13 years ago today, my son, Joshua was born. Despite the frustraitons he gives his mother and me, I am proud to be his Dad! He's brought joy (and, yes, some anguish) into our lives. Early on, I vowed to raise our children in a better fasion than I was raised. In other words, NO abuse. I've achieved that, and very pleased with how he has turned out.
At first, though, it was touch-and-go with his health. Josh was born 1 month and 1 day early at a whopping 4.13 lbs. The amazing thing was that I was not only able to catch him but clean him up as well! Disgusting, you say? Not if it is your own son. I was also blessed to cut the cord. His first year was a little scary, though. Despite the high Apgar scores of 9 out of 10, he still wound up back in the hospital a few times. One of which we nearly lost him.
But all of that is past, 13 years later, he's made his mom & dad very proud. He's taller than his mom and ALMOST as tall as me!! Having become VERY skilled on the saxophone, 3rd Degree Blue Belt in Kung Fu and also posesses a very vivid imagination. If he gets his act together, which most do after a few years, he will be successful.
Joshua has been a blessing to me and will continue to bless our lives. I would have it NO other way.
~~~~~~Happy Birthday, my Son!~~~~~~
And, yes, it is fine for a Dad to tell his son, "I love you, Buddy!" I mean it.
We officially opened Escrow on Monday, April 3. I feel very encouraged by the actions of the buyer because she has asked for the Home Inspection & Appraisal scheduled immediately. After a few false-starts, it seems like this transaction is finally moving forward. Our buyer closes on her home on the 17th.
The only problem is we need to be out by the 1st of May. Therefore, we had to find a month-to-month rental, which was not an easy feat when most places either require a minimum 6-month lease or are in a very seedy part of town. And it also appears our new house may actually be ready a little sooner than originally announced. This could actually be in our favor.
If I NEVER have to go through this again, it will be too soon! I am hoping to grow old and die in this new house because the stress involved in a contingency sale is simply too high. Perhaps if we are able to save up enough before-hand and sell first, THEN find another home, it MIGHT be simpler. But, I don't want to go through this again. I am not looking forward to renting an apartment even for a month. It's small enough here at 1408 sq.ft., let alone 1000. But at the end of all this, we will be in a 2200 sq. ft. house. Breathing room! Perhaps this is merely the "darkest before the dawn."
And, it's not over yet! When her house closes on the 17th, I will then, and only then relax... then REJOICE! *chuckle*
Smoking In Public – A Commentary (Or a Rant, If You Prefer)
Smoking has been proven to be “Hazardous to your health” by the Surgeon General. There is debate about 2nd-hand smoke being hazardous as well. In any event, it is offensive. From a personal perspective, why would anyone want to destroy their bodies? How is smoke even at all healthful? Besides that, what makes it enjoyable? It certainly does not taste very good, let alone smell good.
I know perhaps a few “considerate” smokers, but it still is offensive because the smell gets into their clothes and others around them smell it as it mingles with their body odor. Let alone, when around an INconsiderate smoker, it gets into YOUR clothes, hair (if you have any *chuckle*) that comes home with you and smells up your house.
California has set an excellent precedent by banning smoking in public areas. What about in traffic? Imagine sitting at an intersection waiting for the green light and someone pulls up next to you smoking. While it is in their car, it still lingers over to you and then smells up YOUR vehicle. Moving is not possible, rolling up your window is an option, but WHY should *I* be made uncomfortable because of someone’s selfish habit? My window is down to enjoy the fresh air, not down only to be rolled up because of this.
Just like everyone else, I should have the right to breathe clean air and not inhale someone else’s smoke. People should have the right to do as they please with their own bodies, so long as it does NOT infringe on MY rights! Nor should I be subjected to their smoke lingering on my clothes. Go home smelling of smoke to a clean house, the scent becomes an odor.
No non-smoker (and many smokers) are not terribly fond of inhaling smoke when dining. Almost as distracting as a noisy family in the booth next to you is breathing someone’s cigarette smoke. Not conducive to an enjoyable dining experience.
I digress to discuss chew, which is another disgusting habit. Not for the chewing aspect but those that spit. Some think it’s appropriate to spit into a garbage can or even a cup then throw it into a garbage can. That liquid does NOT remain contained and has god knows what bacteria the “chewer” has. SOMEONE has to handle that at some point. Then you have the inconsiderate ones that spit anywhere they please, even if it is “accidentally” on an innocent bystander. NOBODY likes to be spit on, not to mention that it is an assault. Again, there is bacteria that is potentially spread, let alone how disgusting and rude it actually is.
Similarly, smoking is equally as disgusting. Both are horrible habits which are harmful to all around. Many smokers, like chewers that spit, leave their “mark” behind by smashing their butts on the ground, left for someone ELSE to pick up. This is a complete lack of consideration for others as well as the environment. Perhaps someone should smash smoker’s butts into the ground.
When going into many stores, there are ashtrays on top of garbage cans. This is not meant as an invitation to “smoke here.” Though many ignorant people seem to think so. In actuality it is store management telling smokers to keep their butts outside! Smoke included! Instead, employees and customers alike congregate around these cans, which are located strategically outside the front entrances so that the public is required to walk through the smoke in order to enter the store. This, folks, is a complete lack of consideration for others. Again, why should I be subjected to YOUR habit of destroying your own body?
In summary, smoking is a horrible habit that truly does adversely affects not just the smoker themselves, but also those around them. Have a little class. A little kindness goes a very, very long way.
I promise you cannot read these and not laugh out loud. These are REAL notes written by PARENTS in a Tennessee school district... (Spellings have been left intact.)
1-- MY SON IS UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE AND SHOULD NOT TAKE PE TODAY. PLEASEEXECUTE HIM.
2-- PLEASE EXKUCE LISA FOR BEING ABSENT SHE WAS SICK AND I HAD HER SHOT.
3-- DEAR SCHOOL: PLEASE ECSC's JOHN BEING ABSENT ON JAN. 28,29, 30, 31, 32 AND ALSO 33.
4-- PLEASE EXCUSE GLORIA FROM JIM TODAY. SHE IS ADMINISTRATING.
5-- PLEASE EXCUSE ROLAND FROM P.E. FOR A FEW DAYS. YESTERDAY HE FELL OUTOF A TREE AND MISPLACED HIS HIP.
6-- JOHN HAS BEEN ABSENT BECAUSE HE HAD TWO TEETH TAKEN OUT OF HIS FACE.
7-- CARLOS WAS ABSEN YESTERDAY BECAUSE HE WAS PLAYING FOOTBALL. HE WAS HURT IN THE GROWING PART.
8-- MEGAN COULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL TODAY BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN BOTHERED BY VERY CLOSE VEINS.
9-- CHRIS WILL NOT BE IN SCHOOL CUS HE HAS AN ACRE IN HIS SIDE.
10-- PLEASE EXCUSE RAY FRIDAY FROM SCHOOL. HE HAS VERY LOOSE VOWELS.
11-- PLEASE EXCUSE PEDRO FROM BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. HE HAD (DIAHRE,DYREA, DIREATHE), THE SH**S. NOTE: [WORDS IN ( )'s WERE CROSSED OUT]. (Love it! :-) )
12-- PLEASE EXCUSE TOMMY FOR BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. HE HAD DIARRHEA,AND HIS BOOTS LEAK.
13-- IRVING WAS ABSENT YESTERDAY BECAUSE HE MISSED HIS BUST.
14-- PLEASE EXCUSE JIMMY FOR BEING. IT WAS HIS FATHER'S FAULT.{You know, this could be legit! ;-) }
15-- I KEPT BILLIE HOME BECAUSE SHE HAD TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BECAUSEI DON'T KNOW WHAT SIZE SHE WEAR.
16-- PLEASE EXCUSE JENNIFER FOR MISSING SCHOOL YESTERDAY. WE FORGOT TOGET THE SUNDAY PAPER OFF THE PORCH, AND WHEN WE FOUND IT MONDAY. WE THOUGHT ITWAS SUNDAY.
17-- SALLY WON'T BE IN SCHOOL A WEEK FROM FRIDAY. WE HAVE TO ATTEND HER FUNERAL.
18-- MY DAUGHTER WAS ABSENT YESTERDAY BECAUSE SHE WAS TIRED. SHE SPENT A WEEKEND WITH THE MARINES.
19-- PLEASE EXCUSE JASON FOR BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. HE HAD A COLD AND COULD NOT BREED WELL.
20-- PLEASE EXCUSE MARY FOR BEING ABSENT YESTERDAY. SHE WAS IN BED WITHGRAMPS.
21-- GLORIA WAS ABSENT YESTERDAY AS SHE WAS HAVING A GANGOVER.
22-- PLEASE EXCUSE BRENDA. SHE HAS BEEN SICK AND UNDER THE DOCTOR.
23-- MARYANN WAS ABSENT DECEMBER 11-16, BECAUSE SHE HAD A FEVER,SORETHROAT, HEADACHE AND UPSET STOMACH. HER SISTER WAS ALSO SICK, FEVER AN SORETHROAT, HER BROTHER HAD A LOW GRADE FEVER AND ACHED ALL OVER. I WASN'T THE BEST EITHER, SORE THROAT AND FEVER. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING GOING AROUND, HER FATHER EVEN GOT HOT LAST NIGHT.
Now, it is a waiting game. Received a verbal acceptance from the buyer, now awaiting the signed counter-offer. Our proposal which included a Rent-back offer was rejected. While I understand someone being concerned over whether or not the seller will leave at the agreed-upon time, there are always ways to ensure this will happen. Our buyer wanted no part of that, after a couple of indecisive calls from them, they decided they wanted to take posession on the 30th of April. So, we countered back with our asking price and NO incentive, to which we've received a verbal, as stated before.
The next step is to figure out where we will live for the following month, barring any delays by the builder. This means an apartment (UGH!) and very possibly more storage. This, of course, will incur more cost and moving. I wonder if there is a temporary rental clause in my homeowner's insurance or if I would have to purchase renter's insurance for the month? The trick is, however, finding an apartment not located in a rough part of town, miles from work that will allow a month-to-month agreement without having to sign a 6-month lease. Obviously, that will not be acceptable considering the pending completion date of the new house. Walk-thru is still scheduled for the last week in May.
This also poses another problem with work. We are conducting a Physical Inventory on the 28 & 29th of April, of which I will be playing a key-role. Too bad it's not really "playing." *groan*
By reading my blog, you will get the idea I'm outspoken, even harsh. That idea would be right. However, if I call you friend, I am loyal to a fault. I love all animals, but have a special affinity for dogs. Some say I was probably a dog in a past life. Anything else, just ask.
