Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Old friends, new friends

I cannot believe my last post was 3 weeks ago.

3 weeks!

Part of the problem is, when you come back from vacation, you are so tired and overwhelmed with laundry and re-adjusting back to your normal life that there isn't time to even think about blogging.

And also, you might just get a call from friends whom you haven't seen in ten years (quite literally, ten years) , and they might tell you that they will be driving through your town, on the very night that you fly home.

And of course you will tell them that you will be delighted for them to stop by, if they can find it within themselves to ignore your dusty house wherein you have not set foot for over a week.

So that's what happened. Our plane touched down at 11 p.m. I lugged my carry-ons and a suitcase and a very sleepy Savannah outside where we waited for the Park and Fly bus to take us to our car. (And lest you wonder why my hubby was not there to greet us, he was in NYC on a business trip. A business trip that involved a dinner cruise around Manhatten and a trip to the Hamptons. A trip full of seafood and steak.)

We finally arrived at home at midnight exactly. I put Savannah to bed, and then called my friends to see how far away they were.

They were somewhere in Arizona, I think, and with embarrassed voices they admitted to me that they had forgotten about the time change. Then they further divulged that they had left late anyway, and wouldn't be there until 2:30 in the morning.

Well, no problem. I was already all hyped up from traveling, so it didn't matter to me. As a matter of fact, I got SO much done in those two hours that I was waiting for them. I threw in a load of laundry. Emptied all of the suitcases and bags. Cleaned the house a little. Lit some candles and threw open the back door for the breeze to blow in, and just enjoyed the quiet. I haven't felt that productive in a long time - I should try the late-night cleaning binge more often. I even contemplated making an apple pie for the following day, but just as I was preparing to peel a bowl of apples, they pulled in the driveway.

It was so worth it. It's wonderful when you pick up right where you left off, even if it has been 10 years. And they have two of the most beautiful kids. Just look at that glorious hair.



It's good to have friends. Both old friends, and...

New friends! A huge highlight of my Indiana trip was meeting these two ladies....Amanda and Wendi.







I knew Amanda lived near my hometown, so I knew a get-together with her would very likely happen during one of my trips, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would ever get to meet Wendi. But because she is smart and thinks ahead, she did some googling and found out that she lives 4 hours from my folks. And that if we both just drove two hours, we would find ourselves in a great little town which would be the perfect meeting place.

Perfect because, for one thing, it had a Panera Bread. I had never been to a Panera, because they have not had the foresight to come to my little town yet.

But after eating there just once, I do believe there is no better place to meet bloggy friends than a Panera Bread.

Soup. Salad. Bread, big warm hunks of bread. Wonderful conversation. The day could not have gone any better. Ladies, I am so thrilled to have met you, and only wish our time could have lasted longer.

I've had some late nights recently working on some blog designs. I am absolutely loving it, even more than I thought I would, but it is terribly time-consuming. So if I haven't been by to visit you recently, that's why. I'm sorry. I hope to get faster at this as I go along, but we'll see.

And I also want to especially thank Mama Belle and Missy, my first actual clients since I started this. They took a chance on me, having never really seen anything I'd designed before. So...thank you!

26 comments:

Unknown said...

So glad you're back! I've missed you and can't wait to hear more!

Rachelle said...

Missed you! Are those Aaron's kids? They are adorable! Meeting blog buddies in person! So fun! Now if I could just get you to PA! Glad to hear the blog design is going well! Happy Wednesday!

Amanda said...

oh i am SO glad you are back in the blogosphere...i have missed you--especially after actually getting to meet in real life! :) and oh my goodness, i LOVE the blog designs you did...now i just need to wait for this new baby to arrive..and then have you design a new one for me. :)

The Sullivan Sitcom said...

Missed ya! Sounds like a great time meeting "new" people! Oh, and Panera Bread...Yummo! Love it!

sara said...

So glad you are back!!! Mama Belles blog looks so great and looks just like "her"...you did a great job. I can't wait to go see the other one!!

And I love Panera Bread!!!

Kendra said...

Panera and friends- my two favorite things! And they have wi-fi, incase you need to blog about it while enjoying the bread and friendship!

Carpool Queen said...

I get my best cleaning done under pressure of a visit. The four hours from the time my in-laws call to say "We're coming" to the time they show up at my door, I move MOUNTAINS!

Carrie said...

I love that burst of cleaning energy I get when I know someone is popping by...too bad I don't get it that often! Great photos...sounds like you're really enjoying the summer and keeping busy...how fun to meet some bloggy buddies {and be in great 'ol Indiana..hee hee!} Glad you're having fun with web designing, they look awesome! Good to hear from you ;)

H-Mama said...

Your blog designs look wonderful, Jackie. Really. Great job.

There's nothing like burning the midnight oil, huh? That's when some of the best work gets done.

Oh, we LOVE Panera. It's our most visited stop on the food hunt.

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

You have a Costco and a Starbucks but no Panera?!

And I know ALL about the late-night cleaning binge. It's how I get the most stuff done and stays cleaner longer because the kids aren't awake to mess it all up! I do have to drink lots of coffee to get going in the morning though, but it's worth it.

I love bloggy meet-ups!

Rachel said...

So glad you have had a great few weeks! Isn't Wendi just a sweetie! Maybe next time you all meet up I could crash your party.

I love your work on Mama Belle's! So cute.

Sara@iSass said...

Firstly, Love your work on Mama Belles site. I'm going to head over to Missy's right after I finish writing here.
Secondly, How AWESOME it is to meet bloggy friends, I was SO jealous to here you and Wendi were in the same place. Hmmm, maybe some day.
And third, HOW fun Manhatten and the HAMPTONS! OOH girl!
I just wanted to let you know I've got a "book" going over at my blog. It is done in chapters, with links on the side to previous ones. So if you ever can't sleep and have a few spare moments from designing...get it out. Good stuff.
Now, I'm off to go check out your amazing work.

The Fritz Facts said...

Welcome back! We missed you bunches.

I love meeting fellow bloggers, always the highlight of any trip for me.

Those layouts look great! You did a wonderful job.

Anonymous said...

I've seen your new designs and they are AWESOME! You are one talented lady! :)

Unknown said...

So glad to have you back and next time your in Indiana let me know! Maybe I can drive to see you!!! :)
I'm going to check out your new designs. I know they will be beautiful, because you are one talented lady.

Gretchen said...

Lurved every scrap of this, Jackie. And, yes, I've missed you, but I'm so glad that you had fun in your home town and had 2 real live MIRLs! Fun times with your friends visiting after a 10 year gap, too. We're doing a bit of that lately, and it's really cool.

Unknown said...

Love meeting blogging friends. So fun.

Elizabeth said...

OOH, I have lots to say. First, I am so glad you're back. You are always missed when you don't (can't) post. And, I told you sleep is overrated! After midnight is often my most productive time, esp. when company is coming. Quite motivating! And it's so great to have time with old and new friends. I think you should come to Oklahoma next. I'll make sure it's super fun! Panera is not too far away.

Your blog designs are gorgeous, and you're just going to get more busy as people see your work. Have fun with it!

Amber said...

I'm so glad you are back!
I've missed you, but I totally understand the craziness that ensues while on vaca and the even more craziness that ensues when you come home.

I ate at a Panera while I was on vacation, too, and had no idea how glorious it would be!!!!!!!!

Elena said...

Welcome back from your trip! How fun to meet some bloggy friends. I took a look at the blog designs you did and they are fantastic. You are very talented!

Growin' With It said...

it's lunchtime and you totally lost me on one mention of panera bread...GOT to find one here. so cool hearing about blog friends meeting. it is priceless for those moments in time!

Genny said...

I love Wendi's writing. And she made a beautiful bag that I won on her blog last year. Still have it. What a great thing that you all got to meet.

I'm heading off to check out your portfolio now. Thanks for the heads up. I'll be in touch.

Queen to my 3 Boys said...

What a treat to have friends that you can pick up right where you left off...after 10 years!

You are one blessed little lady!

I hope your vacation time was fabulous - just waiting to see pictures.

Becky said...

It all sounds like lot of fun!!!

Mrs. H said...

I've miss you too! So glad you are back!

And if you are ever in TX let me know!!!

Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart said...

Glad you're back! I read the later post first, so I hope your girl is feeling better soon.

Glad you had some nice visits with family and friends. I'm blown away that you were so productive that late at night.

Isn't Panera wonderful!? If you ever find yourself in my area (a very populated part of Kansas) let me know and I'll take you there. We've got one minutes away! My hubby insists it doesn't fill him up, so I have to rely on my friends to let me get my fix every now and then.

Okay, this is so long I may as well keep rambling...

I'm rapidly approaching 2 weeks of no blogging. Life is just like that sometimes, you know!