8:28 revisited

Today is our 2-year anniversary (I realize most of you won't read this until tomorrow, but work with me). If you've missed out on the spiritual significance found in the date of our anniversary...click here.
Wow! 2 years have really flown by, and yet...it's hard for me to think of a time when Laura wasn't a part of my life. I guess that happens when you've found "the right one"... and I definitely have done that.

No one else makes me laugh harder or more often.

No one else is more fun to be with.
No one else is more beautiful...without even trying.
No one else cares more for her family and her friends.
No one else makes me more sure of myself.
No one else is more supporting, more loving, more incredible than my wife, Laura.

Thanks babe for the best 2 years of my life. I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us.
I love you.

She's a Brick(ed)----House!

Mighty mighty, just lettin' it all hang out

She's a brick(ed)----house

The house's stacked and that's a fact...ain't holding nothing back.

She's a brick(ed)----house

Yeah, she's the one, the only one, who's built like a Taragon

Too Good To Pass Up...

Anyone who has frequented this blog for any length of time knows of my fondness for the bathroom music at ALFA.

Today's ALFA Bathroom Song of the Day was too good not to share. So...there I am..."taking care of business" when the song begins...an instant bathroom classic (drum roll, please)

Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton...

Islands in the Stream!

"Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb
I was soft inside, there was somethin going on
You do something to me that I cant explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got somethin goin on..."

(insert your own bathroom joke here)

Sometimes these things just write themselves :)

WHEW!!

Ok...order has been restored.

Uhhhhh...

WHERE ARE ALL MY LINKS AND PROFILE STUFF?!?!

I'm so confused...

Our House...In the Middle of Our Street...

After much clamoring and demand for a post update on the house situation...mostly from my wife...I present to you, PICS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE...

It all started with some dirt and a dream...and someone else's rather large red dumpster....

Next came the odd configuration of boards along with piles of cement block...and a pallet of concrete. The suspense began to build as we tried to visualize what the house would look like...how much of a backyard would we have...were there any dead bodies buried underneath our house and would that cause problems when we turned on the TV...

The next thing we know, we not only have a slab (duh, duuh, duh; duh, duuh, duh...let the boys be boys...SLAB!) but they started the framing. We could really start to picture the house now...only it looked more like a jail cell than a house...a really nice jail, but I digress.

The frame seemed to go up over night...them boys were FAST!


Here's how the house looked our next trip to P'ville! Fully framed and papered...just like a big ole' present...without the bow...and ribbon...and fancy paper cause that stuff was just black and had staples and nails all in it...anywho. Very exciting sight for us!



Here where we stand at the moment, or at least since Saturday. Siding going up on the house...again much excitement. It's pretty amazing how quick they go up, at least until they are dried in and the interior stuff begins. That starts to slow down the process.

They say we should be in the house in October, so if you ever find yourself in Prattville in October (or November if things really slow down) come by and see us. We'll be the ones with the really big grins...and the new house. :)

Pics of the interior soon to come...again more of a country jail motif right now, but they tell me all that will change...we'll see...

Ode to My Ankle

My ankle and I have had many adventures together, but as the picture above shows I fear it may be time to trade it in for a new one. Apparently when God was handing out strong ankles...I was in line for the food.

I remember back when we had our first encounter with tragedy, it was baseball season...6th grade All-Stars. I tried to steal third and as I slid my ankle turned the wrong way as I hit the base. I couldn't get up. It was crutches for me as I missed the last 2 games of the series...which we lost.

Then there was 9th grade spring training. My chance at the big time...spring practice at the high school. Unfortunately for me, that ended when some biggin fell on the back of my leg and rolled up my ankle. Crutches again...and I missed out on asking this really hot girl to the dance that year.

Let's not forget the lock-in, 11th grade. Rolled my ankle playing basketball within the first 2 hours of an all night lock-in. Nothing quite like spending an exciting lock-in at the Y with your leg propped up.

Years roll by and so does my ankle...sprains here, strains there. Sometimes swelling...sometimes crutches...sometimes just a weird limp for a day or two.

It hasn't been all bad...football, basketball, wrestling, and even karate were without problems most of the time. I did make it down the aisle with my beautiful wife without incident. Survived Wilderness Trek without a tweak...and of course the latest trip to Six Flags and White Water.

So as I recover from yet another sprained ankle, I guess I owe my ankle some props. Without it I would have never known all the wonderful variations of ankle braces there are in the world (I think I have worn them all)...I wouldn't have known you can still get hurt even when you wear them. How about all the cool things you can do on crutches...when you're bored...and everyone else is playing the games you can't.

Here's to you ankle...may we have no more incidents, sprains, strains (or automobiles). There's no way I can sit on the sidelines for the rest of my life.

BTW, anyone know any good strengthening exercises?

ALFA Bathroom Song of the Day

Ok...so I started this whole blogging thing with a little bathroom humor...namely my concerns with the musak level in the bathroom at work. One, it was never loud enough (lots of sounds need to be drowned out in there) and B, there's only so many times you can handle the musak version of ABBA's hit, "Dancing Queen".

Being the grown-up that I am (no laughter please) I had let that rant go and succumb to the fact that there was nothing that could be or would be done...

Fast forward to present day...I am proud to say that in a world where most people listen to their own life soundtrack via their cell phone or the 3 iPods they own, something has happened to the musak system! No longer are we exposed to elevator versions of hit songs from the past. We now have actual songs playing over the speakers...with words...AND songs everyone knows! It's hard to express the joy that came over me as I was delivering a cancellation request to another department when I heard Prince's "Little Red Corvette".

So now, the bathroom trips are complete with actual hit songs that, if brave enough, can be sung along with whilst "taking care of business".

In honor of this momentous event, I submit for your approval...The ALFA Bathroom Song of the Day...

I was torn about deciding our first winner. There were two stand out performances on Friday, July 7, but since there can only be one winner I present to you...(drum roll please)...

"Faithfully" by Journey!!

"Highway run...Into the midnight sun...Wheels go round and round...You're on my mind..."

Baron vs. The Nantahala

I've had a week or so to reflect back on my experience. We recently returned from our annual trip to Vogel State Park in GA. We always have a great time relaxing and getting away from the hustle and bustle of what has become everyday life for the Goins clan. Whilst on the trip I was able to participate in something I hadn't tried before...so in honor of those great match-up movies like Freddie vs. Jason, Alien vs. Predator, Godzilla vs. Mothra...I submit for your approval, Baron vs. The Nantahala (insert looming terror movie music here)

It was a Friday unlike a normal every week kind of Friday...no work, no apartment, just a cabin in the woods with family and friends. There was an air of anticipation and excitement as there had been talk of a kayaking trip, and today was that day. The men rose early that morning, 9:00ish, which is early for vacation rising, scarffed down a hearty breakfast and hit the road. The party consisted of one Roxy Wishum, Keith Wishum, Mark Wishum, Russ Wishum, and me...Baron. 4 Wishums and a Goins packed into a car headed for the great state of North Carolina and the Nantahala River. I was the only one in the group who had never done this before. In fact, my only experience with any type of rafting came last summer at the end of Wilderness Trek in Colorado. This would be no normal rafting trip though. We were going funyaking...I wasn't exactly sure what that was at first. Sounded to me like something someone did after riding the Mind Bender 15 times in a row. But hey, I was up for it. We arrived at the river and decided to eat lunch first...I went with the Roast Beef Gone Wild sandwich. I was pretty sure that would sustain me for what lie ahead.

After cruising the strip looking for the cheapest funyaking outfit we could find, we settled on Fast Rivers, gave them all our money...changed clothes...put on those sexy water booties and gathered our gear, a life jacket and a paddle. At this point I finally got to see what a funyak was. It is an inflatable canoe like kayak. You can sit in it, lay in it...whatever you prefer. I figured it didn't look that intimidating and my hesitation was developing into mild confidence. After an adventurous bus ride to the "let in" site, we were soon in the water, I in my funyak, and we were a cruisin. Didn't take long to get to my first rapids...granted they were not huge at all, but for a first timer it might as well have been the Ocoee. I skillfully maneuvered myself out of harm's way and I was movin...

The rest of the river consisted of smooth sailing followed a few little rapids, a few little rocks (most of which I hit with my funyak). I was getting pretty confident until...

I saw it coming from a ways off. Big rock, standing taller than me (cause I was sitting down)...not one I wanted to mess with, but as I was trying to maneuver to the left something kept dragging back to the right and before I knew it, there was Mr. Rock. Surely I'll just bounce off of it and catch the current around...that was the last thing I thought as my funyak began to climb the rock...sideways...

You ever been in one of those situations when everything seems to move in slow motion? That was happening to me at this moment. One second I was floating, the next I was swimming...and man was it cold! upper 40s/lower 50s...and I wasn't through with the rapids yet either. My first move was to shove the boat off of my head. I had no idea where my paddle was...all I knew was that I was now body surfing in freezing water through some rapids...for the first time!

Luckily for me, I found a calm spot and Roxy pulled up along side me and allowed me to climb on until I could get back to my boat. Did I mention it was cold? Fortunately for me (and Keith who was towing me, remember no paddle) our outfitter wasn't far up river and I was able to gather my wits and a new paddle for the remainder of the journey.

The remainder of our journey was what they referred to as "the falls". Now, I'm a city boy with no real rafting experience...I've recently dumped into freezing water...what confidence I had developed earlier was drifting away with my lost paddle...and we were heading for "the falls". I'm getting a wee bit worried at this point...I know it can't be that bad, but in my mind I'm picturing this.

So, we take off and I'm anxiously approaching "the falls" a little scared but determined that I am not dumping out in that water again...and what came next was pretty much was a blur. I do remember my funyak, at one point, rising up on its side (not good if you're in a boat)...I was then bumped by Russ from behind (which proved detrimental to him, as he then went swimming) which caused me to head down "the falls" backwards!

I wish I had the pictures to show you how dramatic it really was (but they were really expensive and I also had to pay for a paddle...cheapskates), I fought the Nantahala and came out victorious...a little damp, a little cold, but victorious none the less.

This Week's Sign That I Am Getting Older...

Ok, I have a couple of posts rolling arond in my head, but have not had time to put them down what with the SSC, BSC, softball, church, etc...so let me take a moment to chime in on the AI craze (of course, before this season AI always stood for Allen Iverson, but we give and we take).

I am a fan of American Idol, so is my wife...although she supasses me in allegiance to the show. You see I declared AI dead-to-me after Chris was eliminated...what a travesty.

Anywho, back to the story...the season finale was last night (during church) and like good little 21st century TV watchers, we used the DVR to make sure we didn't miss a thing. After church we even went to a restaurant with no TVs to make sure we wouldn't inadvertantly hear the results before we got home. Overall I give the show high marks...good variety on the guest stars (although we could have done without Meatloaf's awkward performance...that was painful)...and decent numbers for the eliminated that were making their comeback to the show.

The highlight of the show for me was the surprise appearance of the purple one...Prince. Laura was so surprised by his appearance that she nearly kicked over the TV tray beside the chair :)

Now, I've always been a Prince fan, at least since 1999 (the album, not the year). Prince is a strange character to say the least. Great artist, but for the longest he only sang about 2 things...sex or God, interesting combination. He's been around for a long time and has had more hits than I can count, but apparently I had forgotten how old he was...and how old I am...when I heard people having to explain to their teenagers who Prince was. That really took me by surprise. Who doesn't know who Prince is? Diamonds and Pearls was my soundtrack for a summer in college.... what about the Revolution...the NPG...Prince's Purple Rain was my very first cassette. I got it when I turned 13 years old...

Ok, ok...I guess I should have known...afterall it's been a few years since college and even more since I was 13. Oh well, sing on Prince (now that you apparently have cleaned up your songs a bit)...you're cool enough for a whole new generation :)

It's Official...

That's right folks...it's official...Laura and I are having a house. The contracts have been approved, and our big bundle of bricks and mortar should be available mid-November (baring any hurricanes, of course).

We are anxiously anticipating its arrival. It does have a name, but due to safety constraints we cannot reveal that at this time :)

If you'd like to learn more about the plans for the house click here.

We do plan to post pics during the development process, so be sure and drop by for the latest updates...

But for now, here is our land in all its glory...



Don't get too excited though...the big dumpster doesn't belong to us

E-7

I've always considered myself a decent outfielder. I've played in the outfield most of my life (the occasional stint at 1st base notwithstanding). I started in right field...made my way to center...and now, in softball, I reside in left field. I love the wide open space...the chance to run and catch the ball...the chance to "gun" a runner out at second or third...the chance to make the spectacular catch...

The spectacular catch is what outfielder dreams are made of. Being able to duplicate catches made by Andruw Jones, Jim Edmonds, and even Willie Mays would be awesome, and I always dream of making that play to save or win the game.

Well, last Thursday night was no different. Our ALFA softball team was in a tight game. It went back and forth...we'd go up by a few runs, the other team would go up by a few runs. Neck and neck for 5 innings. We were the visiting team that night, so we batted first, and going into the top half of the 6th we were down 2 runs. If we were going to make a move...now would be the time. It was quite an inning. We got the first batter on base thanks to a great basehit. Our next batter flied out to center. Our third batter ripped the ball down the right field line...one run would score...wild throw...the second run would score sliding into home! The game was tied! We were not able to add anymore runs and went into the bottom half tied at 15. Time was running out, so we really needed to hold this team scoreless to give us a chance at another at bat.

Remember when I mentioned dreaming of making that game saving catch? Well, of course, it had been running through my mind the entire game and now the stage was set. How would I do it? Diving to my left...full extention...maybe catching out number 3 as I crash into the fence... No matter how it was to be done, I was ready...

First batter...the pitch...swing...here it comes...routine grounder...the runner is really moving and is probably trying to take second...I drop the glove...eye the runner...and the ball rolls right under my glove and to the fence...the runner scores what proved to be the winning run. I was all ready to make the spectacular catch, but I failed to make the routine play...E-7

Looking back on that play makes me think...do I do the same thing when it comes to my Christian walk? How many times have I dreamt about preaching that spectacular sermon, teaching that moving lesson, or going on that overseas mission when at the same time taking my eyes off the routine things...appreciating my wife, keeping in touch with my friends, speaking to that visitor at church, or giving a pat on the back to anyone who needs it?

Don't get me wrong, we need the spectacular play. There are games that would not have been won without it. There are souls that would not have been saved without it. But let's not focus so much on the big play that we allow the routine play to roll right under our glove. The routine play is always a part of the game, and always needs to be made.

Back from the dead. I'm the sleeper done slumberin'...

Believe it or not, I am posting again. I know what some of you are thinking, "Sure, he's teased us like this before...pretending to be back and then it's 3 years later and nothing." But I actually have more than one thought in my head, so I have at least 3 posts coming (if I can make the time to do them)

So, to catch everyone up on my life from my last real post(i.e. not pimping someone else's blog) to today...here we go!

My Life in a Flash by Baron Goins

Mom gets married to Spiro...congrats guys!...Halloween as Princess Buttercup and the Dread Pirate Roberts; they never looked so good...Thanksgiving in Albany, GA...food, football, and go-carts...tacky Christmas house...Christmas...436 people crammed into the living room to watch the 397 kids shred the paper to discover the gifts...we had a blast!...Last Hour: amazing experience...New Years resolutions...sigh...January marks the beginning of the waste land that is no work holidays until Labor Day...sigh again...Seahawks robbed of a Super Bowl title...why can't Jeremy Stevens catch the ball!?!...house hunting begins with tons of excitement...weekend before Valentine's Day at the Wynfrey...Shula's Steakhouse...Upwards Basketball: Hearn, Skylar, Jordan, Tomias, Drew, Juwan, Richard, Thomas, and Mason...go Eagles!...10.5 hour trip to Ohio for Dad's retirement...Pro Football Hall of Fame (it was awesome!)...10.5 hours back to Montgomery and I didn't fall asleep once...house hunting continues...found the perfect house...made a bid...house hunting continues...sigh for the third time...discovered myspace (be sure to check out the figures)...Aiden's ok!...Zoo Weekend, who knew chimps like to pick there?...house hunting becoming discouraging...Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey's one ring circus...get to hear Hall of Famer, Bart Starr speak AND get autographed football! (I'll be posting about this a little later)...more house hunting...Man of La Mancha at Shakespeare...Easter at "the Spiros", Greek Easter food...yummy...the praying mantis incident...house hunting some more...softball season begins...4 games a week, yeah baby...saved wife from giant roach in the shower...coming to the end of this post...getting hungry and have to go pick up the pizza we ordered 20 minutes ago...

Well, there ya go. My life over the past 6 months. Sorry you didn't get to experience it with me, vicariously thru this blog, but I'll try to do better for the remainder of the year. Please be praying that our house hunting venture comes to a swift and exciting end, and that God continues to bless our family even more greatly than He already has...

Peace! I'm out...but not permanently...I'll be back...no, seriously...Matt, don't be saying stuff like that...

Stop the Press...Who's that?

Ok folks. Big News! For the few who may happen to accidentally stumble across this neglected blog (bless your souls) I have exciting news. A new blog with insight beyond anything else you've ever read before...from a woman who has changed my life forever...MY WIFE!

That's right!! Laura has joined the blogging world and you need to check it out. Not only is she the most beautiful woman in the world, but she has some great stories as well. She keeps me laughing all the time and I hope she can do the same for you.

So, click on over to this site and peer into the mind of my wife...fasten your seatbelts!

Fab New Blog Site

This post is simply to plug a new blog site from my friend Ashley Mills. Check it out right here. You won't find anything about NASCAR, monster trucks, locker rooms, or football (that's what my site is for) but you'll find some pretty interesting stuff.

Check it out...

Prayer Request

Hey guys, this is a request from my wife, Laura...we all covet your prayers for Mark Pierce

"I have already spoken to some of you about this, but I wanted to send out an e-mail to keep everyone informed & to solicit your prayers. My boss, Mark Pierce, was in an accident this weekend and needs prayers now. He was burning some trash and a gas can caught fire and burned about 50% of his body from the torso down. He is at UAB now, and he is on a ventilator. His lungs, kidneys, etc, are functioning as normal. He does have a high temperature, but from what I understand that is typical for burn victims. He has been responding to questions by squeezing his hand, so he can hear what’s going on around him.

Mark is a very strong young man. He was just recently appointed President of Colonial Insurance Agency, and since that appointment he has been such a strong motivator for this agency. His dad, Junie Pierce, works here also, and he said that Mark was even talking about the agency while he was in the hospital. (By the way, for those of you interested, Junie will serve as interim CEO while Mark is out.) Junie called our conference phone this morning and, as you can imagine, was very emotional while talking to us. He said that there will be a website set up to post updates on Mark and for us to leave him messages. I will send out that website address once we get it.

Please, PLEASE pray for Mark RIGHT NOW. I cannot imagine the pain he is in. The only thing (and the best thing) we can do to help him right now is to pray. For those of you who go to VP and are participating in the Seeking the Face of God study, I would like you to consider fasting for Mark this week. I know we are supposed to fast on Saturday, but I am asking anyone who is willing to fast from at least one other meal this week to spend time praying for Mark.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll keep you all posted.

Love,
Laura

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22"

The End of an Era

Well folks, as they say...all good things must come to an end. Jerry Rice has retired from football. Cadillac and Ronnie have graduated from AU. Gas prices will never again dip below $2.00/gallon...and as of Saturday, 4542 Plummer Court...also know as Momma G's place is no more.

The house that many of you actually have or had keys to...the house with "the coffee table"...the place where so many of us spent hours and hours just hanging out...is closed for business.

We moved to that house when I was in the 7th grade so of course, that house will always hold many memories...

- hours of playing "burn out" with my Dad in the backyard
- epic football games in the side yard...many of which I played by myself, always making the game winning catch or game saving tackle
- afternoon long b'ball games on the goal in the cul de sac (many with a strategically placed jogging trampoline, just to make things interesting)
- where Max and Sam (the family dogs) joined our family.
- the night Kristin (my sister) locked me out of the house...on purpose.
- lots an lots of b'day parties where cake was enjoyed by all without a fork, or knife...or even a plate. Nothing like friends hanging out with hand-fulls of cake.
- it was the place that "Q" first got together
- the home of the coffee table signed by just about everyone who walked through those doors
- hours of movies and games
- it was a place of refuge when I moved back to Montgomery

We all will miss that house that played such a prominent part in some many of our lives.

Thanks for the memories 4542 Plummer Court...you will be missed.

I know there are so many "events" that I have forgotten. What do you remember about Momma G's?

Man, do I love my wife!

There are many ways to show how much you appreciate and love your spouse. This past week held one of those chances for me and my wife. Thursday night, there I was sitting in River Walk Stadium with my lovely bride and some friends...not to watch the Biscuits play again, but to hear...the group Alabama.

Now I know what some of you are thinking. Hey cool Alabama! I didn't even know they were touring again. Well, they're not. Thursday night was an impromptu acoustic performance to raise money for the victims of hurricane Katrina. There were 3 of the members of the group Alabama and 4 other songwriters from Nashville, all on a stage set-up just behind the pitcher's mound, playing their guitars and singing their little songs.

So what's the big deal, you may ask. How does going to a seemingly pleasant evening at the ballpark show how much you love your wife?

Well, here's the reason...I can't stand country music. I may be the only recorded case of someone breaking into hives due to the sounds of country music. I just don't like it. It's not for me, but my wife likes it. And she really wanted to go see Alabama, so there we were.

The evening started out pretty good as the opening act was Bobby Moore and the Rhythm Aces. Nothing like a little soul music to get you ready for...Alabama?

Anyway, I was entertained that night. Not so much by the music, although one of the songs was really funny. It was by my observations of the crowd I was now a part of. Laura and I began a mental checklist that I would now like to share with you. (Disclaimer: I am not a judgmental person. I just think it's funny when stereotypes actually show up where you expect them.)

So, with all due respect to Jeff Foxworthy, here is what we not only saw, but were amongst...

- various forms of mullet, both male and female...check
- 40 year old man with braided rat tail...check
- a colorful assortment of tank tops (wife beaters surprisingly absent from the crowd)...check
- trendy cowgirl hat...check
- rolled up blue jean shorts...check
- sleeveless button down shirt...check
- clothing made out of the confederate flag...check
- "Lee surrendered, I didn't" t-shirt...check
- Alabama "last tour" t-shirt...check
- NASCAR representation...check
- chain smokers smoking in a non-smoking facility...check (luckily only 3 seats down from me)
- drunk college students...check
- pregnant lady whose shirt did not come down far enough...check
- cheap, faded tattoos...check
- skinny woman with smoker's skin...check

And my all-time favorite,

- foam front trucker hat which read, "BEER: helping ugly people have sex for over 60 years"

You just can't make this stuff up.

Believe it or not, due to all the entertainment located around me, and struggling to keep my lungs clean...I actually had a good time and many people were helped as the crowd raised $110,000 for hurricane relief.

That's it for now...let me know if you have any to add to the list...

Peace!

Off to the Wilderness

Hey guys! Just a quick post to ask for your prayers this next week. I, along with several others, are heading to the mountains of Colorado for Wilderness Trek, and a weeks worth of hiking, repelling, more hiking, rafting, hiking some more, etc. I've wanted to do this for several years, and this year I get my chance. I am sure to have some great stories to post when I return.

We fly out of ATL tomorrow afternoon, and will arrive back to Mtgy about 10:00 p.m. the following Saturday, July 9.

Unfortunately Laura is not getting to go, and this will be our first week apart since we got married. I'm not looking forward to that part of the trip at all.

Please pray for all of us on the trip that we might experience God in ways unavailable in the big city.

Have a great 4th!

Home Improvement

Like every man...I feel it is my right, and my privilege as a man to be able to fix anything...install anything...pretty much improve anything mechanically related in my home.

Sunday afternoon, I took on the window-unit A/C. Our home is actually half of a duplex which we rent from an absolutely, incredibly generous woman from church. We'll call her Ms. English (cause that's her name). Our half of the duplex does not have central heat and air. We have a gas furnace downstairs for heat, and window A/C units (one in the dining room and one in the spare bedroom upstairs). After a few "nights of a 1000 fans", we decided to install another window-unit in our bedroom. Brilliant idea, I thought...

We had just gotten home from church and a lovely lunch at Jason's Deli (Praise God for free ice cream), and I decided that afternoon would be the afternoon the deed would be done. I began to scope out the landscape of the window, taking mental measurements and imagining the several calls I was sure to receive for guest appearances on In A Fix...

That was pretty much the last time anything went smoothly...

It all began with having to take the window unit we had purchased back to Home Depot because it was cracked. After exchanging it for another and purchasing some additional supplies, it was back to the house. I opened everything up and began to read the installation directions that came with the window unit...
I don't know who writes these things...I'm sure they have more than a 3rd grade education, but wow...not really all that helpful. Confusing was more like it.
To make matters really interesting, the storm windows we have caused me to have to "build up" the existing window sill in order for the A/C unit to fit securely and correctly. So...I drove to the in-laws house, got some wood, came back to the house only to discover I had no nails long enough to work. Luckily, Laura volunteered to run to Walmart. Thanks babe.
After nailing the wood down in at least 3 different places before finding "the sweet spot" (see earlier description of the enclosed directions), I had to lift the unit into place. That went better than expected, but because our windows are so HUGE (i.e. old house) I then had to fill in the remaining side gaps with plywood and caulk.
This is where the power tools came into play. I have a skill saw that I have used once or twice before, but no saw horses...You'd be surprised how multidimensional a good set of porch steps can be though. The cutting went right along with the rest of the afternoon now turning night. Sawdust spraying everywhere...scratched up goggles making it difficult to see the line I had so meticulously drawn...tempers flaring (ever so slightly) as I realized I had to cut more because the original measurements were incorrect (after putting everything back up)...then there was the caulking. This is an art form that has skipped past my array of talents.

Finally, after 6 hours of hammering, lifting, prying up what was just hammered, hammering again, measuring, drawing, sawing...sawing some more, lifting again, fitting, sealing, caulking, sweating, but never cursing...it was finally over. We have A/C in our bedroom now!! Hallelujah!!
My work here...is done.