Hi, thanks for stopping by! I’m Jeanne, intrepid daydreamer, sharing my thoughts and experiences about this Happy Life we all seek. Join the discussion, challenge my thoughts, share your wisdom!
Ah, Reunion! Here’s me with Sara (the instigator of this six-month trip) and son Michael (who recently relocated to Austin). Yes, it was a sunny day, and then the rain set in, and it’s starting to feel like home. Grey skies, drizzle, humidity (yay, my hair’s getting it’s curl back!), trees, grass. We’ve left desert lands and mountains behind us.
Austin is in the hill country of Texas. It’s very scenic.
Austin has an amazing array of highways and “loops” around the city that go in all directions, and every one of them that we’ve been on look like an interstate highway — multiple lanes going each way; exit signs like the interstates have. It all appears to have been well planned.
Austin, big city notwithstanding, has a very positive energy vibe about it. Friendly! Lots of fun places for families to enjoy — fabulous parks, lakes, rivers for kayakers! Some fun boutique-type shopping areas, reminding me of New Orleans’ Magazine Street. Restaurants everywhere!
The Best of Austin has nothing to do with scenery, shops, highways:
The best part is this: JANNIE FUNSTER lives here! Woo-hoo! Another best part is I got to spend most of a day with her! At her house palace in the making! Yes, she described, and showed me, what was the original house, and how over the years it’s about doubled in size! All done by Jim, whose artistry skills show in every renovation. The palace has expanded in every direction, and room after room has changed function! Truly a Funsterland home with adventure around every corner, like it’s alive and eager to surprise. I have to call it Funster Wonderland 
And Jannie? She’s every bit the Funster that she discloses on her blog. Smiling, adorable, attitude of gratitude, humor, energetic, happy, eager, in love with life.
So, where are the pictures I took? I brought my camera. But I was so mesmerized with being in Funsterland I completely forgot to take pictures, except for this one of Sweetie, who latched onto me with eyes that would melt a stone.
Yet another best part: I MET KELLY. She IS real! She is smart, and sharp, and very wise. She’s gracious, and open, and loving. If Jannie’s sun rises and sets in Kelly, it’s only because — well, it should!
We took Kelly from her school to her book club meeting at the brand-spanking-new Laura Bush Library, a work of art in itself. There, while we awaited the arrival of the other club members, Kelly immediately and graciously signed onto a computer so I could check my email. She’s only eight years old but wow, such an awareness about her.
And when I left, earlier than I’d like to but it was raining and misty and I had miles to drive in unknown territory and through rush-hour traffic, Jannie and Kelly and I made a pact: they’re coming to our campground on Saturday after Kelly’s Kung Fu, and we’ll visit, have lunch, they’ll get a peek at MY little palace.
And I will DEFINITELY take pictures! It’s supposed to be a sunny day for our Funster time! Stay tuned for Part 2 of Austin, Texas ~~~
Related posts:
- Austin TX, Part Two
- Is the Best Still Yet to Come?
- Just Another Day in Paradise
- High in the Sky
- Gifts Not Asked For
Tags: Austin TX, Funsterland, heading home, reunion, unique experiences
Categories: Road Trip
I’ve never been to Austin. Went to Dallas once on business. Glad you had a great time. It certainly looks as if you’re enjoying life to the fullest. Good for you!
Maryse
Maryse, YES! Good for me, and all I can say is “Thanks, Life, you are SO good to me!”
I’ve heard that Austin is one of the great places to live, and it certainly seems like it. Sara’s son Michael looked so familiar to me, until I realized he looks like Ryan Seacreat. It’s wonderful that you got to meet Jannie the Great and Kelly the Awesome!
And the meeting of the Great and the Awesome ain’t over yet! There’ll be more, yay!
Michael is Sara’s brother, not son (tee-hee, I won’t tell her you thought that
). Ryan Seacrest, eh? Hadn’t thought of that, now I have to check it out.
C’mon, Sunshine, we need to dry out down here. . .
Oh COOL, you got to meet Jannie!! I’m not in the slightest bit surprised it was a whole lot of fun. Now Jeanne, you really must look into flotation devices so you can come and meet me!!
Sami, I may have to go AWOL and hop a freighter (or banana boat). I’ve always wanted to meet the Aussies on their own turf!
Sounds like this was a bonus stop in many ways! Thanks for sharing.
Good term, Mark — a bonus stop indeed! Makes me wonder what it would take to travel to meet every blogger I’ve met online. Now, there’s a fantasy. Or, a new daydream to play with
Hi Jeanne,
The fun continues.
I always get excited when I hear my blogging buddies get to meet each other, plus you got to me Kelly. And, you got to see Austin. That sounds like a win-win-win.
Say Hi to Jannie for me on Saturday. Have fun and take lots of pictures.
Barbara, Hi!! You bet I’ll give your hi to Jannie — and to Kelly, too! This meet just fuels the fire to meet more buddies through blogging, what a miracle cyberspace can be, wow! Pictures soon
Cute photos! And little Sweetie seems mesmerizing.
How fun that you got to meet a blogging buddy! Jannie sounds like a blast. I have to visit her blog one of these days.
Belinda, Hi! Meeting Jannie was a real highlight of this trip, makes me want to travel around and meet all of y’all! Please do visit her site, she is so unique and wonderfully funny
How completely fabulous! Youre in Austin and You get to meet Jannie! Ahh..she is awesome…
I am a little sad..cause there are no pics..but alas next time you’ll are together you have to take pics and share
I feel so good to hear that blogging pals are meeting in person..it makes this world feel great…..!
Funnsterland and Jeanneland unite…ahh that does feel awesome!
I wish you had wings and could come and meet me India
I would love love love it!
Much love,
Z~
Z, I’ve had a recurring dream that I was able to levitate and hover in the air at will, and I LOVE that dream. Maybe I’m being told that there’ll come a time when I can go ANYWHERE I WANT TO at will! YOU are on my wish list
The three of you look great on the picture. So cool you get to meet blogging pals. Here in Atlanta we have a local meetup called bloggers of Atlanta and it is so great to get together with people who understand what you are doing. When are you coming to Atlanta Jeanne? I would so love to meet you!
Lana – DreamFollowers Blog´s last blog ..How To Get In The Flow or How To Connect With Your Inner Genius
Ah, Lana! Surely I’ll be in Atlanta at some point! I’ll be sure to contact you whenever that plan takes shape, and we can grab a cup of coffee or something — yep, I think this will be one of my new dreams: to meet my blogging buds!
Aw, it sounds like you’re having such a great time! No chance of a visit to London?
Would that be great, or WHAT? I never say never, Jacqui!
Jeanne,
That is very awesome that you got to meet Jannie and Kelly in person! I know one day I’ll do the same. Jannie is one special woman! Did you get to hear her sing in person? That would be at the top of my wish list for an in-person visit. She has such an amazing voice!
Jeanne
Jeanne´s last blog ..J.K. Rowling On Failure And Imagination
Well Hi, Jeanne! Jannie is even more amazing in person, if that’s possible — and yes, I did hear her sing — her title song, which is fabulous!
After the visit I realized a lovely goal to have is to meet up with as many bloggers as I can. Cyber-meeting is inspiring and very delicious, and the face-to-face meeting is icing on the cake.
It’ll be fun hearing about your meet-up with The Funster
Jeanne,
If she’s even more amazing in person, I had better prepare myself for unprecedented levels of amazement because that’s pretty darn amazing (!) and I am determined to meet her in person someday. She really is awesome! Thank for sharing about your visit.
Jeanne
Jeanne´s last blog ..Endometriosis Advocacy and the Media
Prepare away, Jeanne!