Bits & Pieces

Allow me first to say I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday and I haven't as yet had a chance to answer all your nice comments. To say I've been busy would be an understatement.

Things did not go as well as we expected yesterday. As a matter of fact it was an old fashioned 'cluster f*&k.'  I will not explain all the gory details. I'll just touch the highlights. Little Bit's father panicked after the school's principle called him (thinking he was helping the situation) and told our son of our morning appointment. Our son borrowed funds and hired an attorney and sued Little Bit's mother for an injunction, barring her from removing Little Bit from the school's campus. He thought she (the birth mother) had plans to take her out of state. This wasn't her plan. He wasn't aware BM had moved here permanently. 

Little Bit's mother was met at the school by a process server. The injunction barred her from taking Little Bit off campus for a visit. In the meantime Little Bit's father kept her from school and fled. We do not know the whereabouts of our grandchild. The state is actively in pursuit. The principle of the school wasn't aware she wasn't in attendance. He held his head in shame.

Needless to say I have an appointment with our attorney this morning and will fight this legal battle in the name of Little Bit's mother.

I fought another battle with myself last evening. I wasn't sure if I should or should not share the details of this incident, then I remembered this is a journal, of sorts,  for Little Bit. I'd even written an email to kymber, my sweet friend, and told her I was not planning to write publicly about this mess. I truly hope one day Little Bit forgives the pain she has had to endure from the awful actions of her parents. We, as grandparents, suffer for and with her.

I sincerely apologize that you, my dear friends, must read these awful details.

On a brighter note I've just received word Sweet Wife has called the school and Little Bit is in attendance and my wife and Little Bit's mother will have lunch with Little Bit today. It will be the first time she has seen her mother in over four years. Wish I could be there for the happy occasion.

Again, thank you all so much for the blessings and prayers you have sent our way.

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

To my two new friends and followers, Suerte and Scott McCray. To each of you, thanks and welcome for following this, my humble blog. I promise to always answer all comments.

Both Suerte and Scott have blogs, so please, take a few minutes and run over and say hello. Just click the links above and let's all jerk a cup of coffee and chat.

Again, my new friends, thank you and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Today

We leave in thirty minutes for Little Bit's school. Very busy here but I did want to acknowledge my three new followers...I will thank each of you properly as soon as I can catch my breath.

Today will be a very long day.

One way or the other she  comes home with her mother today. I can't wait.

Thank you all, very much, for you prayers. God bless you.

Stephen

Home

Arrived home late last night. More later.

Little Bit's mother is here.

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

To my new friend and follower, tffnguy. My friend I promise to always answer your comments. Kick back and let's have a cup of coffee and chat awhile.

To my other friends, please run by our new friends blog, Terlingua or Bust and take a look at the nice cabin his has under construction out on the plains of Texas.

Again, thanks and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen

A Watch for That Day

I have this thing about watches. I must have at least a dozen or so tucked safely away in my dresser but I only wear one or two different pieces during any given month. For the last few years it's been my stainless steel automatic Seiko. Its a fine watch but I grew bored with it.

Over the years I've used and worn out several different Timex Expeditions. A cheap watch by today's standards, less than sixty dollars on-line or at your local Wal-Mart, if they carry them. Many places don't stock wrist watches since so many young people use their cellphones time feature.

Anyhow,  I like the Indiglo Alarm model.  The only drawback to the Timex Expeditions are their need of a battery. I bet when the dark man arrives on his black horse there will be a lot of dead watches attached to  zombie arms.

As you know I've been a bit bored of late. So yesterday, or was it last week, don't remember, I jumped online and went to the Timex website and ordered another Expedition. The one pictured above, and immediately went out and had a new five year battery installed. Just in case. (I've since been informed it is possible to find ten year lithium batteries.) 

This morning I zipped over to AR15.COM to read the forums and came across this very subject, watches. The topic of discussion was which timepiece was best for those left after the world bites the dust. One fella mentioned he liked the Seiko Military watch. Guess what, now I have another itch to scratch.

Did a wee bit of research on the watch and I like it. It too is automatic but lacks the alarm and light feature I find very handy especially when I camp. But hey, it'll run when those batteries wear out. I like the green although it comes in several different colors.

Now there might come a day when it'll be necessary for you to grab the old sextant and cut the sun for noon in order to get your timepiece back on time, but that will be the least of your worries when the poop hits the fan.

At least you'll be on time.

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

Isn't sleep medication wonderful. I really burned a few z's last night. I've had my morning ration of coffee and I'm ready to kick butt.

This afternoon will be busy. I need to shop for a few items in anticipation of our long drive tomorrow. Water for sure. Can't decide between one of my AR's or the Critter Getter for onboard zombie defense. The Critter Getter, as a fold-up weapon, makes a smaller package so I'm leaning in its direction. Of course I keep two get home bags in the wife's car. Gotta kick the tires and light the fires. Tomorrow will be a long day.

I'd like to bring to your attention to one of my long time blog reads. I'm not certain when I began to read Ben's blog but it's been a while for sure. He's a good 'ole boy with a simple down to earth style of writing. He makes me smile. Amble on over and say hello for me.

Remember, Texans are people too.

For those of you that haven't as yet discovered my friend Sixbears and want to know how to convert a diesel to utilize waste cooking oil, or how to sail a boat beyond the horizons of your life, swing your tiller in his direction. He's a fine man. A retired fire fighter and book lover and I'm proud to call him my friend.

He won't bite, really.

I'm telling 'ya, it's quiet here. Thank the Good Lord for books. I'll read, set the book aside and walk outside the shop and search for lost pennies. I save them for Little Bit's silver jar. Told you about that a few days ago. Anyhow, then its back inside and back to the book. I've tried real hard of late to read all your blogs, and made an attempt to leave comments.

I'm bored out of my mind. I do need a vacation. Always wanted to take a vacation. I hear of others speak of vacations. I think I took one back around 1983, or so. When someone tells you to go into business for yourself - don't listen to them. Yes, self-employment gives you some independence and you will be your own boss, and yes it's a wonderful way to have control over your life but take it from me - you will work. You will have the biggest butthole for a boss as you've ever met - yourself. You will be married to your business. Then again, I believe self-employment will be the saving grace of many in this country when you consider the current events of this world.

Vacations are for slackers.

Well that was a nice break in my morning routine....my best friend, Duke, just dropped by for a cup of coffee and a chat. We talked for nearly an hour. He always makes me smile. If by some weird chance you haven't read his blog, please click and visit. He's a nice man with a huge heart.

Hey, gotta run.

Take care out there, until later.

Stephen