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Fall 2020 Vacation

Every October LB and I head out to do some leaf looking and waterfall hunting.  This year we invited Mama to come along.  When I first mentioned this to her, she seemed intrigued, but she told me “I’ll pray about it”.  I don’t know if she remembered to pray about it, but a week after that discussion she announced that she had contracted COVID.  Tuesday I reminded her that this was vacation week and she told me she wasn’t up to it.  Also, she is still in quarantine and will be testing again on the 22nd.

On Wednesday LB and I pulled out of our driveway to begin our annual fall adventure.  LB has been working hurricane recovery overtime for the last 2 months and he was chomping at the bit to go.  So off we went!

As I have previously mentioned, a trip to the mountains would not be complete without a stop at Classy Crossroads in Macclenny, FL.

They carry men’s clothing now.LB is a good sport.

We stopped at Classy Crossroads on Wednesday around noon.  After about an hour and a half of shopping, we continued west, stopping only for gas.

By 8 PM when we arrived at Fajita Grill in Dawsonville, I was starving.  I’m not sure if Mama would have appreciated skipping lunch, but that is typical for us.  We sat at the table and took pics of each other taking pics.After a sufficient supply of fajitas, LB and I made our way to Amicalola Falls State Park.It is a beautiful place.

The view from our room was lovely.

~

On our 2nd day of fall 2020 vacation LB and I left Amicalola Falls and headed to Dahlonega.  We walked around the Main Street town square and visited several shops before we  headed for Helen GA.

It had been a long time since we were in Helen.

Nothing has changed.  If you were there five years ago, you’ve already seen it.

But in Yonah (White County, GA) at the Elkmont Valley resort, our friends Wayne and Laurie were waiting to welcome us to their mountain home.  As luck would have it, they were in GA this week and set aside some time to spend with us.

We enjoyed a lovely evening catching up, then went back to our suite at the Holiday Inn Express.  It was a strange but comfortable room and I was able to sleep soundly knowing my sister was taking care of Elvis.

~

On vacation day #3 LB and I stood looking over the Chattahoochee River while trying to decide what we wanted to do for our last full day away.  Selfie Time

We began with a stop at Alexander’s in Blairsville where we picked up a few Christmas presents.  After we had spent an adequate amount of cash we headed to Highlands, NC for our annual zigzag through the mountains, appreciating leaves and waterfalls, riding white-knuckled and praying to make it safely to our destination.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, the shops at Highlands were full.  There were several shops that we visited but only one that I feel I must mention

Spoiled Rotten

It was at this shop that we foundYes that’s right… Krazy Larry Pants.LB wouldn’t be satisfied until I tried them on.Impressive.

No I did not purchase these.

After a long day of sightseeing and shopping, LB and I were tired.  But there was no place to go.  LB had not made reservations for our last night.  We sat in the car for an hour while he searched for a hotel.  We both agreed that Mama would not have enjoyed this.

While it was absolutely necessary that we get away, it was a crazy fall vacation.  When we returned home on Saturday evening, it felt like another vacation would be needed to recover from the vacation.

I’m thankful for the adventure and grateful for the time away.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Thank You Ma’am

Didn’t your Mama teach you to say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am”?

We were at the Treasure Island Resort on the morning of my birthday.  Hoping for eggs Benedict (my favorite), LB and I made our way to the BRGR restaurant.

(this is the view from our suite)

Walking in, we saw a sign that read:

“Please seat yourself”

LB and I thought that, under the [COVID19] circumstances, we should sit outside.

There was only one other couple in the entire restaurant, and they were also outside.  We looked for a small table, but there was only one, and it was right next to the other couple, and did not seem to be an adequate 6 feet away.

So we chose a larger table… a table for six.

A female server emerged and asked if we were expecting others to join us.  I answered, “no, it is just the two of us”.  With no words, she waved her arm and motioned for us to move, as she pointed to the smaller table and declared that the tables we had chosen were meant for a larger group.

Bewildered, LB and I followed as she put us right next to the other couple.  This interaction was the first clue that we were to be waited on by someone who is completely lacking in ‘social skills’.  Neither one of us liked the way this was handled, but being that I do not deal well with conflict, and it was my birthday… no argument was given.

She brought our coffee and she took our order.

LB ordered the frittata sandwich.  He mispronounced the word frittata, she abruptly corrected him, but brought him his order. Eggs Benedict was not on the menu, but my breakfast was excellent!  Kudos to the chef!

I had a bacon, cheddar, onion, and spinach omelette…

that came with a loaf of bread.

As our server patrolled through the outdoor dining area [checking on ALL TWO of her tables], she would occasionally stop to ask if anything was needed.  If she provided LB with a coffee refill, or anything, he would respond as any southern gentleman does, with a friendly “Thank you ma’am”.  Each time she replied. When she replied, she would do so quietly, and beneath a mask.  I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she said the word ‘BRANDY’.

It wasn’t until LB got the check that we saw that the server’s name was BRANDI and he realized she had indeed been correcting him when he would say, “thank you, ma’am”.

I had picked up on this a little earlier, but said nothing because

I wasn’t sure that I was really hearing what I was hearing.

Brandi brought our requested take out boxes and we filled them with half of our breakfast and left the BRGR restaurant that morning.  Brandi was rewarded with a good tip, but in my opinion should have been rewarded with a “can I speak with your manager?”

When LB and I discussed this as we left the restaurant, he was [for lack of a better expression] BLOWN AWAY that he had apparently offended this young woman.

LB and I later discussed my thoughts on being called “ma’am”.  I told him that although I’ve never confronted anyone, it does make me feel old.  Albeit, I understand the use of yes ma’am, no ma’am, thank you ma’am.

If you want to thank me, and you say,

“thank you ma’am”

I’m okay with that.

  LB had no idea that this was ‘a thing’ until he googled “Thank you ma’am offends”.

In the article he shared, the writer, Kelly Kazik concludes, maybe we should not be offended by this (manners are a good thing after-all).

Although the Treasure Island Resort was beyond impressive, unfortunately, the resort’s only restaurant left us feeling a little disconcerted.

We wouldn’t go back to the BRGR restaurant during our 2020 stay at the Treasure Island Resort, but we did enjoy the other half of our breakfast, in our suite, the following day.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

I Love Everything About My Birthday

This morning I opened  a birthday card

and read this:

I Love Everything About Being Us

A kiss that leaves me smiling.

A joke that  makes me laugh

A text, a call, a message.

A random photograph.

A heart-to-heart discussion.

A getaway for fun.

Our running list of projects

or one that’s finally done!

Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss…

celebrating every day

of us just being us.

Happy Birthday!

~

I read this little card aloud with a lump in my throat, as I periodically paused to laugh out loud.

I Loved it!

~

“A getaway for fun”

is mentioned in this card and we did just that on my birthday this year.

Originally we had planned to visit Yosemite National Park, but with all of the COVID19 hullabaloo, the reservations were cancelled a few weeks prior, and new, airplane-free plans were made.

We were able to make those plans happen and enjoy a couple of nights in a resort on the Gulf of Mexico.

~

The suite was amazing.

WOW was the word of the day.

This is the entryway…

And this is our arrival selfie from the living room…

“A random photograph”

I wasted no time checking everything out.

There were 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 3 balconies.  Also a small kitchen/dining area with an adjoining living room.

~

On birthday Monday, we hit the beach.

We spent most of the day under the umbrella, but would occasionally have to walk to the ocean to cool off.  On one occasion, while walking back to my chair, I noticed a patch of shells.

I stopped to run my fingers through, and while there, was met by a new little friend.She was interested in my “combing” through the sand, and decided she would help me.So much for social distancing!

We had a little chat about pretty shells and then she went on her way to enjoy her June 1st day at the beach.

Later in the evening, LB and I took a walk that would eventually lead us to a MEXICAN restaurant!Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant

The sunset over the ocean later that evening was the perfect end to a perfect day!

“Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss”

…celebrating MY Birthday

by us just being us.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

The Year in Review: 2019

Since March 2017 I have been publishing a few blog posts each week in my WordPress blog.  “Pretty Is: My Life and Style”, is my blogging journal sharing What I see as Pretty.  Whether it is an experience, an event, a memory, a recipe, or an outfit, my hope is to keep a journal and hopefully share something that will be interesting or useful, and, of course, to make you smile.  Although I don’t always include my posts on social media, if you’d like to follow along I’ll send you an email alert.  Just enter your email address in the sidebar under “Follow by Email” and click subscribe.

On this first day of the new year, I’d like to share my ten most popular posts from 2019.

Here they are:

# 10

I Love It When We’re Crusin’ Together

# 9

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites is a collection of my favorite happenings of the week.  If I don’t post anything else, I’ll typically post a weekly collection of my favorites like this and the next few most popular posts from 2019:

# 8

Friday Favorites

# 7

Friday Favorites

One of my most favorite photos is the header of this post:

# 6

Friday Favorites

# 5

A Bonus Mary Post

In my posts, I mention my Mama more than any other member of my family.  Before I began my blog, I used to tell her ALL THE TIME that she needed to start a blog.  She has so many funny and interesting stories.

Last year I asked her to give me an occasional story to publish on my blog.  I call her posts “Mary’s Musings“.  She isn’t cooperating much but I hope to convince her to do more this year.

I wrote “A Bonus Mary Post” in 2018, however it was still my #5 most read post in 2019:

# 4

Once Upon A Time There Was A Little Boy

# 3

Saturday Special

# 2

My Grandpa

# 1

Dear Daddy

This post may bring tears to your eyes.  It does mine!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Saturday Special

This was my Saturday Special:

From the Maple Street Biscuit Company

it is called

The Squawking Goat 

It is a Maple Street biscuit with fried chicken, goat cheese and pepper jelly which was delivered to my table by my own yungin’.He also brought Rory her chocolate chip waffles with strawberries (which she enjoyed quite a lot).

~

Today is the last day of my annual FALL VACATION.

The Fall Vacation trip is the one that LB and I take annually to  do the same things in the same places.  Not because we can’t think of anything else to do, but because we love it.  However, on this Fall Vacation Trip, LB and I did something a little bit different: we detoured to Charleston.

Richard, Emily, Lydia, and Rory officially moved to South Carolina this past week.

  Because I know it is going to be difficult to live without seeing them regularly, LB rerouted us to Charleston and on Saturday afternoon….We met at the place where “Daddy is the BOSS”.

And Glammy got to see her girls!

Talk about a Saturday Special!

After enjoying our lunch, we followed Emily and the baby girls to see their new home.

The playground was especially fun to see!But there was more to do.

We opened housewarming presents (and put them together)Then we headed out to spend the afternoon having fun at a

Charleston Fall Festival

There were so many fun things to do!

There was

A Maze

and a prize if you were successful!

A Fun House

I was amazed that this little four year old marched herself into the fun house alone

and proceeded to run right through like a little pro.

There was

A Pumpkin Patch

which included an opportunity to pick a pumpkin to carve or paint.

Rory picked this one.Lydia did the paintingAnd she did an excellent job!

There were

Photo OpportunitiesBalloon Babies A HAUNTED HOUSE

I ain’t gonna lie… I didn’t want to go into the haunted house.  It was FINE WITH ME when Emily volunteered.  But as it turned out, it was a Haunted House especially designed for little ones, and Lydia asked me if I would go with her a second time.

The stop in Charleston was not planned well in advance, so LB and I would have to leave for Florida shortly after our visit had just begun.

 It was a HOT day, but a fun day with the baby girls!And we WILL be going back!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

I Love It When We’re Cruisin’ Together

Included in the Travel list on my Bucket List Blog Post is

Go on a Caribbean cruise

Last week LB and I did just that!

We headed for Tampa on Thursday and sailed out of Port Tampa Bay later that afternoon.

Bon Voyage!

After an assessment of our room, and a moment to enjoy our private balcony, LB and I began to plan which events we most wanted to attend.

Carnival makes it easy to keep up with cruise activities by using the Carnival HUB app.  Some of our favorites were trivia,  live music, and productions such as the “Welcome Aboard Show” performed by the ship’s exceptional dancers who had some degree of vocal talent.

We decided not to dress up but keep it casual and enjoy dinner at the Italian buffet on the Lido deck. Prime Rib, Eggplant Parmesan, and baked fish

Low Carb

👍🏻

~

Friday was a day of indulging as I began my first full cruise day with a cup of very good coffee and an excellent eggs Benedict breakfast.  It was also very relaxing as we basked in the sun on the top deck And later enjoyed music trivia and the sing-a-longs that ensued. 

Having spent my teens in the eighties makes me quite a contender for 80’s music trivia

but it doesn’t make me a good singer.Yes, that pencil is my microphone.

On Friday night LB and I dressed up and took advantage of the photo opportunities in the atrium and on the promenade deck.It is fun to doll up and be fancy.

Dinner was excellent every night

but dessert was the best.  If you’ve never tasted a Chocolate Melting Cake you should take a Carnival Cruise just to try one.

~

Saturday was excursion day.

Our ship docked at the port in Cozumel and we set out to explore.

LB and I spent time at Dolphin Discovery.We enjoyed time on Chankanaab Beach

and visiting with the locals

LB planned a day of fun and adventure with opportunities to cross items off of my bucket list.  Posing with a mariachi band was not one of those items, but it was fun nonetheless.

Saturday was also my birthday.  More about the Birthday Adventure here.

After dinner Saturday evening, LB and I went to a showing of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody which premiered in 2018 and apparently won Academy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.  The story was sad, but the music was good.

It was a relaxing way to end an exciting day!

~

Because I left home without packing sunscreen, by Sunday I was pink.  LB was too.  Henceforth, we remained in the shade to avoid further exposure to the sun

While indoors, LB thought it would be a good idea to experience one of the hamburgers from Guy Fieri’s grill aka Guy’s Burger Joint

Cruises are notorious for causing weight gain.  Believe it or not, LB managed to evade added poundage

but Kim did not.  [She didn’t do well against the Dealer either]

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

A Week to Remember

Friday

May 24th at 4:30 PM could not come soon enough.

But it finally did and I was ON VACATION!

LB and I had planned to take a western Caribbean cruise beginning on May 30th, however my plan was to enter Vacation Mode as soon I left the office on the Friday before.

And so I did.

I came home that afternoon, made my customary Friday night little pizzas for LB and began my plan to

DO WHAT I WANT

for the next ten days.

Sunday

LB and I went shopping.  Because we had planned a BIG Memorial Day Celebration, we headed to the grocery store to pick up necessary party essentials and prepare for the coming day.

Monday

was a Memorial Day family gathering.

I was so happy to be able to spend time with my kids, my Mama, my sister, and the precious little ones that call me Glammy.

There are two of them and they are adorable.

One has a Glammy persona at times, and prefers to not be caught on camera doing “her thing” unless adequately planned.

Being that I could not help myself, despite her protests, I snapped Lydia’s picture as she conquered “Sunny the obnoxious swan” with the help of Aunt Manda.

Tuesday

I met Demetra at her salon on St. John’s Avenue to get her help bringing my grays under control.  While I was there Demetra told me about a cupcakery that is for sale.  Silvada’s is looking to franchise and sell the St. John’s Avenue location.

LB and I checked it out.

The Creme Brûlée cupcake was delicious and I believe it can be easily duplicated.

I would love nothing more than to bake cupcakes and feed people every day.

Later that evening, we enjoyed Disney’s new production of Aladdin on the big screen at EPIC Theatres. On

Wednesday

LB and I took part in St. Augustine’s weekly event

Music by the Sea

The last dinner in May was catered by Purple Olive.

LB and I shared a plate.

Since I don’t eat shrimp or blatant carbs, I enjoyed a plantain for dinner.

(not a word)

Thursday

was the big day.

Cruise day

to be continued…

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

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