Tank birthday, 47+ years

Paul B · Oct 4, 2023

This Friday is our 50th wedding anniversary. A few months ago we took the family to Bermuda on a cruise and I thought on the actual day we would have a peaceful day. Nope. We have to go to a Sweet 16 party on Jones Beach here on Long Island which is probably one of the biggest beaches in the world but of course the party is inside a place on the beach. It ends at midnight.

At 16 I don't think I even knew what midnight was. The place is an hour and a half from here and my Kids and Grand Kids are coming over after the party to spend the night.

I have to throw them out the next day because I have plans and am taking my wife out along with 3 other couples but she doesn't know about all that. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

This is her when I married her when she was 18

Paul B · Oct 5, 2023

My Grand Kids are coming over so I put in the sunken ship they gave me a few years ago for my birthday. They look for it every time they come here. I don't turn it on unless they are here because the bubbles make salt creep on everything.

snorklr · Oct 5, 2023

careful or they'll give you a Sponge Bob pineapple next...

Paul B · Oct 5, 2023

I am horrified at what they will bring. Maybe some Koi. :astonished-face:

Rybren · Oct 6, 2023

Happy 50th Anniversary to you and Dale! That's quite the accomplishment that not many achieve. Dale must be a saint :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Paul B · Oct 6, 2023

Rybren said:
Dale must be a saint :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

She tells me that every day. She just told me. :anguished-face:

Paul B · Oct 7, 2023

OOOOOhhhhNNNooo, spots on my Hippo Tang. :anguished-face:

I had to use copper to eliminate them. I put a little on a rag and cleaned the glass. All gone now. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Paul B · Oct 8, 2023

This morning about 6:00 I went for my normal walk. It was still dark. A small white van pulled next to me and opened his window. I didn't see a gun or political poster so I assumed it was safe to go up to this vehicle.

There was a guy inside, not dirtbag looking and he looked at me and said in very broken English:
"Can I Help?" . I said "Help with what?" So he said: "Are you training?" and he raised his arms like he was lifting weights.

I said: "Yes, training, Eye of the Tiger and all that", and I lifted my arms like Rocky did in his movie when he ran to the top of the stairs.

The guy looked at me kind of weird and just drove away.

I assume he figured I was lost or my wife threw me out and I was rushing to get away.
But it's nice to know there are people around that still want to help you.

Paul B · Oct 8, 2023

On Friday we went to a Sweet 16 party for my wife's cousins niece. It was in a beautiful and old place called Gatsby's on Jones Beach right on the water. The place was originally opened in 1931 so it is all Art Deco and used to be for the rich and famous.

Gatsby on the Ocean Brings Decadence Back to Jones Beach

Gatsby on the Ocean has opened at Jones Beach. The beautiful restaurant and wedding venue has restored some of the beach's early glamour.

www.ediblelongisland.com

Right next to it is the Jones Beach pool where I used to go when I was very young.

Anyway the party which of course had mostly 16 year olds was way to noisy for my almost 75 year old ears so I brought ear plugs although in my life I went to many such parties with no problems. (Maybe thats why my ears are so delicate now. That and being attached to a field artillery battery in Viet Nam)
There was 140 people there

Even though my wife can't really walk (MS) she got up in the action. Shes in the center.

7of9 · Oct 8, 2023

Paul B said:
I just got some bad news. A good friend of mine for about 60 years has Pancreatic Cancer. She was one of the 14 girls that took me out to dinner when I got drafted. I know her much longer than I know my wife. She is a part of our crowd.

We are all getting old and in the last 3 years we lost 4 close friends.

I’m sorry to hear that. My mother (a boomer herself) is currently in treatment for pancreatic cancer herself. The treatments have come a long way and the survival rates have improved.

She’s gotten through one set of chemo, surgery, and is now starting chemo again and they’re optimistic.

Hopefully your friend will have a similar experience.

7of9 · Oct 8, 2023

Paul B said:
This Friday is our 50th wedding anniversary. A few months ago we took the family to Bermuda on a cruise and I thought on the actual day we would have a peaceful day. Nope. We have to go to a Sweet 16 party on Jones Beach here on Long Island which is probably one of the biggest beaches in the world but of course the party is inside a place on the beach. It ends at midnight.

At 16 I don't think I even knew what midnight was. The place is an hour and a half from here and my Kids and Grand Kids are coming over after the party to spend the night.

I have to throw them out the next day because I have plans and am taking my wife out along with 3 other couples but she doesn't know about all that. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

This is her when I married her when she was 18

Wow, Paul! You married quite the fox! Congratulations on your anniversary and may you have many more happy years!

Paul B · Oct 8, 2023

7of9. Sorry to hear about your Mom. We found out that our friend doesn't have pancreatic cancer. It is some other "growth" in her pelvis but they don't know yet what it is.

Paul B · Oct 8, 2023

7of9, Yes she is, thank you. This was her probably 15 years ago.

And here sitting on my lap. She was always beautiful. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes: I can't believe she married a Lug Nut like me.

7of9 · Oct 8, 2023

Paul B said:
7of9. Sorry to hear about your Mom. We found out that our friend doesn't have pancreatic cancer. It is some other "growth" in her pelvis but they don't know yet what it is.

Hopefully it will be better news. Cancer treatment is still pretty rough. At least it’s becoming more and more less of a death sentence.

Paul B · Oct 8, 2023

My skimmer for some reason can't contain itself. I am not sure why but this has been happening for 2 weeks.

907_Reefer · Oct 9, 2023

Paul B said:
My skimmer for some reason can't contain itself. I am not sure why but this has been happening for 2 weeks.

Well Paul, since it looks like it was the first skimmer ever invented, I would say, if she still be workin'..... Don't fix it :grinning-face-with-big-eyes:

Paul B · Oct 10, 2023

I didn't "fix" it but I did remove the plastic bottle on top and install an elbow from the reaction tube that takes the skimate foam and drops it down next to the skimmer into a 5 gallon bucket.

When this phase of whatever is happening is over, I will put it back the way I designed it. :)