Life with Gling

So we got back from our mini-vacation late Monday night.  I’ve been caught up with work and college fairs the last 2 days…so I’m just now getting a chance to write.  So here you go…a quick update of our fun getaway.

Day 1 (Thursday)

-Despite tornado warnings and crazy weather, we left Greenville around 8:30 and drove to Clarksville, TN…which is just about half way to Gatlinburg.  We got there around 1:30 a.m….and whew…we were tired.  Thanks to lots of candy and soda…we made the drive without a hitch. 

 Day 2-Friday

-We left Clarksville and made the rest of the drive to Gatlinburg…of course…after sleeping in.  We got to the mountains early that afternoon…and it was a beautiful sight.  Despite the long line of traffic on the way into the town…it was completely worthwhile.  We checked into our cabin…which was lovely…and made our way downtown for some BBQ.  (What else would you expect from us?!)  I had delicious smoked sausage and Jared had some yummy pulled pork…washed down with super sweet tea.  We spent the evening walking through downtown…enjoying the beautiful weather and wonderful sights. 

Day 3-Saturday

Day 3 began with sleeping in…which is expected on vacation…I’m pretty sure.  We went to the Pancake Pantry (downtown) for lunch…which was…quite possibly….the best pancakes I’ve EVER eaten.  We then spent a good portion of the day on the Craft loop…walking and shopping…just enjoying our time together.  We bought another troll (not like a rainbow haired troll…a smokey mountain troll…it’s a cool tradition) to add to our collection.  You can check them out at trolls.com…they’re pretty cool…even better in person.  We had a yummy Italian dinner at a cafe for dinner….and began to realize how much food we’d consumed!

Day 4-Sunday

Sunday was dedicated to hiking.  We grabbed lunch at the Old Mill Restaurant…which we quickly dubbed the best meal on our trip.  Best southern style food we’ve ever had.  It’ll definitely be on the list of places to revisit next time we go back.  After that…we headed into the mountains and hiked the Alum Caves trail…and it was amazing.  After nearly 3 miles of hiking….you’re rewarded with what is probably one of the best views in the Smokey’s….and was made even better by the beautiful colors in the fall foliage.  We sat and enjoyed the view for quite awhile…and then headed back down.  We grabbed some pizza for supper…and relaxed and rested our tired legs. 

Day 5-Monday

Monday we got up early and packed our things and cleaned up the cabin.  (Always a sad thing to do!)  We made a stop at the Donut Friar (best donuts ever) and headed to the outlet malls to do some shopping.  We didn’t find much…but had a good time looking.  Finally…we realized that we need to hit the road…in order to get home before midnight.  It rained a good chunk of the way home…but we made it to Greenville by 11:30.  It was a great trip.  I recommend Gatlinburg in the fall to anyone who enjoys crisp fall weather and the beautiful colors that come along with it…not to mention all of the fun fall decorations around the town.  Sigh….I wish I could go back.  Another day!

2 college fairs today…and then I’m on my way to Gatlinburg with my hubby!  YAY!!!!

2 more days of college fairs…and then our early weekend away begins.  We’ve been trying to decide for the past month or so where we could get away for 3-4 days.  Then it hit us…if we could stand all the driving…Gatlinburg would be AMAZING during this time of year.  So at the end of the week…we’re off to Gatlinburg for a few days.  It’ll be a long drive…but it’ll be so worth it.  I can’t wait to climb mountains, eat bbq, sit in front of the fireplace, chill out in the hot tub, eat fresh taffy…etc. etc.  I know Gatlinburg may sound cheesy…but it’s seriously one of my favorite places to be.  We found some great last minute deals on cabins…so tonight we’re picking once…and we’ll be set.  So Smokey Mountains…here we come (again)!

Ah yes…a great weekend.  Friday night we went over and watched our friend’s daughter for a few hours while they were out.  We had fun with her…as always.  In the midst of watching Sponge Bob…she asked us both if we pray…to which we said “yes”.  She then responds with “me too….my heart is clean…is your heart clean?”  Of course, it made us giggle…but what a nice reminder of God’s love at the same time.  After that…we came home and were just plain lazy…and you know what…it felt great!  Saturday morning brought good things as well.  Sleeping in…haircut…snuggling with the kitties.  Saturday afternoon we headed out for a date (since last weekend’s date got cut short…thanks to the car accident.)  We went to see “Across the Universe” which is a musical set to music of the Beatles.  It was wonderful in so many ways….and I can’t wait to buy it.  We also feasted at Red Robin…and ate way too much…but it was soooo yummy.  We also went out for ice cream at Maggie Moo’s….and wow….it was great.  I had red velvet cake ice cream…with brownies, hot fudge, and pecans mixed in.  I can honestly say that it was THE best ice cream I’ve ever tasted!  It seriously tasted just like red velvet cake.  Today we had church…which went really well.  I had another solo…which I somehow fumbled my way through.  I’m off for a few weeks now…which is nice.  We’re planning on getting out of town next weekend…not sure where to…but we won’t be in Illinois.  Adios!

The insurance adjuster called over lunch…with I feel to be pretty good news.  The car isn’t totaled…and apparently just looks a lot worse than it really is.  The front got beat up pretty good…but that’s all fixable.  Nothing under the hood was hurt…at least from what they can see at the moment.  So they’re fixing up my car and making it pretty again…so I can drive it for a few more years.  But for now….it’s me and the Buick….sweet.

So…as of right now…we still don’t know if the car is fixable or not.  The insurance adjuster still hasn’t made the trek to Hosick’s to check it out.  Honestly…I’ve come to terms with whatever might happen.  In good news…the girl’s insurance company is being great.  Obviously…they deemed it her fault…so they’re taking care of everything.  They’ll give us money for any pain and/or suffering…a rental car…and money to buy a new/fix the old car.  So now we wait.  In the meantime…we’re driving a Buick…oh boy!  (I miss my fancy, sporty car…with it’s lovely leather seats…and heads up display….etc. etc.)  In other exciting news…Jared and I made spaghetti and meatballs last night…and they were delicious!  And the temperature is lowering…I think Fall might be here to stay this time!  I busted out my favorite pair of tights this morning…in honor of this great season! 

 More updates as they come…

Well…for those of you haven’t heard yet…Jared and I have had quite the weekend.  On our way to St. Louis for a most fabulous date night…a 19 year old girl decided to blow a stop sign while crossing the highway…the highway we were driving on.  She pulled out right in front of us (she said she didn’t even notice our car…nice)…Jared noticed what she did and immediately slammed on the breaks.  So fortunately she didn’t hit our car head on.  Instead…the back of her car clipped the front of ours.  Our poor car looks like some sort of deranged monster took a bite out of the front of it.  We’re ok though…just a little sore today…the other driver was fine too.  She quickly admitted that she didn’t take the stop and wasn’t paying attention and that it was her fault….which it was.  It was a crazy long night…part of which was spent sitting on the side of the road…waiting for the cops to finish writing up the report and waiting for our ride to pick us up.   We got back home and decided that we weren’t going to let it ruin our night…and that sitting at home would only make us paranoid and stressed.  So we got the truck and headed back for the bbq we were after in the first place.  It was delicious!  This morning has been spent on the phone with insurance…the place where our car got towed…and the place we were having it moved to.  We’ll find out on Monday what the total damage is.  Luckily, since we’re not at fault, the girl’s insurance will be taking care of everything.  We’re just thankful that it wasn’t any worse…and that cars can be fixed.  I’m sure it will take a few days for the nerves to calm down…or for our stiff necks to feel better….but we’ll get there.  So that’s life right now…good times. 

So I’m off recruiting today…which means I had to get on the road at a decent time…and somehow try to wake up before I get to the community college I recruit at.  Alas…this is no simple task.  I’m a sleepy person…and really…for the most part…hate waking up.  To help…I try to pick up a little snack or breakfast to take in to the visit with me.  Gives me something to munch on…which if anything…the chewing keeps me coherent.  I typically try for Panera or Casey’s (which believe it or not…has really good donuts in the morning).  This morning, however, I was running late and there was a line at Panera.  I decided to pass…knowing full well that QuickTrip was on the way to the college as well…and I’d survive with my breakfast snack coming from there….or so I thought.  I got a donut…and long john to be exact.  It was stale….stale as stale could be!  I licked the chocolate frosting off…and threw the rest away.  I also got what I thought to be a an amazing find.  “Caramel Apple Cider Latte” is what the machine said…and my mind immediately went to the delicious taste of the Starbucks carmel apple cider.  It smelled good…and looked good.  “What a great deal for only 99 cents” I told myself….but I was wrong…..so very wrong.  Instead of  a delicious cup of cider…I have what pretty much amounts to liquid that tastes what I’d imagine apple soap to taste like.  And apple soap…from what I’m guessing…tastes bad.  So lesson of the day…don’t be decieved by all of the “glorious” beverages found at the QuickTrip beverage bar…and stick with Cherry Coke.