Random Thoughts...

"Daddy's Time"

It wasn't too long ago that Daddy Time was a part of life that was under my control. I'd simply pick Taylor up, plop down in a chair, situate her to where we were both comfortable, and she would lay there and go to sleep. Then time passed. Shortly after that Daddy Time could be Taylor sitting on my lap watching a football game. She really liked football, and basketball, even golf, and was perfectly content to sit in my lap. Enthralled with the suspense of what those people running around on the magic window would do next. Or it could be sitting in the middle of the floor with Taylor building with Leggo's or stacking blocks. Then time passed. Mobility showed up on our doorstep looking for a place to "crash". My grasp on Daddy Time became a bit more tenuous. Daddy Time became a closer cousin to Cat Time. Anyone that owns a cat understands what Cat Time is. Cats are very independent and non social until they decide they would like some attention, then they are all over you like static cling on a polyester shirt. Anyway, lap time slowly decreased as exploration time rapidly increased. More and more Daddy Time consisted of following Taylor around the house making sure both she and the contents both survived the day. Another version of Daddy Time is playing taxi-cab, the only rules of this game are: Don't put Taylor down; and Follow the pointing finger. The penalty for breaking these simple rules are breaking a little girls heart and replacing it with a teary eyed noise generator. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy are allowed to share taxi-cab duties, more of a tag team game. Other times only Mommy or Daddy are allowed to play. Sure there are still times where Daddy Time includes Taylor sitting on my lap, or sitting on the living room floor doing a puzzle or building with Leggo's, but these times are shorter and now regulated via Taylor's schedule.

Short Attention Span Theater

As expected, Christmas this year was a completely different experience than last year. Looking back at the pictures and, by comparison, very amateurish videos from last Christmas makes the change even more glaring than I remembered. Last year I wondered if Taylor was aware of her surroundings, this year I knew she was, the challenge was keeping her focused on the task at hand. Of course for her that is presents!

I touched on the subject of Taylor's play kitchen briefly during the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" post. Being as how it was assembled and sitting in plain view, it obviously was the first item she saw upon being toted into the living room. It would play a vital role in the recurring theme throughout the day. That being to keep Taylor focused and interested in the presents being opened instead of channeling Julia Child. Of course this incarnation of Ms. Child serves every dish in a cup, usually 4 cups and sometimes a handful of flatware. But I digress, let me stick to a somewhat chronological description of the day...

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Being a proud disciple of Captain Obvious, I should first point out the irony of reading a "Twas the Night Before Christmas" post when it's currently 3 days after Christmas. This only seems odd to those who are either visiting my blog for the first time, or those who haven't been paying attention over the past year. As always I have an excuse. I'll pause a moment to allow the shock to subside... Please, stop snickering, it breaks my concentration... Fine, I'll continue. I received some new video editing software for Christmas. While it is much more powerful than Windows Movie Maker that I've been using the past year, and it should allow me to try new things and make better videos, it also has been very temperamental. Causing me much frustration since it's installation. Between random crashes, corrupted files and lost work, I almost gave up. Finally I was able to keep the program running long enough to complete the movie included in this post.

"Just the Facts Ma'am"

Just a quick (well, that's the idea as of right now) post covering Thanksgiving. I figured this was the only way to ensure getting some pictures and quick commentary up about our Thanksgiving before Christmas is upon us. This post will be without fanfare, bells, whistles or snazzy high dollar production value. Okay, maybe that is a bit much, but humor me. Let's just say this is mostly a pictorial with just a bit of commentary. My homage to Joe Friday "Just the facts ma'am."

We were unable to make it out to Kansas City again this Thanksgiving (hopefully we will make it next year, fingers crossed that the housing market turns around and everything else goes well). However, we were graciously invited to spend Thanksgiving with family up in Panama City.

Whatchagot Stew

Well, it's Thanksgiving week. I can't believe how fast time is slipping by. You know all those things people say when you're growing up that you just never believe? Every day I'm finding out more and more of those phrases are true. If only I could turn back time and pay heed to all the advice people gave...

"Enjoy Growing Up, It's The Best Years of Your Life!"

You know, looking back I dreaded that part of my life. But now I think of how great it could have been. If I only knew then what I know now I would have attempted to make so much more of it. Not only the social aspects, in which I utterly avoided. The actual time to just learn and explore interests without worry of money, work and bills. Growing up did include a lot of work. Looking around at other kids I realize that comparatively yes, it was a lot of work, but that taught me many valuable things that has served me well to this day. Heck the way things are going in the world, I may end up needing to rely on knowing how to "rough it". Many people I see out there would be at a complete loss. Anyway, even with that said there was plenty of time to enjoy and just be a kid. I took so little advantage of that time I should be put on trial, because it's gotta be a crime. To think of the free time I had to just practice on my golf game. I frittered so much of that time away. I could have played just half as much and still played 10 times more than I do now, and still I would have had to practice a couple hours a day.