Little Lucy

Ever since a video chat last summer where we were surprised by the picture of the sonogram, we have been anticipating David and Emily's baby. Whenever the subject has been mentioned since then Rebecca's usual response is either "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" or "Widdle Wucy." Lucy Jean was born last Wednesday to some very proud parents. Once we got the call from David they were headed to the hospital, Rebecca and I tried finished up our work for the day and hit the road. Rebecca actually got to video chat with them when they got to the hospital and waiting for Lucy to come. They signed off to a crying Rebecca, who has a habit of getting more emotional for others big events over her own. We made it to Starkville a few hours after she was born. David and Emily appeared to be doing great when we arrived and said Lucy had come without any trouble. We got to go look at her through the glass in the nursery before we had to leave for the evening.

A trip to Starkville also meant we got to see some friends and spend some time with Mammie. We got to eat dinner with Brett and Megan. Mammie runs on college time so she always stays up late and therefore usually sleeps late. I hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving so it was great to spend some time with her. Rebecca and her also got to do a little shopping while I went up to campus to see Matt and the turf crew.

We then got to go back to the hospital to see Lucy one more time. This time she was in the room so we both got to hold her. I believe this was my first time to hold a newborn. The whole process is amazing to think about, but when you get to hold a new life it takes it to a whole new level. What an amazing gift from God. We are very excited for those two and know they will be fabulous parents.

DIY - Urban Garden Box

Rebecca often laments at her lack of a green thumb. She also accuses me of withholding my plant skills whenever another one of her poor species bites the dust. Maybe I'm not as forthright with tips as I should be, but its not on purpose. I guess its the same reason we don't have very many pictures of ourselves around the house.

So, as a way to redeem myself, I decided to build Rebecca an Urban Garden Box. Since we live in a condo, we have zero yard space and its hard for me to get fired up about stuff in pots. This planter would give her more room to experiment and conveniently located on our balcony. I also have had a desire to build something lately, so this gave me an excuse to use my tools. It also coincided with the weekend David and Emily were in town to visit with us for the weekend. So we deemed Saturday, "Project/Craft Day." David decided to make some cubbie hole shelves for the Lucy's soon to be room. Emily introduced Rebecca to Pinterest so they now have endless ideas for stuff.

David and I went to Lowes to get our supplies. The mitre saw was the only tool we had to borrow from my Dad. The weather was beautiful, so it was hard to beat getting to have a relaxed Saturday working on something you really enjoy. Both projects took us all day. We had to pause during the late afternoon for some Christmas photos at the request of our wives. I set up a TV in the garage so we were able to stay updated on football. I was super pleased with how both projects turned out with our limited carpentry knowledge. I think the shelves will look great in the nursery room. Hopefully the garden box will be just the right vessel to tap into Rebecca's master gardener desire.

Our work area.

The plywood base for my garden box.

The sides before they got cut.

The side boards after getting cut.

The sides put together.

A look at the underside of the box.

Adding drainage holes to the plywood.

The landscape fabric added to the bottom.

Adding some drip irrigation.

Finished product. The main line runs around the top with feeder lines ready to run to the middle.

All done.

Plans for David's project.

Calibrating the saw.

Ready to put the puzzle together.

 

The finishing touches.

All done.

The First 100 - Round 2

One of the most surprising things I learned at the first, first 100, was the number of repeat attenders. First-timers were definitely in the minority. Five, 10, and even 20 was not uncommon. It has become a little club that goes to each of these. I soon learned during the first one, how addicting they can become.

The Pell City Grand Opening came on the calendar soon after the Five Points opening, so I put it on mine. Rebecca also took off work this time. We were able to convince David to come, but Emily being great with child, decided to stay home. As you'll see, we still included her as best we could. Our friend Dave was also attending again and this time he brought his brother-n-law, Brad, along.

I was much more relaxed this time arriving at the store. The forecast called for rain, so that may have kept some people away. They brought us into the parking lot and there were 130 people, meaning a 77% chance of getting selected. So I was hoping for at least 2 out of 3. They started calling numbers and Dave went - #4, Rebecca - #12, David - #51, Myself - #80, and Brad - #104 (1 of 10 alternates in case anyone bails). So all three of us made it, but we were all committed to stay even if only one got picked.

We got set up in our spot. This time we had a lot more gear, and I think we actually used all of it. Dave and Brad were our neighbors, so most of the day was spent under the tailgate tent chatting, playing games, eating, or posing Emily in random pictures. It did rain lightly for a couple hours. We were glad for the tailgate tent, so we weren't stuck in our actual tent. The four boys did participate in one contest. It was a relay and after some rules confusion we pulled out the victory. The prize was a milkshake. Oh yeah.

Due to the weather, the overall mood was a little subdued. After the rain, it got much colder. The sleeping conditions due to the cold (low 40s) were not the greatest, and that's the one thing we weren't greatly prepared. While comfortable, the air mattress is a very cold base to sleep on. So we both were on the egg crate foam and were warm, but couldn't get comfortable. There wasn't as much of a variety of noises through the night as last time, but the wind was very strong and some others decided to stay up fairly late. So I was glad when they woke us up with the bugle at 5 AM.

Fifty-two more coupons for me. Another great time, even though I was very sleepy the rest of the day.

Nothing like a sunrise in Pell City.

Look at that excitement!

Looks like a winner. Brett needs 52 more Chick-fil-a meals.

You can tell she's a first-timer

You got to go outside based on your number being drawn. Rebecca was first out so she got to set-up the tent.

No skipping work here.

Rebecca enjoying her facebook posts.

Our spot for the day.

The ice relay.

David

Dave

Brad

Champions

What a pretty Krystal's

The rain gave way to a beautiful sunset.

Champions with milkshakes.

Intense game of Wits and Wagers

Scary Cold

This tent won for best set-up. They brought a projector and a screen so they could play video games and watch movies.

Lil' help with our portable heater.

Almost bedtime.

The next morning at 5 AM. The fun has worn off for Rebecca.

Free food!

And a free t-shirt.

The whole crew.

Wish you could have made it Emily, but we had fun with your absence.