Family Fun

We try to get together every Friday for "happy hour" and sometimes that includes dinner. But I'd say it averages twice a month---especially in summer with everyone's travel plans. Plus, we get together on the weekend whenever we can to float in the pool and barbecue. We have the occasional dinner out. Then there are Titan's games that give us an excuse to get together now and then. But we don't usually have anything "big" planned.

Mindy came across---what sounded like a fun family activity, so we all were on board. She bought the tickets and the plans were made. We were going to Hotel Indigo for a cajun dinner and dueling pianos.

The arrangements were made the night before. Morgan---who lives downtown was going to meet us there. Mitchell---who works downtown was just going to stay down there and meet us. Butch and I were picking up Nicky and Stephanie at 5 p.m. and then Mindy around 5:15. Plans set. We are a family of planners---nothing is left to chance. We've got it. Organized to the last detail. Always!

Here's how it actually went down. Mitchell came home from work---not much after noon. (I've been teasing him that he's getting paid a lot for a part time job!) We were planning to take the Enclave that would hold 7 of us so I could drive everyone home---we had plenty of room. I told Mitchell that we were leaving the house at 4:40 to get Steph & Nicky. About 3:45, he came down and was messing with his phone. He said that he was picking up Morgan. What? Now the plans are starting to go awry. I questioned him---"why are you taking your car back down? Why is she just not meeting us down there as planned?"

I started firing off the questions. He didn't really have any answers other than she was dropping Walter (her dog) off at a friends. "Oh," I said, "her friend in Bellvue?" He responds, "yeah. She said if I picked her up she'd buy me a drink." I then started asking more questions, "is she planning on spending the night there? Is she coming back here? Or, am I dropping her off at her apartment?"

Mitchell said he didn't know. He just agreed for the free drink. To which I told him that for what he'd waste in gas, he could have paid for his own drink! I told him he didn't do a very good job of getting details. He said, "grammy, don't tell Morgan this, but I don't really care!" That sums up Mitchell right there!!! He's just laid back.

By this time, it's 4 p.m. Butch prompted him to get moving since we were leaving at 4:40---SHARP! The plan was set in stone! Off he went. 4:35 they're not here. 4:40 they're not here. 4:41 they're not here. You get the picture. We were pacing. Butch was starting to "wig." At 4:45 we get a message that they are "almost" here. You know what that means. They had just left!

At 4:50, we walked out to the car. A minute later, Mitchell and Morgan pulled in. Mitchell says, "perfect timing!" I replied, "not really, we were just leaving without you!" Butch was---let's see, how can I put this---TENSE! But at least we were "off!" Until we got behind every slow driver, every driver that was on their cell phone, every driver that would not turn when they had the chance, every driver that went so slow we missed every light and every driver that had no idea where they were going! Typical ride anywhere in Nashville.

Actually, we were only about 5 minutes late getting Steph & Nicky. The "thing" we were going to didn't even start until 6 p.m. But, with downtown traffic and the fact that we had 7 people, we weren't sure whether we'd have a reserved table. We wanted to make sure that we could all sit together.

We needn't have worried. We were the first ones there. One table set for seven was obviously ours!! We went to the bar and had a drink. Butch started to chill after the stressful start to our evening.

After that, it was just pure fun. The food was delicious. Every possible cajun dish you can think of:
barbecued shrimp
salad with green and black olives, tomatoes, eggs, cheese and a cajun style ranch dressing
jambalaya
cajun pasta salad
crawfish ettouffe
maque choux
grilled oysters
seafood gumbo
muffaltta sandwiches
praline bacon
And then the desserts: pralines, bourbon pecan pie, white chocolate bread pudding and bananas foster

There were hardly any people there---about 20 counting us! When the dueling pianos started, we took over the room---dancing, partying and just having fun. At one point, I "made" Stephanie give the piano guy $20 to STOP playing a song!! We had a ball. Here are some pictures to prove it!

 This was in the bar prior to the event. The walls are lined with red and orange books. They are for lending. The manager told us it's all and honor system and they have extra books to replace those that are not returned. She said that rarely happens.

As part of the "deal", we each got 3 green coins for drinks. I only had one of mine since I was the designated driver.

 They offered hurricanes and hand grenades. I really like hand grenades and can't even tell you what's in it. Those got me in trouble years ago when Pam, Anna, Lauren and I went down to New Orleans to meet Mindy for Spring Break. Ahhh, but that's another story.

 I gave one of my drink coins to Butch and the other to Nicky.

 We danced. There was one other lady who danced with us---in fact, she's the one that got us going. Later, one other gal joined us.

 We really loved having the place nearly to ourselves. The guys definitely played to us and our requests. But Butch made the point that it was kind of sad for "Felix and Fingers" as they also work for tips. At least the Eads family did their fair share in that department.

We had such a good time that we're already thinking about the next one. They are doing a Beatles night in about a month. Mindy is in charge of getting all the details. This time we're going to try to convince Sandy and Greg to come in for it.

We closed the place down at 10 p.m. We haven't partied for 4 hours in a long time. In fact, Stephanie, Nicky, Mitchell and Morgan continued the party downtown. I would have liked to join them, but I was the DD and Butch wanted to go home. Same for Mindy because Justin was going to be getting home from work.

This was a great way to spend a Friday night. We all had so much fun. But then, we always do when we're together.

Now, if we can just get the "young ones" to take the timeline a little more seriously!!