I wonder if anyone notices me when I sit, alone, at a table at Panera's, typing away on my computer with a half smile on my face. Do they wonder who I am and what I'm doing? Just a thought. On my way to the restroom, I took notice of the many different people here. There appears to be at least three tables with book clubs. Two business meetings. Three tables of six people socializing. Five or six tables with a lone person on their laptop. From where I'm sitting, I can see three people with Starbucks cups. Lots of tables with two women. And with husbands and wives. There's been a line in front of the register the entire time I've been here, which has been at least an hour. What a vibrant place. My kind of place. I feel guilty though, because I should be at my mom's. I'm at the Panera's by her house and she probably thinks I'm at home getting ready. (Update..I just called her and said I'd be there in 30 minutes) Last night Emily said she'd be taking the bus. Oh. OK. So, I slept late, which for me was 6:58 AM. I got up, opened my bedroom door and saw Emily's was still closed. Her first time oversleeping! So, I rushed to get ready so I could get right on my way after bringing her to school. I've mentioned I'm a morning person, right?

I arrived at Kit's for the book club meeting yesterday about an hour before the start time so I could help out. Emily decided not to come. Kit's house was more clean and orderly than I've ever seen it. I'm telling you, everyone should have a party just to get their house in shape! (The shine has faded on my own. Maybe it's time I throw another party?) Had I mentioned she asked people to bring 'comfort' food? I'll try to recreate the offerings. I made a chipped beef dip served in a bread bowl. (If I've never posted the recipe, I should because it's a favorite.) There were crab balls with wasabi dip. Veggies and dip. Tomatoes and feta cheese. Deviled eggs. Lots and lots of wine. After about an hour, we sat down for dinner. Kit made the pot roast, which was fabulous. You really need to try The Pioneer Woman's recipe. There was mashed potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, a cheesy vegetable casserole, Greek salad and my fumi salad. For dessert there was Texas sheet cake and bread pudding with an amaretto sauce. After dinner and during dessert, we discussed the book. We actually spent quite a bit of time talking about it. We took a vote on the book and I'd estimate it was a split decision. We either hated it, thought it was just so so, or loved it. I was a so so. The best part was the thought provoking conversation. We left the meeting with an April date for the next one, and the promise that the book choice would be e-mailed to us. It's the first time that we didn't discuss the possibilities for the next book. I hope it's not a self-help one. Not my foray. Not saying I couldn't use help!

Yow! I was just on the phone and it ate up my last chunk of time here. I'll head over to the folks, cut my mom's hair, and maybe even watch a DVD on that 52" TV of theirs. Till the next time...