Having a fantastic time in Nashville....

(The Bluebird Cafe)

Day one:

I arrived in Nashville on Saturday afternoon, after getting my rental car and finding my hotel I decided to check out the famous The Bluebird Cafe. It was an awesome experience. I saw a bunch of great performers. My favorite, Natalie Tidwell has a fantastic voice. I bought her CD and have been listening to it as I drive around Nashville. She was very nice and we are now "friends" on facebook. If I can figure out how to upload a song on here I will do that with one of my favorites from her CD.

(Natalie Tidwell)

Day Two:

Was an incredible day..I did so much and took a bunch of great pictures. I Started my day off going to "Cowboy Church" this was an awesome experience and a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. The wife of the pastor is Joanne Cash Yates...yes Cash...the youngest sister of Johnny Cash and one of the performers was Stella Parton...Dolly Parton's sister. It was a very uplifting service with great music.

Right across the street was the Grand Ole Opry grounds. The Opry was closed for renovations but I was able to take pictures from outside and wander around the gift shop.

After that I headed into the city to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was absolutley fantastic. I loved walking through and learning all about the stars that were inducted into the Hall of Fame, from Dolly Parton to Garth Brooks. It was awesome!

When I left there, I walked up to the main street of town to see what was there and take some pictures. I saw the hardrock cafe and

Tootsies Lounge which I had read about on line and in my Nashville travel book. It was a really neat old place. One of those little hole in the wall places that you just know millions of people have been there before you. There were old pictures and records on the wall and a great band playing. I stayed for a bit and listened over a beer.

Day Three:

I spent the day in the cutest little town called Franklin. It was the most fantastic historic town with tons of great antique stores and restaurants. This was by far my favorite day. It was the type of town I would love to live in someday. Old buildings, friendly shop keepers, and a true sense of community.

I found this wonderful little cafe where I had a delicious latte and the most incredible cupcake I have ever eaten. It was called "The Curious Gourmet, Cupcake Cafe"

The cupcake I chose was german chocolate...it was so good. I sat in there enjoying my warm beverage and yummy cupcake for about an hour while I finished up a book. This was my least "touristy" day but by far, my favorite!

This brick wall was in the bathroom of the irish pub I had lunch in....loved it, so I took a picture.

New business venture....

Things are moving right along...

I leave for training in Nashville on the 17th of January and am very excited. My business name is "Simplicity Budget Counseling" with the website being www.simplicitybudgetcounseling.com

Just wanted to give you all the great news. Thanks for your support and encouragement over these past 2 years. Now I have the strength and motivation to help others.

My new ride!

Woo hoo! Check her out..she is sweet and sassy, fast and fun.....and...ALL MINE!

Good bye Honda...hello Nissan. That little car was so good to me. So many great trips up to the cabin and never once a problem. But she had a lot of miles on her...174k. I figured it was time to move on. So, I said good bye. I think that was actually the longest I have ever held onto a car. January would have been 6 years.

My new ride is a 2005 Nissan Murano. It has low miles and is in great overall condition. I am very happy with my purchase, I got a great vehicle at a great price. Its definitely a buyers market out there.

I haven't had time to do my first road trip yet but we will...soon.

Just horsing around!

I had the pleasure of going horseback riding Saturday in the beautiful Superstition Mountains. It was fantastic! The weather was perfect for a morning out with nature. It was a two hour ride and there were 3 of us plus the tour guide.

My horse was named "Mouse" he was mellow and well behaved...thank goodness! We started out at about 8am and it was a little cool at that time, but the sun was just about all the way up over the mountain so I knew it would warm up soon enough.

The owners of the ranch also have a bunch of cattle so we had some visitors as we were out there as well....They seemed a bit put off that we were riding in their spot.

They started picking up their pace as if we were chasing them. It was really funny...we just wanted them to move aside so we could pass.

A good time was had by all. It is hard not too when you surrounded by such beauty!

I am always amazed by horses and think they are just beautiful animals. Even though I am not an overly experienced rider, I really enjoy it.

It is really great down time for me...to be able to out in the wilderness...enjoy the beauty around me and feel peace in my heart.

Heading to Nashville....

As some of you may know. I have been working diligently, for the past few years to get all my debt paid off. It has been a very long and rewarding process but I made it. I now only owe money on my home. I am very excited and learned so much in this process. The next step, and its a big step, was to get certified to help other people. I sent my application, with the help of my friends and their letters of recommendation, to the Dave Ramsey group and after 6 weeks of waiting I found out that I have been accepted into the program. I am going to Nashville in January for training. If you are interested in learning more about what I am going to be doing here is a link to the website. I would be extremely grateful for your prayers and support as I start this new adventure in my life. I am very excited and really feel this is a great fit for me. I will be back from Nashville and will be able to start helping people at the end of January. I am in the process now of establishing a business name and website so when I get back from training I can hit the ground running. A special thanks to Evie, Jessamyn and Kristine for writting such amazing recommendation letters for me. I am blest to have you all in my life.

Walk with me....

...through an enchanted garden!

I came upon this wonderful garden while at the Jersey Shore with my family this summer. We were walking through a little town and this garden was next to a fantastic antique store. They had so many wonderful beack finds and nautical antiques. Of course its a little hard to shop when you can only bring one suitcase on the plane, but beleive me if I had more room and a larfer weight limit I would have had some serious fun shopping! I was taken by how abstract and gorgeous this little garden was. It was so peaceful and you could hear and smell the nearby sea. I sat on the little white bench for a few moments and enjoyed this little garden. I hope you do too.

September 11, 2008

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were ;there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the following:
Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. If you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength.'

My best friend Evie sent this to me and I thought it was a perfect reminder to post on my blog in honor of the victims of September 11, 2001. We all remember where we were that day, let's never forget!