Money and Happiness

People say money can't buy happiness. I say I'd like to give it a shot anyway. But seriously... I truly believe this is a true statement. How many filthy rich celebrities have had a major downfall? Too many to count! Money indeed cannot buy happiness. However, I contend that a lot of stress could be eliminated if I didn't have to worry about having enough money.

People who say money can't buy happiness have obviously never been on a cruise ship!

I stink at math

I stink at math. Numbers are hard. Replacing numbers with letters is even harder (Algebra, anyone?). There are even things called imaginary numbers. If the numbers are imaginary, then how in the world am I supposed to deal with them?
This sign is for people like me...

Tax Cuts

I haven't said much on this blog about President Trump's recent tax cuts. I had been hearing for months about this tax cut plan, and how it would put more money in the pocket of Average Joe American. I see better than I hear, so I approached the news of sweeping tax cuts with a somewhat skeptical eye.

Sure enough, a few weeks ago (seemingly out of nowhere), my paycheck was about $200 higher. That comes out to $400 a month and $4,800 a year. Democrat Congresswoman, Nancy Pelosi refers to an extra hundred bucks a week as crumbs (look it up). Ummmm... yeah, I guess since Pelosi is a multi-millionaire, a hundred bucks does seem like crumbs... but not to me. Sorry folks, but an extra $4,800 a year is a ton of money to me and my family. I'll gladly take it! And if any Democrats out there don't want these "crumbs", just call me and I will be happy to come to your house and sweep them up. However, I have to say, I have not heard one democrat complaining about the extra money in their paycheck. Call me crazy, but I doubt we'll hear much whining about that extra money. And if there are any Democrats out there who don't want the extra money, please remember you are more than welcome to give it back in the form of taxes. The taxes we are required to pay as Americans are the minimum amount. There is no law against paying more than the government asks of you. How many democrats do you think are paying more taxes than the government requires? My guess is none. However, I've learned we should never speak in absolutes, so I'll say very few.

Thank you, President Trump. I will do my best to use the extra $4,800 wisely this year.

The Flood of '18

We took a drive today into downtown Aurora, Indiana, to see the flood waters. The whole Lawrenceburg/Aurora area is a mess. I'm sure there are spectacles to see in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as well, but we didn't drive down there to gawk at the flood. Here are a few photos of the Flood of 2018...
Note Applewood restaurant in the 3rd and 5th photos.
Also... the first two photos are NOT of a river. That bridge goes over route 50 in Greendale. The road is under about 8 feet of water.

Getting Old

This is what getting old feels like...

Hungry Hungry Hippo

I REALLY don't want to think about what it looks like when a bowling ball comes shooting out of this hippopotamus ball return.

Imagine this exchange...

"Mommy, did that hippo just..."

(Mommy interrupting)

"Yes. Yes it did. Just shut up, grab the ball, and bowl!"

It's a miracle!

February 22nd. This date is significant for a couple different reasons.

On a personal level, today would have been my parents' 54th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately my dad passed away at a very young age 28 years ago. God had a different plan for my parents. It's strange to think about what my dad would be like today in his mid 70's.

On a broader note... today is the 38th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. The day the United States defeated the USSR in hockey at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. To this day it remains one of the biggest upsets in sports history. There has never been a more David and Goliath story in the sports world. I remember where I was when it happened. I was spending the night with my grandparents because my parents were out celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. I remember being in the family room in the back of their house and watching the small TV in the corner of the room. It's funny how something that happened so long ago can stick out in a guy's memory. I was just barely 13 years old when it happened, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Do you believe in Miracles? The 1980 men's hockey team sure did!

Thinking Spring

Yesterday's record setting temperatures has me thinking spring. We grilled burgers and dogs and ate on the deck yesterday and enjoyed the gift of warm weather in February. Of course warm weather also brings the chance of storms, and that's exactly what we got this morning... sort of. We were awakened at 4:40 A.M. to a tornado warning. We were alerted by cell phone, but no sirens went off. I'm still wondering what happened there. Anyway, the supposed tornado was detected on radar only and there was no storm to speak of. There was no thunder, no lightning and only a few minutes of strong wind gusts. Heck, it wasn't even a good thunderstorm (let alone a tornado!). So thanks, National Weather Service, for the early wake up call. I guess you really can't be too careful. Suffice it to say I may need an extra cup of coffee this morning.

And speaking of warm weather... spring also means the opening of all the local creamy whip places. I am eagerly awaiting that! And in honor of ice cream, I want this... An ice cream sandwich that has ice cream cones instead of chocolate wafers. The delicious combination of cone and ice cream in every bite. Sign me up!

A brief reprieve

Can you believe this weather? Today is February 20th and the temperature is supposed to hit 77 or 78 degrees. That’s more than twenty degrees above normal. Not only do we have mild, warm air, but the sun is shining too. In the midst of one of the dreariest, gloomiest winters I can remember, the sun is a sight for sore eyes today. I didn’t say this was the snowiest, or coldest winter I can remember. We’ve definitely had much worse. I just mean this winter has been so gray, cloudy, foggy, rainy, misty, and downright ugly and depressing. Tami and I have been lamenting this terrible winter lately. We have cabin fever and we have just been aching to get outside. Today is that day. When I get home from work I am going to grill some burgers and crack open a cold one as I watch them sizzle on the grill top. For one day we will get to act like it’s spring. But alas, this teaser of a spring-like day is the only one we get like this. The rain returns tomorrow and is expected to last through the weekend. Ugh!

It’s amazing how the weather can dictate our mood and general outlook on life. There is a condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It simply means we get depressed and down when the weather is cold, snowy, gloomy, and dreary. Today we have been granted a temporary reprieve from SAD. I am in a wonderful mood and I am so upbeat as I look at the sun shining through my window. I know old man winter has yet to breathe his last, and there will be more freezing temperatures on the way. But for now, I will take 77 and sunny in late February. What a blessing and hope and promise of the coming spring.

Recliner

I love my recliner. I mean I really, really LOVE my recliner. I fall asleep in it every night and I have taken naps in it many times. Truth be told, I spend too much time in it, but I'm getting older and I can do whatever I want. My affection for my recliner is the reason I think I will be buying THIS...

Nothing but the best for my grandchildren. I will be their favorite Goppa in the whole world!

The Big 10

It is beyond belief! Sveta turns 10 years old today. Knowing she was ten days short of her 4th birthday when she arrived in this country and seeing where she is today boggles my mind! Watching that sweet little Russian walk into CVG six years ago compared to where she is today marks quite a journey. It has been an incredible six years with the Apple of my Eye. I can't wait to watch her grow up even more. Happy Birthday, Sveta!

Old Bud

I remember growing up and playing baseball next to “Old Bud’s” yard. Bud was an older man who never married. He was the classic case of a hermit who never came out of his house except to chase us kids out of his yard when our ball accidentally landed there. We never understood why Bud was such a grump. I mean, we weren’t hurting his precious grass when we went into his yard for a few seconds to retrieve our wayward ball. However, whenever our ball landed in Bud’s yard, we’d all argue about which one of us would go after it. Nobody wanted to be yelled at by Bud. Now as I grow older, I have come to understand Bud more and more. I’m not a hermit by any means, but I do see why he didn’t want us kids wandering in and out of his yard. I kind of wish I could talk to Old Bud just once more. I’d love to tell him I get it. I would love to tell him I know where he was coming from. I wish he could know I know wasn’t being mean at all.

Three years ago

This photo was taken three years ago today. Time sure does fly! Just LOOK at that face! Angelic!

Abby's Valentine

How's this for a couple of Valentines?

Cute couple!

You haven't lived!

You haven't lived until you've spent Valentine's Day at an elementary school full of overly excited children. Today marks my 28th Valentine's Day at St. Bernard Elementary. Valentine's Day is one of my least favorite days of the school year. I feel this way for several reasons. First, the students come armed to the teeth with decorated boxes, Valentine cards, cookies, candy, and everything else heart-shaped. They don't have their homework, mind you, but they have Valentine paraphernalia galore! Funny how the students can remember to bring all their Valentine stuff, but somehow homework slipped their minds. Second, the kids are so excited about the Valentine party (which only encompasses the last 30 minutes of the day), that they can't focus on anything else. It truly ends up being a waste of a school day. Third, it's centered around a made up holiday (You know, a Hallmark holiday). Lastly, this so-called holiday is all about love and romance. What do 4th graders know about love and romance? Nothing... and I hope to keep it that way.

On a brighter note, this is the first time in Abby's life that she's had a real Valentine (at least one not named Daddy). I'm so happy Abby has Thomas as her Valentine now. I've been her Valentine for 20 years. Now it's Thomas's turn, but I will always be her FIRST Valentine.

Today I'm also thankful for MY Valentine. My wonderful wife has been my Valentine for 28 years. I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Valentine's Day, Honey!

Happy Valentine's Day, loyal blog readers!

4 good words

This winter is DRAGGING on. Then again, what winter doesn't?

That's why I was so happy to hear 4 of my favorite words today...

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT!!!!!!!!!!

That's right, everybody. My beloved Cincinnati Reds started Spring Training today. Granted, it's still mid February, but when pitchers and catchers report, it's a sure sign that spring is on its way. I am ready for warm weather. I am ready for sunshine. I am ready for baseball.

Skating to work

So, Katie Couric isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. As she was covering the 2018 Winter Olympics, she actually said the Dutch are so good at speed skating because skating is a major means of transportation in the Netherlands. Ummmm… no it’s not. The Netherlands is a 21st century nation. They travel by car, bus, train, and plane. Katie actually said the Dutch travel by skating on the frozen canals of Amsterdam. Well, she has obviously not spent any time in the Netherlands. Those canals freeze an average of five days a year. So what do they do the other 360 days of the year? You can’t skate on water.

I would suggest Ms. Couric stick to talking about things she has some knowledge of. Apparently Dutch culture is not her forte’.
Rush hour in the Netherlands. Don't you just hate those left lane skaters?

Going to school

Big changes for the Morton family.

Jessi has homeschooled her children for the last six years. And I must say she has done an incredible job at it. All of her kids are super smart and do very well in academics. A few weeks ago the decision was made to send Elliott to preschool. We hear he absolutely loves it, and is doing very well. Today, Sveta entered the 4th grade. I don't know what kids she will be with, but I have no doubt she will be head and shoulders above all of them. This is a quite a shift for my grandchildren, but I know they will do very well. Their parents have more than prepared them for anything school can throw at them. I am happy and sad for them at the same time. Happy for the changes and how well things are going. Sad for kids not being with momma as much.

I am one proud Goppa today!
Here's Sveta as she heads to her first day of public school.

Be a dad!

This is so true!

Dreary

Today is one of the most dreary, gloomy days I can remember. It has been the very definition of a depressing day. Cloudy, rainy, foggy, gray yuckiness in mid February. Blah!

Mixed Signals

I'm confused...

Isn't it ironic?

You all know how much I love irony. How's this for ironic?

Are you winning?

Here's the scene. Elliott walks up behind me while I'm on the computer.

Him: Goppa, what game are you playing?

Me: Pay the bills

Him: Are you winning?

Me: No

Winter problems

Just another reason not to like winter...

Uh-oh!

Boss: Turn off the fountain before you leave tonight. It's supposed to get really cold.

Me: Of course I will. I never forget.

The next day...

Me: Oops! Uh-oh!

Build That Wall

President Trump has promised to build a wall on our southern border. The Democrats are fighting tooth and nail against it. This is simply because illegal aliens vote Democrat. Keeping illegals out means lost votes. Imagine if the shoe were on the other foot.

Someone agrees

It looks like someone agrees with me. I'm not the only one who knows the Democrats act like toddlers during the State of the Union Address. This cartoonist captured the idea perfectly...

Oh that face!

Just LOOK at that beautiful face. I know boys aren't supposed to be described as pretty, but I can't help it. That boy has one pretty face! He is going to drive the girls crazy some day!

Oops! I forgot

For the first time in my life, I forgot my school issued laptop computer at home. I am usually so methodical about my morning routine, but this morning I was distracted by some unexpected snow. I know it's strange, but it really threw me off. Anyway, it got me to thinking about what a creature of habit I am when getting ready for work. Shower, shave, get dressed. Wallet in back left pocket. Keys in the front left pocket. Phone in the front right pocket. Watch on my left wrist. Grab lunch. Grab computer. Drive to school. It's the same routine at the same time every morning. That's why leaving my computer at home is so upsetting. I NEVER deviate from my morning ritual... except when it snows and it wasn't really predicted.

Collage

Finally! Somebody is reviving the lost art of collage. You don't see many people making collages these days. I'm glad to see somebody is still doing it!