Hey there all. I wanted to write and let everyone know I am still alive and kicking. It’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been extremely busy the last few months and haven’t taken the time to sit and blog. We just got back from camping for 4 days. The kids reported having a great time. They went tubing for the first time ever. We watched the fireworks while we were there too. I took lots of pictures (which are posted on photobucket). We camped in three tents this year. It did rain the first day we were there, but after that the weather was great. Now, we are getting ready for Kathy’s son’s upcoming wedding. That’s all I got for now.

We had quite the weekend here. We picked the kids up Friday (my three and Kathy’s grandson). Fun was had by all Saturday morning and early afternoon as games were played all day. It was too windy and cold to do much outside but we did manage to take the little one to the park to play for an hour or so. At around four o’clock in the afternoon, as the six of us sat playing Skip-Bo, we heard a large crack and bang. We looked out the door, and this is what we saw:

Upon looking further, the damage wasn’t as bad as it could have been. More pictures and some of the damage follow. Note the large branch laying on the windshield (it took two people to lift the branch off the car to cut it and all the weight was on the windshield). I don’t know how it didn’t break the windshield, but it didn’t.

Within 15 minutes on the tree falling, we had 5 of the neighbors here helping with the cleanup. One neighbor brought his chainsaw and two twenty something kids. With the help of the neighbors, my three kids, Kathy, and myself; the cars were unburied and the small debris was hauled off and we were back to playing cards in about an hour. A little while later, my youngest brother stopped by with his wife and kids. Wow, the kids sure have grown since I saw them last. About an hour after they got here, my oldest brother and his wife stopped over. The kids hadn’t seen them in a while either, so it was nice that they got to visit. By the time everyone left, it was bedtime so we went to bed. Kayla went to my Uncles with my brother and spent the night there. She had a good time. We took the kids to church Sunday morning. We played a game at church and had fun. We met Kathy’s daughter at Ponderosa in West Branch for dinner to drop off Owen (Kathy’s grandson), and then took my kids home. Other than the car damage, it was a great weekend.

Hello all. Ten days ago I married my high school sweetheart. Her name is Kathy. It still amazes me how much alike we are. It seems like everyday we discover something else we have in common. We like the same food, the same TV shows (well, most of them), doing the same things (walking, games, being outside, playing with the kids and grandkids), and being together. She owns a three bedroom house in Farwell where I have finally gotten everything we need moved to. I feel welcome and “safe” here, like never before. Our families have been great. Her family welcomed me. She has two kids; Nicole who is 23 and married with a 5 year old son, Owen; and a 20 year old son named Ryan. Owen is a riot. I’m going to love being a grandpa. The urge to spoil has already begun. Nicole is going to have another boy around the end of August. Ryan is living with a girl and just found out he’s going to be a dad around Jan-Feb. His girlfriend has a 4year old daughter that is great too. Nicole lives in National City, MI and Ryan lives in Mt Pleasant, MI. On May 2nd, Kathy and I got married at the Clare County Courthouse. Her son Ryan, sister Marj, and her brother Tim and his wife Pam attended along with my sister Laura and my brother Harold and his wife Michelle. I haven’t gotten any of the pictures back yet. I did take pictures of us the next day and here are a couple of them:

My head is still in the clouds. I have never been this happy. Kathy loves my kids and thinks they are great and they like her. I know it hasn’t been long enough for them to really know her, but they have all commented on how much happier I am and they like that. We are looking forward to them being here this weekend. More pictures are here.

Tyler went to his prom Friday night stag. He reported having a good time.
This is what he looked like:

In other news, Kathy and I drove Kevin down to Ohio so he could go to prom with a girl down there. We left early Saturday morning and got back home Sunday afternoon. Here is a picture of Kevin and his date for prom:

As you can see, Kevin is a little shy. More pictures can be seen here. Kevin reported that he had a great time. Time to go back to work so ttyl. Have a great day!

I am getting more and more excited every day. It is not just the fact I am marrying Kathy on Friday that has me so excited. I am also excited because I have quit smoking and have been sticking with that. Work is picking up too. We did 2 houses last week, and have 3 scheduled for this week. May is going to be the month that it all comes together. One of the kids has called me everyday this week. I don’t know if it is possible, but I think Kayla and Kevin are as excited as I am. I don’t think Brenden had a bad reaction to the news, he just said it was kinda quick. I would tend to agree with him if we were younger and less experienced. We’ve both been married and divorced twice. We also feel we know each other better than anyone else in our past. I have been with people for years that I don’t know as well as I know Kathy. I think we would do anything for each other. We have so many values and beliefs in common. Sometimes, it scares me a little that we are so alike. We go to church together. Yes, I go to church every week now. Who would have thought that? I also go to bible study Sunday and Wednesday nights if I’m not working. I am really enjoying the fellowship and support we give each other. The church accepts me as I am and they treat me like family. They are a great group of people. I even get involved in the conversations about the bible, which is surprising to me. I need to cut this short for now, more later.

My life has taken a turn in a new direction. About one month or so ago, I ran into my old neighbor/classmate/girlfriend, Kathy. I had the kids with me then. We drove by her house and I recognized her out raking leaves. I jokingly told the kids I was going to stop and talk to that cute girl raking leaves. I drove around the block a couple times to get a better look(I told the kids that). When I stopped and turned around, Tyler’s head snapped toward me and with an almost panicked look, he stated, “Dad, you are not!”. We pulled into the driveway. I got out and approached my old friend. She greeted me with a big hug and hello. Then, she introduced me to the little boy standing next to her. His name is Owen and he is her 5 year old grandson. He was visiting Grandma for Easter break. By this time, my kids had gotten out of the car and I introduced them. We spent the next 5 or 6 hours catching up. I hadn’t seen her since before Kayla was born (over 11 years). We were both married at the time. She divorced her husband about 2 years ago. I took the kids home, and after they went to bed, called Kathy and talked late into the night. We talked late into the night the next night too. On Monday, I asked her out to dinner. I drove up to her house from Bay City. We walked to the diner up town and had dinner. During our conversations, we discovered we have so much in common. We also discovered we still had feelings for each other even after all these years. We have become inseparable the last few weeks. Her kids are grown. I met her daughter yesterday (I hadn’t seen her since she was 5 or 6). The one thing I am having a hard time with is not having to support her. I have never been with someone I wasn’t “responsible” for financially. Everyone I have ever been with required my support. I paid the way. It is difficult for me to accept that I don’t have to do that with her. I am not used to it. She has a good job, owns her own house, her vehicle is paid for, and all her bills are paid. I’ve always worried that people were with me because I supported them. I know I won’t have to worry about that, we’re together because we love each other. Last Friday, we went to the courthouse in Harrison and purchased a marriage license. This Friday, we are getting married. I haven’t been this happy for this long since Kayla was born. The kids seem to be excited about it. They like Kathy and she likes them. We spent a weekend up here with the kids and all had a good time.
To update everyone, I have quit smoking. I haven’t had a cigarette since April 16th. Twelve days. Some days have been harder than others. I am continuing on the Chantix. It does help. I have never been so determined to quit and think I can do it permanently this time. The hardest time is still while driving. I will make it. Enough writing for now, have stuff to do. I do hope everyone has a great week.

Hello all again. I am blogging from my new home in Farwell, MI. I ran into my high school sweetheart a few weeks ago and have now moved up here to be with her. I just got my computer all set up and thought I’d make a quick post to update everyone on where I have been. I’ve been staying in Farwell for a little over a week, my computer has been at the house in Bay City, and I have been driving to Flint almost everyday for work. I haven’t had time to stop and blog or answer e-mails. I have quit smoking for 4 days now and doing good most of the time. I have missed blogging and playing pogo, but have had the time of my life here. Kathy and I have discovered that we have a lot in common and really enjoy each others company. She is a wonderful woman. I am very happy to be reacquainted with her. I’m sure you all will be hearing more about this in the future. Hope everyone has a great week!

Been real busy the last few days. Haven’t been home. I just stopped today to pick up some clothes. Wanted to let everyone know I am doing great and won’t be back online until at least Thursday. I hope everyone had a great weekend.

No letters for yesterday, today, and probably tomorrow will be posted until Monday at least. I am spending the weekend with the kids away from home. Two of the letters are written already and ready to be typed and added, but I need to talk to a few people first and then find the time to sit at my computer. I’ll be away for the next 48 to 72 hours. Life is hitting me hard and fast. I see a lot of changes coming up in the next few weeks and am trying to get ready for them. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

I paper blogged yesterday 4/11/2008 at 3pm. The note says:

Not at my computer today, or near another one for that matter. So paperblogged. Have a great Day!

Dear blog,

I wanted to write and apologize to you. I know sometimes life is not fair. This is one of them. I have so much I want to write on these posts. I would especially like to write about some of the events in my life. For various reasons, I can’t write them here. Because of that, I have *gulp* cheated on you. I write these things in my private blog. This is a time of great excitement and nervousness for me. There are good things happening for me and bad things too. A lot of things I can’t write because certain people read my blog (mostly the kids). I don’t want them to get the wrong idea about things. I also don’t want to hurt anyone. Maybe someday I can write about all the things going on. Until then, I am sorry.

Ray