I don't think Nastia is an evil person, I think the first few years of her life she basically was able to do anything she wanted, out of the sight of Adults. She took care of Elena and had freedom.
This past Saturday, both were given an opportunity to be responsible. The Plan was we were all going to go to 'The Autobahn' mini car track at the mall and the girls could use their gift certificates. After that Elena and Alex could doing something and Nastia and David would have dinner somewhere.
The Autobahn racing has a rule that if you bump anything more then twice, you must leave your car. Elena bumps the opening as she enters the track. At a nasty U-turn she bumps the outer wall. Next time around she slams right into the same wall, she seemed to not even turn.She exits the track.
Nastia drives the course like she is out for a Sunday drive. She goes around at a moderate pace, taking turns gently. I don't remember her hitting anything until she scrapes a wall and is asked to leave. She doesn't argue, but is glad to leave. She says "It wasn't my thing."
Teri and Nancy leave to go food shopping and I hang out. I have no plan and I decide to take some time to come up with one. Teri asks if I'm staying? I didn't know at that time.
I hang out and everyone has disappeared. I text Elena to find out what her plan is with Alex. It's around three in the afternoon by now and Nastia doesn't have to meet David until 4:45.
I text Elena and ask her what is she doing? She says she is having tacos. I ask where is Nastia? I'm told, she is at Back Stage. She was told to stay together with her sister, so I rush up there trying to keep my temper. Nastia has a streak in her that when She is told to do something, like stay with her sister, but it conflicts with something she wants to do she will do what she wants to do if she thinks she can get away with it. I have no trust in her word any more, for that matter, in a long time. Think back to last year. Elena decides she wants to see a movie with Alex, but doesn't have money. Of Course Father know best says he will 'loan' her the money. (It's in quotes, because I'll never see it again and it turns out I don't even get change)
I find Nastia at Back Stage. I take her hand treating her like a three year old and start to walk her back to the food court, while trying to keep my temper and telling her this is how a three year old is treated. I then launch into how she doesn't follow directions and I remind her about a TV show we watched and one of the characters after receiving a phone call yells to is wife, "You know that thing that you said would probably never happen but might, well I think it just did. It gets a smile from her. I admit to her it might never happen and I hope it doesn't, but why take the chance. I then give her the money for her sister and I give her some money so she has enough for dinner with David. I tell her to have David meet her at the movies. She runs off to the Movies on the forth floor and I do a slow walk, feeling very unhappy about the whole thing and head down to the third floor. As I pass under where the movies are I look up and there is Nastia high tailing it out of the movies. I'm burning again. Do I let it lie or do I go find her and cancel dinner with David because of her ignoring me. I already know what she will say if I confront her later, that she was waiting for David out front of the movies. I continue to walk to the car. I just don't want to deal with it and later I will wish I'd gone up to find out where she was, because when I finally confront her she will say exactly what I thought she would.
It lies, They have dinner, David and Nastia, then bring home Elena. Teri and Nancy and I go to dinner at Charlie Browns and everything is left for Sunday afternoon when I ask Teri what I should do and her reaction is to call Nastia into the Kitchen and the three of us get into it, she says she waited for David at the movies and I told her I saw her high tailing it out of the movies and she slides right into 'I was waiting for him in front of the movies.' It most likely a lie, but I'll never know and I don't trust her. It's sad.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Who let the Dog out??* and Lights, camera, action?
*Yeah, I know it's a tired line from a song no one should remember, but even in the distant future people will.
Yesterday, I got out of work and had some Nathans, got Bandi from the groomer before heading home to meet the movie people after four. I'll talk more about that later.
I was greeted at the gate by Mesha, no big deal she knows how to open the door and how to open the gate, but We have a rope on the gate and usually the door gets closed completely with a little lift.
I go inside and see there is a message on the answering machine. A Neighbor, Donna is calling at 9:30 AM saying she sees our dog outside the gate, running around trying to get back in the fence. I do a quick look around and count, all three dogs are here. The message acknowledges that everyone must be at work or school, but she is concerned about the dog getting hit by a car. I thank God for whatever happened and sit down in front of the computer to go on line when the phone rings. I usually don't pick it up, but this time I do and it is Donna our neighbor, who owns Buddy, the other German Shepherd in the neighborhood. She explains how her and her boyfriend saw the dog trying to get back inside and how she ran over to their house and how her boyfriend let the dog in the fence and put a stick in the lock to keep it closed. All this time I'm saying to her thank you, thank you... My fear is Mesha will get out and someone will find her and sell her, not try to return her. This is the sick world we live in today.
Now to the Movie. A couple of weeks ago I found a flier in my mail box asking us to consider letting a movie production company film the movie, 'I think We're Alone Now'. I jumped on it and they are filming for a day at the house sometime this month and until then it seems like a long stream of people are coming out to look at the house. Today's was the forth time in the last two weeks. They are also coming out Friday and again on Tuesday. Tuesday, they are bring a bus full of people, twenty. It's fun sometimes.
Yesterday, I got out of work and had some Nathans, got Bandi from the groomer before heading home to meet the movie people after four. I'll talk more about that later.
I was greeted at the gate by Mesha, no big deal she knows how to open the door and how to open the gate, but We have a rope on the gate and usually the door gets closed completely with a little lift.
I go inside and see there is a message on the answering machine. A Neighbor, Donna is calling at 9:30 AM saying she sees our dog outside the gate, running around trying to get back in the fence. I do a quick look around and count, all three dogs are here. The message acknowledges that everyone must be at work or school, but she is concerned about the dog getting hit by a car. I thank God for whatever happened and sit down in front of the computer to go on line when the phone rings. I usually don't pick it up, but this time I do and it is Donna our neighbor, who owns Buddy, the other German Shepherd in the neighborhood. She explains how her and her boyfriend saw the dog trying to get back inside and how she ran over to their house and how her boyfriend let the dog in the fence and put a stick in the lock to keep it closed. All this time I'm saying to her thank you, thank you... My fear is Mesha will get out and someone will find her and sell her, not try to return her. This is the sick world we live in today.
Now to the Movie. A couple of weeks ago I found a flier in my mail box asking us to consider letting a movie production company film the movie, 'I think We're Alone Now'. I jumped on it and they are filming for a day at the house sometime this month and until then it seems like a long stream of people are coming out to look at the house. Today's was the forth time in the last two weeks. They are also coming out Friday and again on Tuesday. Tuesday, they are bring a bus full of people, twenty. It's fun sometimes.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Hey DMV, I'm Bbbbbaaaack*
*A play on a scene from Independence day, you know when the drunk flies his plane at the space ship just before it blows up. Do I have to go further? You didn't see the film? What is wrong with this generation**
** That's a message to the future who think that all films that are not made in surround are boring. Yeah, when it's invented I want credit for naming it.
Yes, we all knew it would come and I put it off for six month's, but she asked me if we could go and I was slow thinking up an excuse, so without my knowledge my mouth said, "Yeah, sure I'll take you over on Thursday, they have late hours."
She texts me at work just before I was leaving, up until then I was dreaming of what I was going to have for lunch and the good book that Iv'e gotten into. When I read it I hear my dreams of lunch crash and shatter like a coke glass hitting a marble counter, shards everywhere. impossible to piece together.
I drive home, picking up some McDonald's on the way home to eat. I go inside and gather my papers, hoping I have what is needed, expecting them to say I don't.
The two of us drive up to Haverstraw and I'm giving her my speech on my expectations for teaching her and her sister at the same time. Iv'e taken a deep breath, I was a quiet kis when I was younger and I saved up all my words so I ramble on for most of the trip. Is she listening? I don't check, I'm in the zone dispensing pearls of wisdom she would lead a poorer life if she missed.
We pull up to the southern end of the building. We have tangled before, the two of us. In the end I will win, if I stay strong. I stop myself before I yell "Take no Prisoners!" and tap my boots against the sides of my camel. (What? You don't understand what I just said? It's another movie reference. You guys got to get up to date on all of your movie trivia if you are going to read me. The movie was and is 'Lawrence of Arabia' staring Peter O'Toole, great actor. It was filmed in 1962? Yeah, 1962, that was just after World War 2, and no I don't remember it.)
We stride confidently into the lions den and up to the bridge of Terror to face out first task (Monty Python?? Bridge of Terror?? Ask these questions three??).
Ok, your no fun. We go to a small kiosk just past the doors, I look to my left and see a long line of people waiting. The Wizard from scene 23 asks "What is your quest?(Monty Python??) I say Learner's permit. He hands us a form and a ticket, A254, lucky A254, hummm. I look up and see they just called A251, lucky A254, hummm.
I go to work on the paperwork. Growing up my writing was compared to my father's. The nicest thing said about it was it looked like chicken scratch ( A Chicken scratching in the dirt). Over the years Iv'e worked hard to improve it and if I'm not stressed, it's pretty pretty. Elena prints like my Dad wrote, chicken scratch. I swear I went to Russia in 2000, had drunken sex with a Russian girl and made Elena. She is so like me.
I finish the paperwork and Elena and I sit down to wait. I explain to her we are waiting forA254 to come up even though it seems close, they will call other numbers with other letters in front first. And they did, they eve called some number behind A251. The wait wasn't as bad as it was back in the 80's when everyone stood in line after line waiting.
After about twenty minutes, her number is called. We go to the same window Nastia and I went to, but we got an Indian guy.I go with a smile and good humor, but this guy had a long day and killed my good mood very quickly with his 'I don't care' attitude.' I know it is a hard job and I would never want to do it. I show him all of Elena's paperwork, to my surprise, he tells her to go and get her picture taken. I try to get her to smile, it doesn't work. We are told to sit down and wait again. Another fifteen minutes later her number is called and I go with her into the test room. I know I shouldn't and I am babying her through this whole experience, but I can't help it. The test monitor asks me to leave and after I know she has all her paperwork in, I go. About ten minutes later she exits and says she got seven wrong. Her problem is she is having problems understanding the questions. Well Nastia had to go four times before we got to the test. I guess we're ahead of the game so far.
** That's a message to the future who think that all films that are not made in surround are boring. Yeah, when it's invented I want credit for naming it.
Yes, we all knew it would come and I put it off for six month's, but she asked me if we could go and I was slow thinking up an excuse, so without my knowledge my mouth said, "Yeah, sure I'll take you over on Thursday, they have late hours."
She texts me at work just before I was leaving, up until then I was dreaming of what I was going to have for lunch and the good book that Iv'e gotten into. When I read it I hear my dreams of lunch crash and shatter like a coke glass hitting a marble counter, shards everywhere. impossible to piece together.
I drive home, picking up some McDonald's on the way home to eat. I go inside and gather my papers, hoping I have what is needed, expecting them to say I don't.
The two of us drive up to Haverstraw and I'm giving her my speech on my expectations for teaching her and her sister at the same time. Iv'e taken a deep breath, I was a quiet kis when I was younger and I saved up all my words so I ramble on for most of the trip. Is she listening? I don't check, I'm in the zone dispensing pearls of wisdom she would lead a poorer life if she missed.
We pull up to the southern end of the building. We have tangled before, the two of us. In the end I will win, if I stay strong. I stop myself before I yell "Take no Prisoners!" and tap my boots against the sides of my camel. (What? You don't understand what I just said? It's another movie reference. You guys got to get up to date on all of your movie trivia if you are going to read me. The movie was and is 'Lawrence of Arabia' staring Peter O'Toole, great actor. It was filmed in 1962? Yeah, 1962, that was just after World War 2, and no I don't remember it.)We stride confidently into the lions den and up to the bridge of Terror to face out first task (Monty Python?? Bridge of Terror?? Ask these questions three??).
Ok, your no fun. We go to a small kiosk just past the doors, I look to my left and see a long line of people waiting. The Wizard from scene 23 asks "What is your quest?(Monty Python??) I say Learner's permit. He hands us a form and a ticket, A254, lucky A254, hummm. I look up and see they just called A251, lucky A254, hummm.
I go to work on the paperwork. Growing up my writing was compared to my father's. The nicest thing said about it was it looked like chicken scratch ( A Chicken scratching in the dirt). Over the years Iv'e worked hard to improve it and if I'm not stressed, it's pretty pretty. Elena prints like my Dad wrote, chicken scratch. I swear I went to Russia in 2000, had drunken sex with a Russian girl and made Elena. She is so like me.
I finish the paperwork and Elena and I sit down to wait. I explain to her we are waiting forA254 to come up even though it seems close, they will call other numbers with other letters in front first. And they did, they eve called some number behind A251. The wait wasn't as bad as it was back in the 80's when everyone stood in line after line waiting.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
A very Early Spring
This past weekend things got warm. Not warm for a February day, but warm for an April day. The temperature has been warm most of the week. It was not lower then the upper 30 and then this weekend it went into the 60's. Global Warming, sometimes you just got to love it.
With the warm temperatures the girls and I started some yard work early. We got most of last years leaves up off the backyard.
It seems every year I don't get the leaves up before it snows. I do go out there and rake, but the neighbor has a tree, a huge tree that doesn't loose it's leaves until after December 1st and it usually snows shortly after that, not a lot, but who normally wants to rake leaves, much less rake them while they are wet and it has just snowed and it is cold out.
I took pictures of the girls working outside. I promised each I would pay them for the work. The first picture is Elena working and the second is Nastia.
Nastia? yeah, she's supposed to be working behind where the dog is.
Elena was a vegetarian for a while this winter. It was a bit of a hassle, so I think that is why she quit. Plus there are a lot of foods with meat in them that are fun to eat. Neither Kid has been very big on beef all their life. If you want to make their eyes light up put potatoes in front of them. That's the Russian weakness. Hey, Vodka is make from potatoes, go figure.
Elena is also gotten into exercising. She likes going to the gym at the park on Conger's Lake and doing the treadmill. She then goes over to the bench and does several sets there. She starts out just lifting the bar, which weighs in the twenties. She later adds some fives to it. This pleases me very much. I was afraid when I first heard her doing this she would want to go for muscle mass and on a girls it never looks good. It looks like she is going for toning, which always looks good on women.
I watched her train for a little while and I took her home after about two hours. It was interesting, I'd never been to this building in the park. The Girls discovered it a few years ago and wanted me to get them their passes to use it. I managed to get them up a few weeks ago, early on a Saturday and got them over to the town's parks dept. and it took all of a few minutes and just me showing my ID. I didn't have to try and explain that my Wife and I adopted them from Russia and all of their need paperwork is in Russian.
With the warm temperatures the girls and I started some yard work early. We got most of last years leaves up off the backyard.
 |
| Misha wants to help |
I took pictures of the girls working outside. I promised each I would pay them for the work. The first picture is Elena working and the second is Nastia.
Nastia? yeah, she's supposed to be working behind where the dog is.
 |
| Nastia, where are you?? |
Elena is also gotten into exercising. She likes going to the gym at the park on Conger's Lake and doing the treadmill. She then goes over to the bench and does several sets there. She starts out just lifting the bar, which weighs in the twenties. She later adds some fives to it. This pleases me very much. I was afraid when I first heard her doing this she would want to go for muscle mass and on a girls it never looks good. It looks like she is going for toning, which always looks good on women.
I watched her train for a little while and I took her home after about two hours. It was interesting, I'd never been to this building in the park. The Girls discovered it a few years ago and wanted me to get them their passes to use it. I managed to get them up a few weeks ago, early on a Saturday and got them over to the town's parks dept. and it took all of a few minutes and just me showing my ID. I didn't have to try and explain that my Wife and I adopted them from Russia and all of their need paperwork is in Russian.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Bang the car slowly*
* I doubt anyone will get the reference. It's a play off of the title of a book I read in the 70's called Bang the drum slowly. It was made into at least two movies, one with Paul Newman in the fifties and one in 73 with Michael Moriarty and new comer Robert DeNiro. I must of purchased the book without the knowledge of the film. I didn't see the second movie for years.
Bang The Car Slowly, if you haven't guessed has nothing to do with the book or either of the two movies. The book and movies are about a baseball player that is dying of Hodgkin disease.
Bank the Car Slowly is what happens when you pull into a parking space against a building and don't use the brake, ever. Both stories are a little bitter sweet and you feel bad for the main character.
Except for DeNiro and Newman and the fact I read the book and it is the title of this piece, it has nothing to do with the story, 'Bang the Car Slowly' So I will not do a comparison between the two, because any comparison would come out mean and lord know who's mean, (no, not me, never).
Bang the Car Slowly stars the dramatic actress (I hate they have stopped using that word, liberal assholes!! Don't get me wrong I hate Conservative/ Republican Assholes even more. They are making liberals seem reasonable. Sorry about that. I had to get some poison out of my system.I mean whatever happened to the center! opps, doing it again, sorry) Dramatic Actress Anna Muller, yes, Anna Muller,
Setting the scene: It is mid-winter, the sun is still up, last week her father commented how the days are getting longer and how it is now almost sunny out. Anna's first line is"Whaaaat?" She doesn't believe her father ...again. (Who'd blame her after telling her and Elena that during the inauguration of Donald Trump, They saw a kid walking in the parade. It was Baron Trump and I said he was part of the Spy Kids division of the government. They didn't find it funny after I told them the truth.) Lets cut this short, You got to get back to work, and I don't get paid by the hour.
Anna/Nastia Muller drives her father's car flawlessly to the bowling alley, no near misses like the red car from a few weeks ago. She pulls into the parking lot it is a little full, but not bad and heads towards the parking spot she has decided is her spot on Wednesday nights, She pulls in at a slow speed and just continues on, or at least tries to. We go up on the stop guard, you know the lump of cement held in place by bits of rebar spaced so you know to stop. About that time I yell something stupid. It wasn't stupid like stop, no it was stupid like slow down. By the time I yelled it was too late and I should of been yelling for a do over. Needless to say she hits the building. I mean, what do you want the building was hiding and if I was driving that big black thing in front of me would of confused me too and yes I would of continued to go towards it until I stopped.
What is done is done. From the passengers side I backed the car off the wall , got out, walked around to the front of the car and see a big scratch on the bumper, missed the popped drivers fender and then I walked inside. Haven't talked to her about it.
The best part was when we drove home and I told her to pull into the parking lot at Shop Rite New City and she pulled into the turn lane and kept going, cutting of a car only, thank god. and then fighting me on parking the car. We're taking a brake, (no play on words there intended) from driving for a little while.
I guess maybe I have pushed her a little too much or maybe she wasn't concentrating, I don't know, it scares me. After the near miss with the red car, Teri wanted her to wear her contacts and she was when all this happened. I just don't know.
Bang The Car Slowly, if you haven't guessed has nothing to do with the book or either of the two movies. The book and movies are about a baseball player that is dying of Hodgkin disease.
Bank the Car Slowly is what happens when you pull into a parking space against a building and don't use the brake, ever. Both stories are a little bitter sweet and you feel bad for the main character.
Except for DeNiro and Newman and the fact I read the book and it is the title of this piece, it has nothing to do with the story, 'Bang the Car Slowly' So I will not do a comparison between the two, because any comparison would come out mean and lord know who's mean, (no, not me, never).
Bang the Car Slowly stars the dramatic actress (I hate they have stopped using that word, liberal assholes!! Don't get me wrong I hate Conservative/ Republican Assholes even more. They are making liberals seem reasonable. Sorry about that. I had to get some poison out of my system.I mean whatever happened to the center! opps, doing it again, sorry) Dramatic Actress Anna Muller, yes, Anna Muller,
Setting the scene: It is mid-winter, the sun is still up, last week her father commented how the days are getting longer and how it is now almost sunny out. Anna's first line is"Whaaaat?" She doesn't believe her father ...again. (Who'd blame her after telling her and Elena that during the inauguration of Donald Trump, They saw a kid walking in the parade. It was Baron Trump and I said he was part of the Spy Kids division of the government. They didn't find it funny after I told them the truth.) Lets cut this short, You got to get back to work, and I don't get paid by the hour.
Anna/Nastia Muller drives her father's car flawlessly to the bowling alley, no near misses like the red car from a few weeks ago. She pulls into the parking lot it is a little full, but not bad and heads towards the parking spot she has decided is her spot on Wednesday nights, She pulls in at a slow speed and just continues on, or at least tries to. We go up on the stop guard, you know the lump of cement held in place by bits of rebar spaced so you know to stop. About that time I yell something stupid. It wasn't stupid like stop, no it was stupid like slow down. By the time I yelled it was too late and I should of been yelling for a do over. Needless to say she hits the building. I mean, what do you want the building was hiding and if I was driving that big black thing in front of me would of confused me too and yes I would of continued to go towards it until I stopped.
What is done is done. From the passengers side I backed the car off the wall , got out, walked around to the front of the car and see a big scratch on the bumper, missed the popped drivers fender and then I walked inside. Haven't talked to her about it.
The best part was when we drove home and I told her to pull into the parking lot at Shop Rite New City and she pulled into the turn lane and kept going, cutting of a car only, thank god. and then fighting me on parking the car. We're taking a brake, (no play on words there intended) from driving for a little while.
I guess maybe I have pushed her a little too much or maybe she wasn't concentrating, I don't know, it scares me. After the near miss with the red car, Teri wanted her to wear her contacts and she was when all this happened. I just don't know.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Parenting 101: When it really does hurt me more then it does you.
In this time of not hitting your children the expression 'This is going to hurt me more then it does you' has been lost. I know hitting their children,being one of them at the time, made me feel bad, but I never thought about how they felt for doing it. Teri and I started out hitting a little and gave it up rather quickly, not to be stylish or anything, just because violence makes for violent people.
This has nothing to do with what I'm going to talk about, it just happened to come into my head as I was thinking about what happened last night. And I guess, the expression, 'this is going to hurt me more then it does you' does apply.
On Wednesday, Elena got in trouble in school. She was making comments about some of the students in her class and was not doing her work and just being a general pain and a bully. She was asked to leave class and Teri and I got an e-mail about it
Click link to read our email disclaimer:
www.ccsd.edu/emaildisclaimer
Well, there is the proof.
Our response was sent by Teri
I am so sorry about her behavior. I will have a talk with her, but please by all means do what you have to do. If she has to go to the principal's office pull detention, whatever needs to be done please do so. Thank you
Sent from my iPhone
That was the environment Teri and I faced when I got home. I talked to Elena quietly and told her she was being a bully and when her mother and I talked there would be a punishment.
When Teri got home she talked quietly with her and afterwards Teri and I talked about the punishment. Taking away her electronics doesn't seem to work so Teri came up with her writing fifty times 'I will treat anything with a heart the way I want to be treated.' I went to tell her the punishment, but I tweaked it,I gave her a choice of writing about being bullied in Russia in the orphanage or to write I will treat anything with a heart the way I want to be treated. I wanted her to think about how she felt when a kid bullied her in Russia. Guess which one she chose? I didn't know because she grabbed some paper and went to her room. She was given until Friday night to finish it.
Between Thursday and Friday night she was good.
Well of course she hadn't done it and I got smacked with a lot of waves of anger. It radiated off her like (here's another political joke) the hate a Trump supporter feels for Obama's Health Care program. ( Wait until They see what's coming.)
Elena grabs a few sheets of paper and a pen and starts her writing. About an hour later I hear Elena talking to Teri.
I'm upstairs in my bedroom, 10 pm passes, Nastia comes in and says 'good night', no Elena, about 11pm or so I realize I have been skipped. It seems I'm being punished for being true to my word.
The next morning, she gets up, walks by me without saying anything and I think it is still going on. On her way back she does say 'good morning' like nothing happened. I guess nothing did happen. And the world will continue to turn, even if my feeling were hurt last night.
This has nothing to do with what I'm going to talk about, it just happened to come into my head as I was thinking about what happened last night. And I guess, the expression, 'this is going to hurt me more then it does you' does apply.
On Wednesday, Elena got in trouble in school. She was making comments about some of the students in her class and was not doing her work and just being a general pain and a bully. She was asked to leave class and Teri and I got an e-mail about it
Good morning!
I wanted to let you know that I asked Elena to leave class today. She refuses to complete any work and her comments to other students are very inappropriate. She comes to class very angry every day and takes it out on others. She negatively comments on other students' answers and is making them feel uncomfortable. These behaviors cannot be tolerated and she will be asked to leave the class and go to the assistant principal. I have spoken with her many times and explained that she cannot behave in this manner.
Thank you!
Click link to read our email disclaimer:
www.ccsd.edu/emaildisclaimer
Well, there is the proof.
Our response was sent by Teri
I am so sorry about her behavior. I will have a talk with her, but please by all means do what you have to do. If she has to go to the principal's office pull detention, whatever needs to be done please do so. Thank you
Sent from my iPhone
That was the environment Teri and I faced when I got home. I talked to Elena quietly and told her she was being a bully and when her mother and I talked there would be a punishment.
When Teri got home she talked quietly with her and afterwards Teri and I talked about the punishment. Taking away her electronics doesn't seem to work so Teri came up with her writing fifty times 'I will treat anything with a heart the way I want to be treated.' I went to tell her the punishment, but I tweaked it,I gave her a choice of writing about being bullied in Russia in the orphanage or to write I will treat anything with a heart the way I want to be treated. I wanted her to think about how she felt when a kid bullied her in Russia. Guess which one she chose? I didn't know because she grabbed some paper and went to her room. She was given until Friday night to finish it.
Between Thursday and Friday night she was good.
On Jan 18, 2017, at 3:01 PM, Bennardo, Kim <kbennardo@ccsd.edu> wrote:
Things were going well right up to the point on Friday night that I remembered that Elena had not handed in her paper. So I go up to her room, it's about 9 pm, and ask her for her paper. I mean, what is a punishment worth if no one hands it in. Where would We be if after the Declaration of Independence thing went on the way they were. We'd all be speaking English instead of American. We'd have a Queen Elizabeth instead of King Donald.Update - Elena was wonderful today!! She completed work and was very pleasant. I am so proud of her!
Have a great night!
Well of course she hadn't done it and I got smacked with a lot of waves of anger. It radiated off her like (here's another political joke) the hate a Trump supporter feels for Obama's Health Care program. ( Wait until They see what's coming.)
Elena grabs a few sheets of paper and a pen and starts her writing. About an hour later I hear Elena talking to Teri.
The next morning, she gets up, walks by me without saying anything and I think it is still going on. On her way back she does say 'good morning' like nothing happened. I guess nothing did happen. And the world will continue to turn, even if my feeling were hurt last night.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Talking and not watching the road
I guess We all know where this one is going. Let Me start by saying there was no accident, just a few more gray hairs on my overly gray and bald head.
Nastia has been doing a lot of night driving. Her work behind the wheel is better every time she drives and so I push her to drive in harder places and maybe push her a little too much to be a little more aggressive behind the wheel. An example of this would be when she came to the intersection of Kings highway and Congers Rd, she was on Kings and wanted to turn left on to Congers to go over the Causeway. The Light was green and I would speed up and go through, she on the other hand stays the same speed, the light changes and she stops. I told her she should have sped up, she said no. That was a good thing. She was uncomfortable going through the light and said so. The only problem was when the light changed there were cars in the other direction some turning, some going straight and a car letting her go left. It was too much for her to take in a once and I had to tell her to go, someone is letting you turn. She did and it was OK.
We go through the 'S' turn and hill were she has problems keeping the car in her lane and keeping up road speed and then we pass the North High School.
As We are coming up on Brewery Rd, a red small car, like a Honda or something wants to turn left on to Brewery Rd. I'm watching the car as Nastia is asking me a question about the Hot Dog House and how will she know when they call her. While She is asking the question, I notice she has not slowed down or moved to the right and if things don't change soon We are going to end up in that poor unfortunate persons back seat. When it is obvious She's does not see the car I yell 'STOP!'. Thank God, with out hesitation She slams on the brakes. I watch us get closer and closer and think, 'We're not going to make it we're going to hit this guy. Through some luck or something other, the car stops short of hitting the red car. We sit there in silence for a few moments and the red car moves up a few feet. I smile and think it was good We didn't need that few feet.
Nastia is still freaked about the almost hit and has trouble going around the car while there are other cars behind her. Finally the red car turns and we get to the Bowling Alley without any further adventure.
I didn't talk about the almost accident until we were at the bowling alley. I asked her the question that will always be on my mind for the rest of my life. I asked, "Did You not see the car because it was dark?"
Her reply was, "I wasn't paying attention and I can see fine."
For those who are not up on the subject of her eyes. I've told her and her sister the only people who can tell her they can't handle driving under certain conditions because of their poor eye sight are the two of them. And to please error on the side of caution.
GOD KEEP THEM SAFE.
Nastia has been doing a lot of night driving. Her work behind the wheel is better every time she drives and so I push her to drive in harder places and maybe push her a little too much to be a little more aggressive behind the wheel. An example of this would be when she came to the intersection of Kings highway and Congers Rd, she was on Kings and wanted to turn left on to Congers to go over the Causeway. The Light was green and I would speed up and go through, she on the other hand stays the same speed, the light changes and she stops. I told her she should have sped up, she said no. That was a good thing. She was uncomfortable going through the light and said so. The only problem was when the light changed there were cars in the other direction some turning, some going straight and a car letting her go left. It was too much for her to take in a once and I had to tell her to go, someone is letting you turn. She did and it was OK.
We go through the 'S' turn and hill were she has problems keeping the car in her lane and keeping up road speed and then we pass the North High School.
As We are coming up on Brewery Rd, a red small car, like a Honda or something wants to turn left on to Brewery Rd. I'm watching the car as Nastia is asking me a question about the Hot Dog House and how will she know when they call her. While She is asking the question, I notice she has not slowed down or moved to the right and if things don't change soon We are going to end up in that poor unfortunate persons back seat. When it is obvious She's does not see the car I yell 'STOP!'. Thank God, with out hesitation She slams on the brakes. I watch us get closer and closer and think, 'We're not going to make it we're going to hit this guy. Through some luck or something other, the car stops short of hitting the red car. We sit there in silence for a few moments and the red car moves up a few feet. I smile and think it was good We didn't need that few feet.
Nastia is still freaked about the almost hit and has trouble going around the car while there are other cars behind her. Finally the red car turns and we get to the Bowling Alley without any further adventure.
I didn't talk about the almost accident until we were at the bowling alley. I asked her the question that will always be on my mind for the rest of my life. I asked, "Did You not see the car because it was dark?"
Her reply was, "I wasn't paying attention and I can see fine."
For those who are not up on the subject of her eyes. I've told her and her sister the only people who can tell her they can't handle driving under certain conditions because of their poor eye sight are the two of them. And to please error on the side of caution.
GOD KEEP THEM SAFE.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Can You ever be 100% happy
I'm writing this at my Mother's house. On the drive over I was thinking about the time I was the happiest. I have come to the conclusion that You are never aware you are in the midst of a happy time.
I thought that the 1980's were a very happy time for me. But then I remembered Mikey Metz died in 85, I went through a bad break up with a girlfriend, so I thought maybe it was later in the 80's and I remembered that in December of 87, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and the next year, fifteen months were the worst of my life. Until I thought of the three years following his death, which were worse. I guess the 80's weren't that good, but I still feel they were, I don't know why.
So I moved on to other decades and lo and behold it turns out I am in one of the best periods of my life. My Wife may shake her head in disbelief, but I think the good times started to roll when Teri and I started the paperwork to get the girls.
I look back to the times We had in the Nyack house, and there were bad times as well as good time. Best Time memory is the parties I threw when the Halloween parade went down the street, and all the people who were there who are gone now.
My time with my Wife, like everything has its ups and downs. The adoption of the girls has to be the highlight of everything I have ever done or will ever do in my life. they have changed Teri and I in many ways we will never know. And I know Teri and I have transformed their lives.
So, yeah the 2010's have had some rough spots and some real downers in them, but I think they rank up there with the best of times.
I thought that the 1980's were a very happy time for me. But then I remembered Mikey Metz died in 85, I went through a bad break up with a girlfriend, so I thought maybe it was later in the 80's and I remembered that in December of 87, my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and the next year, fifteen months were the worst of my life. Until I thought of the three years following his death, which were worse. I guess the 80's weren't that good, but I still feel they were, I don't know why.
So I moved on to other decades and lo and behold it turns out I am in one of the best periods of my life. My Wife may shake her head in disbelief, but I think the good times started to roll when Teri and I started the paperwork to get the girls.
I look back to the times We had in the Nyack house, and there were bad times as well as good time. Best Time memory is the parties I threw when the Halloween parade went down the street, and all the people who were there who are gone now.
My time with my Wife, like everything has its ups and downs. The adoption of the girls has to be the highlight of everything I have ever done or will ever do in my life. they have changed Teri and I in many ways we will never know. And I know Teri and I have transformed their lives.
So, yeah the 2010's have had some rough spots and some real downers in them, but I think they rank up there with the best of times.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
The New Year so far.
New Years eve, at this point in life if you've seen one, you've seen 58 come and go. It is not the big deal it once was. It's not like you met your future wife that night and you both share a private moment.
I remember one story about New Years eve that my Mom once told me, about my Dad going out on the steps off the kitchen, at the time they were the back steps, and banged two pots together and yelled happy New Year.
Every New Years eve my Uncle Ken, next door at 17 Klein would have a party down stairs in his basement. I always thought that it was a New Years eve party, but he was also born on New Years eve and it was a birthday party. I was always insulted, we were never invited over. As an Adult I completely understand. Who'd want kids at a party.
The Girls have not gotten to the point where New Years eve is boring. Nastia did get a little bored, because there was not anyone for her to talk to. She did ask me why was it OK for me to tell Amanda and Nick it was OK to come over. There was an 'and' there, but I wasn't going to say it and she didn't say it and it was' Why David wasn't there. My answer would of been 'Well go ask him if he wants to come.' Personally, I didn't want to spend an evening with him. Too uncomfortable for me.
Elena, met a boy at the gathering, he is two years younger then her and they seemed to hit it off. When We left, Teri and Nancy pushed her to go get his number. I wonder if they will talk. He is a son of one of Eric and Lynn's friends.
The new reality of my life now that my daughter, Nastia is getting good at driving is everywhere I go with her I get chauffeured. It is a big change for someone who is used to driving most of the time. I guess it has come about in a subtle way. It started a few years ago when my wife decided that she would rather drive her car when we went on trips, short or long. I didn't care mainly because I drove everywhere and I was dealing with problems of staying awake behind the wheel. I never told, and no one ever asked where two dings on the passenger side of the car came from. It's a short, quick story that I have told no one so keep it to yourself.
I was driving down Rt 9W after Cream-O-Land took over Consolidated, I don't remember where I was, but I remember having trouble staying awake. It is a problem that I'd been battling on and off for years while doing over 100 mile a day driving doing sales calls. Some days I'd pull off to the side of the road to take a nap. This day I didn't feel I could. so on I went.
The next think I remember, is either one of two or three things. I was off the road, I'd fallen asleep, I was going to hit the guard rail. I swerve back on the road and I remember a car coming in the opposite direction and the guy in the car looking at me with the expression like 'What the hell is that jerk doing'. I just dinged the guard railing and I was wide awake after that.
That was the second accident I had falling asleep for. After I lost my job with Cream-O-Land I didn't have to drive a lot, that was the only up side.
I remember one story about New Years eve that my Mom once told me, about my Dad going out on the steps off the kitchen, at the time they were the back steps, and banged two pots together and yelled happy New Year.
Every New Years eve my Uncle Ken, next door at 17 Klein would have a party down stairs in his basement. I always thought that it was a New Years eve party, but he was also born on New Years eve and it was a birthday party. I was always insulted, we were never invited over. As an Adult I completely understand. Who'd want kids at a party.
The Girls have not gotten to the point where New Years eve is boring. Nastia did get a little bored, because there was not anyone for her to talk to. She did ask me why was it OK for me to tell Amanda and Nick it was OK to come over. There was an 'and' there, but I wasn't going to say it and she didn't say it and it was' Why David wasn't there. My answer would of been 'Well go ask him if he wants to come.' Personally, I didn't want to spend an evening with him. Too uncomfortable for me.
Elena, met a boy at the gathering, he is two years younger then her and they seemed to hit it off. When We left, Teri and Nancy pushed her to go get his number. I wonder if they will talk. He is a son of one of Eric and Lynn's friends.
The new reality of my life now that my daughter, Nastia is getting good at driving is everywhere I go with her I get chauffeured. It is a big change for someone who is used to driving most of the time. I guess it has come about in a subtle way. It started a few years ago when my wife decided that she would rather drive her car when we went on trips, short or long. I didn't care mainly because I drove everywhere and I was dealing with problems of staying awake behind the wheel. I never told, and no one ever asked where two dings on the passenger side of the car came from. It's a short, quick story that I have told no one so keep it to yourself.
I was driving down Rt 9W after Cream-O-Land took over Consolidated, I don't remember where I was, but I remember having trouble staying awake. It is a problem that I'd been battling on and off for years while doing over 100 mile a day driving doing sales calls. Some days I'd pull off to the side of the road to take a nap. This day I didn't feel I could. so on I went.
The next think I remember, is either one of two or three things. I was off the road, I'd fallen asleep, I was going to hit the guard rail. I swerve back on the road and I remember a car coming in the opposite direction and the guy in the car looking at me with the expression like 'What the hell is that jerk doing'. I just dinged the guard railing and I was wide awake after that.
That was the second accident I had falling asleep for. After I lost my job with Cream-O-Land I didn't have to drive a lot, that was the only up side.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Christmas 2016 WOW, did that get here quick.
I started this the day after Christmas and only did the title. It just blew me away so much I had to stop until New Years eve.
Christmas lately has not been as fun as it should be. I want to blame everyone for it happening, but it is all inside me to make it a fun stress free time. I started in that direction be getting a head start on shopping. I then let things grind to a halt and suddenly I haven't taken the girls shopping and I don't feel Iv'e gotten Teri enough stuff and everyone is spending too much money. Then suddenly I'm wishing the hollow days (yeah, I used that old spelling joke again.) we're over. At least I've condensed my distaste for the Hollow day ( can't resist using it again) down from Thanksgiving to my birthday to just Christmas.
I enjoyed Christmas when the girls first got here and Teri and I could piss away money almost at will. She would say,"I want to use one of my pay checks on Christmas. It was OK, we were able to do it. Money would be tight, but only because we both were putting a good amount of money into our 401K's.
Then things changed, I lost my job, Teri lost her's. She got another one, I got a part time and I stayed there.
So, what happened on Christmas, well Teri and I got up around 7:30 and we're the first ones up. We sat around having something to eat.
Some time around 11, the girls are gotten up. It's not like the videos I made when they first got here and they were up at 6am, like normal kids. I guess they are normal kids now too, just normal teenagers who want to sleep as late as they can.
Well, the girls finally got up. Nancy slept over and Nick and Amanda came over around 11, we finally opened up gifts. there were alot of oh, wows and thank yous thrown about. The big gift for this Christmas were Apple watches for the girls. I find them redundant, but it's the cool thing to have this year.
We had a roast for Christmas, everyone seems to be Turkey'd out these days. It
s funny, I only have Turkey once or twice a year or maybe when I want to get it out of the freezer because I can't stand the room it takes up and the stuffing is always great, but I really am tired of Turkey.
Not so much of ham. The Turkey came out real good this year. The top didn't look cooked all the way, but the wing and the internal temperature said it was ready. Came out good, the stuffing as always was excellent. The only problem was there was too much topping on the sweet potatoes. The topping is not marshmallow, it is a combination of nuts and brown sugar and other items. The Sweet Potatoes are put in a shallow dish and the topping is ladled on a little too thick. I made mention of this and my loving wife said, in a sweet and loving and understanding way, "deal with it".
We ate a little late, three not two and when we finished up we relaxed until about six-thirty when we went to my brother Eric's house for desert.
We played a game that is becoming very popular on college campuses call Werewolf. Each person gets a card and they and the narrator are the only ones who know who they are. You can be a villager or a werewolf. The Villagers try to kill the werewolves and the werewolves try to kill the villagers.
At the start of the game, everyone puts there heads down and the narrator says all the werewolves wake up, who do you want to kill, they pick out a person. Then they put their heads down and the narrator calls for one of the villages, who has a special power to do something. It's a lot of fun the game. At the end, last person standing is the winner.
We played it twice and went home. Fun night.
Christmas lately has not been as fun as it should be. I want to blame everyone for it happening, but it is all inside me to make it a fun stress free time. I started in that direction be getting a head start on shopping. I then let things grind to a halt and suddenly I haven't taken the girls shopping and I don't feel Iv'e gotten Teri enough stuff and everyone is spending too much money. Then suddenly I'm wishing the hollow days (yeah, I used that old spelling joke again.) we're over. At least I've condensed my distaste for the Hollow day ( can't resist using it again) down from Thanksgiving to my birthday to just Christmas.
I enjoyed Christmas when the girls first got here and Teri and I could piss away money almost at will. She would say,"I want to use one of my pay checks on Christmas. It was OK, we were able to do it. Money would be tight, but only because we both were putting a good amount of money into our 401K's.
Then things changed, I lost my job, Teri lost her's. She got another one, I got a part time and I stayed there.
So, what happened on Christmas, well Teri and I got up around 7:30 and we're the first ones up. We sat around having something to eat.
Some time around 11, the girls are gotten up. It's not like the videos I made when they first got here and they were up at 6am, like normal kids. I guess they are normal kids now too, just normal teenagers who want to sleep as late as they can.
Well, the girls finally got up. Nancy slept over and Nick and Amanda came over around 11, we finally opened up gifts. there were alot of oh, wows and thank yous thrown about. The big gift for this Christmas were Apple watches for the girls. I find them redundant, but it's the cool thing to have this year.
We had a roast for Christmas, everyone seems to be Turkey'd out these days. It
s funny, I only have Turkey once or twice a year or maybe when I want to get it out of the freezer because I can't stand the room it takes up and the stuffing is always great, but I really am tired of Turkey.
Not so much of ham. The Turkey came out real good this year. The top didn't look cooked all the way, but the wing and the internal temperature said it was ready. Came out good, the stuffing as always was excellent. The only problem was there was too much topping on the sweet potatoes. The topping is not marshmallow, it is a combination of nuts and brown sugar and other items. The Sweet Potatoes are put in a shallow dish and the topping is ladled on a little too thick. I made mention of this and my loving wife said, in a sweet and loving and understanding way, "deal with it".
We ate a little late, three not two and when we finished up we relaxed until about six-thirty when we went to my brother Eric's house for desert.
We played a game that is becoming very popular on college campuses call Werewolf. Each person gets a card and they and the narrator are the only ones who know who they are. You can be a villager or a werewolf. The Villagers try to kill the werewolves and the werewolves try to kill the villagers.
At the start of the game, everyone puts there heads down and the narrator says all the werewolves wake up, who do you want to kill, they pick out a person. Then they put their heads down and the narrator calls for one of the villages, who has a special power to do something. It's a lot of fun the game. At the end, last person standing is the winner.
We played it twice and went home. Fun night.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Rogue One A Muller Story
Went to see Rogue One yesterday with the girls. Teri can't stand Star Wars crap, as she says so I asked Nasta, who said yes and at first Elena said no, but she liked the Star Wars the Force Awakens so she changed her mind and it was scheduled for Thursday December 29th at 5pm.
I work until 3pm and I can usually get home by 3:30 and I did, but no one else was home. I call Teri, no answer, I call Nastia she answers and says they are just leaving Walmart and are going to the Palisades Center. I say I'll meet them there. I'm in the car and off I go. I get a mile down the road and it's wait, there is candy at the house. I turn around, get the candy, clean the dogs dishes, turn the heat on in the downstairs bathroom and finally leave. I did all this, because I was early and had the time. Can You see where this is going? I head down Kings Highway and decide to go straight instead of making the right onto Old Mill road, because I was going to park in front of the Mall not the back near Target. So I blow past Old Mill and as the Railroad track over Kings Highway in Valley Cottage come into view there is a train rolling past. I make a quick decision to hang a right on a side road and then a left onto Fulle drive to come out onto Old Mill Road. At the last minute I change my mind. How long will it take the train to pass? That's a rhetorical question, I'll answer it. Five minutes later, I'm still watching this train pass. Every few minutes I'm thinking, if I turn around now the train will end, but it doesn't, and it doesn't until the point I think it will never end. After my clock just clicks over to eight minutes the train ends and off I roar. And yes I end up making a right onto Snake hill road off Rt 303 and park over near Target. Just as I'm pulling in Nastia calls me asking where I am. I was destined to never make it there on time.
Now to the movie. The theatre was packed. I can't get over the fact that in this day and age people are still will to pay $13.00 for a movie and then get ripped off, not just a little, but really big time for snacks. $9.49 for a tub of popcorn, $5.49 for a large soda. Granted they both come with free refills and are both big enough to feed a small African country for a week, still has anyone ever hear of excessive sizes.
I bring in the usual candy, I buy popcorn, a soda, and two ices and a hot dog, no lunch and spend $37.84, with the tickets that is two hours of fun for three people for like $72.00, or $36.00 an hour, wish I made that again. Enough bitchin.
The Movie was good. We sat just south of midway in the theatre, on the isle, which I like. You know incase you need to use the bathroom, twice during the show. Need to refill your soda with water because you drank it all and if you drink any more soda it will give you a headache. Oh and my favorite thing that happened aside from the women with the two small toddlers, who must of been so desperate to see the movie she bought two real young kids with her and I think she saw less of the movie then I did. My most favorite thing that happened was I gave Nastia the card board tray filled with popcorn. When she was done Elena decided she wanted popcorn, but needed butter on it. She goes and does that. A little while later she says the seat is covered in oil. I try to clean it with my few napkins and all I succeed in doing is to smear it all over the seat. I had to go to guest services and have them come in during the movie to clean the seat. And of course after that I went to the bathroom again.
Still in all I would not trade that day for anything. It's a great memory. And as they get older these day will be fewer and fewer. God bless them and days like this.
I work until 3pm and I can usually get home by 3:30 and I did, but no one else was home. I call Teri, no answer, I call Nastia she answers and says they are just leaving Walmart and are going to the Palisades Center. I say I'll meet them there. I'm in the car and off I go. I get a mile down the road and it's wait, there is candy at the house. I turn around, get the candy, clean the dogs dishes, turn the heat on in the downstairs bathroom and finally leave. I did all this, because I was early and had the time. Can You see where this is going? I head down Kings Highway and decide to go straight instead of making the right onto Old Mill road, because I was going to park in front of the Mall not the back near Target. So I blow past Old Mill and as the Railroad track over Kings Highway in Valley Cottage come into view there is a train rolling past. I make a quick decision to hang a right on a side road and then a left onto Fulle drive to come out onto Old Mill Road. At the last minute I change my mind. How long will it take the train to pass? That's a rhetorical question, I'll answer it. Five minutes later, I'm still watching this train pass. Every few minutes I'm thinking, if I turn around now the train will end, but it doesn't, and it doesn't until the point I think it will never end. After my clock just clicks over to eight minutes the train ends and off I roar. And yes I end up making a right onto Snake hill road off Rt 303 and park over near Target. Just as I'm pulling in Nastia calls me asking where I am. I was destined to never make it there on time.
Now to the movie. The theatre was packed. I can't get over the fact that in this day and age people are still will to pay $13.00 for a movie and then get ripped off, not just a little, but really big time for snacks. $9.49 for a tub of popcorn, $5.49 for a large soda. Granted they both come with free refills and are both big enough to feed a small African country for a week, still has anyone ever hear of excessive sizes.
I bring in the usual candy, I buy popcorn, a soda, and two ices and a hot dog, no lunch and spend $37.84, with the tickets that is two hours of fun for three people for like $72.00, or $36.00 an hour, wish I made that again. Enough bitchin.
The Movie was good. We sat just south of midway in the theatre, on the isle, which I like. You know incase you need to use the bathroom, twice during the show. Need to refill your soda with water because you drank it all and if you drink any more soda it will give you a headache. Oh and my favorite thing that happened aside from the women with the two small toddlers, who must of been so desperate to see the movie she bought two real young kids with her and I think she saw less of the movie then I did. My most favorite thing that happened was I gave Nastia the card board tray filled with popcorn. When she was done Elena decided she wanted popcorn, but needed butter on it. She goes and does that. A little while later she says the seat is covered in oil. I try to clean it with my few napkins and all I succeed in doing is to smear it all over the seat. I had to go to guest services and have them come in during the movie to clean the seat. And of course after that I went to the bathroom again.
Still in all I would not trade that day for anything. It's a great memory. And as they get older these day will be fewer and fewer. God bless them and days like this.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Christmas Shopping 2016
December 20, 2016 9:32am
I just read last years Christmas shopping story. I forgot to include the story where we are together at the entrance of Target's and I tell them we would meet at a store called Sophore's. I asked if they knew how to get there. They say yes and we go in the right direction, just not together. I got there and I wait, and wait. I then text both a picture of Saphore's. I text more, I start to worry, I call them and they finally say the can't find Saphore's. This Year when We go Christmas shopping well meet again at Saphore's, lets see if they've learned anything..
On Sunday, Nastia and David went to the Palisades Center to Christmas shop and have dinner as a make up for the Christmas Houses being moved and him not being able to go. She was out with him from one PM until Eight, I guess. She comes home with less then nothing in gifts, I think. I will take them Christmas Shopping Thursday. Yes, I know it is three day before Christmas then. I just forgot to take them. More after Thursday.
The Christmas shopping on Thursday was not as smooth as it could have been. The Girls had their list of presents and sorta had money. We went out as soon as I got home from work about 3:45.
We headed to A.C. Moore to get my Mother a gift card. The parking lots were jammed with cars to the point there were almost no parking spots. The wait on line wasn't too bad, I told the girls while I waited on line to go wander. After I was done I found them reading a book over in the far corner of the store. It was more of a comic. Our next stop was the Liquor Store where Amanda works. We go into get Rumchatta for Teri. I pick up a big bottle and say hi to Amanda as we exit the store. Everything is going smooth.
The Palisades Center is our next stop. The Girls know what they want to get and what stores the items are in. It will be a breeze.
Bed, Bath and Beyond is our first stop. I have coupons to get a discount on the products and I'n psyched this will go well. The Girls go off to get their stuff and I wander around to see if there is anything I can get Teri. A little while later the call me and say they are checking out.I meet them expecting to see four items in their hands,I see one. The other three are sold out. Now its time to search. We check out several store for Lucy calendars for Elena to give to Teri, No luck, I order it online, it will take until Friday. We search half a dozen stores for robes for Nastia to give Teri. I'm willing to go fifty or sixty for a nice one. All I find is crap priced at one hundred dollars or more. Things are not going so well. We've been in Target, J C Penny, Macy's and any number of the smaller stores.
Two hours have gone by and I have blisters on my feet and we are trying to decide where to eat, Elena says food court, Nastia says cheese Cake factory, my wallet says home. We compromise on Chinese take out. It is so much cheaper then Hard Wok these days. At home I give Nastia a make up bag I bought Teri to give her. Most shopping is done. But We will go out again trying to get the robe at Kohls and failing and getting my mom bird seed, succeeding the next day.
I just read last years Christmas shopping story. I forgot to include the story where we are together at the entrance of Target's and I tell them we would meet at a store called Sophore's. I asked if they knew how to get there. They say yes and we go in the right direction, just not together. I got there and I wait, and wait. I then text both a picture of Saphore's. I text more, I start to worry, I call them and they finally say the can't find Saphore's. This Year when We go Christmas shopping well meet again at Saphore's, lets see if they've learned anything..
On Sunday, Nastia and David went to the Palisades Center to Christmas shop and have dinner as a make up for the Christmas Houses being moved and him not being able to go. She was out with him from one PM until Eight, I guess. She comes home with less then nothing in gifts, I think. I will take them Christmas Shopping Thursday. Yes, I know it is three day before Christmas then. I just forgot to take them. More after Thursday.
The Christmas shopping on Thursday was not as smooth as it could have been. The Girls had their list of presents and sorta had money. We went out as soon as I got home from work about 3:45.
We headed to A.C. Moore to get my Mother a gift card. The parking lots were jammed with cars to the point there were almost no parking spots. The wait on line wasn't too bad, I told the girls while I waited on line to go wander. After I was done I found them reading a book over in the far corner of the store. It was more of a comic. Our next stop was the Liquor Store where Amanda works. We go into get Rumchatta for Teri. I pick up a big bottle and say hi to Amanda as we exit the store. Everything is going smooth.
The Palisades Center is our next stop. The Girls know what they want to get and what stores the items are in. It will be a breeze.
Bed, Bath and Beyond is our first stop. I have coupons to get a discount on the products and I'n psyched this will go well. The Girls go off to get their stuff and I wander around to see if there is anything I can get Teri. A little while later the call me and say they are checking out.I meet them expecting to see four items in their hands,I see one. The other three are sold out. Now its time to search. We check out several store for Lucy calendars for Elena to give to Teri, No luck, I order it online, it will take until Friday. We search half a dozen stores for robes for Nastia to give Teri. I'm willing to go fifty or sixty for a nice one. All I find is crap priced at one hundred dollars or more. Things are not going so well. We've been in Target, J C Penny, Macy's and any number of the smaller stores.
Two hours have gone by and I have blisters on my feet and we are trying to decide where to eat, Elena says food court, Nastia says cheese Cake factory, my wallet says home. We compromise on Chinese take out. It is so much cheaper then Hard Wok these days. At home I give Nastia a make up bag I bought Teri to give her. Most shopping is done. But We will go out again trying to get the robe at Kohls and failing and getting my mom bird seed, succeeding the next day.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Christmas Houses 2016
It was smaller then past years if you judge by the number of pizzas ordered. The weather didn't cooperator either, it snowed the night before and changed over to freezing rain, then to just plain rain before it stopped. It was held late this year and the date was changed by one day at the last minute and that also lead to the down number of people this year.
The Starting time usually eleven was moved to one, then two and when I went out for Pizza, I counted thirteen and I got three pizzas. When I got back the count was closer to twenty and I was afraid there was not enough pizza. We ended up with almost a full pie when it was all said and done.
My Mom had everything all set up and ready to go. We arrived late and only Karl and Madeline were there. Kristen and Matt and Mathew arrived a little later. Then Eric and Lynn, with Denis and Billy and Billy's girlfriend and her family. It was over by six or so. Is this the last one?
Last Year, Madeline said her and I would take it over. I said I didn't know where I would be a year later. It turns out she was the one to move. After almost forty years at 4 Old Mill, West Nyack they are now, I think, 220 Bardonia Road, Nanuet or is it Bardonia? Funny how things work out.
The Starting time usually eleven was moved to one, then two and when I went out for Pizza, I counted thirteen and I got three pizzas. When I got back the count was closer to twenty and I was afraid there was not enough pizza. We ended up with almost a full pie when it was all said and done.
My Mom had everything all set up and ready to go. We arrived late and only Karl and Madeline were there. Kristen and Matt and Mathew arrived a little later. Then Eric and Lynn, with Denis and Billy and Billy's girlfriend and her family. It was over by six or so. Is this the last one?
Last Year, Madeline said her and I would take it over. I said I didn't know where I would be a year later. It turns out she was the one to move. After almost forty years at 4 Old Mill, West Nyack they are now, I think, 220 Bardonia Road, Nanuet or is it Bardonia? Funny how things work out.
Monday, December 19, 2016
End of the year 2016 or look who's bitching again.
This has been a different Christmas. With Nastia turning eighteen and Elena turning sixteen, now more then ever do I feel time slipping away. Things are always changing, but there are times when it becomes most acute. Nastia's birthday was one and Christmas Houses 2016 is another.
It was a year ago when My Mom said 2015 would most likely be the last and Madeline said to me no it won't, you and I can do it next year. I said, because of mine and my wife's lack of jobs I don't know where I will be next year.
It's a year later and a lot has happened, some I will never again talk about again, not even to the people involved. People have continued to grow and change and the world has kept on spinning.
My Daughters and Wife are happy, I hope and safe, I hope. life is not perfect and I never expect it will be.
I am reminded of a joke I first heard at the beginning of the movie Annie Hall. It starts with Woody Allen telling a story about two old Jewish ladies at a resort in the Catskills. The first comments on how bad the food is. How there is nothing good to eat and the other one says, "and the portions are small too."
Woody then says this is how he views life, and I have to agree with him on that. Life sucks, but I want more. Is that God laughing in the back round?
I think despite what all the Bible thumpers think God has a wonderful sense of humor. If not why would he put an itch on the only spot on my back I can't reach. If I am truly made in his image I know why this world is so screwed up.
It was a year ago when My Mom said 2015 would most likely be the last and Madeline said to me no it won't, you and I can do it next year. I said, because of mine and my wife's lack of jobs I don't know where I will be next year.
It's a year later and a lot has happened, some I will never again talk about again, not even to the people involved. People have continued to grow and change and the world has kept on spinning.
My Daughters and Wife are happy, I hope and safe, I hope. life is not perfect and I never expect it will be.
I am reminded of a joke I first heard at the beginning of the movie Annie Hall. It starts with Woody Allen telling a story about two old Jewish ladies at a resort in the Catskills. The first comments on how bad the food is. How there is nothing good to eat and the other one says, "and the portions are small too."
Woody then says this is how he views life, and I have to agree with him on that. Life sucks, but I want more. Is that God laughing in the back round?
I think despite what all the Bible thumpers think God has a wonderful sense of humor. If not why would he put an itch on the only spot on my back I can't reach. If I am truly made in his image I know why this world is so screwed up.
Friday, December 9, 2016
The Day after the night before
The next day after Nastia's birthday Teri and I had a conversation. I won't go into it because some things are not part of history right now and may never be. Remember, history is written after the fact and usually is what the history books decides is relevant.
After our talk, Teri went to the craft fair and I went up to Nastia's room. I woke her up and told her I was not very nice to David last night and I was sorry. Maybe I should of told David I was sorry, but I am not at that point yet. I don't remember everything I told her, but I told her my fears about their relationship. I said my nightmare is the two of you getting engaged before you both understand what it takes to be in a relationship or even be able to afford to live together. And how lack of money in a relationship can put pressure on that relationship and kill it.
Then there was the fear of her getting pregnant. Then finally the reality of an interracial couple and the reality that if they move out of a metropolitan area, the problems they would most certainly face from people who don't approve.
I didn't say, but maybe I should of is, don't grow up too quick. Once you cross the border you really can't go back.
After our talk, Teri went to the craft fair and I went up to Nastia's room. I woke her up and told her I was not very nice to David last night and I was sorry. Maybe I should of told David I was sorry, but I am not at that point yet. I don't remember everything I told her, but I told her my fears about their relationship. I said my nightmare is the two of you getting engaged before you both understand what it takes to be in a relationship or even be able to afford to live together. And how lack of money in a relationship can put pressure on that relationship and kill it.
Then there was the fear of her getting pregnant. Then finally the reality of an interracial couple and the reality that if they move out of a metropolitan area, the problems they would most certainly face from people who don't approve.
I didn't say, but maybe I should of is, don't grow up too quick. Once you cross the border you really can't go back.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Nastia turns Eighteen
It's hard to believe that it has been over seven years since we bought back to young ladies from Russia.
The oldest, who was turning ten when we first met her in the summer of 08' has turned eighteen. She works hard at being grown up sometimes and at other times she is still some much a child. I can see her growing and becoming an amazing person, yet I still see the person who will come down after a shower to eat dinner and some how get food stuck in her hair. She is sweet and loving and trusts too much. In this world today that is a blessing and a curse.
She says she has friends and you ask her what their names are and she will say, "Oh I don't know" or "His name is Brian", asked what his last name is she won't know. Told he wants more then friendship, She will shake her head 'No', because at her age she knows.
I worry about her and her sister all the time and every so often my Mom will let it be known that she worries about her children still and I know it will never end. I guess that is OK.
I guess all of the above is the introduction to her birthday dinner at Gilligan's Restaurant in Sloatsburg on Saturday.
There was seven of us. Teri, Nastia, Elena, Nancy, Myself, my Mother and David.
David bought his present to Nastia with him. We sat down and Nastia was given the gift. David starts to squirm and laugh a little nervously, while talking to Nastia behind a menu.
Nastia puts the bag with the gift on the table and it's a Zales bag, the diamond store is written on the bag. It's a small bag. She takes the gift out of the bag and it is a small square wrapped box. My mind is blank. It is too much to make sense of. The phrase, 'The Diamond Store' is rattling around in the back of my mind and I have been scared and angry about this for a while. In the back of my mind I am looking at two stupid, naive children. One of them recently told me when she couldn't come up with a birthday gift that, "Boy relationships are tough."
Nastia un wraps a small box which is a ring box and then opens the box. An 'oh' of delight escapes her mouth. She turns the box toward her mother and I. I see a ring with many small stones in it and I am unsure if David has just given her an engagement ring or not. I try to play it cool and wait for confirmation one way or the other. You know like someone dropping to their knees. I manage to say, in a small guarded voice, half a croak, half whisper, "Oh that is nice." I then proceed to grab my knife, no not to do that, put to butter a piece of bread my shaking hand has just grabbed because I need something to do. At this time I am not a happy camper.
A little later on conversation goes on to the future and them getting married or something like that and I tell David that the best way for him to survive getting engaged to my daughter and he laughs, a nervous laugh, I tell him to stop, I'm serious, the way to survive engagement is to get a job, be able to take care of yourself and put some money away. It was the not nicely said, but it would go a long way to my relaxing about them.
Later the conversation got around to the courses he is taking at RCC and the job prospects he can expect. I have to introduce him to Eric so he can learn about the way mechanics are treated at dealerships. I thought they were mistreated. He said they wanted to hire him right now. He is still young enough that if he makes a mistake it won't affect the rest of his life. Well as long as he doesn't wait ten years.
The rest of dinner was un eventful. Nastia and a few others had dessert and we all went home.
The oldest, who was turning ten when we first met her in the summer of 08' has turned eighteen. She works hard at being grown up sometimes and at other times she is still some much a child. I can see her growing and becoming an amazing person, yet I still see the person who will come down after a shower to eat dinner and some how get food stuck in her hair. She is sweet and loving and trusts too much. In this world today that is a blessing and a curse.
She says she has friends and you ask her what their names are and she will say, "Oh I don't know" or "His name is Brian", asked what his last name is she won't know. Told he wants more then friendship, She will shake her head 'No', because at her age she knows.
I worry about her and her sister all the time and every so often my Mom will let it be known that she worries about her children still and I know it will never end. I guess that is OK.
I guess all of the above is the introduction to her birthday dinner at Gilligan's Restaurant in Sloatsburg on Saturday.
There was seven of us. Teri, Nastia, Elena, Nancy, Myself, my Mother and David.
David bought his present to Nastia with him. We sat down and Nastia was given the gift. David starts to squirm and laugh a little nervously, while talking to Nastia behind a menu.
Nastia puts the bag with the gift on the table and it's a Zales bag, the diamond store is written on the bag. It's a small bag. She takes the gift out of the bag and it is a small square wrapped box. My mind is blank. It is too much to make sense of. The phrase, 'The Diamond Store' is rattling around in the back of my mind and I have been scared and angry about this for a while. In the back of my mind I am looking at two stupid, naive children. One of them recently told me when she couldn't come up with a birthday gift that, "Boy relationships are tough."
Nastia un wraps a small box which is a ring box and then opens the box. An 'oh' of delight escapes her mouth. She turns the box toward her mother and I. I see a ring with many small stones in it and I am unsure if David has just given her an engagement ring or not. I try to play it cool and wait for confirmation one way or the other. You know like someone dropping to their knees. I manage to say, in a small guarded voice, half a croak, half whisper, "Oh that is nice." I then proceed to grab my knife, no not to do that, put to butter a piece of bread my shaking hand has just grabbed because I need something to do. At this time I am not a happy camper.
A little later on conversation goes on to the future and them getting married or something like that and I tell David that the best way for him to survive getting engaged to my daughter and he laughs, a nervous laugh, I tell him to stop, I'm serious, the way to survive engagement is to get a job, be able to take care of yourself and put some money away. It was the not nicely said, but it would go a long way to my relaxing about them.
Later the conversation got around to the courses he is taking at RCC and the job prospects he can expect. I have to introduce him to Eric so he can learn about the way mechanics are treated at dealerships. I thought they were mistreated. He said they wanted to hire him right now. He is still young enough that if he makes a mistake it won't affect the rest of his life. Well as long as he doesn't wait ten years.
The rest of dinner was un eventful. Nastia and a few others had dessert and we all went home.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Pre Christmas Notes
It's official, the Girls don't believe in Santa Claus, which I guess is Ok.
Started a new tradition, I hope this year. In the past every Christmas a large group of us would get together and see the latest Harry Potter movie out. I don't remember the first year Harry Potter started, but a group of us went to it. It included Teri, myself, Nancy, Amanda, June, Tony and my Mother at least, I think. Later on the girls would get added to the mix.
I just looked it up and the movie franchise started in 2001, when Nastia was three and Elena was one. They joined the fray in for the final film, split into two movies, having missed the half blood prince by a few months in 2009( The movie came out in the summer of 2009, they arrived in October). They never would of understood it speaking little English at the time.
This year they released Fantastic Beasts, which is the first of five movies that will explore the history of the Elder wand and the relationship between a character called Grindelwald and Albas Dumbledore. For those of you who don't know or remember what the Elder wand is... READ THE BOOKS!! THERE GREAT!!
OK, The Elder wand is the most powerful wand and it is part of something that includes the invisibility cloak. Now I have to go reread the books! Cause I don't remember it all.
Started Making Christmas Cookies yesterday. The Girls both helped and I had too much help. It fun, but when you have too much help and can't give jobs to both at the same time it causes stress because I feel one or the other is going to leave and do something else. I want to teach them both to cook so that when they go out on their own they will be able to make something more then Raman Noodle Soup.
We started with Chocolate chip cookies. I heard that if you substitute 8ozs of cream cheese for half the butter the cookies will come out soft. Well We did, then we put in too much white sugar, so I cut back on the brown sugar and added some molasses, I tasted the molasses and let the girls taste it, I thought it would be good, it wasn't.
After all of that the cookies were soft and I thought tasteless. My Mom said they had a nice taste. The Girls didn't complain and just ate them.
Next up are the pin wheel cookies. I make them every year with the promise that I will make them again during the year. I love them and they represent to me Christmas for some odd reason, I guess because they are only made during Christmas. They are too much of a hassle to make more then that.
I double the dough. Half is vanilla, the other half is Chocolate. Each gets put in the refrigerator to cool after it is made, then they are rolled out, re-cooled, rolled together, re-cooled, then cut to make the pin wheel shape, cooked and the last part is the best, yes I eat them, but I'm the only one who likes them! Best deal ever. I also like to make the cookie from Niemen Marcus. The story behind the cookie about someone being charged $600.00 to get the recipe, which is false, got me interested in it. It's a good cookie. About as much of a pain to make as the pin wheel cookies.
Started a new tradition, I hope this year. In the past every Christmas a large group of us would get together and see the latest Harry Potter movie out. I don't remember the first year Harry Potter started, but a group of us went to it. It included Teri, myself, Nancy, Amanda, June, Tony and my Mother at least, I think. Later on the girls would get added to the mix.
I just looked it up and the movie franchise started in 2001, when Nastia was three and Elena was one. They joined the fray in for the final film, split into two movies, having missed the half blood prince by a few months in 2009( The movie came out in the summer of 2009, they arrived in October). They never would of understood it speaking little English at the time.
This year they released Fantastic Beasts, which is the first of five movies that will explore the history of the Elder wand and the relationship between a character called Grindelwald and Albas Dumbledore. For those of you who don't know or remember what the Elder wand is... READ THE BOOKS!! THERE GREAT!!
OK, The Elder wand is the most powerful wand and it is part of something that includes the invisibility cloak. Now I have to go reread the books! Cause I don't remember it all.
Started Making Christmas Cookies yesterday. The Girls both helped and I had too much help. It fun, but when you have too much help and can't give jobs to both at the same time it causes stress because I feel one or the other is going to leave and do something else. I want to teach them both to cook so that when they go out on their own they will be able to make something more then Raman Noodle Soup.
We started with Chocolate chip cookies. I heard that if you substitute 8ozs of cream cheese for half the butter the cookies will come out soft. Well We did, then we put in too much white sugar, so I cut back on the brown sugar and added some molasses, I tasted the molasses and let the girls taste it, I thought it would be good, it wasn't.
After all of that the cookies were soft and I thought tasteless. My Mom said they had a nice taste. The Girls didn't complain and just ate them.
Next up are the pin wheel cookies. I make them every year with the promise that I will make them again during the year. I love them and they represent to me Christmas for some odd reason, I guess because they are only made during Christmas. They are too much of a hassle to make more then that.
I double the dough. Half is vanilla, the other half is Chocolate. Each gets put in the refrigerator to cool after it is made, then they are rolled out, re-cooled, rolled together, re-cooled, then cut to make the pin wheel shape, cooked and the last part is the best, yes I eat them, but I'm the only one who likes them! Best deal ever. I also like to make the cookie from Niemen Marcus. The story behind the cookie about someone being charged $600.00 to get the recipe, which is false, got me interested in it. It's a good cookie. About as much of a pain to make as the pin wheel cookies.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Halloween 2016
This might be the dying days of this tradition. Nastia questioned if she was too old to go out this year. And when they went out, they went with a friend Sharin and they did more talking and less trick or treating.
We picked up Sharin at her house and met her mother, a first. She wanted to make sure her daughter was going with adults. It's good to see We aren't alone. We went down to Nyack and parked in about the same place as last year, but it was different, the girls were not excited to go and get candy any more. The first years over here, they went to the Halloween parade in costume, not this year. And this year for trick or treating there was no excitement. I know I really didn't want to be there either, but I also wanted to go and do this. I guess We all know the end is coming.
We picked up Sharin at her house and met her mother, a first. She wanted to make sure her daughter was going with adults. It's good to see We aren't alone. We went down to Nyack and parked in about the same place as last year, but it was different, the girls were not excited to go and get candy any more. The first years over here, they went to the Halloween parade in costume, not this year. And this year for trick or treating there was no excitement. I know I really didn't want to be there either, but I also wanted to go and do this. I guess We all know the end is coming.
We started on the western side of North Broadway and headed north. Maybe it was late, but it seemed less houses were open for trick or treaters. The Crowds mostly seemed to be there, but in spots there were less people. We walked down past Hartells Grocery, a stop my Dad and I delivered to for about thirty years. It closed about a year ago because Bubby is in his eighties and wanted to work less and is just doing the liquor store. We went a little past the Firehouse and when prompted to turn around, no one argued. When we passed the side streets we usually went down, no one argued. We were done in a little over an hour. We'd made a big loop on North Broadway and were back at the car, everyone ready to go home. If this is the end of going down to Nyack to trick or treat with the girls it has died with a wimpier, not a scream.
I remember when I was thirteen, I felt I was too old to go out any more, then I became friends with Mike and the next year and several years after that I went out. Nastia might be almost eighteen, but mentally she is still somewhere around fourteen, still the perfect age to trick or treat. Elena, on the other hand is a little hard to read. She presents a blank wall to the world sometimes and god I guess this was how the world saw me. She can be so free and easy, like her sister sometimes, then she disappears.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Slide the City
I never talked about the girls doing Slide the city.
Sometime in June-July I saw an article about how this company, 'Slide the City' went around to places and set up these huge water slides. The minute they saw Nyack, they knew they had to do one there.
They got permission to run one at the beginning of August. We got the tickets about a month in advance, they were fifty dollars each I think. A few weeks later of course I saw them on groupon for half price.
We never told the girls we got them and on the day of the event we told them they had been volunteered for a fund raising car wash. So they had to put on there bathing suits. It was a punishment for doing poorly on their retakes of their finals.
We parked over at Teri's parents house and walked over to Main and Midland. As We turn the corner there are balloons and a huge group of people waiting on line to go down the slide. I wasn't happy. The tickets were pricey and how often would the girls get to go down the slide in that time?
We walked down the sidewalk on the south side of the road. People were having a great time, laughing and excited to get back up to the top of the slide. It was a bright sunny day, it was perfect for this event. Not too hot, not cold. We walked down to the corner of Franklin where they had set up their booth. The Girls got their tubes and wrist bands.
On the way back up we find Sally sitting in a chair along the slide and she says that Sallyanne and Katie and Nancy are all on line, having decided to go during the first three hour run. They slide bye and I get Sallyanne and Nancy on the video, missing Katie.
The Girls time comes and they get on line and Teri and I wait, and wait and wait for them to slide bye. When I'm not looking, they slide bye, I get a bit of their slide. The same thing happens on their next two slides, but I get none of their slide those two times.
While We are waiting I run into a friend, Ray, who is with his daughter.
a dry spot developed in front of Teri and I where the water didn't cover the slide and was dry. People would slide up to it then stop, some falling off there tube, others trying to scoot past it and losing their tubes. There were some fun pile ups there too. Eventually they put a helper there to get people past it. With the water on the slide it was impossible to get rid of the bump.
After about two hours, Teri and I are tired of standing around watching so We wander down into Nyack. When I delivered to Nyack, I knew every business in town and mostly who ran them. On this trip it was like I was visiting a town that I knew from pictures. Everything was familiar, but I knew no one and it felt strange. It was sixteen year ago when I last delivered milk.
Teri found someone she knew and they talked for a time until Ray texts me saying our kids are looking for us. I text him back and we walk, in no hurry back up the hill.
The Girls have an other forty-five minutes to slide, but say they are tired, so are we so we agree to go home a little early. It was fun and they want to do it again.
Tomorrow would be the Dutchess County Fair. That is where this would fit in in the timeline.
Sometime in June-July I saw an article about how this company, 'Slide the City' went around to places and set up these huge water slides. The minute they saw Nyack, they knew they had to do one there.
We never told the girls we got them and on the day of the event we told them they had been volunteered for a fund raising car wash. So they had to put on there bathing suits. It was a punishment for doing poorly on their retakes of their finals.
We parked over at Teri's parents house and walked over to Main and Midland. As We turn the corner there are balloons and a huge group of people waiting on line to go down the slide. I wasn't happy. The tickets were pricey and how often would the girls get to go down the slide in that time?
On the way back up we find Sally sitting in a chair along the slide and she says that Sallyanne and Katie and Nancy are all on line, having decided to go during the first three hour run. They slide bye and I get Sallyanne and Nancy on the video, missing Katie.
The Girls time comes and they get on line and Teri and I wait, and wait and wait for them to slide bye. When I'm not looking, they slide bye, I get a bit of their slide. The same thing happens on their next two slides, but I get none of their slide those two times.
While We are waiting I run into a friend, Ray, who is with his daughter.
a dry spot developed in front of Teri and I where the water didn't cover the slide and was dry. People would slide up to it then stop, some falling off there tube, others trying to scoot past it and losing their tubes. There were some fun pile ups there too. Eventually they put a helper there to get people past it. With the water on the slide it was impossible to get rid of the bump.
Teri found someone she knew and they talked for a time until Ray texts me saying our kids are looking for us. I text him back and we walk, in no hurry back up the hill.
The Girls have an other forty-five minutes to slide, but say they are tired, so are we so we agree to go home a little early. It was fun and they want to do it again.
Tomorrow would be the Dutchess County Fair. That is where this would fit in in the timeline.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Turn a page
Usually I miss things and later I'll look back and see that an incident changed things. Usually it's a small thing.
Today I got hit with a small thing that I caught. At 10:55 this morning while I was at my job at the Crystal Spoon and Teri was at Just Energy I got a text from Elena. The Girls had off yesterday and today for the jewish holidays. The Text read"Me and my sister are at the cafe down the road from the elementary school." My first reaction was I was amazed that the girls even knew what a cafe was and that they knew there was one down the road. I'm not trying to be mean, but if they were never there it doesn't exist. I found the text an hour after it was sent so I did the parent thing and replied "Why?"
The reply was, "To eat breakfast, but we're home now." So I asked the next two questions printed in the parent hand book Who paid and what did you have. They had Pancakes. What else would teenage girls eat, oh, yes french fries. And yes they had fries. I then went a little off script after using question four, "Was it good?" and asked "Any bacon or sausages?" that was when I found out they had fries.
I texted Teri and her reply was how I felt, "I could cry", because our little girls had just taken an other step out of our lives. It was bitter sweet. While writing this I get a picture of my front door closing and they're on the other side going home, because they don't live here any more. I'm not ready yet.
Ah Hell, Elena's gonna live with us until we change the locks and pile her stuff on the front porch!
I'm also very pleased at their interest in the Hi Tor Animal Shelter. They volunteer there and I know what they do there is not like a job. They cleaned cages, fed some cats and then played with them a little. I'm just very pleased that they were willing to volunteer and I hope in the future when I want them to become involved in the spring clean up around Rockland I will get a good response.
It is also funny that the reason I want the girls to volunteer for stuff is Cory and Ryan had to volunteer while they were in school to graduate. An unforeseen benefit that the government of Florida will never know about their law.
Today I got hit with a small thing that I caught. At 10:55 this morning while I was at my job at the Crystal Spoon and Teri was at Just Energy I got a text from Elena. The Girls had off yesterday and today for the jewish holidays. The Text read"Me and my sister are at the cafe down the road from the elementary school." My first reaction was I was amazed that the girls even knew what a cafe was and that they knew there was one down the road. I'm not trying to be mean, but if they were never there it doesn't exist. I found the text an hour after it was sent so I did the parent thing and replied "Why?"
The reply was, "To eat breakfast, but we're home now." So I asked the next two questions printed in the parent hand book Who paid and what did you have. They had Pancakes. What else would teenage girls eat, oh, yes french fries. And yes they had fries. I then went a little off script after using question four, "Was it good?" and asked "Any bacon or sausages?" that was when I found out they had fries.
I texted Teri and her reply was how I felt, "I could cry", because our little girls had just taken an other step out of our lives. It was bitter sweet. While writing this I get a picture of my front door closing and they're on the other side going home, because they don't live here any more. I'm not ready yet.
Ah Hell, Elena's gonna live with us until we change the locks and pile her stuff on the front porch!
I'm also very pleased at their interest in the Hi Tor Animal Shelter. They volunteer there and I know what they do there is not like a job. They cleaned cages, fed some cats and then played with them a little. I'm just very pleased that they were willing to volunteer and I hope in the future when I want them to become involved in the spring clean up around Rockland I will get a good response.
It is also funny that the reason I want the girls to volunteer for stuff is Cory and Ryan had to volunteer while they were in school to graduate. An unforeseen benefit that the government of Florida will never know about their law.
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