7/31/2008

Melissa...where are you? When will you ever check this blog out. The perfect word to describe you incoherent and selfish continuation of avoiding my page is... wait for it, LAZY. I barely can fathom your apparently better half checking my page out while you have repeatedly failed to do so. It must be terrible to live w/ the guilty feeling of saying you will but never actually checking the web page out. One tip: check the youtube video at the bottom of my page (www.mattschroeder.org) Click play and watch 5:50

7/30/2008

Our kitchen appliances will be here tomorrow, and Mark finished most cupboards and drawers, but he'll put the divider and pantry in next week after he builds and stains them. The NFL should stand for National Favre League as reporting on this saga of Brett Farve is becoming rather ridiculous.

7/29/2008

Today at the hospital was completely awesome. I mean I really thrive on meeting new people, and volunteering is the best way to do that. I technically made no money today, but I've made quality contacts and friends. Friends are worth far more than money is. I also made some progress on getting my promotional mailings ready to go. Next Tuesday will be a major stepping stone on my way to becoming a well known speaker. I also spoke with Michelle, who I have not spoken to in person in7 three months, and Holly . Both conversations were great, and I got really pumped up with the outlook of my book. Tomorrow will be awesome.

7/27/2008

I'm going to the church basement for a K of C family picnic, and in the evening I am going to my uncle's place for a little get together. Yesterday was a blast, as could be expected. Two softball games with family playing and a wonderful time had at the Rib Fest. Believe it or not, I met some really cool people. I'm usually kind of a shy guy (maybe not:-). Ashley was there, and I had the opportunity to meet some of her friends. One Klear girl from Miller City knew me already, but Michelle was from Columbus. I saw many people I knew already. Mustang Sally was the band that performed in the evening. They were very good, and I hope they had a safe trip back to Tennessee this morning.

7/26/2008

Schroeder's lost their softball game and oddly enough they don't play again, in this double elimination tournament, until this afternoon. If they win then a third game starts roughly two hours after our game ends. It is true that we only were victorious once in the regular season, but typically we win once in the tourney. That said, I'm fully prepared for Schroeder's to play twice today.
The rib fest is today and tonight. That will be entertaining after softball.

4/25/2008

Well today I stacked a little wood outside and carried some old cabinet doors to the shed. Tonight starts softball tournament weekend, and Schroeder's play Miller's. They are composed of a bunch of Grove guys that were prominent athletes in high school. Their best hitter played in the farm system for a m lb baseball team. Who knows what will happen after that. Probably we'll eat pizza somewhere.

7/24/2008

WE WON! True that the Schroeder softball team actually won a game last night, and uncle Karl threw a pizza party at the park afterwards. That was much fun. It was refreshing to see us finally win Granted the team we played had not won any games either, they were rather poor, and we won 9-1. They had a far less superior team, but a win is a win. It feels kinda funny calling ourselves the superior even though it was true last night. Next comes tournament, which may commence Friday night (tomorrow).
Tonight I am playing cards with a group of only guys, and solo will be the only game. Surely it will last for several hours, and it will be loads of fun.
Saturday night is the Ottawa rib festival at the fairgrounds. That should be fun. I might meet up with Brian and friends. Maybe Ashley will go. There might be after hour party at Ben's, but that's yet to be determined...

7/23/2008

Today is fan appreciation night for the Schroeder softball team, and it should be an exciting evening.
The time is nearing to send out m promo info to a bunch of schools.

7/21/2008

I had an echo cardiogram today on my heart. That was cool, because you get to lye down and they smear that ultrasound jelly all over your chest. Our kitchen looks like a storm passed through it, as we are doing some remodeling.

7/20/2008

Ir's been a few days, but I had a busy weekend. Friday was exciting, and my Godmother came over for dinner. That was not the exciting part but it was what we did after dinner that was fun. Dad, Mom, my Godmother, and I played solo. I usually only play that old German card game at K of C meetings or occasionally when I get together with three or four other people who know how to play. It is played for money, but even those that are the biggest losers on that night typically would lose only a few dollars and still have fun. This was a good card night for me, as I was the only winner. I won $5.55.
Saturday was an eventful on, because I ate at Frickers with friends. After that there was a cancer benefit behind Frickers with many bands which changed about every hour. A guitar was raffled off, but unfortunately I did not win it.
I went to mass this morning, watched the Reds lose in extra innings this afternoon, and then walked a little over two miles with Dad.
I still have not heard from my friend Melissa about this blog or my web site...hmmm... that makes me a little disappointed, but I'll be okay. I've got to give her a rough time. I think we tentatively planned to hang out at Al's BBQ this Thursday, but I am not quite sure if I'll be free or not. I'm planning to hang out with Ashley this Saturday in Findlay. That will be cool, because she is such a nice person.

7/17/2008

I went my blood pressure doctor today for a checkup. It's been 3 weeks since I left the hospital. Everything turned out great. I refilled my prescriptions and got myself a blood pressure cuff at Walgreen's in St. Rita's. There I met Julia. She is great.
This evening I went to a softball game and then went with my cousins out afterwards for pizza and socialization at the Bombshelter in Glandorf. I saw and talked to many people I know there.
Of course the Schroeder's lost yet again. Next week we play another team that is winless. So hopefully they'll get a win the last week of the regular season.

7/16/2008

This morning I travelled by foot a little over two miles. I walked the first mile, and the second mile I walked/ran. Now since my wreck I do not have a very smooth running gait. Really it looks rather shaky as I rumble down the road. I don't want to work my heart too hard, as I spent a few days in the hospital a few weeks ago for escalating blood pressure. I'm no supposed to work out real hard.
11 years ago I would have ran the full way... plus I surely would have went at least five miles. Life is certainly different post accident, but it's my life. The change in daily life practices doesn't end with different running gait, basketball shooting methods, or sports in general, but nearly everything has changed. I love my life though. People often ask me how I deal without being able to do what was simple stuff before my accident. I do not focus on anything I can't do, because there is so much I CAN do now that I couldn't before. Every time I give a speech I touch lives. I wouldn't be an inspirational or motivational speaker if I was never in the wreck. God's way is the BEST!!!

7/15/2008

It doesn't look like I'll be able to send out my promotional packet to all high schools in Ohio, because it costs way too much to get the dvds cut. It's not so bad though I'll still do the ten county area, and I think that will be a sufficient number of schools for starters. Then maybe in January I'll do wave two.
The Knights of Columbus had a meeting tonight... fun!

7/14/2008

Got a new bedspread today. It wasn't exactl high on my priority list, but it was on Mom's. It's pretty cool, but I wouldn't care if I even had a bed spread. I am like most other guys when it comes to bedroom appearance. Who really cares, right?
I spoke with Tim today, and he assured me that we'd go down to Columbus for a Buckeye practice in early August. I can't wait!

7/13/2008

Well not much is happening today, but we are going to my uncle's, as we have the previous two Sunday nights.

7/12//2008

Last night I hung out with Brian in Findlay. After he defeated me routinely in billiards we went up to the Boogie On Main Street. I usually do not hit the pool balls that well, but last night I pocketed all of my balls and had a shot on the 8 ball, two times before he finished me off. inevitably lost but am getting better. The Boogie was happening. I saw many cool people and friends I have not seen in awhile. I made some plans to hang out with some people and got some phone numbers from people so we can stay in touch.

7/11/2008

Hey Thursday night at Al's was a great time. I met many people and even saw a few of my classmates. Melissa brought her friend Jill, and in two weeks we might do it again.
I had a good talk with Andrea and Heather. Heather's shirt made me laugh. It read Chicago Cubs. They have a very good league leading team, but they were beaten badly by the Reds today. I hope to see them again. I met Lacey too. She's cool.

It's Kelly Schroeder's birthday today, and I just know that it's on 7/11!

I've got my arm around her in the picture. She's getting old too just like me:). Happy Birthday Kelly!

Melissa is a very cool friend, but she won't sing karaoke with me. Her friend Jill did though. Maybe next time Melissa will??? Yeah right!!!

7/10/2008

Today is my Dad's birthday. He is now 59. Wow!
The Schroeder softball team lost again last night, but at least they scored 22 runs. There was some debatable umpire work which may have cost them the game, but oh well.
Tonight I am meeting Melissa at Al's in Kalida. It should be a blast.

7/8/2008

Another Tuesday at St. Rita's volunteering. I have to go over to audio/visual to work w/ Jil Pennington on our project just after lunch. It should be rather interesting.
Tonight the Reds play the division leading Cubs, and it's imperative that they win at least 2 of 3 games in the series...if they ever plan to catch them.

7/6/2008

I did something tonight that I haven't done for at least 20 years, and I had fun doing it. I caught lightning bugs, but the fun was not in actually catching them but watching my nephew Andrews face when they were caught. He is only three, almost four, and it was so much fun seeing his excitement as he was so proud telling his Grandma that we caught fireflies. He was so proud, but he is actually afraid to och them. Therefore I actually did the catching. When I was young w would actually catch jars full of them with holes in the lid so they could get air and live.

7/6/2008

My sister's whole family was here for the weekend, and her oldest (Andrew) stayed here on vacation until next weekend. We are going to the lake to meet them and celebrate Andrew's birthday. On July 12 he'll turn four.
Tonight we are going to my uncles for a visit. We'll be in the gazebo. Andrew will hopefully behave. I'm hoping we're back from the lake early next Saturday, so I can go bowling with some friends.
The Reds had a 4 game sweep of the Nationals ending today.

7/4/2008

Seeing most of my cousins and their little ones was much fun today at our annual 4th of July party house. I exhausted myself while giving little children joy rides in the wagon. That was fun and the conversations had with aunts, uncles, and cousins was priceless. Sure I didn't learn a whole lot of new info, but the rehashing memories is always a good time. At the end of the evening they had a spectacular fireworks display. That is always a treat. Background music was played during adding to the excitement of the show.

7/3/2008

As it stands right now Melissa says the weather is not good enough for her, her husband and kids to go see the band and fireworks. Mother Nature is making a miserable day thus far, but there is still a few hours of hope... Later

7/2/2008

This morning was cool, because the plans for Thursday were made. I am going to the 4th of July party in Delphos which is being held on Thursday night. My friend Melissa and her ruthless boss (and husband:) Greg are going to meet up with me over that way. Greg is an awesome guy, and he even checked out my blog which Melissa to my knowledge has yet to do... what a trooper he is! There is going to be a fireworks display after sunset. That should be interesting, and then on Friday we are going to a relation party at my uncles. Every single year he has a 4th of July party with a quality fireworks display, and it is usually a good chance to catch up with the few 1st cousins that I don't see that often. I do see most of them frequently,however, as we are a very tightly knit family, but a large gathering is always fun.

7/1/2008

I got my promotional DVD today, and I met a key volunteer, also. I am super excited about her determination to help get me to speak to her high school. I am also happy with the condition of my ear. The Dr. said there was a film of ear wax coating my ear drum, but he took care of it and the rest of this week I will use ear drops three times per day. It takes time, but I'm quite happy with the way my ear feels.

7/1/2008

I made a doctor's appointment with my family physician this morning for 10:30, to get my ear looked at. My left ear feels like it does when you go swimming and get water in it, but there is no water present. We tried a couple different methods to clean it out which are usually done, but we had no luck. It really is driving me crazy, because it is thought that there is ear wax pushed up against my ear drum. I'm going there on my way to volunteer at the hospital.