Best Layed Plans

When I made the decision to begin this blog I had no idea that I would go for many days without the use of the internet.  I also intended to write in my journal each day so I could have a record of all the great and inspirational thoughts that came into my mind.  Well...that just didn't happen.  I did, however, by a little tape recorder and it has been so fun to listen to my comments.  I'' get those written out sometime in the near future.

I cleaned out a large steamer trunk that had been in my Mom's attic for many, many years.  Lloyd had moved it to his garage but had not gone through it.  So I took on the challenge and seperating what was garbage from what would proof to be a great piece of history.  I decided that saving my Aunt Dottie's school work from her high school years was one of those, "it was fun to look at, but something that would just sit in a pile and never be appreciated.  So-out it went.  We found so many wonderful family pictures that were taken prior to 1900 but the horrible truth was that no one had bothered to write the date or identify who was in the photo.  My mother saved everything - and I do mean everything!  This sorting was such a huge reinforcement to me in identifying and putting names and dates on all my photographs.  We will probably never know who some of these people were, much less who they are related to.  That's really very sad.

My home away from home - the coffee shop

Good afternoon all:
Today is Wed and I made my daily trip into town to check my email.  I must say, that not having internet access or cable TV in my bedroom, I have enjoyed reading again.

Lloyd and Shirley have made my visit so amazing.  My sweet sister-in-law, Shirley, is the most gracious woman I have ever known.  I feel like I'm sleeping in a country bed and breakfast.  I have a huge bathroom with the most enormous jetted tub.  I have been completely spoiled.  Tomorrow, Lloyd and I will take a road trip where he will show me where all my dead relatives are buried between here and Richmond!  His ability to remember names and dates is astonishing.  After we visit Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, we will drive up to Richmond to visit with my brother Michael.  This weekend, some of Lloyd's kids and grandkids will come and Lloyd will make our dad's famous brunswick stew.

Tonight, Shirley invited me to go with her to an Amish ladies evening - something like a tupperware party but the product is a natural juice healer.  Should be fun.  I'll post more details later.

I need to leave town so that I can get back to meet my nephew at the bus stop.  The drive way from the bus stop to the house is about 1/3 of a mile.  Amazing country.  Talk to ya'll later.

In the boonies

I made it to my brother's, Lloyd, house.  I had completley forgotten just how far out in the "country" he lives.  Thank goodness for a GPS system or I would never have found it.  However, I quickly discovered that he did not have internet or cell phone service.  Thankfully, they do have a land line.  Lloyd gave me instructions and I drove into town (23 miles) and I was thrilled to find a Walmart and a coffee shop with Wi-Fi.  So I'll probably be a limited in posting on my blog for a while.

It's so beautiful here.  Lloyd has quite a bit of property and he informed me that there are bobcats, fox and bears.  I was thinking about taking a long walk but I think I'll just use his treadmill in the house.  Tomorrow I'm heading to Roanoke and eventually drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I think it will be a great drive.  So I'll catch up with my blog tomorrow.  I'm off to drive back to Amish Country and the boonies!

I made it to Virginia!

Because I'm so new to this blogging stuff, I'm going to just add the email I sent out to my family this morning.  I'll try to be more creative as time goes on.

Sunday, Oct 2 2011
Hello!  I have internet!!

I think that sending this mass email will be much more time efficient for me and it will hopefully get everyone all caught up.  In my "happy place" I imagined myself writing my thoughts at the end of everyday but today is actually the first time I have been able to sit and think!

Yesterday was interesting, to say the least.  I left Pasco at 5:20 am and flew to Salt Lake.  I only had about 35 minutes and to walk a mile.  I had time to potty and jump on the next plane which took me to Atlanta, GA after a 3 1/2 hour flight.  Once in Atlanta, I again had to walk about a mile and grabbed a sandwich and my plane was boarding.  I had the pleasure of sitting next to the snoottiest drunk woman.  She did not speak to me the entire flight and all I could do was breath in her fumes.  She had an additional vodka and tonic.  She was very impatient about getting off the plane - kept stomping her feet like a three year old.  That flight was about 1 hour.  As I stood next to "the queen", who was stomping her foot again, everyone's luggage came out except mine!  But it worked out - I had to wait for the next flight and there they were.  So I headed up to the parking garage to get my rental car.

Long story - but I tried to put my luggage on the escalator first (so stupid) and they knocked me backwards when I tried to step on.  I landed on my back and somehow to a chunk out of my elbow area.  I really thought it was over.  A really nice young man came running and helped get to my feet just before we hit the top.  My luggage was stuck but we were able to move them.  He found my shoes and helped me get things stood up.  I think I even did a somersault - wish I had a video.  I limped to the car - which was of course at the very end of a long parking lot.  With blood dripping down my arm and tears clouding my vision, I found the last bit of strength to get my bags into the car.  I was almost hyperventilating when I called Rebecca and she calmed me down.  After sitting in the car, searching for a tissue, I pulled myself together and headed to the hotel which was about 2 minutes away.  I managed to limp in and get my room key.  You'll be proud of me - I only took up one bag at a time.

Once in my room, I looked for cuts and bruises.  I have a long black and blue bruise just to the left of my tailbone.  I put a little hole in my left shin and scratches on my leg.  I sprained my little finger on my left hand and cut it just a little.  I have little bruises on both hips - don't know how that happened.  I'm sore and stiff, but prednisone is helping!  I found my way to Walgreens and bought medical supplies.  I stopped and got a small fish sandwich and went back to the hotel.  I dressed my wounds after a hot bath and ate half of a soggy sandwich and 2 pieces of chocolate.  I took a lortabe, 1/2 ambien and 2 tylenol.  I slept ok but not great.  Got up, took a shower, dressed and headed down to get my free breakfast.  How do you know you're in Richmond?  You are the only white chick in the room!  Lots of really nice blacks and Pakistan people.  Very interesting.

Now, I'm going to sit and relax for a bit and slowly load up my little Chevy and head to my brother's house.  I'm going to stop along the way and take pictures.  I should be in Nathalie by late afternoon or early evening.  I'm starting to get my confidence back and getting excited again about my trip.  Last night I just wanted to be back home in my bed.  I love you all - try not to worry too much about me, but do pray for me!  I'll check in often.  Thanks for all your love and support and I'll talk to you soon.