Starkvegas

In February we had the pleasure of going back to Starkville, MS [Mississippi State University] for the first time since we graduated in 2005. It was so fun being back in Starkvegas. The campus has changed a lot, but we still felt like it was "home." We quickly realized that Starkvegas would not be a place we would want to live again, though. We forgot how unplanned and not pretty the city is, which is really sad. While I was in grad school, I actually studied the zoning issues-or lack there of-that the City of Starkville has. There can be a really nice neighborhood smack in the middle of run down rentals, across the street, an apartment complex, followed by a restored home, next to Bronzed Bunz (tanning salon). Yikes, major issues.

Oh well, we LOVED our time at State and it was awesome to be back. Our dear friends Lindsay and Brad Abbott hosted us and we had a lovely time catching up with them. Their dog, Bella, wasn't too sure about Lucy at first, but that became fast friends. They would whine when their cages weren't side-by-side or if one was shut in a room and the other wasn't. Bella is a wrestler so Lucy had to get used to that. In the wrestling ring we dubbed Bella "The Bulldozer," for her technique in plowing down her opponents. Lucy was dubbed "The Bounder," she she loves to jump over her opponents. They wore each other out and chewed on each other's faces.

We ate at our old favorites, which were still wonderful. I think that was Justin's main agenda for the weekend. We also got to hear Brad's band, Deco, play. They were really great; it was an enjoyable, but late evening. We actually were able to stay until Monday, so we got to see a bunch of people from church and hang out with a few that evening. That was super. I love going back to church and seeing old friends. There were a few new family additions that we got to meet and that was SO fun. One of the little girls we finally got to meet, we prayed and prayed over her coming! It was so wonderful to see God's amazing creation and plan!

We spent some time on campus with Lucy. I felt like we were new parents with a baby (human), showing them around campus, telling them they would come here one day ;) We got decked out in MSU gear. Lucy now has a MSU collar and leash. Justin got another cow bell and I got a hoodie sweatshirt and a car tag. whew! We really wanted to go to a basketball game, but they were sold out and the scalpers were selling them for $75 each...no thanks. But we did get to see it on TV and we beat Arkansas for the SEC West Title!! Yippee! [too bad we just lost by ONE point to Vandy yesterday:( ]

So thank you to the Abbott's for a wonderful weekend. We LOVED it! Y'all are such gracious hosts!!