2 Days in Nashville with Rob Bell

Several months ago I saw an event posted on Rob Bell’s website (my other favorite author) advertising 2 days with him in Nashville.

If you’re a little fuzzy on my latest author obsession, check out this post as a refresher.

I immediately called Husband and asked if he’d watch our kid for 2 nights to accommodate my solo field trip. He happily obliged, and I quickly bought a ticket for fear of them selling out.

As the date approached, I got more and more nervous…would I be able to make this 3 hour drive on my own? What about eating by myself? Checking into my hotel? Could I handle it? To ease some of my worries, I made sure I booked dinner reservations at some highly recommended spots (thanks to my friend S for hooking me up!) and had clear directions to the hotel, event venue, and around town.

I arrived in Nashville safe and sound on Sunday afternoon. My first stop was the Johnny Cash Museum (if you’re even a minimal fan of The Man in Black, I HIGHLY recommend it) then I headed to dinner. I relaxed for over an hour, sipping a cocktail and people watching. Because when you’re used to constant potty breaks, games of “I spy”, and continually convincing your kid to finish those last 4 bites of macaroni on their plate, you relish time alone.

I shopped a bit after dinner and went back to my hotel to enjoy an early bedtime in the king size bed.

I woke up bright and early Monday morning to grab breakfast at a favorite local place, Frothy Monkey, before heading over to the event. Thanks to Husband’s suggestion, I also experienced Uber for the first time on this trip and it did not disappoint.

I arrived with hot coffee in hand, ready to take notes at 3rd and Lindsley. Rob makes a point to only do events in non-religious spaces. His view is that he doesn’t want to bring a group of people into a space that has previously been co-opted, such as a church, that could make audience members feel uncomfortable or cause someone to not want to attend because they ‘don’t belong’ there. Yes, he is a pastor. Yes, he at one time had 10,000 congregants at Mars Hill. But as we learned over these 2 days…the world is the temple. Every space is holy.

I found a table near the front and met a nice girl that I also ended up sitting with the following day. She had graduated from Seminary and recently taken a job at a church in Ohio. I had assumed the majority of the audience for the event would be folks that worked in churches, were pastors, and/or had attended Seminary. From the chatter I heard in the crowd, it sounded like quite a few folks fit my expectations, but there were also lots of people like me there – enamored with the work Rob Bell is doing, and desiring to be around other folks who felt the same way.

His talk began just after 9:00 am, broke for lunch around 12:00, and ended at 4:00 pm. Between Monday and Tuesday, I took around 16 pages of notes. Yes, like with the Glennon visit in June, I wrote down nearly everything I heard. He is incredibly intelligent but also very relatable. He talked about everything from atoms to spiral dynamics (fascinating stuff – check it out!) over the course of those 2 days, not to mention a break for Taylor Swift’s Instagram and a bit about the Kardashians. He took tons of questions from the audience and was more than happy to sign autographs and take photos.

I had an absolutely amazing time on my much-needed solo trip to Nashville. Having met both of my idols this year, I could honestly die a happy woman now. But no one would want that – then there’d be no more Lindsay Overshares!

Thanks for coming along on this ride with me, and if you’re headed to Nashville anytime soon, be sure to let me know so I can tell you all about my favorite restaurants!

Until next time,

LHB

 

That Time I Met Momastery

Many months ago my friend B and I discussed going to see one of our favorite authors, Glennon Doyle, speak at the keynote session of the 2017 Innovations in Behavioral Healthcare conference in Nashville, TN.

We had never been on a trip like this together and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to go through with it – inevitably Boo would get sick, or Husband would be traveling with work, or something would cause me to not be able to go. I reserved the hotel and registered for the conference with cautious, hopeful, excitement.

But nothing terrible happened. We got to go. On Father’s Day, B and I loaded up my Fiat and headed west. We arrived at the hotel and went around the corner to enjoy dinner at Merchants. I’d been able to snag us dinner reservations on the first floor, the bistro, and it was fabulous! I highly recommend checking this place out if you’re heading to the area. I will definitely be going back at my next opportunity.

The next morning, we were up bright and early to get ready for the day’s events. The conference provided an excellent breakfast, so we chowed down and B, a social worker, loaded up on literature to take back for co-workers.

We headed upstairs to the event, as we were both anxious to get seats and I wanted to make sure to have all of the details surrounding the invitation only VIP meet and greet I had managed to get us both into.

Earlier in the week, I had reached out to the conference to request a copy of the agenda, and mentioned that a friend and I were coming in from out of town specifically to hear Glennon speak. Having heard that her meet and greets can last for hours and be completely spectacular, I asked the conference organizer if there would be a meet and greet at this event. It turns out there was, and I was extended an invitation. I asked if B could join as well, and they graciously agreed.

The meeting room was smaller than I anticipated, but turned out to be appropriately sized for the group. Glennon and her wife Abby Wambach sat 2 rows ahead of us while she was being introduced. Glennon came on stage with the interviewer, each seated in a plush chair, and began talking.

Glennon told her story of addiction and recovery, with content familiar to those who have read her books Carry On, Warrior and Love Warrior. Despite knowing much of what she was going to say before she said it, hearing her speak was still amazing and enlightening. I took 7 pages of notes! A lot of her talk seemed to resonate with B in her work life as well, so I was very glad for that, too.

IIBH gave Glennon a soccer jersey that read Doyle & had Abby’s number on it.

After their discussion concluded, we joined a small group of people in a different room for the meet and greet. I had brought hard-copies of both of her books with me, as I had originally read them on my Kindle.

When it was my turn to meet her, I nearly started crying. I have followed her work for several years, and absolutely love her message. When she signed my books, she picked up on things I had mentioned that she’s famous for saying, that really resonated with me. She inscribed each copy – “first the pain, then the rising” and “we can do hard things.” I told her that some of her ideas have revolutionized my style of parenting, and we discussed my amazing daughter. It was a fabulous experience that I will not soon forget and I am so grateful to have gotten to enjoy it alongside one of my dearest friends.

Until next time,

LHB

 

Likes, Loves, & Needs: May

We are nearly through with the month of May already…looks like it’s time to publish my Likes, Loves, & Needs for the month!

LIKES

• Anyone who knows me knows about my coffee and travel mug addiction. I have an entire cabinet in the kitchen of our new house devoted to my collection. After a second stop at my new favorite coffeehouse Honeybee, I had to pick up one of their logo KeepCup mugs. It has now become my go-to for taking small hot or iced drinks with me. I had been reading about KeepCups for a while, as they are a favorite of one of my favorite bloggers, Lindsay Ingalls a.k.a. Running with Tongs. The shape of the lid is perfect, it feels great in your hand, and the glass version that I have really ups the “coffee drinking experience” that I like to have. Check them out!

• Dogwood Arts Festival on Market Square is an event that makes it on our family’s calendar every year. The festival is a great showcase of regional artisans, makers, local food, and other treats.  I got a custom bronze “namaste” bangle made by an amazing jewelry maker from Savannah! Bring some cash and take the whole family downtown for a day of fun.

LOVES

• I get to move the previously mentioned Tieks into this category. Right after I wrote last month’s Likes, Loves, & Needs post I decided to take the plunge. I bought 2 pairs, matte black & taupe. I am in love with these incredibly well-made ballet flats. I wear them with everything – work clothes, shorts, dresses. I can’t recommend them enough!

• Honeybee Coffee is my new hangout. They serve gourmet coffee, craft beer, and yummy snacks. I often visit the West location during the work week, and the South location is great during weekend visits downtown. I highly recommend a stop at this shop – it’s sure to be a real treat!

NEEDS

• I’m beginning to clue into the fact that my beloved cell phone is GROSS. I take it with me everywhere…Boo loves to put her sticky fingers all over it… so I am going to investigate Wireless Wipes. Who has used them? What’s the story? Are they the best thing ever, or a complete waste?
• This was my first year to watch the Kentucky Derby. Feel free to reference this post for a brief review of my newest after work enjoyment, bourbon. I even impressed myself by making my first ever Mint Julep. It was delightful. What else do I need to throw an amazing Derby Party for 144 next year? C’mon horse race loving friends…let me know!

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Likes, Loves, & Needs on Lindsay Overshares. Have an idea for a product I might love? Tell me about it in the comments!

Until next time,

LHB

Not Simply Passenger(s): Our Weekend in Nashville

After we signed the contract on our new house around Labor Day 2016, I found out that my favorite performer, Passenger, would be coming to Nashville to do a show at The Ryman in April.

Having seen Passenger perform in Nashville previously (Summer 2014 at Marathon Music Works) I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see him again live, especially at such a famous venue that I had never gotten to see before. Husband and I don’t exactly agree on music, but he’s always up for a kid-free weekend away. So I feverishly hopped online to buy tickets.

Conveniently, April is the month of our wedding anniversary (the 18th, to be exact), so I’m always looking for something fun and special to do during the month.

Fast forward to April… we closed on the new house on April 7, packed our bags, and headed to Nashville for the night of April 8.

Our first stop was my absolute favorite brewery, Black Abbey. We split a flight of their delicious beers and then headed to our hotel to check-in.

We wandered around downtown for a while, then headed over to The Ryman for the show. I had heard about the cutest cafe right next door that I had to check out. Cafe Lula did not disappoint. They have a kitchen with a pretty impressive menu for such a small space, a full cocktail bar that includes craft beer, and a good wine selection. We each enjoyed a cocktail and a cookie, then headed inside.

Our seats were in the balcony. I had been nervous that they might not be that good, since it was hard to find tickets, even when purchasing the morning they went on sale. I ended up being really happy with our seats. What a beautiful space!

The concert was absolutely amazing! Unfortunately I missed the opening act since I spent the whole time in the merchandise line (couldn’t pass up that feathers shirt in the pic below!) But the rest of the night was fabulous. Passenger was hilarious, thoughtful, and perfect.

The following morning we found our way to Frothy Monkey. A yummy coffee shop I had found on a previous trip. Turns out they make a killer breakfast, too!

Husband is building his confidence to finish this bowl!

Architect omelette – mmm!

All in all, it was a wonderful whirlwind weekend getaway and we can’t wait to go back. We may even bring Boo along next time.

What kind of fun vacation/stay-cation spots have you found? Leave me some tips in the comments!

Until next time,

LHB

Meet Fiona the Fiat

After we closed on our new house, but before The Big Move (photos to come soon), I drove my beloved Nissan Murano over to wait on furniture delivery. After attempting to pull into the garage on the left bay (my agreed-upon side since Husband’s Nissan Pathfinder would occupy the larger right bay), I realized my car wouldn’t fit. Per new construction inspection code, a pole has been placed in front of the water heater to ensure folks don’t drive into it. The pole is about 3 inches shy of allowing my Murano to fit into the garage. After a bit of frantic hysterics, I calmed down and called Husband to explain the situation. Then the Builder. Then my Dad.

After discussing the predicament with the Builder, we determined Husband & I could either:

(A) attempt to remove/move the pole ourselves and possibly do damage to the floor, or

(B) I might need to look into getting a smaller vehicle (my idea).

Husband thought I shouldn’t rush to call my Dad to discuss. But I did, because who listens to older, wiser Husband? Not this gal!

I had been looking at Fiats for fun, because my dear friend H has one and absolutely loves it. Fast forward to Saturday, when I found myself at the dealership about to go on a short test drive with H’s preferred salesman, Nick. Needless to say, I fell in love instantly.

Nick immediately got to work finding the exact vehicle I wanted (500x), since it wasn’t available on their lot  – the perfect interior and exterior colors, trim level, and features. He quickly found it and proceeded to have it brought in from a dealer in New Jersey.

I’m so excited!

Husband trying to squeeze Boo’s carseat into the new tiny car!

With a bit of sadness, we traded in Husband’s Pathfinder and I am now the proud owner of a Fiat (Husband kept my Murano.) I can’t wait to see where the road takes me with Fiona.

What impulse buy have you made lately? Are you happy with your decision or did you have buyer’s remorse? Tell me about it in the comments!

Until next time,

LHB

 

 

 

It’s My Buti-Versary, Y’all!

For those I have not already attempted to convert, here’s a little background:

Buti (pronounced booty) is a “dynamic yoga practice, that includes cardio-intensive bursts of tribal dance, primal movement, and conditioning.” The practice was founded by Bizzie Gold. One of the many goals in Buti is to “sweat with intention.” It brings focus to the importance of listening to your body, challenging it, and healing yourself from the inside out. Not to mention gathering like-minded folks and bonding as part of the Buttisatva community, commonly known as the “tribe.”

(image credit: Pinterest)

All of this in a yoga class, you say? YES. At least for me. I have been doing Buti (along with a few other types of yoga) at least weekly for the past year.

The studio I belong to is Barre Belle in Downtown Knoxville. I can walk there from work on my lunch break, so when I found out about Buti Yoga, and the fact that your first class at the studio is free, I knew I had to check it out. I’ve been hooked ever since. Part of it is due to the amazing instructors I’ve taken class from, Carrie & Gabriella. But I will also give credit to my dedication. Finding something I love to do, and sticking with it, has made a huge impact on my life.

After only a few days of doing Buti, I took myself down to our local REI and bought a Manduka yoga mat. I can’t stress enough the importance of a good mat for regular practice. It has made a huge difference for me, so even though spending $82 on a mat sounds ridiculous, the cost pays for itself in the long run.

After a year’s worth of work, I can tell how much stronger I’ve become. Whether it’s picking up a rapidly-growing 4 year old, or my ability to do poses and binds I would have previously never thought to try, my hard work is paying off. If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be doing yoga weekly, I would have laughed. Yoga is only for flexible people who don’t have back injuries. For the uninitiated, I’ve been dealing with a back injury since 2005. I thought I would never solve the puzzle, but have made great strides in the last 12-18 months in healing myself.

So, cheers to my Buti-versary! I look forward to celebrating many more in the years to come!

Have you discovered any new passions lately? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

LHB

Likes, Loves, & Needs: April

Now that I’m settling into my new role of blogger, I find myself thinking of possible content ideas all the time.

It occurred to me that now might be a good time to debut what I hope to become a monthly feature, Likes, Loves, & Needs.

I will use this space to talk about things I have found that I like and absolutely love, along with items I have decided I “need” and am likely already discussing with Husband. I hope we can get a fun discussion going about these products, and know that I am always open to recommendations and reviews. Away we go…

LIKES

• Teavana: I love having fresh tea at home to brew hot or cold, any time that I want. It’s expensive, but to me it’s a luxury I will definitely include in the budget! The mall nearest me has a Teavana store, and while I went a time having forgotten about it, I have rediscovered this store and it is now included often on my errands list.

• This milk frother: I have a terrible habit of breaking milk frothers (don’t ask…), so I usually make myself wait before buying a new one. When I saw I could snatch this one up on Amazon for $26.99 with Prime delivery, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. I use it at least once a day, if not more. If you’re someone who enjoys coffeehouse-style drinks at a fraction of the price, I would definitely recommend checking these out!

• Passion Planner: a long-time friend turned me onto these planners. I had been using my iPhone exclusively since graduating college, but I secretly longed for the days when I could write all of my appointments down in a book again. Enter Passion Planner…it helps you hone in on your daily, weekly, and lifetime goals all while reminding you of current to-do’s and appointments. I should really move this into the love category, as I swear it has changed my life!

LOVES

• My Apple Watch: I bought it right after Christmas, thanks to some money I was given. I had been resisting purchasing one, since I thought it was a waste of money. However, when Husband declared he would be visiting our local Apple Store with the intention of buying an Apple Watch, I couldn’t sit idly by. I ended up purchasing the Nike version (thanks to a dear friend’s recommendation), and I couldn’t be happier. I track exercise, water intake, receive text messages, and so much more with it. I am firmly entrenched in the club and am not embarrassed to admit it.

• Alliance Brewing: As mentioned previously, we know how much I enjoy a good bourbon cocktail. The same can be said for a delicious craft beer. Alliance has become one of my favorite spots in town. It’s near my office, they offer discounts on crowler purchases (unsure about a crowler – find out more here), and I’m not ashamed to take Boo there on a sunny weekend afternoon. Not to mention, their ever-changing selection is fantastic and the staff is really nice as well. If you’re out and about near Downtown Knoxville sometime, check them out.

NEEDS

• Tieks: These expensive ballet flats are supposed to have unbeatable comfort and quality. Who has some? Tell me how great they are, so I can convince Husband the price isn’t completely ridiculous.

• I actually fulfilled this “need” yesterday afternoon. I just couldn’t wait! This Nespresso espresso machine has been on my brain since I visited a friend a few weeks ago. She made me a most wonderful espresso, and when I realized I could never afford a fancy  machine like hers, I set out to find one of my own. After some research and recommendations, I ended up selecting this one. I just ordered a variety of capsules as well, so I can’t wait to try it when it arrives after The Big Move. Not to mention, I was able to add 2 recycle bags to my order for free, so when they’re full of used capsules, I can drop them off at a local UPS location and they will be sent off for recycling. How neat is that?!

I hope you enjoyed the first edition of Likes, Loves, & Needs on Lindsay Overshares. Have an idea for a product I might love? Tell me about it in the comments!

Until next time,

LHB

I Found Love in an Instant

On a whim recently, after only a bit of discussion, Husband decided to purchase an Instant Pot. What is this contraption? In short, it’s a modern day combination pressure cooker/slow cooker. You can brown meats in it, cook meals in record time, and it’s the ultimate one-pot solution for short-on-time weeknights. For a more in-depth review, check out this article on Kitchn.

I will admit, I was a bit apprehensive when the box was delivered. I’m not a very good cook, and new kitchen gadgets are usually left to Husband’s domain.

However, once I started looking up recipes on the beloved Pinterest, I got a little brave and wanted to try it out. There’s always Pizza Hut if it doesn’t work out, right?

We decided to tackle the first dinner as a team, on a Sunday night. We made pulled pork and macaroni and cheese. The pulled pork was good, but all 3 of us loved the macaroni!

On average, including prep time, meals in the Instant Pot are taking around 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook. That may seem like a while, but compared to an all-day slow cooker meal, or having to spend extra money (not to mention calories) eating dinner out when you hadn’t planned on it – it’s a great deal.

We’ve made several other meals in the past few weeks and I can highly recommend all of them. Check out my Under Pressure board to find a few favorites along with some inspiration. Last night I made my lunch for the week, unstuffed peppers, in around an hour including browning 2 pounds of meat. I can’t wait to heat them up later today.

Have you tried out an Instant Pot? What are your favorite recipes? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

LHB

 

Hear Me Out

Music calms the chaos in my soul. -lindsayovershares

I love music, as many of my closest friends can attest. As a child, my preferred style was country music which later progressed to favorites like Nirvana and my newest obsession, Passenger.

When one of my favorite groups, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, released their newest album, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to discuss it here!

Drew Holcomb is a Memphis native and attended college at the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. While attending UT, Drew met his future wife as well as the folks who would become his band mates. They began touring extensively and put out several albums, the most notable of which was 2013’s Good Light.

They saw another hit with Medicine in 2015. That brings us to today’s release of Souvenir.

(image credit: Paste)

I love this band’s sound. It’s described as Americana, relying heavily on guitar, harmonica, and drums…not to mention the smooth and soulful vocals of Mr. Holcomb and occasionally his wife, Ellie.

Here’s the track list:

1. The Morning Song
2. California
3. Fight for Love
4. Rowdy Heart, Broken Wing
5. New Year
6. Sometimes
7. Mama’s Sunshine, Daddy’s Rain
8. Black and Blue
9. Postcard Memories
10. Yellow Rose of Santa Fe
11. Wild World

Upon first listen, my favorite song is definitely “New Year.” Substream Magazine describes the song as a “lovely and upbeat mid-tempo song about the endless possibilities found in the arrival of a new year.”

Husband surprised me with a record player for Christmas. When I found out this album was available on vinyl, I made sure to snatch up a copy. I can’t wait to break the record player out after The Big Move (more on that later, I promise) and start spinning this one!

Do you have any recommendations for new music I should try? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

LHB