November 27, 2010

Georgia has a tartan...?

Did you know that Georgia has an official tartan?

State Tartan 

I love it. Since I started doing genealogical research several years ago I have loved anything to do with Scotland. So, this is a very exciting revelation for me!

According to the Secretary of State's website:  The tartan commemorates the founding of the state of Georgia and combines elements in the design associated with its historic past. General Oglethorpe commanded the Highland Independent Company of Foot which, in 1746, wore the Black Watch tartan. Captain John ‘Mohr’ MacIntosh is remembered in the MacIntosh red. Georgia tartan is much in evidence at the annual Stone Mountain Highland Games held in Atlanta.


Do any of you know if your state has its own tartan?


Well, I can tell you that many, if not all, do. 


South Carolina and North Carolina share the same tartan:

The official Carolina tartan




Tennessee:

Tennessee state tartan pattern

Utah:

Utah State Centennial Tartan

California:

Photo of the California State District Tartan pattern

This one is registered with the Scottish Tartans World Register, but is not yet recognized as the official tartan of Virginia by the Commonwealth's legislature:

Photo of the Virginia Quadricentennial tartan plaid

Aren't they pretty? If I find a good source for buying tartan fabric, I'll let you know. I think some pillows in Georgia's official tartan are in order for my new house!





November 23, 2010

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for so many things. The past year has not been at all what we expected, but it hasn't been bad. In fact, even the things that have gotten on my nerves the most have actually taught us the most. Doesn't God work in the most mysterious and wonderful ways?!

I am most thankful for my wonderful husband and two terrific boys. I don't call my husband Mr. Perfect for no reason. He is so kind and slow to anger and sweet (and, cute!). He is a great father and my best friend. Our boys are funny, smart, creative, affectionate, healthy, curious and generally nice to be around. And, also cute!


I am thankful that they are such good buddies. They love each other so much, and that makes me happy in the heart.



I am thankful that I have this temporary home, and, Lord Willing, that I will have a more permanent home in a few short months.

I am thankful for our parents and sisters. I wish we could see each other more.

I am thankful to have found a new church home, although I still miss my old one.


I am thankful that we have cars to drive and food to eat. So many people are having such are hard time these days.

I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed time with family and friends this week. Happy Thanksgiving!

November 20, 2010

House Progress

Finally,


after almost a full year in the rental house,


we have started our house-building project.


The finished product will look similar to this:

Original


Here's what it looked like on Wednesday morning:



And, here's what it looked like Thursday afternoon:




Our house will go just about where the big pile of logs is, only further back towards the standing trees (only they will be gone by now).

We don't expect to have anything more then the foundation  completed before Christmas. The builder said he preferred not to have the lumber for framing sitting around the work site for the week they take off at Christmas, so we'll start putting walls up the last week of the year!

November 18, 2010

Football Weekend

I'm still running around like a turkey with it's head cut off (and having a great time), but I thought I should post an update anyway.  Last weekend we went the the UGA @ Auburn game. It ended about like we expected - with a loss. We had a super time anyway. It was the boys' first college game.



The night before the UGA game, we drove to the remotest part of southwest Georgia possible for a high school playoff game. We lost that game, too. But, we were so proud of our team. One of my students (and football player) told me Monday that Boy 1 came up to him after the game Friday night, shook his hand and said, "I've thoroughly enjoyed watching you play football this year." How cute!
Our business sponsored the radio broadcast of the game. The boys got to go to the radio station and help cut the ad. At the end they yelled, "Go Crusaders!"

I hope you are all relaxing as much as possible, and that you enjoy these wonderful days leading up to the "Holiday Trilogy" of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

November 2, 2010

Catch-Up Time

    I have so missed reading blogs and playing with my blog. Last week was incredibly busy, but also very fun. It was Spirit Week, so every day I had to come up with some sort of appropriate outfit/costume for the boys and me to wear. Thursday was Costume Day at school, then tennis lessons after school, then back into costumes for downtown trick-or-treating. Also, I was in charge of Homecoming at our little school. It came off without a hitch Friday night - the girls were lovely, stood exactly where I told them to at practice, smiled and didn't fall out of their convertibles during the parade. Our guys also won the game. YEAH!

   All of the above means one thing: I am SO behind on everything: laundry, lesson plans, housecleaning, Bible study, Days of Our Lives.  I'm going to try and get myself organized and post something here by the end of the week. Here's hoping you are all doing well...