Just a Quick Visit with Some Huge Returns

We just returned from a visit to Mom & Dad's out in Utah for a weekend. It was strange seeing how much Utah has changed and continues to change. However, the best part was how easy it was to get around in Utah. You're downtown in 15 minutes flat!! I sure miss that!!

We booked a room at the La Quinta in Midvale; it looked nice in the picture but as they always say; looks are deceiving! We figured it was mainly a place to sleep because we would be out or over at Mom & Dad's and for the price guess you can't beat it!

Amy was fortunate enough to meet us out there so it was a real treat to see her as well!! She suggested while we were out there that we check out the Cabela's out in Lehi, I'm thinking that sounds far and I thought how long of a drive is that?!! We were there in lickety split which I totally loved!! We have one out here similar but its called The Bass Pro Shop and it's huge too with all the taxidermy you can handle and great big aquariums as well.

A great thing happened while we were in Cabela's. Kurt had been shopping for buyers on a huge collection of antique guns that had come out for sale at our stores. I believe it was a total of 65 guns and have met with several people about purchasing them but no one with the funds or willing to part with their funds!! As we strolled through Cabela's and of course checked out their "Gun Library" we saw a sign that said, "We buy guns!" So I told him why don't you call them and see if they would be interested since they carried a lot of antique and collectible guns in their showcases at the stores. Being Kurt, he didn't hesitate and when he returned to work he called their corporate in Nebraska and their gun buyer was extremely interested and drove out to Colorado to meet with Kurt and see the guns and promptly purchased the bulk of them with the remaining sold to a private individual!! All in all, they all got sold and it's one of those things where you really felt it was meant to be that we were at Cabela's that day!!

So, this was also Evan's first airplane ride and we thought we would just keep it a short trip to see how he does. Well, he did beautifully and loved every minute of it. As we arrived at the airport, everything went as planned and scheduled. We proceeded to the security checkpoints and put our luggage on the long counter and like cattle scooted everything along the line for x-raying. Everyone's bag went through and then my carry on shoulder bag went through and was flagged.

The TSA agent asked if this was my bag and I said yes and he said we have to do a search and if I would mind. Of course, no problem I said and at this time I'm racking my brain as to what could possibly be in there.

A female agent took us aside and opened up my bag. She knew exactly where to look & pulled out my purse and a little knick knack bag I had inside (hand sanitizer, coupons, etc... Mom stuff!) and pulled out a little fold up 5 tools in one Eddie Bauer tool set that Kurt gave me a few years ago - I loved that thing but apparently that was the "threat"! She told us we could go and mail it back to our house as an option. Kurt being Kurt, asked if she could just hold it for us and we'll pick it back up from her when we come back through. Of course, she said she couldn't do it and Kurt told her, "Sure you can just put it in your pocket!" She said she couldn't again and that there are cameras everywhere so Kurt turned around to find the camera and proceeded to put his arms up in the air as to obstruct the view and told her "Ok, go ahead put it in your pocket!" It's a good thing she had a sense of humor otherwise we probably would not have been allowed to board the plane! So all I have left is my little pouch with the flashlight that came with it!! Boo Hoo Hoo!!

We were fortunate enough to meet up with some long lost friends. First one being Darin Gardner; as you all know or may not know he set Kurt and I up on our blind date 25 years ago and we've been on this roller coaster ride ever since! He was able to bring along with him his wife Mendy, who was really nice and very personable. Darin is doing well and has been quite prosperous in doing what we consider his natural calling, taxidermy. It surprisingly had taken him quite some time to find this out and actually turn it into a successful business. I'll put a link on my blog page so you can see his work. It's amazing!! We all met, including Mom & Dad, at a mexican restaurant on State Street near Fashion Place Mall and had a great time chatting a bit; Mom & Dad then took the kids back home with them so the rest of us could go and catch up some more. Darin hadn't changed much and still lives, breathes and sleeps hunting and fishing; which was about all we talked about with him!! Glad to see he's doing what he loves!

The next day I met up with my best friend from years ago, Dianne! Finally we were able to see each other and catch up after 15 years had gone by! We met through work and became instant friends and inseparable for the next few years. Unfortunately after I moved we seemed to have lost touch... Dianne appeared to be the same as I remembered her, beautiful as always and dressed so stylish and cutting edge and the undefeated Queen of Estee Lauder; which was one of our weaknesses growing up, who can say no to those free gifts with purchases!! She is now manager at Macy's in Orem overseeing several departments one of which is the cosmetics, right up her alley! After lunch she mentioned that she had to catch the Account Exec. of Estee Lauder at the new Nordstroms as they had promised her tons of free goodies during their grand opening. I scored a whole bunch of creams, lotions, anti-age this and anti-age that, perfume, handbags and umbrellas (which I left with Mom!)

After our stint at Nordy's we headed over to Applebee's and got a drink to chat some more. As I sat and listened to 15 years of what's happened I couldn't help but think how different she was and how we seem to have very little in common anymore. Next thing you know, 4 hours had gone by and I knew I had to get going and so did she. She drove me home and we said our goodbyes and gave promises of keeping in touch. After she left, I sat and smiled and thought about all that we had discussed and realized that Dianne wasn't the one that had changed; I was... Things that were important or of interest to us back then still were for her but not for me. I hope we can find a common ground somewhere and really keep in touch as I would love to hear about all her joys and sorrows for years to come.

Of course no visit would be complete without a trip to some authentic Dim Sum at Ho Ho Gourmet!! It was so incredibly delicious!! I thought the dim sum we had out here were good but the flavor was nowhere even close!! As always, we end up eating a lot every time we visit Mom & Dad; it's one of those sinful things that's just so hard to give up!!

It was very nice to see the folks but kind of sad to see how some things never change while others are changing too fast.