Three, two, one . . .

Blast back.

Day one, yesterday, was Nostalgia Day. Last visits to the most places I could cram in - and delay the events of . . .

Day two, where the apartment looks like Wyle E. Coyote just made a run-through.

Because on day three, I'mma going home.

Thank the dear, sweet Lord.

Chattavegas has been an adventure. Exactly 385 days from my arrival, I'll be an Atlanta Girl again - physically official; emotionally never absent.

Since I had even a day of nostalgia reveals something: this detour in my life wasn't all bad. Highlights include working at a couple of cool places* -  finding my cute little apartment - and reconnecting with my preschool best friend - apparently, we were inseparable then, and happily we like each other now.

And, some of the restaurants I visited**, hair salon I discovered***, pedi/massage/spa place I found**** and a few other assorted plusses, made life here usually tolerable, often fun. Some of the memories will be kept fondly.

But it has never been home. Small town; city girl.

Yet amazing how much stuff one can collect over just this very short amount of time. And now, I'm paring down further since I've been given the chance to come home, have a place to live, a job, and a need to leave a bunch of crap here till I get out of my apartment.

All of this brings me to the following conclusions: sometimes a change of scenery is necessary (2013 required a re-lo to shake it off); if you look, you can find people you like and a place to make kinda home (even if for the short run); life can surprise you when you least expect it; the people you love, and who love you, don't stop just because you're an hour+ versus 10 min away; there really is just one home.

I've got some juggling - and repacking, eep! - to do immediately, and to get to be back home permanently.

A sojourn to the River City was ultimately ok. A return to Atlanta is brilliant. A life - let's not repeat things like a broken face - is what you make it, regardless of where you are.

All this is to say: "Ciao, Chattavegas!" and "Atlanta, I'm comin' home."

See you soon. xoxoxo

Yours,
Love Bites,
Carrie Neal

*Clyde's on Main - you should pay a visit if in town.
**Sandwiches: River Street Deli (new school), Nikki's Drive Inn (old school); Mexican: La Eltena; Pizza (and spaghetti and meatballs!): Community Pie; Nice date: 1885; Fancy: St. John's; Divey: Mike's; Greek (Get. The. Gyro): Ankar's on Broad; Sunday Brunch: The Flying Squirrel; Best Happy Hour (food and drink): Mellow Mushroom; other categories don't jump out as must-try. Except if pimento cheese can be a category, The Honest Pint. Get the fritters.
*** Go see Julie at Style Bar.
**** Natural Body Downtown - get Felicia for a pedicure.

Oh, and stay at the best hostel ever, The Crash Pad, or at the mostly lovely hotel in town, The Read House. You can even bring your dog.