Funniest thing I've seen in a long time...it was good to wake up to this today.




Smile, today could be your last.

Today was the bridal show in Akron. Here is the slideshow presentation that I made for the Nail...



Coop went to Clay's hockey game today with Aunt Kim.

I just put Knox to bed.

You both are so amazing in different ways. Don't ever stop knowing that your Dad is proud of you, and that he loves you more than you will ever know.

Don't stop smiling...today could be your last.

Happy New Year... Scans came back clean last week. Supposed to get the port out of my chest soon. Let's hope for more of the same this year. 2011 begins with stress...Rusty Nail stress...truck stress...rental stress...job stress...but to hell with all of that. It's good to be alive.

Went to Chuck E. Cheese with Liam and Rhodes after Christmas: Spent New Year's at The Nail. And now we are back into the daily grind. All in all life is good. Gave Coop and Knox a bath tonight. They are in this mode where they like to look at each other and scream. They think that is funny. I need a drink. Coop stayed up with me until 10:00 tonight. We ate a bacon cheeseburger and homefries (healthy, right?)

Coop still wants to mow the grass...Knox likes to dance and clap his hands.

I hope that 2011 is a good one, but more importantly, I hope that I have the opportunity to be a Father for many years to come.



Smile, today could be your last.

I had the best time with Coop and Mr. Knox over the last couple of days. Obviously, Knox doesn't quite get it yet...but he will next year. Cooper was pretty excited this year with the whole Christmas thing. From the movies, to the magic elf, to the milk and cookies for Santa, to the train sets that he got, I think he enjoyed himself. No, it was apparent that he enjoyed himself.

Anyway, Cooper is the sweetest kid. He tells me that he loves me every night, after I hold him up to the ceiling to reach for the stars. He still says, "I want to mow the grass.", even before I tell him that he can do anything that he wants in the world.

Mr. Knox has been practicing his million dollar smile this week. He gets more adorable each day. Kid melts my heart.





We had everyone over on Christmas Eve at our place, and then exchanged some gifts. Wendy made me a video...a collaboration of pictures of Coop and Knox over the last two-plus years. It was certainly hard to watch without getting teary-eyed. Certainly the best Christmas present that I have ever gotten. (To Wendy- I know you read this, so many, many thanks. I love you with all my heart. Remember that you have the keys, so operate it carefully. Thanks Wendy!)

I will try to get the video posted here soon. I tried to upload it earlier, but may have to get the original. ???????????


Cooper peaking over the railing to look down at the presents on Christmas morning...



A few days before Christmas I went down to DB's, and he and I made Coop and Mr. Knox signs for their doors. Coops read, "He-Man Womun Haters Club".
And Knox's read, "Fort Knox".

I can't wait to get them up on their doors. I hope that as they get older that they will look at their signs and think of their Dad (because as long as that sign is on your door-I am there).

Today, we went to Uncle Dave's and Aunt Joyce's house out in Willoughby Hills. Ate too much food again, but hey, it is the holiday's. Coop had fun playing rockband as Wendy and I chased Knox around the house all day.


...Rock N Roll Coop.


Knox...walking with the mouse.

Well, I can't say it enough...I love you boys. You are certainly my inspiration to keep going.




Smile, today could be your last.

Been a busy couple of weeks...what else is new, right?

Had a fun at Brunch with Santa at The Nail on the 5th. Hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner.

Had a good conversation last night with a friend of the family who got shot 11 times in the Korean War. Unreal. He reminded me of what it means to be mentally tough.

Enjoy the pics...I know I do.



















Smile, today could be your last.

Found a good article on colo-rectal cancer survival rates...

http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/features/colorectal-cancer-new-treatments-improved-prognosis


Hard to live day-to-day sometimes, without thougths of what is inevitable jumping to the forefront in your mind.

Keep on Smiling...today could be your last.

Had a great relaxing Thanksgiving at The Nail last week. Everyone brought something to the "pot luck" meal of the year. Food and football...perfect. It was a fun day for everyone, except the turkey. Knox had fun banging the silverware, and Coop had fun "shaking it out" (see video).


Smile, today could be your last.

As you may or may not know, I had my second lung operation last Thursday. With today being Monday, I am only a couple of days out. The surgery was not as horrible as the one that I had done in August, but any way you slice it (no pun intended)it still hurts and leaves you feeling pretty sore. Anyway, I am hoping that this is the last battle in the war for a long time, and that I can comfortably enjoy the time I have left with Cooperman and Mr. Knox.

Things that I learned or re-learned in the hospital:

Health should never be taken for granted.

Foley catheters really, really suck.

The health care system needs a major overhaul.

Don't ask, just bring the pain medicine.

If someone invents a better remote control for hospitals, you will be a millionaire.

Hospital food is the worst.

I know my name and birthday, please don't ask again.

Justin Bieber...who?

There are some hot nurses at The Clinic. (I'm just sayin').

Apparently America is infatuated with a 12 year old boy with a magic wand. I don't get it.

Drain tubes really suck. (Only one "really" here because foley's deserve two "really's").

Two IV's in my hands doing nothing. Is that really necessary?

Don't drop off breakfast at 9:00 and expect me to be done at 11:00 when there are 20 people coming and going during those two hours.

I walked the floor at 2:30 Friday night. Didn't see anyone until lap three. Weird.

Why does it take 1/2 a day to get discharged?

As I said earlier, I would do it all again tomorrow if it meant more time with Coop and Mr. Knox. I love you.



Pics from Halloween:













Smile, today could be your last.

Hard to believe that five years has passed.

The clear sky tonight leads me to believe that everything will be be just fine.

Five years ago tonight, the sky was equally as clear.

You the man Bubba...nothing more to say.

Smile, today could be your last.

We had a great day on Sunday, as we celebrated Knox turning 1. It has been a fun year:



Happy birthday Knox...you are loved.

Smile, today could be your last.

I was playing Super Tecmo Bowl online tonight (yes, I know I am 32) flipping between Monday Night Football and the ALCS. Everywhere you click on the internet, and on every channel is talk of the new policy that is going to be put into place in the NFL regarding helmet to helmet contact.

Maybe I just don't get it...



TJ ward didn't lead with his helmet...he led with his shoulder. What is the problem here? Maybe it was a split second late? Late hit? Maybe. Helmet to helmet...absolutely not.

Second video is of Dunta Robinson hitting Desean Jackson. A little more of a helmet leading hit, but again, don't call it helmet to helmet. There helmets never touch.



In all fairness to Robinson and Ward, if you were about to collide with someone, you would brace yourself for the hit. Wide base, lower the shoulder, etc. Taking that a step further, both he and TJ ward make their living blowing up plays. Making hard hits is what got them to the NFL.

James Harrison's hit on Massaquoi: Problem here is that he lowered his head. If he keeps his head up it is legit. No penalty was called on Harrison.



Here is James Harrison hitting Cribbs. Definitely helmet to helmet contact here. This is the type of hit that the NFL is deeming violent and unnecessary. Funny though that TJ Ward and Dunta Robinson were penalized and Harrison was not.




Bottom line is that players should be fined and suspended for leading with their helmets. The problem is that it is a real fine line between a hard hit, and a penalty. With 22 bodies flying around the football on every play, there are plenty of times that helmets collide and people get hurt.

On a side note, I was watching Sunday Night Football yesterday and the referee called a penalty because in the NFL you are no longer allowed to have more than 2 people form a wedge. Seriously? WTF is that?

I guess the school of thought is to prevent the "wedge-breakers" from sprinting down the field and throwing themselves helplessly into defenders. But boy, when I was growing up (I know from the same guy who was playing nitendo tonight) that was what the game was. I was on the kick return team in high school...part of the wedge. When the ball was kicked I formed the wedge with three other guys. We ran back to the 20 yard line and held hands and waited for the return guy to yell, "Go, Go, Go!". Then a player (sometimes twice your size) would throw his body into the four of us trying to break up the wedge. We knew it was going to happen, and he knew he was going to do it.

I guess I just think that we are becoming weak as a society. I mean, safety is fine, but I just feel like we are taking this to a whole new level. People will always get hurt in football. It is part of the game. When you start taking hitting people out of the equation, you are changing the sport...I'm just saying that those in charge need to be careful what they mold and shape.

Do those people that take jobs crab fishing for three months out of the year know that there is a risk involved? Police and firefighters? Drug task force members? Mine workers? The risk to any NFL player is laughable compared to any of the above. And oh yeah, you are paid $60,000 per game (that's one million a year).

Sign me up for any of the above hits for $60,000. Has to be easier than 10 cycles of chemotherapy and getting part of my lung removed.

Smile, today could be your last.

Hard to believe that is is already the middle of October. We have been very fortunate to have had such great weather over the last couple of days. I have enjoyed being outside. We have been working on a new-old sign for The Nail. We really wanted a new sign, but the budget allowed us to get some new letters, and paint it. I think it looks great.

Coop has been stuck on The Cat in the Hat lately. For a while there it was The Little Rascals. Here is a vid of Coop singing "You are so beautiful" along with Alfalpha:



Mr. Knox is ready to walk anyday now. He has taken a couple of steps here and there, but nothing of any distance yet. He now has four teeth on top and a couple on the bottom. We've also switched him over to milk, so the $26-a-can formula is now a thing of the past. He went to the doctor last week, and Dr. Russ said everything looks great. Looking forward to Mr. Knox's first birthday party. Should be a good time...hope the weather cooperates.

Knox on a trip to Lowe's with Dad...


It was a crazy weekend in the restaurant. Banquet Friday, Wedding Saturday, Wedding Sunday...homecoming at KSU.

Friday night, Tom and Coop and I went to the Kent Roosevelt/Ravenna game. Unfortunately, Ravenna won, but it was still fun to watch Coop watch football and the halftime bands. For 2 1/2 he didn't fuss-not one time.


I am truly blessed to have children like them.

Love you Mr. Knox.
Love you Coop.

Smile, today could be your last.

Here is some pics from our vacation...One more day to go but it's all driving.



It was a great week.

Smile, today could be your last.

This morning, I prayed that my children would grow big and strong, and that they would each live to be grey old men.

Just like their Great-Grandfathers.

Love you more than you know Coop.

Love you more than you know Mr. Knox.

Enjoy life. It goes fast, and you never know...Got the news yesterday that Andy Vonstein was murdered in Twin Lakes. Sad.



I will continue to pray that they catch the son-of-a-bitch that did that.

You are a coward.

Smile, today could be your last.

Having a great time in Hilton Head. We drove down with Jeff and Cheryl and stopped for a night to see Dean (Jeff's Dad) and Edie. Had dinner with them at "Fatz" and spent the night in a $47 a night hotel. Quite a bargain. Got up and said goodbye, and then off to Hilton Head...about a 4 hour drive from Shelby.

One with Cheryl, and the other with Jeff...hey, someone has to take the picture, right?





Saturday night we met up with Wendy's friend Erin and her new boyfriend Tad. Had some drinks and dinner outside.



Got up this morning and went to the beach for a while. Then I walked to a sports bar called Wild Wings and watched the Browns lose to the Chiefs (another game that they should have won). While we were at the beach, Wendy took some pictures of this European chicks ass. She thought it was funny and gross. I emailed them to Dean earlier tonight. I hope he enjoys them.





Tonight Wendy and Cheryl and I walked down by the docks and saw a beautiful pink and purple sky as the sun set behind the ocean. We walked into some shops, and then back to the condo. Wendy and I got into the car and drove down to The Salty Dog to get a pizza. Brought it back, ate, and played some card game called "Nickels".

More later...With tomorrow being Monday, and several days of vacation to go, I am glad that Wendy and I get to relax this week.

I miss the Cooperman and Mr. Knox.

Love you both more than anything.

Smile, today could be your last.

I would have to imagine that if Bubba were still alive, we would belly up to the bar from time to time and have a beer or six. We would discuss how the world should be, where we are at in life, his nephews, the Cleveland Clowns, the latest band he is following, our students, his cats, my dogs, the weather, time wasted, time well spent, things that have happened, and things to come, and many, many other things that I would need all night to type.

He would wipe the last of his beer on his shirt sleeve give Vince a high five, and say something like, "rock n roll" before heading for the door.

As he walks out, I would continue to realize that while we may not always agree, there is someone in the world who has my back unconditionally.



Take a look at your life, and do not let anger get in the way. There is always a better way. Learn to forgive...not always an easy thing to do when you think someone else is wrong.

Time is limited, and we are all only temporary.

Smile, today could be your last.

"Taki" the big fish died yesterday. That makes zero fish in the tank now. Wendy and I told Coop that the fish went to Papa and Mammy's house so that we could clean the tank.

Here is a video of Coop counting to ten and then launching himself off of the table and onto the couch.



Nothing much else to report. Leaving on vacation on Friday, and I'm already missing the Coop and Mr. Knox. It should be a nice break, but always tough to leave your kids for a week.

Smile, today could be your last.

Money and Fine Print

So, I get this letter in the mail over the weekend letting me know that my 5-year license renewal has been declined because I didn't sign the first page. Really? I called and talked to some lady from the State, and she just about could have cared less. So I will re-apply. The school I work for is not happy, and now I am not sure what is going to happen. Not going to get fired or anything, but they are un-happy.

There is no one to complain to, and I have to bitch at someone so here goes:

"The problem with the world today, is that we are more concerned about money and fine print than people. I submitted this thing over two months ago, and just now get a letter in the mail. Not to mention that the price of applying for a license went from $60 last year to $200 this year. Shouldn't that mean that they should have three times the staff to help process applications. Fuck no. It means that someone, somewhere is putting money in their pocket. Maybe Frank Russo. Maybe Joey DiMora. Maybe some president of the office of licensure. What complete bullshit.

I'm fucking fed up with people in charge(and politicians) who are incompetent and get big dollars (public tax payer dollars)to fuck things up (yes-I used the word "fuck" twice in that sentence...oh wait that makes three times...oh fuck!). My check is sitting in a file drawer in a file labled with my name on it, while I sit here waiting on them. I don't have time in my life to pussy-foot around with people that are incapable of doing things the right way. Fine Print and Money, and Money and Fine Print. This world is in trouble."

Anyway, I made a special point yesterday to spend time with my family. I need to go talk to the pricipal and then get home to hang with Mr. Knox and the Cooperman. Cooperman got some fish last week (Wendy's idea). Since then, most of the fish have gone into the eternal sleep, and we are now just down to the one big one named "Taki".




Extreme Close-Up!



Hallway Wrestling:



One Beautiful Baby:



Smile, today could be your last.

Wednesday last week, we took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese. Coop and Knox had a ball. We ate pizza, played some videogames, and laughed a whole lot (much needed). Here is a vid of Knox going for a ride:


Mr. Knox hanging with Bob the Builder:


Coop enjoyed playing a game and wanted mo' money...hilarious.





Pizza Time!


Coop and Mr. Knox on a ride together...


Coop just horsin' around:


Make a point to stop what you are doing this week and spend time with your family. Life gets busy, and we all forget from time to time how important this really is. I love you boys.

Smile, today could be your last.

So, I was going through some old videos and these really stood out to me. I guess you could call them "The Best of"...at least over the last few months. These videos had me laughing so hard that it hurt (especially after surgery). Well they say that laughter is the best medicine, so enjoy the dose. The first one is of Coop dancing. Hillarious. That white boy has some serious moves. Rhythm to the umpth degree.

John Travolta ain't got nothin' on me.

The second video is from TJ's wedding. TJ and Jason show off their moves in this one... and decide to have a dance-off. You decide who the better dancer is.

I wonder if alcohol had anything to do with this one???


Here is one of Coop at the Randolph Fair. The sheep went "Baaaa" and Coop was taken aback by the whole thing. It's super funny to me. He takes about three steps backwards...then imitates him. Instant classic!



Here is Knox starting to walk, and giving a high five at the end. Unbelieveable! Some of my favorites over the last few months. Just a reminder that life is good.



Smile, today could be your last.