Dave Hannum's Blog About Stuff . . . - Family Life

I Can't Believe It Took Fifty-One Years

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:59:00 -0400

OK - I've been a lot of places in my life. I've been in almost every state East of the Mississippi River, and several West of it. I've been to Cape Cod, the Smokey Mountains, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, the Blue Ride Mountains, the list goes on. But during the past couple of months, I've traveled in areas of my own little ole Meigs County Ohio - the county I've lived 4/5th of my life in - traveled roads and seen beauty that I've never known existed right here. Working with my wireless Internet company has given me reason to be in parts of this county I've never had a reason to be in before. Meigs County's East side is bordered by the Ohio River. It's the home of both the sharpest turn in the river, as well as the only place in the Ohio River that it flows Northeast. The East side of Meigs county closely resembles a "boot". Yes - a boot. With a defined toe and heel. The toe of the county is merely a mile and a half wide, from river bank to river bank. And it a beautiful area. It goes from hills that are around 950' above sea level down to around 600' and some flat river bottoms at the river's edge. A bit North of this, are some beautiful rolling farm land. Pastures of well groomed family farms that are still withstanding in the modern economy. This county is the brunt of many a joke by neighboring counties, but I sincerely doubt that the joke makers have traveled the beautiful areas I have the blessing of making my home. Meigs County, Ohio is a beautiful place, and I hope everyone can enjoy it the way I am able to!

Where Did The Years Go?

Sun, 17 May 2009 23:16:00 -0400

Today, I watched my two sons walk across the stage and receive their High School Diplomas. Up until that very moment, it had not hit me. That 18 years had passed since Casey had come into our lives as a little peanut that I held on my shoulder and rocked and rocked to sleep. And at that moment, it hit me that it's been 11 years since Cody, and his sister became our son and daughter. How I can remember oh so well those little faces, hands and feet. It was at that moment that I realized how much I missed those precious little guys running up to my truck when I'd pull in the driveway from work - so eager to tell me what they had been up to during the day, and to ask if I'd play with them. At the time, it didn't seem all that important - routine. But as I watched each of them, in turn walk across that stage - first Cody and then Casey, for that brief moment, all of those scenes raced in front of my eyes. It hit me then that I'll never have those moments again, and how I wish I'd have taken advantage of more of those opportunities. These two boys have been so easy to raise. They've demanded so little and found ways to be content with whatever they had. Casey tended to be more like me in terms of emotional make up - having is occasional melt down. Cody has always been the poster boy for "whatever comes, just deal with it". Almost to my envy at times. Don't get me wrong - they've both had their challenging moments like we all had for our parents when we were growing up. But there is just something about these two that is different. I believe it's their mother that makes that difference. Either that or the milk man, because I know it's not been me. OK - I know I'm not the only dad to be hit like this at this moment in life. I suppose all of us feel that we've been terribly inadequate as fathers. I think of all the times I did not stop what I was doing (it was far too important, you know) to give a few moments of undivided attention - moments that you now realize made absolutely no difference to whatever it was you were doing at the time, but make all the difference now - at least to me in my mind. Casey and Cody - I love you guys. And I am so very, very proud of you. How well you've turned out despite my lack of attention at times. I know all the dad's reading this must feel the same way. I think it's a brotherhood - but for this minute, I feel all alone. Time will fix that - I hope. I do know this. I can't wait to stop what I'm doing when a little guy runs up to me and says, "Grandpa - will you play with me?"

Coming Back To Life

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:23:00 -0400

Being a web programmer, I spend a LOT of time in a seat, at a desk, inside a building. Now understand, I have, by most standards, HUGE windows in my office. I am right on the ground floor and it's just a few short steps, and voila - I'm outside. But, as most programmers will relate - you get in the "zone" on a project - and when you do, you put your head down and boom, six hours have passed. You would not even realize that, except that your bladder is screaming at you or your stomach is growling so loud you can't hear the strokes on the keyboard anymore. The worst part of that kind of thing for me is that I get burned out. I've learned to recognize that, at that point, I either take a few days off, or I spend the next few days or weeks just spinning my wheels, until I DO take a few days off. Last week, I hit that wall. So I put in the last three days of this week off. I was out and about on Wed. It was "OK", but it was a rainy, overcast, blustery day. But Thursday - aaahhh - Thursday. I was out all day with a friend, and I have to say that I experienced feelings and emotions that I had not experienced in many years. It was mid 70's with the sun popping in and out from behind fluffy white cotton ball clouds and an ever so gentle breeze. Many times, during the day, I relived little emotions and senses I remember experiencing as a kid. You know, those long, lazy days where you mom locked you outside for what seemed like an eternity to a kid . . . It's amazing how different my perception of time is now that I'm most likely over half way through my life from when I was a kid. What seemed to be dragging hours as a kid is just a few moments now. (Anyway - sorry I digressed). But the point is, I felt as though I was actually coming back to life yesterday. Just those few fleeting hours of God's beauty did it for me. I have no intention of making that my last day. I was out and about all day again today, but it can't compare to the experience yesterday as I experienced this for the first time in a LONG time! Man, it feels good to come back to life again!

Being Organized . . . Again!

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:54:00 -0400

For many years in my life, both private and professional, I was a very organized person. I used to work as a field accountant and manager for a very large international construction company. I was always commended for returning the records of a completed project in extremely good order. My home (garage, office, etc) were kept in very good order. Then a funny thing happened. Two or three moves, three kids and a career change. For the past fourteen years, I've been a very dis-organized person. When I started programming for a living (day and night . . .) I quit being organized. This was aided by the event of moving into this home. We moved in on a cold November day, and by the time the last truck was unloaded, everyone was cold and tired, and stuff was just dumped into the basement and garage. So, for the past fourteen years, my garage, my basement and my office have been total chaos (and at times, not even organized chaos). This year, I vowed to change all that. And you know what? I'm actually doing it. I've gone back to being the one to pay the bills. So I have them organized. Bank statements, incoming bills, paid bills, you name it - it's where it should be! Last Saturday, I spent the whole day in my garage. My two sons helped me empty it. We all drug everything out, and they helped me sweep it out. At that point, I turned them loose (to work on their Senior English paper - the BIG one) and I worked for over six hours just organizing. I finally mounted the electric grinder my father-in-law got me for Christmas so many years ago I can't remember when it was. It's a very nice grinder. Also, for the very first time, my work bench is actually usable! Even my daughter noticed it, and said how much she likes it! There is actually room to get in and out of and AROUND our Expedition in the garage. With room to spare! Oh my!!! I know that for some of you, this is no big thing. You are always organized - like I used to be many moons ago. Well, move over. There is going to be one more of us in that arena. Well, that is if I can ever find time to get to my basement . . . .

Christmas Pics 2008

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:51:00 -0400

In Chester, Ohio, about 6 miles from our home, is the Chester Courthouse. It's the oldest standing courthouse in the state of Ohio, and maybe the Northwest Territory. It was built in 1824, and is still owned by the county. Beside it is the Chester Academy, built in 1839. Both buildings are being restored by the Chester-Shade Historical Association, of which Wendy and I have been associated with for about ten years now. Anyway, each year they have a beautiful REAL tree donated and decorated inside the courthouse. We love to have family photos taken there. Here are our 2008 Hannum Family Christmas photos, taken Sunday, December 21, 2008.

Christmas Memory

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:47:00 -0400

We live out in the country - way out. Hay fields, small farms of tomatoes, cabbage, corn and cattle - rural America. So in the winter, when it gets cold out, many of the "little critters" start looking for a place to keep warm. Mice are small enough to find the "cracks" - I know you know what I'm talking about. Once Christmas, about a year after we moved into this house, we had the Christmas tree in what has become its traditional place in this house, the corner of the dining room toward the kitchen. A few days before Christmas, we started smelling what was unmistakeably the odor of a dead mouse. Each day it got stronger. The only thing we could surmise could be the cause was that a mouse had died in the wall beside the tree. But I could not imagine how the odor could be "that strong" through the wall. One evening, I decided that the source of the "perfume" had to be closer than the interior of the plaster wall. As I got down under the tree, the stench became much stronger. I started moving presents around when I hit ground zero. A few days earlier my wife had wrapped a present for me, and placed it under the tree. In curiosity, I picked it up to perform the customary "shake" and try to determine what it was. It was a rather heavy box, about the size and shape (and proper weight) to be the pac boots I wanted. After determining that I had gotten my wish, I simply "dropped" the box, probably from about waist height, onto the tree skirt below. Seems that a certain mouse must have been hiding from the commotion above, under the safety of the tree skirt. Perhaps he was either on his way to or on his way from getting a drink in the water of the tree stand. Either way, that heavy box of boots landed right on top of him, and promptly plowed him right into the carpet below! The "ooze" of his little decomposing body had soaked through the tree skirt and into the wrapping paper of my new pac boots! What were the chances of crushing a mouse with a box of pac boots? Well, it's happened once in the history of mankind anyway.

In The Mood For Christmas . . .

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:36:00 -0400

OK - so today, on the way home from work, I decided I was ready to get into the Christmas mood. It is, after all, December 16th - only a skosh more than a week until the big day! I had talked to my wife on the phone, and knew the whole rest of the family was in town shopping. I have asked for my usual nothing this year, not being in the mood to even want anything. You see, I've lived long enough as a dad in a single income family to know that any cash I get at Christmas gets conveniently spent on bills. So I don't exactly get excited about the prospects. But that's OK, as long as I can spend it on my wife, kids, parents, in-laws, neighbors, dogs, cat and goats - I keep telling myself I'm happy. I digress . . . So, I determined that when I got home, I was going to pop in some Mannheim Steamroller, Kenny G Christmas, and any other Christmas, crank up the base enough to vibrate the cabinet doors, fix myself some dinner (Rally's Philly Cheesesteak Cheeseburgers - refrigerated from the evening before) and put on my Christmas game face. I was stoked. As I drove into the driveway, I grabbed my stuff out of the car and rolled into the house. Put my stuff away and headed for the Bose Acoustic Wave Machine. As usual for my flavor of luck, not a single Christmas CD was to be found - anywhere. I looked through every CD beside the Bose. Mind you, these Christmas CD's L-I-V-E in the rack beside the Bose - right on the Kitchen table/counter/horizontal-pile-on-er. They are always there - without fail. Except this day. There I was. Now, instead of kicking back, with the NFL Network on the tube in front of me, and Chip Davis cranking from the kitchen, and me really starting to get into this Christmas thing - I was steamed. I looked high and low, even braving the upstairs landfill my sixteen year old daughter proudly calls her bedroom - to look for them in there. But they were nowhere to be found. Nowhere any normal, season greetings loving guy would look. About an hour later, my family all came home, and I ever so calmly asked my family (OK - so I was still steamed and I more or less bellowed it) "DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE ALL OF THE CHRISTMAS CD'S WENT?" My lovely wife calmly (yea, she's really that way) said she'd moved them and just forgot to put them back. So now, here I am. At the kitchen table/counter/horizontal-pile-on-er, writing this blog with Chip Davis and Kenny G doing their magic. Another holiday salvaged. I'm truly getting into the mood, as I see the joy of the kids coming to me and telling me what they got each other and hoping I'll slip and tell them what their siblings got them . . . Yea - It's Christmas and I'm ready!

I Hate Texting

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:07:00 -0400

Yesterday evening, a mechanic at my favorite tire/repair shop had his eight month pregnant girl friend coming to pick him up in his brand spanking new "to him" Pontiac Grand Am. Shinny and white. She was sitting at a red light about four blocks from the shop when B-A-M !!!! Here comes a young gal (20 something) and hits her from behind at about 45 mile per hour. Word has it that she was doing about 60 (10 over the speed limit) up until the last second when she looked up from the cell phone where she was texting a message and laid on the brakes! Needless to say, both cars are unrecognizable and the pregnant girlfriend is in the hospital. I'm not sure the status of the texting driver. Just about a year ago, an 18 year old gal drove left of center, hit an elderly couple head on and killed them both. She was texting a message. We hear more and more about young ladies having accidents while texting friends. I work on the campus of a University. You can't walk a block in town without seeing two or three gals texting. On more than one occasion, I've seen females trying to park a car (parallel in the town I'm in) while talking on the cell phone. You talk about a show . . . What is it with girls and phones! I'll tell you. Raising two boys and a girl, I have observed that today's teen and young adult feminine gender is ALL ABOUT relationships, social pecking order and about who is treating who, how. In other words, DRAMA! Maybe it's always been this way with girls, but the texting phenomenon is new (as it texting). It's a tool I believe this society and mankind (especially woman kind) can do without. Messaging in general seems to empower the fems to be even more absorbed in drama and relationships. MySpace, Facebook, Xanga (yea, Xanga's passe', but it's still out there), Google Chat, MySpace Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Instant Messenger - you name it, the gals seem to dominate it. Is it that guys, as a rule, have better things to do? Football, sports in general, cars, hunting (still male dominated). Girls have TV shows and TEXTING. So, maybe it's not all their fault, but I still hate it. I am very anti-government in my life. But you know, I think I'll embrace anti-cell phone while driving laws. Maybe our cars will be better off for it!

Ohio Bobcats Football - It's not just for enjoyment any more!

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:48:00 -0400

I don't know why I do it. I bundle up and head out in the chill of an autumn November afternoon, headed into known impending doom - the agony of another Ohio Bobcats football loss. This time, the anticipated drubbing will be at the hands of the Bowling Green Falcons. I've owned four season tickets since I can remember. Section 105 right on the 45 yard line, two tickets in row 17 and two tickets in row 18. Peden Stadium is a modest but very appealing football venue. The revamping completed a couple of years ago has made it a very comfortable place to watch a college football game. In recent years, Ohio had done a lot to make every game a true event. In the past couple of years, they have somewhat curtailed the "special events" that take place at each game. Probably because of a combination of budget cuts and waining attendance (due to poor records). It's become a bit more routine - but it's really hard to say there is ever anything merely routine about the Marching 110 Band. That has always made every visit worth the drive. But today, on Parent's Day, the university was honoring our heroes in the armed services. The National Guard had a swearing in ceremony on the field (way cool) and before the game, Guard paratroopers led by Rufus, the Ohio Bobcat's mascot, dropped onto the field from the sky above. Well, this was not without technical glitch. For you see, about 300 feet above the Northwest corner stands, Rufus "lost his head". The mascot head of Rufus, the Attack Cat flew off the paratrooper, and came crashing down into the luckily sparsely populated stands. A brave fan fielded the bouncing head on one hop! Much to the approval of the crowd, the now headless (well, he had his human head) Rufus paratrooper made a pinpoint landing, despite the distraction, shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment, and made a hasty gallop the length of the field and into the tunnel out of sight. Two more normally clad troopers landed with the same pinpoint accuracy and somehow, everyone had a feeling that this would be the highlight of the afternoon . . . and it was. Bowling Green 28, Ohio University 3. But you know what. My son Cody and I (the other two seats went unfilled this day) still had a great time. We boogied out after Ohio went down three TD's to our traditional "post game" eating spot, "Taco John's", and had a great time together. Even though the 'Cats might not have much of a team this year, I still want to thank Ohio University for making each game "an Event" for me and my family. My boys will soon be leaving home, as they are both seniors in H.S. this year. Soon, I'll only be purchasing the two seats in row 18, leaving row 17, hopefully, to some father and his son or daughter, so that they, too, can enjoy a tradition of the event that is Ohio Bobcat's football. I guess I answered my original question with this post. I know exactly why I do it . . . .

25 Years And Going Strong . . .

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:06:00 -0400

This coming Wednesday will mark twenty-five years since I said "I do" to my wife, Wendy Michelle Bies Hannum. First, I have to tell you that the success in our marriage is much more because of her, than me. I always planned to be married to only one woman. And I still plan that (barring some catastrophic event). I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams because of her. It is so easy to sit back, take a look at all of the material things I/we don't have, and become discontent. But when I take an honest look at the many folks around us, who have more in the way of material things, but disrupted family lives, I do not feel so bad any more. Because it's not the physical things that really matter. It's not at all like the old adage, "whoever dies with the most, wins!" It is, however, the fact that if you love someone, and that someone loves you, the other things just don't seem to matter so much. Whether you struggle with finances, health issues or whatever, taking it on stride for stride, hand in hand with the one you love, the one who has been there through the thick and the thin, truly "for better or worse", is priceless. I remember the day I proposed to her, just like it was yesterday. I will go to my grave remembering that day. When I was a kid, I remember praying for three things, every night for years. I prayed that I would find a good wife, have a good family, and be the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Well, two out of three ain't bad, and considering the record of the Browns over the past few years, I probably am much better of. Besides, if I'd have been QB for Cleveland, I'd probably never have met Wendy, I would probably not have my three beautiful children and I'd probably not be writhing this now. Considering everything, I'm OK with where I am. Life has brought many challenges. For various reasons, things have been challenging the past few years, but exciting things and options have been presenting themselves lately, so we are looking forward to what lies ahead. We just keep praying, and hand in hand living for the Lord and hand in hand taking on the challenges. I used to tease Wendy and tell her how lucky she was to have me, because I was the "perfect man for every woman". Well, the truth is, I am the luck one, because I truly have the perfect woman for me. She has to be the only woman on earth who could have endured twenty five years with me, and tell me she's looking forward to the next twenty five. Wendy, I love you, and I appreciate you and I, too, am looking forward to the next twenty five years. Happy Anniversary.

A Quick Trip To The Dawgs . . .

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:56:00 -0400

It's hard to believe it's been a week. But it has. With all the changes taking place at my job, and things going on in my family, we just did not take a formal vacation this year. I did not want to look back at this summer, and face that, as a family, we didn't do anything recreational together. So last week I decided to do something I've wanted to do since I was a kid. And that was visit the Browns training camp. The Browns were having a "Family Night" at the stadium on Friday, so I planned it all out. We traveled up to Cleveland on Thursday morning. We dropped the gals off at the Parmatown Mall while the boys and I went to the Browns camp at Baldwin-Wallace college in Berea for a couple of hours. Later, we checked into the motel, then headed out for a terrific dinner at the Hibachi Japanese Steak House, then back to the hotel for a swim. On Friday, we got up, and headed to the Great Lakes Science Center and see a movie on the Omni-Max screen (that's a creative use of the planetarium and an Imax film). Next, we visited the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame (sorry folks, but it should be called the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Musician's Unwanted Stuff). We then headed across town, out by the lake to Bay Village's Huntington Beach at the Cleveland Metro Park. From there, we wandered aimlessly around, looking for a place to grab a bite, and we stumbled upon a great little Mexican restaurant of which sadly, none of us can remember the name. Then, it was back to the Parmatown Mall for the ladies, and of to Cleveland Brown's Stadium for us guys. Our tickets just happened to be in the famed "Dawg Pound" in the East end zone. After the game, we made our way back to the parking garage in time for the fireworks display that took place West of the stadium. At about 11:30pm, we gathered the gals from the mall and headed down I-77 for the 3 ½ hour trip home. We would have liked to stay another night, but Wendy and I had to be at a training session at 8:30 am the next morning, where she was being honored (we couldn't miss that). All said, we had a fantastic time. Cleveland was much neater and cleaner that we had imagined, and was surprisingly easy to get around. I've seen the Browns play regular season games on about six occasions, two times in Cincinnati and four times in Detroit. The boys and I want to go up for a regular season game this year, in Cleveland! I hope we make it!

Photos of the trip

The Box

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:58:00 -0400

Last week, I came up with an idea for a family project that we finished yesterday. Here is how it works. I surprised the family with a box. Actually it was a black metal hand toolbox, black and shinny. We each had one week to come up with two items what we were going to put in the box. One item was to be something that would fit in the box that we felt represented our family. Something that whenever we look at it, handle it, or think about it, just makes us think, "yea, that's my family!" The next item was to be a promise or commitment we would make to the other members of the family. It was to be something that if we fulfilled it, would help make the family stronger, more solid, just better. In other words, something we felt we could do for the other members that would mean a lot and make us all better. Yesterday, we all got together, brought out our items and commitment. We each explained how the item we chose represents the family to us, and we each placed our item in the box. That was very touching. We then each explained our promise or commitment to the family, and why we felt that it would benefit the others and the family as a whole. I could not keep the tears back during that. Then, the final piece of the activity. I have purchased a WordLock (tm) padlock. What is neat about this is that it takes five letters of the alphabet to unlock it - that's one letter for each member of our family. And you can set the combination yourself. So, I randomly assigned each letter of the alphabet to a random number between 1 & 26. I then made a chart with the letter/number combinations on it. I somewhat randomly set the five letter combination on the lock, and then put the number that matched each of the five letters on tokens. I got the first number, my wife got the next number, and the three kids, in age descending order, got each of the last three numbers. While I set the combination, I have a very short memory so I can honestly say that nobody knows the code (although it is recorded and stored - just in case). We're all to carry the tokens with us at all times. Then, in one year, we will all come back together with the box, put our number tokens out in order, match the letters and open the box. We'll talk about the items and promised in there, compare how we did and if we want to change the items, we can. We'll each make a new promise or renew the one we made the previous year. But the point is, all five of us are in the box, and it takes all five of us to open the box. Yea, it's an original idea that I'm sure somebody else thought of somewhere in the world, but it's original to me, anyway. I'm excited to get back together with the box in a year and reminisce about what has gone on in our lives during that year. I'll let you know how it goes . . . :-)

Gone Fishin'

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:21:00 -0400

The saying is true - sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, you have to stop and go fishing. I have two sons and a daughter. The two boys are seventeen and the girl is sixteen. I won't have them here at home much longer. I've spent a good deal of my life, working. Yea, working. You see, we are a single income family, and my full time job is programming at a university. At a university, you get good benefits, and plenty of vacation (no, I don't get the summer off like the students) but you are paid well below market. But, because of where I work, I can live out in the country (I mean out in the country, not the suburbs) and enjoy peace and quiet at night. We raise goats and have a dog and cats running loose. Ya, the country. But "normally" at evening, I come home from the university just to power slam some dinner and get to work on a contract job. Don't get me wrong, I've always made sure I've been there for the important stuff like ball games, and band concerts. A few times a year we do a family thing where we take a trip and/or go somewhere special. But I've found out that the time the kids seem to get the most out of is when I just drop what I'm doing and go fishing. It's not convenient, not good timing, maybe not even what I really want to do at the moment, but I'm seeing more and more the appreciation in their eyes and the tone of their voices, and you know what? I believe that those are the times I'm enjoying the most too. So next time you expect to Skype me or Gmail chat me and I'm not there - it's probably because I've "gone fishin'". I'll be back later!