And thus the holiday season begins...

So Happy Turkey Day everyone! This is my first post after the Thanksgiving holiday and so I feel it is appropriate to talk about my trip!

I left Atlanta on Wednesday and trucked all the way to my hometown of Lumberton, MS. It's a small town about 20 minutes south of Hattiesburg. It was dark when I arrived, having stopped in Heidelberg, MS to visit some college friends of mine for dinner and to see their baby (and their twins in the oven..and no I ain't talking about Hansel and Gretel!).

The first day back I helped my Mom remove some debris from the house and rip apart the deck fencing which was destroyed. Then we went to my uncle's house and had a proper southern Thanksgiving, complete with cornbread stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce (and WAY too many deserts to choose from). After that, I spent some quality time with my nephews and nieces running around the park. That night my nephew decided to stay at my Mom's so I had to go pick him up and we just ended up playing with legos and watching TV.

The trip home was fortunately uneventful (other than the hour and a half delay near Tuscaloosa, AL because of some wreck) and when I got into Atlanta Saturday night...I totally crashed.

Sunday I think I pretty much played World of Warcraft (I have to go buy this game now...in fact I'm going to go buy it on my way to the gym tee hee).

Monday I ran a few errands (I had taken off in case I wanted to stay in MS...but I didn't...) and went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I must say I was very impressed. Of course they left alot out...but the book was HUUUUGE.

So now I think it's time to make a simple list of the things I am thankful for (Geez...I feel like I'm in elementary school).

I am thankful for my family (both blood and friends).
I am thankful for the gifts the Universe has bestowed upon me...
...my mind (agile, quick, and creative)
...my body (and the drive to build it at the gym)
...my inner spirit (the soul of a dolphin in the body of a man)
I am thankful for my dog, Xena. Without her, who would I pour my heart out to?
I am thankful for my awesome job where I can be myself and contribute.
I am thankful for my incredible neighbors and my home.
I am thankful for the opportunities that life has presented me and for the evolutions that have taken place because of them.

Brr...it's cold in here...

So Fall/Winter is settling in over Atlanta as the mornings turn frosty and splays of ice crystals form on my windshield. Things have kind of been in a holding pattern lately, but that is a good thing. Fall Softball season is over and I am hoping that will allow me to spend more time with friends on my weekends.

I have been quite lackidaisical about some of my responsibilities and I just took on more with my being elected president of my homeowner's association. When they elected me I turned around and laughingly said "And I shall rule you with an IRON HAND!" :) I think it will be interesting to see how much work this will be and I think I have enough people helping. I am a good delegator I just have to get to know the rest of the residents better. I think I might have a little holiday cocktail party sometime and invite the neighborhood. :)

So...life socially has been oddly interesting. I won't quite tell on myself, but I have had a couple of adventures recently. And MAN did I need that. Check please! One instance was just after the gym on my way out...felt just like I was in some bad porn film...but OH it was GOOD *angel smile*

I am heading to Mississippi next week to help my Mom do some repairs on her house from the hurricane Katrina. It was only some superficial damage and I've learned to be a little bit of a handy-man. We'll see won't we?

I'm hoping to make a number of my Christmas presents myself this year. I have enough tools and raw supplies to make a few cool things I believe. My artwork is getting interesting to me...I'm glad I enjoy it as these cold winter months settle upon us.

Gymtime is going awesome, my new workout partner, Betty (a real gurl...yes) is this tiny woman (the sister of a friend who is now my friend) and she is KILLING ME :) Rather...I am killing MYSELF at the gym...but now I at least have someone to help me lift the heavy weights. I am SO glad I have her around as I want to get BIG. I've never been this athletic before and I am enjoying the heck out of the results. She does, however, make me do more leg exercises and her abdominal workout is just about torture :)

I am on a quest for a cheap decent digital camera. Nothing fancy as I don't need a googlepixel...just something small and light to take web presentable pictures with to spice up this blog :)