Well, howdy folks, if anyone ever reads these few and far between musings! It has been a long time and I (again) was hit with the bug to try and get this going.
To sum up 2015:
January: Trying my hand/luck with continuing learning about Dungeons and Dragons! Not too hard, and really fun! Now if I could find some others like me and start a module/campaign….
February/March: My son has crossed over into Boy Scouts!! Yay!! I could not be more proud of him! He completed all of his requirements and even earned his Arrow of Light award and Super Achiever! That means he earned all of the belt loops and pins that he could as a Cub Scout!
March: Just when I thought I was out, they suck me back in! I am now the communications chair for Boy Scout Troop 211!! Since I had that job with Pack 82, they figured that could rope me in for the troop. Well, they were right.
April: Cleared some land at my Mom’s house for a rustic camping area. Seems Joey has the camping bug and had such a blast at the Boy Scout camp that he now wants to start tent camping some more. Oh boy, another obsession, I mean, hobby, is coming!!
May: Had a “medical procedure” performed that would ensure no more kids. Kinda sad, and relieving all at the same time. Hurt like hell the next day, but on the flip side, Jeani and I saw Age of Ultron afterwards! Gotta take the solace where I can get it! Joey also had his last band concert at Lighthouse Elementary!! He will now be going to Jeani and my old Junior High school, except its called Middle School North!?! Great another new name to learn for a building I knew as something COMPLETELY different….ugh…
June: Ellie and Jeani performed in their annual dance recital! Ellie was awesome and it was so nice to see her helping out the little kids! Again, so proud of my daughter! I could not have asked for better kids! Jeani was beautiful as ever! She doesn’t think so and no matter what I say or how many times I say it. First long vacation of the year was to Hot and Humid Myrtle Beach! Read all about that in the campground section of the site. Walked with Joey and the Boy Scout Troop in the Bay Rama Parade.
July: Camped in Frankenmuth, cool city, and convenient location for the campground. Now the biggie……Boy Scout Summer Camp!! WHAT A BLAST!! I completed my IOLS while there and basically hung back and let Joey do his own thing. It was such a treat to watch him work on his leatherworking and movie making merit badges, as well as his Eagle Quest time! I think I could with some more Boy Scouting……
August: Camped in Silver Lake again, probably for the last time. I hope. Spent a weekend at Mom’s cabin, GOD I love going up there, so relaxing. We had the Thomas Family reunion at Brandenburg Park on 08/15/2015. Had a lot of fun with my cousins and our kids got to play in the splash park!! Good times. I setup the video camera and just let it roll!! Jeani has decided to take on the role of Troop Leader for Ellie’s Girl Scout Troop!! Anita doesn’t want to do it and Jeani can do a much better job!! So proud!
September: Family Campout with Court of Honor at Lakeport State Park. Jeani and I had the camper to ourselves, Ellie was down in Ohio visiting Deed and family. I wish they could read a stinking clock….grrr….don’t get me started. Camp was fun, got to have some one on one time with the wife, while Joey did the scout thing. I completed my Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training. It seems like the troop needs more ASM’s, because sometimes it looks like Mr. Ward, (SM) is overwhelmed and somewhat lackadaisical about the scouts books and training. I have decided to become an ASM and help out the troop some more. Started attending the District Roundtables….
October: Big news! I was just asked to be the new Scoutmaster!! Holy CRAP!! I gotta think about this. I have the training, and the drive to do it, but it is a HUGE commitment, both in time and in money. I gotta talk to Jeani, Joey and Ellie about this. Space Wars Camporee happened. It was Pat Tezak and myself as the sole adults there. Okay, so ask me to be the new Scoutmaster then send me on a campout with the troop!?!?! WTF, is this trial by fire??? We did okay and I am still considering the position. Halloween!! Scared a little girl so bad she cried. I didn’t see her and now I feel horrible….
November: Ok, I have decided to be the new SM!! So now our family has 2 scouts, and 2 scout leaders!! Yay! Time to gather my resources and start reading….. Happy Thanksgiving! I got to carve the turkey, again. Mom got bit by Monster/Max, not sure which one. I slammed my fingers in Matt’s broken freakin house window, thought I broke my fingers!! So much for family gatherings….
December: Fingers still hurting. Decembers always start sucky now, since Dad and Denise died. Went to see the ballet for the first time, took the kids and we saw The Nutcracker!! At least I know the music. The Wooten family sat right behind us, Jeff, Colleen, and their kids Keegan, Reece, and Brynn. I know them from scouts, Keegan and Reece are in the troop! Very nice evening, and both Joey and Ellie were entertained! Wreaths Across America. What a great event that was, we participated as a troop, with Ellie in her Girl Scout attire, and we placed a wreath on Dad’s grave. Mom, Jeremy, and Neal were there too! After we placed Dad’s wreath, we then placed some wreaths on other veterans graves. It was an awesome experience and one that we will be doing again next year!! Joey had his first band concert in the Middle School. He is the best trombone player in the band. No contest. Biased Dad? Yep. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
On to 2016!
January: The winter of my discontent has arrived. Last December I was stricken with a bout of gastritis that reached it’s unfortunate peak this month. I was prescribed a PPI that caused me to have high anxiety, and stomach pains. Just the very things I was trying to rid myself of. So I stopped them, started a diet diary, and was able to determine my trigger foods. So long Mt. Dew, Onions, Green Peppers (never liked you anyway), and Chocolate!!
February: Well, when I said I was gonna do this Scouting thing, I wasn’t lying. I drank the Kool-Aid and now I am taking the Wood Badge Course!! I had a great time, met some awesome people, made some lasting connections and am now on my to completing my ticket….if I can! I attended some Blue and Gold Banquets with Mr. Ward and I am still waiting on the announcement/turnover so I can start actually being Scoutmaster!
TTFN!