Last day

My old friends stopped by today to pay their respects and give my uncle their condolences.

They moved down here almost 20 years ago and they love it. They're giving a real hard sell to us to move here. My parents, my wife and myself discussed this earlier since there is really nothing keeping us in NYC.

We're not too sure about it, but it would definitely give our son a better chance at a decent life.

Our itinerary is scheduled to go back home tomorrow. We leave early in the morning.

Sunshine state, yeah right.

Today is the only day with sunshine since we arrived.

Price of living

I stopped at a Walgreens to pick up a pack of cigarettes. I tried to reduce my amount of smoking and finally broke down to get a pack.

To my amazement I picked up 2 packs here in Florida for less than the price of one pack in NY!!!

Rosary prayers

We went to my aunt's home, this was day 1 of 9 days of rosary prayers in mourning for my uncle. It takes about an hour or so to complete the prayers, they're mostly Hail Mary and Lord's Prayer.

I wasn't really able to participate since I am not familiar with the prayers in Spanish and it was a spanish service.

A visit to my aunt

We stopped by our Aunt's home today. Everyone was busy preparing the home for the rosary prayers. There will be 9 days of rosary prayers.

My aunt wants to begin the prayers tomorrow. She wants to take today in private. We left shortly afterwards. She's still in a bit of a shock.

Saturday

I fell asleep at 8:30 p.m. I was out for the evening. I picked myself off my mom's couch about 3:00 a.m. and went back to sleep in bed. I woke up around 6:30 a.m. this morning.

That's the most sleep I've had in quite some time.

Supply pick up

We needed to pick up a few things because we came in very light. We stopped by Wal-Mart and picked up diapers, baby food, baby formula, juices and a Pack and Play for the baby to sleep in.

The pack and play is pretty easy to set up and take down but right now it's in the living room. The bedroom is packed pretty thick. It would be better in the bedroom but I'll take what I can get.

Funeral

After a nice service at the church, we went to the gravesite for a few words.

The local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter provided a chaplain and men to perform a 21 gun salute. My step-father and his brothers were all in the service. My step-father served in Korea while the other brothers were stationed in Europe.

The roar of the gunshots were very loud. The children jumped and my aunt sobbed uncontrollably. It was very sad.

My cousin decided not to have the coffin lowered until after the ceremony because his mother and sister are heavily affected by all this and he doesn't want to make it worse for them.

Very tired

We were awakened to get ready for the funeral. Wow, is it muggy here. I didn't notice it before cause I was practically sleep walking all this time but now I notice just how much I have been sweating.

Oh...ya...my son is now 31 weeks old. My mom is ecstatic to see him, everyone swears he looks just like me, but I don't see it.

Long night

We are now preparing to get some sleep. Hopefully we'll get some. We have to get up in a few hours for the funeral.

My mom and step-father picked us up at Orlando International at 3:30 a.m. I was ready to rent a car but my mom wouldn't hear of it. She can be rather stubborn.

Finally we have landed

We made it to Florida. My mom insists on picking us up. I called her as we got off the plane. We'll see how long it takes for her to get to us.

Flight info

The snowstorm that hit NY today is the cause of our delay. We are currently on the runway awaiting de-icing and then take off.

Flight info

At the airport. Our flight has been delayed.

Follow-up

I have spent much of the day looking for flights. We have settled for a 9:00 flight our of JFK International on JetBlue.

Round trip came out to nearly $1,000. That's the best I was able to scrounge up.

Follow-up

I spoke with my mother and my step-father and they tell me it's not necessary for us to travel down for the funeral. I'm fairly certain they are saying that for my sake.

I am trying to find the best rate possible for a last minute flight. I want to bring the three of us down. No one in my step-father's side of the family has seen my wife or son. We should be there together as a family to show our support.

Death in the family

With my uncle's passing, I am torn because we really can't afford to go down to Florida for the funeral but my wife is insistent that we go to provide support and to show our respect.

I haven't had a chance to speak to my mother yet since she is helping out my aunt with the funeral parlor and the logistics.

Bad news follow-up

My uncle passed away a few minutes ago. His suffering is over, now is just the funeral and the families mourning.

This is tough on my step-father since my uncle was the oldest brother and my step-father is the youngest and the last sibling remaining.

Bad news follow-up

My uncle's wife and kids decided to remove him from life support. The doctors say he has no brain activity and 5 percent lung capacity.

Bad news

I learned today my uncle's health has deteriorated. He has been on life support for a few days and they removed him from life support yesterday and he had been doing okay up until now.

They are placing him back on life support today.

401(k) forms

I hurriedly prepared my 401(k) enrollment forms last night. I waited a bit too long to get it done. I selected a simple solution: choose a fund that diversifies so I don't have to break out my contributions among various mutual funds. Unfortunately, there is no employer contribution, but at least I have my own cash going in.

President's Day

It seems that we as a nation have lost touch of what the holidsys represent.

Nowadays holidays are just a day off work, sales events at stores and rampant marathons on the hundreds of channels on cable television.

Baby dates

Today our son is 30 weeks old. He's reached his 7 month period either way as far as I can see.

401k rollover

We got the sales pitch from the new 401k manager. They really want us to rollover our existing 401k.

I guess they want their vig as well. Can't blame them and since their funds look a bit more diversified than our previous manager, it shouldn't be such a big deal.

MSNBC - Dogs-playing-poker paintings fetch $590,000

MSNBC - Dogs-playing-poker paintings fetch $590,000

I could have been a millionaire and I didn't know it.

Under new management

Today we received the official notification that our company is under new management. The biggest thing is we don't have the same 401K plan that we had before, we get to invest the funds but we don't get contributing funds from the company.

Oh well, I guess we should be happy we're still working.

Valentine's Day

I sent this to my wife because it pretty much said how I felt about her and how she makes me feel.

Funny it took a carboon about a boy and his dog to bring it.


 

Valentine's Day

I sent flowers and candy to my wife. Actually I ordered them over a week ago but I wanted her to feel special. Taking care of the baby is a big job and I want her to know how much I appreciate her and care about her.

And the beat goes on

Our company is now under new management. But at least the new boss is the same as the old boss. He was my boss before the merger of my previous compamny and my present company so I know what I'm getting.

Sunday lost

With my wife's back still out I spent all night up with the baby.

As a result of that I was tired so tired I didn't wake up until late. That meant that I missed Sunday Mass today. My wife is kinda bummed about that so we'll have to make it up.

Bad back and all

I went grocery shopping today since my wife said she feels up to watching our son for an hour or so. I'm just worried she'll aggravate her back injury.

He was playing on the bed with her so she didn't have to pick him up much which was a good thing.

Dad takes over today - Part 2

I'm on baby watch for this weekend. I was going to bring our son to the office but I don't think he would like that environment for the entire day. I'll give him that shock value later on in life.

I also had to get a haircut because my hair was just running rampant. I brought him along and the women at the barber shop loved him (I have this quirk which only allows me to get a haircut at a shop that actually has a baber pole mounted, go figure). It gave my wife some much needed quiet.

She's in a great deal of pain and the painkillers don't feel like they're working but she's able to breathe without sharp pain so they must be doing something.

Baby dates

Today he is 29 weeks old. I have him all day since his mom is laid up with a bad back.

Back troubles

My wife took our son to Gymboorie today and while picking him up and turning she wrenched her back.

She was in so much pain she had to see a doctor. He prescribed pain killers and muscle relaxers and bedrest for the weekend.

We don't have anyone that can help us at the moment so I'll just take a day off tomorrow and watch our son while she recuperates.

News in Science - Laughter plays tricks with your eyes - 03/02/2005

It goes to show when you're happy you see the world differently.


News in Science - Laughter plays tricks with your eyes - 03/02/2005

Ash Wednesday

Today starts Lent. After a discussion with my wife we have decided to give up cursing for Lent.

I think I should have stuck to alcohol, not drinking is easier to do than cursing. I only drink at home but I curse everywhere I go.

Sigh....

Office Hijinx

I attended a close out meeting for a project that has been ongoing for about three years now.

I thought it was going to be a horror show for us since there were approximately 15 people representing the owner.

After 45 minutes of listening to the Chief Project Officer rant for a while, the meeting was over and our responsibility was fulfilled with the exception of 3 or 4 items.

It was a waste of time but good for us since we actually looked like we know what we're doing.

Maybe time for a vacation

I called my wife today and let her know if she wanted to head out to Utah for a week or two that the time she could do it is ideal for this month or next month since she doesn't have any doctor appointments scheduled for herself or the baby and she's not obligated to babysit anymore.

She's going to consider it. Of course there are logistics we have to consider, all to do with the baby mainly a stroller and car seat. Our stroller she can take with her but not the car seat.

Not so lazy Sunday

Today was our son's baptism, as well as Super Bowl Sunday. I'm not a sports fanatic so it's not a big deal that I missed much of the game.

The baptism was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. We went to the 1:00 p.m. mass and remained at the church as family members started wandering in. My sister was late. She actually called me during the baptism. I had to curtly but quietly rush her off the phone.

It was a nice service and it gladdened my wife that my son is now baptised. We had a nice lunch at the Italian restaurant across the street and took a nice leisurely stroll home.

We were very fortunate, the weather was beautiful. It was sunny and in the high 50's.

Yet one more thing that we don't have to worry about.

Easy Saturday

We were alone for the most part of today. I let my wife sleep throughout today to make her at ease. She has a physical therapy session today and that's about it. We are going to the supermarket for a few things and that's the only thing we have on our schedule today for going out.

We're going to have mashed potatoes and steak for dinner. Our son will have to settle for carrots and apples.

We also watched Resident Evil: Apocolypse. Ehh. Unremarkable.

Baby dates

Today our son is 28 weeks old. 7 months by my count but I'm getting confused by what my mind tells me and what that doctor says.

His baptism is this weekend and my wife is getting a little anxious.

Snow relief ends

Today is the first day alternate side of the street parking is back in effect.

The funny thing is that there are still cars that are covered in snow. that should be interesting to see: cars with 6 inches of snow/ice and a parking ticket stuck in the middle of it.

Sounds like a photo op.

Mom stops by

My mother-in-law come here for our son's baptism on Sunday. She landed here about 10:45 or so. So she's in a cab on her way right now.

Church days

Tonight my wife started her bible study classes. She has to complete them in order to complete her Communion and Confirmation sacraments. She'll probably be going through this for about a year or so.

Fun Facts--Happy Birthday to You

Fun Facts--Happy Birthday to You

And here I thought the song was part of the public domain. How long does it have to exist to enter the public domain?

MSNBC - Remote town finally wired to phone service

MSNBC - Remote town finally wired to phone service

It does give you a pause when you see things like this. All the technology we take for granted and they're just entering the early portion of the 20th century.

They're not exactly country bumkins cause they did use cell phones but it's a big difference.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today I turn 40. It's a milestone of sorts but it doesn't feel any different from any other day.

FYI, that makes me an Aquarius if that matters. I don't believe in that but people ask all the time....hm.