A New Red Sox Fan?

I don't know if Chad has clenched Andrew's affections for the Red Sox but he sure is trying. I just hope that Mitch and Jawan don't mind since they are Braves fans. Maybe the Sox can be Andrew's second favorite team.

On a different note we close on our new house March 7th. Chad and I are going back to the house today to finish putting down the thresholds and quarter rounds. I will try to take some new pictures and put them up tonight.

SOLD!!!!!

Yep sports fans. Its true. We finally got an offer on the house. We close the end of March. God is good.

Ramblin Man

It is now day 41 here at the Residence Inn. Looking back over the past five years, I've lived in three different states, 10 different houses/apartments/hotels, and I'm still not home yet. We're closing on our new house on the 28th of February. I guess we'll be settled in after that. I can't really remember what that feels like. I haven't lived anywhere for more than a year since I was in High School. I always figured I'd be the type to settle down somewhere and never leave. I wonder if that will ever be me. I think it will finally happen here in Columbus, but that was what I thought in Anniston too, and Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach. I'm surprisingly very happy where I'm at right now. That probably has something to do with the girl sitting across the room from me watching the Olympics (GO USA!). I know I could think of a few things going wrong right now, but there are so many good things in my life right now. I've got a wonderful wife, a great dog, a good job. I have an awesome Church/Pastor/Church family. I root for an excellent baseball team. Ryan's finally breaking up with Marissa (hopefully). Life is good.

Rocket Homecoming?

I was reading the Dirt Dogs website this afternoon, and the last few columns were all about the possibility of Clemens returning to Boston. Its rumored that the Sox were even putting a video together of Sox fans asking him to return to Bean Town to finish out his career. I can see the positives and negatives to Roger returning.

Positives:
1. 1.87 ERA last year.
2. It would be nice to see him stick it to the Yankees.
3. With Wells probably leaving, it would be great to have another starter if Arroyo or Clement go into a slump.
4. He is known for his excellent work ethic.
5. If he doesn't go to the Sox, the Yanks are looking at him too.
6. Great role model for the youngsters (Pap, Beckett, Hansen)
Negatives:
1. He's 43 years old.
2. His ERA hasn't been as good in the AL.
3. He was paid 18 million last year and he'll probably be asking about the same.
4. He hasn't exactly been well liked in Boston over the last few years.

In my opinion, I don't think he's a great pickup. There is no telling how long his arm will hold up. It will also be tough to root for him after seeing him play for the bad guys for so long. I've also heard that he received special treatment in Houston that he'd probably expect wherever he ends up. We just have to trust that the Theo will make the right decision.

A Birthday, Baseball and the Super Bowl

This past weekend was Olivia's 6th birthday. Chad and I had a great time being there. It was a bowling party so we helped the kids bowl and helped serve the pizza and birthday cake. The kids in my lane did a great job. They bowled better than I do with 4 spares and 1 strike. I was a little jealous. The cake was done by Winn Dixie and it was delicious. Chad and I went to the Auburn baseball game after the party. It was freezing, even Chad got cold and he's never cold. I think the weather helped the other team to win since they are from Virginia. I wanted to get my picture taken with Aubie but there was no way that I was going to get out from under the blanket and 2 jackets I had on. Sunday we went to the church Super Bowl party. Yet again there was a lot of great food and we ate too much. Someone made a great strawberry dessert that I need the recipe for. The party was a lot of fun especially since most everyone there were Steelers fans ( someone even brought their terrible towel with them ). I was just happy that the game wasn't boring.

Happy Birthday Mom !

I just wanted to tell Mom Happy Birthday again even though it was Saturday. I love you!

Coo Coo for Coco Crisp

I'm not really that excited about him, its just a cool title. If you haven't heard yet, the Sox picked up Coco Crisp from the Indians. He will replace outfielder Johnny Damon in Centerfield and will probably be hitting leadoff. He hit 300 last year with 16 home runs. He's fast, young, and he has improved as a player every year since entering the big leagues.
The more I think about it, the more excited I get about the 2006 team. I think Theo and Co. are heading in the right direction. We've got good starting pitching: Arroyo, Wakefield, Schilling, Beckett, Clement, and possibly Wells. We've got an excellent bullpen: Timlin, Tavarez, Papelbon, Riske, and a hopefully healthy Foulke. We still have Tek behind the plate, Nixon in right, Manny in left, and Papi hitting DH. I'm also excited about Loretta, Grafanino, Lowell, Youk, and JT Snow. Defense and pitching wins championships. With a few aces, a great pen, and a good defense, I think we got a good shot. This could be the year. At least I hope so.

Arroyo made my day

Meet Bronson Arroyo, the anti-Damon. The new king of cool in Bean Town. I was surprised to read about him accepting a new deal to play for my beloved Red Sox. He actually took a big cut from what the league thought he was worth. And why did he do that? I'll let him tell you: ''simply for the reason I want to play in this town. I love being a Red Sox. I wouldn't have signed this deal in any other [city]." I love it.
Now, to Damon's credit, if I get a 25% raise to play for another team, I'm probably taking it. But loyalty still counts for something. It definitely counts for cool points in my book.
I work for the U.S. Government. If I got an offer from a private industry for a big raise, I'd definitely consider it. If however, I got an offer to work for Cuba, or North Korea, I don't care what the raise is. I'm not taking it.
Obviously Johnny Appleseed doesn't think of the rival team as an enemy. But at the same time, you see his loyalty lies in his wallet. Bronson shows that he cares about his city. He cares about his teammates. Anyways. Here are a few reasons you should be pulling for this guy:
1. He was named after Charles Bronson
2. He wore corn rows. And he's white.
3. He has his own band. They kind of sound like Creed, except they're cool.
4.. The loyalty.
5. He wore corn rows. And he's white.
6. He has a cool windup.
7. He was involved with the girly slap incident with Arod, CLASSIC.
8. He is annually at the top of the list in hit batsmen.
9. He also beaned Arod starting the fight between Rodriguez and Varitek.
10. HE WORE CORN ROWS. AND HE'S WHITE.
I understand its possible that he'll now be traded or get hurt in spring training since I'm writing so many nice things about him. I just hope he has a long, successful career in the city he loves;' on the team he loves.

GO SOX

The New House!

We finally decided to get a house. It will be finished at the end of February. Until then, its the Residence Inn for us. We still haven't sold the old house, but we're hoping to do that soon; God willing. Anyways, on with the pictures:

The living room

The kitchen

The back yard

Christmas with the Totherows

This weekend we went to Anniston for Christmas, I know it's a little late but it was the best time for everyone to get together. Mom made spaghetti and my grandparents come over to eat and open presents. It was so much fun to see everyone. In the picture Maggie is wearing one of Chad's favorite presents. Aren't they cute? 

Christmas Pictures

We spent Christmas in Jacksonville visiting my family (Chad). One of Chrissy's presents was a new digital camera. Here are a few pictures we've taken so far. Here are the newleyweds and nearlyweds. Eric and Nanette's wedding is set for June 10th. Can't wait!!!!
Here are the four knuckleheads. From left to right, Caroline, Owen, Olivia, and Noah. We are blessed with a great family, especially our nieces and nephews.
If you're wondering why I've got that confused look on my face, it is because I'm trying to decide who the most stubborn of these three are. (Owen, Olivia, JD, and Chad).
I figured I'd include this picture of my Dad because I like taking pictures of him when he's in mid-sentence.
Here are four beautiful girls (Olivia, Chrissy, Caroline, and Maggie)
Here is Maggie's buddy Packer. Isn't he cute?

Sweeter Victories to Come

At first, I couldn't believe it. Johnny Damon, the face of the Sox, joining the dark side. But then I started to think about the past. This is really nothing new. I remember driving home from the 04 World Series Game party and thinking that we're finally equals, only to be brought back to reality after the Johnson signing that winter. It was only one battle in a really long, onesided war. The trade and negotiations war hasn't been any better. Arod, Vasquez, Contreras .... all the way back to the Babe, the Empire has been able to get the man they've wanted. The Sox are, and always will be the consistent underdog.

Some say that Damon is a traitor, a sellout, a (woman of the streets) for sale to the highest bidder. No matter how you look at it, 52 million sounds much better than 40. I can't say I blame him for taking the money, but it still hurts. Damon once stood for most everything I liked about the Sox. He was funny, scraggly, and laid back. He was the anti-Yankee; a rebel. Now he is starting to sound like everything I hate about the Yankees. Click on Boston.com or ESPN.com to read some of his comments on his new team. Do I think he's a sellout? Yeah. I see now he was just playing the game. He was on a team of rebels with beards that played jokes on each other, so he met the status quo. He is already fitting into the mold of a Yankee player. In the business world, it works. He'll be dressed for success with a business attitude and a business perspective. But in the sports world, that isn't who I want to root for. I like the underdog. The scraggly rebels that have a good time and stick it to the man (except in football, gooooo Pats!).

So what do we do now? Where do we go from here?. To be honest with you, I kind of like it better this way. Yeah, I'd rather have the Damons and Johnsons and Jeters and Scheffields and Arods (at least their talent), but I'm glad I will not be rooting for a team of stiffs. I remember when Arod was practically stolen from the Sox and the Nation was in panic mode. Schilling made a great point that when we beat these guys (which we did), the victory would be that much sweeter. And it was. We stuck it to the man. The blue collar team (comparitavely speaking) beat the suits. David sleighed Goliath. So Sox fans, don't be down. Enjoy the games, and trust that the good guys will win in the end.

Chrissy Jawan and Baby Luke!

New Baby, Allegories, Pats, and the best Real Estate Agent Ever

(We didn't sell the house)

Not So Deep Thoughts by Chad McLeod

1. Congratulations to Mitch and Jawan on the birth of their second kid. To see pictures of the newest Mcginnis, check out Jawan's blog under Links on the left side of the screen.

2. Go see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Awesome movie. Only one question, what's up with Santa Claus making a cameo? I don't remember that being in the book. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. Lewis (the author of the book the movie is based on) was a genious. I also learned a new word from Chrissy because of this movie. According to Webster, an allegory is the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. The movie/book is an allegory of Jesus. It was PG too so its OK for the kiddies.

3. How 'bout them Pats. Last time I wrote a blog about them, they got whooped by Peyton Manning and Co. so if they get killed in their next game, sorry Pat's fans, I shouldn't have said anything. I just caught the last 30 minutes of the Patriot's dismantiling of the Tampa Bay Bucs. Looks like they're back. Do I think they're better than the Colts? No way. Do I think they could beat the Colts in the playoffs? I think so. Some may call me optomistic, just don't call me late for dinner. If anyone could stop the Colts, I'd put my money on the Pats in Indy. Wouldn't be shocked if it was the Seahawks either.

4. Still haven't sold the house, but had a good reminder from my brother in law this afternoon. He said when you're trusting in God and praying about something like this, its kind of like Jesus is your real estate agent. It's a good feeling to know He is in control; especially for a worry wart like me.

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown

Chrissy and I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas story tonight. I highly recommend it. I was surprised when near the end, Charlie asks if anyone can tell him what the meaning of Christmas is and one of the kids said he knew and started quoting Luke 2, the story of Jesus' birth. I was actually kind of startled. I know this movie still comes on TV every year, but it surprised me. Chrissy (who is much more interested in politics and world events than I am) tells me a new story every other day about some teacher changing stuff about Christmas to stuff about being just a holiday. I have no problem with public schools teaching what different religions believe and the holidays they celebrate, but CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT JESUS. I don't have a problem with kids learning about Muslim or Jewish holidays, but if they are, Christmas should be taught as well. That is the way I learned it and that is the way my kids will learn it as well.

House Hunting

I'd like to vent a little frustration. I'm now trying to buy my second house, and it isn't easy. We spent all afternoon driving around Columbus. I don't know if its like this in every city, but every house I liked was either too expensive, or in a rough neighborhood. And Mapquest doesn't always get it right either. It was pretty tough finding the houses we were looking for. Always at the front of my mind is the problem of selling our old house. What if we get stuck with two mortgages? A bunch of things are going right though. Though we haven't found a house, we really feel at home here. We've found some friends and we have a great church. We're also learning our way around the city. I enjoy my job here more than any job I've ever had. Chrissy also found a job. She is teaching art at a local school. I always told her I thought she was autistic (get it?). So even though there are many things I could worry about, there are also a lot of things I can be thankful for. I'm sure I'll look back at this blog one day and realize that it all worked out. It always does.

More Pics

Weekend With the Nieces

This is Caroline and Olivia, aren't they cute? Saturday morning Chad and I went and picked them up and they stayed with us until Sunday afternoon. Saturday morning we went to the Auburn Christmas Parade. It was very cold but it was worth it. The girls entertained us that afternoon by taking pictures and us teaching them how to play spider solitaire. That night we had some great food from CiCi's Pizza and then we rented Because of Winn Dixie. (It is such a good movie, I highly recommend it if you want to see a sweet feel good movie.) The girls were so sweet and so fun, Chad and I both had a great time with them.

Our first tree

It might be a little small, but it works. Notice what Maggie's doing? Yep, she's a trained dog. Not really, but she does know how to sit; at least when you hold up a treat. Monday, I officially started work for the Savannah district, Ft. Benning Resident office. What does that mean? We get to stay in an apartment/hotel for free for 2 months and all our food is paid for. Needless to say, Chrissy has gotten to go out to eat every day this week. We still haven't sold our house. Things are good though. Just have to keep trusting.

Thanksgiving in Anniston

Change of plans. We were supposed to go to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving at my parents, but Chrissy's Great Aunt Sarah passed away so we're in Anniston instead. We went to the funeral today. I only met Sarah twice. She had many friends, and I know she was a special lady. We had Thanksgiving lunch with Chrissy's family. Great food, good times. I had some excellent green bean casserolle. If anyone wants the recipe, they can get it from Chef Chrissy. We're staying at Chrissy's parents so we don't mess up our house which is still on the market. Our agent said the week after Thanksgiving is usually a good week to buy a house so be praying for that. The possibility of two mortgages is my biggest worry right now. Like Chrissy keeps reminding me though, I gotta let go and trust God.