Blog & Vlog

Here’s a Story, of a Lovely Lady…Who Was Bringing Up Three Very Lovely Girls…

By Sallie Hussey on February 24, 2012

Most people (over the age of 20) recognize this as the theme song to one of the most beloved television shows, The Brady Bunch, which ran from 1969 through the mid-70s. I devoured every episode back then in much the same way as I devour my first cup of morning coffee now.  I loved that blended family and their antics, corny though they might have been. 

The traditional “Brady Bunch square” did not change over the years even though the pictures changed as Greg, Marcia, and the entire bunch grew.  We’re growing and changing around here, and new faces pop up in our family picture.  While the faces change, and sometimes our programs grow and change as needs arise, our goal is to stay constant in this community and continue providing the best programs and services we can.

We add new people when staff members get promoted or occasionally decide to reduce their hours as their own families grow (see Nikki’s most recent blog).  We have some new team members heading up our education and outreach efforts, youth literacy project, and, temporarily, our special events.  If you’ve not been down to the office lately, please don’t let the construction of Music City Center scare you away.  Come say hello to our new faces and take part in some of the fun things happening here.  To learn about those fun things, join us for our Lunch Chat on Wednesday, February 29, at 11:30 a.m. We have some exciting news to share and you might meet some new friends.  

We’ve been here for 85 years so, yes, the names and faces will change. Thinking back a few years, we’ve never had a “Marcia” or a “Greg” around here, but who knows.  We have many years left and lots of growing to do.

Hope to see you soon.

Changes…

By Nikki Ringenberg on February 17, 2012

Since I started at Bridges, actually, since a few weeks before that, my life has been full of changes both at home and at work.  Less than two weeks before I started at Bridges, during the summer of 2008, I got married to my wonderful husband.  Just six weeks before that I moved back to Nashville from Chattanooga.  Following my first week at Bridges we moved (then again in May 2009, and again in January 2010). 

As for changes at Bridges—I counted a few weeks ago when I last moved offices—I am now in my fourth office since I’ve been here, not counting a brief stay in a fifth.  I’ve had many different titles (six I think) and shifting responsibilities that have allowed me to learn and grow as I serve the Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities in new and different ways. 

Now, I’m preparing for an ultimate change in title, as some may have seen, and a new set of responsibilities like none I’ve known before. I’m about to become a mom.  (I frequently talk of my furry baby girl, Casey, and I’m sure some have seen pictures, but this time it’s different, it’s to a real human boy, Ben.)  I’m excited and nervous and a mix of emotions, but while this is the biggest change I’ve ever experienced, I know that all of the smaller ones have helped me to get ready for this one. 

Back in July, the staff adopted a saying to represent our year - “This is only the beginning.”  That statement has a very different meaning for me now, as this year is the beginning of a whole new part of my life.  If you don’t see me around the office for a while, it’s because I’m away focusing on my latest change and learning more about this new beginning.  I’ll come back, but I need a few weeks at home to recover and adjust before I’m ready to push my sleeves up and get to work again at Bridges.  Next time you see me in the office, please stop by to say hi.  I’m sure I’ll have plenty of pictures of both my babies to share! 

Vlog: WellFEST is Back!

By Donicé Kaufman on February 10, 2012

Plan of Action

By Sallie Hussey on February 3, 2012

What’s that old saying about the best laid plans of mice and men?  I think it’s something about how they often go astray. Those aren’t the exact words from the poem, but I believe the general gist is that no matter how much you plan, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. 

I’ve been a big planner since I was young. I carefully planned every semester during college so I could work summers far away, work one semester as an intern, and still graduate in four years.  I’ve been planning a special vacation (which I’m actually taking next month) for over three years.  I have lists of my lists, and I like to know what’s happening next week, next month, and next year.

That doesn’t mean I can’t change if something alters my plans. I just prefer to stick to the plan. Just recently I told a friend I thought I was possibly the least spontaneous person I knew.  But last year when my dream vacation was cancelled because of bad weather, I went to Target, bought a bathing suit and sunscreen, and took a cheap flight to California for a few days of desperately needed sunshine. 

Last weekend Bridges’s board of directors held a planning retreat.  We spent hours looking at the future of the organization and asking ourselves what critical issues the board and staff need to address in the next few weeks, months, and years.  We want to plan and be prepared for Bridges’s future to ensure we’re around to provide amazing services and programs for another 85 years.  We have a roadmap to help us get there, and we’ll work the plan with your help.

While we have a plan, we’re still flexible and ready for the unexpected.

Come see us soon,