A True Grandmother

A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do.

Lois Wyse

Unexpected Opportunities Around The Corner

None of us knows what the next change is going to be, what unexpected opportunity is just around the corner, waiting to change all the tenor of our lives.

Kathleen Norris

Our Awesome May Getaway

My thoughts are filled with a very Special Trip that Gramps and I took in May of 2003. It was nearing first light as we ventured out from our nest. This was one of the few spontaneous trips that we took. My life up to this point always had detailed planning with everything checked twice. Gramps just smiled at me as I moved hurriedly with the packing. Yes, we left behind many items that we had to pick up on the trip. You know, it was ok !
As the sun began to rise ,you could see the beauty of this new day by the essences of God's handiwork. While traveling down the Interstate we listened to the Oldies Stations and reminisced about the good old days as the songs played.http://crackerbarrel.com/ It was breakfast time so, we stopped at Cracker Barrel for a good country breakfast then, browsed the country store for a few items before returning to the Interstate. As the beautiful sunny morning turned to midday we approached our Country Inn Suites in Beaufort, SC. http://www.hotstays.com/Country-Inn-Stes-Beaufort-West-Beaufort-South-Carolina-2-11294645.htmlWe checked in and unpacked, went to Denny’s for lunch and then traveled down to the Marina. With the cool breeze and the sun touching your face and the smell of the salt water in the air it was so relaxing. We sat on the swings at the Marina and enjoyed our view of the docks, the drawbridge, boats and smiling faces on the people that we met. In the distance, we saw the Islander Cruise Boat. On one of our anniversary’s we took a cruise on the Islander and were the only passengers as a special gift from the captain. Next, we walked and visited a variety of stores at the Marina and on the streets of Beaufort.
http://www.beaufort.com/sights.htm
As the afternoon moved into evening, we drove back to our suite at the Country Inn. We went to the Spa and Pool area where we spent time relaxing and enjoying our unwinding time after our busy day. for a At the spur of the moment, Gramps said, would you like to catch a movie? I saw a theater near the mall. After the movie we returned to our Inn for a restful night’s sleep.
Upon rising we checkout and traveled to our Savannah Getaway. The streets of Savannah were lined with huge Magnolia trees many adorned with Spanish Moss. Waterfront street is constructed of cobblestones and aligned with novelty shops, restaurants, and a variety of pubs and clubs. We then walked up the cobblestone walkway to the Factory Row entrance of Bay Street. Here we sat down in the beautiful Factory Row Park where Gramps slipped and carved my name on one of the benches. It scared me, I had no interest in getting arrested for destroying historic public property. Gramps laughed and laughed at me. Next, we approached Forsyth Park with the famous fountain. As we walked the air was filled with the aroma of Magnolia’s, the feel the spray mist of water as it came from the fountain and the cool breeze that was southing to the skin. After leaving Forsyth Park we strolled down several blocks to a small bookstore and purchased our tickets to take the “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” Tour. Gramps and I saw the movie Midnight In The Garden Of Good and Evil and wanted to visit Savannah and see it for ourselves. We ate lunch at Spanky’s Restaurant on Riverfront and then visited a novelty shop to purchase a picture cube of Savannah. Later, in the afternoon we stopped in at Ben & Jerry’s for an ice cream break. Our evening was spent at the Romantic Bedford Restaurant. This was the most expensive meal that Gramp’s and I ever bought for ourselves. It was Wonderful ! A special time like you read about in a romance novel. It is truly a Romantic City. It was time for us to retire for the night after an event filled day.
Upon waking the next morning, we ate at the historic Cobblestone Restaurant on where else but Cobblestone Street! We then directed ourselves to the Cotton Exchange Visitor’s Center to meet our tour guide. Our tour was with Plantation Carriage Co. from 10:00am - 2:00pm. The tour included all sites mentioned in the book and a visit of the Bonaventure Cemetery. We were told about the characters and homes mentioned in the book. Also, other points of interest along the way. We purchased the book from Mercer House Carriage Shop located directly behind the Mercer House. This was a GREAT tour !!!!
http://www.savannahtours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=1730

In the movie one of the actors speak of Tybee Island. This spiked our interest to visit Tybee Island for ourselves. Gramps and I drove to Tybee Island Beach where we had an AWESOME time swinging on the beach. The sound of beach music was coming from the Tybee Beach Pier that had a gazebo with an underwater mural painted on the sides with a long pier for walking, viewing or fishing. As we sat on the swing a cool breeze brushed our skin, the smell of the ocean’s saltwater was refreshing along with the sounds of the beach music and breaking waves made you want to stay there indefinitely. It was totally AWESOME. We stayed there for about 2 hours on the swing over looking the ocean. Next, it was time to visit The Historic Tybee Island Museum and Light Station.
http://www.tybeelighthouse.org/ It was a challenge for me to climb the178 steps to the top of the Tybee Lighthouse however, it took me an hour due to me climbing a level of steps and resting. I made it up and down the lighthouse but, as we exited the base door I was in need of rest and a nitroglycerin. It scared Gramps as this happened however, after a few minutes of resting along with the medicine I was back to normal. We left Tybee Island and returned to Savannah where we ate dinner and then we took a Carriage Ride through the city in the late evening just before sunset.
What a romantic experience in A City of Charm, Romance and History. It was difficult to depart from the lovely City Of Savannah, Ga. As we packed and drove to the Interstate we took with us unique memories that we shall remember forever.
A lesson I learned from this spontaneous trip was that to enjoy our time spent together, we didn’t need all of the undue stress. This was the BEST Trip we had enjoying each moment that we spent together.

If you are looking for a romantic and historical city to visit…make it SAVANNAH. You will love everything about this Beautiful friendly city.
http://www.savannah-visit.com/

Hooters Pro Cup Series ... A Night To Remember

Early Saturday evening , my family and I attended the Hooters Pro Cup Series Naturally Fresh 250 Race at the Concord Motorsports Park.


Our driver, Dange Hanniford was in the No. 65 Smith Transport/The Works Chevy Monte Carlo.





My brother, T Lambert is the crew chief for the Mac Hill Motorsports Car.

This experience for me was exciting. It was nice to actually see my brother in action and meet his car owner and driver. During the meet the drivers time, we all walked by the cars and received autographed cards/pictures and had photo opportunities with the drivers. Many of the teams gave out small bags filled with racing logo items and others gave small stuffed animals with the team's logo.

As we returned to our seating area both the children and I were ready for our Snack Break - bottled water and protein bars. The clock approached the top of the hour and it was time for the announcer to say, Start Your Engines!

The grandstands filled with the sounds of roaring engines, the smell of the car exhausts, and the screams of race fans for their favorite driver. This was the first time that Gstormy and Khazy had been to a race track and many years for this Gran. The experience was loud for Gstormy even with earplugs in she still wanted at times to cover her ears. Khazy was excited as the cars started their engines. His head would turn from side to side following the cars around the track. As Khazy’s head would turn his little mouth was moving and he was talking without stopping. He would say - faster, faster, faster cars ! Khazy endured the race until lap 60 without tiring. Gstormy made to lap 200 before she was tired and ready to go home.
Our evening family event was very exciting, informative, fun and a wonderful time that we shared together as a family. Times like this are truly one of God's Blessings that this Gran shall Cherish in her heart forever.

Family Time shared . . . is the glue that holds a family together.

Gran's Solo Shopping Trip

I was awakened Saturday morning with a glorious song from one of my resident songbirds. I listened to it's beautiful song and thank God for sending these wonderful creatures to brighten my days. Then, I looked down and there was another blessing, my tabby cat Rocky. He has brought me much happiness the past 3 ½ years. He is a very vocal cat, sometimes he sounds as though he is carrying on a conversation with you in his own language.

My half awakened body then moved towards the kitchen to prepare my breakfast. After a few sips of coffee, both eyes were wide open and I was ready for my day to begin. It was my plan to go LensCrafters at 10:00 a.m. and have my new glasses prepared which would take approximately 1 ½ hours .

It was unusual for me to go to the Mall solo, I usually go with the grandchildren. So, I ventured into stores that I had never explored before. By this time, my energy level was very low so, I needed to sit down in one of the rocking chairs for a rest break with a protein bar in one hand and a bottle of water in the other one. Many new acquaintances were made with other shoppers by the sharing of our grandchildren stories. Yes, you know Gran’s main topic of conversation is Gstormy and Khazy.

Back to shopping ! It really felt strange, here was this Gran, exploring the Mall looking for bargains and finding quite a few. My biggest purchase was for a new purse in Macy’s. They had a GREAT Saturday morning sale ! Shortly after this purchase I found my way back to LensCrafters for my glasses. Well guess what ? It was going to take another ½ hour before they would have them ready. One of the lenses snapped and they had to make it again. During this time I sat on one of the benches and watched the shoppers. It was nice to see happy people early in the morning spending time with their children. At the appointed time my glasses were completed and I was ready to return home.

In our world today, God has truly blessed us with places like this nice Mall, and the opportunity to have the freedom to move about and enjoy this day. I saw God’s BEAUTY in my life today through the songbirds, Rocky my cat, an energy level high enough so that I could do the walking at the Mall, and the experience of speaking to a lot of smiling shoppers.

Where did you see God's beauty and blessings in your life today?