I love the way you can go on trips by yourself and have a fabulous time, graycloud. I really envy that quality. Maybe it's a guy thing, to be able to do that.

The house will likely close on 2sday!

Woo Hoo!!!

Then, it's 1031 time! We'll only just be beginning.

-ol' 2long

Sometimes?

Sometimes I don't need anyone 2 speak 2 me.

But it's nice when music speaks 2 me.

I'm listening 2 an ambient radio piece: Darshan Ambient - "Evidence of Light"

Very calm piano music. Why does a simple, slow melody on a piano always send me?

Who knows, but I grok!

-ol' 2long

Hi 2long !!

Hope the house closed today. Or will close today.

We got back last night at about 7:00 pm. 10 days is a long time to be away. From the dates you give, your trip will be time short, and mileage long. Those two don't go well together do they?


Anyway, we're home now.

Gray, was your trip good, or bad, or both?

Weaver, the food sounds good. I gained 7 lbs on the cruise, and it needs to come off now - so I love to talk food here, where it's safe, and won't make me gain. I love red beans and rice.


Faithful, a cruise would work well for your family. We saw quite a few in wheel chairs, and they seemed to have a great time. The cost is the hard part. It's easy to have a good time.

SS

Nope, didn't close 2day. Buyers didn't realize that they had 2 pay closing costs, so they got another loan 2 cover them. Close will be Friday now, ...hopefully!

-ol' 2long

2, I hope it goes down on Friday then. It often goes like that. At least, it often did for us. I learned a lot about what not to do. Mostly I learned that there are lots of folks that will take advantage of you if they can get away with it.

Did you get to visit OOSP last week?

SS

Faith - it is my intention to. Since we planned it, I have also planned a road trip back to Texas with my kids. My daughter's birthday is the 13th, and then my mom and dad are taking the three of them to East Texas via the grand canyon and some indian reservation. I will follow after work on Sunday, beat them there and visit with old friends till they get there. Then we will work our way back, seeing grandparents the kids have not seen in 4 years. (I feel like a heel, rightfully so)

XW moved her BF into their house a month after they moved in in Feb. She has been saying he is just a "roommate", but the kids know what is going on. Very frustrating indeed. Before we go on vacation, I will ask her if she will kick him out. I do not know if I should elude to my next step, which is doing the legal work to end spousal support.

Oh well - I digress....

COUNT ME IN!!!!!!

Still the 14th, yea?....

far

SS:

No, I haven't been 2 OOSP since last month. My W and son are coming home 2morrow from there. I'm going 2 try 2 get some big fixit things done 2day and 2morrow around the house. Biggest one will be removing the temporary bearing wall in the middle of the dining room.

I should be heading out that way on the 3rd or 4th of August, on my way 2 Vermont. I'll have my friend in tow, but maybe we could meet for dinner or something, depending on timing. I'll keep you posted.

Ac2ally, if it looks like there's room in my van for 3, with all the parts for the big scope in it 2, my W may leave her car at OOSP and ride back in one of the school vans. I'd be giving her a ride out in that case, 2 re2rn there and pick up her car. But I'm kinda thinking that the scope will take up so much room that I'll only have the 2 seats.

My W wants 2 buy the Atkins. 75 room Victorian hotel. I've been inside a month ago. It needs about half again as much money in repairs as the asking price!

-ol' 2long

De-freaking-luge in Texas...

A 7 MILLION square mile dust storm on Mars!!

What is this world coming to??? And that one????

Do you think they will survive, 2long?

Will it stop raining in Texas for my road trip there week after next??

Anybody got an almanac?

cool FAR, then I will finally meet another camper besides 2long! She is trying to pass off her bf as her roommate? Like the kids are stoooopid? Geez, great example there.

SS, it was both! Good man.

Whenever I travel there are times when I feel an especially strong sense of loss and sorrow which obviously arises from the business of 04-05. There are some wounds that never fully heal.

Today I'm playing hooky and working on my boat. People who walk by my garage used to say "Whatchya building in there?" and now they say "Ah, so you're building a boat!"

Tomorrow I'm having a cookout for my oldest brother. He's getting married in two weeks.

Dad's coming. It should be lots of fun.

2long, where is the Atkins?

GC

Milford Utah. About 2 hrs from SS and about an hour from the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City.

-ol' 2long

How the heck is everybody?

Hey, FAR, when are you planning on coming to TX?

We're not too far from Houston, and it has rained every day here for the last three weeks. Every single day.

The last four days have only been 30% chance of rain. And yet it has poured. . . incessantly. This is not funny any more.

On a good note, I have refinished, stained and polyurethaned the front porch swing, built a water fountain, grouted and tiled the MBath, installed new bath fixtures, sanded part of the arbor I am building,

got a membership to the Houston Museum of Natural Science,

and finished another blog. And I only screamed at the kiddos a few times, LOL!

This coming week, or next, depending on the rain, I think we will be going camping again in

Austin.

My Beloved will either be in Witchita or Argentina (LOL) and I am jonseing for another road trip. The rain has brought out all the worms, so I have lots of bait to fish with, my

GeoCache Stash

is totally stocked for three curious kiddos, and gas prices are down a bit. . . woo-hoo!

Gosh I love the summer!


slh

Gee Whiz SLH,
long time no see..........

You're fine these days?

Hi 2long - we saw that motel when we went through. What does she want to do with it?

I bet the price would be pretty good.

Gray, I was thinking............
I read that account of your trip, and I wondered. When ~I~ have lots of time to think, I notice that I there are both uplifting times, and depressing times, depending on where the thoughts go. So, I wondered........ hence the comment.

As you know, I have not been where you have been, so I just think about it, and I try to send good vibes.

Hope everyone is well.

SLH, if you are doing a road trip, you may as well visit this garden. I bet the kids would like it.
http://www.outdooroutlet.com/SS/alaska/garden.jpg

SS

PS,
I am happy as can be. W and I just got back from a cruise. First one for me, and we had a great time. Going back to work is the only bad part.

I remember that you were going on a cruise SS; has June passed already? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> What a wonderful trip for you and Mrs. Seeking! Did you Whale Watch, Kayak, Hike? Will you be going on more cruises?

That photo's gorgeous. Where on earth is it? I see mountains. Ah. . . Alaska, hmmm? Yes, I can dream. . .

See that path? I'm putting one in like that in my back yard leading to my (under construction) water garden . . . that is, when it is not raining, LOL. I've also already put a patio of sorts like it under that swing I just refinished, all with flagstone. Of course, neither of them look *quite* so good, <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> I'm learning an awful lot about landscaping materials and such. And can I say, I have always hated and detested gardening, because everything I have ever planted has up and died almost immediately, but just this year I have gained a new appreciation for growing things. I am loving watching my plants thrive.

I'm babbling tonight.

Gray, I hope I don't sound insensitive. I apologize. I hadn't read further up then a post or two. Perhaps I should have. I hope you are well, darlin'.

slh

Kimmy, my darlin' the next time we go to the Frio and I can swing it, I'd love to get together with you for an hour or so if you are up for it. You live in the perfect place for a stretch-your-legs-break for the kiddos on the way to Garner! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

SLH - My three kiddos and I will be in the homecountry from about the 17th to about the 25th. Tyler, Rockwall, and Dallas are the planned destinations, but I got a call that my grandfather - 93 yrs old with alzheimers, is slipping fast. I had planned on stopping to see him on the way back to SD. He is is in Haskell - which is about halfway between Rule and Throckmorton, he was fond of telling people. I am not sure what that visit will entail at this point....

My XMIL told me it rained 21 days each in May and June, and a majority of July. Sounds wet.

I would love to go back to San Marcos and swim in the river next to my alma mater, but we will not make it to South Texas this trip.

far

From the last day of our cruise. Butchart Gardens, Victoria BC, Canada.
Evening, just after they turned on the lights.
~ The Sunken Garden ~

We did a number of shore trips - mostly bus or small boat tours, but we also walked a lot. I should probably tell more about it, for those who may be interested.

We may do more cruises if we can save up for another one.

I'm glad your gardening skills are improving. I'm glad you are glad.

And please send us some of that rain. It is much needed.

SS

There are probably grants available for restoration if it is historical, which I am sure it is. I'm sure your wife is aware of the various gov grants that would probably pay for almost everything. Thought I'd mention, just in case.

SS, have you heard from Binder lately? I often wonder how he is making out.

Binder, if you are lurking... throw a finger in the air and let me see where you're at. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi !

I have not heard from Binder in ......... more than a month, but I think it's my turn to write him. With vacation, then youth conference, then the cruise, I am behind.

What I know about him that I think he is OK with me talking about -
He has a girl friend.
He likes her a lot.
Things are going slow at his request.
The kids are doing well - better now, than during.
His employer is taking care of him, and his schedule is good for taking care of his children.
He has said almost nothing about his XW. I think he prefers not to think about her - and the past.

Maybe we can get him to post - I'll drop him a line.

Weaver......... you are doing fine this week?

SS