A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES???

Friday night I had a dream that I went to watch a bicycle race with Katie and our friend Riley down in what appeared to be the NY Subway system.  The bicyclists were riding through a stream of hot root beer, so we were warned to not let it splash on us.  Next thing I knew, there was an earthquake and the station was full of water, but it was okay because the three of us just held onto my laptop as a flotation device.  I kept reminding Katie and Riley to not let go and then Katie squeezed my hand because she was scared.  I'm pretty sure we survived, but that's all I remember.  Any interpretations?

TO ASHLEY IN D.C.

Does this count as an update?

HE'S...

My, me, my... it has been a looooooong time since I blogged, eh? A mighty, mighty, mighty long time! Tonight I feel like writing, though, so I am sitting at my computer, trying to determine the best place to begin. SO very much has happened in the past six months that it would be impossible to capture all the changes, so I'll stick to the most important one for now:

I met someone...

He's wonderful. He's patient. He's handsome. He's witty. He's intelligent. He's spiritual. I could go on and on, but can probably save everyone some time by simply saying he's everything I hoped and dreamed of. I love him SO much, and from the very first night we went out, I knew he was different than all of the other guys I've known. And the best part is that he feels the same way towards me and we are getting married!! It is a scientific fact that I am the luckiest gal in the world...

TODAY

I am grateful for...

1. family
2. friends
3. answers to prayers
4. the past
5. the future
6. freedom to choose
7. warmth
8. hope
9. love
10. forgiveness

BELIEVE IT!

Dear Cafe Rio Employees,

When I decline your offer for dressing, it is because I don't want any. No need to ask me three times and then give it to me anyway... Over the years, you have wasted gallons of dressing on an unappreciative recipient.

Gracias for your future efforts on my behalf,
R

GONE WITH THE WIND

In honor of Pioneer Day, I trekked across the country last weekend to visit my friend, Kristan, in Atlanta. Oh, Atlanta!

We started the trip off right by going to the Margaret Mitchell House, which is the birthplace of "Gone With the Wind." Peggy wrote most of the novel in a small apartment on Peachtree Street, which has been converted to a museum dedicated to her and her wonderful novel. The tour guide told us that "Gone With the Wind" is the second best-selling work of all time, topped only by the Bible. Wow!

While at the MMH, we had made a vow to never be hungry again, so we decided it would be prudent to head to Mary Mac's Tea Room for some lunch. The place was hopping, the waitress was enthusiastic, and for the first time in my life, I was a minority in the room. I thought the restaurant was delightful, and it definitely satisfied my desire for some homemade Southern Cooking. The waitress made us try some sort of soup made out of turnip greens, which was surprisingly delicious, despite its putrid color. I also tried fried green tomatoes for the first time, which were surprisingly mediocre, despite their being fried. The dumplins were divine, though, as were the macaroni & cheese and sweet potato souffle. Maybe it wasn't the most balanced meal, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

After lunch, we made our first attempt at visiting the High Museum of Art. Our plan was foiled when we unexpectedly punctured a tire and had to wait for that to be repaired. This was for the best anyway, as we didn't really want to go anywhere that wasn't named after a lady with "M" alliteration in her name. So we drove back to Krissy's home in Roswell and decided to tell Atlanta Proper "Au Revoir" for the day. We went to dinner with Kristan's hilariously loud family, picked up ice cream at a place called Brewster's, then hunkered down to watch a James Bond flick.

Saturday we went to breakfast at the Flying Biscuit, which is a campy little joint with pretty good food. Kristan let me try her grits, and I think I ate more of them than she did, since they were a novelty to me. Naturally, we went to the pool after breakfast, where I got fried in a few random spots (clearly my sunscreen application wasn't quite consistent). The gals in Kristan's family are ridiculously tan, so I think they could have stayed there all day, but we were running out of time, so Kristan and I took off for our second (and more successful) attempt of visiting the High Museum of Art, which was a fairly nice museum. Kristan blogged about an exhibit called On the Beach which was fabulously interesting. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I think it is something you have to see to really appreciate why it is so great, but trust us, okay?

The Varsity is supposedly the world's largest drive-in restaurant, and I believe it. It was ginormous! We didn't dare really eat there, since we could smell the grease from about 3 miles away, but we tried the "F.O." beverages (Frozen Orange), which basically tasted like a slushified Dreamsicle. Yum!

Next we began our drive past millions of churches to the Disneyland of Georgia (which is not anything like Disneyland). Yes, that's right. Ever heard of Stone Mountain? Droves of Southerners go there nightly to watch the Laser Show Spectacular, which is pretty much weird. That's the only word that really comes to mind when I reflect upon my S.M. experience. It was definitely weird. And did I mention weird? They basically do a laser show on the side of a rock they affectionately call a mountain. Whoever "they" is. Anyway, here's a tidbit: the guy who sculpted Mount Rushmore began the etching on Stone Mountain but abandoned it when the Mount Rushmore commission was offered. Some other guy had to finish it. Anyway, we had fun sitting out on the grass and eating our picnic dinner whilst talking/playing cards/people watching prior to the show.

Sunday we went to church, then to see an antebellum (pre-Civil war) home called Bulloch Hall. The museum docent was very knowledgeable, and it turned out that we picked a great house to visit, as it is the location where Teddy Roosevelt's mother grew up, and thus where his parents were wed. I would love to own a house like that someday... so much character!

We ate dinner at Kristan's grandmother's home, then headed to the airport. It was a fabulously fun-filled weekend. Thanks for being such a great tour guide, Krissy!

I felt so busy throughout this week, but when I stopped to think about everything I did, I realized the list mostly consisted of entertainment....

I watched "The Great Gatsby" with Mike, Chrissy, and Jacque on Monday night after a pool party at the home of one of our church leaders. To be honest, I LOVE the book, but cannot, in good conscience, recommend the movie. It was so looooooooooooooooooooooong and drawn out. Not only is the book 3,000,000 times better, you could probably read it just as fast. Consider yourself warned.

I finished "Year of Wonders," which is a novel about a small town in rural England that is afflicted with the plague. The residents decide to quarantine themselves from the neighboring towns, and several folks turn a little bit kooky in their hopeless and desperate isolation (a la "Lord of the Flies").

I went to Welfare Square and helped bag bread in the bakery, which I guarantee was more fun than it sounds, thanks to fun folks who were there.

I watched "Australia" with my cousin Caprice. Hell-o Hugh Jackman! Everyone kept saying the movie was really long (which it was), but it was interesting. It made me wonder how I would fare in the Australian outback. If you haven't seen it, you might want to add it to your list.

I read an amazing book called "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." It was a real page-turner, so it only took me a day to read it. The style of the writer was definitely fascinating. Also, the subject matter was emotionally intense. I'm not kidding when I say I couldn't put it down.

I watched "Gone With the Wind" in preparation for my upcoming trip to Atlanta. I thought it would be great to brush up on my history of the Old South so that I can appreciate the things I see when I'm there. The Margaret Mitchell House is definitely on the list.

Well, that's all for now. Until next time.... ciao.