Here ye, Here ye

**Packed full o' pics**

The Renaissance Festival has come to Georgia and guess who was there? Us Patrons of course! We traveled alongside gypsies, dirty pirates, wenches, maidens, kings, queens, jesters, fairies, goblins & some things I could not name. We watched shows of comedy, of jousting & Collin (my nephew) even got to do the May Pole Dance & have a log dual with a peasant. It was a great time but it kind of sucked that it had to be so damn hot outside (93 degrees with a 1,000% humidity)!

There are LOTS of pictures in this entry due to the radical time I had (just click on picture to make larger)

So... enjoy fair one.

[caption id="attachment_1645" align="aligncenter" width="300"] No Johnny Depp[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1646" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Full Metal Jousting[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1647" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Guests of the Party[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1648" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I LOVE GOATS!! (it's true)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1649" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Lady Shagshire[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1650" align="aligncenter" width="300"] She was VERY happy she received a cupcake[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1651" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Singing Fairies[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1652" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Cupcake Happy[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1653" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The many faces of Collin[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1654" align="aligncenter" width="225"] haha Boy Fairies are the best![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1655" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The Real Mona Liza'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1656" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Singing for Cupcakes[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1657" align="aligncenter" width="300"] May Pole Time[/caption]

PEACE

May Pole Run by Kyryjo

Today's Horoscope

You feel magnificent -- something big is going down, and you are right at the center of it all! You know how things are going to go; you can almost see the patterns as they develop around you.

A birthday extravaganza!

We celebrated Liz's birthday today. The day was all for her. I first started the day making her a cake, Strawberry on Strawberry...yum! That's what she wanted, so that's what she got.

[caption id="attachment_1661" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Suzy Homemaker[/caption]

After chit-chatting for a while, we headed out for a lunch fiesta at Poblano's Mexican Restaurant, where we had yummy food, good service & a Mexican serenade for the senorita along with a free dessert!

[caption id="attachment_1663" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Feliz Cumpleanos Liza![/caption]

Keeping on with the birthday festivities she has wanted to see The Chernobyl Prophecies, so guess what we did..... no, we did not go bowling...we went to the movies!! Movies in the big city, yee-haw!

This is all I have to say of that "movie"...

[caption id="attachment_1664" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Suspiciously Stressed[/caption]

After a good laugh about the inept movie we just saw, it was still early in the day so we took a jaunt over to Stone Mountain. Liz has a state park pass so we drove right in (usually $10 for the day for parking). I have not been here since the late 1980's, Dad & Syd used to bring us here when we were little girls. We drove around the whole park then veered off to a parking lot right at the mouth of the mountain, where you can start climbing up. They have a Skyride, kind of like a Gondola, that can take you all the way to the top or you can hoof it on foot. Beware the Gondola's are NOT air conditioned so if you go up with hot, stinky people...you're in for a loooong ride! Inside (of where we parked) is a museum. It's FREE! It kind of felt like we were at the Science Center, it was very educational & we even had a little bit of fun!

[caption id="attachment_1666" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Bigger than a Woodpecker smaller than the Great Blue Heron[/caption]

We got back in the car, stopped off at one of the two hotels they have on site, picture crashed a wedding and gravitated toward the pool...just to have a look-sy. From what we saw, it was pretty nice and if we were ever back in the area would definitely stop in...at least for the pool! Again, we are off in the car. We drove around the enormous lake, which also has camping sites at some places. Since we were there over a holiday weekend the entire park was filled with campers of all breeds; tents, pop-ups, pull-behinds, 5th wheels & full-sized RV's. It  was a huge party and everyone was invited!! Woo-hoo! We arrived at Crossroads, which is the heart of Stone Mountain. This is where you can pick up the Skyride, they sell all tickets here for all of the different things to do, also dining and shopping here. It is a little pricey (depending on your budget)...I passed on the $10 salad in a small plastic bowl, but that's just me.

[caption id="attachment_1667" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Skyride up Stone Mountain[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1668" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I swear the last time we came here, the parking lot is where that train is![/caption]

Happy Memorial Day!

PEACE

Happy Birthday to Lizaby Kyryjo

On the "first leg" of our trip!

We have started our journey.... well kind of. Our first stop is going to be Hot-diggity dog-lanta! J's seester, Liz, lives there and we have not gotten to see very much of her & her son so we are going to get our time in! I think it will be a nice change of pace. J' will be out of his demanding job, we will get to spend more time together and we will be out of this slow-paced town. I do love the slow pace of this town but it's definitely time to venture into new territories throughout the United States. Keep tuning in for our adventure is just about to get drop-kicked into gear!!!

[caption id="attachment_1670" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hot in the City![/caption]

PEACE

Got to see my lil Owl

Calling it early tonight. I didn't even have that big of a day, I just think I need to recharge my own energy since I feel I've been charging up everyone else! This morning I woke up and started packing up. I did a load of laundry. Mom took the dogs for their walk without me today, so I could get some things done. When she got back, we fixed some other items of clothing and she showed me how to use the button foot (and other 'feet') on the sewing machine, etc. B' came over and I cut her hair and made it all purty again. After the haircut we went and had lunch in Downtown Sanford @ Christo's, great food...horrible service.

[caption id="attachment_1700" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My "baby" girl[/caption]

After lunch, we walked around the streets of Downtown. There was an Arts & Crafts Festival going on with some pretty amazing artists and even a few I went to high-school with!

[caption id="attachment_1701" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I couldn't resist. Isn't this beautiful!?[/caption]

After walking around, we headed over to B's apartment. Since we live so far away we haven't been able to see it yet, so I was excited. My little baby is all grows up! She lives in a cute little neighborhood right on the lake and so close to  everything. It's a cute place.

Since I had to get back to Mom's to be picked up (tomorrow is the day we go back home), we started heading that way. On the way, we decided yogurt had to be in our bellies so we stopped at Orange Leaf. Orange Leaf is pretty neat, I've never seen a yogurt place like this, you actually serve yourself toppings and all, then they weigh it and that's how you pay. Pretty neat idea, I think...and it was super yummy!

[caption id="attachment_1703" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Working hard for that Orange Leaf![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1704" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Crackin' jokes in K-mart[/caption]

So many adventures ahead of J' & I, so now I've gotta get home and square some things up before that can happen. It was hard saying good-bye to her too.... okay it was hard saying good-bye to everyone...but she's my child and I miss seeing her everyday. Once we got back to Mom's it wasn't but a few minutes and Syd was there with my Aunt to pick me up. Lots of hugs and kisses and good words were exchanged. I was so happy to have the time I had to spend with my mom, B' and all of my friends. It was a nice trip and so glad I could tag-along!

And away we shall go again!

PEACE

Working hard on my vacay!

Okay, so I picked Duckie up last night from work and brought her home to her "new pad". She has not stopped raving about it yet! I also cut her hair yesterday and she has also not stopped raving about that! Today, I will be hi-lighting her hair...let's just say this is more than a vacation for me! haha She's working me hard, hahaha

.... WOW, it only took me an hour and a half to retouch her hair and it looks great. I was worried since I don't do hair anymore (& she's my bestie) I didn't want to mess it up, but it truly looks amazing. I'm quite proud of myself! I also dried it and flat-ironed it for her and she loved it so much to the point she wanted me to take a picture of her~ definitely a first!

[caption id="attachment_1707" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Don't mind the cow on the right, but isn't my Duckie purty!?[/caption]

 She had to go to work again today so she drove me back over to Mom's. Very hard saying good-bye to my mate. I love her so very much.

Mom & I just hung out some more, ran some errands and then she mentioned she had Just Dance on the Wii...... I said, "Hold the phone, I've been here how many days and you're just bringing this up now!? We must go home." haha Needless to say we spent the rest of the night dancing it up to Just Dance. What a blast, I think I'd have a hard time doing anything else if I had that game. It's the most fun!

[caption id="attachment_1709" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Just Dance Baby![/caption]

PEACE

Duckie Day

Duckie Day, Duckie Day, Today is my Duckie Day. Sooooo excited to see one of my most favorite people today!!!!

.... She came and got me before she had to go to work, we had lunch at Firehouse Subs and did some laundry and then I dropped her off at work. To surprise her when she gets home I'm going to SUPER DUPER clean her place- it needs it!

[caption id="attachment_1711" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Excited for The Engineer![/caption]

.... Okay, well I spent the last 4 1/2 hours cleaning her apartment. When I started it looked like a bachelor pad and you couldn't even open her closet door. Now you can open it and even do a little jig if ya want, there's so much room. I can't wait until she sees it!

[caption id="attachment_1713" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Before[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1714" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Lots of hours later[/caption]

to be continued....

Detours are usually the right way

Last night we (mom & I) decided that we would go to the beach today. Mom hasn't been in over a year and for me, who goes to Florida and doesn't go to the beach? Not this girl! I'm all over it. We started out pretty early but with everything we had to do, plus the drive, we didn't get there until around 10 a.m. We got there, paid our $5 to park (remember in season you pay) and found a great spot right on the sand. We laid out for a few hours. I burned my bum by falling asleep on my belly for who knows how long. It was so windy it was hard to tell if I was burning so when I decided to get out of the sun, it was already too late. We figured it was time to get out of the sun, so we left and started heading home. As we drove we started seeing signs for Cassadaga, without hesitation we followed the signs.

*Side-note: Cassadaga is a small town between Deland & Orange City. It is very well-known for the psychics and mediums that have been there for many many years. Too many people are skeptical and spread rumors & myths of Cassadaga for being a place of Satan worshipers and cults. This is just not so. It is merely a Spiritualist Camp. They do not hex you or cast spells on you as you enter the camp. They are loving & warm and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.*

[caption id="attachment_1716" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ahh, the Florida sunshine[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1717" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A fave in my book[/caption]

J' & I used to pop into the camp when we lived here, so I definitely wanted to visit. The Cassadaga Bookstore is my favorite place there because not only do they have some interesting books, they have crystals (which I collect), jewelry, things that are unique to the camp and a meditation garden. It's a very peaceful place and I recommend anyone passing thru to take a short detour to embrace what it truly is. I was happy to walk out with new stones and some sage. Mom also surprised me when we got home with two stones I've been wanting for quite some time. How exciting!! We chilled for a bit when we got home, took showers, laid down, watched t.v. Mom went to do some things and I walked over to my girlfriends' house. Her & her hubby, Bobby, just bought a house a few doors down from Mom and also just tied the knot (1 month). I walked over and presented them with a "Happy Wedding" Basket. My girlfriend, Mig, used to visit the area I live in now, when she was a little girl, so I put together a basket of cider & jellies and made up a magnet of one of their engagement photos. Oh and also made a wallet to put the magnet in, that she could also use later. They both loved it! Our friend, Dee, was supposed to come over with me (to surprise her) and present her with a Lime tree (but her daughter was hella sick, so she couldn't make it but she'll go in a few days). I found that the Lime tree represents Love & March, so how perfect, right! Mig & I spent about 4-5 hours together and just gabbed away. I was able to watch her wedding video and that was a hoot! It was so good to see her and catch up. I love my Miggy!

[caption id="attachment_1719" align="aligncenter" width="224"] A lil' discombobulated from the trip[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1720" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kit & Mig 4-eva[/caption]

PEACE

Blackberries, Country Livin' & Sewing Oh My!!!

Woke up this morning and took the dogs for their morning walk with my mom. For weeks now, she has been telling me about these blackberries she found on the trail & wanted to pick them or see if they were ready yet. We took the dogs on their normal stroll, they wandered, smelled, pottied, played & swam. We found the blackberries and picked a few to try, but they aren't ready yet. We were gone about an hour and a half.

[caption id="attachment_1724" align="aligncenter" width="300"] See all of them...even in the back?[/caption]

When we got home we were going to start sewing but figured we would stop over at my sister, Brooks' house. Her hubby, Craig and her, just moved back to the area and we wanted to get some time in with them before they were bombarded with company. They live "in the Country", it's definitely different for my sis but it's a beautiful house with lots of room and a great yard for the pups! With a touch of her style it'll be home in no time, good luck to them! After about an hour, we decided to leave to give Brooks & Craig time with his parents who had also shown up. It was good to see them.

[caption id="attachment_1726" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sissy's new casa[/caption]

We headed home to sew.

*Sidenote: My mom is an expert sewer and bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I have been using it almost everyday, for every little thing. I even attempted a dress & it came out somewhat but that's a whole other story! haha*

I had brought my dress and some other things to fix and she also had some items, that she had started for me, to finish. We spent the rest of the night sewing. We made my dress into a shirt, it just didn't look right as a dress, it actually looked like a really pretty sheet draped over me! haha The dress/shirt took a good part of the night but when were done we kept on truckin'. We sewed the seams of a vest she made for me and we made a bra & skirt out of a dress I love but never wear.

Now, I'm rocking my new threads & I'm not out a dime!

RECYCLE PEOPLE!!

[caption id="attachment_1725" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Sew Rad! Mommy made vest.
Dress into shirt[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1727" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Their morning swim[/caption]

Walking Wet Dogs by Kyryjo

PEACE

Sending Dad down 4 Rivers for his Birthday!

Today we will be doing some fun things! haha Start off with a little DMV action so the 'Old Man' can get a new license. We got in & out in just about one hour and that was good since there were some shenanigans going on. I may have seen a drug deal right in front of me (maybe), women either disciplining their kids way too harsh or with a major lack of discipline and just plain ole dirtiness...ick! After the DMV we headed to 4 Rivers, a favorite BBQ joint around these parts. All three of us had never been, plus it was Dad's birthday so what better time to go than together.

[caption id="attachment_1732" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Happy Birthday Pop![/caption]

It was pretty good...not the best I've had, but pretty good. Within the restaurant there is a little nook called The Sweet Shop, O.M.G.! I wish I had space to have tried something or even gotten something to go just to try it. Their cupcakes were the size of a small animal & probably weighed a good pound or two ~ wow.

[caption id="attachment_1731" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Very creative...read names if you can[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1730" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Seriously. THESE are cupcakes! [/caption]

After lunch, I was dropped off @ my momma's. We just hung out & ran around town a bit. We had an early dinner @ Panera then did a little grocery shopping for the week. When we got home I was actually able to watch The Biggest Loser Finale LIVE! We're usually a day behind because we don't have cable (or even a TV for that matter, ha), so we stream our shows the day after from the computer, so being able to watch it Live was a big treat. I don't know what the week holds but whatever we do will be great!

PEACE