Climbing onward

Breathing out after dealing with a surprise billing by my son's day camp. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what the bill was for, since we had paid in full. After talking to the big cheese of billing, I was reassured we would not be charged. Again, for what, I'm still trying to figure out.

I also bought something else I'd never bought before. A couple of years ago it was a mailbox.

This year it's a step ladder.



My wife was cleaning outside and could not reach the top of the windows, she may be tall, but she's not that tall.

Hit a Mexican grocery store on the way home, got some ideas for a future What I'm Drinking episode.

In very exciting news, Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace is opening a second location in Westgate!

As Yogi Berra said, "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded." Which is how I feel, a little, about the first Dirty Franks location. It's always packed. I'm not whining, and admire their success. Damn those crowds though! It's wonderful that they're expanding to my side of town, where people (including myself) are starving for decent businesses to open. That The Columbus Food League would take a chance on the west side is a huge step to attracting more diverse retail and dining options.

Is a coffee shop next?

Getting answers

There was a situation at my son’s camp yesterday. The counselors brought him out for pick up early, with the kids that leave at three. I guess when no one showed up to pick him up they realized their error and brought him back to the play areas.

He had a fit, a big meltdown that resulted in them calling his mother asking if she could pick him up. It was about the time I was coming to get him, so she did not.

I was told about this when I got there; reassured it would not happen again. He was outside, running around to calm himself down. It looked like he was doing laps, and he was showing very good form. Not sprinting, not jogging, but moving at a good pace for a mile run. I’d consider track for him, if he understood when to stop and start, along with proper hydration.

We got to the car and he was still a bit agitated so I asked him what was wrong and what he wanted, “Nothing.” is what he said. Great, I have a fourteen year old, nine year old.

He has also, on occasion, been going to the toilet on his own. Not putting anything into it, but pulling down his pants and sitting on it. No prompting. I think his thinking is that, if he does this, he will get the iPad. Sorry kid, you have to put something in there, but a very good effort.

Later, after his shower I was putting his clothes on and asked him again what he wanted, “Drying,” was his answer.

He throws those things at you then you forget about it and a week or two later he lets you know again that he’s aware.

Life for the next ten weeks

Today is the first day of summer camp for my son. His mother drops him off in the morning and I get to pick him up in the afternoon. It works for both of us. Because the camp cut its hours this year, from 9-3 instead of 9-4, both of us have to chip in extra for before and after care. Neither of us want to do this, but our work schedules mean we have to, and I have to pay a ridiculous amount for after care. It runs from 3-5:30, I'm going to be picking him up around 4PM, every day. I asked if there was a way I could pay partial, and was bluntly told no.



So I get to pay a ridiculous four figure amount for camp, and even more because their hours stink. There are not many choices, if any, in the area for special needs camp. Just have to suck it up for another summer.

Getting up a bit earlier

Understandably, my son is a bit out of sorts with all the schedule changes in his life since school ended. Now that summer camp started yesterday, and the feeding clinic starts today, more changes are to come.

It will be an adjustment, for all of us. Instead of dropping him off at summer camp, I’m picking him up this year. So I get to work a bit earlier, leave earlier, and deal with mid-day traffic in Upper Arlington and Hilliard.

We’re growing pole beans this year and they have begun to shoot up!



They’re climbing the pole so fast we’re going to have to upgrade to six foot poles. No beans yet.