Surprising Fans on the road….

May 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment

   

I love surprises…at least when I’m the one surprising! It is really fun to do something unexpected for someone that brings joy and happiness! It’s one of my favorite things in life. So when I got the chance to surprise a fan of mine who does so much for others, I just had to jump on the surprise wagon!!

Anita Outlaw is a fan…but even more than that, she has become a dear friend over the years. Until now, we had actually never met face to face. She is the Great Aunt of Parker…the young boy with Leukemia behind the Flat Parker project. Do You remember Flat Parker? A few years ago, my family was privileged to be the Tennessee hosts! Besides taking pictures with him in Nashville and Franklin, I had him in the studio with me too. Flat Parker traveled to all 50 states in the U.S. during one full year. Each family that hosted him took him to special sites in their city and then posted them to Facebook for the family and the page followers to view. It was the brain child of Anita’s son,Tracey, who wanted to DO something to give Parker’s family a diversion during this difficult time fighting leukemia. Parker has had more than 18 spinal taps,besides chemo etc. You know the drill of these diseases…it’s difficult on everyone. Flat Parker is now on a World Tour! He has visited the OLYMPICS, The GREAT WALL OF CHINA and The HOBBIT HOUSES of NEW ZEALAND! To Learn more, see amazing photos and even donate to the foundation go to www.flatparker.com  The stories and the sights are amazing! Flat Parker’s journey also serves as encouragement to many families fighting this disease. One family, sharing their story -affecting and connecting so many. Our stories matter! 

Ok…now back to surprises! I was on a trip to Cincinnati with my son’s show choir for their annual competition trip. I knew Anita was visiting her son and I called him to set up the surprise. He brought her by the hotel we were staying in because as a chaperone, I could not leave. You should have seen the look on her face when she walked in and I was standing there! It was a delight to both of us! Anita, her husband and son were all there. They got to hear the show choir sing too…in the pool! These kids sing anywhere!We talked for a LONG time and have a lovely visit.  This family has worked tirelessly with the Flat Parker hosts around the country and now around the world. Tracey Outlaw runs many marathons in honor of Parker and encourages this family and others to run the race and to finish strong. They are a blessing to many and I am so glad that my family and I got to be a part of their story.

Filed Under: Current, Featured, Flat Parker Project, Photos from the road Tagged With: , , ,

Unexpected Angels…..

December 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Christmas preparations have been keeping me busy and alas, I am a little behind in posting my blog. Enjoy!

Last year during the Christmas season, I had the privilege of singing with my family…yes, husband, daughter and son! We dressed as Angels and walked around our church reminding everyone that angels sang glad tidings of joy. Interestingly enough, some people smiled but most went about their conversations or bustled on their way to somewhere. The children, however, stopped what they were doing and ran to the doors to see and hear what was happening. Their faces were excited and eyes twinkling as this misfit band of “angels” strolled the corridors of the church and sang “Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come all ye faithful, and Angels we have heard on high.”  Mostly, they seemed expectant that something exciting was happening! I was struck by the difference in response of adults vs children. Life is hard, we have seen that  with the horrible tragedies that have happened around the world and the economy, loss of jobs and houses continues to affect many. Even so, all the more reason we should take a moment and celebrate that which we DO have in this moment and run expectantly to see what is coming down the hall with the eyes of a child. Just something to ponder…I am hopeful for the future  even with all the struggles of this past year and delighted to celebrate the Christmas season with my family and friends!

Speaking of unexpected Angels… Below is a picture of Virginia Stubblefield. She was our winner of the November Thankfulness contest! Her daughter, Phyllis Nichols nominated her and she was delighted that she won! I am re-posting Phyllis’s entry as well.

May your holiday season be filled with love, laughter and most of all the peace of the season.

Merry Christmas from My house to yours….

-Debbie

OUR WINNING ENTRY FOR THANKFULNESS CONTEST!

Debbie,
I too am thankful for my mom. She’s one of the nicest women you’ll ever meet and she’s one of those people who doesn’t know a stranger. She’s the first one to make people feel welcome and make sure they know how much they are appreciated.
She’s always positive even when things aren’t going as planned. When I was growing my dad was in the Air Force and my mom always chose to make each move a positive step for our family. I think that’s why to this day, I kinda like moving!
She’s a force when it comes to organizing and she’s a great cook. To this day, she takes requests from anyone coming to visit to be sure she cooks their favorite meals. And believe me, no one is shy about telling her exactly what they want!
She’s a great person, and a great mom. I’m lucky to have her in my life still cooking for me when I visit!

Filed Under: Current, Featured, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Happy March and New Music coming soon!!!

March 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

March…in like a lion and out like a lamb! As my teens would say, “True Story!” This week’s snow that blasted across most of the country would qualify. It is cold but green here in Tennessee. The daffodils are blooming and the world is starting to drop hints of Spring and all things new! Speaking of new…..
Most of you know that I am a mom. I know it has never been fashionable to talk about motherhood in business….until this century. However, I AM a mom of 2 teens and have been married 25 years to a wonderful man. I LOVE those aspects of who I am and my music is starting to reflect that! I spend time with my family, my kid’s friends and try to be involved in what they are doing as much as I can.
Recently, I invited a group of teens from my daughter’s high school show choir into the studio with me to record on one of my new songs! In the next 2 weeks you will hear more about our experience and what we are trying to accomplish together! I will tell you however, I wanted to help them achieve some of their goals and they were all such fun to work with that I was the one who was blessed!! So stay tuned….for NEW MUSIC and lots of stories!!! In the meantime….take a minute to encourage a teenager near you. It means the world to them!

Filed Under: Current, good will, Music Buisiness, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Summer fun and the Flat Parker Project!

August 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Flat Parker and me in the studio!

Summer was SO busy with my family! If you have kids ..you get it! This year was even busier. Besides summer fun, cousin camp at my house  and neighborhood BBQ’s , we added college hunting  and visiting to the mix! WHEW! I had no idea… 🙂

The highlight of our summer was an unexpected visit from my NEW friend, FLAT PARKER! Flat Parker is traveling to 50 states in 365 days on behalf of the REAL Parker, who is a 5 year old boy from Michigan who has Leukemia. He is in the midst of a 3 year treatment to save his life. While he is at home and cannot go anywhere, Flat Parker travels FOR him. Flat Parker then uploads his adventures, via pics to Face book so the real Parker can have something to take his mind of all the needles and tests and chemo etc. The timing was right for FP to come with me into the studio and we had lots of fun! When I was first asked to take Flat Parker  I thought I may not have time to give the project my full attention. We had a busy week in the studio planned and I was also on my way out of town to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday. Never-the -less it was something I really wanted to do for Parker and his family. Even though I had a moment of hesitation as I was looking at the business of my life, I quickly moved from hesitant to yes and I’m so glad I did! My whole family had the privilege to participate and honestly, it has been one of the highlights of our summer! When we said Goodbye to Flat Parker even my kids and husband felt that emotional tug as we sent him on to his next secret location. Spontaneity has always been difficult for this planner girl !! However, I’m learning that sometimes the best things in our life come from the unexpected!

To see pics and learn more about this worthy cause and follow FP ‘s travels around the country, please go to their FB page and like    http://www.facebook.com/FlatParker

 

 

Filed Under: causes, Current, Flat Parker Project, good will Tagged With: , , , ,