For my birthday Larry was very thoughtful and made arrangements with Julie for me to come spend time with her. I haven't seen Julie for over three years and have really been wanting too. I was impressed that Larry remembered and gave me that "gift" for my birthday. (what a guy...love him!)
He was planning on having me fly but it was my idea to drive. I have never drove that far alone in my life and really wanted to. I felt confident, independent and powerful. I would be conquering a fear and it felt good. I left after church on the 4th and started my adventure. Just me, a few CD's (including the Conference Talks) and my stuff. I felt so good....so big!
I only went to Jerry and Darinda's (in Silver Reef...close to St George) since Julie wouldn't be home until late and I didn't want to drive in the dark when I didn't know where I was going. Jerry & Darinda are so nice to let me stay at their nice house. It was fun driving up to it and knowing it would be my room for the night.
I microwaved some corn on the cob for dinner. It was good. I was so pleased that I had made it this far and knew that in the morning I would be seeing my sweet friend Julie. I was like a little kid waiting for Christmas. I went in a bedroom and got my bed ready and guess what? Fear hit me! I knew I was alone in this BIG house but my mind started playing stupid games and .... well I got a little scared. Funny thing is....there weren't any strange noises...the house was completely quiet. I had no reason to be scared and I knew it. I said a prayer and cuddled up in my blanket and went to sleep. (who took that picture?)
In the morning I hurried and got ready to continue on my adventure. I had the other piece of corn I had brought for breakfast. I'm not sure why I didn't eat my normal...chocolate for breakfast but I didn't...the corn was so good I guess I wanted the other cob. I loaded my car, locked the house, set the GPS and was on my way. I have to say that "Miss Navi Gator" did a great job getting me to Julie's.
The last time I used her she got me lost and I wasn't sure she could be trusted but I was totally relying on her...well maybe not totally....since I had printed instructions from the computer but when it came down to it I listened to Navi and ended up at Julies.
Julie and I visited and then we went and met another friend of mine from High School for lunch. Deanne lives in Julie's ward and they are good friends too. What a small world. It was fun visiting with Deanne in person. I see her daily on FB but real life was nice. I invited Tashina to join us too and I'm glad she did. She's a cute girl....just a month older that Kimleighel.
I like to be silly and so I made some silly eyes for some silly pictures. It's funny to me that when a few people get silly others want to join in the fun. This day it was Robert the manager of Mimi's. He wanted some silly eyes too and wore them on his glasses. We had a great time! I am so thankful for friends...and silly times! Dirk got home from a 50 miler with the scouts and so we all went to dinner. Julie and I visited until Dirk put a movie in and we watched that. It was a very fun day.....what every little (and big) girl could every hope for.
On Tuesday Julie and I decided to go to the Temple. While I was at Church on Sunday I had the impression to take my Temple Clothes. I even remembered when I got home and so I suggested going to the Temple to Julie. I know Julie loves going to the Temple and she was all for it. I love the feeling in the Temple. I love the tingles I get while I am there. I love feeling and knowing that Heavenly Father loves me. It was a good choice and a great start to our day. We heard there is a "New Movie" but we didn't see it since we had a gal that didn't speak English in our session and the "New Movie" doesn't have it translated yet. So now I want to go again to see the "New Movie".
We had lunch after and then went back to Julie's to change and get Tashina. We went to a place that reminded me of the Farmington Station. You enter the stores from the outside. The main reason for going there was so Julie could pick up the I Pad she had ordered. I took mine with me too so I could get it updated. The Apple Store was closed for remodeling and so none of that happened. Julie spent a lot of time on the phone to them and will end up getting a cover for her I Pad for free....worth the wait. I don't think Julie is much of a shopper either because neither of us really cared where we went. We did go in a Bath and Body Works Store however and I realized when Julie asked me what fragrance I liked that it has been awhile since I have had their lotion....I didn't recognize any of the fragrances. I ended up buying a few. The first one I chose was a new fragrance called "Sexy" and I chose it so I could say "I have my Sexy on". It smells good too. Oh....Dirk found us at Bath and Body and so he hung out with us until we left.
I like how spontaneous Dirk is. We got home and he asked if we would like to go to a dinner show. Julie convinced him to also come and so off we went to a dinner show called "Marriage can be Murder". It was the kind you try to detect who is the killer and their motive. I was very entertained and laughed a lot but I had NO idea who was killing the guests. I thought the table right behind me had something to do with it and at the end I found out they had everything to do with it. The gal right behind me was the killer. I even talked to her when she asked me how I would kill someone...she was surprised when I said with my bare hands! I stink at detective work and realize it is not a profession I should ever consider. It was really fun though regardless if I was totally wrong and clueless.
The dinner show was right by Fremont Street and so we wondered it. My how that street has changed since I was there last. People are dressed up all up and down the street hoping to get paid to have a picture with them. Some of the people had very little on and I wasn't impressed. The over head light show is pretty cool though. It was fun and a great way to end a wonderful day!
I love my Julie friend. Tashina asked her mom how we met and Julie told her that I had been her visiting teacher. Funny how you can grow such great friendships by doing your visiting teaching! I bet that is one of the main reasons for visiting teaching.....I love the friends I have made by doing my visiting teaching. Julie is such a blessing in my life. She is such a great example of faith to me. She loves her Heavenly Father and trusts Him and praises Him continually. I always desire to try a little harder and to be a little better after being around Julie. She inspires me! I am so thankful that Larry was so thoughtful in giving me time with Julie for my birthday! I loved every second of it!
Dirk got me headed in the right direction to go home on Wednesday morning and I was off.
Nanette lives around St George and she suggested we meet for lunch. I wasn't in a hurry and so I met her for lunch. I never hung out with Nanette but I do believe we were in band together so we did know each other in school. It's funny how it doesn't matter to me at this point in my life what choices we made or the direction we took to get us to where we are now. I appreciate what everyone has gone through to get them to where they are at. Nanette has made some great progress and is a very happy lady doing good things. I love her and I'm so glad we were able to meet for an hour or so.
This was a very fulfilling few days. I listened to good talks and music, visited with great people and got closer to my Heavenly Father. How blessed I am!
