We’ve enjoyed another fast week since we last touched base. It was another eventful one, as we passed another milestone. Luke worked full time, learning how to install flooring and had his first “adult??? paycheck and interview this week. But that wasn’t the biggest thing that happened to him this week – he also turned 19 this week – the final time we will celebrate a teenage birthday in our family (unless we are blessed with grandkids in the future!). He enjoyed running around with his friends as much as he could and enjoyed several adventures this week – something he’ll remember for many years to come, I’m sure. Abby worked in Greenwood, full-time at Sly Fox, commuting from home each day. She spoke with the boss and is getting a raise – how much, she’s not yet sure of, but we hope it’s a good one! She enjoyed spending time with her friends this week and, of course, talking to Will as much as possible. Matt continued working at the Z-West summer camp and attended another interview, still searching for his next career. It was good to see he and Taylor this weekend for a few hours. Ann and I had a good week at work as things have fully returned to normal for us- well for the most part, anyhow. Thankfully, both businesses have learned how to not only survive but succeed in this new world. Granted, we’re both a lot busier now, but I suppose that’s par for the course. Ann & Abby joined me on my new diet and we all met with some success! For the 2nd week in a row I managed to surpass my workout goal, logging 17 miles and playing 14 rounds (126 holes) and actually lost weight this week! The price of gas remained over $5 a gallon. With it, everything else is continuing to go up with it (except my paycheck). With all that is going on the world right now, things do seem a little uncertain. That’s why we choose to keep our family and friends close and spend as much time together as we can. Hello again and welcome to the newest edition of the Scheu Family Blog.
It was back to work on Monday morning. Luke continued working with Steve, but because of the federal holiday, they couldn’t get into the school. Thankfully, they found work at the administrative building. Abby commuted back up to Greenwood and had a long day. She decided to fast along with me. We talked several times through the day, as we encouraged and supported each other. Ann also decided to join me in fasting that day. Although it sucked again, it sucked a little less this week than last. Sure, my stomach growled but I managed to get by OK. I was a little disgruntled when I learned that Lenny was serving fish sandwiches for lunch in our cafeteria, but I survived. I had a fast day, though I’m not really sure what I even did, other than just catching up on stuff from the weekend. After work, Justin & I played 9 holes of frisbee golf. I beat him by four strokes, 30-34. He went on home afterward while I played another 9 holes, throwing a 29 to end with a 59 for my 18 holes. The hot returned as it probably peaked out at about 90 degrees…but it was missing its friend – humidity. That made it bearable. I don’t mind hot…but being a fat, hairy, old man – my mortal enemy is that damn humidity. When Ann & I got back to town, she got changed and went out back to water the newly planted flora. Meanwhile, I headed out to the park to play another 18 holes of disc golf. I nearly threw my favorite disc (my yellow Leopard) into the pond on hole 5 when I teed off and released it way too late and it headed right to the same spot I lost my old blue Heavyweight frisbee disc earlier this year. Well, I technically did, but it should’ve gone out a lot further. I found it after a few minutes of searching. It was somehow deflected straight down by a branch and was standing upright in the mud, about four feet out. Thankfully, the pond was really low that day, or I would’ve never seen it. I got it back and got it cleaned-up with some sanitizer I had in the car as I walked to 6. Despite the extra stroke on the island, I still ended with a 22 on the front 9. I then threw a 25 on the back nine to end with a 47 on the night. Ann had marinated a bunch of steak for us to eat on Wednesday night, when I come off this week’s fast. Abs was home as well and she meal-prepped that evening. Luke got his car back from J&A Auto that afternoon, as they found the issue finally. It turned out to be an idle air control issue. Besides the engine being repaired, they also got his window fixed as well, so he was all excited to get the Hot Rod Lincoln back that day. In fact, by the time we got back to town that day, he had already picked her up. When I got back from playing frisbee, he was back in his room – sound asleep. Annie & I were both tired that night. We watched John Oliver then began binge-watching a few episodes of The Stand. Here are random pictures from our recent adventures.
I felt pretty good, heading into work on Tuesday morning. Sure, my stomach was growling, but I managed to keep my mind mostly off of food that day. When we walked out to Black Betty that morning, I turned to Ann and said, “Is it bad that that smell (Bausback’s rendering plant odor) is even making me hungry???? ???? Abby went back to work and wound up spending the night with friends in Franklin that evening, doing her part to save a little $$ on gasoline. Luke worked in Columbus again then stayed to have Chipotle with Brayden, who worked with him that day. He spent no time messing around with his “project??? car. He hadn’t even had the thing back for 24 hours and was already out that night modifying his exhaust system out in the street. Ann & I both had fast days, considering we went all day without eating again. We already made plans to get a burger tomorrow though! ???? I made progress on several projects, did a little IT work and did the weekly video surveillance rounds. After work, Justin & I played 18 holes of disc golf, out on the airport property. It was sure hot. Justin was also fasting with me that day. I have such a good support system. Justin is a natural. He hung right in there with me and only lost by two strokes, 63-61. I was hoping to play another round of golf when we got home, but I was hot, sweaty and had zero energy. So, I just stayed at home and began editing photos for this week’s blog entry. We tried watching a new show, but it was boring so we turned it off and watched a pretty good show on Paramount+ called Jerry & Marge Go Large. Afterward, we watched the next episode of Picard and then started a new series on Hulu called The Old Man. We broke out 48-hour fast about 5 minutes after it was up. I was hoping to go until the morning, but I started to get a headache. Ann had Fireworks popcorn while I heated up leftovers (steak and broccoli from this weekend as well as fish tacos from ElRep), which really hit the spot.
It was much warmer on Wednesday. You could tell that from the minute we walked outside. Just like yesterday, we came close to setting an all-time heat index record but fell just short when it topped out in the lower nineties. Luke finished up working at Columbus East with Steve that day and is looking forward to his paycheck on Friday. He hung out with us that evening and ate dinner with us before going out with his friends that evening. Abby had a long day at Sly Fox in Greenwood then came home that evening. She said she had fun with her friends last night and made it to work on time. Ann & I had good days at work again. She had a drug rep bring McAllister’s while Vic & I went to Steak & Shake. It was so good – and to boot, I ran into an old friend – Kathy Murphy. I hadn’t seen her in years – since she retired from my work. I was so mad at her – she hadn’t aged a day since I saw her last! Justin & I worked on the revised Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). We had already completed the annual requirement back in March. However, the Joint Commission decided to update the requirements and now we need to bring the facility EOP into compliance by July 1st. So, we knocked out most of it that afternoon. Justin left a little early because there was a threat of storms and he rode his Harley into work that day. I kind of went down a rabbit hole and got out of work too late to play 18 holes of golf that evening. I did manage to get in 9 holes on a very hot but very windy afternoon. The wind was enough to keep me pretty cool but man did it mess with my accuracy. My discs went everywhere – especially on my tee shots. It wound up costing me several strokes and I ended with a 4-over (31) for the round. Ann & I got caught up with each other’s day on our way home that evening. We stopped by Sonic when we got into town. I got a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper Limeade drink while Ann got a slushy. Truth be told, I thought mine was a slushy as well…and was disappointed when I got it. However, it was really good and helped my throat feel better. I had a runny nose that day with a ton of sinus drainage. In fact, I started a Z-pack that night to try and knock it out. I dropped Ann off at home and went out to the park to play a couple more round so of golf. It was still very windy that evening and my scores showed it as I ended with a 51 (3-under) for my 18 holes. When I got back, I started the grill and began watering the grass seed in the sod we used to fill all the holes in the backyard from the dogs as well as the new shrubs. Meanwhile, Ann & the kids came out and began grilling flank steaks that have been marinating for 48 hours. I joined them afterward and we enjoyed a cold beer and had the kids tell us about their days. The steak was delicious, as were the potatoes and veggies that she cooked in the oven. Afterward, the kids went to their rooms to clean (ya right!) while Ann & I watched a couple DVR’d shows and chilled. I edited this week’s video and then checked in a big batch of Hot Wheels from Father’s Day weekend. We have lots of social media pictures to share this week.
Thursday was a little cooler. The humidity was way down, which made it quite pleasant outside. Abby had a good day at work then went out to dinner with a friend before coming home that evening. Luke enjoyed sleeping in and not doing anything that day. He had his big interview at city hall that evening. He said there were about 20 guys vying for the one open spot, so competition is pretty tough. He was upset afterward – sure he had blown the interview. He said he forgot all the stuff he wanted to say and felt super awkward. We told him that was normal and not to be too hard on himself, seeing as how this was his first big-boy interview. Ann and I had fast days at work. I did a few things in the office that morning. I still have a bunch to do, but I can do it from home tomorrow. Vic & I went to lunch at Riviera Maya then Justin & I attended out monthly Marathon Meeting Day, which included his Pt Safety Council meeting and my EOC Safety Committee meeting, plus PI. It goes for about 3 hours altogether. Afterward, Justin & I played 18 holes of frisbee golf. I beat him by 4 strokes on a lovely afternoon, 59-63. We said our goodbyes then I drove Ann home. We stopped by the store for a couple of things at Aldi’s. We wound up getting a lot more than what we went there for – LOL. We found a bunch of cheese, some booze, some keto snacks and decent produce. We did a couple things at home then I went out to the park and played a quick round of disc golf, throwing a 23 from the front tees. When I got home, Ann had made us steak & rice bowls with tons of toppings that really hit the spot. I tried to watch a show with Ann that night but found that I was too tired to get to even the first commercial! So, I gave it up and just went on to bed.
I was glad I went to bed so early last night because I had forgotten I set an alarm for 5 am on Friday morning. The stars aligned for Luke’s 19th birthday – literally! They were viewable just before sunrise in the eastern sky. It was wild – you could see them all in a straight, diagonal line from the bottom left to the upper right part of the sky. I can only imagine what the neighbors would’ve thought if they’d seen us all out there in our jammies at that time of the morning. Thankfully no one drove past as we were all standing in the middle of the street. Everyone went back to bed except me. I decided to do dishes, a load of laundry and pay the bills before getting cleaned-up and ready for work. Abby went up to Greenwood for work. Luke slept most of the day. Later, he went golfing in Letts with his buddies. Ann & I went through the Dunkin drive thru then I dropped her off downtown. I went to the bank, got fuel in Black Betty, got her a car wash then went to Walmart before coming home to get started on the EOP. I put on my new Metallica vinyl EP. It came last weekend as the 2nd shipment of the year from the Metallica Vinyl Club. I must’ve played each side 10 times. I only wish I could get my PA speaker to pair up with my turntable again. It was paired with it before Luke started taking it out to Oakley’s house every other weekend. I think it has too many things paired to it but I don’t know how to unpair all the other stuff. I did get it to sync up with my JBL speaker, which was good enough. It took all day, but I finally got everything done. I just need to print it when I get back in the office next week. I also made progress on several projects, like the copy machines, a replacement slide for the playground and new windows in our fire doors. Afterward, I drove to Batesville while Ann took a nap. I was looking for a game of frisbee golf and a bottle of rum. I came back to town with neither. I did find one at the last liquor store in town that I tried and was so glad to find it that I bought two! I was still feeling like crap that day. I finished up my z-pack but really didn’t feel any better. Still, I wanted to go out and play some disc golf that evening, so I went to the park and played 18 holes. I did pretty good as my tee shots were much improved from earlier in the week. I shot a 24 from the front tees and then a 23 from the back tees for a combined 47. We asked Luke what he wanted for dinner on his birthday and of course he chose ElRep. I wasn’t feeling all the well, stuffed-up, coughing and nasty sinus drain that made my throat sore. So, just to be safe (before we went out into public), I took a quick Covid test. Thankfully, it was negative and we went on to dinner and enjoyed a big meal. Abs and I had a small margarita as well. I was hoping that the crew would sing the Birthday Song to him, but he split before he even finished his meal, so that he wouldn’t be subjected to the attention. He & Ann went to Mom’s house so she could see him on his actual b-day (he had driven separately and met the rest of us there). Meanwhile, Abs & I finished our drinks and headed home with a bunch of leftovers. She got changed and went over to her friend Daisy’s house to go swimming. That left me alone with the dogs to take a quick nap. When Ann & Luke came home, they woke me up but I wasn’t up for long. Luke went out to Oak’s house for several hours. Ann & I put on a show to watch and I promptly fell back to sleep. So, I gave it up and went on to bed. Abby & Daisy came over for some porch time then came inside to play a couple games. Luke and his buddies came over later that night and joined the girls for a big game of Cards Against Humanity. Oakley spent the night, here with Luke – as they had to be up early in the morning… Here are pictures of recent additions to our Hot Wheels collection.
The boys were up early and out the door by 7 am. There was a bunch of kids (boys and girls) headed over to Brookville to go canoeing/kayaking for the day. Ann & I enjoyed sleeping in then got up and drove over to St. Paul to see Lori at Wild Flour Bakery and pickup a new batch of goodies for the week – including a delicious “Everything??? danish. We retreated to the back yard and enjoyed a couple hours of porch time. DJ and I watered the newly planted grass and shrubs (and Delilah!) in between munching on our treats. Abby eventually joined us as well, but she was a little grumpy. I continued blowing my nose, coughing and generally feeling a little under the weather. I debated whether or not to mow. The neighbors that did mow a couple days ago have dead lawns now. Although our grass had grown, it wasn’t that bad. I finally got off the fence, went inside and flopped on the couch to work on the blog, check in the rest of my newest Hot Wheels and rest up. I watched the final episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+. I wish they had made more episodes of it because I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what they do next! We watched a couple movies on the big screen, including Stephen King’s The Mist on Netflix and then we put on Ambulance. Abby made us a couple drinks to enjoy during dinner, called a Savage Apple Buck. Abs watched movies with us for a while but then went to her room to play online video games with Matthew and never came back. Luke came home from Brookville for a few minutes to grab the shop vac and go detail a vehicle. Several hours later, he returned with Brayden for a couple minutes to grab a few things and was right back out again. Ahh, to be 19 again…
I had trouble sleeping overnight again. After tossing / turning for a couple hours, I finally decided to just get up and start my Sunday. I picked up around the house and did a load of dishes before making myself a big breakfast. I watched a couple NASCAR races and began watching the USFL playoff games. When Ann got up, we went to the store to get a few things for Luke’s birthday party that day. Luke got up fairly early and went to eat with friends at Pop’s Diner and was gone for a few hours. When we got back, I did a couple loads of laundry and then Delilah and I went out back and watered the plants. When Luke returned, Ann began making the lunch of his choice. Rather than opting for one of Ann’s homemade delectable meals, he again chose to have her make store-bought taquitos and chicken wings
Next up is the Waybac segment, which continues to feature a large batch of pictures from Dee’s camera, back in 2007. We lead off with pictures of Luke, Sandy & the dogs in Dec 2006; then we move on to 2007: Jan – Abby’s basketball game at the YMCA; Mar – Sandy in the mayoral race; May – Spring fun and Memorial Day party; June – summer vacation fun with the kids; July – Eiteljorg museum, 4th of July festivities, Fair week, Grace’s birthday, Keith & Rosie’s visit, and Sandy’s birthday; Aug – Mom O with the her dogs; Oct – Van Halen concert; Nov – Maryann’s birthday; Dec – Christmas Eve with the Owens – including a picture I’d never seen of Mom & Dad B.
Next up is our video section which includes one home movie this week as well as several others from around the internet.
And that does it for this week’s episode of the Scheu Family Blog. Thanks for keeping up with us this time out and we’ll catch up with you again next time. Until then, have a good one and stay safe out there. We miss you, Mom.
Later, Scheu