Poindexter Park

Every 3^rd Saturday of the month, I’ve been volunteering down-town at Poindexter Park.

Haven’t heard of Poindexter park? That’s because it’s in the “bad part of town”. The place where white people don’t go (unless of course you’re looking for dope). The place where the “ghetto” is.

My dear friend, Vasch, invited me months ago and it wasn’t until I got into school that I actually took her up on that offer.

You see, volunteering and participating in community service are things that are very close to my heart. Always have been. (My friend Bill refers to me as the Fu&%ing Humanitarian.) But I didn’t really know how to get involved. I didn’t really want to give any of my time away because I was far too busy having “fun”. But in my head, it always seemed like a really nice thing to say..”oh yes, Mrs. Brown, I spent 4 hours tilling the community garden this morning, what have you ever done with your life?”

Anyway. The point is that I didn’t know how to get involved. I didn’t really know if I wanted to. But now that I have, I can’t get enough. Most of my weekends are now spent volunteering at different places. I meet the most amazing people. I have an opportunity to do for someone, what they can’t do for themselves. I have an obligation to give back hope to the world because several people gave it to me when I had none.

It wasn’t long ago that I was one “those people”. I was basically home-less. I was wandering around with alcohol in-hand in seedy places looking for things that I thought would make me happy. I was that person. I was the person people prayed for. I was on lots of church lists. And hell, I hope I still am. I need as much prayer as you have;)

But maybe that’s why my heart is so sensitive and maybe that’s why I always leave these places having another sort of spiritual experience—because I can relate; Because I feel their pain; their hopelessness.

Today we (a lot of my OT classmates joined in!) tilled the community garden and put down fresh soil. We also weeded a lot.

We also walked around the neighborhood, knocking on doors and giving away fresh produce from the garden.

And then we fed about 50 guys in the park.

I had wanted to sleep in this morning. It is Saturday after all.

But I’m so glad I didn’t.

If you or anyone you know would like to get involved in the local community, please don’t hesitate to contact me. We need all the help we can get.

Jennifer.Nanney@gmail.com

Wonderful Whirlwind of a Week!

The past week/weekend has flown by with such gusto that I only managed to document very small segments. But I wanted to share what I did capture.

My life is so full and I am so blessed. I really, truly am. Although I’ve been struggling with some issues lately (see latest blog posts) I am still constantly overwhelmed with how awesome life is. And how beautiful it is!

Last Sunday, I enjoyed a fun, relaxing, and easy day with my bestie, Lydia. We wandered around Lemuria for hours and enjoyed lunch at Broad Street. Isn’t she just lovely?

Wednesday of last week my sweet mother came up to spend some quality time with me and help me get my home ready for an Aloette Party! My dear friend, Leslie, is selling Aloette and I promised her when I moved I would host a party so she could come and tell us all about her wonderful product!

My mom and I attempted to hang pictures in my house, but the walls MUST be made of concrete. We couldn’t get a nail to stay in the wall to save our lives! We even bought nails that were supposed to go through concrete, but that didn’t even work. We only managed to get these two Klimt pieces up framing the door-way to my kitchen….and the rest we will leave up to a drill and my dad!

mom, hard at work!

We made a stop at Everyday Gardener in Fondren and bought some lovely flowers to adorn the house. Most all the time I have fresh flowers in my presence. I believe I can never have too many. I’ve been buying flowers for myself since I was about 16. Fresh flowers are the way to this girls heart!

We also stopped at Campbell’s Bakery and although there were only 4 Cannoli’s left, we managed to find other pastries that were equally as yummy!

The party went on without a hitch and I enjoyed visiting with friends. I also got a whole new line of skin-care products of which I am about to try! And since I am a product junkie, I am very excited!

Friday began our full weekend of the Yoga Workshop with Desiree Rumbaugh. I literally cannot say enough about how amazing it was to study with Desiree. I learned new things, discovered muscles I had never used, laughed, almost cried, and just was overjoyed all at the same time. Our Kulu here in Jackson is amazing and I am just thrilled to be a part of it. None of this would be possible without our local yoga teachers!!! Scotta and Tara prepared us well. I think I’ll dedicate an entire post on Desiree and what I learned from the workshop, but I snapped only a few pictures that I’ll share from this bountiful weekend.

Friday night after our yoga session, a few of us ladies went for dinner at Local 463. Appropriate since Tara’s husband (Dave) owns it. Dinner was divine (as always) and our bellies were so happy when we left!

During lunch on Saturday, a group of us dined at Alladin and enjoyed sitting outside in the sun. It was a much needed break from backbends and foreword folds!

Saturday night after yoga, I managed to run home in time to shower before heading to a dinner party with my co-workers! I don’t know if you remember my post back in December, but we had a similar dinner party. The company was lovely and the food was to die for. Literally, Vasch’s sister, Yas, is the most amazing chef possibly EVER. She wined and dined us until I was falling asleep on her couch!

Sunday we wrapped up our final yoga session with Des. When I went to hug her good-bye, there were tears in my eyes. Nothing but warmth, love, and wisdom flow from her. Her parting remarks to me were, “keep on making those green smoothies, Jen!”.

“yes mam” I replied. Yes mam, indeed.

Who would have thought 2 years ago that I would have a consistent yoga practice, love green smoothies, and be in grad school??

Not me!

For those of you who made my week/weekend so marvelous, Thank You! I hope my gratitude for you shows in my actions but also, incase it doesn’t, I wanted to verbally acknowledge how amazing the people in my life are.

I'm winding down from this long whirlwind of a week by laying on my couch and watching Ratatouille and thinking about my long upcoming week.

May we all go forth into this next week with ease and grace and so much love!


As always,
yours,
Jen

Tis the Season

With 12 days left until Christmas, I am sure you, too, are having your fill of CHRISTMAS PARTIES!

Of course, if you know me, then you know I love a good party. And this years’ Christmas festivities have been no exception.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending not 1 but 2 parties in one evening!

The first Christmas gathering took place at a very special place to me. The McCoy House for Sober Living. This place has a VERY special place in my heart. I had the amazing privilege and experience of living there for 6 months while I, once again, tried to make a go of clean living. But it wasn’t until my time at The McCoy House that I finally took responsibility for my own recovery and really started living life. The owner, operator, manager, and friend, Denise Marsters, outdid herself with this year’s party. The food was amazing. The house looked INCREDIBLE. And it was so good to catch up with lots of dear friends.

Denise and Moi

did i mention how amazing the food was?!?!

my personal favorite

After stuffing my face with lots of amazing delicacies, I headed over to my second party—Vasch’s Birthday Party!!!

Vaschconta and I met over a year ago at Anthropologie and I have had the extreme pleasure and privilege of getting to know her over the past year. This lady never continues to amaze me. Antrho is Vasch’s 2^nd job. And about 4 days a week, she comes into to restock and close down Anthropologie. Let me tell you a few things about my amazing friend…..

She never complains. I have seriously never, ever heard her complain or whine about anything.

She always has a positive outlook on life and is never rattled or jolted by all of life’s seemingly cruel jokes.

She has the most amazing laugh

She’s never without a smile on her face

She is beyond beautiful

Her love of helping others comes out in everything she does.

Vasch is the one I run to when anything and everything happens. She not only listens, but also seems to care. She’s an absolutely AMAZING friend and I have no idea what I would ever do without her.

Her sister had us over for a delightful evening of more amazing food and much welcomed fellowship.

shrimp and grits (to die for)

 nutmeg cupcakes with creme cheese icing

Vasch and Carolyn. my favorite closing team

Sommer and I by the beautiful tree

I sure am lucky to have Vasch in my life.

And I’m lucky to have all the amazing friends you see here in these photos.

I sure am one lucky and blessed girl. My life would never be complete without them. They are the brightspots in my life.

I hope your holiday season is going wonderfully well. And that you do remember the real reason of the season: GIVING

Merry Christmas from Santa and Jen!

“Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart. 
To a customer, service. 
To all, charity. 
To every child, a good example. 
To yourself, respect.”

~Taylor Caldwell