Mama M. Meets P-Dub

When I heard that the ever so enjoyable and adorable, Pioneer Woman was going to be just a mere two hours away from me, today...I had a decision to make.

I hmm'd and hah'd, I contemplated and considered, I debated...and decided.

I knew if I didn't go...I'd be kicking myself in the head for the rest of my life (and, um...have you ever tried kicking yourself in the head? It hurts, and I know I would've pulled a hamstring...I don't recommend it.)

So, I harassed my mom into coming along, dragged my two girls with...and set off to the Mall of America.

We arrived...me, naively thinking, it would be a quaint little event...imagine my surprise, when I saw a line that surely must've been 18 miles long.

At least.

And, I'm probably being conservative.

So, I snapped a picture from afar (an iPhone pic, nonetheless...for stupid ol' me forgot my camera at home!! Bah!)...and we set off to "let the line die down" while we ate some lunch.

After a leisurely hectic lunch at Johnny Rockets, we headed back...certain the line must've shrunk to at least 1 mile long.


We were wrong.

Oh, were we wrong.

Yes, the line was smaller...by about 10 feet.

So, we parked ourselves at the back of the 18 mile minus 10 feet line...and ended up meeting some pretty fab people!! (Hi Jenny and Ryan (whose blog is private!)!!)


In fact, we spent so much time with these people, that I'm certain I could probably tell you their life histories.

And their lineage.

The birthday's of their Grandmothers.

And, probably the names of their first pets.

It's a darn good thing they were so fun!!

And...I had a little eye candy to help pass the time!


Oh, yes, my friends...that is Marlboro Man. The Marlboro Man.

Sigh...he's everybit as hunky in real life as he is on blogs.

Trust me (*fans self*)...

As if that weren't enough..."Mall Cops: Mall of America" was also being filmed!

And, now...I'm also a reality TV star. Ahem.

Or not.

So, anywho...we're waiting in line, my mom takes Baby Girl potty, comes back 27.3 minutes later, and says, astounded, "Have you even moved?"

I take a look back, and say, "Um...yeah. Probably about ten tiles."

We take to chatting with those around us, spending so much time with them, that I now consider them family.

They're coming to Thanksgiving dinner.

And bringing the stuffing...we swapped recipes.

Okay, I'm kidding...but, man, we did share some laughs! Especially when Baby Girl dumped her Orange Julius on herself and ended up scoring a Pioneer Woman T-shirt early! (Thanks guys!!)

We also had this, to watch:




And, I'll vouch...those adorable little boys do, in fact, take up impromptu UFC matches.

It's hilarious!

They were playing with those things...those...those...line maker things? You know, the ribbons that stretch between two posts to make...to make, um...well...people corrals?

Yeah!! Those things!

So, those boys were playing with them, intently connecting and disconnecting them and we were chatting, the boys and I...about castrating calves and, um...you know, ranch stuff...and they were doing such a good job with the line maker things, that I said, "Hey, do you guys wanna be security guards when you grow up?"

"No!!!!", they said.

"Well, whadya wanna be?"

"A rancher!"...like, totally, duh!!

I loved it! I could've packaged 'em up and took 'em home with me. They were so stinkin' cute...and that Marlboro Man?

Not too shabby himself! ;)

Oh, yeah...I already mentioned that.

Sorry...um, who did I go to see again?

Oh...that's right!

Sweet, adorable, P-Dub herself.

And, half my life later...it was finally my turn!!

I plopped myself down next to her, and proceeded to babble away...


I'm quite certain I told her my life history.

And that of Jenny's.

And, probably Ryan's, too.

She was a great listener, and oh so sweet to my babies!! She adored and complimented them, and left Miss E. pining for a new mother.


A mother that lives on a ranch.

And makes things like "Ribeye with Whiskey Sauce" and "Chocolate Sheet Cake".

And has a dog named Charlie.

And a husband named Marlboro Man.

But, for now...she's stuck with me.

Poor thing.

And...and?!!!

Even after 47 hours, Ree Drummond was still smiling...and her hand wasn't even all deformed from signing, what...like, a billion cookbooks?!!!

Ree...it was great meeting you today!

And totally worth half my life.

All my love,