A to Z Blog Challenge -- A & B

I saw this fun Blog Challenge on my friend Becca's Blog. I have done an A to Z Blog Challenge before, but this one is a little bit different. For this one... you have to name 5 things that start with the letter of the day and then write about them. If you care to play along... you can join in by clicking the link button on my side bar.

I am a day behind, so this posting will contain both letter A & B.

Letter A

Ashley

Ashley is my first-born daughter. She has a birthday this month and will be 24!! I am having a hard time accepting the fact that I have a child that is THIS OLD!! Of course..... I am not getting any older, myself! **Smile** It seems like yesterday that I was 24 years old!! Ashley was two years old when I was her age! WOW!

Anniversary

David and I will be celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary this month!! WOW! The years have flown by so very fast! We are planning on taking a weekend trip somewhere to celebrate. We haven't decided on just "where", yet.

Atlanta

This is the city that I grew up in -- Atlanta, Georgia. I was born in Columbus, Georgia... but when I was three years old, my Daddy was transferred to Atlanta by the finance company that he worked for at the time. I grew up on the east side of Atlanta in the county of Dekalb. It's funny.... David took a transfer 12 years ago with the company that he works for and now, I am right back to where I started from!! I love where I live now, but there are many things that I miss about Atlanta.

April

The month of April is a very special month to me. It is the month that I was married, bought my first house and my second, had my first child, and it is when nature comes back to life in all of it's beautiful Spring colors!!

All My Children

This was my mother's favorite soap opera. She never missed an episode! As I grew up, I became a fan of the show as well, and watched it as often as I could. Over the past few years, I have finally moved on and no longer watch it. My mother no longer watches it either. Since her stroke, she has a hard time focusing on TV shows and movies. I heard, just the other day, that All My Children's ratings were down and that the show may be canceled. This makes me sad, but I understand.

Letter B

Bananas

I have no idea why I am writing about banana's!! This is the one food on this planet that I do NOT like!! I can't stand the smell or the taste of them! Blech! Many people have tried to get me to "like" them, but I refuse! Yes... I KNOW that they are healthy and good for you! But... NO! I do NOT like them and will NOT eat them! You can't make me!

Books

I love books!! I would rather read a book about something than read about it online. Back before Christmas, I seriously thought about asking David to get me one of those electronic book "thingy's", like the Kindle or the Nook. But, I have thought about it since then, and have decided that I like actual books a whole lot better! Just yesterday, I purchased my very first copy of Tom Sawyer! I was at a little flea market near my house that I hadn't been to in a while and found a booth FULL of old books! I could have stayed there forever looking at all of them! (In fact... I may go back and look some more!) This is where I found the Tom Sawyer book. I can't find a "year" on it, but from looking online, I believe it is from the 1950's or 60's. If you take me to a book store, you will have a hard time getting me out!!

Bags

I have a "thing" for bags, too! I love them! I use them for everything. In stores, I am drawn to them. I certainly don't need any more, but if I see a cute one... you can almost bet that I will buy it!

Butterflies

My mother loves butterflies. I always think of her when I see one. She recently told me that she would love to have butterflies released at her funeral. I had never thought of this or heard of it, but isn't it a beautiful thought! I have no idea how I will carry out her wish, but it is something that I need to research.

Birds

Now that it is Spring, the birds are returning to my bird feeder! YAY! Yesterday, I saw a bright red cardinal and a chickadee! Birds are also something that my mother loves. All that I know about birds, I learned from her.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 25

Today, I am thankful that I met the Love of My Life on this day, 29 years ago!

Yes, we met on Thanksgiving Day! The memories are so vivid in my brain that it really does seem like yesterday to me!

If you care to come down Memory Lane with me, then come along for the ride!

The year was 1981. I was 16 years old, about to be 17 in a couple of weeks. I awoke late in the morning on Thanksgiving Day to find that my parents had gone to the grocery store. (They must have left a note. I can't remember how I knew that, but somehow I knew that this is where they were.) It was just going to be the three of us for dinner, as I am an only child and we had no other family in town. For me.... it was a day off from school and an excuse to be lazy!! Haahaa!

I was hanging out in my room, in my PJ's, I believe... when the doorbell rang.

OH..... I forgot to tell you that we lived in an apartment near Atlanta, GA.

I went to the door and peeped out thru the peep hole. Through it, I saw our neighbor friend -- a man that was roughly my dad's age --- and a VERY CUTE guy that looked to be MY AGE with him!! I knew that this man had two sons that were in college. One of which I had met before. I decided that THIS guy must be his other son!! WOW!!!!!! I liked what I saw!!! But..... Oh my gosh!!! I couldn't open the door!!! I hadn't had a shower yet. I had NO make up on! AND.... I was in my PJ's!!! YIKES!! 

As my heart was beating out of my chest, I watched as they walked away from the door. I raced back to my bedroom and peered thru the blinds to get another look at this CUTIE!!! I watched him walk back, across the parking lot to where his dad lived. I then, practically RAN to the shower and decided that I was going to make sure that I met this guy later! After my shower, I put on my favorite purple sweater, my blue jeans and my boots. I fixed my hair, put on my make up .... and devised a plan to meet him!

My parents had come home. My mom was in the kitchen, cooking and my Dad was out in the parking lot working on my car. Ah-ha!!!! THIS would be how I would meet this incredible guy!!!

It was not unusual for me to hang out with my Dad as he worked on our cars. It was something that I enjoyed doing. So.... that is where I was when my future "LOVE" appeared again.

Here is the parking lot where we met! - This picture was taken when David and I were on our 25th Anniversary Trip.
You can read about that HERE.

He was indeed the other son of our neighbor friend. He was in his first year of college at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. This is also where his older brother went. They had driven up to spend Thanksgiving with thier Dad.

His Dad introduced us and I finally got to meet him, face to face!! WOW!!! I was IN LOVE!!! (Little did I know that he was, too!!!)

His name was David. He was rather shy, but I was too. I can't even remember us even talking!!! But, I'm sure that we did.

Our "meeting" didn't last long. I think I made my way back inside... and ran straight to my window to WATCH for him to appear again so that I could just look at him again!!

Later, after my parents and I had our dinner, the doorbell rang again. This time it was David's soon-to-be, step-mother. She was very sweet and said.... "I wanted David to come up and invite you down for dessert, but he is too shy to come up! So, here I am!"  I was a bit shy to, too... but, I went with her anyway. She wasn't going to let me say "no". But, that's ok. I'm glad, now, that she didn't!

I went down there and he and I talked a little, but it was still awkward. Finally, his dad came over to him and gave him some money and said... "Why don't ya'll go to the store and get some more soda." That was the icebreaker that we needed!! We needed a way to be alone so that we could talk and get to know each other a little bit better.

We drove to the nearest convenience store and got the soda, but we also took our time and talked. He asked me if I would show him around Atlanta the next night. I said, SURE!! So, that was it. Our FIRST DATE was set!!! **Smile**

When we got back to the apartments, I ended up going home because I had plans to go to "out" that evening. (I later found out that David missed me terribly!!! Awwww..... how sweet!) I also regret that decision! Oh well.

I decided for our date the next night, I would take him to downtown Atlanta and show him the big Christmas Tree on top of the Macy's department store. This tree was famous and supposedly, could be seen for miles.

His Dad let him borrow his REALLY nice Pontiac Trans Am, which was fun! We set off on our quest to find the Christmas Tree. Did I mention that I had no idea exactly where it was?? Hahaa! I knew how to get downtown because my friends and I would go down there often for concerts, to go ice-skating, and to ride the "glass elevator" that was on the outside of Peachtree Plaza hotel. ~ Fun!



Here's David sitting in his Dad's Trans Am on Daytona Beach.


First, I took him to the mall that had the ice-skating ring. This is where he first held my hand!! It was when we were crossing the busy street. He took my hand, and didn't let go for the rest of the night! **Smile**

We then drove around downtown Atlanta looking for the giant Christmas Tree, but never found it! So, I decided to take him to my other hang out place, closer to where I lived -- Stone Mountain Park. BUT... when I tried to guide him back to the highway... we got LOST and ended up in a not-so-nice area of Atlanta. Ooops! All I could think of is.... "This guy must think I am pretty stupid. He'll never want to see me again!"

We finally made our way back to the highway and back to my side of town. We went to Stone Mountain Park, which was open until Midnight. **Smile**  I took him to all of my favorite places at the park and after getting back in the car at one place, it happened.... OUR FIRST KISS!!! If I wasn't attracted to him before.... I was NOW!!

Stone Mountain.
We were married on this lawn in April of 1985.

Sadly, he had to go back to school and I wasn't sure when I would see him again. Maybe Christmas?? Maybe New Years?? We'd have to wait and see.

We exchanged phone numbers and addresses, which led to a notebook of letters that I now have and CHERISH!

This was the first photo taken of us after we met.
I think it was New Years Day, 1982.

Now, here we are 29 years later..... VERY HAPPILY MARRIED!!! **Smile**

We have a LOT to be thankful for!!

Wonderful Anniversary Weekend

Hubby and I had a wonderful weekend celebrating our 25th at Stone Mountain Park. I have been trying to think of a way to blog about our trip without making it boring. I hope that I succeed in doing that! If not... forgive me, please.

FRIDAY -- Leave home at 9:00am.... Arrive in Stone Mountain at 11:00am....Drive past my high school...Stone Mountain High... See lots of trailers!... Drive past Hubby's old workplace.... Drive through apartments where we first met.... Notice name change.... Parking lot seems smaller.... Trees are gone.... Dumpster is gone.... Stopped at Post Office to get a stamp.... Drove thru little town of Stone Mountain... Empty..... Sad.... Improvements to be made sign.... Yay!.... Drove thru old neighborhood.... House looked good.... Yard didn't.... Drove by the neighborhood pool.... Noticed "cover" over it..... Wondered about it..... Stopped for lunch at "Joe's Crab Shack"..... Noticed bad smell..... Ate outside on the patio.... Had to wear a "bib".... Wasn't too happy about it.... Food was pretty good....Crab legs, shrimp, sausage, corn & beer.... Called hotel.... Room wasn't ready.... Drove to Park anyway.... Got in free!.... Looked forward to seeing the "Memorial Lawn" where we got married.... Was disappointed to see that they were "renovating" it..... Drove over "covered bridge" to the island.... Walked around the island.... Hubby proposed, again!... I said "Yes!".... Got a beautiful new ring!....I love it!!.... He was nervous..... So sweet!.... Called hotel again..... Room still isn't ready.... Drove around the Park some more.... Drove to hotel..... Finally checked in.

"Lake View" room with a balcony.... Comfy bed.... Big, flat-screen TV.... Time for my gift to Hubby.... A book about our 25 years together.... He cried and loved it.... Yay!.... Walked around hotel.... Found the Spa.... Found the indoor & outdoor pools & hot tubs....  Found the restaurant.... Decided to eat dinner there later.... "All-You-Can-Eat Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet"!.... Changed into swim suits.... Tried out the indoor hot tub.... Lounged by the outdoor pool.... In the sun.... Listened to some fun music.... Cooled off in the pool.... Back to room.... changed for dinner..... Ate dinner at 7:00pm.... With the "Tag People"..... Food was excellent..... Crab legs, shrimp, prime rib..... Dessert.... Ate too much!.... Wanted to sit by a firepit outside.... None were available.... Went back to room.... Called it a night.

SATURDAY -- Woke up early, of course.... Watched approaching nasty weather on weather channel.... Breakfast at 7:30am..... HUGE breakfast buffett!!!.... French Toast, eggs, sausage, yogurt & fruit.... YUM!!... Spa at 10:00.... Frustrated because Spa messed up our appointments.... It all worked out, tho.... Hubby got a "Therapeutic" massage.... I got a facial.... Hubby liked his.... I loved mine!!.... Weather was nasty..... Decided to go see a movie.... Drove to the Mall of Georgia.... Thought we were seeing Kenny Chesney in 3D at the IMAX theatre..... Turned out to be a regular theatre.... Kenny was AWESOME!!!!.... Felt like a real concert!!.... Hubby thought it was better than a real concert!!.... Drove to "The Corner Pub" in Decatur, GA.... Got to see Luke, our long-time friend.... Ate Gumbo at the "Gumbo Cook-off" that they were having.... Had a few beers.... Loved the cool bar!.... Great seeing Luke!.... Drove back to hotel..... Too rainy for the Laser Show.... Bummed.... Checked out the hotel "lounge".... Not so nice.... Called it a night.

SUNDAY -- Woke up early, again!.... Breakfast at 7:30.... Waffles, omelet, & yogurt parfait..... YUM!!..... Took a walk.... Spa at 10:00.... Couples massage...... GREAT! ..... Time to go home.... Bummed..... Had a wonderful time!

25th Wedding Anniversary

TODAY is the day! Twenty five years ago, I married the man of my dreams!! I was 20 years old and he was 22. We met on Thanksgiving of 1981 and married on April 19, 1985.

We got married in Stone Mountain Park, on the grassy area in front of the carving by a judge who was also a family friend. The wedding was small and very LOW budget! But, hey.... we are married, and that is all that matters!

I had wanted to have a bigger wedding, in a church... but, neither of us had a whole lot of money (and neither did our parents!), and the more we tried to plan a big wedding, the more headaches and problems we had. So... we scratched that idea and went with a more affordable & practical idea.  

It was Hubby's idea to get married at Stone Mountain Park. It turned out to be a beautiful day, too! We did not ask permission to get married there. We just did it!! We, of course, invited our families -- which were both small, anyway -- and a few close friends. Then, we had a reception (aka: Party!) later at a club house of an apartment complex that my mom worked for. More people came to it.

It was a late night, and I was exhausted after being so sick on the days leading up to the wedding. (See yesterday's blog post on 4/18/10) I was surprised that I lasted as long as I did! I have one picture, where you can tell that I was faking the smile on my face because I was about to "fall out" from being so tired!

The past 25 years have, of course, had their ups and downs.... as most marriages do. But, I can honestly say, that there have been MANY MORE UPS than downs. The man that I married has provided me with all that I could ever want .... and more! He gave me two beautiful daughters, as well. Now, I am anxious to see what God has in store for our next 25 years!