Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

The Gallery is full of "October Photography Challenge" pics. So far, so good. While the photos will win NO awards, they definitely show my favorite images of this month.

RANDOMNESS #1 - I had every intention of attending the Thursday afternoon Zumba class. Unfortunately, I had also set up a doctor's appointment for 2:00 p.m. downtown. I was headed to a new doctor at a different doctor's office. However, after ten years working downtown, I had no qualms about finding the office. I had the address. I was familiar with the area, etc., etc. I had plenty of time to go to the doctor AND make it back for the Zumba class at 4:30. Uh... WRONG!

As I made my way to the address, I couldn't find the name of the doctor's office on any sign. However, UAB Hospital was sitting where the doctor's office should have been. I made the perfectly practical assumption the office must be INSIDE UAB Hospital. I made my way to the 6th Avenue South Parking Deck.

Fun fact for you... The Big Gold Van is not an easy vehicle to park unless you happen to be a licensed bus driver (which I am not). It doesn't bother me. I park one to two miles away from any and every event and walk. (My walking regimen is one of the reasons I am so adept at picking up Zumba and other complicated dance/aerobic exercise classes! Just saying.)

Parking decks are not my friend. Especially old, downtown parking decks. They are extremely narrow, dark and even if I find a parking spot, I cannot fit into it... EVER!

On the fifth floor of this parking deck, I started calling the doctor's office to see exactly where they were located in the Hospital. Guess what? They were not located in the Hospital. They were not located downtown. They were not located anywhere within a 30-mile radius of where The Big Gold Van was driving in very tight quarters.

They were located off I-459.

Let me break it down for you. I had to get OUT of the crazy, narrow parking deck (preferably without hitting a doctor's Lexus), make my way across the downtown area, and jump on Red Mountain Expressway. I then had to go across the big curvy bridge and get on U.S. 280. That's right! I said U.S. 280.

Once I made it to the junction of U.S. 280 and I-459, I had to go to the Acton Road Exit. The doctor's office was located behind McDonald's.

I knew exactly where the office was now because they had given me THE one landmark with which I was 100 percent familiar. I know where EVERY McDonald's within 100 miles of my home is located. No. I'm not brilliant. But when I need a Caramel Frappe', I NEED a Caramel Frappe'. Thus, I have dedicated all McDonald's locations to memory... and it has served me well.

By the time I left the deck, I was 32 minutes late for the doctor's appointment. But they were gracious. They told me if I could be there by 3:00, they would still let me keep the appointment.

Surprisingly, I did make it by 3:00. As is the universal doctor's office custom, I waited the minimal time of 33 minutes in the waiting room and 17 minutes in the office itself. I then met with the doctor for 13 minutes. If you're keeping up, it was now 4:03.

Ignoring the many, many "NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED OR THE BUILDING WILL EXPLODE" signs plastered on the walls, I made a sneak call to Joan, my Zumba buddy.

"I'm about to leave the doctor's office off of U.S. 280. I'll try to make it to the class. Find my orange sarong and have it ready for me."

She laughed... a lot. "Unless you're Mario Andretti, you aren't going to make it to class in 27 minutes."

"I don't have to be Mario Andretti. Have you forgotten I'm driving The Big Gold Van?"

She laughed some more and said good-bye... in a way that made me think she didn't plan on seeing me in 27 minutes.

And she was right. I pulled into our lovely little city at 5:17. And I missed Zumba. And I was sad.

But there's always Saturday morning... and I do NOT have a doctor's appointment Saturday morning off of U.S. 280. I should be able to make the 1.2 mile drive from my driveway to class with no interruptions!

RANDOMNESS #2 - Guess which movie came to my mailbox yesterday? Guess? That's right. Babies! I am so excited. I am going to watch it off and on today while I do my ironing! I'll let you know how wonderful it is next week.

Weekend Happenings

Once again, this weekend finds the Faulkner Five in many different places.

Mike and I are desperately trying to have a date to see Wall Street tonight. It is a "thinking" movie, and it is not animated which means I'll need to take a nap sometime Friday in order to stay focused, but I'm willing to try.

Roxie will be with a friend Friday and Saturday.

Austin will be in Jacksonville Friday night and performing in the Homecoming Parade and halftime show Saturday afternoon. I'm attending the game with Melia, her mom, Lisa, and her brother, Payton. We're planning on eating with Austin at a little Italian restaurant in Jacksonville after the game. The Boy will then return Saturday night (unheard of this fall) with Melia, and I'll hitch a ride back with Lisa and Payton. It should be fun, and a day spent outside in October is a day well spent!

Josh will be with friends Friday evening and taking the ACT test first thing Saturday morning. Not a perfect Saturday, but it will get better.

Mike and Josh are planning on watching the Auburn game from the comfort of the Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) den. (I've decided to go ahead and name the house. We have two beagles, a dozen or so chipmunks and 1,500 squirrels. If anyone asks, I will just tell them we are a working "squirrel farm.")

Roxie and I are meeting our cousins, Amy and Monica, for a belated birthday get-together Sunday after church. The girls are only 16 days apart "birthday-wise," and this is the first chance they've had to celebrate their 14th milestones. I know a trip to Charming Charlie's is in the plan!

I hope, I hope, I hope the Faulkner Five come together Sunday evening after church for dinner and maybe a movie.

I know we all have good plans, but my favorite part is the "come together" part before everyone leaves Monday to resume their busy school and work lives. I LIVE for the "come together" part!

I hope you and yours have a fabulous fall weekend. Even if you are spread out in many different directions (as we will be), spend as much time as possible with the people you love most. I already have some wonderful things to share with you next week. As always, you are welcome on A Simple Life!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Squirrel Farmer... Belinda