Saturday morning, 9/14/13, at 9:39 a.m. I was in the kitchen and saw handwriting on the dry erase board on the refrigerator that I did not recognize. I started reading it and realized the note had been there for almost a month before I noticed it. Anyway, it made my day. I’m grateful to have a sweet sister.
I have “Super Nanny” on in the background. I have seen many of the shows and they always make me wish for a family. Tonight it was great to see a father realize how his words effect his children and how the family reacted based on his leadership. When parents give their children the tools they need to cope in the world, we have a better world. The children learn respect and responsibility.
Words can tear us down or lift us up.
The summer of 2005 my Dad was in the hospital. While I was there visiting him, my Aunt Ruby gave me a jewelry box and a doll (Tiny Tubber Effanbee). There is a reason she gave these gifts to me.
A very long time ago on a hot summer day and my Grandma was sitting in her chair and I was standing beside her looking at all of her beading stuff, that is when either I spied a small jewelry box or she pointed it out to me. I was about 12 years old and my Grandma, Mary Bell Maddox-Johnson, put a note in that little jewelry box that belonged to her. The note had my name on it and it was to be given to me in the future. The box had a few items that had been given to her from special people in her life. As it turned out I never received that box.
There are more photos located on Shutterfly, Jewelry Box from my Aunt Ruby.
Amazingly, today is another beautiful day and perfect for visiting Cathedral Caverns. Did you know they have tours all year round? The only time they stop the tour is if there is flooding.
I took one small wrong turn, so we decided to see where it would lead us. I am so thankful we were the only ones there, because this was not a two way street. It was a one-way gravel road straight up. When the road ended, I had to make a u-turn. This was a bit scary, but we survived.
We were a bit worried about going to the caverns, because sometimes my parents’ backs hurt too much because of arthritis, etc. We were the only ones there, so my parents received the royal treatment and road the golf cart into and out of the cave. Our tour guide took her time, we were not rushed in anyway, and she was very informative. JD and I walked behind them and tried to keep up. I was the last one out of the cave.
We drove back to Huntsville, AL and arrived at Bridge Street, where we ate at Laredo Cantina. We went home, put most of their belongings in their car, and watched movies, etc. I spent some time with my Mom on her computer. I showed her how to use many of the options in Photoshop. On a previous night, (I think), I typed up all of her addresses and printed them out for her. I made copies of all the photos we took and put them on two DVDs for JD and my Mom. After everyone went to bed, I continued working on my Mom’s computer and added the addresses to Outlook.
This was the end of a great week. I was very sad to see it end, but as we all know, nothing ever stays the same. Maybe that is why the good times seem even more special.
This week has been beautiful and today was no exception. My Dad brought me some fig trees, loquat trees, wisteria, century plant, and hydrangeas. Today Dad and I planted all of them in pots. JD helped with the flowerbed in the back of the house and we relocated the rocks to the front yard. While we were outside my Mom was in the house fixing a Thanksgiving lunch.
Our neighbor, Terri, dropped by and my Dad gave him some grapefruit, oranges, and persimmons that he brought to me. All of this fruit came from the trees that my Dad tends to back in Livingston, TX at his home. Terri told my Dad that the fruit was a very special gift and he was not going to share with anyone.
Once we finished in the yard, we went inside. I helped in the kitchen and I believe JD and Dad took a break from all of our hard work. I baked some little lemon cakes, but forgot to spay the baking pan first. They did not look to pretty, but they still tasted good. Before we began eating, I was asked to say the prayer. Well, I tried, but I ended up in tears and could not say another word. My baby brother gave me a hug and my Dad took over the prayer. Then we proceeded to have a great mid afternoon lunch and birthday celebration. Oh, and my Mom has all of this on video.
Later that day we rested, watched movies, and worked in my craft room. I taught my Mom how to use a scanner and she scanned many photos (about 200 or so).
Weather: beautiful, which included perfect temperatures, a slight wind, and not a cloud in the sky.
We drove up to Burritt on the Mountain. What a beautiful day to explore this place. We took our time walking through the home built by Dr. Burritt. Remember not to take photos with a flash. This house is extraordinary, because the Dr. built it in a time when most people were not thinking about how to cool a house in the summer or keep it warm in the winter. The house has 18” walls filled will hay.
After touring the house, we visited the other homes on the property. This is also a step into the past.
For some reason many of the AL site seeing places are closed on Mondays. However, I did find one that was open – Weeden House. I had wanted to visit for a long time. As it turns out Nov. 2 was a perfect day to visit. We arrived and parked across the street, in the wrong spot. Thank goodness, Barbara put a sign in the window to alert us to this fact. As I was parking the car again behind me moved, which was the correct parking spot. There were so many leaves on the ground it was hard to see the street paint. Barbara saved us from getting a very expensive ticket.
Barbara Scott met us at the door and led us to the parlor. How many people have a parlor these days? Walking into the Weeden House, is most definitely a trip back in time. The furnishings were beautiful and must have been very hard to come by in the 1800s. When you hear the story of the house and its occupants, you will be amazed that the house is still there.
Ms. Weeden’s story is remarkable. If you are lucky enough to have Barbara tell the story, you will not be disappointed. Barbara brings the story to life by reciting poems and giving you detailed information regarding the Weeden House. In addition, do not be surprised if she breaks out into song. She has a beautiful voice and many great stories about current day events that have taken place in the house.
In Ms. Weeden’s day, the government did not hand out money. You had to actually pay your own way in the world and that is exactly what she did. Ms. Weeden did not sit by idly and wait for the government to give her money (because she deserved it). She knew she had to bring in an income and that is exactly what she did.
After we left the weeden house, we took a short little walk . My brother discovered a car that he really liked. If I were wealthy, I would have found the owner, bought the car, and gave it to my brother. He was so excited about that car. It had the name of a race car driver embossed on the glove compartment.
Oct. 31
As normal, I went to work, and later ran many errands. I bought candy to fill up little gift boxes and took them back to work. I bought food and continued cleaning the house, because my Mom, Dad, and brother, JD, were coming to visit.
They arrived around 7:30 p.m. We brought all their stuff into the house and we talked and talked all night.
Nov. 1, 2009 – Sun.
We went to Old Time Pottery. I bought stuff for Thanksgiving and Dad bought me a box that looks like three books stacked on top of each other. He bought something for JD, but I can’t remember what it was.
We also went to Wal-mart to buy food.
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