Tin Year Anniversary

Attention female readers of “Can I Be Frank?” I may need your advice! Maybe? Not sure yet? Please read on.

Later this month we will celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary (you can hold your applause, but thanks). Ten years! Whew. A lot has happened. Three kids, three moves, three jobs. Like everyone married for that amount of time we have had our ups, downs and everything in between. Overall, it has been a fun and, certainly, interesting ride thus far.

OK, enough with the background noise. I did a little research on the old Google machine and what I learned was that the traditional or, at least,

symbolic ten year anniversary gift involves tin or aluminum.

According to www.the-wedding-anniversary-site.com,

"...the tin and aluminum symbols of the tenth wedding anniversary gift represent durability and pliability, meaning it can be bent but not broken. Within your marriage by this stage you will have experience the need to compromise on some things, but your marriage is still going strong,".

Sure, makes enough sense. I'll bite. After considering this fact for a very short while I have come up with (I believe) a few brilliant and meaningful gift ideas that will not only keep with tradition but bring a big smile to the Mrs.’ face.

Ready?

Here we go...

Tin Foil

Useful, practical, affordable...almost always needed around the house. I would say that encapsulates my lovely wife to a capital T! No?

A Tin Can

The universal symbol for the wandering, free spirit (a.k.a. 'a bum'). I think this gift captures my carefree-throw-caution-to-the-wind disposition which so perfectly balances against Amy's conservative and calculated nature (not to mention, if I do not find gainful employment VERY soon, I will be sent packing with that tin can and starring in my own reality series, "Real Hobos from Essex County"). No, really, I will.

A Tin Whistle

A traditional Irish instrument used to make beautiful music...a lot like she and I have made for the last decade (wait a second...that one almost borders of clever and romantic). Nah.

And last but not least...

The Tobacco Tin

Often referred to as simply a "tin", chewing tobacco is frequently housed in a small tin container. In my estimation, tobacco use – and the tin itself - is representative of loyalty, commitment and a touch of unforeseeable but probable doom...just like marriage. Right?

You know what? As I continue to type and think about all of these terrific tin treats, I realize that my wife deserves them all! Yeah, that’s it. Nothing too good for her.

So, on our anniversary I will drape myself in tin foil….while chewing tobacco….while playing the tin whistle. As for the tin can…that can be my tip jar. How could she not be impressed with that display of thoughtfulness?

Well, I feel better now. Guess I was worried for no reason. I think I have my anniversary plan wrapped up in a bow (pun intended) but if you girls want to weigh in, be my guest.

Warm Regards,

Frank "The Tin Man" McCabe

P.S. Apparently the Daffodil is the 10 year anniversary flower. Maybe that is a safer bet?

P.P.S. Don't forget to find me on Patch as well, http://northandover.patch.com

Dad's Camping Weekend: No Moms, No Rules

This weekend I am excited to continue a terrific tradition started by a great group of guys a few years back now simply known as 'Dad's Camping Weekend'.

Dad's Camping Weekend has grown into a fantastic late-spring event whereby 15-20 Dads lead their children into the wilderness (OK, 'wilderness' might be a little strong - we stay at a very user-friendly camp ground that has all the amenities...but nonetheless!) to spend two quality days and nights in the great outdoors.

The ratios are impressive.
The average age of the Dads is about 37.
The average age of the children is about 7.

I would say the kids out number the Dad's 2 1/2 to 1.  (yes, I know there are no 1/2 kids.....YET!)
The kids absolutely love this trip.  The wives view us all as 'Ward Cleavers' and are endlessly thankful to us for "giving them a break".  In my humble opinion, I think we are all brave souls and, without question, a pack a superstar father figures.

So, enough patting ourselves on the proverbial back and let me clue you in to a little secret (sorry, fellow Dad campers - don't ban me from the trip); Dad's Camping Weekend is as fun for the Dads as it is for the kids.

Here is why...

Unlike the traditional family trip, Dad's Camping Weekend is more focused on fun than flora and fauna.  Hiking, site seeing, and stick-whittling take a back seat to whiffle ball, eating and drinking.

While Mother Nature welcomes us with open arms, I am not sure Mother McCabe would approve of all of the comings and goings at camp.

And please admit it, Moms; when we add you into the mix, camping becomes like every other day in your household (i.e. there are rules).  Kids eat healthy, dress warm, brush their teeth, go to bed at a reasonable hour, yada, yada, yada.

At Dad's weekend, we set the benchmark for success pretty low. Basically, as long as no child drowns in the lake, gets lost in the woods, eaten by a bear (granted I have not seen any bears in the greater Rochester, NH region...YET!), lit on fire or contracts some poisonous rash- we consider ourselves model Scout Leaders and the trip a complete victory for Man.

Sure we bring more beer than band aids.  More cigars than sunscreen.  Sweatshirts become pillows.  Fingers become toothbrushes.  Gum becomes toothpaste.

You want cookies for breakfast?  Go for it!
Don't want to change into your pajamas?  I don't care.
Skin your knee?  Rub some dirt on it!
Bath?  Ba,ha,ha, ha!

Come Sunday, all bodies have been accounted for and we make that long trek back home to normalcy.  The kids may be a little tired and cranky.  The Dads are definitely tired and, dare I suggest, a little hungover (you know, from the intoxicating clean air)?

But hey, anything for the kids, right? ;-)

P.S. Don't forget to catch me on Patch as well, http://northandover.patch.com/

The Unemployment Chronicles: Pass the Grey Poupon...it's Royal Wedding Week!

The job search has been suspended!

No, I have not found gainful, full time employment, but that will need to be put on hold.  And why?  It's Royal Wedding Week!

Just when I thought I had reached rock bottom in terms of my self-esteem and confidence as a business professional I have stooped to a new low.  I am officially sucked into all of this Royal Wedding-hype like some sick, demented middle aged British shut in.  Truthfully, I have not paid much attention to all the hoopla until the past few days.  I saw the headlines, caught some of the news stories, but I have been on the sidelines in terms of engagement (sorry for the bad pun there).

AND then...last night...it started.  Dateline was running a special on Kate Middleton.  Intrigued?  You betcha!

Maybe it's just that I was tired, bored and nothing else on T.V. that peaked my interest?

Wrong.

Awaken this dreary Monday morning with my usual self-loathing for having no real professional purpose when suddenly I turn on Good Morning America to find it is all-things Royal wedding.  Not sure how much time passed until I realized the shower was running, the kids were downstairs screaming and doing God knows what and  I was totally immersed in Robin Roberts reporting LIVE from jolly old England atop a double-decker bus.

Look in the mirror, slap myself in the face and I attempt to 'man up'.  I switch the channel over to SportsCenter, but, frankly, after about 6 seconds I was tuned back into some OTHER morning talk show discussing the pending nuptials of William and Cate.  I can't fight it.

I ask you, what is wrong with me?

I was completely enthralled with the review of who got invited and who did not? 
Mesmerised by the talk of the procession through London. 
Amazed by all of the planning, the pomp, the circumstance. 
I am loving it!

So, again, what is wrong with me? 

Have I transformed into some sort of "English muffin"?  Morphed into a "Queen" of another color?

I am following EXTRA's Mario Lopez on Twitter to make sure I do not miss one minute of the action. 
I have DVR'ed 7 specials airing simultaneously to guarantee I am on top of all of the Anglo-Saxon-action! 
I just spent 10 minutes arguing with my 4 year old because she wants to watch Little Bear and I  KNOW I am missing great wedding gossip from the ladies of The View!

Anyway, enough time babbling on this foolish blog.  It's almost Tea Time.

Pip, pip, cheerio!
Frank