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Thursday, August 9, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Pool Party
Location: Old neighborhood (old in the sense of not current), Larry and Denise's house.
Date: June 29th, 2009
Time: 1400
From the moment she woke up (around 10:00am) until 3 seconds before we left my mom's (around 1:30pm), Emily was reminding me that it was time to go.
"Dad, it's 10:30. We need to go!"
"Dad, it's 10:36. We need to go!"
You get the point.
Somewhere in there Emily and I went to Staples and we picked up some essentials for letter writing. She saw my letter-writing setup and wanted to do the same for me. I also got her a binder and some sheet protectors so she had some place to put my letters.
When we got home she changed into her swimming suit, we broke out the stuff and wrote each other a letter, and then went for a bike ride around Egypt. We weren't even in the door and she was already updating me on the time and how we "needed to leave" so we wouldn't be late for the Pool Party.
Needless to say, we arrived at the party a few minutes early and we were the first there. The pool temperature was around 78 and it was a tad breezy but that didn't deter Em. She jumped in and pretty much only left the water to eat.
At one point there were about 11 kids there and they all had a blast. It was great catching up with everyone. Amongst other things we talked a bit about the people that bought my house. We talked a bit about my current living situation and stuff that had happened over the last 6 months.
Before I knew it, the sun had disappeared. The last of the local fireworks shows had died down and it was time to head home. I had made this trip many times in the past and it was only a matter of cutting through a few yards to reach my back door. Why is my car parked out front? Oh right. "Get in the car sweetheart."
Date: June 29th, 2009
Time: 1400
From the moment she woke up (around 10:00am) until 3 seconds before we left my mom's (around 1:30pm), Emily was reminding me that it was time to go.
"Dad, it's 10:30. We need to go!"
"Dad, it's 10:36. We need to go!"
You get the point.
Somewhere in there Emily and I went to Staples and we picked up some essentials for letter writing. She saw my letter-writing setup and wanted to do the same for me. I also got her a binder and some sheet protectors so she had some place to put my letters.
When we got home she changed into her swimming suit, we broke out the stuff and wrote each other a letter, and then went for a bike ride around Egypt. We weren't even in the door and she was already updating me on the time and how we "needed to leave" so we wouldn't be late for the Pool Party.
Needless to say, we arrived at the party a few minutes early and we were the first there. The pool temperature was around 78 and it was a tad breezy but that didn't deter Em. She jumped in and pretty much only left the water to eat.
At one point there were about 11 kids there and they all had a blast. It was great catching up with everyone. Amongst other things we talked a bit about the people that bought my house. We talked a bit about my current living situation and stuff that had happened over the last 6 months.
Before I knew it, the sun had disappeared. The last of the local fireworks shows had died down and it was time to head home. I had made this trip many times in the past and it was only a matter of cutting through a few yards to reach my back door. Why is my car parked out front? Oh right. "Get in the car sweetheart."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
First Visit
Tonight was my first visit up at Emily's new place in Wind Gap. We went to the Stroud Mall where we sat in a photo booth, shopped at Claire's, and ate at a Chinese buffet. I have a picture of her in my car where she is wearing a flower-clip she bought at Claire's and she is so adorable (it's now her contact picture on my iPhone).
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Letters
I went to Staples tonight and purchased:
Letter #1 is done (I'm going to make a color photo copy at Staples tomorrow so I have a copy too) and I was going to mail it but I'm going to see her tomorrow evening so I'll just give it to her in person.
I used to write her letters every so often just for fun and she really loved them. I wish I would have kept up with it over the years but being with her all the time at home it didn't feel needed. Now that the divorce is final it occurred to me that making a habit of it would be a great idea for both of us.
I also plan to make silly letters which I will mail to her. I think she will love these letters more than the "I love you" letters and that is just fine. I already have a few ideas for some of these which I won't detail here since they are inside jokes and would be total nonsense to anyone but Emily and me.
- nice parchment paper
- colored pencils
- colored markers
- some kind of Sharpie marker that writes nicely
- envelopes (kids love to open letters!)
Letter #1 is done (I'm going to make a color photo copy at Staples tomorrow so I have a copy too) and I was going to mail it but I'm going to see her tomorrow evening so I'll just give it to her in person.
I used to write her letters every so often just for fun and she really loved them. I wish I would have kept up with it over the years but being with her all the time at home it didn't feel needed. Now that the divorce is final it occurred to me that making a habit of it would be a great idea for both of us.
I also plan to make silly letters which I will mail to her. I think she will love these letters more than the "I love you" letters and that is just fine. I already have a few ideas for some of these which I won't detail here since they are inside jokes and would be total nonsense to anyone but Emily and me.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day 2009
Emily and I had a wonderful day. We spent time at my brother's, went to dinner with my brother and his wife and son at a Hibachi Steak House, and topped it off with a trip to the park.
My daughter is amazing and I'm looking forward to every minute we will have together. These days just aren't long enough.
My daughter is amazing and I'm looking forward to every minute we will have together. These days just aren't long enough.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Good Night
All moved in now to Mom's. Wow, never thought this day would day come. :( I'm going to need to stay super busy.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Haley
Haley woke me up early today. I jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed because she doesn't "ask" for very long before she takes matters into her own hands (if you catch my drift.)
I remember bringing her home. So tiny and quiet. Her little eyes filled with intelligence and reserve. There were two females to choose from and we picked her because she was the shy one. The other dog was friendly enough but was chewing on everything. Chairs, hands, you-name-it. Haley was in the corner behind a chair; sitting and watching. I loved that.
It took all of 5 seconds for Haley to become part of the family. Her favorite thing in the entire world is going on a walk. All you have to do is say the word and you can just feel the anticipation. She knows and she is excited. At the end of the walk, as we come back into the driveway, you can see her demeanor change as if to say, "home already?"
In a few minutes I'm taking her out for a walk. She is a great dog and I am going to miss her.
I remember bringing her home. So tiny and quiet. Her little eyes filled with intelligence and reserve. There were two females to choose from and we picked her because she was the shy one. The other dog was friendly enough but was chewing on everything. Chairs, hands, you-name-it. Haley was in the corner behind a chair; sitting and watching. I loved that.
It took all of 5 seconds for Haley to become part of the family. Her favorite thing in the entire world is going on a walk. All you have to do is say the word and you can just feel the anticipation. She knows and she is excited. At the end of the walk, as we come back into the driveway, you can see her demeanor change as if to say, "home already?"
In a few minutes I'm taking her out for a walk. She is a great dog and I am going to miss her.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Pigsaw Juzzle
Ugh, I'd almost forgotten why I haven't done a jigsaw puzzle in years. They are great for my anal-retentive personality, but they are really just a time-sink of death.
My daughter and I were out on the town Saturday night and wound up at the local Target (same one where I bought the Wii). She has just about every toy and whatnot so I come upon the puzzle section and see a bunch of them for $3.99. I figured a 1000 piecer would do nicely and I let her peruse and select.
I figured it was something we could do together in spurts, though I knew instinctively I would be doing it mostly by myself. Finding a place in the house in which to do a puzzle was a puzzle in and of itself. I bought one of the those roll-up mats for puzzles but it turned out to really suck. The surface was all crinkled and there was no way one could do a puzzle on that thing (I'm taking it back tonight).
I finally settled on an old table in the basement and my only concern is the cat. I have an ancient memory of a cats chewing on puzzle-pieces and I don't think I've ever gotten over that. The cat has free roam of the basement and she hasn't really chewed anything in the last 4 years, but that doesn't mean she won't start.
My first approach to the puzzle was to gather all the edge pieces. On my first pass I had extracted all but 8 of them. Once I had them all together my daughter helped find a few more and over the course of the evening I found all but one. I think I'm missing a piece and the AR side of me may not be able to cope with it.
I attack puzzles by separating out the different sections of the puzzle into baggies. I grabbed a few Ziplock bags and separated out sky pieces, grass, foliage, red brick, white brick, and left the rest in the box.
So far so good. The only thing I will do for the next puzzle is spend a little more to get a bigger box with a better picture.
My daughter and I were out on the town Saturday night and wound up at the local Target (same one where I bought the Wii). She has just about every toy and whatnot so I come upon the puzzle section and see a bunch of them for $3.99. I figured a 1000 piecer would do nicely and I let her peruse and select.
I figured it was something we could do together in spurts, though I knew instinctively I would be doing it mostly by myself. Finding a place in the house in which to do a puzzle was a puzzle in and of itself. I bought one of the those roll-up mats for puzzles but it turned out to really suck. The surface was all crinkled and there was no way one could do a puzzle on that thing (I'm taking it back tonight).
I finally settled on an old table in the basement and my only concern is the cat. I have an ancient memory of a cats chewing on puzzle-pieces and I don't think I've ever gotten over that. The cat has free roam of the basement and she hasn't really chewed anything in the last 4 years, but that doesn't mean she won't start.
My first approach to the puzzle was to gather all the edge pieces. On my first pass I had extracted all but 8 of them. Once I had them all together my daughter helped find a few more and over the course of the evening I found all but one. I think I'm missing a piece and the AR side of me may not be able to cope with it.
I attack puzzles by separating out the different sections of the puzzle into baggies. I grabbed a few Ziplock bags and separated out sky pieces, grass, foliage, red brick, white brick, and left the rest in the box.
So far so good. The only thing I will do for the next puzzle is spend a little more to get a bigger box with a better picture.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wii hee
Like most other nerdly dads I wanted to get a wii for myself almost as much for my kid, but I wasn't going to pay an extra few hundred bucks on ebay. It was retail or notail.
Saturday at our company holiday party, I somehow entered into a "buying a wii" conversation with somebody at our table and she mentioned that the local Target was getting in something like 126 wiis in the morning. The checkout person offered up this information without her ever asking.
I had spent the last month scouring every store in the Lehigh Valley and had sisters in 2 other states looking for wiis. Of course, nothing. In fact, I haven't seen a wii on the shelf since it came out last year. The local Toys R Us recommended I show up every Sunday morning @ 5 for a chance to get one. Didn't sound promising.
So, Saturday night I set my alarm for 4:30 in the AM. I awoke to the sound of ice pelting my windows at 2:00 AM. I stayed up and argued with myself over the merits of going back to bed vs. standing outside in horrible weather with the possibility of coming home empty.
I skulked around until about 5 and finally made up my mind to gear up and giving it a shot. Who else would be crazy enough to stand outside until 8am for a stupid wii.
My car was encased in ice. The ground crunched beneath my feet (when I wasn't slipping around). I scraped until I thought I had worn through the windshield. The blasting heater in the car sounded like a jet engine test.
A few times I almost turned back, but the information sounded too credible and the lure of a wii (which I have never played, BTW) was too strong.
I didn't have breakfast or anything to drink. I figured that when I pulled into the parking lot and it was empty I would head up to McD's and grab a sandwich or 2 and then make my way back to the store.
Needless to say, I didn't see another soul on the road (which raised my hopes for there being nobody in line) and I kept thinking if I rolled off into a ditch and died that I deserved it. I've never skipped work because of bad weather, but I know I would have been miserable traveling to work in this condition rather than highly excited.
I round the corner of the Target and all I can see are cars in the parking lot. It was now about 5:55 am and I see the line of people wrap around the corner. I never parked and exited my vehicle as quickly as I did at that moment.
As it turns out, I was lucky that I was "around the corner" because the wind/snow/sleet was brutal in the main section of the line by the door and where I wound up wasn't too bad. Cold, but not devastating.
I remember when the Cabbage Patch craze of the 80s made mothers fist fight in the isles and I thought that the people that lined up for stuff were insane. Standing outside in a snow storm at 6 am on a Sunday I think proved me right.
The great thing was that everyone in line was super-nice and we were never at a loss for conversation. Mom's in line for their kids. A couple in line for their son. A wife in line for her husband. Dads in line for their kids (**cough**cough**).
Rumors were flying that there were 120+ but that the employees received first dibs and that there would only be 90 for sale. I hadn't counted the line in front of me but my guess was that I was fine either way. Then, somebody mentioned that these may just be the line holders that we saw and there might be more in the cars that were waiting for the store to open.
Despair loomed around that corner. My mental picture at this point had me getting up to the counter and they just handed the last wii to the person in front of me.
Well, come 7 am the manager of the store comes out and starts handing out vouchers for each wii they received. As he handed me my slip of paper I found out that I was 54th in line and there weren't legions of other crazy parents in the cars waiting for this moment. It looked like was getting my wii.
We were instructed to go back to our cars and begin lining up again at around 10 of 8. I held that little slip of paper like it was made of the most precious material in the universe. I dared not stick it in my wallet or pocket. I held it.
As I sat in my car I kept staring at the Target entrance waiting for the others to start milling around which of course started promptly at 7:40. My mental picture was now that they wouldn't go in order by number and I somehow got shafted because all the later liners jumped ahead. I was now farther ahead than I was when I first got in line. I was getting a wii.
Up until the moment they opened the doors and led us like cattle through the DVD and Book sections, I was still running mental scenarios where I was going home without a wii. To Target's credit, everything went without a hitch. They even had every register manned and ready to go.
My last mental gasp happened when I was just about to be handed a wii and the lady halted the line. They were handing out 7-10 at a time so that they could grab accessories and games and not get too bunched up. I stood there for what seemed an eternity staring at the pallet of wiis wondering what catastrophe was about to descend upon me that would prevent me from walking out of there with my prize.
And then, very anticlimactically, I was handed a wii and sort of pushed on my way and I sort of stumbled into the guy handing out extra wiimotes and nunchuks. I didn't even look at the receipt. They could have charged me $10,000 and I wouldn't have noticed.
I was thinking about stopping for breakfast, but I had to use the facilities and besides, I still felt like I wasn't going to walk into my house with a wii. I wanted to get home and then go from there.
They are out there if you can get lucky. Just bring gloves and some warm coffee!
Saturday at our company holiday party, I somehow entered into a "buying a wii" conversation with somebody at our table and she mentioned that the local Target was getting in something like 126 wiis in the morning. The checkout person offered up this information without her ever asking.
I had spent the last month scouring every store in the Lehigh Valley and had sisters in 2 other states looking for wiis. Of course, nothing. In fact, I haven't seen a wii on the shelf since it came out last year. The local Toys R Us recommended I show up every Sunday morning @ 5 for a chance to get one. Didn't sound promising.
So, Saturday night I set my alarm for 4:30 in the AM. I awoke to the sound of ice pelting my windows at 2:00 AM. I stayed up and argued with myself over the merits of going back to bed vs. standing outside in horrible weather with the possibility of coming home empty.
I skulked around until about 5 and finally made up my mind to gear up and giving it a shot. Who else would be crazy enough to stand outside until 8am for a stupid wii.
My car was encased in ice. The ground crunched beneath my feet (when I wasn't slipping around). I scraped until I thought I had worn through the windshield. The blasting heater in the car sounded like a jet engine test.
A few times I almost turned back, but the information sounded too credible and the lure of a wii (which I have never played, BTW) was too strong.
I didn't have breakfast or anything to drink. I figured that when I pulled into the parking lot and it was empty I would head up to McD's and grab a sandwich or 2 and then make my way back to the store.
Needless to say, I didn't see another soul on the road (which raised my hopes for there being nobody in line) and I kept thinking if I rolled off into a ditch and died that I deserved it. I've never skipped work because of bad weather, but I know I would have been miserable traveling to work in this condition rather than highly excited.
I round the corner of the Target and all I can see are cars in the parking lot. It was now about 5:55 am and I see the line of people wrap around the corner. I never parked and exited my vehicle as quickly as I did at that moment.
As it turns out, I was lucky that I was "around the corner" because the wind/snow/sleet was brutal in the main section of the line by the door and where I wound up wasn't too bad. Cold, but not devastating.
I remember when the Cabbage Patch craze of the 80s made mothers fist fight in the isles and I thought that the people that lined up for stuff were insane. Standing outside in a snow storm at 6 am on a Sunday I think proved me right.
The great thing was that everyone in line was super-nice and we were never at a loss for conversation. Mom's in line for their kids. A couple in line for their son. A wife in line for her husband. Dads in line for their kids (**cough**cough**).
Rumors were flying that there were 120+ but that the employees received first dibs and that there would only be 90 for sale. I hadn't counted the line in front of me but my guess was that I was fine either way. Then, somebody mentioned that these may just be the line holders that we saw and there might be more in the cars that were waiting for the store to open.
Despair loomed around that corner. My mental picture at this point had me getting up to the counter and they just handed the last wii to the person in front of me.
Well, come 7 am the manager of the store comes out and starts handing out vouchers for each wii they received. As he handed me my slip of paper I found out that I was 54th in line and there weren't legions of other crazy parents in the cars waiting for this moment. It looked like was getting my wii.
We were instructed to go back to our cars and begin lining up again at around 10 of 8. I held that little slip of paper like it was made of the most precious material in the universe. I dared not stick it in my wallet or pocket. I held it.
As I sat in my car I kept staring at the Target entrance waiting for the others to start milling around which of course started promptly at 7:40. My mental picture was now that they wouldn't go in order by number and I somehow got shafted because all the later liners jumped ahead. I was now farther ahead than I was when I first got in line. I was getting a wii.
Up until the moment they opened the doors and led us like cattle through the DVD and Book sections, I was still running mental scenarios where I was going home without a wii. To Target's credit, everything went without a hitch. They even had every register manned and ready to go.
My last mental gasp happened when I was just about to be handed a wii and the lady halted the line. They were handing out 7-10 at a time so that they could grab accessories and games and not get too bunched up. I stood there for what seemed an eternity staring at the pallet of wiis wondering what catastrophe was about to descend upon me that would prevent me from walking out of there with my prize.
And then, very anticlimactically, I was handed a wii and sort of pushed on my way and I sort of stumbled into the guy handing out extra wiimotes and nunchuks. I didn't even look at the receipt. They could have charged me $10,000 and I wouldn't have noticed.
I was thinking about stopping for breakfast, but I had to use the facilities and besides, I still felt like I wasn't going to walk into my house with a wii. I wanted to get home and then go from there.
They are out there if you can get lucky. Just bring gloves and some warm coffee!
Friday, August 24, 2007
278
Down another 2 pounds since the last post. I was almost in a panic this morning looking for pants when I realized I have 4 pairs of Dockers in the closet that I haven't been able to fit into for a few years.
Shaking my head, I turned off the closet light and almost went downstairs to search in the wash basket when I turned myself around and stared into the now dark closet. The light spilling in from the bedroom illuminated a few of my wife's dresses that were closest to the entrance and they seemed to act as the angels (complete with flaming swords) that were tasked with guarding Eden.
I knew that if I went in there and tried on the pants and they were still too tight I would be bummed and have to go downstairs anyways and still look for the big boy pants. It was only 2 weeks and I couldn't have shrunk that much.
Well, I flicked on the light and stood in front of the 4 pairs of Dockers that haven't seen action in quite some time. They had been in there so long undisturbed that the little bit of fabric at the top of the fold was covered in a slight layer of dust (who dusts their clothes?) that I didn't bother to brush off because I knew they wouldn't fit.
Once they were in my hands I wanted this over quickly so as I was slipping my one leg into place I jumped in the air and came down with the other in its place and pulled up in one frantic motion.
Wow. They were officially on my body and the resistance wasn't too great. All fine and good, but now I have to button them and that's where the problem will- Hey, the button closed and I'm not sucking in my gut and they are a slight bit loose.
And so, I'm wearing them right now. My wardrobe just increased by 4 pairs of pants.
A little w00t!
Shaking my head, I turned off the closet light and almost went downstairs to search in the wash basket when I turned myself around and stared into the now dark closet. The light spilling in from the bedroom illuminated a few of my wife's dresses that were closest to the entrance and they seemed to act as the angels (complete with flaming swords) that were tasked with guarding Eden.
I knew that if I went in there and tried on the pants and they were still too tight I would be bummed and have to go downstairs anyways and still look for the big boy pants. It was only 2 weeks and I couldn't have shrunk that much.
Well, I flicked on the light and stood in front of the 4 pairs of Dockers that haven't seen action in quite some time. They had been in there so long undisturbed that the little bit of fabric at the top of the fold was covered in a slight layer of dust (who dusts their clothes?) that I didn't bother to brush off because I knew they wouldn't fit.
Once they were in my hands I wanted this over quickly so as I was slipping my one leg into place I jumped in the air and came down with the other in its place and pulled up in one frantic motion.
Wow. They were officially on my body and the resistance wasn't too great. All fine and good, but now I have to button them and that's where the problem will- Hey, the button closed and I'm not sucking in my gut and they are a slight bit loose.
And so, I'm wearing them right now. My wardrobe just increased by 4 pairs of pants.
A little w00t!
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