Things have been busy over the last two months. Travel in February and changes as well.
Valentines weekend we headed to Arizona for Tek's blessing. When Sharon got of work on Thursday afternoon we drove to Great Falls. As soon as we hit town we hit Sonic for Sharon's "Five Days of Sonic". We spent the night there and did some shopping both for the trip and for home. Friday evening we boarded the plane for Phoenix/Mesa. Everything was prebooked and confirmed. Or so we thought. When we arrived, we went looking for our rental car. After 15 or 20 minutes I finally found it. At the other airport in downtown Phoenix. I phoned to ask how I was expected to get my car. I was told to take a taxi. I asked if I was going to be reimbursed because I had requested the car for this airport. I was told I would have to arrange that with customer service and was given the phone number and promptly told that they were open 7 to 7 Monday to Friday. I told them that I no longer wanted the car if I was to pay $60+ dollars for a 45+ minute cab ride and pay a similar pick up fee if I did not return it to the airport downtown. I went to the first rental kiosk that was empty and rented one.
Two hours later, just after midnight, we were in Thatcher and at Dian's and David's. We crashed there until the morning when we went to check in to the hotel. Tek came to wake us up way too early. It has been a while since I was woken by a little squirmy bundle of love. But it is still enjoyable. We got up and got ready for the day. We met with Jacob, Chrissy, and family and then checked in the hotel. The weekend was spent with family and friends. We missed Kimmie, Scott, and the girls. Sunday was Tek's blessing. Monday we headed home. And me to a new old job.
The week before I got a phone call from a previous employer, Bob Moors with the Commissionaires. He wanted to know if I would consider coming back to work for him as front desk at the police station. More money and hours that are a better fit into our life style. I told him that I would like to think about it for the weekend. I went in on Monday morning to talk to him. As I walked into his office, he told me he had most of the package filled out and that I needed to sign it. He wanted me to start the next day but realized that my current employer would need some time. He asked if I could start the following Tuesday or Wednesday for training. I asked the few questions I had and agreed. I went for retraining on the following Wednesday and Thursday and was on my own Friday, Saturday. I started into my schedule on Tuesday. I work four 12's: two days, two nights, and four off.
It was like going home. I was welcomed back the older staff I had worked with before and greeted by the newer ones. I only had to learn the few new things on the computer and re-familiarize myself with the rest.
Now to work hard at getting my woodworking up and running on the web and the house renovations finished. Getting ready for gypsyhood.
That is the update. More as it develops.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2010 in Retrospect
2010 was an interesting year. It was a year of setbacks and blessings, which usually followed the setbacks.
It started with a change in the compensation package at the company I was working for that was not positive. It was followed 1 March with a restructuring of the leasing department. They did away with it completely and tried to hire us back as independent contractors. The contract they offered was so vague and unfavourable that it was not even worth the paper it was printed on. The severance package on the other hand was not too bad. When I finally heard from The Employment Insurance people they were willing to give me a year to find something that would give me a similar income.
In the mean time I retired to my wood working shop. After about 3 months Sharon calmly told me to get out of the house and find a job or she would kill me. I guess I was bring all kinds of sawdust into the house. About the same time as we were shopping at Costco the young fellow that was managing the cellular booth stopped me. He said he heard I was looking for a job and offered me one. I started early July at the new booth in Park Place Mall. The first of September I was transfered to Costco. I am having a good time and making some money too. I think Sharon intuitively realized I needed to be in front of people.
In May, Mom passed away. Except for the china cabinet that she left to Sharon, everything else was left to my uncle and her cat Boxer. It hurt to be left out of the will but what really bothered me was that there was not even a mention of any of the grand children and great grand children that she said she was so proud of. Over the last 6 months, we were not allowed to take anything out of the house, were expected to look after Boxer. Kimmie paid for the food and I paid for the litter. When a tenant was found in late November that would look after Boxer, we given 2 weeks to go through 60 years of clutter. A new carpet was being put in and we were also told that we had to take the old carpet out. The instructions were: "I don't want anything out of the house except the 2 pictures the Al brought back from Holland. Throw out, donate, or sell everything else." I know we threw out papers and other documents that were of historical and personal value because we didn't have the time to go through everything properly. The blessing was that we were able to save a lot of the things that meant something to us and Boxer now has a couple of roommates that are taking care of him. He was so lonely before.
The end of November I came down with a nasty body flew just as we were finishing taking out the carpet. I also developed a rash on my stomach that I thought was an allergic reaction to the under lay and I also thought that the body pain and head ache might be too. The doc said that I was wrong on both accounts. I did have the flu and I also has a dandy case of shingles. He figured that the 2 viruses were feed off each other so he put me on a mega dose of anti-viral drugs. I was also "quarantined" for 10 days. I got 2 weeks of rest and relaxation that were sorely needed. I didn't lose any wages either. I found out that I qualified for sick days.
The year has ended in great form. I have had the best month at work yet, even considering I did not work the first week. On the 23rd, I became a grandfather for the 7th time. Dian and David had a little boy: Voitek Konrad Kalani Stewart.
A year of ups and downs. Heartache and happiness and it ended with Sharon's Christmas cactus blooming most of December with a display of blossoms that was truly amazing.
Happy New Year one and all. May it be a time of growth and happiness.
It started with a change in the compensation package at the company I was working for that was not positive. It was followed 1 March with a restructuring of the leasing department. They did away with it completely and tried to hire us back as independent contractors. The contract they offered was so vague and unfavourable that it was not even worth the paper it was printed on. The severance package on the other hand was not too bad. When I finally heard from The Employment Insurance people they were willing to give me a year to find something that would give me a similar income.
In the mean time I retired to my wood working shop. After about 3 months Sharon calmly told me to get out of the house and find a job or she would kill me. I guess I was bring all kinds of sawdust into the house. About the same time as we were shopping at Costco the young fellow that was managing the cellular booth stopped me. He said he heard I was looking for a job and offered me one. I started early July at the new booth in Park Place Mall. The first of September I was transfered to Costco. I am having a good time and making some money too. I think Sharon intuitively realized I needed to be in front of people.
In May, Mom passed away. Except for the china cabinet that she left to Sharon, everything else was left to my uncle and her cat Boxer. It hurt to be left out of the will but what really bothered me was that there was not even a mention of any of the grand children and great grand children that she said she was so proud of. Over the last 6 months, we were not allowed to take anything out of the house, were expected to look after Boxer. Kimmie paid for the food and I paid for the litter. When a tenant was found in late November that would look after Boxer, we given 2 weeks to go through 60 years of clutter. A new carpet was being put in and we were also told that we had to take the old carpet out. The instructions were: "I don't want anything out of the house except the 2 pictures the Al brought back from Holland. Throw out, donate, or sell everything else." I know we threw out papers and other documents that were of historical and personal value because we didn't have the time to go through everything properly. The blessing was that we were able to save a lot of the things that meant something to us and Boxer now has a couple of roommates that are taking care of him. He was so lonely before.
The end of November I came down with a nasty body flew just as we were finishing taking out the carpet. I also developed a rash on my stomach that I thought was an allergic reaction to the under lay and I also thought that the body pain and head ache might be too. The doc said that I was wrong on both accounts. I did have the flu and I also has a dandy case of shingles. He figured that the 2 viruses were feed off each other so he put me on a mega dose of anti-viral drugs. I was also "quarantined" for 10 days. I got 2 weeks of rest and relaxation that were sorely needed. I didn't lose any wages either. I found out that I qualified for sick days.
The year has ended in great form. I have had the best month at work yet, even considering I did not work the first week. On the 23rd, I became a grandfather for the 7th time. Dian and David had a little boy: Voitek Konrad Kalani Stewart.
A year of ups and downs. Heartache and happiness and it ended with Sharon's Christmas cactus blooming most of December with a display of blossoms that was truly amazing.
Happy New Year one and all. May it be a time of growth and happiness.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A Bitter Sweet Find.
Going though the last of the old pictures from my Mother's house we came across a picture of three young people in a small picture of the type you get from a photo booth. It was in a old style cardboard frame. Sharon asked "I wonder who they are? I suppose we will never know. What is written on the back?"
I dug out the magnifying glass and read;
"Bonde hair
Blue eyes
Sweetheart lips"
I said "It doesn't help. Another one for the unknown pile. Its a shame for she is so pretty." As I tossed it in the pile I noticed some printing on the back of the picture proper underneath the frame. Some had written:
"Prettiest
girl in
Riverside
Buddy Hovan
Dead
Was killed in
an auto accident
5 others in acc-
ident. All 6 dead
Aug.9.1936
2.45 pm pretty
blonde
I cried. Angela (aka Buddy) Hovan!! I had just met my Father's baby sister. I could see why she was his favourite. She, her fiance, and some friends were coming from/going to Hillcrest when the brakes on the car failed. They were unable to stop or leave the road. They were hit by a train at the bottom of the hill. My Dad's family lived in the river bottom about a half mile from the crossing. It almost destroyed Dad. He filled his back pack with a few things, took his rifle, and headed into the mountains. He wandered the forests around the Pass for several weeks. When he returned he would not talk about it for years. I think I was in my teens when I first heard about her story.
Some where in the files we have a picture of the car. When I find it again I will add it to the album.
Some times family shows up in the strangest places and in the strangest ways.
Friday, October 15, 2010
It has been just about a month since the last post.
The first October we went to Cache Valley in Utah to visit Chrissy's in-laws. Sharon and I had hopes of arriving around noonish but that didn't happen. We got out of town a little later than we wanted to and then ran into some road construction in several places. We got into town about 4pm. Just in time to empty the Jeep and head to a USU/BYU football game. I gather it was an history match. USU beat BYU for the first time in years. They drubbed hem so soundly that BYU fired their defencive coach the next morning.
Saturday, Fred and Susan had tickets for conference and headed out early. Sharon and I got up early as well and headed out for a bit of shopping before the conference broadcast started on TV. Between sessions we headed out to do some research. We are thinking ahead to retirement and are planning to become gypsies. We headed out to a RV dealer and spent about an hour looking a 5th wheel trailers. The salesman who we found out was also the owner gave us some good ideas and information. The rest of the day was spent watching the afternoon session. Fred and I went to the Priesthood broadcast at their Stake Centre in the evening and afterwards the 4 of us just visited and enjoyed each others company.
Sunday was spent in front of the TV watching the last 2 sessions and visiting. Monday we all headed out. Fred and Susan are "sight seeing" in the area once a month. This month they headed out to Moab and area for a couple of days. Sharon and I headed down to the Salt Lake area to continue our research. The RV dealer we stopped into did not really impress us. A couple of times he gave us a price we could have the unit for while we were inside the trailer and walking to the next one I saw a sales poster on the nose that said the unit was on special and the price was 10 to 15,000 lower than the "best he could offer". (This week I stopped into a dealer here in town and the prices he gave we lower still on the same units.)
All in all we had 4 very relaxing days of friendship and Sonic. Sonic is Sharon's favourite drive-in just because of their lemon/lime milkshakes. They make their milkshakes with real fruit. If you have never been to one, it is an old school drive-in with a menu board, call button to order, and car hops that deliver, usually on roller skates.
The new job and the new location are going well. I like being at the booth at Costco. I know most of the customers and staff at Costco. It is just like old home week and the booth staff are great. We lost one last week. She left rather suddenly. We should have a new co-worker today. Sales are what I am supposed to be doing right now even though I would prefer to be in my wood shop making saw dust. I am going to have to get back in there on the evenings and days off. I still several things to finish off and Christmas presents to start.
It is election time in the States too. On the way down just north of Hellena we saw a set of "Burma Shave" style signs that read:
When you drive through school zones...
Drive really...
Really...
Really slow...
Let those young voters grow up...
So the can vote...
The last sign had a name and "for School Commissioner"
That man was thinking.
On a different slant just outside of Salt Lake there was a billboard for a large jewellery store advertising engagement rings followed immediately by another billboard advertising a medical centre and the "Best OB/GYN facilities in the Valley".
Till next time.
The first October we went to Cache Valley in Utah to visit Chrissy's in-laws. Sharon and I had hopes of arriving around noonish but that didn't happen. We got out of town a little later than we wanted to and then ran into some road construction in several places. We got into town about 4pm. Just in time to empty the Jeep and head to a USU/BYU football game. I gather it was an history match. USU beat BYU for the first time in years. They drubbed hem so soundly that BYU fired their defencive coach the next morning.
Saturday, Fred and Susan had tickets for conference and headed out early. Sharon and I got up early as well and headed out for a bit of shopping before the conference broadcast started on TV. Between sessions we headed out to do some research. We are thinking ahead to retirement and are planning to become gypsies. We headed out to a RV dealer and spent about an hour looking a 5th wheel trailers. The salesman who we found out was also the owner gave us some good ideas and information. The rest of the day was spent watching the afternoon session. Fred and I went to the Priesthood broadcast at their Stake Centre in the evening and afterwards the 4 of us just visited and enjoyed each others company.
Sunday was spent in front of the TV watching the last 2 sessions and visiting. Monday we all headed out. Fred and Susan are "sight seeing" in the area once a month. This month they headed out to Moab and area for a couple of days. Sharon and I headed down to the Salt Lake area to continue our research. The RV dealer we stopped into did not really impress us. A couple of times he gave us a price we could have the unit for while we were inside the trailer and walking to the next one I saw a sales poster on the nose that said the unit was on special and the price was 10 to 15,000 lower than the "best he could offer". (This week I stopped into a dealer here in town and the prices he gave we lower still on the same units.)
All in all we had 4 very relaxing days of friendship and Sonic. Sonic is Sharon's favourite drive-in just because of their lemon/lime milkshakes. They make their milkshakes with real fruit. If you have never been to one, it is an old school drive-in with a menu board, call button to order, and car hops that deliver, usually on roller skates.
The new job and the new location are going well. I like being at the booth at Costco. I know most of the customers and staff at Costco. It is just like old home week and the booth staff are great. We lost one last week. She left rather suddenly. We should have a new co-worker today. Sales are what I am supposed to be doing right now even though I would prefer to be in my wood shop making saw dust. I am going to have to get back in there on the evenings and days off. I still several things to finish off and Christmas presents to start.
It is election time in the States too. On the way down just north of Hellena we saw a set of "Burma Shave" style signs that read:
When you drive through school zones...
Drive really...
Really...
Really slow...
Let those young voters grow up...
So the can vote...
The last sign had a name and "for School Commissioner"
That man was thinking.
On a different slant just outside of Salt Lake there was a billboard for a large jewellery store advertising engagement rings followed immediately by another billboard advertising a medical centre and the "Best OB/GYN facilities in the Valley".
Till next time.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Summer
It has been an interesting summer.
After the family left, life got back to normal. I retired to my wood shop and started to make sawdust again. About this time a friend and neighbour asked if I would refinish an old end table she had. I said I would take a look at it. I was shown this round smoker's table (like an end table but a little taller) that had this ugly blonde finish. She asked if I could just strip it and repaint it. I agreed. When I got home, I noticed a manufacturer's label and manufacturing number on the underside. I did a little research and found that it was built around 1900 in Ontario. When I stripped it, I found the most beautiful mahogany. I then proceeded to decontruct and repair it. After reassembly and six coats of varethane this is what I found.
I made arrangements to drop it off. When I walked into her house I showed her the finished table with out any explanation. She was impressed with the table I had in my hands but wanted to know where her end table was. When I told her this was it she was flabbergasted. I also showed a copy of the information I found on the company that built the table.
She had intended to put it down in the family room so the kids had something to eat off. It is now in the upstairs living room.
I was also offered a job at a new cell phone booth in the mall. I took it just to keep me occuppied and from under Sharon's feet. Since then I have been transferred to the company's booth at Costco. I am enjoying myself and enjoy working with the two young ladies that are there. So far I have made some money and received a new cell phone. A Samsung Galaxy S. I have had it for a couple of weeks and still learning how it works. You have to be smarter than your smart phone to get it to do what you want.
The other day as I was getting into my car, I noticed the swing I put up in the tree. It looked so lonely. The grass has even grown back under it. I took some pictures that I entitled "A Forgotten Friend".
That is about all for now. I am retiring to my wood shop on my days off and and in the evening to start on some projects I have put off and Santa's Christmas gifts. If any one has a request let me know and I will add them to Santa's work shop list. I am sure Santa will oblige them.
Till next time.
After the family left, life got back to normal. I retired to my wood shop and started to make sawdust again. About this time a friend and neighbour asked if I would refinish an old end table she had. I said I would take a look at it. I was shown this round smoker's table (like an end table but a little taller) that had this ugly blonde finish. She asked if I could just strip it and repaint it. I agreed. When I got home, I noticed a manufacturer's label and manufacturing number on the underside. I did a little research and found that it was built around 1900 in Ontario. When I stripped it, I found the most beautiful mahogany. I then proceeded to decontruct and repair it. After reassembly and six coats of varethane this is what I found.
I made arrangements to drop it off. When I walked into her house I showed her the finished table with out any explanation. She was impressed with the table I had in my hands but wanted to know where her end table was. When I told her this was it she was flabbergasted. I also showed a copy of the information I found on the company that built the table.
She had intended to put it down in the family room so the kids had something to eat off. It is now in the upstairs living room.
I was also offered a job at a new cell phone booth in the mall. I took it just to keep me occuppied and from under Sharon's feet. Since then I have been transferred to the company's booth at Costco. I am enjoying myself and enjoy working with the two young ladies that are there. So far I have made some money and received a new cell phone. A Samsung Galaxy S. I have had it for a couple of weeks and still learning how it works. You have to be smarter than your smart phone to get it to do what you want.
The other day as I was getting into my car, I noticed the swing I put up in the tree. It looked so lonely. The grass has even grown back under it. I took some pictures that I entitled "A Forgotten Friend".
That is about all for now. I am retiring to my wood shop on my days off and and in the evening to start on some projects I have put off and Santa's Christmas gifts. If any one has a request let me know and I will add them to Santa's work shop list. I am sure Santa will oblige them.
Till next time.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Survival - Sort Of
This past weekend we said good bye to Chrissy and her 4 children after almost 6 weeks. It was fun and interesting to say the least living with an 8 year old, 5 year old, 3 year old, and a 9 month old after over a year with no one to trip over but Sharon. This herd was also augmented on occasion with the addition of Kimmie's 2 girls. At time the noise and activity almost became too much for this old fart to handle but a "I love you PaPa." from the older ones or a "Hey!" from the baby made it all go away. It was rather intense at times. It rained almost every day they were here and the only play area was the house. The last week was the only really sustained sunshine we had since they arrived.
The last week was an interesting one. Rainey (3 yrs) and Eliza (8 yrs) were bouncing on their bed and Rainey fell off. Eliza reach out to catch him and dislocated his elbow. A trip to the ER ensued. Chrissy has coverage by one of the largest health insurance firms in the States and was not too concerned about the possibility of the cost. When she got to the hospital she was told that they do not direct bill the insurance firms. (I am lead to understand that Alberta is the only province in the country that does not do this.) There was a $565 administration fee to register Rainey into the system that the hospital was willing to bill Chrissy and the medical fees were $200 to be paid before she left the ER. Two days later the same 2 were bouncing on the same bed and Rainey bounced off again and caught the corner of the dresser on the top of his head. Like all head wounds it bled like crazy but once we got it cleaned off it was only a small puncture. It should have had a stitch but Chrissy was not about to pay another $800 for something this minor. On Wednesday Eliza was outside with her 9 month old sister Michael and playing on the new swing I had installed on the tree in the front yard. Eliza lost her grip and fell over backward and took Mikey with her. Eliza suffered a pretty good goose egg and a health dose of feeling guilty. Mikey bumped her chin and bit her tongue. Again tongues bleed like crazy and usually look worse than they are. On closer inspection it was pretty bad. A second trip to the ER ensued. 13 stitches (the tongue was bitten through and only held in place by a couple of pieces on each side), the $565 administration fee and a whopping $1,300 medical fee. Because they had to put Mikey under they needed an anestithist, a respiratory tech, a nurse, and the doc. Next holiday, Chrissy says it would be cheaper to fly us down and rent us a car.
On Friday we drove to Great Falls to spend the day with Dian. She flew up on Thursday and spent the day with one of her friends. We shopped until I dropped, ate, lazed in the hotels hot tub, and talked. On Saturday Chrissy and the kids joined us. More shopping, eating, lazing, and now the happy noise of 4 kids. On Sunday after breakfast, Chrissy, Di, and the kids headed out on the long drive to Oklahoma and we headed home to a now way too quiet and empty house.
This Monday, I got asked if I would be the campaign manager for a friend who is running for council this fall. It has been several years since I have been involved in politics. But ever being the political animal I said yes. This should be fun.
That takes us up to date.
The last week was an interesting one. Rainey (3 yrs) and Eliza (8 yrs) were bouncing on their bed and Rainey fell off. Eliza reach out to catch him and dislocated his elbow. A trip to the ER ensued. Chrissy has coverage by one of the largest health insurance firms in the States and was not too concerned about the possibility of the cost. When she got to the hospital she was told that they do not direct bill the insurance firms. (I am lead to understand that Alberta is the only province in the country that does not do this.) There was a $565 administration fee to register Rainey into the system that the hospital was willing to bill Chrissy and the medical fees were $200 to be paid before she left the ER. Two days later the same 2 were bouncing on the same bed and Rainey bounced off again and caught the corner of the dresser on the top of his head. Like all head wounds it bled like crazy but once we got it cleaned off it was only a small puncture. It should have had a stitch but Chrissy was not about to pay another $800 for something this minor. On Wednesday Eliza was outside with her 9 month old sister Michael and playing on the new swing I had installed on the tree in the front yard. Eliza lost her grip and fell over backward and took Mikey with her. Eliza suffered a pretty good goose egg and a health dose of feeling guilty. Mikey bumped her chin and bit her tongue. Again tongues bleed like crazy and usually look worse than they are. On closer inspection it was pretty bad. A second trip to the ER ensued. 13 stitches (the tongue was bitten through and only held in place by a couple of pieces on each side), the $565 administration fee and a whopping $1,300 medical fee. Because they had to put Mikey under they needed an anestithist, a respiratory tech, a nurse, and the doc. Next holiday, Chrissy says it would be cheaper to fly us down and rent us a car.
On Friday we drove to Great Falls to spend the day with Dian. She flew up on Thursday and spent the day with one of her friends. We shopped until I dropped, ate, lazed in the hotels hot tub, and talked. On Saturday Chrissy and the kids joined us. More shopping, eating, lazing, and now the happy noise of 4 kids. On Sunday after breakfast, Chrissy, Di, and the kids headed out on the long drive to Oklahoma and we headed home to a now way too quiet and empty house.
This Monday, I got asked if I would be the campaign manager for a friend who is running for council this fall. It has been several years since I have been involved in politics. But ever being the political animal I said yes. This should be fun.
That takes us up to date.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
An Intersting Spring
Since the end of April, life has been anything but boring.
May 15th my mother passed away after a brief but losing battle with an infection. She was 89 and I think she was ready to go "home". She had been basically house bound for the last 3 years and was alone in her house except for her orange cat Boxer Longtail. Dad has been gone for 11 years now and my brother Dave had been gone 7. I do miss them all.
On the 20th, Chrissy, Jacob, and their 4 arrived for the funeral on the 22nd. On the 23rd, I took Jacob to Great Falls to catch a plane home for work. He had to report back on Tuesday. Chrissy and the kids stayed. They are leaving this week end for OK. Dian is flying into Great Falls on Thursday. She has a friend coming to see her. On Friday, Sharon and I are driving down to spend Friday with her and Saturday Chrissy is joining us. Sunday she, Dian, the kids are heading for OK. Chrissy asked for help and company with the trip home. 2 or 3 days on the road with 4 kids under the age of 9, I don't blame her.
I have spent what time I could in the wood shop. The rain has put a damper on that. I like to do as much as I can outside. I have room to move the bigger rough stuff around and the shaving and dust are easier to clean up. The wind does that. Other wise I am sweeping and vacuuming daily and until I can get the old tables and shelving down the shop is crowded.
So far I have completed a cradle in cherry (Looks great but I find cherry a little difficult to work with.), made another digger (Both this and the cradle were custom orders), got most of the wood planed to thickness for the book shelves Sharon wants, laid out the plans for a quilt rack (on spec), laid out the plans for a "mail/key self" (custom order), And started to design a pedestal for a projector (custom order).
The last 5 weeks with the grandkids were interesting. There were times that I could have killed them. Well at least beat them within an inch of their young lives, but with a smile, a hug, and "I am sorwy." and all is forgiven and forgotten. It has been a real trial, especially when all 6 cousins have descended on Granma's and Papa's house, but when they are gone, I know I will miss them terribly. I really do enjoy the noise and commotion. It is usually happy noise even if it would drown out a jet at full take off power. I checked my blood pressure the other day and it was well with the norms and my heart beat was only 52. I had run out of my BP medicine a couple of days before and had just picked up the refill when I did this. I guess kids are good for your health.
Well that just about covers it. Until next posting.
May 15th my mother passed away after a brief but losing battle with an infection. She was 89 and I think she was ready to go "home". She had been basically house bound for the last 3 years and was alone in her house except for her orange cat Boxer Longtail. Dad has been gone for 11 years now and my brother Dave had been gone 7. I do miss them all.
On the 20th, Chrissy, Jacob, and their 4 arrived for the funeral on the 22nd. On the 23rd, I took Jacob to Great Falls to catch a plane home for work. He had to report back on Tuesday. Chrissy and the kids stayed. They are leaving this week end for OK. Dian is flying into Great Falls on Thursday. She has a friend coming to see her. On Friday, Sharon and I are driving down to spend Friday with her and Saturday Chrissy is joining us. Sunday she, Dian, the kids are heading for OK. Chrissy asked for help and company with the trip home. 2 or 3 days on the road with 4 kids under the age of 9, I don't blame her.
I have spent what time I could in the wood shop. The rain has put a damper on that. I like to do as much as I can outside. I have room to move the bigger rough stuff around and the shaving and dust are easier to clean up. The wind does that. Other wise I am sweeping and vacuuming daily and until I can get the old tables and shelving down the shop is crowded.
So far I have completed a cradle in cherry (Looks great but I find cherry a little difficult to work with.), made another digger (Both this and the cradle were custom orders), got most of the wood planed to thickness for the book shelves Sharon wants, laid out the plans for a quilt rack (on spec), laid out the plans for a "mail/key self" (custom order), And started to design a pedestal for a projector (custom order).
The last 5 weeks with the grandkids were interesting. There were times that I could have killed them. Well at least beat them within an inch of their young lives, but with a smile, a hug, and "I am sorwy." and all is forgiven and forgotten. It has been a real trial, especially when all 6 cousins have descended on Granma's and Papa's house, but when they are gone, I know I will miss them terribly. I really do enjoy the noise and commotion. It is usually happy noise even if it would drown out a jet at full take off power. I checked my blood pressure the other day and it was well with the norms and my heart beat was only 52. I had run out of my BP medicine a couple of days before and had just picked up the refill when I did this. I guess kids are good for your health.
Well that just about covers it. Until next posting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
