John Prine

I'll put a picture up here soon to go with this blog, I promise, but right now I don't have time for it. Sadly, I also don't have an actual picture from the show (I was worried they would stop me at the door and not let me bring my camera inside the venue). I did, however, want to blog a wee bit about my experience at my most recent music show. This show being a John Prine concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee.


There are a few things that made this particular show a great deal more special than other shows I've been too. See, I come from a musical family. There are lots of folks from the Nunn clan that either play musical instruments, sing, or at least have music around them quite often. Some of my earliest memories are of music with my family, whether it was singing along to the radio, attending bluegrass festivals, or on the rare occassion, making our own music videos to popular songs at the time.

I'll never forget once when I was quite small, my Mom, Dad, Aunt Ida, and a couple of cousins, acting out the song "It's My Birthday" for me in our living room. You know the song, right? "Its my birthday and I'll cry if I want too..." Anyway, I had a record (that's right, an actual vinyl record) of The Chipmunks (yeah I know, I know) singing that song (actually it was probably the Chipettes, but I'm pretty sure the album was supposed to be primarily The Chipmunks...and I'm also pretty sure I still have it lying around in my closet somewhere). Anyway, they all got together and actually performed the song in the living room. Acted out the parts and everything. It was one of my best memories from childhood. :-)

My Dad used to play music to me on the guitar at night when I was small. He's not the best musician in the world, but he knows his stuff all the same. So my lullaby at night was often times "Wildwood Flower", sometimes he sang the words and sometimes he just played the melody, but to this day when I hear the song, I think of him and of that memory.

Which brings me to the John Prine concert. My Dad and I used to listen to WMMT on the radio while we milked cows. WMMT (if you aren't already aware of this wonderful radio station) comes out of Whitesburg, Kentucky and from my beloved Appalshop studios. WMMT is my absolute, all-time favorite radio station. You really can't get any better than that. Anyway, WMMT plays a lot of John Prine songs and so several years ago I bought one of his albums and fell in love with the songs. The lyrics...the melodies...all of it.

Circumstances being what they were though, I didn't really have the time or money to go to one of his shows. So I never bothered looking. Earlier this year however, I happened to hear one of his songs on the radio and it reminded me that I would like to see him live. So I looked it up and the closest show I could get (and one that wasn't on a work night) was at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga, TN. So without a second thought I ordered two tickets and then called my Dad to tell him not to make any plans for that night.

Last night was the show.

We drove the four hours South to Chattanooga. I fell in love with the city in just one night. It wasn't too big and it wasn't too small. I loved the way the streets were laid out. Which I guess is an odd thing to love about a city, but if you take into consideration that I was the one driving, then you will understand. The Tivoli was beautiful inside and out. My only real complaint was that the seats were really uncomfortable.

The place was packed and what was really funny about the entire thing, was that just by looking at people you could tell they were there for the concert. I don't know how to describe it other than to say that. They just looked like John Prine fans. Well, except for me I guess. I kinda looked like a priss, but it was completely unintentional. Most of the folks there were probably in their fifties or sixties. Some of them were what I would classify as "old hippies." The dude that sat next to us was wearing tye dye and smelt a LOT like he'd been visiting with his old friend Mary Jane right before coming to the show (if you know what I mean). But all in all, everyone was pretty laid back and seemed to be really excited about being there.

Leon Redbone opened up for Prine. He was amazing as well. Live jazz and blues are great and when you couple them with an old fashioned theater it made me feel like I had stepped back in time. It was awesome.

There were jokes and stories told and sing-a-longs with the audience. Prine performed all his hits and even closed out with "Paradise" which was nice. Of course I couldn't leave without a concert t-shirt...and a new CD. :-)

In may Old Crow Medicine Show is gonna be there and I would love to go back for that, but I have to work. Oh well...another time. :-) Next up...Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers in July!!! Gonna be sweet!

Anyway, I have to say, even though it was 8 hours on the road (four down and four back), I'm really glad I bought those tickets. Not just because I got to see John Prine in concert, but because it was a nice night out with my Dad. It was something that he would have never done on his own and I think it was a good experience for him and a good memory for me. :-)

Busy Little Bee

I've been super busy lately and haven't had a lot of time to post anything new about my life. Not that there has been much to post actually. I lead a fairly boring existence. However, this past weekend was fun filled and more exciting that usual. So I thought I'd blog about it a little.

First...I got a car! Finally!!! I've been without a vehicle since last September. Yes, that's right, Little Miss Road Trip has been car-less for roughly six months. Unbelievable! I'm not sure what has taken me so long to get a car, I guess its just been because I've had so much on my plate recently. All I do is work and go home and when I am home, I have about a zillion things I need to do. So I never really had time to do more than just browse the internet for vehicles. What I did know was that I wanted something a tad bit more roomy than my precious Cherry Darling.

Cherry was my first ever brand new car. She had five miles on her when I bought her. It was grand! A cherry red 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. I've always been a Chevy girl and I was in love with her the minute I saw her. Plus red is my favorite color, so that helps. ;-) Anywho...Cherry and I had a good run. We went a lot of places together in the two short years I owned her. We even traveled half-way across the country together that first Summer, but alas, all good things must come to an end and Cherry was no more as of September 10th, 2009 when a little green Camaro hit me head on, totaling my little red Cobalt.

After months of fighting with both my insurance company and the other guy's company, I finally received an insurance settlement (which I did not expect). A week later, I was on my way to a dealership in Nicholasville to get a 2009 Dodge Caliber. It was perfect. It was the very basic edition (which means no power anything - and I like that!) and a standard to boot! Plus it was RED!!! I was excited! However, when I got there I found out they had sold it the night before. Bummer. :-( I let the salesman talk me into test driving a Toyota Matrix, which I really liked, but it was when they put me behind the wheel of a 2009 Chevrolet HHR that I realized I had found MY car. I've named her Maisy (well technically its Juniper Maisy, I just call her Maisy for short). She's not exactly what I wanted (she isn't red, she has power everything, and she's automatic - darn), but she suits me perfectly. Furthermore, she is plenty roomy enough to haul around the wee ones in my life (Bella-Bonita and Turnip Head, and any others that may come along).

Saturday found me hitting the roads (who can blame me, I've been without a car for six months). My good friend Amy and I went to Richmond and ate at Olive Garden where we both had super yummy chicken and then we both got a tattoo. Her's was a moon and star on her bum...or at least just above her bum. It was cute, but not really my style. I don't typically go for a lot of color or anything TOO girly (the one exception being the daisy on my wrist in honor of my Mother who has a matching tattoo on her chest). I opted for two feathers behind my left ear. They are in honor of  my Cherokee heritage (something I get from my Mother's side of the family). Now I just have to figure out what to get for my Irish side (which makes up the rest of the majority of my blood line).

After dropping Amy off at her home, I headed to Richmond yet again (like most of my peeps, Amy lives back in Jackson County). I was supposed to be picking up another old friend that I've not seen in years (whatup Mel!) but sadly she wasn't able to meet up with me. We'll make plans for another time I'm sure, but in the meantime, I headed back to Rich City by myself. This time to the Paddy Wagon (Richmond's version of an Irish pub) to have a little St. Patrick's Day celebration with some cousins and friends. My lil' cousin Kayla's boyfriend was playing a show out back and it was a lovely day for it. I missed watching Jacob perform, but I had a blast anyway. A coupla hours later, my friend Hattie (and her boyfriend) showed up and we all hung out a bit while the UK game blared out from the screens inside. More live music followed, as did some yummy food, and well...I'm not gonna tell too much else on myself. I have enough people out there in the big wide world
 that know enough dirt on me, I'm sure not gonna go and help them along with even more. ;-) Nothing too bad though. Promise.

All in all it was a great weekend! One of the best I've had in a LONG time. :-D





(The last two photos were stolen from the other gal in the pictures. You know, my super cute baby cousin Kayla.) :-)

Ashlee's Birth Blessing (Better Late Than Never)

We had Ashlee's Birth Blessing party back in January, but I'm just now getting around to blogging about it. That is how busy my life has become. Anyway, for those that do not know, Ashlee is my younger cousin. The baby that she was pregnant with (she had Bella earlier this month) is my Goddaughter.


Ashlee's Birth Blessing was much like the others I've been too. There was food, gifts, a keepsake box, a charm bracelet, and of course some pampering of the Mommy-to-Be. So here are the photos from the night. Enjoy. :-)

(Story unleashed her inner-rock star.)

(Mom-to-Be & Cousin Sara)

(Story and Momma)

(Kayla's yummy chilli.)

(Kayla's equally yummy cake.)

(Sharing time.)

(We painted Ashlee's tummy for Bella.)

(Let the makeover begin.)

(Finished Product: A pampered, relaxed, and newly made-over Mommy-to-Be.)

Numba 1

Story turned one a few days ago, but because it was on a weekday Kayla and Jacob celebrated at home but planned her birthday bash for the weekend. Today was Story Jade's birthday party. I'm sure Kayla will post her own blog with lots of cute pictures, but to tide you over until she does, here are a few shots I took of Miss Turnip Head on her first birthday. :) Happy Birthday Story Jade!!!

Bella

 

Lookie, lookie! I'm a Godmother!

Since I'm not supposed to be doing such fun things as blogging while I'm at work, I will make this quick.

I just wanted to announce that I am officially a Godmother to little miss Isabella Jean Clemmons and include a lovely little picture of her. 

Later I'm sure I'll have more pictures and more things to say about my first ever experience as a Godmother. Until then however, here is a pic for you to enjoy her cuteness! :-)

~*~Bella~*~ (Phase One)

I'm not supposed to be on sites like this while I'm at work, but I can hardly contain myself!!! If I had a car (boo to you insurance company) I would just take off work this evening and I would be in Lexington right now at the hospital to witness the birth of my Goddaughter.

I doubt there is room in the delivery room right now because I'm sure its full of Grandmothers and a (very nervous) Father-to-Be, but I would at least like to be out in the waiting room so that when the nurse announces, "You can see her now." I could be one of the first to grace the doorway of my cousin's room.

I am so very excited to get to finally meet little Bella. I've already bought flowers for her Mommy (my younger cousin, Ashlee) and I suppose I can stop and buy a cigar for her Daddy (or maybe take him out for a beer tomorrow). I can't wait to see her. To meet her. To talk to her. To hold her. To count her toes and fingers. To rub her little head. Give her lots and lots of kisses.

I'm certain that as she gets older she'll be meaner than a snake, so I'm going to try to enjoy her sweetness while I  can. :-)

So good luck Ashlee. When six o'clock rolls around, push hard. And can't wait to meet Isabella Jean tomorrow!!!

Joy

I really want to be a Mom.

Of all the dreams, goals, and hopes I've had in my soon-to-be 28 years, only one has remained constant. I've always, always, always wanted to be a Mommy. Life doesn't always give you what you want though and I'm trying really hard right now to be patient and have faith that when the time is right I will be blessed with a child of my own. In the meantime, I consider it my duty to spoil all the children of my family and friends.

Today, my friend Brandon and his wife Nikki welcomed their first child into the world. They named her Zoey. She's a cutie and looks just like her Mom. I've known Brandon since we were three. He was my neighbor and became my friend while playing tag and hide-and-seek in the front yard. Brandon and Nikki have prayed so hard for this baby girl. They went through some trials to get to this point and I'm sure that everytime they look at her they will know that it has all been worth it.

Not too long ago, my friend Tabby and her husband Harold, had their first daughter together. Tabby already has a son that she adores and now she has a little Princess to spoil. I'm so happy for them both. Harold loved Tabby for three years before she finally decided to give her (already) best-friend a chance to be more and she's had a blessed life ever since. I'm sure she couldn't ask for a better Step-father to her son and Daddy to her daughter.

Just in the past couple of years alone everyone I know seems to be popping out babies right and left. Close friends...family...even not-so-close friends have all been having children. Story Jade came in to the world in 2009 and will soon be celebrating her very 1st birthday! Little Hyatt David (whom some call "H.D." and I call "Heavy Duty") just turned 2 last month. Lily (who turned 1 in October) got a baby brother, Mason for her Christmas gift. And my very first best friend, Crystal, had a baby in 2008 that has blessed her life a million times over. So its not hard to see why I have babies on the brain recently. Everyone around me is either getting pregnant or giving birth.

To top it all off, on Sunday, my little cousin Ashlee goes in to the hospital to start the process of inducing her labor. Hopefully, if all goes well (and I'm sure it will), my very first Goddaughter will be brought into the world by Monday evening. I'm so very excited to meet Isabella (whom I've decided to nickname "Bella-Bonita"). I think she will make a grand addition to the (really BIG) Nunn family.

But in all the joy and wonder of all these bright new flowers added to the world, its a little bittersweet for me.

I'm so happy for everyone else, but its strange too. I remember Brandon being a pain in my butt when we were kids...Travis (Lily & Mason's dad) and BJ (Heavy Duty's dad) being brats and trying to kill me with a jump rope (long story there)  when we were younger...Kayla being mean as a snake and throwing rocks at cars and all kinds of naughty things when she was still in Kindergarten...meeting Crystal for the first time when we were 5 and it was the very first day of Kindergarten...meeting Tabby in Middle School and thinking she was snotty because she wouldn't talk to me (even though she thought I was snotty because I wouldn't talk to her - lol)...and I can remember when they first brought Ashlee home from the hospital after she was born (for the record, I remember when they first brought Kayla home too).

Its just surreal for me to think of all those people (and many more that I know) as being Mommies and Daddies. And I can't wait to join their ranks. But until I do, I suppose I will have to be content to spoil all their kids and be a Godmother.

So congratulations to Brandon and Nikki, but also, congratulations to all ya'll out there with wee little ones. Hold them tight. Kiss and hug them lots and lots, and give them each a great big hug from me too. :-)