The old lefthander rounded third and headed to heaven...

I ran downstairs here at work this morning and every day the ladies out front put a quote on the messageboard. Today it read: "Rounding Third and Headed for Home" - Joe Nuxhall - 1928-2007. I nearly froze and tears started to well in my eyes.

If you're not from Cincinnati, it might not have much meaning to you. But, Joe Nuxhall WAS Reds baseball. When I was a kid, every game was announced by Marty & Joe. My dad loved to listen to those two and whenever he would take me to games, we'd always look up at the WLW booth to them with their broadcasting gear on. Sometimes they'd wave down to us because we'd get there early. Dad would sometimes bring a radio and listen while he watched. Why? Because they seemed to make the game better. Even if the Reds were losing, you at least got to hear the banter between Marty & Joe. Joe spent SIX DECADES with the Reds...

In the summer of 1994, my dad was very sick from his cancer and unable to really get out of the house. We couldn't go to the games, so dad watched them on TV and of course listened to the radio. I remember how exciting it was that Marty & Joe sent my dad well wishes via the radio - they told him to get better. We know how that story went, but I was just so glad to hear them say that to dad. It meant a lot to him. (My brother had asked them to say something to dad on the radio - which they happily obliged)

I guess it's another ending for me in terms of memories of my dad. I have some that I cherish and most of the time they revolve around Reds games because that was "me and dad's time". I can remember being tore-up about Riverfront when they imploded it to build Great American. Why? Because my dad and I went to Riverfront. Listening to the games on the radio are not the same. Why? Because it's not Marty & Joe. I know things change, but I'm not always ready to embrace them. I'm emotional that way, especially when it comes to my dad.

You'll be sorely missed, Joe. I know my dad will be happy to see a familiar face, but here in Cincinnati, Reds Baseball will never be the same.



Edited to add this photo. It's of my brother and Joe here a few months ago. He just sent it to me. Priceless...

I know...I know...

I have been REALLY bad about updating the blog. Truth is - I've been pretty busy lately and haven't had much to say. I guess I HAVE had a lot to say but just haven't taken the time. Sorry about that. I've received a few e-mails lately wondering where I am and I apologize. My laziness just got the best of me.

Since I last posted (which I realized was in OCTOBER - Bad me!) I saw John Edward. You know, the medium - Crossing Over, Cross Country, etc. He's amazing! I won't go into details right now because I'm not in the mindset to talk about it (I'm battling really bad vertigo courtesy of a raging ear infection) but I promise to post about it soon.

We're in the midst of bathroom remodeling which is probably going to take until the holidays. Our contractor was only in for 2 days last week. Not really sure what that's about but he's a pretty dependable guy so I'm not going to sweat it. As soon as the rooms are done, I might post pictures. Depends on how much I like them. (Which, for what I'm forking out - I better LOVE them!)

I've also been on a decorating binge. I saw Laura's apartment not too long ago and I LOVE her decorating style. So - now I'm hell bent to redecorate rooms in my house. I've been begging Scott to repaint the infamous orange living room. (We're talking TONY STEWART HOME DEPOT ORANGE here) I'm bouncing back and forth between chocolate and a pretty not-quite aqua blue. I haven't decided, yet. Well, and he hasn't committed to letting me paint it, yet, so we'll have to see.

What I really want, is for it to look like this:


Just clean and ORGANIZED. I'm trying to make an effort to get there - I really am. But, it's hard when you're trying to balance kids, full-time job, etc. But, I know that once I get organized, life will be easier.

Anyway - that's all for now. Sorry that I don't have any words of wisdom or anything. The diet is still...well, it's there. I'm trying. Or, half-assed trying. I haven't had any remarkable weight-loss in the past three weeks. I think I'm on hiatus and in hiatus denial. It'll kick back in. Soon, I hope!