Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach

This year’s girls’ trip to Surfside Beach was more relaxed than some years have been. This was the fourth year that Becky Rangel and I have been and the third year that Kandy has been able to join us. We left on Sunday, July 28 (I’d been home from Hindman one day),...
Michigan – Chicago Trip

Michigan – Chicago Trip

On June 24, Russ and I set out for our second-annual Michigan-Chicago trip. The trip up vexed me – at the last minute, Russ decided to go up through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, instead of my family’s traditional trip up the West Virginia Turnpike. I’ve never traveled...
Anniversary

Anniversary

June 19 marked the one-year anniversary of my gastric bypass surgery. It’s hard to believe it has been a year. It all just seems like a natural part of my life now. Well, for the most part. I do miss a few things – fried chicken, carbonated drinks, an occasional...
Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie

From “Hello” to “All Night Long” and every song in-between, the Lionel Richie concert at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville was everything I could have hoped for! The only thing I might have changed would have been for him to sing “Lady,” which he actually wrote for...
Dollywood

Dollywood

May Day, May Day! It’s a Dollywood getaway! Russ and I hadn’t been to Dollywood for several years. The last time I went, I had gained so much weight, I no longer fit on the roller coasters. Since that has always been my favorite part, the park lost its luster for me....
John Oates Concert

John Oates Concert

The night of the John Oates concert finally arrived!  When I first saw it advertised, I debated about whether to buy tickets. I liked the venue, our little local theater, The Paramount. But I just wasn’t convinced I would enjoy a show by Oates without Hall. It...