Much ado about planning

Do you know what excites me?


And no, it's not taking lone pictures of myself in the mornings before work.

Although I realize that's the obvious answer here.

(I'm working on getting a life, I promise.)

ANYWAYS, back to the question.

Can you guess what exciting item I am holding that makes me deeply excited within, and did I mention is also very exciting?

It's a new PLANNER!!

(I'm working on getting out more, I promise.)

All through my college and grad school days, I had wonderful love affairs going with my yearly planners. I spent the first half of many classes writing out the day's to-do's, things I needed to remember, people I needed to call.

Many pens and multi-colored highlighters were used - no frivolous tasks were left unwritten. It was a sweet time.

Interestingly enough, I am not actually a planner by nature. Half the time, I probably didn't even look back at what I wrote.

I plan to ponder this self-mystery later.

But, knowing my planner was just a moment of procrastination away at all times really got me through the tough spots, when I should have been listening, taking notes, or doing school work.

Fast forward to graduation and a 10 month period of nothing much to plan.

I mean sure, I could have written down "wake up" or "eat lunch" or "take a shower."

But somehow I managed to keep up with that rigorous schedule in my head.

So sadly, back before I had a job (aka 7 days ago), I really had no need for a planner.

Last night I was at Walmart and it suddenly, like a light from Heaven, dawned on me that I was now back in the "planning world." Furthering my belief that purchasing a new planner was in fact my destiny, I saw the one pictured above laying on the shelf, marked half off, and beckoning me with all it's cuteness.

Should you need further verification, take a gander at the inside cover.


The most darling polka dots I've ever seen. Truly. They had me at "Polka."

So, my Planner Re-birth is in full swing and, as I mentioned, it makes me excited. There is suddenly a lot on my plate and having a place to write it all out helps me sleep much more soundly at night.

Because believe me, nothing gets past the planner.


Let the crossing off begin!

Thank you's gone wrong

Once upon a time last week, I turned 25.

It was a lovely, laid back, and relaxed day.

A day in which I participated in many lengthy conversations with many of my most beloved people.

A day in which I was thankful.

A day in which I was reminiscent of 24 great years gone by.

It was also a day in which I laughed heartily.

Allow me to share an example.

I had lunch that day with the two people responsible for bringing me into this world.


(Note: It took me so long to blog about my birthday that the bday pictures have turned black and white.)

We ate a delicious meal and celebrated the best day of my parents' life.

Well, maybe I should say we celebrated the day that held the best moment of their lives (my arrival). I would venture to say the 24+ hours Deb spent pushing out her 10lb child was not her favorite.

Just a hunch, and she also told me.

Here's Deb and The Big Girl of '84. They still remain friends, even after all the pain of that fateful day in March. (FYI: Deb will not eat so many Snickers next time she gets pregnant.)


After an enjoyable lunch, we all stood in the parking lot saying our goodbyes before getting into our respective vehicles.


I hugged Big Al. "Thanks for lunch, Daddy!" I said.

"Your welcome, Baby," he replied. "Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks," I say as I go to hug The Debster. "Bye, Mama. I enjoyed it!"

Gratefulness then overtook me and I, against my better judgement (and in an attempt to be funny), took it to the next level. "And thank ya'll for making me!"

Ha ha hee hee ho ho.

"Well, you're so welcome!" Deb replied enthusiastically as we hugged. "Believe me, it was our pleasure!"

(This was when we all laughed loudly and heartily because that Deb is a witty one).

(And when I cried because that is nasty.)

(And also when I laughed some more because for some twisted reason, I find that hilarious.)

(And when I cried one more tear because my family is out of control.)

The End. :-)

Information overload: Blog Edition

Ok.

Details.

TOPIC: My Life as a Professional.

First off, thank you kindly for all the sweet comments about my first day of work cuteness. I won't lie - I felt pretty sassy, and I only say that because it so rarely happens and it lasted such a short amount of time that day.

After a couple of hours, my shirt was wrinkled, my pants were stretched out, and my flat hair could not even relate to my morning hair.

It was cute.

But at least my good hair hour will live on in photographic history for all time.

This helps get me through.

After 3 days of professional life, there is so much I could share. I have been pumped (willingly and lovingly) with so much information about my job and my place of employment that I feel I could write a 10 page report on the subject.

And ya'll know I'm liable to do that, Lord help us all.

But lucky for you I have set a personal challenge to myself to make this as brief as possible. (Careerness makes me very goal-oriented, it seems.)

I have decided that a list would be the most productive approach. (Careerness makes me productive, it seems.)

1. What is my job?

I shall allow my very professional name badge tell you.


(That big pink dot means I am still being trained. I call it "The Scarlet Sticker.")

2. What does that mean, and where do I work?

I am happy to announce that I (will one day soon - after extensive training) coordinate admissions for a privately owned hospital which shall remain nameless for the purposes of confidentiality and because I know ya'll couldn't care less.

3. That's nice. But, what do I do exactly?

That is a great question which I can not answer fully because I do not fully know. As a Scarlet Dotter, I am still learning so much about what I will be doing. I am lucky to have the sweet girl whose job I am taking train me until she leaves in May. This is just perfect and such a God thing to me - it makes me feel so at ease to have her wisdom and support and willingness to help me learn as much as I can about the job before I actually do the job.

Seriously, it is doing wonders for my psyche. My psyche likes it some detailed information.

But, generally speaking, my job will have me taking calls from potential patients and family members coming into the hospital. In my first interview, my now-co worker described it as "loving on people through the phone." That meant a lot to me. So I will be loving and listening while gathering details about their situation, getting their info, and helping them through their current crisis.

4. Do I like it?

Announcement: So far, I LOVE it. And I cannot even believe I am saying that because I did not expect to LOVE it. Like it, accept it, make the best of it - that is where I was coming from.

Kids these days. So little faith.

Through this whole waiting period, I kept saying that I knew God had the right job lined up for me and I truly believed that - but to finally experience that is just fun times for all. Everyday I have been there, I have come across more and more reasons why I this job is so "me."

Will it be challenging? Yes. Will it be stressful at times? Indeed. But, do I feel that I will be able to do it and help people and make a difference every day? Oh yes.

Add in an amazing staff and a wonderful facility, and I think I have found a recipe for a great upcoming season of life.

5. How am I adjusting?

I think I am adjusting quite well. I really believe this has everything to do with the fact that I am enjoying it so much, feel so great to finally start this chapter of my life, and because I really know I am in the right place.

It is sad to wake up in the dark, though. Tear.

(And lastly the question weighing so heavily on all our minds...)

6. Now that I am a working woman, will there be any time for fun (aka blog material) in my life?

In the words of Big Al...Is a 50 pound rabbit heavy?!?!?!

Translation: YES, the fun shall abound here forevermore. You have my word, and my word is my bond.

Love ya'll! Thanks for the prayers and for being interested in my crazy life. :-)

Information overload

This morning at 10 I reported, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, for my first day on the job.


I was given a LOT of information, received tons of orientation information, signed many a form, and got the low-down & the down-low.

Honestly, a lot of it is a blur.


I have a lot to process, and I am oh-so-tired - but I am very happy.

This is right. And that makes me feel just lovely.

After work (so weird to say, haha), I went straight to Bible study - and now it's off to a Praise & Worship service out at the college.

Details on my new found adulthood/employment coming soon, though!

Hope ya'll had a great Wednesday!

This just in!

So, my boy Brannen is learning to read.

He's just a smart little Kindergartner like that.

Today, he has a VERY important and exciting announcement that he would like to make.

He's like my own personal little news anchor.

Take it away, Big B...



You heard it here first, and the reports are true...

I got the job!

Orientation is tomorrow, so I will be turning into a grown-up at approximately 10 in the morning.

I couldn't be more excited, thankful, and terrified.

And ready.

It's been a long time coming, and I am SO ready to get this party started!

25 and feeling fine

So far, so great on the birthday front!

Yesterday marked my hair revelation, of course, and that really made me happy. I was very pleased with the cut, and I'm sure pictures will follow at some point. But that point will not be now because I have not bathed today and it is sticking up all crazy.

And the health of your eyes is important to me. I want to shield them from pain.

After my haircut yesterday, I went and helped my friends Marsha and Wendi with a maternity photo shoot. They were taking pictures of a dear and beautiful girl, Latoya, and it was so fun to watch and to help wrangle her precious 2 year-old little guy. (Picture by the awesome Marsha)


After we got done, they took me to a new restaurant in town to celebrate the upcoming date of birth.


Mmmmmmmmmm. GREAT last meal of 24. Might make it my first meal of 25, but don't know if I can do that to Subway.

After supper, I headed over to Ashley's because she and the boys wanted to "give me my present."

That description was a little misleading since when I walked into the house THIS is what I found.


3 of my favorite people yelling "SURPRISE!", big smiles, presents laid out, "sta-wee-mahs" hanging everywhere, and "Happy Birthday" ringing loudly through the house.

I was dying. Dying from heart explosion. It's a common health threat for people with a massive amount of blessing in their lives.


Cute Will proceeded to help me open my presents. I have 2 boys and got 5 presents. (Get it? 25!) That Ashley. Homegirl is so crazy. I love her.


Presents included some lovely prizes, some gift cards to some of my fave places, and homemade cards from the little guys.

And then there was this. A poster board with "25 Reasons We Love Our Jenn Jenn" on it.


I don't even have words.

Except to say, How did I get so blessed in this life?

I shall ponder this, but for now I am heading out to eat lunch with the 2 people who brought me into this world!

Ya'll have a great Friday. Happy Spring!

.

Transformations

Last night around 10:30pm, I decided to do a load of laundry.

Approximately 3 hours later, I had completely rearranged my bedroom.

I'm talking, bed on the other side of the room. Vanity against a wall diagonal from where it used to live. Dresser now in the closet. An arm chair from downstairs now making it's home in the corner.

No wonder I dislike laundry. It causes me to contemplate and submit to manual labor.

But I am liking the new layout.

I needed a chair.

I needed some change.

Today around 1:30pm I decided to look in the mirror.

Approximately 2 minutes later, I had made an appointment for a haircut.

I'm thinking get rid of these nasty ends. Say goodbye to the length I have accumulated. Stack it up in the back. Get some type of style going instead of this lovely mop look.

No wonder I dislike looking in the mirror. It makes me contemplate and submit to spending money for beautification purposes.

But I think I am going to like the new look.

I need some new hair.

I need some change.

Today at 2:10pm I started humming.

Approximately a minute later I realized John Mayer was actually the one singing the song running through my head.

"It might be a quarter life crisis...or just the stirring in my soul..."

Mind wandering Wednesday

I was a Psych major in college, and because of this, I learned all manner of useless information.

Much of it I can't remember, and the rest of it comes back to me randomly - usually while I'm talking to someone and recognize that their issue or situation is actually a psychological phenomenon.

You might think this makes me a smart and interesting person, but please don't get ahead of yourself. Usually the conversation goes like this...

"Wait!" I stop the person abruptly. "There is a name for what you are describing. Seriously. I learned it in school. (Momentary pause for unsuccessful searching of the mind). Oh my GAH, why can't I remember the name of it?!? Well just know that something is wrong with you psychologically (emphasizing makes you sound smarter). Have a nice day."

There is one term that stuck with me though, and that is a fun little technique called Free Association.

Free Association is just letting one's mind link one thought to another with no rhyme or reason until you end up thinking about something completely unrelated to your beginning thought.

Come to think of it, it's much like the normal activity of my brain at any given moment.

I am a Free Association wizard, it seems.

So, I would like to invite you for a little blog FA on this lovely Wednesday afternoon.

Starting thought: RAIN.

We had some great rain on Monday, and when I went to pick Will up from school, I found another reason to love precipitation.


The curls. I don't know what to say - they just move me. I was so happy to see that the curls were working overtime on Monday because of all the moisture in the air.

My love for rainy weather grew by leaps and bounds (and curls of gold) that day.

WEATHER.

While rainy weather does make me happy, I would obviously pick the gorgeous weather we have been having the past two days if someone tied me down and made me choose (which would be weird).

It is perfect - bright sun, blue skies, mild temps. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and just look at my favorite tree!


It is from my parent's yard, and it always tells me when Spring is on the way.

SPRING.

The first day of Spring is Friday! I mainly know that because it is also the Big Day when I trade in my youth and celebrate a quarter of a century on this Earth.

Although I initially had some moments of concern about this milestone, I have dealt with it and of course, am very thankful to be getting another year older.


THANKFUL.

Have I mentioned lately how thankful I am that my college Bible study girls let me tag along with them, even though I am the aforementioned age?

They are just so sweet and deep and fun-loving. (Evidenced here by their squeals of delight and sprints of glee when they had the opportunity to swing last week). They are so my kind of people.


We didn't meet this week because they were on Spring Break, which saddened me deeply. I will be glad to see their smiling faces next week!


FACES.

Sorry, can't help it. One more sweet-face picture for the road.

Irish Blessing for my peeps

"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long."

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I sure am LUCKY to know you!

Some friendly competion

I had a very nice, relaxing weekend. Saturday morning was spent with the little men, and the rest of the day was comprised of the sweet nothingness of which I deeply love.

Sunday was church and later that afternoon, I went over to my friend Marsha's to compete in a Rummikub dual that lasted into the late night hours.


Rummikub requires deep concentration. Every move is vital and strategy is key. This is not a game for light weights.

Marlee even abandoned her board temporarily to supply nutrients and strength in the form of lemon pepper chicken and noodles to her opponents.


Zach took over her in her absence and took his job very seriously. No possible number combination was left unturned at the work of his hand.


Cute Jake (my favorite) was also there taking his place as a fierce contender. He sat next to me and went right before me so he always messed up all of my plans. But it is ok. I love him too much to care.


They say the first cut is the deepest. I say that sometimes the last piece is the trickiest.


I have a feeling others who pick up 20 pieces before ever laying down their first combo would say that the FIRST pieces are the trickiest. We all have our own mottos here at the Rummikub table.


Time for a Rummikub PSA:

Please be warned that after many hours and multiple games, a player's brain may fatigue causing him or her to make deadly mistakes. Our own Rummi inner-circle is not immune from this, and one of our players fell prey to this just last night. The player would like to remain anonymous, but I will share that her name rhymes with Smarsha. She asked that her identity be concealed.


Be advised that the pictures you are about to see are disturbing. The numbers were placed under the mindset that they, in fact, matched. "Smarsha" has given permission to share these photos in efforts to help prevent such mistakes from Rummikubers in the future.


Now go. Take what you have learned and Rummi in peace.

At some point in the night, I became very parched (it's hard work being a Rummikub athlete) and helped myself to the world's largest cup of water. Before I could even take my first sip, I was challenged by my fellow contender, Zachary, to a Water Drinking Competition.

The Objective: Who can down it the fastest

The Prize: Nothing


Times were as following:

JT: 47.77 seconds

ZL: 25.42 seconds

The straw was my downfall.

At the conclusion of the night, we had laughed loudly, had some deep conversation, assisted a teammate in studying for her Spanish test, and lost count of our Rummi scores.

But really, after a night that fun - I think we're all winners here. :-)

We have a big time

Things you might experience should you find yourself hanging with Brannen and Will, dark and early on a Saturday morning...


1. Throwing footballs at parked vehicles.


And/or houses.


Try it! It's fun.

2. Having Will come up to you proudly showcasing a dead worm.


He might try to get you to hold it, but you can most certainly decline. If you are like me, the only way you will be touching that worm's cold, dead body is over your own cold, dead body.

My suggestion: take this time to gaze upon the curls.

3. Having the opportunity to try and persuade The Big One to pose for a picture as he sits and ponders life on his scooter. He may or may not give you the look which tells you, Dream on, sista.


I always take heed and keep on dreamin.

4. Realizing that if The Little One sees The Big One decline a picture, he will likely be ALL ABOUT a photo opp. He will even let you be in it.


The Little One will make your dreams come true.

5. Getting up close and personal with these excessively loving fellows.


Be advised that if you already know them, you can expect them to be in your lap approximately 10 seconds after entering their presence. If you are new, give it 15.


6. Finding joy in the fact that after B declines a pic and Will agrees to a pic, it is very likely that Brannen will recant his NO PICTURE motto and desire a photo shoot. (You will get used this system and learn how to beat it.)

Get excited because at this point, Brannen will probably let you be in the pic, too.


And he will subsequently ask you after viewing the shot, "do my teef look good in this picture?" Feel free to laugh hysterically - he will revel in it.

7. Enjoying a nice morning snack of popcorn.


You will also be persuaded to let a couple little scoundrels up on the stove to pose for a picture with the popcorn. I would recommend an informational meeting following the picture to review the "we actually really don't get on the stove" stance we take in this house.

Well that about wraps it up!

If you see anything here that interests you, feel free to join us anytime!

The End.