Let me, Amanda, start by saying...

That I am truly sorry and apologize from the bottom of my heart. Since April 3rd, I have been holding Josh's last post. I boycotted and refused to write it! I know, I know, I'm a horrible wife. Not only is the man not here to type it himself, but he totally and completely relies on me, his seemingly "perfect" <-----haha, wife to take care of things like this for him. He kept asking and asking if I had posted it, and I would just avoid the question, then he started just asking if anyone had commented and I would say "No, no comments whatsoever". That wasn't exactly a lie either...there were no comments b/c nothing had ever been posted ;o) Anyway, I'm getting tired of him asking and seeing the look of disappointment on his face, and he is not going to write another post until I type this one for him. I can't let him down...after all, he did write it and put so much thought and love into it. If you remember from his previous post, he said that this one would be about me - that's why I didn't want to post it. First of all, I feel in no way that I deserve any of the nice things he has to say. And second, do you know how weird it is to write nice things about yourself for others to read?! If you know me even a little, you know that I CAN NOT take a compliment to save my life! Especially when it's Josh doing the complimenting, but I can't wait any longer...besides, too many people have been asking where his post is! Here goes...

Hello to everyone from Talladega FPC. It's April and I'm another month closer to coming home (AJ - and now April is over, so he's even closer!). I'm not sure of the exact number of days, but you can check the counter on Amanda's Myspace page (111 as of 4/29). I hope you are all doing well and that the world is being good to you. Before I begin on my main topic for the week (my wife) I would like to discuss a couple of other items.

So, who is enjoying "American Idol"? I'll tell you that "AI" is probably the most popular TV show in prison. Guys here are big time serious about watching it. The prison favorite is Kristy Lee Cook (mainly b/c she's pretty) (AJ - Didn't she leave like 2 weeks ago? Again, my apologies!), but the most talented is David Cook who sang "Billie Jean" the other week. Dude is awesome. This group of contestants are good but, I don't feel as talented as past seasons (AJ - I agree 110%). Let me know what you think. My wife likes Michael Johns (b/c he's pretty. HA!) (AJ - yeah, he left like 3 weeks ago, and honestly, the show just isn't worth watching anymore!). Oh, one more thing, does David Cook remind you of anyone the way he does me and Amanda? Look at the guy and think about it. Chad??? (AJ - I know, this was discussed on Chad's blog like forever ago!)

I'm playing softball! I needed something else to help pass the time and it's fun so far. We had our first preseason game yesterday. We lost, but we didn't have our full team; we had to borrow players so we could play. I played catcher (too slow for outfield and our 1st baseman is our best player, which 1st is my natural position). I went 1 for 2 at the plate. So, not a bad day. We play again Saturday & hopefully we'll have our full team and win. I'll keep you updated as the season goes along.

Now for the important part of my blog. The "meat" of the blog. The reason this blog is being written (AJ - 4 weeks later). My wife! Now some of you know Amanda and some of you don't. You can read her blog and learn some things about her, but I can really fill you in on who Amanda is. I'm sure this is tough for her to type for me but I know she'll do a good job. So, Amanda Jones (formerly Amanda Bulger) is my best friend. Yes, we all say that about our spouse and most mean it. I mean it, she's my best friend. I'm not going to talk about how kind and caring and good natured Amanda is...that would take too long. I'm going to tell you what makes her my best friend.

She's funny. No...Hilarious! She acts real shy around people until she gets comfortable around you then Boom! She's a comedian (AJ - I believe this is something only Josh sees in me...I actually think I'm just as corny as he is ;o) . I'm serious! She cracks me up. Sometimes she doesn't realize she's being funny and that's endearing to me, but most of the time the woman can throw out a funny line. Her favorite movie is Dumb & Dumber..."Excuse me, Flo?" (AJ - not my favorite, but it's up there!) She can imitate just about any comedy sketch she sees, the problem is getting her to do it in front of other people (AJ - he's actually right about that...my favorite is the Target Lady on SNL, but don't ask me to do it!) And, she can do funny voices. A woman that can put me into tears from laughing...what's better? She's sarcastic and if you know me then you know she and I are meant for each other. Now, we aren't sarcastic mean, we're sarcastic funny. Ask her if it's raining when she comes inside soaking wet and you'll get a laugh. She makes up words to songs (though not as good as I can). She also makes up sign language for songs. Now that's funny stuff! (AJ - I honestly think this is stuff that only a husband with nothing but love for his wife can find amusing...that's part of the reason I love this man!)

Amanda is very organized....in her own way. Which is to say that she isn't at all, but I love her for it though b/c it keeps me on my toes. She'll go out of her way to help anyone. (AJ - Purposely leaving out a story that he jotted down b/c I don't like to "brag" about a good deed, but I am happy that Josh was proud of me for it!) The woman has a heart of gold.

Amanda and I are both Libra's, which probably doesn't mean much. But our personalities just click. We can finish each other's sentences like we're reading from a movie script :o) (AJ - I just got that baby!) Amanda is a dreamer (AJ - probably too much of a dreamer!) We all are dreamers in some way, but Amanda has big dreams (AJ - just 8 kids, cute little house on a hill with a white pickett fence and a pink pig in the yard!). Which is perfect b/c I'm a big dreamer too. It's Amanda's hopes and dreams that give her the power to melt my heart any time we talk about us. I don't know if everyone's spouse has that ability over the other, but Amanda has it over me. Just the look on her face when she talks about us....it takes me over.

Something else about my wife that I find adorable, but you might find silly, is her refusal to admit her true allegiance (AJ - I totally forgot about this part...I think Josh was inhaling paint fumes or something!) I'm not talking about to me or someone else. You see, Amanda has a small problem...she claims to be an Auburn fan (AJ - War Eagle Baby!) Are you alright? You didn't hurt yourself when you fell from your chair did you? Take a deep breath. It's true. I, Josh Jones, self-proclaimed biggest Alabama fan is married to a so-called Auburn fan. But it's ok, I promise. See, Amanda isn't an Auburn fan; she's an Alabama fan. she just claims to support Auburn to give us something to disagree about (we don't have much else). We only go to the Alabama games, she knows all of Alabama's cheers, the fight song and even some of the players names (AJ - that's just so he won't pout). We went to an Alabama-Auburn game and she did wear an Auburn t-shirt, but she only did that so Teale wouldn't feel left out (AJ - I distinctly remember that game, how about you Teale?? I think it ended in our favor...and so have the last few AU-UA games! Oh yeah, I said it, whatcha gonna do about it ;oP ) It's ok baby, you can admit it now. I know it's tough carrying that secret around, but everyone has the right to know. Amanda Jones is an AUBURN FAN! (AJ - you know what cruel name Josh had there instead of Auburn...must have been a type, or write-o since he can't type there) But isn't it sweet how she acts like an Auburn fan just so we have something to joke with each other about? I love you baby!

In all seriousness, my wife is the best! I don't know how anyone can love me as much as she does. I'm thankful everyday that I found her and she is standing by me (AJ - wouldn't have it any other way) I plan on spending the rest of my life making up for all the time we have lost over the past year.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my blog this week. Next week I'll update on softball, weight loss and my new cellie. Take care and God Bless!

Josh W. Jones