Flirting With Disaster

Daily Pictures: The Water Leak!



I’m travelin’ down the road,
I’m flirtin’ with disaster.

Well this weekend started rather poorly.  Friday morning after the wife woke up and got ready she yelled up the stairs that there is a leak in the house!  Jumping out of bed and moving as fast as my arthritic feet would take me I was down stairs.  Water was pooring out of the ceiling over our solid oak entertainment center, down the wall onto a speaker and speaker shelf, onto the back of my HD LCD TV and down the vents in the back of it, over the DVD player, tivo and to the floor, did I mention it is a WOOD FLOOR!  Well we gathered towels and then I ran to the basement to hit the main shut off.  There was water EVERYWHERE!

The Problem

Last week we had some floors put in upstairs including some wood.  Well apparently when they put the quarter round in they shot a nail into the water line in the floor.  The water line was right above our family room.  The plumber came out and removed the piece of pipe and about an inch of nail.  This one little hole caused so much damage.   Called insurance, called the flooring people and the ball was rolling.  Later that afternoon the water mitigation team showed up and removed a bunch of wall and ceiling and oh a huge section of my less then two year old wood floor.



Large section of my engineered floating wood floor



Large chunk of wall and ceiling.



Another View

So now I have the adjuster coming in this week with a ton of things going on.

Water Damage to

• Solid Oak Entertainment center


• 40" HD LCD Samsung TV


• Tivo Unit


• DVD/Surround Sound


• Shelf Speaker


• Oak Shelf


• Wood Floor


• Picture Frames


• Walls


• Ceiling


• Trim


• Who knows exactly what else...

According to the plumber, my neighbor that is a plumber, my insurance agent and a neighbor that is an insurance adjuster we were lucky the leak happened quickly.  They can take up to a year to show up and by that time there is a ton of mold along with the damage.

More to come on this as the week progresses.

The 5

1. No Water - With no water Friday morning I ran the older boys to my dads for a while.  They hung out there while I waited for the plumber to come in and take care of the problem.


2. No School - Friday was the last hour of school for my oldest.  Out of third and into fourth grade.


3. No Strep - Friday afternoon oldest started feeling bad.  One week after he broke his arm he was spiking a major fever as well as sore throat and labored breathing.  Took him in Saturday morning and they checked him out and gave him a strep test.  The big negative... THANKFULLY!


4. No Peace - Since Friday evening we have had huge fans blowing and a giant dehumidifier going.  The lower lever is so dry right now.  The ceiling and wall were very wet.


5. No Break - Last week the house was a mess with new flooring being put in.  We had put away money for new flooring and had avoided touching it, but this spring the upstairs floors looked terrible. 8 years and 3 kids not good to carpet.  So now that that is done, my family room is torn apart. UGH!

Take It One Day At A Time! (Can I skip a few this week?)

The Wrong Side of the Bed

Daily Picture: Mothers Day Picture from Preschool



My middle guy had this picture taken at Preschool for Mothers Day.  I finally got around to taking it off the wall and scanning it.  The girls had old fashion dresses and the boys had the Hat, Coat and Tie.  They did a wonderful job on these pictures and he posed rather nicely.

Woke Up On The Wrong Side of The Bed

This morning when I woke I was in a terrible cranky mood.  I tried all day to keep the mood in check, but 4.5yo was able to break my concentration a few times during the day.  He has really been pushing it lately.  When I am in a bad mood I typically try to get as much done during the day to keep my mind focused.  The weather was pretty gross again so we really did not play outside much.

My Good Little Eater

Despite only being in the 20% in weight my little guy is such a good eater.  This morning he had TWO waffles and a Turkey Sausage Link for breakfast.  Lunch was a large bowl of Chili Mac, and Dinner was Yogurt and Pancakes I made for the bigger guys. (Did not want to fight the older boys tonight)  He also snacked on Peanut Butter Crackers, Goldfish and Strawberries.  The liquids were of course water, chocolate milk and apple juice.  What a good little eater.

Window Cleaning

I had to check with my Union rep at SAHD Local 123 today to make sure that windows are ok to be added to my contract.  I think I need more compensation, but management thinks differently.  So I met with the rep this afternoon to go over my concerns.  When I brought up the whole window thing the first thing that came out his mouth was "Uh Oh!"  I thougth this was going to be a slam dunk in my favor.  As I went over the details he seemed to lose interest and started going "Ya Ya Ya, Ya Ya Ya..." Apparently he is on the side with managment and does not want to ruin his current contract situation of room and board plus two naps....  :-0

I did 7 windows over the last two days so the upstairs are all done.  I was able to hang out the window without falling!!!

The 5

1. Rude People - Why is it that so many people are stuck in the ME ME ME mode.  Today at the library, not once but twice I had people block entire sections with themselves, bags and strollers.  The one lady had two entire sections of the stacks blocked.  Even after my 4.5yo mentioned she was blocking everything loudly she just went on.


2. Last Day of School - Tomorrow is the last "Day" or should I say HOUR of school for 8.5yo.  He is done with 3rd grade tomorrow.  WOW how time flies.


3. It's Like Bike Porn - Well last week my new catalog for "The Hostel Shoppe" came in.  It is like bike porn.  I really want a recumbent Trike, but that will have to wait a little while yet.


4. Bicycle Rides - The weather is plotting against me.  I really want it to get nicer so I can hit the trails a bit more often.  I will not be riding during the day as much as planned with 8.5yo having a broken arm.


5. Pop Up Pools - I have a metal frame intex pool.  I was able to get the thing set and start filing before the weather turned.  Well after about 6 inches of water it became clear there are some leaks.  Tomorrow after the wife gets home I will be searching for those holes.

"Take It One Day At a Time"

I Like Cookies...Me Cookie Monster

Daily Picture: I Like Cookies!



The Good Eater

While at the preschool last day party and graduation the littlest clone was digging the cookies.  He is by far the best eater of my three boys and will try anything.  The past few days alone has seen him eat some awesome things.

• Sweet Red Peppers


• Mild Veggie Chili


• Pizza


• Pasta


• Zucchini


• Chicken and Dumplings


• Grilled BBQ Chicken


• Potatoes (Bakes, Boiled and Mashed)


• Strawberries


• Watermelon

The two older boys would rather cut off their arms then try anything.  I even told the bigger boys soon we will get them a babysitter and Mom, Baby and I will go out to dinner.  Since they refuse to eat anything why bring them.  Hopefully this threat works to get them to try something.

Pantry Mess

Lately the pantry has become a major mess.  So today I went through it and filled my plastic containers with all the snack, dried fruits and treats.  Refilled the pasta containers and tossed appropriate junk.  Just another thing to take care of.

Employed

Well I have always been a Work At Home Dad at least the past 4 years.  This past Feburary I was laid off making me an official At Home Dad.  Well it looks like July 1 or maybe as early as June 1 I will be back in the world of the employed.  At least part time.  Since I am a software tester and have my own office in the house I work from home, typically at odd hours after the kids are settled or during naps.  So soon I should be adding one more thing to my already crazy schedule.

The 5

1. Sour Milk - Nothing quite like checking a milk container to find it spoiled.  There was just a little on the bottom, but WOW that was awful.


2. Rain - We need the ran, but I wish the summer weather would speed it up here a little.


3. Duff Beer PJ Shorts - Yes I now have Duff Beef PJ's! DOH!


4. Wrong Size Label - I bought some T-Shirts while I was out last night.  I am an XLT and I really need that TALL.  Well this morning I tried one on and it was like 3 sizes too small.  Checked the label it says XLT... So I tried on the other shirts same brand and everything and they were fine.  4 shirts, 3 good 1 ODD.  I was afraid I would not be able to get out of the shirt.


5. FALLOUT 3 - Still playing...What a BLAST!  The Broken Steel add on is a ton of fun.

"Take It One Day At A Time"

Preschool Graduation and a Broken Arm

Preschool Graduation & The Broken Arm or "Like Father Like Son"


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Well Friday was a very eventful day causing the weekend to be a bit more complicated.

Preschool Graduation:

Well 4.5yo had his last day of Preschool and they did a little show and had a party.  They had little caps and sang songs that they learned all year.  They were really cute and the whole production was well done for a group of 4-5 year olds.  In the fall he will start Kindergarten.  Wow they grow up too fast.  The party of course had way too many sweets that The Baby and his 4.5yo brother enjoyed way too many of.  After the party we played at the park and then stopped my McD's for some Fries.  He was cute and had a wonderful time.

The Broken Arm:

After Dinner Friday night while the too younger boys were getting ready for baths and I was getting ready to go to the store 8.5yo went outside and hit the swings for a little while.  He does this most nights and can really get some height and speed going.  Of course the daredevil likes to jump off and even does some slow moving flips off the swings.  I went to back the van out and got it down the drive when I heard a scream from the backyard.  OWWWW!!! It hurts HELP!  I ran to the back as fast as my feet would take me to see 8.5 yo on the ground moaning in pain.  I ran over and asked what happened.  Since he was in an odd spot I knew he did not jump or do a flip.  Apparently while swinging back he lost control and launched of the back of the swing.  he compared it to the cartoon characters falling off cliffs.  I brought him inside to look at it and then he and I got in the van and went to the hospital.  After the x-rays it was confirmed he broke his arm.  It was fractured not broken all the way through.  He ended up in a half cast all weekend and this morning at 6:45 am got his short cast.  So now to start the summer he has the joys of 6 weeks of casts and xrays.

Canceled Classes:

Well since 8.5yo broke his arm we had to cancel on session of Diving and the only session of tennis.  We went from a slightly busy schedule to a bit of an open one in the break of an arm.

Friends in Town

Some good friends were in town and the timing was perfect.  We went for a bike ride Saturday morning that was originally going to include the two older boys.  Well since the oldest broke his arm the boys stayed home.  The boys have started to enjoy fishing and our friends are avid fishermen.  Their son if 15 and my boys adore him.  So in order to help get a certain someone out of a bad mood 15yo friend played video games with him and then took him fishing.  that made his day!

"Take It One Day At A Time"

Well

Garage Sales and Old Pictures

Daily Picture: Class Picture 1991



Old Pictures

Hard to see, but found this and many others amongst our old stuff.  I have year books and class pictures going back to 1st grade, pictures of the wife going back to like 1st grade as well as some with her figure skating.  There are a few that she said if I post will be my death warrant.  (I think I believe her)

Garage Sales

We did a garage sale with our community and it was not so good.  I would have been better off just getting ride of most of it.  We did find good homes for a ton of baby clothes, but thats about it.  The prep, the days and the take down were really not worth it.  Less the $45.00 later I will never do it again.  Freecycle, Craiglist and ebay for me.

Wife Away, Kinda.

The wife has a sales meeting all week, but it is just 45 minutes away.  She will leave in the mornings and come back in the evenings.  I did not expect her home until 10:00 tonight, but she made it home before 8:30.  Tomorrow I have a little work being done at the house so it will be a very long day with now break.  UGH...

Like Clock Work...

Tonight went really smooth.  The boys helped out a lot and they younger guys were so tired they went out right away at 7:30.  I have been under the weather so I got the boys McD's and that saved a ton of kitchen time.  By the time the wife got home everything was perfect.  She could just do the things she wanted to and relax.  Tomorrow I probably will not be so lucky.

Field Trip and Picnic

4yo had a preschool field trip to a local State park this morning.  Then after the field trip 98% stayed for a picnic and play time.  We organized it and there was food and prizes and an all around good time.  18 yo's plus at least a dozen younger siblings is a busy time.  Wednesday is the at school class picnic (no parents) and then graduation on Friday.  Two more days and my middle guy is on his way to Kindergarten.  WOW!

The 5

1. Old Pictures - Looking at many of them I have to say..."What Were We Thinking!"  All the big hair, the clothes and just the overall look.  DOH!


2. Garage Sales - Doing a Garage Sale Sucks!


3. iPhone Envy - Brother Has One, I Want One!!!


4. Bicycle Envy - Friend has 9, I have one... I want MORE!


5. Old Hat - My Old Boss, will be Boss again come July when I go back Part Time loves the NY Giants Football team.  I found an OLD ZUBBAZ hat from around 1990 in an old box.  It was given to me, I put in box and found over the weekend.  Sending it to him next week... Should be funny!

"Take It One Day At A Time"

When The Wind Blows

Daily Picture: What Cookie Daddy?



When the Wind Blows

The wonderful spring storms are coming through.  The wind was so bad for a while the house was shaking.  I just hope all my trees make it through the night.  I could hear stuff falling all around loudly from the neighbors houses.  UGH!

Friend in Critical Condition!

A friend of ours just had her first child last Wednesday.  A bouncing baby boy. (Go Blue Team) Mom did really well, but on Monday felt bad pains and called 911 and is still in critical but stable condition.  She had a pulmonary embolism detected on Monday, which is clots in her lungs most likely caused by child birth in her case, and amplified by a hole in her heart. She had surgery Monday night and had another procedure yesterday where they put something in her leg vein to help with blood flow.   They allowed some visitors but she was knocked out by her choice so its good she’s able to communicate and make decisions for herself.  She is still in the ICU on a ventilator which they hope to wean her off of at some point today as long as last night went well. The doctors said to be encouraged by her status and they believe she will pull through which is a 100% turnaround from Monday night when they said they weren’t sure she would make it through the surgery. They opened her chest, sealed the hole in her heart, then removed big blood clots from her lungs then her leg. She’ll be in the ICU probably for at least another few days and then will be monitored for maybe a week or so more.

All day I have had her and her family on my mind.  What a horrible situation to have to go through.

The 5

1. LOST - We watched the finale tonight and there was a lot going on.  Not sure yet how I want to react to the events.  Let you know in a couple days


2. Bad Weather, long day - With it rather wet and rainy most of the day 4 yo was stuck in the house a little too much.  He wanted to be outside which would have helped him a little in the energy area.  Hoping tomorrow is better.


3. Major Shopping - Tomorrow I am heading to the Bike shop, Trader Joes and Costco.  Getting an extra seat post for my bike, 3 Buck Chuck at TJ's and some odds and ends at Costco. (Please have the dino nuggets back)


4. Facebook Groups - I started 2 this week.  One for the Bicycle Club and one for the Dads Day "Dadstock!"


5. Dadstock - Planning for the yearly event is going on now.  Looking to have the event in Sept/Oct.  Visit the Facebook Page HERE.

"Take It One Day At A Time"

Daily Picture: I'm Alive!



What a ugly mug... (LOL)

Out on the Bicycle!

Well I have ridden 3 times in two days which has been very nice.  I went by myself last night after dinner for 30 minutes.  This morning I took the younger two boys in the trailer and rode for a little over 40 minutes.  It is a tough workout pulling the upwards of 75 pounds of kid and trailer.  Then after dinner tonight I rode for another 30 minutes.  I have found that the arthritis in my ankles and feet tends to be less painful after a nice light ride.  The motion without the impact is the key.

Mountain Biking

One of my friends and riding buddies has a ton of bikes and does everything from road bikes to mountain bikes. Unfortunately he is MUCH shorter then me so I really can't ride his bikes.   He has gone all over the country to mountain bike.  I ride a Hybrid which is really not designed to hit the bigger hills.  Well tonight on his way back from Kettle Moraine Park in Wisconsin he stopped by with one of his 3 mountain bikes.  The one that is too big for him.  Well it is pretty close to the right size for me.  Looks like I have one less excuse to avoid mountain biking.  Will be hitting the hills sometime in the next month.

5 Yards of Mulch

We had 5 yards of mulch delivered on Friday Night.  Saturday my younger brother and my wife's youngest brother helped me spread it all out.  It was  long day, but we got it done actually a little faster then expected.  The kids play area looks 200 times better.  It was a big project that I am happy to cross of the To do List.

Bad Food Weekend

Well to avoid any disappointment I decided to not weigh myself yesterday.  I did work out in the yard all day Friday and Saturday, but I had Chicago Style Pizza Saturday for lunch, dinner and Sunday breakfast.  I will wait until next Monday before I step on the scale.

The 5

1. Dadstock - My annual At Home Dads day is in the planning stage.  Looks like Sept/October rather then July this year.  Should be a got time weather wise for a campout, cookout and Beerfest!  Even started a Face Book Group.


2. Broken Steel - Downloaded the Fallout 3 Add On.  Have not had much time to play it, but the new bad guys I have run into are a bit tougher.


3. Picnic - Tomorrow is a field trip to Moraine Hills State park with my 4yos preschool.  Then after the trip a group of Moms and I are staying to hve a picnic with the kids.


4. Weeds - Started season 3 last night.  What a great show!


5. Garage Sale - This weekend we are having a garage sale.  Out with the old...

"Take It One Day At A Time"

A Little ME-ijer time or ME time...

Daily Picture: My TREK



Me Time

Being an At home Parent has it's benefits like casual every days, short commute, spending time with the kids and the like.  However for every plus there is a minus.  Lately I have felt I have lost my own identity and lacked the all important "Me Time."  The past couple months I have been shopping after the kids are settling for the night just to get a little "Me Time" at Meijer, or is it MEijer.  Well after further difficulties dealing with the absence of adult interaction the wife and I agreed it would be  good idea for me to do something outside of the house at least once in a while.  She suggested some classes that interest me or club.  Well after further consideration my final answer was getting together with friends and riding my bicycle.  I truly enjoy getting out on my bike especially on the trails with my friends.  We don't go super fast, but a nice pace and a nice conversation works wonders.  I plan on having a weekly ride typically on Saturday morning, but may do a ride or two during the week if it works into our schedule better.  These rides have two benefits.  The first is of course getting out away from the kids and chatting with other adults, the second is the great exercise!  So if there is someone in the Lake and Mchenry county area let me know if you would like to join us.

The 5

1. Back in the Saddle - The bicycle saddle that is.  Rode just about 15 miles with a friend yesterday.  What a great time!


2. Quantum of Solace - Finally watched the newest Bond movie and I enjoyed it.  I actually like it with less gadgets and more interesting fights.  I do not miss Roger Moore's "Karate Chop" to the neck.


3. Fallout 3 - Still addicted!  What an awesome game.  When I am done there is going to be a emptiness in my soul.  There is something satisfying about cleansing the wasteland of scum.


4. Summer Movies - too many for me to be able to see... need to get to at least one.  Wolverine, Star Trek, Terminator, Transformers, GI Joe, Harry Potter... UGH!


5. Audio Book Bliss - I just finished up the Legacy of the Force book series on Audio Book and started the next series "Fate of the Jedi"

Weekly Weigh In.

Well a little better this week despite.  I dropped Two pounds.

• Starting Weight: 270


• Week 1 Weight: 267


• Week 2 Weight:266


• Week 3 Weight: 264


• Weekly Loss: 2 Pounds


• Overall Loss: 6 Pounds
  

"Take It One Day At A Time"