Oh, what a delightful time we had in Birmingham on Monday and Tuesday. We left early Monday morning…much earlier than Mom likes to arise…but she was a real trooper, and was ready to hit the road! As we travelled, we worked on our master list of places to go and things to shop for. We all had our favorites. It was looking doubtful that we would get it all in even before we got there.

MONDAY
Our first stop was a neat little gift shop in the Patton Creek shopping center called Wrapsody. They have a very cool selection of gift items and decorations. On to Mom’s shoe store, Unique Feet…because hers are…and tiny, too. She managed to score a great pair of casual shoes. They were so comfortable, she wore them all day Tuesday! Next stop…World Market. We like to check out their ornaments and food stuff. It is on to Hobby Lobby…where I can always find things I need…even if I didn’t know I did. Love to check out their Christmas goodies. Most everything I wanted was at least 50% off! That is a sure sign you need it, don’t ya know? And, all their fall and Thanksgiving was 75% off!! Found some things to pack away for next year…(hope I’ll remember where). Finished up there and headed over the mountain to Homewood. We passed Homegoods…my most fav, but we’re coming back tomorrow on the way out of town. (We didn’t make it) In Homewood, we were looking for the new location of White Flowers Gallery…it recently moved from Mountain Brook. Their new store is so spacious. It doesn’t feel quite as cozy, but still a wonderful place to visit and shop. Then a few stores up the way to At Home. I could spend a mint here. I love EVERYTHING! Great ornaments, and wonderful furniture…the neatest candles and pot pourrie…jewelry for yourself or your house! Love this store! Next door is Harmony House, but nothing much interested me here, this time. Saw a new art gallery, floral, antique shop across the street…Four Seasons…very nice! And, by this time…we began running out of steam. So, to the motel, we go.

Found the motel…checked in, and decided that since we had not eaten since the biscuit we had in Ozark about 7 am…food should be the next order of business. Mom decided that she would play the age card and send her 2 young daughters out on a mission to find supper…while she relaxed and rested in the room. Can you imagine?
These beautiful trees were from our motel room window.

So, dutiful daughters that we are, and being respectful of our elder, we took off in the direction of sustenance for our weary body. PFChang’s was calling our names…so there we went. It was only about 4:30, so we beat the rush for dinner. We ordered way too much food and sat down to drink a glass of tea and rest while we waited. Got our order, and headed back to show Mama how resourceful we were.

I must remind you that we have learned our shopping skills from a Master Shopper, Mom, herownself. So, when I say that our car was loaded with packages…I mean our car was loaded with packages! We knew it would not be wise to leave them in the car overnight…so along with our mega size sack of edibles from Chang’s…we also loaded up our other available appendages with various sized packages. Because, it would be just wrong to make 2 trips, ya know. Have I mentioned that Joy has her foot in a huge air cast? Loaded, yes, nigh on to overloaded, with bags….we began our slow trek to the room. We made it to the outside door…and realized that yes, we would indeed have to put the packages down upon the dirty ground to retrieve the key card with which to open the outer door. Joy managed to do this, and without thinking then stuck the key between her teeth. She will probably get some vile disease from that…but, what is a girl to do? She was taking chances for the cause. We made it to the elevator…and a silly picture got us tickled and we were done for. We could not walk for laughing…we could not walk for all the packages between our legs…we could not walk because every step I took more sweet tea oozed out of the soggy paper cups…we could not walk because I had not taken the time to go to the potty since I left my house at 6 am, and every fit of laughter threatened to cause me much embarrassment! Then, when we finally got our rested Mom to the door, we fell into it, and collapsed on the bed in fits of laughter!
Mom got right to work setting us up with a table fit for a queen and 2 princesses! And, we proceeded to chow down. There was sweet and sour chicken, shrimp fried rice, lettuce wraps, spring rolls, steamed rice, and dessert…and a fortune cookie. Joy’s fortune cookie stated “Life gets harder near the summit.” If you know Birmingham, you know one of the best shopping areas is called the Summit…and we were right down the road! Coincidence? I think not.



After we pigged out…literally…we began the arduous task of separating the loot and trying to consolidate it into fewer bags. This completed, we hit the beds…watched a little TV, and Mother and Joy drifted off to dreamland. I, on the other hand, picked this night as one of those when sleep will not come…no matter how hard you try. The last time I looked at the clock it was 3:30.

TUESDAY
Morning is here, and sleep or not…we must soldier on. Quick breakfast in the motel…and on to the Summit. First stop…Smith and Hawken. LOVE THIS STORE!! And, they have the best Christmas stuff, plants, garden stuff. We all managed to do some damage here. Next up was Williams-Sonoma…for a few kitchen gifts, and Restoration Hardware right next door. On to Talbot’s for Joy and Mom…and I headed over to Urban Outfitter’s. They don’t like this place. While I, on the other hand, find it very amusing. Sometimes a little shady…but I don’t look at those things! Managed to find a few gifts here AND an orange quilt for Alex’s new room. Cause, this is just the kind of store that would have a bright orange quilt! Lucky find! Next is Pottery Barn, who always seems to know when I am coming, because they stock the store with EVERYTHING I WANT! Managed to help the economy quite a bit here. Found some things for the house including a set of 12 chargers for my new table! Next, up the hill to Anthropoligie…Love, Love, Love! Neat assortment of everything! I ran into Coldwater Creek and J Jill looking for a pair of black knit pants…but no luck. The sky is beginning to darken, and it’s a long road home. One more quick stop into Cheesecake Factory to get a piece of cheesecake to take home to Alex…and off we go.
Mom loves to play with the toys she finds while shopping!

We realized we were hungry, so we rode down 280 to get a burger. I just figured that certainly we would run into a connection to 65 down that way. We did not. We did however turn down a road that looked promising. It was not. But, it was an absolutely gorgeous winding path that brought us back out to 280. I called Ian, who was sitting in the airport in Raleigh, NC at the time, to ask how to get home. He was a little exasperated with me. I don’t know why. We finally got a gentleman in a car next to us to roll down his window and asked him how to get where we wanted to go. He said to follow him…and he led us right to 119. Another beautiful drive. This led us back to 65…and the road home.

All of which left us with wonderful memories of another great adventure with those I love the most. We figured God just wanted us to see some more of His handiwork while we toured around HWY 280 and 119. And we did. Then he sent us an angel to show us the way home… isn’t that just like Him?

Today is the anniversary of the day a little ray of sunshine came into my life. Alex was born 11-11-81. I had tried very hard to become pregnant after Adam was born, but it just did not happen. Finally after surgery, and 2 different fertility drugs, I became pregnant with Alex. His delivery was so special. My doctor at the time was so cool…he let my sister and a good friend stand at the door of the delivery room to watch and cheer me on. Don was there. And we even taped it. I kept saying, “Someone give me my glasses so I can see!” He was such a beautiful baby, and from the very beginning his temperament was sweet. And has remained so. Alex started having headaches around age 5, and had serious vision problems which we attempted to correct with glasses. It wasn’t until the 8th grade that we finally learned just what was causing all his physical problems.

But, I do not want to talk about that today. Today I want to talk about his sweet and kind spirit. He suffers daily, but remembers to remind me to stick to my diet! He hurts so terribly, but will kindly get up and come to the computer if he knows I am at an immmovable obstacle. If I am having a bad day, he will come and make sure I have all I need to make me comfortable. He remembers to tell me that I look nice when I leave the house. He treats Scooter with such love and tenderness. That dog would do anything for Alex. He loves him so. He makes sure Scooter never runs out of his favorite treats. He makes no demands. He kindly asks for help when needed. He has a quietness and gentleness about him that babies and little children are so drawn to. He is seldom loud, but loves to get into an occasional tussle with a brother or two. He is so knowledgeable about technology and such that many seek him out for information. His brothers will seek his computer advice often. Even though he is not out in the world very much, he is voracious in his quest for info on world events. He is the go-to guy for info on any world situation. He loves Fox news and Bill O’Reilly, and Shepherd Smith. He is a great fan of science fiction and loves manga…I’m not even sure I spelled that right…it is a type of Japanese animation. We watch Lost together every time it is on…he explains it to me. He sees the beauty in great art, and appreciates good literature. He never forgets Mother’s Day or my birthday or Christmas. He has one of his ‘elves’ do his shopping and delivery. Then he keeps it hidden until just the right moment. He loved his grandma’s tea cakes and black forest cakes, and he loves his granny’s macaroni and cheese, and pound cakes. He adores his Aunt Joy, and is quick to say my friend Tina is really his friend.

Alex is sunshine to all who encounter him. He amazes us with his fortitude and inspires us with his attitude. He never complains or whines or says “why me?” He takes what has been given to him and gives back what he is able. He brings joy and comfort to me, and is able to say just the right thing when I am close to melting down over some silly something or other. He gives me strength. He models grace and humility. He has a forgiving spirit and is willing to give grace and show mercy to others. And he shows, more than most, what perseverance truly is. He never gets angry with God for his lot in life, but trusts Him fully and relies on Him daily. He prays for others as often as himself. He is a miracle that shows itself more with each passing day. He deserves happiness and joy. He defines patience and goodness. He is my boy…my sweet middle child. He is a man to be proud of.

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When shies are grey.
You’ll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.

When I arrived home from work on Friday and went to check in on my blog…I was surprised by a beautiful new header…compliments of my sweet son, Adam. Isn’t that a gorgeous picture? It is from a pic he took at a wedding he shot last week. I had not even asked him to change the header for me (he always does it because my computer skills haven’t progressed that far yet). But, he knows that I like to keep up with the seasons, so he just did it without me asking. He’s a mom’s joy! Thanks, Adam!

Adam also just returned from driving my Pop to Atlanta to see his brothers. One of them is very ill, and Pop wanted to see him very badly. But, he really does not feel confident driving in Atlanta now, and it is a long trip. Adam was happy to take the time to drive him. He said it was great to spend time with his Pop, and to see his great uncles again. Isn’t that the kindest thing for him to do? His heart is full of love and kindness, and he enjoys helping others.

This is what the rest of November consists of for yours truly…
1. 3 Christmas programs to teach, and polish…
2. 2 sets of t-shirts to get ordered and delivered…
3. a trip to Birmingham for furniture, Christmas, and house stuff shopping…OK…maybe some shoes, too…
4. a house to finish packing…
5. a house to move into…
6. a house to go back to and clean after moving…
7. 2 family birthdays…
8. and…isn’t there a holiday somewhere in this month?

Any wonder I am home with a migraine today? So, if I am neglectful of my blogging, and absent from visiting all of you, my bloggy friends, please understand…I’ll get in here when I can.

Mom and Joy and I are heading to Birmingham in the morning for a quick shopping trip. It’s always such fun when we go off together. My architect has some furniture tagged for me to look at while I am there, so I will do that, too. Then home and back to work on Wednesday.

Ian will be leaving tomorrow to fly back to UNC to see his cleft doctors. There are still some minor problems that need to be fixed. This visit is just for a consult, though. Seems so funny…the first time we went to Chapel Hill, he was only 3 weeks old and in my arms. Now, he makes his plane reservations and car rentals and dr. appointments, and just tells me when it is. He has grown into a very self sufficient young man. He has great judgement and is very sure of what he wants. Again, he fills this Moms heart with joy!

While I am away on Tuesday, Alex will celebrate his birthday. Since his birthday falls on Veteran’s Day…he was always out of school to celebrate. He thought that was quite a good thing! Alex deserves the best that life has. His life is not easy, and is a daily struggle. But, you will never find a young man with a gentler spirit and a kinder heart. Happy Birthday, Alex…you fill my heart with joy. I pray this year will be your best ever.

When I started this post, I didn’t realize I would end up blogging about my children. I was just planning on filling you in on what is going on with me. I guess this shows you, too, just how blessed I am. My children are part of my everyday life. They are grown and live their own lives, but I thank God that we are able to interact so much with one another. They are the best(and I include my daughter-in-love). I am thankful and blessed. God is good and I do not take His blessings on this family for granted. And look, I get to spend a couple of days with my Mom and Sister, too. Thank-you, Lord. Thank-you.