Gutsy and Gussied Up

July 2013

April 2023

10 Years Ago Today

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

We flew out of Charles DeGaul Airport in Paris.

We arrived in Atlanta 12 hours later and then home. "There's no place like home."

But, I must admit it was pretty great.

I can hardly believe it has been 10 Years!

It was the best trip.

In some ways, it seems like 10 days ago!

The Roman Colosseum

2013

It's bigger than it looks. It is huge. The first time I saw it, I wept.

I, me, seeing it with my own eyes. A Country girl like me? I cried for all the Martyrs.

Please, everyone, read Fox's Book of Martyrs.

It will touch your heart.

Yes, we have had a very challenging 10 years.

We must be doing something right! I do believe the devil tried to kill us, but he couldn't!

If I start to have a pity party, I just think about the truth of what the martyrs went through.

Seeing who fights our battles, makes Randall happy.

"The Trevi Fountain," in Rome 1979

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, & Baby Bear, (Randall, Me, & Kendra)

Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy 2013

1979

The Swiss Guard is protecting the Vatican.

He's making sure Kendra and Mommy are fine!

They use Swiss Guards because Switzerland is a neutral Country. Traditional Uniforms are still used.

Swiss Guard 2013

On the Adriatic Sea headed to Venice, Italy

July 2013

Having toured Rome, Florence, Venice, and Paris, with villages along the way. We traveled by Jet Plane, Tour Bus, Boat, Train, and Taxi. Having crammed travel into our lives when we lived in Germany, we had been to all of these places, before, and 12 other countries. 1979-1980

Florence 2013

Randy

The Duomo, Saint Maria del Flore

2013

Florence 2013, Academia Gallery

The Duomo

1979

Venice, Italy 1979

Venice 2013 Saint Marcos Basilica

Venice, July 2013

Saint Marcos Basilica, Venice, Italy 2013

Paris, France, July 2013

It was just as hot, weather wise, in Paris,

exactly 10 years ago, as it is today.

The sky was so blue.

It was a perfect day.

It was not as crowded as it is now.

Not by a long shot!

No Airline troubles!

No Electric Cars!

Lots of bicycles.

Imagine?

The trains were perfection.

They were really not accustomed to old cowboys!

But they loved this one!

After all, just look at him.

Those French boys wish they were him.

2020

They were really NOT used to,

an old California girl, wearing' her baggies!

But they loved me.

2013

Never did I ever think,

I would go to "Louis Vuitton."

Yep! To the Flagship Store in Paris.

This is it! The Original "Louis Vuitton."

Louis Vuitton actually opened and owned his shop on this spot since 1854.

I have never purchased a new anything

Louis Vuitton. My girls keep me in style. The answer is yes, I love my Louis Bag.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France April, 1980

This was a dream come true. My Husband took me to Paris, France for our Anniversary in 1980.

We lived in Germany at this time.

The "Mona Lisa."

by, "Leonardo Davinci"

"The Louvre Museum"

Paris, France

We were able to get really close,

but our 1979 camera...did it's best.

Seeing the genuine "Mona Lisa"

was a wonderful wish fulfilled,

for a country girl like me.

In truth I think Mona Lisa would be fine with a Cowgirl hat, and was accustomed to straw and hay in an agricultural time.

April 3, 1980, my Randall snapped this shot of me, under The Eiffel Tower. The Moon and the trees were in full bloom this beautiful Anniversary evening in Paris, France.

Our most precious Granddaughter in love, Erica standing not too far from where I did. I have a feeling they are going to travel like us!

2023

2013

Going to the top, July 2013

"The Arch of Triumph" is much larger than I had ever imagined. It is magnificent! 1980

2013

Notre Dame Cathedral 2013

2013

There are no words to express how it feels to walk into this ancient sacred place. It bogles the mind. How many human beings worshiped in this place. One can truly thank God that it is still here, having watched it burning on T.V. a few summers ago.

We prayed all over the world, and God saved it!