Update...02/12

OK, Its been a few days, so now its time for a update, Lets see, still having issues with Kevin at school and he is taking basketball on Saturdays. Uncle roger turned 70 and they had a great party for him ( he is heading to Africa now). Owen has woken up early the last two nights…ARG!!! Valentines day is this week. I am sort of hovering around 205 in the weight department and the earth is still round.

Super Bowl

It was a alright weekend, Saturday I got out to by some shirts…didn’t find any I liked ( Hello Duluth) but picked up some shoes. Kevin and I went to Basketball, the kid loves playing but has very little in the way of skills, I hated Basketball as a kid, I don’t think I even played it in High School…so Im not the best teacher, then there is the time thing…when do you have time during the week to practice…but we’ll try. Sunday we went to the Davis’s for a Super bowl party…Man did I eat some junk, but it didn’t bump my weight to much. Kevin was great this weekend, up to a Uno game Sunday night, he lost and nearly tossed away a whole good weekend he was so bad, he was probably tired.
The new House was good, I nearly busted a gut when they showed Wilson’s new Girlfriend.

Making your goal Weight…

Ok, as of this morning I hit 210, I started at 285 ( that’s the low end estimate as our scale couldn’t fully weigh my ponderous girth). My original goal was 220, but a friend gave me a stretch goal of 210.
Now, I have been here before, lost allot of weight only to gain it all back, Maintaining is where the real challenge comes into play.
I don’t know if I am ready to maintain though, Last week I entered in my height ( 6 foot 1) and my then current weight of 215 into a BMI calculator, it laughed at me, it said it’s a wonder Im not dead Im so fat…not really… but it did advise me to see my doctor about my obesity…ARG!!! So I may try to get down below 200, I’ll give it a go, I am happy where I am at now, uniforms fit, reenacting stuff is easier to find etc ( But there is the down side of being cold.
I know there will be a weight gain, I need to try to prevent that, my payoff of fitting in some of my uniforms has been realized, I need to set a new short term goal, I ordered some 17th century stuff from the UK, I have to keep the weight down to fit it so that’s one. I know it will be tough but I think I hit on some new foods that are making it easier. I am eating more fruits and Vegetables then I have in the past, I have been trying to keep my protein intake up and lean ( Chicken and Jerky believe it or not). I have been a big fan of the Soups they now make and most importantly…carbs. I have been limiting carbs to whole grain stuff, I cant tell you the last time I aint regular bread and pasta ( And I love pasta) . The other thing is habits…I never used to eat breakfast, now I make sure to eat a good breakfast and good lunch, then a reasonable dinner…Then I do not eat anything three hours before bed. Seems to be working, they say its important to keep your calorie intake up so I have been trying.
Once I hit Maintenance…that’s when the work begins!

Weekend…

Ok, not a amazingly exciting weekend but when all is said and done it wasn’t that bad. I went to the Gun show on Saturday Morning and Sold one of my Muskets…I got exactly what I was asking, and that surprised the heck out of me. I literally had people walking up to me trying to buy it, one guy offered me 700.00 then the next guy offered me 800.00 but I stuck to my guns and got what I was asking so that was surprise. I had read a email string on line saying they usually go for around 6 to 7 hundred so I was very happy.
I went over to Johns store Saturday before noon and we talked for awhile then I was home to cover the homestead while Mom shopped. On Sunday I watched the O man so Kathy and Kevin could go to his friends skating party so things were pretty laid back on Sunday.
Owen may have every toy in the world, but the lad prefers to Zip around the house getting into everything he shouldn’t. If you tell him not to go to the water bowl then ZOOM! Right to the water bowl he goes. He is climbing stairs, because his brother has seemed fit to teach him, I can’t help but think that he will be walking soon.

Saturday Fun!

Today we took a trip to the Brandywine River Museum, The first shot is of my Wife and two kids by the Christmas tree display

The next shot is of the World famous crime fighters and mystery sleuths "THE KENDALL MEN!!!"

It was a good time but the Doll House display was a little weak, only one doll house. The Train room was impressive but realy crowded...as was the whole museum. I love driving up there as it is some of the prettiest ground in the Delaware SE PA region. Not to mention the scene of a hellish Battle of the American Rev.

2008.....huzzah

Ok…Its 2008 and by my calculations in a few weeks I maybe one of a few people left in my group at work. Everyone seems to be leaving…its great for Morale. They are all great people but the job has become so unbearable that with the Boss leaving they feel its time for them to get out. Me? I’ll stay.

On News Years Kevin and I went for a drive, most of the stores were closed so we went over to Newkirk Estates ( Where I grew up) and I showed Kevin around the Creek where we used to play and hang out. I showed him the Rock Patio and the Poor scared tree where we all carved our initials. Place look different but the same…the Creek looked wider, The old drainage ditch was allot deeper and down a ways all the houses have been removed from the flood plain. The old Rock that I used to think looked like a Coffin is now washed down and buried into the bank of the White Clay…Though you can still see the remains of where we used to build the damn across the Creek every summer.

Alittle help from friends....

Mike and Tracey put out a call for some help and a whole crowd of hard workers answered.

They were treated to a free lunch for their efforts

And as I said before, they house has a great view, over looking the green in Newcastle, right in the heart of the historic district.

The strange case of the Boxwinder Staircase...

During my friends move, he had decided that he wanted a boxspring on the 3rd floor, the issue is there is only a box winder staircase going up

Try as we might, the boxspring wouldn't go ( 2nd picture)

our answer was to saw the supports and ram it up the boxwinder

A Day in Historic New Castle

My friends moved into a great new home in New castle...

Christmas 2007…..

“Presents as far as the eye can see!!” is how my 7 year old said it as he came running back up stairs to report on what awaited downstairs. He and his brother made out like bandits. We spent the morning at the house, just us, my wife and two children, and that was fun. I was a little peeved at the amount of toys that didn’t work, but hey….it was Christmas. Kevin really got into his new games for gameboy and Owen was just into it.
We went up to Uncle Dave’s for Christmas Lunch and I had a Great time!!! Cookies, Christmas sandwichs ( which are always better then normal sandwich’s cause they are made with….love” and Kathy had her Christmas soup. The kids got more gifts and we had a chance to joke around with friends.
We went up to Kathy’s parents for Christmas dinner….Which was Awesome!!! And the kids got even more gifts. Through it all the children were well behaved, Owen was fussy here and there but for the most part he was all crawling and smiles. Kevin was a good boy to, he played well with Camo’s kids and was in general well behaved and seemed to have a blast.
We all struggled back to the house around 8:30 – 9:00 and Owen went off to bed. Now on Christmas eve Owen had a rough night, he woke up every 45 minutes absolutely having a fit, I finally had to walk him around on my shoulder to get him back to sleep, he would not be rocked or lay flat ….it was the same Christmas night, and it wasn’t till 2:30 that he finally slept till morning.
Kevin relaxed a bit, we opened some of his new toys and I put together a Bioncle for him. He watched some tv then we went up to read some “Hobbit” as he drifted off ( Bilbo got caught by some trolls…Eh Ghad!!).
Im back to work in the morning but Kathy has off.

New Blog....

I started a new blog this weekend to track all the different Living History impressions I do. I was sort of a blast to see some of the old pictures. I have a ton of me doing CW, that’s because Kathy took them, I never take photos and when I do they are always of other people. I was able to put out a call to some Friends who happen to have some shots with me in them. It was great to see the ECW picture with Kent, tom and I. Take a look at the site at….


http://clockworktm.blogspot.com/

Weekend….

Well one of 2007 last few weekends has past, I attended a work Christmas party on Saturday night and on Sunday we lost power for a while. The Kids and Kathy went up to her parents as we had no heat or power. When the electric came back on it was on in off for about a hour till finally it was stable. I cleaned up the book shelf from Granny’s house and moved it to the basement to hold more Miniatures.
I got a few things to get done today so the fun just keeps going on and on. Hopefully Kevin will be good at school, today is report card day.

Magic

More M&M stuff

Magic Armor:
Would take the form of…
Gorgets: imbued by Smiths, Alchemists and Mages and worn by all officers, Some may also have special properties. The Average Gorget grants 1 armor to the wearer.

Medicine Bags: Medicine bags can be imbued by a shaman to do many things, one of those is protection. The strength of the Spirit magic depends on many factors but it is safe to assume that a Medicine bag will grant at least 2 Armor. However the effect is not permanent and uslay dissipates over time

Rings and Bracelets: Always of Silver, are the way that Wichians and Wizerians grant protections. These Natural magic’s are permanent, however they are uselay not as encompassing as Spirit or Arcane protections, protecting only a portion of the body.

Devices

With the introduction of Regimental Magicians into the army by the Duke of Marlborough at the turn of the century, ways had to be found to counter the magical effects of these powerful wielders. It was the Alchemists of Frederick the great that first produced the “Null Bomb”, A small bag of ingredients then when burst, creates a momentary, localized interruption to magical forces. The effect last a brief time, but often gives enough time for a marksmen to end the Mages life. Wichian’s and Wizerians were soon able to duplicate this effects using natural herbs and these played a decisive roll in the French and Indian War.

Magic Weapons/ Magic Ammo
Smiths of Europe have long been able to craft magic weapons, Swords, Halberds and Spontons are often prize possession of the wealthy officers. The gunsmiths of Pennsylvania are renowned for their Rifles, each one a work of art and tailored to its owner, their art is rumored to surpass even that of the German Smiths. Alchemists make a good trade with Musket balls that fly truer or further or powder that increases the hitting ability of the ball.

Healing
Arcane users, Mages, Smiths and Alchemists can not use the Healing energies, this is the Realm of Holy, Spirit or Natural Magic’s. Devine magic is often considered the greatest of healing magic. Shamans have been known to heal some diseases that Devine wielders could not but is not a powerful as divine. Natural wielders are known for the ability to heal light injuries or illnesses but can only temporarily forestall the effects of major wounds and illness.

Snow…

Lat night we had a snow fall, maybe 3 to 4 inches, no big deal, the first of the year. I have loved snow all my life, I don’t know why, I used to hate it when we would have to go to school while the snow melted or I bore a grudge against salt and sand trucks for making the beautiful white landscape look like a grungy mess. I still remember going out into the snow at night time and staying out for ever, it never snowed to hard for us to be outside.
Once, when I was probably 15 or 16, I remember, at the height of a blizzard, me and my friends trudging up frozen Whiteclay creek at night all the way to Possum park shopping center. Our scarves froze like masks on our faces. It was great.
Snow at night I remember to, the sound it made on the tree branches, how invisible it was until it was caught by light. It seems crazy for young kids to be out in the snow like we were but truth is I never remember being cold.We use to build huge snow forts, Snow men and other frozen field works, only to have them melt in the days that follow I don’t know If I have that same love for snow now that Im a adult ( age wise at least) but I still do like to see it snow

Busy Weekend…

Well I was able to get up to Reenactor fest III in G-burg this weekend. I got up there early and cruised around the battlefield as it has been a while since I had been there. Things have changed up there, allot of tree clearing, its allot easier to get to the Bliss Farm now for Long Ave and Devils den is cleared. In my opinion, there is no better time to be at a historical site then at Dawn or shortly after, and Saturday was a brilliant fall morning. The Fest itself was a fun time, I helped Matt at his table, I did 1882 Blackwatch, he did Boer War. I saw allot of old faces and ended up chatting for awhile. It always amazes me the level of knowledge that some reenactors achieve in their area of expertise…I.E. there was this guy up there with a table set up, his impression is that of a Paruker ( A guy who styles wigs) and the amount of knowledge he had and the way he presented himself was amazing. There were a group of kids ( about 18-22 years old) doing Pirates…I have to say I was impressed by them as they seemed to have gone out of their way to dress the part, no store bought Ren-faire crap. We had a good dinner and spent some time talking about old times, then I cruised home.

I also went up to my Grandparents on Sunday to see if there was anything I wanted. It was sad in a way, as A boy I had loved that house, Allot of memories are there. The fire place, the floor where I had played with antique soldiers for hours on end, the bed were I had slept when we went over, That place holds a heck of allot of great memories. I am going to grab some stuff tonight, So I will go back up.

M&M Idea's

( Just a Parking lot for some Ideas I am having)


A brief Description of the Towne of Tinkerton along the banks of the Chicopee River in the Colony of Massachusetts, in the year of our lord 1775.


History:
Founded in 1650, it was the site of a mill and cider press built by William Tinkerton. A small village grew once Tinkerton bridge was constructed, the served the local farming communities. Raided several times by Indians during the early 1700’s A small Block house was constructed for its protection.

The Village:

The Village itself, is nestled around the common, one’s attention is first drawn to the Stone church that sits to the north of the Common, A sturdy stone church whose steeple contains a fine bell brought all the way from England. It is between the Church and the lush grass of the Common that the West Road run’s, to the East, the bridge and the Farms beyond, to the West The Connecticut River and the settlements there.

Along the Eastern edge of the green reside several businesses, First, nearest the bridge, is the Smithy of John Fullerton, Next to that is the Shoppe of Messer Charles Atwater, dealing in Cloth and other clothing related sundries.
Next to Atwater’s shoppe is by far one of the largest structures in town, Jessop’s Tavern, founded in 1702 this large structure acts not only as a public house and Inn, but also contains a Dry Goods and trading post. Run now by Henry Jessop and his extensive family, the Inn produces some of its own drink and is known for its fine meals





Basic Careers

Hunter.
Apprentice
Smith
Witchian
Wizarian
Layman
Musician
Farmhand
Watchman
Postrider
Bandit
Student
Medical
Law
Woodsman
Seaman
Midsipman
Dockhand

Advanced Career’s
Soulshot
Soldier
Minute man
Continental
Officer
Minute man
Continental
Naval
Highway man
Robber
Lawyer
Doctor
Witchian
Wizarian
Pastor
Master Smith
Master musician
Farmer
Gentleman Farmer
Road Warden
Dragoon
Indian Fighter
Minute man
Continental
Gambler
Privateer
Engineer
Scout

The Arrival of the Raven.

(This is sort a "mood" story for something I have been thinking about called " Muskets and Magic" Basicly colonial America with a twist.)

The fog hung thick over Boston Harbor as the carriage carrying Sir Thomas Gage, the British Military Governor of His Majesties North American Colonies came to a halt. The gray mist cast the entire area with a sense of doom, A eerie silence that was caused and amplified by it added to Gage’s increasing feeling of unease.
He pulled his finally tailored cloak tightly around himself as he step onto the cobbled road leading a short way to the pier…the specific pier he was told to be at, at the exact time. A young Captain, Seconded from the 17th Light Dragoons to act as his aide, followed closely behind him as he walked slowly towards it.
Even the lap of the water against the Dock pilings radiated foreboding. Boston was one of the Colonies largest cities, but here, on this pier, you would have thought that he and his aide were the only people on earth. The hollow foot falls of their well made boots sounded like a coffin maker’s hammer nailing the final Pin into the lid of their coffin.
The two men reached the end of the dock and cast their eyes into the hazy gloom. After a moment, as if to relieve his own tension, The captain spoke. “ Really sir…” He stated “ You are a General of His Majesties army…and Military Governor to boot, This sort of thing seems wholly beneath you” he could barely conceal the apprehension in his voice. Gage paused a moment, looking towards the harbor but seeing nothing “Oh I quite agree Mappleton…but his Majesty demands our obedience in such subjects and we are obliged to obey…” and as if a after thought “ and so we shall”. Mapleton in his Dragoon helmet, its red haired plume standing in contrast to the Smokey gray surroundings, glanced about, The General, in his Gold Trimmed Tricorn from one of London’s finest tailors strained his neck peering into the impenetrable blanket that had descended over the harbor.
It was Mappleton’s surprised gasp, precisely as the church bells rang out Six AM that drew the General’s attention. He to was shocked, but comported himself better then the young captain, as the prow of a ship sliced through the fog like a knife through warm butter. With out so much as a sound the ship seemed to slip into being as it floated silently to the dock. On its deck, Its sailors stood as if working under the gaze of the Devil himself.
It was a 20 gun Frigate called HMS Raven, a old but serviceable vessel, that had until 4 days ago, been tied to a dock in the Thames. Normally a journey over the Atlantic to Boston could take three months…HMS Raven had made it in 4 days and the crew, including the officers gathered on the bridge looked terrified.
Gage took a step back involuntarily as he watched ropes from the raven, alive like snakes, slither from their neat coils, descend the side of the ship, a cross the water and up to the mooring cleats. So strong were these things that together the pulled the considerable vessel towards the dock.
“ Saints preserve us” Mappleton muttered from behind Gage “ Steady on Mappleton…” Gage said finding his resolve “ This is the Kings High Magic”. He did not turn to see the pale expression on the Captains face as he muttered “ indeed”.
Like a great beast unrolling its tongue, a gangway descended from the Raven without so much a sound. The Tars on deck seemed to drift away from it, finding tasks to do at the furthest points from it or the main hold cover, several crossed themselves.
It was at that moment the air seemed to go perfectly still, the fog seemed to clear between Gage and the vessel as if by command as three men slowly rose up through the hatch. It was as if they were floating, carried by a wind as their long leather coach coats ( embroidered with the Royal coat of arms) fluttered around them. Each man wore a Tricornered hat (of a fashion popular 30 years ago) that cast their face in shadow. These figures, like aberrations, floated across the deck and down the gangway towards the Governor and his aide. Gage, A man who had see war at its worst, found himself unconsciously giving ground to these men as they settled on the dock before them.
“General Gage?” hissed the figure in the middle, his accent that of the English north and barely concealing a common up bringing. “ At your service sir” Gage answered surveying the three men. As if he was stepping into a light, the shadow slid from the mans face revealing his visage. His nose was thin and had obviously been broken in his youth, his skin was pale and bore the marks of smallpoxs, his teeth, that showed from his mouth that seemed to naturally hang half open, were chiped and lacked any uniformity and the mans eyes, those soulless orbs, were the color of the void.
“ I am Inquisitor Linus Cravel of the Royal Arcanium…” there was a sneer in a voice, a subconscious gloating of a man who enjoyed lording over Lords “ I trust the preparations requested in my message have been seen to”. “ Yes Inquisitor…All is in order. I believe…” he started but Cravel’s hand shot up seemingly producing a gilded Envelope from Thin Air “ I have your instructions ?” Cravel finished Gage’s sentence as he handed him the envelope.
Merrily by examining the exterior Gage was taken aback by the Authority behind it. Transfixed on it’s fine parchment were the seals of King George III, The Prime Minister, Lord North and The amazing seal of Lord Escher, the Grand Magi of the British Isles and head of Royal Arcanum. It was Eschers seal that amazed gage, light seemed to flow through it raised lines, St George and Dragon, located over a Pentagram, seemed to engage in combat before his eyes.
“ I trust you’ll find everything in order….” Cravel spat with disdain “My Lord”. All Gage could do was nod as minutes later he was following the men to his coach, still cognizant that he had not been introduced, nor even new the description of the Inquisitor’s two companions.
As the Coach made its way through boston, heading towards the Massachusetts countryside and the home Gage had confiscated for the Arcanum’s use, The General broke open the seals and read the orders there in, a deep feeling of dread growing inside.

Dr Tong’s House of 3d Vomitt Part II

Well, after being thrown up on several times the odds finally caught up with me. On Sunday night I caught the Stomach Thingy. I was up every 15 minutes, The good news is I manage to loss 6 pounds, the bad new is, it sucked.

We thought Owen might be ready for Milk based formula again on Sunday…he wasn’t. Kevin on the other hand managed to recover kind of quickly from the whole affair and is back to his normal diet now.

I listened to the Unabridged version of “1776” while I was sick, wow it rocked. Its hard to believe just how tough things were for us back then and just how much George Washington deserves a huge Monument.

Dr. Tong’s House of 3D Vomit…

It all started Tuesday, when my 7 month old Owen decided that he was going to shower his daddy in baby barf. He had caught a stomach bug and was a little fountain of throw up ever since. Last night, my oldest, Kevin decided to get in on the action as not to be out done by his brother and has been a one man Vomitorium ever since.
Oh the joys of parenting. Owen hasn’t thrown up in a wild since we started the Soy formula and clear liquids, however he was up and crying every time his brother got sick..YIKES!!!

This just add’s to are already spectacular fall, truth be known, it could be allot worse, but it also could be allot better.

My Son...

We were driving through Newark on Sunday, my son and I and we happened to see a group of about 30 college kids walking down Main street together. Some were carrying garbage bags so I assumed they may have been cleaning the along a road some place as a Frat project or something. I told my son “ Hey look…it could be a Parade” there was a pause, then he answered “ Or a Angry Mob”