The Last Month of '08

Here it is already December. The year will soon be coming to an end. A lot has transpired this year, and it seems as though the last week has been a year in itself.

Adam is doing well, and tests are still being done to give the doctors a baseline before starting his chemotherapy. We did receive the results back from his bone marrow tests, and they were negative, so this is good. If you want to read more you can read about his journey on his blog, Adam's Journey. A link can be found over on the right.

DJ will be leaving for Lima, Ohio for two weeks to open a new store. It is only two hours away, so if need be he can be home relatively quick. I was somewhat apprehensive at first about him leaving, but with all the time I have been staying at the hospital, it will be good for him to go and work to keep his mind off of the issues here at home with Adam. I will miss him, but AI am sure we will talk every night and two or three times during the day.

I will also be going back to work myself in a few days. I'm not looking forward to it, but I need to get back for my own sanity as well as for my company. They are very good to me and I want to make sure that I continue to put my best foot forward during this time as well to let them know how much I appreciate their generosity.

So as 2008 comes to a close, this last month holds a lot of unknowns. But as always I will get through them, just one day at a time.

Thanksgiving 08

Our family has a lot to be thankful for, however this year has brought that to an even more vivid reality. We all received a reality check on Tuesday, November 25, 2008. Only four days ago, yet it seems like weeks already. My youngest son, who I have referred to as AT on the blog was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Disease. It all began the day before, on Monday when his mother took him to the pediatrician because of a swollen gland in his neck that seemed to get worse instead of better, After some blood work and X-rays, he called them at home and asked them to come back to the office as he needed to talk to them.

The x-ray showed another mass on his chest and the one in his neck was actually three. He recommended that Adam be taken to the Children's Medical center in downtown Cincinnati as soon as possible. So we were on our way.

Tests, CT-Scans, blood tests, more x-rays, more blood tests confirmed our fears. He was going to be in the hospital for quite some time, and more tests were scheduled, and more "spots" were found, this time on his right lung.

The hospital did allow Adam to go home for a few hours on Thanksgiving to enjoy the day with family, but he had to return on Friday for more tests to give the doctors a better idea on how to treat the disease.

Hodgkin's is a caner of the lymph nodes that can travel throughout the body through the lymphatic system. It can spread quickly and hit anywhere in the body. A bone marrow test was completed yesterday and we will receive the results from that on Monday, to determine if it has entered into the bone marrow and how to treat the disease.

Fortunately the disease has been contained in the upper torso area and no other major organs have been effected. The plan is to hit it fast and hard, and by late next week Adam should be undergoing his first session of chemotherapy. The doctors here are great, and the staff is wonderful. Adam seems to be handling the news better than what his mother and I have been. The doctors are saying there is an 80-85% success rate with this form of cancer, and great strides have been made in the treatment. His diagnosis was not what we wanted to hear, however the prognosis is good and we will stay strong and win this battle. You can read about his journey at his blog Adam's Journey.

Seriously? Puppy-Gate?

Already people are trying to tell President-Elect Obama what needs to be done. CHeck out this report from New York Times:

When Barack Obama promised in his presidential acceptance speech to get his daughters a puppy, it set off a flurry of speculation, particularly online, about just what kind of puppy the family would bring to the White House. Some observers have made the case for their favorite breeds, while others said the president-elect should seek out a mutt. Many argued that Obama should set an example by getting the dog from a shelter instead of looking to a breeder. Obama addressed the puppy question in his first press conference as president-elect today. Noting that the debate over what sort of dog her should get had generated major discussion on his Web site, the president-elect jokingly called it a "major issue." "We have two criteria that have to be reconciled," Obama said. "One is that [daughter] Malia is allergic so it has to be hypoallergenic." Obama added that while many breeds are hypoallergenic, he would prefer to adopt a dog from a shelter. The problem? "A lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me," Obama said. "So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

President-Elect Barack Obama

Countdown 2008

In just two days the votes will be cast for our next President and Vice President of the United States. If you want to believe the polls, and the biased News reports Barack Obama has it all wrapped up and John McCain and Sarah Palin should just go home.

I try not to listen to the pollsters and I certainly do not make my choices based on the news media and news reports, however, I personally believe that the media has elected our last five presidents, if not every President since JFK.

But we will soon close the door on what is certainly the most historical presidential campaign in my lifetime. An African-American almost at the door of the oval office, and a female standing in the background and possibly a heartbeat away from the most powerful office in the world. Some of the pundits have said this country is not ready for either a female president or vice president, or a black president. My response to that is why not? Both Hillary and Obama are quite qualified to fill that post, but unfortunately our country still has enough bigots and racists for this to be an issue.

However, come next Wednesday morning history will be made one way or another. It is exciting, and I can not wait for the outcome.

Pictures from Hollywood

A few weeks ago you know, if you are a reader of my blog, my partner, DJ went to LA for two weeks for work. I had to stay home, all alone with the cats, while he was enjoying the one place I really want to visit. But I'm not jealous...

Anyway he did bring me back some gifts, and some great pictures, if you get a chance hop over to see them and dream as did I of what it would be like to visit Hollywood. (just hit the link)

CELEBRATE NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY!

4 Years and Counting

Sunday is my unofficial 4 year Blogiversary! I say unofficial as I started the blog about a year earlier on another blog service and the deleted my content. So this is my 4th year blogging on blogger!

Let's see what was happening on my blog four years ago...

Well I was having the HUMP DAY BLUES here...

Looks like I was Enjoying a Weekend on this particular blog post...

Also four years ago a certain presidential election was coming to an end and we were at the Home Stretch...

And it looks as though I was Getting Over a bad cold...

But actually a lot more than those things have happened in the last four years. DJ and I have moved five times, I have had a son get married, three grandchildren, lost and started a new job...twice, added three cats to our family, diagnosed with diabetes, lost several family members, met new friends, lost old ones and put up with GWB for the last four years!

So now for the next four years...

Life is Short

Life is short. We hear that all the time. Sometimes as a kid I heard that and thought, how could life be so short? It seemed as though life moved so slowly as a child. Remember how your four years in High School seemed to be an eternity and you didn't think graduation was EVER going to happen?

Now I look back on those days and I realize that it has been 30 years since I graduated and I say to myself, "Where did it go?, Life is so short."

Today was another one of those days when I said those words. Back in the early 90's I became close with a very dear family. Two sisters. One was married with twin sons, the other sister was single and devoted to God and her church. My wife, at the time, spent a great deal of time with this family. The unmarried sister became a surrogate mother to our children, as she was with us almost ever day. Many times staying overnight.

The other sister, we were not as close to, but we still were close. Her husband and her boys were her life, and she worked very hard at trying to make sure that her family was taken care of. She never worked outside of the home, and her husband didn't make a lot of money, but they always seemed to manage and you could tell that they enjoyed their life. Their twin sons were polar opposites, one was out going, active and always working, the other was a backward, introverted young man that stayed close to mom and home.

A few years ago, the youngest sister died after a hard fought battle with cancer. My kids were shaken by her death, as she was such a vital part of their growing up. About two years later her sister died, both died young, not even in their sixties yet.

Like most, life went on for the father and two sons. The outgoing son married had children, divorced and continued to work hard. The introverted son became more outgoing, worked hard and made a home for himself and also eventually married. The father also re-married and began a new life.

This afternoon my mother called me at work and reminded me how short life is. The outgoing, active, gregarious son had died. He was only 33. Thirty three years, so young and so much life that should have been ahead for him. He had two small children and was soon to be remarried. His entire life he struggled with juvenile diabetes, and even though I am not sure, I would assume it finally took it's toll on his body.

Yesterday it seems I watched that young man be baptised, start driving, grow into a strong hard working young man, and today he is gone. Yes, life is short.

For some even shorter than it should be.

Change is Going To Do You Good

Transitions can be good. However, I am one that does not deal well with change. Case in point...DJ's new job. Him being gone on the road is not something that I like. It upsets my way of life. My security...my rut! I like my rut damn it! Now I have to readjust.

Well my rut at work is now going to be filled in and and in a few weeks my job duties are going to change as well as my immediate supervisor. Not that this is a bad thing, but it is also not a good thing. My whole pattern and daily schedule will change not to mention the focus of my work. Previously my position was one in which I was constantly busy. Not that this new position is going to be any less busy, but the type of "busy" is going to change.

As for now I really do not know what it is that I am going to be doing. Some of what I already do I am sure, with a different focus and mind-set.

Change can be good. Change is sometimes needed. Change is inevitable. That does not mean that I have to like it.

Starting Now

I have been a smoker off and on since I was about 17. So that is roughly 30 years, give or take a few years here and a few years there. Actually I've probably smoked for about 21 years as I did quit for quite a while while I was married and when my kids were little.

But today starts a new chapter. A chapter that does not include cigarettes. I finished my last pack and now I will use the nicotine patches to assist me in my goal. I've wanted to quite for sometime, as I know my health is paying for this nasty habit. I actually don't even like the taste of cigarettes, but apparently the nicotine receptors in my brain are thinking otherwise. I need to stop, I want to stop and quite honestly I have to stop! I want to live to see my grand kids have kids. I also want to be around for DJ as long as I possibly can, so hopefully this will allow me to do that.

I am about a pack a day smoker, so I know it could be worse. I have friends that smoke two packs a day! With DJ out in LA I hope that this will be a good time as any to put this beast behind me, and then work on him when he returns so we can beat this together.

Okay all, I am counting on all of you remind me of the dangers of smoking and make sure I just continue to say NO!

So starting now the countdown begins....

Does She or Doesn't She?

Gosh Darn it I don't think she knows, or does she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure.

Tuesday the New Monday

Tuesday, September 30, 2008. The last day of September until next year. And a Tuesday. My least favorite day of the week. I vote we just take Tuesdays off the calendar. September has been a rough month and today was no exception. DJ is gone 3,000 miles away from me, the economy is faltering, Wall St. is crashing, and I really don't know who I want to vote for as President yet, my check was for much less that I was counting on, things at work just seemed to explode and I get to come home to an empty house. Well not completely empty, the cats are here.

Another month of 2008 has come and gone, and so much has happened. Where do I begin? Or where will it end? Who knows, but I know one thing. Tuesday will come back again next week. I just hoe they get better as the year winds down.

The First Time Ever I Saw His Face

The first time I saw him I knew there was just something about him. I wasn't looking for anything or anyone. I had actually just came to the conclusion that I was to be single and was happy about it and happy with myself. So when I walked into the bar that night and glanced over and saw this good looking guy sitting there all by himself, I really didn't think that eight years later we would still be together. But I knew something.

I knew from the first time I saw him that he was a gentle soul, a passionate person with dreams, goals and ideas. When we first spoke and I saw his smile, I knew I liked him. When we danced and made small talk it just felt right, comfortable, almost like it should be that way. Never once did I fell like I needed to put on a facade or keep things private. I wanted to share things with him.

Eight years ago today I met a man. Not just any man, but a special man. One that I had no idea who he was, or where he came from, but who became the biggest part of my life, who actually became part of me. DJ was that man, and I can not even begin to imagine my life without him. Still today when he smiles my heart leaps, when we hold each other I feel safe and secure, and oh so comfortable. When we talk it feels so right. Sometimes we don't even need to talk because it seems we can read each others minds. Happy Anniversary DJ. I love you always and forever.

L.A. Bound

Well not for me. DJ is heading to L.A. September 27th. He is heading to the city of angels to help open a new store and train the servers/bartenders. He just returned last month from Bozeman, MT. and now he is leaving me again to work with the stars.

Well maybe not actually the stars, but at least in the same city of the stars. Do I sound a little jealous? Well if I don't, I am. I know he is going out there to work, but I've never been to L.A. and would love to go. However, I have no vacation time left at work to be able to go, and even if I did we do not have the extra cash to fly me out there. So I will just have to be satisfied with his pictures and his experiences. So I am sure I will share with you his trip and pictures, and you like me can sit back in envy as do I as we share his experience with his photos.

Am I liking the fact he is traveling all over the country? At first it was very difficult. And no I am not ecstatic over the fact that he is in L.A. and I am left alone in Cincinnati. But this is a great opportunity for him, and it really does validate his work. It is also something that he really enjoys doing, training others. So, I yes, I am going to miss him terribly, but I must put my selfishness behind him and allow him to do this with his job. Sometimes we need to make sacrifices in relationships. I just hope his travelling slows down a bit. Maybe every tow months instead of every month. We will see. Meanwhile I will collect his pictures and his stories and make long distance late night calls...

Hurricane Ike in Ohio?

For the first time in Ohio history, a hurricane blew in across the southwest Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana area and travelled north into Dayton and Columbus. Yes, a hurricane, well the remnants of a hurricane. Winds up to 79 miles an hour came through and brought a blackout through the entire tri-state area. Our power went out about 1:15 yesterday afternoon and was restored tonight about 8:30. We were one of 850,000 homes without power. Today there are still over a half a million people still with no power.

As I sat in my apartment yesterday I begin to hear the winds whip around and had no idea what was happening. I do not watch the TV, so of course I was not warned what was coming our way. By 1:00 I decided I needed to take my sons home and DJ and I began a 45 minute drive that turned into an hour and fifteen minutes. Our car was pushed and pulled by the wind and we saw trees down everywhere.

So a hurricane came to Ohio. There was no rain, thunder or lightening, just high winds. One of the most bizarre weather systems that I have ever seen. What will happen next? A Tsunami?

One Week Back

DJ has been home from Montana for a week, and let me tell you it has been one incredible week. I will not go into to all the reasons as to why, but let's just say we really missed each other!

Since coming back we have spent more time talking and cuddling that we have in quite a long time. So I suppose when they say that, absence makes the heart grow fonder, has some truth to it.

We will find out how true that is, as he is leaving again. The first week of October he will be travelling to Louisville, Kentucky to open another store. Now this trip will not be as bad. For several reasons. Like we will be in the same time zone. Louisville is only an hour and a half from home, so there will be a few days get away for me as well when I go to Louisville to meet him.

I wanted to share some pictures with you, so head on over to Yahoo Pics of Dan's Trips, and see some of the pictures from DJ's trip to Montana!

Change of Routine

The posts have been few and far between. I apologize for that, but honestly the my blogging has taken a back seat to work, DJ and World of Warcraft! I will continue to give bits and pieces of the goings on around here if you are really interested that is.

The last post I had just received word that DJ was going to be gone for two weeks in Montana opening a new store. Well, he is there and I am here. This is the 9th day we have been apart, and just let me tell you this has been one of the hardest things I've had to do. Leaving him at the airport was just heart rendering. Knowing that he is so far away and if something was to happen...I don't even want to think about it.

The third day into his trip he called and said that he had been asked to open a new store in Oregon. I was really pleased and happy for him until I found out when he was going. 4 or 5 days after he got back from Montana. I was a mess for an entire day. My whole world was changing and to be honest I didn't like it. I can handle him being gone from time to time, but back to back with only a few days to be with one another?? I think that would take it's toll on any relationship. We talked about it at length for a few days, over the phone lines and we both decided that it was just too soon to take off again and to be apart. There will be other trips, and when those opportunities come along, I will just have to accept it. But not back to back. I need my man for more than just 4-8 days a month!

It has been quiet and lonely around here without DJ, and I find myself missing him at the most inoportune times. Like 4 in the moring when he is sound asleep (like I should be) Or during the middle of the day when both are working. But soon he will be home (5 more days!!) and things will be back to normal, at least until he goes away again....

Terrible Twos

My grand-daughter Alana turned two today. They grow up so quickly. She is a handful for her mommy, but such a beautiful little girl. Here are some pics of here special day.

Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

Montana...Bozeman, Montana to be exact. What the hell is in Bozeman, Montana? Apparently a new restaurant. One that DJ will be helping open up and train the new employees.

Yes, DJ is leaving for beautiful Bozeman, Montana on the 16th and will be gone until the 3oth!

This is a great opportunity for him and it says a lot about what a great employee he is. He recently opened a store here locally and impressed the coordinator so much that he hand picked DJ to go out to Montana and help open the new franchise out there.

What will I be doing for the 14 days he is out in "Cowboy Country?" Well this isn't about me. It's about DJ, and I fully support him in his career and want to see him be successful. So what will I be doing while he is away in the mountains? Like I said. it's not about me but about DJ and the opportunity he has been afforded and the extra cash he will be bringing in.

No really, how do I feel about it? Honestly? Well, at first I was upset. This will be the first time in 8 years that we have been away from one another for more than one night. And I really hate being alone. But after I thought about it I realized this is an opportunity for him that is incredible and he really wants to do this. So I will learn to live with it, and make lots of long distance phone calls. And it's only for 14 days. It could be 14 weeks. So a new chapter has opened up in our relationship and to be honest, I am really excited for him, and for the both of us. But I'm still allowed to miss him...

18 Again

No I do NOT wish I was 18 again!! Those years were not my best, but it is however my third child's 18th birthday. J2 was born on a really hot July Sunday in 1990. It seems like it was just last week. Now 18 years later, my big brown eyed little man is really becoming a man.

He has been here with me all week, and as I see him I realize that he soon will be own his own, not coming to stay with dad for the weekend, or a week or two in the summer. His days of fun and doing nothing are over and he will have to go out and meet the world head on like the rest of us.

He has one more year of High School left and then it's off to college or the work world. His whole life is ahead of him. Remember that feeling? I know he will do alright, and whatever path life takes him he will do his best. All I hope for him, as with all my children, is I want them to be happy. Life is too short being unhappy. So, Happy Birthday, Son! and remember if the path get's a little rough (which, I am sure it will) I'm here for you, I love you and I'm very proud of you!

Welcome to the Laundromat!

Laundry is the least favorite thing for me to do regarding household chores. I hate doing laundry, especially socks.

But today I did laundry, lots of laundry. That was until I heard this huge sound coming from the laundry closet. It sounded like the washer had reguratated it's entire contents and then was trying to tear it's way out of the laundry closet so that nothing else could be put inside it.

Actually it was the motor. Which burnt up. Now we have no washer, and Dan still has no car. What is it with us and motors this week?? So no I will hate laundry even more than I already do. It now off the the laundromat!!

Post #555

555 posts! Wow, that is a lot of postings. But then again the blog is almost 5 years old so that is not a lot of posts really.

Well on with the post. I wanted it to be something exciting and memorable for you to read and laugh, however our weekend was not something laughable. It actually was somewhat disheartening. DJ's trusty vehicle, "Linda" a 1998 black Chevy cavalier blew a rod. Now I was somewhat lost as to what this really meant, but I soon found out that it means, she will never grace the highways again. She will go to the graveyard that is specially designed for her breed. Or we could pay over $2,000 to have a new motor placed into her body, but it wouldn't be "Linda" anymore. I mean it would be like a total organ replacement for a human, it just wouldn't never be the same. And spending that much money on her would not guarantee she would last another ten years. So we are on the lookout for a new car to replace "Linda".

Regardless of what we buy, both DJ and I require two things. Gas efficient and the color. It HAS to be a shade of orange. Yes, you heard me orange. So, off we went this weekend car shopping. We have narrowed it down to two models, a Hyundai Accent Hatchback or a Chevrolet Cobalt.

Fortunately for us, the orange colors are only available is certain areas and Cincinnati is one of those areas, due to the legendary Cincinnati Bengals....

So we are pondering our decision, and awaiting the results of our financing to see how much this new purchase is going to set us back per month. But regardless of the monthly cost it beats the $400 a month I am putting out for gas to travel to and from work each month. Stay tuned, maybe by post #600 we will have our new family member!!

King for a Day

I have to start taking my camera everywhere I go. It's a must. Because people never believe me when I tell them the things I see on the way to and from work. Seriously, it's everyday that I see something bizarre or entertaining in my car as I travel the highways and byways of Cincinnati.

Many times it may be a person, or a sign. Sometimes it is an animal or just something strange that sticks out and catches my eye. Today though it was something quite entertaining. As I was driving down a major road in the beautiful Queen City, I saw what had to have been the King of Cincy. He was standing there waiting apparently for the Metro (Cincinnati's Bus Line), minding his business and making sure that everyone knew he was...the man.

I would venture to say he was in his late 60's and decked out in one of the finest polyester suits I have ever seen. His shoes matched the color of the suit, which was almost a turquoise shade. His hair was cropped close, from what I could see, and his general appearance was clean, yet not OCD clean. On every finger and thumb he had at least one golden ring attached to it. Around his neck were several golden necklaces and chains. Over his shoulder was what looked like a golden Louis Vitton bag. And upon his head was the crowing achievement, so to speak.

It was a golden crown with stunning jewel inlaid around the circumference and pearls that lined the tops of each spire. It was a vision of splendor that would have made even the Queen of England green with envy. As I drove past I looked in my rear view mirror and caught my final glimpse of him heading into the bus carry his green garbage bag, ready for another day of whatever it is the King of the City does.

Yes, I need to start taking my camera with me everywhere! There is so much I could share.

Meet the Neighbors

DJ and I have lived in our apartment now almost a year, and we really have not met our neighbors, or at least all of them. I've never been one of those neighborly kind of people that want to be friends with everyone in the neighborhood. I got that from my mother. As a child I never even knew the woman's name that lived right next door to us.

Well, we finally met our neighbors it all started after DJ and I went to bed....

I was sleeping soundly, dreaming of the apoycalpse (that is another entire blog post) when suddenly I was awaken by....WHAH WHAH WHAH WHAH!! Damn, I thought, time to get up already? It seemed like I just went to bed. I reached over and hit the snooze button, but the sound kept reverberating in my ears, and it seemed to get louder. I reached over and slammed my alarm again, knocking it onto the floor and the sound STILL was coming louder than ever, like I really pissed the alarm clock off. I realized then that it wasn't the alarm and that it must be the fire alarm. So I ran into the dining room and pulled out a chair and stood on top of the chair and tried to turn off the fire alarm. But this wasn't working either. I tried to take the battery out, but to no avail. DJ comes from the bedroom and asks what is going on. I replied I had no idea, the fire alarm would not go off...

No, it wasn't our fire alarm, it was the ENTIRE building alarm and we now were going to have to go outside and wait for the firemen to arrive. We clothed ourselves and headed out to the parking lot where low and behold there were ALL our neighbors!!

There was the cute guy, who lives alone but tonight he came out with his girlfriend; the other cute guy with his wife, both couples had a dog each; then there was the resident nosy neighbor who knows everyone by name and probably their date of birth; the single lady that refused to mingle in the parking lot with us and stood by her door in her robe; the two guys that live right next door to us (two guys in a one bed room apartment?? Could they be...?); the really hot guy downstairs, who for whatever reason did not have his dog, but did have his flip flops on; the other single guy who had his flannel shirt, jeans and work boots on, and DJ and I (who did not even have time to do anything with my hair!!) There was one missing however...the one that no one has ever seen. I didn't even know anyone lived in that apartment. However, how could he NOT hear this alarm?

He, we surmised was the culprit of the 2:30 a.m. meet the neighbors party, as he never came out. And for that matter, after 25 minutes the firemen never arrived either!! The building manager came over and stopped the noise and we all scurried back into our own little worlds.

I wonder if tomorrow anyone will say hello?

A Birthday Week

Yes, last week I got another year older. On Thursday I turned 48 years old. There were no big parades or fanfare, although the team at work went all out with a major "food day" on Thursday, bringing in all kinds of goodies to eat. So all day I indulged in those food items that I should avoid. Cakes, brownies, salsa you name it they had it!

DJ and I celebrated at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Cancun. Over all it was a great birthday week and I didn't suffer too much from the overeating and the high starch, high carb diet. It was one day for goodness sakes.

My favorite girls, Lil Bit, Paris and Louisville Sweetie, all went together and got me a beautiful Fossil watch. I've owned several watches, and at one time I had over 16 but I've never had a Fossil watch. It was a very nice gift and a pleasant surprise.

I received calls from my parents, DJ's mother, all four of my kids and both brothers and my bff Silver wishing me birthday goodness, and I even received a few e-mails and one birthday wish on my blog.

Once it was all said and done, I realized getting older is not that bad. It's just a number, right?

Birthday!

A Lady in My Life

I have a new lady in my life. I have named her Scarlett. Not sure what her real name is so Scarlett will have to do.

Scarlett is a glimpse in my childhood and when I saw her sitting there in the cousin's curio cabinet I just knew I had to have her. Now that I have her sitting out proudly in my living room I don't want her to be alone. I am on the lookout for another lady to join her...maybe Melanie?

This little lady is actually what is called a head vase. They were made in Japan back after WWII and then they made their way into American homes by way of florists. In the top of the hat, or head as it may be, there is a hole. (No comments about all women having holes in their heads, please) In this hole, florists filled with dirt and flowers, and Americans would sit these planters or vases out for all to see. Once the flower died of course they could still be used for decoration.

My grandmother most have received a lot of flowers in the 40's and 50's because I remember her having at least 10 of these ladies sitting on a shelf in her kitchen, peering down at me while I sat the looking up at these strange mysterious women. It was kind of freaky... Plus she had more gazing at me from the living room.

Fast forward to today (and like most of the things in my grandmother's home that no one knows what happened to after she passed),these little ladies are collectors items. Hell, they have their own convention!! And their very own web site called HEAD VASE MUSEUM. These ladies can be found all over the country in garage sales, vintage sales, and flea markets. But bring your pocketbook, because these little ladies like to drain the wallet dry, they will suck the numbers right off your credit card. Some of these women can go for as high as $2,500. Now don't come running over to my house and try to steal Scarlett, thinking she will bring you that much. At last check she was only worth about $250, so HANDS OFF MY LADY! Needless to say I will be collecting these ladies, along with my vintage movie posters and Wizard of Oz Memorabilia.

With my birthday coming up in about 4 days (hint hint) I know a great gift....

When I Knew

Yesterday, in between the cat waking me up in the morning standing on my chest meowing, the neighborhoods illegal fireworks waking me up from my late evening nap, and early this morning when I finally laid my head down and settled in for the night, I came across a very interesting little TV Show on Cinemax.

When I Knew. This show is based on the HBO documentary film by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, in association with Cinemax Reel Life, and based on the book by Robert Trachtenberg. It is a collage of random people and asks them just one question...When did you know? They each then relate how they first realized that they were gay. I think it was a great show and for those that would watch it, they can begin to understand the angst, guilt, excitement and oh so many more emotions one feels when they realize that they are different than those around them.

It made me stop and think about when did I know? To be honest I can not remember a time when I didn't know, know that at least I was different than the other boys. But I think the first realization came on the playground in 2nd grade. I was at a new school and didn't know anyone and it was recess. The time for all the kids to go out and let their frustrations out for having to sit in a classroom with a really boring teacher. Being new, of course I was the last one picked to play softball with the boys. (The teacher split the boys from the girls by the way, sending the boys to the baseball field and the girls remained closer to the building playing hopscotch). I was the third to bat, and I had no idea what to do. I stood there with this huge piece of wood in my hand, (no pun intended) while I waited for this really cute boy in front of me to wing this softball at my head. He did just that. Hit me right in the head. After the teacher checked me over to make sure I was okay she looked at me and smiled and said...

"Maybe you should go over with the girls and play jacks or hopscotch."

Which I did, and continued to do so every day afterwards for the rest of my grade school experience.

Anyway watch the show, I think you will enjoy listening to the stories.

America's Birthday!

Happy Birthday America!!!

Just Another Day

It was just going to be another day. A day like all the rest. I got up, took my shower and scambled to get ready for work. I took the same route I take everyday and see all the same sights I see day in and day out...and then it happened...

The day suddenly became different. I stopped at red light and she was there on the corner. I sat waiting for the red light to turn green but it didn't happen soon enough, she was now coming towards my car. I started to roll up my window but it was too late she was talking to me.

"Hey...can I have a smoke?" Her hair had not been washed in quite sometime and her clothes were about in the same condition. They didn't fit around her "round" torso and her belly button looked like it had just exploded from underneath the dirty,(what used to be white) T-Shirt. She had on no under garmets, at least not under the T-shirt, that was obvious. I replied...

"No, I don't smoke"... I lied and glanced over to the pack of cigarettes that lay on the car seat next to me. This did not deter her.

"So how about some money?" I couldn't believe this, she was now resting her arm on my car window!

"No, just go on the light is going to turn green." I said with what I knew was a disgusted look on my face.

"How about a ride then honey..." The light turned green I rlled up my window and went through the intersection leaving her standing in the middle of the road. I looked in the rear view mirror just in time to see her giving me the international sign for...well you know.

No this was NOT going to be just another day.

Fathers

I try to think that I am a good father. I've done the best I could do, anyway. My kids are all almost grown now, out on their own. Two of them are parents themselves now, trying to be good parents.

Yesterday I was at my gradson's 2nd birthday party, and I watched the fathers there.

I watched my son, with his son. He was patient, understanding and playful with him in a way I don't remember being with my own sons. At least not that I remember. I mean I was patient most of the time, and extremely understanding and I played with my kids, but for some reason it seemed different watching my son do those things.

I also watched my own father who was there. 69 years old and he still expects a hug and a "I love you" before we leave him. Adoring to my mother (who happened to be having her own birthday as well) He took time out of the festivities to take a look at my sons car to help him with air-conditioning, as his words were "You better not drive around in that hot car with no air, with that baby!" Always the father.

I watched others as they were there with their children and step-children. Then I looked over at DJ. There he sat on the floor with my grandson, opening all of his toys, taking them out of the boxes and putting them together as my grandson hands him the boxes and says "opnit". I looked at him with admiration and respect. He was enjoying being in the midst of the chaos, and helping the little guy put the toys together so he could play with them. He too was being fatherly and thinking of Rylan first.

Something very special happened in that moment as I watched him play with my grandson and watched Rylan's eyes at "Nad" (that is what he calls Dan, he says his words backwards.) I realized not only what a great person, and great man he is, but also what a great dad he is to my own children and grandchildren. Something else happened yesterday that also made me realize how others see Dan in our family. My daughter-in-law was making introductions as there was family members from her side of the family as well. She introduced Dan as... "Joe's dad's husband, Dan" It sounded a little funny at first, but her saying it and introducing him that way, it really made him part of the family.

Fathers Day is a special day and not just because I am a father. It can show us not just who the fathers are, but it also shows is the DADS. Anyone can be a father, just a few moments of pleasure and a child can be conceived and you become a father, but it takes a real man to be a Daddy. And you also don't have to be a natural father to be a Dad.

Happy Daddy's Day!

Birthday Month

Our family has a full month in June of Birthdays. Today is my mother's 70th Birthday. We will be celebrating this special day with her next Saturday with a big surprise birthday party. She doesn't ready my blog so I am not giving anything away.

Tomorrow my grandson will turn two. We are having a little celebration planned this afternoon for the little birthday boy. I am sure I will have pictures to post tomorrow.




Many cousins, aunts and other family members celebrate their birthday in June as well. Leads me to believe that many in my family were busy people in the month of September!





Happy Birthday to all in June. (Pictures of the festivities will soon follow!)

Getting Stronger

This has been a very emotional week in our home. So much has transpired that it just seemed to crawl by. Or it may be the fact it was the week after vacation! Anyway, this week was hard.

I'm not going into the reasons why it was hard, but let me say that after this week I take nothing for granted. Especially my relationship with DJ. Things happen inrelationships that either make you stronger, or tear you apart. This week DJ and I became much stronger. I realize that what I have is precious and true. I also know that love can be unconditional, because he has shown me that in a way I have never seen before.

I don't want to get all mushy and sentimental, but I do want to say if you are with the one you love, cherish it. Work with it, keep it fresh and alive. Commit yourself to it because you may never get another chance. Relationships are not easy, even the ones that seem unbreakable. They take work, respect, honesty and most of all real love. Our relationship has always been strong, but I know we have to work every day to make it stronger. The forces of life are out there and many times we loose sight of the one we love the most, but after this week I plan to keep my eyes and heart focused on the most important man in my life.

I love you DJ.

Graduation

My niece graduates today. Really hard to believe that she could be old enough to graduate High School and will be starting college in the fall.

Time has come and gone it seems. You realize it when events happen in the lives of you family. As I was pondering my niece's big day I realized something else. She is graduating 30 years from my high school graduation, to the day! Talk about life getting away from you!

Yes, 30 years ago today I was starting my life as an adult and entering a whole new world. I decided while thinking about this to find my Senior Memories Book...and boy what a story it tells!

Think back with me, those of you that can...to 1978. According to my memory book these were the prices of some things in '78;

A Gallon of Milk : $1.29 / Loaf of Bread .79 cents / Prom Tickets: $45 a couple / Dozen Eggs: .87 cents / A newly built home: $65,500.00 and the most amazing...a gallon of gas: .63 cents for regular and .72 cents for unleaded!

I also wrote the answers to these questions: Where do you hope to be in five years, ten years, 20 years (It went no further than that, I guess at 18 30 years seemed way too long to think about) but my answers were as follows:

5 years: graduated from college and living on my own and possible married (in reality I dropped out of college, got married at 20, had my first child at 21 and the second was on the way by my 5th year reunion)

10 years: Married with children, working in my own business and hopefully successful (in reality I was married with two kids, I was laid off in September of 1988 and we were living north of Dayton, Ohio and I was working part-time in bakery making doughnuts...I'm not lying!)

20 years: Who knows! (Yeah that was my answer but 20 years after graduation I was divorced, had four kids and had came out of the closet and was living with my parents again, and working for a mortgage company, and then later that year started working for a Law firm in downtown Cincinnati)

Yes, it is amazing how time flies. Now 30 years after High School graduation, I am in a long lasting (almost 8 years) relationship with the most incredible man I've ever known, I have two grown adult children, two children in the last few years of High School, and three grand kids. A great job, and a great home. Yes, things are good. It took me 30 years, but I think I finally grew up!

So to all you High School graduates, I say congrats and remember... you may not get all that you hoped for or all that you wished for, but things always seem to work out for the best.

We're Back!

Yes, we are back. You are probably saying... you were gone?? But yes DJ and I were vacationing the past week. And no we do not have any boring vacation pictures to share with you, and no annoying stories to bore you with...well maybe a few.

We travelled first to Louisville, Ky. for a wedding of a co-worker and went a day early to take in the gay clubs in Louisville. We had not been there ina while, and we had not actually been out to a club in some time. I think we had fun, well at least from what DJ told me, most of the latter part of Friday night is a blur to me.

After the wedding reception on Saturday we stayed in Louisville for a few more days of rest and relaxation. Nothing big, and nothing expensive, just hanging out and eating good food and enjoying one another's company.

We returned back home the later part of the week and have been sitting at the computer almost 24 hours a day playing World of Warcraft! We are so boring aren't we? But we both enjoy it and it is something we can do together and not spend any $$!

But the party is over and it's back to work on Monday (today for DJ). So as we end the month of May and end our weeks vacation all I can say is...

I am certainly ready for summer. How 'bout you?

Paris is Pregnant

No not Paris Hilton, but made ya look didn't I?

Remember this post from a few months ago, Call me Daddy?

Well it seems as though there is something at the watercooler at work because everytime I turn around another girl is coming up pregnant! We do not have that many employees in our office, about 170 and there are at least 10 that I can think of that either have recently had a baby, close to having a baby or just found out they are having a baby. It's a baby boom!

Now think about poor me in this sea of raging hormones! It's crazy. Now on top of it, my dream has come true. The one about where I dreamed Paris had my baby. Well she is with child.

No silly goose it's not my baby!! It's her current boyfriend/ex-husbands.

Yes my work wife went and got herself knocked up. But it's all good and her and her man are very happy about this unexpected turn of events.

All I can say is I hope I never have any dreams about ME being pregnant!

Where Have You Been!?

Are you asking that? I know it's been way too long since I last posted, but to be honest I haven't had much to post about. I know just anything works, anything I say you will read and enjoy, right? I know better. So I try to post interesting happenings in my life. But when nothing interesting happens, well it's kind of boring. It's okay to think that my life is boring, I do all the time. So where have I been, you ask? (I know you really didn't, just go with me here, okay?)

Well, the end of the month of April, DJ and I travelled 2 hours north to Columbus and spent a couple nights with my daughter the princess and her little princesses. Quite an eye opening experience. I forgot how much it takes to take care of two little ones. Hats off to my daughter! How she does it is beyond me. Maybe it was all that training she had helping take care of her two little brothers. We had an enjoyable visit, and was able to bond a little with Alana. She is getting so big. Alyssa slept most of the time, but that is what two month olds normally do. We went to the Columbus Zoo while we were there. A very nice Zoo, I enjoyed the openness that it had. You felt you were right there with the animals.

Due to the soaring gas prices it will probably be a while before we make another trip to anywhere though! They hit $3.79 a gallon this week. Luckily I filled up the day before when it was still only $3.49 a gallon, which still cost me almost $50.00 to fill my tank! Incredible. I remember the 1970's during the gas wars, remember those??? We thought gas was high then. They are saying it will be over $4.00 a gallon by summer. I believe it!

Well that's all for now. I am not going to make any promises about blogging more, but I will try, but until then ...well just go back to what you were doing.

Dad at Sixty Nine

I've written quite bit lately about my father in my blog. So much could be said about this man, but no one else would probably think it was all that great, but to me he is a great man, who has accomplished great things. Dad was raised the third of six children by a single mother during the 40's & 50's. He was a typical kid and a rebellious teen, having to spend time in a boys school because he refused to attend school. While there he learnt how to apply himself and once he was out he began to work odd jobs here and there. Carpenter work, painting and yard work to name a few. He loved to draw and would spend hours drawing and painting. A passion he continues today. He met my mother when he was 14 and they soon became "a couple". On again, off again they finally married in 1959 when he was 20 years old. They will celebrate their 49th Wedding anniversary in July.

Dad in 1940, at the age of one

Even though dad did not have a father most of his own life, he was able to see the importance of being a father. He insisted upon his own children to be honest and responsible. If we were ever caught in a lie, there would be a price to pay. He raised us with love and discipline. This was in the day when parents could actually discipline their children, and as I look back on it now I am thankful for it. I certainly wasn't then, but I realize as a father myself that it wasn't the discipline he handed out that was necessary, but the respect he garnered from it, as it was always done with love and we never had to question his love.





Dad worked for over 40 years from the age of 14 to 62, retiring from the local school district as a maintenance engineer in 2001, yet he continues to paint, do small carpenter jobs, and leather working. He stays active by bowling several times a week and sings and works in his church. To this day we all know (all three sons, daughter in laws, significant others, his 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren) that his love is honest and pure.





I salute my dad today on this his 69th Birthday!

Thursday Thirteen #24

I recently listed 13 of my favorite movies for Thursday Thirteen, so today I thought I'd take a shot at listing 13 of my favorite books...

THIRTEEN FAVORITE BOOKS (not in any specific order)

1) To Kill a Mockingbird ~ Lee Harper

2) In Cold Blood ~ Truman Capote

3) The Witching Hour ~ Anne Rice

4) Interview With a Vampire ~ Anne Rice

5) Running With Scissors ~ Augsten Burroughs

6) Glass Menegarie ~ Tennessee Williams

7) The Great Gatsby ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

8) The Count of Monte Cristo ~ Alexandre Dumas

9) The Biograph Girl ~ William J. Mann

10) The Blackwood Farm ~ Anne Rice

11) Mansfield Park ~ Jane Austen

12) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer ~ Mark Twain

13) The Last of the Mohicans ~ James Fenimoore Cooper

On a Scale of 1 to 10

I found out a very interesting fact yesterday at work. I sometimes act "more gay" than other times. I do not think I am one of those stereotypical, flaming, squeeling, sashsaying homosexuals. Well maybe at one time when I first came out...but now, I really didn't think so.

Apparently though, there are times that I tend to be a little more flamboyant than others. Should I be offended by this? No, the ladies that shared this information are true friends of the gay community and in no way were they being offensive. Maybe trying to be funny in a lame kind of way, but never offensive.

It seems to them that earlier in the morning upon my arrival at work I am closer to a 3 or 4 on their "gay scale" which is almost (but Lord please don''t think I'm straight) straight acting. However by noon my "gayness" tends to present itself more outwardly as I move to a 5 or 6 on their "scale" I just thought is was the fact that I had not had my coffee yet, and I am not yet quite awake.

It also seems to them, that as the week progresses closer and closer to Friday I get more and more "gayer". (As oppossed to more and more straighter??) By Friday at 5:00 I am almost a 10!! Damn !, to be at the top of any scale should be an honor right? Especially a 10!

So as I pondered this apparent change in my behaviour I decided, maybe I should take a test to see just "HOW GAY" I really am!! Well here are those results...

KINSEY TESTcreated with QuizFarm.com
You scored as KINSEY six
SIX: face it hon, you're as gay as they come

Suprised? I wasn't.

I don't really think that I am any more "gayer" in the afternoons than I am in the mornings. I think it's just that I am more awake, and maybe in a possible better mood at the end of the day than I am in the mornings. I mean I have NEVER been a morning person.

But as I think about this scale, I think maybe...just maybe that there should be a scale for everyone. You know a scale of how heterosexual acting you are, or how more female acting you are or maybe one even better for all those female co workers I am with every day...

I think they should take this test... HOW BIG A BITCH ARE YOU?

Come on girls, take the quiz, let me know!!

Did You Ever Know that You Were My Hero?

My Thursday Thirteen today is in honor of all the heroes out there. Last week in one of the suburbs of Cincinnati, two firefighters gave their lives doing their job. Last week, Matt Maupin, an area hero of the War in Iraq was finally verified as a casualty of war and no longer MIA, this weekend his funeral is taking place in the Great American Ball Park here in Cincy. Some of these people listed below may not have given their lives, but at one time in my life, and some of them still to this day are my idea of heroes...




THIRTEEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN MY HERO (in no particular order)

1. My Father: So many times in so many ways my father has been my hero throughout my life. even when I thought he knew nothing and I knew everything, Dad was still my hero and still is today. I recall a day as a child he ran across the street to a neighbors house and saved her young son from possible death due to an epileptic seizure, from that day on I looked at my father in a whole different light.


2. My Mother: As my father impressed upon me the importance of responsibility and honesty, my mother taught me compassion, sensitivity and love. Her love for my father underpasses anything else I know. Her love for her sons is amazing, and totally unconditional. Her heroic acts may have been subtle and un-noticed by most, but in my book she is one of my greatest heroes.


3. My Grandmothers: My mother's mom worked all the time. At least it seemed to me. She was a small lady but very large presence in my life. I learnt from her why my own mother was who she was. My father's mother raised 6 children on her own in the days before welfare, child support and government assistance programs. Her husband left when the last child was born. I never heard her complain about her lot in life, or being saddled with six kids. She raised each of them to be strong outstanding adults.


4. My Cousin Gary: He wasn't really my cousin, he was my father's cousin, but he was a hero to me. I remember as a small little boy the party we had for him before he was to go off into the army and into Vietnam. He stood so proud in his uniform, and to me was larger than life. He never came back to a welcome home party but like many other young men in the 60's he came home in a flag draped coffin. Gary was a true hero in our family.


5. My Grandfather: Unfortunately I never realized just how much a hero my mother's father was until I was older. As a kid he was kind of off to the side. There but not in your face or in the forefront. As I grew older and learnt about all that he did and accomplished in his life, his heroism became more and more real to me. A WWII veteran, his ship was sunk in the Pacific Ocean and he was adrift for days and even declared missing in action and possibly dead by the US Navy. Yet, he returned and for the rest of his life would suffer excruciating back problems because of it. But he never complained. Then 6 months before he passed he was diagnosed with bone cancer. His valiant fight with this painful debilitating disease was heroic in it's own right.


6. A Childhood Friend: I knew him from the age of 8 and it seemed to me he had it all. The perfect home, the perfect family, and as we both grew older he had the perfect car, the handsome face, the nice clothes...the list goes on and on. In those few short years between puberty and High School graduation, he was a hero to me. Now as an adult and a father and grandfather I realize we were probably each other's hero.


7. My Dad's Brother: To me, he seemed like the perfect father. I saw the passion he had for his children. I also realized when I got older that he became a father to all his brothers and his sister after his father left them. He was also in the Air Force during Korea and Vietnam, retiring as a young man after 20+ years of faithful service. He continued to work hard and provided well for his family. His battle with diabetes late in life, and loosing a leg was also an indication of the hero he really was.


8. DJ: Any one that could put up with me on a daily basis would have to have some kind of heroic abilities!! But seriously, DJ is one of the most enduring, passionate, compassionate, strong and responsible person I have ever known. His love is unconditional and true. A hero every day in my life.


9. Superman: What person my age did not have Superman as a hero growing up. I'm not talking about the Dean Cain, Tom Welling Superman, I am talking about the George Reeve Superman of the TV, and the Christopher Reeve Superman of the movies back in the 70's and 80's. TV's George Reeves/Superman to me was my first glimpse of a hero. And what a hero he was. As a teen and young adult Christopher Reeves brought Superman back to life for a whole new generation, then his own battle as a quadriplegic and his fight for research and cure was the true hero in him.


10. My Best Friend Silver: Many times over the past 13 years I've seen him deal and cope with many issues and trials. He has also seen me do the same. Yet, he always faces his issues with a quiet strong peace. He has the ability to look at issues in the face and be able to see beyond them which allows him to deal with them. Not only that, I think he is one hell of a father to his son. Hats off Silver, a true "gay" hero! Just kidding, but he is a true friend and that is true hero not only to his son, but to me as well.


11. My Friend Veruca: He over came so much from a young child and pushed himself to be the person he is today. Successful, educated, and a believer in dreams that can come true. Even though our paths crossed for a short amount of time considering the length of our lives he impacted my life in a very powerful way. I am so blessed to have been able to have him with me as we both "come out".


12. My Kids: Now let's talk about some REAL heroes. These four individuals are truly heroes in my book. My three sons and my beautiful daughter. Against all odds they have rose from the ashes so to speak and are making something of themselves. Yes, dad kind of let them down over the years, but that has not stopped them, and so far they are all four doing quite well becoming adults that a parent can be truly proud of.


13. Myself: It has taken me almost 50 years, but finally I have realized that I too am a hero. I love who I am, not in a vain sense, but in a sense of being happy with who I am. A lot has transpired in these 47+ years, but I'm here. A father, grandfather, son, brother, friend and lover. I am proud of who I have become, even though it was not who I had planned to be as a kid ( I wanted to be a psychiatrist!) It is who I am, and I know I have so much more to give. I like who it is that I see every morning when I look in the mirror and I think that in itself takes a heroic amount of work.

So, who were or are some of your heroes?

Tuesdays

I love my life. Really, I do. Sure I have regrets and some days I wish I could do over. Some days I wish I'd never gotten out of bed, but most of the time there is really no certain day of the week that I loathe as some do Mondays. Except...

Tuesdays!

Tuesdays, you say? Yes. Tuesdays. I mean seriously what is there to look forward to on Tuesdays? Let's take a look at the days of the work week first. Of course there is the dreaded Monday. Back to work, school,... whatever. But honestly, is it really all that bad? I mean you've had the weekend to frolic and do what it is you do. Family outings, crotchet, whatever... then it's back to the same ole same ole shit come Monday. But you've had the weekend. You should be ready, rested and set to go! Excited to start your mundane week. Then there is Tuesdays...we will come back to that.

Wednesday, it's hump day, you made it through Monday and Tuesday and now it's all downhill from here. You can celebrate with your friends with a chain e-mail that you've reached hump day! Two days left to work and you are looking forward to that overnight you have scheduled with all your girlfriends. (Or boyfriends, whatever the case may be) You have a goal and you see yourself getting closer to it on Wednesday.

Thursday..it's almost over, Friday is just in sight! One more laboriously long dull day and it will soon be FRIDAY!! Then there is Friday! The biggest day of the work week. This is it, you've made it and now it's time to head to the local pub after work and enjoy happy hour and talk about that knitting class you have in the morning!!

Then there is the fabulous WEEKEND!! WOO! It is YOUR time. Do what you want, when you want and who you want to do it with. None of this having to go to lunch where you don't want to because the co-workers can't eat McDonald's because they all think they are so health conscience that just thinking about McD's makes them want to revert back to their bulimic ways. Hell it's the weekend baby, you can have McDonald's for breakfast lunch and dinner...both days if you want. Chances are you'll see that same co-worker in there munching down on her Quarter Pounder with cheese and scarfing a large chocolate shake with her 5 kids.

Finally the weekend is over and its back to Monday.

Now look at Tuesday. What do you get? The weekend is over, you have exerted all of your left over energy from the weekend into getting through Monday, so you are tired, cranky and probably just got your period...or missed your period whichever the case may be. Your boss, who also is reminiscing about his glorious fun filled weekend at the Tractor Pull, is now constipated from all the tacos he ate and blames you. It's not hump day, it's three days before Friday and the start of the next weekend excursion to the Golden Corral... it's Tuesday! And to top it off, this Tuesday happens to be TAX day!! So there you have it. Why I hate Tuesdays...

There is one redeeming quality about Tuesdays. Kids eat free at Gold Star Chili, but what the hell good is that if you don't have kids??? God I hate Tuesdays!!

Thursday Thirteen #22

Today is my younger brother's 43rd birthday. Over the years we have had our issues and disagreements, but now that we are both grown men with grown children we seem to understand one another a bit better, so for my Thursday 13 today, in honor of my kid brother I give you...

Thirteen Redeeming Qualities of my Younger Brother

1) He is a true family man, loving his wife and children with a passion that far exceeds most.

2) His convictions, whether I agree with them or not, are strong and unwavering.

3) Steadfast. You don't have to second guess him, he is always the same no matter where he is or whatever the situation.

4) Hardworking. He has made a good life for himself and family and works hard for the things he has obtained.

5) Honest. Brutally honest. Sometimes his honesty pricks your heart, but again there is no second guessing, you know how he feels on a subject and he will let you know.

6) He loves our parents with the same passion and compassion as he does his wife and children. He recognizes that who he is , is a reflection of the two parents that raised us.

7) Thoughtful. There is never been a year as adults that he has not called me on my birthday and wished me a happy birthday. Even when we were not as close, he never forgot.

8) Courageous. During his recent bouts with cancer he has faced it head on with a strong conviction that all things happen for a reason and he will face it regardless of the outcome.

9) I have to admit he is a handsome guy...maybe not as handsome as myself, but handsome nonetheless... we do look alike I may add

10) Persistent. He never gives up. Even as a kid he persisted in everything, never willing to admit failure.

11) Even though he is a man's man, a true rugged persona, he has a sensitive quality that is both redeeming and sincere.

12) Funny, he has a side of him that is very funny. His sense of humour is great and honest as he is. I see a lot of my father in him, and that is a great thing, trust me.

13) A true brother. Even when we were at odds with one another, and even when he turned away due to not understanding my "lifestyle choice" as he called it, I never questioned his loyalty to me as my brother. I knew that if it came down to it and I needed him, he'd be there for me.

Happy Birthday Brother, hope it's a good one!