Creepy yet pretty golden orb weavers…
2026-05-21
Zoo highlights
I tried to just enjoy the scenery and just get a few pics of the coolest parts. It was fun to hear the eagles talking to each other. The lower left praying mantis was awesome too!
We went to the Cincinnati Zoo
We realized there’s such a thing as blue penguins. They were cute and pretty. We also got to walk among the kangaroo which was fun too!
Itty Bitty and Zoe are learning…
…how to get a long with each other. This is the first pic I have of the two of them where one of them isn’t blurry from running haha.
2026-05-20
All the Sauerkraut festival history you need.
Our little Waynesville sauerkraut festival is ranked among the top ten in the NATION! :)
Blast from the past
Proof that I was an IBM’er and that Julie and I had our own photography business back in the day… Check out the old 513 area codes too. ;)
We found this nameplate while cleaning up
John found a place of honor for this nameplate of Julie’s Dad’s from when he was working and managing die and mold design rooms. Pretty cool❣️
2026-05-19
Julie’s 3D design and print❣️
John wanted a case for his Switch handheld gaming console. She found something that was similar, but wasn’t designed for his model. So she used that as the bases and built this one from scratch in her modeling software then iterated on it with prints until it worked the way they wanted to. Nicely done my girl!!!❤️ I’m a proud hubby engineer.
Sophie had a good idea!
She thought we should try the Dairy Station in Xenia. They have something for EVERYONE! Soft serve, hand-dipped, Shakes, Twisters with mix-ins (Combine Blizzards and Coldstone), ice cream sandwich cookies, and more! I got a strawberry cheesecake Twister with added chocolate chips❣️
The boys got Julie some fun and thoughtful gifts too. Andy brought a bouquet and Chocalate. Johnny found some yummy macadamia nuts we love.
Got the whole gang for Mother’s Day
I treated the mother’s in my life to time with the kids. We enjoyed a yummy Rooster’s dinner and laughter. I love all the smiles.
Side quests from my rollerblading trip
I grabbed a nice iced coffee (including coffee ice cubes) from a new place in Corwin. They I stopped by the Amish meat market to see what they had. The sauerkraut and summer sausage were great! I passed on the cheesecake cookie, but I feel like there is gonna be one in my future…?!
Third generation dump runs…
It was fun to hang out with John and Savannah on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. We worked on cleaning up their garage and even managed to find enough stuff to justify a dump run. It was like the good ole days for John… It was Savannah’s first visit. I’m not sure it made a good first impression. Uh, welcome to the family!🤪
2026-05-18
Waterfall break
Zoe and I enjoyed a little break by this waterfall while we were on our rollerblading trip in Corwin.
In the middle of our skate day jaunt
I alternate biking, walking, and skating. Skating seems to be a little long and fast for her little legs. Maybe Zoe can work up to it? 🤪
We found a dead raccoon on our walk…
It somehow ended up dead in the pond. The dogs were very interested… So I pulled it out into the meadow for the vaulters and other scavengers to enjoy. Top right is when I first pulled it out. Bottom left is 24 hours later. They made quick work of the poor little guy.
One is ready, one is not…
I’m thinking about going on a walk with them. It’s funny the different way they each prep for it 🤪
2026-05-17
T-shirt outlasted my career…?!
Laura got me this when I first started working in engineering around 33 years ago. I wore it again the other day to celebrate unemployment :)
New yummy burger spot
This opened up over by Andy’s house and we had to try it. Smash burger style. Really good. He made the mistake of ordering a quad burger. Just a little too much meat…
I rescued several baby birds
They’d somehow gotten into the bottom half of the barn and couldn’t get out and back up to the eves where their nest is. So I helped them find their way out.
Laid off just after…
Pretty funny to get this in the mail a week or too before they didn’t need me anymore hahahahaha.
“Model printed successfully” 🤪
Sometimes 3D prints don’t go as planned. This was what we found after the printer sent us a message saying it’d finished successfully LOL! Notice that the bulk of the print has been thrown off to the left side of the printer and landed on the desk!
2026-05-16
I might have bought Julie something…
We bought the smallest package of the cheapest seats we could find. We used some of our Christmas and Birthday allocation. Just barely enough to qualify for these free season ticket holder gifts.
We found Elmo at the Blue Jacket hockey open house
Sesame Street was there years ago and this balloon got stuck in the rafters (left pic). Somehow, the internet did its thing, and now Elmo is an unofficial mascot. Can you find him in the right pic?
Julie and I hit the open house
We’re enjoying cheering for the Blue Jackets sometimes too :) I liked this mural at the main entrance.
2026-05-15
Top tier melted Chloe pic…
Chloe’s antics while melting into the floor have become a daily feature in our immediate family group chat. This one took the cake!
My antique display brings back many memories.
Trying the cultivator in the garden, working the tractor and plow with dad, the gate our pony’s stall and meadow, cool items from Andy’s work…❤️
Zoe was embarrassed by being tied to a pig…
She was waiting for her pup cup I was getting her at Graeters while we were at City Barbecue hahaha.
At the Dayton Art Institue
Laura stumbled onto my nephews art during her recent visit to the Dayton Art Museum❤️
So nice to be getting some good exercise again
I forgot how fun it was to Roolerblade around, and how good of exercise it is. I’m remembering some of my skills and getting my balance/comfort back. Pads and helmet are important for an old dude like me…
2026-05-14
Lefty for the win…
Andy won two of his matches (including his third place finish) by landing the around USA trick using his left hand. He snagged the trick card and added it to his collection. He’s good at the switch (left hand) tricks because he plays me left handed to keep our battles closer (gives me a slight chance to win). He still wins, but it improves my game too. It was fun that it was the last trick he drew and laced for the win to take third from ZMags.
A perfect end to a great day with my boy!
The sunset on the way home was a nice icing on the cake. We enjoy the whole road trip process just for the variety and adventure of it. Everything else about the weekend just added to it❣️
The yellow vibe goes well with my Cognex shoes
I have a lot of clothes I can just wear around the house casually now since I won’t be using it at work any more…🤪
I snagged this retro Dama in the D shirt
They were clearing out their old stock and giving them away. It’s from about the time Andy and I started playing Kendama. Pretty cool graphic of the Detroit skyline and one of the trick lists for the year.
How the brackets went for Andy
He started off against Nolan in the top, then worked his way up through the losers bracket in the bottom (it was double elimination so you have to lose twice before you’re out). He ended up battling Nolan for both his first and his last round. He got a point both times so still felt good about it. Way to go mister! I still cant believe he took third place in teh PROs❣️ At the same time, he’s been playing hard for so many years and has worked hard for it.
2026-05-13
Celebratory dinner
Andy had chili cheese fries for dinner. That was his third meal of chili for the day. Chili cheese omelet for breakfast, chili hotdog for lunch and this for dinner…
So that means he won third place!!!😃
Not to shabby for competing in the pro division. He was on stage slaying for a total of an hour and 15 minutes! Proud papa, and fun times!!! The only guy Andy lost to ended up taking second place.
Andy going for the lace in the PRO division open competition
He lost his first round to this guy, but then went on to win the next FIVE IN A ROW❣️
Lots of black squirrels in Michigan
I saw this little guy on my walk in the local park near Dama in the D.
2026-05-12
Now THAT’S a breakfast!
Chili cheese omelet and gyro meat with eggs! We were looking for a good breakfast dive around the new venue and we found it! Great food and a perfect vibe!
Some things never change…
Notice the flipping of the creamer… Or rather floating of the creamer in the case of this freeze frame… hahahaha.
I got a tattoo!
I finally have a setup that’s lasted through a competition. So this was my souvenir spend for the weekend. I got this balisong burnt onto my kendama :) A fun was to spend $10 and combine two of my hobbies with the boys.
Just casually doing the hardest tricks…
Just casually standing around talking and landing tricks like this at the same time…! Dude is crazy!
Cool hat and poster
This was the custom artwork one of the players made for this year’s competition.
2026-05-11
Goals!
My goal was to win a round this year. I did! Here’s my winning lace for a 3-2 victory. In the second round, I was happy I scored one point. The guy I lost to went on to win 3rd place so that’s not a bad one to lose. :)
Cute sticker on a water jug at our competition
I need to find some of these stickers that are funko pop caricatures of the office cast.
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