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       #Post#: 6322--------------------------------------------------
       Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Jack Date: June 10, 2018, 4:04 am
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       I'm kind of overwhelmed right now.  Not because of everything
       that' going on around here, but because there seems to be so
       much stuff I want to report right now that I just don't have the
       time to write it all up.
       With that in mind, I wanted to start this thread before I forget
       anything.
       As you should recall, on this Monday just passed (4 June) I had
       to go in to school to close out student reports, clean my
       classroom, and attend a few meetings.
       That same morning, we had some thunderstorms.  While there were
       parts of the DFW Metroplex that were heavily damaged by hail,
       all we got here was some heavy rain.
       I bring that up because, when I got home, my older kids had
       moved the younger kids inside.  They were broken into groups
       with some kids watching movies in the theater, teens room, or
       living room. Other kids were in the dining room or play room
       learning to play card games or dominoes.  Other kids were in the
       kitchen or library or my office or one of the bedrooms, working
       on stuff to go with their Scout badges.
       Remember, on that day, Chris, Marcus, and I all had to be at
       school, so there were only a couple of adults around while this
       was happening, and they weren't regular.  What happened was that
       my college and some of my high school boys stepped in and lead.
       I'm really proud of Billy Kadlec.  After having gone through a
       really rough day the day before (which I've reported in his own
       bio thread -
  HTML https://jackshouse.createaforum.com/biographies/billy-kadlec-610/<br
       />- 14-year old Billy was in my office with a bunch of 11-year o
       ld
       new Boy Scouts, helping them work on the skills they need to get
       their Scout Badge. Chandler was working with another group of
       fairly new Scouts, helping them prepare to get their Tenderfoot
       badges.
       We were supposed to have rain that day, but it was a very low
       chance until afternoon, so that morning shower surprised us all,
       yet the boys really did a great job of handling things, and I'm
       really proud of them.
       [hr]
       I wrote over here
  HTML https://jackshouse.createaforum.com/introductions-and-faqs/summer-schedule/<br
       />about our summer schedule, both on a day to day basis on for
       this summer in general.  The rest of the week went much more
       like that.
       I am paying Chris and Marcus to not work this summer.  Both of
       them are coaches, and they could be making extra money by
       coaching at camps.  We figured out what they could be making,
       and each of them did end up taking one job for a week or two.
       In general, they're happy to spend the time with their kids and
       brothers, while they're coaching here.  They're working with the
       kids in the morning, then helping supervise the rest of the day.
       They also work with the kids on their projects when help is
       needed.
       With the two of them around, it gives all three of us a chance
       to take care of other things that need doing and to just have
       some quiet, personal time when we need it.  Of course, the
       college kids are helping as well, though they are all working at
       least part-time over the summer, as well.   And honestly, some
       of the high school kids are also great help. I don't require or
       expect them to do as much, since they are still kids themselves,
       but many of them have their area of interests, and most of them
       are willing to help the younger kids where they can.
       So overall, things are jumping around here, and they're likely
       to stay pretty busy, but it's a fun, fulfilling busy.
       #Post#: 6355--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Jack Date: June 12, 2018, 4:03 am
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       Yesterday was an incredibly busy day for me.  It was good in a
       number of ways, but it had some down spots as well.
       I'm trying to keep up with blogging about everything that's
       happening that's relevant or interesting, but it can be hard to
       find the time.
       One thing I'm making the time for is to take Chandler and Billy
       out this afternoon.  Neither boy lives here, but both are part
       of the family, with their mother's permission.  I love both of
       the kids, and I don't get to spend as much time with them, since
       I don't even get those few, private moments with them at bedtime
       very often.
       I've known Chandler since he was 14, which has been nearly 3
       years now (I know we met at the end of summer, right before
       school started, so probably mid-August).  He's more than just a
       good kid - he's grown into a fine young man, and he and Billy
       have grown very close over the past year.  I think Chandler is
       the reason Billy has gotten so into Scouts.
       The past two Mondays have been really hectic for me, but not so
       hectic I haven't seen how these two have stepped up while I was
       busy and helped with the younger/newer Scouts.  Both of them
       have not just shown responsibility in keeping things running,
       but they've shown empathy and understanding in dealing with
       young kids who sometimes get frustrated at trying to learn new
       skills or memorize things.
       That's really what a Scout is supposed to do, but as a Scout
       Leader and a father, I want them to know I've seen it, and I'm
       proud of them, so we're going to drive out to a place I know by
       the lake that makes home made ice cream every morning for their
       shakes.  I just wish the Jag had room for all three of us, so we
       could go with the top down.
       #Post#: 6362--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: kalico Date: June 12, 2018, 10:52 am
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       Awww that’s good of them and I hope they enjoy their little
       treat.....
       Have fun and enjoy
       Hugs kal
       #Post#: 6365--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: David M. Katz Date: June 12, 2018, 1:05 pm
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       You need to get one of those new Google personal assistants.
       ;D
       #Post#: 6368--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Jack Date: June 12, 2018, 4:00 pm
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       [quote author=David M. Katz link=topic=625.msg6365#msg6365
       date=1528826722]
       You need to get one of those new Google personal assistants.
       ;D
       [/quote]
       I'd consider that if I trusted Google to do anything but search.
       #Post#: 6371--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Leti Date: June 12, 2018, 7:17 pm
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       I hope you had a great time with Billy and Chandler!
       What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
       Hugs
       Leti
       #Post#: 6374--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Zyngaru Date: June 12, 2018, 9:21 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=Leti link=topic=625.msg6371#msg6371
       date=1528849020]
       What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
       Leti
       [/quote]
       Dark chocolate.
       Oh!  You were asking Jack.  Sorry!   ;D ;D ;D
       #Post#: 6379--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Jack Date: June 13, 2018, 4:04 am
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       [quote author=Leti link=topic=625.msg6371#msg6371
       date=1528849020]
       I hope you had a great time with Billy and Chandler!
       What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
       [/quote]
       To some extent, it depends.  I love a good caramel shake, but I
       think my actual favorite has to be a chocolate shake made with
       vanilla ice cream.
       #Post#: 6410--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Jack Date: June 14, 2018, 5:17 am
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       Today's a full day, but not in an unpleasant day.
       Most of my boys are going to be at either Six Flags or Hurricane
       Harbor today.  Dillon's taking Ed and Drake and going with
       Marcus and Marcia to help supervise the younger kids.
       As for me, I have a theater rented this morning to see the 1991
       version of White Fang (starring Ethan Hawke) with my lit
       classes, and we're coming back here to grill burgers and dawgs
       for lunch, and then the boys will be hanging out in the pool for
       the afternoon.  Ryan and Noah will be handling the grocery
       shopping again today, which will leave me free to handle the
       other shopping, as I need to run around and gather all the
       things the various boys still need for summer camp.
       Saturday is going to be a family night, though I'll ask PJ,
       Marcus, and my cousin Ryan to all join us, since their kids are
       going to be at camp with mine (Rhett and Connor are both old
       enough to go, but we talked with them, and they're going to wait
       one more year then their little brothers will go with them next
       year - that was their decision, since both of them are best
       friends with their little brothers, and since it means the four
       of them, plus Paden, Andy, and Ollie will be spending most of
       those two weeks hanging with each other and having fun
       activities).  We haven't decided for sure, but we'll probably
       grill outside, have a pool party, then come inside for games
       later.
       Of course, Saturday afternoon, we have a theater reserved for
       Incredibles 2, and a lot of our friends will be joining us.
       Tomorrow night is the summer movie series.  Sunday night I'll
       stay over in the Austin area with the boys.  And when I get home
       Monday, there might be some relative peace and quiet... Aw, whom
       I kidding?  I'll still have plenty of stuff to keep me busy.
       #Post#: 6739--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Summer Daze - 2018
       By: Jack Date: June 28, 2018, 4:10 pm
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       Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.
       Some of my adult kids took the littles into  Fort Worth today.
       I believe they're doing the Museum of Science and History today
       and the Fort Worth Zoo tomorrow, while staying at a motel
       overnight.
       Tomorrow night is Corey's wedding.  Corey was my second son, but
       he never really lived here.  Since Cathy was his biological
       mother he always lived with her.  Russ, Cathy, and Crystal are
       going.  Steve is Corey's first big brother, and he and Belle
       will be going.  So will Chris and Terry, PJ, and Marcus and
       Marcia.  Bobby can't make it, but Cal can, and it looks like
       Tommy and Donald are coming up.  Since several of those people
       are in Fort Worth with the grands, it'll be a bit tight, but I
       was able to call in some favors, and we should have sufficient
       coverage.
       As for me, I've had a fairly restful day today.  Tomorrow
       morning, I have to go for the Grand Opening ceremony at the
       Imaginarium.  After lunch, I'm taking an Uber into Dallas, where
       I have an appointment for a shave and a hair cut, along with a
       massage, facial, and 'hand and foot grooming'.  It's
       ridiculously expensive, but I'll look a bit nicer than normal
       for the ceremony.
       Afterwards, I'm going over to Steve's house, where I can get
       dressed and head for the ceremony.
       Corey has asked me to be just a bit eccentric for the wedding.
       Since I won't be in the wedding, I'm going to go with black
       trousers, a black blazer, a white shirt, but with a black cherry
       vest and puff tie.  With that, I'll be carrying my gold pocket
       watch, and I'll cinch the tie with a gold and onyx tie pin.
       That should satisfy Corey without driving Cathy to attempt my
       murder before pictures.
       Oh, and while I'm riding out there on Uber/with Steve, I'll be
       riding home on a party bus that we're all going to share, so we
       can have a couple of drinks at the reception.
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