Hell, I'd been on the road since 10:00 AM, and didn't arrive in Phoenix until nearly 4 PM. (Traveling with Zoe our pit bull proved to be a bit challenging.)
Harry was cool. He lay in the cargo area on his mattress and slept most of the trip. Zoe walked back and forth on the back seat panting and squealing at the top of her lungs.
"Do you think she needs to pee?", "Do you think she needs to poo?", "Do you think she needs water?". It seemed we needed to stop at every rest stop area between Indio and Phoenix. I felt dirty with grime from the road, and we really had not eaten since leaving our hotel in Indio. I don't "do" breakfast, but Alex does. Oh wait, I didn't eat the night before either. We drove from Alameda to Indio in about 7 hours. By the time we got to Indio, nerves were frayed and restaurants were closed. Bummer.
We pulled into the Phoenix Biltmore Embassy Suites and it felt like a true oasis in the desert. Lovely lobby, great suite of rooms, even a little private patio. Although I was scheduled to meet sister-bloggers, Barbara Schuster and Ann Curry for dinner shortly, I was ravenous. I sent Alex out asking that he bring back something to eat as quickly as possible. I jumped in the shower (badly needed), and then applied cute make up, and finger combed my long curly locks of hair. Okay, that was a lie. I pushed my hands through my crew cut. I was goofy tired and starved but at least I looked clean and smelled better than I had before. Still, I was a bit stressed and dehydrated and hungry. Did I already mention hungry? I threw on some clothes and my trademark Prada stilettos and a tiny spray of Coco by Chanel, and I was ready for action.
I was just shoving a bite of a turkey sandwich into my mouth when Barbara called from the lobby letting me know she had arrived.
Barbara is a bubbly, beautiful, high energy gal. She is warm, funny, adventurous and has a 1,000 megawatt smile. I loved her at first sight. We went back to our suite and I introduced her to Alex and Zoe and Harry. Alex was polite, Zoe not so much. I continued to try and shove more turkey sandwich in my mouth realizing how crude I was being but I couldn't help it. Barbara pretended not to notice. (I told you she's adorable.)
Ann telephoned and gave Barbara directions to the bar where we would rendezvous with her. It was a short ride away. I left Alex and the pups to their own devices and we took off.
At first glance, I knew Ann was landed gentry. She was perfect! Her stylish rich girl hair and diamond studs wowed me! Never mind that, the woman looked to be made from crushed pearls. Prettiest darned skin I've ever seen on anybody over the age of 3 months. (Yes, at one point, I did fondle her ankle. It was just as smooth and perfect as it looked.) When Ann speaks, it conjures up visions of mint juleps and manicured lawns on plantations. She is a magnificent example of pure Southern womanhood. She bowled me over!
I drank two margaritas in rapid succession. Damn that tasted good! Further, we drank some wine with our dinner, and then followed it up with a brandy later. We talked and laughed for what seemed like hours! I loved these girls!
When it came time to go back to my hotel, I realized I had never checked to see what our room number was. (Did I mention I was tipsy by then? Okay, maybe I was pretty tipsy.) The lobby would not give me Alex's room number since my last name and his are not the same, but I finally figured our I could call Alex and ask him to let his drunk-assed wife into the room.
The next night, Alex and I had dinner with Barbara and Ann. It was another fun and lovely evening.
I wish Barbara and Ann lived in my neighborhood!
