Cost of Living

We are finally starting to see the lower cost of living here in Decatur. Coming from Chicago in Late August with gas prices at $4.25, we are now getting gas here for $2.49/gallon. So besides trying to pay for an out-of-state move and a delay in getting my prior experience approved for my contract, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Milk is still expensive and food prices not much lower, but housing cost is significantly lower.

Ashley's First Report Card

All A's for our little 1st grader! We are quite proud of the little academic superstar.

New Pet??

It seems like the jones family pet collection keeps growing every day. Take a look at this beauty that Cathy found in the driveway the other night. She says it was over a foot long. Looks like is is well fed anyway. I think we will call it George.

Football Luck or Coincidence??

I do not know if you following football at all, but it seems since we moved to Northern Alabama, the close football teams are doing really well. The Univ. of Alabama is #2 in all polls, Tennessee Titans are undefeated and look at what the Atlanta Falcons have been doing especially the improbable win against the Chicago Bears yesterday. 

So are the Joneses lucky, you decide.

jcj

Ashley 1st boyfriend??

Ashley came home from school the other day complaining that a boy wanted to play with her at recess. No big deal, right? Well it turns out he told the girl Ashley was playing with that she could not play with Ashley because he wanted to! He taught her how to throw a football, imagine that.

Luckily, she was complaining about it so I still have a few years before I have to be really worried.

Stay tuned...

Swing of things.

It has been 3 weeks in the new digs and we seem to be settling down a little. Ashley is beginning to like school even though she started a couple of weeks behind. The house is great so far and Ryan and I are mostly over our creeping crud episode. We do not have cable yet so we are missing heroes, but have become hooked on Fringe. I am in class 4 night s a week though so it is difficult to watch much TV.

I have upped the podcast usage now that I have a commute (it is still short at about 15-20 minutes). One that I am particulary enjoying is This Week in Photography (TWIP) which can be found at http://twipphoto.com. This blog/podcast is chock full of tips, reviews, interviews and great photos. There is a bimonthly photo contest and they will even critique photos (in a friendly constructive manner) on one of the forums. If you are interested in photography, give this one a try.

I will be back soon with another update so stay tuned.

The Big Move

We are now in place here in Decatur, AL. There are still boxes needing to be unpacked, but I started at Calhoun and Ashley started 1st grade. The mosquitos are bad, but fall will be here soon and maybe they will ease up a little. More to come soon.