Just some images of the Great Atlanta Flood of Ought NINE* courtesy of our friend lerg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/akalat/sets/72157622310693017/detail/

He lives in a condo complex right next to where our old apartment was. If we were still living there, this is what we would have experienced. Except, based on the time line presented I would have never made it home!

*I originally had Ought Eight. My only excuse was that it was very early in the morning when I first posted this.

So, in case you haven't heard, Atlanta is having a "Gas Crisis". You would think the way everyone is talking; this is the end of the world. However, it certainly isn't pleasant out there.

( this is my gas adventure story... )

I had a minor revelation this past weekend.

I am a different person when I am in Asheville. I would even go so far as to say I am a better person when I am in Asheville.

This epiphany came when I was in the yard on Sunday morning helping oneandonlymatt do some clean up. I was hot, there were mosquitoes and I was picking up sticks from the yard. These are not things I enjoy doing. Then, a cricket landed on my shorts. When I went to swipe it off, it held on to my finger for its dear little cricket life. I freaked out. I screamed. I danced. I just wanted the cricket to go away. I was as though it was a locust or a venomous scorpion. I realized I hated being in my yard.

( the difference between my yard and Mt Matt...? )

Oh, I apologize if that got a little angsty in the end. That was not exactly my intention. I still don't have an answer for myself, but I feel better having written it out. Thanks for listening.

Today is the 5th anniversary of our last day living in Michigan.

Five years ago today we packed up the last of our things from our house in Dearborn, MI and started driving. The moving truck, as I recall, had actually left the day before. oneandonlymatt, Piglet and I got in my Saturn and began the first leg of our drive to Atlanta. The Saturn actually belonged to Matt at the time. I sold my favorite car - the purple Ford Taurus station wagon - to my brother. Matt had already bought the Element and it was waiting for him at a dealership here in Georgia.

We drove about half way - somewhere in Kentucky as I recall - and stopped for the night at a Cat-Friendly hotel. On June 1, 2003 we woke up and continued our journey to our new home.

It was a big leap of faith for me. Matt's company moved us here, but I didn't have a job to start with. I didn't know anyone in this city. But the decision felt right. And, looking back on it, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Sure, I miss my family and my friends (dreamsidhe...move to Georgia!), but Georgia has become home. We've met so many awesome people here - most of whom read this journal.

And if we hadn't moved to Atlanta, we would have never found Asheville.

Happy Anniversary, Atlanta. I am glad I am home.

I have been trying to find a pair of reasonably priced hiking boots somewhere within driving distance of my home in Atlanta.

Are there no women who hike in this town?

There are no shoe stores in this bleeding city that have women's hiking boots!

I tried on three pair in Sports Authority that were close but not quite right, and since I do a lot of hiking I really don't want to settle for something that is less comfortable.

I went to REI - I'd prefer to spend less than $100...but I might have to suck it up.

Why? Why? Why?

Our local tornado sirens have gone off multiple times today. Piggy and I are downstairs in the office. It appears that it is over for now - in fact it is bright and sunny outside at the moment. I'm not letting us out yet.

We had some hail. And then the rain came and winds. I was watching the TV but I could see out the window and I saw the trees start blowing around, so Piggy and I went and sat in the bathroom down here for a few minutes. No windows in the bathroom.

In case anyone was reading the blog to see if we are okay, I just wanted to report. Looks insane in downtown Atlanta. The damage from last night is devastating. I don't know that I have ever lived this close to that kind of natural disaster. The weather man on television tells me that there are more storms heading this way from Alabama.

( Here is a photo of Piggy watching the storm )

( and this is the hail outside the window )

Matt is currently flying back from Detroit. He is due to land at about 5:15. The Air-Tran website says it is on time.

Safe for now. I'll report if anything changes.

Everyone is doing it - I know you want to.

I thought I would share the following lovely pictures taken in my yard just moments ago:

( holy crap, it IS snowing in Atlanta )
and there you have it! Snow in freaking Atlanta

**Edited to Add:
The Teeny snowman!


( see just how teeny here )