Proud to be a Nashvillian!

This has been one of the toughest weeks for Tennessee, my community, my friends, & my family that I can remember in my lifetime. The unexpected flood that is now being called the "500 year flood" devastated Nashville & its surrounding communities the week of May 1st. Each & every person in or around Nashville has been affected by the flood in one way or another. Whether it was your own personal property or a good friend or family member's property that was damaged or lost, we were all affected in some way.

For me, it was my roof / ceiling at my house, but this was nothing in comparison to what my mom & step-dad have had to deal with this week. This was the scene when we arrived at their house in a BOAT on Monday morning.

Although from these pictures it doesn't appear that the water was in the house, let me assure you, it was. It came up through the air ducts & we were walking through several inches of water in the living room & downstairs bedroom. On top of flooding in the house, they lost several vehicles & several pieces of farm equipment - none of which were covered by flood insurance (which has been the case for many, many Nashvillians).

In addition, my step-dad started having chest pains on Wednesday so my mom took him to the ER. Turns out he had yet another blockage (he has had open heart surgery in the past). So, on Thursday they doctors put a couple of stints in & he should get to go home (or to my aunt's house where they are staying) today.

All this being said, my family has been very fortunate. There are so many who have lost everything they have or have lost loved ones. I am just so fortunate that I still have my family with me & that, for the most part, their house & belongings are salvageable. We just have to keep in mind that God is in control & he has a reason (whatever it may be) for all that has happened.

I have also been amazed at the outpouring of love & compassion from our close friends, but more so from people that we do not even know. All day Monday & Tuesday, we had people stopping by to offer a helping hand or to drop off food. All over the news you see people helping to rescue others or giving food / water to those in need. It has been humbling, to say the least, to see exactly why Tennessee is called the "Volunteer" state. I have never been as proud as I am today to be from Tennessee or Nashville. We truly have the most giving, compassionate people in the country we live in!

The House That Built Me

In this post I just want to share a song that has a lot of meaning to me. It is Miranda Lambert’s newest song & as soon as I heard it, it touched me in so many ways. It explains so much about childhood and how the contents of our childhood truly shape who we become. My childhood was not always roses, but nonetheless it has made me a stronger person & shaped me into the woman I am today. As I hear the song & read the words, I can’t help but reflect back on my childhood memories & think of “the house that built me.”

The House That Built Me

I know they say you can’t go home again. I just had to come back one last time. Maam I know you don't know me from Adam. But these handprints on the front steps are mine. And up those stairs, in that little back bedroomis where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar. And I bet you didn’t know under that live oakmy favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it’s like I’m someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself if I could just come in I swear I’ll leave. Won’t take nothing but a memory from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years. From Better Homes and Garden magazines. Plans were drawn, concrete poured,and nail by nail and board by board Daddy gave life to mama’s dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it’s like I’m someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself. If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave. Won’t take nothing but a memoryfrom the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can. I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it this brokenness inside me might start healing. Out here it’s like I’m someone else, I thought that maybe I could find myself. If I could walk around I swear I’ll leave. Won’t take nothing but a memoryfrom the house that built me.

Back Fat....oh NO!!

It's true....I have it! And, I've GOT to get rid of it.

The past 2 weeks I have been craving cookies, candy, cake, sweet rolls.....ok, ok....you get my drift - I've been craving anything & EVERYTHING sweet. I don't know what the deal is, but starting this moment I am banning all sweets from my house.

I know what you're thinking -- "whatever, stupid thin girl, you do not have back fat." This is no joke people. As I sit here typing this, I can feel it overlapping the back of my pants. And these are work pants! Not jeans! Work pants...you know, the kind that aren't supposed to fit tight & definitely should not have back fat overlapping them!

Ok, I promise to make my next post have better substance than just my obsessiveness over my weight - which I WILL get under control!

Until next time...