Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The Last Straw
Have you heard the latest cause the liberals have taken up? Gun control? Nope! Abortion? Nope! Immigration reform? Nope! Tax reform? Nope! Give up? It's plastic straws. Yes, you read that correctly. The liberals are at war with plastic straws. I'm not even certain of their reasoning, but I think it has to do with sea turtles or something. Pardon me for saying so, but I don't think drinking my chocolate malt with a plastic straw is doing much to harm ocean dwelling creatures. Drinking my Coke with a straw at Frisch's isn't doing any harm either. I'm sorry folks, but there are a lot of causes in this world worth fighting for, but plastic straws is not one of those causes. Outlawing plastic straws would just be ridiculous.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Saturday, July 28, 2018
One week to go!
The wedding is one week away and I can’t help but feel emotional, melancholy, and reminiscent. Over the last six months Tami and I have been mentally preparing (as much as possible) for our last child to leave the house. We feel like the Lord has been preparing us as Abby has slowly transitioned from needing us for everything to needing her future husband for everything. Over the last year she has not been home a lot which is another way of weaning her off this home and moving into her new home. It’s a gradual process, but it’s definitely still hard knowing in a week’s time she won’t live in my house any more.
A couple of things have brought this reality to mind. For example, last night Abby spent the night with a friend. Knowing she would not be arriving home in the wee hours of the morning, I locked the door and did not turn on the outside lights. In the past I’ve left the door unlocked, and flipped on the outside lights for Abby’s late night arrivals home. It felt strange. Also, in the past, Abby always awakened us upon her arrival home. It didn’t matter what time of night it was, Abby would always text to let us know she was on her way home, and would announce at our bedroom door, “Mom (or Dad), I’m home”. In a week’s time there will be no more late night announcements of her arrival home.
I have heard a lot of different opinions on the Empty Nest Syndrome, and I will be posting much more about it in the near future. One thing I’ve heard is that it is a two-edged sword. On one hand it is nice to have time with just your spouse without the children around. On the other hand, it is tremendously sad to think that we will no longer have kids living in our house. Not ever again… On one hand we will have more money than ever before. On the other hand, having a little extra money is not much consolation for not having our kids around. On one hand we won’t stay up nights hoping and praying our kids will come home safely. On the other hand, they are out of sight and essentially out of mind. But let’s be honest… will we as parents ever truly quit worrying? We all know the answer to that question is a resounding, “No!”. The Empty Nest is going to be a mixed bag of emotions. I’d like to think I’m ready for whatever life is going to throw at me, but I seriously doubt I’m ready for everything.
Tami and I have been married for 27 years and have never been without a child in the home. Unlike many marriages where couples have time alone before having children, my marriage was different. The day I said, “I do”, I not only became a husband, but I also became a father. I think this makes our Empty Nest situation different than many others.
Stay tuned, folks. It’s going to be a wild ride!
A couple of things have brought this reality to mind. For example, last night Abby spent the night with a friend. Knowing she would not be arriving home in the wee hours of the morning, I locked the door and did not turn on the outside lights. In the past I’ve left the door unlocked, and flipped on the outside lights for Abby’s late night arrivals home. It felt strange. Also, in the past, Abby always awakened us upon her arrival home. It didn’t matter what time of night it was, Abby would always text to let us know she was on her way home, and would announce at our bedroom door, “Mom (or Dad), I’m home”. In a week’s time there will be no more late night announcements of her arrival home.
I have heard a lot of different opinions on the Empty Nest Syndrome, and I will be posting much more about it in the near future. One thing I’ve heard is that it is a two-edged sword. On one hand it is nice to have time with just your spouse without the children around. On the other hand, it is tremendously sad to think that we will no longer have kids living in our house. Not ever again… On one hand we will have more money than ever before. On the other hand, having a little extra money is not much consolation for not having our kids around. On one hand we won’t stay up nights hoping and praying our kids will come home safely. On the other hand, they are out of sight and essentially out of mind. But let’s be honest… will we as parents ever truly quit worrying? We all know the answer to that question is a resounding, “No!”. The Empty Nest is going to be a mixed bag of emotions. I’d like to think I’m ready for whatever life is going to throw at me, but I seriously doubt I’m ready for everything.
Tami and I have been married for 27 years and have never been without a child in the home. Unlike many marriages where couples have time alone before having children, my marriage was different. The day I said, “I do”, I not only became a husband, but I also became a father. I think this makes our Empty Nest situation different than many others.
Stay tuned, folks. It’s going to be a wild ride!
Friday, July 27, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018
The Reds on Radio
I recently came across a piece written by local sports talk host, Lance McAlister. Many of his thoughts are the same as mine. Like him, there are few things I find more relaxing than listening to the Reds on the radio. Like him, I plan my yard mowing around the Reds schedule. Like him, I grew up listening to the Reds on the radio. I would add that I have fond memories of my grandparents sitting on their porch drinking a cold beer, eating a dish of peanuts, and listening to the Reds. I also remember how good that beer tasted when I was allowed to take a forbidden sip. I already know part of my retirement plan will include a steady dose of sitting on my deck, enjoying a beverage and listening to the Reds.
Here's what Lance wrote one day last week:
What is it about baseball on the radio? Why does baseball on the radio connect with us more than any other sport? I heard Bob Costas discuss the connection on a St. Louis radio show a couple of years ago. His comments have stuck with me. He described baseball on the radio as being part of the soundtrack of our life. He's so right.
I grew up listening to the Reds on the radio. That’s almost 50 years of a connection. I've often joked the only people I've listened to longer than Marty Brennaman would be my mom and dad. As a kid, I would fall asleep many nights in the 1970's while listening to the Reds on a transistor radio.
After dinner with my family this past Sunday, I grabbed my radio and sat on my back porch. I put my feet up. Closed my eyes. And I listened to the Reds. It was peaceful. It was easy, without complications. It was an escape. Baseball on the radio is like a comfort food. There is something about the pace and sounds of baseball on the radio that is soothing.
We develop relationships with Reds broadcasters. We grow to feel like we know the people behind the voices coming through our radio. They become are friends...even family. Heck, we welcome them into our home or car on a game-to-game basis.
But it's not just the call of the games, it's the banter, the conversations. We enjoyed Marty and Joe's stories and the back and forth during a broadcast. We enjoy listening to the struggles of The Cowboy to answer the trivia question correctly. I remember many Reds moments by the words in Marty's description. Like, "Rose levels the bat a couple of times, Show kicks and delivers......." Man, do I miss The Old Left-hander yelling, "get out of here!"?
I often post Reds radio broadcasts from years ago here on the blog. I always enjoy the reaction from listeners. The sounds of Reds baseball on the radio flashes people back to the past. Heck, I sit in my office at home and work on my show and listen to random games from the 1970's and 80's.
I know I'm not the only one that mows the yard only when the Reds are on the radio. If the Reds are off, I'm not mowing. I drive Kelly crazy because when I'm in the house listening to the game, I turn on the radio in multiple rooms as I move from room to room around the house.
My family grilled out last week. I had my radio on the back patio, cranked up, so I could listen and grill. I enjoy tuning into a game and in a few seconds knowing how the Reds are doing simply based on the tone of Marty's voice. I get a kick out of hearing him get worked up and impatient with a pitcher struggling to throw strikes.
I have never felt this way or made this connection with football or basketball on the radio. I never will. It's just not the same. That's a combination of my love of baseball, the pace of the game and growing up listening to Marty and Joe.
Someday Marty will retire. I will be sad. It won't be the same. But you can bet I'll still listen to the Reds on the radio. Whether they are winning or losing, good, bad or rebuilding, it's what I do. It's what I'll always do.
Here's what Lance wrote one day last week:
What is it about baseball on the radio? Why does baseball on the radio connect with us more than any other sport? I heard Bob Costas discuss the connection on a St. Louis radio show a couple of years ago. His comments have stuck with me. He described baseball on the radio as being part of the soundtrack of our life. He's so right.
I grew up listening to the Reds on the radio. That’s almost 50 years of a connection. I've often joked the only people I've listened to longer than Marty Brennaman would be my mom and dad. As a kid, I would fall asleep many nights in the 1970's while listening to the Reds on a transistor radio.
After dinner with my family this past Sunday, I grabbed my radio and sat on my back porch. I put my feet up. Closed my eyes. And I listened to the Reds. It was peaceful. It was easy, without complications. It was an escape. Baseball on the radio is like a comfort food. There is something about the pace and sounds of baseball on the radio that is soothing.
We develop relationships with Reds broadcasters. We grow to feel like we know the people behind the voices coming through our radio. They become are friends...even family. Heck, we welcome them into our home or car on a game-to-game basis.
But it's not just the call of the games, it's the banter, the conversations. We enjoyed Marty and Joe's stories and the back and forth during a broadcast. We enjoy listening to the struggles of The Cowboy to answer the trivia question correctly. I remember many Reds moments by the words in Marty's description. Like, "Rose levels the bat a couple of times, Show kicks and delivers......." Man, do I miss The Old Left-hander yelling, "get out of here!"?
I often post Reds radio broadcasts from years ago here on the blog. I always enjoy the reaction from listeners. The sounds of Reds baseball on the radio flashes people back to the past. Heck, I sit in my office at home and work on my show and listen to random games from the 1970's and 80's.
I know I'm not the only one that mows the yard only when the Reds are on the radio. If the Reds are off, I'm not mowing. I drive Kelly crazy because when I'm in the house listening to the game, I turn on the radio in multiple rooms as I move from room to room around the house.
My family grilled out last week. I had my radio on the back patio, cranked up, so I could listen and grill. I enjoy tuning into a game and in a few seconds knowing how the Reds are doing simply based on the tone of Marty's voice. I get a kick out of hearing him get worked up and impatient with a pitcher struggling to throw strikes.
I have never felt this way or made this connection with football or basketball on the radio. I never will. It's just not the same. That's a combination of my love of baseball, the pace of the game and growing up listening to Marty and Joe.
Someday Marty will retire. I will be sad. It won't be the same. But you can bet I'll still listen to the Reds on the radio. Whether they are winning or losing, good, bad or rebuilding, it's what I do. It's what I'll always do.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Big Soup!
This is the biggest cup of Ramen Noodle Soup in the whole world. It's worth $3.
Wedding countdown--- 10
Wedding countdown--- 10
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Reception Practice
We've all heard of wedding rehearsals, right? But what about practicing for the reception? That's exactly what we did tonight. We spent the evening with the soon-to-be newlyweds playing songs from their reception playlist and dancing in the living room. It was an added bonus that our socks slid perfectly on the new laminate floor. Nice and slippery! We're ready to celebrate! 11 days to go!
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Gotta Go!
We've all been there... you really, really, REALLY need to use the bathroom and there is not a restroom in sight. You search frantically as your eyeballs are floating and you feel like you are about to burst. When all of a sudden you find the restroom and you have never been so happy in your entire life!
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Back to work
I spent the better part of this past week getting my classroom ready for the upcoming school year. This feels unnatural to do in the middle of July. But with Abby's wedding coming up, I really had no choice. As the paper says below, I guess it's time to "Focus on Eduction". Perhaps the author of this article should have spent more time on his/her "eduction". I don't think it's a coincidence the "A" is missing from that word. I'm guessing there were lots of A's missing from the author's report card.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Anniversary
Happy Anniversary to us! Tami and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary today. I am so blessed to have a wonderful marriage to an incredible, intelligent, loving, caring, beautiful wife. Happy anniversary, Honey!
Here's a photo of two gorgeous women. One is my wife, and the other becomes a wife two weeks from tomorrow. There is much to rejoice and to be thankful for in the Meyer family.
Here's a photo of two gorgeous women. One is my wife, and the other becomes a wife two weeks from tomorrow. There is much to rejoice and to be thankful for in the Meyer family.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Monday, July 16, 2018
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Money Erasers
As Abby's wedding draws closer and closer (20 days and counting down fast), it occurs to me how much money we will be saving as our last child leaves the nest. Money Erasers indeed!
Saturday, July 14, 2018
My Hearing
My hearing has gradually gotten worse and worse as I get older. I hope it never gets THIS bad...
Friday, July 13, 2018
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