Don't Stop Believin'

I have been obsessed with karaoke since I was a little smurf. When I was in elementary school I got a MTV Karaoke Machine. It was great. 

It had two microphones and a video camera attached to it. I was often found karaoking the day away in my room. Yes, I would actually do this by myself all the time. It is a wonder I am not a fabulous singer by now.

My obsession has continued for years and now I feel so blessed to have friends who enjoy this just as much as I do. Thanks to Losers I was able to karaoke the night away last night.

Goodtime.

-SJP

Barefoot Blue Jean Night

Summer time is here. I have taken on the task of entertaining a 10-year-old little boy named Jordan.

All day, everyday.

9-5 pm.

I am a workingwoman.

Well to some extent. My workload includes:

-Playing outside

-Learning the art of Xbox Live (which totally weird’s me out)

-Getting dominated in an assortment of board games

-Making breakfast and lunches

-Requiring summer reading (which makes me a lame play date but he is still doing it when I tell him to so we will see how long that lasts)

-Driving him around to his appointments

Jordan is a precious, funny little boy. He is already mocking my weird quirks. I apparently keep my mouth open when I dribble a basketball, I say outrageous too much, and I am slow at counting money when we play Volopoly. (And to think I applied to be a bank teller hah.) On the upside he is SO sweet.  He says I make a great sandwich, which is a TSM obviously. He brings me “treats” aka Coke Zero and gummi bears when I am soo tired from who knows what the night before. He tries to let me win some games, and I tell him to stop being so nice. He gives me money during Volopoly when I am losing. He tells me about Casey, his crush in the 5^th grade. He said wasn’t as pretty as me, but she was pretty hot for a 5^th grader. Baha like who is this little boy?!

The house itself is great. The grandfather played football for UT when he was in college and the basement is like a museum exhibit of all his paraphernalia. It is glorious. The cat’s name is Lunch and the other ones name is T. For Tennessee of course. The origin of Lunch is still a mystery.

I think this summer I will have a blast playing with Jordan and getting to know him. Every day I am entertained by something else, and by the end of the summer I have a feeling he will be like the little brother I never had. Tomorrow is a huge day in his 10-year-old life. He is getting his braces off. Celebration will be in order.

That’s all for now in the Nanny Diaries!

-SJP

Mama's Song- Carrie Underwood

Yes, it finally happened. It was magical. It was like a dream. I took a minute to slow down, stop dancing, and rest my little toes I was able to watch my family and friends frolic. Everyone was smiling and laughing, dancing and chatting. The Wedding Day was one of the best days of my life. And needless to say, It was not even my own. 

My family at the Rehearsal.

Bridesmaids.

Bustle.

The day began like many days in our household. The first round was awake. The coffee pot automatically went off at 6:45 am. By 8:00 am that pot was empty and another was made for the round two morning crew, which consists of Taylor and I. The Wedding Day brought nothing out of the ordinary, until about 10:00 am when the house was full of people, hustling and bustling around to get every last minute item from the house to the wedding site and reception cite. D.J., a loyal, reliable groomsman brought over a gift. A gift to the bride, almost Mrs. Kelley, from the groom, almost the luckiest man in the entire world. The gift came small in package, but of course that little blue box meant it would be anything but amazing. The morning was hectic but excitement filled the air. I got ready in my bathrooom, the one I had been getting ready in for year, the one that brings back memories of Homecomings and Proms, but now the new memory of The Wedding Day. 

Me and my sissy.

Time flew by and before we knew it, 1:00pm rolled around. That signaled it was time for pictures with the entire bridal party. Taylor and Klay saw each other earlier in the day which allowed us to take all the pictures before the ceremony. It was a warm 88 degrees. Outdoor pictures, outdoor wedding. Yes, it was hot, but it didn't seem to bother anyone. The pictures were fun, the bridal party was giddy and the anticipation of the ceremony was growing. 

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Momma Robyn walked down the aisle to Mama's Song- Carrie Underwood. Taylor walked down the aisle to Marry Me-Train. It was a perfect ceremony. Not even the cicadas could mess it up. The ceremony ended and the reception at The Factory in downtown Franklin was the bash of the summer.

Klay getting WILD.

Three Musketeers.

It was an outrageous party. The food, Cake, and Music was FABULOUS. And the daddy daughter dance was enough to make anyone tear up. They danced to I loved Her First-Heartland. The D.J. was Doug from 94.7 the Fish. He was great. Music played all night, and the dance floor was filled with people of all ages. By the end of the night the floor was still packed with college kids(Taylor graduated exactly 1 year ago, so it was like she was still a member of Phi Mu just dancing at the Carnation Ball). I felt like I was at a formal, but the BEST formal of my life. Teenage Dream all the way to Don't Stop Believing was played. The reception even had a Photo Booth. Hilarious pictures. 

Mom even got D.J. to dance.

The Groomsmen and I after a great night.

By the end of the night and it was all said and done, I could not have asked for a better Wedding Day. All the stress and hardwork by everyone paid off. It was a magical day, and I wish Taylor and Klay the best. I am so thankful that God has given her a perfect match. 

Human-The Killers

I dance, therefore I shall Romp. 

My obsession with ROMPERS began when they started popping up in trendy stores and boutiques. Browsing the rack with Robyn (I honestly do not like to shop. So I love to have Robyn, my wildly imaginative, confident, petite mother along for the journey) I show her a romper. I say, "Oh my, this is just too cute". Robyn's response is predictable and true. "Try it on, you can pull off anything you wear, if you wear it with confidence". I have heard this little phrase my entire life. She is right. Always right. People who think they can not pull off a certain trends are silly. Put it on and ROCK it. Well this very first romper I tried on, led to many rompers to follow. My recent purchase of a red, strapless romper is sure to be a favorite, and probably an over-worn piece in my closet. My romper obsession appears to have planted itself in my heart and no matter what store I am in, my romper radar is in full force. Some of my favorites:

Anthropologie.

J.Crew.

Urban Outfitters.

Robyn's philosophy to clothing shopping and rompers is the same one she shares for life plans and careers. She was that mom to tell me I could do anything I wanted to do, and she actually believed it to be true. 21 years of life later, experienced some ups and downs, disappointment and heart break, I have felt like this sense of endless opportunities is not true. I am very blessed that this summer I have had a few weeks with Robyn. She has shown me once again that I am more capable than I know I am. I have more potential than I even imagine and I can change the world. 

I don't know where my life will lead after college, but I do know that with the support of Robyn, I will romp all the way to my destiny. 

-SJP

Welcome to my Silly Life

Summertime is here.

I have been home for 6 days. 

I will be home for 11 more. 

This is just not long enough for me. But at the same time it is too long. For the first time in my life I feel like I have two lives, and they are both happening simultaneously, but yet worlds apart. I love my family. I adore them, they get me.love me.understand my weirdness and quirks. But my second home is now Knoxville, where me and my friends  call home base during the school year. This summer most of my bffs (except the lovely Marta) will be in Knoxville. I want to be there just as much as I want to be at home. But while I am home for 11 more days I am taking advantage of every moment.

My sister and I are quite the pair. Basically, we are our parents. Weird, easily amused, and quirky. So far this summer we have visited an Alpaca farm. Yes, live alpacas. An animal that appears to be a cross between a poodle and a giraffe. Cute and cuddly. 

Some people may be wondering why in the world we would go to this, but in our lives this is nothing new. We can now add this to the list of rando adventures. Goat Festival, Moon Pie Festival, Holiday World, Watermelon Festival, and the list could go on and on. We eat this kinda stuff up.

Last night I was reminded that even though not everyone has had such a colorful upbringing, there are the rare treasures that can relate to such unique family relationships. I was at dinner, just sitting there listening to someone talk about their life. His family has potbelly pigs, his sister chose for her wedding camo suits for the groomsmen(yes, camo like hunting), and he has run with the bulls. I'm sorry? Is there really someone out there who matches my family's oddities. Possibly even find the quirkiness, charming rather than strange. Endearing rather than "tooo much". Little reminders that show me my strange little family and my silly life will one day be just what someone is looking for gives me a sense of security and comfort. I thank Jesus everyday that I am blessed with my quirky family. I can't wait to see where we all end up.

-shelby jordan payne

A Picture Says A Thousand Words

"Every Story has an Ending, but in Life Every Ending is Just a new Beginning."

-SJP

Run for the Roses

I got the fabulous opportunity of going on a very spur of the moment trip to the derby.  The Kentucky Derby. This was not my first rodeo in the realm of horse races, but this is the Derby of ALL Derby’s and

 I was so excited.

Marta, Anton and I just playing around.

The day was great. I am not a betting woman so I left with the money I came with, but loved watching some win big and sad to see some lose with equally large amounts.

The boys waiting to place their bets!

The people were wild and outrageous. People dressed up,dressed down, and dressed in costume.

Some young lads dressed as old men.

The weekend was quite an adventure!

-SJP