Sorry for the delay, bloggites. Moving ruled my life [my friends who helped me move are the bomb and I never use that term unless I am feeling very cheesy and appreciative] and now I’m in the new house. And my bed is caddy-corner. I know. Very lady-like.

Focus. I need to focus.

So I filtered through your questions about the Grammys and picked a handful of my favorites.

From Melissa:

• Were you ever within touching distance of Beyonce? Yes. [Did I reach out and touch her? No.]
• Who did you sit with? Lady Antebellum and Dierks Bentley.
• Were there other not-quite-as-famous people there with celebrities? Yep. I think so. But we all had the Talent sticker, so who knows?

From Jill:

• Was Blake Shelton there with Miranda Lambert? Nope. He had a show somewhere. But let me say again. Miranda is DEAR and you should buy her album.

From Kelly:

• What after parties did you go to? EMI/Capital. And then we were zonked so we went back to the hotel and ordered room service. I had onion soup that was to die for.
• Did you see Reba? Tragically, no. Sigh…..

From Tori:

• Did you see the Jonas Brothers up close? Yep, they were waiting on their cars the same time we were waiting on our cars, so we all talked about music and marriage. [I actually just stood there and listened. Cause I don't have a lot to offer those particular topics.]

From Kimberly:

• Did you get wet when Pink performed? Nope. Too far to the left.
• Which performance did you like most? I really loved them all, truly. Pink for most interesting, Black Eyed Peas for most entertaining, Lady A for best actual performance, Lady Gaga for freaking my freak.

From my dear friend Meredith:

• What was in the goodie bags? Doggie toys, sunglasses, fancy glass things, watches, shoes, leather bags, gift cards, candles [lots of candles], jeans, shirts, and a lot LOT of other stuff. It was like Christmas. I mean, no Christmas I’VE ever known, but Christmas at Paris Hilton’s house.

From Brooke:

I politely declined. Cause hello. Creepy.

[And then I asked her why she threw the Heart of the Ocean overboard in the FIRST place.]

• Did you get to meet and/or touch Carrie Underwood? Nope.
• Did you have any Britney or Justin spottings? Britney was 2 rows in front of us for the first two songs and then she left, never to be seen again. Justin = nope. Whah.

So there you go!  Hope that gives you all the inside scoopage that one could ever want.

One finally funny story. My friend Cassie was standing beside me on the red carpet- she is taller than I and blonde. Ok? So I was going to tap her arm and tell her something.

I saw tall and blonde out of the corner of my eye, so I grabbed her arm and turned my head and said “CASSIE!”, really loudly because that’s how I talk- too loud.

But as I grabbed the arm, that was supposed to be bare because she had on a dress, I grabbed a jacket.

And instead of Cassie standing beside me, I realized that I had just grabbed and yelled in the face of AARON CARTER.

AARON CARTER.

Oops.

You’re welcome.

And for realz. The new GET FIT VIDEO is up. [Which. By the way. I got real frustrated on Sunday and almost quit. Like really. Almost quit. But I didn't. I don't know why, probably because y'all are praying. Keep it up. I'll tell you more later.]

But are totes worth it.

First of all, sorry my blog was broken this morning. It happens.

Here are some clicks for today that, while they aren’t free, are all awesome.

First of all, my friend Lady Antebellum released their sophomore album today and it. is. great. So click on this iTunes button and it will send you straight to the new album Need You Now. You won’t regret it.

Also, our friend Dave Barnes has released the first single from his new album. The single is “God Gave Me You” and good gracious, people. That’s a good way to spend 99 cents. [I gave Dave a dollar one time. But it's because I lost a bet. It involved a lot of skewers of chicken. And he won. Cause he loves chicken on a skewer more than you would believe.]

Anyways, click on this iTunes button and you can spend a dollar on Dave. For a much better gift than watching him eat 20+ skewers of chicken. Trust. Me.

Finally, tonight is going to be so.much.fun. I’ll be there. Dave will be there. Brandon Heath will be there. Matt Wertz will be there. And YOU can be there too! For only $1.50! And you can be in your pajamas. [But we won't.]

It’s a live concert, streaming online, with songs, interviews, and me running the live twitter stream! And the money goes to building wells in Africa. So tonight at 8pm CST, log on to the Mocha Club website and watch the concert.

Go ahead and register NOW then remind yourself to come tonight! I’ll see you there!!

I know there are some more albums coming out today– any recommendations from you??

Is going to be a seriously exciting Sunday night.

Cause I’m GOING. TO. THE. GRAMMYS.

Yep. THESE GRAMMYS.

Are. you. dying?!? Cause I. am. dying. [in a good way]

Let me back up and explain.

One of my dearest friends in Nashville in Hillary. Hillary is in a country group called Lady Antebellum. We had a mutual friend in Atlanta, so we met soon after I moved here.

Within a few weeks, Hillary, myself, and 2 other girls (Ansley and Graham) were meeting together weekly and talking about the ugly. You know what I mean- like, “dear girls, I’m gonna tell you all my ugly and you’re gonna pray about it and tell me all your ugly.” We read the Bible and pray and get in each other’s junk. They know the worst of me and still choose me. We’ve had great times and really hard times when we all wanted to quit. But we didn’t. Cause that’s how you love people.

We’re really cute. Anyways.

Hillary called me last week and asked me to be her date to the Grammys. And after I regained consciousness, I accepted.

So that means I fly to LA at the end of the month, get to attend a few different amazing events over the week, then go to the Grammys. With Justin Timberlake. Beyonce. Black Eyed Peas. AND MAYBE REBA.

Lady Antebellum is nominated for 2 Grammys and will be performing.

What does that mean?

That means that when the cameras pan to show you Lady A, I WILL BE THERE.

In a gold dress. It’s gorg. Totes gorg. [That's for the Nash-folks who read this blog. We abbreviate too much.]

Are you freaking out or what? Cause I’ve been freaking out for 2 weeks.

Of course, I immediately called Amber [she's the best stylist in town- and lucky for me, she's also my friend] and said, “WE HAVE A FASHION EMERGENCY CALLED THE GRAMMYS!”

I can’t wait to show y’all the dresses. Plural. [Are you freaking out now?]

So. There’s the big announcement. I just couldn’t wait anymore. I have too many things I want to tell you between now and then. And videos. I will be making videos.

Cause your friend AnnieBlogs is GOING TO THE GRAMMYS.

Good. Gracious.

I just can’t do it.

I recapped in 2007. I recapped in 2008.

But there is just something different about 2009.

I’m not going to say I’ve peaked. [Cause good gracious I hope that it's not all downhill from here.] But without reservation, I will tell you that 2009 so overshot all my expectations, that there really is no way of doing it justice.

These two things are still true: I have no book on a shelf anywhere for you to buy. And I’m still deeply single.

And I tell you those two things to tell you this one thing: I wouldn’t trade my life for anything. Not for a New York Times #1 best seller. Not for the house and the husband and the 2.5 kids.

I want those things. But I want you to know that in my deepest core, down in my “knower,” all I can do is thank God for the good that He so freely gave in 2009. It’s not about what I don’t have, it’s about what I do have.

I saw the world this year- road trip to Waco, Texas, a month in Orange County, California, two weeks in Cape Town, South Africa, a day in London, two weekend trips to Chicago, Macy’s Parade in NYC, girls’ weekend at the beach in Florida, conferences in Mt. Hermon, CA and Charlotte, NC.

I’ve had a gazillion part time jobs and honestly, I have loved them all. Yes, even The Local Taco. It’s been a crazy freelance year. I walked into Anne’s house one day in July to help her paint after having just lost THREE jobs in the 30 minute car ride to her home. We prayed over our Subway sandwiches that God would work it out. And then I watched as He provided.

I’ve been on the roller coaster of this writing career thing. It’s taken me to some amazing highs and some ice-cream-necessary lows. It’s been nothing that I expected, yet nothing I would change. I’m loving writing for (in)courage, SheSeeks, Susie Magazine, and some top secret things I can’t tell you until 2010. But the roller coaster has turned into a slow moving locomotive. And I dig that.

And my friends? My Nash-family? My Marietta family? Don’t even get me started. I’ll be bawling like a baby up in here.

It wasn’t all fun, by any means. I lost my grandmother this year. I crushed on boys that didn’t like me back. I cried tears of frustration and worry and brokenness. I bounced a check. And I sinned. Ugh. That’s for sure.

But it was my 2009. My story.

If I wrote poetry [that I let you see], that would be an appropriate recap for this year. Or a song. Or a painting. Something with creative energy and flow and beauty.

Instead, I direct you to scripture. Because God is a great recapper.

Lamentations 3

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Amen. No matter what 2010 brings, these words remain true. He is loving. He is my great reward. He is enough.

And for that, I am grateful.

What did you love about your 2009?

Dear Colorado,

Let me start by saying what I big fan I am. You really are a great state. I mean, we haven’t hung out since 1996, but it was really nice to meet you and I hope I get to see you again soon.

But here’s the thing. I’m disappointed in some of your recent behavior.

You are a thief, Colorado. And I can prove it.

See the girl on the left? That’s Annie Parsons. You stole her from me [I'm the girl on the right, Colorado. Last time you saw me, I was in 10th grade. A wee bit different]. And in case you couldn’t tell by my face, me no likey.

I know what you’re going to say. Annie’s family is there, this is a good time for her to be there with the family, yadda yadda. I hear ya, CO [can I call you CO?], I hear ya. And I love Annie’s family. But I just feel like the best way for me to express my hurt and sadness is to lash out at you.

Sue me, CO. Sue me.

Because, as you know all too well, it doesn’t end there. It’s not like you’ve just taken Annie from me. You also nabbed Betsy.

BETSY, Colorado. BETSY.

That is so not right. Sure, there isn’t any “ski” opportunities in Nashville. Sure, we don’t have “snow” or “ski slopes” or “a job at the ski lodge”, but that doesn’t mean you had to take her.

I got back to Nashville yesterday, CO, and I realized they aren’t here. I mean, I knew you had them, don’t get me wrong. But all the sudden I felt it. And I don’t like it.

So I just had to write you. Cause I’m sad. I’m not going to get all sappy and sentimental and tell you how much I love Annie and Betsy and how I’m going to miss them every day. I’m just going to say that if at any point, you find yourself frustrated with them, or you think that they are in the way, or you aren’t sure that they are making your state any better,

just know that Tennessee will take them back in a heart.beat.

Handle with care, Colorado. Your real estate just went up 200%.

Sincerely, Annie

Thanksgiving 2009.

There’s a lot I want to say. It was beautiful. Truly.

The downside: I didn’t get to spend Thanksgiving day with my family. Though, I did spend the entire weekend with my parents so surely, on some great scoreboard in the sky, that counts for something.

I knew I should get that out there first because otherwise the email. from the mother. would be stern.

So.

Let me tell you what was amazing about my Thanksgiving: it was full of Nashville.

You saw video footage of my first Thanksgiving. It was with our small group from church. We sat around Marisa’s living room and we laughed. And talked. And I teared up [duh] when we all held hands and Andy prayed, “God, thanks for us.”

The second Thanksgiving dinner I attended was Cowboys Pilgrims and Indians. Which I’m embarrassed to admit to you, but I brought sweet tea. I know. I love to cook. And I usually love to show out cook for my friends. But a long train of disastrous scheduling had this little pilgrim showing up with 2 gallons of tea instead of my grandmother’s famous mashed potatoes.

I think Paula Deen just disowned me.

Here’s a photo of some of the gals- you know Betsy- the Indian on the top left [we called her by her Native American name, "Lounges on Chair"] and then Molly beside her. On my left is Laura and on my right is Marisa. And on our laps? It’s rude to draw attention to how much what a group of ladies ate for dinner. Look away, please.

My third Thanksgiving feast was on Saturday night at the family’s home where I nanny. It’s funny, I started working for them in January. I got to be friends with them over the next few months. And then, all of the sudden, they were my family.

My family. They love me well, y’all.

There were too many good things that night. So many of my dear friends were there. The night was full of conversations that I want to hang on to and a pile of other moments that I’ve tucked into some small box in my heart that I treasure.

So I’m not going to blog about those.

But a week later, I’m still bubbly with thanksgiving. I still lay in bed at night and thank God for my people. I’m reminded of how I felt a little over a year ago, when I was really sad and really new to Nashville:

It’s to be expected. I know that. I know that at some point in the future, Nashville will refresh me. Somebody (or somebodies) here will get me. They will join the vagabond group that are my people. And I will feel like me here. Right now, I don’t. I mean, hilarious stuff happens here and I’m happy, but at the core, in my knower, I’m not brave enough to be me.

The EXACT things that I worried about and prayed for God to change are the EXACT things I’m thanking Him for this year.

Tell me we don’t serve a personal God who knows our hearts.

To say I’m thankful is an understatement.

- – - – - – - – - – -

Tomorrow… a full recap of my trip to NYC for the parade! [And by "full recap", I mean "Everything except the details of my food poisoning." Ewwww.]

I think you know this. But I’ll remind you. I live in Nashville and seeing famous country music stars isn’t totally weird. And I’ll be honest and say that when I pass any famous person at the grocery store or wherever, I’m cool as a cucumber.

Who would I not be cool around because I love her and want to know her? REBA.

And because the following story still breaks my heart a little bit, my friend Emily is going to tell you the story. Emily, take it. [I'm going to shoot some thoughts in here- they'll be in red. Like this.]

__________

Dear AnnieBlogs readers,

I’m going to tell you the story of when Annie and I stood beside Reba and Annie didn’t even know. [That sentence alone still makes me sick.]

Annie, Ashley, Betsy and I went to go see Michael…finally. [The Michael Jackson movie "This Is It" is what she speaks of.] And after 2ish hours of pure genius, we exited the theater and followed Betsy, who had an enviable sized Coke during the movie, to the restroom. [Betsy is a heavy Diet Coke drinker.] Annie, Ashley and I waited outside the restrooms with a handful of other people doing the same. I’m a people watcher, so naturally I stood there and looked around. There were 3 people staring down the 2012 cutout, a boy dressed in too many shades of blue from head to toe, aaand REBA. Just standing there. [Ugh.] I’m not really a huge fan [ridiculous] so I didn’t think anything of it.

I noticed Annie whispering something to Ashley and giving the head nod that usually goes along with telling someone to look a certain way. So I figured for sure she’d seen her, right? Wrong. [This is true- I was pointing out the Ashley that a VERY D-list musician was standing about 10 feet past Reba. You read that right- I was looking PAST Reba to see said D-lister. Sickening.]

After a couple minutes, REBA’s husband walked out of the restroom and they headed to the escalator. Figuring it was an okay time to let REBA fan Annie start re-living the fact that she was standing 3 feet from the woman herself [THREE FEET, y'all], I mentioned that I figured that’s what she had whispered to Ashley. Except that comment was met with a “WHAT?!” [I thought she was joking. Then I panicked.] Annie looked just in time to see REBA & Co. halfway up the escalator. Betsy emerged, found out what she missed, and shamelessly bolted up the escalator to catch a glimpse [which shocked me because Betsy is my biggest Reba-love critic, but her true colors came out right then]. Ashley was close behind. And Annie disclosed that had she known in time, she would’ve been so excited that a “run and tackle” would’ve been appropriate [I think I said "hug"].

And thus ends the night I saved REBA’s life.  You owe me, Ms. McEntire.

Love, Emily

____________

So pretty much, Emily allowed me to stand RIGHT BESIDE REBA and not even say anything.

Trust me, I went through the appropriate phases of grief, and it ended with Emily and I having a very serious conversation about how we [SHE] should do things differently next time.

As in, “Emily. I’m serious. If this EVER happens again, you say something. You say something right away.”

At least I saw her going up the escalator.

And I did scream, “I might have been born just plain white trash, but FANCY WAS MY NAME!!”

This is my home:

But really, so is this:

This was my home:

And when I sold it to move to Nashville, I thought I had lost home. In some ways, I’ll confess, it still feels that way. Mainly because that beautiful couch is in storage and I miss the warmth of that sunshine coming in on the rocking chair.

I guess I gave up that home for this home:

And it was a trade I would make again. For sure.

But this home has been there a long time:

Even when this is my home:

So what is home? I thought it was that red couch living room in 2006. But I also thought it was my parents’ living room in 1986. I also think it is this living room I’m sitting in as I type.

Maybe it’s all three.

It’s my family. It’s my friends. Home is the friends that become like family.

Home is my kitchen table. Home is my guest bedroom.

Simply, maybe home is just where your…. oh no…. it can’t be true.

CHEESE. ALERT.

Home seems to be where my heart is.

[UGH. I hate that one billion times more than you do.]

Let me restate that- Home is where I’m good at being Annie.

Like here:

I think this move to Nashville has taught me something I’m not sure I would have learned anywhere else. The truth is that I have a lot of homes, a lot of beautiful places (and people), but in the end,

Jesus is my home. The one that will not change. The one that makes me the best Annie. The one that safely holds my heart.

Where is your home?

___________________

My friend Elizabeth asked a few of us to write about home, so head to her blog to see what some other folks are saying about home.

This is gonna be easy for you today.

Just two places to click.

Cause see, I don’t believe in making you work hard on Fridays. So.

First of all, check out HELP-PORTRAIT’s new website. It is really amazing. I mean, wowsa kind of amazing. If you are looking for a good way to give back this holiday season, even if you aren’t a photographer, I bet Help-Portrait is happening in your town.

Remember when we did a practice Help-Portrait event here in Nashville? My friend Barry made a cool video [severe understatement] from that day that I think you are going to love [minus the part at the end where I need to stop crying and brush my hair].

[Hey you crazy subscribers- there's a video here. Click over if you can't see it in your reader.]

I know, right? So amazing. You know, someday soon, I’m going to write an entire blog post about the fact that giving within your gifting is deeply beautiful. Until then, just think on that.

Secondly [and I think you are going to like this] I have free music for you.

And by “I”, I mean “my friend Matt.”

Because Matt has just launched a KILLA new website as well and part of the excitement is that he is giving away a live album. FULL. LENGTH. ALBUM.

I know. It’s crazy talk. But it’s true. A full live album for zero American dollars. I personally think he’s lost his mind, but who am I to judge? I go to parties for dogs.

Either way, for a limited time, you can have it for free. [If you're reading this in 2012, I bet it's not free anymore. Just guessing.] So if it’s 2009, go get that album.

To recap: Help-Portrait = you give. Matt Wertz = you take.

Fancy, huh?

Also, gotta give a shout out to my bud Jason and his web design company Otterball- they did both sites and I’m tellin’ y’all, they. are. good.

Amen. You’re welcome. Have a great weekend.

I’m excited to participate with my buddies over at YLCF.org as many ladies talk today about their normal everyday life.

Let me give you a short, but important, list of disclaimers:

• Just because I live in Nashville does not mean I hang out with country stars everyday [though Reba will not. quit. calling. Yes, Reba, we can grab coffee tomorrow. Sheesh.]
• I don’t have a real job. I have eight [that's not a typo] part-time jobs. So no two days look alike.
• The rules say you can’t fudge on your day. So I won’t. But…. I’m going to tell you I get up every morning at 8am. [Imagine an exaggerated wink after that. And pray that God forgives me for lying.]

So, with no further ado, here’s a peek into Annie’s [not so] normal Nashville day:

8am: Get up. [wink] I usually putz around the house for an hour or so- shower, wash my hair everyday [which I know is bad but quit judging me], eat breakfast, try to read the Bible, pray, journal, etc.

10am-12pm: Write. Either pitching articles, working on a personal writing project, doing freelance work, etc. This is NOT the time that I write for my blog or respond to blog comments.

12pm: Eat a healthy lunch at home [wink] or go out to eat with friends. Usually Baja Burrito. We heart that place mucho.

Afternoon: Options: nanny for this guy’s kids, work at Mocha Club, work on writing things at Frothy Monkey. If the writing option is the winner, this is when I usually respond to emails, work on the biz-nass side of being an author- building platform, connecting with other authors, brainstorming new books, etc.

5pm: Leave nanny/Mocha Club/etc. and go tutor. Usually only 3 times a week. I tutor an 8th grade dude in math and ORGANIZATION GOOD GRAVY and I tutor an 11th grade girl that is as darlin’ as the day is long in pre-calculus. Which is a subject I am very good at. [wink]

6pm: Go home and watch TV [dealing with the massive amount of Bravo on my DVR] or read on my back porch or hang out with friends. This is NO COMPUTER TIME.

7pm: Eat dinner, usually with friends. Cause I like my people. Other options: church small group, a show to hear some cool new musician, hang out on someone’s porch and listen as boys play guitars, sit around and talk. Whatevs.

10pm: Try to be home. [wink] And this is when I write my blog post for the next day [Am I breaking your heart that I don't actually write Wednesday's post on WEDNESDAY? Sorry bout it.] and respond to emails.

Midnight+: I’m great at working late at night. So I sometimes write- this is when I work on stuff that no one is going to see for a long time. Future books, crazy blog posts, creative ideas, things that I sometimes read the next day and say, “WOW. I need to delete that. Embarrassing, Annie, embarrassing.”

Sleep comes at some point, which is why that 8am is negotiable. But only after I drink a small glass of orange juice [horrible for my body, I know] and put on socks.

Don’t judge me. My feet get very cold.

And that’s my day.