Need one more clue?
Well, I guess I can tell you that this group really wants something...
??????
"Ok, I have to show you something," Marsha said while we were shopping Saturday, a t-shirt held firmly in her grasp. The front side being shielded from my view.
"What is it?" I asked, mildly interested.
"Well, I need to show you, but I really can't because it's a secret," she went on.
(My interest level went to high-alert.)
"What?! What is the secret??? Let me see the shirt!!!!!"
(I try to act maturely in all situations, can you tell?)
"Well," Marsha continued calmly. "It's a secret about someone you know, but I think she will want to tell you." The shirt still shielded, mind you.
"Um, no. I'm sorry, but you cannot do that. Now you have to tell me," I said very seriously.
(I started getting a little rowdy.)
(I would have thrown her up against the wall or something, but Marsha is freakishly strong so I was scared.)
"Well, here, I will show you the shirt and tell you the situation and you just tell me if you think it's cute," Marsha decided.
She whips the shirt around on it I see a very cute shirt with a little zebra looking up to a VERY tall giraffe.
"Would this be good for someone who just started dating a REALLY tall boy?" she asked.
"What?! Who is dating someone? And oh my word YES that is perfect. But seriously, who is dating someone???"
I played a little guessing game, until it was finally revealed that it was one of our sweet college girls - the darling and hilarious Kayla. So exciting!
Here is Kayla with her prize. She loved it of course. It really is perfect since her new guy is 6'9"!!!! Yes, you read that correctly - six foot plus nine inches tall.
If you have any messages for God, let him know. I'm pretty sure he can see into Heaven he is so high up.
Kayla used the shirt to reveal to some of our other girls the BIG NEWS.
As you would imagine, squeals and clapping erupted immediately and more information was demanded.
Kami, for example, was VERY pumped and had this face the whole time the details about this Godly guy and how-they-got-together were shared.
And I think this face below accurately describes how we feel about the whole situation.
I think it also perfectly sums up how happy we are to share life with these sweet, funny, amazing, Godly girls.
"Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy..."
Romans 12:15 (The Message)
Another installment of emails shared with the crazy woman who birthed me.
**********
From: Jenna
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2009 11:14 AM
To: Debster
Hey Deb.....wassup with you my homey?
Work is going good. Going home tonight to work on my Bible study.....Subway eat fresh?
Love, Jenna Babe
**********
[Tyson Code: "Subway eat fresh?" stands for "do you want to eat Subway tonight?"]
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From: Deb
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2009 11:31 AM
To: Jenn
Yeah for work!! Good luck for the rest of the afternoon to go smoothly...Definitely...subway eat fresh for tonight....I looove free sandwiches...soo awesome!!
See you on the homefront my "little" homey.......too far?????? hahaha Love you!!
P.S. next time you put a picture of me on the blog...could you at least make sure I am smiling???? Seriously..I look like Bozo the clown..in a good way, though...at least I am smiling....what in the world am I talking about?...anyway
P.P.S. Cute blog about the commercials with dear ole' dad.....
**********
[Tyson Code: "free sandwiches" stands for "a sandwich for which you do not pay." On the back of our football ticket stubs there are a buy one get one free coupons. We use them often.]
[Tyson Code: "too far" stands for "taking something farther than funny can go." Deb goes there often.]
**********
From: Deb again
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2009 11:45 AM
To: Jenn again
I forgot I have a presidential forum to go to at 4:00. It will last until 5:30 and then I will head home. Is that too late for me to get subway for us? Let me know if you would rather pick it up...
**********
[Tyson Code: "text me" stands for "I'm a cool old lady because I can text and I know proper text coding like LOL2."]
**********
From: JennaBabe
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2009 12:19 PM
To: MamaBabe
Mama, is a presidential forum more important than your child's hunger? Think about it.....
And what are you talking about the blog picture - you WERE smiling!!!
**********
From: Mama
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2009 12:34 PM
To: The girl who did not pick up on the sarcasm
Yes...I am aware I was smiling...I was joking....I had one of my biggest smiles ever!! (i.e. Bozo the clown)....I think I have this smile phobia thing under control....If I do say so...we all looked cute in that blog....especially you and Daddy....Well...hope you have a good day at work and a good bible study tonight.....Love you!!
**********
[Tyson Code: "smile phobia" means "Deb can't smile right for pictures unless you say something really funny or inappropriate and she just naturally smiles despite herself." We are working tirelessly on this issue.]
**********
We're making progress, I think.
You never really know the crazy things you shall witness on a normal, innocent Saturday shopping trip to Savannah.
1. Torrential downpours
2. Mar Mar behind the wheel on the interstate (For the first time - in the torrential downpours). What was that flashing before me eyes? Oh, yeah. My life.
Truth be told, I had no doubts Marlee's amazing driving skills would help us live to see another day.
3. Runway shows in the middle of Sears?
Got to try out those hott new red shoes Marlee is gonna be sporting on Homecoming Court on Friday.
4. Trying out some hats for the long, harsh GA winter ahead.
When I looked at this picture I immediately said, "Ew, I look weird."
"Jenna," Marsha said flatly. "You're wearing a Spongebob hat."
I guess that explains it.
5. Visiting the aquarium that is outside of Claire's in the Ogelthorpe Mall.
Such pretty fish swimming around out there.
6. If you take a right past the aquarium, you will find yourself in Heaven.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the persons involved in creating Ritz, peanut butter, and white chocolate.
7. Random and unanticipated modeling at every turn is imperative.
Dear Santa, I want that purple scarf I'm wearing and the shoes Marlee is holding.
8. Phoebe gets a prize!
I know people have strong feelings about the Snuggie, but I personally love this type of product and think it is genius. And I am happy the canine population is getting the Snuggie love. Dogs get cold too, people.
Unfortunately I've been getting reports that Phoebe hates life in The Snug.
9. No random day is complete with out the OG.
And no restaurant trip is complete Marsha and her skill of making inanimate objects into faces.
No one thinks it's funnier than the creator herself.
And this concludes our trip down random lane.
Given Big Al's history in front of the camera (and countless audiences), I am sure everyone realizes that I by no means force my father to film his weekly radio commercials to put on my blog/Facebook every week.
But in case you ever wondered, I would like to present to the jury some key evidence that he secretly (or really, not so secretly) enjoys his ever-present spot in the limelight.
"Jenna Babe," Big Al yelled up the stairs on WEDNESDAY morning.
"Yes?"
"You know I'm going out of town this morning and won't be back until Friday," he reminded me sounding concerned.
"Um, yes. I am aware, kind sir. What seems to be the problem?"
"I'm just trying to think about the commercial. (Long pause for contemplation). I guess we can just do it on Friday afternoon."
"Sounds like a plan, Daddy."
Quick pic of the the talent and the camera woman.
And of course our #1 Big Al/GSU groupie.
Go Eagles! Lay the smack down on Elon!
6 months ago today, I started my very first grown up job.
Here I am on my first day. I didn't realize at that point adults don't really take pics of themselves on their first day of work. I wasn't a full grown up then.
That day had been a long time coming.
(10 months and 15 days, but really - who was counting?)
It was a job I did not even try to get.
I had gone to visit and tour the hospital a couple months prior, but upon leaving thought, I will never get a job there.
Not because I didn't want one.
It just seemed like everyone who worked there had been doing so for 100 years. And even if a job did come available, I didn't think there were any there for which I would qualify.
I actually remember the very gracious man who toured me saying at one point of our conversation, We really look more at experience than education.
Um, ok. I have the opposite of that, I thought.
So up went that possibility - straight to shelf that housed of all my previous failed attempts to becoming employed.
Dear Lord, I prayed one night. Please just let me have a job by the time I turn 25.
Yes, I actually prayed that. Did you know God LOVES it when we put Him on a time table?
(I had a quarter-life crisis in February - I wasn't thinking clearly).
March blew in and then - the message on my voicemail.
We have a job opening, my (now) boss said. Call us back.
A couple of interviews, a couple drug screens, and a couple weeks later...and the worldwind began.
I was 25 years and 5 days old.
And I had a job. A completely crazy job I totally did not see coming and did not plan for - which made me know it was had pre-planned for me to have.
(This perspective would be a vital survival tactic in all the many days to come).
So it's been 6 months.
Sometimes I can't believe it's been that long.
Sometimes I think it should be longer than that by now - surely I am like 40 years old at this point.
Working at this job has been life-altering, terrifying, crazy, funny, exhausting, stressful, and so many more words that would take forever to go over and explain.
I think the best and worst parts of myself have come out, and God seems to be working overtime at building my character.
Which we all know is so fun.
There have been a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and a lot of prayers.
I'm so thankful to have a job, and even on the completely insane days - I am grateful I get to have this experience, get to spend my days with these people, and get to learn the lessons God is trying to teach this crazy little grown up.
But I'm also very glad and excited to be on THIS side of 6 months.
:-)
Last night I decided to be a productive citizen, so I laid on the bed playing on the computer and watching TV all evening.
I was flipping around and landed on a show I have come to really enjoy on the Travel Channel called MAN V. FOOD.
This hilarious fellow, Adam Richman, goes to iconic restaurants around the country and takes on food challenges.
I seriously love this show!
Sure, sometimes it makes me want to puke as I watch him try to down a 15 pound hamburger or 8 pizzas or something with like 50 jalapeno peppers, etc.
But then other times, I really think I could win against the food right alongside Adam.
Especially in the desserts category.
I honestly feel in my heart of hearts that if challenged (or not), I could totally clean that plate full of goodness.
Or at least I could die trying.
(What a way to go.)
Depending on the episode and the food challenge - there are times when Adam wins, and there are times when he has to wave his white flag (napkin) in defeat.
It's all very dramatic.
Anyways, as I was watching last night, the show reminded me of a similar scene from this past weekend.
A little something I like to call: WOMEN V. CRACKER BARREL
Starring...Bri, Kimberly, Jenna, and their very excited "morning after the wedding" stomachs.
Let's just say we took on The Cracka and there were NO white napkins waving at the end.
Adam Richman would be so proud.
In one of my psychology classes in college, I remember the professor discussing different ways people learn.
Some people learn by listening alone. Notes aren't necessary. Whatever the professor says goes in one ear and does not come out the other. (I hate these people, by the way).
Others need visuals. Charts, diagrams, real life examples, posters, etc. (I am this person, by the way - or so I used to think).
I also remember him talking about how some people need to be doing something with their hands in order to get the most out of their learning experience.
The example he gave was squeezing one of those stress balls or knitting during a class or lecture, and I just thought that was so weird.
How does that help you learn better?
I understood the desire to do keep your hands moving - I was a pen clicker. I was also, and still am, a supporter of the stress ball. And knitting, for that matter.
Additionally, to this day, I am a straw paper artist. (Like, the paper that straws come out of - as opposed to paper made of straw).
Once that straw is in it's rightful place, I play with the paper it until it is completely obliterated and twisted like a pretzel.
But again, how does something like that make you learn better in a classroom setting?
Ironically, I can't remember the answer (which ultimately leads me to believe that I may just be that type of learner and should have obviously taken up knitting in class).
I bring all of this up because I've been thinking about this subject lately - this time in regards to how it correlates with a new habit I have taken up at work.
For the visual learners out there, here is a little section of my desk. Notice those shiny things?
What is that? Jenna, do you work for a small metal sculpture making factory?
No, it is just a bunch of badly mangled paper clips that died at the work of my hand.
It seems that while on the phone with patients/families or talking to co-workers from my desk, I have a tendency to (unknowingly) pick up wayward paper clips and take them for all they are worth.
Leaving them broken and useless and leaving me with a pile of wire and "you are kind of a freak" looks from my frightened co-workers.
I don't really have an answer for this - I don't know if twisting these with my hands makes me a better worker - but I felt the need to share.
For the record, now that I am aware of this need in my life, I try to grab the clips featured in the far left of that picture. They are not so easily destroyed.
But look! Good things can come from this weird habit.
Sometimes I look down and have created actual shapes like this beautiful heart.
Here is the story of the wedding of Mer and Russ...looooong and picture-filled - and bringing much joy deep into my heart....
I got up early on Saturday and after about 4 hours of Jenna-time in the car, I pulled up to this lovely chalet and met up with my dear friend Kimberly to play for a while before the wedding.
Kimberly actually lives in my town, but we are 2 sorry excuses for friends and don't hang out nearly enough.
Sometimes it takes going to a different state to see your friends who live 10 miles away from you.
We went to eat downtown at this precious old-timey soda shop.
It was too cute, and our waiter was quite the quirkster.
Once he saw me pull out my camera to capture this shot he told me it was $85 a picture. I asked him if the first one was free, and he said no but that the 5th one was. Touche, funny little man.
Here I am with my pretty glass of diet coke that was so flat I seriously thought that it was tea.
Kimberly taste-tasted and said it was definitely DC. To this day, I am still not completely convinced, but I went along with it because I trust K on all these serious life issues.
After we ate, it was off to do a little shopping at an antique store, and I talked Kimberly into buying some cute shoes because that's what friends are for.
They were only $3, and she can totally pull them off. Don't let the fact that they are label House Shoes scare you.
After piddling around, we went back to the chalet and got ready for the main event.
Unfortunately you really can't take some of us anywhere without causing some type of trouble.
For example - inadvertently getting one's heel stuck in the air vent and completely pulling it out of the floor as you're walking out the door to leave. That's talent, people.
Once I put the house back together, we declared life a highway, and got on the road. We had fun chatting it up as we drove - our conversation interrupted only by the bellowing thunder and bright flashes of lightening. Just what you want see driving towards a wedding.
But, just as we arrived to the mansion, the skies cleared.
And look at this pretty girl I found in the foyer!
And look at this handsome guy Kimberly found in the foyer!
Also in the foyer (oh my, how many times can I say foyer - Webster's needs to come up with a synonym) were pictures of the bride and groom's parents and grandparents on their wedding days. I LOVE THAT KIND OF STUFF.
The place where the wedding was held was beautiful in every way. All the way down (up) to the chandeliers. Gorgeous. I don't even want to think about the light bill from that thing alone.
As we know, weddings are about the details, and Meredith did such an awesome job planning it all perfectly and beautifully.
Example 1: Cake
Example 2: Flowers
We hung around chatting with our friends, and then we were able to stand around and watch them take some wedding party pics.
And we got to talk to the beautiful bride.
She was doing well, but homegirl was (naturally) fretting the weather a bit. We hugged on her and assured her it was all going to be fine. It's totally clearing out, we said in good faith.
Promises that proved to be empty. Or full (of water), as it were.
Sweet Josh and Kimberly stealing a glance.
Here's my dear Bri doing some last minute prepping before the wedding started. Please excuse her, she is very shy in front of the camera.
As it was getting close to show time, the skies began to darken. And the stress began to mount.
Hopeful guests took their seats in front of the tented wedding stage, and as we sat there nervously laughing. Kimberly and I eyed one another cautiously while also gazing to the left where the darkest cloud you have ever seen in your life was coming our way at a warped speed.
You can probably guess what happened next.
It was totally not funny in the moment because we hated it so badly for Meredith, but looking back now the whole scene was like a movie.
The musicians started speeding up and the bridesmaids started making good time down the aisle.
In the distance young children are crying because they are so scared of the booming sky.
And then, as beautiful, gorgeous, sweet, Meredith begins to make her walk down the aisle, the bottom completely falls away.
The sky melts, and everyone freezes with the look of "what now?!?"
Mer looks at her daddy, and they truck it down the aisle to get underneath the tent - the guests, now popping umbrellas like crazy, are all running up underneath the tent as well.
Rain is now POURING down. Not in the "man it sure is a yucky day" kind of sprinkle. It was like, "Noah? Is that you?" kind of situation.
By the time everyone adjusts to our new reality, it's coming in sideways and the whole tent is shaking. Bridesmaids and groomsmen nonchalantly grab a hold of the poles to secure it. The globe lamps hanging from the ceiling are blowing around like beach ball on the sandy shore.
Undeterred, the preacher continues on - asking Mer and Russell if they take each other to be married.
They will and they do.
By this time their eyes are locked on each other and the fact that all of their wedding guests packed like sardines - all within a 20 foot radius of them doesn't seem to matter. The winds are blowing fiercely and everyone is soaked, but it was of little importance.
The rains came. But their love remained.
So many analogies, so little time.
Finally the kiss and the announcing of husband and wife. Everyone busted out clapping and hollering. It was a great moment in time.
Above is a shot of the tent after the wedding was over and people started making their way back to the house. Below is my umbrella partner/fellow fishy. We were a lot of person trying to fit under one mini umbrella, but I have never laughed so hard as we sloshed through those puddles in our big ole heels.
With all of that story shared, I'm here to tell you - that wedding rocked.
No, it did not go as planned or dreamed. But there was just something special about everyone being under there, surrounding this precious couple with the rain beating down on the tent.
I loved it. And as Mer said, it was their "extra" special day.
Once the rain cleared, it was obviously time to party.
It all started with eating THIS chocolate Reese cup somethin-a-nother cake. Who has time for names when you are eating the CAKE OF YOUR LIFE.
Then we moved it to the dance floor.
Rain, humidity, constant dancing. All the ingredients you need to become a hot mess.
Earle and his friend Willie bring it home "Dinosaur" style.
This girl is the best!
BFF's
More BFF's. (Statesboro boys have a special bond.)
This was when the band leader informed Russell that he was about to have to sing "My Girl" to His Girl. I LOVE Mer's face.
"I've got sunshiiiiiiiiiinnee on a cloudy day....." (fitting)
Then he turned the tables and had Mer sing "Respect." Priceless. (Nice moves, Russ).
Earle and Bri. I am so proud of my little married friends. They don't come much better than these.
After dance/sing time was over, it was time for the bouquet/garter toss. Look at my friend's poor dress. The true test of how much fun you have is how dirty your dress is at the end of the night. :-) The person who created weddings said that, I think.
And what is a classy function without having a few of the groomsmen jump in the pool fully clothed.
We all got a big kick out of it, but the staff at Fountainview - not so much. I've never seen people run that fast whilst yelling "GET OUT." Then they read them their rights and took them upstairs to Fountainview jail.
We did eventually get them back which was exciting.
And then, before we knew it....the little love birds flew the coop.
Rain or shine - it was a perfect night (and weekend)! Congrats Mer and Russ!!
