living now, he really doesn’t have anyone to truly discuss his feelings. Yes ladies, we gents do have feelings other than planning out how to get into your pants. Of course he has Jess, but her plate appears to be full as well, so we discussed his options, really it wasn’t a huge drama fest, he didn’t know what to build next, and it was bugging him not to come up with ideas “My mind is dry Mark” I cackled when he spouted that. Then at work they are really bearing down on him with some high flaootin lady that wants a just so-so house. I draw a room she likes it then “let’s add this and remove that” of course the removal is something she added the day before. I think it’s a combination of work and school and then our idiot Pops bugging the shit out of him about the Mystery of the Missing Tool set, of course Pops hasn’t sent me a detailed inventory of the missing property, so I can just replace it all and shut his ass up.
Beth has been rambling in and out of my life the last few weeks; I have no idea why all the sudden urge to want to pester me. I knew something was up when she just so happened to visit the country club the other weekend. Yesterday she gives me a call asking some advice on a new roofer. How would I know who is a good roofer? I suggested the one that roofed my house, I haven’t had any leaks as of yet. I’m not sure how I feel about these “accidental” meetings. When we broke up at first I couldn’t stand the sight of her, if someone brought her name up my stomach would cringe. Then it just turned to disgust now it’s nothing really, I have no feelings for her what so ever. I do at times worry about Elijah and how he is getting along; I still feel she’s not the most stable person on the planet, he’s not my kid so I have no say in his life.
Maybe it’s a case of the willies for me since the café opens tomorrow….. I will post results on Friday.

Running around and around….

2009-03-03T09:50:00.001-05:00

I’ve been very busy this week and its only Tuesday, on Thursday we open the café, why that day you ask? Long time ago, ok about 3 years ago, I used to help in a bar, the owner had his grand opening on a Thursday night. I would have opened on a Friday but it wasn’t my bar, he told me opening on an off night during the week is a good way to see what kind of numbers you receive. Weekend’s people are more apt to go out but not so much on a weeknight/day.
Spoke to Jacks the other night and told him about Jane, he was pretty upset over it. Her funeral is tomorrow but in Atlanta so I can’t possibly make it so I sent a spray of flowers in our names. Luke would go, since he lives there but she wasn’t his teacher.
He was all crazy telling me about the kids and their adventures; Kyle does his play on Friday night, he is some non speaking vegetable, it’s nothing big but they are excited none the less. Camen is still in her “No” stage, you ask her “want some cookies?” she says “no!” and her head bobs up and down to a yes. I quickly reminded him that he has two more just like her on the way very soon. He gave me a whimper and a sigh and thanked me for reminding him. Julie is doing great.
The Country Club I made a proposition to redo the pool area and tennis courts would like to see some more of my work and go over some numbers, this looks hopeful. I did just about the same proposal last year to another club but they didn’t take the bait. I figure if I get my foot in the door then the other clubs might follow suit. The ladies in the office are in some sort of race to see who can sell their house first. Not really, but it appears to look like that, one started talking about selling and then they both decided in the last month they wanted new houses. Each morning one asks the other if they showed their house that night. I love Cari to death but I have my money on Diane, she just is a bit more organized and doesn’t have 2 over grown, no let’s make that 3 overgrown kids – one is her husband.

Unexpected

2009-02-26T10:23:00.003-05:00

I trotted into work this morning half way hoping the day would go smoothly for us, it’s a bit misty rain out and slightly cool so no outdoors jobs are really needed. The minute I sat down my cell started beeping and the office phone rang. My cell had a text message and the phone was my Mom, both were from her.
She didn’t have the best of news to give me, seems as if an old friend just died suddenly last night from a bronchial disorder of some sort. I don’t have the full details yet, she moved to Atlanta over 5 years ago to marry, she was barely in her late 40s.
You are probably reading this and wondering why this concerns me so, she was a family friend and my teacher and also Jacks teacher. She proctored our final exams and would sub the days my Mom was out for various reasons.
Jacks was in love with her, I think she was his first crush, he would sit looking all googly eyed at her as she spoke French or taught math, I always figured it was the love of learning for him but it was Jane.
I remember she was a big factor in my decision to go to private school; she would come in with her high school memorabilia books and pictures. Telling me about all the fun she had through high school and what I would be missing. She was voted Best Looking in her class and back then I could see why. She was a cheerleader and Most Popular. The one piece of advice she gave me, “join as much as you can tolerate, don’t be an outcast and enjoy everyday, as it goes so quickly.”
I remember seeing her out one night when I was underage in a bar in Atlanta. She spotted me across the room and laughed as she pointed her finger at me. I just knew she was going to call my parents and tell on me but she didn’t, she even asked me to dance. She was cool like that, about 2 years ago I ran into her again and we talked about that night and the dance. She snickered and said the reason why she asked for the dance is to see how drunk I was, if I was wasted, she would make me leave; if I could stand then she wouldn’t worry.
She didn’t have children and her parents are both gone but I’m sure she took her own advice and enjoyed everyday because yes, it does go so quickly.

Usual babbles

2009-02-25T09:44:00.001-05:00

This week has been ultra busy for me, the café is about to have its grand opening. I’ve been having a different meal each lunch day from there --- putting Bee through her paces. She loves it.
I made mention to the country club members about doing some upgrades for them, at first they seemed hesitant then I showed them some pictures from a previous country club I worked on. I’m keeping my fingers crossed they might be impressed. This will be something to have over the summer to keep me extra busy, besides if we start now the majority of the work will be completed before summer is over – man that means working near a pool and girls in bathing suits…damn what a terrible job.
Also did my weekly check on everyone, Luke and his crew is marching along, his Kyle is in a play and Camen is in that”No” stage, Julie is getting bigger by the day with the twins and hasn’t been too bad on the morning sickness. I reminded him about the 13th for the group birthday bash for Lori my G and PG since they are all March babies.
My Next call was to Jacks, well I text him first since I didn’t know if he might be in school or work or a pile of blankets. He was on his way from school to work, God I don’t know how he does it and then has play time too. He was shocked that it was going to be on a Friday instead of on the weekend, my Grand’s are going on a church retreat that weekend and for the following week. I suggested that he ride his bike over that we could take a tiny trip, me following almost to his home and then going on to the casinos.
After that, I called The Idiot, to let him know his daughters’ birthday was arriving soon. He grumbled some answer to me about of course he would be there and what would be a good present. I suggested money, what little girl doesn’t like money? Then he of course asked if I found his missing tool set, of course not but to give me a detailed description of each missing item, I’m going to kill this conversation in just purchasing the fool a new set. Mom has had her good days these past few months, just a little pain here and there. She eventually recovered from the flu, so her color is coming back. Next week she has to have a spinal tap done to check on her blood count I think she said? She’s dreading that I know, ah the hoops we jump through to keep healthy

So the weekend was good...was yours?

2009-02-23T12:03:00.002-05:00

I raced out as soon as I closed the doors on Friday night to start off my weekend. Hooters with the guys and the boat house the only drawback to being on the boat house is that my cell doesn’t appear to work. Will that stop me from going – no?
Saturday was spent on the golf course whacking away at little white ball, we all loaded up early that morning and headed for the course. After was spent at the clubhouse chatting away with some of the others hoping for an early spring. As I’m sitting there enjoying the conversation a familiar form waltzes in the door, it’s my ex. Oh joy, she’s joined or found out this is my new hangout for the spring.
Later she made it over to our table, how could she not miss us, Wayne had a few too many cocktails and began his usual loud banter about the economy. I wanted the ground to swallow me up right then and there.
First question I asked her is where Elijah might be, “oh with a baby sitter slash roommate” well, whatever. My next question -- what she doing here, yes this is a free country and yes she can go anywhere she wants. But why my country club, Savannah has a million golf courses and country clubs why this particular one? She gave me no distinct answer, how ever she was looking into some part time employment there so that Elijah could do the day care for free. I can’t hold that against her.
I didn’t let having her presence near dampen my spirits and we all opted to check out the tennis courts and pool. I’ve been contemplating a proposal to the club members of an overhaul of those areas for the last two years, this might be the year.
Sunday I missed out on my Gs cooking, she had a wedding to help with and PG was out of pocket going to some ball tournament. I spent most of my day working in my own yard. Tuning up my bike and washing it down from the winter storage. I called and caught Jacks in mid shopping spree; he was at the food store buying for his dinner that night. “Jess and I are making baked chicken and potatoes and veggies.” Wow, where did the exciting dinner meals she was teaching him to cook go? He explained later that this is what he wanted to have, Ok Mr. Plain James, why not kick it up a notch and have some steaks or kabobs? One day or night I will get Mr. Health Nut to break down and have a beer with me and it some good sloppy food.

Memories is it a way to really look back?

2009-02-17T09:40:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday my G and PG were full of memories, a lot of them of the time they were growing up. You know the old song and dance of “I walked five miles to and from school everyday” or “my X-box was a tin can on a string”. My sister sits in awe and a bit of boredom since she has no clue to what they are talking about.
I like being with my grandparents, they have some of the coolest ideas that are plain and simple. Remedies that will crack you up but do the trick, hearts so big to be able to listen to your every complaint and then throw some good advice your way.
My G is very plain spoken woman, she tells you like it is, right then and there. She always was the one that would tell us how to act around the ladies. On many occasions she would help me out with questions about the opposite sex, yes I still have them. When she cooks she still cooks for an army. Well, she did have seven boys and four girls; I guess it’s hard to stop cooking that way.
My PG on the other hand is a prankster, into everything and a big day dreamer. My favorite thing about him is when he talks in mid sentence he forgets the subject. “Now, what point was I trying to get to?” Of course since he had his stroke so many years ago his thought processes aren’t the same. The guy literally was a rocket scientist and in fact we have a bumper sticker on his truck that says “Well yes, I AM a rocket scientist”. Now all he likes to do is go to all the little kids’ ball games and give out suckers and hugs.
They both are a match made in heaven; they had a long wait until they could marry. My PG was in the army and met her in France; he didn’t like the idea of marrying her and then something happening to him so they waited. Her parents didn’t like the idea that she was seeing an American; in fact they had already picked out her husband.
He would write her long love letters and the plans he had made for them. That was their modern time “internet” love affair. After his term of service he ran back to France to claim his wife, still her parents didn’t like the idea, so he worked in her town for a while in hopes they would grow accustomed to him.
After nearly a year on a stormy night, my PG asked her to run away with him. She later said that she’d been waiting for him to ask months earlier. They married and moved to Florida to start a family; both were in their teens but in so much love.
Eleven kids later and umpteen grandkids and even a few great grand’s, they are both silly in love; he holds her hand in church and the mall. Insists on getting her car door and any other door for her for that matter. They have seen so many changes and won and lost many battles but each trial brings them closer together.
I did learn a lot last Sunday; I even had a glimpse of myself on that front porch in so many years.

The 13th!!

2009-02-13T12:26:00.001-05:00

Are you suppositious? I think I am in some ways and in some not I like to look up the origins of them, like why you drop rose petals on the ground during a wedding? So that evil spirits won’t come up out of the ground and get the bride.
Savannah is big into witch craft and dark magic, Friday 13ths just make it more fun. Its like mini Halloweens and we have plenty this year.
My G always told me if you find a coin on the ground no matter what to pick it up. Head or tails it didn’t matter, it meant that someone that’s has died is thinking about you. One year, and I may start it again this year, I collected all the coins and folding money into a jar just to see how much I could collect. I had over a good 30 bucks, that’s some beer and pizza for me and a pal.
Tonight some of the gang wants to do the graveyard tour they give here. I will feel so like a tourist bobbing along the tombstones listening to the fabled stories. Should be some fun.
Tomorrow all should be well since its Valentines Day….right……The day that candy and card makers try and make a buck. Well thank goodness Lori is out of that craze with us and Mom and G have their own Valentine men to take care of them. I plan on fishing and playing a round of golf if the weather is permitting. Then the boathouse for some late night entertainment, because you won’t be able to get into any decent restaurants from the love bird crowds. I sit and I type this and the whole time my head flashes back to the terror I witnessed last night with that flight crashing into a home in Buffalo. When I see things like this it makes everything in my world a little less dramatic to me, a little less important.

Do you hate Mondays?

2009-02-09T13:20:00.003-05:00

I do! After having two days of carefree time I hate the idea of getting out of the bed and slothing on clothes to sit in the office for the majority of the day. I’m not the only one that feels that way. I talked to Jacks this morning and he was flying about the house trying to find his truck keys, he opted out for his bike but didn’t want to do that because it looked like rain.
PG and I had a nice relaxing Sunday, sitting on the front porch chatting it up and watching the birds fly. We both knew we had chores to do but couldn’t get up to start them, darn my G for making some great food. He was conned into going to a cupcake decoration class with Lori every Thursday night for the next 6 weeks. That can’t be all bad they get to eat what they make!
Friday night was the boys’ night out; we didn’t do much but eat wings and drink beer with a few games of darts and pool. Slow and easy with no drama, maybe because it was just the guys and the girls didn’t tag along!
Saturday night was spent with Trace and Michelle. I swear they act as if they are over 50 with little dinners and a movie, just inviting a few friends over to be calm. I didn’t mind doing that either, besides the next day you feel a whole hell of a lot better.

Settling things

2009-02-06T09:46:00.002-05:00

I talked to a friend yesterday who was down in the dumps; it appears her boss is being a total jerk. The girl I know has a supervisor who has to be the identical twin to the guy I work with at the City, Mr. Ask-a-Million-Questions. So her supervisor romps in to see their boss and this guy makes assumptions that she not happy with her job, granted I wouldn’t be either but the girl is in to work on time every day does her it and minds her own business. Well to make a long story sort she got a bad report and she was angry about it. She didn’t have to guts enough to ask where this information came from.
First off, I would come down on the supervisor saying all that crap about her. Second the boss, who is rarely around, should get a clue, if someone is there on time, does their requirements for the day properly – that might give me an idea they might enjoy their job.
I guess what grinds me is that someone in a high position would listen to just one person to give a bad review. Yes, the guy is a supervisor but it just doesn’t add up to me.
If one of my employees were to come in and say “Diane hates her job” I’d have to laugh. Diane comes in every day, does her work and then has time to give me a hassle. She likes her job….

Nah nah!!

2009-02-03T11:28:00.002-05:00

My team won the Super bowl! The weekend was a blast, practically starting after my last post here. No major injuries during our own Super bowl in the field on Saturday. I swear for me to be in my early 20s I felt like an old man, not running like that in such a long time.
Lori wanted to be cheerleader but soon grew tired of it after the guys gushed on her. She quickly found some girls to hang out with and let us be. This means we could use all the foul language we wanted and not worry. We did.
Super Sunday was very fulfilling; we cooked out and in and settled for the game, the house boat smelled so sweet with all the foods. The great thing about being on the boat there are others (very close) doing the same as us, so you could go visit other boats and check out their grub. I did.
Monday was pretty much slow; I had to check out for a while and decided to spend a couple of hours with Amy. All I can say is “interesting” and I blame it all on Jacks. Actually we had a really good time and I enjoyed every minute of it. Minus the part her little sister was in the back ground howling like some wild caged animal.
I spoke to Jacks some as well; he’s in sorts or out of sorts – how ever you say it. I guess some people are playing games with his head this weekend has given him mixed emotions. On top of that they sent him home early last week from work because my idiot of a father kept disturbing him. This fantastic news was revealed to me this morning. Maybe its time for a “meeting of the minds” were we three can sit down and resolve the Case of the Missing Equipment, drama and end it for once and for all.

Well its Friday

2009-01-30T09:03:00.001-05:00

The guys and I were talking yesterday about getting out and having some outdoor fun. Since the weather has been cold and wet we really need to do something before I get the hee-be-ge-bees. Besides the Super Bowl is this weekend and we all have bets on various stuff, like “Who will score first”, “Who will fumble first” “Who will show a body part during the half time”.
So tonight its going to be a pub night and then if we can manage to get up the next day we plan on a good old fashion game of football in the field. I miss doing that, especially when Jacks played – only reason for me to tackle him to the ground. Later we are going to open up the boathouse and have a pre game party then Sunday its nothing but the super bowl for us.
The eight of us sat around my desk like little kids making plans for our fort battles. With “Ohhs and Yeahs!” wafting out of my office. Cari couldn’t do anything but giggle at us as we planned our strategies for the weekend. We at first didn’t want any of the girls to partake then we came to our senses. “Girls are useful!”
I have a few odd jobs here and there to do at work; one is dreaded because that means talking to the City guy that asks and re-asks questions. Maybe that idea of handing him a notepad isn’t so bad.
Still off the internet chat kick and haven’t broken out into hives. Not that anyone has noticed me not being around to give them hell. Although I am planning on spending a moment with Jacks to see some of his projects he’s been working on “At least I don’t have to beg you and then feel like crap when I get a, No”. Laughing my ass off on that one, he is getting a clue now. Anyone that knows him will know it takes a while for him to tire of a situation but when he’s off of it, he’s off of it for good.

Party on Dudes!

I’ve been a busy beaver!

2009-01-27T15:51:00.002-05:00

This weekend was sorted out for some fun and I did have it, we stayed the majority of the time at the pub listening to Trace plang away on his guitar. Plang, because he is sad, (all together now “Awww”) Michelle had to leave for the week because her job sent her out on a class/convention like deal. This is the first weekend he’s been apart from her since they were married all those months ago. Don’t worry Michelle; I’ve kept him “real” busy with me.
Yesterday the café had its very first customer! Ok, it was Lori and it was a dry run but everything worked like a charm. Lori gave the two thumbs up gesture on the cookies and the sandwich made for her, a huge feat in it self because Lori is a picky eater. Bee is foreseeing an opening around March.
Last week Amy had her gallbladder removed, so I figured I wouldn’t hear from her this weekend. Good thing since for some odd reason my phone battery decided it didn’t want to take a charge anymore. She’s doing much better now up and roaming about the house. We spoke on the phone for nearly two hours today.
Checked up on Jacks and his “little problem” from last weekend, he said the resolved it in his mind, his own self and is no longer angered. I laughed and know darn well soon enough things will blow with him and I’m glad to be way over here when it does!
Luke and his “fountain babies” are recovering very nicely. Julie is doing well also with the babies growing inside her. My Mom and G are flipping out and making all sorts of plans for them.
Luke was in shock to hear about the twins but relieved because he found out he could have had triplets so he chilled out about the situation at hand.

Will the excitement ever end?

2009-01-21T10:04:00.003-05:00

In our city they had a weekend long party, which is ok, I like parties. Not so much going to political parties but I like to go to parties.
Friday, Mom wasn’t feeling up to par, there is a nasty head cold buzzing about town right now and she must have caught it. So most of Saturday I spent staying around her making sure she had everything that was needed, Lori had blasted off to Gs to help in some pies for school.
My idiot Pops is out of town again, back in the Gulf working on the condo projects, it’s a good thing. I enjoyed spending the day around the house, working on my taxes. I found when you move out they change things around in the house. My Mom loves to decorate, when I walked into my old room it didn’t look the same anymore. “It’s more guest friendly now Mark” she did the same to Luke’s room.
I text Jacks some later Saturday evening just to see how he was going. He had some minor issues rumbling in his head, if I know him he will just ignore it after a while until it festers and he blows. He said he will deal with it when he wants to, that it wasn’t that big of a problem. If it were me, I would tell the whole lot just how I felt; sometimes people need a swift kick in the pants to realize you are being thoughtless.
Luke and I spoke, he has the “fountain children” both his babies have some stomach virus. He said Camen is fine for a little while, actually running around in the house playing. Then she stops, gets very quiet and loses whatever she has in her tummy. She then stands there with a look of disgust on her face “Ewe, ewe” and points. Luke said he’s gone through 2 pairs of shoes and pants so far.
Monday was spent with the guys from the City; we have to gear up for spring, which was an all day event. The same guy from last year was there asking question after question, and then asking them again “let me get this straight, you said….” Why on earth he doesn’t write this crap down?
During that time I had fifty-eleven missed phone calls from Amy and a few high priority text messages, you know, the messages with the bright red exclamation marks. I think she might have wanted to talk to me?

Will I become a Sludge?

2009-01-15T13:20:00.003-05:00

What is a Sludge you ask? Well in my verballogy Sludge is mainly a guy that can not function without his partner doing something for him.
Case in point, this girl and her husband have been married for over fourteen years, they married very young. She’s sweet and will do anything in the world for you, he is a major lazy prick in my eyes, and they have two children, the oldest child is twelve and the youngest is 6.
She does everything, in the mornings she gets up extra early to lay out clothes for everyone. Now, I don’t mean layout clothes and that’s that. She lays out all the clothes: underwear, socks, pants shirt, shoes, as if there was a human without skin sitting the chair next to the bed.
She does the same for the kids, along with brushing their hair; wonder isn’t that he can do his own hair. Dinner time he has the nerve to sit at the table with and empty drink glass until she gets up to make her another one, then asks her to make him one as well.
The husband has been having some health issues; the guy is 6’4” and weighs nearly 300 lbs, he walks all day long for a living, then plays pool professionally at night. Don’t ask me how you professionally play pool.
He doesn’t make the appointment but calls his wife at work and instructs her to make the appointment. Then if he doesn’t like the time he rants to her to have it changed to a time he likes.
He then requests that she come home from work -- 45 minute drive—to meet him and they both drive back into town to see the doctor. Where she asks all the questions and finds out what pills are needed and then proceeds to write the check. Because big man can’t seem to find the balls enough to ask his own doctor about his own condition and write his own checks.
Pay bills – don’t make me laugh, yet he screams at the top of his lungs they don’t have any money in their savings account because he needs to buy the latest and greatest gadget i.e. satellite radio, ipod phone, plasma TV.
He gets off work every day at noon, his two kids are out of school around 2:45. Grandma (his mommy) drives to the school to pick up their kids and watches them until wifey gets off work at 5 to come pick the kids up and take them home. She then makes sure they do their homework, feed them and bathe them, because “Daddy” was tired and needed a nap.
When I hear of other exploits my head wants to bust, of course this isn’t all the guys fault, I mean he is only 30 years old, he has time to change.

Busy? What Busy?

2009-01-14T19:45:00.001-05:00

Today was a day filled with fun, NOT. I had to work a long day of communicating with my internet service provider, the guys working on the café and the ladies in the office wanting to a day off here and there.
Something went kaboom on my computer so I spent most the morning running my mouth with two techies who probably had no more computer savvy than Lori, I wasted my time with them and decided to talk to the real guru, Jacks 20 minutes he had me up and running.
The café guys are rolling along; Bee stays right on top of them making sure everything is to her specifications. I like that in a person, they won’t let some one push them around. She knows what she wants and she won’t stop until she gets it. She knows when things are supposed to happen or she is supposed to do them and she does it... It is none of this “Well I’m cute, so I can do it anytime” business.
My G and Mom stopped in later on to check how the progress is, they are so excited to be able to shop this spring and stop in and have a quick bite to eat. However, I probably won’t have a quick bite and will drive Bee up the wall. As I’m typing this there are visions of sandwiches and salads and hamburgers with fries bouncing in my head.
I missed out on my phone call with Amy because of all the chaos going on, I took everything in stride, putting one fire out as another arose.
As for the ladies in the office, we worked out a plan so everyone had some time out. We all need that every once in a while. I know I do. What I don’t get, is these people that hardly have any time in at all taking off for the craziest excuses. One of the guys I play darts with was complaining that he was being worked to death because someone in his office takes off for everything – Their child didn’t want to sleep in their own bed so they kept me up all night—I think I have the flu or sinus- my husband is going to the doctor and he cant write a check. (Its not that he was unable to, he just doesn’t like to write checks)…. This is going to make me hit on a long, long blog tomorrow so beware.
By 7:30 last night I had it all together and rolling to pack everything in and go to eat my dinner and jump in the shower and then bed.

Long weekend

2009-01-09T14:23:00.002-05:00

I think of taking a long weekend and cleaning stuff out, like my garage. I haven’t finished that task as of yet and it’s weighing on my mind, so tomorrow through Monday that will be my job.
Of course this doesn’t mean I won’t be going out tonight, the guys really want to hang out and do a few crazy things and I’m in the mood to do them. I need a good long night out just being stupid and letting off steam.
Last summer was chocked full of chilling out at the pub, playing darts and pool just gambling the night away listening to Trace. Since the crazy man is back in the pub things will pick up again. I can’t believe Michelle let him out of her sight; she really is special to let him do something that he loves. Hey, she enjoys it just as much, she’s right there in the front swaying and listening to him sing.
She really is a good person, she gives Trace room when he wants it, is an awesome cook, funny personality and can give or take a joke with the best of them. She isn’t demanding of him, but of course he is a pretty cool guy with a level head on his shoulders. He wouldn’t do anything on purpose to make her mad.
I like to watch them together; it’s that sickening kind of gooey look of love they give each other. When they sit together at the diner booths he has his hand on hers, which is usually on his leg. Sharing dinner and deserts debating on who has the best for the night. Same hand placement when he drives.
The other night I spent with them watching a movie, the Mr. Buttons movie… I can’t remember the whole name but I give it two thumbs up as well. He kept his arm around her the whole time, poking me when the tears came from her during the movie.
Maybe it’s that crazy look of love in each of their eyes that gives me a smile to be around them. A wish for that to venture my way and it will soon enough.
Today I leave from work early, no online chat time. It’s not like lately anyone has had time for me on there, so I found other devices to keep me busy. We are going to check out a new Mexican restaurant and then drive into town a while then to the pub to listen to Trace.

My my..

2009-01-05T10:14:00.002-05:00

Times fun when you are catching flies….
Can you believe it? It’s already five days into the New Year. The first day of the year was spent mostly sleeping for me; in fact I didn’t make it home until very late the next day. If there was a party in town, we visited it, making our rounds to seeing everyone.
Some of Saturday was spent with a contractor on the café; the rest was spent with Trace and Michelle. Michelle really wanted me to go out to dinner with some of their friends, I did and it was pretty much fun.
Since I’m trying to finish out the café, there won’t be any school for me this semester, which puts off my degree for another year. This has its plusses and minuses, one is that if the café is a hit then it’s all good, the minus is that not getting my degree as soon puts off other plans with Amy for a while. I think she needs the time anyway to get her family sorted out, she is still having troubles with her little, and I do mean little brother and sister, and possibly her cousin. Having her come down here and worrying about them will not benefit any of us. She and I have decided to carry on our work plans as if we both intend on staying put.
My philosophy of not being in a hurry and rushing into things is still coming along nicely, even though its only five days in the working As well as my disposition on losing my temper and flipping out from last year. I plan on not putting things off also to not to rush into the last minute to complete them. I’ve found that if I know there is a job to do and not starting it, just makes a worry on me.

Year Ends……

2008-12-31T11:01:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-12-29T13:52:00.002-05:00

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.

2008-12-24T05:47:00.001-05:00

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.