I am my mother's daughter....and I think I really like it...

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm going to dedicate my blog to the best one ever...MY mom. I know everyone thinks their mom is the best, but I'm pretty persuasive, and I bet I could convince many non-believers, that she wins. (Even if they only agree just to shut me up.) Instead of just talking the talk...I'm gonna give you some examples and let you decide for yourself.

Example #1 - My 8th grade birthday party, where she was given the name Psycho Mom. (Sorry MOM!!!) Everyone was having dance parties, etc, so mom understood that mine had to be the coolest. We rented out an old Farmhouse, had a DJ, plenty of food and a ton of fun. The party I think was supposed to have like 50 guests or so, but word got out, and neighboring school people started showing up too. I think at one point there was over 100 kids there, with just a few parents to chaperone. I don't remember a lot of it (because the trauma has blocked it out) but what I do remember...is the music SCREECHING to a halt, my mother standing on a chair, and her threatening to "shut this party down" if we all didn't get ourselves under control. Not one of my mother's finest moments, but famous nonetheless. And one that showed how much she cared.

Let's move onto high school. I was involved in everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. And mom was there for all of it! Raising money for the dance team, helping prepare me for Indiana's Jr. Miss, and most of all making sure I always had the BEST costumes for all of my 10,000 plays. Now this was right after Dad died, so I was a 1st class jerk a lot of the time, but she didn't let that phase her. She loved me and wanted to show it!!

College is where we got really close. Kind of ironic since we now lived 15 hours apart from each other; but I guess as some people say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. No crazy stories here (that I can remember), apart from them moving to Florida the same day I moved into the dorms and forgetting to give me an address OR a phone number. (AND YES this really happened). But here is where I really started to figure myself out, and began to see all of the determination and hard work that my mom instilled in me flourishing.

Over the past year, I don't even know how to explain my relationship with my mom. Incredible, ultimate admiration, unconditional love, all of those come to mind, I mean...what other mother, would hop in a car, drive 16 hours in the middle of the night, and pick me up in Nashville, just to make sure I was happy and alright? What other mother let's her 29 year old daughter invade their house for 2 months, and seems genuinely happy about it? And what other mother, would raise money and everything else possible for someone who at one-time hurt her daughter all because she knows they are in need and it would really make me happy? My mother would do that. And I'm sure so many others would too...but I've got 1st hand experience with Yvonne Lamb, and I love it.

Where I am going with all of this, is to show just HOW much of a loving mother mine is. She would do anything and everything for me (and my brother) because we are her children. And she loves us. I've begun to notice all of the similarities between us, and the more I look for them, the more I see. Our pride in what we do for a living, our high-pitched laugh when we get nervous, our tendency to get REALLY stressed out when we can't figure out where we are driving, our loyalty to those we care about, and sooo many other things. One similarity I haven't gotten to see yet, (and I'm NOT ready to find out) is our parenting skills. (Sorry mom,,,no grandkids just yet). What I do know...is that I sure hope they are the most similar of all. Psycho Mom included.

I love you Mom!!!!

Flooding update

Yesterday I was struggling to find the words to describe the flooding. Today I am just in awe. And devastated. And even if I could find the words...they wouldn't do it justice. So I've decided to use pictures instead. Hopefully these will do a better job of describing how we look and feel. The bottom photos are before and after photos of The Opryland Hotel. The several thousand guests staying there were quickly evacuated last night and are staying in nearby McGavoc High School. The hotel announced today it is no longer accepting future reservations and is closed indefinitely. The next is of 2nd Avenue. Or what once WAS Second Avenue. The Wildhorse Salon and all of those other businesses. Completely underwater. The parking garage in Vanderbilt Hospital and then another shot of downtown along with 2 people struggling to stay alive as water rushes around them.


These are just a few of the photos I have had the misfortune of seeing online and watching on the news. Early yesterday, before the Cumberland River crested. Roomie #1 and I drove downtown. Riverfront park was covered in water, but the streets we still passable. Now...that shot of downtown...covered in water...is the same road we drove down just earlier yesterday. And the water is supposed to still rise for another day.

Those of you reading this, especially the ones who aren't able to see it firsthand. Please spread the word that we need help. Prayers, donations, support. Anything. Please contact Hands on Nashville or www.HON.org to find out what you can do. Mayor Karl Dean requests that all support go through this organization in order to work with FEMA and the National Government.

Or contact me directly. I run a clothing store and my employees and I are trying to figure out ways we can get/buy clothing for those who need it.

Once again...I'll keep you posted on the situation. Until then, never doubt the power of simple prayer.

Waterlogged....

Growing up alongside the Ohio River, I know a thing or two about floods. Once every few years, we'd be alerted that the the River was rising too fast, the city would help everyone get prepared, and close up the flood walls to make sure that as much as possible would be contained. Here in Nashville, we have no such walls. And we haven't needed them since the Cumberland River Flood of 1927. Well it's now 83 years later, and we NEED them because the Great Flood of 2010 has arrived! Many parts of the city are 18-20 inches underwater right now. And these are parts of the CITY!! Not just random rural areas. To get you all caought up, let's rewind about 36 hours...

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, it started raining. Then came then Thunderstorms. Then heavy winds. All the while, the rain never stopped. Not once. It's been the same story all the way until now. Just sheets and sheets of rain. Areas near all of the creeks flooded 1st. Then the unthinkable happened...yesterday afternoon, the INTERSTATE flooded. And by flooded, I mean floating cars, covered Semi-trucks and even a Portable school caught on a news cam rushing underwater down the interstate until it ultimately smashed into other floating cars and crumbled apart.

This all happened about 24 hours ago, and the rain still hasn't stopped. In the past day, our Mayor, then governor, and then finally President all declared Davidson County in a State of Emergency and then a Natural Disaster Area. I'm sitting here, trying to remember my news writing skills to describe the madness that is our city, and Waterlogged is the only thing I can think of. You know that feeling of just being "wet"??? Like if you're camping and your shoes get wet, or you forgot to close your car window all the way and it rained. That's the feeling of our city and it's residents. Just this incredible feeling of "wet"

Today...it is still raining, so we are all worried about the Here and Now, but what many people haven't even begun to think about it the aftermath.... Powerlines are down everywhere. People are without power for miles. Grocery stores are flooded, and it was just reported that all local hardwear stores are out of both sand and the bags to hold the sand. I don't even want to know what our city's gonna look like on Tuesday when we can't get gas or food to put in a refrigerator bc there's no power to keep it cold. Yikes!!

Keep Nashville in your prayers. Those of you with flooding experience, send me your wisdom. And wish us luck!! I'll keep ya posted with some updates...

Sorry Belmont...I was trying!!!

Most people who know me, know that I LOVE where I went to college. Belmont University, here in Nashville gave me 4 of the best years of my life so far. Because I had such a great experience (and because I've never met a stranger) I have dubbed myself an unofficial ambassador to the school whenever I come across a young person and their parents debating over whether to go there or not. This happened today...sort of.

A daughter, mother, and grandmother were all shopping in the store today, when I overheard them discussing what to wear for the Campus Tour in the morning. Partly because it's my job to help pick out the perfect outfit and partly because I wanted to find out the school, I headed over and asked. To my happiness, the tour was of Belmont!
"Where are you from," I asked.
"Little Rock," says Mom.
"What are you coming here in hopes of Studying?"
"Commercial Voice," says the daughter
"How cool! That's what I majored in," I replied.

I then went on, helping them choose a ton of potential outfits and headed off to the fitting rooms together. As daughter was trying on, I was majorly singing the praises of Belmont to Mom and Grandma...telling them ALL about what a wonderful place it was, all of the things to do, how great the teachers were, etc.

Mom interjects and asks: "Did you go to school with any famous people??"
Seriously?? (I think in my head) but aloud say..."Well I was friends with Josh Turner, and a good friend of mine sings BGV's for Carrie Underwood on her specials..."
Mom: "Ohhhh....he's that guy that sings Long Black Train..."

Seriously people!! It's Nashville. You see a famous person on every street corner! Can we talk about Belmont here?!?! I am finally able to get them back on track, and thinking about their daughters future...and we start talking about class size etc.

All is going well until Grandma utters her 1st sentence of the day: "So how are YOU using your voice degree?" OUT OF NOWHERE!!!

Caught off guard...my response was..."ME?! Oh absolutely nothing!! I changed that major 1st semester of my Sophomore year!!"

Oops....Their faces said it all...that was Not quite the answer they were expecting. I think they wanted me to say that I manage my store in my spare time, while singing in bars 7 nights a week or something cliche' like that. But honey...that ain't happenin' Needless to say, they wrapped up their shopping trip fairly quickly and headed out the door.

So the moral of the story is 1.) Come to Belmont for the kick-ass college experience, NOT because you think it's gonna make you a country star, and 2.) Don't try to relate to someone who is about to start something you quit doing years ago!! HA!

Hope I didn't lose you a recruit ole' BU. Go Bruins!!!

If I can't get a medal...I should at least get the T-shirt!

So I think the Country Music marathon hates me. Seriously!! I move almost every year and no matter where I seem to go...they run past my house. Not NEAR my house...actually on my street and pass my house. This year..my driveway was actually a water pit-stop. So without our knowledge, volunteers showed up at the crack of dawn with lawnchairs, tables, and 5 million cups! But thats not the point of the story. Here's my morning:

I've known for weeks that my road was going to be closed from 6am-noon this morning. I had to be at work at 8 so I knew that I would need to park in a different spot. This was going to be easy (or so I thought) because my next door neighbors driveway pulls out to Belmont Blvd. not Battlefield (my closed off street.) I got home from work last night, parked in their drive and went to bed. When I woke up for work and took Cashmere out for a little potty time...I saw a terrifying sight. People running down Belmont!!!! After realizing that my car was trapped, I had a mini panic attack. I then pulled myself together, called the other manager opening with me and explained that she was going to have to come get me. Mind you..the street was closed, so I was going to have to WALK to where she could pick me up.

Here's where it gets funny... I was dressed super snazzy for work (it was a Saturday afterall) in a jumpsuit, heels, and carrying a ginormous purse. The only way to get to where Courtney was waiting, was to walk WITH the runners!!!! How embarrassing! They were giving me the craziest looks a) because I was definitely NOT dressed appropriately and b) because it seemed as if I had just joined the race midway through! Even the people on the sides of the road cheering the runners along were confused! The final stage of humiliation: in order to cross the street to get in the car, I actually had to WEAVE through the runners path! So here I am, in my Party it up outfit saying "excuse me, sorry, excuse me, sorry) as I bobbed and weaved through the massive herd of people. NOT what I expected this morning!!

Anyway, I would like to say, that although this experience was NO WHERE near fANNEtastic, I do have one freakin-fantastic story to share! AND I get to say that I participated in the 2010 Country Music Marathon! So I want my shirt... Hope you got a laugh...at my expense. :)

Blessing in disguise...

So I'm getting a presidential visit at work next week... Very exciting, but Yikes!!! Lots of work to make everything perfect. :) I am a perfectionist after all. In order to get everything in order, I schedule myself 6 days of work this week instead of my normal 5. Today is my day off. My ONE day to myself. As I am leaving the store yesterday, my co-manager says, "I wont call you tomorrow unless the store is burning down." My response: "If the store is burning down, call 911. I'll see you Wednesday." :) Anyway...it's a big surprise when I get a phone call from him at 9 am this morning!!! Needless to say...the manager that was supposed to open, hadn't shown up by 9:15 and we open at 10. YIKES!!! 911 Co-manager offered to come in at work in the morn, but knew that he wouldn't be able to get there until around 10, so I decided to jump in the car (pjs, no bra, and electrocuted hair) to at least get everything ready.

Long story short, we got everything done by 10, and around 10:30 missing manager called frantic saying he'd mixed up his schedule and was at the Dr's office while we were trying to call. He covered the managers shift that had come in for him and all was good. Now, normally I would be very pissed that I had to go into work the 1 day I had off, but I chose to look at today differently, and that is why is was fANNEtastic, :)

On my days off, I usually sleep in until around 12 or 1. Now sleeping in is nice, but this is excessive. Because I had to get up and go in to work for an hour, I chose to treat today differently. I was back at home by 10:30 and refused to get back in bed! By noon, I had paid some bills, sorted laundry, and taken Cashmere on a mile and a half run! Today was gonna be a good day! I then, took a short nap, got up, went to the grocery and decided to de-weed our lawn. What a productive day so far!! Next, I relaxed at the house, was bored and then drove to get a pedicure (best one ever, by the way. A place called Illusion, and he worked on my feet for an hour and 15 mins!!).

So here's the moral of the story. You can be pissed that your "quiet time" gets switched up, and let it ruin your day, or you can embrace the opportunity, and end up making it the best "quiet time" ever!!! I chose the 2nd option and had the best day off in months!! You should too.

Nighty Night!
Anne

Here goes nothin'

If you're reading this post...then you're starting right at the beginning with me! One of my new years resolutions was to become more computer literate this year. So it's taken a few months, but I figured nothing was more computer 'hip' than blogging. I'm still trying to figure out just what I want my blog to focus around, but I figured that until I nail it down, I could just write about all of the cool and fantastic things that happen to an average 29 year old on a daily basis. Paired with my name, Anne, fANNEtastic2010 was born. :) Who knows?! Maybe after I get good at this, other people could comment about their fun and fastinating experiences too!

Here's a quick blip about me: I did things a little backward. I grew up pretty fast after the loss of a parent. I wanted to make sure that I had all my ducks in a row, if you know what I mean. Had to make sure I had a life plan! So I did everything by the book. Went off to college, made fabulous grades, graduated and was promoted both at my college job and my internship, found a man who loved me, and got married! Whew!! Now...life is set! Or so I thought.

Two years ago to the date, my life changed. And a divorce was granted. Now I'm not cryin' about this here. Kind of a blessing in disguise, but shit...for someone who thought they had life all wrapped up, this threw quite a wrench in my plans! I wasn't gonna let it knock me down though. I dusted myself off and jumped into another relationship. Now this one was both amazing and hell on earth, but that would be a whole other blog.

To wrap this little bio up, that relationship ended about 5 months ago, and I am learning what it's like to NOT have a plan. So far...I'm really loving it! In fact...it's quite Fantastic if I do say so myself.

Take tonight for instance. My roomie got home from her vacay, and we tried to start her car. To our dismay, it was dead! Well she had to be somewhere ASAP, and left in my car. My other roomie (I have two) and I thought it would be nice to jump it so it would be fixed before she got back. After borrowing jumper cables from a neighbor, and a few phone calls to clarify how to do this correctly...roomie #2 and I did it!! All by ourselves! Now..old me...would have never even imagined fixing it herself...but new 2010 Anne...What a RUSH!!!

So here's what I'm thinking. I'm gonna blog about all the cool things that a woman should be able to do and in turn make us realize how fANNEtastic and fulfilling our lives will become!!

So happy reading and cheers to 2010!
Anne