And now, the Rest of the Story. My visit to Laurie’s House and Trip East

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

And now, the Rest of the Story.  My visit to Laurie’s House

 

I truly have planned many trips east to be with my DK friends. It is always one thing or another and for four years I just could not make it happen.  When I drove east to pick up Starlit, I had been awake 49 hours and missed my chance to meet F.  Even four years ago, there were no smart phones or fancy communication and by the time we connected I was hours away. What a missed opportunity which I’ve regretted  since and I always promised myself to get back one day. 

 

Thanks to Laurie, I knew no excuse in the world would work and I thank her for the mass emails sent out to others saying, “ For sure, Joanne will be here the weekend of the 17^th”

 

Last year, I had met Laurie for an hour on the side of the Ohio Turnpike and promised come see her one day.   In December, I asked if I could come spend two weeks during Christmas with her but she turned me down. LOL  So, we made it for February, then March, and by then I just said, “ Let’s make it May”   On May 1^st, emails went flying. I just happened to get a CC of the emails she sent out at the same time.  Surprise, I was going to PA.  She had a plan and was on a mission. That part of her story is true.

 

My life has been just one exciting thing after another the past few months and going east was the last thing on my mind.  Thank you, Laurie for the push down the road. All 917 miles round trip because that was exactly what I needed.  I’m still excited about it all and it’s been over 10 days.

Look what greeted me as I pulled into her drive.  The Famous Rooster.  Like others kiss the ground when they arrive,  I jumped out and took a selfie!  I finally made it to Laurie's House

 

Staying at Laurie’s house is like staying at a 5 star hotel, but so much more. So much love, comfort,  and effort.  No wonder she goes to bed so early. She exhausts herself with your comfort.   She may have spoiled it for the rest of you. I highly suggest you take a number and get in line to visit home and her family.  LOVE and Laughs surround this house.

 

Yes, she really has a farm room and if she locks you in there it is nothing but comfort. With all the stress lately, I felt tucked in and safe. I had walls of pictures to look at and I could hear her laugh throughout her house.   On the way there, I realized I had forgot my pillows. I sleep with at least two large pillows.  I’m lost without them and bring them with me when I travel. The farm room had at least six.  I was in heaven.  Truly, there is nothing you want or need at Laurie’s home.  I loved that room and if I have to tell the truth, I didn’t want to come out.

In my insomnia, I took this photo about 2am.  I knew wonderful people I'd never met had slept here. I thought Laurie needed to add one more sign to her wall like they do east.  George Washington Slept here.  I thought maybe a sign that reads:

Camilla  slept here.

Doris  slept here.

Now I could add my name too! 

 

In Camilla’s defense, I was woofing down my own version of snacks Laurie had made the entire time I was there.  Since I am so short, Laurie may have not seen me down there with her homemade chocolate chips cookies.   When I arrived back home at 4:30 am, my oldest son was on the couch and like boys are, always hungry.   I said, “ Here are a bag of cookies but I only have crumbs left and an empty container of fruit salad F. made and brought to our picnic, which really got me through driving those PA mountains at night.  

 

In my defense, I hardly had any coffee but it is really hard to resist hundreds of wonderful flavors Laurie had in her kitchen.  Starbucks, eat your heart out, I’m heading back to Laurie’s house.  The reason she had so much coffee is because she doesn’t drink it and makes fun of those who do.   Does anyone wonder why she goes to bed at 8:00pm?  Hey Laurie, have some coffee.  Take my word for it, you have the best.

 

Don’t tell Laurie, since she felt bad she sent me to the Farm (bedroom) so early.  I let her think it was her fault.   I was tired too after coming off a full day of fun, but I have trouble sleeping.   If I go to bed too early, I sleep 20 minutes only to wake up and stay up for hours.  I’ve always been a night owl and I have struggled and suffered with either insomnia or oversleeping and the consequences all of my life.  Soon it was 3:30 am and I felt like a kid who couldn’t get to sleep because they were so excited for Disney World the next day.

 

Getting up early has never suited me but I always seem to have wonderful people in my life that know with patience and a good joke, I’ll roll out of bed.  I found this true at Laurie’s house.

So, I hear, “Joanne. Joanne.  Are you NAKED?”   I tried to pretend I was awake for hours…. But I couldn’t fool her.  I quickly hid my polish Kielbasa  I was feeding to her dogs.  I also felt bad that this early bird made all the sandwiches. I so wanted to hang out in kitchen, drink coffee, and make sandwiches with her.  I thought she had already done so much.

 

But no. NO. I had to jump in the shower and take my coffee with me.  I found myself drinking soap and scrubbing my head with Peach Apricot skin scrub because I didn’t bring my glasses with me.    She has more awesome products and bath toys than Bed Bath and Beyond. Just my luck, I couldn’t see and grabbed a pumas scrub to shampoo that was being offered up by one of the yellow rubber ducks in the tub.  So, if you go to Laurie’s house make sure you take an hour for yourself in her bathroom just to play but remember your reading glasses because you never know what you will get into.  Take two hours in each room because it's like a museum.  So many cool things.  It's filled with her personality and will hold your interest for hours. 

She decorates with the coolest stuff. Just look what she found while we were shopping.  

 

About the GPS. My husband’s GPS is as old as our car. It works, but I’ve never used his.   Laurie had it set perfectly, and I turned a corner and it fell off the window.  I lost the sound.  I drove around holding the GPS up to my ear. “Turn around-go straight, turn around at 400 feet”.  I drove, twice, into an area “Closed” I pulled over to try and fix the problem when I was surrounded by the military doing land navigation exercises in the woods.  One cranky old guy took my GPS and said he would fix it so I would not be trespassing again! He complained the entire time and had my GPS practically dismantled.  ‘ Too bad you have this type. I hate these things… gripe gripe.

 

He sent me on my way but I never paid any attention to see if it was programmed correctly.  Several hours later I realized I was almost to Laurie’s house again. Just three hours out of my way.  Yes, he was in charge of Land Navigation Exercises.

 

Laurie has quite the reputation as a bad driver. I never saw her drive badly. As a matter of fact, I never saw her drive much at all because when you have to follow her you better have your clown shoes on.  As a teenager I was pulled over by a huge, handsome sheriff who only asked me one question.   Miss, what size shoe do you wear?  I meekly replied a size 7.  He boomed, “A SEVEN!!  YOU DRIVE LIKE YOU WEAR A 10!  SLOW DOWN, GIRL. SLOW DOWN”

 

Now I used to drive for a living and the faster I drove the more money I made. If Laurie had that job she would be a millionaire.  As I tried to follow her for 150 miles I shouted those words that sheriff shouted at me years ago.  Throw a pair of clown shoes on that girl and she is in dust.  I lost her at 85mph.  When we finally arrived she said I made everyone late because I lost her. Pffff

Laurie is being polite about the shirts we wanted to make.  Our sayings in email were more along the lines like this picture.   Where is my sandwich  ______?    We laughed. Who knew so much goes into sandwiches.  But on the way  home, the leftovers from the picnic saved my sanity. That night, the drive was really rough. I wished I was in the Farm Room with a cup of coffee and not on the road.

 

 

No wonder Laurie was driving so fast. If I was really thinking about where we were going and not thinking I was going to die on that highway, I would have passed her up.  Now, I might… understand why.

 

Waiting at the park were the most wonderful, wonderful people and doodles I LOVE.  Meeting everyone was as real as you think it would be only so much better. SPECIAL.  I really love these people.

 

I gave long extra hugs just to see if it was real.  I’ve really missed not meeting these people I love so much.  The dogs are almost like you think they would be, only better.  Such good dogs.  I loved them even though most ran away from me  LOL

I have so much to say about how I compared and contrasted F, Cheryl, and Janie.  So to keep it simple I'll just say Beautiful and Special. How lucky I am to know them and meet them finally. 

All I can say is Thank You and it's not enough

 

Laurie was so polite in her blog.  She could have roasted me on a lot of things.  She didnt.  

She could have said, I lost Calla and later, in Calla's defense Luca pushed me off the bench.  She could have said she did all the work and made those sandwiches while I slept with the cows.....

Folks there is a lot missing in her blog.  

I cant wait to go back and I will. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I love coffee, Joanne. My son even roasts his own beans! haha... Our favorite coffee grown in Hawaii is Kau but we love two grown on Oahu... Waialua and Lava Flow. ;o) I'll brew some up for you every day.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Joanne, You always make me laugh. Next time, I will follow you and promise not to honk my horn :)

Donna, Yes, I think that should be our new DK tradition.....come to Laurie's and kiss her 5 foot Co (oops, F said no C words) Rooster.

Nicky, Your name did come up and how special you are :)

Thanks, everyone!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

F., I never said I was smart mouth 

Laurie, you offered when I wandered down to the beautiful lower yard. 

Laurie, you never let me out of the farm to go see the beautiful lower level

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Joanne, Did you ever go down our basement? I didn't even give you a tour of the whole house. The window well was down there :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for coming to meet me J. And talking back to authority figures guns is dumb : )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Bonnie, I really think I have to visit you. In high school I turned down a trip to Hawaii. I just did not want to go with my mother. I've regretted it ever since knowing now, it is a slim chance. If ever I get the opportunity I will be at your door. Speaking of coffee, my favorite coffee is Kauai.  I can no longer get it here in Ohio. Like Laurie said, I drink a lot so stock up!    

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Carol and Banjo, I am so sorry you couldn’t make it this trip. I hope the wedding plans are going well and you are still making beautiful décor. 

 

Allyson, Thank you. Kiss that baby girl from all of us on DK

 

Donna and Quincy!  HA HA HA.  Darn, now I wish I would have played with him more. You’re so witty and quick. Time for  game

 

Elizabeth, Baily, and Bruin, that is Laurie’s front entry.  Whoa. It is stunning.  So glad I captured the warmth. That was exactly how I saw it too.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Karen, thank you.  I think you should go with me next time.  There are absolutely no bridges or highways from Chicago to PA. I never saw one. Not going 85mph. On the way home I was trying to entertain myself. I was so happy to see lights even in these conditions.

 

F, I think you are the reason the deal was sealed. Once I found out about the get together, my bags were packed. I wasn’t going to wait another four more years to meet you.

 

Charlotte and Bo,  DK is very special. Online friendships are real and genuine.   I actually met my husband online back in 1997. Yes, we had internet then  LOL

 

Camilla, I am glad you liked it. You especially know there is always another side to Laurie’s bs story

 

Cheryl and Finnegan, It was wonderful meeting you too.  Too funny about the pics, right  J  No, I did not have anything to do with those but I do think you looked lovely.  As far as Sgt Land Navigation, I think he was blowing sunshine up my GPS.  I really think he was a College Instructor, Amry Ret giving a final to Cadets. I too, had taken the same final 5 years ago where they dropped me off in the middle of the National Park and forced me to spend the day out there.  He seemed a bit taken back that I asked to look at his nice Topographical map.  He made fun of Ohio and refused to give me back my GPS. Pompous poo head.  I was lucky, because like Fs son, I was getting mouthy.

 

Laurie, you did send me off with a sandwich. I ate that on the first stop in Lancaster.  If I ever drive with you again,  I will force you to follow me and I will go the speed limit the entire time. Oh wait, we did that. I suppose I was paid back  from last summer.

For a few moments, I thought you were trying to create a “ Kick The Bucket List”

 

Jane, thank you

 

F., good for Matthew. I think I am the same fearless stupid woman when it comes to some authority.  For me, clicks would me from the Wizard of Oz. Click my pretty red shoes three times and get me out of here

 

Linda, Charlie Brown & Beau, thank you. I also took a selfie with Oprah at every rest stop on the Turnpike. I was getting rather silly from the drive. I’ll share it with you as long as you show no one.

 More of my self entertainment on the  highway  :)  I might have to give up selfies.

 

DJ, I regret not taking more pictures of the farm. Sometimes, you just take the moment in because you lose too much taking pictures but I have those in my min.

 

Lori an Quincy, thank you

 

Nicky, thank you. We love you too. Your name did come up  a few times.

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh Joanne! I'm so jealous that you went to Laurie's house. I wish I could have been there with you. I would love to spend some time with both of you. Such a great blog! 

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Sounds like a fabulous time was had by all. Laurie is that a picture of your front entry. It's beautiful and so warm and inviting.