Sunshine

Heidi has been wearing these kids out. The weather went from winter directly to summer and Merry, David and Thomas have been outside all day long everyday since last Saturday. Playing outside makes for happy, tired and mostly agreeable children.

This is the time of year I feel regret that I can't be there playing along. I much rather be swinging on the swings or sliding down the slide than talking ants with missus Jones.

I was doing some keyword research for The Tutu Boutique and I realized that we were no where when it came to the phrase "Ballerina Tutu". I went in and changed the title and meta description two weeks ago and today we are number one in Yahoo and number nine on Google, first page baby!

Friends are asking me my SEO secrets and I don't have any. I am going to help a friend of Heidi's, tell her what I did and give suggestions as to what she should do and we will see where it gets her. If my method produces results for her I may be able to make the association that I know a little something about organic SEO.

Spring has Sprung

Red Sox vs. Yankees was a smashing success. Friday night Mariano Rivera came in to close out the game in the eighth and gave up just enough runs for the Yankees to loose. Saturday afternoon the Sox beat them again and then on Sunday beat the Pin Stripes again. It could have snowed and it still would have been a good weekend.

The thermostat hit 70 degrees both days and I got back to painting the exterior of The Old Blue House. Last spring I started and then quit when summer hit. Week ends in the summer are for the Beach. One more nice weekend and all of the clap boards will be finished. Then it is on to the trim.

We fired up the grills for the first time, Friday I took the kids to Heidi's Dads house and we ate hot dogs. Saturday we brought Heidi with us for a sit down supper at her Dads house and then on Sunday to my parents house.

Overall a great first weekend of Spring, pretty soon the boat will be in the water and instead of yard work I will be doing brain work at the beach. Recharging the batteries for another New England winter.

Heidi's New Assistant

Last week I mentioned that we may be bringing on some help at the Tutu Boutique. We interviewed and offered the job to an outstanding candidate, she was to start on Monday.

We got cold feet, after careful consideration Heidi decided that it would be better if I took on more responsibility around the house, allowing her more time to work her business. As Heidi's right hand man I stepped up and have been performing my new duties.

Say hello to the new laundry folder at The Old Blue House. I do not have to do the laundry, I simply have to fold it. After I put the kids to bed, I pour myself a large glass of wine, turn on the T.V. and get to work. It takes almost an hour to get it done, a family of five produces a lot of laundry.

Taking that one task off of Heidi's list of things to do every day has helped. One less thing to worry about makes life a little bit more manageable. That is what I am here for, I am a helper.

David

What has gotten into you my little friend? This week has not been good. You have decided that you will throw fits at your discretion over silly things. They seem silly to us. To you they are of dire consequence it seems.

I admire your tenacity but I have to warn you, your behavior has put you very close to the edge. Your mother can not take much more of your repetitive screams that you do not want to wear pants today. She may just let you have your way and sell your pant less ass to the highest bidder.

Any bidders?

Last nights apocalyptic fit over getting out of the bath tub was very trying. You are exercising our patience and we are beginning to feel fatigued. When total patience failure hits I would not want to be standing in your shoes. Repeating "I want hot water" over and over only diminishes your chances to ever bath again.

You have an extreme personality, some days so cute, others, oh the others. The night before last when Mom went in to check on you, she found you singing to your brother. "Goodnight Thomas. Go to sleep Thomas" Mom asked you what you were up to and you replied "singing Thomas a lullaby". Can I suggest more cute on your part. For your own good.

I am sure we will get through this. Your mother and I that is. I hope you do too.

Annoyed

I have been looking at this screen on and off for three days and the only stuff that I have come up with has been so negative that I refuse to publish it. I have been generally annoyed with everything that crosses my path and just want to Bitch, Bitch, Bitch.

There is no good reason for it, the children have been behaving relatively well when I am around. Heidi has not brought any serious transgressions of their behavior to my attention. As a family we are getting back into the groove, routines are being reestablished after the week of visitors. I can not account for my piss poor attitude.

Meredith attended kindergarten screening yesterday and thought that it was about the most fun ever. She was very excited about the hearing test and told me all about it. "They put head phones on me and I raised my hand when I heard the noise." Wow! Terrific! I am being sarcastic with my five year old. Bad Daddy.

I got to fill out all of the forms and sign offs for her admission into kindergarten and the Massachusetts public school system last night. Talk about repetitive, there where fifteen forms all asking the same questions. Name, address, date of birth, who to contact, phone numbers, signature. For all I know I may be the proud owner of a Bridge in Brooklyn at this point or Merry may be a Marine headed to Paris Island. I was dizzy by the end of it.

Maybe, just maybe, after today, we will be introducing a new member of the team at The Tutu Boutique. This is a big step and I am very proud of my wife for growing this business to the point where we need to expand the operation. My brain swirls with all of the implications of an employee. I am not sure why, I have a whole bunch of people working with me at Bug Central. I will tell you why: Sole Responsibility, that's why I feel a bit nervous.

The weather, oh the weather. It is time for Spring to spring, enough of the drizzle and 40 degree days already. I need sunshine and sandles. That will cheer me up.

BROS!

Easter Pics

With Thomas,

And With Out

As close as we could get.

Exhale

The Old Blue House is empty but for us. All of the cousins and in laws are headed back to whence they came. It is very nice having them here but the chaos makes me feel like I 'm holding my breath.

Whewww!

Now to get back into the flow of life.

I have the soul of a Warrior!

You Are a Warrior Soul

You're a strong person and sometimes seen as intimidating. You don't give up. You're committed and brave. Truly adventuresome, you are not afraid of going to battle. Extremely protective of loved ones, you root for the underdog. You are picky about details and rigorous in your methods. You also value honesty and fairness a great deal. You can be outspoken, intimidating, headstrong, and demanding. You're a hardliner who demands the best from themselves and others. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?
Thank you Mary P.

How Much?

Every six months or so I start to feel overwhelmed. The last time I was feeling like this was back in October. When I stand back and look at it from the outside I see that I need a vacation. A minute to recharge the batteries. This blog has made me aware of the frequency of these feelings. Before this journal there was no record and each time these feelings settled in, it always felt like the first time.

What I feel is a lack of control, the boat is getting away from me and all I can do is hold on and hope for the best. The course I am currently on was set by decisions that have already been made. All that I can do is ride it out and make adjustments for the future.

How many balls can you keep in the air? How much can you handle well? When is enough, enough? Do you know when it is time to get some help? Who do you turn to? My juggling act feels saturated, one more ball and there will be a disaster. Luckily I have a terrific and supportive family that probably does not even realize that I struggle with these questions but by being themselves, give me the foundation and the answers I need to persevere.

An example of my mental anguish just made itself evident. The phone rang, it was the accountant, his news was very good, I thought it was good. I called Heidi, gave her the figure, and her response was "That's it". Every six months or so it feels like I just can't win.

And then the sun comes out and I feel better.

Full House

Surprise! Auntie Jen, Aiden, Adyson and Nanna showed up from Florida and Atlanta to spend the week. Merry and Heidi are thrilled, David does not want to be left out, and Thomas has an entire new set of victims.

Having Heidi's family at The Old Blue House makes me feel happy. There is something about having extended family close by that fulfills me. All the children running around the sister's and their mom chatting, it makes the house feel full and alive. I like it.

Democracy

I attended my first town meeting last night and learned that Democracy is painfully SLOW.

I packed it up and left at 12:15 am, there were 7 more warrants to be discussed and voted on. I could not take anymore, they were arguing language on whether or not to extend the town sewer up the street 1500 feet and could not get it straight. I bailed.

The highlight of the evening came when a woman decided in honorarium of her predecessor at the historical commission she would read to the captive audience from Dr. Seusse. I am not even sure which it was, I do know it was long and the gist of it was "waste not want not." Fifteen minutes into her reading we booed her off the stage, it felt wrong, breaking in on her tribute, but my God, I will never get that fifteen minutes back. She held us hostage with nursery rhyme, it was painful.

I am glad that I went and I will attend again. Next time I will take a nap before I go.