What a week!

Where to begin besides noting it is FRIDAY! This was one the busiest weeks so far this year. I had a business trip on Monday that flew out at 6am! Which meant I needed to be at the airport at or around 4am!!! So I was up a little after two and out the door by 4:20 and on the way to the airport, with my husby of course. Not sure why i didn't notice before but he was going to Lovefield and I needed to be at DFW, so we had to turnaround. Got there just in time to check in and board - not before I was picked for the special random search. Also had enough time to grab a latte from LaCreme, not the best, but it sufficed. The flight was full and I was second to last to board, but was happy to know I had a window seat...and no one was in my row. Flight was fine, although Netflix wouldn't work, and once I got my bag from baggage claim - yes, I checked a bag for an overnight - I was informed I needed to take a taxi to the hotel. This was new to me as I have never been in a taxi by myself and was a bit nervous, thanks to the movie The Bone Collector; had me looking for locks and window controls. Ride was looong and pricey, $55+. Once there, met with some of the other attendees, got some coffee and put in my breakfast order since our meeting didn't start until noon and it was just 9am. My room was not ready (and wouldn't be ready until 4pm) so I was that person lugging my luggage with me everywhere. Won't bore you with the meeting details, but it was nice to finally meet everyone, well mostly everyone 😂. I will point out there was great discussion about these amazing pretzels that would be delivered at 3pm since lunch was not going to be provided, and I did not get to try one. Anyway, meeting ended at 6pm and was finally able to check-in. Unfortunately, I was not informed I would need to pay for my own room, so that was a bit of a surprise. I digress. Embarrassed to admit, but once I walked in my room I started crying. This was my first time to travel alone AND spend the night in a hotel by myself - I felt so empty. Called B to calm me down and catch up on Bradley's surgery earlier in the day. Thank God B was off due to President's Day! We had a bowling function set up and I needed to change and make sure I didn't get left behind. I also texted Princess, she was going to pick me up so we could have dinner. She drove down from Prescott just to see me!! Got downstairs just in time to catch the last group (of five - i made six) leaving. What a ride! We were going in a minivan and the guys let me have a captain chair while three of them packed themselves like sardines in the back row - what a sight! They were not small - still makes me laugh out loud thinking about it. Followed the drink tickets to the bar and had a surprisingly great conversation with someone unexpected. He ordered our drinks - Mandarin Vodka with soda - and I texted Princess I was ready. Said my goodbyes for the night and went outside to wait for her while I called my husby for another update, on him, boys and dog. Thirty minutes later I was with Princess and we decided on Ruby Tuesday as it was the closest to the hotel. Dinner went great; I am sure I waiter was wondering if we were ever going to order and then finally leave. She ended up staying the night with me, which was great as I wouldn't have to be alone. I ended up falling asleep on her, but only after a few more hours of girl talk while laying in bed. Got up the next morning and wanted to watch Phoenix AM news, but was the perfect roommate as I tried to be quiet while getting ready. Was downstairs by 7;45am and wasn't in the mood for breakfast and decided to skip (mistake) and opted for lemon water and coffee. Got late check-out and went for Princess👸 around 12:15. We said our goodbyes and I made it just in time to catch the last shuttle to the WMC training center. Had lunch (Subway - not my favorite) and toured the facility. After that we were on our own- that meant I had to find my own way to the airport as most people were staying for another night. Luckily, I shared an Uber with Joelle and Tim; more like hitched a ride. Got to the airport and AFTER I checked my big bag and went through security did I realize I forgot to put my my favorite knife. So of course, this caused me to be pulled aside and questioned once again. Forfeited my steel and on my way. Stopped by a gift shop to buy some socks (my NM chile one's were ruined with holes from the boys and it was cold on my flight there AND I had no socks at all for the trip) and while passing saw Joelle at an eatery (Olive and Ivy). After much deliberation, finally decided to order something from where she was sitting - glass of Pinot and a margarita pizza (talk about guilty pleasures) - and I went back for a 2nd - glass not slice. Let the wine do the talking and it was finally time to board, or so I thought; flight was half an hour late. Sat next to Eminem (not really) who watched me put on my socks and try desperately for an hour to get the internet to work. To no avail, I settled with working on designs. Finally landed, got luggage and met B outside - we must have looked like the couples in movies who reconnect like they haven'e seen each other in years! I couldn't let go..until I saw Bradley. Ride home was great - my husby is the best! 😉