Jimmy's daddy passed away suddenly, which was quite a blow to the family, but everyone took it well. We were so glad that he didn't suffer that it kind of overshadowed the horrible loss. And, being Christians, we all know we're going to see him again, and Ray is having a blast up there with Pat, baby Paul, his parents and siblings who got there first!
I spent a weekend in Nashville with friends seeing Bo Bice do his thing at Mercy Lounge on Friday night, The Grand Ole Opry Saturday night, and at Rockin' Through the Rain on Sunday. It was a fabulous weekend.
On the tail of that weekend, I was working late on Monday, heading home to celebrate Jimmy's birthday. When I arrived at home, I found out that Rachel's adopted dog (which she has now returned to the shelter) had murdered my little tiny chihuahua Lulu. I was heartbroken, devastated, inconsolable and I'm still not over it.
CMA week has come and gone. Six nights in Nashville, lots of great music, lots of good times with friends. The week involved everything from a celebrity fishing tournament to a parade to writer's rounds to full out concerts. Oh, and we got a private soundcheck with LoCash Cowboys totally by chance!
Our yard has grown in lush and green this year and Jimmy is so proud. It was redone last year after the tornado.
This year we experienced something we've never seen in our lifetime- April 27 and multiple devastating tornadoes. We dodged a bullet this year, but our city did get some damage, including my road north of where we live. So many lives were lost that it's hard for my mind to wrap around the enormity of the events of the day. I've never been as terrified in all of my life. After last year's tornado hit our home while we were there, I am fully aware of the mighty power of those storms and just how helpless we are. We are in the planning stages of installing a storm shelter underneath the floor of our new garage. Why we didn't think of it last year while they were building it is beyond me. All I can figure is that we were so addled that we just couldn't think straight.
The group Alabama from Ft. Payne organized a show in Birmingham to benefit the tornado victims. It was held on June 14 and I was fortunate enough to attend it. I had pretty good seats, too! The music began at 7:30 and flowed seamlessly for 5 1/2 hours. I laid my head down in bed at 3:50 the next morning and was up at 7 to go to work. Totally, completely worth the lack of sleep! Alabama, Rodney Atkins, The Commodores, Dierks Bentley, Bo Bice, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Sara Evans, Taylor Hicks, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Martina McBride, David Nail, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and Ashton Sheperd- now how's that for a lineup? It was fabulous. Just fabulous!
Jimmy and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary June 16th. It doesn't seem possible that so much time has passed. We've weathered some storms throughout the years, but we've made it through together. I look forward to growing old(er) with him!
Rachel, Layke and Seth are all doing well. So is mother. They are all busy with their lives and things are good.
Jimmy is playing music every chance he can. I go listen to live music every chance I can. My next quick trip is July 27 to Nashville. I also have a couple of weekends to TN planned in August and one to GA in September. This year I made a promise to myself that I would try my best not to fly anywhere. So far I've kept that promise, although it gets tempting at times. For example, a girl from Brazil has come to the U.S. this month to catch some Bo shows. She's been a fan since 2005 at age 14. Unfortunately, I'm not going to get to go to any of the shows she's attending in OH and MI, so I won't get to meet her. :( That makes me sad.
Well, that's my life in a nutshell for 2011. I'll try my best to start blogging regularly. Oh, and I'm starting back with my couponing! I was big into that before the tornado in 2010. I'm excited at the prospect of the bargains I'm going to get!
