Sassy was one of twelve students asked to play before the symphony’s performance last night. Those students played as people walked in. They provided intro music.
This particular night at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra featured Student Side-By-Side. The best of the best high school students in Indy sat next to and played along with the pros. It was delightful!
But first, we had to get Sassy there.
We both had to leave work early.
Here I am, leaving work.
I didn’t take the photo for y’all. The Mister asked me if I was okay. I didn’t IMMEDIATELY respond to his text, because four minutes late and getting into car.
Rush, rush, rush!
Home to collect the people.
I drove, because downtown. The Mister hates driving downtown.
Sassy said her teacher told them to enter via a back door. We could not find a back door. There was an alley. I could not imagine her teacher wanted them to walk down an alley, so I dropped The Mister off with her in case she really did need to go in through the alley. She did not.
This left Moo and me in the car, me searching for parking. Well, Pffft! free parking to walk to Monument Circle is basically NO PARKING ANYWHERE YOU EVER WANTED TO PARK, EVER. I pulled into a parking garage and a great panic came upon me, because I bout never park in parking garages, and to be honest, I am not comfortable with the whole process.
This anxiety didn’t leave any time too soon, either.
But I had Moo, and a goal, so we kept moving. First the elevator, then a vestibule, then through a courtyard, then into a lobby.
That’s a lot of stuff. By this time, I was sure I was turned around and would never find the way back, but then, outside there was a street like a light at the end of the tunnel.
I paused there a while, waiting for vertigo to subside, channeling moxie.
Moo had worn the vintage Kenneth Coles she picked up at Goodwill. She’d been dying to wear them and finally had opportunity.
Cept… right about there is when we figured out why we’d found them in pristine condition. They aren’t actually meant to be worn. The toes had dug in, and red rings appeared across the top of Moo’s feet.
Once we were outside, I looked back to the building we exited from. 151 N Delaware. We braced one another against the cold wind and walked to the circle. Moo was sure that down Pennsylvania would be faster. I knew it wouldn’t be any faster, but that it would cut down on some of the wind.
I stopped for two doors. Dunno where. Was cold, anxious, worried about Moo’s feet.
We met The Mister and went to Starbucks on the circle while Sassy rehearsed. Sat at a bar along the window, watched the peoples, drank the coffees, ate the cookies.
Here’s a map of downtown Indy made of wire.
Here are the doors to the Hilbert Circle Theatre.
Inside, I mostly whirred with anxiety, because it was crowded and loud and pretty much any time I wasn’t in my seat, I was looking for, or waiting for, Sassy.
Finally it was time for the music!
Of course, the symphony prohibits photos and videos of their performances, but I snapped this shot during intermission, and I think it provides the general gist of it.
As I said — It was delightful!
After, we stood around talking and of course, waiting on Sassy.
Once we hit the street, Moo asked to take her shoes off.
So Family Tradition. My Moo — heart, heart.
No one was there to photograph us, but I’ll set the scene: It’s almost 30 degrees, the wind is rippin. A family of three walks briskly through the city streets. The mother and father are well-dressed. Father looks menacing, but carries a cello. Mother has a handbag looped over her arm so she can tote the shoes of her child and still hold her hand. The child is clad in a wool dress coat, and is naked from the knee down. (Remember, Moo doesn’t look 13, she looks 8.)
A surly teenager wearing jeans and Converse sneakers follows the family. She carries a bouquet of flowers and a backpack the size of Texas.
We were a sight.
People saw us. I saw them seeing us.
I parked off Delaware. 151 N Delaware. That’s two streets east of Meridian and then north a bit. But I didn’t remember a crucial element — Moo hadn’t wanted to walk a straight line, and so we did not walk back the same way we went. Darn that intrepid Moo. Nothing looked familiar. Of course, the sun had set, and everything looks different in the dark. We paused outside 200 N Delaware as I began to freakthefuckout about where the fuck the fucking parking garage was! I was definitely in a blind panic.
I pulled out my parking garage ticket and gave The Mister the name of the building. He searched. Siri said it was 283 miles away. Uh…
I said we should turn around, we’d somehow missed it.
It was then I became adamant about the 151-ness of Delaware, and enormous buildings do not disappear in an evening.
Oh The Irony of Me, who is always hounding the children about how NUMBERS IN ADDRESSES MEAN STUFF!
For instance, if you’re in front of 200 N Delaware, then 151 will be on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. Or, in my case, laughing in the shadows behind my back.
Sometimes you I need to calm down and think!
We got there. Oh yes indeed, we got there straight away.
It was 10 to 10 when we left the parking garage.
Not a lot of places open for the cold, hungry, tired Motterns to eat. Sassy suggested IHOP.
#ThursdayDoors is part of an inspired post series run by Norm Frampton. To see other doors of interest, or to share your own, click the link.
joeyfullystated 
❤ ❤
I'm sorry about the anxiety, I know that can suck the fun and life out of an evening like this. But thanks for taking us along for the journey. It was fun to feel like I was there with you because you painted such great pictures. Also, I loved that door with the metal design on it. Wish I had that in my house!
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Thank you very much ❤
I had such anxiety hangover last night, I pretty much fell right to sleep. A belly full of pancakes didn't hurt, either!
I feel like trash today, but this downtime tonight should help me restore for Friday.
I loved that door, too. I'd never seen anything like it. Would it look good on your house? It'd look weird on mine…
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I had such a bad night of no sleep last night, I might as well have had anxiety. I had that kind of “hangover” today, and Butthead puking again didn’t help. I hope you get lots of restorative time tonight…sending you good vibes.
I don’t think that door would look good as an entrance door to my house, but I have a spot INSIDE that it would be pretty cool on. My dining room (which we NEVER use) has these decorative things on one wall that used to be sliding window covers in my grandmother’s house. It’s a similar deco-style pattern… I’d SO put that door in that doorway! Seriously, it would look ridiculous but SOOOO awesome! LOL
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Haha! Well if I see any for sale, I’ll let you know 😉 Sliding window covers sound neat!
I hope YOU get restorative sleep tonight, and Butthead, too. And thanks again.
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Oooo, this is some story with what appears a happy ending. I had to google AFA and the shoes (“They aren’t actually meant to be worn.” Some scary shit! :o) I have to say that you kept your mind on the most important thing, clicking at doors throughout. Impressive.
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Thanks so much! It was a happy ending, yes. 🙂
I do find that taking pictures keeps me in the moment, which distracts me from my anxiety.
Those shoes are to-die-for cute, but they’re awful. Moo has tiny, narrow feet, and if she can’t wear them, no one can!
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I love the doors! So many beautiful moments included here; yes, and anxious ones! I am also not a fan of parking garages. When in San Francisco, I take a picture of my car with its lot number/whatever, then a picture of the garage outside and a street sign. Every time I make a turn, I shoot a picture of the street sign. This is how I work myself backwards to my point of origin!
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Very clever — photo breadcrumbs! 🙂
Thank you, Sunny, it was a great night for doors and music 🙂
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Oh, you do get my mind thinking about my nightmares. First, I have a very real recurring nightmare of being trapped inside a parking garage, getting lost on the ramp and ending up in some god-forsaken war zone in an inner city – which I NEVER drive in. Second, Pennsylvania and Delaware are both states for which I did taxes yesterday and I cannot begin to express the feels I had doing that. Yeah, I definitely felt your anxiety. Great doors though. Congratulations to Sassy for having such an honor.
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Thank you!
I’m sorry to have prompted you to think about your nightmares! Sounds awful!
Sassy is most talented ❤
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And Moo is her own girl. I have often kicked off my shoes, but not in such cold temperatures.
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No, Moo is the latest in a long line of women who will not tolerate shoes 😉 LOL I actually said that last night, “Grandma would be so proud! That’s my kid, doesn’t need shoes!” Oh how we laughed! 😀
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Great story, suspenseful and door-filled. I feel like you do about parking garages, yet if I go downtown I have to use one of them… wondering if I’ll ever find my way back to my car again. I admire your ability to get photos of public places without any of the public intruding on your shot. That is a gift. Sorry there’s no pic of you and the family after the concert, but I can imagine how you looked from your description.
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Thanks so much 🙂
And for the reassurance that parking garages should provoke a lil anxiety, with all the twists and turns in the dim lighting.
I’m glad you could see my description in your imagination 🙂
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Those green door with gold accents at the Symphony are lovely!
I agree with Mexi how you kept your eye on the Doors all evening, anxiety and all is amazing!!
Poor Moo! I’ve been so disappointed by a pair of shoes that look so pretty on, but you can’t walk in them! I hope she doesn’t have blisters, or sore feet today.
I’m glad everything went well for the Sassy and the performance.
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Thank you!
I don’t know if you read him, but blogger Rob Goldstein once told me that he took pictures on the street to help him turn outward from his anxiety, and I’ve found that looking for doors (or the photo a day prompt) HAS helped 🙂
That shoe situation can be brutal! Her feet are okay, and I’m glad she took them off, or they probably wouldn’t be okay.
It was a full, mostly fun evening 🙂
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Street photography causes me anxiety! I just shot an event last week-end and I was so nervous about taking people’s photo. Thankfully the people and groups were very gracious, and welcomed the photographers that were there. Phew! That made it just a wee bit easier.
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Oh. I’m so glad they were gracious, and I’m sure your photos are spectacular, and those same people will be pleased as pie! 🙂
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Fingers crossed. 🙂
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Applause (loud and boisterous) I am sad you had to face so much anxiety. Glad that you had a great family moment. Pat is the only person I know that doesn’t mind driving and parking downtown. I will drive through the downtown area but if my destination is Downtown then I bus. I can image the sight the Motterns made in Indy after dark. You did manage to find some decent doors. That Joey. Always delivering the Doors.
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Thank you!
I am glad it all went well and pancakes made for soothing 🙂
I do deliver the doors, and I don’t mind driving or parking downtown! 😀
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If I can find a parking lot I am good. I just don’t like spending the money. Garages freak me out.
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NOT a fan of parking garages at all. 😦
I hate spending the money, too. But oy, we’da had to park FARRR for free parking!
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I know that is why I am sooo happy I can take a bus downtown. I can walk 1 block to the stop and then get off at the new Bus Station. The most I have to do is carry an extra tank.
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Bah, don’t brag to me about your joyous urban simplicity! LOL, you don’t even hafta worry about school districts!
There’s a bus stop by my house, but I bet I’d have to take five of them to get downtown, prolly take 90+ minutes! But my kids have a great performing arts department! LOL
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LMFAO.You’re right school districts mean nothing to me.What bus runs by your crib? I bet you can get downtown with one bus. A buck fifty is a hellova bargain. I am glad you have a great performing arts program. I can see you and Sassy and Moo with the Mister and a cello rolling downtown on a bus. Wouldn’t that be something.
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I guess it would be something, yes. I have no idea what Indy buses come and go down there, but I can fer damn sure tell you some harrowing school bus stories! 😀
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School busses are scary. I see them running around the city and I think God I have no school aged kids.
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You know it!
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283 miles away? I’m almost ROTFL from that. Sometimes Siri/GPS is SO off and SO bizarre!! Although I love all the photos, the story takes second place, right after my congrats to your Sassy one! Way to go, Sassy!! Glad you survived and, not get arrested by Child Services for child’s foot abuse, find IHOP, get home, and actually compose yourself enough to compose this. 🙂 May today be much more calm (or “clam”, as my hasty fingers first typed.)
janet
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Sassy really is a gifted cellist ❤
I am also glad no one arrested us for neglect of our minor 🙂 That Siri, so unreliable. Gah!
Today was calm enough. We're all so glad to be in for the night.
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I miss downtowns that are more than one street..
Sounds like yall went on one heck of an adventure! And cool doors too.
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Thanks! Yeah, I’m sorry about your ‘town’
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Joey, that was quite the adventure for your family. Trying to find your car reminded me of the Seinfeld episode in the parking garage. Glad you finally found the car and were able to enjoy Sassy’s participation with the symphony and the victory feast at IHOP afterwards. So….are the Kenneth Cole’s in the garbage or were they re-gifted to Goodwill?
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Definitely trash. I wouldn’t want anyone to suffer like that on our account.
It was a full, mostly happy night 🙂
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“Siri said it was 283 miles away.”–Ha, typical. Glad you eventually found your way. It’s never fun to be disoriented, and it’s even worse when it’s freezing outside!
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That Siri, she has no idea how much we love-hate her.
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You got IHOP, everything’s better with IHOP.
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I slept really well, too 🙂
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You caught some good doors on your adventure:)
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Thanks 🙂
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You must be so proud! Well done, Sassy! I’m glad you all had such a wonderful time (once arriving). I don’t care for parking garages, either. And, going new places usually makes me anxious, too. But, IHOP sounds like the perfect way to end the day! Hope Moo’s feet are okay. 🙂
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She is a fabulous cellist ❤
Moo's feet are GOOD, and I don't think they would be if she'd kept them on through the walk back.
I'm glad to know you're no fan of parking garages. I felt like I had the right to be anxious, like I had reason, which was somewhat comforting.
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😊
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You managed to capture ssome wonderful doors, Joey and that food looked perfect for feeding a hungry family! 🙂
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It was a full night — I was famished!
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You got some shiny doors here! Oh, how do I remember the hurry hurry stage when one has teens! Love the sentence “I saw them seeing us.” When your teen(s) are out of the house it will eventually slow down, who knows you will miss it (I did)!
And thank you for your kind comment about my painting The Broken Bridge.
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I think I will enjoy a slower pace, but I will miss them. I miss the older two ❤
I'm glad you liked that sentence — It really was a palpable feeling to be seen as we were!
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We can sense the anxiety, this read as “stress” in the city. But there was lots of ornate stuff in your pics, and you made it back to that garage. Any event that ends up with pancakes…can’t be all bad.
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Nope, it was a great night! Just… full 🙂
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So cracking up at that description of you and your family walking around. I bet people felt so sorry for Moo, since her well-dressed family wouldn’t buy her any shoes 😀
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LOL Truly! I’m glad you laughed! 🙂
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Wonderful pics! Wonderful doors! Poor Moo — haffin to take her fancy shoes off and walk in the freeziness. At least she didn’t wait until she saw somebody seein’ you and go, “Mama, PLEASE let me put my shoes back on. I’ll be good, I PROMISE!”
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LOL! I know! It was a terrible time to be the mama one! And you know how they put ice melt down? I was like, “Try not to step too much in that…”
Thank you, Marian 🙂
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Ha ha, you and I think alike every post should end with food!
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😀
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Whew! I was nervous if you guys were gonna make it back to the car! Very proud of Sassy. Oh, Moo….WTH is up with Kenneth Cole making shoes that you cannot walk in?! Great doors. Pancakes…!!
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I dunno, but those shoes are trash now. Poor kid.
I was nervous, too. I was about five minutes from callin a cab, LOL!
Thank you, Lois 🙂
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I can’t believe you actually stopped to take door photos in the height of anxiety to get Moo to her performance!! You are seriously addicted 🙂
I know your fear about parking garages. I share it and each time I’m forced to leave my car in one, I’m convinced I may never see my car again. When I first got a phone with a camera, I started to take photos of where my car is parked – my version of leaving breadcrumbs. It has helped reduce the anxiety.
btw – Yay Moo!! I know you were just bursting with pride ❤
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I’m glad-sad you understand my trepidation about the parking garage.
Sunny said she does the photo breadcrumb thing, too!
I can take pictures as a way to focus on something other than my anxiety and that’s good.
I’m all for Yay Moo, but it was Sassy who played 😉
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Oops. My apologies to Sassy. I got too caught up in the parking garage
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Ah, s’okay! They’re not your kids, you’re not required to remember who’s who 🙂
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An adventure with a happy ending…and pancakes!!! Thanks for taking us along 🙂
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Thank you for joining us 🙂
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The lost story riveted me to my sofa and made me sit up straight, Joey!!
I loved the Indianapolis map wire art thing as well as the gorgeous door which looked like meant for a Giant! The one with the intricately woven metal “grate” over the window was beautiful. You captured the pride and love that Sassy totally deserved for being chosen to perform.
I hope my grandson sticks with the bass since Skyler has “rhythm!” When he thumps as he plays, I tell him he sounds like the 50’s “beatniks!” 🙂 “Huh?” I just smile.
Look at you, so pretty and beautiful! You have nice complexion in the car photo after work, Joey. Do people ooh and aahh over your porcelain skin? Seriously, you look like a thirty year old and could be like my youngest Felicia who turns 32 this December. Big Hugs and Congratulations to Sassy! 🙌 Sorry about dear Moo’s feet being cut into by the ill-fitting shoes. 😦
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OH I love the beatnik reference 🙂 I hope he sticks with it, too. There’s so much joy in music.
Thank You!
You are the only person who mentioned the map, and I’m so glad you liked it! I thought it was fabulous. You know someone MADE it, not a machine. I would like to have one!
So kind of you to compliment my skin. People do not talk about my skin. They did when I was younger, but not now. I have rosacea, and like everyone who’s aging naturally, I have dark spots and wrinkles. I have make-up on in that photo, and I think the lighting was good. I do look younger than my age, and I’m pretty sure that’s just my genes. But still, so nice, thanks again ❤
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Such a flurry of activity and anxiety all in one post. I was stressin’ for you just reading about it.
And all the while you still had the presence of mind to notice AND stop to take pictures of pretty doors?
Now THAT is door dedication!
*Hands Joey imaginary/virtual door dedication medal in a lovely velvet-lined box*
I lost the car in a parking garage just last month, so I know how that feels 😦
Congrats to Sassy on the gig, I’m sure her parents were quite proud. As for Moo’s evening, I think the main life-lesson here is: always wear comfy shoes.
Great post!
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Oh my, I feel so special! Thank you!
I find that looking for things to photograph can be helpful with my anxiety. Makes me stay in the moment 🙂
A man who has the courage to admit losing his car! Bravo! *hands Norm a medal* Thank you!
Definitely always wear comfy shoes!
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As others have noted: I bow to you and your intrepid devotion to mothering and blogging.
Now, as to door details: regarding the doors under the text, “… stopped for two doors. Dunno where. Was cold, anxious, worried about Moo’s feet.” Are they as tall as they look?
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Thank you 🙂
The first one was noticeably tall, I’d say it was at least 15 feet tall, because I only came up to the third glass pane.
The second one was maybe 12 feet, didn’t seem so much tall. But I love that metal design 🙂
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Oh my! Glad you made it back to the parking garage. It really is annoying when Siri loses her mind and can’t give you the proper directions. You captured some amazing photos on your trek though! Congrats to Sassy on her performance and I hope Moo’s feet recovered (from the pinching AND the freezing ground). Nothing worse than shoes that don’t want to cooperate.
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Thank you 🙂
It sure was one heck of an evening. I think we experienced every emotion available!
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I don’t feel so bad about arriving a day late, after reading this. I’m glad you made it on time, glad you shared the story (which has me chuckling) and so very glad you chose to stop for a few doors pics. Norm should give you the “Above and Beyond” medal this week. I love iHop, and breakfast for dinner, so you’re scoring all over the sheet on this one. Great photos, good choices and you guys are nuts (but I wouldn’t miss your stories for nothing).
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I am glad to have had you chuckling 🙂
I am honored you enjoy my stories!
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Only thing you left out was a video of Sassy playing! And … I second the vote for “Over & Above”!
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Thanks so much!
I don’t post current photos/ videos of my kids, only old ones.
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That is very smart!
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I don’t know how you do it, Joey! Lol, I would’ve been SO lost! 283 miles away, I’d have been in a blind panic too.
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That Siri, she’s out of her mind 😉 Thanks!
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Pingback: Writing Links 3/20/17 – Where Genres Collide
Thanks!
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You’re most welcome for anything I remember to say about your entertaining posts. I will confess, I savor your posts which causes me to wait to read them all at once like aong phone conversation with a great friend, Joey. This is my Saturday catch up moment. I loved the wire mesh “grid map” art!! 🙂
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I appreciate that, and I need to catch up to you ❤
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No worries. Sometimes we just barely can tread water in our blogging connections! 🙂
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Oops, please delete one, sorry Joey! Silly cell phone!!
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