If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, what about the girls?

Baby O, ate for the first time yesterday.

"Rice cereal, yummy!"

I think she liked it. She

Really That Dependant???

My office email, which is my primary email, has been out for two days now. I really didn't understand how much we depend on email for communication these days. I'm not one of those "check it all the time" kind of guys. I have trained myself to only check email around meal times. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, that's it! I have found that only checking email three times a day reduces the distractions of a constant barrage of email. Well, now I understand how it feels to have zero distractions in my office -- not so great. Now I feel like I am missing out on the goings on in the outside world.

I mean, I don't know the outcome of the trip my collage buddies take each year, or my favorite blogs update, not to mention the important stuff from clients and customers.

I'm really stranded here without email or a lifeboat to save me!

So, what's the result of this adventure? We'll call it an adventure just to keep a positive spin on things. I have learned - no relearned - how to use the fax machine. Yep, the good old fax. I told someone today that I was going to fax them a document, and they replied, "I'd prefer you email it".

I said, "I will be glad to email it, but the internet is against my office today, and it won't make it to you."

"You don't have email?"

"Not today..."

It's like I'm that guy who wears black socks and Birkenstock's to the beach, and clearly doesn't know any better. Except in this case, I know what it's like on the other side - with email. I just can't get there!

So here I am. My fingers have must be exercised properly as to not fatigue themselves with the lack of email reply.

~S~

Teething Ahhhhh!

We thing Baby O is teething which makes her generally unhappy 99.9% of the time. She's not happy sitting up, sitting down, eating, sleeping, or anything else a baby can do. Yep, "generally unhappy". What do you do -- seriously comments are welcomed? Tylanol helps a little and Baby Oragel just hacks her off even more. We've also tried frozen teething rings, which work as long as we can monitor her and keep them in her mouth.

As I'm writing this, she is somewhat happy and eating one of my belts. Is she crazy? Wait now she's going for one of my "used" socks!

Got it!

Adios... maybe we'll have a better update later.

~S~

PS: I know this is random but The Rubberband Man by The Spinners is playing on I-Tunes and all I can think about is Ron and his pics on their blog. Great pics Ron, and by the way love the McLemore Mitigation Bank t-shirt.

Beach Video

Baby Girl's First Beach Trip

As we drive down I-65 toward the gulf, we passed the time by playing "name the band". Sirrus radio makes the game tons of fun because it will show the artist. Even Momma Deb broke out with an awesome correct call from one of the 70's deeper cuts. I can't remember the artist, but everyone in the car was amazed. "Go Momma Deb!" Also, we listened to the Blue Collar Comedy channel. Poppy and I loved the jokes and stories, but the girls didn't find it quite as amusing.

We arrived to our top floor view of the ocean. We were actually greeted by the faint hum of live music from the FloraBama Lounge. Yep, FloraBama was next door! Thanks to great engineering, the developers of the condo complex put a parking garage between the juke joint and our units.

The ocean was beautiful and a nice constant breeze kept us reasonably comfortable while outside.

Poppy and I played golf two days. One at Perdido Bay Golf Club. The course was in great shape because it was played by the Hooter's tour the previous week. Stacy and Bryant joined us for the Perdido course. Then later in the week we played the local municipal/executive course -- a par 64 (short course). I'm sorry, but I aerated one of their tee boxes! Not a good day on the links!!!

The dinners out were pretty good. Wife's favorite was Lambert's. Just kidding. Lambert's is the place made famous by throwing their rolls across the dining room. The experience was great and I'm glad we did it, but the food was average at best. Lots of fried foods.

When we weren't golfing or eating, we were near the water. We all loved the beach and pool. Even Baby Girl! She loved the water. We think she's going to be a good swimmer since she kicks so well in the water.

That's about it for the beach trip. We were able to do what we intended to do -- relax!!! I think we all needed a get-a-way.

Of course we have pictures:

**CLICK HERE FOR BEACH PICTURES**

Tomato eat'n squirrel's

Dad sent me this comic. He's familiar with my squirrel trouble, see "Caught Red Handed".


Lately, the squirrels have been at bay. I think it's due to two factors, (1) we've had some rain so the tomatoes are not their daily watering hole, and (2) our neighbor has been using them as target practice with a BB gun. Either way, I am happy to see some fruit on the vine!

July/August Pictures

***CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES***