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Post by Rennie Ellen on May 10, 2010 13:12:56 GMT -5
My friend went home last Wednesday. The five days I spent with her were SO MUCH FUN!!!!
She arrived on the 1st at 2:35 PM. Met her at the airport and burst into tears when I saw her. She did, too. Then we went home to get settled in. After a bit of a rest, we went to Walmart to get groceries. She's on Weight Watchers and needed certain food to stick to her new lifestyle change. I needed groceries, too. Then we came home and put groceries away, then I made peach salsa chicken with brown rice, which is low fat and low sodium but VERY tasty. My friend LOVED it. Then we watched DVDs and later went to bed.
The next day we slept in (Till 8) and K. fixed breakfast for us. Our plans were to go to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Mansfield, an hour's drive from here. I got the idea to pack a picnic lunch since there really is no place to eat between here and Mansfield. Plus it would save money. K. agreed and we packed our healthy foods and drinks and off we went. We toured the Museum and Rock House (the house Rose had built for her parents in 1928), visited the bookstore, and then drove to the cemetery where Laura, Almanzo and Rose are buried. We paid our respects, then decided the place was so beautiful and peaceful, why not have our picnic here? I know, a picnic in a cemetery? But we meant no disrespect -- it was so beautiful there. So we found a spot under a tree at the edge of the cemetery, spread out our blanket and enjoyed the food and the scenery. Then we cleaned up and drove home. Again, we stayed up late talking and watching DVDs.
I got up early on my birthday. We decided to stay in town and have our lunch at Golden Corral (where I got to eat for free!). What was even more special was my daughter joined us for lunch and it was fantastic. Then we went to Bass Pro Shops and looked around. I bought a pair of sandals which I needed and we all had a great time looking around.
Then we had Bible study that night. The site leader got the other kids to sing "Happy Birthday" to me and the adult class made me a chocolate bundt cake. It was a good time. Then we went home early, for the next day was our trip to Branson.
We decided to rent a car as my car, a V-4, couldn't handle going up and down the hills. We got a blue PT Cruiser and I drove. It was wonderful handling a car with POWER! We spent the morning at the Butterfly Palace. It was awesome! The butterflies were so beautiful. A few even landed on my hand! We took lots of pictures. Then we had a picnic lunch by Lake Taneycomo. It was a gorgeous day. Once again, we packed our healthy food and ate and just enjoyed the view of the lake. We even saw the Branson Belle out on its noon cruise. We got excited about that, knowing we're going to be on the boat for the 4 PM cruise. So we sat there, soaked up some sun, relaxed and enjoyed the view. Then we headed out for a place to change clothes and then dinner and a show on the Branson Belle.
The steak dinner was the best ever. K. got reservations in the Paddlewheel Room, the best on board. We had time to go out on deck and enjoy the view in the middle of the lake. We saw where we were just a few hours before having our picnic. Again, we took lots of pictures. Then we went in to the theater for the show. We got the best seats in the house. It was as good as anything you'd see on Broadway. And Todd Oliver and his "talking" dogs were a riot! We really appreciated that he rescues dogs from shelters and trains them for the show. They live at home with him and are a part of his family.
As we still had some time left, we went to the IMAX Theater and saw the movie "Hubble" about NASA's efforts to repair the Hubble telescope and the pictures it has taken as a result of those repairs. Again, it was amazing! We got home around 9:30 PM and immediately went to bed, worn out but happy.
The next morning we got up early because we had to return the rental car. K.'s flight was at 3 PM and we had to be there at 2 PM. We packed a box of the things she wanted to send home but didn't want to take them on the plane. We shipped them with Fed Ex. We stopped at Walgreens and I ordered a CD of K.'s pictures. Then we headed to the airport and had lunch and window-shopped. At 2 it was time for her to get checked in and we shared a long goodbye hug. She wanted me to have the best birthday ever, and she succeeded. We promised to do this again SOON -- like in two years instead of twenty-two!!!!
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Post by Peach on May 10, 2010 13:22:08 GMT -5
Wow! Rennie -- That was such a nice visit. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Post by ponygirl on May 10, 2010 14:25:47 GMT -5
I LOVED reading about your visit with your friend! It made me feel so peaceful.
I saw a piece on one of Jack Hanna's shows about Todd Oliver and his dogs/animals. Incredible, and gives one much hope about animal rescues/adoptions.
Thank you for sharing this.
Pony
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Post by DJ on May 10, 2010 14:46:48 GMT -5
i am so happy to hear that you finally got to see her and that it went so well... happy birthday rennie and i am glad it went so well. :}
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Post by messymimi on May 10, 2010 16:47:29 GMT -5
Dear Rennie Ellen,
It is wonderful to hear that you had such a great visit. I'm also very glad your daughter was with you on your birthday, and that it went well.
messymimi
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Post by bigtimetroubles on May 11, 2010 4:29:29 GMT -5
I am happy you had a good time in my state....MO rocks4sure Branson is someplace I wanna go!
happy also about your health check up....hugs btt
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Post by sparkle on May 11, 2010 11:09:00 GMT -5
What a WONDERFUL birthday. Thank you so much for relating it in great detail. I felt as I was there with you, a fly on the wall so to speak, relishing all the things that fell into place so nicely. You've really brightened my day today.
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Post by Rennie Ellen on May 11, 2010 11:36:16 GMT -5
Thanks for all the positive responses!
Really, I couldn't have done all this without the support and help of SOS. Just a few months ago my bedroom was a stage 2+ and the rest of my home was following closely behind. Now my home is organized. I can even have company come and sleep in my organized bedroom -- formerly known as the "BEDROOM OF DOOM"!
Maintenance is still a battle for me because of my physical limitations, but now I have an aide who can help me with that. I still have my carport storage room to clean out -- my aide isn't allowed to help me with that -- but I'll find a way to get that organized, too. My goal is to finish it by the end of the summer.
Life is good. 
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Post by ponygirl on May 11, 2010 11:38:30 GMT -5
I am very happy for you! I am sure that everyone is jumping with joy to hear you say, "Life is good." Fabulous!
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Post by Celeste on May 11, 2010 12:42:56 GMT -5
You made my day, reading this, Rennie! What a wonderful birthday treat. And you deserve every moment!
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