Dragonflies

Dragonflies is the blog of a friend of mine. She has some really good insights. I can't remember which of us got the other into blogging, but I'll bet she remembers. (All I know is I've been on blogger longer than she has...)

Coexist

I saw this bumper sticker on a car the other day and I thought the sentiment was cool.

Scout

This is a picture of my sister's cat. It acts like its on crack half of the time. Its a muted calico.

Charlie

This is Charlie the guy I work with. He's pretty cool for a gay guy. Ok, i'm joking. He's not gay. He works out a lot and he's going to come over on Tuesday and show me how to use the weight equipment at the club house. Its old equipment but its ok.

Mimi sucks

There is this woman at work named Mimi. I say she's "at work" but she works from her home in Texas. Well, her and this other guy Dan have a bad habit of throwing other people (or attempting to) under the bus to save their ass from something they did wrong. This time it was they overlooked orders coming in for three or four days then decided to try and pin it on me saying I should have known there was a problem. Well, that's not my job because I was never told the schedule of how this particular customer sends in their orders or how many orders or what. I was correctly under the impression that somebody else (Mimi and Dan) worried about that. I have like 20+ customers to handle EDI for, which amounts to hundreds of orders a week, and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The way my job is set up is I fix problems with the orders when they come in. If there are not any orders--there are no problems!!! My boss was on the phone with them backing me up 100%. I am not worried because I know I was doing what I was supposed to do. It just pisses me off that there are unscrupulous people in the work place that will try and pin shit on anybody they can just to save their own asses. Breathe in, breathe out.... Spend some time with the kids, and on the elliptical, and have a drink at the end of the night. This is my current cure for assholes. I've been at my job almost a year and these are the first assholes I have encountered that actually had the ability to piss me off like I cared.

Elliptical

I thought the elliptical machine at the varsity club was really cool! It didn't seem like much more strenuous than a regular treadmill, but when I got done I was pouring sweat, and I could barely walk!!!! I had to hold on to the hand rails going down the steps from the work out room. I thought I was gonna have to ask the kids to help me get my left leg into the car. Sadly, I did two sets of 15 minutes with about a 3 or 4 minute break in between. I drank a full bottle of water while I was doing it and listed to my MP3s. It makes you take a faster pace to keep going at a consistant run. Everyone says its a lot better on joints and knees. It is directly above the pool so you can look out and keep an eye on the kids. I was happy about that. Today though I only stayed for about 30-45 minutes because the pool was closed and Lexie and Logan were down watching Spongebob. I didn't want them to be bored. I don't know why I was so worried because lately TV has become such a treat during the week. They hardly ever get to watch it.

Glass Half Full/Empty, Weight at 314 and holding

I got on the scale here at work, the news is completely subjective. I can look at 314 pounds as: I should have lost a lot more by now.  No matter what crap I poke in my piehole I won't get much bigger.  No matter what crap I poke in my piehole I won't get much smaller.  If I work hard and get my last pounds off, then they will stay off with probably very little effort. 

It's a hellova lot better that struggling up that weight loss cliff I've struggled up all my life. It's a great weight off my shoulders knowing that if I try, I will have a shot at succeeding!!! I even have a pal here at work, Charlie that might come over and show me how to use all the weight machines at the varsity club. 

Weight loss surgery has been atypically easy for me. I lost over 150 lbs just eating how my body has told me to eat. I have been eating whatever I want with tolerance to guide me. If I get sick I don't eat that any more. Or if I eat too much too quickly, I pay the price. I've can count the number of times I've hurled on one hand. It should not be this easy. On the other side of the coin, I should be at like 190 or 200 lbs by now. I'm shooting for a personal goal of 225. I've coasted to see how far the surgery alone was going to get me. Now I am going to start eating better and walking or exercising. We'll see where that goes.

Walking & the crappy treadmill

The apartment complex has this club house (the Varsity Club). It has a workout and weight room, a party room with pool table, bar, and big screen TV, an indoor pool, and a indoor basketball court. Well I have decided to start eating a little better cutting out any crap that is bad for me. Also since my back is about 95% better I planned to go there and use the treadmill. Well I came home from work, changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt, and went to the club house. I signed in and got the key (they keep it locked so kids don't play on it). I'm up there for about five minutes and I have my earbuds in and music from my iPAQ going. I've worked quickly up to almost 3 miles an hour (give me a break I am just starting) and I'm in a good mood. Then the power goes out. Now this little room is like a big closet and there are no windows. So I get out my phone to use it as a flashlight because I didn't bring my full set of keys (that has a penlight attached) and I am stumbling around. I get to the door and get out of the treadmill closet. I went down stairs and asked the girl what happened and she said that the treadmill is crappy (seemed fine to me) and the wiring is old. Now I'm angry because I have to either walk outside among other humans (which always makes me feel like I'm a total carnival sideshow) or just quit for today. It's only about 6pm and I get the kids back at 7:30 so I'm gonna do it. There are NO sidewalks back in the apartment complex, so I decided to walk over to the little strip mall that is close. I walked all along the front, and then behind the mall passing all the dumpsters. Its not a big deal--if I'd cared about scenery I would not have wanted to walk on a treadmill in the first place!!! So I made about 4 laps on that and then I decided to try seeing how far I could make it walking down Bardstown toward my church. Well, I only got to the bowling alley before I decided I should head back so I could get to the kids on time. Not a disaster, but it still kinda sucked. I'm gonna get some exercise again Thursday, but since I have the kids, I'm going to try the club's eliptical machine. I don't know what the hell that is but I have to be close to the kids while they play, and I know they could not keep up the pace with me.

Photos and albums on webshots

Just in case anybody is interested, I have some older pictures and photos on webshots--CLICK TO VIEW.

Lexie's desk

This is where Lexie sits. Its in the back right next to the guinea pig.

Logan's desk

This is Logan at his desk at school.

Logan's work

This is some more of Logan's work that was posted on the board in the classroom.

Read along books

This is Ms. Pass showing us the fold out books they use for weekly read alongs in class.

Shizue loves Target

Thesesia loves shopping at Target. She looked at Halloween stuff and clothes for Rachael. I looked at kitchen stuff, housewares and gadgets. I need a better way to hook Lexie's MP3 player to the stereo in the car. Right now I'm using a Belkin FM tran

Open House - Lexie

Here’s some follow-up on Lexie’s part of open house.  Her teacher seemed nice.  Not as 110% as Logan’s, but that’s ok.  I’m sure she does a good job.  Lexie showed us around the room.  She showed us the guinea pig.  Her teacher said that she has four of them—3 females at home. They are going to be getting crayfish soon.  She said they got one batch, but they all died.  Lexie’s teacher had no handouts and didn’t really speak to us as a group.  There were only two parents in the room.  It was the kids’ mother and I, and then one other woman.  This other woman had a boy who is in Logan’s classroom, and a girl who is in with Lexie.  That was kind of neat.  Their mother and I were looking through Lexie’s work and especially her journal—and couldn’t read much of it at all.  So we called her teacher over and asked her “is this normal writing for a 3^rd grader?” and she made a face which immediately said that it was not.  So I asked her “what should we do?” and she said “I don’t know, I’ve never seen writing this bad.  I will ask around and get back with you.”  That was alarming. 

 

So their mother and I decided that she will re-write her home-work if it is not neat enough for us to read.  Also, I’m going to have her write one sentence a night purely for neatness.  She just needs more practice and needs to slow down and concentrate on doing a better job.  I never noticed it being this bad last year, but I’m guessing they are just giving her more volume and she is getting sloppy to get done quickly.  She gets good grades—we saw a 92% which is acceptable to us.  She just needs to put a little more effort into neatness.  She did well on her bit she wrote last night.  She wrote “My name is Lexie.  I’m eight years old.”  When she gets done, I’m going to have Logan make illustrations for the sentences and make it into a book!  Hopefully that will make it cool enough that she will keep doing it without a fuss.  I think I’ll do the same with Logan.  Anything to make learning fun and interesting…

Open House - Logan

Hope everyone liked the pictures of open house.  Here’s a bit more info:

 

Logan’s teacher had a great attitude and seemed VERY enthusiastic.  She showed us Logan’s name on the board for ABC club.  She showed the behavior chart where it was perfect.  She said she was especially very glad to have him and this one other little girl in her class because of the science portion.  They are studying animals, and right now it is red worms and earth worms.  She was happy that Logan and this little girl did all the handling of the worms for her so she didn’t have to touch them!  Also she talked about predictions.  She gave the example of reading a story, then she would stop in the middle and as the class “what do you think happens next”.  She asked several of the students “What is a prediction?”  and none of them could answer.  Then she asked Logan and in front of everybody he said “A guess!”  I was so proud of him! 

 

When they first come in, they have a Morning Message and get to go up and circle words they know.  The do some independent work that is something she’s taught the day before and she goes and checks to see if they are getting it.  They work on phonics and words.  They do shared reading in a fold-out book.  They work in learning stations and work on writing.  They work on rhyming and there is a poem of the week that they go over every day.  They also do what she calls prior knowledge and experience connections between themselves, other books, and the world—then relate it to what they are reading.  After lunch they do read-alouds and complete work.  Then the do computer, humanities, library, or PE depending on what day of the week it is.  After that, they work on Math and calendar.  Numbers zero to ten, and days, weeks, months, stuff like that.  This is one of the few areas (calendar) that I see Logan could use more work on.  I ask him what day is it and most the time he doesn’t know.  Next is Science (where they work with the worms or other critters) and social studies (her area of specialty).  The have recess and physical wellness (dancing and singing) near the end of the day and go over what needs to be done at home.  You can tell this woman busts her butt for these kids.

 

Journal

This is Lexie's journal.

Handy Work Board

Lex got a ninety two percent on this work!

Ms. Caswell

This is Lexie's teacher. Lexie's mom said she looks like Alanis Morisette.

Cat named Cookie

This was the cat in the story they were reading in Logan's class.

Ms. Pass

This is Logan's teacher.

Open House/Matchers

Today at 6-8 is the Price Elementary Open House. I am really looking
forward to that also! I hope they have information on sports, scouts,
and advanced programs (Logan needs that because he is coming home saying
"school is boring...")

I'm gonna try and get a Price t-shirt or polo tonight also. That will
be cool for Fridays so that we can all "be matchers" (that's what we
call it when we all wear the same thing) Logan is real liberal with
that like "we all have on tennis shoes today" or "we all have on blue
today" Sometimes we call it "the tennis-shoe family", or "the blue
family"

Roller Skating

Lexie brought home this flyer from school this week that had where the
rink on Preston is offering Roller Skating lessons on Tuesdays. I told
her that I would have to talk with mommy because she has them on
Tuesdays. So Shellie said she could do that and it's the next four
Tuesdays. I told her I would pay for it (it's $10 per child for the 4
"lessons"). So they start that on this coming Tuesday! I can't wait to
see if they like it and how much fun it is for them!!!!

Omelet skills

I practiced my omelet skills this morning. Cheese, and bacon omelets
for the kids, and I added a little salsa to mine as well. I am really
good with omelets thanks to Dana-she gave me the perfect non-stick pan
that is just the right size. There are a few skills I feel the need to
keep sharp. This is one of them. You never can tell when you will be
called upon to produce a wonderfully impressive breakfast. My most
awesome girlfriend really appreciates my cooking!!!

The beginning of the rest of my life

Do I look any different? I feel the same sans overwhelming stress. I hope this helps change things for the better for both of us. I never held much in the way of hatred, just sadness and frustration. Now that this is over, I hope we can all be happy.

Visit from Sue and more beans!

Last night, Sue who teaches my bible study class and another lady from
my class came by to check on me. They said they knew my final hearing
was yesterday and they wanted to make sure I was ok. I gave them both a
hug and they were happy for me. These people from Fern Creek Baptist
Church are all very kind, and they all seem very genuine. I appreciate
them. I have had like four or five visits now. They always bring me a
container of dried beans as a welcome gift. Its funny...the first time
I fixed the beans the kids absolutely loved them. I mentioned that the
next time they came to visit because they brought another container (I
was saying that they didn't have to because they brought me beans last
time) and they said that's ok. I told them thanks and how much we liked
them last time, so now, every time they visit, I always get beans!!
Well, they talked to the kids and I for just a couple minutes because I
had just got done fixing supper (and it was stir-fry pork with Chinese
vegetables, not beans) and they didn't want to keep us. I invited them
to stay and they said they couldn't. The kids told them next time to
make sure and not eat before they come over because we always have
enough-it's true. I plan my food budget on leftovers for lunches.
Sometimes we even eat them a day later as a side dish or something.
Anyway we had a prayer, and then the left. Sue is very sweet, and I
like her husband Dan too. They are both very kind and friendly.

Final Hearing for Divorce

I can not believe what happened. I had people praying, I did everything I could think of to prepare. I even prayed some myself although I don't think I'm to a point where I can ask God for anything in good consience. I got custody of my two wonderful children--the meaning for my entire existance!!! It went like this:

I showed up with my friend and lawyer Chuck. Also Joe and Dana were there as well as my sister Patti. I figured I would need all the moral support and love I could get. I knew going in there how easy it is for a court to see man, woman, and decide without any real thought--woman gets kids. I was horrified this would happen to me.

That's why I was so stunned! I heard the judge ask Shellie what she wanted and she said "joint physical custody" and he asked her "So what is joint physical custody?" She said something about half and half and then said "well Chuck drew up the paperwork..." The judge went on to explain that courts just don't award joint physical custody. One parent is primary and the other has visitation. He asked her in each phase if she understood. She just agreed to everything the judge asked her--and it was everything I wanted.

I fully expected her mother to be there. Beyond that I half expected her mother to have hired a lawyer for her. The only thing that happened that I didn't like was that they made her pay child support. It's a minimal amount, but she's trying to get back on her feet. I didn't want that, but then Chuck reminded me it is not her obligation to me that she pays child support for, but her obligation to the kids.

The most stressful, most important, and gut wrenching hurdle of my life is now done. I'm glad this turned out the way it did. The kids need their mother, but I feel like I can be a more stable and nurturing parent for them. I guess the court, God, or whatever and whoever is in control of this mad life thinks that too. I told the kids they can see and call their mother anytime they want if it is up to me.

Life is Good - Blog of my surrogate mother

Dana is an awesome woman. She is really fit company for Joe. I miss my mother and my step-dad Jack, and nobody can ever take their place, but Joe and Dana are just good people. Visit her blog. It is heartwarming, inspiring, and you can see more cool pictures of my kids! Click on this link to see...Life is Good

Chicken tonight

I baked chicken tonight and the kids really liked it. My boss called me into her office today and told me that HER boss had a lot of good things to say about me. That was pretty cool. Hopefully she will remember that later down the road... :-)

Surgeon visit cancel

My new insurance does not cover weight loss of any sort. I pay completely out of pocket, or I don’t go. Well, right now, because of how money is, I cancelled my appointment for tomorrow because I don’t have the $90 for the office visit.

This just sucks.

I asked the also about pediatricians and chiropractors. I have a list of ones in my network. Chiropractors are covered 90/10 on any treatments. So I’m going to put that off as long as I can too. I got a list of chiros close to work though so I could go at lunch. Smart, huh?

The Peds they suggested are all in the same address on Bardstown road. I guess that will work. I have to call and see hours and if they are accepting new patients.

A B C CLUB

Logan is doing Super! He made the ABC club!

Dr. Phil

So my friend and I were talking about Oprah and Dr. Phil and she said "My sister loves Oprah, but she loves Dr. Phil even more."

I said "Dr. Phil? I love...uh, internal bleeding even more."

Robin from work

This is my friend Robin from work. She's in customer service. When ever she gets bored she sings with the radio. Its so bad that people yell at her to shut up!

Cthulu on board

For some reason this struck me simotaneously as very wrong and also very funny. This has got to be the vehicle of a gamer.

Cookout at Aunt Wanda's

There was a cookout at my Aunt Wanda's Sunday. The kids had lots of fun playing with cousins.

Here was one too young to play, and he was getting trashed with his dad anyway--ah, bonding!


Had not seen Aunt Mary in a long time.

Fishing at Long Run

We went fishing today at Long Run Park...

We only caught one fish--a sunny.

World Fest, Jeff too

Jeff, Kendall's dad also went. He's a really great guy and simply adores Little Theresia and Kendall. They are lucky to have him.

Kendall at World Fest

Here's Kendall same day.

Little Theresia and Kendall

This was Little Theresia (my girlfriend's daughter) and her daughter Kendall. We met up with them for a little bit at the World Festival this past Saturday. It wasn't awesome but it was fun to look at some stuff for a while and with no admission...

Coffee

We just switched at work from John Conti coffee to Derby City vending
and their brand. I feel like I need to brush my teeth in between cups
of coffee. It almost tastes sour. Maybe someone disgruntled about the
switch peed in the coffee maker??? I don't know but it's a little foul.
I got to have my cups of joe throughout the day though, so I drink it
anyway.

The Pastor's Visit

It was a little stressful last night talking to the pastor of our
church...well the church we've been going to. I mean I know in my heart
I'm a Christian, but I don't really feel that I've accepted Christ. I
told her that. I told her I don't want to say it until I feel it in my
heart. She gave me stuff to read, a book, and scripture from the bible.
Also encouraged me to pray at home and read the bible with the kids.

I told her some of my big "hang-ups" with organized religion. She was
really good to talk to. She is a kind person and not pushy. I really
like that. The whole church wants you to be there but they're never
like "we missed you last Sunday, and Sunday night, and Wednesday night,
and Saturday afternoon. Where were you???" They are pretty low-key for
Baptists. And I've always related better to women than men...

She really wanted me to join the church choir... and with the kids too
who seemed interested. That is Wednesday nights, so I'm going to talk
to their mother about either switching days or bringing them to church
at 6:30 on Wednesdays.

Sewing Machine and Pastor Visit

I got my sewing machine fixed!!!!!!  I replaced the thread, needle, and it still kept breaking and breaking--this time on the top thread rather than the bottom.  It was so frustrating!!!  So I finally got so sick of re-threading the needle that I got lazy and threaded it from the front to the back instead of vice-versa.  THAT FIXED IT!!!  Now I can hem pants for the kids if I need to!!!

The pastor of Fern Creek Baptist is coming over tonight to talk to me and the kids.  Mostly about Sunday school and Bible study on Sundays.  They are doing re-structuring.  I want to be a member, but I'm not 100% sure about joining officially.  I like the pastor though-she is a good speaker and gets her message across very well. The fellow who is doing interim minister of music right now is REALLY good also.  The choir sings spirituals sometimes, and I love those-I've sang enough of them in my time.  He is a good director and easy to follow even with just the standard hymns.

Underpits

I was helping Logan get washed up. He wears swimming goggles to get his hair washed. Anyway I was scrubbing him up (mainly to make sure he did a good job) and he said "Don't forget my underpits, daddy!" I thought that was soooo funny! I have all the kids completed paperwork in 3 ring binders. They have both been doing really well on their homework.

Tomorrow the pastor of our church is coming over for a visit. She is a really nice lady, and she is coming to talk with us about bible study and sunday school. Fern Creek Baptist is doing a re-structuring of the classes.

Fringe-Friends

I have decided there is something that I call "fringe-friends" They are
like your "work friends", or "friends of friends" that you don't really
get together with, call, or write to of your own free will. You
associate with them only when they are around. In the old days they
used to call these people acquaintances. I like that term better. It
lends an air of sophistication to the whole mess.

That being said, I hate the fact that I even have any fringe-friends.
If someone is your friend, they should just be your friend.

Mom & Raising Kids

I was just telling somebody about my mom the other day. She did the
best she knew to raise us. It's really all any of us can do. You do
your best but there's some point where you have to realize that children
are also human beings with their own minds, wills, and ability to
choose.

Lexie's Math

Lexie's math last night took FOREVER to do. Third grade math should not
be this hard. It went something like this: The piano was invented in
1709. How many years ago was that. Well, I can tell you that in about
7 seconds, but not the way they wanted it worked out. You had to make
this chart thing that looked like a tic-tac-toe board. The first column
was hundreds(H), the second column was tens(T), the last column was
ones(O). You had to first draw 17 little boxes for the hundreds and no
lines for the tens and nine circles for the ones. Then on the next row
draw twenty hundreds boxes, and six ones circles. Then to subtract them
you break the boxes to lines and the lines to circles as necessary. It
took me a while to get it from just the instructions on the sheet. It
really really sucked and Logan fell asleep on the couch while we were
doing it. He had 4 pages of homework himself! AND HE'S IN
KINDERGARDEN!!!!

The Kids, Kentucky State Fair, Smelling...

The kids are doing well. The apartment complex closed their tennis
courts and had them with tables for yard sale. We stayed from 8am to
noon. I didn't take them to the Kentucky State Fair this year. We went
last year. Every couple of years is good for me to smell that much
barnyard animal poop.

It's a scientific fact---the olfactory system works like this: airborne
particles of what you smell enter into your nose and the signals are
transferred to your brain. So if you smell lemons, there's actually
little lemon particles that are going into your nose. If it's poop,
then that's what you just inhaled. Somebody's gas...same thing.

Pretty gross when you think about it.

School Lunch Fiasco

082806I sent in checks for lunch money of $10 for Lexie and $10 for Logan. I called the school several times, spoke with the teachers, the cafeteria staff, and some office people. The checks should have covered my children’s (reduced) lunches for several weeks. I am hesitant to send in more money that may also get lost, especially cash. I wrote an e-mail to the principal asking if I need to come in during office hours each week to pay for my children’s lunches.

The cafeteria staff were polite to me when I spoke with them on the phone, but I sent in a note last week to explain this situation and Lexie was told “It’s not my problem—I don’t deal with this.” I was told that if I had any problems I could send in a note to the nutrition services manager Ms. Williams (also in the information I have received in a memo from their teachers). Both of the kids are very worried about eating school lunch because of the way they have been treated by the cafeteria staff.

The checks were drawn on Fifth/Third. Their lunch numbers were NOT on the checks because it was the first week, and I did not have lunch numbers for them. I sure as hell don't want to cancel the checks...

T-shirts and human nature

I’m not dragging myself down any further than my human nature makes me. I say bad stuff about Shellie. I get angry and hurt. She wouldn’t even (given $16 from my pocket) pick up two t-shirts for the kids from school. I had to take part of my day off and do it. I was about ready to give her a bunch of crap about that but I decided putting both of us in a p*ss-poor mood while we are with the kids was something I could do without.

Transparenting class--no excuses

The Transparenting people also said to be careful and not build Shellie up or make excuses for her to the children. I don’t much like it, but I’m going to do what is best for the kids. If that means I eat a big sh*t sandwich served by my co-parent, then you’d best believe I will do it. I’d eat the 14-course and then some for them. They know who and what she is. They are bright kids. It all falls back on taking the high road and letting Karma do its work. If I go down the road towards revenge, I’ll dig two graves at the end, not one. I’m not doing that. The kids need me.

Transparenting class

Last night was the Transparenting class. The transparenting people said I was supposed to ask my friends and relatives to not talk bad about my co-parent. The first part is that I obviously need no more reasons to think poorly of her and extra will only make communication worse between the two of us. The second part is that Lexie and Logan are 50% Shellie. If you speak poorly of her, then you also speak poorly of them. I realized we weren’t supposed to knock her in FRONT of the kids, but I didn’t see how it might be damaging otherwise.

Although this may be unfair, and she might need this class much more than I did, she did not attend. I don’t know how this will affect the outcome of final hearing. That is a call only the judge can make. My point is that we both had the same opportunity to research and find out about this class.

Logan's Tooth

I pulled Logan's loose tooth last night. He was brave and let me do it.
He cried for about five minutes, then I did the same thing I've always
done and distracted him about other things. Soon he was not crying and
it was time for bed so he put the tooth under his pillow. The tooth
fairy did not come last night-apparently it was too late when he went to
be so she had already been past our place. She will probably come
tonight (I was able to get to the bank at lunch and get some shiny half
dollars).

I got the kids each another polo shirt for school...unfortunately they
are both one size too small. This totally sucks because I got the same
sizes as last time. They still fit into those clothes, so why not
these??? Irritating...

I just called the school to ask about sports and boy and girl scouts.
They said nothing has started yet as of the second week of school, but
they would send things home when something was coming up. They said
that basketball doesn't start until fall. I can't wait to get the kids
started into things they like to do.

The apartment complex sent around a flyer Friday. They are having a
yard sale and I called to get us a table. We are going to unload a lot
of stuff! I'm bringing home boxes tonight to pack stuff into.

Waiting for the bus

This is the kids 2nd day of school. I made sure they had all my contact info memorized and i headed to work. I was worried, but knew i can't wait every day. They are smart kids, the daycare is right there, and they will not leave each other's sight.

First Day of School

The kids woke up like half an hour early. They NEVER wake up on their
own unless it's a weekend, or CHRISTMAS! They must have been excited.
Then, as we all got ready, every ten minutes it's "Is it time yet?" I
let them go out 15 minutes early. We walked over to the daycare where
they catch the bus. So like 10 or 15 minutes late, the bus gets there.
There was only 1 other kid at the daycare.

Lexie was grousing because she had a ton of stuff to carry. She'll be
glad to get rid of her supplies! The driver asked if Logan was in
Kindergarten and I told him yes. He tried to give Logan a band but he
walked on past oblivious. The driver says "here take this for your
brother" and gives it to Lex...the one who is carrying a 25 lb backpack,
two Wal-mart bags full of stuff and a lunch bag. I KNOW she gave him
the exasperated look!!!

The lady at the daycare told me where the depot for transfer was. They
made the transfer just fine. The depot is a fenced-in secure parking
area just for busses behind Moore HS on Outer Loop (on my way to work).
I was pressed up against the fence like a convict. I lucked out and the
line paused right before getting on the 2nd bus and I hollered at them.
Logan says "Look, it's daddy!" then he looked at sister and said "How'd
he get here?!?!?!" It was so funny!

First day of school!

There was only 1 other kid at the daycare. They made the transfer just fine. The depot is a fenced-in secure parking area just for busses behind Moore HS on Outer Loop (on my way to work). I was pressed up against the fence like a convict. I lucked out and the line paused right before getting on the 2nd bus and I hollered at them. Logan says “Look, it’s daddy!” then he looked at sister and said “How’d he get here?!?!?!” It was so funny!

Lexie was grousing because she had a ton of stuff to carry. She’ll be glad to get rid of her supplies! The driver asked if Logan was in Kindergarten and I told him yes. He tried to give Logan a band but he walked on past oblivious. The driver says “here take this for your brother” and gives it to Lex…the one who is carrying a 25 lb backpack, two Wal-mart bags full of stuff and a lunch bag. I KNOW she gave him the Rachael look…

Transparenting???

I saw this "Transparenting" seminar on the Floyd Co. clerk's website. It looked like something I might go to and it would look good for the court. I call to find out about it and the lady I spoke to says it is mandatory!!! I can get in before 9/11, but that was luck!!! She asked if we had filed a provisional (thing?) and I told her "no". She said that was also mandatory, but I told her that both us parents had come to
an agreement to waive the provisional (thing?). She said that's almost unheard of. Also that we were sharing physical custody was something that people rarely agree on.

So, I am set on Aug 24th at 5:30-9:45 to go to this seminar. I hope it's not a waste of the $50, but since I can't hire a custody evaluator, then I thought this was something I might do to make things a little better. I get a certificate and it's also filed the next day with the court under my cause number (which I gave her), so there is proof.

Spirit Program

GOOD NEWS!!! The YMCA Spirit Program has awarded me 30% off my fees for the after school care!!!! It’s normally $80 for two kids after school 3 days. That drops it down to $56. I might be able to survive this.

Logan's Medicine--the scam

I got the receipt from Shellie for Logans medicine. It was $21. I’ve been giving her $35 this whole time on her word that that is how much it really cost. God help us until next pay day.

Price Elementary

The kids got to see their new school on Saturday. We had to sign them
up for busses and all that stuff. They had a "bouncy thing" outside
which kept a lot of the kids happy. They told me they were looking
forward to starting, and they seemed very happy about it. We found out
that their bus stop is right outside our door! They will be in the
Child Enrichment Program that the YMCA does after school on Monday,
Thursday and Friday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, their mother is picking
them up to spend time with them. We went to church yesterday with their
grandparents, and then they took us to Applebee's for lunch. After that
we went shopping for clothes because Price has a uniform policy. They
can wear navy, black, or khaki pants, shorts, and skorts. They can wear
any color shirt as long as it has a collar. Tennis shoes are fine.
There can't be any sort of label or icon on the outside of the clothes.
The only exception is Price Elementary T-shirts. I am going to get them
a couple to wear because they are only $8 each. I don't have a
washer/dryer in my apartment so that will be rough for a little while,
but I'm not worried. You should have seen them trying on pants! They
were so thrilled about the fit and feel of real pants...they have always
had the stretchy-top pants (stretch-pants for Lexie, and sweat-pants for
Logan). They really did look sharp, and when you look good you feel good
about yourself too. I am so happy for them.

How to Make a Duct Tape Wallet - WikiHow

I have GOT to do this some time. I just ran into this by accident, and I thought (of course) HOW COOL!!!
How to Make a Duct Tape Wallet - WikiHow

Fritos are good for you

Something funny Lexie said the other day, which sadly defines much of
America's opinion:

"Fritos are good for you." She says.

I say "Not really. Why do you say that?"

"Because they don't taste very good."

I know what she meant. She is used to things that are bland, or without
lots of salt, sugar, etc. being "good for you" and things that are
sweet, salty, with lots of flavor being "bad for you". I am determined
to change her mind. Before it's too late for her like it was for me.

What I wanted all along...

I told Shellie that if she wanted to have the kids go to school this year in Indiana, then she had to pay for it. Turns out a stroke of genius on my part because I got this email back from her:

"I figure we will keep the weekends we already have...no sense changing that too. but like I said, I want them fri and sat nights. I will get them back to you on sunday evening.

the days through the week may change at first. I want to work it around lex's schooling as much as possible. Some nights last year she had more to do than others...and if she has spelling tests on friday, then I won't want to distract her that night. I will just get them from the daycare and then bring them to you by about 730 ish so they can get to bed."

She's agreeing to the arrangement I wanted all along. She did stipulate by text message this was just temporary and she wanted a judge to decide final arrangments...

Back again

Well I did it again. I'm back to square one with my protruding disk
problem. I have been getting no rest sitting up in a chair to sleep, so
I decided to try (since my back was feeling so much better) lying down
in bed. I slept for an hour or so, and then got up and it seemed ok, so
I decided to try it. When I got up this morning, it was like I had never
been to the doctor, had any treatments, and like I just hurt my back. I
am so upset. So do I give up sleep and a bed for the rest of my life?

I did not risk my life (literally) having gastric bypass and losing
almost 200 lbs to go back to having limited mobility. My children
deserve better than this. I have never been in perfect health, but
until now, I've felt so much better than I have in the past 25 years.
No matter what it takes, I'm going to get back to where I was a month
ago. I go to the doctor tomorrow at 1pm for a test, and then I will get
a referral to a neurosurgeon. I'm still looking at actual surgery as a
last option. I have had enough of that to last a life time. God help
me if it comes to that. I know I'll do it if nothing else helps.

Back Meat and Dead Kidney Pie

I went for a check-up on my back yesterday.

This was the conclusion:

a. I need to see a neurosurgeon about the possibility of either surgery,
or sticking a needle in my spine.

b. I wait a couple weeks and see if it gets better on its own.

c. Back pain + leg swelling + some other misc. things = lets check you
for kidney failure.

Add to this that I am not taking anything for pain any more and I'm just
in general not in a happy mood. I told the doctor point blank: when I
weighed almost 200 lbs more than I do right now, I was like this--not
able to do much of anything but sit without pain. I am not going back
to that for anything, so you'd better d@mn-well give me something or
somebody to fix it and quick. I'm not going to lay around in pain and
gain all that back. Not for you, and not for anybody.

Late yesterday the doc calls me back. She says "your kidneys are fine."
I kinda figured that, but I've heard of guys walking around with back
pain for a couple weeks and then dropping dead. Later they find out it
was kidneys, not back...

I went to Walgreens after work to get my water-pills (I can't stand
saying the word diuretic, even though old-people refer to it as
water-pills). The pharmacist said she would have to call the doctor
before she would fill the prescription. She said the usual dosage is
one per day. My scrip was for one pill 6 times per day....

Should I start looking for a different doctor???

drowsy vs. grumpy

I've decided to choose grumpy over drowsy. I felt like my pain meds
were not doing a whole hellofa lot of good, and I think I'm right. I
stopped taking them and I feel the same, except not sleepy. So that
means, basically, I've been seeing my doctor for going on the third
week, and it has done me ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD! I'm still not sleeping in
a bed, and I'm still not able to stand or walk for more than 15 minutes
without excruciating pain. I have to get over this soon. I can just
see myself putting on weight due to inactivity. If that happens, my
back will begin hurting all the time anyway, just like it used to before
I had the gastric bypass. Also, because I never get my legs up (they are
always down either standing or sitting because it hurts too bad to have
them up) they are starting to swell. It's really beginning to scare me
how bad they are swelling. I'm not sleeping very well at night because
of the pain. This doctor has to do something soon.

Throwing Money away...

I need shot in the head at this point. Guess who threw away $115 before 8am this morning? Speeding ticket down Green Valley Rd. 49 in a 35. I told the officer "I can't say I like getting a ticket, but I appreciate you doing your job officer. Have a nice day."

Hey, I guess I can look at it like this. This is the first time in fifteen years that I’ve gotten stopped, and did not have to worry if I had insurance or not because I am paying the bills.

I’ll take the positives where I can get them… I guess its like if you know somebody who was stabbed to death at least you can say it they didn’t suffer for months with cancer.

Reviving the 80's in Literature

I have gotten on an odd kick lately. I have been re-reading novels that
I first read back in the early 80's. They were all my brother's
stuff-science-fiction/fantasy. I am reading The Chronicles of Thomas
Covenant by Donaldson right now. I have read in the past The Chronicles
of Amber by Zelany, The Dragonriders of Pern by McCaffrey, The World of
Tiers by Farmer, The Deryni series by Kurtz, and The Books of Swords by
Saberhagen. I also have two sets that I read on my own that I am going
to re-read. The first is the Necroscope series and then the Merlin
series by Mary Stewart. I will also re-read Thieves World. I read the
first book of the Xanth novels "A Spell for Chameleon" but had to stop
after that. I downloaded that and I don't have all of them. It takes
me a long time to read a book. I do it some in the morning before work
(only about 5 or 10 minutes) then sometimes in the evening if the kids
are doing something without me (like playing at a friends house before
supper), but the only time I really get to read much is at lunch time at
work. What wonderful books have you read in the past, and would you
like to re-read them? Half-Price Books and Book and Music Exchange is a
good way to get books to read without paying an arm and a leg. The kids
(like any other kids) get the "I-want" disease sometimes. When they
haven't gotten anything in a while and I want to get something for them,
many times we will end up at the book store. That way I can reward them,
but it is constructive too. Lexie reads to me, and to her brother.
Sometimes I read to them also. We finished a Goosebumps book. We all
like Half-Price Books.

Back Pain

Ok, I'm REALLY knocking on wood here, but I think I might be over the hump with my back problem. It feels better today than I think it ought to feel. The real test is endurance. I need to get to the point where I don't have to sit down and rest because my back is killing me. I have not gotten to that point, but the first goal has been reached-I'm in no pain at all when sitting still. I'm still taking my prescription pain killers, but in another 3-4 days I'm going to start taking ½ the dose (if everything progresses normally from here). I'm still using my grandpa's walking stick, and I'm still sleeping in a chair and shuffling my feet instead of picking them up, but I'm just being very precautionary. I don't want any setbacks at all!

About VAX-D

About VAX-D This is what my doctor is using on me for my protruding disk. They said unless you do it 3-5 times a week it doesn't really help much. They do this in combo with other treatments at the same time: light (infrared) heat, sonic (ultrasound) plus they use this big vibrating device called a thumper, and electric (small shocks). They gave me a small portable unit (called a TENS unit) to take home. I wear it all the time on the highest setting. I am taking Lortabs for pain, and also a muscle relaxer--Flexoril. I hope this feels better soon. I can't stand for long, walk, sit. lay (at all). Actually lying down is the only way to get away from the pain completely, but I am denied that because getting up is so painful that I nearly throw up. I've never had pain like that before. It takes me twenty minutes to work up enough courage to just TRY to get out of bed...

Father's Day

We went over Sunday after church. We also got him a shirt and some of the portraits we got done at Wal-Mart Photo Studio. It was combination Birthday/Father's Day.















They gave out carnations to all the dads at church and they had extras. The kids each got one and they saved one for Pawpaw and one for Granny Dana.

Pawpaw's Birthday

We went to see Joe for his birthday. The kids made him a coffee mug at The Paint Spot on Shelbyville Road. It's a place where you can paint pottery and then they glaze and fire it. It is a really nice keepsake thing.

Lucky guy...

I saw some lucky guy driving this the other day on the way to work. I fully expected a bunch of gals to jump out at the red light and come over to my car with hot wings, but...

Oh well. The kids and I love Hooters. They even holler out "We love Hooters!!!!" when we go there. We are impressed with the food and the service.

Louisville Irish Fest

The kids and I went to Louisville Irish Fest. It was fun. We went with Theresia and Rachael, and Rachael's cousins Libby, and Kendall. The Louisville Pipe (bagpipe) Band played, there was dancing, dog breeds and herding demonstrations as well as all kinds of celtic and irish food and drink. They got a little sunburned, but we had a good time!

Dr. Donovan

I got a call from Dr. Donovan, Lexie and Logan's physician. I told him that they were having the usual respiratory problems. Their mother had taken them off their medication for a week and it got a lot worse. She left them off another week and things did not improve. Logan sounded sick this morning so I gave him some Benadryl chewable tablets.

The doctor said that cigarette smoke, although some people are allergic to it, it mainly affects most people like an irritant. He gave me the example "like gasoline fumes". He said it can cause the symptoms that they have--fluid in the ears, sinus congestion and asthma. He said they are old enough we might want to send them to an allergist to find out if they are allergic to it, or it's just affecting them as an irritant.

As for their weight, he said that they are both tall, but "weigh more than you'd expect for their height." Ten to fifteen pounds gain a year is ok. He said we might want to see an endocrinologist or dietician so we can have the same health routine at both homes.

I'm concerned about the kids, but I also wanted to get some fuel to fight Shellie with at the divorce hearing if I need it. I don't want to do anything bad to her or hurt her, but I worry about losing the kids completely.

Church

The kids and I went to Church Sunday. We went to Fern Creek Baptist
Church. Three of the ladies from the church came over last night and
brought us bean soup mix, information, and invited us back this coming
Sunday. They talked to the kids and I for about twenty minutes then we
had prayer. The kids enjoyed talking to them. They are looking forward
to Sunday school this coming week. Last week I had them for regular
services with me. The ladies from the church said they could stay
together in the same room. They have a day care at this Church too, as
well as lots of community activities...bible study, fellowship,
children's choir, suppers, the whole works. It sounds like it will be
good for us. It's been hard to find a church I feel comfortable in and
the kids like.

Logan's Self Sculpture

The kids and I went to Cici's Pizza with Pawpaw and Dana. They have macaroni and cheese pizza!! Logan made a self sculpture from his salad! He is a very talented kid with and awesome imagination.

Entertainment

I’m going to cut back on my entertainment budget. I think I’m going to get rid of cable. I don’t know if anybody will notice. I think we watch it like 1 hour a week at max. I’m cutting back Netflix. I’m going to get rid of it soon too. I think I like blockbuster’s online program a lot better.

I might get satellite instead of cable. I can do that for like $25, and get a lot more channels. That would save me almost $20 per month. I’m going to quit cold turkey for a while and see if I even notice.

Stuff

Man, I was worn down last night. I got the kids showers, and crawled into bed. They slept with me last night and we read two chapters in the goosebumps book. That damn thing is getting on my nerves. It keeps stringing you along. Logan has the croupy sound this morning. I have a sore throat and sinus drainage. I hate when one of the kids has that “barking” like cough. It makes me feel so sorry for them. When he talks he sounds froggy. *sighs*

We had fun fishing yesterday. I had to pull a tick off of Logan’s back. I checked them both thoroughly and then we got showers. Lexie has one small itchy spot that she says is poison ivy, but hell, with all the hiking we did and tall weeds and mud and water…I think we got off easy! I got sunburned on my face and arms but the kids seemed fine. Logan got a little bit of sun on his cheeks. Today after work is housework day. Dishes, put laundry away, clean, pickup, etc…

Fishin'

I got the kids out to Long Run park. They have a lake about 2-3 times the size of community park in New Albany. We fished and hiked and played, picnicked and had loads of fun!!!! We walked around it’s entirety, me carrying a med sized cooler, three chairs. Lexie and Logan both got hooked in the hand and screamed like they were dying. Logan got a tick. Lexie got scratches on her legs. She complained this morning of poison ivy, but all it all they want to go again because they had SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Water-iron

Have you even water-ironed a shirt before??? I did that this morning to my collar and it works good! I wetted the collar and smoothed it out with my fingers, then it dried flat and neat!!! I guess that’s one good thing about driving all the way over to IN and back…time to dry things.

Camping

We took the Frozen Niagra tour. It was 330 steps down into the caves on the third level. The kids had no problem keeping up the 3 hours we were walking, but I was sore that night and still am.

Caterpillars

The kids loved playing with the caterpillars this weekend. There were tons of them. The attendant was nice enough to put me next to the bathrooms. They were clean with flush toilets! Also there was water right by us. The coin-op showers were ok too!

Camping at Mammoth Cave National Park

This past weekend, we camped Friday and Saturday night at Mammoth Cave National Park. The kids had a great time. Here's a few pictures. It's late tonight and I'll write more later...

Here's us at Frozen Niagra Falls
The kids at Dinosaur World at Cave City, KY.

Field Trip with Lexie

Yesterday I took a half-day off work and went on a field trip with Lexie and her class. They went to the Falls of the Ohio Center. It was very good. There were work sheets and I was in charge of Lexie and 3 other little girls. They all listened pretty good and looked at what they were supposed to look at and behaved as well as 2^nd graders behave.

She said she had a good time. After we got back to school, they went directly to lunch. Since I had to eat before I went back, I decided to eat with Lex. School lunch is the same as I remembered it. There was turkey with gravy (which to say was hunks of white and dark meat turkey in some odd clear sauce—you could tell it was from a can), with mashed potatoes (instant) tasteless green beans. The eubiquitious milk was there, along with a piece of fruit. Square as hell, and completely flavorless. They didn’t even offer salt or pepper. That’s ok though. It teaches kids that it’s not what food tastes like that is important, but more that you should eat a balanced meal that is healthy for you. There also was the optional meal: a PB&J crustless sandwich with a little slice of cheese on the side instead of the canned entrée. I gave Lexie fifty cents because she wasn’t digging the turkey stuff. She got a little bag of trail mix (with peanuts—got the protein she skipped) and a little snack-cake. She wanted to take the snack-cake home for little brother. We promised him we would pick up something little for him at the gift shop, but we didn’t have time. She is so thoughful toward her brother. I can see the love almost like something tangible. Same with Logan of course.

^%&*#$@ Clothes--AGAIN

Clothes has continually been an issue between Shellie's mother and I. I sent back to them every shred of clothing that the kids have from their place, with the exception of one pair of Logan’s underwear. Lexie wore the same bra Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and would have today, but she said she didn’t want to wear it again and would put one on when she got to your place.

I asked Shellie to please send any clothes that I’ve gotten for the kids. Especially, the 4 bras I just recently bought, and Logan’s sweat pants he got from me for Christmas. I asked her that if she saw anything else that is theirs from me, please send it too. (She was supposed to do this last Wednesday when I came to get the dresser.) I can’t let Lexie keep wearing the same bra over and over again. I don’t have a washer and dryer, and I only go to the laundry once a week. That was last night, and I gathered all of the clothes and sorted them. That’s how I know she has everything.

Its so frustrating that I have no underpants for Logan. I have no bras or panties or socks for Lexie. I will start over again and buy them all new stuff. I will do this because Shellie's mother Bobbie is riding Lexie’s ass about their clothes. She SHOULD NOT be saying anything to Lexie. I told Shellie that she could always send them over with no extra clothes and I would send them back in the same clothes. I don’t like sending them back in clothes they have already worn, but if this keeps her mother off Lexie’s back, I would be happy to do this. I told her I want to get this straightened out so that the kids have enough clothes both places and especially to get her mother OFF LEXIE’S BACK. Lexie was seriously stressed out this morning. I told her to change into a bra that came from mommy's so she could leave the one I have for her here. She said there were no other bras. And she told me that grandma said she needs to bring all her bras back over!!! She said grandma will get mad if she doesn’t wear a bra, or if she doesn’t bring a bunch back. I told her to wear that same bra back over to grandmas house and I would buy some more. When we left, I saw that she had took that one pink bra that I bought for her—the only bra at my house—and hid it under a chair so that she would have one here. That is SHAMEFUL that she should be made to feel like this! I am so upset with Bobbie I can’t stand it!

I told Shellie I don’t want her involved in the kid’s lives like this!!! If she is doing this to “get back at me” or make me feel bad or “punish” me, then she needs to take it up with Shellie and leave our kids the hell out of it! I am doing the best I can. Her mother is just bitter because I refused to support our kids at my place AND hers. She needs to shut her mouth! If she financially regrets letting Shellie move in with her, she needs to take it up with her, and leave the kids out of it!!!

I told Shellie I was bringing this up with her because she is their mother. I’m not going to communicate with Bobbie. She has proven to have no respect for me and I will not listen to anything she has to say. I will not talk to the kids about it because they don’t need to be worried about this kind of crap.

Birthday Party

Lexie's birthday party turned out really good. She loved all her gifts,
and really enjoyed playing with all the kids who came. She did say that
she liked Logan's party at Puzzle's Fun Dome too. Logan said that he
liked her party better. There were several of her classmates (Bethany,
Cami, Jeffery and Gannon) who were able to make it, plus her cousins
Timmy and Nichole. We invited my girlfriend's nieces too, and Lexie was
happy to see them. They are older than her, but she relates well to
kids younger and older just as well. Theresia's daughters Rachael and
Theresia were there, and her granddaughter Kendall even got in the pool
with her mother for a little bit! Everybody had a good time playing in
the pool. The lifeguards were in full force with that many kids in the
pool. I was very impressed with how they handled everything. They were
all standing at the side of the pool watching and paying close attention
to the kids.

I got Lexie an MP3 player which I pre-loaded with her favorite tunes,
and we played it over her new boom box. She asked to take it to school
and listen to it on the bus and I told her it was ok. She said that
other kids bring their CD players on the bus to listen to them so I
figured it would be ok. I told her that I got her the MP3 player to
take back and forth between her grandmother's house and my place. She
really enjoys music, and I want her to have her own music wherever she
goes. She got clothes and toys too.

I made a cupcake tree with over 40 cupcakes. There was chocolate,
vanilla, and strawberry icing with sprinkles. We also had ice cream
(which I forgot and Joe and Dana went out to get for us-THANK YOU!!!).
The kids played in the pool from about 3:30 until almost 7. I got them
back to the apartment, and we had some Tombstone pizza and went to bed.
We were all exhausted.

I couldn't have done it without my awesome girlfriend Theresia's help.
She is fantastic at going around chatting, making sure everybody is
having a good time, organizing, taking pictures, setting up, making
preparations, going out to get stuff that was forgotten, de-stressing
me, and cleaning up-really the very best!!!

RSVP's

This is soooo cool! So far, I have 3 RSVP's from Lexie's class for her
party! Bethany, Gannon, and Jeffrey!!! Plus Rachael will be there, and
most likely her cousins Timmy and Nichole. That's 8 kids total
including Lexie and Logan!

We are going to have so much fun!

Movies & Thunder & Birthday Party!

Last night was movie night with my girlfriend. I came home after work
and took a short nap because I was just feeling completely worn out.
She came over about 9pm, and we finished watching "The Exorcist". We
had started it but never got through it all. After that, we put in this
movie called "Ring Around the Rosie". It was creepy and freaky, but not
that great.

This weekend is Thunder Over Louisville. It's the air show and
fireworks display that kicks off the Kentucky Derby celebration. I am
not really planning anything, but might get together with Theresia and
her people. I know I have a lot of preparation to do tomorrow for
Lexie's birthday party on Sunday. I'm renting out the Varsity Club at
our apartment complex. It has indoor pool and she's having a pool
party! She handed out invitations at school, and we've had a couple
calls about people wanting to come. I hope it is a good party and she
has fun.

Low Energy & Free Bread

I have been having problems with low energy lately.  I get tires at times throughout the day—not physically worn out, just sleepy. Mornings are difficult and I can’t seem to stay up late unless I’m actively doing something.  I’m going to check with my doctor and see what she thinks.  Until then, I guess it’s more coffee!!!

 

Yesterday here at work, there was this fellow who stocks our snack machines.  He had a whole delivery truck of about-to-expire bread stuff.  Everybody was told to grab a bag or two.  As long as you keep it in the freezer it should last for several days past the “sell-by” date.  I got bread, bagels, and doughnuts.

 

 

Weekend

I was off sick on Friday. I had stomach problems that were really bad.
I didn't enjoy much about Friday.

I got some stuff done this weekend. My girlfriend Theresia was a huge
help. I got laundry done, despite some foul play and the laundry--some
lady decided she didn't want to wait on my stuff so she took it out of
the washer and just laid it down on the counter. I was steamed. She
apologized. She said some group of people (I won't say because she
seemed like she was being racist when she said it--even though she was
an African-American woman) like to keep the washers tied up all weekend
long so that all their families and friends can use the laundry.

I also got some more things put away. I have a proper dining room now.
I got all the old spices dumped out of my mother's spice rack (which I
inherited last year). It has been in storage, and I had to clean every
bottle, stopper, and the rack itself pretty thoroughly. I used a
label-maker to print out the names of the spices and put them on the
bottles. It looks really good now.

I got my car washed, vacuumed out, and I waxed it. I did my grocery
shopping, I made a trip to the post office, got my oil changed, and took
the kids to the Fern Creek Library, where we signed up for cards, and
they each checked out books. I rented a movie--it was called
"Visitation". Really creepy.

Smoke-Free Kit

I’m ordering a smoke-free kit from the EPA’s web site for each of the grandparents, and myself. 

Joe & Dana

I’ve said very little about Joe and Dana.  Joe is my father-in-law for a bit yet.  Dana is his wife.  They have both decided that they want to continue a relationship with the kids, and even me.  I don’t know how this usually works, but it’s my opinion that once you’ve committed a piece of your heart to someone as a member of your family, no matter what may happen after that, family is always family.  As my brother Don once said about me, there are no half-s or wholes between us as brothers.  I believe this works the same way for step- and –in-law. It is a two-way street though, and if someone continues to show you nothing but disrespect, and gives you nothing but grief, then they are best avoided.  Joe and Dana and I have not always seen eye-to-eye on everything, but there have been a lot of misunderstandings in the past.  Many of these have been cleared up.  Bygones can be bygones once everybody is ready to move on.  I’m glad for the kids, because they are good people.

They care very much about the kids, and are going to be an important and continuing part of their lives.  They have expressed this desire, and I want the kids to have all the positive influences they can get.  They are also very physically conscious of the kids and their health and wellbeing.  I’ve noticed that, although they are both smokers, they always go outside to smoke when we are there.  They must do this all the time, because I have noted that unlike the homes of other people who are smokers, their home is not stained with nicotine, and it doesn’t reek of tobacco.  My sister’s home is the same. 

I worry about the kids health.  I know that they are recently being treated for respiratory problems by their doctor.  I wonder how much of this is from living where they do half the time and breathing in all the second hand smoke.  The EPA states that “The developing lungs of young children are severely affected by exposure to secondhand smoke for several reasons including that children are still developing physically, have higher breathing rates than adults, and have little control over their indoor environments. Children receiving high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those with smoking mothers, run the greatest risk of damaging health effects.”  More info is available at http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/    Thankfully, the kids mother does not smoke, but she lives with her mother (the kids grandmother) right now who smokes.  Some times when I pick up Lexie and Logan, I have to ride for a while with the windows down because their clothes and hair reek so badly of stale cigarette smoke.  I worry what their lungs look like.  Joe and Dana would never risk the kids health this way.  I’ve spoken with them about it, and they both know the dangers of second-hand smoke.  I’ve come to visit without the kids, and they do the same thing—never smoking around me.  Their mother is just doing what she has to do right now, but I look forward to the day that she has her own place and is away from that unhealthy environment.  She has asthma and allergies.  If you read on the EPA web site, you know why she probably has these problems.

George!

Here is my final picture of the Thorogood concert. I will send a link later for more pictures...

Louisville Barbies

This is way too funny.

Mattel recently announced the release of Limited-edition Barbie Dolls for
the Louisville, Kentucky Market:

St Matthews Barbie
This princess Barbie is sold only at The Mall St Matthews. She comes with an
assortment of Prada Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a longhaired foreign dog named
Honey and a cookie cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and
face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with "augmented" version.

Lyndon Barbie
This modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan
and matching gym outfit. She has no full time occupation or secondary
education. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

Middletown Barbie
This is an upgrade to the St Matthews Barbie. Accessories include the SUV
with an extra large gas tank.

Portland Barbie
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9 mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a
Chevy with dark tinted windows and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only
available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small,
untraceable bills). Unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are
talking about.

Anchorage Barbie
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H 2.
Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership.
Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You
won't be able to afford any of them.

Okolona Barbie
This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small,
a NASCAR shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of
Bud light and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick
mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck
separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

Glenmary Barbie
This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit
and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription
available.

Fairdale Barbie
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled
sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of
Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid washed jeans, fake
fingernails, and a see through halter-top. Also available with a mobile
home.

The Highlands Barbie
This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch
less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She
prefers that you call her "Willow." She does not want or need a Ken doll,
but if you purchase two Tower Grove Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon,
you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

Newburg Barbie
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories
include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his '79 Caddy were available,
but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

Shively Barbie
Not much different from Fairdale Barbie - instead of the trailer, she comes
with bingo chips and a rosary. We don't know where Ken is 'cause he's always
hunting.

Main Street Barbie/Ken
This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply
adding or subtracting the multiple "snap-on" parts.

Butting into other peoples business...

Mean nasty people should butt out of other peoples business. They should not try to stir up crap and make people angry. They should not be hateful, spiteful, or bitter towards other people.


There ought to be a law,,,,,,

Floyd County Circuit Court

My friend Chuck prepared all the paperwork that is necessary (in the
state of Indiana) to file for divorce. He gave it to me and Shellie to
sign. So I take it to the Clerks office, and they say, well, you need
this paper first, and then you need to take it to the Circuit court
before you come back down here to file. I was highly p*ssed. Not only
was it time out of work, but also I had to take the paper to Shellie and
get her to sign it. She had been up all night with no sleep, and was
going to take a nap. It's a big inconvenience for both of us. She was
kind enough to sign it, so I had her sign it, took it to the library,
made copies, and took it up to the Circuit court. The lady at the desk
said "you also need to have a motion for final hearing, and a notice for
final hearing.

I called Chuck. He said this was not, by the laws of the state of
Indiana, necessary at this time. But he said that rather than have to
argue with somebody and risk making them mad, it would be better to just
get what they asked for, and give it to them. He's sending it tonight.
I have to have Shellie look at it, sign it, then I have to take another
day, go BACK to the court house, and try all over again. Man, this just
sucks.

Shave and a hair cut...

Decided to cut my hair this weekend. Saw Bruce Willis in Armegeddon this weekend. That must have done it... :-)

Aerosmith SUCKS!

We drove all the way to Lexington last night for the Aerosmith concert.
They cancelled "due to illness" at the last minute. There were rumors
that Rupp Arena will not allow them to come back, because this is the
2nd time they have done this.

I'm going to see George Thorogood next week at Coyotes here in
Louisville. He had better not cancel!!!

Steven Tyler is a WUSS!

Paintball Condor's Scenario with Theresia

Condor's Paintball in Elizabethtown, KY had a huge scenario game. Quest for Power III. Theresia and I went and we had a blast! There were these two guys who worked at the field. They wore heavy padding and went in as "Terminators". The concept was that they could not be killed. So you could shoot them, but that did not take them out of the game. Each team got a terminator of 5 minutes only and Terminators got only one hopper full of paint, and two or three guppies. Here's a picture of Theresia and I with our paintball gear.

For more pictures, CLICK HERE!

Update

The kids and I are moved. There are still boxes all over the place...that will just take some time. But I can watch TV, check my email, fix a meal, sleep, drink, work, and play at the new place. And we can live in peace, harmony, and safety. No more crazy room mates and no more dependency on anyone else.

Monday, I had to go to Wal-mart. I got fitted sheets for the kids' beds, and a pair of swimming trunks. I got the kids all ready to go swimming in the complex indoor pool. Then we got there, and they said it was closed! I was so upset. That was the thing the kids had been really looking forward to doing. There was some issue with the plumbing and it wasn't draining correctly so they called a plumber to fix it yesterday. The manager said that it would be fixed and it was!! I took the kids directly after work...I had swimsuits and towels packed in the car. We stayed until about 7:30, then we went home and had supper, watched a little bit of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and then bed. I have been really beat lately for some reason.

My vision has been getting worse, so today I went to the eye doctor. Came out with new contacts. I have to go back in about two weeks to pick up my permanent prescription of contacts. The ones now days you wear them for a month, then throw them away. The doctor seemed knowledgeable and competent. Now I just wish I had my old pair of tortoise Ray-Ban Wayfarers...