Brewing Your Own Beer

Several years ago, my Dad really, I mean, REALLY wanted of those "Make Your Own Beer" kits. At the time, my area wasn't exactly "culturally aware" so finding such a thing was a challenge (this was before the internet). I made it my goal to make this his Grand Christmas present. After scouring every grocery and liquor store I could find, I finally found one these "kits"...

Remember

My Aunt sent me a link to my cousin's blog in which she had posted a remembrance of the people in my family who have served in the Armed Forces. My Father was one of these men.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

You know how you get that feeling of accomplishment when you are just about to finish something that has taken a long time? Like completing some home improvement project or getting the oil changed or finishing that book you've always wanted to read? That's the feeling I have been having for the last two weeks.

Goodbye

Last week, my mother called me to tell me my Grandfather had been hospitalized. Two days later, she called to say he had passed away... So, off to sophisticated rural West Virginia.

The Slacker Finally Gets Something Done...

And done right...

I finished the repairs on the bathroom last weekend and, I must admit, it turned out really nicely; not the professional (tiled or custom fiberglass enclosure) job I had intended, but it's more than functional and properly done.

Where Did You Get Your License?

Is it just me or does it seem like whenever you get in your car, that EVERYONE is trying their best to kill you? Holy moly! I almost feel obligated to kiss ground in thanks when I get to my destination without incident.

Ugh.

Just when I think everything is finally going right, something ELSE comes up. What do I have to do to catch a break? Sacrifice an animal? Cut out one of my internal organs? Go on a Spirit Quest?

If It's Not One Thing...

It's another. Sheesh. After months of delays, setbacks, stress, and other unexpected events, even my efforts to refinance my house hasn't escaped Lady (Bad) Luck...

As Good As Done

So, we had the divorce hearing this morning. I was nervous as hell. Was the Magistrate going to laugh at my petition? Was he going to say "This all looks well and good but you have to pay $X alimony as well"? Was he going to tell us that he wasn't going to accept the Mediated agreement? So many questions...

One Step Closer

We filed the divorce papers today. There's really only one thing left that I need to do now and that is to get the financial aspect handled. It's gonna make things pretty tight for me for a while but I have to do what I agreed to.

Pocket Change

A couple of weeks ago, my Soon-To-Be Ex and I had an appointment with a Mediator to iron out how we would deal with separating out our finances; credit card debt, alimony, the house, etc. We pretty much have had no issues in figuring out little stuff like who gets the toaster or the Disney Collectibles or any of the other possessions. It was the BIG stuff that needed to be sorted out.

Laughter, The Best Medicine

I've been sorely in need of a good laugh and a smile recently. On a messageboard I frequent, some eFriends have posted some jokes, some of which have had me rolling on the floor. So, in an effort spread some chuckles around, I will repost them here, with proper credit given of course.

Rain Will, Indeed, Fall

This might possibly be the most perfect song ever written/recorded.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxfVaufgdaE[/youtube]

Junk Collection

So, for the last few days I've been packing up my things to move back in with my parents. I've never been much of a "hoarder" but I am simply stunned by how much stuff I have accumulated. It's really quite amazing.

A Tale Of Mixed Signals

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I work downtown where there are Parades and events scheduled. From my office on the Third Floor, I have a Bird's Eye view of the Parades as they continue along their route. I'm not normally one for these sorts of things for any reason; it has nothing to do with it being MLK Day or anything of that nature. I happen to consider him to be a great man who has had a huge impact on the world. I'm just not a Parade kinda guy.

Baby Steps

I'm not used to putting my life into words. I've never been a journal/diary keeper. In fact, I'm pretty bad about keeping my thoughts and feelings inside and not expressing them to anyone; even if to only to put them in writing for only myself to see. I've come to the conclusion that this is not a very healthy practice. Internalizing everything seems to have the effect of turning me into a very dour person. There are lots of things changing in my life right now and I've allowed myself to become somewhat moody. Not bipolar moody, but just a little prone to feeling down about things. Perhaps working at putting my thoughts into written form will be therapeutic.