Hello Dolly(wood)!

At last I'm getting used to summer break! My days are filling up fast and I'm hitting my stride, getting my rhythm, getting my "groove" back! I could get used to this. I love the flexibility and having time in my day to do the things I want to do. I can go to "lunch" with friends, walk in the morning, afternoon, or evening, read a book, shop, clean, organize stuff, think, spend time with God, go to Dollywood, walk Cades Cove, visit Ijams, the WORLD is my oyster!

Yesterday was filled with fun as Sherry Storms and I loaded up our kids in her "soccer-mom" van and headed to Dollywood. Nathan, his girlfriend, Ashley, Katrina, Addie, Sam, Sherry, and I made a day of it yesterday! After a slow start due to the lengthy process of getting our pictures taken for our newly purchased Season's Passes, we entered the park at about 11:30. Sam and Addie were a little on the shy side as they haven't been around Katrina and Nathan very much, but it didn't take them long to get comfortable. The water rides were a big hit! We started with the River Rampage and hit all the water rides through the course of the day.

The most memorable part of the day was when Addie felt sick all of a sudden while standing in line at the Mountain Sidewinder! We had just hiked about a half mile uphill to get to the loading dock, when she declared she had to go to the bathroom "right now!" and could not wait! There was nowhere for us to go! It would take a least 10 minutes to walk back down the hill, about 10 minutes to ride down on the ride, so we opted to take our chances on the ride. She was near tears as we waited to board the ride. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said that she was going to throw up! Ummm...What to do NOW? I eased her over to a corner while Sherry dug out a zip-loc bag, and Sherry and I both whispered urgent prayers that God would allow us to make it down the mountain before...well, before disaster struck!

Never let it be said that God doesn't answer the prayers of His people! We made it! Poor Addie. I felt so helpless! There was nothing I could do to help her and she was in such misery! We ran to the nearest bathroom, but the line for the women's room was LONG! We waited for about a minute, before Addie said, "I have to go to the Men's!" Off she went to the men's room! I was proud of her for being a good problem-solver, but worried about her because I had no idea what she would see in there! The men in the area were very helpful though. One man went in to make sure she made it into a stall in time. Another sweet man brought her a cold, wet paper towel to cool her off! I'm thankful for people who see a need and meet it rather than having an attitude of "minding their own business" or "It's not MY problem!" It renews my faith in humanity!

Speaking of humanity- another highlight was our "candid camera" moment! There was rather large woman in a black camisole/teddy sitting on a bench with her left breast fully, yes, fully exposed! What to do? Should we tell her? Did she know it already? Was it exposed purposefully? As a sad reflection of how much I still need to learn, we opted to laugh about it and watch the reactions of other folks as they took notice of the situation. I know, I know, what I should have done, and what I did were in opposition, but I couldn't help it! It was hilarious!

Sam and Katrina took off with Nathan and Ashley to ride some rides at the Country Fair, while Sherry and I tended to Addie. We took her on the train so she could feel some cool air, sit in the shade and take it easy for a while.

We headed back to K-town about 5:00, exhausted, but happy! It was a great day!

Back at home, the kids filled "Daddy" in on the details of our trip. Addie headed out to bowl with Taylor. Tom, Sam, and I went to Bruster's for dinner. That's right, Bruster's! Nothing like a little Dirt Sundae for dinner! From there we went to Dick's so Tom could cash in his gift card from the soccer team. He bought some new tennis shoes, socks, Pokemon cards for Sam, and I lucked out too and got a new top that I am wearing right now! I'll try to add a picture later so the purchase will be adequately documented for posterity!

Home for the night about 9:00. Addie followed at about 9:15. Drew and Dane at 9:30, and Chelcie sent me a text that she was heading home about 11:00. I was in dreamland by the time she made it home, but she's here this morning, so all is right with the world. Time to start another day...