After a few trips to Atlanta, I never really saw outside of my friend’s home or a church were Derek and Sandra played. Not the “real” Atlanta. For sure my past trips counted as I had been to Atlanta but didn’t have the true Atlanta experience. I don’t know if there really is such a thing, but I feel that I had it this past weekend.

Its been a while since probably too many people in one house had happened. I for some reason love times like those. Sure there are times I get annoyed if someone takes too long in the bathroom or something but nothing major. The idea of being that close with good friends for a weekend just makes it that more fun. All 14 (I believe) of us went to a Braves game on Friday evening (and of course they played the Mets. New York is everywhere!) which I was really looking forward to. My family went to Dodgers game a lot for two season growing up. For some reason between the 4th of July Grasshoppers game and the Braves, I’m getting back into baseball again. Turner Field is also this famous stadium so it was fun just being there. Sadly we didn’t make it to the Coke Museum which was the only disappointment to me of the weekend. I’m sure there are many more Atlanta things I need to experience for the complete Atlanta experience.

We did however go to IKEA on Saturday which was probably more fun that appropriate with a large group of people. We sat in the fake rooms and modeled how it should be used and took lots of pictures. Atlanta is also one of those places that’s so big (described to me as a puddle of water, spreads out everywhere) that it takes a while to get anywhere. Which means we got to ride the famous Marta. Marta was no ones friend by the end of the evening (we all were very tired from walking and heat) but riding a subway type transportation was fun. Also feel we walked a lot, but I sweated a lot. I think my southern friends who grew up with the humidity do not have the same problem as a I do, but part of me is thinking of growing out my bangs. They just might work on me in the humid south if my forehead cant keep up with the heat.

As with being with a large group of friends, you never seem to have enough time with everyone. You’ll get bits and pieces but nothing ever seems like enough. Wanting to bounce from person to person to get in all that you can without cheating anyone. Remembering things about people you hadn’t seen in a while and wishing we all lived closer to one another. All and all, a good weekend that seemed to go back so fast. Now its time to get back to “real life” and get some rest from the whirlwind weekend.

( Photos are on flickr too.)

Some friends of mine are getting married and sent out their invites this weekend. I happen to be a happy recipient of one of them. Not only was I delighted to get one but delighted at how sweet they’re invites are. Well done guys.

I did a little ranting and raving (well not so much raving, but some ranting) to a guy named Mike at the main Honda office. Yes, the big honchos office. Poor guy, he had to listen to me tell in detail (have to be detailed when so many things go wrong) my “Honda Story” I titled it so nicely for him. I even got a little emotionally with him, I didn’t mean to, but it took me back to a very bad place! I did leave the part out that I have grown quite attached to my cute red car named Gwen. I gave the impression I really love my car, but I thought the whole naming bit might of thrown him. I didn’t expect Honda to refund me the towing fee that I got to pay in the New Mexico desert (aka the $300 coolant) but if Mike thought it was a good idea to ask for a refund in lieu of wanting to have a happy customer, by all means, send in a claim! I also dropped a line to the little company we call Wal-Mart to give feedback that if in fact my coolant was not filled like I paid for it to be (the Wal-Mart phone guy whoms name didn’t stick got a little story/rant too). Basically, letting both these gentleman know that I work in customer service, I know feedback, good or bad is appreciated. Honda seems a little more hopeful on maybe getting me that nice chunk of change back. Hopefully soon too because that credit card bill is coming due and Id rather not pay it. The creepy ride in the pink tow truck was just not worth it.

Today I read both the New York Times and News & Records. Mind you, the NYT was from yesterday (a perk working at Starbucks, old newspapers at the end of the day are officially trash) but still read it. Enjoyed an article on photography and this guy making a lot on photos he leaves the shutter open for a long time. But I actually enjoyed News & Records more, and here is why. I normally skim the business section, if that because normally there is nothing in there that interest me. But today there were a couple of great articles that I enjoyed quite a bit about repairing iPod companies and Disney cut backs. I don’t know if this reflex poorly or not on me. What I do know is that I’m sticking to my goal of trying to read the newspaper more. Gold star for me.

I love the word, Creation. If I was that sort of person, Id name one of my kids that someday. But I’m not, so I simply will just state how much I like the word. It was rolling around in my head, what it means to me as I stared at the amazing moon we had tonight. This bright deep orange color; a harvest moon almost. The clouds looked like they were a lighting bolt through the moon, just a neat sight to keep me awake on my late night home tonight (first time closing my new store). Its very humid out tonight but yet I didn’t see any fireflies which I thought went hand in hand, I guess not. I’m glad I believe in a God who made such an amazing earth. That I have someone to talk to in thankfulness for all that He has made. Not only that but to know He made it for me, is truly amazing. Even if some of His creation I am not so thankful for (read: rule customers at work tonight) its the simple pleasures of creation, such as the moon, that can bring me back to the small things I forget so easily.

The other day I broke down and brought myself a throw blanket for Jason’s house. One petite girl in a two big guys house who likes to keep it like a friggin igloo. So Jason made the mistake of letting me go to Target alone to find said blanket. It took me a good long while to find a throw blanket. I found lots and lots of comforters that were all so cute and pretty but way out of the price range of a cheap blanket. I finally found a cute comfort that would do the job, cheap for a comforter but too expensive for a throw blanket. But then I thought to myself, my down comforter has been quite warm. In California I was fine with the down comforter year round because it actually got cool at night. Not in the south, so I put the comforter in my cart and found an end cap of throw blankets and purchase a red one for Jason’s house (I think all my things in house are red, tee hee). I also bought some sheets because I apparently didn’t pack the set I remember having. Now I have almost all new bedding and I think they are so cute (see flickr for notes on the photos).

I drove by the red billboards the other day and saw a little yellow guy waving. I guess he is the one who pooted. I love these billboards, anyone see others?

I’m sitting in the middle of my bed surrounded by little piles of papers; bills that need to be paid, envelopes in need of stamps, papers to file and others to put away in my wallet. Its nice to have an evening alone with the exception of the company of rain, thunder and some lighting outside of my window. Still getting used to these “summer storms” they have here in North Carolina.

My lack of posting (and I was doing so well) was brought to you by Kari’s birthday weekend. It was a wonderfully busy time filled with friends and fun. A girls night in with Andrea, Adriene and Kari full of conversation over trying on silly things, blowing up water balloons, sparklers and margaritas (which were consumed hours before any of the really silly stuff happened, which doesn’t make us look good). Kari’s neighbors gave us a firework show (I mean real fireworks, not those little bottle rocket things) which we just thought any moment would get busted but never did.
Sunday afternoon and evening was the official birthday cookout including more friends and Kari’s family. Wonder to met Kari’s family at last after hearing much about them. The stealers of the thunder were two cute two year olds, Stella and Eva Grace. Eva, after this being out third meeting found me safe and became my friend for the afternoon. Few things sweeter than a two year old wanting to hold your hand or sit on your lap.
Monday night was the…don’t mock…Kelly Clarkson concert. It was so much fun, let me tell you. Great music, company and snacks, what more could you really ask for? Then 4th of July was the Grasshoppers baseball game with the birthday weekend game (minus Adriene who had returned back to Atlanta earlier that day). Waffles were won, which was about all the winning that was in our favor. “Extreme weather” caused the fireworks to be on long delay, none of us really wanting to stick around for it (party poopers, I know I know) we said our good byes and went our separate ways.

So as you can see, its nice to be sitting here alone for the evening. Not to say anything at all about the weekend, just after being busy its nice to be still. Even if its the paperwork of life sitting beside you. Please hop over to flickr and check out my and Adriene’s photos .