Let's start back with Friday night. Thank you for the comments posted here and also for those emailed. I must say that as soon as I had finished writing it and went back to read it, the situation hit me smack in the face and reality set in. I still believe I did the right thing but the reality of it is that if either of the girls had called me and told me they were in the same situation I would have done the same thing Frank did, told them to get in the car and leave because it could be dangerous. I probably wouldn't have called it stupid but I would have told them to call 911 from their car and then leave. Actually, I would have probably jumped in my car and gone to them! What I am trying to say is when I put myself in Frank's shoes and Amanda or Amy in mine - I now understand why he thought I should leave.
Saturday - whew, that was a long day! The day turned out perfect! The weather cleared nicely and we ended up with a rain free wedding, lots of great pictures, many new friends, and a happily ever after. I will probably post one or two pics but don't want to show you all the pics before the bride and groom get to see them. Some need quite a bit of editing, some are perfect as they are so it may take a little bit to get some up. Here's ONE of the wedding party, just so you can see how pretty they all looked.
Sunday - another really long day, but so worth it. When I got to the Civic Center at 2:45 the line to see Sarah Palin was already all the way down the side of the building next to the interstate, all the way back around to the street 2 blocks from the front door. By the time I found parking, took a few outside pictures, and decided to get in line, it was all the way backed up the library. It was weird because the people in front of the library were facing away from the front door. Another line had started from the front door and back down to the library. As I wondered up to the front of the building I saw all the protesters. Some were really grungy looking. Some were holding signs full of hateful words and some were holding signs saying stop the hating. The were contradicting each other, as I am sure is the case with most political rally protesters, republican and democrat. The police were there and kept everything under control.
Once inside (about 5:40 pm) I found my seat in the balcony section straight in front of the stage and then the next waiting game began. Sarah was slated to speak at 7:00 pm and then it was announced that her plane would be landing at 7:30. Wow, the night just got longer. I think she must of landed a bit sooner though because Gretchen Wilson was traveling with her and she started to sing about 8:00. She sang three songs and then Sarah Palin was announced.
The crowd was crazy loud, waving banners and flapping thundersticks as she made her entrance. Her speech was great and very "on point." She said the New York Times had reported that Obama's acceptance speech was already written (I saw it on AOL this morning, too.) She responded with, “Barack Obama and I both have spent quite some time on the basketball court,” Palin said. “But where I come from, you have to win the game before you start cutting down the nets.”
The loudest and longest cheers of the night came when Palin proclaimed that she and McCain believed in the sanctity of life and that EVERYONE had a right to live. The sound of the cheers made me proud to be among this crowd of believers. It was obvious on two occasions, this one and during the Nathan Ramsey speech, that morals and Christian beliefs were playing a very large role in our decision to vote for McCain & Palin.
Sarah spoke until about 8:45 and then shook hands and signed autographs until about 9:15. She was very good with all the people in the crowd. There was a group of Special Olympics folks gathered in one area and she spent a lot of time there, hugging and smiling and touching. It was very REAL!
I am so excited I can't believe I actually got tickets to go see Sarah Palin on Sunday. (By the Way, I have 3 extra if anyone wants to go with me.) It is going to be a lot of standing in line from what I gather, but I think it will be worth it, especially if I can get a picture.
So I have something to ask all of you and I will ask that everyone who reads this, please comment and tell me what you would have done. You can email me if you want, but I really want to know what you would have done in this situation:
Tonight around 9:45 I was getting ready to turn from Asheville Hwy on to Hillgirt when I saw a man stumble into the highway and fall down. Another car swerved to miss him and kept going, but I turned onto Hillgirt, stopped and ran up to him. As I was getting up the hill he got up and staggered towards me before falling again towards the curb and the grass. I told him to sit and he was a very drunk mexican man about 30 maybe. He couldn't stand up and I called 911 and told them to hurry because I wasn't sure I could keep him from getting up and walking into traffic again. It was pouring rain and cold and I turned on my hazard lights and waited. I called Frank and he told me I was stupid that he could pull a knife on me and kill me, which to be honest it had occured that he might attack me but I wasn't thinking with a weapon and after only a few minutes I could see he couldn't stand up long enough to get to me. I kept a good 10 to 12 feet between me and him and kept my car door open so I could get in if I needed to. It took about 15 minutes for the Sheriff's Deputy to get there. I just kept Frank on the phone and kept talking to the guy. Frank made me describe him, I guess in case something happened to me. The guy would lay down and then sit back up and tell me he just lived down the road. When I asked his name he said he didn't know and he wouldn't tell me. One time when he sit up, he said "You're killing me. What happened?" And I said, "You were laying in the middle of the road and I am just staying here 'til your friend gets here to pick you up (which he had told me was going to happen)." Anyway, I just felt God was protecting me and the right thing to do was keep this man from getting run over. I remember hearing about the man who got run over a couple of times in Asheville and I just couldn't have lived with myself if I had found out this man got run over or killed. My question to you all, without judgment for how you answer - Would you have done the same thing or would you have done what Frank said I should do and get away from him in case he was dangerous? Just curious. I know I can be pretty naive sometimes. But I was near tears when the officer (Allen Corthell, a guy I went to high school with) showed up. I was so worried for this man and not really worried about me. You may not be able to answer and it may just be something you would have had to have been in my shoes to understand, but I am just curious what you THINK you would have done.
She said the Farmer's Almanac has dates in it that are considered the "best time to" diet, plant, go on a trip, etc. Tomorrow, October 23, is the best time to start a diet to lose weight. Guess what? That is the date I set at the end of last week to start my new diet. I sure hope that book is right!
This picture doesn't really show it, but she has the most gorgeous big blue eyes and they're always wide open. Guess that's how she got her nickname, "Bug.'
I love Charleston! Of course, if you know me, you know that, right? It was time for us to go and I was surprised at some of the changes but as always I was just happy to be there. It rained on us pretty much the whole time. We got absolutely drenched walking one block with an umbrella to Meritage (the best tapas restaurant around!)
Here are some of my favorite pictures from our magical, yet wet, weekend:
This is a list of things I will try to find and take a picture of this October. If you would like to play along, just find the item, take it's picture and email it to me and I will post them with your name.
1. A White Pumpkin
(By Tamara)
(By Paula)
2. A Black Cat (by Tamara)
3. The Moon
4. A Bare Tree 5. A Jack-O-Lantern 6. Someone In Costume
7. A Tombstone
8. Falling/Fallen Leaves
9. Warmth
10. A Caramel Apple 11. A Witch's Hat 12. A Hot Beverage
Nick started the day getting surgery to stop his nose bleeds. This has been a problem since he was a little boy. I remember one time when we went to Atlanta Water Park and as soon as we walked in, his nose started to bleed. The day's towels ended up being used to clean up and he was finally able to enjoy himself but it was a rough start for him. He had one side fixed about 10 years ago but the problem started again recently. Today the doctor fixed two vessels that were causing problems. Nick did well and is hoping to return to school today ... which impresses me because as much as I loved school I'm not sure I would feel like going back the next day.
And now to Amy. Amy finally got rid of the old Saturn. She bought a 2005 Jeep Liberty. It's Duke Blue and quite pretty. Frank says she got a "steal." We think so, too. It has 56,000 miles on it with the remainder of an 84/84 warranty and it is clean as a pin. It will be more on gas, but she has promised to limit her, "Oh, I can go anywhere" attitude for a while.
On a bright note, gas is only $3.22 at the Sav-a-ton in Fletcher (that is if they have any left.)