The end of May, the beginning of FUN

I find that when it is time for me to go out of town, my errands start multiplying.

This was certainly the case yesterday.

My first errand was to get a Diet Coke from The Country Store before work. Although, that one is an everyday errand. I pity the fool who would dare to stand in the way of this practice.

I worked a while, and on my little lunch break I decided to scoot out and take care of some bidness.

Specifically speaking, I wanted THIS out of my car (it's home for the past few months).


The back of my car. Where boxes go to die.

I had these 3 boxes full to the brim with books (not all mine - I'm more of a magazine worm) to take to Goodwill. Because they have been taking up my whole back area, I never really open up the back or really look back there at all anymore. And because I never look back there, I never remember to drop off the books.

It has been a vicious cycle. But it ended today.


After work it was off to take my car for it's highly anticipated cleaning. My joy is complete! Can I tell you that my car has never been so clean in all it's life.

(That's not really saying a lot, but still.)

Just check out the AFTER photo of my cup holder.


And I snapped this picture of the dirt/leaves/grime-free area below my foot. Yes, that's my foot - not a fluorescent beam of light meant to burn your corneas and leave you legally blind.


Ok, what happened next in the errand department gets a little dicey.

You see, the only other stop on my list was CATO in hopes of finding some cute, cheap jewelry to wear with my dress to the wedding this weekend. The thing was, I had already allotted the amount of money I wanted to spend and there was no room to vacillate. Unfortunately, in all of my accessory planning, I forgot CATO, you know, sells other things.

Like cute shirts, dresses, and, um, shoes.


Alert! Defenses are down!

I am not a huge shoe girl, but I have been thinking to myself for a while that I need some cute spring, open-toed shoes to wear to work. Yet, that was not on the list to purchase today, and I am trying really hard to keep being a responsible adult in the finance department.

I am happy to report that I escaped C to the ATO with nary an item!

I did a victory lap back to my bright and shining, squeaky clean car in the parking lot.

As for today, I'm counting down the hours until I can hop in my car, run a few last errands (bank, gas, Subway) and head off to my very fun weekend ahead.

I am so pumped and so ready.

I've great friends to see (including all these girls pictured below), wedding festivities to take part in (including dancing, oh yes ma'am), lots of laughing to do, and tons fun memories to make.


Ya'll have a great one!

Age, it's just a number

Sometimes I am not quite sure how old I am. I am in that weird place between youngster and adult.

Or as Britney would say, I'm not a girl, not yet a woman.

Allow me to illustrate.

I am 25 and I have a job...ADULT


I have parents for roommates...YOUNGSTER.


I (me all by myself with $ from aforementioned job) bought 2 new tires for my car yesterday, and it sincerely excited me to no end (minus the $ part)...ADULT.


Thankful for what I'm holding in above pic, so I can buy what's attached to my car in the below pic. :-)


My car can get so nasty, inside and out, and for months it will never occur to me to clean it...YOUNGSTER.

(Potential husbands turn a blind eye)

Nasty floorboard


Nasty Diet Coke holder.


At some point the nast gets to me, and I become greatly disgusted and immediately demand myself to have it cleaned...ADULT.

Also, I frugally finagle a car-cleanout-giftcard from my father (he gets them from his job sometimes) and work it so I end up getting a $30 wash done for about $5...(smart) ADULT.


I decided I "needed" a new dress for the wedding I'm going to this weekend, so I bought one even though it was not the most financially wise decision...(female) YOUNGSTER.

After considering other options in my closet, I took the dress back to it's rightful home...ADULT.


I am so excited for this weekend because I get to spend it with people I went to college with (meaning I am no longer in college, cue crocodile tear)...ADULT.


I am also easily excited to go out to eat with a group of people that include little weirdos (and think their shenanigans are quite humorous)...YOUNGSTA'.



When I look up (like I have for the past 2 weeks) and sees skies like this, I am afeared that a tornado will swallow me up...YOUNGSTER.


When I look up and see skies like the ones above, I am annoyed because I know it will end with flat hair and water inside my heels before I ever even make it to the office....ADULT.

Sometimes I want to stay up just for the heck of it doing absolutely nothing...YOUNGSTER.

Sometimes (like today for instance), I am thankful I made myself go to bed so I can be a loving, functioning, productive...ADULT.

:-)

I've got talent yes I do, I've got talent...how bout you?!

A while back I got an email from sweet Sarah asking me if I would be interested in being a judge for an event she was hosting called, The Blogosphere's Got Talent.

Lucky for her, my main talent is saying YES to being a judge for blog talent shows.

I thought this was such a great idea, and when I got the request, I was instantly transported back to the days of olde.

The year was 1990.

I was a spunky little 6 year old girl with bangs that started in the back of my head and created what is now lovingly referred to as The Unibang.

Thanks, Deb.

It was summer - hot and humid and full of all that gives the south it's splendor. Sweet tea. Homecooked meals. And reunions - big, loud, annual family reunions.

But that year was a little different. (Not as different as the year my dad hauled his professional karaoke machine TO the reunion, but that's it's own post).

This particular year someone had taken part in a brainstorm - one which presented ideas of what could be done to really spice up the afternoon.

Something to really throw those old people for a loop.

And somewhere in that storm of braining, the idea for a talent show was born.

All acts welcomed.


I honestly don't remember what I did (I don't have any distinct talents, although those who have seen me dance may beg to differ - I'm just sayin). I'm pretty sure I got together with a distant cousin around my age and sang some awesome tunes from Debbie Gibson, The New Kids on the Block, and/or Vanilla Ice (Ice Baby).

I may or may not have done the MC Hammer in efforts to add a little something special.

I think it really hit home with the 75-80 year-old crown.

Shockingly, we didn't win. (I think it was rigged).

Yet, despite the loss, I still very much enjoy a good talent show - and am so glad America has joined me by creating shows such as AI, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, etc.

And now, Sarah is bringing the show to the blog.

My life gets more complete by the day with ideas like this.

Here's the deal via Sweet Sarah:

On Monday, June 1st, the fun will begin! If you want to enter, and you know you do, post a video (on your own blog) of a 1-2 minute display of your amazing talent. You can involve the whole family, just the kids, just you...whatever you decide. Once your video is posted, e-mail me with the direct link, your blog's name, and a one-line blurb about your video.

Submissions will be accepted through Friday, June 5th. During that time all family friendly entries will be linked to from this [Sarah's] blog, giving us all a chance to watch them, chat about them, laugh hysterically, drop our jaws in awe, etc.

So, PLEASE watch this hilarious video, and start getting your act together!



And just FYI: I may or may not give extra points if I see a little Hammer action.

Great News

Power has been restored!


After more than a week of laptop downage, I received my new wall charger (which looks like an alien in the above picture to me), and it brought my computer out of darkness. When I plugged that bad boy in and saw this little light flicker...


...millions of gigabytes of joy and happiness flooded my heart.

(Please ignore the missing keys. This laptop has been rode hard these past few years).

Now, for some things that I need to share.

First, last week's stint as a single mama went off without a hitch.


Presh, presh, presh.

The boys were as cute and fun as ever, although they had decided to grow 10 ft since I really hung out with them last, and I have to tell you - I did not give permission for that.


It was so fun to look in my rear view and see this face again.


Not to mention looking over my shoulder to see this little green-lipped nut.


We had some of our normal heart-to-hearts on the driveway.


And I even allowed them to climb all over my car for no apparent reason. Obviously, I was drunk on their cuteness.


For the record Will was on the way up in this picture - not plummeting to his ultimate demise as it appears.

See, kings of the world!


Or at least the Tahoe. Sadly for them, their reign was short, as I quickly snapped out of my cute stupor and guided them to safer methods of play for the duration of my time there.

After work on Friday - with cute work attire on the mind - I enjoyed the fruits of my labor and headed to the wonderful world of discounted, aka The Great TJMaxx.


Or as I like to call it, JTMaxx.

After some victory, I headed home, and I have no idea what I did Friday night. I think I just went to bed early.

Try not to be overwhelmed with my coolness.

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were spent hanging out with cool people, watching the Jon & Kate Plus 8 marathon, eating, cleaning, grocery shopping, and getting ready for the (shorter!) week ahead.

I am looking very forward to this weekend because my friend Melinda (or as I lovingly call her - Belinder) is getting married!

Here she is with her fiance, Allen. I wonder what color hair their children will have? Too cute.


I will get to see tons of my favorite peeps this weekend, and that my friends, makes me even more excited to get this week started.

Hope ya'll have a great one!

Thursday thoughts and a promise of less randomness in the future

Hi ya'll.

Good news....I'm alive!

Sadly, my computer is dead.

Why does my computer hate me so much? I don't think I'll get that answered til Heaven.

I am trying to make amends with it by supplying it with a new wall charger, since the previous one decided life was not worth living. I wait by the mailbox day in and day out.

Beyond my technological woes, life is good.

--------

Work is also good.

A long weekend ahead is REAL good.

I am just enjoying my full, busy, and fun-as-always life these days.

--------

I have been missing my little guys, though.

I haven't really ever mentioned this on the blog, but I LOVE those little turkeys.

I also love my job, but the these two passions have a hard time co-existing.

BUT (Great news alert coming at you)....

....I am currently keeping my little guys til Friday! (Their mama is outta town, so Mama #2 is filling it. This time, she's a WORKIN pretend-mama. Good times!)

We are already having some fun, people. We're breaking rules and taking names.

We might even make T-shirts that say, "Nutrious Foods and Bedtimes are Overrated."

Just kidding, I love bedtimes.

--------

In unrelated news, my mama walked through the room I was in last night and cried out, "Heaven's to Betsy!" Then she promptly exited leaving me to wonder all day....

Who is Betsy?

--------

I spent a lot of time last night figuring out important world issues such as what I am going to wear to work tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday. (Single mamas gotta plan ahead).

This led me to the realization I have tried to ignore - I need some new work clothes.

The problem is I am in budget mode, and don't want to spend money. It is a vicious cycle between me, myself, and my wallet.

The way I look at it - needing clothes for a job is a good problem to have. It means I have a job and a healthy body to be clothed.

Jenna Tyson...coming to a store near you.

--------

I would like to conclude this randomness (One day I will return to fun stories and coherent posts - It's my Memorial Day Resolution).

Earlier Brannen told me, "I can speak English."

"Oh really?" I replied. "I can, too. In fact, I'm speaking it right now..."

Blank stare. Blank stare. Light bulb, "Oh, um, actually, I mean I can talk Spanish."

"Seriously?!?! That is awesome! Muy bien, mi amigo!"

Blank stare. Blank stare. Enter little brother.

"Talk some spayan-ish Bwannen!" Will requested.

"Ok!" he replied excitedly. "You how we say 'red'? Well in Spanish it's....um....'YEEKO'...."

Will is AMAZED. Jenn Jenn is confused.

"And you know 'white'?" he continued. "That's..um....'YOKOO'...."

"Wow, um, that's good, Babe." I tell him.

He beams with pride. Was muy sweetio and cutio. Be still my yeeko, beating heart.

--------

Hope ya'll have a great rest of the week!

God Chisle. For shizzle.

Marsha showed me this video last night, and about halfway through I looked over to her and said something along the lines of, "I LOVE this thing."

Just wanted to share the love on this nice, little Friday.

So if you have a few minutes, go enjoy "God Chisel." And have a great weekend...for rizzle.

Speaking of

-The other day I remembered that I had put away a Spring/Summer clothes bin when I conducted the Great Clean Out of 08. I was happy to find a bunch clothing that I forgot I owned - the most exciting being articles of the pants variety. At that time, I decided to forego the trying on of all the pants. For some reason at 12:30am last night, I decided I should try on every pair of bottoms in the bin.

There were some good surprises in the 'These Fit Now, Hallelujah' category and all, but I must ask myself WHY JENNA WHY did you choose to do this in the middle of the night?? I paid for it all day today.

-Speaking of clothes, after all the trying own, I still could not figure out anything to wear to work today. By that time, I only had eyes for my bed, so I settled on a brown shirt with some dark charcoal pants.

If you happen to be thinking, "Well, now, that doesn't sound like that really goes together..." be aware that you must get in line behind me. But let me tell you something, I worked it nonetheless. I figured since I'm just about the youngest person in my office, maybe everyone would accept it as cute - even if at first glance their minds says, "What tha??"

I actually think it worked. Big Al said I looked pretty before I even left the house and I didn't catch anyone giving me strange looks as they passed me in the hall. Well no more than I usually get. :-)

-Speaking of strange, I really want to post a story - a Mother's Day tale, if you will - but it is taking longer than I had envisioned. And by that I mean, I was going to write it last night, but instead I watched DWTS and Biggest Loser, then I went shopping in my room until the wee hours of the morning. And I didn't get home tonight until 10 - this is not helpful in coherent story telling, but maybe one day.

Until then, try to figure out what The Debster, a can of Pledge, a flip flop, and 3 cigarettes have in common.

-Speaking of cigarettes, I also need to share the story of when I smoked 2 cigarettes in 7th grade (my first and last smoking experience). I randomly shared this with Big Al this week to which he replied, "Jenna Babe, don't tell your daddy things like that." HA. It made me want to tell him all the other rebellious things I have done, but then I realized I am a loser and that was about as crazy as I got.

-Speaking of crazy, work has been inSANE this week. With our dear Stacy gone, I am flying solo and it has been an experience. I was pretty nervous going into this week, but I am overcome with joy and thankfulness because I felt better and better and more and more comfortable with each passing day.

-Speaking of comfortable, my bed is calling me! And just so you know every randomness about my life that I can come up with - my bed collapsed on Saturday. I was on it. (I blame the cake balls). I was sitting on the bed minding my own business when I suddenly felt a lurch. I sat straight up and froze contemplating how much time I had to exit the scene, but I thought about it way too long (typical) and down we went.

And because my bed is an antique and approximately 100 years old, it cannot be restored to health by the common man (Alan). So for now I am sleeping on my mattresses on the floor. I am getting used to it and find it very convienient for rolling out of the bed every morning.

-Speaking of those mattresses, I am about to go tell them I don't care if they are on the floor - I love them, and I would like to spend a good 7-8 hours with them.

Good night!

Celebrate good times, c'mon

We have had a great weekend.

Saturday was kind of a laid back day, but things started revving up around 10pm when these two fun people rolled into town.


Matthew and Larsen were starving upon arrival, so we all surrounded them at the bar while they ate. We kind of like them.

It was so fun to catch up with my brother and his girl. It feels like we haven't seen them in a sweet forever. SO not cool.

But thankfully there were able to pass through the Boro and make our dreams come true this weekend. This was especially true for the matriarch of our family, aka The Debster - I am not sure there is any better present she would have wished for than for The Prince to journey homeward.

Sunday morning we had a little Mother's Day Brunch to celebrate the mothers in our lives.


First up we have Deb.



And rounding out the group we have Iris


Gram was pumped about her card.


And Mama was also excited to receive cards from Matthew and Larsen, pose with the flowers from her husband, and gaze upon the present that her children (coughdaughtercough) made her for her office.



28 years of motherhood down the hatch and this is what she has to show for it. We love ya, Deb! You did good.


Matthew and Larsen had to skedaddle after lunch, but not before we took on the challenge of figuring out every combination of people we could get together for a picture. 80 pictures later, and I'd say we just about mastered it.

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."

Saturday Meanderings

I have learned something over the past couple of weeks.

People LOVE cake balls.

(These were done with chocolate cake/cream cheese icing inside. Oh my lands.)

I have also learned something else.

If you make cake balls once, the people whom you served them to WILL request them at every subsequent function where food is present.

The latest request was, of course, for Stacy's going away party at work. I should have refused since I do not support her leaving (besides the fact that she must leave so I can stay).

But, I knew if anything good make all us feel better about her departure, it was a ball of sugar coated with sugar and decorated with sugar.


As I suspected, they were well received.


Here I am with my work girls in our office! Ginger (left) and party honoree Stacy (also known as SLacy - middle) are literally two of the funniest, compassionate, and enjoyable people I know. And I know people. P.S. We are not this blurry in real life.


Ginger and Stac = the only reasons (besides God of course) that I am sane and feel capable of the crazy job that is before me.


Stacy, I am honored to fill your chair and be the new you! You will be GREATLY missed, my friend.


After work, I did what I know most of you probably did. I stopped by the tattoo parlor.


I decided to get a cake ball tattooed on forehead.

(Oh, I kid, although now that I think about it, that would make me happy every time I looked in the mirror.)

The Tattoo Place (Store? Shop? Distribution Center?) stop was for Anna (cute girl seen here in white). She is our dear friend and was finally getting the tattoo she's wanted for so long.


I personally can't relate to such a desire (due in part to the needles and pain involved), but I went for moral support. It was fun!

Cute Deb was loving it.


While they talked designs and fonts and needles, I realized my left over cake balls were probably melting in the extreme heat of a GA May, so I ran to the car to save them.

No cake balls die on my watch!

Once I returned, I excitedly distributed some of the Balls o' Happiness to the Tattoo Store girls and other tattoo store patrons. HUGE hit.


As for today, I am lounging around, thinking about cleaning or watching a movie (hmmm, I wonder which will win??), and waiting for these two crazy kids to get here tonight.


Happy Weekend to all!

Some thangs

1. Friiiiiidddddaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!

2. Today is the very last day of work for Stacy, the sweet girl whose job I am taking. This makes me...

*Sad - I have grown to LOVE her so much. She makes me laugh.
*Thankful - she (along with my other co-worker) has been excessively vital in helping me learn my job and be ready. I would be up a creek with no paddle had it not been for her.
*Terrified - this is where the rubber hits the road.
*Excited - let's see what God can do with little ole me.

3. We are having a little surprise going-away (BOO) party for Stac this afternoon, and I made cake balls! I made them last night, and I consider it a personal victory that I only consumed 3 during the baking/mixing/frosting/decorating process. Next time, I'm going for only 2, even though I believe this to be virtually impossible.

4. I have NO plans for tonight. I haven't been this excited since I ate 3 cake balls last night.

5. Saturday night my brother and his girlfriend are coming into town for a quick visit, which makes me happy deeeeeep inside. I haven't been this excited since I ate 3 cake balls last night. :-)

6. I found out yesterday that I will get Memorial Day off. Because I am still training - causing me to ask 3,945,749 questions per day to my co-workers - I hadn't found the time to think about or ask what holidays we take. When word got to me that on May 25th I will not be required to report to work - I responded in a tone only dogs could hear. That will also be my 2 month work-a-versary, so I am going to consider the day off as a little present from the hospital.

7. I am in denial that Izzie is dying on Grey's. I choose to not accept that possibility.

7. Friiiiiidddddaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!

8. Have a great one. :-)

This post brought to you by Marsha photography

Like I mentioned before, I took no pictures of this past weekend Youth Girls Beach Excursion.

I would think about it every now and again - then my brain would launch into that old "I should get my camera...but that would mean I'd have to get up" deal.

Apparently not a fan of excessive movement this trip.

Thankfully, Marsha (who, incidentally, is an actual photographer with a camera worth more than my life) was there to capture all the crazy moments that ensue when you gather together 16 crazy preteen/teen girls and 6 equally crazy leaders.

Welcome to the Craziness. Grab your straight jacket and join us, won't you?


We loved all the girls on the trip, but I am not going to lie to you - we loved these two the most. Lizzie and Kendall are in our high school Bible study, and we think they are pretty awesome.


The theme of the weekend was "Glamorous." There was a lot of talk about inner vs. outer beauty, and the girls were encouraged not to wear makeup/focus on hair, etc.

Keeping that in mind, this picture made me laugh aloud. We enjoy the rebellious spirits. P.S. I also wore some makeup. You can't fence us in.


There were several college girls there leading these little sheep. They kept things interesting and did a great job.


But, let it be known, teen wrangling/young soul shaping is exhausting.


I mean look at these hoodlums. And there were 13 more where these came from.


It was great weather, and on Saturday night a few of us took to the beach to enjoy the awesomeness and for Marsha to take some pics of our girls on the beach.

Look how darling....


Unfortunately some big weirdo followed them down there.


Kendall and I decided we should SKIP down the path to the beach. It was a lovely time in life.


Until we went a few hundred feet and I got a little winded and had to stop and collect myself. These lungs aren't what they used to be!


It worked out though because while I was hunched over wondering if I was taking my last breaths, our leader-friend, Belinda, dropped some seashells. And since I was already practically on the ground, I was able to assist her in the re-gathering them.

Every thing happens for a reason, indeed.


Here are some of the awesome beach pics that were taken by Marsha.








The craziness continued into the night...








And right into the next morning...


Here I am with Marsha and one of our college Bible study girls, Meghan who was there as a leader as well. The M's make me laugh heartily all the live-long day.

Megh and I bonded over our ridiculous natures.






All in all, it was great fun. And now that it's Thursday, I think I have finally recuperated. :-)

A glamorous weekend

Sometimes, when I am in the middle of a crazy day at work, or trying to figure out bills and money, or working on becoming the 25 year-old woman I am meant to be, I miss the days of just being a kid.

And then I go on a trip with 16 girls between the ages of 12 and 17.

And that pretty much nips those feelings in the bud.

While we had so much this weekend on our retreat - and the girls were just as funny and precious as they could be - a couple of days of remembering how awkward and confusing that age can be sends me into a tailspin of thankfulness that I am 25 and not 14.

Although that isn't to say that I'm not still somewhat awkward and confused. But at least I have my wits about me. Well, for the most part.

Oh my word, where is this story going? I'm sorry, I think I'm delirious.

To sum it up - we had a wonderful, fun, and exhausting trip to the beach for our little Girl's Retreat.

We stayed in a BEAUTIFUL house.

We had some great fellowship, some good God time with the girls, and more laughter than a show dog could jump over.

I didn't get sunburned, I slept great, and I didn't take a single picture.

Not a single one.

Who am I??

I will try and jack some pictures from Marsha soon, but until then - I am on my way to take a long shower, get my pajamas on, watch a little Brothers & Sisters, and hit the hay.

That adulthood I am so thankful for is going will be delivering me an early wake-up call very soon.

Gotta love it. :-)

I like being happy

Today, I am happy because...

...I got my VERY FIRST real paycheck yesterday.


There may not be a ton numbers on it, but it makes me feel like a million bucks. The number on that check represents all the hours I have spent over the past month working at a job I am loving! Oh yeah, baby, that's amazing to me.

...Yesterday, I got some long-awaited new highlights in my "Hmm That's Interesting How My Hair Is Brown Now" hair. The last time I had my hair colored was way before Christmas. And while hair color is about the least important issue on the continuum of things that matter - I cannot lie and say that it doesn't bring me much joy.

...my previous very broken out face has cleared up! (Just keeping with the vanity for a moment). For some reason (let's go with stress) my face has forged a war against me. And nothing says "Hey look! You hired a 13 year-old kid to man the front lines of your world renown hospital!" like a broken out face.

That is totally the take-home message I want to bestow upon my new bosses.

...I am recalling the wonderful memories of the cake balls I made for our Bible Study dinner the other night.


Lord help me, those things are out of control.

The best part of making them (besides the sampling) was when Big Al walked in and saw me making the (Red Velvet) cake.

"What kind of cake is that, Jenna Babe....CHERRY!?"


"Daddy, when in your life have you ever had a cherry cake? Is that really your best guess? Can you think of ANY other kind of RED cake???"

Work with me, Al.

And lastly...

...I am leaving after work for a trip to the beach this weekend. I am going on a retreat with the youth group girls at church, and can only imagine the craziness that I am about to experience. 25 girls between the ages of 12-17ish. Please pray for me.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!