30 Day Song Challenge - Day 7

Day 7 - A song that reminds you of an event

Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez

Everytime I hear this song, I think of ABC Super Soap Weekend. Most years, they played this song to kick off the Street Jam. They tried other songs a couple times and it didn't work. They always came back to this one, lol. Therefore, I hear this song and I'm taken back to standing in a big crowd in the park.



Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

This song reminds me of a place as much as an event, but it reminds me of the one time I watched a Red Sox game in Fenway.

Friday Questions and Day 6

Mama M's 5QF 


1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?

I had my favorite Cabbage Patch Doll, Kimberly. I loved her so........... so much that she had (and still has) a big crack in the back of her head from where I used to drag her around by her hair.

I also had three favorite blankets (still have them, but they're packed away with Kimberly). One was a blanket that my great grandmother MawMaw crocheted for me. Another was this small one that my Ninny and Aunt Jennifer made for me with all these Disney scenes on it (at least I came by my Disney love honestly). The last one is this blue one with pink roses and a unicorn. It also had a matching pillow. I think they were in my crib........... you know, before SIDS when pillows were in cribs.



2. Do you dream in color?

Sometimes. It depends on the intensity of the dream.



3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?

I'm 5'7 1/2" I like my height. I'm slightly taller than average, but not a giant. Sometimes, I wish I were a petite little thing. Most of the time, I'm good with it, lol.



4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?

George Clooney

Or, The Guy.......... because not only do I love his voice, but he'd be sarcastic while giving me directions and that would make me laugh.

Or, or, Meg....... because I'm always giving her directions and she'd try really hard to give me good ones. But then, she'd give up and just say, "I don't know where you're going."



5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?

I do try to put it in the corral. If there isn't one nearby, I'll put it on the grassy area, so it won't move.

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Lauren's  Fill in the Blank Friday

1. The last thing I do before going to sleep is pray. Honestly, I usually fall asleep WHILE I'm praying.



2. When I can't sleep I toss and turn. Sometimes, I'll turn on my IPod to my "Sleep Music" playlist.


3. The first thing I do when I wake up is make my bed.


4. When I'm tired I get quiet. If I'm overly tired, I get super emotional and cranky.


5. My dream bedroom would be .......... I'm not sure at this moment, lol.


6. If I could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning it would be anywhere but Florida, lol.


7. The longest sleep I've ever had was every year when I got home from Cheerleading Camp. After a full week of little to no sleep, I'd crash for about 16-18 hours. Last weekend was a doozey, though. My couple weeks of crappy days were partly due to working too much and burning myself out. I ended up sleeping 13 hours straight. I like sleep and all, but that only happens when I've worked myself to a point of a physical breakdown, lol.


8. I sleep on my side, mostly. I may end up on my back. I never sleep on my stomach unless I'm sleeping on the floor.


9. When I sleep, I like to wear pajama pants and either a tank top or a large shirt.


10. My bedtime is usually sometime after 10:30 and before midnight, if I have to work the next day. During the weekend, I'll stay up until 12 or 1.
 

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Day 6 - A song that reminds you of somewhere

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet

Um, the beach.



Main Street Electrical Parade

This should be fairly obvious, lol. I don't care how many times I've seen it, I still get giddy whenever I hear the music.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 5

Krystal is also participating in the 30 Day Song Challenge......... check out her songs!

 

   Day 5 - A Song That Reminds You Of Someone Once again, I have several. Are you noticing a trend here? I usually can't choose just one, lol.   Walking In Memphis - Marc Cohn   This song reminds me of my stepdad, Mike. He loved this song. It's so funny, because this song will play at random (yet needed) times and I'm convinced it's Mike telling me he's got my back.   No Strings Attached - N'SYNC   This song (or any NSYNC song) reminds me of my cousin Heidi. We were NSYNC fanatics, back in the day.   Baby Got Back - Sir Mix Alot    My cousin, my Ninny, and myself.......... driving down the interstate with our bras flying out the window. 'Nuf said, lol.   Through the Years - Kenny Rogers   This song reminds me of my dance teachers, Miss Dale and Miss Marylou. Especially, Miss Dale. She loves that song. So much that like every three years someone danced to it, lol.  There are many, many more, but those are just a few, lol.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 4

Krystal over at Krystal's Kitsch found/started the 30 Day Song Challenge. Seriously, it's right up my alley and therefore, I'm participating, too!

 If you're up for the challenge, head over to see the rules, etc! 

  Day 4 - A Song that makes you sad Here goes........  The Christmas Shoes - New Song 

I cry every time I hear this song. It only comes on during Christmastime, but it gets me every. single. time.

I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe

I know this song is supposed to be hopeful. Really, it is. It was super popular right when my stepdad, Mike, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was also sung at his funeral. So, as much as I love the song and it's message, it also makes me really sad.

Going places, but where exactly?

My Bloggy-turned-real-life friend Brittany recently posted about an unsure future. Britt has just experienced some very exciting (if a bit scary) changes in her life and has great knowledge of what it means to just not know what in the heck the future holds.

As unsure as she may be, she narrates her life with class, strength, and humor. She's a dear friend that I enjoy reading about, as well as spending time with.

At the end of her post, she chose to both award and challenge me with the You're Going Places Award.

I'm supposed to tell you where I'll be in 10 years.

Wow.

Let's start with going back ten years. We were just talking in my Sunday School class last week about how our county raises us up to marry young. At 26 (27 in less than a month), I'm considered pretty old to still be single. At 16, I was a Junior in high school. I was certain that I would go to college, meet the man of my dreams, graduate, get married, and start having babies by the time my 10 year reunion rolled around. My life was perfectly planned out.

To quote my former classmate and current Sunday School mate, "In high school, there was NO WAY you could have convinced me that I'd be 25 when I got married. I was sure it would be 21, at the very latest."

Clearly, things haven't worked out that way.

Instead, I went to college, graduated, started interning at a radio station, met The Guy, substitute taught, got a full-time job at the station, fell completely in love with The Guy, hoped that his move to Minne-friggin-sota would eventually include me, made it a year at my job, got my heart broken, and here I stand.

So, where will I be in 10 years?

I haven't the foggiest.

I know that I'll still love my family. I know which friends will still be around (because if we can make it this long, I fully believe we'll make it forever).

Other than that, the future is wide open......

I may still be at my current job. Meaning I will have been at the company for 15 years......... in a full-time job for 11 1/2.

Or, I could be at an entirely different company. Maybe even a completely different field (I doubt it, though, because I do love what I do, lol).

I may still be in Florida.

Or, in a different state. Either way, my hometown will always and forever be home.

I may still be single.

Or, hopefully, I will have met and married the man of my dreams.

I may still be a pseudo-Aunt to lots of other people's children.

Or, hopefully, I may be a real Mommy to my own.

The past ten years have been exciting, sad, scary, and fun. There are so many things that have happened that I NEVER would have imagined.

I'm both nervous and excited about what the future holds!!

Now, I want to hear about these people............

Marianne from Diary of a Fickle White Woman

Paige from Live, Laugh, Love

Gina from Namaste by Day

Melissa from Little Mrs. Married

Krystal from Krystal's Kitsch

Justine from Almost There

Amy from The Un-Wife Housewife Life

Jess from Livin On Sweet Tea

KJ from kj..... as herself

Sonya from A Day In The Life.....

Where do you hope or think you will be in 10 years?

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 3

 

 Day 3 - Song that makes you happy   Hey, Soul Sister by Train

Something about this song just makes me smile. No matter where I am, I start dancing and singing.

Monday Minute and Day 2

(psst...... the button is the link)


1. Who is your "what-if" person?


(What-if person being what if I married this person or am now in a relationship with "this" person)

Obviously, The Guy. No man has ever mattered to me like him...... any other guy I've cared for either there was closure or I saw why it didn't work out.

It's still pretty fresh and I haven't yet moved on to someone else, but I do wonder "what if" things went down differently. What if he never moved? What if I'd have gone to visit him over the holidays like I originally though? What if I never sent that letter? What if he chose to respond to it?

It's very possible that even once I do find someone else, I'll still wonder. I hope not. I hope that I'll find someone that exceeds any hopes or expectations I ever had of The Guy :)



2. What is your nickname?

I feel like I've answered this one alot, lol.

Jess, Jessie, Jessie-Bell, Rose, Angel, Turkeyface



3. If you could choose how you died, how would you like to die?

Peacefully, in my sleep, at approximately 118 years old.

I say 118, because then I would have lived in 3 different centuries and that's always been a goal of mine, lol.



4. If you could have named yourself, which name would you have picked?

When I was little, I thought Nicole was the most beautiful name in the world.

Now, I like Jessica. My friends and family call me Jess and it suits me.



5. Who were you named after or for what reason did your parents choose your name?

My first name is because they liked it. It was the early 80's and "Jessica" was all the rage, lol.

Elizabeth (my first middle name) is after my maternal great-grandmother.

Abby (my second middle name) was after my mom's favorite character on Eight Is Enough


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Day 2 of the 30 Day Song Challenge   Your least favorite song. I like a lot of songs, most songs, but there are three songs that I actively HATE.   Peaches - The Presidents of the United States of America     Fly - Sugar Ray 

Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley and Allison Krouse

Let it be known that when I was working on the air, I would refuse to play "Whiskey Lullaby." I'd throw it out and replace it with something else. During Brad Paisley's concert, I took a bathroom break.

I hate that song with the burning passion of a thousand suns.

Random Questions and Day 1 of the Song Challenge

  The Q's..


1. Thong or Granny Panties?

Neither......... low-cut bikini style. Much more comfortable, lol.



2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?

Most likely, no.
 
3. Spanx or no Spanx?

I don't own Spanx, but I'm not opposed to it. Goodness knows I could use it, lol.



4. Do you sleep in your sheets?

I do. Usually, with a foot stuck out the side, lol.



5. What is your favorite Disney character?

I love a lot of them...... Aurora, Belle, Tinkerbelle, and Tigger, just to name a few.



6. Dream vacation spot?

NYC, Nashville, Italy, Greece



7. What is your dream job?

I'm pretty much doing it.

I'd also love to be a Rockette, work on a concert tour, or work on a Soap Opera.



8. Who is your hero and why?
 
Jesus...... My mom
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Day One of the 30 Day Song Challenge!
   Favorite Song I consistently have about 4 or 5 "favorite" songs, at a time, lol.  A few of my all-time, never gets old, favorites are...........  Singing in the Rain    New York, New York (as sung by Frank Sinatra) (note - I did not put the "I am Awesome" video together.... it was just on the Tube, lol)
   When You Wish Upon A Star

 

30 Day Song Challenge and Weekly Workout Blog

Krystal over at Krystal's Kitsch is participating in the 30 Day Song Challenge! I think it's fun and right up my alley.  The button is the link, so head over and take a look!   Day 01 – Your favorite song

Day 02 – Your least favorite song

Day 03 – A song that makes you happy

Day 04 – A song that makes you sad

Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone

Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere

Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event

Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to

Day 09 – A song that you can dance to

Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep

Day 11 – A song from your favorite band

Day 12 – A song from a band you hate

Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure

Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love

Day 15 – A song that describes you

Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate

Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio

Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio

Day 19 – A song from your favorite album

Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry

Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy

Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad

Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding

Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral

Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh

Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument

Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play

Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty

Day 29 – A song from your childhood

Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

Starts tomorrow!!

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Weekly Workout Blog - Week 59
 
 
Sunday - Nothing
 
Monday - Nothing...... ala the horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day
 
Tuesday - Curves
 
Wednesday - Again, nothing
 
Thursday - Curves
 
Friday - Nothing
 
Saturday - Nothing
 
 
I tracked all my food and stayed within my daily counts. However, I clearly didn't meet my workout goals this week. I could have today, but honestly, I was a lazy bum that slept over 13 hours and then barely left the couch.
 
 
 
Goals for this upcoming week:

• Track ALL food
• Curves at least 3 times (this is in line with a Challenge they're having at the gym)
• Treadmill/Walk at least twice
• Elliptical at least once

Bonus points if.....

• I make it to a Zumba class.
• I do pilates.

With friends like these..........

You can get through anything!

I know that I tend to wax poetic whenever I mention my best friends from high school, but I seriously just adore them. I'm so glad we're all working to see one another more often, because I really miss all of them.

Last night, four of the five of us went to dinner. Remember, last month four of us met for dinner when one was visiting Florida on vacation. We decided then and there that we would meet up at least every other month, for dinner, so that we wouldn't lose touch. A couple of them hadn't seen each other in almost three years!

This time, it was Wolfgang Puck's Cafe in Downtown Disney. I only wish that Wolfgang himself would pay me to tell you how in love with the Pumpkin Ravioli I am. However, he won't pay me to do it, so I'll tell you, for free. I love it. I had actually been looking forward to it for over two weeks.

Shannon, Ash, and I were coming from one direction, while Meg was coming from the opposite. The three of us rode together which provided some much needed chatting time (and prompted Meg to say, "What did ya'll talk about in the car? I want to know what I missed out on."...... I'm actually considering putting her on speaker-phone the next time, so she doesn't miss out on the fun conversation).

Our reservation was at 8pm (we learned our lesson from last time), but my four friends and I are always late. I mean, ALWAYS. We pretty much know that we need to tell one another 15-30 mins ahead of what the actual time is, in order for us to make it on time. Despite our plan to be there at 7:45, we didn't get there until 8:15.

I'll admit that I was a little worried that they wouldn't hold our reservation. I meekly went up to the hostess and told her we had a reservation, but were running late.

When she replied, "That does happen sometimes." and assigned us a table that we were then whisked off to, I remembered just why I love Disney so much. I'm fairly certain that if we'd gone anywhere else in Orlando and arrived 15 minutes late, they would have made us pay for it by huffing, puffing, and taking 30 to get us a table.

Not Disney. And, not Wolfgang.

For the next two hours, we laughed, reminisced, talked about blogging, shared plans/hopes for the future, ate, shared our dining/dessert options, and calculated when would be the best time to meet next without getting too close to Meg's due date.

BTW, I dreamt that she was having a girl and what the name would be. I was right about the girl and I have high hopes for the name (the three people I've told agree that it's a name they could see her naming her baby). I also want to put a bid in for the birthdate. Could be TOTALLY wrong about this (wouldn't be the first time), but I say October 17th. Stay tuned for updates on Jess' prediction score.

When it was all said and done, I walked into my house feeling so satisfied and loved. I really, truly hope that I give them even half of what they give me in the form of friendship, support, and love.

Ash, Meg, Me, and Shannon

And, just because........... here are just a few reasons that my friends and I have made it for this long........

• We have no qualms about asking each other if we stink and smelling each other to make sure everything's good (probably comes from cheering together for so long, lol).
• We allow one another to unbutton our pants in the car when we're so stuffed from dinner, we can't possibly make the 45 minute drive without busting a seam.
• We can tell one another how eating our dinner a certain way makes it taste better. -- Shannon tasted Ash's meal and then ordered her, "Eat your Sage, Ash! It's so much better that way!"
• We can be slightly sarcastic with one another and think it's hysterical.---- Ash needing to use the restroom and me saying with all authority, "It's that way." only to be told that my powers of direction were great because....... well, we were right by the window and the only thing behind us was a lake and the kitchen, lol.

Struggles with friends...........

Hi, friends.

Thanks for the words of encouragement the other day. I needed it.

My day off was much enjoyed. I slept in, went to see Toy Story 3 (which was soooooo good), and got a mani/pedi.

Today, work was a lot better.

However, things with my friend are not. In fact, I believe they are a lot worse.

I'm hurt and I'm mad. And, so is she.

The difference is that I'm trying to see her point of view and she flat-out told me she's not interested in mine. I can see where she feels like I've done her wrong...... part of it is based on assumptions, which she refuses to listen to.

I told her that we need to talk it out...... that emailing is making things worse. She says she's not interested in talking. That she's "over it." She's not mad, she's not hurt, she doesn't feel like I have a reason to be either, and she feels like nothing between us personally has changed.

Only, she keeps attacking me personally and making accusations. So, clearly, she's not over it.

I'm really, really struggling.

Because, I do care about her and our friendship. I want to do my part to try to fix it.

However..........

1) I can't make her listen to me, if she just refuses.

2) It takes two people to have any successful relationship and that includes two people who are willing to communicate.

3) I won't have friends who tell me that my perspective doesn't mean anything, demean me, or refuse to let me get out my side.



She thinks that our professional relationship has changed, but our personal one hasn't been damaged, at all.

I feel we can work on the professional, but that the personal will be irrevocably damaged if we try to let this "blow over."

This is obviously where mixing personal and professional can become a problem.

Physical, Mental, and Emotional Exhaustion

So, remember last week when I had a sucky day on Monday?

Today was one for the record books.

Epic awful.

Let me say, I love my job. I adore it. I love the company I work for. It's full of amazing people. It really, truly is. Obviously, I've had incredible opportunities and experiences. However, it doesn't come without some price. It can be a very tough place to navigate, sometimes. Creative people can be hard to be around.

Today started out bad. I was desperate enough for help that I broke my vow of not talking to The Guy unless he talks to me. I chatted him up on FB for advice.

See, he always used to tell me, "You're such a good person. You're such a nice person. People don't appreciate you like they should. Don't let this building or this business change you. It can ruin you if you're not careful. Stay a nice person."

Maybe it was because he said it, but I've always took that to heart. And, lately, I feel like that's slipping. Like, no matter how hard I try, I can't be a nice, good person AND be taken seriously. It's like I'm losing myself.

So, I went back to TG. To my former best friend and the guy I love for help. Because, when he was here, we kept each other in check. When I needed to vent, he'd listen and understand and then offer perspective. When he needed to vent, I'd listen and understand and then offer perspective.

Which, he did, today. However, my day didn't get better. It got worse. Way worse.

To the point, that one of my best friends and I had a major falling out. I was snippy about work-related stuff. Then, she got super personal and I ended up sobbing in my office.

Then, I ended up sobbing in my boss' office.

At first, I was speaking in generalities........ asking for advice on how to stay nice and a good person without getting walked on. He had some great advice and was very kind about the fact that I was literally hyperventilating.

Then, he gently moved onto specifics and wanted to know the "straw" so to speak. I did end up telling him a lot of things that had been going on that bothered me. Again, he was supportive and offered up some great advice.

Mainly, he told me that I'm doing a good job and that I need to remember that.

And, he told me to take tomorrow off, because I'm running myself ragged and am burning myself out.

I'm going out to dinner with my best friends from high school later this week. I really can't wait. Because, they know me. And, they love me. And, they would be my friends if I worked where I work or if I was a teacher or if I were a stay-at-home mommy or if I laid tile. And, I love them back in the same way.

I'm going to sleep in, tomorrow. And, go see Toy Story 3. And, possibly go get a pedicure.

Monday Minute

Head over to Ian's blog to join in the Monday Minute (the cool graphic is the link).........

What's your real name?

Jessica Elizabeth Abby............. yep, I have two middle names. They are on my birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, etc.

Have you ever fabricated a story or anything on your blog?

No. Above all, the blog is for me and things I want to remember. I may omit certain details for my safety or my family/friends' safety........... or, out of respect for them..... but, I don't lie about it.

When in the car do you listen to the radio/CDs/iPod/etc?

Usually, I listen to the radio in the morning. To a station I don't work for, lol. There's a morning show that I've listened to since I was in middle school that I still listen to on my way into work.

Other times, I'll alternate between one of our stations or a CD or my IPod. Or, complete silence, lol. A lot of times, it's complete silence. I listen to the radio for over 40 hours per week...... one is playing in our halls all day long, plus anytime you walk past a studio, that station is blasting out. So, when I get in my car, I like to hear nothing for a while, lol.

Describe the 'sexiest' item of clothing that you own

I have no idea. Do shoes count? I have a couple of pairs of really great shoes.

Would you be willing to breastfeed your friend's three year old child?

No. I won't be breastfeeding my own child when he/she is three.

If my friend's child is thirsty or hungry, I'll pour them a glass of milk and make them a sandwich.

Sunday Questions and Weekly Workout Blog

 The Questions~



1. If you had to choose a country to live in besides USA (or the country you live in), which would it be?

Either Canada, because it seems to be fairly similar to the US, or Italy ala Under the Tuscan Sun




2. Which would be worse, wearing flip flops in the snow or wearing gloves in the summer?

Flip Flops can be worn year-round. I'll take those, lol.




3. Fried or Bake and why?

Being honest.......... If it wasn't so fattening and unhealthy, I'd eat fried food every single day. I mean, fried pickles are TO. DIE. FOR. Fried okra (yum), Fried Chicken, Fried Ice Cream..... so yummy.

That said, I do like baked.




4. If you were an entertainment reporter, which celeb would you love to interview and why?

George Clooney.... he is so stinking charming and tends to flirt with everyone.




5. What was your favorite book as a preteen/teenager?

Older Childhood/Preteens - Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley, Lurlene McDaniels

Teen - Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, The Notebook




6. List your top 3 guilty pleasure television shows.

Keep in mind that I watch a lot of TV, but these are the guilty pleasure shows, lol....

Big Brother, True Beauty, and The Bachelor(ette)




7. What bumper sticker slogan best describes you/your attitude/your life?

Be Nice! - That's like my slogan. I tell the guys at my work that all the time. TG would always laugh when I'd get frustrated with him because I could only say, "Be nice!"

It will all work out in the end. - Call me a Pollyanna. I really, truly do think it will work out in the end.




8. If you were to join a circus - what performer would you be?
 
Can I just be a backup dancer? Or, I'd be one of those girls that use the long scarves to fly around.
 
 
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Weekly Workout Blog - Week 58
 
 
Sunday - Nothing
 
Monday - Curves
 
Tuesday - Curves
 
Wednesday - Curves
 
Thursday - 15 mins Elliptical and 45 mins Treadmill
 
Friday - I walked around Disney for part of the day. Does that count?
 
Saturday - I worked all day. So, nothing.
 
 
I didn't track my food, yesterday. I mean, in my head, I have a rough idea of how many calories I ate, but I didn't log it. It was an INSANE day and I'm just too lazy/tired to log it. Plus, I missed one of my walks.
 
 
Same goals this week. This week should be less crazy, so I should be able to get back on track.

Kelly's Korner - Yes, I'm single

But, that didn't really come as a surprise to anyone, now did it, lol?

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner has a super interesting "Show Us Your Life" this week.......... show us your single guys (and girls).

It's a little weird to be posting about the reasons I would make a great partner to someone, but I trust Bloggers more than I trust EHarmony, so here goes................

I'm Jessica........ Jess to my friends and family.

I'm 26 (almost 27)...... born and raised in Central Florida. I love my friends, family, Jesus, and life itself.

I'm pretty shy and can be reserved even around people I know. I'm typically the "listener" in groups. However, I also can be super outgoing and talkative when I'm in the mood.

Music, movies, TV, dancing, and all sorts of entertainment are my passion...... so much so that I made it my full-time occupation! I love my job and have had a ton of great opportunities from it.

I love to travel. Nashville is one of my favorite places to visit, as well as NYC, Washington DC, and LA. There are lots of places in the US I'd still like to visit. Though I've only outside the US once, I'd LOVE to go to Italy, Ireland, and Greece (to name a few places). That said, I'm also a homebody and like to chill.

What else?

I'm looking for a nice guy who makes me laugh. A nice Christian guy who makes me laugh.

And, who likes kids. I love them. Really, truly, I love them. My mom owned a daycare for 20 years, I taught dance for close to 10, I was a substitute teacher for 4, and I still have a bevy of kids that act as my pseudo nieces and nephews. No rush to have them, but I would like some of my own at some point.  Therefore, said guy needs to be on board for that :).

I have no clue what else to say. Do any of my friends have anything to add to the "Jess Is A Great Catch" campaign?

Any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me!

I don't tell you how to do your job.............

...... so why tell me how to do mine?

I'm going to vent for a second.

So, this lovely Monday morning, I've already had TWO people decide that what I say has no merit and they are going to do what they want to do or what THEY think is best.

Which had me in one of our studios, having a temper tantrum to my best friend, because I'm sick of it.

I don't go around to everyone and tell them how to do their jobs, yet many people find it perfectly acceptable to tell me how to do mine.

We should give away this.

We should promote that.

This contest sucks.

Who cares about that? Why are we wasting our airtime on it?

That's stupid.

You should tell the promoter to give us better tickets.

We need to be doing this better.

We could do that better.

My predecessor was older (in her 50s) and had been doing the job for almost 20 years. She also stomped around the building like a bulldog at least once a day because someone would piss her off. She'd yell and cuss and people were afraid of her temper.

I don't like stomping. It's bad on the knees.

I try really hard not to yell or cuss. Though, I did this morning to my best friend.

So, because I do neither of the above on a regular basis, I'm seen as a doormat who doesn't know how to do her job.

I'm not perfect at my job, but I do know how to do it.

More importantly, I'm good at it.

Yet, people around my building seem to think otherwise.

I'm really over it.

Ideas or constructive criticism are welcome, but telling me what to do is not. Especially when I don't go around telling everyone else what they do wrong.

I need a vacation.

Sunday Post: Questions, WWB, and WINNER!

  The Questions..



1. What is YOUR definition of sexy?

Confidence (not cockiness) and a sense of humor!




2. Would you rather clean up puke or change a poopy diaper?

Poopy diaper, hands down. My mom owned a daycare for 20 years and I've babysat since I was 11......... I've changed more poopy diapers than most moms, lol. Poop, I can handle. Puke........ not so much.




3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert. I can be outgoing.... and I've always had a performer's streak.... but, I'm definitely more introverted.




4. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses for a year..which one would you give up?

I like Keely's answer....... not be able to taste anything for a year. I'd certainly lose some weight, lol.




5. Cake or Pie?

Cake!!!!




6. If you could play any character on TV (old or current) who would you play?

I always wanted to be DJ Tanner. I loved her.

I'd also love to play Carly Corinthos on GH (notice I left out her current last name, lol) or Kendall Slater on AMC.

Who else............. hmmmmm........ I'd love to play just about any character on Grey's Anatomy. I would have loved to be Carol on ER.




7. My favorite website is.....?

Facebook, with Blogger being a close second.




8. The highlight of my day is....?
 
.... anytime I get to chat with a friend....... chilling at night with my family......... when I'm walking though the halls at work and one of my favorite songs comes on (we play one of our stations throughout the building).
 
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Weekly Workout Blog - Week 57
 
Sunday - Nothing
 
Monday - Less than nothing
 
Tuesday - Curves
 
Wednesday - Curves
 
Thursday - 15 mins Elliptical and 45 mins Treadmill
 
Friday - Curves
 
Saturday - 20 mins Elliptical, 50 mins Treadmill, and Abs
 
 
Goals met! I also got weighed on Friday....... according to the scale, I lost 6lbs in the past month. However, I then started on Saturday morning (maybe TMI, but whatever), so my weight might not be correct. I may wait until I am through and then weigh/measure again.
 
I'm going to keep my goals the same, this upcoming week. It's going to be a pretty busy week, so I don't want to add anything, when there's a possibility that I might not get my normal goals accomplished.
 
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 300th Post Giveaway Winner!
 
I meant to do this yesterday, but this weekend was a little busier than anticipated.
 
I tallied up how many entries everyone had and then made a list. Using Random Number Generator, I got my winner.
 
 
The Winner Is....................
 
 

Gina from Namaste by Day!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!

 
Thanks to everyone who entered!!!! So many of my good blog buddies (and a "real life" friend) entered.... I'll be honest, I wished I could have more than one winner. However, I don't have disposable income and can't do that, lol.
 
My 2nd Blog Anniversary is coming up in a couple months, so I might do another one then!

This is me.......... not working.....

Yeah...... I'm at work. Sitting in my office. Getting very little accomplished.

Because, I think my mind is on vacation.

Soooo.....................

Lauren's Fill in the Blank Friday

1. My favorite thing about this week has been Thursday. Great day, as I posted, lol.

2. The weather this week has been HOT!!!!!! It rained all 4th of July Weekend and on Tuesday. Like, torrential downpour. Then, it's been hot, humid, and nasty since the rain stopped.

3. The last (interesting) item I received in the mail was my summer swap package! It came late last week and was full of fun items!

4. The last movie I saw was Eclipse (in the theater). However, my stepdad turned on this AWFUL movie one night this week and just started watching it. It was called "The House On The Left"....... I wasn't paying attention to it, but then these poor girls were kidnapped and were being chased and all sorts of awful things. I had to see that they'd get away and the bad guys would get killed. Only one of them survived and the bad guys WERE killed. It was awful, though. I didn't want to watch it, but then I was too far into it and I *had* to see that justice was served or I'd have nightmares.

5. If I could be doing anything I felt like today I would skip out of work early, run to the gym (today is my weigh-in......... I'm seriously nervous), and then just relax!

6. As a teenager I was busy, busy, busy.... all the time. I was so involved with everything.

7. I wish I could trade lives for the day with "The Guy." I'd like to get in that boy's mind, for just a day, lol........................ BTW, thanks for all of the super sweet and supportive comments from yesterday.

Next up is MamaM's 5QF.................

  1. What is one food you could eat everyday? Boiled peanuts........... I'm addicted to them.  2. Are you working in the career you thought you would be when you were 18? Basically. I never thought I'd be working in radio or in promotions, but I did want to be in entertainment and here I am!
  3. What is something that you wish you would have done when you were younger and you didn't? Been more committed to losing weight and being healthier!! It's a lot harder to do now!
  4. What color are your kitchen walls? Beige
  5. Do you remember what your very first favorite song was? No, but it was probably a song from Sleeping Beauty (I loved that movie and still do) or one of the songs I danced to.  *** Less than 12 hours to enter my 300th Post Giveaway!!! ***

What a great day!!

***** 24 hours left to enter my 300th Post Giveaway!! *****

Today was a great day!

First and most importantly, my brother Trevor had knee surgery. He messed up his knee about three months ago and the surgery was scheduled before his heart problems. They decided that he'd be ok to go through with it, so today it was. Passed with flying colors!! In fact, they said it wasn't as bad as they were thinking from the MRIs, etc. He still needed the surgery, but it was way less invasive, less traumatic, and should have a shorter recovery time!!

Once he does recover, he'll go back to the heart drawing board. They'll do an exploratory surgery to see if they can replicate what his heart originally did. If they can, they'll hopefully be able to pinpoint where the tachycardia is coming from.

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On way more superficial notes...............

The new Vera Bradley patterns came out, today! Our local store made a big to-do about it..... quite fun. I took a long lunch to check them out and walked away with this beauty.....

Lisa B in Slate Bloom

LOVE the new colors. So pretty! What do you think?

Again........ today is the last day to enter my giveaway!

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Big Brother started tonight!!!!

I love this show, to a ridiculous degree. It makes me happy every summer when 13 strangers get locked into a soundstage-turned-house with each other.

I clearly take pleasure in the little things, lol. What small pleasures make your day?

6 months later......

Half a year. That's ridiculous.

Let me start off by explaining where I'm at, at the moment.

I still miss "The Guy." I still miss our friendship. I still wish things were different.

At the same time, I literally pray every single day that that I'll find peace. If TG and I aren't supposed to be in each other's lives, I'd like the desire to not be there and to be at peace with it. If we are, I want to be at peace with whatever capacity that entails.

Basically, I'm throwing my hands up and saying, "Jesus, take the wheel."

I've been saying that for a while.

You know how you had to run a mile in PE? Some people finished quickly.......... me, I took forever. I kept running, but it would take me twice as long to finish.

I'm running a mile, folks. Some people would have already finished, gone back to the locker room, showered, changed, and headed to lunch. I'm not. I'm still trudging along.

And, I'm ok with that. Because, I'm learning a lot and growing. I'm getting to a place where I feel comfortable, again. Where I'm starting to picture a blank face in my dreams of my future life and not his face. Where I'm not automatically reaching for the phone when something happens that I'd have shared with him. Where I start to think about my unknown future with a slight excited wonder, instead of a sad fear.

My endurance is better. I promise.

So much so that when TG contacted me in a show of support during the initial situation with my brother, I did get sappy for a little bit, but it quickly passed. I also got slightly annoyed............ It took my brother having heart problems before you can talk to me like a normal person?!

After that short exchange and show of heart, a month passed.

I even wondered to myself, "Well, I guess our once a month brief window of contact isn't going to happen. I guess that's ok. We're both moving on, for real."

Only, I mentioned on my Facebook that I was going to see Eclipse at midnight. And, he promptly replied with a smartass remark that alluded to an ongoing debate we've had for the past 4 years.

Again, I was both amused and annoyed. In fact, I said to my friend Billie Jo as we were sitting in the theater waiting for the movie to start, "How dare he?! Why does he do that? He can't just sit silent and then pretend like the past six months haven't happened! That's an inside joke between two best friends!! We aren't even friends, anymore!"

Then, I was done and decided to put it out of my mind.

On the 4th of July, he chatted me up on FB. We chatted for 30 minutes. About random stuff. I didn't ask him anything and I didn't volunteer any information about myself. He led the conversation........ mostly ridiculous chit-chat, with a few sides of being real and letting me in. Nothing too major, but like any conversation we would have had before.

You know, six months ago when we talked all the time.

Again, when the conversation ended, I felt a mixture of amusement, annoyance, relief, confusion, frustration, anger, etc. Mainly, I just didn't want to get too excited.

Because, it may not happen, again.

Even if it does, it doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot.

Because, I still need to keep my nose to the grindstone and move on.

Then, we got into a short debate on our friend's FB page.

While the above three instances really aren't a lot and aren't a whole lot to get excited about, they came in such quick succession that it left me wondering, "So, are we supposed to be friends, again? Is my punishment up? Did you decide that it's been long enough and we can go back to normal? Why ignore me for six months and then decide to start talking? Really.... what gives?"

Again, may just be a short set of flukes.

May not hear from him for another month..... or two.... or not at all.

I'll learn to be ok with that. I'll be ok with that.

If it's not, I still need to keep looking forward.... keep my nose to the grindstone.... move on.

Still slightly confused, though. And, a little perturbed.

A few days went by and one of my best friends brought him up. She'd noticed the FB action. I also mentioned to her about our conversation.

"He seems to be slowly making his way back into the picture. Or not. I can't really tell."

Her response......... "He doesn't need to be in the picture. You're better without him and if he inches his way back in, you'll be less likely to find someone new and from a relationship standpoint, that ship has sailed. You need closure and to move on."

To which I responded............... "Closure would be nice if I were to ever able to get any. But, I didn't. I got silence. Which answered one question, but none of the others."

Our conversation continued, but it ended up really pissing me off.

Because........ I know I need to move on. I get that. I'm working on it. I don't need to be told that.

And, I've made good progress. No, I'm not to the finish line, but I'm way farther along than I was a month ago or two months ago or three months ago.

Thankfully, I was able to get my cousin Heidi on the phone and she spent a while reminding me of all the ways I've grown. And, she helped me realize that one person's opinion (though, I do value that person and their opinion) is just one person's opinion. And, that no one.... not me, not Heidi, and not my other friend.... knows what's in store for me. Only God has those answers. And, that the way I'm going about it is the right and healthy way for me.

And, as much as she wants me to get over it and move on, she also admitted that I have plenty of reason to be confused and not quite over it.

Because, six months later, he's still pulling at the strings he knows he can pull.

The one where my mom reads my blog......

**** Don't forget to check out my 300th Post Giveaway!!****

When I first started this blog, very few people in my life knew about it. I told a couple friends that I don't see often and my cousin Heidi. That's about it. That's basically how it's stayed.

It's not that I really had anything to hide. It was just that it started as a bit of a scrapbook, plus as a way for some of my dear (but far away) friends to keep up with what's going on. People in my everyday life already know what's going on. I live with my family, so they already know what's going on, too.

And, let's face it, it's sometimes a little easier to be more open when the people you see everyday aren't reading. You don't have to "nice it up" as much. Or, sometimes, tell things to a computer screen that you haven't yet said outloud...... fears, hopes, struggles, etc. Sometimes, it's easier to write it out so that you can figure it out. My family and close friends eventually will know it, too, it's just that sometimes my blog finds it out first, because I haven't yet figured it out.

Then, my mom found out I had a blog. I didn't give her the address, because well, I was trying to keep it just mine for a little while longer.

Momma apparently G**gled.

Last week, we were chatting and she made some passing comment about something I said on my blog.

"Huh?"

"Your blog."

"Since when do you read my blog?"

This led to a series of rapid-fire questions...................

"What have you read?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you were reading?"

"How did you find it?"

"What have you read?"

The answers.................

"Only a couple posts."

"Well........ you knew I knew you had one."

"G**gle."

"Only a couple posts."

I'll admit, I was mentally trying to remember everything I've written in the past couple months.

Then, she added, "I like it. You're a good writer."

"Um, ok."

"I don't want you to ever NOT saying something just because I might be reading."

"I'll try."

"I won't read if you don't want me to."

"It's ok.".....................

I don't really mind. I don't think.

Like I said, I don't have anything to hide.

It's just a weird feeling to know that it's not just mine, anymore.

Has anyone else ever gone through this? How did your "blog experience" change, if it did at all?

And, Mom..... if you're reading this........ my blog still isn't public knowledge. So, please don't mention it to your friends or mine. I'm not THAT ready to share all, lol.

Oh, and I love you!!

The Last Rodeo

***Don't forget to enter my 300th Post Giveaway***

Regardless of whether or not you listen to Country music, odds are that you've heard of Brooks & Dunn. They're kind of up there with Willie Nelson, Reba, George Strait, and Garth Brooks.

If you haven't ever heard of them, then climb out from under the rock and head to the nearest music store. Because, as of Sept 2nd, seeing them in concert won't be an option. Because, they're retiring and are currently on their farewell tour.......... you know, until they decide to go on a reunion tour.

On June 11, 2010, B&D made their last stop in the Center of the Sunshine State. I, of course, made sure I was there, lol.

Jason Aldean was opening for them. Let it be known that I LOVE Jason Aldean. Even more than B&D. Are you noticing a trend, so far, this summer? I am enjoying the opening acts better than the headliners.

Also let it be known that Jason Aldean is the reason it took me almost a month to get this posted. It took this long to get the pictures on his website (many times, they won't let you use your own camera).

Me with Jason Aldean

In between the first opening act and Jason Aldean (the first guy is someone I'll leave unnamed...... I personally think he's a joke), my friends and I met up. We toasted, chatted, and chilled until it was time for Jason's act.

M and I

LA and I

G and I

Yay for Jason!!!

"Why does it always have to come down to you leaving, before I'll say I love you? Why do I always use the words that cut the deepest when I know how much it hurts you? Oh, baby, why do I do that to you?"

"Whoah, whoah... throw your suitcase in the back. Whoah, whoah... done gassed up the Pontiac. Whoah, whoah.... blasting out to JOHNNY CASH! Headin' for the highway, baby we ain't ever comin back!!"

Part of the miniature museum they had set up full of B&D relics......

J and I

Me.......... with Brooks & Dunn

After the Meet and Greet, I headed to find my parents. I took a picture with my mom, but she didn't like any of the pictures and made me swear not to post them anywhere.

Jeff and I

Some random couple that I don't know...... the guy saw me taking pictures and wanted me to take one of them....... even though I don't know them and have no way to give them their picture.

My friend Ash and I

Time for the Last Rodeo...........

J and I

J with our impromtu bodyguard............ there were no chairs where our seats were supposed to be. Which left us standing for the majority of the show. Which made us enemies of the people behind us, because we couldn't sit during slow songs. They were mad. However, it wasn't our fault........ and neither us nor the venue wanted us to sit on the ground like some "nice" man "suggested" we do. So, this guy basically stood next to us and defended us everytime someone started yelling at us. Eventually, they brought us chairs.

"Only In America"...... I teared up when the military men came out.

Red, White, and Blue Streamers!!!!!