Hi Jody!
I have an Alabama connection, too, as my mom's family is from Alabama. I actually lived there (Autaugaville & Montgomery) from about 6 months to 6 years old before moving back to Florida where I was born. From then up until time for college, I continued to go back with my parents periodically to visit the relatives and then I decided that I liked it so much that I went to college there--Troy State to be exact (yeah, I know they dropped the "State", but since it's on my degree, it'll always be Troy State to me).
I haven't been back in a number of years and I miss it.
Anyhow, welcome to the forum.
Heather