Live Blogging from the World's Longest Yard Sale...

hey guys,

I'm blogging live from Signal Mountain, TN where I have been since Thursday. That's right folks, I have been at the World's Longest Yard Sale and have been having a blast "yard-saling" with my mom and sister. I'll take a picture of my "loot"... but I got several southern living cookbooks, two work shirts, a bread tin from 1978 (special year) and an old window. I'm not sure what to do with the window, but I was thinking of blowing up some Scotland pics to 5x7 and putting them behind the panes. Any suggestions creative people out there?

Anyway, it's been so fun. You guys need to check out this yard sale sometime. it goes from Gadsen, AL all the way to Ohio on Hwy 127. People seriously rent U-hauls and travel the length of it. Now, I'm not that dedicated... I've stayed on Signal Mountain. Another useless fact: It was started by the Jamestown, TN Chamber of Commerce as a way to promote these small communities and has grown every year. And it's being emulated across the country. In fact, when I worked at the Monroe Chamber, we participated in a similar sale called the Peaches to Beaches yard sale that went from Culloden, GA (in Monroe county) to Brunswick on Hwy 341. I just love these ingenious Chamber people and what they do to promote their communities!

I've also spent a lot of time reading and relaxing on my mom's porch and all her birds. I've got some decent shots of the hummingbirds which I will also post on my flickr page.

Being a tourist at home...

hey guys,
Before I forget...I uploaded a bunch of photos onto my flickr site tonight. You can link to it from the right side of my blog. Some from the beach vacation, our visit with Scott's family and our fun adventure this weekend. Here's a pic of my family from our recent vacation to Amelia Island, FL. So much fun!
We practically had the beach to ourselves and the weather was perfect... not even too hot.

Scott came home Thursday and we were "tourists" in Macon today. We are doing things here that we've never done because 1) we are about to move and 2) gas is so expensive! And in case anyone asks, we did NOT eat at NuWay Weiners, one of the top tourist attractions in Macon (featured on Food Networks "Best Hotdogs in America") We went to the Ocmulgee National Monument where there are Indian mounds from the Creek Indians. Here's a pic of Scott being an "Indian"on top of the temple mound. You can see downtown Macon in the background...we couldn't believe how close this nature was to downtown!

Here's a view from the temple mound to the wetlands. I think these Indian Mounds are the highest point in Macon. :)

Then we went to Dauset Trails Nature Center near Indian Springs State Park. Great places to visit. Dauset Trails is an educational center that is free due to an endowment from a couple of wealthy individuals who wanted to share nature with everyone. There are farm animals and an animal trail, hiking, biking and horse trails. It's a great place to bring kids. Indian Springs was the first State Park in the nation and the site of where the Creek Indians signed a treaty that ceded 4.7 million acres to the State of Georgia. Then we had ice cream at this delightful shop near Indian Springs... check out these flower boxes at the ice cream shop. I want to recreate this when we move...

So what kinds of things do you do when you are tourists in your own towns?

Dark Week and Dark Knight

So I have survived my first week as a "single gal". Scott started his job last Monday and had his first Sunday today. He did an amazing job (not that I expected anything different.) It's funny, people at Ingleside never really knew Scott as a "Worship Leader"- he was the instrumental director, drama director, student band director and my personal favorite: church pianist. After our recording in June (f0r which Scott wrote and performed an incredibly powerful song) and our announcement we were leaving, people were coming up to me saying "we knew it wouldn't be long before he left... he's ready." Well, of course he was ready! He was a Worship Pastor or Worship Leader for many years before he even met me! Just not at a mega church like Ingleside. Anyway, I'm off my soap box now. Scott left early last Monday morning and then came home on Thursday night. He installed our new countertop and sinks (pictures coming soon) and mowed the grass on Friday and Saturday, then we attended a pool party for my job. After the party we met some friends for The Dark Knight.

Let me just say "Wow". First of all, I'm not typically a fan of the comic book movies. I liked the Spidermans and that was about it. Scott convinced me to watch Batman Begins while we were on vacation. I really liked it because it was so real and believable. I loved the way they delved into Bruce Wayne's psyche and explained how Batman began (hence the name.) Anyway, The Dark Knight is a continuation of that story and details the fight of Gotham's most insane criminal (The Joker) and Batman. Heath Ledger really was amazing. It's not just hype because of his death. I have always had a HUGE crush on this man. His youthful good looks, long locks and Australian accent had amazing appeal to me. I was devastated when he died. This movie was nothing like his previous roles (not that I saw Brokeback Mountain) - he really did take the Joker to another level.

Yes, Scott and my money was part of the biggest blockbuster debut EVER. $155 million. And worth every penny.

Rock Shrimp Anyone?

Hey guys,


We've been on vacation for a week and a half! Wow, it was so needed. We went to visit Scott's parents in Cocoa, FL. Of course seeing nieces,nephews and family was a highlight, as was dining out at our favorite restaurant, Dixie Crossroads. Here's a picture of the bounty (from my phone):

If you've never enjoyed rock shrimp (the middle of the plate)-it's amazing! They taste like little lobsters. Yum!

Anyway, we celebrated the 4th of July with Scott's family (pictures coming) then we met my family at Amelia Island for a week at the beach. What a wonderful time of relaxing and eating. Everyone came, including my MamaCile.

In other news, Scott started his job on Monday and his first Sunday will be the 20th. Keep us in your prayers!

An Update for you...

Hey guys,

It's been a while and I have discovered that I am NOT good at this blogging thing. And it's not for lack of things to blog about... in fact, I think it's because I have TOO many things going on TO blog about.

We have had such a whirlwind couple of weeks. We've been using our free time to get the house ready to sell. Why is it that you fix your house up for someone else? I don't get that. We've been putting off fixing up our master bath and now we are being forced to. We've done new tile, new light fixtures, new toilet and new mirrors and Scott ordered a new countertop on Saturday. Scott said that if we get a fixer upper next then our master bath will be the FIRST thing he fixes up since we did this with our first house also!

So we've been fixing up the master bath, landscaping, touching up paint, organizing, etc, etc. Friday we drove to Loganville to look at houses and boy did we find some we like! Wow, it's a buyer's market!

Saturday I had a meeting at the Chamber early and then had to go to Patriotic Sunday practice at church followed by a luncheon to honor Scott (and me, I guess). They wound up having a sort of "roast"- sharing memories and appreciation of Scott and my three years at Ingleside. Whew, I was not prepared for that one. I definitely needed tissues! Then Sunday was the Patriotic Sunday and Scott's last Sunday, so they brought us up on stage and gave us a HUGE print of Ingleside, signed and numbered by the artist and some flowers. We got a standing ovation at both services. It was a very emotional day. After church we went to the Whistle Stop Cafe with our good friends Russ and Vicki and stayed til almost 3:00. We usually have so much to do on Sundays that it was nice to relax and have a LONG lunch. ***Tourism footnote and useless fact: the Whistle Stop Cafe is the original one from the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes. It's in Juliette, GA, about 10 miles from our house. I highly recommend it! Yummy, yummy food and my friend is the manager.

Anyway, keep us in your prayers as we are in this transition. We need our house to sell to be able to buy another one. If we can sell ours, we'll definitely get a bargain in Atlanta! we'll keep you updated as we go...

A little funny for the Auburn fans...

So I was getting a biscuit at McDonald's this morning (which I never do) and I was intently driving out of the drivethru on my way to work. This little old man was standing on the corner walking out of the restaurant and he started flagging me down. I was confused by this and thinking that this man must know me, I slowed down and rolled down my window to talk to him. Well, he must have seen my "Auburn Alumni" tag on the front of my car because he proceeds to tell me this joke:

"Why won't any Auburn fans vote for Obama?"

I said, "I'm not sure, Why?"

And he said, "Because if you put a 'G' in front on his name is spells "Go Bama!"

I started laughing and drove off. How funny is that?! Any of you guys heard that one?

Big News...

Hey guys,
Nope we aren't pregnant. :) I know that's what you were thinking. Scott and I are MOVING to Lawrenceville, GA where Scott will be the Worship Pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church. We are very excited about this opportunity, sad about leaving Ingleside and Macon, and a little nervous about the transition. Check out Scott's post here with his perspective.

We really struggled with this decision between two "good" choices (staying here vs. leaving) but decided that we could make a huge impact at the church in Lawrenceville. We are excited to see what God has in store there!

Please pray for us during this transition. I will be staying until the house sells, so pray for my sanity of 1) being alone (I'm not terribly good at it) 2) keeping the house in "show" condition 3) packing and moving. There is a hilarious post that I need to share about the last time Scott left me alone to handle moving/selling a house by myself. That's another post for another day. Also, pray for Scott as he transitions to this new leadership and ministry position. I am so excited for him! We'll keep you guys posted as things progress.