Sunday/Monday

*Heather = green, Mar = purple*



FINALLY, our FREE DAY! We had NOTHING 'planned' this day and it felt GREAT! We slept in and just took it easy in the morning. But THEN, Mar had to get a wild hair up her...well, you know what...and decide she wanted to buy an iPod! So she spent most of the morning convincing her husband they needed one (like it took much!) and researching which one to get and where to get it. Once that was decided, we headed to...guess where? Yep! Wal-Mart! We bought supplies for dinner and she got her green iPod Nano. I believe that someone had been touting their awesomeness all week, so is it any wonder J I loved the idea of being able to listen to music on the plane ride home, as well as create a playlist for Lea in the car etc. I just saw all these wonderful uses for it! So, I had to try to convince Bee to let me get one. At first he was reluctant but when I told him all the neat things he could do with it too (take movies/tv shows) to watch at work, he agreed. So, after looking at online sales, we headed off to Wal Mart. I also just have to add that hubby has now decided that he needs one of his own. That sharing just does NOT work.

This is also the day that we finally made it to Sonic. I think this was the fast food restaurant Mar was most anxious to see. 'America's Drive-In' But the weather was so nice that we actually parked at ate at one of their tables. Did you know she had never heard of tater tots? LOL I don't think she was all that impressed either. Oh well. And we were lucky enough to actually have our waitress deliver our order in ROLLER SKATES! You forgot to mention that the first one was being totally dug up so we decided to drive to another one instead. (OMG, I need to take a pic of that one because they totally re-did it and it looks so nice now!) LOL… just so I could have my photo op! Tater tots are ok. Not my fave but ok. I thought this was a really really cool idea and loved that she was wearing skates. I was floored when I asked where the washroom (the girls says “we don’t have a washroom” and I’m like, “um a bathroom then?” and she’s all “of course duh!” and I was told that I had to walk around to the back of the store. You actually cannot go into the restaurant. It’s all order from your car or sit at a picnic table. It’s so cool! Each table has an order board where you push a little button when you’re ready to order and then they bring your food out. Definitely something I have never seen before! So awesome and a great way to end my trip.

After lunch we met up with Justin at the house and basically spent the rest of the beautiful afternoon out front with Riley driving his 'big red car'. At one point Mar went in for a power nap while Chris and Justin got on the roof and did some repairs. I believe Riley and I played baseball and basketball. When Mar awoke, refreshed, it was time for cooking class! I think all the late nights and being out in the sun finally caught up to me and I just could not stay awake any longer. So, I set my alarm and took a 30 min power nap. When I woke up I debated sleeping for another 30 mins but everyone was waiting on me for dinner lol… It was great, it was truly a power nap. I woke up feeling refreshed and tons better.

Remember, this was his FIRST time driving it, as we had to charge it overnight before it worked!

Mar makes a beef stir fry dish that I hear about all the time. One of her friends will request it when she comes over for dinner, it's one of those meals that she can just make on a whim, etc. I was anxious to not only taste this infamous dish, but to learn how to make it as well. I ended up not being the only one who wanted to learn! As she started cooking and teaching Justin became interested and we seriously all hung out in the kitchen having our very own Beef Stir Fry cooking class! Then we ate...and it was DELICIOUS! Thank you, again, Mar for making that amazing dinner! We also had a bottle of wine that we bought at a local winery in January with our dinner, as I had been saving it for her visit. It, too, was DE-LISH! It was so much fun to have everyone involved. I’ve never had anyone watch me cook like that before and it was so nice to be able to teach people how to make something yummy. Hopefully Justin’s gf will like it and Heather’s family will think of me whenever she makes it! I just wished it had turned out better. Oh well. Everyone seemed to enjoy it! The wine was delish! Loved it! I was so touched that they saved a bottle for me. I know they were anxious to try it.

After dinner, and putting Riley to bed, I think we had a few more drinks and played a couple of games. Justin left and Chris went to bed pretty early. Mar and I tried to stay up and enjoy our last night together, but it had been a busy week and she had a very early flight in the morning, so we finally gave in fairly early ourselves.

The next morning she and Chris woke up bright and early to get ready to go. I woke up enough to say good-bye (boo hoo) I cannot believe neither of us cried! I was close though. I think you were still half asleep! LOL… and they hit the road for the airport. Chris took her since it's near his work and Riley was still asleep. It was hard to see her leave, mainly because we have NO IDEA when we will meet again in person. Poor Chris. He was so worried about the traffic and getting me to the airport late. I told him that we had lots of time, and that we were on the road and there was nothing he could do, so just to chill lol… We made it there with loads of time to spare. I even had time to get a coffee and muffin and eat at the gate before boarding the plane. She had a busy day flying (with her new iPod) and I had a busy day cleaning my house (after taking the week off). It was so weird to see her again that night on webcam, 1700 miles away again. The week was over, but it was one amazing week. We have been friends for 2 years, and have really grown to be the best of friends, so it was unexplainable, really, to share the same airspace and discover that we get along just as well, if not better, in person as we do over IM! Mar, it truly is a blessing to have you in my life and I am already looking forward to our next visit, which I hope is sooner than later! Heather, you are too sweet! LOL…

Thank you and your family so much for welcoming me into their homes and lives. It was truly wonderful to meet you and your family and I am so glad that we don’t annoy each other to no end! ;) It was incredible to be a part of your life for a week and it already feels like ages ago and sometimes I wonder if it was all a dream. I can’t wait to be able to show you my family and friends and where I live and all that fun stuff. Hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later. I missed you the moment I got on the plane. You have been the best friend I could have asked for and I really love you for that. You have been there for me in times of pain or sadness and you have also shared many joys with me. I look forward to many long years together and hopefully lots more visits like this!

THE END