Nashville - Part II

I had to purchase a few items at a Nashville mall, and couldn't resist taking pictures of the colorful guitars that were positioned in front of stores.  Only in Nashville!  ;-)

Brianna's Commencement was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning, May 5th.  They had hoped to hold it outdoors, but Mother Nature sent torrents of rain resulting in 'plan B' - Moore Gymnasium.   It was packed, but at least the gym was air-conditioned.

 Trevecca University President, Dr. Dan L. Boone, getting ready to lead the procession.

~ Brianna receiving her diploma from Dr. Boone ~

'Showers of Blessings' on Commencement Day!

After Commencement Bri wanted to go to Olive Garden in Spring Hill, TN.  Sorry no pictures!  On Sunday morning we attended church on the campus.  The Trevecca Community [College] Church pastor is Dr. Dwight Gunter.  It was his mother, Dr. Nina Gunter, who presided over Steve's ordination.  She was our denomination's first female General Superintendent, but has since retired.

~ Jerry and Steve ~

Following church, Mother Nature gave us a beautiful day to take pictures that we weren't able to do on Commencement day.

 ~ Our beautiful graduate! ~

~ Bri and Brooke ~

Bri's standing on the outdoor platform where the Commencement Ceremony would have taken place had it not rained.

It would have been like this.  [Photo of Commencement Program]

~ Brooke, Steve, Sharon and Brianna ~

Jerry, Brianna, and Me

~ The whole family ~

~ Bell Tower ~

~ Bri standing inside the bell tower arch ~

Then we were off to dinner at another of Bri's restaurant choices 'Burger Up' in Franklin, TN.  We did a lot of eating on this trip!  ;-)  

At dusk Brooke wanted to go see the sights of downtown Nashville on Broadway Street.

From the parking lot we walked over the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge, which goes across the Cumberland River.

Broadway was swinging and crowded.  A little too much night life for me - I was relieved to get back to our motel and its safety [must be my age!  ;-)], but all ended well, and it was a fun family activity.

~ Steve and Bri with Elvis ~

On Monday morning we were on the road by 8:00 a.m  We stopped at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast and kept going until we got home that night.

We had a great time, but it was SO nice when we crossed the Ohio State line into Michigan.  As the saying goes, "Be it ever so humble there's no place like home!"

Nashville, TN - A College Graduation

My hubby and I left a week ago today for Nashville, TN to attend our granddaughter's graduation from Trevecca Nazarene University.  We got home late Monday night, but this is the first chance I've had to write a blog post.  

We stopped at a Denny's for breakfast before crossing over into Ohio.  My tea came in such a cute little teapot that my hubby asked if I wanted him to take my picture with it.  ;-)

When we arrived in Brentwood, TN [where our Holiday Inn was located] Steve [our son] went to Trevecca to pick up Brianna so we could all go out to eat together.  She chose the Cheesecake Factory.  My brain must have gone to sleep, because I didn't take any pictures.  I do remember ordering fish tacos that were yummy though!  ;-)

On Friday morning we went back to the campus to load all of Brianna's belongings into our vehicles.  She's coming home for the summer to work and earn some money then plans to return to Nashville to pursue a Master's Degree in counseling.

Bri's dorm this year - Tennessee Hall [She was a resident assistant for 2 1/2 years.]

Rain was forecast for Saturday [Commencement Day] so Jerry and I took pictures of the campus on Friday before the showers came. It's a small campus, but very lovely. Our church denomination [Church of the Nazarene] has eight universities in the United States.  Olivet [near Chicago] would have been closer, but Brianna liked Trevecca better.

The arches on each side of the entrance to the university.  One is leadership, the other is service.

On the sidewalk in the center of each arch is a cross.  What it symbolizes makes leadership and service possible and rewarding.

After Brianna's belonging were all packed we went back to the hotel until it was time for her Baccalaureate Service in Boone Convocation Center at 7:30 p.m. The theme was Reverberations of God's New Song.  It was a beautiful service and I liked it better than the Commencement Service.

~ The Processional ~

Brianna peeking around the graduates so I could take her picture.

The family - Sharon, Brianna, Brooke and Steve

~ Sisters ~

~ Proud Grandparents ~

~ A congratulatory kiss from both Grandmas ~

I'll conclude tomorrow with Bri's commencement and the sights of downtown Nashville.

A Bit of Nostalgia

I was shopping yesterday and came across a display that took me back many years to when  I was still living with my parents.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of it.  I received a lot of CorningWare for my bridal shower and wedding, and I still have it and use it.

CorningWare came out in 1958 with it's iconic Cornflower pattern.  I recently wrote a post about getting the CorningWare stove-top teapot/kettle at an estate sale. Do you have CorningWare Cornflower dishes?  Happy 60th Anniversary CorningWare!

On another subject... I'll be taking a blogging break for a few days.

Shore Pointe Purse Presentation

My purse presentation at the assisted living facility last Sunday went well.  Only 1 resident remembered to bring her purse - a Vera Bradley - but it was a topic they all enjoyed hearing about.  One of the aides showed her purse to the residents - a Kate Spade.

I compiled a list of items that today's woman might carry in her hobo or tote style handbag. In short the purse is a portable office, pharmacy, photo gallery, bank, beauty salon, cafe, convenience store, library and telecommunications center.  I asked if I had omitted anything from my list and one of the ladies said rosary beads and another said Depends and Poise pads.  Everything's relevant to age.  ;-)

I had so much fun researching this topic that I'm going to make it into a game to play with the ladies on the upcoming tea tour.  It will help wile away travel time.  Also want to show the movie Steel Magnolias.  

I also learned that upscale purse designer, Judith Leiber, known for her whimsical bejeweled handbags for evening wear, passed away on April 28th just hours after her beloved husband of 72 years.  They were both 97 and died of natural causes.  Some of her handbags went for upwards of $5,000 and were carried by First Ladies Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, and Hillary Clinton and celebrities from Greta Garbo to Oprah Winfrey.

Judith Leiber - Internet Photos

A husband who had given his wife 14 Leiber bags in seven years asked for them back in a divorce settlement saying he could retire on the purse collection.  He must still be working because he didn't get them.  ;-)