Vacations and Memories

Well, the second leg of our vacation is winding down.  We spent one day touring some beautiful country in North Carolina and another day in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  We have really enjoyed ourselves and made some really great memories.  That's what vacations are for, right?

A funny thing happened though, while we were sitting in a theater listening to a bluegrass band.   As we sat there clapping to the music I looked at a lady sitting on the row right in front of me.  She was clapping and swaying and singing along. She looked to be about the same age as my mother would've been. She was enjoying the music just as much as my mama would've.  In fact, as I looked at her I could see my mama sitting there smiling and clapping and saying "Oh Hun, ain't they the galiest!"  Before I knew it I felt a tear on my cheek. 

I am sure that one thing or another makes me think of her on a daily basis, but this was different.  This was a really happy memory of a time before cancer and Alzheimer's stole her away.  I don't think this was a sad tear at all!  It felt more like a tear of joy!  To me it was like being given just a few more minutes with someone who is so dearly missed. 

So I guess sometimes vacations are not just for making new memories. Sometimes we get to revisit some old and cherished ones as well. 

We still have eleven days ahead of us. I can't wait to see what's in store!

Georgia on my Mind

The first leg of our vacation has been all about our country and its history.  I think it's safe to say that we have had every bit of fun there is to have at Stone Mountain!

We have toured the mountain and been to museums and other sites that had much to teach us!  Even better than the history lessons is the fact that Stone Mountain has gone out of its way to honor those who have served their country and those who never made it home!  Today's society is all about "me" it seems. It is good to be reminded that there are some brave men and women were willing to fight and possibly die to protect our freedoms.  Freedom Is not FREE!  

Happy Memorial Day and thank you soldiers past and present!  May we never forget the price that was paid!

AWAY WE GO!!!

Well, the day has finally arrived!  Summer vacation is HERE!!!  Teachers had to work half a day today, and Johnnie has to work until 6:00pm, but as soon as he gets home we are OUTA HERE!!!

We have been planning a mega-vacation for about a year and a half now.  We always have some kind of trip or another in the works, but this one might just turn out to be epic!  We will be traveling north-east all the way to Niagara Falls, New York and back again.  We have several really cool stops along the way.  I am so excited about this trip that I can hardly stand it!

I love that my husband shares my love of travel and that he understands the need for not just down time, but real vacations.  He understands the correlation between working hard and playing hard and I am truly thankful for that!

I do believe that I am just as excited to be able to spend some alone time with my husband as I am about all the places we will go.  He has worked SOOOO hard this past year.  Between building a camper that suited our needs to completely remodeling our house, he truly has NOT stopped to take a break!  Oh, and did I mention that he is a police officer?  I have never met another human with the kind of work ethic that he has.  He is truly an honorable man and a wonderful husband.

I plan on blogging from the road and hopefully uploading some photos of our adventure.  I can't wait to see where the road leads us!

Time To Breathe

Whew!  This semester, and perhaps my graduate school career is officially OVER (at least for a while)!  The best thing I can say about it is that I am extremely glad that it is done!  Now I can get on with living my life, since I kinda put it on hold about 7 1/2 years ago to restart my academic career!

NOW... I get to plan a life that doesn't revolve around research and assignments.  Maybe one day I will get bored (having so much time on my hands) but for now I will just enjoy the down time!  Now I get to concentrate my time on just being with, and loving my family!  I have a wonderful husband and a daughter, son-in-law and grandson that I am absolutely over the moon for!

I know that I am blessed to have a husband who I am crazy about and who loves me just the way I am!   Our nearly 9 year marriage has truly been an adventure.  I can honestly say that there have been more great days than struggles!  Again, I thank God for such a blessing!
My mama told me that she thought we were the "original" odd couple and I think she was right!

My husband Johnnie shares my wanderlust!  Some have even called us Gypsy's.  That always makes me laugh a little, but it is also pretty fitting. He built us the coolest little toy-hauler travel trailer and we love to take off with it every chance we get.  We've got a really big trip planned this summer.  We will head out in 5 days and I can NOT wait!  I plan on sharing my stories from the road so stay tuned!

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