The 2015 season marked the fourth season that my fantasy football team, Big Mike Boyz, participated in the Damn D Fest's league, started by Matt D. in 2008. In late July, the annual draft lottery was held to determine the draft order of the 12 participants, which is done in a snake format (draft order reverses from round to round). On August 23, the draft was held in Coventry (near Acme), where Matt D. lives at with three roommates. Before the season started, everyone had to pay their $100 entry fee.
The championship, won by Lee, was held in Week 16 since many NFL teams would be resting their starters in Week 17. I began the season 3-1, but lost seven of my last nine games to finish 10th place with a 5-8 record. Despite a losing record, I won $40 back this season. I earned $20 by scoring high point in Week 3 when I defeated Mario's Doughnuts, 140-105. I earned the remaining $20 for allowing the most points (bad luck) in league this season
This is a recap of my roster:
QB: I drafted Broncos' Peyton Manning in the 3rd round to be my starter and 49ers' Colin Kaepernick in the 11th round. These two QBS turned out to be among the most disappointing in the NFL this year. Manning's ended after nine games with a foot injury and Kaepernick was benched by the 49ers. I cut both of them from my roster and finished with Dolphins' Ryan Tannehill and Chiefs' Alex Smith. Manning and Tannehill finished the 2015 NFL season as the QBs with the most INTs.
RB: I drafted Packers' Eddie Lacy with the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the draft. Lacy struggled all season with injuries that caused inconsistent play. The highlight of my season was picking up Falcons' Devonta Freeman off the waiver wire. Freeman was one of the NFL's top players in 2015 and if I didn't have him, I would've lost three more games. Chargers' Danny Woodhead (8th round) and four others filled in for me when necessary this season. I drafted Lions' Joique Bell in the 4th round and cut him early in the season.
WR: I drafted Packers' Randall Cobb in the 2nd round to be my top WR and he gave me a strong season. I drafted Lions' Golden Tate in the 5th round and he gave me an average season. The Cowboys' Terrance Williams (9th round) underachieved but his performance was well enough to ride my bench for the season. The same couldn't be said for Saints' Marques Colston (7th round) and Bills' Percy Harvin (10th round), who were both cut from my team by the end of October. I picked up Titans' Nate Washington and 49ers' Torrey Smith off the waiver line and they filled in when needed towards season's end.
TE: I took some risks in drafting this position, but it turned out to be one of my strengths this seasons. I drafted Chargers' Antonio Gates in the 6th round, but he was suspended for the 1st four games due to violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. I drafted Saints' Josh Hill in the 12th round, but cut him before the season started and picked up Redskins' Jordan Reed. Reed had some nagging injuries, but he and Gates both turned in solid seasons. Once Gates returned from suspension, I started him at TE and Reed at WR-TE flex.
K: I drafted Ravens' Justin Tucker in the 14th round and he gave me a strong season, despite his NFL team struggling on offense due after losing key players to IR.
D: I drafted the Cardinals' defense in the 13th round and it was one of the strongest in the NFL this season.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Remembering Uncle Ernie Hanshaw (1946-2015)
On April 13, my uncle, Ernie Hanshaw, passed away at the age of 68. He had been battling health issues for the last decade, but things took a turn for the worst during his final three months. Uncle Ernie was Dad's racing buddy during their younger years. Uncle Ernie was quiet like Dad and always seemed to follow Dad around every time we saw him. They refurbished a Chevy Nova and rebranded it as the "Chevy Too." Dad has several photos of the work and finished product and the even got an article published in a national racing magazine. About 10 years ago, Cousin Todd (Uncle Ernie's son) was able to obtain a copy of the publication, which was from the same month as his birth in June 1972. Todd also got a portrait made of the Chevy Too with the race car he currently owns.
Dad and I attended the calling hours (Mom was ill) held from 5-8 on Friday, April 17 at Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion. On Saturday, we went to the funeral at Fairpark Baptist Church (1st Church of God closed in October) before following the procession to the burial at Marion Cemetery (near President Warren Harding's tomb) a few sections from where Uncle Larry is buried. Afterwards, we went back to the church to have lunch before heading home.
Dad and I attended the calling hours (Mom was ill) held from 5-8 on Friday, April 17 at Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion. On Saturday, we went to the funeral at Fairpark Baptist Church (1st Church of God closed in October) before following the procession to the burial at Marion Cemetery (near President Warren Harding's tomb) a few sections from where Uncle Larry is buried. Afterwards, we went back to the church to have lunch before heading home.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Memories of Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim Snyder
Edna Muffet-Snyder was the youngest of Grandpa George Muffet Jr.'s seven siblings. In 1952, she married Jim Snyder and by the end of the 1980s, she was the only sibling still alive.
I always had a special relationship with them, their children, and grandchildren. Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim sat in the pew across the aisle from me at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Mom, Aunt Kathy, Cousin Krissy, and Cousin Nikki sat in my pew, while Elaine (Aunt Edna's daughter) sat with her parents, husband Ron, daughter Becky, and son Jamie across the aisle. In addition, their daughter Helen, was a room mother at Woodford Elementary with Mom. Helen's daughters, Sarah and Rachel, graduated from BHS in 2001 and 2003, so I spent plenty of time with them too. Since Rachel was in my graduating class, she ended up being my closest female childhood friend. Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim's son, Bob, is one of the family historians along with me, so we have that bond together.
Some of my earliest memory of Aunt Edna was when she took Sarah and Rachel to Tuscora Park during the summer, where Mom and I would see her. My favorite memory of Uncle Jim was having him help me with my leaf collection in 7th grade. He had many types of tree leaves and knew the names of all, just as well as a science teacher would. They would help out when they could, such as offering Grandma some medical equipment when she was beginning to have health problems that belonged to Uncle Jim's mother.
In June 2001, Mom took Grandma Muffet and I to Sarah's graduation party at her home. Grandma had a nice time talking to Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim that day. The week after the party, I started working at Acme, where Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim would come in and always stop to say hi. I was confirmed in October 2001 and remember having an interesting talk about the old times afterwards with Aunt Edna, Aunt Jo, and fellow parishioner Jean Uhl.
In April 2002, St. Andrew's was celebrating its 100th anniversary as a parish, which happened to fall the same month as Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim's 50th wedding anniversary and Uncle Jim's 70th birthday. In October 2002, Uncle Jim died suddenly, a little more than a year after Grandma had a major stroke that left her paralyzed and bedridden. On a few occasions, Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim would come to visit Grandma at the Barberton Hospital.
In 2003, Rachel and I graduated from BHS and if there were two people I wish could've been there who weren't, it was Grandma and Uncle Jim. I remember talking to Aunt Edna about how things changed a lot in two years. In the years after Uncle Jim's death and Krissy and Nikki's departure from Barberton, I began to sit in the pew with Aunt Edna and her family at St. Andrew's. Aunt Mary and Grandma died less than a week apart in July and August 2004, leaving Aunt Edna and Aunt Jo as the Muffet family matriarchs.
Jean Uhl died in 2005 and a generous donation her estate made to the church allowed for a handicap elevator to be installed. I would help Aunt Jo and Cousin Juanita (Grandpa and Aunt Edna's 1st cousin) down the elevator and Aunt Edna would ride along. Aunt Jo died in 2009 and Juanita died in 2011, but afterwards, fellow parishioner Louise Baker would ride along with Aunt Edna and I.
After Uncle Jim died, her family would help her with the garden. Some years, Aunt Edna would give me tomato plants for my yard, even last year. Aunt Edna was an important source to me on the topic of Muffet family history. I presented her with a family tree for her 80th and 85th birthdays in 2005 and 2010. I talked to Aunt Edna at church on Christmas Eve in 2014 and in the following days, she became ill. She died fairly suddenly on Jan. 9, 2015 at the age of 89.
I always had a special relationship with them, their children, and grandchildren. Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim sat in the pew across the aisle from me at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Mom, Aunt Kathy, Cousin Krissy, and Cousin Nikki sat in my pew, while Elaine (Aunt Edna's daughter) sat with her parents, husband Ron, daughter Becky, and son Jamie across the aisle. In addition, their daughter Helen, was a room mother at Woodford Elementary with Mom. Helen's daughters, Sarah and Rachel, graduated from BHS in 2001 and 2003, so I spent plenty of time with them too. Since Rachel was in my graduating class, she ended up being my closest female childhood friend. Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim's son, Bob, is one of the family historians along with me, so we have that bond together.
Some of my earliest memory of Aunt Edna was when she took Sarah and Rachel to Tuscora Park during the summer, where Mom and I would see her. My favorite memory of Uncle Jim was having him help me with my leaf collection in 7th grade. He had many types of tree leaves and knew the names of all, just as well as a science teacher would. They would help out when they could, such as offering Grandma some medical equipment when she was beginning to have health problems that belonged to Uncle Jim's mother.
In June 2001, Mom took Grandma Muffet and I to Sarah's graduation party at her home. Grandma had a nice time talking to Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim that day. The week after the party, I started working at Acme, where Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim would come in and always stop to say hi. I was confirmed in October 2001 and remember having an interesting talk about the old times afterwards with Aunt Edna, Aunt Jo, and fellow parishioner Jean Uhl.
In April 2002, St. Andrew's was celebrating its 100th anniversary as a parish, which happened to fall the same month as Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim's 50th wedding anniversary and Uncle Jim's 70th birthday. In October 2002, Uncle Jim died suddenly, a little more than a year after Grandma had a major stroke that left her paralyzed and bedridden. On a few occasions, Aunt Edna and Uncle Jim would come to visit Grandma at the Barberton Hospital.
In 2003, Rachel and I graduated from BHS and if there were two people I wish could've been there who weren't, it was Grandma and Uncle Jim. I remember talking to Aunt Edna about how things changed a lot in two years. In the years after Uncle Jim's death and Krissy and Nikki's departure from Barberton, I began to sit in the pew with Aunt Edna and her family at St. Andrew's. Aunt Mary and Grandma died less than a week apart in July and August 2004, leaving Aunt Edna and Aunt Jo as the Muffet family matriarchs.
Jean Uhl died in 2005 and a generous donation her estate made to the church allowed for a handicap elevator to be installed. I would help Aunt Jo and Cousin Juanita (Grandpa and Aunt Edna's 1st cousin) down the elevator and Aunt Edna would ride along. Aunt Jo died in 2009 and Juanita died in 2011, but afterwards, fellow parishioner Louise Baker would ride along with Aunt Edna and I.
After Uncle Jim died, her family would help her with the garden. Some years, Aunt Edna would give me tomato plants for my yard, even last year. Aunt Edna was an important source to me on the topic of Muffet family history. I presented her with a family tree for her 80th and 85th birthdays in 2005 and 2010. I talked to Aunt Edna at church on Christmas Eve in 2014 and in the following days, she became ill. She died fairly suddenly on Jan. 9, 2015 at the age of 89.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
2014 Year-in-Review
I consider the years from 1999-2005 to be the formative years of my life, but 2014 ended up being one of major transition for me as well.
Cousins Nikki and Andrew French became parents for the first time early morning January 7, when Cousin Mae was born. It was a few hours after the final BCS game, which was very appropriate considering the family's relationship with Ohio State and its football team. On January 14, I returned to Kent State for my final semester, taking four classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They were High Impact Speaking, Criticism of Public Discourse, Visual Design Media, and Communication Research Methods. Criticism of Public Discourse was my favorite since it had me reviewing historical speeches.
I turned 30 on March 30 and had a great day. This is a Facebook post that I wrote that day:
In April, I was scrambling to find an internship for the summer semester since I was graduating in August. Aunt Kathy saw an article in the Beacon Journal about College Now, an organization that assists college students, opening an office in Barberton. I called the director, Jason Miller, and he suggested that I complete an internship where he did, the Barberton Community Foundation. I went to their office for a meeting to meet the staff and they agreed to take me aboard. I had a wonderful experience with the BCF, helping them with everything from writing and organizing their binders. They have a great staff, in addition to their Board of Directors.
Grandpa Webster turned 90 on June 11, before he passed away from lung cancer on June 17. I went to his calling hours on June 20 at Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion. The week of his death (June 15 to June 21) was a pretty crazy week for me. I got bronchitis for four days to start the week and I had tickets for the Indians-Tigers game on the evening of June 21. During the pregame, my favorite childhood baseball player, Omar Vizquel, was introduced to the Indians HOF. I only ended up working two days that week, but I had personal and bereavement pay, so I didn't lose any income.
On July 3, Grandma Maybin died in her sleep during the early morning at age 92. I went to her calling hours on July 6 at Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home and on July 7, I was a pall bearer at her funeral and burial. The funeral was at Barberton First Baptist Church (officiated by Mike Prebynski) and the burial was at Hillside Cemetery.
Both of these grandparents were World War II Army veterans (Grandpa was a Military Police and Grandma was a nurse) and both maintained sharp minds until the end. After Grandma Muffet and Grandma Webster died in 2004 and 2005, I would commonly say that my biological grandparents were deceased, since I was still able to call these two my grandparents.
In August, I took my second week of paid vacation from Acme. On Friday, Dad and I finally made it to Lawrence County, Ohio to see Grandpa Hanshaw's grave. It was Dad's first trip there since Grandpa's funeral in 1988 and my first trip there in general. It was a challenge finding the grave in the unincorporated cemetery, but when we did, it was so fulfilling. Grandpa was buried at Hecla Cemetery, but we also paid a visit to Zoar Cemetery, where his parents and other relatives were buried. The following day, Scott and I went to see the National Road Museum in Muskingham County. It was one of a handful of road trips that Scott and I made this year. We also visited three Ohio casinos, Cleveland's Horseshoe, Northfield's Hard Rock Rocksino (my favorite), and Austintown's Hollywood Casino, in addition to the Indians game.
I also went to my first editorial meeting at the Barberton Herald in August, which led to three articles. I've continued to write about one article per week. I enjoy working with the staff and have met many interesting people while conducting interviews. However, I work as a independent contractor and will continue to look for full-time work. In September, I applied for a position as Manager Trainee for Acme, but did not receive the job. I also attended a job fair at Kent State in October, which led to some additional interviews, although none successful.
Speaking of work and my current job at Acme, my co-worker Kathy Sharkey trained me to complete register and bulk candy-gum orders while she was on vacation. I did this the weeks of March 30, June 15, July 6, and August 3. On October 16, Acme opened a new location in Green and Kathy was transferred there a few weeks later, so I am now completing the orders on a weekly basis.
On September 20, I attended a wedding for BHS friend Stephanie Jerin and her new husband, Neil Laughlin. The wedding was at Unity Chapel in Tallmadge and the reception was at the SYB Hall in Stow. I was very nice and I got to see several BHS friends there. During the break between the wedding and reception, I spent time at a local bar with Cousin Rachel's husband, Ron Musilli, and a few of their friends.
In December, I attended a few Christmas parties, one at Matt D's new house and the usual Tarsis Christmas party, where I have my usual run-ins. Nikki hosted Easter and Thanksgiving for the first time in 2014, but Christmas stayed at Aunt Kathy's house. Christmas was a struggle this year, due to four family members being ill.
Cousins Nikki and Andrew French became parents for the first time early morning January 7, when Cousin Mae was born. It was a few hours after the final BCS game, which was very appropriate considering the family's relationship with Ohio State and its football team. On January 14, I returned to Kent State for my final semester, taking four classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They were High Impact Speaking, Criticism of Public Discourse, Visual Design Media, and Communication Research Methods. Criticism of Public Discourse was my favorite since it had me reviewing historical speeches.
I turned 30 on March 30 and had a great day. This is a Facebook post that I wrote that day:
- Thanks to all for the birthday wishes for my 30th! I went bowling with my best friend Scott Demko yesterday. This morning I tried Taco Bell breakfast today with Scott and his parents before going to church. Mom's cousin Karl was visiting from Tennessee and we had a good conversation after the service. I then went to Bob Evans where I had lunch with Stephanie Jerin, Megan Lengyel, and Lindsay Foley-Motil. I had birthday cake with my parents and I mixed in some March Madness this weekend when I had a chance. I'm wrapping up my spring break from Kent State, so the few extra days off helped me to get caught up with my appointments. I also got to go to work early at 6am for the first time on Saturday, which gave me an extended weekend. I still have a few more birthday activities to look forward to in the next few weeks.
In April, I was scrambling to find an internship for the summer semester since I was graduating in August. Aunt Kathy saw an article in the Beacon Journal about College Now, an organization that assists college students, opening an office in Barberton. I called the director, Jason Miller, and he suggested that I complete an internship where he did, the Barberton Community Foundation. I went to their office for a meeting to meet the staff and they agreed to take me aboard. I had a wonderful experience with the BCF, helping them with everything from writing and organizing their binders. They have a great staff, in addition to their Board of Directors.
Grandpa Webster turned 90 on June 11, before he passed away from lung cancer on June 17. I went to his calling hours on June 20 at Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion. The week of his death (June 15 to June 21) was a pretty crazy week for me. I got bronchitis for four days to start the week and I had tickets for the Indians-Tigers game on the evening of June 21. During the pregame, my favorite childhood baseball player, Omar Vizquel, was introduced to the Indians HOF. I only ended up working two days that week, but I had personal and bereavement pay, so I didn't lose any income.
On July 3, Grandma Maybin died in her sleep during the early morning at age 92. I went to her calling hours on July 6 at Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home and on July 7, I was a pall bearer at her funeral and burial. The funeral was at Barberton First Baptist Church (officiated by Mike Prebynski) and the burial was at Hillside Cemetery.
Both of these grandparents were World War II Army veterans (Grandpa was a Military Police and Grandma was a nurse) and both maintained sharp minds until the end. After Grandma Muffet and Grandma Webster died in 2004 and 2005, I would commonly say that my biological grandparents were deceased, since I was still able to call these two my grandparents.
In August, I took my second week of paid vacation from Acme. On Friday, Dad and I finally made it to Lawrence County, Ohio to see Grandpa Hanshaw's grave. It was Dad's first trip there since Grandpa's funeral in 1988 and my first trip there in general. It was a challenge finding the grave in the unincorporated cemetery, but when we did, it was so fulfilling. Grandpa was buried at Hecla Cemetery, but we also paid a visit to Zoar Cemetery, where his parents and other relatives were buried. The following day, Scott and I went to see the National Road Museum in Muskingham County. It was one of a handful of road trips that Scott and I made this year. We also visited three Ohio casinos, Cleveland's Horseshoe, Northfield's Hard Rock Rocksino (my favorite), and Austintown's Hollywood Casino, in addition to the Indians game.
I also went to my first editorial meeting at the Barberton Herald in August, which led to three articles. I've continued to write about one article per week. I enjoy working with the staff and have met many interesting people while conducting interviews. However, I work as a independent contractor and will continue to look for full-time work. In September, I applied for a position as Manager Trainee for Acme, but did not receive the job. I also attended a job fair at Kent State in October, which led to some additional interviews, although none successful.
Speaking of work and my current job at Acme, my co-worker Kathy Sharkey trained me to complete register and bulk candy-gum orders while she was on vacation. I did this the weeks of March 30, June 15, July 6, and August 3. On October 16, Acme opened a new location in Green and Kathy was transferred there a few weeks later, so I am now completing the orders on a weekly basis.
On September 20, I attended a wedding for BHS friend Stephanie Jerin and her new husband, Neil Laughlin. The wedding was at Unity Chapel in Tallmadge and the reception was at the SYB Hall in Stow. I was very nice and I got to see several BHS friends there. During the break between the wedding and reception, I spent time at a local bar with Cousin Rachel's husband, Ron Musilli, and a few of their friends.
In December, I attended a few Christmas parties, one at Matt D's new house and the usual Tarsis Christmas party, where I have my usual run-ins. Nikki hosted Easter and Thanksgiving for the first time in 2014, but Christmas stayed at Aunt Kathy's house. Christmas was a struggle this year, due to four family members being ill.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
2014 Fantasy Football Review
The 2014 season marked the third season that my fantasy football team, Big Mike Boyz, participated in the Damn D Fest's league, started by Matt D. in 2008. In late July, the annual draft lottery was held at David B's in Barberton to determine the draft order of the 12 participants, which is done in a snake format (draft order reverses from round to round). I was not able to attend, so Matt sent me a text informing me of my position. On August 24, the draft was held online for the first time in league history. A life draft was held the first six seasons, but it was becoming too difficult to get everyone together. Before the season started, everyone had to pay their $100 entry fee. There were two new owners in the league this season, Dave and Matt J. (Matt's BHS friends).
The championship was held in Week 16 since many NFL teams would be resting their starters in Week 17. The championship ended in a 77-77 tie with Lee, the league's 2013 champion. Lee won the tiebreaker based on having the best regular season record. Matt J. was the biggest overachiever of the season, winning his division with a 9-4 record despite a questionable draft. My drafting skills definitely approved this season, leading me to the biggest turnaround from 2013. I finished 3rd place with a 9-4 record after finishing 12th place (last) with a 2-11 record in 2013. Big Mike's Boyz overcame a low draft grade in 2012 to make the postseason, but that would not be the case in 2013.
This is a recap of my roster:
QB: I drafted Lions' Matthew Stafford in the 5th round to be my starter and he had a solid season. However, I drafted Seahawks' Russell Wilson in the 9th round and he ended up having a better season and was my starter for the 2nd half of the season.
RB: I drafted Bears' Matt Forte in the 1st round and he gave me the strong season I expected. I drafted Zac Stacy in the 3rd round to be my 2nd RB, but he was in a slump midseason and I traded for Saints' Mark Ingram, who had a strong finish after fighting injuries to begin the season.
WR: I drafted Packers' Jordy Nelson in the 2nd round to be my top WR, but I was forced to trade him at midseason due to my RB struggles. I drafted Texans' Andre Johnson in the 4th round, Saints' Marques Colston in the 6th round, and Colts' Reggie Wayne (WR-TE flex) in the 8th round to be my other starters. These three finished the season as my starters, in addition to 49ers' Anquan Boldin, who I picked up on the waiver wire. I received Vikings' Greg Jennings in the Nelson trade and he filled in at times when one of my starters had a bye week.
TE: I couldn't draft Tony Gonzalaz for the 3rd straight season since he retired before the season started, so I drafted Bears' Greg Olsen in the 7th round, who gave me a strong season. I picked up Titans' Delanie Walker off the waiver wire early in the season and he filled in at both the TE and WR-TE flex position early when I had players on byes.
K: I drafted Broncos' Matt Prater in the 11th round, but he was suspended for PED use the day after the draft. I replaced him with Prater's replacement Brandon McManus, but he struggled and I replaced him with Packers' Mason Crosby. After I cut McManus, the Broncos went on to do the same.
D: I drafted the Rams' defense, but they struggled and I replaced them with the Bills during the season.
The championship was held in Week 16 since many NFL teams would be resting their starters in Week 17. The championship ended in a 77-77 tie with Lee, the league's 2013 champion. Lee won the tiebreaker based on having the best regular season record. Matt J. was the biggest overachiever of the season, winning his division with a 9-4 record despite a questionable draft. My drafting skills definitely approved this season, leading me to the biggest turnaround from 2013. I finished 3rd place with a 9-4 record after finishing 12th place (last) with a 2-11 record in 2013. Big Mike's Boyz overcame a low draft grade in 2012 to make the postseason, but that would not be the case in 2013.
This is a recap of my roster:
QB: I drafted Lions' Matthew Stafford in the 5th round to be my starter and he had a solid season. However, I drafted Seahawks' Russell Wilson in the 9th round and he ended up having a better season and was my starter for the 2nd half of the season.
RB: I drafted Bears' Matt Forte in the 1st round and he gave me the strong season I expected. I drafted Zac Stacy in the 3rd round to be my 2nd RB, but he was in a slump midseason and I traded for Saints' Mark Ingram, who had a strong finish after fighting injuries to begin the season.
WR: I drafted Packers' Jordy Nelson in the 2nd round to be my top WR, but I was forced to trade him at midseason due to my RB struggles. I drafted Texans' Andre Johnson in the 4th round, Saints' Marques Colston in the 6th round, and Colts' Reggie Wayne (WR-TE flex) in the 8th round to be my other starters. These three finished the season as my starters, in addition to 49ers' Anquan Boldin, who I picked up on the waiver wire. I received Vikings' Greg Jennings in the Nelson trade and he filled in at times when one of my starters had a bye week.
TE: I couldn't draft Tony Gonzalaz for the 3rd straight season since he retired before the season started, so I drafted Bears' Greg Olsen in the 7th round, who gave me a strong season. I picked up Titans' Delanie Walker off the waiver wire early in the season and he filled in at both the TE and WR-TE flex position early when I had players on byes.
K: I drafted Broncos' Matt Prater in the 11th round, but he was suspended for PED use the day after the draft. I replaced him with Prater's replacement Brandon McManus, but he struggled and I replaced him with Packers' Mason Crosby. After I cut McManus, the Broncos went on to do the same.
D: I drafted the Rams' defense, but they struggled and I replaced them with the Bills during the season.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Memories of Grandma Mary and Grandpa John Maybin
Mary and John Maybin were the grandparents of Cousins Krissy and Nikki. They shared their two granddaughters with Grandma Muffet (Grandpa died right after Krissy was born) and I was her only other grandchild. Due to this and not having a grandson, Grandma and Grandpa Maybin took me on as their own grandchild. She also considered my parents to be her family. Grandma Maybin would host Thanksgiving at her home for Grandpa Maybin, their children and grandchildren. Since hosting them would have left Grandma Muffet, Mom, Dad, and I without anyone to celebrate Thanksgiving with, she would invite the four of us over for lunch.
When I was little, Grandpa Maybin would invite the family with him to the Barberton VFW and that meant inviting my parents and I. The children would get gifts and he would say he had three grandchildren, so I would get a gift too. Grandpa Maybin died in 1992, at the age of 70, when I was eight years old. I went to the calling hours and it was the first time I saw a person in a casket. In 1995, Grandma Maybin and Susie moved and we continued to celebrate Thanksgiving in their new home. In 2004, due to scheduling conflicts with Krissy and Nikki's in-laws, the family's Thanksgiving celebration was moved from Thursday to Friday. During the last 15 years, Grandma Maybin gradually turned over the responsibilities of making the meal to Susie. In 2012, they hosted Thanksgiving for the final time before turning it over to Aunt Kathy in 2013.
In addition to Thanksgiving, we all got together every Christmas and exchanged gifts. There were also some Easters when we got together too. Any other time there was something going on with Aunt Kathy, Uncle Tom, Krissy or Nikki, we all got together. Since Uncle Tom's family were like family to us, I invited Grandma Maybin and Susie to my BHS graduation party in 2003 and my University of Akron graduation lunch in 2008.
During a family get-together in January, Grandma Maybin wasn't able to join us since she was in the hospital. It was an unusual feeling not having her there, but she was back again when Nikki and Andrew hosted Easter at their house for the first time. It ended up being the last time I saw or talk to Grandma Maybin before she died on July 3, 2014 at the age of 92.
When I was little, Grandpa Maybin would invite the family with him to the Barberton VFW and that meant inviting my parents and I. The children would get gifts and he would say he had three grandchildren, so I would get a gift too. Grandpa Maybin died in 1992, at the age of 70, when I was eight years old. I went to the calling hours and it was the first time I saw a person in a casket. In 1995, Grandma Maybin and Susie moved and we continued to celebrate Thanksgiving in their new home. In 2004, due to scheduling conflicts with Krissy and Nikki's in-laws, the family's Thanksgiving celebration was moved from Thursday to Friday. During the last 15 years, Grandma Maybin gradually turned over the responsibilities of making the meal to Susie. In 2012, they hosted Thanksgiving for the final time before turning it over to Aunt Kathy in 2013.
In addition to Thanksgiving, we all got together every Christmas and exchanged gifts. There were also some Easters when we got together too. Any other time there was something going on with Aunt Kathy, Uncle Tom, Krissy or Nikki, we all got together. Since Uncle Tom's family were like family to us, I invited Grandma Maybin and Susie to my BHS graduation party in 2003 and my University of Akron graduation lunch in 2008.
During a family get-together in January, Grandma Maybin wasn't able to join us since she was in the hospital. It was an unusual feeling not having her there, but she was back again when Nikki and Andrew hosted Easter at their house for the first time. It ended up being the last time I saw or talk to Grandma Maybin before she died on July 3, 2014 at the age of 92.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Memories of Grandma Willa Mae and Grandpa Tom Webster
I have a lot of wonderful memories of my
paternal grandma and step-grandpa, Willa Mae and Tom Webster. I always looked forward to Grandma’s phone
calls every weekend and the birthday cards I got every year. Most of the time I spent with them growing up
was when they came to visit at Rolling Acres Mall. We would usually eat pizza for lunch in the
food court and walk around the mall.
Dad, Grandpa, and I would usually stop in Kaybee’s toy store to look at
the toy cars while Grandma would look at the women’s clothes.
The weekend before Christmas, Dad and I
usually went to Marion to visit the family for the holidays. Grandma always made a lot of good food and
gave a lot of good gifts too. The ’57
Model Chevy she bought me in 1998 was my all-time favorite. A mini-license plate with the words “Keystone
State” and the name “Mike,” reminded me of Grandpa. I also saved a “tooth fairy” pillow Grandma
made for me and a car sweater that I got for Christmas when I was five. The times that Dad and I came to visit Marion
in the summer were also great and I always enjoyed getting lunch at Bob Evans
or Ryan’s. Grandma’s family and car
photos albums were also near to look at and really helped in constructing the Cox
family tree.
My most fond times with them was when I
graduated from Barberton High School in 2003.
They came to my graduation on May 31 at E.J. Thomas Hall and to my
graduation party at Barberton’s St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on June 21. I called Grandma the week of my graduation
party to ask her to make potato candy since I figured it would make a good
treat. It turned out to be a big hit and
it was all gone by the end of the party.
Grandma died on June 7, 2005, at the age of
81. She had been battling an eight month
illness dating back to a heart-attack she suffered in October 2004. I only saw Grandpa five times after Grandma
died, but I would call him several times a year during his years as a widower. I called him for the last time on May 29 and we had a nice talk. Grandpa turned 90 years old on June 11, went to the hospital the next day, and
died on June 17, 2014.
Thanks
for the memories and I will never forget you two, as you get to celebrate again
together in Heaven.
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