I’ve been looking for a better camera bag for a while now, and have been eyeing the beautiful and practical Epiphanie Bags. I’m thrilled to say that I finally bought the Ginger bag! As a bonus, that purchase counts as a 10-point entry in the giveaway they’re having right now on their blog, with the choice of a Canon 5D Mark II or a $2,500 gift certificate for Southwest Airlines as the prizes! Details of how to enter the giveaway are at their blog, Have an Epiphanie.

(Thanks to Angella for the tip!)

I’ve known both these chicas online for…oh, nearly three years now! I met Bex and Jo both during 7 Days in March 2007. Bex and Jo are best friends in real life, and I quickly realized that they both were silly, geeky, smart, warm-hearted people whom I’d love to hang out and bake cupcakes and watch movies with. Since they live in Alabama I had to settle for writing emails and Flickr comments (and assigning the odd baking project), hoping we’d get the chance to meet someday.

When I realized that our route across the country was going to be taking us through Alabama, I emailed Bex and Jo and asked if they would be willing to meet up with us in Decatur. They both arranged their work schedules accordingly and we exchanged dorkily excited text messages as our meet-up drew closer. We arranged a location to meet and coincidentally parked our cars right next to each other.

From the moment we attack-hugged each other in greeting, all through dinner at an amazing Asian restaurant and coffee at Starbucks, it was awesome. It was so wonderful to meet these friends in real life, finally, and to confirm what we’ve been pretty sure of all along.

Silly people really do make the best friends, online and in real life.

(1st photo and last 2 photos taken by my mom, who was with us but forgot to get in any of the photos herself)

We found a place! We think.

We’re about 95% sure that we’ll get it. We filled out the rental application forms and dropped them and the requisite checks off at the rental agency, and have been assured that everything looks good. We should find out for sure tomorrow, and hope to sign a lease then. I’ve done this too many times to get cocky about it though. No pictures or detailed descriptions of anything till our names are on that lease. I am just as eager to show you photos as you are to see them, believe me, but I don’t want to get all attached to a house only to have it not work out.

I’ve been updating my Twitter and Facebook accounts frequently about our travels and the moving process, in case you aren’t already following me. If I don’t know your real name and you want to friend me on Facebook, please just send me a message letting me know you read my blog and what name you comment under so I don’t think you’re a random stranger who wants to stalk me.

Thanks again for all wishes-upon-a-star, prayers, and crossed fingers on our behalf!