Another "Crossing Over"

With my new work schedule comes a myriad of missed family events. Most extra-curricular activities (sports, scouts, concerts, etc) happen in the evenings. Now that I am back to working evenings, I miss out on most. Last night's activities fall into the "missed" category.

Up until today all the posts under the "Scouts" tag have been about Boy Scouts, Pinewood Derby, and Jonathan's Crossing over from Weblos to Boy Scouts. Well, I am officially changing that. Last night Rebecca "Crossed Over" from a Daisy Girl Scout to Brownie Girl Scout.

Although I missed it, my wife videotaped it. I watched it this morning with Rebecca, and was as proud of her as if I was there! She proudly ran up to her room, and donned her new "Brownie Vest" (that is yet to be adorned with the numbers, pins, and patches that will eventually fill it). Last night Rebecca was awarded the "Brownie Scout Pin" and the "Bridge to Brownies" patch. The Brownie Pin is for all current Brownie Scouts, and the "Bridge to Brownies" patch is for all girls that completed "Daisy Scouts".

Also - an interesting little story involving the Jordan Girl Scouts...

At the ceremony there was a special US flag predominantly displayed. One of the Jordan Girl Scout Troops got together and decided to send two "cases" of Girl Scout Cookies to some of the US Troops fighting in Iraq. The soldiers were so delighted to get the boxes of cookies that, as a gesture of thank-you, in return they sent back the flag that had flown over their camp. The Girl Scouts have made this their official ceremonial flag to be displayed at all events. What a simple gesture each way, but in it's own special way it meant a lot to each group.

(Hey Ed and Bill... Y'all should pay special attention to this post. Ed, it's only a couple of short years before Allison is old enough, and Bill, you still have a bit over five years before Maeve can join, but it's never too early to start learning about all this stuff!)

How good do you "think" you know me?

This summer is my 20 year high school reunion.

Back in 1987, I graduated from the Academy of Holy Angels (or AHA for short). Today I received all the paperwork for this year's reunion event(s).

I graduated in a relatively small group of people (about 120), and knew everyone pretty well. I always have looked forward to my reunion(s), and this one is no different. I have stayed in contact with about 6 of my old classmates over the years. (I have even talked about one of them here on the blog before as inspiration for starting my "Father of Five" blog.)

One of the forms is called "What's Your Scoop?". They are putting together information on what I (and my classmates) have been up to since June 1987. It has all the basic questions.. Spouse, Kids, Job, etc, etc, etc... But at the very bottom of the page they are trying to put together a little reunion fun with the following question...

Stump your classmates! For a little fun at the reunion, we'll try to guess who answered what to the following question. (Be creative and truthful!)

"Since AHA, I've ___________________________________________________."

I have already started my answer. I will share the "final answer" that I give later... In the mean time, I'd like to see how those who "think" they know me best feel I would answer this question. Post your answers as a comment! Remember, be as "creative and truthful" as you think I am being!!

A Desperately Needed Break

Well, in the middle of another busy and hectic week, I got an email from my friend Ed.

It seems that Ed had left his dog Jake with his sister and their family while they were all dealing with the hospitalization of their father. Ed had to make a trip to the Twin Cities to pick Jake up, and he had something to drop off at my house (I will describe later). Since Ed was traveling from Duluth, Mn - we decided to make it an afternoon.

Ed arrived around 9 am, and I welcomed him in just as I was finished rebuilding our kitchen phone.

The phone is an AT&T 1817 corded wall phone with a built in answering machine. Over the last few years this phone had gone from bad to worse (from use by a large family). The ringer volume switch is broken. It was painted with "white-out" by one of "the five", the (answering machine's) volume up and down buttons no longer worked, and as of yesterday, the delete message button got stuck on, and would delete messages after you played them back.

Being the "Jack of all trades - Master of none" that I am, I am not afraid of the disassembly of small electronic appliances. In fact, I sometimes amaze myself on the things I have been able to repair / restore / "bring back from the dead" over the years. I have made "electronic repairs" on the circuit boards of a fried police scanner, baby monitor, a couple of CB radios, numerous AM/FM radios, and video games. This morning I had disassembled the entire phone, and began cleaning all the "mechanical components" (buttons, carbon contact membrane, levers, and switches), and then I carefully cleaned all the "white out" from the phone. I was in the process of reassembling the phone, and hooking it all back up when Ed arrived.

It was great to see Ed, and he was looking "none worse for the wear" for all the stress that he went through last week. We got to catching up with everything that was going on, and he brought out a "WAY TO NICE" birthday gift he got for me.

One of the reasons Ed came down to the Twin Cities (referenced above) was to deliver an "ultra high quality hand crafted toddler bed" that he made. After searching out a toddler bed for his daughter, Ed decided that he could make a better one on his own. As always, when Ed does something, he does it well! That meant that Ed needed a couple of new tools to build the bed correctly. After explaining how much he spent for the materials, and to the tools, I suggested that he make a couple of extra beds to sell on eBay or Craigslist which could use to pay off the extra cost of the tools. Ed did just that. He made one additional bed (so far). With my "computer skills" - I agreed to create a sheet of "assembly instructions" for him, get some good photos, and I'll see if he wants to try and sell this bed via Craigslist here in the metro area (since it's already down here). If this works well, I believe he is planning on making, and selling a few more. Who knows, this could become a cottage industry!

The bed is unbelievable. It is what I would call heirloom quality. This bed will outlast both Ed and I - and, I believe, will outlast his daughter, and his daughter's children. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is nothing short of breathtaking.

After some visiting, unloading & oogling over the toddler bed, and a little more visiting, we ran to Rademacher's Grocery and picked up our "regular" lunch staple - Ambassador wieners by Wimmer's Meats (drooling "Homer Simpson style"), and Bushes Onion Baked Beans. We got back home, BBQ'ed the wieners, cooked the beans, and poured a couple of Long Island Iced Teas.

Life is good.

After lunch, we returned to the garage, (or what Ed likes to refer to as "Man Central") and proceeded to fire up a couple of vintage premium Colorado/Maduro Petit Perfecto Ashe Cigars (These are no longer produced, and are ULTRA RARE!). We both agreed - they were MOST EXCELLENT! The garage smelled great!

Once the cigars became nothing more than a lingering taste, smell, and memory - we wandered around the yard with Molly (our cairn terrier) laughing at (well, at least Ed was laughing at) the sprinkler heads that Molly has dug up, the holes she has dug into the yard, the trees she has "peeled" the bark off of, and other miscellaneous doggy mischief she has gotten herself into.

By this time, I needed to get ready to leave for work, and so, Ed headed out to get his dog Jake, and I headed out to work. This was the first day this week that I went to work not feeling overly stressed. It was refreshing!

We had a great afternoon doing - NOTHING. We hung out just like old times. It was a bit breezy and cold, so we spent much of our time just hanging out in "Man-Central" (the garage),

Today was truly a "Desperately Needed Break" (see the title of this entry).

Affairs of the heart.

Yes, folks... It's true. In the past few days I have experienced troubles with "affairs of the heart". Now, before you all start jumping to conclusions - let me explain. It all started last week while listening to the Ron & Fez radio show. Fezzie had been having some "chest pains" while on the air. Since he suffered a previous heart attack in 2005, Ron, East Side Dave and Black Earl took it pretty serious, and convinced him into going to the hospital - all live and on the air. It was very emotional. It was later discovered that he needed a 2nd stint put into one of his arteries. Yeah, I know it's a radio show, but I love my "radio buddays" and feel like I know them personally. Hang in there Fezzie! I have been sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to hear back on how Fez is doing. I'll find out today (Monday) between 11am - 2pm (Central) on XM Radio's channel 202 "The Virus". Then, two days later, priorities hit hard when Ed called me up and said that his Dad was in the hospital - His heart was acting up again. (Ed's parents were my "second parents" growing up. They are still very near and dear to me...) Without going into a lot of details, Ed called and explained the situation. I asked to be kept abreast of what was happening, and kept their family in my constant thoughts and prayers. Not long after the first call, Ed called again and told me he was packing his family up and they were on their way to the hospital where his Dad was staying (2 hours away). From what I understand, it was pretty "touch and go" and Ed's Dad's heart was quickly loosing it's capabilities. Again, asking Ed to call me with any updates (at any time of the day or night) I was expecting "the call" in the middle of the night. When no call came in that night, I called Ed the next morning, and discovered that his Dad was rallying back a bit, and that the fluids that were building up in his body (and reducing the effectiveness of his heart) had drained, and that things were looking up a bit. Out of respect for the family I wont go into a lot of details here, but suffice it to say that while the news is not "great", it certainly could have been much worse, and as of the last contact I had with Ed, after a surgery on Sunday (yesterday) things should have stabilized for his Dad last night and into this morning. - - - - - - - - - - - - I am still trying to adjust to my new schedule. It is a very different type of work that happens from 3pm - 11pm. 

A brief tour of ebay over the past couple of weeks has neted me (at a damn good price) the remainder of the parts needed to alarm everything I want alarmed in the house. Originally my house was only to have 4 sensors. I was not comfortable with that number, and after installing the four, I have been watching for more at a good price. Last week I was able to pick up the remaining seven sensors, and the remote access keepad that I have been watching for. These parts should all arrive sometime this week, and I hope by next week to have the alarm system 100% complete and functional.

Mother's Day

A happy Mother's Day to ALL mother's out there. You are all appreciated more than you realize, and frankly, less than you deserve.

A very special Mother's Day to the mother's in MY life. I too am guilty of under appreciating you. You all have a special roll to play, and deserve far more recognition that I give you. Thanks for all you do.

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We live in a "split entry" home, and we have a modest sized entryway. A number of years back we picked up an "el-cheapo" / "build it yourself" pine bench for the entryway. We always intended on finishing it, but the pine was of "less than good" quality, and was very soft (easily ding'ed, dented, scratched, bitten, and chewed). The bench did not take "wood stain" well, but "would stain" very easily with other products (like melting Popsicles, freezy-pops, spilled drinks, melted chocolate, dog tinkle, markers, crayons, pencils, dirt, sand, water - I think you get the picture). The pine bench became an eyesore and frankly, an excuse / place to drop whatever we walked into the house with (bags, coats, shoes, toys, etc, etc, etc). For Mother's Day, I picked up a furniture set that my wife has been looking at for a while to replace the pine bench from hell.


After giving her the gift, we cleared out the bench and set the furniture up along the wall. I took some photos of it, but alas, I forgot my camera in the van, and my wife has the van today.

I scoured the web for a link to the furniture, (Ed wanted to know what it looked like last week - but I could not find a pic or a link). So, without any of my own pics, or a link to set up, I did the next best thing. I took a scan of the set from an advertisement. This looks just like the set, but it is not an actual picture of the set in my house. (I suppose I'll get around to replacing this photo with a real one in the next few days... but for now, you will have to live with this.

My Reading List

Ok...

Earlier today I posted about two books I wanted to read. I posted about them because my friend Bill would be intrested in them, and would add them to his "reading list". I then made reference to Bill to post his reading list (which I still think is a good idea), and I have also gotten a book recomendation from Eric. I decided that since I found a good book from Eric's list, and told Bill to post his reading list, why would I not post my own?

So, here goes! (In no particular order)

My Father's Gun
Nightmares and Secrets
The Journal of Professor Abraham Van Helsing
The Story of a Lifetime
Walking with the Devil
Working the Edge: Surviving In the World's Most Dangerous Profession: King Crab Fishing on Alaska's High Seas
Stories of the Old Duck Hunters: & Other Drivel
Last Stories of the Old Duck Hunters
They Used to Call Us Game Wardens
They Used to Call Us Game Wardens Volume 2
Root Beer Lady
Bass Guitar for Dummies

Books I own, and are awaiting a read.

More Stories of the Old Duck Hunters
Nights of Ice: True Stories of Disaster and Survival on Alaska's High Seas
One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey

I also have an "e-book" I need to read.

More Readings from One Man's Wilderness: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke 1974-1980

My Wish List

I will keep this as a "Perpetual" blog entry
(Look for the link on the left sidebar on the blog.)

Currently on my "Wish List" is...

- A Bench Grinder
- An Indoor / Outdoor Weather Station
- An AM/FM/CD/MP3 Projection Clock Radio (if they even make such a thing...)
- An Internal framed backpack
- A Ron and Fez tee Shirt.

- Also - see "My Reading List" (another Perpetual blog entry) for a list of wanted books.

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Last Updated 08-19-07

Add to my "Wish List"

Two days ago I was walking through Mills Fleet Farm, and I ran across these two books.

"They Used to Call Us Game Wardens" and "They Used to Call Us Game Wardens Volume 2"

Now, I know my friend and colleague Bill has a "Reading list" that he keeps. I do not recall if he has these books on his list, but knowing what I know about Bill (read the last sentence of the first paragraph from THIS post...) if these books are not on his list, after he reads this entry I am confident that they will! (Hey Bill, your "reading list" would make a great post!)

As for me, I'll be adding these books to my "Wish List".

I have been busy plugging away at "graduation plans" for Ben (the oldest of the five) who graduates High School next month. Lots to do, for that.

As for any other fathers out there with kids in "less than high school age" or are awaiting their birth... (ahem... Eric, Bill, Mark...) one tip... Start saving money now for your kids senior year. WOW - it gets expensive... Class ring, Senior Pictures, Senior Party, Graduation fees, Graduation announcements, Graduation invites, parties, etc, etc, etc... It's the "black hole" of "disposable income" for us dads.... Just a heads up from me to you...

Shift Change.

For the past eight months, I have worked a more "normal" schedule - working from 7am to 3pm.

But, the world of 9-1-1 is a 24 hour need, and therefore requires many shifts to provide accurate coverage for the citizens that it is our duty to serve and protect.

Two days ago was the start to our next "trimester", and because of some changes here at home, I needed to switch shifts to the 3pm to 11pm shift. For many years the "midwatch" shift was my favorite. Things change. Time and tide stand still for no one. So now, it is with trepidation that I move to my former "favorite" shift.

I bet you are asking why I am blathering on about this shift change. Well, I am letting my readers know this because in the past eight months, my entries would be posted in the evenings (after 3pm). Now, you will find my postings occur in the mornings (before 3pm) - Unless of course it is my day off...

Birthday Shopping

Last night's "family activity" was more centered around Zachary (#3). He had a recent birthday, and had asked for money and/or gift cards because he was saving up for a special item.
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I'll give you a hint, and finish the post tonight or tomorow...
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HINT
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Be kind to me... It was the first web page(es) I ever built.
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(Oh, and P.S. - There is a low bandwith limit on that page, so you may or may not get a "temporarly unavaiable" notice. If you do, you will just have to try back later. Not much I can do about that unless I make it a paid page, and... well... I'm not going to do that.)

The story behind the fish tank is that I too am an "aquariust" I have kept fish tank(s) ever since I was 16 years old.

My first fish tank - I bought with my own money. My parents did not even know I did it - The store (which to this day is still my favorite fish store was "Pets Unlimited" in Edina. It is no longer open. It closed maybe 15 years ago (or so). I would walk up and down the fish isles of that store for hours at a time. Daydream about setting up a salt water aquarium, and drool over all the high priced doo-dads.

Here is a bit of my fish-keeping history - taken from my "How I Got Into Aquara" webpage.

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I started fishkeeping at age 16 (1985). I bought my first tank after I started workin' for a living. I started with a 10g. Being very new, and inexperienced in keeping fish, the whole tank got ich and died. But I was determined for no other reason than I liked the sound of the bubbling water in my bedroom at night! I broke the tank down, cleaned everything and started over, learning from my mistakes as I went.

A couple of years later I added a 29g while keeping the 10g up and running.

Some time after that my (then girlfriend / now wife) wanted me to set up a fishbowl for her 2 year old son. (Against my better judgement) I did. They loved the bowl, but wanted an aquarium. I took the bowl home as a rescue attempt (my only real unsavory long-term experience with fishkeeping) and set up another 10g for the Girlfriend and her son. At this point I was maintaining my 29g, 10g, the goldfish bowl – and a "remote" 10g (at the girlfriend’s place).

By now I was finishing college and moving out on my own. I moved into a SMALL apartment with a roommate, and (initially) did not set up any tanks. I (very quickly) got bored and missed my fish. I spoke to my roommate and (again) set up a 10g in a small corner of the apartment.

By now it is now 1993 (8 years later). One wedding (mine), two moves, and the purchase of a "fixer-upper" house finally caused me to give up the tanks.

We fixed up and sold the "fixer-upper" and in 1999 had a custom home built. Still no room for tanks. We built a 2 bedroom home, with the plan that we would be adding 2 more bedrooms in the basement, but the basement was unfinished, and I wanted my tank(s) down there. As we approached Christmas, my (now) 13 year old stepson had a large Science Fair project coming up, so we took care of both by buying him a new 10g tank, setting it up, and doing his Science Project on the Nitrogen Cycle. (He finished 2 nd). Needless to say while helping him out with his tank, I got that "itch" again.

Well, the basement is just about finished (well, enough to set up a tank again). I dug out an old 30g tank that belonged to my sister from my parents house. I just finished building a "rough" stand for it and am starting to pick up items I need to get it up and running. I have been researching fish, fish tanks, equipment, etc (since I have had a nine year hiatus from the hobby some things have changed / improved), and have decided on setting up a Shell Dwelling Cichlid tank.

- - - - - -

That was written back in 2002-2003. I did set up my Multifacitus tank (that Web page documents quite a bit of it). You can see what my tank looks like (for the most part) now HERE. (There have been a few changes in "decoration" - mostly the texas holey rock has been re-arragned a few times...)

A little list

UPDATED 05/03/07 @ 2018 hours

Well, I have ended yet another busy workweek. In addition to work, and training a new employee, Ben was Confirmed, and Melissa (the youngest) celebrated her thrid birthday. Let's just say that my schedule was busy enough that my 38th birthday came and went (and I did not even notice it - which is not a bad thing). I am not much of a birthday guy anyway. A quick phone call, or a hug from the kids wishing me happy birthday is about all I need!

I start three days off today, and have quite a few things planned. (Many "little" tasks that need my attention)

Here is a list of some of the things I want to get done on my days off.
(Crossed off items have been completed)

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Change Oil in the Escort

Pick up rocks from the yard (scattered by the kids from the landscaping throughout the winter)

Buy some new jeans (On-line)

Get a haircut (I have a coupon!)

Fill the cracks in our driveway

Research a replacement battery for my Palm Pilot

Finish the last few items left on the deck

Mow the lawn - But before mowing, I had to do the "spring clean up" of the mower. I also decided that this was the year I am going to buy a bench grinder to sharpen the blade. I also discovered while mowing the lawn that I needed to Spray lawn weeds with herbicide.

Apply for our annual "Recreational Fire" permit

Pay the Bills

Pick up Ben on early release day (after his juggling club meeting)

Clean the garage

Start up the sprinkler system for the year (and troubleshoot) - No problems.

Sorry Everyone

I have not posted much and have only checked into my friend's blogs once or twice over the past several days. I have noticed a flurry of activity around Jeff's Blog, and feel kind of left out. I am glad to see he has started posting, and (in my opinion) he has "knocked one out of the park" with his "running theme - Photo quiz" posts! I think he found the niche that will keep him coming back! Nice job Jeff! Last week, as I ended another long week with a large amount of overtime, I started feeling lousy Friday night when I went home. I felt pretty run down. I awoke Saturday morning with a sore throat (again), and having just dealt with Strep, I went to the clinic Saturday morning. The "quick check" came back negative, and the Doc said I could have a tonsillitis, but it was unlikley strep. He said to take ibuprofen to relieve the pain, and go about my normal business. He said that they would still do the "full culture" in the lab, but because they were closed on Sunday, I would not hear back until Monday. He said it was a "no news is good news" way of passing along info. (If I did not hear from the lab, then the results were negative.) Sunday was a very busy day (Confirmation send off Mass for Ben, and subsequent party). But the day came and went (still feeling lousy). Monday came and went a little more quiet day, but I had Melisssa home with me for the day.(I was feeling even more lousy, but I did not receive any phone call from the lab. Monday night / Tuesday morning I could not sleep - my throat still hurt, and it kept me awake that night. I had already decided I needed to go back because something was wrong... Tuesday was VERY BUSY - the day was filled with me chaufering kids around (School, dentist, docotor, etc) Jordan to Prior Lake. Prior Lake to Minnetonka. Minnetonka back to Jordan. Jordan to Burnsville Burnsville to Minnetonka Minnetonka to Jordan I got in my car at 8:30 am and made it home at 5:00 pm. When I got home at 5, there was a message on the answering machine for me from the lab (I was not at all surprised to see that) saying I needed to call them back. I did, and found out that "the strep" was back. My wife was shopping at Target - So I had another prescription (this time a more powerful antibiotic (or so I am told)) called in there, and she was able to pick it up while she was there (saving me another trip). When she returned home and we told the kids my strep was back, Zachary told us that he had a sore throat. I checked his throat, I could see the tell-tale signs of strep there too. So, just after she got home, she turned around and took Zachary to urgent care to get a throat culture done. That test also came back "negative" on the quick check, but they told us they will do the 24 hour culture and know for sure. We were told the same "no news is good news" deal about lab results. I had my first dose of Meds in me by 7pm. Doc's orders was not to return to work until 24 hours after first dose, so I had to call into work sick (and "hose-over" one of my co-workers. (God how I hate doing that - Sorry to whomever that was). Then, after my wife got home, I had one last trip back and forth between Jordan and Prior Lake. Jordan to Prior Lake and.... Prior Lake back to Jordan. I made it home by 10:pm. By 10 pm last night I was really starting to feel bad, and am going to take most of today just to rest and catch up. I kept Zachary home with me today too, (as I am quite sure he also has strep) just waiting for the call from the lab. So, my blogging friends, please forgive my hiatus from posting, and from reading. I hope to be back to normal some time in the next day or two. On a side note - we have hired a new staff, and he started work today. He was supposed to do a "sit along" with me and I was going to start his classroom traning tomorow. He will be sitting with one of my partners instead and I will begin his week of Classroom training with him tomorow. I will then spend the remaining few days of that work-week with him at a my desk. I will take him with me for one more week as I move back to working evenings (3pm - 11pm). That will be a big change for me. I have grown to like working day-watch (7am - 3pm) - I get to actually spend time with my kids. Afternoon hours wont be too bad for the summer though - I get to be home with them in the mornings, and will get to do some FUN THINGS with them during the day-time hours! .

The Invention Convention 2007

Tax Season 2007

It's that time again... Taxes.

As Benjamin Franklin was once quoted as saying..
"...in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

That being said, finishing my taxes was inevitable. For the first time in about twelve years, I did not have by taxes done early. Normally I get them done in February, but this year, I kept "putting them off". That was until I looked at my already "way too busy" calender, realizing that I had yet to finish my taxes, about three days to finish them in, and very little time available to get them done with.

As far as taxes go, being the "Father of Five" - I do have quite a few deductions.

Yup, that's what I call 'em - "My little deductions", or (in the case of one specific child) "Deduction #2" or "Deduction #4". I'll shout across the yard "Hey, Deduction #1, it's time to come home to wash up before dinner", or (as I tuck them into bed) "Good night sweety, don't forget how much your daddy loves his little Deduction #5"

"Deduction" is so much easier to remember than their real names.
(Now, if I could only get their birthdays changed to the same date - then I'd be on "easy street"!)

On a side note, I lost a deduction this year... One of five has reached adulthood (or something that partially resembles adulthood...)

A little about our taxes:
I have a much higher amount taken out of my check via my W-2 than I need to each year. I view my tax withholding as a "forced savings plan". No, it is not the smartest way to make the most of my money, but I have found it works out well for us. My kids go to private school. It is a sacrifice that both my wife and I feel very strongly about, but the "monthly payments" would break us. (This year the payments would be between $700 - $800 a month.) We have set up our finances so that each year our tax return covers the cost of the tuition for the NEXT year. So (for example) I still have a bit of last year's tax return in the bank to cover the rest of THIS school year. When this tax return arrives, it will stay in the bank until I need to start paying for NEXT school year. This way I always have the tuition money, but I also have a bit of a "cushion" in the bank that I can "borrow" against in case of an emergency. (For many years now we have been a "single income" family and I have had to become a wiz at "alternative" money management matters...)

History of Tax Filing:
I opted out from using a PC to do my taxes for many years - I guess I was just a plain old "hold out" for the days of paper, pencil and eraser. But, in 2004 (Tax year 2003) I broke down and became a Turbo Tax user. I was very impressed with the "easy to use" format of doing my taxes, making changes through the software, and the speed in which I got my return when I e-filed. I stayed a Turbo Tax user until last year (2006 - Tax year 2005). I decided to try Tax Cut for a change (mainly because it was noticeably cheaper). Tax Cut did the job, but was missing a couple key features that Turbo Tax allows you to do (namely the ability to save and/or view your return as a PDF file). In order to (electronically) view my Tax Cut return from last year, I had to reinstall my 2005 Tax Cut Software and then open the 2005 file. (It is "proprietary" in nature). This is a HUGE disadvantage. I had PDF files of the two prior years tax returns, but alas, not one for last year.

This year (in the mail) I received a FREE copy of this year's Tax Cut Federal and State. It was "no cost" to use it, making their profit on the e-file charges (which Turbo Tax does too). But I stuck to my guns, and purchased a copy of Turbo Tax. Now having finished my taxes, I can still say (without hesitation) that it was worth the extra cost.

This year's timeline:
I had started using the software in February. I had made my way through about half the program, before putting the whole process on hold. (Heck, what's the big deal - We are getting a refund anyway, and we still have lots of time - What's the hurry?). February became March, and March turned into Easter, and then, my schedule kicked into high gear, and I had not given the taxes another thought until the 13th of April (Friday the 13th!). Now in a desperate, last minute state of near panic I spent about 4 hours finishing up the taxes. I finished them and e-filed them on the 13th. That night before bed, I checked back on the status of my e-file (like the program asks you to do). I found out my return was rejected. Apparently one of the SSN's was wrong. (Error #1) I checked the return and sure enough I had reversed two of the numbers on one of the 'lil deductions SSN. It was late on Friday night, and I had to be to work early on Saturday morning, so I made the correction, re-e-filed, and went to bed.

I was up at 5am and ready to for work by 5:45. I decided to check the email before going to work and was advised (via email) that I had another (#2) error. Now (with 5 minutes before I had to leave for work) I made the correction, and "fled" to work (making it with 2 minutes to spare).

I went straight from work to a Twins Baseball game, and did not get home until around 11pm. I logged in to check my email, and discovered YET ANOTHER (#3) error... I was tired, and grumpy and NOT IN THE MOOD for this. I entered the Turbo Tax program, and found out that the SSN I had corrected that morning did not match the number the IRS had on file for that "deduction". I checked my source for that SSN, and it looked like a a match. Not sure what the problem was I got the original card out of the safe only to discover that my source was incorrect, and the actual SSN was different (by one digit) than my reference. I corrected the problem, and re-e-filed (e-file #4), and headed off to bed.

Again, with the same "up at 5am routine", I logged back in to discover that this time, my return was >>ACCEPTED<< !!!!

Whoo hooo!

It was Sunday April 15th (Tax day - minus this years extension) the closest I have filed my taxes in YEARS. (There was one year (I think the first year we were married) that I drove to the airport at 10:30pm to mail my taxes from the MSP airport's post office. They had postal employees taking tax returns from the road from a row of "drive up" cars (full of idiots like myself) so they could get their taxes in before midnight. I told myself "Never again".

That stuck until this year.

Thank goodness for e-filing!
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Time Management

I've hit another one of those patches where it seems like it has been a long time since my last update.

I am not going to go into ALL the details with you, but between my work schedule and my home schedule, I have been on a non stop string of activity that started just before Easter and does not let up until Saturday the 21st. My "days off", as well as my "off duty" hours have been filled to capacity. I have not gotten to sleep before 11pm (and have been up as late as 1am). I have to be up at 5am on my work days, and I get to "sleep in" to 6:30 am on my days off! I am getting between four and six hours of sleep a night.

I did get a couple of productive things done during this time - I managed to get my taxes done*, I am helping my dad get rid of some of the "leftovers" from his kitchen remodel with a CRAIGSLIST ADD, I helped work on my father-in-law's basement (he is finishing it), and I helped a family friend who had a basement flood (and then start to mold). I helped with some "deconstruction".

*Watch for future Post(s).
In addition to "Taxes", I have started posts on the "Invention Convention", and a quick one about a second Twins Game I attended. (This is what I like to call this my "teaser-line").

The rest of this week is very, very busy - but I will try work on getting these posts ready for "public consumption".

Oh, on a side note... Based on a recommendation from a fellow blogger (Thanks Eric!), I picked up a copy of "More Stories of the Old Duck Hunters" by Gordon MacQuarrie. This is book two of a three book set. I got it for a pretty good price off of eBay, and so now I will start watching for the other two - Book one "Stories of the Old Duck Hunters & Other Drivel" and book three - "Last stories of the Old Duck Hunters" (Now, if I can only find some time to read without being so tired I fall asleep!) I am looking forward to reading them!
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No Pressure

I have been bugging my sister to start a Blog. She has twin boys, so she has her hands VERY VERY full, but I hear some of the best stories of the shenanagins my little nephews get into from her. She has been keeping a diary of some of the stories... I would LOVE for her to share - for her family, and for the sake of all other new Mothers of Multiples!

I took the initiative and spent some time setting one up for her, and getting it all ready to go. I sent her the info and some instructions on how to use it. Now, it's just a "wait and see" situation!

I planted the seed, lets see what grows!

My Sister's Blog

One Year Anniversary

One year and eight days ago to be exact.

It all started HERE on April 2, 2006. To tell you the truth I had NO IDEA how much I would enjoy keeping a blog. I have a new hobby!

It all started because a friend of mine had started a blog called Many Things do not Fly. She shared it with me, and I was hooked! That blog was like a drug. I could not get enough. When the author could no longer "provide" at a pace to keep up with my "need" I took matters into my own hands, and started the "Father of Five".

"Father of Five" has grown into the world of FOF - A "Trifecta" of blogs.
1. Father of Five
2. Dad's Outdoor Journal
3. My unattainable Dreams

The outdoor journal blog started from an actual outdoor journal that I keep for my kids and their kids, and their kids kids, and so on... I started blogging the entries in the journal (and now that I think about it, I have more that I need to add from many years ago). My unattainable Dreams is just a place to talk about the things that I daydream about, but know will never happen. (Alaska is a big theme on that one!)

I am thinking of starting the "World of a FOF" marketing campaign. Cups, hats, mugs, tee-shirts, frisbees, etc... Maybe FOF will be the next "pet rock", and I'll make a million! (Ok.. perhaps that needs to be filed in "My Unattainable Dreams"!)

Since starting my foray into the world of blogging, I have provided some inspiration, or had some part in the inception of at least two, and perhaps three other blogs.
1. King of Clubs
2. JDZ Photography
3. Refusing to turn 30
There are at least two others friends and one family member that I have been urging to start a blog. One has said they are interested and have even started planning / searching out a name. The second has said that they were not interested. The family member has expressed an interest, but... well... We will see... (She has some of the best damn kid stories that I have ever heard, and friends/family all over the US! It would be a GREAT blog! - She knows who she is!)

I have added to the regular menu of blogs that I read too. In addition to the blogs listed above, I am a frequent visitor to...
1. The Ethereal Garage
2. Brandon Otte's Blog