Category: Family

Saving My Family’s Past For The Sake of My Family’s Future

Slowly, I have started scanning old pictures that have been taken of my family.  Something just draws me to do this, and I enjoy it.  I found many surprises on my first venture at my grandma Lawmaster’s last Saturday.

Take a look and see what I found!

Here is the only “full” Lawmaster family picture that I know of.  It was taken around 1984.  I’m the one in the blue suit on the left side of the bottom row.

I found this picture hidden underneath my uncle’s senior picture.  At first I didn’t even know who this was.  I had to ask my grandma about this one.  It’s HER senior picture, circa 1938!  I also found her baby picture, a pure treasure.

I hope to make more trips on a regular basis and eventually scan every picture my grandparents have.  Then it’s my fathers’ stuff, if he can find anything.  I do have his super-8 films to transfer as well.

Meet Gil!

 
If you’re in Bloomington, and decide to go to the Fun Frolic.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT play the “win a bunny game.”

We did, and are now proud parents to a 7 week old bunny, we decided to name Gillham or Gil for short.  Gillham is the name of the street we live on.

I must admit, he is quite adorable.  What’s even better is how he doesn’t have a care in the world for the cats!  He sniffs and goes on.  It’s quite amazing since the cats are at least 3 times his size.

We are going to take the responsible adult approach and “try” caring for him as a pet.  If it becomes too much to handle we might find a better home for him.  He is in a much better home than he was at the Fun Frolic at this point.  The poor bunnys were being kept outside in the mid 90’s humid heat.

We are mainly keeping him in a cage right now, at least once a day we are letting him out into a controlled environment.  I’ve read that this is best for younger bunnies, to give them their freedom in slow increments.  It is also important for them to feel loved, but not man-handled.

Disconnected

It’s been a long time since I last posted.  Part of me feels bad for leaving it abandoned for so long, I wouldn’t even have this if it weren’t for the kindness of Editor B.

Since starting my new job, I have felt “disconnected.”  My life has been connected to computers and technology since I was a teenager and I haven’t had the time to enjoy my computer much lately.  I cannot access computers while at work

Many things have happened since then, so I will update.  Hang on, cause there is much to say.

My daughter has officially graduated 1st grade, and left the state.  She took my heart with her.  With the help of my wife (thanks Rach) we made her a goodbye present.  A DVD filled with a slideshow with pictures of her and everyone who loves her.  It also included video of many of her loved ones saying goodbye and giving some life lessons.

I’ll miss you sweetheart!

My video business has suddenly picked up.  I am now more busy than not with projects people are wanting me to do for them.  I am going to advertise for the first time as well.  It also helps out high schoolers so I say why not?  I have also added a new service:  Cassette tape to CD or MP3 transfers! 

Work has been crazy.  I have been pushed to a point where I no longer think of it as a possible career anymore, just a job.  I am treated like scum, which is also what I clean.  With the heat and humidity, I can barely stand it.  Just like a few of my co-workers.

My little sister has moved in with us for a couple of weeks.  Her lease was up, and she has a new place lined up.  It’s just a matter of timing until she gets in.

We have picked up the pace on house projects.  Over the last few weekends we have removed the hideous wallpaper around our home.

Interestingly enough, underneath all of this were drawings.  These drawings were made by the children who lived here at the time.  We only have the kitchen and Taylor’s room to go.  Currently I am prepping the walls for paint.  We need them to be as perfect as possible for the deep, rich tones we have decided on for paint.

I also installed a new light fixture in our dining room.  We found a beautiful set for the dining room and foyer areas.  The one for the foyer has 2 tiers and is much larger.  Installation will be a different story though, as the ceiling is 1 1/2 stories high.

I cut down the dead tree in our backyard, that was fun!  I haven’t done that in over 10 years!  I have cleaned up much of it, but there is a lot more to go.  I am saving as much as possible for firewood, as I would like to use my fireplace sometime.

I wrecked my truck:(

The damage isn’t bad, just the bumper and a side piece to it.  I was returning from mowing at work, and while backing up jack-knifed my trailer.  It’s easy to do with a trailer that’s so small you can’t see it behind you.  And it just happens that my neighbors grandson just wrecked his truck which is essientially the same as mine.  It’s totalled, but the bumper is good!  I spoke with him today and I might get a new bumper on the cheap!

Hopefully once a few things settle down, I can start posting more often.

Greetings from Orlando!

After what I can only describe as a “grueling” 16 hour drive, we are here.  Travelling at speeds ranging from 80 to 110mph, was quite interesting.

Here we are arriving at our hotel

Our first days’ adventures were Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot.  Taylor really enjoyed meeting all the characters at Animal Kingdom.

The wireless at the hotel isn’t that swell, so this will be my only post on the trip.  I just thought I would post this for all who are interested.

Tommorow’s schedule:  MGM Studios and back to Epcot.

Bugz

Tonight, my daughter had a musical program at her school.  It included the entire 1st grade class.  The name of the program?  Bugz, and each child was one.

There were ladybugs, army ants, butterflys, a praying mantis, a stinkbug and a maggot.  My daughter was a beautiful butterfly.

I recieved some news while at this program.  It has been announced where my daughter will be moving, Ft. Cambell, KY.

It is the closest solution possible, which should be good news.  I’m just not taking it well.  Was it the fact that I was “stuck in the middle” of 2 very strong personalities? (my ex and my wife)  Or was it that I am so tired of this job and can’t wait for this vacation?

Anyways, I enjoyed seeing my daughter up on stage having fun with her soon to be ex-classmates.

The teachers are fun to look at too! 🙂  Especially my daughters’ teacher, Mrs. P

The Date Draws Near

My lovely daughter, will more than likely be moving away from me in around 3 months.

When I was first told of this, I took it in stride.  Now is a different story.  Since I have to work on the weekends (when I generally have my daughter) I don’t get to spend the quality time I used to with her.  That’s all she really wants.

2 of the nights I work, I am alone.  I’m all alone right now.  I could be washing a tractor or trailer, but I’m not.  I’m contemplating my life right now.

I don’t know how much I could go on about how I’m pissed off at the “system.”  My hands are tied when it comes to anything regarding keeping her here.  I try to think of myself as a good parent, but I have my self doubts.

Through what my daughter tells me, the environment she has at home is not kind to her.  She thrives on attention and participating in creative endavors.  I like to call her my “little helper.”  She enjoys helping me around the house.  She even helped me with demolition of my garage.  It makes her feel like she’s a part of something, that’s one thing she doesn’t feel when she’s at home.  She just feels in the way.

I was raised in a similar situation and I really feel for her. 

She had a cat named “Polkadots,” her stepdad didn’t like Polkadots, so he went out a bought a dog to scare her away.  Which worked.  This theme seems to run it’s course through every aspect of my daughters life lately.

I’m not trying to blame here, nothing I say or do will change the end result.  Ever since I met her stepdad, I think he felt threatened by me.  Until he left for basic training, I couldn’t even talk with my daughters’ mom alone.  Now he will just have an inflated ego because he’s in the army.

Part of me feels that she would be better off to stay with us until her stepdad and mom get the big picture.  When you have children, your wants and some of your needs become secondary to theirs.  I don’t want to start that argument though.

I hope our upcoming vacation to Disney World will show Taylor that she is loved, and will always be loved by her daddy and Rachel.  I am starting to work on a present to give to her before she leaves.

This is hurting me worse than any thing I can imagine.  Compounded by the problem that I cannot fix it, I can only deal with it. 

New Adventures For Everyone, Hopefully

We are officially planning our spring break vacation now.  Since my daughter has told me that she didn’t really enjoy her recent trip to Oklahoma, we have decided to do something we know she will enjoy.

Rachel and Taylor have not been to Florida.  I haven’t been since I was 9ish.  That was a horrible vacation, as it was bone chilling cold (for Florida anyway), roads were closed, hell Disney and all the other resorts were closed most of the time we were there. 

We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but we are going to the Orlando area.  That is solid as a rock right now.  Hopefully I can borrow my mom’s car again (more room is a plus), Thanks mom!  The next step is figuring out a way to get to NOLA from there.

I have been yearning to meet Editor B & XY for a while now.  I feel as if this may be an opportunity that I do not want to miss out on.  I think a day or 2 wouldn’t be too much to ask, as we are staying in Orlando for 3.

I guess I’ll see how this turns out.

Art Collector?

I have always been a fan of the arts.  Whether it be performing, creative, or without a title.  One problem is that I do not have many “pieces” of art.  I purchased a print while in Oklahoma many years ago.  It was created by Ben Adair Shoemaker.  The artwork itself and the artists’ name struck a cord deep within my soul, as my family lives in Adair county, Oklahoma.

I feel as if I might start on a new path with art due to an article I read in the Herald Times.  My favorite writer (except J of course) has always been Mike Leonard.  He always writes very interesting things, about interesting subjects.

In his latest article, he wrote about a recent meeting with John Mellencamp.  As you may or may not know, John is also an accomplished artist.  John recently completed a 10′ x 10′ painting, and asked Mike if he’d buy it.

I have been a fan of Johns’ work, both music and painting since I have known about them.  I would like to have a piece of his, but have not been able to find a way to do so.  Hopefully, with Mr. Leonard’s help, I will have a chance.

I emailed Mike asking if he knew someone to contact regarding purchasing a painting from John.  He replied stating he would contact John’s manager.  I hope things pan out.

-Interesting note:  My mother auditioned to be a backup singer for John back in the early to mid 80’s.  From what she has told me, everyone loved her voice, she was just too tall.

 

My mom is 6′ tall.

I Need A Vacation!

The only questions are why and where, everything else is covered! 

I have been contenplating travelling to New Orleans, LA for 2 reasons.¬† Number one, to finally meet “Editor B & XY”, number 2, to go to Mardi Gras for the first time.

Since my life has been nothing but a mess lately, I’m unsure if my wife and I will be able to make this journey.¬† Which pains me so.

My wife “claims”¬†she has¬†never been¬†to Florida, even though many know she has been :p¬† So now the plan, I think, is to have a longer spring break trip.¬† We would¬†visit Daytona Beach and Tallahasee, and end our trip with I’m sure a great time in New Orleans.

I am way overdue for a long road trip.¬† My father and I haven’t been able to¬†take our annual weekend Oklahoma trip,(Imagine driving 10 hours to¬†say HI, do you have a place I can sleep, and leaving in the morning)¬†which is great time for the 2 of us to spend quality time together.¬† I must admit, I have never “been” to the “deep south.”¬† I’ve driven through ‘bama and Georgia, but never stayed.¬† Just the thought excites me.

Travelling has always been more about the journey than the destination to me.¬† Don’t get me wrong, I always love where I go, I just enjoy viewing the amazing¬†sights our country has to offer us¬†on the open road.¬† I guess it’s a guy thing?, cuz the wife does not get it at all.