Where Do We Go From Here?

 A few short weeks ago, you noticed I had to break from here, and from other things in Life for a bit. I was angry. I was not in control of myself, and needed to focus on 'me and mine' to get things back to the proper perspective. I don't think I have been that particular angry in probably over 25 years (another story for another time) and though I don't think it was wrong to be angry, it would have been wrong to act out, or say things, whilst in that mode. I think at this point I am definitely in a better mindset, and mental place. On the plus side, you got the anticipation of my return, and what I would bring with me.

Yesterday (Saturday) was sort of a big event around the d00d household. The Youngest was attending Prom, which included dinner prior to the event. Of course he isn't driving on his own yet, so other arrangements had to be made. The girl he has been dating, well, her mother is a teacher at the HS they attend, and was also chaperoning the event. This had been discussed earlier in the week, so we ended up driving to her place, picking her up, taking them to dinner, and then to the event. Then her mother would drop Youngest at home afterward. Dinner was Texas Roadhouse, and I wish I had thought better about the situation... With multiple HS's that many Proms overlap, and they were BUSY!! We ended up waiting over an hour for a table. Yes, Wife and I ate there, too, as it was easier for transportation/time, but we let them have their own table. Then dropped off at the event just down the street from there. Wife and I went home, as I was just beat. Then I spent most of the night trying to get to sleep, which didn't happen til after 3am.

Today is going to be a relaxing day for me, or so I hope. I got up at 10, just so I wouldn't sleep all day, and hopefully be able to get to sleep easier tonight. I have gotten in my play time on the Vikings game I play, and plan to head up to the VFW for the afternoon. With Nascar on, and Caution/Pit Stop drink specials - it could be fun. Besides, I'll be reading, which you know I like. I did manage to get four reviews done on books that I had been putting off writing up. I still have one more to do, and another book to read before writing it up. Keeps me busier than the (lack of) my regular job.

Welp, I think I have wasted enough time throwing up some drivel for your entertainment.

PeacE

Counting Down

Now under the two week mark to the Daughter's Wedding. Maybe I am a bad dad because I just can't wait until this is all over and done with. The flurry of anxious activity around the house this weekend just irritates me on several levels. I am sure this next weekend will be worse, as the final details are honed/planned/designed/etc. Maybe I can get a cot at the pub and just stay there all weekend.

It is back to work of course, since it is Monday. This week, our Parts "Mgr." was planning to be gone this week. Which meant I was to have to arrive a couple hours earlier than normal to help with the workload. The other parts person can't seem to handle both their jobs when she is out. However, those plans changed last week, and I may only have to go in early tomorrow. I won't know for sure until I get in today. My guess is my co-worker will wuss out and say he needs my help tomorrow. He was off last Friday, and I managed to do both his and my own jobs just fine ... as well as part of the other co-worker's. She had had to leave early as just found out one of her sisters had passed away. Yeah. Depressing I know.

No major plans this week. One of my good buddies is leaving for a cruise over the next couple of weeks, so I have no one to hang out with in the evenings or weekends for awhile. The family is going crazy with wedding and Prom stuff. I still need to find something to wear for the wedding.

Guess I don't have much else to say. Maybe I will go into work early today.

PeacE

When Events Collide

The past few days have been somewhat stress-filled at our house. Of course the Daughter's wedding is coming up (under three weeks now I believe), and that has caused enough other problems. But now another issue has risen. The oldest Son has the Jr/Sr prom that same night ... as the wedding.

I don't know who to blame for this extravagant error in planning said events both on the same day, but I do know that anger levels have been exceeded as of late.

Friday, I got a text message from the Daughter, about how it is my fault about allowing the Son to go to Prom, when he committed to the wedding and she has to have him there for some function of the wedding. For some reason, the Daughter has been going through some weird swearing phase, for way too long, and so it included some choice word usages. I called her back, and first told her to not start on me for something I obviously have no clue about. So I heard her tearful, and explicative filled version of some text conversation she has been having with the oldest Son.

Seems last Sunday night, while out to dinner, was the first I had heard that the Son had asked a girl to the prom. In my recollection, it was the first he even had said he wanted to go to prom. I also found out it was the same night as the wedding. I casually mentioned that it shouldn't be a problem. Of course, I was told the wedding was an afternoon/early evening event.

Being how it is my Life, and it never goes smoothly, turns out the wedding was changed to more of an evening affair, and of course, prom is like a 45+ minute drive, across the Valley. As parents of the Bride, I think it would be bad taste for one, or both, of us to leave the reception to take the Son to prom, so I said he would have to find a ride that we trust to take him from the wedding, to prom, and we would pick him up after the prom. If no ride could be found, he would not go to prom.

The Wife, I have no clue how/why she did this, but somehow ended up with a co-worker willing to drive the Son. At that point, I am just, figure out what you need to get the Daughter to compromise and get it all done. The compromise is something to do with dinner. It is tentatively scheduled to start about 7, with the toasts and all following ( I think - the way they keep changing things, I have no idea). Supposedly, one of his jobs as groomsman is to help pour/distribute the champagne.

I agree, he should give up the prom for the wedding. He is only a Junior, and there is always next year. But The Wife insists it is a big social event and he should be able to attend. Now I have two siblings fighting, a Wife, who is sided with the Son, and everyone yelling at me to fix it. I'm about ready to say no to prom, no to the wedding, and then move by myself to Alaska.

Last night we think we finally got it all settled. I told the Wife to contact the Daughter and explain the Son will need to leave shortly after/during the dinner. No other compromise. He will be there for his part in the ceremony, pictures, and up to the dinner. I have not heard any responses as of yet, but I expect the Wife to be back home shortly from running the other boys to school, etc, and will see if she has heard back.

Makes me wonder why we had kids ... oh, the procreation part was fun.

PeacE

Sleep Illusion (ya know, where I thought I was getting sleep)

Another early morning. But I finished my book by Jim Butcher "Changes". I love his Harry Dresden, Wizard, series, and am looking forward to the next one this November. Now, back to "Shadowrise" by Tad Williams, unless I find something better at the bookstore.

Yeah, heading off to Barnes & Noble today. Why? My oldest son turns 12 today, and I thought it would be good to search out a book for him. I am thinking, I heard some good things about Brad Metzer's (sp?) new one called something like "Heroes for a Son" from over at "Poop and Boogies" blog (you can find it on my sidebar). So, he turns 12, I go book shopping. Heh, I hope it is like that every year. So far, all mu kids enjoy reading, and I hope they never change.

1998. Seems so long ago. You can tell it has been awhile - I am skinny.

Now, he enters 7th grade this fall. Here's one with him and Grandma (Reverend Mother) at the district concert.

Yup. They are all growing up fast. Since I hadn't put it up yet, her is the daughter in her home-made prom dress, and another of her and her boyfriend.

Alrighty! I am off to do some book looking, drop off the Wife's early ballot, hit the bank, and I am thinking Subway for lunch.

PeacE

Non-Digital Pictures Make Me Unhappy

Several years ago, my brother, Stuman, had given the Wife and I a very nice Christmas present of a flatbed scanner. If I am not mistaken, it was at least 4, if not 5 years ago. It could have been longer. At the time, I had no desire to be hooking it up and searching through the boxes for all the pictures we had as of that point. If I remember correctly, we had just gotten a digital camera about that same time, so it was no big issue for me.

I think you might already see where this is headed. Let's see if I can give the facts without giving anything away to a possible reader(s).

The Wife came up with a project. Obviously, if involves scanning many items. No, not our pictures. I would rather do that than this project. Somehow, I got drafted as she thinks I have all this spare time on my hands. Has she no idea the amount of time I need to spend between napping, checking emails, blogging, and playing Texas Hold 'em online that I really don't have free time? And what if I decide to go to the bar for a few? Anyways, I am getting a bit off subject.

So a few days ago I FINALLY hooked up this scanner. Spent about 2 hours going through a handful of photo/image software programs I have gotten over the years (with cameras, computers, other photo stuff) and found the one that works best to the needs of the time. I scanned some pics I found nearby and things are working good. This morning I did the first batch of the project. Not too shabby of I may so. Only spent about an hour and half scanning about 30-40 items (this counts a few goof ups on operator error as well). And I was able to accomplish it whilst doing miscellaneous other things online. I am getting good! No time lost yet!

Okay, okay. I had mentioned about the Prom coming up for the Daughter (who is a Junior in HS). One of the pics I came across was from the Senior Prom for my HS that the Wife and I attended (the good ol' days prior to marriage). What do I remember of the actual Prom? Well, let's see: theme was "Hold On To The Night" (hence the song by Richard Marx) and they had dancing, but we only did one slow song. We sat with my best friend Scott and his date. Scott was the only person at my school that my Wife knew at the time.

Anyways, before I get too far into stuff back then, here's the photo, circa 1990 of that night. It might even embiggen if ya click it. I dunno.


And the Wife is just as beautiful today as she was then - though she disagrees. Myself, well, her good cooking has made me a bit more filled out. And the lack of using a razor lately makes for a bit more hair. That, and I am old enough to grow some.

Enough for now. I am thinking of going and searching the storage room for my old albums to see what I can scan on my own time. I remember some funny pictures from this one time..... Might even get a story out of it.

PeacE