I have lost count of the number of times I have been to the DMV with Nastia to get her permit and have yet to give her the opportunity to pass or fail the test.
This adventure started a few days after her sixteenth birthday. We gathered together the papers we needed and went up to the DMV only to be told that most of her identification was not useable. I had copies of her adoption papers and her passport had just expired, and you get the picture.
One time we did make it to the eye test which she failed miserably. She couldn't even read one letter on the chart.
It took Us time and over $500.00 to get her hard contacts that improved her sight and were comfortable for her to wear.
Sometime in late February or early March we tried again. This time the identification papers were no good. We needed originals, not copies. The originals had been misplaced. Teri thought she had given them to me and in the packet she gave me they weren't there, so I figured she changed her mind and so we looked and looked and looked some more. We knew they were in the house, they hadn't left, had never been taken outside since we brought them home. THEY WERE HERE!! Just hiding.
A few weeks went by and we had exhausted all the places we thought they were in and several places we knew they weren't. We were at the point of looking in places we'd looked in two and three times before.
Teri had a job interview scheduled with Orange and Rockland for a Friday and she went up stairs to a small rack of clothes I'd moved several times while insulating the attic. The rack started in the front eastern portion towards the road, then was moved to the north corner and then it was lowered, then it was moved to the western section of the attic, north side, then finally it was moved to deep into the north end to get it out of the way. On it was Teri's wedding dress, and a bunch of plastic bags and purses of her's. She was looking for a good purse to go with the outfit she was wearing to the interview when she came across the papers. She called me and gave me the good news. Now if O&R would only call.
DMV is open late on Thursdays, so Nastia and I decided to go on Thursday. I gather together the papers she will need. The adoption decree, her birthday certificate (in Russian), her out dated passport, I'm still hoping they will accept it. She still is who she is, that didn't change. I added her school ID, with a report card and her social security card. With all these papers I added the eye test paper. signed by Dr. Blumenthel and myself. Take note and see where this goes...
Where it goes...where it goes...This is the DMV, where do you think it goes??
I go straight from work to pick Nastia up from school. We get up to Haverstraw about 2:45 or so. We stroll in and present our paper to the person who gives out numbers. He gives us a number that starts with G instead od one that starts with A and we are feeling the love and feeling real special. We sit down confidently sure in our knowledge and our paperwork that this is the day we will succeed. We will over come!!
Our wait is short and sweet. When we are called we are even sent to the same women as yesterday. We pleasantly say "Good Afternoon" and spill out our pile of perfect paperwork, sorted into two piles of useful and useless. Still carrying around that passport.
I sort through the paperwork and hand over all the proper identification papers. Then as if I am placing a cherry on top of a pile of whip cream I slide the eye test out. It's a beautiful thing. It sits there shining in its new inkiness. Our overworked attendant separates the papers to her liking, asks for my drivers license. She then stops, I think she is dazzled by the beauty of the eye test paper, filled out in its ORIGINAL perfectness. She then asks me why I signed it and not my daughter.
I grab my anger in my fists choking it's purple foulness and sticking it in my front pocket, the one that holds my car keys the ones I want to use to gouge out her eyes with. I think the only sign of my anger is my smile that has gone to a smirk. I answer her, "I signed it because my daughter is a minor and all contracts are unenforceable in a court of law." My anger in my pocket turns blood red and screams 'what the fuck do you care bitch!' I always like my temper, it cuts to the chase very quickly.
Our attendant reacts as if she has been slapped. "Really, I'm not trying to cause you trouble, but this form should of been signed by your daughter."
My Anger makes a run for it, gaining a foot hold on my mouth and my smirk turns down to a frown. My Anger in full control of my mouth shoots out towards my fists and in an all out bid for control starts its crawl up my cheeks towards my eyes. In a moment the lower lids set in a cold contemptuous glare. The eyes begin to narrow and my hands are curling into fists.
A moment before my anger has gained full control she say, "Let me get a supervisor." I know its a lost cause, just like yesterday, but I have a plan. The Supervisor explains there is no cutting breaks and the rules are the rules, are the rules, ARE THE RULES . Anger added the capitals, I didn't.
You say I have a plan, well yes I do. Early this morning I jack assed to Engelwood NJ to have someone forge Dr. Blumenthels name, so I decide to go have some lunch and fill out another eye test paper and sign Dr. Blumenthels name to it, brilliant wouldn't you say? Why didn't I do it this morning you ask? None of your business.
We go over to McDonalds about two minutes away. I figured if we had something to eat and filled out the form taking about half an hour no one would question that we went to get a new form.
We get some food and sit down. After a few quiet moments Nasta looks at me and asks, "Dad, what if you get caught doing this will you go to jail?"
I smile at the thought if everyone who did something like this went to jail and how naive my daughter at sixteen still is. I explain to her how the DMV is being unreasonable in not accepting the eye form and if I am caught they will just say the form is no good and needs to be done again.
Satisfied, We eat until the floor show begins. Neither of us know what started it, but a woman starts yelling about something. I continue eating, while Nastia cringes like she will need to duck under the table to avoid flying debris or even bullets. I know there is no way I'll get under that table before being riddled with several high velocity bullets. Of course the teacher in me can't pass over a teachable moment and I explain to her why and how to handle an irate customer.
The times has come, we go back to the DMV. There's electricity in the air, we are going to put one over on the man, the DMV for all their petty rules is goin to get fooled. We're gonna get them!! We park the car and stroll towards the doors. I laugh and tell Nastia, "It's a good thing we didn't wait too much longer, they close in fifteen minutes." We walk in like royalty, our fast pass guaranteed to get us fast service. We get pointed to the front counter, the Indian gentleman gives us a 'G' ticket, saying something about not understanding. I in all my confidence agree, "I don't understand either", Nastia quietly follows like the respectful peasant. We sit down and relax. Our new Indian friend comes up to Us and in one sentence shatters our master plan.
He says, "I am sorry sir, as it is too late in the day to take permit test, You have to come back on Monday."
Curses foiled again!! Nobody beats the DMV!!
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
Twenty minutes in a microwave, still smells after three hours
Teri and I took a Friday night to have a date night. It was the first one in almost a year.
We told the girls, we were going out and they were going to eat alone. They we're thrill to death. Getting to eat and watch TV alone.
We left around five-thirty, the girls told us what they were going to eat. Nastia, soup and Elena, pizza.
We ate dinner at 'The Yard House'. It was a little pricy. Teri had a drink and a crab cakes. I had a soda and jambalaya. The total bill with tax and tip $45.00. It was so reasonable,We debated selling the girls and eating out more often.
We saw the movie Kingsman, with Colin Forth. I wasn't expecting much and was surprised. It was a nice way to spend an evening.
When We got home, the smell hung heavy in the air. First words out of my mouth were '' Something smells.'' It was a brunt smell. Like something made burned. Like the handle of a pot, a chemical smell almost.
Teri calls out for the girls and Elena answers. Teri yells to her ''What's that smell?
Elena answers in that matter of fact way she has ''I burned the pizza. I put it in for twenty minutes in the micro-wave and it burned.''
Well, their first night alone, they survived it and only killed one pizza. Well done, girls.
We told the girls, we were going out and they were going to eat alone. They we're thrill to death. Getting to eat and watch TV alone.
We left around five-thirty, the girls told us what they were going to eat. Nastia, soup and Elena, pizza.
We ate dinner at 'The Yard House'. It was a little pricy. Teri had a drink and a crab cakes. I had a soda and jambalaya. The total bill with tax and tip $45.00. It was so reasonable,We debated selling the girls and eating out more often.
We saw the movie Kingsman, with Colin Forth. I wasn't expecting much and was surprised. It was a nice way to spend an evening.
When We got home, the smell hung heavy in the air. First words out of my mouth were '' Something smells.'' It was a brunt smell. Like something made burned. Like the handle of a pot, a chemical smell almost.
Teri calls out for the girls and Elena answers. Teri yells to her ''What's that smell?
Elena answers in that matter of fact way she has ''I burned the pizza. I put it in for twenty minutes in the micro-wave and it burned.''
Well, their first night alone, they survived it and only killed one pizza. Well done, girls.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Nastia went to the Movies and acted like an Ass and got it handed to her.
We went to see American Sniper the other day. Nastia asked if David could come along and I said OK.
We picked David up a little late and went over to McDonald's to eat. David works at Burger King and didn't eat. We all had a little to eat. Elena met Jessica at McDonald's and I felt bad taking her away from Jessica, but We were on a tight schedule and we're running late.
On the way to the Movie, Nastia picks the time to act like a teenager. Teri says something to her and Nastia says "I don't have to do that,I'm sixteen"
Teri glares at me and I say "Just let it go and beat the crap out of her at home later."
David tells the story how he opened his mouth like she did and his Aunt put him in his place with the back of her hand, with his friends watching.
Nastia then proceeds to open her mouth again and there is no holding Teri back. She rips into Nastia about being disrespectful and tells her to stay in the car when We get to the Movies.
When they come in later Nastia is in tears and I try to tell her she picked the wrong time to act like a teenager.
She gets over it and She goes off and sits with David and Elena. Teri, Nancy and I sit together and I enjoyed the movie very much. Best Movie in a long time.
We picked David up a little late and went over to McDonald's to eat. David works at Burger King and didn't eat. We all had a little to eat. Elena met Jessica at McDonald's and I felt bad taking her away from Jessica, but We were on a tight schedule and we're running late.
On the way to the Movie, Nastia picks the time to act like a teenager. Teri says something to her and Nastia says "I don't have to do that,I'm sixteen"
Teri glares at me and I say "Just let it go and beat the crap out of her at home later."
David tells the story how he opened his mouth like she did and his Aunt put him in his place with the back of her hand, with his friends watching.
Nastia then proceeds to open her mouth again and there is no holding Teri back. She rips into Nastia about being disrespectful and tells her to stay in the car when We get to the Movies.
When they come in later Nastia is in tears and I try to tell her she picked the wrong time to act like a teenager.
She gets over it and She goes off and sits with David and Elena. Teri, Nancy and I sit together and I enjoyed the movie very much. Best Movie in a long time.
Wandering the Mall and Cell phone repair
Nastia's phone quit working a week or so ago. You would swipe the screen and nothing. I had replaced the screen from a vendor in the Mall when she had cracked it several months ago. When It was taken to Apple they said it was the screen and We should take it back to the Vendor who sold it to Us.
Nastia and I take it to the Mall and the guy asks if it was dropped, of course it was. He looks at it and says the screen is broken and needs to be replaced. He was willing to give me a brake on the price and I told him to go ahead, we'll wait.
Nastia has always wanted to go to the Mall, with her friends, I didn't want her to go. Today while we were waiting, I went to the bathroom and left her alone for a little while. When I got back and she was still alive,I figured it was OK tolet her go wander around the Mall by herself..
I played on my phone and off she went. About twenty minutes later, when the phone was ready and she hadn't returned, I became concerned. I started walking the lower level looking for her. I found her in Sharper Image, I think that is what it is called, listening to music and dancing a little bit to it. OH, the mischief she got into!!
Nastia and I take it to the Mall and the guy asks if it was dropped, of course it was. He looks at it and says the screen is broken and needs to be replaced. He was willing to give me a brake on the price and I told him to go ahead, we'll wait.
Nastia has always wanted to go to the Mall, with her friends, I didn't want her to go. Today while we were waiting, I went to the bathroom and left her alone for a little while. When I got back and she was still alive,I figured it was OK tolet her go wander around the Mall by herself..
I played on my phone and off she went. About twenty minutes later, when the phone was ready and she hadn't returned, I became concerned. I started walking the lower level looking for her. I found her in Sharper Image, I think that is what it is called, listening to music and dancing a little bit to it. OH, the mischief she got into!!
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Almost killing my Daughter in NYC
With the Girls off from school Teri gets the idea to go into the City to see the tree. We decide to go on a Monday, with nice weather expected and it being after Christmas. We set off about three-thirty and take my car. We head down the Henry Hudson and the GPS wants me to take the exit at the Boat basin, which I miss. We take the left at fifty-sixth street and head for FAO Schwarz. We cross the island to the east side. I drive past the intersection, I think it was 5th ave. and 58th St. I find a parking garage two blocks away, turn in and as I read a sign that says no SUVs, I hear my antenna tip scrap the roof. I'm about to turn around when Teri says there are SUVs down there. The attendant punches us in and off we go on our adventure. I'd been there twenty, thirty years ago the last time. This day it was packed. We waited on a quick line and wandered around the store. We went to the key board famous in the movie, Big. We were there about half an hour. We didn't buy anything. I saw few bags.
We walked down town toward Rockefeller Center. It was cold and I'm looking down at the sidewalk. Then I remember the best part of walking in the city is enjoying the show on the streets. I pick up my head and start looking around, just enjoying all the people, the the buildings and the cars trying to go some where. I try to get Nastia to understand the fun, but she just kept saying she was cold.
Teri asks to stop into a church and I tell her, OK without thinking. It was St. Patrick's. They are doing work on it and I was there thirty years ago the last time. I walk in and I feel like I'm still outside. I don't remember it being such an amazing place The Girls were a little disrespectful and I told them they are going to Church. They didn't like that. I really want to get them there.
After St. Patrick's We went a block West to Rockefeller Center. It was wall to wall people. It made Disney World look empty from several years ago. We managed to get up near the tree and get a few picture,
We were going to eat in the City. It was about 6;30 . I called Carmine's, a restaurant we lucked out at several years ago and got to eat at with Tony. This time there was a two hour wait. We decided to eat back in Rockland. So We started back up town. We stopped in the Lindt chocolate Shoppe and spent twenty-six dollars on real good chocolate.
After We left the store. We stopped at an intersection, for a red light. I was not watching and the guy in front of me started walking. I had Nastias hand and we went too. The light was still red. I looked up as We crossed and noticed the don't walk sign and the cars coming at Nastia and I from our right. So I hurried Us up. I didn't understand why the guy in the first car was leaning on his horn until I looked behind me and saw that was Elena crossing too. Thank God, the car missed her. As the rest of the crowd crossed, I heard my wife cursing me as she crossed. It put a big damper on the night for me.
IT WAS A FUCKIN MISTAKE!!! I WASN'T TRYING TO KILL ONE OF OUR CHILDREN!!!
We ate at a Barbecue place on Erie St. in Blauvelt. It was a Monday night and it was busy. It is always busy. The food was pretty good.
We walked down town toward Rockefeller Center. It was cold and I'm looking down at the sidewalk. Then I remember the best part of walking in the city is enjoying the show on the streets. I pick up my head and start looking around, just enjoying all the people, the the buildings and the cars trying to go some where. I try to get Nastia to understand the fun, but she just kept saying she was cold.
Teri asks to stop into a church and I tell her, OK without thinking. It was St. Patrick's. They are doing work on it and I was there thirty years ago the last time. I walk in and I feel like I'm still outside. I don't remember it being such an amazing place The Girls were a little disrespectful and I told them they are going to Church. They didn't like that. I really want to get them there.
After St. Patrick's We went a block West to Rockefeller Center. It was wall to wall people. It made Disney World look empty from several years ago. We managed to get up near the tree and get a few picture,
We were going to eat in the City. It was about 6;30 . I called Carmine's, a restaurant we lucked out at several years ago and got to eat at with Tony. This time there was a two hour wait. We decided to eat back in Rockland. So We started back up town. We stopped in the Lindt chocolate Shoppe and spent twenty-six dollars on real good chocolate.
After We left the store. We stopped at an intersection, for a red light. I was not watching and the guy in front of me started walking. I had Nastias hand and we went too. The light was still red. I looked up as We crossed and noticed the don't walk sign and the cars coming at Nastia and I from our right. So I hurried Us up. I didn't understand why the guy in the first car was leaning on his horn until I looked behind me and saw that was Elena crossing too. Thank God, the car missed her. As the rest of the crowd crossed, I heard my wife cursing me as she crossed. It put a big damper on the night for me.
IT WAS A FUCKIN MISTAKE!!! I WASN'T TRYING TO KILL ONE OF OUR CHILDREN!!!
We ate at a Barbecue place on Erie St. in Blauvelt. It was a Monday night and it was busy. It is always busy. The food was pretty good.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
going for her driving test and Christmas
My greatest fear happened when Nastia and I went back to the DMV in Haverstraw. We had all of the required paper work and it had been accepted by the clerk. The next step was the eye test, the simple eye test. She scrunched up her eyes and leaned in and started to read the letters. The Clerk stopped her and said "No, please read the last line." She started again, got them all wrong. L was further back and they were all crystal clear to me. She failed her eye test. She failed it so completely, she got no letters right. I feel real bad for her. We knew her eyes were bad when we bought them home in 2009. The Eye Doctor said the best she could do was 20/60 then. I didn't realize how bad that was until the eye test. We are going to look into options after the New Year.
It's Christmas Eve. The presents are under the tree and Teri and I are just getting to bed at midnight. I know it sounds like I did a lot of work, well I didn't. Teri did 99% of it. I wish I could say that I wanted to, but I don't. I find the Holidays difficult. The forced consumerism of the season really bothers me. I used to love Christmas and could never sleep the night before. I used to swipe Christmas lights from the stock pile we had and would put them up in my room. I would string a short line of the big old style lights around my door, on the inside. I would put up the decorations on the outside of the house every year by myself. I quit believing in Santa some where around thirteen.
I got a big thrill and a little worried when my daughter's wanted to put cookies out for Santa this year. I thought they were a little too old to believe. I guess it is OK. I just worry. Nastia is dating a seventeen year old and she wants to be treated like an Adult. And Elena is this angry young women with attention issues, and they believe in Santa. I guess it's OK, maybe even sweet.
This afternoon, I went up stairs into the attic to wrap presents. Teri comes up a few minutes after I did. Then Mesha comes up and Bandi and finally even Athena. Mesha was bouncing around like a nut case. We find out later the reason was most likely she had to go out. That was after she left a new mountain range in the storage room. The dogs were causing all kinds of problems and made it difficult to do anything. When We finished, Mesha went down the stairs. Athena followed with a little encouragement. Bandi, he was a different story. The last time he came up stairs I had to pick him up and carry him down. Since then he's bitten me at least twice. So I got Oven mitts and still didn't want to pick him up. Teri put his leash on and that didn't help. Finally She picked him up by the leash , yes leash and put him in a milk case on the third attempt. Yes she was picking him up by the leash three times and on the third attempt he made it and was happy to be there. I carried him down and he was pleased to be down and if it wasn't for the leash pick up Bandi would still be up there, even if you are reading this thirty years in the future.
CHRISTMAS MORNING
WE went to visit Aunt Sue last night at the Adult Care Facility in Central Nyack where she is staying. Aunt Sue is 96 and has slowed some in the twenty years Iv'e known her but She is doing really well for someone her age. Above Nastia and Elena are choking/hugging her in the Dinning Hall. We went up into her room and she kept saying how terrible it was that she had nothing to give us and We kept saying it was no big deal and We are going out to dinner after. When We used to go to her house Christmas or Christmas Eve everyone would be there and She would be putting out all this food, chips and dips and everyone would sit around and talk. I think if I was Teri, I'd really miss that. Most of those people are gone now.
After Aunt Sue, about 7;30, We went to dinner at Cinco de Mayo in Valley Cottage.They were preparing to close for their Christmas party, but they decided to serve Us. We left about an hour later, after a fine meal.
Christmas morning Teri and I are up by 7:30, She's in the kitchen doing stuff (Yeah, I have no idea what she was doing, it could of been important, doubt it (LOOK, tongue in cheek!!)). I was writing on the computer. It was a nice quiet morning, strange for Christmas, but OK.
For some reason around this time of year I remember the time Mike and I went to the pizza parlor down the street. We were about fifteen I guess, and Bill Vines was there. Now the only reason anyone should know the name is he could of been a great man, He was then. He was my father's friend and helped Us many times with our business. Some where along the way he got lost and this vain, self serving, creature was created. He is the only Supervisor, who's picture is not on the wall in the Town Hall. Even Paul Mundt, who stole untold millions when sewers were put in got his picture up on the wall. Any way Mike and I go into the Pizza Parlor around Christmas, it's cold out and it must be later after dinner, but we order a slice each and a soda. As We get up to pay Bill Vines says he'll take care of it for Us.It always reminds me of the man he was before he changed and got lost.
Back to Christmas 2014, there was noise coming from upstairs around 10;30 or so.The girls ambled down soon after. The went over to the tree and looked at the presents very calmly like they were old pros at this. I waited for someone to do what Ralphie's brother in a Christmas Story did "Oh,that one's mine and that one's mine and that one's mine!!!" No they were real cool about it and they waited for Us all to gather around and open presents together.
We went over Karl and Madeline's for about an hour around 1pm while dinner cooked. The potatoes were done at 2, dinnertime. The Rib roast took it's time and was not done until about 3:30. We sat down around Joe Muller 2pm dinner time, which was 4pm. Regular Muller dinner time would of been 3:30.
We ate, then at 6:30 went over to Lynn and Eric's to have desert and play a game that over the last several years, more then five (it predates Nastia and Elena) called, I don't know what it is called. But the way it is played is everyone brings a small dollar amount gift to play. Everyone picks and number and the first one goes and picks a gift. The second one can pick a gift or take the gift that someone has already opened. The fun of the game is to get a large group of people together (We had nineteen) and to steal a gift from someone else, just for the fun of it. It has become the high point of Christmas for me.
We left shortly after the game ended, everyone was tired and everyone was in bed early. Nancy had to go to work today, Friday. I stayed home from Crystal Spoon, Teri is looking for a job. I soon will be looking for something that pays more.
I got a big thrill and a little worried when my daughter's wanted to put cookies out for Santa this year. I thought they were a little too old to believe. I guess it is OK. I just worry. Nastia is dating a seventeen year old and she wants to be treated like an Adult. And Elena is this angry young women with attention issues, and they believe in Santa. I guess it's OK, maybe even sweet.This afternoon, I went up stairs into the attic to wrap presents. Teri comes up a few minutes after I did. Then Mesha comes up and Bandi and finally even Athena. Mesha was bouncing around like a nut case. We find out later the reason was most likely she had to go out. That was after she left a new mountain range in the storage room. The dogs were causing all kinds of problems and made it difficult to do anything. When We finished, Mesha went down the stairs. Athena followed with a little encouragement. Bandi, he was a different story. The last time he came up stairs I had to pick him up and carry him down. Since then he's bitten me at least twice. So I got Oven mitts and still didn't want to pick him up. Teri put his leash on and that didn't help. Finally She picked him up by the leash , yes leash and put him in a milk case on the third attempt. Yes she was picking him up by the leash three times and on the third attempt he made it and was happy to be there. I carried him down and he was pleased to be down and if it wasn't for the leash pick up Bandi would still be up there, even if you are reading this thirty years in the future.
CHRISTMAS MORNINGWE went to visit Aunt Sue last night at the Adult Care Facility in Central Nyack where she is staying. Aunt Sue is 96 and has slowed some in the twenty years Iv'e known her but She is doing really well for someone her age. Above Nastia and Elena are choking/hugging her in the Dinning Hall. We went up into her room and she kept saying how terrible it was that she had nothing to give us and We kept saying it was no big deal and We are going out to dinner after. When We used to go to her house Christmas or Christmas Eve everyone would be there and She would be putting out all this food, chips and dips and everyone would sit around and talk. I think if I was Teri, I'd really miss that. Most of those people are gone now.
After Aunt Sue, about 7;30, We went to dinner at Cinco de Mayo in Valley Cottage.They were preparing to close for their Christmas party, but they decided to serve Us. We left about an hour later, after a fine meal.
Christmas morning Teri and I are up by 7:30, She's in the kitchen doing stuff (Yeah, I have no idea what she was doing, it could of been important, doubt it (LOOK, tongue in cheek!!)). I was writing on the computer. It was a nice quiet morning, strange for Christmas, but OK.
For some reason around this time of year I remember the time Mike and I went to the pizza parlor down the street. We were about fifteen I guess, and Bill Vines was there. Now the only reason anyone should know the name is he could of been a great man, He was then. He was my father's friend and helped Us many times with our business. Some where along the way he got lost and this vain, self serving, creature was created. He is the only Supervisor, who's picture is not on the wall in the Town Hall. Even Paul Mundt, who stole untold millions when sewers were put in got his picture up on the wall. Any way Mike and I go into the Pizza Parlor around Christmas, it's cold out and it must be later after dinner, but we order a slice each and a soda. As We get up to pay Bill Vines says he'll take care of it for Us.It always reminds me of the man he was before he changed and got lost.
We went over Karl and Madeline's for about an hour around 1pm while dinner cooked. The potatoes were done at 2, dinnertime. The Rib roast took it's time and was not done until about 3:30. We sat down around Joe Muller 2pm dinner time, which was 4pm. Regular Muller dinner time would of been 3:30.
We ate, then at 6:30 went over to Lynn and Eric's to have desert and play a game that over the last several years, more then five (it predates Nastia and Elena) called, I don't know what it is called. But the way it is played is everyone brings a small dollar amount gift to play. Everyone picks and number and the first one goes and picks a gift. The second one can pick a gift or take the gift that someone has already opened. The fun of the game is to get a large group of people together (We had nineteen) and to steal a gift from someone else, just for the fun of it. It has become the high point of Christmas for me.
 |
| At Aunt Sue's Assisted Living |
Monday, December 8, 2014
Nastiafest 2015 or SHE TURNS SIXTEEN!!
SHE TURNS SIXTEEN, ALREADY!!
It seems like yesterday, we met this scrawny little kid from Russia. She would talk to you like she knew you for ever and you spoke Russian.
I got down on my knees when we first met, to be on the same level and she climbs on my back like she'd been doing it all her life. I walked around most of the night with her on my back eating fruit, all forty pounds of her. Then her sister took her place.
We adopted her and her sister in September 2009.
Nastia's birthday, December 3rd, this year was on a Wednesday. I got her up at her usual six-fifteen. Her mother bought her to School.
For Dinner, We went to Gilligans up in Mt. Ivy. David, Nastia's boyfriend was going to take her to Dinner, but he had to work. The four of Us had a nice dinner.
On Saturday, we took Nastia, Elena, Kaley and David to Bounce for an hour. Teri and Nancy picked David up and Nastia called to find out where they were. Nastia calls her sisters phone, when David answers, she is confused
. He says she called him and that her mother just drove by and flipped him the middle finger. I'm on the other side watching her flip out. I call to find out whats going on and Teri says they are pulling a prank on Nastia. Nastia comes by me saying "they haven't picked him up and he says mom gave him the finger. Mommy wouldn't do that." I'm struggling very hard to keep a straight face. They pull into the parking lot, Nastia was out there looking for them.
At Home, We had some Chinese take out, bought it home for the six of Us. At seven-thirty We had chocolate cheese cake. It was pre-sliced and the slices were too large and no one finished their's. The night ended early, David had to get home before eight PM. We got him home a little after eight.
Teri and Nancy picked David up
It seems like yesterday, we met this scrawny little kid from Russia. She would talk to you like she knew you for ever and you spoke Russian.
We adopted her and her sister in September 2009.
Nastia's birthday, December 3rd, this year was on a Wednesday. I got her up at her usual six-fifteen. Her mother bought her to School.
For Dinner, We went to Gilligans up in Mt. Ivy. David, Nastia's boyfriend was going to take her to Dinner, but he had to work. The four of Us had a nice dinner.
On Saturday, we took Nastia, Elena, Kaley and David to Bounce for an hour. Teri and Nancy picked David up and Nastia called to find out where they were. Nastia calls her sisters phone, when David answers, she is confused
At Home, We had some Chinese take out, bought it home for the six of Us. At seven-thirty We had chocolate cheese cake. It was pre-sliced and the slices were too large and no one finished their's. The night ended early, David had to get home before eight PM. We got him home a little after eight.
Teri and Nancy picked David up
Bad movie choices and Thanksgiving
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Wednesday, November 19, 2014
It's a Seinfeld Episode they missed*
This morning I went over to my mother's before I went to my high paying job in Elmsford. Just about the time I was going to leave Teri calls me and says she hurt her finger and thinks it's broken. She says she's not a baby when it comes to getting hurt, but she is. She shows me her pinkie finger. I ask her if she can move it. She moves it at the knuckle, but not at the last joint. So I know where this is going. She wants to go to the Emergency room and I tell her no, that is for emergencies. She then says what about Immediate Medical in Nanuet. This is where I make my mistake. I tell her they charged me $540.00 for a shot for poison ivy and they can go to hell before I step foot in there again.
I tell Teri, who is getting pissed off at me we should go to the Doctor, that's where this would be taken care of properly and with minimal cost.
Teri is fully wound up by now and she launches into her speel. It is WEDNESDAY. The DOCTOR is not open TODAY.
We go to Nyack Hospital after I give up and say we'll go where ever you want to go.
We go to Nyack Hospital. I drop her off at the entrance to the ER and look to park. I tell her there is no place to park. Before she gets out of the car she points to a spot reserved for ER patients and says Park there, I don't someone gets it before me. I don't know if I would of parked there anyway. It still didn't feel like we shouldn't be here, it wasn't an emergency.
I track her down, on a bed in the ER, waiting for a doctor to see her. A nice doctor finally comes to see her. The Doctor says she has dislocated her finger tip and she can A- put it back in. B- give her a shot and put it back in or C- get a shot, and four little shots around the finger and put it back in or D- get an IV drip and get it put back in. All of this for the most useless of digits.
I give her credit. She let them try to do it straight away, it didn't work. She got a shot, her finger put back together, an other X-Ray to check it out and we finally got out of there at 1:30, about four hours. I hope they don't charge by the hour. A few months later we get the bills (ER, doctors and hospital) with good insurance it was still over $1,000.00.
* The pinkey toe episode where Kramer puts it in his box of candy I think? Friends does one too where they are in a flash back and Monica is trying to act sexy and drops a knife and cuts off Chandler's pinkey toe.
I tell Teri, who is getting pissed off at me we should go to the Doctor, that's where this would be taken care of properly and with minimal cost.
Teri is fully wound up by now and she launches into her speel. It is WEDNESDAY. The DOCTOR is not open TODAY.
We go to Nyack Hospital after I give up and say we'll go where ever you want to go.
We go to Nyack Hospital. I drop her off at the entrance to the ER and look to park. I tell her there is no place to park. Before she gets out of the car she points to a spot reserved for ER patients and says Park there, I don't someone gets it before me. I don't know if I would of parked there anyway. It still didn't feel like we shouldn't be here, it wasn't an emergency.
I track her down, on a bed in the ER, waiting for a doctor to see her. A nice doctor finally comes to see her. The Doctor says she has dislocated her finger tip and she can A- put it back in. B- give her a shot and put it back in or C- get a shot, and four little shots around the finger and put it back in or D- get an IV drip and get it put back in. All of this for the most useless of digits.
I give her credit. She let them try to do it straight away, it didn't work. She got a shot, her finger put back together, an other X-Ray to check it out and we finally got out of there at 1:30, about four hours. I hope they don't charge by the hour. A few months later we get the bills (ER, doctors and hospital) with good insurance it was still over $1,000.00.
* The pinkey toe episode where Kramer puts it in his box of candy I think? Friends does one too where they are in a flash back and Monica is trying to act sexy and drops a knife and cuts off Chandler's pinkey toe.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Got to make the best of a bad situation*
* Glades Knight and the Pips sang it right
Got to make the best of a bad situation, got to keep on keepin on.
I don't bounce back like everyone else in this house. When something like the fight that happened tonight happens, I feel it for a while. Everyone else treated it like a summer thunder storm. It blew in and blew out.
This has been brewing for several weeks. Elena started the year doing straight threes on her circle sheets. October came in and there was a little slack in her sails, something was brewing. November it got worse. We paid a visit, Teri and I to Dr. Benjamin and one of Elena's teacher and did what boils down to an intervention. It was light hearted, it was straight talk,it was everything you can think of to get her doing the work she was doing in November.
Then tonight comes.I was getting into the car to go to Costco when she got home. I asked her how the circle sheet was. She said "the usual."
I told her, "no that wasn't going to do. What did you get?" She confessed to a couple of zeros. I told her to go tell her mother. I left.
Teri called and said she'd blown her top at Elena and sent her up to her room. She'd gotten two zeros and a couple of ones. I told Teri to make sure she did not have her computer or her phone, because that would be heaven for her.
I got back to a quite home, Elena doing homework and Teri cooking dinner.
At the table dinner was going well when Teri goes to the bath room. Elena starts to tell an Anna Lisa story and I tell her don't. She's not supposed to be having any contact with her,it gets her in trouble. She gets angry and pushes Athena away from the table a little too hard. I smack her on the arm and tell her to leave the dog alone. I don't remember what happens next, but I think Teri come down and asks what is happening. And I think I begin to tell her and then I think she goes at Elena for hitting the dog and Elena who is already upset, gets angry and shuts down and is trying hard not to cry. Teri is pushing her and wants her to come closer to her and tell her what is going on inside of her. Something else happens and Elena is telling everyone fuck you. I ball up a fist and some how manage not to hurt her. Teri, the not violent one is going, "Funk me, no fuck you." She has fire in her eyes
and things might be spiraling out of control. I push Teri down into her seat and I talk to Elena in this overly calm voice, you know the one you use when you are trying to be calm and don't really feel it. I talk to her and tell her that this is her own fault and she could of avoided it if she just did what she did in September. I also say I want to hug you and take away all your pain, but I won't. It sounds cruel now, then it sounded like I was telling her she needed to do for herself.
Somewhere along the line she had started hyper-ventilating.. It went on for a good five minutes.
Somewhere about this time we, Teri and I start talking to her about how much we lover her and how we fell in love with them as soon as we saw them and how it was God that bought us together, which I truly believe.
When things started to calm down, I wasn't sure Elena would want me to touch her. I gently touched her hand. When that was accepted I hugged her. Teri went right in from the beginning to hug her, she wasn't going to let her not accept a hug. I felt I had hurt her a little deeper then her mother and I might not be forgiven so easily.
I did get the first smile out of her by telling her the story about how when I would come up the stairs at night and she would call out to me to fill her water bottle, I didn't want to. I would ask her why I should and she would say "because you love me." in an overly sweet voice, I would say "Oh yeah, I forgot." and I would fill it up.When I went into my bedroom, Teri would go "fool", that got the second smile.
The night kind of petered out from there.I gave her a big hug in the kitchen and told her because I was a sucker and she had a hard night she didn't have to dry the dishes.
And yes when I went up to my room after she had gone to be, she asked me to fill her water and I did. I gave her a big hug and a kiss and I don't think she saw the tears in my eyes.
Got to make the best of a bad situation, got to keep on keepin on.
I don't bounce back like everyone else in this house. When something like the fight that happened tonight happens, I feel it for a while. Everyone else treated it like a summer thunder storm. It blew in and blew out.
Then tonight comes.I was getting into the car to go to Costco when she got home. I asked her how the circle sheet was. She said "the usual."
I told her, "no that wasn't going to do. What did you get?" She confessed to a couple of zeros. I told her to go tell her mother. I left.
Teri called and said she'd blown her top at Elena and sent her up to her room. She'd gotten two zeros and a couple of ones. I told Teri to make sure she did not have her computer or her phone, because that would be heaven for her.
At the table dinner was going well when Teri goes to the bath room. Elena starts to tell an Anna Lisa story and I tell her don't. She's not supposed to be having any contact with her,it gets her in trouble. She gets angry and pushes Athena away from the table a little too hard. I smack her on the arm and tell her to leave the dog alone. I don't remember what happens next, but I think Teri come down and asks what is happening. And I think I begin to tell her and then I think she goes at Elena for hitting the dog and Elena who is already upset, gets angry and shuts down and is trying hard not to cry. Teri is pushing her and wants her to come closer to her and tell her what is going on inside of her. Something else happens and Elena is telling everyone fuck you. I ball up a fist and some how manage not to hurt her. Teri, the not violent one is going, "Funk me, no fuck you." She has fire in her eyes
Somewhere along the line she had started hyper-ventilating.. It went on for a good five minutes.
Somewhere about this time we, Teri and I start talking to her about how much we lover her and how we fell in love with them as soon as we saw them and how it was God that bought us together, which I truly believe.
When things started to calm down, I wasn't sure Elena would want me to touch her. I gently touched her hand. When that was accepted I hugged her. Teri went right in from the beginning to hug her, she wasn't going to let her not accept a hug. I felt I had hurt her a little deeper then her mother and I might not be forgiven so easily.
I did get the first smile out of her by telling her the story about how when I would come up the stairs at night and she would call out to me to fill her water bottle, I didn't want to. I would ask her why I should and she would say "because you love me." in an overly sweet voice, I would say "Oh yeah, I forgot." and I would fill it up.When I went into my bedroom, Teri would go "fool", that got the second smile.
The night kind of petered out from there.I gave her a big hug in the kitchen and told her because I was a sucker and she had a hard night she didn't have to dry the dishes.
And yes when I went up to my room after she had gone to be, she asked me to fill her water and I did. I gave her a big hug and a kiss and I don't think she saw the tears in my eyes.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
He just wants to be my friend, yeah, heard that one before.
Nastia starts face timing with a kid from school. I ask her what is his name? She says it's Gene. Later, at the dinner table, she is talking about someone and is calling him a different name, and she mentions that he wants to go to the movies with her. I tell her he wants to date her. "Oh, no he don't.
He just wants to be my friend" she says. As I am chuckling, I tell her to watch When Harry met Sally. Where Harry says guys can't be friends with girls. I didn't go into further detail, but I knew where this was going. And yes this past Monday he asked her out. Nastia now calls him David. He is nice from the little I've talked to him. He's smart, he tutors kids and he is black and I am sorry it bothers me. I wish it didn't, but it does. I will not stop it or say anything because he is a huge step up from any boy she has dated. And lets see where it goes. I wish I was as good as my words when it comes to dating other races.
He just wants to be my friend" she says. As I am chuckling, I tell her to watch When Harry met Sally. Where Harry says guys can't be friends with girls. I didn't go into further detail, but I knew where this was going. And yes this past Monday he asked her out. Nastia now calls him David. He is nice from the little I've talked to him. He's smart, he tutors kids and he is black and I am sorry it bothers me. I wish it didn't, but it does. I will not stop it or say anything because he is a huge step up from any boy she has dated. And lets see where it goes. I wish I was as good as my words when it comes to dating other races.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
New Movie Foot tight, The Nyack Hollween Parade and forced retirement
I heard a story from Nastia's school and everytime I think about it , I have to laugh. It seems Nastia was in hip hop class and she got angry that someone was on their phone and they weren't dancing. She goes up to them and tells them if they don't dance she is going to hit them. It's like a bad version of Foot Loose. Let's call it Foot Tight about the town that if you don't dance the tough kids, the little 5'1" 98lb (yes) dancing queen, who runs the town will make your life bad if you don't dance.
We went to the Nyack Hollween parade, Saturdays, I bought a folding chair and set it up in the middle of Broad st. looking toward Main st., the parade route. I was very happy sitting there, people were even staying out of in front of me. Then the nightmare started. A ninty year old women asks if she can hold on to my chair while she stands to watch the parade. She continues to talk to me. I resist asking her if she would like to sit in my chair. Yes, I am now going to hell. I did redeem myself when the parade started I did give up my chair and after a little no I don't need it I'm tougher then you she sat down and enjoyed the parade. I won't get sainthood, but maybe hell is not so close.
Now the shocker. I'm at my high paying job at Crystal Spoon, (a reasonable $13.00 an hour, but only four hours a day) , I remember it was a little after one in the afternoon she called, when I pick up the phone she says, just like I did that she's been fired. It didn't register right away. It was a concept that I couldn't understand. She had said it could happen, but I thought it never would. I knew she was unhappy and was going to try and leave in about two years but this I never would of believed.
The story behind this is there is a new General Manager, that wants to cut costs. So he or she got rid of my wife because she did an excellent job over thirty-three years and was rewarded for it. How modern business is so messed up. What does that tell the people who are left. Work hard, put in unpaid overtime and get fired or goof off work regular hours and get fired. It is sad on so many levels. I fear for this country.
She got a middle management's version of a golden parachute, with a little golden shower mixed in. Access to her pension and well wishes from dozens of friends and colleagues. It made her feel a little better.
This is like a death in the family and we are in the middle of the wake and funeral. The hard part is always afterwards when you have to get back to the real world, that starts soon, maybe next week. That might include selling the girls and me getting a different job. ( Just checking to see if you were paying attention. The girls are like used cars once off the lot they depreciate to the point it is cheaper to keep them.) Teri has many friends and connections hopefully she will find a new job that will make her happy. If not then we might end up in Florida and I'm not ready for that. We need more money to retire like I want to and retirement or even getting low paying jobs ends my dream of going to England and maybe living in Italy for a while. Those are two dreams that I would really be sorry to miss out on.
The story behind this is there is a new General Manager, that wants to cut costs. So he or she got rid of my wife because she did an excellent job over thirty-three years and was rewarded for it. How modern business is so messed up. What does that tell the people who are left. Work hard, put in unpaid overtime and get fired or goof off work regular hours and get fired. It is sad on so many levels. I fear for this country.
This is like a death in the family and we are in the middle of the wake and funeral. The hard part is always afterwards when you have to get back to the real world, that starts soon, maybe next week. That might include selling the girls and me getting a different job. ( Just checking to see if you were paying attention. The girls are like used cars once off the lot they depreciate to the point it is cheaper to keep them.) Teri has many friends and connections hopefully she will find a new job that will make her happy. If not then we might end up in Florida and I'm not ready for that. We need more money to retire like I want to and retirement or even getting low paying jobs ends my dream of going to England and maybe living in Italy for a while. Those are two dreams that I would really be sorry to miss out on.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Life goes on beyond the Palisades*
* Guess who sang that?
Life has gone on in a big way since the last time I posted. Nastia went to the home coming game, then the home coming dance and afterwards came home on such a natural high (not drug induced) that it was one of the high lights of the month.
Teri took Elena to a baseball game a few years back, saying it should of been me, so I volunteered to take Nastia to the Homecoming game. It was a bright sunny day and I thought I over dressed by taking a sweater. By half time clouds had rolled in on a north-western wind and I was wishing I had bought my jacket too.
We were sitting in the stands and of course Nastia strikes up a conversation with a women who has two grand-daughters as Cheer leaders.
With the game tied at twenty and the third quarter about to start, Nastia asks to go home because she is cold. Thank You God!
The home coming dance had security that homeland security (hopefully you the future reader doesn't understand the reference, well I can hope.) came to take lessons. You had to be there between seven and seven-thirty, At seven-thirty the doors were locked. No drugs, or alcohol.
Nastia got there at seven-ten and Teri, Nancy and I went off to have dinner.
We ate at Outback, they lost our name on the list. Then they lost our order and for that they gave us our appetizers free. On top of that my steak was excellent. I had almost as much fun as Nastia.
We picked her up at about ten-thirty and she was going on how everyone was saying she was tearing up the dance floor and three boys are wanting to marry her and one boy, who wears the school mascot outfit, gave her a plastic ring. She was so very happy.
Elena went with her boyfriend and his family to see the horror film Annabella. His parents must really love him.
That was three weeks ago. Two weeks ago we went to the West Nyack heritage festival. Karl and Madeline are big into it and it was fun There were a few booths with food and some craft doing stuff. Eric and his son Denis were there with the boy scouts. There was even a short play about the last witch trial in Rockland, which happened around there in 1816, hard to believe it was that recent. I was wondering around walking up a deer trail while the play was going on and I found a deer antler. It was a four pointer, from a four year old male. It was in some grass that had folded over it and it stuck up all white and brown. When the girls saw it, Nastia wanted to go show everyone and she did. Elena, the more calculating one asked if she could have it. What was I going to do with it? So I said yes, Nastia wasn't happy. A few day later I walked the edges of the Germond's ball fields trying to find one for Nastia. All I found were several old baseballs and a tick, who freaked me out when I found him on my face two hours later.
*Billy Joel in Miami 2017 the live version is better then the studio
We all bought Cadillacs and left there long ago. There are not many who remember...
Life has gone on in a big way since the last time I posted. Nastia went to the home coming game, then the home coming dance and afterwards came home on such a natural high (not drug induced) that it was one of the high lights of the month.
We were sitting in the stands and of course Nastia strikes up a conversation with a women who has two grand-daughters as Cheer leaders.
With the game tied at twenty and the third quarter about to start, Nastia asks to go home because she is cold. Thank You God!
The home coming dance had security that homeland security (hopefully you the future reader doesn't understand the reference, well I can hope.) came to take lessons. You had to be there between seven and seven-thirty, At seven-thirty the doors were locked. No drugs, or alcohol.Nastia got there at seven-ten and Teri, Nancy and I went off to have dinner.
We ate at Outback, they lost our name on the list. Then they lost our order and for that they gave us our appetizers free. On top of that my steak was excellent. I had almost as much fun as Nastia.
We picked her up at about ten-thirty and she was going on how everyone was saying she was tearing up the dance floor and three boys are wanting to marry her and one boy, who wears the school mascot outfit, gave her a plastic ring. She was so very happy.
Elena went with her boyfriend and his family to see the horror film Annabella. His parents must really love him.
That was three weeks ago. Two weeks ago we went to the West Nyack heritage festival. Karl and Madeline are big into it and it was fun There were a few booths with food and some craft doing stuff. Eric and his son Denis were there with the boy scouts. There was even a short play about the last witch trial in Rockland, which happened around there in 1816, hard to believe it was that recent. I was wondering around walking up a deer trail while the play was going on and I found a deer antler. It was a four pointer, from a four year old male. It was in some grass that had folded over it and it stuck up all white and brown. When the girls saw it, Nastia wanted to go show everyone and she did. Elena, the more calculating one asked if she could have it. What was I going to do with it? So I said yes, Nastia wasn't happy. A few day later I walked the edges of the Germond's ball fields trying to find one for Nastia. All I found were several old baseballs and a tick, who freaked me out when I found him on my face two hours later.
*Billy Joel in Miami 2017 the live version is better then the studio
We all bought Cadillacs and left there long ago. There are not many who remember...
Saturday, September 20, 2014
In for a penny in for a pound
I was going to talk about dogs, garbage cans open to them and what is a tampon and how the hell should I know, even in a house full of women, but I think the Italian-American (there's that hyphen again. See previous blog) fair, festival, whatever at the German Masonic fair grounds in Tappan is better to talk about.
It was on for four days and we picked the final afternoon, like a thousand other people. Teri drove and the line was we have no money so we are just going there to do something. It was jam packed so we parked about a quarter of a mile away. It was a nice day and it was pleasant to get out. At the gate it was three dollars to get in. There never was a fee to get in. Teri wanted to leave, then asked my opinion and I punked out and said whatever you want. She earns the money and if she doesn't want to spend it I will not get in the way. She said to go for it. Ten minutes in and Nastia needs a bathroom. While we are looking for it she asks what are we going to do. This is where in for a penny, in for a pound figures into the equation. The expression is English. Change Pound to dollar and the meaning is we spent twelve dollars to get in, so we'll most likely buy some other stuff, meaning food. Bathroom is done and Nancy wants to get something to drink, then we get some empanadas and Elena gets a ring and Nastia wants something because Elena got something. We stayed there for a couple of hours, had a good time, spent too muck money and left.
The Girls did get to go on a ride. It was a bronco ride. They did it twice at five dollars a pop. That was OK. It made them happy and Teri happy.
We were walking by this stand and saw a guy who was wearing this very tall balloon hat. He stopped the girls and told them to hold it.Then he said to wear it and they did.
It was on for four days and we picked the final afternoon, like a thousand other people. Teri drove and the line was we have no money so we are just going there to do something. It was jam packed so we parked about a quarter of a mile away. It was a nice day and it was pleasant to get out. At the gate it was three dollars to get in. There never was a fee to get in. Teri wanted to leave, then asked my opinion and I punked out and said whatever you want. She earns the money and if she doesn't want to spend it I will not get in the way. She said to go for it. Ten minutes in and Nastia needs a bathroom. While we are looking for it she asks what are we going to do. This is where in for a penny, in for a pound figures into the equation. The expression is English. Change Pound to dollar and the meaning is we spent twelve dollars to get in, so we'll most likely buy some other stuff, meaning food. Bathroom is done and Nancy wants to get something to drink, then we get some empanadas and Elena gets a ring and Nastia wants something because Elena got something. We stayed there for a couple of hours, had a good time, spent too muck money and left.The Girls did get to go on a ride. It was a bronco ride. They did it twice at five dollars a pop. That was OK. It made them happy and Teri happy.
We were walking by this stand and saw a guy who was wearing this very tall balloon hat. He stopped the girls and told them to hold it.Then he said to wear it and they did.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
School Starts and Old Memories fade
School started last week. They had Thursday and Friday, then the weekend off and back to it yesterday for the first full week of School.
This time of year is the start of new beginnings and for me a time to look back at where this family has been. I'm sure Teri, ever the forward thinker would consider thinking about the past a luxury for People with too much time on their hands. I would agree with her. She doesn't have that luxury working twelve hour days,
I on the other hand have more time and
I'm a melancholy sort of person and I must admit I wallow in it like I accuse others of wallowing in their hyphenated existence. No One is just an American any more, except me. Everyone is from somewhere else and America.
My Wife is an Italian-American, except she is at least a quarter Dutch. If I was to become a hyphen I would be, in no particular order an English, Irish, Dutch, German, Italian, Turkish American. I'll just stay with Joe.
What started the second part of the title is Elena was asked to do a short essay about what she was like as a kindergartner. Tears come to my eyes as I think back to both of them as skinny little kids and what I imagine was their existence. I told her she arrived at the orphanage at about four years old and I asked her what was it like when you were in Birobidzhan? She said she couldn't remember. I don't know if it is from wanting to not remember or if she really has forgotten.
We sat down in front of the computer and I typed a few sentences about how I remember her as a small child of seven. She was quite. When someone yelled at her she would look straight ahead and almost shrink before your eyes and not talk. Imagine her not talking today. Then I used a little imagination had Elena wrote her version of what I wrote. Lastly I told her to write some of her friends names down and she could not remember. I don't know if it is sad or just normal to forget the past, for her it is half a life time ago.
On that bright and cheery note this is the first full week of the school year. We are still getting into a routine. Elena goes to bed at 9:30 and Nastia goes to bed at 10 pm, I don't think it has happened that way yet. Nastia gets up at about six. I want it to be six-fifteen, Teri says what happens if she needs to go to the bathroom, so we are working on it. I have been going to bed earlier then before because I have been getting up around five or so and not being able to go back to sleep until I have to get Elena up at about seven-thirty.
The good of this new arrangement is Nastia gets to spend sometime with her mother and she gets a mother's touch on all those things like make-up and clothing that I never did or would fight with her about.
Elena gets up after all the others have gone and so far I have driven her to school all four days because it gets me out of the house and I do my job some and it makes me feel like..Oh, you didn't hear about my job? Its really nothing and I mean nothing. It is a full commission job and I have yet to be paid, though today I did make a connection that in a few days hopefully will be my first sale. If not then it might be the Nyack Water company. It is really a great importunity, but it is shift work and as I told a friend who owns Bagel Boys in Suffern, I'm fifty-seven almost I don't want someone looking over my shoulder asking me what I did all day. I have evolved beyond all that now I have become a superior human being, I just wish they paid more for the job.
This time of year is the start of new beginnings and for me a time to look back at where this family has been. I'm sure Teri, ever the forward thinker would consider thinking about the past a luxury for People with too much time on their hands. I would agree with her. She doesn't have that luxury working twelve hour days,I on the other hand have more time and
My Wife is an Italian-American, except she is at least a quarter Dutch. If I was to become a hyphen I would be, in no particular order an English, Irish, Dutch, German, Italian, Turkish American. I'll just stay with Joe.
What started the second part of the title is Elena was asked to do a short essay about what she was like as a kindergartner. Tears come to my eyes as I think back to both of them as skinny little kids and what I imagine was their existence. I told her she arrived at the orphanage at about four years old and I asked her what was it like when you were in Birobidzhan? She said she couldn't remember. I don't know if it is from wanting to not remember or if she really has forgotten.
We sat down in front of the computer and I typed a few sentences about how I remember her as a small child of seven. She was quite. When someone yelled at her she would look straight ahead and almost shrink before your eyes and not talk. Imagine her not talking today. Then I used a little imagination had Elena wrote her version of what I wrote. Lastly I told her to write some of her friends names down and she could not remember. I don't know if it is sad or just normal to forget the past, for her it is half a life time ago.On that bright and cheery note this is the first full week of the school year. We are still getting into a routine. Elena goes to bed at 9:30 and Nastia goes to bed at 10 pm, I don't think it has happened that way yet. Nastia gets up at about six. I want it to be six-fifteen, Teri says what happens if she needs to go to the bathroom, so we are working on it. I have been going to bed earlier then before because I have been getting up around five or so and not being able to go back to sleep until I have to get Elena up at about seven-thirty.
The good of this new arrangement is Nastia gets to spend sometime with her mother and she gets a mother's touch on all those things like make-up and clothing that I never did or would fight with her about.Wednesday, September 3, 2014
NO, I don't smell fire
I took Nastia to get a bagel and drop off a job application in Nyack. Elena didn't want a Bagel or to go.
When I get home and walk in the door, I smell smoke. I start running around like a manic deeply inhaling trying to locate where the smell is coming from. I yell at Elena,"Did you burn anything?" She answers "No, I didn't. "
After about ten minutes and a top to bottom search I send Nastia upstairs and quietly take Elena aside and quietly say, "I need to know if you burned anything, I won't yell. The reason I need to know is I wired this entire house and if it ever burned and someone got even a little hurt I'd never forgive myself."
Her response was, " No, I didn't burn anything."
So I push them both to go bike riding telling them to call me in two hours. I put all the dogs outside and begin another search. I'm encouraged that the smokey smell is not getting heavier.
On the floor in the dining room was a burn stick match that Elena was eyeing yesterday, wanting to try and I told her no, they were fifty years old and when I tried one I set the side of the box on fire.
I called Elena and told her I was very hurt by her lying to my face several times, even when I told her why I was so scared.
Fuckin Kids
Epilogue: I sat down with Elena and with Teri on speaker we talked to Elena about why we were making such a big deal of her lighting a match and then lying about it. She broke down and cried, why, I don't know. Maybe she was sorry for lying or all that positive calm talking or we just bored her to tears. ( hey, that's the first good joke in a long time).
Well Teri thought it was a good idea to give a safety lesson and let them light a match. (Lighting matches is becoming a lost art), so I take the girls into the kitchen and tell them about the matches and the danger of these old matches. Elena lights a match after I do, then its Nastia's turn, she is afraid of getting burned and some how I end of wrestling with her to try and get her to light the match. If it wasn't so pathetic, it would be funny. I finally realize what I'm doing and stop. My daughter is in tears and I'm angry. I tell her to go then tell her to come back. I tell her I am sorry a dozen time and it doesn't make me feel any better. I do try to approach the match lighting in a new way by striking the match first and give it to her, she accepts it and I feel a little better. She then agrees to light the match and she holds it for a few seconds then calmly puts it out. Things are better, but her father is not the person I grew up with.
Epilogue: I sat down with Elena and with Teri on speaker we talked to Elena about why we were making such a big deal of her lighting a match and then lying about it. She broke down and cried, why, I don't know. Maybe she was sorry for lying or all that positive calm talking or we just bored her to tears. ( hey, that's the first good joke in a long time).
Well Teri thought it was a good idea to give a safety lesson and let them light a match. (Lighting matches is becoming a lost art), so I take the girls into the kitchen and tell them about the matches and the danger of these old matches. Elena lights a match after I do, then its Nastia's turn, she is afraid of getting burned and some how I end of wrestling with her to try and get her to light the match. If it wasn't so pathetic, it would be funny. I finally realize what I'm doing and stop. My daughter is in tears and I'm angry. I tell her to go then tell her to come back. I tell her I am sorry a dozen time and it doesn't make me feel any better. I do try to approach the match lighting in a new way by striking the match first and give it to her, she accepts it and I feel a little better. She then agrees to light the match and she holds it for a few seconds then calmly puts it out. Things are better, but her father is not the person I grew up with.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Three Days of peace, love and spending lots of money*
* modern version of the Woodstock slogan, about 45 years ago this month. They closed the Thruway, man
Teri has the last two weeks of August off every year. Teri wanted to do some stuff with the kids, because they had done so little. Except for the Circle line all I was able to give the girls was letting their friends come over and swim.
On Tuesday, we took in the Bronx Zoo. Amanda, Nick and Nick's eleven year old brother came along, boy can Nick talk, nonstop.
We went to see the bird house again and Teri wanted to see the lions, tigers and bears, oh, my.
We stopped for some over priced food, expected, but come on now if you are going to charge big bucks for food at least make it good.
We were there all day until the park closed at 5 pm. Considering everything it was a cheap day. Teri has a membership and we had fun.
The next day, with the threat of rain in the forecast, we headed out to g
Great Adventure. The girls have been there every year with camp and this year there was no camp. Teri and I felt guilty, so we took them there. I hadn't been there in twenty years, so I have fond memories of it. Well I've become a grouchy old man I guess, because all I could see was how this poor imitation of Orlando was squeezing every penny it could out of their poor victim's pockets. First there was the premium parking for ten bucks extra. then the express pass for an additional twelve dollars and finally the extreme thrill rides where you could buy a book of tickets for twenty dollars. This was in addition to the entrance fee of about thirty-five dollars and the parking fee of twenty-five dollars.
We get into the park and the girls want to do the Batman ride and I go on with them. It was a fun ride. The g forces pushing down on my neck in the loops and spins gave me a head ache and I hadn't eaten so I skipped the next two rides.
I wanted to eat at Johnny Rockets so we headed for it over near the entrance to the park. We spent fifty-four dollars for two burgers, chicken fingers, fries and two milk shakes and a soda. Again like earlier it was very poor food. I wanted Johnny Rockets and got poor midway food. Later we would grab a snack on the way out and I ate a boneless pork ribs sandwich that was almost good. Let me say here I am not a snob when it comes to food. I will eat a burger and be happy, just don't make me feel like a fool for paying fifty-six dollars for it if it is poor midway food and not Johnny Rockets.
We hit most of the rides and the girls wanted to ride King Da Kah. It's a roller Coaster that goes straight jump, goes over the top and goes almost straight down the other side. It was closed when we got there.
We got the snack I told you about and headed home with reports of thunderstorms back home.
We left the backdoor open in hopes of the dogs, Mesha not destroying the house and with the fear that they might of gotten out in the twelve or so hours we'd been gone. About half way home we hit some intense storms, slowing us down. We got home around eleven or so and the dogs and the house were OK.
Thursday was a choice between Great Adventure and the Dutchess County Fair, with the loser going on Friday. When Friday morning came I didn't want to spend the money to go. Great Adventure had been a small bundle so instead we went to an early movie, with Elena going to her boyfriend's house and missing out on Chinese food.
It was an overly ambitious three days and despite the bad food it was fun and the girls really enjoyed it.
Teri has the last two weeks of August off every year. Teri wanted to do some stuff with the kids, because they had done so little. Except for the Circle line all I was able to give the girls was letting their friends come over and swim.
On Tuesday, we took in the Bronx Zoo. Amanda, Nick and Nick's eleven year old brother came along, boy can Nick talk, nonstop.
We went to see the bird house again and Teri wanted to see the lions, tigers and bears, oh, my.
We stopped for some over priced food, expected, but come on now if you are going to charge big bucks for food at least make it good.
We were there all day until the park closed at 5 pm. Considering everything it was a cheap day. Teri has a membership and we had fun.
Great Adventure. The girls have been there every year with camp and this year there was no camp. Teri and I felt guilty, so we took them there. I hadn't been there in twenty years, so I have fond memories of it. Well I've become a grouchy old man I guess, because all I could see was how this poor imitation of Orlando was squeezing every penny it could out of their poor victim's pockets. First there was the premium parking for ten bucks extra. then the express pass for an additional twelve dollars and finally the extreme thrill rides where you could buy a book of tickets for twenty dollars. This was in addition to the entrance fee of about thirty-five dollars and the parking fee of twenty-five dollars.
We get into the park and the girls want to do the Batman ride and I go on with them. It was a fun ride. The g forces pushing down on my neck in the loops and spins gave me a head ache and I hadn't eaten so I skipped the next two rides.
We hit most of the rides and the girls wanted to ride King Da Kah. It's a roller Coaster that goes straight jump, goes over the top and goes almost straight down the other side. It was closed when we got there.
We got the snack I told you about and headed home with reports of thunderstorms back home.
We left the backdoor open in hopes of the dogs, Mesha not destroying the house and with the fear that they might of gotten out in the twelve or so hours we'd been gone. About half way home we hit some intense storms, slowing us down. We got home around eleven or so and the dogs and the house were OK.
 |
| King da kah!! |
It was an overly ambitious three days and despite the bad food it was fun and the girls really enjoyed it.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Elenapoloza 2014,a three day affair.
With a Job not magically appearing for me it was a surprise that my wife said it was OK for me to take the Girls on the Circle Line the Friday before Elena's birthday. This became the unofficial start to Elenapaloze 2014.
It hit with more of a thud then a bang when I invited her to go and miss the last day of ESL school and she said 'No'. I told her she was going anyway.
My friend Mike was up from North Carolina and we were going to take in a ball game on Saturday. He asks what would you like to do on Friday. He said lets go into the city and I said lets do the Circle Line.
The last time I was on the Circle Line was in 1973 or 4. What were We doing in the City at that age? They were rebuilding Yankee Stadium, the original one, from 1923 and I wanted to take some pictures of it and Mike says lets go on the circle Line. We were 16-17 years old and had no business going into the City. Back then it was bad, real bad! There were blocks of apartment buildings near the stadium that were abandoned and filled with junkies. (Illegal Drug users, if the term is out of style) We would go there later to take pictures and be let inside the Stadium, When they built the new Stadium they were not half as nice to picture takers.
Mike met Us at the Train Station in Nanuet. We would of been in plenty of time except Mesha took one of Elena's sneakers and we could not find it and the night before I woke up about three-thirty and remembered that I did not buy any sun screen. I then had trouble going back to sleep.
We found the sneaker stuck in the side of her bed, the dog didn't take it, I ran into Rite Aid and got some sun screen and we got to the train station five minutes before the train was supposed to get there. The Train was late. We talked for a few minutes until the train got there and I took my third maybe? train ride. The Girls first I think.
We got to Hoboken, got our tickets and went over to the docks. The docks floated and the tide was just right that we occasionally had a free trip on a roller coaster.I was afraid Nastia would say she doesn't feel good, sea sick again and the Circle Line would be in trouble. At every step of the the trip I would send Teri a text message to let her know that her loved ones and I were safe and well cared for.
The Ferry ride was fun and quick. We then walked over to the World Trade Center to see the site. It had just opened this year. We then walked over to where Mike used to work, 99 Church St. right near the Woolworth building. Then a quick subway ride ( My second, the girls first) to 45th St. and then a short walk over to the west side and we were at the Circle Line with plenty of time to spare so we got a couple of Hot Dogs and a drink.
Tourism has become a very big business these last few years. It is another one of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg's accomplishments. The down side to that is now all the tourist things in the City are expensive and packed. Two years ago the Empire State Building was almost three hundred dollars to take six people to the very top. Now the Circle Line was not that bad, but four tickets cost, with tax, $158.00, but you pay if you want the piper to play.
The Girls were unhappy to find out the boat ride was a three hour tour. (People of a certain age when they hear three hour tour, think of something else. For all You kids and future readers that was the length of the tour they took on the show Gilligan's Island 1964-66 or so).
Mike and I enjoyed the ride. In the 70's we were on top of the boat. This time it was crowded and we were in the bow of the boat. Nastia made friends with a women visiting her daughter living in the city. Then was talking to a guy. This is what scares me about her, too much trust.
Elena, the soon to be birthday Girl spent 99% of the trip in the cabin wrapped up in her jacket. Her jacket and her hat are her armour when she is uncomfortable and needs to feel protected against the world. She was wrapped up in it until we got off the boat and were taking the water taxi across the river to the train.
The trip went around Manhattan Island. On the first trip in the 70's they pointed out where Babe Ruth and Johnny Carson lived. This time they were left out.
We took a water taxi right next to the Circle Line across the river instead of doing the subway to the World Trade then across to the Trains. This seemed faster. We would have to walk a little to the trains, but it didn't seem too far.
The Water Taxi we took was the one Karl, the Girls and I took when we tried to see the tall ships in 2011 or 12. We waited on line for about five or so hours to see the Navy ship, while 'important' people went ahead of us, us as in most of the people who wanted to see the ships. Reports said people waited on line for over eight hours.
The Water Taxi dropped us off north of the trains by about a mile.It was a nice day and a pleasant walk. We got to the trains about 4:45 and our train left about five. I feel asleep pretty quickly and the girls turned on their music and we settled in for the ride home.
I had forgotten Elena had Val at Six and a phone call from Teri reminded me. We ended up getting to her late, about 6:30.
It was a long and enjoyable day, mostly On Saturday, I went to a Yankee game, where they were three hit or so. It was a warm and really nice day. Elena and Nastia spent time with their mother and went to see the movie Lucy. That night we went out for Mexican food.
Sunday, Jessica gets dropped off and I take the three of them over to the Climb the Palisades climbing place in the Palisades Center. It is four floors of death defying adventure.
You get strapped in and a thick cable is clipped on that keeps you from falling and you go overall these scary things. The three spent two hours doing it and when we came home to another beautiful day,it was time to swim.
Teri, Nancy and I got the food together. My Mom, Harriet, Eric,Lynn, Billy, and Denis all came. Ruth sent her regrets, again she was in Florida.
Amanda came by with her boyfriend, Nick and we all hung out, ate and talked the next four hours away. It was nice and I think Elena had a good time.
 |
| Train ride into the City |
My friend Mike was up from North Carolina and we were going to take in a ball game on Saturday. He asks what would you like to do on Friday. He said lets go into the city and I said lets do the Circle Line.
 |
| Sitting on a Subway floor?? |
Mike met Us at the Train Station in Nanuet. We would of been in plenty of time except Mesha took one of Elena's sneakers and we could not find it and the night before I woke up about three-thirty and remembered that I did not buy any sun screen. I then had trouble going back to sleep.
 |
| At the World Trade Center |
We got to Hoboken, got our tickets and went over to the docks. The docks floated and the tide was just right that we occasionally had a free trip on a roller coaster.I was afraid Nastia would say she doesn't feel good, sea sick again and the Circle Line would be in trouble. At every step of the the trip I would send Teri a text message to let her know that her loved ones and I were safe and well cared for.
 |
| On the Circle Line |
Tourism has become a very big business these last few years. It is another one of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg's accomplishments. The down side to that is now all the tourist things in the City are expensive and packed. Two years ago the Empire State Building was almost three hundred dollars to take six people to the very top. Now the Circle Line was not that bad, but four tickets cost, with tax, $158.00, but you pay if you want the piper to play.
 |
| Elena comes out for a picture |
Mike and I enjoyed the ride. In the 70's we were on top of the boat. This time it was crowded and we were in the bow of the boat. Nastia made friends with a women visiting her daughter living in the city. Then was talking to a guy. This is what scares me about her, too much trust.
Elena, the soon to be birthday Girl spent 99% of the trip in the cabin wrapped up in her jacket. Her jacket and her hat are her armour when she is uncomfortable and needs to feel protected against the world. She was wrapped up in it until we got off the boat and were taking the water taxi across the river to the train.
The trip went around Manhattan Island. On the first trip in the 70's they pointed out where Babe Ruth and Johnny Carson lived. This time they were left out.
 |
| In the Park near the Circle Line |
We took a water taxi right next to the Circle Line across the river instead of doing the subway to the World Trade then across to the Trains. This seemed faster. We would have to walk a little to the trains, but it didn't seem too far.
The Water Taxi we took was the one Karl, the Girls and I took when we tried to see the tall ships in 2011 or 12. We waited on line for about five or so hours to see the Navy ship, while 'important' people went ahead of us, us as in most of the people who wanted to see the ships. Reports said people waited on line for over eight hours.
 |
| Boat ride to return to the Train home |
I had forgotten Elena had Val at Six and a phone call from Teri reminded me. We ended up getting to her late, about 6:30.
It was a long and enjoyable day, mostly On Saturday, I went to a Yankee game, where they were three hit or so. It was a warm and really nice day. Elena and Nastia spent time with their mother and went to see the movie Lucy. That night we went out for Mexican food.
Sunday, Jessica gets dropped off and I take the three of them over to the Climb the Palisades climbing place in the Palisades Center. It is four floors of death defying adventure.
Teri, Nancy and I got the food together. My Mom, Harriet, Eric,Lynn, Billy, and Denis all came. Ruth sent her regrets, again she was in Florida.
Amanda came by with her boyfriend, Nick and we all hung out, ate and talked the next four hours away. It was nice and I think Elena had a good time.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Reflections
I just saw a movie with Zach Braff, Mandy Patinkin, and Kate Hudson. Zach is an actor who hasn't worked much lately and his wife seems to resent him a little for it. His kids go to religious school paid for by his father, who has just found out he has cancer again.I was a little uncomfortable with the movie until I heard Kate's job was with the water company and she was not very happy there. Zach said "she was following the dream."
If you haven't figured it out yet or are reading this in the future and I am just some dusty picture on a wall, please lets start by dusting off the picture, good. Now as of 2014 July 26, I am without a job and my wife works for the water company and a long time ago she quit following the dream.
So now that we are caught up you see why this movie was not the one to see when you haven't gone to the movies in about two months.What makes it worse is it is an 'R' rated movie, (do they still use 'R' in the future?) and we bring the girls who at fifteen and thirteen laugh at a lot of wrong times. The Girls said it was a funny movie, I thought it was poignant, you know bitter sweet, moving, touching, you know like the definition I just looked up
Zach's character looks like he will have to give up the dream or home school the kids. With the tried and true Hollywood script, our hero manages to bumble his way through home school and land on some kind of a journey of self examination where his wife comes to him while he is doing the laundry and says "I haven't seem you in a while." He replies, "I've always been here."
"No" she says,"I haven't seem this you in a long time."
Enough said there is a happy ending even though Mandy Patinkin's character dies, but not before Zach gets his brother to their father's bed side so they can repair their relationship.
Easy, Hollywood simple,I should of written it.
I'll leave you to draw any conclusions.
Reflections Part 2.
I was a little surprised to have my own words thrown back at me one day recently.
I told Nastia, that most all boys want one thing, sex and they are all pigs. Naturally I did not intend to include myself in that category, but I am, or was a boy and all I was interested in when I was young was sex and I guess that makes me a pig, like all the other males in this world.
Before we go on, I have to say I told her that because she is naive and too trusting and Elena has been doing her dating out of my eye site mostly.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Boyfriends.. dead ahead...good god...help me.
Elena has been dating, I've removed the ' ' because she tried to french kiss him on his birthday. It's sorta funny until you start to think what else she might give him in the future, yuck.
Nastia was the one who provided the information. She announced it to everyone in front of Elena and you can understand why she is angry at Nastia. I just wonder why she still tells her things.
Now on to Nastia. She got rid of her face time boyfriend, Justin, who I had grown to dislike anyway. I tried not to let her know I didn't like him. He went really south in my opinion when I told him that Nastia was in trouble and couldn't text him until at least Friday. He gives me the OK sir, I'm sorry bit. Then a day later I see on Elena's phone that he was texting Elena trying to get her to have Nastia text him without me finding out. I replied that She wouldn't or something like that and he said He was sorry, he just missed her so much.
I gave Nastia her phone back on Friday, but asked both of them not to contact Justin until Monday because he was being punished for trying to go behind my back. Thankfully she dumped him and this time she blocked him from the phone and x-box. Now comes the be careful what you wish for has happened. Nastia now has a real boyfriend, his name is Anthony. He came over today to swim with Nastia while Elena went to Matt's house to hang out (french kiss?? , Nah she can't play x-box here and can over there. That has to be it)
Well I leave the two of them alone to swim after Elena goes to Matt's and it is quiet. So I look out and see the two of them in the clinches like two tired prize fighters. I turn on the radio and get a glass of water and drink it without looking out the window, but plainly seen. A few moments later
Nastia come to the window and asks "Is everything is OK?."
I say "yes, just listening to the radio." I then tell her, "more swimming, less hugging." I don't know if I'm made to do this.
They get out of the pool and play cards some, then Nastia asks to go in the tent with Anthony, I say No. She then wants to play X-box. At first I say no then say OK. I pop in every so often to check on them and I guess it went OK.
A little after five Anthony's Dad shows up and He goes. There was no kissing, just hands touching arms.
When I'm up to it they can do it again.
Elena might be the smart one, she has started doing her dating out of my sight. I need to think about both sides of that coin.
Nastia was the one who provided the information. She announced it to everyone in front of Elena and you can understand why she is angry at Nastia. I just wonder why she still tells her things.
Now on to Nastia. She got rid of her face time boyfriend, Justin, who I had grown to dislike anyway. I tried not to let her know I didn't like him. He went really south in my opinion when I told him that Nastia was in trouble and couldn't text him until at least Friday. He gives me the OK sir, I'm sorry bit. Then a day later I see on Elena's phone that he was texting Elena trying to get her to have Nastia text him without me finding out. I replied that She wouldn't or something like that and he said He was sorry, he just missed her so much.
I gave Nastia her phone back on Friday, but asked both of them not to contact Justin until Monday because he was being punished for trying to go behind my back. Thankfully she dumped him and this time she blocked him from the phone and x-box. Now comes the be careful what you wish for has happened. Nastia now has a real boyfriend, his name is Anthony. He came over today to swim with Nastia while Elena went to Matt's house to hang out (french kiss?? , Nah she can't play x-box here and can over there. That has to be it)
Well I leave the two of them alone to swim after Elena goes to Matt's and it is quiet. So I look out and see the two of them in the clinches like two tired prize fighters. I turn on the radio and get a glass of water and drink it without looking out the window, but plainly seen. A few moments later
Nastia come to the window and asks "Is everything is OK?."
I say "yes, just listening to the radio." I then tell her, "more swimming, less hugging." I don't know if I'm made to do this.
They get out of the pool and play cards some, then Nastia asks to go in the tent with Anthony, I say No. She then wants to play X-box. At first I say no then say OK. I pop in every so often to check on them and I guess it went OK.
A little after five Anthony's Dad shows up and He goes. There was no kissing, just hands touching arms.
When I'm up to it they can do it again.
Elena might be the smart one, she has started doing her dating out of my sight. I need to think about both sides of that coin.
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