Back to Springfield

Well, I'm back in Springfield, MO. I received a call at 1am from the crew supervisor informing me that everyone was quiting because of the changes to the pay structure. (don't they read the papers? In this economy, they're supposed to be afraid of leaving a job) So I left Friday evening, letting Janet know that I could be gone all week.(PARTY!!!)


We were having a back yard B-B-Q this weekend, so I showed her the inner workings of the grill and gave her some of my grilling techniques.(she didn't care much for tossing the match from 10 feet back and watching the mushroom cloud form) (my eyebrows have almost grown back) I also had told the twins that we could possibly go swimming at the lake, but Janet pacified them with the Slip & Slide.


I couldn't find a hotel room right away when I arrived around midnight. I had tried 3 places before finding a Super 8 with 1 room left.(I feel another ad coming on)

SUPER 8

The place to stay for a good nights rest

(if the rest stop on the highway is full)

We'll leave the (flickering)light on for you

The sign on the front door said that the door is locked and to please ring the night bell for service. Well the door wasn't locked, so I walked right on in and rang the bell at the front desk. A big woman with great, big, charging rhinoceros thighs came storming out of the office. "How did you get in here ?" she bellowed. Two things came to mind to say. Put my cell phone up to my mouth and say "Dammit Scotty! You beamed onto the Klingons bridge" or hold out my hand and say "I'm from the future. Come with me if you want to live." Instead, I looked back at the door and said "Someone left the door unlocked, but I won't tell if you give me a room."

So, I have my room with the rattling air conditioner and the coffee maker without a pot, but at least I can get rested and I hope to hire people by the end of the week.

The Tooth Fairy

Janet is coming home today and I am soooo happy. We'll pick her up at the airport(the twins used to call it the hairport)this afternoon. She already knows about the gum in Annie's hair.(I didn't think anyone read this blog) She calls and asks how much of the former story is true.(how could she even think that I would embelish our lives, now she should get back to water boarding those detainees)
I told her how Hallie had lost a tooth at school. The school nurse put the tooth in a little pink, plastic treasure chest and put the chest in a baggie. Hallie was so excited about getting her $2 from the Tooth Fairy.($2!!! I only got a dime when I was a kid and then my Dad would want it back to buy bread or for gasoline or poker)(I liked it when it was for poker because, then, he would throw a quarter to me if he won)
Hallie was running in and out of the house with her baggie to show all of her friends and I was afraid that she would lose it, so I insisted that I keep it in my pocket to keep it safe, because she is an irresponsible little kid and I am the all knowing responsible adult. Well, naturally I lost it.
I had it in my front pocket and after dinner(I made burritos. which included my world famous salsa)I went to the convenience store for Felice, to buy cigarettes.(she doesn't like to go because they no longer ask to see her I.D.) I put the money she gave me in the same pocket as the baggie, so I must have lost it when I pulled the money out.
Well, Hallie asked for her tooth to put under her pillow and you know how that goes; I reach into my pocket and no baggie. Nothing is in my pocket, but I keep moving my hand around like I'm searching in a fully packed duffle bag and Hallie is looking at me with out stretched hand and anticipating blue eyes. Then panic sets in(yeah, don't expect me be the guy that has to defuse a bomb with 30 seconds left) and I'm looking in every pocket, patting my pants leg and shirt, around my belly.(Yeah, I could have stuck it down my shirt, thinking that I was hiding my secret salsa recipe). I check my wallet, checkbook, bedroom, under the bed, trash can and no luck.
So, Hallie and I head for the convenience store, which is a Quik Trip. (this is a free plug. If I could get people to read my blog, then maybe I could sell ads for QT)(The blog stories would be: I woke up & went to QT to get coffee and then filled up with gas at QT and at lunch I bought a tasty hot dog & refreshing drink at QT and I saw my friend, Bill, who works at QT and that evening, my ageing daughter asked me to buy cigarettes at QT, so I made a "QUIK TRIP" to QT.)We looked around the parking lot and then went inside. I asked the clerks if they had seen a baggie with a tiny, plastic, red treasure chest inside and they looked around their feet and I told them that I hadn't jumped over the counter and so we looked around the store and still no luck.
We left with lowered lips and as we got to the car, Hallie brightened up and said "PaPa!(she calls me that, Robin calls me G-Pa.)"We have to go back in!" and runs back. I'm thinking that this is just like the movies, where the heroine sees something that puts the puzzle together and the mystery will be solved and I hope she's with me when I have to defuse the bomb.
We run into the store and Hallie says. "It wasn't a red box! It was a PINK box."(well, at least she would make sure that I cut the right colored wire)
So, to make a long story even longer, she wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy, explaining how she had lost the tooth(I love this girl, she didn't throw me under the bus)and would the Tooth Fairy please leave her an extra dollar(I guess for pain and suffering).
So this morning Hallie had three crumpled $1 bills under her pillow and Annie was thinking "What if, from this point on, PaPa always lost our teeth."

Home alone with the kids

Janet is in Tampa, Florida for 4 days on a training mission and I am left to mind the twins. Because my job gives me some flexibility, I'm able to get them on the school bus and be home when they arrive from school. The arrive part doesn't always work out. I had problems with one of my accounts a couple of times and had to drive Junction City, KS. a couple of times, which is a couple of hours away. Luckily we have back up (aunts, uncle, mother-in-law, neighbor,the guy who gives out candy, etc.)
Aunt Felice will not let their friend, Jaysa, come over to play, because she doesn't want to be responsible for someone's kid, when she doesn't know the mother and doesn't want the mother to come storming over with accusations of irresponsibility if something were to happen to the child.(that and "Desperate Housewives" is on)
So, I pull into the driveway and Annie is at the window, with her mouth impossibly wide open, crying "I want Jaaaaaay...saaaaaaaa" Maybe she thinks Jasa's mom will hear her cries and come rushing right over with waivers so that Felice will watch her daughter.
Then Hallie says " Annie, lets play on the trampoline"(formerly called the jumpoline) and also Annie sees that I'm chewing gum and asks for a piece. So it's "Jaysa who?"
As I'm cooking dinner(cooking is not in Felice's contract)Annie comes in with about 3 lbs. of gum stuck in her hair. It's in there good and I have no idea on how to remove it without cutting it. So I grab the scissors and Felice yells "NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!"
Now Felice always has these home remedies(I know. Why didn't I ask her before I grabed the scissors)She informs me that peanut butter applied to the gum and hair will make it possible to comb the gum out. I found that hard to believe and so did Annie because, while Felice was in the pantry trying to decide between Jiffy and Peter Pan, Annie grabed the scissors and snip!
Oh Felice was furious!(good thing Jaysa wasn't here) I calmed her down(Janet's not home yet, so I needed the practice)and asked her to show me how it's done using the big chunk of hair and gum that Annie had left. Well that made her happy that she could now demonstrate this miracle and well, I don't know, it didn't seem to work that well.(maybe it still needs to be attached to the scalp)
So, anyway, Annie went out back to play, I continued cooking and Felice decided to have a peanut butter sandwich while she waited for dinner. Well, she ment to have one. The 5 inch long hair that she pulled from her mouth after her first bite, changed her mind.

Tornado night

Friday night was Tornado night.(we usually have Family night, but this was much more exciting). We knew a big storm was set to come thru and the local weather stations were interrupting about the possibilities of tornados. The twins(6 yrs.) were at the ready.(They'd seen the movie "Twister" a dozen times) Hallie was preparing for the end of days, carrying things to the basement that would be essential to our survival for at least 2 years. The inventory may sound like I'm joking, but I'm not. Let's see, there were 2 bags of potatoes, 9 cans of vegetables, 4 bags of cereal, a three year old can of yams, crackers, pop tarts(the generic kind, but in the fight for suvival, you can't be picky) toys, a carrying bag of clothing and a 15 lb. bag of cat food.(The dogs would have to tough it out) Oh. also the crock pot. While Annie played her blow up guitar to Hannah Montana.
So, we proceeded to tear up Felice's room(she is staying with us for a while). She's living in the dark, dank basement. Everyone sat on the couch(Felice's bed) and watched "Entertainment Tonight" while the lighting flashed and the thunder thundered.
The Mexican dinner I was planning was put on hold(I haven't figured out how make Huevos Rancheros in a crock pot) so, we had ham sandwiches, chips and cat food.
After the all clear, we went back upstairs(the tornado had been 15 miles away moving away from us). Hallie started hauling things back upstairs and Annie went back to the blow up guitar.
The next day the girls had a childrens choir practice to attend, but couldn't find socks. Hallie had taken her entire sock drawer down to the basement and had forgotten to bring it up.

Animal intro

My oldest daughter, Felice, is staying with us along with her daughter, Robin, until closing time on their new house. I stuck them down in the dank basement, because she didn't want to be in the way.(my 1st thought was under the bridge about a mile from here.) She brought along her two dogs Odie and Coco(or is it Co-Coa)(whatever it is, it's ugly).
Now I already have three dogs(did I mention that I don't like dogs)When I first met Janet I told her that I didn't care much (hated) dogs, cats and kids. So, when God heard this, I ended up with 4 kids, 10 grandkids, 5 dogs, 1 cat(thank you cat for keeping it under control)(I always forget his name, so I call him Cat)
I inherited all these animals and have grown to like them(tolerate). Like my kids and grandkids, they tended to grow on me.
Fox was the first dog of this bunch( sheltie and something else mix)My youngest daughter, Sabrina, found him standing in the rain one day after little league was cancelled and snuck him into the van. She begged to let him stay and promised to feed and care for him. That was 12 years ago........ and is he hungry.
The 2nd dog is Domingo(Yorkie) that my wife had to have to compensate for her empty nest syndrome(they came back). That dog was always running out the door and I could just see that stack of hundred dollar bills getting hit by a car. One day he ran out when the littlest grand-kid opened the door and was gone for 4 months(and so was the dog). Janet was devastated, but I kept telling her that I thought someone took the collar off of the stack of money and kept him, but that one day he would make his escape. Sure enough(that sounds so Andy Griffith)4 months later, he comes streaking down the street, into the house and onto the cat(they wrestle all the time) Rollie is the 3rd dog to enter our lives. She is a Min-Pin and my son, Jon, brought her over, along with her puppies, because he had no place to keep them.(shoot, I forgot to make him promise to feed them) Rollie actually grins and that's kind of creepy.
Then there is the cat and I don't quite know where he came from, but I've been told that we've had him for a couple of years. He doesn't use a litter box. He goes outside, when the dogs go out and meows at 3am when he wants in.
Fox is getting on in years and he thinks I'm his person, because he follows me constantly and lays at my feet. I feel sorry for him when I'm working at home, because I'll go downstairs to my office, and he follows me. Then we'll get to the bottom and I remember that I forgot(how does that work?)my cup of coffee, so up the stairs we go and when I get to the top I'm like, "Oh, I left my coffee stained cup downstairs!" and the dog is looking at me with pleading eyes and saying(yes, he speaks perfect english, but needs work on his spanish) "Is that all? Anything else? I'm tired!"
Well, I have come to love these dogs(even the visitors), especially Fox. I've just seen the movie, "Marley and Me" and I will miss that dog (Fox)when he's gone.

Mothers Day

On Saturday I drove to Springfield, MO. to train a new employee. It's a 5 hour drive and I drive at night, but I really enjoy the time to myself and it's very relaxing (well, except for the deer, possums, skunks and axe wielding men with a 6-pack of Bud-Light that seem to jump out at cars on these 2 lane state highways.)I decided not to spend the night and drove back around 3am(more animals, more axe wielding men) so that I could be home for Mother's Day.
My kids are grown, but we're raising 2 grandkids, so it's back to treating Janet as the Queen and spending a small fortune so that Annie and Hallie can show their love (just kidding about the small fortune)(no, I'm not)(yes, I am)(no, I'm not)(YES, I AM) The kids had picked out and had given flowers to her and she really appreciated them. She told me later that she had really wanted flowers to plant in her garden.(six year olds can be so uncaring)
We all went to church and, of course, it was a Mother's Day theme. There were mothers, grand-mothers, mother's-in-law, to-be mothers and a bad mother(SHUT YOUR MOUTH)(I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft)(THEN WE CAN DIG IT)
Then we went to lunch. Janet bought lunch for her mother(which I paid for), Annie and Hallie bought lunch for their grand-mother(which I paid for) and my father-in-law had lunch(which......I........paid..........for!!!) That last line was for a laugh, I could never repay my father-in -law for all he has done for us.
Then we topped off her day with a gift of which every mother was envious. We took her to see STAR TREK (but, she did enjoy it) and the kids took her to "play McDonald's" after the movie.(but, she did enjoy it)
(NO I'M NOT!)

Field trip to the zoo

Janet and I are raising twin grand-daughters. Annie and Hallie are in 1st grade. They get the giggles when I tell them how I didn't know the alphabet (or as we called it, the ABC song) and how I was held back in 2nd grade. (kept getting stuck on L-M-N)( my dad smoked L & M cigarettes so.....) This gives them hope (I hope) that if I could manage to make it to 3rd grade, then they have a chance.
They begged me (us) to volunteer as chaperones for a field trip to the zoo, and because we work from home and set our own schedules to a degree and had forgotten what it was like to manage a group of 6 yr olds (like herding chickens) we found ourselves herding chickens(like managing 6 yr olds)
I'll be right up front and say that I do not like to go to the zoo. I used to go but all I ever saw were lumps of fur sticking out of bushes(look over there, I saw a lizard on a rock twitch) However, today the animals were moving around, running, growling , eating, jumping and there was even a lizard twitching. (I lied before about seeing a lizard twitch)
We came upon a pond of fish and ducks and all of sudden a snake about 5ft long came swimming across and slithered up to the ground. I thought that was pretty cool. Then I thought, "Wait a minute. Shouldn't it be in a cage?" So it was a snake that had wondered into the zoo(as if it could have consciously decided to visit)and now the kids were running up to pet it and I didn't have a knife to cut the bite and suck out the venom. (or even the desire) So they were stopped and directed to the petting zoo. we saw goats, sheep, cows, horses, but not one pig.
We got the kids on the bus safely. (I glad I didn't have to explain to Jesse's mother how her daughter was inside the Rino pen) and when I got home, it was a 2 hour nap for me.
When I awoke I was still too tired to cook, so it was off to KFC with my "free grilled chicken" coupons. They were not accepting them , but that's another story.

Errands and Laundry

Janet and I had to run errands today during lunch. Actually, she had to run the errand and I went along for lunch. We had our son along with us. He had stopped by to do his laundry and well, as long as we're going to lunch. He waited in the car while we were in the bank. Janet had taken the keys and had left the automatic windows up and cars parked on both sides, so he couldn't open the doors all the way to let fresh air in.(today was a warm day)
Now he's 28 not 5, so I wasn't too worried about being hauled off for child endangerment although he acted as if we trying to get rid of him to save the wear & tear on our washer. I don't know why he just didn't come into the bank(the bailout money allowed them to fix the air conditioning), unless he thought we were there for a hold up and he couldn't get involved in that. (he still had his laundry to think about)
I just had the appliance repairman over(you know, cup of tea and chit chat)on Monday to fix a leak. $142.oo!!! I told him to just wait until I become skilled at something and he needs my services.(I'm thinking maybe an appliance parts clerk)

Cooking and Fishing

My grand-daughter, Robin, asked if I was going to cook a dish she likes of chicken and potatoes. My twin grand-daughters, Annie & Hallie, wanted to go fishing again. My wife, Janet, was driving in from out of town. I decided to do both at once. I preped the meal and stuck it in the oven and off we went to the lake behind our house.
Some call it a pond. They said if you can throw a stone across then it's a pond, because a pond is smaller than a lake. I can't throw a stone across, but, then again, I can barley make the softball across the plate in slow pitch. And since Lake Erie is 21,000 sq. miles smaller than Lake Superior, should we call it the Erie Pond.
Anyhow, we didn't catch fish(I'm a lousy student or Robin's not cut out to be a fishing instructor) I think I'm thru with fishing for a while.
Janet showed up and finished the meal I started.
I'm always stealing her recepies and changing things a little. When she notices me doing something different she says "That's not how I do it." and I answer "I know." I know that I'm asking for it and she knows that I'm asking for it, but then where would she find a wonderful guy like me that cooks & cleans.
The meal came out terrible. Janet said it was because of the spices left out, but I'm leaning towards the parsly.

Fishing

Wow, this is exciting. My first blog and I'm finger-tied. After 4 hours I've gotten this far.
The photo doesn't do me justice, I'm a much better looking silhouette.
It's 2 in the morning and I have to get up early to get my twin grand daughters ready for school, so I'll just keep this short for now.
I was born a poor Mexican kid(as opossed to an adult) in the mid-west and now, I am older.
My daughter taught me how to buy fish bait today and my 16 yr. old granddaughter taught me how to fish.
I've seen others fish and often wonder what they think about as they sit on the bank. I think they are like me, trying to will the fish to take the bait. I'm watching the bobber (is it bob or bobber?) and muttering "Come ooonnnn.......take the bait." Like I'm at the craps table. "Come ooonnn..........7". Well I've never played craps, but I've played Yahtzee.
So I've always heard that fishing is supposed to be relaxing, but trying Jedi mind tricks on fish didn't relax me and catching 2 tree branches was frustrating and getting my line caught in a tree limb was bewildering and I caught a fish, but couldn't get the hook out.
By the way, I've also heard that fish have no feelings in their mouths, so the hook doesn't cause pain. I swear, that as I was trying for 10 minutes to take out the hook(I would throw it back in the water every minute so it could catch it's breath) It was saying "Ow,ow,ow,hurts,ow,ow!"