The Proudest

 We are so proud, I'm speechless.

Labels:  Knoxville, Tennessee, Teenager, UT

This Week

Not only has Autumn arrived, but so did JJ Grey!  He was added, pretty last minute, to the Nashville "Live on the Green" show.  I had already purchased the tickets for his show in Knoxville, so it was a lot of fun seeing him twice within a week's time.

Knoxville's show was especially fun because not only did Beth come with me, but we were also able to hang with the teenager (in his neck-of-the-woods)!  The entire night was a blast, ending with locking ourselves out of the room, Barney Fife in the lobby after hours, and the a/c that sounded more like someone a little overweight breathing heavily.  Beth and I laughed ourselves to sleep at the wee hours of the morning.

The next morning, we arose pretty early (10) just a tad bleary eyed.  It's hard keeping up with college kids, geesh.  We must have walked, what Beth, about 20 blocks?  ("It's only across the bridge then one block.")  After dropping some things off at the Teenager's apartment, we headed back West towards Nashville.  I had found this little town, Harriman, last year when heading back home after mom's celebration of life.  It was still there, just as I had left it.

We found beautiful houses while exploring the sweet little town.  Leaves were flowing through the air, it was breezy and a perfect temperature.  Doesn't get much sweeter.

We found our way down to the river and took some photos.  It was gorgeous!

Beth and I.

And some goodies I found in Harriman.  Haha, the owner of one of the shops remembered the "run-in" I had with a horribly rude customer.  Ya see, we remember this stuff.  

Now, speaking of goodies, this is Natalie Sarabella's latest line.  She has decorated hand-blown glass pumpkins exclusively available through Frontgate's website only.  They are gorgeous!  (Top photo of same piece.)

Not only do you get the beautiful pumpkin, but it arrives in a box that Natalie has hand painted herself.  I love sunflowers!  I'm going to hang it somewhere in the house.  Such a talent, that lady.  I also put out my little oil that reminds me of my mom.

Yes, it feels like a year has passed.  Each day, I can't help but to remember those last days. I'm actually doing pretty well with it.  Her beautiful memory is with me every day.  A big thank you for all your well wishes.

How Time Flies

Only 19 years ago and 30 days, we brought our first born home from the hospital--a rather large 8 1/2 pound bouncing boy. Yesterday, we dropped him off at college to begin his new life as an adult. Sniffle.

Of course, both of us were up half the night before nervous about each of our new adventures. His, a new life on campus, as an adult, plowing through a degree in business. Me, letting go of my first baby and hoping that he continues to make the right decisions in his life without his parents around.

I am so thankful that the teenager's roommate is a real sweety. I've gotten to know him a little better over the summer and I adore him. While roomy is clean cut, almost preppy, my son is the long-haired hippie type, complete opposites. Probably a good thing. Roomy always has a smile on his face which, of course, I love. I'm so happy that they knew each other before being thrown into a dorm to live together. At least, they didn't have that to worry about.

We were able to get everything moved in before someone on the third floor accidentally hit a sprinkler which set the system off on that floor. Thank goodness, the teenager's dorm was in another wing and didn't get flooded. Ooof. What a mess. Can you imagine moving in and having all your items flooded? Like there's not enough stress in these poor people's lives right now.

The teenager is having a time of it. He holds all of his anxiety in his stomach and there's not enough pepto-bismal in the world to keep it calmed. I feel so sorry for him. The hub tells me that he was the same way and that he will learn how to cope with it. As a mother, those are hard words to swallow. Our last conversation before I went to bed last night was that he was still sick and still had not eaten a thing all day. All I could do was remind him of the BRAT diet (geesh, remember that? Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce and Toast!) so he would at least get something in his system. This morning, I am unable to get him on the phone. Of course, he's probably out running around with all the freshman activities that have been planned for them having a grand time of it; but until I hear from him, I will have that little pain in my stomach not knowing if he is doing better. Ah, once a mother, always a mother, right?

Before heading back home, the kid, hub and I stopped at the only restaurant we know in the Old City, Crown & Goose. The kid wasn't with us the last time we were here, so we thought he'd like it. He enjoyed a plate of fish and chips.

Ok, I'm off to call the teenager again. Hopefully, he'll answer this time! Kids!!

Points East

Since Tuesday, we have been travelling back and forth, to and from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The teenager had his orientation beginning Wednesday at 7 a.m. With that time in mind, we (the hub, teenager and I) decided to go up Tuesday afternoon so we wouldn't have to leave Nashville at a God-awful hour Wednesday morning.

The cuz arrived Tuesday afternoon, and we had enough time to have a fun lunch before I had to leave her and the kid here under Miss Sherrie's supervision. I hated leaving them, but this orientation was a must for all of us. Where in the world would I be without Miss Sherrie these days? I shudder at the thought.

We made it to UT by dinner time and checked the teenager into his dorm. The hub and I decided to stay at a local hotel, thank you very much. There was no way I was sleeping in a dorm. Ew. We all decided to try the new pub in town which we enjoyed very much. The poor teenager was so nervous that he could hardly eat. Poor guy. He has such a nervous stomach inherited from his father. Recently, I know how he feels. Not good. By the time we finished, we had a little time to walk about the campus before the sun went down.

I don't know what this is, but I sure love the old Southern charm of it.

This is the guest house. Sweet little cottage right down the street from the teenager's dorm. It's rumored that Michael Jackson stayed here. The guide then said "But we really don't believe that!" What on earth would the gloved one be doing at UT?

The football stadium is even larger than I had imagined. Big doings down here on Saturdays. GO big orange!

We had a busy day on Wednesday. Unfortunately, at the hideous hour of 7 a.m, I forgot my camera in the car and didn't get any pictures of our orientation. Boo hiss. The hub had to leave this morning for more points east, as in the Far East, so we had to leave after our part on Wednesday and leave the teenager there to fend for himself. It was a completely different orientation for the students and the families, so it all worked out ok. And so, we drove the three hours back home yesterday. Sigh.

Made it home in time to take the kids and Miss Sherrie to go see Wall-E. Cute.

Somehow, I got it in my head that it would be fun to drive to Chattanooga with the kids today and then go pick up the teenager in Knoxville later this afternoon. Not too smart. While it is about an hour closer from Chattanooga to Knoxville, I didn't count on a traffic jam going down there and thus only having an hour to spend before having to head back up to Knoxville. Lordy. We were, however, able to ride the Lookout Mountain Incline train to the top of the mountain and back. Worth 2 hours' drive? Uh, I don't think so. But fun just the same. You only live once, and I like to show the cuz as much as I can while she's here. Oh yea, and me and my ideas about going to the top of things. While it wasn't as hair raising as the Eiffel Tower, it still was a task prying my bloodless fingers from the poles once we arrived to the top. Ya think I will ever learn? I guess if I do, I will hide under the covers for the rest of my life. Too short for that. I'll have to continue to scare myself silly.

On a good day, you are able to see seven states from Lookout Mountain--Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

The kid took these photos. I sure wouldn't look down once we got to the top and out of the train.

By the time we made it back down to the base, the teenager called and it was time to get back in the car and drive another two hours to Knoxville. Lord have mercy. At least the kids were able to get a little nap in during some of the downpours we drove through. Some more white-knuckle moments today.

The teenager was in good form once we arrived much to my surprise. I thought for sure he'd be mad because it had taken us so long to get there. He was so excited by the thrill of it all--college! He gave the kids a little tour of the campus. It was a lot of fun and nice seeing the kids together. This may be the last time. Sniffle.

Even though I hated to, we got back in the car and drove three hours back home. If I never drive again, it will be too soon. Guess what. We're heading to Riverside tomorrow! Six more hours in that car!

Oooof.