The Lion the Beast the Beat

My life these days can be described as one word: transition. Change would not be a fitting word because most of my daily life feels so familiar. I still watch the news every morning as I sip coffee, I still workout everyday, and I still chat with Robyn about my daily dramas. This stage of life is also completely unfamiliar as I try to remember how to put myself out there and make new friends in a familiar city. The past few weeks I have gotten settled in at work and finally settled in to my new little home.

Today I got Internet connected. It was quite an afternoon spent with the cable man. He was right on time and called to give me a 20 minute heads up to make sure I was home and “straighten up, just in case I needed to”. So obviously after this initial call I was intrigued to see who would show up at my home. I have seen one too many Law&Order SVU episodes in my day, so naturally I was scared he would be a scary creepy man. But no, turns out he was just a young guy who had been born in raised in the country. He had a strong accent and was extremely helpful. He didn’t charge me for anything. And I mean, he should have. He crawled under my home, made a new connection to the broken phone jack, gave me a new modem after I fried mine in the first two minutes. He informed me that he usually has to charge $150.00 for the new phone jack, but since “that sucks its so much money and I see you don’t have cable. I don’t either, I don’t get paid enough to do this job and cant afford a luxury like cable”, so he decided not to charge me. He also made sure to tell me when I fill out the customer satisfaction survey to please make sure and put that I was “extremely satisfied, not just satisfied because that is what makes me get a pay raise. And like I said, I need one”. About an hour later he was gone, I have Internet and still have money for gas&groceries. People who are just nice and helpful are a blessing. I enjoyed his genuine approach to his work and his honesty. And this is just one way God has been giving me blessings in the past few days, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Tonight I went to an event at Cross Point church, where I was greeted with young women and men who are looking for the same things as I am. Fellowship with believers who are dealing with the same struggles and challenges of being a young professional in Nashville. I have prayed that this was the right job for me, in the right city, and I am trusting God will place the right people in my life who I can walk through day to day with. I am grateful for the confirmation I feel from Him tonight, and the peaceful sleep I will get to help me get through another week of life in the work force. 

-SJP

Parachute Heart

For those of you who may have assumed no further postings about the grey&yellow leopard print couch meant that thing did not go well, you are mistaken! It is finished. And still in working condition. The pull out couch still pulls out and folds back in. Robyn is incredible, and has been told by our local upholstery store that if she ever needs a job she has one with them. 

In case you forgot here is the before:

Completely taken apart and blue. ew.

After:

Gray& Yellow Leopard.

My grey&yellow couch is ready, and I am ready to for August 1st to hurry up and get here so I can move into my new apartment in Nashville. 

-SJP

I Like To Be Me When I'm With You

I am officially living for the weekend these days since I have become a working woman. But this past weekend I was living for Sunday night. Folks, dreams came true last night. 

Concert on the Lawn.

I finally saw Drew&Ellie Holcomb sing live. I happen to live in a little neighborhood that has little concerts and events on the weekends, and when I read the email that Ellie Holcomb was coming with a special guest I was thrilled. She brought her whole family and they sang a variety of songs. Only one of their originals, but I was no less loving the night.

Mom and I

I have tried to go to a Drew Holcomb&the Neighbors concert several times and it just hasn't worked out. I may or may not have gotten desperate enough to ask as friend to fly me in his private airplane so I could make a show and be back in time for classes. Apparently that is a little tooo much to ask haha typical me right? I think seeing her and Drew sing together made me want to go to a real concert even more. 

Drew&Ellie

It was magical. And that's all I have to say about that. 

-SJP

Long Monday

Timing is everything. It always amazes me how you can read things, listen to songs, or watch movies in one stage of life, but when you are exposed to it again years later you gain a different understanding or it affects you differently. I watched a movie for the first time since my childhood the other night.

 Dead Poets Society.

Classic movie. It’s up there with Rudy and Hoosiers.

When I was a little girl the most I got out of the Dead Poets Society was a bunch of little kids living on their own and having wild adventures together all day, everyday. I remember thinking why can’t I go to a girls school that is full of sleepovers and an outrageous secret society. (Several years later I realized this was college: Laurel Apartment living and Alpha Delta Pi sorority).

Watching this movie again last night was inspiring. Cheesy. I know. But these boys were shown by their teacher that no dream is too small. Their reality doesn’t have to be their destiny. Go after what you want no matter how unrealistic it may be now.

Robyn Williams says in the movie, “There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for”.

Lately I have been struggling with the reality of adulthood. Trying to be responsible and make a life for my new grown up self is hard and quite challenging when all I want to do is throw caution to the wind and explore new places in Nashville and travel to see old friends I miss. Being practical seems like the “right” thing to do. But is it?

The practicality of life seems to hold people back from the life they want, forcing them to settle into a life that seems to make the most sense. This life shouldn’t be about what makes the most sense. It should be about finding oneself and loving the people we care about and showing others the love that Jesus has for us. Because we all know that His love makes no sense at all.

-SJP

Butterfly Kisses

Today we celebrate fathers. I happen to be a very lucky girl who is blessed to have a wonderful dad. A dad who will put up with all my nonsense, listen to me ramble about problems (which are usually not even worth talking about, much less agonizing over), and make sure I am doing okay in the real world. He says taking a moment to watch the Andy Griffith show because clearly that will relax anyone can solve all moments of stress. I am also so grateful to have a dad who I enjoy spending time with. No matter if that is hunting, hanging out at the pool or watching Seinfeld. On days like today where I celebrate and am reminded of how great my dad is, I can’t help but feel for everyone who isn’t as lucky. Or for those who have lost their fathers. I hope that today they were reminded of all the great times with their dad or other men in their lives who have shaped them and made them the person they are today. Being a father and being a dad mean different things. And Jimmy is the best dad I could ask for.

Jimmy and I spent the day together today. It was like many other days in my life, but little things Jimmy taught me will stay with me for a lifetime and have given me the ultimate example of how a man should treat the women in his life.

daddy.

Happy Father’s day Jimmy.

-SJP (I will always be your great American citizen.)

A Face to Call Home

“Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life” echoed through the hallway by my new boss on my first day of work. I have now officially completed two days of work, and by work I mean work. No training program- just right to business. 

My office. It needs some decorating action immediately.But I kind of love it.

Overwhelmed by more information than my little brain can hold, and trying to keep up while learning the world of logistics has left me exhausted (And its only Tuesday eek) But I am extremely excited to see what the possibilities and opportunities I will have in this company. My boss says to ask as many questions as possible because he knows I am completely unfamiliar with logistics, but I can tell at times I am testing the phrase, “There are not such things as stupid questions”.

 I have already learned that a truck is not “refrigerated” it is temperature controlled.
 A “tote” in the warehouse looks nothing like any tote bag I have ever owned. 

Everything has a three-letter acronym. 
RFP. LTL. 3PL. TTA. TCA. B2C. 

A tractor is not a John Deere. 
The list goes on and on.

I have a LOT to learn but I could not be more thrilled to be working in such a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. Ask me again in a few weeks and the answer may be less enthusiastic when the excitement wears off and the 5:30am wake up call starts to wear on me. BUT for now I am feeling more confident and assured that this was indeed the right place for me. 


-SJP

The Best Day

My mom is the most talented woman in the world. Many will think this is some grand exaggeration, but it is true. She is not only the best mother, she can bake, be a successful businesswoman, but she can sew like a professional.  She also is a self-declared, “joy giver”. If this wasn’t true I would giggle of the ridiculousness but you can’t laugh at the truth. The latest adventure we have embarked on is upholstering a couch for my apartment. While I hang out on the wait list and continually search for apartments, I am living at home. While at home, Robyn and I are preparing all the details and décor. 

Therefore Project Leopard Couch began.

The couch that is involved has now been disassembled into what no longer looks like a couch. We are unsure if it will be able to be put back together, but that unknown element will just be a part of the fun. So far several trips to the fabric store have been made, already facing entertaining encounters with employees who are either intrigued by the project or simply staring at us by the insanity.

The couch has been stripped, patterns have been made, and the leopard print fabric of grey and yellow is ready for the sewing of the cushions and upholstery of the rest.

Typical. Robyn working hard. Jimmy cuddling with Avery.

Here’s to Project Leopard Couch and the next couple of weeks bonding and sewing with Robyn on our great adventure full of crafting and laughter. 

-SJP