LEAVING HAPPY CAMP ROAD

Oh, my goodness, where do I begin?

Life on Happy Camp Road was happy.
Stressful at times. Rivers to cross. A few dark valleys.
Still...happy. There was no other way to be when we
were together. We wouldn't let circumstances...good or
bad...define who we were. Or dictate our happiness.

Most of the rivers and valleys had a name.
ME.  I was in the accident that subsequently landed me
in Rehabilitation for six weeks. It was me with the hip
fractures and subsequent hospitalization. It was me
with the hospitalization for congestive heart failure and
pulmonary hypertension diagnosis. Not what I ever wanted
to hear. Having the deep love and faithfulness of this
amazing man God blessed me with...to stand by me
through it all...that's what you want. (smile and big sigh).

Our reason for leaving was the fact that our mobile home was not
properly set up. Our floors were becoming soft and 'mushy'.
It was actually possible to step through these areas if not very
cautious. Most definitely the threat of leg fractures or something
worse, didn't thrill us. It was time to move on to greener pastures.

Wait. Did I just say 'greener pastures?' How about 'city sidewalks' in
Broken Arrow? A two story house. Close neighbors. Barking dogs.
School buses. Noisy teenagers.

Definitely not country living. No acreage. Just a large enough back yard
for my guy to put in a garden. Sadly, it wouldn't be huge. Yet I had no doubt
it would be good. Odell never did anything halfway. My mouth would soon be
watering once again for his wonderful tomatoes!

 I admit Waco Street didn't have the same cheerful ring as Happy Camp Road...
but that was okay.  We knew whatever road God led us to, therewith to be content.
And happy.  Looking forward to making new memories here. And always,
always in love...


Happiness isn't the place you live.

It's knowing the one you love is there with you...
   

MY HUBBY...MY HIPPIE

I know.  It sounds a little strange. Even for me.  You, my faithful readers, have seen
many pics of my guy.  None of them come close to resembling a hippie, right? 
Well...trust me. There is a method to my madness.


It all started one day when a crazy idea popped into my busy imagination. A fun
joke to play on a couple of people we loved. If you were one of the chosen to be
on the receiving end of our fun, you knew you were loved. (smile).  Knowing the
good sport my sweet guy was...and loving pleasing his girl...it was practically a
done deal. Or soon would be. After my little shopping trip... while he was off doing
what he was so amazing doing...plumbing!


I decided quickly that daisy patterned bell bottom pants from the sixties would be
difficult, if not impossible, to find.  I figured it would it would have to be men's
shorts. Maybe some denim cut offs. I had to trust that my guy would even put 
them on...much less be caught in public with them.  The fake hair and mustache...
even the clip on earrings...would be an easy sell.  I wasn't so confident about the
cutoffs.  Odell believed God never intended the male species to go running around showing their hairy legs. The first time (and other subsequent occasions) I heard
him state his opinion on this, I smiled. And commented I guessed it was just an 
individual choice.  Looks like I would be finding out shortly...'how deep is your love' ...
like the song goes. (anxious smile here).


Okay. His love runs deeply...whew!  Here's my 'new' guy, all ready for a fun joke.
And, I might add, enjoying his new look! 

Is he uniquely adorable or what?


Please don't say what.






My self appointed job for the day: personal
chauffeur to this distinguished guy.
Remember Mamaw Sanders, previously
introduced in our story? Odell loved 'aggravating'
her. Which both annoyed and entertained her.
I dropped him off at the end of her drive, and
hid the car around the corner. Giggling. About
five minutes later, I would learn just how it went.

Her:     (opened door cautiously) Yes?  
Him:    Yeah..uh, ma'am, need your lawn mowed?
Her:     No.  Someone already mowed it.
            (tried to close door).
Him:    Uh...what about your roof? I fix leaks.
Her:     No, no. Just had it fixed. (tried again
             to close door on him).
Him:    (put his hand out toward door) But wait,
             ma'am. I can fix anything in your house.
Her:     (tried seriously to close door) No!! I don't
            need nothin' fixed! (paused, peered closer
            at her uninvited intruder). ODELL??
Him:    (threw back his head, laughing). Yeaaah?


After awhile of much laughing with Mamaw, we headed back out to the limo. Hey. Isn't that the vehicle most commonly used to
 chauffeur wealthy and most elite hippies? Second and final destination:
 Arnold's Hamburgers. Unsuspecting victim: son and Manager, Donnie.


Once more, I parked the big limo out of sight.  And watched my guy walk 
inside. Where famous juicy burgers were promised. Once more, I would
have to wait to hear all the juicy details.

Her:     May I take your order?
Him:    No, ma'am. I wanna git  a job.
Her:     (looked at him like he was a druggie)
             Uh...just a minute. Hang on. (She 
             disappeared to kitchen never to return)

 Mgr:    Sir.  What can I do for you? (looked prepared
              for possible trouble from this 'character')
 Him:    Yeah. I just wanna git a job here.
  Mgr:   Yes, sir. You'll just need to fill out 
             this application  (as he handed him 
             the App, he noticed a crooked mustache.
            ODELL??
             
I would love to have been a fly on the wall when Donnie
discovered he had been 'had' by Odell. Most
likely there were friendly threats of 'getting even.'


It was a fun trip out to our home on Happy Camp Road.
I remember the laughs we shared during the long
stretch of highway.   We had no way of knowing at that time
of the valleys that may lie ahead. It wasn't something we needed to know. Laughter
and fun were meant to be shared with one another. It was a warm, fuzzy feeling to
share it with those we loved. That was just us.  I loved the sound of  that little word.  
I scooted closer to this man I so loved and adored.  I sighed as my eyes closed.
I thought he just may have to awaken me when we got home. So glad he had
assumed the chauffeur duties.  Another big sigh.


 Ahhh! Happy. In love  And sooo sleepy...                                                    

                                                                                     
                                                  Actually, looks like my guy
                                                        was the sleepy one!