My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I don't really like to think about them anymore, but I guess they cannot be avoided.

All day long my phone dinged with messages from friends. Every time a post is made on my Facebook page, a message is sent to my phone. So all day, as the phone dinged, it made me smile and feel good to know somebody was thinking about me.

Layke and Seth sent me flowers, some lovely yellow tulips. Jimmy brought by some candy and a balloon and Rachel brought me a Johnny Dep tote bag. Pretty cool. Seth took me out to lunch at the Yum Yum Tree. One of the girls at work had made a cake and we had ice cream and chips. Mother came by after work and brought a gift to me that she had been working on for quite a while.

We did NOTHING last night. It's a long story, but let's just say all that good stuff that happened in the first 3/4 of the day got obliterated in two seconds flat around 4 p.m. The best birthday ever turned into the worst. Oh well. Maybe next year will be better.

A Rambling Blog to Catch Up!

I have been sadly neglectful of this blog! Life has been busy this year plus I've gone on a girls' trip and I was sick two weeks, so that has sucked up 3 weeks of the past two months!

Yesterday I had my hair cut for the first time since late November or early December. It had grown a lot and I had him even it up around the bottom and put some nice, long layers in it. It's about shoulder length still and he cut two inches off of it! It's amazing how quickly it had grown. My hairdresser likes my hair SHORT, but I told him to just humor me! I wore it short for almost 10 years and I got sick of it!

I'm sad to say that I haven't kept up with my smoothie drinking. :( I have the stuff at home to make them, so I may just do that for lunch today. My diet went down the tubes. Not in the frame of mind to do it. *sigh* Story of my life. My fluffy, chubby, plump, fat little life...! But...

Exercise has got to become part of my routine!! I'm going to CMA Fest for a week this June and we'll be walking and climbing to the top of the Titan's stadium and who knows what and I've got to be in shape to do that in the blistering heat. OMG. Why don't they have CMA Fest in March or April?? That would be perfect weather. Oh well. I am also going to a big event the end of March/first of April in Nashville. The Tin Pan Songwriters Festival has various songwriters appearing at seven different venues for five nights. I'm only going for a couple of nights but it should be great fun.

This is a hodge-podge of subject matter today. Sorry about that, I'm feeling kind of scattered and unorganized. I'll try to bring it together somehow!

Here at work we are planning for the Summer Reading Program. This year we're doing things a little differently. Instead of paying for entertainment for every single program, we are implementing reading books to the kids and doing a craft of some sort. Last year the sidewalk chalk day ended up being the best day we had! The kids drew all over the sidewalks at the back of the building and we fed them popsicles. Perfection on a hot summer day!

At home I have several projects that I would like to get done this spring. Jimmy seems like he's game, so keep your fingers crossed for me! This weekend we're going to start making preparations and decide what we want to do first. This is mainly going to involve painting and flooring. Layke won't be home to help. He has gone to Chicago with the show choir. Ah, the benefits of being a music teacher! They are going to do some fun things including catching a Blue Man show. Now that doesn't interest me, but he seemed excited about it!

Another thing I've started doing around the homefront is that I've started back my couponing. It's addictive! My sister-in-law is really big into it and is a huge encouragement- she even sends out emails telling us what's on sale, etc. Stacking coupons is the way to go! I got one of those air fresheners that is motion-activated last week for about a dollar after using coupons. It's like a game to me. I hope I find some great deals this weekend. Can't wait to see the Sunday coupon section of the newspaper!

And weddings are in the air! I went to a bridal shower a couple of weeks ago and I have two or three more gifts to get for some couples. What an exciting time of life this is for them. Everything is brand new and sparkling and the future is out there in front of them with endless possibilities and dreams. Ah, it's wonderful. I love Jimmy more today than the day I married him. We have been married almost 31 years and we still have so much fun. But I really think people should seriously consider giving us and other oldyweds a shower. Our towels and such are a disgrace! LOL I could use new towels, dishtowels, heck, I'd even like new dishes and silverware! :)

Alrighty, enough rambling. I'll try to be more together in the future!

Pond Scum

I'm drinking it. Well, it looks like pond scum anyway. A friend told me about "green smoothies", a great way to get in leafy vegetables and fruits. My diet is not very fruit and vegetable friendly, so I thought I'd try them.

Actually, the smoothies are pretty good. I put a cup of water into a blender, add two handfuls of raw baby spinach, a banana, a quartered apple, and some frozen blueberries or frozen peaches or both. Voila! Pond scum! I'm going to try my best to drink one every day and I just might get wild and vary up the greens! We'll see how it goes.

Speaking of food, I bought a local cookbook yesterday and there is the weirdest recipe in there! It's Blue Cheese and Peach dip. Yep, you heard me right. It has cottage cheese, onion flakes, blue cheese and canned sliced peaches all blended up together. It's to be served with vegetables. Who knows, it might be good, but that was a recipe that stopped me in my tracks. Bizarre to say the least!

I'm trying to eat better. Really I am. But I'm craving Cheetos and Doritos and Sour Cream and Onion potato chips! *sigh* Guess I'll drink my stupid smoothie and try to be content.

Our Tennessee Weekend

We got home this afternoon from a weekend in Tennessee. Friday around noon we left and headed up to Monteagle, TN, where I we stayed in a little cottage (their fancy name for trailer!). We checked in, changed clothes, and headed out to Nashville, an hour and a half drive from there.

We got to BB Kings right around 5:30, the time the Bart Walker Band was going to start their set. Seated on high stools to the side of the stage, we had a bird's eye view. We ordered dinner and Bart's band played their first set.

Bart is an amazing musician! Jimmy loves the blues, and we had a great time listening to him. Typically Reese Wynans plays keys for him, but he was in a recording session that night, much to Jimmy's disappointment. At the break, Jimmy rushed up and purchased a CD from Bart and we chatted a bit, and then who walked in the door but Mr. Wynans!

Jimmy was thrilled to death! He bought a poster and got it autographed and had his picture taken with him. He wanted one of me and Reese and Reese misunderstood and offered to take a picture of me and Jimmy! LOL, I told him that I had plenty with Jimmy already!

The second set was off the hook! It's an amazing thing to be listening to the man who was with Stevie Ray Vaughan all those years. Man, he's a legend, and we had a blast!

At the second break, Jimmy and I headed over to the Limelight where Stephen Cochran and Jeffrey Steele were going to be doing a show. We got there and joined some friends at a front table and waited for the show to begin.

Stephen was first, and he did a great show. Jimmy enjoyed his bass player, Ryan Byrne, who was playing with some slick moves! Afterwards, Jimmy bought him a drink and enjoyed chatting with him. We also talked to Stephen a good while and I must say he is a super guy. He has always been so sweet and genuine every time I've ever seen him, and Jimmy told him that he was his hero. He was injured in the war and has a remarkable story. His back was broken into six pieces and he was told he would never walk again. But, oh, does he walk!!

Then came what I had been waiting for....Jeffrey Steele! Holy crap, that is one talented man! He can sing, play the crap out of the guitar, harmonica, and keys, and engage an audience like nobody I've ever seen. And his songwriting skills are remarkable! To name a few...Tim McGraw's "The Cowboy in Me," Diamond Rio's "Unbelievable," Rascal Flatts' "These Days," Faith Hill's "When the Lights Go Down," Trace Adkins' "Chrome," LeAnn Rimes' "Big Deal," as well as Montgomery Gentry's "Speed," "Hell Yeah" and "My Town." And there are tons more!!

We started out standing at the front over to the side, but it wasn't long before we made our way over to the center right in front of him. He did a 3 1/2 hour show! Unfortunately we had to leave about 45 minutes before he finished due to our long drive back to Monteagle. I'm glad we did leave when we did. It was very foggy and took us until about 2:30 a.m. to get back.

Saturday morning I woke around 7, made some hot chocolate and watched Good Times on television. I crawled back into bed with Jimmy and we got up around 12:30! We grabbed some breakfast at a local Waffle House, then came back and slept all afternoon!

Saturday night we went to a 4 star restaurant there in Monteagle, called High Point. Jimmy had made reservations for us and it's a good thing. The place was covered up! The house the restaurant is in was built and financed by Al Capone. It was just beautiful. We were seated at a corner table in what was probably the original dining room. The house has all the original light fixtures, and it was a pleasure just sitting there!

Our waiter started us off with a drink- me a pomegranite martini and Jimmy an Old Fashioned. He brought bread for us to eat while we perused the expansive menu. We finally decided upon Brie en croute for an appetizer, Lobster bisque, High Point Oscar steak (filet with lump crab meat and asparagus), baked potato, and we shared a creme brulee for dessert. It was an amazing dining experience. I certainly would drive the hour and 45 minutes or so to eat there again.

This morning, Sunday, we woke early and decided to head on home. It was pouring rain and rained terribly on us the entire way home. We have had a nice, relaxing afternoon. I spent some time working on the pictures I had taken and uploading them. It's been a great weekend!

Nashville, Lulu, and Fighting Sleep

Yes, I know I should be in bed, but sleeping is so boring! I don't know why I fight it so at night; I always have my entire life. I'll be sorry in the morning for sure.

There is nothing really earth-shattering going on in my life right now. Jimmy and I are taking a much-needed mini vacation this weekend. We are staying at a cottage in Monteagle, TN. We're leaving at lunch on Friday, driving to Monteagle and checking in, then heading on into Nashville to go and hear Bart Walker's band play at B.B. King's. He plays from 5:30 to 9:00. Jimmy was SO hoping to meet Reese Wynans, former keyboard player for Stevie Ray Vaughan, who is Bart's keyboard player, but Bart told me today that Reese has a recording session that he don't believe he'll get off in time to play. Bummer for Jimmy, but I'm still looking forward to hearing Bart.

After that, we're making a beeline over to the Limelight where Stephen Cochran is playing. He's supposed to start at 8, but I'm hoping it'll be later! Then after Stephen is Jeffrey Steele. OH.MY.GOD. Next to Bo Bice, he's my favorite! That man can put on a show! And boy, can he sing! And boy, is he sexy! lol

After the shows we're going to drive back to Monteagle, sleep in on Saturday, and enjoy a dinner at a fancy schmancy restaurant that night. Then we're going to go back to the cottage and the cottage's hot tub! Sounds heavenly!

My little Lulu dog, the 2 pound chihuahua, is going to be left at the mercy of my boys. She has to have a pill every day (I give it to her wrapped in some Velveeta) and a half a dropper of liquid antibiotics. Man, they'd better do it or mama will be on the warpath when she gets home!

I inherited that dog from my daughter Rachel, who rescued her from getting put to sleep at the vet's. Rachel got a new minpin, so I got Lulu. I would never have chosen that dog, but I've got her and I love her even though she loves Jimmy more.

Now that's a funny thing, her loving Jimmy. He's not an animal person. But she sits beside him in his chair and he's really sweet to her. I guess it's because she's so tiny. He even took her to the vet today, an unheard of event in times past with our other dogs!! And get this- he made an appointment to have her teeth cleaned! Man. That little dog has him wrapped and I think it's hilarious.

I adore all my dogs. Austin, Ernie, Pugsley and Lulu are the best dogs ever! Cesar would approve of how good my "pack" is! They're sweethearts. And I have a little dog-crush on Cesar! He is THE MAN! He isn't afraid of anything, not pits, not chows, no dog scares that little man. That's awesome!

All right. Back to reality. It's almost eleven and morning will be here all too soon. Guess I'll head on to bed. Adios!!

Pepe la Pew Sunday

This morning was cold but we braved it and headed out to the early service in Madison. We left the house a little before 8, made our regular stop at Starbucks, and pulled into the parking lot and made it in just at the right time. I was expecting a smaller crowd that early, but I was fooled; once again the place was packed!

Why did we go so early today? You see, I had a family get-together to attend at one, and that’s the only choice we had.

My mother had two brothers, one of whom has passed away. His daughter, my first cousin, was hosting the lunch today at her house.

Pat lives in a beautiful home on who knows how many acres. Her husband raises cattle for a living and they have a beautiful farm. After picking Mother up, we got to Pat’s house and saw several cars already there.

Stepping into her lovely den, I noticed that she had candles burning everywhere! And there was this….smell. Everyone was talking about the skunks that were living under their house and how they can NOT get them out! Apparently one had sprayed and they had done everything in their power to get the smell dissipated, even wrapping the floor vents in Saran wrap!

The day before Tommy, her husband, had set a trap and had successfully caught one of the skunks. He had it in the trap in the back of his truck way out near one of his barns. Of course I had to go look! Jimmy and I took off in the freezing weather and cautiously approached the pickup. There was a piece of old carpeting covering the cage and I slowly raised it up. All I could see was black and white fur. It was very still and we were VERY quiet!!

I learned a fascinating fact about skunks today. Tommy said that a trapper who lives close by told him that the fur has the same feel as mink. He used to sell the fur of the skunks he trapped for $13 and companies made “mink” coats from them. Apparently some regulation has stopped this practice and now the man only gets $1 per pelt.

That makes me laugh to think that some snooty person is parading around in a “mink” coat and it’s really a skunk! LOL

We had a nice lunch (after a while we became immune to the smell!) and visit with my cousins. I’ve been home for about an hour and let me tell you, all of our clothing, down to our underwear, smells like a skunk! Jimmy’s car smells like a skunk! We’re washing everything and hopefully the smell will come out!

That’s been my day so far. I’m going to relax a while and gear up for another week. Just thought I’d share my skunk story. :)

Rest in Peace, Tiger Jesus. I love you.

Today my heart hurts. My precious Tiger Jesus, the cat who showed up on our lawn as a tiny little kitty 10 ½ years ago, is gone. She has been sick for a while with a skin condition that terrorized her and she clawed her hair out and made herself bleed. This morning things at home came to a head and we made the difficult decision to put her down.

Tiger was a strange little thing. She couldn’t meow; my youngest son said she quacked! She showed up outside and was there a couple of days and I told Jimmy that if she was there the next day, I was bringing her inside. Well, she was, so we headed inside the house with her. I’ll never forget looking around at Seth and asking him what he wanted to name her. He said, “Tiger”. I said, “Tiger what?” because all of our animals have middle names. He said, “Jesus, because Jesus sent her to us!”

Tiger was skittish and would not let us touch her, much less hold her. We patiently loved her and after about 3 years she finally allowed me to hold her. A little later on she allowed Seth to, and ever since then we’ve been the only people she trusted.

She was so funny about things. She slept with me and would stretch herself out against my back. If she got thirsty or hungry we’d know about it because she would tell the news!

Jimmy didn’t share our love of Tiger. He called her “that damn cat” but he’s been sweet to me today.

Layke and Seth took her to the vet; I couldn’t do it. They put her down and were going to cremate her. They asked if we wanted her ashes, but we declined. I’d rather have my memories than a box full of ashes. That’s just too painful.

Thanks for bearing with me while I memorialize my cat. I cried a river this morning at home and I’ve fought tears all day at work. I’ll miss my baby girl.