Todd Snider and Hard Working Americans

I love this guy. He's kind of the unofficial "spokesperson" for East Nashville, a funky little part of town where a lot of the singer/songwriters live and an area in town that the hub and I love. We're even thinking about hanging up the suburban life for a little spot in the city at some point. If, that is, I can get my shit together enough to get the house ready to put on the market. Ugh.

I love me some Todd Snider. His personality is so refreshing--whether he is telling a story or singing a song, he always throws in that genuine ear-to-ear grin which is very contagious. You can feel the love he has for writing and his audience.

His humility should humble the best of musicians. 

Watch out Jack (White), I have a new BF.

A New Year, A New Beginning

It's been a while, I admit. I had really lost all interest in blogging. That's after eight years of writing. 

Now, being an empty nester--yes, I am--I need something to fill my thoughts other than nothingness. Funny how almost overnight you lose your identity. People ask, "What do you do for a living?" Well, guess I'm no longer a stay-at-home mom. Now what. I need to find an identity. Took an entire year off--nothingness.

Now, I'm up. 

I hibernated in January. It was not my time to begin anew.

February, it's time to awake.

It's time to reinvent myself. What better way then to start taking care of the inside. I fell off the wagon with my three-year diet. Have gained quite a bit of weight in the last year.

So, today, I'm starting anew. Incognito blogging, again. Too many unwanted "acquaintances" and family found my other blog. Thanks hub for telling everyone! Geeeesh. It's a funny feeling when folks that don't think too highly of you, nor you of them, is following you, like every day, on your blog. I need to move on from that. That kind of blew my mind. 

Those of you who do know me and this blog, I welcome you, of course. Big hugs.

Nana Claus is in the House!

Must be December 1st! Time to start decorating.

During my outing today, I found this fabulous felt birdhouse. Isn't it darling?

My view from the back hall. Hope some little birdies find it nice and toasty.

 I found some miniature poinsettia today, also. The ivy was a bonus!

 Joy to the world.

Spring is in the Air

 It was a nice day for a bike ride. And that's just what the hub and I did.

The hub, of course, is in much better shape than I am. So, I told "Lance" to go ahead as I peddled at my leisure and stopped to take photos when I got winded. Why is it when we're young, we never had a thought in our minds when we rode our bikes. Now? "Oh dear, someone is walking--don't run them over." "I need to practice my stopping and getting off the bike without falling." What? When did all this uneasiness start? Well, I guess it started when I was trying the bicycle out and did beautifully. Until, that is, I stopped and my jeans got stuck in my sandals and I did FALL! Pfffft! How embarrassing. Now I'm all paranoid. But today I felt much more at ease. Next thing ya know, I'll be getting a pair of those padded bike pants. Ha. Totally joking. Chill.

Ok, tomorrow's another day! I'm gonna do this thang.

Baby Dave

I don't know why we still call him "baby" Dave. He's the oldest in the fleet.

It's a gorgeous day here; and I am just beside myself. I'm getting a little antsy.  I don't have any desire to do anything.

Gonna put my thinking cap on next week and do something about it.

Spring Fever?

Bella

Bella is a princess.

Paperwork

I don't much like paperwork. Probably not too many people do, I suppose. I'm the pesident of that club.

I've been putting this off and putting this off--"this" being my brother's estate. You know the kind  of work you really, really don't want to do--like every day you say to yourself, "I promise, tomorrow." And that goes on for like, what, 6 months? It's tearing me up. 

I can finally say that I'm beginning to feel better about two great losses in our family. Barely a year apart, my mother left us in October of 2009 and my brother in December of 2010. I truly think he missed her and was quite lonely. I do know, for certain, that he was ready to move on from this life.

So, back to this paperwork. Whoever knew being an executor was such a royal pain in the arse? I had no idea. I suppose after you run through the hoops of being appointed through the courts, it's a pretty simple process. Kinda basic accounting. But, when it's your loved one's paperwork, it brings up all of those memories you're trying to forget. I just want it all to be behind me. Period. But, by my putting off the paperwork, it is only prolonging my full recovery. Right? Silly, I know.

Well, I'm happy to say that today I AM finally facing all that paperwork; and I am working on getting it done. Yesterday was his birthday, so I made a promise last night.

I know I can do this.

PS Happy Mardi Gras, y'all!