Stop the Madness

Nicholas was healthy as a horse his entire first year. Now we're making up for it.

Starting back in December, Nicholas had a pretty good virus and ear infections in both ears. To my knowledge, neither my brother or I had ear problems when we were little, but alas, my offspring is smitten with the infamous bad ears plague. I guess they just don't make eardrums like they used to. Several 'risk factors' can contribute to fluid in the ears and infections: smoking in the house. Nope. Drinking bottles lying down. Nope. So it's all the more frustrating that this fluid just won't go away. From what we understand, the presence of fluid alone doesn't automatically mean infection, but there shouldn't be fluid there to begin with. We were hoping that with Nicholas walking more and stuff, warmer weather, etc. that perhaps it would go away. No such luck.

Adding fuel to the fire is that on at least 2 occasions, Nicholas has been in the middle of a 10-day round of antibiotics for his ears when it got interrupted with a stomach virus. One of the first things you have to do is take him off of the antibiotic (it can exacerbate the diarrhea, loss of fluids, etc). Dr. Scott didn't really wanna just immediately go for the tubes, but wanted to make sure that other methods were attempted. For the most part, we were OK with that, but at the end of the day, we just want our son to be healthy and pain-free.

Leah took Nicholas to the doctor on Monday. Yep, two mild ear infections. So we're now on another antibiotic. Leah said, "I'm not trying to tell somebody how to do their job, but could we please get a referral list of Ear, Nose, and Throat docs?. . .We've been battling this since December" The pediatrician seemed a bit surprised that we had not already been given this info (our doc is on vacation), so we now have it in hand. They requested that we come back after this 10-day round is complete, and hopefully we'll have some progress one way or another.

Goodbye B.B., Hello Carrie

(that would be King, and Underwood, respectively).

Leah and I will be spending the weekend in Nashville, sans infant. Just a little mommy and daddy getaway. So posting will be light. Wait, who am I kidding.....? Posting is always light around here.

Just some random thoughts. Comment, if you wish. Or don't. Or start your own line of thinking and hijack the thread.

* You know what the bummer is about getting a brand, spankin new cell phone? New accessories. Gotta buy a new car charger, and belt clip (remember the good ole days when one actually came with it?)
* I mowed the grass, I mean, weeds for the first time this season. It amazes me how yard that started 100% pure Bermuda (I saw the sod with my very own eyes) has weeds that multiply exponentially every summer.
* Hotel rooms are overpriced. I know this because I used to work at one and I know the "cost" of an occupied room (cleaning supplies, labor, utilities, etc).
* We're taking the new van on the road this weekend. Pretty impressive how a van that seats 8 people can get almost 30 MPG.
* U.T. blew a 20-point lead last night. In the 2nd half. With a 35 second shot clock. Un-freakin-believable. True enough, not all shots fall, but come on....defense, maybe?

Have a great weekend!

You're On Candid Camera

We need some positive thoughts and possibly some little prayers today. Leah is having an endoscopy as well as a colonoscopy to check out the ole, er, um, plumbling.

Some of you will recall that Leah had an ERCP done last February due to a bile duct blockage, and had her gall bladder removed as well. She hasn't had any complications from it over the past year, but recently started noticing some abdominal pain, stomach cramping, and occasional sudden-onset vomiting that hasn't been really consistent. A CAT scan last week didn't turn up anything, so this is the next step in finding out what seems to be ailing her.

Her mom is betting on an ulcer, but we'll see what the diagnosis is!

Those &%$#@!* Bikers

I just wanna post this story. No particular reason. I'm not trying to convince anybody or win anybody over or change anyone's mind.

I really don't know what the "common" perception of motorcyclists is. For my parents and stuff, it probably started with Easy Rider. People might think of the Hell's Angels, or a big group of burly 50-year old men with beards and leather vests. Or 20-year old punks that ride "crotch rockets" and weave in and out of traffic with reckless abandon.

Yes, there are people that meet both of those stereotypes. But somewhere in the middle of the road, there are people that simply love to ride. And little did I know that when I bought my motorcycle in August, I was taking the first step in joining a fraternity. A fraternity that will stop and check on a fellow rider, regardless of what brand their bike is. A fraternity that will organize a charity ride to raise money for a sick child or a grieving family. A fraternity that will come to the aid of someone simply because we all love our "knees in the breeze.".

Case in point. I'm a member of a large online forum for my motorcycle, Volusiariders.com. One of the moderators, David, recently asked the board for a favor. His sister was wanting to do something special for her hubby's 65th birthday, but she was pretty much incapable because she's receiving chemotherapy for bone cancer--a tough task for somebody who's already beat breast cancer. So David was asking the members to send a birthday card to his brother-in-law, in an effort to get at least 65 cards to him. What did it cost me...a couple of bucks and a stamp? No problem.

The final tally was 105 cards, 53 of which came from Volusia board members. Here was the brother-in-law's response, posted today on the board:

To all the Volusia Riders who helped celebrate my birthday:

You cannot imagine the thoughts one experiences, when mail shows up from all over the country -- even Canada -- from people you do not know! At first I thought someone had made a mistake, then that my name had appeared on some "eligible for Medicare" website. Finally, someone signed a card "from the VR family" and I thought that one of my vocational rehabilitation organizations had my number and was sending cards due to my "old age." The next card I opened revealed "Volusia Riders," and I remembered that my brother-in-law, David Fox, had discussed the organization with me. All the while, my beloved wife sat with a straight face declaring, "I know nothing; I see nothing; I say nothing!" Three days and 65 cards later, my wife told me the story of David helping her to create this unique way to surprise and celebrate a birthday that just doesn't seem possible. Why, only yesterday we finished high school!

Both of us thank you for your caring and for the incredible notes in the cards. We feel as if we know each and every one of you who answered the call for cards and comment. David tells us you are special people, and there can be no doubt about that. One gentleman even stuck in two crisp one-dollar bills, with a note that he cannot send a birthday card without including cash! My wife has been especially touched by the prayers and kind words directed to her, as she experiences the return of cancer into our lives. You all deserve applause for your efforts. It was a wonderful addition to the celebration. Tremendous thanks!

I can honestly say that my $3 was well spent. Glad I could do it for your sister, David. Something tells me that you'd do the same for me. Ride Safe.

Adult-Sized Puzzle

I'm getting ready to embark on a journey that's a bit intimidating, yet I'm looking forward to the gratification and self-esteem that will engulf me upon its completion.

The task, you ask? Simple. Assemble this.

Here's the history. I know you were wondering. I've kinda always wanted a little utility trailer. Maybe it's a guy thing, I don't know. But my father-in-law has a similar one and I've borrowed it countless times because whatever cargo I needed to carry or buy or pick up or move couldn't be put in my TrailBlazer. So then it became a thing of wondering if his was available, and then the logistics of picking it up and returning it.

Then I bought a bike. That kinda kicked the trailer need up a notch. What if I need to take it in to service? What if it breaks down on the side of the road, and I really can't wait 4 hours for roadside assistance? And there's always the chance that I wanna take the bike to a place to ride that might be too far to ride it initially. And stuff like that.

So I wanted a decent trailer for the money. Home Depot or Lowe's will sell me a nice ramp-gate landscaping trailer for probably $700-800. No thanks. Even a small 5 x 8 utility trailer would probably be in the $400-500 range. Then I found the Harbor Freight one. It even folds up for storage, so that it can be placed in a 5 x 2 rectangle of floor space in the garage (that I don't have yet).

One hitch (no pun intended). Currently, it's a huge puzzle. It came in 2 boxes, weighing a total of almost 300 pounds. So before I can go to Home Depot and buy lumber to make a bed for the trailer, said trailer's frame must be put together. So I gotta learn about light wiring and packing bearings for the wheels and all that good stuff. We'll see how this goes!!

Saying Goodbye....and Thanks

This week has been kind of a sad one for me, as I learned of the deaths of two different people that I was somehow connected to. One, a bit more closer to me than the other, but a death nonetheless. Oddly enough, both men lost their battle with cancer.

The first, and closest one to me, was William V. Hamilton, known to most as Bill. I grew up seeing Bill at Merton everytime I was at church, which was twice on Sunday and usually on Wednesday. For whatever reason, even as a child I was drawn to "Mr. Bill"....He always made a big deal about seeing me and I felt I had a friend that was many times older than me. I literally remember him holding me as young child...Maybe 4, 5, or 6 years old, I don't know....but he seemed at home holding me or any other of the many Merton kids that were around. He didn't have any grandkids at the time....Maybe he was just getting practice. My mom later got a job at City Hall, working in the Public Works department for Bill. I believe she found him to be honest, easy going, a man of integrity....in short, the same Monday-Friday as she had grown to know him on Sunday. Later in my teenage years, he coached a co-ed softball team that we had. I can honestly say that I remember some of his pointers every time I step on the softball field. After "graduating" from the Youth Department, the next logical step was a "Singles" class...taught by, you guessed it, Bill Hamilton. How very much I learned from attending that class.

At the funeral home tonight, I very much got the feeling that he was prepared, and so was his family. His family seemed to be doing quite well. His widow wasn't in black. One of his daughters wasn't, either. The other one was in black and white. Sure, they will have hard times in the near future, and probably forever, to some degree. But I got a very real sense that Bill's life will be celebrated for what it was. To quote somebody from his online Guest Book...."He loved his job, he loved his church, and he loved his family." Good bye, Mr. Bill. I didn't see you every Sunday anymore like the 'old days' at Merton, but I'll still miss knowing that you're around. Obituary

The second one was a District Manager that I worked with at Blockbuster, Dennis Phillips. The DMs had store managers report to them, and they reported to the Ops Manager that was in my office. Dennis was in the Nashville area. I talked to him a lot more than what I saw him, but still felt like I worked closely with him at times. Dennis had been battling pacreatic cancer for awhile, and tried his best to keep up his duties until health prevented him from doing so. Dennis served on the Board of Aldermen of the city of Franklin, a small city outside of Nashville. He kept up a website detailing goings-on in the life of a civil servant, squelch rumors, and began a "Health Update" section when his illness went public. I think he was trying experimental treatments of various kinds, and I believe had outlived his original prognosis. But it was always an uphill battle. One of my former coworkers (i.e., who still works there) called me on Monday with the news, "I thought you might wanna know that Dennis passed away on Friday."

So I decided to jump back on his website and catch up on the last month or so to see how things had been for him. This is where the "Thanks" part of my title comes in. One of the posts from early this month was from his wife.....essentially reprinting a hand-written note from Dennis's oldest son (about 20, I think) written 2/28. From a parent's perspective, I just couldn't mentally let go of this, and I just wanted to share. I don't know Shaun Phillips, but I think this letter shines a bit of light on who he is--a grateful son.

Dear Dad,

I know through this whole experience I’ve not been very open about talking about you being sick and what not and I apologize for that. I don’t plan on you going anywhere anytime soon but that being said I wanted to tell you something that I’ve never said before and I will feel guilty if I don’t get the chance to say these things.

Growing up I guess I was always kind of self centered and selfish. I never really gave you the credit that you deserved. I guess maybe it’s that I am getting older and can look back at the way you and Mom raised me. I couldn’t think of one thing that I would change in the way you raised me. The other day at work me and the Executive Chef were talking and he told me how much they missed me being around when I was in New Orleans and what not. He told me that I bring a sense of joy into everyone’s days when I am at work because of my attitude, sense of humor and work ethic. I cannot take credit for any of those traits because every one of them I attribute to your example and how you raised me. I know you may not agree with me but you and Mom did a damn fine job raising me and Devin. I can only hope that I can do even half as good a job with my kids as you did with me and Devin.

When we were little I never understood some of the things you did. I always thought that you were too strict but in hindsight I can see exactly why you did the things that you did and I understand and appreciate they way you raised me.

You have also always been there for me. I have never had someone that has always been there for me like you have. You have always been a shoulder for me to cry on and for that I am eternally grateful. Be it through Mark or Papa’s death, or any other hard time you have been there for me. Even when you were probably hurting 100x’s more than I was when Mark and Papa died you still had the strength to be there for me. I am certainly not that strong and I honestly don’t know anyone who is besides you.

That has only been exemplified through you fighting through all this cancer bull shit. I would have given up long ago. They didn’t give you that long from the time they found it but you are still here fighting. All I can really say is thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for making me who I am. I have more respect for you than probably anyone else in this world. I love you way much more than you know and I’m sorry for being a jack ass sometimes. I love you Dad - Shaun Phillips

I don't say this to brag on myself or anything like that. But not long after Nicholas was born, I sent both of my parents Thank You cards. Essentially, I just told them that for the first time, I realized what a sacrifice parenthood is. Thanks for sending me to a private school--I know tuition wasn't cheap. Thanks for teaching me manners. Thanks for making me somebody that I'm proud of being, and that I hope make them proud at the same time. Yes, being a parent is rewarding. But be it money or vacation or job or a new car or whatever....Parents give up so much, but at the same time give so much of themselves to their children. I hope and pray that Nicholas (and any other future brothers or sisters) can thank me someday for making them who they are.

If you haven't told them lately, let a parent know how much you thank them. They don't have to be dying of cancer for you to realize that.

Leah Got Her a New Toy......ota

Yeah, I saw this coming a mile away. Sorta.

We've got a 15-month old. We took the Honda Accord to Louisville last month because it gets better gas mileage than my TrailBlazer. But by the time you pack in a stroller, a Pack n Play, a big suitcase, a small suitcase, a few toys, a pack of diapers, a few blankets, a pillow, food for Nicholas.....do you see where this is going? Two words: mommy mobile.

Leah's had the itch for awhile now, and recently drove a brand spankin new 2007 Honda Odyssey. We loved the van, but didn't care too much for the $30K+ price tag. So we started thinking used. Checked CarMax, Wolfchase Honda, and, upon the recommendation of a friend of mine, Wolfchase Toyota (they recently got a closeout deal on new Toyota Sienna). We actually went to said friend's house to see the Sienna up close without the "vulture and carcass" setup that is the retail car lot.

We found a 2006 Toyota Sienna with a smidge over 22,000 miles. Got it for probably $8,000 below what it would've cost brand new, so Dave Ramsey would be proud (except for the whole financing thing LOL). Doesn't have butt warmers or navigation or DVD system, but lots of practical things nonetheless--besides the obvious upgrade of SPACE. It's got 14 cupholders, hooks for plastic grocery bags, a hook up front for a purse, automatic sliding door, and Leah's favorite feature.....and AUX plug to the right of the radio. What goes there? Why, a plug from one's iPod, of course. No more wireless radio transmitter and trying to figure out why our music isn't coming in on 89.1 or 89.3 or 89.5. Haven't tried it out yet, but I've been busy packing Leah's Nano full....It used to have 50 or so songs on it, and now it's busting at the seams with almost 600 (stuff already in iTunes, just not moved to the iPod). Now if the dealer could come up with two keyless entry fobs, we'll be set. This manual key-entry stuff is for the birds.

Let My People Go

Well, the NFL free agency period has begun, and it's time for fans to start getting excited about their team's chances (or lack thereof) of hoisting that beloved trophy next year. Free agency impacts the draft which gets rolled up into what ingredients you have for next season.

And once again, a casual fan like myself is left scratching his head, wondering what in the world these folks in Nashville are doing.

Let me first say that I understand free agency. I know it's a business of numbers. I just hope that those that get paid a lot of money to make these decisions know what they're doing. Right now, the Titans have said "Adios!" to several players, and said, "Hola" to nobody of equal significance. Let's recap:

* WR Drew Bennett has signed with the St Louis Rams. I really like Drew, and he is a great feel-good story. He was an undrafted free agent, and the Titans gave him a shot. After the departure of Derrick Mason (our #1 receiver), Drew got the job. Yes, he's battled a few injuries, but he's had a great short career with the Titans, and for a team that was WR-heavy a few years ago, this leaves us with total inexperience at the position (average of 2.4 yrs in the league). We do have David Givens, as long as he stays healthy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at Drew's departure, however.....He did sign my mini-helmet last year.

* Former Vol Travis Henry is now in the Mile-High city, and will be playing with fellow SEC graduate Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt. He was due a phat bonus that the Titans didn't wanna pay, but supposedly the team was singing the "We still wanna re-sign you" song. Why does it seem like that never happens? This departure now leaves us with the oft-injured Chris Brown (whom I've always thought had a lot of potential) and Lendale White, the USC standout that played with Reggie Bush. Can they handle it and produce? Time will tell.

* We've re-signed Kerry Collins, who is apparently OK with wearing headphones and being a mentor to Vince Young. Translation: He knows his starting days are over.

* Kevin Carter was rumored to be a target of the Titans after he was cut from Miami, but he's staying in the sunshine state and playing with the Bucs. I really, really like Kevin Carter and was hoping he would return to Nashville. He always carried himself very well, he loves the community, and was generally a positive face of the club. Too bad we couldn't work anything out.

So there you have it. The "Exit" door at Baptist Sports Park seems to have gotten more of a workout than the Welcome mat thus far. Let's hope that all this cap space and 10 or so draft picks will be used wisely. I'm not sure that Nashville will accept another decent, mediocre season.