A couple more firsts

Today is the day that Linda is going home, even though she just got here. It seems that way, anyhow. At least we had the daytime to do stuff before she had to complete her packing for the trip to the airport. We made good use of that time, too!

For breakfast, we were going to go to Park Avenue Bistro after seeing a posting about pancakes on Facebook. Let's go! But, they are not open for breakfast so we went to Panera Bread, where Linda has never dined (if you can call pastries 'dining'). She got a couple of scones, one to take on the plane with her, and treated me to a cherry turnover. She was also able to get an embellished coffee there, and I got soda. We had a nice little breakfast.

There is a new bookstore which opened in the Target Plaza, just to the north of the Panera. Sweetwood Books opened about a month or 6 weeks ago, and I had planned all along to take Linda there, being the book lover that she is. I ended up being the one to buy a book, though, a memoir of the Astor family members who had lived in poverty. Sounds so interesting, along the lines of "Grey Gardens".  Not only were there books but gifts and greeting cards, and very humorous cocktail napkins. A fun store, and I wish them well!

After our little outing, we came back home and got changed into our pool clothes. The weather was perfectly gorgeous today, and the pool water getting warmer right along. We bravely got in and bobbed around a bit. Linda's delicate skin can only take so much so she wore my white picture hat from Jacquie to help protect her face and shoulders. I sprayed her with the sunscreen, too. For a snack we had a bag of those yummy sea salt potato chips before we ate lunch. We ate later so that it might hold Linda over during her travel time (besides the tasty scone in her carry-on!). 

While we were out there, Marlena offered me a free sample of a drink she was making, saying I'm her official drink taster. When I have a drink, it seems that many do, too, so I am good for sales. At first I refused because of driving to the airport but then got a text message from Justin reporting he'd be home before Linda left, and then offered to do the driving. Linda said, "You can have an adult beverage now!", so we shared it! Twas delicious, too, most refreshing and fruity.

Linda and I came upstairs and she finished with her packing. We passed the rest of the time in the family room listening to our radio show and waiting for the time for 'apparture', as Timmy would say. Justin got home and had time to shower before we headed out. Linda asked him to lift her suitcase to see if it was overweight, and he thought it was. She then set about shifting things between her two carry-on bags to make her luggage lighter. She never did find out at the airport how much it weighed---I always like to know because I fear it being overweight every time I fly. Fortunately she gets a wheel chair ride from the check-in to the gate so didn't have to carry the bags very much.

The traffic was light for a Friday evening and we got to the airport in good time. After our good-byes (sniffle sniffle) and as Justin drove, traffic a bit heavier and the road not the best, I called Mom to fill her in our happenings. I'd missed her the last couple of times I called so this time I got her. She's a busy gal! Linda is like another daughter to her and she likes to hear what we are up to. Anyway, Justin told me he was glad I was distracted by the phone conversation because otherwise I'd be like a cat in the car, meowing loudly about the traffic and the rough road! He tears me up!

Justin took me to 4Rivers BBQ, a new place his boss had introduced him to. This was a first for me! Long line as we waited to order our wonderful brisket and side dishes, well worth the wait. The place is a gold mine, and we look forward to having one open at some point in the future in OP. The former Shoney's is being reworked to accomodate this restaurant, which also features a dessert bar of unusually flavored cupcakes. We were too full to even try one, but maybe someday I will, though my tastes are more simple than that. I ate most of my sandwich and brought home my two side dishes for later consumption. 

Both of us were done for the night once we got home. and settled into our own rooms. I am faced with missing my friend's company, which usually happens when my guests leave. It was good to have this nice evening with Justin after saying 'good-bye' to Linda, who will hopefully be home in her own bed by 1:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, if the Lord wills. So glad she could be here with me for the special event at St. Johns and for the enjoyment pool side, and elsewhere. Many memories made, good movies watched, and time spent in the same room. Gotta love that!