INTRODUCING......ROSIE !

Rosie was born May 21st in the afternoon. We estimate she was born in the afternoon...well because she was just there all of the sudden.

She's a little unstable....but she'll strengthen up as time goes by. She's in good health....minus a few scrapes on her rear from her loss of balance. Other than that......she's 'as strong as a horse'.

Here she is with her mother Champagne. We were surprised at the color. Both of Rosie's parents were white. Both her parents were Arabians. More to come later.

BRAVE LITTLE GIRL

Last night I beheld a sight that I had never seen or heard before in my life. I remember losing teeth when I little. I remember an attempt involving string and a door knob. It was my big sisters idea. Yesterday evening Carolina lost one of her bottom teeth. First Denise noticed that the new tooth was coming in behind the baby tooth. She showed it to me.....I didn't really know what to do. I figured it would come out on its own. She then proceeded to show it to her 'Peepaw' and in one swift move.....with the sound of breaking twigs......he popped that tooth out. Shock....... Denise and I were both shocked. Carolina was stunned. She cried a little. Somehow I believe she knew what he was fixing to do. For me....the sound was worse than the sight. I'm sure for her......well you can imagine.

THE DRIVE-IN

We had a wonderful time this weekend. We were joined by the Finlayson's at the Sand Mtn. Drive In....close to Boaz Alabama. It was a very nice night......a bit nippy.....lots of good conversation before the movies. Besides 'Shrek the Third' we saw 'Firehouse Dog'. Both were good movies.

By the end of the evening....most had retreated to the warmth of our vehicles. Denise and Carolina ended up in the car.......Ms. Hale and Katie were watching from the family van. Denise and I really enjoyed talking to Ms. Hale before the movies started.

Overall....the night was wonderful. Drive-ins for me are an escape. Going to the movie theater is always fun...and always nice.....but the drive-in is an adventure. Most time the weather is predictable and safe....but sometimes you get surprised. Also, I love to watch the night sky. I see shooting stars all of the times.....at least twice every time I go(on a clear night). The food is pretty good too at the Sand Mtn. Drive In. David and I usually bring our own food and drinks. I'm glad to see that Katie, Kelsey and Carolina like the drive in. Denise and I asked Carolina where she would rather go......"to the movie theater or to the drive in?"........without a pause she said "the drive in". LIFE IS GOOD !

FUNNY PHOTOS

I saw these pics and thought they were funny.........

3

We took Carolina this weekend to see Spiderman 3......you know....because she wanted to see it. Yeah right! She did want to see it.....so did the wife and I. We were pleasantly surprised by the movie. At the end of the movie I wasn't so much a fan of Peter Parker.....as I was of Harry and 'Black' Spidey. I know they were both a bit 'jerky'....but you know what.....I liked them. Harry turned out really cool. Funny what a good bump on the head will do for you.....I know from experience. I liked Spiderman when he first got the black suit and went after the sand man..... he was a real 'butt-kicker'. But as it turns out.....a good thing can only last for so long. Anyways....thought the movie was good. Enjoyed the many different characters. Overall.... it got 3 thumbs up from us!

HOW TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR

If you like the logo (above)......David Finlayson is 'the man'! Need one?.....email him at david@finlayson.com

Going in business for yourself is a big step. It's quite the commitment and investment. How do you know if you're a success or not? How long do you invest time and money into a business before you decide 'this isn't going to work'? Just to get through all the 'red tape' was a monumental event for me. I ended up having to get 4 different licenses just to do business (legally).

Owning your own business is the 'American Dream'. Some people are happy with a regular '9 to 5'. Some people don't want to work at all. I mean..honestly.....if you didn't have to work...would you? I probably wouldn't.....I'd have lots of hobbies. But seeing as how most of us need to eat and pay our bills....we have to work.

To be an entrepreneur is to be a 'risk taker'. I'm learning. I have a dream(vision) to own a business. I love the freedom (time) to come and go as I please. The down side is sometimes your day doesn't end.

I guess what I'm getting at here is this.......what I'm learning is that there are many factors that come into play with entrepreneur-ship. Are you good at what you do? Is it something that you enjoy? Can you see yourself successful at the business? I ask myself these questions. Another factor is resources. How long can I sustain the cost? One of my friends told me a while back...."if you can pay the taxes...then you'll survive". Another factor is my spouse. I have a wonderful wife who is very supportive. She shares in the cost. We have to give up our time for me to work the business. For example....a few weeks ago......we were invited to go up to Huntsville to visit family......and well....we couldn't go because I needed to take a car to a car show(to sell). And as it happens sometimes.....the car didn't sell and we missed out on family time. She has to share in the cost. She is a wonderful wife......understanding. She wants the same thing I want. The other factor I can think of this.......is this the direction that God is leading me? For me...it's hard to tell sometimes. I look at it this way......I'm here right now......I'm licensed......it's legal.......there are open doors before me. I just have to walk through them.

Anyways....I could keep going with this.......I learn something new all of the time. I like the challenge and I like the risk. To me it's worth it. I'm blessed that I have a good wife who wants the same thing I do. And if I need to.....I want to know when to 'bow out' gracefully. That's the hard thing for me.......to know when enough is enough. I guess it's all apart of the learning process.......how to be an entrepreneur.

GO FISH !

I guess the point of having a blog is to share with others the 'in's and out's' of our life. Nothing much happens (that I think would be exciting to others). We go to work......get home.....eat dinner......enjoy each others company for a few hours in the evening......then bed time. But you know what? That's OK with me. A complicated life is....well.....complicated. I like a simple life.

Carolina has taken to playing card games. Hence....the 'Go Fish'. 'War'....'Crazy 8s' and 'Old Maid'.......are all favorites. It's amazing how fast she takes to the games.....she's such a smart girl.
As for the Mrs. and Myself......we enjoy a nice bottle of wine (Reunite') or Muscadine Wine from Wills Creek Winery from time to time. I highly recommend the Muscadine wine....it's awesome. We both enjoy working out in the yard.....planting new flowers and bushes. We have a new Crab Apple tree that we planted a few weeks ago.

Carolina is a big part of our lives. Although she doesn't live with us.....most of our (event-based) decisions are made on whether she can be apart or not. She's a fun girl!

My work mostly consists of remodeling and renovations. Denise loves her work with elementary school children. God has really blessed us with a home....work that we both enjoying doing. Last year, my father bought a used automobile dealers license. It's slow right now. I'm not sure where it's going.

As far as church goes.....we're apart of the (former) Anniston Vineyard. I have had a friendship with the pastor for almost 10 years now. There's a lot going on there now. The church is in the process of moving.

This is a little bit of our lives. The older I get....the faster time seems to go by. Weeks go by in a blink....so it seems.