Friday started like any other day around here. We were up early for chores and I worked outside until it was time for Reed to go to school.

After getting my extra hugs and kisses, I dropped him off at preschool, came home, got cleaned up and packed my bag for the night. I was excited to get on the road to my friend’s house.

A few weeks ago she had invited me to go to a dinner theatre show with her in Minnesota. I was so excited! I love to go to performances of most any kind, and it happened to fall at a time when my husband would be busy at a wrestling tournament.

It was good catching up on the couple hour ride to Minnesota. We stopped about half way to take in a little shopping. We particularly enjoyed one shop called Urban Vintage, and marveled at all of the rustic items and functional decorations! Such cute uses for everyday things! We had quite a few “I can do that myself” moments.

Back on the road and into the city we went. It always amazes me how many businesses and restaurants there are… and I wonder with so many choices, how can they all survive?

We passed the first Casino I ever gambled at. I had just turned 18 and I had taken a trip with my mom and two sisters. I can’t remember what we went to Minnesota to do, but I can’t forget how I won, hand over fist, on one lucky slot machine!

I would win anywhere from $75 to 100 dollars, cash out, put in another ten or twenty, only to do the same again. I had quite a few tickets in my hand before my sisters found me!

And I remember they had a security person come stand by the machine so I could take a bathroom break! I cashed in my tickets before hitting the bathroom and felt like a bank robber as I counted the cash in that bathroom stall! And when I returned to my machine, I won just as much money as when I had left.

Boy, what an impression gambling made on me! Ha ha!

Speaking of casinos…The last time my friend and I had taken a trip, we stayed at a hotel casino in Illinois. We had drove through pouring rain and arrived over 2 hours later than we had planned.

It was nearing Midnight and I was sure she would say, “Let’s just go to bed”, but she surprised me and said “Let’s go!” And down to the casino we went!

We each had given ourselves an allowance and played several machines before we stopped to watch a guy who was winning on a Wheel of Fortune machine.

I always liked to watch those games. When the lights would flash and the machine would blare WHEEL!     OF!      FORTUNE!!!!!     and the big wheel at the top would start to spin!!!

As we stood there watching, she said, “When we come back in the morning, I want to try this machine”, pointing to the one I was standing next to. I studied it a little to see what it took to win on it.

We were coming back in the morning? Hmm. I hadn’t planned on that.

I had reached my $40 limit already, but pulled out a 20 dollar bill and said. “I have a 20, do you want to play?” and she said “Nah, I’ll wait til morning.” So I looked at the machine again and said “Do you mind if I play it then?” (Not figuring on coming back in the morning) and she said “Sure, I don’t care.”

It wasn’t long before I got in my rhythm of betting the maximum only every so often when I thought it would hit. Slowly I was racking up the credits.

And this machine was fun, I mean really fun! Once in a while, it would give you a winning combination, and then go crazy, spinning over and over, doubling, sometimes tripling the original winnings!

Soon, the guys we had been watching at Wheel of Fortune had turned their chairs, looking to see what our shrieks were all about! This idle machine had come to life, lighting up over and over with matching reels!

I was up over $700 before I saw my luck beginning to fade. We looked at each other and agreed it was time to quit.

I hit the cash out button and we headed to the teller window. What a thrill! And what a great beginning to our trip!

Winning made our trip that much more enjoyable.

Our next stop was in Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival. That year Spring had come early, and I joked that the “Tulip Tour” we took was more like a “Stem Tour!”

We had a great time shopping though, and I came home with three reminders of our trip.

I bought four 3′ Tulips that had been welded and brightly painted. They were so happy looking! I knew right where I was going to put them!

I also purchased a Bird Feeder that was a great looking barn. It reminded me of home and our farm and I looked forward to putting it out each summer.

And the third thing I chose hangs in my kitchen. It’s a silver plated measuring spoon set embellished with scroll work and cupcakes. They hang right next to where I do my baking and make me smile every time I think about our trip!

One other treasure from our trip was a visit with my Aunt Gerry. Now this hadn’t been on the agenda, but when my friend heard me talking about my family and that they were only an hour further than our destination, she happily afforded me some time for a visit.

Aunt Gerry is a sister to my mom, and even though she’s lived in Michigan all of her married life, we stay close with her and her family.

It was so good to see her and talk with her and get our aye aye’s in. I was happy she recognized me, as it was one of her good days. 🙂

She so wished I had brought my mom along with me because she missed “Babe”.

We made up for it by calling her. And it was just like they were sitting across from each other, as I was with her, bantering back and forth.That was my last visit with Gerry before she passed away.

Looking back, it amazes me… how things happen for reasons we just don’t grasp at the time. We go about our days, not thinking about the things that seem so insignificant.

And then somewhere in our minds, these moments become memories that we wish we could jump back into. Because they mean so much!

In this moment, as I think back to these happy times, I am grateful for great friends and family, that I took opportunities to spend time with people, and for making memories that are worth remembering.