SMOKY KARAOKE!!!

Oh it's been a great coupla days! First of all, last Tuesday night I was in the semi-finals of the Rising Star Songwriting Competition at Puckett's in Franklin, TN. I did not make it to the final four. I know! Unbelievable! I was shocked myself. But, everyone was really good so at least I was beaten by really talented writers. Like that makes it hurt any less! Waaaahhh!!!

Then after, Kenny and I decided to go to karaoke. Even though I needed to be up at 5 am to leave for my holiday trip to Michigan and Canada the next day. We went and did you know you can still smoke in some bars and restaurants in Nashville? Oh yes, and it seemed like everyone in the place was lighting up and puffing away. I can't believe I ever did that! Oh well, we had a great time and I got back to my house around 11:30 pm. Finished up some last minute packing, put my clothes in the washer, and went to bed around 12.

The alarm went off immediately after that, at 5. Groan! I got up and went to put my clothes in the dryer. I had forgotten to turn the damn washer on! So, what to do? Wash them and dry them and get a late start? No way, I just washed them and traveled with a set of wet clothes in my car. But at least they weren't all smoky!

I know, that was a really inane story, but I thought it was funny at the time. Reading it here, I'm wondering, "who will care??? Really!"

So I hit lots of holiday traffic on the way and my 9 hour trip took 11 hours. But I had my bluetooth earbud (thanks Dave!) and caught up with a lot of friends and family on the way. Also listened to Stephen King's new book "Under the Dome" on audiobook. He's awesome. And, worked on a couple new song lyrics. All in all, a productive road trip.

I arrived in my hometown of Port Huron, Michigan, safe and sound, my friend Connie met me at my hotel and then we went out to The Roche to see who was going to show up to this mini-reunion we had tried to put together for the past month or so. It was great! But, did you know, you can stil smoke in some bars and restaurants in Michigan. Yeeeessssss.

Many of my childhood friends showed up, some I knew about, Connie, Lisa, Janice, Becky, and some I wasn't sure were going to make it, like Leslie, Joel and Tammi, and Connie's sister and niece. Dale and his friends were spinning some great tunes and we chatted and danced a little and then decided it was too crazy and smoky in there so we went next door to this brand new place called "The Alley," a non-smoking establishment, and more people showed up like Pam, Kathy, and Mark! I know I'm leaving people out, I'm sorry but this blog is going to be too long if I don't wrap it up soon!

Anyway, had such a blast! Next day, Thanksgiving, I traveled across the border to my Aunt and Uncle's in Corunna, Ontario, Canada. Their Thanksgiving was last month, but because my family is so cool, they prepared an American thanksgiving feast for me. My cousin Stephanie and her husband and kids came over. Her 13 year old boy is taller than me. I am shocked!

Yesterday my Aunt and I did a little shopping and visited my cousin Mark at his store, The Eye Opener, where I met the most recent addition to his family, Plano the Pug. That's her photo up there! She's so young, she still doesn't have full command of her legs! So cute and what an attitude. You know I love her to bits!

I went back into Port Huron last night for dinner at Connie's house and to see her kids again. I hadn't seen them for about 10 years. Her 16 year old son is taller than me. What's going on here? We had a great time going through old photos and laughing and her children are wonderful.

Today, my Aunt Carol is going to teach me to make cheese biscuits from scratch, because I've never been able to bake, and she's like the Yoda of baking, "there is no try, there is only do," so we're going to attempt this thang! Later we're having dinner with my cousin Mark and his family, then my cousin Stephanie and I are having a girl's night out. Wheee!

Tomorrow all cousins and kids will arrive for the tree-trimming festivities. And, although Christmas is a really hard holiday for me ever since my mom passed away, I'm sure watching those kids run around with the decorations is going to be spectacular. They're good for the soul, I tell ya.

Then Monday morning it's back on the road, back to Nashville for another fun-filled month of music.

Stay tuned for more fun!