Almost Ready for KidlitCon
I fly to Minneapolis tomorrow. My first time in Minnesota! My first time going anywhere alone, without Scott and/or the kids, since, um, before there were kids, I think?
If you’ll be there, come talk to me. I’m shy about introductions (though never afterward). (Famous Peterson family story: Scott’s sister lived in Somalia when Scott and I first met, so we’d been dating for months before I met her. I’d heard all about her; she’s Scott’s only sister, the oldest of the five Peterson kids—he’s the youngest—and I was excited to meet her but terribly, terribly shy about it. Some family friends were getting married and I knew that’s where I’d be meeting Susan for the first time. Fierce rain that day. Scott dropped me off outside the church and went to park. As I entered the lobby, I saw his mom and sisters-in-law in conversation with a beautiful woman I recognized as Susan from the pictures on his parents’ staircase wall. I walked toward them, mentally rehearsing what to say: Hi, Susan, I’m Lissa. Hi, Susan, I’m Lissa. But as I drew near, Susan greeted me first: “Hi, Lissa!” And I panicked, blurting out: “Hi! I’m Susan!” Because I am so very very poised in all circumstances, oh yes.)
So anyway, if you see me at KidlitCon please don’t wait for me to make the first move. If I fumble and say my name is your name by mistake, you’ll know why.
I think I’ll miss most (or all) of the reception tomorrow night. My flight is supposed to land at 5:40 and the reception starts at six.
I have not flown since the Barcelona trip two years ago (gosh, going on three) and before that I think it had been 1999 when I went to Georgia for my uncle’s funeral. True confession: I actually love airline food and I’m sad that you don’t get it automatically (i.e. for free) anymore. How cool, though, that I can have my boarding pass sent straight to my cellphone.
I hope I remember to pack my charger.
I washed my red coat to take with me. I’ve only worn it once or twice in the four years since we moved here—oh I know, I bet I wore it last December to that terrific singalong at the organ pavilion in Balboa Park. Huh, nope. Just looked at the pictures and it must have been a warmish day. Rose is in short sleeves! So who knows how long my coat has been mustifying in the closet. When I took it out of the washer, I found loot from the pockets, fourteen dollars along with a pair of little black earwarmers my awesome friend Lisa gave me when we lived in Virginia, where the winters are freezy and I was always wincing over my icy ears. They are heartwarmers, too, because when I saw them—for the first time since our last Blue Ridge winter, I imagine—I was hit with such a wave of love for Lisa. Of course that happens pretty much every time I think of her: that’s the sort of person she is.
My parents and niece are coming here for a visit this week—we will practically cross in the air. Well, almost. I bet my house won’t be very picked up when they arrive. They won’t mind.
Do I need to pack an umbrella? I wonder if I can find the pink one I paid a zillion Euros for in Barcelona that day I got caught in the rain.
Not wearing my red coat at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion last December.
Chari says:
Have a Blast, Susan…..I mean, uh, Lissa! This wee fella is such a cutie!
I have not been on a plane since the time I flew to Virginia and met you at NACHE and “house” museum. 🙂
oh, wait……there was that short flight form LA after my aunt’s funeral 🙁
Blessings from Northern California
On October 21, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Karen Edmisten says:
Hi, Susan, Lissa here …
Wish I could be there, too, but I know that you, Susan and Lissa will all have a great time together.
😀
On October 21, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Ann says:
There is a chance of rain in Minneapolis this weekend. It’s also kind of chilly–in the 50’s during the day. Hope you have a good time!!
On October 21, 2010 at 4:42 pm
kmom says:
Wish I could come try to introduce myself! (I’m pretty shy about that too!) I’m in Iowa, so I’m close-ish! There is a chance of rain this weekend, and high temps in the upper 50’s. Beautiful fall! Have a wonderful time!
On October 21, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Sally Thomas says:
Have a fabulous time! Wish I lived in Minnesota.
On October 21, 2010 at 7:05 pm
tanita says:
I am SO BUMMED I’m missing this one too…but I’m thinking NEXT year. Hopefully.
On October 22, 2010 at 1:06 am
Melissa Wiley says:
Oooh, I wish you could all be there!
Tanita, any chance you’ll be coming to ALA-Midwinter? It’s here in San Diego…(she says temptingly)
On October 22, 2010 at 6:44 am
MelanieB says:
Happy travels! Wish I could tag along to meet everyone.
On October 22, 2010 at 8:55 am
Ellen says:
Fourteen dollars and earwarmers?! I only ever find Kleenex in my coat pockets.
On October 22, 2010 at 1:54 pm