How'd you spend your weekend?

What a weekend!  Yesterday, Ami, Brian and I went to Atlanta to visit the grave of an old friend of ours, old friend for her, old kid I babysat for me.  Today is Wayne's birthday.  He would have been 37.  He was a deputy in Cherokee County and ten years ago, he was killed answering a call, doing what he did best, trying to help somebody.  He was a sweet kid who would do anything in the world for you.  What's so sad and the hardest to deal with, though, is that call was a false alarm.  We'd never been to his grave so Ami picked this weekend to go, to celebrate the day he was given to us.  After we got some help finding his grave (Crest Lawn is huge!!), we sat there a little while and talked and remembered him.  I think my most vivid memory of Wayne is how he would not go to bed when I told him to.  His little brother, Matt, would fall asleep on the sofa and I would move him to his bed but Wayne wanted to stay up and talk to me.  He would "just ten more minutes!" me until his parents drove up in the yard and then he would run to bed.  I babysat them for $2 an hour.  I'd give anything to have just one Saturday night back.

On our way to Atlanta, we stopped off in Forsyth and shopped at two thrift shops.  I went with my heart set on some record albums, some blue and white plates and some vintage bedding.  I got all that and more!  We went to Circle of Care and Family Thrift Store.  This is Circle of Care.  Yeah, I know.  We were overwhelmed.  There is so much to look at!!  I ended up getting two sheets and nine pillowcases for $8.50, two beautiful blue and white plates for $10, a pretty blue and white saucer for 39 cents (YES!!  39 cents.  Because it had a tiny chip you can hardly see.  I don't mind chips.  I think a chip in a dish (or cup or flower pot) just shows that dish had a life.  It has lived and has a story.) and 22 albums for $3.70!!  And a whole bunch of other stuff.  Here's a pic of my buggy.  :)

 

  
I got this gorgeous fall painting at Family Thrift Store for $10.  I love it!!  I joked on Facebook that it's hanging over our sofa right now and I'm trying to figure out a way to jump in it.  Do you blame me??

We had lunch at The Prime Palate and it was so delicious that it was borderline ridiculous.  I had a pork chop (and later fried chicken!), mac & cheese, cheesy potatoes, black-eyed peas, butter beans, green beans, cornbread and blueberry cobbler for dessert.  I was full as a tick when we left and sooooo miserable.  But it was a good miserable. :)

I talked to Larry this morning and he went to Wild Adventures yesterday!  And rode everything out there.  Including the 180 foot bungee jump.  I cannot tell y'all how many times I said to him, "you are SO crazy!" while he was telling me about it.  I lost count.  He had a blast, though!  He loved all the roller coasters and the fast-upside-down-take-your-breath nonsense of it all.  I'm kinda glad he went on and did all that 'cause this girl ain't crazy.  :) 

We're just about to the two-thirds mark.  October 8th, we'll have three months left!  Things have not gone the way we thought they would or hoped they might but that's all right.  One of our favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28.  God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.  God will work this for our good, too.  I don't believe God brings us to a trial without having something great waiting for us on the other side of it.  He has proven this to me over and over.  While this is indeed a trial, our something great starts January 8th and I cannot wait!!

I went to Willie's funeral this afternoon.  I don't even want to call it a funeral, though, because it was like no funeral I've ever been to.  It was a going home celebration!!  A celebration of Willie's life given for him by the lives that he touched.  That church was packed.  Standing-room only.  Full of family, friends, coworkers and classmates.  I was amazed from the beginning all the way to the end.  From the beautiful white horse-drawn carriage that brought Willie to the church, to the gun salute and the playing of "Taps", to the music, the memories, the tears, the laughter, the praise dance that had me sitting there with my mouth hanging open, to the breathtaking dove release at the end.  A wonderful, loving send-off.  I've never seen anything like it.  I'm so happy I went and was a part of that.

I've had a busy, busy weekend!  Now I think I'll follow Tabbie Hoffman's lead and take a nap.  :)