Down & Up

I cracked the 170's at last night's WI. 178.4, that's 39.6 lbs down since March. The WW's on-line genie scolded me again (2.2 loss this week). The genie doesn't like losses of more than two lbs. I going to find out where the little bastard lives & break his freakin' bottle.

DD & DW are going camping this weekend. I'm staying home. I'm technically scheduled to work this Saturday but, I think I'm going to take it off. I'm so close to being done with the painting I'm going to rent a cherry picker & get up to the one remaining section. Actually, I just called the rental place & it's been reserved. It'll have to be a game decision if I go up on staging planks or on a machine. Either way, I'm going. This baby's getting put to bed this weekend.

Next weekend is the annual "guys" camping trip. It's been a tradition for the past 13 years. The original trip was in honor of my younger brother's wedding. Rather than go the bachelor party route we got together with a bunch of friends up at this beautiful campsite in Vermont. It was such a good time we've been doing it ever since. We rent a bunch of lean-to's & hang out in the river drinking beer. I love DW & DD dearly but, it's been a long,hard summer & I'm looking forward to a break. I've earned this one.

If I can finish the house on Saturday that will be wonderful. I'll still have a punch list of little things to complete (shutters,windows,some siding repairs at the back door) but, the principle work will be completed. I'll have a private little celebration Saturday. I picture myself sitting in the jacuzzi, sipping a beer, & listening to the ballgame.

Sadly, I found out the other day that my cousin Kerry passed away. She had a long bout with cancer & lost the fight on Wednesday night. She was only forty & leaves behind an husband & five sons, tragic. The women from her branch of the family always get cancer. WTF! Her mother died of cancer twenty years ago & her older sister has had her trouble. Kerry had been in remission for a few years but, found out right before a dual birthday party for her dad & her (his 70th,her 40th) that it had come back. There's going to be a memorial service next Friday. It will impact the plans for the Guy's trip but, that's okay. It's for family.

For some reason, my immediate family has had very good luck healthwise. On both my mother's & father's side of the family there have been all sorts of healt problems.

It almost makes me worry that sooner or later it'll be my family's turn for bad times. My parents are in good health but, in their seventies. One older brother is overweight & has had high blood pressure. My other older brother is obese & has no health insurance. My younger brother is in good shape. My sister's is in good health but, her husband's had health issues (fine now).

It's part of life: good times & bad times. Make the best of it while you can.