Tammi's World

Disappointed

Since I actually got a few inquiries about the Mennonite Relief Sale I thought I'd go ahead and tell you about my day. Well, that and I blog - so I guess it was kind of a given, wasn't it.

Anyway - after my refreshing 2 1/2 hours sleep we - Mama, Dee and I - headed off for our Day of Family Fun. Anticipation was high. We went early as there has always been a huge crowd and I wanted to get there before it was a real zoo.

It was held at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds and as we pulled into the parking lot I saw cars from Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Florida. It's a big deal. We were right on schedule.

We each had our list of what we wanted to look for. OK, they had a list. (My family is very organized.)

First was breakfast. Fried mush with hot syrup. That and a cup of coffee. One of my favorite treats and quick to eat. I didn't want to miss anything. My sister went ahead and ordered the head cheese. I hate this stuff. Won't eat it. Won't. Will not. Ever. So as I sat at the table waiting for my family to finish the debate on best and worst batches of headcheese, I grew some what impatient. OK - I was that 4 year old on Christmas morning, sitting at the top of the stairs, looking at all those presents, knowing there is something there they want but having to wait for the rest of the family. Impatient doesn't really do it justice.

FINALLY - Finally it's time. We head over to the big barn and.......it was half empty. Just a few crafts and some trinkets. I just wondered around in disbelief. Not even a good cookbook to be found.

At one point I was talking with one of the workers when I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Tammi? Is that you?

Now, given that we were in Goshen Indiana I figured it had to be either family or someone I went to college with. As I turned to look at her, I had no clue. Nothing. I did not know this person.

She re-introduced herself and then I realized she and I lived across the hall from each other in the dorm for three years. And she STILL stopped to speak!! (I wasn't the best neighbor.)

I asked her how the heck (language filter firmly in place) she recognized me after all those years.

She said it was my voice. She recognized my voice.

That just tells me I've been talking way too much for way too long.

Anyway - the rest of the draw was some simple baked goods and a few auctions. No other booths. Nothing.

I was on the phone with one of my friends telling her how bad it was (and having a cigarette) when the Goshen College soccer team walked by. Holy Cow. I'm tellin' you - if the soccer team had looked like that back when I was in college I would have had a much better time in school. As I stood there gawking I feel a hot breath on my neck. Ohhhh. So I turned......

And looked into the eyes of a very large draft horse. Yes, I had walked into the street and was almost run down by a wagon of tourists driven by an Amish man. That - folks - is my luck.

So - I bought my applebutter and bread and a bunch of homemade cheese. That was it. No pottery, nothing.

We have decided that will be our last trip over there. It's all geared toward the auctions now and that wasn't what we went for. I know that things have to change, but damn......somethings are just better off the way they were.

Posted by Tammi at September 26, 2005 05:26 AM