Welcome to Savannah. Oh my land, where are my manners?

Luke and I did a wedding shoot yesterday (Valentine's Day) in Fragrant Gardens of Forsyth Park in Savannah.

This area was used in the film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, for all you movie buffs.

Luke and I met Chad, the wedding planner, before noon to view the area and choose our best photo opportunities. It is a beautiful area for weddings and celebrations, although the recent cold weather had done a toll on the plants and flowers nearby.

It was a cloudy day, but that didn't stop the tourist and locals from coming out to enjoy the warmer weather and the sites of Savannah.

After we walked the area and Luke chose the best photo sites, we were off to meet a business acquaintance for lunch. While we waited for a "meet up" phone call, we rode the streets of downtown Savannah and of course down River Street. After an hour or so, we were unable to make contact with Luke's business acquaintance, so we decided to find a parking place and eat lunch anyway.

River Street in Savannah is like nothing you've ever seen before! The old cobblestone streets with rails for the trolley, the magnificent hotels, restaurants, and specialty gift shops near by are all sights to behold in buildings hundreds of years old. There are musicians and dancers all around showing their talent and vowing for your attention as well as basket weavers and other crafty people.

We ate at an upstairs restaurant called Bayou Cafe'. Luke is such a gentleman when he takes me out, if I wasn't a happily married woman and 20 years older than him, I'd have to keep him! LOL! He ordered a Margarita on the rocks with salt for me because he knew I would like that A LOT . . . and I did! We both had hot wings for an appetizer and a Cajun fish sandwich with fries. His was HOT, of course and mine was mild. The cafe' was crowded, so we ate at the bar until a window seat opened up.

From the window of the upstairs restaurant, we could see all the tourist walking below on River Street and the ships passing through as well. A flagship called The Peacemaker was docked and open for tourist to view, so after we finished lunch, we walked the ship and it's magnificence.

You can read about it here www.peacemakermarine.com. It is a beautiful ship with an interesting history.

So many things to see and never enough time to see them all. We decided it was time to get back to Forsyth Park for the wedding festivities to begin. We introduced ourselves and spoke briefly with the groom and then with the bride to make sure we were aware of any specific shots they wanted.

This was an elopement wedding with only 10 guests. The bride and groom wore a full length wedding gown and tuxedo and were beautiful together. I know they will be happy with the wedding pictures when they are processed and ready for viewing. Luke is so talented in photography and has an excellent eye and ability for capturing people at their best. I am lucky to be learning from him.

On a side note, one of the relatives of the bride that was attending the wedding, recently found out she has MS (Multiple Sclerosis). She is in her 30's, although looks much older as she needed assistance to walk or even stand. She and her husband have a beautiful 5 year old daughter. Luke told her that I was doing a 50 Mile Challenge walk for MS in September in Wisconsin. She smiled and the color seemed to come back to her face, as she looked so pale and tired. She thanked me and it was heartfelt. Please remember to donate to MS. It is so important to find the cure. We have to do this thing. Donate on line to http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/carla.pryor.

We finished the wedding shoot and drove back to Luke's house, totally zapped from the day. Luke had a party to attend in Savannah and I had a Valentine dinner with Minor, John, Heather, and Ryan in St. Simons. An absolutely wonderful, but tiring Valentine's Day.

Also, on a funny note, I was telling Minor about meeting this girl with MS and how sad it is. I said, “She was only in her 30's and she looked MY age.” With that he answered, “GOOD GRIEF! That's terrible!”, as though someone looking as old as me was the worst possible thing that could ever happen to anybody. That Minor. I'll get him back!

Feathers, Scales, and Furry Tails

Tonight was PTA at Ryan's school and the 2nd and 3rd grade classes performed a musical for the parents and teachers called Feathers, Scales, and Furry Tails by Donna Amorosia.

Ryan and Kate before the performance

We got there early and Ryan joined his classmates and teacher in their classroom before they all came into the auditorium for the musical performance.

Walking into the auditorium

Before the musical began, a program was presented by the students about their progress and adventures in tracking several Loggerhead Sea Turtles, a Wood Stork, a Penguin, a Seal, and a Right Whale. The animals were fitted with radio transmitters and were tracked by a satellite.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle with tracking device

The kids at St. Simons Elementary are very lucky to have the Atlantic Ocean across from their school and the opportunity to learn about ocean life and tracking these aquatic animals from the staff at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. It was quite interesting and I am so glad to know they are teaching our children this valuable information at such an early age.

Ryan on stage

As Ryan took his place on stage, he looked out into the audience to find his mama, me, and grandpa. When he spotted us, he waved as though no one else was in the auditorium except the 4 of us.

Ryan waving at his Mama

Ryan had a speaking part, although we were unaware of it until he stepped up to the microphone and said, "They have a reputation of being the advisor; And maybe from their point of view they really are much wiser!"

Ryan speaking into the microphone

I think they were talking about Owls, but I'm not exactly sure. What I DO know is that he said it loud and clear so everyone could hear him. I was so proud, I started clapping when he finished speaking, even though no one else was clapping. Kate gave me the evil eye, but it's OK, because I'm the Grandmother and I can do that sort of thing. I can even smile and look around while I'm doing it!

I took lots of pictures while we were there and even a couple of videos that I promise I won't bore you with. After it was all over, Ryan found us in the audience and beamed from ear to ear as he approached us with big hugs.

Ryan happy it's over and proud of himself

The teachers and students at St. Simons Elementary were awesome tonight. Great job by everyone!

I Bleed Purple and Gold

I received an e-mail a couple of days ago that absolutely made my day! It's the little things that make my days awesome.

It was from a guy I knew in high school that was 2 or 3 years younger than me. He wasn't a boyfriend or anything like that . . . only a guy that played football. I haven't seen or heard from him since I graduated from high school in 1972. OMG! That has been 37 years!

From: Danny Eggleston
To: Carla Roberts Pryor
Date: February 3, 2009

Hey Carla,

I hope this message finds you doing great! I thought I would take a peak at this classmates.com thing - and then I saw your cheerleading picture! It put a big smile on my face! I had to send you a note. I can remember like it was yesterday - you and Glenda Faulkner giving me a ride home from football practice one day. I was so impressed with myself that I was with two senior cheerleaders!

Take care,

Danny

Of course I wrote him back. Among all the catching up between us, I told him how tickled I was that he had remembered that day and I wished I could remember it too!

It's funny that today . . . even though I don't remember it, I feel impressed, that he allowed US to give HIM a ride home.

Pocketbook Change

Most of you that read my blogs already know that in September, I will be taking part in a 50 mile (20, 20, & 10 for 3 days) Challenge Walk for MS (Multiple Sclerosis). The 3 day, 50 mile walk is taking place in Door County Wisconsin and I will be flying from Jacksonville to Milwaukee to be there. I think I will get to see Lake Michigan, too!

We're talking about a gal that has never even been on an airplane but once in her entire life! I am diligently working towards the challenge and saving my money as well, since all participants are responsible for their own registration fee, hotel, and flights.

My goal is to raise at least $1500.00 for MS and with the economy the way it is, THAT has been a huge challenge as well. Most of you have already donated and for that I am truly thankful.

If you have not yet had the chance to make your donation, please donate online at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/carla.pryor.

Did you know that if everyone reading this blog, donated just $5 to Multiple Sclerosis, my fund raising goal would be met?

We could all probably find at least $5 worth of change in the bottom of our purses or floorboard of the car! Take a look around and donate whatever change you find! Thank you for any amount you can give.