Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.31.07, 12:58 PM)
"They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?" - Princess Diana
|
|
[link] |
|
Quote of the Year
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.31.07, 12:58 PM) "They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?" - Princess Diana
The Inn at Evins Mill
Posted by Gloria Houghland (05.29.07, 07:15 PM) I have a great tip for any of you wanting a quick get-away. Only an hour and 15 minute drive from Nashville is this great little place called The Inn at Evins Mill. It's the former home of politically prominent Edgar Evins who bought the property in 1937 and built the present mill two years later, in conjunction with an emerging business in Lebanon called Martha White. It is now owned by father-son duo, Bill and William Cochran who transformed the property from a family get-away to an award-winning inn by adding twelve bluff-view rooms overlooking Evins pond and creek and the spectacular Carmac Falls. There are trails to hike, the gristmill to tour, rockers on your spacious creek-side decks, and gourmet breakfast and dinner on the giant wrap-around porch. It's a cross between a church retreat, summer camp and Blackberry Farms (though not nearly as pricey)!
Downtown..everything's there for you..downtown
Posted by Mary Proctor (05.29.07, 6:43 PM) I have not ventured downtown—on foot—in years. But I needed some building images for a job I am doing, and I needed to take my own photos. I amazingly found a parking space on Broad, locked the car and confidently made my way past the t-shirted, blue jeaned (I was in the same ensemble from Target, no less) tourists and proceeded to Second Ave. Did you know that Nashville downtown is hoppin'? It had thousands departing the convention center—all nicely dressed—I think it was a preachers' meeting? Amen. It had couples, families, teenagers, motorcylists and way too many unfortunate homeless. I was amazed by the throngs of people but what ruined the scene was the persistant combination odor of disenfectant and human waste—you could see where restrooms were created in every alcove. I guess that it's true...s--t happens. Is there an answer? Should we have Port-a-lets on every corner? It was sad that my initial excitement over Nashville's popularity was tainted by the reality of humans and their need to relieve themselves. Next time I head downtown, I will wear a Depend.
Wedding Season
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.24.07, 4:42 PM) June brings warm weather, swimming pools, and wedding cake. Three of my favorite things in life. BUT, attending weddings and being a part of the ceremony are two completely different things. Everyone knows the horror stories, so you know the drama I am currently going through. What surprises me however, is this particular bride's lack of planning; quite the opposite of what I'm used to! I feel like the renegade bridesmaid. Being out of town and not knowing the schedule until two days before, I haven't been able to attend any events thus far. I was informed last week my dress had arrived and I was to promptly get it altered. The wedding is next Saturday. The dress is located in Alabama. Need I say more?
Breakfast on the Weekends
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.22.07, 4:21 PM) I know it is, in fact, closer to midweek than weekend, but I long for weekends the whole week through. Mostly due to the fact that I am a little less strict with what I eat those two days of the week (dessert anyone?), can sleep in about 30 minutes longer, and get the chance to socialize with friends and not be under the scrutiny of bosses and fluorescent lights. Another event I love is breakfast, my absolute favorite meal of any day. Lately, a group of us have all gotten into the habit of meeting at Le Peep in Bellemeade every Saturday. We wake up, gossip, and dine along with others of the same agenda. For those few of you that don't know about this eatery, you must go! Wonderful egg white omelettes, and the peasant potatoes are neither greasy nor bland. In fact, I crave them on many occasions. Just having the chance to sit with those you love and enjoy a day off is wonderful in and of itself.
Senior discount?
Posted by Mary Proctor (05.21.07, 5:43 PM) Now that I am officially a senior—60—I expect better service and more discounts. My husband is thrilled that I can go to Harris Teeter on Tuesdays and get a discount. Because I really only stock cat food at home, I don't know why he cares if that is discounted, since he calls the cat, D.A.—and that does not stand for district attorney. Speaking of the cat, she is about the only feline left on our street due to the running of the coyotes in the early morning and early evening. I am the only person on the street that has not seen this, but as I said before, I am a senior and I am in bed around early evening and stay there until later morning. I think it is great to be a senior—can I get an attendant to help me when I go to the grocery on Tuesday?
Steeplechase recovery
Posted by Beth Alexander (05.19.07, 4:16 PM) After persusing some 700 photos from Steeplechase, I'm ready to reflect. The day was gorgeous, the people well-behaved and beautifully, imaginatively dressed for the occasion. The impression I'm left with, however, is the scenario Dr. Dave and I witnessed after dressing to go out for light post-Steeplechase revelry. At the apex of Highways 70 and 100, as young people were driving back from their day at the races, there were a pair of Metro policemen standing where they could see right into cars that had to stop for the light at the merger of the two roads. If anyone had an open container, they were asked to pull over, get out of the car and go through the sobriety tests. Granted, no one should be driving after an afternoon of drinking, and laws prohibit any passenger having an open container of alcohol. But this was a lot like shooting fish in a barrel. Of the three we saw stopped, two looked as if they had just graduated from Vanderbilt the day before. You couldn't help but feel sorry for them. I just wonder if they'll be out there after the Swan Ball...
Weekday Routines Coming to an End
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.18.07, 3:55 PM) Ok, so every show that I watch during the week has ended this week. All, with the exception of American Idol, and I know I'm not alone in my disappointment at this week's outcome. I will watch the finale, but without the enthusiasm I had two week's ago. This said, weekday nights will become much more interesting. Being a creature of habit, I definitely got into the routine of coming home, plopping in front of the television and staring, zombie-like, at the screen for hours. Summer always offers a refreshing change of pace from this. I still need that weekly routine, though, if only to offer comfort in knowing I have set plans. I could always take up a pilates class one of those five new free nights. This would at least decrease the amount of restaurant receipts friends and I seem to collect!
Lost all email
Posted by Beth Alexander (05.16.07, 08:10 AM) I am bereft. I have long needed to update my computer in several significant ways. My techie younger son has chided me often for operating my Entourage email system out of OS 9. Anyone who knows what i'm talking about will be aghast that I'm still using 9. Was, that is, until yesterday, when a friend helped me update a number of features on my Mac, including installing OS X—which most of the people you know have long been using. I'm sure it will be cool once I get used to it.
Come Fly With Me
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.15.07, 3:59 PM) I have just booked my first cruise, set to sail in July. While I'm extremely excited right now, I have also had a few friends that have vented their frustrations with this type of getaway. Personally, I wanted the option to soak up the sun, eat great food, all while visiting a variety of sunny shores. Another big factor in the decision was those traveling with me. Most guys aren't into sunbathing, but the trip offers gambling, and did I mention good eats? Needless to say, I have read, researched, and interviewed to the fullest extent possible and am sticking with my first choice. After all, everything's worth a shot at least once. Plus, I've heard some of the islands offer designer goods duty-free...how can you beat that?
Nix the heads-together pose
Posted by Beth Alexander (05.15.07, 10:35 AM) I'm poring over pictures from the Steeplechase, the Symphony Fashion show, Hunt Ball and more. Usually, looking at pictures from a great event is like reliving it—fun. But I'm getting irritated. There seems to be a heads together epidemic, and it must end.You all are some beautiful people, and Nfocus has great photographers. But if you lean your heads into each other, I am not running that picture. It is not flattering to you and does not make you look cuter. Honestly, it makes you look like an idiot. Stand up straight and give me a smile or a smirk, I don't care. Heads together: Yicky.
Tradition...or Glorified Nascar
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.08.07, 12:43 PM) With Steeplechase just a few days away, my attention has turned from the usual bout of shopping for dresses and bags to posh headgear. This will actually be my first appearance at the races, and I would like to make my début looking as much like Kate Middleton as possible (at least attire-wise). A friend and I were discussing the big day. He said how excited he was to watch the horses and their riders compete. I had to explain to him, "The people we are attending with will probably not even catch a glimpse of a horse that day. Prepare yourself." Personally, I will be there to socialize and judge. Judge the appearances of those IN THE KNOW, that is. From what I've heard though, this isn't normal of me. Typically, I'm told that young women my age dress the part, and commence comsuming as much liquid as possible as soon as they arrive, only to be sloppy by noon. Not something I would like to associate myself with. The Queen of England was at the Kentucky Derby, and in the off chance that her eldest grandson happens to make an appearance in Nashville for the races, I will be pristine the entire event. Mint Julep, anyone?
Downtown fun...almost
Posted by Anne Clayton (05.07.07, 08:43 AM) DOWN TOWN FUN..ALMOST On Friday night, my buddy Margaret and I ventured downtown for a performance by comedy legend Bob Newhart at the Ryman, which benefitted the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation..a win-win evening for all in attendance. But there was one huge fly in the ointment, and that was the parking situation in downtown Nashville. We gave ourselves an hour to get there and find a parking space. We drove around and around and finally, with a thunderstorm looming, we found a garage on 5th Ave. Ten bucks and we were off to find a space.
TALK TO ME BABY
Posted by John Denson (05.06.07, 10:14 AM) So far, eighteen people are running for president, ten republicans and eight democrats. A few others, such as Fred Thompson and Newt Gingrich, say they might. That makes twenty, with an even dozen on the GOP side. Every single candidate has experience either in congress, as a governor, or as a mayor of a large city. All but one are white, all but one are male. Of the twenty, who do you think stands out?
Goldie and Carolina are lucky that Baker Eadie is back in town
Posted by Julie Schoerke (05.04.07, 11:23 AM) Now that my children are getting older, I spend far more time in the veterinarian’s office than I do the pediatrician’s. It’s probably because we continue to adopt rescued dogs that are holding on for dear life. I’ve pretty much always liked the care that my pets have gotten from various vets over the years. But, since moving to Nashville, we have really hit the jackpot. Either our golden retriever or our little fluffy mutt has contracted some pathetic ailment almost every week because of the tough start they got in life. Baker Eadie, our vet, and his wife moved back home to Nashville recently after being gone for a number of years. Dr. Eadie and the ladies at Belle Meade Animal Hospital have such a great bedside manner with the animals that I keep trying to convince them to let me start bringing my family in for our yearly exams. They feel pretty strongly about specializing in pets rather than people, but I sure wish that I could walk into a physician’s office and be greeted as enthusiastically as Goldie and Carolina are when they walk in to their doctor’s office.
Calorie Restriction Overboard
Posted by Mandi Coleman (05.01.07, 11:15 AM) I hit the gym each and every morning, along with other "regulars" that go daily to sweat it out before starting their day. Today I saw a new face...or rather, I saw her body as she trudged through the door. She seemed to be around 65 years old, but given her state could have been much younger. Her shell of a body was emaciated beyond belief, with shoulders protruding forward as if her entire being might withdraw into itself. Her thighs were literally the size of my upper arms. I couldn't help but watch, open-mouthed, as she took off her track jacket and climbed onto a machine to weight train. How she lifted anything is beyond my grasp. It made me realize that anorexia is alive and in full force not only with girls my age, though. We know the statistics and the causes of the disease. I just feel grateful that although I want to exercise daily, I don't feel the need to count the number of green beans that are put on my dinner plate.
All other content is copyright 2007 by Village Voice Media. |