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. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

BTW Joanne, Matthew took me on a birthday trip a number of years ago. We blundered on to a US military base in Iceland. Matthew was driving. He proceeded not to stop at the stop sign by the gate and we were confronted by two soldiers guns drawn. I had to intervene when Matt started to talk back. I did the so sorry, stupidly got lost Sir routine. It was true and the soldier gave us directions to the Blue Lagoon using "clicks" as a reference. I did not ask any questions like how far is a click. I just wanted out of there: )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Laurie, 

I do have one question.  Years ago, your 2nd blog was about a groundhog in a window well. I remember it vividly because it was funny.  When I first signed on DK, everything and everyone was so serious. I was not liked much because I was a joker and often made silly comments.  I had to pull way back. I felt like I was in school sometimes.   

You lightened the mood here and I gravitated to you quickly.  

So, I forgot to ask you where the window was.  It also makes me think, you and groundhogs and dogs are all meant to be

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Joanne, the anticipation of meeting you grew with every one of those sandwich emails and then I saw a pic on FB of you kissing the rooster and I just couldn't wait!! Joanne in person along with everyone else is indeed a special time! Thank YOU for making the drive! We just didn't have enough time! I love your blog and the bird picture is too funny! Jack and Jilly are wondering why their mama doesn't make those liver treats, they were such a big hit! Can't wait til next time!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great blog RJ!  I love reading about DKers' "adventures".  It sounds like a visit to Laurie's is everything I would imagine....so much fun.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Joanne, This blog made me laugh and really touched me :) Thank you for describing my home in such a wonderful manner. I do try and make a guest feel welcome, right up until 8 pm, when I sometimes fall asleep. LOL I knew my fast driving would come up. Yes, I blame it all on the clown shoes. I am sorry I lost you and then blamed it on you, but you should know from my blogs I always pass the buck :) Only you could wind up surrounded by military trying to fix your GPS :) LOL  You know...I had two extra sandwiches I should have sent you on your way with. You could have given one to the grumpy guy :) We had a wonderful time. Come back anytime. Next time, I am not cleaning all week and will be able to stay up later. I promise :)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

We're the lucky ones, Joanne!  Thank you so much for making the time and such a long trip to meet up! It was wonderful & so much fun!  Next time, you have to bring Spud. I've been waiting to hear how you almost got arrested for trespassing but NEVER would have imagined you would have gotten caught up in the middle of a military training exercise OMD! No worries though! We would have been on it -- breaking you out of jail :) 

[Camilla and Darwin]

I love this blog Joanne! It's always good to read the other side of the story. :-) Sounds like a wonderful time.

[Charlotte and Bo]

Between you and Laurie you've let us peek into what seems to be a special visit with friends and their dogs.  It seems to me that DK is a very special site where some have made real life friends as well as on line friends.  All because of the love of dogs.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Gee Joanne, I am glad Laurie came to my house before I knew how special hers is. Otherwise I would have been even more anxious when she and Doris came last spring. It was so wonderful after so many possibilities to finally meet you. Luca said to tell you he misses you and Calla said she is sorry she ran away : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh Joanne, I just love this blog. You painted such a clear picture, it's like we are there with you. I'm so glad you finally made it "east", it sounds like you had a wonderful time!