About Me - Gary Schmidlap

Hello there! My name is Gary Schmidlap, and I've been a resident of Beige Creek, Ohio for the past 47 years. I was born here on April 17, 1978, and except for a brief period when I attended community college in the neighboring town of Plainsville (about 32 miles east), I've lived in this wonderful community my entire life.

I thought it might be nice to create this page to share a little bit about myself, my hobbies, my career, and my thoughts on various subjects. I'm not very good with computers, but my nephew Todd helped me set this up during his visit last Thanksgiving (2024). He says people enjoy reading about others on the "web," so here goes!

Personal Background

As mentioned above, I was born and raised right here in Beige Creek. My parents, Harold and Mildred Schmidlap, were both employees at the Beige Creek Municipal Services Department. Dad worked in water billing for 42 years, and Mom was a filing clerk in the permits office for 38 years. They taught me the value of consistency and routine.

I attended Beige Creek Elementary School from 1984 to 1990, followed by Beige Creek Middle School (1990-1993), and finally Beige Creek High School, from which I graduated in 1997 with a GPA of 2.8. I was not involved in many extracurricular activities, though I did briefly join the stamp collecting club in 10th grade before it was discontinued due to lack of interest.

After high school, I attended Eastern Plainsville Community College from 1997 to 1999, where I earned my Associate's Degree in Office Administration. My commute was approximately 37 minutes each way, which gave me plenty of time to listen to weather reports on the radio.

Career Information

I'm proud to say that I've had a very stable employment history. After earning my Associate's Degree, I was hired as a Data Entry Clerk at Midwest Consolidated Insurance Processing Center in June 1999. Over the past 25+ years, I've been promoted twice: first to Senior Data Entry Clerk in 2008, and then to Data Entry Coordination Specialist in 2017, which is my current position.

My primary responsibilities include entering claim information into our proprietary database system (MCIS-7), verifying the accuracy of entered data, printing daily reports, replacing printer paper and toner cartridges when needed, and coordinating lunch breaks among the data entry team members.

A typical day at work begins at precisely 8:30 AM when I arrive at the office. I always park in the same spot (Row D, Space 17) unless someone else has taken it, in which case I park as close as possible to that location. I then proceed to my workstation, which I've occupied since 2003. I keep a small collection of office supplies in my desk drawer, including 7 blue pens, 4 black pens, 2 red pens, a stapler (Swingline, standard size), a tape dispenser, and 3 notepads.

I'm proud to have maintained a nearly perfect attendance record during my tenure. In 25 years, I've only missed 14 work days: 7 due to a mild case of pneumonia in 2006, 2 for my mother's funeral in 2012, 1 for my father's funeral in 2015, and 4 scattered sick days for seasonal colds and a dental procedure.

My Home

I currently reside at 1437 Maplewood Drive in Beige Creek, where I've lived since 2002. It's a modest ranch-style home built in 1974, approximately 1,280 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. I purchased it for $127,500, which was slightly below the asking price of $129,900. My 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has an interest rate of 5.875%.

The exterior is beige vinyl siding with brown trim, and I had the roof replaced in 2014 with standard gray asphalt shingles (25-year warranty). The backyard is 0.28 acres and is enclosed by a chain-link fence that I had installed in 2007 by Midwest Fencing Solutions at a cost of $2,842.17.

My lawn care routine is quite straightforward. I mow the grass every Saturday morning between 9:30 and 10:45 AM during the growing season (approximately April through October), weather permitting. I own a Toro self-propelled lawn mower (model #20373) that I purchased from Home Depot in 2016 for $399.99 plus tax. I keep detailed maintenance records for all my household appliances in a three-ring binder in my home office.

Daily Routine

I'm a person who values consistency, so my daily routine rarely varies. On weekdays, I wake up at 6:45 AM to the sound of my Sony Dream Machine alarm clock (model #ICF-C218, purchased in 2011). After a 7-minute shower, I dress in my work attire, which typically consists of khaki pants, a button-down shirt (usually in a solid color or subtle pattern), and comfortable oxford shoes.

Breakfast is almost always the same: two pieces of whole wheat toast with margarine, a small glass of orange juice, and a cup of coffee (Folgers Classic Roast, medium strength, with one tablespoon of half-and-half and one packet of Sweet'N Low).

I leave for work at precisely 8:07 AM, which allows me to arrive at the office parking lot by 8:25 AM. My commute is 6.3 miles each way, and I drive a 2013 Toyota Camry LE in "Classic Silver Metallic" with 102,437 miles as of February 27, 2025. I purchased it used in 2016 with 42,108 miles on the odometer.

After work, I typically arrive home at approximately 5:05 PM. I bring in the mail, change into more comfortable attire (usually a polo shirt and casual pants), and prepare dinner. Most evenings, I watch the local news broadcast from 6:00 to 6:30 PM, followed by national news from 6:30 to 7:00 PM.

The remainder of my evening usually consists of light reading (magazines such as Reader's Digest or Popular Mechanics), watching television programs (I enjoy documentaries about history or nature, game shows, and occasionally sporting events), or working on household administrative tasks such as paying bills or organizing files.

I typically begin my bedtime routine at 10:15 PM and am asleep by 10:45 PM, providing approximately 8 hours of sleep before the next day begins.

Weekend Activities

My weekends follow a fairly predictable pattern as well. On Saturdays, after lawn maintenance (during appropriate seasons), I typically run errands such as grocery shopping at Kroger (I prefer to shop between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to avoid crowds). I've been using the same shopping list template for the past 14 years, organized by store aisle for maximum efficiency.

Saturday afternoons might involve light home maintenance tasks or occasionally visiting my cousin Herbert, who lives about 4.7 miles away in the Whispering Pines subdivision. Herbert and I sometimes watch sporting events together, particularly college football during the fall months. We both support the Ohio State Buckeyes, though neither of us attended the university.

Saturday evenings often find me at the Beige Creek Family Restaurant for their "Saturday Special," which is pot roast with mashed potatoes and green beans ($13.99 plus tax and gratuity). I typically leave a 15% tip, rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Sundays are quite relaxed. I occasionally attend services at Beige Creek Community Church (non-denominational), though I'm not particularly religious. Afterward, I might read the Sunday newspaper in its entirety, including the coupon inserts, which I clip and organize in a small accordion file.

Sunday evenings are dedicated to preparing for the upcoming work week, which includes ironing five shirts, reviewing my calendar, and ensuring my briefcase is properly packed with necessary items.

Hobbies and Interests

While I wouldn't describe myself as a hobbyist in the traditional sense, I do have several activities that I enjoy during my leisure time:

• Weather Tracking: I've maintained a daily log of local weather conditions since 2005. Each day, I record the high and low temperatures, precipitation amounts, cloud cover, and any notable weather events. I find meteorology quite fascinating, particularly the patterns that emerge over time.
• Coin Collection: I maintain a modest collection of state quarters, which I began in 1999 when the program was initiated. I have a complete set, stored in a blue collector's book that I purchased from the Franklin Mint for $24.95 plus shipping and handling.
• Jigsaw Puzzles: During the winter months, I often work on jigsaw puzzles at my dining room table. I prefer puzzles featuring landscapes or historical scenes, typically ranging from 500 to 1,000 pieces. My record completion time for a 1,000-piece puzzle is 6 days and approximately 4 hours.
• Bird Watching: I maintain a bird feeder in my backyard, which attracts common species such as cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, and chickadees. I've identified 17 different bird species from my kitchen window over the years. I use a Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (2008 edition) for identification purposes.
• Television Documentaries: I particularly enjoy programming on the History Channel, National Geographic, and PBS. I've watched every episode of "How It's Made" and find the manufacturing processes quite informative.

Diet and Nutrition

I maintain what I would describe as a traditional Midwestern diet. Breakfast, as mentioned earlier, is quite consistent. Lunch typically consists of a sandwich (turkey, ham, or occasionally tuna salad) on whole wheat bread, a small bag of potato chips (preferably plain or sour cream and onion flavor), and a piece of fruit (usually an apple or banana).

For dinner, I rotate through approximately 14 different meals that I've perfected over the years. These include:

• Baked chicken breast with instant mashed potatoes and canned green beans
• Hamburger Helper (Beef Pasta is my preferred variety)
• Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup (Campbell's condensed)
• Frozen fish fillets (usually tilapia) with Rice-A-Roni and mixed vegetables
• Spaghetti with jar sauce (Ragu Traditional) and ground beef
• Meatloaf (using my mother's recipe) with baked potato and corn
• Tuna noodle casserole
• Pork chops (pan-fried) with applesauce and steamed carrots
• Frozen pizza (DiGiorno Rising Crust, usually cheese or pepperoni)
• Hot dogs with baked beans and potato salad (summer months only)

I treat myself to dessert on Fridays, usually a small bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, or occasionally a slice of apple pie if available at the grocery store bakery section.

Health and Medical History

I'm pleased to report that my health has been generally good throughout my life. I maintain a weight of approximately 192 pounds, which has been relatively stable for the past 15 years (plus or minus 8 pounds seasonally). My height is 5'10".

I see my primary care physician, Dr. Harold Whitman, for an annual physical examination each May. My blood pressure typically reads around 128/82, which Dr. Whitman describes as "borderline but acceptable." My cholesterol levels are within normal range, though my LDL was slightly elevated during my last check-up (142 mg/dL).

I take a daily multivitamin (Centrum Silver Men's Formula) and occasionally use over-the-counter medications for seasonal allergies (Claritin) or the occasional headache (Tylenol Extra Strength).

I've had the following medical procedures/conditions throughout my life:

• Tonsillectomy at age 8 (1986)
• Mild pneumonia requiring hospitalization for 3 days (2006)
• Two root canals (2009 and 2017)
• Reading glasses prescribed in 2018 (+1.25 magnification)
• Minor skin tags removed from neck area in 2021

Financial Management

I consider myself to be financially prudent. I maintain checking and savings accounts at First Midwest Regional Bank, where I've banked since 1996. I pay all bills on time, usually 5-7 days before the due date to avoid any potential late fees.

I contribute 6% of my salary to my employer's 401(k) plan, which is matched at 50% up to 4%. My investment allocation is relatively conservative: 60% in bond funds, 30% in equity index funds, and 10% in a money market fund.

I maintain an emergency fund equal to approximately 8 months of living expenses in a high-yield savings account (currently earning 2.15% APY). I use a simple spreadsheet to track my monthly budget, which I've refined over the years to account for seasonal variations in utility costs and other expenses.

I own one credit card (Visa, through First Midwest Regional Bank) which I use primarily for online purchases and travel expenses. I pay the balance in full each month and have never incurred interest charges. My credit score as of January 2025 was 782.

Travel Experiences

While I wouldn't describe myself as an avid traveler, I have taken several noteworthy trips throughout my life:

• Annual family vacations to Lake Erie (1985-1995) where we stayed at the Shoreline Motel in Sandusky
• Cleveland, Ohio for a banking industry conference (2003)
• Indianapolis, Indiana to visit my aunt Margaret (2008, 2012, 2017)
• Branson, Missouri for a 5-day bus tour with the Beige Creek Community Center Senior Group (2018) - though I was not yet a senior, they allowed me to join as they needed to fill seats
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a long weekend (2021)

My most ambitious trip was a 7-day vacation to Orlando, Florida in 2015, where I visited various theme parks. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orlando-Lake Buena Vista, which I selected based on its favorable reviews on TripAdvisor and its reasonable nightly rate of $119 plus tax.

Political and Social Views

I tend to keep my political views private, as I believe such discussions often lead to unnecessary conflict. I have voted in every presidential and midterm election since becoming eligible in 1996, which I consider to be my civic duty.

On social issues, I would describe myself as moderate. I generally believe people should be free to live as they choose, provided they don't harm others or disturb the peace.

Future Plans

As I approach my later years, I'm beginning to contemplate retirement. Based on my current financial projections, I should be able to retire comfortably at age 67 (in 2045). I plan to remain in my current home, which should be fully paid off by 2032.

I don't anticipate making any major life changes in the near future. My Toyota Camry should remain serviceable for at least another 5-7 years based on my driving habits and maintenance schedule. I may consider replacing my refrigerator within the next 2-3 years, as it was manufactured in 2009 and is beginning to make occasional unusual noises.

Favorite Things

While I don't have strong preferences in many areas, I do have some favorites:

• Color: Blue (medium shade)
• Season: Fall, particularly late September when the temperature is moderate and the leaves begin to change
• Food: Pot roast with mashed potatoes
• Beverage: Coffee in the morning, unsweetened iced tea in the afternoon
• Television Program: "How It's Made" (Science Channel)
• Movie: "Apollo 13" (1995)
• Book: "The World Almanac and Book of Facts" (I purchase a new edition every 3-4 years)
• Music: Easy listening instrumentals, particularly during my evening reading time

Interesting Facts About Me

People often ask for interesting facts about oneself, so I've compiled a short list:

• I can recite all 50 state capitals in alphabetical order by state name.
• I've worn the same style of wristwatch (Timex Easy Reader with expansion band) since 1998. I'm currently on my third one.
• I've never broken a bone or required stitches.
• I can identify most common makes and models of American automobiles manufactured between 1970 and 2010.
• I've read the owner's manual for every appliance I own, including appendices.

Last updated: February 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM