Thanks Dave. I love you just for bothering to read my long rant. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> I assume most people don't. Can't blame them.... Most people don't open a thread to read a book. I just got in "another" ramble mode. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
I am sure many of us could share stories. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I too was HUGE into being in the woods and climbing trees. My favorite thing for years. And like you would spend most of my daily hours out in the woods and trees. I never fell out of a tree either. Scrapes and cuts are just part of climbing. No big deal.

Most all, but not entirely all of the woods I grew up playing in are built into houses now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I loved playing in new construction as well. House framing was fun to play in and climb. My dad was fine with me playing in the woods and never cared once to my knowledge about me climbing trees and never seemed concerned that I would fall. But, I do remember him telling me not to play around the new construction sites. We did anyway and I stepped on a big framing nail that went through my shoe and deep into my foot. I was probably about 6-7.... apparently not smart enough to watch for nails (?????). I knew I had to tell him and I knew I would get in trouble..... But, I didn't know I was going to have to get a tetnus shot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> I might have not told. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

My nephew is a nice kid, but worthless. He is a class clown type personality. I was never that way and just don't have much appreciation for that level and type of silliness. He is always "trying" to be silly and get attention. He gets very annoying. I acknowledge that we all have our own silly quircks of some types. But... whatever.

Anyway, I have NEVER seen him lift a Freakin' finger to help out ANYWHERE. His neice is a nice kid too, but not much better at helping out. This has to be parenting right?

My big thing with my buddies was building treehouse/forts. I don't have any idea how many acres of woods we had to run around in when I was a kid. But, our main stomping area must have been about 3/4 mile square or so. We must have built 15 different forts/treehouses over the years. I would guess I started running around in those woods (without parental supervision) when I was in 1st or 2nd grade up till about 6th grade or so. By about 7th grade sports started to take over my time.

Anyway, thanks for the well wishes Dave. I will stop myself from rambling again.

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Your stories really take me back and warm my heart! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I was the same way! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Man... it is all warm and cozy here tonight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


.... Oh yeah, my A/C (electric) is still out and I don't have the fan on. Not sure what kind of warm and cozy now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

If it weren't about 81 degrees in my house right now, I might have to consider lighting up a fire for some ambience. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Maybe I will just go get some of my wifes candles. I think she has a couple lit for light.

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KG
hope every thing returns to normal for you soon

Thanks coyote....

Still no Electricity though (after 11 days) and another HOT, MUGGY and NASTY Houston evening with no A/C. I think my house is about 83 right now and it must be about 99% humidity outside. NASTY without A/C. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> One main reason I don't like Houston. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Not going to be fun sleeping tonight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I just got back in from walking the dogs 10:20 pm here. It has been dark for over 2.5 hours and I am dripping from just casual walking. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

We have a lot of windows open with screens on to help cool the house down. But, that just brings the humidity inside. My wrists are slipping on my desk. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Some folks around my subdivision have electricity. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> But, most appear to not have it yet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I am lucky that my neighber across the street let me tag his generator a couple times and then he got full power Sunday. So, now I have a full time cord running across the street for computer, 1-2 lights and a small fan at night. I can't draw much as 15 amp breakers are common here and I am very confident his front porch is on a 15 amp breaker and don't know what else he is running off that breaker. I don't want to trip the breaker. If I trip it at night, I wouldn't feel right waking him to have him reset his breaker. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

More light would be convenient, but we are managing very fine with low light, portable little LED's and such.

Did a couple loads of laundry Saturday at my wife's sisters as she got power Friday.

Still eating dry groceries and a few things out of the Igloo here and there.
Heck, I can't complain about food at all. We have been eating just fine. I had lemon chicken from the grill tonight, with brown sugar glazed mini carrots and mashed potatos. Can't complain about that.
Had pasta with sauce and cut up chicken strips last night.
Cooking outside on the grill and side-burner under lantern light isn't always convenient. But, it is very doable and better than camp stoves or hassling with trying to build a fire on my back patio. We are getting food.

I have been eating a lot of soup for lunch though. ... kind of hot for that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I hate peanut butter. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> Wife loves it. So, she has been eating a lot. Sandwhich meats are hard to keep long term in Igloo.

Eggs, oatmeal, or cereal for breakfast... all pretty normal for me.

Mostly keeping milk, OJ, eggs and a few various drinks in the Igloo. The chicken has been picked up from either the store or a couple items that we stored in a friends freezer who had a generator.

Much of the bussinesses seem to be up and running now. I don't know what percentage of residential is up and running.

Doesn't seem to be much internet coverage about Houston and Ike damage. (????)

The hurricane seemed to mostly hit Houston dead center from the south and heading straight north. I live straight north. For some reason electricty outages seem to be worse at north than south. (????) - I could be wrong (?????) don't know how I would know.

I am "asuming" downtown, businesses and higher rent districts have been prioritized. I don't live in a poor area. But, I do live in a suburban area.

West Houston including Southwest and Northwest mostly all seem back online and good. I talked to a buddy today that lives Northwest near 249 South of Tomball and he was only out of electricity for a couple of days. Many people didn't have too many issues. Many are way worse than ourselves.

I don't have electricity and A/C. A/C is HUGE here in Houston about 10 months out of the year and September is probably about like June with August being worst and July probably second worst. I think the high today was around 89 - 90. It could be a lot hotter. But, the humidity SUCKS!!!!

Again, luckily most of last week was unusually nice, cool and lower humidity.

Still, I can't complain so much right now. Having water (drinkable and hot), gas, cell phone back up and running, food, shelter and my computer are all good for now.

I just need A/C!!!!! ..... and lots more money!!!!

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Doug, I loved your rant about children these days.
I actually miss a lot of your posts???? (go figure)
I guess it's my timing?
lol

either way, its sad to say that sometimes I am one of those kids... I wish I would just get outside and do something but, there isn't much outside that I'm interested in.

NO WOODS! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

my favorite childhood memory is riding my bike up and down the sidewalk in my old neighborhood... ahhh. the good old days.


oh, and I don't care for kids that aren't very productive (although when working I often get sidetracked and have to take breaks) because I've always kind of enjoyed working hard, and getting things done... most kids don't think that way anymore.
sad indeed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

hope you get power back soon, I hate the heat and I'm a bit pampered. I've always slept with it nice and cold. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I did go to Orlando Florida once in July and MAN it was terrible! 100% humidity every day of the week... there is no escaping it and it really is a terrible feeling.



stay safe!