[SweetSunshine]

unfortunately I do know when I'll be back again lolol. Heading to Columbia SC today for the weekend. Will be back Sunday night sometime. I am taking my laptop with me. But I dont know how much I will be able to get online. Take care everyone !! And have a great weekend!

[katheryn]

hope you have a good trip you deserve it

((((((((((((sweet))))))))))))))

[bebop]

have a great trip bethy!

[SweetSunshine]

Thanks Kath and Bebop. I had a wonderful time on my trip. Its realy cool to see how much I've grown to enjoy flying. Where I used to swear up and down that I would never ever fly! The flight down was good. But coming back we had some turbulance. And yeah it had me somewhat concerned. But we made it. Flew thru some very thick clouds though lol. And after what i saw on the way down to SC ( another jet fly right over us cross wise very close LOL) I had my fingers crossed that wouldn't happen in the clouds lol.

I got down to Charlotte NC ( where i flew in at) and my friend picked me up. We then went to this restaurant called The Front Porch. I wanted to experience good southern food. And it was really good!! Southern fried chicken , sweet potato casserole, and fried green tomatoes and a tall glass of southern sweet tea lol. The interior was this old Amercian style. worn wood floors and posts , and some old flowered wallpaper on the walls. The menu was written on a chalk board . So unique and innovative I think! Its a good way to not waste paper anyways!!

The trip back to Columbia from Charlotte was kinda lengthy. So we had plenty of time to talk. Seems odd , a person your used to talking to over the net, or on the phone is sitting there next to you for the first time. My friends experiences in his life were grueling and and he's had many monsters in his past to deal with in the abuse arena like many of us here. We talked in depth about things. And cried many tears. He's come full circle in dealing with those monsters. Forgiving those who have done wrong to him. And moved forward in his life. He's been a big inspiration to me the past 4 yrs I've known him. And I am looking forward to having him as a friend for as long as life will allow it.

So when we got back to Columbia , got checked in at my hotel. Yes I splurged just a tad. Kinda my birthday present to myself lol. I wanted a place I could go swimming( to kinda keep doing some of the things I am doing in my aqua aerobics class) and also they had a jacuzzi by the pool. So that helps my fibro and arthritis out too. Ohhh how relaxing!!! So I got to go swimming several times while there. They had this amazing complimentary breakfast every morning. Every breakfast comfort food you could desire lol. Grits and all!! I tried a lil bit of everything Saturday morning. But Sunday I decided on the herb roasted potato's and and omelet with bacon, cheese, mushrooms , onion , peppers and spinach in it. OMG how scrumptious it was!! They had a nice little gift shop there too. I felt secure there, and it was a friendly environment also. Lots of people there for a wedding also. That happened in the atrium.

Saturday, after my swim , I got ready for my friend to pick me up. We then traveled back up to Charlotte to meet another friend at The Cheesecake Factory. We gave eachother nice big hugs. Just all so happy to see eachother finally. We sat outdoors on the patio since it was such a gorgeous day. Took us forever to decide what to have to eat. My goodness what a menu to choose from!! We started out with something from the bar for each of us and an appetizer ( Spinach and Cheese dip) to share. I had what was called a
TYPHOON PUNCH
Stolichnaya, Stoli Raspberry, Mango Liqueur with
Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Cranberry and Orange Juices

Could have sworn it had grapefruit juice in it though , but it was really good! This is a treat for me to have a drink. I only do it on special occasions.

For the main course I had Chicken Madeira with Mash potatoes( omg are they good!!) I didn't get to eat it all. Took half of it back to the hotel for dinner that night along with my left over cheesecake.

CHICKEN MADEIRA
Our Most Popular Chicken Dish!
Sauteed Chicken Breast Topped with Fresh Asparagus and Melted
Mozzarella Cheese, Covered with Fresh Mushroom Madeira Sauce.
Served with Mashed Potatoes

And for dessert.... Key Lime Cheesecake... mmmm good my my my my key lime pie lol ( sorry its a Kenny Chesney song lolol!!!!!)

We sat there at the restaurant for about 4 hrs. Just laughin it up and having fun. But then was the trip back to Columbia . I was thinking of going to the managers reception that night by myself. But decided not to. I was pooped!!! LOL. SO I got into my jams and just watched tv, surfed the net a bit and went to bed by 11pm. Sunday woke up at 6:30, got my shower , went to breakfast, packed my things up( even though I left my black capri's at the hotel and am still trying to get the hotel to find them so they can be sent to me grrrrrrrr) Then about 11am my friend picked me up , we did some sightseeing around Columbia and then stopped at Sonics to eat. Then it was off to Charlotte again to the airport to fly back to Detroit. Thankfully both ways, I didnt have to check my luggage in at my cost. Both of my bags were small enough to be carryons and your allowed 2 of them. But when flying back to Detroit, they had a full flight and needed carryon room, so they asked for volunteers to check in baggage. We were then allowed to get on the plane sooner than others who weren't frequent flyers and first class flyers. So that was kinda cool. I do have to say that the airlines do not accomodate you very well though when you need help with your baggage. Meaning with my bad back and a bad shoulder, they dont have to help you lift your carryon up or get it down for you . INSTEAD they ask you to ask another flyer to help you, like some strong young man. I'm sorry , but us flyers are paying for this flight and not for another flyer to do such things for us who need help! They need to put more able bodied people on there who can help when needed I think!

All in all though it was a great trip. Happy to be home again. But I do feel so blessed to have such great people in my life both at home here and online.