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Rags's Blog

Happy Birthday Beautiful!

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Today you are 34. A long way from the 18yo single teen mom college student you were when we met.

You have become this amazing, confident beautiful woman. I am proud to be your husband. Not that you were not amazing and confident when you were an 18yo single teen mom. Your confidence, work ethic and extreme focus were there all along. They are yours and yours alone. No one gave them to you, no one guided you, no one pressured you. Your accomplishments are your own. Your Undergrad, MBA, CPA ...... all you. No one else. Your accomplishments to claim, celebrate and enjoy.

Those nagging little things that mask really big unrelated issues.

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So, my Lovely Bride and I had a great weekend. Filled with our usual combination of relaxing reading, hand holding, intense passion and some out of the house activities. We ran to the beach to check out the big waves from Bill's passing.

Then there was THE fight. My perspective: I use too much toilet paper, I am inconsiderate and do not drip dry in the shower before stepping out to get a towel which gets the bath mat wet, I do not clean up after anyone but myself, etc......

???????????? You think I am kidding right? Nope, I am not kidding at all.

Yet again .......... another estimate on the cost of these little and not so little resource consumers we choose to raise.

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http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/RaisingY...

This one was a little different. It referenced family interviews as part of the data set for the estimate of cost to raise a child.

It also discusses the distribution of the total costs of raising a child by age ranges and birth number and order.

Best regards,

Political Diversion: Ask not what your Country can do for you. Ask what you can do for yourself!

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As seen on the bumper of a Toyota Prius on Sat 8/15/2009 during random Rags weekend wanderings (in my not so Eco-friendly vehicle).

This person is an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, cloaked in a conundrum. A conservative Tree Hugger (the Prius). One might think that this is an oxymoron. But, I liked the juxtaposition. Be Eco-conscious but keep the hell out of my pocket! Works for me.

At a stop light I pulled up next to the Prius, rolled down my window and asked where I could get the bumper sticker. We both laughed but the light changed before I could hear the answer.

Happy Birthday Son!

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Today you turn 17. I remember fondly the 15mo old tow headed little guy that helped me chase ducks around the golf course when your Mom and I started the process of making the three of us a family. I am extremely proud of the young man you have worked so hard to become and look forward to your journey to be the man of standing that I am confident you ultimately will be.

I love you and miss you my son.

Dad

50% of marriages end in divorce. The other 50% end in death. Which way would you rather go?

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Another thread triggered this little nugget of wisdom from the dregs of my memory.

So, which way would you rather go?

Keep in mind the the Death option for blended family marriages probably includes an increased risk of homicide when a frustrated StepParent looses patience with and does in their spouse! :jawdrop:

Today is day One of year 16 of our lives together. Yesterday was our 15th anniversary.

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Honey,

Thanks for sharing your life with me and thanks for participating as an equity partner in my life. You have been my inspiration, my joy and my muse. Working to keep up with your example of diligence, character and the pure love you give me are in large part why I am as successful as I have been. You make me a better man.

Inexpensive and fun things to do with the Skids to have fun and make them speak well of you and your spouse.

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All,

This came up during SW-19s discussion on turning up the positive vibes with her time with Blabb.

I thought it would be a good thing to get it in to its own thread.

Someone mentioned Tea Parties so I will start with that and add a couple that I have done with my Son (SS) from current going pact to the start of our SS/SDad career when he was 15mos old.

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