Where there's a Will... A 2011 reflection...

I've been racking my brain on how to go about this one...  and believe I've decided on a top ten format.  So, without further ado...

The Top Ten Things I learned in This Year of Our Lord, 2011


10.  Anything you can do, I can do slower.

               Yup, I participated and completed The Music City Half Marathon.  In an astonishing 3:32:30.  In the process of training, I lost 40 lbs.  No worries, I found every last one of them.  I wasn't alone.  There was a team of us running in memory of our little buddy Thomas Harris McGreggor.  I'm looking forward for my next opportunity to participate in a Team Thomas event.  Onward ho!

9.  I failed my paramedic exam 2 times... I believe it was because The Jeana was Preggars McGee...

     That's right, I've gotten to the bottom of it and I believe that I wasn't right about ANYTHING from somewhere in October 2010 all the way until June 19, 2011.  That includes every question on the two attempts at my NREMT-P exams.  For the record, I really do look forward to being wrong for 9 straight months again, whenever that time may come ;-)

 8.  Even when my Colts and Vols stink on ice... I STILL LOVE ME SOME FOOTBALL!!!  That is all for this one.  'Nuff said.


7. Changing a diaper ain't all it's cracked up to be...  Oh, and the following contains images some may find grody to the max.  I know I do...

     That just happened...

6.  Tiger Blood.  Who knew?

5.  A good church home is a good thing.  Jeana and I couldn't be happier with our church, church family, and the friends we've made since we joined Harpeth Hills Church of Christ.

4.  God is great.  Just a few of the blessings we've received this year:  Will, Josh's current remission, new friends, no car payments, a roof, food, a Waffle House menu from 13 years ago, cows in our back yard, The Muppets, etc....

3.  Beer is good.  Some, if not most, of you know that I've been brewing beer on occasion over the last five or so years.  Well, this year I ramped it up a bit.  Upgraded my equipment and joined a Homebrew Club in The 'Boro.  It's the first hobby I've had in a long time that I truly enjoy and have a bit of talent for.  I'll be entering the first recipe i came up with myself (about 4 months ago) in a competition in January.  I really am excited about my future homebrewing endeavors. 

                   My first Mid-State Brew Crew meeting. I'm the fatty in the green shirt

           The first time I made my first recipe.  I call it Rampart 51 IPA

2.  People are crazy.  I don't know why but, this year, I've started taking pictures of people that deserve it.  I call them "fancy people"... here are just a few.

    Party in the back and PARTY IN THE BACK!!!

 The original "Fancy" person...

1993 called...

And coming in at #1 on the Top Ten Things I learned in This Year of Our Lord, 2011...

C'mon guys... really?  you don't know this one?

1.  Incredibly Blessed and Extremely Insignifcant

That's me.  Incredibly blessed with a beautiful, smart, compassionate, and VERY patient wife.  Incredibly blessed with, very bestest part of this year, my William Anderson Hodge...

Incredibly blessed with all kinds of family to take care of him.... and me...

 Extremely Insignificant... Yep, if you're a dad, you understand this.  And if you're a dad, you completely understand that it's perfectly fine with me.  When I married The Jeana, I became a little less significant in my own house.  As of June 19, 2011... well... my only purpose is doing my best to make sure the two most important people in my life have me for whatever they need me for.  So, yes, I'm the most insignificant person in the room.  Forever more.  And I'm way ok with that.  Happy New Year everyone.  God Bless you all.