More pictures

Ugh. I'm sick. I had rapidly developing sinus trouble yesterday, which resulted in an itchy throat, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and chills. I have felt terrible all day and thought that I was just being a wuss until I got home and took my temperature. It's 100.4, which isn't dangerously high, but still high enough to account for my serious bought of the blahs. I don't get sick often and tend to moan when I do get sick, so please excuse me. To change the topic, I'm posting some older pictures from North Georgia that were developed with the reunion pictures.

Photos from this weekend's reunion. I have a new haircut. Brace yourself!

Those were just a few of my favorites. You'll have to visit in order to see them all.

"...feels like it's raining all over the world"

Clouds and sprinkles persist for the second day in a row, but there is nothing to suggest relief for the parched state of Georgia. Governor Perdue declared North Georgia a disaster area this week and asked President Bush for federal aid. Lake Lanier, which supplies water to Atlanta, can only be depended on for another three to five months. Having lived on the lake, I'm not sure that I can remember it ever being quite so low. I am not currently dependent on its resources, but my entire family is very much dependent on Lanier. It's a strange thought. We're so used to aid being available that it's virtually impossible to imagine the area being in real peril, but what if it is? What would it mean if the reservoir dried up? We desperately need some days of slow, steady rain. Perhaps it will be a rainy winter.

Surprisingly, I watched this weekend's Republican (candidate hopefuls) Debate. I usually stay away from the political arena, but I'm interested in this one. Money issues are a very big topic. Fred Thompson has officially joined the race, and I have been watching him despite the fact that he's not first in line for the party nomination. I suppose that Ronald Reagan has been the most popular Republican candidate in recent history, and his name was thrown around quite a bit. The one thing that blows my mind is that Hillary Clinton is the forerunner for the Democratic nomination. It scares me to think that she could be that close to the White House, but I suppose it's no different than the shock many felt at the beginning of Bush's second term. I'm stepping off of the political podium now.

Since I'm already discussing sensitive topics, I might as well address the fact that Dumbledore is gay. Author J.K. Rowling announced that she imagined the headmaster in her popular Harry Potter series to be homosexual. This announcement was met with cheers in New York, but upon reading the headline, I felt a bit queasy. If the character had been overtly gay, it might have been easier to handle. Since the character doesn't come across that way, the revelation completely changed my perception of the character and left me feeling a bit betrayed. Meh. I'll just leave this one there.

I had a nice visit with Upasna this afternoon and she made me an Indian dish. The evening passed slowly and calmly. David, Emily, and I played in the living room. It was a good evening for smiles and laughter. The only downside to the evening was a pile of crap in the bathtub. No literally. David decided to poop in the tub for the first time in a very very long time. I have never dealt with anything so disgusting in my life. Emily's teeth started bothering her around 9:30, and the poor baby fell into a fitful sleep. I'm surprised that she has stayed asleep for as long as she has. She's doing better with the crib, but I'm betting that she will wake up as soon as I turn out the light. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I could do with a night of sleep sans baby in my arms.

Fall continued

An afternoon with Poppy

Mischief makers - brother and sister conspire

Fall afternoon with books and Grandma

Halloween preview

First taste of apple juice

New reading

"Let's start at the very beginning...it's a very good place to start..."

I have tossed around the idea of recording personal memories of my childhood for quite some time. I was prompted by the passing of my grandmother almost two years ago, but have taken my sweet time getting on the ball. I barely knew Ruth Holcomb before Alzheimer's began its devastation, but even in her progressed state, I continued to discover her character through the words she had penned. The importance of preservation has been recalled to my attention by individuals on the dementia unit at Augusta VAMC.

I doubt that my life will ever be considered spectacular, but everyone has a little bit of sizzle along the way. I have created a journal entitled "Endless Rain" in order to record my story. Entries involving unconsenting third parties will be restricted, but for the most part, it's there for anyone who wants to take a look.

Autumn Leaves...?

September has passed quite happily into October, which holds the happiness of leaves, pumpkins, and apple pie. Today is inching near 90 degrees, but highs in the 70s should be creeping in before the end of the week. Last night's sunset was amazing. There were colors beyond my imagination. The sky held hues and contrasts that could never be captured on an artist's canvas. It made me so happy that I returned home and pulled down my pumpkins and sunflowers. I spent the next few minutes placing them around the apartment. I don't have many items in my posession, but I'm turning a blind eye to the adorable fall decorations that are leaping out from catalogs and window displays. When I finally have a house of my own, I will allow myself to indulge in mad seasonal decorations. Until then, Christmas will be my one allowance. My festive mood has me longing for a place of my own.

I just finished updating David and Emily's video pages.

David's Page

Emily's Page

Please visit and enjoy!