Running Rots Your Brain

First of all, I've been terrible about updating this thing. I have lots of good stories to tell you (including how Al Gore became my new BFF). I just can't seem to make the time to write them all down! But, starting today my goal is to write at least one post per week. We'll see how it goes.

To kick things off, let's rewind to the end of April and I'll give you some  thoughts regarding my first half marathon and running in general. It's going to be bullet list style because I just can't bring myself to write a proper paragraph bullet lists are fun!

• Nashville is an encouraging city. Tons of people lined up along the route to cheer the runners on. Some had drinks and fruit to give out (which were in addition to the official race stations). Bands set up along the route to contribute to the party atmosphere (again, some of the bands were officially part of the race, but several others just set up and played). Lots of people held up entertaining signs like this one. The funny ones were so much more motivational than the sincere ones - not sure what that says about my personality...

• If you're going to run, Nashville is a pretty place to do it. Granted, there are hills. Lot's of hills. But there are also magnolias. Lot's of magnolias and they smell fantastic right now.

• You many not think you can run, but you can. I saw several inspiring runners that day. One guy had two prosthetic legs. Another woman was wearing a shirt that said "Lung Cancer Survivor". And then there's me. The girl who had a stroke with a hole in her heart not only finished 13.1 miles but also beat her goal time by 31 seconds. If I can do it, so can you. Seriously. No more excuses. 

• Running rots your brain. I don't really like running. I like finishing a run, but I don't really enjoy the whole process of running. I'm pretty sure that the runner's high they talk about is a form of brain damage brought on by oxygen deprivation. And that's probably why I've already signed up for my next event - The Nashville Color Run! If you're in the Nashville area, come run it with me and if you're not from around here, look for a Color Run in your neck of the woods!

Flower Power

I love Nashville. It's so lush and green and embellished with colorful flowers.

We pass this garden on the way to work and school every morning. I've been waiting all spring for these irises to bloom.

It was worth the wait!

There was some sitting...

and some smelling (although I'm not sure irises actually have a detectable smell)...

and some roses...

and some dancing in the sunshine...

and then there was this...   Flower Power perhaps?

I don't know what that was all about.

Of Dogs and Snakes

Earlier this week, Rob informed me that our neighbor's dog was bitten by a cottonmouth water moccasin snake and died. The dog was bitten in his back yard. Next to our back yard. Which means the snake was practically IN OUR BACK YARD!

Oh yeah and by the way, Rob has been finding snake skins in our yard.

And (unbeknownst to me) he has seen alive snakes in our yard too!

Not cool. 

Now I'm not going to lie. I didn't really like the dog next door. It barked All. The. Time. Come to think of it, it has been quieter than normal lately...Sorry. That was mean. I guess if i had to pick between the dog and a snake, I'd pick the dog. But just barely. 

Anyway, back to the snake... Needless to say, I'm not venturing out into our yard until winter.

They're Back...

News Flash: I'm a science nerd.

That being said, I'm sure you're not surprised that I'm a little excited about all of the cicadas that are erupting in Middle Tennessee at this very moment.

Cicadas are pretty cool little creatures. The females lay eggs under the bark of a tree. The eggs hatch and the newborn nymphs burrow into the ground where they hang out for 13 years (17 in some cases)! Then, they tunnel out of the ground, shed their exoskeleton, and emerge as adults to start the cycle all over again.

Can you imagine taking a 13 year nap? Sounds fantastic to me. Just think of all of the things that have happened in the last 13 years. For starters, in 1998, Bill Clinton was president and our country had a budget surplus. Personally, off the top of my head in the last 13 years I graduated high school, graduated college, got married, got a PhD, had a baby, moved to Nashville, started carrying a purse etc, etc.

But, back to the cicadas. I took these pictures at work yesterday.

All Grown Up

Discarded Exoskeletons

Cool, aren't they. And, I hear they're good eats...

She Prefers Baby Dolls To Bunnies

Last week Harper and I met our buddy, Katie, for lunch and bunnies. And by bunnies, I mean that we went to Phillips Toy Mart to see their annual display of bunnies.

If you are ever in Nashville, I would highly recommend going to this toy store. Whether you have kids or not, this place is an experience. They've been in business since 1946 and every millimeter of their store is jam packed with toys (and not just the every day run of the mill toys that you find at Target. I'm talking about some of the coolest toys I've ever seen.)

But getting back to the bunnies... Every year they have a different theme for their display. This year it was The Year of the Rabbit (which was very appropriate, because Katie and her husband are about to move to China!).

Katie and I thought the bunnies were awesome. Harper was a little more impressed by the array of baby doll accessories in the isle next to the bunnies.

I love the expression on Katie's face in this one!

I tried and tried to get Harper to stand in front of the bunnies and smile. This was the best shot I got. If it looks like she is in pain, she is. Posing for pictures is torture when there are baby dolls to inspect.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

What a great day for baseball. The Nashville Sounds took on the New Orleans Zephyrs and we were there to take it all in.

The Sounds have the coolest scoreboard in all of baseball. 

Harper thoroughly enjoyed herself. 

The only thing better than getting a new pink hat is getting pink cotton candy to match. 

Yay for warm sunny days and yay for baseball!

My Hangout?

We've lived in Nashville for almost 3 years now and it still doesn't feel completely like home. One thing that's definitely preventing it from feeling more like home is that I can't find my hangout. You know what I mean - that go-to neighborhood restaurant that always hits the spot and feels like an extension of your own personal clubhouse.

I had lots of hangouts in Cincinnati (Christy's and Arthur's for example), but I just haven't found that kind of place here in Nashville. Now granted, I go out significantly less than I used to (thanks to you know who *cough* Harper *cough*), but after 3 years of looking I still haven't found my hangout.

This place is starting to come close, though. The kiddo and I had dinner at McNamara's Irish Pub tonight. 

The fish and chips was pretty darn good. 

And you just can't go wrong with one of these...

Although we didn't stay long enough to hear the live music tonight, that's definitely a selling point in my book too. Now I don't want to jinx it, but McNamara's, you and I might be on the verge of something special here.

Wild Turkey

You never know what kind of wildlife you're going to encounter in the greater Nashville area. Harper and I saw this rafter of wild turkeys on the way to the gym on Saturday morning. I would have gotten closer, but they seemed a little territorial and I prefer to run on a treadmill as opposed to an open field. If you want the "up close" experience, click on the picture for a larger version.

Name That Tree

This tree lives in our backyard. It's pretty fancy. I'm not sure what kind it is. Cherry? Crabapple? Any botanists out there want to take a stab at it?

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

Well, I guess Nashville really is rubbing off on us. Last night our family was outfitted with real, genuine, cowboy boots (or as Harper likes to call her boots cowboy girl boots). Shoe shopping is not really my thing, but I have to say that I had a great time trying on all the boots.

Here's a picture of Harper trying on her boots. As my friend Ryan would say, it's a bad photograph but it's a good picture.

This is what we ended up with. 

Sage is counting her lucky stars that we didn't come home with a pair for her.

I'm happy. 

Oktoberfest 2010

Nashville is not a particularly German city, but they do put on a pretty good Oktoberfest. It was a beautiful day (high of 87) and we had a great time.

Harper and our friend, Lynette, stopped to get a picture with the accordion player. He makes his knees dance as he plays. A little weird, but all in fun right?!?

Harper also got to take her first pony ride!

We went to Oktoberfest last year too. It was a lot colder and Harper looked a lot more babyish. What a difference a year makes.

Traditions are important in our family and I'm glad that we added Nashville's Oktoberfest to our list of Fall festivities.

Before and After

This is what our tiger lilies looked like right before we went to Cincinnati.

This is what they looked like when we got home.

We actually had these planted in our back yard in Cincinnati. Rob dug them up and brought them with us when we moved 2 years ago. They're not helping the curb appeal at the house we're trying to sell, but I'm glad we have them with us.

Sunset

This was the view from our deck last night. It had just stopped raining and the sun was almost down. If you look closely, you can see a rainbow.

Principle

The garage sale was a success! We made more money than I anticipated and got rid of about half of our stuff. 99.9% of the people that came were really nice. 2 people were not.

The first lady wanted to buy something that was marked $5. She asked if I would take $3. I said I'd take $4. She said ok and proceeded to give me $3. I told her that she owed me one more dollar. She pretended she didn't speak English and then said that she didn't have any more money. Then she found something else she wanted to buy and whipped out a wad of cash. Unbelievable.

The second lady was looking at a care bear that was priced at 25 cents. A pretty good deal if I do say so myself. I saw her holding it and showing it to the other lady she came with. Then I got busy with another customer. I saw the 2 ladies walking away. When I finished checking out the customer, I went over to look at the care bear and it was gone. Two middle aged women stole a 25 cent toy. Unbelievable.

You Make Beautiful Things

I continue to be amazed at how the city of Nashville is pulling together to help one another. Something that was so devastating is becoming life giving. Something that was so ugly is becoming beautiful.

This is what God does. He takes heart ache and transforms it into joy.

If you let him.

And we're not just talking about flood damage here. He takes broken relationships and restores them. He takes death and creates new life. He takes mistakes and turns them into wisdom.

If you let him.

It's Bad

I am in awe of how bad the flooding around here actually is. I knew it was bad, but now that I see pictures taken by my family and friends, I realize how truly lucky we were. Here are just a few of the pictures that people sent me or posted on facebook.

Not sure why anyone would continue to drive through standing water like that. You're only asking for trouble.

Case in point... Rob took this one of several trucks that got swept away and ended up in a river bed.

My friend Lynette took this one of a man being rescued near her house.

My friend Steve took this one just up the street from where he lives.

These next few were taken by a friend who lives about 45 minutes North West of Nashville. The flooding is extremely widespread.

Trying to make the best of the situation at a hotel in East Nashville

While this is a terrible situation, I am proud of the way my community is coming together to help one another. If you live in this neck of the woods, please consider volunteering or donating to relief efforts.