honeymoon in paradise gardens

Not that I had both at the same time, mind you!
In fact, the drive up to north Georgia was a real horror show yesterday. I had seen on Google maps that I-75 N had several construction sites active in Atlanta. So, I had planned to avoid those and have a leisurely trip, cutting through mid-Georgia to I-20 W, catching I-285 W above the Jet City, then bopping over to Rome for the night. There, I'd meet with the Ex and his lady and have a sweet ending to my day - literally, as we were to dine on dessert.
(smile)
The drive, like I said, was a horror show.
The construction was on I-20 W, as were loads of summer-holiday travelers. Ack!
Then I hit the hell that is that twelve-lane belt strapping the gigantic waistline of Atlanta. ACK!
Finally coming to the exit I needed, off I went... straight into a construction area and detour that would not allow me access to the hotel I had reserved. ACKKKKKKKKK!!!!!
By that time, I had been on the road for seven hours... and it was raining... and darkness was coming...
Ack! ACK! ACKKKKKKKKK!!!!!
No worries.

Carolyn and Jennie at the Hampton Inn in Rome talked me through the closed highway exit to the old reliable path - and greeted me with smiles, cookies, and a bag of perks when I had finally arrived.
(smile)

The Ex came to my rescue, calming me down on the phone, adjusting our timetable, even picking me up so I had no more driving to do.
(smile)
He and Amy both gave me hugs, too. Then we went to the Honeymoon Bakery downtown. The place was hopping! But Jeff snagged us a table, Amy treated me to a chocolate-dipped macaroon, and we all had a cheery visit and "investor's meeting".
(smile)

Amy even bought this loaf of cranberry-walnut bread for me! That was a fine addition to my breakfast this morning.
(smile)

By the time I hit the road, the morning fog was still blanketing the land.
This photo was at 8:45, about midway to Summerville and my youngest brother, Tony.
I was in to see him about thirty minutes later - hooray! You know it's been quite a while since I've been up there, due to the carpal tunnel in my hands. My last visit was back in July of 2016... almost exactly one year ago.
Smitty had donated the allowed twenty dollars of quarters this time - plus I had added another dollar's worth. (Shhh, don't tell anyone!) Tony had a Sprite, a Big AZ cheeseburger, two BBQ chicken sandwiches, BBQ pork rinds, Jalapeno cheese puffs, strawberry cheesecake, and a rather large package of strawberry creme cookies. I had a BBQ chicken sandwich, too, a Diet Coke, and M&M's. We also split an ice cream sandwich!
I had three quarters left.
(smile)

We talked of family, of course. But we also delved into the discovery channel and the solar system. I was still wearing my blue band from my magical dolphin experience, so we chatted about that, too.
Then I went off track, talking about the two Jeffs in my life. I told him that I usually called the ex 'Jeff' when talking to family or folks who knew him, with the other being 'Secrest' around those folks. But for people who knew me post-divorce, the one living in my house is 'Jeff' and the other is 'the Ex'. Then I went on this side story about Babcia and Druge Babcia that the Ex grew up with. I ended up with postulating that I call the Ex 'Jeff' and the bfe 'druge Jeff'.
Tony laughed and said "that's why you told me that story? To get to that?"
Yeah, pretty funny!
(smile)
We visited together until almost 2:30 pm, then had our parting hugs.
No photos this time, but that's okay.
I'll look forward to having new pictures taken when he goes to the Transitional Center, which will hopefully be soon.
Hopefully.

Afterward, I finally went to Howard Finster's place up here.
I sent the photo above to the BFF, the bfe, the Ex, the first niece, and Kevin.
Below it, read this caption:

I went to Paradise Gardens. It was closed.

I was channeling my inner Steven Wright, don't you know!
(smile)
I knew they would get a kick out of it!

I had hoped to visit Sandra Lynn, but it was not to be. My BFF was off in the mountains with her new beau, Hank.
That's okay.
I'm going to take I-75 S, right through Atlanta, and hope for the best.
Maybe I'll even make it home before the rains...
wish me luck!

i thank You, God, for this time shared with those who know and love me!