What's Playing in My Earhole . . .

I was over at my friend Kelly Kerrigan's house the other day and was inundated with new music. And, I was inspired to list the top songs I have on rotation in the car, on the iPod, on the computer screen, etc . . . And, while I've sort of placed them in order here, there really is no order since they are all spectacular songs.

10. Little Lion Man: Mumford and Sons (unbelievable playing)

9. Opposite of Adults: Chiddy Bang

8. Gravity: Pixie Lott (this song helped me to finish graduate school!!)

7. Lights On: Katy B. featuring Ms. Dynamite

6. Ride (Official Remix): Ciara featuring Andre 3000, Ludacris, and Bei Maejor

5. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses: U2

4. Escape Artist: Zoe Keating (amazing live looping)

3. Teach Me How To Dougie (Remix): Cali Swag District featuring Red Cafe, B.O.B., Bow Wow, and Jermaine Dupri (love Bow Wow at the end!!)

2. Rabbit Heart: Florence & The Machine featuring Switch

1. Tightrope (Wondamix): Janelle Monae, B.O.B., Lupe Fiasco, with Andre 3000 on guitar

When Charlotte comes to town . . .

Charlotte is finally coming home!! We have not been living in the same house for just under a year and a half. And, it has been dreadful, just plain awful. I have missed her so much! I am going to pick her up in Dallas, Texas on February 11th! And, I CAN'T WAIT!!! We'll be walking all over the Belmont/12 South area in Nashville every day for the forseeable future, so join us--won't you--or just find us and say hi!!

Poem: Flourish.

Five years ago a turbulent wind took me to Wisconsin

to sort and re-evaluate.

That same wind has brought me home again.

I am in Nashville.

The place I left my native state for

all those years ago . . . One music city for another.

My father lives here.

"There is always a place for you at the table," he says.

Disgruntled with my life's work.

Rediscovering old friends and sentiments lost.

Feeling a day late and a dollar short,

but cherishing every new step.

There is an indescribable sense of comfort and joy

in reconnection, coupled with

a mangled heart and head.

Reflection.

Do you remember this, do you remember that?

First love. First mentor. First inspiration.

How do you repair what is lost,

open up when there is so much pain?

The tears come quick these days.

Content in growing a friendship and learning more,

I laugh . . . I stay busy.

Progression occurs slowly.

I am back here again.

Different than before, stronger.

Familiar, yet new. Excited.

Nashville is my respite,

opening it's arms wide,

allowing for starts and stops.

Time to flourish.

East Nasty Usher.

I was in the right place at the right time, and was asked if I wanted to go see Usher. Very happy that I did, because it was probably one of the best concerts I have been to in a long while. I went with Bettina, Kelly, Kate, and Erin. And, we had a blast . . . We met at The Palm for drinks first, got into our seats at Bridgestone in the middle of Trey Songz, and ended the evening at a honky tonk, Robert's. Usher put on a great show, complete with a Michael Jackson tribute . . .

I have also joined a little running club over in East Nashville. I am training for both a 5K and 1/2 marathon all at once. It's so fun to run with others and meet new people!! East Nasty for life!!

Have a Revival.

It's where I work, y'all!

Come visit the showroom:
Revival Home Inspirations
992 Davidson Road, Suite 100 - A.
Nashville, TN. 37205

Christmas Day.

On Christmas day I spent time with friends, old and new. It started with a Chinese buffet Christmas lunch at Golden Coast. Then we went to Mona's house and played Apples to Apples, while coloring in baby Jesus coloring books. I finished up the evening at Rebecca's parent's home for Christmas dinner in Franklin. It started icing up pretty badly and I couldn't get the Explorer home, so Gary and Rebecca ended up driving me and spending the night. Fun!!

Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, I spent the day pretty much alone. I went shopping for presents at Talula Gallery in East Nashville. And, then I came home and made some killer Vanilla Peppermint Fudge out of the most bizarre recipe ever . . . It actually wasn't so bad to be alone until I started watching It's A Wonderful Life. Then I got sad and went out to look at Christmas lights . . .

Presents . . .

Presents for Josh Lynch: a Maggie stocking and a sewn portrait blanket . . .

Preparing for the holidays . . .

It all began with a snow-inspired manicure in downtown Franklin . . .

Snow, snow, snow: the perfect way to start the holiday season!

Tradition: my Grandmother Bailey's Christmas cookies lovingly baked by my dad . . .

The annual Christmas letter: this year the school that I graduated from for my masters program was included in this letter as the Metropolitan Institute of Community Art, when it should have read the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). (So much for spending $54,000 for 13 months and it being a top 5 school . . . )

Hooray for Cranberry Sherbert--another Grandmother Bailey recipe!!

Celebrating Paul.