Let's Play A Little Game..

A little game of catch up.

It's been a hot minute since I filled y'all in on my life a little bit. Don't fool yourself into thinking I have had any free time. That could not be further from the truth. 

First and foremost, one of the most stressful weeks of my life is over... and Eleanor is now a Phi Mu at Mississippi State. Well not technically til October, but you get what I'm sayin..

Eleanor and our Aunt Patricia on Bid Day!!

Football season has officially kicked off and we have been to Starkville a few times to root on the bulldogs. 

 We had some pretty severe storms here in Mississippi this past weekend, like lots of the U.S. We contemplated not making the trip to Starkville for the Troy game, but I sure am glad that we did. We knew parking would be an issue since there would be no parking allowed on any grassy areas so we decided to head on over so that we wouldn't get stuck parking miles away. When we got there, we were some of the first, so we took the opportunity to walk around and check out all of the construction going on with our stadium expansion and see what all else has changed lately. 

This is the Dawg Walk that runs through the middle of The Junction (the tailgating area) leading to the stadium.
That's the back of the Jumbotron from the picture above.
Yes, that's a giant cowbell over there on the right...

 While I was waiting on Kendol to park and make it back, I headed to Barnes and Noble to browse around and scope out my next sweatshirt purchase. (it's seriously a problem)This was the view I was greeted with when I was walking back. I had never seen our tailgating area from the back of the amphitheater before and it looked so awesome! I just wish that I had had my good camera with me.

Last weekend, we had Kendol's ten year high school reunion. On Friday night, we went to the homecoming game (against my high school.. they slaughtered us) and had a bit of tailgate with some great BBQ by Pig & Pint and took a little tour of the school. On Saturday, they had a pool party followed by a dinner. It's only fitting that the night end at Shuckers.

And last but not least....

looky who I found at Shuckers!!!!

RACHEL!!!!!!

And there you go... I think we're caught up.

Home

I cannot even describe the feeling I felt on Sunday morning when I made my way around the town square in Lexington. I was so close. Only about twenty minutes separated me from being home with my family. A place I have been longing for for what seems like ages. 

I spent the day surrounded by family celebrating another year in my precious Grandmother's life over some chicken spaghetti and chocolate cake. The birthday party was followed by a cruise around deer camp with my Daddy, so that we could see the new stands that they've built in preparation for deer season in a few weeks. I believe the cooler weather over the weekend got him excited for the months to come because as soon as we got home, it was to the back porch for some target practice. The night ended over some football and of course, some HGTV.

I had not been home since work ended, so it was just the normalcy that I had been needing. I don't know what it is about being home, but it just does something to ya!

He fills my life with good things.

Psalm 103:5

One Month

One month ago today, I went to work on a Friday morning, a morning that I thought would be just like any other Friday morning. Little did I know what was about to be in store for me.

I got to work, unlocked the doors, turned all of the lights on, made a "welcome" sign for our client coming in that morning, checked for voice mails, checked my email and was ready for the day. The day that never came. Shortly after completing all of this, my boss sat down by my desk for one of his little chats. Next thing I know I am headed out the door with all of my personal belongings, jobless. Humiliated.

That's still hard to even type, much less say out loud, which is why most of you (close friends and family included) are hearing about this for the first time.

Part of my former boss' job is to help people find the one thing they are great at and love to do, their "sweet spot," if you will. That one thing that can separate them from others in their same profession/situation. Well, that day my boss got real with me. He knew I was not happy behind that desk all day filling out insurance applications and he was right. (Who would be?) But, insurance is all I know. It's what my degree is in. It's what I have seven years of experience in. I thought I was stuck with it for life... until one month ago, today.

The night before, I prayed a very specific prayer. I prayed that something would give. I prayed for a new job and for some direction as to where to focus my job searches bc I knew this was not what I was meant to do with my life. I wanted something I could be involved in, something I could be passionate about. I realized that God answers prayers and He answers them rather quickly, whether we are ready or not. Not even ten hours later, I was without a job. My boss realized the same things about me that I realized about myself. He knew I was not in my "sweet spot" there. He knew it wasn't where I was meant to be.

Yes, I was angry at him. But was it the push I needed? And the opportunity I had been looking for to finally HAVE to find something that I actually enjoy? Absolutely. But jobs these days don't come easy, especially when you're starting from scratch. And even though I have FULL faith that God has something fantastic in store for me, prayers aren't always answered over night.

Here I am, one month later and still without a job, but happier than I've been in years. Money is tight and I pray constantly for patience for God's plan to unfold, but I have learned a lot about myself these last few weeks and my relationship with God has grown exponentially.

I have good days. I have bad days. I have times when I try and feel sorry for myself because I don't understand why I am the only one who doesn't have that one special talent that they are getting to take advantage of daily. Why I'm the only one who doesn't seem to have it all figured out? Then I remember that God is in control of my situation. He is the one who put this whole grand plan in motion just hours after I told Him how unhappy I was. What more could I ask for?

Remember Who You Are

Thursday, September 5: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.

Via

Every time I left the house to go out when I was young, my Daddy would say "Remember who you are. What you do tonight reflects us all in the morning." 

Those simple words have meant more to me than anything 

I still say them to myself all of the time.  

From the Land of the Delta Blues

Day 1:Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

"Cause where I come from
It's cornbread and chicken
Where I come from a lotta front porch pickin'
Where I come from tryin' to make a livin'
And workin' hard to get to heaven"

While my life can be summed up in a country song, such a ZBB's "Chicken Fried" or Alan Jackson's "Where I Come From," there's a lot more to it. I know I am a day behind with this, but I was so excited when I saw this topic to write about. It brought back  one of my very favorite blog posts that I've ever written...all the way back to August 2011.

I am from the Mississippi Delta. I am from miles and miles of gorgeous flatlands filled with cotton and corn.   I am from the birthplace of the blues. I am from a place with deep, rich history. I am from a place where you can see every star in the sky. I am from a small town where everybody knows everybody, and their business. I am from a place where you speak to everyone, not just pass them by. I am from a town where everyone talks with a strong southern accent. I am from a place where all boys drive trucks, most of which are white. I am from a place where everyone wears cowboy boots. I am from a place where the girls are gorgeous and the boys are most handsome. I am from a town where it takes 2 minutes to get anywhere you might need to go.  I am from a town that, in my eyes, is picture perfect. I am from the country. Specifically, I am from the Cotton Capital of the World. I am from the home of Viking Range.I am from a place that I am so proud of and love, Greenwood, MS.

I am from two parents that have gone above and beyond their call of duty as parents. I am from a mother, who is teacher. I am from a daddy (or diddy as we say it down here), who works 12 hours days in the 100+ Mississippi heat on farms all across the delta, as an entomologist. I am from a farming family. I am from family dedicated to God and North Greenwood Baptist Church. I am from parents who rarely miss a Sunday of church. I am from a family who celebrates Christmas like no other. I am from a family who eats chocolate gravy. I am from parents who are my best friends. I am from a family that eats supper at the table together every night. I am from parents that can't wait for us to come home to visit, as much as possible. I am from a mother who I talk to on the phone every single day. I am from a mother who has never missed a ball game or event  EVER! I am from a daddy who loves the outdoors. I am from a daddy who loves to take me hunting. I am from a daddy who can do or fix anything. I am from a parents who taught the value of respect, the value of a dollar, the importance of always being on time and the value of your family name. I am from a family full of love and support. I am from a family named Pittman that I am proud of and that's (hopefully) proud of me.

I am from two sisters, Ann-Hamilton who is a teacher and Eleanor, who is a freshman at Mississippi State. I am from my older sister,who has always acted like my mother and kept me in line, who, during college, I renamed "Momma Ham." I am from an older sister who has been the best role model a little sister could ask for. I am from an older sister that lives right down the street and I see nearly every single day. I am from an older sister who inspired my love for fashion and from a little sister, who could really care less. I am from an older sister who is the best mother, to my niece, Hayes. I am from a hilarious brother-in-law, Ryan, who I can also call a good friend. I am from a little sister who will talk to and make friends with anyone, something I wish I could do. I am from a little sister who has the biggest love from God that I've ever seen. I am from a little sister who tries her best to be the best teenager she can be, in these crazy times to grow up in. I am from two sisters that are both blonde, while I look like the odd one out. I am from two sisters that are awesome dancers and cheerleaders. I am from two sisters that I love so much. I am from two sisters that make me want to be a better person. I am from two sisters that really are my best friends. I am from two sisters that I couldn't be more proud of.

I am from the Bankston Bobcats (elementary). I am from the Pillow Academy Mustangs. (Jr. High and Highschool). I am from a Highschool with a huge love for sports. I am from gymnastics, dancing and cheerleading. I am from a place where football is just about everything. I am from riding backroads. I am from nights on Money Road. I am from parties in fields. I am from, my second home, Itta Bena. I am from my Itta Bena boys. I am from days and days on Roebuck Lake. I am from a love of country music and ice cold beer. I am from Centennial. I am from the "Community." I am from Twin Rivers. I am from where your days were spent outside playing kickball, baseball and hotbox. I am from where you ran around barefoot and played spotlight until all hours of the night. I am from "The Jazzy Reindeer." I am from the best friends a girl could ask for. I am from a place where having 13 bridesmaids is acceptable. I am from a place where you still have your best friends from pre-school. I am from best friends, who are more like sisters.

I am from Starkville, MS, home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. I am from a family who is born, raised and proud of Mississippi State University. I am from Starkvegas. I am from Tri Delta Sorority. I am from my Tri Delta Sisters. I am from the home of the beloved cowbell. I am from the home of the Dawgpound Rock. I am from the home of the MAAARRROOOOOON and WWWHHHHIIIIIIIIITTTEEE. I am from 408 Old West Point Road. I am from where girls wear dresses, heels and pearls to football games. I am from where girls can drink just as much whiskey as the boys and know just about as much about football. I am from the home of The Junction, The Hump, Davis Wade Stadium and Dudy Noble Field. I am from Oby's and Cappe's Restaurants, where I worked everyday of college. I am from from McCool Hall, home of the business school. I am from the best conference in all of college, the SEC, where sports are everything!!!

I am from Kendol, my husband. I am from a husband who bought me that perfect little house on a hill. I am from someone who supports me, no matter how crazy I might be. I am from a husband who is crazy and will say anything... to anyone! I am from a husband with a HUGE love for football and Mississippi State. I am from a husband who loves the New Orleans Saints and always has. I am from a husband who is a boyscout leader and president of the Home Owners Assocation. I am from a husband that is passionate about his job and everything/everyone in his life. I am from a husband who makes me laugh and spends more time with me than any other most husbands I know. I am from a husband who loves to cook and loves to entertain, as do I. I am from a husband who still takes me on dates. I am from a husband, whose family has taken me in like I'm one of their own. I am from husband who is very family oriented. I am from a husband who is my best friend. I am from a husband who loves me more than anything in the world!

Most importantly I am from God and he has blessed me more than I deserve!!!

He fills my life with good things.

Psalm 103:5