Anticipatory Monday

I was back out on the hill both yesterday evening and this morning and learned what I knew was waiting for me. This is going to be tough. After I get by the six inches of topsoil, I have to use the pickaxe to delve into the clay which boasts the added benefits of embedded rocks throughout. As I said above, I knew this was coming and feel good that I’ve reach the back of the outlined future patio on the side that I started. I’ve filled up all the dirt shortages in my wife’s vast garden complex so all the dirt I remove from now on has to be carried up the hill for disposal. Weirdly, I’m kind of excited because even though this is as physically taxing as anything I’ve ever done, I’m enjoying seeing the progress.

Day 13

Day 14

Now, as to that title. We are in the anticipatory mode because we’re heading on a road trip tomorrow. My Favorite Panamanian and I are finally returning to New Jersey to hang out with my daughter, the FBR, and Wingmom for a couple days. We’ve been meaning to get down there for over a month but doctor’s appointments, social requirements, and a back yard project have interfered. We want to help our daughter who is in single mom status while Wingman is touring the country with his band’s reunion tour (see attached photo). The FBR is excited about our impending arrival and made a specific request that we bring her a toy as a present, not the usual clothes that my Favorite Panamanian binge buys. We were going to bring her a present anyways (she knows this) but she wanted to make sure we had some guidance on the subject.

Wingman in Denver Last Night

My daughter also sent his video which her phone created for her showing pictures of my Favorite Panamanian and I over the years. Brought a tear to the eye, I am blessed.

Two more movies have fallen in my A-Z effort, both keepers, 2012 (great disaster movie) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (classic Disney)

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RECURRING CHARACTERS:                                        

ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete - my daughter in law; BR3 – Blog Reader #3 – granddaughter #3; BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter; First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Pittsburgh College Roommate– high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; Soxfather - my brother in law; Tia Loca – wife’s younger sister; Wingman – my son in law; Wingmom – Wingman’s mom, of course