Jen's Ubiquitous List-O'-Hundred

Hi everyone. S'COLLLLLLD here in Kansas today! My Longaberger party is in a few hours, but I wanted to hop online and check in. Hope everyone's having a great weekend so far.

In my continuing efforts to improve this blog, I find myself looking more and more at the blogs and web-diaries that people have posted online. This is a huge, huge part of cyberculture, and I've gotten so many ideas from these people. Eventually, I'd like to come up with a unique and pretty design concept and abandon the Pepto-pink template I'm using now. That will come. For now, though, I've decided to cave in and do one of those "100-Things-About-Me" posts that seemingly everyone in BlogVille(tm) has done. Read, enjoy, and learn something new about your Jennifer.

Here we go....

1. Quite simply, my life would end without Coca-Cola.

2. Not a day goes by when I don't think about 9/11.

3. Wintergreen gives me a severe headache.

4. I've never had a cavity or a broken bone, but I've been a surgical pincushion on four fun-filled occasions.

5. Europe was my home for three years, and would lovelovelove to go back someday. I'd especially like to return to Kaiserslautern (where I lived) and to see Paris, Sweden, and Italy.

6. Even though I hate nuts in cakes, pies, and other assorted goodies, I can pop peanuts as a snack and be quite content.

7. I absolutely love the sound of blowing air (i.e., fans, air conditioners, heaters, etc.). That sound is so incredibly comforting to me, for whatever reason.

8. I once won $1000 in a radio contest.

9. My handwriting is exceptionally feminine. It's loopy and fluffy and I double-and-triple write my letters.

10. I'm terrified that I will one day be paralyzed in an automobile accident.

11. I've never tried apple pie.

12. I can't STAND tags on linens or clothes. I'll pull them off, even if it involves cutting or damaging the fabric of the items in question.

13. The three worst classes I took throughout my educational career were Art History (undergraduate), Chemistry (high school), and Economics (high school)...

14. ...and the three BEST classes I took were Logic (undergraduate), Strategies for Teaching Adults (graduate), and The Psychology of Human Sexuality and Development (undergraduate).

15. I wish I had the self-confidence to stand up and really belt out a tune or two in public.

16. Bath and Body Works will never be forgiven for taking their Vanilla products off the market. I'll also eternally begrudge PartyLite for discontinuing their Spearmint candles. If Yankee Candle stops selling their Spearmint Sampler candles, I'll jump off a roof. (KIDDING....or am I?)

17. Prescription narcotics (rather, the behaviors I display when I take them) frighten me. In a clinical setting, I'll 9-times-out-of-10 opt for a non-narcotic pain medication...

18. ...however, the epidural is the best medical advance in human history.

19. Although I'm getting better about it, I second-guess myself way, way too often.

20. I adore orange candy and soda, but can't eat oranges or drink orange juice

21. Same deal with grape candy and soda.

22. I lovelovelovelove standing up in front of a group to teach. And I'm damned good at it, too. When I get rusty and don't do it for a while, my first time back at it is scary and nerve-wrought. But after that, man, I am rollin'!

23. Until the day I die, I'll never understand why anyone thinks Sheryl Crow is talented.

24. Also until the day I die, I'll always believe that my sinuses took a nosedive (ha - I made a funny!) for the worse when I had my baby. Almost immediately after I delivered, I started having violent sinus infections. Thankfully for me, my otolaryngologist believes me and medicates me quite nicely. She is loved. I should make her cookies.

25. At any given point in my life, I've wanted to be an attorney, physician's assistant, nurse, photographer, truck driver, hotel front desk clerk, elementary school teacher, occupational therapist, and social worker.

26. Even though I'm sure contact lenses make for better vision, the thought of sticking something in my eye...Christ, no thanks. I've even tried contacts. Noooo - not for me.

27. I am completely and totally enmeshed with the characters of my favorite television shows and the actors who portray them. I cry for them, laugh with them, and are thrilled for/disgusted with them, much like I would were they real people in my lives. Don't even get me started on how excited I get when the actors are nominated for (and WIN) awards for their craft.

28. On that note, I miss "Sex And The City" something fierce.

29. (And I think Carrie made a BIG (ha - another funny!) mistake by not marrying Aidan.)

30. The worst sound audible to the human ear is the sound of styrofoam being rubbed (or, even worse, two pieces of styrofoam rubbing together). Doing that around me is the equivalent of signing your own death certificate. Don't say you weren't warned.

31. Potato chips and string cheese...check it out the next time you're in need of a snack!

32. I was addicted to bologna and ketchup sandwiches as a child. As I aged, the balogna went to the wayside, but the ketchup followed me. I ate ketchup on EVERYTHING - plain bread slices, ham, macaroni and cheese...you name it. Now, the mere thought of ketchup (or balogna, for that matter) makes me want to vomit.

33. I'll always and forever love the beautiful, amazing nurses who cared for Erin and I in the maternity and neonatal ICU wards at Menorah Medical Center and the three wonderful OB/GYNs who cared for us during my pregnancy. These women were my sisters. They taught me so many things. They supported me. They cried and laughed with me. They tucked me in bed and kissed my forehead! Most importantly, they made sure my baby was safe and warm and healthy had everything she needed to become a strong, healthy little person.

34. The men in my life are ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS! My husband, father, father- and brother-in-law, uncles-in-law, and many dear male friends are funny as hell, and family get-togethers and parties are always a scream.

35. I miss Indianapolis, but Kansas City is my home now. I can't ever see myself living anywhere else.

36. (I would like to visit New York City, though.)

37. (And I still love the Pacers!)

38. I have a paralyzing fear of insects. Just paralyzing.

39. I loved the summers I spent at CYO Camp Rancho Framasa...and would love to see Erin spend her summers there as well. (I sing her camp songs! Really!)

40. Next to my family, friends, and sorority, music is the biggest and most important part of my world. It defines and accompanies the events of my life.

41. The smell of gasoline intrigues me.

42. (Yes, I know I'm weird.)

43. I firmly believe that you're never wrong for how you feel. It's what you DO with that feeling that determines whether or not you're in the wrong. If only more people dealt with their emotions in healthy manners, we'd have a virtually crime- and hurt-free society.

44. My first car was an obnoxiously bright yellow Chevette. My friend Dave referred to it as "Jen's-Fat-Little-Yellow-Pregnant-Twinkie-On-A-Rollerskate."

45. I miss Fort Benjamin Harrison, and hate what's become of the land where that post once sat.

46. I also miss BITNET Relay, and many of the friends I made there.

47. I tend to have "big hair." It's thick and long and tends to do whatever the hell it wants to do. In college, one of my sorority sisters affectionally called me "Jen The Big Bow Head" because I always wore floofy, trendy, big-assed hair bows.

48. In my eyes, a human life is formed at conception. Draw from that your own conclusions of what I do and don't view as "murder."

49. I am a dog person through and through. I'd never own a cat.

50. When I was 12 years old, a man tried to buy me as his wife. (Yes, it really happened!)

51. Only until I became a mother myself did I stop viewing stay-at-home-moms as lazy, undisciplined, pathetic women.

52. I don't believe that there are any accidents in life. Especially when other people are involved. Almost everyone I've encountered on my life's journey has either blessed my life with love and laughter or bettered me through pain and the long-road-back-that-accompanies-it.

53. (I still don't forgive the latter group, however. Well, SOME of them are forgiven. Not ALL. I fully admit that I need to be the bigger person and forgive these folks. Maybe later.)

54. As a child, I so wanted a sibling. As an adult, I'm glad I didn't have one. The love, the devotion, the attention, the college money....ALL MINE!

55. (Yes, I know I'll not feel this way in the golden years of my life. Or maybe even sooner.)

56. In my single days, I managed to date and romantically affiliate myself with every loser, abuser, liar, cheat, manipulator, and cretin within my sphere of reach.

57. (I was also lucky enough to really love twice in my lifetime. Given that some people spend lifetimes looking for love, to have twice truly experienced it before I turned 30 is an amazing gift. I'm not quite certain why God gave me that.)

58. I got a 30 on the ACT but barely broke 1000 on the SAT. Go figure.

59. (I also graduated in the top eleventh percentile of my large high-school class. Go me.)

60. I used to be quite gifted at the sport of archery when I was a young girl. As myopic as I've always been, I'm astounded that I had this gift.

61. I've been a total pushover and a aggressive bitch in my lifetime. You know, that whole "A" and "Z" philosophy. I'm working toward becoming an "M." I'm not there yet. Which side of "M" I'm on depends entirely on the day.

62. Although I love seeing new places, I hate the intricacies of travel. Especially post-9/11.

63. I strongly encourage everyone to have their wisdom teeth removed. ALL FOUR OF THEM. Even though they may not hurt you now, you'll be damned sorry if they start.

64. I think Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is astoundingly beautiful.

65. (So is the music that's seemingly always performed at that service.)

66. My $1.50 soda from the drive-thru will always taste better than your snooty $6.50 Starbucks coffee. Every time. My husband firmly, firmly disagrees.

67. I met a porn star once. She was kind, remarkably intelligent, and exceptionally well-spoken. Unfortunately, she overheard me speculate aloud to several friends that she "was probably just a stupid whore." I had egg on my face for days.

68. When I accepted my internship with the Department of Defense, the Monica Lewinsky scandal was all the rage. My friends teased me, telling me they hoped I "restored good faith to the name of interns everywhere." I like to think I did so.

69. I watched MTV all day on the day it premiered. I was just mesmerized.

70. When I think about how long ago that was, I feel incredibly old.

71. My first EMAIL address was *icfy500*at*indyvax[DOT]edu*. That was in 1991, and I've been online ever since.

72. I can't resist the smell of Polo on a man. Yowsa.

73. Remember the old "Emergency Broadcast System" messages? They scared the hell out of me. On one of the worst nights of my life, the real deal was played on the radio (because the city was experiencing exceptionally violent weather). That very same evening, I was injured quite badly in a fall, saw a man be struck by a car, and was badly emotionally and verbally abused by someone I allowed myself to care for. Until the day I die, that damned "Emergency Broadcast Alert" reminds me of that horrible night.

74. People are astounded at how I type. I use three, maybe four fingers tops...and I can go about 600000000000000 words a second. (OK, that's a slight exaggeration, but still!)

75. I love how French braids look. I can't do them, though. I'd like to learn so that when my Erin's hair is long enough to do them, I can!

76. I am a people-lover. It's nothing for me to make friends in public places, on travel excursions, or anywhere I go.

77. I'm a girly-girl. I love pretty clothes, makeup, jewelry, smelly candles and lotions, etc. I'm in love with Louis Vuitton bags, but am not insane enough to spend that kind of money on a purse.

78. I had a part-time job at Yankee Candle in Indianapolis when I was an intern. That was a great, great job. I loved the products, sold them well, absolutely adored my co-workers, and had a fantastic time. (and the discount was killer!)

79. Afentra's "Big Fat Morning Buzz" is a guilty, guilty pleasure. LOVE it.

80. I can't stand honey, and won't eat anything that has honey in it. This can make holidays, trips to restaurants, and dinners at friends' homes rather uncomfortable at times.

81. I smoked cigarettes socially in college, but I never inhaled and this, was never an addict.

82. Saxophone music is the sexiest music on the face of the planet...

83. ...and the trained, black male voice is sensual beyond words.

84. I think Carlos Mencia, Mike Myers, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Dave Chappelle are of true comic genius.

85. SometimesItalkveryveryveryfast.

86. I met Dick Clark once. I don't think he knew what to make of me.

87. Myers-Briggs wise, I'm an ENFP with a strong "J" pull.

88. In college, I had an unhealthy addiction to Werther's Candy. I ate that stuff like it was going out of style. The mere thought of it now just makes me sick.

89. First concert I attended? INXS in 1987.

90. Last? Josh Groban in February of 2004.

91. I'm the only person I know who loathes spicy foods and Asian cuisine.

92. I have a disgustingly horrible sense of direction. I get lost easily, and I do NOT turn "north" or "south" or "east" or "west." I turn "left" and "right" only. I will forever be indebted to the fine folks at MapQuest for their ingenious invention.

93. I am a complete and total "Child of the '80s." I had an Atari 2600 and "turned over" almost ever game I had. I wore out at least three Rubik's Cubes. I wore jellies and leg warmers, loved my neon sweatshirts, and had a monogrammed corduroy handbag. Everyone asked me if my phone number was 867-5309. Now, if I could just find someone else who loved Mappy like I did, I'd be set.

94. I love Olivia Newton-John. I realize that makes me a sap. I don't know how I got "in" to her music, but when I was very young (i.e., in the late 70s and early 80s), I had all of her tapes and sangsangsang her songs over and over and over. She was my inspiration to want to become a singer. I'd love to meet her someday.

95. In grade school, I was a cheerleader. Shocking, yes, I know. One year, there were six of us and five of us were named "Jennifer." Thank goodness for middle names.

96. (Mine is Grace...named after my aunt who, sadly, died 12 years before I was born. She was beautiful and I'm sorry I never got the chance to know her.)

97. I'm astounded by the number of people who can't (or just choose NOT to) speak and write Engrish Englush Egnlsih inglesh English properly.

98. As a child, I referred to my parents and I as "The Three-I Family." I was born in Indiana, Daddy in Illinois, and Mom in Iowa. I always told them we'd need to move to Idaho so that they could have another baby.

99. We stayed in Indiana.

100. Don't call me "Jenny." Ever. I abhor that name. Call me "Jen," "Jennifer," or "Hey You," but do NOT call me "Jenny."

Well, there you have it!

Your Little Jennifer, The Political Activist?

Hi everyone. Should I begin with my customary apology for not posting in several days, or just shut the hell up and get to the good stuff? I opt for the latter.

This week's been a whirlwind. We were off Monday in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday, which was nice. Erin went on to daycare and I had the day to myself. (Yes, I know...I should have been true to my loyal fans and posted here, but dammit, I just didn't want to! Doesn't mean I don't love you guys! Really!). Monday was cold (VERY cold, actually) and overcast and atmospherically yucky. I didn't really feel quite like myself, either (this cold has really kicked my ass), so I just didn't have the OOMPH that I'd hoped for. Still, I spent the day engaging in one of my SelfishGuiltyPleasures(tm)...reading and vegging out at Borders. LOVE that place. (I love Barnes and Noble too, don't get me wrong. Borders is just closer to home and, quite honestly, I didn't have the energy to drive all the way in to Overland Park!) Just a nice, quiet, me-me-me kind of day. I need those more often. My supervisor was out of the office Tuesday and Wednesday, making me the "acting" boss. Not that that's any sort of big feat or anything, at least it wasn't this time. However, I do tend to notice that our "all-hell-breaks-loose" periods allllways seem to come RIGHT when she's on leave/TDY (temporary duty out of state) and I'm in charge. No such thing happened this week, thank God. What DID happen was that I felt, for the first time, truly exhausted and disgusted by red tape and bureaucracy that so pepper Government work. The details, I'll spare you. I'll simply say that, yet AGAIN, ignorance prevails over customer-focused, simple, workable products. There simply aren't the words to describe the frustration that accompanies working against the grain. One of the reasons I so, so wanted to come and work here was that the mentality and energy here focused so exclusively on free thought...thought that embraced innovation and improvements and, gasp, customer satisfaction. When you are a self-contained, self-managed entity, that sort of energy makes the world a fantabulous place. When the folks in charge don't share your passion, well, your energies systematically seem to find themselves headed right toward the toilet. A dear colleague talked me through how unhappy and un-energized this all made me, and I'll always love her for that. I absolutely love my field...love my local customers, love my boss and colleagues, love the agency (dare I say it?)...and, in all honesty, it's very hard for me to see myself ever working anywhere else. But good Lord almighty, sometimes I just have my days. And this week, I had one of those days. Made for a crummy mid-week. Today's Thursday, and I'm hoping for (1) a nice, quiet evening at home where (2) lots of folks will call and RSVP for my poorly-doomed Longaberger party this weekend and (3) "ER" will be good and (4) I can get some much-needed REST. Jen's a tired girl. And a HUNGRY girl! I need one of those in-home caterers. You know...the ones who make criminally delicious foods and deliver them to your home in easily-disposed-of containers (you know, to minimize the cleanup!) Right...keep dreaming, Jen!

So today's Inauguration Day. I'm happy that Mr. Bush is back. Can you IMAGINE what would have become of our country if liberal rule was given a four-year destruction pass? Christ, the thought of it just scares me senseless. This country needs to rise up and "take back" what is duly ours. I'm getting exceptionally tired of the seemingly growing "the-world-is-about-me" cancer plaguing this country. At this time in our country's existence, a four-year liberal government would spell the spiritual and moral end of our nation. Period. Let me say this in the clearest, most open way I can. Come to America. Live here. Be who you are. Practice your faith (or don't...whatever). Get an education. Live free of oppression and violence and be free. Share who you are with us so that we can learn and be made more educated and enlightened by your experiences and culture. Enjoy the blessings of health and freedom that we've been so fortunate to call our own. But good Christ, do NOT expect who we are and what we believe to change for you. Personally, I don't give a rat's ass WHAT you believe religiously. What I DO care about is when you dare, in a country that's welcomed and embraced and secured you, to be "offended" when we display the traits and medallions of the faith upon which we were founded. Dumbing it down for those who apparently so require it, if this "offense" so "violates" you, then go the hell back to wherever you came from. It's really that simple. Given the choice, I'd bet the world that this "vulgarity" you complain of pales in comparison to the indignities you are forced to suffer and endure wherever you came from. The only thing that angers me more than this is the Americans...those who were born here and who have lived here in freedom and plenty...to expect that the principles and morals this country was founded (and has relied) upon simply be changed because they don't subscribe to them. THEN LEAVE. I empower and challenge you to find any other country in the world where you will enjoy the liberties and plenty that this country offers you...and, too, allows you to selfishly desecrate and diminish anything that you disbelieve. Good luck. (If you find it, please let those who share your views know so that they, too, may leave). This country has afforded you the freedom to speak. To think. To worship (or not). To believe (or not). To pursue education and health and vigor and dreams and joy. Just remember how and where you GOT those joys and blessings. This cancer of "me-me-me" (to the selfish detriment of everyone else) just pisses me off in ways that I cannot convey in words. I would never DREAM of living in, for instance, Israel and expecting them to embrace my Catholicism and to abandon their Jewish celebrations and ideals. I just don't selfishly believe that the world caters to me, and that, everyone else be damned, what I thinkandfeelandwant supersedes established culture and morality. This cancer, my friends, is spreading all around us...and that's with a strong moral government and presence in our country. Just IMAGINE how much worse our country (and world) would be in four years had Mr. Bush not won. I shudder to even think about it.

(Here come the slew of "Jen-I-had-no-idea-you-were-such-a-bigot/bitch" EMAIL messages...I can hear my inbox filling up as we speak...)

I certainly didn't intend for this post to be so emotionally-charged! I honestly meant to sit down and catch you fine folks up on what's been going on in my world! Sorry. :)

On a happier note, I'm falling more and more in love with long, flowing skirts. I've got several now, and I just picked up two GORGEOUS ones ON SALE! ON SALE, my friends! I actually sang to the cashier as she checked me out, "Iiiii looooove a saaaa-aaaale!" (she just laughed, but I'm sure she thought "Christ, get this crazy fat woman OUT of here!") I love feeling beautiful and feminine and pretty! Add these two amazing skirts to my amazing black, bejeweled flats (SO PRETTY!) which, too, were on sale and you make one happy (and snazzy!) Jen. :)

Have you heard of Lori Gottlieb? Check her out. She's really well spoken and funny! I caught her on NPR's "All Things Considered" last night.

I'm off.

(Oh yeah, don't disappoint me, Dr. Carter. No more canoodling with that ugly social worker.)

Jen Out! Ta!

I love lazy Sundays. Especially when I'm in my warm, toasty home surrounded by the people and things I love. Mmmm...the sounds of XM Radio and the smell of quite possibly the most delicious candles ever created (Colonial Candle's Fine Merlot and Fine White Zinfandel...YUM!). Heaven.

I live in good plenty. And for that, I am and always will be eternally grateful. I wonder sometimes why it is that God chose me for this life. When the mass media bombards us with stories of others in pain and sorrow, I wonder why it is that God chose for me to have a different life. When I was growing up, I wanted so desperately to fit in...to be one of the "beautiful people"...to be respected and liked for who I was and to be loved by an amazing guy. And as I got older, I held on to those dreams, always punishing myself for never achieving them. High school was my first real taste of amazing friendships and love. I was definitely the odd woman out in a group of heavy-metal sorts. But they were amazing to me and loved me for who I was. They never missed any of my plays and were constantly there to support me. In college, that followed, and I made amazing friendships and had, for the first time, a taste of romance. (Just as a side note, that "first college relationship" was a nightmare. How can I put this so as to convey to you in a brief yet bold manner the true retchedness of that relationship? An abused, emotionally unhealthy guy broke my spirit and mistreated me and, almost all the while, seduced and whored around with the girl who'd been my best friend for 13 years. How's that? Drive the point home well? *smile* Funny...they're married today and she wonders why it is that I can't be her bestest buddy. I'll tell you this, though. It's quite a hoot reading about their poor sex life at The Marriage Bed...but that's another story!) (Christ, I'm twisted!) OK...anyway...back to the topic at hand. In my adult years, I find that I'm exactly where I wanted to be (but where I never imagined life would take me). I'm very well-employed and married to an amazingly beautiful man whose sun and moon rise and fall to me. We have a healthy, vibrant little girl whose joy and zest for life breathe new energy in to my heart every day. My parents and parents-in-law are beautiful people, blessed with health and love and good lives. I am respected in my profession and my sorority, and have built strong friendships in my personal and professional lives. I am happy. And surrounded by plenty. And I am so thankful for that. I wish there was a way for me to show God how truly thankful I am. Yeah, I know, prayer. But still. Saying "thank you" is hardly a means of showing true gratitude.

I'm telling you all of this because I'm becoming more and more aware of and affected by what's happening in the world around us. It's terrifying to me. You watch CNN. You're not ignorant. You're very well aware of what's going on as we speak. Horrible atrocities, both those of man and those of nature. I hope that you took a few hours out of your lives to watch the tsunami aid concert last night and to give of your blessings to support this noble cause. I won't lie to you. I didn't watch it live. I set our Digital Video Recorder to tape it (I'd die without my DVR!) and went out for dinner with my family. However, we did watch it in its entirety when we got home and we did call in and make a pledge. The pictures tell a heartbreaking and life-changing story. I just am heartbroken. I sat through most of the concert in tears...just broken-spirited and heartsick for these people. I think I hurt most for the little ones...the ones whose entire families are gone and who now have to find the courage to start life anew. Some stories are good...little ones are reunited with families they thought were killed. Others have been adopted and are being loved and cared for by new families. I hate it that all I can do is make a toll-free call and send money. I know it's a good thing to do, but it hardly feels like "enough," if that makes sense. How I'd love to adopt one of those precious children. I know we could never do it (and I've not even DISCUSSED it with my husband), but wow. What a wonderful way to make an impact. Anyway...if you've not made a contribution, it's not too late. Please visit the Red Cross website and learn how you can make a difference.

So anyway, I spent the majority of yesterday sleeping. My body desperately needed the rest, as is evidenced by the fact that I feel worlds better today than yesterday. Maggy's appointment went well, and she didn't yelp or bite when she got her little vaccination. Bless her heart! It did knock her out, though, and so she stayed pretty close to her Momma yesterday and just snuggled up close. The doctor told us that a potential is there for a violent reaction to the medicine, so I wasn't ABOUT to let Maggy out of my sight until I knew she was in the clear. While we were sleeping, Curtis went out to Nebraska Furniture Mart to pick up Erin's furniture, but came home empty-handed. This is the SECOND time that we've had difficulty with them. The entertainment center we ordered for Erin's room was fully-assembled! We made it clear to them that we needed to either (1) have it delivered to us (alongside the other furniture we bought for her) if it was assembled, as neither of our cars can accommodate a huge box or (2) go ahead and pick it up ourselves if the item was in pieces and easily moved. Of course, they SAID it was unassembled when it was, in all actuality, assembled and in a big-assed box. So we've set that up to be delivered alongside Erin's new bed and other furniture. This EXACT SAME THING happened with our entertainment center. After telling them REPEATEDLY that we couldn't purchase a fully-assembled entertainment center (because our basement has a narrow walkway), they delivered to our home, ON THREE OCCASIONS, a fully-assembled entertainment center. Finally, OOPS, that particular model doesn't COME unassembled! (Could you not have told us this WHEN WE ASKED YOU THE FIRST GOD-DAMNED TIME????) So anyway, we were "smart" (duh!) and bought furniture there again, and look, we're right-the-hell back to where we started from! (*le snort*) I swear, as soon as we get this damned furniture, we are DONE with that place! I shall embark upon a mission - FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS SHOP AT NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART! :)

Jennifer

Laughter...Truly The World's Best Medicine

Greetings! Well, it's the weekend (f-i-n-a-l-l-y!) and it's good to be home and relaxing. Well, at least at this second, I'm relaxing. Maggy's got a doctor's appointment at 11 and we've got Erin's new furniture to pick up this afternoon, meaning that, in about 3 seconds, I've got a kid and canine to bathe (and a shower to take myself) and a zillion papers to get in order. So don't shoot me if this is a quick post. :)

I've had the cold from HELL all week, and it's been a really miserable experience. I can't talk (cough) for (cough cough) any significant period of time (hack choke) without breaking (&%@#) out into a (hack hack) coughing attack. As you can probably guess, my telephone contacts have been few and fun this week (*le snort*). Last night, we decided to "make a night of it in" and watched Comedy Central all night. I don't think I've laughed that hard in AGES, folks. We saw some funny, funny people! And now, I think I've got three new comedians to call favorites (however, Carlos Mencia, fear not...you're still my favorite!) Anyway, please check out the websites of Demetri Martin, Frank Caliendo, and Jimmy Carr. These guys are super hilarious. And you know, I am actually feeling better today. This is the first day all week that I've not felt like a walking zombie. I guess what they say about laughter really IS true...

So....Serena Southerlyn's a lesbian. Who knew? (Christ, was that an awful way to end her time on that show or what?)

A note to my Kansas City friends...you HAVE to check out the 54th Street Grill and Bar. Tasty, tasty, tasty. The service was a little slow, but the food more than mdae up for it. And the selection was awesome. Because it's not far from where Curt works, he and his colleagues are going there quite often for lunch now, and he finally convinced me to give it a try this week. VERY yummy. Go! Eat! Enjoy! :)

My girlfriend C3. had a beautiful baby girl this week. Baby Makenna was born on the 11th and is healthy and well. Congrats to C3. and her amazing family on this new little addition!

(Why is it that people continually ask Curtis and I when we're planning to have another little one? Why is that everyone's business? And why do they look at me with a somewhat "poor-Jen" pity look when I say that I think Erin will be our only one. Only children can grow up to live healthy, well-adjusted, happy lives, you know? Case in point is Yours Truly here. Well, maybe I'm not so well-adjusted, but I'm certainly not as off-center as a LOT of folks!)

Please don't forget to watch the tsunami aid concert tonight on NBC. Please, if you cam, support this amazing cause. These people have been so completely devastated by what's happened. They need our help so desperately.

A dirty kid and canine await my sudsy assistance. Bye!

"I'd Walk A Million Miles To Make Breast Cancer Go Away"

I heard a commercial today for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, and I so wish now that I'd started training and getting into shape earlier so that I could participate in the Walk this summer. What an amazing, noble cause. Breast cancer has touched two sorority sisters of mine, and I'm deathly afraid of it myself. I love it that the world community has embraced the fight for a cure, and that women aren't living in a climate of fear any longer...fear of stepping up and speaking up for their rights to live healthy lives. This commercial I heard today featured a man speaking, presumably about his wife who is sick with breast cancer. Sad. The commercial ends with him saying, "I'd walk a million miles to make breast cancer go away." Me too. Maybe next year E. and I can train for it together. I know she was very interested in doing it this summer, but she didn't train, either. So we'll see.

(Yes, I know I'm behind on blogging. And yes, as always, I'm sorry.)

What's new? Hmmm...well, it's been about a week since my last post here. Today's my father's birthday. I hate it that I can't be with him to celebrate today. The big group of us (Mom, Curtis, myself, Erin, and our dogs) all went in on two gifts for him. He's very much a Bob Dylan fan, and he absolutely is fascinated with history, especially as it pertains to wars (World War II, in particular). So Dad's gifts were, respectively, "Bob Dylan's CHRONICLES" audiobook and "Voices Of War: Stories Of Service From The Homefront And The Frontlines". We talked this morning and he loved the audiobooks, which did my heart good.

We're all well, discounting my "cold from hell" that will NOT go away. We've ordered some new beautiful furniture for Erin's room, and we're picking it up this weekend. Every little girl deserves to feel like a princess...and to live like one! We're going to completely re-do her room. I envision a lot of pink in the very near future! Maggy's doing well, too. She has her second doctor's appointment this weekend as well. Poor little thing's in for more shots and prodding and poking. Bless her heart. I got two EMAIL messages this week from two dear sorority sisters with whom I've not talked in ages, so that felt wonderful! I've also lost all patience and broke down and bought the leaflet for the 63 Squares Crochet-Along. I've completed ONE whole square! Go me! I've figured out how to upload photos from the digital camera to the PC, now I just need to find a photo hosting site and get them FTP'd (do people still use the term "FTP"?). I'll post a photo soon. Hang tight. I'm trying to convince my friend C(2). to do this with me, since she's a good crocheter, too. Wish me luck. In the meantime, I'm still no closer to finishing that damned afghan for our friends L. and P. I was hoping to get it finished in time to give it to them next month when I go home to Indy. We'll see.

We had a good time Friday night at our first "Girls' Night Out" of the 2005 year. Unfortunately, the cold and ice kept C. away from our soiree, and poor D(2). was still without power, so she wasn't able to make it. I've gotta hand it to these girls. They know a lot of cute Marines. And they let them know when (and where!) we are going when we go out. And, funny, they SHOW UP when we go out! I know, I know...I'm married. And I love the spousal unit. Truly. But it sure is fun to ogle and be ogled every so often. :) God, they all seem so young. They are young! Curtis and I were talking about it the other night, and we came to the "a-ha" (read: "oh fuck!") conclusion that this year marks the 15th anniversary of our high school graduation. DAMN, we're old.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I am having a Longaberger party on the 22nd? This is your e-invite to buy, buy, buy, buy. I need to have a big show so that I can get all my goodies at a reduced rate! (Oh yes, like you simply LIVE to throw lots of cash at overly-priced in-home parties juuuust so that Jen can have a successful show!) :) Because I know you're dying to know what I'm wanting to buy, check out the Small Baker's Rack and the Small Gathering Basket. These two are on sale as an ensemble, and I want, want, want. I've also got my eye on the Not-So-Lazy-Susan with the matching set of 4 Heritage Green Crescent Bowls. Since even before we were married, I have been collecting the Heritage Green pieces in the hopes of "one day" having an entire set. So here's yet another stop on that track. You know, I wonder why I am even doing this. I mean, I know why I am having this show. S. had a party and invited me, and I booked a show off hers. And I love the stuff...I mean, I can't help it. But Christ, the last THREE experiences I've had with Longaberger have not been good. I had a show last Christmas (that'd be Christmas of 2003 - God, that seems like forever ago!) and Longaberger sent me two defective items. My Large Pasta Bowl had a significant chip out of the bottom, and my poor Rectangular Tray arrived in pieces. In PIECES. So after numerous calls (from both myself and my consultant) to the Longaberger Home Office, replacements were sent. AND THEY WERE CHIPPED TOO. It took me the better part of the summer (of 2004, mind you) to get the items correct. They sent at least three shipments of sub-par items, which pissed me off in ways that I can't even say. You know, given that I've given them beaucoup dollars, you'd think that they'd at least make a better effort to quality-control their items. Anyway, back to the bitch at hand. Every year, I order Erin an Easter and a Christmas basket from Longaberger. Erin's 2004 Christmas basket was (one) not the one I ordered (I ordered the one with red trim and got a pure Warm Brown stained basket) and, even worse, (two) didn't have the little metal plate identifying the name and year of the basket. That's one of the major reasons I chose that Christmas basket to buy each year for Erin! It's annotated and she can easily see what year that basket came from! So, again, after nasty calls to Longaberger, another basket was sent. This one was correct, thank God, but I got it AFTER CHRISTMAS. (*sigh*) At S.'s show, I bought this adorable little three-item set of a Christmas dip bowl, matching dip spreader, and a yummy dip. The damned spreader broke. BROKE. On Christmas Day as I was serving my hungry family, my appetizer fell all to hell because the cute little spreader broke. GRRR. To my new consultant's credit, she sent me a replacement immediately, but again, it was after Christmas. So we'll see how this show turns out. If I get another batch of bad stuff, I think I'll contact the Better Business Bureau as well as the Ohio Attorney General (since they are located in Ohio). You know, it just occurred to me that my little rant here probably just convinced you (if you weren't so inclined already) NOT to buy from my show. Dammit.

Now that my D(2). has her power back on and is back at the office, she sent me a hilarious EMAIL that I just have to share with you:

Lizard Birthing Story

If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome
including toilet-flush burials for dead goldfish, the story below will have you laughing out
LOUD! Overview: I had to take my son's lizard to the vet. Here's what happened:

Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was
"something wrong" with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.

"He's just lying there looking sick," he told me. "I'm serious, Dad. Can
you help?"

I put my best lizard-healer statement on my face and followed him into
his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back, looking stressed. I
immediately knew what to do.

"Honey," I called, "come look at the lizard!"
"Oh my gosh," my wife diagnosed after a minute. "She's having babies."
"What?" my son demanded. "But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!" I
was equally outraged. "Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to
reproduce," I accused my wife.

"Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?" she
inquired. (I actually think she said this sarcastically!)

"No, but you were supposed to get two boys!" I reminded her, (in my most
loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth together).

"Yeah, Bert and Ernie!" my son agreed.
"Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know," she
informed me. (again with the sarcasm, you think?)

By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I
shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.

"Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience, I announced. "We're
about to witness the miracle of birth."
"Oh, gross!" they shrieked.
Well, isn't THAT just great! What are we going to do with a litter of
tiny little lizard babies?" my wife wanted to know. (I really do think she was being snotty here,
too. Don't you?)

We peered at the patient. After much struggling, what looked like a tiny
foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.
"We don't appear to be making much progress," I noted.
"It's breech," my wife whispered, horrified.
"Do something, Dad!" my son urged.
"Okay, okay." Squeamishly, I reached in and grabbed the foot when it
next appeared, giving it a gingerly tug. It disappeared. I tried several more times with the
same results.

"Should I call 911," my eldest daughter wanted to know. "Maybe they
could talk us through the trauma." (You see a pattern here with the females in my house?)

"Let's get Ernie to the vet," I said grimly.
We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap.
"Breathe, Ernie, breathe," he urged.
"I don't think lizards do Lamaze," his mother noted to him. (Women can
be so cruel to their own young. I mean what she does to me is one thing, but his boy is of her
womb, for God's sake.)

The Vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little
animal through a magnifying glass."What do you think, Doc, a C-section?" I suggested scientifically.

"Oh, very interesting," he murmured. "Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, may I speak
to you privately for a moment?" I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.

"Is Ernie going to be okay?" my wife asked.
"Oh, perfectly," the Vet assured us. "This lizard is not in labor. In
fact, that isn't EVER going to happen... Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie is a young male. And
occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most male species, they um....um....masturbate. Just the way he did, lying on his back." He blushed, glancing at my wife.

"Well, you know what I'm saying, Mr. Cameron."
We were silent, absorbing this.
"So Ernie's just...just... excited," my wife offered.
"Exactly," the vet replied, relieved that we understood.
More silence. Then my viscous, cruel wife started to giggle. And giggle.
And then even laugh loudly. "What's so funny?" I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness.

Tears were now running down her face. "It's just...that... I'm picturing
you pulling on its... its...teeny little..." she gasped for more air to bellow in laughter
once more. "That's enough," I warned. We thanked the Vet and hurriedly bundled the
lizards and our son back into the car. He was glad everything was going to be okay.

"I know Ernie's really thankful for what you've done, Dad," he told me.
"Oh, you have NO idea," my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.

2 - Lizards - $140...
1 - Cage - $50...
Trip to the Vet - $30...
Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's wacker.....Priceless

And on that note of hilarity, I'm out. Later!

Just A Normal Day In The Life Of Jen

Hi everyone!

Today was a good day. I absolutely was stunned when, at 5-ish this morning, the "frost call" telephone line established by my place of employment notified me that "weather and road conditions do not warrant site closure or delayed arrival." Fuck. So off I went into the NINE-DEGREE COLD weather. I actually got up and off much, much earlier than I generally do, and the reason for that was that I just had no idea how bad the roads would be. Why not get out early, get a jump on the morning commute, and hopefully make it alive and in one piece to the office sometime before 8:30 in the a.m.? To my absolute surprise, the streets (except for the ones in Gardner) were completely and totally clear. I still took it slowly, though (hey, an ounce of prevention...) Busy day at the office. Lots done and lots more to do. It keeps me gainfully employed, which is a good thing. And I love the people I work for. It's funny sometimes...the direction life takes you, I mean. I certainly never imagined myself working in Human Resources. I don't know what I thought I'd be doing professionally, but I just never envisioned HR as my career path of choice. But now that I'm here, it's hard to see myself ever doing anything else. Federal HR is just an exceptionally difficult field to master. I've been at it a while now (and am even, God help me, considered a "senior HR specialist") and I certainly don't have the grasp on the enormity of regulations and policies that control my profession. Anyway, it was a good day. Nothing of exceptional significance to call to your attention. The icestorm didn't kill me...hey, that's significant, right?

I just wanted to say an extra special "THANK YOU" to YarnTomato! I absolutely love her website, and she and I have been chatting about crochet and blogging. She's included me in her Crochet Blogs Webring, and I just signed up for her 63 Squares Crochet-Along. I can't get either of the buttons (for the Blogs or the Crochet-Along) to work on this stupid blog. She's trying to help me, which, God knows, I need! Thanks, YarnTomato! :)

I saw this news story at lunch today. I was just horrified. And stunned. How could this sort of thing happen? You mean to tell me that attorneys weren't smart enough to verify with NBC that this "supposed" episode of "Law And Order" actually aired? Christ, just look at the L&O website! Theres an EPISODE GUIDE there that you can check yourselves! Absolutely unreal. The justice system in our country is entirely out of whack. I've never seen anything like it. A system designed to protect the innocent and punish those that harm others is so concerned with, God forbid, violating the civil rights of the degenerate monsters who harm others that they put aside all intelligent and just action. It's just unreal to me. (And please, don't anyone EMAIL me any bullshit about how I'm being unjustifiably hard on that animal. I HAD post-partum depression. BAD post-partum depression. It was a horrible experience...one I'd not wish on anyone. But between all of the tears and bitchy snaps, I NEVER, not ONCE entertained any thoughts of harming my child or my husband or myself.) Anyway, sometimes the things that happen in this country just astound me. Here we are, the greatest country in the world, and take a look at what's happening to us. It's scary as hell. I'm so tempted to start on this whole religion-is-ruining-our-society mentality that seems to becoming more and more pervasive in our society, but I'll save that rant for another night. :)

(You know, I'm glad I checked out the L&O website. They have a tribute to Jerry Orbach, and a means by which fans can send condolence EMAILs to his family. Very, very classy.)

I'm looking forward to the weekend! My girls and I (that would be C, D(1), D(2), G, and P and I) will be having our first "Girls' Night Out" of the 2005 year after work tomorrow night! :) Those girls are something else. Hilarious and great and I just love being with them. This weekend, I imagine we'll finish taking down the Christmas decorations and restoring our home to its pristine (yeah right!) pre-Christmas state! And, oh yeah, I'm going shopping. :)

Off to give the little one a bath and snuggle with my family!

Grape Juice Jen!

Just a quick post...my delicious (and SO aptly timed) "Frozen Desserts" shower gel set came in from Philosophy this afternoon! YUM! I actually took a second shower just to test out the "Frozen Grapes!" SO YUMMY! Our entire bathroom smells like grape juice now. OK, that's all I wanted to say!

My Own Private Icestorm

Greetings from the glacier known as Gardner, Kansas. We got hit yesterday (and last night) with a horrible ice and winter storm. We knew it was coming, and it was all the buzz yesterday at the office and on the radio. All non-essential Federal employees were released early yesterday (at 2:30), and of course, in my infinite due to my lack of genius, I stayed until about 3:15 "just to get this one report finished." Of course, with the weather and the s-l-o-w drivers, I didn't make it home until 4:30! Just as we (and the mass local media) predicted, the city got hit quite hard with a frozen-icy-rain mix, and we awoke to a beautiful (but treacherous) ice-coated city. Although the ENTIRE (note emphasis) city is closed down, the Kansas City Federal Executive Board only thought the storm warranted us two extra hours of leave this morning. You know, because that extra two hours sure makes alllllllll the difference when streets are impossibly slick and walkways are deathtraps in the making. Anyway, I chose (quite smartly, I might add) to take a day of annual leave and to keep myself and our toddler home. Because Curt's office is so close to our home, he felt compelled to go ahead and make the trek in (which he did safely, thank goodness). From all accounts, the weather's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. While ice storms leave beautiful path in their wake (I'm referring to the glistening trees and earth and not the destruction of branches, car accidents, and downed power lines), I hate that I am cooped up inside the house. Ever notice that when you're cooped up, you've got about 10,000 things that you need to get/places you want to go/etc./etc.? Oh well. We're home and safe and soon, Curt will be too. I suppose anything else is just stupid and completely unimportant banter.

The last few weeks have been a challenge for me. I thought when I put this blog together that I'd try to keep as much of the intimate details of my life out of the public eye. And while I'll probably continue on with that notion, I'm in need of assistance and support and, what the hell, why not post here about what's going on and get your feedback and support? My beautiful toddler is now three. And you know that old adage about "the terrible twos"? Forget it. Two's nothing. Three's hell. I think that's because she's finding her own way and her own voice so much more. And while those are incredible and wonderful things (and a joy to watch from a parenting perspective), they're difficult for her because she's not fully cognizant of how the world works (i.e., life isn't all about you...and other people's wants and needs sometimes supercede yours). Everything to her is a major event. Let me rephrase. Every time you tell her "no," it is a major event. She's just not able to understand that life means not always getting your way, and instead of handling her disappointments like you and I do, she screams bloody murder, throws a huge tantrum, takes off her glasses and throws them (which is a HUGE hot-button of mine and she knows it), and throws herself on the ground and SCREAMS at us to pick her up. I'm trying to learn how to be a better parent...one more understanding of this little phase of her development and her life, and, too, how best to broach her behavior. My newest tactic is to ignore the tantrums, but to simply deprive her of the things she loves the most (i.e., her "SpongeBob Squarepants" and "VeggieTales" DVDs). In all of this, I'm internalizing and worrying and fretting much, much more than I should. My frustrations don't make me a bad mother, and I need to tell myself that. Typing this out is helpful - it's helping me to see all of this in a more objective light. But dammit, it sure is frustrating when nothing you do (or so you feel, anyway) is right. I worry that how I deal (or don't deal) with her behavior now will impact the individual she becomes. That's a huge, huge responsibility. Am I doing it correctly? I don't know. And with that lack of certainty comes a lack of confidence in who I am as a mother. Which makes me feel horrible in ways that I can't even explain. So that's it - my own private icestorm. I'm posting this in an effort to get other moms-of-tots (or former moms-of-tots) to send me commentary and advice. I know I'm by far not the first mother of a toddler...and nor will I be the last (by a longshot). But sometimes, that's just not enough.

This week's just been bumpy, I guess...and I imagine that's contributing to my fun-filled, enthusiastic posts here in BlogVille(tm). We had a significant amount of rain overnight Sunday, and Monday, our poor sump pump just conked out. This isn't a new phenomenon in our home. We actually had our basement flood in September of 2003 when the sump pump died. FLOOD. As in, standing water. How the PC (still plugged in and sitting on the floor) didn't electrocute us, we'll never know. Anyway, we decided back then to go ahead and purchase a back-up sump pump, and it's a good damned thing that we did. The main one went out sometime in the Sunday-night-Monday-morning timeframe, but Curt checked early Monday and we were able to avert another flood. We both took the day off and spent the better part of the morning shop-vac'cing (betcha didn't know that was a verb, didja?) water out of the well in the ground and dumping it into our poor garden hottub. Thanks to our friends at the Olathe Home Depot, we have a brand new sump pump. (Before I continue, I need to share a valuable lesson with you. In between shop-vac-n-dump sessions, we found a sump pump at the Home Depot website that we wanted to buy and get installed immediately. I called the Olathe store, and they had one in stock. Imagine my surprise when the cost for the sump pump was $165. The website had that exact model listed for $198! When I asked the cashier if the item was on sale (and explained having seen it online for a higher cost), she said that it's common for their goods to be more pricey online than in the store. Lesson learned - don't buy online until you've checked the local store!) Anyway, back to the story at hand. Monday night was our first neighborhood bunko night of the year (a group of 12 of us play on the first Monday of the month). It was fun. VERY fun. And a great diversion from my continual state-of-late of frustration and disappointment. Our neighbors are nice people, and I've really enjoyed getting to know them all. We also had holiday parties and dinners. They're just nice people. Interesting and nice.

On an even happier note, last night we watched Matt Lauer's interview with Amber Frey on NBC. I guess I always knew that Scott Peterson was a sick, twisted animal, but somehow hearing the story Amber told just more clearly illustrated that to me. Laci and her beautiful baby boy aside for a second, my heart breaks for Amber. She's a brave, strong woman. And she's damned lucky that Scott didn't harm her or her little girl (which Curt is certain Scott was planning to do...scary). It's just a sad story altogether. I don't understand people sometimes. Where is it in the breakdown of the human conscience that leads one to think that murder, deception, and utter and pure selfishness are acceptable means of behavior? I just do NOT understand it. Look at the guy. He's a smug, arrogant asshole...and he was damned certain that he was going to get away with what he had done. And for what? A life of freedom? A life independent of responsibility and commitment? I guess I just don't understand why it's becoming more and more acceptable in our society to say "fuck it" when it comes to the lives and spirits of other people if in so doing, you're self-promoting and finding whatever-in-the-hell-it-is-that-you-want. Maybe my problem is that I assume people think like I do. And in that case (my coming to an unexpected change of heart and wanting a life free of commitment), I would approach my partner and, with as much tenderness, honesty, and clarity as possible, confide the truth and make my separation in the most kind and caring way possible. How anyone could do that in any other way just boggles my mind. I realize that a significant part of how I view the world is soaked with naivete. I was taught to be respectful of and loving toward others, and when I see people who so clearly violate the lives and rights and hearts of others, I just do not understand it. And, you know, that's probably for the best. To understand it likely would mean that I condoned it as well, which I most definitely do not.

Well, I'm a little closer to finishing the afghan I wanted to give to our friends for Christmas! I will be in Indianapolis in February for a sorority conference, and hope to have it done by then so I can give it to them ("Happy Belated Christmas!") In the meantime, I'm hoping to join Yarn Tomato's 63 Square Stitch-Along. I met a new friend on ISCABBS this morning who has kindly volunteered to share her pattern booklet with me, so I'll soon be off to the land of square-stitching. I shared with my new friend my concerns regarding my lack of ability to use the thicker, more intricate yarns. She understood, and (I gathered) experienced that herself as well when she was new to crochet. OK, so maybe I will "get it" with more experience. We'll see.

Our little Boston Terrier is just precious. We love little Maggy dearly. As I type this post to you, my precious little girly is asleep at my feet. She had her first checkup last weekend with Dr. Vodraska at the Gardner Animal Hospital and she did very, very well. We learned a lot from Dr. Vodraska. Apparently with small, round-headed breeds, there's a greater-than-likely chance that their little skulls don't ever come to completely encapsulate their brains. She said that's normal with Bostons, but that as the breed becomes more popular (and, thus, more mass-bred), this will worsen. Luckily, Maggy's little noggin is well protected, with just a teeny little spot of her brain uncovered. Thank God. We were just blown away by the staff at the Gardner Animal Hospital. They were very, very kind and patient (I had a list of about 20 questions!!) and caring. And Maggy was quite the hit with them. Our cute little 3.1 pound Boston!!! I know, I know...I need to get photos up! I did take some last night and the night prior...mostly of her asleep with Curtis. As soon as I can figure out how to upload them, I will. I promise!

That's all for now. Thanks for letting me vent this all out. If you actually stuck through this and read all of this, may warm, home-made chocolate chip cookies fall from the sky directly to you!

Jen

Happy New Year!

S'hard to believe it, but it's 2005. It seems like just days ago that we were "not believing" that it was "the holiday season" again "already." Time goes by so, so fast. Anyway, the best of the best to you and yours in 2005! I am looking forward to getting to know more of you Bloggers in the coming year!

We rang in the new year with a large grouping of our neighbors at a very big house party here in Gardner. Actually, the party was right next door, making the 12:30 a.m. drunken stagger home a very quick one. :) Erin's visiting her grandparents this weekend, giving us some time to tie up some loose 2004 ends, hit the stores and find some good deals (and I always love a sale!), and catch a movie. We'll be retrieving our little one today, and not a second too soon, either. We miss her lots. And our little Maggy misses her, too. Somehow, the house just doesn't seem right without the four of us all together.

Anyway, the movie! "Meet The Fockers" was hilarious. Funny, funny, funny! You must see it!

I'll try to get on and blog more later. I've got Longaberger party invites to mail out (pleasepleaseplease order from me so I will have a big show!), holiday "thank you" cards to send, and a house in dire need of being returned to its pre-Christmas state! Jen out! :)