AZ part two

Steven was so much fun to be with. He then took me out to my Uncle's and with jill's help we found it lickity-split. Doug's instructions were perfect as well. I found the key easily enough and was quickly exploring their beautiful house. We made the comment to each other that it was so much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. And their cat was SO friendly and practically showed us the house herself, from the big windows lining their back wall to the upstairs rug. It made me laugh to see that Doug had a "drink fridge" upstairs. I guess brothers will be brothers and that is why we have jill. I especially loved looking at their pictures: one of grandpa as a soldier, of them, and their kids, of the temple, I loved it. Steven left and I was ready to head out in their Ford truck, got in it and for some strange reason it wouldn't turn on, I was starting to sweat (we'll pretend that was only from the heat). So then I am looking around in the car, processing information and click, click, click.... it is a stick.... o.k, figured out how to start the car.... but that wasn't enough, and I quickly came to my senses that I was NOT going to be driving someone else's car in a place I do not know especially in a system that I do not know how to drive, and called up Danielle to come and pick me up. At first I was really disappointed but even before Danielle arrived I had realize that it actually turned out better this way. I hadn't figured out how I was going to get back to the airport or sleeping arrangements, so this ended up being better. While waiting I further explored the house. They have a spiral staircase (I love that I am running into those in the most random places) and a beautiful brick patio that I was lucky enough to spend half an hour on in the beautiful sun. And then to go and see their tortoises and grapefruit tree. I was glad that I had the opportunity to go there and have time to myself in those two days. Danielle certainly had fun teasing me that I don't know how to drive "clutch" and maybe it is something that I should learn, but.... I guess that is going to have to wait for the right opportunity.
I was really glad to see Danielle and to have time to spend and talk with her despite that it took her twice as long to get home as it did to come and get me because of the traffic. But I have got to tell you that the scenery in Az is beautiful. I loved driving and seeing the palm trees and the cacti and the pretty flowers, it was fun. Next I got to see Danielle's house which I wasn't surprised to see belonged to Danielle and her mother. They had a "green room" and a "blue room" and it looked like their house was just themed down to the smallest detail and just immaculate. I feel bad that they felt like they needed to clean everything to impress me, but it certainly looked good. Her mother was kind enough to serve us a lasagna dinner shortly after we arrived, but there was an air of uneasiness that was present, I felt slightly uncomfortable intruding in on their home at that point. I was grateful that her sister Kim was their to talk about the first day of her internship. It was fun to see Breana and see Dan in her element at home and with friends. We went to Coldstone and talked outside it was fun. (catch-up, Breana is Dan's best friend from growing up, and is getting married in Dec - I can sympathize with Dan in her thoughts surrounding such an event) Next we saw 'Penelope' at her house and laid in bed talking.
The next day it was great to be able to get up and relax in the morning with just the two of us there. Then Kathy and Brooke came home (they were getting ready for high school to start on Mon -meaning 9th grade - big stuff) and we went over to the mall for a make-over for each of us, a first for Brooke, it was cute to see her so nervous. Then it was fun to share in Dan's traditions of getting black and white chippers. Kathy was really funny about loving how her daughters looked after their mack-overs. She kept telling them how BEAUTIFUL she thought they were, that their eyes just popped now, and then how she thought that we were the three most beautiful girls in the mall right then. She certainly loves her daughters. We next went to a golf course for lunch and it was great to see the family enjoying themselves.
That evening was the one that I was most concerned would either be a flop or a success, and with starting it out with....
(to be continued....)