We are back in Corpus Christi, vacationing with both my folks and my in-laws. This summer I did not want to bend over backwards getting our RV in road worthy shape. We decided we would come as often as our folks come, but stay in a hotel. Although I was willing to stay in Springhill Suites without trying others, their greed ruined that idea. We had gone on Expedia and found their rooms for $150 a night. A chunk of change but the room felt new and overall worth it. We get ready to reserve for this week and their best price through Expedia was $220-$250. Same rooms, nothing of note going on in said town. That is just some greedy shit behavior. Now we won't be able to stay there the rest of this year, that is how I punish bad sales activities. One time the McDonald's in New Braunfels refused to give Boy an extra sweet and sour for his nuggets saying blah blah blah. I give a shit, he was sharing with a friend, so we left and I did not buy McDonald's for over two years. I know you're rolling your eyes, but we have plenty of choices, this is AMERICA.
Anyways, we are now laying in a Candlewood Suites and it is about the same thing as the other place. We actually have a fuller kitchen, full size fridge/freezer, big sink, even a dual stove top, if we wanted to do some light cooking. We figure we'll just go with the cheapest hotel in our given pricepoint. We're a number to the hotel industry, no sense having "loyalty" to them. This is part of our change, we have had an RV since 1999, and summer vacationing was going to the RV, wherever we decided to park it. Because I don't have a truck, we are not using it. The hotels have been interesting, I do like having my own property to come to, but so far, the hotels have been clean and quiet enough.
Tomorrow, we'll see how my folks react to a little change. Instead of heading to our normal beach by Bob Hall Pier, we talked to my in-laws who found their RV park in Rockport, about 30 miles away. They went to a beach you pay to get into, but by their account, it is very clean and the water itself was also calm and cleaner than what we saw two weeks ago at Bob Hall Pier when we went. We are testing, maybe we will all head to Rockport next year, in-laws say they are paying $280 a month, while my parents are at almost $400 a month. We used to stay at Pioneer RV Resort when we started in 1999, but they are up to $800 a month. If you want to save a buck, you must be willing to accept change.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
7/31/15 Safe From The Pool Police?
Today we finally got a "we're ok" from the city. It started about a month ago. Maybe longer. We got a notice from the city while we were in Florida that something had to be done about our pool as it was green and probably a hot bed for mosquitos. I probably ignored first letter because we had been so busy with selling other house and going on our vacation. After we came back, there was a more stern letter, and it scared me, saying how they could fine us $2000 a day and even start the process to take property from us, wth!
I fired up the pump, half expecting needing to buy a new one, but it worked just fine. This pump and sand filter combos totally rock. Within a few days the pool itself was clear of debris other than algae still making water light green. A guy from the city had stopped by which I wrote about a week and a half ago. He was pretty nice, just said start on it, see where you are next time I come. By the time I called him this past Monday, he managed to get himself promoted, so he left a message to talk to the next person, I did, she was supposed to come by end of the week, but I believe she too might have been promoted.
Today, we got a high energy guy, good thing pool was about perfect. He was on our property about five minutes. Looked at pool, said looks good to me, took a picture, and left. I pumped bags and bags of shock, gallons of algaecide, and some other chemicals to kill pool "nasties". Surprisingly, I think a bottle at HEB that claimed to kill multiple kinds of algae did the job. Greenish color was just hanging around, but every time I poured this stuff in, wherever it hit, water immediately turned cloudy white.
All that was left to do today was jump in and scrape away the "ring around the toilet" look. I got a brush and jumped in scraping all around the water line, the steps and anywhere residual "green" was still visible. It seems silly now that I kept ignoring it and letting it become an issue in the first place.
The only thing to do now is enjoy it for a couple months before it cools off. Good thing summer just lingers here in Texas, We could be swimming halfway into November, if the stars line up correctly.
I fired up the pump, half expecting needing to buy a new one, but it worked just fine. This pump and sand filter combos totally rock. Within a few days the pool itself was clear of debris other than algae still making water light green. A guy from the city had stopped by which I wrote about a week and a half ago. He was pretty nice, just said start on it, see where you are next time I come. By the time I called him this past Monday, he managed to get himself promoted, so he left a message to talk to the next person, I did, she was supposed to come by end of the week, but I believe she too might have been promoted.
Today, we got a high energy guy, good thing pool was about perfect. He was on our property about five minutes. Looked at pool, said looks good to me, took a picture, and left. I pumped bags and bags of shock, gallons of algaecide, and some other chemicals to kill pool "nasties". Surprisingly, I think a bottle at HEB that claimed to kill multiple kinds of algae did the job. Greenish color was just hanging around, but every time I poured this stuff in, wherever it hit, water immediately turned cloudy white.
All that was left to do today was jump in and scrape away the "ring around the toilet" look. I got a brush and jumped in scraping all around the water line, the steps and anywhere residual "green" was still visible. It seems silly now that I kept ignoring it and letting it become an issue in the first place.
The only thing to do now is enjoy it for a couple months before it cools off. Good thing summer just lingers here in Texas, We could be swimming halfway into November, if the stars line up correctly.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
7/30/15 Winners Are Persistent?
I am not feeling this way right now, but this is in reference to Wife, who is putting in a hell of a strong performance for something that maybe shouldn't be. At the end of the year, she was told she would be driving a school bus for a program. This of course terrified her, who admittedly pisses me off as she won't even take the high overpasses and instead will go down on the surface and battle with three or four intersections with lights because she is scared to be driving so high.
We went around and around with yes or no. But they finally offered some money to make the effort somewhat worthwhile. So here we are, we both thought it would be a week or two of training behind the wheel and then the test with a DPS trooper. NOPE!!!! She had to get a permit, that took a week, now she is actually working on the test which is broken into six sections. If she fails any one section three times, she has to start the tests over. After this is done, then she can start driving with someone, whereby she needs to collect 20 hours.
Will she give up? No. Winners do the shit work, maybe they complain, maybe there is even a crying session or two, but eventually from the ashes Wifey will rise and shine like a mighty fucking Phoenix, reborn with the skills to drive 40 feet of mass and steel, all the while understanding the mechanics of air brake systems ANDDDD the intricacies of whatever program to get those beautiful minds of those children to higher education. And I guarantee you those children are in better hands with her than whatever professional before because she cares. This is a feature that cannot often be measured and thus gets overseen by the overlords who spend 8-5 in comfortable offices in ivory towers, but I know she cares.
We run into students all the time, actually smile and go out of their way to say hi. Kids that honestly would have fallen by the wayside. Wife believes in these kids and they fight harder than even our own, mostly because they have to. But they succeed and they turn into productive members of society. I say Hip Hip Hazzah!! or Hip Hip Hooray (if you prefer), for there is nothing I hate more than waste of a human life.
We went around and around with yes or no. But they finally offered some money to make the effort somewhat worthwhile. So here we are, we both thought it would be a week or two of training behind the wheel and then the test with a DPS trooper. NOPE!!!! She had to get a permit, that took a week, now she is actually working on the test which is broken into six sections. If she fails any one section three times, she has to start the tests over. After this is done, then she can start driving with someone, whereby she needs to collect 20 hours.
Will she give up? No. Winners do the shit work, maybe they complain, maybe there is even a crying session or two, but eventually from the ashes Wifey will rise and shine like a mighty fucking Phoenix, reborn with the skills to drive 40 feet of mass and steel, all the while understanding the mechanics of air brake systems ANDDDD the intricacies of whatever program to get those beautiful minds of those children to higher education. And I guarantee you those children are in better hands with her than whatever professional before because she cares. This is a feature that cannot often be measured and thus gets overseen by the overlords who spend 8-5 in comfortable offices in ivory towers, but I know she cares.
We run into students all the time, actually smile and go out of their way to say hi. Kids that honestly would have fallen by the wayside. Wife believes in these kids and they fight harder than even our own, mostly because they have to. But they succeed and they turn into productive members of society. I say Hip Hip Hazzah!! or Hip Hip Hooray (if you prefer), for there is nothing I hate more than waste of a human life.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
7/29/15 Charles Bukowski? (Book)
I finally read one his collections. This one was titled Notes From A Dirty Old Man. I loved the title but it wasn't really dirty, unless you add in a man living on the streets moving from town to town. It did not have hardly any "dirty" material as I was expecting. I guess the tone would have been different, as the collections run from the 30s into the 1960's.
Most of the stories have Bukowski involved, either loved or hated in the storyline, and mostly always drinking some cheap alcohol from a paper sack. He has hookers and deviant women come in and out of his life, but they always seem temporary. His writing style does leave open a measure of humor, for example when he has an escapade with a 300lb. woman. He goes into great deal how the waves of ecstacy coming off her legs keep pushing him away but like a man at war with a beast he keeps getting back on. Eventually, success, she orgasms which no other mere mortals have been able to do, but at the cost of breaking all four legs on his bed.
Each story is independent and thus makes for the entire book to be a quick read. There are no deep thoughts, just a drunk, usually in the ghetto, trying to get through life by doing the absolute minimum and still managing to screw it up. He has a gal supporting him at one point, and although he is trying to screw the hot professional stripper that lives next door, he actually screws the portly lady that lives behind him. His gal finds out and thus kicks him out.
In another story, he lands in a new town and a man offers him a job paying him $13 a night to watch the register in a taxicab company. I assume this was enough to live off of. But a little time goes by and slowly and surely he starts attracting the neighborhood whores that work in the brothels nearby. He likes surrounding himself and the imagery of them dancing and partying with him, the best one sitting on his lap every night. Until the boss finds out, then he gets fired.
He seems to be an original and among his better quotes, I liked:
Most of the stories have Bukowski involved, either loved or hated in the storyline, and mostly always drinking some cheap alcohol from a paper sack. He has hookers and deviant women come in and out of his life, but they always seem temporary. His writing style does leave open a measure of humor, for example when he has an escapade with a 300lb. woman. He goes into great deal how the waves of ecstacy coming off her legs keep pushing him away but like a man at war with a beast he keeps getting back on. Eventually, success, she orgasms which no other mere mortals have been able to do, but at the cost of breaking all four legs on his bed.
Each story is independent and thus makes for the entire book to be a quick read. There are no deep thoughts, just a drunk, usually in the ghetto, trying to get through life by doing the absolute minimum and still managing to screw it up. He has a gal supporting him at one point, and although he is trying to screw the hot professional stripper that lives next door, he actually screws the portly lady that lives behind him. His gal finds out and thus kicks him out.
In another story, he lands in a new town and a man offers him a job paying him $13 a night to watch the register in a taxicab company. I assume this was enough to live off of. But a little time goes by and slowly and surely he starts attracting the neighborhood whores that work in the brothels nearby. He likes surrounding himself and the imagery of them dancing and partying with him, the best one sitting on his lap every night. Until the boss finds out, then he gets fired.
He seems to be an original and among his better quotes, I liked:
"Find what you Love, and let it kill you."
"The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts,
while the stupid ones are full of confidence."
"What matters most is how well you walk through the fire."
Monday, July 27, 2015
7/28/15 Out Of Context?
She was a single mother, found herself needing him more than ever. He was young and with his tool in his hand, he appeared as a god glistening in the morning sun coming through the window. He was going to take control and fix her needs, leave her satiated and content, at least for a while. Be gentle she muttered under her breath, looking away. Yes ma'am, these old toilets need a delicate touch or you end up with poo everywhere.
With his tip in his hand, clumsy at first he started in and out, in and out. Long ago he was declared el Maestro by all the young maidens of his village. But the years had passed, and his eyesight was not what it was. Pretty soon he had his flow down, "come here Mija, let me see." He tore into it, nobody was better at working a backside than el Maestro, even before he was finished, the girl was beaming, she knew she had found a real pro. You really know how to work a needle and thread, thank you Maestro for fixing my dress.
They were both sweaty and lusting for it. Come here, he said, he pulled her onto the blanket and told her to close her eyes. Do you trust me? Open your mouth, then he gently took his meat and touched it to her lips so she could pace how much she would take in. She found what she had engulfed was much bigger than she could ever swallow, he pulled it back. "I know you're hungry and we haven't eaten all day, but squirrel is gamey, you have to bite it in small pieces." She looked at him, thinking jerk, "who forgets the ice chest with the meat?"
He had promised to do it for a long time, now here he was. It was dark and clammy and the smell of fish was almost unbearable. But he was a man of his word. I'll just start rubbing it with a finger, see if that does anything. Sure enough rubbing seemed to do the trick until his wife came in and yelled disgusted at him "what are you doing?" Use gloves and a sponge to clean the aquarium, and maybe turn on a light. Why you working in the dark, Weirdo? Ugh, I'm a guy, "if I do it badly enough, I won't have to do it again... he muttered to no one in particular.
With his tip in his hand, clumsy at first he started in and out, in and out. Long ago he was declared el Maestro by all the young maidens of his village. But the years had passed, and his eyesight was not what it was. Pretty soon he had his flow down, "come here Mija, let me see." He tore into it, nobody was better at working a backside than el Maestro, even before he was finished, the girl was beaming, she knew she had found a real pro. You really know how to work a needle and thread, thank you Maestro for fixing my dress.
They were both sweaty and lusting for it. Come here, he said, he pulled her onto the blanket and told her to close her eyes. Do you trust me? Open your mouth, then he gently took his meat and touched it to her lips so she could pace how much she would take in. She found what she had engulfed was much bigger than she could ever swallow, he pulled it back. "I know you're hungry and we haven't eaten all day, but squirrel is gamey, you have to bite it in small pieces." She looked at him, thinking jerk, "who forgets the ice chest with the meat?"
He had promised to do it for a long time, now here he was. It was dark and clammy and the smell of fish was almost unbearable. But he was a man of his word. I'll just start rubbing it with a finger, see if that does anything. Sure enough rubbing seemed to do the trick until his wife came in and yelled disgusted at him "what are you doing?" Use gloves and a sponge to clean the aquarium, and maybe turn on a light. Why you working in the dark, Weirdo? Ugh, I'm a guy, "if I do it badly enough, I won't have to do it again... he muttered to no one in particular.
7/27/15 Do We Change For Ourselves Or For Others?
I was having a thought with Wife after listening to a song about change this afternoon while headed to the mall. My thought is that I have not changed much in the last twenty years. I became this person slowly but I haven't veered much with shenanigans of finding a God or becoming a vegan so everything american is suddenly a sin. My thought has been that I was not faking my way, I 've always said this is me. I see friends who indulged with me that they too were atheist, but now I can see them running to church every sunday, like it is going to get you a better seat in an afterlife that I don't believe exists.
These are people that went to college with me, that I actually thought were of deep thought. They at least used to agree with what I said. I don't worry, I know now that there are many more people not believing. Boy claims to fall in line with me, but I tell him it doesn't count because he has never even bothered reading the bible. You must first immerse yourself in its substance before you decide it is not for you.
I am not even attacking religion, when done right it is a beautiful thing. All the pomp and circumstance associated with it can almost be magical. The money alone that they can ferret out of the poor masses to build opulant temples is something special.
Wife says it has to do with finding your partner. If the one you love is all religious, of course you will do the same. I never danced because she accepted how I was. For a little while, she said she was on my side, but maybe it's because she didn't like idea of getting up for church. Now that we are older, she would say she is "spiritual" if not full on "faithful".
Chubs currently has innocence and his mind is full of acceptance. He could go either way, I am not pushing one way or another, but a little common sense and some thinking, mixed in with living with me and Boy. We all want Santa and the tooth fairy to be real, but in the end, it is what we teach and keep alive that survives as fact.
These are people that went to college with me, that I actually thought were of deep thought. They at least used to agree with what I said. I don't worry, I know now that there are many more people not believing. Boy claims to fall in line with me, but I tell him it doesn't count because he has never even bothered reading the bible. You must first immerse yourself in its substance before you decide it is not for you.
I am not even attacking religion, when done right it is a beautiful thing. All the pomp and circumstance associated with it can almost be magical. The money alone that they can ferret out of the poor masses to build opulant temples is something special.
Wife says it has to do with finding your partner. If the one you love is all religious, of course you will do the same. I never danced because she accepted how I was. For a little while, she said she was on my side, but maybe it's because she didn't like idea of getting up for church. Now that we are older, she would say she is "spiritual" if not full on "faithful".
Chubs currently has innocence and his mind is full of acceptance. He could go either way, I am not pushing one way or another, but a little common sense and some thinking, mixed in with living with me and Boy. We all want Santa and the tooth fairy to be real, but in the end, it is what we teach and keep alive that survives as fact.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
7/26/15 Pixels? (movie)
We went to the movies last night at 11:20pm to see Pixels. It is the newest Adam Sandler movie and I think his best effort in years. The set-up was cliche as can be. They start out in the 80s and young Adam finds he is in tune with the video games, he can feel their patterns, enter some competition and although he is very good, he is bested by an arrogant, loud talking, self-centered, midget. Losing this tournament sends him in a downward spiral, on a side note, this tournament and the video games are being transmitted into space by NASA in some hope of communicating with another planet.
Fast forward twenty-thirty years and now Adam and his friends are fully grown. He has not reached his full potential as he installs TVs and other home electronics for a Best Buy copycat. The story picks up as he is installing crazy over the top video gaming equipment for a young boy who's father just left them. The mom then comes into the picture and of course, she is all sorts of good looking and some important big wig for the president. The president then turns out to be Adam's childhood best friend.
They have video of an attack on American soil. It turns out to look like a version of Galaga but it is too late to react to it. Another attack happens over India when America finally gets serious and starts fighting back. Luckily, they have been working on weapon technology to fight back. On the next attack, the aliens take the form of Centipede and it wrks on the big screen. The colors are vibrant and the pops with the light gun look cool.
The final match is in New York and the aliens impersonate Pac-Man. Adam and his buddies play the bad guy ghosts in color matched Mini Coopers.
I won't give the ending away, but there is a little heart to heart and mom saving her son. It was an overall fun movie, we got out at 1:15am, but it felt good on the length.
Fast forward twenty-thirty years and now Adam and his friends are fully grown. He has not reached his full potential as he installs TVs and other home electronics for a Best Buy copycat. The story picks up as he is installing crazy over the top video gaming equipment for a young boy who's father just left them. The mom then comes into the picture and of course, she is all sorts of good looking and some important big wig for the president. The president then turns out to be Adam's childhood best friend.
They have video of an attack on American soil. It turns out to look like a version of Galaga but it is too late to react to it. Another attack happens over India when America finally gets serious and starts fighting back. Luckily, they have been working on weapon technology to fight back. On the next attack, the aliens take the form of Centipede and it wrks on the big screen. The colors are vibrant and the pops with the light gun look cool.
The final match is in New York and the aliens impersonate Pac-Man. Adam and his buddies play the bad guy ghosts in color matched Mini Coopers.
I won't give the ending away, but there is a little heart to heart and mom saving her son. It was an overall fun movie, we got out at 1:15am, but it felt good on the length.
Friday, July 24, 2015
7/25/15 What Did You Do?
I've been called out. I will admit that I have been dragging ass. Barely doing the minimum work to be considered alive. Part of this goes to the tool having issues outside our control. It locks up, we have to reboot it a couple times a shift. Part of this falls on the random and weird jobs we have had to do. A lot of these newer samples require tremendous amounts of energy just to get to where to sample is. I get antsy, I like to come in, grab a sample and immediately start seeing results. Some of these samples require two-three days of work.
Last night's work looks easy enough but samples have to be super deep, which is where I then get asked "why didn't you get more done?" I am always honest. I said I was dragging ass, not in any particular hurry, but I would get them done tonight. Trouble is, I have been on top of these samples, they are just big and slow. I don't know that I can rush them and risk destroying them.
Ever since flipping over for vacation, I haven't felt right being at work. I get sleepy and occasionally find myself napping in a chair. I hate the feeling, but I also find it hard to do anything about it. I've been trying to get more sleep at home, but as I mentioned yesterday, I have plenty of pans in the oven. I can't just stop. Add the family all home during the day, they don't mean to but they do wake me occasionally. Wife wants to go eat lunch pretty much every day. I do enjoy doing this, but it also eats tremendous amounts of times. Even dinner is slowed down because I do my normal routine but then as I am leaving, the boys want conversations of "what are we doing tomorrow..." it doesn't change, "I am working", but they have to ask.
I'm not even upset about being asked "what did I do?" There was a time, a few years ago I would have taken the sentence personally. It would have ruined me for a few shifts, but I like to think I am more mature nowadays. I must rally like a champ and get back to my level of quality workmanship. I always say and believe that I am the tip of the spear, the reason this company is profitable. Well now would be a good time to get off my ass and produce.
Last night's work looks easy enough but samples have to be super deep, which is where I then get asked "why didn't you get more done?" I am always honest. I said I was dragging ass, not in any particular hurry, but I would get them done tonight. Trouble is, I have been on top of these samples, they are just big and slow. I don't know that I can rush them and risk destroying them.
Ever since flipping over for vacation, I haven't felt right being at work. I get sleepy and occasionally find myself napping in a chair. I hate the feeling, but I also find it hard to do anything about it. I've been trying to get more sleep at home, but as I mentioned yesterday, I have plenty of pans in the oven. I can't just stop. Add the family all home during the day, they don't mean to but they do wake me occasionally. Wife wants to go eat lunch pretty much every day. I do enjoy doing this, but it also eats tremendous amounts of times. Even dinner is slowed down because I do my normal routine but then as I am leaving, the boys want conversations of "what are we doing tomorrow..." it doesn't change, "I am working", but they have to ask.
I'm not even upset about being asked "what did I do?" There was a time, a few years ago I would have taken the sentence personally. It would have ruined me for a few shifts, but I like to think I am more mature nowadays. I must rally like a champ and get back to my level of quality workmanship. I always say and believe that I am the tip of the spear, the reason this company is profitable. Well now would be a good time to get off my ass and produce.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
7/24/15 Starting To Feel Like We Gonna Make It?
About two months ago we took a gut check and really studied ourselves and what we have been doing. We came within a weekend of moving out and "downsizing", buying into the hype being pumped through the televisions and anything that will catch our attention. Although we packed much of our house, I decided the risk of staying was worth more than having to accept we couldn't do it and for me, I refused to put that stamp of failure on my forehead.
A little over eight years ago I promised Wife we would be fine if we moved, and for the most part, we have been. We vacation every year, we overdo Christmas for our boys, and we always seem to have a little more hid when we need it. We had been holding unto our first house as an emergency, a place we could afford if only one of us was working. We finally sold it away, and now officially cut all ties with it. We made a little money, which of course will promptly be used to help us pay down credit cards. Put your greedy paws away, this ain't no house of gov't assistance, maybe if you shake your ass real nice for Daddy. Otherwise, shaaah.
The pool which we had gotten a notice from the city to take care of it is now looking much better. I started cycling the pump and adding tons of chlorine, algaecide, shock, and using various nets catching anything floating in the water. I hope it clears up this weekend, the city guy is coming back on Monday.
Another front to tackle was making the boys rooms look cooler. We bought the Spiderman blankets for Chubs, but then time has been hard to come by. I might be feeling good enough to move the rest of the furniture upstairs and set up his room. He wants to move to what was the guest room over the garage. I guess he's getting older, he doesn't have to be right by mom and dad. Once these chores are done and we finish unpacking all the boxes, I want to see about changing the floor to wood in some of the rooms downstairs.
A month ago this all seemed impossible, with Florida vacation still in the mix, now I am glad it has all almost worked itself out. Wife is even almost done with her new license, which she says has been very hard to study for. I look forward to a couple more weeks and hopefully just be planning some nice quiet BBQ evenings with friends and family. With a side of football, Go Horns Go!!!
A little over eight years ago I promised Wife we would be fine if we moved, and for the most part, we have been. We vacation every year, we overdo Christmas for our boys, and we always seem to have a little more hid when we need it. We had been holding unto our first house as an emergency, a place we could afford if only one of us was working. We finally sold it away, and now officially cut all ties with it. We made a little money, which of course will promptly be used to help us pay down credit cards. Put your greedy paws away, this ain't no house of gov't assistance, maybe if you shake your ass real nice for Daddy. Otherwise, shaaah.
The pool which we had gotten a notice from the city to take care of it is now looking much better. I started cycling the pump and adding tons of chlorine, algaecide, shock, and using various nets catching anything floating in the water. I hope it clears up this weekend, the city guy is coming back on Monday.
Another front to tackle was making the boys rooms look cooler. We bought the Spiderman blankets for Chubs, but then time has been hard to come by. I might be feeling good enough to move the rest of the furniture upstairs and set up his room. He wants to move to what was the guest room over the garage. I guess he's getting older, he doesn't have to be right by mom and dad. Once these chores are done and we finish unpacking all the boxes, I want to see about changing the floor to wood in some of the rooms downstairs.
A month ago this all seemed impossible, with Florida vacation still in the mix, now I am glad it has all almost worked itself out. Wife is even almost done with her new license, which she says has been very hard to study for. I look forward to a couple more weeks and hopefully just be planning some nice quiet BBQ evenings with friends and family. With a side of football, Go Horns Go!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
7/23/15 Beer Bombed By A Bum?
A couple days ago we went and ate at Whataburger, on the corner of Slaughter Lane and IH-35. It is pretty close to our house, so we go there about once a week. Chubs and I love their burgers. We were there kind of celebrating the sale of our rental house, although now there's some snags, I'll explain tomorrow or day after.
Anyway, halfway through our meal, a bum comes in. I flinch for a minute thinking it is one of Boy's old friends, he has the same stringy hair and diminutive frame. We hear Boy's friend is working in the area, it would not surprise us to see him. We have, when he was working at Sam's. Once we determine it is not him, I get back to my story I was talking about something or other.
The bum gets into the table right behind me and starts unloading all his stuff. I understand it was hotter than Hades but to what end with these guys. I don't like people that refuse to work, everyone should carry their fair share in a big society like ours.
Anyways, he pulls something our of a green bag and pop, I'm wet, all of a sudden. It wasn't even like in the movies where I decide to fall on the grenade to save my troops, it was pop, you're backside is now all wet. Wife said, he dropped his soda, but within seconds I could smell alcohol. He half-assed apologized to me. What could I say? I just said "shit happens or something lame. Within seconds though, the manager came at him and yelled "you have to leave the premises, alcohol is not allowed on site. He reluctantly put all his crap back on himself and marched himself out.
Looking at the spray pattern, he would have covered our table, but I caught most of it on my back, but he got about four other tables. Luckily, it was mostly empty. A young employee quickly came out with the mop and bucket and he got on it, fast. He gave it a pass through, said he was going to dump water and bring fresh water and soap for a second round. He even brought me a roll of wipes, but by then it was dry and on my clothes. The manager was kind enough to come over and fret saying I don't know what to do, it's my first week as manager, but I will at least comp your meal. She had actually hustled when we ordered as there was a slow group of people and she jumped on second register so we could order so she was already cool with me.
It almost went unnoticed, but there was a second bum inside going from table to table, asking people for money. I truly hate that. Yes, we have money, that is part of the reason we can eat out of the home, but when I was at work, I wasn't thinking "with this money I shall feed my family and that random dude that doesn't work." I'm sorry, but move the fuck along.
Anyway, halfway through our meal, a bum comes in. I flinch for a minute thinking it is one of Boy's old friends, he has the same stringy hair and diminutive frame. We hear Boy's friend is working in the area, it would not surprise us to see him. We have, when he was working at Sam's. Once we determine it is not him, I get back to my story I was talking about something or other.
The bum gets into the table right behind me and starts unloading all his stuff. I understand it was hotter than Hades but to what end with these guys. I don't like people that refuse to work, everyone should carry their fair share in a big society like ours.
Anyways, he pulls something our of a green bag and pop, I'm wet, all of a sudden. It wasn't even like in the movies where I decide to fall on the grenade to save my troops, it was pop, you're backside is now all wet. Wife said, he dropped his soda, but within seconds I could smell alcohol. He half-assed apologized to me. What could I say? I just said "shit happens or something lame. Within seconds though, the manager came at him and yelled "you have to leave the premises, alcohol is not allowed on site. He reluctantly put all his crap back on himself and marched himself out.
Looking at the spray pattern, he would have covered our table, but I caught most of it on my back, but he got about four other tables. Luckily, it was mostly empty. A young employee quickly came out with the mop and bucket and he got on it, fast. He gave it a pass through, said he was going to dump water and bring fresh water and soap for a second round. He even brought me a roll of wipes, but by then it was dry and on my clothes. The manager was kind enough to come over and fret saying I don't know what to do, it's my first week as manager, but I will at least comp your meal. She had actually hustled when we ordered as there was a slow group of people and she jumped on second register so we could order so she was already cool with me.
It almost went unnoticed, but there was a second bum inside going from table to table, asking people for money. I truly hate that. Yes, we have money, that is part of the reason we can eat out of the home, but when I was at work, I wasn't thinking "with this money I shall feed my family and that random dude that doesn't work." I'm sorry, but move the fuck along.
7/22/15 My Quiet Brother's Birthday
I have two brothers, and a sister. Whereas one brother loves to hear himself talk and will wax poetic and expertly about any topic, the other brother can be quite reclusive and even basic information can be hard to get out of him. My younger brother by nine years has always been glad to give the spotlight to any of us if he can.
This is the brother that lived with me in our house for five-six years. It was an interactive week with him if we talked for more than an hour. Even though we both managed to work similar night shifts, his started at 10:30pm, where mine has always started around 6pm. This was the start of us never interacting very well. When he lived at our house here in Austin, he would stay up until two in the afternoon sometimes, whereas I always come home and go to bed as quickly as possible. This allows me time to get up, shower and get dressed to pick up Chubs around 3pm. He would be going to bed, many times at 3pm when I would be getting up. We never got the chance to hang out.
This brother has always been happiest with a good book in his hand and possibly should have lived in the times when you defended yourself with a good sword. He has always been a fan of sword play, whether with the Jedi's or the ancient Asian cultures.
He left back to Crystal about two years ago. Things were starting to get interesting in the oil fields, and having my sister's husband already working there, he managed to get my brother in. He went from 40 hours a week at $10/hr, to mid $20/hr and getting to 40 hours by Wednesday, but continuing on the OT almost non-stop. This almost got me going, but it wasn't that long after that the work slowed down to a trickle. It has been inversely proportional to the price of gas. As it came down, so too do all the efforts of excavating it.
Still, my brother is cool and goes with the flow. He maintains a cool demeanor when it comes to things outside of his control. He may end up back in the guard/officer type job soon, and considering his degree is in criminal justice, that would be a good fit. Happy Birthday my brother, hope you find what you seek out of life. You are always welcome to try the big city life.
This is the brother that lived with me in our house for five-six years. It was an interactive week with him if we talked for more than an hour. Even though we both managed to work similar night shifts, his started at 10:30pm, where mine has always started around 6pm. This was the start of us never interacting very well. When he lived at our house here in Austin, he would stay up until two in the afternoon sometimes, whereas I always come home and go to bed as quickly as possible. This allows me time to get up, shower and get dressed to pick up Chubs around 3pm. He would be going to bed, many times at 3pm when I would be getting up. We never got the chance to hang out.
This brother has always been happiest with a good book in his hand and possibly should have lived in the times when you defended yourself with a good sword. He has always been a fan of sword play, whether with the Jedi's or the ancient Asian cultures.
He left back to Crystal about two years ago. Things were starting to get interesting in the oil fields, and having my sister's husband already working there, he managed to get my brother in. He went from 40 hours a week at $10/hr, to mid $20/hr and getting to 40 hours by Wednesday, but continuing on the OT almost non-stop. This almost got me going, but it wasn't that long after that the work slowed down to a trickle. It has been inversely proportional to the price of gas. As it came down, so too do all the efforts of excavating it.
Still, my brother is cool and goes with the flow. He maintains a cool demeanor when it comes to things outside of his control. He may end up back in the guard/officer type job soon, and considering his degree is in criminal justice, that would be a good fit. Happy Birthday my brother, hope you find what you seek out of life. You are always welcome to try the big city life.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
7/21/15 Happy Birthday To My Fake Niece?
Today is the birthday of one of my favorite young peeps I know. It doesn't usually happen but through circumstance, our old friend's daughter counts me among her inner circle of friends. She's been hanging around since we were neighbors with her cousin and she was four or five.. Boy had a crush on her and Wife liked idea of carrying around a girl, so we'd take her anywhere we went if she was around. Her mom having had her when she was young, was probably glad to get her off her hands way back when. Tomorrow she turns twenty two, so we've known her most of her life.
I always kept my distance, I liked mama and the aunt with their giant hooters was why we stayed close, we grilled and boated and RV'd together, any good reason to get wet, and I would be suggesting it. Of course things always change, people get divorced and her mom actually moved out of state, so gradually we stopped hanging around with the big boob sisters. We still talk, but it's been years since we really hung out.
When she started going to Tx State, the Girlie (as I always address her) was riding the bus and everyone else was busy at work. It was suggested that I could pick her up after I picked up Chubs from school, so she wouldn't have to walk home. This is when I started actually talking to her more directly, figuring she was now eighteen, I was safe, in the eyes of the law. Half the time she would come to the house and half the time I would take her home. She even considers the guest room downstairs as her room, we've always told her she can stay with us anytime. For awhile her and her cousin did get in the habit of sleeping over, just because. It was nice. Boys you have to yell at just to brush their teeth. Girls come out of the room in bows or curls in their hair, they try to look good all the time.
This relationship has always creeped out my folks a bit, and I will play it up a bit, quite easy since in every other regard my role is to be King Perv. The truth is I like having her around, so I am not going to ruin it by being overly gross. I think of her almost as one of my kids, so I help her when I can. Happy Birthday Girlie!!
I always kept my distance, I liked mama and the aunt with their giant hooters was why we stayed close, we grilled and boated and RV'd together, any good reason to get wet, and I would be suggesting it. Of course things always change, people get divorced and her mom actually moved out of state, so gradually we stopped hanging around with the big boob sisters. We still talk, but it's been years since we really hung out.
When she started going to Tx State, the Girlie (as I always address her) was riding the bus and everyone else was busy at work. It was suggested that I could pick her up after I picked up Chubs from school, so she wouldn't have to walk home. This is when I started actually talking to her more directly, figuring she was now eighteen, I was safe, in the eyes of the law. Half the time she would come to the house and half the time I would take her home. She even considers the guest room downstairs as her room, we've always told her she can stay with us anytime. For awhile her and her cousin did get in the habit of sleeping over, just because. It was nice. Boys you have to yell at just to brush their teeth. Girls come out of the room in bows or curls in their hair, they try to look good all the time.
This relationship has always creeped out my folks a bit, and I will play it up a bit, quite easy since in every other regard my role is to be King Perv. The truth is I like having her around, so I am not going to ruin it by being overly gross. I think of her almost as one of my kids, so I help her when I can. Happy Birthday Girlie!!
Sunday, July 19, 2015
7/20/15 Hotels Got Better? (poem)
Hotels got a whole lot better I must say
even rooms dedicated to exercise and play.
We bought an RV in 1998 because Wife thought those beds were dirty
I wanted something big to tow, a man-child I had just turned thirty.
Two RV's have served us well, what can we say
friends and family at one time or another all did stay.
In sixteen years four families now have RV units
we have spread, and yes, I'm jealous of their newness.
This year I sold my truck, what a huge mistake for a quick buck
ever since I did it, I feel like a schmuck.
But like a phoenix I will again rise.
I'll get another F250, I won't care about the price.
So for this year we are visiting hotels and suites
as long as they're not super cheap and we get clean sheets.
As they say, you get what you pay for,
pay $50, see roaches, ticks, whores and more.
I think $150 is about the sweet spot
the bedroom's clean and the shower's hot.
Springhill Suites, we've tried them twice
free Wi-fi, free breakfast, new-ish and nice.
I like Suite in the name, for that I expect some space to sit down
the sofa's a sleeper, coffee a dripper, and fridge might even have a freezer, so no time to frown.
I have to wait and see how things settle after the sale of the rental
I promised Wife a new car first, now I must be gentle.
even rooms dedicated to exercise and play.
We bought an RV in 1998 because Wife thought those beds were dirty
I wanted something big to tow, a man-child I had just turned thirty.
Two RV's have served us well, what can we say
friends and family at one time or another all did stay.
In sixteen years four families now have RV units
we have spread, and yes, I'm jealous of their newness.
This year I sold my truck, what a huge mistake for a quick buck
ever since I did it, I feel like a schmuck.
But like a phoenix I will again rise.
I'll get another F250, I won't care about the price.
So for this year we are visiting hotels and suites
as long as they're not super cheap and we get clean sheets.
As they say, you get what you pay for,
pay $50, see roaches, ticks, whores and more.
I think $150 is about the sweet spot
the bedroom's clean and the shower's hot.
Springhill Suites, we've tried them twice
free Wi-fi, free breakfast, new-ish and nice.
I like Suite in the name, for that I expect some space to sit down
the sofa's a sleeper, coffee a dripper, and fridge might even have a freezer, so no time to frown.
I have to wait and see how things settle after the sale of the rental
I promised Wife a new car first, now I must be gentle.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
7/19/15 Perfect Day On The Coast?
Day started off perfect. Got up at 8:45am to eat the complimentary breakfast and to thaw out a bit. We should be smarter, but you gotta love a cold AC, even when it hurts. Breakfast was a mixed smorgasborg of eggs, bacon, toast, muffins, bagels, cereals, coffee, juice, waffles, fruit, danish, and oatmeal, along with yogurts. We had some of everything, now I'm in bed with a full gut, damn lack of self control. But it is only 10:00am, so we can nap for a couple hours before we are expected anywhere....
Woke up at 12:15 and now I wasn't sure if I was late with my family's schedule. I jumped in shower, Wife followed and we were out the door by 1:40pm or so. They were all at the mall. We almost headed there but Wife was worried about having chairs at the beach, so we went to Academy instead. Chubs also needed a new pair of Crocs, it is the only footwear we wear day to day. He complains like he's no one I know about trying on new things, but settles down as soon as he gets what he needs.
We headed to my mom's RV gave her the thumbs up for her decision to sell old RV. We then headed to Bob Hall Pier. Water wasa actually brown and muddy, but it was so nice being out there, we didn't make too much of a fuss. Brother in Law took his sun shade and it helped make afternoon just about perfect. We all sat underneath and just sat there joking about nothing in particular. The funniest moment of the afternoon was a seagull pooping pefectly on my dad's ear. He was confused for a moment but we all helped him get cleaned up.
The afternoon was closed off in the pool at my folks RV park. This is the perfect time of year to get in the pool and just relax, we were probably in there half an hour, we needed to move along in order to get dinner.
We ran to our hotel to change clothes, and ate dinner at Outback Steakhouse. The meals were great and everyone was happy with a steak in the gut. We hugged our folks goodnight and walked back to our hotel, which was/is only about 100 yards, the length of a Cracker Barrel, an Ethan Allen, and an abandoned building. Overall, it was a pretty good day.
Woke up at 12:15 and now I wasn't sure if I was late with my family's schedule. I jumped in shower, Wife followed and we were out the door by 1:40pm or so. They were all at the mall. We almost headed there but Wife was worried about having chairs at the beach, so we went to Academy instead. Chubs also needed a new pair of Crocs, it is the only footwear we wear day to day. He complains like he's no one I know about trying on new things, but settles down as soon as he gets what he needs.
We headed to my mom's RV gave her the thumbs up for her decision to sell old RV. We then headed to Bob Hall Pier. Water wasa actually brown and muddy, but it was so nice being out there, we didn't make too much of a fuss. Brother in Law took his sun shade and it helped make afternoon just about perfect. We all sat underneath and just sat there joking about nothing in particular. The funniest moment of the afternoon was a seagull pooping pefectly on my dad's ear. He was confused for a moment but we all helped him get cleaned up.
The afternoon was closed off in the pool at my folks RV park. This is the perfect time of year to get in the pool and just relax, we were probably in there half an hour, we needed to move along in order to get dinner.
We ran to our hotel to change clothes, and ate dinner at Outback Steakhouse. The meals were great and everyone was happy with a steak in the gut. We hugged our folks goodnight and walked back to our hotel, which was/is only about 100 yards, the length of a Cracker Barrel, an Ethan Allen, and an abandoned building. Overall, it was a pretty good day.
Friday, July 17, 2015
7/18/15 Mini Vacay To The Coast?
It is now past the halfway point of summer and we finally came to Corpus Christi for a weekend of fun. My folks are here and they brought my sister and her husband and kids. They are staying in their RV where we always stay. Due to a busy schedule, selling my truck, and a new law that requires RVs pass inspection, I am not bringing my RV this summer. It bothers me not having my home away from home on the coast, but there was just too much going on to make it happen.
Coming back from Florida, we randomly chose a SpringHill Suites in Louisiana, and it vibed perfectly with me. Wife liked it because they offered free breakfast, I liked the newness, the beds are solid and the air conditioning almost hurts, it gets so cold. Throw in an indoor pool, free wifi, and a wall separating the bed from the sofa, and it is terrific for a weekend with Chubs.
My folks arrived last night and they spent the day doing the touristy thing, we arrived today and upon checking in, I was way too happy to nap in the chilly room, as it felt like 100 degrees outside on the road. We were supposed to join our folks and swim in their pool, but we ended up sleeping for two hours. This was then followed by dinner. Mom called right as we got in the car, and they had decided on Red Lobster, on the strength of their cheesy biscuits. I honestly do not like their food. I ordered the Admiral's Feast and halfway through the meal decided it was way too greasy, as everything is fried.
Tomorrow we are getting together around 1:30 to go to the beach. This sounds good, as it leaves a good long morning to sleep in, possibly sneaking down for breakfast, then rush back up and get back in bed. I am curious about the beach, some years the water is clear and beautiful, with a greenish hue, and sometimes it is just muddy brown or even sickly and red looking when the red tide is flourishing. As long as there are some bikini babes to check out, it's all good. My brother in law already said he didn't want to be there all day, so I expect we'll be at the mall by late afternoon. Considering Chubs' foot has grown two inches per them, I need to buy him some new shoes. Amazing what happens in the one week he goes to visit grandma (his foot stretching two inches).
Coming back from Florida, we randomly chose a SpringHill Suites in Louisiana, and it vibed perfectly with me. Wife liked it because they offered free breakfast, I liked the newness, the beds are solid and the air conditioning almost hurts, it gets so cold. Throw in an indoor pool, free wifi, and a wall separating the bed from the sofa, and it is terrific for a weekend with Chubs.
My folks arrived last night and they spent the day doing the touristy thing, we arrived today and upon checking in, I was way too happy to nap in the chilly room, as it felt like 100 degrees outside on the road. We were supposed to join our folks and swim in their pool, but we ended up sleeping for two hours. This was then followed by dinner. Mom called right as we got in the car, and they had decided on Red Lobster, on the strength of their cheesy biscuits. I honestly do not like their food. I ordered the Admiral's Feast and halfway through the meal decided it was way too greasy, as everything is fried.
Tomorrow we are getting together around 1:30 to go to the beach. This sounds good, as it leaves a good long morning to sleep in, possibly sneaking down for breakfast, then rush back up and get back in bed. I am curious about the beach, some years the water is clear and beautiful, with a greenish hue, and sometimes it is just muddy brown or even sickly and red looking when the red tide is flourishing. As long as there are some bikini babes to check out, it's all good. My brother in law already said he didn't want to be there all day, so I expect we'll be at the mall by late afternoon. Considering Chubs' foot has grown two inches per them, I need to buy him some new shoes. Amazing what happens in the one week he goes to visit grandma (his foot stretching two inches).
Thursday, July 16, 2015
7/17/15 Don't Break My Kneecaps?
A man from the city came to the house today. He was from whatever department fines shitty homeowners who can't keep a pool clean. Of course he showed up in the middle of my sleep, because that is when America gets their stuff done. He was really a nice and calm man. At the door, he wanted to know if I had gotten the problem resolved. I told him that the letter said if anything, keep the pool covered. I told him best I had done was get a cover and it had been covered. He said he needed to take a picture or two for his scrapbook, or as proof that I was/wasn't doing as I am supposed to.
He explained that the hot tub also needs to be covered, I told him I meant to get the hot tub cleaned, but I had a little cough and my wife did not want me exerting myself. He was actually a very pleasant man, he made no threats or spoke down to me, he just said he would give me another week and then he said I'll make it two weeks. As he was leaving, he even said if I had started making progress and needed a little more time to call him before the two weeks and he would understand. I am assuming that because I didn't sign anything, at this point we don't have to worry about the fines that were on the letter. The letter was straight out of a nightmare, they have the right to hire an outside company to come and drain the pool at my cost, I could be fined up to $1000, they could take action through HOA and possibly take the property from me. Over a dirty pool.
I set my alarm for 1:30pm and got up and straight to work. I know draining the hot tub with a bucket takes about an hour. I told Wife, let me do this and then we can go eat. I took care of hot tub, scrubbed the walls and started filling it back up. Before I came to work, it still needed a bit more water, but it looked good enough to swim in. I told Wife to take off cover, and have either Boy or herself clean the pool of larger leaves/debris with the water raker, and if I get a chance I will fire up the pump. Honestly, we are headed to Corpus tomorrow, so it will have to wait until Monday, but I figure once I start running the pump for a few days, the water will clear up in a week to a week and a half. We will be cutting it close with Mr. City guy, but I think this plan will work. It will come at a good point, as I want to start grilling again in backyard.
He explained that the hot tub also needs to be covered, I told him I meant to get the hot tub cleaned, but I had a little cough and my wife did not want me exerting myself. He was actually a very pleasant man, he made no threats or spoke down to me, he just said he would give me another week and then he said I'll make it two weeks. As he was leaving, he even said if I had started making progress and needed a little more time to call him before the two weeks and he would understand. I am assuming that because I didn't sign anything, at this point we don't have to worry about the fines that were on the letter. The letter was straight out of a nightmare, they have the right to hire an outside company to come and drain the pool at my cost, I could be fined up to $1000, they could take action through HOA and possibly take the property from me. Over a dirty pool.
I set my alarm for 1:30pm and got up and straight to work. I know draining the hot tub with a bucket takes about an hour. I told Wife, let me do this and then we can go eat. I took care of hot tub, scrubbed the walls and started filling it back up. Before I came to work, it still needed a bit more water, but it looked good enough to swim in. I told Wife to take off cover, and have either Boy or herself clean the pool of larger leaves/debris with the water raker, and if I get a chance I will fire up the pump. Honestly, we are headed to Corpus tomorrow, so it will have to wait until Monday, but I figure once I start running the pump for a few days, the water will clear up in a week to a week and a half. We will be cutting it close with Mr. City guy, but I think this plan will work. It will come at a good point, as I want to start grilling again in backyard.
7/16/15 So It Comes To This (story)
"Goddam it!" I knew it was a bad idea, "fucking light weights thinking they know everything." The body laid in the bedroom, draining onto the carpet. "Just when I think I'm catching a break, this twit snaps in two." I wasn't sure what I was going to do, call the cops, I guess. That would unleash a shit storm, everyone with their I told you so, like they know shit from chocolate, living their boring little lives like monogamy was the best way to carry through life.
It is a pathway, maybe the easiest, but I never believed it, even those close to me. I assumed the men just kept quiet, and it is almost always the men who must conquest. The women flock with their simple sisters who always manage to be close, they entertain themselves, but men, no. Men even those old fucks with their pot bellies and aging hairlines must conquer. Maybe the women you chase as you get older gets lower quality, but who gives a shit, as my dad had always told me "pussy is pussy".
Let me digress a bit. Wife had gotten a job closer to San Antonio than to Austin. Both boys were out of the house, doing their thing. Wife had finally almost managed to catch me, taking her nearly into her late fifties before she landed in the right place to make a six figure salary, but so far from home, she ended up staying at her folks home half the time. I kept myself busy, I worked nights, usually ate late lunch with one of my boys and if I was lucky, still managed to get one of them many Girlies to join me for dinner, they weren't too fond of their shitty lives, so it was easy.
Of course they would always want to bring a friend, I didn't mind paying for an extra dinner, but y'all know me, ain't nothing for free. Now I have never forced anyone to sin or break their holy matrimony, but what's a little massage between friends, after all? This has always been a kink for me. What other thing can you do with your friends that requires almost a full strip down and then to lay with some jazz and candlelight, without a worry in the world? Everyone in my world loves a massage, otherwise, notice you aren't in my world anymore. Life works that way.
to be continued...
It is a pathway, maybe the easiest, but I never believed it, even those close to me. I assumed the men just kept quiet, and it is almost always the men who must conquest. The women flock with their simple sisters who always manage to be close, they entertain themselves, but men, no. Men even those old fucks with their pot bellies and aging hairlines must conquer. Maybe the women you chase as you get older gets lower quality, but who gives a shit, as my dad had always told me "pussy is pussy".
Let me digress a bit. Wife had gotten a job closer to San Antonio than to Austin. Both boys were out of the house, doing their thing. Wife had finally almost managed to catch me, taking her nearly into her late fifties before she landed in the right place to make a six figure salary, but so far from home, she ended up staying at her folks home half the time. I kept myself busy, I worked nights, usually ate late lunch with one of my boys and if I was lucky, still managed to get one of them many Girlies to join me for dinner, they weren't too fond of their shitty lives, so it was easy.
Of course they would always want to bring a friend, I didn't mind paying for an extra dinner, but y'all know me, ain't nothing for free. Now I have never forced anyone to sin or break their holy matrimony, but what's a little massage between friends, after all? This has always been a kink for me. What other thing can you do with your friends that requires almost a full strip down and then to lay with some jazz and candlelight, without a worry in the world? Everyone in my world loves a massage, otherwise, notice you aren't in my world anymore. Life works that way.
to be continued...
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
7/15/15 Midget Maid Blues? (Poem)
We found a short girl, we'll make her our maid
she's gonna help keep our house clean as long as she gets paid.
She's kind of itty bitty, so a ladder she must carry
when she climbs above she resembles a fairy
We've known her since she was 8 or 9, she seemed to be taller
but now in her 20's, I must say she looks smaller.
so far so good I say for the counters, sinks, toilets and floors
The worry is climbing up higher, the mirrors, blinds, even the tops of our doors.
Can a 4'9"shorty handle a nine foot ceiling?
Or should I just accept that the top of my house will be unappealing?
She is helping, my Wife has stopped bothering me about lame stupid crap
we write it on a list of things to do and I go and take a nap.
Currently, she comes over once a week
If she shows us she can cook, her schedule we can tweak.
For now, she gets all the nasty chores
such as toilet duty, on all fours.
She has asked for tools, such as caulk and a caulk removal tool
That's what I'm talking about, soon she'll be messing with the pool.
I don't think a "maid" does work outside the house,
Wife would say "that's all you, Spouse".
Dammit, cause I hate to be out in the sun,
Isn't that why I procreated? send out the SON!
Ehh, he's a half-ass at cutting grass,
I do have another, Chubs, time to get off your ass!
she's gonna help keep our house clean as long as she gets paid.
She's kind of itty bitty, so a ladder she must carry
when she climbs above she resembles a fairy
We've known her since she was 8 or 9, she seemed to be taller
but now in her 20's, I must say she looks smaller.
so far so good I say for the counters, sinks, toilets and floors
The worry is climbing up higher, the mirrors, blinds, even the tops of our doors.
Can a 4'9"shorty handle a nine foot ceiling?
Or should I just accept that the top of my house will be unappealing?
She is helping, my Wife has stopped bothering me about lame stupid crap
we write it on a list of things to do and I go and take a nap.
Currently, she comes over once a week
If she shows us she can cook, her schedule we can tweak.
For now, she gets all the nasty chores
such as toilet duty, on all fours.
She has asked for tools, such as caulk and a caulk removal tool
That's what I'm talking about, soon she'll be messing with the pool.
I don't think a "maid" does work outside the house,
Wife would say "that's all you, Spouse".
Dammit, cause I hate to be out in the sun,
Isn't that why I procreated? send out the SON!
Ehh, he's a half-ass at cutting grass,
I do have another, Chubs, time to get off your ass!
7/14/15 Full Steam Ahead?
It is mid July, maybe we took our vacation too early this summer. Wife is working all week, even Boy managed to move some things around and he is working a full week. Of course, I don't even get a break other than the week I took which now feels like a long time ago. I have another week, but we are conditioned to save that to the end of the year, we could get sick between now and New Year's Day.
We're just supposed to continue working like ants until Labor Day come September 1st or so? I don't recall this bothering me so much in the past, most of the time I work through these little holidays. Maybe we just spread ourselves too thin and I am having trouble coming back to normal. I hate that weekends come and go and we don't even seem to have time to grill. Will it take until the fall to finally catch up with our lives and feel free enough to have cookouts willy nilly?
I am not generally negative, but I think it's this little cough that won't go away. It is preventing me from doing what needs to get done outside, such as cleaning the hot tub, it is stopping me from moving the furniture upstairs like I have been wanting to do, I don't really want to work OT right now, and that is not me. I usually chase a dollar bill.
Perhaps it is the selling of the old house which is right around the corner, Wife wants to be sad about it, but everything about holding onto it cost us money. I hated going over there and even doing the smallest task. I'm sorry, I told Wife, we need to forge ahead, live in the now. Moving back to it because of a little debt is not that different than moving back home with our parents. One thing if either one of us had been laid off, but to be in the peak years of our earning and taking a step back in where we lived was something I could not do. But the fact that we are getting some money from the sale might be a reason I cannot get motivated to work more than I normally do.
It would be nice to take a day or two off before school starts and go somewhere. We keep getting calls from our timeshare to go visit, they were offering us a couple nights in Galveston free, to go visit their location there. That could be nice, plus we do know how to say no, when we want.
We're just supposed to continue working like ants until Labor Day come September 1st or so? I don't recall this bothering me so much in the past, most of the time I work through these little holidays. Maybe we just spread ourselves too thin and I am having trouble coming back to normal. I hate that weekends come and go and we don't even seem to have time to grill. Will it take until the fall to finally catch up with our lives and feel free enough to have cookouts willy nilly?
I am not generally negative, but I think it's this little cough that won't go away. It is preventing me from doing what needs to get done outside, such as cleaning the hot tub, it is stopping me from moving the furniture upstairs like I have been wanting to do, I don't really want to work OT right now, and that is not me. I usually chase a dollar bill.
Perhaps it is the selling of the old house which is right around the corner, Wife wants to be sad about it, but everything about holding onto it cost us money. I hated going over there and even doing the smallest task. I'm sorry, I told Wife, we need to forge ahead, live in the now. Moving back to it because of a little debt is not that different than moving back home with our parents. One thing if either one of us had been laid off, but to be in the peak years of our earning and taking a step back in where we lived was something I could not do. But the fact that we are getting some money from the sale might be a reason I cannot get motivated to work more than I normally do.
It would be nice to take a day or two off before school starts and go somewhere. We keep getting calls from our timeshare to go visit, they were offering us a couple nights in Galveston free, to go visit their location there. That could be nice, plus we do know how to say no, when we want.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
7/13/15 Went And Saw Ted2? (movie)
We went and saw Ted2 yesterday. It was funny, but not as crazy as the first time we saw Ted. It was almost too busy, there was a lot of moving around. Ted was married, then he wasn't, movie was missing Mila Kunis from 1st installment, but was replaced by Amanda Seyfried. I don't think they put her in the best light possible, she is beautiful in Mama Mia, she comes off OK in this movie.
Once Ted starts trying to adopt, the system labels him a non-human, and basically seems to be running along the lines of being gay and not being able to get married. There is a lot of civil rights talk, a drive, where they end up in a field of marijuana, and some great images of New York, concluding in a Comic Con.
The one thing I really hate in a movie is when they are too lazy and use the same enemy, Giovanni Ribisi again comes out as the creeper obsessed with wanting his own Teddy Bear. He tries his same lame attempts at stealing Ted, and oof course comes close, but not close enough. Ted escapes, anticlimactically, Ribisi attacks Ted and John (Mark Wahlburg) pushes him out of the way, and he takes the hit and is put into a coma for a few hours. Of course, everything works out in the end, even the voice of god (Morgan Freeman) comes out and helps Ted fight his case in becoming a "human" and John gets the girl.
This was the smallest theater I have ever seen. There were only three rows of people and each row only had like 10 people. It was mostly full, maybe three people short of full, but still weird to be in a theater room that small. I don't know if size was affecting things, but it was warm and even before we got our drinks I was whining to one of the servers. The A/C came on, but it never really got cold in there. We had eaten earlier, so all we had in there were a couple of sodas, popcorn, and a pretzel.
After we got out, we stopped at a mexican restaurant, and ate a small dinner, I went with migas as I likee eggs and fried tortillas. Wife had a burrito, although I don't believe she enjoyed it so much. We then stopped for Taco Bell for Boy and were home and in bed by 11:30pm.
Wife starts her bus driving classes this week, which was part of reason for sending Chubs to my mom's so he wouldn't be bored, and Boy is working all week, at least for this week. I work all the time, so nothing new with me. I feel bad for Wife, she has alarm set for 5:30am.
Once Ted starts trying to adopt, the system labels him a non-human, and basically seems to be running along the lines of being gay and not being able to get married. There is a lot of civil rights talk, a drive, where they end up in a field of marijuana, and some great images of New York, concluding in a Comic Con.
The one thing I really hate in a movie is when they are too lazy and use the same enemy, Giovanni Ribisi again comes out as the creeper obsessed with wanting his own Teddy Bear. He tries his same lame attempts at stealing Ted, and oof course comes close, but not close enough. Ted escapes, anticlimactically, Ribisi attacks Ted and John (Mark Wahlburg) pushes him out of the way, and he takes the hit and is put into a coma for a few hours. Of course, everything works out in the end, even the voice of god (Morgan Freeman) comes out and helps Ted fight his case in becoming a "human" and John gets the girl.
This was the smallest theater I have ever seen. There were only three rows of people and each row only had like 10 people. It was mostly full, maybe three people short of full, but still weird to be in a theater room that small. I don't know if size was affecting things, but it was warm and even before we got our drinks I was whining to one of the servers. The A/C came on, but it never really got cold in there. We had eaten earlier, so all we had in there were a couple of sodas, popcorn, and a pretzel.
After we got out, we stopped at a mexican restaurant, and ate a small dinner, I went with migas as I likee eggs and fried tortillas. Wife had a burrito, although I don't believe she enjoyed it so much. We then stopped for Taco Bell for Boy and were home and in bed by 11:30pm.
Wife starts her bus driving classes this week, which was part of reason for sending Chubs to my mom's so he wouldn't be bored, and Boy is working all week, at least for this week. I work all the time, so nothing new with me. I feel bad for Wife, she has alarm set for 5:30am.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
7/12/15 Resting Is Hard?,
With my little cough that won't go away, I have been trying to rest. I just can't seem to find time to take it easy. Yesterday, I wanted to, but Wife reminded me that the official transfer of our house is coming, so we either do it this weekend or next, but we have to go get the final things out of our old house. We decided to do it Friday, that way we still had Saturday to do what we wanted to.
Friday pretty much kicked our butt, it was super hot, thanks to the youngsters stepping up to help us get everything down. We rested a bit, then rallied late in the day, but we were not able to do much. By the time we ate, it was after 10:00pm. I called my mom about possibly sending Chubs down to visit. While eating dinner, he mentioned to us that he had spent 11 days on vacation with his other grandparents. He told us he needed to go spend more time with his other grandma and family.
Although I would have loved to just sleep late, I talked to my mom and she said we could meet halfway, but not too late. We settled on 2:00pm, although I knew that was way too early for my taste. I was up by 10:30am, drank some coffeeand waited while Wife showered. Boy decided he wanted to go at the last minute, so he had to shower and stuff while we waited patiently.
I again had trouble with my getting sleepy as soon as we got on the road. This has been happening for a while, but I am not fighting it. There is a reason, they tested me having low O2 levels in my blood, from the bronchitis, anyways, mom suggested we get a gift for my nephew, so we stopped at the Disney outlet and got him a gift. Wife drove the rest of the way, and I very eagerly jumped in back seat and slept for an hour.
We met with my folks, they got after me for being me, but it was only a meal, I survived and we were on our way. Wife drove back, but I managed to stay awake, we stopped and filled up at Buc-ee's at which point I drove back the rest of the way. We got home around 6:00pm, we were going to go to the new Bass ProShops, but I laid down for five minutes and slept until 8:00pm. We managed to go to Lowe's as we have a new letter from the HOA to paint our front wood parts, such as garage door and balcony. But of course, it can't be easy, we have a specific paint by Sherwin Williams, so we need to go to that store and buy their specific color.
We had a nice dinner with Boy at Longhorn Steakhouse and were home by 11:00pm. I was again feeling drained, but a quick nap and I am here in bed at 1:50am enjoying Once Upon A Time with Wife who looks more like a nightshift worker than me.
Friday pretty much kicked our butt, it was super hot, thanks to the youngsters stepping up to help us get everything down. We rested a bit, then rallied late in the day, but we were not able to do much. By the time we ate, it was after 10:00pm. I called my mom about possibly sending Chubs down to visit. While eating dinner, he mentioned to us that he had spent 11 days on vacation with his other grandparents. He told us he needed to go spend more time with his other grandma and family.
Although I would have loved to just sleep late, I talked to my mom and she said we could meet halfway, but not too late. We settled on 2:00pm, although I knew that was way too early for my taste. I was up by 10:30am, drank some coffeeand waited while Wife showered. Boy decided he wanted to go at the last minute, so he had to shower and stuff while we waited patiently.
I again had trouble with my getting sleepy as soon as we got on the road. This has been happening for a while, but I am not fighting it. There is a reason, they tested me having low O2 levels in my blood, from the bronchitis, anyways, mom suggested we get a gift for my nephew, so we stopped at the Disney outlet and got him a gift. Wife drove the rest of the way, and I very eagerly jumped in back seat and slept for an hour.
We met with my folks, they got after me for being me, but it was only a meal, I survived and we were on our way. Wife drove back, but I managed to stay awake, we stopped and filled up at Buc-ee's at which point I drove back the rest of the way. We got home around 6:00pm, we were going to go to the new Bass ProShops, but I laid down for five minutes and slept until 8:00pm. We managed to go to Lowe's as we have a new letter from the HOA to paint our front wood parts, such as garage door and balcony. But of course, it can't be easy, we have a specific paint by Sherwin Williams, so we need to go to that store and buy their specific color.
We had a nice dinner with Boy at Longhorn Steakhouse and were home by 11:00pm. I was again feeling drained, but a quick nap and I am here in bed at 1:50am enjoying Once Upon A Time with Wife who looks more like a nightshift worker than me.
7/11/15 Last Time To Our Old Stomping Ground?
Yesterday was the last time for us to go see our old house, hopefully. We still had items in the attic, and in the shed. Those items had been there for over eight years so there was not going to be of value or need, but still it was our stuff and our responsibility to clear out.
Boy was working so he was unavailable to help. I knew I wasn't going to be going in as the tip of the spear in the attic, it is way too hot, and I am way too fat. That is a stroke/heart attack waiting to happen. Luckily, Girlie was off and is dating a super skinny guy who is trying to make a good impression on us. She tells all her suitors that we are her aunt and uncle so the guys behave positively, usually, when they come over. I felt a little bad sending him up there, just reaching up to the opening I could feel the heat like an oven, but he is young and healthy looking. I spent many an hour up there ten years ago when I lived in the house.
I rented a U-Haul, thinking there was going to be a lot of stuff up there, but in reality most of what we brought down was empty boxes which I tore down and threw in recycle bin. There were some books and even a couple of bins full of Boy's toys when he was little. I felt bad, but it all went in the trash.
The U-Haul was useful in bringing back home a lawn mower, a gym thing that holds a punching bag, assorted stuff from the shed, such as my dolly, and we called it a day. We left some things behind, the new owners can try to salvage or they can throw away. I felt bad about that, but everything was covered in spider webs, and Wife and Girlie kept screaming "black widow!!" After awhile I got the hibbie jibbies too.
The stuff came to the house, Boy got off work as we were bringing stuff in, saw my Inorganic Chemistry book and started flipping through the pages and quickly found $100 in five $20 bills. I said "hey, that's my stuff, my money", but he declared finders keepers. In the end he gave me $40, and I let him keep the rest.
By then it was nearer to 6:00pm, Girlie and the BF left, they were going to a birthday party for a friend, and Wife and I returned the U-Haul. $19.99, my ass. They also charge $1 a mile, so my little drive around from old to new house, was a total of fifteen miles, and some taxes, got me to $43, or something like that. But at least I didn't get the spiders into my Excursion, so that was good.
I took a sort of nap, and around 8:00pm we finally left the house and went to the mall. I finally bought the sheets I have been wanting to get for Chub's room. He is going with a Spider Man motif, and I found the perfect quilt and throw pillows. I was going to get Boy the same idea, but with Batman, but Chubs stuff cost a pretty penny, so we said we'd do one room at a time.
We finally went to Central Martket, got some dessert stuff, I love their breads, and we ate dinner at Genghis Grill, because Chubs loves it and it had been awhile since we had gone. All in all, a pretty good Friday.
Boy was working so he was unavailable to help. I knew I wasn't going to be going in as the tip of the spear in the attic, it is way too hot, and I am way too fat. That is a stroke/heart attack waiting to happen. Luckily, Girlie was off and is dating a super skinny guy who is trying to make a good impression on us. She tells all her suitors that we are her aunt and uncle so the guys behave positively, usually, when they come over. I felt a little bad sending him up there, just reaching up to the opening I could feel the heat like an oven, but he is young and healthy looking. I spent many an hour up there ten years ago when I lived in the house.
I rented a U-Haul, thinking there was going to be a lot of stuff up there, but in reality most of what we brought down was empty boxes which I tore down and threw in recycle bin. There were some books and even a couple of bins full of Boy's toys when he was little. I felt bad, but it all went in the trash.
The U-Haul was useful in bringing back home a lawn mower, a gym thing that holds a punching bag, assorted stuff from the shed, such as my dolly, and we called it a day. We left some things behind, the new owners can try to salvage or they can throw away. I felt bad about that, but everything was covered in spider webs, and Wife and Girlie kept screaming "black widow!!" After awhile I got the hibbie jibbies too.
The stuff came to the house, Boy got off work as we were bringing stuff in, saw my Inorganic Chemistry book and started flipping through the pages and quickly found $100 in five $20 bills. I said "hey, that's my stuff, my money", but he declared finders keepers. In the end he gave me $40, and I let him keep the rest.
By then it was nearer to 6:00pm, Girlie and the BF left, they were going to a birthday party for a friend, and Wife and I returned the U-Haul. $19.99, my ass. They also charge $1 a mile, so my little drive around from old to new house, was a total of fifteen miles, and some taxes, got me to $43, or something like that. But at least I didn't get the spiders into my Excursion, so that was good.
I took a sort of nap, and around 8:00pm we finally left the house and went to the mall. I finally bought the sheets I have been wanting to get for Chub's room. He is going with a Spider Man motif, and I found the perfect quilt and throw pillows. I was going to get Boy the same idea, but with Batman, but Chubs stuff cost a pretty penny, so we said we'd do one room at a time.
We finally went to Central Martket, got some dessert stuff, I love their breads, and we ate dinner at Genghis Grill, because Chubs loves it and it had been awhile since we had gone. All in all, a pretty good Friday.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
7/10/15 Work Feels Bogus?
Before vacation, we were running pretty non-stop, I was putting in 70-80 hours a week. I come back and I don't know if it was all a façade, but nobody is in a rush, I barely am getting notes from my supervisor to do this or that. The other guy that was working nights is back on days, so I guess it's quieter than it was.
I am sleeping until 3:00 or 4:00pm in the afternoon as I have no responsibility to pick up either boy. I then get up and still feel tired, not sure if it is from flipping my schedule around, but I need to get back on my night shift routine and fast. I am glad everyone around me is having a blast, Wife staying up catching up with all her shows, the boys staying up saving the world on whatever video game they are playing. They are slowly making progress on putting house back together, should be done by next week, hopefully. I am going to force myself to clean hot tub this weekend. It has been way too long since we enjoy that thing. Plus, we did get that note from the city, to clean or be fined.
I would totally love to get a new boat here pretty soon. I promised Wife I'd wait at least one more year, but dammit, with all the lakes rising, it sure sounds like fun, right now.
Wife is debating with me if I want to have dinner out right now 10:00pm, as she was cleaning and lost track of time. I say it sounds like fun, if just to change our normal routine of eating dinner in front of the TV. I suggested IHOP, we might end up at Don Dario's, they are next door to each other, and IHOP does get waves of busy from time to time.
I have a few samples to prepare before the morning, but the instructions were already wrong on the first go round. So, I am working cautiously, no sense killing myself and then find out customer was wrong, yet again.
IHOP was very good, as usual. I had the egg and cheese melt, and shared a short stack of pancakes with Wife, she had the crepes, Boy had a chicken fried steak, I ate about half of it, and Chubs had chicken fingers and fries, and threatened me when I looked at his chicken that I better not. I know just as soon as I start getting comfortable and enjoying these family outings, it will be time to head back to school. So in the meantime, enjoy every day for the gift it is.
I am sleeping until 3:00 or 4:00pm in the afternoon as I have no responsibility to pick up either boy. I then get up and still feel tired, not sure if it is from flipping my schedule around, but I need to get back on my night shift routine and fast. I am glad everyone around me is having a blast, Wife staying up catching up with all her shows, the boys staying up saving the world on whatever video game they are playing. They are slowly making progress on putting house back together, should be done by next week, hopefully. I am going to force myself to clean hot tub this weekend. It has been way too long since we enjoy that thing. Plus, we did get that note from the city, to clean or be fined.
I would totally love to get a new boat here pretty soon. I promised Wife I'd wait at least one more year, but dammit, with all the lakes rising, it sure sounds like fun, right now.
Wife is debating with me if I want to have dinner out right now 10:00pm, as she was cleaning and lost track of time. I say it sounds like fun, if just to change our normal routine of eating dinner in front of the TV. I suggested IHOP, we might end up at Don Dario's, they are next door to each other, and IHOP does get waves of busy from time to time.
I have a few samples to prepare before the morning, but the instructions were already wrong on the first go round. So, I am working cautiously, no sense killing myself and then find out customer was wrong, yet again.
IHOP was very good, as usual. I had the egg and cheese melt, and shared a short stack of pancakes with Wife, she had the crepes, Boy had a chicken fried steak, I ate about half of it, and Chubs had chicken fingers and fries, and threatened me when I looked at his chicken that I better not. I know just as soon as I start getting comfortable and enjoying these family outings, it will be time to head back to school. So in the meantime, enjoy every day for the gift it is.
7/9/15 Weird Summer Days?
I am mostly trying to get over this cough, and eagerly awaiting the official sale of our old house, which is July 20th. Through these little distractions, I have three huge distractions floating around the house right now. Wife and both boys are off and pretty much, up to no good.
Wife was up until 5:00-5:30am last night watching the last of Orange Is The New Black, which I say fine, but keep it to yourself. I do love texting the first half of the night, usually after lunch, I take a more private person attitude and try to seal myself off from the world.
Chubs' entire day is set up around getting permission to stay up late, when in reality we don't really care. With me working nights, the last thing I want is to hear him moving around waking me up before noon. Boy understands the system and generally stays in bed or quiet until after 2:00pm.
Today, I woke up and Wife was texting away with Girlie. Girlie, I suspect might have worms, for she is always hungry. Wife and her were going back and forth about making something or other to eat. Then I start getting brought into the conversation and before I am fully awoke, they have decided we are going to eat at Fuddrucker's. I was told to get up at 3:00pm, so I could shower and change. We met Girlie, her newish BF and one of her older friends and I hesitated because when it's just her, I will pay for her meals, but with two extra people, she is on her own. I made the joke, you are with your BF, so shah.
It was all fine, it just feels weird that they would wait to eat with us, just because. The meal was good, I had an elk burger, which was very lean and I want to say clean tasting, not game-y at all. Wife smelled it and said "yeah, that is not cow." We had a good lunch, got to know the BF a bit, caught up with her other friend who hadn't been to the house, but we've also known since she was 12-13. They acted interested in our vacation stories, so it was all good.
We then stopped at the bookstore on Boy's request, got some books and I headed to work. Work has been a little weird, probably from being on vacation and getting back to my nightshift.
Wife then sent me a pic, Girlie stopped by with a different friend for dinner, although she didn't eat, Wife packed her a to-go plate so she would have lunch tomorrow. This friend is from her college days, I've met her a couple times, and is with her because she got a job working where she works.
I do love having the Girlies around, they make us feel younger, I guess, with the cousin showing up to clean a couple days ago, and now friends and new friends, it's nice. Our house had been quiet for too long.
Wife was up until 5:00-5:30am last night watching the last of Orange Is The New Black, which I say fine, but keep it to yourself. I do love texting the first half of the night, usually after lunch, I take a more private person attitude and try to seal myself off from the world.
Chubs' entire day is set up around getting permission to stay up late, when in reality we don't really care. With me working nights, the last thing I want is to hear him moving around waking me up before noon. Boy understands the system and generally stays in bed or quiet until after 2:00pm.
Today, I woke up and Wife was texting away with Girlie. Girlie, I suspect might have worms, for she is always hungry. Wife and her were going back and forth about making something or other to eat. Then I start getting brought into the conversation and before I am fully awoke, they have decided we are going to eat at Fuddrucker's. I was told to get up at 3:00pm, so I could shower and change. We met Girlie, her newish BF and one of her older friends and I hesitated because when it's just her, I will pay for her meals, but with two extra people, she is on her own. I made the joke, you are with your BF, so shah.
It was all fine, it just feels weird that they would wait to eat with us, just because. The meal was good, I had an elk burger, which was very lean and I want to say clean tasting, not game-y at all. Wife smelled it and said "yeah, that is not cow." We had a good lunch, got to know the BF a bit, caught up with her other friend who hadn't been to the house, but we've also known since she was 12-13. They acted interested in our vacation stories, so it was all good.
We then stopped at the bookstore on Boy's request, got some books and I headed to work. Work has been a little weird, probably from being on vacation and getting back to my nightshift.
Wife then sent me a pic, Girlie stopped by with a different friend for dinner, although she didn't eat, Wife packed her a to-go plate so she would have lunch tomorrow. This friend is from her college days, I've met her a couple times, and is with her because she got a job working where she works.
I do love having the Girlies around, they make us feel younger, I guess, with the cousin showing up to clean a couple days ago, and now friends and new friends, it's nice. Our house had been quiet for too long.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
7/8/15 Testing Idea of A Maid/Housecleaner?
Today, we started an experiment. We will be trying a maid for a while. One of our regular friends/Girlies was looking for a way to make some money on the side. She asked me if she made some cards, would I pass them around to people I know, or maybe my neighbors. I said no, but she could start with us, as Wife is always complaining that house is too big and we (men/boys) don't offer the help that we should.
She basically cleaned the three bathrooms, there is a lot of work in there. I told her I want the tubs and shower stalls to look like they do in magazine covers, she said we need to remove old caulk and put new one in. This is one of those chores I don't think people learn enough about, but basically everyone should do. She will have to give the showers another round next week. Hopefully, if this becomes routine, our house will begin to sparkle.
At this point, a lot of our stuff is still in boxes and thus the house looks like a mixture of we just moved in downstairs and we never moved even the dust upstairs. We need help getting everything in order, hopefully an outside hand will help.
Wife is funny, she wants to clean before the "maid" gets a chance to do it. I say, this is only supposed to make Wife's life easier, if she will let it. I don't expect this set up to last too long, as this Girlie is a little on the flaky side. She was going to come Friday and then Saturday, finally ended coming today. There is always a good reason when they don't show up, whatever!!!
If Wife becomes agreeable to the outside help, there are plenty of maid/housecleaner services in town, when we need to, we'll just make some calls. Who knows? Maybe this set-up works out, I hope as I don't trust strangers in my house.
For a time, my folks had maids, pretty sure they were illegals, but this was 30 years ago. There was like a group of young gals, they came around once a week maybe, and did this and that, I remember thinking it was weird to have strangers cleaning our stuff, as a kid, but now I get it. There are not enough hours in the day.
She basically cleaned the three bathrooms, there is a lot of work in there. I told her I want the tubs and shower stalls to look like they do in magazine covers, she said we need to remove old caulk and put new one in. This is one of those chores I don't think people learn enough about, but basically everyone should do. She will have to give the showers another round next week. Hopefully, if this becomes routine, our house will begin to sparkle.
At this point, a lot of our stuff is still in boxes and thus the house looks like a mixture of we just moved in downstairs and we never moved even the dust upstairs. We need help getting everything in order, hopefully an outside hand will help.
Wife is funny, she wants to clean before the "maid" gets a chance to do it. I say, this is only supposed to make Wife's life easier, if she will let it. I don't expect this set up to last too long, as this Girlie is a little on the flaky side. She was going to come Friday and then Saturday, finally ended coming today. There is always a good reason when they don't show up, whatever!!!
If Wife becomes agreeable to the outside help, there are plenty of maid/housecleaner services in town, when we need to, we'll just make some calls. Who knows? Maybe this set-up works out, I hope as I don't trust strangers in my house.
For a time, my folks had maids, pretty sure they were illegals, but this was 30 years ago. There was like a group of young gals, they came around once a week maybe, and did this and that, I remember thinking it was weird to have strangers cleaning our stuff, as a kid, but now I get it. There are not enough hours in the day.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
7/7/15 Who's Got A Five Year Plan?
Wife was talking to me about friends we know who do not seem to have a five year plan. This usually irks me because I don't think normal people really plan their lives in five year blocks. If anything she won the lotto in husband's chosen as I totally rock and make her life a pleasure.
I know that sounds awful big of myself, but who goes around talking about planning a few years in advance what is going to happen. First of all, we didn't even plan our children, they both happened as pull out babies. I consider us lucky that they are who they are, both very different, but very much individuals, but we didn't sit around smoking fat cigars saying "I say Wife, 1994 seems like a great year to be having a skinny kid." "Oh yes, Husband, please, fill 'er up, as the Simpletons say." No, we got sloppy, and after many years of being lucky, we finally got ummm, luckier?!?!
Another point she contends with is people nowadays are just floating haphazardly, not paying attention to what kind of job they are doing. I was lucky to graduate with a degree in 1994, the next year I spent it working in a warehouse driving a forklift for $8/ hr. I only quit after a year because I demanded a $2/ hr raise and I was ignored. I figured I was being given more responsibilities, I should get more money, they said no, I then had to show I was serious and quit. The only person happy I quit was my Mom, she hated that I was working there and not teaching back home, living next door.
My next stop was not much better, it was with LCRA, I was technically doing work as a chemist, so was everybody else in there. They had a system, you would start as a tempt, for a few months, if they liked you, you would then be offered a permanent job at mid $40's. Sounds great, for 1995, but my friend had like 8 years seniority and that was not going to work out with me, he always being above me and no real way to rise, so I quit after a couple months, even though that job is what I was trained to do. 90% of employees had chemistry degrees, but I hated the schedule, start work at 8:00am, break at 9:40, lunch at noon for one hour, break at 2:40, out at 5:00pm. Everybody moved at the same pace, somebody kill me.
I then tried here where I have been for the last almost 20 years, and the first year was still only as an operator, at $9.90/hr. Of course, Wife might say, I planned this, I would say I have been lucky. There have been +8 layoffs, I could've been taken by any of them, but here I am still.
Same with our homes, we only left the apartment complex I lived in while at UT because I wanted a house, Wife was sure we couldn't afford it. She was real sure we couldn't afford our current house, and she was almost right, as I have had to kill myself with the OT to stay in it. I think the sale of our first home in a couple weeks will finally change the balance there, and leave us in a better position financially.
Again, there was no five year plan, there was a Big Mando wanting a bigger piece of the American Dream and a willingness to work my ass off for it. Plans are for dreamers, JUST DO IT!!!
I know that sounds awful big of myself, but who goes around talking about planning a few years in advance what is going to happen. First of all, we didn't even plan our children, they both happened as pull out babies. I consider us lucky that they are who they are, both very different, but very much individuals, but we didn't sit around smoking fat cigars saying "I say Wife, 1994 seems like a great year to be having a skinny kid." "Oh yes, Husband, please, fill 'er up, as the Simpletons say." No, we got sloppy, and after many years of being lucky, we finally got ummm, luckier?!?!
Another point she contends with is people nowadays are just floating haphazardly, not paying attention to what kind of job they are doing. I was lucky to graduate with a degree in 1994, the next year I spent it working in a warehouse driving a forklift for $8/ hr. I only quit after a year because I demanded a $2/ hr raise and I was ignored. I figured I was being given more responsibilities, I should get more money, they said no, I then had to show I was serious and quit. The only person happy I quit was my Mom, she hated that I was working there and not teaching back home, living next door.
My next stop was not much better, it was with LCRA, I was technically doing work as a chemist, so was everybody else in there. They had a system, you would start as a tempt, for a few months, if they liked you, you would then be offered a permanent job at mid $40's. Sounds great, for 1995, but my friend had like 8 years seniority and that was not going to work out with me, he always being above me and no real way to rise, so I quit after a couple months, even though that job is what I was trained to do. 90% of employees had chemistry degrees, but I hated the schedule, start work at 8:00am, break at 9:40, lunch at noon for one hour, break at 2:40, out at 5:00pm. Everybody moved at the same pace, somebody kill me.
I then tried here where I have been for the last almost 20 years, and the first year was still only as an operator, at $9.90/hr. Of course, Wife might say, I planned this, I would say I have been lucky. There have been +8 layoffs, I could've been taken by any of them, but here I am still.
Same with our homes, we only left the apartment complex I lived in while at UT because I wanted a house, Wife was sure we couldn't afford it. She was real sure we couldn't afford our current house, and she was almost right, as I have had to kill myself with the OT to stay in it. I think the sale of our first home in a couple weeks will finally change the balance there, and leave us in a better position financially.
Again, there was no five year plan, there was a Big Mando wanting a bigger piece of the American Dream and a willingness to work my ass off for it. Plans are for dreamers, JUST DO IT!!!
Monday, July 6, 2015
7/6/15 Middle Of Summer?
We are approaching the middle of Summer
I have to say, feeling a bit of a Bummer
We have yet to go out to the lake,
you know, sit out in the sun and really bake
What I find the oddest is that we have yet to go down to the coast
I just love sitting out on the beach, even if to you I mostly sound like I boast
We even have tickets to Schlitterbahn water park
I like to go swimming there for no fear of the shark
and this weather has been so nice
haven't thought of temps in the 100's even twice.
Lakes all full, got me thinking about getting my boat in the water
calling some friends up and even though my boat be small, I still be feeling like a big boat yachter.
It was April or May the last time we put some meat on the grill
I hate when time lapses because cooking outside gives me such a thrill.
I need to make some time take Chubs to learn the art of fishing
I don't want him to be the boy that grows up simply wishing
I want to be the kind of father
who doesn't think it is a bother
to show my boys things that are considered outside fun
even if it means getting loud with a gun
Who are we kidding? Summer is for AC'ing
you know, stuff we do while the AC we be facing
Being outside sucks, we get all sweaty
maybe not you, but my ass is like a yeti
I'm all hair and heat and body odor
I'm sure you're lace and frills and nothing like an ogre.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
7/5/15 Finally Rested?
I know these are first world problems, but waah. After the big push on the house at the start of June, working pretty non-stop since after Spring Break, and our twelve day Florida vacation, this weekend was pretty low key and it needed to be for the rest.
Friday night was uneventful, we had no plans, Girlie wanted us to have lunch with her, so we met her around 3:00pm. We ate Jason's Deli, which is next to her new job, then we went to Garden Ridge (At Home, new name), and Michael's, looking for some new picture frames for our art from Disney. We did not have luck at Garden Ridge, but Michael's had some choices.
After our light shopping, we headed to the bank to cash a $300 check from the people buying our house (some sort of good faith gesture for taking our house off the market). At this point, we could have headed home, but we were next to CVS and the Minute Clinic which Wife and my mom have been wanting me to see somebody for my cough. We went in, luckily, there was only one person in line and I was in within ten minutes.
She did all the usual checking, and concluded my O2 levels are too low. Her conclusions, like Google, lean towards the safe (for them). Either I have walking pneumonia, or a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate ER care. I would have felt OK with the diagnosis, but I've been walking around over a week with this, non-stop through the Disney Parks, feeling more or less OK during the day, coughing more aggressive at night. I was sent to the Urgent Care down the street. They told me, they could have the same conclusions and would end up charging me and sending me over there where they would charge me a third time. I said ehh, let's see what x-ray says.
These Urgent Care facilities are great, usually empty, never the crowds of an ER room, I don't mind paying their co-pay, to keep the riff raff out. Doctor recommended the x-ray and within 5-10 minutes he was in the room telling me it looked like bronchitis, he prescribed a serious of medicines and to come back if I'm not better in a week.
I then had the perfect excuse to lay around the rest of the weekend, I am sick, doctor said so. We were out so long, it was now dinnertime, and Wife mentioned Mandola's, which we both like a lot. We went and had dinner there, and came home. I was out within an hour, Wife had just settled in to watch Orange Is The New Black.
Saturday was quite restful, only went out of the house for an hour, to buy candles at Bath and Bodyworks, and to Sam's for some sort of dessert to go with our brisquet. We sat and watched about 9-10 episodes of OITNB, until about 3:00am. This might not be resting like the doc suggested, but it's the best I can do. I'm not going to lay in bed all day, although we just got up a while ago and we did sleep for probably twelve hours.
Friday night was uneventful, we had no plans, Girlie wanted us to have lunch with her, so we met her around 3:00pm. We ate Jason's Deli, which is next to her new job, then we went to Garden Ridge (At Home, new name), and Michael's, looking for some new picture frames for our art from Disney. We did not have luck at Garden Ridge, but Michael's had some choices.
After our light shopping, we headed to the bank to cash a $300 check from the people buying our house (some sort of good faith gesture for taking our house off the market). At this point, we could have headed home, but we were next to CVS and the Minute Clinic which Wife and my mom have been wanting me to see somebody for my cough. We went in, luckily, there was only one person in line and I was in within ten minutes.
She did all the usual checking, and concluded my O2 levels are too low. Her conclusions, like Google, lean towards the safe (for them). Either I have walking pneumonia, or a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate ER care. I would have felt OK with the diagnosis, but I've been walking around over a week with this, non-stop through the Disney Parks, feeling more or less OK during the day, coughing more aggressive at night. I was sent to the Urgent Care down the street. They told me, they could have the same conclusions and would end up charging me and sending me over there where they would charge me a third time. I said ehh, let's see what x-ray says.
These Urgent Care facilities are great, usually empty, never the crowds of an ER room, I don't mind paying their co-pay, to keep the riff raff out. Doctor recommended the x-ray and within 5-10 minutes he was in the room telling me it looked like bronchitis, he prescribed a serious of medicines and to come back if I'm not better in a week.
I then had the perfect excuse to lay around the rest of the weekend, I am sick, doctor said so. We were out so long, it was now dinnertime, and Wife mentioned Mandola's, which we both like a lot. We went and had dinner there, and came home. I was out within an hour, Wife had just settled in to watch Orange Is The New Black.
Saturday was quite restful, only went out of the house for an hour, to buy candles at Bath and Bodyworks, and to Sam's for some sort of dessert to go with our brisquet. We sat and watched about 9-10 episodes of OITNB, until about 3:00am. This might not be resting like the doc suggested, but it's the best I can do. I'm not going to lay in bed all day, although we just got up a while ago and we did sleep for probably twelve hours.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
7/4/15 Independence Day?
Today is the 4th of July, all it means for us is BBQ and fireworks, nothing to get excited about. Maybe work shuts down some years, forces us to take a week off, maybe it doesn't. We go with the flow, but we should remember that the 4th of July is a commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which gave the original 13 colonies freedom from England and thus created this great nation.
I hate that instead of that, I think of the great speech by Bill Pullman as president in the movie Independence Day:
Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!
This is when Will Smith was still hot in the box office, and nobody was snarkier than Jeff Goldblum, admit it, if you catch it on TV, you have to watch some of this movie, it is solid from start to finish.
Usually, we are with family on the 4th, last year we were in Corpus Christi trying something different, but the fireworks show done by the city was less than impressive. This year we were going to go to Corpus again, but we just got back from our Florida vacation and there are new laws requiring RVs to get inspected before getting new license tags. Plus the fact that I just sold my truck to my father in law, I don't really have a good tow rig, add to that my cough, which I finally went to the doctor for, and they thought either walking pneumonia or bronchitis, biggest symptom being that I am not getting as much O2 as I should, so they recommended rest, antibiotics, and lots of fluids. I also got a letter from the city demanding I clean the pool, or face fines, so that's something else, and we still have to go empty rental house of stuff in shed, and some things up in attic. I don't know when things will wind down, but hopefully, soon.
On a positive note, I am resting right now, Wife has a brisquet going in oven, and Boy went and bought Birdman which I have been wanting to see. So maybe this 4th of July will be a little quiet, my peeps are here, Chubs was worried at doctor and keeps checking on me, making sure I'm still here and don't have the proverbial X's on my eyes.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
7/3/15 What Was Point Of Vacation?
Now that I am back in my workstation, vacation is in the rear view mirror, Boy has run back to his apartment in San Marcos, what was point of "getting away" because "here we are". I loved walking around with family spending money like it was going to go bad, but once back on Terra Firma in Texas, where we belong, was there a point?
One of Boy's bigger discussions was that he wanted some "art" for his room, he found a painting he liked, at $350 he was going to need help. Enter Daddy, I gave him $200 I was sort of hiding from Wife, as my money. Boy all of a sudden got cold feet, and on his own decided he did not want painting after all. I liked the idea of him buying something that might one day be worth more. It was a weird painting of a scene as if a man drinking Scotch and smoking a cigar, had just finished reading a comic book of Wolverine. It was weird and lame at the same time, but what do I know? Would it have been a "good investment?" Probably not, but who cares, when on vacation, we spend on stupid stuff, not on things that will make our lives better.
For myself, I bought a new wallet, Coach, bright Yellow, tacky, but fun. Another pricey thing for me was a white framed pair of Oakley Glasses, they just felt right on my head. I didn't really buy anything else for myself, no shirts, utensils, key chains, although I could have.
Chubs ended up with all sorts of toys and shirts and even his first Oakley Sun glasses, first leather wallet, first nice watch, Chubs had a great trip. Boy talked me into a watch, saying it had been awhile, and constantly showing me $5000-$16000 watches. When he finally showed me a $1500 Oakley watch, it seemed like a bargain and I fell hook, line, and sinker. Surprisingly, he did not scam me into new Sun glasses as he could have.
Wife, stoic as ever, never needs anything. I was going to get her a purse in the yellow to match my wallet, but she said ughh, no. I offered this and that, most stuff, she wouldn't even look at. There was a whole section of Pandora with Disney specific pendant thingies, didn't even bother walking through with me to tell me no. This is why I say she is my Turtle in a box. Give her a little lettuce and water, she be fine.
I guess if we measure by the material things we brought back, Chubs had the best trip, maybe Boy, with his watch. If we measure by the number of times I said "dammit" maybe I had the best trip, or by who got the fewest hours sleep, I win again. By the times Wife said "you don't need that shit", well, I win again...
Truth be told, it was a very pleasant trip, I'm glad my in-laws ventured out of their comfort zone, if I helped get them there, then good, they deserve a little fun. They are talking of doing it again, I'll be there, if they want me. I guess getting away does put things in perspective, work is still there, they didn't die with or without me.
One of Boy's bigger discussions was that he wanted some "art" for his room, he found a painting he liked, at $350 he was going to need help. Enter Daddy, I gave him $200 I was sort of hiding from Wife, as my money. Boy all of a sudden got cold feet, and on his own decided he did not want painting after all. I liked the idea of him buying something that might one day be worth more. It was a weird painting of a scene as if a man drinking Scotch and smoking a cigar, had just finished reading a comic book of Wolverine. It was weird and lame at the same time, but what do I know? Would it have been a "good investment?" Probably not, but who cares, when on vacation, we spend on stupid stuff, not on things that will make our lives better.
For myself, I bought a new wallet, Coach, bright Yellow, tacky, but fun. Another pricey thing for me was a white framed pair of Oakley Glasses, they just felt right on my head. I didn't really buy anything else for myself, no shirts, utensils, key chains, although I could have.
Chubs ended up with all sorts of toys and shirts and even his first Oakley Sun glasses, first leather wallet, first nice watch, Chubs had a great trip. Boy talked me into a watch, saying it had been awhile, and constantly showing me $5000-$16000 watches. When he finally showed me a $1500 Oakley watch, it seemed like a bargain and I fell hook, line, and sinker. Surprisingly, he did not scam me into new Sun glasses as he could have.
Wife, stoic as ever, never needs anything. I was going to get her a purse in the yellow to match my wallet, but she said ughh, no. I offered this and that, most stuff, she wouldn't even look at. There was a whole section of Pandora with Disney specific pendant thingies, didn't even bother walking through with me to tell me no. This is why I say she is my Turtle in a box. Give her a little lettuce and water, she be fine.
I guess if we measure by the material things we brought back, Chubs had the best trip, maybe Boy, with his watch. If we measure by the number of times I said "dammit" maybe I had the best trip, or by who got the fewest hours sleep, I win again. By the times Wife said "you don't need that shit", well, I win again...
Truth be told, it was a very pleasant trip, I'm glad my in-laws ventured out of their comfort zone, if I helped get them there, then good, they deserve a little fun. They are talking of doing it again, I'll be there, if they want me. I guess getting away does put things in perspective, work is still there, they didn't die with or without me.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
7/2/15 Here's The Latest On Old House?
We thought it was all done, but of course, that is not how life works. They had offered us $5000 over asking price, and then brought in an inspector to completely bend us over and whip us with a switch. I hate to say that I felt the lashing and I just wished we weren't even in the business of selling a house. Inspector complained from the shingles to the foundation, scrutinized the screens or lack thereof and the quality of the electrical circuits if 1-2 outlets are out.
With my tail between my leg and a purse shoved in my armpit, I was ready to apologize to the mean man and just give him the house, then I remembered, that is their job. I took it personally for a few hours, and was debating telling buyer to take a long walk down a short pier, or to go play tag with traffic. I told realtor we were ready to take house off market and get to fixing everything, give us a month or so and we'll get back to you.
She kind of chuckled and said no, they may just be trying to get the price down some. I then understood the game, but I am not very good at playing it, we just kind of said OK when she (realtor) suggested we take $10,000 off the price, so they can call it half for roof, and half for foundation. They had a report that it'll cost $9800 to fix foundation, our guy had said it was higher in the front than the back, but only by two inches, not really a big deal. Not wanting to risk losing the buyer and he had come in offering $5000 more than we had asked for, it seemed ok to do this. Today, they came back with another $3800 to deal with all the other small things, we said sure, but if there was another round, it would be no more.
So as of today (7/1/15), they must decide if they are holding firm on price decided and they sent us an amended contract with new agreed upon price, we signed it and sent it back to them. Unless something squirelly comes up, we just have to wait until July 20th. I am so glad to be doing it this way, another month of running around doing stupid little chores would have sucked. I guess now we just have to wait another two weeks or so and sign some paperwork.
With my tail between my leg and a purse shoved in my armpit, I was ready to apologize to the mean man and just give him the house, then I remembered, that is their job. I took it personally for a few hours, and was debating telling buyer to take a long walk down a short pier, or to go play tag with traffic. I told realtor we were ready to take house off market and get to fixing everything, give us a month or so and we'll get back to you.
She kind of chuckled and said no, they may just be trying to get the price down some. I then understood the game, but I am not very good at playing it, we just kind of said OK when she (realtor) suggested we take $10,000 off the price, so they can call it half for roof, and half for foundation. They had a report that it'll cost $9800 to fix foundation, our guy had said it was higher in the front than the back, but only by two inches, not really a big deal. Not wanting to risk losing the buyer and he had come in offering $5000 more than we had asked for, it seemed ok to do this. Today, they came back with another $3800 to deal with all the other small things, we said sure, but if there was another round, it would be no more.
So as of today (7/1/15), they must decide if they are holding firm on price decided and they sent us an amended contract with new agreed upon price, we signed it and sent it back to them. Unless something squirelly comes up, we just have to wait until July 20th. I am so glad to be doing it this way, another month of running around doing stupid little chores would have sucked. I guess now we just have to wait another two weeks or so and sign some paperwork.
7/1/15 Why Do We Leave Home?
We are now back home, the last part of our drive is done and nothing left but to eat some Popeye's Fried Chicken and wash the stinky clothes we've been wearing on the road. Overall, trip was great, not many complaints to bring up, and I look forward to doing it again.
But isn't it nice to get home after leaving for a week or more? I always get a little nervous that water will be dripping from a sink, or a toilet will have been running water and floor somehow got wet, or maybe someone broke in, even though alarm would tell us right away.
Toughest part pf our drive is getting through Houston, it is such a wide ass city, kind of starting over on this side at Katy and meandering to an end on other side near Bayside. Throw in some rain, my "sleepy sickness" and Wife refusing to drive in rain in big cities and that made yesterday afternoon quite a challenge. We got threw it, rest of thee hour drive was pretty uneventful. Once we got past Katy, I was able to hand vehicle over to Wife as that is pretty much her territory for work.
I must say I loved using the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes in Houston, since there were four of us, I jumped on there and it was like turbo on those old 2D video games, we blasted forward leaving chumps in the dust. It felt like we were able to do that with about half the city, even though it was sucking horribly downtown, I just kept looking to my left for that magical escape lane. I could almost see the lights of my hyperdrive as we made the jump to light speed.
It was fun, as a passenger, I could look around more, usually, I am Mr. Concentration on the road, but riding as a passenger, I could look for alligators in the swamps, or girls showing off too much skin in neighboring cars, very different feeling than being the "Man" in charge.
Everything came down from our vehicle as soon as we got home, I love the feeling of a good trip wrapped up. I had not had much love for hotels, but those Town Place Suites were very nice and not too costly, I think we paid $149 for the night. As we get older, maybe we'll cut the drive in half, but as long as we stay in nice places, who cares, it's all vacation time.
But isn't it nice to get home after leaving for a week or more? I always get a little nervous that water will be dripping from a sink, or a toilet will have been running water and floor somehow got wet, or maybe someone broke in, even though alarm would tell us right away.
Toughest part pf our drive is getting through Houston, it is such a wide ass city, kind of starting over on this side at Katy and meandering to an end on other side near Bayside. Throw in some rain, my "sleepy sickness" and Wife refusing to drive in rain in big cities and that made yesterday afternoon quite a challenge. We got threw it, rest of thee hour drive was pretty uneventful. Once we got past Katy, I was able to hand vehicle over to Wife as that is pretty much her territory for work.
I must say I loved using the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes in Houston, since there were four of us, I jumped on there and it was like turbo on those old 2D video games, we blasted forward leaving chumps in the dust. It felt like we were able to do that with about half the city, even though it was sucking horribly downtown, I just kept looking to my left for that magical escape lane. I could almost see the lights of my hyperdrive as we made the jump to light speed.
It was fun, as a passenger, I could look around more, usually, I am Mr. Concentration on the road, but riding as a passenger, I could look for alligators in the swamps, or girls showing off too much skin in neighboring cars, very different feeling than being the "Man" in charge.
Everything came down from our vehicle as soon as we got home, I love the feeling of a good trip wrapped up. I had not had much love for hotels, but those Town Place Suites were very nice and not too costly, I think we paid $149 for the night. As we get older, maybe we'll cut the drive in half, but as long as we stay in nice places, who cares, it's all vacation time.
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