Sunday, 20 Nov.

Well, it was 7 weeks last night and it’s still fun!  I heard from M and M last night, they went to the Grand Canyon last week and took a lot of pictures.  They wanted to let me know that a CD was on the way with the pix on it!  I can hardly wait to see them!  I told them that I wanted pix of them in there too and I was told that that is what T has said as well.  I guess great minds think alike!

This has been a pretty slow weekend.  We didn’t do much on Friday night as L had to work late, to make up for an afternoon trip to see Harry Potter.  I started in on the housework yesterday as she had a primary activity, but we got sidetracked as she was called back in to work at about 3.  With her foot still not healed, I drove her in.  We were there until about 9 pm.  I had some stuff I could do in my office, so I was there, but my work sure didn’t fill all that time.  On the way home we stopped and got Domino’s Pizza.  We were both very hungry, I almost finished one pizza in the car on the way home.

It’s early, about 6:25 and I need to get to my meetings.  I will try to write more later this afternoon.  We will be heading to church, again, in the afternoon with D.  He has asked us to come to his meeting this afternoon, so we will.  He doesn’t do this often, in fact, this is the first time!          

A conspiracy and a great day!

Ok, there had to have been a conspiracy!  It was last night, we were doing set up for my scouting event at a college about an hour north of home.  We got there about 7:30 last night.  I was almost immediately asked if we were going to have a staff meeting before everyone left for home, I said probably not, but some insisted that it was necessary.  I set 9 pm as the time for a meeting before we shut down for the night and left to get a bit of sleep before the event today.  At 9 pm I started the meeting, about 9:05 two guys came down the aisle with boxes in their hands singing happy birthday, everyone joined in.  It was cakes for me for my birthday, a large sheet cake with 50’s all over it and a Barney cake with 50 on it as well.  The Barney cake will be eaten tomorrow for dinner with the kids, the sheet cake was finished up today.

L and I left to come home and got to bed after all was said and done at about 12:30 this morning.  We were up at 4 am so that we could get out the door at 5 and be there by 6.  Set up went well, opening went well, of course mention was made of my birthday and the fact that I am now 50.  I don’t feel it.  Another round of Happy Birthday was sung.  The 30 minutes for opening went quickly and all were dismissed for classes.  I had over 300 in attendance, surpassing my goal.  I challenged everyone to learn something new and meet someone new.  The day went smoothly, no major problems or fires to put out, nothing but fun and fellowship.

The closing took place at 4 pm, most were still around.  We had door prizes, good ones.  You had to be there to win!  I asked if everyone learned something new and met someone new, all hands went up.  I challenged them to bring a friend next year.  My goal is 500 for next year.  L and I and another couple who taught at the event went to Applebee’s and looked over evaluations.  We will change some things next year, but over all, the evaluations were good, positive and applauded the event.  I am satisfied.  I had a good staff, thus a good event.

I’m off to bed, I’m working on about 3 hours of sleep.  5 am comes early on Sunday.

Good night.

50th Birthday

Well, I’ve been asked to record my thoughts concerning my 50th birthday, it was today.  

I guess I should say that there are some things that need to be stated prior to beginning my thoughts of today.  First, L came back yesterday from her trip to DC.  It was a rather eventful trip for her, especially the last day and in particular the last few hours of the stay in DC.  Her conference ended on Tuesday and she was able to spend some time with my sister, G, and my mom.  It’s been two years since we have seen them.  On the way to the airport on Thursday, L asked G if they could go by the Marine Corps memorial in Arlington.  Seeing as we have two boys in the Corps and I share my birthday with the Marine Corps, she thought it would be good to get some pictures there.  Pictures she got, right up to the point where she mis-stepped on the stairs, twisted her left ankle badly and sprained her right knee.  She called me right away and I suggested that she get on the plane and see her doctor here rather than try to reschedule her flight and see a doctor there.  She had to get through Reagan National, Chicago and then Wichita and two planes.  She managed, though she endured some severe pain.  We went to the Immediate Care clinic as soon as she got home, x-rays were taken, pain meds administered and braces and wraps applied.  The x-rays were read this morning, no breaks.

When we got home last night, I had a package on my doorstep from a very good and close friend, a token for my birthday and something for Linda.  Linda had already given me my “big” birthday present, my GPS receiver.  She brought more home with her, a denim Marine Corps shirt, a crank flashlight and a CD with topographic maps of several National Parks that can be downloaded into my GPS.  Maybe we’ll have to go hike them now!

D called first thing in the morning, 6:30.  I guess it was only fair since we had called him last week at that same time for his birthday, he was 22.  My sister G called and wished me happy birthday and asked how L was doing.  My very good and close friend from above called and wished me a happy birthday and was glad that I liked the contents of the box.  S came over about noon and brought me a gift from her and her husband, a couple of nice polo shirts and movie tickets.  My mom called, my youngest sister called, another good friend called, my ex wife called, M2 and M called.  I heard from all of my kids today and all but one of my sisters.  My dad called over the weekend.  We ate pizza for dinner, watched TV, which is still going on, just taking a break while L explains all of this to her boss and explains why she can’t go to Oklahoma City tomorrow.

Today was a good day to turn 50, even if everybody thinks I’m old!!
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Another weekend

Well, here we go again! I't been 5 weeks today and I think I will give some names, such as they are. I'm Randy, that is eveident, my wife is L, My two children are S (daughter) and D (son). S has a husband, N. L's children are all boys, M1,D,and S(m). I'll put the (m) in to signify male so as to differentiate between my daughter and my stepson. My other son is M(2) and his wife is M(f). his birthmom is T, her husband is W. If any more com into the picture, I'll try to explain....confused yet?

This will be a long weekend, lonely. I took L to the airport today so she could fly to Washington, DC. She is there and arrived ahead of schedule and safely. She will be there until Wednesday, leaving me with the dogs! I've already done some laundry and dishes today, and I think I will be changing the oil in one of the cars. It needs to be done this week if I don't do it today. I also have a wheel cylinder that needs to be replaced, it has a slow leak in one of the seals.

I have chatted some this last week with M(2) and M(f). they took a trip to the Grand Canyon and had a good time and took some great pix. I also chatted with one of my cousins, who is a pilot with Southwest Airlines and is in the AF Reserve. He was a fighter pilot while on active duty. He wanted M(2)'s phone number so he could call and talk airplanes with him! I know he called, but M(2) was at work and said he would call back. They aren't far apart in age and I think they have some things in common. I'm sure they will talk.

Well, enough for now, I think I may go see a movie to kill sometime. I may write more later today.