March 21st 2011

I've been released from the hospital, however I can't return to work until the Dr gives me a release. I'm supposed to get that on Thursday the 24th. That's when I return to the Dr's office, he checks certain chemical levels in my blood, and determines whether I go back to the hospital or not. Anyway, the events of the past few days have made me come to a couple of decisions - one of which is how I want my Will structured. 
Here goes: Andrea and Aiden, you get trusts for college, Jess, you get the physical stuff. I'm going to set up a maintenance trust for whichever animals I happen to have living with me at the time, making sure the funeral is paid for, making sure I am cremated, and making sure there's a well funded wake. In essence, Toast me then Roast me. 
That's the basics, I'm probably going to add bequests to a couple of other people. I'm also setting up my living Will, with Grandpa Don as the decision maker. 
I've told him that if it comes to the point of living as a vegetable or peaceful passage, go with peace. Then see above. 
I'm setting up the appointment with the lawyer for Wednesday. 
Amazing how a heart episode makes you take stock of your life and getting affairs in order. 
 

Happy Birthday Andrea

Happy Birthday, Andrea! 
Three years ago today you arrived - and ever since then you've been a special spot of light in all our lives. Especially mine - even though we don't share a biology, I still think of you and Aiden as mine. 
Your mom is probably upset with me right now because I haven't called, however I look at it this way - I've met you all of once, and brought you Theodore and some other friends. 
I call myself your "Grandpa Merlin", but you really don't know me -  after all, I'm someone who's just sort of popping in at times in your life, occasionally throwing stuffed animals your way. 
But I'm not really an active part of your life.  After all, you're only three, and Aiden isn't even six months old yet. AND you live in Kansas City and I'm in Atlanta. 
In a few years, when you and Aiden are reading this, I'm sure you're going to understand, or at least appreciate it. 
We'll probably interact a bit more when you're older and I've managed to get a couple of visits under my belt, or your mother has come to her senses and moved you here to Georgia. 
And BTW, it was your mother who put the kibosh on more big bears, not me. I was told Theodore was causing problems because of his size and another one was completely out of the question (OK, at least at this point in 2011 - Sorry Aiden. (although that might change))
Anyway, back to you and your 3rd birthday. 
Andrea, know that I love you even though you really don't know me.  I know you're a special little girl who's family loves her beyond measure, and that's something you can always count on. 
I hope you got lots and lots of presents, and I promise you this...when you see me, it's going to be like your birthday all over again, but one Grandpa Don and I get to celebrate with you - so I'll spoil you when I see you, just like I do your Mom. 
What else is your pseudo faery Godparent good for? 


I love you, little one. 
Happiest of birthdays - 
Many many more. 


Grandpa Merlin
   

Welcome, Aiden Kelly

You'll have to forgive me for not getting this done sooner, Aiden.
I'm personally putting it down to "second child syndrome"... the fact of the matter is that I had Andrea's pictures within minutes of her birth.
Your pictures? I finally got some today.  Two weeks after your arrival.
Regardless, here you are! 


Aiden, Chris and Jessica




Mr. Aiden Christopher




Andrea, Jessica and Aiden



Aiden & Daddy



Aiden Christopher




Daddy, Andrea, Mommy & Aiden  



Aiden Christopher

Aiden & Chris (aka Daddy)  

Mommy & Daddy

Aiden

Gramma Lisa

Picture update on Aiden

Wow.  That's all I can say. Wow.
You've been here almost 24 hours, and I have a total of TWO pictures of you.
Actually, let me rephrase that.  I personally have ONE picture of you, Grandpa Don has two.
He sent me the one of you and your mom and sister, and he's got your closeup picture, which I'm supposed to be receiving shortly. 
Regardless, only TWO pictures? 
C'mon, Jessica, Chris, Lisa, and Joe!  TWO pictures? 
Jess, you're excused because you just produced Aiden. 
But the rest of you?  Get serious! 
Just because I couldn't make it up there for the birth doesn't mean I should get shut out of the picture sharing!
So SHARE already!!
It's not like you're using actual film, ferchrissakes... it's DIGITAL!
I WANT MY PICTURES!!!

Welcome to the world, Aiden Christopher Kelly, born today

Well, your mom's relieved, you finally decided to make your appearance.
Don't know many details at the moment, my phone's kinda screwed up and has no sound.
So when your Grandpa Don texted me that you were on the way, of course I didn't get the message until 6 hours later. 
However, he did tell me you were 9 lbs - you'll discover this over the course of time, however best you also learn it from the beginning. Grandpa Don doesn't do details well.  If I'd gotten Grandma Lisa on the phone, I coulda found out your birth weight, your size, and your birth time.
So your birth chart will have to wait until I talk to her.

Regardless, welcome to the world, kid. And Jess, if you're reading this, WHERE ARE MY PICTURES?????  

I'm the crazy Unca Merlin your big sister Andrea's gonna warn you about.
Proof I'm crazy?  Your baby pictures are going up just as soon as I get them.
Ask Andrea. I did it to her too.

Welcome, Aiden Kelly

Yeah, Andrea, I know... this is supposed to be all about you. Well, things change, and part of the things that change would be the arrival of your new baby brother, Aiden.
Today's October 20th, and he should be arriving soon. 
(At least according to your mother, who, lets face it, would know better than just about anyone except Aiden, and as of right this moment, he's not saying anything, just positioning himself for his arrival) 
Your mom says that she's lost the mucous plug and has been having contractions, but this is just pre-labor.  The fun won't be starting for another couple of days at least (I'm betting on October 21st or 22nd myself) since the moon's not yet full. 
I'm betting he's going to make his appearance during the October full moon.
I was right about your birth, and I do have an impressive track record regarding predicting arrivals - and before you start in on me about what the moon has to do with it, let me remind you that the moon does exert a gravitational pull on the Earth - and it does affect labor. 
So anyway... Aiden, I'm your Grandpa Merlin.  I'm not going to be able to get there for your arrival, but trust me, soon enough you'll meet me and your Grandpa Don.
I'm the one who sent up all the bears you'll see around your and Andrea's bedrooms (that is, when you develop cognizance that is) - and why I'm probably constantly getting dirty looks from your mom when I'm there.
Oh well, since you're my grandchild by "adoption", just as your sister Andrea is, I get to spoil the two of you like there's no tomorrow and I don't have to answer to your real grandparents or parents about it.
And incidentally, if I'm wrong about your birthdate, I apologize.  But we'll have to see. 
Love you, little man.

Road trip pictures Mission, Kansas 2009

Well, I'm currently trying to upload the road trip pictures - and not having much success unfortunately.
I do have an album set up on Facebook, here's a link: Kansas Road Trip.
It'll have to do until Blogger gets its shit together.

KC Road Trip Day 2 The day I cooked

'kay, Grandpa Don's bitching because he's trying to sleep and I want to get this down. So I'm going to make it quick.

Your biological father is a dickhead.

There. I said it. And I stand behind that statement. Despite the spin you're going to have applied to the situation by your mom, your dad, your biological father... don't care who.

Just check the police records for domestics during this time, October 2009.

Love you, darlin... but you need the unvarnished truth.

And this is it. Your biological father is unfortunately, one world class dickhead. While I have a lot to say about this situation, for once, I'm going to be relatively good and not say shit aside from what I already have.

Addendum: I'm back in Atlanta now and have reread what I posted. I still stand behind it.
Your biological father is a world class dickhead.

Kansas road trip October 2009

Well, we're here. Your reaction when I introduced you to Theodore was everything and more I wanted.
And yes, of course I took pictures - however, like an idiot the one accessory I didn't bring was the camera to the laptop connection. So, as of right now, I have over a hundred pictures of you and can't upload a single one of them.
I also took pictures during the road trip which are in the same situation.
Can't upload the damn things. So this will have to serve as an interim solution to this conundrum.
You're napping right now, so I'm taking this quiet moment to post this.
As soon as I get a connection to the laptop, the pictures are getting uploaded and then I'll post them, I promise.
I'm probably also going to be sending them to Facebook, so they'll be in more than one place.
Anyway, Grandpa Don is currently sitting in front of your Mom's desktop trying to get it cleaned down so it'll run better. I'm going to sign off and watch. It should be entertaining.

Road Trip!

Yay! I'm sitting here waiting on Enterprise to call and say they're on their way to pick me up so I can get the car for the road trip.
Which means that in just a matter of hours, your Grandpa Don and I will be there - tired, stinky from the trip, but there to see you and your mom.
The plan is to leave early Wednesday morning from Grandpa Don's house and drive straight through til we get there.
I'm bringing my laptop, so I might blog from the road, or at least from your house.
I can't wait to see your face when I introduce you to Theodore... (that's the big bear) - he's about as big as you are!
I'm also bringing you a dragon ... since every Princess should have a dragon around. But don't worry, he's friendly.
I'm so excited! I hope you remember this in a couple of years - if not, this will serve as your memory jog. (Grin)
Okay, got to run - last minute details to deal with here.
I'll be seeing you soon, darling!

Thursday August 20th

Not much to report yet, sitting here getting ready for work.
I've just discovered I have over 2 weeks of vacation time to use before the end of the year - I can't afford to take it all at once, however use it I must, or I'll lose it.
I'm wondering if I can talk your Grandpa Don into a road trip to see you, hopefully before the snow comes. Don't know if that will work out because his schedule is so flaky.
I love you dearly little darling, but we've had this discussion before.
Grandpa Merlin doesn't do snow. Period.
I deal with it only when it happens in Atlanta, and by deal with it I mean I stay in my house if at all possible, and I'm certainly not going somewhere to experience it willingly.

Today's events

Because of the slip and fall I need physical therapy, however can't afford the co-pay necessary to get it... so I'm doing what I call "dog therapy" - I have a neighbor who needs her dog walked at around noon daily, and that's how I've been exercising the knee.
Why is that important? Because that's the lead in to today's issues.
I left the house by the back door to go get Armand, and heard what sounded like an open faucet running. Given that I don't have a working faucet out back, I made sure I found what was causing the sound.
I found it.
It was like someone had turned on a spigot and let it run - my back yard and a lot of the common area is a swampy mess right now. So I reported it to the HOA, who got a plumber out here, and initially, he said it was my water heater, and that I was going to be responsible for the repair.
I'm on the verge of panic, trying to figure out how I'm going to pay for a new water heater, install and everything else, when he suggests trying turning off the hot water at the source.
I was all for it, and when he did, the water outside kept going - which told him that it wasn't my unit causing the problem, it's the vacant unit next door.
I'm sorry to wish this on someone else, however for once there's a water issue at this place and it's not mine.

Monday, February 25th

Okay, I got slack again.
Sorry about this, Andrea - I had a number of things going on, and blogging wasn't high on the list of "must do today" 's.
On the bright side, I did manage to send up a number of outfits for you - not that at your current age (you're a month old today - Happy Birthday!!) you're going to know or care about fashion - which believe me, is my saving grace - when you get older, if I think about sending up clothing, it's going to be in the way of a gift card - I won't embarrass you with my fashion choices.
Toys are also going to end up being your choice via gift card - no offense, but you're going to know what you want more than I will, and rather than incur your wrath I think it's easier to just send you a gift card. Unless of course, I'm sending you another bear.
Those, you're going to have to deal with.
Anyway, in the time since the last post, I've turned 47, gotten my hair highlighted, gotten talked into playing Bingo at the American Legion with Grandpa Don (and won $100), ordered a MONSTER elephant ear plant (that's going to drive the HOA up a wall), gotten involved in the Paranormal States message boards, and lost more weight.
Elaborations are forthcoming, right now I just thought I'd throw up a quick fill in.
Anyway, I have to get ready for work now...
More later.

Relationships

While I'm on my soapbox, let me address something that you'll realize over time, but lets just get it out of the way now.
I'm not really your Great Uncle, except by love. You see, your Grandpa Don is my very best friend in the world, and I love him like my brother. Since Grandpa Don is my "brother", I get to be your Great Uncle.
And I've known and loved your mother for years, although we got closer after you were born.
Since I'm never going to have a grandchild of my own, I'm pretending with you - but that doesn't make me love you any less because you don't have my DNA.
So, I'm gonna be your Unca Merlin, your personal faery grandparent.
Wishes granted whenever possible. As long as you're housebroken.

And even more baby pics - this time with family

Your Uncle John

Grandma Lisa

This is Grandpa Joe -

This is your mom, shortly after you arrived

This is your Dad, Andrea - don't know him yet, so have nothing to add. Ask Grandma Lisa.

Still more baby pics

Welcome to the world, Andrea Jordan Hutchens.

I've been waiting for someone like you for quite a while - I'm your Great Uncle Merlin - and I'm also your Faery Grandparent - but you can call me Unca Merlin... or Grandpa Merlin.

I have great things in store for you, little one. Think of me as your "Auntie Mame", but male.

And just wait until you're a little older - your Great Uncle Merlin is gonna show you the Happiest Place on Earth - it's called Disney World. (Yes, Jess, you're coming too...although your father probably won't...he's such a wet blanket when it comes to theme parks.)

Time for me to head into work, more in a bit.

Just received - More baby pics

Presenting Ms. Andrea Jordan, Diva-In-Training

Presenting Ms. Andrea Jordan Hutchens.

Born January 24th, 2008, weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz and measuring 20 inches in length.

Ain't she something else? See that little finger? It's already got me wrapped around it.

January 26th

It's Saturday, and I'm at work.
On the bright side, it's a typical Saturday, meaning no fires to put out - I'm just sitting here updating the Windows software on my workstation, updating various spyware programs and in general just sitting here waiting for my relief to get in.
It's also only 20 days until my birthday - I'll be 47 this year. I know that sounds like an eternity to you, but believe me, it really does go a lot faster than you think. Especially when you get older.

I'm on the phone now with Grandpa Don, and he's just told me that your first pictures have arrived.
According to Grandma Lisa, they took tons and tons and they're just waiting to get to a computer to upload them from the camera.
Grandpa Don said that he sent copies to me, but they haven't shown up in my inbox yet. I can wait, I've waited 7 months for you to arrive, I'm going to have to wait for a few more months before I can actually meet you and hold you, so a few more hours or days for pictures won't matter much... (who am I kidding, I want those pictures **NOW**)

You can probably tell by now that patience is not one of my stronger attributes.

January 25 - one day old

You're now one day old - and probably being subjected to being kicked out of the hospital because insurance will only cover one day. Don't worry, it gets better.
I went through merry hell trying to find pink candy cigars so I could play the doting Great Uncle, but found that they don't actually make those things any more.
I settled for cupcakes with pink icing. Not exactly what I'd call primo substitution, but given my alternatives were cigars in glass tubes at $6.50 each (not that I don't think you're worth it, but since noone here at work smokes, that would have been an incredible waste of money), cupcakes it was.
I realize I'm babbling, but I'm trying to keep my promise about writing down something daily so you'll have an idea of what's going on.
I still haven't heard anything about where you were born - I'll yank some chains about that tomorrow, I know your mom's going to want your chart done ASAP.