Last weekend, I’d just traveled an hour & a half north to Bellevue, Iowa for a murder mystery weekend at a bed and breakfast on a Mississippi bluff. Hubby and I were hanging out in the guest kitchen, waiting for things to start, when – in blew Vanessa! She is a dynamo, and we immediately hit it off, discovering that we actually live less than a mile away from each other (till she sells her house). Oddly, another couple there had been even closer neighbors when she had lived in the country.

She is energetic, interesting to talk to and very well-traveled. She has a thriving chiropractic practice, and seems to be an exceptionally good boss and loyal friend. Even when going through traumatic life events, she keeps her positive outlook.

Our murder mystery plot cast us as fellow gang members, and I think we’ll remain “partners in crime”! Here’s a shot of the dining room where we were supposed to be solving the mystery, but had more fun just talking!