Antiquing

Saturday night, 8:52PM.

Julie's across from me blogging as well. We've been out most of the day. Odds are, she's recapping everything we've done today, so it'll be interesting to see what she says, and how it compares to my blog.

Today was wonderful. We slept in a little, got up, and went to breakfast. Came back home and tried to decide what to do for the day. We were going to go to the zoo, but since her daughter was feeling left out, we put the zoo on hold for a day and went antiquing instead.

We drove all over the Northern Illinois countryside, from Creston to Maple Park to St. Charles to Aurora and back again. I drove, Julie told me where to go and played her PSP. It was fun...even taking my poor 12-year old Saturn down gravel roads and down to farms with psychotic miniature horses and old barns.

But all in all, it was a wonderful time. Just me and her together, exploring old antique stores...very cool. Sneaking kisses when no one's watching. The two of us, just happy (and sometimes sappy) together.

Tomorrow, the zoo. Monday, Labor Day, she has to work, so it'll be a sweet tea for her on her break and an afternoon and evening together.

Tuesday...

I'm not thinking about Tuesday just yet. I'm just enjoying the moment, looking over occasionally into the eyes of the woman I love and knowing she loves me just the same...

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend

To everyone who sees this in the 'States, have a great Labor Day weekend.
If you've got Monday off, have a good one.
If you have to work...you have my sympathies. I hope you're at least getting time and a half.

Of cow horses, museums and loogies

It's a quiet evening here in DeKalb.

Julie's sitting across the dining room table from me, playing "Pull Tabs" on Facebook and asking me if I'm blogging. Her kids have all gone out for the evening (although Hailey just got home a bit ago from a mixer at her high school), and she and I just had a scrumptious dinner from Dairy Queen.

Yes, I said Dairy Queen. No, it's not what she originally planned to have tonight: Julie originally planned to cook chicken, corn and potatoes on the grill, but since the family had other plans tonight, it was just her and me. No sense in grilling that much food for the two of us, so after hanging out at the house for a bit until we were both hungry, we went out for a quick bite.

It's been a good visit. My love is back at work, although she hates working where she works with a passion. I wish she could find something else, a job where she didn't have to get up at 2:30 in the morning, something a bit more 9-to-5. I know she's put out a couple applications. She'll get interviews, I know...she's too good not to hire.

Speaking of interviews, I have one back in the 'Burgh next week. Not gonna say anything more about it yet. Just wish me "luck".

So it seems that the "CowHorse" teasing is (mostly) a thing of the past. We've found something new to tease me about...

Last Sunday, we (as in the whole family: me, Julie and all the kids) went into Chicago to visit the Museum of Science and Industry. Since we became members of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museums, there's a great program that gives us free admission into virtually any science museum in the country. All seven of us got in for free...yes, free. It was a bargain, and the membership almost paid for itself.

We got there about 45 minutes before the museum opened, so we walked around: We went over to Lake Michigan and wandered around the grounds. As we were waiting on the front steps, I wanted to get a family photo. I had everyone pose (something silly was the order of the day), and then took a shot.

Well, I wanted to be in the picture as well, so I figured I'd mark the spot where I stood, have Julie's oldest son (who's pretty damn good with a camera, let me tell you) take a picture of us with me in it, and Photoshop myself in place later.

Only thing was, I didn't have anything to mark my spot, so I...well...

Earlier in the trip, Julie and I were talking about hocking loogies. (These are some of the highbrow intellectual conversations we have.) I figured...hock one of those bad boys up, drop it on the ground and that'll work.

Seems I didn't take the wind into consideration...and it landed right on my shoe.

The laughter was uproarious. Her youngest son, Cory, never laughed so hard. He was almost crying.

I just stood there, looking down, staring at the wad of phlegm on my shoe and couldn't help but to break into laughter as well.

So when you look at this not totally complete mash up...

...and you see me with one shoe on, you'll understand why.

Gods, it was funny. The whole day was just good.

So forget about how I can't tell the difference between a horse and a cow...because I can...and just remember to take the wind in consideration before you let your next loogie fly.

Hey, if you can learn from my mistakes, then I've accomplished something. ;)

The Cow Horse

Okay, before we go any further...




Do you see what I mean?

If you just saw this out of the corner of your eye, wouldn't you think this is a cow?

I feel justified...

Wednesday morning, 8AM, CDT.

Good morning from DeKalb.

Been a few days since I've posted anything here, but what wonderful days those were.
Julie, her youngest and I had a great time in Pittsburgh...we went everywhere from the museum (the Hillman Hall of Gems and Minerals is still awesome), the Zoo (hit and miss...some cool parts, but too linear and too many people), the science center and Kennywood again (so Hailey could have some fun there), to great meals and some wonderful times together.

The drive from Pittsburgh to DeKalb wasn't too bad. We left early enough, but it was like I was experiencing it again for the first time. Maybe it was because my love was seated next to me, talking, sharing the occasional smile, playing my PSP (until she got to a point in Luxor that she got stuck and was ready to throw the PSP out the window...thankfully, she loves me enough to put the game away), that the drive seemed different somehow.

Usually, I just drive straight through, but this time, we stopped at this little roadside family restaurant in Ohio (since Ohio seems to go on forever and a day anyway) for breakfast. Nice little place. She said she was hungry, and the fast food fare you find in the rest stops wasn't what she wanted, so I stated looking around the exits for either a restaurant I knew or for a hotel...find the hotel, you'll find a restaurant.

After a side trip to visit our friends in Joliet, we came home. Hailey was happy to be back here...not that she didn't enjoy herself, but she was just ready to come back here. I think Julie didn't really care where she was, as long as she and I were together.

Our love grows stronger daily. She told me the other day she was getting comfortable with me, and I told her that can only be a good thing. I do love her with all my heart, and she loves me the same. I've found the love I've waited my life for, I believe. When I am with her...I'm happy.

This weekend, there's a festival we'll go to on Saturday, and we'll head into Chicago on Sunday to see the Museum of Science and Industry. Julie and I bought a membership at The Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh, and with our membership, there's a great reciprocal program that gives us free admission to a number of science and technology centers, as well as museums, around the country. It's an incredible deal.

I'll be here for a bit. When I come back to the 'burgh, you'll know...until then...be happy for me. I'm with the woman I love, and I don't need much more than that.

P.S. They say a picture's worth a thousand words. Well, rather than write another thousand, I'll just post this...

It took awhile

She was delayed leaving Chicago...ended up leaving at 12:15 AM CDT, three hours later.
Got into Pittsburgh about 2:45 in the morning.

But she's here.

And it's wonderful.

More soon, kids...

Shortly...

Dear friends, loved ones, and my stalkers (and yes, I know you're back and stalking again...whatever).

If you don't hear from me much over the next couple weeks, it's because I'll be with the woman I love.

I'll blog on occasion. I'll answer e-mails, and if you've got my phone number, I'm a call away.

But Julie is coming back to town tonight, bringing her daughter (not sister, Prosey...and you call yourself my editor. LOL! I tease...)

Just know I'll be smiling. :)

P.S. Take a look down the sidebar. I've submitted a couple pictures to JPG Magazine. Could you vote on one or both of them?

Uncovering forgotten memories

Two blog posts in one day.
For a man my age, that's pretty impressive, that I can continue to perform like this.
Didn't even need any little blue pills, either...

The other day, I was cleaning out the trunk of the car, making room for when I go back to Julie's place after her visit this weekend.

I've a bag of tools, some useful and some not, and other "stuff". I was never a boy scout, but I know the value of "being prepared". Never know when I might need a plastic cup (Julie's brother used it a couple weeks back when we were waiting for the tow truck to show), or a spare flashlight (just checked the batteries in it and it shines bright).

One thing I'd found, that I'd forgotten was in there, was an old and very cheap 35mm camera. It's something you'd find at the check-out counter of K-Mart or Wal-Mart these days. It's got a fixed focus, flash...and not much more than that.

But it was loaded.

It said there were about six shots left on the roll, so I brought it in the house and started shooting random stuff, just to finish it off. Took the roll out and took it to Target to get the pictures developed.

The next day, when I picked up the pictures, I was surprised. I found these three photos of an amazing sunset I'd long forgotten...

These were taken, as near as I can tell, about 8 years ago about five miles from here. The Ames department store (seen in the photos) has long closed and the building itself was demolished, but I recognized it.

What was more surprising was the next photo in the stack:



My Kid. This had to have been taken sometime before 2000. She hadn't had the cataract surgery...she was still wearing thick-ass glasses. She's holding her Huggy Bear, the teddy bear she's had for the last 12+ years (and still has to this day, although that bear's been through quite a bit). There's some other decorations that are in the background that I haven't seen in some time.

Seeing this kinda took me back for a second. It was a "blast from the past" as it were, a surprise I wasn't expecting to see. Still, it's all right. It's just a memory from an earlier time to be savored today.

The other photos weren't as interesting. Some shots of the back yard, with birds playing in the birdbath, a squirrel running around, traffic out front. The usual. Still, it was nice to see pictures like this. Rather like opening a time capsule and finding hidden treasures, this was something from a different era, a different time, and was a pleasant surprise.

A quiet evening

Wednesday morning, 12:04 AM.

In two days time, I'll be picking Julie up from the airport. She's coming back for a visit, brining her youngest daughter with her. We're gonna have another fun weekend here, and next week, we're gonna drive back to Dekalb together.

I've missed her. Missed her a lot, and she's missed me too. She told me earlier today that, since we met four months ago (today, in fact...and spent the whole night talking), there hasn't been a day gone by when we haven't talked. E-mails. Phone calls. Text messages. IMs. One way or another, we've talked, and I can't wait for each new conversation.

I love her more each and every passing day. She is wonderful, and the brightest star that's in my life. I don't have a job. No one's calling, no one's offering me anything, but I don't care. I have her love.

Okay, by now, you're probably bored senseless, listening to me ramble on about Julie.

Painted my front porch today. I intended to do that months ago, when Summer started, when I was going to put up my front porch awnings. Since the awnings have been...misplaced...I've ignored the front porch.

Julie, when she was out here before, loved to sit out on the porch and watch the world go by. Well, since she's coming back for another visit, I figured I'd go ahead and fix it up for her.
Yesterday was an offline day for me (and it is yesterday...it's after midnight), spent scraping and painting, After painting, went to the home improvement store for a new welcome mat. Also got a new rug for the porch, but needed some double sided tape to hold it in place. Later today, I'll go out, put down the new rug, bring up the chairs, the table, and maybe sit outside and blog from there.

I've also been reading Brad Meltzer's The Book of Fate, an excellent book. Bought it at Costco for about six bucks, and it's been a good read, a quick read. Meltzer's crafted a fine tale, and it's highly recommended.

My right ear's itchy. Sorry. Had to scratch it.

If you don't hear from me for the next few days, it's because I'm doing a little cleaning, a little fixing up, and getting ready for my love to come.

Two years today

Two years ago today...well, long time readers of this blog, dear friends, know what happened today.

When I told Julie about it last night, she was worried that I'd be rather maudlin over it, upset, moody and depressed.

Rather the opposite.

Yeah, things aren't easy right now. I've no job, but it's all right.
I've got a woman who truly loves me. My life really isn't all that bad right now.

It's certainly better than it was two years ago (with no offense or insult intended toward my kid, but those close to me know what I mean).

Driving home today from having the car worked on (yet again...when I do get a job, I'm going to look into getting a new car, hopefully), Blues Traveler was playing Optimistic Thought, and the chorus, well, just about summed things up pretty well:

Life I embrace you
I shall honor and disgrace you
Please forgive if I replace you
You see I'm going through some pain
But now I see clearly
And the dawn is coming nearly
And though I'm human and its early
I swear I'll never forget again

Smile. I am.

Stuff n'at

Julie's coming back to town in a couple weeks! We've really missed each other since she left...it's really strange, but when she was here...it felt so right.

She went back home, and my place seems so empty without her. Sigh...

When I was taking her out to the airport, we stopped at a local mall (it was too early), and I saw something that made me shout with glee. Pittsburgh has an IHOP!

*does a happy dance*

Those thrice-damned IHOP commercials were as evil as the Sonic ones. Now I can go get my IHOP...

*insert evil laughter here*

Pictures have been posted over at flickr, check the link on the left hand side. I've got some more to go through, maybe post another batch later today.

Other than that...not much new or different, alas. Job search continues with as much luck as I had last month. Sigh...

Tuesday morning, 11:37AM

What a wonderful weekend.

Julie's been making notes about what we did over at her blog. If you want details, you can check there.

I'll just say...it was one of the best weekends in my life. We just love being with each other, enjoying each other's company, savoring those moments together.

She calls me "sappy" because I speak from my heart. I'm emotional, I'm romantic, I'm, well, just me. Don't let her fool you, though. I think she likes a little sap every now and then, and I'm doing my best to limit my sap to once or twice a day. ;)

She left last night. I dropped her off at the airport around 5:30 for a flight to leave around 8, but due to really, really bad storms hitting Chicago, her flight was delayed nearly three hours. She got home last night just in time to turn around and go back to work.

She's tired, but when she called me this morning, she said she wishes she was back here.

I wish she were too.

A couple more weeks, and I'll be headed out to see her. Until then, I'll likely still be smiling...

P.S. I'll be posting pics later over at flickr. Check the slideshow on the left side of this blog later for pics...