Ridiculous Thoughts

Today was one of those days when you just say, “Ahhhhh, what a lovely day.” at the end of it 🙂

It seems like every time we make plans to head into Lincoln to visit the Voelkers, something happens to keep that from happening. One time was spent in a snowy ditch after we drove right off the interstate exit curve during white-out conditions. Just before Christmas, the kid was sick and the weather was crap. But today we finally made it in and spent a delightful day hanging out with Jo and Tom, Günter, Beca and Hannah. And the kitties 🙂 Even got a call from dad during it, so that was lovely 🙂

We brunched, we chatted – well, Shannon and I mostly sat giggling away at listening to Günter and Beca riff off each other, and Hannah telling Zoo bar stories. Jo put together a huge spread for brunch as usual and it was full of awesome. I showed off my mad juggling skillz with some Clementine oranges to hehehe. Yes, I can juggle. A little. I’m a constant surprise.

And we all walked to a couple of Asian markets… one possibly just a front for something else judging by the scant products, compelte disarray and general… oddness of the place. They did have this stuff in freezers called ‘Jews Mellow’ which prompted a few inappropriate jokes – my favourite of which was Shannon blurting out, “Jews Mellow is people!” I lost my shit laughing at that. I have looked it up though, because the name is so weird to this very white chick, and have learned it’s a leafy green vegetable popular in the Middle East, and is thought to be a sexual stimulant that makes women stray into the arms of strange men.

The other markets we popped into were loads of fun and I ended up with some Rose tea – never had it so hope it’s nice. Actually I hope it’s loaded with caffeine, but at the least it should smell nice 🙂 Also saw some frozen squid heads, and I’ve had Barnes & Barnes stuck in my head ever since.

Then after some more lovely hang time, in which Tom helped me pry the cap off my anti-freeze thingie in the car so I could fill it up, we left for a stop at our favourite import place, Eyes of the World. There is always a lot of fantastic, beautiful, funky and just plain weird stuff in there and we try to go whenever we’re there.

I bought yet another funky box thing that folds out into a clock and a shiny new silver Claddagh ring. I’ve been looking for a silver one for years actually. I was given a gold one with an emerald heart one by an old boyfriend, ohhhh about 12 years ago and it just became one of those things I wore. Not because of who gave it to me, but because I love Claddagh rings, and that one came from Ireland. Must be my Irishness I guess. I’m not really a fan of gold jewelry though. Much prefer silver so while I wore the gold one, I’ve always been on the lookout for a nice silver one. And silver ones that won’t break or turn your finger green are hard to find.

All this just to say I felt it was time to replace that one, and I’m digging being able to wear it the proper way when one’s heart has been captured 🙂

After that, it was an uneventful drive home, apart from letting Shannon take over the drive at York. Just before she got her license, she drove once on Interstate between North Platte and Ogallalla. And that’s it. She’s only ever driven here in town. As she will be going off to college *sob* in the Fall, and the one she wants to go to is 40 minutes away by Interstate, I figure she better learn it. It’s a bit different from town driving. She did well 🙂 We will practice some more this spring.

And so now we are home, with our swag from Jo and Günt and Beca (thank you again guys!) and EotW. And it was a perfectly lovely day. Thanks Voelkers 🙂 Love you all!