The Monday Real

Britt and Jess have cleverly changed Messy Mom Monday into The Monday Real! Head over and link up!

Being Real.

That is what this is all about.

So often in life, we put a smile on our face and paint a rosy picture of what life is for us. While it may be the best part of us, it isn't always the most real.

I mean, who wants to tell everyone just how much we're struggling? Better yet, when we look back on our FB pages or our blogs or our Twitter feeds, who wants to necessarily remember just how tough things were?

We, women, we don't like to admit our weaknesses.

A few days ago, one of my friends and coworkers told me that she and her husband were talking about me earlier in the week. She has come from several different markets, some small and a couple very large, so she's seen quite a bit in the business. Apparently, she and her husband were comparing her last Promotions Director to me.....

"Over at W---, she had two stations and an entire support staff. She had a full-time Promotions Asst, plus about 20 part-timers to go out to events. And, she was a MESS. I was telling P that you have four stations and NO help. Yet, you always have your S**T together."

I have my "stuff" together.

As flattered as I was, I started laughing.

Because, I so do not.

Sure, I may pull it off, in the end. I've always been the type that will write a paper about six hours before it's due (overnight) and manage to get an A. Or, the type to do a presentation on the fly and get great remarks. Or, the type that can BS my way through a business meeting.

Basically, I'm really great at pulling things right out of my butt.

It is a great skill to have, but it is stressful. Because, as I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to keep all the balls in the air, other things suffer.

Like, order.

Like, laundry.

Like, my diet.

Like, exercise.

Like, my overall health.

Like, my personal life.

The fact is, I'm single with no kids. So, it should be easy. I can just hear all the Mommas out there, reading this, and yelling at their computers, "Ha! You think you have problems?! You think you don't have time to sleep or keep order? Just wait until you have a husband and children, girly."

However, the other fact is that I'm currently married to my job and I nurture it like I would a child.

Friday night, the following was posted to my Twitter....

In case anyone is wondering why I am still single, it is 7:30 on a Friday night and I just left work. :/

That, is real, folks.

Thursday Thoughts

~ I am in a serious blogging/commenting funk. I have half written posts in my draft folder. I have a list of posts that I want/need to start. Yet, when I sit down at night to write, I just stare at a blank screen.

~ I never thought I'd enjoy Twitter as much as I do. Had I known how much fun everyone was having, I would have joined earlier, lol.

~ There are several things going on in my head, right now. Just a lot going on. Which I want to get out, but don't really want to put on a public blog.

~ Busy. That is my life, right now. My car hasn't been washed in weeks (which I've been really good about doing since I got the car), all of my spaces are cluttered and dusty, and I am so worn out at the end of the day that I have to force myself to get up early just to work out.

~ I'm being a whining weiner. I know this.

~ Next week is our Radiothon. And, while I'm so excited, I also am unprepared in a lot of ways. I need to shut myself up in my office and refuse to talk to anyone until I get my stuff for this Radiothon together.

~ Next week is also Singles' Awareness Day. Blech.

~ However, I still want to see 'The Vow.' Because despite the fact I get grumpy on Valentine's Day, I actually am a hopeless romantic who loves sappy movies like that.

Show Us Your Single Life

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is doing her "Show Us Your Life - Singles Version" again.

She has done this several times and as I've done the EH thing (wasn't a fan), I figure this will be the closest thing I'll ever get to internet dating.

So.............................

I'm Jess. Nice to meet you!

No, I am not related to (nor do I actually know) Martina McBride. I just happened to meet her a month ago and liked the picture, lol.

Quick stats:

• 28
• Born and raised in Central Florida
• Promotions Director
• Single, never married

Things you should know:

• I love Jesus. I've always been raised in the church and went to a private, Christian school for 13 years. While I've been a Christian since a small child, I've grown more in my faith in the past two years than ever before. If you ever want to chat about the ways I've grown or what I believe, let me know!

• I *heart* Disney. As a native Central Floridian, I am well-versed in theme parks and I fully fall on the Disney side of things.

• I love my family and my friends. I've been blessed with some great people in my life who keep me grounded and love me for me!!!

• I'm known for being sweet and mild.......... and for being Miss Mary Sunshine. That can be true, but I also can be feisty, with a love of well-placed sarcasm.

• Children are a passion of mine. I eventually want a small herd of my own :)

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is my absolute favorite. Period.

What I'm looking for:

• A Christian man.
• A guy with a great sense of humor.
• A guy who loves children and wants to be a father, someday.
• Southern gentleman............. or, is at least willing to travel below the Mason-Dixon line so I can visit home :)
• Someone who isn't too serious.......... I love life, but can sometimes be too serious. I need someone that lightens me up, a little, lol.
• And, just because this has come up, recently........... smokers and chewers need not apply, lol.

If you're interested or know someone who you think would be, feel free to leave a comment or email me!

Running Into Arms

You know how when you're a kid and you get hurt or sad, you would just run into your mommy's arms and suddenly everything would be ok?

I miss that feeling.

I mean, to this day, sometimes I need a hug from my mom, when I am sick or sad. Sadly, though, the feeling of "Everything will be alright" isn't quite the same. I guess it's because we know too much, now.

Anyway, the end of last week (Thurs-Sat) was something of a nightmare, work-wise. There were some good points, but overall, I really wished I'd been somewhere else. Saturday night, when I was finally done with this event, I had a migraine. Like, my vision was starting to blur on my drive home, migraine.

PS - I have only gotten about five migraines in my entire life.

A good dose of meds that knocked me out took care of it and I awoke yesterday morning with a clear head, but the things that led up to it were just awful.

So many times throughout the event, I felt like running away. Just throwing my hands up, getting into my car, and leaving.

I kept wishing for a bear hug. One that would make all the bad stuff go away. Where I'd feel safe and calm and not so frustrated.

Then, yesterday morning, I went to church. We sang the first couple songs and then we started one that we haven't done in a while. I've always liked it before, but it hit me differently this time.

The chorus goes....

Oh, I'm running to Your arms.

I'm running to Your arms.

The riches of Your love will always be enough.

Nothing compares to Your embrace.

Light of the world, forever reign.

I actually started to cry.

What we were singing was what I was exactly the feeling I was looking for, all weekend long. I wanted to run into arms. To be embraced.

And, singing it at church, that is what I found myself doing.

I wanted to throw myself down and bawl, honestly. Out of relief and regret.

Relief that I had been reminded what I really needed.

Regret because I let myself forget.

I wish I didn't get into these patterns. Where I'll remember things and get a renewed spirit about something.... and then eventually, I let the fire die.

It can be applied to just about everything, but most of all, my relationship with Jesus.

Let me be clear..... my faith never wavers. That is never an issue I have.

No. My problem is that I try to take things upon myself and don't let Him have the control. Or, I don't go to Him when I'm frustrated.... annoyed.... or stressed.

Wouldn't it be easier if we could just let ourselves run into His arms, everyday, all day?

Christmas 2011: Building Houses

Over the next week or so, I'll be recapping the holidays.

Out of order, somewhat.

If you know me, you know that this is slightly painful. I like things in chronological order. When I print pictures, I like them to stay in the order they were taken.

Anyway, I have lots of fun things from the Fall and Christmas to share, but I'm probably going to be sharing them out of order.

Hopefully, we will all live.

Megan and Bryan visited for almost two weeks and one of the things my mom wanted to do was build Gingerbread Houses. It was something that was also on my Bucket List.

However, the chosen day was one where I had made plans to celebrate a friend's birthday with mani/pedis and dinner. I'd also just gotten off of work to start my vacation (Dec 21).

When I came home, they were half in progress............

Megan and Patty were doing a pretty good job!

Poor Mom........... Construction is not in her future.

Megan was intent on making it work.

Even though I wasn't there for the whole time, we all had such a great time sitting at the kitchen table. We laughed and laughed.... ate candy.... and made fun of one another's efforts, lol.

I got in the action by creating a resident of said houses...........

The Year Of Sass

Remember my birthday back in August?

Clearly, you all have that glorious date marked in your calendars, right?

Anyway, shortly after my birthday, I posted on FB that "28 may be the year of sass" for me. Several people found it to be cute.

Then, came 2012.

Which is, most definitely, shaping up to be a Sassy Year.

I do not know what has gotten into me, but I've become blunt and honest and downright.... well, Sassy.

You're looking at... or reading the blog of.... the girl who NEVER sassed, as a child. In fact, I can count on one hand the amount of times that I semi-sassed my mom in 18 years of living. And, I got in trouble for even semi-sassing.

So, this is foreign ground.

But, I am apparently embracing it. And, other people around me are both shaking their heads in disbelief and chuckling in amusement.

All I need is a new pair of high heels, sunglasses, and some fun music to accompany me.

Open Letters

Dear Face,

You are 28. You are not a 14 year old boy.

How about obeying the great cleansing process I put you through and clearing up?

Signed,

Tired of gross skin

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Dear Sleep,

Is there any way that I could multiply you? Like, for every minute, it feels like three?

Signed,

Just Tired

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Dear Work,

I am so glad that business is good.

However, if there is anyway that you could stop being so crazy before the beginning of June, I'd appreciate it.

Signed,

Need An Asst.... Or A Raise

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Dear Siri,

I love you.

That's all.

Signed,

Proud IPhone 4S Owner

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Dear FD,

I wasn't talking to you. Then, I drank a bit of wine over the weekend and I stopped caring that I was mad at you.

Hence, the texts.

You aren't off the hook, just yet. You'd be wise to remember that.

Signed,

Wine Is Your Friend

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Dear Rear End,

I'm going to kick you into shape, if it's the last thing I do.

Signed,

Smaller Size Wanted

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Dear Stomach and Waist,

Talk to your neighbor downstairs.

Signed,

Taking No Prisoners