November 8th is coming around the corner very quickly. That is the day I fly out to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. I feel, as I'm all snug in my chair, the urge to write everyone to let you know that I sincerely need your help to be successful in this journey of mine.
Here I sit, a Military Spouse and mother to three teenagers. Many can relate. Anyone who is a military spouse knows that when it comes to dreams, the military comes first unless your dream fits the Military life style. Many of you dream to be a teacher, a nurse, a Realtor, a banker, a pharmacist, etc… and with those dreams you can be a teacher where ever your spouse is stationed, you can be a nurse, a Realtor, a banker,a pharmacist. But there is one dream that has been hard for me to reach. There was a time that I was close to making it but in order to make it, I would have had to leave my family. It would have been a hardship on my husband and our three small children. A husband who is in an elite unit that needed him. Children who love their mommy and could have had emotional scars from me having to go away. Me, it would have been hard to be separated from my husband and children and knowing that someone else was raising them while my husband was at work. I made the right choice to put my singing on the back burner, to be the wife and support my husband needed and to be the mommy that our children deserved and what I was committed to by having them. In doing so, I found ways to still sing, even though my dream was out of reach.
I was in a local band called Def, Dumb and Blonde (I was the blonde) and we sang all over Enterprise and Ft. Rucker, Alabama. I mostly harmonized with the two guys on either side of me. I did a few country songs but all together, it was a learning experience for me to help shape my performing in front of people. As I look back, I laugh. A friend of mine who has been there since I started putting my dream into action, which was when my children were in school, said that I would just stand there and tap my leg with my hand or my tambourine. I didn’t move, I didn’t know how to entertain. I’m sure there is video out there showing what a fright I was.
I did a gig with a Major in the Army who played the guitar and would sing for Christmas functions for the Military Spouses club in Germany. I was very active in P.W.O.C. (Protestant Women of the Chapel) and would sing for them during our worship time.
Every three months a group would get in a van and travel umpteen hours from Clarksville to Parris Island, S.C. where I helped lead worship for our Marines while they went through basic training. Knowing that more than one of the thousands there might not be alive this time next year was pulling at my heart. We would get letters from the parents of these soldiers telling us how much it meant to their boy or girl that we came and did that for them. That is when I realized that I wanted to sing for our military. I told my husband to let the unit know I would love to sing the National Anthem any time they needed someone. I didn’t accept any payment; I just wanted to touch people with my voice. To sing the National Anthem was the height of my singing. To be known as the “Anthem Girl” was such a high honor for me.
When I heard about Operation Rising Star it was a year ago, 2008. A Night Stalker in my husband’s unit was going for his dream and the unit put it out to go and support him in the competition. I went as many nights as he was up there until he couldn’t go anymore. At this time I was in a competition my friends told me to try out for, the Beaver Idol. I never thought about trying out for any competition. While he was doing Operation Rising Star, I was doing Beaver Idol for the local country radio station here. The first time ever that I heard myself on radio, I had my children around me and we danced. “Listen to Momma on the radio!” What a dream come true. After not making the Beaver Idol title, I thought, what else can I do? Here I am getting older by the minute and Nashville is more than likely out due to my age. Then it started sinking in after every time I would sing the “National Anthem” someone would come up and ask me, when I was going to try out for American Idol? Why don’t you try out for Nashville Star? So, I started getting online and looking for competitions. Nashville Star is no longer doing their thing, at least this year. American Idol? I am over the age limit. Then Operation Rising Star popped up. Why not try out? It's Military Idol!
So, I went down to the Sportsman Lodge and took my number, eleven. I didn’t get all dressed up. I wanted the judges to hear my voice and not let my clothes or hair or jewelry be louder. I sang “Strawberry Wine”. Half way through, one of the judges stopped me and asked if there was another song I was on the fence with singing? As a matter of fact there was but I chose strawberry wine. I told them I was thinking about another song, “I Just Call You Mine” by Martina McBride. They said, “Let’s hear it”. When I got to the high notes of the chorus, they all threw their hands in the air like they were on a roller coaster ride and started yelling, “That is what we were looking for.” “Why didn’t you do that as your first song?” So I made the top 12 of the local competition.
Wow. I was in a competition where I would have to choose my song for the theme and stand in front of everyone and sing. I was going for it. Giving it my all because let’s face it, the clock is ticking away and it’s almost midnight. I had the support of my husband, my children (which my girls helped me with my song selections) and my friends. My husband’s unit came out to support also. I performed my heart out. Enjoying it, it became very, very addictive. I wanted more!
I got through every week. I wouldn’t have made it to first place if it wasn’t for the votes of my fans! It was so stressful knowing that if I didn’t have enough people there to vote, I was out. I walked away representing Ft. Campbell to audition for the Army World Wide Competition. We did my audition dvd and we had to send in the final song I sang in the competition for the judges to vote on. There were 12 judges who looked at all 35 installations winners and narrowed it down to 12 singers. I found out October 21st, my 20th year wedding anniversary, that I was one of the 12! My husband woke me up and told me to get dress and follow him. I thought he was getting ready to give me a wedding anniversary gift. He told me to sit down and brought the computer over and wham..there I was, in the top 12! Such a wonderful man. He had been checking all morning while I was sleeping! He was just as nervous and excited as I was but then, I was the one still sleeping. :)
Then it was time to let the fans and public know that in order for me to move to the top, I would need the support of my Military Installation and my hometown, Clarksville to vote for me. I’ve given my life and support to our Military and I know that I am not known by many, just another Military Spouse but I am a Military Spouse that needs your help in votes. You can do this in the comfort of your own home. Just like American Idol.
As I said at the beginning, I leave for Virginia on the 8th of this month. I am putting all my fans email address’ in a file so that when I am done singing, I will email you from my phone and let you know that you have a two hour window to vote for me from where ever you are.
Please send me your email if you would like to be on the list. The more fans I have voting, the closer I am to my dream. I will do a “test” on the 7th, so if you don’t get it, you know to check your junk file.
What is the prize for this competition? An all expense paid trip to Los Angeles, CA to record a demo in DMI Firehouse recording studios and so many more possibilities…. Help me make it, join my fan club list, free, today.
It was announced today, October 21st, who the top 12 semi-finalists for the Army Wide competition, Operation Rising Star, were.
I am thrilled that I was chosen to be one of the top 12! Last year we had a Night Stalker in the competition and this year we have a Lady Night Stalker! Me!
The competition will be taking place on November 14-20th in Ft. Belvoir, VA. It will be on the Pentagon Channel if you are living on base. If not, I will be getting more information on where you can watch the show. It will be just like American Idol, where the viewing audience can call in to vote for their favorite performer. I believe you will be able to vote online also.
This is the 2nd year in a row that Ft. Campbell, KY has had a contestant be in the top 12. Last year our very own, Fatima McElveen, made it to 2nd place in the final competition. I hope to do Ft. Campbell proud this year too! One of the important roles of this competition is the fans and their calling in or getting online to vote. So, more information will be coming your way on how you can do this.
You can view my performances on my YouTube channel and see how I did for the 8 weeks during the competition at Ft. Campbell. Thank you all who voted to get me where I am now!
Hot on the web with it's "soft launch" is my new site, Diaries of a Fruitcake ~ In a Half Baked World! This site is going to be a site full of stories, advice and posts for the woman. Men, you can definitely send in your stories of the woman in your life that makes you think "Fruitcake".
Welcome to My Half Baked World!
They make you laugh. They make you think, "OMG!!". They make you wonder, "How in the world have they been so successful?" They are happy within and keep making life entertaining, especially when you hear their stories. You might wonder what their secret to living free is.
Welcome to the world of this fruitcake!
Yes, I can be a little nutty sometimes but never put on a shelf! I am a wife, mother and woman on a mission.
Early in the spring of this year, I was talking with my Momma one day and told her that I felt a pull to write a book. (I'm always trying something new.) I told her about how people would look down their noses, talk behind my back, telling others that I just didn't know what I wanted in life because I dabble in almost everything. Sure, it hurt when it came back to me, I don't see anything wrong with it and then I realized there are a lot of us out there that are labeled fruitcake, so why not embrace it and make it something positive?!
We came up with the title "Diaries of a Fruitcake ~ In a Half Baked World". I decided to embark on the journey of a blog and found an amazing team, Moxie Design Studios.
Why the name "fruitcake"? Well, it is a name that people freely label others with, for one, when they don't understand the "fruitcake's" actions. They judge what you do against their standards and if it doesn't fit, then guess what? You are now placed in another category. So, the standards of a fruitcake go against the normalcy of half the population and what they consider to be normal.
Does that mean the fruitcake isn't normal? No, it means that we are our own and march to the beat of a different drum. We like the attention that our choices give us. Sometimes we might realize we went just a little too far. We might even be labeled, "Drama Queen". Are we the drama queens? I would have to say, yes. But once again, there is nothing wrong about that.
If you think about it for a second, coming from the world of baking, these cakes are unpredictable, are they not? You don't know when you bite into it if it is going to be moist or stale. Some fruitcakes get passed around every year and then put on a shelf until the next year. Do you get passed? You just might. Do you feel like you are put on a shelf and unseen? That time could be now. Ta-da, it's the emotional side of being different and labeled a certain way, even though you are intelligent and offer so much to the world and those around you. Then there are Fruitcakes that aren't passed around but are gifts and delicious, never to put away because they were given a chance.
Do you want a chance? Here it is. You will see that most "fruitcakes" are very intelligent and successful. Some are just not given a chance and play the role because they know that is what people expect. It's time to be true to yourself and embrace who you really are. Not allowing to be frowned upon by the Half Bakers out there.
The Half Baked World
What is the "half baked world"? It is a world for those who say "Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up." In this world you will find many different concoctions to the recipes of life.
Living in this half baked world it might seem as if we are encased by fear. When we stunt our lives by this fear, we don't live life to its fullest. We don't say what is on our mind, for fear of what others will think. We look at the fruitcakes out there that say it and we wish we could be that free. There is a process to becoming a fruitcake like there is in making one!
Fruitcakes love choices. They love to have excitement in their life. They understand that life is only a one time shot and you can't live it being unhappy in a job, marriage, or family, among other things. If life becomes boring in a certain area, you will add your own ingredient to get the rise you want. A lot of people will call it "drama" or being irresponsible or hot air. I call it a life line to sanity. Though, some would say insanity.
For those of you that currently are labeled you might find that you are being told you need to be on anti-depressants because you aren't what others consider normal. They might think you are depressed, hence your "crazy" actions. If you are told this over and over, you begin to look down at yourself as a freak. Your light will become dim and people will begin to wonder what happened to the fun, crazy, full of life person you have always been? It is time to let your flame rise and not let others snuff it out. The fruit inside of you is very colorful. Don't settle for the half baked syndrome and live in a gray world.
These are diaries of the fruitcake's life that will hold surprises and you won't know whether it is something to laugh or cry about! Will you be surprised or disappointed? Will you be able to read a diary entry and have advice that helped you get through part of the baking process? By all means, register and share. Will my experiences be there to help you? You be the judge of what the diaries can do for you....
In closing, this blog will bring a positive movement to encourage those who are only half-baked to live life to its fullest. Learn and be encouraged by the diaries of how to break out of the "half baked syndrome" and live life, free as a fruitcake!
Congratulations to our Seller and Buyers!
Seller: Ms. Barnett
Buyers: Mrs. Nugent and Ms. Barnett!
Ms. Barnett,
Thank you for allowing us to list your home. We hope that you were satisfied with our service. This goes to show that when it comes to selling a home, when we talk about how to make it marketable, it comes down to the timing of the buyer who is meant for your home. Thank you for allowing us to list it and sell it within 15 days!
Mrs. Nugent,
Thank you for calling on us to help you with the needs of finding a home. When one is in another country it can seem nerve racking and scary at the same time but we hope this experience was a pleasant one and we look forward to meeting you when you come to Ft. Campbell!
Ms. Barnett,
Thank you again for using our services and allowing us to represent you in the purchase of your home. Sometimes in life we find that we need more room in our daily living and we know that your home will be just what you need for your growing family.
Many blessings to our clients with days full of happiness in your new homes!
Team Agnew
Art & Thea Agnew
If you would like to interview us to list your home or to represent you in the purchase of a home, please contact us today.
March of Dimes, Best of Clarksville Nominee for Real Estate Agent ~ Vote ~ Thea Agnew, October 8th at the Saturn Dealership in Clarksville off of Wilma Rudolph Blvd. between 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Stop by my booth! Looking forward to meeting you all.
Duncan & Duncan Construction and Singletary Construction are partnering to join ABC's Extreme Makover: Home Edition for an upcoming build in the Middle Tennessee area later this month.
The two Clarksville construction companies were chosen by the popular ABC television program to oversee and implement the intense one-week building of a new home that will change the lives of a deserving Middle Tennessee family.
Five Middle Tennessee area families are being considered for the makeover, but only one will be chosen on the Morning of October 17 for Ty Pennington's life-changing "door knock."
The construction companies of Duncan & Duncan, led by Don R. Duncan, of Clarksville, and Singletary Construction, owned by Bert Singletary, were selected because of their track record in construction and their willingness to dedicate personal effort to help others. Both companies focus on quality construction and special details to make their construction projects unique.
With this 106-hour construction project, the new home will be truly unique as all products and labor must be donated by businesses and individuals in the area. Hundreds of volunteers will be needed for the project from October 17 through October 24.
As with all homes in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, special details will be incorporated into the design of the home to meet particular needs of the selected family.
The companies are requesting volunteers from the area to provide time, support and resource to contribute to the success of this life-changing project. If you are intersted in offering your support or volunteering your time please visit our get involved page or click here. To view article, click here.
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Team Agnew has been investing in Real Estate for over 10 years. Local REALTORS in Clarksville, TN, Art & Thea offer their site, www.servingclarksvillehomes.com to search the MLS today!
First things first...before we go any further, let me introduce myself! My name is Thea and before you try saying it let me help you, it is pronounced Tia. I get The-ah, Tay-ah among other tries at my name. It's great when I have tele-marketers calling because that person doesn't live here! :) Now if you call and say Tay-ah I am looking for a home or I want to sell my home, I will not have one problem! Ha-ha. Thea is my name, it isn't short for anything. It actually means Goddess in Greek! :) Gotta throw that out there!
I am from Ft. Rucker, Alabama. That's where I met my husband, 3 am on my Junior Prom night at a gas station! (Graduated at Northeast High School in Clarksville, TN.) We renewed our wedding vows after 15 years of marriage on Good Morning America and won a 10 Caribbean Cruise! We have 3 beautiful teenagers ages 14, 15 and 16! They are all involved in sports and that is basically what we watch on T.V. No more time for soaps. I have enough drama than to watch someone elses.
♥ My Passion is for our Military Men and Women and their families. Our Military are putting their life on the line this very second! My heart goes out to the spouses, girlfriends and parents of our Soldiers. I've been living the Military life for 37 years. I was born, raised and married into the Military. It's the only lifestyle I have known and I'm proud to be a part of. I've lived in Korea, Germany and in the states from Texas to Virginia. I love to travel to new places. I also love to decorate those new places we call our home. That has all stopped though at this duty station. We plan on retiring here in Clarksville after 23 years of service next year!
♥ I am a singer. I love singing the National Anthem...have you really paid attention to the words of that song? It's such an honor for me. I opened for the Nashville Preditors Season 2007-2008 and was scheduled to sing for Nascar's Qualification night on October 24, 2008 in Atlanta but got rained out! Will be singing it for the opening ceremony of AAAA and Warrior Week.
Here are some crazy things about me in a nutshell:
My name is Art, pronounced.....Art! I joined Thea in my Real Estate career earlier this year. I'm from Plainfield, Indiana and joined the military in 1986. I was the last group to go through Basic Training at Ft. Campbell, KY. I have been active duty for over 22+ years now and plan on retiring in next year after 23 years of service. Clarksville is where my family and I will settle. I am with the 160th SOAR at Ft. Campbell, KY and have been with this unit going on 10 years, June 2009. I thrive on Nascar, Football, Basketball and Baseball. Like Thea said, we are a family that is very active and are always going to games or events when we find the time. We recently went to Nascar Camping World 400 in Kansas City where I rode in the Pace Car for the honoring lap of our Soldiers being honored. Awesome experience.
We have made the transition to a new company in town named Avalar and have had investments in Real Estate for over 10 years. Being in this line of work has shown us that it isn't the name of the Real Estate Company but what that company has to offer. Just like we negotiate the best deal for our clients, we must also do the same for where we place our license. It goes further than that for you, the customer. It's the morals of the Agent you are working with. Behind every good agent is a good company! But sometimes Agents that are great might be with a company you have heard negative things about. It is important that your Agent is backed by a company that has good morals, and treats the clients as their own, since the contracts written have their logo on the header. A lot of the times, the Agent makes the company not vice versa. If you find a good agent, you will follow her/him no matter where they are! Avalar is about real people, real service, real estate.
My background is colorful. Raised in a Military family, Father was a founding Night Stalker, and being married to a Night Stalker for over 19 years, I know all about relocations and separations. My hobbies include singng, reading, sports and exercise. Sometimes the exercise gets to me! Uck but gotta do it to stay fit and not let my weight get out of hand. A little about me: I am 5'2 and have been every woman with red, brown, blonde, black and one time, green hair! That was a mess. I love baking but eating it while baking it is one of my weakness'.
Art has been with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Ft. Campbell, KY for over 9 years and serving our Nation for over 23 years. A Bronze Star recipient, he is our hero amoung heros. His hobbies include golf, sports, cooking and gardening. He loves to sleep! Must be nice. He does sleep well at night while I am sitting there hearing him snore! Anyway, on a more serious note, this area is where we plan on retiring.
Having 3 children who attend Clarksville Montgomery County School System, you know that we understand how serious choosing a home can be. We wanted to be sure that we were in a certain area after researching the schools and their numbers. We chose what was best for us. Sometime's we might not have a choice but to pick the best we can afford. Our commitment as your local Realtor® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service that you deserve. Personality and experience gives us excellent public relations and communication skills. Organization and timely follow-up with all inquiries regarding the sale or purchase of your home or property is extremely important. Our commitment to this career is full time, so you can be confident in knowing that you will be taken care of.
Team Agnew
931-206-2156 / 931-249-2165
Letters from the Buyer
My husband and I were very nervous about purchasing our first home but Thea made finding a home easy and Amanda at Anchor made our loan process go smoothly. I am eternally grateful for all the help we received. Thea and Amanda's personal attention made this first time experience an easy one.
Amy Torres
Thea,
On a scale from 1 - 10 for your survey I wanted to let you know that you were a 10 when it came to delivering what you promised. You were a 10 when I needed you to contact me. You were a 10 for listening to me. I have already recommended you to three of my friends and they all know that I give you a 10 for your service! If I was in charge of your business, I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldn't add anything to make it better either. You were a perfect 10 in your service to represent my husband, who is deployed during this whole transaction, and myself. Thank you for recommending Amanda to be our Loan Officer. She was perfect also. Oh and thank you for getting us into our home for only $17.02!
Anna Bidleman
Thea, here we go again! Both, Victor and I, would like to express all our thanks to you. The time that you gave us in selling our first home, then showing homes to us in the snow. Gosh, too funny. We will never forget the telephone call at 9:30 pm at night saying, "Hey, I found the perfect home for you!" and you taking time away from your family to come out again in the snow with a huge flood light to show us this home. And yes, you hit it on the nail. It was exactly what we wanted. So, now we are selling again to move. Wow!
Thanks for taking us on again and in 40 months we will be back to find our retirement home! Get ready, we are giving you a 3 year warning. LOL. 
Thank you for always being there and watching out for our best interests. You showed that you really wanted to find us our home. You never made us feel like it was about the money. You really care.
We will never forget you and always will refer friends to you!
Victor and Donna Martinez
The experience my husband and I had with our real estate agent, Thea Agnew, was remarkable! She was always there, day and night, to help with each and every step and process. She knew what we needed and wanted from a home. Buying a house can be a scary adventure, but she made it seem so easy and exciting.
After moving into our home, Thea was there for anything we needed. Any problems that arose after the sale of our home, she made sure they were taken care of immediately. There were many times I had to call late at night and on weekends. Thea never gave us an excuse; she just always went to work right away to help us.
It seemed to me her greatest joy was helping us find the home for my husband and me. It wasn't the sale or the profit she would make, but the joy that we felt when she gave us our keys to our new home. My husband and I will have to sale our house in the coming months. I know Thea will do everything she can to sale our home and make it an easy and exciting process.
Thanks so much! You are awesome!
Joe and Casey Black
14 months ago, we enlisted the help of Thea to help us find a new home. She was awesome at helping us find our perfect home. She was always willing to show us homes at the last minute and sometimes through pouring rain.
Sadly, 2 months ago we had to put our perfect home back on the market due to PCS orders.
Once again, we enlisted Thea to help sell it. Thea always kept a positive attitude, stayed highly motivated and was very encouraging even when we felt very concerned that it would not sell before we had to leave.
We got an offer that was better than we hoped, and believe it was all at the works of Thea (and God of course). Thank you so much Thea!
You have been a blessing!
Lindsey and Israel Carrera
In October, 2006, we found ourselves struggling to find a home. We had just bought a puppy and our living situation was lacking. We decide to start looking for a home to rent. Where we ran into trouble, was our dog. She's a Great Dane and let's face it, some places around here won't allow anyone to rent anything if their dog can't be held in one hand. We were at our wits end when I thought 'Why didn't we just call Thea?' I placed a call to her that second. She realized the urgency in finding a suitable home for us and had us pre-approved within a day and looking at houses the following day. Within 5 days, we had settled on a house that we found near post. A perfect starter home! It is close to work and all the amenities and had a nice big fenced in back yard for our ever growing dog to play in. Thea is a great person. She is also a great friend. She has been there for me on so many occasions! So to make a long story short, Thea was a no fuss kind of agent that I think anyone can appreciate. And in the business of sales or real estate, being honest is a God send! THANKS THEA!
~Jason & Randi Williamson
*A card that came with a box of flowers!
Thea,
Thank you for your motivation and your dedication. I sincerely appreciate your time and help in finding a home for my family. The laughs along the way were a bonus!
~Marissa Fulford*
Letters from the Seller
Thea, 10/17/06
Just a quick note to tell you that God bringing you into our lives was a great blessing. I know you worked so hard to do all you could to help us. You are truly an Angel, I just thank God that Billy and I had the opportunity to get to know you if only for a little while. Please don't ever change, you are a beautiful soul and it shines through in all that you do. We were blessed to have you on our side. So again, THANK YOU! You will always be in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Laura Clark
Dear Thea,
We are sorry to be so long in getting this thank you to you. We truly appreciate every thing that you accomplished for us in a very professional manner.
We were very awed at how fast you sold our house and moved into our new home in such a short period of time. If anyone we know is in the market for buying a new house or wanting to sell their, you can bet you are going to be our number "One" recommendation to them.
There are to be more real estate agents, like you in your profession, kind, professional, caring and going all out to take care of their client needs, just like you do.
Good luck, God bless and most of all, many thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
We cannot say "Thank You" enough and words cannot describe how we feel about you for everything you did for us.
A well deserved lunch or dinner is coming your way, you pick the time and place. Thank you so much for everything you done for us.
Sincerely,
Joe and Rosemary Emery
I strongly and without reservation recommend the services of Thea Agnew for either selling or purchasing a home. Thea successfully sold my home quickly and professionally in very little time. She understands the market and how it constantly changes. I had the home listed with another agency for 6 months and received no offers. Thea however generated more interest in 2 weeks than the other agency did in 6. Not only is she good at what she does, but it is obvious that she enjoys helping people in any way she can.
Once again, I highly recommend Thea for buying or selling a home.
Regards,
Jeremy White
Nine months ago we struggled to sell our home with another Real Estate Agency. After 5 1/2 long months of fighting with that agency to just do their job we switched companies and entrusted in Thea Agnew as our new agent. We used Thea's advice prior to us switching as well. She was very knowledgeable. Any question we had was answered with a quickness. She sold our house within a month and we had more interest in our house during that time than we had the whole 5 1/2 months with the other agency. I highly recommend Thea's services for anyone who is wanting to purchase, sell or just have any questions about a home.
Thanks
Jennifer DeWaters
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