25 Days of CHRISTmas!

Hello dear readers, if you're out there.  Again, it has been a while since my last post.  You may want to know what I have been up to.  I have to say, a whole lot of nothing, but busy all the same.  Thanksgiving just passed and what a great Thanksgiving it was.  I was surrounded by my loving family and friends, so I couldn't have asked for a better one.  Although, I has a rather nasty illness, coughing a lot, chest and sinus congestion, sore throat, runny nose.  You name it, I had it, which made for quite a poor Jennifer over the holiday.  But now, I am starting to get back to my normal self.  Still coughing up a storm, so I may have to make a visit to the ole doctor soon, which I am dreading.  

I am rather excited that CHRISTmas is upon us.  I plan on doing a 25 Days of CHRISTmas for things that I am thankful for and blessed with each day until CHRISTmas.  So, look forward to that.  Today, we had a slight mixture of snow and rain, which was kind of yucky and I can go outside that much, being sick and not wanting to make it worse.  I really love the snow, but hate the cold!  I know, makes perfect sense, right? Haha!  Christmas has always been a special time to me, I have been a very lucky girl and my parents have always, always made Christmas special, whether they had the money to do so or not.  As I get older, I find that the little things are the ones that mean the most and I appreciate them more now.  So, I hope you all have wonderful and blessed days leading to Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the season.  I read something today that sparked something rather neat -- There has been only one Christmas, the rest are anniversary's of our Saviors birth!  

Tonight, I am sitting here looking at our White Christmas Tree in awe, as it is one of my favorites things to do.  Just sit and watch the lights twinkle is so amazing and breathtaking.  The bright multicolored lights are just so beautiful! 

I hope you all are well and enjoying life!  What else can we do, we never make it out alive anyways.  Live life to the fullest and do things that are crazy and spontaneous, because one day you may never have the chance and never regret anything it makes us who we are and so long as we learn from our mistakes, that is all that matter!  Who cares what others think, our own opinion is the only one that matters.  Don't lead a boring life, take it by the horns and saddle up and sit back for the ride.  

Much Love,

- Jenn

God Gave Me You

Well, today is Wednesday, August 24, 2011 and it has been a while since I last posted  -- 

Today I had my annual eye examination, which I dislike highly with a passion!  Though, I love getting new glasses, which I did today!  I LOVE them!  I thought about getting contacts, but it has been quite a while, probably oh say, 3 years since I last put a contact in my eye and the thought of retraining myself to use them did not appeal to me! But all in all, my exam went great, not much change in my prescription, so it has not worsened, which is a good thing, for me!  I have an Astigmatism, which stinks and makes my letters / numbers all wonky when I don't have glasses because my eye is not shaped like the natural eye should be.  Which will make my sight, a lot harder as I age.  

Also, I have really been struggling with moving through life and had been in quite a depression for a few months, but things are better now and things are looking up.  I just have to come back to my Faith in God and know that he is in control and will lead me where I need to be.  I am handing over control to him.  

The depression had gotten so bad, not that I wanted to harm myself in anyway, just being down in the pits, moving along as if nothing was happening.  I was stuck and the world and everyone around me was going somewhere and I was stuck in a rut.  

But, I got a new car (which I swore I wouldn't do, for quite some time after paying my other one off), that lasted for a whole SIX months.  I so did not want another car payment, until I had a full-time job, but the car I bought was too good of a deal to pass on.  I am the proud new owner of a 2004 White BMW X3 SUV and I love, love it!  I needed a SUV badly, but am not looking forwards to those payments for the next 2 years.  So, along with that, I am stressed about needing a full-time job, just to help me manage my new car payment / bills better.  I am having to have strict control over how I manage my money and account for everything, when I wasn't anymore since paying the other car off.  

So, I applied for a couple of jobs at another local hospital and am hoping and praying that I get one of those full-time positions, as I need one badly.  So, if you are the praying type, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I would greatly appreciate it! 

Also, I know God is making changes in my life and I am finally seeing these changes.  I was looking for something in particular in all the WRONG places and now, I have something that I think will be great.  I am not going to get into it too much, as it is all new and I will keep ya posted.  

I have fell in love with a new song by Blake Shelton - God Gave Me You ...God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton ... Have a listen and I hope it touches you, like it has me.  

I love this verse and keep it posted everywhere on little sticky notes to remind myself of the greatness around me ....

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

Enough from me!  I hope you all enjoy my randomness and feel free to leave me comments!

xoxo - Jenn

To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Again, I have been ever so neglectful to my dear blog.

I am sitting here looking out the window and the beauty around me amazes me.  This verse has been in my thoughts here lately and I love, love it!  Though it almost Summer, it is currently 55 degrees here and windy, which makes it so cold!  I went out to walk and check the mail and had to wear a coat!  Seriously!  

How's my life you may ask?  Well, let me just tell you -- Things are great!  I was in a really depressed phased for about the last three months and now, things are much better.  I have lots of things going on and I am making some "big girl" decisions and I would greatly appreciate it, if you would keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  

Mother's Day was a couple of weekends ago and I just have to say, I am sooo Thankful for my mother!  I love her beyond measure and though sometimes, I think I take her for granted.  She has always been there for me and never had judgment on the things I do and is always encouraging me in everything I do.  I worry about her sometimes as daughters do.  I am so blessed that God sent her to me!  We are mother and daughter, but above all we are truly FRIENDS. 

I am making a roast for dinner and it smells every so good and I am starving.  Should you want the recipe, I am in a sharing mood -- So here ya go --

- One roast, cut of your liking (I prefer butt roast or shoulder)

- One bag of carrots (or fresh from the garden)

- About half a bag of Red potatoes (or fresh from the garden)

- Two bags of frozen Pearl Onions

- 1 liter Dr. Pepper

- Seasoning Salt

- Beef Bouillon Cubes

- Salt and Pepper

- Water

Directions:    I use my electric roaster and combine all ingredients.  First, put in the roast meat, sprinkle with seasoning salt and pour over the Dr. Pepper.  Next, add all vegetables (carrots, potatoes and onions).  Add 1 beef bouillon cube, per 1 cup of water you add to cover the meat and veggies. Lastly, add salt and pepper to your liking and roast for about 2 to 3 hours or until your liking.  

Hope you all are having a great day and Enjoy!  

Sincerely,

- Jenn

Neglect ....

So readers, I have neglected you all!  It has been since New Year's since I last posted.  I have been dealing with life and the such.  With that being said ...

Spring is upon us here in the South after months of WINTER that I thought would never be over.  I sit back and look at all the beauty around me and it takes my breath away.  As I post this, I am sitting on my back deck at the patio table with the sun shining and the wind blowing at a wonderful 79 degrees!  I woke up early this morning and came to sit on the deck and haven't been back in the house since.  The South sees some of the beautifulest Springs and I anxiously wait every Winter, counting down the days till it is warm enough to curl up with a good book in the swing.  

My mother and I are taking a mother / daughter trip to the 2010 Vera Bradley Outlet Sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the next week - April 11 - 16 and we are beyond ourselves with excitement.  We plan on shopping our hearts out and visiting the Windy City of Chicago and a few other stops along the way.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we make the 9 hour drive up.  

I am starting a new project of some sort in the next month or so, so stay tuned for it. 

Thanks for stopping by!

- XoXo

- Jenn -

Happy New Year - 2011

Hello dear readers,  I hope you all are having a splendid start to you new year.  So, what resolutions have you made for the new year?  Me - Start Living is my main goal for 2011. Next, would be to actually  finally finish my college degree.  I feel that this year will be better than ever!  I hope you all had a great New Year's day and spent it with the people you love!  

I have not much to say today, just wanting to wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 

All my love,

- Jenn

Ho, Ho, Ho .....

Hello everyone!  Sorry it has been so long since I last blogged!  I have been a busy girl.  Readying myself for Christmas!  I am so excited for December 25th to be here!  I am most thankful for Jesus who died so that I may live and be forgiven of my sins!  He is THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!  I just hate it when I see people or hear people, who don't know him.  I mean, seriously, how can you look around and not know that he is there in every little thing you do and every little thing you see, GOD created and he sent his son - JESUS to save us all.  Now, I know some of my readers may not believe in God or Jesus, but I don't disrespect your freedom of speech, when you write things about not believing, so please respect the same freedom for me.  If you don't like reading these types of blog posts, please leave and check back later.  

With all of the season has to bring, I enjoy sitting and watching fall turn to winter and love listening to the stillness of winter.  So, with Christmas approaching, I hope that you have many things to be thankful for and that you remember to take time and actually be thankful for the things you have and its about giving not receiving.  I always love to see the light in everyone's eyes, as they open their gifts.  So, let the magic surround you and may Santa bring you all your heart's desires this Christmas.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I shall start the new year out, with such a joyful heart and hope that you do too!  

All my love - xoxo

- Jenn

Happy Halloween!

So first off, HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!  I hope you have a safe and fun day trick or treating! I just love Halloween so much b/c of all the little cute kids that come trick or treating!  They are so darling!  

"You can't live your life for other people. You've got to do what's right for you, even if it hurts some people you love."

- Nicholas Sparks

If you have never read any of his books, I highly recommend them!

I came across this quote last night and it really struck a cord with me.  I have been going through some major stuff and yes, its hard to deal with but I just need to worry about me and me only.  So, there is this guy whom will remain nameless.  I wandered upon this guy again (we went to high school together) on FB the other day.  Well, low and behold his is friends with my BFF and I have been messaging back and forth over FB about this guy.  I mean, I really, really like him, but just don't want to put myself out there.  Again, really hard to do things I want.  So, I have been talking to her about him, as well as, another girlfriend and they have encouraged me to just go for it.  As Steph said, you will never know how it will turn out unless you don't try.  She told me to try, b/c I never know where it may lead, which hit home and this quote sums it all up for me!  I have to go for it and suppose sometimes you have to write your own destiny! 

I mean, I am so tired of being all alone and feel that my time may never come.  Maybe I am meant to be alone?  Right?  Or this is at least what has been going through my mind lately.  I think this guy could really be great and he seems pretty great and even if it just ends in friendship, that will be great as well.  Oh and he a daughter, which kind of freaks me out.  I mean, yes, I LOVE kids and want them more than anything in the world, but being around one and it not being your child and the mom being in the picture (whom I also know and went to high school with) it really, really freaking me out. 

So, pray for me and keep me in your thoughts in the next few weeks that I muster up enough courage to go for what I want and put myself out there.   I live by the motto -  You have to put yourself out there and do daring things, otherwise, life is boring! 

In other news, I am seriously considering and contemplating weight loss surgery - specifically the Lap Band.  I have tried various diets and exercise and NOTHING has worked.  I need to get this extra weight off and learn to manage it better and as dieting along and exercise (I mean, I was on a strict 5 day a week exercise program of lots of cardio and weights) and lost a few pounds and then it stopped.  SO, just pray that I make the right decision, as this is a life altering decision!  

As always, much love!

- Jenn

xoxo