Super Classic Country

One thing hubby had in common with my parents was a love for classic country. And I mean super classic like from the '50s and on. So it was pretty amazing to get our classic fix at both the Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Our seats at the Opry were in row J, as in Jim. So close we could see everything and everyone in actual size!

This was our line-up of entertainers. And we were excited.

A nice surprise at the Opry is church pew seating with cushions! So nice.

I was expecting the usual red barn but the Opry has gone digital, so it was a different background for sure!

Hall of famer Rhonda Vincent opened up the show with some amazing bluegrass!

Drew Baldridge not only impressed us with his "Somebody's Daughter" song but a new, unrecorded "Rebel" song.

I was so inspired by Jessica Willis Fisher's story that I've ordered her autobiography.

Opry Hall of Famer Whispering Bill Anderson moved us to tears with his new song relating to Alzheimer's -- the last person I'll forget.

And there's a long story about Gene Watson. Jim and several friends saw him in concert last year and hoped to convince him to come to central Wisconsin. He did perform an hour-plus away and Jim saw him. But the performance at the Opry sort of solidified his "legend" status.

We had an amazing comedic break in the action with Gary Mule Deer. Stupid what I would call Dad Jokes, but he made us laugh none-the-less!

And then there's Dasha. Hubby and I obviously love her recent hit "Austin," but she was super entertaining with two other songs.

When we concluded with a hall of famer Don Schlitz, I realized that there are so many people behind the amazing country songs we hear on the radio. He wrote "The Gambler" and "You Say it Best When You Say Nothing at All" to name a few. Wow.

When Jim and I went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, our admiration increased.

Here's the songwriter I just mentioned.

And here's "whispering" Bill – officially appreciated for more than 2 decades!

There was so much more we saw and listened to and experienced, but I think our glimpses at history (especially remembering what our parents listened to) hit closest to home.

Patience Pays

As I faced stand-still traffic this morning on my way to work (thank you, road construction!), I didn't even stress out. I mean it's only Tuesday and this week has been pretty good so far.

On Sunday I had the wonderful Hamilton surprise. On Monday, the last game of the season for the Royals baseball team ended in a 15-5 victory over Westfield!

Kind of nice that despite a few errors – or questionable decisions of our own, we propelled ourselves into playoffs Thursday with a winning attitude on our mind!

Then today, despite a stressful day at work, I came home to a package on my office chair. Carter had given me a heads up that my Mother's Day gift would be late in arriving. Now I know why they say patience pays off! So worth the wait!

Absolutely love this! He knows me for sure. We've had a few great international experiences and I need a blanket of some kind 365 days a year. And to feel a hug with it? Winning!

Gotta get up in 7 hours or less to head to the airport for a work trip in Tennessee. Hope our week is filled with more blessings to be thankful for!