Spring Break (3.12.12-3.17.12)

When our friends Lee and Ellen bought a beach house near Santa Rosa Beach, FL, we eagerly signed up to be their first house guests over Spring Break.  The friends, sun, and sand made up for the 11 hour car ride the kids "had to endure".  The first outing to make up for all that sitting and waiting?  Ice cream!  

Helga's 85! (3.11.12)

We have spent many a birthday at the Montgomery Zoo, and so when Oma turned 85 earlier this month, it seemed appropriate that we celebrate with her at our Memphis Zoo.  Plus, the weather was simply gorgeous, and she loved the fresh air.

There could have been a few rides along the way to the Polar Bear exhibit........ (that's Latorya with Grayson--she's one of the girls that helps us take care of Helga)

And afterwards, of course, there was birthday cake (and her favorite spaghetti for dinner)! 

Thank you all for her calls and birthday wishes.  She had a wonderful day.  

Athena and The Parthenon (3.3.12)

If you've read the Percy Jackson series like my children (which, if you were not born after the year 2000--you probably have not), you know about Athena.  Or, in the very least you might have read something in your life that exposes you to Greek mythology. Regardless of the introduction, the fascination could be the same.  Harrison requested a visit to The Parthenon while we were in Nashville, which is a full scale replica of the original structure in Athens.   I think the kids were looking for something in particular on the Greek goddess that they read in their books.  I, however, was just looking at her.

Close of Day (3.3.12)

The kids and I were in Nashville this particular weekend for a Taekwondo tournament.  Andy and Mandy showed us a bit of Nashville, which included a visit to (Harrison's request) The Parthenon.  We made it just in time to close the place down.  The kids were given the chance to close the bronze doors that stand on the west side of the building.  Nothing spectacular here, except that these doors each weigh 7.5 tons, are 24' high, 7' wide and 1' thick, and are the largest set of matching bronze doors in the world.  No big deal.

Zula's Child

Now that we are playing out more, we needed to become official.   Lloyd and GB worked for endless hours creating a playbill, or description of our unique style and feel.  For those of you who don't know, Zula McNew was my maternal grandmother.  There are many reasons why I like the choice of Zula's Child as our name, but, I'll save those stories for later.  Visit our website, www.zulaschild.com (which is still under some construction), or send us a request at zulaschild@gmail.com.  But, whatever you do, book as early as possible.

Heart Ball (2.25.12)

When Lloyd initially called me and told me that he had accepted a gig at the Peabody for the Heart Ball 2012,  I wanted to hang up on him!  Nerves, of all nerves (and, I'm meaning not his--mine!) How could we perform in front of all the cardiologists in town?  I know my guys are good (meaning, Lloyd, GB, and bro Andy), but, what if I croak?  Could I ever go to work again (that is, at my day job)?  Slowly, after much encouragement, I got used to the idea. To prepare, we played out every chance we could.  This included the Methodist University Hospital Tower Lobby, and the Azalea Room at The Parkview (which, by the way, we were told by some dwellers there that we were much too loud).   Whatever the trouble of those practices, I'm still smiling today. This gig was one of the most exciting things I've ever done!  And, we nailed it!  (of course, I knew the guys would anyway....)  We even had our own dressing room with our name on the door... living like gypsies in a palace.

The Love Lounge (2.24.12)

Although The Love Lounge (TLL) is usually our BIG gig for the Valentine season, we used it as a dress rehearsal for a little event at the Peabody (more on that on the next post).   With 70 or so friends listening in, our trio invited my brother Andy to come from Nashville and sit in with us.   And that means my sister-in-law Mandy was in town!  Add in Jennifer, and now we are speaking of love.  I love these girls!