Tidbits from our TN trip

Despite that car issues, we had a great time on our trip and I loved being back in the mountains, of course. I grew up in Knoxville, so I have spent much time in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge in the past. It is amazingly more commercial now - "the Myrtle Beach of the Mountains". Nothing like seeing a Wings store in the mountains.

And, we encountered quite a slice of Americana, Southern style. I actually saw a grown woman walking around downtown with a cat tail coming out of her pants. Very Classy. All I could think was where can I get one of those for me. Ha! And who knew that rat-tails and matching air brushed t-shirts are back in style? (actually, were these ever considered 'in style'??)

From Gatlinburg, we went to my parent's house in Knoxville for a couple of days. We enjoyed a big cookout with lots of extended family to celebrate my parents' birthdays (happy birthday, Mom & Dad!).

We also went to church with my parents last Sunday. It is very rare for us to miss at The Bridge, and it feels very odd to attend elsewhere. My parents church is very different - it's huge (over 6,000 people), it has a choir, and just a different feel in many ways. Not bad, just different. Mike and I are always amused to see how others "do church". I was struck with how the preacher had "preacher voice"... you know, when they say the word Jesus and it is so stressed that it comes out "GEEEE-SUUUUSSSSS". I teased my husband on how I'd never hear him talk like that.

I didn't plan to drive over 400 miles to get a new car

Last week my parents mentioned some great deals that they had seen on cars and trucks. Some up to 50% off sticker price. But, we weren't ready. Or so I thought...

We have just returned from a little over a week with 2 sets of family. We were in Gatlinburg, TN with my in laws and family (13 of us) for a week. On the way there, the AC in my car died, so we enjoyed 3 hours of sheer miserable heat. I don't do well with heat and I was in the worst mood. Plus, nothing stresses me out like car trouble.

Since we were going to Knoxville after our week at Gatlinburg, I called my dad and asked him to make an appointment for us to get it fixed. Dad again mentions the great deals he has seen. He later calls back and gives us the dismal estimate to fix the AC. My stress level increases considerably, but I DID NOT want to drive back to NC without it fixed.

Dad convinces us to go out and just look at new cars. We decide not to replace the AC but had them do some other thing that might fix it... and my car's AC got worse. Typical. By the time we crunched figures to what it would take to fully fix it, get the 4 new tires it was due, and fix other minor issues... we realized that my 10 yr old car was not worth the $ we'd have to put into it. A new vehicle started to sound better and better.

And, it seems that God's timing happened to be perfect. We found a minivan for an extreme deal on a good used minivan. Something I didn't think would be possible on our budget. And I LOVE our new van. Not sure who is happier about it - me or my son.

Another thing I didn't think was possible was that I'd ever own a red car. I was raised to believe redheads and red (pink, peach, or orange) don't mix. :) Oh well. God has a sense of humor.

No getting around the fact that I'm a suburbanite mom now.

And, I have to give much credit to my hubby, who sacrificially drove the old heat-mobile all the way back to NC while his wife and son rode in happy comfort behind him. I love that man.

Another trip down, 2 more to go

Sorry for the little bloggin' hiatus.

I just returned from a brief trip to the beach with my family and 2 other families - including a 1 yr old, 2 yr old, my 3 yr old, and a 4 yr old. We all shared a beach house together. It was fun, relaxing, and also exhausting all in one.

Judging by the pictures taken, I was never there. I prefer to be behind the camera. Especially when pictures are being taken near water. You know, with bathing suits on. Not that I think that I'm a whale or anything... I really am not usually so self-conscientious. It's just that I happened to go to the beach with 2 of my skinniest/fittest girlfriends. And, the beach brings out the "medusa" look to my naturally curly hair. Hello, afro. I didn't think that would make for any pictures I'd want to go in the photo album. Or the blog for goodness sake.

You can thank me later.

One of the highlights was being able to play games with other adults once the kiddos went down to bed. I forgot how much I missed that!

And, when we were not at the beach or chasing our kids around - we ate. We cooked our own food there and you would not have believed the amount that was made and consumed.

Gilad's going to have fun with me this week, I know.

Stay tuned for more bloggy goodness soon. After I attack the mountains of laundry.