It's Raining; It's Snowing..................

Good friends are what makes the world go 'round. I just got home after spending the entire day with my good friend Bonnie. She picked me up this morning about 9:00 a.m., on our way to Truckee, for a day of re-focusing and rejuvenation.

Let me tell you a little bit about Bonnie. She is the kind of friend you'd want to have. She is just good - someone you can count on; she's sharp as a tack, doesn't miss a trick, is very innovative and entrepreneurial - just smart as anything and knows how to have a good laugh. She is just great all around.......... and I love her to pieces..........

We both looked at the weather forecast this morning and we knew that a big storm was blowing in......... the forecast called for lot of rain and wind in the valley and lots of snow in the Sierra's......... I, for one, am no mountain girl, but Bonnie used to live in Truckee so I was confident I'd be safe coming and going........

We arrived in Truckee about 10:30 a.m. and since I'd never been to her house, I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was! It was not a cabin, but a regular (really nice) two-story house in this cute little cul-de-sac........... so, we pull into the garage from the snow-covered street and went up the stairs into the main house. We turned on the heater, got some tea, lit some candles, turned on a little native flute music and prepared for our afternoon of brainstorming and strategic planning. Bonnie had the great idea to come to Truckee to get out of our usual surroundings - to clear our minds and start anew.

You see, I am starting a nonprofit organization to assist kids in foster care, but somewhere along the recent line, I got a little off track - kind of like the train came rolling into the station and sort of just stopped. The engine was still running but it wasn't going anywhere! Bonnie had the insight to know a day like today would be just what was needed to get me back on track. Well, I can tell you, after about 3 hours of mind-mapping, strategic planning and re-developing ideas for a mission and vision statement, I am definitely rejuvenated and ready to hit the ground running. My next step is to meet with our board to share the new mission/vision. I think they will be pleased.

So as our day progressed, we noticed the snow continued to fall, getting a bit heavier with each passing hour..... again, I was with the mountain woman and this city slicker had no fear! Aside from it being breath-takingly beautiful, I began to think we might want to begin heading home......... Bonnie agreed, so we packed everything up, blew out all the candles, and headed out. Well, it's a good thing we did because the snow continued to fall, seemingly getting heavier and heavier. No worries here - Bonnie was at the helm. So, as we approached the summit, I casually turned to her and asked if she had chains - "No" was her reply. I wasn't fazed. It turned out we did need chains so we had to turn around and buy some from the guy in the bright yellow rain slicker who was wearing a sign that read "Chains".......... Bon got out of the car and asked the "chainer" how much? $75 bucks! Crap..... we both were scounging for the few bucks we had and all we could come up with was $61, which he thankfully took....... good thing because the snow was getting heavier. Actually, it was an amazing sight for this city gal...... to see the beautiful, white cloaked mountains and the trees heavy with new snow was really amazing....... I felt lucky to be "right in it".........

Bonnie got us home safely as we made it down the hill - de-chained and drove safely home.......

In conclusion, there were a few spin-outs and it was nice to see that most people helped each other get back on track. I never once was afraid because my good friend Bonnie always had my back - did I ever expect anything less?