hold your breath, kids! ac has BEEN APPROVED for visitation! not only that, but she was approved for a SPECIAL VISIT, so i will get 2 days with my friend!!!! i can't believe it's really happening! i have been waiting for this day to come for 2 months! so, i will leave here aug 1, visit my friend on aug 2 AND 3, and then come home :D

it was so funny, the guy left a message on my answering machine and stumbled over my friends name and then said "oh, hell, you know i'm talking about" :D

anyway, let's all keep our fingers crossed he behaves for 2 weeks and doesn't screw up our visit! :eek:

*big hugs*

Oh aprilcat I am SOO HAPPY to hear that you got approved!! :D :D
I am smiling like a crazy lady over here! :)
After all your hard work it is finally paying off for you & your friend! Persistance & Patience pays off (GOD I hate that word patience), but you did it!!
You better write your friend & tell him to behave himself!!
:yes:

*hugs* dj!!!! thanks for all your help and encouragment! i think i will need to send him a letter and tell him to be a good boy. now that's it's all happened, i'm more confused than ever! hotel reservations, plans for someone to keep my stoooopid dawg..... :eek:

Let me know if you need any kind of help in the hotel dept., I am pretty good at finding places.
The dog, well if you want to make a stop in IL I will take her...SERIOUSLY!! I need a companion right about now...my apartment is too darn quiet at times!

Yes, I'm so happy for you too!!! Hope you enjoy all the visits that you have. Keep us informed!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!!

Aprilcat-- YEAH!!!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!! :D

Aprilcat-
I'm so happy for you! I know what taht feels like, waiting to be approved for a visit. Let us know how it goes. I can't wait to hear.

How great Aprilcat !

thanks, guys! i have made a hotel reservation and found a kennel willing to put up with my nutty dog for 2 nites! wrote my buddy a letter and told him to behave!!! :D just can't imagine seeing him ~

that is so great and I am sure he will behave he wants to see you just as bad I am sure.. LOL It is going to be a great 2 days.. Make sure you try to get some pics... You go girl..

Apricat!
I know that you are thrilled, that approval is a wonderful thing isn't it. Enjoy your visit and let us know how it goes.

shortie: i already told him, "if i can drive 550 miles ONE WAY to see your ass, you can stand in front of a little polaroid camera for a few minutes!". :D

michelle/bella ~ no worries, i will give the full report! :) i'm so nervous i hope it doesn't involve me passing out or getting sick! lol

aprilcat...girl you crack me up!! :)
You are going to be JUST FINE!!! Count to 10, take a deep breath & you will be FINE!! Hey think about wardrobe possibilites either current wardrobe or possibly NEW clothes if you can swing it!! Darn...I wish I was in NC w/ya, I could have some fun helping you get ready for your visit! :ha:

That's great news April! Make sure you give us all the details.

don't be nervous you'll do just fine!! The visits here, atleast where my guy is aren't half bad. ENJOY!

enjoy your visit I am so excited for you...

Man!! I can't wait for this one to happen! And it's going to kill us to have to wait for the posts you report with! And you will report, woman! Hehehehe......
So, what are you wearing? The final decision?

I'm with vnvdvc on this one...My thoughts will be with you on the whole drive and visit!!!!! Ooooooh girl, we will 'talk' soon. My new scanner should be here tomorrow, and I'll post the pictures and talk about my visit...Oh yeh...what is the final decision on what to wear? Don't stress it too much...I had mine all planned and the morning of the visit, I change my mind and went with something completely different...Oh well, he liked it!! LOL

ok, so far my "outfit" consists of: one pair of Depends :ha: either that or lots of immodium ad!

i went out and bought the capri's you girls were so kind of offer up. i found something out, too, in the process: when you have stubby little legs, you have to buy petite capri's, otherwise, it looks like you're ready for the flood of the year! my ex-husband went clothes shopping with me and i came out to "model" these things and he said "you picked up the wrong thing, those are pants!" and down to the petite section we went! hehehehe

this visitation park isn't air-conditioned, so i'm still up in the air on shirts....no tank tops, but my lord, florida in august???? ugh!

*hugs* guys!

PS: it's not the visitation process i'm worried about ~ it's actually SEEING him! i already made him promise to run screaming back to his cell if he didn't like what he saw! ;)

LOL...Friend! Your too funny...Of course he's going to love ya, the emotion that he must have within himself is probably overwhelming to him. I'm sure he's probably thinking this is to good to be true and will love ya, just for being YOU.
*Smiles*

ac--there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he will love you to pieces!!!

Ac, sweetie! I promise you he will be so lost in YOU he will only be able to steal a glance or two at whatever you wear. But he will describe it to a tee for some time to come. Along with every other tiny little detail of the visit. Like the way your voice sounds, how you laugh at his jokes, a stray strand of hair on you shoulder... Trust me, your outfit is perfect.

you guys are the best!!! i wish i had as much confidence in myself as you all have in me! *hugs* i am really getting excited about the whole experience! :)

vnv....so, you think i'll look just fine in a pair of depends, huh??? :D

You sound like I felt when I was going to see Craig! It'll be fine! And vnv is right, he'll remeber every little detail: Craig told the guys he's in with every detail of what I wore what I said , even how many bottles of water i drank (6, I was nervous) They said to him "6!!! Lord, that girl must've been peeing like a tap!"

aprilcat...vnv is exactly right in he remembering every detail!! My experience visiting EJ is the same as she described. Hell girl he still talks about that very first visit in detail & it's been over a year now...hee hee!!

Your friend will be so happy to see you & finally get to talk to you face to face that nothing else will matter or even exist in that visitation room.

You are a wonderful lady you have so much good inside of you that shines through & your friend will see that right off the bat!!

luv ya girl!!

dj ~ stop talking like that, woman, you're going to get me all choked up here! i'll tell you, i don't know what i would do without my pto friends!!!! love ya!!!

so what is the update???

shortie: update is, i'm leaving next thursday :eek: and will visit with him on friday the 2nd and saturday the 3rd. :D thank god i'm busy, because the time is flying by! thanks for asking, honey! *hugs*

Hello Aprilcat,

Good to hear you're approved. You are probably counting the days - even the hours ? I 'll be here, when you need some help. But I think you don't have any problems. When the classification officer called you, than it should be fine.

I wish you a wonderful time with your friend. Mabye we can get together ?

My love is still not assigned at a unit and that means I can't visit him this weekend :-( Hopefully next week ? I'm getting crazy over here.....

Jejke

OK Friend...It's a week from today that your leaving...How are you doing? Any new info. or updates? Let Us Know!
E-mail me also, when you can!! I tell you, I'm SO excited for you!

tick...tick...tick...

I am truly evil, aren't I?

WELL HONEY, AUGUST 1 IS COMMING UPON US..... I KNOW YOU ARE EXCITED. I CAN JUST SEE THAT PRETTY SMILE AND EYES GLOWING...

JUST BE CAREFUL... IF YOU CAN GET ON A PC WHILE YOU ARE THERE TALK TO US. WE WANT TO KNOW HOW EACH DAY GOES....

GET SOME PICTURES.

LOVE YA
DONNA

You better have TONS of calling cards girl!! ;)
You be careful & try not to worry too much about visiting your friend. Like I said earlier in this thread, you are a wonderful lady & you have so much good in you that shines through (even all the way here in IL)!! He is going to see it right away!

take care!! :D :D

Diona is right, Aprilcat! You are a very good friend and he knows this! And one look at that smile of yours and he will be melting! You know he is gonna be hooked on you!
Lots & lots of pictures if you can?? I can't remember, can you get them at his new facility or not?

well, i haven't heard from him this week, so you guys know i'm worried sick!!!

i am not sure about photos....i DID tell him that since i'm driving 8 hours, he can stand in front of some cheesey background and let someone snap a polariod!!!! :D i want a picture! the only one i have now is the fldoc one and you all know the story on that!

i will be fine!!! i just got 4 new tires and i'm getting my oil and fluids checked/changed this week. i'm loading up on immodium ad and working on my slow breathing... :D

you all are the BEST!

*big group hug*

Hey AC...check your pm messages...

So glad to hear your finally get to see your friend...:D
I know you must be WAY too excited!
I just know your going to have a great visit!
Can't wait to hear all the details!
Hope you get some pics!

Thanks, Sandy! I'm somewhere between nervous, scared, and excited! Unfortunately, I got a letter this weekend from my friend and there are NO photos taken at this facility :( I will have loads in my brain, but I'm afraid none to share...

you can paint us a mental picture AC

i'll try to, sherri! i hope i'm not painting you all a photo of of my friend taking one look and me and running back to his cell! :eek: lawd, 5 days.....aaaccckkkkkk

aprilcat...

Girl if you don't stop saying that stuff I am going to go over there & hurt you girl!! Your friend is going to be only TOO HAPPY to see you & luv ya for the wonderful person you are!!
Now to do ya got it girl!!

Good luck girl, I know how you're feeling but my visit went fine this weekend and yours will too. Can't wait to hear all about it

thanks, jnv. :) i am happy to hear your visit went so well!

dj ~ has it occured to you that maybe i want you to spank my a$$??? hehehehehehehe

i think the worst part will be waiting to see him....i'm hoping once i see his face and say "hello", my heart will return to my chest and oxygen will return to my lungs and i'll be ok! ;)

aprilcat...you crack me up girl & you are SOOO BAD!!!

The waiting is the hardest part, looking at that damn clock...looking up at the door the inmates come out of to see if it's your guy!! I did that on Saturday...you know how they say a "watched pot never boils" well it took longer for EJ to come down BECAUSE I watched that damn door...hee hee!!

You will be fine!! :wave:

Oh April, you're bringing back memories of my first prison visit.

I was so naive, and had no idea what to expect.

Boy was I shocked! I went into shock just from hearing the clanging of the doors! They had to get the chaplain to talk me down, I was so upset and crying hystericly!

Then when they brought my friend in, he cracked a joke to put ME at ease, and all was well!

25 years ago! So hard to believe!

Menolly

AC: D.J. is so right...your heart will jump when ever that door opens...Of course he will be so happy to see you, you've been communicating for a good-time now, and I KNOW you both already share special feelings each other...

*** Maybe you can just attach a small oxygen tank to your back!!...just in case!! On second thought, if you fainted or 'something' that might just give him the reason to perform
"mouth-to-mouth" LOL...
***Trust me...you'll appreciate that first 'mouth-to-mouth'

Can't wait to hear from you soon, my friend!!

Love ya,
Pamela *smiling at you*

awwww, pam! lol you are too much! the oxygem tank on my back might fit in perfectly with my set of depends, though! :p

you know i'll call you soon!

*hugs*

ah, yes! the ol' jump every time the door opens torture. ( so sweet) I swear I ended up hiding my head in my hands and facing the other direction to save my sanity.
AC are you finally losing your mind? this is the week....

vnv....you're giving me credit for having my mind together before??? hmph! i'm just tense and yelling at these dodo's at work, which is kinda fun! :D

HEHEHE!! I am glad you are on my side at this point in your mental state!!! HOW ARE YOU??

Ac is nervous, right??
You will be fine girl...keep those calling cards handy, I'll be right by that phone girl!!

vnv...I tell ya girl, I get all tied in knots waiting for that door to open up & to see my babies smiling face!! I HAD to look at the door on Sat. because of the table I had to sit at & the way I had to sit. You know that time went by SLOW...hee hee!! Now only if our visit time went by as slow as that....

Ac...you have fun girl...be careful & I will be thinking about you & sending all my good vibes out there to you in FL, ok??

DJ

Good idea, DJ! I think we should all send collective "good vibes" for ac's traveling, entrance, visit, stay in FL, and travel home to NC!
And the same for her friend, a good visit, a good day!

APRIL CAT (BARBARA)

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE ENTRANCE YOU MADE TO TGIF ON JULY 20, 2002. I LOOKED AND WAS NOT SURE IF YOU WERE SHERRI OR BARBARA. YOU INTRODUCED YOUR SELF AND I THOUGH, HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS GIRL IS....

I CAN TELL YOU TRUTHFULLY, WHEN YOUR FRIEND SEES YOU, HE WILL BE VERY VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT HE SEES. YOU TWO HAVE SEEN YOUR SOULS FIRST. THAT PROBABLY IS THE BEST PART. YOU KNOW EACH OTHER FOR WHO YOU ARE NOT FOR WHAT YOU PERCIEVE EACH OTHER TO BE. YOU REALLY DO KNOW EACH OTHER.

DON'T BE AFRAID... GRAPST THE MOMENT AND RUN WITH IT...

I KNOW WHAT HE WILL THINK ABOUT YOU AND THIS, I AM AFRAID, WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING GREAT.

MY PRAYERS AND LOVE WILL BE WITH YOU DURING THE WHOLE VISIT AND ON THE RETURN..

MY LOVE
DONNA

I AGREE WITH DONNA AC--YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE, AND OUT. THERE IS NO WAY HE COULDN'T SEE IT.

guys, stop! i am crying here....must be the emotion of everythng! i don't FEEL beautiful, but if that's what you say, i'll try to think that way! :)

dj: woman, i bet i will feel your vibes in florida!!! you have some strong ones!

i love you all! be back to tell all about it shortly!

love,
ac

This is very exciting, I can't wait to hear all about it.I even have butterflys . I hope it's a great time for you both.

So...aprilcat should be getting her things all ready, doing that last minute packing.

OOOOOH girl I am SOO excited for you!! Be careful & remember tell us ALL ABOUT IT!!

Don't worry I have been sending you those "vibes" to you for a long time now girl!! Things are going to be good for ya!!

Take care!
DJ

Well, my friend, this is the last day your feet will be grounded, so take full advantage of it...Once you start your car south, all you will be going on is sure faith and yes there is happiness. So, I know I'll hear from you tomorrow night and I'll send my 'vibes' all the way from Connecticut to Florida...I'll be watching my clock and my thoughts will be with you up until the 'door' opens...then I'll leave and wait to hear all the fun details!!! LOL

:dance: :dance: :dance:

I can't take this waiting any longer!!! It's not even my visit and I am freaking out!!!:eek:
You better stay busy today, AC!! It might help with the nerves. GEEZZ!! I think I'm gonna barf.
go get him, AC

Ha Ha....I there with you on this VNVDVC...

Look what your doing to us AC!!!

Can you ssay Oh My Godness. it is tomorrow..:) are you nervous??? I pray you have a great time..

Hope all goes well with your trip AC. I know you and he will have an awesome visit.

Well our friend is on the road!! Wishes for a safe drive and a wonderful, WONDERFUL visit, AC! Can't wait until your safe return!!

BARBARA-WE ARE ALL WITH YOU IN SPIRIT- I KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT!!!!!

UPDATE!!
She arrived safely, first and foremost!
Her hotel room is comfortable and she is on her way to get some dinner before she settles in for the evening.
A quick drive by the facility told her he lives in a brick oven. How nice.
At 5:30am she will be up to prepare for her visit. She promises a call as soon as she gets out and I will be back with another update for those of us waiting here, with baited breath.
This is vnvdvc, reporting live. Back to you, reader.

I can't wait to hear the update!! the suspense is killing me!!!AHHHHH!!!!!!!!
There I feel better now:D!

Can't wait to hear how things are going. Vnvdvc, make sure you post something as soon as she calls you!

Thanks for the update...She's visiting right now...Is she getting our 'Vibes'!!?

Let's see, it is 2:20pm there, so her visit is nearing it's end. She will call here in about an hour or so. Since I haven't heard from her yet I can assume that things went very, very well. I'll be back right after I get off the phone with her, I promise!

:(
They are saying 'goodbye' right about now!
:cuffs:
that is the toughest part

Vnvdvc: looking forward to your next live report.\

If you talk to her again, ask her to call me, if she can!

OK- here we go!
VISIT WAS AWESOME!!!
I will of course leave details to her. But she about had me in tears I was so happy for her and her friend!!
Pamela, you are probably getting a call soon. I know she mentioned calling a few people when she got the chance.
Another visit for her tomorrow!! I can't wait for her to get back so she can fill us all in!!

I am glad it went great - I wonder if he was as nervous as she was????

Hey AC, it's late Saturday night and I just want to let you know I've been thinking about you! From the sound of it your first day of visiting was terrific and I'm sure the next day was too!

Call me when you can!! *smiles*

AC,
Glad your visit went great. I bet you both were nervous,huh? The hardest part was saying good-bye as we all know. I'm just glad you had a great time.

Hey AC, Hope this is the first of many for you. I travel about 700 miles round trip every 2 weeks and it can be draining, physically and financially, but I wouldn't give up my visits for anything!! Wouldn't it be nice if they had a law where prisoners could not be held more than 100 miles away from their loved ones?? I mean, it's not like they don't have enough prisons. Here in California, they put those from up north down here in the south and make many of us from the south travel all the way up north. Have made some great friends in the parking lot though. Even to the point where I am now finding some people that I trust to travel and lodge with. Helps with the gas and room charges. Hope you can hook up with someone with the same heart and spirit as you. My heart goes out to those who can't make the trips and can only interface through mail or phone calls. We are truely blessed to be able to see our loved ones face and hold their hands. I will be marrying my honey on Aug. 23rd at Salinas Valley State Prison. He's a 3rd striker with 25 to life though, so no family visits, but a lot of hope for change to the 3 strikes law and getting the family visits back for the lifers. My prayer is to get him out. God bless you for your perseverence and again, heres to many more beautiful visits!! :D

My prayers are with you freedom anjel.

Happy joyous days! I am sooo glad for you!

Well, guys...I'm BAAAAAAACK!!!! :D Let me start off by saying that I had a truly wonderful visit with my friend! His smile was HUGE when he saw me and I think he was thrilled just to have the human contact! He is every bit as wonderful as I knew he would be! Friday was the "special visit" and the guards were pretty slack, Saturday was much more strict. It was amazing seeing these men with their wives and mothers and friends and children! I feel closer to him now and feel I have a better grasp of his life there. I have never in my life seen someone eat so much! The poor guy was starving and I don't know how many times we visited the food machines! I would not trade those moments with him for the world. :) Like most things, there was a down side as well, and I am still trying to work through some of the overwhelming emotions that came over me. That every man in that room wearing an orange shirt was just waiting to die. I realized how wonderful and how hard those visits must be for them ~ a break from the reality they face. Anyway, thanks for all the good thoughts, they must have worked! It was an experience I will never forget....I met other men there that I will never forget......and I will go back to experience it all again. *big hugs* ac

Ac...

Girl I am soo happy for you that your visit went well!! See, I told ya...didn't I?? Those good "vibes" I sent ya must have worked, huh? Nah, it was the truly wonderful person that you are that made all the difference in the world to your friend.

DJ

I'm so happy your visit turned out so well.It sounds very exciting.

hey, guys...i wrote up a little didy about my visit but posted it on the "general capital punishment forum" because i think it's most appropriate there. it would mean a lot to me if you checked it out! :)

I'M THERE IN A MINUTE!

sherri, your post made me cry (damn, i'm doing a lot of that lately!). you are so right. i just hope people check out the post ~ i know it's hiding there, but i think it's important folks know about such things, and that all of us are loved by someone, no matter the circumstance. :)