the three amigos

One of the biggest joys about being in college again are the amazing people I meet. I have had the privilege of attending quite a few colleges over the years (Belhaven, MCC, Mississippi State at Meridian, Holmes, Hinds, and hopefully UMC before it’s all over with). And the main thing I LOVE about school is not really the learning part (although that is necessary I guess) but the students. I’ve met so many interesting, comical, quirky, cool people over the years and this last semester has been no exception. As many of you know, the biggest challenge of the semester has been Chemistry. And I can tell you I would never have gotten through this semester if it weren’t for two very special classmates, Heather and Christy. 

The three of us stuck together the entire semester. Studying together, panicking together, and laughing together. These two beautiful ladies have no idea how much they have enriched my life and I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know them. We all banded together as Lab partners and all of us ended up with an A in Lab (way to go ladies!). At the beginning of the semester, there were about 40 students in Chemistry (or thereabouts) and it dwindled down to about 10. I don’t know what I would have done without my two amigos!

Christy turned 21 yesterday and although I couldn’t make it for the big party at Pump It Up! I did get to meet up with she and her friends and family for dinner at Olive Garden. It was such a special treat and it reminded me how blessed I am. and how awesome it is to participate in life today. and to be an active member of society. and to have real friends. and be able to be a real friend in return. We hated that Heather couldn’t make it but there will always be next time (perhaps my 29^th birthday—Yikes!). 

Here are some pictures from Christy’s birthday dinner.

The beautiful birthday girl

friends

sweet sister, Amy

yummy food

presents!!!!

what a beautiful family!

Christy, Her Mom, Amy (sister)

our waiter was also a classmate of mine, Clarance!

our table

the birthday girl and moi

yummy cupcakes!

the whole crew

All in all, i think it's safe to say we all enjoyed Christy's birthday very  much. Christy has amazed me with her maturity, poise, and grace all semester. She is such a beautiful woman and it has been an honor to get to be apart of her life this semester. Christy, I wish you nothing but the absolute best! and just like Christopher Robin said to Pooh Bear so I say to you, 

promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

We three amigos take our final Chemistry exam Wednesday morning at 10:10. After that our class will be over and although we may not see each other twice a week every week, these girls will live on in my heart.

Here's to us!

My Favorite Things

Here it is! As the Holiday season is whistling past us, I both always look forward to and dread the 24 days before Christmas. It means lots of parties. lots of people. lots of people going crazy. lots of stressed out, emotionally ridden people. the list goes on and on. but what i do love about Christmas is that it is truly about GIVING. and if you know me, then you know I love to give. It truly makes me feel better than anything in the world. 

Here is a list of a few of my favorite things this year. Not to be confused with Oprah's Favorite Things (hehe;).

My favorite holiday candle, Mulled Wine from my place of employment

my favorite cowgirl slippers

amazing Jeffrey Campbell shoes

local art work by my friend William Goodman

 hip yoga jewelry from Satya 

amazing cowgirl boots from Embelish

Amazing handmade Jewelry from Meridian’s own Keely Phillips, whom I used to babysit,

Malick and Grace

The following items come from my place of employment can be found at Anthropologie!

Clothbound Penguin Classics!

Glossed bangles

Holkham Gloves

Excavated pot

Capri Blue Candle, handmade in Starkville, MS

Wood block portraits of your kiddos and loved ones by Jackson’s own, Ginger Williams-cook!

Handmade Jewelry by our longtime family friend, Jean Tucker

My favorite coffee table book EVER, The Selby

Incredible handmade frames and furniture by my best friend’s husband, John Taylor Moore, at Kiwi Wood Werks

This play kitchen by J.T is my all-time favorite! He made one for  his little girl and I could not get over how amazing it was!

Whew! That’s enough for now. I do have so much more I could add, but I think I’ll stop here. I hope everyone’s decent into the Christmas season is going wonderfully well. My roommate and I almost have our tree decorated and stockings hung. I hope Santa is generous to each and everyone of you!

Merry early Christmas!

Me and my beautiful roommate, Mac

Bedtime Stories

Bring in your little ones for a storytelling circle of imagination and delight.

If you have kiddos (nieces, nephews, cousins, any little people at all) and live in the Jackson, MS area,

Please bring them by to see me tomorrow at Anthropologie (in the Renaissance) from 12-4 where I will be reading aloud from our collection of children’s stories.

While we regale them with tales, you’re free to Christmas shop!

Babalu Tacos & Tapas

This evening I experienced a real treat.

I went to Fondren’s brand new hip restaurant, Babalu.

With two of my very favorite men in the whole world.

(Steve Vance and Bill McLain)

And was waited on by my best friend, Lydia Grey Gamble

It’s rare that an evening like this works out. But sometimes, the stars do align just perfectly.

And tonight was certainly one of those nights.

I highly recommended you head over to Fondren and check it out! 

5 months ago.....

I smoked my last cigarette. After about 8 years of smoking up to 2 packs a day, I said good bye to what was my best friend…the cigarette.

I can truly hardly believe I have been 5 whole months without holding a cigarette between my fingers, putting it to my lips, puffing and inhaling the hot, burning, toxic fumes into my throat, esophagus, nasal passages, sinuses and lungs. That’s funny for me to say because no one loved to smoke as much as I did. I loved almost every moment I inhaled the sweet, relaxing, exhilarating smoke into my lungs. I romanticized smoking to the core. I started smoking when I was 19 and lived in England. “It’s a very European thing to smoke” I would tell myself. I likened myself to Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby and imagined myself holding a long, thin cigarette holder as I gazed out of my balcony pondering what amazing and glorious party would be attended that night. Ha! 

 or Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

or Edie Sedgewick 

I’m an idealist for sure. It took me years to realize I was infact, NOT living the American dream. I was killing myself with alcohol, drugs, and last but not least, cigarettes while romanticizing that I was Edie Sedgewick and Daisy Buchanan. After I gave up the booze and other substances, it took me 9 months to finally be ready and willing to put the “butt” down. I made a plan and I put it into action. My Father’s 61st birthday was July 1^st. and for his birthday and in honor of him, I quit killing myself with the poison that is the cigarette.  I utilized the patch and can honestly say that it was not near as difficult as I thought it would be. I used the patch faithfully for 3 months. And at the end of those 3 months, I quit using the patch and have been nicotine free for 2 months now! I was worried about gaining weight and what I would do when I drove and talked on the phone. Those were the times when I smoked the most. OH, and when I got stressed. I have since found new ways of dealing with stress that although have not been near as harmful as the cigarette; have been pretty taxing on the people in my life! Here is a big SHOUT OUT to all the people that have put up with my many occasional mood swings, hyperactivity, non-sense, frantic antics, and over-all ridiculousness that has been me for the past 5 months. You guys deserve a lot more than I can give you!

According to Quitnet, I have been smoke free for 153 days. There are

5,335 cigarettes not smoked, 1 month 10 days and 21 hours of my life saved, and $1,330.00 not spent! WOW. That’s been the best birthday present yet, Dad…hasn’t it?!?!

On the whole, I have enjoyed my 5 months of being a non-smoker. I feel truly free from it’s addicting force. I also don’t feel the guilt I did when I was smoking…especially around children, animals, people in general. I had guilt over littering, bad breath, stinky clothes, etc, etc… the list is endless. I feel good about the choice I’ve made. I like that I’m not poisoning my body anymore. I like that my sister lets my nephew ride in my car since I don’t smoke in it anymore. I like that my hands don’t smell of smoke and neither do my clothes. I just like being a non-smoker! Of course, I know those of you out there that are still smokers and are reading this are probably about to pop me in the head as well as call me a few four letter words. Don’t worry. No judgement here. It took what it took before I was ready to quit and might I say, “to each his own”.  Or “live and let live”. (now I’m making myself laugh). I still can’t say that I will never pick up a cigarette again. I certainly hope I don’t but hey, I’m pretty much the most human-ness of all humans. However, if I live only one day at a time, I can do anything.  Of that I am thoroughly convinced.