Cherokee Steak House

I went out to see dad and Candie again tonight, and we ate at what used to be the very best steak place around: Cherokee Steak House.  It's right on the lake, next to the marina, just past Reba's place.  It was good, but not quite as good as I remembered.  We got steak, baked potatoes, salads, and yummy yeast rolls.  And dad and I split a key lime pie, which was more like cheesecake but still tasty.  I forgot to take a photo while we were there, so I stopped on the side of the road to snap this one on my way home later that night. 

It's worth a visit if you're in this part of the world.  =)

Tennessee Roads

I went to hang out with my dad tonight, out in Gallatin.  It's a decent sized town, but between there and here-- not much.  This was my view on the way home around midnight, as I'm just about to cross the river (you can just barely see the green sign announcing the bridge coming up).

It's weird to be driving again here.  Some places haven't changed a bit, like much of this drive along highway 109.  But other parts have changed so much that even though I should know where I am, I get totally lost.  It's mental. 

'Fraidy Cat

My mum inherited my sister's youngest cat, Captain Jack Sparrow.  He was peeing on everything (including the bed, right next to where I was asleep at the time!) and Jen couldn't take it any more.  So she shipped him off to mum's. 

Luckily, he hasn't been peeing on anything he shouldn't.  But he is the most scaredy cat I've ever known.  He runs if you even shift in your seat.  He's mental.  He'll play occasionally, and he will sometimes sit on the sofa near me.  And very rarely he won't startle and bolt if I move.  But mostly, he's a big ole chicken. 

Bwok bwok!

Reading Material

I borrowed Hearts in Atlantis while at my sister's, because she is a big Stephen King fan and has most everything in hardback.  Nice.  I enjoyed that, and when I got back here I discovered in with my books one that my mum had bought for my sister years ago.  I vaguely remembered that I had started reading it when in Tennessee on holiday, and even though I left it out, it must have gotten boxed up with my stuff after I'd gone.  So I decided to finish it before sending it on. 

I almost always enjoy his short stories, and this was no exception.  Some, of course, were better than others-- but it was a great read.  One a night before bed was the plan, but I found myself reading a lot more during the day.  I couldn't help it.  I love a well-crafted story, and when they are bizarre?  So much the better! 

Big Send-Off

I've been in Buffalo for five weeks, and it's been great being with the kiddos and Jen and Saum.  Mom has been up this week helping with the move, and we leave for Tennessee in the morning.  I know I'm going to miss the B's, and I think they're going to miss me... so Jen decided we needed to do something fun to make up for the fact I was leaving, to soften the blow, so to speak. 

What did we do, then?  Went bowling in Eden, of course!  And got pizza for dinner, with whoopee pie from scratch for dessert.  Good times! 

Although I have to say, a deserted bowling alley is a very creepy place...

The Real Thing

My sister and her family love wings.  I took them to Buffalo Wild Wings once in Lexington, and they've been eating them wherever they live ever since-- at chains or local joints, or making their own.  It's not so surprising they wound up in Buffalo, considering. 

So of course we had to go eat the original wings. 

I'm not a huge fan of the Buffalo style wings, to be honest.  But eating the real deal was an experience.  The place in itself is something to see inside--  madness.  And the wings were fine, of course.  Bubbs would happily eat wings every single day, so at least that's a plus.  He's a picky eater. 

Necessity?

Jen decided she absolutely must have a snow-blower.  Immediately. 

So we went shopping, and ended up with one from Home Depot.  She used it a little once we got it home (getting it loaded was horrible-- for the employees who had to lift and hoist it in the freezing, bitter, gale-force windy day, while I sat shivering in the car)... but I wonder how much use it'll get this season? 

Jen's Idea of Unpacking, Part 2

Sitting in her comfy, heated, massaging recliner, looking at books and telling me where to put them.  Naturally. 

Did I mention that it was me who brought all the boxes and bins over for her to go through?  And me who had to move them when they were done?  And me that had to put the stuff inside wherever it was supposed to go, or repack it?  And that is was me who had to put them up in the attic if they were being stored?  Yeah.  That was me. 

On the Bus

Today was Bubbee's first day of pre-k, and I think he was more excited about the fact that he gets to ride the school bus home from school.  Mom wasn't quite so keen on that part, but it went just fine.  See?

Jen's Idea of Unpacking

That would be sitting around, telling Saum what to do while she plays online on her iPhone.  Obviously. 

The Train Table

We spent a good part of the day in Medina (pronounced meh-DINE-uh, of course) at the train museum.  It's a very cool place.  The owner has a huge collection of train and firefighting memorabilia, plus an enourmous model train that takes up the whole place.  The volunteers make the models all themselves, and it's quite amazing. It even has places you can hit buttons and make things happen, as well as two separate tables just for kids to play. 

If you're ever in the area, you should go.  If you like trains, that is.  Even if you don't, it's still interesting. 

Swimmin'

The hotel had a pool (the 'cold pool') and a hot tub (the 'hot pool').  The kiddos were pretty wimpy, and so they spent most of the time with their equally wimpy mum in the hot pool-- although the did sometimes play with me in the cold pool.  Once they got out I swam some laps, and then got in the hot pool. 

It was always a nice way to spend an evening, before going back to the room for some American Pickers or Hoarders or Dog the Bounty Hunter, of course. 

Mmmmmmmm

Chips and salsa.  Sweet tea.  Oh yeah. 

Suppertime

For the 10th anniversary of my sister and brother-in-law's first date, guess where we ate? 

Double-Decker

The kiddos have matching hats... which my sister decided to put on at the same time.  As one does, of course.