I told you yesterday that when I went to AZ there was one friend I hadn't seen in 3 or 4 years and it was my BFF, at least that is what you would have called us when we met 35 years ago if that had been a term way back then! Now I am dating myself but we were 12 when we met just starting 7th grade and we were inseperable. We went through Jr. High and HIgh School, doing everything together. Were in each others weddings, then we grew up and Lynn moved to Arizona and we lost touch. <GASP> I had fun reminding her and laughing about how I always had lived vicariously through her activities. If Lynn went out for Volleyball so did I but she always made the team (she's 5ft 10 or something like that)I NEVER did. If Lynn went out for Pom Pons so did I but she made the squad, I didn't. When Lynn wanted to play summer softball I did too but was always in right field praying the ball didn't come my way. But then I remembered I was very active in Drum Corps from age 12 till 20 and she wasn't so it's not quite and sad as I make it sound, I did have a life! LOL
I can remember when we first got a computer and had internet (how long ago was that?!) I tried to look her up but didn't have luck. She finally found ME and called me right after she had her daughter who is almost 9 now. We've been in touch ever since and last time she came back to Illinois she came for a visit. It was only for a day and I was so SAD when that day ended. It's funny how you can reconnect with someone after years and years of being apart and it's like the days melt into no time at all. I am sad right now just thinking about it. It brings tears to my eyes. I wish she lived closer or we could see each other more often. I guess I will have to plan another trip out to see her. My real hope is that next years leadership conference is in Vegas (I have faith it will be, yet at this point it hasn't been announced) because she said she would come over and meet me!
As soon as they announced last year that we were going to Phoenix I was texting her setting up a visit, we have both been so excited waiting for this trip to happen. I went out a few days early and spent 2 days with her and her wonderful family. Here are a few pictures from our short visit. The first one is of Lynn's hubby Keith. She is so blessed, from what I saw Keith is a keeper! He had to show me on the first night how to fly an airplane on Wii Sports Resort. It's a game my kids have been wanting (they have the motion controlers but no game to play it with) so I think I am going to buy it today because it was fun! See I am such a sucker, teach me how to play and I will get you anything you want! Ha Ha. I think my hubby would even enjoy this game if you could ever get him to stop working that is.
I think that is the only picture we got that wasn't a posed picture! Yikes! Here is me and my BFF Lynn out in front of her house. She has this huge cactus in front, we don't have cactus in Illinois so she was telling me about how they had to have a permit to move it to prove that they hadn't gone into the dessert and dug it up....I mean seriously?! I guess we have trees aplenty in Illinois you don't think about that stuff. It's huge look at some of these pics.
Then of course we had to pretend we were touching it. I mean really can you get near a cactus without just wondering if you could touch it?! I can't! Well, I didn't either. Lynn said it will hurt ya. I saw scratches on Keith from hanging Christmas lights on them. Yep they decorate them just like we do Christmas trees. Ok all of you from dessert areas reading this probably think I am wacko but here in the midwest we don't get to experience that. I did kinda miss the grass though while I was gone although when I got home it was under a deep blanket of snow and still is! Ya all don't have GRASS! No running outside barefoot in the....rock! Ha Ha
This next picture is for my daughter Hannah. She is 19 and she can not take a picture without making this pose somewhere in the bunch. I bet I have 100 pictures of her doing this(now known as her trademark pose)....so here's to you Hannah! I am not going to post them but I took pictures of Lynn's whole family doing the pose and sent it to her on my phone while I was gone. She responded back "Hey you aren't in the picture but GREAT POSE!" That's my daughter.
Oh did I mention the mouth must be gapping open too! Ha Ha What a POSE!
Lastly I can't post without a shout out to my favorite gal Megan or as she is known in the volleyball world Mag-Neat-o! She is almost 9 and almost 5ft tall (you can see Lynn is tall) and really a little adult. I just fell more in love with her while I was there it was so hard to say goodbye as we dropped her off at school. I hope I get to see her again before she's all grown up! sigh
Dont' you think she looks like Dakota Fanning did a few years ago?! Lynn said one of the many times they went to Disney the Disney photographers thought she was! Being an only child she is so mature. We read Junie B Jones together every night before she went to sleep. She came in and woke me up every morning. It was so great! She made my time with her family so special. I miss you Megan!
Ok gotta go wipe my tears. Until next time.....
