Mama Mia!

Yesterday was girls’ day out in Huntsville. Initially, Rita and I planned to go to Huntsville to see Mama Mia!, and the outing grew from there to include the Space and Rocket Center, Melissa, barbeque, chocolate cake, Cajun food, and tons of pictures (although I do not have copies yet, as I was not the photographer).

Of course, my mishap-of-the-day was that I did not bring my debit card or checkbook and of course I did not (do not ever) have any cash. Also, as a student of Financial Peace University, I do not have any credit cards. So….no money. I was a total mooch all day. Thanks, Dave.

It was an all day thing. We left my house at 7 a.m. and got to Huntsville around 9:30, including stopping in B’ham to pick Rita up. The Space and Rocket Center was the first stop and it was pretty fun. Honestly, I wasn’t in “learning mode” yesterday, but still found it interesting. I remember so clearly the day the the Challenger exploded – I’m not sure if it was because Christa McAuliffe was on board and she was a teacher and Mama is a teacher, or what. Anyway, space science/travel/exploration has just never really interested me that much, but the museum is actually really nice and educational. And of course, we rode the rides. (I will NEVER get back on the “Space Shot” or anything that looks like a remotely similar experience. It is NOT a kiddie ride.)

We couldn’t really find anywhere to eat lunch, so we stopped at this barbeque place named Little Paul’s we passed on the way, near Huntsville hospital. It was great! Very Alabama with the vinegar based sauce and the white sauce.

After lunch, we headed to the Von Braun Center for the show. Mama Mia! was WONDERFUL!!! This was the first time I had seen it and knew nothing about the story line or characters. All day long I have been singing Dancing Queen. Wicked is probably my all-time favorite show, but Mama Mia! ties with Phantom of the Opera for second place . I even bought the movie at Target today because Rita and Melissa both said that it was great. The theater was almost entirely full and we sat in the second-to-last row (didn’t get tickets until Thursday afternoon). I will definitely see this one again, the next time I get the chance!

We stopped at Cajun Steamer on our way back through Birmingham. I had never been, and it was good. Very, very spicy. For an appetizer we shared the fried dill pickle chips (my first time – great!) and I had the Tilapia and Shrimp Rockefeller dish. It was good, but very spicy and very heavy. I could only finish half. We shared a slice of chocolate cake for dessert.

And the day can be summed up with Melissa’s Facebook status update:

Mama Mia! and chocolate cake….a perfect day.