Gone Hiking!!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to bid you all a fond farewell, before I leave work today and head off for the WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *happy dance*

Scheduled this weekend are:

Dinner w/some Ohana members @ Andrea's house
Time with Kim & Jakey
Hiking at Turkey Run with James tomorrow, and possibly the Ohana
Family Labor Day Party with James's family
SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds fun, huh? 3 whole days away from work! I'm BEYOND excited!!!!

Today's Warm-Fuzzy Bonding Question:

What are YOUR plans for this weekend?

The Time Has Come...

Today I realized that it is time for me to find a new job. I absolutely despise change... but it's time. I've stayed at this job for 2 years, and wierdly enough now that I'm talking about this, I remember my pastor's wife at the time prophesying that if I stayed at this job for 2 years, God would bless me.

Well, that was over 2 years ago. I've stayed at this job through lots of junk... through the bi-polar-ish yelling fits of the supervisor, the unmedicated mental-health issues of a coworker... I've watched people walk out, watched them storm through the building yelling at one another... and I've stayed here in my spot, quietly watching it all. I've sucked it up, taken Prozac, and dealt.

Now, my time has come. I'm FREEE!!!!! (Almost.)

So now comes the fun part... looking happy at work, and then putting my resume up all over creation as soon as work hours are done. Fun times are ahead... While I'm here, I'll do my best to make things work... but I'm ready for a change.

So, lets do a warm-fuzzy-bonding question today, shall we?

What would your DREAM JOB consist of?

Interview in the Shade

After the stress of this week, I was so glad to get away from it all this afternoon. After getting a text message from Glenda, she & I agreed to meet at Turkey Run State Park, my fave place IN THE WORLD. Why, you might ask, was I taking a day off of my beloved job ?*sarcastic laugh*

Well, Glenda invited *ME* to be one of the stops on her Summer Sojourn Virtual Book Tour! So we met inside the park and made our way to the absolutely accessible Trail 11, which in spite of the nice paved surface, makes you feel a million miles away from civilization! *happy sigh*

After opening the cooler and getting out some ice-cold beverages, we began our interview with me sitting on some nice comfy pine needles, under a shaded tree, facing the awe-inspiring Glenda! She is the author of I'll Do It Myself, her story of her life and adventures with cerebal palsy, and a wonderful person to chat with. After she gave me a short tutorial in Glenda-ish, we started our interview:

Jana: You are labeled as "functionally nonverbal". What exactly does this mean? How does this affect your day-to-day communication with those around you? In a perfect world, how could their interactions with you be improved?

Glenda: According to the experts, my verbal communication is not clear enough to function out in the world. That is only because they don't take the time to listen to Glenda-ish. But then, how many medical professionals truly listen to their patients?

Jana: .000001%, according to my most recent calculations!

Glenda: It does make communication with others difficult; the phone is definitely not my friend! Because of this, I say only what absolutely needs to said when I'm around people not well versed in Glenda-ish.

In a perfect world, everyone would understand Glenda-ish or I would speak English. Until then, if people would tune out distractions and take the time to listen, then they would get the gist of what I'm saying. Watching my face while I speak also helps. And, I definitely don't mind repeating myself rather than being misunderstood. If "that's nice, dear" is the response when I say "you have a booger on your nose", than miscommunication has occurred and it is difficult to proceed with an honest interaction.

Jana: *chuckling dryly* No, that doesn't sound like quality interaction to me, either.

Jana: As a soon-to-be married female, I'm encouraged by the fact that you have a wonderful husband that you seem to really love. Any advice for those of us about to tie the knot?

Glenda: Congratulations! When is the big day?

Jana: June 28th, 2008! Nine months and 30 days!

Glenda: First, make sure your wedding day is your day. Many people will offer their suggestions, advice, and assistance. In the end, it has to be what you and your fiancé truly want. This day happens once; let it be your way. And, keep in mind, it is only the first day in the rest of your lives together, so keep some perspective on the planning, million little details and expense. Plan a day of fun and celebration, not a day of stress. Enjoy it!

Second, communicate! About everything.

Lastly, let the little things go. He will do things that will drive you bonkers. If they are truly inconsequential, let it go.

(Like I know enough to be giving marital advice!)

Jana: Well, you DO know more than me! *laughing*

Jana: Now that you have written & published your first book, do you have a different perspective on books that you read? Any fav authors?

Glenda: My reading generally consists of the O Magazine, when I get time to read. I now understand what my volunteer editor meant when she said I want my book to be timeless. Reading the magazine articles, I now see so much slang that wouldn't withstand the test of time; that is the difference between magazines and books.

Now, my heart sinks when I see books on sale because the unknown author makes so little per book as it is. That's one reason I decided to self-publish my autobiography I'll Do It Myself.

Jana: I see from reading your blog that you are a committed chocoholic like me! Congrats on your addiction! Any favorite sinful treats? (My personal fave is Reese Fast Break at the moment...)

Glenda: I'm not one who likes a lot of stuff in my chocolate; I like mine straight up! When I am having a craving, my typical fix is a couple of squares of Lindt's 85% Cocoa dark chocolate. Research indicates dark chocolate is good for the heart, so that still make it sinful? ;)

Jana: *wrinkling cute little nose* Ummm... yeah. Dark chocolate is icky, and I'm pretty sure it's an abomination to some god.

Jana: I have considered (and still am considering) becoming a foster parent to special-needs kids one day. I can see from reading your blog that your parents made a HUGE difference in your life. (Without them, you could have ended up HERE.) What advice do you have for the parents (foster or otherwise) of children with physical challenges?

Glenda: I commend you for considering fostering special-needs kids. From my understanding, it can be difficult to find care for that these kids.

My advice to parents is to love the children for who they are and as they are. Encourage them to try and to do their best, within their capabilities plus a smidge more because you'll never know their full potential until they reach for their stars. Be supportive and encouraging when trying new experiences. And, be a safe and reassuring comfort on those sucky days.

Jana: Glenda, I'm so glad that you stopped by my blog today. I hear that you are currently in 3rd place in the Blog for a Year contest! I hope our readers/viewers will head over there and vote for you.

As we hugged goodbye, and I watched her red Ferrari vanish over the hill, I smiled quietly to myself. In the course of the day, I'd lost an interviewee.... and gained a friend.

*Note: Check out Glenda's blog to see where her next day's adventures will take her as her tour continues!

Fragility

Today absolutely sucked. My bosses daughter makes me feel like I am total trash... specifically, total IDIOTIC, WORTHLESS, trash. I had a stress-induced migrane by the time lunch ended. My therapy appointment can NOT get here fast enough. The tension in my office (in all directions) is so thick I could cut it with a spork! Talk about annoying!

So, yeah, today sucked.

But there is a purpose in this... so I'll take a deep breath, and buy myself something really yummy... perhaps a mushroom & swiss thickburger? I'll play with my glass beadmaking kit I bought off of ebay (It arrived TODAY!!!!), chat with James, and make it through... I'm going to have faith that this isn't for nothing... that all things will work out... and that I'll come out stronger in the end. God has a plan, though right now I'm really thinking he could have come up with something better. *glaring*

Changes here, changes there...

Changes are EVERYWHERE!!! lol

This was seriously one of the best weekends of my life! Friday I went to Kim's house after washing the doggie in the rain (awwww.) and feeding the animals. I spent the night, and then we had our local Ohana lunch! Brittany & her little girl Gracie (age 2) joined us for the first time! We went back to Andrea's house afterwords, and massive bonding insued. (especially after James, the only male, had to leave.) We discussed EVERYTHING, from abandonment issues to sex, to abuse, to sex, to wedding plans.... oh, and we discussed sex.

Then Sunday we went to church (except Kim & Jakey, who stayed home, and James, who went to his church, and Danny-the-Chinese-restaurant-worker who we didn't think to invite), then JoAnn Fabrics (I FOUND MY WEDDING DRESS MATERIAL! WOOOOOOO!!!) and back to Andreas. Made BLTS and had "home church" at her house that night... discussed controversial Bible issues. Way fun. OH, and more (WAY MORE) bonding!

Today I found out my coworker who I dearly love, was being replaced. So, this means my work life will be massively sucking for a while... But I'll deal. Less time for bloghopping... *sigh* And I will horribly miss my coworker. I plan to visit her Shabbat services occasionally to keep in touch. And I don't know if we will be able to do quizzes anymore. *sniffle*

I just listed my first item on Etsy! Woo hooo!!!! I'm still setting up, so I'll give you all the link later!

Friday Flying High!

Some random updates and thoughts for this Friday afternoon:

• I DID make an appointment at counseling center B. (The one I got good vibes from) It's for Sept 19, and I'm happy. Maybe they'll tell me I need serious help, or maybe they'll tell me that I'm doing great. Either way, I'm looking forward to another perspective on my mental issues.
• I'm hoping to get my Etsy shop set up this weekend! Yeah!!!
• My blog will have a special guest Wednesday! Don't forget to stop by!
• Saturday is Chinese lunch with the local Ohana members! Wicked cool fun! We've grown so much that we have to reserve our own table now! *happy clap*
• My car is almost clean (it WAS totally clean, before my mini-vacation last week.) My house is getting cleaner too! PROGRESS!
• I'm craving chocolate. *sigh*

Okee dokie, now it's time for me to go! Adios everyone! Happy weekending!

Giant Steps

Today, I took a major step...

I called a mental health center, to ask about counseling. (This is MAJOR progress for me, I HATE doctors appointments of any kind, and put them off as long as humanly possible.) I've watched lately how my mental health issues have really changed how I live my life, and I'm ready to see if therapy could help. I feel like my mental health is affecting me in so many ways...

But the most devestating of all? I feel like they keep me from really having the full relationships I could with my future husband, my "daughter" M, and God.

So, I'm reaching out for help... debating between two different places. One is covered by my insurance, (and therefore cheaper), closer... and the thought of going there makes me sick to my stomach. The other is more expensive, not covered by my current insurance company (which just went bankrupt, so we'll have a new insurance soon), and on the other side of town... I have read their website, chatted with their receptionist, and feel SO much more comfortable with their facility.

I have an appointment with place #1 for Sept 10... (for their "Stress Center"... pssh! *rolling eyes*) but... I'm contemplating seeing what appointments place #2 has available... pay for the intake appointment, and then see what they would recommend for me. How much it will cost after that will depend on the type of therapy I am in... group, individual, length, etc.... and the frequency.

Mental health is so expensive... but the cost to my future marriage if i don't get any seems like it would be much worse.

Stupendous Quotes Quiz - Cool Creatures!

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup. - Unknown

Don't you just love a good dragon quote? Well, so do we! This week, faithful quiz friends, we are bringing to you some quotes from our favorite creatures. What kind of creatures, you ask? ALL KINDS of Science Fiction, Fantasy and other Magical beasties or humanoids. Puppets! Even dragons!! Some creatures are very nice and others are not so very nice, AT ALL. And, since we skipped a quiz week in the recent past, we're going to give you 20 quotes this week! So, you'll have until late Friday to get all your guesses in, this time.

Use your brains for the answers and have fun (we don't even mind if you just make up answers)! ;-)

Love, Princesses Jana and Jami

1. [R2D2 and ________ are playing the holographic game aboard the Millennium Falcon]
_________: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrgh
C-3PO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it can't help you.
Han Solo: Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
C-3PO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.
Han Solo: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their sockets when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.
_________: Grrf.
C-3PO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, R2: let the Wookiee win.

2. Harry: You'd better clear out before my bones grow back, or else I might strangle you.
[________ jumps off the bed]

________ :________ is used to death threats, he gets them five times a day at home.

3. Bowen: And now, without you, ________, what do we do? Where do we turn?
________: [rising] To the stars, Bowen. To the stars.

4. ________: It came to me, my own, my love... my... preciousssss.

5.[________ appears on live TV]
Clifford: Hey, you better get down there, Kerm.
Kermit: Relax. No one is going anywhere, okay?
________: [on TV] You see, I was contacted through my breakfast cereal, and then it was confirmed to me by the Cosmic Fish that I am definitely from outer space.
Rizzo: So you want to go now, or wait for the commercial?
Kermit: Now.

6.Eragon: You can hear my thoughts!
_______: I've waited 1000 years to hear your thoughts. and now you can hear mine. I am _______, and you are my Rider.

7. ________ ________: A fine conscience I turned out to be!


8. ________ ________: Oh, Harry? If you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet.
Harry: Uh... thanks, ________.

9. General: [Riding in a truck full of troops on its way to deal with ____ ____] Listen up. This is New York City, and this is sacred ground. You hear me? It was built for humans, by humans. Not for stinking lice-infested apes. The thought of some mutant gorilla crapping all over the streets of this fair city fills me with disgust. So this is how it's going to be: We find it. We kill it. We cut its ugly head off and we ram it up...
[the truck is immediately trampled by ____ ____]

10. (Lucky has died, and the Tanners are having a funeral for him.)
___: I'm reminded of a prayer he used to recite every night before going to bed: "And if I die before I wake, chicken-fry me like a steak."

11. ____:"I am Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet."

12. __ _______: And what about you? You must be some kind of beardless dwarf?

Lucy Pevensie: I'm not a dwarf! I'm a girl. And actually, I'm tallest in my class.

__ _______: You mean to say that you are a Daughter of Eve?

Lucy Pevensie: [confused] My mum's name is Helen...

__ _______:Yes... but, you are in fact... human?

13. __________: You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? [Peter slightly nods] That's where I'll always love you, Peter Pan. That's where I'll be waiting.

14. ___ _______ ___: Yes, you were particularly difficult to place, but I stand by what I said last year: You would have done well in Slytherin.

15. [_____ is gesturing wildly]

Gomez: Mor... Morticia... Morticia? Morticia what? Slow down! It's terrible when you stutter!

[_____ gropes around, finds a pen, and starts to write, but it's out of ink. Groping around again, _____ overturns a bowl of cereal, grabs the spoon, and starts tapping in Morse Code]

Gomez: Morticia... in... danger... stop. Send... help... at once... STOP!

[Gomez stands and runs out. _____ collapses.]

16. _____ (or, ___ _____ _____) : Faun, do you know why you are here?

Mr Tumnus: Because I believe in a free Narnia.

_____ (or, ___ _____ _____) You're here because *he* turned you in... for sweeties.

17. ______ : The only person that I let in on the fact that I was still alive was a six-year-old kid. I'm gonna be six years old again. Well, John, it's been fun, but I gotta go. I have a date with six-year-old boy... and you have a date with death.

Princess Jami says: Ew. Creepy.

18. ____ _____: Human! We used to be exactly like them. Flawed. Weak. Organic. But we evolved to include the synthetic. Now we use both to attain perfection. Your goal should be the same as ours.

Lieutenant Commander Data: Believing oneself to be perfect is often the sign of a delusional mind.

19. _____: "What, can't go without your Buffy, is that it? Let's find her! She is the chosen one, after all. Come on! Vampires! Grrr! Nasty! Let's annihilate them, for justice, and for the safety of puppies and Christmas, right? Let's fight that evil! Let's kill something! Oh, come on!"

Princess Jami says: nothing. Princess Jami swoons. ;-)

20. ____ : Mmm. Lost a planet, Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing. How embarrassing.

:-)

JanaLand Forest Preserve!

Hi everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that I am now the official owner of my own little forest! I named it JanaLand. :o)

http://janaland.act4trees.com is the site where you can find it, and each visit (limit one -per visitor- per day) will add a leaf to my trees!

And the best part? When they get enough visitors, the site is going to donate money to this organization, which works to save the Amazon rainforest!

So, while I type up another blog post about my weekend adventures, could you please add some leaves to my forest? Gracias!!!

Cousin Time!

I"M OFF!!!!!!!

No, not off my rocker. (which may apply, but that's beside the point.) I'm OFF on my way to visit my cousin Jane! We're going to a rendezvous, and hopefully I'll sell some knitted dishcloths and some stitch markers... and have loads of fun!!!

You can see where I will be at here!

So, I should be back Monday with lots and lots of pictures and adventures and tales to tell and purchases to show off (there ARE yard sales and yarn stores on the way... It's a sign. I must shop.)

Adios everyone!!! Hasta later!

Stupendous Quotes Quiz - Vile Villains

Hello quizzers!

Today's Stupendous Quotes Quiz is all about villains in books and movies. Sometimes, they get the best lines. What is a book or movie without someone to fight? Use your own brains to remember who these villains are. Quiz ends sometime Friday afternoonish. Have fun! Mwa-ha-ha. Ahem.

Love, Princesses Jana and Jami


1. ________ : Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?


2. ________ :You aren't leaving, Susie. You're mine now.


Note from Jana: I *heart* this book. And in case you're struggling to come up with the answer, here is a description of this character I found in the book: “He wore his innocence like a comfortable old coat.”


3. Young Simba: Hey, Uncle ____. Guess what?
____: I despise guessing games.
Young Simba: I'm going to be King of Pride Rock.
____: Oh Goodee.
Young Simba: My dad just showed me the whole kingdom. And I'm gonna rule it all. Heheh.
____: Yes, well forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.
Young Simba: Hey Uncle ____, when I'm King, what'll that make you?
____: A monkey's uncle.
Young Simba: You're so weird.

4. ________: His destructive programming is taking effect. He will be irresistibly drawn to large cities, where he will back up sewers, reverse street signs, and steal everyone's left shoe.

5. _________: You beasts! But I'm not beaten yet. You've won the battle, but I'm about to win the wardrobe. My spotty puppy coat is in plain sight and leaving tracks. In a moment I'll have what I came for, while all of you will end up as sausage meat, alone on some sad, plastic plate. Dead and meaty and red. No friends, no family, no pulse. Just slapped between two buns, smothered in onions, with fries on the side. _________ has the last laugh!

Princess Jami says: "Mmmm...fries..."

6. _________: It seems that you've been living two lives. One life, you're Thomas A. Anderson, program writer for a respectable software company. You have a social security number, pay your taxes, and you... help your landlady carry out her garbage. The other life is lived in computers, where you go by the hacker alias "Neo" and are guilty of virtually every computer crime we have a law for. One of these lives has a future, and one of them does not.

7. [Dorothy watches her melt]
_______ _____ __ ___ ____: Who ever thought a little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?

8. Sultan: Prince Ali Ababwa! Of course! I'm delighted to meet you. [he shakes Aladdin's hand]
Sultan: This is my royal vizier, _______. He's delighted, too.
_________: [*very* dryly] Ecstatic.

9. _________: Oh, I hate being disappointed, Smee. And I hate living in this flawed body. And I hate living in Neverland. And I hate... I hate... I hate Peter Pan!

10. Children: One, two, _________'s coming for you. / Three, four, better lock your door. / Five, six, grab your crucifix. / Seven, eight, better stay awake. / Nine, ten, never sleep again.


BONUS: Princess Jana made up a riddle about a famous villian. Solve it for a bonus point!


Which villian is BY FAR the most two-faced of them all?

News Flash

And now for a late-breaking news story:

Today's quiz will be post-poned until tomorrow.

Sorry for any inconvenience/annoyance this has caused.

In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of my most recent artistic creations:

While You Were Sleeping

"Because your parents wouldn't slip poisonous snakes in your bed while you were sleeping."

I absolutely LOVE that quote... can anyone guess where it's from?

Anyway... while you all were peacefully snoozing Sunday night, I was dreaming... about you!

Yes! Seriously! I dream about blogging! And... politics? Seriously... I was posting an opinion question on my blog, in my dream. And what WAS this question?

"What factors are causing this country's financial decline?" I remember suggesting answers like outsourcing, and environmentalists. It was very wierd, so I had to share it with you all.

How many of YOU have dreamed of blogging before? Care to share?

Feeling Better!

I'm at the library for a minute (Monthly used book sale! WOO HOO! I spent $17 and filled a box... Hey, I have new bookshelves left from SuperRoomie, and they have EMPTY SPOTS! I must fill them. Empty spots on a bookshelf are just sad.

I wanted to let you all know that I'm feeling much better now. Life is good, creativity is flowing, and all is well.

A Little Down...

Today I went to the doctor... always a nerve-wracking event for me. Had my appointment with my new doctor (Dad's doctor when he was alive). I'm supposed to go for an x-ray on my knee soon to see what's wrong.

I feel like I'm completely bottoming out emotionally today. I'm sitting in my desk at work, so good at pretending to be okay... but inside I'm falling apart. I want to lay down and sob...

But I won't. Today is not over yet. I'm taking Dad's girlfriend to the license branch, so she can take ownership of his car. (His wishes.) Then, after chatting and sharing memories, I'll head for home... or maybe to the cemetery to visit Dad. But either way... I'll face the joy and the pain, and come out stronger.

And on a happier note... a preview of some of the stitch markers (for knitting) I've been busy constructing!

*drum roll*

Bubbling and Brewing

Double, double, toil and trouble....

Just kidding! Not that kind of bubbling and brewing!

All kinds of interesting and exciting things are happening around here! You all know about the basics...

• My lip is poison ivy infested, and slightly swolen. It looks really funny.
• Most of my limbs are infested too. We're now at the "itch-until-you-can't-take-it-anymore" stage of the reaction. Woo hoo.

But some others have come up as well:

• After a little encouragement from Nina, I decided to give art/craft making another shot. Slowly but surely, I've worked kinks out of the two projects I'd been so frustrated with! Pictures should be coming up soon.
• I've been pondering spiritual things quite a bit more lately. I even made a faith blog about it. Feel free to stop by.
• I've become obsessed with beads! I am learning how to make them myself, from all kinds of interesting substances. Pics of these will be coming up, as soon as I actually MAKE the beads! lol
• It's hot as heck here, and I've been craving a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. In fact... I'm going to go get one now! Rock on my bloggin peeps!!!

Jakey-Isms

OMW, you all will not BELIEVE how badly I have corrupted Little Jakey! (Little Jakey, for those of you who don't know, is my best friends little boy. He just turned 5, and is SO ABSOLUTELY CUTE!!)

Not only has he begun to love hiking and Cheetohs, and to crave Star Crunch's on a constant basis.... but several times this week, I've had to choke back laughter as I listened to him talking.... just like me!

For example...

"Well, THAT sucks!" (Complete with emphasis on the word "that", said exactly Jana-ish!) - I'm wondering how much trouble he's gonna get in if he says that at school?

*~*~*~*~*

"HOWY CWAP!" - After Mommy told him not to say that (hehe, oops! Who knew "Holy crap!" would be repeated by the small one?), he began saying "HOWY CWUD!" instead. :o)

*~*~*~*~*

*Jana driving down the road*
Jakey: Wittle Janet...
Jana: Yes Little Jakey?
Jakey: You WOCK!

That was extra-specially cute, because it was out of the blue... just suddenly, as he was thinking about the deep subjects of life, he realized that I rock! Hehe

*~*~*~*~*

Background on this one: Jakey's mommy & I have absolutely no attention span, and are always joking that we were "distracted by something shiny"

Jakey's new word, therefore, is "distwacted". He used it in a sentence even!

*Jakey looking very serious*
"I was looking for my shoe, but then I got distwacted."

*~*~*~*~*

And my personal fav? This convo, also from a car ride.

Jana: Here Jakey, want some Cheetohs?
Jakey: YEAH!
*Jakey takes the entire bag.*
Jakey: I wuv Cheetohs.
*crunching sounds*
Jakey: They give me a warm fuzzy feewing!

I'm tellin' ya, I almost wrecked my car after that one!!!!!!!

Rockin' Bloggers!

(First, a note from our sponsors: Today's quiz has been cancelled due to Jana's inability to concentrate while scratching. Quizzing will resume soon.)

Guess what! Tinker nominated me for a "Rockin' Girl Blogger" award! I get to do a happy dance because I got the award....

*doing a happy dance*

and then I get to nominate 5 of you!

So, in no particular order, let me just tell 5 of you how absolutely awesomely you rock!!!!!

My five rockin' girl blogger-friends:

Nina - Mama's Little Treasures - She and I had an AWESOME (and much-needed) chat last weekend, that really got my creativity going!!! Sister-girl chats just absolutely rock!

Jami - Princess Jami - Jami keeps me company all through my workdays, shares her wisdom with me, and makes me giggle out loud at inappropriate times. For this, Jami, you officially ROCK! *picturing the punk rocker MSN emoticon here*

Jen - Prayer Warrior - OMW this girl just rocks BEYOND all rocking-ness!!! Jen is always leaving little encouraging comments on my blog, and when I was first put on an anti-depressant and going through so much? She was RIGHT there with me. Jen, girl, YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!!

Alison - Alison is my crazy friend from Tennessee, who makes me laugh and endures my endless stories about the cuteness of Jakey. She DEFINATELY rocks!!!

Moni - Tuff Toe-Nail - Moni has been my friend for ages... invited me to stay with her when my house was so hot it made me sick... introduced me to blogging... Right now she is going through some REALLY rough stuff in her life, so please take a little trip over there and give her some love.

Weekend Woes

Do you all remember, last summer, when my back alley area looked like this?

I had written on here about "The Wilderness", and the scary ivies growing there.

Upon seeing this pic, my cousin informed me that the ivy I had was NOT poison ivy.
"Leaves of three, let them be" she quoted proudly. I, the younger cousin, stupidly believed her.

So this weekend, James and I set to work cleaning the area up!

And getting rid of all of the ivy! Without protective clothing, since this was NOT a poisonous plant.

And now?

*sigh* I've started a poison ivy tracker on my right sidebar, to track how the rash is spreading.

Cousins suck sometimes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The sucky cousin mentioned here is NOT my way-cool blogging cousin, Amy. She still rocks. Just so ya know.

Just so you know...

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Mint Mojito & Magical Moments

Mmmm.....

I recieved my Happy Swap package from Tammy Mimms this week, and look what she sent me: Mint Mojito gum!!! A new flavor from Orbit! I think I am in love.... *happy sigh* In fact, I even shared it with my office co-workers... and as we tried to identify the flavors, we found THIS site, explaining how the Mojito drink is made. My boss now calls me a "gum alcoholic"! Hahaha

I wanted to take a pic of all the other goodies I got from Tammy, but my camera seems to have disappeared beneath the expanding chaos in my house. :o( Maybe next week? You MUST see all the goodies she game me... fun lip balm, cookies, a CD, a notebook, Sharpies (which I might just fall in love with... they are PASTEL colors! I *heart* pastel colors!), and a Cooking Light magazine, with some YUMMY looking recipes on the front! Mom & I used to get his magazine way back when, and loved it!!! And all of these were wrapped up neatly in cute tissue paper with polka dots!!!!

THANKS TAMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You rock!!!!!!!

In other news....

The house is still trashed. Will it EVER get done? Every burst of cleaning messes up something else... It's very depressing. But progress IS being made! I got my craft supplies and books onto shelves finally, and began digging through all of the misc crap thrown into my bedroom to keep the rest of the house clean. So, the bedroom is now cleaner, but in the process I messed up the kitchen & office. Does it ever end?

My oh-so-sweet neighbors decided to help me clean out my fence area, which almost moved me to tears... I love my neighborhood!!! James is coming over tomorrow, and we're going to work on the yard some more. I plan to dig out the camera and have all kinds of pics to show you all!!

The doggie is becoming stronger and healthier... and MUCH more energetic. (Is this really a good thing?) We've been walking more and more, and she's starting to get the hang of how to walk like a civilized animal. I'm starting to really like having a doggie.

All in all, life is good!!!!

PS, I started a new blog for the Spiritual Jana to speak at... you can find her words here.

Glorious Grief

I had the most AWESOMELY WONDERFUL chat with my dad's girlfriend last night.

After chatting with Kim for a while, I FINALLY got up the courage to call dad's g/f (Her name is Sheri)... and instead of a sobbingly-sad conversation, laced with traumatic memories...(which was what I'd been dreading) We had an absolutely awesome conversation, filled with memories that were not traumatic, and lots of laughter!

So tomorrow I'm off to her town, to deliver some stuff to her and to Dad's best friend... things I've been meaning to do for quite some time. Yes, we'll probably have sad moments... I'll probably cry some. But grief being shared is so special, almost sacred... definately worth a few tears.