Thursday, July 29, 2010

Taking a Chance

I admit it - I am a Facebook junkie.

I feel like I am a part of my kids' daily lives just by reading and commenting on their daily adventures.

It has been a wonderful forum for me to stay in touch with my cousins - even second generation cousins. Instead of waiting for funerals and weddings, I can always say "Hi" and catch up on the little things that are happening with them. It keeps us close at heart.

I have been fortunate to be able to hook up with old classmates from High School - WOW, what a blast!!

I have even become quite proficient at Facebook Stalking... you would be amazed at what some people post about themselves.... but that is a topic for another blog entry.

Included in this "social network" is a very addicting 'game' called Farmville. I accepted an invitation to join about a year ago from one of my "second-generation" cousins. I entered the Farmville Community very slowly and cautiously, still unsure of what I was doing. In a short period of time, I became an addicted player: timing my crops so I could harvest in time, taking care of my animals and trees all the while progressing level by level. Soon, I found myself begging for neighbors so I could expand. I was quite proud of myself. I had over 100 neighbors and only personally knew about half of those people. The rest were suggestions from friends and 'neighbors'.

One evening, while tending to my farm, I see that one of my neighbors (who had a huge, exquisite farm) was asking for trees. I saw her online and simply asked, "What are you going to do with all those trees?". This started a conversation that has lasted for months on end!

At first our conversations were all about our farms. Soon we progressed to talking about ourselves and our families. I was amazed at how our friendship grew. Finally, after several months of talking, I asked where she lived (she was one of the smart ones who did not post her personal information). WOW - she lives about 15 minutes away from my sister!!

Mr. Wonderful and I planned an impromptu trip to see my sister in Florida. We were going for an extended 4th of July visit. My sister suggested we have a dinner party while I was there - JUST SO WE COULD COOK TOGETHER AND NOT HAVE TO EAT IT ALL OURSELVES (maybe I am kidding, maybe I am not!) My sister invited 4 of her closest friends and I invited my "friend from facebook" because I had to meet this person, that I have been talking to forever, face-to-face. We had an incredible evening, full of laughter and sharing. We made an unforgetable memory.

God sends us Guardian Angels all the time. It is up to us to realize that they are here and welcome them into our lives. I am grateful that my "friend from facebook" took the chance to come and meet me face to face. I am grateful that my kids no longer refer to her as "mom's imaginary friend". I am blessed to have a new real friend who is a part of my everyday life.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

No ID?

So Mr. Wonderful and I end up our wonderful impromptu get-away by returning our rental car and getting to the airport in plenty of time. HOORAY for us!

I consider myself a GOOD traveler, always prepared and extremely organized. I even took my license out of my wallet and put it in my pocket prior to leaving for the airport so I would not have to search for it as we entered the "security" passage. How was I to know that there was a possibility of said license falling out of my pocket somewhere between my sister's house and those evil looking security people?

Thankfully, we were greeted by a supervisor who was willing to take all my excess credit cards, insurance cards, Barnes and Noble club member card, expired Dress Barn Coupons AND Mr. Wonderful's word that I was indeed who I claimed to be.

What did I learn from this?
#1. Never take my licesne out of the safety of my wallet.
#2. Security in West Palm Airport leaves much to be desired.
#3. I guess Mr. Wonderful does love me - we had a helluva disafreement today and he could have easily left my ass outside of security disavowing any knowledge of me!