Kitchen update and trip to Chattanooga

There's been little progress on my kitchen these last few weeks and it has been pretty frustrating!  Doug finally called the contractor last week and said that the painter better be here later in the week or he was getting a brush and paint and paint it himself!  I was almost in agreement!  I've been questioning why I thought the kitchen update was a good idea!

Finally the painter did come on Friday morning and sanded the cabinets.  He worked for three hours, said he only worked 'til noon on Fridays, and left for the day, leaving us with a closed-off kitchen!

He is back this morning to prime the cabinets.  Surely this week the cabinets will be done, then the fun task of putting everything back and weeding out things I don't need. 

Ben, Heather, Emma Taylor, Harrison, Cam and I left early last Sunday morning heading to Chattanooga for a few days of spring break.  I rented a new Suburban so we were riding in style and very comfy.  It's a great travel vehicle and thankfully Ben did the driving!  We got there by noon and after a quick lunch at Steak-n-Shake, we headed to Ruby Falls.

We took the kids to Ruby Falls and Rock City in 1989 and that's the last time any of us had been.  It was all new for the grands.

Here's one from 1989!

We took the elevator 260 feet down the mountain and a guide took us along the cave paths. 

The kids thought it was pretty neat!

This picture was taken over the weekend.

And this one in 1989!  Wish I'd taken one of all the kids at this same spot!

We finally  made it to the falls.

The colors on the falls really make it pretty.

We walked back along the paths back to the elevator and walked up to the overlook.

Beautiful views from the top.

And also in 1989!

Heather will probably die when she sees these.  What's up with the permed hair and scrunchie??  And WHAT was Ben wearing?

One last photo op before heading to the hotel.

The kids had a little pool time before dinner.

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites which was very convenient to shopping and restaurants.  It worked out great for us. 

We had dinner at Mellow Mushroom which was close by.  We tried not to eat at chain restaurants that we have in Tupelo. 

It was a great way to start our adventure!

I took Cam to see the movie Zootopia on Friday afternoon. 

It's a really cute movie and we both enjoyed it.

Friday was a gorgeous day and we even did a little yard work.  Doug went to the races in Memphis on Saturday and they about froze to death.  It was cold and the wind was bitter.  We have freeze warnings for the next few nights.  So much for spring!!

We got word this morning that one of Doug's very good childhood friends passed away, Dick Borden.  He lived in Salome, AZ and we were fortunate to be able to visit with him in January, have lunch and spend the day together.  Dick had a double lung transplant almost exactly a year ago and had mostly done very well until recent complications. 

The above picture was taken about six weeks after he had his lung transplant when we visited last year.

Dick told us on this last visit that he felt that whatever happened that he was given some extra time by having the transplant and he was thankful for every "extra" day. 

A little piece of Doug's childhood is gone.  Rest in peace, Dick.  You will be missed.