The New Rev in the Family...

My aunt Susan is now Reverend Aunt Susan! She was ordained yesterday and is already serving two different churches! Congratulations--we're very proud of you!

The "No-Kenny" Kenny Rogers Concert

Kenny Rogers gave a free concert at the Casino last night, so we went over to join the Gambler in his favorite activity. The concert was staged in a lower level parking lot, with most people on the upper level looking down at him. The rows were about 8-10 people deep, and we didn't have a clear view of the stage. When he came on, the people really packed in and you couldn't see anything. I was able to hold the camera up high and snap a couple of pictures with my camera, but I never actually saw Kenny Rogers. I heard him sing--which was cool, but could not see a damn thing. Liz caught a couple of glimpses, but between the crowds, the heat, and the bees, we decided to go back in the casino. When we got back in, there was a big poster of (post-plastic surgery) Kenny Rogers in the foyer. Think about what plastic wrap pulled tight over a bear mask might look like. That was enough...I didn't need to see that face in person.

Lily, the Social Butterfly...

We went to a Birthday party where Lily met two other babies. We were able to quickly snap this shot of them together before the babies decided they wanted seperate spaces, attention, and toys.

Lily's Future Husband...

Lily met her future husband this past week at our friend's (the Scully's) house. To be honest, Lily was more interested in Jack's toys than she was in Jack, but that will change soon, I'm sure. Jack slept the entire time--which was fine with Lily--more attention for her! To see the Scully's weblog, click HERE!

This is the year...

That I start over.
That I become brand new.
That I experience the world through new eyes.
That I will be who I should have been all along.
That I finally find out what living is all about.
That I succeed in ways I never have before.
That I stop celebrating this way.
That I win.

This is the last birthday I'll have of the old me.
Say your goodbye's, that person won't be back.
I'm about to be reborn.
I'm about to take flight.
I'm about to break free;
Happy Birthday to me.

Much more information to follow soon...

New Videos to go with New Pics...

Lily listens to her father's directions:



Lily enjoys her green beans:

Putting On A Show...

Hands Up! She's under arrest! (For whining all afternoon!)

Covered in Green Beans...

SUPERBABY!

Happy Girl...(Watching Star Jones Debut on tv in the background...I'm surprised Lily could still smile)

YODA-BABY! (Cute, she is.)

Half a Birthday!

Lily is 6 months old today! It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone. We went to the doctor yesterday for her 6 month checkup and a couple of shots. She only whimpered a little bit and she ate quite a bit of the sanitary paper on the table in the doctor's office. She was 27 1/2 inches long and almost 20 pounds! She's been trying new foods lately, and really enjoys bananas and sweet potatoes, but absolutely hates peas! (See picture...)

Let's Get Physical!

Lily got a new toy this week called an Exersaucer. She played in one during our visit South at Nana TT's and Paw's house and liked it so much that Mommy and Daddy bought her one. Everything you see in the picture has been in her mouth multiple times and she can twist and turn in the seat so much that it makes her squeal with laughter!

New Movies!

Laughing Machine:




Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'!

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction...

Sweet Potatoes for the first time...

Another Sweet (Potato) Face!

No Escape Zone (Note: After this picture was taken, my whole leg was wet with drool as Lily saw fit to try and gum/gnaw on my shin.

When Lily rolls, she grabs the edge of the blanket and "Burritos" herself. Maybe this indicates a future career at Taco Bell.

Long Ago and Far Away...

Barb found some pictures of Liz when she was little as well as a couple of Liz's Christening Pictures. One of the pictures looks amazingly like Lily...I zoomed in on the face so that you could see! (The pictures are from 1972)

Isn't the resemblance incredible?

The Bunnies Are Back In Town...

While weed whacking the other night, I disturbed a nest of baby bunnies that live under our pool deck. They came scampering out when I got too close and I was afraid I had hurt them. I scooped them up into a box and came in to ask Liz what I should do. I was going to call my buddy Bernard in Kannapolis, but was afraid his answer would have ended one of two ways: either involving the grill or the freezer. After consulting the Internet, I decided just to put them back under the deck and hope for the best. After the sun went down, I was relieved to see the mother rabbit back and playing with the young 'ens in the yard.

Later when I went outside, the mother rabbit came hopping up to me, stuck up one of her white paws, and said, "Why were you messing with my babies? I work three jobs for next to no pay and gotta come home to find my house all but cut down and babies scared to death to go to sleep."

"I saved your babies," I said. "In the course of maintaining a pleasant environmental aesthetic, I somewhat scared your children, but I apologized and put them back in the nest."

"I don't want your excuses, big man. I want you to stay the hell away from my kids. If you really want to do something useful, why don't you get rid of the cat, the raccoon, or the skunk? Just stop messing with me, or I'll make you sorry."

I was shocked at the rabbit's tone. I had saved her children and she was giving me attitude.

"Listen," I said, "this is my yard. I said I was sorry, but I will quarter and fry you up if you don't zip up those little rabbit lips. I've had enough of your mess. Don't you toss those little whiskers at me, I'll toss that little head of yours."

Mrs. Rabbit sat up on her hind legs. "Uh-uh. It's on now. You are not gonna come up in my house and tell me you're gonna cook me. This may be your backyard, but you only own what's on top, I'm underneath, buddy, and it's all mine. You remember your little squirrel problem last summer? Let's just say I've got friends in high places that would be more than willing to move back into your pad. I'm about to set it off out here. Say something else, tell me one more time how you're gonna cook me. I will bring down a plague of rodents you've never seen."

I turned to go inside, mumbling, "you better be out of here by the end of the month or I'm spraying the yard with pesticide."

"I heard that...you just keep it up, funny man. I'll have Larry and Loretta chew through your wiring so fast you'll think it was magic."

I closed the door, but not before turning and sticking my tongue out at the rabbit. Her paw was still in the air, and she waved it like she just didn't care. I didn't care either. I'm not listening to that crap in my own yard.

I'm going to buy a cat.

A Big One.