The Maine Machinist

Our Alexis

2009-03-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

Isn't she a ham?? She really has become an animal. She will be a year next week. Unreal how time goes by. Smart as a whip and full of character.

I know it's been forever since I have blogged, it's hard for me. It seems like you "just have to be there". Not to mention it seems I have most of alexis on video now instead of pics. That really brings you closer to the moments. Everyone else is doing fine also, her parents are still looking for work. Her mom only has one test left for her GED which I am still glad she had the ambition to go back for. She is starting to grow up. She is a great mom like Tam and my mother thought she would be, I was a Doubting Thomas. The oldest boy excelled in basketball this season more than ever, and will be starting point guard for varsity next year. Make sure to read the papers, he was in them alot this past year. He has changed his mind on colleges and has decided that Thomas College has more to offer and a better record. We are looking into grants and financial aid right now and think we just might be able to fudge enough paperwork to get him in. (kidding) The yougest boy...well, he is still just Josh. He is a champ in his weight class in wrestling and a great defensive football player, but his maine love is music. He loves the guitar and is getting to be better than me....well, I tell him that anyway. We sound real good together. Tam and I are just Tam and I. We don't change, we just get older, me more than her. She is as beautiful as the day I met her. We have decided that we no longer plan on growing old together, we are already doing it.

Taking a break

2008-07-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here's the low-down. Last winter's record snowfall took it's toll on my front porch. The shingles were falling off to begin with and we knew it wasn't going to be good. It survived the snow but it definitely would not last through another. The old wrought iron supports were bending and pushing though the roof. I properly supported the roof with spare 4x4's and 2 house jacks and took a look at the structure. The header board was totally rotten and the trim was shot. I was in shock at how delapatated it was. Mind you, this is one of the projects on the list of things to fix when we bought the house 8 years ago. There's just been countless updating to every room and bathroom since we bought it, landscaping and exterior work (with exceptions) seemed somewhat insignificant. This year we started with a little mulch and pruning shears and got caught with the fever. Here are some pics of the porch project. Now realize, the house is being painted next summer so the trim on the side of the porch remains shabby for now (no sense in clashing). Also, I plan on adding facia to the front.

Is There Anybody In There??

2008-06-29T05:18:00.001-07:00

Ok people. I am new to this blogging thingy and I don't know if this web cam is working...can everyone see me?? I am 4mths/f from Maine and am looking for new friends. My Grampa fell asleep in his recliner again so I decided to use his puter. Here's a little about me...I like talking to myself for an hour or so when I wake up in the morning. I also like pooh bear and Spongebob, and my hobbys include eating, and pooping and playing with pooh (the bear that is). I don't cry much I would much rather laugh and play with my grandparents. They are old and funny. They are going to have to buy me new clothes pretty soon because I am getting so FAT. My grampa says it's because there's more going in then coming out. He apparently hasn't changed me lately. I can't wait to see my Grammy True again. She's gonna be sooooo shocked by how much I have grown. I can stand by myself now with very little help. I think I may be getting ahead of myself there because I can't even touch the floor when I sit in my walker yet,LMDO (diaper, duh) Anyway, If any one wants to chat sometime let me know, I don't plan on going anywhere right off.

Sincerely,
Alexis Grace

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

2008-05-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Well...it's been a little over a month since I last blogged. Not alot has happened save for melted snow and green grass. Alexis is giving real smiles not just gas grins now, she's so adorable. Justin and Kenz had yet another prom yesterday. This one only cost about $400. At this rate...let me see... by the time he grads I will have paid roughly $1600 in proms. I will have regular prom pics soon and will post them. They are really growing up fast. Hope Mother and Sister both have a great mothers day, you ladies deserve it.

Is Dr. Phil really a doctor?

2008-04-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

Don't she just make you wanna smile?? Cute outfit eh? Just before her first walmart trip. She slept through it, oh well.

Anyway? I watched a segment on Dr. Phil the other day about a mother and teenage son that were having issues getting along. The boy was a high school basketball champ and he was

going on about how his mother had no right to say she had any part of who he had become. Phil is siding with the boy on this. Mom says that her being there at his games growing up was a big part of his success. Well, Dr. Phil went of on her saying " I am sure he would have figured out how many points in a basket without you." ok. well, don't you think that a boy would try just a little harder when his parents are watching? Couldn't making his mom proud be a major factor in his accomplishment. Heck yes. Both sons play sports and I never pushed once. I just show up and cheer them on. They both quit the ones they didn't like and got good at the ones they did.

She's Awake!!

2008-03-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

And right full of it today. She's such a good girl. Weekends at home are nice.

Heeeeeeere's Johnny

2008-03-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

First things first....Babies

Then my first baby and my second one.

How about THAT view eh? (note: bottom of door is 3 feet above the ground)

Does anyone remember the movie, "The Shining"? I am starting to get a little cabin fever. I love winter more than anyone, but it's getting old. It's almost April now, enough! I took the boys to the Pine Tree Sportsman Show saturday, that helped a little. The boys helped the little kids catch fish out of the indoor trout pond, they're so grow'd up. Looks like the mill is calling people back. @#$% 'em! Get this...I have inside info on the goings on at said mill... They lay off 23 because they are permanently shutting down machine #11. Now the news says they are starting to call back. Well, what the news failed to mention is that they decided for now they would continue to run #11 for 1 shift every day until october. THAT is why they are calling back. SO, what this means is that in october they are going to shut #11 down. HELLO!! They really think I am going to go back full well knowing that It's temporary at best?? Man, I can't play that game...too many dependants.

You musta been a beautiful baby...

2008-03-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well, that's what she is doing at the moment. Just being beautiful. She misses me when I am at work. Speaking of which, tomorrow is 50's day . Got my blue suede shoes ready, my hair gel, the smokes to roll up in my sleeve, and the toothpick to chew all day.... did I mention my leather jacket. Thank you, thank you very much.

Alexis-1 Parents-0

2008-03-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

First night at home for the new mommy and daddy. Did not sit well with them. They even had help from nana. Am I evil for thinking this is absolutely hilarious??? Notice the vomit bucket by daddy. No, he wasn't sick, just overtired,lol. Btw, baby is still awake in this pic.

Been a long day at work.

2008-03-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

...knowing my newest addition was home waiting for me. But it was worth the wait. Hey!! She seemed to have a little rash going on on her face today. Would this have to do with her hep shots or sumpin....we called the hospital but they didnt give is a definitive answer, they saw it and didn't seem too concerned. They could have at least given us a list of side effects of the shots eh? Anyway, she can't wait to see her grammy True this weekend, she told me herself:) In fact, she is going on about it now.

Grampa's Girl

2008-03-12T16:42:00.001-07:00

There's my girls...I just got back from the hospital again, mom is tired, baby girl is wide awake and smiling. They should be coming home tomorrow, we can't wait.

Where is my Alexis???

2008-03-11T16:36:00.001-07:00

Still no baby. They induced for 6 hours but no go... She's being stubborn. That's ok. She'll probably go tonite if not...we are going back at 11:30 am tomorrow. Wish us the best. Love you all

Pregnancy update

2008-03-10T16:20:00.000-07:00

Well, skowhegan stinks. The nurse called and they had to take another woman to induce this evening so they are not sure if they will be able to do it in the morning. Might not be till tomorrow evening or even wednesday morning. This bites. I am ready to take her for a bumpy ride in the truck.

Any day now!!

2008-03-01T03:59:00.000-08:00

Lord have mercy... She needs to drop this child and quick. My sister talks about living in a home full of testosterone...while I am living with an eruption of estrogen here. Cry, laugh,cry, moan, complain, laugh... What tells me that she is real close is all the voluntary housework she has been doing in the middle of the night??? Do you agree this is a sign?? I am so glad she has grown up a little during the last few months, she hasnt left our sight. She enjoys staying home and preparing and that makes me feel better about this. Justin drove me to farmington last night to pick up Josh...in my truck. We almost got sideswiped by mcdonalds but he was quick and saved us. Then, halfway up the valley road we hit a big patch of ice and started fishtailing at 45 mph. He kept us out of the ditch and managed to keep us on the road on all 4 tires. He will be a very good driver. Be that as it may, I was glad to get home:) Josh is back on the wrestling team...I feel bad for him though, he's such a muscle man that all the other wrestlers forfeit before the match. I told him maybe he ought to shower more... he didn't laugh. Well all is well here and I will keep you updated about my granddaughter. Love you all

I Live!!!!!

2008-02-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Yes my blog-mates I am alive!! Phew! Working nights I might as well have fallen off the face of the earth. Now I am rested and ready for a weekend off. Sorry to have missed my nephews birthday thursday....HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMEON!! He's a character is he not?? I have a list of things to catch up on today but I figured I would post first. Tam wanted me to show off her valentines/engagement present, you like??? She does. We are thinking the end of may.

Childe Roland To The Dark Tower Came.

2008-01-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

LOL, this is what my kids looked like when they were still cute! Anyway, I was reading my sisters blog and decided to comment on my own recent readings. I have, after delving into the minds of numerous authors, settled on Stephen King as one of my all time favs. I know most people think of him as a psycho horror mutant but to anyone that has read a few of his books, most of them are not horrors, or even thrillers. Last year I read Insomnia, which was so so, but had some underlying references to his series The Dark Tower. I decided it was time to start a new series (I hadn't read a complete series since Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality), so I started book #1, The Gunslinger. I was soon taken in to a point of no return and was riding along with Roland and his friends in search of his dark tower. Book after book, I couldn't put them down. I still couldn't believe that King could write this Lord of the Ring-ish material. Maybe he grew tired of the horror tales? Quite to the contrary I found out. He started writing The Gunslinger in 1978, before Salems Lot and Carrie. The last of the series was finished on 2005. That pretty much spans his whole career. Every time he finished a #1 best-seller he would go back and start on Rolands next adventure. I am now reading a mixture of short stories that he wrote called Everything's Eventual. Even in this book only 2 of 9 stories would be considered scary. One of the 2 being 1408 which just recently was put on the big screen with Samuel Jackson and John Cusack. So in essence, I have become a big fan of Kings work, without ever actually reading a single horror novel. Although, The Green Mile was one of the best movies I've ever seen....hmmmm

The Latest Member

2008-01-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

The newest member of our family. His name is Casper, or as we mainers say it... caspa'. We call him Caz' for short. Ain't he cute?! He's a love muffin', really likes attention.

The paper maker

2008-01-10T03:25:00.000-08:00

Youngest boy "roughing it"

What a difference! I went from being the Chief of New Balance to a grunt at the mill, don't they know what I am capable of ? Does it matter ? lol, NO! I am still in awe at the size of machine R15. It's nothing you'll see in the shoe buisness. But, besides the $, the time off is also nice. I woke up this morning, made my wife coffee and saw her off to work. I then read the daily note from oldest boy that he leaves on the table every night before he goes to bed, telling us what he needs from us. Ugh! and I quote,"I have searched high+low for my Nike sweat pants. Do either of you know what happened to them? I need them very badly! Plz check your room, my things happen to fall in wierd places... P.s. If Dedra forgets, plz put my clothes in the dryer! TYVM!" Now I ask you, WHO does he think he is? And what's with the abbr ? Are we not worth spelling things out? I also wonder how his things end up in weird places. Hmmm, Well, I ended up putting his clothes in the WASHER (he obviously never even made it that far). I think I may start posting these daily notes where some of them are really funny! Especially when he is mad. I am terrible, but it's true. I remember one a few weeks back about Dedra wearing his socks. There were lots of terms like bullcrap!, stinkin' stupid!, and so forth. Ahh. the brother/sister love brings a tear to my eye:)

Last day at New Balance

2008-01-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

Lol, I am trying to post a pic each time I blog...I have so many. This one is of my oldest boy with my nephew Seth during a power outage this past summer. It was pitch black at the time and thundering and lightning. We were worried about how we were gonna get the little one to sleep, guess oldest took care of that for us,lol. Moving along...I handed in my tools at NB today, quite a sad day it was. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE made a big deal out of it, including the plant manager who gave me a big hug. Boy they made it hard to leave. The human resource manager came down and game my wife a hard time last week. She asked her if she had talked me into staying? Now I ask you....who do you go to when HR harrasses you??? lol. I love them all there and I can tell you the pay may not be as good as the paper mills, but it's the best damn company I have ever worked for. The owners Jim and Anne Davis are DEVOTED to U.S. manufacturing, and they spoil their associates. They are giving 5 paid sick days this year, you believe that?? Maybe someday I will be back. Anyhow, I am taking my soul mate to see "I Am Legend" tonite. Will let you all know how it is. Will Rocks!! ...well...most of the time.

Ode to cold climates and snow

2007-12-31T13:05:00.000-08:00

I, unlike my cold blooded relatives, love winter. I took a drive to Bingham this a.m. and it was beautiful. It's always a little calmer and warmer when it's snowing. The flakes were big and fluffy and the trees were glistening a little when the sun tried to come out. Maine is like my little Alaska. The crowds of snowmobilers were gathered at all the little country stores getting coffee and fueling up. The thing that gets me is that I could count on 1 hand the number of children out playing. When I was growing up my parents couldn't get me and my runny nose to come in. What is with kids nowadays? Video games and cable TV have replaced snow forts and toboggans. We are gonna ring in the new year right here with snacks and scene it. The kids are all here, 2 with their insignificant others. English muffin pizza's anyone???!!

Phew finally back!!

2007-12-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am, finally recooperated from the holiday. My son has had his new pc hooked up with my monitor and such so I have not been able to get on. Hope everyone had as good a Christmas as I. What a day that was! I bought a family gift by the name Guitar Hero III. Funny story... anyway....I hooked up the hidden Christmas cam down beside the TV while the youngsters opened their presents. Later on in the evening after everyone had left and it was just the kids, the wife and I, the boys started "jamming out" with the new gift. My little rock and roll heroes,lol. Anyhoo, while they took a quick donut break in the dining room, their evil daddy hit the record button on the cam. I now have a guaranteed $10,000 america's funniest home video. I had to go back to work for the last couple days but am now on vacation til after new years. I will post again shortly.

Christmas Eve Will Find ME....

2007-12-24T05:16:00.000-08:00

and yip....here I am. Preparing for the big day. Soon, all my children will be here. I hope they are as excited as me. I had a wonderful day yesterday with my mom and her significant other, Mike. She made us some wonderful gifts. Enough so that I can redecorate my den today. She also brought up some of my favorite molasses cookies and had the kids decorate them. I don't think she realizes how much my kids look forward to her "hands-on" christmas' every year. We love you mom. Anyway, in the annual tradition we bought a game for the holidays. This year it was Scene It, a dvd movie clip game. We started playing boys against girls last night and we boys ruled. Of course, dad knows his movies and they quickly figured this out. By the end of the night we were playing everyone against me. UGH , I didn't even make it around the board!! Oh well, there is always tonite. Need to buy Christmas dinner today. I am making my famous shrimp dip for an appetizer, and a roast pork for dinner (kids hate ham). If I don't get back to blog I want to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Oh My!!!

2007-12-20T16:43:00.000-08:00

See why I hate Dr's. 170 over 100, and I've been on a strict diet for 2 1/2 weeks. Gonna get some meds tomorrow though. Need to know what mother takes, most likely will work for me also. I have 2 mostly grown children here at each others throats just like the old days. Except now ones 6 feet tall and the other ones pregnant....180 over 110 by now I am sure.

2007-12-19T14:02:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics of my children. 1st the basketball star/ladies man w/girlfriend Mackenzie. He is headed to University of Maine in Orono. The second is the football star/outdoorsman hunting with his dad. This kid has taught me patience over and over. The 3rd is the little mother. She is 19 and is expecting our granddaughter, Alexis Grace in March. At the moment I am trying to convince her to try my green bean casserole. It's not working.

Mindless Wrapping

2007-12-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

Justin is playing at Mountain Valley, the little mother is at a friends, and Josh is home with mom. Sounds like a good time to cram all the gift wrapping, right?? WRONG!! I know a lot of men to a crummy job so their spouses don't demand as much, but I really do try to do a good job!! 34 years old and I still can't wrap to save my life. I have to find other things to do to hide my frustration so that I can cool down a little. I need to build a wrapping machine. Yeah!! One sets the gift in one side, steps on a pedal or pulls a lever, and thump! out comes the perfect little package. Oh well, someday. On one of my cool down moments I was reading my darling sisters blog as she was unveiling her perpetual whitetail migration through her front yard. Maybe if I hadn't been waiting for said migration through my yard this past month, I would have meat in the freezer. Anyway...back on track...we have once again taken this holiday as a chance to torment our children by taking their cool presents out and swapping boxes with the so-so presents. What this does is creates an emotional roller-coaster ride that we call Chrismas morning. They say the gift of giving is the greatest gift, but I think not.

Running the roads in the snow

2007-12-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

The snow is coming down. Now is the time to finish the stocking stuffer list. No competition!! I know mother will be upset that we are going out in this weather, and on the same token I wish my kids were home safe and sound. I let them know I didn't want them going anywhere today unless it was ME picking them up. I was supposed to start at the paper mill tomorrow but have to wait till the 7th of january because I told them I would have to give nb at least 2 weeks notice. Oh well, if they want me, they can wait.

Another loss

2007-12-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

The cobras lost again tonight. 60-49 again wiscassett. Can't believe they would show up in this weather anyway. Justin scored 12 which is low for him. The nurse told me my blood pressure was through the roof and I don't think these games help any. I bought a cobras shirt to show my spirit and wouldn't you know it was my snotty neighbor running the booth. She's just that way coz my kids are better than hers,lol. Supposed to be a big storm this weekend, woohooo!! bring it on!!! Gas in the 4x4, snowblower and wood in the fireplace....all set....just wish my kids were all home. Sucks having kids with a life of their own....don't they know we don't know what to do when they are not around??

How time flies

2007-12-13T14:26:00.000-08:00

Well, now my kids are having kids,but they're still kids, oh my. The family will be 1 bigger in March. The baby's daddy is already too involved with his buddies to take car of momma so who knows where that's gonna go. My boys are both straight A students and I got the bumper stickers to prove it!! (what a hick). One's a varsity basketball player and a whiz...the other is a football hero and does 100 pushups a day. He is also a very talented guitar player like his dad. I am cherishing these years because I know they won't last and we will be alone again.