Day 274: Saying goodbye

Recently, I have said "Hello" to driving a new-to-me car. I love that it's pretty, it's a jeep, and it has heated seats. It is great and I am so thankful!
But, I've still driven The Civic from time to time. Yes, "The Civic." Note the caps. This car is a part of me. Since the fall of 2000 and Shenice's wedding and Knoxville rush hour with Valerie combined to bring about the end of my high school car, I have been driving a silver honda civic. Now, with 188,000 miles on it, and thanks to Craigslist and my selling-savy fiance, I am saying good bye to the car today. In honor of this historic moment in my life, here are the top 9 most memorable moments I have had with this dependable friend.

9. Saturdays. 6:05am meet at exit 290. 6:07am pile 5 girls into the small car. 6:35am arrive at Furman. Run 2-18 miles. Pile back in the car. Drive to Spartanburg. Find rap music on the radio. listen to Bess and Loring break it down with their bad selves.
8. Folly Beach with the windows down with my brothers.
7. A Honda Accord. A Honda Civic. A Honda CRV. All at home at 701 Dupree Drive.
6. Having campus safety call me to move my car while it was parked in front of Dexter residence hall while I was a student at Converse...and again while I was a staff member.
5. February, 2009. Zaxby's to Carolina Country Club. The longest drive of my life.
4. Driving though the Dorman Center parking lot with the windows down, as some of my fav middle schoolers attempted to "row" my car with their arms.
3. Winter Break, 2001. Me, Renee, Casey and the quest for Canadian hockey.
2. Miss Lexi, then age 7, hollering from the backseat, "I love this car! I can use these things to make the windows go up or down anytime I want!"
(Clearly, the girl had never experienced non-power/non-child locked windows.)
1. Approximately 100 drives through the Smoky Mountains. Whenever possible singing "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks at the top of my lungs

Day 273: Suprise!!

When 6 friends show up at your house and you think you're going to have a little summer bible Study, the only thing that could make it even better is strawberry bread, brie with preserves (yes "reserves"), decorations, festive popcorn, and...gifts!!
It was a surprise "shower"!! Who would have guessed that the first shower in our new home would be for me! Haha. Sweet, cute treats. Time to share and pray and laugh with great women. And gifts from folks who love to shop the Pottery Barn registry.
Lovely!

The "icing on the cake" was the cake Mandy made. She is an expert cake decorator, in addition to everything else she does. I don't have a pick of last night's cake. (It was topped with magenta flowers - the color of my bridesmaid's dresses!) Here's a pick of another one of her masterpieces.

Day 272: Smoothie King

As if the precious gardens, the proximity to work and church, the cool arcitechture, the nice neighbors, or the parties busting free BBQ or hotdog vendors where not enough...there is one more thing to love about our new home.

It is right next to Smoothie King.

What better way to get your chocolate fix!

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Day 273: Earthfare

Inbetween my house and the church where I work, lies the one, the only, the healthy supermarket - Earth Fare! Today, Rachel introduced me to their Pesto wrap for lunch. It was fabulous. A side of fruit and great conversation made it even better!

Oh, and it was only $4. Yummy price.

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Another quote for the Day

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ― Thornton Wilder

Afternoon quote

“To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.” ― Anne-Sophie Swetchine

Day 270: Fountain City Creamery

Perfect Saturday. Lazy lunch. Cute new place.
Conversation about our wedding and plans for remodeling our house.
I love Saturdays and I love having a couple hours with nothing scheduled todo.

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Note: the "nothing scheduled todo" part is probably even more revolutionary for me than anything else. Falling in love and moving to Knoxville and growing in a knowledge of God's grace has really relaxed me this year.