It's Kickoff Time - Heaven On Earth For 13 Weeks

For the next 13 weeks we get a glimpse of what heaven must be like for a southerner:

• College Football
• Tailgating
• Food
• Family
• Friends
• Fun

It is unlike any other time of year and the rest of year isn't too bad either.  Hank Williams Jr. sang about how great it was to live the south in his song "If Heaven Ain't Alot Like Dixie".

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I don't wanna go

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I'd just as soon stay home

I was one of the chosen few, to be born in Alabam'.

I'm just like my daddy's son, I'm proud of who I am.

I went through a lot of good women, and shook old Jim Beam's hand,

If I never see the pearly gate, I've walked through the promised land.

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I don't wanna go

If heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I'd just as soon stay home

If they don't have a Grand Ole Opry, like they do in Tennessee,

Just send me to hell or New York City, it would be about the same to me.

I've got wild honey trees and crazy little weeds growing around my shack,

These dusty roads ain't streets of gold, but I'm happy right where I'm at.

All these pretty little southern belles are a country boy's dream, 

They ain't go wings or halos, but they're sure looking good to me.

There was a graphic the other day on ESPN about NFL or College Football:

If Florida wasn't infiltrated by northerners, it would be a red state also.  Any other questions about why college football Saturdays in the South are important.  No better place on earth to be than at a stadium tailgating before a game or at home watching the games in HD. 

It Was A Long Wait But We Made It Without Killing Anyone (Another week and all hell was going to break loose):

Since the clock read 0:00 at the National Championship game between Alabama and LSU way back in January everyone has been counting the days until tonight.

Our feathered friends from just up the road in Columbia kickoff the college football season on the road this weekend in Nashville taking on the Vanderbilt Commodores.  This is an unusual position for the Gamecocks - opening on the road.  I thought they were going to Detroit because the only Commodores I know about were a Motown group that had massive hits including "Brick House" (that is still played at every frat party and wedding") and in their honor:


I am pretty sure this is the first time I have every heard of a team's mascot being being named after a Motown group or was the group named after the university?  I am pretty confident that the latter didn't happen.  Let's just call it a coincidence and move on to the bigger question - What's going to happen tonight in Nashville? It's the first game of the year so you have to be prepared for anything to happen. It's the first game under the big lights, thousands of rabid fans cheering, and an  espn tv audience.  I like the Gamecocks in this game but I don't think it will be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination.  I will be watching Lattimore to see if he is back like last year pre-injury or is just back.  He's a force if back 100%.  Vandy has improved and is not the doormat of the SEC anymore - UK has taken it's place.

In case I don't get another post up I will go provide you my summary of the Saturday night Primetime game - Clemson vs Auburn.

• Atlanta, GA - Where Clemson goes to die (in recent years) - hoping for a reversal of fortune in Hotlanta
• Auburn - new offensive and defensive coordinators - who knows what to expect (I am expecting a few pee-wee football trick plays)...tape shows they will be run first but they have a capable quarterback and receivers
• CU and AU offensive lines suspect - CU's more so than AU.  AU has recruited 4/5 star talent on the OL the last couple of years that is inexperienced
• Plus for CU - AU's all everything center got a little to excited last weekend and has been suspended for the game - good job Clemson ladies visiting AU last weekend and filling him up on drinks
• CU - No Sammy Watkins - big blow but not enough for me to lose sleep.  We are deep at receiver.  It does probably take 6 points off the board - the Sammy Factor
• CU - Tajh has to have time throw the ball and can't force throws into coverage
• Expecting much improvement in his play this year and for him to lay off the cheeseburgers during the season
• CU - Ellington - hoping he stays healthy this year and is the beast he has been for the past 3 years when healthy
• CU - Defense has to stop the run...Linebackers have to tackle, fill holes and stop the run and keep them out of the end zone.

I don't feel as good about Saturday night as I did last year we when defeated the defending national champs in Death Valley.  I am expecting a back and forth battle with some points on the board - not CU vs MD last year but in the 20/30's.  A lot of unknowns on both sides of the ball, 1st game of the year (see above) - Clemson leaves Atlanta 1-0.

GO TIGERS!

PS - For those interested in the TITLE BELT, it resides in West by God Virginia at your kissing cousins house with the burning couch on the front lawn.  I am hoping for a Marshall victory this weekend.  If that happens the belt will be on a tour unlike ever before.

PSS - I hope whoever is reading this enjoys, because it was a royal pain in the backside to get this post up so you could read it.

GO AASU PIRATES

My niece, Meghan has returned to play goalie or I call it "The Enforcer" for the Armstrong Atlantic State(AASU) Pirates  Women's Soccer Team.  She has recovered from her season ending knee injury from last year during the Peach Belt Conference Championship game that they won.  The team then continued winning in the NCAA D II tournament and made the Final 4.

They are starting the season ranked number 3 in the country in the preseason poll and are traveling to take on powerhouse Grand Valley State (preseason number 2) in Michigan on Friday @7pm.  It's a big game early in the season for both teams.  I am predicting a hostile environment for the Lady Pirates and it turning into a battle royal.  I am also expecting the Lady Lakers to be a little timid around the ASU goalkeeper.  I am pretty sure the video from last year's game was leaked to them when Meghan decapitated one of the opposing players.

I know the Lady Pirates have worked hard preparing for the season and are up for this early season challenge and will walk away a winner in a 2-1 extra time game.

You can watch the game online here.

Here's a little video the kids and I made this morning for the Lady Pirates:

 
GO PIRATES - KICK GVSU BUTTS!!!

Fish @ School

Aubrey started school two weeks ago and they have a class pet - a fish.  They named the fish - one o three, their classroom number.  At dinner one night last week, Aubrey told us about the fish.  LA and I could hardly hold back the laughter.  It seems that one o three had some health issues and Ms. Latonya had to take one o three to the fish doctor.  LA and I are pretty sure one o three is not returning based on her description of the fishes health (or will be healed by the fish doctor replaced with a new fish and not tell them).  The first time she told the story was priceless.  I tried to get her to tell the story the next morning but it wasn't near as funny as the first time but it's still funny:

Aubrey Quotes

• While riding by S'ville Baptist Church and looking at cross on top of church - "Daddy, did Jesus have to climb all the way up there when he died on the cross"
• While I getting ready one morning "Daddy, one day I will be big enough to put that stuff (deodorant) under my arms."

12 Annual Pinehurst Golf Weekend

Thanks to my wife who made this weekend possible.  She is a superstar.  I love her with all my heart.

LA pulled the first weekend duty of all three kids at home by yourself and let me attend the 12th Annual Pinehurst Golf Weekend.  I haven't played all 12 years but I haven't missed many.  This group is anywhere from 11 to 25 people.  You need a sense of humor, be quick with a comeback, and some thick skin to survive a weekend with this group.  I won't get into all the details of the weekend because Pinehurst is like Vegas of the South with golf courses, no casinos/gambling (except on the golf course and in the rooms), no fancy hotels, no clubs and no women.  Pretty sure the only reason you come to the Pinehurst area is for golf.  I haven't found another reason yet to just visit.  I just wanted to give a brief review of the golf and some of the food establishment from the weekend in case you ever find yourself in the are looking for something to do.

Golf Courses

Tobacco Road 

• Mike Strantz Design (one of my favorite golf designers, I have played a few of his designs - Bulls Bay in Charleston, Caladonia and True Blue in Pawleys Island (superb golf courses) and Tot Hill Farm (in the middle of nowwhere NC)  - click the links to see the courses)
• Golf Digest 4.5 Star Rating
• Top Ten Hardest Courses by Golf Digest
• Golf World Readers Top 4 Public Course
• Our Life Top 10 in Courses I've Played

I had a great round of golf there and shot a 79.  I haven't shot that low in a number of years and it came after a looooooong lay off.  I am not sure I can remember the last round I had played that I had kept my own score in the past year.  I remember a couple of captain choice tournaments but there's not a whole lot of golf going on in my world...making babies, yes, changing diapers, yes.

I attribute the round to low expectations and trying to keep up with my playing partner Alex who shot 75.  I started leaking oil on the back nine around 13 and limped home.

We played an additional 9 holes as two man teams in a Captain Choice Format. Tim D and I were paired together and it got difficult carrying him the whole 9 holes.  We were just out of the money at -1 par (winner -2).

It was a great start to the golf weekend.

Don't miss out on any opportunity to play this course.  It's one of my favorites.

Carolina Trace

• 36 holes, traditional golf course, private gated community, surrounded by a huge lake
• Watch out for some of the older members - no hats in the bar area (sorry, didn't know the rule, there isn't a sign, not a member).

Nothing fancy about either of the courses at Carolina Trace.  I returned to my normal self and shot a 95 (the * to the round was that I was 11 over on 3 holes).  I wish Leroy could have played those 3 holes for me.

After battling for 18 holes, we thought it would be fun to play another 18 in a 6-6-6 format....great idea.  We played as two man teams and played the holes - 6 as Captain's Choice, 6 as Alternate Shot, and 6 as Best Ball.  In case you are wondering, none of us are ready for prime time.  The alternate shot was quite interesting and the only words you heard the entire 6 holes were "I'm sorry".  My partner JP and I put each other in some creative places.  When you put mediocre golfers together you get mediocre golf.  We had a few laughs but it was a long day at the office.

Dormie 

• Golfweek 3rd Best New Course 2011 (opened May 2010)
• 2012 Top Modern Courses
• Going Private in 8-12 Months - get there before you can't play there
• Coore - Crenshaw Design
• Our Life Top 25 Courses I've Played

The minimalist design of the course is a refreshing change and the use of the natural terrain made it a fun course to play and hope we find a way to get another round here in the future.  

They might have taken the minimalist design to the extreme.  When we arrived at the bag drop, we were informed they were out of caddies and fore caddies (which didn't break our hearts and would save our bank accounts).  He followed that up with the course doesn't have yardage markers on the sprinkler heads.  No big deal, we will just purchase a yardage book in the pro shop - "Nope, don't have yardage book either.  We do have the 150 and 100 marked on the sides of the fairways." - let the adventure begin.  I don't fully understand the no yardage markers on the sprinkler heads or yardage books...maybe that is a year 3 budget item.  Even if they go private and use caddies/fore caddies, a member would like a sprinkler head marked.  Anyway, technology saved the day and a couple of people had apps on their smartphones that assisted with yardage all day.

I found my groove again and shot a respectable 87.  Could have been a little better but at this stage in my golf career, I will take an 87 all day, any day, any course (except a par 3 course).  

Another course that I would play again and you should also play before they go private.

Food

• Tobacco Road
• I am not one to talk about golf course food but the Bar B Que sandwich was one of the best I have ever had.  It was tasty and a large sandwich.  A surprisingly good value found at the golf course that wasn't a hot dog.
• Ironwood Cafe
• We found this gem a few year back after many years eating at Beefeaters.  These two places both serve up a good steak but are hard to compare - Beefeaters is like a hometown Outback with a salad bar and some great processed cheese spread and crackers and Ironwood is a little more upscale without all the things that make you like Beefeaters  but you don't miss them (not quite downtown Charleston but close).  Oscars in Summerville would be a good comparison to Ironwood.  
• Pete's Diner
• Don't let the 92.5 rating scare you (it rounds up to 93 which is an "A").
• They serve up a good country breakfast
• Dinner looks like country cooking but we have never ventured there after the breakfast hours - eat at your own risk   
• San Felipe 
• Mexican 
• Nothing to review here, it the same as every other Mexican joint you have been too - good chips salsa and you can order the same number 21 (or anything else on the menu you normally order) that you order at home and it will be exactly the same.

Twins

Our Life would like to send out a big congratulations to our friend over at Out Behind The Woodshed - Michael and his better half Adrian on doubling their family, Tuesday and qualifying for two additional exemptions in 2012.  Adrian was a super trooper and carried twins for 38 weeks.  Bray (1st) and Belton will be known around town as the "Killer B's" as they wreck havoc on everything they touch and break all the ladies hearts (keep them away from my daughters, this is their only warning, Michael).  The weighed in at 6lb 10oz (20 inches) and 7lb 11oz (21 inches) - total weight 14lbs 5oz, a good sized bowling ball - total length 41"/3' 5", about the size of Aubrey.

They are the current record holders of Providence Most Kids Birthed At One Time - (2) and are contenders for our title of

Providence Class Record For Quickest To 3 Kids:
3 Years, 7 Months, 10 Days


and the Horres' title of


Providence: You Know Where Babies Come From, Right?
1 Year, 5 Months, 6 Days or 522 Days or 751,680 Minutes or 12,528 Hours
October 18, 2009 - Suzie
March 24, 2011 - Daniel 

We are happy the KILLER B's are healthy and that momma is doing well.  Get some rest before you leave the hospital.  You are paying dearly while at the hospital so let the nurses do their job of taking care of Adrian and the boys.

Aubrey finished up her second session of Funny Bugs at Little Gym.  Here are a few photos from the end of year "show".  Evidently the other parents weren't asked to be judges and didn't like my scoring style and then announcing their kids score (5.6, 6.5...etc) and giving Aubrey perfect 10's.  I am pretty sure I see a little Nadia Comaneci in her.  If you know who she is without clicking the link, I am impressed.

I was pretty impressed that she could walk on the balance beam by herself because most of the time she struggles to walk on the ground.  We will spend our free time on Tuesday nights at the pool for the summer.

What's Going On and Aubrey's Quote Of The Week

What in the heck is going on at my house.  Yesterday afternoon while planting a few plants  along the fence line behind the garage with Aubrey and Wyatt close by (meaning 6" away, inspecting and asking way to many questions about why I was digging a hole and why it was so deep).  I wasn't paying attention to them (my eyes were not on them watching them but they were close by...I was listening.) when Aubrey delivers her quote of the week:

          "Daddy, look at the snake I am touching."


What the heck did she say as I turn around and sure enough she is pulling her hand away from a snake (not a skink or a skank).  Fortunately, I had one of the weapons of choice in my hand when dealing with a snake, a shovel.  Let's get down to the details, the snake is probably about 6" long and about as wide as straw.  I pulled the snake from the pine straw with the shovel and chopped it's head off.  Aubrey and Wyatt were fascinated and wanting to touch it...thinking that was cool as I am about to poop in my pants.  You are wanting to know what kind of snake it was - my determination was made pretty quick, it was from the family and species called dead snake (kill it then identify).  If it crawls on the ground and I can't run away (trust me this is my first option but my kids were standing right there, I was committed to killing this one) or it doesn't run away then it's either him or me.  A little background information - I was spraying weeds a couple of weeks ago and a much bigger snake - probably 3-4 feet long and about a the size of a good stick (for beating something/someone with) crossed my path and I proceeded to stop spraying and find something else to do.  I didn't exactly run away but I moved backwards quickly and abandoned that project for the afternoon.  If on judgement day I have to answer for killing a snake then I hope I have a chance to ask a few questions in my defense - Why did you make the snake so it always scares the poop out of you?  What's with the tongue? Not exactly a way to say "I want to be your friend."  Snakes tend to like to bite first then ask questions so I like to beat them to the first question - chop off head and the tell them "it didn't have to be this way."

I have identified the snake as a Florida Red Belly.  Should have stayed in Florida.  So disaster was averted and turns out it is harmless and we could of had a snake as a pet (No way in hell that is every happening).  Until their is a quicker way to identify them as friend or foe, I will continue regarding them as foe until they are killed or I have retreated inside to watch some tv.

Let the summer adventure continue...