🏛2017 Aug 1, James K. Polk 's Ancestral Home Columbia, Tennessee

Hubby and I enjoyed the free Chick-fil-A minis for breakfast, then had our swimming pool water checked and stopped in for our weekly B-12 Shots.

We rode to Columbia, Tennessee, to tour James K. Polk's Home & Museum. As many times as we had visited Colombia, we had never stopped to go inside the home, so we made a memorable trip just to tour the home.

The Living Room 

The dining room

Master Bedroom

The Stairs 

The Kitchen 

The Gardens

The Presidency 1845-1849 

James Knox Polk, our 11th president 

James K Polk for the Union
This house, constructed in 1816, is the only surviving Tennessee residence associated with the nation's eleventh president. James Knox Polk (1795-1849) lived here from 1818 to 1824. When Polk's mother died in 1852, the house passed to his younger brother, William H. Polk.

As Tennesseans considered secession during the 1860 presidential election, William Polk supported Stephen H. Douglas, the Northern Democrat, over John Breckinridge, the Southern Democratic candidate. In 1861, Polk became a staunch Unionist. He chaired the Tennessee Unionist Convention, which selected him as its gubernatorial nominee to oppose secessionist Isham G. Harris for Tennessee governor. The Confederate press lambasted Polk's candidacy, and a Nashville paper proclaimed that he could "no more fill the place of Governor than Falstaff could play Hamlet." Harris handily defeated Polk, 74,973 to 43,342 votes.

After Federal troops occupied Columbia in March 1862, they established the Provost Marshal headquarters at St. Peter's Episcopal Church next door to the Polk house. In September, Polk joined Union Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden's staff in Nashville. The Nashville Daily Union proclaimed on September 9, "Blessed with all the comforts and luxuries of a delightful home, he has voluntarily left them all to fight for that flag which he loved, 

2. James K. Polk House, which James K. Polk delighted to honor."

Polk became ill in Nashville and died there on December 16, 1862. His older brother's widow, Sarah K. Polk, arranged with Union General William S. Rosecrans to have his body transported to Columbia to be buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

It was a small group, a couple from up north with two children, a couple headed to Atlanta for a wedding, and us.
Our guide was very well-informed about the Polk family as he guided us through the home, including the climb of the stairs to the three bedrooms.
The kitchen was outside in another building, and the gardens were self-guided.
We walked back inside the museum and gift shop before they left.
We continued talking to the couple that was headed to Atlanta.

It was getting close to lunchtime, so we stopped at Long John Silver's (Hubby's favorite). I love their cod.
We stopped at Tractor Supply in Lawrenceburg, then headed for home.

Coffee High School "IF these walls could talk" now only a memory!!

Home Economic Fashion Show Features Winter Scene

With strains of Winter wonderland filling the air. The annual Home Economic Fashion Show was held in the Coffee's auditorium on Friday, December 3.
Mrs. Gann and Mrs. Southern, the home economics teachers were presented with corsages in appreciation for their help in arranging the fashion show.

Home Economic Fashion Show

One student walked onto the stage modeling a sports outfit.

She is keeping in step with the latest fashion changes.
For she has chosen black tarpon cloth for her very stylish bell-bottom slacks.
Her slacks are fitted and slightly flared a the bottom.
For her jacket, she has chosen, red, gray, and black plaid cotton.
Her jacket features long set-in sleeves and a very low scooped neckline.

She walks to the edge of the stage, turns, poses, and exits the stage followed by other students.
Fads and Fashions during the 60s were pierced earrings, and paper mache pins for the Coffee girls.
For the boys are paisley shirts, new scrub denim jeans, with initials on the right back pocket, weejum shoes, and no socks.
The mod move is print shirts with London-look collars and cuffs which are paired with hip-slingers pants. The boys also are wearing London Fog Jackets in shades of blue, yellow, and beige.

The first semester was sewing.
The second semester was cooking, baking, how to arrange a table, flower arrangement, and furniture, and how to place furniture in a home.

1. Rich Short Cakes served with strawberries and whipped cream.
2. Waldorf Salad chilled and served on a bed of crisp lettuce and garnished with maraschino cherries
3. Italian Pizza -covered and refrigerated overnight. Brushed with oil added sauce and baked for 15 to 20 minutes at 450.
4. Pizza Sauce topped with, parmesan, mozzarella cheeses, sausage, smoked sausage, weiners, hamburger, and pepperoni.
5. Italian Spaghetti - brown meat in olive oil, drain and add onion, pepper, and garlic cook for 5 minutes and add all other ingredients. Cover and simmer for 2 hours.
6. Cherry Dream Whip- Graham Cracker Crumbs for the crust, dream whip mixture, for filling.
7. Refrigerator rolls
8. Types of rolls: Fruit Buns, Cinnamon rolls, Cloverleaf, Parker-House Rolls, Crescents Rolls, Braided Rolls, and Knots.
9. Notes on bread: Thick bread, yeast bread
10. Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes, salad rolls a cracker pie MEAL
11. Sunset Salad - jello salad
12. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
13. Tahitian Delight -Jello Salad
14. Never fail pie crust
15. Lemon Gold Cake
16. Lemon Butter Cream Frosting
17. We learned the difference between custards, pies, and puddings
18. Ribbon Sandwiches
19. Punch made with cool-aid, cold water, sugar, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, gingerly, and lemon juice.
20. Chili Con Carne

Chili Con Carne

Next, we learned how to set a table and all bout the different types of items that go on the table.
What are the types of eating Utensils?
1. Sterling silver
2. Silver plated
3. Inlaid silver
4. Stainless steel

Silver Wear 

What types of dishes are used?
1. China
2. Porcelain
3. Earthenware
4. Melamine

How the pattern is put in China?
1. Hand Painting
2. Transfers

What determines whether the pattern will be permeant or not?
1. underglaze
2. overgrazed

Crystal fine glassware lead is added to the crystal.
We then learned about the different types of Furniture.
1. Early American Colonial American 17 Century
2. Duncan Phyfe Federal American 19 Century
3. Modern Contemporary 20-century
4. Victorian 19th Century
5. Eighteenth Century English 18 Century
a. Queen Ann
b. Chippendale
c. Sheraton
d. Hipple white
6. French Provincial 19th-Century

Types of Furniture

We learned about Flower arrangement
Finally, we had to draw a room using the furniture styles listed above.
It was a very interesting year and we learned a lot.
I love to cook and sew.

Designing a room 

History of Coffee High School before it was demolished in 2016.

Coffee Gym 

Coffee Front Office 

Back view

✈️✈️✈️2008~ February 7-11, Cheerleading Competition at Disney Orlando, Florida

2008 ~February 7-11, Cheerleading Competition at Disney, Orlando, Florida

A trip to Orlando, Florida, with a group of cheerleaders

I walked half a mile on the treadmill at the YMCA, worked out on the machines, and walked 2.5 miles at Dilbert Park.

I saw Arnold Hughes while I was walking in Deibert Park. He was in a motorized wheelchair with Ruby's grandson and the grandson's girlfriend. 

He said, "I live at J66 in the apartments next to the park." He had his little dog with him.

I went to Regency Square Mall, where I bought three sports jackets and a pair of Easy Spirit tennis shoes. At Victoria's Secret, I bought five pairs of panties and one stick of lip gloss.  

When my husband got off work at 4:40 P.M., I picked up Hannah and Jake and ate dinner at Stanfield's Restaurant in Ford City.

I ordered grilled chicken fingers with sweet potato. Hannah ordered fried chicken fingers with French fries and a salad. Jake ordered buffalo wings with French fries. My husband ordered a steak and baked potato with the salad bar. We shared an order of fried mushrooms.

After dinner, my husband dropped Jake, Hannah, and me off at their house, where I spent the night. 

Jake and I watched a musical game show; I finished my CBS lesson and dressed for bed.

Day 1: February 8, Friday 2008

Hannah woke up at 1:30 A.M.  She woke me up, but we both went back to sleep. 

Robin woke us up at twenty-three. We dressed and loaded our luggage into the car, and Robin drove us to the Birmingham Airport. We arrived at 5:20 A.M. Robin dropped us off at the 

We checked in at the southwest ticket counter and went through security.

We are on flight 1615, groups B5 and B6, ticket number BHMT607462.

The Rogers Varsity Cheerleaders attend the National High School Cheering Championship contest at Disney's Studios in Orlando, Florida. 

I ate a Kasha bar and drank a can of  Mt. Dew on the ride to Birmingham.

Hannah bought herself a bottle of orange juice and a sandwich. 

We departed Birmingham Airport at 6:55 A.M. and arrived in Orlando, Florida, at 8:55 A.M.

Hannah listened to her podcast, and I took pictures during the flight.

At 7:50, we were 200 miles from the Orlando airport. 

Some of the girls from the Cheerleading group

When we landed, everyone went to baggage claim to pick up their luggage, then went outside to wait for the UCA bus.

The UCA Bus carries passengers to and from the Disney World Resort at no extra cost. 

We had to wait until everyone's luggage was safely stored in the storage compartment at the bottom of the bus.

Everyone loaded onto the bus, and we were taken to The Sports Resorts, where we were staying.

Everyone was directed to a tent, where we were given instructions. The Cheerleaders were then taken to another tent for orientation and a group picture.  

There were tables of bananas and oranges free to all the Cheerleaders and chaperons.

All the Cheerleaders bought T-shirts with the National High Cheerleading Championship Center printed on the front and back.

Our luggage was unloaded from the bus, ticketed, and taken to our rooms; our carry-on bag was left in the chaperone's rooms.

I am in room 3717 with Vicky (Emily's mom), Patricia (Rachel's mom), and Beverly. (Chyna's mom)

A group of us women went to Disney Hollywood Studios and ate at Mama Melrose's Italian Ristorante in the back lot. 

I ordered a meat-and-cheese sandwich with chips and a drink, and Hannah ordered a pizza, salad, and water. 

The girls rode the Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n 'Roller Coaster at Disney Studios.

We took the shuttle bus to the Resort to get our luggage and room keys.

Everyone's luggage had been locked in one of the chaperons' rooms, but no one knew which room.

When everyone finally had their luggage, it was near supper time, so they ate at the food court located at the NeResortour Resort.

I ordered a parfait and a bottle of water. 

That night, everyone went to the Magic Kingdom. The park will be open until 1:00 P.M. tonight for all the cheerleaders and their chaperones.

Day 2: February 9, Saturday 2008

I was up early, took a shower, walked outside, and got into the heated swimming pool for about an hour to relax my back and legs, which were aching from all the walking we had done the day before

I returned to my room, showered, and dressed for the day.

Hannah, Macy (Macy's mom), Tammy, and I rode the tram to Epcot. At Epcot, we rode the Test Track and Soaring.

Epcot ball

Tammy

Macy and Hannah at Epcot

Hannah at Epcot 

Test Track at Epcot

Sorning at Epcot 

We ate lunch at Lotus Blossom Café in China. We ordered sesame seed chicken with rice and drank green tea.

The food was delicious, and everyone commented that they enjoyed it. 

After lunch, we rode the bus to the Animal Kingdom, where Hannah and Macy rode Mount Everest several times.

Mount Everest Roller Coaster Ride

I rode a coaster in Dinoland with the girls, and we went to the Tree of Life to watch A Bug's Life. 

We rode the bus to the Magic Kingdom, where the girls rode several rides. They had to return to the Sports Resorts by 6:00 P.M. for cheerleader practice.  

Hannah and I ate at the food court., I ordered a grilled salmon salad with carrot cake, and Hannah ordered a chicken creaser salad and a slice of cake. 

Hannah had to return to her room, and I went to downtown Disney with Savannah and her mom. 

I was in bed by 10:00 P.M., the only night I had a good night's sleep.

Day 3: February 10, Sunday, 2008 

Vicky woke up at 4:30 A.M. and took the girl to the NHCCC. They ate breakfast at 6:15 A.M. 

Rachel came by with her mom (Patricia). They brought orange NHCCC tickets for everyone so we could join the cheerleading companionship. 

That morning, China's mom stubbed her toe. She thought she had broken it. It was dark in our room, so she did not see the chair she stubbed her toe on.

We all dressed and went to the NHCCC, located at Indiana Jones Theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

NHCCC is located at Indiana Jones Theater in Disney Hollywood Studios. 

It's not the glitz of the uniform that matters but the spirit that shines within.

Beverly, Patricia, Tammy, Judy (Katie and Hope's mom), and I rode the USC bus to Disney Studios; the girls will compete at 9:15 today. 

Beverly was able to get a wheelchair because of her stumped toe. 

We all went to the Tower of Terror when the girls finished their competition.

Everyone had to reassemble at the Indian Jones Theater at 12:15 P.M. when the winners would be announced. The girls came in 18 of 24.

Macy, Hope, Katie, and Hannah on the end

People who went to Orlando with us were Zion, Weston, Kevin, Moyer (Bonnies' family); Macy's, mom Tammy, Renee, Laken, Tiffany, Judy (Katie and Hope's mom); Savannah and her mom; Danielle, Ashley, Sarah, Lindsey, Morgan, Jordon, Rachel, her mom Patricia; Emily's mom Vicky; Chyna's mom Beverly.

While Hannah was changing out of her cheerleader's clothes, I walked over to the Star Wars stage, where I saw Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and some stormtroopers performing.

They let boys and girls fight against Darth Vader using their lightsabers. 

I recorded the performances with my camera.

Hannah and some girls rode the Rockin' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. 

We went into some of the shops in Disney Studios, where I bought a four-park cinch at Mickey's of Hollywood for $21.25, along with some Caramel popcorn and water. 

Hannah bought a ring and a pair of Minnie earrings.  

We rode the bus back to our room to return Hannah's cheerleader bag, and I put my camera, money, and room card into my new four-park cinch bag, which I had bought at Mickey's of Hollywood.

Macy, Vickey, Hannah, and I rode back to the Magic Kingdom, where we got a fast pass to ride the Big Thunder Mountain Coaster at 3:10 P.M. The ride broke down, so we did not get to use our fast passes.

We all rode the Haunted Mansion ride and took the Jungle Cruise.

Standing in line at the Haunted Mansion

Hurst at the Haunted Mansion

Macy & Hannah at the Haunted Mansion

Macy, Vickey, and Hannah rode the bus to the Resort, and I took the tram over to Epcot by myself.

I tasted Coke from several different countries at the Coke building.

I started walking around the countries, beginning with Mexico, where I took a cruise along the canal, enjoying the views of Mexico. 

In  America, Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain took me on a journey where I saw the Pilgrims and the Mayflower, the Boston Tea Party, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, Valley Forge and the Revolutionary War, slavery and the Civil War, the suffering of Native Americans, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the founding of Yosemite National Park, World Wars I and II, and a series of images depicting the people &  events of recent history.

America at Epcot

At Liberty Inn, I ate a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and a fruit bowl. (The fruit bowl contained  grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, and muskmelon.)  

I walked through some shops in Japan and took pictures of the Roman statues in Rome. 

Darkness began to fall over the different countries, and I stopped taking pictures.

Your first introduction to the Mexican pavilion is a pre-Columbian pyramid surrounded by lush landscaping inspired by a Yucatan jungle.

Norway's attraction is Maelstrom. 

Norway's attraction is Maelstrom. 

China Pavilion 

 Lotus Blossom Café in the China Pavilion, where we ate lunch

The centerpiece of the cobblestoned German Platz (plaza) in the World Showcase's Germany is a fountain with a statue of St. George slaying a dragon.

                

Italy Pavilion: The 83-foot bell tower in the World Showcase's Italy is an authentic replica of the original Campanile in St. Mark's Square.

I walked to France, where I watched a movie scene from Impressions de France, featuring Normandy, the Loire Valley, Cognac, Cannes, and Paris. The movie was about 18 minutes long.

The curator was French, and he spoke both English and French.

While standing in line in France, I started talking to two women from Ohio. I asked them how many more countries there were, and they said just a few more, Canada being the last one.

In England, I made masks of different countries. I met three young girls, two from Manchester, England, and one from Scotland. The girl from Scotland said she would meet her family in Hawaii later that year.

The last country I visited was Canada, where I watched an 18-minute film about Canada narrated by Martin Short, a native of Canada. 

The two women I had met in America were waiting for me in Canada. After the film ended, we all walked to an area where we could watch the Epcot Ball explode and spin in the sky.

I rode the bus to Animal Kingdom, waiting for Hannah, Katie, Hope, and Judy. 

While waiting for them, I started talking to two women from Ohio whose daughters had won first place in the NHCC that day.

The Animal Kingdom stayed open late, and the girls wanted to ride Expedition Everest. Katie rode the ride, but Hannah decided it was too cold. We walked over to the Resturanto Saurus, where I ate a piece of strawberry shortcake. It was the only restaurant open, and it was warm inside.

When we returned to the Disney Resort, it was 12 P.M. I took a shower, talked to Vicki, and packed for our journey home tomorrow.

Day 4: February 11, Monday, 2008 

Vickie's mom had her clock set to go off at 2:30 A.M., and when she got up, she took a shower and dressed.

I had showered the night before, so I dressed and finished packing.

When everyone was ready, we walked to the bus that would take us to the airport.

Everyone had to load their luggage into the bus's basement and be on the bus by 4:14 A.M. 

When we arrived at the airport, everyone collected their luggage, walked to the ticket counter, checked their bags, went through security, and then went to gate 28 B for Southwest Airlines.

Hannah purchased a T-shirt at the gift shop; I bought a bacon and egg sandwich and a bottle of orange juice. 

We boarded the plane at 6:30 A.M. and were in the air by 6:50 A.M. 

Mike was waiting to pick us up, Hannah slept all the way home, and I gave Mike the other half of my sandwich I hadn't eaten.

We were home by 11:30 A.M.

I ate a hot dog and salsa with chips for lunch, turned on the TV, and slept.

Lora called at 2 P.M. to ask if I wanted to go with her to pick up Meadow, but I said no because I was too tired.

She said she had met with the Board of Education about Meadow; they had words, and she left crying.

That night for supper, I made chicken stir-fry.

I went to the dollar store to buy chips, bread, and candy. When I returned, I called my sister Beck to talk to her about Mom and Dad.

I watched TV until 12 P.M.