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Tag Archives: Son

10-6-2020 Update My Son Bought a House!

06 Tuesday Oct 2020

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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Apartment, House, Son

I know, it’s been a while. I’ve been rather busy with life’s ups and downs.

The Great Cycle Challenge is over and I met my goal of 200 miles by riding 219 miles. However, I didn’t quite meet my monitary goal of $1000 but I did manage to raise over $800.

My son bought a house and he’s driving me nuts with things he’s wanting done in the house. My wife and two daughters spent a week there helping him paint several of the rooms. Now it seems every time he calls he’s wanting something else done. Now it’s hanging a fan, replacing a thermostate, and a multitude of other items that he can’t do himself.

I have failed as a father raising him. My dad made sure that I knew everything there was to know about everything. He made me help him do everything and at the time all I wanted to do is lay around and watch television. I hated him for ruining my sleep espesially on weekends. So as a father I didn’t make my son do things my dad asked me to do and now it’s coming back to haunt me. My son even called me and asked how to cut his grass. I know I’ve taught him how to cut grass but evidently I didn’t.

I appreciate the fact that my son thinks I can do anythiing he asks of me. Most of the things he asks I can do but there are some things I can’t do and I think he doesn’t believe me when I tell him so. For example, he couldn’t get his cable to work in one of his rooms. He asked me to help him fix it. I don’t know much about internet but I told him I’d help him check it out. We worked in his attic for nearly two hours trying to figure it out. Finally, I told him that he’d better call his cable company because it was obivious that we didn’t know what we were doing.

H went to college for five years to get his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is willing to do the work himself but in most cases he doesn’t know what he’s doing and he gets himself into trouble. Example, at 8 pm the other night he decides he’s going to disconnect his washer and get it ready to move out. He called wanting to know which direction to turn the water off. I told him that even though the water is turned off he would still have pressure on the water hose that feeds the washer. He called again about five minues later telling me that he needs help because he’s flooded his kitchen. As I’m getting ready to leave my house he calls back to tell me that he thinks he’s got it. Five minutes later another call demanding me to come help becuase he’s still getting water out of the hose. I asked him how much and he says a lot of water.

His house is a good 45 minutes away. He’s stated that his kitchen is flooded and the water is getting deep. Thoughts of him having to pay for damages for his appartment as well as the one beneath him is running through my head. I’m wearing a pair of shorts and t shirt. I grab some sandels, my keys, my driver’s license and my tools from my truck and off I went in my wife’s car. Upon my arrival 45 minuets later I find that he has stuck the hose from the faucett into a bucket which is quickly filling up. I took a wrench and grabbed the handle of the valve and turned it a couple of times which caused the water to slow to a steady drip. I stuck the hose from the bucket to the drain in the wall and called it done. That will keep the water from the going on the floor until the appartment manager can call a plumber and replace the valve.

I spent the next half hour helping him clean up the water on the floor. It really wasn’t that bad. His panic made it sound a lot worse than what it was. As we were cleaning up the water we talked about what he could have done differently and what he learned from this experience. I have a rule about doing any type of plumbing work after 5pm. Most hardware places close about that time so if you run into issues then your screwed. Unless it’s an emergency it can wait until the next day. Disconnecting a washing machine is not that difficult but for someone who’s never done it and don’t know what to expect when you have a gate valve that won’t shut off completly can be quite problematic.

Now I’ve got to install a ceiling fan which I’ve never done before but I’m sure between the two of us we can figure it out. I’m proud of my son for what he’s become. He’s smart and willing to try anything. He’s been living in appartments since he’s started college and now he’s bought a house. He’s making more money that I’ve ever made. I’m sure through his many failures he’ll learn what to do and not do and when he get’s to be my age he’ll know more than I know about doing things.

2018 Pinewood Derby

12 Monday Mar 2018

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Family, Photography

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Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scouts, Drone, Family, Pinewood Derby, Race, Son

I remember going to these things when my boy was in cub scouts. I would always end up working on the car because he would never do it the way I wanted him to do it.  We had fun working together anyway.  It was a good time for us.  He was at the, what I would like to call, the fun age.  We would always find something to do together.  He loved the scouts as did I.  This gave us a wonderful opportunity to be together plus it gave him an opportunity for him to be around kids his own age.  I really miss those days.  He’s grown now, moved out of the house not long ago and into an apartment not far from here.

Boy Scouts has changed somewhat since I was a boy scout those many years ago.  One thing that hasn’t changed is the program and what they have to offer.  You may not like what’s happened within the past few years, neither do I in some aspects but there’s one thing they still offer, and that’s a program that keeps the boys out of trouble and in doing so they have the opportunity to learn something.

I digress.  This article was supposed to be about the Pinewood Derby which was held yesterday.  Eighteen cars were entered from all over our district.  Nearly all the boys won some sort of trophy.  They had to win their division just be able to race their car in this race so they had to win something before they got there.  Everyone had a great time.  Hope you enjoy the video.

Time to Vent

03 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cancer, Leukemia, Photography

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Alabama Theater, Ambulance, daughters, Flu, Graduation, Hospital, Pneumonia, Sick, Sick Time, Son, Vacation

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November 2015 I caught the flu and spent 5 days at home.  December 2015 had kidney stones in which I spent another week at home.  Last week of December, 1st week in January 2016 I spent 4 days in the hospital with some sort of chest infection in which I was off a total of 2 weeks off from work.  With all that time off from November 2015 to the first week in January I used all of my vacation time.  From January to now trying my best to build my time back up which meant for every hour I spent at the doctor’s office I had to spend an hour working overtime without pay to make up for the time lost. I have vacation planned for week after next and I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to take off because someone came into work sick with the flu and I caught it.

I had finally built my time back up to 77 hours but I got sick with the flu and pneumonia and had to spend a week in the hospital and another week at home recuperating. This was very costly not only money wise but I missed some things that I’ll never get back.

While at the doctor’s office Monday a week ago, I passed out because my O2 levels were so low that  I had to be carted off to the hospital via ambulance.  That within itself is quite costly.  Two weeks of vacation time gone, my vacation to Disney is in jeopardy because I won’t have the time to take off and the most costly of all was the fact that I was not able to go to my daughter’s graduation from high school.

I have the most inconsiderate co workers that anyone can have.  They always come to work sick and in most cases, I end up catching whatever they have.  They don’t care either.  All they want to do is brag about how much time they’ve got accumulated.  This is twice in six months that I’ve used up all my vacation time being sick and I’m so mad right now that I could take these guys and beat their face in with my fist.

Thankfully my wife and kids have not gotten sick from me being sick.  While I was in the hospital they took all the necessary precautions by wearing a mask and disposable hospital gowns.  I’m better now but easily get out of breath when doing the least little thing.  I’m scheduled to go back to work on Monday.

Rant over.

The above picture was taken after the graduation was over by my son.  I think he’s got a hidden talent in photography.  He did an awesome job.

 

Grayfeathers Blog A Week in Review

16 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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Alabama, Baritone Section, Crimson Tide, Football, Million Dollar Band, Mugshots, National Championship, Proud Father, Roll Tide, Senior Year, Son, Sweet Sixteen

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After being off for two weeks from being sick and in the hospital, this past week was tiresome to say the least.  I did a lot of traveling for work and I got to meet the new guy they’ve hired to give me some help.  Next week starts with Monday off so I’ll only have to work four days.

I’m going to be a proud father for a minute and share a picture he sent me.  This picture was taken just after the Alabama Crimson Tide won its 16th National Championship.  One of his section members sent this to Mugshots and they are going to have a canvas print made to hang in it’s Tuscaloosa location.  They already have one hanging that was taken just after the 15th title game a few years ago.  What a way to go out his senior year!!

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 316/365 “Day 11”

11 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Adult, College, College Parent, Graduation, Son, treadmill

nursing_building

Today has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions.  First thing, all day today I have thought that today was Thursday.  I even went to an oncologist appointment today that was scheduled for tomorrow.  I didn’t realize it until the receptionist told me that I was there a day early.  She contacted the doctor and he agreed that since I was already there he would see me.

For those that have kept up with my blog knows that I have a son at the University of Alabama.  He plays baritone in the Million Dollar Band.  About a year ago he told us that he would be graduating this December.  We’ve been planning for his graduation for months.  His aunt has mentioned that she wants to plan a party for his graduation and he kept saying that he wanted no part of it.  My wife and I had our suspicions but neither wanted to admit that maybe, just maybe he wasn’t going to graduate.  Two weeks ago he came home for the weekend and I had an opportunity to talk to him and I asked him if he had ordered his cap and gown yet and he told me that the fitting was being scheduled for the following week.  I’ve never heard of having to get fitted for a cap and gown before but I let it drop.

My son called the house last night and talked to his mother.  Something was said, I’m not sure what, but it raised the question again if he would be graduating.  So today my wife called the school and spoke with someone at the admin office.  Come to find out my son will not be graduating this December.  My wife then called my son and confronted him with this newfound information.  He was currently in class but did admit that he indeed would not graduate.  She then called me at work and enlightened me on this information.

We’ve given my son the freedom to make his own choices since he is an adult but he has chosen not to tell us what his grades are and how he’s doing in school.  All he tells us is that he’s passing. His second year in college he failed two classes and had to make them up the following semester.  I told him then that I didn’t want any more surprises. I thought we had an agreement.

After I got off from work I made a phone call to my son.  I put him on speakerphone so that my wife could hear his responses.  First of all, I wanted to make sure he understood that we were not mad that he wasn’t finishing school in December.  I made it a point to tell him that although I wasn’t mad at him I was, however, disappointed that 1) that he didn’t tell us when he found out that he wouldn’t be graduating and that he led us to believe that he still was going to be graduating and 2) that he felt like he couldn’t come to us to tell us that there was a problem.

He’s got three more classes to take and he said that he could get them in next semester.  He’s already talked to his adviser and has everything lined up.  The only thing he doesn’t have is the money for the extra semester.  I’m not sure how we’re going to swing it either but we will make the sacrifices to make it happen.  Before I hung up with him tonight, I made it a point to tell him that we love him and that we will do whatever necessary to make this happen.

I’m hoping that we did the right thing today by calling him and confronting him with this.  I’ve always felt that the purpose of being a parent is to have your kids outshine you in knowledge and experience and at this point my son has already done that with me.  Just by going to college he’s already out done me.

FYI, i got three miles in just under an hour tonight without any problems with the treadmill.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 257/365 “Baritones”

13 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Baritone, College, Million Dollar Band, Son

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After all the yard work I did yesterday my back decided to go on strike today.  It’s been a rough morning.  I’ve made it to the recliner and have been able to do some computer stuff and while I was on FB I found where someone took a picture of my son directing the baritone section.  I was quite surprised.  This is his second senior year.  He should graduate in December of this year.

His life long dream has always been to go to Alabama and play in the Million Dollar Band.  The college is only about 45 minutes away from us but also one of the most expensive one around.  We had the Pact program but that only covered a little amount, the rest is with student loans.  The fact that he wanted to go and got accepted into the college and got accepted into the Million Dollar Band made it clear that this is where he should go.  I’m very proud of my son and all the accomplishments that he has made.  I think every parents dream is for his kids to do better than they did.  My son has surpassed this in many ways.

365 Day Photo Challenge 229/365 “52 Years Young”

15 Saturday Aug 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Baritone, Birthday, College, Lunch, Million Dollar Band, Son

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I had a very good day today.  I was able to spend part of this morning with my son.  He plays the baritone in college and they were rehearsing their show.  Afterwards we had lunch and got to spend some time together.  Once I arrived home, the rest of the family and I went out to a local steak house and ate.  I’m so stuffed right now I can hardly move.  Didn’t get a bike ride in today but maybe tomorrow.  We shall see.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 205/365 “Happy Birthday!!”

23 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Photography

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365 Day Photo Challenge, Family, Happy Birthday, Photography, Son

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Happy Birthday to my oldest and only son today.  22 years old.

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