Why Georgia Is The Best Place To Live, Ever...Ever...Ever

(or, SNOW DAY, Y'ALL!)

The following graph displays the average and record highs and lows for Georgia.  (From Weather.Com)

Even at the records, there are still states in the contiguous US that get hotter and colder.  Georgia gives you just the right dose of delicious tropical summer days and days like today...

 

My mother-in-law's front yard yesterday as the snow began to accumulate.  My father-in-law (normally a rather stoic man) was giddy with excitement, continually calling out the phrase "White Christmas!"

 

The far end of my mother-in-law's yard yesterday.  I love how you can see the falling flakes suspended in the air.

 

The view through our big front window last night, with the tree lights reflected in the pane.

 

My front yard today.

 

My tree in front of the window.  It's like a dadgum Thomas Kinkade painting!

 

The walkway in front of our house.  I love how the snow outlines the bricks.

 

Sugar frosted foliage.  Also, the scarecrow from Halloween/Thanksgiving that still sits in my front yard.

 

The trees in the front yard.  (Taken from inside)

 

Even though we park under a carport, that sneaky snow managed to cover our rear windshields!

 

Tiny Snowman Whelchel says, "Ashley used her husband's gold panning gloves while building me, which is why I'm a little red.  Also, Happy Snow Day!"

Merry Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

'Tis The Season

I am currently seated at a back table at Panera Bread.  This is normally a 4-person table and my solo presence is in direct violation of their very polite request that single-person parties not hog tables at which larger parties would fit.  But I wanted to be away from people as much as possible and I needed room for my food, clipboard, laptop, post-its and space to be jittery because at this point, I've had a venti Caramel Brulee latte and a Mtn. Dew and am on the verge of blastoff.

Here's a look at my very exciting December:
1. Play a classical wedding with my former professor.
2. Play one of the most jam-packed choral concerts I've ever played (and it was awesome, btw)
3. Run a Christmas-themed workshop with the 4th graders that went over about as well as an Avenged Sevenfold enthusiast among Fanilows.
4. Plan and implement three Christmas Eve services at the church.  (Fortunately, I have lots of help here!)
5. Feed the hungry at Good News at Noon.
6. Five Christmas parties
7. Get a t-shirt and an All-State CD to my student (just happened today.  Yes, I am the worst teacher on the planet)
8. Christmas shopping
9. Retail adventures!

Rushed and flustered, movin' and shakin' and I couldn't be happier.

Song idea

Last weekend, I attended the wedding of an old friend and it got me all nostalgic and has sparked an idea for a song.  The buns are still baking, as Garrison Keillor would put it, but I have a few concepts tumbling around in my brain...teenagers fighting over stupid stuff, weeping to one another about boys, family/life upheavals, graduating, college, becoming teachers, mothers and one servicewoman...

And a line for the chorus and probably the title..."Like We Never Left."