Wedding plans

Okay- Emma was home this weekend for a bridal shower and some hair and make-up trial runs (how long has this practice been going on, I wonder?). Anyhow, it is sinking in that it only a little over two months until my girl gets married! It makes a father pause to reflect on the raising of his children, the time spent at work, and in general the arc of his life. I realized the other day that I am actually closer to the end of life than the beginning, since I am going on 52 and I always said I would live to be 100, although that seems less and less likely with every ache and pain that middle age brings! :-). I don't mind being closer to the end than the beginning... It does make me tune in to making every day matter, and prioritizing what is important to me. I also am taking my cue from my body that I better start moving it on a regular basis or it may rebel! It is a Sumday night and I am telling myself for the umpteenth Sumday night that this will be the week I get some regular exercise goin' on! I think this IS the week. Really! I mean it! Emma and I talked about the father-daughter dance. We picked out our song. I know it will be a marvelous, emotional moment for me. Both the dance and waiting to walk her down the aisle. Wow! I better not fold like a cheap suit! Me and Emma said that we better not look at her Mom, because she will surely be crying, and that can only bring on the tears for the two of us, too! So much to look forward to! I promised myself that I would not let pre-wedding day stress bother me. So far so good. I hope Rhonda can do the same! I am pretty confident Emma will handle it just fine. Lucky to have a wife and daughter who get along so well and are easy going! I am getting anxious for the day to arrive.

Illinois Politics

Can anyone imagine a more dysfunctional State than Illinois? Holy moly! Hot on the heels of the Blago scandal, our State is pretty much bankrupt, the Illinois supreme court had to determine if the former White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanual, meets the Chicago residency requirements to run for Mayor. First he won a hearing to be placed on the ballot, then he lost the Appelate Court appeal and he was off the ballot, now the Supreme Court ruled him eligible, so back on he goes! Today's headline: the $31Billion Capital Bill was ruled unconstitutional by another Appelate Court, so the State cannot move forward with this construction season's road projects! This case will also end up in the Il Supreme Court, and if they don't overturn the lower court, our wonderful legislators will have to re-write and pass a new Capital Bill. That should be loads of fun, especially on right after they increased our State income tax by 67 percent... I may not have mentioned that one... Listening to the radio and the Governor of New Jersey is making fun of Illinois, inviting people and businesses to move to his State. Really? New Jersey? God thing the weather is so nice here to make up for all the baloney - right... A couple of more inches of snow today to cover up the sheet of ice that is my driveway. Oh well... Thank God for Beer and Pizza!

TTFN

My first blog

Well- I thought I would take the plunge and try blogging on for size. My inspiration to begin is my daughter Emma Rose, my brother-in-law Ron Gierut, and the movie Julie & Julia (that Meryl Streep can act!). I'll get the hang of this as time rolls on, learn who is a fellow-blogger, and hopefully find a new form of self-expression! Till next time...