My local BFF dropped an opportunity on me Monday I simply cannot pass up. She's paying my way to the ABQ (hard to type the whole word) hot air balloon fiesta! As a birthday gift! I introduced her to balloon festivals last year and she really enjoys them. We've been to 3 so far, here in Iowa. She started looking into the ABQ fiesta right away. I figured we'd go...some day...She works full time and any vacation time is already spoken for to line up with her husband's.

The timing is perfect! She is right in between jobs. Got laid off (she'd been expecting it for a long time) and has a few weeks til she starts the next job she already got hired for.

We're leaving early Sunday morning. Two days of driving each way. We'll be in ABQ for 4 days. She and I have been friends for 30 years and always have a good time together. Getting there will certainly be half the fun!

This has come about so suddenly...I'm still kinda stunned.