Back to Sweet Mama America❤️

Exploring the Heart of the South

We are back to part two of our Caroline RV road trip.  Five weeks away seemed too long. Yes, I was missing my RV bed.

It started with us picking up the RV at the parking spot near Atlanta. Kellogg Creek Boat & RV Storage is a great place to “deposit” your RV or boats.

We parked at the same campground as before, RV Resort Marietta, GA.

We had dinners with Maureen and Larry, one at their home and one at our campground which was so much fun. The simplicity of outdoor living. They shared they had never been invited to an RV campground. Well… with Nava, there is always a first time. For many more!

As you know, nothing is perfect, so I had the flu for a few days, but I got stronger from visiting my friends and meeting new ones. And we sure did.

Bonnie and James from Venice, Florida.

Serendipitously, we ended up with them a few days later at the same park in Nashville, Tennessee, for the much-fun weekend of the CMA Festival.

 

But before that, I want to share the visit to Nikkie and Stan Blair at their Smith Lake home in Alabama.

Serenity and tranquility in the lake home of the Blairs.

The Blairs and I  go back to the early 90s when “Storkland” became “Nava’s Designs” customers. We had such good years together. “Nava, you had the prettiest-looking sets I’ve ever seen,” Nikkie used to say to me. Stan used to order sets based on the colors. “Let me have the yellow and the blue set.” I always knew what he meant.

 

 

In 2005, I designed the bedding for Extreme Makeover Home Edition at the Harris family in Birmingham, Alabama, which happened to be on my birthday, February 7th. Nikkie made me lime pie, and I visited Storkland for “Nava Day.”

The rest of the story is here by a message I got from  Stan in 2010:

“You had a showing of Nava Designs at Storkland Furniture in Birmingham.  After showing, Nikki and I invited you along with my future daughter-in-law and her friend to go to Milos for burgers.  During dinner, the conversation drifted over what my son Adam was up to. We mentioned that he was working very long hours as an accountant and studying for his CPA degree.  As a result, he did not have time to have a social life and date.  You casually looked over at the girls, and said, “What is wrong with him dating one of these beautiful girls?  The girls laughed.  Later, I started praying that Adam would ask Karen out on a date but never mentioned to him out of fear that he would think that I was trying to matchmake.  Besides, Karen was one of Adam’s older sister’s friends.  About 3 months later, Adam walked into the den and casually asked me who I thought he has a date with on Friday night.  I said, ” I do not know who”.  Then he looked at me and smiled, its Karen Jackson.  I was very pleased and in awe of this answered prayer.  I did not tell of my prayer.  They went out on the first date, he came in and told me that she is the kind of girl that I would like to marry.  The rest is history, now they have 3 wonderful kids and are very happy.  Nava, you certainly planted the seed that led to changing two lives for the best.  Adam and Karen are eternally grateful to you!  Love you, Nava.

Nikie and Stan Blair”.

Sooo, now that you know the real connection, imagine our wonderful stay at their home. At the same time, we were staying at our bed in Caroline’s RV.

Niki is a collector of roosters, and the whole living room and kitchen are filled with roosters, paintings, sculptures, and related artwork, all neatly organized.

Topped with unique inspirational signs.

The other key element of their home is the American flag. So many of them, and the holy Bible.  Stan was sharing stories about the power of  Prayers.

He said to us, “Just Pray!”  and “Say Grace!” whenever you eat.

 

We continued to Nashville. We met with Bonnie and James, and I tried to see Heidi, a friend I knew from the industry back then. But we didn’t get to see each other, which was a real pity.

So,  if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram and  I’m near your area, contact me. I would love to stop for a photo next to my RV.

 

My first time in Nashville AMC, the boots and the cowboy hats were winning!

Saying goodbye to Bonnie, who is on the 2nd day of reading my book, on page 197.

My “new collection” are images of my RV with as many people and places as I can gather.

So, our next stop is going to see Nikkie and Stan’s Daughter, April Blair Farrar, and her family in Clinton,  Mississippi.

I will write about it in my next post. Promise.

 

But remember what Stan said: Just keep praying.