The wedding yesterday was so sweet, I teared up a little during one of the songs. Not that I could hear the lyrics (we came right at 4pm and they started a bit early) but just the fact that two people who are dear to me where getting married. It was an outside wedding and the day was perfect for it. Most of my work family here didn’t know I was coming. That surprised me since a couple of them did and the way things fly around that place, its amazing they didn’t know. I didn’t catch the bouquet, but thats okay. My photos will follow after I return to the west coast were I am able to up load them. But, I’m going to steal one from Katie for yall to see.

Its bittersweet being back. This place is all too familiar and so many memories make me smile at the site of places. I miss the closest of friends here. Ones who I know who are routing for me in my relationship. I don’t have to defend anything about a long distance down here it seems (other than they wanting to find me a boyfriend here so I will stay here), they just cept that he makes me happy and thats good enough for them. Some new buildings have gone up, which is weird (nice big movie theater for one). Springtime in the south is one of the more beautiful things in this world. Along with spending lots of time with friends I have missed so much. There are few things that are sweeter in this life than this.

Well, all was well till my mom and I visited a store called Sur la Table (its french, as Jason reminds me of how to say it everytime I tell him about but to me it still reads “Sir La Table” not however the french say it) and that’s when I fell in love with the famous red dishes. I didn’t know what they were or where they had come from but I held a plate in my hands and just adored the deep red that my eyes feel upon. That was it, I had to have them for my kitchen. But wait, my coffee kitchen with red dishes? How could this be? Would they go? I showed my mom find and asked her the question that nagged inside. Would these two loves of mine really work, I was doubting my scene of correlation. She said yes, they would bring a nice touch of color to a brown tone kitchen. And that’s how Ive come to make Waechtersbach’s line of dishes my “red dishes” as call them everytime I’m at a store that carries them “I going to go visit my dishes.”

Last week when visiting with Polly I peered into her kitchen cupboards and saw red gleaming from the corner of my eye. I opened it up all the way and pulled out a dish (squared even) and turn it over to look for the Waechtersbach’s logo imposed on the bottom. There is was and all its glory. Then I realized, Polly and I had never shared this love for red dishes. When she got married she registered for a lot of cobalt blue and white items and Pier One. That was in their studio apartment, but I guess now they live in a house, red dishes are for them. I told her about my love for the red dishes that graced her shelf’s and she said “I got them for like two bucks at Ross.” My eyes lit up with delight. If you don’t know what Ross is, its like a TJ Maxx or if you don’t have that, its like a really really cheap Wal-Mart, but with designer items. Waechtersbach’s dishes go for at least 8-12 bucks a plate, depending on the size, etc. So 2 bucks was most definitely a deal. Actually, it was a steal. I made my journey over to Ross as soon as I could to seek the treasure.

I found a mug, a bowl and a big plate once I arrived. I got way to giggly. After having all three items in my hands, I realized that the mug and the bowl were chipped. Oh but I didn’t want to put them back for only around two dollars each. But then I remember the whole storing issue and sadly, put them back. Another item Ross had was these plates that looked in certain light just like mine. But if you turned them over there was “Made in Spain” marked on them. I want German plates, not Spain. As much as I wanted to take the mug home just to have on my desk as a pencil holder, I decided against it. It would be almost sadder to have chipped dishes than none at all. Also, it made the red plate all that more special. I came home with my red plate and showed my mom. She actually sold me on the idea of these dishes being that “I could always replace ones that brake” if I used them as my main dishes.

Apparently, my grandma, who loves finding a good deal heard about my Ross find. She’s a frequent shopper at Ross, especially on Tuesdays when she gets her extra 10%. This is one thing I don’t understand about my Grandma. She lived through the tail end of the depression. I remember when I was little not finishing my plate and my Grandma would think it was a waste and eat it. The other night when we had dinner out, she wanted to doggie bag the other table’s food. She doesn’t like to be wasteful. But if something is on sale, whether she needs it or not, she buys it. Her apartment is full of good deals she just had to have. When finding out my dishes were at Ross, she took it upon herself to look for them for me. Sadly, she mistaken them for ones that read “Made in Spain”. I felt so bad to tell her they weren’t the right ones because they looked so close in color. Despite the failed attempt, she said shed keep her eyes out for my dishes just the same. It was quite sweet. So, until then I will have on lone dish… standing tall, waving boldly in the corrupt sands of commerce. And my dish answers “I am a lone reed.”

Id like to welcome to the family a new member. He (its silver I guess its a he) was brought home for my dad as a play mate more so than a son or brother. He is the digital Barista espresso machine. Originally the thought was bring a cute, not bad amount of money (after the lovely partner discount) cherry red espresso machine. The thought was when I move and get my “house” (it can be in many forms) and get my red dishes, and red Kitchen Aid and red toaster… you get the idea… that the cherry red espresso would be an nice addition to my future kitchen. Well, I think others had an idea similar to mine because they are completely sold out in the company! Cant you believe it?! (Kenya… oh sorry…) So my parents, somehow thought a machine almost the same amount as the refrigerator would become the newest thing to cover our counter space. He seems happy so far, though he’s a bit louder than Id hope. Well see if he grows on me.

God knows I miss the south greatly. He takes good care of me in the form of Chick-fil-a. The first in San Diego county (if not the state, I’m unsure of this fact so don’t quote me) opened this morning to folks spending the night in the parking lot to be one of the first 100 people in the doors for free Chick-fil-a for a year. Need I remind you of the temperatures we have been having here at night and early morning? Is it really worth free chicken for a year? I wouldn’t say no, but, maybe the sweet tea. Of course I was overly excited to hear of this news, part of the south coming to me right behind my house (6 minute drive) and took my mom for dinner. She was sadden that biscuit sandwiches are only served in the morning, though she has never had Chick-fil-a. The day we thought of going there when I lived in Tuscaloosa was on a Sunday. As you all know, they are closed on Sundays (even here where everything is open, even Christian bookstores, on Sunday) so she wasn’t able to know the wonders of Chick-fil-a until this evening. Its wonderful having sweet tea running through my system again.

Its been raining for a full three days now and I love it. I love the rain I’m realizing. I started a new journal last night (its really cute, has a picture of a girl drinking coffee and it says “Cafe Girl” below the photo) with my thoughts on the rain and how it effects southern Cali folks. We freak out which is funny to me since I’m still waiting for weather warnings to go off telling me to get to my safe place, as if I was still in Alabama. Its not much colder ether, which makes me sad. I forever now wish when it gets fall it gets cold like it did in Alabama. But, I do have a sensable reason to bust out my scarfs. Yes, rain means scarfs, don’t mess with me and my scarfs. Its sometimes hard to look cute in warm outfits cause your layering and trying to be warm and dry over cute. So, naturally, a cute scarf is a useful and helpful accessory to making a “winter” outfit cute. I have not yet worn a scarf but Ive seen others doing so, which means I’m more than allowed to do so.

I also started “Mudhouse Sabbath” last night and LOVE it. I’m only to chapter three, but find so much connection between the effects of the rain on me and this book. The first chapter about setting a day a side. To me as a Christian Ive never taken time during 6 days to prepare for one. It seems like a neat part of the Jewish walk, the way she writes about it at least. The rain makes people slow down, wether staying home more or taking time and preparing to go out in the rain. Theres no spiritual connection there, but I found that I could apply that to my rainy days if I tried. Mudhouse Sabbath, when she explained the title, warmed me. Mudhouse is a coffee shop in the authors home town which she spends, in her version of Sabbath, time of rest there. I used to do that, escape to a coffee shop for some rest time. I did that not too long ago at The Living Room in La Jolla. Sitting in the rest that I can really only breathe in deep and know deep down in my soul is at peace really during those times. Ive stopped to study the rain a lot over the past few days, even for a brief moment have found myself more at peace. I’m in awe of His creation which San Diego has been without for six months. It brings me back to the simple truth that I know for my heart to be still and walk on the Lord’s leading, I have to rest. The rain has just really been the final puzzle piece in all the little whispers in my life telling me that lately.

Ive been in San Diego for almost 3 full days and I have only had Mexican food once. ONCE! This is not okay. Did I get used to being without it? Maybe its because I haven’t hung out with Pols yet, her and I always get massive amounts of Mexican food and eat like we never ate before. But only her and I, not when I’m with anyone else. And I love the fact I see Mexicans and hear Spanish all the time now. There’s such a mix culture in San Diego, making San Diego so great. Nothing against Alabama, but there really was just black and white folks there. While in the south I bought the stereo-type that people in Cali are “rude”. I mean, there’s something about southern hospitality. Being out and about, San Diego is really the big city with a small town feel. We have friendly people, I don’t know what out-siders are talking about. I miss sweet tea desperately though, I’m gonna go make a pitcher.

So, I got my “puppy” in the mail yesterday. I spend way too much time playing with it and figuring out how to use things. Everyone on Verizon, its a free call, we should catch up. Can you hear me now? Good. (Sorry, that was so lame) I also drove into “Shes Out of Control” last night. Poor Jace got an earful about it since I’m not allowed to talk about the book at work so I don’t ruin it for my coworkers who are going to read it. And what I’m about to say doesn’t ruin anything, its on the flippin’ cover, but Ashley Stockingdale got a puppy. So look at that, she got a puppy and I got a “puppy”. Yeah, I probably will end up calling my cell phone puppy. I don’t think this is good. I blame Jason. I also blame him for showing me a website where I download new rings. Not that 36 isn’t enough, but I mean these are some fun (and scary) rings that are just too tempting not to download.

Todays my last day at Gospel Supply. Doesn’t feel like it though. And I mean, I’m going to make special trips over there tomorrow and Friday to say good bye to people, so it doesn’t feel like I’m leaving. I couldn’t even begin to think life in Alabama without my job there. I know its just retail, but I made some of my closest friends working there. Id like to sit here and recall a ton of fun memories over the past 10 months Ive been there, but that may just make me cry and its too early for that. But yall mean the world to me, and when I can collect my thoughts without tears, then I will blog about yall (thank you again Katie for your sweet blog entry). Until then…Preeshate it!