In the last post, I made sure to mention that the Reverend Mother was celebrating her birthday, by having the family out to dinner. Prior to meeting there, the Wife tells me that the Daughter's boyfriend had texted her that they might not it up in time to meet there, but wanted to talk to me. Either way, through a couple phone tag games, we ended up talking on the phone (the boyfriend and I) and he asked for the Daughter's hand in marriage. I gave our blessing, and he proposed to her Saturday morning, at the top of one of the local hiking trails on the mountains in town, at sunrise. She said yes.
Here it is Sunday morning, and I have basically told her she needs to let everyone know, and give us the okay to be able to mention it to people. Mainly, I want her to have all the excitement, as, I hope, this will be the only time she is engaged. I know she has told most of the immediate area family, and will be sharing with more today.
It is Sunday, and my afternoon and evening are pretty booked. There is a coaches meeting around 2pm that I need to go to (I am pretty much the admin part of our team) and leave there to be home by 4pm to head to the airport to pick up Leah, my friend flying in from Michigan. The Wife and I decided this morning that we would take the whole family with us to the airport, then take Leah out to dinner once she has arrived. It is the only chance for the Daughter to see her prior to her returning flight next Saturday. That will put me back home probably somewhere between 8-9pm.
The boys start school tomorrow. Sigh. not looking forward to another school year of the 6:30 am drop-off for band dang near everyday.
Needless to say, I am feeling a bit busy today!
PeacE
Showing posts with label daughter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daughter. Show all posts
Sunday, August 11
Monday, September 24
Working It Like Having OCD
This morning feels great! I feel rested and ready to tackle whatever is coming this week. I don't usually feel this way. It is ... different.
This morning's main task is to work on the weekly agenda, and I started with enthusiasm, but it has waned in the past 20 minutes. Between the youngest son's rehearsals for the church Christmas musical (yes, they started already) and The oldest son's band practices & football game, we have the Daughter in town this week - well, most of the week - and there are things that need to get done with her. Then the Wife has next Saturday and Sunday filled with continuing education classes. Yeah, my excitement at what this week will throw my way has just about completely disappeared.
There will be easier weeks. There will be busier weeks. Sigh.
The Daughter is in town though, and today's foray we will do together, is to the Cox Store. When we set her up in Tucson, Cox was the only available internet/cable provider in that area of town. So we set it up, providing basic cable and internet service. Nice package deal, and he internet speed was even better than what we had at our house. Anyway, the past couple months she has been having problems with her internet, where the modem was constantly having to be reset repeatedly. I told her to take the modem to Cox there, and see if they could check it to be sure nothing was wrong with it. Turns out, the modem is fine. It can handle download speeds up to 10Mbps. Problem is, her internet speed goes to 18Mbps. So, when she and the boyfriend are both on the computer, it locks up the connection, forcing them to reset it constantly. Okay, well, Cox then wanted to charge her $80 for the proper modem she needs. What?!? We paid $80 when we set up the service, and they gave us the wrong modem, and now they want to charge us for their mistake? Yeah, well, when I found out what had happened, they had already gone to Best Buy to price the proper modem needed. Looking at around $100. I checked another place that would be a little cheaper. But then I got to thinking, I should go talk to someone at the Cox store and get this straightened out. I am a bit more demanding of my rights than the Daughter is. So, she brought the modem up and later this morning we shall embark on our adventure.
Maybe some of that excitement that waned is coming back for today!
PeacE
This morning's main task is to work on the weekly agenda, and I started with enthusiasm, but it has waned in the past 20 minutes. Between the youngest son's rehearsals for the church Christmas musical (yes, they started already) and The oldest son's band practices & football game, we have the Daughter in town this week - well, most of the week - and there are things that need to get done with her. Then the Wife has next Saturday and Sunday filled with continuing education classes. Yeah, my excitement at what this week will throw my way has just about completely disappeared.
There will be easier weeks. There will be busier weeks. Sigh.
The Daughter is in town though, and today's foray we will do together, is to the Cox Store. When we set her up in Tucson, Cox was the only available internet/cable provider in that area of town. So we set it up, providing basic cable and internet service. Nice package deal, and he internet speed was even better than what we had at our house. Anyway, the past couple months she has been having problems with her internet, where the modem was constantly having to be reset repeatedly. I told her to take the modem to Cox there, and see if they could check it to be sure nothing was wrong with it. Turns out, the modem is fine. It can handle download speeds up to 10Mbps. Problem is, her internet speed goes to 18Mbps. So, when she and the boyfriend are both on the computer, it locks up the connection, forcing them to reset it constantly. Okay, well, Cox then wanted to charge her $80 for the proper modem she needs. What?!? We paid $80 when we set up the service, and they gave us the wrong modem, and now they want to charge us for their mistake? Yeah, well, when I found out what had happened, they had already gone to Best Buy to price the proper modem needed. Looking at around $100. I checked another place that would be a little cheaper. But then I got to thinking, I should go talk to someone at the Cox store and get this straightened out. I am a bit more demanding of my rights than the Daughter is. So, she brought the modem up and later this morning we shall embark on our adventure.
Maybe some of that excitement that waned is coming back for today!
PeacE
Wednesday, February 29
Talk About Gut Feelings....
The Daughter has been having some abdominal issues pretty much since the beginning of the year, it seems. I am sure I mentioned about a couple weeks ago she was having a scope done to see if they could find the problem, and that that test was inconclusive, as there was too much food in her stomach still. Today they did a re-test, allowing a longer period of time prior for the food to process through. They were able to "see" more of the area, and notice inflammation. Some biopsies were taken. No definite signs of an ulcer, or any other abnormality. The Doctor has mentioned that the food process taking longer, inflammation, etc, could be signs of a food allergy, but is not prescribing anything, or saying for sure until they get the results back on the biopsies. They are also going to schedule some kind of test (I forget the name) where she will eat some kind of radiated food, and they do scans to track the time/passage through her system, to see if they will give them more information.
I feel for my Daughter, having to go through each of these tests, and not knowing for sure what is going on. I don't recall any digestion problems that may "run through the family", though diabetes and other heart things do. I am just hoping at this time that it is something that can be treated without surgery, and soon.
PeacE
I feel for my Daughter, having to go through each of these tests, and not knowing for sure what is going on. I don't recall any digestion problems that may "run through the family", though diabetes and other heart things do. I am just hoping at this time that it is something that can be treated without surgery, and soon.
PeacE
Thursday, February 16
A Nice Time
This morning, I called Reverend Mother up, and invited her out for lunch, followed by some shopping. With a smile in her voice, she said she could always do the shopping! It was for my youngest son's birthday, which is later this month. Lunch was just an added thing I wanted to do, so we could have a chance to do some catch-up and one-on-one conversation. I know in our own ways, we both enjoy these few times we get together. So, overall, I had a nice time.
It's about 12 hours or so later than the time I usually pop off some drivel for you to read, but today was just slow enough, that I felt I had nothing to really contribute for today. I guess maybe I should find some topics to actually have some material to post. Though, that would probably mean I would have to pre-write the post, so I could be sure to cover the topic as fair as I wanted. I don't know. Another thing to think about I guess.
The Wife left me this evening. No, not for good. Just for an overnight to Tucson to be with the Daughter as she goes in for a scoping of the innards. I am waiting now for her to call saying she has made it in safe. Well, I gave up and just called her. She has arrived there and is just now finishing bringing in the stuff she took down. Guess now all I can do is wait to hear how the procedure goes tomorrow and what they are finding.
PeacE
It's about 12 hours or so later than the time I usually pop off some drivel for you to read, but today was just slow enough, that I felt I had nothing to really contribute for today. I guess maybe I should find some topics to actually have some material to post. Though, that would probably mean I would have to pre-write the post, so I could be sure to cover the topic as fair as I wanted. I don't know. Another thing to think about I guess.
The Wife left me this evening. No, not for good. Just for an overnight to Tucson to be with the Daughter as she goes in for a scoping of the innards. I am waiting now for her to call saying she has made it in safe. Well, I gave up and just called her. She has arrived there and is just now finishing bringing in the stuff she took down. Guess now all I can do is wait to hear how the procedure goes tomorrow and what they are finding.
PeacE
Monday, February 13
Helping the Daughter Out
The Daughter has been having some pain issues since the middle of January. Some sort of abdominal pain when she is laying down, etc. as well as some other symptoms. She had gone to Urgent Care in Tucson, and they had given here some antibiotics, then referred her to an ultrasound place, and another doc that does GI procedures. The U/S came back with inconclusive results. She finally was to have an appointment back on the 3rd for the GI doc. It turned out to be more of a consultation, than doing any procedure. She now has a procedure for Friday that they are going to insert a camera to see if they can see what the problem may be. The Wife and I think it may be a bleeding ulcer, but obviously we a re not doctors. So the Wife is going down Thursday night, escort the Daughter to her procedure, and hopefully return Friday night. No big deal.
Well, I guess it was Friday, the billing department of the people that are doing the procedure, called my daughter, demanding she give them banking information over the phone, and that she had to pay $207 right at that moment. She was smart, and did not give them anything, stating that she would need to call them back. From the second-hand information I have heard, they did not bother to tell the Daughter what the $207 (yes, that was the exact figure they gave) was for - be it the standard amount that is patient responsibility for this type of procedure? Maybe a percentage deposit for the facility to do the procedure? I mean, it definitely is not the copay!
So here in the next couple hours I will be calling the Daughter to get the info, and then calling this place back and find out what is going on, what is this figure for, if a deposit, will it be applied to any patient resp. etc. I just find it so callous and unprofessional, to call a patient and demand their banking information, and money, for a procedure that has not been done yet, to a patient that obviously is not well even. Are they just trying to take advantage of my 20 year old daughter, as she would be more susceptible to not knowing how things usually work in this instance? I don't know, but it angers me. Yet another injustice. Today, I hope to give them a verbal smack in the face, and if deserving, maybe even humiliate some worker that can't seem to have any decency or common sense.
Yes, you can tell it is a Monday.
PeacE
Well, I guess it was Friday, the billing department of the people that are doing the procedure, called my daughter, demanding she give them banking information over the phone, and that she had to pay $207 right at that moment. She was smart, and did not give them anything, stating that she would need to call them back. From the second-hand information I have heard, they did not bother to tell the Daughter what the $207 (yes, that was the exact figure they gave) was for - be it the standard amount that is patient responsibility for this type of procedure? Maybe a percentage deposit for the facility to do the procedure? I mean, it definitely is not the copay!
So here in the next couple hours I will be calling the Daughter to get the info, and then calling this place back and find out what is going on, what is this figure for, if a deposit, will it be applied to any patient resp. etc. I just find it so callous and unprofessional, to call a patient and demand their banking information, and money, for a procedure that has not been done yet, to a patient that obviously is not well even. Are they just trying to take advantage of my 20 year old daughter, as she would be more susceptible to not knowing how things usually work in this instance? I don't know, but it angers me. Yet another injustice. Today, I hope to give them a verbal smack in the face, and if deserving, maybe even humiliate some worker that can't seem to have any decency or common sense.
Yes, you can tell it is a Monday.
PeacE
Thursday, June 30
Nearing the Weekend!
I'm getting ready to head out for miscellaneous running around today. Got to get my friend's truck in for the oil change, and meet another friend this afternoon. Been sorta crazy the past couple days...
My daughter has yet to move into her apartment. Originally we had said this past Monday. That got moved to Wednesday, as it supposedly wasn't ready for new tenants yet. Tuesday she called to check on it, and was told it was going to be another week. So I called the office there. The fellow we had been dealing with had been out the past couple days. No big deal, except his story didn't match the one I got from the person that I spoke with. Seems the unit she is to get STILL has tenants in it. We were lead to believe it was empty when we signed up for it all. Supposedly, the tenants are to be out today (the 30th) and by Thursday, it will be prepped/cleaned whatever in time for my daughter to move in. So, I will wait until tomorrow morning and follow up that it is empty, and that they can start on Friday to get it ready. Then call each morning and evening to check status, since this is a holiday weekend. I got a verbal guarantee it would be ready Thursday at the latest, and supposedly they are giving us the first month free (instead of half off) due to the problems of getting her in it. The daughter has been staying in town there with her boyfriend's aunt, but has to come home today for an ortho appointment, and will be staying with us for a few days, before heading back down with another load of stuff.
I guess Monday we are going to Sis' for lunch. I know the Wife wants to go somewhere to watch the fireworks show (if anywhere in town is still doing them).
About another week before I leave for OTL in San Diego. I am getting a bit anxious.
I guess that is it for now....
PeacE
My daughter has yet to move into her apartment. Originally we had said this past Monday. That got moved to Wednesday, as it supposedly wasn't ready for new tenants yet. Tuesday she called to check on it, and was told it was going to be another week. So I called the office there. The fellow we had been dealing with had been out the past couple days. No big deal, except his story didn't match the one I got from the person that I spoke with. Seems the unit she is to get STILL has tenants in it. We were lead to believe it was empty when we signed up for it all. Supposedly, the tenants are to be out today (the 30th) and by Thursday, it will be prepped/cleaned whatever in time for my daughter to move in. So, I will wait until tomorrow morning and follow up that it is empty, and that they can start on Friday to get it ready. Then call each morning and evening to check status, since this is a holiday weekend. I got a verbal guarantee it would be ready Thursday at the latest, and supposedly they are giving us the first month free (instead of half off) due to the problems of getting her in it. The daughter has been staying in town there with her boyfriend's aunt, but has to come home today for an ortho appointment, and will be staying with us for a few days, before heading back down with another load of stuff.
I guess Monday we are going to Sis' for lunch. I know the Wife wants to go somewhere to watch the fireworks show (if anywhere in town is still doing them).
About another week before I leave for OTL in San Diego. I am getting a bit anxious.
I guess that is it for now....
PeacE
Sunday, April 11
Sleep Hates Me
Here it is, yet another night that I am not in bed, comfortable asleep and dreaming of wonderful things that I am supposed to dream about.
Instead, I am wide awake and pissed off. I feel failure in trying to teach my kids responsibility, and other things important, like trustworthiness. And because I fail at these things, this is why I get it tossed right back to me in my face, and makes me angry. Let me explain a little... if you are bored enough to read on ...
In this past year, the Daughter (on reaching her 18th year of life) has been the typical rebellious youth that I think we as a society, expect and see. We have clashed as she refuses to comply to our curfew times, times to be home, times to be in bed, communicating with us if they are going to be late, or a change of plans, etc. Note, she has a cell phone, so it's not a problem to call us anytime.
Many of my friends are saying I am being too "controlling". Let her make her own mistakes. She'll have to suffer her own consequences. I have no problem with this, if she were on her own, if the younger boys didn't see this crap and expect to get away with it too (which they don't). If somehow, those repercussions would not affect me.
The daughter had asked last weekend about going out this Saturday night for dinner and maybe a movie with her boyfriend.
Either way, I decided, I will try it. I had forgotten the trip to CA she and her mother were doing, but I went ahead and said, regarding her date on Saturday, "Sure! Just be home by midnight." That's fair? She was being picked up around 4'ish in the afternoon...midnight is fair.
I was mentioning it all to the Wife that night, who reminded me about the trip, and they were not due to return until like 3pm that day. Okay, so I spoke to the daughter again, asked that she at least mow the front lawn (the only "chore" she does here - not for lack of us asking her for other help - and one that she won't give up to her brother, as I suggest), but it only had to be done before she left on her date. So she had a few evenings to do it, before she even left for the trip.
Today is Saturday. They got back at 3pm. At 3:30, I mentioned that the front is still not mowed, and if she expected to leave at 4, she better get moving. That's when the complaining started. The muttering under her breath. What she thought I couldn't hear. I said not a word more. The lawn got done. I mentioned to the daughter, with the Wife present as well, that midnight meant IN THE HOUSE. Not just got home, and outside talking, not saying a last goodbye. Means in the house, door locked, getting ready for bed. She says "OK" and she went out on her date.
By 11 I was done in. The Wife had already migrated to the bedroom, and I shut down the house and headed that way too. I left the front door unlocked, expecting to hear it when she came in. At this point, I had assumed I had heard the boyfriend's truck already pull up out front, and as their "usual thing" standing at the side of the house hugging and kissing and talking until the last possible minute she is due in the house. I was casually relaxing, not really trying to get to sleep yet. I figured I would hear her come in, she would hopefully tap at the door and let us know she was home, and then I could blissfully remove myself to dreamland.
By midnight, I had not heard anything. I asked the Wife, who also had not heard anything. I got up and went to the front room, checked my phone, it is after midnight now. Hand to chin, begin to scratch. What do I do? I check out the window. His truck is here. It is empty. Next thought...well, check if they are on the front stoop. I go to the door. It is locked. My mind is running the facts: Boyfriend truck is here, but sitting with no one in the cab. Front door is locked, so daughter had to come inside. What's the next logical thing?
I knock on her bedroom door. Light is on, coming from under the door, but no answer. I knock again. No answer. I open the door, find her leaning halfway out her window (one level home) the blinds had been pulled up. AllI said was, "Oh no. You didn't just try to pull the stupid shit I think you just did."
"What?" was all she said with a shocked look as she came back into the bedroom,
My temper went from a tad bit of actual concern that she was home safe, to I-can't-believe-she-climbed-out-the-windowdamnsheisinsomuchfuckingtrouble!!!!
I walked away towards my room. She started to say something like, "We weren't doing anything" but I shut it out, and just yelled back " I can't believe you tried to pull this shit."
BAck in the bedroom, I hear the boyfriend's truck start up, and I see the headlights go on down the street. He's lucky I needed to get some regular shorts on before I was going to confront him.... his turn is coming yet. I told the wife what happened. She said, put a screen on the window with screws tomorrow. Which I will be doing.
Then WE (the Wife and I together) are going to just lay it out to the daughter. No more TRUST. YOU WILL LEARN RESPONSIBILITY. It is now our way, or the day after graduation, you are gone, on your own, as you have screamed at us constantly everytime we tell you, you messed up our trust. WE ARE DONE.
I wonder, if no money for the other college expenses grants do not cover is a concern? I wonder, if we will need to tell other family members, so that they do not take her in, without knowing why she is not at home. I wonder how much humility I will eat, and suffer through, because I was not a good parent in teaching this to my daughter and she has turned out the way she has. Plans are already being made for when she is out, the changes we are implementing in the home for the boys. We don't want to make the same mistake twice. I don't think the family, or the world would like that.
PeacE
Instead, I am wide awake and pissed off. I feel failure in trying to teach my kids responsibility, and other things important, like trustworthiness. And because I fail at these things, this is why I get it tossed right back to me in my face, and makes me angry. Let me explain a little... if you are bored enough to read on ...
In this past year, the Daughter (on reaching her 18th year of life) has been the typical rebellious youth that I think we as a society, expect and see. We have clashed as she refuses to comply to our curfew times, times to be home, times to be in bed, communicating with us if they are going to be late, or a change of plans, etc. Note, she has a cell phone, so it's not a problem to call us anytime.
Many of my friends are saying I am being too "controlling". Let her make her own mistakes. She'll have to suffer her own consequences. I have no problem with this, if she were on her own, if the younger boys didn't see this crap and expect to get away with it too (which they don't). If somehow, those repercussions would not affect me.
The daughter had asked last weekend about going out this Saturday night for dinner and maybe a movie with her boyfriend.
Either way, I decided, I will try it. I had forgotten the trip to CA she and her mother were doing, but I went ahead and said, regarding her date on Saturday, "Sure! Just be home by midnight." That's fair? She was being picked up around 4'ish in the afternoon...midnight is fair.
I was mentioning it all to the Wife that night, who reminded me about the trip, and they were not due to return until like 3pm that day. Okay, so I spoke to the daughter again, asked that she at least mow the front lawn (the only "chore" she does here - not for lack of us asking her for other help - and one that she won't give up to her brother, as I suggest), but it only had to be done before she left on her date. So she had a few evenings to do it, before she even left for the trip.
Today is Saturday. They got back at 3pm. At 3:30, I mentioned that the front is still not mowed, and if she expected to leave at 4, she better get moving. That's when the complaining started. The muttering under her breath. What she thought I couldn't hear. I said not a word more. The lawn got done. I mentioned to the daughter, with the Wife present as well, that midnight meant IN THE HOUSE. Not just got home, and outside talking, not saying a last goodbye. Means in the house, door locked, getting ready for bed. She says "OK" and she went out on her date.
By 11 I was done in. The Wife had already migrated to the bedroom, and I shut down the house and headed that way too. I left the front door unlocked, expecting to hear it when she came in. At this point, I had assumed I had heard the boyfriend's truck already pull up out front, and as their "usual thing" standing at the side of the house hugging and kissing and talking until the last possible minute she is due in the house. I was casually relaxing, not really trying to get to sleep yet. I figured I would hear her come in, she would hopefully tap at the door and let us know she was home, and then I could blissfully remove myself to dreamland.
By midnight, I had not heard anything. I asked the Wife, who also had not heard anything. I got up and went to the front room, checked my phone, it is after midnight now. Hand to chin, begin to scratch. What do I do? I check out the window. His truck is here. It is empty. Next thought...well, check if they are on the front stoop. I go to the door. It is locked. My mind is running the facts: Boyfriend truck is here, but sitting with no one in the cab. Front door is locked, so daughter had to come inside. What's the next logical thing?
I knock on her bedroom door. Light is on, coming from under the door, but no answer. I knock again. No answer. I open the door, find her leaning halfway out her window (one level home) the blinds had been pulled up. AllI said was, "Oh no. You didn't just try to pull the stupid shit I think you just did."
"What?" was all she said with a shocked look as she came back into the bedroom,
My temper went from a tad bit of actual concern that she was home safe, to I-can't-believe-she-climbed-out-the-windowdamnsheisinsomuchfuckingtrouble!!!!
I walked away towards my room. She started to say something like, "We weren't doing anything" but I shut it out, and just yelled back " I can't believe you tried to pull this shit."
BAck in the bedroom, I hear the boyfriend's truck start up, and I see the headlights go on down the street. He's lucky I needed to get some regular shorts on before I was going to confront him.... his turn is coming yet. I told the wife what happened. She said, put a screen on the window with screws tomorrow. Which I will be doing.
Then WE (the Wife and I together) are going to just lay it out to the daughter. No more TRUST. YOU WILL LEARN RESPONSIBILITY. It is now our way, or the day after graduation, you are gone, on your own, as you have screamed at us constantly everytime we tell you, you messed up our trust. WE ARE DONE.
I wonder, if no money for the other college expenses grants do not cover is a concern? I wonder, if we will need to tell other family members, so that they do not take her in, without knowing why she is not at home. I wonder how much humility I will eat, and suffer through, because I was not a good parent in teaching this to my daughter and she has turned out the way she has. Plans are already being made for when she is out, the changes we are implementing in the home for the boys. We don't want to make the same mistake twice. I don't think the family, or the world would like that.
PeacE
Wednesday, March 31
Yesterday Ended Well
Yesterday, the Wife and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe she has put up with me for that many years. For lack of being super-rich, we settled for a nice dinner of the two of us at a local restaurant called Black Angus (a steakhouse), and did some shopping afterwards. T'was nice not to have the kids along, aside from the extra amount that would have been spent for dinner, the quiet conversation would never have taken place otherwise. We made it a bit of an extension, too. The dessert we brought home we will eat it tomorrow evening after dinner .... without the kids around .... even if we have to hide in shed out back. I am sure we won't have to go to those extremes.
Sunday will be spent at Sis' for lunch as planned still. Tonight I received a phone call from her to double check our attendance for lunch. Usually, are responsibility to bring food-wise is like chips/dip or the equivalent. This particular time though, I have been asked to bring something else ... a dessert I make that is similar to cheesecake, but not. Seems everyone in the family likes it. I had sent over a couple pies of it last Thanksgiving, since our family was spending the dinner with the Wife's side of the family. It went fast I heard. As it does with the Wife's family as well. What can I say, I do something pretty damn good every once in a while.
Rusty, Spawn of Satan, has dropped back into his regular routine very quickly. For being a cat on the loose in the city for the first time, for a period of a little over 24 hours, being back home is probably pretty nice for him. I have only once seen him show an interest in the front door since that night he came back home. Now, if he could lose interest in other things such as trying to claw furniture, and jumping back and forth across my bed (and me) in the middle of the night ... that would make me more of a cat-liker. In fact, as I write this, his Fat and Laziness is sitting in the chair next to the desk, giving me the look as he knows I am talking about him. I can't wait til I get to the point I can - what's it called.... when you make inanimate, or non-human things more human-like (personification?) ... when I can do that with him.... and then just drag him through the wringer. Heh. Something to look forward to. Be prepared, my whiskered adversary.
Still don't know when my daughter's graduation announcements are to arrive. Yeah, I know. Like a month and a half til the event, and no announcements. SO, if you are family, and you actually read this stuff, email me your address so I can get you an announcement.
We have finalized our Family Trip dates. I need to contact family/friends back in IN/MI to warn them of our eminent arrival. Tonight, some of the shopping we did was for pricing on stuff for the trip. Such as DVD player w/screen for movies. Amazing how small those things have gotten now. Not surprised at the cost though. Sheesh! Looked at digital cameras as well. The Wife has been taking my Sony Cybershot lately, though she complained she does not know how to use it. I bitch about how I need it so when I need it, it is handy. We priced out some cameras for her tonight, and I think I have her talked into one, which we will get before our trip. I did get a new USB hub for the computer, and just had to pick up a movie. "Chronicles of Riddick". I got the whole set now. Watched it tonight too. I forgot how much I liked it.
It's after 3am now. I need to get busy on this other thing before I can get some sleep. Got some story stuck in my head I need to get typed out to at least be able to sleep. And who knows, maybe it will turn into a short story.
PeacE
Sunday will be spent at Sis' for lunch as planned still. Tonight I received a phone call from her to double check our attendance for lunch. Usually, are responsibility to bring food-wise is like chips/dip or the equivalent. This particular time though, I have been asked to bring something else ... a dessert I make that is similar to cheesecake, but not. Seems everyone in the family likes it. I had sent over a couple pies of it last Thanksgiving, since our family was spending the dinner with the Wife's side of the family. It went fast I heard. As it does with the Wife's family as well. What can I say, I do something pretty damn good every once in a while.
Rusty, Spawn of Satan, has dropped back into his regular routine very quickly. For being a cat on the loose in the city for the first time, for a period of a little over 24 hours, being back home is probably pretty nice for him. I have only once seen him show an interest in the front door since that night he came back home. Now, if he could lose interest in other things such as trying to claw furniture, and jumping back and forth across my bed (and me) in the middle of the night ... that would make me more of a cat-liker. In fact, as I write this, his Fat and Laziness is sitting in the chair next to the desk, giving me the look as he knows I am talking about him. I can't wait til I get to the point I can - what's it called.... when you make inanimate, or non-human things more human-like (personification?) ... when I can do that with him.... and then just drag him through the wringer. Heh. Something to look forward to. Be prepared, my whiskered adversary.
Still don't know when my daughter's graduation announcements are to arrive. Yeah, I know. Like a month and a half til the event, and no announcements. SO, if you are family, and you actually read this stuff, email me your address so I can get you an announcement.
We have finalized our Family Trip dates. I need to contact family/friends back in IN/MI to warn them of our eminent arrival. Tonight, some of the shopping we did was for pricing on stuff for the trip. Such as DVD player w/screen for movies. Amazing how small those things have gotten now. Not surprised at the cost though. Sheesh! Looked at digital cameras as well. The Wife has been taking my Sony Cybershot lately, though she complained she does not know how to use it. I bitch about how I need it so when I need it, it is handy. We priced out some cameras for her tonight, and I think I have her talked into one, which we will get before our trip. I did get a new USB hub for the computer, and just had to pick up a movie. "Chronicles of Riddick". I got the whole set now. Watched it tonight too. I forgot how much I liked it.
It's after 3am now. I need to get busy on this other thing before I can get some sleep. Got some story stuck in my head I need to get typed out to at least be able to sleep. And who knows, maybe it will turn into a short story.
PeacE
Tuesday, November 17
dot dot dot
It's been awhile. I almost missed being here. I say almost, because, for once in my life, I was doing the right thing. The 'right thing' as I see it is spending the time I have with my family. Yes, I can see many of you agree, it is a great and noble thing to do. Why waste your time here, when you have those things to do....
Which brings me back to here.... it feels like home.
In the last month, and maybe some more days than that, I have devote myself back to the family unit. Back to being more in the daily life of my children than I had been before. Trying my best to be more of a father than I had been before. Sounds pathetic, in a sense doesn't it? Why would I have to be more of one, if I was a good one before?
Simple answer. I wasn't/weren't/ain't the good father I thought I was....
No. None of the children are in welfare. None are in danger in our home. None are beaten senseless in drunken rages, or abused in physical way. And as I see it, none are verbally abused either....
Best place to start, they always say, is at the beginning...... I like to drink.
You'd think drinking is bad enough, but that is what I do... now. And even that is being controlled by me. How much you can trust an alcoholic? Well, my Wife trusts me. That trust has done wonders.
But, that's not the home problem. It's about growing old. Or for some, growing older.
I am a 38 year old male, who loves his High School Sweetheart, (whom I married) and we have had 4 WONDERFUL children together. My extremely talented daughter (18) and the three boys (11,7, 4). That's if I got their ages all correct. I am not a stickler for that.
Last night, there was an altercation. Mom and the daughter were in another room, and the all I heard was the daughter 'sassing back' to her mother. Strictly my interpretation of it. So I verbally broke in, and told daughter to not speak to her mother that way.
From there, it went to hell.
I have an 18 year old daughter telling both her parents to "fuck off" (yes Reverend Mother, exact words of your 'Princess') and not listening to anything. It's all about her. Let the police show up and take everyone to jail, because she can be out of this house.
Gotta love that. In fact, it sounds so good, I should have a PBR in my hand, and live in Kentucky!
Needless to say, the Wife and I are at wits end. The Daughter graduates in June, and is going to U of A in Tucson. We have told her for years, she gets R&B there, plus whatever else we can help pay over what grants/scholarships she gets.
It's all true. But to me it ain't right. The Daughter still has what they call here, 'Early Hour' band practices. So, she still needs to be driven to school early, before regular hours. This week, the Wife has vacation - one of those job things. Use it or lose it. This is her week she took to get it used.
So, after last night's 'fiasco', I awake and find a letter from the daughter. After reading it, I assume it is an apology from the 'fit' she had the night before. No, it is a letter placing blame on every family member for her problems, and total blame on me, for how she has become a failure in life.
The letter stated that *I* did not: support her choir concerts, her band concerts, the marching band activities, the theatrical plays, the class plays, in short... everything she has extracurricular in HS. True, I have not been to all of them. And the important ones, like the seniors walk at last home game.... she verbally said she did not want me to walk with her.
If this don't sound like a bad 'redneck' family, you tell me!
Tonight... I went to a bar. I drank. More than I have in over a month. I waited purposefully, before coming home. I wanted all the kids in bed. I said ALL.Especially the daughter, tonight. I asked my loving Wife, if the daughter and her had talked about the 'letter'. No.
(sigh)
I don't know how ot phrase it, but I have had the WORST kind of things happen in my life, been presented with the WORST sort of situations, and SUFFERED the consequences of my actions.... but this instance with the Daughter... I am at a loss.
I gave up on Christ years ago. I gave up on believing in family about the same time. My self belief - heh, I question it at the most important times. My Wife, who has been there through it all, has been the one thing I don't question.
So, what do I do?
(sigh)
I ain't really asking for no one's opinions..... just getting shit off my chest I guess.
Like the song says... 'God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy".
Good luck to the fucker that can figure my life out. Call me if ya do.
PeacE
Which brings me back to here.... it feels like home.
In the last month, and maybe some more days than that, I have devote myself back to the family unit. Back to being more in the daily life of my children than I had been before. Trying my best to be more of a father than I had been before. Sounds pathetic, in a sense doesn't it? Why would I have to be more of one, if I was a good one before?
Simple answer. I wasn't/weren't/ain't the good father I thought I was....
No. None of the children are in welfare. None are in danger in our home. None are beaten senseless in drunken rages, or abused in physical way. And as I see it, none are verbally abused either....
Best place to start, they always say, is at the beginning...... I like to drink.
You'd think drinking is bad enough, but that is what I do... now. And even that is being controlled by me. How much you can trust an alcoholic? Well, my Wife trusts me. That trust has done wonders.
But, that's not the home problem. It's about growing old. Or for some, growing older.
I am a 38 year old male, who loves his High School Sweetheart, (whom I married) and we have had 4 WONDERFUL children together. My extremely talented daughter (18) and the three boys (11,7, 4). That's if I got their ages all correct. I am not a stickler for that.
Last night, there was an altercation. Mom and the daughter were in another room, and the all I heard was the daughter 'sassing back' to her mother. Strictly my interpretation of it. So I verbally broke in, and told daughter to not speak to her mother that way.
From there, it went to hell.
I have an 18 year old daughter telling both her parents to "fuck off" (yes Reverend Mother, exact words of your 'Princess') and not listening to anything. It's all about her. Let the police show up and take everyone to jail, because she can be out of this house.
Gotta love that. In fact, it sounds so good, I should have a PBR in my hand, and live in Kentucky!
Needless to say, the Wife and I are at wits end. The Daughter graduates in June, and is going to U of A in Tucson. We have told her for years, she gets R&B there, plus whatever else we can help pay over what grants/scholarships she gets.
It's all true. But to me it ain't right. The Daughter still has what they call here, 'Early Hour' band practices. So, she still needs to be driven to school early, before regular hours. This week, the Wife has vacation - one of those job things. Use it or lose it. This is her week she took to get it used.
So, after last night's 'fiasco', I awake and find a letter from the daughter. After reading it, I assume it is an apology from the 'fit' she had the night before. No, it is a letter placing blame on every family member for her problems, and total blame on me, for how she has become a failure in life.
The letter stated that *I* did not: support her choir concerts, her band concerts, the marching band activities, the theatrical plays, the class plays, in short... everything she has extracurricular in HS. True, I have not been to all of them. And the important ones, like the seniors walk at last home game.... she verbally said she did not want me to walk with her.
If this don't sound like a bad 'redneck' family, you tell me!
Tonight... I went to a bar. I drank. More than I have in over a month. I waited purposefully, before coming home. I wanted all the kids in bed. I said ALL.Especially the daughter, tonight. I asked my loving Wife, if the daughter and her had talked about the 'letter'. No.
(sigh)
I don't know how ot phrase it, but I have had the WORST kind of things happen in my life, been presented with the WORST sort of situations, and SUFFERED the consequences of my actions.... but this instance with the Daughter... I am at a loss.
I gave up on Christ years ago. I gave up on believing in family about the same time. My self belief - heh, I question it at the most important times. My Wife, who has been there through it all, has been the one thing I don't question.
So, what do I do?
(sigh)
I ain't really asking for no one's opinions..... just getting shit off my chest I guess.
Like the song says... 'God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy".
Good luck to the fucker that can figure my life out. Call me if ya do.
PeacE
Thursday, October 8
Sometimes it is just a blank look and ....
WTF?
Yeah, that's it. with a total blank look, and a half open mouth. Why? I just can't figure out what the heck is going on. It's been one of those days, though I should have seen it coming all week.
Thursday, started out wonderful. By noon I was thinking it was going to be a good day. I headed out to the pub in the early afternoon to meet up with a couple buds, and Buds, for a nice round or two of video golf. Was out having a good time - when the phone call came.
Actually, it was a text. About 5:40'ish, I get this text from the daughter - something along the lines of: Boyfriend is coming to concert tonight, and asks if I can go to dinner afterwards.
(pondering look on my face) Concert? Tonight? Huh? Dinner with B boyfriend? It's Thursday....
I text back a quick "Call me", thinking that would be easier to get the answers I need about what is going on... teach me to think.
About that time in the process, the phone rings and it is The Wife. She is calling me to talk about the same thing. As we are talking (barely past the "Hi" and "What's up?") the phone is beeping for the other line. I miss it of course, and it was the daughter. I sigh in exasperation (because already this has confused the hell outta me) and call the Wife. She explains, rather patiently I might add, that the daughter has a Vocal Ensemble concert tonight (which no one had informed me of) and the whole boyfriend/dinner thing.
Fine. We worked out that yes it was fine - be home by 10 as it is a school night. Oh, but wait! There's more for this prize winner!!
Backing up to Tuesday, the oldest son became sick - fever over 100, coughing, other flu-like stuff. He misses 3 days of school this week (including today). Now on the phone, the Wife tells me the next oldest son has over 100 temp, and feels sick. Older better, next sick, and one in the wings just waiting I know. Now the Wife can't afford to be sick with Flu-like stuff in her line of work. They make them stay home mandatory 7 days (she works with geriatrics).
Damn, sometimes I am a good husband. I said okay, I would stay home with the sick boy, and any others wanting to NOT go to the concert. What time does daughter need to be there? In 20 minutes - and I am 10 minutes from home yet.
Sometimes it is good there is a police station on the way home from where I was. Because it seems the police are never in that area to pull anyone over. I made it home in REALLY good time.
The evening goes on, Wife comes home. Pizza had been ordered and we kicked back watching "Return of the King". Daughter due home at 10pm. At 9:58'ish, the Wife says, " I just got a text message from the daughter."
Huh? She is due home like in 2 minutes... Turns out, they supposedly were caught in traffic and were running late. Okay, sounds legit. I call her back and ask just where are they? Ten minutes from home... and she is just now calling to say oh, they were late.
Needless to say, she was later than 10, 15, or even 20 minutes following the call. Yeah. Traffic my ass. And she knew we were not happy about the whole thing. As soon as she came in it was tears and crying. We three sat down and as parents explained why we had guidelines, and how she is not following them. Next came what should we do to enforce them... blah blah blah.
Sentencing is held off until Saturday to allow the Wife and I to determine proper procedure.
So, if you are out in the early evening (Arizona time that is) and from the West (or East if yer in Cali) you hear a distance scream of rage and pent-up frustration.... That's me!
Children - don't know why I have them, except it was so much fun making 'em.
PeacE
Edit: And Uncle Mike, for some reason, I was trying to be a bit vague rather than point fingers at ya, but I guess Reverend Mother would have figured it out anyhows. From now on, you'll get name mention!! You're a great mentor!!
Yeah, that's it. with a total blank look, and a half open mouth. Why? I just can't figure out what the heck is going on. It's been one of those days, though I should have seen it coming all week.
Thursday, started out wonderful. By noon I was thinking it was going to be a good day. I headed out to the pub in the early afternoon to meet up with a couple buds, and Buds, for a nice round or two of video golf. Was out having a good time - when the phone call came.
Actually, it was a text. About 5:40'ish, I get this text from the daughter - something along the lines of: Boyfriend is coming to concert tonight, and asks if I can go to dinner afterwards.
(pondering look on my face) Concert? Tonight? Huh? Dinner with B boyfriend? It's Thursday....
I text back a quick "Call me", thinking that would be easier to get the answers I need about what is going on... teach me to think.
About that time in the process, the phone rings and it is The Wife. She is calling me to talk about the same thing. As we are talking (barely past the "Hi" and "What's up?") the phone is beeping for the other line. I miss it of course, and it was the daughter. I sigh in exasperation (because already this has confused the hell outta me) and call the Wife. She explains, rather patiently I might add, that the daughter has a Vocal Ensemble concert tonight (which no one had informed me of) and the whole boyfriend/dinner thing.
Fine. We worked out that yes it was fine - be home by 10 as it is a school night. Oh, but wait! There's more for this prize winner!!
Backing up to Tuesday, the oldest son became sick - fever over 100, coughing, other flu-like stuff. He misses 3 days of school this week (including today). Now on the phone, the Wife tells me the next oldest son has over 100 temp, and feels sick. Older better, next sick, and one in the wings just waiting I know. Now the Wife can't afford to be sick with Flu-like stuff in her line of work. They make them stay home mandatory 7 days (she works with geriatrics).
Damn, sometimes I am a good husband. I said okay, I would stay home with the sick boy, and any others wanting to NOT go to the concert. What time does daughter need to be there? In 20 minutes - and I am 10 minutes from home yet.
Sometimes it is good there is a police station on the way home from where I was. Because it seems the police are never in that area to pull anyone over. I made it home in REALLY good time.
The evening goes on, Wife comes home. Pizza had been ordered and we kicked back watching "Return of the King". Daughter due home at 10pm. At 9:58'ish, the Wife says, " I just got a text message from the daughter."
Huh? She is due home like in 2 minutes... Turns out, they supposedly were caught in traffic and were running late. Okay, sounds legit. I call her back and ask just where are they? Ten minutes from home... and she is just now calling to say oh, they were late.
Needless to say, she was later than 10, 15, or even 20 minutes following the call. Yeah. Traffic my ass. And she knew we were not happy about the whole thing. As soon as she came in it was tears and crying. We three sat down and as parents explained why we had guidelines, and how she is not following them. Next came what should we do to enforce them... blah blah blah.
Sentencing is held off until Saturday to allow the Wife and I to determine proper procedure.
So, if you are out in the early evening (Arizona time that is) and from the West (or East if yer in Cali) you hear a distance scream of rage and pent-up frustration.... That's me!
Children - don't know why I have them, except it was so much fun making 'em.
PeacE
Edit: And Uncle Mike, for some reason, I was trying to be a bit vague rather than point fingers at ya, but I guess Reverend Mother would have figured it out anyhows. From now on, you'll get name mention!! You're a great mentor!!
Saturday, August 8
*YAWN*
MAn, I am ready for bed. Just got done playing some WoW. My bro in law hooked me up with a set of headphones w/mic and I installed the software so I can talk with them while we are all online playing. It's pretty rad for a bumpkin like me! The boys are excited to get their chance to try it out with their cousin!
The Reverend Mother celebrated her 60th bday with a surprise party for her tonight. I can't explain how hard it was to not mention anything that would tip her off as to the shindig. Needless to say, it came off as a success. Sis did a wonderful job with a picture video put to music she made ont he computer. Good enough I got some tears going - and I watched it like 4 times before the party! For relatives reading this, I am sure I can pass word along if you would like a copy of the video (hint Uncle Mike). I know my Aunt will be here til Wed. I am sure Sis can burn a copy to send back.
The Daughter and I had a nice conversation over breakfast this morning. We worked out the problem, and made better guidelines as to what each of us expect. Maybe making the mistakes now with her will make it easier when the boys get that age. Somehow I doubt it.
Nate had a wonderful birthday today. He scored a number of programs for the computer, and Saturday (today) we are going to the place of his choosing for lunch. Go figure it is a place similar to Chuck E Cheeses (or Showbiz - depending on where you are at I guess). I know he will be getting more stuff tomorrow. Not a bad haul for a 7 year old.
Okay I gotta git as my eyes are falling down.
PeacE
The Reverend Mother celebrated her 60th bday with a surprise party for her tonight. I can't explain how hard it was to not mention anything that would tip her off as to the shindig. Needless to say, it came off as a success. Sis did a wonderful job with a picture video put to music she made ont he computer. Good enough I got some tears going - and I watched it like 4 times before the party! For relatives reading this, I am sure I can pass word along if you would like a copy of the video (hint Uncle Mike). I know my Aunt will be here til Wed. I am sure Sis can burn a copy to send back.
The Daughter and I had a nice conversation over breakfast this morning. We worked out the problem, and made better guidelines as to what each of us expect. Maybe making the mistakes now with her will make it easier when the boys get that age. Somehow I doubt it.
Nate had a wonderful birthday today. He scored a number of programs for the computer, and Saturday (today) we are going to the place of his choosing for lunch. Go figure it is a place similar to Chuck E Cheeses (or Showbiz - depending on where you are at I guess). I know he will be getting more stuff tomorrow. Not a bad haul for a 7 year old.
Okay I gotta git as my eyes are falling down.
PeacE
Friday, August 7
Another year has gone by....
Today my middle son turns 7 years old. As a parent, you see your kids growing seemingly so fast before your eyes. He has become a great young man for his age, and simply thrives on showing his affection amongst family. Now if only I can raise him correctly to have solid ideals about everything....
... that brings to the oldest, my daughter. In about 15 minutes we are off to McDonalds to have a sit down discussion about her interpretation of permission, and how we can resolve things to make it less stressful all the way around. She had come home last night from a date only an hour late - after I even called her on the phone. Yeah, Dad wasn't happy. Mom wasn't happy. And now - because I told her last night we would be discussing punishment this weekend, she is taking the "I hate you and everybody hates me - I am moving out when I am 18" trash talk. Oh didn't I mention the yelling at every one and the tears?
(sigh)
I am still trying to figure where I went wrong in raising this one. I am sure everyone has a finger to point me int he direction of my error, and I am trying my patient best (and I am not a patient person) to at least remedy the situation if not fully correct it. Too little too late probably, but I got to try something. The Wife and I are both tired of this all. At least she graduates next summer and is striving to get to UofA that next fall.
Today though, is a good day. Concentrate on the son's birthday. He will be opening his presents and such tonight whenever The Wife gets home from work. Fridays she has to work late enough that it makes it hard to do a family dinner out, so we moved the event to tomorrow. He has decided on a pizza place that has the games/tokens thing going on. Now I have to figure out when to do that so the daughter can be there, as she has a bday party for a friend's baby (yes, young mother) also. Plus, a bunch of my high school alumni are doing a large get together tomorrow night I would like to attend. I have a feeling I am not going to make it.
(sigh)
The things parents give up for their children. Too bad this is only a lesson learned. Would have been nice to know maybe ahead of the whole being a parent thing. Not that I would change it, just would like to have known about it ahead of time. Or maybe I knew it, but just didn't pay attention. That is more like it.
Enough of this today. I am off to have the discussion, then picking the boys up and headed to the Sis's house for all the cousins to play together for the afternoon.
PeacE
... that brings to the oldest, my daughter. In about 15 minutes we are off to McDonalds to have a sit down discussion about her interpretation of permission, and how we can resolve things to make it less stressful all the way around. She had come home last night from a date only an hour late - after I even called her on the phone. Yeah, Dad wasn't happy. Mom wasn't happy. And now - because I told her last night we would be discussing punishment this weekend, she is taking the "I hate you and everybody hates me - I am moving out when I am 18" trash talk. Oh didn't I mention the yelling at every one and the tears?
(sigh)
I am still trying to figure where I went wrong in raising this one. I am sure everyone has a finger to point me int he direction of my error, and I am trying my patient best (and I am not a patient person) to at least remedy the situation if not fully correct it. Too little too late probably, but I got to try something. The Wife and I are both tired of this all. At least she graduates next summer and is striving to get to UofA that next fall.
Today though, is a good day. Concentrate on the son's birthday. He will be opening his presents and such tonight whenever The Wife gets home from work. Fridays she has to work late enough that it makes it hard to do a family dinner out, so we moved the event to tomorrow. He has decided on a pizza place that has the games/tokens thing going on. Now I have to figure out when to do that so the daughter can be there, as she has a bday party for a friend's baby (yes, young mother) also. Plus, a bunch of my high school alumni are doing a large get together tomorrow night I would like to attend. I have a feeling I am not going to make it.
(sigh)
The things parents give up for their children. Too bad this is only a lesson learned. Would have been nice to know maybe ahead of the whole being a parent thing. Not that I would change it, just would like to have known about it ahead of time. Or maybe I knew it, but just didn't pay attention. That is more like it.
Enough of this today. I am off to have the discussion, then picking the boys up and headed to the Sis's house for all the cousins to play together for the afternoon.
PeacE
Friday, September 28
Homecomings and Birthdays
When it comes to being a parent, and having kids start reaching those high school years, in a sense, it made me feel more old, than joyous. Of course, each birthday one of mu kids celebrate, makes me almost wince and rush to the bathroom to check for new signs of aging. No, I am not really that vain, but the basis of the thought....
My little girl is 16 today. Sweet Sixteen. She is the first of my four, and the only girl. Talk about a twist in the ol' heart. She's a sophomore; marching band cadet; honor roll student; my baby girl.
Tonight is her school's Homecoming celebration. Of course, she being in the band will be performing during the halftime break. Afterwards, she has already asked, and been given permission to go with several band members to a pizza place nearby for food after the game. She's always been good about getting a ride (from someone we approve) and being home by 12 at the latest. The two older boys enjoy going to the games and watching her perform. Of course, the oldest boy, is just taking up French horn now (in 4th grade).
So, tonight, I am not going to her performance or the game. In fact, I might end up working late - not sure yet. But the Wife and I decided we should do something extra for the daughter today. I get to miss the game to pick up balloons, and crepe paper, and other stuff they hang for birthdays at parties. Yeah, and then I am to go to the pizza place ahead of the band, to prep it for her. Personally, I would have been thoroughly PO'ed if my parents were to do this to me in high school. Of course, they never let me hang out after games... but that is a different post.
Think my baby girl will enjoy it? I hope so. Not much more surprise and all I could afford to do at this time. Guess we'll know in about 5 hours.
She is getting all growed up on me. That just saddens me a little. But I am sure I will get over it.
PeacE
My little girl is 16 today. Sweet Sixteen. She is the first of my four, and the only girl. Talk about a twist in the ol' heart. She's a sophomore; marching band cadet; honor roll student; my baby girl.
Tonight is her school's Homecoming celebration. Of course, she being in the band will be performing during the halftime break. Afterwards, she has already asked, and been given permission to go with several band members to a pizza place nearby for food after the game. She's always been good about getting a ride (from someone we approve) and being home by 12 at the latest. The two older boys enjoy going to the games and watching her perform. Of course, the oldest boy, is just taking up French horn now (in 4th grade).
So, tonight, I am not going to her performance or the game. In fact, I might end up working late - not sure yet. But the Wife and I decided we should do something extra for the daughter today. I get to miss the game to pick up balloons, and crepe paper, and other stuff they hang for birthdays at parties. Yeah, and then I am to go to the pizza place ahead of the band, to prep it for her. Personally, I would have been thoroughly PO'ed if my parents were to do this to me in high school. Of course, they never let me hang out after games... but that is a different post.
Think my baby girl will enjoy it? I hope so. Not much more surprise and all I could afford to do at this time. Guess we'll know in about 5 hours.
She is getting all growed up on me. That just saddens me a little. But I am sure I will get over it.
PeacE
Monday, August 13
But children are supposed to be soooo dear...
My daughter has me extremely agitated/irritated/vexed - pick one. It all started back when school was let out for the summer. I don't recall anyone telling me about the summer homework assignment, but I do remember receiving notification about it in the mail about 3 weeks later. I quizzed the Daughter about it, and then all of a sudden she recalls being given an assignment. She has to read TH White's "The Once and Future King" and take notes per chapter relating to the plot/storyline/character development, etc. She has all summer to complete the assignment.
Oh! you already guessed what happened? I know you did! That's why we are/were/soon-to-be/mature people know what happened. Two weeks ago, prior to her leave to NAU for a week of band camp, I asked how she was coming along on the book. She said she only had a "little way to go". I expressed the need to get it done and out of the way, as no play time until it was done. She managed to read the whole of Harry Potter #7 that week, but did not bother to bring her reading assignment to camp. Thus, upon her return, I emphasized, to the Wife as well, that no extracurricular stuff was to happen until that report was done. We are now about 10 days before school starting.
I spent yesterday doing my regular Sunday - down at the pub watching the race. I arrive home about 7'ish, and see that someone is int he middle of something on the computer, so I ask what it is. My daughter was transposing her notes on the book to computer to print out. Okay, no big deal. I grabbed a video ("300" which was a bit tame I thought) and us men watched it in the other room. About 9:30 I am headed to bed to read prior to sleeping. The Wife and Daughter are still working on typing up this report. About 11:30 I awake and notice Wife is still not in bed so I go out to find out what is up. They are STILL working on it. I grouchily express my disapproval about waiting to the last minute to finish stuff, considering, school starts the next day and both the Wife and I work as well. I retreated to my bed.
Come 2'ish, no Wife in bed yet. Again I get up and display the fact that I am angrier and more upset about this taking so long compared to the last time I was awake. I recall mentioning some phrases like "You probably do deserve an F on it since you didn't want to spend any F'ing time on it this summer". I was brutal in my disgruntled state. All I knew was I needed to get some sleep, and I sleep better when the wife is in bed with me. I don't know why, just one of those things. Finally I wake again sometime after 3, and realize the Wife has finally come to bed, and I contentedly roll over and sleep through to the alarm going off.
It's 8am, and I just hit snooze for 10 more minutes. I do this every morning until about 8:30 before I rise to face the day. Suddenly the Wife is there telling me something about the last three pages of the Daughter's report didn't save on the computer. I am like, What? Didn't she hit save? Supposedly, since I don't have MS Office, and I use Wordperfect, that it was causing problems with my computer and locking up keys, etc. So they Wife, already late for work, had to re-type the last three pages of the report (which luckily the Daughter had handwritten first). I left for work - wasn't my problem. I spoke to the Wife about 45 minutes ago, and supposedly the Daughter got the report in time for class. So the Wife was about 1 1/2 hours late to work, and I am still irritated at an irresponsible 15 year old. I don't know what I am going to do withe her.... plenty of ideas, but none of them will work. ARGH!!!
In the meantime, it is Monday. Workload was light this morning unfortunately. I now seem to have most of the afternoon free to do nothing. I finished "Eclipse" by Stephanie Meyer yesterday. It was the 3rd book in a series and was just released last Monday. Now I know there is going to be a 4th book, not published for probably a year. I waited 6 months for this one - hoping it would finish the series. I also got in "Mexifornia" and will be starting that one tonight I am sure. I had posted a speech by Sen Lamm several days ago, and it mentioned this book. I read the Prelude, and it does seem interesting.
The middle son had his Birthday party Saturday at the pizza place. He had a great time (for a 5 year old) and I was happy it didn't cost over $100 for all the food and drink for everyone. He now has several more toys for me to step on in the middle of the night. Yee haw.
Okay, I think I am done bitching about things for now. I am off to try to find somewhere on the internet to read something or whatever. Come back tomorrow when I am in a better mood, and maybe I will have something more entertaining.
PeacE
Oh! you already guessed what happened? I know you did! That's why we are/were/soon-to-be/mature people know what happened. Two weeks ago, prior to her leave to NAU for a week of band camp, I asked how she was coming along on the book. She said she only had a "little way to go". I expressed the need to get it done and out of the way, as no play time until it was done. She managed to read the whole of Harry Potter #7 that week, but did not bother to bring her reading assignment to camp. Thus, upon her return, I emphasized, to the Wife as well, that no extracurricular stuff was to happen until that report was done. We are now about 10 days before school starting.
I spent yesterday doing my regular Sunday - down at the pub watching the race. I arrive home about 7'ish, and see that someone is int he middle of something on the computer, so I ask what it is. My daughter was transposing her notes on the book to computer to print out. Okay, no big deal. I grabbed a video ("300" which was a bit tame I thought) and us men watched it in the other room. About 9:30 I am headed to bed to read prior to sleeping. The Wife and Daughter are still working on typing up this report. About 11:30 I awake and notice Wife is still not in bed so I go out to find out what is up. They are STILL working on it. I grouchily express my disapproval about waiting to the last minute to finish stuff, considering, school starts the next day and both the Wife and I work as well. I retreated to my bed.
Come 2'ish, no Wife in bed yet. Again I get up and display the fact that I am angrier and more upset about this taking so long compared to the last time I was awake. I recall mentioning some phrases like "You probably do deserve an F on it since you didn't want to spend any F'ing time on it this summer". I was brutal in my disgruntled state. All I knew was I needed to get some sleep, and I sleep better when the wife is in bed with me. I don't know why, just one of those things. Finally I wake again sometime after 3, and realize the Wife has finally come to bed, and I contentedly roll over and sleep through to the alarm going off.
It's 8am, and I just hit snooze for 10 more minutes. I do this every morning until about 8:30 before I rise to face the day. Suddenly the Wife is there telling me something about the last three pages of the Daughter's report didn't save on the computer. I am like, What? Didn't she hit save? Supposedly, since I don't have MS Office, and I use Wordperfect, that it was causing problems with my computer and locking up keys, etc. So they Wife, already late for work, had to re-type the last three pages of the report (which luckily the Daughter had handwritten first). I left for work - wasn't my problem. I spoke to the Wife about 45 minutes ago, and supposedly the Daughter got the report in time for class. So the Wife was about 1 1/2 hours late to work, and I am still irritated at an irresponsible 15 year old. I don't know what I am going to do withe her.... plenty of ideas, but none of them will work. ARGH!!!
In the meantime, it is Monday. Workload was light this morning unfortunately. I now seem to have most of the afternoon free to do nothing. I finished "Eclipse" by Stephanie Meyer yesterday. It was the 3rd book in a series and was just released last Monday. Now I know there is going to be a 4th book, not published for probably a year. I waited 6 months for this one - hoping it would finish the series. I also got in "Mexifornia" and will be starting that one tonight I am sure. I had posted a speech by Sen Lamm several days ago, and it mentioned this book. I read the Prelude, and it does seem interesting.
The middle son had his Birthday party Saturday at the pizza place. He had a great time (for a 5 year old) and I was happy it didn't cost over $100 for all the food and drink for everyone. He now has several more toys for me to step on in the middle of the night. Yee haw.
Okay, I think I am done bitching about things for now. I am off to try to find somewhere on the internet to read something or whatever. Come back tomorrow when I am in a better mood, and maybe I will have something more entertaining.
PeacE
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