I spent this past weekend in Dallas visiting one of my college roommates, Cara. We have kept in touch pretty well, considering that she graduated 11 years ago and now has 3 beautiful children 
and a wonderful husband. I haven't spent nearly enough time with them over the past few years, but it's always so great just to pick up where we left off. As in college, Cara and I can still talk about the most mundane details and enjoy the conversation. We also share a faith, which makes connecting easier, I think. So here is what we did...David and Cara picked me up at the airport Friday night and we headed downtown for dinner. David's mom was keeping the kids, so we were out on the town! We parked at Cara's brother's apartment complex to avoid paying for parking. The guard at the gate gave us a bit of trouble (even though our names were supposed to be on his list), but we got in. We ended up eating at the House of Blues...man do they have some good jambalaya!! It was a little loud for good conversation, but we managed to talk over the noise. We headed home and the kids were already asleep, so I didn't get to see them.
and a wonderful husband. I haven't spent nearly enough time with them over the past few years, but it's always so great just to pick up where we left off. As in college, Cara and I can still talk about the most mundane details and enjoy the conversation. We also share a faith, which makes connecting easier, I think. So here is what we did...David and Cara picked me up at the airport Friday night and we headed downtown for dinner. David's mom was keeping the kids, so we were out on the town! We parked at Cara's brother's apartment complex to avoid paying for parking. The guard at the gate gave us a bit of trouble (even though our names were supposed to be on his list), but we got in. We ended up eating at the House of Blues...man do they have some good jambalaya!! It was a little loud for good conversation, but we managed to talk over the noise. We headed home and the kids were already asleep, so I didn't get to see them.
Saturday morning, I got up to run. Cara's two oldest, Jacob and Joel, were up already. They don't remember me because it's been so long since I saw them. I had to introduce myself. When Cara got up later, Joel told her, "We saw someone." So cute! Anyway, I had a fantastic 6-mile 
run around their neighborhood. I think it was only 70 degrees when I finished the run...so great! The festivities on Saturday included a baby shower. It's kind of a running joke that every time I visit them, there is some wedding-related event going on (engagement parties, post-wedding receptions, an actual wedding). Well, now we've moved on to baby events. Really, the girl who is having the baby...I went to her engagement party 5 years ago! So, Cara and I headed out with her youngest, little Anna Celia, who is just beautiful. We were able to hang out and only talk to each other for most of the shower and Anna's need for a nap gave us a good reason to leave a little early. Saturday night, we went to church and dinner...yummy BBQ across the street from the church. On the way home, I played I-Spy with Jacob and Joel. Joel is very fun to play with because he says things like, "I spy something silver...see that silver car?" It's pretty easy to guess when it's his turn!
run around their neighborhood. I think it was only 70 degrees when I finished the run...so great! The festivities on Saturday included a baby shower. It's kind of a running joke that every time I visit them, there is some wedding-related event going on (engagement parties, post-wedding receptions, an actual wedding). Well, now we've moved on to baby events. Really, the girl who is having the baby...I went to her engagement party 5 years ago! So, Cara and I headed out with her youngest, little Anna Celia, who is just beautiful. We were able to hang out and only talk to each other for most of the shower and Anna's need for a nap gave us a good reason to leave a little early. Saturday night, we went to church and dinner...yummy BBQ across the street from the church. On the way home, I played I-Spy with Jacob and Joel. Joel is very fun to play with because he says things like, "I spy something silver...see that silver car?" It's pretty easy to guess when it's his turn!
This morning, Cara was signed up to participate in the chili cook-off at the Texas State Fair with her sister Emily, brother Patrick, and Patrick's wife Linsi, so I tagged along. It was all very "loosey-goosey" because the organizers of the event never would give Linsi any concrete information, so we weren't really sure what to expect. It was craziness...we showed up and got ready to park (normally $10) and told them we were with the chili cook-off and parking was free, as was admission to the fair (normally $14 for adults). So, no matter what the outcome (Cara's team didn't win), it was worth the free admission to the fair! We did take some time to walk around the fair itself and took some pictures with "Big Tex", a disturbing 100-foot-tall mechanical man who is voiced by a live person hidden behind a curtain somewhere (think Wizard of Oz voice). Also, there are lots of weird fried things. This year's new dish was Fried Latte...what in the world? They also had fried PB&J and fried Coke. I don't get it and it doesn't sound very healthy at all.Because of the Fair, I had to take a cab to get to the airport, which meant I brought my luggage 
with me and then walked to the fair gate and waited on a street corner. It was a funny sight, I'm sure. I had all my excessively large luggage (I'm a very high-maintenance packer!) and it was really a literal street corner and in a not-great part of town. But, the taxi driver came and I got to the airport in plenty of time. One funny episode at the airport. I was washing my hands in the bathroom and a lady peaked her head out of the closet (which I hadn't even noticed was there) and said "Is she gone? Is the lady with the dog gone?" I kind of looked around and said, "There's not a dog in here." And she said, "Oh, there was one in here." Then she came out of the closet. Very funny and random!
with me and then walked to the fair gate and waited on a street corner. It was a funny sight, I'm sure. I had all my excessively large luggage (I'm a very high-maintenance packer!) and it was really a literal street corner and in a not-great part of town. But, the taxi driver came and I got to the airport in plenty of time. One funny episode at the airport. I was washing my hands in the bathroom and a lady peaked her head out of the closet (which I hadn't even noticed was there) and said "Is she gone? Is the lady with the dog gone?" I kind of looked around and said, "There's not a dog in here." And she said, "Oh, there was one in here." Then she came out of the closet. Very funny and random!
2 comments:
how fun! i was in the dfw area all last week but no time to visit anyone. i can't believe cara didn't win anything. i don't think i've had her chili but i've had other things she's cooked and i can attest to her culinary skills!
very fun. i need to get back in touch with cara...i think it's been since she moved into her new house that we've emailed each other. does the still have the same email she did before they moved?
emily and jacob are only 7 days apart - jacob is the older. :)
LOVED the album you sent. her kids are so cute.
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