RichC | July 11, 2021
Brenda and I had a great week with Annalyn and Ellerie after Katelyn and Drew headed back home after the Fourth of July family weekend. It was not without challenges as our two little girls do miss their mom and dad … but they (we) survived. Thankfully we smartly took the week off of work […]
RichC | July 10, 2021
The Fourth of July 2021 has come and gone, but since we took a week of vacation this week and have our granddaughters, things like “posting to the blog” and resizing photos has taken a second seat to family. For Saturday’s post, here are a couple archived photos of the family last weekend as the […]
RichC | June 20, 2021
Received nice photo from Katelyn and Drew last week and since I included one of Taylor and Megan last week, this is one that needed to be archived on my blog. Most most personal photos nowadays are of our granddaughters as Brenda and I have long ago moved past the stage of photos our ourselves […]
RichC | June 11, 2021
When Annalyn and Ellerie were visiting in May, she helped me get out my live trap to “relocate” a raccoon or two (or more?) that has been climbing up on our house. Annalyn is so inquisitive and a real thinker when it comes to learning about something. She was so attentive when I showed her […]
RichC | May 28, 2021
Our family has been burning up the highway this past month, but it has been great to get together again with our granddaughters and of course Katelyn and Drew. We’ve had this dance recital planned for a while now, along with an extra day to help out with babysitting … and didn’t want to ruin […]
RichC | May 26, 2021
As planned and mentioned in a weekend catch-up post yesterday, I’m archiving a few photos from a Sunday trip to Toledo for a 35th Birthday surprise our daughter Katelyn, thanks to her “sneaky” husband Drew (if she reads that word, I know she will smile). Everything came off without a hitch and our family decorated […]
RichC | May 18, 2021
We celebrated Katelyn’s 35th birthday this past weekend and enjoyed getting the family together at our house. Besides Katelyn growing up, our two granddaughters are a well. Taylor and Megan were up for steaks on the grill and then Taylor back on Sunday to work on his taxes. Drew and Katelyn went out for lunch […]
RichC | May 14, 2021
Today is a special day … the day God gifted us a daughter. Our little girl Katelyn has been amazing since day one and she continues to make our lives better than we could have ever imagined and far better than we deserve. We’ll be celebrating Katelyn’s 35th birthday today in person since they’ll be […]
RichC | April 3, 2021
There’s not much of a question whether Annalyn and Ellerie had a good time this past week. The girls … and their mom and dad … are vacationing in sunny and warm Disney World in Orlando before heading further southwest to spend a few days with Drew’s parents at the beach. Of course I’m envious, […]
RichC | March 13, 2021
Last week I need a small socket and as usual went out to the garage only to realized that even the smallest 1/4” Craftsman socket that I own was too big and bulky. Then I remembered the IFixIt tools Christmas gift my son gave me and voilà … an easy fit and fix. Thanks Taylor! The […]
RichC | March 2, 2021
It has sort of become a tradition to celebrate birthdays in Toledo with the Oostra family. We certainly enjoy getting together with everyone and regularly reflex on just how blessed we are as a family. I mentioned to Brenda that one of the greatest blessing in my life was marrying into the Howard family … […]
RichC | January 20, 2021
While talking with a customer on the phone today and talking about when I’ll be traveling to NE Ohio again, they asked me when they could get the Covid-19 vaccine? See Covid-19 Vaccination Program – LINK. So I figured it would be appropriate to include a screenshot from an Ohio-based health care provider in our […]
RichC | December 29, 2020
It was great that the sun was shining in the new windows the day after Christmas, but the hot-spots did make for a challenging family photo in front of the tree (we ended up too busy and forgot to take on on Christmas day with all the presents). Nevertheless, we still wanted to take one […]
RichC | December 15, 2020
It has been a challenging year to say the least with the Coronavirus still raging in the US and around the world. So many lives, businesses and plans have been forever changed. Brenda and I just feel blessed to be surviving the pandemic and able to function in a day to day matter. We hear […]
RichC | December 13, 2020
Although December is centered around Christmas and holiday preparations, it is also Drew’s birthday. As the years tick by, I’m sure he won’t mind one of two of them getting forgotten … but for now it is still Happy Birthday. (BTW, this was a great shot photo with Annalyn at the Toledo Art Museum and […]
RichC | December 1, 2020
Last weekend must have been the time to start getting into the Christmas spirit? I was busy getting the wreaths and window candles up (and last of the leaves raked and hauled), Katelyn, Drew, Annalyn and Ellerie were on their Christmas tree outing adventure and Taylor and Megan were adding some decorations to Taylor’s apartment […]
RichC | November 12, 2020
The electrical woes on my dad’s 1958 Packard Hawk continue to dumbfound me. It is obvious from looking at the wiring schematics (archived below the break) that the car has had some rewiring done since tracking issues has been problematic. I did find one failed relay causing a problem with power windows. Once bypassing the […]
RichC | November 4, 2020
Too much going on to post on the election so I’ll sit back and enjoy a couple a great leftover weekend photos from the family. First is a very happy Ellerie (Drew must have been on “hair duty” again) .. and an OSU loving Annalyn (although suspect she doesn’t watch the game?) Finally a belated […]
RichC | November 1, 2020
While pre-starting a Happy Halloween archive post for 2020 amidst a limited trick or treating year due to COVID19, I will at least start with a few photos Katelyn and Drew sent of their preparation. I’m sure Annalyn is excited to at least “beg” for a little candy (probably just close neighbors) but it is […]
RichC | October 27, 2020
Although in the “time of COVID19” things are different when it comes to gatherings, going to church, keeping a distance and wearing masks, we did get together with the Oostra family for Ellerie’s baby dedication. It seems like just yesterday we were together for Annalyn’s, but now she is a big sister. She has such […]
RichC | October 17, 2020
While Brenda and I zipped to Florida for a couple planned vacation get-away days, our family enjoyed the autumn weather change in Ohio. Taylor treated Megan to a birthday evening with a romantic evening and a fire in our outdoor fireplace and the Oostra family headed to Hocking Hills and a little hiking — Katelyn, […]
RichC | September 22, 2020
Since Brenda (Oma) is babysitting up in Perrysburg for Katelyn and Drew, I thought I’d archive a couple photos from her day (although the one above is from Katelyn marking that Ellerie is now 7 months old). Since I’m writing this while eating my lunch on Monday, it is likely I’ll miss any afternoon photos, […]
RichC | August 11, 2020
With our family in town last week, it was a busy time. We enjoyed several outings, good food and plenty of pool time. Annalyn has really grown to enjoy swimming and playing in the yard. She loves the swing (Bompa needs to work on a bigger one) and riding the bike with training wheels to […]
RichC | August 9, 2020
We had a great time with Katelyn, Drew, Annalyn and Ellerie as they visited for a mini-vacation, as my daughter called it (family photos archived later in the week). They drove the Tesla Model3 down from Perrysburg and were able to squeeze in two car seats, their luggage and a larger stroller. Impressive! Drew planned […]
RichC | July 26, 2020
What kind of grandparent would I be without using my personal blog to keep track of and archive photos of my grandchildren? This past week, Ellerie turned 5 months old … yes ALREADY! She is as happy and healthy as can be, thanks to having a loving big sister, pediatrician mom and great dad. Katelyn […]
RichC | July 10, 2020
It has definitely been sunny and warm this past week or so, but this kind of pool temperature is ridiculous! Whew, 89 degrees! I’ve been trying to keep up with brushing half the pool each evening in hope to stay ahead of any wall growth. Chemical balances look decent so far, but after my trip […]
RichC | June 30, 2020
Time to add a couple photos to close out June 2020 and mark the 4 month pediatrician appointment for Ellerie. She is doing great and weighed in at 13 lbs 6 oz and 25 inches. Not to be left out, Annalyn is growing too, although 33 lbs is exactly where she was when she jumped […]
RichC | June 25, 2020
Our family went in different directions for Father’s Day this year, but I enjoyed the text messages, ‘last year memory photo’ and FaceTime singing by Annalyn. She sang a great Happy Father’s Day song to the tune of "Happy Birthday to you" … that was very appreciated and enjoyable. Ellerie tried to talk and she […]
RichC | June 21, 2020
Only my granddaughter Annalyn and I (and those who watch us playing) really understand the “bubble” photo that I sent her earlier this week. The two of us have a few toys that will likely remain in our “memories” … at least my memory (she is only three). I do miss her when we are […]
RichC | June 9, 2020
Today’s blog update is really just to archive a couple grandkid photos from this past weekend. We see our family enough not to have to post something every time we get together, but those with grandchildren know how fast babies grow from week to week and month to month. I’ll start the post with a […]
RichC | May 17, 2020
As a Sunday filler post, I decided to archive a scan/photo version of Ellerie’s birth announcement. It arrived last week from Katelyn and Drew and so will keep it on the blog as a saved family items. I’m sure Brenda and Katelyn will keep a paper copy, but it is always nice to keep something […]
RichC | May 14, 2020
Happy Birthday to my daughter Katelyn … and greatest mom to our granddaughters Annalyn and Ellerie. Have a special day my #1 daughter … you’ve most surely earned it this year! The “I’m 12 Weeks Old” photo we just received needed to be Photoshopped just a bit, which we’ll chalk up as a “second child […]
RichC | May 8, 2020
My personal rule is usually only one blog post per day, but with so many wishing me a Happy Birthday yesterday it seems appropriate to say “thank you” over lunch today. The “like” button or “thumbs-up” is probably sufficient for social networks, a text exchange for friends who are phone contacts and of course the […]
RichC | May 3, 2020
Who doesn’t like getting the scoop on an interesting story about an ice cream scooper … or Ice Cream Dipper as designer Sherman Kelly called it. My son-in-law Drew sent me an email the other day: “We have reached a new level of boredom on quarantine – reading about history of our ice cream scoop […]
RichC | April 19, 2020
Although it has only been a couple months since Ellerie was born (8 weeks now), the Coronavirus stay-at-home orders has definitely made it challenging for grandparents … especially when they would really like to be with their grandchildren. Brenda and I only ‘now’ realize just how fortunate we were to have been able to travel several […]
RichC | April 8, 2020
Grandparents who receive regular photos, video, FaceTime and Alexa Echo messages from their grandchildren (and children) are fortunate to live in today’s technology rich world. Just a couple decades ago, families who moved apart for careers or whatever reason were lucky to get a few snapshots in the US mail or maybe talk on the […]
RichC | April 1, 2020
April 1st is usually a day reserved for lighthearted jokes (April Fools’ Day), but the mood is just not there this year … at least for me. Thankfully we are still operating Coronavirus-free as a family, but no doubt as this pandemic makes its way across the country and envelopes the world, someone in the […]
RichC | March 17, 2020
With the Coronavirus news sending the entire world into chaos, about the only thing sane to do is to hunker down and ignore the mayhem. “Woulda, coulda, shoulda” doesn’t do much now … I’m just thankful to have mostly invested in sensible companies that hopefully will weather the storm. Only time will tell. So in […]
RichC | March 5, 2020
Guess who’s birthday it was yesterday? ==> Annalyn’s !!! It is hard to believe our granddaughter is 3 years old? She is growing up so fast. Brenda and I visited in Perrysburg a few days ago and semi-celebrated Annalyn’s birthday with a couple gifts, but yesterday also enjoyed singing Happy Birthday on Facetime. We watched […]
RichC | March 1, 2020
It is well past time for me to actually post and archive proud grandma and grandpa photos of our new granddaughter, Ellerie. Brenda and I had a smile filled day holding her and admiring what a great mom and dad that Katelyn and Drew are. While Brenda spent most of her time holding our newest […]
RichC | February 27, 2020
Six years ago, which seems like yesterday (considering everything that has happened), I recalled and blogged on my first journaling in 1977 noting that the focus was on planning my life around sailing – to quote George Bernard Shaw, “Youth is wasted on the young.” The reference was that the number of posts on MyDesultoryBlog […]
RichC | February 22, 2020
Thursday night (February 20, 2020 ) Drew and Katelyn knew it was time, so they packed up and took Annalyn over to Drew’s parents, which was the plan. They arrived at the hospital about 10:30 PM with very little time to spare and Katelyn immediately gave birth to an 8 lb 3 oz baby girl […]
RichC | February 20, 2020
Brenda and I are praying that all is well, but I suspect BO#2 is just a little too comfortable. Our Taylor came 2 weeks late, so a little bit after his due date does not surprise us. BabyOostra #2’s due date was yesterday and Katelyn “thinks” she is holding out for the weekend, but something […]
RichC | February 19, 2020
Although I have not sought Katelyn’s approval to include her rounded “personal coffee table” or her pregnancy photo (cough, cough – one in the same) to MyDesultoryBlog, but I’m boldly going out on a limb by posting it. The longer I post daily, the more I find myself wanting to archive family milestones … as […]
RichC | February 8, 2020
It was a positive week for me with the highlight spending Wednesday evening with Katelyn and Drew and Thursday babysitting Annalyn in Perrysburg and spending the day with my granddaughter Annalyn. She is growing up so fast, but makes me truly feel loved. My big concern is whether I will have enough “love” leftover for […]
RichC | January 4, 2020
Our family’s 2019 Christmas celebration this year was over New Year’s eve and day, as is our rotation (currently we rotate every other year, but who knows what the future holds?) We were all able to schedule the time off together and enjoyed getting together to exchange presents. Brenda and I had a special treat […]
RichC | December 17, 2019
As has become tradition, our annual Christmas letter briefly summarizes our year and includes a quote, verse, lyric or statement. Usually, it is something that resonated with Brenda and triggered her to jot it down at some point during the year. This year it happened to be something from Winston Churchill (we watched Darkest Hour […]
RichC | December 12, 2019
Although Drew’s birthday isn’t today, I’ll post this on Thursday so as to get double-duty out of a birthday greeting and make it a Throwback Thursday #TBT post (a 2007 photo). Back then, Brenda secretly plotted, along with Drew and a friend (Sam), to kidnap Katelyn for her 21st birthday … and then take her […]
RichC | November 30, 2019
With another outstanding year for Ohio State University football fans (currently undefeated for 2019), the #2 national ranking has brought out the Buckeye spirit in our family of fans. Megan is from an all Ohio State family and a graduate herself. Taylor (Miami University, OH) has always enjoyed OSU Football and is happy to cheer […]
RichC | November 10, 2019
We had so much fun at Katelyn and Drew‘s on Saturday for the “gender reveal” of an addition to our family – A BABY GIRL and sister for Annalyn. They hosted a brunch in their newly remodeled kitchen and great room (first time for brothers and sister-in-laws to see it). Katelyn has become quite the […]
RichC | November 3, 2019
It is starting to feel like autumn now that Halloween has passed and the temperatures have dipped below freezing in the evenings. The weekend had me thinking about future projects and my current “to-do” list … which includes raking the leaves and closing up the pool. On the project list for next year is working […]
RichC | October 26, 2019
One of the more enjoyable aspects of maintaining a personal blog of desultory nature is that I’ve been able to include some of our trips, traveling and vacations over the years. It would have been nice to have had a searchable “highlight-reel” record from all of our traveling prior to 2005, but then the digital […]
RichC | October 23, 2019
The subject line is probably misleading since “vacation” and “finishing the upholstery and cleaning” probably are contradictory … but the few days at a time updates on the condo this past year needed to get finished up before our winter renters arrive. Thankfully Brenda and I scheduled a couple weeks in October to be in […]
RichC | October 14, 2019
Is it already time for pumpkins and autumn? I guess it is … especially after seeing Taylor and Megan picking out pumpkins. They sent a great photo of them on Saturday enjoying the crisper weather and beautiful weather. Supposedly Taylor’s pumpkin is heavier … but I’m not seeing it in this photo (also, Happy Birthday […]
RichC | October 8, 2019
What kind of grandparent would I be if I didn’t share a cute photo or two of my granddaughter Annalyn once in a while? It is hard to remember was life was like without this little cutie around. Katelyn and Drew sent a couple recent fall festival photos to us … one of face painting […]
RichC | September 24, 2019
It has been long enough … and I can’t keep quiet any longer. BabyOostra #2 is "in the oven" and definitely looks like a baby from the August ultrasound (Katelyn‘s baby app says the baby is the size of a chipmunk … or Drew‘s favorite, an XBox Controller). Annalyn will soon be a bit sister […]
RichC | September 16, 2019
A quick post to the blog archive with a few photos from this past weekend. Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn came down to go to the Cincinnati Zoo with Taylor and Megan on Saturday. They had a great time. Of course Brenda and I enjoyed having Annalyn around for a couple days too! She is growing […]
RichC | August 21, 2019
We have always shuffled our “fleet” (as my son-in-law calls it) and strive to keep the loss through depreciation on vehicles to a tolerable level … while still driving reliable vehicles. Thankfully our current and recent vehicles have served us well and regularly hit the quarter million mile mark before we retire them. In my […]
RichC | August 20, 2019
Last week was a grandparent’s dream as we had our wonderful 2-1/2 year old granddaughter Annalyn for the week. Of course we initially wondered if she would be a little homesick and miss mom and dad, but from the first moment when I drove halfway to make the pickup from Katelyn, I knew it was […]
RichC | August 8, 2019
While digging through a few older photos in contemplation for Brenda’s upcoming August birthday post, I stumbled across a few of our “dating years” photos (saving those for later) and one from my mom and dad’s house when we were celebrating her birthday 11 years ago (above). Wow … compared to our Put In Bay […]
