Big Al to the rescue

When 5:00 came yesterday evening, I set out on my normal routine.

I took all my paperwork down to the nurse's unit, and I signed myself out. Then I walked myself down the emptying hall, re-entered my office, locked the door behind me, and closed the blinds.

Please do not be fooled by the elusive nature of these actions, as I was just going back into my office to change into my workout clothes.

I know the way I wrote that makes it sound like a scene from some type of murder mystery or perhaps a psychological thriller, but rest assured - if anything, it was just your standard horror flick.

Also: it is unlikely anyone would characterize my changing clothes as "a thriller".

ANYWAYS, I changed into my gym clothes, headed down to our little workout room, and made friends with the treadmill for a couple of miles.

Not close friends, mind you, just acquaintances.

When I left, the hunger pangs were present and were asking for what they commonly do - The S-Dub.

"Subway it is!" I told my stomach.

(It's unnatural, my love for it, but tis too lofty an issue to examine at the present time.)

The line was long, but I knew the waiting would be worth it and it would soon be over. I couldn't wait to get to that cash register, hand over my check card to pay, and scoot home to eat quickly before Bible study.

Victory was finally mine as I reached the register, and I immediately started fishing around in my purse to find my wallet, aka the home to that aforementioned check card.

I found the wallet easily.


It was the check card whose presence could not be discovered.


I looked and looked (nervously laughing as the SW guy stared me down), and then it dawned on me.

The night before at Latte Da I had purchased bottled water and stuck my check card in my back pocket.

JENNA TYSON, WHY DO YOU DO THIS?!?!

(I have never done that and NOT forgotten about it until I was trying to, you know, buy something with no means of doing so.)

"Oh." I said to SW guy. "I actually don't have my check card with me. I am going to have to run home and get it."

(Walk of shame back to my car).

On my walk, I tried to devise a plan that would involve me NOT having to drive all the way home and back.

So I did what any responsible, respectable, almost-26 year-old daughter (who is just trying to show her parent's she is not an idiot) would do...I called my daddy to see if he’d come save me from myself.

"Hey Daaaaaddy, whatcha doing?" I nonchalantly greeted my dear father when he answered the phone.

"I am just sitting in the kitchen about to go to choir." he answered.

"Oh. Well I am sitting at Subway and I, um, left my check card in my jeans at home (shame). I was going to see if you were out and about if you would mind stopping by and you know, helpin’ a sista out.”

Keep it light, Jen. Keep it light.

"Well sure, that’s not a problem. I can just come on to choir and drop by there."

"Thanks, Daddy! And as far as the card, I was going to say that you could run upstairs and get it, but I am not sure exactly where my jeans are (shame round 2)."

"Honey, I think I can spot you a sandwich," he said with a laugh.

(SCORE!)

"Aww thanks, Daddy! Ok see you in a minute."

And before I knew it, Big Al was pulling up in The Hoss. I was so glad to see him even though I feared what he was thinking about his absent-minded daughter.


He handed me the card that for some reason I assumed he was just dropping off - and I would give it back to him later that night.

"Thanks, Daddy. Are you about to go to choir?" Preparing for the good-bye.

"Yes," he said unmoving. "As soon as I get that card back."

The man is so sweet, but he is no fool.

All’s well that ends well!


(...and a thankful daughter!)

TMRI (Too Much Random Information)

There hasn't be a whole lot going on this week in my neck of the woods.

I mean I went to work - but I can't talk about that.

(Confidentiality and what not.)

On Monday I watched The Bachelor (Women Tell All) - but I don't want to talk about that.

(Awkwardness and what not.)

Tuesday I went to work AGAIN (they are so picky about always wanting me to come back every day).

Tuesday evening after work I braved my fateful foe, Walmart. I do so love and adore Walmart, but my sanity has been tested one too many times at the 5:00 hour.

I try to avoid losing my mental well-being in the middle of aisle 4 or worse - the shampoo section.

WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS OUT OF MY SHAMPOO, WALLY?!?! (A scene has been made before, you'll thank me for not sharing the details.)

But surprisingly WM was calm cool and collected, and no one lost anything on any aisle.

(Well, I lost about $40 in the check out aisle, but I gained some hair stuff, granola bars, cereal, etc., in the process so I guess it was a fair trade.)

Later last night I met up with our darling college girls at Latte Da - a local coffee establishment - to talk about the first chapter in Crazy Love.

Speaking of love, I LOVE those girls. They make me laugh like a hyena in the jungle.

(Wait, do hyenas live in jungles? I am going to have refer to The Lion King on this matter).

Anyways, they are funny. And sweet. And so Godly! I really want to be them when I grow up.

I actually try to be them now, as witnessed by changing out of my work clothes into jeans, a GSU sweatshirt, and (wait for it...) FLIP FLOPS last night. It has been pleasant here the last couple of days but even so, it was still a touch too cold for flip flops last night.

But when I'm with them I AM IN COLLEGE TOO, so I reverted back to this frozen-toe habit.

After Bible study, I went out to the Hagans because I had not seen them in like 8 years! More like a week, but I had not seen my man Jake in more than 2 weeks, which is very unacceptable.

I went hunting for him as soon as I walked in, but when I opened up the door to the TV room, I only found half of what I was looking for (Marls) studying on the couch.

"Is Jake already in bed?!?!"

"Yes."

"Dang it! Like, he went to bed 5 minutes ago and is possibly still awake???"

"Yes, actually." Marlee, always the bearer of good news.

This is where I knocked on Jake's door and made myself at home in the dark room to steal a quick hug and ask whether or not he had grown 3 feet since I last saw him.

"Are you like 8ft tall now?" I asked too excitedly for a person who just snuck into a darkened room where someone was trying to sleep.

"Yes," he answered flatly. "My feet are hanging of the bed."

I enjoy the quick wit.

I went back downstairs and hung out with Marsha, Tara, and Marlee - looking at pictures and laughing at my Godchild, Phoebe.

Marsha gave me some tips to find a husband, I reminded Tara she is in charge of my taxes, and I laughed at Marlee and told her how happy I am that she is so funny now (she loves when I imply she has not always been funny).

Then I came home way too late, got up way too early, and made my way back to my picky "please come every day or be fired" workplace.

The End.

(Well, since it's Wednesday, I guess I should say, "The Middle").

So, have a great week!

The Middle.

Shower the people you love with love

We had a great weekend!

I took off work Friday which was really nice. It gave me time to hang with Lin, run some errands, and get packed up and ready to go before heading off to Atlanta to celebrate my cousin Larisa and her sweet baby boy.

(Baby Boy ETA: April 2010).

Our friend Anna joined Deb and I on our journey to ATL. I am still surprised Anna continually chooses to subject herself to the craziness that is any type of Tyson road trip, but what can I say - she's brave.

It didn't take long after getting on the road to need a pit stop.

Snacks?


Liquid refreshment?


All integral parts of extended car rides down long interstates.

We did finally make it to Risa's - we were greeted by Ris, DD (grandma to be), and the baby bump itself!


All of which brought me volumes of untold joy.

Pretty soon all that joy stuff made us really hungry, so we loaded up and headed to the Marietta Diner, where food dreams really do come true.


Here we all are awaiting our huge portions of every kind of food you can think of.

Right before the food arrived, Larsen made her appearance - thus making us all very happy!


At that point, "The Group" was intact and the weekend could really begin!

We celebrated this group completion by gorging ourselves on fine cuisine, a Walmart trip, and a couple hours of sitting around chatting in the living room.

We have found these to be pillars of a successful weekend, and we are not about to mess with the system.

Saturday morning came and brought with a gorgeous day full of sunshine.

Larisa pups (2 on the right) and DD's pup (left) all basked in the glory from their perch on an air mattress.


Larsen even joined Beau for some squirrel patrolling.


After we got dressed and ready, we loaded up DD's car with all the precious loot. (Please be aware that the word "precious" shall be over-used from this point forward).


The shower was being held at one of Larisa's aunts home - it was perfect! We got there early to set up some of the activities we had been working on.

We had a blessing basket set up so guest could write sweet notes to Risa and Babe.


Also, what is a baby shower without a diaper cake? We also set up the Baby Love party favors and started stacking up the presents. It's a shame that baby won't have a thing!


Food Table, amen and amen.


The beautiful cake (bordered by petit fours - thus bringing my ultimate sugar dream to life).


The top of the cake....say it with me now - PRECIOUS.


The beautiful, glowing guest of honor surveying what was later to be dubbed "the best baby shower in the history of the world."


The photo opps started early....Pretty Larsen and the Tyson girls.


Another fun activity we did was have the guest write messages on diapers. It was so fun to see what people wrote.


Mine is in the top right corner, DD is holding one of hers in the bottom right.

I love this picture of Risa under the baby shower sign.


Deb and I cannot believe she is having a BABY. (Like an actually baby whose cheeks I am going to squeeze. Ris just to let you know - the answer to every question that child asks me is YES.)

See we are REAL happy about the current situation happening in Larisa's stomach.


Anna is pumped, as well. She shall be an honorary aunt/cousin/baby spoiler/cheek squeezer.


Risa's babydaddy, Joel, made an appearance! We love Joel! He was such a trooper letting all those crazy women invade his house. I'm pretty sure he is scarred for life.

Aren't they so cute?? They will be AMAZING parents.


One of many foursome pictures of the day.


The picture above begs the question - could Larisa BE any taller than me?

(She's 5'9" and I am 5'3" (darn those midget Tyson genes!). She's also wearing heels and I am wearing flats - thus creating the widest height chasm between two blood relatives that has ever existed.)

Risa and the Gma-to-be who, I will just tell you, is so excited she may explode at any time.


Ok. Let's get to the good stuff.

On the drive up to Atlanta, Anna was telling us how she had given up chocolate for Lent.

The mention of chocolate caused a delightful thought to pop into my head and before the poor girl could even finish her story I blurted out, "Oh my word! I hope there is a chocolate fountain at this thing!"

"Honey," Deb began. "It's at someone's house - I doubt they will have a fountain." She wasn't trying to crush my dreams, just prepare me. It made sense, so I let my dream of a chocolate fountain (and a little piece of my soul) die right there on I-75.

Fast forward to later that night when Larisa unleashed the news....


God will bless you immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

Larsen shared my joy, as well, and would like to offer a short and informative tutorial on how to properly take on the wonder that is the Chocolate Fountain.


And we were not the only CF-lovas. The whole party hovered around this great creation.


Our cousin, David, and his sweet daughter Lauren joined the party as well. It was great seeing them and so sweet of them to stop by. Me and the baby are holding hands in this picture.


(Actually I think my hand is probably on his little tush). Awwwwww.

After everyone had gotten their fill of the delicious food, it was time to play a couple of party games and open gifts!


We played a little Baby Bingo during the gift opening. Everyone had bingo cards and written in the squares were different gifts that Larisa could possibly receive. It was hilarious!

We had some competitive Baby Bingo players in this bunch.


The crowd went wild over this little frog robe.


Is that a diaper? Are those booties? Is that a rocking chair??? BINGO! (That's how it went). :-)


Deb and I assisted in Bingo Coordination, Present Documentation, Trash Duty, and Ohh/Ahhh Leadership.


Larsen made buds with Risa's grandma. They shared some "special" moments together on that couch.


After all the presents were opened and the Bingo winners had claimed their prizes, DD cut the cake. I was so glad because it has been about 30 minutes since I consumed about a quart of chocolate fountain - my blood sugar was getting low.


Risa gave out hostesses gifts (she sells Lia Sophia jewelry and presented me with some earrings that I will probaby wear everyday for the rest of my life. LOVE).


BabyDaddy came back to survey the loot and check on his honey.


She's having his....


And finally, what shower would be complete without an outside photo shoot.

Larsen and Mama get us started by being the cute people that they were born to be.


"The Group" aka 5 of my very favorite women!


Larsen loves taking pictures with me.


No really! She does.

"FB profile pic!" we cried in unison.

The hostesses...


Sisters on the right. Might-as-well-be-sisters on the left. Awwww.


Group hug! This foursome had been together for a LONG time.


I told Larisa that only she and I know it's like to have those two middle crazies as mothers. (We wouldn't have it any other way!)

We are a very hands-on group of women.


Now c'mon April and c'mon Baby R - I'm ready to really hold your hand and squeeze your cheeks (face and otherwise). :-)

It truly was a hilarious, perfect, PRECIOUS weekend!

Girls night, my sistas!

I am scooting out the door in like 5 seconds to head to Atlanta for a fun weekend celebrating my mama-to-be cousin!

Deb, Anna, and I are about to jump in our chariot (otherwise known lovingly as The Hoss) and make our way down the open road!

But I couldn't leave without sharing about my fun girls night last night with some sweet, sweet friends.

My BFF Lin came into town for the night and after work, we met up with Mer and Kimberly to eat at Longhorn.

This group of girls (with the addition of Bri, who we missed terribly) LOVE Longhorn with a reckless abandon matched only by the cowboys pictured on the walls of this great establishment.

Here are the pretty girls who had me laughing the whole time.

Mer and Kimberly


Linnie!


After we ate we loaded up and headed over to see "Dear John." We have all been talking about going to see it forever. We did like it ok overall - I personally think my expectations were way too high thus leaving me feeling like I needed more.

More love, more about their future, more Channing.

Simple requests, really.

After the movie was over we kept our seats and talked and laughed until we were surrounded by people coming to the next show. Once the lights dimmed and the previews started coming on, we finally made our exit.

Mer and Kimberly bid us adieu, and Linds and I decided to be crazy and go see another movie! She had not seen Valentine's Day, and I was MORE than happy to see it again. I seriously heart that movie!

So we made our way back outside, bought another round of tickets and a couple more fountain beverages, and settled in for some good laughs.

We came home and did what any BFF's who have not seen each other in forever would do...we sat in my cold car talking about life for the next hour and a half.

It only took until about 1:30am, but I think we almost got it all figured out. (Not.) :-)


I am so glad Lindsay came to the Boro, and I am so thankful for a great night with great friends I love to pieces.

Now off to hang out with some other much beloved women (and one little baby boy currently residing in a tummy).

Have a great weekend!