Friday, Family & Friends!

I was granted a reprieve from work and was able to leave midday!  I got Stella connected with her friend Kari, who is off to college this weekend and they went to the fair, while I did some blogging at Mom's and then Michael & Kathleen joined us and we all walked over for the talent show.

It was more crowded than it has been, but we still scored seats sixth row center stage!  Michael and Kathleen went to grab a bite and a beer and I asked them to find a Bud for me.  (I can only drink rice beer to avoid allergy troubles all evening)

As we waited for the show to start, a trash picker-upper guy came by and wanted to clear our aisle. He was trying to get a piece of trash and I commented "that's a sticky one!"  and he said "I like the sticky ones!" he was awfully impressive with his grabber, until he found an entire pineapple shell from the Manny's Tortas pina coladas...he was determined to get it with the grabber.  He laughed and joked and I must say, for a guy whose job it is to pick up trash at the fair...(day nine) he had a great attitude and was so funny!  I wish I had a picture.

Michael & Kathleen were gone quite a while, returning with Bull Bites, wine and no beer for me.  I guess I did not realize that Budweiser is not available everywhere.  I always buy mine at the Ball Park, so I have not noticed. The show started, but after the first act, I told Kathleen to time me. and I raced across the street, through the Food Building, around the corner to the  Ball Park, found the shortest line on the garlic fries side, got a beer and returned via the Food Building, but found congestion near the cheese curds, so I veered to the right, out the side doors by the Isabel Burke's taffy and wound my way quickly back up to the bandshell.  Only once did I almost bump the beer when a guy cut me off and stopped in front of me...I raised the beer high, slopped a drop but did not lose it, cursing under my breath. I returned to my seat in less than five minutes!  I only missed one four minute act!  (sadly, Kathleen told me it was a good one...a kid doing show tunes.)  But after three days at work, I was right where I wanted to be with family and friends!

Stella & Kari joined us towards the end, and Mom & I went up to see the County Fair talent Show and the girls went in search of dinner.  Michael & Kathleen went off to have fun on their own.

I lagged behind and as I walked up Cosgrove, and got to sample the new Ocean Spray Sparkling Tangerine drink.  

The guy serving it had a false enthusiasm and I joked and told him to try it with more feeling....he laughed and gave me jazz hands and the guy next to him called him Sparkle pony!  I was getting a glimpse into day nine, heat induced, state fair employee humor!

Found Mom had already joined friends!

S i hung out at the back and I got a call to say Sara Q was on her way out, so we met at the Baldwin Stage, and then the girls quickly joined us.  

We took a couple group shots and then I saw the Alphabet State Fair booth and we got a great picture of us four girls!

Stella and Kari explored some of the booths up in the park and Stella found the cup & ball toy and it didn't take her long to nail it!

We walked to the Ball Park stopping at Culligan to fill up water bottles. I got onion rings, Kari got the jalapeno poppers, and after sitting for a while we needed something sweet.  Kari got the fudge puppy and Sara & I got a dough-sant.  Tonight's was a bit crunchy and not quite as good as my last.  

Since it was finally crowded, and Stella is not a fan of too many people and warm weather, she had had enough, we had all had a long day and Kari & Sara  had much to do to get Kari ready to leave for college this weekend.  I started thinking that I will be doing that all too soon!

Once home, I tumbled into bed and was sound asleep in 15 minutes.