Driving With Miss Jolene (January 16, 2009)

Have I ever mentioned that I have some wonderful friends?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate to drive on a good day. Night driving? I hate it. Well, Lori read my blog & knew how nervous I was about driving to Orlando. She was chatting with our friend Jolene who was also going up there as a vendor. I can't see 2 inches in front of my face so the night driving was scary to me. Jolene doesn't mind the drive but didn't want to do it alone. These 2 ladies conspired to help me out. Lori had me call Jolene to see if we could work something out that would be to both our benefit. Thanks gals!

It was perfect. Jolene would do the driving & have the company. I wouldn't have to drive & panic. Since Jolene hadn't made hotel arrangements yet, I assured her she could stay in the suite that I had reserved. A true girls' weekend!

Friday afternoon, David packed up my car, & off I went into the unknown with Erin. Being the lunatic I am, I called Jolene for very specific directions to her house. Mapquest & Google weren't enough for me. I had to have verbal confirmation that the directions were right. Jolene stayed on the phone with me for most of my drive so I wouldn't get lost. I owe her hubby Freeman a huge hug for letting me take up her last hour before leaving for the weekend!

Erin & I got to Jolene's house & everything was transferred from my car to Jolene's car. Erin was under the threat of pain of death to avoid discussing the trip with Jolene's girls. Apparently Jade & Emma LOVE Sea World & would have been very upset to find out that mom was going there without them.

For about 3 hours, Erin sat in the back watching a DVD that Jolene brought along. And Jolene & I spent the entire time gabbing about anything & everything. We've been friendly for a few years, but this was a nice way to get really get to know each other on a whole different level.

The directions to the hotel were a hoot. Half of the directions were perfect. The other half? Well, we traveled for an extra half hour. Chit chatting away the whole time.

When we finally did make it to our hotel, we were exhausted & hungry. And as hungry as we all were, there was only one thing that mattered to us. Wherever we ordered from had to sell Coca Cola since the hotel is a Pepsi place. (Can you say "Ugh!" to the max?) The food was good. The soda was better.

And the weekend began.