I'm here, but I am not feeling the HYPE

I am in Superbowl central, but one would not even know it. I have asked those that lived here when the Giants played the Ravens.... several of those asked described the atmosphere as 'jacked up' and you could tell everywhere that you were in the zone. The zone is that time between the championship games and the big show. Many of them went to the big game, but not this year.

So what has changed?

Consumer confidence... nobody wants to spend any money and I do not blame them. The business in the area know it as well and have adjusted advertising. The media I think are sensitive to this as well and their overall lack of presence is also noticed. I'm sure it will be a great game. Those who can attend - are. Going to a Superbowl will be checked off my list (eventually), but it will not be this year. (Taking out travel costs... a purchase price option for me would go up 300 in my book for a hometown venue.) A great friend of mine is going and I am delighted to get a chance to see him. He left his wife home, but besides that minor infraction, should prove entertaining... heck now I get to see both sides. I'll watch it in high definition on my 65 inches of joy and hear his point of view = perfection.

I must choose...

and there is only a 5% chance I will go.

Tulsa, OK
Baton Rouge, AL
Watertown, NY
Freehold, NJ
and my personal favorite...
Bangor, ME


Why is that my personal favorite? Because... nobody would go there and going means a whole heck of a lot of attention!

Another potential business trip to protect company assets.

Remember... only 5% chance of getting regardless of selection. I can only choose one location. My real favorite is Freehold, NJ. That is 1 hour from NYC.

Personal Pictures

I was off last week for 5 days. It was nice. We were suppose to go away (refer to prior posts) so most of the time was spent chilling. I was in the garage putting some order to the chaos and I uncovered a box that was unpacked since we moved from CA.

It was full of our family pictures and frames. It is funny how the Lord works... because all of a sudden I had a need to hang some family photos and for the life of me... I could not locate hardly any.

Well, after Debra and I peeled this box open and insodoing created a playground from the loads and loads of packing paper inside (kids had way too much fun with that little gift), we found them all. To our surprise it was perfect timing since mold is something you do not want on your pictures. In FL nothing this important should be stored in any space which is either unheated or cooled. The moisture in this geographic region is hard to understand, but it destroys with precision. Well these pictures tucked safely under a small forest of trees (packing paper) was just starting to show signs of mold.

We (Debra) cleaned every frame, glass insert, and gently cared for each picture allowing ample time to dry before we (me) put them all back together. After we (Debra and I) first saw the mold... we (Debra) figured we (Debra) lost most if not all. Well as it turns out... we only lost 3-4 out of several dozen. (That was my view the whole time for the record.)

I will scan the pictures where mold has started and will eventually ruin the pics... now our house is scattered with the faces that walk around it... I got use to the no pictures... now it is nice to see the kids in their youth!

Camping Trip delayed...

The temps here in sunny FL did not stick to the 10 day forecast. Instead of nightly lows in the 60's... the temp drop along with the rest of the country.

I could not expose Debra to 40's for night time lows... even though there would be a grizzly there with her... it was better to play it safe instead of ruin a potential good thing.

So we are looking to go in a month or two.

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.

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