Tennessee

This post is about Tennessee, one of my former least favorite states, thanks to my first (not best) step-mother who hailed from that locale. In the past few years though, there are two things about Tennessee I have come to ADORE. One is Loveless Cafe. It's right outside of Nashville and it's wonderful. I think I would make the drive there for the biscuits alone. If you're ever anywhere near Nashville, please stop there to eat some wonderful home-cooking.

The other is the drive up I-26 to the Kingsport/Church Hill area for the Volunteer Indoor Showcase (Winterguard Competition). This is a relatively new section of I-26 and it is still fresh and pretty. The scenery is just awesome and the road is uncluttered. It's such a nice trip. Last year we spent the night at the Meadowview Conference Center instead of driving back down the mountain at nearly midnight and it was well worth every penny. We were treated to a pretty dusting of new snow and a safe, leisurely drive home.

So, this weekend we're gearing up for another roadtrip to Tennessee. Too bad Kingsport isn't anywhere near Nashville. I could sure go for some Loveless biscuits!

My almost grandpa

Both my parents lost their fathers shortly before I was born so I never had a real grandpa. What I did have was an Uncle Wallace who inspired my love of a good story. Wallace was my mom's oldest brother (19 years older than she).
He lived with us for awhile when I was really young. He had this terrific gravely voice and a sweet chuckle for a laugh. I remember he read the newspaper from cover to cover every morning before he did anything else. He'd let me crawl into his lap and he'd tell me all about what was going on in the world just like I was one of his friends and could understand it all. He never treated me like a child. I really liked that about him.
After he moved out of our house, I still saw him a good bit. He always had something for me - a toy, some candy, a Little Debbie cake (he LOVED Little Debbies) AND a $5 bill. The best things he had for me though were stories. He had been everywhere, met everyone, and done everything or so it seemed to me. He also had a souvenir of it somewhere in his house. He was the biggest pack rat I have ever known. Neesie Nash and the Clean House crew would have run screaming from his living room alone. But he couldn't bear to part with things because things were connected to stories and people and memories.
As I grew older, I saw him less and less. I was always so busy. His health grew worse. He had several heart attacks and so many times we thought this was it, but he always bounced back. He was such a fighter. In later years, Alzheimer's claimed his memory, such a bitter road for someone who valued his memory so much. He had fought heart disease and other physical ailments, but he couldn't fight off this one. I saw him last a little over a year ago and he sort of remembered me, but not really. His firey spirit and love of the tale was gone. My Uncle Wallace was lost inside a body and brain that no longer worked the way he needed them to.
His body finally gave up the fight last night. Today he no longer has a use for that failing body and his memory is fully restored. I am sure he's having coffee and Little Debbies with the angels right now and entertaining them with tales of his many adventures.

Sleet Adventures

Well, we haven't had a real snow day yet this year and that is both good and bad news. Good because we don't have any makeup days to do and bad because we haven't had any real snowy fun. Okay, I haven't. As you can see from the pictures, Daniel and the kids managed to have some fun in the recent weekend sleet event. It is amazing what fun can be had using only a trash can lid and an old jump rope! As for me, I'm not about to go out on that slick mess. I have made it to 40 (almost) without a broken bone and I'm not about to break one now by walking on some sleet. I am starting to sound so old...

Christmas

As is the case every year, Christmas for us was a several day event.

We started with the Hollis family on the 22nd. The whole crew went to Five guys for burgers and then back to the Hollis abode to exchange gifts.

The 23rd was a baking day as Daniel had a half day off work. He made a pound cake, a cheesecake, and some cookies. No wonder I gained several pounds!

The 24th found us traveling to spend time first at Curtis and Terri's house with them and Jason's family. Then, we ate dinner with Deborah and Madeline.

Morning on the 25th arrived at about 5:30 when the kids woke us up to see what Santa brought. My mom came over for a late breakfast. Later we entertained my Dad, Zeb, Jeri, and Todd with dinner, some Rock Band, and a rowdy game of Quelf. It was lots of fun.

December Fun

We enjoyed several fun times this month. Our annual trip to Roper Mountain Science Center to see the pretty lights is always a hit. Daniel, Owen, Nanny, and I loaded up the car on a frosty December Saturday to follow Sara and the colorguard to the State Championship Football game. Even though the Rebels lost, we still had a great time. Then, we were treated to Owen's first band concert as the 5th grade band played Christmas songs and impressed us with how far they've come since August.

Happy Birthday Zeb

Eighteen years ago today God granted a wish I had been praying for my entire life - I got a brother. I didn't really enjoy being an only child, but for many years it looked like that's how it was going to be for me. Then, shortly before my college graduation I found out that God does listen to our prayers. He just works on his own timetable and not ours.

He sent me Zeb, who I like to think of as my practice child. With him I learned many things about parenting - how to change diapers, why one should always take a change of clothes when going out with a little one, when not to overreact, and most importantly, how to really listen.

I have had the honor of bringing him home from the hospital for the first time, helping cut down and decorate his first Christmas tree, watching him take his first steps, watching him play soccer and basketball, driving him home from school everyday his freshman year, helping teach him how to drive a car, providing "locker space" and emergency school supplies in my classroom, and being his shelter from the storms of teenage madness.

I am so proud of him today. He's quite the young man. He's intelligent, strong, funny, caring, and fiercely loyal to those who put their faith in him. I know good things await him on the road ahead and I hope he allows me to keep tagging along for the ride.

Happy Birthday to my Zeb, you funny little monkey.

STATE

November 7, 2009 - Sara's first State Band Competition

The 2009 Rebel Regiment

Our Guard Girl

Taking the field


Warming Up

Getting ready

Highlights of State Day

* Bus Trip (except for the part where one of the buses broke down)

*State Gifts from State Buddy and Family

*4th place finish :-)

Congrats to our Sara and the entire Rebel Regiment for a great season. Pipe Dreams was a wonderful show. We can't wait to see and hear what you do next year!