It is early morning and I am waiting for my load of laundry to finish so I have clothes to wear today. As I sit here my mind is wandering to my dear friends, and I wanted to share with you the thoughts that are flooding my brain.

I am sure you have heard the saying, "With friends like that who needs enemies." It is a tounge in cheek saying, meant to be funny....I'm saying it today. 

My friend Donna has moved to Missouri and I am so excited to have her here. I am trying not to be on her doorstep every day saying, "What do ya want to do today George?" like the little dog in the cartoon. I want to call her every day and ask her what she is doing, or do you want to hang out. But in reality I know she has customer quilts to do. She is trying to do some HGTV improvements to her "new to her" home, and she does have a husband and son she likes to be around. I have to take these things into account. I am also moving to two different housese so I am kind of busy too We have had a few days when we were able to do mini shop hops and we had so much fun. Since I have been a quilter for a while, some of the shops we visit will have me running into someone I know. Most of the time, I don't know them when I walk into the shop, but I sure do know them when I walk out. 

On one particular day I had to make a run to our new house, go by a cabinet makers shop, etc. I asked Donna if she would like to go and visit some quilt stores on the way back. We hit the road and I have not laughed so hard in a long time. By the afternoon of hanging out, Donna schooled me on how not to talk to people. Here are some of her tips.  Don't make eye contact. You do not have to share your life story. You can just walk away. (I can't do any of these things). 

We stopped at a quilt shop in the afternoon, (I won't say the name to protect the innocent), and from the minute we walked in the door I was pounced on. I swear to you, I did not make eye contact. I stepped through the door behind Donna. A lady working in the store, who was so excited about the store, started pointing out different areas of the store. Donna walked away. I felt like I was caught in a trap. The clerk pointed out the new area of the store....they are expanding. My thought was that was cool, since so many shops are closing or going to online only. I tried smiling and walking away, but I am pretty sure my thought were showimg on my face. I could not get away. She kept talking, the excitement ozing from her. Since I was wearing my boot for foot pain, the clerk asked if I had a broken foot. I told her no, and told her what was happening. As I spoke I could see Donna's eyeballs, in my mind, rolling to the back of her head. I finally got away, and shook myself for failing my earlier schooling. 

I made it around the store, checking out the new area, the back of the store, then made my way back toward the front of the store on the old side. The owner was cutting fabric for a customer. The customer asked what kind of surgery I had on my foot. Here was my chance to show Donna that I could do it. Donna was looking at something toward the back, but she was facing my direction. I kept looking at some fabric, but my mind was totally on passing the test. I smiled, and answered, "No surgery, just an injury." I tried to turn away. The customer continued. "I had to wear boots on both feet 42 years ago when I had my bunions removed." Dang it!!! In my mind I could see Donna rolling her eyes again. I failed! I was finally able to shake the lady, so I continue shopping, but it was not a quick shake. It took a minute to get away. 

As we were trying to make a purchase the bunion customer was paying for her purchase and broke out pictures of her claim to fame quilt, told about the few quilts she has made in a lifetime because she only hand quilts. I smiled. I don't think Donna did, she just wanted out. 

We got in the car to head back north, and hit one more store, when my schooling began again, but not before we recapped that store and the bunion customer. Donna said that when the customer began to tell me about her bunion surgery 42 years ago, she said to herself, "Just shoot me!" Oh my gosh, I started laughing and it was one of those laughs where your eyes are squinted shut and you just can't stop laughing. I was driving. Donna started calling me an "Influencer". I don't think she means that in a good way. 

We made it to the next shop and I was going to prove that I didn't have to talk to everyone. A sweet young woman shouted out across the store with her welcome to the store and asked if there was anything she could help us with. We smiled, told her that no, we were just looking. I did not look at her, but kept looking straight ahead. The hardest thing I have ever done! I did not talk to anyone in that store except Donna. I think she was proud of me. 

When we were traveling back to Kansas City, Donna told me I needed business cards. I told her I don't have a job or a business. I don't do anything to warrent business cards. Donna said that I was an influencer and that I needed cards. Later that week, Donna sent me an email with business card she had designed for me that advertised my Facebook page and had the word "Influencer" splashed across the card. I laughed and told her she was crazy. 

Last week when we got together, I laughed about the business cards, and jokingly told her that if I needed an "Influencer" card, she needed one that had "Entorage' " splashed across it. We laughed and she pulled a little black, cardboard box out of her bag. Again, I was driving, and she presented me with my new business cards. 

Why does she do this to me when I am driving? 

I'm so happy she is here. Don't tell Donna, but it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.