The only thing better...

The only thing that could possibly be better than having one LB would be having two...

I Love Laura Beth Atwood

The Full Story

Nothing new, just the previous three posts in order...



Mississippi

I woke up this morning and high tailed it to LB's apt to help hook up her high speed internet. It was a clear and cool morning, much like the one last Thursday... the day we left for Oxford. A flood of emotions and memories just a week old ran through my mind. As I thought of the trip I was reminded that I hadn't written a thing about it. So, let me take you back to Thursday March 31st and we'll start our story.

Like I said, it was a clear and cool morning. The sky was as blue as could be (I was going to say as blue as her eyes, but that's just a little too sappy and romantic and completely true). I arrived around 8:30am and was very happy to see my sweetheart. We packed up her stuff in the CRV and had to make a quick stop at the bank to get some cash.

The drive down was relaxing for me. Being with her was relaxing for me. Then I remembered that the closer we got to our destination the closer I was to meeting her parents. So my mind would drift back and forth between being completely relaxed to thinking about a bunch of butterflies in my stomach. I've driven I65 south to Nashville a million times, so once we hit I40 west towards Memphis the scenery would help take my mind off of things. We stopped in Jackson, TN and for gas and lunch, then we hit the back roads all the way to Oxford. Laura Beth took the wheel and drove us into a new frontier for me. The back roads and country side of southwest TN and into Mississippi are beautiful. If for no other reason than they are different from that of which I am used to. Cudzoo started to dominate the landscape the further south she drove me into this state of Mississippi. A place I've not been, only heard her speak of very fondly. We pulled into Oxford and as we drove past large houses and nicely landscaped yards with flowers and trees in bloom, Laura Beth would talk about the ones she was familiar with. We drove the around the Square (I saw a sign that said the Square was the Center of the Universe) and around looking at the different houses. I was getting more nervious by the minute because I knew eventually one of the houses was going to be hers. We pulled up in the driveway of a very pretty house on a nice sized lot with pretty trees all around. She parked the car in a spot I could imagine her parking in after school when she lived there. She turned the car off. I took a few deep breaths and looked at her. She asked me if I was ready... and I said "as I'll ever be..." Then, we got out and headed for the front door...

Laura Beth knocked on the door as she opened it. And there stood her parents. They greeted her with hugs and me with handshakes. They inquired about the drive and then invited us in. They talked for a while and I listened. Something I didn't expect but came to realize I probably should have expected because they hadn't seen their baby girl in almost 4 months. We unpacked the car and LB showed me around the house. Very pretty inside. I was to stay in her brother Michael's room at one end of he hall and she was in her old room both at the other end. Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of meeting the Micheal this time. He is a student at Mississippi State which is an hour or so away and had a lot of work to take care off. We didn't stay long because we had things to do! We went to Off Square Books and watched the Thacker Mountain Radio Show featuring local bluegrass musicians and a poet from Memphis. They recorded an hour long radio show for Mississippi Public Radio which was also broadcast live there in town. We left just a bit early and headed to Two Stick. Two Stick is a great little sushi/asian place in a really awesome old building near the Square and we enjoyed a great and filling dinner. After that we walked around the square, stopped in Square Books for her to get some coffee and to sit on the upstairs porch that overlooks the Square. I told LB some things I was thinking. We got back in the car and drove around a bit. While driving she realized she didn't have the materials she needed for an event she was to be at the next day at Ole Miss. She left them back in Louisville. After a few moments of crazy she made some phone calls. Nothing could be done until the next morning. We went back home and her parents were in bed or getting ready to be. I went up stairs to my room and waited for LB. She came in my room and we tried to figure out a way to get the stuff 450 miles south of where it was. We talked some more and I told her some things I was thinking... it got late, so we ended day one.

I woke up to my Darlin's face peeking in my room telling me to get up cause we were going to meet someone half way to get the stuff. I dressed and went downstairs. Her mom was up and made coffee. She handed us some apples and granola bars and we hit the road. It was rainy so we couldn't have done much anyway. But what turned out to be a bump in the weekend turned out to be the most memorable time for me. We talked. And talked. And talked. It was beautiful the things we talked about. The drive seemed like minutes... and we were just 50 miles outside of Nashville... more than half way home. We met a very nice young lady at a gas station in Lexington, TN and then headed back... racing to be back before 2pm. Well, we made it... and no one showed up! All was not lost because of our great time of conversation and being together... I wouldn't have traded it for anything else. As she was at the event I walked around the Square. The rain had stopped and given way to white puffy clouds that seemed to be moving 100mph behind the deep blue sky. I went to Square Books, back to the porch and sat down to really take in all we had talked about. I talked with God about things and really enjoyed my time alone. She called me about an hour later and I went back to get her to go home for dinner with the parents. We ate dinner, or... they did. I didn't like it to much and I felt bad. LB knew I was picky... I know you are always supposed to eat what is put in front of you but I just couldn't. Pot roast. LB left to go back to Ole Miss for another event and I was there with the parents. Her dad and I sat at the table and talked. Her mom asked me about the railroad and I tried to explain without using all the RR jargon I've come to expect people to know when I'm telling them about the RR. We talked for about an hour at the dinner table, then we went into the living room to see if the Final Four games were on. They weren't, so we just talked some more. LB came back and it was getting late by then. We went up to her room, which became a ritual that weekend, to talk about the day. I concluded the day by telling her more things I was thinking. It got even later, so we ended day two.

I slept really well Friday night into Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about the day before. I had a talk with God as I laid in bed and then I started to miss Laura Beth. So, I called her on her cell phone and told her to come down the hall. She did, and we talked about the plans for the day... see Oxford for real.

We got ready and headed out to see the city after her mom made us some excellent SISTER SCHUBERT'S Cinnamon Rolls. Here is a picture of Sister...


We drove through the Ole Miss campus on the way to the Square. We went to the Weather Vane to meet Karen... a lady she used to work with there. I felt like the fly on the wall that I always wanted to be when LB was telling someone about me. She told Karen about how we met and all the things she liked about me as if I wasn't there. Of course I loved every second of it. After that, we walked around the Square to Bottle Tree Bakery for LB to get her daily gallon of coffee (har har har). She showed me the places she lived and the different buildings where she spent most of her time while there. We got her some coffee and then she took me to the original Mcalister's for me to get some great sweet tea, but it still wasn't as good as hers. We drove out to a hippy place to look for ear candles for LB because her ears had been bothering her, but they were closed. On the way back to town we went to Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner. The weather was beautiful, so we walked around on some of the trails around the house and then went in for a tour of the house. The inside was completely restored and very interesting. We went back outside and walked around. We walked through the backyard where her and Marcie spent a lot of time and then back to the car. We drove around the city some more and then I told her of my desire to purchase something to commemorate our trip... or a souvenir. A tshirt that said "Ole Miss" or something like that. We looked a few places with no luck for me, but she found a hat the first place! We checked a few other places before we hit the jackpot back in the Square. I found good lookin hat too. By this time it was around dinner time, and we were going to celebrate her dad's birthday. We arrived home and as dinner was being prepared we looked at old family vacation photo albums... funny stuff! She also played some old home movies from her in plays back in high school... those were entertaining! I found out for myself that she has an amazing voice. We took a break and ate a very good steak dinner (my first steak believe it or not, and I liked it!) and then back to finish up the evening with a look at her in the "King and I" and a check of the scores in the two Final Four games. Watched a little basketball and then went upstairs to finish the day as we had the previous two days. Again, I told her somethings and it got late so we ended day three.

We woke up Sunday morning and went to breakfast at Bottletree. I had the biggest cinnamon roll in the world and some really fresh OJ... it was awesome. We talked a bit and then went to church. Right off the bat, she had a line of folks wanting to talk to her. Young and old alike were lining up to talk to my Sweatheart. She introduced me to all the folks, most of which knew I was going to be there... hmmm! Because of that we were a bit late and the service had started. Her mom was in the chior and her dad was sitting on the front row... I felt like all eyes were on us as we walked in together. I sat between her and her dad. We enjoyed a very good sermon dealing with Terri Schiavo and then at the end of the service more folks coming up to see her and meet me. We went back home for lunch and a good friend of her brothers ate with us. After lunch, we finished off the film in her and her mom's camera and dropped them off at the local Wally World. Then we took a little drive out to the Mississippi Delta... the place most the photographs I've posted from the trip were taken. It was very interesting to see in real life things I've only seen in my head or in movies. The flat landscape, old cotton farms, small town store fronts with an older black fellows dressed up in suits and hats walking down the sidewalk with a limp. This was the Mississippi I'd had imagined. The sky and clouds were amazing and I've got some video that I'll make a move from soon... it'll be really good. We made it to Clarksdale, MS... "the Crossroads" and then doubled back to make it home in time to go out to dinner with her folks. We drove to a small town called Taylor, MS and ate at the old grocery store turned hip restaurant aptly called Taylor Grocery. It was good. We had a great time with her and her parents. The drive back LB was in a silly mood which made us all laugh... I told her this, but I found out on this trip that she is one of the funniest people I've ever known. We went to bed early because of the drive home the next day. Yes, I did finish the day telling her some of my thoughts. End day four.

We got up and kind of fiddled around before we left. Talked with her mom and dad for a little bit and then hit the road after a few stops. I think at this point in the trip I knew I wanted to be with her forever. We talked about the future all the way home. I shared some things with her that I'd never shared with anyone and she did the same. I could only compare this to a great time of male bonding but she is absolutely and beautifully female. The trip seemed to pass in a snap. We arrived at her place around 10pm and watched the rest of the NCAA basketball champ game with Erin and Becky. I couldn't believe it was over and that I wasn't going to be waking up to another day with my Darlin.

This trip was one of the number one trips I've been on (wink wink).

The Rest of the Story...

I slept really well Friday night into Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about the day before. I had a talk with God as I laid in bed and then I started to miss Laura Beth. So, I called her on her cell phone and told her to come down the hall. She did, and we talked about the plans for the day... see Oxford for real.

We got ready and headed out to see the city after her mom made us some excellent SISTER SCHUBERT'S Cinnamon Rolls. We drove through the Ole Miss campus on the way to the Square. We went to the Weather Vane to meet Karen... a lady she used to work with there. I felt like the fly on the wall that I always wanted to be when LB was telling someone about me. She told Karen about how we met and all the things she liked about me as if I wasn't there. Of course I loved every second of it. After that, we walked around the Square to Bottle Tree Bakery for LB to get her daily gallon of coffee (har har har). She showed me the places she lived and the different buildings where she spent most of her time while there. We got her some coffee and then she took me to the original Mcalister's for me to get some great sweet tea, but it still wasn't as good as hers. We drove out to a hippy place to look for ear candles for LB because her ears had been bothering her, but they were closed. On the way back to town we went to Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner. The weather was beautiful, so we walked around on some of the trails around the house and then went in for a tour of the house. The inside was completely restored and very interesting. We went back outside and walked around. We walked through the backyard where her and Marcie spent a lot of time and then back to the car. We drove around the city some more and then I told her of my desire to purchase something to commemorate our trip... or a souvenir. A tshirt that said "Ole Miss" or something like that. We looked a few places with no luck for me, but she found a hat the first place! We checked a few other places before we hit the jackpot back in the Square. I found good lookin hat too. By this time it was around dinner time, and we were going to celebrate her dad's birthday. We arrived home and as dinner was being prepared we looked at old family vacation photo albums... funny stuff! She also played some old home movies from her in plays back in high school... those were entertaining! I found out for myself that she has an amazing voice. We took a break and ate a very good steak dinner (my first steak believe it or not, and I liked it!) and then back to finish up the evening with a look at her in the "King and I" and a check of the scores in the two Final Four games. Watched a little basketball and then went upstairs to finish the day as we had the previous two days. Again, I told her somethings and it got late so we ended day three.

We woke up Sunday morning and went to breakfast at Bottletree. I had the biggest cinnamon roll in the world and some really fresh OJ... it was awesome. We talked a bit and then went to church. Right off the bat, she had a line of folks wanting to talk to her. Young and old alike were lining up to talk to my Sweatheart. She introduced me to all the folks, most of which knew I was going to be there... hmmm! Because of that we were a bit late and the service had started. Her mom was in the chior and her dad was sitting on the front row... I felt like all eyes were on us as we walked in together. I sat between her and her dad. We enjoyed a very good sermon dealing with Terri Schiavo and then at the end of the service more folks coming up to see her and meet me. We went back home for lunch and a good friend of her brothers ate with us. After lunch, we finished off the film in her and her mom's camera and dropped them off at the local Wally World. Then we took a little drive out to the Mississippi Delta... the place most the photographs I've posted from the trip were taken. It was very interesting to see in real life things I've only seen in my head or in movies. The flat landscape, old cotton farms, small town store fronts with an older black fellows dressed up in suits and hats walking down the sidewalk with a limp. This was the Mississippi I'd had imagined. The sky and clouds were amazing and I've got some video that I'll make a move from soon... it'll be really good. We made it to Clarksdale, MS... "the Crossroads" and then doubled back to make it home in time to go out to dinner with her folks. We drove to a small town called Taylor, MS and ate at the old grocery store turned hip restaurant aptly called Taylor Grocery. It was good. We had a great time with her and her parents. The drive back LB was in a silly mood which made us all laugh... I told her this, but I found out on this trip that she is one of the funniest people I've ever known. We went to bed early because of the drive home the next day. Yes, I did finish the day telling her some of my thoughts. End day four.

We got up and kind of fiddled around before we left. Talked with her mom and dad for a little bit and then hit the road after a few stops. I think at this point in the trip I knew I wanted to be with her forever. We talked about the future all the way home. I shared some things with her that I'd never shared with anyone and she did the same. I could only compare this to a great time of male bonding but she is absolutely and beautifully female. The trip seemed to pass in a snap. We arrived at her place around 10pm and watched the rest of the NCAA basketball champ game with Erin and Becky. I couldn't believe it was over and that I wasn't going to be waking up to another day with my Darlin.

This trip was one of the number one trips I've been on (wink wink).

Mississippi Mud Still On My Shoes

Laura Beth knocked on the door as she opened it. And there stood her parents. They greeted her with hugs and me with handshakes. They inquired about the drive and then invited us in. They talked for a while and I listened. Something I didn't expect but came to realize I probably should have expected because they hadn't seen their baby girl in almost 4 months. We unpacked the car and LB showed me around the house. Very pretty inside. I was to stay in her brother Michael's room at one end of he hall and she was in her old room both at the other end. Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of meeting the Micheal this time. He is a student at Mississippi State which is an hour or so away and had a lot of work to take care off. We didn't stay long because we had things to do! We went to Off Square Books and watched the Thacker Mountain Radio Show featuring local bluegrass musicians and a poet from Memphis. They recorded an hour long radio show for Mississippi Public Radio which was also broadcast live there in town. We left just a bit early and headed to Two Stick. Two Stick is a great little sushi/asian place in a really awesome old building near the Square and we enjoyed a great and filling dinner. After that we walked around the square, stopped in Square Books for her to get some coffee and to sit on the upstairs porch that overlooks the Square. I told LB some things I was thinking. We got back in the car and drove around a bit. While driving she realized she didn't have the materials she needed for an event she was to be at the next day at Ole Miss. She left them back in Louisville. After a few moments of crazy she made some phone calls. Nothing could be done until the next morning. We went back home and her parents were in bed or getting ready to be. I went up stairs to my room and waited for LB. She came in my room and we tried to figure out a way to get the stuff 450 miles south of where it was. We talked some more and I told her even more things I was thinking... it got late, so we ended day one.

I woke up to my Darlin's face peeking in my room telling me to get up cause we were going to meet someone half way to get the stuff. I dressed and went downstairs. Her mom was up and made coffee. She handed us some apples and granola bars and we hit the road. It was rainy so we couldn't have done much anyway. But what turned out to be a bump in the weekend turned out to be the most memorable time for me. We talked. And talked. And talked. It was beautiful the things we talked about. The drive seemed like minutes... and we were just 50 miles outside of Nashville... more than half way home. We met a very nice young lady at a gas station in Lexington, TN and then headed back... racing to be back before 2pm. Well, we made it... and no one showed up! All was not lost because of our great time of conversation and being together... I wouldn't have traded it for anything else. As she was at the event I walked around the Square. The rain had stopped and given way to white puffy clouds that seemed to be moving 100mph behind the deep blue sky. I went to Square Books, back to the porch and sat down to really take in all we had talked about. I talked with God about things and really enjoyed my time alone. She called me about an hour later and I went back to get her to go home for dinner with the parents. We ate dinner, or... they did. I didn't like it to much and I felt bad. LB knew I was picky... I know you are always supposed to eat what is put in front of you but I just couldn't. Pot roast. LB left to go back to Ole Miss for another event and I was there with the parents. Her dad and I sat at the table and talked. Her mom asked me about the railroad and I tried to explain without using all the RR jargon I've come to expect people to know when I'm telling them about the RR. We talked for about an hour at the dinner table, then we went into the living room to see if the Final Four games were on. They weren't, so we just talked some more. LB came back and it was getting late by then. We went up to her room, which became a ritual that weekend, to talk about the day. I concluded the day by telling her more things I was thinking. It got even later, so we ended day two.

Mississippi Mud Still On My Car

I woke up this morning and high tailed it to LB's apt to help hook up her high speed internet. It was a clear and cool morning, much like the one last Thursday... the day we left for Oxford. A flood of emotions and memories just a week old ran through my mind. As I thought of the trip I was reminded that I hadn't written a thing about it. So, let me take you back to Thursday March 31st and we'll start our story.

Like I said, it was a clear and cool morning. The sky was as blue as could be (I was going to say as blue as her eyes, but that's just a little too sappy and romantic and completely true). I arrived around 8:30am and was very happy to see my sweetheart. We packed up her stuff in the CRV and had to make a quick stop at the bank to get some cash.

The drive down was relaxing for me. Being with her was relaxing for me. Then I remembered that the closer we got to our destination the closer I was to meeting her parents. So my mind would drift back and forth between being completely relaxed to thinking about a bunch of butterflies in my stomach. I've driven I65 south to Nashville a million times, so once we hit I40 west towards Memphis the scenery would help take my mind off of things. We stopped in Jackson, TN and for gas and lunch, then we hit the back roads all the way to Oxford. Laura Beth took the wheel and drove us into a new frontier for me. The back roads and country side of southwest TN and into Mississippi are beautiful. If for no other reason than they are different from that of which I am used to. Cudzoo started to dominate the landscape the further south she drove me into this state of Mississippi. A place I've not been, only heard her speak of very fondly. We pulled into Oxford and as we drove past large houses and nicely landscaped yards with flowers and trees in bloom, Laura Beth would talk about the ones she was familiar with. We drove the around the Square (I saw a sign that said the Square was the Center of the Universe) and around looking at the different houses. I was getting more nervious by the minute because I knew eventually one of the houses was going to be hers. We pulled up in the driveway of a very pretty house on a nice sized lot with pretty trees all around. She parked the car in a spot I could imagine her parking in after school when she lived there. She turned the car off. I took a few deep breaths and looked at her. She asked me if I was ready... and I said "as I'll ever be..." Then, we got out and headed for the front door...

Mississippi USA

I'll write about the trip tonight or tomorrow, but for now...