Dorothy "Beulah" Fluharty

When I was a week (and a half) my mom went back to work, but she entrusted me to Mrs. Dorothy "Beulah" Fluharty.  From that day through the end of the 3rd grade for 5 days a week she took care of me in her home.  All the other kids who came and went always called her Grandma Fluharty... to me, she was just mom.  She cared for and loved me, of this I am certain.  Today, I helped her family and friends lay her to rest.  She was 87 years old.  I hugged and cried and even laughed today with her "real" children, who were all older than me.  The youngest of them 9 years my senior.  I remember seeing Dennis and Connie still in the house when I was growing up, and how great they were.  Thinking back now, I think I really thought of them as my older siblings.  Their other sister Carolyn had already married but she was never far away either, and her children Kelly, Danny, and Chad were all my sisters and brothers too.  I think maybe that's why I've never really thought of myself as an only child.  After all, I had such a large family; at least they were family to me, blood or not. 

Of course, over the years we weren't always this close.  We all had lives of our own and we all lived them.  But from time-to-time our lives continued to cross.  I stopped in to visit a few times, and I think my real mom even sent her pictures of me every now and again.  When I got married it was by Beulah's husband Reverend Warren Fluharty.  It was wonderful having them both there. 

Connie (then a nurse at the hospital) checked in on my wife and I at the birth of our first child Whitney.  I introduced my daughter years later to Mrs. Fluharty, but she was still "mom" to me.  I attended a gathering to celebrate her retirement from childcare, and so many "kids" were there who had been raised and loved by her.  All of us were a testament to a life well lived, and full of love.  About 12 years ago, I was there to say goodbye to Warren when he passed away, and now today I did the same for her.  There is a deep ache tonight in my heart.  I remember her, I remember the family, I feel a sense of loss... But a full and beautiful life was celebrated today and I know she is in a better place and probably still watching over all of her children.  Rest in peace Dorothy "Beulah" Fluharty... I will miss you "mom."

Regards,

cheer_dad

Take your kids to work day...

Well for once Whitney and Cole got to attend "Take your kids to work day."  They didn't come along with me, but instead with their Papaw.  I've been in class all week, or just busy as all HELL and really just couldn't bring them along.  I'm certain that they had a much better time with him.  I did get to see them a couple of times throughout the day, so that was kind of nice too.  Plus, hey they got off school for a day... as a kid you LIVE for those moments!

Class goes on for one more day, and Scott, the instructor promises it'll be a short one at that.  He's clearly streamlined the fluff of the Domino Bootcamp.  He's been a great instructor and I hope to see him return in the future! 

I have to take Cole to baseball practice here very shortly, and watch...  It's been different so far this year not being out there as the coach.  For all those times that I had doubt's about myself as a coach, or my overall ability to work with the boys... having witnessed others doing it, I was no slouch as a coach!  I showed up (on time) paid attention to my team, and tried to teach them a thing or two.  I'll leave it at that...  But this year Cole is once again doing a lot of catching and really excels at it.  He has the size and has no fear of the fastpitch aimed at his face.

Work has been busy.  I'm putting in a lot of OT, lately.  I'm worn down, and they just keep heaping it on.  But I continue to learn and survive, and am feeling like I'm starting to get up to speed on supporting a system that was completely foreign to me when I took this job.  Of course I'll get it all learned and moved to something different, again... 

Poker, what's that, is it a game?  Sounds fun, maybe I can try it someday!  That part of my life's been lacking a little.  But there's just a lot going on.  My family (wife and kids) come first, then job.  There's of course bowling and baseball and softball and I had to create a dance/cheer mix for Whitney and Hannah to teach to a Jr. High School squad.  I'm continue my running at lunch time, putting in 3-miles per day, plus some on the weekend too.  Then at least 3 days a week I'm lifting weights too.  I'm feel better, I'm being forced to tighten the belt!  : )  Yeah ME!

Hope all is well for each of you.  I miss my blogger friends... I try to stay up on you all, but I don't check in as often as I'd like just because it's the nature of things.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Pop Evil coming to Eagles

Last night it was good to get together with friends at the Eagles and drink a few beers and relax.  We attended the Comedy Show which honestly was just so-so.  I liked the comedians that they had last time.  But, you can't always have the same comedians every time.  You have to try some new people.  I think in the future that some additional review should be done before booking a comedy act.  On the plus side, they had a drawing for Pop Evil tickets and I won one of them.  The Pop Evil show will be May 7th at the Fraternal Order of Eagles here in Parkersburg, WV.  The club will be open to the general public!!!  Tickets are currently available for $10!!!  In addition to the headline band, another of our local favorites Jinx'd will be opening.  This is definitely something new that the Eagles is trying to do to attract new people to our club and hold events that people are excited about coming out to.  And no, of course this music may not appeal to everyone, but judge for yourself.  Here's a link to "100 in a 55" by Pop Evil:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcfmwfY2GOE

Or for a little more on the thrash side... : )  "Hero" at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_6n2KJlSPw&a=xwg4b4wpKxo&playnext_from=ML

Enjoy!

Good Saturday

Yesterday was busy and a lot of fun with family and friends.  A lot of bowling action during the day for Cole.  He bowled a 203 (his personal best) in the singles tournament yesterday!  Not bad for an 11 year old, with a 114 average!

Later we all went to the Yanok's for some much needed poker.  I finished 1st in Game #2, and actually got points in both games, so my year end stack continues to grow!  : P

We're all having a lazy day now, just lounging around.  Have  a great day all!

Regards,

cheer_dad

In the dark on the details

So, I'm still a little in the dark as to my wife's antics of last night...  I had previously mentioned getting the chips ready for last night's poker game at the Eagles, but I didn't end up playing.  I took Cole to baseball practice, and actually Whitney was at softball practice on the next field, so I migrated back and forth a bit.  Then, when we got home and we ate.  Then, I knuckled down and got in my weight lifting workout at around 9PM.  So, I never made it up to the Eagles at all.  Big Red called to inform me around 10PM that she was out of the tourney, having been felted by Uncle June.  Preflop the guy in front of her goes All-In for 550, Red looks down at pocket Aces, and shoves for 650.  It folds around to Uncle June who makes the call saying it's prolly a stupid play, but what the hell, right?  The flip over, first all-in guy, with KK, Red with AA, Uncle June 3-4s.  Flop 5-6-7.  DOH!  I had to laugh!  So, she wants to know do I want to come up and play now and she'll come home.  But I know today's gonna be a busy day for me so I tell her to go ahead and hit the cash table.

...Flash forward...

At around 3:30AM, I roll over in bed to what seems like a strobe light flashing, and bleerily make out Poltergeist is on the television.  I realize Red is not there.  I chuckle and then a few minutes later I hear the garage door and then the tip-toe steps of my beloved.  She starts in with "I'm sorry."  But I told her I didn't care as long as she was having a good time.  I listened to a few words from her before nodding off.  I think I heard that she won back her buy-ins plus like $10 for the night.  Hey, it's a profit!  : P  Anyway, maybe I'll get details of her excursion later, when she has caught up on sleep.  She did say she thought they had over 50 players again, with a lot of new faces!  Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all of you who showed up!

Bowling went quick this morning.  I even took a call for support from the Help Desk, from Frank "iamwolfie."  Network cut-overs are always a joy on a weekend.  I leave in a few minutes to head over to Emerson Lanes for more bowling starting at 1PM.  Doubles tourney and Singles after that.  Cole picked up his 2nd place team trophy from last week's tournament.

Tonight, I will DEFINITELY be ready for some rest and relaxation.  You may all see a little "drunken poker" played LIVE this time from your ole buddy cheer_dad.  I'll lay aside the role of Super Dad for another day.  Really considering not being there for tomorrow morning's maintenance window at work.

I'll see many of you tonight at the Yanok's tournament(s.)  I'm hoping for some music to sing-along to, and that'll go well with the lampshade on my head!

Regards,

cheer_dad

 

Nothing matters so much as...

Nothing as so very satisfying as the stacking of chips.  Tonight I got the chips ready for tomorrow night's Eagles game.  Not chips I'd won... just the simple stacking and counting of chips.  The touch and the sound of poker chips as they are stacked and shuffled... there is just something about it.  I wish I could explain or describe, but my faithful blogladytes will know exactly what I'm attempting to say.  I may not even get to play tomorrow, but there are priorities like my son's baseball and my daughter's softball practice.  What's the line?  "Nothing matters so much as family... all the rest are merely strangers!" 

Regards,

cheer_dad

the words have not been typed in many moons my faithful blogladytes but.......... tonight...... yeahhhhhhh boobies!!!
regards,
cheerdad

Busy day

Getting ready to take Cole to bowling league this morning at 10:00.  Then, he has a tournament to bowl at 1:00.  Following that, I get the "pleasure" of coming home to mow the yard for the first time of 2010.  Unbelievable how much the grass has grown.  Wonder what difficulties the ole mower will give me?

Tonight of course we'll be watching the WVU vs Duke basketball game!  Let's GOOOOOOO Mountaineers!  I don't know that we'll be going out anywhere tonight, since it will have been a busy day already.  Besides, I have to get up in the morning for work.  Server maintenance once again.  Hopefully some of the preparation here will provide us with some information following the next service crash.  We really need some good root cause analysis to point us in the right direction.  We might even keep the "wolves" at bay!  But then again I'm not so sure that everyone has the same agenda...

Baseball season has started, at least the practice phase has.  And so far, I think Cole is enjoying himself!  That's the only part I even care about.  That and I'm actually enjoying "not coaching."  It is definitely less stressful.

On the fitness front, I'm averaging 12-15 miles a week, running (which is low from my "past running life") but I'll take it.  I'm also averaging 3-4 weight training sessions a week.  Focusing primarily on upper body, since the legs get their part with the mileage...  I feel better.  And perhaps even look a little better too.  I know, let's not get carried away. 

As for poker, on this poker blog... (i know, haha) that feels like a game I "used to" play.  Life has it's ways of moving you in different directions that's for sure.  BUT, the next game is scheduled for April 9th, 2010 at the Eagles Aerie in Parkersburg.  Registration begins at 6:00pm, and gametime is 7:00pm.  We had a record 54 players last time, and we look forward to even more.  Hope that YOU are one of them!

Time to head out the door to the lanes.

Regards,

cheer_dad