Merry Christmas

From Our house to Yours!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Little Birdie Told Me ...

That my alter-ego over at Gene Notes has been nominated for Family Tree Magazine's 40 Best Genealogy Blogs. I am stunned. My friend, Carol at Reflections From the Fence was also nominated.

You can vote go here to see the nominees and get a voting form. Votes must be in by December 20th.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Happy Birthday Diane

Today is one of my sister's birthday - hey I have four of them - so have to mention this one. This is the other "middle child" of our family. When we were kids, we were both tomboys, but Diane had her own hockey stick. I have no real eye-hand coordination, she has it in spades. Also, I'm a lefty, but this post is about her.

I was so excited to have a baby sister or brother. It didn't matter to me. I didn't mind not being the baby anymore. And I always wanted to hold her. I was just over four when she was born and one day I tried to get her out of her playpen. The old wooden kind and I got her head stuck between the bars. Mom got her unstuck easily. Must of had some practice with that now that I think about it.

I remember one day she got yelled at and we had to look for her. She was hiding in the closet, crying. Quietly. I never did anything quietly.

I remember when she started walking around 8-9 months old. She was tiny even then and would walk right under the kitchen table.


If you have ever been to her house for a party, you might notice the divided plates. They're there for a reason. Ask her about it.

Happy Birthday!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Football Match-ups

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away ...

I always wanted to use that line. But, it is how I feel about the Michigan - Ohio State match-up. I used to be a huge Michigan fan. Mostly because Bo Schembechler was at the helm of Michigan and the legendary Woody Hayes coached Ohio State. It made the annual game so exciting and fun. I can't even tell you who coaches M now. The last time I listened/watched was probably in 2006. While painting the living room and dining room of our old house in Michigan.

I think my fondness for the game is due to the memories of the 1978 Wolverine/Buckeye game Thanksgiving weekend. I think DH and I sealed our fate that day when he acted slightly out of character and pulled me on to his lap at a gameday party. A little over a month later we started bowling together as replacement bowlers on a team on one of the singles leagues the Ford Pendulum club sponsored. Then we started dating and the rest is history.

So while I have a lot of sentiment for that particular match-up, I don't really care if Michigan gets their but whipped.

Even further back, I was encouraged by a former boyfriend to like his team, the Michigan State Spartans - he was a freshman football player at MSU. I will admit that I would at that time rather root for any team other than MSU. Or Michigan for that matter. Back then I was a Notre Dame fan. Over the years, I became a fan of the underdog. I was always thrilled with Notre Dame or Northwestern clobbered one of the Michigan teams, or any Big Ten team for that matter. Today, I am again rooting for the teams I perceive to be the underdogs - Michigan against OSU and Michigan State against Penn State. I would really love to see MSU win a title.

Also playing today is my Southeastern Conference team, Tennessee. They expect to go to a bowl game, they have a 30 year streak of going to bowl games. I think they need to play well today to prove their worth. To me at least. Our own Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles - Ohio Valley Conference - finished 5-11 for the season. Their first two games were humiliations delivered by TCU (Texas Christian) and Arkansas. The rest of the games they lost were really close games except against Eastern Kentucky and Murray State.  TCU is undefeated and their game may be worth watching tomorrow. Also worth watching is the Arkansas - LSU lineup. Even the sports commentators agree with me on that.

Thanksgiving Day we watched the second half of the Lions-New England game. I wish we had watched the first half and then turned off the TV. Typical Detroit Lions game. Typical Thanksgiving day loss! Then last night we watched the end of the Nevada-Boise State Game. Talk about an exciting college game! It was super fantastic.

For those of my friends and family who know me and my attitude towards football, which is generally "Can we watch something else?" all I can say is that I am living in the South now and it is rubbing off on me. Next month Cookeville hosts the state high school championships, maybe we'll get tickets for that.

Clipart courtesy Clipartheaven.com

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

What is Up with Amazon?

image courtesy of www.freakingnews.com

DH and I ordered something from Amazon. Honestly there is no rush to it but you gotta wonder what are they thinking? First of all, it started off in Lexington, Kentucky. Cool, that's only four hours north of here. So is it here yet? No. First stop was Hebron, Kentucky, which is at least another hour and a half north of Lexington, west of the Cincinnati airport. So I checked again and it was in Southaven, Mississippi.  Now, that is almost 5 hours southwest of us. Give me a break. What kind of game are they playing? So if you see my package zip by - say hi for me!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Recycled Scrapbooking

I am enjoying this scrapbooking phase of my life. Once I get started on the 30+ years I have in bins, maybe not so much.

 I've been trying to convert our storeroom into a storage area/craft room. Last week I hung some floating shelves, which you can see to the right. This is an 8 x 8 room and one wall has two 6 foot high x 4 foot wide shelving units. My work table is my sewing machine cabinet. The sewing machine is not in it but in its case underneath the cabinet.

Over the weekend, DH and I attended the 10th Annual Art Prowl.  The scrapbook pages are made from a very colorful napkin I found at one of the art studios, and I've recycled handouts. Even the lettering is done from scraps I've saved from trimming 8.5 x 11 paper down to 6 x 11 (6 x 12 is the largest size I can use on my Cricut cutter.)  Not everything is completely glued down. And I have one more page to work on. If you click on the images you can see some of what we saw on the Prowl.

The art prowl is traditionally the first weekend in November here in Cookeville. If you are ever in the area, it is well worth seeing and it is free.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Sparky Anderson

I saw this in the Freep and it saddened me to hear that Sparky Anderson, the architect of the 1984 Detroit Tigers World Championship team, has been placed in hospice. This man was so much bigger than life, that it is inconceivable to think that he has diminished in any way. All the best to his family in this sad time.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Happy Birthday, DH!

Today my DH is one year closer to Social Security! As I slaved and toiled over his birthday card (made with Cricut and The Print Shop) I was reminded of the first birthday card for him that I signed. It was on our Thursday Night Singles league and I had to ask who Mr B was. Little did I know that several months later we would be an item and that just short weeks after the end of the league, we would be engaged.

For the first of his birthdays since our marriage, we were on our slightly delayed honeymoon in Vegas. It was his big 3-0. Many wonderful years have passed since then.  Happy Birthday!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Walk in the Woods

I like walking in the evening except when there are mosquitoes and/or gnats. DH and I took a nice walk at Cane Creek Park, but starting at the Rec Center and heading the most level way, there were so many gnats that when we got home I took a shower to make sure they were out of my hair.  ICK. We only did a mile because those things were so annoying. Glad we didn't try to make it all around the lake because I'm sure it would have gotten worse.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Glued to the TV

Well, no, not really. My kids swear by DVR. I prefer On Demand. And it certainly has been getting interesting. You see, DH and I have gotten addicted to Detroit 1-8-7 over the weekend. We were just looking for something different to watch and we tried it. Of course having ties to the Detroit area helps. As transplanted Michiganders, it can be fun to watch a series about Detroit homicide cops and see it the way non Michiganders might see it.

The really freaky thing is that the On Demand commercials are for the HD version of Beauty and the Beast and the just-released Secretariat. A little Disney pick-me-up between murders? And those are the only commercials they show. The same ones twice in each break throughout the whole show. Because we just saw last week's episode, it means we have to watch one more episode On Demand with those totally inappropriate commercials. Gah!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Fall in Tennessee

One of the pluses of  Putnam county in the fall, is the opportunity to renew our license plate tabs. Yep, both cars at the same time. In Michigan that cost would have been in the neighborhood of 225 bucks. Here in Putnam county? Both cars $48. One of the perks!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Grape Things

One of the hardest things to get used to is the somewhat later harvest of concord grapes in Tennessee. And even though we know we probably won't see any until after Labor Day, DH and I look for them in the stores here any way, starting in August. You see, we don't want to miss one minute of deliciousness.

I remember as a kid, neighbors down the street had several rows of  concord grapevines in their side yard. At the time I was young enough not to know that not every couple was married. In this instance, it was an elderly brother and sister sharing the house. The sister would encourage us to eat the grapes so they didn't rot on the vines when she and brother got too elderly to bother with them. Those were absolutely the best concord grapes I've ever had. Now that I look back, I wonder what the heck they were doing with all those grapes? Jelly? Wine in the fruit cellar?

My favorite way to eat them are washed and chilled. Pop one in your mouth, squirt the fruit and seeds and swallow. Chew that luscious skin, because that is the best part! I'd been eating them like that all my life, and to tell you the truth, never knew there were seeds in there!

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

On This Day ...

No, it didn't snow the day we moved.

I can't believe it has been three years since DH and I arrived in Tennessee. I remember the movers were done loading our stuff by noon, maybe even earlier and had loaded up his dad's stuff at the assisted living place and were one their way before we knew it. Hubby picked up lunch for us and it was weird, because we didn't even think to hold back a roll of paper towel or anything. We still had a garage full of stuff that the moves couldn't take (cleaning fluids & batteries) and we had to decided what to do with it all - most of it went to the city dump and we packed what we could in the remaining room in our vehicles. I remember it was a pretty cool day there in Michigan.  We waited almost four hours for the cleaning crew to show up and do the post movers vacuum and mopping. It was included in the move cost and it was well worth it.

Then we waited another hour for the buyer's real estate agent to show up to pick up the keys. While we lived in that house in Livonia from March of 1989 to October of 2007, 18-1/2 years, we were relieved to be done with the place. Except for the family members we left behind - especially our younger daughter - there isn't anything I REALLY miss there.  We had dinner with her and then we were off.

Our condo on the end

Now, I tell you when you move, even though someone else is doing the lifting and hauling and you have been up since 6 a.m., when 6 pm rolls around you are dead tired. Nevertheless, we got in our vehicles and started our two car caravan on the 600 mile trip to Tennessee. I must have been exhausted because we stopped for the night in Wapakoneta, which is only the half-way mark in Ohio. Hours later, we arrived at our rented condo.

DH and I had often contemplated what it would be like to live in a condo, and for the most part it wasn't bad. However, we were the first people actually living in this condo and in the last few months we were living there the builder was putting in another line of condos running perpendicular to ours and the construction noise was awful. Not to mention they would park in front of our drive and block us in. We lived for months with stuff in storage and other stuff in boxes in the garage. I was so glad to move into our own house and have our "things" out. Now if I could just put my hands on the odds and ends I haven't been able to locate!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Wild One Anniversary

Not only is it DH and my anniversary today, but fellow Wild One Diane and her hubby Chuck are celebrating their 36th anniversary today. Many more, Diane & Chuck!

In Cookeville in 2008

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Being Pulled Here and There

Lately, I've been pulled in many directions, and lately, it seems to be moving me towards inertia. That is not good. I had things all planned out for our wedding anniversary next week (#31) but those plans are in the process of being canceled. DH's 91-year-old father fell and broke his hip. Because of his age and other health problems he was not a candidate for the traditional 3-4 hour surgery for hip replacement.A repair was done instead. Originally scheduled for transfer to the rehab facility today, I think that may not happen either. This is what life in limbo is like! Wait and see.

On a brighter note, I joined the mailing list for ScrappingTable and got my first newsletter today. For those of you with Cricut cutters, this is very important. There is a program out there call Sure-Cuts-A-Lot that you can purchase through Michelle at ScrappingTable at a really good price. I did this at the beginning of the month and was able to download my program and then get access to lots of free fonts, shapes, templates, etc on her site. You don't have to purchase the program from her, you could just purchase access to her extras. Well worth it. Also Michelle has some helpful videos and some step-by-step instructions to help with SCAL (version 2.) Michelle has secure purchasing through Pay-Pal and you do not need an account with them. I downloaded my program and at a later date received the disk.

I mentioned in an earlier blog that you could use this program instead of buying lots of cartridges. Really, for the cost of about one cartridge, you can buy this program. If that isn't a deal, I don't know what is. Sure Cricut has their Design Studio, but it is really only meant to be used with their cartridges. With SCAL2 the only thing you need a cartridge for is to get the Cricut to cut anything. My Cricut (George) came with the Georges & Basic Shapes cartridge. I don't ever plan on buying another one. One of the things I like best about it - after playing with the software and George for a couple weeks is the ability to manipulate words and phrases to get them to look the way I want them to look. Also, there are so many free fonts out there, it's wonderful to be able to  easily change the look of something. The other thing you can do - and this is one of my favorites - is to trace a .jpg image and change it to a scut2 file for use with your program. This has been a lot of fun for me. The only thing I need is to make sure the dot runners don't run out!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Stealing the BBC Book List - Thanks to Unmitigated

Thanks to Unmitigated for Sharing. Here's my list:

The BBC apparently believes most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here (My count is 38, and a good number of them are due to my English lit and American lit teacher in high school,Cathy Guinan. The Dickens are from elementary school. I got my love of reading from my mom. I was reading the same novels she was when I was 11 and 12 and she began to censor my reading. I didn't count the ones I started and never finished - David Copperfield and Les Miserables, Pride & Prejudice, etc.)

BOLD THE ONES YOU’VE READ!
1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible - (What can I say? At one time I was interested?)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell  - Actually the title is 1984 in numerals, not spelled out.
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott - This is one of my all time faves, along with Little Men and Jo's Boys.
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy.
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth.
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding - I read both of them. Insane laughter followed.
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson - It only made the BBC list because it's about Great Britain.
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt.
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens Sorry, but that is a novelette, not a book.
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Me and George

A couple nights ago, my DH was headed out to a meeting of his Civil War Roundtable group, celebrating Tennessee Constitution Day, and what was to be a televised gubernatorial (I LOVE that word) debate. I figured he'd be gone until at least 8 or 9 o'clock. That would leave plenty of time for George and I to get to know each other, get some hands on experience with him. But DH came home unexpectedly early and we were interrupted.

All right get your minds out of the gutter. George is the name I've given my Cricut personal cutter - since that is the name of the cartridge that came with him. No, I don't name everything George unlike someone I know. But Georgie and I got to have some fun time anyway and I am trying to think of some additional creative ways to use him. It seems that you can find stuff all over the web about creative uses for Cricut cutters.

The latest Provo Craft creation is the Cricut Imagine. Okay, that is for sure something I can live without. I dumped my last printer because it was an HP and had been giving me problems for months. After a while you learn, and hubby and I agree we won't be purchasing any more HP products.  That was number one thing that turned me off about the new Imagine (disregarding the fact that my Cricut is only a week old) that it teamed with HP; but the other thing is that it is not possible to reposition the blade, like you can with my Cricut and the Expression. I have a feeling the inks are going to be outrageous too. The machine on HSN.com is $580 and the black cartridge is $35. Funny, but I can't find prices for any other ink cartridges.  I'm sure there are plenty of people buying it, but I think it's going to suck the creativity out of people rather than make them more creative.

But that's just my opinion.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

She's the Baby, Gotta Love Her!

Happy birthday, baby sis! Many moons ago, when I was 13, my mom presented us with yet another - and thankfully the last - baby sister. You know, it's funny, but I don't really remember what boy name we picked out, I just remember my dad insisting that we name this one - if a girl - Tina Elizabeth so we could call her Tin Lizzie. Yeah, bad joke. I have to admit my reaction to the news that I had another sister instead of a second brother, was less than thrilled.

Yet, this little kid grew on me. Despite the fact that she christened me with smelly baby spit-up in the car on the way home after her baptism. This was in the day before regulation car seats. I held her all the way home, and it wasn't a short trip either!

She had otitis media as a toddler and we would laugh at her speech (we were really mean siblings) and would get hysterical when she would imitate our dad and shout "SHUT THE DAMN DOOWAH! 

Years later, after I moved out of the house, she would latch onto my leg and beg me not to leave. I'd walk to the front door dragging her behind me.

Jenni & her hubs Tom

Despite the teasing she received from all her older sibs, she turned out really good! I'm proud to have her as a sister!  Happy birthday!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Adventures of an Insomniac

There were many times growing up when I would wake up in the middle of the night and my dad would be awake and in the living room watching TV until the "Star Spangled Banner" played and the picture reverted to the colored bars. Those of you who grew up with cable won't remember this, but channels used to go off the air. In his last years, when he had a computer and the internet (which he didn't understand at all, but loved) he could send email or search for sailors from the the Cronin, the destroyer escort he served on during World War II. But there was no doubt he was a night person.

I'm a night person too, but there is a point where the night person ends and the insomniac begins. Yesterday, I made the gargantuan mistake of crashing for an hour and a half in the late afternoon after a restless night the night before. You guessed it, last night I was awake until all hours. And when I finally did get to sleep, was it peaceful? Hell no! I had the weirdest dreams involving, elves, fairies, time travelers & HGTV Design Star winners. Even then, I awoke periodically to glare at the numbers on the clock hoping it would just be time to wake up and start the day. So today, I feel like I got run over by a truck - A BIG TRUCK! I had a quick catnap which has done nothing to rejuvenate me. I'm hoping I can stay awake until bedtime now, because if I don't, it will be another awful night. At least I will have the internet to keep me entertained. Yawn!


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Automated Message - I'm Having Too Much Fun

Poor Generational doesn't get much attention lately, and I feel like I should have one of those "I'm away from my desk right now" messages on this blog!

It all started last month when I attended the 3rd Annual Scrapbooking Luau put on by the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) at one of the local churches. IT. WAS. A. BLAST.  I even got something accomplished - a heritage book - and am now thoroughly bitten by the scrapbook bug. Years ago, like when I was 13 or 14, I attempted to scrapbook, and what ended up was a bunch of stuff glued into a scrapbook. I still have it. Things have more or less come unglued from it.

My Cricut Personal Cutter

I will admit, I am jealous of people with their beautiful layouts and die-cut letters and phrases. Then I found out I could have that too. So now I do. It came today. The good thing about it is it will cut just about anything. The bad thing about it, is it requires these little cartridges. Or so I thought ...

Sure Cuts A Lot 2 by Craft Edge

Then I discovered Sure Cuts A Lot 2. And thanks to some wonderful videos courtesy of Michelle at ScrappingTable.com, I found out I only needed the cartridge that came with the cutter (because a cartridge needs to be inserted in order for it to work) and a USB cord. I am in scrapbook heaven. My first project is already complete and the subject was ... the Scrapbooking Luau that I attended. Again, thanks to Michelle at ScrappingTable, I was able to figure out some ins and outs and produce my first layout. It sort of reminds me of being on yearbook staff senior year in high school. Only more fun and no deadlines!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Maybe I Don't Want to Live to be That Old

Every so often, you see something in the news that you just can't believe it. Such was a news report that the oldest living man in Tokyo, purported to be 111 years old, actually died 32 years ago. And the oldest living Tokyo woman, age 113, can't be located. Really.

And apparently they hold a national day of celebration for the elderly. But no one has checked them. So I guess Tokyo authorities were quite shocked to find the oldest man. Who died 32 years ago, so I guess the gifts sent to him to celebrate his longevity went to ... whomever allowed his mummified remains to er remain in his bedroom.


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

The Passing of the Guard

I read today on Dick Purtan's blog of the passing of Jac LeGoff, former Detroit newscaster. I have very fond memories of Detroit broadcasting having grown up in the western 'burbs of Detroit. The news became a real focus for me at the age of 15 during the 1967 Detroit riots (do the math). It's funny, but people didn't flip through stations like they do now - probably due to the lack of remote controls. Mostly my folks watched channels 2 and 7 though, so I do remember Jac LeGoff.

And thanks to Mr. Purtan, I hear also that Jerry Hodak is retiring. Wow, I can't believe he's been on air for 45 years. Weather people come and go but Jerry Hodak has been a constant on Detroit television. Best wishes, Mr. Hodak.

Our yearly birthday visit to our younger daughter up in Michigan was great. It's always great to spend time with our youngest, some of my siblings and DH's cousins. What was really weird though was not being able to tune to WOMC and hear Dick Purtan and Purtan's People. I grew up with favorite radio stations, starting with WKNR, CKLW (ok, so this was in Windsor), WXYZ, and WOMC among others. I doubt that teens nowadays even listen to as much radio as I did throughout my life. They don't know what they are missing.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Organic Does Not Equal Appetizing

As an excuse to listen to an audiobook loaned by my sister for our long ride from Michigan back to Tennessee, my husband and I drove to Sparta for lunch.  On our way back, along Burgess Falls road, we stopped at the MMKM Family Produce Market, in Baxter hoping to pick up a watermelon or some fresh corn.

What we got instead was snapped at by the owner for DARING to open the cooler and peel back a little of the husk to get a look at the corn that he assured us they did not spray with chemicals. He said that if we bought six ears of corn, he would give us eight. I guess to make sure that we got six edible ears? Maybe he should think twice about not spraying because the corn looked awful, the peaches were mushy looking and his attitude sucked.

I'm not so sorry mister that you lost a customer today.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Jumpin' Jehosaphat! Just Baked!

Our Younger Daughter dragged us (kicking and screaming ... NOT) to Just Baked! at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi on our last night up north. OMG !!!!!!!! If you have NEVER been there go NOW! JB has a version of Sanders Bumpy cake called Grumpy Cake cupcake. Yes, I said cupcake. To die for. DH enjoyed a grasshopper cupcake and YD selected some for her work pals. It was such a welcome snack after those Buffalo Wild Wings hot wings.

It's a good thing we don't live near there any more!
 
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Ramblin' Around

Shortly before DH and I left on vacation we purchased a GPS unit for my  CR-V. His car came equipped with an integrated one, but I dare you to get more than a suitcase in the trunk of his Civic Hybrid. It's small and a little uncomfortable on long trips.

So the GPS, which we call "Vee" after my CR-V, tells us where to go. We found she is especially handy in telling us which lane to drive in. Especially in cities like Cincinnati, where you really do want to be in the right lane.

This morning, before we left Wixom she directed us to a bank. Then she directed us onto I-96 and then I-275 for the start of the 600+ mile trip home. On our trip north, she was nice enough to alert us to delays via her traffic and maps feature.

Now DH is learning some of her wonderful features.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Weird Stuff and Weather Alerts

 On my igoogle home page, I use Weather Bug to show the temperature for Cookeville, TN, where we live and Novi, Michigan where YD lives. Here's the thing. The temp and forecast displayed ARE NOT FOR COOKEVILLE. Nope. They are for Crossville, 40 miles away and 800 feet high in elevation. So when the temp appears to be 78 degrees in Cookeville, that is really the temp in Crossville.

The odd thing is that Novi's forecast temperature is 94 degrees and they have a weather alert. Crossville/Cookeville's forecast is 94 degrees and no weather alert. Believe me, if they are forecasting 94 degrees at an elevation of 2000 feet, that is worthy of a weather alert!

Also, check out cousin Karen's Relatively Speaking blog today.
Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Special Edition - Happy Father's Day!

There are times, like today, that I really miss my dad. Or during the hockey season. Or when something needs to be fixed. I find I have started "channeling" him. Like giving one of the daughters a tickling pinch at the waist while making a weird noise. I remember as a kid, trying to see how close I could get to him and just staying out of waist pinch, weird noise range.

Now I find myself saying "Hank" words, such as pritnear (pretty near). Or one of his favorite phrases "Colder than a witches tit." Or trying to figure out which of his granddads was Peepaw and which one was Popoo. Popoo was how my kids referred to him. That great mystery solved - Peepaw was his grandfather Percival, grandfather Bowman was Popoo - I remember calling him when something needed fixing, replacing or installing (dishwasher, 1984, Redford township.) My dad loved being called on to fix things. And he loved telling us how to do things, because his way was the only way. I even remember him telling me how to get someplace in the town where I grew up.

My dad would occasionally tell stories of his childhood, and one time while on vacation with some of us, he told a story of a proper dinner party his parents held in Detroit. Then he cracked us up with the caveat: This was before my mother died. Okay, so it didn't take much to make us laugh. My dad was a real softy under a tough outer skin. He'd get that real strict look on his face at dinner time and in the next instant make us spit milk out through our noses.

Coming from a large family of one brother and 4 sisters, I swore I would marry an only child, which I did. I know he is still sometimes speechless when we all get together since we are a bit of a loud, rowdy family. Sometimes I'm not sure that he is just speechless or just can't get in a word edgewise!

I married a man like my dad. No my DH is in no way handy. He worked a desk job all those years with numbers and finance being his strong suits. But his family always came first like my dad. He is always happier at home, than away from home. He loves to travel like my dad, for which I am eternally grateful. He is a warm loving man and not afraid to show it, even if he sometimes presents a stern countenance.

To my DH! You are the best father to our kids, that a man can be. I'm so glad I gave you the chance!


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Always an Adventure, Part II

Still enjoying the fresh, non-stale elevator air and back home. Holiday Inn Express did end up comping the room for the second night, and we are glad to say that they have a meeting scheduled for next week to refresh ALL the employees on proper procedure in case of a power failure and guests stuck in elevator. Hope it never happens again!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Always An Adventure

First, I have to say Thanks a lot, Lexington, Kentucky Fireman for rescuing us. We really appreciate it. We can't tell you how much. But I am sure from our relieved faces you could tell how grateful we were.

My DH and I finally got a chance to get away for a couple nights, to one of my favorite places, Lexington, Kentucky. I always feel at home here, and I should, because a goodly number of my ancestors lived here from the late 1700's until 1891, when my great-great-great grandfather, Joseph Graves Chinn died. It gives him a chance to walk around downtown Lexington, and me a chance to hit the library for research and the Lexington cemetery to continue my photo project.

We have a Priority Club card through Holiday Inn and usually stay at the HI Express at exit 110. This trip was no exception. We had a nice drive up from Tennessee, went to lunch across the street at Cracker Barrel, came back to our room to figure out what we needed to take with us on our shopping expedition (the list of stuff we couldn't find in TN) took the elevator down to the lobby ... and nothing happened. Apparently a transformer near the hotel went out and knocked out most of the power and we were stuck in the elevator. We pressed the emergency button, and got no response. So we used the emergency phone and called the front desk. We were assured help was on its way. Ten minutes later, we called again, and were assured the maintenance guy would be there soon to get us out. Too bad he didn't know what to do. By this time this 5 x 5 elevator was getting pretty warm so DH calls the front desk on his cell phone. Apparently another guest has heard us beating on the door and yelling and she insisted the desk clerk call the police or fire department, which she finally does after telling the other guest she wasn't sure anyone was in the elevator. Hello? Desk Clerk, we called you three times to tell you we were stuck. The sad thing is that no one from the Hotel came to check on us to make sure we were okay.

Finally, after about 30 minutes, the nice Lexington Fire Department came to rescue us. They knew how to operate the key and force the door open. Too bad the hotel employees weren't trained to handle that emergency.


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Cream City is Open!!!

When DH and I were first scoping out this little 'ville halfway between the two big 'villes - Nashville & Knoxville - we saw a sign that we thought was an ice-cream place. Cream City. Boy, were we disappointed to find out it wasn't an ice cream place and wasn't open either. Soon after that it became the home of a nice chocolate place, then a short-lived cafe. After some time, it was scheduled to open as a pastry place, but that fell through. Too bad.

But now, it is open as an ice cream and coffee place. And just not ice cream and coffee either, but any coffee drink, shake, sundae that you can imagine. The owner assured us the ice cream is custom made, and I have to tell you I was brave enough to have the "garbage" ice cream. OMG! It was so good. The decor is cute. Lime green walls and metal tables - I especially like the idea of the pierced metal tables that had those battery operated touch lights for night. It's going to look really special.

Certainly hope our little 'ville supports this great place on the west side of downtown.

[Photo courtesy of www.CookevilleCityscape.com]
 

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Are You Sure It Isn't Monday?

Some days, it just doesn't pay to get up early and try to get things done. For example, this morning I had an oil change scheduled for my CR-V. Up early and out the door coffee in hand. This 20 minute oil change took almost an hour - I am conceding that they may have been backed up and I am okay with that - but then when the guy brought my car around, he left the driver's window open. And then the deluge. Yep. So I was there for another hour while they tried to dry up the seat. I can attest to the fact that the seat was still damp and so was my rear by the time I made the two mile trip home. Consolation prize? Next oil change is free.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Memorial Day

On this memorial day I am remembering my family members who fought in various wars.


Timothy Percival, my great great great great great grandfather - Revolution
Jabez Percival, my great great great great grandfather - Revolution

Abraham Bowman, my great great great great grandfather - Revolution
Joseph Graves Chinn, my great great great grandfather - War of 1812
Joseph Garland Chinn, my great great grand uncle - Mexican War
John Bowman Chinn, my great great grandfather - Civil War - Confederate - died on retreat from Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern)
John Stearns Percival, my great great grandfather - Civil War- Confederate - killed at Bayou Meto Pass, outside of Little Rock, Arkansas
John Garland Webb, my great great grandfather - Civil War - Confederate - captured and paroled (some of his brothers also were confederate soldiers.)
John Stearns Percival, my grandfather - World War I - Co D 23rd Engineers
Charles Zimmeth, my grandfather - World War I - 12th Machine Gun Battalion
John Bowman, my great granduncle, World War I - Quartermaster corps

Frank Percival, my father - World War II - US Navy
Bernard Kruszka, my father-in-law - World War II - US Army Air Corps
John Zimmeth, my uncle - World War II
Angus Mack, my uncle - World War II.




Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

You Know Its a Small Town When ...

Took older daughter, who was taking a break from unpacking out to lunch today to "Made With Love." The people who work there are really nice and friendly. When you go for lunch you walk up to the counter and order off the menus on the wall. OD had the triple stack club sandwich. None of this turkey sliced lunch meat, the turkey was about a half inch slice of turkey. OD ate half the sandwich and took the rest home for her dinner tonight.

While we were enjoying lunch, OD's new landlord walked in as he was meeting a group there. He saw Sara, came over and introduced himself to us, made sure she was keeping a list of what needed attention and chatted about small town life for a while. He is a California native. It seemed that he knew everyone in there. But is nice to go someplace in town where you can run into neighbors and friends. OD is really glad this place is within walking distance of her new place. 

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Booster Shot

Today is annual termite inspection. They look so cute in their little uniforms. Kidding. Today the Pest guy came out to do the annual termite inspection - we have none - and to do the booster shot for them. Have you ever talked to a Pest Control guy? I think they inhale too much insecticide.

But having suffered carpenter ants in Michigan, I am well prepared to pay the money periodically to prevent that kind of stuff here. Also, eventually when our house is sold, it will pass the required termite inspection.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Soapbox Time

You think I'm going to talk about the soapbox derby, right? Yeah, no!

I really love this little city we live in, Cookeville, Tennessee. It's charming, it's a college town, it's the hub of the upper Cumberland. While it lacks some amenities, I have to say there is one thing it really lacks and that is sidewalks.

For a town trying to attract retirees, it sure has not done much to make the area walkable. There should be some sort of sidewalks in residential neighborhoods. It is appalling to see someone in a wheelchair trying to navigate some of the side streets, for instance Chestnut and 3rd.

On major intersections such as Jackson and Willow, there is no way for pedestrians to get across the street. There are no walk/don't walk lights, and frankly, no crosswalks. And how is someone in a wheelchair supposed to navigate around a telephone pole in the middle of a sidewalk in that intersection without going in the street. And the area where sidewalks are installed, has no consistency which side of the street they are on. Children play in the street here because there are no sidewalks on residential streets. Maybe that would have been a better use of TARP money.

I think the new bus system is a joke. I don't think it will ever make money or even break even, because no one rides it. Well, maybe Tech students ride it down to Restaurant Row, but they ride for free, so what's the point. The bus schedule and route is not useful for the general public because of the lack of routes. If I could walk to Willow and pick up the bus to go downtown to the library, I would do so, but there is no route on Willow. And if you miss your bus, be prepared to wait an hour. I doubt Cookeville looked far into the future when planning this out.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Was That a Yes?

Thirty-one years ago this evening, my DH popped the question. We think. It was not a "will you marry me" straightforward proposal. To this day we can't remember exactly what he said.

I didn't say yes. I threw myself at him. He asked me "Was that a yes?" My response was "Was that a proposal?"

He said yes. I said yes. The rest is history!  Happy engagement anniversary, DH! I love you more today than 31 years ago!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking: Carol's Turn

Ole Carol, as she sometimes refers to herself is up today with Relatively Speaking. I think it's a bit of a follow up on Karen's research folder blog. 

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

"Irises. Lots of Them. Looking Like They Don't Care!"

A paraphrase from the movie Holiday Inn. So the character really asked for orchids. 

These beauties are  from my backyard via Tipton, Michigan.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

No Ducks Yet, But ...

As residents of Middle Tennessee, my DH and I have been caught up with the news of flooding in Memphis, Nashville, Franklin and Antioch. I can't even imagine getting 15 inches of rain in one day.

And it is hard to believe that two years ago we were in the second year of a severe drought. In April of this year we had 1.6 inches of rain and thought for sure we were headed for another drought. Yesterday, we had 3+ inches of rain with more severe storms coming today. Last night we went to bed worrying about flooding and this morning woke to dry pavement, deck and no standing water.

The picture to the left is the west side of our lot, which is the lowest part. This is the first part to fill with water. Here it is slightly higher than normal after a storm. The photo on the right is on the east side of our lot, and you can see that the neighbor's drive is partially flooded and that the water extends onto our lot to the two trees left and center. You can obviously tell both photos were taken through the window screens.

We feel very fortunate especially after hearing that they are experiencing flooding at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

If I thought I Could Fix It ...

When we lived in Michigan, we bought two La-Z-Boy recliners in red leather, that I really like. They are very comfy and a great place to take a nap.  Unfortunately, since moving here both have experienced a broken spring in the recliner mechanism. It was obvious with each of them. When we took the first one in last year, we had it back in a few days. When mine went a couple weeks ago, we took the parts that had fallen off it when the spring broke, told them the spring broke and they had it at least a week before they even ordered the part. I still don't have my chair back after 11 days. Personally, if I thought I could fix it, I would stock the parts and fix it myself.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Cleanup Day

What DH and I hadn't intended to do today was to defoliate some tree limbs that came down in last night's storm.  The big limb on the left is what brought the other two down. DH is standing right at the back of the limbs, so you can see it was a mess!

We spent an hour defoliating the limbs. Our nice neighbor behind us wants the firewood and will come with his chain saw and cut it up and take what he wants! We gave our chain saw to DH's cousin and her husband before we moved from Michigan. Nice neighbor behind (all our neighbors are nice) says straight line winds damaged a lot of trees in the neighborhood five or six years ago. This tree was one of them.

But, because we spent some time outside today, we got to enjoy the lovely yellow irises from cousin/friend Carol back in Michigan.

And I got to enjoy a visit from an indigo bunting this afternoon at the bird feeder, while uploading photos!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

TERMINAL BREWHOUSE

It occurred to me that I hadn't blogged about any restaurants lately. Shame one me. I can't say we've eaten anywhere unique or special until today.

Today's lunch was in Chattanooga, Tennessee. DH and I took a day trip to meet up with a friend who was visiting family in Isabella, Tennessee. We met up at the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and ended up having lunch at the Terminal Brewhouse. This is a rarity in Tennessee, a microbrewery. I had a great sandwich, the FruFru which was grilled chicken with pears and brie. DH had a burger and Friend had a salmon sandwich. The beer was good. Not great by Michigan standards. Unfortunately for the Terminal Brewhouse, DH and I measure beer by the Sports Brewpub in Wyandotte, Michigan, which crafts and serves the finest beer in the western hemisphere (IMHO.) Too bad that's in Michigan and we're here in Tennessee! Of the sampler that I had of 6 beers only the first and last were memorable - the Belgian Wit and the Oatmeal Stout. But it was still worth having lunch there!



Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Happy 30th Birthday! Cheat Edition

I can't believe she is 30 today. That sweet, tiny little bundle with the dark, curly hair is all grown up - well mostly!

When you bring that precious little bundle home from the hospital, you have no idea of the fears, tears, and joy they will bring. You hope, you pray and then you live through it all, good and bad and love them like crazy.

Then one day you turn around and that sweet little baby has turned 30 on you!

Happy Birthday, Sara!

P.S. Did you figure out our prank yet?



Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

This really hurts.

There is a practice going on here in Tennessee that just irritates the you-know-what out of me. It's called tree-topping. People will call a so-called professional to get their trees trimmed because of falling branches and instead of trimming the trees, they denude them. So then the tree in a year or so will look like this.

What these so called professionals are doing is killing these trees. I love trees, and was sad to take down the number of trees we did to build our house. Fortunately most of those were diseased dogwoods.

Please, please, do not do this to your trees!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking - Cousins that blog!

Don't forget to follow the link to Karen's blog for her take on Relatively Speaking. Click here!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Weather Fun!

Yes, I whined about the cold and snow here all winter long. Then Spring came and temps went from 50 to 86 in the blink of an eye. Yes. 86 degrees. I just finished reading the Weather Guy's blog and not only were we 20 degrees ABOVE normal yesterday, but it was also a record high.

No worries folks, we'll be covering up those tender plants later in the week when this cold front moves in. The reason I am watching the highs and lows is that I have half a whiskey barrel sitting outside waiting for dirt and a tomato plant or two. Another week and I just might get them in the ground!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking - My Turn

Follow the link here to see my Relatively Speaking post. I'll give you a hint, it is about cemeteries, death certificates and friends/cousins who take the time out from photographing their headstones to fit time in for mine! Now is that a friend, or what?

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

You Know it is Spring When ...

Spring started slowly here in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. We had the longest, hardest winter this state has seen in 40 years. But in the last 8 days, the grass has sprouted, the trees are in bud and blossom and it was warm enough to grill hot dogs and brats outside and have a supper of potato salad, baked beans and said brats and dogs.

I think summer also started since today's high is supposed to reach 80. Not that I am complaining, but I really like the spring temps of mid 60's since it is great for walking. Especially on the hills here.



Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking - Carol's Turn

After much deliberation and calendar checking, it is unanimous that it is Carol's turn today! Don't forget to check out her blog here.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

The End of an Era.

Call me crazy, but I wanted to be a part of the last broadcast of Dick Purtan at WOMC 104.3 FM in Detroit, so I dragged my tired body out of bed at 5:15 AM CDT and tuned in via the internet.

Dick Purtan first came to Detroit in 1965, settling in at WKNR. When I was in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, the big thing was to get the weekly Keener guides and see what was in the top ten. These Keener guides always featured photos of the DJ's on the opposite side. I had been a huge Bob Greene fan, but soon turned my allegiance to Dick Purtan.

I listened to his show for years and was glad his stint in Baltimore was short and he returned to the Motor city. I'm not sure which was my favorite aspect of his show - the gag calls or all his "character" friends. Or maybe it was the music with lyrics by Tom Sharp. I don't know for sure, but it was enough to keep me coming back day after day for most of those 45 years.

One of my favorite memories is getting rides to my Plymouth Road and Greenfield DSR bus stop from Redford, Michigan by my brother and we'd have Dick Purtan tuned in and be laughing uproariously by the time we got there.

Our move to Tennessee pretty much ended my listening to the show, but on those rare Central Time Zone mornings that I did drag myself out of bed, I often tuned into the show via the internet.

So, an era ends, and I have a feeling Detroit radio will never be the same.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

New Addition to the Backyard!

This year I am going to try container gardening in my backyard with the addition of half a whiskey barrel. And OMG, will the tomatoes pick up on that delicious smell? A new strain of tomatoes? My car still smells like whiskey aged in oak!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking - A New Twist

Don't forget to hop on over to Karen's blog at Genealogy Frame of Mind for her new twist on slaves and slave owners.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Signage!

One of my new favorites signs DH and I saw on a truck.

Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory Task Force.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking - Cousins that Blog!

It's Monday and it is Relatively Speaking Day and my turn.  Hop on over to Gene Notes and read about getting caught in a time warp!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Daylight Saving Time

Yes, finally, DST is back! Oh my gosh.  When we lived in the frozen north (Michigan) I always looked forward to the start of Daylight Saving Time because it would signal the end of winter. It was even better when DST got moved to March.

I never dreamed it would be this vital to me in Tennessee, but because we are in a different time zone and at the eastern edge of the Central time zone, it gets dark early here, folks. So the first day of DST is always welcome. Today, however, I don't think I'll  notice that extra hour of daylight because it has been like twilight all day long. Oh and did I mention it is gray and dreary? And wet?

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Electronics & Contracts, The END!

On the way to dinner last night (Wednesday) we got a call from Warrantech from Mr. Wells, who called us after seeing my blog on Monday. He said he would check back to make sure the repairman came and that our TV was fixed. I took the call and assured him our TV had been fixed.



Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Electronics & Contracts, Part V, The End! I Hope!

Today was TV fix day and I am happy to report that it is fixed. I am sure Warrantech in Fort Worth, Texas will be happy to hear that we were very happy with the service from Hayes Electronics in Sparta, Tennessee. It seems once you get your warranty in the system, repairs can happen.

And for those of you considering a Samsung purchase in the future, go ahead. Our repairman says that Samsung no longer uses the particular part that went bad.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Electronics & Contracts, Part IV

Today we received a phone call from Warrantech prompted by last Friday's post. The gentleman on the phone wanted to know that our information had been put in the system and that we had an appointment schedule. He promised to call back to make sure it had been fixed.

Time will tell.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Electronics & Contracts, Part III

Finally, on Friday, when DH called NSI, they had our contract in the computer and sent our info to the local authorized Samsung repair guy.  He called and we are set up for a Wednesday, AM appointment.

On another, brighter note, I swapped my HP Photosmart 8250 printer for a Canon MX860 all-in-one. This is a sweet printer, copier, fax, and scanner. It has a large footprint, but allowed me to put my small canon scanner back in my travel bag. So it actually freed up some desk space, which is a good thing.

Setting up the wireless function was pretty easy, because I use windows Vista, I was able to transfer my wireless settings directly to the printer and now can print wirelessly. Anytime you can free up a USB port it is a good thing.

The one thing that stumped me was the LOUD beep every time I turned it on and off. It could be heard clear across the house! Well, last night I found out how to turn that off and it's great. No need to wake up the DH when I am up early or late!

Only Wednesday will tell if we get our TV up and running again. After watching the old TV for a week, I shudder at the picture quality. And that 19 inch screen vs the 32 inch is just so much better. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Electronics & Contracts - continued

We are still waiting for the stupid contract company to enter our information into their database. We can't get service until they do.

The warranty company on the contract is NSI. They are a subsidiary of Warrantech. We did a Better Business Bureau search on NSI, came up with the Warrantech name and surprise the BBB gives them an F.

DH is giving them yet another call today. Hope he asks for the warranty money back. 

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Electronics & Contracts

On father's day, 2008, DH and I bought a SAMSUNG 32" flat screen TV. At the time and due to the cost of the TV, we bought a 2 year service contract for it. Great. We hoped never to use it.  It has a great picture and beautiful color and we really enjoyed it.

Then last Friday, DH went to turn it on and it wouldn't. He went looking for that service contract receipt, called the number and they didn't have us in the system. Not great. But we could fax the receipts and they would put us in the system. Great. But we don't have a fax. Not Great. Took it to the store where we purchased said 32" TV and they said they would fax. Great.

Monday morning call service center and they only got part of one receipt. Not great. DH back to store to have them re-fax the dang thing. OK.

Monday afternoon, DH calls service number again and they have received fax. Great. Are we in the system yet? No. Not great. Will they expedite getting us in the fracking system before the contract expires in 3.5 months? Yes, they will mark it expedite. They will call us when it is in to set up an appointment to fix the TV.

Fortunately, we still have the old 19 inch non-digital tv. We've moved it back out to the living room and wonder how the heck we watched it before. Wow it seems small.

After some research on the internet, we've pretty much diagnosed the problem. Regardless of the contract, the manufacturer should fix it as it is an acknowledged problem and manufacturer's defect. Frankly, I don't care how it gets fixed, I just want it fixed.



Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Taste of Tennessee - Made With Love

Once you get past the hokey name, you enter the typical, but charming cafe that is so common to central Tennessee. Husband and I checked it out in its third week of operation and found a place with truly great food. He had fried fish - I forget the variety, but it was huge and looked delicious. I had a BLT and it was great. The only caveat I have is that I wasn't asked what type of bread, which isn't a big deal, but it also wasn't toasted enough. My friends and family will tell you I like my toast almost to the scrape-off-the-burned-parts dark!

The prices were very reasonable, and for about $7-8 you could get a homemade pot roast dinner. I think we need to go back and try out one of the desserts, maybe one of the little individual pies, or pastry or brownie, or anything. It all looked great! Truly Made With Love.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

It's Relatively Speaking Monday - Karen's Turn

If it's Monday, it must be Relatively Speaking - Cousins That Blog. You can catch Karen's turn at Genealogy Frame of Mind. I am sure she has something special for us today.

Enjoy!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Of Potholes & Poplars

Central Tennessee is having the coldest winter in years. Many years. Since 2010 made its entrance, we've rarely pushed above our 46 degree normal high. It's actually unbelievable how cold it has been here this year.

I've lost track of the snowfall, but its probably about twice the eight-inch average. Seriously snowy this year. The school board is scrambling to come up with plans for the kids to make up snow days, as all of them have been expended. The state is scrambling for funds for salt and brine for the roads.

And the potholes! Last year, I smugly told younger daughter, still living and working in cold and snowy Michigan, that potholes were rare here.  They are rare no longer.

The best sight last weekend though, was the emergence of buds on my tulip poplar tree.  Eventually it will flower and look like the picture. The tree we have is well over 50 feet tall and the lowest limb is probably 15-20 feet off the ground, so the only time I really get a good look at the flowers is after a heavy wind or rain, when they end up on the ground. I know, though, that when I start seeing the buds, that spring can't be too far away!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Taste of Tennessee - The Dog House!

A friend of mine asked me last week if we had Coney Islands here. The answer is yes and no.  We can get true coney island hot dogs here at a place called the Dog House. It's the type of coney place that I remember from when I was young. They serve hot dogs with chili and onions and the best fries on the face of the earth.  DH and I will try to make it there once a month or so and chat with the owner about Detroit style things.  She even gets her hot dogs shipped in from Detroit. The decor is nothing fancy, as the walls are decorated with mostly old Michigan license plates. In fact the last time we were there, the owner was trying to figure out what she would have to take down in order to hang the posters she received.

The no part of the answer, is that no, there are no Coney Island style restaurants where you can get a really good Greek salad. And I miss that.  But I can still get that coney dog!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking - Cousins That Blog - Inspiration

It's my turn for Relatively Speaking today over at Gene Notes. Come on over!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

We Sure Grow Them Bright Down Here!

Our little 'Ville is just like any other town, except you hear more about pettier types of crime. Let's face it, the paper has to report something.

But imagine my surprise about reading in our local paper and hearing on the Nashville news that a local police officer left her purse locked in her personal vehicle, and it *gasp* got stolen. Big surprise. That is the most often heard warning around here, don't leave your valuables locked in your car. Not a week goes by that someone's car isn't broken into.

Fortunately for her, her purse and the *alleged* thieves were found.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Ebeneezer Never Could Sneezer

Does anyone besides me remember that old kid's story about Ebeneezer the war vet who had his nose blown off and one of his greatest regrets was that he no longer could sneeze?  I would gladly change places with him right about now.  When I get a sinus cold, I suffer from extreme light sensitivity and sometimes even wearing sunglasses doesn't help.  I'm glad I had a few blogs sitting in the queue waiting to be published.

I want to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday as I sneezed celebrated the 30th anniversary of my 28th birthday.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Taste of Tennessee - Village Kitchen

One place DH and I would like to eat at more is The Village Kitchen here in Cookeville. They have great food. The last time we ate there, we had something we hadn't had since we were in Michigan - broasted chicken. Oh, it was yummy.

Here's the thing about this little ville - there is a dearth of chicken places. Don't get me wrong, we do have a Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Church's Chicken. KFC is ok and I don't know how Church's stays open. Church's took over the site of Mrs. Winners Chicken, which was inconsistent. But, hey, this is the south, and there are no local chicken places at all.

Back to Village Kitchen. The food is great. And the mashed potatoes are real, not instant. But they have cafe hours and usually close around 2 pm on weekdays and Saturday. Fridays they are open later because they have their all you can eat catfish. So we have to plan a meal there so we get there before they close. But so worth the trip.


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Not a Valentine

DH is a sweet, sweet man. My friends and family will attest to that. He also doesn't believe in Valentine's day. I can count on one hand the times I've received any type of valentine from him.  It doesn't matter.  My birthday is 3 days after Valentine's day, and I'd much rather he remembered that.

We also share everything. Right now we are sharing a cold. How sweet!  Since he knew that wasn't the most romantic thing to give me, he showed up with a single, peach colored rose.  Just to make me feel better!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Do We Understand the Irony?

The kids in this county have barely completed two full weeks of school since Christmas vacation ended, due to the weather. To make up for all the days missed, it was decided the kids would attend on President's day instead of having the holiday.

Guess what?  There is a winter storm warning for the weekend including President's day. So, yep, it looks like the kids will get that holiday after all!


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Taste of Tennessee - Spanky's

When DH and I want local flavor, we eat in town at a neat little place called Spanky's. It is a very unprepossessing place with wood plank floors complete with holes. They have a covered patio where smoking is allowed, but the interior of Spanky's is smoke free.

If you go there at lunch time, you walk up to the window and place your own order. My favorite is their catfish sandwich and for a side - their roasted potatoes. They have other great selections, too! These aren't skimpy eats either! I've been known to pack up half my dinner and take it home. For your bread side, this place makes the best cheesy bread. It is to die for. 

After you've placed your order and given your name, you get your soft drink, or you can order something at the bar. This place has by far the best beer in the area. They actually serve stuff that isn't Miller or Budweiser.


Supper at Spanky's is like going to any other restaurant. They seat you and serve you. The worst thing about Spanky's is their funky parking. Being down by Tennessee Tech, where parking is a huge problem, lunch time can be a hit or miss parking experience. But the food is well worth it.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking! Karen's Turn!!

Cousin Karen is back from her speaking engagement in Florida and I bet she has a super Relatively Speaking blog for us. Be sure to check out her blog at Genealogy Frame of Mind.



Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Taste of Tennessee - Apple Dish

We've found over the last two plus years that Saturday is not always a good day for trying small restaurants. A lot of the non-chain restaurants are cafes or what is known as a meat and two or meat and three restaurant. Mostly these places serve lunch until about 2 or 3 pm and then close.

DH has been scouting out places for us to try and one of the places we checked out was The Apple Dish Restaurant in Livingston, Tennessee.  Livingston is about a half hour up highway 111 from Cookeville, but the two reviews we read were very positive. So we hopped in the car and enjoyed the ride on a warmish winter day.

The Apple Dish is on Court Square. We were surprised that it was inside of an antique store, but it was a great setting with booths similar to those in diners of old. Very cool and comfy!

We both ordered the Apple Dish Melt in chopped hamburger form. It was on a kaiser bun and gooey with melted cheese, mushrooms and green peppers. We split DH's fries which were not the usual preformed crinkle cut or shoestring fries, but nice thick ones, just this side of a potato wedge.

Lunch was a little pricey for the content, but it was so good, I didn't care. Neither did DH as he suggested he would return there.

After lunch, we browsed the attached antique store that seemed to go on forever and we were pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality and value of the goods.

The Apple Dish
114 N. Court Square
Livingston, TN


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Relatively Speaking

I'm up today as my alter ego - Gene Notes for my turn at Relatively Speaking. Click here to see.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Winter Storm Advisory - Cont.

It's hard to tell exactly how much snow we got because of the freezing rain, but it's enough. The freezing rain continues, and we only have some small branches down, but I am sure there will be more. This much snow at one time is a rare site in central Tennessee, and there are no snow removal companies. I'm not sure I've even seen a snow blower for sale here. Yesterday, DH bought a snow shovel. I'm not sure how much use he'll put it to today with the ice.

The pictures are taken from almost the same angle. Click on them for more detail.  The bottom one was taken this morning. Yes, it is that gray out there. Have I said how much I detest snow?

One really bizarre site yesterday was a man in a T-Bird convertible WITH THE TOP DOWN in the snow storm.

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

Winter Storm Advisory

I hate those three words. I thought I left them in a box in Livonia, Michigan. Blah. This is central Tennessee, and our average yearly snowfall is about eight inches.

We are expecting 6-10" of snow this weekend.  Groan. DH even went out and bought a snow shovel (we gave the snow blower to a friend in Michigan.) So far we have an inch. Maybe the forecasters have blown this way out of proportion or maybe we will get that half inch of ice on top of the snow?

Tennesseeans drive like rednecks 90% of the time, can hardly wait to see how they handle all this snow!

Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational

A Taste of Tennessee - Boston's

DH and I love to find restaurants that are a little off the beaten path or not chain restaurants. One of these is Boston's in Crossville. We found out about this little gem of a lunch restaurant from a chance encounter with a Michigander at the model railroad exhibit at the outlet mall in Crossville, Tennessee.

DH had a burger, soup and a salad, but I had one of the lunch specials which was a cup of garden vegetable soup, a salad and a half sandwich. I chose the chicken salad sandwich which was on pumpernickel. It was certainly delicious. The soup was hot and the salad fresh. And it was reasonably priced at less than $20 including drinks and tip.

If you are in the area try it:

Boston's
42 North Street

Crossville, TN 38555-4442


Copyright 2010, ACK, for Generational