Have You Seen This??

Bunk Bed Cot

Ummmmmm, I thought I had nearly everything for car camping...

Apparently not.

The Mighty "W"

It's not a mighty wind, or George W, or "WHAT- EVAR", and it definitely isn't a new hotel in Vegas!  I'm talking about the mighty WORKOUT.  Yep, there it is- that little dirty word that rears it's nagging head when your favorite jeans are fitting just a little too snug, or after you enjoy a fine, rich dessert, and let's not forget how prominent the mighty W becomes at the end of December and the entire month of January.  It's my best frenemy.  That friend I secretly love to hate.

Well, the mighty W has reappeared in our home.  It's kind of a fair weathered friend, but apparently the weather has been fair up in our house lately.  The hubs has been going to the gym somewhat regularly for a couple of weeks now and is really feeling a difference in his energy level and overall attitude.  He's such an inspiration, but for me, it's a whole different bag.  I know working out makes me feel great and look great, but for whatever reason, it takes an act of congress to get me to workout.

On days that I work from home, I get up in the morning and put on my gym clothes, hoping that it will inspire me to workout at lunchtime or after I finish for the day.  I even put on my shoes!  Unfortunately, my little wardrobe efforts are no match for the Jedi mind tricks of one so strong in the force...

This is not the workout you're looking for...

Yeah, I'm gonna go with THAT as the reason I haven't been working out...  Damn you, Obi-Wan!

I HAVE managed to walk the greenway and some trails in the park, but I have been making charitable donations to the YMCA for months now!

Well, I'm pleased to report that today I had a breakthrough- I actually got myself to the gym and had a most excellent time, to boot!

I have discovered a HUGE difference in my experience at the gym if I go with a few "tools" to help me along my way.  I feel like a kid going to church- you know, where you had to pack a bag of toys so you would stay quiet while the sermons were going on?  Yeah, I'm THAT kid!  My toys tools aren't any different from most of the other folks there, so clearly I'm not alone.  Anyway, here's what's in my bag...

I love my heart rate monitor!  It has a strap that goes across your chest and sends heart rate info wirelessly to the watch.  I have this exact version and it's great because you add your age, weight and gender and then do a resting heart rate test, so it can give you a better idea of what zone you are in while working out.  It also transmits to most cardio machines in they gym, so you can see your stats on the machine without actually holding on to the handles on your machine.  It has alerts, so if you are trying to keep your heart rate within a certain zone, it will beep at you until you get back in the designated zone.  This is especially great when you are hiking or exercising outside, where your stats aren't right in your face.  It will also store your workout info for months and allow you to transfer it to an online application, for tracking.  For me, it's a way to see results immediately, as weight loss and endurance results take a little longer to see.  For whatever reason, it really helps with my motivation!

Bose Earbuds

Ummmm yeah- SO FREAKING AWESOME!!!!  So, I'm not a big speaker and sound buff, but I have owned a few ear-buds in my day, and these are a godsend.  If you happen to have itty bitty ear canals, you know the pain of trying to keep an ear-bud in.  These come with 3 sizes of plastic (washable) doo-hickies (the technical term) for the best fit in your ear.  They stay in place during most of my workout, and while this is a definite feature for me, it's the SOUND that has me hooked!  It's crystal clear and although these aren't billed as noise cancelling, they do a mighty fine job of cancelling everything else out.  The value of blocking out some hen on her cell phone on the machine next to you, for the sweet guitar stylings of Duane Allman or Jimmy Page???  PRICELESS!  Seriously worth the 99 bucks!

Along with those amazing ear-buds, you gotta have an amazing playlist.  I have a few- my 80's workout list has the expected Eye of the Tiger, but it's Van Halen's Panama that burns the most calories! Today, I went with my Workout Faves playlist.  Anybody have an suggestions for a kick a$$ playlist?

Play That Funky Music...

So, I've always told myself that I would one day keep a really groovy notebook of all the concerts I've been to, complete with thoughts from the shows, set lists and ticket stubs! Great idea, huh?

Well, let's just say that one day never came, and by the way, do you know how much effort that would take??? SERIOUSLY!  I don't even have all of my ticket stubs and don't know what I was thinking with some of the shows I went to...  Anyway, this is my attempt to list all of the bands I've seen in concert. I have put an * next to bands I've seen more than once, and I'm not even sure the list is complete, but, this is everything I can remember.  They are in no particular order, but here goes...


BTW, I threw a few links in here to some of my favorite songs.  Enjoy!

Grateful Dead *
Rat Dog *
Phil and Friends *

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton
Anne Murray (don't ask)
Beastie Boys *
Tribe Called Quest
Breeders
Smashing Pumpkins
Tom Petty *
Blues Traveller *
Rusted Root *
Lenny Kravitz *
Son Volt *
White Zombie
Dave Matthews *
Social Distortion
Cypress Hill
Doug E Fresh
Metallica *
Godsmack *
The Exies
Kings of Leon
Modest Mouse (pre Johnny Marr)
George Clinton/ Parlament *
Van Halen- Sammy Hagar : (
10 Years
Buck Cherry
Robert Plant & Allison Kraus *
White Stripes
Raconteurs *
Robert Earl Keen *
G Love *
Jack Johnson
Ben Harper*           

Ben Harper

Galactic *
Gillian Welch
Guster *
Gov't Mule *
Los Lonely Boys
Levon Helm
Doc Watson
Mofro *
Sam Bush*
String Cheese Incident
Wilco *
Cowboy Mouth
Kellar Williams
O.A.R*
Nickle Creek
Robert Randolph & Family Band *
Yonder Mountain String Band*
John Butler Trio
Old Crow Medicine Show*

Steve Winwood

Jimmy Buffett *
Cracker
Todd Snider *

Todd Snider

Sting
Cheryl Crow *
The Eagles
Annie Lenox
Indigo Girls
Drivin' N' Cryin' *
Widespread Panic * 
Oysterhead
Primus*
Black Crowes *
Ani DeFranco *

Moe *
Wallflowers *
Gin Blossoms
Shawn Mullins
Josh Joplin Band
Ghostland Observatory (briefly, but enough to know I'd like to see them again...)
Lez Zeppelin (again, don't ask...)

ZOSO (Zeppelin tribute band- very good) *

Appetite for Destruction (GnR tribute band)

Disco Biscuts
Bobby Bare Jr.
Elvis Costello
Beck

Phish

Phish*                           
Radiohead
Bonnie Raitt
Emmy Lou Harris *
Lucinda Williams
Steve Earle
Dierks Bentley
Marty Stewart
Travis Tritt
Hootie & the Blowfish
Pete Yorn
John Mayer
T-Bone Burnett
Dark Star Orchestra *
Pearl Jam
The Knux
Bruce Springsteen
Snoop Dogg
Merle Haggard
Pixies

Dylan

Bob Dylan*       
DJ Keoki
Martina McBride
Cake
Weezer
Better than Ezra
Black Sabbath
Derek Trucks
Jason Mraz
Lee Greenwood
Sister Hazel
Green Day
Disturbed
Pat McGee Band
The Cult
Allman Bros
Rodrigo y Gabriella
Great American Taxi
Roger Daltrey
Zac Brown Band
Kris Kristofferson
The Chieftains
Garth Brooks
John Prine *
Van Morrison
Willie Nelson*

Willie Nelson

Maybe one day I'll do a post on some of my favorites, and I'll try to continue to update the list, but we'll see how that goes!  Would love to hear back from folks about bands they have seen!

The Maiden Voyage

This year, Scottie got a new smoker for his birthday.  The thing is a beast- it's HUGE!!!  Since we had nice weather, we decided it was time to kick off the back yard BBQ season!  We invited family and Scottie got some ribs and a pork shoulder to smoke.  He actually started with the brining the night before, and by 7:00 AM, he already smelled like the smoker when he would walk into the bedroom.  I prefer things to smell like coffee at that hour, but the hubs was on a mission- I like to call it the Meat Debut!

Every time I look at it, the song Space Oddity (ground control to Major Tom...) pops into my head, since it looks like a space pod of some sort, but again, I digress.

My mom and my brothers came to join us that afternoon while things were still slowly smoking.  We sat on the patio and just enjoyed being able to socialize outside.  My brother brought over my sister's 4 month old yellow lab, Buster.  He's one of the biggest "puppies" I've ever seen, weighing in around 50 lbs at only 4 months.  Needless to say, Vader was not pleased.  He thinks he wears the pants in the family, but despite his name, he's kind of a sissy.  He was not interested in a playful puppy 3 times his size and spent the bulk of the day guarding his territory from this yellow rogue.  He likes to guard from the inside, though- with a lot of talk and an occasional strut across the patio.

Vader guarding his castle

This is how Vader spent the afternoon- half in, half out, monitoring the situation and voicing his general displeasure.

Bertha, however, was a little more gracious.  She tolerated Buster a little better and even tried to play with him until she discovered, most unceremoniously, that Buster's paws are as big as her head.  After that, she ended up mostly hanging out in someone's lap or under the chair.  But she was plotting... laying in wait. Atta girl, Bertha!

Bertha creepin'

We also tried our hand at a smoked/baked mac & cheese casserole, that the fellas liked, but I did not (I could taste the flour in the "cheese sauce"-ugh!).  We feasted well, then decided to break in the fire pit!  We spent several hours laughing, joking and planning our next camping trip around the fire. We had a fantastic time living the springtime dream!  Happy Friday Everyone!

Happy Campers

Last weekend a few of us decided to go camping, since we heard rumor of beautiful sunny weather and it seems like it's been nothing but grey skies for months now!  We wanted to sleep outside, enjoy the fresh air, do some light hiking and build a fire!

We were all looking forward to the trip, but I think my brother was the most giddy.  He has been collecting backpacking equipment for several months now, in preparation for the mother of all intermediate hikes- The Appalachian Trail. He's also been prepping by doing small camping and hiking trips any spare weekend he gets, and a few weeks ago, he camped at Meriwether Lewis campground on the Natchez Trace.  His reviews were so good, that we decided to go there for our first camping trip of the season.  It is a pseudo primitive drive in kind of site- no water/electrical at the sites, but there is a community bath house (toilets, but no warm water), and each camp site has a picnic table and a swanky adjustable grill over the fire pit.  The sites are also spaced well enough that you're not right on top of each other and they offer a little bit of privacy.  The setting is great, as there are trails to hike and a little bit of history sightseeing, if you're in to that kind of thing.  It is mostly used by folks with RVs, but there were a couple of tent campers as well.  It is also FREE to camp there and since it is not a state park, you can also have alcoholic beverages, if you like.

Part of our crew went down early to pick a site and set up, then the hubs and I made our way down Friday night with the pups.  We figured it was early enough in the year that it wouldn't be too crowded and we could see if the pups were good camping companions.

We were not disappointed!  We set up as far away from the bathrooms as possible and up against a ravine, so no one would be behind us.  There weren't that many people there to begin with, but we like to spread out and can sometimes be a little loud, so it was nice to have space.

When we got there, we set up our tent, then had a fab dinner of beer brats and BBQ baked beans.  SO good for camping!  Probably one of my favorite camp meals for it's ease, and it feels like we're big pimpin' when compared to weenies on sticks over the fire!

We knew it was going to be chilly on Friday night, but boy was I in for a shock at just how cold it got- somehow, in my head, when I hear 30 degrees, I translate that to what 40 degrees feels like- cold, but not unbearable. Ummmmm, yeah...  WE FROZE!  It was too cold to sit by the fire and I didn't want to drink to warm up, since I didn't want to have to unbundle to go to the bathroom.  I tried in vain to warm by the fire, but it was not in the cards.  On nights like that, there is nothing to do but try to go to bed and dream about warmer temps.

Now, my brother may be all into backpacking and traveling light, but not us!!  No sir, we have a huge tent that accommodates 2 extra large cots.  Great for warmer weather camping, but hard to warm up in cold weather camping.

Needless to say, there was no sleep for the freezing that night!  My poor pups shivered so bad that I had to let them in my sleeping bag with me.  Even with fleece over the bag and a ski mask on, it was cold, and the night was looooooong.  I tossed and turned and shivered for the bulk of the night, cursing myself for not being better prepared for cold weather camping.  Around 3 or 4 a pack of coyotes went wild howling and carrying on as if they just won their brackets, and at that point I lost all ability to even pretend I was asleep.

When the sun finally came up, we got the campfire going and some coffee going in the percolator.  Mmmmmm, so good.  I was pretty much a zombie for the first couple hours, since it was still chilly and I had had very little sleep, but eventually things warmed up to the mid 60s, the birds were chirping and the coffee kicked in!  It was beautiful!  After our breakfast of burnt french toast and bacon, we were golden!

We spent some time hanging at the site and watching Gaines take pictures of birds, and just shooting the breeze.  Gaines also brought a couple of hammocks and I found myself hard pressed to get out of one to go on our hike.  I just wanted to lay in the sun and sleep!




David, however was most anxious to get on the trail and do the hike.  He even loaded up his hiking pack as practice.  It took a good bit of cajoling to get me out of that hammock, but eventually we were on our way.  We did the 2 mile trail that wound through the woods and along a creek.  It wasn't a beginner's trail- maybe intermediate level, but not too bad.  There were a few hills that had me cursing mother nature and my brother for a moment or two, but I was glad to be out there.  The pups have never been on a trail like that either, and have certainly never played in water before.  Fortunately Lily, the yellow lab, was there to show them the ropes!

It was awesome to see the little runts out there enjoying themselves.  It was pure comedy watching Bertha trying to run through the water- she's a bit of a low rider so she was chest deep instead of knee deep.  ADORABLE!  Lily was in her element climbing the cliffs and running back into the water- showing my little runts how to be a water dog.  Not sure if it took permanently, but they enjoyed themselves for a little while.  The scenery was really pretty and I can't wait to see it once it's green.

Anyway, once we finally got back to the campsite, we managed to get a game of bocce ball together, while the pups crashed in the dirt.  WORN OUT!

As the afternoon wore on, we got the fire going again and grilled steaks for dinner and enjoyed libations and great fireside conversation.  Something about sitting around a fire with friends and family seems to soothe the soul, and since it was about 15 degrees warmer, it was so enjoyable!  And the view wasn't bad, either!

Saturday night made for easy sleeping, I was dead tired and it was much warmer AND I figured out how to light the tent heater.  Yes, you heard me right- tent heater.  I am not even ashamed to admit that we are that couple that brings a ton of stuff camping, and NO, I'm not trying to be indoors while being outdoors.  I love sleeping in the fresh air, and I did't look at my phone or even have a radio the entire weekend.  I DO, however, like to sleep off the ground and organize my camp kitchen and supplies and find that having a few luxuries makes for an awesome weekend outdoors.  I have to give my mom and my other brother mad props for hooking us up with this bad a$$ addition to our gear stash!











Anyway, Sunday we had big plans for breakfast burritos and hanging out, but once we started tearing down camp, everyone was ready to get on the road and wash the campfire, dirt and sweat from our clothes, bodies and hair.  We managed to get everything loaded back up and on the road before noon.  The Natchez Trace is a beautiful drive and we thoroughly enjoyed the ride back home in the sunshine!  Part of the crew went to have lunch at the famous Loveless Cafe, but Scottie, the pups and I were spent, so we bowed out and opted for take out on the way home.

We were pleased to learn that the pups are good little campers and look forward to more adventures!

Sign Sign Everywhere A Sign

It's almost here...  It's the drum roll before the big act!  There are signs EVERYWHERE!

I



                                                                   Signs in my neighborhood








Signs in my back yard










                                 Signs in my neighbor's yard







And even near my office

Anyway, I'm simply giddy!  I'm a sunshine girl through and through and this weekend gave me the fix I was looking for!  I'm sure if I were a better photographer, this post would be a whole lot cooler, but... 

Here comes the sun, ya'll!
Happy Monday!

(and you thought I was going to play something by Five Man Electric Band...)

HA!

Give A Little Bit

Today I am reminded of how many blessings I enjoy.  I woke up this morning after a fabulous weekend of camping and playing around with friends and family, to the hubs watching more videos of the disasters in Japan.  It stuck with me today. My heart is broken for these folks and I find myself wanting to pack up every item in our pantry, all of our towels, clothing, blankets, camping gear, etc... and send it to someone in Japan as fast as I can, with a greeting card.

Thoughtful, but not practical.

Charitable donations can be a very personal thing- which causes to support, how much can you help, who to help, in what ways you choose to help, etc... Maybe you choose to donate regularly, maybe you choose causes closer to home, maybe you support things other than disaster relief or maybe you aren't in a position to donate funds or goods, but you send thoughts and prayers or give of your time to those in need.  Maybe, like me, you get caught up in whatever is important to you at the moment, and you forget those who suffer, until you see disasters rip lives and families apart, and you have a moment to reflect on your blessings.

That's when the waterworks start for me- I have clean running water, and food and electricity and warmth and shelter and the ability to contact my loved ones.  I have a change of clothes and toiletries and a clean place to sleep and a chair to sit in.  Things I regularly forget to be grateful for.

If your heart has been stirred to action for those suffering, and you have talked yourself out of the  "let's pack up everything and ship it over there" frenzy, you may be looking for ways to help.  I found this article helpful for my own purposes and encourage you to give a little bit of whatever to whomever you know could benefit from your abundance.

Changes in Attitudes

Tickets for the Jimmy Buffett show went on sale today!  WOO HOO!!  The first Jimmy Buffett concert I went to was on my 28th birthday.  I don't know why it took me so long to check out that show, but WOW was it an experience!  I mean, what's not to love about pretending your on spring break on a beach somewhere, when you're actually land locked and no longer get a spring break unless you use up half of your vacation time?

The day of the show, we got there early to watch the shenanigans of the drunken crowd, and they did not disappoint!  We were perched up on top of a hill that allowed us to greet all the rest of the cars entering the tailgating area.  Such a great place to people watch!!  Next to us were a crew of frat boys who had hit the sauce pretty early and one had on a "contraption" under his grass skirt that greeted people every time he lifted the skirt.  His "contraption" must have been about 3 feet long.  It definitely had the shock factor going for it!  I've seen something similar at the "Fantasy Festival" in Key West, but that was an accidental discovery and a story for another time.  Needless to say, this particular fella enjoyed showing off the contraption to every car that went by.

Well, he thought he was getting a prime audience when a giant party bus came rolling in.  However, this bus was NOT filled with 20 somethings with the same margarita marathon mentality of our neighbor.  As he "flashed", the bus driver had a little surprise of his own- he was able to make to bus push out a lot of black smoke from it's tailpipe.  It was thick and made us all cough.  It was the equivalent of being crop dusted by a nasty old bus.  YUK!

After the first "gassing", the war was on!  The neighbor would flash, then the bus would gas us out, the neighbor would flash again, etc...  Finally some of the crowd on the hill would stand in front of the neighbor, to keep him from flashing in hopes that the bus would gas us no more.

Sucks being a bug in a parking lot full of windshields.

Even with the gas factor, good times were had at the tailgating party.  We saw all manner of parrothead silliness- including a guy who had Ken & Barbie glued to his hat in compromising positions.  SO STRANGE!!!

I remember the show being really good- maybe a little heavy on the tiki bar references, but a grand old time, nonetheless. I couldn't wait to go back the following year, and up the ante on our tailgating spread!  Ahh, but it was not to be, as that was the last time Jimmy Buffett came to Nashville.  UNTIL LAST YEAR!  Well, he did make an appearance at Bonnaroo one year, but that's a little different.  Welcome back Jimmy!!

Unfortunately, Nashville no longer has a large outdoor amphitheater.  Outdoor shows are much smaller and happen on the riverfront and some parks and legislative plaza.  Total bummer, if you ask me.  Last year we welcomed Jimmy in our hockey arena.  Sooooo not the same as an outdoor show with dedicated parking for tailgating, but we were thrilled to be there and as it turned out, very grateful the concert was inside.  It was also the weekend of the floods that left so many Nashvillians destitute.  Although it was pouring down rain fast and furious, we had no idea what was about to happen to our city, so we enjoyed the pregame festivities and the show immensely!

My niece, Steph, graciously offered to host the pregame revelry at her place last year- complete with an awesome Caribbean meal, Parrothead decor, and fruity drinks!  There were stories of concerts past, jokes and just an all-round jovial mood.  Jimmy Buffett definitely helps with changes in attitudes!  From there, we moved the party to a local IRISH watering hole across from the arena.  I know, Irish?  With the torrential downpour happening outside, we had limited options and didn't want to walk far in the rain, so Irish it was!  They had their Buffett vibe going though- we got leis and beach balls and free Landshark beer.  Although free beer is a favorite, Landshark is not, but hey, we went with it- you know, to be a good sport and all!  : )

Once we finally made it to the show, the hubs and I were shocked to discover that we actually had 4th row, center seats.  Yep, we were the cool kids for the evening!  I even caught Jimmy Buffett's guitar pick!

Apparently we even made a jumbotron cameo, as I received several texts from friends who were like "OMG, I just saw you on the jumbotron!".  Yep, my 30 seconds of fame, right there!  Glad it was for singing Margaritaville and not for something like pretending my child was floating in a balloon across the country...  Anyway, I digress.

The show was SO MUCH FUN!  Some of the happiest concerts I've ever seen are people who sing about the beach (I'm looking at YOU, Jack Johnson).  Must be all that vitamin D we get vicariously??

Anyway, we're hoping for a little less statewide emergency/ flash flooding at this year's show, and a lot more good times & memories!  Who's with us???

Things That Make You Go "Hmmmmm"

Yesterday I was reminded of the disconnect we, as modern, savvy and "in the know" people sometimes have with common sense.  This epiphany hit me while in the restroom with a lawyer while at work.

Now, before I get too self righteous about common sense and propriety, let me first admit my own guilt. Sometimes I miss the social cues, sometimes I don't care and sometimes I just don't know any better.

So, in an effort to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone else, we'll consider this a public service announcement from one of the "public".  Here are just a few things that make me go "hmmmm"...

1.  So, who's got two thumbs and appears to have no home training, respect for others or a remote sense of privacy or propriety?

THIS GUY!!!

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!!!  Don't be this dude!  MUST you talk on your cell phone in a public restroom??  Not only is it rude to the other people using the restroom, but think of what it says about you to the person you're speaking with. If you have been unaware that talking on the phone in a public restroom is both gross AND bothersome to those those around you, consider this your wake up call- hang the damn phone up in the public restroom.  What you do at home is your own business!

Seriously though, don't be that dude (or his female counter part)...

Moving On.

2.  I am not here to bash the "green" movement.  In fact, the hubs and I are finally recycling again, and there may even be an outdoor clothesline in my future (baby steps here). Yay!  However, there are a few things that I think have been overlooked by quite a few hotel establishments. 

Let's do this like a riddle... 

What do you get when you cross this:

low pressure shower head

With this:

thick head of hair

Anyone?  Anyone?  What you get is a shower that takes 30 minutes instead of 10, since it's almost impossible to rinse all the shampoo and conditioner out of your hair without decent water pressure.  Seems counter productive to me, but what do I know??  Same with the super cheap TP.  It takes 3 times as much of that stuff to do the job of a few squares of Charmin.  It doesn't seem that green to me, if you have to use so much more to do the same job.  Is there a logical formula out there that I just don't know about?

3.  This next one hits pretty close to home, and pretty much speaks for itself...

While this isn't exactly our truck, we do, indeed, have a large truck with a ridiculous spoiler on the back.  We didn't put it on there- we bought the truck that way and just haven't taken it off yet.  Let it be said that trucks with spoilers on them make me go hmmmmm.  'Nuff said.

This post could go on for days, but I think we'll just start with the most recent encounters.  Although, I have to give an honorable mention to the Luther Burger, the double rainbow guy and a whole host of people who drive to the end of a merge lane/on ramp and then stop.

That is all.

The Sunday Morning Playlist

I love Sunday mornings!  It's usually the day the hubs and I lay in bed with the pups and read and talk  for about an hour before we get up.  It's wonderful.  It's the "good life" part of marriage.  Generally, we get up, make a pot of coffee, then Scottie gets busy in the kitchen.  Sometimes it's bacon & eggs, or leftover pizza, but the real treat is when he makes his banana pancakes.  OH YEAH- they're famous amongst friends and family and he even gets special requests.  They're that good.

I like to pair good food with a good playlist- for us, it's the perfect way to break bread with those we love.  Here's my Sunday morning playlist: