May 12, 2002
Dear Family:
Hello to all again. Happy Mother's day to all you Moms out there. As soon as I am done with this I will give mine a call. 11 months since my last addition to the Robin, let's see if there is any news worthy to report.
It is good to see from the many other letters that I am not the only one who doesn't get everything done when they want to. It seems like I just can't get that old "to do" list down to just one page no matter how hard I try, and it is a constant decision process as to what won't get done this week. These days what keeps me busy mostly is the daily care for Tara and Matt. Since Diane moved out in September 2001 (she is a mile down the road in her own apartment), I have the house, the kids and the dog along with all of the duties that goes with their care. It is a lot of work that doesn't leave much time for me, but I wouldn't have it any other way, and it is definitely better for the kids than to be exposed to the ugly constant fighting that the past few years of our marriage had been. So far we haven't done the paperwork and lawyers deal to officially divorce but it is just a matter of time and money until we do that.
Work hasn't changed for me, in my 10th year with Synthes, a leading orthopedic implant manufacturer managing the payables and cash (receipts and cash management). I still love my work and am paid well, but I am not given the title and respect that I deserve and that makes work a lot less fun. If it weren't for the great benefits and security that the kids need right now I would be out shopping.
Tara turned 16 March 19th and continues on the fast path (to where we still aren't sure). 10th grade continued the slide that started late in 8th grade and time is starting to run out for her if college is going to be an option for her. She now has a tongue and belly button piercing (much to Dad's disgust) and is looking for a tattoo next. She starts her summer lifeguard job soon and is looking to get her driving learner permit soon (though she doesn't have a car or insurance money yet). She has suffered with that common malady of having money instantly burn a hole in her hand and pocket if not spent immediately. Enclosed is her 10th grade dance picture with her (want to be) boyfriend Sal.
Matthew has been very busy this past year with ice hockey and continues to workout with the weights, as he grows like a weed. He is now taller than me but I have a good 100 pounds on him. His middle school bantam ice hockey league ran from September through March with 38 games, and now he is playing Spring league J.V., which is 10 weekly games plus playoffs, but no practices at least. I think he (we) will take the Summer off from hockey. School (8th grade) is more of a struggle than it should be but it looks like they will move him up to the high school for next year. Girls, telephone, TV, girls and AOL fills his non hockey time. Enclosed is his hockey picture from September 2001.
I was one of the previously mentioned partiers in Vermont, for Christmas and 2 months later for my brother Dav's 50th birthday. I've been to Vermont 2 times in 15 years previously and then 2 times in 2 months, enjoyed both trips though the flight was better than the long drive. I don't know what this Summer holds for myself and the kids except for a few golf outings for Matt and I, and some time at brother Rich's house in Margate NJ for the beach. For sure we won't be able to touch the fabulous cruise the entire family took last July for my parents 50th anniversary. The ship, the ports, the activities and even the weather were all perfect. What a great week that was. Speaking of a good time and traveling, Matt and I had a wonderful time at the reunion in Maryland in August 2001 and also enjoyed that beautiful course that we played golf at on that following rainy day. I look forward to the reunion this year in Pittsburgh and will do my best to bring along Tara and Matt (they hate 6 hour car rides).
Our screennames are the still the same, Tara is AEangel01, Dan is Mickeyd279, and Matt is BlkBizket5, all at AOL.COM. This time of year there really isn't much going on in sports to talk about, but football will be here before you know it. It was surprising and disappointing how early the Philadelphia Flyers dropped out of the hockey playoffs and who cares about basketball except for college March madness. Politically it looks like PA. is likely to have a Democratic Governor next year and I just hope that it is Rendell and not Casey.
Till next time around be good, be happy and be healthy. May God bless us all. Love, Dan
