"Tradition"

Some new toys...

Santa went the electronic route this past Christmas. I got a new digital camera and a pocket camcorder. That's just what I needed, something that will record evidence of my antics!! Good thing I didn't have one a few years ago!

But with my travel schedule as jam packed as 2010, these new gadgets will come in handy.

Yes, the new Fuji Finepix Z80 is pink, how fitting.

I've never had a video recorder before, so this will be interesting. My Kodak Playtouch is red and it's super light. Let's hope I don't drop it along the way.

Maybe I'm old school...

...but when you ask for money in lieu of wedding gifts, I find that tacky. My problem with this started last year when someone I knew got married and made no secret they would prefer to receive cash to pay for a honeymoon instead of a traditional gift.

Here's my take on the matter, if you're old enough to get married, you should be old enough to budget accordingly. I have no problem if the couple shared this information with a select group of friends, but when I'm checking out your wedding website for general information, that's not something I want to read. Your finances are not my business, but when I see this, I feel a bit put off.

I understand some couples may not need/want traditional gifts, but I almost feel like I'm being told to give money and that I'll be judged based on the amount I give.

I'd almost rather a couple request a donation be made to their favorite charity. I would have no problem with that one bit.

I'm done with my rant and I hope no one finds this offensive, but it's just not how I was raised. But I guess times are a changing.

Accio Cookbook!!

The Harry Potter nerd within me will not die. Wonder if this calls for as much butter & bacon as a Paula Deen cookbook?

Vibram's

I'm not sure where this came from, but my Mom wants a pair of Vibram's. Some time last summer was the first time I'd ever noticed people wearing them around Knoxville. They just looked really odd to me and I wondered if they were comfortable.

When I was home for Christmas break, Mom & I went to REI to check them out. She tried on a pair, but I didn't. She said they felt good and wanted one, but wanted the pink one's, as seen below.

Of course, REI didn't carry the pink one's, so I told her I'd check in Knoxville. I have yet to find a pair. I found a pair of aqua one's at Mast General Store downtown. I sent her a photo of them and she was OK with those. Looks like I'll be going back later to have her size shipped in.

Open the flood gates...

Yes, I just made plans for a quick trip to Savannah with some friends, but now I'm thinking about the next trip. I should really take it one step at a time, but I feel like I have a lot going on, travel wise, this year.

In case you were wondering I'm not thinking about another Vegas trip, yet. Instead, I'm thinking about what I should have done years ago. I want to head up to Chicago to visit one of my oldest friends, Joel and take in a game at Wrigley.

Joel and I have known each other since we were eight. After high school, I came to Knoxville...while he stayed in Nashville for a bit. Later, he found his way to Chicago. He's been there ever since. I think it's time to venture North.

June is my only real "free" month, except for that NKOTBSB concert in Nashville. If June doesn't work, I'll have to squeeze it in, in July. Either way, I'm going to Chicago this summer and Jessica & David should be coming with me. Seeing as how we've all talked about it forever, this is the year to make it happen.

It's almost here...

...vacation season that is. A few weeks ago I started freaking out because I didn't have a vacation planned till the end of March. While that may be only 2 months away, it seemed like a lifetime for me. I've been traveling at least once a month since October. The older I get, the harder it is for me to be still. Weird, I know.

But luckly, Allyson came to the rescue. She suggested a girls trip to Savannah. Hard to believe as long as I've lived in Tennessee, I haven't really traveled around the Southeast. And Savannah is a city I've always wanted to visit.

Here's a little known fact, I'm pretty sure when I was younger, I once admitted that if I ever had a daughter, I'd want to name her Savannah, or have that as part of her name. I couldn't decide between Savannah Taylor or Taylor Savannah.

Back to the point, Allyson, Jessica, hopefully Jenn and I will be heading down to Savannah in early March. Is is wrong that I already requested the time off from work? I hear ghost tours are on the schedule along with a stop at the Lady and Son's. I hope Paula sells an "I love butter & bacon" t-shirt, cause that would come home with me in a heartbeat!

I was suppose to cut down on my shopping in 2011, but I need to make sure I have cute and comfortable walking shoes. I tried the whole cute shoe thing in New Orleans several years ago, but had to go back for sneakers to survive Bourbon Street!

I don't understand...

...why Kenny Chesney doesn't have a Tennessee stop on this year's Goin' Coastal Tour?!

Best I can remember, the last time he played an "official" concert was at LP Field in Nashville, July 2008. I use the term "official" because he played at a few random bars around town over the past few years, but of course, I'm a 3 hour drive away.

Prior to 2008, 2006 was the first time I saw him in concert. February 2006: I paid $75 and had to use my old college ID to see him on the Strip at New Amsterdam. Tickets for that Keg in the Closet show was $10 and sold 24 hours in advance. I don't even remember how I found out about that show since I didn't have Twitter back then!

Later that year he made his way to Nashville for the first time as "headliner". But he hasn't been home since.

I love my Kenny, don't get me wrong, but I don't understand why the hometown fans get nothing. And yes, a part of me is still bitter because I missed his Neyland Stadium show in 2003, but you'd think we'd get something on this year's tour.

41 additional dates were released today, but still nothing. There's not even a stop in Vegas. I did notice a small window in May, the 15-18, where some TN stops could/should (in my opinion) be added. I keep hoping for a last minute change in schedule.

I hope he takes a listen to one of my favorite songs and remembers what things are like "Back Where I Come From".

No Shoes, No Shirt...No Problem...

Wonder if Knoxville will be a stop on this year's Keg in the Closet Tour? Last time it was, 2006. Not a big fan on the cap...but the t-shirt is perfect!

I'm already over winter...

...too bad it just started! I've seen more snow and ice over the past month than I have in what seems like years. I started to re-organize my closet this afternoon and it made me sad to put all my summer clothes all the way in the back. I wish I could break them out tomorrow.

Until then, I'll just have to keep thinking "warm" thoughts. I'm picturing myself lounging in the hammock with a beverage in my hand. Ahhh, heaven....

Nothing runs like a Deere...

I like to play "dress up" with my dog. Bristol actually likes to wear clothes, unlike my BoJangles.

BoJangles was my Dalmatian and did not like having clothes put on him. Plus, Bo had sharper teeth, so we didn't push our luck. But Bristol Peyton's just the sweetest little thing ever! His favorite shirt is a UT shirt (go figure).

I tried to buy Bristol some madras pants from Target a few years ago. Well, I had to return them because his legs were a little too short. Sadly, I know that feeling well.

NKOTBSB: Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve

Yes, I'm pretty sure I still have my "Hangin' Tough" tour jacket at home. I also think this will require an airbrushed tank top with sparkles!!

Hazzard County or Braddock County?

Thanks to one of my friends and CMT, I am not only addicted to the Dukes of Hazzard, but Dallas too!

A few months ago CMT had a Dukes of Hazzard marathon & I got hooked. Then, they started showing episodes every weeknight. I swear my buddy Brad can tell you about every single episode after seeing the intro to each show. Granted the plot lines don't change a whole lot, but it's still fun to watch. And can you really beat the theme song?

Brad loves him some Victoria Principle, so of course he loves Dallas. I caved and watched the marathon this past weekend. Oh my gosh, talk about a smut show! I had forgotten how much the show pushed the limits back then.

I found Dallas to be a bit confusing, but I got the crash course this afternoon. I wish CMT would start showing episodes of Dallas after The Dukes. That would be fantastic!!

Hello 2011

I hate New Year's resolutions. So, I've decided not to make any. Instead, I plan to use this old Irish proverb as my mantra:

Work like you don't need the money
dance like no one is watching
sing like no one is listening
love like you've never been hurt

and live life every day as if it were your last