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.

Motivating Weather

You know how the cooler temps motivate me to be more productive.  It seems I haven't done a darn thing for over a year.  I truly need to get back into the swing of things.  The kid was off for two days (fall break, haha), so we went and gathered some punkins'.  I so LOVE this time of year!  Do you see Dave in the background?

It's also GGC time.  This is the bracelet the girls and I made last year at Riverside in October.  I have been wearing it almost every day.  I hope they are too!  Tiz' the season, girlz!  I don't even remember adding the angel charm.  Who would have known that it would have such meaning in such a short time?  We lost mom four days later.  Well, unfortunately, the GGC won't be able to have our annual meeting this year, scheduling conflicts, I'm afraid.  Sniffle. But, I'm workin' on a little sumpin' sumpin'.

I continue pulling together the girls' room, piece by piece.  I hung these mirrors this week after they sat on the beds for like a month or more.  (Beds, I say.  I dont' even have mattresses, yet!) I hung them close to the dresser so the girls can put their makeup there and be close to a reflection.  I'm starting to think more like a girl every day.  Go figure, at almost fifty, right?  Sad, but it's taken me that long--three older brothers and all . . .  (Do you barely spy the wool shag rug?  Squeeeeeeel!)

Natalie Sarabella, the true angel that she is, included this gorgeous Diva (click to her website) when I ordered some presents for friends and family.  Madam D, as I named her, is an absolute delight!  Nat has been so generous to me over the years, and I can never thank her enough.  I send big ol' bear hugs and kisses and prayers and everything good to her every time I eye one of her beautiful pieces.  I know she has angel wings hidden somewhere.  

Who else could come up with these teeny, tiny little precious babies but Nat?  These were made for Dar's (my riversorry friend) little grandbabies!

Going back to the girls' room, how could I resist a little nod to England after such a delightful trip this summer?  I sigh every time I see that Union Jack!

Tomorrow,  Beth and I are heading East to Knoxville to see JJ Grey & Mofro in a real theatre. We are going to have the best time!  Not only am I traveling with my dawlink friend, but I get to see my first born also.  And he's going to the show with us.  It doesn't get much better.

Life is good to me. (Except for the fact that the hub is in China, again.)

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

Live on the Green, Nashville

Thursday night, the kid and I ran downtown to see the last of the Live on the Green series.  It was a free, six-week concert series; and it just so happened that JJ Grey and Mofro was closing out the season.  Of course I was going!

The first band playing was Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights out of Texas.  They were great!  They are touring with JJ, so I get to see them again next Wednesday when Beth and I drive over to Knoxville, University of Tennessee territory, and see them all again.  The teenager is going to meet us there!  How fun is that going to be?  I cannot wait!

The next band up was Dumpstaphunk.  They were absolutely fantastic.  Reminded me of way back in the day of funk; and I was groovin'!  I had moved up close to the stage by this time to get better photos.  Still, they're not great, but I was having so much fun.  (The kid stayed back as he didn't want to get in the crowd and bump and grind, lol.)  The band is from New Orleans and the head honcho, Ivan Neville playing keyboard, is non-other than the son of Aaron Neville. 

Before their last song, they said "this is how we do it in New Orleans!" and invited all the ladies (Vanderbilt girls!) to come up and dance on the stage. I was quite embarrassed when the bass player looked me dead in the eye and said "Don't be shy, come on up!"  I'm sure I turned red as fire!  Hahaha. I just hid behind my camera and  stayed right where I was, of course, and enjoyed all the dancing from my viewpoint.  Oh-me-garsh!  Heck, you wouldn't have found me up there when I was young!  How hilarious is that!

And then, dun dun dun, it was time for my man, JJ.  Wooooot!  Of course, I called my brother Jim and let him listen on the phone as long as he wanted.  He started out singing Country Ghetto.

These guys play so well together.  And I do mean play.  They laughed and smiled throughout the entire show.  I guess there was no pressure since it was a smallish crowd.  I loved it!  It was hard to get a clear pic of JJ as he was dancing all night long.  It was great!  (I think it was the boots.)

It's just a joy to watch a band have so much fun on stage.

Not the Blue Man Group by any means!  I love watching the horn section dance!  And the bass player never stopped smiling the entire night, I swear!  He so reminded me of someone.  Who, I couldn't put my finger on.

I can't wait to do it all again next week!  Yeaya!

I'll leave you with his latest video, Sweetest Thing.  Now, this is so Riverside!  Sniffle.  

Oh, and PS, JJ looks oh-so-much better in person!  Just a little FYI.

Fall

How to Roll

Now, if I could, this is how I'd roll.  Or, at least, have it in the back yard where I could not roll. There are so many trailers out these days, I'm thinking perhaps when we retire . . . . maybe the hub and I could pull something behind us where we can stop where we want and rest our weary bones.  Well, perhaps.  (The above gypsy wagon is made by Gypsy Vans.)  In my next life, maybe.

This would be next on my list, the Teardrop Woody.  What a beaut!  I first saw it in Garden & Gun magazine. Tight squeeze for two,  but, look at it! You need to go to the site and look inside. That wood is gorgeous!

Although, the Airstreams are larger, they sure are an American icon. Again, wowzie on the innards.

I kinda liked the wonky look of this Cricket camper.  Looks like something I would pull behind me, fersher. ha.

Looking for something a little more mo-dern?  This one seems to fit the bill.  I'm sure it would turn some heads, ya think?  Take a look at it open here. Fun!

In my search for different types of trailers, I even found a wonderful blog, Tiny House Blog  which has all kinds of trailers, campers and wagons--and little houses. This gent is quite the builder.   Amazing stuff.

Alrighty now, how would you roll?  Or do you already.

More Charms

I went to Beth's on Thursday, and we made some more silver charms.  Mine is the A, and the other three are hers.  I love her simple "D!"  

My clay became too brittle and dry to work with, so I was only able to make the one piece.  I attached it to my bracelet that I wear every day.  When I had my bone density scan, the charm fell off.  Thank goodness the technician found it and gave it back to me.  My mom used to say, "You lose more jewelry!"  ha, That, I do!

PS  There's a new "survey" for the blogosphere by Technorati.  If you're interested, you can find the survey h*e*r*e. It takes about five minutes to fill out.

Tea for Me

With the temperatures turning cooler, I can now enjoy some hot tea in the afternoons. Today's selection is from a small bag (almost gone) that I picked up while in San Francisco last January.  (I can't believe it was that long ago!)  Vallen and I met for tea at the wonderful Crown & Crumpet.  She chose the Marie Antoinette for her pot.  Thank goodness, because it is a delightful mix of fruity goodness!

It even has little pink crystals in it--probably sugar--which makes it even more delectable!  Pink crystals! Oh my.

An absolutely wonderful afternoon pick-me-up filled with delightful memories.

Cheers!

October, Finally!

Fall has hit Middle Tennessee; and I, for one, am adoring it.  I think most of us had really long, hot summers.  Even hotter than usual here.  So, I think most of us are sighing with relief.  Not that we won't be getting more heat, mind you.  Of that, I'm sure we will.

The cooler temperatures in the air and the beautiful skies motivate me.  I don't get that spring-time thing.  Nope.  For me, it's the fall that gives me a child-like feeling.  Finally, I'm awaking with a little spring in my step (or should I say Autumn in my step!).

A big thank you to my family and friends who helped me through this transitional year.  I feel especially grateful about so many things right now.  Life is truly good.

I started putting little bits of fall decor out today, most are from friends.  Each piece has wonderful meaning to me.  Seeing it all always brings a smile to my face.

Happy Fall, y'all!

Think Pink

It's officially National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ladies.  Have you had your smashergram this year?

I had my appointment yesterday for my mammogram and a bone-density exam.  Honestly, both were very quick and easy, for a change.  Last year, my mammogram consisted of way too many xrays (ouchy) and then a visit to the sonogram room.  Scared the heck out of me!  But thank goodness, whatever they saw was nothing.  Phew.  It always scares us to death, doesn't it?  We lose way too many people to breast cancer.

Here is the dreaded machine.  

And more pink from the house I collected last night.  I didn't realize I had this much pink!

K, go and make your appointment if you haven't.