Quick one

Home today/tonight for the next 10 days!  Christmas is waiting for me.  Working from Ct. next week.  Call me, remind me that I am connected/remembered/missed in Ct.  The family is home, but I left in '07 and still don't feel I returned. 

Home Mid-month..

Am suprisingly going home this weekend 12/10 - 12/13...Christmas tree shopping I assume.  More ardently looking for jobs - Eh, more are showing up.  Never heard back on the Hospital in Bridgeport.  Have interview for US Foods in Ill. and a call back to a contract (work from home).

Work was very good, but my mood continues to sour.  Been thinking about a friend from church that has left his wife and seemingly regressed - As if he has voluntarily given up so many of the things that break my heart to be without. Family, his wife, his church life...hmmm

Thanksgiving...

Finally went to talk to my boss - and will be working from home for Thanksgiving and Christmas!  It will be the longest I've been with the family since before I went to Kohls.  Was told firmly that this extension is my last, done the end of February.  It's been a long stretch, going from Halloween to the 20th.  But it's winter and the oil plan started up...  I was noticeably crankier than normal last week, I suppose it's a larger response to why I have trouble getting to sleep - a lack of hope, of short term goals to look forward to.  Have a few leads for more work - one permanent in Ct. which would be awesome.  Can't worry too much about the next gig, when I'm neck deep in this one - plenty of work for the next month or so - then only sort of busy.

Whatever - the loneliness is killing me, along with the sense of letting my minions down - They need goals, boundaries and rewards, and I sometimes think it all pizza rolls and TV remotes.  The big one cannot grasp how much time is pouring through his fingers - College apps, College visits,  Eagle project stuff, MB stuff - and the experience of getting a job, having some money, and a boss.  

Back in Florida

It was a great time home - And I'll be back in just 8 days. Next time is D. to a Aventura reunion (first since 96?), and then take S. to tour CCSU (first time there since 89?).  The hurt of leaving doesn't fade, though.  I find the simple things that I don't get to, and the things that only I can do bother me a lot.  The fact is Umpa and Kevin do help me out, and cover me at home...By the way the trailer is immaculate.

But of all the feelings, the since that my life has been torn down, that little is left of it.  As I pack, I hear "I'm going in to spend two days this week with N's class" - and news about both the potential filling that DE spot, and changes to day camp...And how is BUMC? Outside my home, and inside my home, things seem to work poorly..

Today brought new work - which is always a little stressful, but it's better than the alternative.

Camporee

Spent last night at Bridgewater Fairgrounds for the fall District Camporee - N. has been waiting for years to sleep over with the big kids...They built catapults and shot tennis balls back and forth at each other, S. and C. taught Webelo Pins.  It was neat to see so many familiar faces, around all the different units - It is odd to be attached to two units now - Troop 3, the one S. is in and Troop 4, where D. has rediscovered his enjoyment of Scouting (and for dinner they had ham! So they are winners in my book).  It was frosty and cold last night though.  There was enough frost to make snowballs in camp this morning. Shot over to the Pack 3 Penny Auction this evening, looks well run, well attended and hopefully profitable.  Tomorrow is a Doctor visit and a visit to Bunga and Umpa's.

21

Happy Anniversary, missed it again.  But I'll be home this weekend, and camping Sat. night at the Camporee/Webeloree.

Cindy Week, Part IV

Monday morning, after being up ridculiously early to watch us dock, Cindy came back to our room.  We had breakfast on the Lido deck, and then joined the big line to exit.  We waited in line, and dribbled out of the ship.  The second biggest blessing of the day (after having Cindy around) was next - we got to the the best closest spot in the parking garage, and found I owed even less than I had planned for! After all the rushing to get there and parking in the short term garage, it was like $55, rather than the at least $70 I expected.

I went to work for noonish, and Cindy cooked Pork chops, on the grounds that no one at the house in CT. wanted to eat it.  It was good, my dishes got magically washed, and the laundry as well.  Tuesday, she went off to Orlando to see a friend from her "It's good to be the Queen" website.  For dinner we went off to BWW to play Trivia with Anthony from work...Wednesday, my birthday was not hugely depressing since she was still around - we went to Joe's crab shack, and DQ.

Thursday, I took her back to the Airport.

Cindy Week, Part III - Cozumel

So Saturday was our excursion - which for my money started rather early, 8am.  We were to walk off the boat, to another ferry which would take us to the mainland, to a bus which would take us to Tulum - a oceanside Mayan ruin.  Was annoyed by another nickel and dime "water for sale" station on the boat.  Everyone there sells bottled water.  It ride was uneventful - the shore side town was a bunch of new condo's, then your average poorer scenery.  The guide really knew his stuff,  first stop was a new concrete building were they sold obsidian (which was the topic of the guide at that point).  Then we went off to the national park, with a bunch of single story flea market layout in front, and a mile walk up to the gate of the park itself.  It was cool - that guide was sharp - and understood his audience.

Over there? There's a fish?

Someone really wanted to say we'd been in the Caribbean, even though the reality of our glasses had precluded us going snorkeling.






We did some shopping there, and being dehydrated had the most potent margerita EVER! And $2 corona's - the ride was a bit blurry, but it passed and we shopped more at the duty free mall.

C.'s favorite part of the cruise was this, every day:

Cindy Week, Part II

So - The funniest thing that happened was a case of us reverting to our regular roles in life.  We were walking to lunch and got separated, and I ended up way in the front of the ship -  So I figured she would turn up either at our destination, the Lido dining room, or out by the pool, at the table where we had sat previously.  It must have been 10 minutes of wandering around - and we found each other by the pool, and someone proceeded to yell (speak loudly) that one of us had been "lost" - It reminded me that 1) I'm really used to being alone, and 2) that someone doesn't deal with peers and equals very often.  I finally said we could put this behind us and have lunch, or we'd have to come back here later for some people to apologize.  It was better to be reminded early, than on our excursion.  It does take some practice to just be a couple - as opposed to a repairer, and part time disciplinarian.  That first dinner, one of our wait staff came buy and offered to sell us a bottle of water (a simple liter) - we figured it was cheaper that soda, and even if you brought wine they charged a $10 opening charge.  Every dinner there after, some came by an filled our water glasses, for free.  Penny ante BS.  The appetizers were good, the entree's, were more up and down, never bad but some were better than others.  I was surprised the had a part of thier menu was entree's for an additional $18 each.

On the ship we watched Denver television channels - but no ESPN (other than the Mexican one, F1 racing and soccer).  It was odd - and internet access was as tenuous as you'd expect, and Cell phone service had a surcharge tacked onto every call.  
Next is our day in "Stinky Air" - Tulum....

Cindy Week

1) Now we know, to get my wife to visit requires several hundred dollars, and a cruise.
2) I scheduled her flight to land Thursday at 2:30, with the cruise leaving at 4pm.  I just ordered them right after I confirmed the cruise, and that it was something C. wanted to do.  Waiting for her plane to land was probably the worst hour I've spent since I was at Kohls.  I dreaded telling her there was nothing we could do to get across town to the pier.  I called the cruise line, and she arrived at 3:10 (10 minutes) early.  We waited though the whole luggage cycle, then they paged her, that hers had arrived early.  So I drove as a Zwart men are capable, real aggressive even for me.  And arrived at the port authority at 4:01 - and the boat was still there!!!  We spoke to the 4 or 5 Customs agents/cops and asked if they could get us on that ship - they called upstairs and after a tense moment told me leave her and the luggage, and that I should drive over to short term parking (closer than long term, which was $14 a day).  Got the absolute bast possible spot and jogged back.  Made it, with the niggling doubt that it would cost even more than $14 a day...
3) So I laid very still for a while - since I'd jogged 50 feet. And I need to let the dread and fear fade away.  We were very blessed that two separate friends had purchased gifts that were in the room as we arrived.  We wandered around and repurchased our excursion, since the one we had selected had vanished.  We took pictures and went up on the foredeck (minigolf!) to watch as we passed under the Sunshine skway bridge - which supposedly we miss by 12 feet.

More to follow....

The RV

is still for sale - this time in Fl.  I'm living in it, and it saves me a good bit of money every month - but at some point, I will be home again and it would be nice to liquidate it.  No rush - everything works and "savings the money" works for me --- http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/rvs/1967687464.html

Work Related.

Another work extension was granted the other day.  I will be here through end of February, as it stands now.  I would be eligible for one more after that, until May (making a total of 18 months, which is corporate policy).  Work is about as good as it gets - better than anywhere I've worked since NASDAQ (It's amazing that I miss that place even now).

Birthday was fine - 44 pretty much a non event.  It was good to have Cindy here in Fl. (post cruise) to celebrate with me, we went to Joe's Crab Shack, and DQ.  Because that's the kind of guy I am.

Anniversary is next week, Think it mostly got celebrated on the boat.

Got the rear wiper motor back, and put on the car today.  It broke as Umpa and I pulled out of Wisc.

Home next weekend - haven't seen my boys in a month. Cindy was lonely after 4 days...I know I don't love them less - but - Is that yet another thing I've lost in the 18 months I've been away?  The end of this extension will make it two years exactly since I moved (to Wisconsin) away to support them.  For those that like math, I will have missed over 20% of N.'s life.

Happy Birthday, Nate!

New Family Members...

Bunga and a new grandbaby (Tuan's)!

-Tuan N Duong- Is so BLESSED. Our twins are so strong and totally adorable. Here is the lowdown. 
Olivia Ann Duong born @3:20 8-31-10 4lbs 14 oz 19.2" long.
Evan Diep Duong born @3:25 8-31-10 4lbs 12 oz 18.6" long.

 

Mother and Big Sister are well as well...Bunga is out there in Ohio.

This week in Fl.

This week is about things under tension:

Work, let a consultant go who wasn't busy, and didn't look busy.  And the intern, (a guy my age learning a new skill set) is probably done this week - which isn't fun to sit near either.  Spoke to my RM (as opposed to my PM) who said that my next extension (from 12mo - 16mo) is not a slam dunk, since it requires more signoff.

I am pretty lonely as well - so my heart is momentarily thrilled by the prospect of this door closing.  Then the fear of not supporting the oblivious family, of failure, of losing...

I was also pressed on my schedule for Christmas/Thanksgiving.  I said that either way I'd be home for Thanksgiving, I'd miss very little work with the shop closed (assuming I'm still there).  But Christmas - How can I know anything.  It would be all workdays this time - I'd see them for like 4 out of 10 days, and I'd be back in Fl. for new years alone...

So at the end of the week - we don't know any more, we're just 10% less sure of this opportunity.  Prayers and open windows/doors are needed.

I go home this Friday - N. Birthday!!!!

A Week of Company

S. arrived in Sarasota.  He'll spend the week here, finally has an idea of what he wants to do - You'll see it on FB.  We return to Ct. next Thursday.  Feels very different, better.

Vacation! Day Two and Three

The next day we hit both Jamestown and Yorktown.  Both were the reenactment centers (as opposed to the battlefield/archaeological dig). That was fine.  The boats at the Jamestown landing we quite small - since we compare all sailing ships to the Charles Morgan in Mystic.  We ended up talking to the knot guy for quite a while - and S. did Scouts proud, handling the "can you tie this" part.  Lunch at Chipolte was his reward, honestly it was his biggest priority of the week, I think.   Yorktown was ok - the encampment was cool - the Surgeon guy was good - don't sample the saltpack barrel of pigs feet - it tastes awful. 

The last day was a free day.  S. and I did a little www.geocaching.org - found a cool one.  Then we all went mingolfing - us and Uncle Van's family.  Then a stint in the pool with all the kids.  Then back to work on Sunday.

Vacation! Day one Jambo.

Jambo was cool - I flew out of Orlando on a Wed. and arrived in Richmond, Va. and picked up an HHR. An ok car, typical underpowered rental. We hustled out of bed early the next day to go up to Jambo. After getting a late start, and a traffic accident stopping everything - we parked in the overflow lot. We queued up with hundreds of others, waiting for two school buses that only picked up from the far right end of the group - Then lightening! MP's wouldn't allow people to walk in, so we were herded back to two huge tents. At that point Scout flexibility stepped up and all available vans were conscripted, as the downpour started. It stopped just as we pulled up to Trading Post B (where Scott Hudson was SUPPOSED to be). Since we had an appointment with some of the Minn. contingent - we ate there, and got in line. We did our shopping, and spent way too much. When we didn't hook up with the Minn. guys - we started toward the Merit Badge Alley, Figuring we'd walk toward the conservation area (all the way across the camp) where DanB was. We texted him once or twice but by now there was no way to see anything and get that far without a bus (which we saw too few of).  We caught up with a bunch of the Minnesota guys there, it was nice, and all to soon - it was five and time to find another bus.  We went back to Dawn's timeshare (Thanks! upstairs was just right for us).  End of day one. 

Only one week this time...

Only need to work one week until I see the family again. Going to Williamsburg next Wed. Visiting the Jamboree, and Jamestown.

Umpa is improving and my brothers family is back in Winsted.

Home

Almost over again - nothing gets done. And I can't get anything done either. Now it'll be nearly a month before I come back to Torrington.

On the plus side I can fill in for Umpa, who can't drive to JFK to get Kevin and Family.

Then my flight to Tampa.

Umpa's Birthday and other stuff

Consider yourself warned, It's almost here (that means Earls as well). I'll be home this weekend. Kevin and Cami return for their sabbatical as well.

My Scouting job has resurfaced again. We will be praying about it - but jeez, not with that salary, not just that. Hard not to feel a little mad, as something far away from COBOL and close to what it think I want to do and I can't do it. Because I'm the grownup...

The project at work is done, it went into production. My stuff worked. I have some new work lined up, shorter term stuff. Same company in Tampa - sort of wheels within wheels. I contract to RayJay, and work for a department that is the pool, so we get parceled out.

I also need to manage my expectations going home. I'm home so little, with so much to do, and it not getting done.

Long days here, and long nights. Oh, yeah - I was moved from my cube to a "big lots" wooden desk in a row of them in front a window on my floor. New neighbors and distractions, just as my workload lightens...A lesson is patience and forbearance.

Yea, Me!

Spoke to Kev, It was good.

Umpa had back surgery - It went well, he should be home tomorrow.

Tuan and Heather having Wedding Celebration this weekend, but we can't make it.

But I will be home this weekend, and booked my tickets for the 4th as well. Three weeks between visits is WAY to long. Very emotional and down about being alone. But respite is coming.

Work has been hectic as we close in on deployment. But code looks good for install next week.

Memorial Day

A big blessing - in that I am coming home AGAIN. Flying out Friday night, for a long Memorial Day weekend. BTW - A new collection agency is after the H.E. loan from the house in Minn. What a waste of resources.

Was in town last weekend for C. birthday - and figured I could come either Memorial Day or Scout Show. Rather than sleep on the ground at Hebron Fairgrounds, with T3 offsite (so I would'nt see much of them), I chose to come home now.

I cleaned up around the house in prep as well. C. family will be in town for the annual Wallyworld picnic, and N. (at least) is marching in the parade on Monday.

Bunga and Umpa were at the San Diego zoo today...

S. Prom is Friday night!

17 and 14

Missed the guys birthday, couldn't get home every weekend in May.  One of the guys I hang out with at work invited me out for the weekend to a cabin on lake.  His Father in law owns the island - a cabin, zip line, herd of goats, some peacocks.  It was cool - One of the other guys from work came as well.  Sitting around a fire, boat rides, and driving the carts (like the gator at CW) all over.

View Larger Map

Spoke to the boys, it's not quite the same though.

Will be home this weekend - S. is in NH until Sunday.  I am staying from Friday night thru Tuesday.  And will make Jaimee and Mike's wedding!

And after having the taxes looked at a second time, now it's a blessing - I NEVER would have guessed I wouldn't owe a ton.

Cold in Ct.

Gotta go, frost warning in Ct tonight. 

Kevin's accident worked out in the best possible way.  Umpa dropped of some arbor vitae's to replace the ones that died in front of the house - and had trained S. for the last two weeks on how to plant trees!  We cut firewood (that tree that had been taken down on the south side) - Like basketball, I have the skills, but am carrying around two bags of feed more than when we did this in Bakerville.  S. is looking for a job (he has an offer to be Kitchen staff at CW), and D. had a great time in DC with the school trip. 

May Day

1- D. is in DC and well. Called twice today, going to see the Nat's play the Braves tonight.
2- I fly home Th. night, for Mothers Day weekend. 
3- Prayers for my Brother, a fender bender is complicating his life as he wraps up in Moz. to come back to the US.
4- Got extended at RayJay through August (normal, in 3 month chunks).

This week in Fla.

Work is better and better - plenty of work, and plenty of work done.  Weather is good - and the camper lock finally arrived and I installed it today. 

Feeling surprisingly ok about the 'dis' from the hospital - Still can't figure it out.  Granted, it could be hubris, or a just my giant blind spot - but in my industry, I've never been someone you'd avoid to have on your team.  RayJay sends out good vibes - but still no interview yet.  And the lead in Minn. is internally debating an offer (I told them I'd need some relo).

One more week - and I'm home again.  Feeling better at work, but lonelier elsewhere...  Wish I could find a way to get the boys down for their birthdays, but at best it'd be $220 apiece...Plan on being home for 7,8 and 9.  Probably cannot be home for the weekend of the 15th - which would be the guys from work going camping.  Then home for 21,22 and 23 - Mike and Jaimee's wedding - and celebrate 3 different birthdays!  Then we'd need to decide - Memorial Weekend? or Scout Show?

Home - for Interview

Well, that was distressing.  Flew home early (Wed. PM) for yet another all day interview in West Hartford.  Spent the day yesterday, walking out with a quasi-positive vibe.  On the Plus side, the job lead in Minn. called to gauge my interest in relocating...  But it was to be - got the call from the HH this afternoon, it was felt I was not a "cultural fit" for the position and no I can't imagine where I wouldn't have fit in. 

I took C. to get her cell replaced, because she couldn't remember my cell account security question "1st elementary school".  Then filling in as Den Leader - so she can drive her French Exchange Students back to the shuttle to JFK.  Tomorrow, may go out and see the Wagons West, at Brody Park. 

Returning to Fl. on Sunday looms, now.  But there are other irons in the fire, in Fla and in Minn.  But oh, would that be complicated and expensive, and painful...But right now, I don't see any other Ct. opportunities.

Mid April

Can now check off "Seeing Alligators in the wild"

Went for a walk - checked out the park, the one the guys went Frisbee Golfing when they were down here.  Boy - does it make me realize that I still have a long way to go until I get home. Two weeks.  Monday, I have the COH for 468, and next weekend a friend from work invited me up to his F-I-L's Island w/cabin, gun range, and zip line.  Would be better bringing my guys...

Update news - 2nd interview in Hartford is Thursday 4/22 - So I'm missing 2 days of work plus the plane ticket...Shows I'm serious right?  And I had a screening call/interview from a company in St. Paul - I know God loves irony, but really?

C. has her exchange students coming over this week - I hope they are not disappointed by our place, and our resounding lack of French.

Safe trip wishes to Bunga on her trip to Ok. this Wed.  And Joyous Laps to Umpa - and his (brand new) tractor...

Easter - Good to be home

Went to Bristol, to the closest Disc (Frisbee) Golf course - The boys are all improved since the last time we played, in Minn.  The course was up and down hills, across a brook (numerous times) all over.  I would say we'd be back, we don't mind mud, but the broken glass was disconcerting.  Realized D. had a summit seekers reunion tonight, last minute- grabbed the guitar and surprise, S. came along! But he didn't want to stay...By the time we got to Bakerville the singing was over - we sang "Alle-alle-oxen free"  Then on my way out I slipped into the sanctuary, and felt sad, a bit ashamed that I wasn't standing in, in it's time of need, that I should be there to help fix whatever it is.  But that's not fair - as a family man, I need to see their needs met.

When D. called I drove back - spoke to Pastor George, Sandy and Scott... They also felt my wish that S. would've felt like staying.  And out in the parking lot afterward, Scott and I were talking (We've spent SO Much time over the years, VB, TD..) in parking lots... And pastor George came out and said "Do you guys know where home is?" OW! 
I said "Here! and if we talk about it any more, I'll start crying"

But I did anyway - Scott gave me a minute, he as much as anyone can understand how home that is...

Easter's coming...

2nd Interview is coming - now not until at least 4/22.  I fly home this Thursday night for the weekend. 

Church was odd this morning, It was about the triumphant entry into Jerusalem - so in theory it was about the Son of Man vs. Returning King theme, but was so poorly executed I couldn't figure out where he was intending to go.  As worship goes, a good team - But I think preaching has devolved, so often to the same 20 themes.  I dunno, I heard a sermon about study the other day, it didn't cover half the points of the Study rollo outline, or the gold standard -  Pastor George's legal sheet of study and discipline. 

Work is fine - my code went into production Friday night, no hitches (they had my #). 

Busy Friday

Had a 6+ hour interview, it's a small Tandem shop that uses basically as a platform for one large app.  The job wouldn't really be developement anymore, but installing patches, and fixes (just like Target and ACI)  - debugging and ad'hoc reporting.  Seems VERY doable.  Interviews went well - but at the end was told, after the job is posted, I'd need to actually apply and re-interview.  Thought I nailed it - but have doubts that I somehow scr*wed the pooch at the end and that would be why they'd need to see me all over again.  They've got the leverage, they say jump, I'll say "how high?"  Wondering how I messed this up - It would be great, nice people, good salary and benefits (yea, health ins again). 

D. had a good time as crew for the Torrington Middle School production of "Jr. High School Musical" Two more show to go, and a jr. high after party...

N. had his Blue and Gold tonight - I felt so useless, at something we did together for so long.  So many little things that we'd tried and tweaked and improved over the years - All starting that stuff over again.  But Cub Scouts never has much of an institutional memory since so many leader are in for 4-5 years and gone.  The sense that Day Camp was gone was very poinent and in the air - people who've gone to Camp School, forms, the sales pitch - all sorts of stuff that that made up something I loved doing. 

I'm working so hard not to imagine this job, and a parts of my life that it would give back to me. 

A busy, non-sucky (might be too good to be true) day

Remembering Great Nanna and Aunt Ethel on their birthdays.
Marking a year away from home, and Nanna being gone a year.

Interview (Fulltime, in CT) on Friday - Prayers everyone!  Gotta find my suit/tie.

Work is busy, the environment is such an improvement over my last gig.  Flying home tomorrow (very early) for a long weekend.  Someone saw my for sale sign in the camper, and left a # - wouldn't that be a blessing.

Supplement...

This wasn't to make people feel sorry for me - "All things work together for good..." Because I am called for His purpose. It's just hope is hard to see sometimes - and I needed to put the thoughts on electric paper...

Hmm - a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone

I’ve been gone, and coming home when I can –for nearly a year at this time. And it still hurts amazingly bad, I suppose I’d feel guilty if it didn’t. The boys and Logan greet me affectionately and happily, and it is so important for me, the puzzle piece, to feel I fit back into my puzzle.

I do need to do more to connect with what’s left of my friends/family. For me it’s been more like 4 years since I’ve seen some people, some parts of my life I loved doing – that are gone, or broken or changed beyond recognition. In the last year I’ve lost so many family members, and have started my thoughts for Lorance now.

And I have tried to send the family to praise fellowship – for the boys needs to be met, even as I feel guilty over the continued spiral of my church home. I got called a few weeks ago about Scout Sunday at BUMC – and realized at this point there are no other scouts there. Changing feels weird - C. so needs to find her worker bee role in church, that may take time in a new place, but she has an actual God-given talent, that might be enough to start with.

But the real question on my mind is how often I feel like the ‘Hard man in the talent parable’ in Matt 25:14-30 the guy who leaves his people with varying amounts to care for and invest while he’s gone – I return from my journey and expect family life to continue, home to be homier, rooms to be more setup, things to be painted, or cleaned – The home progressing, and awaiting it’s masters arrival. There are few things more frustrating than cleaning, and searching for bills first thing I get home. It is so hard to feel I sacrifice, living alone, in the camper and feel no one is taking advantage of being home – of reconnecting with friends, and family, church life, scouts (4^th) all of it.

Tough to live in the moment, when things need to be done - and resentment doesn't help. One more thing to give back to God every morning...

News...

1 - It's a miserable week, Lorance's cancer has progressed and he seems to be prepared for the next stage of life. It was great to see him (He came out to CT. last time I was home) - even got together at the chinese buffet as I left for Fl.

2 - I will be home (through White Plains) Friday night late. T3 is hanging out at First Cong. Saturday and has Scout Sunday at Center Congregational. T4 isn't doing anything I think.

3 - The family plans on spending the last week in July in Willaimsburg, Va. at Dawn's timeshare - from there we will go to Jambo for a day or two.

4 - Work is ok.

5 - I took Commissioner Training down here last week, a gung ho bunch of older Scouters - And I was not inspired by the whole quietly inspect unit's and fill out forms. If you'd have asked me five years ago, I'd have thought the commish's were a club for the older scouters - helping with camp-o-ree's and other events. I have been assigned a Troop and Pack (and maybe crew) at the Methodist church I've been to twice. Maybe it will feel more innocuous as I do it.

A Weekend Home

Arrived Friday noontime - Had lunch with Tuan, his new fiancee and her daughter. Bunga is charmed by the 3 'almost 4' year old. Got my license in Ct. - but they wouldn't carry over my motorcycle endorsement.

Dropped S. for a campover at Camp Barbour with the Troop - and my dog took off - I spent an hour walking the streets, watching backyard motion sensors go off, finally he surrendered. Had a good lunch Saturday with M & J - It was good to see them together, and we learned D'Angelos is closing this weekend. Visited the troop in Norfolk, lots of burning, Men have a nice looking new tent.

Went to Praise Fellowship, it was comfortable - so many familiar faces, But hearing Swiggys voice in my own - made me dusty.... We've sung together for so long, so many times...

Prayers for Tuan's Dad - Diep, creator of the skyball serve, as he reaches the end of his struggle with ALS.

Update...

So work has changed, in that I was given more work since the project I was hired to work on hasn't really started. I caught up with J. Boyington by phone, He sounds (as always) the same. I teased him about his baloney and apple butter sandwiches. Spoke to Kevin and Cami as well this weekend - It was good to hear from them, and talk about seeing them this summer.

I fly home to Ct. this weekend and bummer - Dr. B will be opening his Condo in SC the whole time I'm home. S. will be camping a Barbour this weekend as well. I spoke to the local Boy Scout District this week and will be taking the commissioners class in a couple of weeks. I went to St. Paul's Methodist Church last Sunday, meant to try the contemporary service, and went to the traditional service - I will try again in two weeks.