We Are Nashville. We still need your help.

It's been almost a month since historic rains fell on Middle TN... pushing streams, creeks and rivers out of their banks, saturating the ground and leaving a wake of destruction in places you'd never even imagine water would flow.

People still need your help, both financially and physically. 

We've made a lot of progress, but restoration is far from over. As the immediacy of the situation fades, there are tons of people around Nashville and Middle TN who still need help getting their lives, homes and means of making a living back. It's estimated that it will take more than FIVE YEARS for those affected to be back to normal. 

Lend a hand where you can:  
Hands on Nashville
United Way

Give what you can:  
Nashville Red Cross

A song dedicated to Middle TN's resiliance.
United Way of Middle TN's song written & performed by Erika Chamers along w the music / bgvs of Blue Mother Tupelo)


Nashville Flood PSA narrated by Billy Bob Thorton:


Victoria Banks' song. Proceeds benefit Nashville Red Cross:

I believe in friends

Saw this poem in, of all places, Jimmy John's when I was grabbing a quick lunch yesterday. It really resonated with me... So, I thought I'd share it with you.

I Believe... I believe- that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I believe- that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I believe- that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. I believe- that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. I believe- that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. I believe- that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I believe- that you can keep going long after you can't. I believe- that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. I believe- that either you control your attitude or it controls you. I believe- that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place. I believe- that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I believe- that money is a lousy way of keeping score. I believe- that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. I believe- that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up. I believe- that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel. I believe- that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. I believe- that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. I believe- that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. I believe- that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. I believe- that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. I believe- that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do. I believe- that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever. I believe- that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally. different. I believe- that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. I believe- that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help. I believe- that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. I believe- that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. by Unknown

There are Starfish Everywhere

With the historical rainfall and flooding in Nashville and the surrounding area this past weekend, so many people and places were affected in varying degrees.  Yeah... we sustained some damage to our yard, crawl space, AC/heat units... but that is nothing compared to the devastation all around us in Antioch, Mills Creek Area, Downtown, Bellvue... the list goes on. 

All of this left me feeling a little overwhelmned and helpless about where to begin and how to help the people of Nashville.

Then i thought about the "star fish" story.

You know... where there are thousands of star fish stranded on the beach by the outgoing tide.

A man comes along and starts throwing them into the ocean one-by-one.

Another man comes along and says, "you'll never save all of them."

The man responds by reaching down, picking up a star fish and throwing it back into the water, repeating this action over and over, each time saying, "I saved that one. I saved this one. I saved that one."

We've got a lot of starfish in the Nashville area right now... and every day that the water recedes, we find more starfish.

Let's keep working together and try not to be overwhelmed by it all... taking  it one day at a time... and helping people one-step-at-a-time.

Because We Are Nashville.

I'm proud to be a part of this community.

Start here:
Nashvillest has a great page they are continually updating with links to places where you can donate, volunteer, help get the word out, etc. Please lend a hand any way you can: Nashville is Flooded. How can I help?

Leon... Snuggly wild cat

Why is it that every time I try to take a pic of Leon being cute, he ends up looking like a psycho-cat? Seriously, what is he doing in this pic? Should I be scared?!

red buds make me happy

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year. Red buds. Apple blossoms.
Daffodils. Bulbs sprouting. Trees growing deeper mists of green with
each day that passes. Yard work is calling my name... and I don't mind!

16 times in 2009

Wow. I only posted 16 times in 2009. *loser*
In 2008... 188.
What happened to the bb of 2005?
344 posts!
That's almost 1 / day.
I need to find her.

Anybody seen 2005 BB?

If you do, will you tell her I'm looking for her?
Seriously.

Be My Valentine