Master Bath Renovation

On January 1, we marked four full years at The Drayer.  It was well past time to take our 1980's bathroom through a transformation.  I had been plotting this project for a while---looking forward to the end result, but dreading part of it simply because it was going to be a BRILLIANT project or a complete disaster [more on that later].

As luck would have it, Sweet Sarah got very sick the day before we were scheduled to start.  While, I don't think she wanted to be sick, I do think she was secretly relieved she wasn't being dragged through this project with me.

Ok, so let's look at what was in front of me.  In typical Drayer fashion, I was starting with a Kaminski.  This is the verb/adjective/adverb/noun we use when un-doing or re-doing any of the projects of the former owners of The Drayer.  Think lipstick on a pig.  

Here's a quick example.  

 This is what was revealed when I removed the commode tank.  Really?  REALLY?!  They took off 238 square feet of wallpaper and left this attractive swath for me.  Yep, a Kaminski move.

Oh!  Here's another one.  Found behind the towel rack.  

Right.  So, that's just a bit of what I was going to attack.

So here's some before pics.

The marble shower is great.  We also love the cabinets and counters.  

Remember this shot.  It's critical.  Oh!  And that's said towel bar hiding the beauteous wall paper.

This is a shot from the commode corner.  I believe the wallpaper was lurking behind me just waiting to be discovered.

Beautiful cabinets, right?

At first I didn't mind the wall color.  It felt clean and bright.  But Sweet Sarah was having none of it.  Even when we looked at the house she said it felt cold.

The longer we lived here, the more this nasty grouted tile grossed me out.  I won't even bless you with a close-up.  Nasty. Nasty.  And no amount of scrubbing or bleaching or vinegaring or Pinterest-ing concotions helped.

Thought I'd throw that back in.  Blech.

Ok, so here's where the project starts.  I started with wall paint.  It must be known...I LOVE to paint.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE till my daddy takes my t-bird away love it.  In fact, I have completed a painting project every January 1st since 1999.  Rooms in my house or helping friends. Yep, it's just something I've always done.  I love to paint.  And I'm good at it.  No tape, no cheater tools.  Just me and my 3 inch brush trim, trim, trimming away on New Year's Day.  Have brush will travel.

ok, don't you DARE judge those disheveled shelves.  You can't really see the color here, but you can tell how different the cabinets look with the new color.
Oh!  and don't judge the burned out bulb.  PEOPLE!  I have priorities, you know.

Here's a better shot of the color.  This is two coats and the walls are done.  

Next up....brilliance or disaster.

Painting the floor tile.

This is me prepping the tile.  This is where it was a matter of degrees between brilliance and disaster.  After much sifering, I decided we weren't quite ready to rip out all of the tile and replace it.  [yes, yes, I was going to semi-Kaminski and put my own lipstick on this pig!]  Don't get me wrong, it'd make all the difference in there to put down a new floor, but the frugal mennonite in me would rather not go that far if I don't have to.

So....I did a little research and I learned it can be done.  Besides, as I justified to Sweet Sarah, while she sat on the couch curled in the fetal position and sounding like she may have deposited a lung during her last coughing jag, "What do I have to lose but my time? " If it doesn't work, we replace the tile.  If it works, I've saved a few thousand dollars.  Sounds like good economics to me!

First, I had to sand all of the tile.  All of it.  Let me remind you, how MUCH tile that is.  Scroll up five pictures.  Go on.  Scroll, scroll.

You're back?  SEE!  It's a LOT of tile.

Once, I sanded, I started the painting.  I was using a concrete garage floor paint.  It was challenging to say the least.  And remember, how I said I loved to paint?  Well, two things.....this project temporarily tempered my love to paint.  And this garage floor paint has the consistency of stain.   So painting it on a vertical surface was more of a challenge than I anticipated.  And because it was so thin, it also guaranteed that two coats were absolutely necessary.

 Here's an action shot.  I think Sweet Sarah ventured upstairs for a few minutes before retreating downstairs.  Kind of a duck  and cover action on her part.

Trimmed and ready to roll.

This is the first coat.  You can see how thin and spotty it is.  I spent several hours on my hands and knees on this cold tile.  To say I was stiff the next few days is an understatement.

Once I got the first coat down, I came up for air and headed down stairs to relax a bit.  Sweet Sarah went up to check out my progress.  Just as I was sinking into my chair I heard

"Oh gosh.  Oh goodness.  BABE!!!!!!"

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.  Away to the stairs I flew like a flash.  Tore down the hall and looked at the sash.

Yep!  Those are kitty prints.

It appeared that since I had vacated the room Teddy thought he should inspect my work.  Oh!  And look out the window too.

Check out his path.  

From the door to the toilet.  On the toilet he leaned to the sash.  Clever.

I tried to get him to recreate the shot.  He was having none of it.  

After recovering from Teddy Beuhler's adventures I was ready to start a second coat.

Actually, I'd like to say it was that easy and quick.  I waited 24 hours to put on the second coat.  The second coat went on much easier, but still didn't instill complete confidence in me that it was going to work.  It didn't appear that it was adhering to the tile and hardening like I thought it would.  But I pressed on.

Two coats down and then a seven day waiting period.  SEVEN DAYS!  Clearly, the scientists at Behr paints don't know I have the patience of a gnat.  And can't wait seven days for ANY project I'm working on.  Luckily, that little thing called work got in my way, so the seven days clipped by pretty well.  Sharing the guest bath the size of a closet, not so much.

The other factor that added to my patience quota was not having all of the supplies on hand to complete the project.  We were waiting for the shipment of our rock wall to arrive before we could put the finishing touches and call it a wrap.

Now, I'd like to say that Sweet Sarah and I installed stacked stone rock by rock to create the beautiful wall you see below.  But the truth is we installed stacked stone panel by panel.  All six of them.  Check it out!

Ok, give us a little credit.  While we werent mixing mortar and hand selecting each rock, we did have to pull out the circular saw and measure and use liquid nails and everything!  And in spite of the fact that not a single wall in The Drayer is square, we were able to trim and level and get this done with only three band aids and two sets of steri-strips.  Oh yes!  It was one of those, it happened so fast and I didn't even know how I did it moments.  But you know, go big or go home!  I got not one, but TWO fingers.  Right through the pads of my index and middle fingers.   I can't be sure, but I think Sweet Sarah had to put her head between her knees for a moment.

You know, most women couldn't have stood it.  Luckily, I'm not most women.

Once I got the bleeding stopped, we were back on track and we really couldn't believe how easy it was to install.  And I'm still impressed with how realistic it looks.  I mean think back to the fake brick paneling that we used to slap up in the 70's.  Wow, home improvement you've come so far!

So, all in all the projected lasted over the course of about ten days.  Not too bad.  And not too shabby results.  I'm still worried about the floor.  It has continued to harden over the last week.  But I'm just not sure how it will take the wear and tear.  I guess time will tell.  For now, it's just lipstick on a pig.  Except this time, the lipstick was done right.

See what you think.

Homegoods rocked out the accessories selections!

I made these shelves for $9 each.
And my basement Michael's store is always helpful to put displays together.

I will add another shelf over the commode, but Lowe's was out of the pipe I needed.

Tomato Jam???

Yep, you read it right.  Jam.  As in a derivative of jelly.  Out of tomatoes.  Not kidding.

So stick with me here.  

Sweet Sarah and I had dinner at our local Peachtree Tavern the other night.  And in sweet, southern fashion they were serving seasonal fried green tomatoes.  They were heavenly.  Cooked perfectly, just like my grandma used to make.  But what really put these babies over the top?  A dollop of tomato jam.  

I had never had tomato jam before, so I was curious as to what type of flavor it would have.  It was the perfect mix of sweet and savory.  I knew I needed to figure out how to make this goodness.

After a little research and reviewing of recipes, I learned that this jam is best made with season ending tomatoes.  Once I found a recipe, down to the farmers market we went to buy some tomatoes.  

I used this recipe which I found on Pinterest.  

http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/2013/10/10/sweet-and-tangy-tomato-jam/

We have been finding all kind of uses for it.  Grilled cheese, apple tomato jam sandwiches.  Pulled pork sandwiches.  I even made little danishes.  Crescent rolls from the pack, a schmear of tomato jam and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Delish!

It's Fall Y'all!

That's right!  Fall at The Drayer means many, many things.  First and foremost, all things pumpkin.  And I do mean ALL things!  Cookies, waffles, pancakes,.....wait for it, wait for it......english muffins!  OHMYLANTA!!!  Have you all been as blessed as us to discover these seasonal little rounds of bread heaven?  Well, if you haven't don't go looking for them.  It only means more for me!

Anywho, back to fall.  The cool, crisp, air immediately brings on my nesting instinct.  And given the fact that nearly every third night this summer has felt like a fall evening, it's amazing I haven't burned through a case of harvest spice candles.  Who's with me on this one?

So the nesting thing?  It's serious.  It immediately requires that I change out all chajtkes in the house.  Goodbye all things summer, zesty, happy, sunshiney, bust-me-up-outta-this-house-been-cooped-up-all-winter so I must put out gerbera daisies and vibrant color garb that inspires me to garden.  No hard feelings, but it's time to GO!

It's like a Miracle Mile Christmas Display window change out around here.  There's planning and designing.  No two years can be the same.  There's perusing and sifering on design and style.  One minute it's summer in here, the next minute The Drayer is seven layers of Harvest Paradise.  Up from the cellar basement come the totes of packed away knickety knacks that make you want hot cider and the urge to dunk your head in a bucket of water to come up with an apple.  What?  No?  You don't feel like that when you see fall leaves, smell apple goodness-ey candles?  That's just me?  Whatever.  Just whatever.  

Ok, back to the nesting thing.  Pretty much you can also bet the farm that fall requires me to take on some sort of new craft.   Sometimes these are nice and easy, slap some hot glue on a dried flower, tie a bow on it, call it a day projects.  Other times....well "Woe unto those that reside at The Drayer!"  Sometimes, shall we say, I might get a little over the top.  [typically, this type of craft tend to comes around Christmas and revolves around the annual Sister Christmas Craft.  Or as my brothers-in-law lovingly refer to it "Christmas Crap".   A post for another day, but let's just sum it up with it's all about the competition].

And what did this year's creative juices bring forth, you ask?  Nothing to crazy or creative, but I'm pleased nonetheless.  Basically, I reproduced an idea I snarfed off Pinterest.  I had everything on hand so it was easy peazy and not one single breathing being steered clear of the creative aura I was exuding.  [happy thoughts this year!]

I've had this Ikea easel gathering dust in the basment since our wedding reception.  [Yes, I inherited a gene from my grandmother that requires me to keep anything, and I DO mean anything, that might result in an opportunity to use it creatively in a craft.  My grandma used to keep the stryofoam tray from her hamburger meat.  And guess who learned how to sew on those trays?  Yep, yours truly.  Mom, that may explain my really, really incompetent sewing skills!  Epiphany!!!!  But those trays also came in really handy as paint trays.]  I digress.  

Said easel.  

I decided to chop off the legs to use the chalkboard over the mantel.  [Sweet Sarah would insist that SHE chopped off the legs using the compound miter saw.  She LOVES that thing.  Of course, who doesn't?] 

Here it is with no legs and the first seasoning treatment.  I had forgotten how messy chalk is!  After two seasonings it was a fairly decent chalk board.

Then I chalked this.  

It turned out pretty cute.  But when I put it on the mantel against our yellow walls the frame looked awful.  Sweet Sarah suggested I paint it gray.  So down to the Michael's store I went.  And by Michael's store I mean the basement where there may or may not be enough crafting materials and chajtkes to outfit a store.  

Ahem.  

I didn't have gray, but a quick mixing of what I had on hand and Voila!  Gray-ish.

Here's the finished mantel.  Looks cute and I'm excited to have this handy little chalkboard to use after fall too!

Gotta go!  Chocolate chip Pumpkin Cookies in the oven!!

Random Thoughts

Ok, here we go......in no particular order.

11.  Today in the restaurant bathroom a grandmother was cheering on her grandson for peeing in the potty.  I think we should all cheer each other on when we are in there.  I mean a little "atta girl" every once in a while, might not be a bad thing for the world.  

d.  Is the no white after Labor Day rule still in effect?  I mean, I would seriously be the last person to know.  But it seems like there are no rules any more.  Am I right on this?  [Mom?!  Settle down, I am NOT wearing white while I'm typing this.  Sheesh.  Settle.  Down.]

3.  Here's a little insight as to what went through my mind while I was sitting across the table from someone who was droning on and on......see if you can keep up.  

Yes, ummm hmmmm.  yep.  You know your hair would look better if you cut it a little tighter around your temples.  It wouldn't look so much like your  mom did it on the cheap.  Cheap.  That reminds me, I should run across the street to TJMaxx for the bows I need to buy for the gifts in my car.  Man, I hate gift wrapping.  Yep, yes.  Nod your head Holly.  Ohmygoodness, I have an ice cream headache.  Why did I drink that smoothie so fast?!  I need to tell Sarah we should make more smoothies.  While I'm at TJMaxx I want to look for a chair.  Well, two chairs really.  Two of the same chairs. Yes, I think that would look good in the front room.  But they need a small footprint because there's not a lot of room for them.  But they need to sit big.  I mean, no one wants to squeeze into a chair after a nice dinner.  That's miserable.  Oh Gosh!  Man, I'm sore.  Holy cow how I hate you burpees from yesterday.  Hate.  Yes, hate.  I wish I had a napkin.  I could wipe up this condensation off of my cup.  It's hot in here.  And I'm never hot.  Say that again.  [oh gosh, I missed his question!]  

j.  Let's just say it....it's a BEAUTIFUL Fall.  Wowza the colors are amazing.  

72nd.  So I finally caught up on Parenthood.  That STUPID, AWFUL SHOW!!!  Makes me cry every time I watch it.  It's SO good.  But I'm pretty sure you have to come from a family of, at minimum, three siblings.  The constant jabber and verbal sparring and overtalk drives Sweet Sarah crazy.  I, on the other hand, think it's spot on.  Anyway, stupid show makes me cry.

a.  Speaking of TV shows, I will admit it [though I feel like I've confessed this before on ye ol' blog] I still watch Grey's.  Yep.  I'm a sucker for it.  And if ER were still on, I'd probably be contributing to their Neilsen ratings too.  

6.  Because.  SIX!

f.  Does anyone but me wonder whether the flavor of the month __________ health awareness thing will reach a breaking point?  I mean how many different colors of chartreuse, aubergine, bordeaux and mustard ribbons can Joann's produce?  Don't get me wrong, it's important to raise awareness AND money for good causes but why slam ALL of them into the month of October???

fifty-one.  I hope when I'm old and retired I have a morning coffee clutch group.  It's the ultimate sign of community really.  

That is all.

She's so much more

So today is this beautiful woman's birthday.

She's my oldest sister.  Six years separate the two of us.  And thirty years ago it felt more like a separation of 15 years.  While she was in high school doing her cheerleading and track thing, driving The Booger [a tank of a car handed down by my grandparents and lovingly dubbed with its nickname because of it's attractive 1970's color], I was worried about figuring out how to spend my quarter at United Dairy.  Two boxes of Boston Baked Beans or a box of Boston Baked Beans and box of Lemon Heads.  When she went to college, I was only excited because it meant I got my own room [looking back, that probably wasn't a very kind thing to do].  And when she got married, bless her heart for having her 15 year old sister as a bridesmaid.

We were worlds apart.

Thank goodness for time....and her grace.  Lord, thank you for her grace.  She has forgiven and overlooked and forgotten my screw ups more than any one sister should.

Now, we are told there's no mistaking....we are sisters!  For heaven's sakes, she doesn't pass up an opportunity to make people guess who is older [yes, she often wins].

Yep, we are sisters.  People tell us we are so much alike.  We laugh the same.  We can finish each other's sentences.  Her kids confuse our voices if they're not paying attention.  And I've lost count of the number of times we've shown up dressed in similar outfits.

There's no doubt we are sisters.

But let's be clear.

She's not like me.

Oh no.

She's so much more.....

She's unbelievably patient with our family.  All of its nuanced, quirky and strange family ways and she rolls with it.

She's the connector.   "Have you talked to mom?"  "Have you talked to Amy?"  "Have you talked to Holly?"  "Have you talked to Grandma?"

She's has an innate ability to read people.

She's a wonderful leader and has the ability to build trust with others.

She's brave.  She's incredibly, incredibly brave.  Not once, but twice, this once shy, bashful and quiet sister went out on a limb and changed the trajectory of her entire career.  First, she launched herself into a very successful sales career.  And now, she is preparing to launch her own business.  So many others, would have folded their cards.  Brace yourselves Northwest Ohio, she's going to be a ROCK STAR!

She gets me.  When you can finish your thought with, "well, you know what I mean.  I mean, I don't know what I mean, but you do" and she replies, "yeah, I get it.".  Well, she gets me.  And that, right here, well that's priceless.

She's more sensitive and empathetic [I know, I know.  I can hear all of you now.  "Well, that's not hard!"  Exactly!  But here's where YOU should give thanks.  Because if it weren't for her empathy and influence on me....well, let's just say you probably would've ditched me years ago as a friend.]

She's an amazing mother and a devoted wife.  Completely selfless.  She and Bruce have raised two amazing young adults.  

Oh, my sister Julie is so much more.  I could go on and on.  If you haven't met her, you really should. And if you already know her, well say a little prayer of thanks for her today.

Julie, you've taught me so much about leadership and courage, love and marriage, crucial conversations, trusting your gut and always, always reminding me blood is thicker than water.

I'm so wonderfully blessed by our sisterhood.

May this next year be full of rich relationships, enough trials to make your grow, sweet successes to keep you reaching, and the support of all of us who love you to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Rocky Top

Rocky Top always brings you home. 

Last week we loaded up the car, and I do mean loaded, kidnapped our oldest neice and nephew and pointed the car South.  We were headed for a whirlwind tour of the hot spots in Tennessee.

In true HollySarah fashion we cram packed our schedule, err, I mean vacation.  Yeah.  Ok, so yes, there was a schedule.  And at times it was tight, I’m not gonna lie.  The 6:30 AM wake up calls were a bit much for the college folks among us. 

Our first stop….none other than good ol’ Rocky Top!  A stop on The Hill, a first for Sweet Sarah, Taylor and Cal.  And it did not disappoint!

Neyland Stadium was wide open for the taking and Thompson-Boling practically rolled out the red carpet.  True story…we were walking down on the floor level of the arena, back by the locker rooms and the storage rooms.  At least three times, one of us muttered, “do you think we should be down here?”  And just as we came around a bend there were some workers cleaning, which caused one of us to sneeze.  Ummmm, you guys!  The workers apologized for stirring up dust while we were down there.  Red Carpet, I tell ya!  [Pretty sure Pat told them we were coming.]

Not bad for a snap in a moving car

Their first shot on The Hill [we drove up]

I think I just convinced them to transfer

Mecca

A lifelong Bronco, now converted to a die-hard Vols fan too!

I wasn't kidding!  Pat told them I was coming.

Pretty sure the heigh difference is real, people.

If this doesn't give you chills.....

From Knoxville we headed to Chattanooga for a few days of exploring, capped off with white water rafting the Ocoee.

A little back story…..when I was in third grade my paternal grandparents moved back to Tennessee to retire [they had moved to Ohio after the war for work].  Needless to say I spent many a summer in Tennessee, to say nothing of the holidays and mid-year trips with my parents to visit.  [oh yeah, have I mentioned my parents would throw three bean bag chairs, a cooler with bologna sandwiches and their three kids in the bed of a pick up truck and head on down the road to Tennessee for eight hours?  Yep.  They did.  Ok, ok, so there was a cap on the truck, but STILL!  Was anyone else ever subjected to this poor man’s mode of travel?]  Anywho, in spite of the possible transit traumas, I grew up always knowing I’d live in Tennessee.  And, sure enough, my first job out of graduate school was in Jackson.  [cue Johnny Cash].  Now, if you’ve ever driven through Tennessee, it’s impossible to not pass at least half a dozen “See Rock City”, “visit Ruby Falls” signs.  Now multiply that by many, many, many trips and living in this state and it’s just plain ridiculous I’ve never seen Rock City or visited Ruby Falls!

All OVER Tennessee.

Aaaannnnnd, that explains why it was FIRST on the agenda our first day in Chattanooga.  We played uber tourists by purchasing the Triple Play pass- the Incline to Lookout Mountain, Rock City and Ruby Falls.  I’d recommend them all if you get a chance.  But an official survey post trip ranked Ruby Falls in the top five activities by 3 out of 4 respondents.  Lookout Mountain was my favorite of the three.  Just beautiful!  I could’ve spent hours up there.

Rock City is a really amazing place.  It has everything that I love about visiting a place, hiking, amazing views and being able to be outdoors.  Unfortunately, we were a bit tainted on Rock City by the ridiculous amount of gnomes planted, displayed, creeping, hanging, shadowed, spying, lurking and nearly museumed [yes, I know that’s not a word] every where at this place.  Dear Lord.  Gnomes are the clowns of the garden world. Why?  Why do people insist on these creepy things?  Why?  Anyway, it kind of tainted our view of Rock City, even though it shouldn’t have, but MAN!  Oh, the gnomes!

This is the beginning of the Incline.  We took it all the way to the top. Pretty cool!

Taylor was excited.  Cal, well....not sure what's going on there.

Sweet Sarah....she was NOT excited.  But ever the trooper

It's so steep you look out the roof at eye level.

The view from the top.

Ready to explore

Heading to the view

I decided to hike up from the river.  Just arriving here.  :)

Cal spotted a football field from the top

One of my favorites.

Time out for Taylor 

A selfie on the edge of Lookout. 

 Ruby Falls...

Inside the cave

A formation that looks like a "donkey headed south"

Here she is.  Ruby is beautiful.

I missed getting the falls in by ONE second.  The lights turned out on us.

Rock City.....

It's tight.  But wait 'til you see Fat Man's Squeeze

Heights and Swinging Bridges...Sweet Sarah isn't a fan.

Face Rock

The Seven States.  Do you see the rain rolling in behind them?  It came a gulley washer within minutes.

Post Rain.  The view from Lovers Leap at Rock City

Imitating their father

here is Fat Man's Squeeze

We rounded out the day with a night at the ball game.  There’s nothing more pure than minor league baseball.  It was a beautiful night and we saw some great ball.

On our third day we headed out for a little history lesson.  We spent about three hours at Chickamauga Battlefield.  It’s rich with history and landscape.  The coolest thing was a self-guided audio car tour.  The NPS always impresses.

We went to the top.  Ummm, my calves are still sore.

The view from the top

We saw this a lot on the trip

We finished the climb and came down.

Then…..we did a little shopping.  BOOT shopping.  Both Taylor and Cal wanted to be booted up for our trip to Music Row.  I think the quote of the evening went something like, “ok, I want boots that say country boy meets suburban Waterville”.  Anyone know what that means?  Yeah, we didn’t either, which would explain why we were in the Boot Barn for an hour and half watching him try on, no lie, at LEAST 35 pair of boots.  NOT LYING ONE BIT HERE.  Meanwhile, his sister had picked her boots in the first fifteen minutes of our visit.  Holy cow!!!!!!  And here’s the thing, you guys, it wasn’t like he was doing his own thing and we were just perusing while he decided.  Oh, no, no, no.  That would’ve been enjoyable.   Reasonable, even.  Nope.  Cal thought all three of his posse should help him and bring him boots as if his throne and crown were the little stool/mirror combo.  Sigh.  After sunset and two pair of boots we headed to dinner. 

Had to make sure they tried Moon Pies and Sun Drop

Sweet Sarah LOVED them both!

Up bright and early Thursday morning for our rafting trip.  HOLY COW IT IS WAS EARLY!  While there is no photographic evidence that we actually rafted, I have a sore bum, a few bruises from said nephew falling into me and an ear that is still full of Ocoee water for proof.  We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect trip down the river.  We were the first on the river and the only raft in our group with a guide that had been making a living for 24 years on the back of a raft.  He was great!  Put us through the Class IV rapids expertly---a little edgy without dumping us.  [Aunt Holly was too cheap to buy the pictures, though they were great!]

I took this post trip.  Water logged.

The next group heading out

From there we loaded our water logged selves, into the car and headed to Lynchburg---home of Jack Daniels. Aaaaannnndddd, apparently every other Tennessee tourist decided to do the same thing that day too!  It was packed.  But the free tour was worth the wait. While I don’t drink whisky, the tour made me wish I did, if only for the pride of being a JD drinker.  It was a pretty cool place. 

Lynchburg will never be the same

He was beyond excited to be here.

What a handsome young man!

They burn this sugar maple wood to distill the whisky....this is what makes it Tennessee whisky

That blue can contains whisky.  They use it as the fire starter

Jack Daniel on the rocks

The safe JD kicked, which eventually led to his death

Downtown Lynchburg for a Moon Pie break

Here’s a holy crap fact:  Jack Daniel’s pays $8 MILLION in taxes every….wait for it, wait for it, wait……….every TWO WEEKS!  In the humble  words of our tour guide, “if you want to stimulate the economy, drink more Jack Daniel’s whisky!”  Man, oh, man, I’m in the wrong business!

Without any free samples in our system, a box of Moon Pies from the General Store [Sweet Sarah has found a new favorite!] we headed north to Music City.  We ventured out to Music Row for dinner and a little live music.  And apparently, so did every other Tennessee tourist! It was packed.  But, of course, that always makes it more fun and interesting.  Unfortunately, Aunts Holly and Sarah were showing their age and we headed for bed around, ahem…..ten.   Don’t judge!  Not nice.  Hauling around two college kids and keeping them busy, busy, busy is hard work.  Don’t judge.  Ok, you can judge.  I don’t care, nor apologize.  This girl needs her sleep.

Our final day we hit up the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Let’s just say in our official post-trip survey, it didn’t make the Top Five list for any of the four respondents. 

We were also thrilled our cousins and their new babies were willing to meet us for dinner.  The babies are beautiful and it was fun seeing them as parents.

Nothing like family!  Look at those cute babies!

And….for the grand finale……..A night at the Grand Ole Opry. Oh, yes.  You wanna win big points with your niece and nephew, plan to have The Band Perry and Carrie Underwood at the Opry the night you’re there.  Yep, that’s right.  We’re THAT good.  Ok, we’re not really.  Good timing and luck ever be on our side.  [Thank, goodness!]  I tell you, there’s nothing like live music.  And Carrie Underwood….well, the girl’s got some pipes!

See those boots???!!!!  Two beautiful young adults!

Super excited!

So I mentioned the post-trip survey, if you ever traveled with me, you’ll learn there is always the “what was your favorite part of today?” dinner question, rounded out by the post-trip survey.

This trip’s survey: List your top five favorite things, followed by one thing you’d change or do differently and you can’t say Rock City [the gnomes dropped Rock City to the Rock Bottom of everyone’s list pronto!]

Here are the unofficial, as best as I can remember, corrected to be accurate by Sweet Sarah:

Taylor:

1.     Grand Ole Opry

2.     White Water Rafting

3.     Ruby Falls

4.     Jack Daniel’s

5.     Lookout Mountain

Do differently: no changes

Cal

1.     White Water Rafting

2.     Grand Ole Opry

3.     Jack Daniel’s

4.     Ruby Falls

5.     Music Row

Do differently: Stay out later on Music Row [I may have failed to mention above, said nephew is 19 years old and was unable to get into any of the bars.  So staying out later would’ve meant…….???? We’re still unsure.  But he still thinks we should’ve stayed out later.]

Sweet Sarah

1.     White Water Rafting

2.     Grand Ole Opry

3.     Ruby Falls

4.     Jack Daniel’s

5.     University of Tennessee

Do differently:  As always, Sweet Sarah is sweet. And has no changes.

Holly

1.     Grand Ole Opry

2.     Lookout Mountain

3.     Chickamuaga

4.     Jack Daniel’s

5.     White Water Rafting

Do differently: Make a stop at Tootsie’s.  How did we miss Tootsie’s?  See parenthetical comments in Cal’s list

Good Ol’ Rocky Top.

Rocky Top Tennessee.

Rocky Top Tennessee.