After Thursday’s Nashville caffeine marathon I seriously doubted whether or not I would be able to sleep that night, but sleep I most certainly did. In fact, I slept so hard that I woke up at Sister’s house Friday morning and had absolutely no idea where I was or how long I’d been there.
So y’all know what I did once I climbed out of bed. I had me some more coffee.
Later that morning I met a friend at a coffee shop (ARE YOU NOTICING A THEME?) that was far too cool for the likes of me, but the great thing about being out of my cool league is that I felt completely free to just hillbilly it up like nobody’s business. So when a man who may or may not have been Larry Gatlin (don’t even ask how I know enough about the Gatlin Brothers to identify one of them in a public place; just suffice it to say that my daddy liked country music a whole lot in the 70s) walked through the door of Cool Coffee Shop, I sat up a little straighter in my chair and stared at him real good. Didn’t even pretend that I wasn’t curious. Didn’t pretend to be blase’. I just totally stared.
Same thing with a girl who was either Miranda Lambert or someone who was trying really hard to look like her. And Miranda or no, she was just darlin’, by the way.
After two hours of some mighty fine conversation at Cool Coffee Shop, we ran across the street to Cool Shoe Store that was supposed to be having a big sale. And they were having a big sale, but hey, do you know what half of $143 is? STILL A LOT OF MONEY FOR SHOES. Plus, after I looked over the sale rack I decided that I am about five years behind on shoe trends – because apparently the kids are cuckoo crazy over shoes like this:
Um, I don’t think so. MAMA NEEDS A HEEL.
Also: Michael Jackson called, and he thinks those shoes would look great with his glove.
After our unsuccessful shoe shopping I jumped back in the car so that I could run by and see another sweet friend on the way out of town. I was just planning to stop by for maybe thirty minutes, but thirty minutes turned into an hour which turned into two and FOUR AND A HALF HOURS LATER I pulled out of the driveway. We broke up All The Talking with some lunch and then a little time in carpool line, but I seriously felt like I’d been to a mini-retreat when I left. It was one of those times that just blessed my soul in a whole host of ways and for a whole host of reasons.
(And if you’re wondering why I was so footloose and fancy free Thursday and Friday, it’s because my little boy was at my parents’ house. I missed him so much that I actually watched a funny video of him about eight times while he was gone, but OH, it was a treat to spend some uninterrupted time with friends AND to have some downtime at home. Hallelujah.)
Once I got back to Alabammy I went to supper with my husband and filled him in on my trip. Because when you’ve talked your head off for the better part of a day, what could be more enjoyable than talking some more? Why, I CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING.
Saturday I had every intention of cleaning the house and washing clothes and attacking my to-do list, but I was an utter failure at all of those things. What I did manage to do was watch a whole lot of basketball (oh. my bracket. it grieves me.) and get caught up on my Bible study. And watch movies. And nap. And watch HGTV. And eat a lot of peanut butter on a spoon.
Life got back to normal yesterday when our little man came home, and by my best estimation he has grown approximately four feet since Tuesday. He can’t wait to go back to school, but I think he misses his grandparents. I say that because after we prayed before bedtime last night he said, “Mama? May I ask you a question?” And then he said, “Mama? Can I please go to my grandparents’ house all summer long?”
Oh, bless him.
Happy Monday, y’all.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Glad you could get away and have those moments with your friends! Didn’t God just ice the cake with our sister friends?
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 am
My son would permanently move in with my parents and come visit us on occasion. He gets peppermints for breakfast over there!
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 am
This was so fun to read! You make even the most normal weekends sound like uproariously good times. And I say let him go for the summer. How long will it be until he’s too cool for anything like that??!
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 am
We do love us some country stars here in Nashville. I saw Nicole Kidman (so NOT a country star) at the gym and Faith Hill at the grocery store in the same day.
The greatest thing about Nashville is that there are so many of them that people regularly ask ME for my autograph- I have no idea who they think I am, but I pretend it must be Carrie Underwood. :)
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:52 am
Oh my, with all that coolness going on, you MUST have been in Cool Springs.. where my brother and sister in law spend all their time and money! How fun to be able to have “me” time (well, “you” time, but you know what I mean), with just coffee and girlfriends and coffee and good food and coffee and shoe shopping and coffee.. sounds like a little bit of Heaven to me! Oh, and IF Michael doesn’t buy those shoes, I think someone like Little Jimmy Dickens or Porter Waggoner would have loved them with their sparkly Nudie suits!
Woohooo for summer with the grandparents.. do you REALLY think you could be away from your peanut for longer than a couple of days? nah.. I didn’t think so….
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 am
My bracket’s breaking my heart too.
All summer?!? What did you say?
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 am
LOL those shoes are terrible!!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:15 am
While I don’t think the specific pair in the photograph may be your taste, you had your hands on a pair of TOMS shoes. Big deal! For every pair that you buy, they donate a pair to a child in a third world country. You should really check it out at their website http://www.tomsshoes.com/.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
Howard would love a pair of those way sparkly shoes. What where you thinkin’? Now, he’ll be the only one without the in shoes! (And now If Only I Had A Green Nose is running through my head . . .)
Good Monday to you, too– B-Mama! :)
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
It’s so funny how we miss our kids when they are gone! I love the time away but something just is never quite right when they are gone. Glad you had a great weekend. Oh my bracket…it hasn’t made it’s mind up yet!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
Please tell me you were in downtown Franklin bc that would just make my day! I’m glad you had so much fun. I’m glad your sweet little man had fun. And, I’m glad for grandparents!!
Hugs,
Fran
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:58 am
Sounds like you had fun in my area, Nashville. Yesterday I went out to dinner and I was sure a cousin’s daughter was sitting right at the front door. She even looked at me as if she knew me…so I waved…obviously wasn’t her and I went back to acting like I had not been staring.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
Awww! I used to stay with my grandparents all summer! That’s where the real spoiling takes place, sister!
That little man’s no fool!
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:26 am
What a treat to have all that time to yourself! But what a sweet boy you have, too. I’m glad you had such a good weekend! (And really, watching movies and HGTV is WAY better than any to-do list!)
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 am
Oh, those shoes…MY EYES! MY EYES!!
I spent all weekend watching basketball, too, and I am tied for first in your pool!!! I am glad there aren’t any games until Thursday so I can have my four days of fame until I lose horribly. I am not too confident with my future picks.
I have been on Weight Watchers for three weeks, and I miss peanut butter on a spoon. :(
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Oh the babies, they do grow up!
My 2 year old LOVES his Grandpa n Grandma’s homes…we’re boring, apparently.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Your posts just start off my day with a smile. Your humor is always the same way I see things, you just put it in great words.
Love those shoes!!!!!
Stop by and see me. I am having my very first BLOG PRIZE!..and its a good one….I have owned a Gift Basket Business for 15 years, so am hoping to start giving a “Happy” often. Giving really is one of the most fun things I do!
Your blog has blessed me more times than I can tell you.
Teresa
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
I loved that Michael Jackson comment. THE BEST!
Oh, and my bracket? It’s toast. Ugh.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
I want to comment on the joys of your little man coming home. I want to share how I still feel that way when my married daughter comes by the house (which is often, thank you Lord!). I want to comment on the possible celebrity sightings.
Sadly, I can’t get over the shoe picture to comment on anything. All I say is those shoes are more bling than this bling-loving girl can handle. My shoes cannot overpower my hair — priorities. Now, on those hair-gone-bad days those shoes may just the ticket. What am I thinking…..
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
I don’t know what to think…
Should we be in a fight because I have the full silver… Michael Jackson Tom shoes!!!
Or be BFF’s because you called me a kid?
Unsure!
H
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:23 am
I haven’t got the foggiest idea what’s trendy these days, but even I can see that those shoes are seriously ugly. Yuck.
So are you gonna let him spend the whole entire summer with the grandparents? Somehow, I think not, but it’s great that he loves being with them so much. Not that I’m biased or anything. Because, you know, I’m a grandparent. :-)
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I love this post! You are stinkin hilarious! I envy that you seem to have so many close friends. I love your blog!
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I agree with you about the shoe sale and the style of shoes… they did look like Michael Jackson needed them or maybe Wizard of Oz?!!
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
You are so hilarious! :) You are exactly why I want to move to the South- you just don’t find sweet people like you in stupid California! ;) I am so glad you have a great time!
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
What a fab weekend, with all the coffeeing and shopping and talking. My kinda fun.
Do you think your parents would take my 2 children for the summer? They might be looking for a home by then. Let’s just say it out loud: moody.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Whenever I OD on caffeine it has the opposite effect and I sleep well. I need way too much caffeine to get to that point though. :)
Sounds like an ideal weekend to me too.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I just got back from a weekend away with girlfriends and I tell you, we laughed until we cried all weekend. What a blessing!
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Oh my! Those shoes… I was thinking Michael Jackson when I saw them too. You are too funny!
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Oh, one of my favorite things to eat is peanut butter on a spoon! And thanks to the Curves high-protein diet, I induldge in that treat quite often. One thing I’ve found is that Reduced Fat JIF… OH MY! It sticks to the roof of your mouth for so long that your tongue gets sore trying to lick it all off. It’s devine. Come to think of it, I may just go eat some right now.
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Well what a fun time! That shoe mess makes me think of Belks at the Cool (Springs) Mall near Nashville. I may have to take myself on a field trip over that way tomorrow just for fun!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:03 am
LARRY GATLIN!? The young kids can have the JoBros, I’ll take the Gatlin Bros any day! The younger bro, Rudy was my favorite. The sunglasses he wore. . . be still my middle-aged heart! Good memories of spinning that record in my bedroom in the late 70′s dreaming of marrying one of them. *Sigh* I hope you at least got a picture with him to make the rest of us Gatlin fans jealous! :)
March 24th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I think that I just threw up in my mouth when I saw those shoes.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
My lifegroup girls (high-schoolers) are ga-ga over Toms. I totally don’t get them. They are uglier versions of the Keds I wore growing up. In fact, they look like Keds that have gotten rolled with toilet paper. Ew.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
While they may look hideous- those are AWESOME shoes. http://www.tomsshoes.com is an amazing ministry and organization. Check it out :-)
March 28th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Oh Mercy!! This “Also: Michael Jackson called, and he thinks those shoes would look great with his glove” CRACKED ME UP!! Too funny!!