Another Quick Trip - This time to Northern California!!

Last week I had the opportunity to go back to Nor Cal to visit some of my most favorite people that I miss terribly. I got a msg from an old employee about a month ago that all the employee's wanted to carry on the tradition of a Christmas Dinner and gift exchange, so they set a date and wished I could be there. A few weeks before that I received a free southwest ticket in the mail. So, I decided to fly in to surprise them. After they changed the date 2 times, I figured it best to let someone know I was coming so the date couldn't be changed again. I flew in on Tuesday, spent the day with my really good friend Jen - she was one of our managers and we became very close friends! We were asked almost daily if we were sisters. I really miss her and it was so good to spend so much time with her. She was off on Tuesday so we spent the entire day playing! We had lunch with Karma, it was so great seeing her. (hopefully she gets out this way in the spring to see her family, or just ME!) :) Shopped at Broadway Plaza then we went to dinner with some friends from church Tuesday night. It was soooo good to see them. I think we could have stayed in the restaurant chatting all night, but they were closed so we had to leave. :( I really miss those late nights scrappin' at the store! Miss you guys!! Spent the night at Alice's house. It was great to see them again, even if it has only been a few weeks since we saw them in So Cal. Wednesday Jen picked me up and we went to brunch with Audrey and Kari!
We laughed until our sides seriously ached! Jesus -the server or busboy, not sure- really enjoyed us being there! I think he was a little sweet on Jen and/or Kari! What a great time! Some shopping at Kim's store -our old store- and then it was back to Fairfield. Fell asleep on Alice's couch... really needed a nap, I guess! Then a quick visit with Tammy and off to surprise the employee's at dinner.
(Not the best picture, but I guess this is what you get when you ask someone to take a picture for you...) Come to find out they weren't really surprised because Terri told them I was coming. Only because they tried changing the date Tuesday night! Good thing someone knew I was coming or I would've been at the restaurant by myself! It was so fun to see everyone! We had a great time catching up and I just loved seeing them all again. Back to Alice's where we stayed up way too late chatting. Then it was off to the airport the next morning, after a very quick visit with Bev. It was such a fantastic trip. I had the BEST time and I really needed it! I had been a little mopey and really missing my friends back in CA. I have only ever moved away one time, and that was when I graduated high school and went to CA. I moved a few times while in CA, but was always in the Bay Area, close enough to all my friends. So it has been a little hard being away from friends and people I have grown to love. So it was good for me to go back and see them. I missed seeing a few people that I just couldn't hook up with, but there is always next time, and there WILL be a next time! :)