Shack Up Inn

Have you ever stayed at place that made such an impression on you that you will never forget? You will always remember that feeling of "awness?" For me, that would be the Shack Up Inn. Don't let the name scare you. This absolute gem is located in the heart of the delta of Clarksdale, MS. It was established in 1998, but each house is a replica of what the slaves lived in while working the cotton fields. Its not a 5 star hotel by all means. Now, I have stayed at some really nice places...the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, Ihalini in Hawaii, Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego to name just a few. But none of those places could amount to the Shack Up Inn. They are shot gun houses that named after a couple of legendary blue's singers and true representation of the delta. The quilts on the bed are mothy, mini moonpie is left on your pillow instead of a piece of chocolate and the only thing that plays on the tv is blues music. There's no cable kiddies...just good ole relaxing. Sit back and relax on the porch with an ice cold beer and in hopes that you will see the spirit of Robert Johnson...the legendary blues man who sold his soul to the devil.

I'm not sure why, but I think about this place a lot. I would love to go back one day. Now, there's not much to do in Clarksdale, but you have some really cool honky-tonk bars to hang out in. Morgan Freeman's bar, Ground Zero, is really cool. Plus, the Shack Up Inn has brought in a few celebs like Morgan Freeman, Elvis Costello, Samuel L. Jackson to name just a few. Take a crazy road trip and stay at the wonderful Shack Up Inn. I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed. Also, check out their website http://www.shackupinn.com/. Tootles!!

"Where Dat Gold At"

Okay, two in one day....I'm impressed, or I'm just really bored. The other day, one of Brian's student's sent him an email with a link to youtube called Leprechaun in Mobile, Alabama. I have to say, it is the funniest damn thing I have seen in a really long time. Its been on the web for a couple of years now, but neither one of us had seen it until now. All I have to say is that I can't believe they actuallyreported this on the news. There must have not been anything else going on in Mobile. "Where Dat Gold At?" Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8.

Sunday.

The day so far has been lazy/somewhat productive day. I didn't roll out of bed until around 10am which was nice...I typically get up around 8 or so because Brody starts pawing me to get up to feed him and take him out. I suppose that's what I get having your dog sleeping in the bed with you...spoiled, right? After lying around for a bit, I decided to take a shower since I didn't take one yesterday. Gross, I know. I just really didn't feel like taking one. I'm sure Brian appreciated that since yesterday was Valentine's Day and all. I picked up some lunch from Pita Delite...we love that place. We both get the same thing every time...me, roast beef on wheat; Brian ham and cheese on wheat. It's oh-so good. I took Brody to Hugh McRae Park, one of my favorites in town, and had our daily stroll. Brody did somewhat okay. He barked at everyone and every dog he saw. I finally let him say "hello" to a couple of pooches just to shut him up towards the end of our walk. It was so nice outside, I decided to drive over to Wrightsville Beach and let him play in the sand a bit. Brody absolutely loves the beach! It was a little chilly out there, but it was worth seeing how happy he was...he's definitely living the high life. When I go to the beach, I love driving down Airlie Road. Its so pretty with the oak trees, Spanish moss, the harbor and there is a little "farm" I guess you would call it across the Airlie Gardens. It is such a relaxing drive...one of my faves about Wilmington.

For V-Day, Brian made me dinner. He baked some chicken and grilled asparagus (the asparagus was just for me since he doesn't eat any veggies besides corn). It was really, really good. I told him that he needs to cook more often, but he said no of course. I think he's definitely a better cook than I am. He even cleaned up afterwords...do I have a sweet man or what!? For me, I was pretty much worthless. After dinner I laid on the couch and watch chick-flick movies that was on USA and Oxygen...Sleepless In Seattle, Sweet Home Alabama, The Break-Up all night long. I have to admit that I was a little hungover from the night before. Brian was in Florence at his parents and I drank a bottle and a half of wine, consumed lots of turtles and made some chicken tortellini w/alfredo sauce. It was tasty. I did do a little shopping yesterday. There's this shop at Wrightsville Beach called Hallelu, check out there website http://www.shophallelu.com/. They have the cutest stuff. I never leave empty handed. I bought a really cute dress and a necklace. Prices there are affordable and stylish. It definitely has some vintage flare to it. I'm just ready for the weather to warm up so I can wear it. What do you think...cute,huh?

One dissappointed weekend

This weekend, Brian and I were suppose to drive to Ghent, WV to go snowboarding and snowtubing at Winter Place for Valentines....that was suppose to be my gift since we were unable to go during Christmas. Sadly, I did not get off of work in time...damn it. Anywho, I thought I would have been able to leave around 3:00, 3:30 the latest, and we would be on our way...but NO. I did not get off until almost 4:30 and Brian was already in Florence at his parents...he left early so he could get his hair cut and do a few other things. After I gave him a call telling him that I was leaving, he told me not to even worry about it because we wouldn't get there until 1am, then we would get up at the crack of dawn Saturday to snowboard, and leave Sunday morning to come back home. Of course, there was a little arguing involved in the conversation. So instead,I am home alone while BK is in Florence at his parents. He will be home sometime tomorrow afternoon so we can atleast go to dinner for V-Day. For my evening, I am making tortellini w/chicken and alfredo sauce for dinner, an entire box (yeah, I said entire) of turtles for dessert and a couple of bottles of wine...oh and some serious chick-flick movies, in my pjs :) What a GREAT night or what!! At least I will have the bed to myself...I don't have to worry about a dog up against me and waking me up at 7:45 am, yay. Well, that's my vent for the evening.

My husband's, Brian, 25 Random Things About Himself...

1. I have a nursing degree but I teach marketing….my wife has a marketing degree but she works in healthcare. I guess it makes sense in some weird kind of way!

2. I believe educating the future business leaders of our world is best gig going. I love what I do and those rascals definitely keep me on my feet!

3. Keeping with the family tradition, both my father and I received our doctoral degrees from Mississippi State University. In fact, our dissertations sit several feet away from each other on the same shelf in the campus library. I have a picture of us holding each (my fathers from 1971 and mine from 2006) in front of the library the day I graduated. The picture sits in a frame on the window ledge in my office.

4. Such pictures mean a lot more to me nowadays after my parent’s house caught fire and burned down (lightening strike) on the eve of Mother’s Day 2001. No one was hurt but nothing of real value was saved. In fact, I have no childhood artifacts…only memories.

5. Another similarity to my father….I am pretty loyal to barbers. In fact, I drive 2 hours, each way, every couple of weeks to get my hair cut…and to see the family of course!

6. I always wondered if my dad got that habit from his dad. I wish I would have had the chance to know either of my grandfathers. Both died much too early in life.

7. My middle name is Russ. It is my mother’s maiden name and I sign everything…and I mean everything… Brian R. Kinard. Maybe subconsciously it is a way to honor a man I never met.

8. I have 2 “half” sisters and 1 “full” sister. Is that politically correct? For most of my life I told people I had 2 “step” sisters….which is false. We all have the same father...I think!

9. I am the last remaining male branch in my family tree. Ironically I have 6 nephews, none of which will carry on the Kinard name. I guess the pressure is on!

10. I have never broken a bone in my body…a consequence that is in part due to never being in a fight. I regret that, as I believe everyone should have one good fist fight under their belt…with or without glass bottles. I guess I still have time.

11. However, I had my upper jaw operated on in 1999. Actually, I have a couple metal plates and numerous screws holding it together now. I’ve had procedures performed by numerous dentists, an orthodontist, a periodontist, an endodontist, a prosthodontist, and a maxio-facial surgeon. Not surprisingly, I believe that is every adult dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association.

12. I have never been arrested…although I was once cuffed and held for questioning by security at the Birmingham Dog Track for a “minor misunderstanding”.

13. I was baptized and raised as a practicing Catholic growing up. However, I was ex-communicated from Holy Ghost Elementary School in 4th grade for another “minor misunderstanding”. The lab school was way cooler anyway!

14. I am pretty worthless when it comes to any activity involving balance, such as roller skating, skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, or skiing. My wife would probably add walking and dancing to this list.

15. I find massages to be more painful than relaxing. Furthermore, I honestly fear a chiropractor would paralyze me.

16. Speaking of fears…I have only one known phobia: Clowns…also known as Coulrophobia.

17. Also, I have a small problem with motion sickness. In other words, I am unable to play first person video games like Halo, ride the Gravatron/Twirlt-A-Whirl at your local carnival, or ride over ocean swells greater than 3 ft in a boat without vomiting uncontrollably.

18. Anther uncontrollable vice. I constantly bite my fingernails when I am nervous, especially when I watch a MSU or Clemson sporting event.

19. Yes, I love me some sports. In fact, I don’t listen to much music anymore. I am pretty much a 630 AM ESPN talk radio kind of guy these days.

20. I have a cell phone…but never on me. I got in the habit of leaving it in my office so it wouldn’t go off during class. Then I just started leaving it at home. I find my days to be less bothersome, contain fewer interruptions, and more productive without a cell phone attached to my hip. Try it sometime…you just might like it Mikey.

21. I am very organized and I miss Trapper Keepers….they seriously need to make a comeback. Tight roll jeans...not so much.

22. Speaking of tight roll jeans…I would make/force my sister Carole Ann to tight roll my jeans to absolute perfection before every day of school in the 7th grade. God peer pressure was a bitch in Kentucky.

23. I think I have a strange (sometimes referred to as “sick and twisted” by my in-laws) sense of humor which most people probably don’t get. Well, the friends that I have get it and that’s all that matters to me.

24. Maybe that’s why I have few friends and far too many acquaintances. I prefer it that way.

25. My best friend also doubles as my wonderful wife. Lucky me!

A nice morning off

Each week, typically on Wednesdays, I have a half day. I prefer the afternoon off, but I was happy that I had this morning to sleep in a little. I haven't had a full night sleep in a while. Too much tossing and turning....especially when you have a 20 pound dog sleeping with you, plus a husband, all in a queen size bed. I really think we should invest in a king... that would make it so much better! That is all wishful thinking :) I did get to sleep until 9:30 which was nice. Sadly, I have to be at work at 12 and work until 4:30. I suppose that isn't bad at all, but Wednesday is a one doctor day. That doctor is Chris. God love the man, but he is very slow. We always get so backed up and we have some unhappy patients. The past couple of Wednesdays, we've had patients leave because they were having to wait too long. That's not good business. The poor man has an overload schedule when he's by himself and he just can't handle it. I truly think they should cut out a few full eye exams for him. I think it would make things much easier and less stressful. At least today I'm working the front desk instead of screening patients. His patients usually have a lot of history that takes more time. Well, I guess I better go get dressed for a lovely afternoon.

Not So Anonymous, Shopaholic

I really believe I have a shopping addiction. I don't know what has come over me, but lately, every time I got so called "browsing" I end up buying clothes, things for the house, something for Brian and Brody and I there is no need for it! If I see a cute dress or top and I just go ahead and purchase that item. I don't know why?? I don't even have to wear "real" clothes everyday because I wear scrubs 5 days out of the week. I am at disbelief with myself because I use to be the person who would save my money. I would never spend it unless it was for car gas or groceries. I would never buy clothes or decorative items for my home. I guess since I don't have any bills...besides student loans...that I feel I have no need to save my hard earned moola. Plus, life is too short. Might as well spend it today because you may not be here tomorrow. I do have to say, I have bought several cute dresses. I'm just ready for the weather to warm up so I can wear them!

I know this is totally off subject, but I am hooked on a new tv show...Dr. G, Medical Examiner. I guess I'm bringing it up now is because I am watching it on Discovery Health. I don't know why, but I have this strange facination for this show. I guess I'm just curious on how people die...strange, I know. So many people die over things that seem to could have been controlled by medication. Anyway, it amazes me watching Dr. G finding the reasoning behind the death. Too, I grew up around death because my family is in the tombstone business. My Dad sells stones, set stones and cuts death dates. I pretty much grew up in the cemetary. Our house that we lived in growing up was behind my uncle's shop and in front of the office there are tombstones for show. I loved going out there to play, escpecially at night. My friends and I would play hide-and-go-seek in the dark behind the stones. During the summer, I would ride with my dad while he made calls. Could you imagine cold calling to someone who just lost a loved one? I couldn't. To this day I still don't see how he does it! I sold advertisement for 3 years and that was hard enough, but selling tombstones to someone would be even harder. If you haven't seen the show, it's a definite must see!