I'm Cooled Off, I'm Reminiscing and Lovin My Friends Silly!

Edit: Thanks, Dawn, I hyper-linked and collaged so much last night I plum forgot to uppp the awards so you can grab 'em! Here ya go:

Okay okay I've soo enjoyed the heat-related sympathy. So much so (blogger friends are better than snickerdoodles & coffee) that I hate to fess up: when Alex and I arrived home from our museum field trip, the air was fixed. So truth be told, it was only overnight and up until 10 am that I was home 'melting'. Wimp. I know, I know.

The museum was such fun. The pics on the grid down there are mostly from the American Indian part, but some of what we got to go see was part of the Glore Psychiatric museum. We saw a lot of funky contraptions there, even a morgue (see pic with a chagrinned Alex, lol). It was definitely sobering, thinking about what these patients lived all those years. I recall driving down that stretch of road and looking over at that big building, we called it the insane assylum. And as a kid and a teenager, it didn't matter to my life. If I could turn time back a bit (alright, a lot) I'd have said prayers for the people behind those barred windows, not cracked jokes with my friends.

If you look closely (I think you can click and enlarge this) you'll see a bear in the picture. I remember seeing t his as a child--it brought back fun memories! And cracks me up if you look at pic with Alex and the bear--I think he'd better run before that bear bites his behind! This trip was more than interesting to Alex and myself--we got the opportunity to SEE the artifacts, and even feel some of them.

After the museum, went to Taco John's for a late lunch and so I could get a taco burger! I always had the taco burger and beans when I was growing up. Sitting there eating our food, a group of boys came into the restaurant to eat--wearing black football jerseys that said "Savages" on it. Oh, you know it! Those football boys were from Savannah and it was Friday. Pretty sure there was a game goin' down in old Joe Town! I don't remember our football team looking so young. Hmmm...guess they're letting them in school earlier, idk. That's me on the far right, my big sister, Jamee, bent down on the front row, left (note Savages on our tops).

Alex knows me so well...pleading "Please don't talk to them, Mom". Visions of me saying "Heyyy! Where's the game? You know, I lived in Savannah too! I was a football cheerleader, believe it or not!" Then they drop jaws and stare...they pick up their trays, move to the other side of the room and begin howling with laughter at the crazy 'old lady'!

So as I silently reminisced high school days, the old black & gold, the amazing freedom, that whole simplistic yet complex life, having a mid-life moment, guess what song came on the overhead system? Oh yeah, Don't You Forget About Me-Simple Minds. It was too much, I think my eyes were tearing up. I picked up my cell and called my high school friend, Tracy (seen below from last October). She still lives in Savannah and works in St. Joe. I described to her my surreal experience and waited for her to say "No Way!". She said "okayyy...so?" I guess never being away, you don't get the nostalgia everytime you go somewhere you used to, see things you used to, idk. Kelly was teaching class, else I'd have called her. She totally gets this, even though she lives in St. Joseph too. Niki, below, might think this photo is posted because she looks just so adorable in her red/white. While looks smashing, it's the little orange/pink box on the corner I'm focused on. That's right, I got my Dunkin Donuts. I was going to save my big surprise until next week, but okay okay, here goes: tonight when I was at the grocery store, lo and behold: sitting on the shelf right next to the Folgers, blah blah blah coffee....dum da da dahhhh! That's right, the rumors are fact! Hy-Vee will be carrying MY special coffee from now on--this time I really DID tear up. You can't imagine what this will do for my day--I have to limit it to only ONE pot per day (it's pricier than Folgers or Max House) but at about 2 o'clock when I need to feel the DD love, I never need to go without again. This is BIG!

As Prince would say: Not Done!

I'm far behind awards, and I've been giving it thought. I have two to hand off today and I love every single person on my list. Yet at the same time, it would completely wreak havoc on the credibility of the award if every blogger did that, I know, I know. So.....I want to give the I Heart Your Blog Award (thanks again, Misty Dawn) to these very special bloggers:

*My Three Wisemans (Shana)--she is the epitome of courage and strength!
*It's Cat's Life (Cat) --I heart her, I hope she keeps this new blog going!
*Coffee Mom (Kathleen)--She's funny, Here's Proof!
*Skimbaco (Katja) --Talented and beautiful--yet I still like her. Go figure!
*And Miles To Go...(Bridget)--But then, who DOESN'T heart her blog? Really?!

Now, Miss Bridget also saw fit to include me in a brand new one, which I'm quite stoked about! It's the You Make Me Smile Award. I'm thinking that if anything, this girl makes me smile (btw, Bridget, I did make it to the grocery store today--be ready for my results).

*Bubba's Sis (B/S)--Quickly become like a favorite blankie to me!

*USO Girl (D..)--She's the blankie's best friend--and I'd like to steal her away!

*Girl Gone Wild (GiGi) --My blog bff, and shoulda been my neighbor!

*And Island Life (Local Girl)--Whirlwind of a life, entertains me always!

*Coming To A Nursery Near You (Dawn)--I swear she's married to Leif Garrett!

And.....the fun doesn't end with this, no no no! I've got another round of Nice Matters coming up early next week. I just didn't want to be ribbed too hard so I didn't dare post that today. I know there are bajillions of talented bloggers, funnier bloggers, more interesting bloggers, and it humbles me (for real) that you amazing souls have rested here at JameeForever, and not only that, that you like me as much as I like you (ALL of you). xoxoxo

Hometown

My trip to St. Joe/Savannah yesterday was good! Nellie, my late friend's mother, still has the ability to make a group of girls roll with laughter. There was always that ONE mom, remember? The one who enjoyed having a house full of goofy pre-teen/teenaged girls in the house. That's Nellie. I could try and try all day to describe her personality, but I don't think I'd give her the justice she deserves. It's clear her grandchildren feel the same about her, they drop in round the clock.

Cat went along with me this time (thanks girl). We stopped at the cemetery in St. Joseph where Jamee, Dad, and Grandma are buried. I had some little markers I wanted to leave for Memorial Day and knew I wouldn't make it back for Memorial Day.

On that same road, we headed West a mile or so and dum da da dah! Goodness, Dunkin Donuts is RIGHT there, it would almost be rude NOT to stop in! I get DD every time I'm in town--we can't get them in Kansas City.

Cat, Kelly, Me (they hit it off--I know this because they teamed up to tease me all night!)

Swung back down "the Belt" and picked Kelly up, headed north and in 15 minutes were were at Nellie's in Savannah! Oh gosh I always loved her home, she was the mom we all wished we had and NOTHING has changed. Her wit is unmatched, not exaggerating here. I'm still giggling at some of the things that popped into her head. If I had to define amazing, loving and witty in one word--Nellie. I met my Nellie's granddaughter, Linda's daughter. She is beautiful and oh my goodness she has the bubbly personality Linda had.

My bff, Tracy, joined us briefly at Nellie's and the cemetery--her son had his first t-ball game and she couldn't miss that--what mother would?! But I'm so glad she got to come, that Cat was able to meet her.

We drove to the cemetery where we visited Linda's grave. It took my breath away, seeing her name on the headstone. I doubt one ever gets used to seeing loved ones' names on stones, especially long before we're ready. Again, can't show emotion here because if I did, Nellie would break and Lord knows she's done almost more than she can bear--I don't want to cause her anymore pain on this day. This is a mom who loves her children fiercely and losing Linda to a car accident (almost 16 years ago) has driven her to her knees. I pray I never know that devastation.

Here we are, left to right me, Nellie, Tracy, Kelly (Cat is shooting). Or.....and this just now came to me, I'm slow.....Stacey, Nellie, Tracy, Kelly. Now say that all at once. Funny! Guess I don't need much to entertain me, lol. We're looking directly into the evening sun, so it was an awkward shot!

Minus Tracy, we dined at The Pizza Shoppe down on the square. As we dropped everyone off, I was grateful for Cat's company that night. I get a twinge of separation anxiety when I exit back onto the highway, headed towards the city. I don't wanna leave--I miss my home town and I envy all my friends who weren't dumb like me. I just KNEW I was a city girl (ha!).