View in Flickr (see it LARGE)
View in Flickr (see it LARGE)
These are pictures of McGuire’s Irish Pub, a popular eatery on the Florida panhandle. The original restaurant is located in Pensacola. One of the unique things about McGuire’s is that they have over $500,000 in $1 bills on the ceiling, and if you are not paying attention to the fine print on the bathroom doors, you will end up going into the opposite sex’s bathroom! That’s always funny to watch. The photos’ effect was due to me playing with the zoom. You simply have to take a 1/2 sec to 1 sec exposure, and while the camera is taking the picture, twist the zoom either telephoto (out) or wide-angle (in). The key is to hold the camera as still as possible (unless you have a tripod). Another creative shot is to flip the camera during the same exposure time, and you will get the swirly effect. To see more of these shots, visit my Flickr page. Also check out the Friday Photo group for more Friday photos.
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This week in review:
Yesterday, my wife and I celebrated our four year anniversary with an elegant dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse. We were blessed to have a gift card, and we sorely need it (the meal was $150, and we drank tap water!). She had the Cajun Filet Mignon, and I had the New York Steak Strip. After dinner, we made our way to Baby’s-r-Us to look at some baby cribs. It was a great evening.
Speaking of baby cribs, this week has been a little light in blogging, because I have started to renovate my study/guest bedroom to turn it into our baby room. I have already tubbed 200 books with another 400 more to go. I have been thinking about what a cool baby room for a boy would look like. I think I will keep my Puritan section near the crib so that Nolan can be in good company when I am gone. If you have an neat or creative ideas for a boy baby room, let me know.
Another reason for light blogging this week is because I have been trying to figure out the whacky world of Facebook. That’s right, I got a Facebook account. I told my wife that I am still boycotting MySpace, though. I created some photo albums as well, including my postcards, influential people in my life, waterfalls, and pics of Louisville. Also, for those of you who read or are syndicated through Said at Southern, you may want to join the Said at Southern Facebook Group which I created (go here for details). Those of you who have Facebook and WordPress might be interested in this application.
Along the lines of seminary, let me ask that you please remember Dr. Nettles in your prayers. I mentioned earlier that his health was not good, but the ulcers on his vocal chords are not going away (and from what I understand, his doctor’s don’t know what can be done to fix it). What this means is that this ailment could become a permanent thing. His voice is weak and raspy, and while I understand it is not causing him pain, he cannot speak for any lengthy duration. While the doctors may not know what to do, we know that we can pray – and pray for a miracle from God, that He would be gracious to heal Dr. Nettles’ vocal chords and give him a renewed voice to speak of the excellencies of Jesus Christ. If I hear any update, I will try to pass that along.
Finally, thank you to all of you who linked to my “impermanence” article. I am encouraged to see mutual interest in an enduring ministry. I pray that God uses this generation both in the pulpit and the pew to develop a counter-cultural community who love Jesus and the world He place them in.
Brother,
I have two sons ages 3 and 1, the best way to decorate their room is to allow your wife creative control. I can’t explain it any better than it is called ‘nesting’ whatever that is. Our first son’s room was decorated in Cardinal red (we are die hard St. Louis Cardinals fans) because we had so much of it. Now that the two boys share a room, it is pretty much Thomas the Tank Engine. I would highly recommend Thomas simply because it has taught my three year old his numbers, colors and name recognition by the age of 2! We have found the more he plays with the trains, the more he is able to recognize his numbers and colors and such. From one father to the next, I will be praying for you. It is a change! God bless.
Because of Christ,
Terry Delaney
Dude, take it from me, don’t get your stuff from Babies-R-Us. You can get the exact same stuff at Target far cheaper. When it comes time to do a registry as well as regular shopping, Tricia and I are gonna go with Target.
Terry,
I think you are on to something with the “creative control” thing. I think my job is to move as many of my books out of the bedroom as possible! The problem is that I have a hard time parting with my books. I will look into Thomas. He sounds like a cool guy.
Stephen,
We haven’t bought anything yet, and from the prices I saw, I think you’re right. We have a Target right around the corner from us, so we are going to check it out. I also heard that JC Penny has some good stuff as well at a decent price. But then again, I am not expert baby shopper. I must say, however, that my first job ever was working at our local K-Mart as the manager of the infant department. Weird job for a 16 yr. old.
Just call me your local diaper expert. 😉
You are just now joiningFacebook? Dude, where have you been?? I will link to you. 🙂
I understand the moving of books. What I have done (because of lack of book space–those children really get in the way of a library) is catalog all my books and then put them in those legal sized boxes (the ones you build yourself). I have a system that I use to know which books are in which box. It has made it easier for me to put my books in boxes even though I would rather have all of them on display in all their glory! I hope this is of some help for you–I remember struggling through all this! God bless you, brother.
Timmy,
When we lived in Louisville we went to Seymore Ind (1 hr north on 65) and bought our crib at an outlet mall for $200 (orig. $450). There were quite a few nice one there for even cheaper – it may be worth checking out.
John
Tom,
Thanks for the link, and please Donna I said thanks for reminding me of being “Sunshine” for the week. 😉
Terry,
Thanks for the tips. We have a garage outside that the apartment people gave us, but I am concerned about the integrity and lifespan of the books being in such a hot area. I don’t know if having them tubbed makes any difference or not. I had my library cataloged at one time, but the file was on my laptop, which was stolen (while in use at church of all places!). Since then, I have not had the time or energy to organize the library. I would love to do that sometime, though.
John,
I will talk to my wife about that. Thanks for the advice.
Tim
Do you still live in Louisville? Having read more and more of your posts and comments, I am gathering that you do. My family and I are getting ready to move to Louisville on 1 August so I can attend Southern full-time. I would appreciate any advice you might have and maybe we could get together for some coffee or something if you are up to it.
God’s blessings
Terry,
Yes, we are in Louisville. I don’t know what advice to give in general, but I certainly would enjoy meeting up when you guys get in town. Keep in touch!
We had a crib for our first child; then my dh lost a few essential parts, so our second has slept in a pack n play since birth (he’s 18 months now). Half of the time he’s in our bed. I figure at this juncture, getting a crib would be pointless. LOL.
I highly recommend checking out if you have a local La Leche League to help with nursing the baby (that is, of course, if your wife plans on nursing). Parents are always welcome and encouraged to join the meetings together, especially for first time parents. I learned a lot as a first time mom.
Blessings on your soon to be birth,
*Letitia*
Thanks Letitia. I am enjoying the feedback everyone is giving me.
I don’t know about these La Leche League folks. In my researches, I’m finding them to be just as fanatical and intolerant as some of those BabyWise folks are. They even go so far as to go to various bookstores to deface BabyWise books and to put anti-BabyWise propaganda in the books. Eerily reminds me of Jack Chick disciples and highway rest-stop bathrooms.
My only advice on the various parenting “groups” and “methods” to you would be the exact same that I give engaged couples planning their wedding: What you want is Law. Period. If you believe – after research and discussion, consulting the Word and praying – that one way is the Lord’s will, do it and everyone else can hush.
Stephen,
Fair and balanced. I appreciate both perspectives. Personally, I do know of either folks (La Leche League and BabyWise) and this to my chagrin (or bliss?). All I know right now is that we are scheduled to take a bunch of classes at the hospital where my wife is having our baby, and somewhere in that schedule nursing is included. I need to look into this matter some more.