tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55233562009-10-27T15:51:30.317-05:00Something to keep me amused when I should be otherwise occupiedMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-54504857602663885752009-10-26T19:32:00.003-05:002009-10-26T19:34:43.016-05:00

Cuthbert, West, and Lowery girls, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.With Misty still potentially contagious, I took Emily and Kendall to Trunk-or-Treat at church last night. It broke Misty's heart to miss the event, but we were sure other parents wouldn't want us to risk having her around their kids. She reminded me several times that I was to let the other folks who work in the church office

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-14921729007076514122009-10-25T11:08:00.001-05:002009-10-26T18:51:13.494-05:00

I had a busy day yesterday. Misty had been feeling sick, so she went to the doctor in the morning. While she was gone, I made breakfast for the girls, cleaned the bathroom sinks, scrubbed the toilet, vacuumed, swept the kitchen floor, and washed two loads of laundry. Then Misty returned from the doctor to report that she has walking pneumonia. I wasn't surprised, since she's had a come-and-go

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-54279577454651248312009-10-24T17:57:00.000-05:002009-10-26T17:58:46.585-05:00

Princesses of all wild things, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.Since Emily didn't feel well when Misty and I attended the "Wild Rumpus Party" last weekend, we returned to McWane Science Center last night for a "Wild Things Camp-In." Basically, you eat dinner at the cafeteria, see the movie on IMAX, play in the museum after hours, and spend the night there.I didn't care much for the movie, and

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-59863807763633633312009-10-22T14:02:00.001-05:002009-10-22T14:02:31.811-05:00

Super-size m&m's XXLOriginally uploaded by bettyblI've aways wanted a candy jar on my desk to fill with M&M's, but I can see now it would be a bad idea.Initially, my reasoning for avoiding it was that, years ago, a friend of mine had such a jar on her desk at work. I don't remember what she kept in it, but it was always depleted rapidly by co-workers. I didn't want to buy a bunch of candy just

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-56503369475417562152009-10-21T17:03:00.002-05:002009-10-22T14:26:41.510-05:00

Misty and I had a nice date last night. We ate an early dinner at Taj India where they were celebrating the Festival of Lights for Diwali, then we went to the BJCC Concert Hall to see the musical version of The Color Purple.Our food was wonderful. I liked it better than Silver Coin, but Misty disagreed (she merely thought it was wonderful). My favorites included the eggplant, naan bread,

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-57743175440827628922009-10-20T08:23:00.003-05:002009-10-20T08:39:17.854-05:00

I like this commercial.Since I own a phone powered by Google's Android operating system, I'm glad to see it getting a marketing push. However, the ad did lead me to question my own phone, T-Mobile's MyTouch 3G. Mine doesn't have a "real keyboard" (though I like this -- the T-Mobile G1 slide-out keyboard seemed clunky and frustrating to me); mine doesn't take 5-megapixel pictures (though 3.2

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-45552216291569003152009-10-18T21:13:00.000-05:002009-10-19T12:14:39.528-05:00

Pumpkin patch, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.We drove the girls up to Hayden, Alabama yestday to visit The Great Pumpkin Patch. It was cold and windy outside, but we still managed to have a good time.We rode the hay ride out to the field to pick out our pumpkins. The girls enjoyed traipsing through the patch and examining each speimen to see if it met with their strict standards. Their

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-15444240087638692842009-10-17T09:15:00.001-05:002009-10-22T07:47:44.478-05:00

Let the wild rumpus start!Originally uploaded by MCuthbertMisty and I attended last night's "Wild Rumpus Party" at the McWane Science Center celebrating the debut of "Where the Wild Things Are" on IMAX. Unfortunately, on our way to the event, Emily started feeling sick and said she thought she was going to throw up. We turned around and brought her to Misty's mom's house where Kendall was already

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-27327005683733099202009-10-01T20:27:00.003-05:002009-10-22T14:49:10.747-05:00

Misty received her first paycheck today from her new job. It arrived on time, and it didn't bounce! For most people, those sorts of things are taken for granted, but in her situation such stability is a relief.She's now working as a ministry assistant at our church -- a job she was offered mere minutes after turning over her final time sheet along with files and other equipment to her former

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261894370387359701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-15098466154001031832009-09-14T18:37:00.011-05:002009-10-21T07:35:59.613-05:00

Our family in front of Cinderella CastleOriginally uploaded by MCuthbertLast week we made our fifth and final trip to Disney World since purchasing annual passes last September. It's sad to see them expire, and there was much temptation to renew them at a discounted rate with three bonus months, but we held strong to our plan and let them go.We had a wonderful time at the parks this past week.

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-73222052309041734882009-09-03T22:22:00.002-05:002009-10-19T12:47:25.768-05:00

Misty called me today, very upset, and told me, "I need you to leave work right now. I was just in a bad car wreck." These were grim words that no husband wants to hear, but I was out the door minutes later, headed to pick up Emily from school. Once I gathered Emily (who was in a very cheerful mood), I cautiously explained to her what had happened. She wanted to know if Mommy and Kendall were

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-1651209352544223992009-08-29T14:02:00.005-05:002009-09-02T14:31:28.144-05:00

Waiting in line outside the Lego store, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.This was the scene this morning as the girls and I lined up at the Galleria for the grand opening of Alabama's first Lego store. The store has actually been open for a couple weeks already, but today they were giving out exclusive Birmingham-themed Lego sets to the first 300 customers spending $35 or more. Thus, the line

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-74603031876556104952009-08-28T20:47:00.001-05:002009-08-29T17:59:42.062-05:00

Kendall is even more excited about the dance than Emily, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.Emily attended her first school dance tonight. That's right -- a school dance... in kindergarten. It was a fundraiser for the elementary school, though -- nothing too strange. She and Kendall were both really excited about the event, counting down the days until they got to dress up fancy.When we got

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-84325623703839799182009-08-27T21:40:00.018-05:002009-10-14T13:00:40.187-05:00

The Flaming Lips at Chastain Park, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.Last night I experienced my second Flaming Lips concert -- this time at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta. The photo above gives a feel for what the atmosphere is like at a Flaming Lips show -- insane. And with tickets in the direct center of the third row, I was right in the thick of it all.My friend Yancey joined me for

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-17002735499088781692009-08-12T21:00:00.001-05:002009-10-06T08:00:47.696-05:00

Miriam rests atop her mommy, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.Yesterday I became an uncle. My brother Jeff and his wife Kim are now the proud parents of a little girl named Miriam.They never had a clear ultrasound where the baby's gender could be determined with certainty, but some over-the-counter home test they did had them leaning toward the assumption that they'd be bringing a boy home from

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-20158480818374957762009-08-12T20:23:00.003-05:002009-08-13T10:37:35.062-05:00

When we picked Emily up from school, she was sitting out front with all the other kids. She saw us but didn't get up. Instead she made a face and turned back around. We waited a couple minutes, but she continued to sit there. I was hoping this was because she simply didn't want to leave her new friends. Wrong!Upon asking Emily how her first day of kindergarten went, she immediately got weepy

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-35602412382694175052009-08-12T09:03:00.002-05:002009-08-12T09:08:47.979-05:00

At the entrance to Greenwood ElementaryOriginally uploaded by MCuthbertEmily started kindergarten today. She's been very excited about school, and didn't show any reservations about it.We got to visit on Monday, when she met her teacher, Ms. Veitch, and was able to explore her classroom. It's bright and colorful, of course, and Emily was excited that there was a reading area with big pillows

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-49523699402594057562009-08-08T20:35:00.003-05:002009-08-08T20:41:08.278-05:00

Ever the loving wife, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.Misty and I went on a tubing trip down the Cahaba River today with Fresh Air Family. We both agreed that it's one of the best events we've attended with the group. The water was the perfect temperature, and the trip was so relaxing.At a few points along our route, the water rushed over rocks and there would be a sudden drop or surge where

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-89519570042779899122009-07-28T09:45:00.004-05:002009-07-28T10:05:08.565-05:00

Misty was delivered breakfast in bed this morning by our 5-year-old daughter. Upon waking her mother, Emily presented Misty with a glass of water and a sandwich made from two pieces of bread with an Oreo Fun Stix and some peanuts inside.She made one for Kendall, too, who looked at it and said, "What this on my bread?""Roll it up," Emily told Misty. "It looks like it would be kind of nasty, but

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-12347261381123927772009-07-25T08:01:00.002-05:002009-07-26T08:07:06.176-05:00

Once Misty was convinced that I'd recovered from my surgery enough to take care of myself, she and the girls left me at home and took a trip to Orange Beach. Misty's friend Jennifer has a condo there, so for a few days Emily and Kendall got to play with her daughters Shelby and Josie.They called me before they even reached the condo, and Emily was already declaring it the best beach ever (she'd

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-49251627442416354372009-07-22T16:36:00.001-05:002009-07-23T15:10:22.523-05:00

With the girls all at the beach this week, it's been quiet at home. Last night though, rather than sit by myself watching TV, I went out to WorkPlay to catch Wild Sweet Orange's final concert (of sorts). It was a great performance as usual, and the crowd really got into it.In addition, it was a real treat to see Duquette Johnston & the Rebel Kings as the night's opening act. I'd seen Johnston

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-36347304705495116502009-07-21T15:58:00.003-05:002009-07-21T16:02:37.127-05:00

As I mentioned, Misty and I attended a wedding this past Saturday. Our friends Regina and Nick tied the knot at a very cool ceremony at WorkPlay.Here was the highlight of the evening.Regina and Nick's Big Dance from Mark Five Productions on Vimeo.

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-49330118088779106122009-07-19T20:35:00.008-05:002009-07-20T00:02:56.491-05:00

Tomorrow I return to work, having come to the end of a week off recovering from my hernia surgery. Monday's operation went well, I suppose -- I wasn't awake for most of it. I do remember at one point my doctor coming into the room and talking to me, and I asked him who he was. It wasn't because I didn't remember him, but because I couldn't see. The nurses prepping me made me take my contacts

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-1158787357318649162009-07-12T21:57:00.003-05:002009-07-19T20:22:51.553-05:00

This one stung a bitOriginally uploaded by MCuthbertWith my hernia surgery scheduled for tomorrow it's likely I would have spent all day today worrying about it, were it not for a gracious invitation by Mike and Lori Ermert for our church CORE Group to spend the day at their house on Smith Lake. As such, the event happened to work out as the perfect distraction for me, and our families had a

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5523356.post-67975046920866166872009-07-06T18:37:00.000-05:002009-07-14T15:51:01.632-05:00

Today was not a very productive day at work. Early in the morning, I headed over to St. Vincent's to meet with a surgeon and schedule hernia surgery. The meeting didn't go as I'd hoped.As it turns out, I have not one, but two hernias. The one of the right is severe enough that I can see it protruding from my abdomen, the surprise hernia on the left is smaller and hasn't yet worked its way

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13804272364245262365noreply@blogger.com