The DL on JK's RL

Here's the deal pickle. My big boss decided that our accounting server needed to be merged with the main office server. Along with that comes a whole bunch of shiz that makes a sadz sadz JennyKate (yea, I'm referring to myself in the 3rd person...all the cool people do it). He also dropped the bomb that we could no longer store personal information on our work computers AND there would be a new program loaded to the server that would track the activities of each employee. Meaning, at any time during the day, he will be able to know if we're working in work related programs or surfing the Internet or looking at porn or tweeting or blogging...etc, etc. I swear I almost had a heart attack at the staff meeting.

From the first day that I ever blogged, I've always done so from work. I started my blog from work...it's my main place to blog from still today. We all know that I haven't been the world's best blogger anyway and now what the hellz am I supposed to do now??

Connie (from The Young and Relentless <---typing all of that because I have no clue how to link a blog from this thing) told me about the Blogger app for the iPhone, so that's what I'm attempting now. I have a personal computer, just not a lot of time at home to use it. So, we'll see how this goes. I'm going to post a picture just to play around with some of the functions. You'll probably get some wonky posts from me the first few times. AND you'll have to excuse any spelling and grammatical errors. I'm sure I'll make plenty typing from the iPhone. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Nothing Specific

I just wanted to blog today...no specific topic...no specific reason...nothing specific to say or tell.

♥

What can I say? Sometimes I just really miss you guys. {awe}

♥

Surprise, surprise...I'm not even going to mention Twilight...oops, okay...I'm not going to for the rest of this post.

♥

It's Tuesday. The sun is shining {a little} here in Tulsa. I'm feeling a lift in my spirits just from the brief sunshine. I can feel my body soaking up the vitamin D. I had some Starbucks too, in a really cute cup with a {heart} on the side♥ I'm guessing it's left over from Valentine's Day, but I think it should be the standard Starbucks cup...well, maybe they could switch out between the red cup from Christmas and this one.

♥

Speaking of Valentine's Day, I had a good one. Me and my sweetheart went to dinner at Red Lobster, that's like our date night stand-by...can't go wrong with Cheddar Bay Biscuits, shrimp, and crab legs. Then we went and watched Valentine's Day, which I highly recommend. I know there are some mixed reviews, but I thought it was super funny and really cute. It starts out as one of those predictable chick flicks {which I love}, but it's not as predictable as you think. It has a few surprises. Plus, there is some serious eye candy. Can't go wrong there.

♥

How was your Valentine's Day? How's your week going? I REALLY want to know.

♥

25 RANDOM things about ME

I don't know about you, but I have been busy busy busy with Christmas everythings...cards, gifts, wrapping, baking, cooking, family get-togethers, office Christmas stuff, shopping, crafts, fun, movie watching, looking at lights, singing Christmas carols, driving through the Inflatable Christmas Kingdom, visiting Santa, Church Christmas celebrations, and there is much more to come. I hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season!

For a short break, I'm playing along with this 25 Random Things post. Thought you might like to play along too! =)

25 random things.

1. I hate tomatoes, but I LOVE everything a tomato makes...salsa, ketchup, bruschetta, marinara, etc.
2. i LOVE (like love love love) hip-hop/rap music.
3. Regulate by Warren G/Nate Dogg is the most played song on my iPhone
4. I wish I was from the 213...it just sounds cool.
5. I am a Twilight junkie...it's so far beyond obsession/addiction...it's truly my brand of heroin.
6. I'm going to a Twilight Convention in March in ATL
7. I'm also going to Comic Con in SAN DIEGO!!! Whut Whut>?!!!
8. I'm a coffee snob.
9. I've been known to throw away an entire cup of coffee because bad coffee is not acceptable.
10. I'm a procrastinator
11. I like to drive fast...I also pretend that my automatic in the floor is a stick shift...and that my fog light button is a turbo button.
12. I'm a nerd
13. I love books...it's my way of escaping reality.
14. Four days ago, I didn't have ANY Christmas present bought...sucha procrastinator
15. I carry Pocket Edward around in my purse.
16. My fav song right now is Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
17. I often feel like I'm a 16 year old stuck in a 32 year old body.
18. I hate confrontation
19. I cackle when I laugh...it's probably really annoying...sometimes I snort...and if I laugh hard enough, I pee...just a little.
20. I ♥ musicals and going to the theater
21. One of my goals in 2010 is to visit as many new places as possible
22. I like to talk gangsta
23. most of the things that happen in my life eventually end up on my blog.
24. I love party planning and I wish it was my occupation
25. I talk too much...if I could find a way to get paid for THAT I would be RICH!


Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. (IF YOU'RE READING THIS, CONSIDER YOURSELF TAGGED!!!)

I've already got TONS of pictures from Christmas festivities. I'll try to post some soon. Hope you are all having a wonderful week!!♥

Friend Makin Mondays

I found a really fun thing to do on Mondays at My Chihuahua Bites. Andrea does a FMM post on Mondays...that is Friend Making Mondays and it's hosted by Kelsey at All That Is Good. Each week Kelsey introduces a topic that you write about on your own blog, link back to her blog, and then you add you name to her Mr. Linky! It's that easy and lots of fun!! So, here's my first Friend Making Monday post:


Top 10 Things I that I absolutely Can't (or at least wouldn't want to) Live Without and Why:


(Note: You all already know that I could NOT live without God, my family, and my wonderful friends...so, here are some other things that I absolutely CAN NOT live without ☺)





1. Starbucks is my drug of choice. I definitely fall in the Starbucks addict category and I've got my Gold Card to prove it. ☺

2. Books are one of my top favorite things. What a dull, boring, black and white world this would be without books. I told a friend the other day that I'm such a daydreamer and books give me something to daydream about. They fuel my imagination. They're educational. They're an escape from reality when you need them to be. I love books!

3. iPhone...hello! What did I do without this device? I mean what other thing can you talk, text, e-mail, look up a recipe, watch a movie, listen to music, check the weather, read USA Today, check your facebook page, post a Twitter, get directions, check your movie cue on Netflix, find a restaurant, make a list, post a blog, read a book, play a game, and surf the internet on? That's really just scratching the surface of all the things it's capable of. I ♥ my iPhone.

4. Bare Minerals is the best make-up. I'm not big on heavy foundation or heavy make-up period, so this is definitely the make-up for me! Plus, it's super quick and I only have about 20 minutes to myself in the mornings to fix my hair and put on make-up.

5. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is my favorite lipstick. I've worn it since I was 16 years old. If they ever quit making it, I don't know what I'll do. It goes on so smooth and it's the perfect shade. It goes with almost everything. Love it!

6. Twilight/Edward...I know this may sound crazy, but now that I know about Edward, I wouldn't want to live without him. I think Stephenie Meyer is one of the coolest people on earth. Her dreams and imagination are what brought Edward and Bella into existence. I'm a hopeless romantic, and so the idea that the impossible love is possible after all...well, I think it's wonderful.

7. Coach is one of my guilty pleasures. I only buy a couple a year, but I'm crazy about Coach. The purses are way cute and they can last forever! I always tell my hubby that it's actually a wise investment. I'm not sure he buys into that, but he humors me at least.

8. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo is my favorite shampoo. I have skin issues and this shampoo makes all the difference in the world! Plus, it makes my scalp feel all tingly. I like that.

9. Blogger. It's become such a big part of my life. I love blogging. I love reading blogs.

10. Gossip magazines. I like to know what my friends in Hollywood are up to. It's fun to see them in real life situations. I do feel sorry for them at times. I wouldn't want my life to be so public. They're so gosh darn entertaining. They're like my treat at the grocery store. I can't leave without one...or two.

Go on over to Kelsey's blog and make some new friends at Friend Making Monday!

Weekend Ramblings and Book Review

I just wanted to let you guys know that the Twilight Party was SO MUCH FUN! I'm serious. My husband thought I was completely crazy for wanting to go (well, he already knows I'm crazy, but crazy to a higher degree). My mom went with me. She's not a big Twilight fan, in fact she thinks I'm crazy too, but loves me so much that she tagged along and helped me with Isaiah...and stood in line so we could have another copy of the Borders Special Edition. Which by the way, was well worth it!! It came with not only the 2-disc DVD set, but also a set of these FABULOUS Twilight scene cards...they call them postcards, but they're so much more than that! Oh.My.Goodness. Ok, can you tell I'm still excited. I know, pretty ridiculous. I just love me some Twilight. I was introduced to a new term/acronym that is right up my alley...OME...Oh My Edward. Love that!

This is the only picture I thought to snap of the group...and this is just a small portion of them from when we were all sitting down to play a Twilight Trivia game. I know it looks like I'm surrounded by 12 year olds, but there were some there that were over 30.

Here's my coveted copy of the Twilight DVD! Not a very good picture, but the DVD itself is AWESOME!

Now, on to another little tid bit of information. I joined the Literacy Sisters Society. It's a blogging book club. Our first book to read was The Host by Stephenie Meyer. What an EXCELLENT choice. You all know how fantastic Stephenie is already. She, of course, wrote the saga most of us love and adore...TWILIGHT! I knew I would love this book, but I did not know how much I would love this book. Let me tell you...I love it a lot! The book is basically a sci-fi book for the non-sci-fi reader. It's about a girl, Melanie, who becomes the host body to a soul from another planet...or planets. I thought perhaps this book might go against everything I believe, but that is so not true. The book really speaks about humanity and love. It's about accepting people for who they are, and once again Stephenie introduces us to an unconventional kind of love. It's wonderful! I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who would like to read it, so I won't say too much more.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!

Tag!

I was tagged by Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites to complete a fun questionnaire. Are you ready to learn more than you ever wanted to know about me?

Here's the rules:

*Copy and paste the questionnaire, and post with your answers on your blog.
*Refer and link back to me.

*Tag four bloggers and leave them comments to let them know they have been tagged.
*Answer honestly!

What is your blogger name?

JennyKate

When is your birthday?

October 1, 1977

How long have you been blogging?

Since May 2008. My first real blog was on June 3, 2008. However, my blogging didn't really start until September, after that there was no turning back. I was hooked.

Who tagged you?

Andrea, aka My Chihuahua Bites or one fabulous blogger ☺

Tell me your five most favorite body parts.

I'm not sure that I have 5 favorite body parts. I'll try. Ummm...I've got great nails. Usually, except when I neglect them. They grow really fast. I like my red hair...it's something people remember. I've been told I have a nice smile. However, I am not fond of my teeth. I should have gotten braces when my parents tried to make me, but I was too stubborn. My boobs are ok, not too big, not too small. I think brown eyes are cute, so I like my brown eyes...plus, there's a really great song about brown-eyed girls. ☺

What do you wish most for your birthday?

I think every year when I blow out the candles it's usually health and happiness for my whole family.

What color are you nails right now?

Bare. I'm in desperate need of a mani...I love my nails to be dark, even black sometimes. ☺

Have you had any depressing thoughts lately?

No. I'm generally a happy person.

What’s your plan for the next month?

April? Well, nothing exciting. I really want to take advantage of the longer and warmer days and get outside and exercise.

At what age did you have your first crush?

Maybe 3rd or 4th grade. His name was Chris Edwards. I think every girl at my school had a crush on him. He had like 5 girlfriends at a time.

Have you attended any school reunions?

Yes, my 10 year class reunion. I helped plan it. We want to do a cruise for our 15th or 20th. I actually like the people I graduated with. ☺

Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended like you didn’t smell anything?

Of course...hasn't everybody?

Are you a clean freak?

I have the potential to be one. I used to be one. That was prior to being a full-time working mom.

What era do you wish you were born in?

Maybe 40's...I would have loved to be a teenager in the mid to late 50's. I love the idea of girls in poodle skirts, bobby socks, and monogrammed sweaters! The music was great! The cars were cool! The guys were hot! What more could you ask for?

Are you a vegetarian?

No. I can go without meat for a while, but usually end up craving a big juicy steak or a cheeseburger.

How many pillows do you sleep with at night?

2

Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper?

medium

Do you secretly wear granny panties when your man is not around?

I don't do it in secret. LOL. I mostly wear hipsters or something along those lines. I have a variety, but that's what I wear most of the time.

What is your ultimate dream job?

I like what I do now. I don't know. If I wasn't a mom or married, I would want to live in a big city and work for a magazine...like Betty on Ugly Betty...except minus the crazy outfits and braces.

What does your husband do that annoys you the most?

When I come home from work and he's been home all day and I can tell that everything is just the way it was when I left...and he hasn't done anything. I get a little annoyed.

What is your dream car?

I'm pretty easy to please, but I wouldn't mind having one of the new hybrid SUV/Crossover type cars.

Do you wake up easily in the morning?

Yes. I'm a morning person.

Do you like hairy men?

NO!

How about a man with a goatee?

Yes...it can be pretty hott!

Which would you prefer: a two-hour spa massage, a two-hour Thai massage, or a two-hour foot massage?

Well, I would take any, but I guess if I could only choose one I could pick a spa massage.

Have you ever wished you had a different name? If so, what name?

When I was little I always wanted to change my name b/c Jennifer was soooo common. I wanted something different that no one else had...like Butterfly or something crazy like that. I always wanted something short too b/c my name was so long...something like Jessi or Mallory...those were characters from the Babysitters Club books.

What is the most extreme sport you have ever done?

I am so NOT extreme. I don't think I've ever played an "extreme" sport. I've been water skiing.

Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I would take EITHER!

What is your favorite food?

NOODLES!

What is your most embarrassing moment while out on a date?

I can't really think of anything. Nothing seems too embarrassing anymore.

I tag:

Renee at My Glimpse of Life

Christy at Confessions of an Impulsive Addict

Liz at Tidbitz from Liz

Rebeckah at Life with Kaishon

A little of this...a little of that...and a whole lotta randomness

I have so many random things running through my head. I want to blog today, but where do I start? Usually I can just sit right down and start blogging about whatever it is that's on my mind, but today it's as if I'm at a loss for...nah, there's no way I could be at a loss for...yeah, that would never happen. My dad likes to say that I have the "gift to gab". *Insert rolling of eyes and a "whatever"!* Maybe if I just get things rolling...


I'll start with the weekend. My aunt and uncle have been in the process of turning an old historical home into a bed and breakfast and a tea room. (More pictures to come...I'm actually going to start a blog for the bed and breakfast. I'll keep you posted.)

Over the weekend, I helped them with an open house. We even had a little craft fair indoors to help draw in people. Here's a few of the banners I made to sell.




I only sold 2. Not good, but it was still fun. I'm thinking about maybe opening an Etsy store and putting them on there to see if they sell. I have so much fun making them, so it would be fun to actually sell some. Plus, I spend so much time (and money) on Etsy anyway...might as well try to sell a few things while I'm there (although all my profits would probably be used toward new purchases ☺).


Also, I want to give Andrea over at My Chihuahua Bites a shout out for posting the awesome Cobbler recipe last week on Tuesdays At The Table! I made that the yummiest blueberry cobbler last night! Thanks, Andrea! (For the recipe click HERE)



I need to fulfill a tag from my friend Shilo over at My Place of Peace. She tagged me to tell you about my purse! Y'all know how I love purses, so I happily obliged.


1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house.


**This is the purse I'm carrying today...just snapped a pic of it w/ my phone. It's a chocolate brown Coach purse (It's the Ergo Hobo style purse from last year). I love it because Michael bought it for me for Christmas last year and I ♥ chocolate brown. It has just a girl's basic essentials inside...purse-size perfume (Light Blue by D&G), hand sanitizer wipes, Tylenol, lip gloss, iPhone ear buds, eyeglass case, my camera, and matching wallet.

2) I want to know how much it cost☺ And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

**Since it was a gift I don't know for sure, but since I'm kinda a Coach fanatic I can take a guess...$298ish. Don't look at me like that! I take really good care of it and probably only get a new one once a year (or twice) Gosh.

3. Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your purse.
**If you're reading this and haven't been tagged for this particular tag...consider yourself TAGGED!

One last thing before I go, I need some feedback on what kind of photo editing software I should buy. Tell me what you have and why you love it!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week!

A Tag, A Giveaway, and A Question

I was tagged by Sara @ http://www.saracoleman.blogspot.com.


Here's the Rule, bold the things you've done & post on your blog!


1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied...(I think this one's too tricky to answer.)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book (a book about a squirrel...remember this Feather?)

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Wow...I'm kinda boring. I definitely need to get out more.

Now Tag 3 Different bloggers to post this :)
1. Melissa
2. Renee
3. Christy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Giveaway!

Katy over at Fun With The Baker 5 is holding an awesome giveaway. Do you love things that smell good? Go over and see what she's got!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Question:

What's the deal with the phrase "gone south" or "going south" or "headed south"? I know people use this when they mean things are going bad or going to pot. As a person who lives in (or quite near to) the south, I think I take offense to this statement. Does that mean that things in the south are bad? I'm not sure where the phrase came from or why it's used, but I don't think I like it. I turned to my favorite source of information...the urban dictionary, but it didn't have a lot to say on the matter. Except that it did confirm it is a statement that means something is going badly...oh, and in "gangsta lingo" also refers to someone's "nether regions", but we won't go there. What's your opinion? If you're from the south, do you find this phrase offensive? Or is it just about our geographic location rather than the quality of our area?

Hope everyone had a terrific Tuesday☺

Where Is The Defrost Button?

I think I might have single-handedly caused this ice storm. You know how I am about confessing things. So, I only feel that it is right to fess up to what I have done. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I said to a man on a plane "Oh, I'm not ready for winter to be over. No sir, not me. I'm waiting on that one good winter storm! I LOVE it when everything is covered in white!" What the french toast was I saying? I know God listens to me, but I didn't realize I had so much pull.



Over the weekend, the talk really started about getting some freezing rain, sleet, possibly some snow. I was in denial, and was saying as any true Oklahoman would say "I'll believe it when I see it!" You must know that when weather men predict storms here in Oklahoma, it's only a guess really...and you don't take the predictions too seriously. They could say we're going to have a bright sunshiny day and end up with a tornado. On the other hand, they could say we're going to have an ice storm and end up with mid-40's and a gust of wind. You get the drift. There is something else you need to know about Oklahoma and things the weather men say. If a storm of some sort is predicted, especially a snow or ice storm, everyone flocks to the stores and buys every last loaf of bread and every last bottle of water.

I present to you exhibit A. Taken on Sunday at my local Wal-Mart.

Come Monday night, we were in a deep freeze with rain and sleet. It was forming a thick layer on everything. Isaiah kept wanting to go outside and play in the "snow". I told him it was not snow that it was ice. All he knew is that it was white and cold...and looked like more fun than a barrel of monkeys (apparently these are really fun?)! I said, "It's so cold out there. You'll freeze your hiney off!" He looked at me and said, "REALLY?" He, of course, believes everything I say and takes me literal. Poor kid. You know if that were true I would be standing out there stark naked to give myself the best chance (somewhere secluded of course, I wouldn't want to frighten small children and nosey neighbors). I digress.

The good news was that I got to stay home with Isaiah on Monday. We played with the Wii and the Star Wars bobble heads. It was super fun.



Although I was not enjoying the slick roads and Michael getting stuck away from home for 3 days, I can not deny that it was beautiful. Here's a tree in my backyard covered in ice. I'm cool with that as long as no large branches break off and crash on my roof. (Thank you Jesus that no large branches crash onto my roof or any nearby power lines. Amen.)

On Wednesday morning, my mom and I made our first attempt at driving to work. We live about 35 miles away from work. The roads were YUCK! Have no fear I was not driving while taking pictures. I was only a passenger taking pictures and saying things like "You're going too fast", "Do you see them stopping?", "How fast are you going?", "Shouldn't we drive a little slower?", "What was that?" Thank goodness my mom is used to my passenger seat driving. I was only trying to help.

We did eventually make it to work...only 35 minutes longer than usual. Below is a picture from outside my office building. I thought the field looked so cool covered in ice. I really wanted to run/walk through it and crunch all the ice covered grass, but I was trying to keep up professional appearances. However, I did do a few ice skating moves on my way to the door. Then I felt a slight twinge in my right hamstring and realized that I'm probably not as young as I once was. Plus, I was laughing hysterically every time I would slip and almost bite it...I have no idea why it was so funny, but it was hard to contain myself. I am really just a kid in an adult body.

So, here we are 3 days later and the white stuff is starting to annoy me. If anyone knows where the defrost button is, help a girl out.

...dreaming of bright sunshiny days.

A bunch of blogging randomness...

I don't even know what to call this blog post, that is how random it is going to be...you've been warned.

A little weekend review...

I did work on my HOT MESS, but it's not really back to an organized and clean state...just yet. I had a few road blocks over the weekend, like my washing machine being on the blitz. I was right on pace, starting a fresh load of laundry on Sunday morning. I had put all the dirty clothes into nice neat piles (at least something was nice and neat). Had it all planned out...a few loads of laundry before church, then finish it up when I got home while cleaning and organizing in the rest of the house. DIDN'T HAPPEN! I ended up spending two and half hours and an ungodly amount of quarters at the laundromat. Not my idea of fun. Isaiah thought is was fabulous. Wish I was 5 sometimes.

A current concern...

If you know me well, you know I can have some slight anxiety from time to time. I just start thinking about things TOO MUCH and freak out a little. So, as I'm scurrying out the door this morning, late again for the umpteenth time, I start thinking about Isaiah going to kindergarten next year. I have had the luxury of taking Isaiah to school at whatever time I get there. He goes to a private preschool and they are really flexible about time schedules. This morning as I'm driving Isaiah to school, it dawns on me that he'll go to kindergarten next year and they just might have a different outlook on being tardy to school. Could he get kicked out of kindergarten for being late everyday or every other day? I casually ask the director at preschool this morning, "So, you know...Isaiah will go to kindergarten next year...do they kick kids out for being "excessively" tardy?" She starts laughing at me. "No, Jen, that's one worry you can check off your list." (she knows me a little too well) I'm just double checking...he can't get kicked out right? However, I'm totally planning on correcting this little tardiness issue ASAP!

About my bathroom re-do...

Just so you know, I'm X'ing the vinyl photo shower curtain off the 'maybe list'...thanks, Christy for bringing it to my attention that it just really isn't that cute. See, sometimes it takes other people's opinions to bring things to light. Also, thanks Melissa for all your wonderful ideas and linkies. I'm either leaning toward the tree shower curtain from Urban Outfitters or the floral one from Pottery Barn. Thanks to Lori for the pics and ideas. I love your framed pieces...great idea!! I also love your shower curtain! It gave me an idea to stencil red birds onto the tree shower curtain...maybe...we'll see! I really appreciate all the ideas and feedback.

Hope everyone has a great Monday! ☺

Tuesday To-Do's

I'm blogless! This hasn't happened to me in a while...nothing to blog about...no pics, no adventures, no mishaps, nothing new...I would have tons of pics to blog over if I had only remembered my CAMERA, but that was then and this is now...I'm living in the now. So, what to do, what to say?

I decided to do a to-do list for the remainder of the week, then I'll try to blog about each thing as they happen...

1. Finish planning Fall Festival for the church. Now, I'm not totally in charge of this event. My mom and I are mainly over the inflatables that we rented and the games we are setting up. However, we also have to buy the prizes for the games and candy to hand out at the inflatables. This is an outreach our church is doing. It's free for our community and we want the kiddos to leave with a bag full of candy! So, that's first on the list. I plan on tying up loose ends on this one TODAY...no procrastination!

2. Finish planning the Halloween Party for the American Legion. Now, this one I am totally IN CHARGE of...the whole thing. It's a party we put on for the children of the American Legion members (children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews...you get the idea). I am a member of the Auxiliary and I am currently holding the position of 2nd vice, so it is my job to plan all holiday parties. This is a perfect job for me. I love (with a capital L) LOVE party planning! So, I still need to finish planning the games, get the candy and prizes, be sure I have my Halloween cd...locate a cd player for the Musical Monster game, talk to the ladies tomorrow night about who will bring what, make sure we have plenty of goodies to eat, decorate the hall...yeah, this is a whole list in itself! All to be done by Sunday!

3. Buy 2 baby gifts for 2 baby showers this weekend! Who doesn't love a baby shower?! I love baby showers, but I'm pretty sure if I put one more thing in my agenda for the weekend I'll scream!

4. Keep house tidy through the week, no time for house cleaning on Saturday morning!

5. Make appointment for Isaiah to get a hair cut, so people won't start thinking he's a girl. However, if they did think he was a girl, he would definitely put them in their place and let them know that he is NOT a girl...I'm not sure if he even likes girls right now? I'm pretty sure he's already convinced that they have cooties.

6. Take Belle to the groomer because she STINKS!

7. Have my not-so-great pictures from the weekend put on a CD!

8. Attach my camera to my body someway somehow so I never forget my camera again...EVER!


That's enough rambling for now...I'll bore you no more.

Winds of Change

The winds of change are blowing through 1306 N. Proctor...

that's where my Granny and Grandpa live. 

 That address has existed my whole life...

my whole thirty years. 

 When I was born, 

my Great-Granny Pearl and Great-Grandpa John lived there. 

It has always been a place where love abounds...

where Sunday dinners are cooked and EATEN! 

 It is where we gather every December 24th 

and celebrate...

make memories, exchange gifts, play music. 

 When my Granny and Grandpa James (Pearl and John) passed away in the 80's, my Granny and Grandpa moved there. 

 My cousin Curtis and I had 

the reign of the house for a good amount of years, 

the two oldest grandchildren. 

 We had foot races around the garden 

and made the green house our personal dwelling place. 

 We built things and took things apart. 

 There were clubs and club houses...

the age of entry always changed according to how old my cousin Lindsay was...

hehehe...

we always had to keep it one year older than her. 

 You may say it was mean, but we had FUN! 

 Real fun. 

 Now, there are 15 of us, cousins. 

 Four of us are married. 

 The two oldest, me and Curtis, 

we have children of our own now. 

 My cousin Lindsay, the one who was never "old enough", 

well, she is going to have a baby this fall. 

 Things are changing...

the winds of change are blowing. 

 We have always been a family who loves to have a good time. We don't sit around. 

 NO, we go out...we do things. 

 We're busy! 

 That's us. 

We've lived in the same small town for decades. 

 People know us. 

 I'll say, "my mom was a Barney", 

and people's eyes spark up 

and they look at me like they know exactly who I am...

I'm a Barney. 

 My Granny and Grandpa have 

made a good name for us over the years. 

 My Grandpa had a stroke last June...

a massive stroke is what the doctors told us. 

 For us Barneys, this rocked our world. 

 My Grandpa, one of the strongest people I know, had a stroke. It took a while to sink in...

weeks for some, months for others. 

 Almost a year later, 

we're still going strong and 

by the grace of God, Grandpa is getting better. 

 He's regaining his speech, slowly but surely. 

 He's getting stronger and 

beginning to use his right side again...

more and more everyday. 

 Yep, the winds of change are blowing. 

 These past couple of weeks we have been changing things in my grandparents house...

a remodeling of sorts. 

 Funny thing is...

my Grandpa hates change! 

 I was laying on the bed last night 

in the newly remodeled back bedroom of my Granny and Grandpa's house and I was thinking...

thinking how this is probably driving Grandpa crazy! 

 But it is looking SO good! 

 I can tell my Granny is happy...

happy to have some new stuff in this old farm house. 

 We're taking up old carpet and tile, 

and replacing it with beautiful faux wood floors and new carpet. We're scrapping off old wallpaper and giving everything a fresh coat of paint. 

 I've taken a huge load of CRAP...

oh, I mean "stuff" to Golden Rule...and the dump! 

 We've recycled things and 

given things back to their "rightful owners"...

funny how things collect at Granny's House. 

 I think it's giving my Granny a refreshed and renewed since of spirit...

boosting her morale. 

 Yes, winds of change are blowing...and it feels good...