Wow, time has flown by and I am still here to write an update. Life is great. Just smile and move forward. I had to babysit on Saturday while Megan and Matt looked at houses. She called in the afternoon and said she was running late and wanted to know if I needed her to come get Maxwell. HELLO! No, he was fine. It was my time to enjoy every minute so he could stay as long as he needed to. If this wasn't great enough, they found a house that they liked and put in a bid on it. She found out today that it was accepted! Wow, now my daughter, my favorite son-in-law and my grandson will be living in Crosby! I am so excited about this! Do I mind? Not even a little bit. I get to see Maxwell more and get to babysit more, too. What a time I will make of this. I thank God for keeping me here to enjoy these times.
I have not entered any data lately, so I thought I might put something here. I noticed there were no responses to my last posting. If that means nobody is reading it, I am OK with that. If someone reads and does not respond, I am OK with that, too. I ran in to someone that I had not seen in a while the other day and he asked how I was doing. As usual, I said I am good. He asked if I was 100% and I told him I was probably as close to it as I will ever be and I can live with dealing with pains. It has kind of grown on me and that all right with me. I know certain things still hurt and I TRY not to do these things. Sometimes, natural instincts kick in and I do it without thinking. Then, I feel the pains. Reaching for something still gets my right shoulder to hurt especially if its got some weight to it. Getting up from sitting on the ground is still tough, too. That's OK because they told me at the hospital that this was something I could not do. I put weight on my right knee the other day and it felt like someone hit me with a bat. Old habits die hard. I have to try to put my LEFT knee down instead. This is a hard thing to do since I am not used to it yet.
We have a family reunion coming up next month. I always get excited about going even though they all pick on me. I am not sure if they pick on me because I am the youngest Grandchild or because they love me so much. Really, I don't care why because I feel all the love. I used to hate to go to this reunion as a kid even though we always enjoyed it. I did not get to see my cousins often enough to really care back then. As a teen, the last thing you wanted was something YOUR PARENTS wanted you to do! Now, I look forward to these events. Yes, I still hear stories about how they carried me around and how they took care of me. That's OK because the learning I got from them has taught me how to be a better person. I still talk to some of them pretty regularly by e-mail. Just getting a note from them makes my day brighter. So, see, life is GREAT and I am still here, breathing on my own. I can deal with this!
Make the most of your day. Tell someone that you love just how much you love them. Even if they don't smile over the joy, it will make you smile. It will put a smile on my face just to know SOMEONE read this.
To all my cousins who think they can still put a knot on my head, stay away from the top front part. That spot still hurts when someone pushes it and that "hole" may never go away.
I love you all so much. Thanks for being the one or two that still checks up on me here. God is there and will help you when you need it. Trust me on this one! He was one of the many great things on my side almost two years ago. Family and friends talking to Him about me. How many prayer groups was I in? I don't really know, but it was just in the Houston area or in Texas. I know there was several in Florida, one or two in Tennessee, one in Colorado, one in Washington or Oregon and one in Chile, too. (Bet you didn't think I could reach that far) And you wonder why I think life is wonderful!
Mark 5/4/09
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 14 and still around
I am doing OK these days. I spoke with some people at work today that were amazed that I am still around. I still hurt every day, but it is important how I deal with it. I had to climb a lot of stairs at work today and it hurts to do this. The amazing thing is that it hurts more to go up than it does to go down. Going down used to hurt more many months back and going up was never real pleasant, but coming down is much better now than it was. That is a good thing. Riding a bicycle is easier, too. It used to hurt more to get on one but it is getting easier, too. I still have to watch out for bumps in the rode but life is great that I can ride better. My pelvic area still hurts to lift up and over the seat but it hurts less than it did. Time is great to me.
I have been spending time working on Tiffaney's trailer. It seems like the more time I spend on it, the more I find that needs to be done. I replaced her front door last weekend and put in a new screen door, too. One thing I learned about trailers is that a standard door is too tall. I had to shorten the height on both of these. I was careful to get the right width, but it was either shorten it or cut out some wall. I figured the length was easiest. I spent most of Saturday working on these two items but they made a big difference in the way it looks. I have to go over there this weekend and put up the boards to decorate the porch. All posts are in place and so are the handrails. Just a little of work to make it right. More time spent on it but it will all be worth it in the long run. Every time I am over there working, I feel it the next day. Yes, I don't recover from it like I used to, but I wake up breathing on my own which makes it a great day!
All the girls come home to spend Easter Sunday with us and Maxwell got to spend some time with us, too. After that, we went to Betty's sisters (Pat's) house and spent some time with them, too. I was so tired when we got home, but I slept pretty well because of it. This is our tough week around here. Betty is on days this week. She leaves home around 5AM and gets home at 7PM. We have always had issues with this week of the month, but we survive and move forward. We have learned to deal with this. One thing about 12 hours days is they start early and end late, but you get more days off because of the hours put in. I remember working these long days for many years and they were never that easy, even though I was much younger then.
My company filed for Chapter 11 in January and things at work are a little tougher now. A letter came out today trying to find people to take a severance package. They compensate you pretty well, but I am not old enough to retire so I really don't have a choice. I could not imagine having to find another job so I will do what I can to be one of the people that gets to stay. If there is not enough people that "volunteer" to leave, then the company will have to choose some people to leave. They have a number of people that will have to go, but we really don't know how many it will be. It is set to be 3000 people company wide, but at our facility, we don't really have any idea. All I can do is hope that there are enough people wanting to retire that this package will appeal to. All I can do is my best and hope for this to work out. This kind of thinking gets to you over time, but I can just hope God is looking out for what is best for us.
He has taken great care of me this far. I guess He is the reason I have such a high outlook on life. God does this to you and it is a great feeling to have.
My love to all of you. If you are one of those few that keep up with me this way, thanks for your support and love you have shared with us.
I have been spending time working on Tiffaney's trailer. It seems like the more time I spend on it, the more I find that needs to be done. I replaced her front door last weekend and put in a new screen door, too. One thing I learned about trailers is that a standard door is too tall. I had to shorten the height on both of these. I was careful to get the right width, but it was either shorten it or cut out some wall. I figured the length was easiest. I spent most of Saturday working on these two items but they made a big difference in the way it looks. I have to go over there this weekend and put up the boards to decorate the porch. All posts are in place and so are the handrails. Just a little of work to make it right. More time spent on it but it will all be worth it in the long run. Every time I am over there working, I feel it the next day. Yes, I don't recover from it like I used to, but I wake up breathing on my own which makes it a great day!
All the girls come home to spend Easter Sunday with us and Maxwell got to spend some time with us, too. After that, we went to Betty's sisters (Pat's) house and spent some time with them, too. I was so tired when we got home, but I slept pretty well because of it. This is our tough week around here. Betty is on days this week. She leaves home around 5AM and gets home at 7PM. We have always had issues with this week of the month, but we survive and move forward. We have learned to deal with this. One thing about 12 hours days is they start early and end late, but you get more days off because of the hours put in. I remember working these long days for many years and they were never that easy, even though I was much younger then.
My company filed for Chapter 11 in January and things at work are a little tougher now. A letter came out today trying to find people to take a severance package. They compensate you pretty well, but I am not old enough to retire so I really don't have a choice. I could not imagine having to find another job so I will do what I can to be one of the people that gets to stay. If there is not enough people that "volunteer" to leave, then the company will have to choose some people to leave. They have a number of people that will have to go, but we really don't know how many it will be. It is set to be 3000 people company wide, but at our facility, we don't really have any idea. All I can do is hope that there are enough people wanting to retire that this package will appeal to. All I can do is my best and hope for this to work out. This kind of thinking gets to you over time, but I can just hope God is looking out for what is best for us.
He has taken great care of me this far. I guess He is the reason I have such a high outlook on life. God does this to you and it is a great feeling to have.
My love to all of you. If you are one of those few that keep up with me this way, thanks for your support and love you have shared with us.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday, April 6th and I am still kicking...
Wow, another week has flown by and it, as usual, was a GREAT week. I spent last Monday and Tuesday spoiling my grandson and Wednesday through Sunday, I was working on Tiff's trailer. I have most of the deck done except for hand rails and all the skirting is done except I am about 8ft short on top holder. It is on the side near the back so you can't even see it missing. I have the longest hand rail done and one side of back steps is done, but I have to do this other side and two rails on front steps. Also need two smaller areas of street and backyard sides to do. I get there in middle of morning and come home at or near dark except for Saturday and Sunday. I left earlier on those days. Sunday, I did not have material to keep going. I have the wood for these rails except for I am one 2x4 short and I think I have enough of the vertical rails to get these done, but I was out of screws and did not feel like going back for more. I also have to build the front gate on the porch. I have a few ideas, but have not "designed" it yet. Also, I need to shorten the gate in the yard that is there and put in a post to secure it. The current gate touches the porch right now because this deck must be larger than the previous owner had. I came home each night so tired, but I noticed today that I am still improving. It does not hurt as much to lift my leg up so my pelvic area must still be improving. I rode my bicycle at work today and it was much easier to get on that it was a month ago. Therefore, I am still improving all the time. Could I run around the block? NO. I think running is out of the question! That is OK because I never liked it anyway.
Maxwell went to "day-care" for the first time today. I have not talked to Megan about it, but I am sure all went fine. This will be a new experience for them to grow in to, but with time, all will be good. I know Megan well enough to know how much attention she will pay to how this place is doing. Yes, she has a lot of Betty in her! Like Mother, like Daughter! She has a break in school in the middle of May and will keep Max at home for this time. She will probably still have to pay for day-care to keep from loosing his spot, but she would rather pay this and enjoy her time with Max.
My Mom and Dad came into town on Wednesday of last week to watch Max for the day and really enjoyed themselves. I knew they would have a great time. I did not get to see them while they were in town but them being here allowed me another day of work on the trailer. I really appreciated it! They were able to spend Tuesday night with Scott & Karen so they were close to Megan's on Wednesday. They had to be there by 6:30AM so this was their best bet dealing with the time. I am so glad they enjoyed their day!
I thought a few minutes ago that this was going to be a short entry, but once my mind starts moving, there is no telling where it will go. Every day is a GREAT one and I am so glad God allowed me to still be here "bother" you.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I love each and every one of you.
Mark 4/6/09
Maxwell went to "day-care" for the first time today. I have not talked to Megan about it, but I am sure all went fine. This will be a new experience for them to grow in to, but with time, all will be good. I know Megan well enough to know how much attention she will pay to how this place is doing. Yes, she has a lot of Betty in her! Like Mother, like Daughter! She has a break in school in the middle of May and will keep Max at home for this time. She will probably still have to pay for day-care to keep from loosing his spot, but she would rather pay this and enjoy her time with Max.
My Mom and Dad came into town on Wednesday of last week to watch Max for the day and really enjoyed themselves. I knew they would have a great time. I did not get to see them while they were in town but them being here allowed me another day of work on the trailer. I really appreciated it! They were able to spend Tuesday night with Scott & Karen so they were close to Megan's on Wednesday. They had to be there by 6:30AM so this was their best bet dealing with the time. I am so glad they enjoyed their day!
I thought a few minutes ago that this was going to be a short entry, but once my mind starts moving, there is no telling where it will go. Every day is a GREAT one and I am so glad God allowed me to still be here "bother" you.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I love each and every one of you.
Mark 4/6/09
Thursday, March 26, 2009
3/26 and still moving forward
Time is just flying by, but every day is a good day! I have been trying to get Tiffaney's trailer ready for her to move in to. I had to do the plumbing (water and sewer) and run and hook up the electrical line. She is moving to Deer Park and they are so tight on everything, A electrical company had to be certified by the city to check everything. They told me a few things that I had to change out. I put the electrical wiring in 2" conduit and laid it on the ground. An electrical friend told me that it had to be buried or suspended. Their rule was it had to be 18" deep and I knew I could not dig a hole under the trailer 18" deep, so I had to pull it out and run it OVER the sewer line and suspend it from the trailer. This was pretty tough because the conduit was 10' long and with this wire in it, it was heavy. I ended up tying it to trailer until I could get the bracket on. Then I would have to untie it, move down and tie up the next one. I am not sure which was worse, tying and untying or getting around under the trailer. I know I don't move as well as I once did, but I did get it run. I also had to change out the existing outdoor plug because it had to be a GCFI plug. More fun, huh? Then the city approved plumber came out and told me the same thing about the water line. It would only have to be 6" under ground, but it got attached to the trailer, too. I had the sewer line run, but they had to make sure and adjust the slope. They are much better than me on this! If this was not enough, I had to get a porch built, too. She found the boards she wanted it made of and I put the legs about 4 ft. apart. These 1 1/4" boards she liked could not support the weight without bending. I had to get back under there and put in more supports to make it sturdy enough. I guess the boards on the old deck were good for something (building these braces). I did not get railings or edge boards on yet, but that is my goal for this week-end. I also have to build another set of steps for the backyard area so the dogs can get in and out. I also have to go and put the skirting on it, too. Are we having fun on this? It sure makes me hurt the next day and this moving around so low is not pleasant, either, but at least the low part is mostly over. I knew that me trying to do this would be better than paying someone else to do this. One of the things you just do to help your kids. On top of all of that, TODAY is her Birthday.
We had a deposition with the opposing lawyer a couple of weeks ago and he implied several things that I don't agree with. He seemed to think that part of the issue was with Shane. Shane questioned the roof we were on and they said it was OK and that people were up there a lot. This company did not provide us with anything to tie off to, either. Shane did not build this roof and he asked if it was safe. I don't know what more he could have done. This lawyer also thought I fell through a skylight, which would make it look like I made a mistake. So wrong on this, too. I think they were just trying to take some of the blame off themselves, but because of them, I had over $900,000 in hospital bills and thanks to Shane, I am still here. They blame him, but I give him the credit for saving me. He was, and still is, upset about it all. It has to hurt deep down to see a good friend go through all this. It looks like a jury will have to hear my story for these people to understand how it changed my life so much. This will not be pleasant for this company to hear, but that is just how life deals the cards sometimes. I know the first things to come out of my settlement will be the hospital and doctor fees and my lawyer fees. I know when a group of people here what I and all my family and friends went through, the money it cost us and the time we lost, 12 people will be there, feeling what happened. How do you make people understand how I had to withdraw money from my retirement to keep our family afloat? Plus all the miles put on many peoples cars and the parking and meals, etc. Do I need to hit someone with a broom handle to get them to understand how much pain I still feel every day? Walking and stairs still hurt every day but I have adjusted to it because it is part of life now.
Life is great because so many people were there pulling me along and that God made a difference in my life by keeping me around. And, if this weren't enough, I get to spend some time with Maxwell tomorrow and Monday and Tuesday of next week. Yes, I had to take some vacation for it, but this is all worth it! He will just smile at me and make my life great all of those days. So how can I say "Life is Great"? It is and I am here taking in my share of air each day.
We had a deposition with the opposing lawyer a couple of weeks ago and he implied several things that I don't agree with. He seemed to think that part of the issue was with Shane. Shane questioned the roof we were on and they said it was OK and that people were up there a lot. This company did not provide us with anything to tie off to, either. Shane did not build this roof and he asked if it was safe. I don't know what more he could have done. This lawyer also thought I fell through a skylight, which would make it look like I made a mistake. So wrong on this, too. I think they were just trying to take some of the blame off themselves, but because of them, I had over $900,000 in hospital bills and thanks to Shane, I am still here. They blame him, but I give him the credit for saving me. He was, and still is, upset about it all. It has to hurt deep down to see a good friend go through all this. It looks like a jury will have to hear my story for these people to understand how it changed my life so much. This will not be pleasant for this company to hear, but that is just how life deals the cards sometimes. I know the first things to come out of my settlement will be the hospital and doctor fees and my lawyer fees. I know when a group of people here what I and all my family and friends went through, the money it cost us and the time we lost, 12 people will be there, feeling what happened. How do you make people understand how I had to withdraw money from my retirement to keep our family afloat? Plus all the miles put on many peoples cars and the parking and meals, etc. Do I need to hit someone with a broom handle to get them to understand how much pain I still feel every day? Walking and stairs still hurt every day but I have adjusted to it because it is part of life now.
Life is great because so many people were there pulling me along and that God made a difference in my life by keeping me around. And, if this weren't enough, I get to spend some time with Maxwell tomorrow and Monday and Tuesday of next week. Yes, I had to take some vacation for it, but this is all worth it! He will just smile at me and make my life great all of those days. So how can I say "Life is Great"? It is and I am here taking in my share of air each day.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Another week has flown by & I am still here, 3/15/09
It is amazing the things I can do and the things I can't do quite right. Tiffaney's trailer was moved to Deer Park and it needs the water, sewer and electricity all run. The plumbing stuff was easy except that I had to crawl under the trailer to do it. It is still a struggle to get on the ground and harder to move around. My hardheadedness helps me get this done, but the pain is still there. There is not enough room under it to sit or move easily. Most of this had to be done while laying on my back. Moving from one spot to the next is still difficult, but I had to do this instead of having Tiff pay a plumber his fee for it. The electrical was much harder! I put all this wiring inside 2" piping all on the ground. I found out after I had run it on the ground that it either had to be 18" under ground or off the ground, suspended from the trailer. I had to pull all of this wiring back out and attach it to the bottom of the trailer. This meant it had to run OVER the sewer line. This wiring is SO HEAVY. I could not lift it up to bolt it in place. At first, I used a block of cement and a small piece of piping to get it close and attach the holder in place. After this, I started using rope to tie each piece in place until I could get the holder attached. This worked out OK except once the holder was attached, the rope had to be removed before tightening the holder. The hardest part was getting this OVER the sewer line without messing this piping up. The ground under the trailer is hard, which is hard on my tailbone. When I was under there and needed something else to continue, I had to work my way out to get it. It was a long, time consuming progress, but I got most of it done in one LONG day. The last little bit at the incoming box was a challenge, too. I could not put it together to get length of piping, so I got it as close as I could and had to cut the pipe to the length I though was right. It turned out to be a little long so I had to cut it again. This time it was a little short. That's my luck, huh? To get this to fit, I had to remove the last bracket in to make it fit. Once it was right, I had to glue the last few pieces in place. I had a friend that is a state certified electrician come by and check everything to make sure I did everything correctly. He was impressed with the way it all came out and everything looked great. He checked and tightened all connections and said it was ready to go. Now I have to get a "Deer Park approved" electrician to check it AGAIN so power can be turned on. We have one scheduled for Monday but they want $350 to do it. I think this is an easy way for them to make EASY money, but they have to be "certified" by Deer Park to get the city's permit so power can be turned on. Plumbing is the same way, but we can't get a "certified" plumber to call us back. Until we find one, we won't have water or sewer either. Next, I started working on the porch. We (Tiff and I) took the old deck apart and started on it Saturday, but with all the rain we are getting, I could not go very far. It is supposed to rain again today, but the weather is supposed to be better tomorrow (Monday). We are not going to try to fight this rain today, so I know where I will be tomorrow. This is easier because I am upright instead of being under the trailer. Moving and holding these boards is tough, but Tiff is a lot of of help doing this.
Life is wonderful and, yes, I SHOULD NOT be able to do this stuff, but God has helped me to be able to do it. He is such an inspiration to me to allow me the ability to do these things! I guess that is why I am is such a good mood most of the time and able to do things that the hospital told me I would not be able to do.
Life is wonderful and, yes, I SHOULD NOT be able to do this stuff, but God has helped me to be able to do it. He is such an inspiration to me to allow me the ability to do these things! I guess that is why I am is such a good mood most of the time and able to do things that the hospital told me I would not be able to do.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tuesday, March 3 and still around
Well, another week has flown by and life is GREAT. I was on vacation yesterday and watched my Grandson all day. It was wonderful all day long. He was sweet almost all day. It was a wonderful thing to spend time with him. He would just look up and smile at me as he passed gas.... Typical boy, huh? I got to hold him most of the time and let him lay quietly and sleep some of the time, too.
I had to go to Huntsville on Friday and start getting the trailer ready for moving. Much of this I could do and part of it I couldn't. Getting down on the ground still hurts and getting up is not too pleasant either. We had to remove the water line, the sewer line and the wiring for electricity. The skirting along the bottom was really an interesting thing to do. It does not come a part very easily. You have to pull them away from the trailer, then lift them up to get them apart. We stacked them in my truck, one on top of the other. There was quite a few of them and they took up a lot of the room in the truck. All the piping was easy to load since it was light, but we had to tie the together so they did not blow out. Once the truck was full, we still had the porch to go. Shane was with me with his brother-in-law. Shane suggested we go to his brother's house to get a trailer to load the deck up. It was so big, we had to cut it into three pieces. It was still too heavy to easily load, but thanks to my "helpers", they did just fine. It is things like this that make me realize how hurt I still am. Do what you can and smile that I am still here taking in air. Tiffaney is getting excited about getting the trailer set up and fixed up so she will have her own place. She is a sweetheart to be around, but I think she really needs this location change. She will enjoy her own place and have her animals around to keep her company. We will really miss having her around her. She is one of those that does the things that need to be done. She cooks regularly and helps Matt with his homework, too. I don't think we will know how much we miss her until she is gone. Somehow, I need to get the porch re-built and the wiring and plumbing all still is needed. I think she will have to hire someone to put the skirting back on because it is too delicate and precise for me these days. The porches will be a challenge, but they are made of wood and I can do wood items.
Another good day is right around the corner as I get to watch Maxwell again on Friday. Betty will be working days and Megan and Matt will be gone so he is all MINE to SPOIL!
Life is great. Smile and thank God for allowing us time to enjoy everything. My love is sent to all of you that read this. Make life wonderful every day. I will write again real soon.
Mark 3/3/09
I had to go to Huntsville on Friday and start getting the trailer ready for moving. Much of this I could do and part of it I couldn't. Getting down on the ground still hurts and getting up is not too pleasant either. We had to remove the water line, the sewer line and the wiring for electricity. The skirting along the bottom was really an interesting thing to do. It does not come a part very easily. You have to pull them away from the trailer, then lift them up to get them apart. We stacked them in my truck, one on top of the other. There was quite a few of them and they took up a lot of the room in the truck. All the piping was easy to load since it was light, but we had to tie the together so they did not blow out. Once the truck was full, we still had the porch to go. Shane was with me with his brother-in-law. Shane suggested we go to his brother's house to get a trailer to load the deck up. It was so big, we had to cut it into three pieces. It was still too heavy to easily load, but thanks to my "helpers", they did just fine. It is things like this that make me realize how hurt I still am. Do what you can and smile that I am still here taking in air. Tiffaney is getting excited about getting the trailer set up and fixed up so she will have her own place. She is a sweetheart to be around, but I think she really needs this location change. She will enjoy her own place and have her animals around to keep her company. We will really miss having her around her. She is one of those that does the things that need to be done. She cooks regularly and helps Matt with his homework, too. I don't think we will know how much we miss her until she is gone. Somehow, I need to get the porch re-built and the wiring and plumbing all still is needed. I think she will have to hire someone to put the skirting back on because it is too delicate and precise for me these days. The porches will be a challenge, but they are made of wood and I can do wood items.
Another good day is right around the corner as I get to watch Maxwell again on Friday. Betty will be working days and Megan and Matt will be gone so he is all MINE to SPOIL!
Life is great. Smile and thank God for allowing us time to enjoy everything. My love is sent to all of you that read this. Make life wonderful every day. I will write again real soon.
Mark 3/3/09
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, Feb 23 and still kicking
Well, another day has passed us by and I am still here and PROUD to be here. I spent all last week with Megan and my Grandson and enjoyed every bit of it. It was a great thing to hold him and watch him sleep. I also enjoyed the times when he was awake just enjoying being held. Life is a wonderful thing and I really enjoyed our time together. He would just look at me with love and it makes me feel so good. Matt was off this weekend so I let him help Megan where it was needed.
I spent this weekend working on stuff around here. I broke our "not working" hot tub down and cleared the deck off. I started trying to move the deck, but it was too heavy to lift. I raised it up with my jack and placed 4x4's under it and tried to slide it. This did not work very well, either. Today, when I got home from work, I removed a few of the boards and cut the deck in to three pieces. It was still too heavy to lift up, so I slide each end a little bit at a time. Now all three pieces are moved out and the ground underneath it is pretty low. I have to fill in these holes for now, but our plan it to make the porch larger. Concrete will be put here some day soon, but I don't think I am ready for this just yet. First, I have to figure out where this deck will be put and get it set and back together. Sometimes, it is the little things that make life interesting. Once I get this set up, I can start looking at the size of the new porch. This means I have some dirt to remove and some re bar strips to put down. I do not look forward to all of this but it needs to be done so I can put my BBQ pit on it. Just think, two years ago, there was a pool and hot tub back there and now they are both gone. I have a lot of sand in place where the pool used to be. I guess the good part is that mowing is still pretty easy since there is no grass where the sand is.
I will be taking a couple of days of vacation at the start of next week to be with my Grandson. Megan has to go back to school on Thursday. Betty will be there Thursday and half of Friday and I get the other half. Then Monday and Tuesday, he will be mine to spoil! I am so looking forward to this.
Well, since today is my birthday, I had many friends call or send me cards or even a few e-mails. Tiffaney even took me out for dinner tonight while Betty was at Megan's. Certain people remember this day and that always makes me feel good. I think I turned 40 AGAIN... If my math is right, I must have been born in 1969 now. My driver's license has this date wrong. I guess when you let the state get there information from a birth certificate, they get confused.....
Life is great and I enjoy every day. Now I have Maxwell around to make me enjoy it that much more. YES, I am Grandpa now. Does this mean I am getting older? Well, YES I am but enjoying it every day that goes by.
I love life and love the people in my life! Every day that I wake up breathing on my own is a good day. Yes, we are coming up on my 2nd anniversary of my trouble, but July is still worth looking forward to living thru. I know my accident made my Mom's birthday pretty rough two years ago because it happened the day before her birthday. I can only hope she knows how much it meant to me to not call and wish her a Happy Birthday that year.
Life is wonderful and I will have a smile on my face tomorrow because I survived another year of happiness. My love is sent to all of you that still read this. I know some people read it and don't respond, but knowing that I am a dear part of their life makes me feel better. I don't care if you respond as long as you care about how I am and how I am doing.
Signed this time by "The Birthday Boy". Thanks for thinking of me and keeping up with how I am doing.
I spent this weekend working on stuff around here. I broke our "not working" hot tub down and cleared the deck off. I started trying to move the deck, but it was too heavy to lift. I raised it up with my jack and placed 4x4's under it and tried to slide it. This did not work very well, either. Today, when I got home from work, I removed a few of the boards and cut the deck in to three pieces. It was still too heavy to lift up, so I slide each end a little bit at a time. Now all three pieces are moved out and the ground underneath it is pretty low. I have to fill in these holes for now, but our plan it to make the porch larger. Concrete will be put here some day soon, but I don't think I am ready for this just yet. First, I have to figure out where this deck will be put and get it set and back together. Sometimes, it is the little things that make life interesting. Once I get this set up, I can start looking at the size of the new porch. This means I have some dirt to remove and some re bar strips to put down. I do not look forward to all of this but it needs to be done so I can put my BBQ pit on it. Just think, two years ago, there was a pool and hot tub back there and now they are both gone. I have a lot of sand in place where the pool used to be. I guess the good part is that mowing is still pretty easy since there is no grass where the sand is.
I will be taking a couple of days of vacation at the start of next week to be with my Grandson. Megan has to go back to school on Thursday. Betty will be there Thursday and half of Friday and I get the other half. Then Monday and Tuesday, he will be mine to spoil! I am so looking forward to this.
Well, since today is my birthday, I had many friends call or send me cards or even a few e-mails. Tiffaney even took me out for dinner tonight while Betty was at Megan's. Certain people remember this day and that always makes me feel good. I think I turned 40 AGAIN... If my math is right, I must have been born in 1969 now. My driver's license has this date wrong. I guess when you let the state get there information from a birth certificate, they get confused.....
Life is great and I enjoy every day. Now I have Maxwell around to make me enjoy it that much more. YES, I am Grandpa now. Does this mean I am getting older? Well, YES I am but enjoying it every day that goes by.
I love life and love the people in my life! Every day that I wake up breathing on my own is a good day. Yes, we are coming up on my 2nd anniversary of my trouble, but July is still worth looking forward to living thru. I know my accident made my Mom's birthday pretty rough two years ago because it happened the day before her birthday. I can only hope she knows how much it meant to me to not call and wish her a Happy Birthday that year.
Life is wonderful and I will have a smile on my face tomorrow because I survived another year of happiness. My love is sent to all of you that still read this. I know some people read it and don't respond, but knowing that I am a dear part of their life makes me feel better. I don't care if you respond as long as you care about how I am and how I am doing.
Signed this time by "The Birthday Boy". Thanks for thinking of me and keeping up with how I am doing.
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