Its so sad

We are in Amsterdam right now, our flight to Detroit boards in 40 minutes. Why we are not going directly to Chicago is totally beyond my comprehension.

Depsi, you will find NONE of my photos on FB because I hate it with a passion. LOL

I dot some really good pix of zebras and giraffes. I will be sure to post some here.

Anna -- it's really COLD in chicago today... and I hear southern WI got a lot of snow again [Dells got 5" of heavy wet... ]
.... Welcome Home. [almost home]

OH Anna, I'm sorry, I didn't know or wouldn't have mentioned it.....there's times when I hate it too.....but it kept me in touch with everyone easily last year when my husband was critically ill....continue homeward !!!

Well, I fail to see the attraction of FB.

Back home about 20 minutes ago. I wonder how long we will sleep tomorrow. I'm really tired.

Don't sleep in too late or you will miss this 'spring day'!
Sure doesn't look like it outside, snow is blowing

I am fine...ready to go.

Started sorting pix. Gah!!!!!! LOL

It is always a bit of a shock returning home to an entirely different climate after a wonderful adventure....looking forward to a pictorial summary of a fantastic journey.

I am ready to see pictures :)

Lavina

glad you're home.....

I've made some close friends on Dave's and met several in my travel back and forth to Texas every year . My complaint is , it's so hard to get in a short visit with some because when your D H feels like driving , or stopping for awhile throws all your visiting stops to the side of the road . For example , I've been trying to see Moon for three or four years now . Met her once and it was so hot that day , my D H had to stay in the car to keep the windows down so the fur babies could be halfway comfortable . Had a fast hamburger with her and wanted to pick her for lots of info . I feel she is a friend that would really click if we lived closer . She answers loads of questions for loads of people on Dave's. Well , I planned on spending an hour with her if she could get away this last trip through the seventh or eighth of April . HAH! Don't think she would appreciate a phone call at 3:00 A M . So it goes . I just have to keep up with everyone on Dave's .With all my work at both places , here in Ga and back in Tex , I find Dave's is more and more like the morning coffee break I used to have with neighbor friends every morning when the "boys" got off to work . Talk about anything and everything (and ) everyone . It's become the social break for so many of us that don't get out and about like we used to .
Any thread I butt into is always of like minds on that particular subject . Sometimes I stay awhile and sometimes I go , sometimes I just lurk . Never , never , have I felt unwelcome , and if I ever do , I'm thick skinned , I'll just move over and start another thread of my own . Giggle . (Comes with being self employed for years and years , just going down the street and knocking on doors .) Sometimes you sell it and sometimes you don't , but everyday was an adventure . And the money was very good .

Ohhh Digger, you described it perfectly..hoping to meet up with a few more gal beginning of August when I'm in NewOrleans. What I have found Is that ALL are exactly as I thought they'd be, no presence, just great gals

Aw, Sally....thanks for your kind words. I know we would make great "partners in crime" if we lived closer...GRIN I have my "when I win the lottery" list and visits to Dahlonega and/or Texas are very near the top of it....figure I'll catch ya at one or the other that way....grin As for the 3AM phone call....it would be a joy to talk with you any time...I just might not make much sense that early...LOL

I've met some DG friends and they are delightful.

Waving Jean, your company still with you? If not, bet there were tears as they flew home!

Hi Betty. DD and the Grands left Thursday afternoon. I was doing okay until youngest Grandson Ethan wanted to know where my suitcase was.....when I told him I wasn't flying back to Australia with him, he started to cry and told me that was a bad idea. needless to say, I cried right along with him.

Out of the mouth of babes!

Ahhh Jean, my heart breaks for you, know you will miss them so. Your turn to visit..so glad you are ale to watch them grow via Skype!

Sending as Judy would say, big armwraps.

Thanks, maybe in 2014....more likely 2015, DH and I can visit them....airfare is just horribly expensive....$1500 to $2500 per ticket...coach..... business class is stupid expensive at $7500 to $9000 per ticket.....it would take a mega lottery winning to go first class....$13,000 to $15,000 each ticket......looks like coach is best I'll ever get to do....and get to sit elbow to elbow for 17 hours......worth it to spend the month with Aidan and Ethan....

Ha ha , Moon < I was asleep but remembered going through .Come to visit anytime .I can't remember what exit that was , tell me .Numbers leave me cold , if you don't think so , Ask my algebra teacher .
Do those boys live down under all the time ? How did they end up there . Should make a good story .
Betty, wouldn't it be awsome to be able to get all the D G friends in one convention center ? Need two weeks to get around to everyone . Better than a preacher convention .

I had the Dg Sistah's reunion at my house end of June last year for part of a,week, just under a dozen made it intimate. I'd do it again in a se

Grinning Digger....it is the Walker exit (number 15)....the first one past Hammond with actual signs of life....grin... I live about 30 minutes from there.

Yes, Australia is their birthplace/home. DD met a good-looking sweet-talking Aussie man at a work convention in 1999.....her company sent her to do some promo/sales work in Australia in 2001....she was there about 3 months....Peter came to the US....quit his job and sold most of his stuff, in January 2002....he spent a year here so we could "get to know him" (said he wanted to prove he wasn't an axe murderer or nutcase). He went back to Australia in Feb of 2003....DD followed him to Sydney a couple months later. They moved to Brisbane in 2004 and DD jokingly entered an Australian Bride magazine contest....and they won....an all expense paid wedding in the Cook Islands. they were married in September of 2004, bought a house in a Brisbane suburb and Aidan was born the following August 2005. Then Ethan came along in April 2008.

Australia is a beautiful country and they are very happy there. Do not foresee them ever moving back to the states....but DD has kept her US citizenship and the boys both have dual citizenship so they can travel freely between countries.

I would LOVE to visit Australia . Some of the largest gold nuggets come from there , found with metal detectors
Sorry your family is so far away . That's why I go to Texas every year , to be closer to my only child . He lives 3 1/2 hrs away from my place , but he has a weekend place across from me and comes down fairly often .

It is truly a beautiful place. We have been fortunate to see a small but varied portion of it. Sydney and the Opera House, Uluru (Ayer's Rock)/Mt Connor/The Olgas, Cairns and the rainforest, The "Gold Coast" of Queensland, The Sunshine Coast across the mountains from the gold coast, The zoo at Taronga island in New South Wales, and of course, Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo. There are tons of markets on weekends and seems like there is always something going on to draw you outside. The Botanical gardens in Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns are delightful and the Chinese Garden in Sydney is a perfect oasis in the heart of the city. Also, some of the most beautiful opals are found there.

It is certainly a "Bucket List" must. Grin

I could easily live there....but my sons are both here......moving there would be the same dilemma. (sigh)

I saw some of the opal's in fossils .