Mom wanted to meet in Kite to visit Daddy's grave since he has been gone a year on the 15th. It dawned on me I could go down to Dublin a day early and do some family research that I have been wanting to do for probably two years or more. I had enough points built up with LaQuinta that I could get a room for only $15!! So the plans were made!
It was nasty weather today, of course. Mom and I say that it always rains when we get together, but with the weather we've had this fall, I can't say it's our fault! It was foggy and misting rain the entire way. I still made good time once I got out of Covington (I had an eye doctor appointment! My eyes are great, BTW! Doctor was happy. Pressure was only 18 in the left eye! Damage that was there in 2007 is completely gone!) and got to Dublin about 12:30 pm. Once I found some lunch, I headed to the library to get to work!
The Laurens County Library is absolutely beautiful! They have a HUGE Heritage Room with the most helpful lady who works there. (Some GREAT customer service for a change!) I was researching my paternal grandmother's family (Drake) today, and she just kept pulling books for me! It was great! Except I ran out of time and will HAVE to come back. I really don't mind cause it's a pleasure to research here!
I looked at newspapers (Wrightsville, Swainsboro, and Dublin) on micofilm until I was cross-eyed and nodding off! But I did find one item I was looking for, and I found some other miscellaneous items. The jackpot came when the library lady found a book on the Drakes!! It is full of information about our direct line! The book was just published in 2005 and the author's address was included in the book, so I am definitely going to try to contact him and see if there is a copy available for purchase. I NEED that book!!
I really don't even know what all I found today... my head is spinning with the information. I've got to get it home and sort it all out. I do know that my re-organizing my genealogy information into 3-ring binders works great! I brought the Drake binder with me, and I was able to flip right to information I needed. I was so glad to put the system into practice and see how I need to tweak it... and the best part is I didn't find much of anything to tweek this time around!
(Except I do need to remember to pack a pencil!!)
When I left the library about 6pm, it was pouring rain! It's difficult navigating in an unfamiliar town in the dark AND the rain (even with my GPS). I went to my motel, checked in, dumped bags in the room, and headed out to do some shopping and get some dinner. I tried to go to Sonny's BBQ, but after sitting in the drive thru for 5 minutes, I finally looked up and read the sign that said "Closing at 5 today for company Christmas party"!!!! I was relieved to just grab something fast and get back here to the motel to relax.
I have to meet Mom in Kite about 9:30 in the morning. That's about 45 minutes from here, so I'd better get to bed so I can get up and get moving early!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
October 2009 Roundup
Better late than never, right??!
What books did I read this month? Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (Book Club)
Magazines? Guideposts; Reader's Digest
What movies did I see this month? A Mighty Heart (TV/DVR); Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941 version w/Spencer Tracey, Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner) (TV/DVR)
TV Shows? America's Most Wanted; The Cleaner; Dog the Bounty Hunter; Army Wives; CMT Insider; Oprah; Medium; Monk; Criminal Minds; NCIS; NCIS Los Angeles; Two and a Half Men; The Forgotten; 48 Hours Mystery; The Vampire Diaries; Ghost Whisperer; Bones
What special days did I celebrate and how? Tracy's Birthday - we celebrated with Mom in Augusta and then on his actual birthday, we had dinner at Bugaboo and the Moose sang to him!
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? IBS - bad attack at the airport terminal gate while waiting for our flight home!; minor sinus problems due to all the rain
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Trip to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon with my mom; visited my mom's sister, who I had never met!
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? Tried a new recipe: Pork with Roasted Peppers & Potatoes (yum!)
What special or unusual purchases did I make? Lots of magnets from our trip; a plant-your-own cactus from the Grand Canyon
What were this month's disappointments? Again, all the rain... I NEED sunshine!
What were my accomplishments this month? Did a genealogy job for a paying customer; Navigating our travels
What books did I read this month? Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (Book Club)
Magazines? Guideposts; Reader's Digest
What movies did I see this month? A Mighty Heart (TV/DVR); Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941 version w/Spencer Tracey, Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner) (TV/DVR)
TV Shows? America's Most Wanted; The Cleaner; Dog the Bounty Hunter; Army Wives; CMT Insider; Oprah; Medium; Monk; Criminal Minds; NCIS; NCIS Los Angeles; Two and a Half Men; The Forgotten; 48 Hours Mystery; The Vampire Diaries; Ghost Whisperer; Bones
What special days did I celebrate and how? Tracy's Birthday - we celebrated with Mom in Augusta and then on his actual birthday, we had dinner at Bugaboo and the Moose sang to him!
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? IBS - bad attack at the airport terminal gate while waiting for our flight home!; minor sinus problems due to all the rain
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Trip to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon with my mom; visited my mom's sister, who I had never met!
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? Tried a new recipe: Pork with Roasted Peppers & Potatoes (yum!)
What special or unusual purchases did I make? Lots of magnets from our trip; a plant-your-own cactus from the Grand Canyon
What were this month's disappointments? Again, all the rain... I NEED sunshine!
What were my accomplishments this month? Did a genealogy job for a paying customer; Navigating our travels
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Random notes from Phoenix/Grand Canyon trip...
... that will probably only make sense to me! But I will need them for scrapbooking the pictures later!
10/15/09 - Where we viewed the sunset at the Grand Canyon was Mohave Point.
The tree needles were from a juniper tree.
Other tree I photographed was a Pinyon Pine.
We met the shuttle bus at Yavapai Lodge.
10/16/09 - The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Ponderosa Pine can reach 1100 ft. It's bark smells like vanilla.
The Banana Yucci plant (resembles the palmetto) grows fruit about every three years. The Indians used the sharp needle points and fibers to sew clothes.
Visited Moran Point.
It is 20 degrees warmer down on the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch.
Rangers have to rescue 350-400 people a year. There is a $3,000 charge for a helicopter rescue.
There have been 11 drive offs at the Grand Canyon since the movie Thelma and Louise, including one just in the last couple of months.
Visited Lipan Point.
The Grand Canyon is 14-18 miles across and over one mile down. It is 7000 feet above sea level. It is over 280 miles long.
The Colorado River carved the canyon. The river is 50-100 ft deep; 100-900 ft across; water is 47 degrees.
Visited Yaki Point.
North Rim is 1000 ft higher than South Rim (elevation).
Visited Duck-on-a-Rock and viewed Vishnu Temple.
Visited Desert View and climbed Watch Tower.
The Watch Tower was designed by Mary Colter. It is 4 stories tall. The top is the highest point at the South Rim.
Indians used these towers to keep a lookout for danger approaching.
10/18/09 - We got on the Apache Trail in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Saw Canyon Lake, Superstition Mountain, the town Tortilla Flat.
Area of the Lost Dutchman gold mine.
(See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine)
10/19/09 - Desert Botanical Garden
Exhibit: Chihuly - the nature of glass
Saguaro don't grow limbs until they are at least 30-40 years old.
Sonora Desert
10/15/09 - Where we viewed the sunset at the Grand Canyon was Mohave Point.
The tree needles were from a juniper tree.
Other tree I photographed was a Pinyon Pine.
We met the shuttle bus at Yavapai Lodge.
10/16/09 - The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Ponderosa Pine can reach 1100 ft. It's bark smells like vanilla.
The Banana Yucci plant (resembles the palmetto) grows fruit about every three years. The Indians used the sharp needle points and fibers to sew clothes.
Visited Moran Point.
It is 20 degrees warmer down on the Colorado River at Phantom Ranch.
Rangers have to rescue 350-400 people a year. There is a $3,000 charge for a helicopter rescue.
There have been 11 drive offs at the Grand Canyon since the movie Thelma and Louise, including one just in the last couple of months.
Visited Lipan Point.
The Grand Canyon is 14-18 miles across and over one mile down. It is 7000 feet above sea level. It is over 280 miles long.
The Colorado River carved the canyon. The river is 50-100 ft deep; 100-900 ft across; water is 47 degrees.
Visited Yaki Point.
North Rim is 1000 ft higher than South Rim (elevation).
Visited Duck-on-a-Rock and viewed Vishnu Temple.
Visited Desert View and climbed Watch Tower.
The Watch Tower was designed by Mary Colter. It is 4 stories tall. The top is the highest point at the South Rim.
Indians used these towers to keep a lookout for danger approaching.
10/18/09 - We got on the Apache Trail in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Saw Canyon Lake, Superstition Mountain, the town Tortilla Flat.
Area of the Lost Dutchman gold mine.
(See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine)
10/19/09 - Desert Botanical Garden
Exhibit: Chihuly - the nature of glass
Saguaro don't grow limbs until they are at least 30-40 years old.
Sonora Desert
September 2009 Roundup
What books did I read this month? Shadowfires by Dean Koontz (Audio Book); She Walks These Hills by Sharyn McCrumb
Magazines? Guideposts; People
What movies did I see this month? Psyho (TV/DVR); Ocean's Eleven (DVD) (repeat); Horton Hears a Who (Netflix); Gran Torino (Netflix); War (TV/DVR); What Happens in Vegas (Netflix); Treasure Island (TV/DVR); Lara Croft Tomb Raider (TV/DVR)
TV Shows? 24; Leverage; America's Most Wanted; John Edward's Cross Country; The Cleaner; Dog the Bounty Hunter; Army Wives; CMT Insider; Oprah; Medium; Monk; Criminal Minds; NCIS; NCIS Los Angeles; Two and a Half Men; Community; The Forgotten; 48 Hours Mystery; The Soup; Chelsea Lately; Dateline on ID; Golden Girls; Roseanne; Bewitched; Raging Planet; The Vampire Diaries
What special days did I celebrate and how? Mom's birthday - She came up for a visit. We had ice cream cake and planned our trip to Phoenix; Carolyn's Birthday - we celebrated at SDV with cupcakes, singing and gifts
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? IBS - bad attack on the 28th; had some skin tags removed at the dermatologist
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Attended Scrapper's Dream Vacation (SDV) in Norcross with Carolyn, Christy, and Stacey; took Stacey to lunch for her birthday and went shopping with her afterwards; cropping at Archiver's with Carolyn
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? None
What special or unusual purchases did I make? A magnetic board and easel to use for scrapbooking
What were this month's disappointments? All the rain and flooding... I miss the sun! And I did not finish reading Moby Dick... but then NO ONE in my book club did!
What were my accomplishments this month? Getting my routines back in place
Magazines? Guideposts; People
What movies did I see this month? Psyho (TV/DVR); Ocean's Eleven (DVD) (repeat); Horton Hears a Who (Netflix); Gran Torino (Netflix); War (TV/DVR); What Happens in Vegas (Netflix); Treasure Island (TV/DVR); Lara Croft Tomb Raider (TV/DVR)
TV Shows? 24; Leverage; America's Most Wanted; John Edward's Cross Country; The Cleaner; Dog the Bounty Hunter; Army Wives; CMT Insider; Oprah; Medium; Monk; Criminal Minds; NCIS; NCIS Los Angeles; Two and a Half Men; Community; The Forgotten; 48 Hours Mystery; The Soup; Chelsea Lately; Dateline on ID; Golden Girls; Roseanne; Bewitched; Raging Planet; The Vampire Diaries
What special days did I celebrate and how? Mom's birthday - She came up for a visit. We had ice cream cake and planned our trip to Phoenix; Carolyn's Birthday - we celebrated at SDV with cupcakes, singing and gifts
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? IBS - bad attack on the 28th; had some skin tags removed at the dermatologist
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Attended Scrapper's Dream Vacation (SDV) in Norcross with Carolyn, Christy, and Stacey; took Stacey to lunch for her birthday and went shopping with her afterwards; cropping at Archiver's with Carolyn
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? None
What special or unusual purchases did I make? A magnetic board and easel to use for scrapbooking
What were this month's disappointments? All the rain and flooding... I miss the sun! And I did not finish reading Moby Dick... but then NO ONE in my book club did!
What were my accomplishments this month? Getting my routines back in place
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 7, Tuesday, October 20
Traveling day... we stuffed everything into our suitcases (I think Mom had to jump up and down on hers to get it closed and zipped!) and prayed they wouldn't be over the weight limit.
We left in plenty of time to get breakfast (Chicken Minis again! LOL) and drive to the airport. Of course, the time flies by. We turned in the rental van and caught the shuttle to the airport. We even had time to do some shopping when we got there! Got checked in fine (no overweight suitcases!!) and went through security. Sky Harbor airport advertises itself as "America's Friendliest Airport" and that is true... except for the TSA people. They seem to either be bored so they choose random people to harass (Mom's theory) or they are on a power trip (my theory). Either way, they are not friendly.
We made it through and found our gate. The seats were right by a large plate-glass window. I must have gotten too hot because I proceeded to get sick and have an IBS attack right there in the gate area! I was so terrified that I would be sick on the plane. I did that once on a plane to Sarasota, and it was miserable... and scary. I do not want to repeat that EVER. Finally after two trips to the restroom, cold, wet towels on my face and neck, and sitting away from the window, I felt better. I was fine on the flight home, thank goodness. That was a close one!
It was another smooth flight and we even landed in Atlanta 15 minutes early. We got down to the baggage claim, and our luggage was already going around on the carousel!! Unbelievable for Atlanta! We made our way to the shuttle bus, got back to my car, and headed out. When I called Tracy, he said he was cooking spaghetti for us! WOW! What a homecoming. I headed to the house double-quick!
I am glad to be home (as long as the sun will shine!) and the cats were very happy to have their mommy home. It is wonderful to go, and it is nice to return home.
We left in plenty of time to get breakfast (Chicken Minis again! LOL) and drive to the airport. Of course, the time flies by. We turned in the rental van and caught the shuttle to the airport. We even had time to do some shopping when we got there! Got checked in fine (no overweight suitcases!!) and went through security. Sky Harbor airport advertises itself as "America's Friendliest Airport" and that is true... except for the TSA people. They seem to either be bored so they choose random people to harass (Mom's theory) or they are on a power trip (my theory). Either way, they are not friendly.
We made it through and found our gate. The seats were right by a large plate-glass window. I must have gotten too hot because I proceeded to get sick and have an IBS attack right there in the gate area! I was so terrified that I would be sick on the plane. I did that once on a plane to Sarasota, and it was miserable... and scary. I do not want to repeat that EVER. Finally after two trips to the restroom, cold, wet towels on my face and neck, and sitting away from the window, I felt better. I was fine on the flight home, thank goodness. That was a close one!
It was another smooth flight and we even landed in Atlanta 15 minutes early. We got down to the baggage claim, and our luggage was already going around on the carousel!! Unbelievable for Atlanta! We made our way to the shuttle bus, got back to my car, and headed out. When I called Tracy, he said he was cooking spaghetti for us! WOW! What a homecoming. I headed to the house double-quick!
I am glad to be home (as long as the sun will shine!) and the cats were very happy to have their mommy home. It is wonderful to go, and it is nice to return home.
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 6, Monday, October 19
Our last day in Phoenix... and there was sooo much we wanted to do and see and knew there was not enough time to squeeze it all in. After much discussion, we finally came up with something of a semblance of a plan.
First of all, breakfast. Another Chick-fil-A morning! I do love those Chicken Minis! Then off to Wal-Mart to buy another memory card for my camera... since I had already filled one and the backup I brought wasn't big enough to hold more than 10 pictures!!! Then we had to find the Mail Plus store to ship stuff home. I went ahead and mailed the scrapbooking stuff I had purchased since I wanted to be sure the paper wouldn't get bent. Mom had a plate she wanted to ship home; she was afraid it would get broken in her suitcase. We prayed that with getting this stuff mailed, our suitcases wouldn't be over the weight limit!
Aunt Evelyn and Ted had indicated the evening before that they would go to the Botanical Gardens with us, but we knew it was too much walking and would be too hot for them. So we went ahead ourselves. We were right - it was a lot of walking and it was VERY hot. It was a nice place, though. I took lots of pictures of the desert plants... so very different from what we saw at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in March! They also had a Monarch butterfly house... I took lots of pictures in there.
We didn't linger at the Gardens... it was just too hot. Mom was even getting queasy from the heat. We decided to skip the zoo for the same reason. We started back across Phoenix to pick up Aunt Evelyn and Ted for an outing with them to the Challenger Space Center. Phoenix is a lot like Atlanta in that it takes quite awhile to cross town, but for a different reason. In Atlanta, it's the traffic; in Phoenix, it's just a long way across town! We only encountered two traffic jams while visiting... and one of those was due to road construction (also like Atlanta!).
While driving back, I got a phone call from ADT saying that the security alarm was going off at Mom's house! (Motion detector in the family room) We figured it was the cats, but told them to send the police over anyway. I told them "We are in Arizona; we're not going to make it!" So Mom tried to reach the lady feeding her cats. Couldn't reach her. Called ADT back and now the motion detector in the hallway had also gone off. We started laughing cause we could just picture her cats chasing each other through the house! Mom found out that the lady she left her key with had an emergency and had given the key to someone else. That person did not know to put the alarm in "Stay" mode so the motion detectors would not be activated. Someone finally went over and met the police and we thought it was all settled... until about 3 hours later when Tracy called to say ADT had called and Mom's alarm was going off AGAIN! It was a comedy routine, I swear! It finally got taken care of... but who knows what she found when she got home!
By the time we drove back, tried to find somewhere to eat lunch, and got gas, it was after 2:30 before we got back to Aunt Evelyn and Ted's house. (We did try Whataburger - pretty good.) This meant we were really late getting to the Space Center... especially since they close at 4!! We got over there and did a short walk through... Ted was really enjoying it since he worked for Boeing and worked on space ships... Aunt Evelyn, not so much. It was just too much walking for her. It pretty much worked out then. We went back to their house and took some pictures of all of us. Aunt Evelyn had pulled some pictures for us to look at. Unfortunately most of what she pulled was of Ted's family... and she wanted to tell us who every person was, their background, everything. I tried to lead her back to the Tapley family a couple of times, but she was having none of it! I finally got some pictures of her and Ted's wedding and one picture of her at 6 months old and counted my blessings that I got those. We went to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant (Ted almost licked his plate clean!! LOL) and then went over to Wal-Mart and I copied the pictures for Mom and me.
It was late by this time... 9 o'clock - so we took Aunt Evelyn and Ted home and told them good-bye. It wasn't long before Mom and I were asleep ourselves. We knew the next day would be a long one, what with the traveling and the time difference.
First of all, breakfast. Another Chick-fil-A morning! I do love those Chicken Minis! Then off to Wal-Mart to buy another memory card for my camera... since I had already filled one and the backup I brought wasn't big enough to hold more than 10 pictures!!! Then we had to find the Mail Plus store to ship stuff home. I went ahead and mailed the scrapbooking stuff I had purchased since I wanted to be sure the paper wouldn't get bent. Mom had a plate she wanted to ship home; she was afraid it would get broken in her suitcase. We prayed that with getting this stuff mailed, our suitcases wouldn't be over the weight limit!
Aunt Evelyn and Ted had indicated the evening before that they would go to the Botanical Gardens with us, but we knew it was too much walking and would be too hot for them. So we went ahead ourselves. We were right - it was a lot of walking and it was VERY hot. It was a nice place, though. I took lots of pictures of the desert plants... so very different from what we saw at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in March! They also had a Monarch butterfly house... I took lots of pictures in there.
We didn't linger at the Gardens... it was just too hot. Mom was even getting queasy from the heat. We decided to skip the zoo for the same reason. We started back across Phoenix to pick up Aunt Evelyn and Ted for an outing with them to the Challenger Space Center. Phoenix is a lot like Atlanta in that it takes quite awhile to cross town, but for a different reason. In Atlanta, it's the traffic; in Phoenix, it's just a long way across town! We only encountered two traffic jams while visiting... and one of those was due to road construction (also like Atlanta!).
While driving back, I got a phone call from ADT saying that the security alarm was going off at Mom's house! (Motion detector in the family room) We figured it was the cats, but told them to send the police over anyway. I told them "We are in Arizona; we're not going to make it!" So Mom tried to reach the lady feeding her cats. Couldn't reach her. Called ADT back and now the motion detector in the hallway had also gone off. We started laughing cause we could just picture her cats chasing each other through the house! Mom found out that the lady she left her key with had an emergency and had given the key to someone else. That person did not know to put the alarm in "Stay" mode so the motion detectors would not be activated. Someone finally went over and met the police and we thought it was all settled... until about 3 hours later when Tracy called to say ADT had called and Mom's alarm was going off AGAIN! It was a comedy routine, I swear! It finally got taken care of... but who knows what she found when she got home!
By the time we drove back, tried to find somewhere to eat lunch, and got gas, it was after 2:30 before we got back to Aunt Evelyn and Ted's house. (We did try Whataburger - pretty good.) This meant we were really late getting to the Space Center... especially since they close at 4!! We got over there and did a short walk through... Ted was really enjoying it since he worked for Boeing and worked on space ships... Aunt Evelyn, not so much. It was just too much walking for her. It pretty much worked out then. We went back to their house and took some pictures of all of us. Aunt Evelyn had pulled some pictures for us to look at. Unfortunately most of what she pulled was of Ted's family... and she wanted to tell us who every person was, their background, everything. I tried to lead her back to the Tapley family a couple of times, but she was having none of it! I finally got some pictures of her and Ted's wedding and one picture of her at 6 months old and counted my blessings that I got those. We went to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant (Ted almost licked his plate clean!! LOL) and then went over to Wal-Mart and I copied the pictures for Mom and me.
It was late by this time... 9 o'clock - so we took Aunt Evelyn and Ted home and told them good-bye. It wasn't long before Mom and I were asleep ourselves. We knew the next day would be a long one, what with the traveling and the time difference.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 5, Sunday, October 18
After grabbing breakfast and a not-too-quick visit to the Goodwill store, Mom and I picked up Aunt Evelyn and Ted for a drive on the Apache Trail.
The trail is a drive through the desert, starting in Apache Junction (a suburb of Phoenix on the east side of town). It winds up and down mountains, past a beautiful lake, through Tortilla Flat and on to the Roosevelt Dam (though we didn't go that far). It was an absolutely beautiful drive. Around every curve was another vista to ooh and ahh over. I stopped so many times to take pictures! Canyon Lake was an absolute surprise. Even knowing it was there was no preparation for the amazing site it is! Perfectly blue, with boaters and skiers, and an overlook to take pictures from. Perfect! Ted seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself - he was snapping pictures himself quite a bit. Poor Aunt Evelyn, I hope she enjoyed it - she said she did, but she couldn't get out of the car at every stop. We drove to about 3 miles past Tortilla Flat and turned around. We wanted to return them home before dark. We stopped briefly in Tortilla Flat and bought some magnets and postcards. The town is really just 2-3 buildings in the old West style. A restaurant/gift shop and an ice cream/gift shop. It was amazingly busy this Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day so people were out enjoying it, including us.
I took pictures of highway signs, the scenery, cactus, flowers, houses, you name it!
We ate lunch at Chili's before we hit the trail. Aunt Evelyn was very confused, thinking that the name "Chili's" and the commercials they have meant all they served was spicy food. But we reassured her, and she and Ted really seemed to enjoy their lunch. Ted can clean a plate! You would think he had not eating in weeks! Bless their hearts, they have been cooped up in the house for a year... since neither one can drive right now. Ted had Valley Fever earlier this year and it has a long recovery period. He is hoping to be cleared to drive again in the next couple of months. They have limited transportation to the doctor, pharmacy, and grocery store. Other than that, they are pretty much housebound. We did take them to the bank and the Sprint store when we got into town on Wednesday. And I can tell they are really enjoying these outings we are taking them on.
They insisted on stopping at their favorite restaurant, Coco's, for dinner. It seemed they knew everyone there and had missed them for the past year. After dropping them back home, Mom and I went straight to our motel, and I was too tired to even type this update! I fell asleep before 10pm and had to rouse myself enough about 10:30 to get up and take my contacts out!
The trail is a drive through the desert, starting in Apache Junction (a suburb of Phoenix on the east side of town). It winds up and down mountains, past a beautiful lake, through Tortilla Flat and on to the Roosevelt Dam (though we didn't go that far). It was an absolutely beautiful drive. Around every curve was another vista to ooh and ahh over. I stopped so many times to take pictures! Canyon Lake was an absolute surprise. Even knowing it was there was no preparation for the amazing site it is! Perfectly blue, with boaters and skiers, and an overlook to take pictures from. Perfect! Ted seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself - he was snapping pictures himself quite a bit. Poor Aunt Evelyn, I hope she enjoyed it - she said she did, but she couldn't get out of the car at every stop. We drove to about 3 miles past Tortilla Flat and turned around. We wanted to return them home before dark. We stopped briefly in Tortilla Flat and bought some magnets and postcards. The town is really just 2-3 buildings in the old West style. A restaurant/gift shop and an ice cream/gift shop. It was amazingly busy this Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day so people were out enjoying it, including us.
I took pictures of highway signs, the scenery, cactus, flowers, houses, you name it!
We ate lunch at Chili's before we hit the trail. Aunt Evelyn was very confused, thinking that the name "Chili's" and the commercials they have meant all they served was spicy food. But we reassured her, and she and Ted really seemed to enjoy their lunch. Ted can clean a plate! You would think he had not eating in weeks! Bless their hearts, they have been cooped up in the house for a year... since neither one can drive right now. Ted had Valley Fever earlier this year and it has a long recovery period. He is hoping to be cleared to drive again in the next couple of months. They have limited transportation to the doctor, pharmacy, and grocery store. Other than that, they are pretty much housebound. We did take them to the bank and the Sprint store when we got into town on Wednesday. And I can tell they are really enjoying these outings we are taking them on.
They insisted on stopping at their favorite restaurant, Coco's, for dinner. It seemed they knew everyone there and had missed them for the past year. After dropping them back home, Mom and I went straight to our motel, and I was too tired to even type this update! I fell asleep before 10pm and had to rouse myself enough about 10:30 to get up and take my contacts out!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 4, Saturday, October 17
Got up and got out of this town! Headed back to 100 degree weather in Phoenix, but at least they will have air conditioning!
We decided to drive back a different way and go through Sedona. Boy, am I ever glad we did. As soon as we got off the interstate, the scenery became breathtaking. We stopped at Oak Creek Canyon at a scenic overlook, and there were Indians selling jewelry. It was beautiful stuff, and of course, Mom and I had to buy some! And of course, we took lots of pictures of the view. In this area, there are plenty of trees with their leaves turning, and that made the view even more beautiful, if that is even possible.
As we continued to drive, we were going up a mountain and every turn brought some new amazing view to ooh and ahh over. We stopped as often as we could and it was safe. I took pictures of as many highway signs as I could... ones we don't have back east.
Then we came into Sedona. Traffic was backed up and the shops were incredibly busy, but we managed to find a parking space right on the street, so we decided to walk around for a bit. We had to say we had shopped in Sedona! :) We had lunch at a most excellent BBQ place. Then we walked and looked and shopped. There is a lot to do here, tours, etc. There is never enough time on a trip to do everything that looks interesting! There are a lot of art galleries here... but as I told Mom later, Sedona must not be the home to starving artists, but rather the ones who have made it and made it well! You can tell there is a lot of money here... the houses are huge and set on the side of the mountain. There is a lot of new age stores here, too. As a matter of fact, just this week, they had three people die in a "sweat box" as part of a new age retreat weekend. A sweat box is supposed to represent a spirtual cleansing... you go into this tent and they pour water over hot rocks to produce steam... and you sweat out your body's iimpurities. I actually saw Morgan Spurlock do this on his show "30 Days" while he was staying on an Indian Reservation. I don't remember exactly how long he stayed in there, but it seems like it was 45 minutes or so. The people who got ill and died in Sedona were in there for 2 hours! That does seem excessive.
As we left Sedona, we continued to stop at scenic overlooks and view all the beauty we could! It is red rock country (In Red Rock Canyon, actually) and after leaving the area, the regular desert mountains looked plain! Still pretty, but not as spectacular as they seemed just a couple of days before.
We stopped just before reaching Phoenix at a Pioneer Living History Museum... a recreation of a Pioneer village. We were disappointed because they were closing an hour early, so we didn't get to see everything. That ended up being OK actually cause it was very HOT (Phoenix hit 102 yesterday!) and the village wasn't as put together as we had imagined. Some of the buildings had been moved there... and that was all. They were gutted. No attempt had been made to renovate them for display. Many of the wagons sitting around were the same way... broken wheels, old lumber lying in them... What they had done was neat. And of course we took lots of pictures. I even used a hitching post as a tripod and got a picture of us together on the schoolhouse steps!
I have dreams of many scrapbook pages... some I can already see in my head. "Signs of Arizona" for the highway signs; Plants of the west (with all the pictures of cactus I have taken!); Pages upon pages of Grand Canyon pictures; even a Fall page with a picture I took of Mom in front of a tree in full fall color with orange leaves at Oak Creek Canyon. I hope these ideas will stay with me until next year when I finally get these pictures scrapbooked!
After leaving the pioneer village, we got caught in a good old Phoenix traffic jam. I think it was due to road work. This is another instance where my GPS has paid for herself many times over... we got off the interstate and she took us on a detour that got us right back on track on no time. We found our motel and checked in. Thank goodness for luggage carts and a/c!! LOL We went to dinner at Applebee's and had the nicest server... what a refreshing change! Then I was literally in bed before 10!! How can driving make one soooo tired?
And I will tell you that this desert air and heat does make you thirsty. I am chugging water and still I'm thirsty!
Now I'm caught up on my updates... even if I had to get up at 2 am (here) to do it! I guess I owe the drunks in the hall who woke me up some thanks for getting me out of bed to do this... nah, I don't.
We decided to drive back a different way and go through Sedona. Boy, am I ever glad we did. As soon as we got off the interstate, the scenery became breathtaking. We stopped at Oak Creek Canyon at a scenic overlook, and there were Indians selling jewelry. It was beautiful stuff, and of course, Mom and I had to buy some! And of course, we took lots of pictures of the view. In this area, there are plenty of trees with their leaves turning, and that made the view even more beautiful, if that is even possible.
As we continued to drive, we were going up a mountain and every turn brought some new amazing view to ooh and ahh over. We stopped as often as we could and it was safe. I took pictures of as many highway signs as I could... ones we don't have back east.
Then we came into Sedona. Traffic was backed up and the shops were incredibly busy, but we managed to find a parking space right on the street, so we decided to walk around for a bit. We had to say we had shopped in Sedona! :) We had lunch at a most excellent BBQ place. Then we walked and looked and shopped. There is a lot to do here, tours, etc. There is never enough time on a trip to do everything that looks interesting! There are a lot of art galleries here... but as I told Mom later, Sedona must not be the home to starving artists, but rather the ones who have made it and made it well! You can tell there is a lot of money here... the houses are huge and set on the side of the mountain. There is a lot of new age stores here, too. As a matter of fact, just this week, they had three people die in a "sweat box" as part of a new age retreat weekend. A sweat box is supposed to represent a spirtual cleansing... you go into this tent and they pour water over hot rocks to produce steam... and you sweat out your body's iimpurities. I actually saw Morgan Spurlock do this on his show "30 Days" while he was staying on an Indian Reservation. I don't remember exactly how long he stayed in there, but it seems like it was 45 minutes or so. The people who got ill and died in Sedona were in there for 2 hours! That does seem excessive.
As we left Sedona, we continued to stop at scenic overlooks and view all the beauty we could! It is red rock country (In Red Rock Canyon, actually) and after leaving the area, the regular desert mountains looked plain! Still pretty, but not as spectacular as they seemed just a couple of days before.
We stopped just before reaching Phoenix at a Pioneer Living History Museum... a recreation of a Pioneer village. We were disappointed because they were closing an hour early, so we didn't get to see everything. That ended up being OK actually cause it was very HOT (Phoenix hit 102 yesterday!) and the village wasn't as put together as we had imagined. Some of the buildings had been moved there... and that was all. They were gutted. No attempt had been made to renovate them for display. Many of the wagons sitting around were the same way... broken wheels, old lumber lying in them... What they had done was neat. And of course we took lots of pictures. I even used a hitching post as a tripod and got a picture of us together on the schoolhouse steps!
I have dreams of many scrapbook pages... some I can already see in my head. "Signs of Arizona" for the highway signs; Plants of the west (with all the pictures of cactus I have taken!); Pages upon pages of Grand Canyon pictures; even a Fall page with a picture I took of Mom in front of a tree in full fall color with orange leaves at Oak Creek Canyon. I hope these ideas will stay with me until next year when I finally get these pictures scrapbooked!
After leaving the pioneer village, we got caught in a good old Phoenix traffic jam. I think it was due to road work. This is another instance where my GPS has paid for herself many times over... we got off the interstate and she took us on a detour that got us right back on track on no time. We found our motel and checked in. Thank goodness for luggage carts and a/c!! LOL We went to dinner at Applebee's and had the nicest server... what a refreshing change! Then I was literally in bed before 10!! How can driving make one soooo tired?
And I will tell you that this desert air and heat does make you thirsty. I am chugging water and still I'm thirsty!
Now I'm caught up on my updates... even if I had to get up at 2 am (here) to do it! I guess I owe the drunks in the hall who woke me up some thanks for getting me out of bed to do this... nah, I don't.
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 3, Friday, October 16 (Continued)
Where was I? Oh yea, after the IMAX movie...
Mom and I decided to try out the local steakhouse for dinner. A woman seats us at the smallest table she can find... just drops the menus and walks away. I went to wipe out the seat and find that there is beer spilled on it. A boy who was cleaning nearby told us we could move over a table, but the sun was coming in strong on that one so we moved up two tables... still a small one, but fine. Then we waited to be waited on... and waited... and waited. Meanwhile a couple who had come in after us and were seated almost right across from us was waited on... for drinks and their meal order. Finally, the woman who seated us walked up and just said "You ready to order?" We kind of looked at her blankly, I guess, cause she added that our server was not there, but she'd take our order. (So why did she seat us where there was no server?) We placed our order. After delivering food to another table, she brought our drinks and Mom's salad. I then observed the woman go up to another table and greet those people nicely with "hello"! Did she take an instant dislike to us or what?! Then another woman leads a couple to one of the original tables we were at... again with the drop the menu and walk away. The couple remained standing, and we heard them wondering if they wanted to sit there since it was so close to the fireplace and it was warm. I spoke up and told them they may want to move anyway since we were told that there is no server for the area and it had taken us a long time to be waited on. Well, a man walked by who was either the manager or owner or something...he never identified himself, and spun around and asked me if there was a problem. So I told him everything that had happened thus far, and how the woman had told us there was no server for us, how long we had to wait, and further wondered if she had taken instant dislike to us. Well, he proceeded to inform me that if we had a problem, that was fine, we could leave if we liked, but we did not need to tell other customers about the problem!! I had to ask him to clarify if I had heard him correctly. I paraphrased back to him, "So are you telling us that we can just leave, but don't tell other customers anything?!" To which he replied, "No, but you don't need to tell other customers stuff like that." Mom and I both jumped up and began to walk out - the whole time this man is repeating that we didn't need to tell another customer anything! I told him that other customers deserved to know about their bad service. He said that our order had already been put in, and I said to that "Too bad, so sad." And we left.
Can you believe that?! That is undoubtedly the worst I have ever been treated in a restaurant. And I am not sure where things went wrong. While it is true that we now expect and receive very little customer service every where we go, this is an all-time low. This entire town seems to be there to serve Grand Canyon tourists. You would think they would appreciate the customers at least a little bit.
We ended up eating at Wendy's. The food wasn't great, but the guy who waited on us was super nice. That counts for a lot.
We went back to the motel; I was on my laptop all evening, and Mom watched TV. Went to bed, though the room was hot. That a/c wasn't circulating much cool air at all!
Mom and I decided to try out the local steakhouse for dinner. A woman seats us at the smallest table she can find... just drops the menus and walks away. I went to wipe out the seat and find that there is beer spilled on it. A boy who was cleaning nearby told us we could move over a table, but the sun was coming in strong on that one so we moved up two tables... still a small one, but fine. Then we waited to be waited on... and waited... and waited. Meanwhile a couple who had come in after us and were seated almost right across from us was waited on... for drinks and their meal order. Finally, the woman who seated us walked up and just said "You ready to order?" We kind of looked at her blankly, I guess, cause she added that our server was not there, but she'd take our order. (So why did she seat us where there was no server?) We placed our order. After delivering food to another table, she brought our drinks and Mom's salad. I then observed the woman go up to another table and greet those people nicely with "hello"! Did she take an instant dislike to us or what?! Then another woman leads a couple to one of the original tables we were at... again with the drop the menu and walk away. The couple remained standing, and we heard them wondering if they wanted to sit there since it was so close to the fireplace and it was warm. I spoke up and told them they may want to move anyway since we were told that there is no server for the area and it had taken us a long time to be waited on. Well, a man walked by who was either the manager or owner or something...he never identified himself, and spun around and asked me if there was a problem. So I told him everything that had happened thus far, and how the woman had told us there was no server for us, how long we had to wait, and further wondered if she had taken instant dislike to us. Well, he proceeded to inform me that if we had a problem, that was fine, we could leave if we liked, but we did not need to tell other customers about the problem!! I had to ask him to clarify if I had heard him correctly. I paraphrased back to him, "So are you telling us that we can just leave, but don't tell other customers anything?!" To which he replied, "No, but you don't need to tell other customers stuff like that." Mom and I both jumped up and began to walk out - the whole time this man is repeating that we didn't need to tell another customer anything! I told him that other customers deserved to know about their bad service. He said that our order had already been put in, and I said to that "Too bad, so sad." And we left.
Can you believe that?! That is undoubtedly the worst I have ever been treated in a restaurant. And I am not sure where things went wrong. While it is true that we now expect and receive very little customer service every where we go, this is an all-time low. This entire town seems to be there to serve Grand Canyon tourists. You would think they would appreciate the customers at least a little bit.
We ended up eating at Wendy's. The food wasn't great, but the guy who waited on us was super nice. That counts for a lot.
We went back to the motel; I was on my laptop all evening, and Mom watched TV. Went to bed, though the room was hot. That a/c wasn't circulating much cool air at all!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 3, Friday, October 16
We got an early start this morning since we needed to meet our bus for the Desert View Tour at 9:10 am. We were so early that we had time to eat breakfast here at the motel and do some shopping at a couple of gift shops at the Yavapei Lodge and still be early for our tour! Much improvement over yesterday!
This tour was awesome! The driver/tour guide was named Bob and he has worked at several Federal parks and was a history major. He was a wealth of information about the park, its history, the plants, animals, other sights nearby, etc. He even takes great picture! LOL We SOOO enjoyed this tour. There were only 19 of us on the tour so the bus was not crowded. We never would have found out the tidbits or even known where to go if we had driven ourselves around. I took TONS AND TONS of pictures. So much to see and want to remember.
The last stop was at Desert View where the Watchtower is located. It is a recreation of a prehistoric Indian lookout. We climbed to the top (4 stories) and the view was breathtaking. We could see all the way to the painted desert. After climbing down, we walked to the snack bar and got some lunch. The weather was so perfect, we ate outside. A raven decided to join us, begging for food. But it is illegal to feed the wildlife within the park, so I just took pictures of him. He seemed to enjoy posing, and he was quite vocal, too!
After the tour, we took some shopping time. I even bought a "plant your own cacti kit" that the store employee assured me would be fine in carry-on on the plane. I wanted my own little piece of Arizona to take home. And I have bought tons of magnets... I always do. I've also bought myself about 3 pairs of earrings. Mom has bought quite a bit, too... we will probably be shipping some stuff home! LOL We even found scrapbooking items specific to the Grand Canyon.
After shopping, we were SOOO tired. The high elevation really does affect you. I didn't realize. It was about 2:30 - 3, and we went ahead and left the park. We did a little shopping out here near the motel and went to see the IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon. It was really good and you felt like you were THERE - on the river, riding the rapids to gliding in the air over the canyon. (Speaking of rapids, the tour guide told us that all other rivers have rapids graded on a scale from 1-5... except the Colorado River which runs through the canyon. It goes from 1-10!!) I barely lived going down the Chattahoochee on a tube... I would NEVER try it here!!
I am really tired now... so I will finish today's recap tomorrow night...
This tour was awesome! The driver/tour guide was named Bob and he has worked at several Federal parks and was a history major. He was a wealth of information about the park, its history, the plants, animals, other sights nearby, etc. He even takes great picture! LOL We SOOO enjoyed this tour. There were only 19 of us on the tour so the bus was not crowded. We never would have found out the tidbits or even known where to go if we had driven ourselves around. I took TONS AND TONS of pictures. So much to see and want to remember.
The last stop was at Desert View where the Watchtower is located. It is a recreation of a prehistoric Indian lookout. We climbed to the top (4 stories) and the view was breathtaking. We could see all the way to the painted desert. After climbing down, we walked to the snack bar and got some lunch. The weather was so perfect, we ate outside. A raven decided to join us, begging for food. But it is illegal to feed the wildlife within the park, so I just took pictures of him. He seemed to enjoy posing, and he was quite vocal, too!
After the tour, we took some shopping time. I even bought a "plant your own cacti kit" that the store employee assured me would be fine in carry-on on the plane. I wanted my own little piece of Arizona to take home. And I have bought tons of magnets... I always do. I've also bought myself about 3 pairs of earrings. Mom has bought quite a bit, too... we will probably be shipping some stuff home! LOL We even found scrapbooking items specific to the Grand Canyon.
After shopping, we were SOOO tired. The high elevation really does affect you. I didn't realize. It was about 2:30 - 3, and we went ahead and left the park. We did a little shopping out here near the motel and went to see the IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon. It was really good and you felt like you were THERE - on the river, riding the rapids to gliding in the air over the canyon. (Speaking of rapids, the tour guide told us that all other rivers have rapids graded on a scale from 1-5... except the Colorado River which runs through the canyon. It goes from 1-10!!) I barely lived going down the Chattahoochee on a tube... I would NEVER try it here!!
I am really tired now... so I will finish today's recap tomorrow night...
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 2, Thursday, October 15
We hit the road about 8:30 am. Got breakfast (at Chick-fil-A, of course!) and picked up 12 bottles of water at Wal-Mart (an absolute necessity in the desert). Then we stopped by the Goodwill... strictly for comparison to the Goodwills back home. And they win here. Clean store, lots of stuff, and reasonable prices. Thus began the thought process that accompanied every shopping experience on this trip: Will if fit in the suitcases in order to go on the airplane?? Or do we have to ship stuff home? Or will we have to do without?
Then we headed north to a couple of scrapbook stores. We got some cute Arizona/Grand Canyon things. They were nice stores. I even saw a couple of new things I had not seen yet. By this time, it was lunch, and they happened to have a Del Taco where we were! I miss Del Taco so much!
It was 1:15 and we were ready to head to the Grand Canyon. We had called this morning and made reservations for a bus tour there that began at 4:20 PM. More than one person we had asked told us it was 2.5 hours to the Grand Canyon. So we get in the car, I plug up the GPS, enter where we're headed... and it indicates it will take us 3 hours to get there! We are not going to make our tour. We make this entire wonderful, beautiful drive through the desert and cannot stop to take pictures of anything and have to worry the entire time about making the tour.
We pull into the park about 4:15... and the entrance line I pick to go through is slow as molasses. We finally get in and realize we are not going to make it. I call the tour desk and explain the situation. The helpful person on the other end of the phone says, "I would have left earlier." Well, duh?! Then he tells me to go to the first lodge we come to (Yavapei Lodge) and reschedule the tour with the tour desk operator there. We park, and I see a bus. So I think it's the tour bus, and I start rushing Mom and we go running toward the bus stop... but the bus kept going. We go inside and the girl at the desk was wonderful... she called for a car to come pick us up and take us to meet the tour bus! How awesome is that?!
The driver picks us up and the only thing he said to us the ENTIRE drive is when he pointed to the right and said, "There's the canyon." !!! Again, duh!! I so wanted to ask him if he was always like that or if he was ticked cause he had to come pick us up! LOL He pulls up to the bus, which is at it's first stop, and we run up to the bus driver with our ticket and I tell her "We're the late ones." She points to another bus parked behind hers and says "You'll be on that bus." So we start over there and THAT bus driver comes down the steps and yells to the first driver, "They have to go back to Yavapei Lodge - you need to take them." Well, the first bus drivers huffs and puffs, snatches the ticket from us and says, "Get on the bus!" I said, trying to lighten the situation, "I'm not feeling wanted." And she says that her bus is packed and he had room. Well, we get on the bus and there are 5-6 empty seats!!! What a witch. It really did not start the tour off well at all.
The scenery was beautiful, though. I know I keep saying this over and over, but pictures do not do the Grand Canyon justice. It is really something you absolutely have to see for yourself to feel the magnitude, how immense, how beautiful, how awe-inspiring. And the bus driver did get better... she even pointed out a rock formation for us. The tour was called the "Sunset Tour" so we did get to see the sunset. It was beautiful. I took so many pictures! I'll post some here later.
After the tour, we came on out to the little town where our motel is (2-3 miles out of the park) and ate at McDonald's (there are not a whole lot of choices out here). Then we went over to the motel to check in. And that was a whole 'nother adventure! We didn't realize there was a problem... until we got to the building where our room was and found it was on the second floor and there was no elevator! My mom's knees are bad, and after dragging the suitcases up the stairs and almost passing out myself, I decided this was NOT going to work for 2 days! And then I'd have to get those suitcases back DOWN the stairs when we leave on Saturday. So I called the front desk and told them that they should have asked us if a room on the 2nd floor with no elevator would be acceptable... I then told them if they suggest we move and move our own stuff, to forget it. But she promptly moved us to a deluxe room in the main building and sent someone to move our suitcases!! Then we found out that the air conditioner uses re-circulated air from the outside and will not come on if the outside air is cooler than the inside!! Does that make ANY sense??? So he just opened out window!!! Unbelievable! I'm all for going green but I am not sleeping with my window open in a strange place... or any place for that matter!! It did finally cool down in the room and I closed the window before going to bed. It wasn't as cool as I would like in here, but I'm sure Mom was comfortable!! LOL
So that's the story of a looooonnng day! More fun due the next one!
Then we headed north to a couple of scrapbook stores. We got some cute Arizona/Grand Canyon things. They were nice stores. I even saw a couple of new things I had not seen yet. By this time, it was lunch, and they happened to have a Del Taco where we were! I miss Del Taco so much!
It was 1:15 and we were ready to head to the Grand Canyon. We had called this morning and made reservations for a bus tour there that began at 4:20 PM. More than one person we had asked told us it was 2.5 hours to the Grand Canyon. So we get in the car, I plug up the GPS, enter where we're headed... and it indicates it will take us 3 hours to get there! We are not going to make our tour. We make this entire wonderful, beautiful drive through the desert and cannot stop to take pictures of anything and have to worry the entire time about making the tour.
We pull into the park about 4:15... and the entrance line I pick to go through is slow as molasses. We finally get in and realize we are not going to make it. I call the tour desk and explain the situation. The helpful person on the other end of the phone says, "I would have left earlier." Well, duh?! Then he tells me to go to the first lodge we come to (Yavapei Lodge) and reschedule the tour with the tour desk operator there. We park, and I see a bus. So I think it's the tour bus, and I start rushing Mom and we go running toward the bus stop... but the bus kept going. We go inside and the girl at the desk was wonderful... she called for a car to come pick us up and take us to meet the tour bus! How awesome is that?!
The driver picks us up and the only thing he said to us the ENTIRE drive is when he pointed to the right and said, "There's the canyon." !!! Again, duh!! I so wanted to ask him if he was always like that or if he was ticked cause he had to come pick us up! LOL He pulls up to the bus, which is at it's first stop, and we run up to the bus driver with our ticket and I tell her "We're the late ones." She points to another bus parked behind hers and says "You'll be on that bus." So we start over there and THAT bus driver comes down the steps and yells to the first driver, "They have to go back to Yavapei Lodge - you need to take them." Well, the first bus drivers huffs and puffs, snatches the ticket from us and says, "Get on the bus!" I said, trying to lighten the situation, "I'm not feeling wanted." And she says that her bus is packed and he had room. Well, we get on the bus and there are 5-6 empty seats!!! What a witch. It really did not start the tour off well at all.
The scenery was beautiful, though. I know I keep saying this over and over, but pictures do not do the Grand Canyon justice. It is really something you absolutely have to see for yourself to feel the magnitude, how immense, how beautiful, how awe-inspiring. And the bus driver did get better... she even pointed out a rock formation for us. The tour was called the "Sunset Tour" so we did get to see the sunset. It was beautiful. I took so many pictures! I'll post some here later.
After the tour, we came on out to the little town where our motel is (2-3 miles out of the park) and ate at McDonald's (there are not a whole lot of choices out here). Then we went over to the motel to check in. And that was a whole 'nother adventure! We didn't realize there was a problem... until we got to the building where our room was and found it was on the second floor and there was no elevator! My mom's knees are bad, and after dragging the suitcases up the stairs and almost passing out myself, I decided this was NOT going to work for 2 days! And then I'd have to get those suitcases back DOWN the stairs when we leave on Saturday. So I called the front desk and told them that they should have asked us if a room on the 2nd floor with no elevator would be acceptable... I then told them if they suggest we move and move our own stuff, to forget it. But she promptly moved us to a deluxe room in the main building and sent someone to move our suitcases!! Then we found out that the air conditioner uses re-circulated air from the outside and will not come on if the outside air is cooler than the inside!! Does that make ANY sense??? So he just opened out window!!! Unbelievable! I'm all for going green but I am not sleeping with my window open in a strange place... or any place for that matter!! It did finally cool down in the room and I closed the window before going to bed. It wasn't as cool as I would like in here, but I'm sure Mom was comfortable!! LOL
So that's the story of a looooonnng day! More fun due the next one!
Phoenix/Grand Canyon Trip, Day 1, Wednesday, October 14
Drove to the airport in the rain. Even with stopping and getting Chicken Minis, we made it to the Park 'n Go by 9:15 am. Our flight was due to take off at 10:45. Tracy had let me know there was no holdups on the highways or through security at the airport, so I knew we had plenty of time. Dropped the car off and headed off to the airport. Had no problems checking our bags (I had paid for them when I checked in for our flight the day before.) and breezed right through security. I even forgot to put my quart-size Ziploc bag in the tray to go through the machine!! They didn't even say a word.
Got on the plane... and it ended up being 30 minutes late taking off. Because of the rain, there was a long line of planes ahead of us. But the pilot was entertaining and made it his mission to make up some of the time... which he did... about half of it. The flight was the smoothest I've ever taken. VERY little to no turbulence. Great experience for Mom's first time flying.
We landed in Phoenix and I have NEVER gotten checked luggage so quickly! We walked out to catch the rental car shuttle and it was already there! Phoenix Airport has all of their rental car companies under one roof. Very convenient! Getting our rental car (mini-van) was very simple, also. So we hit the road to find us something to eat! The only thing they gave us on the plane was 3 crackers and a little bag of pretzels, and our stomachs were on Georgia time! And that time was 3 o'clock!
I was amazed from the first moment I saw Phoenix. It is beautiful here. SO different from anything I've ever seen! There are rocks in front yards instead of grass. There are cacti everywhere... just like the ones you would see in the old Westerns! The trees and flowers are different... it is so interesting. And it appears that the zoning is the same all over Phoenix.... adobe houses and roofs... the western "feel" and "look" all the way! Even the McDonald's fit the style!
We found a Jack in the Box on the way to Aunt Evelyn's house in Sun City West. We talked to a nice guy there who commented on my accent first thing!
After eating, we drove to Aunt Evelyn's house. It was my first time to meet her and her husband, Ted. Mom had not seen her sister in over 45 years! It was an emotional reunion. Since both of them have been unable to drive due to health problems, we took them on a couple of errands and then we had dinner at Olive Garden. We dropped them off at home (after some mis-communication with the directions... let me just say that Aunt Evelyn is all over the place and worries a lot and forgets even more) and went to our motel, which was nearby.
I was wound up and while tired, really did not want to sleep! Too much to see and do and I felt like I didn't get started today. The only picture I took was of Aunt Evelyn and Ted, which was great, but I was itching to take pictures of the area!
(Oh, and as I had feared, it gets dark earlier here... 6 o'clock today! I don't like that too much and it's harder when you're traveling in a strange place and have to find your way in the dark. That might be the deal breaker to keep me from actually moving out here to this pretty place! LOL)
Got on the plane... and it ended up being 30 minutes late taking off. Because of the rain, there was a long line of planes ahead of us. But the pilot was entertaining and made it his mission to make up some of the time... which he did... about half of it. The flight was the smoothest I've ever taken. VERY little to no turbulence. Great experience for Mom's first time flying.
We landed in Phoenix and I have NEVER gotten checked luggage so quickly! We walked out to catch the rental car shuttle and it was already there! Phoenix Airport has all of their rental car companies under one roof. Very convenient! Getting our rental car (mini-van) was very simple, also. So we hit the road to find us something to eat! The only thing they gave us on the plane was 3 crackers and a little bag of pretzels, and our stomachs were on Georgia time! And that time was 3 o'clock!
I was amazed from the first moment I saw Phoenix. It is beautiful here. SO different from anything I've ever seen! There are rocks in front yards instead of grass. There are cacti everywhere... just like the ones you would see in the old Westerns! The trees and flowers are different... it is so interesting. And it appears that the zoning is the same all over Phoenix.... adobe houses and roofs... the western "feel" and "look" all the way! Even the McDonald's fit the style!
We found a Jack in the Box on the way to Aunt Evelyn's house in Sun City West. We talked to a nice guy there who commented on my accent first thing!
After eating, we drove to Aunt Evelyn's house. It was my first time to meet her and her husband, Ted. Mom had not seen her sister in over 45 years! It was an emotional reunion. Since both of them have been unable to drive due to health problems, we took them on a couple of errands and then we had dinner at Olive Garden. We dropped them off at home (after some mis-communication with the directions... let me just say that Aunt Evelyn is all over the place and worries a lot and forgets even more) and went to our motel, which was nearby.
I was wound up and while tired, really did not want to sleep! Too much to see and do and I felt like I didn't get started today. The only picture I took was of Aunt Evelyn and Ted, which was great, but I was itching to take pictures of the area!
(Oh, and as I had feared, it gets dark earlier here... 6 o'clock today! I don't like that too much and it's harder when you're traveling in a strange place and have to find your way in the dark. That might be the deal breaker to keep me from actually moving out here to this pretty place! LOL)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Testing and playing with my new SmartPhone
I'm checking to see how hard it would be to do a blog post with my phone. Not impossible, but I'd hate to write a long one this way!
This new phone is fun, but does have a learning curve that I will be riding for awhile!
Needed a new cell phone, but couldn't justify a Blackberry. So I ended up with this Nokia Surge. Full keyboard, e-mail, Internet, 200 text messages a month. All for only an arm and part of a leg. Am not looking forward to the first bill...but I'm having fun in the meanwhile!
This new phone is fun, but does have a learning curve that I will be riding for awhile!
Needed a new cell phone, but couldn't justify a Blackberry. So I ended up with this Nokia Surge. Full keyboard, e-mail, Internet, 200 text messages a month. All for only an arm and part of a leg. Am not looking forward to the first bill...but I'm having fun in the meanwhile!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
My other invisible illness
The illness I live with is Depression.
I was diagnosed with it about 1999.
But I had symptoms probably my entire life... at least since my teen years. It is heredity in my family.
The biggest adjustment I had to make at the time of my diagnosis was wrapping my mind around having to take the medication every day. My antidepressant was the first maintenance medication I ever had to take.
Most people assume that I'm fine. Or that it will pass. Or that I'm mad because I'm so quiet.
The hardest part about mornings is the feeling and memories all come flooding back.
The hardest part about nights is not being able to go to sleep. My mind won't shut off.
Regarding alternative treatments, I have tried quite a few in addition to the medication: therapy, group, journaling, meditation.
People would be surprised to know how often I have suicidal thoughts.
My illness has taught me that I can be quite good at hiding my true feelings about myself.
One thing people say that gets under my skin is "Oh, you shouldn't think like that" or "You shouldn't feel that way." I know all that, but this illness is in the brain and when I'm in a depression, I don't think rationally.
But I love it when people notice that something is not right and ask me (genuinely) "What's going on?". But that rarely happens.
When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: This one is tough; it is a lifelong battle. Get all the help you can every chance you get. Just taking a pill may not fix it.
Something that has surprised me about living with this illness is how the slightest thing - a comment, a rainy day, or a TV show - can set a depression in motion.
The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was acknowledge my feelings, no matter how magnified they might be.
Society wants its people to be optimistic... happy... positive... certainly not negative and full of doom and gloom. Honest feelings (such as anger, sadness, or frustration) are looked down upon... we should not discuss such things. "We need to snap out of it. No one else wants to hear our problems." Many times, none of that is possible for a person suffering from depression. I don't have a broken arm to display; I have a broken mind. Mental illness is still taboo in many ways. So when I am depressed, I feel isolated. That adds to the depression... it's a vicious cycle. Most times I just want someone to notice... sometimes I don't want to talk about it. Sometimes I want to scream my pain from the rooftops... most times, I just want to hide in my house with a blanket over my head. I probably won't go looking for comfort... I want it to come to me. Many times, my feelings are genuine... just magnified. Just because I have an illness of the mind does not mean that my feelings are never correct or justified. A careless comment that deserves my anger or hurt may set it off, but in the end, I will figure out how it was my fault... how everyone would be better off without me. As they say, depression is anger turned inward. Most of the time, I can hide it; sometimes it is obvious. Most times, I can go months without a depression... and then when it comes, it can linger for weeks. I can't speed it along. But it will go as quickly as it came. Until the next time.
I was diagnosed with it about 1999.
But I had symptoms probably my entire life... at least since my teen years. It is heredity in my family.
The biggest adjustment I had to make at the time of my diagnosis was wrapping my mind around having to take the medication every day. My antidepressant was the first maintenance medication I ever had to take.
Most people assume that I'm fine. Or that it will pass. Or that I'm mad because I'm so quiet.
The hardest part about mornings is the feeling and memories all come flooding back.
The hardest part about nights is not being able to go to sleep. My mind won't shut off.
Regarding alternative treatments, I have tried quite a few in addition to the medication: therapy, group, journaling, meditation.
People would be surprised to know how often I have suicidal thoughts.
My illness has taught me that I can be quite good at hiding my true feelings about myself.
One thing people say that gets under my skin is "Oh, you shouldn't think like that" or "You shouldn't feel that way." I know all that, but this illness is in the brain and when I'm in a depression, I don't think rationally.
But I love it when people notice that something is not right and ask me (genuinely) "What's going on?". But that rarely happens.
When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: This one is tough; it is a lifelong battle. Get all the help you can every chance you get. Just taking a pill may not fix it.
Something that has surprised me about living with this illness is how the slightest thing - a comment, a rainy day, or a TV show - can set a depression in motion.
The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was acknowledge my feelings, no matter how magnified they might be.
Society wants its people to be optimistic... happy... positive... certainly not negative and full of doom and gloom. Honest feelings (such as anger, sadness, or frustration) are looked down upon... we should not discuss such things. "We need to snap out of it. No one else wants to hear our problems." Many times, none of that is possible for a person suffering from depression. I don't have a broken arm to display; I have a broken mind. Mental illness is still taboo in many ways. So when I am depressed, I feel isolated. That adds to the depression... it's a vicious cycle. Most times I just want someone to notice... sometimes I don't want to talk about it. Sometimes I want to scream my pain from the rooftops... most times, I just want to hide in my house with a blanket over my head. I probably won't go looking for comfort... I want it to come to me. Many times, my feelings are genuine... just magnified. Just because I have an illness of the mind does not mean that my feelings are never correct or justified. A careless comment that deserves my anger or hurt may set it off, but in the end, I will figure out how it was my fault... how everyone would be better off without me. As they say, depression is anger turned inward. Most of the time, I can hide it; sometimes it is obvious. Most times, I can go months without a depression... and then when it comes, it can linger for weeks. I can't speed it along. But it will go as quickly as it came. Until the next time.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
29 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know
I just read a blog post by a scrapping friend of mine from last week about it being Invisible Illness Week. (See http://invisibleillnessweek.com) I had no idea there was such a thing, but it sure sounds like a good idea to me. I found the questions that my friend and over 70 bloggers answered last week to bring awareness to invisible illnesses, and I wanted to share with myself and you how I feel about my illness at this point in time.
1. The illness I live with is: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2007
3. But I had symptoms since: Probably almost my whole life... at least since my teen years. However, I believe that what really set it off was a stomach bug I had in March of 2007.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: not being spontaneous anymore. I have to think through what I eat, where I'm going, where the bathroom is, etc.
5. Most people assume: that my symptoms are caused by something in particular I ate. I mean, what I eat does have a lot to do with it, but I can eat a McDonald's hamburger today and be fine. But I eat the same hamburger tomorrow and have an IBS attack. For instance, my husband loves to grill out on Sunday evenings, and many times, it is steak he grills. For several weeks, every time I would eat a steak, I'd be sick. But then suddenly, everything was fine. I have eaten steak a couple of times in the last three weeks and had no problems whatsoever. There is really no rhyme or reason to it.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: I actually have fine mornings, unlike many people who suffer from IBS. The time of day when I most likely suffer an "attack" is 5-6pm, which really cuts into the cooking supper time, as my husband can attest.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: I don't watch them.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my throw that the neighbor's daughter made for me. I use it to cover up with when I have an attack because I have chills.
9. The hardest part about nights are: avoiding heartburn (which I never had until I got IBS).
10. Each day I take 5 pills & vitamins. Only one is for symptoms... an antacid to avoid the heartburn I mentioned above. I was given a antispasmodic to take when I thought I was going to eat something that would set off an attack, but I haven't taken those in months. I also have anti-anxiety medication to take as needed, because as I told my doctor, worrying about where the closest bathroom is at all times causes anxiety!
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: am open to most and may have tried a few... such as peppermint.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Definitely invisible... though there are times that I wish I could wear a banner so that people understand why I'm acting the way I am. I read once about a woman who has IBS who had made up cards to explain to people why she needs to cut in line ahead of them in a public restroom. I've never had to resort to that, thank goodness, but I can sure understand it!
13. Regarding working and career: I have been out of work for 2 1/2 years. One of the reasons is my IBS - in the beginning, I could not have held down a job. Now, my symptoms are better, and I could go back to work if I so chose. Right now though, being a homemaker is fine with me.
14. People would be surprised to know: that I am constantly aware of what I am eating and how it will affect me and where the closest bathroom is. (Oh, and that I never burped out loud until I was diagnosed with IBS!)
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Having to take so much down time. I wasn't used to that, but now I may have to lie down for awhile every day, waiting for an attack to pass.
16. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: eating at Wendy's and Red Lobster!
17. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I have managed to eat Wendy's a couple of times recently.
18. The commercials about my illness: I haven't actually seen any commercials about IBS. There are no specific medications for it. You just have to manage it yourself.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: milkshakes. I sneak ice cream sometimes, but milkshakes are a no-no. And my mom makes the best!
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: I haven't taken up any new hobbies... I am fortunate that I am able to scrapbook and read like I always have.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: eat lunch at Wendy's and dinner at Red Lobster. AND go hiking to a waterfall!
22. My illness has taught me: that resting and down time is OK. I didn't believe that before... I always had to be on the go.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "Well, it must have been that (insert whatever food here) that you ate. You may not be able to eat that anymore."
24. But I love it when people: don't look at me funny because I just spent 20 minutes in the bathroom.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "This, too, shall pass."
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It is not the end of your world. It is just a bump in the road that will smooth out as time goes by. And you will be stronger for having been through it.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how many people do. I have met so many people with IBS since I was diagnosed... I had no idea. Including members of my own family!
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: cook supper, clean house, put a wet washcloth on my forehead... and all of this has been done by my wonderful, understanding husband.
29. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: vulnerable... because I have just shared way more with you about my digestive habits than you ever wanted to know. But also glad if I bring more understanding about IBS to someone.
1. The illness I live with is: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2007
3. But I had symptoms since: Probably almost my whole life... at least since my teen years. However, I believe that what really set it off was a stomach bug I had in March of 2007.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: not being spontaneous anymore. I have to think through what I eat, where I'm going, where the bathroom is, etc.
5. Most people assume: that my symptoms are caused by something in particular I ate. I mean, what I eat does have a lot to do with it, but I can eat a McDonald's hamburger today and be fine. But I eat the same hamburger tomorrow and have an IBS attack. For instance, my husband loves to grill out on Sunday evenings, and many times, it is steak he grills. For several weeks, every time I would eat a steak, I'd be sick. But then suddenly, everything was fine. I have eaten steak a couple of times in the last three weeks and had no problems whatsoever. There is really no rhyme or reason to it.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: I actually have fine mornings, unlike many people who suffer from IBS. The time of day when I most likely suffer an "attack" is 5-6pm, which really cuts into the cooking supper time, as my husband can attest.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: I don't watch them.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my throw that the neighbor's daughter made for me. I use it to cover up with when I have an attack because I have chills.
9. The hardest part about nights are: avoiding heartburn (which I never had until I got IBS).
10. Each day I take 5 pills & vitamins. Only one is for symptoms... an antacid to avoid the heartburn I mentioned above. I was given a antispasmodic to take when I thought I was going to eat something that would set off an attack, but I haven't taken those in months. I also have anti-anxiety medication to take as needed, because as I told my doctor, worrying about where the closest bathroom is at all times causes anxiety!
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: am open to most and may have tried a few... such as peppermint.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Definitely invisible... though there are times that I wish I could wear a banner so that people understand why I'm acting the way I am. I read once about a woman who has IBS who had made up cards to explain to people why she needs to cut in line ahead of them in a public restroom. I've never had to resort to that, thank goodness, but I can sure understand it!
13. Regarding working and career: I have been out of work for 2 1/2 years. One of the reasons is my IBS - in the beginning, I could not have held down a job. Now, my symptoms are better, and I could go back to work if I so chose. Right now though, being a homemaker is fine with me.
14. People would be surprised to know: that I am constantly aware of what I am eating and how it will affect me and where the closest bathroom is. (Oh, and that I never burped out loud until I was diagnosed with IBS!)
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Having to take so much down time. I wasn't used to that, but now I may have to lie down for awhile every day, waiting for an attack to pass.
16. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: eating at Wendy's and Red Lobster!
17. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I have managed to eat Wendy's a couple of times recently.
18. The commercials about my illness: I haven't actually seen any commercials about IBS. There are no specific medications for it. You just have to manage it yourself.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: milkshakes. I sneak ice cream sometimes, but milkshakes are a no-no. And my mom makes the best!
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: I haven't taken up any new hobbies... I am fortunate that I am able to scrapbook and read like I always have.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: eat lunch at Wendy's and dinner at Red Lobster. AND go hiking to a waterfall!
22. My illness has taught me: that resting and down time is OK. I didn't believe that before... I always had to be on the go.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "Well, it must have been that (insert whatever food here) that you ate. You may not be able to eat that anymore."
24. But I love it when people: don't look at me funny because I just spent 20 minutes in the bathroom.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "This, too, shall pass."
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It is not the end of your world. It is just a bump in the road that will smooth out as time goes by. And you will be stronger for having been through it.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how many people do. I have met so many people with IBS since I was diagnosed... I had no idea. Including members of my own family!
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: cook supper, clean house, put a wet washcloth on my forehead... and all of this has been done by my wonderful, understanding husband.
29. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: vulnerable... because I have just shared way more with you about my digestive habits than you ever wanted to know. But also glad if I bring more understanding about IBS to someone.
Friday, September 18, 2009
August 2009 Roundup
What books did I read this month? Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
Magazines? Real Simple; Reader's Digest; Guidepost
What movies did I see this month? Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Netflix); Seven Pounds (Netflix); The Ugly Truth (theater); Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Netflix); Ratatouille (TV); Music and Lyrics (TV) (Repeat); Ghost Town (Netflix); Seven Pounds (Netflix); Bonnie and Clyde (Netflix)
TV Shows? 24; Leverage; Burn Notice; America's Most Wanted; John Edward's Cross Country; In Plain Sight; The Bill Engvall Show; The Cleaner; Dog the Bounty Hunter; Army Wives; CMT Insider; Golden Girls; Dateline on ID
What special days did I celebrate and how? Karen Tisdale's 40th Birthday party in Montgomery
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? Bronchitis
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Trip to Jacksonville with my sister; dinner with Missi and family while there; went to Montgomery for Karen's birthday party and had laughs with her and her friends; cropping with Carolyn at Archiver's
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? A couple of new restaurants in Jax - nothing too memorable
What special or unusual purchases did I make? Lots of scrapping supplies on that trip to Jacksonville!!
What were this month's disappointments? Just the usual loss of faith in humankind... :(
What were my accomplishments this month? Pulling together my sister's birthday gift... a tote bag of scrapbooking supplies!
Magazines? Real Simple; Reader's Digest; Guidepost
What movies did I see this month? Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Netflix); Seven Pounds (Netflix); The Ugly Truth (theater); Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Netflix); Ratatouille (TV); Music and Lyrics (TV) (Repeat); Ghost Town (Netflix); Seven Pounds (Netflix); Bonnie and Clyde (Netflix)
TV Shows? 24; Leverage; Burn Notice; America's Most Wanted; John Edward's Cross Country; In Plain Sight; The Bill Engvall Show; The Cleaner; Dog the Bounty Hunter; Army Wives; CMT Insider; Golden Girls; Dateline on ID
What special days did I celebrate and how? Karen Tisdale's 40th Birthday party in Montgomery
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? Bronchitis
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Trip to Jacksonville with my sister; dinner with Missi and family while there; went to Montgomery for Karen's birthday party and had laughs with her and her friends; cropping with Carolyn at Archiver's
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? A couple of new restaurants in Jax - nothing too memorable
What special or unusual purchases did I make? Lots of scrapping supplies on that trip to Jacksonville!!
What were this month's disappointments? Just the usual loss of faith in humankind... :(
What were my accomplishments this month? Pulling together my sister's birthday gift... a tote bag of scrapbooking supplies!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Jacksonville Trip: Day 4
Pat and I got up and going about 7am. It was nice to not have to move rooms this morning!
Pat wanted me to take her back to the good sale at Jo-Ann's (LOL!), so I did. She got a pack of cardstock and one of the Nana's Kids paper stacks.
Next was the cemetery. The flowers I had left there in February were still there! I removed those and put new ones there. It affects me deeply to visit here. I miss him. I know I can talk to him anytime, but I feel more close to him in this place.
After another morning stop at Chick-fil-A (I do love those Minis!!), we headed on back to the scrapbook store. We cropped (other than a quick lunch) until about 3:30. I got six pages done over the last two days... the last one I worked on today was of the elephants at Busch Gardens, and I'm real happy with how it turned out.
We found a Hobby Lobby and did more shopping. They didn't have much on sale, but they had a good clearance rack this time around. I got several Cuttlebug dies. My sister got her a rolling tote for her scrapbook supplies, along with several embellishments. I tell you, I have created a monster! She is a scrapping machine! It is really too bad we don't live closer... she kept saying she'd love for us to be able to scrapbook together once a week. And that would be great... IF she would just quit bragging about how many pages she has finished! LOL
We went back to the motel and rested for a couple of hours. Then we met Missi, Jon, Brittany, and her BFF, Britteny, for dinner. (Brandon was out of town with his father.) It was great to see them. I really, really like Jon... he's so funny! Brittany is just a teenager... she had wanted to go to the scrapbook store, but she never called me to pick her up. I guess she changed her mind and wanted to do her own thing. Just typical kid stuff. We took a bunch of pictures, and she seemed to enjoy that. She even let me get a picture of her new braces! I think we all had a great evening - I know I did!
Like last night, my sister is sound asleep with the light on and the TV on! I guess I'll sign off and get ready for bed myself. I have a long day tomorrow - I'm going to drive all the way home.
Pat wanted me to take her back to the good sale at Jo-Ann's (LOL!), so I did. She got a pack of cardstock and one of the Nana's Kids paper stacks.
Next was the cemetery. The flowers I had left there in February were still there! I removed those and put new ones there. It affects me deeply to visit here. I miss him. I know I can talk to him anytime, but I feel more close to him in this place.
After another morning stop at Chick-fil-A (I do love those Minis!!), we headed on back to the scrapbook store. We cropped (other than a quick lunch) until about 3:30. I got six pages done over the last two days... the last one I worked on today was of the elephants at Busch Gardens, and I'm real happy with how it turned out.
We found a Hobby Lobby and did more shopping. They didn't have much on sale, but they had a good clearance rack this time around. I got several Cuttlebug dies. My sister got her a rolling tote for her scrapbook supplies, along with several embellishments. I tell you, I have created a monster! She is a scrapping machine! It is really too bad we don't live closer... she kept saying she'd love for us to be able to scrapbook together once a week. And that would be great... IF she would just quit bragging about how many pages she has finished! LOL
We went back to the motel and rested for a couple of hours. Then we met Missi, Jon, Brittany, and her BFF, Britteny, for dinner. (Brandon was out of town with his father.) It was great to see them. I really, really like Jon... he's so funny! Brittany is just a teenager... she had wanted to go to the scrapbook store, but she never called me to pick her up. I guess she changed her mind and wanted to do her own thing. Just typical kid stuff. We took a bunch of pictures, and she seemed to enjoy that. She even let me get a picture of her new braces! I think we all had a great evening - I know I did!
Like last night, my sister is sound asleep with the light on and the TV on! I guess I'll sign off and get ready for bed myself. I have a long day tomorrow - I'm going to drive all the way home.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Trip to Jacksonville - Days 1, 2, and 3
August 12: Last night I began to get a little nervous about my trip... I've never spent this much alone time with my sister! How would it go? We are actually going to be sharing a motel room! Will we get along? Will we get on each others' nerves? I mean, I think everything is going to be fine, based on our phone conversations and Facebook chats, but you never know!
I had lots to do before leaving... pack, give the cats their fluids and meds, clean out litter boxes, get gas, pick up prescriptions, etc... Busy, busy morning. But I actually got away earlier than I had feared and was on the road out of Covington by 12:00 Noon.
It is about a 4 1/2 hour drive to my sister's house in Waycross... mostly all back roads. The only interstate is 5 miles on I-75 in Macon and 50 miles on I-16. Many times I had no cell phone reception. I was officially in the country! Tracy had gone down earlier in the day to pick up a refrigerator we bought from my sister and brother-in-law and was already on his way back home with it... so we met for a FEW minutes in McRae. After that stop, I didn't think I would ever get there! I thought they had moved Waycross! But I did make it to their house about 4:30.
They have a beautiful home and made me feel soooo welcome. My sister cooked supper (yummy) (oh the black-eyed peas were to die for!!) and breakfast the next morning! Pat and I rode over to see her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. My great-niece is almost two and totally precious!!
August 13: We got up and going and left for Jacksonville about 9AM. We made a stop in Folkston, GA... gathering information about our father. Interesting tidbits there. We tried to visit the scrapbook store Callahan, FL, but it didn't opoen until 11 and we had too many stops to make to hang around. Maybe another time. Then we went to Fernandina Beach to pick up something re: Pat's family... and that's where the 'interesting' things started happening to us. Pat wanted to get a copy of her grandfather's death certificate. The Health Department doesn't have them anymore so we had to go to another location downtown. There the lady seemed totally put out that the death certificate was from 1990!! She said "1990?!! It'll take me a while since I have to dig back that far!" And wait we did. When she finally brought it out and handed it to Pat, she made it clear she was irritated about having to do her job: "Well, here you go." With a tone. And an attitude. And that was it.
I then took Pat to eat lunch at Firehouse Subs. She had never been there, and thank goodness she really liked it. I think I like it because the subs are warm. I don't care for cold sandwiches.
Anyway, we then went on down to Jacksonville. Our first stop was the Vital Statistics to pick up more birth and/or death certificates. Well, almost all of the people working there seemed to have attitude. But after about 45 minutes, we finally got all we needed. We then headed downtown to the office to get marriage/divorce records. That was another 45 minute wait! And after paying $15 to get the records the same day (as opposed to $5, but a 2-3 week wait) and more attitude, it wasn't even what we wanted!
So off we went to find the courthouse! Thank goodness for a GPS! "Samantha" as I call her, has saved me more than once, and she came through this time, too! We found the Clerk of Court's office and finally, got a really nice lady who was very patient while pulling those huge, heavy deed books for us. We made several copies here... and while not exactly what we were looking for, it gave us more than what we had. By this time, it's almost 5pm and we're exhausted! So it's off to the motel... in rush hour traffic. But we made it.
We were supposed to have dinner with our cousin, Ronnie, but his mother was put in the hospital and he needed to be there. So Pat and I found a hole-in-the-wall Mexican Restaurant right up the street and ate our fill of some yummy chips, salsa, quesadilla, and carne asada!! We went back to the motel and zonked out!
August 14: I didn't sleep very well... I never do on the first night in a strange place. I was hot most of the night and finally got up about 4:30am and turned the air on down to 68. It finally got bearable in the room. (Luckily, Pat is as hot-natured as I am!) But then about 6:30 am... barking! Yes, there was a dog on our floor - and it was only a couple of rooms away! And it barked non-stop. I got up and called the front desk. They said they would call that room. And the dog did get quiet for a short while, and then started again. Non-stop. We figured the owner had gone out and left it alone. Poor thing! We called the front desk again. There was no going back to sleep, so we started getting ready. When Pat went down to get coffee, she stopped at the front desk to talk to them about it. It seems that the dog's owner checked in on Tuesday and had been leaving the dog alone every day. The motel had been fielding complaints all week and giving away free nights right and left! They had been trying to get in touch with the dog's owner but he was not answering nor returning their calls. The guy has been sneaking in at night, taking a shower in the mornings and then sneaking back out, leaving the dog alone in the room! The motel has been checking on the dog, but can't take it out of the room.
Anyway, the motel moved us to a new room on the next floor and gave us tonight free! We appreciated that at least! And we cannot hear the poor puppy anymore.
We left the motel and drove to Orange Park (about 10 minutes away). We ate breakfast at Chick-fil-A - love those Chicken Minis!!! - and went to TJ Maxx and Jo-Ann's. Jo-Ann's was an ETC and was having a GREAT sale - 40% off just about every last thing for scrapbooking. We racked up! We were going to the cemetery for me to put some flower's on our nephew's grave, but Navy Captain Scott Speicher, the first soldier killed in the Gulf War, was being buried there today! So we had to put that off until tomorrow.
We went to Pictures In Time and did a little shopping, but their tables were covered up with boxes, and there was no room for us to scrapbook there. We went to Scrap 'n Stuff - also in Orange Park - and cropped there until almost 4pm. We went out about 2 to get some lunch. We decided to just grab something at McDonald's and take it back to the store. Well, this McDonald's is one of the old-timey looking ones - with the arches stretching along both sides of the building. Pat wanted pictures of it. While I waited on our food in the the drive thru, she got out and went to take some pictures with her camera. Almost immediately, an employee came out of the restaurant and asked Pat what she was taking pictures of. Pat told her she was taking pictures of the golden arches! The employee asked her why. Pat said, "To scrapbook!" And the employee told Pat that she understood, but that there were people in the restaurant having to duck and cover their faces because they thought she was taking pictures of them!!! Unbelievable!! Are they on the run? Having lunch with someone they shouldn't??? Who knows! Just another example of the crazy stuff that has happened to us on this trip.
When we left the scrapbook store at 4pm, it stormed hard. We went to another store and shopped for a bit and then came back to the motel. It was storming so badly, we sat in the car for about 30 minutes.
Ronnie couldn't meet us for dinner again tonight, so we went up the street to St. John's Seafood and had sone shrimp. They were good!
As I type this, my sister is sound asleep (and has been for about an hour and a half) and I'm ready for bed myself.
Good night.
I had lots to do before leaving... pack, give the cats their fluids and meds, clean out litter boxes, get gas, pick up prescriptions, etc... Busy, busy morning. But I actually got away earlier than I had feared and was on the road out of Covington by 12:00 Noon.
It is about a 4 1/2 hour drive to my sister's house in Waycross... mostly all back roads. The only interstate is 5 miles on I-75 in Macon and 50 miles on I-16. Many times I had no cell phone reception. I was officially in the country! Tracy had gone down earlier in the day to pick up a refrigerator we bought from my sister and brother-in-law and was already on his way back home with it... so we met for a FEW minutes in McRae. After that stop, I didn't think I would ever get there! I thought they had moved Waycross! But I did make it to their house about 4:30.
They have a beautiful home and made me feel soooo welcome. My sister cooked supper (yummy) (oh the black-eyed peas were to die for!!) and breakfast the next morning! Pat and I rode over to see her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. My great-niece is almost two and totally precious!!
August 13: We got up and going and left for Jacksonville about 9AM. We made a stop in Folkston, GA... gathering information about our father. Interesting tidbits there. We tried to visit the scrapbook store Callahan, FL, but it didn't opoen until 11 and we had too many stops to make to hang around. Maybe another time. Then we went to Fernandina Beach to pick up something re: Pat's family... and that's where the 'interesting' things started happening to us. Pat wanted to get a copy of her grandfather's death certificate. The Health Department doesn't have them anymore so we had to go to another location downtown. There the lady seemed totally put out that the death certificate was from 1990!! She said "1990?!! It'll take me a while since I have to dig back that far!" And wait we did. When she finally brought it out and handed it to Pat, she made it clear she was irritated about having to do her job: "Well, here you go." With a tone. And an attitude. And that was it.
I then took Pat to eat lunch at Firehouse Subs. She had never been there, and thank goodness she really liked it. I think I like it because the subs are warm. I don't care for cold sandwiches.
Anyway, we then went on down to Jacksonville. Our first stop was the Vital Statistics to pick up more birth and/or death certificates. Well, almost all of the people working there seemed to have attitude. But after about 45 minutes, we finally got all we needed. We then headed downtown to the office to get marriage/divorce records. That was another 45 minute wait! And after paying $15 to get the records the same day (as opposed to $5, but a 2-3 week wait) and more attitude, it wasn't even what we wanted!
So off we went to find the courthouse! Thank goodness for a GPS! "Samantha" as I call her, has saved me more than once, and she came through this time, too! We found the Clerk of Court's office and finally, got a really nice lady who was very patient while pulling those huge, heavy deed books for us. We made several copies here... and while not exactly what we were looking for, it gave us more than what we had. By this time, it's almost 5pm and we're exhausted! So it's off to the motel... in rush hour traffic. But we made it.
We were supposed to have dinner with our cousin, Ronnie, but his mother was put in the hospital and he needed to be there. So Pat and I found a hole-in-the-wall Mexican Restaurant right up the street and ate our fill of some yummy chips, salsa, quesadilla, and carne asada!! We went back to the motel and zonked out!
August 14: I didn't sleep very well... I never do on the first night in a strange place. I was hot most of the night and finally got up about 4:30am and turned the air on down to 68. It finally got bearable in the room. (Luckily, Pat is as hot-natured as I am!) But then about 6:30 am... barking! Yes, there was a dog on our floor - and it was only a couple of rooms away! And it barked non-stop. I got up and called the front desk. They said they would call that room. And the dog did get quiet for a short while, and then started again. Non-stop. We figured the owner had gone out and left it alone. Poor thing! We called the front desk again. There was no going back to sleep, so we started getting ready. When Pat went down to get coffee, she stopped at the front desk to talk to them about it. It seems that the dog's owner checked in on Tuesday and had been leaving the dog alone every day. The motel had been fielding complaints all week and giving away free nights right and left! They had been trying to get in touch with the dog's owner but he was not answering nor returning their calls. The guy has been sneaking in at night, taking a shower in the mornings and then sneaking back out, leaving the dog alone in the room! The motel has been checking on the dog, but can't take it out of the room.
Anyway, the motel moved us to a new room on the next floor and gave us tonight free! We appreciated that at least! And we cannot hear the poor puppy anymore.
We left the motel and drove to Orange Park (about 10 minutes away). We ate breakfast at Chick-fil-A - love those Chicken Minis!!! - and went to TJ Maxx and Jo-Ann's. Jo-Ann's was an ETC and was having a GREAT sale - 40% off just about every last thing for scrapbooking. We racked up! We were going to the cemetery for me to put some flower's on our nephew's grave, but Navy Captain Scott Speicher, the first soldier killed in the Gulf War, was being buried there today! So we had to put that off until tomorrow.
We went to Pictures In Time and did a little shopping, but their tables were covered up with boxes, and there was no room for us to scrapbook there. We went to Scrap 'n Stuff - also in Orange Park - and cropped there until almost 4pm. We went out about 2 to get some lunch. We decided to just grab something at McDonald's and take it back to the store. Well, this McDonald's is one of the old-timey looking ones - with the arches stretching along both sides of the building. Pat wanted pictures of it. While I waited on our food in the the drive thru, she got out and went to take some pictures with her camera. Almost immediately, an employee came out of the restaurant and asked Pat what she was taking pictures of. Pat told her she was taking pictures of the golden arches! The employee asked her why. Pat said, "To scrapbook!" And the employee told Pat that she understood, but that there were people in the restaurant having to duck and cover their faces because they thought she was taking pictures of them!!! Unbelievable!! Are they on the run? Having lunch with someone they shouldn't??? Who knows! Just another example of the crazy stuff that has happened to us on this trip.
When we left the scrapbook store at 4pm, it stormed hard. We went to another store and shopped for a bit and then came back to the motel. It was storming so badly, we sat in the car for about 30 minutes.
Ronnie couldn't meet us for dinner again tonight, so we went up the street to St. John's Seafood and had sone shrimp. They were good!
As I type this, my sister is sound asleep (and has been for about an hour and a half) and I'm ready for bed myself.
Good night.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
July 2009 Roundup of Memories
What books did I read this month? Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (book club); Digging to America by Anne Tyler; In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith (audio book)
Magazines? Guidepost
What movies did I see this month? Kung Fu Panda, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (at the theater), Mr. Brooks, National Treasure, Clueless, Failure to Launch (again), The Holiday (again), Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story (1992 version), The Italian Job (again), Hancock, Transporter 3, Mutiny on the Bounty (Clark Gable), The Proposal (at the theater)
TV Shows? Burn Notice, Leverage, 24, CMT Insider, America's Most Wanted, Saving Grace, The Cleaner, The Bill Engvall Show, Saving Grace, Lie to Me, 30 Days, Chelsea Lately, I Survived, The Soup
What special days did I celebrate and how? Another one for my birthday - w/Donna Joseph
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? Retaining fluids in my legs - blood work done and put on a diuretic. High blood sugar - lowered through diet.
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Tracy and I went to Myrtle Beach; cropping with Christy and Carolyn every Wednesday; Lunch and movie with Donna Joseph; visited Fernbank Science Center with my mom
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? Sticky Fingers (ribs) in Myrtle Beach - great baked beans and corn meal muffins!!; Rico's World Market in Buford - excellent Shrimp Po'Boy!
What special or unusual purchases did I make? We bought a down comforter with a duvet cover - it's pretty comfy! Bought several magnets and T-shirts while in Myrtle Beach. Got some more Sizzix alphabets and other dies.
What were this month's disappointments? The condo we stayed in at Myrtle Beach; the probability that I will not get my $200 deposit back from the condo where we stayed in Washington DC
What were my accomplishments this month? Getting through the busy weeks!
Magazines? Guidepost
What movies did I see this month? Kung Fu Panda, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (at the theater), Mr. Brooks, National Treasure, Clueless, Failure to Launch (again), The Holiday (again), Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story (1992 version), The Italian Job (again), Hancock, Transporter 3, Mutiny on the Bounty (Clark Gable), The Proposal (at the theater)
TV Shows? Burn Notice, Leverage, 24, CMT Insider, America's Most Wanted, Saving Grace, The Cleaner, The Bill Engvall Show, Saving Grace, Lie to Me, 30 Days, Chelsea Lately, I Survived, The Soup
What special days did I celebrate and how? Another one for my birthday - w/Donna Joseph
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? Retaining fluids in my legs - blood work done and put on a diuretic. High blood sugar - lowered through diet.
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Tracy and I went to Myrtle Beach; cropping with Christy and Carolyn every Wednesday; Lunch and movie with Donna Joseph; visited Fernbank Science Center with my mom
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? Sticky Fingers (ribs) in Myrtle Beach - great baked beans and corn meal muffins!!; Rico's World Market in Buford - excellent Shrimp Po'Boy!
What special or unusual purchases did I make? We bought a down comforter with a duvet cover - it's pretty comfy! Bought several magnets and T-shirts while in Myrtle Beach. Got some more Sizzix alphabets and other dies.
What were this month's disappointments? The condo we stayed in at Myrtle Beach; the probability that I will not get my $200 deposit back from the condo where we stayed in Washington DC
What were my accomplishments this month? Getting through the busy weeks!
Monday, July 13, 2009
June 2009 Roundup of Memories
What books did I read this month? "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou (book club)
Magazines? Guideposts, Real Simple Travel
What movies did I see this month? The Blue Dahlia (Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake) (1946); Rain Man; Arsenic and Old Lace (Cary Grant); A Few Good Men; Juno
TV Shows? Ghost Whisperer, CSI, The Mentalist, Bones, Desperate Housewives, Lie to Me, America's Most Wanted, Dateline: Taylor Swift, NBS Special: Day in the Life of the Obama White House, 24, CMT Insider, Dateline on ID, Law & Order: CI
What special days did I celebrate and how? My birthday! Lunch with Stacey; Lunch at Varisty and visit to IKEA with Donna B; cropping with Christy and Carolyn with a cake; lunch with Lisa; visit from Mom with cookie cake; dinner with Tracy.
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? None! Just the usual allergy and IBS stuff.
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Lunch with Yvette; Went with Mom to pick out her new kitty cats; my birthday and all it entailed; cropping with Christy and Carolyn every week; visiting my cousin, Wesley, in Kite.
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? None that I can think of. Tracy was working on a big project and was gone a lot so I didn't cook much.
What special or unusual purchases did I make? We bought a car! A 2008 Mercury Mariner. More Sizzix (including several alphabets!), a table for my laptop; a desk chair for Tracy (which Patches is using WAY more than he does!)
What were this month's disappointments? None!
What were my accomplishments this month? Not having a car payment!
Magazines? Guideposts, Real Simple Travel
What movies did I see this month? The Blue Dahlia (Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake) (1946); Rain Man; Arsenic and Old Lace (Cary Grant); A Few Good Men; Juno
TV Shows? Ghost Whisperer, CSI, The Mentalist, Bones, Desperate Housewives, Lie to Me, America's Most Wanted, Dateline: Taylor Swift, NBS Special: Day in the Life of the Obama White House, 24, CMT Insider, Dateline on ID, Law & Order: CI
What special days did I celebrate and how? My birthday! Lunch with Stacey; Lunch at Varisty and visit to IKEA with Donna B; cropping with Christy and Carolyn with a cake; lunch with Lisa; visit from Mom with cookie cake; dinner with Tracy.
What illness or health concerns did I have this month? None! Just the usual allergy and IBS stuff.
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family? Lunch with Yvette; Went with Mom to pick out her new kitty cats; my birthday and all it entailed; cropping with Christy and Carolyn every week; visiting my cousin, Wesley, in Kite.
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month? None that I can think of. Tracy was working on a big project and was gone a lot so I didn't cook much.
What special or unusual purchases did I make? We bought a car! A 2008 Mercury Mariner. More Sizzix (including several alphabets!), a table for my laptop; a desk chair for Tracy (which Patches is using WAY more than he does!)
What were this month's disappointments? None!
What were my accomplishments this month? Not having a car payment!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Better late than never - my birthday
I'm way behind on posting to my blog. I seem to do several posts in one day and then nothing for a month! So I'm just now sharing some thoughts on my birthday last month.
As always, I talk up my birthday so much that my friends have no choice but remember it! But I do love my birthday. So many do not understand why... but I'm sure it goes back to my childhood... like so many things. My father must have hated Christmas cause he was always in a foul mood that time of year. He ruined many of them, so now I'm not crazy about Christmas myself. Over the years, my issue has become that Christmas is so commercialized now... they have the Christmas stuff out before Halloween! It's this big push to buy the "just right" gift for everyone on your list. The very people who tell you that "Jesus is the reason for the season" are also the ones who are rushing from store to store trying to find that perfect gift. There is no extra politeness at Christmas time... people are too hurried, too rushed, too pressured to get way too much done in a month's time.
Anyway, with that said... Daddy didn't like Christmas, but his birthday and Father's Day were all about him, so he was good with that. And his birthday was 3 days after mine, and Father's Day was right around then, too, so he was always in a pretty good mood that time of year. When I was a child, we were usually on vacation at Lake Lure, North Carolina, on my birthday. But my mom always had me a cake and presents in that motel room. My birthday was never glossed over or forgotten in the busy-ness of vacation.
So thus... I have fonder memories of my birthday. Plus as I've said many times, your birthday is your own special day... it should be celebrated. On the day you came into this world, for someone, be it your mother, your father, your grandmother, your adoptive parents, or your sibling, it was the best day of their life. Now THAT's something to celebrate!
For many, it's just a reminder that they are getting older. Well, I'm not thrilled about aging either, but it is what it is. There's no stopping it. There's no changing it. All the diet and exercise in the world is not going to make us live for 150 years. Part of the human experience is aging and dying. Can't change it so I might as well make the best of it. Thus, I have happy birthdays!! :)
This year was really great. With joining Facebook, I was able to hear from so many people I wouldn't have heard from otherwise. I had lunches with friends, crops with friends, dinner with my husband, a visit from my mom, cards and calls from so many people, plus more I'm probably not remembering to mention here. I even had one friend who kept me going on text messaging, trying to figure out who she was for about 2 hours!! LOL
But I wanted to share the most ironic moment of my day...
I'm at the Varsity with my friend, Donna B., on June 16th. (Isn't that a great place to eat your birthday lunch??!!) Anyway, I get a phone call from Brittany. (Very sweet, right? for her to remember my day!) This is how I remember the conversation:
"Happy Birthday, Aunt Lizzie!"
"Thank you, Baby!"
Some idle chatter here.
Then...
"I miss you so much, Aunt Lizzie!" (And I'm thinking... 'Then why don't you bring your butt to Georgia this summer???!!!!!')
Then I told her:
"I told Uncle Tracy that with the money we're saving from you guys not coming up this summer, he should take me to the beach!"
And she said... (Are you ready for this?!)
"You should come down here to the beach and see me!"
Oh, yes she did. Like only a teenager can do. Luckily, I can laugh at it!
And let me just add... Tracy and I are going to Myrtle Beach next week... NOT Florida!! LOL
Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful friend and family who made my 42nd birthday so GREAT!!
As always, I talk up my birthday so much that my friends have no choice but remember it! But I do love my birthday. So many do not understand why... but I'm sure it goes back to my childhood... like so many things. My father must have hated Christmas cause he was always in a foul mood that time of year. He ruined many of them, so now I'm not crazy about Christmas myself. Over the years, my issue has become that Christmas is so commercialized now... they have the Christmas stuff out before Halloween! It's this big push to buy the "just right" gift for everyone on your list. The very people who tell you that "Jesus is the reason for the season" are also the ones who are rushing from store to store trying to find that perfect gift. There is no extra politeness at Christmas time... people are too hurried, too rushed, too pressured to get way too much done in a month's time.
Anyway, with that said... Daddy didn't like Christmas, but his birthday and Father's Day were all about him, so he was good with that. And his birthday was 3 days after mine, and Father's Day was right around then, too, so he was always in a pretty good mood that time of year. When I was a child, we were usually on vacation at Lake Lure, North Carolina, on my birthday. But my mom always had me a cake and presents in that motel room. My birthday was never glossed over or forgotten in the busy-ness of vacation.
So thus... I have fonder memories of my birthday. Plus as I've said many times, your birthday is your own special day... it should be celebrated. On the day you came into this world, for someone, be it your mother, your father, your grandmother, your adoptive parents, or your sibling, it was the best day of their life. Now THAT's something to celebrate!
For many, it's just a reminder that they are getting older. Well, I'm not thrilled about aging either, but it is what it is. There's no stopping it. There's no changing it. All the diet and exercise in the world is not going to make us live for 150 years. Part of the human experience is aging and dying. Can't change it so I might as well make the best of it. Thus, I have happy birthdays!! :)
This year was really great. With joining Facebook, I was able to hear from so many people I wouldn't have heard from otherwise. I had lunches with friends, crops with friends, dinner with my husband, a visit from my mom, cards and calls from so many people, plus more I'm probably not remembering to mention here. I even had one friend who kept me going on text messaging, trying to figure out who she was for about 2 hours!! LOL
But I wanted to share the most ironic moment of my day...
I'm at the Varsity with my friend, Donna B., on June 16th. (Isn't that a great place to eat your birthday lunch??!!) Anyway, I get a phone call from Brittany. (Very sweet, right? for her to remember my day!) This is how I remember the conversation:
"Happy Birthday, Aunt Lizzie!"
"Thank you, Baby!"
Some idle chatter here.
Then...
"I miss you so much, Aunt Lizzie!" (And I'm thinking... 'Then why don't you bring your butt to Georgia this summer???!!!!!')
Then I told her:
"I told Uncle Tracy that with the money we're saving from you guys not coming up this summer, he should take me to the beach!"
And she said... (Are you ready for this?!)
"You should come down here to the beach and see me!"
Oh, yes she did. Like only a teenager can do. Luckily, I can laugh at it!
And let me just add... Tracy and I are going to Myrtle Beach next week... NOT Florida!! LOL
Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful friend and family who made my 42nd birthday so GREAT!!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"They year they outgrew me"
Sunday night I got the call I've been preparing myself for the last two years. I knew it was coming. It was inevitable. It's human nature, a rite of passage, as predictable as the tide going in and out.
And yet... I wasn't ready.
Missi called on Sunday night with the news that the kids weren't coming up to visit this year. They didn't want to hurt my feelings, so Brittany was avoiding making a decision (which means it's made - she just didn't want to tell me) and Brandon... Well, I have to give him credit. He made me proud... at the same time he said the words I had been dreading. Once Missi assured him I wasn't upset or hurt, he got on the phone to tell me himself that he had a job this summer and "probably" (the word used to try to let me down easy, I'm sure) wouldn't be coming up this summer.
Now, to be fair to Brittany, she wasn't home... so maybe she would have told me, too.
My friend told me tonight that when this happened to her she called it "the year they outgrew her." I think that's appropriate. They are teenagers now... they have their friends. At that age, that IS the most important thing... the most important people in their lives.
My head knew this was coming. My heart was never going to be ready.
I am afraid I won't see them much... and I didn't see them enough as it was. That week-10 days each summer was my one chance to get a glimpse into their lives and who they were at that point. The rest of the year, they compete in track, they graduate from elementary school, they have birthday parties, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas mornings, and scores of other events that I'm never part of. We made our memories each July. And they were great memories.
Oh, I know I can go to Florida to see them. And I know I will. But they will still be busy with their friends and lives, and won't have much time for their old Grand Aunt when she's there.
So I am left with the hope and prayer that one day... about 10-15 years from now maybe, that from the foundation we have laid over the last 6 years' worth of summers, we will be close, and I will be invited to the big events of their lives at that time... weddings, births, holidays.
Brittany and Brandon...
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!” - Dr. Suess, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
2005
2008
And yet... I wasn't ready.
Missi called on Sunday night with the news that the kids weren't coming up to visit this year. They didn't want to hurt my feelings, so Brittany was avoiding making a decision (which means it's made - she just didn't want to tell me) and Brandon... Well, I have to give him credit. He made me proud... at the same time he said the words I had been dreading. Once Missi assured him I wasn't upset or hurt, he got on the phone to tell me himself that he had a job this summer and "probably" (the word used to try to let me down easy, I'm sure) wouldn't be coming up this summer.
Now, to be fair to Brittany, she wasn't home... so maybe she would have told me, too.
My friend told me tonight that when this happened to her she called it "the year they outgrew her." I think that's appropriate. They are teenagers now... they have their friends. At that age, that IS the most important thing... the most important people in their lives.
My head knew this was coming. My heart was never going to be ready.
I am afraid I won't see them much... and I didn't see them enough as it was. That week-10 days each summer was my one chance to get a glimpse into their lives and who they were at that point. The rest of the year, they compete in track, they graduate from elementary school, they have birthday parties, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas mornings, and scores of other events that I'm never part of. We made our memories each July. And they were great memories.
Oh, I know I can go to Florida to see them. And I know I will. But they will still be busy with their friends and lives, and won't have much time for their old Grand Aunt when she's there.
So I am left with the hope and prayer that one day... about 10-15 years from now maybe, that from the foundation we have laid over the last 6 years' worth of summers, we will be close, and I will be invited to the big events of their lives at that time... weddings, births, holidays.
Brittany and Brandon...
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!” - Dr. Suess, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
2005
2008
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Some June layouts
Various pictures the kids and I have taken in the car... they are in the car a lot when they are with me and they get bored. It's fun to take pictures.
Christmas lights in Grovetown, Georgia this past Christmas. First outing for my mom after my father died.
Some May layouts
2007: Took Brittany to Archiver's for some scrapping with Carolyn and Christy... boy, we've been scrapping at Archiver's for quite awhile now! All those rings were cut out of foam... it was a pain, but I like the results.
My Kimmie... she's so sweet... and so old.
Trixie helps us make the bed... ;)
I have NO idea why Gracie was sitting this way. I'm just glad I got a picture of it!
Stacey and I meeting with Dora. (The 2nd hand kind of Dora - at Goodwill. Not the REAL Dora.)
May 2009 Roundup of Memories
What books did I read this month?
I didn't actually finish a book this month... not even my book club book!
Magazines?
All You; Real Simple; Reader's Digest
What movies did I see this month?
The Bicycle Thief (Italian film); Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest; The Philadelphia Story (Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart); The Birds (Tippi Hedren)
TV Shows?
The Locator, Two and a Half Men, Oprah, CSI, Without a Trace, America's Most Wanted, Oprah, Lie to Me, Bones, The Mentalist, Bewitched, Step by Step, Chuck
What special days did I celebrate and how?
National Scrapbooking Day - several friends and I cropped here at the house.
Mother's Day - Mom and Tracy's parents came over on the Saturday (day) before Mother's Day and we had a fish fry.
Went to Morrow with Tracy and his parents to his Aunt Ruth's 80th birthday party.
What illness or health concerns did I have this month?
Allergies... had to take my Clarinex almost the entire month... probably because of all the rain we got.
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family?
Went out to dinner on Cinco de Mayo with Elaine.
Cropped with Carolyn at Archiver's (only once this month!)
Trip to Washington DC with my mom!!
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month?
Tried a new pork chop recipe - with chicken broth, roasted red peppers, and red potatoes in a skillet on the stove... It was good!
Had to try several new cafes in DC cause that was the only thing around... the most interesting was the cafe at the Holocaust Museum... it billed itself as Kosher, but evidently they believe that Kosher means no meat of any kind. They didn't offer any. Mom and I ate pantinis... which I had never had before. Due to the Italian seasoning, it was pretty good.
What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Stacey and I had great fun ordering Tuesday Specials from Sizzix this month!
What were this month's disappointments?
Can't think of a one! Woo Hoo - good month!
What were my accomplishments this month?
Learning my way around Washington, including the bus and Metro systems.
Keeping my mom and me safe on that trip.
I didn't actually finish a book this month... not even my book club book!
Magazines?
All You; Real Simple; Reader's Digest
What movies did I see this month?
The Bicycle Thief (Italian film); Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest; The Philadelphia Story (Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart); The Birds (Tippi Hedren)
TV Shows?
The Locator, Two and a Half Men, Oprah, CSI, Without a Trace, America's Most Wanted, Oprah, Lie to Me, Bones, The Mentalist, Bewitched, Step by Step, Chuck
What special days did I celebrate and how?
National Scrapbooking Day - several friends and I cropped here at the house.
Mother's Day - Mom and Tracy's parents came over on the Saturday (day) before Mother's Day and we had a fish fry.
Went to Morrow with Tracy and his parents to his Aunt Ruth's 80th birthday party.
What illness or health concerns did I have this month?
Allergies... had to take my Clarinex almost the entire month... probably because of all the rain we got.
What fun things did I do with friends and/or family?
Went out to dinner on Cinco de Mayo with Elaine.
Cropped with Carolyn at Archiver's (only once this month!)
Trip to Washington DC with my mom!!
What new foods, recipes, or restaurants did I try this month?
Tried a new pork chop recipe - with chicken broth, roasted red peppers, and red potatoes in a skillet on the stove... It was good!
Had to try several new cafes in DC cause that was the only thing around... the most interesting was the cafe at the Holocaust Museum... it billed itself as Kosher, but evidently they believe that Kosher means no meat of any kind. They didn't offer any. Mom and I ate pantinis... which I had never had before. Due to the Italian seasoning, it was pretty good.
What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Stacey and I had great fun ordering Tuesday Specials from Sizzix this month!
What were this month's disappointments?
Can't think of a one! Woo Hoo - good month!
What were my accomplishments this month?
Learning my way around Washington, including the bus and Metro systems.
Keeping my mom and me safe on that trip.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Day 10 of Washington trip: Monday
The word of the day... DRIVE. and drive and drive and drive.
We left the motel about 9:20... all I wanted was Chick-fil-A chicken minis. We've had nothing but McDonald's for breakfast for a week... was a little chicken too much to ask for? Well, apparently so in North Carolina. GPS said the closest Chick-fil-A was in Columbia, SC! So we had to eat McDonald's AGAIN.
Other than the breakfast stop, I drove straight through to Augusta. I was very sleepy, but Mom was not much help. I think that everyone gets in the passenger side of a car when I'm driving and goes into a zone. Jo Ann, Stacey, and now my mom... I'm running off the side of the road, fighting to keep my eyes open, and they are just over there like "La la la" and totally oblivious to the fact that I could kill them at any moment. So I spent a lot of time just calling people... someone talking to me was all I needed.
We got to Auguata about 1pm. I went straight to the Chick-fil-A on Washington Road! If I couldn't have it for breakfast, then I gosh darn could have it for lunch! When I stepped out of the car, I realized I had not been out since Fayetteville... it was all I could do to straighten up!
Took Mom home and did a few things on her computer for her. For those of you on AT&T, if it asks you about "upgrading" to the Yahoo! mail thingie... DON'T DO IT!! They don't allow POP access without paying for it, so now Mom has to read her mail on the web. Not a huge biggie, but it's the principle of the thing!
Left Mom's about 2:30 and drove on home. I listened to a book on tape for awhile, and when that didn't work anymore and I felt myself getting sleepy, I called Stacey. That kept me going, and the time passed quickly enough. I got home about 4:15... Everyone was glad to see me...
I didn't have to lift my hands the rest of the night. I got in my recliner, like I said I would... with Patches on top of me, of course... and took a nap. Tracy cooked supper, fed the cats, and cleaned up the kitchen. I got on the computer, ate, and watched TV. It was a good night!
And even though I woke up sick in the middle of the night... I don't know what it was and it went away... and Kimmie woke me up about 6am... it was still a good night in my own bed.
And now I am on the computer, instead of unpacking. Well, with this weather, I'm not going anywhere, so I have plenty of time, right?
We left the motel about 9:20... all I wanted was Chick-fil-A chicken minis. We've had nothing but McDonald's for breakfast for a week... was a little chicken too much to ask for? Well, apparently so in North Carolina. GPS said the closest Chick-fil-A was in Columbia, SC! So we had to eat McDonald's AGAIN.
Other than the breakfast stop, I drove straight through to Augusta. I was very sleepy, but Mom was not much help. I think that everyone gets in the passenger side of a car when I'm driving and goes into a zone. Jo Ann, Stacey, and now my mom... I'm running off the side of the road, fighting to keep my eyes open, and they are just over there like "La la la" and totally oblivious to the fact that I could kill them at any moment. So I spent a lot of time just calling people... someone talking to me was all I needed.
We got to Auguata about 1pm. I went straight to the Chick-fil-A on Washington Road! If I couldn't have it for breakfast, then I gosh darn could have it for lunch! When I stepped out of the car, I realized I had not been out since Fayetteville... it was all I could do to straighten up!
Took Mom home and did a few things on her computer for her. For those of you on AT&T, if it asks you about "upgrading" to the Yahoo! mail thingie... DON'T DO IT!! They don't allow POP access without paying for it, so now Mom has to read her mail on the web. Not a huge biggie, but it's the principle of the thing!
Left Mom's about 2:30 and drove on home. I listened to a book on tape for awhile, and when that didn't work anymore and I felt myself getting sleepy, I called Stacey. That kept me going, and the time passed quickly enough. I got home about 4:15... Everyone was glad to see me...
I didn't have to lift my hands the rest of the night. I got in my recliner, like I said I would... with Patches on top of me, of course... and took a nap. Tracy cooked supper, fed the cats, and cleaned up the kitchen. I got on the computer, ate, and watched TV. It was a good night!
And even though I woke up sick in the middle of the night... I don't know what it was and it went away... and Kimmie woke me up about 6am... it was still a good night in my own bed.
And now I am on the computer, instead of unpacking. Well, with this weather, I'm not going anywhere, so I have plenty of time, right?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Day 9 of Washington Trip: Sunday
We packed up the car and were on the road at 9:15 am. Traffic was nothing getting through downtown to the beltway. We drove to Richmond and met my friend from high school, Charles. 
We went to school together from 4th grade right through high school graduation. He is an engineer with Phillip Morris. We met him near his work and followed him to a restaurant near where he lives. His wife, Wanda, and his youngest son joined us. It was a wonderful lunch. I asked Charles like 20 questions… trying to catch up on everything. He has always been such a nice guy, and his wife seems just as nice!
We left Charles and headed back up the road to a scrapbooking store I had spotted earlier!! It’s called Memories Galore. It was a pretty good store. I got several papers to use for my Washington trip, along with some other goodies. Mom got the fever and bought several things, including an album. She says she’s going to scrapbook the pictures from this trip. We’ll see.
Then we headed to a Goodwill store we had spotted. I didn’t find a thing there, but Mom had some good luck.
We finally got out of Richmond at 4:30 – over 4 hours after we arrived!!! Then I had to drive 3 hours to Fayetteville. It rained off and on the entire trip, but fortunately, it was never heavy. We only stopped to get a drink and gas. We got to Fayetteville at almost 8 o’clock. I pulled in the motel, checked in, and we didn’t even go to our room. We went straight to a Mexican restaurant and had dinner. We finally got in the motel between 9 and 9:30…
I’m ready for sleep… and to get home…
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Some photos from our trip
Mom at the Crater, Petersburg National Civil War Battlefield, Petersburg, Virginia
The box where John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln at the Ford's Theatre.
Korean War Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
The fountain at the World War II Memorial at night.
Day 8 of Washington Trip: Saturday
Not such a rude awakening this morning, thank goodness!
We got ready and headed out for our day. I forgot to mention that another thing I was working on last night was figuring out our transportation for today. We wanted to ride the subway and not mess with the buses. So I had to figure out which Metro stations had parking and what trains to take to get to the Smithsonian. It’s not a hard system, but I had to learn how it works… whereas Atlanta’s MARTA has North, South, East, and West lines, the Metro has Blue, Orange, Green, and Yellow lines. And they kind of go in the four directions… but they veer off in places. Anyway, I figured it out, so we drove 2-3 miles to a Metro station with parking. You can park free on the weekends. We still had to walk about 1½ blocks to the actual station. We had no problems at the station and were soon on our way to the Smithsonian.
We went to the American History Museum. We had to wait a few minutes for them to open. It was crowded from the beginning. It only got more crowded as the day went on. The first exhibit we went to was “The Star Spangled Banner.” It is the actual flag that flew at Ft McHenry during the War of 1812. It is the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner,” which went on to become our country’s anthem. I had no idea the flag is was large as it is. We were not allowed to take pictures in this exhibit, but I was able to get a postcard and a picture of a replica displayed elsewhere in the museum.
We then went through the exhibit of First Ladies’ Inaugural Gowns. I think I got good pictures of all of them. It was neat to see the different styles over the centuries. They even had one of Martha Washington’s gowns! That goes back 200 years!
We saw a few more things and then went downstairs to meet my online friend, Aga. She came all the way down to the Smithsonian to meet us and have lunch. In addition, she brought me some Washington, DC scrapbooking goodies… paper and stickers! I was so excited. I can’t wait to use them! We had lunch in the café with Aga and then walked through the “Thanks for the Memories” exhibit. We saw Archie and Edith’s chairs from “All in the Family,” Kermit the Frog and Oscar from Sesame Street, and the Ruby Slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.” We left the museum about 1:30 and walked to the subway station, where we told Aga good-bye and headed to the Newseum.
The Newseum is the one of the newest, if not THE newest, museum in DC. It deals with… the news. Six floors of it! It’s pretty neat. First thing, you watch an orientation film. Then they had a G-Men and the News exhibit. You then take an elevator up 6 floors to an outside terrace with an awesome view of the Capitol. My batteries actually went dead in BOTH cameras! Can you believe that?! I brought 3 sets of rechargeable batteries, and only one set will hold a charge! So I got Mom’s camera and just took both of our pictures with that. There is so much in this museum… I can’t even describe it all. They had newspapers (originals) from as far back as the 1600’s to this year! They had papers with all the big headlines: the Hidenburg, Lindburgh baby kidnapping, Pearl Harbor, Peace at the end of WWII, Kennedy’s assassination, September 11th, etc., etc., etc. Just paper upon paper… It was unbelievable! They also had a section about September 11 with a piece of a broadcast tower from the top of the North Tower, a piece of the fuselage from Flight 93, and a piece of masonry from the Pentagon. It was information overload, like every other place in this city. My head is crammed full and spinning!
We left the Newseum about 4:45 (they close at 5) and aced the trains back out to our car. We came back here and have hung out, too tired to move, the entire evening. We will pack up the car in the morning and hopefully leave by 10am and head to Fayetteville, North Carolina to spend tomorrow night.
We have had a wonderful trip, but I have to say I am ready to go home. I need to see my husband, my kitties, and my recliner!!! LOL!
We got ready and headed out for our day. I forgot to mention that another thing I was working on last night was figuring out our transportation for today. We wanted to ride the subway and not mess with the buses. So I had to figure out which Metro stations had parking and what trains to take to get to the Smithsonian. It’s not a hard system, but I had to learn how it works… whereas Atlanta’s MARTA has North, South, East, and West lines, the Metro has Blue, Orange, Green, and Yellow lines. And they kind of go in the four directions… but they veer off in places. Anyway, I figured it out, so we drove 2-3 miles to a Metro station with parking. You can park free on the weekends. We still had to walk about 1½ blocks to the actual station. We had no problems at the station and were soon on our way to the Smithsonian.
We went to the American History Museum. We had to wait a few minutes for them to open. It was crowded from the beginning. It only got more crowded as the day went on. The first exhibit we went to was “The Star Spangled Banner.” It is the actual flag that flew at Ft McHenry during the War of 1812. It is the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner,” which went on to become our country’s anthem. I had no idea the flag is was large as it is. We were not allowed to take pictures in this exhibit, but I was able to get a postcard and a picture of a replica displayed elsewhere in the museum.
We then went through the exhibit of First Ladies’ Inaugural Gowns. I think I got good pictures of all of them. It was neat to see the different styles over the centuries. They even had one of Martha Washington’s gowns! That goes back 200 years!
We saw a few more things and then went downstairs to meet my online friend, Aga. She came all the way down to the Smithsonian to meet us and have lunch. In addition, she brought me some Washington, DC scrapbooking goodies… paper and stickers! I was so excited. I can’t wait to use them! We had lunch in the café with Aga and then walked through the “Thanks for the Memories” exhibit. We saw Archie and Edith’s chairs from “All in the Family,” Kermit the Frog and Oscar from Sesame Street, and the Ruby Slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.” We left the museum about 1:30 and walked to the subway station, where we told Aga good-bye and headed to the Newseum.
The Newseum is the one of the newest, if not THE newest, museum in DC. It deals with… the news. Six floors of it! It’s pretty neat. First thing, you watch an orientation film. Then they had a G-Men and the News exhibit. You then take an elevator up 6 floors to an outside terrace with an awesome view of the Capitol. My batteries actually went dead in BOTH cameras! Can you believe that?! I brought 3 sets of rechargeable batteries, and only one set will hold a charge! So I got Mom’s camera and just took both of our pictures with that. There is so much in this museum… I can’t even describe it all. They had newspapers (originals) from as far back as the 1600’s to this year! They had papers with all the big headlines: the Hidenburg, Lindburgh baby kidnapping, Pearl Harbor, Peace at the end of WWII, Kennedy’s assassination, September 11th, etc., etc., etc. Just paper upon paper… It was unbelievable! They also had a section about September 11 with a piece of a broadcast tower from the top of the North Tower, a piece of the fuselage from Flight 93, and a piece of masonry from the Pentagon. It was information overload, like every other place in this city. My head is crammed full and spinning!
We left the Newseum about 4:45 (they close at 5) and aced the trains back out to our car. We came back here and have hung out, too tired to move, the entire evening. We will pack up the car in the morning and hopefully leave by 10am and head to Fayetteville, North Carolina to spend tomorrow night.
We have had a wonderful trip, but I have to say I am ready to go home. I need to see my husband, my kitties, and my recliner!!! LOL!
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