Fall Break

Here are the little tikes at the apple orchard. We all had lots of fun chasing Baxter around the place while he pretended the apples were balls.

After our wild weekend with the masked Agnes Scott girls, it was time to head back to reality of sippy cups, diapers, princess tiaras and lots of goldfish. In response to the overwhelming comments and hearing how prolific of a writer Scott is, I thought I would reply to that with a couple of simple photos of kids. That should nix the entire hugeness of his ego. Because honestly, who can top photos of beautiful kids.

Here we are about to leave. Just starting to get a little cooler.

Lillee is very happy to be with Chief I Swear to Tell the Truth. We have on our lovely stickers to be able to board the Blue Haired Blue Ridge Railway!

Mom and I getting ready for a ride of a lifetime with two small children. M&Ms - check, crayons and book - check, Measuring tape for Bax - check, sippy cups - check, lots of little gadgets to keep them occupied - check.

As Willie sings his rhymes and songs, Bax sings away... I thought even the indian behind him was going to start clapping his hands.

How cute - he so enjoyed hanging out with the fishing pole. Here he is in the middle of the river.

A Great Day for a White Wedding (Guest Blog)

I begin this story of the first full day of my thirty-fifth year in medias res. We returned from the Rose wedding and decided to operate the elevators under the influence. You never know what you'll meet riding fast glass elevators after midnight.

The characters in this scene are my wife, a bottle of Amstel Light, and two masked Agnes Scott students, as we all ride the glass elevators inside the Hyatt Regency. For a moment we contemplated crashing the Agnes Scott homecoming dance that was in full swing down in the ballroom. Instead, it was off to the room to smoke a maduro on the balcony.

The story begins at 3:00 when I returned from the Rock Ranch with Bax and LG. We returned, ate a piece of birthday cake, changed into wedding guest attire, hopped in the car and arrived at the Hyatt about fifteen minutes before the wedding was to start at Piedmont Park.

However, there was just enough time to do a self-portrait in the hotel room.



Take a moment to reflect upon our camera skills with a BAC of 0.000. They only get better as that number rises.

We had a difficult time finding a parking space and in finding a parking spot at Piedmont Park, where the wedding took place. Hence, the camera was left in the car and we have no pictures of the wedding.

I'll summarize. The wedding took place at the Clara Meer Dock at Piedmont Park with swans and ducks in the lake. It was something of an intimate gathering. We did not know the families very well. We had an invite and were not exactly crashing the event, but our connection to the parties was virtually tangential. We would soon change all that. In fact, we already had.

As we waited in the parking garage, Jenn asked a random well-dressed lady to take our picture. She did, and we learned that she had flown in from Pennsylvania for this wedding. We turned on the Jenn and Scott charm, and we became fast friends. Our work began in the parking garage long before we arrived at the wedding.



Louise's picture of us as we break the ice.


Our picture of Louise after we've put the broken ice in a tumbler and poured bourbon over it.

The trip to the Clara Meer dock was quite the Odyssey. The GPS took us to the address listed in the invitation, which was near the wedding site but far away from any available parking. After a brief detour into the Piedmont Driving Club (the application is on the way), curbing the tires, and a near collision with two gay men and their rat terrier, we walked to the dock and saw the wedding.

Among this potpourri of guests was a man in all black with a cowboy hat. We thought he was a wayward family member in town for the wedding. In the middle of the wedding, we thought he got fed up and was leaving. To our surprise, he picked up a guitar and played a song to the assembled congregation. Jenn later met this future Austin City Limits performer and became his first groupie.

I wish that he hadn't starting talking to Jenn right after catching the garter.

The evening wasn't all fun and games. Since the reception was at the Michael C. Carlos Museum on the campus of Emory University, I had the opportunity to show off my former almer mater, Candler School of Theology.

BAC still 0.000 as we take pictures on the quad.

I even went and checked my old mailbox. I figured I'd have a lot of mail to read, not having been there in over ten years.

Wait, who the hell is Sarah Szhneider, and why is her mail in my box? Guess I'll have to quit hanging up on those alumni people when they call asking for donations. After this experience, I had two choices. I could go to Canon Chapel to pray over this setback, or I could go and drink my sorrows away. ...

... so here we are, at the reception.


As luck would have it, the groom is an executive for a liquor distributor. One of the guests was a broker from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who deals in fine wines and spirits. I was feeling guilty about choosing bourbon at the Carlos over prayer at the Canon. Lucky for me the minister who did the wedding was in attendance and willing to hear my confession in the buffet line.


Here we are talking theology and picking up artichoke hearts.

Our newest friends, a real estate agent and his wife, from Yonkers, New York, suggested that we open the door next to our table out in the hallway, and suddenly our table was transformed into box seats. I sort of felt like Abraham Lincoln at Ford Theater with the angle this new view afforded us.


Taken from the box seat and enhanced with a zoom lens.

But we didn't stay seated for long. We spent some time mingling. I hung out with the maid of honor, the bride's sister, and we also met up with a wedding guest who will soon play the part of our friend Barbara Moon, in an upcoming bio-pic on the Lifetime Channel.

Maid of Honor, Kenny Chesney, and Jenn.

The Barbara Moon look-a-like, me, and Woodford Reserve

Alas, the evening had grown late, and we decided that we didn't need a cab. The hotel was but four miles away.



Come on baby, I got the keys.

We drove back as I chewed on a cigar and as Jenn stuck her head through the sunroof and photographed the skyline (also known as probable cause).

I think that big building up ahead is our hotel.

Soon, we were back safely at our hotel with our keys in the hands of a very sober valet, and we were off to ride the elevator with masked revelers. So ended a very full first day of my thirty-fifth year, a great day for a white wedding.

Birthday Boy

Yes, folks, he may look like a deer caught in the headlights. However, this is just Scott hamming it up for his big birthday dinner. We went down to Grits in Forsyth with the gang. I tried to organize a little soiree for him and we all had a lot of fun!

Poor thing had all of his friend's lined up on the sofas wanting to show off his ghetto tube and the cable had been cut off. I don't think cut off as in bill not paid, but it was showing no signs of life. I think he found some TiVoed CMT spotlights show featuring Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson.

The new 36 year-old has a big weekend ahead of him. Fun packed Auburn watching day along with a big wedding at Piedmont Park with a client tonight. We're staying at the Hyatt downtown so hopefullly 1/2 of Griffin won't wake up tomorrow hearing live reports about the Key family from Monica Kauffman. Then Sunday off to the mall and B.B., REI and to check on our injured, recovering friend Amy. Maybe she'll take us to lunch and let us use her handicap sticker.

I think Scotty is enjoying his birthday weekend. Just waiting for my mom to get here with the caramel cake today!

The whole gang L to R front row: Brennan, Becky, Renee, Niki, 2 dorks. Back: Lance, Dale, Jim.

Back row L to R: Lance, Dale, Jim. Notice below no pics of Dale and friend. Monica (I'm jealous) was in Savannah at a girl's weekend. Truly missed. We tried to take care of Dale.

Hostesses with the Mostesses

Tonight was our monthly game of Bunco. No, not a monthly excuse to eat chips and salsa and drink cheap wine. A fun time was had by all. My great helper (which did ALL the work) and I decided to dress alike. Purely by chance (talk about probability and statistics) did we show up with the exact taupeish color on. We actually had all members with one sub and an awesome sub she was. It was a great chance to get together, destress and hang out. With the city rival group down the road playing, we had to be on top of our game in case there is ever a bunco tournament. That seems like it would come the week after the diaper changing contest!

Terri, Andrea, Veronica, Amy, Becky's head, Suzanne, April and Sandrea in the way back, Lani, Kathy and Christen! Fun times at casa de Key.

Block Party -- A Guest Blog

The weather was fine, so we decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. With the jury out and my closing finished, I came feeling relaxed for the first time in two weeks. To celebrate, Jenn made a delicious cornucopia of culinary delights that included stuffed peppers from Stouffers, yesterday's macaroni and cheese, sweet tea, spaghetti, leftover crabcakes, and the remnants of taco night from last week. With this combination of scents too much to take, I came downstairs to find Jenn and Lillee Grace finished with dinner and walking down the road. Lills was on her bike, and Jenn had a big phonebook in hand and her phone in another.

You can see above the lovely outfit she and I picked out together, including jungle print pants, golden crocs, LG's 18-month-old velvet dress last, and pink bicycle helmet. Mom is really proud of our couture. Baxter is seen above sporting his new kicks and hearing the sounds of a distant lawn mower. Moments after this picture was taken, Baxter began conspiring with his sister to carjack the Snapper lawn mower down on Skyline and secret it back to our backyard.

After I spoiled his criminal enterprise, we returned for bathtime. I fixed a plate of stuffed pepper and some crabcake and headed upstairs to hang out during bathtime.

Bax and I then kicked back with some whole milk and debated with each other which kid on PBS's hit show Caillou has the hottest mom. Bax is partial to Caillou's mom, but I personally think that Leo's mom is the true minx.

Anyway, they are down for the night now, and I am about to pretend to be sleeping to avoid Jenn's furniture rearranging project.

Our friend, Mr. Wes

Mr. Wes(left) wanted his picture taken for his debut on the blog. It's hard to think of a time when something major has happened in our life that we have not called Mr. Wes. When we met the Long family they essentially took us under their wing and showed us the ropes of Griffin. Thankfully, they were on the right side of the tracks and ropes. He usually manages to help guide us in strange situations, mainly the fix I'm in at this point in time at the Methodist Church. So, Mr. Wes, you must comment now to be an official blogger! This man is witty, funny, but most of all, smart and rico sueve! Scott continues to be a "WIT" - Wes In Training! However, he still wants to fix his own supper before ours, doesn't offer guests a drink and sometimes still tries to wear that green shirt he wore when we were dating. Posing with Mr. Wes is Don. Blog readers may know him as Farrah's husband. Take a look because we are all most certain thi sface will be on a republican bumper sticker at some point in our lifetime.

Saturday night in downtown Griffin. A fun time was had by all. Great music and our table won for overall best rectangle table because of the awesome centerpiece of chicken dip we were sporting!

Angie and Carl - our dates for Sat. night. The counselor in Angie wanted to tell us how Scott is a cross between a peaceful pragmatic and perfect melancholy. Even though I have no official counseling expertise, I can tell you those are big words for tuning out the world around you and not being able to recognize dirt in the floor. We had a great time with them and their South Beach Diet Bars!

We got along pretty well considering he smelled like an arthur de fuente store. Ick. After keeping the kids all weekend while he prepared for his big murder trial that I've had to hear about for the past month, I needed a night out on the town. Baxter had to go to the doctor, has an ear infection, LG painted glitter paint all over the new non-IKEA table and I was totally unprepared for company Sat. afternoon.

Here is Baxter today before water day...

Baxter after water day. Hey - I was able to make a chicken dish for Viki, spaghetti for the family and solve world hunger with angelina while the kids entertained themselves for 15 mins. Wow - what we can do with that little amount of time.

Outfit change #4 today!

Elizabeth made a surprise appearance - wow - i cooked - we had to have someone over for supper.

Winding down for the night. She perches up there like a darn poodle or cat. I'm not sure if you can see it but LG got out of the bath and put a Nascar bandaid over her eye. Since Elizabeth has a patch over her eye, my genius decided to be like her friend. I think Elizabeth's bandage may be a little easier to pry off. It was a rough go there for a while to get the tape off her eye.

Baxter put his shoes on, got the keys, said "bye" and walked out the front door and shut it. I ask Scott if I should tell him to be home by 9:00? He just stood outside with his keys just looking at me. Finally, he came inside, got his milk and said, "night night." Such a sweet boy!

I mean, Scott sees nothing wrong with the family unit looking like a bunch of crazies. This is not normal to all watch the latest episode of Caliou together. Is it?

Here is the pic Amy has ask for this afternoon. This is the front of the new house we are growing to love and appreciate each room. Only because you are unable to visit because of hte new reduced, stressed, fractured leg am I posting this pic. for you...

Buckle up for Safety

Well, it's been a little over a week since the incident and I've gotten up the nerve to share my story with the world. Since the Wells Fargo truck has begun backing into the driveway to pay the people taking care, transporting and teaching our children, I have started trying to find a way to solve and consolidate our stress. Lillee Grace started going to school last week mon. through thurs. Baxter started last Tues. and Thurs. Our sweet angel Mrs. Joy of course, takes LG still each day - we love that woman. However, there was a question about dear Baxter. My figurings led me to suggest that Mary needed to learn to drive. I thought I was doing something good for all mankind. Two different days last week we drove down to the Methodist church for some tutorial driving lessons. She was a little nervous but did surprisingly well. We looped the circle, stopped, backed up, went through the carpool two different days. Note - there was no one on the premises. So on the 3rd day as we cruised down the straight-away she slowed as we were to make the turn into the carport. Turning right, I advised her to slow down a little. She did not. Neither did the wheel slow on the turning. Oh no, Tony Stewart just kept on going right into the cement column. As the 1st column went under my truck, she panicked, hit the accelerator and rammed the 2nd column. It went down and we were headed into the preschool building. Luckily, the screaming and hand motions I was giving her made her press the brake at last. I put it in park and here comes the lawn service guy. Yes, the children were in the car. Lillee Grace said, "Mommy, what was that bump?" I turned on Dora and got out calmly to survey the damage. Looking back now, I was so incredibly calm. The grass guy suggesting calling the police. Not in this lifetime. The bad part was when I called Scott. He was, of course, in Valdosta for the night. He wanted to advise me that our children would be in the care of DFACS since he couldn't bail me out for 4 hours and neither could my parents be here for another 4 hours. Scott supportive, no way jose. Mind you, this occurred at the end of the month - coming up on pay day. When the cement dust had cleared, I thought Thank you God for us all being okay and no one was hurt. Next I thought, DARN, I WAS PAYING FOR MY CURTAINS TOMORROW! With my hands shaking like Ali's, I tried to write down my name and number and leave for the church. So before anyone could call the police or 911, I jumped in and headed to take Mary home. Oh yeh, the truck is driveable. When I backed out of her driveway, both kids were nodding off. As soon as she shut the door, the heavens flooded. I do not do well with crying and it was not a pretty sight. It's tough thinking, someone fix it now! Who to call? Mr. Wes. Not only is he father of the year, he also wears carharts and can fix any situation, no matter what it may be. He went to check the wreckage and thought the car was going to need lots of rubber mallot care.



Probably the worst part of the ordeal was Scott being so far away. As he enjoyed turn down service, facial and happy ending massage at the Motel 6 in south Georgia, I put the kids to bed, ate a gallon of ice cream and watched a Bridgett Jones marathon on TBS. How depressing to think a 54-year-old woman cannot keep a 12 inch diameter steering wheel on a straight and narrow path?

Well, we're back to Mr. Omar, our cab driver coming each day, Mrs. Joy here at 8:20 Mon. through Thurs. and some really nice lady I met at my school coming at 8:50 on Tues. and Thurs. We might as well have a BP station in the front yard as much fuel as we're supporting.

The church is not sueing. Mary's neck is not hurt. The kids are fine. Mary will never drive another car I own again. The preschool director did not kick us out. Mr. Wes is fixing everything. Oh yeh, and I've ordered my fabric for curtains.

The aftermath of country cooking...

This is an example of what fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, cornbread and a dose of baptist preaching does to our family on Sunday afternoons. This room is not finished btw.

Yet another pic of dennis in the kitchen...Scott so enjoys coming home to the smell of grease.

Not giving you the full view. Just enough for you to pick apart and scare you off. I like it and that's all that matters. Hopefully, if anyone looked in that front window to rob the joint, they'd think it was a family working for barnum & bailey and keep going. This room is coming along though.

A little project my dad and I created.

This, by far,may be one of my favorite pictures of all time. April gave us this picture of our old house when we moved in here. It is a true treasure. And of course it hangs next to our Kennedy family portrait.

Reliving the days of past...

for all of you waiting for house pics, here's a sneak peak. will get more when i figure out the camera/computer combo... having some difficulty with toshiba battery life.

Maggie, Rebecca, Stacifer and me at dinner.

The birthday girl had lots of fun!!! Matt, Rebecca, Tracy, Key family, Stacy and Robbie(the Georgia College crew)

Thursday night my mother came to town to keep the kids during the busy weekend. Thursday night we had parent orientation at Lillee Grace and Baxter's school. Like we hadn't heard for the past two years not to block the carpool line and if someone doesn't feel comfortable pulling up 15 feet to buckle their child, please be patient. When i hear this, I want to stand up and scream, "Why must I hear this? I work FULL-TIME and will never be dropping off!" Perhaps I should notify the al-quieda cell cab driver we support to make sure he follows drop-off procedures.

After the preschool orientation Niki and I headed over to yet another pampered chef party. By this point, I had seen the inside of my house on Thursday for a total of 30 mins. It was nearing 10:00, my favorite show of all time was coming on, the Vodka and gingerale was not my cup of "tea" and I was beginning to whine. Is it just me or is there a Tupperware/Pampered Chef/Kelly's Kids/Southern Living/Pearl Party (a nice deterrence)... every other week. Can we not all just get together and have the beverages flowing because isn't this what all the parties are about? This concludes Thursday.

Friday afternoon after fighting with to the vultures at the furniture store, Scott and I left to head over to Monroe to Carrie's house for her birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Maggie, my college roommate was there. Rebecca came from Augusta and Stacy from Commerce. It was a fun reunion with Tracy and Robbie, Dawn and Matt. Will spare you the details and say there was a bit of drama with a few party-goers that provided much entertainment and conversation for months to come. Scott and I slept on a king-size air mattress in the living room floor. The bad part of "king-size" is the fact there were two twins and I basically was in the crack all night trying to get warm. Coupled with the smell of cigarettes and cigar oozing out of my hair. Thank goodness that habit is gone for me. It looks so fun on my favorite show - but ugh - the aftersmell.

On our way back from Monroe, we stopped in McDonough at a birthday party. Niki and Jim took LG for us so we met them there. It's hard to be chipper at a 3-year-old party after getting three hours of sleep. Must of been a theme going on...

Been hanging out with Dennis this afternoon. Baxter sat on the lawn mower for oh, a few hours while LG did nose dives into the redneck riviera.