Plan Dude

I am a tech dude. Pretty common knowledge about me that I like to have things done in a timely manner for the most part and I do like to stay on top of things. That being said, to remember something I have to write it down. Not type it or read six times... Write it.

Thus being why when my girlfriend kept looking at the Life Planner from Erin Condren, I decided I might need one too. I emailed customer service and all the have for the Life Planner is girly or more feminine insides. I decided to go with a Filofax after that. I can customize it to every part of my life.

I went with the Penny Bridge Filofax A5. I can house an iPad and have a planner as well. Which makes it easy to have a digital calendar that I can later coordinate with my paper planner. I like that I can do that. I know with my job I will be receiving an iPad within the next week and I am excited about having both of these.

I can honestly say with my planner I will keep up with a number of things. Like when it is my turn to do grocery shopping or make a meal or dessert. When we have a date night. I can keep track of what business I will be wiring or monitoring for on any given day. Also I can keep notes of the wiring I have done for a certain project that way I can have it easily accessed at my finger tips. 

I have many ideas of how to use this planner. The above ideas are the main ones being that I love my job and I love my family. I like to be devoted to both to get somewhere in this life. And my planner will help me do just that.

Not Anytime Soon

She had my heart the moment I seen her little black and somewhat white-gray picture.

I was upset yet but it was time to get over that and move on. My mom wouldn't want me to harbor hate and living in a hole.

Then the day came and it was over for me...

The tiny bundle was place in my arms. She did her crinkle coo at me and drifted off to sleep. I stared at the wrinkle little old man looking tiny baby girl in my arms that I had tried so hard to hate. She wouldn't be taking the place my deceased sister; she found her own space in my heart.

Avary Tilly McLachlan was placed into my arms placed into my arms six years ago this year.

She was the main reason for me to keep returning home while I was away at college, because it honestly hurt to return home and see places where I had grew up.

Avary changed so much of that for me. She let me see that it was okay to move on. She helped me to see the sparkle of Christmas even more. She was a baby on her back and we would lay her on her back under the tree and she would wildly kick and squeal especially with the lights were "dancing" and twinkling.

I feel privilege to look back and realize to see the impact I have had on her life already. She would run to me every single time I would come home. She knew I was going to protect her. I watched her grow from being two years old to twenty-two years old.

And now she is becoming legally mine. She loves the idea but knows that I am stricter than her biological mom and my dad. She gets away with a lot now that I wouldn't let her. However, this will be amazing thing for she and I both.

Avary knows over 200 mainstream and country songs. She loves zebra print and glittery. She already loves to shop and wears over sized sunglasses like a celebrity. She can get an attitude despite her being shy at times.

I was taking this three foot, five year old (who thinks she is twenty-five) out for lunch yesterday. She came down the stairs all dressed up. We get frowned at all the time for what we let her dress in but her mom let's her dress in whatever. But yesterday's outfit was not terrible. The thing that matter was that she had on little red wedges for little girls.

Avary grinned at me. "Look I have on red shoes! I'm like Kellie pickler! I'm about to show you how good leaving feels in my red high heels." I grabbed her up and spun her around. "You aren't leaving me anytime soon." She is my favorite little human.

In the future she will leave me and I may just have to watch her ... in her red high heels.

Days of Lists: Score!

Sports that I play or have played in order of favorite to least favorite:

• Disc Golf
• Baseball
• Football
• Fencing
• Lacrosse
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Swimming and diving
• Beach volleyball
• Wrestling
• Taekwondo
• Soccer
• Men's basketball

Days of Lists: Waking Up in Orlando

• Go to Legoland.
• Go on a glass bottom boat tour.
• Go on the Disney World hot air balloon
• Take Jessica to Basin.
• Take a boat tour past the opulent estates and landmarks of historic Winter Park.
• View millions of stars in the domed planetarium and Florida’s largest public refracting telescope at the Orlando Science Center.
• Browse with locals looking for fresh produce, arts and crafts at the Sunday Eola Market.
• Visit Mount Dora.
• Visit Harry P. Leu Gardens.
  
  
  
  There are many things I am looking forward doing in Orlando when we return in January but that list is for a different time.
  
  

Old Man

For starters I actually read about Nicholas Flamel before HP. True story. So I was freaking out as a kid. Which leads me to what this blog is about. What Supernatural power would I have if I could choose.

I would never age and live forever. 

Eventually I would greet death like an old friend. You know, kind of like if I had an invisibility cloak.

“The line between confidence and arrogance is very fine, Josh. And the line between arrogance and stupidity even finer.”

—	Nicholas Flammel - The Sorceress

Dirty Dancing

I carried a watermelon.

So this post is going to be about my day with my daughter/sister. I am adopting my sister and she will be my daughter. She is my pride and joy right now (besides my gorgeous girlfriend.)

Today was Nathaniel and Avary Day. She is starting to take and like dance more and more. She will soon be taking private lessons. But I decided to take upon myself to teach her some of the basics, because I started taking dance at the age of three. I do not regret it at all. I have more leg strength than most athletes. So go ahead and call me gay. Most girls dream of a guy who can twirl them like a princess.

So I was teaching her today. She likes learning the cha cha more and more even though that's not the basics. I definitively have a ball room dancer on my hands. She loves learning more complicated moves than basics. Which is frustrating for me and her but we are working through it.

Plus, crazy as it she loves the movie Dirty Dancing.We love watching dancing movies. I like the older ones and not the hip hop bull from today.

Well we had finished practicing today and I decided to treat her since she had really worked hard on her tap and ballet. She was still in her leotard and shoes and I went out in mine leotard and my dancing pants. We were eating our ice dream from Chick fil a in the park. She was playing my iTunes and doing different little dances. I was cracking up at her doing some of those crazy dances.

She was so entertaining she started developing a little audience of parents as their kids played on the playground. And then fate stepped in and "Time of My Life" and I scooped her up and tried my hardest to mimic the dance moves with her from the movie. She was loving it all the way. And then came the moment for her to run into my arms.

We nailed it. She squealed. We both loved that moment. She loved it because I made her dreams come true of doing that dance and I loved it because I realized that I can do this dad thing. Not every day will be like this, no. But the memories of days like today will get me through the hard days. That's what parenting and marriage is all about making sure there are memories that are amazing to get you through the hard times.

Needless to say we got applause and went home very happy.

Target Haul with Avary

I don't believe I have written about Avary before so I will make this quick since that isn't what this blog post is about. She is my half sister and I will have custody of her at the end of June. That is part of the reason I am still in Tuscaloosa is to fill out certain paper work and things of that nature.

So we took a little trip into town the other day and we went by our Super Target by the Home Depot.
We are taking a two week long trip come the very end of June so I had to take the little fashionista to Target for clothes and things.


Girls' Maxi Shirt - Fresh White

Girls' Chiffon Tank Top

Girls' Fashion Drawstring Short

Girls' Jeans - Fresh White

Girls' 2-Piece Leopard Spot Bikini Swimsuit Set

Circo® Girls' Tank Tops - Assorted

Girls' Swim Halter Bandeau Cover Up Dress

Cherokee® Girls' Short-Sleeve Graphic Shirt

Girls' Geometric Skullette Dress - Kool Aid

Circo® Girls' Tee Shirt - Assorted

Cherokee® Girls' Lace Shorts

Cherokee® Girls' Bermudas - JuJu

C9 by Champion® Girls' Performance Yoga Pant

Cherokee® Girls' Jean Vest - Assorted

Cherokee® Girls' Bootcut Jean - Salina

Girls' Jean Short - White

Girls' Jeans Short - Artic Blue

Girls' Tank Top - Turbine Gray

Circo® Girls' Short-sleeve Tee Shirt - Navy Voyage

Xhilaration® Girls' 3-Piece Short-Sleeve Pajama Set

Girl's Cherokee® Harriett Thong Sandals - Gold

Girl's Cherokee® Fredrika Studded Huarache Sandals - Tan

Girl's Cherokee® Helaine Canvas Loafers - Multicolor

Crckt Girls Rolling Suitcase - Multicolored

SOHO Neonz and Nudez Hanging Travel Bag


This was just clothes (some) and luggage shopping. We still have three more places plus getting her necessities before we leave. She is super excited.

Avary:

My favorite thing was the studed sandals.

Days of Lists: Rumbly in My Tummy

This calls for a small smackerel!

I really want to try these one day soon.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips

Shrimp-Boil Kebabs

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls 

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Days of Lists: 99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall

I love a good road trip. However, I pack everything but the kitchen sink because I am terrified of being bored because I am not one for scenery outside the car. Driving scenery does nothing for me.

So things I have to have in my backpack:

• Phone
• Charger for phone
• iPod
• Charger for iPod
• Kindle
• Charger for Kindle
• 2 Pillows - Travel pillow and regular pillow
• A blanket
• Beef jerky
• Bottle drinks (I get seriously pissed when people bring cans on a road trip and then bitch when it explodes and it goes everywhere or it falls over.)
• Notebook
• Pens
• Headphones
• Snacks (Ritz bits with cheese)
• Wipes 
• Handsantizer
• Quarters
• Kleenex (Can also be used as toilet paper on the side of the road)
• Socks (My feet will be warm and dry in any situation.)
• Axe body spray (Can be used as air fresher when someone's lunch doesn't agree with them)
• Sunglasses
• Itinerary folder with addresses (otherwise what is the point of GPS) 

Days of Lists: Frustrating

I have trouble spelling and Google becomes my friends when these words are needed:

definitely - Though I am getting better at this word.

Caribbean - I always want to put two r's.

conscientious

conscience

conscious

Days of Lists: Tuscaloosa

Bryant Museum










Rama Jama's

Hooligan's

Ander's Hardware

Old Bryce Hospital

Really any place near Downtown Northport.

Denny Chimes

City Cafe

The original Dreamland

Bryant Denny Stadium

Capitol Park

Bama Belle Riverboat

Old Tavern Museum

Hands On Museum

Battle-Friedman House

Gorgas House

Jemison Mansion

Drish House (sorry +Odette )

Greenwood Cementary

Queen City Pool

Bryany Denny Stadium

The old train station

Coaling Town Park

The old bridge in Brookwood

Vance's cementary

Tannehill State Park

Cottondale's Southland restaurant

Days of Lists: Price Tag

• Post-Flags
• Pens
• Post It Notes
• Tape
• A ruler
• Messenger
• Chipotle Pasta
• Can Chicken ( +Carolina you have ruined me)
• Sunscreen
• Underwear
• Business Cards
• Bananas
• New earphones
• Binders
• Dividers

Days of Lists: Things I Love About Jessica

No Joke This Time

• Her weirdness... "Lightening bugs!"
• She loves to read. 
• She loves crafts.
• She likes to make jewelry.
• Her beauty takes my breath away.
• My love for food doesn't bother her.
• Her blushing makes me smile.
• She has a big heart. 
• She loves cats like I do.
• She isn't afraid to apologize. 
• She really does listen to conversations.
• Her loyalty is unwavering.
• Kids love her and she loves kids.
• When she says I love you I know she isn't just saying it.
• She likes to try new things.
• Taking risks is something she doesn't mind doing.
• She likes taking care of people.
• Her beauty is captivating.
• Her body is gorgeous.

Days of Lists: Do It Myself

Future Do It Myself Things

• Bottle cap backsplash a sink. Perhaps I could do that in Miss Up's library bathroom.
• Make a permanent Tictacto area for Avary and Jessica at the new house with painted stones
• Make an in the ground permanent fire pit at the house.
• Make a moveable palette table for outside.
• Make a hidden cooler for the backyard patio.
• Set up the home generator for storms and power outages
• Build a "Free" library at the end of our driveway for Jessica to easily swap books with our friends. And Avary too
• Make trash can look like R2 D2

Days of Lists: Daily

Rituals that I do most daily:

•  Pray
• Some kind of cardio work out. I mostly do running or jump rope.
• Read my Bible.
• Sip hot water with lemon. This detox my body and helps keep me from getting colds.
• Try to help someone somehow
• Enjoy something about the outside.
• Make a grateful list each day
• Look for something to learn

Days of Lists: In a Box

I have several of these actual buildings!

Things I collect:

• JcPenny's Snowglobes
• Christmas village pieces
• Vinyl Records 
• Christmas ornaments

I don't collect a lot of things. I don't like the clutter because it messes with my mind. If I do collect something like above it's easy to store and put out of sight until it's time to use it.

Days of Lists: Dear Santa

On my wishlist to the Ultimate Santa:

• DVC Memembership
• A boat
• A pontoon
• A new Fossil Wallet
• Oh and annual pass-holder to Disney
• Two Kitty Mansions. (I love these!)
• A new leather jacket
• New sunglasses
• New watch
• New tennis shoes
• New punchbag
• iPhone
• New underwear
• New office supplies
• iTunes gift card

Days of Lists: These are a Few

... Of My Favorite Things

• +Jessica 
• Avary
• Cats
• My family
• My friends
• My computer
• Food
• Alabama Athletics
• Christmas
• Music
• Hair gel
• Dancing
• Sleeping
• Taking care of people
• Reading
• Working out
• Driving
• Learning

Days of Lists: Not A Girl But...

What's In My Bag

Well since I'm a guy I don't carry a purse. But I do have a bag that I have items in my car for daily situations.

• Gum or breath mints
• Change of underwear
• Deodorant
• Body spray
• Socks
• $2 worth of quarters
• $5 in one dollar bills
• Comb
• Gel 
• Toothbrush
• White tshirt
• Bottle of water
• Granola bar

That's about it. I just have this sitting in my car all the time.

I really want this bag

Days of Lists: And the Winner Is...

What would I do if I won the lottery or $1,000,000,000,000.00:

1. I would become a Disney Vacation Club member. (This is on my wishlist)
2. I would buy a motorboat or a pontoon boat.
3. Get my grandmother a real house not a mobile home.
4. Invest a lot of it.
5. Open my own computer repair company.
6. Own my own Franchise of Zaxby's.
7. Buy a vacation home
8. Go on a cruise.

Shhh Quiet People Are Reading

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie 

I loved this book. This was my snack time book. I always wanted cookies and milk when it was read to me. I still like to have them when reading it.

Rose Petal Place

 

I know they are girl books but I loved it when my mom would read these to me and my sister. I liked the bad spider's sidekick Horace.  

The Get Along Gang

I loved the Get Along Gang books but this was my favorite. I always thought the cry baby reminded me of my sister. She used to get so mad at that.

Mrs. Pac Man

I don't know why I loved this book so much either. I was really crazy about it though. I think it was because we had an Atari and it was the female with a baby. Apparently I have always had baby fever.

Pound Puppies

I think looking back at the books I liked this is why I like to rescue animals from the pound. All because of a book and tv series. Now I have a reason to why I have an obsession.


Double Trouble in Walla Walla

My whole family still enjoys this book. I was so excited when I seen Ridge had it and I loved reading it to my nieces and nephews. Get ready for some crazy words!


I couldn't find links to them.

My Doctor Bag Book
My Picnic Basket Book
My Lunchbox Book
My Travel Bag Book

I wore these books out bad