Chillin in Hot Springs...and a hike in Garvin Woodland Gardens

With the end of school nearing and the blur of activity and stress that is associated with that, it was essential that we get away for the weekend. Our good friends, Danny and Judy we celebrating their anniversary and asked if we wanted to join them at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. Also on the agenda for the weekend getaway was a hike through Garvin Woodland Gardens. Since we had not been to either popular attraction we were very excited about our trip. Let me just say, if you have not visited the Garvin Gardens, you must do so. It is a gorgeous botanical garden that was alive with spring flowers and blooming trees. You get to walk at your own pace through a winding 2 mile trail of waterfalls, streams, flowers and wildlife. It was so peaceful and serene. Just what we needed to begin the relaxation process we were hoping to find. After our walk we headed back to the hotel to check in and freshen up. Since the four of us enjoy people watching as a passtime we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the veranda of the hotel talking and watching a variety of people, cars and tons of motorcycles as they came and went up and down Central Avenue. After a delicious dinner at the Fisherman's Wharf we went back to the hotel to enjoy listening to a live band playing 40's and 50's dance music while many talented and some not so talented people hit the dance floor. I really wish that Norman and I had some of Camryn's dance ability because I would have loved to join those on the floor who seemed to be having such a good time.

Today we had planned to hit the mall for some shopping but alas, being Sunday, they did not open until around 1 PM. So, we did the next best thing...we went to Walmart and got in on some great deals. Now, to most of you this may sound like a pretty boring weekend but to each of us, it was absolutely wonderful. I mean what more could you want? We had beautiful weather, peaceful surroundings and time with funloving friends.

Here are some of the pictures of us as we strolled through the gardens....

A self photo shot
A gorgeous stream
Us on one of the many bridges

Danny and Judy pause for a picture

Danny and Judy again

Norman and Me

Norman tries to attract the fish
A gorgeous Waterfall

I love these two people

Here they are by the waterfall

And here we are by the same waterfall

Judy and I enjoying a "serene moment."

What a beautiful view of Lake Hamilton in the background.
Another bridge shot of us

An electric train set

A miniature village for the trains to move around

We had a wonderfully restful weekend and look forward to our next outing with these two friends.

*Sorry about the 3 pictures that are not vertical as they should be. I couldn't find the correct way to get them turned and I was too tired to keep messing with them. lol

Talent Night at Faith Baptist

We had a talent night at our church last night to raise money for our Summer Youth Missions trips. There was a variety of talent presented which included performances from Country, R & B, Gospel, and Rock. These acts involved some who actually sang and others who only patamimed the song. We had a visit from a Legendary chart topping dynamic couple from the 60's....

Sonny and Cher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGVR9yzUyk

Click on the link above to see the video. It was a lot of fun. Some of the other appearances by renound performers were The Blues Brothers, Michael Jackson, and the Village People. A great night of laughs and fun was had by all...and more than $1300 dollars was raised for the Teen Summer Missions trips.

A-B-C's of Me

I took this idea from my daughter and decided to add it to my blog.
A - Age: 56
B - Baseball Game or Ballet: Definitely Ballet and especially if Camryn (my 7 year old granddaughter) is dancing.
C - Chore you hate: cleaning bathrooms
D - Dream Vacation: the Gold Coast of Australia
E - Easter candy: Malted milk Easter eggs
F - Favorite Flowers: Oh there are so many...I guess I would say the Iris
G - Games: Win, Lose or Draw, Pictionary,Trivial Pursuit, Spinners
H - Height: 5’7”
I - Instrument you play: unfortunately there is not one. However, when I get to Heaven I want to get to play the piano.
J - Job title: Elementary Principal
K - Kindergarten Memory: Well, we didn't have Kindergarten when I was growing up, but one of my first grade memories was that I had to stand in the front of the room at the blackboard with my nose in a ring because I kissed a little boy on the playground. I still remember his name. He was a little red-headed, freckled faced boy named, Mike Justice.
L - Luxury you live without: a maid although my sweet husband helps me a lot with the house cleaning.
M - Mexican food choice: Taco Bell tacos
N - Nickname: Lisha
O - Overnight hospital stay: When I had my hysterectomy
P - Pet Peeve: people who drive slower than the speed limit...namely my husband!
Q - Quotes you like: “A Great teacher is a spark plug, not a fuel pipe."
R - Rainforest or Redwoods: Redwoods definitely. The rainforest is too humid for me.
S - Siblings: my crazy sister, Shelia, who is the complete opposite of me in personality.
T - Television favorites: Designing Women, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Coach, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars,
U - Ultimate dessert: New York Style Cheesecake or Coconut pie
V - Vegetable you dislike: Baby English peas
W - Ways you run late: It doesn't happen too often, but if I get caught up in a project on the computer, or scrapbooking, I can be known to run late.
X - X-rays you've had: My ribs and leg after our wreck in 2007
Y - Yummy food you make: I make lots of yummy food…learned to cook from my Mother, Grandmother and Mother-in-law who are all great cooks.
Z - Zoo animal that's your favorite: otters...they are so graceful when they swim and are also very playful. They are lots of fun to watch.