28 Years

August 31, 1990. The day that shook me to my core and shaped the rest of my life.

It was on this date 28 years ago my dad passed away at the much-too-young age of 47. I received an early, early morning phone call from mom telling my siblings and me to get to the hospital right away. I quickly asked, "How bad is it?". Mom said there was no rush because he was already gone. I don't remember much after that.

I do know there are few days that go by when I don't think of dad. I have watched my kids grow up and experienced the happiness when they got married. I have experienced the pure joy of being a grandfather. Then I think about how dad never got to experience any of those things and it makes me incredibly sad. My dad adored kids, and I know how completely gaga he would have been over his own grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I also get sad when I think about how he did not get to see his three kids grow into productive, well adjusted, successful adults. There is so much I wish I could have gone through with my dad as an adult. But it was not in God's plan for either of us to have that. When dad passed everything seemed so hopeless and we all felt lost. However, in God's mercy and grace, he brought Cliff into my mom's life. She needed someone and the Lord delivered. Cliff was a Godsend and has taken excellent care of mom (and as the eldest son, that's all I could ever ask for).

It's hard to believe it has been 28 years. There's so much I remember about dad, but I also know there is so much I have long since forgotten. It saddens me to think that some of my most vivid memories are from a time when he was battling leukemia. I'm not saying I don't remember things about him when he wasn't ill, but I guess the memories of him fighting for his life are the most recent and that's why I remember them so well.

I miss you, dad.

I will carry on today. It's all we can do when loved ones have left us. I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. The One who died on the cross for me with the promise that one day he will come back and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. A promise that one day there will be no more sadness, no more pain, no more sickness, and no more death. I am resting in that promise today. It is the only place I can find real and true hope. I am thankful I don't have to do this on my own.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...
Proverbs 3:5

Soli Deo Gloria!

Mid Terms

As mid term election season approaches (I think it's about 68 days away), I can tell you I am already sick to death of campaign commercials. If you live in Cincinnati and haven't heard the name Aftab Pureval, you must be living under a gigantic rock. I wish I had just 1% of the money this guy has spent on TV commercials.

Anyway, just because I am sick of campaign commercials doesn't mean I don't think this is an important election. The Democrats have openly stated they will immediately start impeachment proceedings against the President if they regain control of the House of Representatives. Really? For what? Cheating on his wife and sleeping with an adult film actress? The last time I checked infidelity is not illegal. It is inherently wrong, but not against any U.S. law. Colluding with the Russians? Where's the evidence? Robert Mueller has spent a year and a half looking for something the President did wrong and has come up empty. The best the Mueller team has come up with is bank fraud and tax evasion charges against one of Trump's former campaign directors. So I ask again... Impeachment? For what? You can't impeach the President because he doesn't act "Presidential". Trump is unconventional in every way and that's exactly why the American people elected him. They were sick and tired of "The Swamp", and desperately wanted something different. The money hungry power mongers don't like it and that's exactly why I think our President is moving us in the right direction. Have you seen our booming economy? Have you seen the new trade deal with Mexico? Were you paying attention when Trump had a summit with North Korea? Take a look at unemployment numbers. They're down. Welfare recipients are on the decrease. The list goes on and on. Listen folks, I don't think the sun rises and sets with President Trump. There is plenty that he says and does that I disagree with. But overall, I think he loves this country and is doing what is needed to make it a better place.

Get out and vote in November. We need your voice to be heard!

Champagne Wishes

The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous! Robin Leach died last week. I never watched this show, but I know who he was. Go ahead and tell me you can't hear his voice in your head right now. Go ahead. I dare you!

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams!

Trump strikes again!

Here's more proof President Trump is doing an effective job. Under Obama this vacuum was not working. Under Trump this vacuum is now working. Unemployment numbers are way down due to Trump's policies. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself...

Feeling a bit iffy

I need to stop for gas and some snacks. I'm not sure about this place. I guess you can say I'm feeling a bit "iffy" about it.

Coat Hook

This is s coat hook at my school. I can't help but think it looks like a drunk octopus that wants to fight...

Things that bug me

Things that bug me...

Sign of the Times

I always like some good sign humor.

Water!

To me, water is water. Some people say they can tell a difference in the "taste" of various bottled waters. My wife happens to be one of them. She hates Evian and Dasani. How in the world she can tell the difference between colorless, tasteless liquids is beyond me, but she can. She prefers Nestle Pure Life and Mountain Ice. I prefer lemonade :-)

Extra Fridge

Yes, this is true. I have a refrigerator in my garage solely dedicated to drinks. Mostly pop and a little bit of beer. We also love having the extra freezer. It's not as large as a chest freezer, but it does give us some extra space.

I like pie

I have always preferred pie over cake. When it comes to dessert, there is no contest. It's pie all the way!

The War on Straws- Part 3

The War on Straws- Part 2

A few weeks ago I mentioned how plastic straws have been outlawed in some parts of California. I also mentioned how ridiculous it is that we now seem to have this war on straws. I haven't changed my mind...

Introvert

Boy oh boy can I relate to this! I can't stand talking on the telephone. Speaking with friends and family is tough enough, but talking to strangers on the phone is a real hang up for me (pun fully intended). I don't know why I get so nervous about talking to strangers on the phone, but I do know I avoid it whenever I can. I know this makes me some sort of weirdo, but even as a well adjusted adult, I can't seem to make myself comfortable making phone calls.

Sick Kid

Surely I'm not the only one. Staying home from school when sick was a rarity, but when it happened, it was kind of fun. Your siblings trudged off to school while you got to stay home and get a little bit of pampering from mom. I guess this was the way it was because we never faked it and staying home didn't happen all that often. Does the photo below look familiar? Vick's VapoRub in a vaporizer for congestion. Crackers and ginger ale (or Sprite) for an upset stomach. Campbell's soup just because that's what you eat when you're sick. Sitting on the couch watching game shows on TV (especially The Price is Right with Bob Barker). The one thing I would add to this list is cinnamon toast. Mom always made cinnamon toast when we were sick. Does this bring back memories for anybody else? It was different back then. Today when kids stay home from school they probably play video games or sit on their phones all day. Where's the fun in that?

The Last One

No thanks... I just married off my last one!

Old Adages

We've all heard those old adages, right? The ones our grandparents used to say and we had NO IDEA what they were talking about. My grandmother used to say, "It ain't heavy if we all lift", or "Every crow thinks theirs is the blackest". Below are some old adages that 6 year olds were asked to complete. I think they might be fake, but they're funny anyway.

Don’t change horses… until they stop running
Strike while the… bug is close
It’s always darkest before… Daylight Saving Time
You can lead a horse to water but… How?
Don’t bite the hand that… looks dirty
You can’t teach an old dog new… Math
If you lie down with dogs you’ll… stink in the morning
Happy the bride... who gets all the presents
A penny saved is… not much
Two’s company three’s… the musketeers
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and… you have to blow your nose
Children should be seen and not… spanked or grounded
When the blind lead the blind… get out of the way
A bird in the hand is… going to poop on you
Better late than… pregnant

Back to it

After six months of dieting leading up to Abby's wedding, Tami and I have spent the better part of this week cheating. Tomorrow it's back to the diet to lose any post wedding pounds and then some. We are also going to start working out a few days a week at the local gym at the community center. The Lawrenceburg Community Center has every machine you could possibly want.

Back to School

It's back to school today. Poof! Just like that summer is gone.

I dubbed this past summer, the summer of the wedding. Everything I did was either directly or indirectly related to preparing for Abby's big day. I don't begrudge her that. I wouldn't have changed a thing. But it DID make for a busy, not-so-relaxing summer.

Marriage is funny

Marriage is funny... sometimes.

Abby and Thomas are still on their honeymoon and will go through a honeymoon phase before they ever reach these levels.

Death of a Nation

Tami and I went to see Dinesh D'Souza's "Death of a Nation" today. It was excellent and should be required viewing for all Americans. Sadly, the only people who will see this movie are the ones who don't need to. This movie exposed liberals and the political left for who they really are. Silence Runs Deep says check it out.

Gnarly, Dude!

Traffic signs sure have changed since I went through driver's ed. For example, this one must mean--- Caution! Gnarly skateboard tricks ahead!

Getting Older

How true this is!

It's official

It's official! Abby married Thomas and they are now Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bell. The wedding and reception went very, very well and all of Tami's planning and hard work paid off in a big way. We are now full fledged Empty Nesters.

Today the newlyweds will board a cruise ship and embark on their much anticipated honeymoon. Tami and I will go out on a date for a much needed break. It's time to take a deep breath after all the long and crazy wedding preparation.

I will post photos later after I get them.

Wedding Day

This is it. The big day we have all been waiting for. Abby gets married today at 11:30 A.M. We had a successful rehearsal last night and today we do it for real. I still don't know how I feel about all this. Happy? Of course! Excited? Yes. Thrilled for my little girl. Sad? Maybe a little. It's never easy to say goodbye... especially to the last little birdie to leave the nest. Dumbfounded? You bet! Where in the world has all the time gone? I would appreciate your prayers today.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Just like that

And just like that, she was gone. Last night was the last night Abby will ever sleep in our house. We are on the eve of her wedding and I cannot wrap my mind around what is about to happen. In just over 24 hours I will give away our baby girl... forever.

HBTY

HBTY (that's Happy Birthday To You).

Happy birthday today to my wonderful, beautiful, and amazing wife. 29 AGAIN????? I could swear you said you were 29 last year. Oh well, my memory's not what it used to be.

Interesting note... Today, August 2nd, is the birthday of more people I know than any other day of the year.

Other August 2nd birthdays---

My cousin Richard
My cousin Joe
My Pastor, Kevin Landis
My late uncle John Monroe

A week of "Lasts"

Tami and I have labeled this week as a week of "Lasts". For example, this past Sunday was the last time Abby would be getting ready for church in our house. The time before church on Sunday mornings has always been a special time for Tami and Abby to chat. Sadly that won't be happening any more. Last night was the last time Abby and Thomas will be here doing laundry and having dinner as singles. Over the last 10 months Thomas has made his second home here and we have loved it. Tomorrow night will be the last night Abby spends in our house. It will be the last night she texts to let us know she is on her way home. It will be the last night she calls out at our bedroom door, "I'm home, Parents!". We've had lots of other lasts the past few weeks and this is a very emotional time for Tami and me. We are staring down the barrel of the empty nest and we're really not sure how to feel about all of that. Stay tuned... I will have much more to say about this after the wedding.
Wedding Countdown--- 3