TEXAS

You'll never guess where I was over the weekend...

Spirit airlines offered a round trip flight for $107. from Boston to Dallas. The time was right. It had been five years and seemingly five lifetimes since I had seen some of my college friends. I was having these random thoughts of the Texas countryside and feeling the great need to get away from the city. So I was thrilled when the trip came together.

I rented a car in Dallas and took the drive that had been lingering in the back of my mind for months. It was everything I wanted it to be. Relaxing and refreshing! The wide open space and white fences are typical landscape that I saw.

I grinned when I entered Cracker Barrel for lunch and was greeted with the Texas southern hospitality. "I'm definitely in Texas." I thought to myself. So different from Boston.

Plans for the day were to meet up with Anne (college friend and roommate) at her sister-in-law's wedding which happened to fall on the weekend I planned to come. It was so good to see Anne and to meet her three year old son, Philip.

                                                   Had to chase him down for a picture!

  Saw some familiar faces and another friend, Chrystal, at the wedding. Great time catching up!

Drove back to Longview with Anne and talked and talked and talked. We stopped by the college campus for old time's sake and that "arriving on college campus" feeling emerged from the pit of my stomach...gotta love it!  We checked out the dorm and the TBC plaza and headed off to one of our favorite food haunts...McAllisters. Love the place! Great food and the best iced tea!   

Anne and her husband Philip graciously put me up for the two nights at a lovely hotel. So nice! It was great to retreat to my room around midnight after starting the day in Boston around 4 a.m. Wiped out!

Started Sunday off at Starbucks (what better way?)...so nice to see an empty store. Everyone must be at church. Starbucks in Boston are packed out on Sunday mornings. One of the things that I like about Texas is that there is still a very strong Christian influence. So refreshing. So nice to see church goers at restaurants after church. Don't see that very often in these parts.

Had a great time at the church service at Longview Baptist Temple. I felt very welcome and was happy to see so many special people from my college years and to meet up with Mrs. Rossouw and college friends, Chrissy and Carrie. My friends have all had children since the last time we were together. It was fun to meet their new additions who are so cute. Since I am a teacher, I notice children's behavior.... and was impressed by all of my friends great parenting skills. It also cracked me up to hear my former roommates etc. being called, "mom."

Was treated to lunch and great conversation by the Rossouws. They showed me around the beautiful, new TBC addition which was fun to see. Church was great Sunday night. Spent more time with Anne at her lovely apartment etc.

Monday, I met up with Mrs. Rossouw and had breakfast and lunch together with lots of talking thrown in. Stopped in to see Mrs. Petticoffer (former teacher and dean of women) to say "hi" and touch base.  Met up with Anne for some shopping and made our way to McAllisters for the grand finale with friends. Had a great time talking and laughing! It was so good to be with them. I am thankful for such a special weekend with friends.

  Clockwise starting next to me: Sarah, Chrissy, Carrie, Chrystal and Anne.