Something from my Past Writings

Anything at Anytime is going to post something from my Past efforts.

Yesterday I was searching the files to find D's Birth Certificate (Because Insurance misspelled her name and now want a new copy of the BC upon renewal for the new year).  Anyway, I came across a few folders that had some of my old writing in it and got to looking at / reading.  Some of it isn't bad at all.

One of them struck me and reminded me of someone that the whole family (me, my parents, brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles) all held dear.

I wrote this upon his Death back in 1998 and my Brother (of which was named after him) was to read it at the services.  I don't know if it was read for certain as I was unable to attend.  I greatly respected this man, he was like another Grandfather to me and my brothers when we were around, his Daughter's like older sisters, his wife - well, she was just a doll, corker, and blast all rolled into one.

Now that I have this blog and I ran across what I wrote, I can immortalize him to the degree that is within my and the Internet's power.

So, I hope you like.

With a wife he joined the service -

When he left - his family had grown by two.

Often at Sea or Duty Station,

Away from home, he raised a family.

When times were tough he would shoulder the load --

From bothers, to cousins & down the line --

He was There!

For a Great Nephew he was a name sake.

For Three -- His was the road --

All to Sea they have gone --

Two in the Navy & One the Coast Guard.

For Us - He was there

& all of you too.

He raised two fine daughters

And saw grand children too.

A family in pain, He was the glue.

Married a woman (who some say chews nails)

Tough, beautiful & brilliant to boot.

She caught him

And shared him with all of us here.

Thank you Aunt Lee --

What a Treasure you shared!

I (we) shall ALWAYS miss him.

Goodbye you 'Ole Salt --

May you find smooth seas

and the breeze to always fill your Ship's Sails.

In memory of Don Landes

Written by: Danny N. Winfield Jr. 

6 February 1998

Hope you all liked it.
He was a Very Special Man.

Father, Hubby, or Chauffeur???

Well, today Anything at Anytime is going to go into which roll is more important in my life.  A Thanks for this post also to Jamie over at Daydream Believer and I also won a gift card from her.  She has some fantastic post and just got married a couple of months ago.  If you haven't run across her site you need to stop by and take a quick look.

Now for today's post.

This could be very short or very long depending upon the fact I have NO Idea if this will become a full on rant or just a quick few comments about how things look to be shaping up.

After the situation caused by Cousin Murphy my life appears to have taken on a few different aspects.

First - there is the Father.  You know, Dad.  The man that is there to encourage his kids, make their lives joyful when needed and Miserable when least expected.  The Guy that is the "Dr." when they are Sick and cleans up when the "Sick" comes out (Because J just can't stand it or she will be doing it also) (YUCK!!!!).
The Guy that tries to set an example for my daughters so that they hopefully find a guy (Spouse for the more open minded) like me or BETTER.  (I wish and Hope for BETTER!)  The Guy that ask them what they want and why, and if the answers are good enough will let them try and (in most cases) Fail, but always encourage them to Try again.

Next - is the Hubby.  The Man that is to be there for my wife and give her my full support and help.  Give her a shoulder to lean on when she is tired and needs that support.  When she just needs to talk be there and listen.  Help clean up so that she doesn't feel that She is a maid to everyone's whims and desires.  To give her solace when she needs and Provide her with open arms to Welcome her home like a port to ship returning home.  Hopefully the man that makes her smile when she least desires to but truly needs to.  The Man to be proper "Pain in the A$$" when she needs someone to point out what she might not see.
The Man to be her "Dirty Ole' Man" that makes her feel "Desired".  (If you don't understand that last -- Well, you're to young -- Go ask your Mom and/or Dad.)

Last - is the Chauffeur.  Now this one has been thrust upon me by my Cousin Murphy and if I had my Dithers I would put an 8 1/2 BOOT right up his BUM! (I know 8 1/2 isn't all that big but try putting a BOOT that size where "The Sun Don't SHINE" - 8 1/2 sized BOOT is Hopefully going to FEEL like a MOUNTAIN!)
Well, the Chauffeur bit started in truth Yesterday.
Honey, I need to go here.
Dad, I need to go here.
Dad can I go here.
Honey, Don't forget I have to do this today.
Dear, could you take me over here so I can see what they have on sale today?
Dad do you think we could stop at mall for a bit?
Oh, Honey don't forget you have to take us to school and pick us up in the afternoon/early evening.
And this is just the Second day doing this.
Holy Cow!

I really need to Teach my Wife to drive Standard!

Hope you all Have a Good and Safe Week!

Laundry Days.

Sorry for the delay from yesterday to today.

Anything at Anytime was in the middle of Laundry Day(s).

Considering that I don't do much to bring an income into the house I have decided to try to do as much of the "Domestic House Duties" as I can.  One of those things is the laundry on the weekend.

It does take awhile as most will tell you.  2 teenage kids, Wife, myself (Thank God they don't dress the dog).

Sheets, Lights, darks, whites, Uniforms, you know the drill.

With finances as they are we try not to use the dryer except on fluff for the towels.  Everything is dried on the line and Ironed by me on Mondays or them as they need them.  Again, we only use the dryer on the towels in order to get them fluffy soft.  I hate, they hate, and I imagine most of you would hate using towels that feel like stiff boards when you are trying to dry off after a nice shower or bath.

So today and yesterday have been spent getting all of the laundry done and trying to help keep things in order without it getting so bad that Jackie feels she has to step in and takeover.

Anyway, a New Week is starting and I wish you all a good New, Prosperous, and Healthy Week!


UPDATE:!!!!!   Had the Last Load on the line and was just getting ready to get the basket and get them brought in and Lo and Behold -  The Skies opened up and provided us with one of our 5 min down pours and everything is Soaked again.

My LUCK!

DUHHHhhhh!!! Moment in time

Anything at Anytime  a "DUHHHhhhh"!!!!! moment in time.

It's Friday!!! Yes, it is.

Today I just laid around the house, being lazy watching shows and what not.

You know those days.

Well, I am laying and looking at the TV and wondering what I am going to do and when the girls are getting home?  CRAP!!!!!

It's 2:30 in the afternoon and Friday, SHIT!!!!  They are going to be home in just a bit.

I know haul ass and look like I have been doing something.

Fill the sink with dish water - throw in some dishes.

Put a pan on the stove and get out the meat and get it started to fry up for my spaghetti sauce.

Fill the big pot with water for the noodles.

Chop up some fresh peppers to put in with the meat for the sauce.

Back to the dishes now to get some done.

Run into the living room and straighten it up a bit.

Back to the meat and peppers to make sure they don't burn.

Rinse the dishes in the empty sink.  Throw in some more dishes.

Check the meat and peppers.

Run around the house looking for any dishes I missed or the girls left behind.

Do more dishes.

Check the meat and peppers again.

Trash bag is full, run it out to the can.

Wash my hands.

Rinse more dishes, more dishes in the dishwater.

Check the meat and peppers, it is ready for the sauce.

Pour in sauce and mix all together well.  Let it simmer while I get more done.

Dishes done, Living room looks OK, Trash is out.

Call J to find out how soon they will be home so I can cook the noodles and have it all ready for when they walk in.

"Oh, Honey" J says.  "Danielle's volleyball practice isn't over till around 5:30PM.  I will call you when we are almost home."

DUHHHHhhhhhhhhh.

All that running.

Now I am sitting on my hands with nothing to do and with a spaghetti sauce getting cold.

Remember this Guy?

DUHHHhhhhh!!!!!

All that Running just to wait!

An OMFG Moment

Anything at Anytime takes a trip on the OMFG side.


As our Anniversary approaches and Halloween as well, I am stepping out on a precipice with what I am about to disclose.

J and I will have been married 14 years on the 14th of Sept. (OH, SHITTTTTTTTT!!! That's Tomorrow)

Happy Anniversary Honey!!!
from the bottom to the top of My Heart.

I was asked awhile back what was one of the weirdest / out there things I have ever done.

Well, it was shortly after J and I were married and I was a (person's worst nightmare) car salesman.  As a newly wed couple we did not have a ton of money and were (still are in some cases) paying bills and trying to sort out living with another person.

We were a month and a half into marriage and Halloween was upon us.  Work was having a Halloween costume contest and I wanted to get into it but we couldn't afford a costume.  Here is the start of the OMFG side.

J was supportive of my wanting to be in the costume contest and so she was trying to figure out what we could do to get me a costume.  The idea she had blew my socks off and then some.  (Sitting here and chuckling about it as I recall it all.)  Her "Idea" was simple, easy (for Her) and wouldn't cost us a single dime.

I will start it off with this......... my first action on the evening of the 30th was to shave closely that night.  Nothing big so I did.  When I got out of the shower I was informed I needed to go back and shave again........ MY LEGS...... That night before bed and as my hair was still wet she set my hair in curlers and I got to experience what some women used (and some still do) to do to "Look Good".  Wear curlers all night.  Damn, it is hard trying to sleep in those things!!!

She woke me at 5 am and started working on my make up and primping my hair and finding the right dress for me to wear that would still be good to work in.  Luckily, she had some low heeled sandles that weren't going to kill my feet.

Not that it is "my cup of tea" but she had me looking GOOD.

I went to work early that morning and 3 of the guys from the sales floor came running until I spoke in my voice which is a bit deep.  Talk about skidding to a halt and double take.  Then when I got in and got to my desk which at the time I shared with one of the women we had working there and she about tripped but said my wife had done a fantastic job.

The day progressed slowly and sales traffic was slow that day but I did get my own and in the strangest way. First client I "caught" out on the lot saw me coming and told me "Not, now Honey.  I am just looking."  (standard blow off speak - LEAVE ME ALONE!)
My response in my regular voice was "No Problem while you looking why don't I show you some of the particulars on the cars you have been looking at."  His jaw dropped.  I told him we were having a Halloween contest later and this was what my wife came up with.  That Halloween ended up being one of my best sales days as I sold three cars that day in the span of 4 hours.  All three to men who mistook me as a woman and were stunned from the get go when they realized it was a man under that dress and makeup.

Needless to say later when we had the competition and everyone voted for the various costumes for those of us that participated - I Won "The most Convincing" and a $25 restaurant certificate for me and J.

It is amazing what we will do when young(er) and in Love and don't have money.

J and I still laugh about that to this day.

THINKING

Anything at Anytime - I am back.

I haven't Posted in almost a week.  What has happened to me?  Hell, even I am not sure on that.

I have been THINKING about all kinds of things.

THINKING -  That is my problem.  Sometimes it leads to some really good things and at other times it can cause all kinds of "Royal Pain in the Asses"!

Some of that THINKING has lead to some good changes for my wife and girls because I am trying to do more to help them out so that they are not always doing everything.

And or But, take your choice (Yes, there is almost always an "And" or a "But").

Some of that THINKING has been.......... Well, let's just say out there even for me.

I have written some of it in my little notebook and may end up putting it in here eventually on the site but for now let us just say it is out there enough that I only need to put a little of it out here once in awhile.

Examples:  UFOs or ways to explore other planetoids in the solar system or ...... get the idea?

And or But, again!

Some of it has been that crappy assed Depressed feeling.  My oldest decided to start volleyball this year and I have a feeling she will be good if not great at it if she applies herself (I know your thinking "but that is a good thing", right - it is and it isn't).  The First game actually ended up being in a tourney and Me being me and my usual hard headed self decided I was going to be there for her.  Her first Tourney.

Not a great idea as it is that I happen to be one of those individuals that if someone has a cold or a flu, yeah you guessed it, I get it.  That in itself tends to be a Pain in the Ass but with Emphysema it tends to be a Royal Pain in the Ass.

Guess What?  .......................  I caught a cold at the tourney somehow.

So, if you have read me enough, I think you all know what kind of Father I want to be for my Girls.  I would like to be the Father that is there for All or as many of their first as I can be.  However, with my situation the way it is I have to pick and choose the "Firsts" I can attend without getting sick.

Just something I have to deal with.

Despite that, I am back and will stay on track.

Hope you all had a good week and will have a good start to your new week.

A Day with the Family

I decided yesterday to take the day off from writing on the blog so I could spend the day just being with and  chatting with my girls and wife about how their week had gone.  

Last week was their first week back to school (except the wife as she spent a week at school before without kids).  It appears all is well except my youngest has been bombed by her teachers with "TONS" of homework every night and plenty for this weekend.  The oldest has been lucky as the way they have set up the schedule for all of the classes it gives them more time in each class and they get most if not all of the work done in class.  My oldest also made the Volleyball team (YEAH!!!).  She likes Football (watching the Huskers with me) but not enough to want to play or I would have tried to help her get ready to play against the boys.  She realized Yesterday that my Huskers Women's Volleyball is consistently ranked in the Nations Top 25 so she started watching Volleyball the other day.  

One is talking about orchestra and the other is talking about band.  One with a violin and the other with a clarinet.  Anybody know where I can get some top quality Ear Plugs?

Jackie, well she is starting to fall in love with her new "little ones".  Of course, she is suffering withdrawal from her last class as she spent 2 years with them.  She misses having them all in the class room but I give it another week and she will be over it and totally involved with the new class.

After spending a bit of time with them I decided to start loading up some of the games I had on the computer before she crashed.  One that my wife and I both like to play is called "Zuma".  If you haven't played it - DON'T!!  It is as addictive as anything out there.  I got it loaded into the computer so she and I could start "competing" with one another again.  I Swear this computer cheats for her!

Anyway, I had a good time being with the wife and kids talking about how their week went and being the big "L" playing against my wife.  

Don't Forget in our hectic lives to take time out and spend it with your family even if it is just to sit and talk.

Life goes by to quickly the older we get.  

When we are kids things don't move fast enough.  When we get older and we start to slow down things speed up and begin to fly by.  Don't miss out because you shut your eyes to long.

A Look at Me and Mine.

Since Anything at Anytime started several of you that I have chatted with have wanted to see "Me" so you have an idea of who is doing this writing.

I figured if I was going to do that then I might as well introduce you to the family so to speak.

The Day we got married.
In less than a month we will be at 14 years.

Snuggles in all her glory.

Thumper Loves sticking around the garden.

A Father - Daughter Dance a few years back.
Our Daughters E and D or D and E one or the other.
That is still me but a bit more salt color in my hair now.

When Jackie got Teacher of the Year a couple of years ago.
The Girls just had to be in the picture with her.

So that is the family and hope you all have a better Idea of who you are reading from and chatting with.

Hope you have a Good Day!