Wild Horse Saloon, with brother Brent and others...

As I told you in our last most recent vacation post we met friends on the Ghost Tavern Tour.  Our new  friends were in town for a music festival.  There names are Sherry & Eric, not too hard to remember.  They are from New Haven and have been vacationing at this point for over two weeks, for a total goal of three.  They were on the tour with us and we all got to talking and then we told them about brother Brent and that we were going down the street to later see his band play at the Wild Horse.  Sherry & Eric being music junkies and Eric being in a band himself back in New Haven they were totally game with going to see brother Brent.  They actually later canceled their dinner reservations and hung out with us the rest of the evening and the highlight of their trip was more than likely going back stage to hang out with brother Brent and the rest of the band. 

I have learned in my short behind the scenes lifetime being related to brother Brent that I enjoy something I never thought I would.  One of my new favorite things is to say; "I am on the list."  In my most entitled snobby voice ever.  I love it, even though I am not the important one, it is the person you are seeing, but I still always feel super privileged to say, "I am on the list!"    (And it is actually my real name, heheheh!!!)

This evening is composed of lovely line dancing abilities and me being super animated.  I typically would not actually post myself nor myself dancing, but the reason I will here is because if I don't Eric is likely to rat me out.  

Brother Brent is not actually in my photos that you can make out.  Considering I am not a professional I had trouble with the lighting and did not realize it until I looked at the photos days later.   I was able to do some pretty poor editing and salvage two poses of brother Brent in action.

 

  

 

 

Here is how we ending up line dancing.  This is Sherry and I anticipating joining the line dancing lesson.  Sherry is very against it at first, me as well but later you will witness that I totally came out of my shell.

Now that we are on the dance floor I am convincing her that she can do it!!!!  And that this was a great idea!!!!!

 

A little action short here of using practicing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An and actual video of the event, thanks to my lovely Eric who is standing on the sidelines so sweetly taken video on me being super animated as usual, but I am typically not being RECORDED!!!  Got to love technology, eh!

 

 

Vacation Continued

I have got to get on with this vacation blogging.  So hold on to your seats because here we go.

What better to start off with today then a good old picture of Elvis and I. 

Eric and I wondered about the streets of Nashville.  We has some time to tour the town ourselves and have a bite to eat before we were required to be at our next planed destination.

Our next planned destination for the day well actually evening; The Haunted Tavern Tours of Nashville.  We went to about 5 different bars in Nashville to hear ghost stories along the way.  It was a fantastic adventure.  There were several different types of people in  our groups.  I was defiantly and experience.  While on this tour we meet new friends, and they ended up hanging out with us for the rest of the evening.  Which was super fun. 

 

Our ghost martini's for the ever so anticipated Ghost Tour, our first stop: Past Time.

 

We went upstairs to the story telling area.  I would like to make sure that I state at this time that this was a good tour, and I do recommend this tour.  Although I would also like to state that I do not recommend our particular tour guide that we had.  The main reason, he was new and he continuously reminded us that he is not very good at this and that he is new.  In the beginning I totally sympathized with his situation, but by the end I felt as though I would really rather been with one of those awesome tour guides that he keeps telling us about.  He really did know how to incise us to want to her someone else host the tour, but he was doing himself no favors.  This is not the purpose of our vacation nor this post, therefore I will move on.

We were instructed to take random pictures so that we could possibly see a friendly ghost in them.  We have several of these photos and have yet to see anything unusual.  Here are a few for your viewing, feel free to see for yourself.  There was a method to our madness, we were told where people were stabbed and shot.  With that knowledge I reluctantly pointed my camera in that direction, closed my eyes really tight and then shot the photo.

The couch below, has typically had ghosts show up next to the people on it.  Maybe we should have had our picture taken while sitting on the couch instead of just taking a photo of the couch its self.  A lesson to take with us for our next ghost photo session.

 

Here we are posing with our new friends that were said to be hanging or floating around.

 

A maiden was locked in a basement here and died.       Some man was pushed off of the balcony by a ghost here!

 

I totally don't remember what the guy was saying about this one, I was to busy paying attention to the beggars on the street and wondering why you would take tourist on a tour by this particular street.  While also thinking maybe they think the population in Nashville should not increase and that would be the reason for taking us by these lovely folks.  (I really do have a large compassion for homeless folks, but I have learned that I do not have that compassion while on my vacation.)

 

All and all I think that it was a lovely adventure for our vacation and one that we have never experience before.  We also participated in a quiz during this tour and me not being a scary movie buff, at all, we totally did not win.

Check in soon to see how the rest of this evening turned out.

Rednecks in Nashville

Just in case you were wondering, there are rednecks in Nashville too.

Staying Fit While on Vacay!

Eric and I always have the grand idea that while on Vacation we will get into shape even more than before.  Well, ya know how that goes, it doesn't.  We tried working out daily, but we only managed to work out during the start of the vacation.  He is a super clear picture of us attempting to stay fit while in Nashville.

 

 

 

Eric on the Treadmill, listening to the ipod.                          You can barely tell it is me, but I had to have proof!

Vacation, recap and Day One

When we last left the story, we had just arrived in Nashville.  One of my clients from my consulting business needed some help, so we dropped off the bags, kicked off our shoes, and started working.  Cassie loves it when I work on vacation, but understood the situation and decided to take a picture of our room with me working. 

 

We loved the couch in the hotel room and I liked being able to prop my feet up.

After we settled in a bit, it was time to eat.  We were right across the street from the Opryland Hotel.  We set out exploring.

A view from the inside of the hotel.  We went to the bar and ordered some drinks.  I explored a little (i.e. got lost)  I finally found my way back to our seats. 

While enjoying the atmosphere, we began to feel a little odd.  Both of us just felt like something wasn't right.  Suddenly we realize the bar is rotating, and the drinks have nothing to do with it.  The entire bar rotates around itself.

 

(a waterfall by the bar)

We wound up picking an Irish Pub inside the hotel to eat at.  It was a little weird.  While in this traditional Irish setting, they had Britney Spears playing in the background.

this was on the wall of the pub

The place could have been a little better kept.  Cas and I both noticed the health rating.

Not to be snotty, but we try and stay above the 90s at most places we go to.

 

Here is Cassie hinting to me that it's time to go and that she doesn't want her picture taken.  :)  I'm good at picking up those hints.

Finally we decided it was time to go, so we called the Hotel to take us back.  We had a few minutes to wait, while the shuttle got over there.  That meant time for one more picture of someone not wanting their picture taken. :)

So ends our first day in Nashville.  We crashed about the time we got to the hotel, and rested up for day two.

Vacation !!!!

Eric and I have been away on a little trip this past week.  We went to Nashville, Tennessee and had several adventures.  I know that you all will be waiting on pins and needles to hear about them all.  We will post soon!!!!!!

Cassie rides again...or Why we bought a bike

Well the other day,  Cassie and I were thinking about grabbing a quick bite to eat.  John and Tina had purchased two bikes recently, and we figured, why not give them a spin.  So we loaded up and rode them down to the shopping center.  We made great time.  Cassie went through the Subway line, I went and picked up a two liter from Food World for our little meal. 

 

We didn't want to leave the bikes there for long, so we decided to ride back home.  Cassie with the food, me with the drinks. 

 

About half-way to the house, I hear a terrible commotion behind me.  I turn back in time to catch Cassie trying to do a flip with the bike.  Sadly, she fell down mid-flip.  She couldn't help but laugh through the pain, as she nailed her funny-bone.  This left me in a very tough situation.  Do I laugh, or call for help?  I mean, it's kinda funny...and she's laughing...  Realizing I would likely get in trouble regardless of the situation, I decided to help her out of the bike contraption she had placed herself in to.  We got her on her feet and she rode the bike home.  The bike lost a cheap little gear indicator.  Cassie lost a little flesh.

 

She refused to blog about it, so I had to take the pictures myself and blog about it.  I mean I did sacrifice laughing with her during the situation, so I think it's okay to laugh a little now?  Right??? Who's with me?  Maybe I should have just waited for her elbow to heal up first.  Oh well... :)

 

Plant Updates

Well the plants are coming along.  This is my collection of various fruits.  the Back row and black tub are all tomato plants.  The front left small bowl is a pepper with a few budding watermelon vines.  They will get relocated when they are a little bigger.  Next to that is a peppermint plant, followed by a lemon tomato.  The big tomato bucket has about 5 tomatoes in various states.  The lemon tomato just developed its first bud.  We're watering them every day and hoping they can make it through this heat wave that is swamping us.

Oh, and this has nothing to do with my plants, but look how cute my dogs are! :)  Shameless plug...

Visiting with the Grandparents

On our way back from the Memorial Day Adventures we visited memory lane for Eric.  We stopped by the cemetery for him to visit his Grandma & Grandpa Irvin.  Eric's grandfather passed away from a brain tumor when his Dad, Billy, was 15 years old.  Therefore Eric never had the opportunity to know his Grandpa.  I feel that his Grandma made up for that time with her love for Eric.  Eric and his Grandma shared the same birthday and many secrets. 

I will never forget us visiting her in the nursing home about three years ago and Eric telling her that him and I were getting married.  Well as you know no one was aware of our marriage being so sudden therefore this was a secret.  His Grandma being a little older tended to forget the purpose of a secret.  She told the entire nursing home, that her grandson is getting married.  Eric's Mom, Cathy, called us a few day's later to inform us that his Grandma was having a bad day because she has been telling everyone that he is getting married next weekend or something along that lines.  Unfortunately she just had to take the fall for that one, we couldn't bail her out just yet. 

His Grandma's name is Daisy, we named our dog after her.  We knew that we were not planning on having human children before she passed away therefore we choose to name our dog after her.  Some people may think that is strange or insulting but it made her think even more of Eric.

 

Eric's Dad picked out the monument, it is the only vertical one in the cemetery, you can see it from the road when you drive past.

 

 

 

More Relatives, that Eric wasn't actually sure who they were, but our name was everywhere.  Hoping they are not too closely related, I am not too sure about naming one of my children Verlie. 

Fishing Fun

We went out on the boat on lake Roden on Sunday for a quick stroll and a little leisurely fishing.  I figure, hey why not I can totally go with the outdoorsy  folks and stroll with them.  I totally had no interesting the whole getting icky aspect of it all.  But I was totally wrong, it was a blast.  Although I was the last person to actually catch a fish, but it really did happen.  Every single person in attendance was able to  catch several fish.  I was super impressed with everybody's abilities.  We all had a blast on the impromptu due trip aboard the "Blue Goose" on the "Lake Roden."  Lake Roden is the small lake behind the house that we were so privileged to stay at.  This is not a lake that you typically launch a pontoon boat on, but it really was an adventure that I think made the trip.

Russell throwing back the first of many of Lauren's catches.  We are out the push  off on our wild adventures via Lake Roden!!!!!!

 

         Lauren should go pro!                Russell was very patient with the rookies(me).

 

"My Heart Will Go On", came on the radio and Linz took the opportunity to do her very best Titanic impression.  (Eric felt left out and snuck into the picture.)The impression was done safely from the seating area of "The Blue Goose."  We would hate to lose Linz in the lake with Snappy Snapperson!!!  (He is a very large snapping turtle whom I am not sure would be the best host to a sudden guest. )

 

 

 

Who could forget our trusty captain, Buster!!!!He took us around "Lake Roden" and returned us to the shore safe and sound.  Thanks for the ride Buster, you are a wonderful navigator of "Lake Roden"  Thanks Buster and his assistant Spencer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more fishing adventures you can check out Lindsay's blog.

Leisurely Lounging

We were rather active on our memorial day weekend adventure.  We also had some leisurely lounging time.  The ladies and Eric enjoyed laying out by the pool while, the other man joined us on and off for a giggle here and there.

 

Let me formally introduce you to our gracious hosts of the memorial day get away!

The Roden's

Meet Lovely Lindsay & Smiling Spencer

 

Lounging Lauren & Relaxed Russell

Me & My Eric

 

Linz & Spence enjoying each others company.

 

Modest Russell protecting his fair skin, poolside.

 

Eric Lounging with the ladies.

 

Linz & Spence oblivious to the world around them, just enjoying each others company. 

How Sweet!!!!

 

Life on Lake Guntersville

 

This is a picture of the launching pad at the lake. Linz nor myself seem to have any pictures of the boat actually on Lake Guntersville.  I figure that may be because we were actually on the boat.  This is a picture from our launching point at the beginning of our boating adventure among "the blue goose." (That is the boat's given name.)

 

This my friends is just an additional pic for your personal enjoyment.  Yes, these folks were riding their personal around the house scooters on the four lane, seriously.  This is not a way to save gas, this is a way to loose your life!!!!

 

These are two lovely ladies, Emma and Lauren.  Just relaxing with very informative magazines.

 

 

Lindsay, the hostess with the mostest, relaxing while being rather color coordinated with her surroundings.  This was about the time in trip, when Russell began looking for those sandwiches, that never made it on the boat, oops. 

 

That is all for this portion for the time being.  But be sure to stay tuned for future installments, of the numerous adventures and activities to come.