It has been a very long, trying month.

As I mentioned, the Mister was gone all month for training (,he just got back last night).

Before he left we were able to do one last local adventure. We took a tour of the current “smallest microbrewery in the US” right here in Clarksville. The Star Spangled Brewing Company is literally a one brewmaster show. He only makes 93 gallons at a time of 8-10 different beers. We loved it!

Everything in the bar is US made and Matt (the brewmaster) says he wanted the brewery to be unapologetically patriotic. He’s done a fantastic job. We liked it so much that we are planning to go back again soon.

About a week after the Mister left, I got some heartbreaking news. My “adopted” grandmother passed away in her sleep.

I found out she had lung cancer in December and had made more of an effort to call every week. I’ve known her since I was 18 months old and she’s been as close as a blood relation ever since.

I was able to go back for the funeral, thankfully. The service was incredibly impersonal which broke my heart even more. The pastor barely mentioned her at all. I felt like I was in church (and a very bad one at that). He could have talked about how much she loved to garden and read — her closet was full of books!– or how she was a fantastic baker. Instead he just droned on about Stephen Hawking (I wish I was joking).

There was a myriad of other things that irked me, but I’ll not bore you with the details. Happily, I was able to see my parents and my sisters which was a welcome sight. It was tough to deal with solo, as I had no contact with the Mister (they took away phones).

Another small bright spot was being able to take a plant home from the funeral. Grandma Dee would have loved this azalea plant. Hopefully I can keep it growing. She was always a much better green thumb than me.

Another blessing was that the funeral happened to coincide with my parents’ spring break schedules. My mom drove back to Tennessee with me (I was SO thankful for the company) and dad came later with their dogs.

I was able to take some extended time off at work and spend it with my parents.

The dogs were glad to have the company. Audie got worn out big time, especially playing in the mud (it’s been raining like crazy lately).

My mom has a former coworker — that I’ve known for quite awhile as well– who just moved down here with her family so we got to catch up with them for St. Patrick’s Day (which is even more neat as Tracy is Irish).

Yes, I took them to Star Spangled. It was a fabulous catch up and much needed spirit booster.

With all the unexpected stuff happening, the girls and I weren’t able to get together, but we’re already planning for our April gathering (it’ll fall on my 30th birthday) and trying to find a good time to explore the Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee.

On the positive side, I managed to get my house back in order for the most part. I have one more project to tackle — my messy closet.

Hopefully April will prove to have some more adventures and a lot less heartache.

Until next time!

Cheers,

– A.