Zero

We went to Emory last week for Jimmy to have routine tests, to make sure his numbers were stable, and that the cancer wasn't showing any signs of trying to come back. It takes a week or so to get the results. We weren't overly anxious, because Jimmy looks and feels so good.

Dr. Lonial called on my cell phone this afternoon, and he sounded excited: Jimmy's paraprotein level was ZERO this time. Zero. Nada. Zilch. A month ago it was .16, which is only a trace, and technically was considered remission, but zero is a LOT better than a trace.

Saban's lake cottage

When we were in Highlands a few weeks ago, the Powells took us for a boat ride on Lake Burton. It's a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains, and small older cottages are interspersed with newer and grander edifices.
One of these is the recently constructed summer home of University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Judging from the way Alabama drummed Georgia last month, he may well be worth his big salary.

Saban's boat house on Lake Burton.

Anniversary

When Jimmy and I got married eight years ago yesterday, he made all the customary promises, but with an addendum. "I'll do my best to make you happy," he said, "but you can rest assured that you'll never be bored."

What an understatement. Sometimes our life feels like we live in a soap opera, or on an out-of-control roller coaster, with its endless ups and down, highs and lows, joys and sorrows. There have been days when monotony and dullness sounded inviting.

Thinking back over the past eight years, the bad times have been hard, but the good times are glorious, and so far, Jimmy has never let me down.

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Warrington Maxwell Oliver III

Highlands flowers

The calender says that fall has arrived, but the last of the summer flowers are blooming all over Highlands.

New 'do

"My hair looks stupid," Jimmy complained, critically eyeing himself in the mirror.

"Who cares?" He was getting no sympathy from me. "Your hair is at the bottom of my list of priorities."

It IS a little odd looking. The white skunk stripe down the middle is back, and the top is so dark that in certain lighting, it looks like he's wearing a yarmulke.

Christening

Our wonderful minister, Tommy Mason, christened Caroline Rose this morning at First Methodist Church.

She looked like a little angel, wearing an exquisite christening gown that was worn by her mother and her grandmother and her great-grandmother when they were christened.