the sisters went down to georgia

The third week of March is my mom's Spring Break so the Slade girls decided it was time for a girls' trip. Our first was to Boston in June '02. Then we met in Colorado in March '06. This year's destination: Atlanta, Georgia, home of newly-married Merrit and Matt.

The rest of the girls arrived on Saturday but I couldn't come until Monday. My flight was at bright and early 7:00 Monday morning. Dave and I had to leave to get to the airport at 5 am. I asked my visiting teacher to come sleep on my couch so we wouldn't have to wake up the kids. I enjoyed a wonderfully child-free flight and arrived in Atlanta about 4 in the afternoon. First stop: the Varsity.

I'm not sure why this drive-in restaurant makes the list of must-sees in Atlanta. Other than being fifty years old and employing fast talking "waiters", it is kind of pathetic. The food especially. Oh well. It made for a good photo-op.

With scary chili dogs and less-than-stellar Frosty Oranges in hand, we headed over to Piedmont Park to take pictures. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperative. It was cold and very windy. We didn't last too long.

I never relish my role as the fat, frumpy sister but it was really disheartening for me on this day. Look at these gorgeous, stylish women in my family! And then there's me...trying to fit in. Seriously.

When we gave up trying to fight the weather, we went home to Merrit's totally cute apartment. Marriage has been very good to my little sister. She is so happy. That makes me happy. We arrived to find chocolates and roses from our men. So sweet.

On Tuesday, we went to hike Stone Mountain and enjoyed a beautiful day outside.

It seemed to be my sisters' mission to visit every TJMaxx, Ross or Marshall's within the greater Atlanta area and do it multiple times. Shopping is generally akin to torture for me but I managed to endure a small amount with my mom and sisters. Although by Friday, I was just sitting outside on the bench reading instead of succumbing to the evils of the sales racks.


I had my first ever chiropractic adjustment on Wednesday. Matt is graduating from school in the next week and decided he needed some more practice. He is specializing in Upper Cervical Specific chiropractic care. Never heard of it? Me either. I know this may come as a shock to some of you but I am a total skeptic. Matt was very patient in answering all my questions and explaining the benefits of his discipline. I learned a lot and am very intrigued by it. Turns out I am also very hard to adjust. Matt tried twice and finally had to call in reinforcements.


Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Dana on Wednesday. You know, Dana, there certainly was more room in the car after you left but of course, it wasn't the same without you!

Unfortunately, Mom spent the week feeling sick. She didn't feel up to the day's outing on Thursday. We left her resting at home. While Merrit and Matt went house hunting, Keri and I went to the Atlanta History Center. We toured the lovely Swan House built in 1932. Followed by the less exciting Tullie Smith farm. Finally, we walked through several exhibits showcasing folk art, civil war history, urban development and the 1996 Olympics. Then we left the History Center and drove through a few of the gorgeous streets of Buckhead. Oh the loveliness!


On Friday, we went out to Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield. Then we toured the CNN Center, which was boring and disappointing despite its rave reviews. We finished our sight-seeing with a trip to the Cyclorama. What's the Cyclorama, you say? "The Cyclorama painting — 42 feet tall and 358 feet in circumference — is said to be the largest painting in the world. It offers breathtaking realism enhanced by a foreground of three-dimensional figures and terrain. The presentation is accompanied by music and narration." It was interesting.


After a full day of culture, Merrit, Matt and Keri entertained us with something a little more low-brow: chin singing.

My last day in Atlanta was filled with more sight-seeing. We saw the Fox Theater, Rhodes Hall, and Meadow Nook.

I enjoyed my last bit of feminine indulgence by reading Mr. Darcy's Diary on the plane ride home. I was welcomed back home by my own beautiful family at the airport about 8:00 Saturday night.

The trip was fanastic. I've left out so many details here. I didn't mention Merrit's fabulous cooking, or watching Gone with the Wind, or all the talking and laughing we did. And someday I should write a blog post about life back on the homefront. Dave did an awesome job taking care of things. What a blessing that I got to go. What a blessing to have these women in my life!

More pictures here.