So who is ready to hear all about my crazy adventures in Arizona?
Make sure you grab some popcorn and your favorite beverage and take a seat. I would chose movie popcorn and a sprite light on the ice if it were me.
You are in for a ride. I forgot to check in 24 hours ahead of time and got some of the worst boarding spots one could have. Especially since I flew Southwest and they have open seating. So one of the flights I was one of the last 5 people on and well being a bigger girl I did not want to get trapped in the middle. I wanted either the aisle or window. I went towards the back and those filled up. Turned around and those were filled as well. Quick panic and anxiety about me not having a seat the flight attendant was able to have me sit in the seat where an employee would have sat, and the employee sat with the other flight attendants.
Then after some bumpy flights I landed in warm AZ. I mean I left a cold 32 degree day in western NY for 70 degree weather!
Then it was off to find my rental car. Sadly the car I chose the USB port didn't work and I had no idea until halfway to dinner with my friend Carson (Elder Barnes for those who have read about him before)and his fiance and parents. We ate dinner at a mexican restaurant named Gecko Grill, and boy was it wonderful. If anyone is near Mesa then I highly suggest it.
Then it was off to the grand adventure of checking into the hotel. They had called me when I landed to confirm I was still coming. Which I thought was odd as I landed around 5 pm and I did not expect a call. So first possible red flag. Then I get to the Colonade Motel and Suites in Mesa and there was some interesting groups of people all hanging out side around 9 pm and it made me nervous. Then the desk manager told me she had no room for me but would send me to another property just down the street. ugh.
Ok. I went down the street with my phone battery dying and needing to use the restroom. They too were full.So quick panic set in(yay anxiety and travelling to a whole new state alone). She then said they owned an apartment complex and they would put me in the model unit they have and I was locked in with my pricing so it was a great deal. So I drove to this bad part of town that Carson had warned be about at dinner. I get to the apartment complex and it was getting late. They said they just cleaned the place and I was all set.
This woman lets me in and it smells like drugs and the door doesn't even lock.So I call the Colonade and let them know that this just was not ok. I in the meantime use the bathroom after traveling across the country and barely having time to use the bathroom. There was no toilet paper and no back ups. This was not going to work.
The one woman who I share a name with, Heather, came back and she was shocked the door did not lock. She moves me to another apartment in the area and now the air conditioning does not work and I find dead bugs in the carpet. Luckily I booked with booking.com and I called their customer service. They were outstanding and fought hard to make sure I got a refund. My friend Carson was getting the updates of this adventure with the hotel and told me to head to his parents house where I could stay and be safe. So I rolled on out of the gross apartment and literally made it to the Barnes home on 1 percent battery. Seriously Heavenly Father was looking out for me and answering my prayers. Jayne and Paul had a set up all ready for me and invited me to a baptism the next morning for their grandson if I had wanted to go.
I woke up and wanted to go as I was not sure what else to do on a Saturday morning in a new state. Hoping to stay in my nice pretty dress for the wedding I wore it to the baptism too. I soon met all of Carson's nieces and nephews and the siblings who were all there for this sweet 8 year old boy choosing to be baptized.
Side note: I had an ear infection prior to this whole trip and was given a third set of antibiotics for this trip. Ones that seemed to be a hail Mary pass to try and see if they would work with me. Yay for an allergy to Penicillin. So this new awful medicine literally made me sick to my stomach and sadly all on my dress. So poor me had to awkwardly hold my arms or purse over the spot on my dress as it was not washing out in the church sink. Then towards the end of the baptism a little one was playing with my dress and all of a sudden I head "911 What is your emergency?"
Panic mode. Luckily I was able to tell them it was a pocket dial and truly things were ok. Phew!! Later I went to the Gilbert Temple and was able to see my good friend Carson marry his beautiful bride Kendall. The ceremony was beautiful and I may have cried a few times. It was hard seeing Paul(Carson's dad) so happy and proud with tears in his eyes. You expect that with the mother's but to see a dad be able to express that so openly is incredible.
The pictures were fun and I can not wait to see how they all turn out. Then I scooted off to the distribution center at Desert Book Store. If you have never been to one this is a great chance to get fitted properly for garments if you are an endowed member of the church. In Ny my closest center is actually in Canada and one needs a passport. So that is not always an option for some. So I was stoked to try on the new material of the garments and check them out.
Then after I went to Carson's sisters house and hung out with the Hawkins family. Thank goodness because Kendyl sells Lularoe and I was able to find something due to the puke fiasco earlier in the day. Man those 3 little ones I got to spend the afternoon with were just awesome.
The reception was moved indoors as there was a little rain, but it was still so incredibly stunning! I was able to see August Wood who was a missionary in Rochester as well. I was excited to catch up and see what he has been doing over the last few years.
All in all it was a fantastic time filled with seeing a great friend, chick fil A and adventure.
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