family stuff – tltatemakeover.com

Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Tony T

Well, it’s 2019. I remember when I thought maybe the world would end by the year 2000 because of Y2K. I have long since given up on trying to know when the world will end. I think there are more important things in life.

Friends, family, and love are what life is all about. To love is to live. In fact, there is no real life without love. You are missing out on life without love.

I have spent the last week with family and friends in Texas and I have had a blast. And back in South Carolina where I live I have even more friends and family.

Friends are a must, and so is being a friend. I learned a long time ago that if you don’t show yourself to be a friend it is likely you wont have friends. And I have some great friends. I am surrounded by them. I can only hope that I will eventually be as good at being a friend as they are. I would not have survived 2018 without them.

And I don’t know what to tell you what you should do about love interest. I am mostly clueless. I am, however, starting the 2019 with someone I think is special. I have known her for nearly 30 years. She is one of the nicest people I know, and a really good friend.

So this year has the potential to be one of the best of my life. It is certainly one of the best beginnings. I am looking forward to seeing it unfold.

I hope everyone has a great year in 2019. We all need something good in our lives. The world in general needs something good to happen. May blessings and good fortune follow you all.

Happy New Year!

The Day After (Christmas)

Posted on December 26, 2018December 26, 2018 by Tony T

Well, it was a great holiday! I drove to Texas to see my Dad and the rest of my family. It was a 15 hour drive. Everyone asked, “why didn’t you fly?” I never fly anywhere I can drive, no matter how long it will take. I have been on over 200 flights and I still don’t like it.

I arrived two days before Christmas. I started to go shopping for my nieces and nephews but I was too tired. I got them all gift cards instead. They were still very excited Christmas morning. Of, course I was not the only one buying gifts.

We all had a good time. And I haven’t even seen all of my family yet. Christmas was a great start. I have the rest of the week to see the rest. Also, I hope to see some friends this week as well.

It has been very good to be home. My nieces and nephews (actually my great nieces and nephews) are older now, and are not so freaked out by the stranger called “Uncle Tony.” So it has been a lot more fun. Of course, they are wearing me out.

I hope you all are having as great a holiday as I am. Merry Christmas!

PS, My son graduated from college last week!

Diet, family stuff

I Love To Eat!

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Tony T

That is part of the problem. I love to eat. When I get bored, eat. When I watch TV, eat. Go to the mall, eat. And then there is the whole breakfast, lunch, and dinner thing!

I think growing up in a family that loved to get together on Sundays to visit and eat dinner together was one of the greatest experiences on earth. And sometimes I think on a subconscious level that I am trying to recapture that feeling. I think we all do, especially if you had that kind of family.

Eating was always part of a good time. But families aren’t as tight as they used to be. In many ways they still are, but, somehow different. I am part of a family here where I live. I have my kids, friends, people at church, and it is great. They are all my family. But still, it is somehow different.

I can’t put my finger on what it is. Well, maybe I can. One thing that has changed in my life was the departure of my mother in 2013. Many of those nostalgic memories are times spent with her. I’m sure any of my siblings would say the same.

I think eating can be a way to try and recapture the past. And I guess I let it get out of control a lot. I have plenty of opportunities to eat and fellowship with my friends and family, and we have a great time together. But I can’t ever shake that feeling that I’m missing out, and I tend to use food to overcome.

That makes eating right a little harder. But for the past couple of weeks, I have remained faithful to my desired eating habit. Still, it is hard. Boredom still comes and I’m tempted to eat. I try to channel that into time with my saxophone practice and other things, like cleaning my house (I am seriously lacking in that area) and walking.

I love to eat! It just can’t be my number one thing. I’m sure the struggle will continue but I will not give up. The struggle is probably what keeps us alive. So, I’m living the life.

family stuff

Father’s Day & Softball

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Tony T

This past weekend I went to watch my daughter play a softball tournament. Well, the last day anyway. I drove 2 hours with her step-dad, Robert to see her play. We thought we were going to see one game. No one told us that her team was undefeated and were contending to win the over-all tournament, and that meant more than one game. We were there for 4 games, in fact.

When they finally got to the final game they lost by 1 point. However, we were treated to something we had not seen before. We have seen Kat make incredible catches, steal lots of bases, and get some great hits and bunts, even in-park home runs. This weekend though, we witnessed her first ever home run. It went right over the fence. I guess she is getting stronger. She has been lifting weights for several months now.

Even though I wanted to spend Father’s day at home on the couch watching TV, going to see Kat play was very rewarding. Soon she will be off to college. She will soon be playing with the Limestone Saints. Can’t wait to see her play.

family stuff

My Youngest has Graduated

Posted on June 5, 2017June 5, 2017 by Tony T

It was a busy weekend. My daughter graduated from high school on Saturday. Last week on Tuesday we were in Gaffney, SC for her orientation at Limestone College. From there we did a lot of preparation for the graduation weekend.

We had friends and family gathered, including K’s grandparents. She graduated with honors and she was in the top 10% of a class of nearly 400. She was awarded several scholarships, including an athletic scholarship from Limestone College. So we are all very proud of her.

After graduation, we went to a restaurant called The Bohemian Bull. There was some great food. They also had some great appetizers. I have never had fried okra the way they prepared it. It cut lengthwise instead of the usual rounds. And instead of being breaded with cornmeal, it was dipped in a tempura batter. It was quite delicious.

There was cake and ice cream afterward at a close friend’s home, a true family gathering. All of our friends here are like family. I am glad to have them in my life. We are all very proud of our K. She is soon to be off to college and she is looking forward to her new beginning.