Last weekend some ladies from my church loaded up into several cars and headed to Minneapolis Minnesota for the Women of Faith Conference. It was a wonderful weekend of bonding with other women that I didn’t know that well (I go to a really big church so it is possible to know faces but not people). Some car loads went a day early – most with the intention of shopping but some with the intention of relaxing.
I was hoping that this year, like last year, I’d find a car load that was willing to drive me to fabric store heaven…SR Harris. Well, it didn’t work out. But, I started this weekend trip with the intention of exercising my “go with the flow” muscles and my “find joy in all circumstances” muscles. I am a list maker and a “plan down to the last-minute” girl so those muscles are weak! If I couldn’t get to the fabric store what could I do? Not much. It seems my car load was planning a lay by the pool and read day and all other car loads were full. Not to be thwarted, I decided that to maximize my joy I needed to do something other than reading by the pool. I needed to do something I’ve never done before. I needed to plan an adventure. I had two choices pay: $90 for cab fare to the fabric store or take the bus ALONE in a strange city to Mall of America. I opted for the bus. It seemed more intrepid!
I got on the bus and my first reaction was to act like I did when I was riding the bus at home. It is a long ride so pull out something to do. My phone was my go to object. 
Well then it hit me! That is not joyful or intrepid! I put the phone away and I (gasp!) looked out the window at this city that is not my home. I took note of places I wanted to go to later on. I was a creepazoid and talked to total strangers. I had fun!
My reward for being so brave was to get to Mall of America and eat at the Rainforest Cafe.
I love the decor…especially the fish tanks.
I enjoyed my view from my table….
…while I sipped my drink. Who cares that it was only 11:30 am…I was on vacation and I wasn’t driving!
I’ve been dreaming of their bacon wrapped shrimp since the last time I had it.
Heaven!
I did some shopping, getting some gifts for my family and myself.
A new wallet and a wonderfully tacky phone case!
I also enjoyed a massage chair so much that I was tempted to go home and sell my car so I could buy it. It was wonderful. I took the bus back to the hotel and had dinner. I was very tired and sore after all my walking at the Mall and knew I couldn’t walk to the opening session of the Conference. That is okay because on my bus ride I discovered that it stops right in front of the Excel Center! So I bused it there and back no problems. Lesson learned…you can learn useful things when you step out of your comfort zone.
The next morning, my roomies and I started to walk to the Excel Center. As I was walking I saw some lovely buildings (that I couldn’t take pictures of because I forgot my phone and camera) and some red fall leaves (which I picked up) and a lovely unbroken piece of blue glass (which I picked up). Upon closer inspection I had picked up a crack pipe. (I hope that is all I picked up.)
I enjoyed the conference very much. 
But since this is not a blog on religion or Christianity I will spare you the details. I will share that during our lunch break, I dragged a few of my buddies with me up the street to an antique store that I saw from the bus window the day before.
I recommend Wescott Station for its good prices, fun selection, friendly owners and well…the wonderful smell of old! There were a few things I would have loved to haul home with me but space in the car ride home was at a premium so I chose these items.
You will eventually see the photos in more detail. But I will show you the chain.
To me it looks like a simple chatelaine and that is how I will use it. If anyone else knows what it really is I’d love to hear from you. There is a slot at the back of the large end that looks like a belt would have been slid into. I have intended to make some belts for some of my outfits so this will work out wonderfully. Then I will hang a watch or a batch of keys from the other end.
So that concludes my post on my weekend vacation. You all have a nice week back at work.
