Date:	2008-03-05 11:09
Subject:	Birthday Girls
Security:	Public
Mood:	jubilant

Happy Birthday to my LJ friends: Magnolia 40 and Brithintomyhnds. Hope that today is full of wonder and happiness to you both.

Date:	2008-03-04 07:57
Subject:	Maybe I'm Cursed
Security:	Public
Mood:	crazy

Last night after snuggling into bed with my lovely wife, I was just dozing off when the phone rings. Now, I would have let the machine answer it but my wife immediately thinks that someone has died and answers. It's my stepson's girlfriend's father. He wants to know why Mike (stepson) is throwing his daughter out of their motel room. Huh? He goes on and on about how they are having a big fight and the police are involved and she is being told she has to leave. Now, Mike, was at our house for dinner and left with a fever.(I didn't have anything to do with that- no poison or anything) So I don't think he was quite up to a fight with his girlfriend, but who knows. Anyway, Vern (the Dad) wants to know why his daughter is being throw out. I told him that her name is on the ledger as one of the tenants and my wife pays the rent each week and she is not being thrown out. He then tells me that his daughter wants some repairs done to her car since we had work done to the car we took away from Mike. He also wants me to pay for her auto insurance. Then he was upset with me because we gave both our sons cell phones and didn't buy her one. Am I missing something here. We are making sure that they have a roof over their heads, food, gas and paying off loans at 300% interest they took to support their heroin addiction and he is upset that I haven't gotten her a cell phone or done repairs to her car. She has not worked in three months. She just (according to Mike)lays on the floor and stares at the wall. Perhaps I'm being too selfish. What do you guys think?

Date:	2008-02-28 12:53
Subject:	It's Been Over a Month
Security:	Public
Mood:	cheerful
Music:	none

Since I've posted anything. Actually, my life has slowed down a bit and things are getting themselves under control a little bit better. Drug addict children are now through the worst part of withdraw and other than their lack of possessions and money are doing fine. Complaining about their lot but what do they expect? Other son is out of jail, working and planning a wedding to his girlfriend. They want to do it on a Bahamas cruise. Sounds cool. It seems that my ex-wife and her new boyfriend will not be attending because he refuses to wear anything buy blue jeans and my ex will not wear shorts. (It's times like these that make me thank God we are apart) I understand that the boyfriend will only eat steak and french fries. Anyway...a cruise sounds like a good way to relieve some stress. It's scheduled for December of this year, so I can avoid some cold too. Work is still going full blast, but I only am working every other weekend instead of every weekend. I had last weekend off and didn't know what to do with all the time. I did put a new light fixture up in my bathroom just to fill in time. I think my weight loss plan is finally kicking in. My pants seem baggier around the waist. I guess I need to kick it up a notch to see if I can get into my old high school clothes again. (rolls eyes) That's it for now. I know I always promise pics and never come through. I'll have to sweet talk the wife into uploading some for me soon. I'm really inept at this on line stuff.

I admit I'm way behind on reading everyone's posts this past week. I miss seeing what you all are up to, but I have had my hands full. On Friday the 11th, one of my contractors had a hazardous material released into the atmosphere and I have been scrambling to correct the situation all week. It seem that the contractor, who was removing lead paint from an aircraft hanger door, had his barrier curtain blown open when hanger personnel opened the hanger door next to their work area with a helicopter hoovering right outside the door. Needless to say the lead paint dust was spread all over the interior of the hanger. So I have been camped out at this hanger in double environmental suits supervising the clean-up. Things are actually going quite well there. I also received some wonderful news about my son. He was on the local news and in the new paper about his GED (General Education Diploma) graduation ceremony. It seems that he had his graduation ceremony in the Newport News City Hall. He was valedictorian of his class. Here's the good part ;) He and his classmates stood there in their orange jump suits and in shackles. Yes, they are in jail. They had this special ceremony to show the public that prisoners can be rehibilitated. My son scored over 3000 points of 4000 total to become valedictorian. Less than 5% of the people taking this test in the entire country score that high. At least he is being recognized for something positive in his life. He hopes to be out on bond by the middle of next month. He wants to be a plumber. I guess he'll be a good one cause he always seems to be in deep shit.

Well, that's it for now. Hope to post again soon.

I want to take this time to wish all my LJ friends a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope the up coming year is the best year you have ever had and all your dreams come true.

Date:	2007-12-21 09:39
Subject:	First of Two
Security:	Public
Mood:	happy

As you all know, I rarely post, let alone post a meme. But I couldn't resist this bunch of questions from my lj friend red silk robe, a person that probably doesn't know be because of my lack of comments, but she is my political gage for all that's going on in this country and I love her posts.


1. Do you like blue cheese?
Only on my salads.

2. Have you ever gone streaking?
Yes, when I was a teenager.

3. Do you own a gun?
Only two, my son stole my other two and gave them to a drug dealer he owed money to.

4. Your favorite song?
I don't have one favorite, it depends on my mood but "Gimmie Shelter" by the Rolling Stones and "All I Want is You" by U2 stand out alot.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
doctors, no, dentist scare the hell out of me.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
They are okay.


7. Favorite Christmas song?
I have more than one, Little Drummer Boy & Silver Bells are on the top of the list

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Only orange juice.


9. Can you do push ups?
Yes, but I don't know how many

(dunno what happened to 10) I don't know either.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
I guess my wedding ring that my lovely wife gave me.

12. Favorite hobby?
Photography, followed by wood working, painting, science fiction

(or 13--except it's unlucky)

14. Do you have A.D.D.?
No

15. What one trait do you hate about yourself?
I lose my patience easily.

16. Middle Name?
Lee
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
Can I go home now, I need food and I have to go to the bathroom.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
I actually purchased three things yesterday but I can't say what they are because my wife reads my posts and they were gifts for her. Normally I never shop and to purchase three things in one day unless I was grocery shopping would be unheard of.
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink
OJ, cranberry juice, water
20. Current worry right now?
Stopping alimony to ex.

21. Current hate right now?
Getting old.

22. Favorite place to be?
Colorado
23. How did you bring in the New Year?
With my loving wife.

24. Where would you like to go?
Ireland, Egypt.

25. Name three people who will complete this?
No one I know.

26. Do you own slippers?
Yes, one pair

27. What shirt are you wearing?
Heavy blue plaid.

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Never have

29. Can you whistle?
No.

30. Favorite color?
Blue

31. Would you be a pirate?
I don't believe in taking things from people.

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Don't sing.

33. Favorite girl's name?
Sarah

34. Favorite boy's name?
JOshua

35. What's in your pocket right now?
Everything I carry each day. I'm a guy, that's where we carry everything.

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Cat.

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
Hop a Long Casidy print.

38. Worst injury you've ever had?
Broke both bones in my arm in half and split one to the elbow while skate boarding.

39. Do you love where you live?
No, I tolerate it.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
Had 3 but moved one to my shop to watch mindless drivel while I exercised.

41. Who is your loudest friend?
I don't have loud friends.

42. How many dogs do you have?
None

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
I don't know.

45. What is your favorite book?
Dune by Frank Herbert

46. Favorite Candy Bar?
Dark chocolate milky way

47. Favorite Sports Team?
Pittsburgh Steelers

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
Taps

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Dancing around my TV room celebrating the Steelers win over the Rams

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
It's Friday!!!! Yea!

Date:	2007-11-22 13:21
Subject:	Happy Thanksgiving and Birthday
Security:	Public
Mood:	cheerful
Music:	Gentle breeze blowing in the window

I hope all of you are stuffing your faces and getting that wonderful Thanksgiving feeling. I bought a fresh turkey instead of frozen to make things easier but when I got it out of the refrigerator, gaaaa daaaa!!! It was frozen. So dinner will be a little later than planned due the having to thaw the bird. Happy birthday to creamsicklesky. I always forget to wish my lj friends happy birthday. (Sorry, I'm trying to do better) I am going to try to add a photo (by myself) of the autumn leaves and my favorite photo subject-Mrs. sp6560.
I couldn't do it. I had to get the Mrs. in to guide me.

Date:	2007-11-12 21:29
Subject:	Photos, I think
Security:	Public
Mood:	sick
Music:	Silence

( I hope they're under this cut! )

My last post was full on kinda nice stuff but yesterday it took a down slide. Idiot son number two got himself arrested for shoplifting. Considered grand larceny because it was over $200 worth of stuff, including a weed wacker!!??!!?? His wallet with one dollar in it has been at my house for a week. His friend called me while I was at work to tell me. Perhaps he thought I was going to go bail him out or something. I just said, "Thanks for letting me know." and hung up. Josh knows that I will not bail him out of jail if he commits a crime. This may not bod well with him up coming trial for drug possession. Stupid kids.

Date:	2007-11-03 11:11
Subject:	November Update
Security:	Public
Mood:	content
Music:	silence

Trip to Carolina was good. Got real sore and tired from the hiking in the mountains. Didn't realize how tough it would be going up the mountain. I need more exercise. Stepson just got a new job with Verizon. He has a seven week training program then starts part time. I told him he can then get another job to fill in all the spare time he will have. Our refrigerator went out last week. The ice maker started squirting water all over the inside of the freezer and making everything one large block of ice. The new one was delivered this morning. We put the old one in the laundry room next to the freezer for a place to store beverages and such. I let the wife pick out the new one and she is delighted with all the neat little features. Halloween was nice. We had a dozen children come by. More than last year and close to our record 18. One year we only had five. We watched Sleepy Hollow, which is our favorite Halloween movie, ate candy and went to bed with visions of pumpkins in our heads. At work, we have hired four new people, so things are very busy. Little time for me to post or even comment, so if you have gotten a comment from me, you are one of the few luck ones. I will try to do better. I am at work this weekend, hence the post. Only two projects working so I have a little time to let all you all (southern thing) know what's going on.

Date:	2007-10-12 08:05
Subject:	I'm Back
Security:	Public
Mood:	chipper
Music:	chatting co worker

Well, I never went away, I just haven't been posting. So, today I thought I would bring everyone up to date. Life has been going smoothly for me lately so there was no drama to post for everyone to enjoy. Work has picked up and I am happily busy and it is now my favorite time of year. Next weekend, Ceil and I are going to visit her mother in North Carolina. Western Carolina is beautiful this time of year. We plan lots of hikes in the mountains with lots of fall foliage pictures. Can't wait. We haven't been off anywhere this year except our annual visit to Pennsylvania on Memorial Day weekend and a day trip to Assateague Island in July. I even got new hiking boots for the trip. (a wonder since I rarely buy stuff like that) I have been keeping up with the daily workout routine on the bowflex. I have added a mile warmup on the elliptical and a mile cool down to burn more calories. So far I have only lost 15 pounds or so and down two pants sizes. It's a start. Only 30 to 40 pounds to go. Maybe I can be there by the end of the year. I have discovered that if I fight with my wife when she gets home from work, I get too upset to eat dinner and that could only help my weight loss program. But, I guess she would not appreciate that method to fight fat. So, that's all I can think of for the moment. Hope all ya all are fine too.

Just a little update on my well being. I haven't posted lately and maybe someone out there would like to know what's going on here. Summer came and went hot and fast. Looking forward to a nice hurricane free fall. Son moved to Arizona to live with his sister. Hope that works out. And my daughter told me the other day that she will be in the Hooters 2008 Calender. Then she is quitting Hooters. She hasn't worked in the restraunt for over six months. Just doing the speciality appearances thing. Speaking of working out. My stepson bought this Bow flex machine (which he never paid for) and brought it to my house last May. I have been using it religiously for the past four months and I am finally seeing some results. I have gained five pounds. Now I'm up to 245!!!! WTF! This was supposed to make me lose weight. I am feeling better and sleeping better but my muscles are constantly sore. But I guess it's nice to know that I can do a crunch with 160 pounds of resistance. I was working on six pack abs and I now have a twelve pack. I am going to have to think up a new scheme to get this weight off. I shutter at the thought of jogging. Let's see, what else. Oh, yes. Bought a new truck. The wife thought that the transmission was going to blow up and because the warranty had expired, the Ford was not worth having. Now, what guy would say no to that kind of logic. The love of your life says you need a new truck. Who am I to deny her. So I made the sacrifice and got a new one. I guess I'll just have to suffer with it. So, as you can see, I'm on the top of the world at the moment.

Date:	2007-08-08 13:06
Subject:	More Powers Drama
Security:	Public
Mood:	aggravated
Music:	none

One would think that their own family would keep them informed if something bad was occurring in the family. Or am I way off base with this? I was looking at my son's girlfriend's my space page. (I am on her friends list) I noticed she changed the title to Sarah's going to Arizona. This was a shock. So I called my daughter in Arizona to see if she knew anything about it and she told me. Yes, she and Josh (my son) and their daughter were to leave Virginia that morning to move in with her in Arizona. I asked why and my daughter informs me that my son is strung out on heroin and he thinks that going to Arizona will help him start a new life. I asked her how long this has been going on and she said that she got a call from his ex girlfriend about six months ago telling her that Josh was having drug problems. No one bothered to tell me and I have been giving him hundreds of dollars for auto repair bills, late fees on utilities and other emergencies that he was constantly having. (lies to get drug money) If some one had just called to let me know, I would not have given him money to buy all these drugs. Is it too much to ask your loved ones to be honest with you? I guess so. I am real concerned about my 25 year old daughter taking in an entire family and helping them find jobs and getting off drugs. I am doing that with a 27 year old step son now and it is a real burden. I am saying a lot of prayers now. More to come later, unless I commit suicide first.

I just have to shake my head in wonder. I am dumbfounded. Last night, the boy, tells me just before I go into the bedroom for the night that he needs gas in his windowless car to get to work in the morning. So I say, "nice of you to wait until bedtime to tell me" He says that if I give him my bank card, he will go himself. I said, "NO!" So, I go and wake up his mother, she went to bed early and she has assumed the responsibility of putting fuel in her son's car. She said to give him her bank card, which I reluctantly did. Twenty minutes later he and his girlfriend come in the house and they give me back the card and the receipt and he tells me that he went into the store at the gas station to buy a cigar (he says he had eighty cents in his pocket) and that the cashier carded him for the purchase. Well, low and behold his drivers license has expired. While we are talking about his, his girlfrind leaves to go home. I tell him that he cannot drive the car until he renews his license. He said that he will get his girlfriend to drive him and tries to call her on her cell phone, but it appears to have been turned off for failure to pay the bill. So he frantically tried for a couple of hours and finally got a message to her to take him to work in the morning. Of course, now she needs someone to put gas in her car for this favor. Now I am filling up four vehicles a week to keep people going to work. Wait..... it gets better. About six weeks ago, the boy went to get a Virginia driver's license and could not because he did not have enough proof that he existed. He needed a birth certificate, which he had lost. My wife said she would send away to Pennsylvania to get another one. The paperwork for this was on the dining room table for quite some time, then it was gone and everyone assumed she sent it in. WRONG! Now, he has lost one form of valid ID, his license, and will have to wait who knows how many weeks for the birth certificate to try and get a Virgina's license. I wonder if everyone's lives are this disorganized?

Date:	2007-08-01 12:41
Subject:	The Here and Now
Security:	Public
Mood:	horny
Music:	Dead Silence

Here at work things are tense. I have three projects that are due this month. One has to be completed by Monday and my contractor is still waiting on materials. On another, a final inspection was scheduled for this morning and none of the government personnel showed up for the inspection, so I had to cancel it. I have requested another inspection but the completion date is the 13th of the month. I will let them decide when they can make it. The other project has until the end of the month and there should be no problems completing that this week. If a project does not complete on time, no one at this site will get a bonus at the end of the year. I don't want 24 people mad at me for not getting my projects done on time. At home, the boy has made his second insurance claim, in two months, on my insurance, for damage done to his car while he was at work and someone smashed his window to steal all his cd's and his Garman. The insurance company set up an appointment to have the car brought to a shop where they would inspect the car, give us an estimate and a rental car, all at the same time. Well, a couple of hours before the car was due, they called my wife to change the time. She had to contact her son and cancel his leaving work early. We have waited a week to have this car looked at with rain and weather coming in the broken window and they wanted to delay it longer. They also told her over the phone that they would not cover the cd's or the Garman. I told my wife to call a glass company and schedule a replacement window. The cost was $168.00. My deductible is $200. They had her wait a week to look at a car that they were not going to pay a claim on anyway. So, now she is looking to change auto insurance companies. I wish her luck. I don't have the patience for that. On a good note, the bowflex workout I have been doing for the last three months is finally starting to show some results. I am trying to build up muscle to burn fat. This is my new theory. I figure that muscle burns more calories than fat, so convert the fat to muscle and thin down. Now I look like a fat body builder. But, hey, I can do 20 situps with 110 pounds of resistance on my shoulders. I guess that's good. I still have the waistline of "shamoo" but I think it's starting to go down a little. I guess that's it for now. I know that I have promised photos for a while and I am trying to get my wife (miss lj) to assist me because I don't do this enough to remember how to upload the pics.

Date:	2007-07-16 08:07
Subject:	Stressed Out Weekend
Security:	Public
Mood:	frustrated
Music:	AC humming

This weekend was suppose to be relaxing and happy because my sister and her family was coming down from Pennsylvania for the first time in over twenty years to stay at my brother's house. We went to my brother's for a picnic Saturday afternoon. My son and his daughter came down later to see my sister. (My sister had never seen my granddaughter) Well, instead of resting from the drive when they arrived, the family decided to help prepare for the picnic and run around (they drove all night to get here) so that when the rest of the family get to my brother's for the picnic, my sister and her family are too tired to visit and they go to bed and we have the picnic without them. I even told them that they needed to nap as soon as they got there, but alas, it didn't happen. To top that off, son #1, whose girlfriend we let come down from New Jersey last weekend for a visit, informs us that she is coming back this weekend and wants to stay for two weeks. I told him there was no way that she is staying for two weeks and she can only stay Saturday and Sunday. Apparently he told her to move here because he was afraid she was seeing someone else in Jersey. He did not tell her that we said she could not stay with us. So now, he's real depressed because she is going back to New Jersey, she's mad because he told her she could stay here and I feel stuck in the middle. Son #2 is mad at me for leaving a nasty voice mail message on his phone. He borrowed money and promised to bring it by on Friday, I saw him at the picnic on Saturday and he said he forgot his wallet and on Sunday when I called him he said he would be by at 3:00 to give me the money. At 6:00 I called him but he didn't answer his phone, at 7:00 I called him but he didn't answer his phone. At 7:30 I called him and left a nasty message. He returned my call at 8:00 and said that he would have his girlfriend leave the money in my mailbox because his didn't want to see me ever again and would not let me see my granddaughter again. This seems extreme on both of our parts but in May he lied to me to borrow money and never repaid it. He also borrowed money in February that he has never repaid. I'm not talking about five or ten dollars. I'm talking about hundreds. So, anyway, I'm real stressed. Probably my own fault, but, hey, I'm only human. Rant over. :)

Date:	2007-07-09 11:09
Subject:	Pittsburgh Pics
Security:	Public
Mood:	crazy
Music:	I am waiting- Rolling Stones

I went to my high school reunion the end of June and we had the dinner on a tour boat in the rivers around the city. Here are a couple of photos that I managed to get up to the photo holding place so they can be posted. Hold on a minute while I call my wife and see how to post these things under a cut........... wish me luck.
( Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania )

Date:	2007-07-05 07:53
Subject:	My Funk
Security:	Public
Mood:	apathetic
Music:	bob dylan

Hello everyone in LJ land. Sorry I have not been posting or commenting. I have been "out of it" for a while. I have been reading all your posts but it seems that I have not time to comment or post. I have been very busy at work and at home. Work is hectic because some of my contractors are not performing as per their contracts and it is causing projects to be delayed. At home I am trying to complete a bunch of incomplete chores before my sister and her family along with my mother come to visit on the 14th of July. Keep the faith and give me some time. I have photos and posts just waiting to pop out of my head for your entertainment.

Date:	2007-06-26 08:06
Subject:	For all you drama lovers
Security:	Public
Mood:	confused
Music:	office chatter

The boys are at it again. Number one son wants to go back to Jersey to see his girl. Her father left an ominous message on my wife's cell phone last night and she will be calling him back sometime today. He wants to go this weekend and I figure it will cost him over $400 which is more than he brings home in a week. Plus the fact that my wife and I will be in Pennsylvania at my high school reunion. I don't really want him up there when we are not home. I also don't want him in an area where heroin is so easy to get. Son number two got arrested last week (his boss called be to ask why he didn't come to work yesterday and told me what had happened) for DUI. His second drunk driving arrest in the last four years. These guys have to learn things the hard way. I wonder what goes through their minds.

Date:	2007-06-15 09:50
Subject:	More Problems for the Boy
Security:	Public
Mood:	distressed
Music:	AC noise

I guess the boy is learning about the after effects of his drug use the hard way. His girlfriend in New Jersey apparently overdosed on heroin yesterday. Her parents found her yesterday morning unconscious in her bedroom and had her rushed to the hospital. She is okay but says she doesn't remember what happened. Her parents just spent $20,000.00 for her to go to this rehab facility but it appears that it was a total waste of money. She called a couple of times last night to talk to the boy and she says that she took the drugs to get even with her parents for harassing her about drug use. She also walked off her job the other day, saying that the people at work were harasssing her. She says that her parents are kicking her out of their house. She says she's coming here and living in her car in front of our house. I said, no. I cannot allow someone that is strung out on drugs to come and influence the boy who just kicked them. I fell sorry for her and wish I could help, but I have to think of the welfare of my family. I feel like a real heel for doing this.