Party Time in San Francisco (Again) - Part II

It will make more sense if you read the earlier post first (it has pictures).

We had the usual last minute scramble and I forgot to pack a couple of things (socks, for example - L. has a shoe free house so I borrowed socks from her). Other than that all our plans fell into place, no one was sick, my friend drove me the entire four blocks to Amtrak, and I escaped. I packed twice what I needed but it was only one bag and a very small purse. Not too bad.

I got off the Amtrak bus in downtown SF (Amtrak runs to the East Bay - from there they run a shuttle bus to the city), got on the correct BART train (BART has added an airport run since I lived in the city - I didn't want to find myself there), and Roger and family picked me up at the other end.

From there we went straight to L's. Stefanie was already there with that beaming smile in place. Hugs all around, a little chatter, and on to the important stuff - the takeout menu. As you can see, no one went hungry.

There were plenty of kids to liven things up even without Stefanie's and mine. L.'s three and Roger's two kept their parents busy. For once I just watched and admired. They're all adorable and they'd grown since I last saw them.

I can't speak for anyone else but I had a wonderful time. I knew L. and Roger (and family) of course from the potluck last March. In the "small world of bloggers" category, Dutch and Wood who co-write Sweet Juniper were still living in San Francisco last March and were at the pot luck then.

They moved to Detroit during the summer and, on their way, stopped off in Salt Lake City, met Stefanie there, and spent some time with her family before traveling on. This time Stefanie came west (just for the weekend).

I've already said L., Roger, Dutch, and I all met on Blogging Baby - all as commenters back then. Now both Roger and Dutch write for BB. I can't remember when I first crossed paths with Stefanie but we've known each other for a while.

They're all on the blogroll (including Blogging Baby) and all good reading:

L. - The Homesick Home
Roger - Uncle Roger's Journal etc.
Stefanie - Mommy Matic

Dutch and Wood - Sweet Juniper

Our party broke up around eleven - long day for all of us, Stefanie had to be on a plane at 5:00 a.m, and Roger's kids (as well as the rest of us) were beginning to fade. Time to go our separate ways.

Meantime, I'd contacted another San Francisco friend (not a blogger; I've known Louis for more than twenty years). We don't see as much of each other as we'd like but we've never lost touch. We got together, he and his friend fed me enchiladas and Spanish rice (plus a decadent dessert) for Sunday dinner, watched the Forty-Niners lose to the Chargers, then Louis took me to the Amtrak connection.

I arrived home about 3/4 of an hour behind schedule - Amtrak running a little late. The girls were still barely awake, gave me a hug, and went to bed. From all I heard, everyone managed nicely.

And now it's almost midnight here and tomorrow is a school day. I may still be a little too hyped to sleep but I'm going to try.

But first I'm going to catch up on the mail. I know there are comments awaiting me but I wanted to get these posts on first.

It was a wonderful respite, I'm glad I did it, and now I'm glad to be home.

Take care everyone.