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Monday, October 30, 2006
Colorado
Mood:  bright
Topic: General

had a good time in colorado.  While I was there around 15 inches of snow fell.  Nice to be in the mountains in Keystone. Chelsea seems to be doing OK with basketball - they have like 4 scrimmages so she will be busy getting into shape.  Joe got into trouble at school. He called the principal at home and told him that he had better do something about another kid on the school bus or that he would do something about it. He was called into the office the next day and given a good talking to.  I admire his straightforwardness and directness in working thru a problem.  But maybe he should have followed the chain of command on this one.

Chad's house is taking shape, they still have a few things to move about but most everything is unpacked. The Deeters are doing fine.


Posted by christ77 at 5:25 PM EST
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Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Quiz Team
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Chelsea
Chelsea went down in the Quiz Team competition at Channel 7.  But she went down with full sails, flags waving, and cannons firing away.  Her quiz team got beat 120 to 275 by Celina.  Chelsea more than held up her end, we figured that she scored 50-60 of her teams points.  The smartest kid on the team only answered one question, he was intimidated by the studio and camera’s. In the last bonus round when the questions were worth 20 points, she was buzzing in left and right, taking her best guess at the answers in a desperate attempt to try and get points and catch up.   I told her she did well, a lot of the questions I did not know either.  But I was proud that she did her best and helped to carry the team. She did her best, what more can you ask.  

Posted by christ77 at 8:29 AM EDT
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Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Joe's first deer - in bagdad
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Joe
First Deer in Bagdad

OK, not that Baghdad, but outside Bagdad, Kentucky. But that is where my son, Joe, got his first deer this fall. The story starts a littler earlier in the year. Joe decided that he really enjoys shooting, so we put him in the 4H Shooting Sports program, where he did really well. I have been letting him look at my old Field & Streams and he became intrigued with deer hunting. I told him that if he wanted a deer rifle, he could save up his money and buy one. Once he got the rifle, then I would hold up my end of the deal and take him on a hunt.

Well he held up his end of the bargain. This summer he spent some long, hard days in the hay fields and diligently saved up the funds for a rifle. We visited various places and he decided on a Remington 30-06 caliber rifle. Finally the day arrived when he the money saved up and we went back to the store and got it along with some ammunition. He began to do target shooting and got his scope zeroed in.

Joe’s sister lives in Louisville, Kentucky and we were fortunate to find a place within driving distance of her home for the youth hunt that they hold in October. Of course the day that we left was Friday the 13th. An ominous day to begin a trip. We got to a late start because of truck problems, despite assurances that it would repaired by the end of day, it wasn’t. I couldn’t take my wife’s vehicle because of a wedding. So it took a call to a rental agency to get another truck for the trip. Since we got a late start we didn’t get to the campsite until way late and it wasn’t until midnight that we could get into the sack.

The next morning we were up before sunrise and after some hot chocolate to help rid the overnight chill and a couple of doughnuts; John, an owner of the land we were on, arrived. He took us to the back portion of the property were a blind had been set up close to some oak tree’s. Not long after settling in, we heard some rustling of the leaves as a nice buck browsed for acorns. I pointed him out to Joe and when he moved, Joe was able to pick him out thru the tree trunks. He slowly raised the rifle, waited for a good opening and snapped off a round. The buck wheeled and turned and disappeared in some brush down hill. We zigzagged thru the area and tracked as best we could, but could find no sign of a hit. Maybe a branch deflected the bullet, or maybe it went high and missed completely.

We settled back into the blind and after about an hour another deer started rustling thru the leaves looking for acorns. This time it was a doe. Joe was really wanting a deer with antlers and so it was difficult to pass up a full broadside shot when the doe stopped and stared our direction for a full 10 seconds before moving on down the hillside out of sight. A short time later John came back and we went back to the campsite to take a midday break. He had some other things to take care of that afternoon and after showing us some other prospective hunting sites on the property he left for day.

We grabbed something to eat and discussed strategy. Two deer had been spotted, but our tag was still unfilled. We regretted passing the on the doe. The decision was made that the next good shot he had, he would take. We got our gear back together and in the afternoon headed back to the blind. As we neared the ridge that lead up, I told Joe to walk slowly, to go on ahead, I would wait behind. My thought was that there could be deer that returned to the ridgetop to browse while we were gone – with two people crunching leaves, it could scatter the deer. But one hunter, moving slowly, might be able to sneak up there and catch them unawares.

I watched him slowly climb up the path. Suddenly he stopped. Raised the rifle to his shoulder. After a second or two – bang. “Follow up shot”, I yelled up the hill. Sometimes a deer can be knocked down, but the wound be non-fatal – a second round needs to be chambered in case they get back up. He yelled back down the hill, “I saw two of them, but only one ran away - I think I got it.” Closer inspection showed that yes, indeed he had. One shot had dropped the deer immediately.

Joe had seen 2 deer browsing side by side as he reached the top of the ridge. One had antlers, but they were small, indicating a young buck. The other had no antlers and appeared to be a doe from a distance. He wanted the young buck to have a chance to develop, so he went for the other deer. When we inspected the deer, it turned out to be a button buck. A younger buck that was still a year away from developing true horns, from a distance it is difficult to tell the difference. But Joe was excited nevertheless.

When we got back to the campsite he called several of his friends on the cellphone to let them know about his success. After the shaky start to the weekend, it was a relief that we were able to end the hunt like this. We packed up the truck and prepared for the trip home. It was his first deer and definitely not his last. Already he is regretting not being able to take that first nice buck and he can’t wait to get back in the woods to get a better one. As we pulled out I commented, “You know Joe, that someday you’ll be able to tell your grandkids that you got your first deer in Bagdad….Kentucky that is.”

Posted by christ77 at 9:13 AM EDT
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Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Chad moves
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Chad
Well Chad is mostly moved.  He was able to get a truck from Ryder with a lift in the back and that made things easier. On Saturday we moved most of the stuff from inside the duplex where he was staying.  Then on Sunday he moved tools, tool boxes, etc. He has the rest of this week off to move miscellaneous items and get unpacked.  After seeing how old his dryer and his oven were, I asked him if he regretted buying that old truck with the $1000 of money I gave him as sort of a house warming gift – Nope, he was happier with the old truck….    Still I plan to do this with the other kids when they buy their first house and I will buy new items instead of handing over cash. So far both Chelsea and Joe are getting good grades this school year.  Chelsea is trying to get the position of treasurer for this new club that they have at school for medical technology students.  She feels that she has a good shot at it.  Also she is working on being part of the quiz team for school.  She said that they may tape the show later in October.  She thinks that she will be one of the ones selected to be on the panel.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the quiz team goes against Oakwood – who have won this several times.  Joe is having fun with FFA this year.  Also he is thinking of trying for band.  I think that there is a girl that he likes in band and that is why he wants to join.  But I would be happy with him doing that.  We are prepping for our hunting trip to Kentucky.  Joe wants to really rough it – making a home made tent with a tarp like they did in the old days.  But I am going to be more practical, using a regular tent.  If a cold front moves in, I don’t want the wind blowing in on me all night. Vanessa and the baby stopped in last weekend. Eric had a golf outing and banquet with his work in Cincinnati. So Vanessa tagged along and drove on up to our place to stay overnight.  Baby was a little fussy at first from getting shots and being in a new house I think. She settled down and played and coo’ed with Chelsea.  Vanessa is thinking about shifting gears and getting an assistant nursing certificate.  She hasn’t decided for sure yet. She got exceeds all in most of her ratings at work, but the max pay raise was 4%.  So she was disappointed with that.   

Posted by christ77 at 7:03 AM EDT
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Tuesday, September 26, 2006
move prep
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Chad

Chad celebrated his 26th birthday last weekend. Went to eat at Golden Corral and then went to see the movie Fearless.  We all had a good time, Chelsea did not pick any fights for a change. Asked Chad about moving into his new house next weekend. "Well we may not do it, Sarah may want to visit some friends." I told him that we can do the grunt work on the weekend, and she can unpack during the week.  Oh, he has his priorities - the first thing he wants to move is his tools...

 Chelsea turned her ankle at open gym, but seems to be doing OK otherwise. She plans to attend the TVS homecoming dance. So we are going dress shopping this week.


Posted by christ77 at 12:29 PM EDT
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Monday, September 4, 2006
camping at Hueston Woods

It was our first camping trip of this year. At one point we had 3 of the youngsters at the campground.  Joe brought his friend Kyle and they seemed to have a good time. They both did some damage to their bikes when they went mountain biking on the trails.  Joe did not want to go fishing for some reason and I went with Chelsea instead. I caught 3 bluegill and a rock bass while she got a teeny tiny bluegill herself. 

 We had a good time for the most part although Chelsea and Joe had a spat and got into some name calling. Chad did the covered bridge poker run with Sarah and the Mary Kay. Then Sarah spent the rest of the week end with her family while Chad stayed with us. Vanessa spent a quiet weekend at home with the baby. Eric was off on Monday so they had that day off together.  


Posted by christ77 at 7:43 PM EDT
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Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Elaina a lefty
Mood:  cool
Topic: Elaina

The Deeters visited this weekend.  Everyone seems to be fine. Vanessa went to Amanda Brubakers baby shower with Becky. During the end of the visit I was watching the baby and I noticed that she was using her left hand to try and push her collar up to her mouth.  She also pushed away the bottle with her left hand when she was finished with her bottle.  So it looks like lefthandedness skipped a generation. She was coo'ing a little bit too.  Definitely longer as well.  A height predictor shows that she should be around 5'4", but according to Vanessa she is in the 80% percentile as far as height.  So she may be taller than that.

 Vanessa is back at work now, she seems to have lost some weight too. She said that if they do decide to do surgery on my knee that she may have inspected some of the equipment that they would use.

 Chad and Sarah went to Kentucky this past weekend. They had a good time at a water park and also some friends of Sarah's met them there.  All in all a good week end for them.  The close on the house outside of Eaton takes place today.  I think that the previous owners have like 30 days to move out, then Chad can move in. Yippee!

Chelsea and Joe seem to doing OK at school so far. Joe has been playing a lot of airsoft.  They were playing at the neighbors and one of the kids was playing without goggles and got his eye damaged. Had to have laser surgery to fix his corenea. This was the same kid, Luke, that Anthony left at the Wendy's parking lot in Eaton and got put in jail for being out after curfew. According to Joe, Luke is not allowed at the Schaefer's anymore...

Oh, and Joe fixed up his airsoft pistol to be an automatic. I don't understand how he did it, but it works. he pulls the trigger once and it will empty the clip. Maybe he has a future as an armorer.  


Posted by christ77 at 12:38 PM EDT
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Friday, August 25, 2006
house deal is on
Topic: Chad

Well it looks like Chad has finally got himself squared away to purchase a house. They close on a house outside of Eaton next Tuesday. It will be great to get all of this clutter out of here. He must take after Becky - doesn't want to part with anything.   I think that his girlfriend preferred another place, but this place is pretty much ready to move into without any work. They are going to Somerset KY for a car rally. He is taking the Mary Kay.  He is compromising with Sarah and is going to go to a waterpark and such.  She can stand so much of the car stuff and then she needs a break. He did interview for a new job with a company that will be servicing Cincinnati Bell's fleet. They won't ramp up until October, so he won't know anything right away.  So there could be a lot of changes in store for the young man in the next few months.

 Vanessa is visiting this weekend so it will be nice to see the crew. Chelsea has moved in with Uncle Vaughn for the school year. Now if we could just get Joe to move in one of his friends...  Anyway so far so good with Chelsea, I think she may have been a little lonely, but I think she will adjust as she meets new people in town.  Joe is adjusting to being an only child. He is disappointed that his computer time has been cut back. I told him that I would bump it up some if he gets good grades. I just don't want him to dig a hole like he did last year.


Posted by christ77 at 5:43 PM EDT
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Monday, July 31, 2006
Fair week
Mood:  rushed
Topic: Joe

Joe has been having a fun summer. Now it is fair time and he is staying over at Kyles and going each day to the fair with him. He has some money from baling hay to have a good time, plus some money from me for helping to reroof the house.

 Ran into Jackie Cox's mother and father the other day. Found out that she got a scholarship to play basketball at Urbana.  So I was very happy to hear about that. Chelsea is working hard to get ready for her season as well.

Chad is trying for another house outside of Germantown. It can be moved into as is, but someone else is putting a bid in on it. So he will have to wait and see if it goes thru or not. Sarah is a big sister for a local girl, she took her to the fair.


Posted by christ77 at 12:20 PM EDT
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Sunday, July 23, 2006
July vaca and work
Mood:  not sure
Topic: General

Went to Louisville to visit the Deeters.  Little Elaina is becoming more aware of her surroundings.  When Joe was in the loft she kept looking at him.  She also seems to like the light from the windows. Becky is content to be with the baby. I think that I could leave her with Vanessa and Eric for a month and she would be find with that - as along as she gets to hold the baby. 

 We meant to go boating and towed the boat all the way to Louisville. We got the boat in the Ohio River and then the prop would not lower into the water. I tried everything I knew and even stopped by boat shop but had no luck. We made the best of it.  We stopped by a go-cart place and raced.  I did OK in the beginning, but Joe caught on about mid way thru and passed me up.  I stayed on his tail but could not pass him.  Did eat a lot of dust and pebbles. Chelsea's cart was a dog, she could not catch us at all. 

Chelsea did excel at air hockey.  She beat both me and Joe.  I was the winner at putt putt golf.  We visited the Frazier arms and armour museum on Sunday. It had a lot of medevial armor that we all found interesting. We ended the weekend with a meal at the Kingfish restaraunt by the Ohio River. 

 With the boat out we had to cancel the trip to Lake Erie. We will try again in August. Kyle is going to the fair, so moving it back a week is not an option. So it has become a working vacation. Joe has been helping me reroof the house. He is doing a good job so far. Chelsea is at the UC basketball camp with her new team.  She was enthused to go.  Becky said she shot a three point shot in her first game.  I have not had a chance to speak with her.

 Chad in back in house hunting mode again. He backed out of the deal for the first house. It was going no where. We looked at a couple of houses around Eaton - one in town, one outside of town. I think he will be happier if he can find a place in the country. Oh, he is moving in with Sarah this week.  Seems like a lot of work when he might end up moving again in a few months after he buys a place. I did find out that she is a country music fan. So that is another mark in the plus column. 


Posted by christ77 at 7:26 AM EDT
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