Morning Coffee with very good friend!

Shortly after 8am this morning......there was an expected knock on the door and right on time....unusual for him......Mike Goldsmith walked in and the French Roast coffee was quickly poured for both of us. For the next two hours, we chatted, laughed, and discussed the events of the community, the school, our lives, our children's lives, and our plans. A well-rounded conversation over several cups of dark, rich coffee. As normal, we just don't have enough time to cover everything we would like to talk about..............almost like two old women who need to gossip to get the day off to a good start.

Soon after Michael left for a mid-morning conference call that he had scheduled, the 1st Lady and I took off for St Louis........not a planned journey, but we needed to take care of a few things and so, what better day to run up to the city than today?!

I first took my truck to Heartland Auto Repair as it has been having something leaking on the driveway concrete and I needed to have it diagnosed and repaired. Leaving from there we were in the city in an hour and fifteen minutes......and soon we were looking for a couple of chairs that would go with our main table that we have in the extended kitchen......the patio room. We hit a couple of shops and and then did some more looking for some items for the trip to Egypt/Jordan........

We also located a GREAT wine store with thousands of bottles of wine.........Lucas Liquors out on West Manchester. Before long we had grabbed a half case of wines to take home with us. The prices weren't too high........better than I anticipated. Picked up a bottle of Rodney Strong dark red medicine (Cabernet Sauvignon) of the 2003 vintage for a few coins less than $14.00......a pretty good buy! We will definitely return here.......soon!!!!

Lunch was at Applebee's.......and we really do enjoy their Pick Pair lunches in the work week before 3pm. I had the Bacon Turkey on Ciabatta with the Grilled Shrimp and Spinach Salad. Great choice.......but then I seem to always gravitate to these two selections. Give it a try........a great light meal for just a few little bucks!!

Then we hit a couple of more shops......and then for the last stop we went to Valley Park and the Carol House Furniture store. WELL........this is where we purchased our table and chairs a few years ago......and HOT DAMN!!!! They had four chairs exactly like we needed to match our set.......they have been discontinued and were on sale. Instead of $300 a piece......there were only $97!!!!!!! Did we ever jump on that bargain!!! Bought two.....just like we were looking for....loaded them into the back seat of the Park Avenue.....and hurried out into the Rush Hour traffic. Really had no idea they would have any of these chairs left.......we purchased the table and chairs in 2002.....FIVE years ago!!! We had thought all along that we would just have to get two chairs for the end of the table that would go ok with it, but in a different style, etc., etc.

Luck was with us today!!!!

GREAT COFFEE with a GREAT FRIEND,....MIKE!!!! A GREAT wine store discovery!!!!! A HUGE bargain for the chairs we needed to find!!!!! And.....we were home before 6pm. Obviously I was much in need of my dark red medicine........and am feeling much better after a few doses..........

And so.........it has to be obvious to you that......

LIFE IS GREAT!!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!