Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like that Tiger Woods’ approval rating is plummeting. He told us that he was going to return to his Buddhist foundation and do a better job of keeping his temper in check on the course. Well, it didn’t take long to see that his pledge didn’t stick. In his dramatic return, Tiger was seen throwing clubs and heard using the Lord’s name in vain on multiple occasions. (By the way, what is up with that? He’s Buddhist yet slurs my God? I don’t think so, chump.) Tiger did more to hurt himself than help and a win by good-guy Phil Mickelson was icing on the cake. NIKE can’t drop him now. They’re stuck with him. If you read blogs and comments on articles then it is easy to see that Tiger’s supporters are vanishing quickly. I'll wager that he won’t be gaining new sponsors anytime soon. It is refreshing to see that some people still have their values intact. Now if we could only get the ball rolling on a steroid inquiry…

This week, I love knowing that it is all downhill from here. Julie and I celebrate our first wedding anniversary this weekend! It is hard to believe that it has already been 1 year. I’ve loved every minute of it. My love for Julie is like the Hoover Dam: it gets stronger every day. When we got married, everyone told us that the first year is the hardest. Well, shoot! Our first year has been gravy so I’m glad to know that the years that follow will be even smoother! LOVE YOU JULIE! I’ve got an idea for when we renew our vows!

This week, I don’t like LOST. There…I said it. I’m just going to say that, as the conclusion of this once-fine television show nears, LOST is shaping up for a major letdown. There are a lot of people out there that are more faithful than me but their spin on the recent episodes are really stretching it. I just figure that if I go ahead and give up hope for a great ending now, I’ll be all the more satisfied if the shoe actually does have a great, mind-blowing ending. And if it doesn’t, my feelings won’t be hurt as badly.

FINGER UPDATE!

Today is DAY 6 and I noticed that my flexibility in the joint nearest my finger tip has somewhat returned. No pain, unless I bump the cut. The swelling has gone way down and my stitches appear very "loose". I go back to have the stitches removed tomorrow (April 15). I bet I could do it myself but I don't want to perform my inaugural surgery on my own hand. Know what I mean Vern?

I hope they give me some "what now?" instructions after the stitches are out. I've kept the cut dry, just like I was told. But the tip of my finger feels like I dipped it in paint and allowed it to dry. I hope I'll be able to clean it up and get that black stuff out of there too. I think it is dried blood. If you've got any tips, please send them my way.

Think...then act

I consider myself a cautious person (remember that I dated Julie for a looong time). I usually think things through before I take action. But I failed to stick to this practice on Thursday and I paid the price.

I cut the tip of my finger at work and could not get it to stop bleeding. I got my wonderful supervisor to take me to a walk-in clinic to get stitches and a tetanus shot. I came home with this awesome bandage.

Here is a close-up of my injury without the bandage. I was told to keep the cut very dry and my stitches would be removed in a week. I never knew how much I relied on my right index finger before.

Want to know how this happened? Part of my marketing duties at work include managing our giveaway inventory. We have a bunch of porcelain piggy banks that we give to kids/schools/churches. I noticed a crack in one of the pigs and instantly began trying to pry the piggy bank apart at the crack. No thinking was involved and I did not consider the repercussions. Well, the piggy bank came apart and sliced the stew out of my finger tip. Moral of the story: THINK THEN ACT.

My masculinity takes a big hit each time I tell the story of almost losing my finger to a piggy bank. Julie has been taking very good care of me and I do appreciate all of the flowers and cards you have sent. I know a lot of you are concerned about my golf game but I assure you that I will get back out there soon and will continue to provide the videos that you love so much.

REMEMBER THIS LESSON KIDS!

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like how old-fashioned American Greed can ruin even the best of stories. Some of you may have seen the following video before. If not, it answers every question you've had when watching an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Look, I don't like the outcome of these stories any more than you do. But I do want to share the examples they create with as many people as I can. Greed is the numero uno reason why the country's economy is in the tank. So...don't try to stretch a gift (or blessing) any more than it can be stretched.

This week, I love this week. This week is the best sports week of the year. I'm not sure if the stars line up like this every year but let's recap: we've had the Final Four*, Major League Baseball's opening day AND the Masters all in one week! How great is that?!?!

This week, I don't like pollen. Ugh. I don't know if I'm noticing it more because I'm older or because I'm indoors most of the day or what. But the pollen in Bammerham is getting to me! When I leave work each day, my mouth, nose and eyes fall victim to the pollen outside. My truck is yellow. Even the cat lady is wearing a mask when she feeds her cats at various locations throughout our neighborhood. The forecast is calling for some rain tonight so maybe that will help.

*GO DUKE!!!!!

A Wilder Weekend

Last weekend the Wilders (Neil, Katie and Margie Grace) came for a visit. Since they live in Auburn we get to see them a lot during football season, but not so much in the Spring and Summer..so we were thrilled we they decided to come to Birmingham for the weekend. We decided to take Margie Grace to the McWane Center on Saturday. She is 3 1/2 which seemed to be the perfect age to fully enjoy all that the museum has to offer.



This was a pulley system that enables you to pull your own weight.





Nick even got in on the action.

This exhibit demonstrated the arch.

Finished!

Guess Who???

Last but not least we jumped in the wind machine.

Hang on Margie Grace.

It was a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing the Wilders again soon.