Sunday, November 22, 2015

Galveston and my Friend, Jutta!!

Jutta and I have been looking forward to meeting each other in person for over two years!!
Last year she was in Florida and I had planned to fly down there for a few days.....and then my mother had to go to the hospital! Jutta made her travel plans for this trip way back in June.
Little did she know that her son in law would be battling cancer. Life changes so quickly!
Still, she flew all those miles to land right here in Texas! She's been in Galveston since Tuesday and I am taking her home with me on Wednesday!


All ready to hit the road this morning!


I had to leave my sweet Louis Dean here at home unsupervised!!!
Oh, MY!!! I did tell him NOT to play on the roof with his leaf blower while I'm gone!!


I so enjoyed the road trip down and didn't even turn on the radio!
Of COURSE, I had to stop at Bucee's!!
Bought a jar of candied jalapeno slices which make a delicious dip when you mix some with a package of cream cheese!


I could have stayed and read all the signs and posters there but I had to hurry!
This one was at the entrance and I love it!!!

My mission was to get here before DARK!
I truly enjoyed the drive and used the time to think and pray and meditate and talk to Summer on the phone as well as Louis Dean. They kept me up on how the Cowboys were playing and I was thrilled they WON!!!!


I made it!!!
What the Internet said would take 4 hours and 9 minutes - I managed to do in a whopping SIX hours and TWO minutes!!! I only stopped 3 times for potty breaks. Well, there WAS one other stop!
My left shoulder has been all achy with the muscles knotting up so I put one of those pads that have something akin to Ben Gay on it and heats up to make the muscles relax. It was working pretty well and I was talking to Summer on the phone when what had been a little tingling in my lower back turned to a steady burn! My medicated pad had slipped off my shoulder and slid all the way down to the bottom of my back....the very BOTTOM!! I had to pull the car over and get out in order to get to it!!!! OOPS!

The traffic was heavy but kept moving all the way - getting a LOT heavier as I entered Houston.


At long last!!!! May I introduce you to my friend, Jutta!!!
You pronounce her name much as you our state of Utah!
YOU-T-TA
we talked to Louis Dean on the phone after I got here and he was having trouble saying it so he asked, "Can I just call you JUDY??"
She said yes but I think we can learn to pronounce it correctly!
Let me tell you, it was like we were old friends meeting up again instead of for the very first time!
We already knew we were sisters of the heart!
She is such a beautiful lady inside and out and I am still pinching myself that our dream came true!!
She is HERE!!! In Texas!!! And someday I will be THERE!!! In Finland!!


Our country and culture may be different but you would never know if you could see us together!
Our hearts are the same.
We ate dinner at one of my family's all time favorite places - Benno's on the Beach!!
I ALWAYS get the Shrimp Pasta Salad and Jutta got a Cajun Seafood Platter! 
We BOTH saved half of our meal for lunch tomorrow!!!
You gotta love a place that serves wine in a chilled beer stein!!!

It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving Week starting with the Family Gathering at Amber's and Mike's on Saturday and now with Jutta today! We have two more days here before we head back home!
What a joyful Thanksgiving Day we will have when we celebrate all together in Fort Worth!
I can't wait for everyone to meet her!

Now, I know this is shocking and I don't want anyone to be alarmed - but at 9:40 - as soon as I publish my journal entry - I am going to bed!!! Jutta went to bed an hour ago and she is an early riser.
So am I - now!! I do NOT want to miss any of our time together so when SHE gets up - so will I!!!
Who knows? I have been pretty tired the last few weeks and I can really use the extra rest!
Perhaps this will become a new habit! Naw.....I don't really buy that either!

14 comments:

Vee said...

It slid all the way down? LOL! Only you, Linda!

Well now you both look like kindred spirits to me! What fun you will continue to have. And perhaps Jutta will teach you some good habits. =D

Jan said...

So glad you had a safe trip-that Bucee's is a must stop for us whenever we go to Houston to see family! How wonderful to finally get to meet your friend. Have a safe trip back and a blessed Thanksgiving!

Kathy said...

You told me awhile back that this was going to happen and now she is finally here! Hope you have so much fun together. (I know you will.) Can't wait to see what you get into together this week. Be safe traveling.

Nita said...

Linda, I'm so happy you & Jutta have managed to finally meet and spend some time together one on one . It will be a fun Thanksgiving day, we have so much to be thankful for and making new friends is one of them. Y'all have a blast.

bj said...

How fun to finally meet a good blogging friend. So glad ya'll are having a great time. Keep on keepin' on. :)
love !

Estelle's said...

Aren't you a brave girl to drive all the way down to Galveston by yourself! Your friend is going to love your home and all the festivities! This is so special! Be careful on your travels and enjoy your Thanksgiving! Hugs!

Stacey said...

How fun!! I know y'all had a wonderful time together.

It takes me a lot longer than it should to get to Galveston too!

Susie said...

Linda, Say hello to Jutta. It's wonderful you could meet in person. Have a fun time . Be safe on the roads. Blessings to all, Love you ,Susie

Cheapchick said...

Have a great time with Jutta - sounds like she is going to have lots of fun with you!

MadSnapper said...

wow on alll the way from Finland, i can tell you are already having a blast together and more to come. I hope LD behaved while you were gone..

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love meeting up with blog friends! Especially those who are truly kindred spirits!

You would be so fun on a road trip! You just enjoy life!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Deanna

Linda said...

OK, this is a little backwards as I just read all of your Jutta posts. What fun you two had!!!

Angie said...

You looked stunning in that red top and black shawl- your such a pretty lady!
I'm so glad you two FINALLY got to meet. Sounds like day one was a success. Going to read the rest of the updates now!

Carla said...

LOL I don't buy it either. I only get up early for work or when necessary otherwise I like to sleep. How exciting to have Jutta come all the way from Finland