On Monday I turned 52. My kids decided to have a party for me. They started on Sunday after the celebration at the In-laws. Jon cleaned the entire basement. I thought he did it because I bought him a portable close hanger.
So on Monday, the actual day, the kids when to Walmart and bought party things and the StarTrek movie for me. I was working at home in my office most of the time. I suspected something was going on, especially when Katie had me run around getting some items for Taco dinner. The weird thing is, she said she forgot meat and Taco sauce, but in fact she did not get anything else except potato chips. So it was a little weird dinner not having the usual items for Tacos. Then later I went to the kitchen and the windows blinds were closed. She did not want me to see who is coming over so her reaction kept me curious. I thought all this was a little strange but wanted to let it play out and see what they planned. So when I went down to the basement, to my surprise, 24 people said "Happy Birthday".
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Ex-Empathy
I have to admit that I find myself in empathy for my ex-wife, Especially when it comes to the kids. They live with me and have done so for over a year. Her exposure to them is limited. Not by my account, its chosen by the kids. Their old enough legally to determine where they are going to live.
Each day she gives them a nightly call on their cell. Many times she does not get through. Between the holidays at the end of 09, I went to see my sister in OK city. They both did not want to spend the entire time with their mother. But I convinced them and her to go for 2 days in the beginning of the week, visit friends in the middle. Then at the end of the week they were to leave for her side of family Christmas.
The first day, right after exchange of presents, all hell breaks loose. Katie calls me balling, then Jon. They told me Mom's a wreck. I am sure she tried so hard to keep the piece. Katie told me she was going drive them home. Fortunately, they worked things out. But I bet it was a very emotional time. I guess they did have some problems at family Christmas. I wasn't told too much, probably by design. Either way when things go bad for them I feel it is a sad situation.
Each day she gives them a nightly call on their cell. Many times she does not get through. Between the holidays at the end of 09, I went to see my sister in OK city. They both did not want to spend the entire time with their mother. But I convinced them and her to go for 2 days in the beginning of the week, visit friends in the middle. Then at the end of the week they were to leave for her side of family Christmas.
The first day, right after exchange of presents, all hell breaks loose. Katie calls me balling, then Jon. They told me Mom's a wreck. I am sure she tried so hard to keep the piece. Katie told me she was going drive them home. Fortunately, they worked things out. But I bet it was a very emotional time. I guess they did have some problems at family Christmas. I wasn't told too much, probably by design. Either way when things go bad for them I feel it is a sad situation.
Busy Weekend
On Saturday the big task was to insulate the kitchen crawl space. I had previously hired a local contractor to do it and he did all of the other crawl spaces but he could not do the kitchen. It is an area about 8' x twenty something' and only 16" high. When the contractor came 2 weeks ago to do it, his belly would not fit in the opening. So on this Saturday, he hired, through me, my son, Jon.
Actually we did it together and he got paid $125 for 3 hours of work. It was tough work. I started, using 2' x 10' Styrofoam sheets 1.5" thick. I laid on my back face up with the first sheet. There is no room to swing a hammer, so I used a air driven hammer connected to my compressor. We had flashlights attached to out heads to see. I had to squiggle like a worm to get inside. After the first one was in, Jon wiggled in as far as he can go. We worked together holding and driving in the nails. We worked as far as we could with the spacing narrowing down to a few inches from our chest. He was at least 10' in further in than me.
When you are under a crawl space with these foam sheets above you, there is nothing to grab on to. Moving about is also complicated with the fact your knees don't bend very far. So we both had to wiggle and squirm to get out.
And that was the project for Saturday.
On Sunday, we wanted to go tubing at Holiday Valley. Jon wanted his friends Matt, Jordan, & Evan to go. Their ages are between 8 and 13. Uncle Ed and his daughter Amanda wanted to go too. So when the kids got back from Church we borrowed Matt, Jordan, & Evan's family van and off we went. Incidentally, Katie did not want to go.
Holiday Valley was a blast. We got there at 1:30 and left at 3:30. The weather was perfect, around 30 degrees. but rain was approaching later in the day.
You start by grabbing a tube. It is about the size as a truck tire with a plastic side which goes against the snow. The hill is long and fast and fun.
Matt, Jordan & Evan stayed over because there was no school on MLK day. So I worked till noon and we watched movies all day. They left at 7:00 pm.
It was a fun weekend.
Actually we did it together and he got paid $125 for 3 hours of work. It was tough work. I started, using 2' x 10' Styrofoam sheets 1.5" thick. I laid on my back face up with the first sheet. There is no room to swing a hammer, so I used a air driven hammer connected to my compressor. We had flashlights attached to out heads to see. I had to squiggle like a worm to get inside. After the first one was in, Jon wiggled in as far as he can go. We worked together holding and driving in the nails. We worked as far as we could with the spacing narrowing down to a few inches from our chest. He was at least 10' in further in than me.
When you are under a crawl space with these foam sheets above you, there is nothing to grab on to. Moving about is also complicated with the fact your knees don't bend very far. So we both had to wiggle and squirm to get out.
And that was the project for Saturday.
On Sunday, we wanted to go tubing at Holiday Valley. Jon wanted his friends Matt, Jordan, & Evan to go. Their ages are between 8 and 13. Uncle Ed and his daughter Amanda wanted to go too. So when the kids got back from Church we borrowed Matt, Jordan, & Evan's family van and off we went. Incidentally, Katie did not want to go.
Holiday Valley was a blast. We got there at 1:30 and left at 3:30. The weather was perfect, around 30 degrees. but rain was approaching later in the day.
You start by grabbing a tube. It is about the size as a truck tire with a plastic side which goes against the snow. The hill is long and fast and fun.
Matt, Jordan & Evan stayed over because there was no school on MLK day. So I worked till noon and we watched movies all day. They left at 7:00 pm.
It was a fun weekend.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The month of Aquarius
Also known as the "Water Bearer". I say this because I want to stay afloat with what is to happen this month. From my profile, I am an Electrical Engineer for a Filtration systems company. I have 3 projects that should have drawings done by this month. I already did 2 and have one more left. But there are some surprises.
For the last 3 months I expected to go to Vancouver B.C. on a start up. So far they have not needed me. I am afraid if they do it will put a kink in my plans. I would be out for a week and it creates havoc for my family. Not to mention getting my 3rd drawing package done.
I want to go to Florida next month so I have to plan now. Also, my daughter, Katherine, is going to Europe next month. I put in for vacation. My boss is going to sign it this week. Katherine is to have her wisdom teeth pulled on the 29Th.
So if my element is AIR, I have to take a deep breath and have fun planning and remember that my secret desire is to be unique and original.
We will see where life takes me.
For the last 3 months I expected to go to Vancouver B.C. on a start up. So far they have not needed me. I am afraid if they do it will put a kink in my plans. I would be out for a week and it creates havoc for my family. Not to mention getting my 3rd drawing package done.
I want to go to Florida next month so I have to plan now. Also, my daughter, Katherine, is going to Europe next month. I put in for vacation. My boss is going to sign it this week. Katherine is to have her wisdom teeth pulled on the 29Th.
So if my element is AIR, I have to take a deep breath and have fun planning and remember that my secret desire is to be unique and original.
We will see where life takes me.
Monday, January 11, 2010
I also do ebay..
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=jkd1958
I don't have anything up now. But I will. And in the future and all kinds of stuff. That what everybody needs... more stuff.
A BUSY 52 YEARS
Well, This is the first attempt at creating a Blog. My sister has been trying to get me to do it for years. So I wanted to start with early milestones up till now:
Born in January 1958.
Became acquainted with electricity in 1962 with a bobby pin in a stove socket.
Went to Lake Shore Central Schools, took up Electricity. Some think I was taking Space.
Graduated in 1976.
Worked in the Panel Shop at Duriron Filtration Systems Division at 19.
Went to Bryant & Stratton, received an AOS in Electrical Technology. Became a Field service Engineer and then an Electrical Engineer for Duriron. (Not bad for only having a AOS.) Even became head of the department.
Got Married in 1989.
Duriron was sold to Aquacare, kept same title.
Had 2 children, Katie & Jon.
Aquacare Folded in 2002, became a stay-at-home-dad and freelanced.
Worked for Ascension industries in 2004.
Went to work for Gowanda Electronics in 2006.
Lost my mother in May of 06.
Went back to Ascension in 2007.
2007 very bad year. Marriage fell apart, I am now separated. The kids live with me. Also my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
My dad died in March of 2009.
All of 2009 was the clean up my parents property.
Finally in 2010, the house is sold. A lot to do before closing.
Born in January 1958.
Became acquainted with electricity in 1962 with a bobby pin in a stove socket.
Went to Lake Shore Central Schools, took up Electricity. Some think I was taking Space.
Graduated in 1976.
Worked in the Panel Shop at Duriron Filtration Systems Division at 19.
Went to Bryant & Stratton, received an AOS in Electrical Technology. Became a Field service Engineer and then an Electrical Engineer for Duriron. (Not bad for only having a AOS.) Even became head of the department.
Got Married in 1989.
Duriron was sold to Aquacare, kept same title.
Had 2 children, Katie & Jon.
Aquacare Folded in 2002, became a stay-at-home-dad and freelanced.
Worked for Ascension industries in 2004.
Went to work for Gowanda Electronics in 2006.
Lost my mother in May of 06.
Went back to Ascension in 2007.
2007 very bad year. Marriage fell apart, I am now separated. The kids live with me. Also my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
My dad died in March of 2009.
All of 2009 was the clean up my parents property.
Finally in 2010, the house is sold. A lot to do before closing.
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