Randy and Rachel

Future Lilah will be Proud

Randy — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:00:08 +0000

A few days ago we found some baby bunnies in our backyard. If it was just me I’d have made em disappear. Weird though, felt some need to save them from my ruthless wolves. I think it had to do with picturing a few year old Delilah saying “no daddy, help them!”

Ugh.

Anyway, the past few days have been spent constructing various structures to protect the dummies from the fate their mother has bestowed on them. Not only did she place them in my fenced in backyard, but also the lowest point on the property and it’s been raining cats and dogs for a few days now.

Anyway, off to save the bunnies again.

Maybe I’ll get lucky and momma bunny will take them away before I need to mow again…

If you’re keeping track, this is not the first time bunnies visited us. Every time the nest is packed full of dog hair, so I suspect while the dogs themselves are a deterrent, their hair provides some good nest material that is attractive for the bunnies.

UPDATE: My parents showed up at our house before us a few days ago and didn’t know the bunnies were in the backyard. They let the dogs out and 2 of them met their demise but the 3rd survived.

UPDATE 2: Momma showed up and took her little one. Hurray! We had a survivor. Future Lilah will be proud.

The Malibu Saga – Part Deuce

Randy — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:37:37 +0000

So the Malibu is back. After only 5 months of ‘away time’. She’s a little worse for the wear but we’ll get to that in a minute.

The deal was $600 for a Head Gasket but it would take some time. Not bad considering we were almost ready to go to one car anyway and everyone else wanted $1,200 for the repairs. Who cared if it took a while. After 5 months and what turned out to be 3 major redos (and no phone calls) they wanted $900. A few calls later and we settled on $700. That was the condensed non-emotional version.

So now she’s back, for better or worse, and we have 2 cars again. Kind of.

Problems the Malibu now has that it didn’t before:

It needs a new front left shock
When turning right it makes a horrible metal on metal scraping sound. Seems linked to the shock issue.
While moving it smells like it’s leaking gas.
It hesitates at first, likely due to the gas leak.
It’s burning through fuel like it’s going out of style. Likely related.
Rust has started to rear it’s ugly head.
Still slightly blowing smoke/steam when accelerating.

Only really 2 main issues (shock and gas leak) that are probably causing all the issues, still frustrating.

At least it’s not blowing smoke anymore.

Anyone want to buy a Malibu?

A Wedding Toast

Randy — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:29:35 +0000

Congrats Brian and Kelley!� What a great wedding/party.� EVERYONE had tons of fun, from the golf carts to watching you striptease for Kelley on the dance floor… Love it!

The Best man speech I gave at my buddy Brian’s wedding yesterday:

Ladies and gentlemen. It takes a strong and intelligent man to realize his dreams and achieve his goals in life and love. A man not afraid to live life to its fullest and embrace what is truly important. But enough about me… I’m here to talk about Brian and Kelley.

I’ve known Brian most of my life.� We lived just a few miles apart.� That might sound like a lot, but in Marion it’s really only like 3 houses.� Later we were college roommates so naturally I know a lot about Brian, most of which is not appropriate for this type of setting so I’ll try to keep it clean.

Once Brian had a car Jeff and I never left his side.� Mostly because we needed a ride.� The first time we went out,� we made it maybe a mile down the street, when the hood flys up like that scene in Tommy Boy and all I can hear is Brian yelling “That’s not good! That’s not good!” No Brian, it wasn’t. I could go on and on about Brian’s automobile misshaps and hijinks:

Like the multiple times he left his beat up Chevy S10 in the CarShow parking lot with the hood popped like some show car while he put in an 8hr shift at Burger King.

Or the time he was driving down a country road in that same S10 and a deer hit HIM.

Or the time he decided it was a good idea to drive THROUGH a construction zone with potholes FEET deep & his headlights off so as not to arouse suspicion.� Probably one of the scariest moments in my life..

Or the time I had to take over driving on my first day with a drivers-license because Brian had been pulled over for speeding (again) and was too nervous to drive any further.

Or the time he told me he didn’t want to buy a sporty car like the Subaru STI because he didn’t need to go fast, he wanted luxury, so he went out and bought BMW’s ROADSTER.

But I’m not going to talk about any of that, because I’m supposed to tell you about what a great guy Brian is and tell you about all his magnificent qualities.� Brian is Dedicated, Kind, Funny and… what’s this one? … Sorry man, I never could read your writing.

Brian is one of the funniest guys you’ll ever meet, and he has no shame, literally… I don’t know any other guy that is excited to get cat calls while dressed up as Britney spears, wearing his sister’s skirt and a wig walking down Monroe ave.

He’s up for anything, which is exactly how he got so lucky with Kelley.� Kelley, I don’t think forcing him to ride the bull for 8 seconds before he’s allowed to talk to you was ever going to stop him. One time he took his pants off in the middle of a bar and traded them with a girl wearing a skirt just so she’d ride the bull.

Brian, Some of us still don’t know how you did it, but you’re a lucky guy and somehow you tricked Kelley into marrying you.� She’s beautiful, smart, funny, warm, loving and caring, and she deserves a good husband. Thank God you married her before she found one.

Kelley, it’s funny how history repeats itself isn’t it? 20 some years ago your Mother and Father were putting you to bed with a dummy…and now it’s happening all over again

All kidding aside though, I’m Ecstatic for you guys.� I want to thank you both for having me be part of your special day.� I know Brian couldn’t be happier, I see it in his face every time he looks at Kelley.

So if everyone could raise their glasses in a toast… To Brian and Kelley,

May you have love, health & wealth; but most importantly, may you have the time together to enjoy them all.

The Roof is on!

Randy — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:30:58 +0000

We’re getting close.

Dad, My good friend Anthony and I spent 3 days up at camp last week, getting the roof in tip top shape.� My Uncle Jerry stopped by on Monday and helped all day while we finished placing the end cap and prepping the roof for shingles.

The three of us then shingled the entire roof in a day and a half.�� Up to the ridge cap anyway, at which point we had to head home.� Not too shabby.� Next trip up the plan is the ridge cap and the remaining OSB wallboard.� At that point we’ll be ready to place the Tyvek wrap, windows and� doors.� We might even get to some of that, depending on how long we’re up there for.

It’ll be nice to get ‘er sealed up.

Thanks to Anthony and Jerry.� We wouldn’t be anywhere near as far along without all the help.� You guys rock!

A New Camp On it’s Way

Randy — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:30:07 +0000

Some people thought we were crazy to do it but we just got back from a week at my parent’s Adirondack escape (ending last Sunday 7/11/2010).� This was Delilah’s first trip to the Adirondacks and it was a hot one.� She did great, slept a lot (it was in the 90′s with no A/C, ugh!) and smiled at her daddy a ton.

Last year we built a shed (Mostly my father, I helped a little).� This year we’re putting on an addition to the camp.� More like a new camp really… We’re taking the camp from the tiny studio-sized 336 square feet up to 960 by adding 2 bedrooms and a bigger living space.� The current camp is going to become a ‘dining’ area, kitchen and bathroom.� We’re well on our way.

Last week when we got to camp Dad was already all the way up to laying the floor.� It might not sound like much, but there’s a ton involved to get to that point.� Squaring everything up, leveling (& digging) the ground, insulation, wire netting, studding, joists & beams… Not simple work.� He’d been working for over a month just about steady to get to that point.� These things take time, especially when you’re by yourself in the mountains and you’re fighting the rain nonstop.

By the time we left Sunday afternoon (7 days later) we had raised all 3 of the walls (complete with OSB Board covering), All rafters were in place (save the ones that need to be placed over the existing roof) and all Zip System Roof Panels were in place and taped (as far as could be done until the remaining rafters are positioned).

Not bad for 5 days worth of work for 2 guys in 90+�F heat and 2 days with a bunch of help from other family.� Thanks Jerry, Scott, Donald, Wes, Pauline, Virginia, Gage & Mindy Lee!� Still lots to do, but we’re getting pretty darn close to weather-sealed.� We’re only a few steps away:

complete & install 1 remaining rafter
install Zip System Roof Panels over remaining area
shingles
small 4ft section of Wall & OSB board panels to go up adjoining existing deck
install a few missing OSB Board panels on the walls (mainly the gable end)
Tyvek Weather wrap

Of course there’s lots of little things to do as part of those steps, but those are the big ones.

If it was easy, Everybody would do it
~Harry

While it wasn’t much of a vacation for a week off… it was still enjoyable to be around some family and it made me overjoyed Rachel and Delilah were able to come up with us and be around during those ‘off’ times while we were taking a bit of a break from the beating (building) so I could hold the little one.� Oh, and a huge thanks goes out to Rachel for all the delicious meals during the week.

The place is gonna be totally unrecognizable when we get done, but it’s sure gonna be nice.� A great place for Debug to grow up.� I’m looking forward to watching her play in the stream from the new living area.

Some other photos from the process:

What’s in a Name?

Randy — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:43:51 +0000

Apparently people don’t like when you leave them hanging. Everybody wants to know what the meaning is behind Delilah’s name. Sort of funny given that it’s not that dramatic of a meaning but it’s still fun and makes for a good story.

There’s actually a few meanings:

We sort of had a theme song for our honeymoon in Hawaii. Literally every time we got in the car we’d hear Hey there Delilah by the Plain White T’s and we even used it in one of our Honeymoon slideshows. Delilah isn’t named after the song, but her name is inspired by it. We were thinking up names when we heard the song and both fell in love.
The lilac bush we planted a week after we bought our old house (on Roselawn ave) never flowered until this spring. We were even ready to tear it out this year if it didn’t. A shortened version of Delilah is Lila which can be translated to Lilac in several languages. Kinda cool right?
Along the same lines as the Lilac bush but not as cool… she was born during the Lilac Festival so now she has a Festival every year just for her.

And what everyone’s been waiting for… Some more pictures from Little Lila’s first few days of life:

Falling Brook – Moving In

Randy — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:45:20 +0000

Wow! Last weekend was an insanely hectic few days.� Not only was our daughter Delilah born but we also moved into a new house.� We’re finally settling back into normalcy, well… as normal as it can be with a 1week old baby and a new house.

Even though we had to move the closing date due to little miss Lilah’s early arrival we were fortunate enough to get the sellers to agree to an early possession.� 7am last Saturday I left Rachel and her mother at the hospital so I could get the move underway and so we could be all set by discharge time (which I convinced the nurses to do LATE in the day).

I did the final walk-through at 8am, picked up the 26′ U-Haul truck at 9 (no I’ve never driven something that big before) and we had the move under way by 10am.� At the new house a little after noon with the truck and my father’s snowmobile trailer fully loaded.� Completely unloaded by 1:30pm.� Not too shabby.

Couldn’t have possibly done it without all the help.� Thanks George, Dale, Brian, Ryan, Mike,Cory, Bill, Chris, Eric.

During the whole process I made the following time-lapse.� There are big gaps because well… I was busy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Delilah Grace

Randy — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:34:58 +0000

We had this short & sweet ‘Pushing’ post all ready, but the little lady had other plans so we had to wait until now to let the world know.� Not the first plans she’s disrupted and certainly won’t be the last.� That’s ok though, it all comes with the territory.

It’s been a long few days but she’s here!� Couldn’t be more excited (and scared… but that will pass).

Delilah Grace was born at 8:26pm May 19th weighing in at a healthy 9lbs 12.5oz & measuring 21.5″.� Because of all the meds Rachel was on she needs to stay in the special care room for at least the night which is a little hard for us but it’s for the best, we can actually get some sleep tonight!� Her name does have some meaning to us but that’s for another time.

We knew everyone would want pictures so we wanted to get these up right away.

Mom & Baby are both healthy & sleeping soundly.� Dad is about to head off in that direction as well.� Heh, Dad…� that’ll take some getting used to.

Love you all!

~The Aldrich Family (all 3 of us)

We Miss You Randy

Randy — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:00:58 +0000

I’m sure this isn’t the post anyone checking our blog is waiting for at the moment (sorry about that).� However; It’s important to me, and I needed to post it.

9 Years ago Yesterday (Monday May 17th 2001) Marion NY lost one of its most beloved young men: Randy Miller.� I’ll be honest, I wasn’t that close with him in the later years of our shared educational experience, but we were both perfectly friendly with each other.� We simply shared different groups of friends.� I do remember during the last few years of high school we would share a ritual almost every morning, and when I think of it now it still makes me smile.

“Morning Randy”
*nod*
“Morning Randy”
*nod*

When he first passed, it hit the whole town hard.� I’ve never seen so many people show up in support of the loss of a loved one.� The largest church in Marion was standing room only and overflowed into the stairwell and parking lot.� Everyone felt it because it was so shockingly sudden and happened in such a horrific & terrifying way while during such a noble act.

The toughest fact to swallow is that Randy drowned while trying to save his friends who weren’t as strong of swimmers.� Honestly, I can’t think about that without tearing up a little bit.� I can’t think of anyone else I know that would put themselves last in such a way.

While Randy died young, he certainly didn’t leave this world without a lasting imprint.� Until his mother recently started posting on Facebook I had totally forgotten he was so into poetry.� He’s been published by the International Library of Poetry twice!� I also remember him getting some of them in the local Marion/School publications.� For being so young, he certainly had a deep outlook on life.� This is one of my favorite poems which I stole from his Facebook page:

A Path

a crooked man walks a straight path,
a path of hopes and dreams.
he walks ahead without thinking twice or so it seems.
as he walks the path he proceeds to
his final destination without once falling through.
yet as he completes his journey, this voyage of his,
he knows the importance was not the things he didn’t do,
but the things he did.

-Randy Miller

I don’t know why but I get much more sensitive about the whole thing now than I did back then.� Back when it happened, it just felt like a terrible thing that happened to someone I knew.� For some reason now it hits me hard this time of year and this year harder than it has in the past.� Maybe that’s just me imposing my own mortality on the past because of our little one on the way?� I don’t know.

I hope some day I’ll be half the man Randy Miller was at the age of 19.

What Happens, Happens. Breath

Randy — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:29 +0000

We’ve had a lot going on lately.

In February we refinanced our duplex.
A the end of February we bought a new car.
In March our offer on a new house was accepted.
We close on the new house May 10th.
We’re in the process of finishing work on our apartment.
We’re in the process of renting out our apartment (we’re keeping our duplex).
My Photography business is just getting started.
I started a new Outdoors Blog.
Our first baby is due June 4th.
Rachel has been put on bed-rest until the due date.
Stressful things are afoot at work (some that I like, some that I don’t).

With all that’s going on I constantly need to remind myself to just slow down & breathe.� It’s hard sometimes.� There’s a lot to get done and it often feels like I’m not getting anywhere.� I get tired of people telling me about it though, I’m fine.� I take it all in stride, and whatever happens happens and we’ll deal with it as it comes.

Ze posted a song a while back that I had totally forgotten about until today, when he posted the story of how he made it.� It resonates with me perfectly.� I get it.

Hey, I’m Ok.

I’ll be fine.

Just Breathe.

Randy and Rachel

Future Lilah will be Proud

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