When things are bad I stay quiet.

Nuff said.

I’ve been working on the house a lot and it’s almost finished. I’m really proud of the work and the handyness that I have discovered in me. Maybe it was latent in me and I just had to do it on my own. Maybe it wasn’t my hands doing the handy stuff.

Maybe it was Patricks.

Never the less, I’ve reached the point of what is done is done, and what can’t be done won’t be. (more…)

The Groom

* His wedding attire

Tuxing it up! Sized and just have to pick the place where I’ll rent it from.
CHECK!

* The bride’s engagement ring and wedding band

Engagement Ring paying off and wedding band FOUND but not acquired
Work in progress!

* Gift’s for his attendants

I found the perfect thing for my guys, now will all of them show up? I dunno.
Work in progress!

* The marriage license

I’ll get closer to the wedding.
Work in progress!

* His medical examination and blood tests

No med exam/blood tests  in the Great State of Texas.
CHECK!!

* A present for the bride

Found but haven’t acquired yet.
Work in progress!

* The bridal bouquet and corsages for the mothers

I’ll get closer to the wedding. As of right now only one mom coming so cost is 1/2 what I expected.
Work in progress!

* All boutonnieres for the ushers, fathers and himself

I’ll get closer to the wedding.  As of right now only one dad coming so cost is 1/2 what I expected.
Work in progress!

* All honeymoon costs

We’re not taking one.  Just ran out of vacation days and we’ve both be stressing too much, but we’ll have one, just not after the wedding. We can have the perfect honeymoon when it’s right for us.

We’re not a traditional family!

So far I’m a
“Work in progress!”

Right now I have no idea on showers, bridal or otherwise.  Consult Joanna for any and all shower information!  All I need to know is When, Where, what should I wear and are the kids there?

Postscript: No showers have been planned.

I’m keeping clear from the parental units as we are not in communication right now.  I’m hoping for the best like my friends continue to tell me but expecting the  tragic worst.

I’ve spent more time worrying about the house and the bills with a recent paycut that playing cards online, reading blogs have all taken a back seat.

So let me address the following while I’m thinking of it. I twitter when I can but, I can’t post on my phone yet, have to figure that one out.

Bam – Bam : Still thinking of your father in law in my prayers and your blog is required reading for Frantic Fridays.

John Hartness : Your choices series is one of the best pieces I have read in a long time. Well written and I can see the further plotlines you have ahead. Well done sir.

Prince of Houston : Yup, I’m alive, barely but I’ll call you this week.

OOSSUUU754 : Brother, I’m not forgetting you, just have had one shit week.  Will get back to you on Thursday.

Gcox25 : I’m still here sir, and I’m dragging my mean as a snake fiance up there soon.  Okie Vegas I need your healing waters.

F-Train : Have faith in your play.

CK : You are amazing

Doc Chako : Single parenting sucks huh, I believe in you.  Give The Wife my love.

The Wife : I know I’ve fallen off the face of the earth, but losing all your phone numbers when my phone melted is the reason.  We’ll connect soon.

DRhodes : My friend, I’m here, we’re both busy, let’s pillage some dude soon

Riggstad : Are you still alive?

If I haven’t mentioned you it wasn’t with malice, it’s just what I can think of right at this second.

I’m taking things slow, because I get the kids soon and it will be totally worth it.  All my pain will be gone soon.

I’m counting the days Shelby and Ryan.

When I was growing up I had a red bike with training wheels, I was so nervous to ever ride without my training wheels, even though I knew I could, they were their to keep me safe.

One day, my dad took off my training wheels. My grandfather and dad watched as I fell time and time again. I begged to have them put my training wheels back on.

Dear Patrick,

I know today you would be proud of me.

So far in my renovation of my house, with NO HELP from my family, I’ve :

Installed a pot rack,

4 fans, 3 of which had extensions,

painted living room,

textured the kitchen,

painted the kitchen,

and tonight fought a battle that normally I would have ran screaming from.

I’m not handy, I admit it. It’s the bill paying and the logic that keeps Joanna happy.

But tonight I had an issue.

The dishwasher wasn’t draining.

Now normal men would whip out their handy wrench or tool of their choice and had a go at fixing whatever issue it was.

I’m not a normal man. I’m Home Depot Impaired. Home Depot knows me by name, and it’s to their delight and joy when I come walking in;

“So what’s your problem today Sean,” they say with cash registers ringing in their minds.

In that my fiance Joanna used to work at Home Depot I don’t get taken by “the latest and greatest gadgets”.  I look at them and ewwwww and ohhhhh. “It doesn’t work, let’s move on,” she’d say as we’d go to our next adventure.

But tonight I wasn’t going to bed , even though the “Box” as I’ve come to know and love it was closed.

I had a dishwasher that wasn’t draining right and I looked at all the steps.

1. Check disposal.

2. Check Basket to make sure nothing was clogging the hose.

3. Check for bent or broken hoses.

4. Check Air Vent.

All seemed to be working.

I cleaned out the basket, lemon / ice cube freshened the disposal , all hoses looked great and I thought the air vent was cleaned enough on the outside.

I thought I had it all done right.

Try draining the dishwasher :

FAIL

After thinking about everything you’d say especially the “check the little things Sean, that’s what gets screwed up the most.”

I yelled to you that I had checked everything.

But that’s when I saw the little tab on the sides of the air vent. I popped the tabs and discovered a mineral blockage that had partly blocked the drain from fully draining.

I cleaned it out, even blowing down the small hole with a straw to discover a face full of dirty dish water.

I put everything back the way it should, and clicked the Cancel/Drain button.

And nothing made me happier than yelling at Joanna saying , “I DID IT MYSELF! YOU HEAR THAT PATRICK, I DID IT MYSELF” as the dishwasher drained!

You see, even though you are long gone and I miss you daily, I’m sure you’d understand if I take this moment to be proud cause I sure know you’d be.

Though I’m not going to drop any gas tanks to change fuel filters, or change that toilet that we never got around to without professional help, I know that this was just another little battle I won without anyone’s help.

When I walked into the bedroom to get Joanna to stop watching TV and see what I’ve done, it was not just my joy, but hers too.

She sees what I wish you could see.

Back in 1976 ,after an accident or two bumping my head, skinning my knees and hands I rode on my own. It was the most incredible experience of my life, and I rode everywhere, that is until I got my car.

I’ve taking the training wheels off in my life. Yes, things are tough. Yes, the times with the kids are not going to be as extravagant as before.

But  I’m doing it without help.

I’m moving on…

and it feels great.

I Love You and give my best to Tara and Grandpa,

Sean

I’m wondering if LJ (Lana Meier) my friend who is playing in event #31 of the WSOP wins a bracelet, will her boyfriend Lucko (Kevin) commit Pokercide giving up poker completely?

Would she play with us lowly bloggers ever again?

Either way GO LJ!!!!

The best coverage can be found with F-Train and the Poker News Team Here

Get what I want to say said.

It just stays on the edge of my tongue. Ugh.

S. Crosby on the Stanley Cup or the Mets losing on an error.

Hmm, I have a ton to unleash tomorrow.

Hey,

It’s your brother Sean.  I’m missing you bro.  You’d be proud of me, I’ve been painting the house and somehow, I finally understand the concept that no matter how hard you scrub and wash, you will always miss one section of paint that dripped, slopped or fell on you that you are oblivious with.  I remember the days where you’d come back from some job and your hands would be covered with paint hiding the wear and tear that you put yourself through. (more…)

Part one of the project done.

Part two will be finished in the morning, all ready by Sunday DROP DEAD Deadline.

I love it when a plan comes together.

I gotta crash, shift in the morning and then I get to play.

BTW Major props out to Carol who made a run at a big poker tourney and fell a little short. Crubs always make it dear.  You’ll get em next time, I believe in you.

But I believe in a lot of things.  I should have done this long ago.