| Back from Alabama! | |||||
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Our trip to Orange Beach Alabama finally arrived. Randi and I along with Sid in his truck left for the Lockport area on Thursday morning. We stopped for breakfast at the Waffle House in Port Allen a "tradition" we've started since our favorite Shoney's closed down. Since Randi still had to pack for our trip we didn't want to stop where it would take a long time and we figured we could choose the quickest meals there that were really good. So that's what we did. After our meal Sid headed back to our Cottage with a stop or two along his way. Randi and I headed off in the opposite direction giving us plenty time for her to pack her things and for us to visit with her Mom for a little while. I don't recall exactly what time we arrived at her house nor do I remember exactly what time we arrived at Jess'; however I do know that we had plenty enough time to do everything we needed to do before leaving. The plan was that we would follow Jess and Jan in Jess' car. Lance went in his truck with the boys with Troy planning to follow the next day (he had work and school to contend with so he was delayed a little). We had planned that Jess could put their over-flow of packing in my car but that was not to be--Jess always packs enough to take care of twice the amount of time she is to be anywhere. Well maybe not twice but she packs a lot. And of course she did have to pack for FIVE people. Jan on the other hand was packing for two and her load looked very small in comparison. Anyway we left right around three in the afternoon which is what we had planned. We only made a couple of stops along the way so the kids could use the bathroom (and the adults too). We wanted to arrived at our condo with enough daylight so the kids could hit the beach which is what they really wanted to do. We were successful. The tournament didn't begin until Saturday so we had Thursday evening and all day Friday for the kids to have fun--and they really did. I bet that beach hadn't had that many Cajuns there ever--a whole bunch of folks from the Lockport/Mathews/Raceland/Gheens area were there and everyone shared what they had. The food supply was unending: pastalaya fettuccine jambalaya all kinds of breakfast foods and Jess asked me to cook a spaghetti on Friday. Food was moving from one floor to the other of the place we shared depending on what anyone wanted to eat. These young folks all seem to get along so well and that was beautiful to see. Randi had a great time too sitting out on the beach or around the pool as did the kids including Channie. Channie was the queen out there but she gave us a real scare for a little while. Sort of like when Jesus was lost to Mary and Joseph: everyone thought she was with the other person. She had only gone with the other kids to the pool area (she had on her suit and her swimmies so she was fine) but she had adults running all over the place looking for her. I'm sure it didn't take more than a couple of minutes to realize where she was but it seemed like forever. This is just a reminder to everyone: KIDS ARE SO FAST! Anyway that provided a good bit of excitement for everyone. Saturday was Jess and Lance's first anniversary; they took their boys and a group of other guys from the team to eat at a local Hooter's Restaurant. Everyone had a great time. Randi and I stayed at the condo with Channie who fell asleep almost immediately after everyone was gone. She was exhausted. Speaking of exhaustion on Friday while everyone was gone for the day (or so I thought) I went to lie down for a little while and fell asleep (my body telling me that I was tired I guess); several times during that nap I was awakened by someone wanting to know if I was OK. I don't usually take naps during the day so I guess they were concerned. That was nice of them. The boys played good games but they lost their two games on Saturday. Because of the small number of teams even though they won their game on Sunday we were able to leave early. Actually Randi and I followed Jan and Troy when they left which was before the end of the game. We stopped for lunch at a McD's so Channie could eat her usual nuggets. The rest of us also grabbed a bite to eat but we were soon on our way again. Randi and I continued on to our Cottage while Jan and Troy headed back to Gheens. I thank all of them for "leading the way" for Randi and me. I think that everyone had a good time; I know I did even though my old body is really tired. One thing though that was a blessing: my back problems (the strained muscles) never bothered me since we left for the trip except when I first awoke in the morning. That was truly an unexpected gift. Today Randi and I took it pretty easy. Sid did more work in the back cutting up fallen trees and picking up broken branches. Tomorrow he plans to add some cement in the area of our front porch to allow easier access to the porch from the carport. That will take a lot of time and effort. While we were gone he did some painting that we've been neglecting for a while so that's done. That's it I think. You are now up-to-date on our activities since I last wrote. I still have to go to Lockport this week to bring Mom to get her next injection for her macular degeneration. I'm also scheduled for a couple of annual check-ups so my time there will be full of activity. Our next real trip is when Randi and I head to Colorado to visit with Josh and Joey and their families. Can't wait! QUOTE: "When you clearly understand that success is a process not an event you are encouraged to follow the right process to create the success you are capable of having." --Zig Ziglar NOTE: As we all know and read about the "over-night successes" that we hear about are never that--these people have been plying their trade for many years before they "succeed" in that area. Success IS a process one that involves commitment and energy and constancy and action and and and and.... The process may take many years but if we really want something badly enough we can usually attain the success we search for. It doesn't mean that we'll be "stars" or have a lot of money; however it can mean that we have personal fulfillment--and that should be success enough for us. |
