Nasville Trip

Hey everybody,
As I posted week before last, I won a trip to Nashville and the CMA awards in a contest that I entered on Jason Aldean's Facebook fan page.

Thought I would share some of the highlights with you. My girlfriend Michelle accompanied me. We had such a fantastic time. They kept us very busy. We stayed at the Hotel Preston near the airport and they provided transportation for us back and forth to downtown and the hotel. We attended a private concert with Jason Aldean at the HardRock cafe Tues. night. Had a meet and greet and got pictures and an autographed CD. Country Music Hall of Fame on Wed. am. Star searching Wed. afternoon scored us a picture with Keith Urban and Jerrod Neimann. We were SO star struck. Wed. evening CMA awards. We had balcony seats so we couldn't really see the performers that well but it was really interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes and during commercial breaks. Just being there was so exciting. Spaghetti dinner afterwards. Should have come home Thurs. night but somehow our departure flight wasn't scheduled until Fri. They paid for us an extra night at the hotel. We rented a car and drove down to Brentwood, in hopes of seeing some famous country artist in the Starbucks or Fresh Market, no such luck, but we did see some absolutely magnificent homes on the drive. Checked out the Cool Springs mall and drove on down to Franklin, TN. They roll the sidewalks up at dark there so we drove up to Belle Meade and checked out the Mall at Green Hills. Absolutely one of the loveliest malls I have ever been in. Fri. we got up, checked out and drove back to Belle Meade to do some more shopping. Back to Franklin, lunch at Pucketts Grocery and more shopping. Returned to the airport, turned in the car, 7:15 flight to Charlotee and on to Tampa. Got in at 11:58 pm. Home at 1:00 am. Of course I was so wound up I didn't go to bed until 2:15 am. Michelle invited my husband and I over to her house "to grill some steaks and just hang out". My birthday was Sunday the 14th and her's is the 27th. She said we will just have a quiet evening and celebrate our birthdays. NOT, it was a surprise birthday party for me! My husband, Michelle, and my friend Carol had planned this before I won the trip and even though we had only been home less than 24 hours they got it all together. There were about 30 of my dearest friends there. My best friend, Teresa and her husband drove 3 1/2 hours to attend. I couldn't believe it. It was so touching. I cried what one of the girls called the "ugly Oprah cry". It was not pretty! Once I got over the initial surprise it was all smiles and laughter. I am so blessed to have such loving friends. I will post some pictures on my expressions page.

Blessings to all,
Joanne