A Surprise Weekend

On Friday, John and I headed to Atlanta (Mimi spent the weekend here with the kids) to a surprise party for my good friend Ashley. She is turning 30, just in case you were wondering. She thought she was going over to Chris and Kimberly's house for birthday dessert. But about 20 of her friends were standing on the balcony of their home shouting "Surprise!" She was....well, surprised, to say the least.

 

It was a great evening, and we even got to see several old friends that we haven't seen in a long time. And we did silly things like put flowers in our hair for a picture. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

We headed to Mark and Ashley's to spend Friday night with them. Saturday, Ashley and I went shopping all day and ate lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. I finally got my pear and gorgonzola pizza - it was just as yummy as I remember it! And Atlanta traffic is much crazier than I remember it.

Saturday evening we went out to dinner and dessert as couples, and enjoyed chatting and catching up. We all went back to Mark and Ashley's home and had fun conversations from a tin of questions that we took turns answering. It was very interesting! This photo is a repeat (from Project 365) but it's the only one we got all weekend of all six of us.

 

Then we headed to Chris and Kimberly's home to spend the night with them, and we all got up Sunday morning and went to Six Flags for the day. It was a great weekend!

And that's about it.

Okay, okay. So I had high hopes for Six Flags. I was really excited about screaming down crazy roller coasters and then going back and doing it all again. We were prepared - we took Dramamine ahead of time, and we got the Gold Pass, which means you have no wait for any ride. The first roller coaster we came to was the Georgia Scorcher, where you stand up, and we screamed and laughed and life was good. Then we made it to Goliath, which has a 200 foot drop and goes 70 miles an hour. You feel like you are going to come out of your seat. Goliath was not good to me. After riding it, I was never quite the same, and I never recovered. I felt really sick to my stomach, and just felt a little off. I would like to say that I think the extreme heat and the fact that I was having some sinus trouble affected my roller coaster riding ability. John and Chris rode Goliath three times over the course of the day, as well as many other coasters, and never had any issues. I can't explain it, but it bummed me out. I wanted to ride them, but I was worried that I would pay for it. So I took it easy, and we rode some fun rides like Thunder River where we all got DRENCHED. The final roller coaster was Superman, where you get in the seat and then the seat goes up, so you are literally flying. You ride the roller coaster with the harness on your chest, and you are looking down. It was so crazy that there were times I literally couldn't even scream. But Superman was my favorite - it was crazy fun! And of course after my second Dramamine, I felt a little better, but I still wasn't great. It was a fun day, and we enjoyed hanging out together, but I wish that I could handle roller coaster a little better. And I thought maybe age makes you queasier, but John was totally fine all day. Can anyone explain this? I need an explanation. It really bothers me. Kimberly and I had to sit out on quite a few, while John and Chris NEVER stopped. And I do think part of it is the Gold Pass, because there is literally no break in between each ride, since there is no wait. But Kimberly and I were stumbling along behind them while Chris and John were racing ahead to the next ride.

I'll be waiting for your explanations to make me feel better.

A great weekend of fun with wonderful friends!

Comments

[MiMi]

I noticed at the surprise party that both Ashley and Kimberly had white shirts and black shorts/skirt and then you looked like you had the same white top as Ashley (i couldn't see if you had black shorts) Was there something to this or purely coinsidence? I'm glad I could be with the kids--I loved it!!

MEGAN RESPONDS: Very observant, Mimi! I actually had on a black skirt as well, and it was totally unplanned!

[Gina]

I suffer the same thing, and I used to could (don't you love that grammar?) ride any roller coaster, multiple times over, and keep on walking with no effect whatsoever. My theory, having talked to several women, is that it is somehow a result of having kids. Most every woman I know has talked about how their equilibrium/sinuses or whatever is just different after kids. Who knows if it's hormone related or what, but it would explain why you and Kimberly had problems and the guys didn't.

MEGAN RESPONDS: Interesting, Gina. It sounds good...and it does fit. And it makes me feel better. Perfect! :)

[Leigh Ann]

Wow! #1 I'm scared. #2 I'm scared. #3 I'm scared. #4 I'm not being helpful or encouraging (should that have been #4 & #5?). Ok, I LOVE the Superman, and I love roller coasters ... what if I can never ride them again because I'm old? hehe! Just kidding!!! I'll go with Gina's annswer bc it does make the most sense, which brings me back to my numbers... #1 I'm scared...haha! ;) Had fun taking Ansley to church. Although, I believe we confused an awful lot of people! See you Wednesday!

MEGAN RESPONDS: Go ride all the roller coasters you can now Leigh Ann, while there's still time!! ;) Thanks for taking Ansley with you on Sunday - she had a great time!

[Lance]

Look on the bright side Megan, nobody split their head open.

[Angie]

I totally agree with your friend Gina. I haven't had problem with my sinues until after having kids and I never had any problem with heights or going in circles or upside down until after the kids. I actually have been seeing an ent doctor and he agrees it can effect your balance and can make you feel more sick.

[Christina]

Hmmm... I haven't tried to ride a roller coaster since becoming a mom... but they were always a favorite of mine before. Bummer that this happened to you! I was laughing when I saw the three of you dressed alike in the first picture -- ya'll look like three peas in a pod:)

[Laura]

I have to side with Angie and Gina. I use to LOVE roller coasters but now I get sick and I panic that I am not going to get out when we stop (which happened to Jace and me at Disneyworld and I nearly had a panic attack : ). Several of my friends mentioned that, too.

[Renee]

I'll just say that if you could ride a SuperMan flying ride you are one up on me! :) So glad you got to surprise Ashley!!!