"Yea i said that also in 2011"

My blog is now 2 years old and i am making this an annual tradition now as long as i have your attention, who am i kidding- even if i don't i will rant. I just want to sum up 2011 in what i seen and how i felt...in no particular order...Alshiemers Sucks, you can't do anything and you still feel that you can...What a wonderful trip to Ohio, Penn to see Phil, and DC especially the "Horseshoe" and "Hollowed grounds at Arlington"... Almost arrested at Penn State when we tried to park where Oboma was suppose to park (long funny story).... on that note, the low end of PSU, Jo Pa how could you, an icon-roll model coach and school, not suppose to happen... Boeheim - see Jo Pa...gas prices still suck... Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, and CSI with Ted Danson is great TV... Haven't talked to ex-relative in over a year, and it feels good...Sara has lost 2 teeth and counting, still hears the tooth fairy bell ring when they come (see other post)... Finally going to do something about my weight, but no still don't care if you though i should a long time ago (but am glad you care)... My heart is in good working order, i think Mindy and Sara help that out... Bengals Rock ... Reds still struggle... Luke Finkel - dude, you did a great job-nothing to be ashamed of...Buckeye's basketball is just awesome... I still love my Wife, my daughter, Kali, Ryley, my parents, more then anything else and many friends...Saturday Movies with Sara is still the best medicine for after on call week relief... Not sure what i did before my wife and daughter, but now i can survive anything.

Don't worry... i have much more to share and will keep blogging no matter what. So please take the time to walk with me and please don't take anything personally. I'm not that guy.

Tooth Faries?

Weeks, and weeks went on and it seemed like it would never happen. I tried to convince her to do it herself, even offered to do it for her, but i knew i could not. Yes our first tooth did not want to come out. Finally i picked her up at school one day and yes...this tooth which was as small as a match tip was wadded up in a school paper towel.

The fun begins. Let us prepare this for the tooth fairy...Sara says "Daddy, what does the tooth fairy look like?" I tell her" well no one has actually ever seen the tooth fairy for sure. We do not know what he or she looks like"

So she now has a mission. "i am going to see. i will be the first" ok...no problem

So the morning after the tooth was placed under the pillow and replaced by four dollars i got the scoop. Yes the details of the tooth fairy which i can only quote to the best of my knowledge were as follows: " Daddy, i seen the tooth fairies"...."tooth fairies" i say. "Yes, there were five of them all with little wings. They were only about 3 inches tall 2 were boys and 3 were girls. One took the tooth and the other four each had a dollar they put under my pillow. They rang their bell and then they were gone" "Wow" i said..."did they see you look" "Nope, i had only one eye open".

I wish we all still had a little of a childs imagination. Priceless.

Just Fishin'

Looking at what my 18yr old little girl has become, and getting to do it all this time with my little 6 year old princess the words to this song ring out strong. This is dedicated to my girls, especialy Sara on her 6th birthday. Love you Bear.

Just Fishin' - Trace Adkins
I'm lost with her there holding that pink rod and reel.
She's doing almost everything but sitting still.
Talkin' 'bout her ballet shoes and training wheels..and her kittens.
And she thinks we're just fishin'.
I say "Daddy loves you, baby" one more time.
She says, "I know, I think I've got a bite."
And all this laughing, crying, smiling, dying here inside is what I call living.
And she thinks we're just fishin' by the riverside, throwing back what we could fry, drowning worms and killing time.
Nothing too ambitious.
She ain't even thinkin' 'bout what's really going on right now but I guarantee this memory's a big'un.
And she thinks were just fishin'
She's already pretty like her mama is.
Gonna drive the boys all crazy, give her daddy fits.
And I better do this every chance I get cause time is tickin' (yeah it is)
And she thinks we're just fishin' by the riverside, throwing back what we could fry, drowning worms and killing time.
Nothing too ambitious.
She ain't even thinkin' 'bout what's really going on right now but I guarantee this memory's a big'un.
And she thinks we're just fishin'.
She ain't even thinking bout what's really going on right now but i guarantee this memory's a big'un.
And she thinks we're just fishin'.
Yeah
Ohh she thinks we're just fishin'.
We ain't just fishin'.
This ain't about fishin'.

More then Coach to blame

It had style. Classy. Some would even call it a look that was cool. But by no means was it bullet proof. It was a sweater vest. Simply a sweater vest. Grey, Red. Tressel style.

I know we have all done things that we think "Yeah, i can get away with this?". WTF...This is not stealing a pack of gum. Selling merchandise that is given to you as a trophy of your accomplishments. Did you spit on them too as you gave them away. Wait i got off track, the vest guy forgot to share an email. Did he sell anything? No. He lied about his players. Protecting them with the vest. Should he no longer be head coach? He should not be coach because he broke the rules and lied by enormous rules set by the NCAA.

So the 5 players that sold stuff and broke the same rules, they are gone also? Uh....

Memorial Day Pride

On Memorial Day we look to remember those that have lost their life, or served time in the military, fire and police, to protect this country. It is this one day we set aside that we remember these people. Prior to 9-11 when you went to a sporting event when the national anthem played many were talking, walking around. You did not feel that USA pride.

This is why i share this story. Two weeks ago Mindy, Sara, and i went to a Rays game. We were late (big surprise) and we were still weaving in and out of people going towards our seats. All the sudden we hear them announce " Darius Rucker will now perform the national anthem". So the three of us, as we always would stopped, I removed my hat and Sara put her hand over her heart. What i didn't realize at first that this crowded walkway under the stands was quiet. Everyone stopped where they were, removed there hats and placed hands over their hearts. You could hear Darius sing the National Anthem. It was a wonderful feeling as no less then 500 people showing the same respect.

It is impossible to describe the pride of people again realizing the importance of USA Freedom. We forgot there and it is unfortunate that tragedy brought us back to where we should of always been. Our Freedom is a gift from those who protect it. May we never forget again and God Bless America.

Gray Hair and Sara

What a roller coaster ride i am on. Whoo.... I get to see my little girl, just 20 days away from Kindergarten graduation changing. Let us address those changes over the last school year. Firemen of Safety Harbor know my daughter on a first name basis. Gray hairs appear. Talk of a boy named ***. Her Boyfriend by name, but not a boyfriend. Darn right, you are only 5 and a half. Augh, more gray hair. First day of school can count to 10. Today can count to 40+, and add/subtract small numbers. Wow. Kindergarten was crayons and toys for me. Got out knowing my alphabet and count to 10. She comes home now with computer printouts. And again, more gray hair. She is the class "social club" leader. I was the quiet one in the corner, but the firemen would know my name too. You start at one end of the school and walk to the other and this kindergartner says hi to about 20 other kids. 20. How... Fast forward to last Saturday. We are seeing Darius Rucker in concert (see previous post on last time). This time i say "Its Darius. Arn't you excited?"...I get " yes dad, but i am coloring right now". She is so much like me and yet so much like her mom... Ugh...More gray hair, but i don't care. This is worth it.

Control

When did i lose control. I had it. I know i did. I said i did so i must of. Then i looked up....wait. Looked up? When did i stop being up? I was in control. From down here i controlled it. Down? I said it again. Down... Odd. Do not remember the down part. Then who has control? and when did i lose it? Did i really ever have it?
The many thoughts that keep my mind a stir. Why do the taunt me in this way? What do i do to get the control i thought i had back?
I keep thinking about how to get it back. New plan. Don't think about it and it will come back. Control is like Karma. I pay for what i do wrong. That i know. Control will come back, but when?

BlackJack

Unfortunately i have not posted a blog in a while and today's is not happy. We had a little furry BunBun invade our house over a year ago. He came in with his little way of back talking us with little snuffs, and his "rabbit ways". He was the smallest animal in the house but the biggest bully of them all. When a 3lb rabbit scares a 20lbs cat it is pretty funny. He made a home in our house and we enjoyed playing with him, holding him, and just watching him be feisty. He was a welcome addition in our house. Unfortunately our happy home today is sadden by the loss of our little bunbun. He was not as healthy as we had thought and without warning he was too far gone for us to save him. Heaven has welcomed a bunny that will always be remembered and missed by this family. See ya Blackjack...we love you.

Phil

Yes, the day nears. Not only will this avid writer be on his first trip out of state in years, but will get to visit places he thought he would never get too. Ohio Stadium, White House, and Phil's House. Yes it is groundhog day and Mindy, Sara, and i will be spending the day with Punxstawney Phil on the 125th annual celebration. To some it seem like a oddball trip, well if you know Mindy and I does it really surprise you. We plan to write a story, call the TV and radio stations, and be up front for the celebration. Phil, look out we coming to visit.