Happenings

Southern weddings are not events. They are happenings. Celebrated in sometimes 2 and 3 different cities. Announcements are placed in a minimum of four papers. Teas are given, presents are put on for display, and it is all we talk about, think about, and dream about. Needless to say, southern weddings are all consuming. HENCE, why I am so behind on my blog. I have been in the throws of helping my sister plan the happiest day of her life. It has been stressful to say the least, but a joy all the same. April will be here before you know it! 

NOW. Enough about her ;)

This is possibly the biggest week of my life! I hear about the job in Justin, TX on Friday (also the day of my sister's bridal portraits. Gotta be a good sign right?!) I also landed an interview with Lily & Co. in Austin, TX!!!! They are fundraisers/Campaign consultants for the Republican Party of Texas. There are no words to express how SUPER pumped I am to have this opportunity. The fact that I have an interview Tuesday just goes to show its alllll about who you know. 

Scene: The Spotted Zebra

Time: The busiest time of the day (duh.)

Act One:

A teeny-tiny lady walks in. Needs new digs for the Houston Rodeo and alas, we are out of smalls/extra smalls. (Please keep in mind we are a mere 20 minutes away from a college town where sororities run rampant like a rabies epidemic. Hence, the sizes for girls with legs like pencils, are long gone).

Now, she leaves her card and asks me to call her as soon as we get a new shipment in. She works for Senator Nichols (R) from Jacksonville, TX. JACK. POT. 

Act Two:

I email her and the jest is this; "Hey we have new clothes in your size! Annnnnnd by the way I am interested in entering politics in the communications arena. Please help me find a job :D thanks and gig 'em!"

She puts me in contact with Lily & Co. and here we are.

Act Three:

Looks for it on Wednesday evening after the interview :))

Not disclosing any details because I chose to be EXTREMELY vague about my personal personal life on here; Lets just say things are possibly changing and I'm happy about it :) God is so purposeful in His timing. Whatever the situation may be. He knows so much better than I about what is good for me and when. It is genuinely a relieft that I don't have to worry about controlling my life! He's got that covered and reallyyyyy doesn't need my help. No matter how badly I think he does.

New Tunes, New Books, New Places, and New Tude

Musician of the Moment: Derek Cate. You can find some of his stuff on iTunes, but some of his best work is on Youtube.com. Check him out; if you don't become slightly obssessed you're a french fry short of a happy meal :)

Book of the Moment: The Wedding Machine. You would think that since I'm in THREE weddings and counting this year that I would be SICK of them. Alas, I am not dear friends. It is set against the crooked live oaks of South Carolina. It has it all: intrigue, romance, deceit, and debutante "Mommas" on power trips. They're armed with sugar marinated, southern one-liners that cut to the bone. These women can get away with ANY comment as long as 'Bless her heart," comes before or after. I promise you won't be disappointed!

This past weekend I had the priviledge (hahah yeah right ;P) of moving in my dear SBF, Say Say, into her brand new apartment in Cypress!!! It was so good to see her; it had been about three months. It was so nice to break away from talk of weddings, careers, and life goals. I needed to see my best friend :) I mean, at the very least we stayed up into the wee hours of the morning decorating and unpacking until we were too exhausted to keep our little eyes open, and therefore got AMAZING,, much needed, sleep!

New Attitude: Joyous, not just happy. Happy is reative. It is based on circumstances and that is not always a good thing. No one thing can make you happy. We as humans tend to think of happiness as a destination. "If I get this job, I'll be happy," or "If I just start dating I'll smile more." My personal favorite is "Just oooooooone more pair of shoes and I won't want anything else for at LEAST  a month or two!!" We can't live like that. Its not healthy.

Now it probably goes without saying, that I needed a bit of an attitude adjustment pre-Cypress moving mini-vaca. I was mad. Livid even, because my life wasn't going how I'd pictured it. No career, no pending marriage, etc. BUT this is the season the Lord wants me in. I have been edgy, and bitter towards my family, and even some friends that know me best. Joy is a choice. Its an internal passion that God gives us that we can cling to, no matter the circumstances.

It feels so good to be back to my patient (in some things!), laid back, normal self. There is joy in the storm. You would think that would be a no-brainer for someone who loves the rain....

Legacy: Nichole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...



Tidbits

Drink coffee out of a real cup. It makes all the difference and exponentially more enjoyable.

Take time at LEAST once a day to marvel at your surroundings; to take in how everything works around you and how beautiful it is.

Have "girly days" with your girlfriends/moms/sisters/etc. My aunt, mom, and sister and I will find a new cute bistro/cafe to try and go boutique-ing. That is our thing, but do what works for you.

Collect something.

Have a hobby for YOU. Not something your kids/boyfriend/mom/sister/dad likes to do, but something YOU enjoy.

Hug someone a minimum of 3 times a day. (Statistics show humans need EIGHT hugs a day to be sane.)

Laugh. A lot.

Deal with your emotions as they happen. 

Deal with life as it happens. Don't try to plan; it never works out the way you thought. It is always better than you can imagine.

Try new foods.

Buy cute shoes.

Flowers in your house make you want to be there. 

Slowly decorate your apartment or house. That way you end up with pieces of furniture/decor that you love. Not just a bunch of stuff you got at Target because it all went together.

Drink wine and savor it.

Talk less and say more.

Listen. No really, listen.

For the right people, put their feelings above your own. Its not always about what makes YOU happiest. Most of the time it matters more to brighten someone else's day.

Love yourself.

Be brave.

Organize your closet. It will transform your life.

Keep a journal. Moms, pass it on to your daughters. They will understand you so much better and relate to you. It proves to them you're human, and you DO in fact understand where they are in life. You're not really THAT ancient ;)

Buy a few pieces of jewelry with the intent of passing them down to your grand-daughter.

Love someone more, not less.

Pray.

Its Only My Future...

OKKKKKKKK....

So. This job interview that I FREAKED OUT about last week?? Well.......it was moved due to a BLIZZARD in Ft. Worth, TEXAS. Yes, that's right. I said TEXAS. Not Canada, Wyoming, Colorado, or Montana. TEXAS. Clearly God has a sense of humor. Why yes, I think I will delay the world's most impatient person in the world's interview due to.....SNOW. That way, its COMPLETELY out of ANYONE'S control :) To top it off, we rescheduled it for a week and a half later. Hence giving me PLENTY of time to worry/fret/lose sleep/get nauseous etc...Sooooooo funny. Not.

How I felt for a week and a half

HOWEVER.

I did have my interview this past Friday at 10 am in the wonderfully cute town of Justin, TX. I fell in love immediately with the staff and atmosphere of the company. For the first time in my interview process, I truly felt this is where I was supposed to be. So much prayer has gone into this job search process that I know this is right. I just felt it. I hear the final decision on March 4th, but they did ask me to do some freelance work them between now and then! Whatever happens, I know it is what God wants for me. 

I will say...if this job doesn't "pan out"(if any of you have seen True Grit, new or old version, you will be chuckling to yourself right now) traveling just might be in my future.....

I am taking suggestions for ideas :D

All I know is that I want to impact people. Lots of people. To change lives. To give back. To leave a footprint...

Tranquilizer, Radar, and Taser Guns

Yes. You read the title correctly. Please...read on :)


Disclaimer:
I am not a "man hater." "Man eater?" Sometimes,but never "man hater." In fact, I love men. I love that they make you feel safe. The way they can make everything better when you've had a bad day. I absolutely love the fact that they can check the oil, take out the trash, and change out lightbulbs that I  couldn't even reach if I wanted to. But today, boys and girls, we are NOT talking about how wonderful they are :)

 Back to the Topic at Hand....

A radar gun. I want one. Where might I purchase one? I mean, boys are obviously given them as gifts at the age of 13 to use against us women, so I know they sell them somewhere. I would also like a taser gun and a tranquilizer gun. For these are the only means of defense that women have against the male population.


Just when we are happy and content with our lives. When we say that we "Really aren't looking for anything right now." When we, most likely, have FINALLY moved on and are sailing RIGHT PAST  Mr. Hunky Dunky, he shoots us with his radar gun, realizes we are in fact happy, and decides to swoop down like a she-eating terradactile and "realizes he made a mistake," and "misses you so much." Please introduce me to ONE SINGLE WOMAN that this has not happened to and I will take this blog off aggiegrace.blogspot.com forever, and this topic will never be broached again. No one? Just raise your hands please? No? EXACTLY.



Now, this would all be for not if these guys actually planned on FOLLOWING THROUGH with their apologies. BUT, that is NEVER their intention. EVER. As my best friend Say Say so eloquently put it, they have their "big boy pants" around their ankles; they need to just pull them allll the way up! Fact of the matter is ladies, we have not changed since the relationship ended. We are ultimately the same amazing women we were, and we don't need them to tell us, "You're the kind of girl I want to marry," or "You're just so sweet and made me feel so comfortable around you." We know that already :) Quite frankly, we ARE amazing women, and we don't need THEM to tell us that. The guy that sees that, and realizes he can't suck air without you? HE is the one worth keeping. HE is deserving of your affections.


*If the guy actually does follow through and this is his first offense; let him live ;) *


Now ladies, I think we should write our senators, state representatives, lawyers, generals, and the Secretary of Defense and DEMAND the weapons previously listed as a means to protect/defend ourselves. The tranq gun being used for wounding, and the taser gun being used for evil satisfaction if the guy reallyyyyy broke your heart or was just a huge jerk.

Southern Grace

Southern. Also synonomous with charm, poise, manners, accents, belles, Gone with the Wind, and pearls.

Grace: My middle name. (No really, I'm not kidding lol). 

Southern Grace is a phrase that has permiated into every element of my life. I do my best to conduct myself in a way that is worthy of the slogan. You have to respect yourself, first and foremost.  Also, expect that treatment from others; especially from the opposite sex. I am a HUGE fan of chivalry, and not the "East Texas" kind; just because you open the door for me when I walk in, doesn't mean you truly respect me. I'm not just picking on the men however. Ladies, the keys to demanding respect without asking for it are grace, humility and modesty. Don't act like a snot because then it backfires. Southern Grace is something you can't fake. Its a "classiness" that has to run down through your soul, seep through your pores, and be spoken with an educated, smooth, southern drawl. It can rarely be learned and is impossible to undo.

Southern Grace is how I was describe my style in housing decor as well as clothes. For example; my apartment will be decorated in golds, and whites, and light greens, with antiques accents. Very much a "Plantation shabby chic" look. Oak Alley is my favorite plantation in the south (where they shot Gone with the Wind!)and where I draw inspriation from.I absolutely adore having  lunch with my girl friends at tea rooms. I am a collector and admirer or tea pots, china, and antiques. If you're a fan of southern vintage decor, read Creole Thrift. It will give you AMAZING inexpensive decorating ideas that complete the home of a graceful Southern Belle.

Found at Bella in Crockett, TX



The book of the week is Roses by Leila Meacham. It is such a good read and I am hardly through the first couple of chapters. As always, I refuse to divulge the plot. I am hoping your curiosty is enough to drive you open a new internet tab, go to google, and find the summary. It will span three generations set in the East Texas sun. It leads you through the story of  families that were cotton and lumber tycoons, and the love that was between them (OK! that's all you get!).

Even Southern Belles can be silly!

          

To drive home my point, the idea of Southern Grace is something that has been lost, and the world is worse for it. People wonder why there aren't love stories like in The Notebook anymore. Well, to start,  I think we all need to be a bit more old fashioned and then maybe we'll have the respect for ourselves and for love like Noah and Ally did...