I hate moving. Moving is one of my least favorite activities because when you’re married to Carla, moving means painting. I hate painting. When we first got married we lived in an apartment with vaulted ceilings. Because of her need for color and beauty, she insisted we paint the rooms, forfeiting our security deposit and … Continue reading Four walls and a roof
Tag: Lilburn
New tricks
Jack is an old dog. To you and me he’s 16, but according to the Pedigree Dog Calculator, he’s the equivalent of an 80-year-old man. Jack has outlived his brother, Joe, by about 10 years. He’s outlived his best friend, my father-in-law, by three months now and counting. He’s an old dog, but he is … Continue reading New tricks
An unexpected journey
When Barron and Harris piled into the back of the new Hyundai, eager to ride with Daddy after another great meal at Los Hermanos, they had no idea we weren’t following Carla home. We had already had a pretty good day. It was one of those rare days when Carla and Carlton still had preschool, … Continue reading An unexpected journey
A month’s worth of thankfulness in one serving
November brings with it a number of seasonal peculiarities: falling leaves, premature Christmas decorations, cooler temperatures and now, in the New South, daily thanksgiving posts on Facebook. I’m not sure when the trend started, but taking the month of November to post “What I am thankful for today” status updates has caught on. Yes, there … Continue reading A month’s worth of thankfulness in one serving
Commuter dude
I recently changed jobs, and in the process traded a consistent 30-minute commute for a nail-biting daily adventure into downtown Atlanta. Commuting is not a remarkable activity in and of itself. It is a necessary evil for those of us with kids, living the suburban "dream." And, unfortunately, it is one of those activities that characterizes life in … Continue reading Commuter dude
Selling encyclopedias
I was already hungry when I took my seat on the seventh pew on the right of the Decatur Presbyterian Church. After a long day fighting the crowds at Dragon*Con with the boys, Carla and I were enjoying a night out, so naturally I dragged her to the Decatur Book Festival and the panel discussion … Continue reading Selling encyclopedias
Magnolia malady
How the magnolia became a Southern symbol, I’ll never know. Sure, it thrives in warm, humid climates and has lovely blossoms that emerge this time of year to give the air a sweet and intoxicating aroma. But, let’s face it, this tree is a mess. It takes a special homeowner who can handle it. I am not … Continue reading Magnolia malady
Toilet trouble
I believe every homeowner should be able to patch a hole in drywall, install a ceiling fan and stop a running toilet. If self-reliance and resourcefulness aren’t Southern traits I don’t know what are. My two-week battle with a running toilet tested my convictions in ways that both surprised and infuriated me. It all started … Continue reading Toilet trouble
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
I pulled Harris’ overflowing train molded cake pan out of the oven precisely at 3:30 p.m. and put the bowl containing Barron’s yellow cake mix in at 350 degrees for 42 minutes. Then I left. As I drove to Alpharetta for yet another weekend work commitment, guilt pursued me like a Lilburn cop after someone … Continue reading Bake me a cake as fast as you can
A 10-minute conversation
When was the last time you had 10 minutes with nothing to do? Think about it. Let’s take it one step further: When was the last time you had 10 minutes with nothing to do and you did nothing? Umm-hmm. That's what I thought. I’ve been doing a lot of weekend travel for my day … Continue reading A 10-minute conversation
