The Roller Coaster ride continues......

Lately my life has turned into a long exhilarating roller coaster ride. There have been many highs, followed by sudden plunges, twists, turns, loops, spirals, sudden jerks, slow climbs, and heart pounding suspense. A lot of the ride has taken place in the dark where every twist and turn is a new surprise,

A lot of people love roller coaster rides. I'm not one of them. I'm vanilla in a chocolate world.....occasionally with rainbow sprinkles. I'm the spinning tea cups or a carousel ride.


But not my friend Melli. Melli is excitement waiting to happen. She's the spark in the sparkler, the fire in fire cracker and definitely the queen of the roller coasters. Did I mention that she is chocolate turtle sundae with a cherry on top in my very vanilla world?


To know Melli is to be swept up in a tornado and be deposited somewhere in Oz.( or Dayton, or Bridgewater, or Waynesboro). Wherever we land there are always rules to follow. There must be at least one camera (preferably two or three ), the driver must stop at a moments notice should a photo op present itself and everyone in the car must be involved (whether taking the picture, assisting Melli to climb on anything that doesn't move, or watching out for the local police!) Other rules were added throughout the visit... absolutely no pictures taken where any other blogger had been previously photographed or as Melli would ask, " Is this a virgin picture? You didn't take Floozie here did you?" (and I thought that I was a Diva!)

So what did we find along the way.....no yellow brick roads but clearly



yellow marigolds ,



brick planters ,







winding stairs,

tanks,




and cannons (oh my)

and true to her nature ,

Melli climbed on all of them.

Our search for photo opportunities took us to Willie's Soft Ice Cream stand, P. Buckley Moss Museum, and last but not least, the Carribean Car Wash, where our Melli told us it was always her secret desire to ride on top of the car through a car wash!

I tried to stop her.....but I've already been hit by one car too many!

You've got to watch out for those little ole lady drivers, right Beckie?

Melli left this afternoon .....my house is quiet, Mr. Wonderful ate the last of the liver, onions and mashed potatoes that Melli made him (as his poor wife refuses to fix it for him). My guest room sheets are washed and put back on the bed, my bathroom gleams so brightly you have to wear shades and I discovered that there was writing on the little knobs over the sink that say "hot" and "cold". My laundry is caught up, the dishes are washed and put away and I've had the time of my life.

Thank you Melli, is hardly adequate for your time, attention and adventure but it will have to do for now. Your kindness, silliness, and yes, even your"bossiness" blessed me. Blog Sisters are the Best!