Saturday, June 30, 2007
Hair of the Dog
To save money (so I can buy more golf clubs), I bought clippers for Zoe a month ago so I could groom her at home. I'm kind of getting the hang of it. But, I couldn't believe how much her hair had grown in a month!
Shayna Pulled Her Own Tooth
We always knew Shayna would be independent. From the day she was born, that was obvious. Soon after, it became obvious she has tremendous eye-hand coordination. Today, she decided to pull her own tooth. It wasn't loose enough for me to do it, yet. But, it was hurting her to bite down on it. I told her how to work it loose and a few minutes later she announced that she had pulled it.
Friday, June 29, 2007
It's All Jon's Fault
My golf addiction was under control. I was a recovering golfaholic until Jon stirred up the demons again. Oh, several summers ago, B.K. (before kids), I had a spell where I went out and played every week, took lessons and bought new equipment (as if it would help). I even got to the point where I was pretty pleased with my game (handicap below 20). But, I had put that behind me. Playing 3-5 times a year was acceptable. My clubs couldn't be blamed for my game when I was playing so infrequently. That is until Jon began tempting me with the idea of sneaking out to the course once a week. "C'mon Brian.We can play in the middle of the week, when the courses are empty and the prices are cheap." How could I pass on that?
If you don't watch golf you probably haven't seen the commercial where people are caught in embarrassing places practicing their swings- that's me. Guilty. I practice my grip whenever anyone's not looking and have even practiced my swing in the shower! The other night I couldn't sleep. It was one of those weird nights where I just couldn't get into a deep sleep but my rational side had pretty much shut down. I kept envisioning my sleep that night as a skulled shot (one that never gets up off the ground).
Now, in the past month I've bought a new driver (TaylorMade r7 460 Draw), a utility wedge (Ping 50*) and I just replaced my three fairway woods that aren't even a year old yet.(TaylorMade r7 3 and 5 woods in steel and r7 7 wood Titanium) I have about 200 golf balls because I just can't resist a great deal on them. They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. I wonder if there's a 12 step program for this. But, enrolling in one would mean I want to get help. There's no better rush than being on the golf course when you know the rest of the world is working. So for now, I'll live with the addiction.
If you don't watch golf you probably haven't seen the commercial where people are caught in embarrassing places practicing their swings- that's me. Guilty. I practice my grip whenever anyone's not looking and have even practiced my swing in the shower! The other night I couldn't sleep. It was one of those weird nights where I just couldn't get into a deep sleep but my rational side had pretty much shut down. I kept envisioning my sleep that night as a skulled shot (one that never gets up off the ground).
Now, in the past month I've bought a new driver (TaylorMade r7 460 Draw), a utility wedge (Ping 50*) and I just replaced my three fairway woods that aren't even a year old yet.(TaylorMade r7 3 and 5 woods in steel and r7 7 wood Titanium) I have about 200 golf balls because I just can't resist a great deal on them. They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. I wonder if there's a 12 step program for this. But, enrolling in one would mean I want to get help. There's no better rush than being on the golf course when you know the rest of the world is working. So for now, I'll live with the addiction.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
You can buy Tiger's shirt...
but you can't buy his swing. This is the shirt Tiger wore on Sunday this year at the U.S. Open. I got a great deal on it at Games People Play and decided to treat myself. I am a huge Tiger fan. No, it doesn't quite look the same on me as it did on him. But, he cheated. I think he bought his a size too small.
Jon and I had a great time at Walden Ponds today. It was our first time there. Normally, it's out of our price range at $45. But, today was two-for-Tuesday. $57 with the cart and the GPS (which is invaluable). After a double bogey on the first hole and realizing it was going to be a very difficult course, I set my sites on breaking 100 today. I had a decent front (way too many double bogeys), shooting 47 with one birdie. Now that I look at the card, I realize I only had one par. On the back, I was on fire. I shot 41 with 5 pars (no birdies- I could not hit a putt. I think I had a birdie putt on every hole except two. This hole was number 12, a 144 yard par 3. I hit an 8 iron onto the green and two putted for par. Wait! What's more amazing is we had some extra time and decided to play the hole again and I did the exact same thing. I was in the zone today.
Click on the image to get to the Flickr site. You can see the picture full size there and/or click on the set on the right to see more pix of Big Jon and me wailing away at the little white ball.
Jon and I had a great time at Walden Ponds today. It was our first time there. Normally, it's out of our price range at $45. But, today was two-for-Tuesday. $57 with the cart and the GPS (which is invaluable). After a double bogey on the first hole and realizing it was going to be a very difficult course, I set my sites on breaking 100 today. I had a decent front (way too many double bogeys), shooting 47 with one birdie. Now that I look at the card, I realize I only had one par. On the back, I was on fire. I shot 41 with 5 pars (no birdies- I could not hit a putt. I think I had a birdie putt on every hole except two. This hole was number 12, a 144 yard par 3. I hit an 8 iron onto the green and two putted for par. Wait! What's more amazing is we had some extra time and decided to play the hole again and I did the exact same thing. I was in the zone today.
Click on the image to get to the Flickr site. You can see the picture full size there and/or click on the set on the right to see more pix of Big Jon and me wailing away at the little white ball.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Jodi Sings
Jodi and Casey did a great rendition of "What About The Love?" by Amy Grant (co-written by Janis Ian). I wanted to buy it. But, apparently Janis Ian never recorded it. And, I didn't really want the Amy Grant version.
After church, we went to Harbin Park for a picnic and some Frisbee golf. Of course, Jon had to compete with me and I had to spank him (hello Jon, if you're reading this). It was a great time. Frisbee golf is fun for the whole family and really pretty good exercise. We only played nine holes though.
After church, we went to Harbin Park for a picnic and some Frisbee golf. Of course, Jon had to compete with me and I had to spank him (hello Jon, if you're reading this). It was a great time. Frisbee golf is fun for the whole family and really pretty good exercise. We only played nine holes though.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Injured Playing Golf- Is This Possible?
You know those embarrassing injuries, like walking into a door and getting a black eye? Well, I got one of those yesterday, only much more embarrassing. On the 18th hole, after a fantastic round of golf, I reached for a ball under a pine tree and didn't see the sharp branch that laid my ear wide open. It sliced my ear down to (and including) the cartilage.
The fun part was I got to spend the rest of the day finding out first hand just some of the problems with our medical system. I was just going to ignore the cut. After all, everything was still attached and it wasn't bleeding. But, Ty and Shell insisted I go to get stitches. I called our family doctor to learn she doesn't do stitches. I'm still trying to figure out what she does do besides take blood pressure. The nurse there told me to go to Urgent Care. I went there, filled out all my paper work, paid my deductible and after being weighed (don't know what that had to do with my ear), was finally taken into an exam room where they asked me why I was there. The powers of observation of the staff there are about on par with their medical skills since the nurse was standing on my right side when she asked and I had a pretty good gash in my ear. She oohed and ahhed and finally called in the doctor who told me I'd have to go to the ER. The cartilage was "nicked" and I might need to see a specialist. I was incredulous. I asked her why she couldn't fix it and she just said I'd need to see an ER doctor. Shouldn't the people working at URGENT Care be ER doctors? Their website says they handle any non-life threatening medical emergency. If they can't stitch up an ear what can they do?
So, then I was off to the hospital ER for a cut ear. I avoided Mercy Fairfield (near us but notoriously bad) and went to Bethesda North. All the while I'm thinking this will be a chance to see how well my patience practice is going because I know I'm going to be in for some trauma going through the system. They had one intake person who almost immediately took my name. Good start, I thought. She asked me to have a seat and said she would call me back soon. When she called me back (about 1/2 hour later), she took my name, age and asked me why I was there. I told her the embarrassing story. She said "OK, please have a seat again and you'll be called for Triage. Then, you'll go back to Pod D where you will see a doctor." By now it was about 3 o'clock. I had been there for about an hour. I was still under the illusion I might be home by 5. When I was called back for Triage, they asked me all the standard medical questions. As a person into computers, I found this extremely frustrating. But, I maintained my patience (like I have a choice). Why don't we have electronic medical records yet? I see my doctor every six months. They shouldn't have to ask people like me for my medical history, it should be available on an computer network. This is a huge waste of time. But, I thought, I'm one step closer to seeing a doctor. But, something is wrong. They haven't asked me for my insurance information yet. I knew no one gets any treatment without this. So, I asked why I had not been asked for it yet? The nurse answered "Oh, you'll give that when you get back to Pod D". So, it dawned on me, Pod D is not where I get to see a doctor, it's just one more step in the process. She sent me through the big double doors to Pod D, where I discovered Pod D is just another waiting room. After another hour or so in Pod D, someone finally took my insurance information and sent me to a bed in a room with about five other people. I'm not sure how many rooms there were like this. But, there were several and there was one ER doctor on duty. Long story, a little shorter, when he finally got to me, he was thoroughly disgusted (actually he came in and asked me about my Urgent Care experience long before he actually looked at me). He told me that the Urgent Care centers (and this one in particular) refer way too many patients to the ER. He told me I didn't need to be there and that the Urgent Care had done me a disservice by sending me there. He ended up calling the Urgent Care to speak to the doctor who had seen me. But, miraculously, she wasn't there. From his demeanor, I'm guessing this wasn't the first time this had happened.
Finally, a Physician's Assistant sewed me up and about 6pm I was on the way back home. The whole time I was thinking "What would happen if we had a real emergency that sent a lot of people to the ER?" I overheard the ER doctor telling the lady next to me that 1/2 the people there on any given day do not need to be there. People go to the ER for colds, she had a dog bite and all kinds of injuries and illnesses that could be treated in other places.
Anyway, the ear's fine. It's a little sore. The stitches were extremely painful. I guess because the ear is basically cartilage it's very difficult to numb. And, lidocaine doesn't work well on me. They always have to give me multiples shots at the dentist. I didn't want to be a big baby about it when it was hurting while the doctor stitched it. But, I was expecting a stitch or two. I didn't get an official count. But, it turned out to be at least 8 or 10, most of which I felt.
The next time a ball rolls under a pine tree, I think I'll leave it. That was one expensive little golf ball.
p.s.- On a happier note, it was a great day on the course. I broke 90 for the second time in a row and I think the third time this season (yippee!). The real fun though was convincing Jon I had bought a $400 Nike Sasquatch Sumo2 driver on a whim in the Pro Shop at the turn. In reality, the guy working there let me demo the club for the back 9. It is sweet. Like swinging a sledge hammer. But, I'm not sure it's better than my 2 week old Taylor Made r7 Draw driver that I got for 1/2 the price.
Here's a picture of my ear- post stitches. It's much prettier now than it was before. But, still- not for the squeamish. Scroll if you want to see it.
The fun part was I got to spend the rest of the day finding out first hand just some of the problems with our medical system. I was just going to ignore the cut. After all, everything was still attached and it wasn't bleeding. But, Ty and Shell insisted I go to get stitches. I called our family doctor to learn she doesn't do stitches. I'm still trying to figure out what she does do besides take blood pressure. The nurse there told me to go to Urgent Care. I went there, filled out all my paper work, paid my deductible and after being weighed (don't know what that had to do with my ear), was finally taken into an exam room where they asked me why I was there. The powers of observation of the staff there are about on par with their medical skills since the nurse was standing on my right side when she asked and I had a pretty good gash in my ear. She oohed and ahhed and finally called in the doctor who told me I'd have to go to the ER. The cartilage was "nicked" and I might need to see a specialist. I was incredulous. I asked her why she couldn't fix it and she just said I'd need to see an ER doctor. Shouldn't the people working at URGENT Care be ER doctors? Their website says they handle any non-life threatening medical emergency. If they can't stitch up an ear what can they do?
So, then I was off to the hospital ER for a cut ear. I avoided Mercy Fairfield (near us but notoriously bad) and went to Bethesda North. All the while I'm thinking this will be a chance to see how well my patience practice is going because I know I'm going to be in for some trauma going through the system. They had one intake person who almost immediately took my name. Good start, I thought. She asked me to have a seat and said she would call me back soon. When she called me back (about 1/2 hour later), she took my name, age and asked me why I was there. I told her the embarrassing story. She said "OK, please have a seat again and you'll be called for Triage. Then, you'll go back to Pod D where you will see a doctor." By now it was about 3 o'clock. I had been there for about an hour. I was still under the illusion I might be home by 5. When I was called back for Triage, they asked me all the standard medical questions. As a person into computers, I found this extremely frustrating. But, I maintained my patience (like I have a choice). Why don't we have electronic medical records yet? I see my doctor every six months. They shouldn't have to ask people like me for my medical history, it should be available on an computer network. This is a huge waste of time. But, I thought, I'm one step closer to seeing a doctor. But, something is wrong. They haven't asked me for my insurance information yet. I knew no one gets any treatment without this. So, I asked why I had not been asked for it yet? The nurse answered "Oh, you'll give that when you get back to Pod D". So, it dawned on me, Pod D is not where I get to see a doctor, it's just one more step in the process. She sent me through the big double doors to Pod D, where I discovered Pod D is just another waiting room. After another hour or so in Pod D, someone finally took my insurance information and sent me to a bed in a room with about five other people. I'm not sure how many rooms there were like this. But, there were several and there was one ER doctor on duty. Long story, a little shorter, when he finally got to me, he was thoroughly disgusted (actually he came in and asked me about my Urgent Care experience long before he actually looked at me). He told me that the Urgent Care centers (and this one in particular) refer way too many patients to the ER. He told me I didn't need to be there and that the Urgent Care had done me a disservice by sending me there. He ended up calling the Urgent Care to speak to the doctor who had seen me. But, miraculously, she wasn't there. From his demeanor, I'm guessing this wasn't the first time this had happened.
Finally, a Physician's Assistant sewed me up and about 6pm I was on the way back home. The whole time I was thinking "What would happen if we had a real emergency that sent a lot of people to the ER?" I overheard the ER doctor telling the lady next to me that 1/2 the people there on any given day do not need to be there. People go to the ER for colds, she had a dog bite and all kinds of injuries and illnesses that could be treated in other places.
Anyway, the ear's fine. It's a little sore. The stitches were extremely painful. I guess because the ear is basically cartilage it's very difficult to numb. And, lidocaine doesn't work well on me. They always have to give me multiples shots at the dentist. I didn't want to be a big baby about it when it was hurting while the doctor stitched it. But, I was expecting a stitch or two. I didn't get an official count. But, it turned out to be at least 8 or 10, most of which I felt.
The next time a ball rolls under a pine tree, I think I'll leave it. That was one expensive little golf ball.
p.s.- On a happier note, it was a great day on the course. I broke 90 for the second time in a row and I think the third time this season (yippee!). The real fun though was convincing Jon I had bought a $400 Nike Sasquatch Sumo2 driver on a whim in the Pro Shop at the turn. In reality, the guy working there let me demo the club for the back 9. It is sweet. Like swinging a sledge hammer. But, I'm not sure it's better than my 2 week old Taylor Made r7 Draw driver that I got for 1/2 the price.
Here's a picture of my ear- post stitches. It's much prettier now than it was before. But, still- not for the squeamish. Scroll if you want to see it.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
My Father's Day...
Everyone else celebrated Father's Day on June 17th this year. But, I had mine a day early. Ty and the girls were headed to Kentucky to have a meal with her family. But, my gift for Father's Day has always been to watch the final round of the U.S. Open. With Tiger only 2 strokes back, I couldn't abandon him (although he let me down and didn't win).
The girls and Ty gave me a collection of golf shirts. And, the girls insisted that we have to do something special to celebrate. But, since Shell and her boys are here this week that probably won't happen.
The girls and Ty gave me a collection of golf shirts. And, the girls insisted that we have to do something special to celebrate. But, since Shell and her boys are here this week that probably won't happen.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sleeping Beauty
Got her with the morning light streaming through the window. Kayla was gone. But, she had to sleep in Kayla's bed.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Afternoon Date
The girls were off at camp and Ty and I found ourselves with a rare moment alone. She's not going to do well at this empty-nester stuff. She was missing the girls. We went out for a bite at Quizno's and, on-the-spur-of-the-moment, stopped by the Wine C.A.R.T. to check it out. We had a blast. Got to taste some very nice wines and I bought a bottle of Argentinian wine that I had never had before.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Girl Scout Camp Week
This is the week the girls look forward to all year. This year, Kayla spends two nights away at camp. They absolutely love it.
I have no idea why Shayna thinks she's "hip-hop". We keep telling her she's from the 'burbs, not the 'hood.
I have no idea why Shayna thinks she's "hip-hop". We keep telling her she's from the 'burbs, not the 'hood.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Shayna Brushing Zoe
Every once in a while Shayna and/or Kayla will take an interest in grooming Zoe. Zoe thinks it's great fun!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Visit Home
We went to Columbus to visit Mom & Dad. Mom took the girls and Ty to the Arts Festival and Dad and I hung out and watched some golf. Brent, Brandon, Bridget and Holly dropped by and we all had dinner together.
This portrait of Dad captures him in one of the moments I'll always remember him by, chewing on a piece of ice and mumbling incoherently because he talks with ice in his mouth.
This portrait of Dad captures him in one of the moments I'll always remember him by, chewing on a piece of ice and mumbling incoherently because he talks with ice in his mouth.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Kayla Lost in Thought
Kayla is a very thoughtful girl in more ways than one. These days she's becoming even more pensive (can you say pre-teen?).
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Golf- My Next Obsession
I think Jon's got the golf bug about as bad as I do. We stopped by GolfTec for a free evaluation lesson. I think it is going to help. But, I'm going to find someplace less expensive to continue the lessons. They have all the fancy bells and whistles (my lesson is stored up on the Internet for me to review at any time along with audio and video of the instructor and me interacting). But, since my chances of turning pro are nil, I'm not sure I can justify the type of instruction they get.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Good-Bye to Hair
Funny how life comes full circle. Dad used to take me to a barber shop where he probably paid about $5 for a hair cut. Later, I started going to "salons" and paying outrageous amounts for hair cuts. Since it's all pretty much gone anyway, now I just drop by the Cincinnati School of Barbering and pay them $5 ($10 with tip) to cut short what's left.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Golfing Again...
Tuesday is the day! $25 with a cart at Pebble Creek. Jon got me on one of my good swings of the day. (to see more shots, click the picture to see the set). This one was a 9 iron 140 yards right on to the green (downhill).
Jon's obsessed with numbers 11 and 12 at Pebble Creek. After poking two 7 irons all of 125 yards right onto the green at 11, he was determined to make the over 200 yard carry on #15 to reach the fairway (200 yards over a ravine). It was into a stiff breeze today. I barely made it with my driver, nailed a 3 wood then hit the 2nd longest wedge I've hit in my life (the first longest was earlier in the day when I hit it 130 yards). Unfortunately, each time was about 10 yards too long. Visit the set to see Jon wailing away at his drive on #12
Jon's obsessed with numbers 11 and 12 at Pebble Creek. After poking two 7 irons all of 125 yards right onto the green at 11, he was determined to make the over 200 yard carry on #15 to reach the fairway (200 yards over a ravine). It was into a stiff breeze today. I barely made it with my driver, nailed a 3 wood then hit the 2nd longest wedge I've hit in my life (the first longest was earlier in the day when I hit it 130 yards). Unfortunately, each time was about 10 yards too long. Visit the set to see Jon wailing away at his drive on #12
Monday, June 4, 2007
Photo Shop
Yesterday, I took a workshop at church on photography and spirituality. It was very good and gave me a lot of time to play with my camera. I learned quite a bit.
Since I took about 200 photos, does that mean I'm done with Project 365? (just kidding). Here are the best ones...
Since I took about 200 photos, does that mean I'm done with Project 365? (just kidding). Here are the best ones...
Friday, June 1, 2007
Happy Hour (Night)
We had one of our 6 hour happy hours with the neighbors again. They've been really slow for the last couple of years. But, maybe we're back in the swing again. With everybody joining the pool this year though, I'm not sure. Bob and Janet might have to give in and join up.
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