On the road again (soon to be)

Here's our tentative plan. As before, we need your input about things not to miss and any scenic drives you know of along this route!! (Click on the picture for a larger view.)

(A) Nantucket
(B) New York
(C) Philadelphia
(D) Washington D.C.
(E) Cleveland
(F) Chicago
(G) Mount Rushmore
(H) Yellowstone
(I) Jackson Hole
(J) Malad, Idaho
(K) Moscow, Idaho
(L) Leavenworth

Our year is almost up

Well, our one year in Nantucket is almost up. We arrived mid-April last year and we will be leaving mid-April of this year. I have mixed emotions about our time here. I'm really glad we came. I've always wanted to see Nantucket and Cape Cod because the architecture and design style are iconic. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't that great. Last summer was windy and rainy. But, we did make lots of new friends. I loved my time doing the show Almost, Maine and really enjoyed those people. We worked a lot. And it cemented my opinion that Michael and I could be really fine interior designers. I want to pursue that when we get back to Leavenworth.

Yes, that's right. Leavenworth. We will be back in that small Bavarian Village by May, and we have already secured the condo to live in again. Woo-hoo! We are in the midst of planning another cross-country road trip! This time across the northern United States. These are our planned stops so far:

• New York City
• Philadelphia
• Washington D.C.
• Cleveland
• Chicago
• Mount Rushmore
• Yellowstone National Park
• Jackson Hole
• Palmer Ranch in Malad, Idaho
• University of Idaho (my alma mater)
• Leavenworth

What I will miss the most about Nantucket is not the charming waterfront, the fishing village downtown, or the beautiful beaches. It's Brian and Christy. I wish we could pack them in a bag and take them with us.

Stay tuned. Because you know I will be writing daily blogs of our cross-country adventure once it starts.

E

Dr. Drew holding back the tears

Last night, we watched an episode of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew that had me weeping unashamedly. Mindy McCready, if you remember, was set to be the next country music superstar back in the mid-nineties. And then she disappeared seemingly overnight. She suffered a physically abusive boyfriend, and then alcohol and drug addiction put her in jail for 6 months. On last night's episode of Celebrity Rehab, the gang organized a dinner dedicated to their closest family and friends who were mistreated over the years yet still stayed and loved them. Each patient spoke a few words and then Mindy sang this song. Even Dr. Drew was fighting back the tears. Here's the video:



Watch it on youtube: Mindy McCready Makes Dr. Drew and Tom Sizemore Cry with "I'm Still Here"

Mindy seems to be doing great now, and I personally can't wait for her new album to come out on March 23, 2010! Visit her website: Official Website of Mindy McCready


Not that long ago, I viewed addicts as weak. I had no compassion for them. But now, after struggling with my own demons and coming out on top, I understand how something can be bigger than you. Something can be stronger than you. Something can sneak in and hijack your life. And I get angry that this can happen. Look at Mindy McCready. We have been denied her wonderful talent these last 15 years, and she has been living in hell. Years of her life have been wasted. Years of my life have been wasted. And I want to apologize. Not sure why I'm telling you this, except that if you do know someone struggling with addiction know that it's not the person that is weak, it's the disease that is strong. Perhaps you can have compassion for them. And if you are the one struggling with addiction...please tell someone.

All my best,
E

One night in Pensacola

We fly out tomorrow and tonight we're in Pensacola, Florida. Anne arranged a wonderful room for us in a very cool hotel that was originally a train depot circa 1912. The Pensacola Grand Hotel (Crowne Plaza) is located on the historic L&N railroad passenger depot. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as an important architectural landmark. Here's the hotel: (if you look real close you can see Michael!)


Beautiful antiques and opulent furnishings are scattered throughout the hotel. The chandelier in the main lobby is a large, multi-arm working chandelier that boasts 225 lights and 150 individual crystal prisms. But I really loved the long, drop-cast solid bronze light that adorns the lobby entrance:


Boy, they'll let anyone in here:


A heavily jeweled ceiling dome, which is lit from behind, is inlaid in the ceiling in the bar:


Art-deco design everywhere, which I love:


Cheers,
E

Only a couple days left

We only have 2 days left here with Anne & Scott in Alabama. It's been another wonderful visit, if a little cold! Tomorrow Scott is driving us down to Pensacola where we will be spending the night in a hotel that used to be a train depot. Can't wait to see it. We fly back to Nantucket on Wednesday. Also tomorrow, Anne leaves for her 3-month tour in Philadelphia.

Speaking of Anne...I have often told Michael that from my perspective, Anne is the glue that holds this Murphy family together. You all are lucky to have her. But a couple of days ago, she said she was frustrated. She's tired of always being the one to call the rest of the family and to keep in touch. I got the distinct impression, she was thinking of not doing it anymore. I doubt that will happen, it's just not in her nature. But, if you're reading this, get off your ass and call her! She deserves better than that.

Cheers,
Ernest