Odds and Ends

I haven't updated all that often as of late. I'm not sure if it's because I don't find things "blog worthy", if I've just been too busy or just plain lazy. A couple of weeks ago Lisa and I worked at the parish festival for a couple of hours at the beer tent. This year was a bit more interesting since we worked the 8 pm to 10pm shift instead of the typical earlier shift. This year the organizers also through a curve at us by not only offering the usual Bud and Bud Light but also offered, Honker's Ale, Shock Top, Raz, O'doules, Corona and Corona light. The variety of beers along with the variance in prices as well as the increased traffic made for a very interesting shift pouring beers. Lisa also worked one of the kids game booths. We made an appearance all three days either to work or to be directed to spend money by an 8 year old that has not concept of what money is.

Shawn finished up his golf lessons last weekend with a session on the course. There were 10 kids in his class and it took the entire class about 2 hours to play 3 holes on an executive course. They played a par 3 that was 85 yards (Shawn had a 5), a par three about 220 yards (Shawn had an 8) and another par 4 that was about 260 yards (Shawn had a 12). He only lost 2 of his new high-tech Sponge Bob Squarepants long distance golf balls in the creek. All in all, Shawn showed a vast improvement from 5 weeks ago. On the first hole, he hit a 3 wood on the green but then 4 putted. It was a blast! I think he really enjoyed it and it looks like he would like to take more lessons this summer.

Lisa is getting ready for her annual garage sale (Tim is dancing the jig--finally parting with unused junk). I am getting ready for my trade show trip coming up soon and Shawn is so looking forward to summer break.

Over this past weekend we didn't have a lot planned so we loaded up the car, picked up Bev and Ted and headed to a festival in Port Clinton we saw advertised in "Great Lakes Living". What a bust that was. Just your typical over priced rides and food that attracted all types of characters. We were there for about 45 minutes, stopped for dinner and headed home. Actually it wasn't that bad, it did get us out of the house for the afternoon.

Yesterday was Lisa and my 14th year wedding anniversary if you didn't know it already. The day started out pretty nice, nothing really earth shattering at all but both the kids were behaving in the morning which is rare and we had a really nice lunch at Rosie's which was a nice local multi-location pizza joint that is now a single location Italian cafe with really nice a really nice atmosphere. I had a nice grouper Ruben sandwich which sounds horrible but it from the very first bite it felt like I had a favor party in my mouth....deeeeelicious!

Unfortunately our evening wasn't so nice. Shawn decided to spring the fact he has two tests coming up. His social studies test is today and his religion test in tomorrow. Typically the teacher sends study aids and pretty much tells us exactly what material to study. This time Shawn is clueless. After a trip back to his classroom to check for the ever popular missing note and coming up empty Lisa managed to find out what was going to be covered on both tests by calling a classmate's parent. Needless to say, the evening consisted of me doing some laundry and taking a long walk with Katelyn and Lisa quizzing Shawn.

We enrolled Shawn in a Lego engineering class at our local community college. Shawn seems to be enjoying the class in which he is learning how to animate different Lego structures and vehicles he builds. Tonight is his third of six classes. I hope he figures out a way to build a robot that cleans up his toys at the end of the day.

I leave you with a smattering of random pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Shawn's Very first time golfing an entire hole on a course

The Tee Shot on the 85 yard par 3

The result of the tee shot--left for a 40 foot putt for par

Shawn lining up his birdie putt (ended up taking 4 putts)


Parish Festival

Not too thrilled with Dumbo!

The merry-go-round if more our speed

Shawn at Lego Class

Check out the "cool" shades

Church Spared!

If anyone it interested, it seems the Cleveland Catholic Diocese actually gave my childhood church a reprieve from closing it's doors. Here's the story.

Piano Recital

I decided to make a rare weekend post to brag about Shawn and how well he did at his piano recital. Shawn was pretty nervous going into the recital and to tell you the truth, so was I. Shawn really seems to like playing the piano and taking lessons but its like pulling teeth to get him to practice. Actually practice of any kind is difficult to get him to do from golf practice and baseball to math facts and piano. I really had visions of Shawn stumbling on his songs and getting upset and crying during his 3 song recital.

The recital was at an old historical house in on one of the metro-parks and there were 7 other kids involved from first year students to kids that are in high school that have taken lessons for some time. I think Shawn was one of three kids that were first year students and I think he did great. The biggest surprise of the day was as Lisa, Katelyn, Bev and Ted were all settling in for the recital to begin in walked Shawn's school teacher. Lisa asked Mrs. Walters, very surprised, who are you here to see to which she responded "well Shawn, he invited me". I can't even begin to explain how the fact that Shawn asked and then Mrs. Walters actually showed up made Lisa and I feel. Shawn didn't even let on that he invited his teacher. How many teachers these days would actually take time out of their Saturday to show up for one of her 2nd grade student's piano recital!

Well, enough bragging, here are clips of his three songs. Remember he has only taken about 28 lessons and he could do nothing but bang on the keys before his first lesson.

Star Wars Theme


Indian Dance

Willie and Tillie

Are you suprised!

50 day suspension for Manny Ramirez! Are you really surprised he would take a banned substance? Looks like his days of batting over .300 and hitting 100+ RBI and 40+ HR is pretty much over. Just Manny being Manny I guess.........

First Communion Sunday

Last Sunday was Shawn's First Communion. When I was a kid, I made my first communion by myself since I was late making it. Instead of second grade, I made mine in third due to the exorcism they performed on me during the entire year I was in second grade. I'm not sure the exorcism worked on me but I was able to make my communion. Shawn's first communion was made with his entire class which was pretty cool. Shawn even told me that he could get used to going to church; my grandmother would be so proud!

Not much other than that to report. After church we had family and friends over for lunch/dinner and had a good visit.

My spring yard work began last night with 6 yards of black gold being dumped on my driveway and my spending a modest $65 on annuals and a few perennials at Lowe's. I have to pick up a flat or two of Impatiens from The Andersen's tonight and I think I will be done with the plant purchases. I didn't get too far last night; only planted what I had and spread about 6 wheelbarrows full of mulch in one area in the back last night. If the weather holds out today (looks like rain right now), I will get the rest of the backyard landscaping complete tonight.

On another note, we are finally in the process of refinancing our house. With the home values dropping so badly, we owe more than what the house is worth so without the stimulus package we were unable to take advantage of the 1-1/4% interest rate drop until now! Dealing with mortgage people is so much fun...not!!

Here's a link to a few pictures of the first communion......