Reading Not Allowed.

The First Grounding

Shane was grounded from TV Sunday. He watched two hours of it while I was at the doctor's Saturday. Then, when it was turned off, he cried and whined. 

"Shane," I said, "you should say 'Thank you' after you get to watch a lot of TV." 

He refused. 

I gave him another chance and appended "If you can't be thankful for the TV you do get, you won't get any TV tomorrow. It's your choice: Will you say 'Thank you' for the episodes?" 

Well, he made his choice. I even got it on video (on the third offer) to make sure he didn't try and play the 'I forgot' card.

I know I can't make him feel grateful. I can make it clear that he should be. Manners count. At the minimum Shane needs to learn to do a cost-benefit-analysis when offered an ultimatum (Two words to assuage feelings and avoid trouble OR refuse and go without TV until Monday. Hmmm....).

It would have been nice to take a TV break Sunday, but we stayed busy. There was no moratorium on fun, only TV.

For example, we fished for O's on the tic-tac-toe board. It was Shane's idea. I wanted to play.

Then we went on a walk and found a rock. Shane keeps his rock collection in a purple pumpkin on the front porch.

This rock was special, though. Every time Shane threw it in the yard and lost it, the rock would re-appear in the pumpkin (remember the magic oven?).

Shane got so excited he would throw the rock and charge the porch.

I told him there was a 'cooldown timer' and it took the rock a while to wander home (perhaps through a tunnel?). I also said, "Shane, you have to give Daddy time to look for the rock if it's going to reappear!" Blatantly obvious if you ask me, but Shane was lost in the magic of the moment. We threw a bunch of tennis balls and hunted for them in the grass, too.

Monday morning, the first words Shane asked me: "Daddy, can I watch two episodes now?"

Really Random: Trophies or Functional?

Shane and I ran around the walking mall while Carrie waited for our food. We stumbled upon the Main Street Arena.

It was closed for the summer, or I would have asked about the golden nut cups.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy anniversary, Carrie!

Bucket tried to bite River and my finger tip was in the way. It swelled up. The doctor said if it gets any worse we should go to the ER in the morning. He said I could double up on the antibiotics tonight. "It will be a race between the antibiotics and the bacteria." I pray the pills do the trick.

Who knew cat bites could be so bad? It was only a nuisance at the time (and then I checked the internet). I felt silly even after it swelled, but the doctor told me it was a good thing I checked in.

Ironically, it took over an hour and a half for someone to say "You got bit; Take a pill."

On the plus side, I know exactly where to go and I'm in their system from now on. It's all part of the grand plan.

Carrie asked me for a picture while she was at work.

How do you think I took it?

Necessity - The Mother of Invention

Mike's Thoughts: Shopping

I want much, need much less, and deserve nothing. There is always something new to want, but the more I realize how little I need the easier it is to resist.

And yet, I still check the daily online sales at my sites. It'd be easier to avoid buying anything if I didn't look. I stopped looking at steam for a long time, but now miniature market pulls at me.

The second part of my philosophy: Don't buy it now. Wait for a good sale or until the feeling passes.

Still, crap somehow accumulates. If you want to know how much, move. I did it twice this year and saw it firsthand. Had to haul a bunch of it, too.

Cat Adoption Update

Max and Bucket have not accepted River into their circle yet. Bucket is less skittish. She doesn't panic when Max walks up behind her. Max, however, has decided she's the next Xena/She-Ra. 

Things have developed into an uneasy truce. There haven't been any injuries, but there is a lot of posturing.

Max and Bucket are the aggressors. River is very defensive. She rarely leaves the dining room or the high ground within. If she does crawl forth and sees either Max or Bucket she immediately retreats. Max and Bucket have accepted that River may exist in there. Max will sometimes chase her back into the dining room with growling and hissing for good measure. She'll make a swipe or two, as well, but since she's declawed it's all bluster. Bucket has the claws, but she has not used them.

It's not great, but it's not horrible. Hopefully, they get along in the end. I expected Bucket to be stupid. Max, on the other hand, has been around and accepted so many other cats I was surprised she didn't adjust to River immediately. River is a complete beta, so it will probably take her a while to be calm around the girls when the posturing does stop.

Date Day

Carrie works this weekend, but that gave her a day off midweek. Shane went to daycare and Carrie and I went out on a date. We drove through the mountains on the "Brew Ridge Trail." We ate at one brewery and I learned what a kombucha was. Then we went to the cidery I wanted to visit.

I don't like to buy or drink alcohol too often, but Matt and Rene introduced me to a local Charlottesville cider I really liked. Why not visit? It's fun to learn! The views were great, too.

We took a nap when we got back. Not a bad way to kick off summer!

Officially Moved

My couch surfing days are over. Five months of transition are done. I am officially moved down to Charlottesville and reunited with my family.

Summer has begun!

Oops

I accidentally stole the last of Emily's detergent (our renter). I had to run out and replace it before she needed any more.

Graduation 2015

I survived my first full high school graduation. I got to be the buzzkill who helped catch the beach ball and I got hit in the mouth by a hat thrown in the air. A private first class surprised his sister after being away for a year, too. I saw several of my students in the stands/choir, so I'm glad I fulfilled my final duty up north.

Bonus fact: I skipped all three of my own graduations, but I did go late to one once. I was Bill's wingman in the pre-cell phone days. His girlfriend was graduating and he didn't want to be the lone bored guy in the stands.

Millions of Peaches

Oh. We went peach-picking for Father's Day, too.

I don't like peaches.

Unless they're in a pie. I bet Carrie could make a great peach cobbler. She and Shane have been chomping on peaches ever since!

That Awkward Moment....

...when you wave and smile at the person in the car next to you at a red light. They turn, wave and smile back and you realize "Nope. I don't know them after all." The light doesn't change.

Father's Day

Shane made me a couple of things at school for Father's Day. I wonder if he remembers who I am for some of his observations, but then others are hilariously accurate!

First Saturday After Students

The students are done for the year and I'm down south. I'll have to make one final trip north for final checkout and graduation, but I am essentially done and home.

We celebrated with a morning out. I got a haircut, we shopped, and we turned in our first summer reading challenge.

Shane learned there were toys in the library and made a friend, Jeffrey. 

Maybe we'll see him again next week. We'll have to return to get our next round of swag.

Shane loved his new backpack.....for about 20 steps. Then he decided it was too heavy.

We are well underway on completing round 2. Carrie and Shane spent the last part of the night with a Waldo-esque Spider-Man book.

A Teaching Verse

Ephesians 4:29 is a life verse for me.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I try to avoid cursing, but I don't believe that's the focus of 'unwholesome talk.' I think unwholesome talk is anything that tears another person down or sets them up for a fall: Insults, flattery, lies, malicious criticism, etc.

I want to be a 'people builder.' I want my words to help, to heal and to teach. I try to keep this in mind whenever I open my mouth (not that it always happens). I also believe this verse goes beyond "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Tact is preferred, but sometimes to be nice in the moment is not nice in the long haul.

One example I use in class: I tell my students that people try to tear down people around them to make them look or feel better by comparison. When they are done, they are no better off. However, they have created a mire and left hurt people in their wake. It's quick and easy to do.

Instead, people should try to build up the people around them. They should look at life as a team sport. Athletes improve when they have good people to practice with and then they play better when they have a good team around them. For my students, if they build up those around them they will make friends, lose enemies and create a classroom they want to come to (or at least don't mind).

In my own life, this verse is key to how I want to interact with my family. I want to thank and show appreciation to my wife whenever I can. I want to praise Shane when he shows love or learns something. Whenever I am angry, I try to stop and think before I speak. A harsh word can destroy in a moment what takes weeks to build. What is really making me angry? Is it my pride? If so, it is worthless. Is it something dangerous? If so, I should speak out, but with tact and the end goal in sight.

I'm a work in progress. Lord, be with me and see me through.

Final Day with Students

One of my students wanted to write a referral.....on me. I dialed Nana and my student got to explain to her how her son's "ADHD was kicking in."

Thanks for having a sense of humor, Nana!

Nostalgia: Yearbook

I didn't break 100 lbs until the following year.

A First Time for Everything

Have you ever wondered what a powerless elevator looked like from the inside?

EOY

I always find it ironic: I get more torn up over my student's grades than they do.

Almost done with the year. A few more loose ends to tie up...

Cul-de-sac from Memory

I visited the Jeffers' house last night. It had been too long. I would not have felt right moving without a farewell. When Diane heard I was homeless, she emailed and offered me a room. Jerry set up a new grill as we talked. Then they made me stay and eat. Marcus showed me how to use the laser auto-fill on the refrigerator, because I'm old. I lamented the decline of civilization that people would require a refrigerator to tell them when a cup was full. Then we all agreed that delivery would be a cool next step.

I hope Carrie and I find another family to bond with down south.

Lightning Bugs

I love lightning bugs. I haven't noticed any in Charlottesville yet. Rest assured I'll check.

Sherlock Signs Off

Sherlock replied.

Summer will be longer than a four-minute exile. Especially if they're seniors. I wonder if they'll be around next year. Would have loved to have had them in class.

UPDATE: The Sherlock girls came by and asked if they could have some of the posters. I gave them the ones I had on hand (coffee stain and all). As they left they said, "Don't think this ends next year..."

Nancy said she needed watch the show to help carry on the tradition. Depending on how the show goes, someone else pretending to be Moriarty may even be thematic! I'd love to email in responses if she doesn't take up the mantle, though.

Shane's Friend

Raheem knocked on the door three times Saturday. The first time, Shane was in the bath (pre-nap). The second, it was nap time. The third, Shane was still asleep, but I let him come in anyway. 

They measured the house together.

Shane's had a ton of fun with measuring tape over the years. I'm glad he found another person to share the joy.

The boys played with Nana's spin art later.

A couple of weeks ago, our neighbor told us to be careful with any kids who wandered in from too far. She said she had her iPhone stolen. It was wiped and sold in the mobile home park for $10. I don't know how she found out and got it back.

The seed of suspicion was placed in my mind. I noticed Raheem had something in his pocket while the boys were playing. When I asked what it was, he told me a car. However, he didn't bring it out whenever the boys played with cars. The shape didn't look like a car, either. When it didn't sound like a car when he ran around I asked to see it. Raheem didn't want to at first, but then produced a small box of matches.

Relief washed over me. None of our toys are expensive, but I would have wanted to address the behavior. I don't know anything about Raheem's parents and/or their parenting styles yet. All I know is he wanders up the street to play. He's also older than Shane and I've only just figured out four-year olds (at a C+ level). I wished I hadn't been suspicious, as well.

I thanked Raheem for showing me and the boys went back to playing.

Later, I thought "Wait, matches!? A 7-year old with a box of matches?" I know the sort of trouble my friends and I would have gotten into. Igor once put gasoline in a super-soaker.

I'll tell Raheem not to bring them in my house the next time he knocks.

Scoping Out the Parks

Carrie worked Saturday, so Shane and I followed our usual pattern. This time we went to check out a park we keep driving by.

The playground passed muster.

We saw a train go by.

We checked for hobbits.

The baseball fields were the real star, though. I counted five diamonds (one was clearly for pee wees). We watched a team practice in the heat.

Well, I watched the team practice while Shane shook the batting cage net.

The coach told his team to drop into their ready position and take two steps forward whenever the pitcher threw the ball. He coached them to "attack the ball" and "always know where you'll go!" (which base to throw to). It brought back memories from my own little league days. I hope Shane will play!

For now, he was much more interested in the field equipment and the fields than the game played on them.

We explored an unused dugout...

...and got dirty.

Very dirty.

Shane likes dirt. I read somewhere it's good for you. I sent Carrie some pics to get a reaction.

If you know me, you heard my smirk after that last sentence. Shane took a bath later.

Double-Dose!

Nana and Pop visited for the first time Sunday! They were jet-lagged and newly returned from Russia.

Nana called our toilet paper heavenly (What happens in Russia, stays in Russia...)

Grandpa and Grandma followed soon after!

They were in their new car (Hey, Boo, Boo! It's a BluBaru!).

The grandparents visited in shifts before going their respective ways. Nana and Pop went to see Patrick in Harrisonburg. Grandma and Grandpa reclaimed the truck.

Meanwhile, Carrie was a nervous/stressed wreck. She was in and out trying to organize a company picnic (Go figure that it was the same day both families visited, she stepped on a nail...)

It was a big success, though. Her cake shattered expectations.

No, she didn't cook this one. She did build the bed frame it was presented on. We got the table saw from a garage sale for $20 a couple of years ago. I'd begun to wonder why I lugged it down south, but Carrie, the mad artist, put it to use Saturday night!

Twas a busy Sunday. I wonder what the next weekend will bring!

Wait....ANOTHER Cat?

Carrie always wanted a Savannah. I wanted to help a family in need. To be fair, Carrie wanted to help, too, but the cat was quite the incentive!

Cleopatra comes from a growing family. She guarded the newborn at night, but the baby developed an allergy to her. Cleo's family contacted a friend to help find her a new home and avoid future infant rashes.

That friend knew Genevieve. 

The rest is history. 

Hooray for allergy shots!

I picked up Cleo after work on Friday. I left around 3:00 PM. We arrived in Charlottesville a little after 6:30 PM. She was a good traveler and stopped her protests after a few minutes.

Carrie set her up in the dining room. River, the cat formerly known as Cleo, is about 8 years old and an F6 Savannah. She adjusted remarkably quick and immediately used her new litterbox.

She started to butter up to Carrie next. Carrie could not stop going on about how sweet she was (which led to the new name). 

What I didn't know: River(Cleo) is declawed front and back. I knew the family declawed her front paws prior new baby (and said they regretted it). Carrie said they declawed her back paws long ago. I don't know how they thought she'd "be okay as an outdoor cat if [we] wanted."

Our cats are still getting used to the idea of a new feline on the block.

Max has wandered around the room with River. River took the high-ground and Max sniffed out the low-ground. There was no hissing or batting. Bucket is a little more neurotic about the issue. She looks funny with her stub tail all fluffed up as she tries to back away and look menacing all at once (she's not). We leave the doors cracked sometimes so that both parties can sniff each other out and adjust.

Shane is very excited. He ran in circles, jumped, and hollered. He bounced from couch to couch and rebounded off of me when I caught him. Shane could not understand why Mommy refused to let him chase the new kitty! "I like her! I like her! Let me see her!"

Shane got to visit her after he calmed down. She was sweet to him, too. She does not seem to set my allergies off any more than the other cats either. Hopefully the cats adjust and she'll be the last cat we get for a while (Carrie's 2 for 2 with getting cats for our anniversary in recent years....).

Is That Where Babies Come From?

Moriarty Signs Off....or does he?

Nancy said the Sherlock Girls dropped by while I was out. They were sad the walls were cleaned, so I posted this for the finale.

Based on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJl5EPBa2Bw

This would be more appropriate for after summer, but I won't be around. I don't know if the Sherlock Girls were seniors, either. If they're not and they do start posting next year.....

I should write something.

Something.

Weekend With Dad

Shane and I caught up while Carrie was out. He wanted to watch TV, but I don't like to sit around. I dragged him up to Carter Mountain.

It's not apple season yet, but the view are great.

You can see the building on top of the mountain from all over Charlottesville. Now that we've been there, Shane points and says "I see Carter Mountain!"

It was not the TV he asked for, but Shane will admit he had fun. You can't make whirpools out of rain water on a mountaintop barrel on a couch.

Do you know what the first thing Shane said when we arrived was?

"I smell doughnuts. Can I have some?"

I smelled them, too. That's good marketing. We bought apple cider and apple cider doughnuts.

Not that Shane needed any sugar.

Shane rolled a not-so-round rock up and down a small hill until I dragged him off to our next stop:

Our 'old' apartment.

We've had a lot of foot traffic, but no bites. I think I see why.

The owners decided to do a little construction. From their point of view, it makes great sense. No one is in the house to complain, but we're still locked to pay until July.

Shane enjoyed the wall, at least. He got a final run in.

11:00 AM brought story time at the library. Shane didn't sit for 10 minutes before he wandered off into the stacks.

We made a final stop at a game store and then Big Lots for an alarm clock. Shane would have stayed and played foosball straight through nap if I let him.

I didn't. He needed to nap, and I needed him to nap, too.

We walked the trail after he woke up. Spoiler: he got wet.

Shane has learned that sticks make everything better. Bigger sticks make them better-er.

Sunday was church and running up and down the street. We watched a Jonah Veggie Tales to kill time for an oven delivery (more on that later).

After nap, I took Shane to a local park with a spray station. It was someone's birthday so there were lots of kids around.

Lots of kids and toys.

Shane asked the boy in yellow to fill some balloons up he found with water. The boy obliged! He enjoyed doing it, too. He started to spray his brothers after a bit.

The water was really cold, but I bet it will be awesome when the heat hits.

We hung around the park for a little over an hour to socialize and get some energy out.

I was so proud when Shane tried to run up and push a little boy. He wasn't very good at it. He tried so hard!

We played some Forbidden Desert after we got home. I found it while I cleaned and unpacked.

I also found Frank and Bertha. Shane asked if they could sleep with him Sunday night.

We had a fun weekend! It was not all roses, though. Shane enjoyed to toe the line. We had a few head to heads and heart to hearts. I hope he'll be good for Carrie this week!

Ten days of work to go as I type this. Then I'll get to move down south with my family. It's funny how things get a harder right before the end. Lord, help us all to hang on!