Barbara (Smith) is the “Quacker Cop” you’ve heard Jeanne talk about for years. She’s also Jeanne’s good friend and traveling companion. Barbara will be sharing her observations and experiences in a regular feature on our website. Enjoy!

July was such an exciting month!  I traveled to Boca Saturday morning so Jeanne and I could fly up to Philadelphia Sunday, the 4th of July.  Seems we have spent quite a few Holidays together this year.  I believe QVC knows Quacker Factory is all about celebration and fun, so Jeanne seems to have a show around "Holiday" time.  As we sat at the Ft. Lauderdale airport, it was fun seeing so many people (men & woman) wearing red, white and blue.  The Quackers were well represented, as we saw flags and fireworks proudly worn.  

Philadelphia was experiencing a record breaking heat wave.  The car's outside temperature showed 106 degrees, without a whisper of a breeze.  So many people say Florida is horrible in the summer, but I am happy to say, we experience an ocean breeze, making it a little more pleasant.  After checking in, Jeanne and I headed for our favorite green leather chairs.....which just happen to be in the lounge.  We enjoyed a pleasant evening, playing Jeanne's favorite card game, "spite & malice".  That particular night, Jeanne was the big winner.  Happy to say, "I'll get her next time".

This trip was a Quacker Factory Today's Special Value.  We tried to rest up Monday, before heading to QVC in the early evening.   We know there will not be much time for sleep during the next 24 hours.  The midnight show was amazing!  So many Quackers were watching, helping to "sell out" three of the colors during the first hour.  It's exciting knowing so many love Quacker clothes as much as I do!  We went back to the hotel, sleeping about 2 hours.  We were on our way back to QVC just after 6am.  The day went really well.  I had fun with Angel, shopping at the QVC store, adding the TSV outfil to our wardrobe in several colors........

Arriving back at the hotel around dinner, our sleepy heads were nodding, as we attempted dinner.  We still managed a few laughs before heading for a well deserved rest.  7:00 am came quickly, as the bellman picked up the luggage.  Time had come to head home.

Six days later, I was southbound on Interstate 95, heading back to South Florida.  That evening I was thrilled to be going to dinner, meeting two of Jeanne's "Boca" friends.  We laughed and applauded when Eleanor and Doreen walked into the Trattoria Restaurant carrying "Birthday" decorations, both dressed wearing pink Quacker Factory "celebrate" shirts. I loved getting to know them, as we talked, laughed and sang throughout the evening.  A first of many Birthday celebrations in honor of Jeanne.    

Wednesday, the 14th, we traveled to QVC.  A busy week was planned, so we were staying until the 21st.  We arrived in Philadelphia mid-day, meeting with John Furr, who had just flown in from Chicago.  A bad storm was approaching, and the heavy rains started.  The storm intensified through out the day, causing massive cancellations and delays at the airport.  Some of the "Quacker Team" were flying in for a big meeting with QVC.  Lesley from Texas was diverted to Baltimore for hours, Rick was delayed for hours in Wisconsin, and Tim's flight was canceled from Ft. Lauderdale.  (Happy we flew in early)

The evening was spent setting up and decorating the "Terrace Room" at the hotel for our 2011 Spring Style out.  All the decorations reflected the theme of the meeting....Girlfriends! The room looked amazing, filled with colorful glasses, plates and balloons.  Every chair had a large pink and black zebra-striped tote, filled with "girly" goodies.  Samples of clothes for early 2011 were displayed around the room.  Working till near midnight, the room was complete and ready.

Thursday, time for the big meeting had arrived.  I believe the meeting really went well.  Business was accomplished, while enjoying lunch and goodies.  I was so excited to see the presentation of 2011 clothes.  I have been a Quacker many years.  What was shown and ordered by QVC was the best I have ever seen.   I am happy to say, pants, cropped and petal pusher length, was shown in many colors and designs.  There will be dozens of bottoms to wear with the dozens of tops most of us own.  Looking forward to Quacker Factory 2011.

Friday had arrived, back to Birthday Celebrating.  The "girls" (Jeanne, Susan, Kristy, Colleen, Leslie, Angel and I) dined at a favorite restuarant, Dulling Kurtz.  Susan brought a beautiful cake decorated with Lily of the Valley flowers.  What fun singing Happy Birthday to Jeanne!

During the weekend, I made it a point to go to the Wawa (kinda like an upscale 7-11).  Wawa is a big favorite of my son Brian.  Everything in the store is great.  As a special treat, Jeanne and I Fedex'd Brian 6 big containers of Wawa Iced Tea.   I know Brian was thrilled with the delivery.

The remaining days were filled with Quackers arriving to attend the Live Audience show to be held on Jeanne's Birthday.  Quackers arrived from Texas, Oregon, Maryland, Washington DC, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,and New York.  Laughs and fun meeting "old" friends, as well as getting to know "new" friends,    Many of us followed tradition, meeting before an audience show, having lunch at the Classic Diner.  

Time for Jeanne's show had arrived.  I placed a beautiful vase filled with roses (a Birthday gift from Jeanne's friends, KT and Susie Orman) on Jeanne's table.  The audience was packed with Quackers wearing their favorite Quacker outfit, and of course, duck whistles around their necks.  What fun sharing Birthday cupcakes celebrating Jeanne.  The hour simply flew by.  

Another Birthday celebration was beginning back at the Hotel.  Over thirty Quackers gathered for a "Birthday cocktail".    An evening of laughs and friendship as Jeanne opened her gifts.  What fun as we all sang "Happy Birthday" to our Head Quack!   There were many good-by hugs, as the night came to an end.

The next day began with the 7am knock at my hotel door, gathering my luggage.  The long, busy, fun week was coming to an end.  Once on the flight to Ft Lauderdale, I snuggled up with a blanket and slept most of the way.  I was happy to see Tiago's smiling face when he picked us up and drove us back to Boca.  

Lee was waiting for her Mother when we arrived.  Page and her daughter was busy getting lunch ready.  Time for more presents and celebration, as Happy Birthday was sang again.  Now I see what Jeanne means when she say she celebrates for the Entire Month.

Time had come for me to head home.  I had time during the 2 hour ride to think about all the happenings during the past week.  Now it was time to get back to my other world......being a Detective......There is a big smile on my face as I count the days till we are "ON THE ROAD AGAIN".
 
(Please let me hear from you: email me at barbara@quackerfactory.com.) I love hearing from others Quackers! With Hugs and Love,  Barbara  (Quacker Cop)