God rocks.

You might remember my post on Southern Living versus Midwest Living and how I was lamenting the fact that I was switching.

Let me just say: God rocks.

Shortly after that post I cancelled my subscription.

Or so I thought.

Today I received a we-want-our-money letter from SL for this year's issues. I called them to re-cancel. When the woman on the phone asked me why I was cancelling I told her it was getting too expensive (having gone from free - Thanks girls! - to $12 a year, to $36). Of course, she asked if I was interested in any of their other magazines, and replied, no, that I had just subscribed to Midwest Living (as I live in Iowa) and didn't need Coastal Living.

Then a random turn of events.

She asked me how much I paid for this past year's issues. I said that it had been the in ballpark of $12 for the year.

Know what she said?!

Ok, I can honor that same price for this year too, if you'd like.

If I'd like?! Oh you betcha I'd like!

I am now sittin' pretty with one more year of Southern Living (do worries Jonathan, it was only $11.88!).

God totally answered the desire of my heart! I so wanted to keep my subscription and without even knowing it, He totally made that possible. Had everything been cancelled as I thought, I wouldn't be able to rejoice in knowing just how much My God cares about the little things.

God rocks.

Toto we aren't in Texas anymore

I cancelled my subscription to Southern Living tonight. Way, way sad day.

I am now subscribing to Midwest Living.

Me on the computer cancelling my SL subscription: "This is way sad. Way sad."

Jonathan: "But you're getting something better."

Me: "Yeah, but it's Southern Living. I love Southern Living."

Jonathan: "You don't leave in the South. You live in the Midwest."

Me: "Ahhh! Don't say it! If you don't say it, it's not true!"

Southern Living

I was born and raised in the South. I hold several love/hate feelings about my experiences there, but am slowly growing to love it more than hate it. However, part of me wonders if I haven't just come to idealize what I want the South to be. A place where people sit on their front porches drinking iced tea, listening to good music, watching the kids play baseball all day and saying hi to everyone that passes.

But the South I really know is scarred. We have a past that has not, and I fear, will not, leave. One of prejudice. One of hate. One of division. I can remember seeing the signs of racism from an early age. Seeing "KKK" emblazened in a neighbors yard. Or having the confederate flag hanging in someone's truck. I, in all honesty, could not tell you one person I knew who didn't "look like me" until I was started working in high school. Granted, it's not because I didn't want to have a variety of friends, it's just that where I lived and where I went to school, there was no variety.

I took a civil rights course in college that made me ashamed of what took place in my land. It made my heart break to think that my ancestors, as I'm sure they did, judged others based on the color of their skin. I came across this article today. While I want to believe that the images captured are skewed, deep down I know they aren't. I know that Greenbrier, TN still has a divide, even if it is "invisible".

It makes me sad. Just when I begin to think of the South as a beautiful and pure land, I am reminded of not only it's past, but it's present and likely future.

Eat mor chikin

I love Iowa. I have been here just over two years now, and would rate Iowa City as my second favorite place I have ever lived. And for those of you who know my love of Texas, that's saying a lot. However, there are a few things that I just can't get adjusted to. Like, having people get upset when I say ma'am/sir. Or not understanding me when I say I want a coke (ok, ok, I'll give that one to you Iowans, "coke" can be confusing). Or looking at me funny when I say I'm having meat and two for lunch. But what pains me the most is not having good ol' fashioned southern food. Sure, I cried myself to sleep when I realized that Hy-vee wasn't HEB. And then again when I realized I would have to drive for an entire day, literally, to eat at the best taco shack known to man. But about two months ago, a glimmer of silver lining came streaking into my world.

Chicken like you have never tasted is coming to Coral Ridge Mall. Chik-fil-A happens to be one of my all time favorite places to eat. I would pass up a steak dinner, homemade pie and tea just for a bite of Chick-fil-A. Yes, yes, that seems quite extreme, but oh man, is it worth every warm and buttery bite.

And the best part of all: the creater/owner is a Christian. Truett Cathy is a hardcore Baptist who believes his store exists "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A". Yep, that's pretty sweet stuff right there. Also, as a means to further my love of this chicken place, they are closed on Sundays to allow their employees "an opportunity to worship, spend time with family and friends or just plain rest from the work week".

The store opens up at the Mall on April 19th. I regret to say that Jonathan and I won't be here for the grand opening. Although we did consider coming back two days early from our trip just to be the first in line.

Yep, I love me some chikin.