Friday, January 30, 2015

Family & Friends

Image result for wind blowing images

It’s cold today, and the wind is blowing, blowing. We’ve gotten out to make a few purchases, for mom’s hair appointment and to meet my brother Frank, Ann & Tyler for dinner at Stantons. Love their BBQ!

As we were leaving Stantons I heard someone say, “Melanie”. I looked toward the lady and could not register who she was. She laughed and then told me her name. I have not seen Lori Lewis Woodham since high school…that was 41+ years ago. We had a nice quick chat before I had to leave with the family.

1.31.15.....

We’re staying close to home today & just relaxing (unless someone calls & has a better offer). Mom listens to audio books as I catch up on the local & world news.

Frank & Tyler came over right before dinner and stayed a short time. They sat & talked with us as we ate. We enjoyed hamburger steak/gravy with rice & butterbeans. I also made some cheesecake crescent rolls. Yum, yum!!!

A cousin of mine that I honestly do not remember (I was 15 when he was born.) came to visit mom & me tonight with his fiancee. By the time he was a young boy, I was away at college. His life was troubled brought on by circumstances & his choices. Now he is making his way in life and really trying, like we all are, to make a difference. Our visit was good, and I enjoyed sitting down & talking to him.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Let's Travel On to Bville


As I sat in Jennifer's sun-room this morning with this gorgeous view, I sure hated to start traveling again. It was beautiful outside, and I was enjoying talking with a best friend. Of course, I knew that farther down the road someone else was waiting to see me...my mom.

Not being too far from CAE I was able to arrive in Bville around lunchtime so I called mom for a "lunch order" from her. Got us some Mickey D's.

She was just as excited to see me as I was to see her. After eating our meal we unloaded my car & I got settled into my room. After some catching up with family news, we drove back into town so I could grocery shop for my items during my visit. With that task behind me, I settled down to relax & talk a little more with mom.

1.29.15.......

Ahhhhh.....a wonderful morning of sleeping in a bit! We have no schedule but plan to stay quite busy. We ate our breakfast and then decided to drive over to Rockingham where I like to shop at Ollie’s. Got some yarn to make an afghan, a few books to read (Even though I read on my NOOK, I still like to turn those pages.) & a few other neat items. 

Mom likes Walmart chicken so we drove just down the road to Walmart  decided to eat our lunch in the car. Dad & mom loved to go to L'burg WM & eat their chicken in the car & watch the people in the parking lot...their date night.

So I go in & get our lunch at the WM Deli, then scoot over the Mickey D's (inside WM) to purchase some drinks for us. With drinks in hand after I paid for them, I left the WM store & walked to the car. We were eating & watching the people when mother said, "Now Mel, I want to play for lunch.” My brain slowly paused processing her comment, my head turned toward her and I said, “Mom…I didn't pay for the food.” YES…I ordered our food from WM Deli, walked over to purchase drinks, and then walked straight out of Walmart WITHOUT PAYING FOR THE FOOD!!!!! Embarrassed.

We continued to eat our lunch and when finished, I stuck the price tags on my right hand, walked into WM, went to the self-checkout, & purchased our food. Had to click on the prompt “I don’t want to bag this item.” I still can’t believe I actually did this. Just a little “whacked”.

Our afternoon was just one of relaxation...at least for me it was.

Tonight I spent some time over at Susan & David’s checking email and FB as well as visiting with them. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Sweet Friends

January 27th, 2015 was planned some time ago with two of my childhood friends & a college friend. We were to meet at Olive Garden for dinner & conversation. We were all excited. I would be spending the night at Jennifer's house.

Seated at Olive Garden & knowing that three of my best friends from long ago were with me brought such happiness to my heart. We spent every minute together talking about our memories. I loved the fact that each one of them immediately felt a connection to each other. The “tire incident” was now just a past situation, and I was enjoying my time with each one.

 

Jennifer…
     …lived in my neighborhood, and we played at each other’s house when we were young. Our days of playing involved backyard plays, leaf forts, etc. She & I attended Lander College. She is now a retired teacher/volleyball coach and grandmother.

Donna…
     …lived on the other side of town. Our families were members of the local Swim Club, and we went every day we could. We made sure our bell bottomed jeans hung low and were frayed. One summer we alternated spending the night at each other’s house, and we made Chef Boyardee pizzas every day. She is the creator of Downi Creations (dolls with down syndrome appearances) & has written a play that has been sent to Roma Downey for review. Her play features special needs children. She is also a grandmother.

Libby…
     …AKA Squirrel. She & I attended Lander College. We were always together whether living in the dorms or apartments. We partied together & had a BLAST in college! Remember the trip to Atlanta…well, we didn’t actually make it. What about Starnes? Gosh, there are so many memories from our college days! She is an administrative assistant at McNair Law Firm.

As we said our goodbyes & promises to "Get Together" again real soon, I could only reflect upon how much I love these girls. 

1.27.15...What a Day!!!

I’ll start with  – Happy Birthday Mom! That morning as I left my home, my travel began beautifully with an awesome sunrise over the fields of Headland. Not much traffic on the road and some good music as I cruised on down the road.

I really couldn't decide if I wanted to travel toward Atlanta or Macon but as I entered Eufaula, I saw one lane of traffic down the historic section and knew I would head toward Macon. So with my travel direction planned, I settled down into my car seat for what would be a 7 hour drive for the day.

I really enjoy this route because of the small roads and the scenery. The stops along the way are the ones I have selected over the years, and I feel very safe when I stop for a break, food or gas. Some interesting sights that I continue to look for are the “men who gather to talk on the steps on the long sidewalk extending from a house", “the artistic cutting of trees as topiaries by Pearl Fryer of Bishopville” and the many country churches along the way.

So I’m traveling & enjoying my ride and about to enter into “Interstate Territory” when I drive over railroad tracks. Now I didn't think I was traveling too fast (speed limit 55 & I usually slow for tracks) but apparently I was for THESE tracks.

Glenn’s always telling me that when you run over/hit something in the Mazda that the sound is kind of exaggerated. I was shocked when I heard this loud sound. Checking the controls & seeing nothing gave me a sigh of relief. However, it was a relief too quick to be!

Just as I was approaching the turn off to Interstate 20 my car alerted me to “check my tire pressure”. I turned onto the ramp & stopped to check the tires. Yep! My front right tire was slowly going flat. Oh no!

After a phone call to Glenn & AAA for some assistance, a kind gentleman stopped to help me. Mr. Joe Collins, who lived on the road I just turned off of, was on his way to Thomson. 

Mr. Joe changed my tire & asked that I follow him into Thomson where he would help me with the purchase of a new tire. 

We went to three tire stores and none of them had the tire I needed…a 19”. I was even told that another tire had a cut in it and some metal in the tire, and that I would need an additional tire. UGH!!! It just kept coming at me!!! The last store placed the "doughnut" at the rear of the car so I would be able to travel to Augusta safely for help & hopefully a new tire. Joe gave me his card & asked that I call him if I needed additional assistance as I traveled to Augusta. 

Augusta seemed so far away as I drove way below the speed limit and actually thought I might get pulled over for driving so slow. That’s a first for me! I’m approximately an hour and a half behind schedule.

Glenn & I kept in touch. He searched & found two stores on Washington Road. I missed seeing the first one & ended up at the second one. Knowing what I was told at the other stores, I asked the guy who was servicing my vehicle his opinion of the tires. His opinion was that one of the tires was a total loss but the other was still good with just a slight cut in it. The metal that was seen by the other guy was just something that got caught in the tread and pulled away easily. I just needed one tire. Thank you Lord!

With a 45 minute wait as they serviced my car, I reflected upon how blessed I was to have had Joe stop & help me in my need. His kind guidance helped me to handle my situation in a clear, unemotional way. I have a new friend…and his card if I ever need him again.


I am on the road again…YES!
An early morning rise & the gathering of packed items, and I am ready to travel. With my bottle of water & a mid-morning breakfast Pastry Crisp, I drive out of the driveway toward the GPS scheduled route...Columbia, SC.

Way beyond excited! Tonight I will have dinner with two of my childhood friends & a college friend. I can't remember the last time I've seen each one of them. 

So excited! 



AND...................Happy Birthday Mom!
See you tomorrow.



Friday, January 23, 2015

For legacy purposes I have just completed another year of blogging. Piece by piece I have been capturing my daily life in photos & words with family & friends.

I began in October 2008 at the suggestion of a friend and found it challenging to my problem with the written word. I begin to breathe new life... Three for Life.

Every two years I transfer my blog entries to Blurb. After a little bit of page designing I then publish a book which I hope will be passed down to future Franklin-Goodwin generations

Sunday, January 4, 2015

I am an addict. 
A Coke Zero addict..

Withdrawals begin tomorrow.


Thursday, January 1, 2015


No resolutions...just a renewal.