Our First-Ever Sister Weekend Getaway!

Just recently I was able to go away for the weekend - for fun! For the first time in 18 years, I was able to travel to another city, stay overnight, and not have any doctor's appointments or procedures. And what made it even better was going with my sisters! 

Faith was well-looked after by respite care. She even had a friend come over to visit and her grandparents, too! Of course, getting away did not come without a challenge or two. 

The day before leaving, as I was cleaning the entire apartment and getting ready to pack, a staff member at Faith's day program told me her feeding pump was not working. I only had an hour before I had to pick her up so I cruised down to our DME provider and asked if I could get a loaner pump since hers was not working. 

Unfortunately, they no longer carried the type of feeding pump she uses, so I needed to get a whole new system. This required me to learn how to use it and then make sure Faith's respite staff and her day program staff was going to know how to use it. 

I wrote down lots of instructions, took photos, and made a video. This took up a lot of time, and needless to say I didn't get to bed until well after midnight, without even packing.

Halfway there! 

Thankfully everything went smoothly the next morning, and I was able to pack and get ready to go. Faith's first caregiver arrived and my sister, Dawn came to pick me up. I jumped into her pickup, and we went barreling down the Interstate rockin' out to the Bon Jovi station on Pandora. 

We arrived in St. Paul that evening and met up with our sister, Tesa who had flown in from Nebraska. Since Dawn's birthday was right around the corner, we let her choose the restaurant. 

That evening we took an Uber (my first ever!) to Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis. (Chef Gordon Ramsey's restaurant). I must say the fish tacos I had were some of the best that I have ever eaten. 

Since we were there for Dawn's birthday, they said she would get a free brownie dessert. When the waiter brought out the tiny brownie topped with whip cream along with 3 plates and spoons, we about lost it. How in the world was the waiter not embarrassed to serve such a piddly little brownie to three people? 

Dawn's miniature birthday brownie. 

After getting back to the hotel Tesa and I talked Dawn into watching "Top Gun" since she had never seen that movie before. Wouldn't you know that both of them conked out on me while watching! Unfortunately, that night I did not sleep the best. I was really missing Faith, although I knew she was just fine with her overnight respite staff. I have also discovered in recent years that firm mattresses at hotels are not good for my back. Needless to say, I was tired when I woke up but excited for our day. 

We started it off by Dawn being the brave big city driver. After finding Caribou Coffee, we hit the biggest shoe store I have ever seen in my life (DSW). I found a great deal on a comfy pair of tennis shoes. I do plan to start walking when the weather gets nice. (If that ever happens, as right now much of North Dakota is getting slammed by a major blizzard). 

After shoe shopping, we hit Dawn's favorite store, Maurices and then ventured into other stores in Roseville. We found a Chili's and had lunch there. We made one more shopping stop (where I did a video chat with Faith and my parents because Mom had texted me saying the TV wasn't working) and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the main event. 

I'm happy to sit in the back while Dawn and Tesa navigate!

Shopping! 

Getting ready for the concert. 

It was cold and rainy in southeastern Minnesota, and even though the Xcel Energy Center was about half a mile from the hotel, we decided to take a shuttle van. My most anxious moment was using the digital tickets from my phone. It was so weird not being able to hand them paper tickets. I guess it's been a long time since I've gone to a concert! Also, the last time I went to a concert with my sisters was New Kids on the Block in 1990. That concert was also in St. Paul but at Harriet Island Regional Park.

Thankfully, the digital tickets went very smoothly and before we knew it, we were sitting in our seats in Section 106 Row 12 listening to the opening band. Bon Jovi usually has local bands open up for the shows, but I did not know the name of the band performing. Bon Jovi hit the stage around 8:30 p.m. singing "Limitless." You can read my full concert review on my HubPage. 

Bon Jovi takes the stage! 

First time seeing my all-time favorite rock band! 

 

We were surprised upon leaving the concert venue that the rain from earlier had turned to heavy, thick snow. After walking a few blocks, we ducked into Tom Reids Hockey Pub to warm up and grab something to eat. The waitress was super nice and filled us in on the socioeconomic status of downtown St. Paul. To us, it seemed an interesting blend of the rich and poor. 

However, neighborhood businesses were not happy about a recent homeless shelter established in the area as it was attracting drugs and prostitution to this part of town. The waitress said she no longer felt safe walking to her car after work and often used an escort. It's sad because we saw a homeless guy making a fire in a barrel just trying to keep warm. What are they supposed to do and where are they supposed to go?  After a very late supper, we walked the remaining few blocks in the snow to our hotel.

Tesa and Dawn traipsing through the snow.

Sorry Minnesota!!

The next day, it was time to rise and shine and get back home. We hugged Tesa goodby at the hotel just before her Uber driver picked her up. About six hours later, Dawn and I arrived back home. It was perfect timing because we rolled into the parking lot just as one of Faith's respite staff was bringing her home from her day program, where she had happily spent the entire day. 

Needless to say, she was very excited to see me! We spent the rest of the evening filling each other in on our time apart and with me promising it would be a while before I went away again.  But all in all, our first-ever sister getaway was a great success, and I look forward to the day we can do it again!