Friday, October 31, 2008

Aloha Friday! Ghosts

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It's Aloha Friday Yay!!

My Aloha Friday question is:

Have you ever seen a ghost or had a ghostly encounter?

I woke very early one morning, to something white floating above my bed. I pressed my entire body as deep into the mattress as I could, as I just lay there paralyzed (from being scared) watching this thing hover. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I looked over to hubby, shook him hard, and said, 'Oh my God- Jay, I think it's a ghost!' I looked back over and the white floaty thing was gone. Thank you sweet Jesus.

If hubby had been able to see it, now that would have been seriously spoooooky!



It looked very similar to this.
I still question whether or not I just imagined it. Photobucket



Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Happy Halloween!

-Jen

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

lesson of the moth

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i was talking to a moth
the other evening
he was trying to break into
an electric light bulb
and fry himself on the wires

why do you fellows
pull this stunt i asked him
because it is the conventional
thing for moths or why
if that had been an uncovered
candle instead of an electric
light bulb you would
now be a small unsightly cinder
have you no sense

plenty of it he answered
but at times we get tired
of using it
we get bored with the routine
and crave beauty
and excitement
fire is beautiful
and we know that if we get
too close it will kill us
but what does that matter
it is better to be happy
for a moment
and be burned up with beauty
than to live a long time
and be bored all the while
so we wad all our life up
into one little roll
and then we shoot the roll
that is what life is for
it is better to be a part of beauty
for one instant and then cease to
exist than to exist forever
and never be a part of beauty
our attitude toward life
is come easy go easy
we are like human beings
used to be before they became
too civilized to enjoy themselves

and before i could argue him
out of his philosophy
he went and immolated himself
on a patent cigar lighter
i do not agree with him
myself i would rather have
half the happiness and twice
the longevity

but at the same time i wish
there was something i wanted
as badly as he wanted to fry himself

By Don Marquis, in "archy and mehitabel" 1927


I like reading this every now and then.
It reminds me to seek out the beautiful, little things tucked away in the corners of my everyday life.

Happy Tuesday!
-Jen

Monday, October 27, 2008

May the good interview fairies be with me.

I have one of my two interviews today with my old company. Wish me luck. I hate the whole interview process, but hopefully within the next few weeks, I'll be back in the pharmacy kickin' it. Err, I mean data entry and counting by 5's.
{{giggle & snort}}

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Happy Monday!
-Jen

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Aloha Friday! Learn?

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It's Aloha Friday Yay!!

My Aloha Friday question is:

What's something you'd like to learn?

I'd love to learn how to work the pottery wheel. How cool would it be to make your own platters, bowls and vases? I imagine it's incredibly satisfying creating something from the earth with your hands. Know what I mean?

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Share with me your answer, and let me know where I can find your Friday aloha question- I'd love to answer it.

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Hope you have a great weekend!
-Jen

This and That

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that, for today's blog post.

Let me start with a simple Thank You.

Thank you to the sweet and thoughtful person who expressed the desire to pass on this soft and absolutely adorable Little Lambie from Bath and Body Works to the next child that came into the store. (That was us!) I just want to let you know, Little Lambie is very loved, and affectionately called 'Beeby Seep' (that's toddler language for baby sheep) by my two year-old son. He adores this plush! I thank you and Nicholas, 'tanks you' very much!


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Guess what arrived from Heaven Lakeside Collection yesterday? Remember when I blogged about those Microwaveable Warming Booties?

Yep- they came! And, yep- they are just as fabulous as I knew they would be! All warm and cozy, smelling like cloves. Mmmmmmm. The only con: you can't walk in them. Not unless, you like the feeling of walking on rice. I'll pass.


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Guess what else I got yesterday? An award! Big, huge thanks to the sweet, wahm @ Telecommuting Truths for nominating me! Her blog is dedicated to helping parents find WAH opportunities. How cool is that?!


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Thank you, Thank you!


Now, tell me- Does this sound familiar to any of you? One day, you're just blog reading/hopping, and the next thing you know, you've ended up in the most fabulous place and you have no idea how you got there? You're Oooh-ing and Ahh-ing about the coolness you just discovered. <--This was me when I came across, Tartx.

Some of you may, or may not know, I adore Miss Jane Austen. And, lookie at what I found:




And, oh, this ring is gorgeous. Don't you think?!



But, there's more... {{happy}}

She has a website! With more fabulous things!---> Tartx.

Fun House Jen- I instantly thought of you when I seen this. She has another clown, too!



I'm doing my wish list for hubby. (If I can hold out that long!) I would love to see a few of these pieces in my stocking!

Have a great Thursday!
-Jen

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Wordless Wednesday- Jamestown, Virginia

I loved visiting this place.
Imagine spending Halloween night here.
How eerie would that be?
Oooooooo...


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If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

-Jen

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Halloween Quiz Results

Last night I watched, The History of Halloween on the History channel. Very interesting. It's so fascinating to learn how ancient traditions and celebrations evolve into our modern day traditions and celebrations.

With Halloween on the brain, I thought I'd blog some of my Halloween quiz results. Some results surprised me, others not so much.


How scary are you?
I'm not scary? I'll agree with that. But, you might want to ask Haley if she thinks I'm scary- oh wait, I'm thinking of mean. hehehe.





You Are Not Scary



Everyone loves you. Isn't that sweet?



This next one- I honestly thought I was a bit more witchy. {{cackle}}

Are you a witch?





You Are 35% Witch



It's unlikely that you're a witch. At least, no one thinks you are.

You may still be interested in witchcraft, but you're by no means a stereotypical witch.

While you don't seem all that witchy, people may think you're a bit weird.

You're definitely a little offbeat. No one really knows what to make of you sometimes.



This one was good to know.

Could you be a vampire?




You Could Not Be a Vampire



Sorry, but you're not just cut out for flesh eating, turning into a bat, and living forever.

But that's okay. The sight of blood turns your stomach... without even thinking of drinking it.

And while you definitely would never be a vampire, you're exactly the type of frail prey Dracula wannabe's crave.

Maybe it's time to arm yourself with a cross and some nasty garlic breath!

What you would like best about being a vampire: The raw power (though you wouldn't admit it to anyone)

What you would like least about being a vampire: The whole killing thing



And last, but not least, my monster name: Evil Beast?? I think not. {{huff}}


What is your monster name?




Your Monster Profile



Evil Beast

You Feast On: Fried Twinkies

You Lurk Around In: Sewers

You Especially Like to Torment: Republicans




I'm off to try and be productive today, Happy Tuesday!
-Jen

Monday, October 20, 2008

Our weekend in pictures...

My nephew stayed for the weekend and we kicked Friday night off with a couple Goosebumps movies, popcorn and some Jones candy corn soda. yum.

Bright and early the next morning, we set off for the Civil War Re-enactment Camp at a Historical Mill we always love to visit.

Here's Nicholas ready for the day-

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The scenery was just breathtaking. We must be near our peak fall foliage here in Michigan. I think I was annoying the family because I just kept going on and on about how beautiful all the colors were.

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One of the many cannon set about along the river.

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Union Camp set-up.

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Haley a bit chilly.

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You could see these signs posted around and about.

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Attempt #1 at a good picture of the kids-

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Attempt #2- no such luck.

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The clan-

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After we got back from our Civil War Camp adventure, guess what was waiting me in my mailbox?

The cutest little zipper pouch that I won at Jennifer's Blog Giveaway. She makes the cutest stuff for her Etsy shop! Thanks, Jennifer- I love it!


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Sunday hubby had to go to academy, and I just relaxed with the kids. What a pleasant weekend I had. Now, it's back to the weekly mahem. {{grin}}

Happy Monday!
-Jen

Friday, October 17, 2008

Aloha Friday! Choose your name

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It's Aloha Friday! Yipee!

My Aloha Friday question is:


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If you could choose your own name, what would it be?

If I could choose my name, my choice would be, Violetta!
When I heard that name, I instantly fell in love with it.


Share with me your favorite and let me know where I can find your friday aloha question- I'd love to answer it.

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play!

TGIF!
-Jen

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Tag- I'm it! Twice.

I've been tagged by Jen. Thanks, Jen!

I have to write 7 random things about myself.

Here goes...

1) I rearrange my living room & decor every couple of months. People (mother-in-law) think it's strange that I change so often. I've never understood why it's so odd- I love decorating, so I'm happy moving sofas and chairs.

2) I have a heart shaped nut (chestnut?) in my jewelry armoire that was in my Grandmothers jewelry box before she passed away. No one, including my Grandfather,
knew where/when/why she kept it, but I like to think it was special to her.

3) I {{love}} Nutella spread generously on Almond Biscotti. Mmmmmm...

4) I'm a homebody. I'm perfectly content hanging out with the family at home.

5) Last spring, I tried to go vegetarian. I couldn't hack it. I craved meat. 'Nuff said.

6) Hubby and I were married in Vegas, Baby! @ Treasure Island. I can use one word to describe that day, Magical.

7) My Grandfather wrote up my genealogy report before he passed away. Guess who I am related to? If you guessed Mr. Abraham Lincoln, you're right! {{grin}}

(Who knew it would be so hard to come up with 7 random things?)


I was also tagged by Becky. Thanks, Becky!

I have to, go to my sixth picture folder then pick my sixth picture and post it. I wasn't surprised that it was one of the kids, because I think 99% of my pictures are of them. {{smiling}}


Nicholas is about a year old here...
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That was fun- Thanks for tagging me ladies!

Happy Thursday!
-Jen

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Wordless Wednesday- Halloween '07

Halloween 2007: Nicholas was a spooooky skeleton and Haley & her bff went as babies. I thought it was kind of fitting for two whiney teens. {{grin}}

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~> If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

-Jen

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Electric youth?

I'm sitting here looking over Haley's Christmas list she compiled over the weekend and I'm wondering if I fell asleep and woke up in 1985?

It is 2008, right?

Here's one thing from her list:




A few months back, I'm watching Haley & her bff walking out of the mall over to the car wearing the louver shades and I'm thinking to myself, I am way too young for my childhood fashion fads to come back. Or so I thought.

What's funny is that they think it's somehow much cooler now since they are wearing it. As if we looked any different as teenagers all decked out in colored plastic jewelry/accessories. {{chuckle and eye roll}}


Here's Haley in all her louver glory.
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Here's the other T-shirt on her list:


I realized her adoration for the peace symbol after she spent a week's worth of allowance on a 3 inch, pewter peace symbol necklace. {{blink}} You want that big ole' thing honey? {{blink}}

Should I get these for her stocking?


I have to admit, it's pretty great watching my teen grow and seeing myself in her.

Well... just a wee bit.

{{singing}}

Electric youth
Feel the power, you see the energy
Comin' up
Coming on strong
The future only belongs
in the hands of itself
and the future is
Electric youth
It's true you can't fight it
Live by it
the next generation...
it's electric.


-Jen

Monday, October 13, 2008

It's mid-October already?!

I was telling my sister about Haley's second Christmas the other day.

1997. Hubby and I were young & broke. We were in our first home (yay!), but without much extra cash. It was early September, (I was thinking ahead) and I decided that the best thing for us to do was...layaway. Do stores even do this anymore?

Anyway, hubby and I went to a local department store and picked her out, a baby doll, a little-tykes, pink doll high-chair (I can still remember it! She played with it for years) and a few more things we thought she'd enjoy. We put it all in layaway.

Every week, I'd take some of our extra money, (it wasn't much I can tell you because we didn't have much, I'm thinking maybe $20 or so) and I'd go pay on the Christmas presents. The second week of October, we paid it off and brought it home to hide until Christmas.

I can't tell you how excited we were! We were able to give our little girl a Christmas.

I learned a valuable lesson from those hard times. If I thought ahead and planned early enough, we could always give our kids a Christmas.

Fast forward 11 years later.

I still start Christmas shopping in September. But, long gone are the days that I was all done by the second week of October. {{grin}}



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Happy Monday!
-Jen

Saturday, October 11, 2008

My first award! Woot-woot!



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My very first award! Thanks so much to Just Me @
Snickerdoodles for my gorgeous award and for making this woman giddy with excitement to receive it!

Isn't it a beauty?? I happen to be {{madly in love}} with two kinds of patterns, Damask and Toile. So, imagine my ooooh's and aaaahhhh's when I seen it.

Besides hanging this oh-so-beautiful-award up in my blog, the receiver of this award must list 6 things that make them happy.

My happy things list:

1) My hubby. We met before I was able to drive. As a teen, I used to write Mrs. Jennifer K**** over and over again in my journal while sitting in my bunkbed dreaming of marrying this hunk of burning love. It's still a bit embarassing when my Mom brings this up. (Especially, in front of hubby.) I usually say- No, I did not, Mom. *eye roll* But, I so did. {{chuckle}} Half of my life I've loved him, and I pan to the rest of it.

2) My kids. I can sum up the gianormous feelings of love for my kids in four words: My cup runneth over. They are my life, my loves, my everything. I hope they will always know how much I love them.

3)My pooch, Daisy. My old girl as I call her now, she just turned 12 in September and I can see the grey around her eyes and mouth. The cataracts has invaded her eyes, but I still see that stunningly gorgeous, energetic pup that I remember snuggling up next to at night. She's made my life more beautiful than I can imagine.


4)Coffee. What is this love I have for the dark, bitter stuff? {{smile}} It's my warmth on a cold winter evening. It's my relaxation when I need a rest. It's my reason for buying those fancy scrolled coffee cups from Marshall's recently, and it's my beverage of choice all day, anyday. {{sipping some warm java}} Ahhh...

5) Period movies. Just to name a few.. Pride and Prejudice (of course, see fridays post), Sense and Sensiblity, Becoming Jane, Emma, Vanity Fair, Elizabeth, Wives and Daughters. These movies make me happy. I like to snuggle up with a blanket and be swept away.

6) My home. When we were in our first home, I bought things to fill it. In this home, I'm surrounded by only the things I love- I never buy anything for it that I don't truly adore. I feel so safe here. {{smile}}

Now it's time to pass the award on:

1)Steph @ The flies blend
2)Emily @ little momma and company
3)Willow @ Willow Manor
4)Jen @ The fun house
5)Jennifer @ The Wilson Six
6)Jenny @ Daily Dose of Motherhood

Thanks for the inspiring blogs, I love reading them!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Aloha Friday! Favorite movie?

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It's Aloha Friday! Woo-hoo!

My Aloha Friday question is:

What's your favorite movie?

My favorite, {{love-it-to-pieces}} movie is Pride and Prejudice.

"Are you to proud Mr. Darcy? And would you consider pride a fault or a virtue?"

~Sometimes, when I'm doing some heavy weekend cleaning, I'll pop in this movie just so I can listen to it. Love it!!



Share with me your favorite and let me know where I can find your friday aloha question- I'd love to answer it.

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play!

TGIF!
-Jen

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Ramblings from a frigid woman

Here in Michigan, we're full swing into fall.

On my backyard tree, the leaves are turning the most vibrant, fire-red at their tips, and I've been holding off on pulling out my annuals and cutting back my perennial flowers because I love the look of leaves that have fallen on flowers.

The squirrels are out in full force, (just ask Miss Daisy who barks incessantly at them), and I have to wear my fleece jacket when I run morning errands. Yes, fall has arrived.

One thing that I haven't seen yet? Those big, beautiful geese flying in formation heading south. Ahhh. soon enough, I'm sure.

I wish there was a way to bypass winter though.

The cold just gets to me. Take these past few weeks for instance, when the temps get a bit chilly outside, I'm just always cold. Always. Cold.

It sucks!

Hubby thinks I'm exaggerating when I say, yep heating blanket tonight, I'm freezing- that is until he feels my feet! I could never be one of those Arctic survival stories where people survive in 10 below zero for 7 days in the car with no heat. I wouldn't last the night.

I've even had my blood checked thinking maybe I was anemic. I'm healthy, just so-stinkin'-cold-all-winter-it's-annoying.

But, look at what I found. And ordered. But, yet to receive. They're going to be heaven to me.

Microwaveable Warming Booties!

These people can take forever to ship, but I am waiting patiently. Oh, so very patiently for these beauties.

I'm in the mood to ramble on and on, so let me just show you very quickly what I made for hubby yesterday because he's been having a hard week at police academy and I've been craving them-

Pumpkin Strudel Muffins!

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They were tasty little things. If I can get back on this afternoon, I'm hoping to post the recipe.

Happy Thursday!
-Jen

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Wordless Wednesday- Miss Daisy

The K family Pooch:

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~> If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

-Jen

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Talk to me Tuesday



It's 'Talk to me Tuesday' time over at Tip Junkie!

Tuesday's topic is: Show off your Fall & Halloween Decor~

Here's a few of mine: Since I only have a few pics of my decor, I thought I'd collage 'em in photoshop.

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I'd love to see yours- Let me know where to find ya!


Happy Fall!
-Jen

Monday, October 6, 2008

Weekend Wrap-up!

Don't you just love fall weekends?

We had an early 'Trick-or Treat' test run up at my in-law's campground. They wrap up their camping season with a Halloween bash that includes a zillion kids trick-or-treating. Haley and her bff walked with us for a few minutes, then I let them off of the hook and they went on their merry way trying to get as much candy as possible in the hour allotted.

On this Trick-or-treat test run, we learned a few things about Nicholas...

a) He's not quite there yet with, 'Trick-or-treat!' He rather seemed bothered a bit with it. {{his mommy was proud that he didn't seem bothered at all to say Thank-you, though}}

b) Acquiring tons of candy is not high on his 2 year-old list of priorities, he was much too busy concentrating on what kind of candy was being put into his bag. {{ see pics below}}

What did that lady put in my bag?
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I think I can reach it.
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Yep, just as I suspected, a chocolate pumpkin.
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He did this after every stop. He just had to see in his bag, so he didn't get much candy, but his big sister has enough to share.

My weekend craftiness:

Recently, I came across a fab DIY art tutorial via Tip Junkie. I knew I had to make it for my home.

It seems this creative blogger and I have the same weird fetish of always having to change things/redecorate our homes. I don't feel so alone, now.

Here's her mega cute idea: DIY Monogrammed Art

My supplies:
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After a few minutes putting it all together:
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Isn't it adorable?
I LOVE IT!!

Thanks so much for sharing your creativeness, Steph!

Happy Monday!
-Jen