Have you ever looked forward to something BIG TIME…only to have it not come to pass?
Well, that happened this week. But it was no one’s fault. It’s just life. But I’ve been so bummed.
First, some quick backstory…
A few of you might not know that Deb Raney and I have been writing critique partners for over 14 years now. And during that time, we’ve become very dear friends. Well, Deb was scheduled to come to Nashville TODAY for a business meeting, and we were going to spend some time together running around and having fun. Catching up! But . . .
Sweet Deb got the flu. As did her husband Ken. So she had to cancel her trip. <insert major tears here>
So… I decided to share some of the stuff that Deb and I would have done had she been well enough to come.
We would have…
VISTED CARNTON
(the setting for my new series, The Carnton Novels)
Deb’s currently reading the first draft of With This Pledge, the first full length novel in the Carnton series. And I was so excited to show her the real setting of this story that’s set in Franklin (about 20 miles south of Nashville). This picture is actually a photograph of the back of the home, and these double porches play a significant role in With This Pledge (releasing November 2018).
Next, Deb and I were going to go…
ANTIQUING
at places like Three French Hens, PMs, Dragonflies, etc…
But since she got sick, bless her, and we didn’t get to go, here are pics from a time she was here before…
See these plates in the next picture? The goat, the pig, and the cow? I bought those plates when she and I were antiquing together that day. I also bought a rooster plate. And those plates are still situated atop my kitchen cabinets—being cute and keeping watch.
If you’ll look closely near the bottom of the above picture, you’ll see something else that ended up coming home with me that day…
These beautiful little measuring cups!
Deb bought these for me as a “thank you” for playing hostess. Which, I gotta tell you, is REALLY HARD when Deb comes to visit. Sigh… But a girl has to do what a girl has to do.
Next, Deb and I would have gone to…
THE DONUT DEN
This place has the most delicious donuts!
Yep, I’m still living a KETO (low carb gluten free) lifestyle so I don’t routinely eat bread. But donuts are one of Deb’s favorite things in all the world. And though I’ve never cared for them much—cough..cough…Wait, I have something in my throat. <insert choking noise here>—being the faithful and selfless friend that I am (it’s SO HARD!!), I’m willing—once a year—to set aside my own culinary habits and partake of fried balls of decadent deliciousness. All for Deb. But hey, that’s what friends are for, right??
Lastly, Deb and I would have laughed tons, shared about this past year and life’s challenges—and immense blessings!—and would have talked almost nonstop for nearly 24 hours straight! But…
Deb got the flu. : (
So please be in prayer today for our precious Deb and her husband Ken (yep, he got it too!) that they’ll recuperate swiftly and make it back to the land of the living real soon!
Me and Deb from her 2016 trip to Nashville
So when’s the last time you’ve had something planned and it didn’t come to fruition? Or what’s the last thing you bought while antiquing or garage sale-ing? Inquiring minds want to know…
Much love on this Tuesday morning—and your prayers for my focus and concentration would be so appreciated as I finish With This Pledge and turn it in next week.
Tamera
Tamera Alexander
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I adore cashmere scarfs! And I bring home new one ( and more 🙂 from Christmas markets or vintage shops every year.
I´am looking forward to your new novel and I wish Deb and her husband speedy recovery. I was ill two weeks ago, but if I have good books next to my bed it isn´t so unpleasant time 🙂
I LOVE scarves, Blanka! I’m wearing one now, in fact. Sorry you were ill, and so glad you’re better!
You and Deb would have had so much fun! I’m saying a prayer now for her and her husband for a quick recovery. I’m also saying a selfish prayer for your focus and concentration. It’s selfish because I enjoy your books so much.
Thank you for your kind words, Sherri! And for those prayers for Deb. Appreciate you sharing!
Hi Tammy and Deb, who I am sure will be in tears over this post. What a gift to have a treasured friendship like this! To share special times, writing, encouraging each other, and I’m sure much more. Praying for you, Deb and Ken. I hope you’ll be feeling much better very soon. I had to miss a trip I’d planned with my husband when I broke my foot a couple years ago. That was a disappointment for sure! Loved the photos and fun memories you shared. You two are blessed to share this special friendship.
I BURST into tears when I saw this, Carrie. I was so sick yesterday I didn’t even have the energy to FEEL the disappointment, but I must be a little better because I’m feeling it big-time today! Thank you so much for your prayers. We have been two sick puppies and as of this morning, Ken has slept about 88 of the last 96 hours and I’m a day behind him in all things flu.
And thank you, sweet Tammy, for sharing those pics. Once I quit crying, those memories really made me smile!
Love you, friend! ; )
Tammy, what a sweet post! Made me cry, yet made me feel a little better at the same time. Love you, friend, and so sorry our time didn’t work out! We’ve been hit SO hard! Today I’m at the grumpy, I’m-sick-and-tired-of-this stage. :} The worst part is I can’t even keep my eyes open long enough to read! What a waste of time!! Praying everyone out there stays well!
Sweet Deb, just rest and get well, friend. No worries on reading. But I AM missing you big time today, thinking of all we would’ve done. BUT Nashville has been hit with ice and snow. All the schools are closed. Lots of businesses too. So it’s unlikely that you would’ve even been able to get in today. Wishing I could bring you soup and popsicles and icees and peanut butter twists. Love you much!
So bummed for both you and Deb, Tammy. Although I’m sure Nashville as a whole is breathing a sigh of relief that it is escaping your shenanigans. LOL Sending you a hug, and sending Deb a hug as well (with my nursing gloves and mask on!).
Hugs to you, Linda! And thanks!
Sending both of you hugs. I’ve had to cancel a few trips lately and I hated doing it. I didn’t get to go to ACFW last year and that was really tough! Maybe this year.
I’ve eaten at that donut place and I have to say I can’t blame Deb for loving it! Tammy, you are a true friend to make such a sweet sacrifice. This brought tears to my eyes, too. If you can’t be together you can at least share memories of good times. Hey, next time invite the rest of us!!! Bless you both and Deb, please feel better. Tell Ken the same!
Thanks for sharing, Lenora. Cool that you’ve eaten there, too. I hope you can get to ACFW this year! Deb and I will both be there. All of us in the IBL&F community need to get together and snap a pic!
Get well Deb!
Now start planning the next trip. 🙂
True, Kay! ; )
So sorry about Deb and Ken. I saw pictures of their rumpled bed on Deb’s post! I love her sale finds. Would love to see some of yours,too! Maybe you two can reschedule for a warmer time! Can’t wait for your new book to come out! Loved Christmas at Carnton.
Don’t get to go sale shopping a whole lot but did pick up a cute basket that has an American flag painted on it. It’s flat on the back and about 4” square with a nice 2” handle on the top. Then there is the die cast 1949 Ford Woody Station Wagon…. just like Daddy used to drive. I put it next to a picture of him on a shelf. I mostly do garage sales and it’s too cold here right now for those.
Thanks for this post. I love all historical things. My 101 year old Mother used to be an antique dealer, so I grew up with them.
Blessings and stay warm!
How neat about your mom being an antique dealer at one time, Paula. I’ll bet you DID see some pretty—and interesting—items while you were growing up. And yes, don’t you LOVE Deb’s “garage sale finds” posts? They’re always so fun. She’s so creative in how she uses all those things too.
Thanks for reading and for the kind words. Hugs from snowy Nashville!
I have the flu, too! Argh! I started taking Tamiflu yesterday, so I’m on the mend. But, boy, do I literally feel your pain, Deb. I’m praying for a speedy recovery for you and Ken.
Oh bless you, Becky! Praying for swift healing and loving care for you!
Oh, Becky! My heart goes out to you. Seriously. This is the sickest I’ve been in a very long time. Hope you are SOON on the mend!
As a filmmaker and aspiring writer, I absolutely love attending a really excellent week long filmmakers guild every year to be inspired, taught, and pushed to grow and keep alert; both by a slew of amazing, godly, approachable speakers and a whole lot of like-minded, very talented filmmakers from all around the country. The event really encourages me to press on and press in for the next year of the filmmaking “double-Dutch jump rope”.
One recent year, when I’d been particularly looking forward to and needing the community encouragement, and catching up with friends I rarely get to work with, my sister and I arrived to find that it was an “off year” — lots of ‘regulars’ were working on projects, etc. and hadn’t been able to make it to the Guild. The attendees were mostly either new people who’re intrigued by film, or I’m-not-sure-if-film-is-my-thing-yet first timers who want to be everything at once. (bless their crazy little hearts) It was good year for the Guild, for sure, with so many wonderful speaker sessions where it was evident that the Holy Spirit was tying themes and messages together, but not nearly what I had been counting on in community — what disappointment!
But (after much groaning to my poor sister!) I certainly learned some powerful things from the speakers. And when we went to work on a project the following weeks, God more then redeemed the lack of community by a wonderful group of people we got to work with for the first time, who have all become dear life-long friends. And I know I appreciated them even more after having missed the Guild camaraderie only a week before.
Hope you both are back in the swing of things very soon! And the time you had to miss over this week is more than redeemed! 🙂
Loved all that, Bree! Thanks for sharing—and for highlighting how faithful God is to give us what we need when we need it. He loves to restore, doesn’t he? Thank you, Lord! Appreciate you sharing today… Hugs!
Thanks again, everyone, for your prayers and comments here! A healing balm!
Ken and Deb are SUCH a wonderful couple to know!<3 <3 Sad you two aren't able to be together this year, but what a blessing to have these fun memories from your previous trip to Nashville! You gals will have to make plans for your next visit (and cram in as much fun as possible). 🙂
What a beautiful picture of these double back porches. I'm looking forward to reading your new novel. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.
Last year we were visiting family in Kansas over Memorial Day (we even had our food items ready to serve) when our time had to be cut short as my brother's family was in a serious car accident. So we jumped in our car, drove straight through (15-16 hour trip) to be with them. Our Kansas family (& many others) prayed us home. Our God is faithful, loving, strong, and dependable even in times when our world is turned upside down. Thankful we can lean on Him at all times!