Ghetto Grillin'

Every spring Jason and I talk about buying a grill. We debate over charcoal verse propane. We always conclude that we want to get a propane grill for the convenience. Then we start looking at them and decided that we don't want to shell out that much cash for a grill. In the fall we end where we started out in the spring, no grill. We started our annual conversation about grills up last week. This year, with baby on the way, it was obvious we didn't have much cash to spend on outdoor cooking. So, we bit the bullet and purchased a cheap little charcoal grill from Wal-mart.

On Sunday afternoon we decided that it was time to bust out our newly purchased toy. It was raining so we set it up on our front porch. Jason nor I had ever lit a charcoal grill. It is a much harder than one might think. We both skimmed the directions and proceeded to attempt to light our little grill. After countless trips to the computer to google "how to light a charcoal grill" we finally started to see our coals turn to gray. At this point our entire front porch was filled with smoke. Jason, being the safety first kind of guy, had the fire extinguisher outside just in case. We sat on our smokey front porch and watched it rain. I know that our neighbors had to think we were insane.

I happy to report that our first ever dinner cooked on our grill turned out lovely. Did we try something simple like hot dogs? No way. We had grilled jerk chicken, curry grilled potaoes and veggies. I am very much an all or nothing person. After the 4th attempt to light the grill, I wished we had just picked up hot dogs. However the end result was worth it. The chicken was amazingly juicy and we didn't burn down our porch. Best of all, we had a ridicuous amount of fun. Jason is determined to become a grill master. Rain or shine we have committed to grill out at least 3 times this week. If you are close to Lee University and smell a charcoal grill - it's the Barks family.

Master of the grill.  The serious look isn't because he is concentrating.  It is because the smoke is burning his eyes. 

It's Official, I look pregnant

I ran into Miss Mary yesterday on my way home from work.  She waved hello and waited for me to get out of the car.  As I stood up she clasped her hands over her mouth and yelled "Oh Lord, she's havin' a baby!"  She then jumped up and down on the sidewalk and did what I can only describe as a happy dance.  At the end of her dance, I smiled and confirmed that I was indeed having a baby.  She tossed her hands in the air and proclaimed "you havin' a baby for your dogs to play with!" About the time she got the sentence out of her mouth Ann started howling in the backyard.  Jason and I often speculated the our neighbors think of us as "the crazy dog people."  I think Miss Mary backed this up.  Most of our neighbors don't know our names but the do know Ann's.  This is combination of us yelling at her, her escape attempts and her howling at them. Idle chit-chat with anyone on our block always start with "How is Ann?"  It seems fitting that Miss Mary would assume that our primary reason for bringing a child into the world would be companionship for our pups.

Miss Mary rounded out the conversation with a string of sentences that I couldn't understand.  As she started up the street, toward her apartment, she turned around and asked "What you haven' ?"  I told her it was a boy.  She replied "Boys are better anyway! Oooh, I am gonna to get you a gift for your baby boy.  Yes, I am. A nice gift.  I love you now!"  And off she went sauntering up the road in her long wig, a t-shirt, capri pants, tube socks and high heels.  I can't wait to see what she will give us. 

The World's Laziest Dog

I haven't posted a picture of Prissy (we didn't pick her name) in a while.  The reason for this is that in her old age she has become incredibly lazy.  She does nothing but lay around.  Fortunately the spring weather has started to coax her out of her slumber.  I actually saw her run over the weekend.  It is probably because Jason has given her a complex by calling her a fatty.  She thickened up a little over the winter.  I have to admit that her lethargy is a nice in light of Ann's hyperactivity.  She has been my constant companion during my partical bed rest.  Being forced to sit in a recliner isn't that bad when you have this sweet face to look at.

Jason's Bump

Due to my limited activity, I missed our baby shower in South Carolina. Since I couldn't make the trip, Jason went all alone. Here is Jason impersonating me. I am glad he got a taste of what life is like with a big belly. If only I could find away for him to experience the contractions, mood swings and back aches.


Also, here is a little video greeting we did for the shower. I am sure you all are just dying to see a video of a chunky, pregnant Jaime. It was actually really hard to record because I was grumpy that day. On each take Jason would critique what I said. If I hadn't been so winded I would have hit him. I would like to extend a very special thanks to Mr. Adam Collins for video taping this for me. He graciously put up with my ill mood and shortness of breath. He is a true friend indeed.

Hello Cleveland

I realize I have been very quiet lately.  I keep starting posts and not finishing them.  The truth is I am just sick of talking about my pregnancy.  I have had a few complications. Everything is okay, I just have to take it easy.  I lack the motivation and creativity to tell you about it. Sorry. So, instead here is a picture of Ann.

This photo was taken during Ann's first walk on the Greenway.  There isn't a lot to do in Cleveland, so the Greenway is always crowded.  We have never been brave enough to take her on it because of her hyperactivity around new people.   I am thrilled to report that dog training has worked.  She was quite pleasant.  Ann didn't try to run away or lick anyone.  Jason and I were so proud.  After this walk we were planning on making a Greenway jaunt with the pups part of our weekly routine. However, three days after this picture was taken, I got put on partial bed rest.  Sorry Ann.  Oh the joy of pregnancy! 

PS.  Have you seen Marley and Me? That movie was terrible.  Crazy emotional pregnant women who love their mischievous dogs shouldn't be allowed to watch that movie.  I cried for hours after seeing it.  It made the Where the Red Fern Grows seem like a comedy.