My visit with MJ

As I mentioned a few days ago, a friend of mine, Mary Jo, came to visit me last weekend. She arrived on Thursday afternoon and stayed until Sunday noonish. Mary Jo is not just any ordinary friend. She's an internet friend. Oooooooh...... And to answer your questions, no, I was not scared nor was I skeptical. MJ and I have corresponded via message boards, email, text messages, and telephone for the past three years or so. She is about to have her second son in June and wanted a mini-vacation from the responsibilities of being the mom-of-a-toddler, a job that is quite taxing I might add.

She arrived from Minnesota in Chattanooga Thursday afternoon. Matthew picked her up at the airport on his way home from work. I was at home with napping boys, but I got them up and met everyone at CiCi's Pizza, where my mom's school was having their fundraiser night. Poor Mary Jo. It was crowded and loud, but she is so laidback and likes pizza and brownies, so we were just fine. She is just as nice and funny in person as she is online.

We then went home and the Top Chef New York marathon began. I had recorded almost the entire season on my DVR for us to watch b/c MJ doesn't have Bravo.

The next day was Friday. She was kind enough to stay home while Benjamin napped in the morning so I could take Andrew to my mom's school for Spring pictures. In khakis and a short-sleeved shirt. In 33 degree weather. Yikes. (Yes, he wore a coat.)

The rest of the day was pretty much as you see below. I cooked Mexican food for dinner and Andrew spent the evening, night, and all of Saturday at my parents' house. Top Chef was really good. :)



I thought this was funny. The lid of the sour cream container had a quote that was quite apropros. Here it is in the trash surrounded by other remnants of our dinner. :)



Saturday was sunny and a little warmer. Good thing b/c we had a lot of running around to do. (Which is SO much easier when you are sans kids.) Here we were before heading out. Matthew likes to take pictures before you're ready....

After going to Ace Hardware, Kohl's, JCPenney, and Barnes & Noble, we went to eat lunch at one of my very favorite restaurants, The American Cafe. Yuuummmmmmmm.

We then picked up some chips & salsa for later at Salsarita's before heading to Bi-Lo (the only grocery store that carries my mom's favorite brownies) and then to McKay Used Books. We spent quite a bit of time here, and Mary Jo stocked up on books of her son Jack's favorite movie, "The Jungle Book." It's pretty telling when two moms go to a *huge* used bookstore and stay in the children's section the entire time. Who has time to read? :)

We then went back to my house, picked up Matthew and Benjamin, dropped them off at my parents' house, then went to Wal*Mart to pick up some groceries, a new hairbrush, and some birthday presents for kids' friends. (Diana, I already found both your girls each a really neat present!!)

Then the madness began. My family came over. And it wasn't just my regular old family. It was like the Crosby family on crack b/c my crazy and fun cousin Marianne and her fiance Peter were in town for the weekend. And my other cousin Philip actually proposed to his girlfriend Crystal that same night and came over later with her to celebrate. And Crystal's friend Emily came and showed us all up by bringing a present. Both my parents were there, as well as both my brothers and my SIL Edie. There was laughter, there were inappropriate jokes, and I think my brother Michael rapped some. Oh, and I was stabbed. Thanks, Mom.

But I think the funniest thing of the evening is when my brother Justin came in the house and got tripped up on some shoes. To which he barked jokingly, "Whose shoes are these?" Mary Jo didn't skip a beat--"Those are mine." LOL! Justin said, "Oh. Well, I don't know you!" (Oops!)

We ate food, including brownies and ice cream, laughed, and talked. We got home really late but it was worth it. Here are pictures of the evening.

The next day, we ate at the house and then I took her to the airport. It was sad to hug her and say goodbye. Will I ever see her again? I really don't know. I hope so. But I know that we are truly friends and not just "online" friends. I just hate it that the season finale of Top Chef is on this week and she's not here to watch it with me.