Trip Report Part II, with more photos!

I was in Nash-vegas for 7 days.  I guess it's going to take 7 more days for me to recover.  I'm still loopy from the trip.

While we were in Nashville we drove to Franklin, a small town straight out of a storybook.  After we all had lunch at Pucketts (oh my shrimp burgers) I.T. girl and I wanted to walk down main street to the Landmark Booksellers.  This was the most fabulous bookstore I've ever been through.  WOW!  I'm pretty sure I've never taken photos of a bookstore before, but I sure did this time  Oh, and let me warn you, all I had was a little Kodak EasyShare camera in my purse.  I think the photos will be able to convey the atmosphere.  Take a look.

This bookstore is housed in a 2 story historical house complete with creaky stairs and beautiful details.  You can imagine a family living there.

 The cookbook room set up in the kitchen!

 Beautiful.  The room invites you to sit a spell and read a little.

 It was a quiet store with just a few customers milling about.  The lady at the front left us alone to pour over the books.  We looked at every single one of them.

 This historical marker was out front, but it's not exactly the reason I took the photo.  Can you tell why I took it?  Let me enlarge the image............

RAIN!

Trip Report Part 1. With photos!

Ironman and I spent 6 days in Nashville.  

The first batch of photos I'd like to share are of a visit we made to Fontanel, the log cabin built by Barbara Mandrell and her husband.   We noticed on Trip Adviser that this tour destination was rated #3.  Why not?  

 Autographed pillar in the den.  

 Fontanel is the largest log cabin home in the country.

 I flipped through the address book but only took one photo.  This book is the real thing in Barbara's handwriting.  

 I had to capture a photo of this bottle opener.  I'm sure my children would have no idea what is.

 Indoor swimming pool

 Ironman really can walk on water.

 Indoor shooting range

The walls were damaged one night when Kid Rock and Hank Williams, Jr. had assault rifles and whiskey -  Not a good combination.

Our tour guide, Vance, told us that The Fontanel depends on the money from tours and special events for upkeep and expenses.  The house only has 2 guest rooms as Barbara and her husband enjoyed having company but did not want them to spend the night.  Management will rent the house for weddings, parties, etc.  They also have a concert venue in the back part of the property that can be rented for parties.

We're home!

Our week in Nashville is over.  I have lots of pictures to share but for some reason I just can not make myself upload them.  There is so much to do around here when you are absent for 9 days.  Speaking of that, where did all this dust come from?

Until I get the photos up and edited, I'll just let you know the highlights.  Okey Dokey?

First, we drove.  The trip is 9 hours if you don't stop. But, of course, we stopped.  So it was closer to 11 hours.  Ironman drives like a bat out of he##.

We dropped the daughters off at camp where they would stay for 4 days.  Ironman and I got back in the car and just looked at each other.  Four days alone?  What were we thinking!!

So, here's the tally:

10:30am - the time on the clock when I woke up in the morning.  YES!!!

Big Fat ZERO -  flavorful coffee I drank.  Sorry, but if you can see the bottom of your cup through a full cup of coffee, it's too weak.

One - delicious, couldn't quit eating meal.  We had fried catfish, hushpuppies, cream corn, black eyed peas, biscuits and preserves at Loveless Cafe in Nasvhille.  And then I ordered banana pudding.  I had to waddle to the car after eating all that but oh it was so worth it.

One - Show at the Grand Ole Opry. We wanted to go see two Louisiana boys:  Trace Adkins and Kix Brooks.  It was fun.

One - Show at The Ryman.  Ironman really wanted to see a show during the Bluegrass Nights.  So I graciously reluctantly went with him.  And with a smile on my face, too.  We heard Rhonda Vincent.  Apparently she's the reigning queen of bluegrass?  The musicians were marvelous.  Even I could appreciate the talent and giftedness.  But the jokes were outdated and politically incorrect.  I'd take corny and hokey over insulting any day.

One - "discussion" with Ironman about his driving and almost killing us both.  After that I drove.

Six - Rainy Days.  I love a rainy day.

Zero - Shoes purchased.  Do I have self control or what?


Other highlights:
We toured Barbara Mandrell's former log cabin.  It is now owned by record promoters that also promote Alabama and Kenny Chesney.  So although the furnishings and interior are kept the way Barbara had it, there is a lot of memorabilia from the other two.  Barbara's daughter, Jamie, was the hostess.  It took you back in time, that's for sure.

We toured the Lotz House.  In Franklin, TN there is a lot to see and explore about The Civil War.  Our tour guide was.......... let's just say, he really was into his tour guiding.  More about that later.

We discovered a beautiful book store.  I think it's the first time I've EVER pulled out my camera and taking photos of the inside of a store.

This trip was the last trip of the summer for me.  It is good to be home.

Photos will be posted tomorrow.  :)

There's just something about....

I've had an eventful week which got me to thinking about all the good things in life.
Here is my short list:

There's just something about....

...laundry.  That feeling you get when the warm, clean clothes come out of the dryer.  There's just something about that.

.....Jon Bon Jovi.  OH MY GOSH!

.....completing several MUST DO errands.  I managed to do that yesterday.  Treating myself to a car wash at the end.

..... getting your car washed. And vacuumed.  Ah yes, there is something about that


....falling into bed at the end of a long day.  Fresh sheets, cool pillow.

....being the first one awake in the morning  There is something about the quiet time at the beginning of the day



We're off to Nashville tomorrow.  Ironman and I will be there for a whole week with NO CHILDREN.  I hope to sneak in a blog post here or there but I'll just play it by ear.
I'll be back on track soon.  Hugs and Kisses

Hallmark - Help Me Out A Little

Today I finally did it.  I stopped by the card section in CVS.  I had put it off for days.  But now I really had no excuse.  I was waiting to have a Rx filled and so I might as well tackle the chore:  choose a birthday card for someone I don't enjoy.  Now, that sounds sweet and mature, doesn't it?  Sorry.  But it's true.

Still, it's the right thing to do.  Wishing someone a happy birthday is just a little gesture of good will.  (there have been many times that I did what I thought was the right thing to do only to have it backfire.  So I don't always trust myself in this situation)

Usually it's  fun.  I laugh out loud at some and get all mushy with others.
I stand there for 15 - 20 minutes trying to find just the right card.  It may take time but I always find something appropriate.

Yes sirree, no trouble at all.  I enjoy doing it. I want friends to know that even in my hectic world I still remember them and their birthday. Besides, it's nice to know somebody took the time and energy to pick out a card of you. And then to have a stamp?  And remember to mail it?  The old fashioned snail mail way?  Priceless.


Today was not one of those days.  I was buying the card out of kindness, thoughtfulness, selflessness, obligation.  That's it, obligation.

The first one was too sweet.  Let's not get carried away, people.
The next one was funny.  Nope.  This birthday girl has no sense of humor.  She won't get it.
I'm not interested in a long flowing poem.  Oh gosh, no.  I just can't go that far.
Calling Hallmark or American Greetings - I need some help here.

I never found a card that read, "We do not have a close relationship, we go months with no contact, I'm sending you this birthday card to honor you. Please accept it and have a  Happy Birthday.

Nope.  No cards like that.  Hey, I did see a "Happy Divorce" card.

 
FInally I reached for a card I had already considered.  Maybe it was even the first one I saw.
White background - no glitter.  Photograph of a cupcake with birthday candle.
Tasteful but not overly emotional.
Text inside simply said "Wishing you a Happy Birthday"

I will mail it.  Tomorrow.

News

"When we magnetized the compressed area, the area of concern disappeared.  So you are free to go.  We don't see the need for an ultrasound at this time.  Your doctor will received this report and you should hear from his office in a day or so.  There is really no reason we can see for any further screening. "

And with that I walked out of the hospital to my car.  I cried all the way to McDonalds. Ordered a large order of fries and a large diet coke.

I walked into my house, sat down and realized I was exhausted.  Every part of me was weak.  So I went to bed.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Yes, I've been gone for a few days

I got a call back for a follow up mammogram.

Right breast.

Same as last year.

I had a call back last year.  I held my head up high and marched into the screening area of the hospital like it was something I did every day.  I had a repeat mammogram.  The screener asked me to wait while the radiologist reviewed the pictures.  In 15 - 20 minutes (which seemed like an hour) she returned and told me I could go home.  They had reviewed my records and determined an ultrasound was not necessary at this time.  I had dense breasts.

That was the day before we moved.  I was so busy last summer that I didn't have much time to think about what could have been.  I packed up my house and moved 2 hours north.  I started a new job.  My girls started new schools.

A year has passed.  I got the call yesterday.  Right breast has had a significant change.  When would you like to return for a follow up mammogram and an ultrasound?

"Tomorrow", I said.  "I know it's a long shot.  But it's worth a phone call"

"Yes"  said the nurse.  "Give me a minute.  I will call and see if they can get you in tomorrow.  If they can't do it tomorrow, I'll keep asking until we find you a spot as quickly as possible.  I'll call you right back"

She called back.  X Ray and Ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm.  Please have your insurance card and identification.  Thank you.

There will be no sleeping or eating (on my part) until tomorrow afternoon.  All of a sudden my right breast feels achy.

I'll let you know.  Thanks.