Short Week

You know those short weeks that put you in a good mood? You know, like the week of Thanksgiving, when you're telling yourself, "I only have to work 3 days this week, and then it's a long weekend!" (I'll ignore the mental stress of continuing the Thanksgiving analogy, namely such things as having to entertain a grumpy octogenarian that's a couple of limbs up the family tree from you. Not that I have any of those.)

Anyway, this week is such a week for Leah and me. We didn't really plan a "real" vacation for this year, in order to save all benefit time for any potential infant's arrival (Leah doesn't have paid maternity leave, and my HR director threw me out when I asked about it). As science and the good Lord would have it, we have scheduled aforementioned time for mid-December. But we still wanted to get in a sort of "mini-vacation," perhaps a last "hoorah" sans baby. Cause let's face it--when we use our vacation time for the little one's arrival, there ain't gonna be much rest and relaxation. While the baby sleeps 16 hours a day in multiple miniscule shifts, we're gonna be watching General Hospital, Lingo, and playing hide and go seek with the baby monitor.

OK class, pop quiz time: Where do Eric and Leah like to go, and go often? No, not Victoria's Secret. Nashville! After our doctor's appointment on Thursday morning (which will include an ultrasound and hopefully the all-important boy/girl revelation; details over at Russellbaby.com), we're hitting I-40 East to Nashville. We don't have a whole lot planned, but do have tickets to see super funny Jeff Dunham at Zanie's . I'm certain we'll do some shopping at Opry Mills a time or two (or three or four), as well as take some relaxing dips in the pool (indoor OR outdoor--we do have a choice, you know). I wouldn't mind touring the Ryman, simply because I've never stepped foot in the place, and I've always wondered what it's like to yell "Red Rover, Red Rover, send Little Jimmy right over!" from the stage (if Gretchen Wilson can sing When I Think About Cheatin' from there, surely I can say something!). Sacreligious? Nah. We'll also eat dinner at Longhorn (for one of the best prime ribs anywhere), and possibly eat the heavenly bananas foster at Nick & Rudy's for dessert.

The event calendar for Nashville this weekend doesn't look THAT crazy, unless you count Keith Sweat, VeggieTales, or the 4th Annual Simply Scrapbook & Stamp Convention. Oh yeah, Kelly Clarkson is playing over at the Opry House, but hopefully the teeny-boppers will stay out of my way.