Willie Nelson – Stardust

Read Full Post »

Memories

Today is one month since Steve died.  One month is nothing.  Thirty years, eight months exactly to the day he died… that’s some time considering we were both a little older on June 20, 1979, the day we began seeing each other.  Memories flood back when you least expect it.  We had some great times; really great times.  Like most couples, there were some bad times too.  So many memories and moments – laughter, tears, joys, sorrows, dreams and hopes, heartaches – that only the two of us knew and shared.  Now, the only person who also knew is gone.  Now, the sweet memories tear at the heart like a dull serrated knife.

For sure the grieving process sucks big-time.

Read Full Post »

Two weeks

Two weeks is not a long time.  Yet, it seems like ages ago, and at the same time just yesterday.  For those with experience, we know time eases the pain of our loss so that it becomes a little more bearable although never completely gone.  I’m torn between wishing to be beyond these early stages of pain and grief, and at the same time wanting to cling to the closeness of the shared memories and laughter of the recent past as if nothing has changed.  But, everything has changed.  Much to our shock and anger, the world obliviously marches on.  Time does not stand still and the clock cannot be turned back.  Accepting it is the hardest part.

Read Full Post »

Merry Christmas from Toots

8:53 am ET

Read Full Post »

Congratulations Josh!

Josh bought a house.  The closing took place early this afternoon. He is the proud new owner of a very nice little Cap Code style home.  We’re so happy for him!

This afternoon and earlier this evening, Cheatos, Gershwin and I helped him move the majority of his stuff out of our house, and into his.  There are only a couple of car loads left for tomorrow, and we’ll be finished.  It’s going to take him some time and a few major purchases before he’s completely settled in.

But, beginning this evening, we’re down to only two boys living at home.   This is indeed a new and very strange feeling.  However, until Josh gets a washer and dryer, I know I can count on seeing him at least once a week.  😀

9:44 pm ET

Read Full Post »

A long-time error finally corrected

By the time my youngest son was born 19-1/2 years ago, applications for social security cards for newborns were automatically submitted to the Social Security Adminstration based on information provided by the hospital.  It is the exact same information the hospital also provides to the state to issue a valid birth certificate.  The child’s birth certificate arrived with all information correct.  His social security card arrived about a week later.  It had one very important typo.  The name Dylan had been transformed to Vylan.  Not one person at the Social Security Administration questioned such a name or thought to double-check the information provided by the hospital?

Naturally, I made a trip to our local social security office, baby in my arms, to have the card corrected only to discover this was not a simple matter.  There was a short form.  Expected.  No problem.  The problem was I needed to prove who I was and also prove who my baby was.  I needed to provide two forms of ID for each of us.  While my driver’s license was acceptable, my original state-issued birth certificate I’d taken along was not.  No lie.  My son’s valid birth certificate was acceptable, but I didn’t have another form of ID for him.  Information acceptable as proof, such as a driver’s license, passport, or school records, is not documentation a less than year old baby has.  They would, however, accept a doctor or hospital bill.   The document stupidity, together with the one and a  half hours I’d already spent in the SSA offices were all the deterrent I needed to procrastinate.

Eventually it was time for Dylan to enter kindergarten.  I held my breath, provided the private school with his correct name and the social security number we’d been issued.  No problems.  When he moved from grade school to a public middle school, I  held my breath again.  No problems.  When I took him to the DMV to apply for his learner’s permit, I thought surely they would question the information.  No problems.  Likewise when he passed his drivers’ test and was issued his restricted license.  Later, having graduated high school, he applied for college.  Once again, no problem.  Then he applied for a job on campus.  Surely, I thought, this social security name discrepancy would finally become an issue.  Nope.  No problem.

Dylan has been aware of all of this for years.  At various times, usually one of the above “hold your breath” moments, we’d talk about it.  It’s even become somewhat of a family joke.   Along the way it began to appear the error was, well, simply not a problem.  After all, he’d been added to our health insurance policy, hospitalized for a tonsillectomy, gone through both private and public schools, issued two drivers’ licenses, added to our car insurance, attends a public university, and has a part-time job with taxes being withheld from his paychecks.  We simply stopped thinking about it.

As is the case with almost everything in life, things come back to bite you when you least expect it.  After much procrastination, Dylan decided to bite the bullet, spend time at the DMV, and get his unrestricted drivers’ license.  Much to his chagrin, they would not issue it based on a “red flag” from the Social Security Administration computers.  After 19-1/2 years the SSA had finally discovered the discrepancy.  Who said the federal government isn’t efficient?

The DMV gave him a form to take to the SSA office to inquire into the problem.  Of course, we already knew.  I offered to go along but immediately realized that wasn’t a good idea.  The probability of losing my cool is always high where the likelihood of government ineptness is involved.  Besides, the kid is incredibly personable, incredibly sweet, and incredibly good-looking. He would do just fine on his own.  (Yeah, yeah.  I’m prejudiced, but I dare anyone to tell me I’m wrong.)   Anyway, it was the only good call I’ve made in this whole fiasco, and one that saved me from eternal guilt.  Half an hour after walking through the door of the local SSA offices Dylan had the problem resolved.  New card on the way.  By tomorrow the SSA computers will reflect the change and he can return to the DMV to get an unrestricted license.  The only proof and ID he provided was to

• show them the erroneous SS card and point out the typo [which I also did just a few months after he was born],
• show them his original birth certificate [which I had also shown them, and which is still not accepted as valid ID according to the newest form, although they do accept it as proof of age], and
• show them his current drivers’ license [which the DMV won’t reissue based on a SSA red flag that didn’t exist when the original license was issued but should have].

What perplexes me is how his erroneous SS card, his birth certificate, and a (technically invalid) drivers’ license can get the job done when two valid birth certificates (mine and his), my drivers’ license, my SS card, and his erroneous SS card couldn’t. The kid has good karma.  It might also have helped that the SSA employee who assisted him was young and female.  🙂

3:20 pm ET

Read Full Post »

It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood

All spider babies have returned safely from vacation.

AND

Read Full Post »

How much can a 4 ft. by 3 ft. deep container hold?

I guess it depends on what you’re filling it with.  In this case…

Read Full Post »

Congratulations Dustin!

You made it!

Read Full Post »

Prom Night

8:54 pm EDT

UPDATE (5/10/09 @ 12:00 pm EDT)

Read Full Post »

WTH was he thinking?!

An email from family:

Just wanted to share with you and the rest of the family the latest adventure of your brother. He tried to start a fire yesterday with gasoline and this is what happened. We spent most of the evening in the emergency room. He’s got 2nd degree burns all over his arms and legs, as you can see and his face is flash burned as well. No eyelashes left and his eyebrows and beard are just a big singed mess. He’ll be out of work for a few days. They loaded him up with painkillers and now he just has to heal. Boys…..even when they are full grown men they still get into trouble.
Talk to you soon, Susan

Pictures on the way to your inboxes.

4:36 pm EST

UPDATE (5:04 pm EST):

I talked to Craig and he said it looks worse than it is.  He said the hospital said they are severe first degree and some mild second degree burns, and it would take about 3 weeks for him to get back to normal. In addition to pain killers, the hospital also gave him salve to keep on the burns, and they have to wrap them.  He has a follow-up appointment.  I forget when.

The backstory:  He was cleaning up the yard and had a pile of grass clippings and their Christmas Tree he wanted to burn.  He used kerosene to ignite the tree, but it was slow starting.  So, he tossed on some gasoline.  He said Susan was in the house on the phone and she said it sounded like an explosion to her.  He dropped to the ground and rolled (although his t-shirt and shorts show no signs of scorching whatsoever), then sprinkled himself down with a light spray of cool water from the garden hose.  They are only 7 miles from the hospital, but he said it took forever to get there because of slow drivers.  Then, the hospital let him sit for triage until he finally got up and told them it was starting to get really painful.

Read Full Post »

Hey ArmyBro!

We love and miss you!

2:30 pm EST (12:00 am AFT February 8, 2009)

Read Full Post »

Three down.

Gershwin was graduated today with a B.S. in Accounting.  Monday he goes to work full-time, and soon thereafter more than full-time because tax season is about to begin.

Congratulations Gershwin!  We’re proud of you!

5:09 pm EST

Read Full Post »

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.  To all our family and friends we won’t be sharing a dinner table with this year…  we love and miss you.

P.S.  What better way to give thanks than to make a contribution to Soldiers’ Angels Valour-IT 2008 Fundraising Competition.  Today’s the last day.  They also have some autographed books up for auction on eBay, the proceeds of which will go to Valour-IT.

12:10 am EST

Read Full Post »

Family pictures

Below the fold are some pictures of Jackson and Judson.  I apologize for taking so long to get them posted.

Read Full Post »

Looking good

It was exciting to finally see Army Bro again!

6:19 pm EST

Read Full Post »

Happy Halloween!

From…

The Cat In The Hat, Thing !, and Thing 2

12:01 am EST

Read Full Post »

More family news

I’ve been informed by a certain, um, future mother-in-law that we have a newly engaged couple in the family as of last night.

Congratulations Drew and Cherry!

(Pssstttt, Cherry, I can’t believe you still did it.)

4:21 pm EST

Read Full Post »

Congratulations Craig and Susan!

If anyone missed seeing the wedding live, click the picture below.  Although the quality isn’t as good as the live stream was, Gershwin managed to capture the ceremony.  You can watch it online, or download it to your computer to watch later.

11:32 pm EST

Read Full Post »

Reminder

Tonight.  9 PM Eastern.  Vegas Weddings.

1:30 pm EST

Read Full Post »