Adjustments

Ok, based on initial feedback, I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and bought the 2 candle holders/candles on the right side of the table (I needed height I am told & now I agree!). I moved the lamp to the left side and moved a taller picture frame over there. I like it so much better already. I am pouring thru websites that sell sconces -- who knew there were so many? Bad news: During the night or early morning, I heard a bang! Kenny said it must be Jewel. I quickly went back to sleep. Early this afternoon I noticed that my new shelf and frame had fallen off of the wall :( Not sure if Jewel tried to climb up there or what. Anyway, Kenny goes back to work on it soon. Let me know what you think of the adjustments! (Thanks Nita) :) :)

Decorating Update

Ok, so remember back when I first got to GA and asked for help with my decorating? So many of you left me comments and e-mailed me and I tried to follow so much of your advice. So, here is an update, PLEASE let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for "finishing it off". What about to the sides of the big mirror behind the couch? I know there were suggestions about "sconces" (or is it "scounces"?), but I just haven't seen anything that I thought would work. Also, do the things on the sofa table in front of the mirror need to be higher? There's just something that I can't put my finger on. Also, we haven't found anyone to hang the TV over the fireplace yet, so we'll see about that. Thank you so much for your suggestions. Oh, I just watched the video, it's pretty dark, maybe I need to take it over again in the daylight -- let me know what you think.

The Zoo

Coming from STL which has the best zoo in the country, and it's free, I was wondering what I would find in ATL. It is much smaller than the STL zoo, which for those of us who get tired easily, is not necessarily a bad thing. The highlights were the pandas and my favorite, the giraffes!

This goat was a little bigger than the "normal" goats I am used to seeing in the kids' "brushing the goats" area. Yikes, when it started eating the tree, it was time to make a break for the "out" gate.

Next Stop? Fat Matt's Rib Shack

My tour of what I have seen so far in the Atlanta area continues...to a place we went to w/my sister & family. Why Fat Matt's Rib Shack you may ask? Well the story goes like this: Shayna has a friend named Matt. I don't think he's fat, but Shayna somehow knew about this place and wanted to get a "Fat Matt's T-Shirt"???? So, on our way to, I think the Aquarium (pix l8r), we found the hole in the wall and here it is...

The ribs were tasty -- I didn't care for the pork sandwich that Kelsie ordered (yeah, I had to taste it). But one of the best things about Atlanta? You can find my favorite drink almost everywhere...FOUNTAIN COKE!!!

Lake Lanier

Finally I am posting the Lake Lanier pictures -- when Ron & Vicky came to visit in July, we found a wonderful lake which is about the proverbial "20 mins away".

This last picture is for my dad -- he always finds interesting birds wherever they travel in Florida and he takes pix of them -- very cool -- so I have tried to start doing that, here's my attempt. Anyway, we all had fun -- watching the tubing was great fun.

Best Wishes

Congratulations and Best Wishes to my brother and Dora who were married last Saturday -- Wish I could have been there!

A Few Moments in Time

It has been a week filled with many emotions. It's been exciting, scary, encouraging, sad, happy, busy. Right now Kelsie is at her 1st babysitting job since we arrived in GA. She was very excited and I am excited for her. Cam is spending the night at our next door neighbor's house. I guess they are settling in. They have both come home happy from school each day. Of course I ask Cam every day...how was school? "It was ok", he says in passing. So I asked him, "what would have to happen at school for you to tell me it was a good or great day?" "We would have to do NO SCHOOLWORK." Ah, I said, guess I shouldn't hold out for that. One last thing for tonight: There was a "back to school" pizza party tonight at our pool. I laughed to myself as I walked in and my eyes happen to catch a group of 5th grade girls watching Cam come in and "softly" screaming to each other "Cameron's here" "hey! Cameron's here" "Cameron's here". Oh my, what are we in for?

1st Days of School in Georgia

Hi -- the kids did well at school today, praise the Lord. Cam gave it an "8 out of 10", so that's great! Kelsie, well, keep in mind she would give school in STL a "5 or 5.5 out of 10"; she gave her day today a "4.5 out of 10". Cam had 3 other "new kids" in his class, which I thought was cool. Kelsie met a couple of other "new kids" too. They both came off their buses smiling, so I count that as blessings. I have pics, I'll try and post tomorrow night...for now, I'm going to bed :) Oh, in case you care...I had a good day myself. Kenny said that I was making friends today too :) LOL. My neighbors are very nice and have been very kind to me, I am thankful for that too. I missed the "kindergarten moms" annual breakfast this morning (we met when Cam and their kids were in kindergarten and now they are in 5th grade!), but I chatted with a couple of my friends while they were at breakfast and it made me feel good that they didn't forget me :) They even prayed for us all here. WOW! And thanks to others who have called and e-mailed today -- it means a lot to me. And thanks for all of the prayers!

Reader Warning: The Following May Cause Fainting...

I believe I promised a recipe and I have decided to post Recipe #1 today. (With my sister & family (9 of them) gone, what else do I have to do but cook???) HAHAHA! Don't get too excited, I am only living up to my "1 recipe promise"...where we go from here, well, guess you will have to stand by. BTW, however, as I type this, I also have enchiladas cooking in the oven (like I said, reader warning, may cause fainting).

By Far the Best Banana Bread Ever Made
(no idea where I got this recipe from, otherwise I would give credit)

2/3 C. butter (yes, butter, not country crock)
2 eggs
1 C. sugar
2 C. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla (the real kind, not imitation)
3 ripe bananas
1/2 C. (or more) (or none) chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts, yum!)

Mix together butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla. Mix together flour, salt, soda, baking powder. Mix those 2 bowls together. Smoosh up the bananas, add to the other stuff; add nuts if you are adding them. Mix it all up again. Pour mixture into 2 very well greased bread pans (or do like I do because I don't like cleaning up messes, line the pans with wax paper); fill each 1/2 full. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 45 mins. Stick a toothpick in the middle to see if it comes out clean. YUMMY and very fattening, so have plans to give some away so you are not eating 2 loaves of this bread...I have been known to do it.

ENJOY!!!

PS: GO CARDINALS!!! We MUST beat these Cubs to a pulp today and tomorrow!

$$$$$

Well, our friends the STL Linn's were nice enough to stop by our mailbox on their way to ATL, and pick up our last piece of mail. Let's just say that SOMEONE misses me...

Background: Calverton Park is a village just outside of Ferguson, MO where our Church home is. Let's just say that they are known for scamming as much $ as they can from weary travelers, just trying to get to Church on Sundays and Wednesdays.

The Village of Calverton Park

Greetings,

How are you doing? It has been a while since our employees have had a chance to be of service to you. Our office staff grew especially fond of receiving correspondence from that radio personality friend of yours who happens to double as an attorney. We have heard a rumor that your vehicles have possibly relocated. We sincerely hope this is not the case.

In an effort to become a kinder and gentler municipality, (you know – just like the IRS) we have taken it upon ourselves to improve our customer relations. What can we do to get you moving quickly through Calverton Park? Due to the recent economic downturn, our budget has not met expectations. We have researched our files and discovered that you, one of our better customers have been missing. What can we do to get you moving quickly through Calverton Park?

Due to your absence, we have been forced to make drastic cuts in our programs including, but not limited to, not filling the pool with over 2 feet of water, issuing bicycles to our finest officers and raising funds with a lemonade stand on every corner. We are considering a garage sale in the near future (we got the idea from a church down the street that sent a bunch of kids to camp). How many candy bars would you like to buy to support our Golden Age Citizens of Calverton Park? We are also selling vacation in Calverton Park t-shirts that read, “Why go anywhere else, I live in Calverton Park.” We thought of including our new bumper stickers that you can proudly display on the bumper of your vehicle which reads, “Calverton Park, where the sun and moon always shine.” Our preschoolers colored them in hopes that the daycare center will remain open.

All of these options will not be needed if you would just come through Calverton Park (just like you have in the past). All services will be restored and we will have a large budget surplus. We hope to be seeing you soon and often. Please.

Cordially,
Calverton Park Citizens
Your Friends in North County

Stone Mountain, GA

Finally I have a few minutes to post a few things! We are having a fun and eventful week with my sister and family. Here are a few pix from our trip to Stone Mountain. Actually, we have already been to the Mountain two times! We went last week with the STL Linn's, so I have a few pix of that visit included too!







There are 3 levels to the Sky Hike -- Meredith conquered all 3!!!!



















If you click on the picture above, you can see the carving on the side of the stone. Anyone know who those guys are? So we bought passes for a year, so we will be ready when the rest of you come visit :) And to tempt you even more...I don't even have any pix of the LASER LIGHT SHOW!!! Yes, we finally made it there Ron & Vicky, Cameron is satisfied now.

Cardinals vs. Braves

First, the good news: The Cardinals took 3 out of 4 from the Braves. The bad news, of course, is that we were at the game they lost. But...we still had a great time with the St. Louis Linn's! Take a look...

We were decked out in our Cardinal red and there were a lot of other Cardinal fans there. None of them were sitting too close to us, though, so it was hard to get a rally cry together.

The Cardinals' hope for our season -- we need Carpenter and Wainwright pitching regularly! Click on the pic to enlarge it, you will get a good look at them.

Albert-0h needs no introduction. His 1st at bat, smashed a double and 2 runs scored...it started out so promising.

Can't wait for their next visit (I have more pix to post and some mail that they brought down for us...soon, soon). And we can't wait for your visit!