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

Dear body,

Alright body, we need to talk. You have been very good to me up until a year or so ago. You are not old enough to be falling apart like this. I try to take good care of you. I feed you, I get exercise, I drink lots of water. Don’t I give you enough sleep? There are only so many hours in the day you know. We really need to start working together here. Our ankles are weak, our foot is broke, our left hand is numb, our right shoulder and arm ache, our skin on the thumb is split again, and our back always hurts to some degree. Maybe we need to go together and have a discussion with brain. He’s the one that seems to keep getting us into trouble with his bad ideas, like jumping off ladders, cleaning a flimsy window in the wind, not walking on the bottom of our feet, not recognizing a broken board, and carrying a cooler full of beer down the basement steps. What do I have to do to get you two to work together? I really am trying to eat better. I also am trying to quit smoking. We need to tell brain to help the pills work so I can. I would like to start walking more, but brain and eyes still can’t recognize holes in the ground and keeps allowing us to step in them. I hope you don’t make me slow down and not work so much. Is that what it is? Are you pissed at me for continuing to work despite you telling me to slow down? Is that what all the little twangs of pain are? Well body, I can’t feed you properly if I don’t have money for food so you are going to have to suck it up. Next month, we’ll start physical therapy on our ankles. Then, maybe we can start walking more and get them strengthened up. I will try to be more careful from now on. Brain and eyes will have to learn to be more observant too. I think together, we can make you better and stronger than ever.

Ray

I found this sticker on my son’s facebook page:

Too funny (and true!)

I made it to the doctor’s office on time this morning at 10:30am. I didn’t see the doctor until 12:15pm. We discussed my original health issues and then we talked about my ankle, arm, and thumb. He decided x-rays were in order for my ankle and arm. Long story short, X-rays were negative for fractures. I walked out of there well after 5:30 pm. It only took them 7 1/2 hours to tell me no fractures. I did pick up my Chantix. I will start that tomorrow, which would make my quit date .  . . April 16. I hope the other stresses in my life allow me to actually quit. The kids want me to so bad. I want to so bad. It will be so great to be smoke free!