We're Home!

We had a blast this last week, but we were also very ready to return home. Of course Alex told me Saturday night he was ready to go back. Bri got up this morning with a fever and a cough, since Deb left sick with a cough and a fever I can only suspect that she has the same thing. Anyway, it was still a lot of fun, but we are all just worn out.

As you can see this is the outside of the CNN building. Since they have security that would rival protecting the worlds greatest secrets I was not allowed to take to many other pictures once we got behind the scenes. I took a few on the worlds longest suspended escalator before being told rather loudly that NO PICTURES WERE ALLOWED. Oops must have missed the sign. We had to go through metal detectors and have our bags checked, she said nothing about the camera, so I guess I just assumed it was fine. Anyway, it was fun to see behind the scenes and we saw many of the people we see on television, we got to see them before they were actually live and one seems to have a very nervous habit with his nose. Deb and I were very amazed with the security guards, they followed our tour all through the building, and they carry guns, we really were surprised by that one. They even have an Atlanta police station within the CNN complex. The complex also has a mall area with food, bookstores, CNN stores, and the Omni hotel has balconies that look onto the mall courtyard. They told us this used to be an ice skating rink. The escalator used to be the way to get into the pinball ride for the amusement park that used to be in the building as well. I will be posting more pics later on Shutterfly. We had a blast, especially Alex.


We took some time to check out the Pine Mountain Gold Museum. We found out that Georgia is the forgotten gold rush. There is still 80% of the gold in the Georgia hills, so we thought about going on a gold mine hunt, but it was just too cold that day. They actually let you do some gold mining, but the water was frozen. They had a working water wheel, but it was not working well due to the frozen water. This wagon that the kids are standing in front of is actually a working covered wagon. They have two oxen they hook up to the wagon and at certain times and take kids for a ride in it. Great museum and we learned a lot about the gold mining times. Did you know that Pine Mountain actually is on a fault line? We didn't, thought that was interesting.

Meet the General! We saw the General at the Kennesaw Civil War Museum and Locomotive Museum. We saw all kinds of guns, uniforms, and pictures from the Civil War. We even saw a picture of Atlanta after Sherman's March. The rail lines were so destroyed, not just burned, they actually pulled and twisted the metal so that the only choice would be to put new track in. The General was damaged, but restored and put back into service after the Civil War. It was truly awesome to see! They had a telegraph office, two actually, and the boys had fun sending telegraph messages to each other.

Meet the Coca Cola polar bear. The girls got their picture made with him, I declined, though he kept trying to encourage us adults to come for a picture. I commented on what a beautiful bear he was to Eddie. The bear heard and came around the line and out to where I was standing to hug me. I laughed and told him how I loved him. I got a big bear hug literally. He even closed his eyes. The eyes were gorgeous, and could open and close. The person working this outfit was outstanding! He even sniffed one of our kids, which they found very funny.

We also went to the Georgia Aquarium and saw many amazing things. These are Japanese crabs and I know I don't want to find these on the beach! They looked like something off Sci Fi.

These were the piranhas and in an effort to get a picture of Alex we had him look for their teeth, which he actually did amazingly enough.

I think the highlight of the trip for all the kids was riding Marta. Why you ask, because they can't do this at home! We went to the Peachtree Center where the longest escalator in the south is. So we got to see the longest freestanding escalator and the longest escalator in the South, all right here in Atlanta. Of course, Marta did not care if we took pictures. Just keep in mind that pulling out a camera in Marta screams tourist. The people here were very friendly and actually posed for us, even though were actually trying to get pictures of the kids who had to ride this escalator a couple of times. Okay if I had known they would be so easily and cheaply entertained we would have done this all week long. On our last day we rode Marta from the end of the East line to the end of the West line, because we could and the kids were begging. As long as you never exist the train it is a one fare price. They also thought the breeze cards were cool because you only had to tap them and it would open the doors for you. The woman that got off at the same stop we did laughed when the kids begged to ride the North/ South line and we refused. She said she rides it everyday and there is no joy in it for her. She told us that she could either pay $90 a month to park in Atlanta or let her company pay the monthly fee to ride Marta, it was a no brainer for her. The kids thought it would be awesome to ride Marta everyday. Personally, I don't feel that way at all! Of course it was easier to get around Atlanta since we did not have to worry about finding parking. We did do lots of walking though.

We also went to the Museum of High Art, I nearly forgot that. We saw the Terracotta army. It was very nice and we enjoyed it, but again no pictures were allowed. Another place we went one afternoon was a trip up to Decatur Georgia to the World Market. I was going to take pictures, but oddly enough they don't allow pictures either. I love this place. Anytime you go to Atlanta I would suggest going here and checking it out. It is about a 30 to 40 minute drive past Atlanta. The spices here are super cheap. Eddie and I stocked up on many spices. We also found some really good coffee and 50lbs of potatoes for $13. The coffee was not necessarily cheap, just coffee you don't find just anywhere. There are things from all over the world here. We found sugar cane and got one for the kids to try. They have some very odd things as well such as some sort of seaweed to eat. A friend of ours who used to live in Georgia told us about it and we met her there and did some shopping. She told us she really missed this place and every time she is coming she makes a list of things she needs from there. Her sister still lives in Georgia, not too far from this market, so she usually goes when she is visiting her.

Well that is our trip in a rather large nutshell. I will post many more pics if your interested later today hopefully. I hope all of you had a great week and I hope to see or talk with you soon! Until then blessings to you and yours.

Adventures

Hi Guys,

The kids and I are off in Georgia this week and are having a great time. We got here Saturday night and basically got in our villa and got set up and hung out. The boys are having a blast playing video games until wee hours or their eyes pop out, which ever come first.

Sunday we went to Sweetwater Creek State Park and went on a hike which took us past some ruins of the New Manchester. This was a place that manufactured Confederate Uniforms during the Civil War, until the Union came and took the workers prisoner and burned it down. We then hiked down to the falls which were very pretty, but not really like falls as I was thinking falls. It was a very nice day and we had a great time.

Monday was all about The American Girl Store. We went there, the girls shopped with money they have been saving up from Christmas, allowance, or any way they could find to get people to give them money. Bri got Julie's ears pierced, and bought her a couple of outfits, a going away bag, "because mom she has to be able to brush her teeth" and it also has a retainer case in this bag. She also got Julie's room accessories. I bought her a pair of house shoes that match her pajamas from Christmas and a book that I think she will need in the coming years. It is a book called the The Care and Keeping of You and explains all about the changes she will encounter in the puberty years. We also had lunch in the Bistro which was very good. The boys went into the mall and did some shopping of their own. Alex bought himself a new game, and a t-shirt, and they ate lunch in the food court.

Today it is just a cold day, though it is beautiful. Everyone has just wanted to hang out here, the girls playing with their dolls, and the boys playing video games. We watched the Inauguration, and took a nap. Then had a bite to eat. I think in a few minutes we will head down to the recreation center where there is air hockey, basketball, Foosball, puzzles, books, etc. We had originally planned to go pan for gold, but it was just too cold. Atlanta had Inauguration events today so we decided to stay out of there as well. Deb and I actually suggested many things, and did lots of research and then realized we were the only ones wanting to go anywhere, lol.

The place where we are staying is just awesome! We are in a house really. It has 3 bedrooms, family room, kitchen, dining room, and two full baths. They call them villas. My room is the master suite and has a bathroom with a jacuzzi tub in it. Deb's room has a full bed with a bathroom attached, this is also the bathroom off the hall, much like the bath at Highland upstairs. Each of these rooms have a private screened in balcony. The girls claimed the loft room, you take the spiral staircase up and you are in their room which has two twin beds in there. The room is a very nice size, bigger than either of my kids rooms at home. They have plenty of space to play, and have both of their dolls set up in their own space with all their new stuff. The boys have taken over the family area with video games and the pull out couch. Like I said they are in there until the wee hours usually. From my balcony, and windows I can see the lake, Lake Tara. This resort is within a gated community of about 10,000 homes, and 40 miles of roads, it has a park, 2 or 3 lakes, swimming pool, restaurant, and rec center, and of course a country club. It is really a city all on its own just about. We told the kids we were hanging out with the rich this week, so they needed to act like it. Perhaps that was a bad idea as they immediately started acting like dorks. Anyway, we are having a blast! I hope to post more of our adventures in the coming days, but the next few days may be quite full, and its hard to wrestle my computer away from everyone. When I lay claim to it you would think I was Attila the Hun! I may hide it tonight, lol.

I hope all of you are having a blessed and wonderful week!

Economics

Hey Guys,

I wanted to share what I learned today. Let me give you some background. As some of you know Alex is studying economics. When I was trying to decide on his economics curriculum I wanted something that was not dry and boring. I don't remember economics from school and certainly don't understand most of the economic news in the political terms they like to give it in. Whatever Happened to Penny Candy came highly recommended from a friend and she even had a book they were no longer using so I bought it from her. This is a series of books actually, but she only had the one. Alex and I have liked these books so well we bought the whole series of books. As he finishes the books he has been passing them back to me and I have been reading them. They are written in layman's terms and I can really understand it. In fact I understand more about the economy than I ever have. I understand how and why the the current economic situation is very similar to the economic situation that started the Great Depression, why the roaring 20's were actually called the roaring 20's, and did you know that a tip from a shoe shine boy saved the Kennedy wealth? All this has been so interesting to me. Anyway, today I learned about the reality of a two income family. Now I'm in no way trying to put anyone down that needs to work, or wants to work, I'm just sharing an interesting tidbit I learned today. So here it is as quoted from Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

Until the 1970s, most families were able to improve their standard of living with only one adult working outside the home. In the 1970s, '80s and '90s, mothers and wives got paying jobs, usually on the assumption they were helping support their families. Try this. Add up the total taxes your household pays - state and federal income tax, sales tax, property tax and any others you can find (remember that many taxes are "hidden taxes" that aren't easy to identify). Compare the total taxes paid with the total wages earned. Chances are you will find that one spouse is supporting the household, and the other is supporting the government."

So if you are considering taking a job to help out, maybe check this out and just see if that is true. I would be very interested in if this were true, so if you work and would like to share that info I would love to hear about it.

Blessings,

Lisa

Happy New Year

Hey Guys! I have not fallen off into some deep abyss, but of course I have talked with most of you recently so you would know that! Anyway, I hope all of you have had a great start to the New Year! Our year has started out pretty good. This week we are trying to get back into the swing of things, such as school and activities associated with that, and getting back into eating right, and mostly eating at home! I got sick during the week of Christmas and just did not feel like cooking, and since Eddie was sick too it was pretty much take-out anything. This was not good for the pocketbook or the waistline. We survived though. Currently my car is not working and is jacked up in the driveway. Eddie is trying to replace a part, which he got off but can't get the new one on as it is in a very hard to reach place. Since it has been raining alot, and he is at work until after dark, it will probably be Saturday before it is working again. Of course, Alex has been only too happy to drive me around in his car! He got a new radio for Christmas and it came with a remote, which is just the silliest thing to me. Anyway, he thinks it is really cool. On the way home the other day he said "look mom" and he proceeded to turn the radio up with the remote. I asked him why he did not lean forward and just turn the knob, his reply, "its easier to keep the remote beside you and you don't even have to move, its easier mom". Heaven forbid he move oh maybe two inches. Oh well, it is a nice radio, I would not mind having it personally, of course I care very little about the remote. For my car I got a TomTom, which I think is wonderful as getting lost is a common occurrence for me.

Most of our activities have started back this week and school has too, but it has just been tough getting everyone going again. Bri is working on multiplication in math, and she just really hates it. Of course she used to hate subtraction, but she likes it more now. She loves division, which I personally hate, I would rather multiply. She spent a couple of hours Monday on science, of course she loves science. Then yesterday due to all the rain and a rough time of possible tornadoes she had her day cut short. Of course while we were in the basement due to the tornado warning, I went into the washroom and found it was filling with water. Upon further investigation I found that the water was coming in through the back door and had drenched our carpet, it was puddling around my feet. Alex went out and dug trenches to drain the water away and I started moving things around to start pulling water out of the carpet. Bri wanted to know when I could help her with her spelling and history lessons. I told her I guess she had the rest of the day off as I had to tend to this. Her reply, YES, can I play on the computer? Oh to be a kid and oblivious to the troubles of life. Alex was so happy to be out in the rain and mud digging and I was so happy to be moving things about and trying to soak water into towels, not! I called Eddie, who thankfully made it home shortly thereafter with a new shop vac in hand. He thought I was exaggerating, until he got here. Mostly the carpet is still damp, but not anything like it was. He thinks we may save it, but if not, I'm thinking of maybe putting linoleum in the office as this area is so prone to get water under the door when it rains really bad. At least until we can figure out how to permanently fix the problem that makes water come under the door. Eddie has ideas, but I'm not sure I could explain them well here. With all of this activity and the fact that the roads were awful and the rain was still pouring we missed our first karate lesson of the new year. The kids were a little disappointed, but not too bad. Of course after seeing the kids in their first piano lesson for the new year, well let's just say it was probably for the best.

So today we will try again, and try to get our history and spelling in first to make up for yesterday. We are planning to make the next karate lesson tomorrow, and park day on Friday. Brianna's art teacher wanted to wait until next week before starting that back, which I think is great! Eddie hopes to get my car running again this weekend, hopefully before the full Saturday afternoon kicks in.

On anther subject, I'm happy to report that I have managed to shell two 5 gallon buckets of pecans! Of course, I have filled them right back up so you can't really tell that I emptied anything, unless you look in the freezer! We were at the store this weekend and Eddie jokingly handed me a bag of unshelled nuts, 1lb for 5 or 6 dollars, I can't remember. I do remember being thankful for my pecans though! Not much else is being done, other than routine house work and laundry, everything else is piling up while I try to keep the nuts picked up and shelled. The kids help some, but they are so tired of picking up nuts, and shelling them well they don't do so well with, they usually crush the nut. Bri says it hurts her hands, and Alex will do it if he is told too, otherwise forget it. I did get a Gopher, which makes it easier to for me to pick them up, at least for my poor aching back. Papa asked me yesterday if it would not be better for me to move the back more so that it did not stiffen, as that was what was best for him. I told him the constant bending over was making my back hurt more. As a matter of fact, my back has been in pain everyday so long that I honestly can't remember the last time it did not hurt. He laughed and said he could understand that too. Poor man he has arthritis really bad and winter is really hard on him. He told me that was probably part of my problem as the weather really messes with your bones. This morning it hurts so bad that I'm basically running the house and kids from my chair right now, but I'm going to have to get up and do some yoga moves in a minute to loosen the muscles. That really does seem to help somewhat. Of course it would really help not to move boxes of books and furniture too, but it had to be done in order to get the water out of the house!

Well until next time........

Bass Pro Shop

This afternoon we decided to go and see the new Bass Pro Shop. Have any of you been? This place is HUGE! Eddie and his friends call this the Redneck Disney World, and I'm sure I looked like a redneck walking around taking pictures, but I just could not help myself. The scenes they set up were just so cool! Check out the pictures. The picture to the right is actually a painting on one of the walls.

This was a scene set going from the 1st floor to the 2nd. They had animal scenes, and fish scenes all through the store.

This is the stairs, they almost look like they are in the woods.

Okay now one of our main reasons to go was to see Santa. They had a cool set up with BB guns, crafts, letters to Santa, trains and of course Santa himself.

Bri wrote a letter to Santa while dad kept telling her to ask Santa for a bass boat for him. She told him he needed to do that himself, but since he just would not stop she asked him. Eddie took a picture of the letter while she wrote, I found it very funny. If any of you still have not seen Santa, as it occurred to me today that we had not, I would recommend this place. The line did not take that long, and you get to drool over bass boats and pontoon boats while you are in line. Personally the pontoon boat with leather couches is more to my liking, but Eddie likes the faster than light bass boats. Now, when you fish aren't you supposed to sit and wait? So why do you need a big fast, fancy boat?

In addition to getting to see the big jolly elf you get a FREE 4x6 photo and you can take all the pictures you want while the child is in Santa's lap. The picture is good quality and on the back of the card they put your picture in is a number. You can get on their website and put in the code and see your pictures and of course buy some if you like. You don't have too, but you do have that option. The prices are not too unbearable either. While we wondered around this store checking out all the things there we found an area where they were giving away basically a trip. It is in the Outdoor Traveler Center. For $59 you have one full year to take a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC; Smoky Mountains; Orlando; Las Vegas; or Charleston. You can pick one destination, there may be more, I can't remember all of them. The $59 is for a 3 day/2 night weekday stay and you receive a $25 gift certificate to the Bass Pro Shop. Okay, what is the catch you ask, well you do have to go to a sales pitch about time shares, I actually thought this would turn Eddie away, but it didn't. They told us less than an hour, unless you show interest, so unless you plan to buy DON'T show any interest. You do have to book it between a Sunday - Thursday, but you could book it on a Thursday arrival and get the weekday rate for Friday night as well, you could also book additional nights at a discounted rate. We chose to take the deal and plan to go to the Smoky Mountains either in the Spring or Fall, we have 30 days to book our trip so we will need to make our plans over the next few weeks. The only out of pocket expense for you is you do have to pay the taxes and any other hotel expenses you incur. Of course, the trip expense is all yours too, but the place to stay is pretty cheap. To qualify you have to be over 25, and make 40+ a year. They do not check on the salary or your credit, it is an honesty thing, if you tell them you make that they will take you on your word. He told us if you tell them you make less they will turn you away. We spoke with Steven Hall, he is the manager and he is a very nice guy. He told us that anyone who came and signed up for the trip and told them we referred them then we got an additional $10 gift card, so if you go up there and qualify please give them mine and Eddie's name. If your interested and want to talk to me about it just give me a call.

Okay end of the sales speech, just thought some of you may be interested.

Blessings,

Lisa

Christmas Time

Okay, this pictures is just to show you that yes, Alex is still around. He just rarely lets us get pictures! This is after the Tide Rolled over Auburn 36-0. He really is happy and so is Dalton, they just HATE pictures!

I even completely understood the obnoxious problem Alex had with Auburn fans. While waiting for his lab class Wednesday two obviously Auburn boys walked up, Alex knew them, I did not, and just started in on how awful Alabama was, "they were going to the National Championship, but they lost, how great are you now?" I saw Alex getting mad, but he handled himself very well. I reminded them they lost to Alabama 36-0, and then their coach quit. One just nodded and went on, the other one kept going he refused to give up. I told him they were good last year, but this year his team really stunk. We lost one game, so far, but we beat Auburn, and that was all that mattered. I guess he was just upset because his team REALLY stunk this year, so bad that his coach even stepped away. Okay, so maybe I was a little hard, but he would not let up and after 6 long years we have the bragging rights back, so look out. If you start something with us, we will finish it! Alex, by the way was very pleased. "I told you they were obnoxious", "I really don't like those guys, but for some reason they look for me and Dalton every time to hangout with us." ROOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!

These girls were invited to decorate a tree in an 1800s cabin by the Jefferson County Historical Society. They are sitting in front of their completed tree. They did a great job! Ms. Grunge was so surprised, she did not expect so many ornaments made by the girls, we even had to place ornaments around the rest of the house because they just would not fit on the tree. Good job girls!

I love a Christmas Parade! We went to the Gardendale Christmas Parade last week. It was beautiful. We met some friends and had dinner at Chik-Fil-A and then went outside to watch the parade. It as FREEZING. We had no feeling in our hands or feet until we were nearly home. Yes we had sock, shoes, and gloves on. It was just really cold. Bri even asked if she would get frostbite on her fingers. Okay, I thought it was funny, but that was how cold it was.

This is a masterpiece by Ms. Brianna. She did an awesome job I think! She did this all by herself! Her elves left her a gingerbread house kit and she went to town with it. I did not post the pics of dad eating the leftover icing, or the dog begging under the table. This is the house that the elves nearly ate up this week. No she is not mad, she thought it was funny. Like I said, I REALLY believe they had help!

Well that is pretty much what we have been doing so far during this holiday season. Yesterday we went shopping with Granny. We had a great day. It has been a VERY long time since we have had a day to hangout with her. We pretty much wrapped up our Christmas shopping too! The kids got a few things early for Christmas in the form of Christmas outfits, PJs, and just a few fill-in clothes that were needed. I told them they needed to let me wrap them and put them under the tree or they would not have much Christmas morning, but they said they did not care, they knew what it was already! Well with two posts in one day, I fairly used up my "busy looking" time. The natives are starting to hunt me down, so I guess I should go and get things moving for the day. One of which is most likely a visit to Santa. I realized this morning we have not seen Santa yet and 2 weeks left before the big day, well I have one very anxious girlie!

I hope each of you have a very blessed week, as you prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

Lisa

Christmas Elves

I'm still around, we've just been so busy with the preparations of Christmas and the wrapping up of school activities. I'm happy to say next week is so quiet, at least from a school standpoint, that crickets are actually chirping on that part of my calendar! Of course it is Christmas, and as Eddie so profoundly put it, "I'm sure you'll find something to do." Oh yes honey, I already have!

So I know you noticed the Christmas elves title, and as a tradition in our family, as many of you know, we have two little elves that spend time with us at Christmas time. These little elves have provided many hours of fun and laughter to all of us. They came this year and started out a little slow, they made a few messes, and left a few gifts, but they were fairly quiet. A couple of nights they did not even leave their beds. So I guess they were tired when they arrived here. Boy, have they rested up. Over the last few days they have eaten ALL of the candy off the Gingerbread House that Bri built so carefully. Of course, I think Bri and her friend Dae ate a few pieces of the candy and just let the elves take the blame. They built a ski ramp on our stairs and sprinkled their snow all over the stairs. Last night they even tried to take credit for giving Bri and I earrings that we bought for ourselves yesterday. Yes sir, they put mine in a box complete with bows, and put Bri's earrings in their ears. Then they drew a mustache on sleeping Brianna. I guess they were fairly tired after their day, so they made themselves a marshmallow bubble bath in the sink and were found lounging in there this morning, complete with soap stuck in their clothes. Yes they have truly been stinkers lately!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas Season!