WELL, IT'S KIND OF LIKE BEING THERE, ISN'T IT?!

Fleetwood Mac We Love You, But I'm Too Cheap To Pay Your Ticket Prices!


Call me old, call me cheap, I don't care. I love Fleetwood Mac, so does hubby. Listening to their music brings back soooo many good memories of the late 70's (ok, some good, some memories. . . maybe not sooo good!) Fleetwood Mac was here in the metro Detroit area last month. We checked out the ticket prices, thought about attending, then thought some more. Hubby was all for it. . . he didn't care how much the tickets were. I did. It just seems with the present economy the money could be used elsewhere. Like giving additional food to our local food bank. We collect it each week at church and the need is growing. I mean, look, we live in Michigan. Must I explain more?

So, we didn't go. We compromised. We played a live concert on our big screen in my hubby's basement mancave. I mean, it was kind of, sort of, like being there right? We probably saw better, that's for sure.

. . . and I let hubby blast his Boise surround sound system as loud as he wanted (without complaint). Oh, by the way, did I mention my husband has severe hearing loss from all the concerts he attended in his youth? Yeah, he'd get seats so close that he would sit right in front of the amplifiers and blast out his ear drums. I wish he'd get hearing aids, but he's just not there yet. I guess he thinks 52 is too young, but I'd sure like to be able to stop repeating myself to him, once, twice, three times. Or of course, we have the "I didn't hear you say that!" stuff going on too. Or perhaps if he gave up and got the hearing aids. . . there his excuse would go too :)

Blessings. . . until next time,

Jonas Brothers - WooHoo!!!!

Ok, I hope to have my hearing return anytime now!!

The Jonas Brothers were here in concert on Saturday night. We were planning on being at our cottage and not home so we originally told our daughter that she couldn't attend the concert. . . but plans changed. We had an opportunity to purchase some. . . really. . . really. . . good. . . seats!! We cut our 4th of July holiday at the cottage short to be able to accommodate "the desires of our youngest daughter's heart!!" My daughter and her friend took the best seats and I sat with the other mom two aisles over. With my new nifty, super, duper zoom camera . . . I was able to keep an eye on the girls (without them knowing it, of course!)

This picture was taken just before the remainder of the crowd rushed in. Apparently, there was a little bit of set-up left to do to the stage area.

I admit, I didn't know squat about the Jonas Brothers before this night. But what a surprise!! They are wonderful! They are also Christians and all three wear a purity ring on their left hand as a promise between themselves and God to remain pure until marriage. What mother wouldn't love these boys now?????

The stage show was very elaborate. But, the frosting on the cake for our girls? They were interviewed by the Jonas staff to be placed on their web-site with a YouTube video. We moms had to sign photo releases before they would talk with our girls. We were told to wait three days and check the Jonas Brothers web site.

Cool, huh???

Yeah, with screaming 9 through 17 year olds screaming in my ears for two hours my hearing is not what it was before the concert. I sure hope it returns soon.

Note to self: Next time I attend a concert of this type stop by the sporting goods store and pick-up a pair of super-duper ear plugs. Yeah, that should do it!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Yes, It's the Motown Sound Baby!!

Well, I am from Detroit folks and I do believe the BEST music EVER is the Motown sound!!

This week I heard that at the Temptations and The Four Tops would be playing near our home. I checked on the tickets and didn't really know how it would work for my hubby and I so didn't bother to order them on-line. The concert was on Sunday the 29th and we already had a lot planned that day. We had our annual Freedom Service at our church (honoring our military personnel - awesome, awesome. . .just keeps getting better each and every year!) then a few other things to take care of.

Well, about an hour before the concert my hubby checked the website and told me that the lawn seats were now going for $7 - - ($7 for the great Motown sounds of the Temptations and Four Tops?) and did I want to grab the beach chairs and go? Did I want to go? You betcha I wanted to go!! Our 20 year old was going out for the evening so we told our 14 year old to gather her things we were going to a concert. Except, she didn't want to go!! She begged to stay home, not answer the door, don't leave the house, etc., etc. our usual rules. We had the most wonderful time together. . .

. . . until our 14 year old placed two calls to me, then two calls to my hubby during the concert. Of course, we didn't hear the phone ringing. We checked periodically to see if she called. (Our 20 year old was out for the night and would be home before we were.) We called home, no answer, we called her cell, no answer, we called our 20 year old's cell. . . no answer. We started to panic and left the concert. You know how a parent's mind can wander and think the worst!!

Of course, nothing was wrong when we arrived home!! Our 14 year old was calling to ask if she could go on the treadmill and she was bored and wanted to know when we would be home. Gee Whiz, why bother calling us and if she did call leave a message!!! AAAUUUGGGHHH When we called she was out taking a walk with our 20 year old so they were not home to answer our return phone calls or did they think to take their cell phones with them!! Like what do we pay for their cell phones for if we can't get a hold of them when we need to? Next time, we'll just take our little darling 14 year old with us so we won't have to worry about her!! I'm not sure if that will be her punishment or ours actually!

I think I need a mothering break - and soon!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

B. J. Thomas. . . Remember???

. . . Tripping down Memory Lane:

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head; Eyes Of A New York Woman; Hooked On A Feeling; Rock and Roll Lullaby; and I Just Can't Help Believing . . .

One of my "goals" for 2008 (I don't call them resolutions - just sets one up for failure. A goal is something to work at and achieve, a resolution is something that one resolves to do, or never do again - I like the word "goals" better. More flexibility!) is to spend more time with my hubby, go on more dates and not just "go out to eat." Not going out to eat will also help me achieve, hopefully, another one of my "goals!" That is to drop a few pounds. Eating and cooking at home is much healthier and I can control how our food is prepared and the portion size.

Anyways, back to the topic of this post. We went to see B. J. Thomas a few Saturdays ago and thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Talk about a flash from the past. It took me right back to the early 70's - and I enjoyed the trip. What a smooth voice B. J. has. . . and not to mention his testimony. Being caught up in the fam took B. J. down a road of alcohol and drugs like so many musicians. He is recovered from these addictions and giving all the Praise to the Lord. His blessed wife, of almost 40 years, stayed right by his side and prayed him through. What a blessing for him to have a praying wife.

My hubby and I enjoyed the concert (along with all the other middle agers) and being together so much that we are going to be planning more "couple time" outings very soon - minus the eating out part.

Now, I think I'll check AMAZON for some B. J. music. I could use a CD or two - I enjoyed the stroll down memory lane and wouldn't mind visiting again!

Blessings. . . until next time,

The "Man Cave" Basement Tour. . . Part 2

Come on down to my hub's office. Part 2 of the tour.

Onward we go into the basement. The above picture is our view on the way down to the basement. If you notice the spindles and rails on both sides of stairwell - they were not there when we started. My hubs determined that the wall of the basement stairwell was not load-bearing, so he cut it out to make it more open. I'm so glad he did.

The next picture is where we stopped yesterday. I picked up this table from a garage sale. All it needed was a new coat of paint over the ugly brass and it works perfectly down here. Notice I even decorated the basement for Thanksgiving. I'm one that believes memories don't just happen, sometimes. . . we just got to make them. Childhood is so short that I have always tried to make the holidays special for our girls. . . so they would have sweet memories. Our 20 year old has assured me that I have accomplished my goal (at least for her)!

Now, let's make a quick left.

We are now at the double French Doors (can you tell I love French Doors?). I thought double French doors would be perfect for this room, since it's my hub's office. This way when he's working, it doesn't feel like he's locked away in a cave. He works from home on Fridays, so this is great for him. I have his degrees on one wall, his favorite Detroit Red Wings on another and his teen memories on the third. I purchased the bookshelves at an estate sale. They were really, really beat up. . . but not when I got through with them. They work perfectly in here. Now he just needs to load up his books on the shelves. I'm not sure which ones he wants out, so I'm leaving that task up to him.When I mentioned his teen memories, I mean his Queen collection from the '70's. I framed his T-shirt along with a poster and his ticket stubs. He has another picture of a Queen concert and our beloved Detroit's own, Bob Seger when he appeared at Cobo Hall in the late '70's. Yeah, we were there. . . *sigh*. . . memories. Gotta say, I'm glad my hubs never wore that Queen T-shirt though. I mean what wife wants her husband to be running around wearing a T-shirt that says "Queen?"

We were already to purchase a new desk exactly like this for down here, but I happened to find the perfect "one" on Craigs list http://www.craigslist.org/about/cities.html. It was a divorce situation, selling home, had to sell desk. It was perfect, so I grabbed it. You'll see later why his desk is positioned this way (hint. . . it's what he can see from his desk while working!)

We're now on our way back out. These two doors are closets. One has my husband's filing cabinet in it and the other has his books for now, printer paper and other work related "treasures" he needs to keep.

Next, post, another corner of our basement.

Blessings. . . until next time.

Look what I've done!!

I guess the concert we attended last week inspired our youngest!!! Looks like she's practicing performing for an audience. (If she's not climbing up on the Lumberman's Monument, she's climbing up on the counters in our kitchen)

Yesterday was her first day back to school. She was very excited to see her friends again. Tomorrow she has her sports physical and next week is "cheerleader tryouts!" Now the running starts. . . all over again. . . try-outs, practice, football games, competition practice.

Yesterday was "THE day!"

Well, yesterday was "the day!" It was "the day" that my youngest had talked about for over a month!! It was "the" Aly & AJ concert with Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and Bianca Ryan!!

The day began with the girls arriving at my house by 3:45 PM. These are my youngest's BEST, BEST, very BEST friends from school (and the friends that mom here likes the BEST for her to be "hanging" with). Some cheer with her, some are just like sisters to her. All are very, very nice girls. We headed off to DTE in Clarkston. We stopped on the way at Wendy's in Auburn Hills, which, luckily had an Arby's right next door. . . So the girls had their choice; Wendy's or Arby's. Since we made good time traveling and beating rush hour traffic - we ate inside. (I didn't want greasy fast food marks on my leather seats either!)

We arrived at DTE a little after the gates opened and found our perfect place on the lawn. We spread out the blankets and got comfy. From the moment we arrived at the concert until the last minute we left the girls were beaming. They loved their first concert "on the lawn!" Before the concert started they purchased their Aly & AJ T-shirts and promptly put them on over their clothing. The girls laughed, they danced, they jumped, they screamed, they screamed some more, they were having the "time of their lives."

I would have loved to post pictures of them all dancing, screaming, jumping, but I don't think I should post pictures of other people's children on my page. It just isn't proper. So, here's the back of them :)

I sat back and took in all the excitement. Even though my youngest calls me "old," I was a pretty "cool" old mom last night to all the girls. "I" was the one who agreed to take them to the concert - - not the younger "cool" moms. . . and I sat back, watched them and . . . smiled . . . watching them all have the time of their lives and I was the one who had been blessed to have had this opportunity!! :)

What Was I Thinking?

Well, what was I thinking? I've commited to taking my 13 year old and 4 of her friends to the Aly & AJ concert on Thursday. They are so excited (not that it takes much to get a bunch of 13 year old girls excited). Appearing with Aly & AJ is Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell and Bianca Ryan. Never heard of any of them, have you? Apparently, they are all on the Disney channel. So, at least we won't have "language issues" at the concert. I did have my 13 year old play their music for me so I would know if it was appropriate or not. Seems fine to me. Pray for nice weather, since we'll be sitting on the lawn!! Even if it rains I'm sure the girls will have a wonderful time. Do you remember that age. . . . not a care in the world and the most important thing in your world was FRIENDS? . . . Carefree and living the good life. But, what was I thinking???