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

The House that Built Me

Pumps. Portfolio. Power Suit.

During the past couple of weeks since I graduated from the University of Tennessee I have been flooded with corporate America. I knew this time would come, but now as it is in my near future (9 Days away to be exact) I have a decision to make. The clock is ticking and a choice needs to be made.

 Two jobs. Two cities. Two roads. Which one to take?

This feels like the biggest decision of my life. I heard the quote a while ago that said, “When you have to make a hard decision, flip a coin. Why? Because when that coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you’re hoping for”.

That is nice in theory but in this moment that doesn’t seem like enough. The battle between the head and the heart continues. The battle between what makes sense on paper and what my emotions want drags on. Pro/Con lists were made, sleepless nights weighing the offers, and restlessness all around. I still managed to feel a sense of how blessed I am to have choices. I am grateful for this hard decision. After days of uneasiness, I think I have finally found that perfect balance between my head and heart.

The reality is nothing will be the same again. I am back in Nashville where nothing is the same as when I left four years ago to embark on my college adventure in Knoxville. And nothing will be the same again in Knoxville now that college is over. Therefore the decision is made. 

-SJP

Wild Ones

I have been home for less than a week and I am restless. I have no idea what to do with myself. After I apply for jobs and career hunt I workout, layout, and the process of cleaning out my room has proved to be overwhelming. My bedroom is in a time warp. My high school years are present everywhere. Old pictures. Old cds. And old clothes. I decided the clothes have got to go because let’s face it, if I haven’t worn it since highschool I don’t need it. And if it’s not as memorable as the duck sweater, it is just taking up space that my current post grad life needs. I am my mothers’ daughter, which means I collect jeans like some people collect coins. Tooo many pairs. As I decided it was time to detox, I kept one of my favorite pairs to make into jorts. A few moments on Pintrest and I was inspired.

Snip, cut, sew. Success.

Final Product.

My new life post college so far is just a waiting game full of interviews and phone calls. But during this waiting game I am going to work my way through Pintrest.

Margarita Pie and jorts down. 

It was delicious.

Thousands of projects to go. Crafting, cooking, and checking out that fitness section (because I’d hate to outgrow these newly created jorts) until my next big break in the world of becoming a working woman. 

-SJP