Ok, who let it get Thursday? Thursday Thankfuls (w/ NKOTB pics!☺)

Seriously, people! It's Thursday??! I feel like this week has just flown by! I had all good intentions of being on my best blogging behavior this week, but unfortunately my blogging badness has carried over into another week! It's horrible. When will the madness stop? I had some crafty things I wanted to share this week, a recipe...and above all else, I wanted to be a good commenter and get around and read everyone's blogs! I've been so missing out on staying on top of my blog reading! When I finally get a chance to get on here and catch up, I feel like I'm a million days behind...ok, that's an exageration...a hundred...well, 10 at least! It's a little overwhelming when you log on and realize that you've missed about 40-50 blog posts! Where's my assistant?!

A few "thankfuls"...

1. God's goodness. I've really had to rely on my faith the last couple of weeks. Trying to feel better and get all the cooties outta here!
2. Good coffee. Truly there have been a few days these past couple of weeks if it hadn't been for coffee, I would have walked around like a zombie.
3. Good friends. I'm always thankful for my friends, but I'm just especially thankful for them this week. You just can't put a price on good friends. They lift us up when were feeling down. They can make us feel young. They create good times and good memories. You know who you are...LOVE YOU GUYS!
   
   One little crafty tid-bit I'd like to share...
   
   
   My cousin, Traci @ Living The Good Life, had me make a "happy birthday" banner for her daughters birthday. I had never made one THAT long before, but it was so much fun making it!!! I wanted to post pics while I was doing it, or at least a pic of the final product, but was SO BUSY that I failed to do so. However, this morning Traci posted it on her blog! Yippee!! So, I stole a few photos...I'm sure she won't mind....we ARE family after all.
   
   

What do you guys think?



Oh, did I tell you I was going to the NKOTB...New Kids On The Block...Concert? Well, I did and it was A-mazing! I'm not even kidding...it was the MOST fun I've had in a long time. For four hours I was 12 again. Although I am a happily married 31 YEAR OLD mom, I still felt like Joey and I might have a chance...I kid...no really. Me and my cousin, Renee @ My Glimpse Of Life (I know LOTS of cousins), went together. I took her for her birthday. Here are a few snip-its from the concert...don't be jealous ;)

Hello, Jordan!

Up close with Danny and Jonathan!

"I LOVE YOU JOEY!!!" ☺


Me and Renee!
Awesome concert!

Check out this video! Can you say good seats?? WOOHOO!
For all of you who love Donnie! (Renee LOVES Donnie!)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

This week's theme for I ♥ Faces is Creative Crop. Go to www.iheartfaces.com for more creative crops!

Spring Cleaning Tips from Blog Land

Here is the compiled list of Spring Cleaning Tips from Blog Land! A BIG thank you to everyone who posted a tip and entered my giveaway. There are some really great tips! Hope you find something that helps!

Lori said...
These are things that I do year-round, not just in the spring, to make my house feel and smell fresh:
1. After eating citrus fruits (lime, lemon, orange), toss the rinds in the garbage disposal drain. Works wonders!
2. Hang air fresheners (the type on a string, that can be hung from a rear view mirror) in inconspicuous places, such as the robe hook on the back of your bathroom door.
3. Simmer citrus rinds, herbs, or sweet seasonings on the stove. I love to combine cinnamon and orange peel.
4. Always keep an opened box of baking soda in the fridge/freezer. This really sucks up any unwanted food odors.
5. Stick fabric softener sheets under couch/chair cushions and mattresses.
6. Houseplants. Plants are great at ridding the air of toxins and pollutants and balancing the overall humidity of a home.
7. Open the windows EVERY chance you get! I like the windows open so much, that one or two go up even in the winter if the temperature gets above 55.

Hope these tips are useful to someone!
Lori
SimpleShutter

Karin said...
Have a garage sale and get rid of stuff you don't need or want anymore

Impulsive Addict said...
I like to do my cleaning projects a little differently. When it's time to deep clean, I only do one room at a time as to not get overwhelmed b/c that could interfere with my blogging, facebook, twitter, or drinking addiction. So I make a list of the days of the week and which room I will be cleaning for each day. Hope this helps!

Kricia Morris Photography said...
OK, here's my spring cleaning tip...actually, it's just an anytime cleaning tip! Sprinkle baking soda EVERYWHERE in your house where there's a chance of odor being absorbed...furniture, carpet, mattress...spray a light mist of febreze over that and then vacuum it all up. Voila! Smelling good stuff!

Jill said...
My biggest spring cleaning tip is... if you haven't used it or worn it in 2 years, it goes!

Carolyn G said...
I use vinegar to clean up the grease messes in the kitchen. It cuts right through. I also use newspaper to clean windows.

Liz said...
I throw away things or giveaway things that I haven't used in a while.

Joy said...
I get my kids to help! All the chores go faster and they develop a work ethic. Whether they want to or not. ;o)

~Billie~ said...
If I buy new clothes, something in my closet has to go. For every new piece of clothing, something has to be donated. Otherwise, it just becomes one giant overcrowded mess! =P

Nancy said...
For me it is making sure...all the Spring Cleaning is finished before the Week of Easter! Easter is a big deal to me, almost as much as Christmas! If there was only one thing I could get done before that week it would be my front porch and mulching the landscaping...okay..that's two..oh, well! The porch must be cleaned and ready to WELCOME Spring! As far as a tip~ Clean it on a Gorgeous Day!!! :)

Rachel said...
For a week, I focus on trying to use up items in my pantry... just picking up fresh items from the grocery store as needed.This helps me organize my pantry, clear out stuff before it goes bad, and have more room for other items!

AngiDe- Nana's Box said...
When cleaning out anything I think to myself have I used/worn this in the last year.... because lets be honest 6 months is too short of a time period.... if I haven't used/worn it into the trash or donation pile it goes.this is such a fabulous idea for a giveaway!thanks for letting me enter!AngieNana's Box

Mom2Toribug said...
Usually when I get to "Spring Cleaning", I just go through the house like a madwoman throwing lots of stuff away.

kari and kijsa said...
Mmmmm...label everything as you put away your winter goods, clothes, and decor...but make sure you put the right labels on the right boxes...I lost two boxes of winter clothes because I labeled them Christmas...mmm...guess my spring cleaning tip should then revert to Liz & Jill's...

Life with Kaishon said...
Here is my tip:Don't stress yourself out : ) Call a real cleaner. You need a break!

ikkinlala said...
My tip: vinegar and newspaper work great for cleaning windows, and clean windows make everything look cleaner (especially when the spring sun is shining in).

Forever Vintage said...
When I start my spring cleaning I usually go room by room. I like to keep a box in the hallway or downstairs and over the next couple of weeks I throw whatever I don't want anymore into it and off it goes to the Sally Ann.

AndreaLeigh said...
i am so not the person to ask for cleaning tips. although I do love my Swiffer duster! there's my tip, from the lazy and messy andrea.

Darlene said...
The only cleaning tip I have is to go room by room and break up your cleaning into small chunks of time. That way it doesn't seem overwhelming and it all gets done.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Friday Confessions

Lots to confess this week, so bare with me...

1. First, I have been a BAD blogger this week. This yuck/sick/junk has really put me behind. My head and sinuses have felt so bad the last few days and before that it was the nasty congestion and cough. I know others have been sick too. Hoping and praying we are all better ASAP! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get back to business as usual around here. So, I apologize for not being around and not visiting and commenting on blogs like I normally do. I'm hoping to play a little catch-up this weekend.
2. I still have NOT posted the Spring Cleaning Tips, but I will soon...I promise. I actually started the post last weekend, but just haven't had the "umph" to finish it.
3. I've been bad bad bad in the Starbucks category. Which I normally am, but this week has been extra worse. I think my head has felt so "foggy" that I kept thinking a little more Starbucks might help. If my calculations are correct, I've had 4 venti iced Americanos, 2 hot Americanos, 3 Iced Apple Chai (for my throat ☺), and 2 new Starbucks VIAs (the new instant coffee from Starbucks, which is the BEST instant coffee I've ever had). Yeah. It's bad.
4. I went to bed almost every night WITHOUT washing the dishes. Do you know how sucky it is to wake up in the morning to a sink full of dirty dishes?! I hate that! Why do I do that to myself...sick or not. Ugh!
5. Which brings me to this confession, due to being so lazy in the evenings, my mornings have been chaotic and I've been late every morning this week. Man I'm hoping next week is better. It has to be.
6. This is a good one...I deleted EVERYTHING on the DVR. I thought I was doing a good thing by deleting all the Bachelor episodes, because we all know how that turned out and we know it is definitely not worth re-watching. Well, in the process of deleting the Bachelor episodes, I deleted everything else...all of my husband's recordings...not good. I had thought about playing dumb or going into the witness protection program, but I was a good girl and just faced the music. He was like "HOW do you delete EVERYTHING on the DVR?" I'm like..."I have NO idea, Michael. It was an ACCIDENT! DUH" Woops.

How has your week been? Anything you need to confess? Well, I'm listening. ☺

Hope everyone has a fabulous Friday!

I ♥ Faces: Messy Faces

I actually wasn't going to post an I ♥ Faces picture this week. I had planned on taking a "messy" picture this weekend, but got sick instead. So, I started digging through my old pictures without much luck. Then last night I ran across this one. It's not that great of a picture and was taken with my old camera which was not that great. However, the story behind it is kinda cute. We were at my Granny's house one Sunday afternoon and Isaiah went MIA. I was looking high and low and when I found him he was in my Granny's closet, sitting on the floor with a tube of cherry chapstick...and as you can tell he was "applying" it all over his lips...and cheeks...and chin...it was quite the MESS!

For more messy faces, go to http://www.iheartfaces.com/ !

And the winner is...And the award goes to...And...

As you can tell from my title to this blog, I have much blogging business to take care of. Sorry it's taken me so long to tell you the winner of the Gift Drawer CLEANOUT Giveaway. I've been sick and feeling like poo.

Without further ado, the winner of the Gift Drawer CLEANOUT Giveaway is...

Joy @ Joy To The Blog

I also have a bloggy award to pass on. ReRe @ Re-Ramblings passed on the Fabulosity Award to me...ME...can you believe it? I was totally honored, because I think her blog is FABULOUS, so for her to tell me that she thinks my blog is fabulous is a huge compliment. As we all know, when you receive a bloggy award you must pass it on. This one will not be a hard one to pass on because I read so many FABULOUS blogs. The hard part will be deciding who NOT to give this award to. So, I'm going to pass it on to some bloggy friends who I have not given an award to before.

1. Be Different...Act Normal - This girl is full of advice, tips, and information. Everyday her blog is full of cool things! She likes Martha, which is a huge plus, and she posts links to crafty projects. You just won't be disappointed by checking out her blog. Oh, and she has 260 followers, but still finds time to comment and e-mail back! FABULOUS!
2. Confessions from an Impulsive Addict - Impulsive Addict has been my friend IRL for a long time...we go way back. So, it's a ton of fun keeping up with her in bloggy land. She is a hoot. She drinks beverlies. She isn't afraid to write about anything...it's real life in a no-holds-barred kinda way. You'll love her! FABULOUS!
3. My 3 and 4 are Hot Chocolate Caramel Mocha and Three Baby Chicks - These girls hosted the Where's Wenda search...go check out there blogs to find out what it was. They made it around to hundreds of blogs commenting along the way. Their blogs are fantastic...ones you don't want to miss! FABULOUS

One last thing before I go...WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON IN THAT PEA-SIZED BRAIN OF JASON's?! I know I'm not the only one who is totally ticked off at the Bachelor...at Jason...at Molly for taking him back...it's INSANE! I say "I'm never watching this STUPID show again...eVER!" However, I know from past experience, like the Brad Womack season, that I will return and watch it again...I'm sick like that I guess. I get so mad at the show and things that happen, but by the next time the season rolls around I've forgiven and forgotten. I don't know this time though. I think it was pretty low, pretty planned out, pretty staged...and I'm not happy. How about you? What's your feelings?

I'll have the Spring Cleaning Tips post up tomorrow! It's a pretty good list!

Oh, and this is my 150th post! Woohoo!

Friday Confessions

Sometimes. At night. I sit on my iPhone and go back and forth between Facebook, Twitter, Blogger...and occasionally Myspace. Just change my age and call me 15. Next thing you know I'll be changing my status to "Jenny is bored...plz txt...918-xxx-xxxx".

In a moment of parental weakness, I encouraged Isaiah to play a computer game and now my laptop has been kidnapped by a 5 year old.

(I'm trying to watch my DVR'd episodes of the Bachelor...Isaiah needs me to put appendages back on Transformers and begging to watch Sponge Bob on "my TV")

Isaiah: Please put Starscreams wing back on...puhhhleeeeezzzeee.

Me: Ok, just a minute...momma just wants to watch this ONE thing.

Isaiah: BUT mom...I need Starscreams wing put back on NOW...not later. He can't fight Megatron until he has his wing-uh!

Me: OK-uh. Give me his wing. (aimlessly trying to re-attach the wing while swooning over Jason)

Isaiah: Mom...you're NOT doing it right!

Me: Here, Bub...look...you wanna play on momma's computer?

Isaiah: NO-uh, Mom. I just want Starscreams wing back on!

Me: I'm working on it. Daddy is so much better at repairing Transformers...you should ask Daddy...he really loves putting Transformers back together.

Isaiah: No...you have to do it. You're the bestest at putting wings back on.

Me: Well, I thought I heard Daddy say that he really wanted to play Transformers.

Isaiah: Momma.

Me: Ok, ok. (finally getting Starscream back to his fighting condition)

Isaiah: Great, Mom! You're the best mom EVER!

(3 minutes go by)

Isaiah: Uh oh, Mom...now BumbleBee is missing one of his arms...he can't tranform into a vehicle until he has his arm!

Me: Ok, one last repair!

Isaiah: OK!

(Bumblebee is back to HIS fighting condition)

Isaiah is playing happily.

(3 minutes go by)

Isaiah: Mom! You gotta help the Autobots are being taken over by Starscream and Megatron! They're trying to destroy the Autobots!!!

Me: Ok, Bub...I promise, just a few more minutes while I watch my show.

Isaiah: It can't wait a few more minutes...in a few more minutes the Decepticons will take over the Autobots! Do you know what happens then Mom?

Me: Just a sec.

Isaiah: Do you know what happens then MOM?

Me: WHat? What happens then (pausing the DVR...for the umpteenth time)

Isaiah: They'll take over the whole world! All of Oklahoma! You wouldn't want that WOULD you mom?

Me: Of course not.

...

Me: Hey, Bub...you sure you don't want to play on mom's computer? There are Transformer games!!

Isaiah: Transformer games?! Woohoo!

(1 hour later)

Me: Hey, Bub...can momma have the computer back?

I watched the season finale of True Beauty...and I liked it.

I bought a dozen donut holes yesterday and I ate them all...before I left town...and sat waiting on the train wishing I had more.

Do you have something you would like to confess? Well, just do it...leave it in my comments or make a confession post of your own. Remember...it's good for the soul. You'll feel better. I promise.

Happy Friday!

Gift Drawer CLEANOUT Giveaway!

I know you are probably thinking "WHAT"? Don't worry, I'm not giving away junk...ok, it may be random "stuff", but it's all new and unused...well, except for my extra copy of Little Women I'm throwing in because I had two copies. Do you have a gift drawer or a gift room like my mom has? Well, I have a couple of gift drawers. They are places I keep stuff that I find on sale or the dollar bins at Target and Michaels...stuff I think I'll give to someone for a birthday or maybe as a "Just Because" gift...but sometimes it doesn't happen. Well, I have been so productive in my cleaning (which included taking down my bare Christmas tree and putting it safely back in the shed where it belongs). I cleaned out my gift drawers and I have a few odds and ends that have never been given away...they need a home! I'm ready for some new items in my gift drawer, but nothing will fit until I give a few things away...so, that brought me to this...my Gift Drawer CLEANOUT Giveaway!! All you need to do is leave me a comment and for another entry you can blog about it on your blog and link back over here to me!

Here's what's in the giveaway:

A gently used DVD of Little Women, the red cross I like to refer to as "candle bling"...it has a sharp pointy thing on the back and you can push it into the side of a pillar candle...way cute, some notecards from Target...
A necklace from Avon, a purse-size B&B Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion, Badger Sleep Balm (you can use it on little people (and big people) to help them drift off into sweet dreams...Isaiah loves this stuff), 2 wooden stars that say "Simplify...do away with complexity"...I think they were originally meant to be ornaments...you can use them for whatever you would like :), 3 packages of fancy tissues...What? When I find things I really like, I buy them in mass quantity. In the words of Christy (ImpulsiveAddict), don't you judge me! :)

Carrying on...

2 packs of red/black/white floral notecards and 2 red little notepads w/ pens...yeah, I guess I really like these too.

And last, but certainly not least...a poster of Edward like the one hanging in my office! ☺(You know you want one...ok, even if you don't...which you should...I'm sure you know someone who does.)

I would like to put a little twist on the whole "comment to win" thing. I need you to comment to enter, but I would like you to tell me a spring cleaning tip or trick...or something you always do to help clear out clutter and usher in a fresh new season. I'm going to compile a list from your comments and put them in a spring cleaning post next week. I'll be sure to link back up to your page in my post. Get to commenting! ☺

I'll draw a winner on March 1st...that's Sunday!

Happy HumpDay

So, it's hump day...I like saying that, makes me smile...not sure why? Hope everyone has been having a great week thus far! Mine has been pretty good...laid back. I like it that way. My two big bosses have been gone, which means the office is chill. No one has been yelling at me. It's nice. I don't really have an agenda for bloggin' today...I just felt like it.

(*beware this could get random*)

Last night I made a yummy hamburger soup...not really "stew"...more like soup. I just sorta winged it and tossed in things...this is kinda how it went...

1 pound of hamburger - browned w/ a little onion and some seasonings...just whatever floats your boat.
1 can of peas and carrots
1 can of diced potatoes
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of corn
2 1/2 cups of water

Brown the meat. Drain off any grease. Add in veggies, tomato sauce, and water. Let it come to a boil. Turn down heat. Simmer 20-30 minutes. Voila!

Super yumm-O with cornbread or crackers.

Start to finish 45 minutes max! Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

One more thing I wanted to share is that I've been cleaning out EVERYTHING...closets, drawers, cabinets. I've got five bags of "stuff" to take to Golden Rule. It's pretty much ridiculous. From the looks of the bags, you would think that there is nothing left in our house...oh, but there is. This brings me to my giveaway. I know what you're thinking, "Jen, I don't want your junk." Don't worry. While cleaning, I decided to purge my "gift drawers". I'm just in the mood to start over. So, in a day or so, I'll have a giveaway post and in it will be all the things that are...or were in my gift drawer. Stay tuned!

I ♥ Faces : Black and White

This is another picture from a fun day of playing. I told you a few weeks ago that Isaiah loves tunnels...here he is again playing in a tunnel.

For more brilliant B&Ws go to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/

Friday Confessions

I have three words for you...tree IS down! Yes, that's right. My Christmas tree is finally down and I no longer have to confess to you my tardiness in dismantling my holiday decor. I know. You probably are thanking me for this, because I'm sure you are tired of reading about the stupid girl who still has her Christmas tree up...that gets old.

Last night I got an envelope in the mail, like a for real handwritten card...I love getting those. Since we e-mail, text, IM, and comment people so much; it's like we forget how to send a personal hand written card. In my mail yesterday, was a card from a few of my favorite people (Melissa, Michelle, and Gabe)...this is the confession part...along with the card was a package of Twilight trading cards. I was ecstatic! Seriously, it was as if I had been given some expensive gift. I ripped open the package as fast as I could in hopes of finding my very own Edward...no such luck. However, I did get a really awesome scene shot with Alice and a character card w/ Bella. So, it's all good! Anyone have any they would like to trade? What...are you trying to tell me that I'm the only one who trades Twilight cards?

I have an issue. I hate when people tell me what to do. It's a fault...I realize this. None the less, that's me. It's like someone says "do this" and deep inside I just want to do "that". "Jennifer, it's illegal to steal street signs"...done, one stolen street sign. I've pretty much been this way my whole life. Now, sometimes it's to my benefit...when people tell me I can't, I instinctively feel like "YES I can....watch me." However, sometimes it's probably my biggest downfall. Don't eat fried food...french fries are my friend. Too much coffee in one day is bad for you...uh, OK...as I'm drinking my third coffee of the day. You shouldn't break the speed limit...I've always felt that 5-7 mph over the speed limit is totally acceptable. I see a No U Turn sign and it's all that I can do to just drive past without flippin' a U-e. You know those signs on emergency doors: "Do not open door, alarm will sound"...I so want to push those doors. When I was younger, and my mom would put words on the bad list...like I couldn't say shut up, crap, dang, butt, fart...the list goes on and on...those words immediately crept into my vocabulary and I would just sneak them in whenever possible. What can I say, I was a brat, plus I always liked to get the "Jennifer Katherine!" statement. I hate it when people make general statements like, oh I don't know....I'll just pick some random statement...like "Everyone should turn off their auto playlists on their blogger pages." (which was an exact post on Twitter the other day) Well, I just get this defiance that rages inside me and wants to turn up my playlist as loud as I can.

Good thing my therapist is on speed dial.

Happy Friday! ☺

And the winner is...

Lori from Time of Your Life (a new blogger friend:) won my Snuggie giveaway! Congrats, Lori! I'll be contacting you via e-mail for your address.

Sorry I've been a little absent from blogging this week. My work computer crashed and I haven't had my regular blogger breaks...makes it hard to keep up with commenting and such. So, I'll be sure to get around and read all of your wonderful blogs as soon as I can!

I'm home today with Isaiah. He's been a little under the weather and in desperate need of some mommy time, so that's what we're doing today. Well, except for this small amount of time that I'm "working" on the computer. Don't worry. He's being conveniently entertained by the Wiggles.

Well, back to conversations about Transformers and building things with Tinker Toys.

Have a great Wednesday!

I *heart* Faces - Week 6: Wonder

Week 6: WONDER

www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com

This weeks theme for i heart faces is wonder. I took this pic of Isaiah last year at the zoo. I think the expression on his face is wonder...like "I wonder what I can get into next?"...or "I wonder if it's ok to feed the animals?"...or "I wonder if mom would notice if I climb that fence?"

Go check out more WONDERful faces at www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com

A Valentine's Giveaway and My Fav Poem

Although I think that Valentine's Day is a made up holiday, here to make the card and candy makers an extra buck, I do like the idea of a day dedicated to love. So, in honor of this love-filled day. I want to share my favorite love poem of all time, written by none other than Mr. Shakespeare himself...

Shall I compare thee to a summers day?

by William Shakespeare


Shall I compare thee to a summer's day ?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimmed,

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature’s changing course untrimmed;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st,

Nor shall death brag thou wand'rest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st;

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.



This poem just makes me happy when I read it. I think it would steal any girl's heart. It is an expression of complete love.



I also am having a little Valentine's Day Giveaway.

Funny story: Isaiah has an obsession with infomercials. He watches them and memorizes them. If it was up to him, our house would be full of Magic Bullets and Tobi Steam Cleaners. He thinks everyone should own Aqua Globes...that was what we bought moms and grandmas for Mother's Day last year. I'm always aware of any new fitness contraption or phenomenon...Isaiah is sure to let me know..."it'll make you skinny" he says...thanks for thinking of me Bub. During Christmas, the Snuggie infomercials were a hot new thing, so what did he want to buy everyone for Christmas? Yep, Snuggies! However, the lovely people at Snuggie did not send out our 8...yes, EIGHT...Snuggies until a few weeks ago. So, here we are 2 months after Christmas and we have 8 Snuggies! I have given some of them away and we've kept a couple to use ourselves, but we do have one Snuggie left...and it needs an owner...a free book light is included with every purchase...er, I mean giveaway.

If you would like to win a Snuggie and a book light, leave me a comment. I'll draw a winner on Wednesday (February 18).



To all my blog land friends...Happy Valentine's Day

Friday Confessions

I must confess...

• There are times during the week when I feel like doing something "bad"...well, confession-worthy at least, but then I refrain. These confession sessions are good for me. It's kinda like writing your food in a journal while on Weight Watcher or some other diet. You don't eat the snickers b/c then you would HAVE to write it in the journal. Just goes to show that confessing and being held accountable are good things.


• I am addicted to Young Adult Fiction. Yes, I, Jennifer Katherine, am addicted to Young Adult Fiction. First it was Twilight, then the other 3 books followed closely behind. Well, where do you go after Twilight? I felt lost. What do I read? How will I sleep at night? What are the Cullens doing while I'm away? It was like Miss Stephenie Meyer just shut the door to the "Twilight world" in my face. Reality is harsh. I liked my alternate reality much better...you know the one where Edward is real. Oh, so where was I...oh yes, Young Adult Fiction right. So, since Twilight I have found myself diving into more and more books that are written for 15 year olds. After Twilight, I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (which I highly recommend). Then I started the Gemma Doyle Series by Libba Bray...I finished A Great and Terrible Beauty and now I'm reading Rebel Angels. Is there something wrong with me? I think what I like the most about all these YA books is that they make me feel young and they are easy reads. I can finish a book in just a few days. Just so you know, after I finish this series, it's back to Twilight. I miss it too much. I'm starting to forget important details about New Moon in particular...that can't happen...it would be a sin. I wouldn't want to have to confess that now would I?!


• I took a Which Gemma Doyle Character Are You quiz on Facebook. When they asked "During your language class you are asked to read a paragraph from the board. Do you...A...?" I totally answered it like I was in high school...the same way I answered the other 6 questions. However, I did NOT post it on my Facebook profile. I sorta kept that one to myself. What other 31 year olds are concerned about which Gemma Doyle character they might be?...anyone, anyone...yeah, that's what I thought.


• Due to the yumm-O cobbler recipe I got from Andrea at My Chihuahua Bites...I blew my diet twice this week. Once for dinner on Tuesday night, then again at lunch on Wednesday...it was just that good! Andrea, the fat girl in me thanks you!

Happy Friday Y'all!

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!

I ♥ (Silly) Faces: Week 5

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures I have taken of Isaiah. We were just playing at the park on a warm summer day and he was in his favorite place...the tunnel! He's always had cute expressions, so I was happy to capture this one on film. For more silly faces go to I ♥ Faces.

Main website: http://www.iheartfaces.com/

This weeks theme: http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2008/03/week-5-kids.html

The Letter 'N' and 10 Favorite Things

Andrea over at My Chihuahua Bites had a way cute post yesterday. She was assigned by a friend to list ten of her favorite things that start with the letter "T". After me telling her how fun I thought it was, she sent me and e-mail and tagged me for the letter "N". So here it goes...

The night sky...I love star-gazing.

The Orion Constellation is my favorite thing to look for in the night sky.

NATURE

Non-Fat Lattes from Starbucks.


The Notebook

NKOTB

New Moon...you knew I couldn't leave Edward out of this list.

Nail polish...OPI is my favorite brand and my fav colors are I'm Not Really a Waitress and My Private Jet

Necco candies. They are the people who make Sweethearts, but my favorite is the old-time wafers. yum.

Note cards like the adorable ones you can buy from Tiny Prints. (http://www.tinyprints.com/)

and last but not least...

NOODLES...I ♥ pasta!

Hope everyone is having a sweet Saturday! Enjoy the weekend!

I Love Jesus But I Drink A Little

Scroll to the bottom of this page and push pause on my playlist before hitting play.



Oh. My. Gosh. This is the funniest thing I've watched in a while. I ♥ Ellen. I think she is sooooo funny anyway, but her and Gladys, what a pair! Thank you Lord for Youtube.

Don't forget to read my Friday Confessions...if you don't go read them, who would I be confessin' to?

Friday Confessions

"Open confession is good for the soul."

~ Scottish Proverb

1. 
   
   A couple of weeks ago, Michael sent me a text message that said "An 80 year old man just gave me a fist bump." I texted back and said, "Did he hit your truck?" He texted back and said, "What are you talking about? I said he gave me a FIST BUMP." I said, "OH, I thought you said he gave you your FIRST BUMP!" I was reading too fast. Every since then, every once in a while Michael will walk up to me, put his fist out and say "FIRST BUMPS all around!" Note to self: read slowly.


2. 
   
   I made a promise to myself that I would only frequent Starbucks every other WORK day. I've been there 6 times since last Friday. Why is it when I say I am NOT going to do something, I turn right around and do it? I guess I need to try reverse psychology on myself. "Go ahead, Jenny...drink as much Starbucks as you would like. Sure. It's fine. You won't gain a pound. Drink up."


3. 
   
   I've done real well eating healthy at lunch this week. I've brought my lunch...ate veggies...I even baked me some fish one day. Then something happens around 2 o'clock...this ravenous beast (aka my sweet tooth) rares it's ugly head and I start eating chocolate covered popcorn and drinking Starbucks.


4. 
   
   My bare Christmas tree is still sitting in the corner of the living room.


5. 
   
   Have you ever seen the movie Encino Man? Sean Astin, Brendan Frasar, Pauly Shore. Circa 1992. I've probably seen this movie well over 100 times. I think I loose brain cells every time I watch it, but I can't help it. I LOVE this movie. I know every word. I love repeating Pauly Shore..."don't wheeze the juice." Too funny.


6. This song that's playing on my playlist right now...Kiss by Prince...is my fav song to sing while in the shower. Makes me feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman...well, minus the big fancy bathroom, being a prostitute, and having a billionaire boyfriend.
7. I'm glad American Idol is back on so I can yell at the people on TV...gets a little aggression out. My therapist said it's good.
8. I have a confession to make to Renee. I made the piece of flair I sent you yesterday on Facebook. You know the one I accused you of plagiarizing. Yeah, I totally went and made that after you made the statement on my page. I was getting revenge. It was bad. I'm sorry.

I think that about wraps it up for me this week. Whew. I feel better.

Happy Friday!

Valentine's Day Swap

Andrea @ My Chihuahua Bites (which is a truly fantastic blog) hosted a Valentine's Day Swap. This has been my first swap EVER! Let me tell you, it has been the most fun! I have had the best time getting to know my Swap Partner, Julie! She is such a sweet lady and she has a terrific blog (http://www.shabbywears.blogspot.com/ ). Blog land friends are so great!


So, first I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Andrea for hosting such a fabulous swap! Second, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to Julie for my amazing box of goodies! She was so creative and thoughtful in what she sent me...I can't thank her enough!


Take a look at what I got...

I love all things "Paris". So, she decorated the outside of this suitcase w/ vintage pictures of the Eiffel Tower and French sayings. It was tres cute!

Inside was a mixture of delightful things...heart wreaths, yummy "pink" hot cocoa, cute Valentine's Day themed baking supplies (which is so funny b/c I bought her some V-day inspired baking supplies too before I got the package from her...great minds think alike☺), a candle, some scrapping supplies, a cookbook, and a beautiful vintage bowl!

Geez...that's a long list...I'm a lucky girl!








Here is what I came up with for my gift to Julie...
I took an old hat box...


recovered it with some cutsie valentine's paper and clip art...
filled it with some goodies and gifts...
tossed in some rose petals for charm...
and tied it with a bow!
I really hope you like your Valentine's Day goodies, Julie! I had so much fun putting your gift together!


When is the next swap? Sign me up!

Wordless Wednesday: Favorite Things

Blogging with Melissa☺

These beautiful mountains in Denver

Happy Wednesday!

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
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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!

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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☺

I ♥ Faces: The Eyes Have It!

This is a picture I took one morning in our drive way. It was totally spur-of-the-moment. I love it. His expression is so typical of him.


Go check out more I ♥ Faces pics at www.iheartfaces.com

Direct link to the weekly theme: I♥Faces

Sunday Snapshot: Downtown