September 30, 2000 - Mary Ann and Heather spent last Sunday doing several girl things, including piercing the upper part of their ears at a jewelry store. Well, Wednesday night Heather's ear began to hurt and by Thursday, it was very red and swollen. Heather had been cleaning it every day, but it was very apparent it was infected. Mary Ann took her to the doctor yesterday and Heather is now on antibiotics and Ibuprofen. The ear looks really bad and she has had a lot of discomfort. We can at least rest easy that Heather won't be wanting to get anything pierced for quite a while (you know ... belly buttons, tongues, etc.). The swelling should hopefully clear up by Monday. Budget time is coming up at work and they have been cutting overtime and part-time staff. So ... I'm losing some of my overtime ... OUCH!! Mary Ann and Heather also picked up some Halloween costumes yesterday. Heather will we a cat; Mary Ann, a medieval witch; and me, a skeleton Jester. Of course, Mary Ann hasn't told me where the heck we're going to wear these things. Heather and I went to the Super Mall today, trying to find a gift for my mother's birthday ... no success yet.
September 26, 2000 - I spoke with my mom Sunday night and am looking forward to seeing her at Thanksgiving. I asked her what she would like for her birthday, but she really had no idea what she wants. I'll just have to wing it and come up with something nice. When we got Heather's progress reports last week, I discovered she was suppose to be reading a book that was to be finished by this Thursday. The book was assigned on September 11th, and Heather had only read the first chapter. Well, we've been sitting down every day reading for an hour (completing 4 chapters a day) and she should be done with the book this afternoon, ahead of schedule 8^) I also took Heather back to dance lessons last night and she is very excited to be dancing again. My fantasy football team did well again this weekend and I am in the midst of attempting a blockbuster trade that will hopefully improve my team further.
September 23, 2000 - I got hammered at work today. The workload had increased substantially since yesterday and we had a sick call, so we worked shorthanded and were real busy. Heather now has a boyfriend!!! She has had 5-6 boys "ask her out" - which really means "can I hang out with you at school in a somewhat exclusive manner?" - and she picked one whom she likes the most. He is actually smaller than her and he isn't allowed to date until he is 16. Although taken aback by this, we feel things could've been worse. We met with a representative of a kitchen remodeling company this week and got an estimate on refacing our kitchen cabinets and putting in new countertop. We're also looking at a new slider door in the kitchen and replacing the front door and the door in the family room. If Mary Ann gets a promotion, we plan on going ahead with these plans after the first of the year. I'm going to sign up for some more overtime at work and whatever extra money I can put aside will go to Christmas first, then the new doors. I'm looking toward a home improvement loan for the kitchen (plus painting the house and landscaping and fencing the yard). With Zephen living at his dad's, we are excited about going forward with home improvements.
September 19, 2000 - Heather brought home 2 of her midterm progress reports from school today and I thought I'd show them off here. Way to go, Heather. We are real proud of you.
September 18, 2000 - We went to the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus yesterday at Key Arena. Mary Ann's store received two complimentary tickets and - after going through 5 people who eventually could not go - Mary Ann got them. We purchased an extra ticket for Heather at the gate and we were situated in the 16th row. Heather appeared to be unimpressed, but Mary Ann and I enjoyed the show. The tightrope walkers were the most remarkable. It is one thing to see it on TV, but when you are there, it is indeed suspenseful to watch them do it. We went to Marla's after the circus and visited for the afternoon. We haven't been getting over to her house nearly enough and it was nice to go over if only for a short visit. Thanks, Sis!! Mom's birthday is coming up October 7th, and I have yet to think of anything to get her. If anyone has an idea, e-mail me. My fantasy football team had a tough week. It was a bye week(they don't play) for 3 of my starters (in addition to an injured starting runningback). My team did okay, posting the fourth highest point total for the week, but I was forced to start my backup runningbacks and they only scored 6 points between the two of them (compared to 40 and 30 points for my backs in the first two weeks). So, I lost my game this week, but did pick up 3 points on the point leader. Heather has expressed an interest in starting a web page, so in the coming month, you may see a link to it from here.
September 16, 2000 - The week went pretty fast!! We got Heather's school pictures this week and it is below (as well as her dance picture from last spring). If anyone wants a high quality, printer corrected (Epson), 8X10, let me know and I'll e-mail you a copy. I got the furnace and the back bedroom windows fixed this week. We plan to cut down the walnut tree in our front yard this weekend. Last week, Mary Ann's parents gave Mary Ann their fine silver and silverware. I felt a little uncomfortable about leaving it in the house and saw a safe at Costco. When Mary Ann mentioned it to her dad, he had informed her that he had this safe sitting at a car dealership in Tacoma. He doesn't need a safe in that he already has one, but had bought this safe and has had no way to move it. We're going to meet him at the car dealership tomorrow, but I have no idea how I would get this home (I imagine it weighs over 500 lb. and is the size of a refrigerator).
September 11, 2000 - My fantasy football team kicked butt this week. My team once again won it's game and put up 124 points. I am 2-0 and solidly in second place with total points. Mary Ann and Heather got rained on hard Saturday night. It was quite the adventure for them. Apparently, Mary Ann had pitched the tent in a low spot. When they awoke in the morning, they found themselves surrounded by a lake. They were wet and tired, but they had fun and I'm sorry I missed out on it. I have a boy scout's court of honor tonight. I'm the advancement committee and it is my responsibility to make sure all the records of advancements and merit badges are correct, up-to-date, and have been turned in to the district office. I also get all the merit badges and advancement badges for the court of honor. The boys earned over 60 merit badges at summer camp, so I've been busy last week and today making sure I got everything ready and in order. With Zephen living in Florida, I will no longer be participating in Boy Scouts after this month. It's really a shame in that I've really enjoyed it.
September 9, 2000 - Mary Ann and Heather left tonight to camp out with some of her workmates just east of Maple Valley. I packed up the gear for them and they headed out around 9pm. The weather had turned ugly the past few weeks and it looks like its going to rain on them tonight, or at the very least, be pretty chilly. I wanted to go, but its my weekend to work. I threw some pictures of our stylin' puppy dog in here just for fun.
September 4, 2000 - With the completion of Monday Night Football tonight, my fantasy football team won it's game and I am in second place in total points with 88. I ROCK!! I spent the day earning holiday hours at work, but Mary Ann and Heather enjoyed the day off. Heather appears to be adjusting to JR. high school, but she has been a little bit miffed at the idea of having a lot of homework. Our intent is to work with her and make sure she gets all her homework done this year. We want her to succeed and we'll do our best to help her. I plan to attack some of the home repairs next week ... fixing the walls and windows in the back bedroom and getting to work on the front yard.
September 3, 2000 - Today I did something I haven't done in about 20 years. I watched a lot of football. I joined a Fantasy football league at work, and, as is my usual reaction to something new, I jumped in with both feet. I researched players and studied everything I could on fantasy football. I WAS NOT going to do poorly or make bad choices. I wanted to walk into this with a good chance to WIN IT ALL. So here I was today, watching football. I wasn't cheering for teams to win, no, I was cheering for individuals to run and pass and catch and score. As my fantasy runningback caught a pass for a touchdown, I was whooping and jumping up and down. Heather had only one comment, "gee, dad, all you need now is a beer and some chips and you'll be a real guy's guy". I rediscovered in interest in football I haven't had since I was a teenager and I am really disgusted with myself.
August 2000
July 2000
June 2000
May 2000
April 2000
March 2000
February 2000
December 1999/January 2000
