Back in Action

Well, I made it back from my superdee dooper long weekend away ALONE .... I visited my Aunt in Ohio. I flew up Wednesday morning and stayed until Sunday afternoon. I think I have the best husband on the planet .... those of you who think your husbands are the best on the planet will need to send me an email as to why you think that so I can be convinced otherwise. I came back to a clean house and all three children were unharmed and alive ... I have not checked their mental states but all in all, they seem to be intact!!! He is the BOMB!

My aunt and I got to eat a late lunch at Cheesecake Factory and do a little walking and shopping. This is the first time I have had a significant amount of time with just my aunt alone. Usually when I am with her, I have my mom or her other sisters (my aunts) with us. This was really a neat opportunity for me to be with her. I enjoy quality time. I am beginning to think it is a one of my love languages that I am developing. We talked non-stop which was really great because, well, I like to talk. I got to visit one of my dearest friends, Mette, who moved away this past summer. We met half way in Cincinnati in their MainStrauss Village area for breakfast/brunch. It was really funny because we found this quaint little shop with no one in it and sat down. It was perfect and we could not have asked for a better place to spend a few hours catching up and talking. There were two women behind the counter who greeted us and we immediately, well, okay it was me, struck up conversation with them. I asked them which one owned the shop and the one answered, "we both do." And I said, "oh you're partners?" To which they looked kind of oddly at me and then I realized after it had come out of my mouth and I actually took in my surroundings that yes, they were partners in every sense of the word. Mette is of course looking at me very intently and when I look at her, she is hiding her face with her hair and she mouths to me, "shutup." Which I then look down because I am just about on the verge of busting a gut with laughter and she was about to kick me under the table. And to top it all off, five minutes later, a man walks in and he might as well have had neon green flashing lights over his head announcing his sexuality .... he had stopped by to see his mom, one of the owners. Once again, I seem to attract the most random opportunities to stick my foot in my mouth! We had a great time catching up, did some shopping, took some pictures, hyperventilated in the tiny German store that had 1, 576,923 knick knacks, and cried over the bridge crossing the Ohio River after we parted ways. I am thankful that we both only had to drive a little over an hour to see each other for a short period of time but was sad when it ended. I had flashbacks of Pennsylvania crossing that old, large metal bridge ..... weird ........

I drove back to where my Aunt works. I got to spend three hours that afternoon with one of my friend's daughters. Her daughter is there and it was great to see her and catch up. I got to see her living quarters and we found a cute coffee shop in town to relax in. I could not have asked for a better day with both of them. I realized, too, how thankful I am that even though distances is between us, it was as if time never was. I love sitting down and picking up where I left off with people. Do you know what I mean? Some people you can naturally sit down and just pick up where you were last. And some people you have to work at it and it feels awkward and you aren't sure what to say, etc. Most people tease me because I could talk to a paperbag but there are times even I am at a loss for words ---- those of you laughing can hush!!!! I just think friendship is such a gift ...... I don't know what I would do without my friends, near and far..............all of you are the best!!!