Springtime for Hitler?

As we were driving back from the country Sunday, we decided to stop at one of Warren County's marvels, the railroad bridge over the Big Black River. We had visited it at night with some friends awhile back, but thought we'd check it out in the daylight — and nice, spring temperatures. Well, we decided Redneck Row was a more fitting name for the dirt road that led to the seemingly picturesque feature. Why? Well, we couldn't help but notice deer carcasses near the river bank and a swastika that some loving person had spray-painted on the bridge to accommodate the racist comment that created an overwhelming sense of fear in both of us. So, we high-tailed it to Vicksburg. The Home Depot was far less frightful, although everyone and his dog had the same idea to play in the yard. Lauchlin planted some geraniums while Olivia used a massive tool to take up roots on the trash trees that have taken over our front yard.

Here is Olivia looking at the bridge. Looks cool, right?


Well.....here's the graffiti part. If you look very closely you can see the swastika, etc...


Olivia tackling those trees...

Goin' Up the Country

We decided — after much rest — that we would leave behind our household duties and head for the country! Lauchlin's boss and friend, Karen, and her husband, Jimmy, have a cabin in Edwards. It's perfect for getting away and forgetting about city life. You know, when kids are shooting each other at Vicksburg High School (less than two blocks from us), it's nice to have a get-away.
We will be taking the convertible, which this time last week wasn't much of an option seeing as it was overheating and smoking. Two trips to the mechanic and about $800 later, we think it can handle it now. Here's a picture of Olivia in her beloved car when we went to The Aeolian last year. It's definitely convertible time again. We hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow it's back to cleaning, I guess.

Thank God It's Friday

It's been a weird week, my friends. Nothing really in particular, but enough to make us glad it's Friday. Last night, we went to The Ware House, downtown Vicksburg's posh little hangout. We made two new best friends, who will be coming to the porch soon and plan to teach us how to cook steaks like Emeril — in a cast iron skillet, which we don't yet own. We were also serenaded by a Hawaiian guy, named A.J., who was in town on business, but stopped in with his crew for a cocktail. He arrived at the bar with his guitar and led everyone in a round of "You Are My Sunshine." It was by far the most interesting bar experience we've ever had.
Now, the weekend will be one of sleeping in, yard work and preparing for next weekend's fiesta. We will also have a chance to hang with the girls. They have been up to no good with us not around. Here's proof from days gone by:



We seem to have not only consumed all of the contents of this box, but also set a great example for Mojo.


This is Clementine putting her magic touch on things. She was probably growling and hissing in the process!

Bye-Bye Bunny, Hello Spring!

Easter is over, but spring is in the air. We have warm temperatures, suppers on the grill (or smoker, if we're lucky enough to be invited to eat at 1005 National) and plenty of beer-sippin' on the porch. We love spring! Here are some pictures from the weekend, plus our own personal spring-indicator.


Lauchlin and the Easter Bunny at church (that's right — church) last Sunday:


May and Lydia (two of Lauchlin's nieces) at the Easter egg hunt after church:



Olivia in front of the not-completely-bloomed azaleas:



The azaleas in full bloom. Yea!:

The Death of a Masterpiece

We recently had to throw away my Southern table, which is probably the piece of furniture we've had the longest together. Its time on the porch weathered it to a point where it only served as a memory of when we nearly killed ourselves pouring thick layers of polyurethane over the collected post cards, clippings and pictures in Lauchlin's tiny apartment in Oxford. It was sad watching the garbage men lug it into the truck, but all good things must end. We're grown-ups now and must go into debt with "real" furniture. I took plenty of pictures of it on the curb before it was taken to its final resting place, though.


Here is a close-up of the masterfully designed, but terribly painted table that is now in table heaven:

In the name of vanity

Over Spring Break (which apparently was also our internet connection's break), we installed a new vanity in the front bathroom.  We removed the old wall sink ourselves and only needed a little help once we connected the pipes and exchanged our newly-purchased faucet for a working one.  

A Noise in the Hallway...

We had family come for the weekend and finally were motivated enough to finish hanging the hallway pictures. We had started painting it during Spring Break, but were unable to pick up our 8 x 10's from the Al-Mart Photo Center* until a much later date (last Saturday) due to the total lack of competence and professionalism of some of the employees there. The old hallway is shown in the bottom picture.  We painted the lovely shade of blue that you see, and our friend, Jimmy, installed the light fixture...a job only a true country boy could do!

*Name changed to protect the ignorant.  

Sign of Life

OK, so miracles can happen. For one, after a 30-minute conversation with Randy, the AT&T high-speed internet geek squad rep., our internet is miraculously working (even though it was not when we got off the phone). Another miracle is on its way. Olivia's brother and sister-in-law are having a baby girl in July. Here is a picture of her at 1.323 pounds. We can't wait to meet her!! We will be back to post some catch-up blogs in the near future. Happy Easter to all.

Vacation

I guess you noticed our blog has been on a hiatus. We have been having quite a lot of technical difficulties, but wanted everyone to know that we don't intend to drop the blog. Over our vacation last week, we collected plenty of material and updates (and some porch fodder) to put out in the blogosphere for your reading entertainment. The internet, however, has not been kind. So, please stay tuned and don't give up on us just yet.

Thanks, L&O

Once upon a potty...

We headed to Home Depot on Saturday to purchase a new vanity for our bathroom. We came home with a toilet instead and the assurance of Philip, an orange-smocked employee, that it would take "30 minutes...45 max." After a couple of hours, we had installed a much smaller and more efficient toilet. Yea!Here are some shots of our "crappy" day...