Tales of a Faithful Dragonslayer

A day from hell........again

2012-02-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

Well, my wife was unable to make her trip to Belgium, which in many ways will make my life easier this week, but canceling the big party I was throwing tomorrow at the last minute will be hard. But in all seriousness, big changes to plans such as this (the trip and her being away a week, not a party) are hard.....especially today.

And as for the rest of the day......Scotty, a few days ago, slid into a curb at work in his car......DAMAGE. We THOUGH it was just the rim, but the repairs may be more than the car is worth. We dropped it off at our VOLVO MECHANIC and we took the truck. Sadly, the truck did not make it home on its own....it had to be towed. So I have listed a non-running truck on Craigslist. The car, we will see.

As I sat down to do this blog, I realized I am doing the sermon tomorrow at 2 places and have no sermon. I did go down and make sure my clothes were clean and ready....they are.

You just cannot write a sermon in this state of mind. I would not dare try either. Tomorrow will be an early morning, but all things considered, at least it will not be today!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Batman bunkhouse......

2012-02-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

This may surprise the regular readers of this blog, but tonight's picture is of my 4 year old son Ben IN MY BED. (Okay, it is not a surprise to anyone) He is currently in his Batman pajamas, which he incidentally wore to school today as it was "pajama day," and now he has taken up residence in my bed waiting for his mom.

Oh she is a ZUMBA, which also is no surprise. It is Mardi Gras night at Zumba tonight, and as she has been on death's door and to the doctor this week (she is now on antibiotics and pain meds), she clearly had to make sure she went there and did too much.......and of course tomorrow morning she will again be up bright and early to head to Zumba again.

What makes this all even more insane is that she flies out for a week long business trip to Belgium tomorrow afternoon. The whole rest and take care of yourself conversation is lost on her, but then again if she were a woman who made good decisions I would be single.

But that is why I am in bed typing with two of Batman's feet jamming into my side. His mommy is going away for a week, so that is license (apparently on both their parts) to have this sleep over. He does sleep in his own bed a lot, and honestly having him in here all night is often far better than the door wildly slamming open and then closed abruptly between 3 and 4. Regardless of how you prepare yourself for that possibility, it always rattles your nerves.

So Batman is hanging here tonight. Oddly enough he wanted to stay up till she got home. He did, but instead of waiting for her to finish with her shower, he is sawing logs next to me already. The adventure never ends.......there's never a boring day.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A Savior and an order of fries........

2012-02-16T19:32:00.000-08:00

Tonight my mind was taken back many years ago where Father Kelly Irish delivered the sermon at my ordination to the priesthood. The theme was evident, and we have since titled it "Father Phony," and it was about what would happen if the higher ups discovered who we really were. It was actually a great sermon, and it reminded me that it is only by God's Grace that we are called. No one is really worthy, but we, Kelly and I, have had many years joking about flying under the radar.

In all honesty, I used to have a lot of insecurity about being in this vocation, but much of it subsided as I met others in it, particularly these "spiritual giants" who I discovered were just men called like I was. In fact, I watched many of them fall too, leading me to see the extreme fragility of life and ministry, and to thank God for being able to stay in it.

But really, I am over most of that, as my concerns and worries really do not revolve around me anymore, but more so around my kids. Steph is away at school and traveling the country for lacrosse (tonight and the next few days they are in Florida for some games). Scotty is working and going to school full time, and rarely home.

But Ben is omnipresent, and in school, and a Catholic one at that. Sure he looks harmless in this picture, but he is really turning on the heat! As he is a pastor's kid, and MY KID, my anxiety is once again all tied up in that. Steph and Scott started out in Catholic School and had exemplary careers for their stints. Ben however, is a different breed.

Tonight for instance, we talked about Jesus....who was his mom, who was his dad? And then I asked him, "Where was He born?" And Ben said, "In a manger." So I asked, "What's a manger?" To which he replied, "It's a place with a lot of those yellow things (straw) that look like fries."

Yes, Ben Tirman, the son of a priest of well over 20 years, envisions Jesus being born on a bed of fries. Yep, I have made it a long time.......he however, will clearly be my Achilles' heel.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Brothers....

2012-02-15T20:10:00.000-08:00

Oh sure, I know you were expecting a picture of Ben and SCOTT, but there are actually three of them. Ben here is pictured with their middle brother Viper, or in dog years their older brother Viper. Either way you look at it he likes to be under the covers.

Viper is actually Scott's dog. We got him as a pup, and Scott took primary responsibility for him and even showed him in the ring (the PRO ring......AKC, not 4-H). But Viper, although very loyal to Scott, is an opportunist. And he had the opportunity to watch "Homeward Bound" with Ben and "under the covers" at that, so he took it. Viper looks a lot like Shadow in the movie, but he is clearly younger. Either way, he was milking it for all it was worth and enjoying the night. And when Scott got home he expected us to not say a thing.......fortunately for him, Scotty never reads this blog.

So Ben and Viper had a great night, and the cat, whose bed they were in, was angry. But such is the life here at the Tirman home. The day is done and all that is forgotten but for this blog. Even the cat has let it go. Tomorrow is yet another day. All are significant, yet not all are memorable. Even so, I thank God for each and every one of them!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Clean up your act.....

2012-02-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Oh the romance is abounding in our home for Valentine's Day. We ate dinner, did some laundry, and Amanda asked me to run Ben's bath......so that he apparently would not be stinky for her falling asleep with him in his bed tonight.....although she told me it was so he would not be stinky for school.

But alas, that is the life I lead. I take care of kids, work, and write this humble blog. I am 50 years old and yet speak to an audience under 5 90% of the time. It is really no wonder I am how I am. It is now 9:00pm, and I am in my room typing and the cat is somewhere in here with me. If I just had a handbag and some books (and was female) I could be a cat lady.

Of course I am holding out for something far more glamorous and worthy of my sacrifices. If the house I am building in heaven is in proportion to all I am doing right here I am betting I should have some pretty awesome digs. But who am I to complain?

I had a front row seat at the Ben Tirman comedy bath show tonight.....AND he is clean! And a clean (non-stinky) boy makes for a happy (no-grouchy) wife. They may be off sleeping in another room, but it smells great in mine, and I am not in any kind of trouble! A victory for sure!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Guilty.......

2012-02-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

I have to confess, I have received all of this information second-hand, but tonight I was out at work and Amanda made a pizza for the boys and had it out to cool. She went to another part of the house for a little bit, and when she returned, it was gone.

First of all, thank God I was not home! I do love pizza, but I love not being in trouble even more. But soon CSI was on the scene, and it ended with a booking of Viper, who incidentally loves pizza as well. He ate the entire thing in the few minutes she was gone.

Of course one can hardly blame him, especially considering he is fed dog food all the time. Of course he IS A DOG, but that doesn't mean he can't tell the difference. It wasn't even a good pizza, it was a cheap frozen one, but most critics would agree that even those things are far tastier than dog food. So Viper did the crime and of course also will do the time. I do believe however that he feels it was worth it.

Yes, in his 8 years he has had his moments (chalking tonight up as one of them) but overall, he has been and is, an exceptional dog. And really, eating it all is far better than what the cat would do if she liked pizza.......she'd just chew what she'd want and leave the rest......yuck!

So Viper didn't get any dog food tonight, but all and all, I figured that was fine with him. Pizza is great anytime you can get it. He was guilty, but clearly this is not a capital offense!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A picture of the future.........

2012-02-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

The picture is of Ben and his buddy Puddy playing in the door of my office. It is more disconnected to this blog than a hot dog at a 5 star restaurant. But I just liked it, and I hope you do too.

Today was a real blessing to me. It started out with my picking up a college student from Anderson University to take her to St. Patrick's in Noblesville. She had been to our Church in Anderson a few times, but I thought she might like to see St. Patrick's as well. What warmed my heart, was not what she saw there, because I really didn't talk to her about it. But what warmed mine was what I did.

Here was a college student making the time on her own to attend church. That was pretty cool in itself. But at St. Patrick's today the sermon was delivered by Ethan Harrison, a young man in his 20's heading to seminary later this year. The Celebrant was Deacon Robert Jennings, who just turned 34, and who was training for what is coming up after his March 17th priesting by doing this Deacon's Mass. And then of course there was the musician, Scotty, my son who is 18.

It really brought a lot of things back to me. I remembered when I was in college and getting ready for seminary. The older guys called us the future. I guess they worried about it then. But I know the feeling. I am one of the old dogs now and with great joy am watching God raise up a great group to continue it all. I am far from being sent out to pasture, but today I realized I need to worry about it less. It's not my responsibility, apparently God has been working on it all along. And for that message given to me this day, I am truly thankful.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

My greatest accomplishments........

2012-02-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

I was rummaging around in the basement a couple of days ago and came across this valuable piece of art. Stephanie drew it in 3rd grade and it had been on the wall of my office at home for as long as I have had it. It was packed in the move last year and I have missed it. It will now grace my wall with these other works of art.

The funny part is that my office is a lot smaller than it was at our other house, so that led to me having to make some choices.....after all I have my high school diploma, as well as ones for my Bachelor's, Masters, and Doctoral degrees. I also have ordination certificates and certifications and awards from my many years in ministry. But the choice has never been hard.

You can call me Reverend or Doctor, but to prove it we will need to go down in the basement.....that's where all those important (and professionally framed) documents are stored. But the scarecrow (Stephy), the flower (Scotty, probably in 1st grade) and the butterfly and Transformer (Ben of course), grace the walls of my office.

It reminded me of an interview I had many years
ago to become the Dean of a Cathedral in one of the plains states (I was the bridesmaid in the search) but the question was posed to me by an actual US Senator who was on the search committee. He asked me, "What is your greatest accomplishment?" The answer they expected of course was an explanation of all my work and academic accomplishments, which even then were pretty extensive. But I just smiled and surprised them, because I answered, "My kids."

And to be totally honest, my answer is 100% the same today.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

What a difference a day makes.....

2012-02-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

One day I was 16, the next I had my driver's license. One day I was 17, the next day I was an adult. One day I was 20, the next I was able to have my first (legal) drink. One day I was 49, the next day I was a member of the AARP (not by any means politically, but by age). And one day (yesterday) Ben was a sick little mess, and today he is his old self! Praise God! He is back to invading my space at every turn!

Of course I know it is just the antibiotic talking, but with a pretty bad ear infection that is just what you need. Ben was able to get back to school today, and then as always, he and I hit the library for his weekly superhero dvd fix. Today it was Ironman, Transformers, some other superhero that I cannot remember, and the classic movie "Homeward Bound." He watched the latter first, and what was funny was that the Golden Retriever "Shadow" looked almost identical to our Viper. But not that Viper cared.....he slept through the movie.

But Ben seemed to enjoy it, and as in all things at our house, he interrupted it with important delusional business. Why I cannot remember what it was is, I am sure, some sort of psychiatric defense mechanism.

But I would not have it any other way. My kids really give me life. And they make a big difference in my life......just one day at a time.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Post # 1300!!!!

2012-02-09T17:50:00.000-08:00

Well this is my 1300th post, but it has been a trying day. It is so very hard being gone and then catching up, but I spent the morning at the eye doctor and then the afternoon with Ben who was sick.

The good news is that Ben is on antibiotics and will recover (although not soon enough). He has an ear infection (no surprise to us as it is also his 1300th) but he will need to shed the fever if he is going to school tomorrow. So far so good though. He seems like his old self.

The bad news is that the top shelf expert I went to about my eye has referred me to another top shelf expert in the area of my actual eye problem and this means a few more weeks of dealing with this. Of course it has been over a YEAR now (that's why the new docs) and at least I finally feel I am on the right track. The next doc is a surgeon who specializes in the eye and is ALSO a plastic surgeon. They are confident he can fix me, and if my insurance will cover it, I may just have a little work done. We will see......

But for now I will post this blog and picture of Ben at the doctor's office today. We saw his favorite. She is actually a PA, but we call her Dr. Kelly. He had her cracking up, but the best part is that she has him in the road to recovery!

Thank God for that!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Notes from home.........

2012-02-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

I have been home just about an hour. My clothes are in the wash, and Scotty has so very graciously offered to put them in the dryer for me. Ben asked me how my trip was, but that was apparently just to lure me into a deeply detailed recounting of the Spiderman movie he was watching. Honestly I was very worried that he was going to pass out as he kept talking and talking. I never saw any time for air to go back into him.

But of course that is what I know as "normal," and I am glad to be back in the midst of it. I am tired and miserable because my legs are killing me, but all I have tomorrow is a doctor appointment in the morning (an ophthalmologist) I have been having problems with my right eye for over a year and this is a specialist among specialists. My hope is that he can either fix it or take it out! I am tired of it!

Now my eyes are certainly not what they used to be, but I do know that Ben went into my room quite some time ago and has not come out. I also know the lights are off in there. I see his plan and am prepared to live with it for the night. He often invades my space, but I have been gone since Saturday and honestly it has been a bit weird as that no one talked any superhero stuff to me, jumped on me, or threw a Captain America shield at valuable stuff around me. It bored me to tears.

THAT problem is solved. Tomorrow we will see if the good doctor can solve the rest.

Goodnight from beautiful Edgewood, Indiana and God Bless!

Tommy+

Certified........

2012-02-07T16:21:00.000-08:00

Yep, I completed my certification training and now am a certified life coach. Of course I intend to use this mainly in my role as the head of a Church and and also of a Holy Order, but I suppose if tons of you wanted to hire me at an astronomically obscene rate, then I could just donate money to make sure the Church and Order are well funded. But I am guessing that a private practice in all of this is probably not going to happen. My best advice is to donate to the Church and the Order anyway.....it will make you feel great and it will help us do our work as well.

But obviously this is not my first rodeo. I am at my hotel for the night rather than trying to drive home through the mountains and snow in the dark. I will be leaving in the morning, and as soon as I hear from Amanda I will commit to a time. I am not looking forward to the drive, but I am looking forward to getting home. My certification will probably not mean a lot to my wife....I am sure I will still be sleeping in the garage.

But who cares? It will be MY GARAGE! And that means I will be around all my stuff and this may surprise you, but there is a little less traffic and congestion in good old Edgewood, Indiana. I LOVE where I live, and will be more than happy to return.

So keep me in your prayers tomorrow. I am coming home.....and that I can certify!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Out of sorts.......

2012-02-06T03:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get what others would call "writer's block," but for me it is hard to tell. I write this blog primarily as therapy for myself post-stroke, and when things challenge me I often wonder if it they are just the normal old things or if they are connected somehow.

Such is the case tonight. I am traveling, busy, and at the end of the day of a class that leads to a certification for me. And although much about all this is pretty sterile in terms of my needs for routine, it is clearly not my usual routine. And to top it all off, I am a bit cranked out of shape.

This is enough to make things I need to do difficult for me, yet I do my best to get them done. In all honesty, in a few days they will fascinate me and I will try to think back to do better with them the next time, but it is when I am in the midst of them that they kind of suck. It's where I need Ben to interrupt me as Batman, Superman, or one of the many multiple personalities he possesses. Tonight that will be a desire to no avail.

I am however hoping that sleep moves me beyond it, because the day will be a lot longer and harder tomorrow if I cannot get back on track. We will see. But for now I will give it a shot. I have had enough for this day!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Amanda and Scotty at the Superbowl........

2012-02-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

Well the Superbowl is over, and much to my chagrin, my beloved Chicago Bears did not win. There of course is always next year, and I am going to send a letter to the Bears' management tomorrow suggesting a different strategy for the future.......like playing well enough to actually make it to the Superbowl.

The big story, I mean other than the Giants' win, was that Amanda and Scott were in attendance and had an absolute blast. (Amanda sent me this picture) Amanda won the tickets in a drawing at her work (Eli Lilly) and they were actually in the Eli Lilly loge. (Not a luge as I had previously stated, as Amanda does not like cold weather.) I could not go, as I am currently in Virginia for a certification class that was scheduled at this time. And Scotty has been making the most of it. He has tons of stories, but the best has been meeting Joe Montana and sharing how mad I was going to be that it was not me. I used to watch him at Notre Dame.

But I did get to watch the game at the hotel, and while they were fighting traffic, I was in bed relaxing and typing this. It really was a special time for both of them though, and I am so happy they had this opportunity. It will be something that I am sure Scotty will remember forever.

Just like the time I missed meeting Joe Montana.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Suicide by dinky Toyota.......

2012-02-04T20:26:00.000-08:00

What is it with all the deer that want to kill themselves? Do they think that running out in front of my car as I am going 70 will make it any less of a suicide? They either are REALLY depressed or MORONS, and I am betting on the latter.

Yes, today I almost wacked Bambi 3 different times, and I use the word "wacked" because I am the first generation of my family born outside of Brooklyn, New York. Do you have a problem with that? I though so.

But in all honesty, I would not mind helping these said deer out, if they would just help me. I truly HATE my car, and would be more than willing to HAVE TO buy a new one. But these deer are just not right, and as they DOVE in front of my car, I was certain that they were working for my wife, who was probably going to pay that Buck's little Doe Widow an appropriate sum so they could both vacation in Cozumel. Don't try to fool me, I could see it in his eyes!

But as the kids say, "too bad so sad," Mr. 10 Points is still prowling the woods and I am suffering immensely at my hotel....not! And the bottom line is that we will both live to do something incredibly stupid another day!

Some things never change.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Never judge a book by its cover......

2012-02-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

Tonight's picture was taken in the parking lot of the Anderson Public Library, where I took Ben to return last week's "Justice League Film Festival," and hopefully talk him into something a bit more educational.....like a book.

Clearly his Nanny's genes are being repressed by the do-gooder genes that favor the Justice League. After all, she is a LIBRARIAN, which to her grandson apparently means she works at the Blockbuster. And yes, I know that there are no longer any Blockbusters anymore, but I am sure you got my point. The boy just like fighting evil.

He also apparently has NO VOLUME CONTROL either, raising his voice in the video store, I mean library. Now I am certifiably hard of hearing and DO qualify for hearing aids, however even I do better than Ben at understanding how loud I am. And warnings, threats, anything.....he is not afraid, as he is a superhero and has not a lot to fear. So I just apologize left and right and check out a few movies and head off on our way.

So tonight at home he watched his movies and was talking about how great a friend his cat was to him. Of course I mentioned to him that he never feeds her, although it is on his chore list. AND, I told him I thought it would be nice and she would appreciate it if he fed her tonight. He agreed.

As you can see, there is little doubt in my mind why that cat loves him so. Superheroes are hard for me to understand. But who cares? It really cracks me up to be able to live with one!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Friends in low places.......

2012-02-03T05:42:00.000-08:00

As I stopped into the Wal-Mart yesterday to pick up a few things my mind went back to another time. I was watching an older woman, who obviously was working their, stretching up on her toes and balancing the item on the very tips of her fingers to get it into place. Yes, she was short.

And that made me laugh. No, not because she was working so hard to get this done, but because she had a lot of determination. It reminded me of my grandmother, who also was pretty short but yet determined. And I always loved to hang around with her, not just because she was my grandma, but because she thought I was tall.....or at least led me to believe it.

So I left the Wal-mart and went to pick up Ben......early. He just seemed out of sorts, and really hadn't been feeling well this past week. And when I asked him what was wrong, he said he was felling "low." Of course I knew that meant he just wasn't feeling well, but as he said it my mind went right to my mom whose favorite song was Garth Brooks' "Friends in low places." I felt for him, but the analogy made me smile, as did the good memories today of two people I miss very much. God rest their souls.

But as the day wore on, I began to wonder. Ben took a great nap at home but woke up fine. And it was after he got his pajamas on that he began to feel "low" again. The picture is my hypothesis. Yes, that is MY BED he is in, next to his MOM. Just before then he was a wild man, playing with his dog, his cat, and his brother. He was singing and clowning in the tub before this too. But as the now "imaginary umbilical cord" began to stretch, he reeled her in....after all, he was feeling "low." What a short memory she has, although I dare not complain as I benefit from it often.

So today I thank God for some good memories, and pray to Him tonight for no little feet jammed into my side of put across my head in my sleep. But if it does happen (which I imagine it will) as least I can thank Him also, that that little weasel (a favorite word of my mom) is clean.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A note of gratitude......

2012-02-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

There are so many things that are happening right now in my world that I am almost afraid to share them as my head feels it is about to explode, but I want to assure you they are all wonderful things.

First of all, I have been training to be certification as a coach, and tonight I found out that all seems to be in line to obtain that certification. I want to us this as the Superior of our Order (check us out at The Order of St. Michael the Archangel) as a way to help new churches and faithful Christians discover and move into their ministries. Our hope in the OSM is to be a blessing to others. So that is going well.

And in terms of the Order, I also want to share that we are getting inquiries from ALL OVER! And this BLESSES US! And though at this point there are FOUR brothers who are a part and have taken life-vows, our prayer is to see others join us and that means WOMEN as well. And the inquireries are encouraging as well!

But more than the INWARD FOCUS, exists the OUTWARD one.........we want to be a blessing to you. If you are wondering what God is calling you to do or be in your life; if you feel called to plant a Church where you are or elsewhere, or if you just need to talk, we are here for you.

The Lord has called us to this wonderful place and He has blessed us to be a blessing to you. Let us know how we can help you or how we can pray for you.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Of all things Super.......

2012-01-31T18:58:00.000-08:00

Although he is much less "super" in this picture than he is now, Ben did indeed pick it out and ask me to use it on my blog tonight. I was actually looking for a different picture, but he has been home much of the day not feeling well, and seemed pretty insistent. I was smart enough to not argue.

Of course, even I, like most of us, like pictures from many years ago. In my pictures I was not only younger, but I was thinner. Unlike Ben however, I was just as super.......I swear, delusions are absolutely wasted on the youth.

But as I perused through the pictures I began to see a theme, as well as a theory of why he is the way he is. Ben, unlike Steph and Scotty, had PJ's that were almost exclusively superhero. There was very little Barney, or preschool stuff, but instead all the classics that had screwed me up so well throughout my life.
Everything began to make sense, and as I reflected on it, I cannot say I regretted it one bit.

And why? Because I was actually worried about Steph and Scott at Ben's age. In truth, a purple dinosaur influencing kids without their parents around, or other kids that used musical instruments for fuel and protection, just didn't seem like decent role models. I just thank God they have turned out well. But the whole good verses evil along with the basic formula of God and Country just has never failed me.

So I am glad for what I have and for where it appears to be headed. Superman at this point, he is not, but that will not deter me from encouraging it.

Somethings in life are just worth teaching and believing in.......and being one of the good guys is among them.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Mr Bubble take me away!!!!!

2012-01-30T17:24:00.000-08:00

Oh I just got the call. Ben and Amanda are returning from Zumba (not Zumba-rehab, but the actually addiction, Zumba) and I have been informed that Ben is on the edge of a meltdown.

These calls are always such a joy to receive, because as a husband I am very clear as to what they mean...."I have had enough, and when we get home he is your problem to deal with." This is such a contrast to what I heard when they left, as I had made homemade chicken soup and was hopeful for the joyous return to eat it. My instructions, although they were not passed on as such, but I am a smart man, are to make sure I am prepared to get him in the tub, his pajamas, (<---an Oxford comma....yes, I use them) and in bed. What she had said was that they were on their way, he was on the edge of a meltdown and he needs a bath. He is always MY SON at those times....after all, this is not my first rodeo.

On the plus side, my writer's block for this evening's blog has been cured. But that is no comfort as I look at what lies ahead. A stinky little boy with a bad attitude in a bath tub is like herding cats.....IN THE RAIN. Sure, you can think you are doing well, but it is a delusion.....you are a moron. But that is the life of a dad sometimes. I will figure a way around all this I am sure.

So it is off to run his bath and prepare for battle. Good thing I have finished this though. Lord knows what I would have written after being soaked and wrestling a kid who has no desire for a bath and the will of a lion. I'd imagine it would have been a pretty angry post!

Mr. Bubble take me away! (sorry Calgon)

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Chicken..........

2012-01-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

I shared an interesting conversation tonight at dinner with my youngest, Ben, who was insisting that he didn't like his chicken. But I am pretty sure that this is the same kid who at dinner last week ate approximately 10,000 chicken nuggets right in front of me (other than the three he gave to his dog).

The problem is apparently the sauce. It was not hot sauce or anything like that on them (my preference) but it was also NOT KETCHUP (his preference). And it got me thinking that everything for anyone under five just ought to be made with ketchup, and that would end all conversations about getting them to eat, and not frustrate parents all over the world.

It still fascinated me. This kid eats broccoli, yet worries about a little sweet sauce. How bizarre is that? His mom actually willingly married me, so that probably indicates a little about where some of this strange DNA comes from, for he is prone like she is to poor judgement. But next time I will not be so thoughtful. We will have the hot sauce.

But who knows? He may just gobble that up. He is a strange bird, and clearly he is my son.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Too much.........

2012-01-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

This picture could not be more appropriate. I thought when I saw it how I would use it, but it has come to represent my day. I have worked feverishly all day to get myself, not just caught up, but well ahead. But as I sat down to type this blog entry I discovered that I still have 117 unread emails in my mailbox, which is not really true....I only have ONE. It just SAYS 117. And now you can see why this picture represents my day.

You see, I was born in 1961. I was in graduate school before computers were in dorm rooms and I understand them no better now than I did then.

Sure, my dad has better stories, like how they all gathered around the radio and listened to games and such. But he can complain all he wants to.......I was his antenna in the 60's as all young kids were. It was aluminum foil and touching the antenna with your arms extended that worked. Cable is a big luxury for sure. It is all so easy now.

That is except for my email. I may be a techno-moron, but I can still count. 117 is nowhere near accurate. And it is all frustrating enough for me to call it a day.

Tomorrow will be another. And if I have 117 or more in the morning, screaming will be the least of my problems!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Ben's First Library Card........

2012-01-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I was a little disappointed when Ben and I went to the library in town after I picked him up from school. As you can see from the picture, he got his very first library card, and I thought he was anxious to use it. But what he wanted wasn't a book......some woman mentioned to him all the children's DVDs.

Of course he really didn't want any of those either, and DVDs cannot be checked out on his card anyway. What he wanted was new superhero stuff he had not yet seen. So we finally found a section full of "Justice League" DVDs and he picked out four.

I was happy he found them, and he seem thrilled, so I asked him if he wanted to go upstairs to pick out a book.......but he said no. It troubled me a bit, as he used to love to be read to, and now he doesn't. He just exists in this weird little world of battling evil and all. But I was tired and had a headache, so we headed home, DVDs in hand, and him pretty dang happy.

As we shared an after school snack, we watched a Justice League classic that had them saving the world once again. I however had pulled a muscle in my back yesterday and the chairs downstairs were just too much, so we went up to my room where I could lay down and he could watch an episode of the next DVD before his mom came home to pick him up for his haircut. I was still feeling guilty about not getting him a book, and wondered just how he was going to make it through school.

But what happened next was quite remarkable. The episode was called "Christmas with the Joker," or at least that's what it said on the screen. But Ben suddenly said "Oh no." So I said, "what?" And he said, "Christmas Joker? Really?" My jaw just hit the floor......he was READING. So I stopped the DVD and told him what he just did! We were both smiling ear to ear.

Of course when Amanda got home he became Ben again. It had only been 15 minutes so I said, "Tell mommy what you did, tell mommy what you did!" And he looked at me with a puzzled look and said, "what?"

Thank you God for at least those 15 minutes of hope. I am back to square one! Oh well.....

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The snorkel of death........

2012-01-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is a picture from my car. And yes, this is a picture of my youngest child. OH YES, he is carrying a SNORKEL, because Indiana is full of barrier reefs and diving opportunities. NO NO NO...he thinks, or better yet pretends, that it is some type of "super weapon" and carries it with him all the time. And as long as all the bad guys dies from laughter, I can declare that we are safe.

The four year old mind is fascinating, and considering it is a Tirman mind as well, that makes it all the more worth our study. There is very little about it that we could predict as "normal," or at least normal as in reasonable in terms of mainstream society. But quite honestly, it is FOR THAT that I am THANKFUL.

In all honesty, hanging with Ben is like living with a really good comedy writer.....he is funny all the time. But more than that, he is also unpredictable. And although he will always choose the good over the evil, there is an innocence, a purity, that refreshingly shines through. It makes me covet his perspective on life. And I am honest about that......life would be far less stressful if we could all just go for ride in that mind of his.

But for now I must just choose to observe him and be jealous! I don't carry any super weapons, although I do apparently drive a superhero around town.

It makes me feel young......and for that, I am eternally grateful!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

On staying out of the way.......

2012-01-25T18:51:00.000-08:00

Tonight my wife was reading me a blog she follows where the woman has a fascination for metal chickens and wolf skins (of wolves that die of old age). She was just about crying from laughing so hard while reading this, all the while chanting, "isn't that funny, isn't that funny?"

In a way, I suppose it was. And it was nice to see that Amanda enjoyed it like she was. I am not sure if I remember correctly, but I do not believe there is a genre for such humor, so this is to say that Amanda just may be on the cutting edge of something, just as she has been by marrying me. Thus, I do not want to be critical about people who laugh at metal chickens or wolf-skins, as it may demean the credibility of such brilliant decisions as to chase, capture, and marry me. And if the truth be known, if she is indeed insane, what would it matter to me? I have the better end of this deal for sure.

But more importantly than anything, the brilliant Mr. Ben was awarded a star today for eating all his lunch and exhibiting "good manners." Amanda made a big deal of this, intentionally overlooking apparently the fact that some of his lunch today returned in his lunch box. This could mean a variety of things, but I want to assume the best. Therefore I am certain that the Good Lord added a few things to Ben's lunch box just in case he got hungry on the way home from school.

Of course a reward is a reward. You can score a goal by making a great shot, or by the goalie making a lousy save.....it doesn't matter. I am just happy for him because he is excited, and I am happy for her because she thinks he is eating all his lunch. Flag leader, gold stars, and perhaps next week the Noble Peace Prize.........as long as it is not a metal chicken, I will be along for the ride.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Bird brained........

2012-01-24T19:47:00.000-08:00

Well it seems that yet another day is past, and to be honest, I do not remember much of the details of it. I do know that I was exceptionally busy, but the details of the day escape me. And now at 10:35 pm I sit in my office trying to bring it back.....I am afraid it is lost.

These lapses used to bother me a great deal, and I used to struggle with them deeply, trying as hard as I could to remember. What it led to more than anything was just more frustration rather than any success. And thankfully I have learned. I do not torture myself trying to get back things that will just not come. I instead let them go. And, if I am feeling dissatisfied, I just make stuff up.......

I have been living with the new me for just under four years, and in all honesty, it doesn't matter if I like me or not (thank God I like me lots better now!) because it is what it is. Brain trauma is a funny thing, and it is different for everyone. Mine has made me much more laid back in addition to being a lot taller and more handsome.....and even younger. And who wouldn't be thankful for that?

And although I do write about it occasionally, I am really well adjusted to it. I was going to say that it invades my life everyday, but that would be defining it as something that is bad. It has just changed me, and really it is more than okay.....it is something for which I am quite thankful.

Maybe someday I can write a book about it, but I don't know. I mean I feel like it is a good idea right now......but in 20 more minutes I'll probably forget! Thank God!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A true leader and artist.......

2012-01-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

Ben shared that he was named "Flag Leader" today at school, and when we asked him why he said, "Because I am an American." We had to act like we never knew.

Of course being the Flag Leader, (although we can check that off our "Hopes and Dreams For Him List") is just the base of the iceberg in terms of our expectations for him. At 4, he already bosses his older siblings around and they quite often actually listen to him. And he fights crime, is a master of disguise, and knows just about everything about everything. And we'd probably let him head off to some Ivy League school right now if they all weren't so danged agenda driven. Tonight's picture is his creation which was right outside his classroom door. It is a true classic, like a Picasso probably worth millions, but I am sure to his Nanny it will be worth more than that!

But at 4, or more accurately 4.5, he has already amazed us. He has the Tirman sense of humor and it is remarkably fine tuned for his age. There is no telling what he will end up being in life, but as Steph and Scott and I were talking this weekend, we ought to make sure his wife is pretty dull as to not overload my grandchildren's DNA. Ben will be enough for the world to handle.

But enough of the speculation on the future. I am just here in my office enjoying an argument between he and Amanda about why he cannot leave his toys all over the house. I would normally bet on my wife, but I have to admit he learns and adapts each and every moment. It won't be long till he has her in his clutches as well.

Oh yes, he gets it from me. Every Tirman can recognize this DNA. It's just that in him, it seems highly unstable. Pray for us!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A priest's view on Tim Tebow, my thankfulness for him.....

2012-01-22T16:53:00.000-08:00

Why don't you like me? Is it because of what I believe? Is it because I choose to stand for my faith? Let's not pretend. Maybe now that Tim Tebow is out of the playoff picture, we hear the negativity about him a lot less, but I/we would be foolish to forget it.

Am I just considered to be more socially accepted as a Christian because I am a priest? In truth, that is not supposed to be the way that it works. For I am called to form people to witness through their lives......doing the very things I see Tim Tebow do in his life.

Oh but the criticism! Oh the judgement! And quite often this comes from the very same people who expect people like me to marry them, baptize their children, or bury their friends and relatives. The hypocrisy is astounding, and it insults me to my very core.

Yet I feel compelled to ask you to pray for these people, because I don't just believe, but I know they truly need it.

I confess, I would love to see all the people I shepherd have the same sense of faith and determination I see in Tim Tebow. He draws his strength from the wellspring of life, and he speaks truth to the people he meets. It is truly not about him, and it fills me with admiration for his courage and commitment. We do not need to see him less or put him away........we need to let him speak and give people the opportunity to listen....obviously they are not getting it.

Let me give some "in kind" advice that I often receive as I express my concerns for all the trash and hatred we are bombarded with on every side, for I am often told to not watch it, or to turn my head, or to understand it is free speech and to let it be. I would encourage those of you who do not agree with how he is living to do the same, but only in part.....to let it be.

You see, I do want you to listen, not just to guys like Tim Tebow, but to guys like me. Don't turn your head, because what you can learn and change you and make you into so much more than you are today....it may even save your life. If you want more for your life than what you are living, listen to what we are saying.....God offers you more. But that is your choice, not mine, nor Tim Tebow's. No one is trying to head lock you or oppress you. We are just living our lives.

But let's be honest people. Let's not use the Church and faith for things like weddings and baptisms or funerals or free counseling or anything else while beating up the people who make it what it is. For we are praying for you, not as a sign of some kind of superiority or spiritual elitism, but because we want all people to come to know what we do. That Jesus died and rose for all people, and indeed means you too.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The Iron Chiefs........Oh, I mean Chefs.......

2012-01-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

I do not know exactly what to call them, "The Three Musketeers," "The Trifecta of Cooking," or "The Three Stooges," I just know that I need to be out of their way.

Of course as you can plainly see, Steph and Cassie are home for the weekend. This is why our kitchen is a mess, as they make so much food together. It is something sacred with them though. They always are doing something new. That is why tonight's picture was taken tonight at 8PM and they are still supposedly in the process of whipping up some spectacular dinner. A dinner I told Scotty to be here for at 5PM. He left and went back to band practice. He will be on time if he shows up somewhere around midnight I'd guess.

And obviously he, Scotty, is doing better himself. He has been up all day and doing well. he stopped the pain meds, but still cannot open his mouth too much. He headed to band practice because he is not a singer, and tomorrow he plays at St. Patrick's (though we did not have him scheduled because of the surgery) and he will play all familiar stuff so he doesn't have to sing there either.

And Ben is just oblivious to it all. He just moves around from person to person sucking up all the attention he can stand. He is having a ball.

As for me, I just continue to stay out of their way. But I do hope I will be able to attend tonight's dinner......that is if I am still awake.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Don't worry......I'm fine......

2012-01-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well it is official......Scotty has no wisdom teeth, and although he is a funny guy, he has been 10 times funnier sedated. Amanda said he spoke in Chinese all the way home, though I can verify that he speaks no Chinese at all outside the influence of Versed. He just rambled and joked, but soon he was in bed, and we did not see him for quite a few hours. Like all of us however, his bed-ridden stage didn't last long. He is now up, and joking. He has no swelling and is not in too much pain. It has been a good day and complication-free one at that.

As for me, the day has been one of both reflection and wonder. Amanda took Scotty to the surgeon. I took Ben to school. But even though Scott is 18, I worried about him, as I have all day. And it took me back to me getting my wisdom teeth out. My parents were not involved, but if they knew I know they would worry. I imagine I didn't worry about that at all though.

And when I was a kid, I took a hockey stick to the mouth. Yep, I have some nice porcelain replacements bolted into my jaw. But once again, when it happened, it was all about me. That's all I worried about....but I am sure my parents were a mess. I watched them both later in life struggle with the illnesses and subsequent deaths of my sisters Steph and Sarah. Having kids is rewarding, but hard. You worry.

It reminded me of a time when Steph (my daughter) was but a few months old and she had a cold. I remember being on the phone with my mom and talking about how I was sure she was fine, but I just worried about her all the time. AND, that I was looking forward to the time that I didn't worry about her. Of course she chucked. I was probably 30 or 31 at the time, and she said, "What makes you think I do not worry now?" She was right....it never ends.

So as I worried today about Scott my mind drifted off to grandchildren I will someday have who will worry my children just like they worry me.

It really did make me smile.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A Zamboni ride up north.........

2012-01-19T18:18:00.000-08:00

Of all the days I chose to travel it was today. Of course since October it has only snowed twice significantly (for here, meaning it covers the grass)....that is until today.

I set out early to go and meet a nun friend of mine in Warsaw, Indiana which is only about 100 miles away. But suddenly the ice and the snow came, and time seemed to stand still. And my hopes of arriving mid-morning deteriorated into an early afternoon arrival. It was not that much snow, but the ice and the wind made travel unbearable. There were plenty of plows, but they didn't drive that fast, nor did they move at all without long lines behind them. And my worry was the fact that I was to be back to pick Ben up at 5. Worry worry worry...... Had I gone on any other day prior to today, I would have had plenty of time.

In fact, I had hoped to get up to Goshen to visit my grandparents' grave, as it was just a little under 20 miles further than Warsaw. But with my experience heading up to my meeting, that could mean a couple of additional hours.

I have to confess I was a bit depressed about not having the time, but just as I was leaving Warsaw Amanda called. She was still working, but she wanted me to know that Scott was off and was heading to pick up his brother. Time would not be an issue, and in my thankfulness, distance or traffic would not be either. I turned around and headed for Goshen.

As you can see, I made it. The cemetery had not been plowed, but I didn't care. It was important to me to be there.

And my ride home, although extremely difficult, was very satisfying. There was so much ice and wind that it was like driving a Zamboni, but it was worth it. I think of my grandparents everyday, and my life would be far different without them in it. And I am thankful my day turned out the way that it did.

All and all, despite the weather, this has been a great day.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Viper the Lionhearted.....

2012-01-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight was a night that I would rather not remember. I had a busy day and Amanda met Ben and I in Indianapolis after her work to eat, as I had some things to pick up down there. For the first time in a long time my cell phone was almost dead, but I really wasn't planning on using it too much, so no big deal.

After we ate, Amanda and Ben went home and I made a few stops. They would beat me home by about 45 minutes I figured, and that would give us still an hour till Scott got home from school. But I was coming through Fishers (about 15 miles from home) when Amanda called. A door was unlocked downstairs when she came home, which didn't trouble her at first, but Viper (our 8 year old dog) who I have never heard growl, (yes this is his picture) was growling across Ben's room toward the dark hall leading to Steph's room. He was protecting them from something. So she locked them all in my office and called me.

I of course would have always wanted to be called, but I was concerned more for their safety. I asked her if she had called the police, which was 'no," and she also said there was now no Internet.....which to me meant no phone and perhaps alarm. I hit the gas as I called the police, and I am thankful my battery lasted through all of this....it was close.

The police in Edgewood are great. It is a small town and they know every property. I explained that the house was locked since she got home, but she could probably throw down a key to them from my office or wait for me to get there.....they didn't have to, for they found an unlocked door and entered and searched the house.

By the time I arrived, Ben was playing with the two officers, and Amanda was getting a bit of a lesson about calling them right away. I am sure she will next time. And although I do have a permit to carry, I wasn't tonight.....but regardless, everything pointed to the need for the real professionals, and I called them. They train to sweep houses for bad guys and lots of other things too, and it gave me peace to know they were on the scene.

So thanks to the Edgewood Police Department and for their good work. I really do love living here, and I thank God for the good people I live among. I am also thankful that tonight they are all safe.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Of Scott and Scotty things......

2012-01-17T19:47:00.000-08:00

Today was kind of a big day. Scotty, who took last semester off thinking he was heading to the Marines this month, had a big change of plans. He was intending to serve in the Marine Reserves through college, but now with everyone coming home the whole dynamic has changed. He will now just do his degree and intends to go in afterwards.....at least that is the plan for now.

So tonight was his first night of class. He has class four nights a week, and it is really kind of nice to know he will be at home for now. His original spot is still open in St. Louis to study music education, but you can see the wheels in his head spinning all the time now. He plays for one of our churches, he has a full-time job, he is a full-time student, and he is the drummer for a band that is getting quite a bit of attention. Oh to be 18 again! (Although when I was 18 I was really nothing but trouble!)

It was nice to see him excited about it though. I know he had himself set to go now. All that is rapidly changing for a lot of people in the military. Had he decided on that early in his senior year he would probably be gone. I know it disappoints him in a way, but I am glad to have him here. He can still go if he wants, and as I said at this point he still says he wants to, but there is a lot of life to happen between now and graduation. Time will tell and we will see.

Off to bed for me.....it has been a long and grueling day!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A black hat for good reason.........

2012-01-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

A couple of nights ago I mentioned that I would be posting about the whole Tim Tebow thing, and I want you to know that I have not forgotten. It just appears to be a much deeper post that I had envisioned. It will come, and most likely this week.

But today has been a day filled with both work and Ben meltdowns, and all of which involve his mom being absent in some way. The first was when she was at Zumba. He needed to share every toy with me he has ever gotten, most of which were acquired for him by me. And now he is doing battle with her as he wants to sleep in our bed, which is not really "ours" but "his mommy's" and his case is being aided by a lot of wailing and tears. It does make it hard to type, let alone think.

So I am taking advantage of his not being here (in his mommy's bed) yet, and typing away at this entry. She does think she is smarter than he is, but believe me, he is a real pro. I am giving myself good odds that his little body will be here beside me in the morning when I wake up. He is stubborn and determined like his mom, and with my DNA in there too, he is almost invincible! I probably ought to just scoot to the side now!

But for now I have room and I am resigned to what sleep I can get. I have a busy day on the docket tomorrow, and if there are just no meltdowns, I hope to finish it in time to enjoy the evening.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

My diagnosis......

2012-01-15T18:25:00.000-08:00

Although I am the wrong kind of doctor to make such a diagnosis, I believe that Ben is getting better. He was not well enough to accompany his mom and me to Nashville this morning so I went alone. But he did manage to attend St. Anne's with Amanda at 11:30. I however was wondering how he was doing all day, and even bought him this "on sale" bean bag chair that you see in the picture. Apparently my worries were unfounded......he seems fine.

So I was able to get home with the chair to a quiet house...they were all asleep. I did my sermon twice today, and recorded it twice, but listening to both twice on the way home didn't help me decide which one I would post on our podcast website http://www.smaac.podbean.com/ After much internal struggle, I decided on the first one.

But my afternoon turned out to be pretty empty. I saw the end of the Houston loss, and then the highlights of the Packers loss too (I do not know if you can tell who I was rooting for or not). So it was a pretty depressing afternoon/evening. The only blessing is that I have a meeting in Washington DC the weekend of the Superbowl, and the tickets in the Eli Lilly luge with my wife I will not be using, but who she and my son Scotty will, will not be watching the teams I wanted. Of course I am now cheering for the 49er's as their coach is a former BEARS quarterback! But I digress........

Tonight I am on the cusp of the week in which I will catch up with all I need to do! AND, I am pretty excited about it! It gives me a great vision for the future, because planning is always easier when you are ahead! I just hope it is not a "pipe-dream" and I wake up in the morning feeling the same way!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The plans are a-changin.........

2012-01-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

Boy I wish things were different, but Mr. Ben has been sick all day. He and Amanda had intended to go with me to St. Matthew's in Nashville tomorrow, but about 30 minutes ago we made the decision to scrap those plans. He is just too unsettled right now, and once I leave for Nashville there is little time to stop or take detours.....it is 100 miles from here.

So Ben and Amanda will be staying home, and hopefully Ben can pull it together before school on Monday. He has really not been himself, and it is hard to not be able to make him feel better. He is now back in our bed with his mom, and he is watching "Monsters Inc," which I believe is a documentary about those guys who changed the formula for Coke a few years back, but I may be wrong.....Ben is a big milk drinker. I cannot imagine that capturing his interest.

But I have put my last thoughts into my sermon, and I will hopefully bring it all into some sense of coherency on my drive to Nashville in the morning. I very rarely write things out anymore, as post-stroke, I have trouble focusing and delivering when I am looking up and down. But we record them now and post them online (this will be our second week) so you can hear it and tell me then that you are feeling ill too!

So I will now head to find a TV and see the Tebow/Brady showdown (at least for as long as I can stay up.) But I am rooting for the kid! He is a great quarterback and a pretty dang decent human being. And I will write more about all of that tomorrow. But what I can say now as a preview is that I have been a bit shocked as to what people are saying and thinking about him.......as I am one of those Christians myself. I just had higher hopes. Check in tomorrow and I will write more.

Keep Ben in your prayers! And pray for me tomorrow! Lord knows what I will be saying.......and yes, I suppose that is a literal statement, though it was not intended to be.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

But you say he's just a friend.......

2012-01-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

I should have known something was wrong. Yesterday Ben said he didn't want a candy bar, and then after dinner tonight he had a bite of his ice cream and then said he didn't want it. He had his dinner, but clearly he was not himself. An hour or so later he was pretty sick.

Fortunately it came and went pretty quickly. He was miserable for a short while, cried a lot, then took a quick bath, got in his pajamas and is not Skyping with Steph and Cassie. He seems to be fine now, and for that we are thankful. It was definitely a stressful turn to a busy day that I thought was just about over.

And after all that, plus the 10,000 other things I did today, I am hoping that perhaps now the day is now over.

Oh no......he's now here in my office with a toy that sings a Biz Markie song....the red one.

It's gonna be a longer night than I thought.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Let it snow....hahahahaha sorry Steph and Scott

2012-01-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Lord, I might as well live in Bermuda. There is a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY here and why???? Well, because we may get a couple of inches of snow! Oh the humanity! How will we ever survive? I am so confused by living in this "non-northern" environment. I even had to use a picture from 2007 of Scotty (his picture is AWFUL), Stephy and our niece Kayla because it was the only snow picture I could find.

As I was reading about the "advisory," my mind went back to the countless times we would get a ton of snow up in Mishawaka (Indian for "God's favorite city") and how we would listen to the radio praying earnestly that the Superintendent would close school that day.....it rarely happened. And yes, there was ice and snow, lots of it in fact.....but life went on. After all, if we issued warnings like they do now I would still be in 3rd grade. In truth, we live in an area where it snows, although here really not that much, and we ought to all just come to grips with it. I mean I am now 50, and I have only had a snow blower for a year but it's because my driveway is about 10 miles long.....not for the inability to shovel.

But I am getting tired of complaining about it. I chose to live here in the deep south, and I guess I should just come to grips with the fact that people are a bit timid about snow and ice here.

But I think it is a bit deeper than that, in that we have become a people in need of drama. It is January 12th, we live in Indiana, and it may snow 2-3 inches today. Why that needs to surprise anyone is beyond me, but there needs to be news.....and apparently dramatic tension. But considering it can snow here as early as October, yet this is just the second snow for us in the central part of Indiana, I would think we would be talking about how fortunate we are. I guess not.

But a month ago I moved the snow blower from the back of the shed to the front, where the mower sits in the warm months. Last year at this point I had used it at least 10 times. This year I wonder if I will use it at all. But regardless, I thank God that I grew up where I did, and I also thank Him for the snow. I really love it. Christmas wasn't quite right without it, and although I have enjoyed getting out to do some work still outside, I really want 4 seasons.

So bring on the snow! Let's break out our skates and sleds! Let's make a few snowmen and have a snowball fight. Unfortunately this hyped "advisory" isn't gonna do it for me.........

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Da Vinci, Da School, and Da Ben......

2012-01-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

Last night I felt that the well was a little dry, as I wrote a preview to today's blog as it was big news here and I didn't have much other than that on my mind. I have to confess, it concerned me, since I figured today would be just a rehash of what went on. But like so many other times in my life when I feel this way, suddenly I find myself in the land of abundance. And that is where I find myself today.

First of all I should let you know from the start that Ben overcame his genetics, and not only finished his first day of school but did so without incident. No principal, no police, no angry girlfriends or suddenly retiring teachers.....he did great.

But the material started flowing again just about 3am, when I looked next to me in my bed and I saw him there. His "promise" of sleeping and staying in his own bed, which I understood as permanent turned out to be only temporary....and very temporary at that. But I let that slide. He needed his sleep and so did I. I decided to save that battle for another day.

In the morning however, when he was getting dressed to head to St. Mary's, I asked him if he knew who Mary was, but he didn't make the connection. So I asked him who Jesus was, and he knew that, and then I asked him who His mother was and he said "Mary." So I said, "your school is a school named after Jesus' mother." He thought for a minute and then asked, "Is this school going to be about Jesus?" And I said, "well I suppose at least some of the time." So he said, "Well I do not want to go to a school that is about Jesus." So I told him that was something I preferred he not share at school.

But soon we were off. He walked right in. He had no tears, no fuss, and apparently no anxiety. Amanda was a little upset, but she did better than I expected her to as well. We got out of there and he began his day.

Amanda called me at 2:30, since I was supposed to pick him up at 3, and seemed surprised that no one from the school had called. Yep, Ben stayed out of trouble, didn't need his parents, and when I arrived he got up like an old pro and went with me to get his backpack as if he had done it a hundred times. He was as cool as they come. The report from his teacher was great, the kids seem to like him, and soon he was in the car with Viper and I heading to the bank.

I did ask him how school was, which he defined as "fine." When I asked him what they did he said, "we played, ate, and did our homework." (He didn't seem to bring anything home to work on, so I am guessing he finished his calculus in class.) But when I asked him if he drew any pictures today in class he looked at me very seriously and said, "Dad, we don't draw at St. Mary's."

So he is well on his way to wherever he is going and God save the teachers ahead of him. The nice thing is that he enjoyed it. I am glad too. He is a great boy, and a life of adventure and learning is on the road right before him.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Preschool preview.......

2012-01-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Tonight I helped Ben make the "obligatory phone calls" to grandpa (my dad) and Steph (his sister), as it was his last day of freedom. That's right, tomorrow Ben puts his nose to the grindstone as a student at St. Mary's Preschool.

It has been a long time coming too. He already insists he he smarter than all of us, and the whole St. Mary's thing is probably just a diversion from the fact that he belongs at Harvard. (I just used Harvard for the joke, but I am not a fan). But the calls went well, his backpack is loaded up, his clothes are laid out, and he is in his bed (although his mom is there with him as there is some sort of monster in there.) But the cool part is that he is VERY excited.

And he will do fine, but I DO want to ask your prayers for Amanda, who although is acting pretty business-like and tough about the whole thing, will absolutely lose it tomorrow when he goes into class. I do not see a chord, but I know it is there. And I am smart enough to just stay out of the way. Ben will do fine, Amanda, I am not so sure.

But regardless, I will have to deal with them both. Ben has been his usual multi-personality self, but she has been uptight. I know she is worried about him, but I know him well and am worried about the school and the world.

The next 24 hours will tell, but I am betting on Ben.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Boy's Night Out.......

2012-01-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Oh yes...this is a "stock" photo, since Scott is complaining about his phone tonight and cannot send me a "real time " picture.......but I am at home alone, that is except for the dog and the cat. Amanda is back at Zumba with Molly, and Scott and Ben are out on a "Boy's Night" on the town. They are hitting Chick-fil-A, and then seeing "Alvin and the Chipmunks, " which will most probably bore both of them to tears.

But it has been a productive day here. I have been working on our website all day and have created a "Podbean" account for it, which will allow us to publish sermons and stuff onto Podbean (our link is http://smaac.podbean.com/), Itunes, and our website. I even published yesterday's sermon onto it. We will see how it goes.

THAT HOWEVER, doesn't float my boat as much as hearing about what the boys are doing. Scott and Ben are hilarious together, and occasionally (about monthly) they go on these little trips. The stories are always funny, and I cannot wait.

The big news for the day is really not that as a PREVIEW of Wednesday's blog......the day my wife is going to FALL APART. Yes, today we completed the registration process. Ben is officially a member of the student body of St. Mary's School.......and Wednesday will be his first day! He is excited, and Amanda is TRYING to ACT like she is under control. On Wednesday however, she will be a sniveling mess!

So here is a Chick-fil-A picture (that I had to call and request). They are having a time, and I am glad. After all, Wednesday begins all the schooling.....and he is in for a life-long sentence!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Nowhere near.......

2012-01-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

I would like to say that I spent the afternoon enjoying a Chicago Bears' victory in the playoffs, but that would just be delusional. The Bears were nowhere near the playoff, although that is far closer still than the local favorite, the Indianapolis Colts, the difference is that the Colts' fans will have the last laugh with the first draft pick. I will most likely be angry yet again next year.

But today had really been quite odd. I celebrated at two services with two sermons that were really very different. I thought the first one was terrible, but after listening to it, it really was fine. I will post most probably the second one within the next few days on our website St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church, but I have not done so yet. We are in the process of developing an account you can subscribe to....on podbean.com or iTunes. But regardless, despite with good intentions, I delivered two different sermons.

Now however, I just want to go to bed. I had envisioned today and it has not turned out like anything I had even considered a possibility. So, I will just call it a day.

I hope tomorrow turns out a bit more like I want it to, but sometimes you need to just pack it in and think about the future......kind of like my beloved Chicago Bears.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The blessings of amazing genes.....

2012-01-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

A day of confessions.....

Although I have a permit to carry, Ben is not quite old enough, but he does carry at home. He actually has two six-shooters, given to him by "Cowboy Grandpa," bust most often he wears just one.....on his right. Ironically my dad, who for purposes of clarification he sometimes calls "Hospital Grandpa," (my dad had a pretty serious health scare well over a year ago, but it has stuck), but my dad gave him the shirt in the picture.

And all of it makes this picture kind of cool, because Amanda's dad is indeed a real-life cowboy, and my dad was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York....making Ben the second generation born outside of Brooklyn. But the DNA of coming from a family of New Yorkers (real ones too, not those stupid (w)rapping wannabes) PLUS the whole cowboy DNA thing, will make him a force to be reckoned with. His grandfathers are the "real McCoy" of two pretty amazing and revered stereotypes of our culture, so all this is to say that his madness will come naturally......actually, it already shows. He just may end up being the kind of guy that Navy Seals and Special Ops guys are afraid of.....who knows?

What I can confess is that he is about 178% boy. And, he is 100% mine.

All my kids have their (let's call it "unique") personality quirks, but I cannot imagine having a better "herd" (as my mom would say). But in all truth YOU, as the reader of this, need to get to work.......you need to pray for their future spouses and children.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

An angel in disguise.......

2012-01-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

If I could figure out how to put him into a white hat in his picture I would, although it would probably burn his head. But Father PT SAVED me (and Viper) once again.

I had an ice dam last year on the house and decided to install some heat cables. What I soon discovered was that my ladders were NOWHERE NEAR tall enough to do the job. So I found a guy in town with a very tall ladder her was willing to part with and made my way over in my truck (with my dog) to pick it up.

Of course the truck started in my drive and after I filled it with gas, but as I had the ladder on the truck and my dog ready to go and do some work, it didn't start. The guy who sol me the ladder tried to jump it, and had a battery charger, but it was to no avail. But Father PT came and helped me take OUT the battery, go get a new one, put it in, and see me and my dog start up my truck and head home. Yee ha!

Of course he is driving the truck his wife let him by, while I am driving an old classic that I have now decided to sell. PT suggested I take it and my car to the dealer.......I suggested that this would clearly be intentional suicide.

But the good news is that a battery later, I have a ladder and the ability at least, to install what I need to on my house. What I didn't have today was time.

But I am grateful for my good friend PT (as is Viper) who made today much more bearable than I could have imagined!

Thanks my brother!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Of Coaches I have known.......

2012-01-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

This may be the longest post I have ever written, but it is important. I have been blessed in my life to have had the opportunity to meet some of the most impressive human beings on the planet in my humble opinion. And tonight my thoughts go to two of them, one of which I have written about before.

The first is a high school teacher of mine, Marvin Wood. He taught health, driver's ed, and physical education. He was also the basketball coach. I was an ice hockey player and I was SHORT. I never would have made the basketball team (I was VERY short), but Coach Wood was short too (my height). He cared about his students, not in a patronizing way at all, when he spoke to you he was truly engaged, and he was one of the best teachers I have ever had or known. And chances are, you may have some knowledge of him too.

You see, Coach Wood and his story was the inspiration for the movie "Hoosiers," starring that little known actor Gene Hackman. But unlike the movie, Coach Wood was not controversial. He wasn't in his 50's, Milan High School was his first job out of college, and he never hit anyone. He was just an all around first class guy. And his belief in fundamentals not just won a State Championship (this is INDIANA....it is a BIG THING), but it taught me that any player can learn to be the "go to" player. He affected my play as a hockey player and my coaching philosophy as well. And, I had a pretty successful career in both.

The funny part was that we never knew he was that legend. It clearly wasn't important to him. He cared about the people in his care, and not about glorifying himself. THAT was a big lesson. There are so many people who would wear that championship on their sleeve, and cash it in. He never did. I found out about what a legend he was when I had long graduated. He always was focused upon the now. AND, that was a valuable lesson.

I have coached for many years and I cannot even begin to tell you how he influenced me. As a high school lacrosse coach we went to the Final Four in my second year and placed fifth in the state in my third. I have now retired from coaching, but I will say I was influenced for sure. He died in 1999.

But that is the long way to tell you about the "other coach," long time Notre Dame ice hockey coach, Coach Lefty Smith. Lefty was the coach of the Fighting Irish at the time I was just beginning my playing career, and I was able to attend a few camps that he ran at Notre Dame.

What I can say is that I remember him vividly. AND, what I will let you know is that too many camps I have been to in my life, in multiple sports, use players and assistants rather than the Coach. But that was not so with Lefty. I remember him being out on the ice with us, and I remember his instruction. He was a legend, and yet at that age I had no stinking idea of how much I would love him. Lefty died on January 3rd, yet I read that he graduated ALL 126 players that he coached during his career. He was a man of INCREDIBLE integrity, and a giant in my young life.

A few years ago as a high school lacrosse coach I met his daughter, who was connected to St. Joseph's High School in South Bend. We had a LONG conversation about her dad. I told her how much he meant to me, and asked her to pass that along. I am sure she did, It was very sincere too....he helped me to fall in love with the sport. It continues to this day.

I learned of his death from a Facebook note from a friend. She contacted me as her son is an ice hockey player as well and is now playing at Notre Dame! She wanted me to know about Lefty dying on Tuesday. I am eternally grateful.

You see, I learned a lot from him too. And his impression on me made me want to be a better player, a better man, and later a better coach.

Coaches I have had throughout my life have molded me into the coach I am today. And although I am not currently coaching, do not count me out. I am only 50, and I have learned for legends.....at least to me. And I DO intend to get back into the game. After all, life full of adventure, and there is no better adventure than the game!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

I remember.........

2012-01-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

Today is always a tough day for me, because it is my sister Stephanie's birthday today, and had she not succumbed to the cancer in 2001 she would have been 49. There's no doubt about it....cancer sucks. (My sister Sarah died from it in 2004)

But today always had me making my annual call to Steph to tell her how very ancient she was. It always was met by the reminder that I was 18 months older, but it gave me great satisfaction anyway. We were always digging at each other, which was an art we both perfected, but she was far more effective at than me. Yep....better than perfect. I did have the last laugh though, because I buried mom right next to her, which I am sure pleased my mom, but will irk my sister as she probably fantasized about burying her next to me. But despite the rivalry of the two children of my mom who were not the "perfect one" (my sister Sarah - and yes, she never irritated mom like we did), I really did love and care for her....for both of them. AND, I miss them both terribly.

This year when we buried mom I got to go back to her grave and see my brother in law and his wife, and my niece Amelia. Things change and life is way too short, but today I was thinking about all this, and decided I am really thankful for the life I have lived and the time I was able to spend with Steph. I am far better for it. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't make her any less of a pain in my tail or the old coot she would have been today, but few guys ever get to have a sister like I did, and she is the best.

My daughter is named for her, and Scott would have been named Sarah if he were just a girl (but feel free to call him Sarah...he gets the joke). But more than anything, I want her to know that despite the harassment, I loved her and still do.

And no, I will not apologize one bit for any "retaliation" on my part. After all, she deserved it!

Rest in peace Steph, and today enjoy a margarita with Sarah, mom and our grandparents. And if there are no margaritas, do not expect me any time soon.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Paying a debt of guilt...reluctantly......

2012-01-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

I have been going through some professional training this past year, and am working to become a "certified" coach. There are two two-day classes, both in the Washington DC area, and then a lot of practicum work. The first class I already completed, and for regular readers you may remember that my plane trip home was delayed causing me to miss Scotty being awarded the MVP at his senior year lacrosse banquet. I felt TERRIBLE that I missed it (by only 30 minutes) but there was not a lot I could do. But I have felt pretty guilty ever since. Now hold all this in your mind.

Let's fast-forward to now. My wife, who insists she never wins ANYTHING (but was able to have the wonderful and most awesome privilege of marrying me...what a liar, huh?) was SO EXCITED, as she put her business card into a fishbowl at the restaurant at the country club on the edge of our neighborhood and WON two free lunches. She was SO excited, and I was excited for her. But shortly thereafter she and Steph and Ben headed to Kansas to visit her mom.

It was from there she called me too. Apparently, as one of the top performers at her work, her name was put into another drawing for two tickets to the SUPERBOWL in the Eli Lilly box at Conseco Fieldhouse. ...and guess who won? That's right, the woman who does not win anything yet had two free lunches and a trophy husband that people would die for. And she was SO HAPPY, as was I.....we get to go to the Superbowl, even though the Bears will not be there.....and we can go and sit in perhaps one of the nicest boxes there, with parking, food, and drinks. I was in heaven (even without the Bears).

But of course the SECOND HALF of that class I NEED and am REQUIRED to be at begins February 6th, the day after the Superbowl. In addition to that, airline tickets out of Indy after the Superbowl are astronomical. I could drive to Columbus, Ohio after the game to take a 6:30 AM flight into Dulles and rent a car, but not only would that mean NO SLEEP, but as a stroke survivor, I would be NO GOOD in the class, AND I would most likely FLUNK the exam. There are no good options for me. I needed to bow out.

So when Amanda called Scotty tonight as he was on his way to band practice, she asked him to pull over. Good thing she did too. He screamed with excitement! She and Scott will see the Superbowl together. AND, I will drive to DC as I am too principled to pay a million dollars to take a class and test just because the Superbowl is in Indy. But I need to say that I do feel vindicated. I have felt terrible for missing his MVP award, and now he will be pretty happy with a night of a lifetime. He and Amanda will have a blast. But it doesn't really matter.

Because if the Bears are not in it, it is not worth going to anyway!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Woodstock for dessert.........

2012-01-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

As my kids and wife will tell you....I am the KING of trendy.......NOT! I am about as out of touch as they come. And it was very clear to me as Amanda, Ben, and I stopped today at the "Orange Leaf" frozen yogurt extravaganza shop....or at least I think that is what it is called.

First of all, the furniture is all from the 60's....the decade in which I was born and desperately worked so hard to escape. Why people think that stuff is cool I do not know. I was a kid then, but the adults who ran everything were morons (thus the furniture and CLOTHES). Why would you want to eat anything from a place with such judgement?

But there we were......them eating frozen yogurt and me watching? Why? Because yogurt is YOGURT. If you are going to eat something frozen, eat ice cream. But who am I to make such a bold statement? Gee whiz, the dining room chairs and all the appliances in my mom's house were the same color as these yogurt chairs. And look how well I turned out? You would think that we could report them for a decorating violation or something.

But in truth these places are filled with people who look like they are forcing themselves to be happy to pay $5.00 for a yogurt and sit in a Tang-colored plastic chair as if it were some status thing. I however, am committed to not giving in.

I have worn t-shirts, blue jeans (the manly kind), and plain white tennis shoes for as long as I can remember. And give me a cheeseburger and a Bonnie Doon ice cream, but let's not get all weird. There is nothing wrong the drive-ins and hamburger joints, I love them myself. But the orange furniture and the 60's in general are past.....and I survived them! There is just no need to make me do it all again!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Heading to movie night........

2012-01-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had "movie night" at the house and were able to watch the movie "Bolt." I do not watch many movies, but I have to confess it was pretty good. And, quite surprisingly as a dog movie, it captured the attention of all of us except for the dog.

It would have been better if Steph were here with us, but tomorrow she starts class in Missouri. She would have loved it though. As for me, I suppose it is good to be able to escape from reality even now and again, and I have to say that I even laughed a quite a bit of it. So many movies, even the ones that try to make you laugh, are filled with uncomfortable scenes that just make me wonder why I am watching. This movie, thankfully, had none of those scenes.

What I can say is that tomorrow now worries me. Ben will watch something and the next day he decides to "be" that something. I am not opposed to him wanting to be Bolt mind you, it's just that we do not have a dog costume.....plus we already have a dog. It would be a change from Wolverine, Batman, and Spiderman though, and there is nothing wrong with a little variety.

Movie night was a great way to start out the year, and it was a great way to end a work day. All the "dad stuff" is a lot of fun, and I thank God every day for the opportunity.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

My year in review.......

2011-12-31T17:47:00.000-08:00

As 2011 comes to a close, I look back and see one of the most difficult years of my life. The loss of both my mom and my grandmother (her mom) were pretty difficult. My grandma died at 95 from a massive stroke, and my mom died a few weeks before her, finally losing her long battle with Alzheimer's.

My mom had really been gone for years. But right before she died, she sort of came out of that Alzheimer's fog and gave me some specific instruction, and to a social worker too. It was all to quick. Suddenly she was back in the fog and died a few days later. I always wanted to see her and talk to her when she was sharp again, but not on topics of her treatment. At least I got to have two decent conversations with her though. It was a gift to not have to make those decisions by myself.

But my grandma was sharp to the very end, and I talked to her often. She was always worried about my mom, and I hated it that I had to call her and tell her of her passing. She was a caring and compassionate soul, and learned a lot about life just by sitting with her and talking. In truth, I miss them both, and life has been a little bit strange without them.

There were a few big highlights in 2011 for me though, and the big one was seeing Scotty graduate from high school. It made me very proud. He also was named the Varsity MVP for lacrosse a few weeks prior, a ceremony I arrived about 30 minutes late for due to the STUPID AIRLINES. But I did get to see pictures. He worked hard, and he deserved it. And I got to see a few of his games too, as I was the high school women's coach.

And that was another big thing in 2011. I retired my position as Head Coach of the Noblesville Women's Lacrosse Team, and that to me was a big thing. I really miss it, and I miss the team. But a lot of my life was wrapped up in it, and a bit of me died in letting that go. I will need to find something else to fill that void.

But all in all, I am looking forward to 2012. I am not sure what it will hold, but I am going to count on it being a bit less painful. We will see.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Pondering the future..........

2011-12-30T20:13:00.000-08:00

There are so many things I wish I did better. I wish I were a better husband, a better parent, a better priest and friend......but there are always times in my life that I too clearly see the shortcomings I possess in each. It troubles me deeply, yet not often, but always, you have to pick yourself up and move ahead.

That now seems a lot harder to do. I remember when I was younger. As an athlete, shortcoming were always just a challenge. But looking in the mirror now I just do not see that same young man, nor do I often act like him. Life I guess has a way of doing that. Perspectives change as do the ways you react.

But as I approach the new year I want to rededicate myself to recapturing what I once knew and lived. I am clearly not one to grow old gracefully, and my last few years really have been abysmal in terms of living how I know I am capable. I have posted about many of these things here before but not made progress enough to be satisfied. I am tired of losing. Things need to change.

With that, tomorrow I intend to post a few things I would like you to partner with me in through your prayers. I would ask that you'd partner by sending me cash too, but I have tried that before and it never has worked. But I need to get out of the rut and onto the right road. Check in with me tomorrow, and let me know you will help! Perhaps we can help each other make a new start!

Thanks everyone!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Riding the wave........

2011-12-29T19:25:00.001-08:00

Concussion Girl is getting better, and things at the house are moving closer to Saturday, when Steph will head back to Missouri. Thus we are seeing the meaningful events, such as the three kids going to lunch together on their own, and then Steph and Scott going ice skating together with some friends last night. Tomorrow will be a day for Amanda and I to see her, and then the packing begins. I really do not enjoy seeing them leave.....it is like they have lives of their own.

But in all honesty, I am way down on the "control of that" scale. Even Ben is ineffective in getting her to stay. But like most of life, I just need to deal with the things I can control (a short list) and ride out the others that I cannot.

And in my world, that is a lot of riding. The past few days I have been living with Batman. My sanctuary, my office, is constantly invaded with his toys, I mean weapons, excuse me. Scotty has his drums home as his band is not currently practicing for the holiday, and even if we added two more floors I would probably hear them. The cat is always wanting something, and the dog follows me like a caboose. Concussion girl is always calling me in the house for something, and it would be great if I was not hard of hearing. I always hear something and have to get up to clarify......as I do not want to become "Concussion Guy." And Steph is pretty much "maintenance-free" and hardly ever needs a thing....that's why she is leaving.

So just "two more sleeps" (as Ben says) till Saturday. I have had a good day, and tomorrow will be another. But please keep me in your prayers. It is very hard to keep up that illusion (maybe it's a delusion) that I am in charge.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A colorful Christmas PIG......

2011-12-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

First of all, for those of you worried about Amanda, she had a CT scan today. She has a severe concussion and a lot of fluid on her brain. She is at home and will make a full recovery. She also has shared that she will never ice skate again.

Now off to this post.......

Ben gave his sister Steph for Christmas a very special gift, and it was something they could do together. He got her a ceramic, paintable piggy bank. The idea was that they would design this together, and then Steph would take it back to Missouri with her at the end of the week when she returns for school. So on Monday night they broke out the paints and the pig.

And as much of a blast as it was to occasionally watch, the project seemed to be a bigger blast for the both of them. They each have their own styles of painting and design, and they appear to be nowhere near the same either. Stephanie clearly has been influenced by the surrealist period, whereas Ben from the Baa-roke. (no, not the Baroque, but the baa-roke or translated into modern English, broke)

But the finished product of all this chaos was one slick pig, and one that will be the talk of the university I am sure.

Scott received a birdhouse from Ben and they will get to that soon too. And since Scott goes to college here, the birdhouse will grace our property somewhere I am sure. That I am sure will be another post.

But for tonight I thought I would just share this with you.....my talented kids ad their Christmas pig!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

The best laid plans......always get blown apart!!

2011-12-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

We went ice skating as a family this afternoon, something we had not done in awhile. Ben got some new skates for Christmas, and we wanted to try them out. The whole outing however was very disheartening. The picture was taken right before all the trouble.

First of all, the Forum at Fishers, no longer sharpens skates while you are there.....and we needed some sharpened. They now have built a big box that you drop your skates in and you can pick them up some 24 hours later. It screams the fact that there is more care for how many people they can get in the rink, but not for the quality of their skate. I actually found it a bit appalling, as I did their price of 6.00 per session for everyone over 3. Generally there is a kid's price. And it is not that I could not afford to pay it, (yes, I know, a double negative, but I am just feeling it) it is just the principle. It will make a difference to me next time we, or just I, go to skate.

Of course that may never ever happen again anyhow. Ben was afraid of the ice and was dragged around the rink twice but only while screaming. (We will need to have his DNA checked....that is just not right in our family.) And then Amanda fell backwards not too long after that and hit her head. Amanda is Amanda though (bull-headed and stubborn to the N-th degree). Her vision is blurred yet she was, and is, adamant about not going to the hospital to get checked out. I stopped fighting her about it after trying pretty hard to get her to go. And of course we stopped skating and headed home to put her to bed. I have been waking her up a lot and although she has a headache, she seems to be getting a bit nicer!

So the best laid plans were just plans for disaster, though we did not know it at the time. I am just glad to have gotten them all home. I am pretty certain, despite the drama, that they all are going to survive.

Goodnight my friends from my at home health care center, and God Bless!

Tommy+

The Great Reward.......

2011-12-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is Ben tonight at Chick-fil-A eating a pretty thick small chocolate shake with a spoon. I met up with him as his mom had him out shopping at a clothes store after I had been out all day with some visiting clergy (they were great!). And from the looks of it you might think that the great reward was that chocolate shake, perhaps given because he had been such a good and well behaved boy, but you would be wrong. That would assume he didn't have MY DNA and also a heart for bribery. The reward was my actually being able to go hang with him.

You see on my way home my wife said I could come and meet them.......after all, what husband wouldn't want to follow his wife around a clothes store? So initially it was a search and rescue mission. I was going to get him out of there, hell or high water.

But actually, it was not as difficult as I imagined it might be.....in fact, it was ridiculously easy. We didn't even have to act up, which is our normal modus operandi. It was just a straight walk out the door, first to Meijer to look for ammo for the gun Cowboy Grandpa got him for Christmas (caps, the old school on a roll kind) and then a trip to the Chick-fil-A.

And it was a great reward, a true blessing, to hang with him. He and I actually hang a lot, and it is important to me. Tonight it was for his milkshake.

I thank God for any of these times I can spend with my children.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Merry Christmas.....

2011-12-25T16:59:00.000-08:00

The day has been a busy one here, with family and friends and services at two of our Churches today. Around our ministry, we held 7 services and were able to reach many people as we celebrated the birth of our Savior! It has been a wonderful day. If we could just get the dog to settle down.

At home now things have begun to wind down. All the presents have been opened, and the house has been cleaned up. A short nap (by me) has been taken and I am now ready to spend the evening watching the Chicago Bears play some unknown team whose name shall not be spoken.

But I wanted to make sure I wished all of you a Merry Christmas. Sometimes the reason for the season gets lost in all the busy-ness. But it does not get lost on me.

May the joy of the One born this day in Bethlehem be yours on this day and in the year to come!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Anticipation......

2011-12-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

The sermons are done, the Churches are ready to go, my clothes are all laid out, and in just a few hours the celebrations will begin. Christmas services are really a blessing to me, and I have had the honor of celebrating and delivering a Christmas message for many years.

And unlike other years, after the last service tonight I will be able to come home with my family with hardly anything to do! That's right, there will be no assembling of ANYTHING tonight, which means I will just need to do a few logistical things before I head to bed. And since I have an early service in the morning that means we will all be waking up early to open gifts.

The greatest gift of all however, is the one I will be talking about over these next two days. The giving of God's only Son Jesus is that gift!

I am posting early today 1) in light of this early evening, and 2) to encourage you to find somewhere to go and hear the story and celebrate it too! There are plenty of good churches out there, and there will be plenty of room for you! I hope you give it a go! There is no better place for any of us to celebrate this wonderful miracle!

God Bless you!

Tommy+

All Ready........

2011-12-23T19:53:00.000-08:00

I spent a lot of the day over at St. Patrick's in Noblesville where I will celebrate and deliver the sermon tomorrow at 9pm. (I will be at St. Anne's in Anderson at 5pm). But I had a very productive day. I bought poinsettias, cleaned, set up the Nativity, put up signs, and totally, and I mean totally did the worst job of decorating a Christmas tree in all of history. It is so bad I have asked Amanda to head there tomorrow before the service to "fix" it. But everything else looks great.

Of course all these things are just that, things. I have yet to write my sermon, but obviously I will tomorrow. For some reason I was just worried about all the set up and needed to get it done...thank God I did.

Most of the time these things get done by other people, but sometimes I just like "doing" things that are tangible. Sure, a sermon and a service are tangible......but not in the same way. Sometimes it is just fun for me to set something up and see it, knowing that others will enjoy it tomorrow as much as I did today. All our facilities are beautiful, and I am thankful for the opportunity I had today.

Now I just need a sermon, but I am not worried about that. I am actually DONE and ready for the family stuff, so my normal December 24th shopping trip will not need to take up my time! That will give me plenty of time to write!

So as Advent winds to a close, I hope you are thinking about how you will celebrate Christmas this year. There will be plenty of room at all our churches, and you are welcome (and INVITED) there.

Just make sure you celebrate somewhere.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Good dental hygiene....

2011-12-22T19:29:00.000-08:00

Ben has a problem brushing his teeth. Oh it is not as if he does not want to, or is it that it is not possible to do so as he has about 100 toothbrushes, but the problem is that he walks around with these toothbrushes (Latin = toothbrishae) and then LEAVES them all over the house in places we cannot find them. So the bottom line is that when we bring him into the bathroom to brush his teeth, there is never a toothbrush IN THE BATHROOM. BUT if you go into the rec room in the basement, or the kitchen, you might just find one there.

Tonight's picture was taken in my OFFICE of all places, as Steph found one and took advantage of finding it. And to get this picture, I saw him walking in the HALL brushing his teeth and called him in. I know, it is not exactly what 4 out of 5 dentists recommend, but I would like to think that the moron dentist who cannot agree with his friends might just comfort me by saying my youngest is going to be okay because he DOES brush his teeth. Sure, I know that particular dentist is a liar, but somehow just knowing he is a dentist makes me feel as if I am an advocate for good dental health.

Because all in all, good dental health is important to me, as I am an ice hockey player from the 60's and 70's (and 80's) and my mouth is full of porcelain. And I DO take care of my teeth, and NO, I do not brush with Tidy-bowl. My REAL teeth (the ones not bolted into my jaw) are pretty pristine, and I have had I think only three fillings my entire life. Granted, about 1/6 to 1/5 of my teeth were left on some ice rink somewhere, but the ones I have left I appreciate.

As for my kids, I really make sure they take care of their teeth. I honestly buy more toothbrushes for Ben than food, because he is far more efficient with food and it costs less to buy the brushes. But I remember my dentist as a kid, sitting me in a room for about 20 to 30 minutes with nothing but a hand mirror and NO TEETH. It made an impression.

I really do want Ben....and Steph and Scott.....to take care of their teeth and they ALL will be getting additional toothbrushes for Christmas.

It's a meaningful and thoughtful gift. And in the end.......it is so much cheaper than an new Ipod!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

His first felony......

2011-12-21T20:46:00.000-08:00

How proud can a father be? We were in the store getting ready to check out when it happened. That squirt gun I was buying him (I think it was a dollar), and which was unloaded at the time, suddenly became an issue. The woman who was just shopping and minding her own business seemed to take it in stride, but in all honesty I have a problem with a pastor's kid pulling any kind of gun, squirt or not, on anyone......particularly in the Christian bookstore.

Of course I understand that his actions probably had very little to do with his faith and probably had much to do with genetics. We however have a saying here in our house, although I am the only one to say it, and it is "do the crime, do the time." And there is no backtalk about it.

The little felon, I mean Ben, was quite surprised to see the squirt gun leave his hand so quickly as I simultaneously apologized to the lady. And it was the last he saw of it. He however is learning. He knew he had done wrong and he did not put up any type of futile defense. That pleased me, although not enough to rearm him.

So we are now at home and he has been on "probation" tonight. And I think he may be up for an early release.

It just gives me yet one more story to add to my collection. I am just happy the dang thing wasn't full of water.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

No escape........

2011-12-20T21:16:00.000-08:00

My house tonight was full of young women.....they all used to be teenage girls, but now most of them are 20. They love me in a out-of-touch old guy sort of way, after all I am Stephanie's dad. But they really have no interest in hanging with me, nor would we be interested in the same movies, music or other things. They also laugh almost constantly, whereas at my age and perpetual diet, I am more apt to be crying all the time. So I figured I might actually "do" something tonight. And unfortunately for me that made me available for something I am very poor at.......Christmas shopping. (This a a real picture from tonight too!)

Yep, Amanda had me go with her to the stores. And first and foremost I have a very hard time in the crowds. I never used to, but post stroke things like crowds make me very edgy, and the whole thing can be quite difficult for me. And even more than that, Amanda always asks for my opinion, and more often than not I know that the opinion is really irrelevant.....she has already made up her mind. That puts me on edge too. A wrong answer is no good.....it is like a game in which very little yardage is gained.

Of course it is not my first rodeo either. I almost always defer and say, whatever you want. And it's a good thing I say that too, because it always leads to what she wants me to buy her. That's right, she actually places an order with me every year, which puts tremendous pressure on me. And why? Because that is one area that I refuse to defer to her. I have never once followed those instructions, which means ever year I have to come up with a pretty great idea to divert the attention from my defiance.

So far it has always worked, but every year I wonder if my streak is coming to an end. One day it may, but I still have a few days.

I intend to find and buy her a meaningful gift. And if I fail, I will just have to deal with it. After all, I am sure she did not marry me for my "love" of shopping. I am clearly just another kept trophy husband, and I will just need to bank on that!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Good news!!!

2011-12-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

I have to confess......I am very happy. Our new website is UP St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church/The Order of St. Michael the Archangel and it is AWESOME! I want to thank my good friend Father Greg Lynn and the good people at Ankordesign for creating such an amazing work. It is not quite done, but we wanted it up before Christmas! And if you need web work done I recommend contacting Father Greg. www.Ankordesign.com

The new site reflects a lot of hard word, not only on the part of Father Greg, but of us. We have been in transition and have worked hard to transition our ministry in preparation of this launch. It is the first public information about our Order as well. And I encourage you to take a look at all of it. We are proud of what we have put up.

On a personal note, Amanda, Steph, and Ben are home. Tonight is an adventure! I am glad to be where I am tonight. The future is bright, and thanks for letting me share!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The "Moron Gene"........

2011-12-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

I received this picture from Amanda tonight for my blog. It is their last night there and I have to say I was a bit surprised......not to see Steph and Cassie in or around jail mind you, but I had no clue that Cassie was on the trip. Apparently they picked her up in St. Louis on their way to Kansas. Amanda thought she had told me, but she had not. So as you can imagine, the picture was quite a surprise.

Of course Cassie is like a second daughter to me, but one who at least "acts" (she is an actress) like she values my opinion and thinks I am not ancient. I am sure the truth is that she is a marvelous actor, but for now, and for all the future, I intend to pretend.

But my conversation with my apparently brain-dead wife was full of funny stories. Apparently at Amanda's grandpa's (Gramps) house Ben picked up one of those long "picker-upper thingy wingys" and called it "his gun." So Ben and Gramps spent the afternoon shooting at each other, Ben with his gun, and Gramps with his gun that look remarkably like his cane. I am sure Cassie was the director.

But all good things soon come to an end, like my 5 days now of not being wrong. As Ben says, "in just one more sleep," they will be home. And I suppose it will be fine that they return. In all honesty I am not sure how to live when I am not wrong, so I have been kind of lost.

Okay, just one more sleep....that is unless the picture is real and I need to head to Kansas to bail those two out.......again.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Cowboy dreams.......

2011-12-17T17:40:00.000-08:00

Obviously Ben is out in Kansas visiting "Cowboy Grandpa," and part of having a grandpa that is a true to life cowboy, is horses. And yep, Ben got to ride a horse today.

Of course he has no idea of how often he will be able to do this in life, as my wife grew up on a ranch and all of them are pretty horse-savvy. No, not like the Sarah Jessica Parker kind, but the better looking kind, like Trigger, Mr. Ed, and Secretariat. Horses were a big part of their upbringing and their dad, "Cowboy Grandpa," still rides them.

I can hardly imagine how proud my father-in-law must be......and what a villain my wife must have been for taking him off that horse (if she didn't have Steph do it.) It is not his first ride, because he does not remember, nor will it be his last. My only regret is that he was not wearing his "real" cowboy hat that his grandma (Nanny) bought him, because Steph and I made sure it went with him on the trip.

So please enjoy the picture like I am. Lord knows what this boy will turn out to be, but as for today he was a cowboy......and on a real horse.

I just wish I was there to see it!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Alien abduction!!!

2011-12-16T18:54:00.000-08:00

I probably shouldn't have talked to her while I was tired, but she did say she was sending me a picture, and I THINK it had to do something with all of them getting abducted by aliens in Kansas. That kind of thing happens a lot out there, and I suppose by Monday or Tuesday I will know whether or not I am single or married. Aliens tend to take people or leave them, from what I have seen on TV, but regardless, the pictures are spectacular, and I need to share them.

Amanda and her mom (and regardless of whoever is with them) never stop to rest.....they are always out doing something. Together or apart, they are often the same person, going to see things or be a part of something they find interesting. Tonight it was these "lights" and a live "nativity scene." (AND ice cream.) They are always into seeing or doing something, but ice cream seems to be included much of the time.

As for me, I am feigning concern while enjoying the bliss of no "to do" lists or "projects" around the house. Oh yes, I am certain these are not aliens, and I am also certain this small break from chores is but an illusion. What I am thankful for (besides the break) is that Ben is having the time of his life as he is his grandma's pride and joy, and she is far more than that to him.

But I have been working all day and it has been primarily on our new website. It is spectacular and it should be up within days. I just fill in info, but the designer is a genius! The downside is that it is almost 10pm and I can barely see. Lord knows what I have posted!

So perhaps I shall call it a night. I am not sure what to make of the picture, but one thing is for sure. If any aliens DID ABDUCT my wife I am certain they would drop her off in due time. She does not care how the chores get done. And they will get their fill of that soon enough!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Clearly our bar-hopping.......

2011-12-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

Leave it to Ben to get a picture taken with his grandparents and mom with a big BEER sign in the background. Lord knows where they are at, but it sure does look like they are having fun.

Meanwhile, back here at the ranch, I am home alone with the dog and the cat who have no interest in even being awake. But I guess I shouldn't complain, it is 8:45. Scotty is at band practice (or so he says), and I am left to figure out something to do without the direction of my wife.......something that I am not sure at my age is really allowed.

But I intend to make the best of it, especially while Ben and his grandparents are slugging down a few in the Wizard of Oz state. I am just glad they are having a good time, or at least that they are smiling for the picture.

Good photography skills Steph! I appreciate the picture!

Goodnight from all these wild times here my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Party, no, not really!

2011-12-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

OKAY....let the party begin! Amanda, Steph, and Ben are on their way to KANSAS and Scotty is never home. Yep, that's right.......it's me, an 8 year old dog who sleeps 23.75 hours a day and a cat that doesn't care for anyone other than herself! Yep, WILD TIMES!

To prove my point, get this....it is 7:50pm and I am bored and considering just going to bed! I know....SLOW DOWN WILD MAN. It is like a beer commercial without the beer, girls, or anything fun. It would be an appropriate time to confess that I had become my father but quite interestingly at 75, he is really a lot more fun than me. I am beginning to think my wife married me because I am a good bet for an early grave, or at least bedtime.

But what can I say is, I am what I am, and I have never even ever considered the Navy. The truth is that I do a lot of stuff within a day, and I really do not pay attention to time.....I rarely even wear a watch. But I do get a lot done, regardless of the time.

So off to bed I go, despite all the exciting possibilities. I often wish my life were more exciting, but what can you do. I used to hate naps, and now I know, sleep is a good friend!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

No horsing around anymore, she finally makes it official.........

2011-12-13T18:19:00.000-08:00

We were not sure she would ever commit to us, but today after moving some 13 months ago into our house, Amanda finally went to the BMV and had her addressed changed to here. We all breathed a big sigh of relief too. She does the grocery shopping and without her we would starve to death.

But on behalf of the rest of us, I need to share our thankfulness. I know it must have been a big commitment, I mean at least 20 minutes, and more than that, it saves the people living in our old house the confusion after she gets arrested on one of her "business" trips to Belgium. (She says they are business, but she sure seems to enjoy their chocolate.)

The great part is that we have all of that done now. All the cars and all the people, as well as the house.....match. She can now vote too, instead of complain that she can't. The last election (last month), fortunately, was cancelled here because we live in a small town and their was nothing on the ballot. They must have been waiting for her.

Tomorrow night, she, Steph, and Ben will head to Kansas to visit her mom. Her license has yet to arrive, but at least the police will know where she lives. So when they call from the pokey I can be honest......."Sure, I know her. She has been living here officially since yesterday."

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Spidey help me!!!!

2011-12-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

Well I tried to post tonight, with an idea and theme, but Blogger took me anywhere but where I needed to go. By the time I finally arrived, not by intention but by luck, the idea had escaped me and I was stressed rather than inspired. I really am a dinosaur. I use computers all the time, but would be happy enough if this was just a journal beside my bed. Technology is often the devil to me, and I really do consider myself blessed that I have (accidentally) figured this out.

But as I mentioned, the idea of what to write that I had all day is gone. I do not remember much about it, other than I was pleased about it and thought about it a few times through the day. Pre-stroke, I would torture myself to remember, but post-stroke I know that the odds are far than favorable. And I have learned to just let such things go.

But how I wish I had somethings funny or clever to share tonight.....because I know I did this morning. What I can say is that everyday cannot be a win, and I know there will be other opportunities.

So tonight I will take my lumps and just call it a day. I have the great blessing (these blessings are killing me) of typing this next to Batman who has decided that his is the bed he is sleeping in tonight. But at least the entertainment I will receive will be far more interesting than my lack of memory.....at least I hope so.

So my Monday is done without incident, but also without accomplishment. It reminds me of my entire Freshman year of college, only cheaper. I just hope Tuesday reminds me of something good!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Out with Stephy.......

2011-12-11T19:06:00.001-08:00

Steph, Amanda and Ben went out for an adventure today and although I was told about it, I wasn't invited. It's not anything I am upset about, because I wouldn't have wanted to go anyway. They went looking for clothes, which Ben thinks is cool, but I find quite torturous.

So I stayed at home and......worked. And yes, it was far more fun for me. I did watch the beloved Tim Tebow take down my Chicago Bears, but it was not so bad because I am enjoying all the people who hate Tim Tebow because he is Christian and is actually proud of it. As a priest I can say that I am glad to see the publicity. Not all of us are morons, and Tebow is a pretty great role model as well as quarterback. I just want to see him keep it up.

But now after a long day, a Bears' loss, and a lot of work behind me, I feel compelled to GO TO BED! Thank God Scotty is not home too, because I have his dog with me who ALWAYS thinks it is time for bed, so I have some support. I just need to commit myself to getting to tomorrow.

But Ben enjoyed the day with his sister, and Amanda did too. I can't be a part of everything, but at least I hear about it. It made my day.....as well as this great picture from their adventure that they shared with me, and I gladly share with you!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The Ornament Exchange......

2011-12-10T19:34:00.001-08:00

Tonight we gathered together with the congregation of St. Patrick's for a party in which we celebrated an annual tradition, "the ornament exchange." It is generally a pretty fun, and funny, time as we pick ornaments in order by a preselected drawing, and then when it is your turn you can either take one off the table (they are all wrapped until the end) or take one from someone ahead of you who has already picked. It is a blast, and we all enjoy it.

This year however, Ben played.....and he drew number 8 of 16. He was good at the start, picking the gift he wanted, but when people tried to take it away from him he growled......like a bear. Three or four people tried to take it from him, and he growled at all of them. At 4, he didn't understand the rules, nor should he been expected to. But in the end, perhaps he was brilliant. He indeed opened the gift he picked. Who would want to make a 4 year old cry.

Of course it was funny at the beginning, but appalling by the end. We had all been around kids though, so everyone was good about it. Kaleb, who is just 1, did a little better. But the great part was that we all enjoyed good food, drink, and fellowship. It was a real blast.

But I started crashing at about 9:30. I apparently just did not have it today, but I was blessed that a 4 year old has an early bedtime too. I gave my keys to Scotty and had to head home with Ben and Amanda. Steph started at the party and then went to see some friends. I am guessing everyone will be home soon.

Tomorrow however, is a work day and it is fast approaching, yet not as fast as my bed. Thank God! I am beat, and need to call it a day!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Birthday Macaronis........

2011-12-09T18:41:00.001-08:00

It has been a fantastic night. Steph got home at 4pm for her Christmas break, and at 4:30 she, Scott, and I were on our way to pick up Ben and then meet Amanda and the rest of those in our family at Macaroni Grill (a grill is something you cook on, not put over your front teeth)to celebrate her birthday. I am sure she was nervous, if not scared, and she had every right to be.

My family has a particularly rare strain of DNA that can take humor to a level few can understand or even appreciate. Waiter and waitresses tend to love us because we are far from haughty and draw them into our fun. My brother Mike brought Steph a very special gift connected to a very long gag. It cracked us all up. The only one missing tonight was my dad's wife Debby who is a newscaster. She actually interviewed President Obama at the White House yesterday morning and flew back today. But the news didn't stop for Steph's birthday, she had to be on air. That was too bad for all of us. But I am sure however had it been MY birthday, the President could have intervened........after all, I am married to a woman who knows the 50 States Song that RHYMES, and I am fast approaching Willard Scott telling everyone it's my birthday. But I digress.

So we are now all home, and I am tired but happy, not just for the great evening, but to have us all home. Steph's break seems long as it starts but I am certain it will feel all too short.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Genetics gone wild......

2011-12-08T18:34:00.001-08:00

I suppose I would be concerned, had I not been certain that this is genetics and it comes from me. Ben got a little lecture tonight from his mom about wearing pajama shorts in the winter, and so like any thinking Tirman would do, he went and put on a jacket. It really didn't work, as most things don't with her, but she married me and she will just have to live with the consequences and environments of such a decision.

Of course this has not be the strangest thing he has done tonight, and although I am prone to mention a few others I need to confess that the night is not yet done. But I will say that Captain America just made a visit to my office with his shield hanging on the back of my old phone case that was attached to his pajama shirt, now sans jacket. The shorts are still there, and I was given a short inservice on the merits of fighting crime.....which of course has nothing to do with Captain America. But to me it doesn't matter. Criminals or Nazis, neither are welcome in my home.

The good news however is that Steph is on her way home for Christmas break and will arrive tomorrow. we will celebrate her birthday tomorrow night, with all of us, my dad, my sister, and their exchange student Yu, pronounced "you," and confusing every time I talk to my dad. But it should be fun. We will all be there and Yu will be there too.....you (not Yu) can now see how that goes. I just though my dad was heading down hill. I am happy to report he is not.

But for now I will go see what Captain America is up to. My guess is a little over 3 foot. But my life is full of bad jokes. Tonight should be no different.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

Pearl Harbor Day........

2011-12-07T18:34:00.001-08:00

Seventy years ago today the Japanese launched an attack upon Pearl Harbor, not just taking many American lives, but drawing our nation into World War Two.

The years that followed were some of our nation's hardest, yet greatest. A generation of Americans stepped up and sacrificed, not just for our great country, but for the world. Many went off to war and never returned, giving their lives like those who did 70 years ago.

As I look at our country now I am saddened by how we have changed. "The Greatest Generation" saw this country for what it was, a land of opportunity, possibilities, and freedom. There was a sense of common purpose and unity that unfortunately we see now in only a few. And this land has gone from many selfless people to a lot only concerned with self.

But on this day of remembrance, let us not forget those who have gone before us and who set, by their love of God and Country, an example for us to live our lives by. I will not lose hope, because I believe we can be that country again.

To get there however, we need to not just remember those great men and woman who gave so much for us to get here, but we need to become them in our generation as well.

I remember those who have gone before, and I am not just thankful for them on this and every day, but I will not forget them.

May God Bless them, and may He also bless these United States of America.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Bat-tales......

2011-12-06T19:13:00.001-08:00

My whirlwind tour is over. And after seeing the likes of Toledo, Detroit, Novi, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and the ever popular Livonia, I finally arrived back in good old Edgewood, Indiana just a little after 7 tonight. AND I will declare, just as I did last month, that THIS will be my last trip of the year......I think.

Toledo of course is in Ohio, but everything else is in Michigan.....as was the snow. It was also cloudy the entire time in Michigan and I never knew what direction was what......that unnerved me. But the people were marvelous, and if it were not for the restraining order, I would probably go back. I just didn't know there was a law against wearing a Bears' jersey up there. Oh well.

But what was nice was to arrive home to Batman. He lives here you know. And I also had the pleasure of seeing both Batcat and Batdog. (They were both called their superhero names yet neither wore a disguise.) Surprisingly they looked a lot like our cat Puddy and our dog Viper, but what do I know? I have been traveling.

So the big news is that I am back to the insanity.........but thankfully it is still quite insane.

After all, you've got to go with what you know!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Happy Birthday Stephanie and Rhonda......

2011-12-05T18:25:00.001-08:00

Oh December 5, 2011.......the day my daughter Stephanie leaves her life as a teenager (she is 20 today!) and also the day my sister-in-law Rhonda hits the big 25 (again). They are both holding children (Steph holding her brother and Rhonda holding her daughter in a family picture from a few years ago)

And I do miss them both. Steph will be home later in the week (as will I), and we will celebrate her birthday then. But Rhonda moved first to Arizona and then to Utah, and I have not seen her in quite some time......and don't know when I will.

But tonight I thank God for them both. I could not have asked for a better daughter, and Rhonda is the very best! Happy Birthday to them both! I just wish we were all here celebrating together!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

They call me Father Moose........

2011-12-04T16:07:00.001-08:00

On my way up to Michigan on Friday I ran across a Cabelas and went in to look around. I had plenty of time with nothing to do other than to check in at my hotel, and it was a great break in the drive.

I took a lot of pictures too. I am no hunter, but I am fascinated by all the animals that they have there. Sure, they are stuffed, but what I like is that you are able to look at them closely. In a zoo they are always either moving around our not still enough to see. And it was a very interesting time to look at them all.

And about half way through was when I saw him, he was a large Canada moose, and it made me laugh. After all, my grandma (my dad's mom) was Canadian, and I am always on a diet......so there I was, a Canada moose! It was pretty funny to me, and a JOKE, so I snapped this picture.

I had bee a rock star on my diet the entire trip too, and even on Saturday at the ordination/installation I attended, I was very good. I only looked at the cake. But as pictures began to appear on Facebook of the ordination, I realized that it really wasn't a joke. Holy Smokes, I really am a Canada Moose! But I am working on it!

When I was a kid, I was always a skinny short little guy. I was a hockey player and a scrapper, but I always had the desire to be big. In college I went at it full bore......and succeeded. I wanted to be "big" and although I was still 5'8", I was a total monster. I loved it as long as I was under control, but now it is not. Moose is a great nickname, but it is not a great, or even good, description. I intend to keep at it and win. Keep me in your prayers.

On a side note, today is my mom's birthday, and had she lived until today she would have been...........very old. (She would love that joke!) Actually, when I took over her care some years ago she actually lied to me about her age. So I asked my grandma before confronting her. She had a great sense of humor which you only saw bits and pieces of through the Alzheimer's, but they were blessings. (DON'T READ THIS: Happy 65th mom, even though grandma told me you were really born in 1939!)

So tonight's blog is now done. I think I will go eat some grass and look for a lake in which I can take a swim. The life of this moose is never done!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Father Joe.......

2011-12-03T17:41:00.001-08:00

I believe I bought a book called "Father Joe" a couple of years ago with the best intentions of reading it, but I didn't......fortunately for me however I now know the REAL Father Joe, and the picture proves it. My friend Joe Mlaker was ordained a priest tonight by Bishop Doc Loomis somewhere near the North Pole (Lansing, Michigan......home of the Spartans) and it was a great time indeed.

This parish had been served by another good friend of mine, Jack Lumanog, who had recently moved to Pittsburgh (home of Big Ben - I do not think it is the clock). Jack became the assistant to the Archbishop, and that meant that Joe could move to Lansing! (Motto.....no cheese here). Of course that is the problem. Joe is from Wisconsin, and tonight in particular, Michiganers HATE people from Wisconsin. But apparently the air was infused with ether, because they not only ordained Joe a priest, but they made him their Pastor.

But here's the thing.....I KNOW JOE, and it was a GREAT CHOICE. But sadly, if Wisconsin beats MSU for the Big Ten Championship tonight (in Indiana of all places) Joe will probably be fired. But then I will pick him up and take him to Indiana, because as a Notre Dame fan I am not threatened by anything....(because we lose to everyone).

But here's to you my friend Joe. You are a man of incredible faith and determination and I am blessed to be your friend. Congratulations. You were a great deacon and will make a fine priest! I enjoyed visiting your parish! It was a blessing to me, and you will be a blessing to them.

AND......if you live within 300, okay 500 miles of this parish, get up there and worship with Joe. He is a great guy and he has a great deacon (Steve.....whose wife is a friend of my wife's). You will not be sorry! It is a parish that is going somewhere all of us would like to go!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Rink rat.......

2011-12-02T18:41:00.001-08:00

Although my TomTom sent me all over the place, and even into some questionable areas, I finally made it to the ice rink with just about 50 minutes to go. Their Pro Shop was closed, so I was not able to get my skates sharpened, but I felt they were good enough to give it a go. Since I skate better than I walk I figured I ought to be safe.

So onto the ice I went with about 40 minutes to skate, and it was truly paradise! I never stopped and skated till the very end. I was a little stiff and rusty, but considering I was the old guy out there it didn't really matter.

As I skated by the glass I caught my reflection. And in my mind I went back to a practice in 1979 when I was a Senior in high school. It was rare, but we were practicing that night by playing some team from the old man's league (anyone out of high school or older) and at the start of the game I was getting ready to face off when this guy came up do it with me......I still think he looked like a very old Drew Carey. He even had tape on the bridge of his glasses. And what I remember "second most" was how I laughed inside and thought "Buddy, I am going to make you miserable all night." But what I remember most was how after that puck dropped he took it and I could never get it back. I followed him hopelessly all night, and had the most significant injury of my entire sports career......my pride.

Yep, he schooled me, and in that reflection tonight I saw a bit of him there. I learned a lot that night, not just about hockey, but about myself and life. It was a good memory to have as I glided about the rink. And I have decided that it's now, with me at 50, that I would love to have a rematch of that night.

After all, that guy has got to be about 80 now..........I might just have a chance.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Feeling pretty ice.........

2011-12-01T16:35:00.001-08:00

I remember typing this blog from a hotel in Akron, Ohio at the beginning of November where I spoke of how happy I was that it was my LAST out of town trip for the year. I was looking forward to just staying at home. But as they say "the best laid plans of mice and men generally get screwed up." Or something like that. I was to host the meeting I will be leaving for tomorrow, because we moved it to Michigan. And of course being a northerner myself, I know that there is generally no better time to visit Michigan than in the winter. (Their motto: "Snow 360 days a year! Enjoy our beaches!")

Of course I am not too broken up about it as I will be taking my skates and will probably get quite a bit of time on the ice while I am there. I miss skating, and really miss hockey more, but for now I will just reunite my skates with some ice. THAT will be one of the highlights of my year! The picture tonight is of the LAST TIME I skated when I took Ben skating for the first time last year! SHAME SHAME SHAME!

And I will also TRY, with my whole heart, to not think about skating while in my important meetings. Obviously I hardly think of it at all now, so my best guess is that it will be easy.

But tomorrow I will first head to Ohio. I have a meeting at 11 in Maumee. (It is the Indian name for "Panera, just south of this exit." As opposed to Toledo, which means "dirty chickens" and Sandusky that means "the beach closes at dark.") It should be very productive as the Churches and Clergy of our Order are presenting a Church that has lost its building in a lawsuit with some of the basic things they need just to hold a service. We are pleased to be doing this as we consider it a part of our ministry.

So my next post tomorrow may be post a "rink-visit." I don't know for sure, but maybe. I just know I will need gloves and a hat and a coat for the next few days.

And please keep my family in your prayers.........I know they hardly even get by without me. Bwhahahaha!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Trying to smile......

2011-11-30T19:20:00.001-08:00

I suppose I ought to change all the pictures that are posted of me in various places as profile pictures with a moustache, since I not only no longer have one, but I never intend to have one again either. My face, or my hair, or whatever it is that has damaged my ability to grow one will never return and I will just let it go I suppose. After all, you should never cry over burnt milk....or something like that.

But to be honest, I just cannot find a good picture of me, and that includes the ones already posted. I guess I am not that photogenic, but that does not surprise me in the least. I have really always had a "face for radio," and cannot manage a smile. We had family pictures scheduled for last weekend, and I was thankful my eye swelled up just prior to them. I couldn't be in pictures for good reason but at least I wasn't in trouble for not smiling!

Anyway, my time is coming, but hopefully before it does someone will get a good picture of me. To be honest, I really would like one. I love to laugh and I am sure I smile. I just can't artificially. I guess I will just have to settle for now this picture of Amanda driving golf balls in hopes of going into labor with Ben in June of 2007 as a substitute.

It's not me, but as I look at it I guarantee you I am smiling without a mustache now!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Secretariat......

2011-11-29T15:51:00.001-08:00

Okay, it is not the real one, but even before the move it was my favorite horse.....I saw it all live too. But this horse's name is actually "Sandy" and this ride cost me approximately ONE CENT at the Noblesville Meijer. It however, was worth it. It was the best piece of a long day that saw us trade in Steph's car for a different car for Amanda. Steph took the hybrid that I tried, but gave back and Amanda gave back too. And now Amanda is happy, I am still in my dinky car, and Ben rode a horse....albeit a plastic one. Life is good, just not for me.

But despite my stroke I do have memories of Secretariat, who won all those races by 350 lengths. And is is pretty cool when they make MOVIES out of events that you loved and witnessed. And as certain that I was that my kids would be impressed by this, I must admit that I was WRONG. They could care less. I am old to them, and all they hear is rambling. I am clearly just in the way of their inheritance as is my 20 year old wife!!! Hahaha....who has the last laugh now??? (Of course it is my wife, because I will be dead!)

So why would I need to complain being this old and so close to my eternal demise??? I won't! But I am an "older" guy living in a young guy's world. I remember THE horse, but to everyone else the horse is but a character in a NOSTALGIC movie.

Oh well, what do I care? I am old and confused, and most of all I AM ENJOYING IT! My horse won the race, and actually ALL OF THEM. And you cannot take that away from me......even if I am old!

Goodnight and God Bless!

Tommy+

No time for crime..........

2011-11-28T18:47:00.001-08:00

The picture is of what I turned around to find this morning as I was driving him to Cindy's. All I know for certain is that it is NOT BEN. Apparently that would be giving away his secret identity. But perhaps I have already shared too much. Please forgive me.

There however, is never a dull moment for me, and although I was clearly surprised as I looked behind me, I was comforted in that I was most probably the safest man in the world at that point. After all, what criminal would even dare to mess with us with him in his full crime-fighting gear?

It really cracked me up, but it did even more so when Amanda and I went to pick him up in her car. He was soon dressed in character again, but there was just one time when she turned around to talk to him for just a second, but he had his mask up on his head. He went ballistic and she received a short but poignant lecture on why he needs to protect his secret identity. It reminded me at how she cried at her ultrasound when she saw he would be a boy, as she had her heart set on a girl......BUT now she always shares how her life with him couldn't be better. After all, Barbie talk and my little ponies would be far less entertaining for her, and he sees his mission primarily to protect her from not just the Decepticons, but anything evil that is afoot. She used to laugh at me, now she laughs with me.......at this strange superhero who lives in our house and rides in our backseats.

He seems a pretty swell chap........I just wish we knew who he was.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Her Royal Highness........

2011-11-27T17:57:00.001-08:00

I have a small balcony off my office, and the cat always likes to go out on it and sit on the ledge an survey a kingdom that she believes she rules, but will never go out in as she is an indoor cat. The ledge however seems to satisfy her, for from it she feels quite majestic.

In out last home we had no balcony, but she had a routine there as well. We would let her out the window of Scotty's room where she would climb the roof to its very peak and sit for hours looking down on us. She hardly ever came in, and being a small cat I was always worried about a hawk or an owl coming for her up there, but perhaps that was her plan. She is feisty and packs a punch. I often wonder if she might be armed.

But tonight her royal highness beckoned me to the door of the balcony and I faithfully opened both the outer and screen doors. She then proceeded to stare angrily out into the darkness.......rain. How dare it? And somehow the look I got as she walked away made me feel as if it were my fault. I clearly am going to have to do a better job tomorrow.

But I suppose she deserves her due. She is 9, and she is living with a 4 year old. It's not all bunnies and flowers for her that is for certain. Plus, she and I gave up our back porch, and although we have a side porch now where she can see squirrels on all sides, sadly without a table in there it is less conducive to typing for me. She will have to live with the balcony.

And apparently I will have to continue to live with her and her demands. After all, I do not want to make her angry. She fears nothing and rules the roost.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Of piratey things and parenthood.....

2011-11-26T20:07:00.001-08:00

Arrrrghhh, and not in a pirate way either. Steph is out visiting friends tonight and in the morning I will only be able to see her when she comes to church.....then she is heading back to Missouri. Why do things like visits fly by, and things like trips to the BMV drag on forever? It just kills me to see her go.

And of course, we had family pictures scheduled for this afternoon which my stupid eye cancelled me out of. My right eye has been a problem pre-stroke. The doctors have said that my stroke in 2008 was probably not my first, and I can bet right when another happened, because my vision in that eye went south immediately. It has been problematic ever since too.

But for the last year or so my right eye often looks like I have pink eye. I don't, but it hurts, and the trips to the ophthalmologist always include, "wow the pressure in that eye is a lot higher than normal," yet nothing is ever accomplished. I have drops, I use hot compresses, I use cold packs......I do everything but gouge it out. And to be honest, I am miserable from it. I just want to see out of it and have it be normal. I don't care about having to wear glasses, I just don't want it to hurt and I want to LOOK normal too.

But the nice part is that when I tear up tomorrow when she leaves, I can blame it on my eyes. She will only be gone for two weeks until Christmas break, but that is long enough. Oh if I were just really a pirate.

But no, I am just a dad. who wishes he could hang with his kids everyday.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Changing traditions.......

2011-11-25T19:49:00.001-08:00

Stephanie's birthday is December 5th, and we always waited to put up the Christmas tree until after her birthday. Of course Stephanie now lives in Missouri, and she will not only be there on her birthday, but I will be in Michigan. To make matters even more complicated, she was very put off that the tree would be done without her, as Amanda and she commandeer that job every year. So the tree was done today, and they both appear to be happy.

Of course that is a big change in tradition, but there was really no choice. To not do it today would not change the fact that it was going to be impossible for them to get together and do it in a timely fashion, so they talked to the "decision makers" (each other) and made the decision. It is really their thing, and there was no way any of us guys were going to get in the way.

Okay, when I say that, I mean "in the way of the decision," not plain old "in the way." Quite obviously we live with Ben who has NO CONCEPT of personal space, which is something we hope he grows out of by his 20's. So we (Scott and I) let them decide, and then we (Scott and I) got out of the way. Ben also let the decide by being oblivious to the purchase of a new tree, and then messed with every ornament while shooting them all with an antler from a fake reindeer that we cannot seem to find. That last part appears the only lasting tradition we have, other than the holiday chants "Ben, NO," and "Ben, STOP IT!" Oh the holiday is upon us!

But the good news is that the tree is up and decorated......and Ben is still alive, and quite surprisingly, not grounded. Tomorrow however is another day and yet another opportunity. We will see how he does, but in all honesty, he is up against tradition.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Happy Thanksgiving.........

2011-11-24T12:58:00.001-08:00

Well it's official......we held our first big Thanksgiving dinner here at the house, as we had moved in just after Thanksgiving last year. It was a wonderful feast too! And the picture is not only of our table, but of the primary cooks, Amanda and Stephanie. They did a great job, and at dinner we all were dressed casual except for Ben who wore a tie. After all, someone needs to be the boss.

Amanda, as most of you know, is from Kansas. Kansas is actually an Indian word meaning "land of those who over prepare." And sure enough, she lived up to her homeland. Thank God five of us were college students and here till Sunday. We will not need to leave the house.

But of course all of it means we can relax and enjoy the rest of the day. My family is great, and I am thankful not just for them, but for the opportunity to spend the day with them.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! May this day, and this next year be full of many wonderful blessings!

God Bless you my friends!

Tommy+

Pre-turkey blessings.......

2011-11-23T19:19:00.001-08:00

Well the kids are all here and the last minute preparations are being made for a big dinner here tomorrow with all of them. And of course with all the preparations going on, there was no way to possibly even cook tonight, so Ben and I took all the girls out for dinner! (I am the old one behind the camera.) We had a great time, only missing Scotty who was at band practice.

But tomorrow we will all be together and enjoy the day. I am looking forward to it too. It has been a great time so far.

Our eyes are all on the voting for the Santaslam too. As of a few minutes ago Scotty's band was only 11 votes ahead. The other band with a lot of votes is a local nightclub band that is pretty popular. We are just hoping Scotty and the guys can pull this off..... every vote in this clearly counts, so if you can go online and vote for "Cecil." They are band #17 Click HERE to vote for Cecil CLICK HERE!

Anyway, there is never a dull moment! Everyone get some rest tonight and enjoy a day of blessings tomorrow!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Vote early, vote often!

2011-11-22T18:07:00.001-08:00

Vote early, vote often!Just a note to say that my son SCOTTY is a drummer in a rock band and is in a CONTEST to open up for Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas in Indianapolis on December 5th. He however NEEDS VOTES and if they win they are the band that opens. It would be an incredible break for them.

Their band is names "Cecil" but I really do not know why! I have some of their songs on my iPhone, and they are pretty dang good.....and I confess that as a child of the 70's (no I was BORN in 61....I was a high schooler in the 70's) that I love their music.

But Scotty isn't just a drummer. He is the musician at one of our churches too. He plays all sorts of instruments, but has a passion for music and this is a real big chance for him and their band! Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas are big stars, and to open for them at 18 years old would be remarkable. Currently they are 50 votes in front of a local (and popular) nightclub band. Ironically, not one of the members of Cecil can even get into a nightclub.

In one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life," an entire community comes to the aid of George Bailey, not because of anything other than his character. Scotty is a good kid, and this is a big chance. I encourage you to go to the link and vote for them. The other band actually has the first video and Cecil the last....yet Cecil is ahead. Let's keep them there! I have an out of town meeting that day I am willing to cancel and meet all of you at the Murat!

Give these kids a chance and let's make Cecil the opening act. Your vote today, and each day until the contest ends, will be all it takes. And as for me, I will be eternally grateful!

Here is the link!

Scotty's Band - Direct link

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

In anticipation..........

2011-11-21T16:35:00.001-08:00

Why is it that my weekly weigh-ins for Weight Watchers, as well as my birthdays, come about every 15 minutes, but Stephanie coming home for Thanksgiving seems to take forever? I just talked with her on the phone and she WILL be home tomorrow before midnight, but I anticipate that going slower than a glacier. I will wait because I have to, but few things get my goat (no I do not know what that means other than it is appropriate here) more than waiting for my kids.

Of course two of them are already here and all the time. And it amuses me to see the two brothers anxiously awaiting their sister. I bet they do not get into it (argue about anything) tomorrow night, but something always goes awry with siblings sooner or later. Right now they all miss each other a great deal, but when there is just one piece of white meat turkey left, Steph will have seniority, Scott will be the strongest, and who would want to disappoint the little brother? In truth, none of them will care and we will see it.....although it will be about something else because I am old and I am the one who deserves it.

And Steph is also bringing two of her housemates with her, as they live in Maryland and will not be heading home. It will be great to have ALL of them here, and I know Amanda is just beside herself about being able to host a big Thanksgiving here. (we normally go to my dad's, but he is in prison.....oh wait, I mean he is at his in-laws) (and no, it was just a joke.....they are delightful people and in NO WAY was I comparing them to a Warden and staff......my wife is really the Warden, just ask her!)

So this Thanksgiving will be quite different. I will be hosting, and not hanging at my dad's. I will not head home and make a trip out to see my mom at the nursing home or call my grandma. But I will celebrate my thankfulness for their genetics by hanging with their grandkids.

I can't wait.......but of course I will have to. Time is dragging!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

My screwed up life.....

2011-11-20T17:30:00.001-08:00

It is just 8:30 pm, although it feels like midnight, and I am in bed typing unsure if I will ever go to sleep again. I took a nap this afternoon with the intention of it being a short one.....going down at 2 with the alarm set for 4 so I could watch the Bears' game. Apparently you need to take your phone of silent for the alarm to go off.

So the bottom line is that I was up just shy of 6, and in addition to the Bears' game, I was going to bleach our tile floors on the main floor in preparation for Thanksgiving. They are nice floors, and we had them professionally done by "Stanley Steamer" in May for $450, but that lasted 15 minutes (I would not recommend it). So I did it myself tonight after my "more than lengthy nap" and it looks great.....plus it was for free. AND the added benefit is that my family will collect all that insurance money from my dying from inhaling all that beach. I am certain they will find the turkey easier to swallow as they are talking about their planned Caribbean "grief-vacation."

So yes, I am a bit loopy and all I smell is bleach, but I am in bed ready for the coroner. But sadly for all of them, I will probably live through the morning and even through Thanksgiving. And although I am certain everyone will make comments about the turkey, no one will mention the floors. So it is with my life. But I do not do it for the praise, I do it because I am afraid of my wife!!

Tonight's picture is of she and Ben reading a bedtime story in HIS BED......where I anticipate, despite my hard work, I will wake her up in the same outfit at 6am tomorrow morning!

My life is screwed up....but at least our floors are clean!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Praying for peace........

2011-11-19T17:57:00.001-08:00

I would like to say that I am completely prepared for tomorrow, but I have to confess I have everything done but my sermon. I have had a busy day, but a great one.....I just didn't have time to get everything I wanted to get done finished.

I began the day with breakfast in Kokomo with my former Bishop and good friend Doc Loomis. It had been a while since we had been together, and it was a real blessing to spend some time with him. He will be making his Visitation with Christ the King in Kokomo tomorrow (on Christ the King Sunday, imagine that!). Christ the King is a Church that we planted some years ago, and I pray it is a wonderful celebration!

Unfortunately for me, I will not be a part, meaning mainly that I am going to have to have a sermon for the two services I will be doing tomorrow. I am not too worried though, as it is just 9pm, and I still have plenty of time. It however, will have to come in the morning. Amanda is spent and already in bed. Scott is out with his band, and Ben has been in and out of our room trying to talk his way into our bed. (There is always some crisis-oriented reason). The bottom line however is that it is doubtful that I will get any more done tonight.

So it is into temporary "retirement" I go, which is another way of saying I can no longer work and will run interference to make sure he doesn't wake up his mom. It will be a disaster if he does, so it is choosing the good portion for sure. He however is plenty of entertainment. I just want to keep this a comedy and not some sort of tragic ending thriller for me!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Whine and cheese.........

2011-11-18T19:33:00.001-08:00

Mercy, I am tired, although not as tired as my wife. We picked her up at 5pm from the airport where she flew in from Belgium. (Yes, I know, and are her arms tired.) But to her, the time was 11pm as we she had been in the country of Van Damme all week. (He's the muscles from Brussels) so she was beat.

Of course my day had been no picnic. Ben refused to leave my side as today was Friday and he didn't want to miss the trip to the airport. (As if I had often left him behind....) And it had been a hectic day as well, but I seemed to have all my ducks in a row as I left. And this was a big thing too, as ducks are really not all that compliant.

So we took an hour drive to pick her up at really the worst time to drive through Indy, Friday afternoon at rush hour. It took us well over an hour, but the good news was we were able to get her on time. St. Patrick's was holding a wine and cheese party at 7 in Noblesville, and of course it was still rush hour. And yes, it took us the rest of the time to drive up there.

Yes, I am whining, but the great part was after we arrived I was then wine-ing, and I had a great time. I am not sure however about my wife...........I just carried her in and propped her by the door until we left.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Witness to a crime.........

2011-11-17T15:50:00.001-08:00

That's right, today I was a witness to a crime, and I am torn as to what to do about it. About 3pm I was driving down Park Avenue about two miles from home when I saw it. It was an amazing feat. A panicked brown squirrel darted in from of my car from the corn field to my right with a cob of corn as big as he was.

I think he was worried about me as if I were the farmer or predator of some kind, but I was driving my wife's 2003 Civic Hybrid which in my mind would have made me look like more of some kind of animal activist. I was not armed, not even hungry, let alone for any type of rodent.

But it was really very funny. He was running away with his "loot" and although it technically was not his, I decided to let him go as I was not sure whose field it was anyway, nor could I identify him in a line up. I have about a dozen squirrels who live in my yard that I feed, and if it is not the baby one that lives in the woodpile, I would not know one from another.

So I will turn my head at this one, not out of apathy, but out of sheer respect for his guts and determination. I have laughed all day about it, and I do hope he enjoys it. I feed my squirrels peanuts, and will be spreading an entire bag for him to give him some variety in that general location, sometime before the weekend ends.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

A longing for yesterday.........

2011-11-16T17:56:00.001-08:00

Today was a pretty good day, but one that in the end was hard to deal with. I suppose hard is not the right word, but I found myself in a place that I wanted to do something, yet the reality was that I couldn't. I have been in this same spot before, yet I do not remember how I handled it, so I have come to the conclusion that I just grieve and hand it back to God.

I just have felt the need to pick up the phone and call my grandma, like I have so many times before, but I then remember that she has gone home to heaven. I guess it was always such a natural thing to do, but I miss the conversations and I miss seeing her. My mom and I never talked like my grandma and I did, plus my mom's mind was lost to Alzheimer's years ago. There is just always something so assuring about my grandma's voice.

Oh, I can still hear it, I just miss being able to chat. I always felt great after talking with her, and I really never had a poor memory of anything with her. She was a giant to me, as was my grandpa, and I guess I feel a bit untethered without them both. I always knew this time would come, they even told me, but somehow I feel so poorly prepared. It's as if a bit of my foundation has been taken away.

Of course I know that is not true, but it sure does feel that way. And someday I too will walk with my grandchildren in this life and the whole thing will come full circle.

I just have to live it, but I don't have to like it. She was such a blessing to me, and all I want to do is to just talk with her on the phone.

It will have to wait.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

At 40k, just three sleeps to go..........

2011-11-15T20:07:00.001-08:00

Dear Lord, I just accidentally saw that I have close to 40,000 page views, and will be over that by tomorrow. It absolutely humbles me to know that people actually follow this, or even occasionally read it. I honestly began it for one reason, to fight the good fight of faith, but that dang stroke got in the way. Now it is my therapy, although at times it still fights the good fight. But I am blessed that people read it, yet if no one did at all, I would thank God for the opportunity to exercise this broken mind of mine.

But tonight my mind is elsewhere. I am here in my bed, and I am not getting any peace. BEN is here and although I would rather he head to his own bed, he is really out of sorts when his mom is not here. It is not that he does not love me or Scott, or his dog , or his cat.....it is that he would throw us ALL under the bus as it were for her. And the bottom line is that if I do not have everything done by 5 when I pick him up when she is traveling, the rest of the day is cooked because he has no concept of privacy.

It however has been a great night. Scotty and I took him to Red Robin where he was a hit. We came home and Ben disappeared, but Batman was everywhere. Batman has now left the building (like Elvis) and he is just chatting away as I type. Only three more sleeps as he says before the cavalry arrives.

It is a great way to go over 40k! Thanks for being a part of my crazy life!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

I am in control........

2011-11-14T17:26:00.001-08:00

The picture is from this morning where he insisted he could dress himself. He is a "doctor" and a "boss," but apparently one who understands very little about buttons. Fortunately, he had the day to explain that to Cindy.

He is now home with me tonight and my hope for a different dynamic is not coming true. It is only when his mom is around that he is distracted. Thus, if my work is not done before I pick him up from Cindy's, I am clearly not able to get anything done. I have tried mind you, but Batman, toys, holsters, and the need for snacks have made accomplishing anything impossible.

So I am now in my bed, and he is here with me. It is far easier to deal with his delusions than to have him coming in here every 15 seconds asking me something. But I keep telling myself, it is only 4 more years.....I mean days. I will just have to be a better planner of tomorrow to make sure I am ready for the evening!

But all in all, it is really more entertaining than oppressive. He is "playing legos," which was not my first guess, but is playing by himself while I type. He has quite the imagination, and for now I am thankful for it.

Tomorrow will soon however be upon us, and I actually will have "real work" to do. Hopefully things will settle in just a few. Amanda is 6 hours ahead of us, and will call when she wakes up, which should be between 12 and 1. My prayer is that the legos game is not still in session.

Pray for me......he has far more energy than I do!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

"I think that I shall never see........"

2011-11-13T17:56:00.001-08:00

It was the poet Edmund Fizgerald who wrote, "A book of verses underneath the bough, A jug of wine, a loaf of bread-and thou." I would like to say that I thought of that today, and I suppose I did in retrospect, but my poetry might go like this instead, "A lot of work, Subway and a nap, A great Bears' victory and a vodka tonic with my wife flying to Belgium." And although I find this very moving, I can see why poetry has not become a career for me......but I try.

The good part is that Amanda is in the air, and I am home with the one boy I am legally required to supervise. AND, he is in his pajamas and has been fed. He has already told me that he will need to be sleeping with me, and although it has not escalated to an argument, it is a conversation that I would declare is not quite over yet. He has more energy and more persistence, so the jury is out on the victor. I am just thankful for the opportunity to have these conversations when I am tired and nothing more serious. I am just too tired for anything deeper than the shallow end at this point.

But today has been a productive day. I was sorry I could not take Amanda to the airport but Ben and Scotty did. From the reports I heard, Amanda cried, and Ben got a toy with his Happy Meal at the airport. I was down in Nashville covering for my brother Dan Conley whose wife Merry Ann is recovering from a heart attack. It was a good trip and a real blessing to me. Don't get me wrong, I would be happy to take Amanda to the airport, but I doubt if I would have gotten a toy.......so I settled for a phone call.

Please keep Amanda in your prayers as she travels. She had a migraine this week and is out of sorts. No, not as out of sorts as when she married me, but just a bit foggy and not herself. International travel can be hard (it's what I hear) and I just hope she does well. She will return on Friday. (I know she is bringing home chocolate from Belgium, but not waffles....last time the syrup got all over her clothes).

Anyway, I will head off and have my sleep in your own bed conversation. Wish me luck. Lord knows what superhero he is dressed as in his room, but whoever it is, he will be a worthy adversary.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

The calm, or at least relative calm, before the storm......

2011-11-12T18:44:00.001-08:00

Yep, she's packing. Tomorrow Amanda will be leaving for Belgium and will not be home until Friday. The only female left in the house will be the cat, and to be honest, she works for us. We will once again be living unsupervised with lots of opportunity for trouble, for although Ben considers himself a superhero with great principles and ethics, he is just as easy to bribe as that cat. We should have a ball.

Of course she will return, as she always does, and we will find out what kind of trouble we will be in. (My high school English teacher is now living among the Saints, so I felt it was safe to end my last sentence with a preposition. I will deal with her when I make it!) Amanda however I will deal with on Friday. We will use the same old excuses, like how things just don't go well without her and such, and then Ben will give her those sad eyes that are of the Puss-n-boots level. They always work. Plus, she is always tired, and never seems to have the energy to deal with our shenanigans until the jet lag wears off. By then we are Scott-free, but not really because he lives with us, and at 6'2" you notice him around.

But we will do our very best to survive this next week without her. I am certain we will suffer immensely! Bwhahaha! I hope Ben can keep his mouth shut about all those Twinkies!!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

My young bikini adventure........

2011-11-11T15:40:00.001-08:00

Today I have seen Ironman, Spiderman (SpiTERman here) and Superman. The costumes are being changed more quickly than those at a Lady GaGa concert (not that I have been there, but I have heard). It has been a whirlwind experience, but quite honestly it has not been the most interesting thing in my day.

Late this morning I was alerted to a couple of pictures of a young woman in a bikini that was really smaller than her body should have been in, that was posted to Facebook and was tagged with my name. Oh her name was there, as was her body (which you could see a lot of) and it showed up on MY Facebook profile only to be viewed by the 1200 or so people who are connected to me. And although I am was flattered that she (whoever she is) chose to attempt to embarrass me, to be quite honest most young women in that age bracket do not care for married 50 year old priests, and the percentage drops considerably when you add the bikini. (I would anticipate that the percentage would drop into negative numbers had I been in a bikini)

So I untagged the picture, which is a way to remove my name from it when it circulates, and posted that even I considered it pretty funny......because it was.

And I am still getting ribbed for it too, and I imagine it will go on for quite some time. But you shouldn't dish out the jokes if you can't take a one. So my hat is off to you "Miss Scantily Clad Woman Who Needs Better Advice on What Size Bikini to Buy." But that is really just a line, because I rarely wear a hat. My hope and prayer for you is that you live in Florida or somewhere warm. It snowed here yesterday, and it would break my heart to see you catch your death of pneumonia.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+