The time I met PW

My love for the Pioneer Woman is well-documented. I think she's kinda fabulous. Frank carried me to the big city of Atlanta yesterday to meet PW and get my books signed. It was such a fabulous day.

I did my best to not get run over on the scariest stretch of interstate this girl has ever driven on. I wandered around Atlanta. I killed time people-watching at the mall. I marveled at the hundreds of people waiting in line (many of whom had been waiting 6+ hours) to get their hands on the new iPad. Is it worth all that? Somebody let me know...I know nothing about those newfangled gadgets. I bought a ridiculously cute, on-sale headband at Anthropologie. I visited a two-story Target (I almost took a picture, but didn't want the fancy Buckhead people to know I wasn't one of them).

Once at the bookstore, I made fun new friends in line.

(Ashley, me, Lauren, Lauren's precious little girl...PW loved her bitty skinny jeans!)

We entertained ourselves by reading this book:

(I wish I could go back in time and re-do college: elementary education with a minor in feline aesthetics.)

Winding our way through the aisles, we got our first glimpse of Ree. She was just as precious and chatty and friendly as she is on her blog.

 Finally, it was my turn. I had been racking my brain about what to say to this complete stranger I feel like I already know. I had a really cool, low-key intro planned and then, I threw all that out the window and did this:

I turned into a bumbling goober. Through and through. I mumbled something along the lines of "Oh-my-gosh-I'm-so-excited-to-meet-you-I-drove-all-the-way-from-Birmingham{deep breath}you-look-just-like-your-pictures-I-just-saw-your-boys-they're-so-handsome-I-love-your-website-you-inspired-me-to-start-my-own-blog!" Way to play it cool there, chief! Ree was so sweet and took a few minutes to talk to (or, if they were anything like me, sit and listen to) every. single. person. She asked me where I was from (and even knew how far Bham was from Atlanta) and had a fit over my ring.

We then took our official picture. I got a good laugh when I saw it on my camera. Let me narrate for you:
Ree: Would you like to take a picture?
Julie: Yes! I'm just still kinda nervous.
Ree: Don't be nervous! Just come on in here.
Julie: Thanks, I will. In fact, I'm going to stand as close to you as I possibly can and put my bosoms dangerously close to your face. If we don't take this picture soon, I may even try to climb onto your lap and hug your neck.
Ree: Sounds great! Let's do this.

(Personal space apparently means nothing to me.)

I'm sorry I said bosoms earlier. This is a family blog...it won't happen again.

I'm so glad I got to meet her. Definitely worth the trip. On our way out, we spotted Marlboro Man. I snapped a couple of creeper shots from behind a bookshelf because that's how I roll.

Such a fun way to kick off my spring break. Happy Saturday to all!