Sure Enough

I heard this morning that it was a tornado that came through Carrollton. Wow.

We Were Lucky

Last weekend, I took a trip to Macon for a Youth Minister's conference. I took this pic on the way back--it is Barbie Beach. These people have it out in front of their house, on the highway. They change the Barbies and the clothes every so often. A little strange.

Look at that short hair.

Also notice the sign in the background (if you click on the picture, it enlarges).

The above pictures are all from our storm last night. We were awoke at 4:00 a.m. to the storm sirens going off. I took a peek outside to see the strongest winds I have ever seen. We have not yet heard exactly what sort of storm it was--but the pictures above tell the story. Most of these pics are taken within a couple of blocks from our place. The large uprooted tree is about 30 yards from the church. One of the college students from our church lives in the house. In fact, he was in the room the tree smashed down upon.

The town looks much better tonight; but this morning, Carrollton was a mess. Streets were shut down, with trees and power lines down everywhere. Trees smashed into lots of houses. Our power was out for over six hours. Getting ready for this morning for church was an experience. We had worship service in the dark--that was one to remember.

We have heard a tornado went through about 10 miles south of here. We checked that out--and roofs are off of some houses down there.

All in all, we feel lucky. We woke up at the time of the worst part of the storm--but we could not get any TV or radio, so we weren't sure what was going on. The house of some friends of ours, they said, was shaking; and their trampoline was thrown a quarter-mile from their house.

If this was all just a storm, it was quite a storm.

Just thought this picture needed to be taken.

This is a familiar scene around the house these days. Jane had a summer haircut last week. It is basically a burr. She went from long hair to extremely short hair. We think it has affected her personality. She seems to be depressed now. She used to chow down her food; now she sort of grazes on it throughout the day. She sort of mopes around the house. She just, to put it simply, looks sad. Hopefully she will jump out of this quickly. We do now know that Jane is a very fit dog--was difficult to see under all of that hair.

Jane did enjoy this past Friday. We went to Johns Mountain, up north of Rome. Of course, we forgot the camera. But, the drive and the view were incredible. We drove up to the top of a mountain, then hiked a 3.8 mile loop up on top. I got me some SnoBiz--in Cedartown. Just as good as I remember it. A margarita/orange sno-cone mix. Mmmm. There is also a SnoBiz in Bowdon--not far from here. It is a super-duper SnoBiz--I have never seen anything like it.

Now This is Beautiful

This past weekend, we went to Callaway Gardens. They are about 60 miles or so south of Carrollton--a large preserve, I guess you would call it. Full of gardens and all sorts of different stuff. They have a few golf courses on it. They hosted the PGA Buick Classic a few years back. An absolutely beautiful place. We have heard about it since we moved to Georgia. Earlier last week, I took a trip with our Senior Adults at church to the area and everyone said we needed to go down there. So, the next day we did. They have an amazing-looking lodge, some cottages, and people live out there, too.

The above picture is from their Azalea Bowl region. The azaleas are in bloom right now--and look amazing. This is what I imagine Augusta National to look like.

This is an overlook from a highway around Callway Gardens. Franklin Delanor Roosevelt moved down to this area right before he began his presidency--and had a little white house--something they now call "Little White House," a play on words from the presidential White House. This is one of the places that the Senior Adult group went to. I have some pictures from there-to post later.

Back to the Gardens . . . this is a picture from the chapel they have on the grounds.

Back to the Azalea Bowl area . . . pictures really do not do it justice.

More azaleas . . .

Have to turn your head sideways--sorry. A really interesting white flower.

They have a building that has butterflies flying all around in it--you can walk around in there. Pretty neat. Lauren loved it. She got to talking to a lady from Alabama in there. The lady told Lauren she drove through Texas once and, "saw some places she would never live in." She asked Lauren if she knew where Abilene is--said she could never live there. She was probably taken back a bit when Lauren told her we lived there seven years.

Jane and Lauren by some statue . . . should probably be able to remember what the statue is.

Jane and I. She had a fun day--walking all around the gardens . . . but wow did she sleep on the way home.

They have a vegetable garden on-site. They did not have much growing right now. They sell what they grow in their Country Store.

About 10 miles south of Callway Gardens. Ha.

Have never seen this before--the little red light in between the two bigger ones. I have seen little lights off to the side in Georgia that you can see as you come around corners, where red lights are located directly on curves. But not this. As best we can tell--we think it is a red-light camera.

Wow, did we see some signs. If we turned around and snapped all of the pictures we saw, we could do a separate blog just for them. We wanted to get a truck painted as an American flag; but it was gone on our way back through.

Afterwards, we went down to Columbus--had never been there before. I got me some Mazzio's Pizza--had not had that in forever. And wow, was it good. Tasted just like I remember it. Must not be too many of those around. I have seen one in Georgia (Newnan). Don't know when the last time I saw one was before that. There used to be a Chicken Express in Columbus--we were pumped about going down there--but it must have went under, because there is no sign of it on the internet anymore. But not to worry--there are some out in eastern Georgia--we'll have to make it to one before too long.

--be

Texas, O Texas

First, the dog pictures. Miss Jane with us . . .
Jane seems to really be coming to life. She is getting a little more feisty and more animated, which makes us feel good. I think she is liking her new home and new peoples.

Kevin-Dog, celebrating Conley's big day.

Lauren went to Texas a couple of weeks ago to see family over Spring Break . . . and got to go to her niece's (Conley's) first birthday party.

Here is Conley with one of her birthday presents.

This past weekend, we went to Hamilton for Jana's wedding.

It was a long weekend with lots of work to be done--but it was very nice. We got to see lots of friends and family. It was a lot of fun.

Well we are sitting here watching the Mavs play the Lakers. I swear-they better not lose. They play the Lakers, Celtics, and Spurs this week--this week will tell us a lot.

--be

So, It's Been a While

Yeah, we know--it's been a while. Sorry. We just really have not had much to blog about--no big trips, no big happenings--just good ol', normal life. I started to write after the New Baptist Covenant a couple of weeks ago--but I just never got around to it. That was really cool--we got to see lots of friends--many of them from all around Texas--it was so good to see them all. That was a really great week--great speakers, great sessions, great food, great friends.

Lauren is in the flow of school. I am in the flow of work. Life is moving along. We continue to feel more and more settled in--more and more comfortable.

We took a trip this past weekend--to see Cloudland Canyon State Park in the northwest corner of Georgia, close to Chattanooga, Tennesse, a little over two hours from here. We, along with Miss Jane, hiked five miles. We are feeling it today--but we really enjoyed it.
Lauren, Jane, and a long ways off.

How about that waterfall?

Another waterfall

The best we could do to get us in a picture of the canyon

Having fun

One of many signs that we wanted to get a picture of. I do not think this needs any comment.

Hope all of you out in internet-land are doing well.

--be

Last Wednesday's Snow

Snowy Winter in the South

So it snowed today. And it snowed Wednesday. They say it has not done this in years. And, it is supposed to snow again later this next week. Good grief. We called church off Wednesday night and are only having the 11:00 a.m. service tomorrow. Here is snow in Carrollton:

Our front door:

Jane (Yeah, we got us a name):

Lookin' out our front door:

I have some other pictures of the snow from earlier in the week that I hope to post soon.

Lauren and Jane:

Jane has had a bit of a rough week. We took her to the groomer on Thursday, in hopes of cutting down on the shedding around this joint. We did not really accomplish that--we just made her look a bit like a boy. They clipped her hair extremely short--to the point that she was absolutely shivering and shaking from the cold when we picked her up and put her in the truck. While there, the groomers told us they thought she was pregnant (something we had wondered, as her belly has gotten significantly larger over the past week).

Well, yeah, we freaked out. A dog having puppies on a hardwood floor without any sort of access to the outside, a garage, or anything of that short. Well, just not really possible. We were not sure what were going to do. So, she went to the vet on Friday. They said she was not pregnant. She was spayed and given more vaccinations than a newborn (okay, probably not--but this is my first time around the block experiencing first-hand all of the things that actually go into sustaining the life of a dog). She now has a really big scar--and she acted completely loopy yesterday--took a while for the anethesia to wear off (that was really funny).

We found the second place in Carrollton (or Georgia for that matter) that has beef brisket. Not quite as good as the first . . . and definitely no Smoke Shack or Sonny Bryan's or Dickey's. But hey-at least, they are trying. They have seen the light--and it is called beef brisket. I am getting a little more accustomed to this Brunswick Stew stuff. It is a bit weird--but does not taste too bad.

--be

We're Getting Nowhere Here

We still do not have a name for the dog. Tomorrow will be a week. We have thought of everything we can think of . . . we think. Right now, "Jane" seems to be the frontrunner--but I don't know. She kind of looks like a Jane--but not really sure 'bout that one.

My vote is for "Waffles." The second day we had her, she jumped up and stole three of my waffles off of my plate at dinner, then ran off with them. I figured that should be her name. However, that one did not work out. She has come out of her shell. The first day she was extremely nervous. Not so anymore.

She could be the perfect dog--no barking, no jumping up on you, no going to the bathroom in the house. She just lays there, lets you pet her. No freaking out. Nothing. The only downside is she sheds a good bit. We have swept the house more this last week than we have since we have been here. But we are getting her groomed on Thursday--hopefully that will help.

Lauren is back full into the swing of school . . . I am back into the swing of work. What does that really mean to be back into the "swing" of something. Makes no sense.

Well you might think I would take this opportunity to rant about the Cowboys and their ridiculous performance (if you even want to call it a performance this past Sunday). But, no, I will not do so. I will simply say that living a good distance away from the sports teams you support can be a good thing when they collapse (as Randy Galloway calls it--the biggest collapse in the town of Loserville--bigger even that the Mavs collapse last year)--see, when you live in an area that is dominated by other teams, you do not have to hear about the Cowboys defeat 24/7. It is not all over the TV, radio, and is not what everyone is talking about. People that know you just do not even bring it up because they know you are hurting.


--be

The Unnamed Canine

Say hello to the newest resident in the Edwards' householdr. We would tell you her name--but we are not sure of it yet. Maybe you have an idea? Let us know. The pound gave her the name, "Cinnabon"--but she does not respond to it--so it seems that we are free to call her what we want. We are not sure yet.

We picked her up this morning from the pound and took her straight to the pet supply store, so we could see which travel carrier she would fit in. She got loose in the parking lot; and (no lie) we came very close to not having our unnamed friend tonight. She shot off; and we are lucky to have gotten her back. Rather traumatic. I think I will move on without talking about it anymore--not a fun experience. Something we will laugh about . . . later on.

She has been pretty nervous all day long. Lauren has been able to stay her at the loft with her all day long. She has spurts of wanting to come out of the corner to say hello and mill about around the loft--but she has stayed fairly close to her new corner of the place throughout the day. She has sat by Lauren some as she has studied.

So . . . there you go.

--be