Author: Big Mama

I’m sitting here on the bed with the fitted sheets, with Sophie and Shannon right next to me.

I wasn’t going to write anything but they are both furiously typing away on their laptops and, honestly, the peer pressure is getting to me.

However, I have been way too busy reading the TexAgs message boards, hoping and praying that someone will say that Fran has been fired. So, my point is, I haven’t come up with a way to even discuss the day.

Well, other than to say, we have had so much fun.

This morning Sophie brought Alex to the hotel so that we could meet the little man in person. And let me tell y’all I would pack him in my suitcase and take him home. He is a doll.

And he told me my sweater was “gorgeous”, so he totally already has a way with the ladies.

Then, since we figured he probably wouldn’t enjoy a day of shopping, we took him home. Sophie had prepared us that her house was “just a mess”.

And it absolutely was.

If by mess you mean that not a thing is out of place and everything is totally and completely beautiful.

The view out her back windows is like being at some sort of country retreat. I mean there are trees. With leaves that are colors I have seen in pictures, but never in real life.

And a river.

And a deck on which a person could sit outside and absorb the beauty of the fall foliage while thinking deep thoughts.

By contrast, the view out my back windows consists of a porta-potty on the neighbors driveway and a Little Tykes slide that has seen better days. Neither of which really make me want to sit on my back porch and think deep thoughts.

Except for maybe wondering how long our mailman is going to stay in that porta-potty.

Anyway, after we dropped Alex off at home, we headed out to eat and to shop. We had barbecue for lunch and some of the best sweet tea I’ve ever had.

Then, fortified by our pulled pork plates, we started shopping. It should come as no surprise that our first stop was Steinmart.

And that we all bought something.

Shannon bought the prettiest bag for her laptop and it was 30% with an additional 20% off, which is practically free.

Of course once we got back to the hotel we realized her laptop doesn’t actually fit in it, so when you add in the cost of a new laptop, it’s not quite as much of a bargain, but it’s so pretty it doesn’t really matter.

We went in some darling stores in the Homewood section of Birmingham. One store tempted me beyond all reason to decorate my Christmas tree with blue and brown ornaments this year. Until I realized Caroline would probably rather have toys than a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

We looked at beautiful things, talked each other into buying some things, and ate a lot of food. So it was pretty much the perfect day.

And now we’re all sitting together blogging about it. Which is probably more than slightly nerdy, but you know what they say about birds of a feather.

I just have to say that I adore these girls. We have laughed until we’ve cried. We’ve talked until we’re slightly hoarse.

We’ve just had the best time. They are both as honest, funny, sincere and genuine as y’all would expect and more.

And being with them has taken the sting out of the fact that the Aggies are losing 42-7 and Coach Fran is still our coach.

That is some powerful friendship.

Because we don’t want Jeana to think we have some sort of conspiracy.

Here we are with Mark Hall after the concert last night.

Excited doesn’t really cover it.

I have almost been up for 24 hours, so I’m going to bed. Immediately.

But two things real quick.

1. The Casting Crowns concert was awesome. Seriously, they are so humble and so talented.

And I can’t even talk about how thrilled I was that we got to talk to Mark Hall for a few minutes.

2. Kudos to the hotel where I am staying for having fitted bottom sheets AND feather pillows. That is what I call FANCY.

Oh wait, one more thing.

Shannon and Sophie are even better in person. My stomach already hurts from laughing so hard…or maybe it’s from the Taco Bell I ate 30 minutes ago at 11:30 p.m.

It’s as if I think I have the same digestive system I had in college.

Oh, and one last thing.

If you want to upload photos to your computer, it helps to pack a USB cord.

Well, it’s 9:06 a.m.

I’ve been up for 6 hours.

I’ve had two Grande Non-fat Lattes.

And one breakfast taco. Which means I must be tired because I ate eggs prepared at an airport.

Also, true to form, I woke up at 3 a.m. and was too excited about the weekend to go back to sleep.

And I wonder where Caroline gets it.

It’s a good thing I’ll get an extra hour of sleep this weekend with the merciful end of Daylight Savings Time. I’m going to need it.