Naked

"I just sent a picture of myself with no clothes on over the Internet." After deciding that the sentence I had just heard was new at the top of my list of Things You Never Want to Hear Your Mother-in-law Say, I struggled to find the appropriate response. Surprisingly to me, the first words out my mouth was "To who?"

The story that unfolded could only be found in the land of Juju. Jamey's mother was showering when she heard my phone (still confiscated after several months) ringing. Completely ignoring her previous lesson of not getting my phone wet, she leaped from the shower to answer it. Right here is one big difference between my mother-in-law and myself. I cannot imagine what possible phone call she might be receiving that is so important a shower cannot wait. Regardless, she missed the call and frantically tried to find out who it had been.

Cell phone use it not my mother-in-law's forte. Whatever hurdles she faces with new technology are exceeded by her lack of eyesight and hearing. As she punched buttons randomly she heard the sound of a camera clicking and then saw that the phone was saying "Sent". Now is probably a good time to mention that Juju thinks that the cell phones use the "Internet".

With story fully explained, I reassured her she would have only taken a picture of the floor since she was looking at the keypad. I then checked the pictures just to be sure and there was nothing there.

Juju has moved out of our house now and I find myself with time to Blog again. Sorry for the August blackout. No picture this post, but would you really want one?

Old Dog, New Trick

Now that Loki is 12, he's starting to show his age a bit more. Recently, it has surfaced in a complete intolerance for hot weather. This being Alabama, that's not working out so well for him. We tend to walk every night after dinner. Loki cannot even back it back home before he starts wheezing and his tongue turns purple. Jamey developed a patented method for dealing with this problem that involved carrying the 50 pound dog and pushing the 22 pound baby in a stroller. When this happened on our walk last week, I developed a new method.



Although Loki enjoyed the stroller, the problem was not fully solved. We still had to carry the 22 pound baby. Plus, I worried that one of our neighbors would wreck as they drove by and stared at the charming picture Loki made in a baby stroller. I can imagine the associated conversation.

Gladys: Abner! Abner! I saw that crazy couple again today and THIS time they had the dog in the baby stroller and the baby had to walk.

Our solution certainly improves the walk for Jamey and I and Loki. Unfortunately, Loki "Ancient Mariner"TM horror breath knocks Ruby out.

I scream, you scream

Jamey and a tendency stick to a routine unless deflected from it by me for one reason or another (Jamey, it's Saturday, don't go to work.) Since his mom moved in with us I've learned he comes by this trait very honestly.

One new routine he's adopted from his mother since she moved in is partaking of large amounts of vanilla ice cream every night. This 1000 calories or so must be ingested while exclaiming how absolutely delicious it is with every bite. (Jamey's mom does the exclaiming, Jamey just nods).

My polite refusals to join in are met with stunned "Are you sick?" questions. While I am, indeed, sick this week I will have to come up with a new excuse next week. Of course I could tell them the truth.

"Juju, Jamey I have something to tell you. Normal human beings cannot consume vast quantities of ice cream on a daily basis. You guys are freaks of nature and I sincerely hope Ruby inherited your ability to pour food into a leg for safekeeping where it will work its way into the air and disappear leaving you thin and healthy. If I were to partake with you, I would quickly find myself shopping for a new wardrobe and on cholesterol lowering meds."

Juju Time!

Jamey's mom moved in with us while she builds her house. I'm looking forward to lots of stories. While she is one of the sweetest people I know, she's highly entertaining. She's only been with us a bit, but I have story #1.

We don't have a landline so I left her my cell phone to use. She decided it was dirty and ran it under the faucet. I have a new cell phone now.

Happy Birthday Ruby!

On June 14th, we embarked on what must be surely in the top birthdays ever. I double dog dare you to fit in as much your next birthday.

Room service breakfast


A game of pool...


A quick ping pong match



Splashing at sea world



Face to face baby shamu time





And to top it all off, a cupcake at sunset.

All good things come to an end

All vacations have the sweetest beginnings, but all good things must come to an end. We had our first big family vacation to Orlando last week. My mom and dad joined us and we even got to visit with Ruby's great Granddad.

We found one simple truth, a one year old is not hard to entertain. Therefore, a big trip to Orlando and a sprinkler in the backyard are probaby equal. Regardless we had a good time.

Jamey entertained Ruby at the hotel pool and, strangely, fitness center while I went to my conference.


After my conference, we headed to Downtown Disney and the Rainforest Cafe.


Ruby highly enjoyed the fountains in Downtown Disney. She ran through them happily and clapped when we were finished to show her appreciation.







Next post... Ruby's birthday which includes more activities than you might guess.

Don't they kill cattle for this?

My house has been infected with Hand Foot and Mouth disease (which is really just a virus). Ruby brought it home from daycare where it has manifested itself as sores all over her mouth, feet, legs, hands, bottom...well everywhere. This was a good way for us to discover something very few people (and maybe parents?) know. Apparently, I either have a super immune system (doubtful) or I have had this as a child. I'll have to ask my mom. We also learned that jamey apparently never had this as a child. for him, there are no bumps, but a high fever headache muscle ache and nausea. I look forward to work days right now. It's the only time I get to rest!