Sunday, November 30, 2008

and the clock keeps ticking

goals and deadlines

the floor is done !
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The original project was the floor. It grew and got side-tracked several times in the interim. Last June, when my lovely bride ripped up the carpet in the added-on-to-the-back-of-the-house 11' x 22' TV and laundry room, I caved in and agreed to replace the flooring.

Since that eventful day, I have:
- ripped-out a closet that went across the width of the room at one end
- replaced a rear-of-the-house entry / exit door and storm-door
- replaced an interior door to the kitchen
- dry-walled and painted the entire room
- replaced 6 windows and outside storm windows in this room
- replaced an upstairs storm window [not related to this project]
- installed a new ceiling [grid and drop-in tiles] and light fixture
- added and ran the wire for 2 electrical outlets and 1 TV Cable outlet
- repaired / replaced a section of damaged floor
- built a 5' x 4' x 7" platform on which sets her majesty's stacked washer & dryer and a supplies cabinet
- installed laminate flooring [Pergo]

...and I only started the project middle of last June - WOW! Keep in mind that there was hardly a flat unbowed or straight and square wall or ceiling or floor surface anywhere in this added-on-to-the-back-of-the-house room.

- have started the floor, window, and door moldings and hope to have that part completed by Christmas.

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And we had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with five of my six siblings and most of the children and grandchildren associated with this grouping of our families. I hope you had a special time, too.
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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Requiescat in pace

sometimes we bring it on ourselves
... and sometimes we do not

aged 51
... and 44

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Yesterday...
It will always be yesterday, now.
We buried the both of them...
Yesterday.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Muncie, IN

Debby was 51 and the mother of five wonderful children - four boys and one girl.

The eldest boy now had to take charge of the arrangements for 'mom'. He flew home from California about 10 days ago. He was told "...it is almost time, and you need to be here - you need to let her see you one more time."

The next in line, another boy, received a similar message. His flight from New Mexico arrived one hour after his older brother. The other two boys and the girl live here with their dad. The eldest of these two boys graduated from High School last year; and the youngest of the two is now in 12th grade - he will graduate this coming Spring. The girl is now in the 7th grade and a joy to all who know her - she loved her mother a lot!

Together, they all shared the burden. 'Mom' stayed around for 10 days after being admitted to the local hospital. The prognosis was "days, not weeks". The cancer did its part and now she is gone.

Debbie was our good friend. A few years back when she was hospitalized for an extended period of time, three families divided up her family and took them in so dad could work. We were fortunate to be able to care for two of the boys.

Requiescat in pace.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Double Oak TX [Dallas-Ft. Worth area]

Jim was 44 and the father of three wonderful children - two boys and one girl. He was also a marathon runner and competed in events in different cities.

The oldest of the boys is now 9 years old. He is a member of the school's Chess Club, a local HVASBA baseball team [the Rangers], and a local GLASA soccer team [the Grizzlies].

The next in line, the other boy, is now 7 years old. He, too, is a member of his school's Chess Club, a local FMYSA baseball team [the Cubs], and a local GLASA soccer team [the Blue Sharks].

The youngest, a girl, is now 3 years old. Her job is to be the loudest cheer leader for both of her older brothers. She and mom go from practice-to-practice and game-to-game. Dad hasn't been able to attend these events for some time now.

They have now placed their 'dad' in a place of rest ... and they will miss him greatly.

Jim was husband to our niece Michelle. His cancer used up all their financial resources as it went from colon to liver to lungs ... all since May of 2007. She will be looking to return to the work-force soon.

Requiescat in pace.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Yesterday...
It will always be yesterday, now.
We buried the both of them...
Yesterday.
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

With Compassion for Others - We Build - We Fight - for Peace with Freedom

VETERANS DAY
November 11
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can do
Amen!
. . . . . . . . . .
[ 6:07 ]


'Click on' the above > and remember
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then click on this link [and keep the kleenex close at hand]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DAD
born November 11, 1921
place Huntington, INdiana
died November 11, 1995
place Toledo, OHio
WW-II service in U S Navy
Construction Battalion
aka: SeaBees [CB's]
Honorable Discharge
. . . . .

. . . . .
MOM
born December 3, 1922
place Toledo, OHio
died January 4, 1993
place Toledo, OHio
WW-II service in U S Navy
W.A.V.E.S. - ratings AS, S2c, AM3c
Honorable Discharge
. . . . .
You can 'click-on' the picture for an enlarged view...
SEABEE's Memorial in Washington, D.C.


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Do I Know You?

Go to bottom of page to read a love-story from my parents.

Monday, November 10, 2008

lofty sights

and then there were less than 3 weeks left

[over]head way being made

It doesn't hurt to have high expectations. In my minds eye, I could see getting all the ceiling grid-work and tiles installed this past Saturday. I forgot about a dinner commitment for the early evening. And I had a few ancillary chores and errands to take care of in the earlier part of the morning.

All in all, I had 5-1/2 goods hours from a friend and my own hands. I had installed 20% of the grid-work and tiles a week ago. Then on Saturday we were able to install another 40% of this 11' x 21' room.

I now have 60% of the room with new ceiling. It is my hope that I'll have enough time available through this week, including this coming Saturday, to get the remaining 40% installed.

On this past Friday we purchased the new laminated flooring ... 250 square feet. I didn't intend on buying it a full week ahead ... I just thought I was going to be done with the ceiling this past Saturday. So be it. But I am getting closer. I really expect to be able to start with flooring this coming weekend.

Any bets?
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

GO VOTE

even at 6am I had to wait in line

snaking congo lines
- care to dance?

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The polling site for the precinct where I vote is in a large Presbyterian Church hall adjacent to the State University here in our fair city. I normally show up at 6am and get ballot # 3 or 4 or 5. This morning I got there at 7 minutes before 6am. When they 'opened' the door to announce that the "Polls are now open!", I made my way to sign-in and received ballot # 14. That is approximately 3 times the number I usually encounter when the doors open ... and in the span of that 7 minutes, the line grew to probably 40 or so.

Regardless of which candidate is elected, the beneficiary is the process we use to provide our country with leadership elected by the people. The people are out in droves. It is now lunch hour for many. I've driven by several voting sites. The lines are longer that I've ever seen them.

Here's to what helps make America great!
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