Life in the fast lane

Here I am, sitting in my sister's home, helping her look at her newest acquisitions from the bead store. Oh, such pretty things they have out there from which to make gee-gaws!  She is quite talented in designing necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  Her home page on this computer opens to a bead purchasing website, set up for her by David.  He is a gem, too!  Get it?

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Travel yesterday was long without any serious complications.  Justin picked me up at my condo and we took his car to the airport rather than mine.  Oops!  After I was checked through security it occurred to me that my phone charger, which I would have grabbed from my car was not with me....Quickly I called Justin to ask him to stop at my house on his way back out to Fleming Island and grab my charger, over night it to me.  But, as we talked, I thought maybe it would be cheaper and wiser to just buy a new one instead, in fact, I did just that in the airport.  I found a rather universal-style with the help of the shop clerk and away I went with a new charger to add to my collection.  Other than that minor glitch, the trip was problem free.

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My rental car, reserved in advance, was an intermediate size which, it turns out, did not have a "power package", which meant, god forbid, crank windows and hand locking doors, and NO CRUISE CONTROL!!  The nice young man informed me that for $10 more per day I could upgrade to a mid-size with a power package, which I dismissed. Then he offered an upgrade of "only" $3 more per day, and since I was doing a great deal of highway driving this trip, I decided to take the offer.   I am driving a white Kia Spectra all over the state of WI and parts of MN!

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I arrived at Lori's a tiny bit later than expected because I stopped a couple times to take a break and rest my eyes.  After having gotten up shortly before 3:00 a.m., when I suddenly realized I had forgotten to e-mail the condo newsletter to myself (so I can work on it when I am away).  At 3:08 I sent it off to myself and then climbed back into bed, without success at falling back to sleep.  Eventually I surrendered, got up, and ready to go.  Resisting the temptation to sign back on to the computer, I went into the family room and watched the news until I called Justin to make sure he was on his way to get me.  Originally I had planned on him staying overnight but his plans changed so he just slept at home.  Joanne was also flying out that morning, but her flight was later than mine, plus she had to collect her sister from the hotel and swap vehicles with her spouse.  I told her I would make noise in the morning so she would wake up though, as she still had some packing to take care of.  I did get to say "good-bye" to her through the door as we headed out.  

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So, because of being up so early in the a.m. and hardly sleeping soundly on the plane, I was tired!  I made a wrong turn as I neared Lori's house, finding myself face to face with the Valley View Mall which normally would have been thrilling, but instead aggravated me.  The mapquest directions did not tell me left or right when I exited so obviously I went the wrong way, and had to back track in order to get going the right direction.  Mom is usually with me when I come here and knows the right way, and I am challenged directionally.  Ugh!!

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It was so good to get here and sit in my sister's house with her!  She is such a talented decorator, I just love to see what new and fun things she has done with her house.  We decided to have dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ which was cool because only Monday Justin and I had seen Famous Dave's on Fox and Friends.  The place we ate dinner at Monday night with our former church member in NYC was across the street from Famous Dave's!!!  I had Georgia chopped pork, an ear of corn, and spiced apples for my dinner. Dusty had a violin class so he met us there, since he is a driver now, too.  Oh my!  No braces, a licensed driver, and a high school graduate, heading for college in a few months.

Where does the time go??!!??

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Before long I was heading for bed, snug and cozy in Dusty's bed, where Lori got the TV rigged up for me.  It was so comfy that I did not get up nearly 9:30, due in part to the fact the room was dark and my hosts were not patting about upstairs.  Dusty had come into his room at one point to get something from the closet and left again, and still no stirring.  When I finally decided to get up, Lori was in the kitchen already busy while David strolled around in his robe.  Oh, good!  Was not the only sleepy head in the house!  Lori and I chatted as I did my nails and before long, it was time to leave for Winona to see Judy!!!!  I found her at the Blue Heron where we enjoyed soup and sandwiches, or salad in her case.  From there we went to the maritime museum where we saw some wonderful artwork, including a few pieces by Monet, Renoir, and others.  The rest of the afternoon was spent on the patio at her home, soaking up the sun and doing more chatting.  Before long JerBear came home and got showered, and then we headed for dinner in Trempelaeu.  My prime rib was absolutely delicious and Jerry nicely finished the end of it for me, as the bowl of beef barley soup rather took the edge off my appetite.  We parted company from there as they pointed me in the right direction for finding my way back to Lori's.  Soon it is bedtime and then tomorrow I will get to see my people when they arrive for Dusty's graduation party!!!  I cannot wait to see them, especially the little boys, and no one minds me saying that!!!