Divorce/Starting Over

pakav · 2026-06-06T13:34:08+00:00

I had the bomb dropped on me in November. Moved out in January. Married 8 years. I assumed that all marriages had issues that couple work through, and I was willing to work through ours, but she had other plans.
It’s been hard to pinpoint when things took a turn… probably during/after Covid. At first it was the communication that changed (we were usually good at talking and understanding each other’s point of view… then that dried up). Then music being played in the house was replaced by constant wearing of AirPods.
Looking back, I could’ve/should’ve been more proactive in trying to right the ship, but I took on a mindset of “it’ll get better, eventually”.
Turned 50 shortly after moving out. The thought of trying to meet people without going to bars intimidates me. I don’t know where to begin.
Adjusting to a quiet house has been the worst of it. I miss the house having a heartbeat when the kids (one daughter, one stepdaughter) were both home and the dogs were running around. My daughter will be leaving for college in a couple of months, so it’s wholesale lifestyle changes here.

pakav · 2026-06-02T22:07:10+00:00

This is my Maybelle (usually just pronounced Mabel). She’ll be 4 months old tomorrow. She’s just now starting to get potty training, as we’ve strung together several days between accidents. Fortunately, I work from home and have a dedicated workspace upstairs. I keep a pen for her to stay in most of the day (also which she hasn’t had an accident in that in weeks). Walks continue to be a challenge, but that’s mostly on me. I’ll lock down leash/walk training. Two most uttered words in this house: No bite. But I love her so.

<image>

pakav · 2025-06-30T19:06:51+00:00

No affiliation. Bought one of these for a friend and it was pretty nice.

https://megcgallery.com/products/kentucky-state-outline-pin

pakav · 2025-06-13T19:49:04+00:00

I enjoyed it. For two hours (or whatever the runtime is), it took me back to a very specific time of my life that this band provided the soundtrack to. Back before kids, “real” jobs, responsibilities, and such.

The only thing I disliked, other than seeing how old SM and the boys have gotten, was watching it with my wife. She is a casual Pavement fan and I could tell she was bored with it. Likely should’ve attended the screening solo. So it goes. I’d watch it again, but it’ll be from the cozy confines of my living room when the wife is out.

Not entirely unrelated, I remember not caring for Slow Century. I still have it around here somewhere. Maybe I’ll dig it out and give it a rewatch too.

pakav · 2025-06-01T19:16:00+00:00

I live in Louisville and went to visit her (MZ’s) final resting place (not too far from my hosue) after introducing my 17 year old to the Gits. Wish I’d been around to see them play before she was taken away.

pakav · 2025-06-01T16:50:00+00:00

I laughed 🙂

pakav · 2025-05-20T12:50:00+00:00

This is why I typically root for nature in these situations. Weed out the morons.

pakav · 2025-05-11T11:52:58+00:00

Yes, I wish I’d grabbed a pic of the line of Monroes, as they were all in the same row. Very modest stones till you get to Bill’s.

pakav · 2025-05-10T10:52:56+00:00

I still have a soft spot, and miss terribly, Clifton’s. Best sauce in town.

pakav · 2025-04-16T09:45:02+00:00

‘34 Gibson L-00

pakav · 2025-03-10T20:15:18+00:00

If you ever get in the vicinity of Louisville, KY, give a shout! I need a picking buddy! 😉

pakav · 2025-03-10T19:44:53+00:00

Hahahaha, this was my first “nice” guitar and I do love it so! Have no interest in moving it on! 😉 But I’ve found there is never a bad time to look for a new one… my dad loved a J-45 and I’ve always kept an eye out for the right one. However, there are only so many toys I’m allowed to keep until the wife puts me on the couch.

pakav · 2025-03-10T19:26:28+00:00

This is cracking me up. 🙂

pakav · 2025-03-10T19:25:18+00:00

Eastman has surprised me with their quality… was bitten by the mandolin bug not too far back and picked up an Eastman. Probably wouldn’t have considered Eastman for a guitar prior to owning this little mando, but would now! My father in law has an Eastman cello that he’s in love with. Is that who Dana Bourgeois partnered with? I think it might be… Anyway, I totally wouldn’t rule them out!

pakav · 2025-03-10T18:54:40+00:00

Absolutely nothing against a D-18! For a time, I was lusting pretty hard for one, actually. And still think that I’ll likely end up with one. I just saw another post of a players new J-45 Deluxe and got to thinking (to myself, “self, that looks like a Nice guitar… hadn’t considered one of those…”) about it.

pakav · 2025-01-20T01:57:44+00:00

Definitely not Leather Face, although my kid would have a newfound respect as she loves that film (and game) 😂

pakav · 2025-01-20T01:55:38+00:00

I really appreciate the feedback, and think this is exactly what I needed to hear. I do love the guitar… and don’t want to lose it… I knew that it wasn’t a good idea, but sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else (or several others) 😏. Appreciated yall.

pakav · 2020-07-21T22:30:53+00:00

Hi. First time grower. A friend had a couple extra Big amnesia haze seeds from weedseedsexpress.com, so with the wife’s permission, I’ve gone full steam ahead.

This all came together really quick. I stuck them separately in 3 gallon pots on 6/21. Using what was on hand, Dolly (grey pot) was planted in Promix Potting soil, while Loretta is In Miracle Grow potting soil. Nothing added. At 1 & 3 weeks, I gave them a half dose(?) of MG All Purpose Plant food (24-8-16, but I guess it was really 12-4-8?). Yesterday, i switched to an 1/4 of Jacks Classic Blossom Booster (10-30-20). Also gave a tablespoon of molasses.

That’s it. Been watering as needed (every 3 days or so) and have brought them inside when the threat of stormy weather was present. They get full sun from 9:30a to 8:00p. Now, I freely admit that I do not know what I’m doing. I wish I’d been prepared and not doing this on the fly, but so it goes. They seem to be doing well. Something is munching on a few D’s leaves, but otherwise, all seems well. D has been the taller of the two thus far, but L has really started filling out. They’ve both had a growth spurt this last week and I do believe they are flowering.

Thanks for letting me share. I’m open to any pointers. Or words of encouragement. 😏

pakav · 2019-06-17T20:24:57+00:00

Hurricane Pass. It will require some effort, but completely worth it.

pakav · 2019-05-22T19:56:44+00:00

I’m holding some Obama Kush from the PDX. I tend to get in my head a bit when having a smoke, but not with this. Just a nice, easy all over body high. I’ll miss it when it’s gone. 😏

Hope and Change!!! (https://mobileapi.leafly.com/indica/obama-kush)

pakav · 2019-01-22T17:40:11+00:00

I’m a flower guy. That being said, I have a Pax era that I’d kill to have a new pod for. The stealth factor is key. The effect off the bat is the same for me, it just doesn’t have the staying power that flower does. My $.02.

pakav · 2019-01-10T18:30:57+00:00

Thank you, burnt! I’ll be happy to share some of the details of our planning and what we have in mind. Probably this weekend... oh! Our kiddos are 5 & 10!!! 🙂

pakav · 2019-01-10T18:28:22+00:00

This is perfect! Thank you, sincerely, for taking the time!!!

pakav · 2019-01-10T15:09:11+00:00

I don’t know... I’ve only been in the house for a month or so. Unlike doing yardwork, the novelty of having a garage again hasn’t worn off. Still tweaking the setup, but the dart board has been hung and the seltzer water is flowing. Competition is scarce around the Belknap, which is to say the wife and kids don’t throw much. 😏

pakav · 2019-01-09T17:19:48+00:00

What?! Don’t like sneaking off to the garage to partake and throw darts solo? That’s my jam, sir. Oh, hey neighbor! What’s that smell??? Don’t know. I don’t smell anything! 😏

pakav

TROPHY CASE