I just noticed that it has been three weeks since I last posted something here. I've been around once in a while but never long enough to actually write anything more than a comment or two here and there. That's my story anyway. I suppose I ought to remedy that situation and put something up just so that I can say that I did.
Once relieved of the responsibility of being at the office every day I decided to spend some quality time with my grand ones.
We spent a week at the shore, went to a theme park and spent countless hours simply lounging about in the back yard around the pool. For much of the time I had all eight grandchildren with me. The older ones have become so helpful with the younger ones that this year I didn't even need to drag one of the mothers along. That was a first and of course quite helpful to them as they are all quite busy with the reorganization at the office. Better them than me!
This week has been a time to regroup. This weekend the older boys (Nathaniel, Jason and Aaron) and I will be going camping. Oh fun! At least it is only for two nights and the hiking will be held to a minimum, not like last year.
Anthony is away for two weeks, this and next, at a football camp run by some former NFL players. He tells me that it is really pretty much a waste of time but he has fun so it is worth the trip. This is his second time there I guess.
I thought Nate would mope around for most of the time Anthony is gone but he seems quite chipper really. He has really dug into the yard work that has been largely neglected for the past several weeks and by this weekend everything should be in good shape again. He has recruited his brother and cousin to help with some of the work, but for the large part has done it himself.
Next month things settle down a bit as far as my personal schedule is concerned. Band camp begins soon for Nate, Aaron and Alicia. Summer band has already begun, two mornings a week for four hours. They missed one week of that while we splashed in the Atlantic. So they will be busy right up until labor day weekend.
Summer football practice starts soon for Anthony and Jason so they too will be busy right up to the start of school. I don't really like the idea of them giving up half their summer, but it is their choice after all.
The younger ones have very little going on for the next few weeks so I will be spending a lot of time with them, mostly right here at home, but a trip to some local amusement park just might be in order for them at some point. Also we plan on one more weekend at the shore sometime late August. Hopefully we get the whole clan together for that one. It is looking promising. We generally shut down for five days around Labor Day (Thursday through Tuesday) to give the field staff a break and get them energized for the final push toward winter. Perhaps that would be the best time for the clan to break away too. Usually we spend Labor Day weekend simply lounging around the yard enjoying doing nothing for a change. Most years we spend a week together at the shore, but with the re-org going on and all the grand ones activities it simply isn't going to happen this year.
I heard from Janet the other day, she called from her parents and said that she just wanted to let me know that there is no animosity between her and Daniel, it simply isn't working anymore. I must confess that I don't quite understand. She can be such a wonderful person the have around most of the time, but when she gets into one of her moods everyone better just get out of the way. She and I have always gotten along rather well, even during her most trying times. It is probably for the best in the long run though, at least that is what I keep telling myself and Daniel. I know he suffers over it, break-ups are never easy.
Well, enough for now I guess. I often wonder why anyone would want to read this stuff, but it does me good just to write it down.
soaring
