Follow Up... our blonde blue eyed girl!

A few weeks ago we posted about Novatana and her learning challenges. To our surprise, we received a generous and unexpected response from educators that can offer information and experience to us for breaking through the block. As with any good advice, taking it scared the crap out of us. I could not even begin to describe why... the point it is... it just did.

Debra and I have not forgotten and know those offers are still on the table. We were generally pretty weak with our response, but that again is just a signal of how much this is impacting the family on a personal level.

I do that often... and it is a flaw I need to work on. I am quite excellent at coming out and saying there is an issue and in so doing asking for help... yet when the help is presented... I am unable to take advantage with good consistency. One of the greatest areas of balance between Debra and I is her excellent sense of getting the ball rolling. Together we are very well suited. However, when something is very personal and sensitive to both of us... a complete break down ensues. We are rarely presented with such obstacles, so to be honest I am a bit shocked with my lack of respect for those that offer so much.

I need to do a better job of identifying help from those that are trusted and respected... and take action.

Brian - you are solid gold in our eyes. You read and identified your families particular expertise and you tried to connect the dots. We are moving towards being more open and honest with ourselves. From there, Debra and I feel we can be genuine and accepting of gifts that come in all forms. Your parents are amazing individuals. I stand to benefit from their experience and education. I just wanted to say thank you. You are a great friend.

Nova update: Improvement across the board, but still considered failing by school accounts.

- My mother started a reading program.
- My sister is an ESP teacher (I want to say special ed, but it does not mean that.) She will be sitting in the classroom and offering Nova some special 1/1 tutoring to help break through.
- We are considering taking steps with the school psychologist. (Long story... but one that needs to be evaluated (everyone that needs to know already knows we are limited due to some legal issues of the past.))
- Debra and I are trying to behave as though we are not personally failing, which is putting unneeded and unwanted pressure on Novatana.
- The family is taking baby steps towards reform by changing some communication methods.
- The kids are still going to get hell from me when they disrespect Debra... that will never change, but they are all maintaining a self-preservation instinct by not disrespecting me. A wise person told me to let Debra fend for herself to fix the kids constant challenges... that is just too hard for me to do, but I am trying. As it turns out... the venom that flows from Debra is much more potent than anything I would consider dishing out... the kids better beware.

1st camping trip executed

Debra and I are going down to an area south of naples. We are going to spend two nights out in the wild... where water and electrical hook ups are right outside the tent. Also, 100 feet from our site will be the rest room facilities.

Debra declined the sites without these minor amenities... but who and I to argue... she is willing to go into the swamp with Grizzley.

I was just thinking...

about what the heck to do this year... as a family.

On the short list...

- Drive to a location we need to spend some time.
1) MN - visit the Parrish's
2) NY - visit the Xidias's; some work friends I have kept in contact with from Garden City.
3) AZ - remove word drive replace with - fly; but visit a whole slew of people. Fuller's; Daw's; Parrish's; Foster's; Morgan's; Sedona (timeshare)
4) NC - visit the Borrelli's

- Camping in the south. The kids are finally old enough to make this possible. 7,5,3 and if we go as late as August... 8,6,4 are perfect ages to start the introduction. Mike and I within two years will start the hunting phase. I plan on being the first hunting Wheeler in our whole clan. I think Nova has the patience for it.. but that will just not happen. (Sorry ladies!)
1) Georgia... I know nothing about it, but it is far enough north with mountains to get some serious away time from city and suburban areas.
2) TN - camping I am very familiar with.
3) NC - explore a new area and see the Borrelli's

Also, I killed my YMCA membership several months ago (boy do I miss racquetball... in a serious way!) and I am feeling it. I could even say those around me are seeing it. I need to consider alternatives... for a new year resolution.

-

How General Motors Violated Your Trust

My first car was a 1976 Ford Granada. That car was amazing, and just like the Billy Joel song... it is hard to forget a car with so much history. My best friend of my youth was a chevy man. He hated Fords... so I grew to understand the company had a troubled past.

The new Ford is not anything close to the old Ford. We are asking customers to simply drive one to see. The hybrid Fusion is going to redefine how Ford is viewed on yet another level.

As I said, I know I am a Ford man both in spirit and by pay check. As you will see in this article, there are a great many things wrong with my industry. We are not all blind to the truth. I beleive the plan I am apart of can make the difference. We have strong leadership. Even if I am a street sweeper in the weeks to come and no longer residing in my pretty house... I'll still be a Ford man simply because of their focus on me... the customer.

What Now...

This has been a very interesting trip. I thought I would have a great deal of time to work on some stuff that was building up.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Worst parts:
- No family for what will be a total of 23 days. That just plain stinks. Yes, I get daily updates from my spoken one (Novatana) and that is wonderful... but that does not help when I can't reach out and hold them.

- No time. I am alone, but I have no time. During my time here... I'll rack up 72 hours of overtime. I brought things to keep me busy, but I hardly ever get to them. When I am off... rest and relaxation is the order of the day.

- No comfort. I miss my $5k silver dream. The moment I laid down in her arms... I knew I had to have it. Being away from my silver dream is near disaster. I never sleep well... and I am going to need to catch up time when I get home. I do not have any prostate issues... and I average 2-3 wake ups per night from this crappy bed.

- Horrible internet connectivity. Everywhere I go is wireless and it bites the big one. I can never stay logged on for long. I need to repeatedly sign on to get or send info. That gets old after a few days.... let alone 23.

- No racquetball courts. I mean no where close.

Best parts:
- I love the cold weather. Seriously, it is unseasonably cold for the area. There is usually no snow around this time of the year and already Ogdensburg has had 6-7 inches. I keep the windows and doors open more than most. I still wear my shorts!

- The people. Small town America is so nice. I have never seen so many local, county, state, or federal police in my entire life in one location. More than I ever saw in NYC living/working... the home of 25k cops in 5 boroughs that could easily fit into a corner section of St. Lawrence county. Ogdensburg law is keeping the town safe. St. Lawrence county badges are keeping someone in line... who the heck knows... but they are out there - all over. NYS troopers have two stations on my 5 min drive from hotel to dealership. Last but not least, Federal Border Patrol officers are here to stop drugs and illegal Canadians from coming into this great land of the free. I feel very safe with all this law around here. Apparently, the people of Ogdensburg feel just as safe.

- I was provided a warning... no ticket. Handsfree cells phone use in vehicles is the law in New York. I should have known better, but I forgot. I lived in NY when it was put into effect. I forgot about this law and was pulled over by State Police. My Florida drivers license saved me... so I got off with a warning.

- Italian food - Nothing I would recommend my food critic to visit, but it was good to taste some decent sauce. I was seeking my version of Smiley Pizza... I did not find its equal... a couple of close runner ups.

- Hunting - I have spoken to more hunters than I can recall. I checked out some 6 and 8 pointers... they drive around and show them off. I have secured several open invites... should I need to cash them in down the road.

Now I am counting the minutes to get home and hold my kids and hold close my love...

I have much to be thanful for. My family is doing well. My wife and kids are getting what is needed. My close friends are all doing well and some are having more kids. The holiday season is upon us... embrace it and give some Christmas cheer to those around you... that is my mission when I get home.

This is Grizzley from the top of NYS... saying good night and God bless.

NRO

Preventing National Suicide
Tips on conserving and protecting from across the pond.
By Melanie Phillips

(Thanks to my good friend PTC I have located the string he originally gave me way back in the day of this blog to link aritcles.)

Set apart from an American reality


This article was forwarded to me from a friend. I think it is set apart from our reality, but does hold some lessons to be forewarned against. Easy read.

Yes I Can!

Could I make it past illegal campaigners on my way to District 534 and vote....

Can I tell them who I am not voting for...

Can I tell one passionate campaigner semi-blocking my direct walking path to Northdale Lutheran Church move or else...

Did I find that I am not on the voting list for my district (or Florida for that matter), but could appeal on the spot and cast a mail away ballot...

Can I walk back through the same loon's actively drinking Kool aid without incident....

Did I want to... hell no! I would have loved an opportunity to maintain my path even if someone was in the way but I really did not see them!

I am watch the second season of The Closer. A colleague at work lent it to me. It is a great season. I like the characters. Ever since my xbox went down, I have had a bit more free time to do other things after the kiddies goto bed. As I was watching the episodes... I would flip back to CNN periodically and see the writing on the wall I read weeks before... B.O. was going to win.

Yes We Can... was pretty powerful. I took my first sip of the Kool-Aid. No wonder PTC is hooked... it is 12% alcohol!!! I will assemble in line with the country. I will maintain my optimism. I will not be the first I told you so freaks... but I will keep it in the back of my mind. I will try to get Mike and Nova to think I am not a flip flopper... both of them were Obama fans... but neither would stand up to PTC questioning. To my surprise, I had a great discussion with my father. Growing up in NY... I am a republican because of my father. As I learned through the years under his expert tutelage, I came to understand just how unmovable he is on that point. Clinton certainly gave me ample ammunition to test him and up until the whole cigar I really had him listening... after the incident... I lost all momentum.

Truth be told, Pop voted for Obama. Although I certainly am more in the middle than he is, with respect to conservative values, I was shocked to hear why he did what he did change his ways and vote B.O.... well lets just say I understand but I cannot discuss it.

I will wait and see how this all plays out. The first year will be the most significant for change. I can't wait to see all this promised "change" happen. I do not want to see some back peddling fool try to defend less than dramatic change.

I am not going to reveal his reasons... since he asked that I don't. However, I will be watching our new President in a new way...

That I can do.... YES I CAN!