Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like Jersey Shore. OK…this is definitely a guilty pleasure. This show is truly the equivalent of watching a car wreck. The cast of Jersey Shore is amazing in that the women actually have fewer morals than the guys – and that’s saying a lot! My sister introduced me to this show. I watched the first season on DVD (uncensored!!!) and I’m watching the current season on MTV. I’ll probably catch the other seasons on DVD as well but each episode is basically the same. Think about the wildest, most dramatic, party-crazed night you ever had in college and that’s pretty much a mild Tuesday night for these people! Before ever watching an episode, I read a lot about the cast and the episodes. So, I know how much these kids are getting paid – which only adds to the shock and awe factor. Despite all of the craziness, you can always count on a lover’s quarrel between Ronnie and Sam, the only couple in the group.

Get More: Jersey Shore (Season 2), MTV Shows

This week, I love gator season. In 1938, Alabama became the first state to take action to protect alligators after years of unregulated hunting almost eliminated the killer lizards. An alligator hunting season was instituted in 2006 in south Alabama to help curb complaints about alligators. A few years later, the season was expanded to other areas in the state, including my home county of Wilcox. The season is limited to a few weeks in August and only a small amount of tags (or rights to hunt) are issued by the state each year. The 2011 season produced some MONSTER gators and our waterways are safer for it. Check out some photos here.

Now the only thing about gator season that I don’t like is the manner in which hunters must harvest their gator. First, an alligator must be hooked with a fishing line and reeled to your boat. While the gator IS STILL ALIVE, the hunter must secure the gator to the side of his boat. Once the gator is secured, a kill shot can be fired through the base of the alligator’s skull. I’m not brave enough to follow these requirements but I’m sure glad that some people are! It’s quite scary to think about how close these huge man-eaters are to our homes and recreation spots. Thank you hunters!

This week, I don’t like pre-video advertisements. When trying to find the above Jersey Shore clip, I was reminded of a very frustrating topic that I’ve been meaning to address for several weeks: the advertisements that play before online videos. Are these ads not the most aggravating things ever? They come in various lengths – fortunately, most are only :15 seconds. News websites like USA Today and MSNBC are the worst. In order to watch any type video on these sites, you must first sit through a brief commercial. There’s nothing you can do about it and that sense of helplessness does not mix well with the “instant” mentality we have all developed thanks to our microwaves and DVRs. But you know what? I get it. As a marketer, I recognize why some many companies are choosing to spend their dollars on what is called “pre-roll advertising”. It’s because Americans don’t (or can’t) read anymore. Reading about the new Ford F150 just doesn’t happen these days. But watching a video about the new Ford F150 sure does. And even then, companies must force you to watch. So the next time your “video will resume in :23 seconds”, blame your microwave for raising your expectations to an unachievable level.

33

So as with most everything these days...I am behind! Nick celebrated his 33rd birthday a few weeks ago, and I am just now getting around to posting about it.  We were able to make a long overdue trip to Camden that weekend and celebrated the event with my in-laws.  My mother-in-law made sure to have caramel cake...Nick's favorite.

After eating too much cake it was time for presents.  Now Nick may lead you to believe otherwise, but the boy did alright!  He got some new golf apparel (shocker), an official Buddy's t-shirt, and a video camera to document all of baby Baggett's milestones (and I am sure some golf footage as well).  Now he was somewhat upset that he didn't have anything to open on his ACTUAL birthday which was on Tuesday, but nonetheless he got some great gifts.  We loved being in Camden and spending time with the Baggetts.

The next weekend my sister came in town to visit (she is moving to D.C. later this month...so she squeezed in one last trip before she leaves us for good).  Nick yet again made out alright when Ellen gave him her gift.

Baby Baggett has his first Auburn outfit.  A cute little onesie with matching socks and hat!  Way to go Ellen!!!  



This is the 5th birthday I have celebrated with Nick, and I can honestly say that I love and respect him more and more with each year that passes.  He is the most amazing husband, friend, and companion that I could have ever asked for. 

Nick I love you, and I love our life together....Happy Birthday (albeit a little late)!

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like watching my parents surf. My parents asked Julie and me to take advantage of the recent sales tax holiday and purchase them a computer (they paid us back). My sister had already donated a very nice monitor so we just picked up a tower and a 4-in-1 printer. Here’s the thing though: my parents aren’t very experienced with this type of machinery and wizardry. We traveled to Camden last weekend and set everything up. We showed them a few basics and they even ventured online for a bit. It was interesting to see how they tried to process different tasks that we all mindlessly execute dozens of times each day. You have to walk before you run and I know my parents will be blazing new trails in no time!

This week, I love ramping up. I don’t know if y’all are aware of this but Julie is going to have a baby. Like...in December. That means there’s lot of chores to do and little time in which to do them. It’s been a mixture of high emotions, stress and fun. So far we’ve painted the nursery, moved some furniture and have started the purging process (the Exchange Club is going to LOVE us). We still need to assemble the crib, recycle Julie's beer can collection and rearrange some rooms but we’ll tackle that soon. We also have to name our baby. But that’s another blog for another day.

This week, I don’t like am disappointed in FarmLinks Golf Club. My best friend and I made our 2nd annual visit to the best public golf facility in Alabama earlier this week. Y’all remember my first visit last year, right? The golf course is still top notch and we had a great time. Unfortunately, I came away disappointed in a few changes that I noticed this year. First, the hot lunch I looked forward to in the clubhouse was not to be. Instead, we were treated to a fried, greasy medley…outdoors. The wonderful lunch I enjoyed last year added a real value to my inaugural experience. The temperature was approaching 100 degrees this week and having to eat at a picnic table OUTSIDE really put a dent in my level of enjoyment.

Like last year, my friend and I took full advantage of FarmLink’s unlimited play feature. As we began our third round of the day, we noticed that the GPS feature in our cart no longer provided yardages for the holes we were playing. I interpreted this interruption in service as FarmLink’s way of encouraging us to leave. But we powered through and soon realized that we were the last two people on the course. We decided to use this rare moment of seclusion to give our wives an inside look at what takes place when we play golf. My only regret is that some of the commentary is distorted as our golf cart was in motion.

Making of a Nursery - Part 1

You may be thinking to yourself...really starting the nursery this early.  I have to admit...I too think it is a little early, but when you take into consideration that our little guy is due right around Christmas, we are about to start football season, and the fact that I am making all of the bedding and window treatments myself....I somehow already feel behind. 

So with that said we opted to go ahead and start the process of transforming our guest room into the nursery.  I have said all along I am going gender neutral.  So regardless of the fact that we now know we are having a boy the plan is to use this with future Baggett babies as well.

My sister-in-law, Sarah Harper, was kind enough to come over on Friday night to help get the room taped off.  She didn't want to be in the pictures, but trust me she was there and we appreciate her help so much.  If that wasn't enough she showed up AGAIN on Saturday to help paint!  I don't say this often enough, but I have the best sister-in-law.  She is our only immediate family member that lives in Birmingham and we love being able to see her often.  Thanks again for your help Sarah Harper!!!!

I am so pleased with how the paint turned out.  I sampled about 5 different blue/gray colors and ultimately went with Benjamin Moores Gray Owl.  It is the perfect blue/gray and is such a calming color.  I am not the best when it comes to picking out paint colors (did you see the pink walls?) so I was thrilled when it turned out.

Lastly we were able to hang the London Shade once the paint was dry.  I have had my eye on these London shades for some time now and wanted to make one but just never had the right place....but now I do!  This was my first attempt at a "working" shade...meaning one that actually goes up and down.  I have made a few Roman Shades that are just for looks and are stationary, but this time I really wanted it to work.  It was a little more involved than I initially anticipated, but I think it turned out well....and it works! 



Please excuse the poor picture quality.  I am no photographer, and the sun was beaming in the window when I was taking these pictures.

Hopefully I will be back soon with Part 2!