I heart Google

I cant precisely remember the date of my Google conversion, however my life has been changed since entering the Google vortex.  Some of my favorite applications of Google’s products are Gmail (obviously), Google Reader, Docs and Spreadsheets, and Calendar.

1. Gmail – I love the flexibility of tagging files instead of the confusing headache that ensues after trying to organize and remember which folder everything is supposed to go in.  I’ve also used the filters where you can push messages via text message to my cell phone.  Even though I can access my gmail from my smartphone…if I am waiting for a message I can find out instantly without having to keep checking my mail.

2. Google Reader – If you you read blogs the old fashioned way…and I’m talking to you guys that actually go the websites…then you need to redeem all of your wasted time loading pages and sorting through widgets and eye candy.  I’m not kidding, I can fly through hundreds of blogs in a matter of minutes with just a few keystrokes.  It helps me keep fresh on the things that I am interested in.  I love how I can share the posts that I think are interesting (Jeff’s shared items) and I can read offline!

3. Docs and Spreadsheets – I know there are other companies out there, like Zoho, that have a similar product, but Google’s is just as great and it’s wonderfully integrated with everything else Google.  I can share, publish and concurrently collaborate on word docs and spreadsheets – all online!  Who needs to spend a load of cash on the Office suite when you can get it online for FREE?!  I use it to share notes, develop writing ideas and track finances.  The great thing is that my wife can instantly look at where we are at without having to email files back and forth.  Its GREAT!

4. Calendar – This has a couple of improvements that still need to be made, but I love the ease of sharing and keeping track of everything in our lives.  We still have an old-school white board hanging at home, but I use this all of the time so I don’t have to guess when the next bills come due.  I use it a lot…

5. The Miscellanea – Google is awesome because they are so innovative and they are always coming out with something new.  Some of the simple things are Google 411, Maps (street view), SMS, etc.  They are piloting a service that handles all of your Medical records.  It’s always something new.  And it’s always innovative.

If you haven’t used Google – for more than just searching – then explore today.

PS. I also invest in Google through a 401K at Suntrust!

Perfectionism

I am not a full-fledged perfectionist, but I do have a weird obsession over tweaking things and withholding things for others to see until I think it is perfect – which usually turns out to be never. I usually do it with writing. In fact, I am polishing and crafting my words as I write right now! All that it really does is drive me crazy (Feather, my wife, would probably give a hearty “Amen!” to that). OK, so I am not the only one that is driven crazy with my complex! Will blogging will help me relax…or will it send me spiraling out of control? Stay tuned…

I love free stuff!

I love to find things on the web at a great deal.  Slick Deals is an awesome user community that helps me do that.  I found this portable battery backup for $10, but turned out to be free after opening a Google checkout account.  How sweet is that?! If you are real nerdy, you can have emails and texts sent to you to alert you to certain products you are looking for.  Bookmark the site and let everyone know if you find a Slick Deal.

re-entering the blogging world…

I must confess, there are certain things that I have difficulty being consistent and disciplined at.  Things like flossing my teeth, sorting the junk mail, trimming the hedges, and blogging.  I tried the blogging thing over a year ago thinking that it would be a cool idea to keep everyone updated on my family and our beautiful daughter.  Blogging does take time – usually time that I don’t have.  So what makes it different this time?  One thing is that I can blog from anywhere with my Centro.  Like now, I can blog while feeding Madison a banana.  So, we will see if the blogging thing works.  I think it will be a creative outlet for my thoughts and to play show-and-tell about the most beautiful things in my life – my family!

Madison is here!

Holding Pattern
Although our due date was January 9th, but we were not scheduled to be induced until the 18th! Needless to say, Madison was well done and mommy was ore than ready for her to come out. We woke up early on the 18th for our 8am appointment at Celebration Hospital and just as we were about to walk out the door, the phone rang. We cringed because we intuitively knew that the 7am call meant that something was wrong. Our intuition was confirmed; our appointment was delayed. It was explained to us that they had a very busy morning, leaving no rooms for us (…in the Inn – I can only imagine how Mary must have felt!). Anxiety simmered in the uncertainty of the holding pattern that we found ourselves in. Eight hours later, which felt like an eternity, a room became available. It began to become real when we arrived at the hospital that we would be parents in a matter of hours.

Push! Push!
With help from our friend pitocin, the contractions immediately grew stronger. It wasn’t long until the anesthesiologist was summoned to administer the epidural. Once his work was done, Feather felt great! We spent the rest of the evening visiting with family and planned to allow the pitocin to work through the night while she peacefully slept numb to contractions. The clock struck midnight and the doctor came in to examine before we turned in for the night. We were unprepared for the news that she was fully dilated and that we were going to start pushing! The spotlight turned on, a cart was wheeled out that was covered with surgical instruments, and Feather was put into the pushing position. The thought that Madison was almost here was thrilling, but we hadn’t planned on a sleepless night.

“That’s a big baby!”
After a couple hours of pushing, I was able to see the top of Madison’s head – which was really awesome! At 4:03am (in room 403 – what a coincidence!), on Friday, January 19th, we gave birth to our beautiful baby girl. “That’s a big baby!” exclaimed one of the nurses. “She’s got to be over eight pounds!” exclaimed another. We were all surprised when the scale read 9 lbs. 6 ozs.! She also measured 22 inches tall. We called our family to share the news and among the first to arrive were Uncle Chris and Aunt Shalise with food and a really cool gift. He gave me a shirt that displayed Madison’s birth date, time and weight! That was a really great surprise – the breakfast they brought was nice too!

Home sweet home
We spent a very long night in the hospital because we made the mistake of letting Madison sleep for too long and she was awake all night. In a zombie-like state we struggled through the night to calm and comfort our baby girl. We were released at 4pm on Saturday and were relieved and comforted to be back home. We have been busy taking pictures and video of our little squirt that will be posted for your enjoyment!

Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!