Nobody's #1

I've started this blog several times over the past three months. Yet, every time, it seems I get too deep into one area, and I wind up wearing myself out trying to complete it.

So, in this attempt..I'm going to keep it "short," and simply try to boil the major events down to bullet points. (We'll see how this goes....)

December 2008
- Went to FIVE (5) Over the Rhine concerts. Two in Louisville, the two 20th Anniversary shows at the Taft Theater in Cinci, and the "Sunday Soiree" at St. E's in Norwood, OH.

The biggest highlight was at the Louisville Bomhard show. I was able to convince Sarah to come to her first OtR show...and thanks to the great help of some friends and connections, I was able to get a note to the band about her struggle with cancer this past year. That evening, they dedicated the ENTIRE SHOW to her. What an honor and surprise. Quite the highlight.

- The afore-mentioned cancer battle: December marked the one year point since Sarah was diagnosed. It was such a great thing to be able to spend Christmas celebrating life and love and the holidays with family. Christmas 2007 was a lot different. Sarah was at home, preparing for major surgery the next day. This year, we spent it opening presents, laughing with family, and recognizing the "reason for the season."

January 2009

Just as we thought we were heading into a new year of life beyond struggles (boy, I was foolishly optimistic!)...the marketing department of my company was ELIMINATED on January 5. That, of course, includes me. Now, two months later, I'm still looking for something. The market for marketing and graphic design is pretty sparce at this point. We've still had decent finances, and we know our "daily bread" is taken care of...but I'm tired of being unemployed. I'm ready for something new.

My hope/dream/prayer is that this is God's plan to open doors for me to begin a new career in music/worship ministry. It truly is my heart's desire, and my long-term goal to do such a thing.

Before our pre-paid benefits ran out at work, I went to the eye doctor and got a couple new pairs of specs....while at the appointment, the eye doctor noticed some issues related to long-term effects from having diabetes. That led to...

February 2009

As a result of what that doctor saw, he wanted me to follow up with Bennett & Bloom eye centers, and a opthamologist who specializes in diabetic retinopathy.

(have you noticed I've fallen away from my "bullet point" plans?...)

Turns out I have what's called "Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy." I have it in both eyes, but the right eye was more noticable.

What is PDR? Basically, diabetics have issues over years where the blood vessels can't provide the oxygen/blood supply to the eye that it needs. As a result, the eye generates new vessels (capillaries) to overcome this. Sounds like a great plan, except these vessels are VERY fragile. They are prone to hemorrhaging and bleeding into the eye. This can lead to scarring around the retina, or retinal separation...a.k.a. blindness.

To prevent this, the eye surgeon uses a laser to "zap" the back of the eye several hundred times to stop the continued growth of these vessels.

So, my right eye got zapped on March 2...so I'll cover that in a minute...we're still in February, which included...

- Me turning 31, and Sarah turning 29.

Okay, on to...

March 2009

Not much yet, but two significant things.

- The eye surgery. I actually went in thinking they were doing both eyes. But the doctor said the right eye was the only one he wanted to do for now. The surgery only took about 30 minutes, and it was mildly painful at times.

The problem now, a little over 24 hours after the surgery, is that everything is now VERY BLURRY in my right eye. I don't know yet if this is a temporary or permanent thing. I hope it's just the eye healing and such. But, it's ANNOYING.

As I sit here typing this, I realized that if I close my left/good eye, I have to (with my glasses on) put my face about four inches from the screen to read it. And, no, they can't give me a new prescription. This isn't the curvature of the eye that's changed...rather, the receptors in the back have been damaged. So, if this is permanent, there's really nothing to do to improve it. It'll always be this way.

I'm thinking of getting a pirate's eye patch. Arrgh!

But, all that said...my greatest news of March 2009 so far...

As of March 3...Sarah's cancer is officially IN REMISSION!!! Yay!

I was telling a couple people today...I know it's just a word, but oh, what a powerful word it is...it's a reason to celebrate, and we're going to.

And so, as I sit here, unemployed, with only one eye working correctly, and totally unsure of what tomorrow might bring...reflecting on Sarah's good news reminds me...

We went through hell last year. Sarah more than me...but we made it. With God's power, our family's love, our friends' support, and even with a few Apples along the way.

And so, in 2009... We're gonna pull through.

taken at columbus zoo a couple months ago..

Yeah, so I know it's been quite a while now since I've written anything in this space. And, I gotta admit, this won't be much of a blog, either. I just wanted to let everyone know that I've not given up on "Nobody's #1," but have been dealing with the rest of life for a while. A lot of things have been happening, between family, church, friends, work, and all those things we all deal with. I do have some new things I am working on that I'd like to put here, but, for now, know that I've not given up on this, and hope you won't either.

Thanks for hanging around. Thanks for reading. Look for something of some decent value soon.

I'm gonna make this a fairly brief post. Mostly, I just wanted to take the opportunity to apologize for not posting much in the past few days. As my blog title suggests, things have left me a bit "bothered" lately.

There's been a lot going on, for me, for family, for church, for friends...and I've been involved in all of them. At times, it's been a rough journey...so I appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and overall well wishes.

I can't get into specifics...some of it is very personal (and not just for me, but others.) But, I appreciate all who venture by and take a moment to offer up a prayer.



I hate to have a post that will be completely depressing, so....

here's just another way I'm "bothered." Last Friday was "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-A restuarants nationwide. Anyone who came in wearing something "cow-related" got a free sandwich. If you dressed "head-t0-hoof" as a cow, you received a free combo meal...sandwich, fries and a drink.

Yes. I have two cow costumes. Well, I have one. My wife has the other. (don't ask.)

So, I coerced my co-worker and all-around-fun-person Mary to don the other outfit. Our other co-worker, Jared, came along and got a few shots. Enjoy.

And, yes, I am very "bothered." (or "disturbed," whichever way you want to put it. And, yes, I'm the one wearing the udders. (don't ask.)

Seems like there's a lot of trouble going down the last couple days, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by it all.

A lot of it has to do with things going on at church. Things that remind me of why I am turned off by organized religion. Things that make me question why I would even want to be a part of that type of work. Things that hurt my family. Things that aren't easily solved. Things that make me wonder if the next few weeks and months for church could be really bad.

And, I'm getting a greater sense that Changes Come....for me. I don't have a clue right now what it is. I thought it might be ministry-related. Now, I'm seriously doubting that. But, I still get the feeling that something is about to change in my life--drastically. I'm not even worried about it; I just wish it would happen, or be clear as to what it is. And, I pray it doesn't hurt my family and friends. (or me, actually, but ya know I'm less worried about me...)

Seems like a lot of "plans" I had in my head are either falling apart or dangling by a thread. Seems like I'm discontent and maybe just a little depressed about it.

So, yeah. Trouble.

...in the meantime...
Shout out! to The Lost Dogs....Terry Scott Taylor, Mike Roe, Derri Daugherty, and Steve Hindalong. You guys rocked last night, and provided a nice get-away from the "trouble."

So, last night was the big night for me. It was our 9th annual family and friends get-together and 4th of July fireworks extravaganza. Seeing friends and family was great, but my main focus was on blowing stuff up!

It was raining on and off most of the day, so I knew that there would be a chance we might not get any fireworks in. However, in looking at radar, it appeared we would be in the clear by nightfall.

Around 7, we had a major downpour, which one attendee said was God's way of making sure I didn't burn down our house. Once that wave of storms passed, I knew we'd be good for most of the show.

Around 8:45 or so, we started making our way out to the yard for the big show. This year, I had set aside about $120 for mostly large-shell fireworks. So, I knew we'd have a nice show. I try to up the ante every year, and this was, by far, the most airborne artillery I've ever purchased for the show.

We had a few fountains as well, and of course Sarah and Amy's annual Pyrotechnic Ballet, where they run around the yard twirling sparklers in each hand. It is, of course, a tradition that draws crowds. And laughs.

We got several "oohs" and "aahhs" throughout the show. My cousin Phillip was there to help in lighting off the big stuff, and we promoted Leigh this year to Pyrothechnician 1st Class.

We shot off fireworks for a good 45 minutes to hour, when a few sprinkles began to fall. And then, the skies opened up. Major downpour, and everyone rushed to get back in the house. The "crew" worked feverishly to get the remaining fireworks back in the garage. We were able to salvage everything that was left, I believe.

We only got about 1/4 of the large artillery off, and we're hoping to find a weekend soon that we can light a few more off. Otherwise, we'll save 'em for next year....the 10th anniversary. And, oh, what plans I've already got stirring in my mind! (insert evil laugh here.)

I'm uploading videos to YouTube now, and once they're done, I'll compile them and post them below.