Saturday, March 21, 2009

I Can't Believe I Ate THAT Much!

Today, I set out to explore the great city of Atlanta with a friend. We had no set plan because the day was just about exploring and seeing where we ended up! We get into the car and set off. First topic of conversation was where we were going to eat lunch...we had only just begun, but that is where our minds (and our stomachs) were taking us! We decided to drive around a bit before eating. We were able to stop and take some beautiful pictures of the skyline of Atlanta. Then we visited St. Phillip's Cathedral in Atlanta. We were there for quite some time snapping photos, and we hadn't even thought about food UNTIL the wind blew and we got a whiff of something cooking and that was all she wrote.

We quickly packed up our camera equipment and set off to find food! After driving up and down Peachtree Street we decided to eat at the Pharr Out Cafe. We find a parking space on a side street, park the car, and get out to walk to the restaurant...only to find it was no longer in existence. What were a couple of starving girls to do? We decided to walk up 1 block and eat at a nice little restaurant near The Fabulous Fox Theater. We walked in, got a table on the patio, and promptly began glancing over the menu! We both decided to get a calzone. We both ate said calzones that came to us oozing mozarella and ricotta cheeses. It was, in the words of Willy Wonka, "Scrumdidilyumptious!"

After eating such a heavy lunch, we knew we needed to walk around to "exercise" that off. What do we do? We get in the car and begin to journey all over the rest of Atlanta. We made one more photographic stop, then decided to go in search of a beverage as we were 99.9% parched! Where are two girls to go to find such refreshment? Why Steak and Shake, of course! We go in with the mindset of milkshake. However, we walked in and were greeted by the smell of burgers on the grill and decided we MUST have some burgers, too! Since it had only been a couple of hours since our last "feeding", we decided to split 3 of the new Burger Shooters (mini burgers). This was in addition to the milkshake and Mr. Pibb that we had each ordered. As we sat there eating all this food, we just kept saying, "I can't believe I've eaten this much today!" So, yes, it was a lot of food to consume in only a few short hours, but I think it all balances out since neither of us will be eating for the remainder of the day!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Healing Rain

I love the smell of rain! Some may not know what I'm talking about, but it's a distinctive smell, indicative of the oncoming cleansing. When the pollen counts are high, I'm extremely grateful for the rain. More often than not, I'm not too thrilled with the rain. It can be a hassle and inconvenience. Sometimes it causes me more problems than I'd really care to deal with in my day!

I was thinking today how sometimes there are storm clouds in my soul. When it does rain in my soul, I respond in many of the same ways that I do when I see physical rain. I want the cleansing to come; but when God brings it, I'm less than thrilled with the pain it sometimes produces. I've prayed and said to God, "Whatever it takes to bring You glory, I'm ready to deal with it!" What I'm starting to realize is that I really want God to bring the cleansing rain when it is convenient for me. That isn't really how He works, is it? However, it is the right time for the cleansing to come! As I allow myself to be immersed in His rain, I find that it brings cleansing and healing...much like physical rain.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hellloooooo, Mr. Airline Man...

Ummmmm, Hellloooooo Mr. Airline Man...have you forgotten that your job is to provide me with a service? A service for which I pay you to carry me and my belongings from Point A to Point B and back. In case you have forgotten, this service does require me to have a seat aboard your aircraft. Gone are the days where I could purchase a ticket aboard your aircraft and pick my seat with no additional charges. Now, you have decided to charge me to pick a seat aboard your aircraft! Are you kidding me???? Shouldn't this price already be included with your initial ticket price? It seems to me that you are just looking for any way to make an extra buck. I realize times are tough, but come on! I'm willing to pay your little seat fee, so that I can fly comfortably and not be squished for an entire 2 hours between to total strangers! And, I'm not the only one! You have us consumers right where you want us.

As if this weren't enough, you now want to charge me to check a bag! Really????!!! I'm wise to how you operate! The checked bag fee has increased the amount of carry-ons, so now you catch people at the gate with their carry-on and tell them they now have to check it and pay your "little" fee! Well, I've got news for you, Mr. Airline Man...I can ship my belongings via FedEx cheaper than I can check them with you! AND, an added bonus, it will arrive when I do and if it doesn't I can track it down! No more lost luggage for me in the airports of America! So, you think you're pretty smart, but you are not as wise as this girl! I may pay your seat fee, but I refuse to pay your checked bag fee again!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

All Skate, Couple's Skate...

For my birthday this year I thought it would be fun to have a skating party. Many things have changed in the world of skating since I was a kid!

First of all, the kids aren't as nice as I remember us being when we were growing up! I had little 4 year olds that almost took me out! Seriously?! I wanted to say, "Kid, I'm bigger than you. You knock me over and I fall on you, it will hurt you way more than it will hurt me!"

Second, there are these dance teams out there on the floor. OK, that is just bizarre on so many levels! I don't really like to be skating around the rink with two guys who are synchronized skating. Whatever happened to just skating for the fun of it?

Third, it is a lot scarier to skate as an adult than as a child. Maybe it's because you aren't as close to the ground or that the bones break a lot easier now!

Lastly, the music isn't even stuff that I know, except for the few mainstream songs they played. Seriously, why can't they just bring back the days of a couple's skate to Prince's "Purple Rain" or something slow from back in the day? These kids today need to know what it's like to kick it old style!