Life. Is. Good. I’m grateful that I’m fortunate enough to be able to say that so frequently.
Last month, The Girls came to visit. We’ve been trying to make this an annual trip and so far we’re going strong 4 years in a row! Sarah actually drove down about a week earlier and stayed with me while she job searched and went on interviews. I’m pleased to announce that she got a great offer, accepted it and will be moving to Atlanta in just a few months! Congratulations, lady! Cori and Alyssa flew in Friday afternoon and we immediately got into “having fun” mode. 🙂 After decompressing at the house for a bit we went over to Flip Burger for dinner and amazing milkshakes. Somehow the subject of the Clermont Lounge came up and it was decided that we wanted to go see what it was all about. For those that don’t know, the Clermont is Atlanta’s old strip club and is affectionately referred to as “the retirement home for strippers” or “where strippers go to die”. Why? Because they’re all old. No, not “old” as in 30s, old as in 60s and 70s. Seriously. Yes, it’s just as creepy/awkward/somewhat-frightening as you’re imagining, but it’s also absolutely hilarious.
The next day we woke up early, did the traditional Waffle House breakfast and headed off down to Rancho Loma Linda in south Georgia. Angel and Andrea Rodriguez own this beautiful farm where they raise Peruvian Horses and take people like us out for super-fun trail rides, followed by BBQ and hanging out. We spent the entire day there and came back late Saturday night, happy and exhausted.
Sunday morning we hit up the Flying Biscuit for breakfast before heading off to the airport to say goodbye to Alyssa. The rest of us came home and spent the remainder of the day relaxing and recovering from the busy weekend. We had a “wine and horsey movie marathon” that night – sometimes I have the most fun just doing nothing with the ladies. Overall, it was a fairly short trip but I’m always thrilled to see my girls. I love you all! ❤
Me, Cori, Sarah, EJ and Alyssa at Flip Burger.
Click here to see the rest of the photos from our weekend.
The following weekend Erik and I went to the 2010 Atlanta Chili Cook-Off at Stone Mountain Park. Some friends of his were competing so we mostly hung out with them and walked around to sample lots of different chilies. We also managed to hit up the Gwinnett County Fair that weekend – my first “real” county fair and my very first deep fried Snickers experience! (Yes, it was actually quite delicious).
Since summer was winding down, we also managed to squeeze in a Braves game with some friends. They were playing the Phillies so I wasn’t really sure who to cheer for considering I lived there for 4 years but here in Atlanta for 3. Regardless, the Phillies won 11 to 5 and we stayed to watch the Friday night fireworks at Turner Field.
That Sunday, Erik and I woke up super early and drove the Miata down to Atlanta Motor Speedway for an autocross event being held by the Atlanta Region SCCA. I’ve always wanted to try this but never got around to it so I was incredibly excited (and yes, nervous) to give it a shot. We both drove the Miata in the E-Stock class and I had the time of my life. My first run was awful because I wanted to make sure I a) wouldn’t get lost on the course and b) wasn’t going to blow up the car. By the time I had finished my fourth and final run, I had shaved 15 seconds off my total time and was pretty pleased with that. I still sucked, but I’m looking forward to doing even better at the next event!
Later that afternoon after we had done our duties as course workers, we met up with a bunch of friends at the Atlanta Greek Festival where we ate food, watched some dancing and enjoyed the last few bits of summer.
This past weekend, EJ and I hit up the mall to find our outrageous Halloween costumes: I’m going as Snooki (yes, I’ll post pictures eventually) and she’s going to be (E)J-Woww. After the mall we went to go see an afternoon showing of Secretariat. Given we all knew how it would end (he won the Triple Crown back in 1973), the movie did a great job of being suspenseful and really making you wonder what was going to happen next. I loved it, and not just because it was a horse movie!
Saturday night we went out to dinner with some friends at the Boulevard Diner. At one point our waiter asked if there was anything he could bring me so of course I replied “a pony”. He made some funny, sarcastic comment and a few minutes later appeared at the table with a drawing of a pony that he had made for me. Hilarious! Then later when our checks came, I opened mine to see that the bill was completely blank except for a big zero and the words “pay it forward.” I looked at our guy like “ummm…?” and he winked and told me that once a day he picks a customer to do something nice for in the hopes that we continue the trend. How awesome is that?? I love that place and the idea! Yay karma! 😀
Afterwards, we made our annual trip to Netherword, one of the scariest haunted houses in the country which just happens to be less than 3 miles from my house. I didn’t get kissed by a zombie this year, but it was still absolutely incredible. I don’t scare very easily so I was giggling the entire time but I loved every second of it and can’t wait to go again next year! Lastly, we drove up yesterday to north Georgia with some friends to go to the Ellijay Apple Festival. It was interesting, to say the least. I’d like to go back again next year so long as it isn’t disgustingly hot out like it was! Ha!
All in all, it’s been a great past few weeks. I’ve got a lot of stuff planned over the next few months so I’m sure I’ll be just as busy having fun for the rest of the year!
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