A few questions on college, culture, and concerns of a new (and unexpected) Vet.

[Jessee75]

Awesome! Throw in a goat and you may have yourself a deal!

I'm not sure if you're ready for the middle one though...I caught him licking the flightline at an air show two years ago. I look down and the boy is bent at his knees and touching the ground with his head. I tell him to get up and there's a wet spot on the tarmac about the size (and shape) of his mouth. This was the day after he'd pooped his pants when the F-16 kicked in his afterburners. Poor kid's never gonna get a girl with me telling these stories.

Very appropriate timing by the way. I've been reading "The Age of Faith" by Will Durant-a book on the history of western civilization covering the period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance. I'm currently reading about medieval economics (yes I'm a history geek).

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Jessee75

(yes I'm a history geek).

Napoleon's hemorrhoids contributed to his defeat at Waterloo.

Good night.

[Jessee75]

Awesome, disturbing, makes perfect sense, and yet still leaves me speechless...

[HouseFullaBoys]

Originally Posted by Jessee75

Speaking of churches...I still remember the South as having a predominantly suit/tie sort of big smile service (10 years ago mind you).

I think choosing a church is a very personal decision. You can get advice and recommendations all day long, but till you visit you won't know if it feels like home to you. However, I am sure there is something for everyone. There are so many churches here, you could literally visit for years! (Hopefully won't take that long!) We go to a very conservative southern baptist church. Our pastor is a 71 year old retired Huntsville police officer, who has been there for over 30 years. We love the sense of family, the fact that there is no sugar coating and the Bible is taught as it should be, and yes my husband does wear jeans every week. We recently moved from the Hampton Cove area to Harvest. We visited several churches in Harvest/Madison area, but have decided to make the 45 minute drive to stick with the place we love. There is a lot for the kids, just started AWANA this year.

Not sure what to tell you about the shift work. My husband is in radio and I have been selling real estate for the past few years. I am contemplating going back to school to study nursing in the fall. I have hit that age where I want to do more than make money, I need to feel like I am making a real difference in peoples lives. Anyhoo...I wish you the best and let me know if you have any other questions.

Melanie

[Jessee75]

That's exactly what I was trying to get at concerning the teaching of the Bible. I'd prefer someone that doesn't sugarcoat it or always preach on the joy of the Lord, why you deserve to be happy, or whatever else Joel Osteen is currently making money from. My kids are both in Cubbies right now so that would also be a bonus if I could find a crowd that gets into that as well. I drive time is of no regard to me. I got used to that while living in California. There's so much to do in that state that the idea of staying home on the weekend was ridiculous. I think I'll always miss our home church that would take trips to Moonstone Beach on a Sunday (it was fun to get the odd stares from the old hippies doing yoga).

[Reactionary]

Jessee75 - speaking of goats, the HSV area is home to one of the best goat cheese makers in the world:

We’re recognized as one of the best chèvre creameries in the United States, and arguably the world, by the American Cheese Society and The American Goat Dairy Association. Even internationally-acclaimed cheese expert Steven Jenkins calls our cheese an “American Treasure.”

Belle Chèvre – Artisan Goat Cheese

This area is great for a history enthusiast, especially for the Civil War and War of 1812 - quite a few battlefields close enough for a day trip, plus reenactors with artillery

[Jessee75]

Goat cheese huh? Well for all of my "is the place still Southern" bluster I have to tell you that I love a new experience any day. That includes goat cheese and I'll certainly check that out. Thanks!

Speaking of: any good coffee roasters around town? I'm in Minot, ND and accidentally found the best roaster I've ever come across. I'm going to miss the guy's coffee and I'm hoping I can find a good local shop down there.

As far as the battlefields go that's always important to me since it was my father always taking me to Andersonville and a few Indian sites as a child that made me begin to love history.

[Reactionary]

Shiloh, Franklin, Stones River, and Chicamauga are within 2 hours. Horseshoe Bend a bit further. Plus Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan at the beach 6 hours away - "damn the torpedoes".

[Jessee75]

I'm looking forward to getting my children to see Shiloh, Rock City, and Stone Mountain...of course it'll be when they're a bit older for Shiloh, Andersonville, Chickamagua; etc. I remember so much of my childhood in the GA/TN region and I'm really excited to get closer to it so I can let my children have some experience in the history of where their family is from. My wife, being from Indianapolis, is slightly less impressed than I am, but she understands that I'm a bit giddy for these things. She learned how to make sweet tea better than my mother (shhh...that's a secret I'll carry to my grave...my mother, the unreconstructed Southerner would have me tarred and feathered for that comment) and my wife is gracious enough not to say "why do you people do THAT!!" when we live in another region of the country she's not used to.

[96TennGT]

I'm former Navy and grew up in TN. Huntsville proper may not be the quintessential southern town but it's definitely not lost when it comes to southern characteristics. Within a half-hour to hour drive there are plenty of towns that are very southern and quite nice. I'm a bit of a history geek also and there are lots of things to do around here concerning the subject.

Once I left the Navy I went to UAH. In the Navy I was an electronics tech but went to college to do mechanical engineering. I also took four or so history classes. I don't know that the history program is really strong at UAH but the instructors are enthusiastic and encouraging. Athens and UAH both offer teaching as well.