Last night at home.
Tomorrow it is off to the airport and a flight to Ft. Lauderdale. It will be the longest stretch away from my family ever and I am really not looking forward to that part of it. I have been making the joke that I feel like the dad from an 80s movie about getting your priorities right. "Sorry son, I would love to see you in the championship baseball game, but I have a really important business meeting right now."
It is just three weeks.
So, let the adventure begin.
There are reams of paperwork for all of this, some of which has even been done. Thanks of course to Sarah. She has been the logistical and sanity coordinator for quite some time now and does an unbelievable job with it. Heck, it might be good for me to leave so she can get a rest from all the crap she does for me.
I hope that Michelle and the family get along. I think they will, but you never know.
Oh well, eventually you just have to jump. Stop worrying and just jump.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
1-1-13
The new year finds us in a new locale. By new I mean new to us and new to existence. My sister Michelle had an RV pad built on the land behind her house, had electricity wired in and here we are. It is really cool having a family member so close.
That being said, there have been and continue to be some challenges. First was getting us in here. If you see a sailboat in the marina surrounded by other boats, you form an impression of its size. See that sucker hauled out on blocks and alone and that initial impression can change. Same thing here. When you see the RV in the park, it looks comparable to the other RVs around, maybe a little bigger. See it trying to pull into your gate is another. This thing is big.
We managed to get through the gate with 2-3 whole inches to spare. I don't know what I was so worried about. They only had to pull up one post. Then we had to back up into the road to make another turn. Then it was 4 wheel drive time as we drove through unimproved field around the edge of her house.I got lined up and then tried to make the turn up a short, steep slope onto the pad. The first attempt up I hit a patch of mud caused by drainage from the horse's water trough. Since I was turning at the time, it didn't go well. The nose of the truck started sliding down the slope and to the side...right toward the light pole.
Nice.
I managed to get that slide arrested and backed up to try again. Maybe if I turn sharper, earlier, I will be straight enough going up the hill that I won't slide sideways.
Nope.
Same thing. Halfway up I start sliding sideways. It probably didn't help that I had the kids in the back of the truck and they had unbuckled to jump around the back seat to get a look at the horses, and dogs and everything else. Let's try this again.
Third time was the charm. I made it up to the pad However, the pad wasn't really long enough for the RV and the truck. So the nose of the truck is down and off the pad making it harder to get level and get unhitched. After several repositioning runs, we were there. There were some small custom modifications of the pad to make places for the leveling jacks to touch down and we were parked. Good thing the electrical cable reached.
We got a water hose set up. The only thing we didn't have was sewer.
After we set up, we went inside. My little sister Kerri was there with her son Nicholas. I was nice to see my side of the family again.
That night the forecast called for rain. So Michelle and I had to go out and set up a temporary wire fence to keep the horses from messing with the trailer. The horses had to come up from the back pasture for the shelter of the barn. One of the horses, Buddy, was very curious about the new thing in the pasture.
Next day was fence day. We tore down some fence from around what used to be a pond and set it up around the RV. We also took down the fence between our RV and Michelle's house. Did I mention that it rained the previous night? The mud was awesome. Five pounds extra on each foot and all you could do not to slip and fall on your ass. Several hours later we had a fenced compound. It wasn't particularly straight fence, but it was there. That night, New Years Eve, was supposed to freeze, so we disconnected the water. Couldn't use it anyway, we figured, we didn't have sewer hooked up. We rang in the new year with fondue and alcohol. Good times.
Next day was working on the sewer. The problem was that it was New Year's Day. Not much was open. And apparently, there is a new phenomenon of giving RV sewer hoses as gifts, because both the Wal Mart and the RV store we had been to on the previous day were out.
So, here we are. Set up, but still some work to do. Keeps it interesting to take it to the last minute. I fly out Friday. No pressure.
My lovely sisters.
Time to put up some fence.
Kerri watched the kids inside.
Did I mention the mud?
Yep, mud.
Not too muddy for kisses.
The girls getting it done. Sarah drives a mean t-post.
They let me help every once in a while.
Then we started the half naked fondue party.
Then we took some pictures.
Now for the eating.
Then we started with the alcohol. And the cameras were turned off to protect the guilty. All of these pictures were from Kerri's camera. I may throw one or two off of my camera if time permits.
That being said, there have been and continue to be some challenges. First was getting us in here. If you see a sailboat in the marina surrounded by other boats, you form an impression of its size. See that sucker hauled out on blocks and alone and that initial impression can change. Same thing here. When you see the RV in the park, it looks comparable to the other RVs around, maybe a little bigger. See it trying to pull into your gate is another. This thing is big.
We managed to get through the gate with 2-3 whole inches to spare. I don't know what I was so worried about. They only had to pull up one post. Then we had to back up into the road to make another turn. Then it was 4 wheel drive time as we drove through unimproved field around the edge of her house.I got lined up and then tried to make the turn up a short, steep slope onto the pad. The first attempt up I hit a patch of mud caused by drainage from the horse's water trough. Since I was turning at the time, it didn't go well. The nose of the truck started sliding down the slope and to the side...right toward the light pole.
Nice.
I managed to get that slide arrested and backed up to try again. Maybe if I turn sharper, earlier, I will be straight enough going up the hill that I won't slide sideways.
Nope.
Same thing. Halfway up I start sliding sideways. It probably didn't help that I had the kids in the back of the truck and they had unbuckled to jump around the back seat to get a look at the horses, and dogs and everything else. Let's try this again.
Third time was the charm. I made it up to the pad However, the pad wasn't really long enough for the RV and the truck. So the nose of the truck is down and off the pad making it harder to get level and get unhitched. After several repositioning runs, we were there. There were some small custom modifications of the pad to make places for the leveling jacks to touch down and we were parked. Good thing the electrical cable reached.
We got a water hose set up. The only thing we didn't have was sewer.
After we set up, we went inside. My little sister Kerri was there with her son Nicholas. I was nice to see my side of the family again.
That night the forecast called for rain. So Michelle and I had to go out and set up a temporary wire fence to keep the horses from messing with the trailer. The horses had to come up from the back pasture for the shelter of the barn. One of the horses, Buddy, was very curious about the new thing in the pasture.
Next day was fence day. We tore down some fence from around what used to be a pond and set it up around the RV. We also took down the fence between our RV and Michelle's house. Did I mention that it rained the previous night? The mud was awesome. Five pounds extra on each foot and all you could do not to slip and fall on your ass. Several hours later we had a fenced compound. It wasn't particularly straight fence, but it was there. That night, New Years Eve, was supposed to freeze, so we disconnected the water. Couldn't use it anyway, we figured, we didn't have sewer hooked up. We rang in the new year with fondue and alcohol. Good times.
Next day was working on the sewer. The problem was that it was New Year's Day. Not much was open. And apparently, there is a new phenomenon of giving RV sewer hoses as gifts, because both the Wal Mart and the RV store we had been to on the previous day were out.
So, here we are. Set up, but still some work to do. Keeps it interesting to take it to the last minute. I fly out Friday. No pressure.
My lovely sisters.
Then we took some pictures.
Monday, December 31, 2012
12-31-12
It was an interesting year. Time for another one though. Time to forget and write 2012 as the year for a few weeks. I do catch on eventually.
We are safely arrived in Oklahoma. Getting into the RV spot was probably one of my top 3-4 driving accomplishments ever. We currently have electricity and water. No sewer yet, I guess that is a problem for next year.
I will be writing a bit more of a report, but not now. We are trying to do the whole New Year thing and probably will fail miserably. I just can't get excited anymore about the prospect of staying up til midnight for no good reason. HEY YOU KIDS!!! GET OFF OF MY LAWN!
Sorry. Showing my age a bit there.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope the good is better than the bad and the balance finds you well.
We are safely arrived in Oklahoma. Getting into the RV spot was probably one of my top 3-4 driving accomplishments ever. We currently have electricity and water. No sewer yet, I guess that is a problem for next year.
I will be writing a bit more of a report, but not now. We are trying to do the whole New Year thing and probably will fail miserably. I just can't get excited anymore about the prospect of staying up til midnight for no good reason. HEY YOU KIDS!!! GET OFF OF MY LAWN!
Sorry. Showing my age a bit there.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope the good is better than the bad and the balance finds you well.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
12-27-12
The kids made us work for it today. Everything was tears and resistance. Somehow we managed to get everything on the must do list done if we didn't get everything on the whole list done.
Two work days left. That's it.
I wrote this whole beautiful, and long, post tonight.
Then the connection went kaput and froze the page. I lost it.
sigh.
Let's try again.
http://narratrix.tumblr.com/post/27661824484/november-9-1938-dear-frances-ive-read-the
This is an interesting something that I came across today. It is reinforcing all the other information that I have seen about writing. Talent doesn't do it. Work does. I think I may finally be getting that message. I've been writing this blog for two plus years now. If you look at my post count, I am vastly improved. I'm hoping that means that the posts are easier because the conduit between head and page is cleaner and better. There is still a lot of work to do.
I'm writing for AFO. I will get a story for this month and hope I will continue to do so. Not sure how that will work on a cruise ship with unknown Internet access, but I will try. While I am out to sea I may try to nominate Michelle as Grand High Overlord of the forums if she will accept the job. If she won't then it will be me and whoever else I can convince to do the job.
I am also 87 pages into the Adventure Nickel book first draft. I hope to have something ready for Amazon by March. Initially I had hoped to give a second draft to Sarah for Christmas, but it was harder than I expected. I am probably optimistic about March too, but I have to set goals. So, I am trying to hone the craft somewhat. After this, I have a fiction idea I want to get out.
It snowed here for Christmas. It was the only White Christmas in the memory of anyone I know in Tyler. Sarah and I also saw two white Christmas's while in Houston. What are the odds.
Enough jabber, on with the pictures.
Michael practicing his whistling in the snow. His perfect pursed lip pose reminds me of a Peanuts character. And yes, Dad, I have used the line, "You can stay, but the whistle has to go."
They seem pretty excited about the whole snow thing.
We even got a little accumulation.
If I calculate my launch trajectory correctly...
Two work days left. That's it.
I wrote this whole beautiful, and long, post tonight.
Then the connection went kaput and froze the page. I lost it.
sigh.
Let's try again.
http://narratrix.tumblr.com/post/27661824484/november-9-1938-dear-frances-ive-read-the
This is an interesting something that I came across today. It is reinforcing all the other information that I have seen about writing. Talent doesn't do it. Work does. I think I may finally be getting that message. I've been writing this blog for two plus years now. If you look at my post count, I am vastly improved. I'm hoping that means that the posts are easier because the conduit between head and page is cleaner and better. There is still a lot of work to do.
I'm writing for AFO. I will get a story for this month and hope I will continue to do so. Not sure how that will work on a cruise ship with unknown Internet access, but I will try. While I am out to sea I may try to nominate Michelle as Grand High Overlord of the forums if she will accept the job. If she won't then it will be me and whoever else I can convince to do the job.
I am also 87 pages into the Adventure Nickel book first draft. I hope to have something ready for Amazon by March. Initially I had hoped to give a second draft to Sarah for Christmas, but it was harder than I expected. I am probably optimistic about March too, but I have to set goals. So, I am trying to hone the craft somewhat. After this, I have a fiction idea I want to get out.
It snowed here for Christmas. It was the only White Christmas in the memory of anyone I know in Tyler. Sarah and I also saw two white Christmas's while in Houston. What are the odds.
Enough jabber, on with the pictures.
Michael practicing his whistling in the snow. His perfect pursed lip pose reminds me of a Peanuts character. And yes, Dad, I have used the line, "You can stay, but the whistle has to go."
They seem pretty excited about the whole snow thing.
We even got a little accumulation.
If I calculate my launch trajectory correctly...
Monday, December 24, 2012
12-24-12
The promised pictures.
Since everybody else was doing it today.
Merry Christmas.
The kids pounced like leopards onto their presents. I actually think I head one of them growl.
I think the expressions speak for themselves.
I had to include this one just for the remarkable bed head Max was sportin'. Way to go kid. Chip off the old block.
You have to imagine the rocket noise of Jango Fett's rocket pack here.
Michael found a new toy!
Our old tree in our old house.
I was hoping for a candid shot, instead Max sensed the camera.
Hard at work again.
Checking out the results of their labors.
Hope yours goes as well as ours did.
Since everybody else was doing it today.
Merry Christmas.
The kids pounced like leopards onto their presents. I actually think I head one of them growl.
I think the expressions speak for themselves.
I had to include this one just for the remarkable bed head Max was sportin'. Way to go kid. Chip off the old block.
You have to imagine the rocket noise of Jango Fett's rocket pack here.
Michael found a new toy!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
12-22-12
We had Christmas today. Woke up this morning and the kids came down to open the presents we gave them and their stockings. It was the full Christmas experience, just a few days early. The kids let us sleep until 7 am, which was nice. After some much needed coffee, we changed clothes and headed out to Matt and Jenny's house, which used to be ours.
It was strange, because all of the signals had been Christmas morning. Then we went outside and the normal Christmas lull wasn't there. Usually, when you go out on Christmas, there are only a few people driving and some folks outside playing with their new belongings. They wear that dumb smile on their face that communicates they are really pretty happy. None of that. Instead we met heavy traffic and people wearing the grim countenance of last minute holiday shoppers. So, we battled our way over and made it to our old house.
I like what Matt and Jenny have done with the place.
When we left, we left a lot of stuff behind. Our living room furniture, the guest room furniture, lawn care tools, appliances, tables and chairs, patio furniture, all still there. Heck, even the Christmas tree was the one we left behind.
After some breakfast, we eventually opened presents. All of the gits were great and everyone had a nice time. I think everyone was happy.
After presents, we had lunch. We got to see our old cat that stayed behind with the house. We went for a walk through the old neighborhood, just like old times. We talked to our old neighbors, it was neat.
Both Sarah and I were struck by something. Nothing much had changed. When we left, we felt like we weren't going anywhere, just spinning our wheels. We came back to find that most things were just like we left them. Kids were older, adults were older. People had different cars and some people had moved. But really, it was all the same. We however, had changed quite a bit. We had been places, and seen things. We had discovered things about ourselves by being in unusual places and circumstances. The same lawn had been mowed, the same commute driven, the same television shows watched.
All this same happened while we were out doing different. It made both of us happier with our lives. I think that is the best holiday gift so far.
Pictures will be posted once we make it back to the house. I forgot to bring the cable that connects the camera to the computer. Merry Christmas.
It was strange, because all of the signals had been Christmas morning. Then we went outside and the normal Christmas lull wasn't there. Usually, when you go out on Christmas, there are only a few people driving and some folks outside playing with their new belongings. They wear that dumb smile on their face that communicates they are really pretty happy. None of that. Instead we met heavy traffic and people wearing the grim countenance of last minute holiday shoppers. So, we battled our way over and made it to our old house.
I like what Matt and Jenny have done with the place.
When we left, we left a lot of stuff behind. Our living room furniture, the guest room furniture, lawn care tools, appliances, tables and chairs, patio furniture, all still there. Heck, even the Christmas tree was the one we left behind.
After some breakfast, we eventually opened presents. All of the gits were great and everyone had a nice time. I think everyone was happy.
After presents, we had lunch. We got to see our old cat that stayed behind with the house. We went for a walk through the old neighborhood, just like old times. We talked to our old neighbors, it was neat.
Both Sarah and I were struck by something. Nothing much had changed. When we left, we felt like we weren't going anywhere, just spinning our wheels. We came back to find that most things were just like we left them. Kids were older, adults were older. People had different cars and some people had moved. But really, it was all the same. We however, had changed quite a bit. We had been places, and seen things. We had discovered things about ourselves by being in unusual places and circumstances. The same lawn had been mowed, the same commute driven, the same television shows watched.
All this same happened while we were out doing different. It made both of us happier with our lives. I think that is the best holiday gift so far.
Pictures will be posted once we make it back to the house. I forgot to bring the cable that connects the camera to the computer. Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 21, 2012
12-21-12
Well, the world ended and apparently no one noticed.
I hate it when that happens. They threw an apocalypse and nobody came.
I choose to look at it like the world did end and now we have a brand new shiny one to work with. Let's try not to screw it up too badly please.
We drove back to Houston today...again. Since I work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we are having Christmas tomorrow. SO we drove here and plan on having our festivities in our old house, now the residence of Sarah's brother. Should be kind of neat and kind of weird and fun all at the same time.
Being the busy people we are, we also fit a doctor's visit and a visit to the optometrist into the day. We are finishing up some of the paper work for the cruise ship job. Hard to believe, but two weeks from today I am scheduled to be on board the Eurodam. Wow, that is pretty soon.
Oh well, I can't write too much tonight because I have to go play Santa Clause.
Merry Christmas everyone.
I hate it when that happens. They threw an apocalypse and nobody came.
I choose to look at it like the world did end and now we have a brand new shiny one to work with. Let's try not to screw it up too badly please.
We drove back to Houston today...again. Since I work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we are having Christmas tomorrow. SO we drove here and plan on having our festivities in our old house, now the residence of Sarah's brother. Should be kind of neat and kind of weird and fun all at the same time.
Being the busy people we are, we also fit a doctor's visit and a visit to the optometrist into the day. We are finishing up some of the paper work for the cruise ship job. Hard to believe, but two weeks from today I am scheduled to be on board the Eurodam. Wow, that is pretty soon.
Oh well, I can't write too much tonight because I have to go play Santa Clause.
Merry Christmas everyone.
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