Oh man, I have the best memories of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport. Growing up here, some of the best memories I have were made at GSP. Back 35 years ago, before there were concourses, we would pick up Daddy after one of his business trips…and we could almost walk out to the plane!  There were hardly any security checks…life was good. I can still see him walking down the steps of the plane, and we would jump up and down, so excited to see our Daddy on something so incredible..a plane!!! 

Yesterday I got to meet the wonderful peeps with Allegiant Air…David Thompson won the Liquid Highway Pitstop for his co-workers. We had a nice time chatting and sharing memories. For details about this great airline, go to www.allegiantair.com  You can still get some amazing rates folks, so I urge you to book a flight today…I know I will be :-) 

GSP, still one of the most beautiful airports in the country. This picture was taken outside Windows Restaurant, in the courtyard. You should stop by one day for lunch and just chill outside watching the planes come and go. It’s also a good people-watching spot too!!!

Edward Tony Whitson, Jr.

Pappy has been with his Lord and beloved wife Patricia now for 3 months…I marked the day on September 29th with a phone call to his sister, my Aunt Nita in Texas.  My Father’s death has not only left a void in our hearts, but in the lives of his many patients at Foothills ENT.  This portrait hangs outside his old office there, and I’m told some of his patients and customers gaze at this memory with tears in their eyes, but with thankful hearts that they knew this great man. I had this made for his office because I knew how great an impact he had on his co-workers’  lives, and in the lives of his patients.  These people were his family too…and I know the hurt they must feel every day.  Special thanks to my friend Donna Fowler, the photographer, who turned this old photograph into a beautiful portrait, and to Doug at the Frame Maker in downtown Greenville, who created a lovely work of art through framing and matting. It is a gorgeous display I think!! 

Since June,  I really haven’t slowed down much, and am just now understanding the depth of his absence in my life. There are times of incredible sadness when I wail like a child for him. Other times, I do have a quiet sense of peace. Most of the time, I find myself thinking of his words of wisdom and of the last year we shared together, filled with doctor’s appointments and memories of Mama. He spoke of her every day and I felt at one point he’d rather be with her than on this temporary ground…but as he would say often…I will be taken by providence dear one, when it is time.  Honestly, the little girl in me wasn’t ready to lose him..but the woman he raised was prepared as much as she could have been. He and Mama continue to guide me through this sad and lonely process.

I’m sure most of you have lost a loved one as well, and I feel for you and pray that we will press on and do the things we must do in this life, with cheerful hearts and with gratitude.   It is the most difficult thing in life…to let go.  Maybe it helps to know that they have not let go of us…and remain next to us in spirit…to guide and to heal.

Thank you Pappy for all the love and lessons you continue to share with me, even in death.

Check this out..my friend Bungle Bee in jolly ‘ol Engerland sent this to me…it’s the Conservative Party Leader David Cameron ripping to shreds the country’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown, during a House of Commoms meeting…good grief, they just let it rip over there don’t they???

This week we visited the folks at Equipped for Life on Grove Road…what a fun office! I’m pictured next to Misty Evans, who won for her crew.  They offer medical equipment and supplies, especially for home health care, including oxygen and CPAP machines for sleep apnea. If your office would like Krispy Kreme doughnuts (boy, they were delicious yesterday) and Liquid Highway java, enter on the home page of the Magic website, under Liquid Highway Pitstop.

Thanks Misty, we had a great time!!!

I’ve been feeling a little saggy lately, and I’m not talking about my saddle bags…that’s another story. I mean saggy around my face, especially near my mouth and around the nose..I love my laugh lines, but when I’m not smiling, I don’t want laugh lines :-)  So, I took a little trip to see my favorite dermatologist and surgeon, Dr. Ben Treen at Advanced Dermatology and Laser Center. Here is a before and after shot to show you the difference. I was injected with a new gel, Radiesse…the effects last between 12-18 months…that’s incredible! I feel like I look 5-10 years younger. At nearly 45 years of age, I think my skin looks pretty good…thanks to Dr. Treen!

Before Radiesse, on Thursday September 24th…

After Radiesse, on Sunday, September 27th…

What do you think?  Be sure and call 295-3376 for a free consultation today!!!

Hey…ready for Fall??? I have been for months…and can’t wait to see the leaves turn. Seems the best time around here in the Upstate for a drive to see the leaves changing is mid to late October.  But, in case you don’t feel like stepping out…here’s a link to a website that has leaf cams all over the country, so you can watch from home!  Of course our area was chosen as one of the top ten places in the nation to see this great phenomenon. Pretty cool!

http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/fallfoliage.html

Cheryl Kozmic, the blonde pictured in front won the Liquid Highway Pitstop this week for the crew in the Respiratory Therapy Department at GHS’ North Greenville Hospital in Travelers Rest. I was so impressed with these folks…and the care they give to the surrounding community is second to none!  It was our pleasure to deliver Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Liquid Highway java!  Thanks for all you do…it was a joy spending time with you!

I’m so proud to be able to endorse such a fine group of people…Re-Bath!  Have you seen their new showroom? It’s on Miller Road, right off Woodruff. The new place is much more convenient and features their great work so much better..they have a new collection too, the Tuscany…you MUST see it!  It features the new oil-rubbed bronze fixtures…ooh la la :- )

Here I am at their re-grand opening a few weeks ago, with a Duckie cake…you know how much I love ducks right? Even the cake was a work of art. Please stop by as soon as you can…I know you’ll be glad you did. And please tell them I said hey!

Susan, to my right, won the Liquid Highway Pistop this week, and was joined by Mary Jane, John and Reggie of Right Management, a human resources and management consulting firm, in the Earth Tech building off I-385.  Get in touch with them at www.right.com especially if you’re looking for a new job!  Tuesday mornings they offer job networking for free…tell them I sent you!

September 11, 2009 marked 8 years of the deadliest attack on U.S. soil. Chris, my producer, and I paused at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, while sitting in our office after the show, and bowed our heads..praying silently.  I was happy we could share that moment together, and reflect on the innocent lives that were lost that terrible day.  I mentioned on the air that morning, that we as a nation have moved on, because simply, we have to move on…to bless each other’s lives in some way.  But I do know I will never forget the destruction that was left behind after those attacks, and the void left in each of us..it is also amazing what the human spirit can do when under such sad and ugly pain. I am proud that we came through 9-11 shining proudly still, as the great country we are!  I pray the Lord will continue to bless us.

Friday was also my 20th anniversary in radio. I’ll never forget the day I told Mama I got the job at WSSL, in 1989. We were jumping up and down in the living room like little girls, so excited for this opportunity. She was so proud of me!  And so was Daddy. They were my biggest fans… and my biggest critics as well.  My Daddy told me once to learn everything I could about radio so that I wouldn’t become obsolete.  He had such vision, and knew that one day technology would take over and I may be out of a job. Thankfully, I’m still here and enjoying my work. I thank God and my parents I can still do what I love!  But what I love most about radio, is the connection I make with you, our listeners. Seriously, without that emotional connection we have, I may as well be flipping burgers somewhere…which in this economy..I may have to do at some point, who knows :-) 

As I close this morning, on this beautiful, clear Saturday morning…I am thankful that I am an American and that I am able to work in my chosen field…some are not so lucky right now.  I remember the first day on the air at WSSL with the Ellis and James Morning Show. I felt like I was getting ready to go to a party…both of my parents got up early with me that day, because I was still living at home. Being up before the sun with them, reminded me of our many trips together..when we would rise around 5 to get an early start on the road.  I still feel like I’m getting ready for a party when I get ready for work, 20 years later. And I still feel their presence as I prepare for each new show on the air. This is how I know I’m still doing what God has meant for me to do. I am blessed beyond measure, and I thank you for being a part of it…have a beautiful weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday, xoxo!