Everyone needs a set of these!!!

Our friends in Portland sent us a care package the other day. They are so thoughtful!!
Ryan got a ninja launcher, which is just what he needed, and I got the salt and pepper shakers.The salt and pepper comes right out of their cute little butts. It's awesome!!

You know you all want some :-)

They also came along with lots of CD's. They are into a lot of really cool unique music, and I always love it when they send us the new stuff they're listening to. Sometimes they will just send CD's of local musicians from the west coast. You never know what kinds of surprises are coming when the Rathmann's are in charge!!

Thanks Jeff and Karen!! We love you guys and can't wait to see you this winter!!!

Little Nashville Opry Fire

It was a little less than a year ago when I took what turns out to be my last trip to The Little Nashville Opry. This photo was taken just after Ryan and I saw Loretta Lynn last year in November. On the wall behind us, you see lots and lots of old album covers. All of which came from artists who have performed there over the years.

I am so sad that the Opry burned down last weekend. I have been seeing concerts there for nearly half my life. My first show there was Tanya Tucker, I think. In high school, when I was dating Matt Kinslow, we used to go down there all the time to see country artists perform. I just can't believe it's gone now.

I really hope Nashville Indiana can stand strong in the economy through this. It's really sad for all the business owners in that area. It would be such a shame if any of them had to shut down because of lost business due to the fire.

I am reallly upset that there has been news regarding the owners not paying taxes too!! That just makes the whole thing seem a little suspicious to me. The news has said that they owe nearly 70,000.00 in back taxes. No taxes have been paid on the property since 2005.

The real kicker here is the fact that the owner has had some unexplained trouble with fire in the past. According to one news report, his home burned to the ground in the mid 80's and it happened again in just the last few years. No cause was ever determined for either of those fires. I fear that will be the case for the Opry as well. I really do hope someone is able to find the cause AND I hope that the owners are NOT responsible.

I am so thankful that Ryan and I took a trip down south last fall and visited the Opry one last time. We already knew the night was special because we were actually getting the chance to see Loretta Lynn, but we had no idea how special it really was until last Saturday night.

RIP John Bonham

Nearly 30 years ago today, one of the greastest drummers of all time passed away. John Bonham was the drummer for Led Zeppelin. He died at the age of 32 on September 25th, 1980. I am very thankful for the contributions he made to music. I grew up listening to all kinds of music. Led Zeppelin included. I can remember singing D'yer Maker (pronounced with an English accent as "Jamaica") with my Dad when I was little. It wasn't until later in life that I realized that this song was much more than just a little catchy tune. Dad taught me that it was the first introduction a lot of people had to reggae music.

Led Zeppelin's music has always been in my life. When I hear them now, I find myself remeniscing and becoming very nostalgic about my Dad. Sometimes it's hard to believe a lot of the music is older than I am.

So, today I am thankful for John Bonham and his music, and I pray he is at peace.

House Corn

Everyone knows I love corn.

Apparently God wanted me to have my very own corn stalk this year:-)

So He made one pop up right at my front door.

Now I can sit on my old lady swing and watch the corn grow.