A few years ago, while driving down I-55, we were stopped because I was driving over the speed limit.  As the officer approached us, Jeanette leaned over and said, "We are teachers and we're going to the Reading Conference in Springfield."  She smiled and nodded, expecting the officer to dismiss my mistake because of who we were and what we were going to do.  I looked at her with a baffled expression that said, "I can't believe you just said that!"  Low and behold, the officer gave us a warning and we were on our way.  We continued to Springfield, laughing and what had transpired.

We always loved attending the Reading Conference; we'd spend hours as roomies sharing what we had learned and what we had purchased.  For over ten years, our first stop was always the jewelry lady in the vendors' exhibit hall.  We would undoubtably find a great pair of earings.  Jeanette knew it was a good deal because both she and Laura would wear them.