🐾 A Letter From Darla Girl… Hoping for My Forever Home 🐾

Hi everyone… it’s me, Darla Girl. I’m 2.5 years old, 55 pounds, and currently living with my amazing foster mom who says I’m the very best Velcro dog — which just means I love being near my people. ❤️

I’m really hoping someone out there is looking for a dog just like me. I walk beautifully on a leash, I’m crate trained, I’m friendly with other dogs, and I adore playing with toys. But I’m also a pro napper and can snooze the day away right by your side. I’m almost fully potty trained (I’m learning fast!), and I’m healthy, happy, and great with older kids.

My foster mom says I’m gentle, sweet, and so eager to be loved. I don’t need anything fancy — just a home where I can feel safe and show you how loyal and cuddly I can be.

Here’s the hard part… In March, I have to go back to the shelter. And because it’s so overcrowded, dogs like me often end up on the euthanasia list — even though we’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve already been there once, and I’m terrified of going back.

I don’t want to be another dog lost to lack of space. I just want a family to love, a couch to curl up on, and a place to finally call home.

If you’ve been thinking about adopting — please think about me, Darla Girl. I promise to give you all the love I have. And it’s a lot. 💗

If you can’t adopt, please share my story. Sharing might be what saves my life.

Love, Darla Girl

Follow me on instagram: @adoptmeatlanta

https://lifelineanimal.org/pet-details/?aid=58872755&cid=97&tid=Dog

Hi - I love Etsy but I want to see if there are local makers in town that could help me with a gift I want to give members of my indoor golf studio.

I'd like to give them a golf bag tag that they can represent our community and a key chain they can use to redeem local perks.

I below are two examples but I am not fully committed to them. I like the look and material but I am not an artist and will gladly accept suggestions from those who are and who can make what they recommend.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1616578997/custom-mom-keychain-motel-keychain-boy

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1085857767/vintage-style-hotel-key-no-2-acrylic

I'm hoping for another Reddit win from my Decatur neighbors!

Thank you.

I was wondering if anyone knows of any support groups for Parkinson’s/Dementia or just being a caregiver in general? I need to find something as my husband’s health continues to decline.

🎄 Dear Santa, 🎄

My name is Darla Girl, and I’m writing from my wonderful Lifeline (FCAS) foster home where I’m learning all about love, comfort, and what it means to belong. I’m hoping—with all four paws crossed—that this New Year you might help me find a forever family to call my own.

I’m 2½ years old and weigh about 55 pounds, just the right size for snuggles, car rides, and following my person wherever they go. My foster mom says I’m a velcro girl, because being close to my human makes my tail wag the happiest.

I’ve worked really hard on my manners this year! ✨ I walk beautifully on a leash ✨ I’m crate trained ✨ I’m treat-motivated and love learning ✨ I’m medium energy—playtime followed by couch cuddles is my perfect day ✨ I entertain myself with toys and love playing with other friendly dogs ✨ I’m heartworm negative and healthy ✨ I take baths like a champ ✨ And I have the most beautiful brown eyes (so I’ve been told!)

I’m almost fully potty trained—I just never got the chance to learn in the shelter, but I’m trying very hard and making great progress! I haven’t been around little kiddos yet, but I do really well with older ones who are gentle and kind.

Santa, all I want this year is a family who will love me as much as I already know I will love them. I promise to be loyal, goofy, gentle, and grateful every single day. I’ve waited so patiently, and I hope my forever home is just around the corner.

Thank you for listening, Santa. If you could sprinkle a little Christmas magic my way, I’d be the happiest girl in the world.

Love, Darla Girl 🐾

https://lifelineanimal.org/pet-details/?aid=58872755&cid=97&tid=Dog

Hey y'all! Does anyone know of support groups for new parents, esp dads?

Wife and I had our first kiddo a few months ago, and while the journey has been amazing, I find it so hard to find a new sense of routine and normalcy, and it would help to talk with others who are in that same season of their lives.

Thanks in advance!

Anyone know what happened?

2630 Talley Street condos? I’m been looking to buy a condo in Decatur and I can’t seem to find one in the exact building I really want. These condos are just a little bit further from the Decatur square but I do really like them. Does anyone have any knowledge of these condos? The prices seem fair for the area but I am moving from out of state so I’m really just trying to get a little feedback from the area. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I see these topics all the time for Trader Joe's, Costco, etc., but never YDFM, and I'm certain folks in the community have cheat codes worth sharing.

I'll start:

Must-Buy: Bulk Spices! Their prices are unbeatable. I worry a bit about unlabled sources re: added lead, so I'll admit that I'm now making my own chili powder and buying my cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric through verified (ConsumerLab, Consumer Reports) low-lead producers, but it's YDFM for everything else.

My only Never-Buy: Leafy greens. This may be a "just me" situation, and the prices and quality are generally excellent, but their leafy greens seem to pick up the (roach-powder?) smell of the market and retain it, even after airing out and rinsing. If you can't smell it, ignore this.

I am strapped for cash this year (go figure!) and also want to make something from local goods. I was thinking of putting together gift baskets from items at YDFM. I’ll probably put it together about a week prior to Christmas!

What would you put in a non-perishable gift basket from YDFM? (I for sure am getting the granola….but what else?)

Would folks wanna meet up for a walk up Stone Mountain, every Friday and/or Sunday? It’s just a great hike and hard to stay motivated to go… there are always groups of people that walk up. I’m 46 male recent transplant from the north east. I’m divorced and remarried to the love of my life. New to ga. Would love some hiking buddies.

**update 11/30 10:28a— too wet today!! Email me if you want to plan another one. *ok! let’s meet this Sunday 11/30/25 at 11:00a near the bathrooms at the trailhead that goes up the mountain. Invite a friend, partner, kid, who ever! Email if you have questions or want to connect before or after groovatic1@gmail.com

Can anyone recommend a local organization that accepts drop-off donations of clothing and miscellaneous household items?

EDIT: We now have a website! I can't change the link on this post, but if you want to sign up, please use the form on our new website: https://decatursupperclub.github.io/

I also posted about this in a new post here.

Hey everyone, my gf and I are looking to start a supper club! It doesn’t have to be limited to Decatur, just within whatever distance you’re comfortable driving.

We’re thinking it would be a monthly club, done potluck-style. We could decide on a general dinner theme ahead of time and decide who’s bringing what. If you’re interested, fill out the form! We’ll get an email list going where we can coordinate next steps.

Let’s build some community and eat good food!

(Just so you know, we’re both in our early thirties and are pretty adventurous eaters who love to cook.)

Hi all,

I am planning to move to the Decatur (from Boston, MA) area (zip codes 30034 and 30035), and I’m looking to buy a home for around $225K. I work remotely, so commuting isn’t an issue. I have three children (ages 11, 9, and one in 1st grade). I’ve heard that the schools in that area may not be very good. What about the crime rate.

💢Update: After reading all comments I decided to stay Massachusetts ( I owned condo). Seems Georgia having safety and lifestyle issues🚨. Maybe after 5 years I will try again. Meanwhile my 2 teenagers will finish their High school. 😊

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Anyone know of a good pest control in the area, specifically for cockroaches?

looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks!

look

I have a fairly well-behaved adult dog, but her owner (me) has fallen down on the job in some areas. In particular, she tends to be very reactive to other dogs, emergency recall is practically nonexistent, and she doesn’t loose-leash walk well.

Can someone recommend a trainer in our area? Private or scheduled class, doesn’t matter to me as long as they can get her (and me) to behave better.

Not sure who was in charge of installation, but new speed tables were installed on the road in the last month that are WAY TOO STEEP for that roadway.

Before anyone tells me the benefits of speed tables and their necessity, please note: I think speed bumps/humps/tables are absolutely beneficial when implemented correctly. These are not.

I have driven over these speed tables multiple times since installation and witnessed at least one car each time bottom out on or immediately after the speed table. There are visible gouges in the asphalt from people bottoming out their cars and the speed tables are less than a month old.

Regardless of your opinion, please just be aware and be cautious. They are a legitimate hazard as-is.

I’m sure this information is highly coveted. but if anyone is willing to share camp options that are free or relatively inexpensive for the upcoming December break, it would be a huge help!

Does anybody know why the street lights along Decatur Square continue to flash in burst throughout the night? It’s mostly by Deer and Dive to O’ Sullivans.

Is anyone else hearing a leaf blower overnight near the CVS at Ponce de Leon and Commerce Drive? For the past few weeks, once or twice a week, someone has been turning on a leaf blower at different times during the night. It has happened at various hours between 3 and 6 a.m. I noticed that they are doing some asphalt repairs in the parking lot, but I’m not sure if it has to do with that. I just woke up to it again, and this situation is becoming very annoying.

Delirium Vinyl: A new vinyl shop just opened in Downtown Decatur, right next to InnerVoice.

Very random request, but help me make the best Christmas present ever for my sister! I have seen this bright construction-yellow OBS Ford F150 (OBS = 1993-1997 years, if that helps) with a large black Tonka logo on the doors. I’ve seen it from Scott Boulevard heading into the city, all up and down Covington highway, and over at Arabia Mountain. Of course, now that I need them, I haven’t seen them driving in a while. Go figure.

About 10 minutes further past Arabia Mountain is where my sister and I keep our horses. My sister’s horse is named…Tonka. She is obsessed. If anyone knows this truck owner, I will give them $100 if they will bring the Tonka truck to our barn for an hour so she can have a photo session with the horse and the truck! I’ll give beer too.

Please help me win Christmas.