Rachael Ray I ain't...

Last night I made dinner for the family including chicken parmagiana and caesar salad followed by honey-yoghurt fruit salad and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. I am not a big fan of cooking but everyone seems to enjoy it when I do. Dinner conversation was relaxed and it was nice to be together as a family.

Later I successfully avoided Clickerville and played my guitar instead.

Round one

Yesterday I was officially transferred to the new cadet unit even though my former CO did everything possible to stop it. Yeah! I win round one! I requested and was given the billet of "Training Officer" and I think that for now, I will remain in that supportive position rather than the role of XO.

Last night, I once again spent the evening in Clickerville, but considering that a good portion of that time was taken up watching the debate, I do not feel overly guilty. When I was not watching the debate, I was thinking that I should be doing something else. That is a good sign.

Wednesday’s are my night to cook. This is not something I particularly enjoy, but I know it means a lot to D. Last Wednesday I made Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo. I am not sure what I will make this week.

Gitterdun...

I have been lacking in motivation as of late. It is hard to get up and I have no interest in going to work. Yesterday I flipped the TV on while eating my cereal and remained in Clickerville until 9:30 watching "The Border", a movie made in 1982 starring Jack Nicholson. This laziness is not something I am accustomed to as of late and I hope will not become a habit. I have been spending way too much time in Clickerville lately and I must break out of that routine.

I eventually made my way to work at 11:00 and I was actually productive. I then hit the weights hard at 12:00 and when I returned to work remained focused and industrious.

Make up

As I was writing my last posting, D was doing a little writing of her own. Shortly after arriving at work on Tuesday, I received an email from her explaining why she was upset with me.

Sunday night, we we're lying in bed reading when she leaned over pointing to an article in her magazine and said "Look, it says that woman that have sex four or more times a week tend to live two to three years longer". "I guess you will have to talk to your boyfriend" I replied with a smirk on my face. She laughed and without looking up from my novel I added "Maybe if you spent more time in the gym we would have more sex". You are probably thinking what D thought. But that is not what I meant. What I was trying to say is that she has a greater sexual appetite and initiates lovemaking more often when she exercise regularly. But that is not what I said. Sometime I can be an idiot.

I apologized for my comment and we are fine.

Why are we fighting?

Last night, I arrived home to find D in a less than pleasant mood. She had prepared supper but after about five minutes at the dinner table, she and B had a disagreement that concluded with her leaving the table and spending the rest of the night in our room. B retreated to his room for homework and talking to his new girlfriend and I spent the rest of the evening in Clickerville.

This morning I approached D and asked what was wrong. "I don't want to get into it now" she replied. "Did I do something wrong" I asked. She replied "I don't want to talk about it". So now we are fighting and I don't even know why. "Take care of A, I am going to work" I muttered as I turned and left the room.

College bound

B has an opportunity to take a free SAT prep class free through his school. However, he says that he does not have time. The course will interfere with his X-country meets and he will be up later doing homework. I am really torn between demanding that he take the course or letting him make his own decision. First I will call the school to get more details on the course.

I let him make his own decision about quitting basketball years ago but recently he said that I should not have let him quit. If I don't push him academically, will he wish I had later?

Emotional rollercoaster

Last Friday I discovered that the CO of my old unit was continuing his smear campaign against me, attempting to prevent me from joining the new unit. He asked the "leader" of a local retired military group affiliated with the cadet program to call the CO of my new unit and request that my request to transfer be denied. My new CO waved off the request and said I was welcome to join. My CO then sent me an email informing me of the phone call. I then called the "leader" that had made the call and we had a less then pleasant conversation. Today I got an email from my CO informing me that my transfer was proceeding.

I have to learn that not everyone likes me and some will even try to hurt me. I cannot let these people win by becoming a victim. I must weather these attacks with less of an emotional meltdown.

Goals update

Following is an updated score on my goal achievement:

C - Increase income
D - Improve relationship with oldest son J
F - Read more
F - Write more
F - Play guitar more
B - Work on unpaid taxes
F - Finish stairs
F - Rebuild jeep top
F - AnomonA
D - Meditate more

I have been spending a lot more time with D so I am not completely depressed about my poor scores. I am also managing the bills now and they are all current and I have retained a financial advisor. I am not sure what to do about a goal that I consistently fail to achieve such as playing the guitar. I guess I have to question my motivation for setting the goal.

Frosty pumpkins

Today, for the first time in months, I am writing this post from inside the coffee shop. The temperature has dipped into the forties and it is more comfortable sitting in the comfy chair by the front window.

While walking A this morning, B told me that the "friend" he was taking to the school dance this weekend was having second thoughts. She was going to hang out with a friend instead of attending the dance. Although B did not seem overly disappointed, I wonder how he really feels. He also asked my advice about another girl that he really likes who is apparently going to the dance with someone else. "She asked me why I was ignoring her" he said. "How would you respond Dad?" I replied "First I would consider my response carefully before I delivered it. Honesty is generally the best policy and I would probably tell her that you were disappointed that she was attending the dance with someone other than you; and that you just needed some space for a bit. If you really like her, remain persistent in your pursuit. High school relationships rarely last."

As Harry Chapin said, “I have never been a pick-em-up kinda guy” so I am not sure how good my advice is. He is a bright kid though so I am sure he will adapt to the situation.

Living life

Saturday
0700 - Winterize pool
0900 - Depart for x-country meet
1000 - Arrive x-country meet
1130 - Depart for in-laws camp
1230 - Arrive at in-laws camp to winterize
1600 - Depart for shopping and errands
1800 - Arrive at restaurant for dinner with family and friends
2100 - Depart for Dairy Queen
2130 - Indulge in large Reeses-Peanut Butter-Cup Blizzard
2200 - Arrive home and pass out

Sunday
0700 – Load up gear for kayaking with D
0800 – Depart for kayaking
0830 – Kayaking
1100 – Return home
1130 – Clean and stow kayaking gear
1230 – Finish winterizing pool
1800 – Depart for service call
2100 – Return home, hang in Clickerville for an hour
2200 – Lights out