School

Thursdays are the long day of the week for me. Class runs from 8-7, with a couple of hours of free time in the middle... which actually works out great, as I can get a jump on the reading for the next week. Not going to be able to work outside of school Thursdays, though. I'm thinking that will be fine, as I can still work on virtually every other day if I wish.

I sure didn't like seeing Boy go this morning. Waiting 3 days to see him again is a little rough. He's always so happy, though, that I can't help but feel that things will work out.

Time to read...

Ready for Traveling

After too many years of wishing, I found the perfect camper shell for the pickup, five houses away! My neighbor was selling his shell for a price that was too good to pass up, so I didn't and now it rests comfortably on my pickup. I couldn't believe how close the color match was, and the shell fits perfectly - everything works, locks tight, and it's time for a road trip.

I am so looking forward to going to Portland in September. I'm thinking on the way back I may take the coast route and camp for a day or two if the weather holds. It sure feels like an early Fall.

He Likes Bread Pudding, Too!

Boy Likes His Pasta

New Camera

I couldn't stand it anymore. I needed a camera for work, so invested in a Canon SD600, a nice little point and shoot. Now I can start posting images of Boy, Elizabeth, whatever catches my fancy!

School is great. Mega-reading/writing, and I love every bit of it.

First Day of Class

School is starting out well. Classes are situated within 2 buildings, almost all dovetail right into the other, and the topics are great. I'm upgrading one class from lower to upper division. More reading/writing, greater depth. I would like my upper-division classes to count for something more.

I think I'll wait another day or so to get my books. The student store is a mess.

Kids

Elizabeth is surely driving me insane. I have never met a kid who is so intensely driven and obdurate. She has to be from demon spawn, placed at my door by malevolent archangels.

OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but she can test the patience of a saint. I hope she grows out of this before much longer. How can it be that her brother is the virtual opposite personality?

In other news, it appears I will be coming out of retirement and re-joining the cavalry. My former unit commander has asked me to work with him in forming a new unit, and I am rather excited about the possibilities. I've been wanting to ride with troopers for a while now, and I do believe much of the old unit will be re-forming along with me. Hurrah!

Waiting for School to Start

Getting a little antsy. Classes are picked, funding is there, just counting down the minutes until I have my schedule filled with classes and then work.

Looking forward to traveling to Portland to take the certification class. It's been a while since I've been up that way, and I've always liked the drive and city. I wouldn't mind staying a couple of extra days to just drive around, but we'll see about that.

Boy is taking his afternoon nap, Elizabeth is out shopping with her mother, so it's pretty quiet here. Overcast and chilly. I am looking forward to the end of the month when Adair moves to her new place. It's been a little difficult accommodating her eccentricities.

Just a few more days...

Fifty-One

Waking in the middle of the night in an empty house the first time in a long time. It feels good. I decided that, since I have all this freedom, it should be exercised. Flipped up the computer monitor to experiment with the new OS for a while - adding 2 GB of RAM makes Vista fly like a dove - fast but still a little erratic. Solitaire with JJ Cale in the background - the easy life.

I kind of wish I hadn't been so hasty in erasing my old blog. There were some thoughts on there that were worth reminiscing. Of course, there was also a lot I would prefer to forget about so maybe life evens out after all.

Half a century. Seems like a long time on the one hand, but on the other I sense new adventures that will supersede all but my children. It's odd having their mothers both within a few blocks of me - like being a cult leader without the sex. It's also interesting to see how their lives are evolving.While I am getting stronger by the day, they both seem sad and distant in their struggles. I would feel more pity but I sense higher forces at work here, an entity that is both unforgiving and loving at the same time. He has certainly been generous to me the past couple of months, and I am most grateful. The new business is going ahead without too any obstacles, and there is money in the bank. Everyone is healthy, school starts soon, and my classes are going to be great.

Elizabeth and her mother will be back in a few days, and, save for having Boy with me tomorrow, I will have an open slate to draw on. This is a good thing, because I have a lot to prepare for.

I have truly been blessed. Bob Dylan has released me.

Frustrating

Backing off certification until the 14th of Sept. in Portland. The second choice was just a little too sketchy.

Going to have a few days all to myself, something that very rarely happens. House will be empty until Sunday, and I am so looking forward to some peace and quiet in order to study. Finalized class registration and am excited about the class lineup this semester. Sometimes I can't believe I am sticking through with the original plan, sort of. Adding a second major seems like the right thing to do - in fact, I would consider a Masters in History as a priority.

Boy is asleep, and I'm reflecting on how much I miss him when he's gone. It always seems like it will be grand to have time off from being a Dad, but the reality is those kids complete my life.

Changing Things Around

After talking with a local rep involved with the business I'm getting into, I've decided to push back the certification class in order to take it in Sacramento on the 9th. This would also let me pick up my horse (finally - YEA!) The class is also free, for some strange reason.

Funny how things work out.