Daddy's Log - Couple Of Love Birds

I was laying around with Ruth and looked up and noticed our engagement photo hanging on the wall. Taken in 2003. A photo of a 23 year old guy and a 22 year old lady up on the wall appearing to look down on Ruth.

More than 11 years ago. We had no idea what life had in store for us as we posed for that photo on the Ohio State Campus.

When I proposed to Crystal I knew I was choosing to marry a woman who, by choice, did not want kids. I remember praying through the decision carefully, wondering if having kids was a requirement for me. I always wanted kids. Lots of kids. But at 23, not knowing what plans God had in store, I chose to marry Crystal accepting that it may never happen.

The way we anticipated life going when we were 23 looked nothing like things actually happened. God didn't want us to have kids.  He knew we weren't ready yet.

During those 11 years much changed. We formed a family that was built with love and by choice to be a family.  Not always by birth, but ALWAYS by love.

I knew I loved Crystal in 2003. But I will admit that I didn't know we had enough love in us to build the family we have. I guess that is the thing, we didn't have enough love. God certainly had plenty for us to share.

I love you Crystal and I love the kids God has given to us, Falecia, Lanay, Dylan and Ruth.

Daddy's Log - Mom Reads To Ruth

Daddy's Log - Day 12 - My View

My view has changed. Sure, my life's outlook and purpose has changed... blah blah blah... but I'm talking about what I literally see. 

Just a couple minutes ago I looked down at my cell phone and I noticed that my battery life is still more than 70% full. My time which use to be full of browsing Facebook on my phone and surfing around in my free time on my phone has been replaced by this view:

Daddy holding Ruth

It all started in the hospital when my view of my wife looked like this:

Crystal surrounded by all the monitors and medical devices as we wait for Ruth's arrival.

My view of my wife has so significantly changed over the last 12 days and the months before during her pregnancy. My appreciation and respect for her has so significantly increased. This view of her is one of the reason why.  This is her around 3am feeding and caring for Ruth.... while I lay in bed.

Daddy's Log - Day 9.2 - Replenishing Depleted Diapers

On the clock. After ordering carry-out at the end of a long day I have 15 minutes to go to Target, acquire newborn diapers and pick up the food.

Traffic was sparse. I arrived at Target quickly walked to the pharmacy area and remembered that the diapers would be in the baby section.  No  big deal as I have time to spare. I walk past half an aisle of Huggies worried that Target didn't carry the Pampers we've been using and I found this:

A second full aisle of diapers. Two sides, hundreds of different options.

For a split second I panicked. However, I weeded through the half dozen types of Pampers to find our type. Swadders found.  Now to find the Newborn ones.  A FREAKING EMPTY SPOT ON THE SHELF!

I see of a larger quantity of newborn sized diapers.  On sale.  Buy two get a $5 gift card.  I pull out my smart phone and do a quick calculation. It is a pretty good price so I go to grab two boxes and there is ONLY FREAKING ONE! No deal for Drew.

Defeated and in a desperate need to hit the road I quickly grab the "Giant" bulk size of diapers below and head out.  I check out. Then as I walk to the door I look down to see something I shouldn't see for another month or so... a 1 on the side of the box. I bought the wrong size in a Target shelf switch-a-roo.

Panic sets in. 

Daddy's Log - Day 9 - First Day At Work

"You're short, your bellybutton sticks out too far, and you're a terrible burden on your poor mother."

Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) Ghostbusters II

Today was Ruth's first day at the office. It is time for her to start contributing to society. At 9 days old she is ALL OVER ME to stay on task. Quite the little motivator.

Daddy's View

Daddy's Log - Day 8 - Infant Offensive

Today the invading infant decided to go on the offensive. Her weapon was an exposed butt which projectile pooped across the bathroom, striking me on the leg.

There were minimal injuries, a flesh wound really. The tile floor and outfit for the day were not so lucky.  They have been sent to the infirmary in the laundry basket to be cleaned of what appeared to be chicken curry.

The substance may have contained gas as mommy appeared to be drugged and laughed hysterically. Toxicology report is pending.

Luckily the weapon was neutralized in a sink of water as she received her first bath.

A 3-Day Cleanse Review

A 3-Day Cleanse Review & Results

For me, it wasn't really worth it.

Before: Around my heaviest
weight of 221#s.

A Little Back Story

In August 2013, I decided that I didn't want my back to hurt on vacation preventing me from making sandcastles and enjoying the beach. I decided I didn't want my knees to prevent me from walking around Europe or Mexico on a vacation.

It was a choice between 

How Bad Can It Get?

and 

How Good Could It Be?

Before: Around 212# - with
a hurt back at the beach.

I decided to get healthy! To stop having high cholesterol and to stop telling my wife Crystal that "I use to be fit back in high school." I don't want my best days to be behind me.

So Crystal and I made baby steps with our diet and a huge step jumping into ShaunT's Insanity workout...followed by months and months of workouts, 5 or 6 times a week...EVERY WEEK.

3-Day Cleanse

11 Months into my journey I decided to try a new product called the 3-Day Cleanse. It seemed to come at a good time. I'm coming up on my year anniversary and it might allow me to trim up a little extra.

For those who know me I'm a skeptic about everything, ESPECIALLY diet and supplements. My opinion was and is, THERE IS NO QUICK FIX! It takes us years to gain and be unhealthy, it takes years to change it.

The cleanse is $69.95, which I find ridiculously expensive. I justified it to myself by saying it would be all my food for 3 days, so it wasn't that bad. BUT...you also need about $10 in fruits and vegetables to complete the cleanse. So the total cost was around $80.

Total Cost Around 

$80

The Results

I started the cleanse at 183# (and some change) and ended at 178#. 178 is my new lowest weight.

I look at the photos and I'm actually shocked to be able to tell a difference. I did not anticipate being able to see anything. I think I anticipated getting down to 178 so that wasn't a big shock.

So for $80 I lost 5 pounds. That is $16 per pound lost.

My skepticism has me thinking that several pounds will just pop right back on. The next week will tell.

Final Opinion

It makes doing a cleanse rather easy and there are some results. However, I would rate the 3-day cleanse as a "Pass On It." At a cost of $16 per pound and MANY MANY other cleanse options a Google away, I don't think it is worth it. If it gets down to $30 or $35 then sure try it out.

If by chance you want to try it yourself here you go:

Check out and Buy The 3-Day Cleanse

If you try it please let me know. I want to know your opinion and I want to know your results.


How I Felt During
A couple people have asked how it felt during the cleanse, "was I hungry all the time?" Sorry for leaving that part out above.

I actually was not hungry...really ever during the cleanse. I did pull my exercise back significantly to a low impact around 200 calories burnt routine. This may have helped.

While I wasn't hungry, I did miss my other foods A LOT. I craved them and wanted them. But I could tell, and was shocked, that my body didn't NEED them.

I might do another blog on it, but the cleanse really did show me how much of my diet and what I eat is psychological. It is amazing how much my mind wanted me to eat junk that I typically don't even eat. A battle to cheat or something.

The Dinner Meals
I just thought I would make a note on the dinner meal options. First, they were all vegetarian. Not a big deal... and to be expected. I tried the Spinach salad and HATED IT! I typically love spinach, but eating a large bowl of spinach on day two was my low point.

The other two dinners I did was Oven Roasted Asparagus and Vegetable Stir Fry. Both were delicious. In fact the asparagus is going to be added as a side item on our at home menu.

If you decide to do it, I'm happy to offer up my opinions on the dinner options. It might save you some grief. 

Workout Meetup

Fitness and working out is part of my daily routine. I'm not going to lie and tell you it is my favorite 30 minutes to an hour of my day, but I do it none the less. The benefits far out weight the cost.

Anything worth doing is worth sharing with others. So I've created a fitness Meetup.  http://www.meetup.com/Cincinnati-Positive-Life-Change-Meetup/

Basically we get together once a month and do a workout. RSVP using the link.



What I've Learned By Looking for a Graphics and Web Designer

A quick rant that could change your life.

Recently, on a whim I posted to my Facebook the following post.

I was shocked, because several friends shared the post giving it significant exposure.  Surely, I would hear from some interested people. The response was essentially nothing. Very few comments, questions and especially little to no interest.

So what does this show.  

That anyone who considers themselves a web designer or graphic designer is busy with their day job and doesn't need to entertain a random Facebook post.

What does this mean to the random people of the world?

You should be looking into learning web design and/or graphic design! 

Are you creative?  Yes - Then pursue graphic design. No - Then pursue web design.

"Any Skill Level Considered"

I believe that in about a month of full time training, or two to three months of part-time training (self taught mind you) you can be ready to start working in a position like the one we have.  In fact I'm guessing a strong work ethic, eager to learn and two weeks of learning could prepare you for the web design position.

There is SOO much opportunity out there. Even at my small company you would make $30k+ per year equivalent for an entry level position. With a year or two experience you will be looking at $45-$50k+ per year.

Please please please... if you are not happy with your current employment and want your life to change course start looking at learning computers.  Just start Googleing. The training and information out there is free! Don't pay for anything, just decide to change the trajectory of your life and do it.

Preparing for Haiti

As a traveler I've been to many different countries and many of the islands in the Caribbean.  However, my experience with Haiti is limited to my wife Crystal's first hand experiences and my stops in Labadee Haiti on a cruise shop. Needless to said my cruise experiences are somewhat different from the reality on the ground in Haiti.

Crystal painting all of the girls' nails, 
while the older girls played with my hair.

That is about to change. At the end of April 2014 I will be going on my first formal mission trip, to Haiti.

Haiti, our neighbor, and the poorest country in the world.

As part of our formal preparation we are reading a book called The Big Truck That Went By. It is a reporters first hand account of the earthquake and his attempts to follow the aid money trail following the earthquake.

"Camp Obama"

More on Haiti and this trip soon.

Jane McGonigal: The game that can give you 10 extra years of life

Watched this TED Talk on Netflix a while back and my mind goes to it from time-to-time as I try to determine what makes me happy.  My one take away... look at images or video of puppies and kittens. One of the first things I do each morning is to look on Facebook for funny animal videos. Does that habit make me a happier guy?  Well, yes yes it does.

Capacity to Love?

If we are concentrating on the HATE that we see around us, can we possibly maintain the capacity to truly LOVE?

A life goal of mine is to LOVE to such a huge amount that when I die, the words that people use to describe me will be words that describe the love I showed. Rather than spend a huge amount of time on the subject of love I'm spending some time thinking about the adversary of love, HATE.

If you are like me you can spot hate from a mile away. You have days of your life where all you see around you is hate. When you see the people around you, those driving, walking, standing in line with you, you see the hate they are putting out.  The 'Move out of my way' look, or the 'Me first' or the 'No bother to think about anyone else' hate. It may be in the form of a waving finger in the mirror, or an angry look.

Hate is easy to spot. Far to easy.

So back to the question, if we are concentrating on the on the hate that we see around us can we possibly maintain the capacity to truly Love?

A Couple Ways I Fund My Travel - Multiple Cruises Can't Be Wrong

I'm pretty sure that several times a year my friends and family hate me. I can picture them several times a year ticked off at the fact that my wife Crystal and I are off on another trip or cruise.

Multiple times a year we sneak away to the Caribbean, Europe or Alaska to enjoy life and experience new things. We enjoy the life that cruising provides. Food whenever you like, drinks, bars, changing destinations and activities galore.

My wife Crystal and son Dylan in Cozumel Mexico.

I believe that most people would put travel at the top of their "Dream List." I know that because we talk to a lot of people about travel. The thing I notice is that most people let their day-to-day life get in the way of this dream.

I believe most people think that traveling like we do is out of their reach. While we've developed a lifestyle that helps us fund our travel I want to share with you a couple practices that help us put travel within our reach.  Maybe it can help you start living a dream.

Get Frugal With a Purpose.  Frugal means be a bit of a cheapskate.  Here are a couple ways that we are frugal now, so we can travel later.

• Cutting Cable - Our cable, internet and phone package with Time Warner use to run us around $180 per month, ($2160 per year).  We've cut it down to $60 internet only and save $120 per month or $1440 a year!  With our budget shopping on travel that is either a full cruise or a significant part of one.
• Hate Our Climate - We hate the temperature in our house.  Year round.  It is too cold during the winter and too hot during the summer. The reason is, our hate of the temperature in our house allows us to LOVE the temperatures of the Caribbean later.  Over the years I have been a draft detective working to weather proof our house.  Weather proofing and keeping the thermostat under control leads to significant savings.  It costs on average about $120 per month in gas and electric for the 2,500 square foot or so we live in.  That includes the summer electric drain of our pool which adds around $140 in electric usage a year.
  
  Our gas and electric bills were $220 or more per month before our efficiency endeavors.  This quick $1200 in savings a year either another short cruise or part of a larger cruise.
• Entertainment on a Budget - Use your library! Ours has a huge selection of CDs and DVDs... and these things called books. So far the cost has been about $30 in late fees over 10 years. The savings is likely only $300 to $400 a year, but every bit helps.
• Volunteer and Stay Busy - I learned a valuable lesson when I was a teenager and it has served as a life lesson for me.  If working and making money I have less time to spend money. If family life allows you to, work more! Not only will you increase your revenue you will decrease expenses.  Family life won't let you work more?  Understandable.  Volunteer as a family! It is free family time that teaches you  valuable life lessons.  While you are serving others guess what you're not doing?  SPENDING MONEY!

Enough for now.  Happy travels.