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Laugh laugh laugh……all the way home!

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Today’s blog is being written in two parts.

1) This part is the beginning and being written in the Panera Bread on the campus of the University of Michigan where I am awaiting a call from Scotty to let me know he is finished at lacrosse goalie camp. He has been here since Monday when I dropped him off, and I have been in Mishawaka, South Bend, Elkhart, and Goshen, Indiana scoping out sites and areas to possibly plant a church up there later this year. It has been a busy time, and although there is still quite a substantial drive in order to get home, I will be glad to get it underway. I am anxious to hear all about the camp, and to see if any of the scouts who attended have told him that he is on their radar.

I had never been to U of M before, but I am connected to it. When I was a priest in Barberton, Ohio many years ago Betty Schembechler, the mother of University of Michigan football coaching legend Bo, was the head of my Altar Guild. She was a great lady, and Bo, who grew up in that church, was a delightful and gracious man. His name is all over up here. I never rooted for him on the field because I was a Notre Dame fan (God’s favorite team), but I was blessed to know him and his mom in a different way. He was certainly a devoted son.
2) Okay we are at home, but that is not the gem to share with you. Scott and I called the house asking to talk to Ben, only to be told that it would not be allowed……he was grouchy and being awful. But after guilting Amanda, Steph took the phone up to Ben who then talked to us for 71 minutes! He was HILARIOUS too! We laughed the whole way home, and were certainly confused as to how this junior “king of comedy” could ever be grouchy at all. We came to the conclusion that there was some sort of conspiracy going on. Oliver Stone will most likely be emailing us tomorrow. I am sure he, like many other Hollywood-types, is a regular reader.
But for now it is just great to be home. Scott had a great time at the camp and is now even more fired up for the upcoming season. I had a great time working (I do most of the time anyway) and am excited about planting up in the SouthBend/Mishawaka area. Ben had a great time entertaining us, and is glad we are home.
So am I. I do not mind hotels and traveling, but I really do like my own bed. Fortunately I will sleep there tonight.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless.
Tommy+
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Heading to the mitten, but just for a minute…..

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Well my time here in Mishawaka, at least this time, is coming to an end. I have driven all around the area looking at sites and studying locations in hopes of planting an Anglican Church here. I would really like to partner with another church up here (in other words rent some space from an existing congregation) perhaps for about a year, but it is finding one that is the challenge.

It has been a real blessing to be here, but tomorrow I will begin the long trek to Noblesville via, of course, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Scotty will finish lacrosse camp at about 5pm tomorrow and I will be there to pick him up. I intend to get there by driving off the beaten path too…..all the way across Michigan on US12. It’s not that I do not like to get there fast, but it is because I really enjoy the drive through the small communities that help make up this great country of ours! It cuts the stress and makes it more of an adventure than a task. I am looking forward to seeing Scotty too. We will have a great trip back I am sure.
But for now, I will head to bed. As always, it seems strange to not be wrestling with Ben and cracking up at his reasons why he needs to sleep in our bed. I imagine I will not hear it tomorrow due to the time, but should hear it Friday. It will be good, regardless, to get home.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless.
Tommy+
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Oh the humanity……..

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Yep, my second night at the wonderful Comfort Inn and Suites in my hometown of Mishawaka, Indiana. I will be here tonight and tomorrow night before heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan to pick up Scott Thursday evening and then head back to home (Noblesville). My wife was sharing tonight how peaceful it was at home, to which I asked if she wanted us to return…….her hesitation really makes me uncomfortable.

But of course being uncomfortable is what a lot of my day has been about. My only highlight was a visit with my grandma in Goshen this afternoon. But the rest of the day I have been out looking at the area in the hopes of planting a few new churches here. A lot of what I have seen though has been pretty weird to me though.
First of all, when I lived here it was a town of about 15,000. Now of course there are approximately 10 million people who live here (okay, that is probably an exaggeration, there are probably more than that). My hotel was a CORN FIELD when I lived here, yet now it is surrounded by stores and restaurants and traffic lights. It is amazing……after all, I am from a small town!
And then there was my neighborhood……it looked so old and parts were very decayed. Of course my parents had our house built there in 1968 so it is hardly new, and it was one of the last built in that section. But everything I remember as being so big and new now seemed so small and old. And to be honest, it was kind of painful to see.
But the hardest part was to see the old Rainbow Roller Rink turned into a bingo hall. WHY??? I know kids don’t roller skate anymore, but we did. And in the cold seasons we would ice skate. But Rainbow Roller Rink was the place where my elementary dreams of love did indeed become true, albeit for the briefest of moments. I was absolutely in love with a girl named Diana Janasheski……a beautiful Polish girl. And though like most boys durning couples skate I stood off to the side wondering if I would ever have the courage to ask her to skate, one time, just one time, I got to…..I just do not remember how. The lights were down, couples were holding hands, and the spotlights reflected off the big disco ball onto the floor of the rink. And there I was with the girl of my dreams (she probably asked me on a dare or something because I am sure I was too chicken.)
But after a few laps, the wheels of our skates touched and our wipeout was far from romantic. So as soon as it started it all ended. We of course lost touch, but I am certain had we been ice skating instead, we would probably still be together today. After all, I do not fall on ice skates, and the rink for ice skating is still in tact.
So tonight I mourn the loss of my serious (only in MY mind) elementary school relationship, the iconic gathering place for 70’s youth, and of course my perspective. My old neighborhood IS old, but it probably has to do with the fact that I am almost just as old. And to be truthful, I am not all polished brass myself anymore either. I suppose we all in one way or another mourn our childhood perceptions. But tonight I will just thank God I have them. I grew up in the greatest place in the world, and that perception has not changed. Things may change in appearance, but that will never be taken away from me!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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The Princess City……Mishawaka, Indiana

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How ironic that on a night that I begin a three night stay in my hometown, Mishawaka, Indiana, the debate on Facebook between us “natives” is whether Princess Mishawaka was really the daughter of Chief Elkhart, and even more importantly, if she really existed.

In truth, it all makes me feel uncomfortable. There are just some things you count on, and for me, one of them is that I grew up in a town (now a major city) named for an Indian Princess who is buried under a rock near the river. Mishawaka is “The Princess City” and it would be a royal shame to find out that it all wasn’t true. History means a lot, and to all of us who grew up here, it means even more.
Of course I think the city is now about 100k people, but when I lived here it was just 15k. The hotel I am staying at while I scope out locations for churches up here was WAY OUT in the CORN when I grew up, but is in a congested area now! It is nice, but honestly I cannot say I am happy. It is no longer small town Indiana……and I am clearly a DINOSAUR.
But I will take comfort in the fact that I still believe she exists and is buried here. And like many other times, I will drive by that grave tomorrow. Some things we just need to believe, and this is one of them.
I thank God I get to spend a few days at home…..albeit in a (nice) building in the middle of what should be just corn. It is still Mishawaka, and I still feel my best here.
Who says you can’t go home?
Goodnight and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Yes I did….but it is nothing to be proud of……

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Although I often mention my spectacular career as an ice hockey player (it’s so much more spectacular in my mind too) what many people do not realize is that I took a short season break from ice hockey to play soccer for Manchester. Yes, it is true, and yes I did, and I even started. But this story is just as amazing as the story of my dad breaking his arm playing football at Notre Dame (also true). My dad broke his in gym class…..I played for the amazing Manchester College Spartans in North Manchester, Indiana. (That’s right, not that silly English team)

But in the first semester after high school that’s about all I did. I gave up playing college hockey and selected Manchester College to be near my high school girlfriend. I spoke to the football coach about playing football for them on my campus visit in the Spring. He flatly turned me down because I didn’t play high school ball. I was a good football player, but played HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY. He wouldn’t even give me a tryout. After all, the Spartans football team had to protect their reputation. Dear Lord, I had never even heard of them!
So I saw the soccer team down on their field after he rejected me and walked over to talk to the coach. His name was Coach Hastings and he was very gracious. I told him I didn’t know a thing about soccer and had never even kicked a real soccer ball before, but if he would let me tryout in the fall when I arrived that I would buy a ball that day and train every day over the summer and learn the game…..which I did. And though they also were no powerhouse, I loved it. I came to camp as the fastest player, could kick/shoot with both legs, and brought my hockey aggression with me. I started at left inside striker, and learned a lot.
One of the things I learned was to not make decisions based upon things like a high school girlfriend. She actually dumped me after close to three years of dating just about 2 weeks after I arrived. I went into a deep depression, which led to some healthy aggression on the field and a varsity letter……..BUT that was all I got. I left college just after the season, with a varsity letter and a half a credit from gym. I failed everything else.
I drove over to the campus today on my way back from a trip up north. So many things were the same. It amazed me at how I remembered things, and how even the same of failing welled up in me there too. No one wants to go to college to fail, and here’s a secret, I just didn’t do it there……I did it three times in three places.
But despite the failure, and despite the pain, and despite the shame, God used it to bring me to the life I have now. Sure, Angelina went on to Brad, but come on, look what I have! In truth, I needed to be there, even for such a short while, and I needed to fail…because ultimately, I need to connect with reality and grow up. And that I did…..for the most part.
Ironically, I will be spending the next four days up north, but not in North Manchester, but in Mishawaka my home. I am sure I will see a lot more things that will bring on these important memories, and all and all, I expect to learn a lot.
I have no regrets about my past, as long as I can learn from it, and thankfully I have. Having your name be synonymous with “academic probation” is nothing to be proud of, yet it is the “Tirman way.” So like the rest of my relatives, I screwed up and went on to be successful. But they are just doctors and professors and such……no one did it like me. After all I played a season of soccer for Manchester.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Taken out of the will……maybe, maybe not

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Tonight we were looking for a picture for the blog as Amanda was holding court up in our room while supervising Ben taking a bath in the tub (picture would not load….sorry). Amanda was on the bed, and Steph and Molly were sitting there with her, while Scott was trying to get Viper to grab his stuffed squirrel from his hand. Viper was no less than pathetic at this, and as he was struggling with the task Scott said……”He cannot help it, he is old like dad.” (Viper is 7 and I am 49)

Of course I was not offended when they ALL laughed, but I really thought the dog should be. Men in my family live forever….well into their 90’s, and even though my dad is WAY past that at 163 (yes I have people ask me if my exaggerations of his age are really true, and this one is not true….he is only 123) I couldn’t help but think that it was a slam at his dog.
Of course Viper hasn’t and wouldn’t bite a soul. He is most times barely awake enough to chew his food, but in all truth, he does that by choice. He is comfortable in his own fur as they say (mostly in the dog world) and is intent upon living the life he wants, not anyone else.
So the gist of it all is that it is Saturday night…..Ben is clean, Molly and Steph are now probably glad they did not choose Penn State for college, Amanda feels listened to, Scott really does think he is funny (he is), Viper has his squirrel, and I, though classified as “old” am just about at my “half way” point in life. I thought about taking them all out of my will, but decided against it at the last minute. After all, their being funny is just their way of showing me they love me.
And I will have the last laugh when they are at my attorney’s splitting up my $9.35 estate……..
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Relationship Issues……..

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In retrospect, buying our three year old son a recorder (yes, the one like a flute) was probably a mistake. But just like so many other men, I apparently am unable to know that I am making a mistake until she sees me. To me, it was a worthwhile investment, at least for the “cute factor” but any moron can tell you that $1.00 for a recorder in the hands of a three year old is a musical mistake. (they actually play this very music during hostage standoffs to mess up the criminals)

But for a time, we thought we were cool and in for some praise. Also in retrospect, it probably would have helped had I made a comment about her hair too (since she had just come from the salon). But if I were really capable of wise choices, I wouldn’t be a guy.
So I am hoping to recover in some way this evening. The hair compliments are clearly too late (though it does look maaaavaelous) and I thought we were making progress when Amanda picked up the recorder and started playing (though she will not tell you….she plays the saxophone) but BEN grabbed it an broke it. (You would think that when you spend that kind of cash something would last.) So the bottom line is NO progress.
But here is the blessing……I am a GUY and I am used to it! So no worries there! I will survive the night and move into the next day. And no worries there either……..I have just bought Ben an accordion on Ebay!
(I MAY have redeemed myself with the VIDEO included on this blog!)
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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At his post……

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As things get weirder and weirder here in the United States, I made the decision to beef up the security here at the Tirman Compound. A man’s home is his castle as they say, yet my neighborhood association specifically denied my request for the construction of a moat. I had no choice, since I am not capable of staying awake 24/7 to guard the yard, I made the decision to arm my children. And once again, not the neighborhood association, but this time the police have these things called “laws” which in other places they seem unwilling to follow, but here I had to just give Ben a squirt gun.

It is okay though, because he not only enjoys it, but he is a squirt. He had a blast first shooting the water into the air, then the dog, then me, and then his mom….the latter also apparently against some law, though Amanda frequently makes stuff like that up. It’s nothing like the idea I had about opening a wildlife refuge here in Indiana a few years ago that Amanda poo-pooed. She’s pretty ignorant about the Constitution though, because everyone knows that the Second Amendment talks about our right to Bear Farms.
But for now I will just worry about guarding our yard. The moles are still an issue, and one I intend to address tomorrow. The work on the Church will not take place until next week. But for now I am just proud to be an American and to own my little piece of God’s Good Earth (okay, I know all you clergy-types….I am only the steward). Still, it is a heck of a blessing!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Seeking the Affirmation Massager 3000…….

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You probably do not want to know. We are already 200.00 into this leak with nothing to show. The plumber did say the leak is clearly in between the water meter at the street and where the water comes into the house, but the idea is now that an excavator needs to dig up the side yard and run a new line. We are currently negotiating because we cannot understand how that could really be considered “on premises.” Time will tell, but we will see.

So it has been a long and stressful day. I was able to get myself a new phone tonight, which I needed, but that I clearly do not understand. I suppose the stress does not help, but in the end it will make my life easier. They do not yet make a phone that rubs your shoulders and tells you how blessed they are to be your phone yet, but had they had one, I would have paid a million dollars for one. I will just have to be satisfied with the one I have.
But just as I have been on a BIG learning cure by switching from a PC to a MAC, I have now moved from a Blackberry to an Android….the cure is getting larger, but I am along for the ride (as opposed to “up for the task.”)
But tonight I did get a few minutes to relax with the cat who was in the basement hiding from the storms. It reminded me that I am not a cat and that I really need to be out being a bit more proactive in my own storms. And that I will. I may be a techno-moron, but if I can get some traction I can negotiate even the most treacherous storms. Tomorrow I intend to too.
But if not, I will spend the rest of the day looking for that affirmation/massage phone. Let’s hope it all goes well!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+