As you know from the previous post I got to MIRL another blogger. Actually two bloggers; Katina is just on a hiatus right now.

This is the prequel.

On Wednesday I was checking my e-mail and deleting my hundreds tens of junk e-mails. [It's kind of like snail mail.] There was one with an unfamiliar sender and a subject of “Hi Jendi.” I actually clicked the box to include it in the deletes before my gut feeling said, “You need to read that e-mail.” I’m so glad I unchecked the delete box!

It was from Abbi, whom I had met through blogging, asking about meeting at the farm show. She and some other ladies had a day trip planned. I was so excited! I immediately e-mailed back while my mind was whirling and thinking how to make it work.

At supper I told my husband about it. He was not as excited as I was. He interrogated questioned me about the lady, who would be with her, where to meet, who would go with me… You know, if he wouldn’t have been wary I would have questioned his love and care for me.

That night I got a call on my cell phone at 10:45pm. Who calls a stranger at that time of night!? [LOL] A busy wife and mother, that’s who. I didn’t mind at all; I was waiting for a call. Abbi kindly reassured me that she was not out to get me. We exchanged phone numbers and chatted, made plans to meet and chatted…and chatted…and chatted…so fun!

The next morning I called my Mom. She agreed to go with me & my kids even though she has a sore throat. Am I glad she did!! Her magically appearing pretzel sticks made my children happier and more manageable.

We navigated the roads, the parking, the shuttle bus, and then stopped and stared at the long line for the elevator. I had a stroller. While there were 4 quickly moving escalators there was only one elevator for all strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons. I ignored the big yellow sign that said, “No strollers on escalators” and proceeded to pull the stroller on while my Mom pushed it on. A large, bossy well meaning woman said, “You can’t take that on here. You’re not allowed to take strollers on here. You have to use the elevator.” I didn’t say anything. I just looked at her. I didn’t point out the two strollers that just went up the escalator. I just proceeded to take my stroller up the escalator. Do you think I’m a criminal now?

I called Abbi’s cell phone when we made it to the cow section where she [and her clan] was. The rest, as they say, is history.

P.S. She’s just as nice as I expected. Her blog is true to life and not an alternate identity. Go ahead and say hello to her. She’ll be blogging about her trip.