Saturday, April 25, 2009

Seventy and Still going Strong

Dad turned 70 today. On April 25, 1939, he was born in Hamilton, Ohio.  Raised in Hamilton and has lived in Hamilton, but that does not mean that he has had a boring mundane life.  That is not the case.  He has lived a very happy, eventful, blessed and exciting life.  He has worked most of his life and since retirement continues to work, but in other ways.  He is always trying to help others and give to those that need help.  Dad is a very caring and compassionate person.

I didn't always think that of him, but as an adult you certainly see your parents in a different light.  He is strong in his faith, and strong in the love for his wife of 50 years come July, and his love for his family is one of the strongest.  From as far back as I remember we never part company or went to bed as a kid without hearing him say..."Love you!"

He continues to be strong and healthy, bowling up to four or five times a week, and even got up on his roof recently to put on some new roofing after a wind storm.  yeah there is no stopping him, and that is a good thing! One he continues to love strong more every day.

Happy Birthday Dad, Love Ya!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Susan or Julie?

The sensation this week via You Tube has been the "Britain's Got Talent" contestant or The Central Station in Antwerp. I know the Central Station video was staged and Susan Boyle was a real live performance, but I really liked the Central Station one better. What do you think?



or Susan Boyle Britian's Got Talent

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Almost There


For those of you that have read my blog and/or my sons blog "Adam's Journey" you know that my son was diagnosed in November with Hodgkins Disease. We have been in and out of the hospital for the last six months, clinics, tests, blood work, you name it, he's done it. Today was another long and tiring day at Children's Medical Center. Scans, X-rays, Blood work, more scans, and clinic. But it ended with news that we have been praying for since November when Adam was first diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins. Let me see if I can get the exact words of his oncologist...

"From the preliminary reports of the scans today we see no live spots, which means there is no active cancer cells currently in the areas that previously were active. So from these initial reports we can report that his cancer is currently in remission. This does not mean that there are not tumors, as the tumors in his neck are still there in the lymph nodes and have not shrunk from the last scans, but they are currently inactive. The tumors in his chest area are calcified. There are only two "live" spots showing any indication of activity and these we think are from the infection he had three weeks ago and is not cancer activity."


Adam showed little emotion, but then he has showed little emotion from the onset, that is just his personality. He will still have to undergo the radiation which our first "simulation" is set for April 23rd, but this is just an added deterrent to the cancer and hopefully it will remain in remission. Once radiation is complete, then the scans and tests will be completed again and then the doctors will then determine the next course of action, if any.


Today was an amazing day, and an amazing relief, and proof of our Amazing God.


Continue to pray for continued good news!!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

April Showers, Hurry Up with the Flowers!


That is what has been going on here in the Cincinnati area for some time now. Showers!! Dreary, cold dank days. If I didn't know any better I would think we were in London.

Not only is it dreary outside, things have been quite dreary since the start of April emotionally as well. On March 31st, my uncle died unexpectedly at 58 years old. He was for all intents and purposes, normal and healthy. He went running that afternoon, which is his normal morning activity and apparently got into his truck to come home, got down the road and had a massive heart attack in the car. He was found dead by the people in the car behind him when they went to investigate why he went off the road. Needless to say the family is completely devastated.

Things at work are good though, or at least from what I can tell. In this climate of dreary days economically we have plenty of work to keep us busy and maintaining our status quo. Tensions are not anxious as I have heard in some places of employment. SO that is a positive here in these dreary April days.

Even speaking athletically here in Cincinnati, it is dreary as it snowed on Cincinnati Reds Opening day festivities, and then the Reds lost.

So if the old adage is true, April showers bring May flowers, I certainly am looking forward to them blooming!...Do you think we could have them a little early???

Four Generations

 Spent a little bit of time yesterday with my youngest grandchild, Lizzie. She doesn't look very comfortable in this picture, but she wa...