Funny Friday - Phone Evolution

Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie

I heard this song on the radio today - I have always loved this song.  So decided I might as well put it here so I can listen to it whenever I want.

Missing Thatcher

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.

Author ~ Sammie Klaehn

*******

Sometimes I can believe that it has been 9 years since I said goodby to Thatcher - since the last time I kissed his sweet head and held him as his spirit left his little worn out body.  He was ready to move on, I wasn't.  I  miss him every single day.  I don't think I will ever stop missing him.  I love you Thatcher and I know that one day I will see you running from the gates of Heaven to meet me.  I will be so glad to hold you again once more and forever more.

Strange Habits

A while back, I was getting ready to toss out a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper that I drank the night before and I realized, I didn't drink it all, so I poured it out,rinsed it and put it in the bin.

A few days later, the same thing.  Hmm, I never gave it much thought before then, but started thinking that I seem to do this often - leaving a tiny bit of drink the bottom.

Well...last week I came in work one morning to see the bottle I had left from the day before and again - it had a tiny amount still in it.  So I kept it...I was curious....

Do I always leave the same amount each time?

After a couple of weeks, I had 6 bottles that I had saved and guess what.  I DO leave about the same about every time.  I almost couldn't have done this if I had measured it each time.

I have NO EARTHLY IDEA why I don't just finish the whole drink.  Why do I leave that little bit at the bottom.  I am really not even aware I do it until I get ready to toss out the bottle.

I just found it facintating though that I leave the same amount.  I wonder if it has something to do with a past life (which I am not sure I believe in or not).  Could I have died in another life by choking on the last sip of something, so I just leave the last sip so I don't choke again?  Who  knows.

Do you have a quirky, odd habit?

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time

I was at Walgreen's the other day and just before checking out, I went down the candy aisle.  I saw this interesting Candy Bar and since I LOVE anything with Peanut Butter & Jelly.  When I was checking out, even the cashier was oohing and aaahing and saying he was going to have to try that.

Well...I must say - it doesn't have any "jelly" taste -it is all peanut butter.  I was kind of surprised when I opened it to find that they were kind of little kit-kat shaped bars - cute.

It was just good but just OK - I don't think I would spend the calories on it again.

Funny Friday - Silly Pets

 

Happy 80th Birthday Daddy

My dad would have been 80 years old today - this photo was taken when he was 77 - he doesn't look it, does he?  He was young at heart, always was.  He loved his Pedro and I know Pedro looks for him to come home.  They will be together one day.  Now he is in Heaven with Gizmo and I know they were both so happy.  Plus I know he is with all the other members of our family - 2 legged and 4 legged kind alike. 

I am missing daddy terribly today - I do every day but today is especially hard because it is his 80th birthday.  I should be going out with him and celebrating this weekend - but I suppose God was ready for him to go home. 

WIP Wednesday - AAUGH !

I was so happy - I was progressing right along on this and WHAM - I saw it - I almost wanted to just abandon the whole thing but since it is such a small project, I will just have to re-do half of it. 

Can you see the problem???

Se the two squares on the bottom?  Those are the ones I completed first and posted last week.  See the two squares on the top?  I completed those this week.  Do you see a difference in them.  It is subtle but it is there- the squares on the bottom are bigger than the ones on the top - in fact each tiny square in the two bigger squares on the bottom are exactly 1 space too wide and 1 space too tall.  The ones on the top are the correct size.

As you can see - they do not line up - what a silly, silly mistake on such and easy project.  I counted wrong on the first two squares.  I meant to use 12 spaces across, 12 spaces down.  But what I did is count the 2nd space (which is the first space with yarn in it) as space # 1, when actually space #1 is an empty space (as is its opposing/diagonal corner).  I counted properly on the top squares. 

So..... I have to completely re-do the bottom squares so the are the right size and I still have one more square to do so I have to do 3 more squares (which have 9 squares in each one) - I can't believe I was so careless.

Oh well...what's a girl to do?  Mistakes happen.  Rats !

Missing Dad

Two years ago, my dad left this earth and went to Heaven, where he is there watching over me and waiting for us to all join him one day.

I miss him so much - time does NOT heal all wounds.

Paula Deen's Chicken Divan (Slightly Modified)

 Photo: PaulaDeen.com

This is one of my favorite recipes but I don't make it very often because .... well... quit frankly it is not  a very healthy dish.  You can lighten it up a little by using low fat soup, mayo, sour cream and cheddar cheese but honestly it is better with the "regular"full-fat versions.  However, if you are interested in a lighter version, check out hellawella.com.

So...therefore it is just something I have once in a while - maybe once or twice a year.  It is really great for company.

I got this out of my Lady & Son's Cookbook.  I bought this at her original Lady & Son's restaurant about a year before the world knew who Paula Deen was.  My mom had heard about the place through some friends and I was in Savannah with my mom and dad for the weekend and we decided to give it a try.  Those were the days when she actually worked there.  She wasn't there the night we went but her youngest son Bobby was the host and her oldest son, Jamie was keeping the buffet full by bringing out the food from the kitchen.  Little did we know how famous she, her sons and her recipes would become!

Original Lady & Sons

I know there was a lot of controversy last year about her but I have met her (and her sons) a time or two.  They are nice and friendly (well the time I met Jamie (at a book signing) - he wasn't exactly overly friendly - he wasn't mean but he wasn't as friendly as Bobby - Jamie was ticked because he was having to miss the Georgia game.

I'll have to dig through my photos and fine the ones with me and my sis with Paula and the other one with Jamie & Bobby.  Anyway..  back to the recipe.

Chicken Divan

2   (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli, chopped
6 cup shredded chicken, cooked
2 (10 3/4 -ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth, which is what I use)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
2 tablespoon butter, melted
salt and pepper, to taste

Remove the outer wrappers from the boxes of broccoli. Open one end of each box. Microwave on full power for 2 minutes, until thawed.  Drain the broccoli and put into a 11 x 9 casserole dish that has been prepared with a non stick cooking spray. Top with shredded chicken.

In a medium bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper to taste, and wine (or broth).  Whisk together to make a sauce.  Pour the sauce over the broccoli and chicken.  Spread well with a spatula.

Pat down evenly and smooth with a spatula.  In a small mixing bowl, stir together the Parmesan & Cheddar cheeses, bread crumbs and butter and sprinkle over the top.

Bake for about 30-45 minutes and ta-da - have a Divine Chicken Divan Dinner !

Liebster Award

Thank you to Jen at It's My Life for her Liebster Award nomination. Wow! Totally an unexpected surprise.  How exiting!! This award is for bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

This is how it works:

You start by being nominated by a fellow blogger who likes what you have been posting (so sweet)

Then you tell 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions.

You then get to nominate 11 fellow bloggers and give them 11 questions to answer.


Here are 11 Random Facts about me


1. I wanted to be a vet when I grew up, until my brother reminded me that sometimes animals get hit by cars.  I couldn't handle that.

2. I don't like shoes - I would go barefoot all the time if I could.

3. I was an extra in the movie "The Slugger's Wife" but good luck finding me.  I was part of the Stadium crowd.

4. The first man I ever kissed was Duke's of Hazzard star, John Schneider.  He was 19, I was 16.

5. My favorite town that I've visited is San Francisco.

6. My favorite classic Disney character is Goofy.

7. I cannot whistle due to a short lingual frenulum.

8. I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show over 200 times.

9. Both of my ears are pierce three times.

10.  I have taken and kept a photo every day of my life for the past 5 years (and am starting on the 6th year).

11.  My favorite dessert is Crème Brûlée.

Here are the answers to the 11 Questions Jen left for me:

1. Why do you blog? I started because when I joined the knitting community of Ravelry, everyone seemed to have a blog and it was a way for people to share, so I started one too but now it is just more for a creative outlet and a way to share some recipes and crafty projects and such.

2. What is your highlight(s) of 2013?  There were many good things in 2013 but I think my highlight was getting to finally meet my great niece in person. She was born in New Zealand in November 2012 and I finally got to see her and hold her in December 2013.

3. What hobbies do you have? How much time do you have?  Let's see....I like to crochet, knit, cross-stitch, scrapbook, take photos, travel....I'm sure there are more I didn't mention.

4. What is your favorite dessert? Haha - I put that under my random things before I saw this question - it is Crème Brûlée

5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? England

6. Did you have any pets growing up? Yes, cat named Fuzzy, cat named Sox, dog named Bandit, dog named Minnie (had others after that but those are the ones we had when I was growing up)

7. What is your favorite thing about yourself? That I'm loyal.

8. Do you like sports? If so, who do you cheer for? I like sports but not a fanatic about any.  I root for the home teams - Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves but I also root for the Miami Dolphins and Alabama Crimson Tide.

9. What is your favorite season of the year? Why? Autumn, I love the cooler temperatures, all the colors of the trees, all the Fall Festivals and the smells of the season (pumpkin, cinnamon, etc)

10. Do you have a piece of jewelry you wear everyday? No, I don't wear much jewelry at all.

11. Name 3 things on your life bucket list. To go to England, To see the Statue of Liberty, To see the Alamo.

Those were some great questions!  Now here are my nominees:

Linda at Grandma's Vintage Recipes

Thomasina at Thomasina's Nine Lives & Times

Rollerscraper at Roller Scrapper

Chenelle at The Tall Girl Cooks

Stephanie at StefStyle

Staci at The Black Butterfly

Sukigirl at Sukigirl

Beadknitter at Beadknitter Gallery

Aimee Marie at The Maine Page Turner

Minna at Where I'm Me  

Bev at Bev's Country Cottage

My questions for you are:

1. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

2. If you could go back in time, what year or even would you pick?

3. Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?

4. Do you have any tattoos? If so what are they?

5. What is your favorite pizza topping?

6. Where did you go on your very first date?

7. What is your favorite day of the week? Why?

8. What skill do you wish you had?

9. What is your most inspirational quote?

10. Do you wear perfume daily?

11. Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?  

Thanks again Jen for the Liebster Award ! 

 

Funny Friday - Baby It's Cold Outside

Since it had been so cold throughout most of the USA this week, I thought this would be a perfect Funny Friday - have a great weekend.

Product Review - Batiste Dry Shampoo

One blog I regularly follow is Kevin & Amanda.  I first discovered Amanda when she was an active member of Two Peas In A Bucket.  She had some cute scrapbook recipe cards and I really liked her style.

One day she offered (for free I might add) to make fonts for many of the "peas" (what we call ourselves there).  They are fonts of their own handwriting - pretty cool!!!  She made a lot and I've used many of them. (I sent her mine but there must have had some problems with the way it was submitted or perhaps she didn't have time because she never created one for me - boo hoo).  It was super nice of her to do this for us!

She started posting recipes on her blog and before you know it, she was more known for recipes and cooking than for scrap booking and her blog really took off and is very popular.  I haven't seen much scrap booking from her in a while - I am sure she just doesn't have the time anymore.  Her website is really her "business" now.  She also has the more adorable Boston Terriers, but I digress.

Annnyyyyyywaaaayyy......
One day she posted a review of Batiste Dry Shampoo and said it was sold at Walgreens, among other places so I decided to give it a try.  I have used Psssssst before and like it well enough but it is so hard to find and I usually can't find it at a retail outlet (once in a while I find it at CVS but not always), so I thought since I can find Batiste at Walgreens, I would check it out.

At first I thought I was out of luck, but I finally found it - all they carried was the 1.6 oz Travel Size and that was okay, especially since I was just trying it out.

Let me tell you I LOVE this stuff.  I don't have a need for Dry Shampoo often but on those mornings, when I am in a rush and don't have time to shampoo, this is great !

They only had Original and Blush scent in stock, I got both.  I used Blush the first time.  I was really impressed with it.  Basically it is rice starch and it removes the oil from your hair and gives it volume.  The only thing I was a little put of by was the scent - it was a little strong for me and smelled like flowers (reminded me a bit of Personal Feminine Spray).  But I loved how my hair looked and unlike Psssssst, I didn't need to use it again the next day - it still looked great. So it lasts longer than Pssssssst.

The next time I needed to use it, I tried the original scent.  I like it much more - not as strong and sort of smells like Fruit Loops to me. 

So my overall review - a big THUMBS UP

WIP Wednesday

To try and keep myself on track with my crafty projects - I plan on posting some "Work In Progress" projects.

I know I said my main (and really only) goal was to complete my Around the World Afghan and it is (even though yesterday I couldn't resist a Mary Maxim sale and ordered an afghan pattern that I have been wanting for a really long time)

But...I stared this project during the holidays and want to finish it first because it is a small project and won't take me long (hopefully will finish by this weekend.

So this is my first Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday.

My friend Susan has a LOT of allergies and goes through tissues like no one's business.  She is also a huge fan of the show "The Big Bang Theory".

So...if you have seen this show on a regular basis....you will notice that next to "Sheldon's spot" on the couch is a Rubix Cube Tissue Box - you can see it in the photos below.

So - I almost have 2 sides completed (had some trouble with that blue yarn splitting) and I have 3 more sides to go.  I have considered making a coaster set but not sure yet.  Depends on how much yarn and canvas I have left over.

Read the Bible in a Year

I mentioned in my 2014 Goals posting that for several years, I have wanted to read the Bible throughout the year and have completely read it by the end of the year.  There are several reasons for this:

Spending time in God's Word, reading his revelation to mankind, is important in the daily life of a Christian. It is how we get to know God personally and intimately. Just think about this: God, Creator of the Universe, wrote a book to you. He wants to communicate with you on a daily basis!

Daily readings help us to gain a better understanding of God's purposes and his plan of salvation from beginning to end. Also, instead of seeing the Scriptures as a collection of disjointed books, chapters, and verses, through daily continued reading, we can see that the Bible is a unified, cohesive work. 

There are lots of reading plans out there - a simple Google search will produce many results.  Also, as I mentioned before, there is even a Bible designed specifically for daily readings.

Ultimately, I decided I wanted to read from Beginning to End, since God is the Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and End (Revelations 1:8).

If I decide to read through the entire Bible again, I will choose a different reading plan, probably Chronological.   For my initial, complete, reading though, I prefer to read it through in order as listed in the Bible.

Here is the plan I am reading if you'd like to join me.  It isn't too late to begin at Genesis 1 or you can just pick up with whatever day you are reading this and start from there.  I got it the reading plan from ewordtoday.com and revised it a little to include check boxes (because I like checking off things when I complete them). 

You can find my checklist here:  Bible Reading Plan (Beginning to End)

Family Ties - Grandma Slaughter

Mandy Thomas was born on April 10, 1916.  Her parents, James & Dora were both 31 at the time and lived in Westville, Florida (Holmes County).  Her father was a full blooded Mohawk Indian and her mother a full blooded Cherokee Indian (usual for tribes to mix).  They already had 4 children by the time Mandy came along:

• Nancy (aka: Nance), born in 1910
• Roxie (aka: Rocks), born in 1911
• Bernard (aka: Barney), born in 1912
• Rosa Belle (aka: Belle), born in 1913

They later would have 4 more after Mandy

• Lodusky (aka: Duck), born 1918
• Hosea (aka: Hosie), born 1920
• Harmon, born 1921
• Louis (pronounce Louie), born 1924

So Mandy was smack dab in the middle of the 9 children.

I haven't been able to find exactly what year, but she married but I think it was about 1932, when she was 16 (note to self, ask Aunt Betty).  She married William Clifton Slaughter, otherwise known as Cliff.

 Cliff and Mandy Slaughter

In 1934, Mandy had her first child, my dad, William Thomas Slaughter.  She went on to have three more children (my aunts and uncle)

• Voncile, 1936
• Betty, 1938
• Frank, 1942

Her husband, my grandpa, died in 1955 and I hear different stories as to the cause.  He was only 45, leaving her a widow at age 39.  She never married again.

 Son Frank, Mandy, daughter Betty

My memories of Grandma Slaughter:
Well...I really don't have a lot of memories about her.  I wish I knew more about her but my grandma was not a woman of many words.  You see, she was not what you would call the best mother in the world.  My dad has told me many stories about some of the abuse he took from her and his dad.  His father, and many uncles, were heavy drinkers and I think she may have been too in her early days but I never saw this side of her as she never drank by the time we came along.

Story 1 -- told to me by my dad
When my dad was about 14 or 15, he got a job driving a log truck.  He saved and saved and got enough to buy himself a couple of pair of "dungarees"  as he called it (blue jeans for me and you).  He filled out the order in the Sears & Roebuck catalog, put his money in the envelope and mailed it off before going to school one morning.

After a couple of weeks, he would check when he got home for his package.  The package didn't come, but one day he came home to find his oldest sister playing with a doll.  He discovered it came from Sears (I think he found the box in the trash pile).  They lived in the country - you piled up your trash in the yard and burned it when you had enough to do so.  When he asked his mother about it, she said "Well son, I guess they messed up the order and sent a doll instead of your dungarees" and so I gave it to your sister.  He didn't understand how they could do this and wasn't educated enough or old enough to know you could return something if you got the wrong order.  Later, he found out from one of his uncles that she had gone to the mailbox after he left for school that day and changed the order form - she ordered a doll and marked out the jeans.  She wanted her daughter to have a doll and didn't think he needed jeans since he had a pair already.  He said he cried when he found out but what could he do, it was his mom and he had no more money.

Story 2 -- also told to me by my dad
When my dad was in the Army, he would send home a couple of dollars every week (back in 1952, monthly salary was about $85 a month so it wasn't like he was rich).  Even though he sent money home, it wasn't enough I suppose.  She contacted the powers that be and told them that his family was starving and he wouldn't help them.  They started taking out 1/2 of his check and sending it to his mother.  Back then, they didn't need proof, they just did what they thought was "right" and they thought he should give his family half of his money.

There are other stories too but as you can see, they are along the same lines.  So needless to say, we didn't visit her a lot but we did visit.  My dad tried to be a good son, even though he didn't always get the best treatment.  He would do repairs for her and give her money when she needed it.

 Mandy with some of her grandchildren (my cousins Gary, Glenda, Sharon, Sammy and Sylvia)

Personal Memories
She was always nice to me - she'd hug me when she saw me but she wasn't all smiles and all - like grandmothers of today.  I don't really think that is her fault - I think her generation and her family just didn't show emotion much.  I remember arriving a few times while her "stories" were on TV - Her stories were As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Edge of Night.  If they were on, she'd wouldn't turn off the TV, she'd keep watching and once in a while glance our way and say a few things.

Once they were off, or if she wasn't watching TV when we arrived, she would offer to make us a banana sandwich or offer us some tea.  I never remember her cooking at all.  I am sure she probably did but she never cooked when we were there.

I remember asking her to blow up a balloon for me once and she said she couldn't because of her false teeth.  I didn't even know what that was at the time.  Her old house, which was the one my dad grew up in didn't have a bathroom - she had an outhouse.  We didn't stay too long for that reason too.  But when I was a teen, the old house was finally torn down and she got a nice new trailer and put it on the lot - I think my dad and uncle may have bought the trailer but I am not sure.

I loved the old house, I wish I had some pictures of it but of course as a kid, it never occurred to make to take photos and people just didn't take that many pictures in the 60s and 70s (film was expensive and developing even more expensive).  I have good memories of gathering there and playing with my cousins and hunting Easter eggs but I don't remember grandma being a big part of the festivities.  While I was a little sad to see the old house go, I was glad at the same time, when she got the trailer, because then she had a bathroom and heat and air.  It was a big improvement.  One more thing I remember about the house, besides the big porch and porch swing was that she had a horseshoe over the door, for luck.  I wish I had that horseshoe.  I wonder what happened to it?  It probably got thrown away when the house was destroyed.

All in all, she wasn't a bad grandmother - she didn't really show love or affection but she wasn't mean to us and she never fussed at us kids when we were running around on the porch or in the yard.  I am sure that she loved all her kids and loved us too, in the way she knew how.

She had a massive stroke in her early to mid 60s I believe. Later she had another one and this one left her in a coma.  My dear Aunt Betty took care of her after that - she stayed at home and my cousin, a nurse would see that my grandmother had her medical needs met and my aunt took good care of her until she passed away on December 2, 1993 at the age of 77.

My father had a really hard time when she passed away, it was the first time I ever saw him cry.  He was very upset.  Even though she hadn't always been good to him, he must have had some good memories of her.  She was his mom, he loved her.

She was part of my dad, she is part of me and part of her live on still through her 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren (if I counted right) and I don't even know how many great-great grand-children.  Your legacy lives Mandy Thomas Slaughter. 

 Mandy with family dog

Downton Abbey - Returns to PBS

It feels like ages - especially since I know that my friends in the U.K. have already had the pleasure of knowing what happens in Series 4 but.....I am so excited that Downton Abbey returns to Masterpiece Theater tonight.  I know what I will be doing the next 9 Sunday evenings at 9 PM

Do you watch Downton Abbey?  Who is your favorite character? 

2013 Concerts

Several years ago...I stood in the POURING rain during an Aerosmith/KISS concert (I had lawn seats and it poured buckets through the entire show).

I swore then that I was getting to old for this and decided to stop going to concerts (I've been to HUNDREDS in my life, one day I will list them all).

That lasted for several years.  The only concerts I saw pretty much since then were Donny & Marie or the Osmonds but they are special and I will always see them whenever I get a chance.

In 2013, however, I went to quite a few concerts.  Didn't really plan to do so but it just sort-of happened.

I suppose the first one was on May 5, 2013 - Edwin McCain at the Red Clay Theater.  My friend, Teresa, and I went.  I really consider this more of a "show" than a "concert" since it took place in a local venue, owned and operated by my friend, Eddie Owen.  But Edwin McCain has had quite a few mainstream hits...including I Could Not Ask For More and  I'll Be.  I am sure if you click on the you tube links that I have here - you will recognize these songs.  He was great !  Very interactive with the audience and I was also impressed with the opening act - Erick Baker.  If you ever get a chance to see either (or both) of these fellas - do it!

The first BIG concert was...Fleetwood Mac on June 10, 2013 at Philips Arena.  My friend, Anita, is a big fan of theirs and since a milestone birthday was coming up for her...I got tickets for she and I.  She drove down from Virginia and spent a few days with me and we saw a great show !  I have seen Stevie Nicks before and actually, she is sort of the reason that Anita and I became friends in the first place - another story for another time.  But...I hadn't seen Fleetwood Mac before - what an amazing show that was - wow - once in a lifetime I am sure !!

Just a few days later, my friend Susan and I went to Chastain Park to see Indigo Girls.  Now I have know Amy and Emily since before they were even signed recording artist so they are not "stars" to me, they are friends.  We grew up in the same town and we use to hang out at most of the same places in the late 1980s, early 90s.  So like the Osmonds, the Indigos get a pass when it comes to concerts - I see them whenever I can.

This time, they were playing with Joan Baez - a legend - who I had never seen.  She was great and of course the Indigos were great - they always are.

Then...a few days after that on June 20, 2013, my friend Lynn and I went to see Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees and New Kids On The Block.  She loves, loves, loves Donnie Wahlberg.  Now...I really like Boyz II Men, do not know much about 98 Degrees and like NKOTB but I wasn't what you would call "a fan".  In fact, if it were not for Lynn, this is not the type of concert I would have bought tickets to.  However, when NKOTB were in town a couple of years ago, I know Lynn was disappointed that she didn't get to go so I got her tickets for her birthday.  I told her she could take anyone, I didn't have to go but she wanted me to go. Boy, I am so glad she did.

Boyz II Men really pumped up the place and got us going - they were so much fun and such energy!

 

After their set, 98 Degrees performed.  They were really good too but I am sad to say that I didn't know a single song of theirs.  They put on a great performance, I enjoyed them but was ready for them to move along and bring on NKOTB.

I was blown away by NKOTB - WOW! WOW! WOW!  These guys are not singers - they are performers!!  Now all in their 40s - they are extremely energetic and sexy!  What a performance - I hadn't heard some of their new songs (they released a new CD for this tour) but I loved the new stuff as well as the old stuff that I was familiar with.  I am SOOOO glad I went to this show - one of the best shows I have ever seen!

 

Then after 3 concerts in one month, I took a little break - whew!  The next show was Adam Ant on August 4, 2013 at Center Stage.  My sister, Sheree, friend Susan and I all went to see him.  I was so happy when he came out with a new CD in 2013 - finally!! But about lost it when I saw he was not only doing a North American Tour but was coming to my town - whoo hoo !!!!!!  This was one of the highlights of my entire year !  He was amazing!  Sang about 5 new songs and the rest was all older stuff - even songs I would have never expected.  I love him so much.

Then another break for a few months and saw Gary Numan on October 25, 2013 at The Masquerade.  Again, more of a show, then a concert, per se, but I never, ever thought I would get to see him.  I was suppose to go to this with my friend, Susan but she was out of town for work so I just went by myself.  No one else I know really is familiar with his music (except for Cars).  While I like Cars, it is by far my fave.  I pretty much love EVERY song off the Telekon album.

Then on November 8, 2013, I went to see Chris Tomlin at the Gwinnett Area.  He is my favorite Contemporary Christian singer. I had planned to take my sister to this but she had decided to go out of town for her birthday so my friend, Teresa, went with me.  I didn't know if she'd like it because she isn't familiar with him at all - never heard of him.  Plus she doesn't really listen to Christian music.  But she loved it!  She sang right along (words were on a big screen) and seemed to really enjoy herself.  What a high energy show full of praise and worship!

And to finish out the year....I got to see Donny & Marie perform their Christmas show on December 10, 2013 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.  My friends Susan (from Indigos and Adam Ant), Lynn (from NKOTB) and Penny (co-worker), went too.  We had so much fun in Nashville (that is another story too) but the best part was seeing Donny and Marie - they played for over 2 hours and we were 8th row center!!  What a great way to end the year.