Another week has flown by...
We finally got the pool running right. We've been in it a couple of times. Coop and Knox seem to like the water.

We've been working over at the rental for the last couple of days...weeding, painting, etc. Having a tough time getting the 3 bedroom apartment rented. Not sure why. It certainly isn't for lack of interest as I have literally shown the place 20 times. A little nerve-wracking, but it will work out.


Took Coop and Knox to the Cleveland zoo again on Wed. A friend from work has been wanting to take them for some time...so we finally made it happen.

Thursday was poker night.

Friday work at the rental, late dinner, bed.

Time to go paint.

Smile, today could be your last.

Some random things...

1) I find it interesting that as a society we are more consumed with what LeBron James is doing than concerning ourselves with the destruction of the Gulf waters. LeBron James is a chump. Concern yourself with things that matter.

2) Don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but the "Guided by Something" is a reference to the band Guided by Voices. By far Bubba's favorite. In fact, his 2nd or 3rd favorite band can't even be seen over the horizon. Listen to music that makes YOU happy.

3) Wanted to get a picture posted of a Brown's game that I attended with my Dad. We met some friends down at "The Pit". In order of appearance from left to right...Jeaneane, Tomstang, C. Rhodes, Vince, and Kevin. This was back in the fall(obviously). There is nothing quite like attending a football game with your old man. Spend as much time as humanly possible with those you love.

4) I have to pay $200 to renew my teacher's license. If anyone is listening...this is a complete rip-off by the State of Ohio. We over over-taxed, over fee-ed and the breaking point is near. Last year it was $60 to renew. Watch your spending, and save wisely and as early on as possible.

5) Cooper spent the day saying, "Bambuzzled". No one is sure quite where it came from, but it is funny as hell. Knox is crawling all over the place, and looks like he will be walking soon. As always, don't ever stop believing that your Dad loves you more than anything, and that Uncle Bubba is guiding everything that you do. Keep laughing...till it fucking hurts.

6) For cryin' out loud...put mustard on hotdogs, ketchup on hamburgers...anything else and you might be a communist. Always do the right thing.

7) Always wear comfortable shoes, or no shoes at all. Ever hear someone complain of how their feet are killing them?...Not if you have comfortable shoes on. Life is too short, and the vibe from everyday starts with the swagger in your step. If your "dawgs" are barking, nothing else will be right. Listen to your body.

8) Drink lots of water. It is the essence of life. Balance is everything.

9) Just keep loving. Love always wins.

10) As I'm typing this, I'm thinking, 'there doesn't have to be exactly ten things', nor does there have to be 99, or 356, or 1,783. Ten is a nice even number for David Letterman countdowns, and things of that nature, but life is much more complex, and sophisticated. So yes, what you hear me saying is that this list is very, very incomplete. There are many more things to add. I have yet to fulfill all of my dreams, and still have a long way to go on my journey through life. Don't ever quit adding things to your list, don't ever stop believeing in good...Don't ever give up.

Smile, today could be your last.

What a great week...

Wednesday (6/30- happy birthday Dad) we headed out of Cleveland to Milwaukee for TJ and Chrissy's wedding. Actually, the wedding was in Sheboygan, Wi. For some reason, the locals there call it SheVegas...I don't quite get that, but it is what it is.

It was a great time...Wednesday night, we had dinner and drinks with the wedding party at the Blue Harbor Resort. Then Wendy and I drove to Green Bay and went to the Oneida casino. It was a lot of fun. On a quarter machine, I even hit my first royal flush which paid $1000!

On Thurday (after three hours of sleep) I got up and went golfing with the boys in the wedding. We did a scramble...but only got through 15 holes, as TJ was getting nervous about getting to the tux shop before they closed.

After golf, we all went to the rehersal dinner. An Italian restauarnt called Lino's right on the water across from the hotel. The Blue Harbor resort is a beautiful place. If someone blindfolded you and drove you there, you would have thought you were in Florida. The town just has a boating feel to it. Very laid back- just my style. Maybe one day we'll get a boat?

We went to bed really early after the staying up late the night before.

I woke up on Friday morning about 5:00 AM and watched a dozen or so boats make the trip through the marina out to Lake Michigan. Then crawled back into bed and watched a couple of re-runs of Married with Children.

On Friday we got up and went water slidin' at the Blue Harbor indoor water park. It was really a great time. We followed that up by hamburgers and hotdogs and french fries poolside. Wendy laid out while I got my tux on.

We took some pictures down by the Lake, and then went down to the John Kohler Arts Center to get TJ married. It was a nice, quaint ceremony in the middle of their courtyard. Very nice, short ceremony where TJ and Chrissy were surrounded by the people who care for them the most.




After the ceremony, we drove around in the limo for a while, and then went to Margaux's for dinner. Dinner was fabulous...appetizer was a lobster springroll, followed up by shrimp wrapped in bacon, and a short rib. Dessert was a trio...cheesescake, chocolate mouse, and a tart. All good stuff.

Of course, dinner was followed up by dancing, and drinking. It's always entertaining to hang out with the Dubeansky's- never a dull moment, they are good people and a fun family. Good to see old friends, and new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Travel is tiring, but the trip was a ton of fun. When we got back, we took a nap and then got ready for Wendy's 20th high school reunion at the Rusty Nail banquet room. It too was a great time.

...(Wendy is the fourth one from the left in the front row).

I had a great time with my wife, but we both missed Coop and Mr. Knox. Today, Papa and Mammy brought them back home. It was great to see them both. We took the kids in the back yard and put them in the kiddie pool. Mr. Knox really enjoys that. Coop rode the tractor around for a while, and he too was in and out of the pool.

We were a bit sad that we couldn't get to see fireworks with our kids this year, but hopefully next year we can make that happen.

Happy birthday America.

Smile, today could be your last.