Filling His Shoes

Paying Homage

2012-01-19T14:46:00.000-06:00

One of the last lucid conversations I had with my Dad involved my career. I was working on a multi-tens of millions loan deal, talking with credit officers, conferencing with attorneys and studying Phase 3 environmental studies all while he lay dying.

He told me not to do the deal. I didn't.

He also told me to get out of the bank. His words, "It'll kill you, if you let it." I left, cold turkey during the worst time to quit a job in recent history....August of 2008.

My Dad had a very successful career as a banker, bank president and CEO. He influenced and helped so many people in so many wonderful ways. He was a suit wearer. He ran a tight ship. He NEVER let it define him.

I can count on one hand the times I ever remember my Dad talking about his work. Well, other than those nights he lay in an anxious coma because he had to meet with Mr. Lowder. My detest of that man still runs strong. And I only met him once.

What did define him were his hands and the music he could create with them. To me, he'll never be the banker, he was the music man. The bluegrass music man.

So, 3 1/2 years into a fabulously fun career at a school, I was finally able to pay homage to my music man. Last Friday night, with a packed house of St. Bernard parents and friends, I hosted a little bluegrass party. My friend Tammy is the fiddle player for a quite famous band, The SteelDrivers, and she and her guys made me long for those carefree days of sitting and listening to my Dad play. I have no doubt that he was there. I could feel him as if he were right behind me.

He'd be proud of what I do. I no longer work to get paid. I work because I have fun doing it. That's what I know he would have wanted for me. And the ability to plan a little bluegrass gathering as part of my job, well, Dad, that one was for you.

Favorite Things - Post 7

2011-12-19T12:18:00.000-06:00

I have never fancied myself a cleaner. Actually, I don't even know how to clean. Plus, I have no desire to learn how to clean. I know that sounds ridiculous. I'm just being real here.

Until this year, I could count on one hand the number of times I had vacuumed over the past 3 years. Next year marks 10 years since I hired my first house cleaner and I just left it all up to them. But, with two kids and now a puppy, vacuuming has become a necessity. I've had a few vacuums over the years and never like any of them. I told David this year that I was determined to find a vacuum that I could a) figure out how to operate and b) want to operate.

Enter into my life: Dyson Ball. Can I tell you that I now vacuum even when not needed! I love that thing so much and it has made me a very happy girl.

No chance I'll change my ways and become a cleaner though.

Favorite Things - Post 6

2011-12-15T13:51:00.000-06:00

In 2003, almost two years before we got married, David's mom gave me the "starter set", i.e, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, of the Lenox First Blessing Nativity. Each year after, she would add a few pieces to our set and it became one of our most favorite things. I'm sure it'll be treasured for years and years to come.

We put the Nativity out before Christmas last year, and in memory of Rita, left it out for the entire year. I look at it every single day. I'll always think of her.

Favorite Things - Post 5

2011-12-13T11:21:00.001-06:00

Last year at this very time I was getting ready to make a risky purchase. One that would move me away from my Cuisinart coffee maker and into the world of Keurig. Not just any Keurig, oh no! The mack-daddy Breville Stainless Steel Keurig. I was nervous. Very nervous.

The Breville version of the maker is expensive. I pondered and studied the reviews. I interviewed friends that had switched to Keurig and one that had bought the Breville.

Let me tell you: I have never regretted the decision and never looked back.

I look forward to seeing this baby every single morning!

Favorite Things - Post 4

2011-12-09T11:04:00.000-06:00

While I realize they are way too popular right now, I just love TOMS! I scored a new pair at Goodwill this year for $1.99 but for some reason, paying the full price sits right with me because the organization behind the business is so good.

Everyone in our house has a pair (or 2 or 3) and we all wear them a lot. What I want to know, since the founder was featured in Costco's Connection magazine this year, will Costco start selling them???

Favorite Things - Post 3

2011-12-02T11:31:00.000-06:00

I struggle with my closet on a daily basis. Yes, it's partly because I always seem to be "in between sizes" but lately it's because I don't have a lot of stuff that crosses both categories of professional yet appropriate for what I do....hang around kids all day.

Well, this year, I bit the bullet and ordered my first item from Boden. I'm now officially hooked. A friend that is also a Boden-addict told me it would happen. The clothes are so well made and appropriate for my 30-something age and rather funky career. And the kids clothes are to die for. The European flair of all of it is probably what intrigues me so much.

They have great sales and every time you order you get a friendly note a few weeks later with another coupon! Such great marketing! Such fun clothes!

Favorite Things - Post 2

2011-12-01T13:16:00.003-06:00

Y'all know by now that I'm a body product aficionado, right? And just about every other month, I try a new lip moisturizer/gloss/chap/etc. Don't fret if you're hooked on the one I recommended last year: I'm still a lover. And, if you took my advice and bought the $3.00 tub of Cocoa Butter Vaseline; well, you and I are birds of a feather. I still use it every night.

I thought I was content until into my life entered:

Sugar!

Y'all; it's divine! Pricey (for a cheapskate like me), but wonderful. It comes in some good shades but I love the clear. And the packaging is a far cry from any old chapstick you've ever tried. It's metal! Gasp! Who knew that packaging a lip product in a metal tube could make it so much better? And you actually have to screw the casing off; not just pop a top! It's really just about the best thing ever. Buy some for all your (good! (remember it's pricey)) friends! They'll love it and love you for it!

Favorite Thing - Post 1

2011-11-30T14:58:00.001-06:00

David and I feel so very thankful that our path led us to St. Augustine's Chapel. We're devout Episcopalians and had attended the Cathedral of the Diocese of Tennessee for years. Those of you that came to our wedding or attending the Baptism of Larkin came to the Cathedral. It's beautiful. It's reverent. It's serene. It's as awe-inspiring as any Cathedral you'll visit in Europe.

But, sometime last year, our path led us away. I never thought it would happen. But, it did.

St. A's is nothing like our former parish. It's super casual and the music is unbelievable wonderful and oh so very Nashville. Every Sunday David and I are on pins and needles to see who will be there to sing or perform. It's always exciting and one of Nashville's best kept secrets.

David and I were very involved with the Global Missions Outreach at our former parish. He and I both traveled to South Africa to an orphanage that I served on the board of for two years. We are now excitedly getting involved in a Hospice organization that St. A's supports in Botswana. You'll be hearing more from me about that in the months to come.

The children's program at St. A's is so fun for Larkin. She's involved in the weekly Catachesis program and is gearing up to be a barn animal in the Nativity in a couple weeks. She's making sweet friends and we are too.

And for those of you that aren't in Nashville, you may not know the name Becca Stevens, but you should. She's our Priest and friend. Larkin loves her because she wears jeans under her robe and doesn't wear shoes to Mass. Becca is one of those people that you want to be around. You want to hang on to every word she says because each is so very powerful.

St. Augustine's has been a breath of cleansing fresh air for us. It's our favorite thing and one that we're so very thankful for this Advent Season.

(Bet you would have never guessed that would be my first "Favorite Things" post, would you?)

Favorite Things!

2011-11-29T14:26:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again! Time for me to tell you about my favorite things! Thankfully, many of my most favorite things are the same as they've been for years, but no worries....I've got some new ones too.

I've heard from several people that I led them in the right direction with the Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash and hunky Henry on The Tudors. And Frye boots; well, they still make me swoon. I'm hoping to be adding to my collection very soon. I've learned that as you bring children into your life, their favorite things become your own. I'll be telling you about some of those too.

Now that Oprah has left stage-right, I'm almost sure my Favorite Things list will become as famous as hers was!

Thankful

2011-11-21T15:07:00.000-06:00

I realize I'm not much of a blogger anymore and I'm sorry. It's just not one of those things that can receive priority in my life right now. I know everyone is busy but lately, I've been incredibly busy. I'm rarely home and when I am it's all I can do to stay awake long enough to wash a load of clothes. Thank goodness for my housekeeper who keeps on top of my cleaning and laundry.

This weekend, I worked 40 hours on a community fundraiser. That's 40 hours spread over only 3 days. I'm wiped out. On Friday, I didn't see Henry once. That's tough on me and tough on him. Bless David's heart for holding the fort down for the 3 long days. He's a good one, for sure.

Everyday, I feel every minute from the minute I get up to the minute I go to sleep, is completely full. There is no relaxation in my life right now at all. But strangely, I'm fine with that.

I have healthy children who continue to grow and thrive everyday.
I have a husband that is good and kind and patient and loving. And has no hobbies (like hunting) that don't involve his family.
I have a job that I'd work unpaid. Not many people can say that.
I have a cozy little house that keeps us warm and dry. And a fabulous housekeeper to keep it kept.
I have possibly the cutest little puppy that ever walked planet earth. (More on Molly later.)
I have no needs that aren't met. Not many people can say that, either.

Life, though unbelievably busy, is unbelievably wonderful. And for that, I am unbelievably thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Wherever you may be.

Larkin Key Wilson - 4 Years!

2011-11-17T20:51:00.000-06:00

How hard is it to believe that Larkin is now entering her 5th year of life?!

She continues to be the comic relief in each of our days.

Her zest for life and compassion for others is humbling and inspiring.

She questions everything and believes in magic.

She loves her brother and has yet to have a cross word with him.

She tells me every day that I'm her girl.

Just last night she told me that she knew that Foxy was my best friend and that I didn't have to worry because I still had a best friend and it was her.

To say that she's smart is a huge understatement. Huge.

She remains the light of our life and the joy of our days.

Happy 4th Birthday, Larkin. We love you more every single day.

Overdue

2011-11-06T14:24:00.000-06:00

Why yes! It has been over a month since we returned from Disney and I've yet to post a picture. We had a most fabulous time! Larkin was the perfect age and at the peak of curiosity of the characters and Henry, as always, was a trooper.

We spent most our time hunting the beloved autographs. Larkin used my autograph book purchased in 1989. The characters that can talk to you all commented on it and those that aren't allowed to talk made gestures letting us know how cool that was. Larkin would tell them it was her Mommy's. It was so very sweet.

We already can't wait to go back. It's a magical place to begin with but seeing it all through the eyes of children only makes it better. That Walt. He really knew what he was doing.

Buzz!

Donald and Larkin

A bit intimidated by Drizella....

Mickey's pal Pluto!

Drizella was quite taken with Henry :)

The Star of the Show, himself!

Showing Rapunzel her manicure :)

Thumper, or as Larkin calls him, Stumper.

Pocahontas and Meeko

Blogging Absence

2011-10-28T13:09:00.000-05:00

I'm totally absent from my blog. I know it and I have people remind me of that often. I still get really embarrassed that folks even tune in to these rambling-on's.

Here's the problem as I see it: The only time I have any space in my day to blog is at work. At work, I have no photos. All of our pictures are loaded into one of the many external hard drives that David manages. So, you've seen no photos of Disney, there was no 13 month review of the ever sweet WHW, Larkin is on the brink of turning 4 (!) and I really want to re-cap this year in her life, but I just can't.

I know what I need to solve the problem. Hopefully, I've given enough hints to David to make it a reality.

I need a MacBook. I could have my photos and be able to transport it around to places like work to blog. My current setup is very, very unblogging friendly.

Problem is, he just got a MacBook for his birthday earlier this month and I'm not sure swinging two MacDaddy's in the course of a couple months is in the cards. We'll see.

Disney scoop to come....

2011-10-13T09:20:00.000-05:00

Y'all, we had a great time! Much to my surprise, Larkin was the perfect age to go and once again, Henry was the perfect baby.

We rode rides, chased characters around the park, ate too many Mickey Ice Creams and Dole Whips, bought too many plush animals and even got all of us Mouse Ears! It was magical.

I would pay the price we paid for the entire trip just to see Henry's face on the "It's a Small World" ride again.

What we didn't do was take a ton of pictures. Some on our phones and a few that I've yet to upload from the camera. Disney does a "magical" job of having photographers at crucial points to take the pictures for you.

I'll do what I can to blog about the trip soon. Right now, I'm lucky to have enough time in my day to brush my teeth. It's that time of year, folks. Too much to do, too little time.

Disney World Bound!

2011-09-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

Today's the day! Larkin is on top of the world today about her trip. Let's hope it all goes smoothly with as little whining as possible.

Can't wait to experience the magic through the eyes of a child......

Henry's Circus

2011-09-25T16:36:00.000-05:00

While Henry may not remember his 1st Birthday Party, I sure will.

It was tons of fun and thanks to Pinterest, my ideas were neatly organized so that I could go back to them for reference throughout the planning process.

Like with Larkin's first birthday cake, we indulged with a delicious creation by our wedding cake baker. I designed it and she made it come to life. It was perfect!

We had lots of fun circus treats like roasted peanuts, popcorn, bubble gum, cotton candy, circus peanuts, licorice, button candy and more. The kids were in heaven. The parents may be still wanting to kill me.

The big kids enjoyed what is now to be known as "The Best Money Ever Spent". The bouncy house provided hours of entertainment.

Henry wasn't into smashing his cake and preferred to eat it and the ice cream with a spoon instead. He's so civilized.

Sweet Henry finally has some boy toys of his own and a push cart that is not a pink baby stroller. While David has obliged him in pushing the stroller around, I think he's happy to see him with his own car filled with blocks.

It was a beautiful day to spend outside with friends and family. Not only did we celebrate Henry's first, his Mame was celebrating her 60th the very same day! While I have no pictures to prove it, my certain to be Championship Barbecue Winning husband, delighted everyone's palates by cooking up some of the best grub ever!

Henry will have the pictures to look back on and thankfully, I'll have the memories to recall. Happy day Henny Penny. It was the best birthday party ever!

WHW Year One: In Review

2011-09-22T21:38:00.001-05:00

My, oh my, oh my. Where has the year gone? You, sweet boy, are nothing but joy.

You came into this world so very loved.

You'll have a story to tell some day.....Two hours after being released from the hospital, you attended your Grammy's funeral and followed that up with your first party. At a bar, no less.

I have no recollection of all those sleepless nights in the beginning. I actually enjoyed all six weeks of them with you. We got to watch almost every one of the Chilean miners being pulled from the earth together!

You went from being a dark-haired baby to a blond-haired, blue-eyed little boy. I think you are the most beautiful boy I've ever seen.

You have proven yourself to be as easy-peasy as they come. You love restaurants, you travel in the car like a champ, you eat anything you're given, you don't fuss when you're not being held, you play by yourself better than a certain almost 4 year old that I know and you, lest I need to remind everyone again, have slept through the night since you were SIX WEEKS OLD!

You managed to grow 7 teeth over the course of a year and you sat by yourself and started crawling very early. The walking thing has come slower than I ever imagined. I'm not worried at all by it as I prefer to hold on to my baby boy as long as I can.

You love your big sister so very much. You often squeal with delight just from seeing her in the afternoons. And Larkin, well, she so wanted a little sister but now often says how happy she is to have a little brother. One of my biggest wishes in my life is for you to be close for the rest of yours. Hold on to each other, support each other and have fun with each other. We'll probably even fund an exciting trip for you to take together one day!

You still nuzzle your face into my neck when someone talks to you. I love that sweet and shy side to you. It's really a heart melter for me and for the ladies that try to get your attention.

Your belly laugh is perhaps the sweetest thing I've ever heard. (Outside of Larkin's baby belly laugh, of course!) I don't know what it is about a baby hysterically laughing that is so wonderful, but I feel certain it's one of those blessings from God.

You came to us days after we lost one of our most loved. What would have been a sad and gloomy year has turned out to be one of the best of our lives. Your Daddy and I often look at each other and acknowledge that THIS is as good as it gets.

You're a dream, William Henry Wilson. I'm thankful every single minute that you are ours.

Happy 1st Birthday my precious baby boy.

Where were you?

2011-09-08T09:44:00.000-05:00

I suppose those three words, if said in the right tone of voice, would be understood by most every American as to mean, 'where were you when it happened'.

I was on Hillsboro Road, right in front of the McDonald's, and my phone rang. My Dad was known to call me most every morning and we'd talk on our rides in to work. On this particular morning, he sounded grim. He said, "Honey, turn your radio to NPR. Something is going on in New York City." Well, something is most always going on in the City, so I was a little confused by his tone. He said they were saying that a bomb had exploded in one of the twin towers. In the course of our conversation, the second one hit and by then, they knew they weren't traditional bombs. They were planes used as bombs. Our planes with our people on board.

We hung up the phone and I went into my office where people were gathered around a television typically used for watching sports that happened to occur during work hours. People were crying and confused. Dad called me back to tell me to go get an oil change.

I'll never forget that. He was convinced that oil would become scarce due to the suggested connection with the terrorists and the Middle East. I left to go get the oil change and my building was soon evacuated due to a bomb threat. People were going nuts that day. The crazies came out of the woodwork and started tampering with the emotions of those that worked in tall buildings. I called my boss when I couldn't get back in the building and she was already heading home. It was too emotional to work that day so she told everyone to go home.

Later that day, David, who at the time was just a "guy I went out with every once in a while" called from Knoxville where he was working that week to say hello. It was in that conversation that I believe I started to love him. Almost like the emotions of the day started bringing people, specifically us, together.

I've tried to never be overly caught up in the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001. As horrific as they were and as many lives that were lost, it seems almost like it was meant to be for our fast paced and egocentric society. It was a reminder to everyone across these United States that we were one. That we, no matter race, religion, color or creed, were in this together. Personalities and interrelations of human beings, here in Nashville and most definitely in New York were changed for the better. If only for a little while.

The tragedy somehow united us. In a way that we hadn't been for a very long time. If ever, really.

I'll also never forget September 11, 2002. As I was making that same drive to work, talking to Dad, I saw one of the most beautiful sights I'd ever seen. The Middle Tennessee Hot Air Balloon Organization had organized themselves to have 12 hot air balloons floating above the Downtown Nashville skyline. Some were dangling American flags and others had flags with peace signs. Huge balloons with huge flags high above our buildings reminding us that we were Americans and we were to be promoters of peace. It was magical.

I can hardly believe that in 3 short days, 10 years will have passed since that morning that the world really did stop turning. I still think about those families that lost loved ones and how their lives were so drastically altered. I also think about all of those peaceful followers of Islam that have suffered 10 years of hell because of what a few radicals did. I think about all of those men and women that have either lost their lives or become paralyzed, mentally ill or tragically injured because of the war that followed that day. None of it is right. None of it is easy to understand.

I think we all learned a lesson or two from that fateful day. I hope we've used those lessons more for the good and less for the bad. I know I have.

Wilson's in Scotland?

2011-09-06T09:38:00.000-05:00

It ain't no secret that I want to blow this popsicle stand. You know, pack up and move abroad. In evaluating our options, I got a most convincing email from my dear friend, Lila. Lila and I were sorority sisters (hence the ice water tea mention) and really just clicked from the beginning. After this email, I love her more.

Hey Elizabeth,

You can call me Gene Chizik because I am about to recruit your ass off. Actually, you and I both know I don’t have that kind of money. Let me just get a strawberry for my water and we’ll call this an ice water tea.

Please accept my apologies, football season just tends to bring out that competitive spirit. I completely agree with David! Scotland is calling for ya’ll. In David Letterman fashion, I will provide you with “Wa th’ Wilson’s shoods move tae Scootlund.” That’s my best impression of a Scottish man saying, “Why the Wilson’s should move to Scotland.”

10. They don’t play Scottish folk songs like “Loch Lomond” in France. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIIe0iTHwHY . This version may be a bit fast and contemporary, compared to the traditional ballad. No matter how it is played, it’s always played at Scottish events. You haven’t lived until you seen a stadium full of rugby fans swaying and singing this song as they players warm up. Plus, the rugby game is the closest thing you will get to seeing the Crimson Tide play in Bryant Denny stadium.

9. The thermometer will never reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Have you complained about the heat over the summer in Nashville? The only time you will hear someone complain about the heat here is when a guy tries to run in 70 degree weather and breaks a sweat. I just think he’s a wimp. But, he tells me that in the winter, so there are no harsh feelings.

8. August is festival month. Every venue in the city turns into some sort of festival event. This includes a book festival, and international festival, fringe festival, the military tattoo, etc. It caters alot to comedians, but you get all kinds. Buskers entertain those in the street. Bars turn into comedy houses. And there is even Axis of Awesome who puts on a great show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I. The festival season kicks off with a fireworks show at the beginning of August and ends with a fireworks show tonight. I’m sure Larkin needs to see that.

7. You can buy a scone for breakfast on Friday morning at the office canteen, and your co-worker sitting beside you will ask you questions like, “You’re good to yourself, eh?” He’s apparently never seen a chik-fil-a chicken biscuit. Now that would be good to myself. And speaking of food, you have a plethora of international options at your disposal. Say goodbye to ‘Fish and Chips Fridays’. It’s all about the curry here. Indian food, Nepalese food, Bangledesh food....those are all pretty much the same, but let me tell you it is some kind of good. It makes up for their lack of McAlister’s.

6. There is a castle in the middle of the city. Who would have ever thought I would walk by a castle on my way to work? There is a lot of green space and people actually use it. Stephen calls it Lizard Fever. When the sun is out, people get outside and soak it in. Sometimes, quite literally. They look like a lizard lying on a rock, soaking in the sun.

5. Location, location, location. You are a very short train ride to St. Andrews, or the West Highlands and a relatively short train ride to London. But, even better, you are only a quick flight away from London, Wales, and France...when you need to hear someone say, hau hauh hauh. (That was a written version of French laughter.) Basically you are a relatively short flight from any country in mainland Europe. You can get a bargain direct flight to Basel, Switzerland, and even Cypress e.g. Then you board that plane right back to Scotland where you can speak English.

4. You can drive on the left side of the road. Who doesn’t want to do that? Well, if you don’t, you will have plenty of options with public transportation. We lived here a year before having access to a car, and there was only a couple of days where public transportation failed us. That was when officials shut half the trains down during the blizzard. I took one of the trains to Glasgow for work that day and it was packed (think China). I had a minor mishap in which I can’t recall all the details. Let’s just say I woke up with a crowd of faces looking down at me. One man gave me his seat on the train, one lady gave me her candy bar, and another lady fanned me to the point of awkwardness. But, kudos to the public transportation, they got me exactly where I needed to go. Don’t let the term, ‘blizzard’ scare you. They didn’t get more than two feet of snow, and all the locals went into shock mode. A midwestern blizzard would turn their world upside down.

3. If you have an ounce of American ambition, you will look like a superstar here amongst the UK work ethic. The work ethic is surely higher than France and Spain, but doesn’t compare to the ridiculousness that is the U.S. UK people don’t expect you to work all hours of the weekend. This affects the country’s level of innovation and competition, but it sure does benefit my personal work-life balance issues.

2. If you can, you should. Not only do you gain an appreciation of a town like Greenville, Alabama, you gain an appreciation of the whole world. BBC news covers more than U.S. They cover worldly issues that affect us all. They acknowledge that other countries exist for purposes other than being bombed. It’s more fun to learn about foreign countries in person than learn about it in a book.

1. Why not?

The recruitment chairmen just gave me that cue that the ice water tea has come to an end.

Don't you want to move, too? And more importantly, don't you wish you had a friend like Lila.

September

2011-09-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

Whew! Finally made it out of that rotten month, August. Don't you just hate it?

September should be a big one for us! During this month, my darling Henry celebrates his FIRST BIRTHDAY and boy, am I having fun planning his party! Thanks to Pinterest, I'm super organized with it.

Also during the month of September......WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD! I know, taking two little kids to Disney is a cardinal sin in my family but Larkin is so in to the Disney Princess Hype that I just couldn't resist. We're only staying four nights and doing two parks. It'll be about as low-key as a trip to see the Mouse gets.

We're also expecting the birth of our 3rd child this month. Yes, dear readers; we're getting a puppy! AAAAGGGGHHHH! I'm over the moon excited (remember from my 100 things...I've NEVER had a dog) and Larkin talks about her constantly. We're getting a Golden Retriever and she's due to be born September 17th. We're still crossing our fingers that Boomer and Faith produce at least 3 females as we're the 3rd reservation for a little girl.

And last, but not least, football returns. My life just gets better when my DVR is full of games. I hate to gloat about the Tide pre-them-even-walking-on-the-field, but they are stacked. Might be the best bunch of talent the Tide has ever had and we all know that's saying a lot.

Good riddance, August. Helllooo September!

Obsessed.

2011-08-30T09:58:00.000-05:00

When I was little, I loved stickers and sticker books. It was more than love, actually, it was an obsession. I hoarded and traded and saved every dime I could find to buy stickers.

Y'all, I've found the adult version of stickers and sticker books. And I'm once again, smitten and obsessed.

Pinterest. Do you know it? Do you "do" it? What do you think?

For me, I've really never felt so organized in my thoughts before. I'm planning Henry's birthday party, I'm getting ideas for home improvement projects and I'm collecting recipes in an organized fashion rather than copying them to a word document, printing and telling myself I'll bind them someday. Hogwash. I'm waaaay too ADD for that.

Pinterest rocks. I was a non-believer. Now that I've realized it's a grown up sticker book, I'm hooked!

WHW Month 11: In Review

2011-08-22T16:57:00.000-05:00

I hope no one figures out what's going on because if someone discovered we robbed heaven of an angel, we might be asked to give you back. And I won't.

To say that you love to eat is an understatement. You eat portions that would satisfy your daddy.

You love music and will clap and wave your arms and dance right along to any rhythm.

You positively love your sister. The two of you already have a relationship like no other.

I just can't believe that you will be ONE in only ONE month!

Every day, I look at you and haven't quite figured out what I did to deserve you. But, I do know, it must have been something reeeaaallly good.

Death Day

2011-08-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

34 years ago today, the King of Rock and Roll, died.

Elvis Presley died at Graceland on August 16, 1977. He was 42 years old. Through the early morning of the 16th Elvis took care of last minute tour details and relaxed with family and staff. He was to fly to Portland, Maine that night and do a show there on the 17th, then continue the scheduled tour.

Elvis retired to his master suite at Graceland around 7:00 AM to rest for his evening flight. By late morning, Elvis Presley had died of heart failure.

In a matter of hours the shock registered around the world.

Paramedics were called, but they failed to revive Elvis, and he was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital where further attempts to resuscitate him failed. He was pronounced dead by his physician, Dr. George Nichopolous, who listed the official cause of death as erratic heartbeat, or cardiac arrhythmia.

As the news of Elvis' death spread across the country, radio stations immediately began to play his records. Some stations quickly organized tributes to Elvis while others simply played his music at the request of listeners, many of whom were in a state of shock over his sudden death.

Some people called their favorite radio stations just because they wanted to tell someone their stories about the first time they'd heard Elvis sing or to talk about how much his talent and his music meant to them.

In the same way that many people remember exactly where they were when they heard President John F. Kennedy had been killed, most of Elvis' fans remember where they were the day Elvis died. Mick Fleetwood, of rock group Fleetwood Mac, recalls, 'The news came over like a ton of bricks. I was driving back from the mountains, and I had the radio on. They were playing an Elvis medley, and I thought, 'Great' --- And then they came back with the news'.

The first time I met Rita, David's mom, she said "I just can't imagine not being alive when Elvis was alive." While I was unaware of her 'super fan' status at the time, I was aware of the day he died and replied, "Well, I was in utero." Those were our first words to each other and I forever endeared myself to her by knowing the day that Elvis died.

Little did I realize that August 16 would become "Death Day".

I was practically raised by Gussie Todd and her people. I spent my days before going to school chasing guinea chickens, picking a variety of beans out of a garden that, at the time, seemed to go on for miles, learning to roll a cigarette with Prince Edward tobacco in a can from Gussie's husband Boyd, and enjoying the free roam of country life. Gussie was as much a Grandmother to me as if she were my own blood. As an adult, every time we talked or saw each other, I told her I loved her. I'm not sure if anyone else in her life told her than on a regular basis. I still think about her all the time.

On August 16, 2004, Gussie died. She lived a long and full life and being a devout believer was ready to meet her maker long before the day came.

And then, on August 16, 2006, the world stopped turning for me. The one that was never to die, was overtaken by a monster of a disease that he was battling long before we ever knew it existed. Every day of my life since that day I struggle to rip a little more of that black shroud away from what virtually covered me in darkness. While my life has been nothing but wonderful the past five years, I often struggle with the feeling of it not mattering without him here to share it with me. I know, a complex psychosis, for sure.

This day for me will always be a tough one. So to Elvis, whom I'm sure has met his biggest fan, Rita; Gussie, who I know is still cooking a mean heaping of fried 'okry'; and Dad, who no words capture; happy Death Day. For whatever it's worth.

The End

2011-08-13T19:39:00.001-05:00

Five years ago today was a Sunday.

It was my last day with a couple hours alone with him.

He asked me to read the headlines. Not the stories, just the headlines. I don't remember any one of them that I read.

We laughed about the Sunday's, hundreds of them, that we would take the K-Mart ad and circle the things that we would have. Not really want, per se, but tolerate. You know, like the gaudy ruby earrings.

We were watching Bob Schieffer and lamenting on the fact that Katie Couric would soon take over the CBS Nightly News desk. He said, "Well, at least I won't have to put up with that."

He would doze, wake up and smile, and ask me if it was still Sunday. I would tell him it was.

He asked me to give him a good shave and make sure his ear hairs were trimmed. I would trim them every time I came home from Tuscaloosa. It was just one of our things.

Today, five years ago, was the first day I ever prayed for death. Unless you've been there; you just don't know. You don't know what that feeling is like. Especially when you're looking at someone that you love more than life.

So today, August 13, was the last day of what was left of the good. The next 48 hours were bad. As bad as hours can get.

I'm not sure if August will ever be anything other than what it became five years ago. It feels like I'm falling off a swing backwards, just like I did as a child, knowing that the breath will be knocked out of me.

WHW Month 10: In Review

2011-08-01T17:22:00.000-05:00

I just can't believe how quickly you are growing up.

You have the cutest blonde curls in the whole world.

You're a blink away from walking and, honestly, I hope it takes you another couple months to figure that out. You are already into everything and I think being foot-bound may make you limitless.

You're the happiest, easiest, most lovable child I've ever been around. Most that are around you tend to agree with me.

You're still a great eater. Like last night; you at a half a filet of salmon, about a half a cup of orzo pasta, and a heaping plate of broccoli. I think you're getting your daily intake of vitamins so that nasty formula is no more!

I'm so thankful for you, little Henry. You make our lives so much better.

Beachin' 2011

2011-07-21T13:28:00.000-05:00

While I may have sounded completely down in my last post, there was no sadness during the trip to the beach. We had a blast! Larkin and Henry are trooper travelers and we are definitely a beach bum family. We rarely take showers (salt water cleaning counts, right?), only pack a few things other than swimsuits, fill our bellies with fried food and raw oysters, drink Corona by the cases and have no fear of the hot sun baking us. With ample amounts of sunscreen for my fair-skinned kids, we're good to go!

We're actually headed out in the morning to the Atlantic Coast. I know, I know; a sin for us Gulf gals, but we're going to visit a childhood friend of David's who happens to live right on the marsh in Folly Beach, SC with a guest house calling our names!

Our little Henry turns 10 months tomorrow and since we'll be road warriors for the next 10 days or so, my Month in Review will be late. But, good news is I'll have more pictures!

Cheers to summer, sandy beaches, clear skies, cool breezes and oceans (and gulfs!) as far as the eye can see!

In my perfect world...

2011-07-10T14:42:00.001-05:00

nothing is really ever perfect.

This week; I walked where he walked, I ate where he ate, I slept where he slept. I spent the week where he was sure heaven and earth met.

I suppose it's because we're approaching that hot, dreaded month of August. The month where people die. Or at least, the month where they're dying. I'm feeling down.

So yeah; when he died things were different. There was us, those that he knew, those that he loved. Now there's more. There's the two bright eyed children that I can show the world to, but not to him.

Larkin asked me this week when we were out as far as we could in the Gulf to still enjoy the waves, "Momma, are these the waves you used to jump with Foxy?" Through tears and salt water burning eyes I told her they were. She told her friend Eve, the same freind that she's been playing with the week of July 4th since she she couldn't talk, "My Foxy bought our beach house so that he could watch me swim in the pool."

She doesn't miss a thing, that Larkin.

So here we are, almost five years out, and I'm still pissed off. I'm still so mad that my blood pressure boils. There's now way that he should have been the one to die.

He told me, only hours before he spoke his last words, that someone was playing a cruel joke on us. Thankfully, for him, he's not around to see how cruel it really was.

WHW Month 9: In Review

2011-06-21T16:40:00.002-05:00

How can it be? Have you really been on the outside of me longer than you were on the inside?

I still feel like a bragging fool when I tell everyone that you are the world's best baby. You are, I tell you. You really are.

You are definitely standing with ease now. Sometimes, when you forget that you are, you stand unassisted. I'm happy about the milestone but weepy about the fact that my baby is morphing into a little boy.

You babble constantly. It's the sweetest little voice I've ever heard.

You have this unbelievable precious shy side to you. Especially when I'm holding you. If someone says hello, you'll smile and bury your head in my shoulder. Melts me every.single.time.

I just can't imagine this life without you. My whole world is better, simply because of you sweet Henry.

Fabulous Finds!

2011-06-17T11:38:00.002-05:00

*edited with pics!

I do love summer. The heat is a little oppressive at times but I love the smell of sunscreen, lightening bugs, watermelons and the season of sales! Yard sales, tag sales, estate sales, rummage sales. It's my hobby. I meet great people with interesting stories and often bring home treasures.

So far, this summer has proven to be successful. A couple weeks ago I went to the sale of a lady who moved to Nashville from Belgium about 25 years ago. She had recently passed away, her body now resting peacefully back in her native land, and her two children and their cute French friend were selling her estate. Everything was in French. I was in heaven! I bought a slew of beautiful handcrafted pottery (no piece costing more than $1), two French prints (one Matisse and one Chagall) that now hang in Henry's room, a collection of Renoir chalk drawings that I'm certain are old and quite valuable, a handmade scarf from Ireland (makes me choke looking at it in the heat but I'm sure I'll treasure it come December), a Czech made oil lantern, and a trove of other interesting things. The kids noticed me pouring over the mounds of French books and magazines and asked if I wanted them. I definitely didn't have room for all they were willing to load in my car, but I did take a few cookbooks and cooking magazines. I find that reading those really helps in "freshening your foreign language memory". Besides my finds that cost me all of about $30, it was a fabulous morning of plundering the belongings of a lady I'm sure I would have loved.

Fitting. Especially since everything else in Henry's room is in French.

Again. Preparing Henri, if you will, for our move to a French speaking country.

Just this week, my favorite sale of the summer took place. The Annual Ladies of Charity Rummage Sale! It's so fun and knowing what a good cause the money goes towards, I'd write a check whether I left with anything or not. But oh, I left with some stuff, to be sure! My first find was a brand new, still with the tag on it, Kettler tricycle. Do you know them? If not, do a little Googling and you'll see why I was tucking and running with the $15 find! After digging through a sundry of old wallets, I came away with a brand new, tag on, Longchamp lilac make-up case for 50 cents and a vintage and I believe authentic Louis Vuitton wallet for a dollar! I also picked up a Rapidograph pen set. When I was in high school, I LOVED Rapidograph pens. So did my beloved Chemistry teacher, Dr. Murphy. She even sent them to me when I went to college. The set I bought would cost about $150 at an art store. I paid a cool $2 for it! Do you love Table Topics like I do? I have the original, the 80s version and the Girls Night Out version. The thing is, they're about $30 a pop. I found the 60s and 70s version, still unopened, for $1 each. That's $2 for hours of laughs! I'm assuming that a paper and invitation place donated older inventory to the LofC to sell because I found a stack of self-printable coasters for 25 cents a pack. They're brand new and will be a great hostess gift for summer parties. Who wouldn't love a guest to bring you a set of coasters with your monogram on it? (If you read this and I bring you some, forget that I told you they were a quarter *smile*)

Gotta love Henry's Kettler!

Rapidographs! I left one at my office for good measure.

Dinner party, anyone?

I've scoured every thrift store in town hunting a Longchamp!

My un-blogged, yet highly worthy, vintage Norwegian day pack. True love, I tell you.

Because they are lovely Catholic ladies, and I work at a Catholic school, I'm always excited to find new 'chotch' for my office at their sale. I've found some really great icons of Saints, an Italian plaster Virgin Mary, and a peace cross in the past. This week I found a beautiful wooden box with the Last Supper hand painted on it for a quarter, a pretty little wooden cross for a dime, and an Italian hand painted ceramic St. Francis wall hanging for 50 cents. I really love them all and even more love that I have perfect places for them in my Catholic-centric office!

I'll post some pictures of all my finds as soon as I get around to taking them. I was just too excited not to talk about them! You treasure hunters....and I know you're there....tell about your summer plunders!

Ding.

2011-06-10T12:48:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty sure God has gotten good at sending wake up calls to those in need. I got one today as I sat in a Funeral Mass for a 43 year old mother of two of our students at St. Bernard. To see the backs of young children's head shaking from crying is enough to put any mother on the edge of a breakdown.

She died of cancer. Leukemia in it's most aggressive form. She battled hard and true and left as gracefully as she had lived. While my friendship with the family has grown since coming to SBA, she and I actually worked together during my days at SunTrust. At the time, which often seems like a blink ago, she was my current age.

I'm certain that she was most concerned with the welfare of her two young children. She and I traded emails just a couple weeks ago and I worked up the courage to tell her what I know to be true. That her soul and spirit would find their way into her children. I told her that I was one of those that had experienced it. That I know, beyond a shadow of any doubt, that I get to carry a part of Bill with me for the rest of my days. Because I realize how fleeting our time here really is, I'm working feverishly to make sure that portion is passed along to Larkin and Henry so that it remains true and strong and vibrant.

My heart breaks for this sweet family. I don't wish that raw grieving stage on anyone. It's as brutal and hard as anything they'll ever do.

I remember on August 16, 2006, being very sure that the sun would never rise on August 17, 2006. The world would most certainly stop turning. But somehow it didn't. And somehow the sun has risen every day since. To me, and hopefully to these young children, they'll soon see what I've seen for almost 5 years; their mother as a part of those sunrises, joy in small things and happiness in the mundane.

As I heard the bells chiming today, I realized how reflective they were to life. Ding...ding...ding...ding. It's what comes between each chime that counts.

6th Anniversary

2011-05-31T13:49:00.000-05:00

I know it may sound weird to some, but when our anniversary rolls around, David and I think more about my dad, and now his mom, than we do about "us". The party that we had that weekend will be something I'll never forget. Without us knowing, it became more of a goodbye celebration for dad than a wedding celebration for us. And now that Rita is on that other shore with dad, we think of her. She put on a helluva rehearsal dinner with a packed crowd drinking liberally from a fully stocked bar. There were smiles and laughs and tears and toasts. I'll be honored one day to return the favor to Larkin and her future other family.

This year, David and I decided that another outdoor cooking device was the perfect gift to ourselves for our anniversary. Those that knew Bill know that he loved to cook. Outside. For VERY long periods of time. We bought ourselves a smoker to be able to carry out the tradition. From the looks of yesterday, there'll be lots of sitting around the grill and talking about temperature and smoke rings and meat.

I suppose the summer time will forever be the time I miss my dad the most. And now, we long for Rita. I'm still not for sure what the other side holds, but I'm fairly certain that he and she are somewhere having a cold drink together and hopefully marveling over these two fantastic beings that the union on May 28, 2005 have brought about.

WHW Month 8: In Review

2011-05-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

If it's possible, you just keep on getting sweeter.

You are a lover of all foods. So much so, we're about to kiss that nasty formula goodbye.

photo by the talented Jen Bates

We're entering a dangerous phase as you are now pulling up, sometimes to a standing position, on anything you can find to pull up on. Already had a few bumps and bruises.

You are such a go-with-the-flow little guy. Not unlike your daddy, I must say. I'm lucky to now have two easy men in my life.

photo by Jen

You're growing so fast and it almost makes me cry. My baby is fading away and a little boy is emerging.

Thankfully my arms are still one of your favorite places to be.

William Henry Wilson

2011-05-22T09:22:00.000-05:00

Today, on your 8 month birthday, you will be sealed as Christ's own forever.

We will be celebrating your baptism today.

Your sins are forgiven and you are marked. A lovely day, indeed.

Our son;

May you always find joy in the small things of life,

May you find happiness in cultivating the happiness of others,

May you love deeply and be loved truly,

May you be the change you want to see in the world,

May your days be many in number and rich in health,

May you know the love and peace that only God can give.

Amen.

Cicadas

2011-05-18T18:16:00.000-05:00

While others stand in disgust and disbelief, I'm in awe. I am absolutely loving this 13 year occurrence of the cicada. Our yard is full and both Larkin and I are in heaven. She is definitely of my blood because she is showing no girly tendencies when dealing with this *slightly* unsightly creature.

I've always been one with critters. My grandmother reminded me that in 1985, two cycles of this cicada ago, I used her strawberry cartons to collect as many of the shells as I could find. Ask any of my Kindergarten through 3rd Grade teachers whose parents were most routinely called because their child had brought a snake, frog, lizard or bug to school with them and they would tell you Elizabeth Lucas.

I'm still that way. I'd pick up a snake in a heartbeat. I still catch lightening bugs. And dealing with mice in my office is no biggie. So, you can see why I'm completely fascinated with this true mystery of nature.

Do you know the story? These little bugs that we're seeing are 13 years old. Yes! They have been living below ground since 1998. (Since I was a rising junior in college sitting in pubs and other fun places all over Europe with other Alabama co-eds. I remember that because the morning I left for the airport the air was thick with cicadas.) The nymphs, 13 years after hatching from eggs, rise from the soil and attach themselves to leaves and branches where they then shed their nymph shells and become flying creatures. The noise you hear are the males. Attracting themselves to the females and mating. Their eggs then are littered back into the soil where 13 years hence, when my own Larkin is a rising Junior in high school, will reappear. Just to do it again. I am mesmerized.

These cicadas are teaching us something. I just know it. If I had some idle time, I'd do some serious research on it. David and I were talking about it and we really believe their life cycle is a phenomenon that is not unlike our own universe. Ebbing, flowing, morphing, living, dying, evolving.

(And for the record, I do not believe that creation and evolution are mutually exclusive of each other. I believe they work hand in hand and always have. Controversial? Maybe. But have I ever been anything but?)

So you can imagine my giddiness when I came home this afternoon to witness the Mecca of novice cicada hunters like myself. A nymph, releasing himself from his former self. I'm no entomologist and I'm no photographer, but I tried my hardest to document the phenomenon.

The Big Reveal!

2011-05-11T17:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I'll admit, in the world of renovation, our projects were minor. Yet, the passion for our home was rekindled by making these cosmetic changes.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any great before photos. I think I was just so sick of looking at it all that I had no desire for it to go into prosperity. So just imagine, grey carpeted stairs with mud and juice stains leading up to our bedroom. They were gross. No amount of Resolve or vacuuming was doing the trick.

Now: Beautiful stained oak treads that take the stairs back to their original state of wonder.

The Kitchen. Oh gosh. The cabinets were a mess. Circa 1982ish, worse than our lake trailer, hanging off the hinges, junk. My dream when we bought the house was white breadboard cabinets that would take the home back to the 1920s era when it was built. I love them. They're all I hoped they would be!

We decided to tackle the back splash ourselves. After pondering all the options, we decided on a stainless steel subway tile. It works perfectly with our appliances and I've always loved the subway stack look. It wasn't *quite* as easy as the company made it out to be, but my engineering minded husband figured it all out.

Remember those prints I told you about some time ago? I had them framed and they are perfect! They are an artist's rendering of the spines of cookbooks. Many of these are my most favorites to refer to. Since we have no bookshelf space in the kitchen, this fulfills my desire of having books in all rooms of our home.

Much to my mom's chagrin, I painted a magnetic chalkboard on a big portion of the empty wall space. We (yes all of us!) have loved it! Every morning while making my coffee, I update the day of the week and month. Then as Larkin is getting her go-cup of juice and I'm getting my go-cup of coffee, we talk about the date. She has proven herself as an excellent calendar reader at school and I like to think this little idea is helping her along.

Since I'm mentioning coffee....this is my love. I've told you about her before. She's divine. Invest in a Breville Keurig today!

Did you see those lovely fabric letters on the chalkboard? Well, let me tell you, they are wonderful! I had an idea to make something similar but considering I have about 17 minutes of free time during the day, I knew I should go to etsy.com and look for something. I found the cutest shop making exactly what I was looking for. She was so fun to work with and whipped me out a full set of alphabet and numbers in no time. If you're looking for a unique handmade gift for children, I highly recommend going and visiting Shaina.

I know I've told you about my treasures before, but I really wanted to show you these too. I had them made shortly after Dad died. They're set lists, lyrics and writings I found in his guitar case. Some on paper older than me, some on envelopes and some on napkins. It's funny; I used to think he had the world's worst handwriting. Now I think it's beautiful. I can look at the writing and see his hands. Kitchen cabinets will come and go, but these will be with me forever.

And just because I didn't write about Mother's Day doesn't mean it wasn't wonderful. We played outside all day and I got two blueberry bushes. I couldn't imagine a more perfect day. These two make me want to be a little better tomorrow than I was today.

Thrifty Delight!

2011-05-05T20:58:00.000-05:00

Do you fellow 'thrifters' ever have intuition about a store or a sale? I'll admit, I sometimes do. Today was one of those days.

I was in a part of town I'm rarely in and drove by a store I've never visited. Honestly, it's in a part of town that I (now ashamedly) assumed would have no finds for me but something told me to turn around and go in for a peek. I'm so happy I did.

Among other things, for just about $40, I walked out with:
2 new Shabby Baby dresses in just about the cutest fabrics I've seen,
a new Kelly's Kids smocked pig gingham dress,
a new two piece flamingo summer frock,
a super stylish European-made dress with a bird,
a cute two piece Kelly's Kids pink and blue polka dot outfit,
a comfy flowery Kelly's Kids summer dress,
a smocked sailboat jon-jon,
new alligator swim trunks,
brand new red leather dress shoes,
almost new white leather dress shoes,
a brand new Pottery Barn crib sheet,
a useful pair of Crocs,
and a so cute for this Nashville girl guitar bag.

It really was one of my best thrift store hauls. Obviously, Larkin is the victor of the day.

It's almost peak garage sale time. I've been to a couple fun ones so far. What have you come across this spring?

Sweet Home Alabama

2011-05-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

Mother Nature showed her fury last Wednesday and my home state of Alabama caught the brunt of the force. The storms that ravaged the state were monsters. Deadly monsters.

I'm thankful that my family is safe. Especially my sister who lives in Tuscaloosa.

So many people aren't as fortunate. I have a dear friend that lost multiple family members. Several of the dear ladies that worked at the Zeta Tau Alpha house and made life for us so wonderful have lost everything and no where to begin to pick up the pieces.

My heart is heavy and is breaking for so many and I really have no idea of how to help. Tuscaloosa was my home for four years and a part of my heart will always be there. The small towns in North Alabama that have all but been wiped off the map are home to friends that I've known forever. Homes and businesses and farms and lives completely destroyed in a matter of minutes.

Unfathomable, really.

I can only hope that the peace of our loving God finds those that need it the most.

WHW Month 7: In Review

2011-04-22T13:04:00.000-05:00

Little boy, you're the definition of perfect baby.

You're healthy, you're sweet and you're unbelievably lovable.

This month, you decided to become mobile. That's right: You're a crawler!

You and your sister have really taken to each other. You think she hung the moon.

You still eat anything I give you. You still love sweet potatoes but now you also squeal for lentils and yogurt.

I'll never be able to express how much I love you. It's too much for words.

We're so unbelievable grateful, humbled and honored to have you as a part of us.

If it ain't one thing....

2011-04-21T09:25:00.000-05:00

it's the next, I tell ya.

So, yes, the kitchen and the stairs are wonderful. As soon as I can remember to take pictures when the kitchen doesn't look like a hurricane came through, I'll show you.

But goodness aside, in true to form Lucas-style luck, in the midst of having a little work done on our garage, our guy found termites! Yep. The damn things have just about eaten the whole building down. We got the text after getting in the car after a glorious day in Augusta. Surprise! Termites! Ugh.

So, $1300 later, we have a very advanced Sentricon baiting system in the yard. It better work. We haven't even gotten an estimate on the garage repair.

I'm pretty cheap. It's taken me almost 6 years to do work on the house that should have been done right after moving in. But, it seems to me, once I come off the wallet, I start bleeding money. One thing leads to another that leads to another.

I guess I would feel much better if all the chaos hadn't been caused by tiny little bugs. Double ugh.

60

2011-04-18T08:41:00.000-05:00

Today, we should be celebrating his 60th birthday. Instead, we're swiftly approaching the 5th year anniversary of his death.

It's still so very wrong. And so very unfair. And so very unbelievable.

Happy Birthday, Dad. I love and miss you so.

Simply Amazing

2011-04-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

I've done a lot of great things in my life. So many things I'm thankful I had the opportunity to experience. The last four days ranks right up near the top. Those that have experienced the sights and sounds and thrills of Augusta National during the Masters know what I mean. It is ridiculously unbelievable. Even if you weren't a follower of the game, you'd love it.

David and I arrived mid-day on Thursday. We immediately bought a beer and headed to the action. The walk through the main entrance to the playing field, right by the main scoring board, literally brought tears to my eyes. You know how beautiful it is on television? Multiply that by 100. It's stunning. It's almost as every blade of grass, every fallen pine needle and every azalea bloom has been strategically placed right were it is.

Our first, and rather unplanned, stop was the green at the 8th. It was the perfect spot to see the players up close and personal. We sat next to a couple from Canada who were as amazed as we were. The wife had been on the waiting list for credentials since she was 15 years old. I guess her to be 38 or so now. There were people there that had badges on hats from the past 40 years of tournaments. There were children there that had fresh signatures on their caps from the Par 3 day. Everyone, every single person, was thrilled to be sitting or standing right there in that moment in time. We walked every single hole and it was wonderful.

Day 2 led us to the fairway of the 13th hole. From 8:30 am until 6:00 pm, we sat. We sat near a couple from England who travel the world to watch golf. This was their first time in Augusta. We pulled for the Englishmen that day right along with them.

Day 3 was spent right on the green of the 16th hole. A memorable hole for Tiger (and Nike) in 2006 and one that can lead to very exciting sights. The shots are thrilling and the crowd cheers are deafening.

We made the strategic, yet hard, decision to skip out on Sunday. We left early enough to get back to Nashville by the time CBS began their coverage. It was a great decision. To spend the day watching each hole we'd walked was a great end to the weekend.

You may wonder why I'm so descriptive. The one hard and fast rule of tournament days at the Masters is there are absolutely, positively no cameras, cell phones or other electronic devices allowed. Credentials will be revoked and since ours have been in David's family for 50 years, we were sure to follow each and every rule. The only exception is the photo you can stand in a forever line to have taken in front of the clubhouse. You can bet we enjoyed every minute of that wait.

A Change is a Comin'

2011-04-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

Y'all, we have new cabinets! And a new backsplash and new lighting and a new pantry. And best of all, that damned carpet on our stairs is being ripped up and replaced with beautifully stained oak treads even as I type.

We're out of here today, but you can rest assured I'll be sharing pictures soon.

Hallelujah. Amen and amen.

The Masters

2011-04-04T08:52:00.000-05:00

I don't play golf. I used to, but the sheer cost of playing drove me away. I played in college and actually was okay at it. I took a class (because my Dad told me all people in business should learn how to play) and really loved being out on the course three times a week.

While I don't play now, I absolutely love to watch. I get goosebumps just thinking about spending a weekend watching a Major Tournament. One of the things I love about the game is that, in most cases, everyone becomes a fan of the leader and cheers them along. Be it Phil or Tiger or Stewart or some new fresh faced boy that happens to have a hell of a day.

So, you can imagine my anticipation of the week ahead. David and I are headed to the big one (in my humble opinion). We'll be arriving for tournament play on Thursday morning at Augusta National and I can only hope it's as beautiful in person as it is on television and in my mind.

My Dad was a golf watcher too. I'm so thankful that he got to see the rolling hills of Augusta before his worldly departure. I remember his excitement of seeing the beautiful azaleas in bloom. Perhaps he'll be there this week alongside those beautiful pink flowers.

Wide Open Spaces

2011-03-25T15:11:00.000-05:00

So, I suppose you always "put yourself out there", so to speak, when you list a whole entire 100 things about yourself. What you don't expect is that one of your 100 things happens to be one of your husband's 100 things and you put the two thoughts together and a whole new adventure is in the works.

My thing #96, I'd like to take a RV trip out West, was recognized by David as something he'd also love to do. We've never really talked about it, but I thought since I do plan to move out of these 50 states (at least for a little while) one of these days, I might as well plan to see as many as I can before we go.

So, next summer, with an almost 5 year old and an almost 2 year old, we're going to pack up an RV as big as we can rent without obtaining a CDL and take a trip out to Yellowstone National Park. The there and from parts are those that have to be deliberately planned. We hope to plan at least 2 weeks, if not 3, of seeing the wide open USofA.

We'll eat bologna sandwiches and Golden Flake chips for lunches. We'll buy some Nehi Peach drinks for the cooler. We'll go more than 2 days without bathing. And hopefully, along the way, we'll make some memories for Larkin and Henry to carry with them through their days.

It's more than a year away but I already have goosebumps thinking about it. I can't wait to get out into the wild blue yonder.

WHW Month 6: In Review

2011-03-22T20:52:00.001-05:00

Please say it ain't so. There is no way you could have been with us for 1/2 of a year.

Yet, life before you seems light years ago.

This month, you got yourself two little teeth.

You are a cracker eating machine. You'd eat the whole sleeve if I'd let you.

I think you, like your entire family, are suffering from some springtime allergies. It doesn't seem to bother you too much though. Still as sweet as pie.

You've started saying "ma-ma-ma-ma". I think it's probably just baby talk but I sure like to think you're talking to me :)

You're absolutely, positively and simply wonderful. I'd go to the ends of the earth and back again. Just for you.

European Dreams

2011-03-18T12:15:00.000-05:00

J'aimerais passer à l'Europe, peut-être France. Ma soeur m'a envoyé ce lien, et je me sens maintenant comme il peut être temps de commencer sérieusement à faire des plans.

Okay, so yeah, I used Google Translate, but what is so exciting to me is that those words, when written out make sense to me. Perhaps that French concentration in college will pay off, afterall.

For those of you non French speakers, I simply stated that I would love to move to Europe, perhaps France. The desire was only increased today when Emma sent me a link to a blog of an ex-pat in Southern France. She's from Texas, has a husband and 3 kids and no ties to Europe or France other than it was her dream to live abroad. Just like me. Except the Texas part. And I have one less child.

I'm not sure exactly when my desire to move overseas started, but I'm pretty sure it was when I went to Belgium. I didn't particularly love Belgium but I did love the people and the experience and the overall feeling of being somewhere other than where I was comfortable. Every journey I've taken since that trip, I've had the same feeling.

So to sell all my worldly goods, pack my little family's bags and taking off sounds so appealing to me. Who's with me? Hopefully at least David, Larkin and Henry.

Professor Wilson

2011-03-16T15:41:00.000-05:00

First of all, do you remember these? Oh my gosh, I had forgotten about them until today. I totally had one and would totally love to have one again. Ebay, anyone?

Y'all know my husband is super smart, right? He's the kind that even if he weren't super cute and super sweet, you'd want to marry anyway in hopes that your children would benefit from his brains.

Well, beginning this fall, at the College of Business and Administration at Belmont University, you'll find David once again walking the halls. Only this time not as an MBA student that we both once were, but as a Professor of Accounting. That's right. He's teaching undergraduate Accounting classes this fall. He was recruited by our graduate school professors and I think he'll be amazing. I'd like to be able to take his class. Maybe a pop-in will be in order!

We haven't quite figured out how we're going to cram one more thing on our already heaping plate, but I sure am proud of him.

100 Things About Me.

2011-03-09T08:35:00.000-06:00

In light of the fact that I'm getting a lot more daily hits to my blog than I ever thought I would, I thought it was time to let those that don't know me, get to know me better. Plus, I think that everyone should write things down about themselves. You always learn something from it.

1. I hate mayonnaise. I always thought I'd develop a taste for it. Not so much.
2. Mayonnaise is the only food I don't eat.
3. I firmly believe that everyone is happier when near a body of water.
4. I'm addicted, at the time being, to sparkling water. I drink a Costco case of La Croix every week. Just typing that made me make a trip to the fridge.
5. I have a phobia, though undiagnosed, of praying mantises.
6. I love and have always loved snakes, though I think it's ridiculous to own one as a pet.
7. I think that the worst genre of music is Contemporary Christian. I'm a Christian and love some good gospel and classic church hymns but truly believe that Jesus Christ himself would not have that stuff on his iPod. There I said it. Hate me for it if you wish.
8. The only brand of ketchup I will buy is Heinz and the only brand of peanut butter I will buy is Jif.
9. I broke my arm when I was three. It was a serious brake. I love my scar that my dad always called Cattie the Caterpillar.
10. I am a homebody although I have no desire to stay at home full time with my children at this point in my life.
11. I think about moving out of the United States a lot.
12. I have no tolerance for intolerance.
13. I own a lot of books. Like a whole lot. Like more than I'll ever be able to read.
14. I use onions when cooking dinner almost every day.
15. I think the University of Alabama co-ed's are overusing the houndstooth a bit.
16. I have a fascination with airplanes. Especially military airplanes.
17. I have perfect teeth that I do not take for granted.
18. I have always dreamed of going to the Masters and I am going this year! Yep, you read it right.
19. I love calendars and pens. Outlook and mobile phone calendars make me crazy.
20. I still sleep with a baby blanket that I've had since birth.
21. Although I didn't realize it at the time, giving birth naturally with no pain medication is something I'm now proud that I did.
22. Brussels sprouts are my favorite vegetable. No, really; they are!
23. I didn't like high school at all. People that say that those were the best days of their life worry me.
24. I cannot stand to sleep with underwear on.
25. I really wish I had recorded the reality series, Rockstar INXS. I think about that show all the time
26. I graduated with all A's and one B+ from graduate school. The professor that gave me the B+ is now a dear friend.
27. I have a large collection of vintage Italian light fixtures.
28. I love New Orleans.
29. I'm thankful to work in a Catholic school where we begin and end each day with a sweet prayer.
30. I'm a firm believer in the separation of Church and State.
31. My favorite movie is Garden State. I think it is because I love the music.
32. I can't stand to see sandwiches that have been made with the bread not lining up on top.
33. I don't eat raw carrots much because they somehow make their way to my sinuses.
34. I love McDonald's french fries.
35. I don't think I'll ever fully conquer my nail biting habit.
36. I've never had a dog. Not one time in my whole life. Not even a stray that came around once in a while.
37. I want a golden retriever one day.
38. I love cocoa butter Vaseline for my lips right now. I especially love that it's less than $3 for a tub that will likely last me a decade.
39. I'm so excited about my kitchen and stairs renovation that will begin NEXT WEEK!
40. I really, really miss my mother-in-law, Rita. She was such a huge part of my life.
41. I won't drink milk anywhere other than my own home and it must be skim. With ice.
42. I love to use my sewing machine.
43. I refuse to pay full price for anything.
44. I constantly look for erasers that smell like those I used to buy at the school book fairs as a child. I've yet to find them.
45. The new Pinkberry in Nashville is a hop, skip from Larkin's school. Could be way too convenient this spring.
46. I look forward to seeing my Breville coffee maker every morning.
47. I love to smell a skunk.
48. I still know every word to almost every Garth Brooks song and got to prove that fact at his concert in December.
49. I prefer my steak rare.
50. I'm thankful every day for the sweet man that I married.
51. I love buttercups. They make me remember my childhood house on Marlin Street.
51. I love garage sales and estate sales. I was going to them before they were cool.
52. I keep all Christmas cards with pictures from friends and family. I toss the others.
53. I often close my eyes and think of the smell of barbecue, bourbon and musty vinyl couches and the sound of bluegrass, whippoorwills and crickets.
54. I've eaten a lot of great food in my life and I can still say one of the best things I've had are the Russellville Dogs from the concession stand at my high school.
55. I love a fresh box of Crayola crayons.
56. I have no aversions to blood or poop but vomit sends me over the edge. I can't be around people that are sick and I've thrown up 5 times or less in 20 years.
57. I just knocked on wood after writing #56. I'm slightly superstitious and totally believe in karma.
58. I love, love, love Dolly Parton.
59. I'm one of those Southern Liberal Democrats your momma warned you about.
60. I can name all 50 US states in 30 seconds or less.
61. I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue.
62. The ability to do #60 and #61 has won me some bar bets.
63. I would love to learn to play the banjo.
64. I think peanut butter is the best. I feel sorry for those allergic. They really are missing out.
65. I'm a firm believer in 'doing what you love and loving what you do'. After wearing black banker suits for years, I left the world of high finance and high paying salaries to do something I love.
66. If I could have dinner with anyone, alive or deceased, I would choose my grandmother Elizabeth Lucas.
67. Last summer, our office had a problem with mice. As others were trying to trap and kill, I was catching them in Solo cups and letting them run free.
68. I was the Judicial Chairman of my college sorority. Judicial Chairman = Chief Kicker-Outer. Totally not my personality.
69. I love college football. Any Division I college.
70. Sometimes I crave canned tuna with a generous dousing of Frank's Red Hot.
71. I'll always be grateful that I was able to spend time with my Dad as he was dying.
72. One of my favorite memories is from a cold and snowy day when I was about 10 years old. I convinced my dad to drive us to the branch to catch crawdads. There was about 6 inches of snow on the ground and we were wading in the water looking for and catching critters!
73. I eat lemons like I do oranges.
74. I am very sentimental about things. I still have a box full of junk and notes from junior high boyfriends.
75. I have an elevated at-rest heart rate. Even when I was running everyday, it was over 80bpm.
76. I hate taking baths. I feel like I'm floating around in my own filth. I've been a shower girl almost all my life.
77. I love etsy.com. I could spend hours just browsing the shops.
78. I love quarters. There's nothing better than a pile of quarters in your change purse. My dad loved dimes. I have his dime bank and treasure his dimes.
79. I've traveled to Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, South Africa, India, Iceland and Mexico. They represent about 1/10 of the places I'd like to visit.
80. David and I met at a bar. We left the bar with no information other than first names and no connection to find out more. We just happened to run into each other 2 days later at another location. True serendipity.
81. I love sushi.
82. If I won the lottery tonight, I'd come back to work tomorrow.
83. I try to learn something new everyday. Today, it was that Rachel Donelson Jackson died of a heart attack 5 days after Andrew Jackson was elected President.
84. I love my iPad.
85. My first car was a Toyota Paseo. It was tiny.
86. I was in college when I ate my first Oreo cookie.
87. I have been in a vehicle that was charged by a bull elephant.
88. I have never been a fan of a) Steven Tyler or b) Jennifer Lopez but man, I am loving them now!
89. I've decided to give up red meat for Lent. Since I confessed in #49 of my liking, we'll soon see how this goes.
90. I've finally resorted to wearing 1.00 reading glasses during the day.
91. I can't wait until it's "time" to take Larkin to Disney World.
92. I'm not the kind of person who can sleep anywhere. I don't fall asleep on the couch and never in a sitting position.
93. I have a huge crush on Jon Stewart.
94. I rarely vacuum and never mop. Honestly, I never learned how to.
95. I'm addicted to all those shows about hoarders.
96. I would love to go on an RV trip through the West.
97. My alarm is set to NPR.
98. I have no interest in Top 40 music. I'm much more of an old school kind of girl. Old rock, old country, old easy listening.
99. I'm determined to be happy and thankful for each day of my life.
100. I spent way too much time of my life thinking of these 100 things.

A Recommitment to My Walls

2011-03-01T15:20:00.001-06:00

I suppose everyone gets to a point in their life where the space on their walls in their homes becomes sacred. Like, in other words, I don't want junk on my walls any more.

I want real stuff. Like the stuff my mom does and the stuff I buy from local artists here in Nashville and when I travel. And especially what Larkin creates.

I'm not so concerned with having 100% original art and think that prints of things you love is perfectly fine. So, you can imagine my delight when I discovered 20x200. The concept is great. They sell limited editions of prints in three sizes from great artists. I've just ordered my first two prints so I'll let you know how it turns out, but I'm thrilled to be able to support these artists and have real stuff on my walls.

Check it out. Make a commitment like I have to get all those stupid things you've picked up at TJ Maxx over the years off your walls. Buy local art. Have your kids paint a picture of your cat. Check out 20x200. Let's fill our homes with things we love; not just things.

WHW Month 5: In Review

2011-02-22T15:14:00.000-06:00

If there is a sweeter, easier, calmer, better baby out there, I'd like for the mother to come forward because, honestly, I don't believe it. You are the kind of baby that makes me want to have another. Seriously.

Your personality is so much fun. You laugh and smile and chat all the time.

Like your big sister, you are now addicted to "the hooch". Motts Apple Juice, that is.

How he knows what's in there is a mystery!

You love sweet potatoes, apples and pears. You've tried, although enjoyed may not be the right word yet, carrots, parsnips, peas and bananas. (Yes, I'm one of those mommas that feeds her babies food young and pays no attention to the allergy warning. Thankyouverymuch.)

Kicking back with the chunky thighs ;)

I thought your hand-eye coordination was advanced. Your pediatrician confirmed that belief without me even asking. At your 4 month appointment she said you were easily at the 6-8 month mark. We're hoping that means those Martin Guitars that are hanging on our wall will be played again one of these days by the boy with his Foxy's genes!

Yes. Both of our children love Sharpie markers.

You are still a fantastic sleeper. You are usually asleep by 8 or 8:30 and I have to wake you at 7:00. Unless you wake yourself and play and coo in your crib until I come in and you smile and laugh and reach your arms for me. Yes, it is the most wonderful moment of my day!

You are a complete and utter joy. Looking back, I'm not sure Larkin was any less wonderful. I'm pretty sure I'm just more relaxed and in the mood to enjoy having a baby. Whatever it is, is sure is good.

My Funny Valentines

2011-02-16T15:43:00.000-06:00

Aren't they cute?

My First 33 Years

2011-02-15T10:58:00.003-06:00

I have a confession. I am not living the life I thought I'd be living at 33 years old. Not even close.

I imagined myself in some far off place, speaking at least 2 foreign languages, dating swarthy looking European men that own beach-front homes in the Maldives, dining at obscure little bistros that serve the freshest sushi, drinking cocktails that might or might not have flames associated, having to re-order my passport at least every two years for lack of space for another stamp, inviting my family to meet me in Kenya for a two week safari and making my way as an owner of a quaint vineyard in Italy.

No kidding. I seriously had dreams like these.

Instead, I'm living in landlocked Tennessee, with two small children that caused stretch marks that will linger for the rest of my life, married to a man that has never even visited the Maldives, eating sushi that I hope won't kill me, drinking beer and sometimes 2 Buck Chuck wine, holding a passport almost void of stamps, and longing for stairs with no carpet and cabinets that don't look like they're straight out of 1982.

I'm sitting 180 degrees from where I thought I'd be and woke up with tears this morning at the thought of it.

Because last night, just after I'd cleaned a massive blowout poopy diaper and washed yet another load of clothes, and looked at a sink filled with bottles that need washing, and looked at those damned stairs that I'm dying to rip the carpet off of; I looked up.

Across the table from me was this cute guy that I met almost ten years ago with a stack full of Valentine cards for his little girl and boy that he had drawn hearts on himself, a sweet little girl beside me that was over the moon for a Polly Pocket set with too many small pieces to count, and a marvelously blue eyed little boy in my lap that has learned to reach and grab things and then squeal with delight.

I'm 33 now. Back when those lavish dreams and thoughts were swirling through my head, I only thought I knew what life was supposed to be like. I never, ever, could have imagined it being as wonderful as it is right now.

Old School Eating

2011-02-08T15:38:00.000-06:00

Ever since we've started making our annual trek to the strawberry patch north of Nashville to do some picking, I've had a desire to can. Like real live, honest to goodness canning. Pickling, jamming, jellying.....the works. I've made a couple fairly decent attempts at the strawberry preserves and I'm ready to branch out.

Our summer CSA brings forth lots of extras that I think would love to "put up". Is that a Southern saying, or is it universal? I'm thinking the former. In July, we have so many tomatoes that this Alabama girl even gets a little tired of eating them. What I wouldn't give to be able to go home on this cold winter night to a jar of homemade tomato sauce for pasta!

I love dilled green beans, hot salsas, chow chow, pickled okra and sauerkraut so to think that I just might be able to stock my shelves with my own makes me a little giddy. So, to that end I ordered two books:

I've already read most of Canning for a New Generation and besides being a great resource, the author is my kind of girl. She's sarcastic, cheap (like she uses rubberbands on kitchen tongs instead of buying a jar lifter----I'm going to invest the 5 bucks on the lifter, I think) and seemingly just down to earth. I've enjoyed every word and every recipe.

I'm going to go old school and not even buy a canner on this first year's venture. I plan to do it all myself with pots of boiling water. Does anyone have any tips to share? Lord knows I could use them.

2011 To Do's.

2011-02-07T10:30:00.000-06:00

We're thinking that this is the year to do home improvement/spruce up projects that have been waiting in the wings for some time. In preparation, I've been studying some design blogs. A few weeks ago, through one of the blogs, I discovered One Kings Lane. Do y'all know of it already and have just been holding out on me? If you haven't signed up for their emails, you really should. Although I haven't made a purchase yet, I totally could. So far, everything looks good to me.

To serve as my reminder, here's our 2011 to do list:

Paint the exterior of our house. By far, the most boring, yet most important, of the tasks.
Re-face the kitchen cabinets.
Install a backsplash.
Paint the kitchen walls and ceiling.
Remove circa 1980's shower doors and paint bathroom.
De-carpet and re-tread our stairs. Why someone would take hardwood treads off of stairs to put down carpet is completely perplexing to me.
Refinish the hardwood floors in our bedroom and office.
Install a double sink vanity in the master bedroom. One sink for the two of us just isn't cutting it.

We also have pie-in-the-sky dreams to pave our pea gravel driveway so that kids can enjoy their tricycles and the like. Considering the above list, that may become a 2012 project.

And if you're wondering; yes, besides making our house more livable for us now, we also hope that the improvements will make it more marketable when housing becomes a little more marketable.

Launch Time!

2011-01-27T09:50:00.000-06:00

Well, we think it's time. We're excited to reveal our newest venture!

Comprehensive Financial Outsourcing (CFO) will officially go live next Tuesday, February 1 and we can't wait!

For several years, David has dreamed of starting a financial services consulting firm focusing on accounting and human resources needs of small businesses and non-profits. I just so happen to have some knowledge of cash management and debt structuring for small businesses and non-profits, so we think we'll make a great team.

We hope to have 2 or 3 clients by the end of the year and be in a position to start hiring part-time bookkeepers to our "staff" and continue to grow the business. We're being optimistic about this new gig!

Check out our website in the link above and let me know what you think. We've still got a little tweaking to do, but hopefully you'll get the gist.

WHW Month 4: In Review

2011-01-23T16:26:00.000-06:00

This month, your personality is really starting to shine through.

You belly laugh, talk, jabber, smile and flirt. A lot.

I've started giving you a bath with Larkin and you both LOVE it!

You haven't been to the doctor since you were 7 weeks old so I have no clue as to how much you weigh, etc. We're going this week to find out.

You are still such an absolute joy to us all. Happy 1/3 of a year, little boy.

WOWZER!

2011-01-14T17:38:00.000-06:00

We have a new couch. This is what it makes our hair do! Especially Larkin's.

Oh, Life

2011-01-13T13:26:00.000-06:00

My gosh, I feel busier than ever before. Weekdays are becoming a blur. Up early, shower, dressed, children and husband roused awake at their respective get-up times, coffee (thank you Lord for my new Breville one cup maker...L.O.V.E!), breakfast, out the door by 7:20, drop off Larkin, rush into work, so super busy at work that before I realize it 4:00 is upon me, pick up Larkin, rush home to start supper, pack back up when David and Henry arrive, go to the Y, hour long (peaceful) workout, back home, eat supper, give baths, read books, figure out how to get children to bed. CRASH. Sleep a few hours. Get up. Do it again.

Whew....even makes me tired typing. Am I the only one living this crazy lifestyle? Please tell me no.

The funny thing is that I don't think I'd change a thing about it if I could. It's working for us right now.

Larkin starts swimming lessons this weekend. Hopefully her swimming lessons should go better than mine as a child. I just got thrown off a pier into a lake with hope for the best. Okay, so maybe a little exaggeration there, but not much.

She'll also start playing soccer (gasp!) in March. She's one of four of a really sweet group of friends who have been together for a while and they'll be playing together. All of us mommas had our second children within 5 months of each other, too. David and I love the friends we've made through our kids, so it should at least be fun for us. I plan to bring mimosas to those early Saturday morning practices.

Every free minute to work on the computer has been spent working on our new business website and other tasks. We're getting so excited about it and I can't wait to tell everyone via the World Wide Web. We're hoping to go live February 1. It's a fun venture for me but truly a dream being realized for David. We're working on press releases, business cards, publications, head shots, la-ti-da, as we speak. I'm sure after all the aforementioned you're wondering how we have time to run a business. Well, yeah, that's the part we've yet to figure out. Minor details, really. :)

Almost every day I feel like a rat on a wheel. But when I get a minute to look around the cage, I'm reminded what a really great view I have.

2010: Wrapping It Up

2011-01-03T16:05:00.000-06:00

2010 began with a flashback to 1968. David, Rita, Don, Larkin and I watched the 1968 Elvis Comeback Special in it's entirety. Thanks to a few bottles of champagne, Rita and I were dancing and singing as if it were live by the time the show ended. The next day, she ate black eyed peas and turnip greens with us.

Asheville, NC - Summer 2006

The rest of the year is a blur.

Some time around mid-February, we told her we were going to have a baby. By mid-April, I think she was measuring her days by it. Every time I'd see her, she'd want to know how many weeks I was. How many there were to go. She died exactly two weeks before her grandson arrived.

Rita and Larkin - November 17, 2007

I'm not quite sure where 2010 went. I was pregnant for a large portion of it, yet I feel Henry came within days of finding out he was to be. My mind was elsewhere, I know. Our time was spent mostly with Rita. Always hoping that there would be a glimpse that Larkin would remember.

Rita was very, very worried about Larkin remembering her only being sick. To date, she's not talked about any scary feelings about seeing Grammy so sick. She does talk about going to get McDonald's french fries every Thursday with her. I'm so thankful for that.

David, Rita and Larkin - Larkin's 1st Birthday Party

I think I can officially declare it now. Henry is a blue-eyed boy! David's eyes are so very brown (which were passed on to Larkin) and my eyes are so very green. Rita's eyes, however, were crystal blue. Although he'll never know her, we'll always tell him that his eyes came from her.

2010 was a complete juxtaposition of emotions. Life and death and sorrowful and joyful all jumbled in together. While some days were so completely wonderful, others were painfully heart wrenching.

Rita and Larkin - Spring 2009

Yet, somehow, we survived. Together and closer than ever before.

I'm hopeful for 2011. I don't make resolutions so there'll be no speak of that. But, there are some things that need to be done. A re-focus on our own health and well-being, a desire to complete home projects that have been in the plans for years, and perhaps a new business venture for David and me (more on that in the days to come).

Onward and upward we go.

Christmas Twenty Ten

2010-12-27T17:03:00.000-06:00

Whew! Talk about Christmas hangover. I think I have it. And by the looks of our house, we've got so much to clean up it might take until next Christmas!

No doubt about it, Christmas is so fun with little kids around. Larkin was totally into all the festivities and by the end of the final Christmas gathering began demanding more presents. We're going to have to do a little talking about giving versus receiving and needing versus wanting. She is just barely three, so we gave her some slack.

We spent a few days in Alabama with my family and had a great time. Larkin loves her Auntie Em so much!

Larkin and Emma inspect the Melissa and Doug music set

Grandmother with Larkin and Jackson

We made a late night drive back to Nashville just in time to get the kiddos to bed before Santa landed on our roof. It really was a magical night. Just as we were north of Franklin, the most beautiful snow started falling. By the time we were near our house, it was virtually a blizzard. We drove through Green Hills just before midnight. It was surreal. All the shoppers were gone, we were the only car on the streets and the snow had created a winter wonderland. A calm after the pre-holiday storm!

After just a few hours of sleep, we were up and at 'em for Larkin to see what Santa had brought. A lesson to all parents: Of all the presents Larkin got, the one she liked best was the $1.79 Belle Pez dispenser.

David's family came over early in the morning for all the festivities. The hot present for the guys this year was a saddle leather beer holster! I think this has grilling out at Gulf Shores written all over it!

David and Jowell try out the beer holsters :)

After a much needed nap, we headed up to David's sister's house for round 3. By the time we got back home, I was beat.

David's Dad and Sisters (+Larkin)

As tired as this Christmas has made us, I think we realize even more so how unbelievably lucky we are to have what we have. A wonderful family, a cozy little (messy!) house, more food than we could ever possibly eat, and most importantly good health.

Puppy gets a front row seat to most everything!

I hope your Christmases have been as memorable as ours.

David reads Larkin's letter from Santa.

WHW Month 3: In Review

2010-12-22T07:40:00.000-06:00

Little boy; you're growing too fast.

Notice Larkin in Santa's lap this year! So proud of her!

You're unbelievable sweet and cuddly and smiley. You melt my heart.

My fingers are still crossed that it's not a fluke, but you're still the best sleeping baby in the whole wide world. Other mommas with new babies are not fond of me right now.

This picture is obviously not from month 3, but definitely worthy of a posting :)

Like your big sister, you do well just going with the flow. We haul you around everywhere with us and you seem to love it all.

I didn't know what I was missing before I had you. Now I do.

Grapefruit Season

2010-12-21T14:30:00.000-06:00

There's not much I like better during the cold winter months than juicy pink grapefruit. I've always preferred the grapefruit to it's cousin, the orange. The only thing about grapefruit and me is, they remind me of death.

In January 2003, a freak mid-day snowstorm plummeted Nashville. I left my downtown office about two hours later than I should. Six hours later, I made it seven miles and ended up in David's parents house. David was stranded, as was Don. Rita and I had known each other for over a year, but had never been together just the two of us. We watched Jeopardy and the evening news. Somewhere along the way, she mentioned that she had some grapefruit that had been delivered the day before. I ended up eating three. Or was it four?

This year, 2010, is the first December since that Pittman and Davis grapefruit have not arrived on my porch from Rita. The absence of grapefruit is just another reminder of what we've lost this year.

On Christmas night, 2005, all the presents had been unwrapped and David, Emma and I were on the couch. Mom was lying in the floor in front of the fireplace and dad was in his chair.

He told us there was something he needed to tell us. I really can't remember the words he said because of the punch line at the end. He was dying. I was eating a grapefruit.

I still remember him hugging me after "the talk". His crucifix around his neck was piercing my temple. He smelled like Old Spice. There was no way I was going to let him die. I would surely die too.

Grapefruit. I suppose they're not unlike life. Awfully sweet yet sometimes painfully bitter.

Favorite Things - Post 12

2010-12-16T14:46:00.000-06:00

This'll be my last Favorite Things posting for the year (unless I think of something I really, really love and can't live without).

So I think this is my most favorite Christmas thing. Back before David and I got married, and actually maybe the first Christmas we were dating, we began a tradition of reading Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory out loud to each other on one of the Saturday's close to Christmas. Neither of us can get through it without crying. And we've read it more times than we can count now.

I've read a lot of stuff but I believe that this little short story to be one of the greatest pieces of literature of all time. Every single word is perfectly placed. It's one of those stories you think about all throughout the year and anticipate reading again.

This Saturday morning will be our 2010 reading session. I hope Larkin will begin paying attention this year and that Henry will be content because I just can't wait to wake up, get a hot cup of coffee, light my Christmas candles, sit in front of the tree on the couch and read. As long as David and I are living, we'll keep on reading this story to each other and our family at Christmastime. Maybe one of these days we'll make it through without tears.

I doubt it, though.

Thanks for indulging me and my favorite things. My most favorite things will be with me on Saturday as we read. I could be without any of the last 12 things mentioned and still be the happiest girl in the world.

Favorite Things - Post 11

2010-12-16T08:21:00.000-06:00

Okay. Let's get real for a quick sec. Once you have children, your personal favorite things often get pushed to the back burner in lieu of their favorite things. Or, perhaps your favorite things for them to have.

Without a doubt, the favorite toys at Chez Wilson, come from Melissa and Doug. We have a bunch of them. On a day to day basis, they are the toys that Larkin gravitates towards. Especially the pizza and the birthday cake sets. I love them because they're not plastic. Don't you parents feel like you're drowning in Chinese plastic most days? I do.

While I don't believe that Melissa and Doug products are made Stateside, their customer service department most definitely is here in the good ole USofA. You can call with a lost part, complaint (as if), or compliment and you'll get to talk to some really sweet folks.

I've not had a M&D product that I've been disappointed in yet. Sure there are some we play with more than others, but these toys will be kept for Henry so we'll get years of play time out of all of them.

Amazon (my shopping site of choice this year) has a great selection of M&D toys. As does TJ Maxx and Marshalls. But, the M&D site is just so fun to browse through.

If you have kids and aren't in the M&D loop, perhaps a last minute letter to Santa is due!

Favorite Things - Post 10

2010-12-15T12:55:00.000-06:00

Anyone that knows me (and even those of you that don't and just read this silly blog) knows I love bags and purses. I made the strategic decision last year to get rid of all my purses and only have a couple nice purses in my closet. A couple bags I really love instead of loads of bags that were trendy when I bought them but no longer served a purpose.

David must have told Rita last year about my elimination of my purses because she gave me a very generous gift card to Kate Spade. I got a fabulous bag that I love dearly. And a bright orange wallet that will hopefully be with me for years.

Last year Rita also got a new purse for Christmas. One that was classic and timeless and waaaaay yonder out of my price range. Even with a generous gift card, I wouldn't have even stepped foot into the new Nashville Louis Vuitton store.

Never would I have bought this bag for myself, but my dear father-in-law saw it fitting that I have hers. I carry it all the time and it really makes me feel like she is with me. Her classic and timeless and graceful self right there on my arm.

Favorite Things - Post 9

2010-12-14T12:55:00.000-06:00

If anyone is wondering what I could use this year, it would be an address book. Like one of the good old fashion take out a pen and write the person's address on paper version. I'm not keen on Outlook and I like to write.

My most favorite journals/writing pads are Moleskine. I've bought David several over the years and I love having one in my purse to jot down lists, thoughts, brilliant business ideas, etc.

The Moleskine journal is a classic gift and one to surely bring a smile to the recipient.

And, in case anyone is in a gift giving frame of mind....THIS is the one I want! :)

Favorite Things - Post 8

2010-12-09T14:38:00.000-06:00

Oprah beat me to the punch, but I suppose I'm not the only person coveting their iPad this year. If you don't have one, I can't possibly explain to you how incredible they are. Not just for adults, but for kids too. Larkin has been completely proficient with ours since David bought his on day one of the release. I waited until Tennessee tax free day to buy mine :)

If you're thinking about buying one, don't think any longer, just do it.

Favorite Things - Post 7

2010-12-08T12:50:00.001-06:00

If you've ever stayed at a W Hotel, you've likely experienced the wonderful bath products that they place in guest rooms. Bliss created the most wonderful face wash, Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, just for the W Hotels. It became so sought after that they started making a full size bottle and I can imagine that at least 50% of their guests either buy the face wash in the gift shop while there or at another store soon after their stay. It is just the best stuff ever! That is coming from a true connoisseur of body products.

I've never bought the same face wash twice since my high school and college days of only using Clinique Foaming Face Wash. I'm now on my third large size bottle and until further notice, will not be switching again.

I apologize for the tiny little pictures I've been posting. The new picture editor on Blogger doesn't seem to like my files.

Lovely Elizabeth

2010-12-07T16:57:00.000-06:00

In 2004, David and I were very actively involved with the Williamson County Democratic Party. We were weekly attenders of the Wednesday night potluck and enjoyed watching the 2004 Democratic National Convention with a couple hundred of our fellow Yellow Dog pals. While I wasn't extremely excited about our Presidential nominee, I was super duper excited about our Vice Presidential nominee. John Edwards was one of us. He was a good ole Southern boy.

Or so we thought.

I'm not the judgemental type. What people want to do on their own time, is none of my concern unless it negatively impacts my family. We've seen moral tragedies of epic proportion on both sides of the political aisle for years and years. They'll continue long after today. Sadly. They are all just mere humans like you and me.

But, for some reason, my detest of the decisions John Edwards made in hurting his family are particularly upsetting to me. I think it's because I love Elizabeth Edwards so much. From the minute I watched her speak at the 2004 DNC, I thought she exuded that which women strive to be. Smart, sincere and normal. She was a bit overweight, had two little children and a teenager, some lines on her face that indicated she might have been up with a feverish baby the night before, and an apparent unconditional love of her husband.

John Edwards turned out to be such a disappointment to so many, but most importantly, his family. I have a feeling he'll be tormented by his mistakes until his last day.

May you rest in peace, Elizabeth. You've been an inspiration to many.

Favorite Things - Post 6

2010-12-07T14:03:00.001-06:00

Do y'all longtime readers remember when I posted this two years ago? Well, I got those Frye boots and have since become a certified Frye-aholic. I have purchased several pairs and love every single one. Some I wear more than others, but all are classic and timeless.

An investment (and I do consider my collection an investment) in a great pair of boots is not something you should take lightly. If you buy the pair you love and could envision passing them down to your children, you've bought the right pair. There are so many boots on the market right now and some that I think are so super cute but are apparently part of the current trend. Great boots should last a lifetime; not just a season or two. David now has a pair of my Dad's boots that he bought in the 70's and they are still awesome and stylish. Women's shoes should be that timeless also.

If you aren't familiar with 6pm.com, you should be. Fair warning----addiction may occur. Sometimes you just have to delete the email that says all Michael Kors is 75% off. Believe me, you'll be tempted time and time again. But, if you pay attention, every so often, they'll have great deals on Frye boots and shoes.

My very first pair that started the addiction.

Favorite Things - Post 5

2010-12-06T13:16:00.002-06:00

Two posts in one day! Who knew?

This favorite thing is just divine! Granted when I was watching The Tudors while pregnant, knowing if the baby was a boy he would be named Henry, it caused me a little pause. But, since Henry VIII's mother was Elizabeth and we all know his most famous daughter Elizabeth, I decided to move on from dwelling on his most promiscuous and naughty lifestyle.

Showtime's now ended series The Tudors, in my opinion, is excellent. Sure, it doesn't mirror history exactly and their Henry is about a billion times better looking that the pictures I've seen of the actual Henry. But it is Showtime, afterall. Following the life and times of Henry the Eighth will leave you breathless. It is NOT, repeat NOT, a good means of teaching your kids about the Tudor Dynasty. Actually, anyone under the age of 18 might need to be steered clear. Some of the scenes even cause this immodest gal to blush.

The actors in the series are wonderful. Natalie Dormer, who plays Anne Boleyn, is so fabulous that I can imagine that even the real Anne Boleyn would be impressed. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is Henry and besides portraying the controversial King so grandly, he makes the show so much easier on the eyes. *wink*

The complete series comes out on December 9. If you've got a history loving person on your list to buy for, I would highly recommend hopping on over to Amazon and putting it in your cart.

Favorite Things - Post 4

2010-12-06T08:43:00.001-06:00

This Favorite Thing is new this year. It's actually new to me in the past few months. And, I feel ashamed that I was so skeptical for so long.

The Contributor is Nashville's Homeless newspaper. Almost every corner of every block in town has a vendor. Every vendor is either homeless or formerly homeless. You can tell by the lines on their faces that their lives have been so much harder than your own.

The papers are purchased by the vendors for a quarter and they sell them for a dollar. Obviously, they love tips, but according to the rules they abide by as vendors, are absolutely not to ask for them. The money they make is theirs to keep and while they are free to spend their profits however they see fit, they are encouraged to advance their lives into a better place. One that includes a stable place to live.

The following is from the paper's website and provides a concise description of the paper:
The Contributor is a street newspaper in Nashville Tennessee. We strive to print a monthly paper that accomplishes the following:

Provides a diversity of perspectives and info on the condition of homelessness while highlighting the contributions of homeless and formerly homeless individuals.

Provides homeless and formerly homeless vendors with a source of income.

Creates community between vendors and customers.

“Street Newspaper” is a term for a newspaper that focuses on the issues surrounding homelessness and poverty and is sold by homeless and formerly homeless individuals on the street as an alternative to panhandling.

The only problem I see with the paper is that it is only printed monthly. I would purchase one weekly if given the opportunity. Sometimes I purchase the same newspaper several times in the month just to support the vendor at particular locations. I find myself saying a little prayer for each one I see. May God grant them the peace and courage to get through that day.

If you live in Nashville or if you visit Nashville, please buy a paper. You'll find yourself humbled and intrigued by the articles. The perspective you will gain on lives that are so different, yet so strikingly similar than your own, is inspiring.

Favorite Things - Post 3

2010-12-03T11:19:00.001-06:00

Okay, I'm going to admit something. Until last week, I'd never given Kohl's a chance. I'd been there once shortly after Larkin was born because I saw that they sold Carter's kids clothes and needed some pajamas for my new baby.

Last week, on a blog I browse, the writer had mentioned these denim leggings that she had bought there. She's super stylish so it peaked my interest. I also read that Vera Wang's low-end line was sold at Kohl's and I was interested in seeing what that looked like. Although I only ended up getting a pair of VW tights, I'm now in love with these denim leggings by Elle.

I'm not *quite* back into my pre-pregnancy size, so although I'm fretting having to buy a size that I hope to be out of by March, I'm still loving them. I bought them in black denim, went back to buy the dark blue denim and am tempted to buy them in the lighter denim. I'm making myself wait on that until I'm in my preferred size and not post-having-a-baby-size.

Not only were these "Jeggings" great, Kohl's has some really cute things. It's a little crowded in the women's clothing department, but if you have time to look around, you'll likely find a great deal. I found some great things on the 80% off rack too. But, these leggings are selling like hotcakes. You might want do like I did and get over your thoughts that Kohl's is a janky store and pop on in.

Favorite Things - Post 2

2010-12-02T13:25:00.001-06:00

So, this one will seem strange. It's not really something you'd give someone else, but if you can get to a Trader Joe's, do buy it for yourself.

We eat a lot of rice at our house. Actually, we (or at least Larkin) eat rice almost every night. Cooking rice is a downright pain in the ass. Sorry to be so blunt, but it just really is. Especially, jasmine rice. There's something about the texture that fades if it's not cooked exactly and perfectly right and I'm the least exact person I know.

Enter Trader Joe's Organic Jasmine Rice. It's frozen in perfectly portioned bags for our family....at least those that are eating solids right now :) You simply cut a slit in the bag, pop it into the microwave for 3 minutes and it comes out perfect every single time. Such a life saver.

So I know not everyone has a Trader Joe's near them. If you get to one, just buy a bushel of it and stock up your freezer. You won't regret it. Promise.

These are a few of my favorite things....Post 1

2010-12-01T13:53:00.001-06:00

In the spirit of giving, and Oprah retiring her show, and Christmas, and thankfulness; I'm going to do some days of things I love. Some materialistic, some not. I did it a couple years ago and it was fun.

Here goes: Every year I tend to find yet another lip product I love. 2010 is no different. Smith's Minted Rosebud Salve is the best. Simply. The best. I've linked you to Anthropologie's site to buy it. They sell it elsewhere for cheaper, but I'm convinced that if Anthropologie has it, it has to be good. I buy mine at Sephora or the local store, The Cosmetic Market.

What's in a name?

2010-11-30T07:43:00.001-06:00

Here's no secret: I love good family names and passing them down. I believe that the recipient of a name, by default, also gets traits of the person they're named after. Good or bad, they get them.

I love my name. Elizabeth, after my paternal grandmother, who died 8 years before I was born. I can only hope that I have a little of her in me. And Ruth, my paternal aunt, who I'm sure I am like. Maybe more than any one person.

I love the fact that Larkin has the name of a historical person in David's family. It'll be fun to show her where the first Larkin originated and the story behind his Civil War days. Key, David's middle name and my sister's name, is a long used family name on both sides of our family. I do love the name Key. I hope it is passed on long after I'm gone.

So, onto the newest member of our family. William Henry Wilson. Isn't it a grand name? Granted, when he was born just over six pounds, the name seemed way too big for him. I believe if one were to get a list of presidential names and their first wives, you'd have an excellent slate of names. I know very little about William Henry Harrison, but it's such a great name.

Our Henry, was named after two very important men in my life. It's no surprise that I would name a son William after my dad. I've given him some pretty big shoes to fill but if traits are passed on, he'll do it. Henry, a name I've always loved, is from my uncle. Henry, aka Rocky, is one of those people that you love to be around. At least I have always loved to be around him. Whether he knows it or not, he's been very influential in my life. A very worthy name to pass along.

My uncle Rocky and aunt Becky, were never able to have children. Luckily, they had 7 nieces and nephews on my side of the family to dote on, but sadly, they still would have been the world's best parents. I don't think it was until I had my first child that I realized how devastating it would be to be told biological children, if you wanted them, would not be possible.

So for them, William and Henry, may your names live on. They are good and strong. May this little tiny William Henry make your names proud.

The difference a year makes

2010-11-23T20:33:00.000-06:00

A year ago today I was gearing up for the procedure that would officially end my demised pregnancy. There was a part of my that wondered if another pregnancy was possible. The other part of me knew that I'd be holding the baby I was supposed to have one day. He's laying on my chest making the sweetest sleeping baby noises as I type one-handed.

A year ago today I was packing for a family trip to New York City for Thanksgiving. It was a trip David and I almost didn't take. At the time, the thought of spending the holiday without Larkin was a little too sad. We decided to go and leave her with my mom. I'll be forever grateful that we did. It was Rita's last trip. We had so much fun all together. Broadway, Macy's Parade, delicious food, many martinis, tons of laughs. We'll never forget it.

A year is such a short period of time but so many things can happen. This will be my fifth Thanksgiving without my Dad. It was his favorite holiday. It'll always make me think of him. I often wonder, five years out, would he recognize me. I'm so different than I was that last Thanksgiving. These two new lives that have come since he left our table have changed me. I guess every day, no matter how many years pass, I hope he's proud.

Happy Thanksgiving season. We all have so much to be thankful for.

WHW Month 2: In Review

2010-11-22T11:48:00.001-06:00

If there were a definition for Dream Baby, you my son, would be it.

I've never known a more cuddly, snuggly, sweet and lovable baby.

Although I realize I've probably jinxed myself by typing the following sentence, I have to document for prosperity. You started sleeping through the night, like 8-10 hours through the night, the day you turned six weeks old. That officially makes you your mommas most favorite person.

You are much more aware of your surroundings now.

You started smiling! I would not take a whole one million dollars for those smiles.

You absolutely, positively, without a doubt, don't like to be anywhere other than someone's arms. I really think it's my fault because for the last two months, I've rarely put you down.

Although you've been with us for a mere 2 months, I have little recollection of life without you.

I've learned what I've always heard to be true. A new baby doubles your capacity to love. My heart has at least doubled because of you.

Larkin is 3!!!!

2010-11-22T11:34:00.001-06:00

Today, we celebrate your three years of life, sweet girl.

I can hardly believe that three years have passed by so quickly.

As of today:

You love pink.

You love Disney movies and all things The Sound of Music.

You know all letters and numbers.

You know almost all the 50 states when looking at your states puzzle. You call Arkansas "Larkinsas",
but we'll let that slide for now because it is so cute.

You bite your fingernails. Just like your momma has for 25 years. A trait I so hoped you wouldn't inherit.

You have really cute friends and love them so much!

You have to be the best big sister that ever was. No one could be sweeter to a baby than you are.

After starting out at the 75th - 100th percentile on all growth charts and staying that way for quite a while, you have now leveled off and are an average 50th percentile on all growth measurements.

Your pediatrician was most impressed when 1) you were asked to name shapes and you included the crescent and 2) you reported that kale and lima beans were your favorite foods.

Your sense of humor is astonishing. You know exactly what to do or say to make us laugh. And, to get yourself out of otherwise punishable situations.

I guess it's the arrival of a new little baby, but you seem so grown and big to me now. I'm so proud of all you are and all your becoming, but there's a part of me that will always want you to be my baby.

To say that our lives are richer, fuller and better because of you doesn't begin to sum it up.

Three years. Three years of laughter, tears, amazement. Thank you Larkin for being our girl.

Badda bing, badda boom!

2010-11-10T14:06:00.001-06:00

After four years of blogging on a rather dull looking space, I made the plunge and spiced it up. Okay, so I didn't do it myself, but nevertheless. I'm hoping it'll inspire me to write more. Plus, I love seeing the pictures of dad. Don't you?

If you have a blog and would like it to look as cute as mine, go visit Miranda at Little Sailor Design and she'll be glad to help. She does great work and most importantly, she's super nice.

Obsessed.

2010-11-09T10:21:00.001-06:00

Larkin is completely obsessed and infatuated with something that is 45 years old. I suppose every little girl goes through this phase, and some stay in love all their lives. I just never thought a 2 year old could be so overboard, but she is.

She loves The Sound of Music. Like to the point where she knows the words and lyrics. And hopes that Gretel will come to our house to play with her. And sing with her.

It's really quite sweet the way it happened. Every morning, Larkin and David listen to music on the way to school. She's learned Elvis songs, U2 songs and the entire Little Mermaid album. But, all that has seemingly been forgotten since they started listening to The Sound of Music. She now has the movie on her iPad and has loved putting faces to the voices.

I suppose it's only fitting that she loves it so. I love it so. David and I even spent a portion of our honeymoon traipsing through the Alps in Salzburg, Austria.

Looks like we'll be going back someday with Larkin. And doing the whole Sound of Music tour. Maybe the grown up Gretel will be there with her family.

This. Is. It.

2010-11-03T09:46:00.001-05:00

I think I might have borrowed that from the latest Michael Jackson film. If so, for a much different reason.

I had a crystal clear revelation about my life on Halloween night. While trick-or-treating with Larkin. And carrying baby Henry in a pouch. And pulling a wagon with a cooler of adult treats for the parents.

This is it. This is as good as life gets. Sure, there will be more wonderful moments, but none more wonderful than that on Sunday night. My sweet almost 3 year old owl, toddling through the yards to fill her basket. My little 5 1/2 week old duck nuzzled up against my chest. My terrifically wonderful husband that would rather be holding his little girl's hand to walk her up to the next house than anything else in the world. We're blissfully happy. Gratefully healthy. Nothing more to ask for.

I've often wondered that when our turn to make the journey to the life beyond comes, if we don't get to those pearly gates and a loving God doesn't look down upon us and ask, "Well, how was it?" "How was Heaven?" Perhaps, just maybe, our Heaven is actually right here on earth. We all tend to think it is in the hereafter. I have a sneaky feeling we're living it. At least the first phase of it.

Life is short. Next year, my almost 3 year old will be an almost 4 year old. Her toddling gate will be more like a big kid, my 5 1/2 week old will be a toddling one year old, and God willing, we'll all still be healthy and happy. We can only hope.

So, for those silly people that say Halloween is from the devil, you just should have been in my shoes. For me, it was most definitely from God.

WHW Month 1: In Review

2010-10-26T12:46:00.000-05:00

We're one month into your life here with us, sweet Henry.

To say that you are the perfect baby would be an understatement.

You're beautiful, sweet, cuddly and so very easy.

As long as someone is holding you, you are quite content. Lucky for me, you prefer my chest most of all.

Your big sister simply adores you. Almost every day, she says, "God is great, God is good, let us thank him for Henry." What is more precious than that?

Just like I believe Larkin was chosen for us by her Foxy, I'm quite sure you were chosen for us by your Grammy. How bitterly unfair it is that she isn't here to love you.

I'll be honest and say that I only imagined myself as a momma to little girls. I'm so happy you proved me wrong.

Little boy, I couldn't love you more than I already do.

Oh what a night

2010-10-06T11:41:00.001-05:00

It all began with a pop. Just like a balloon, but a little more muffled and a little more jarring.

There was no doubt, well, relatively little doubt, as to what it was. The onslaught of warm clear water indicated that the time was near. It was 1:36am.

I woke David with the news of water, he suggested we "monitor" the situation. Sleep was of most importance to him, apparently. About 4 and 1/2 minutes later the contractions began. After 3 contractions that were about 3 minutes apart, I called the on-call OB. A super sweet Dr. C recommended I time the contractions for a bit longer while I get my stuff together for the hospital. It was 1:55am.

My sister-in-law, the same one that I'd already assured that very morning that I was positive that labor wasn't near, was our late night on-call person to come stay with Larkin. David called her and within minutes, she was at our door. Without all the details, promptness is not necessarily her greatest strength but she undoubtedly made up for it that night.

Neither David or I had packed any bags for ourselves or for Larkin. We crammed random things in a few bags, and headed for the car. It was 2:17am.

Thankfully, Metro PD weren't out in full effect as they were the night we made the trip with Larkin so no blue lights this time around. As we were driving, we realized that the contractions were between a minute and a minute and a half apart. We get to the hospital and are directed to wait on a most uncomfortable bench behind the other couple being admitted. It was 2:29am.

I'd like to take a minute to state my opinion on something important. Baptist Hospital is the site for almost 9000 deliveries each year in Nashville. They are the experts. Where they come up short is the middle of the night reception booth staffing. One person is not enough. Fill that three terminal station up. We were lined up out there. I was the one in most obvious late stages of labor.

After struggling through a couple routine questions, the lone receptionist recognizes that the triage table is the most important place for me to be. We head back. It was 2:43 am.

The first thing I noticed is that the triage area smells like fried chicken. It was lunch time for the overnight crew. Food in any form to a laboring woman is repulsive. Fried chicken might be the most repulsive.

The triage nurse was asking me a full array of general health questions. Between rapid contractions and answering her mundane questions, I asked about anesthesia. Had she called them? Was someone on the floor? You can imagine my shock when she told me she couldn't call them until I was admitted (hadn't the lone station wolf done that?) and hooked up to an IV. Bring it on. I was writhing in pain. Like the most intense pain imaginable. Ridiculous pain.

The triage nurse that determined that I was somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 cm dilated called to L&D that I was on my way. It was 3:01am.

After arriving in the birthing room, getting the IV, and me repeatedly asking for anesthesia, strange looks were being glanced from nurse to nurse. The sweet Dr. C had been called but had yet to arrive and apparently either the triage nurse was incorrect or I had so rapidly gone from around 5 cm to fully dilated, +3 station, that I should win an award. It was 3:10am.

The floor "shot doc" was called in to deliver my baby. I never even caught his name but probably wouldn't have remembered anyway. I was still writhing in pain. Ridiculous pain. After an exam by the doc, another mention by me about anesthesia, my sweet nurse looked at me to give me the news: there was no time for anesthesia. I was going to have to do this au naturale. It was 3:20am.

Like a beacon in the fog, sweet Dr. C arrives. She kindof giggles when she sees the state I'm in after talking with me on the phone just shortly prior. She assures me I can do this and its time to do it. I remind her that this is a VBAC and that my uterus could rupture and I have no drugs. She reminds me that modern medicine would allow for quick intervention should I need it, but by the looks of things, I was going to be fine. It was 3:26am.

Three contractions with pushes later, at 3:39am, William Henry made his appearance into the world. Suddenly the writhing pain was over. As quickly as it came, it was gone and I had a 6 pound, 9 ounce baby boy laying on my chest.

I'll spare the details, but sans drugs, I had also managed to endure a fairly substantial tear. They said they had administered a local. I could feel every.single.stitch. Good thing I could see a baby in the background. Otherwise, I would have been sure I was lying in purgatory.

To say I would try a natural childbirth again would be a stretch, but looking back on it, I'm glad it happened the way it happened. It was quick. It was painful. It was fantastic.

Henry and I were released from the hospital at noon on Friday. Just time enough for us to go home, change clothes, take some percoset (me), pack into the minivan and attend Henry and Larkin's grandmother's funeral. A bittersweet coming home, for sure. Somehow I think that Rita had something to do with Henry's early arrival. In the midst of sadness, I was lucky enough to be holding her grandson around me in a Bjorn. A most welcomed site for many as we bid her a Heavenly farewell.

It's two weeks post delivery and we're settling back in to parenting a newborn again quite well. Larkin has adjusted well, David is a pro and I feel much more prepared to do this job this time around.

Life, most definitely, is good.

Oh, Henry!

2010-09-30T11:59:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the world baby boy!

William Henry Wilson
September 22, 2010
3:39am
6 pounds, 9 ounces

that which you leave behind

2010-09-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

There's no doubt about it. My Dad was larger than life. I've learned, only after his death, that I was not the only person who considered him their hero. Throughout the four years, countless people have contacted me to tell me how much he meant to them. Things he did for people that we his family never even knew about. I'm still the only one that knows some of those things as I feel like he didn't tell us for a reason.

In the end, however, those acts of kindness and his family are all that are left behind. His material possessions were so few. A man that was larger than life left so little remembrances of himself other than memories and good deeds done.

I'm once again being reminded of that which we leave behind. Rita left her family, an enormous amount of friends, and good deeds done. For almost 20 years, Rita faithfully volunteered at a local thrift shop that gave all proceeds to children's programs at the St. Luke's Community House. She didn't just voluntarily show up every now an again, she was a committed and scheduled retail associate as well the Treasurer of the shop. The Treasurer of a shop that still uses old fashioned receipt books. No computers, no accounting software. The piles of receipts she had to reconcile on a monthly basis was staggering.

Rita was as generous with her time and resources as anyone I've ever known. A true believer that in giving, you receive.

In the days and months to come, it will likely become less and less apparent that Rita lived in the home that we visit often. Just as it is with Dad. With very few exceptions, he's no longer visible on my trips to Florence. Things are things. And those things tend to disappear. What doesn't disappear are the memories and those good deeds done.

May we all be so fortunate to leave such a legacy behind. For me, it's a new awareness of what I should be doing. The shoes I am to fill just doubled in number.

an honor

2010-09-10T09:38:00.002-05:00

I'm quite sure that one of the most humbling, yet terrifying, and gracious moments in life is spending time with a loved one during their final breaths.

I feel so honored to have been with Rita as she entered the next life. I also feel honored to have been able to read the Ministration at the Time of Death from her Book of Common Prayer as we all sat around her body and held her hands.

A Commendatory Prayer

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Rita. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The peace that follows death is really indescribable. From torturous hell to calm tranquility. You can't witness it and say that God isn't there.

My sweet husband has lost his momma. As a daughter that lost her daddy, I feel more prepared to help him along. Another gift, albeit one that I still wish I wasn't given, that my Dad gave to me.

anxiously waiting

2010-09-08T10:16:00.002-05:00

I'm finding it hard to define the position I am currently in. New life and approaching death are coming together at what seems like the exact same time.

Our sweet Rita is in what we now hope are the final hours of life. I so vividly remember the moment when my prayers for my Dad changed from life to death. That happened again this weekend. It was not a bit easier the second time around.

As per the usual, in any time of trial, I have conversations with my Dad. He would always know what to do or what to say and strangly enough, that's still the case. Early Friday morning, I woke up completely startled. I sat straight up in bed and contemplated waking David and telling him I thought we should call to see if Rita was still with us. Something told me she had died. After a few deep breaths and a drink of water, I calmed. As I lay wide awake staring at the green numbers on my clock, I heard my Dad's all familiar voice saying, "Hi honey, it's Dad." I sat up again and looked around the dark room. His guitars are by my bed and I swear he was too. In a voice as plain as day he said, "You tell Rita not to worry. I'll be right here waiting for her when she gets here. I'll sing her that Gene Watson song."

I think Dad and Rita were and are still connected in some special way. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that he most definitely is waiting on her. Someone to hold her hand.

I often tell people that one of the reasons I married David is because I loved his mother so much. It's so very true. She's been as sweet and as good to me as anyone ever has been. I'll be forever grateful for her and the fact that I was among the people she loved.

And that's where we are. Awaiting the birth of a new child and awaiting the death of that child's grandmother. If only Dad were here to sing me that Gene Watson song.

Life as we know it.

2010-08-26T10:57:00.003-05:00

I suppose the only thing constant in this life is change.

I seriously feel as if I should be about 19 years old trying to figure out what I'll be wearing to the game on Saturday. Wondering how in the world I'll pass the finance test tomorrow. Anticipating what fun we'll have at the swap tonight.

Instead, I'm sitting in my office drowning in projects to complete before my (likely earlier than anticipated) maternity leave while also wondering who will be on the ready to pick Larkin up should I have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night. We couldn't be happier about the coming addition to the family, it's just more logistically challenging this time around.

On the flip side of happy times, as we were sitting in the doctor's office yesterday, we get the call we knew was coming. Hospice has been called in for Rita. While we were all anticipating the start of a new daily chemo pill, things took a drastic turn for the worse. Being just 4 years out from witnessing the turn dad took, I recognized it right away. I think the short term goal for now is for her to be here when the baby comes. I still believe in miracles so that keeps me hoping for longer.

I'm not sure if it's coincidence or otherwise that has led me to be cooking a babe that will likely be ready before it was projected to be. We're hoping that everything will work out the way in which it is meant to. Whatever that should be.

Last night, I saw the overwhelming exhaustion in David that I remember feeling just 4 Augusts ago. He couldn't eat, his mind was elsewhere and sleep was difficult. It's hard to think about yourself in a time like this, but I sure as hell wish we weren't going through this again. In conjunction with a time that is supposed to be so wonderful.

It's hard to think about those carefree Fall's in Tuscaloosa that others are experiencing right now. There's a game next Saturday to find a date and a dress for. Tests to be taken tomorrow. And guys will be lined up outside the houses on Colonial Drive and Magnolia Boulevard tonight to pick up their swap dates.

Don't tell them what happens next. That life as they know it will become so wonderfully sweet and so painfully bitter before you can blink.

Hoot!

2010-08-20T10:51:00.001-05:00

Larkin is definitely her mother's daughter. She received the Pottery Barn Kids Halloween costume book in the mail on Monday and for almost a solid hour, she poured over the choices. What was amazing to me about her decision making process is that she diligently correlated the cuteness of the treat bags to the costumes themselves to make sure her overall choice was a good one.

David was pulling for the skunk. I kindof liked the lion. Larkin was dead set on the owl. She talked about it all night and like any sucker mom would do, I promptly ordered the costume and the treat bag on Tuesday. We got them in the mail last night and her owl choice is quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. While she was thrilled with the costume and bag, she wasn't so thrilled that the bag came sans candy. The picture in the magazine showed the bag overflowing. Marketing at it's best, huh?

I've always been a lover of all things Halloween and a sucker for a cute costume. I may just send her to school in this one.

Baby Prep

2010-08-19T08:33:00.000-05:00

I think it is so funny how different a second pregnancy is than the first. I've bought nothing. I've washed nothing in Dreft. I've barely thought about names.

But, what I have done is think about how Larkin will adjust. All of her friends at school have become the older sibling in the past 6 months, so there's lots of talk about babies in her circle of friends. Way more than in my circle. I still worry about her reaction to far less attention on her.

So, in preparation for Baby #2, this is what I've purchased. For Larkin, of course.

August 16

2010-08-16T06:49:00.001-05:00

If this date mysteriously just fell off our calendar, I would not be upset. I think August needs one less day, personally.

Four years. 4. 2006 seems so long ago now but for some reason, I feel like he's been gone about 4 days. Or 4 weeks. Or maybe 4 months. But 4 years?

I remember standing around his lifeless body waiting on Rex to come. Our conversations were not particularly grim, as I recall. I think we may have actually laughed about something. Delirious relief, I suppose. I'm not sure I realized then how that day, that moment, that memory, would be with me forever.

Summer Blogging Hiatus

2010-08-12T16:46:00.000-05:00

I don't think I've ever gone as long between posts as I have this summer. There was just no time. Well, okay, maybe there was and I just decided to do other things. Nevertheless, I'm back.

It really has been a good summer. While I'm not on a teacher's schedule during the summer months, my schedule is much more relaxed which allows ample time to play. We stayed put most of the summer due to David's mom being so sick, but did manage a few weekend trips and a week at the beach.

Larkin continues to make us laugh every day. She had a great summer in the transition classroom at school and will be moving on up to the 3 year old class on Monday. I can hardly believe it myself. How did this baby get so big?

She's a bonefide big girl now that she's moved to her new bedroom and new bed. It was about the easiest thing I've ever done and probably should have done it long ago. That crib that I thought she was so attached to is now just a good stuffed animal bin. That is, for the next few weeks.

I've officially entered the perhaps uncool stage of motherhood and am driving a real-live minivan. After much anticipation about saying goodbye to my sporty cherry red Saab, I'm now happily cruising the streets in a practical crimson Town & Country. Actually, considering all of the doors are automatic and it's equipped with an iPod dock and dual DVD players, it might just be the coolest car I've ever had. Larkin loves it and has already asked if we could camp out in it.

David's sweet grandfather passed away in June, just shy of his 92nd birthday. It's actually been a great experience celebrating his life with family. He lived a wonderfully healthy and vibrant 91.9 years. A true Southern Gentleman if there ever was. I was lucky to have known, loved and been loved by Everett. I'm so thankful that Larkin got to know her Poppa, even if she may not remember him for the long haul.

We're in the final countdown to the day our family becomes 4. Technically, I'm 32 weeks along today but my instincts were right. As of my appointment today, I'm measuring 36-37 weeks. I knew that this kid had grown rapidly. We'll see in two weeks how things are via ultrasound and make a decision how to proceed then. I have no reason to believe anything is necessarily wrong, just different than the last go round.

I'm looking forward to being back in the swing of documenting our lives. More than anything else, this is what this serves as. A way for me to look back and remember. The good and the bad. The big and the small. The wrong and the right.

Goodbye summer. Bring on the fall.

Still Here

2010-06-30T12:04:00.000-05:00

No worries, all is well in Casa Wilson. Just having a crazy busy summer thus far and spending as much time as it does to upload pictures to blogger isn't on my agenda.

Although my workday is reduced during the summer, I'm "up to my armpits in alligators" as David would say. Summer is not downtime in the life of an Admissions Director. I spent a week in lovely Boston, MA for a conference. It was my first visit to the city and I'll definitely return when my time is my own.

We had a fun weekend in Atlanta with David's sister a couple weeks ago. Larkin LOVED the aquarium and we enjoyed a night watching the Braves while Larkin had fun with a sitter.

Our garden is lush and green but producing no bounty. What's the deal with that? Too little direct sun, perhaps? Whatever it is, it's quite frustrating. I had imagined plates full of vine ripe tomatoes and fresh goat cheese by this stage in the game.

We're headed to my beloved Lower Alabama on Friday for a week. Oil won't keep me away from the sand and surf. I still imagine my dad to be sitting out there, beer and book in hand, so to me, more than anything else, a trip to the beach is a visit with him.

Baby Wilson #2 is kicking right along. Other than being hot 99.4% of the time, this pregnancy is a breeze. If I didn't look and feel like I had a giant basketball in my abdomen, I wouldn't even think about it.

Larkin gets more hysterical by the day. The things she says and does never fail to crack us up. She's super smart, too. David is one of those folks blessed with a way above average IQ so I'm hoping his genetics, like his eye color, are the dominating force for Larkin. Either that, or the report I heard on NPR several years ago about the number of books in your home being directly correlated to a child's cognitive learning ability, holds true. I've wondered since if NPR wasn't in cahouts with Amazon on that story....

David's mom is still very sick. She's been receiving chemo every 3 weeks and while she manages some good days, many of her days are far less than good. She's virtually lost all strength in her muscles so even walking a few steps is nearly impossible. Her weight continues to decline so caloric management is essential. It's been a rough way to lose over 45 pounds. All that to say, both she and Don are pillars of strength. They take each day for what it is and remain as optimistic as anyone in that situation possibly could.

In light of her illness, and both of their inabilities to work, David departed from the CPA firm he worked for and is now CFO of his parents' company. They have owned Thrifty Rental Car franchises over 35 years so David grew up around the business. While it is a change for him, he is absolutely loving it. Not only does he love the work he's doing, he feels very honored that he is able and prepared to do it. It has worked out wonderfully for everyone. So now, like her Daddy, Larkin will grow up knowing exactly how to park a car correctly and feel like the airport is just her Dad's office.

Tomorrow will mark the beginning of July. To me, that means one thing; one more page turn and we're back to August again. Four years(!) will have passed by us since that fateful August in 2006. Incomprehensible, really.

Sorry no cute pictures of Larkin. We'll come back from the beach with pictures galore.

Happy 4th!

Pick Tennessee

2010-06-04T15:04:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, we took that slogan literally as we headed north to Portland, Tennessee to the Strawberry Capital of the South! Portland is also home to NBA star Corey Brewer and Ronnie McDowell*.

Of course, I went without a camera (I'll never learn) and got no pictures of the actual pickin', but believe me when I say, Larkin ate them as fast as she was picking them. Hulls and all. Her mouth and cute strawberry outfit were covered in fresh strawberry juice.

Any time I ever get out a pick anything, I realize that in my next life, I'll definitely be a farmer. There is something completely exhilarating and adrenaline rushing about finding a bright red bunch of strawberries ready to put in the basket. I could have stayed and picked all day.

We found a little roadside barbecue stand and feasted on baby backs and baked beans and took Highway 109 back down south just before the Strawberry Festival parade began. We go for the strawberries; not the funnel cakes and small town parade.

We picked 3 quarts and bought an additional flat of strawberries. Needless to say, I spent the afternoon washing and hulling our haul. I froze, ate, refrigerated and then began the preserve making process. I admit, I know very little about "putting up" anything. But the old faithful Joy of Cooking can get you through just about anything you want to know.

The preserves actually turned out pretty good. With three ingredients; strawberries, sugar and lemon juice, you can't really go wrong. That is, if you do the canning part right which ended up taking me two days.

We'll be making homemade strawberry ice cream this weekend. Hooray for summer and it's bounty!

*For some strange reason, Russellville, Alabama developed a love affair for Ronnie McDowell in the mid-nineties. He would come (and may still) and perform his B-list hits along with a bunch of Elvis Presley covers every year. The affair became so strong that there is a street named after him. Weird? I say so.

We're Traditional, Afterall.

2010-05-28T20:48:00.005-05:00

Five years ago tonight, my best friend David became my husband. I still say that I'm the luckiest girl in the world. If there were a better husband, daddy and friend anywhere, I would be surprised. After 5 years together, I can still say that being married to David is still as wonderful as it was on May 28, 2005. He's as good as it gets.

After pondering what to get him for our anniversary and knowing that he'd had his iPad since day #1, I opted for the nontraditional gift. Custom made, uniquely designed, cornhole boards. A fun backyard game we both could enjoy.

After a little research, I found Nashville Lawn Games. I sent them an internet picture of the Icelandic and South African flags hoping they could make boards to commemorate two of our great trips during our years together. What I didn't expect is how wonderfully they'd turn out. Not only are they fun, it's like having works of art in our backyard.

If you're in Nashville, or even if you're not, and you're longing for your own backyard set, I would highly recommend the nice folks at Nashville Lawn Games!

After spending a weekend enjoying our boards and starting to think that I might need to get David something more "traditional", I ventured over to Wikipedia to remind me what the traditional 5 year anniversary gift was. I quickly realized that not only was this the perfect gift for David, it was the perfect gift for this anniversary.

The traditional gift, need you be reminded, is wood.

Happy Anniversary to the sweetest guy I know. May we have many, many, many days of backyard fun.

Thank You Mr. Sellers

2010-05-12T12:16:00.001-05:00

"What the Media Missed in the Nashville Flood" by Bob Sellers in The
Huffington Post

First of all, it wasn't just Nashville. There were 52 counties in
Tennessee that the national media ignored in the early days of a storm
with no name, and that doesn't include the parts of Kentucky that also
suffered from the Flood of 2010.

It wasn't just a typical Spring storm. The head of TEMA - Tennessee's
version of FEMA - said the record breaking rainfall of up to 18
inches in 36 hours was like hitting 150 home runs in a season or
rushing for 4,000 yards in the NFL.

It wasn't just the Cumberland River, which swelled into the streets of
Music City. There were flash floods that turned small rivers and
creeks into rushing bodies of water that stole lives from people
trying to escape. That includes the elderly couple who got in their
car to flee the rising water around their home. With water flowing
with deceptive force across a flooded roadway, they both died as their
car was swept away, the man because he was wheelchair bound, and his
wife because she refused to leave his side.

It wasn't just the poor. There were huge neighborhoods of flooded
middle class homes where families huddled together with their kids and
pets in the dark on the second floor praying for rescue as electricity
failed and dead cell phones left them unable to call for help.

It wasn't just back roads. It was interstates like I-40 and I-24 which
became watery graveyards of abandoned cars and extended parking lots
miles long of passing-through travelers who found themselves in a part
of the country that had suddenly come to a stop.

It wasn't just the weak. There was the family of three sitting in
their living room one moment and fighting the current of a raging
creek the next as it swept their house away. The woman who survived
lost a home, a husband, and a teenage daughter in a matter of a few
terrifying minutes.

It wasn't just people. There was the horse found 14 miles downstream,
the cow stuck in a tree, and the description from a livestock owner of
hearing his horses taking a deep breath and the sound of bubbles
seconds later as the rising water stole life from them.

It's wasn't just flooding. One of Nashville's two water treatment
plants went down, meaning drinking water sources became critically
low. Rising flood waters threatened the remaining water plant, so
prison inmates were deployed to pack sandbags around the only
remaining source of fresh water.

It wasn't over when the rain stopped. There were sunny skies shining
down upon the 10-year old girl who was playing in the water in the
ditch near her house when she lost her footing and was sucked into a
drain pipe 18 inches wide. When she was spit out of the other end of
the 36 foot long pipe she wasn't breathing and her lips were blue. As
her father picked her up to begin CPR she opened her eyes and gasped
for air.

It wasn't without controversy. The Army Corps of Engineers made
choices in releasing water from local dams that critics say left
certain homes dry, and others uninhabitable. Some of the flood victims
thought they had survived the storm until the water around their homes
started rising at a breathtaking pace with no warning.

It wasn't just bad news. There was the baby born to the mother who
couldn't get to the hospital, with an obstetrician forging waist deep
water. There were hundreds of water rescues by people who own boats,
calling out loud from house to house for survivors who needed a life-
saving link to dry land. These good Samaritans included a young man on
a jet ski who saved a woman whose house was fully engulfed in flames
as she pondered whether to die in raging waters or burn to death with
her home. Twenty seconds after they raced away from the flames the
entire house exploded. "God sent me an angel on a jet ski," she said.

It wasn't just organized charities. National representatives of the
Red Cross said when they came to town they didn't have the immediate
demands on their resources that they expected because so many people
had volunteered their time and supplies to help the victims of the
storm that turned neighbors into flood victims.

I'm not surprised the national media came upon the story of the
Nashville flood late in the game. There was a bomb scare on May 1st,
the first day of the rains. Bombs in Times Square and oil leaks in the
Gulf are significant stories. But even when they did discover the
Flood of 2010, the minute-thirty pieces on network news showing
inundated tourist destinations kind of missed the expanse of the event
and the depth of its pain to the victims of a once in a lifetime flood.

It took well known musicians like Keith Urban and Vince Gill to get
the concerted attention of the national media. On Thursday the 6th,
Anderson Cooper came to town and gave a voice to flood victims who,
with the spirit of the deeply faithful, resolutely face their
uncertain future. It was late in the week, but Tennesseans appreciate
gracious guests, even when they don't show up on time.

Yes, terrorism is a threat. But nobody died with the bomb that didn't
go off in Times Square. Twenty-three people lost their lives in the
flood, and roughly twenty-thousand individuals so far have applied for
federal aid to get them back on their feet. And while the oil leak in
the gulf allowed cable networks to fill hours of programming by
calling upon their usual political guests inside the Beltway to talk
about the blessings and curses of drilling offshore, the reality is
that the debate over drilling will not end with this spill -- or the
next.

We know from experience that when it rains in New York, the whole
country gets wet. When it snows there, the Ice Age is upon us. But
news goes on outside of New York and Washington. There's a whole
country out there. And stories worth telling.

A Decade Later.....

2010-05-06T12:23:00.004-05:00

In 7 days, I will celebrate 10 years as a college graduate. Some days, it feels like a lifetime ago; other days, I feel like I just stepped out on Magnolia Boulevard headed to class.

While this month marks my college graduation date, it also marks 10 years, yes one entire decade, that I have lived in Nashville. My move to Nashville was not something I necessarily planned. I was to go to Atlanta like 1/3 of the other University of Alabama graduates of 2000. I even had a job waiting for me there. At the last minute, something didn't quite feel right. I was taking part in the herd mentality and following the crowd. Luckily, the company that I had endeared myself to in Atlanta also had offices in Nashville so my resume was passed along.

On a gloomy, drizzly Saturday in late May, Dad and I made our way to Nashville to find me a place to live. Neither of us knew a fool thing about Nashville other than Opryland Theme Park and that had (disastrously) been torn down several years prior. We looked high and low, near and far for an abode for 22 year old me and ended up having a rather somber lunch where I asked him if I could just move home. He told me no.

We drove back down I65 to Brentwood (because he'd heard it was where the rich folks lived) and back into an apartment complex with a hunter green and gold sign (because he thought those were the colors that rich folks used). So, for a mere $875 a month, I had my first one bedroom apartment in Brentwood at the complex with the green and gold sign. It nearly broke me considering the salary of my first job.

Upon arriving in Nashville I knew one person. The lady that interviewed me for my job. I didn't even know her last name. That was it. I knew not one person more. It was a terribly lonely beginning.

Because of the slight depression I was in after arriving and being completely alone, I found a new hobby in studying street maps and picking a quadrant of the city and driving it on the weekends. Before long, I was the queen of the backways and biways. To this day, I know the streets and neighborhoods of Nashville better than those of any city I've ever lived.

Soon, life began to take shape for me. I was promoted, I bought my first house (2 days shy of my 24th birthday) and I met my future husband. College started seeming like a nice memory instead of something missing in my life. I began to realize that Magnolia Boulevard had plenty of new girls filing out of sorority houses on their way to class. Nashville became my town. My home.

So here I sit, ten years post arriving, and can't imagine being anywhere else. I have a growing family that keeps me busy, a job I adore, a little house in the neighborhood where the rich folk really do live (sans green and gold signs) and a life that I really never dreamed I could have. But somedays, like today, I realize how much has happened since my gloomy lunch with my dad at Granite Falls and how much has happened since the gloomy day when he left.

I think he would tell me he was proud. I know I would tell him I am thankful he told me I couldn't come home.

Great Flood of 2010

2010-05-03T09:42:00.003-05:00

I have no pictures to tell the story but take my word for it; the situation in Nashville is dire. I never ever thought I would see anything that would compare to the devastation of Katrina in New Orleans, but this is close. Obviously, the number of lives lost doesn't begin to compare, but the amount of people affected by the complete loss of their homes and property will likely exceed.

Literally hundreds, if not thousands, of homes are completely submersed in murky water. Rivers are continuing to rise and homes are now catching on fire.

We feel very lucky to have had as little damage as we did. A little water through our kitchen ceiling, a foot of drainable water in our basement and a limb across David's car. In the scheme of things, that is very small.

Pray for those Nashvillians who have lost everything. They are many.

Food For Thought

2010-04-22T10:11:00.003-05:00

Four things inspire this post:
1. I watched Food, Inc. last night. In complete horror.
2. Today is Earth Day and I celebrate that fact.
3. My dear friend Kitty and I must have esp because she blogged about the same issue.
4. I planted my garden last week and I'm anxiously awaiting my "crop".

Do you think about the food you eat? I mean really think about it. Where does it come from? In what environment was it grown? What chemicals were used to make this food available to me? What living arrangement did the meat have when it was part of a live creature? Am I eating this food to sustain my life when it's actually doing the opposite?

There is a problem with the food we Americans eat. A huge problem. We are such consumers of all goods that food, especially animals, is being bred and grown so rapidly and abnormally that it is literally damaging our society. Growth hormones, absurd living and growing conditions and chemicals in the forms of pesticides are taking over our food pyramid. What is being sold as a tomato in our grocery stores is actually not a tomato. It may look like a tomato and taste like a tomato (which I beg to differ), but it's more like a genetically produced version of a tomato enhanced by chemicals that provide color and flavor.

I'm definitely behind in the game, but I do make a conscious effort to buy organic when possible. We ONLY drink organic milk. Believe you me, spending $8.00 for a gallon of milk chaps my ass almost every time, but I do it. Whether its true or not, I firmly believe that anything you can do to reduce the amount of growth hormones you and especially your children consume is a good thing. My next move is to start buying only organic, grass-fed meats. Local, if at all possible. While our grocery bill will be on the increase, hopefully our health will be too.

Summers are organic for us. Our fabulous local CSA keeps us loaded with fresh produce. Going to farmers markets are Saturday morning routine. And a friend that owns a grass-fed beef, poultry and pork farm calls to make sure I'm stocked. But, I'm really determined to do better year round. I'm just not sure where to start. Whole Foods, perhaps?

So what do you do? What do you spend the extra bucks on? What do you buy that's of the "traditional" variety? Do you think it's worth the extra cost to buy organic and local? Do you think it's better for your body and the environment to do so?

Do tell. And Happy Earth Day!