Were we bad luck?

So we went home this weekend for our first football game of the year hoping for a win. Oh, well!

We had so much fun in Athens this weekend despite the loss. I went to my first ever ESPN Game Day. D was able to get Smokey Joe, the grill, going and we were able to see lots of friends from Atlanta. Congrats to BAMA for showing up for the first and second quarters and taking advantage of UGA not showing up until the third quarter.

D makes friends w/ a neighboring tailgate so he can play w/ their "toys".

Steph and Tim w/ some of his amazing ribs.

Dad and Mom before the game.

Also on our trip home, we got to have a picnic on the Chattahoochee and watch the water rise as it was being released from Lanier, much to the Lanier residents' frustration. It was beautiful. David was able to fish while I went for an afternoon run. We got to have dinner w/ my parents and ate yummy chili that my mom made.

We were even kind enough to the Bama folks to help stimulate their economy by stopping for lunch outside of Birmingham. We'll try for a "W" in two weeks when we return home for the UGA vs. UT game. Go Dawgs!

Where in the world have we been?

Well for starters, D has been traveling more and M had her annual trade show at work last week so blogging topics and time have been a bit sparse! D has been going to St. Louis 2-3 days a week, which he's enjoying. We ordered a new bed frame after a year-long search for the "perfect" one. I can't wait for it to be delivered. My preparation for the 1/2 marathon is still going well. The cooler weather is making running much easier.

We've joined the young adult Bible study at church, which we're really enjoying. We're starting at the very beginning of the Bible and working our way through. We're still in Genesis and it is nice to not be rushed. The rector of the church leads the study. He has so much knowledge and is able to share how many other cultures/religions view Biblical stories. It's a Bible study like I've never experienced.

Tahoe's corner: Tahoe has just returned from a joyful trip to Camp Lemon, where he spent the weekend while we went home for the Alabama game. He'll be making the next two "football" trips with us. Hopefully, he'll bring better luck to the Dawgs than we were able to this weekend!

Happy Fall!

Tahoe is very distressed watching the Dawgs against USC!

He couldn't bare to look up at the TV anymore! He left the room and went and laid down in the bedroom for the end of the 4th quarter. Thanks Dawgs for pulling that one out!

One last beach trip - now football season can officially begin!

I've always thought football season shouldn't begin until October. This year, we decided to make it a reality in our home. So we gave into the high-rise condo with the giant pool but no character, but we had a wonderful time at Orange Beach. We arrived incredibly late on Thursday night. If you've ever stayed in a one-bedroom condo in America, you've probably noticed they almost all have the bedroom on the back side of the condo away from the beach! How stupid is that? If I'm going to the beach, I want to hear the ocean constantly. So . . . my dear husband at 1:30 am Friday morning moved the mattress out of the bedroom and into the living room so I could be closer to the ocean. How sweet! We had great sun, food, and drinks! The only downer was that we thought we were going to get to watch the UGA game and were bummed that it wasn't carried on the cable in the condo. If you can handle missing a football game, I highly recommend a September beach trip.

Welcome, UGA VII

Loran's Best - welcome to the UGA family! Poor dog has no clue what has just happened to him!

She's here!

Cricket Sol Peeples arrived this afternoon in Asheville, NC. Baby and Mom are doing well. Congratulations Gary, Molly, and Madeline! We love you and miss you!

Truly a post for those who really want to know what we're up to . . .

David spent some of this afternoon practicing what he learned in Golf School until I interrupted for help in the kitchen with our dish for a Carmax potluck we're going to this evening. I ran the Overton 5-Mile Classic on Saturday and it was a lot of fun. The course included pavement, grass, and trails so there was never a dull moment. D and I are both now planning to run the St. Jude 1/2 Marathon in December. I am posting about this so YOU will hold us accountable for our training. (Especially me because I tend to get to about ten miles and get bored.) This morning we went to church and think we're just about ready to join. Hallelujah! Church hopping isn't much fun. The church is St. John's Episcopal . More to come on how this progresses for us.

Saturday we worked in the yard (Surprise!) and shopped. D ordered new running shoes for his extra-wide feet. I found the cutest Easter plate at the Williams & Sonoma outlet for cheap, cheap, cheap. For a shopping break, we took part in an American ritual that we NEVER do. We went to Startbucks, sat on the patio, and had a coffee and smoothie. I think it was a smoothie D had - looked fruity/frozen and wasn't coffee. It was practically a whole new experience for us. (I know, it is shocking for you Starbuckolics out there!) The best part of Saturday was going to bed at 10:00 and not getting up until 9:00! Tahoe wasn't too pleased, but I was!

In Tahoe's corner this week, he has found something new to bark at! Our neighborhood has hired a security patrol and the patrollers ride through the streets on bikes. Well, everytime one rides by, Tahoe has to tell us. I'm so glad we have our golden retriever to warn us of the scary patrolmen!