So Where Have I Been?

Some of you may have noticed that I have been absent from this site for longer than usual. Thanks for noticing. So, where have I been? Actually, it isn't as much a question of where I have been, but more where I haven't. Which is home.

This is the 120th day of 2009. I have been in a plane, train, or automobile for 36 of those 120 days. Doesn't seem too bad at first, until you break it down to the fact that I have been gone for 30% of this year so far. That's 30% of the year I have missed with Donna, Gavin, and Isabelle. That's 30% less Dad time. 30% less home project time. 30% less "keeping up with the Jones'" time. Any way you look at it, I have had just less time this year, and am frankly having a difficult time adjusting to it.

Trying to make up for losing 30% of the year, in the 70% that you have only breeds one thing...Stress. And that, I do have. Clinical case. Check em off. Schedule out of whack? Check. Sleep messed up? Check. Eating like crap? Check. Drinking more? Check. Moody? Check. And on, and on, and on. So, what have I done about it? I have done what I can, and dropped what I can't. Unfortunately, for my loyal readers, this site got dropped. Hard.

But life rolls on. The summer months are right around the corner, and I can see by looking at the calendar that it is going to be a busy one filled with fantastic time spent with family and friends. Some of you will be joining us as we break (not literally) in our new camper. And yes, I fully expect to take a ton of crap from the Posadni's our first trip out. We will be traveling for the Holidays, and hitting Maine this year with the whole Anderson clan.

I am going to take a break for a while, and let the things I can get done in life, get done. And those that I can't, I'll pick back up a little later. So, until I find my way back, I'll leave you with this. Thanks for checking in, and I'll enjoy my summer with you face to face.

Exponential Times

This presentation was shown at a recent Technical Forum I attended. It's pretty cool, and pretty staggeringly scary, data. We live in an amazing technical time, and I luckily get to have my hands in it first hand every day at work. But, even I, whose company is a large beneficiary of this explosion, often wonders...when is enough, too much?

Enjoy!

Exhale, Inhale, Repeat

Donna and I spent last weekend on an absolutely amazing cruise. Now, the cruise wasn't amazing because of where we went, or the amenities we discovered on board, but because of what it allowed us to do. We could breathe. Sounds simple, huh? It is, until you try and find time to actually do it in your daily life. We had an amazing time sitting, talking, relaxing, and most importantly, breathing. All things we had not done in quite a long time. I was able to re-introduce myself to Donna, and in turn learn that she is still a woman I enjoy spending time with and talking to for hours on end. Over the last five years of life, kids, families, careers this one on one knowledge seemed to get shuffled to the back of our minds, and just taken for granted for a while. It was priceless to be able to dust it off, and learn that even after all this time, we are still the two people who started this journey together almost 10 years ago.

We booked the cruise to coincide with Donna's 40th birthday. Donna is a sun and beach girl, and her wish was to get out of town, and spend her birthday relaxing in the sun and sand.Did I say she wanted to relax for her 40th birthday??

Mother nature cooperated, and we enjoyed amazing weather as we spent time enjoying the ship, the local shops of Nassau, Bahamas, and of course....the beach. I have to say, living in upstate New York, there is something very cleansing about swimming in clear blue ocean water in early March. It really gets rid of winter and sets the mind for spring.Relaxing...island style.
Beach feet.

Did I mention blue water??

Although the trip was only three days, we filled it with as much sun, music, and relaxation as we could and left the ship Monday morning ready to come home to Gavin, Isabelle, and reality. Now, only four days later, the trip seems like it was a year ago as life, priorities, and stress have flooded back in. But, it was an amazing time, and we are very thankful that our wonderful families gave us the opportunity to enjoy those three days together and take some much needed breaths.

And Bubbles makes 5

Gavin has been asking to have a pet for quite some time now. He has wanted a cat, a dog, a fish, a parrot, a lizard, a snake, and a hamster at one time or another. This past weekend, we finally gave him permission to get his first pet. Allow me to introduce Bubbles, the newest member of our family.

Gavin is very excited. Bubbles lives in his tank, on Gavin's bedroom dresser. Gavin is using Bubbles to learn responsibility in the hopes that he can one day graduate up to a more "difficult" pet to own. He has his "difficulty" scale all figured out. He plans to stay with fish for a while, and maybe get a couple more to keep Bubbles company. Then, he will move onto a hamster. Then will come a rabbit, soon followed by a bird. Next he will own a cat, and ultimately a dog. So, the way I see it, we will have a few dead fish, then a cat to scare, chase, and eat the hamster and bird, and finally a dog to keep the cat away.

Actually, Gavin is doing a great job with Bubbles so far. He has marked the calendar in his room for each of the days that Bubbles needs to be fed, and he is very careful not to do anything that will scare him. It is so cute to watch Gavin sit on the end of his bed and watch Bubbles swim, and he gets so excited when it is time for feeding. Who knows, he just may work himself up to a hamster yet. Maybe when he is 12.....

Well Done, Pops.

Well done, Pops. We are each given one go around on this Earth, and you certainly made the most of yours. Many people will say that you left us much too early, and I will certainly agree. However, as if planned from the start, you completed all your tasks, and left nothing unfinished before saying good-bye. Many people leave curious about their legacy, and what they will be remembered for. You Pops, were one of the lucky ones. You lived and enjoyed your legacy each day you were with us. You leave a world filled with people better for having known you, no matter how brief a time. A man who can live a life of self-less joy, and leave a legacy of love, is truly a special man, and certainly a man that I am better for having let into my life.
On behalf of all of the lives you have touched and filled with joy, laughter, and love, I say thanks for coming. And for those that shared in your life the closest, your Wife of 50 years, Six happy Children, thirteen Grandchildren, Daughter-in-laws, Son-in-laws, Brothers, lifelong friends, we are basking in a rare sunny February day in Rochester, knowing you are at peace.

You and I have had several talks over the years that I will always hold dear. But nothing means more to me than the trust you put in me to watch over your Daughter. The love you held for your family was ever present in everything you did in your life. Each day I look at my wife and my children, I see the imprints of your love and guidance, and I welcome that this will continue for years to come.

Finally, I find myself coming back to this song. We spoke over the last two weeks of your plans, and how you wanted your family to be. Self-less to the end, I came back to this song as if it was written by your hand. So, for you and your family, I leave it here.

Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going (click the link to hear the song)

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

(Chorus)
So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.

But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.

Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.

When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.

Godspeed Bob. I'll look for you with my family each day, and I know you will be looking over us. Welcome home, may you rest easy knowing you made this world a better place.

Everyday Strength

Daily life takes strength. Life's extreme challenges ask us to rise above, and pull from deeper within ourselves than we thought possible. I am amazed each day as I watch the strength that Donna has within herself. Strength that she doesn't even realize is there. As she gets up each morning and assumes the role of Mother, Daughter, Wife, Friend, Care-Giver, Griever, Planner, Supporter, and Organizer I am in awe of her abilities. Each day I look at her, and even though she fails to see it in herself, I see a Wonder Woman.


Create your own FACEinHOLE

To My Valentine

I Love You.