Packed

Mercy.  I am all practically packed up.  Well at least, every thing that needs to be on the truck is...on the truck.  A lot of the clothes are still in the closet but I know some good helpers that will get them downstairs with me. 

Its been a lonnnnnng day.  It is my poor daddy's birthday and he has helped me all day long.  If there's one thing he's good for it's heavy lifting.  I'll save the packing story for the day that I share about my apartment but let me just tell you....we went today to get the 10 ft. truck for my move.  Welllll the Budget people only had a 16 ft. truck but told us that they wouldn't charge us for the additional 6 ft.  Well, are you going to pay for the difference in gas?!  Duh...that's a no.  But what did we find out?  Oh yeah, definitely needed the 16 footer.  Embarrassing?  Slightly.

I had a surprise email this week from a sweet friend.  I think she knew I was full of anticipation.  She quoted Christopher Robin and Dr. Seuss.  Definitely a boost. :)  And then a few originals that I know will also be encouraging to a few of you out there.

Words of Wisdom

1. Do your best

2. Make friends with your neighbor

3. Mind your p's and q's

4. Be yourself

You are really going to be a natural because you are naturally an individual.  You have been working towards this since you had a little muffin cut (it was actually a skater cut and this part only applies to me...sorry :)) and were in Mrs. So and So's class in kindergarten.  You have everything you need.  All the tools to succeed are already packed and ready to go.  So get up and go.

You know who you are.  Thank you.  I love you. 

Everything is packed.

I'm ready.

5 days

This weekend I got to move the sister into the dorm again.  I was eagerly anticipating her move because it meant I got to go to Oxford.  I would get to see my white house and some familiar faces.  I was so pumped.  My plan was to head down Friday and get one more night out on the town....but it didn't work out.  My plans fell through and I would be lying if I didn't say I was more than a little disappointed. 

When we got there Saturday I felt at home but oddly displaced.  The move wasn't for me.  This visit wasn't about me.  None of my friends were there.  I was amongst all of the sophomores who were looking at me like, "Who the heck are you?".  That felt awesome.  A stranger in my place.

This was weird for me but also a good thing.  I'm done there.  I really know that now.  It's scary knowing that I'll never be the "me" that I am right now again but it's also very exciting to get to know the new "me". 

But, in 5 days I will start getting to know her.  The move in imminent.  Still have a ton of packing to do but everything is lined up and ready to go.

Ready or not.  Here I come.

Bravery

What is "brave" anyway?  It can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective...heck, you can even slap on an -ly and it becomes an adverb.  And *I* would be really brave trying to decipher in what way it was being used.  Grammar...especially parts of speech...were never my strong suit.

I've been told a lot recently that "my plan" makes me brave.  I laugh almost every time I hear this.  I wonder what's brave about it.  Am I brave for going to school for four more years?  Am I brave for voluntarily taking on the curriculum?  Am I brave for moving to the Big City?  Am I brave for stepping out and trying something new?  I really have no clue.  I don't consider what I'm doing brave. 

Am I nervous?  Yes. 

Am I sure of my decision? Absolutely. 

For the first time in my entire life I can honestly say I've allowed myself to be "the clay".  This is the first decision where I have not tried to manipulate the outcome.  The day I was sent the application I just laughed it off.  I sat and read the brochure.  I felt honored to have received it but doubted I would ever get in.  I decided I would send it in anyway.  Worth a shot.  I was then asked to interview.  No big deal.  Protocol.  I went.  Saw an amazing facility but left knowing I would never get in.  I got in.  Had a thirteen hour car ride back from spring break.  I decided on that ride I belonged in the Big City.  Sent my mom a text message confirming my decision.  That night I signed my papers and sent them in.  It was done.  Since then, I've been matched with a fabulous roommate, signed papers for an apartment, worked on decorating it, and been selected to lead tours and meet with prospective students.  Every thing has fallen into place and with virtually no assistance from me.

I appreciate the notion that I'm "brave".  Really, I'm not.  There was never another choice.  I'm doing the only thing there is to do.  I have total faith in my decision. 

Just doing what He told me to do.

Mississippi's House Party

Mr. Neshoba County himself invited me to THE Neshoba County Fair.  I've heard so many stories about the infamous fair...I'm glad I got to try it out myself.  I headed down on Thursday.  My trek started out like any other.  A very easy drive until the GPS decided it was going to die...like just.stopped.working.  So I'm in panic mode in Noxapater, Mississippi (where "Jesus is the rock that never rolls") not knowing where to go.  I got frustrated and threw little Garmania into the glove box.  She then magically just started "speaking" to me.  After she led me astray again, I took matters into my own hands, found 21, and rocked it on down the road.

Mr. NC met me at the gate and took me to the cabin.  My senses were overwhelmed as I entered the fairgrounds.  Colorful cabins, the intoxicating smell of corndogs and funnel cake, kids laughing, the roar of fair rides, and southern voices greeted me as if to say, "Hey y'all, Come on in!"

As soon as we got to Mr. NC's cabin, I had to prepare for the chair races.  The chair races are a time honored event at the fair.  Fair-goers line up at different gates outside of the race track and like equine, bust through the gates and race for the perfect location to sit during the main concert.  Mr. NC's family had their doubts that I could hold my own during the race...but really, they don't call me Beef for nothing.  I prepared like another other fair-goer: went through my regimen of stretches, channeled Mel Gibson, and "got my sweat on".  You can check out a real race here.  In true fashion, I dominated...twice (I did it two days in  a row).

In fact, here I am before a race.

The two days I was there we visited a lot.  I got to meet all of Mr. NC's friends.  I laughed until my stomach hurt the whole time I was there.  We played a million board games.  I learned how to play some new card games...and I learned that I shouldn't actually try playing because these people are some true professionals.  No competition there.  We also sang a lot.  I felt like I was in Tupelo.  It must be a Mississippi thang because all of my friends can break out in spontaneous song...and you never actually know what will trigger a performance.  Honestly, it can be a single word that will send them into a harmonizing duet, trio, quartet....possibly a symphony of singing people.  It's fun.

My favorite part of the fair was the night time.  All the twinkle lights came on.  More people came outside.  The concerts fired up.  We got to see fireworks one night.  It wasn't quite as hot as Cooter Brown anymore.   I loved wandering through all the cabins.  It was a lot like the Grove (well really the South in general) in that you could walk in anywhere and ask for truly whatever you wanted/were looking for and someone would have it and would give it to you...no questions asked.

I had the best time.  I'm so glad I got to see my little friends before I move.  So many great memories were made.  Here's the only picture I took the whole time.  Most of our group with Phil Vassar (the performer).  He's super photogenic.

I had a fun ride on the way home.  Garmania got me lost in The Middle of Nowhere, Mississippi.  Our relationship is official ov-ah.  Anyway, I found a kind man with seven teeth who got me home.  I made it.  Thanks again, Mr. Neshoba County...it was real.

I came, I saw, I conquered.

I Am From

My junior year I was involved in a Bible study in my sorority.  Our fearless leader (edotlouise) had us write "I am from" poems.  She wanted us to bring them to "class" and read them aloud.  I actually wrote the poem but refused to read it...I actually never showed it to anyone.  I was scared I would do the big ugly cry.  I probably still would today but writing how I feel makes me more comfortable than actually verbalizing it.  Tonight I found my I am from poem.  I love reading things I wrote a while ago.  I can lose myself in the words and take myself back to exactly how I was feeling.

Here is the poem... I didn't let you down edotlouise!  This is exactly what was written two years ago.  I am still "from" that place...although, I think I could add more today.  A lot has happened in two years!

I am from Bill and Susan
I am from freckles from my Dad...plus every allergy on the planet
I am from my daddy...where I got my sense of humor
I am from my twin...my mother
I am from a mother who is my best friend
I am from a mother who taught me to be independent
I am from special parents...my full time cheerleaders
I am from a little sister who I can have a conversation with without saying a word
I am from a little sister who taught me my love of music, words, and others
I am from a small Middle Eastern country
I am from my Papa a Mississippi Senator, farmer, and business owner
I am from my Papa...the man who taught me work ethic
I am from my Mimi who taught me my love of painting
I am from my Mimi who taught me the word
I am from a diverse family
I am from my Sancee who taught me Tina Turner and James Dean
I am from my Sancee who taught me to never give up
I am from the Crazy Ladies with whom I share all my secrets
I am from road trips with my aunts
I am from family performances on Christmas Eve
I am from an understanding God
I am from a God that shows me I am never alone
I am from Saturdays in the Grove
I am from Delta Gamma...a place where I learned what true friendship is
I am from Room 6
 I am from rocking chairs on the front porch
I am from stressing out when I don't need to
I am from a God who hurts when I hurt
I am from skinned knees and mosquito bites
I am from patience and compassion
I am from laughter and pure joy
I am from made up accents
I am from silly dances
I am from reaching further than you think is possible


All these special things make me...


Me



This just made me smile tonight.

So, where are you from?

Stream of Consciousness

This post will be about whatever I want to talk about.  Just like my title, my ramblings and musings.  Here goes.

As I continue #mylifeinretail (this makes sense if you follow me on Twitter) I get more irritated with each passing day.  When you are a customer and come to an OUTDOOR mall when it is 1000 degress outside...you ARE looking for something.  When I greet you at the door and say, "Hi, are you shopping for something special today?" or "What are you out shopping for?"...I fully expect for you to tell me...otherwise I wouldn't have asked.  Consider the next time you are out shopping actually telling the poor employee WHAT you are looking for.

After steaming the "fall collection" today for 4.5 hours I discovered that IS actually the greatest form of torture I could ever engage in.  I can hardly speak about it.  I have never known such frustration.  Holy trouser pants.

I have had a lovely week.  I got to visit my "Pharm Cat" friend...Janety.  We visited in her hometown as I traveled to Jackson.  We stopped and ate at El Cabrito...meaning The Little Goat.  I decided it was safest to eat seafood...so I could actually determine its origin...goat, chicken, and cat all pretty much look the same...shrimp looks like shrimp.  After we broke bread (tortillas in this instance) I motored to Jackson.  I got to spend the night with the married couple.  When I arrived edotlouise had these waiting on me.

They even shared some of their Napa Valley Honeymoon wine with me.  K gave me a wine tasting session.  I learned this particular chardonnay was heavy on the oak.  Ok then.  Tasted like wine to me.

Their new addition, Piper did some tricks for us.

Her daddy loves her too.  It is hilarious to see.

Cute Family

Piper's Fairy Godmother

The next day I shopped with edotlouise.  I spotted a Gigi's while we were out...so of course we had to go.

Then I went to see Mimi.  She is doing great by the way.  Spent the night at her house that night.  We ate at the cabin.  My uncle and aunt made steaks, homemade fries, strawberry salad, and french bread.  So good!  Sister and I got to hang out with one of the baby cousins.

He is basically obsessed with us...and for good reason.  I screwed up BIG TIME by asking if his hairstyle was inspired by Justin Bieber.   Um woah.  In case you were wondering...its not.  Justin ripped HIM off.  I can totally see why.  Isn't he a little stud?  He's too sweet too.  Knows everything about everything and takes care of everyone.  Heart.break.er.

I guess I've said enough for today.

Toot Toot

I'm sure most of you know about what I've been working on this week.  Soooooo here it is.  An entire entry on my little dresser!

I've been so lucky to "inherit" different pieces of furniture for my new place.  I have been working hard all summer getting all the things I need think I need for my apartment to be just perfect.  I really appreciate all my special gifts.  About a week ago I got this little dresser that I will use in my living room because the space is so large.  Its original purpose was to be an entertainment center but I've since decided it will just be a catch-all.

Wednesday I headed to Home Depot to collect my supplies.  I worked with a lovely woman named Tameka (which is actually in auto-spell on my phone?).  When I told T about my plan she looked at me like I was absolutely crazy.  I brought along my inspiration (which you will see shortly).  We stood there for no less than 30 minutes picking out colors.  I finally settled on "Mariner"...who knew there were 4 million different shades of turquoise.  And a glaze called "tobacco".  And so it begins.

(Quite a beauty...not talking about the dresser)

(Mother told me to pose)

(Yes, these are the only "before" pictures.  I was too eager to get started)

Here are my supplies.  And the inspiration for the piece...my little Anthro urn.

So I sand and sand and sand.  Then I brought the dresser inside because it is close to 5,000 degrees outside.  This is "Mariner" untouched.  Woah...it was bright but the perfect color. 

So of course, every good piece of furniture needs some good hardware.  Am I right?  Obviously.

Clearly, they came from my favorite store.  I just knew the amber would look awesome (possibly righteous) with the turquoise.  Right again.


So here we are with the finished product.  I messed up a drawer so that is what has taken me a little longer.  It was almost a knock down drag out for me and Boosin (Mother).  Surely you find that hard to imagine...but it really felt like the fights we would have when I was trying to learn my spelling words. Oh me lard.

Since you've all been waiting with baited breath.

And because I am a huge nerd...a little staging.

What do you think?  I'm in love.

I don't mean to toot my own horn but...ummm...



Toot toot