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Monday, March 31, 2008

Witty

Well...I've been in America for 48 hours, and I still haven't really written a blog post. And, honestly, I haven't felt like writing one. I still have a cold. This morning I also have a headache. My grandmother is still hanging in there. While I am in waiting mode I have just been hanging out. Waiting. And what better way to wait than with family and friends.

I'm sure there will be many things I will look back on from this trip and really savor. One of those things happened the day after I arrived. I got to meet the Witty Writer Gal from my blogger world live and in person! Seriously!

Witty lives in Austin. I was chatting online with her when I got the call from my dad telling me I needed to come to the states. She was concerned as any good friend would be. She said that if I needed anything to just call her. She would pick me up from the airport or help out in any way that she could. I told her that I was pretty sure someone could pick me up from the airport, but I would call her from America when I arrived. Fast forward 24 hours. I am sitting at my sister's thinking that Witty is willing to come see me. I want to meet Witty. Hmmm. I'm not sure what will happen with my grandmother so if I want to meet Witty it needs to happen sooner than later. So I called her, and we made plans for her to come see me the next day.

She arrived just before lunch, and I took her to Pappadeaux's. Actually she drove there and paid for the meal, but I told her how to get there and ordered the food. Does that count as me taking her there? No...well then ok. We went to Pappadeaux's. There. Is that better? Good. Now on with the story...


Witty sat back and let me do the ordering.


We each had half of a shrimp poboy, and...


a fried soft-shell crab. A fried piece of paradise is more like it! It was delicious!

Our waitress, Keysha, loved Witty from the moment she met her. I am telling you...that Witty is a charmer for sure! By the end of the meal Keysha was happily searching the kitchen for something sweet for Witty to take back to the hotel to have for breakfast with our leftover bread. She was also telling her what days she worked so that Witty could request her next time she visited. I wish I had taken a picture of Witty and Keysha!


Later we checked Witty into the hotel where she was spending the night. There we met Shirley. Witty was her charming self, and before we knew it Shirley was telling us a story about 45 gay cowboys and the fact that she never knew cowboys could be gay. My head was on the desk I was laughing so hard. Then when Shirley mentioned the fact that she knew about sheepherders being gay I had to excuse myself to go get some air. I honestly thought I was going to pass out. Poor Witty couldn't look at me because she knew if she did she would have lost it as well. We loved Shirley!


Because I had been in the country for less than a day I was dragging from jet-lag. We sat in her hotel room so that I could rest for a bit. Well, she sat in the chair, and I laid on the couch. With a pillow. And a blanket. But my eyes stayed open the whole time. I promise.

Other highlights from her trip...

A trip to Target where I petted bags of peanut butter m&m's and boxes of cheez-its, and pretty much made eyes at anything that I couldn't get in Turkey.

Dinner with my sister and her family and my youngest brother and his family at a new pizza place. Witty ordered the pizza...pepperoni, red onions, and roma tomatoes. It was yummy...way better than Turkish pizza, but I do wish that I had ordered extra sauce. She even said to order extra sauce if I wanted, but I didn't listen. Note to self...listen to Witty when it comes to pizza. She knows what she is talking about.


You knew I wouldn't forget to take a picture of the pizza...surely you knew that!

Staying up until the wee hours of the morning talking and laughing...and almost crying.


Taking pictures of the two of us with my computer.

Church on Sunday morning. She even went to Sunday school with me. Of course when I invited her to church she didn't realize that Sunday school was part of the package. I didn't even think to mention it to tell you the truth. She got to meet several of my friends and was surprised by what she witnessed and experienced. She has written a great piece about her experience. If you would like to read her words leave me a comment and I will email them to you.

Olive Garden for lunch after church. The salad and bread sticks and...well...what can I say? All the food was great! But sadly I forgot to take pictures of it!

This is getting long. This is getting out of hand. I will just end with this. Witty is everything I thought she would be and more. She is compassionate and loving toward everyone she meets. She was exactly what I needed. I am so excited that she came to see me. That she wanted to meet me. That despite our very real differences she wants to be my friend. She is an amazing person! I love you, Witty!

6 comments:

Amy said...

Wow! Natalie, I am in awe of you and the witness you are to everyone you meet. Witty, you are an awesome writer. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you yesterday. I actually didn't go to church because my mom was in town and we stayed down by Relient Stadium and went to see Memphis beat UT at the NCAA Basketball Tourney. Go Tigers!! -- Oh, sorry... kinda got side tracked. Anyway, Natalie call me if you get a chance. I work 9-1. Off on Wednesday. 832-594-8435 (no stalkers please)

Anonymous said...

Natalie.... I am trying to come up with the words here, but I think I did better in my blog... I hope you know I love you to sis... I had more fun watching your reactions to me, than anything else... I love you right back!

I am just tied up in a word knot right now! Dang it! Why did you get all mushy on me?? LOL

SCMOM- Thanks! When I am writing about something that moves me, or is from the heart, it is much better... Am I going to have to change my name?

Me. Here. Right now. said...

Just what Witty needed too - a little time to herself and with such good company. Glad you met and shared this.

HeyJoe said...

Your posts make me hungry...hope all is well family wise.

Mike S said...

Thinking of you. Sounds as if Lori is right, you needed each other at this time. I'm still envious of you both for having met. Food looks good too. Hope all's going as well as it can:)

Natalie said...

scmom - thanks! i've really enjoyed getting to know her. she's a fun one for sure! i'll call you as soon as i get a chance.

witty - you crack me up. so fun to hang out with. and you are the mushy one my friend!

hahn - it was so fun. glad to share it with the world.

heyjoe - well...i do what i can to share food pics. they make me smile! family is doing ok.

mike - things are going well. we had a ton of fun. if you are ever around austin i'm sure witty would take you out and show you a good time. and if you make it to turkey we'll do the same!