Jen's Place

!!!!.....Wow.....TeEnAgErS....!!!!

2006-05-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see the bed was nicely made, and everything was picked up. Then, he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, "Dad " With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter, with trembling hands.

"Dear Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you. I've been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice, but I knew you would not approve of her, because of all her piercings, tattoos, her tight motorcycle clothes, and because she is so much older than I am.

But it's not only the passion Dad, she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods, and has a stack of fire wood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't, really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves, and trading it with the other people in the commune, for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime,we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS, so Stacy can get better. She sure deserves it!!

Don't worry, Dad, I'm 15, and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit, so you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love your son, John

P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home.

Toilet Cleaning Instructions

2006-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power-wash" and rinse".
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Sincerely, The Dog

Calling all Parents!

2006-02-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

PARENT - Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way when we were young, none of us would have wanted the position!!!!

POSITION : Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa

JOB DESCRIPTION : Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES : The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION : None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION : Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS : While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Wildflower -- Artist: Skylark

2006-01-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

While listening to the radio in the car the other day this song came on... I love the words. It's an old song. It was on the Top 10 list in 1973.

W I L D F L O W E R

She's faced the hardest times you could imagine,
And many times her eyes fought back the tears.
And when her youthful world was about to fall in
Each time her slender shoulders bore the weight of all her fears,
and her sorrow no one hears, still rings in midnight silence,
in her ears...

Let her cry, for she's a Lady
Let her dream, for she's a Child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower, growing wild.

And if by chance, I should hold her,
Let me hold her for a time;
But if allowed just one posession,
I would pick her from the garden, to be mine.

Be careful how you touch her, for she will waken;
and sleep's the only freedom that she knows.
And when you walk into her eyes, you won't believe;
The way she's always payin' for a debt she never owed,
and the silent wind still blows, that only she can hear,
And so, she goes.

Let her cry, for she's a Lady
Let her dream, for she's a Child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower, growing wild.

Attitude Angels

2005-12-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

Bus Trip

2005-09-24T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'm on my way to Vancouver .... on a bus. A whole busload of wild and crazy hairdressers. I work tomorrow and after work we are heading to Vancouver for a "motivational seminar". Hopefully it will do me some good. After working all day, I would rather come home and put my feet up and relax. It's going to be hectic, but I know from experience that once I get there and settle in, I will probably have a great time.

I also need to write to my friend Kirsten that is working on a cruise ship down in the Caribbean. I haven't heard from her for awhile and she has been on my mind everyday since all the hurricanes have been hitting the Gulf. I'm sure she has some stories to tell. Hopefully, Hurricane Rita will be the last for a long time. I feel so sorry for the evacuees that fled New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose everything, flee to another state, and then have to evacuate again. My heart goes out to all those people.

I have been so busy with work that I have neglected my blogging. It's become a part of me, and I have to admit that I miss writing my thoughts down everyday. Something about blogging helps me clean out the cobwebs and its interesting to go back and read the archives to see how my life is progressing. A honest attempt to start writing more is in store. That is my prediction!

Cute Pics (Lindsay, this could be Beamer...get him in swimming lessons!)

2005-09-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

Bulldozer City

2005-08-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

My kids rooms are clean!! While they're back in Ohio I thought it would be a grand opportunity to take the bulldozer into their shrines and do some reconstruction. Trust me....they'll think they're in somebody elses house when they get home and walk in. Things are picked up, organized, and their collection of pop cans, water bottles, and anything else they can think of is gone. You can actually walk across the floor now. I know I should get on them about picking things up, but after years and years of harping non-stop, I decided it's just easier to close the door and block it out. Who pray tell will do all their dirty work when they leave home?? Anyway, they have a couple more weeks left back in Ohio so at least I will get to enjoy walking by everyday and seeing how nice it looks. I've talked to all 3 of them on msn almost everyday....you would think that maybe I miss them! I do....I do.....I do!

From Seattle to Ohio

2005-07-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and that means time off for Mom and Ron. We drove Derek and Shannon to Seattle the other night and put them on a plane headed for Cincinnati and then to their hometown where they will stay the next month with their Dad, Sister, and Grandma. Seems hard to believe that they are almost 16 and can travel by themselves now. And it's really hard for me to believe that I have a 20 year old! All 3 of them have become great, independent individuals, and I do have to say that I'm very proud of them and think that I've done a great job in raising them. Along with the help of some very important people.
Ron did all the driving on the way to Seattle. He likes to be in control that way... he forgets that I drove all the way across the country and back by myself and I am quite capable of driving a vehichle. Anyway, I was tired and it was night time and I appreciated him driving because I don't know my way to Seattle that well and some of the highways are tricky. We took our time and stopped several times for a stretch or to get coffee. We must've drank 2 gallons. One roadside rest we stopped at had volunteers working there, serving free coffee and snacks. You could tell the night air had gotten to the cookies because they were rock hard, but not bad when you dunked them in mud flavored coffee. Hey, whaddya expect for free??
We got to the airport around 4 in the morning and Derek and Shannon's plane took off at 6:30am. They got to Ohio before me and Ron got back home! Lindsay (their older sister) picked them up at the airport.....Thanks Lindsay!
All for now.....xoxoxoxoxo.

Dressing Rooms

2005-07-06T21:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had some time so I thought I would stop at the mall and look at clothes. I wandered around and found lots of things to try on....not my favorite thing to do, but I need to look presentable when I go to work, so it will now become an ongoing adventure to keep my clothes updated and looking good. While in the dressing room it became evident to me that every store needs an employee working in there doing what I experienced. Actually it was hilarious and I was trying to control the laughter as I worked my way through the pile of clothes. As I was standing there picking out which outfit I would try on next, I heard a girl in the next room talking to whoever she was with...the other lady wasn't talking so it was almost like she was talking to me...at least thats how it seemed. Because....I put on the first pair of pants and she says to (the other lady)...wow, those look great. They fit so nice. (And mine did) Then she must of been trying on a shirt...at the same time as me...because the lady says (to the other lady)...that color looks great on you! (And, I thought the color looked pretty good on me too..haha) Since women have a hard time in dressing rooms and they are so critical of themselves I just thought it would be a great idea if department stores hired people to stand in the next dressing room and give you compliments without even seeing you. Dressing rooms can be evil....and this would help dull the pain. Don't you agree?

Saskatchewan Farmer & His Wife

2005-06-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

My life has gone from staying home and being bored to working like a dog. But, as you all know by now, I LOVE MY JOB. Today was my scheduled day off, but the shop has been really busy and I decided to go in today because I'm trying to build my clientele. That's the hardest thing, and it does take some time...as in a few months. When I lived back in Ohio I did hair and had my own shop, and the clientele I had, had been with me for years...in some cases 20 years. I had a huge following and they were all great people...it was hard to leave them when I came to Canada. But now, after only a few weeks in the new salon, I have stirred up some excitement with some of my customers and I think they will become regular clients. Yea! Anyway, I went in to work today and I ended up staying busy all afternoon.

One elderly lady I did was here from Colorado to attend a wedding. She was tall and beautiful for an older woman, and when I got done with her I thought she was going to get on a loud speaker to announce to the world that she loved her hair. It made me feel good that I made her so happy. She gave me a $10 dollar tip! She even took some of my cards to pass out...either that or she's going to fly up from Colorado to get her hair done..haha..and by the looks of things, she could afford it.

I did a few other people and then I did Grant. Grant was a 40something farmer/rock star from Saskatchewan.....somewhere in the middle of Canada. He is attending a wedding on Saturday at the Country Club and I'm doing the bride's hair for that. (She lives in the Cayman Islands but her family lives here). So, Grant is the brides step-father and he said he wanted to look presentable. His hair was half way down his back...and tangled. I asked him if he had the windows rolled down on the car...or maybe he had a convertible or a motorcycle...I had to put conditioner on and comb it through to get the tangles out. Long story short, he had me cut it all off and he looked like a different person when I got done. It looked great! He was happy with it. His wife was sitting there watching me cut his hair, and then she decided she wanted me to do her hair...I loved the snowball effect that was happenin. So off to the shampoo area we went and I got busy on her. She talked about how her daughter (the one thats getting married Saturday) loved her hair when she came in for her "trial" hairdo. And she was so happy that I had been so accomodating and kind to her. Very nice people....I finished her up and took her to the desk and she gave me a $30 tip! I can get used to this...yes I can. It's a good thing I went to work today. Not only do I enjoy the money, I enjoy making people feel good when I'm at work. I hope my enthusiasm lasts for a long long time.

On a different note: My daughter Lindsay got a new CAT named Beamer. Now I don't like cats, I'm a dog person, but this is probably the cutest cat I've ever seen. She looks like a tiger. Just a yellow ball of fluff with black stripes all over her body. I hope she keeps all her markings because ... really people...it is a CUTE CAT. I had a few cats when I was young, but somehow I got turned into a dog lover. In a way though, cats would be a lot easier than "Jack the Brat" (my Rottie). Lindsay said the cat has a cute personality...but then again so did Baxter (our old dog that we got rid of because he turned into an asshole). Their all cute when they're puppies or kittens. I just hope that Beamer stays that way....for your sake Lindsay!

Shannon went to her ninth grade graduation last night. She was so excited and thought she was something. They had a dance after the ceremony and then we came home. She's been busy with work and getting promoted to shift manager for the restaurant she works for. She's only 15 and I think it's quite an accomplishment for her age!

Derek didn't go to his ceremony. Lots of boys didn't go....I think it was more of a fashion show for the girls anyway. They were struttin across the stage thinking they were hot. When we got there all the girls were hugging one another like they hadn't seen each other for years....uh, excuse me...didn't you just see everybody about 2 hours ago when school got out?? Something about 15 year old girls....as in...did I act like that?? I think I'm getting old.

Tonight I gave Derek a badly needed haircut. Of course he protested, but I insisted and guess who won out? ME. I decided to cut his hair with a razor this time because he has thick hair and it bunches up when cut with shears. Lots of stylists can't do razor cuts, but I'm skilled at them and it sure made a difference. He looks human again. There was enough hair on the floor to make a wig when I got done.
Well...guess what? Yes, you guessed it...I'm beat and need sleep. I can't wait to get up in the morning and go to work! Never thought I'd hear myself say that again.
Stay cool my babies...until later... xoxo.,

City Transplants

2005-06-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

While performing miracles on some of my clients the conversation gets interesting. Almost everyone I do is a transplant to this town. That's unusual for me because in my hometown everybody is born and raised there and most stay there for life.

It's interesting to hear the views on the city that I live in now. Most describe it as a cliquey town, which is unusual since you would think that if it was cliquey, all those groups of people would have been born and raised here and would've been friends all their life, and when somebody new came to town they would be less likely to accept them in their circle of friends. But, most of the people here are new to this town, only being here for a few years like me. So my thought is that everybody is feeling the same way I feel....like you don't have roots here....like there is something missing.....and if that's the case I believe thats why everyone must feel like an outsider. So instead of us thinking that people are being arrogant or unfriendly, we should be thinking that they're just afraid to be out-going and worried about what the other person might think of them.

I think the idea that this city is full of cliquey people is a misconception. Because from what I've seen and heard, nobody really knows anybody here. It's hard when you move to a new place where you don't know people. The hardest thing for me is learning who I can trust...as a friend...someone that I can really confide in.

But luckily there are really nice people coming into the salon...people that I want to get to know....people that I would probably have a lot in common with. So, in that regard going to work is a good outlet for me. And, out of all the girls I work with, I like just about all of them. I'm really happy that I've gone back to work....I'm lucky that I love what I do.

BB Guns & Camels

2005-06-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

I know I know...it's been almost a week since I've posted anything, but I've been busy with work and when I get home I'm lucky to have enough energy to put my PJ's on. We've been busy in the shop and I'm really enjoying it. I had forgotten how much fun it is to stand there all day, working on clients, and chit-chatting about everything from their hair to what they do for a living, to how many kids they have, to where they're going on vacation...well, you get the idea. I really enjoy working with people and for some reason it's not the same for me when I'm just sittting across the room and talking to them. I like to be working on their hair while conversing! It's fun. The fact that I get to meet so many people from all walks of life makes my job interesting. Like the woman I did the other day...she grew up in the Middle East on a desert, with nothing around for miles and miles, so her and her brother would go out and shoot camels with BB guns. Now, I don't want to hear from Animal Abuse Patrol here, but I couldn't help but laugh when she told me that. Could you imagine being so bored as a kid that you would stoop to that? Anyway, she was a very nice person and I enjoyed her company.

Haven't gotten much done around the house since I've started working, which bothers me. This is the first year in about 20 years that I haven't planted flowers outside, and I don't have my hanging baskets on my front porch. Waaaaa. Actually, I don't think I'm going to bother with it this summer. I really miss seeing them but I don't have time to weed, water, and care for them. So, I guess I will just enjoy the neighborhood flowers this year. My favorite flowers are the creeping petunias. They spread out all around the edge of my flower bed, but they stay low to the ground, and the color from those are absolutely gorgeous! Guess I'll just wait until next year.
Well, I should get busy around the house. I have lots of work that I need to be doing. Mainly getting caught up on housework (yuck) and I need to clean out my refrigerator...oh joy! What better way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. I wish I was getting ready to go on some fabulous vacation and spend some time laying on the beach sipping Lava Flows or something.
Guess if I work hard eventually that will come. Hope it's sooner than later. Wish my life was more interesting. This post sounds a little boring if ya ask me. LOL.
Stay cool my babies....peace to all....xoxoxoxoxoxo.

Lordy

2005-05-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

Is that an earthquake??? Oh...it's just my Husband....SNORING HIS BRAINS OUT! Lovely...how will I ever get my much needed zzzzzzzzz's?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's I need ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's

2005-05-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I'm typing this with my eyes closed so excuse any mistakes you might see. It takes awhile I guess to get back into the swing of things when you haven't held a job for 4 years. I'm fine and alert while at work...good thing...since I'm cutting hair. But when I get home I'm useless. Completely wiped out! Am I getting old or what? I think it's the fact that there is a lot to learn when you start a new job and getting to know everyone, clients as well as co-workers. All in all, it's a fun place to work and I'm liking it more everyday. The tips are great and I've met a lot of interesting people. I've always said "if you do what you like, you will make money and do good". And it's the truth. I liked real estate for the short time I was in it, but this is more fun and it's what I know. The worst part of my job is parking in the parking garage which is about a 10 minute walk from the shop. I have to PAY to park...dumb...and then when I get off work the traffic is so bad it takes me 45 minutes to get home sometimes. It's only 15 minutes from my house, but in the afternoon the traffic is ridiculous. That is going to take some getting used to, I don't have patience to sit in traffic. It drives me nuts. Somehow, someway, I'm going to learn to enjoy it. Maybe I can enter my clients phone numbers into my cell phone on the way home while I'm waiting for the cars to move. I don't like being idle. But right now, idle sounds pretty good...think I'll hit the hay. Later friends. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Calling all clients: Let me cut your hair!

2005-05-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day on the job at the salon. And guess who my first client was? An American. A guy from Iowa. He just happened to be here for a convention. He was easy to please but I'm sure he was in shock when I told him the price of his haircut. Now, I really do want to make money, but $30 bucks for trimming off 1/4" seemed a little steep, even to me. The manager said...."Jennifer, this is a resort and people expect to pay those kind of prices here". At that rate it won't take me long to be pulling in a grand a week! Haircolor is $140! It will be nice when I finally have a clientele of my own. Today was a little boring just because I didn't have enough clients to keep me busy, but it was probably a good thing, because I needed to get my station set up and familarize myself with the front desk, credit machine, bookings, and the products that they carry in the shop. I think I'm going to like it there though, all the girls were real friendly and made me feel welcome. I felt a little nervous this morning before I went to work, but after I got my things organized and set up, it was like I had never even had a 4 year sabbatical. Looking forward to tomorrow and Saturday...we'll be busy! Gotta run...have laundry to do. xoxoxo

Tomorrow is a brand new day!

2005-05-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

My horoscope was right. As you know, if you've been reading my blog, I underwent quite an ordeal with a job interview at the beginning of May. I don't usually give my horoscope a lot of thought but when I read it one day at the beginning of May, it was bang-on. Stormy the first part of May was right, but it said things would start looking bright by the end of the month. Well yesterday I found out I got a job! And so far she hasn't called me to change her mind. Praise the Lord. I start work tomorrow at a salon, located inside a Resort, right by the lake. It's a small salon, and I don't mind that. Less commotion and it will be easier to carry on conversations with clients. The exciting part is that the manager told me a lot of the walk-in traffic is from the hotel, and these clients are from all over the world. Pretty cool if you ask me. I don't particularly want to do all out-of-towners because I need to build a clientele that will get me through the winter months too. But since I haven't worked in a salon since coming to Canada, I will just take what I can get at this point. It's hell being so desperate...haha. After doing hair for 23 years back in Ohio, I had the best clientele you could ask for. Wish I had them here with me now. So, wish me luck. I'm looking forward to making new friends and it will be nice to make people feel good about themselves again!

Beads of Rain

2005-05-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

If you want it to rain, wash your car. Why is it that every single time I wash my car it rains? I could be a meteorologist...that's how good I am at predicting the weather. Anyway, I was looking for something to do yesterday, besides the ordinary clean house, do laundry, cook dinner routine. Tom (Ron's friend) was over to watch the hockey game with him and I wasn't about to sit and listen to that for 3 or 4 hours. So, out to the garage I went with my paper towel, windex, turtle wax, rags, buckets -- the usual paraphenalia.
I got my car washed and then I had to interrupt RONALD from the game for a few secs to come out and "hold-the-piece-of-crap-broken-garage-door" up while I drove into the garage. Once I got the car in there I was in my own little world, waxing the car and vacuuming out the inside etc. I was actually enjoying myself. Pretty bad when waxing the car is entertainment. It was a little noisy because "Jack", my Rottie, was out there with me and he kept barking at every person, leaf, and ball that went by the house. He was bored. I couldn't let him go in the house without me because he doesn't have house manners and he is similiar to a bull in a china shop. 100 lbs isn't pretty when it's jumping off the back of a couch. Not to mention RONALD would've killed him for intruding on his game...then again...he might not of even noticed that Jack was in the house because he gets so engrossed with hockey ...it's an illness folks.
Anyway, I got my car finished and then asked RONALD to come back out (risking my life here) to lift the door up again so I could get my car out and pull his van in. Once he did, it was back to the game and I waxed the van and cleaned it out too. By the time I was almost finished with the van I was getting tired. Not to mention there were kids all over the place...like a swarm of bees...the dog was going spastic, cars were pulling up, leaving, phones ringing, and I was ready for a nervous breakdown. Too much chaos! Oh deary dear, what a day.
I just looked out my bedroom window and it's raining again. On the positive side, at least now I can look at the little beads of rain all over my car. That baby is protected! Ciao. xoxo

From toilet seat trouble to garage door trouble...when will it ever end?

2005-05-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Our garage door is on the blink and The Husband was about to stroke-out this morning trying to get it fixed. He was running around in a big tizzy, shuffling through his tool box, pulling out the ladder, trying to reset the chain to no avail. Something is wrong with the tension and it took everything he had to raise the door when the catch release was pulled down. Then he told me to grab the door and push it the rest of the way up....uh....I don't think so....I am a big girl, but that door must weigh 300 pounds and I wasn't about to have that thing coming down on my head. When guys get themselves into predicaments like that they think we are as strong as they are. We have to call the repairman or buy a new one for Father's Day....haha. Now, if he gets a new garage door opener, I want a new dryer for our anniversary....thats only fair right? In my effort to calm him down and bring him back to his senses I went in and made him a nice breakfast. After he ate his omelette he was back to normal. I couldn't help but laugh when I looked at him out in that garage though....all I could see was the letters T.I.Z.Z.Y. written across his forehead. When he saw me smiling it made him laugh too. It's only a fricken door. We'll get it fixed. Lordy.

Power

2005-05-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Motherhood does have its rewards. As I was talking to Shannon tonight it became evident that she has big plans for the weekend...as usual. Ben (her boyfriend) is having a birthday this weekend and she wants to go to his birthday party.
So, at the moment I'm dangling the carrot and saying....Have you seen your room? Why don't you go upstairs and get it cleaned up.
"I don't want to clean my room".
"I thought you said you wanted to go to Ben's house this weekend.
"Ooookkk" (She left the room with a disgruntled look)
Ha!! I love the power!

Real Estate

2005-05-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been productive for "the husband". He sold a house a couple days ago... a big beautiful spacious home with a gorgeous backyard and a peek-a-boo view of the lake. The couple we sold it to were more interested in the lot across the street at first because the view from there was totally awesome and they would have a bigger lot. Ron called to find out about it and they told him it was already sold. Asking price was $500,000! Yes, it was a big lot....and yes it did have a beautiful view, but $500,000?? They got a house and a lot for a little less than that so they were happy.

Real Estate here is getting unbelievable. It's been going up 20% every year for the past 2-3 years. Our town is growing fast with construction going on everywhere. Now I know that the Winter Olympics are going to be in Vancouver in 2010, and you wouldn't think with it being so far away it would have an impact on real estate, but I swear it has something to do with the construction boom. Plus, Vancouver is like living in China with about 50% of the population there being Chinese and it is so overcrowded. I think a lot of people are just getting out of the big city and moving where there is a little more space. Which is good for us!

I love Vancouver though....even if its crowded. There is always something to do there and going to the Ocean has a way of making me feel relaxed and happy. I like looking at all the cruise ships parked in the harbor, going to the gardens, and watching people. It's so busy in Vancouver, you don't know where to look first! It is definitely an action packed city. I think the husband and I will be taking a short jaunt soon.

Job Hunting

2005-05-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not liking this at all. Went gallavantin around town today with my resumes and a disguised attitude. Trying to be all smiles, and be positive is the last thing I wanna do right now, but I put on my best front and wandered out into the dog-eat-dog job world. All I could do was look at the person taking my resume and wonder "is this person another idiot who will hire me one day and change his mind the next?" How's that for attitude?

The first place I went there was a guy sitting behind the desk and he told me he was the owner. I gave him my resume and he glanced over it quickly and the first thing he said was, "Oh, you're from the states." Translated into Canadian, I'm beginnning to think that means "take a hike". Maybe I'm just being super-sensitive, now that I've been burned on what I considered the cream-of-the-crop jobsite. So anyway, I smiled and talked to him for a few minutes and then he said, "Well actually, my wife is the one that does the hiring." Oh Joy. He said she would contact me.

So off to the next Wannabehairsalon. I walked into this place that was advertising for stylists. This happy person comes up to the front desk and tells me she's the owner. I gave her my resume and talked to her for a few brief moments and she said she would look it over. She was (another) owner....but NOT a hairstylist and has never been in the industry before. Oh, and I need to mention that the "stylist" she had in there working looked like she just got out of bed. Now, I've seen some hairstyles that have that "just got out of bed look" and it looks good....not the case with this one. Imagine yourself on your worse day getting out of bed and this is what she looked like standing behind the chair perfoming "miracles" on some unsuspecting victim.

I'm getting frustrated now. So, on to the next salon. Hmmm....oh yeah. I wanted to go to the salon right down the street from me because it was for sale a couple weeks ago....maybe I could just buy that one. It would be convienent and I could turn it around and make it into a "good" salon. So, I walked in, and there were 3 ladies...all about 85, with blue hair, getting teased and sprayed. The girl doing the hair looked like the spittin image of a cross-bred skunk. Red hair on the sides and bleached out white all through the middle. Now again, I'm open minded enough, and I have been to lots of hair shows to know that in the mind of a hairdresser, if this is done right, the right person COULD get away with such obscene hair. Not the case here. The guy working behind the desk couldn't even schedule appointments and he looked like he needed a dunce cap on his head. I just took one look around and thought....na da...can't do it. For a split second I thought I could just get in there and start doing hair and maybe later down the road they would offer to sell it.....but I couldn't bring myself to leave a resume there. I wouldn't have been happy from day 1.

I know it must sound like I need an attitude adjustment....and I do....but it's internal, and I wouldn't let it show in public for a second. Believe me, when I go to apply for a job I'm professional, positive, and do everything I'm supposed to do. But gettin smacked down last week at a place where I really wanted to work has done some damage. I don't like it when people mess with my spirit. Excitement and enthusiasm are good qualities right? It's like, oh, you're too happy, too qualified, too American, too this too that. Goodbye. That's about the time I want to tell the world, with the exception of family and friends, to Kiss My A**.

Lord, I apologize. Next week will be better...you know why? Cuz, I'm tired of listening to myself whine. It's gettin on my own nerves. I will put a fake smile on my face and maybe it will turn into a real one before long.

Ciao for now. xoxoxoxo

Cruisin

2005-05-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

My friend Kirsten is coming home this weekend. She has been in the Caribbean working for Carnival Cruise Lines for the past 6 months or so. She loves it so much she didn't even want to come back to Canada for a little break. I can't wait to hear about her experiences...the last time I got an email from her she was standing in the ocean holding a stingray...eeeeekkkkk. Wonder if they need any Salon managers on board. Gawd, I'd love to tell that jerk that I was going to be working on the Cruise Lines. Now, now Jen...calm yourself...it's over...New week, new attitude...remember?? Besides that, I don't think the cruise lines would allow me to bring my two 15 year olds along...plus the Husband. Oh well, I can dream can't I??

Life Goes On

2005-05-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

After meeting with the owner of the Salon and Spa yesterday, I realized it was probably a good thing that he changed his mind about hiring me, because he seems like he would be a difficult person to work for. Not being firm in your beliefs and decisions would frustrate the hell out of me, and the fact that he lets his employees dictate to him how the place should be ran tells me he's not a businessman. Employee input is important, but not to the point where they are telling him what should and shouldn't be done.
Thank God I was able to maintain my composure and be professional even though I was fuming inside and wanting to tell him what I really thought of him and his business. What a coward, to hide behind the telephone on Saturday when he called to say that he had changed his mind about hiring me. That is why I wanted to go back in yesterday so he would have to sit face to face with me and give me an explanation. Hope I made him feel like a piece of shit. Doubt that I did though, because like I said, I was very professional. I wanted to leave there making him feel like he had made a huge mistake in not hiring me and if I would've spouted off it would've just made him feel like he had made the right decision.
So....onward and upward...something better will come along. I just have to go out there in this big huge world and search for it. What lies ahead? Who knows. But, I'll take the advice of my friend Barb and say "New week, new attitude", and I'll keep telling myself that everyday. With that kind of outlook, life in general will improve. Right?

Wishy-washyness

2005-05-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to me. In the midst of my excitement after being hired as Salon manager at the nicest place in town, I forgot to remind myself that life can throw punches at any given moment. A long time ago, this girl taught herself to stand up to whatever came her way....not to crumble, to be strong and determined. I am usually prepared for "hard knocks"....just my nature....and my own life's training. However, I let my guard down when I shouldn't have. Moral of the story: Thursday I was hired, Saturday they called to say they had changed their mind. However, I asked if we could talk about it some more and they agreed. But, why for the Love of God would I want to subject myself to more humiliation? One part of me says to be persistent, the other part of me says screw it. Who needs that kind of wishy-washyness in their life? Certainly not me. I've had enough to last a lifetime. No one gets through this life unscathed....I know that. But if people would just frickin communicate, life would be so much easier. Skating around the truth has a way of driving me insane. What's wrong with being up-front, with being who you are, and saying what's really on your mind? At least everyone would know where they stand with one another. Things get worked out when people talk. Maybe I can get them to talk when I go in there on Tuesday. And, maybe, just maybe, we will actually hear what each other is saying. I'm not going to hold my breath though, because now, there is a trust issue with them even if they do change their minds AGAIN.
Not sure I wanna be a part of it. :( :( :( :( :( :(

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO MOTHER'S EVERYWHERE!

2005-05-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER LINDSAY!

2005-05-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

Lindsay's Birthday Card

A Dangerous New World

2005-04-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

I found this article in our local paper (Canadian). It's hard living in a different country (I'm originally from Ohio) but interesting to see the way others in the world view Americans. I agree with a lot of what she has to say in this article, but also know that if Canada was ever in trouble.....who would they call? Americans. God Bless America.
Let me just say that the article was accompanied by a huge picture of George Bush, and underneath his photo was this: Liberal-minded thinkers in the new world of U.S. President George W. Bush are now labeled as "the enemy".

So here's the article:

Intolerance, hypocrisy and fear as exercised by people unwilling to accept alternate opinions and points of view has created, for our children, a dangerous new world.
In the United States, for example, it has gotten so bad that talk show host Phil Donahue told The Fifth Estate, "to be labeled Liberal is terrifying".
Ann Coulture, and American best-selling author, known perhaps most for her statement following 9/11 that "we (the Americans) should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them all to Christianity" exemplifies the "us-against-them" mentality. To her, Liberals are "the enemy" and anti-American, even though, some might say, they simply hold a different point of view.
To have an entirely Christian and Republican nation may be Coulture's dream, but not only do I not share this dream, I think it's quite possibly the most un-American philosophy I have ever heard. But, that my opinion (maybe it was Thomas Jefferson's too).
What's the point, you ask? After all this isn't a political column.
Well, the point is simply this- when we as parents become intolerant of alternate opinions, call them "the enemy" and end friendships over it- what are we teaching our children? Have we become so imbedded in a culture of "making nice" that we have forgotten how to have a healthy debate, varying degrees of opinion and tolerance? Have we lost touch with being real?
In social circles everywhere it isn't uncommon for people to shy away from sharing opinions, because frankly, they're scared. Political correctness and ridiculous elements of propriety haven't made things any better. Too intimidated to confront each other, they hide behind cowardly emails and debased value systems instead of discussing the issues or even agreeing to disagree.
As a society we are forgetting how to disagree. But in the process of creating cowards through intolerance we forget we are giving up one of our fundamental rights as human beings- freedom of thought, opinion and expression thereof.
Right wing propaganda may be the mainstream in America at the moment, but opinions sway on both sides of the fence. Here in Canada, though changing, the opposite is usually true. Often it is easiest to criticize the mainstream and hardest to question the alternative. Those with an alternate point of view feel they can liberally criticize the "norm", whether government, education, corporate policies or even parenting techniques. But, I daresay, should one of us criticize the alternative, rebellious or non-conforming, we can find ourselves rejected, ridiculed and even name-called.
Without a healthy, inquisitive attitude, and an openness to debate the contentious and political, we relinquish our ability toward pregressive thought, to evolve and to teach our children that they can be true to themselves and open.
Disputes need to be worked out, arguments won and lost, opinions shared and debated, and courageous steps taken to remind oneself of the importance in disent.
Jean-Paul Sartre reasoned: "In our relationships with other human beings, what we truly are is all that counts, yet it is precisely here that we most often betray ourselves by trying to be whatever the other person expects us to be." A friend said to me: "Relationships have become superficial since we've forgotten how to hash things out." And she's right. Relinquishing the ability of "going a round" with a friend means that, unless we agree wholeheartedly, we rarely talk about anything very interesting. Politics are taboo at neighbourhood BBQs - you wouldn't want them to form an opinion about you....But, really, why not?
Why not allow people to see your true colours, to hear what you have to say, because in return you can give them (and by default your children) the opportunity to be real?
For Coulture to say that a Liberal minded thinker is "the enemy" is to forego one of the most valued principles of our society and ultimately, her kind of behaviour teaches our children that they don't have to listen to each other, respect and honour the differences, whether opinion, race or otherwise, in each of us. After all, it may just be her opinion, but who respects the enemy?
Enemies invade, rape, pillage and kill. Enemies are not an opposing political party in their home country.
Let us teach our children to "fight the good fight" but let us show them how to do it with some decorum. My children are frequently the audience to a good home-front political debate. What are they learning? Stand up for what you believe in and respect those who see it differently. And, opinion is not a bad thing if you are also willing to LISTEN.
Coulture likes to quip, "we (the Republicans) are winning and they (the Democrats) are losing." But in the end, if we do not defend each other's right to voice our opinion, she doesn't realize, we all lose.
As Sartre once said, "There are, in the end, only two choices - sincerity or self-deception, to be or not to be."
Let us be whole, let us be true, let us look at the homeless like they are people; enjoy laughter and tears, and walls falling instead of being built; let us move forward, let us go beyond ourselves to see the bigger children so that our children won't run from the world when they don't like what they hear.
The end.

Moral of the story: Everyone has a right to their own ideas, thoughts and opinions. Be willing to listen to everybodys point of view.

Most Improved!

2005-04-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

Today, Ron and I went out looking for Real Estate listings. He's a realtor, well actually, I am too, but he has a lot more experience than I do. It can be a crappy job sometimes, especially when there are not many houses around to be sold. You just have to keep looking, but I know before long we will be inundated with calls wanting us to come and list their house. It's that time of year. Since the slow times can be like "looking for a needle in a haystack" it's nice to get to the time of year when clients just call you up and have you come over to put their house on the market.
This evening we had to attend Derek's wind-up party for his hockey team. It was at the golf course that we live by and all the team members played a round of golf while the parents chit-chatted at the clubhouse. When they got back from golfing they had dinner, presented the awards, and Derek got "Most Improved Player" which made him happy.
I almost hit a pheasant on the way home...haha...pretty bird...flew right in front of my car and I thought he was history, but he's still alive although it scared the crap right out of me. At least it wasn't a deer....I have seen lots of those in the past few weeks. I still haven't gotten over the time I ran over a baby doe and broke her back leg. I wanted to take her to the vet, but instead she crawled up into the woods and probably died. :(
I've seriously been thinking about getting back into the hairstyling business. I'm taking my resume into a salon tomorrow, and I also stopped and talked to a guy who has a salon that he might be selling down the street from me, so we'll see. I don't necessarily want to get back into standing on my feet 24/7 but I can employ a few stylists, nail techies, and estheticians. In other words, I can manage it and maybe do hair 2 or 3 times a week. I miss having clients, many of them I considered friends, and it would get me out of the house....almost like a vacation. :) We'll see what develops in the next month or two.
Hey, the weekend is coming up! Seems like it was Monday yesterday. Time goes so fast anymore. Time for me to get some zzzzzzzzz's and start the routine over tomorrow. Peace.

Toilet Seat Trouble

2005-04-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

Omg...the weather here has been absolutely gorgeous. I've been busy the past few days working and spending all my time in the sun. Saturday, Ron and I decided to visit the local winery because he got a gift certificate for Christmas that we hadn't used yet, so we went and got some wine. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, and some Cabernet Sauvignon. I love going to the winery...it smells so good inside and there is a beautiful lake, patio's, umbrellas, and big oak wine barrels sitting around everywhere with bright colorful flowers. It's a cool place.

What else did I do this weekend you ask?? I broke the toilet seat. Seriously. I got mad cuz the Husband never puts it down when he's done, so I grabbed ahold of it and didn't take any pains to put it down nice and easy, so now it has a huge crack in it. Lovely. Anyway, now I have to go "Toilet Seat Shopping". Deary dear, what kind and color should I get?? It could have been easily avoided if he would just put it down when he's done. Man....what's the big problem??

My Rottweiler, Jack, needs some "outside etiquette"...He just about made a lady crap her pants yesterday. She was walking down the street with her so called dog (a Poodle), and Jack jumps up on the porch railing like he was going after her and her little mangey dog....only trouble is....Dumbo didn't realize he was hooked up, plus I had ahold of his pinch collar. I immediately made him lay down, but never-the-less I got a dirty look from the woman. Oh well. Shit happens.

If you want to see a cute kid visit www.damomma.com and check out Mary!! Boy, did she have fun with "Hello Kitty" or what?? I remember my girlfriends son did that one time, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Mary's. And I can't remember what she used to get it off. Terri (my girlfriend) was doing my hair while "the guys" watched the kids. Only problem was, it was Super Bowl weekend and the kids could've gone to China if they had wanted to.....nobody would've ever known any different. Man....the things kids get into.

Well, the sun is still shining so I think I will get outside and enjoy the rest of my day. Hope you all have a terrific week! Stay cool my babies! xoxoxoxoxo

Hahahaha

2005-04-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

A police officer pulls over a speeding car. The officer says, I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir."
The driver says, "Gee, officer I had it on cruise control at 60, perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating."

Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: "Now don't be silly dear, you know that this car doesn't have cruise control." As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, "Can you please keep your mouth shut for once?"

The wife smiles demurely and says, "You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did." As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, "Dammit, woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?"

The officer frowns and says, "And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine." The driver says, "Yeah, well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket." The wife says, "Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving."

And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, "W HY DON'T YOU SHUT UP??" The officer looks over at the woman and asks, "Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am?" I love this part.... " Only when he's been drinking."

Top Ten Signs You're on a Bad Diet

2005-04-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

10. You're not allowed to eat during months with an "R" in them.
9. You're told to replace food with crack.
8. Company sent you a fun house mirror to make you look thinner.
7. It's a Dr. Phil diet and after 2 weeks you look exactly like Dr. Phil.
6. You're sweating cottage cheese. EWWWWW!
5. If you follow it faithfully, they promise you'll lose 2 pounds in the next 12 years.
4. You're only allowed to eat Ukranian foods rich in dioxin.
3. Sure you'll lose weight, but you're also a foot shorter.
2. It's the Atkins Diet--the Chet Atkins diet.

AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON......
1. Youre ass has gone from Jennifer Lopez to Kirstie Alley.

Emerald Lake, British Columbia

2005-04-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Near Banff & Jasper in the Canadian Rockies

Cindi Broaddus

2005-04-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have never heard of Cindi Broaddus, let me just tell you that she is one of the most courageous people in the world. She survived a violent crime that I would never even want my worst enemy to go through. I watched Larry King last night and she was the guest, along with her sister Robin McGraw...Dr. Phil's wife. Cindi was the victim of a horrible incident that happened 4 years ago on a highway in Oklahoma. Some sick person stood on the overpass above the highway, and when her car drove under, he poured a vat of acid onto her car. It ate through the windshield and splashed all over her body giving her 3rd degree burns, scarring her for life. You can visit Dr. Phil's website and read about her. www.drphil.com What would possess someone to do such a thing? Cindi has forgiven her attacker, and she said that she has a choice of what kind of "survivor" she will be, and chooses to be one that can make a difference in the world by showing her will to live, being a beautiful person on the inside, and being an inspiration to all of us by getting out there and saying "the world must go on". It's part of life. I don't know how she does it, but I'm glad I watched that show and I just wish I could be half the person that she is. WOW.

Holy Soreness

2005-04-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the gym and did 5 miles today. Feel sore...but it's the good kind....where you feel like you are accomplishing something. Not the kind where you feel like you need bed rest for a week. I need to work on not eating after 6 or 7pm...man, is that hard for me. The only one I'm hurting is myself. It's just little healthy snacks, but I don't want to do it at all! I will concentrate on that this week. The end.

Azaleas and Tulips

2005-04-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Smile

Guard Dog Jack

2005-04-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Jackie Boy

Sunshine

2005-04-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

Sunshine

Too Tired To Think of a Title

2005-04-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

Well, today was a productive day. I got up this morning feeling good and rested and decided to go to the gym right after breakfast. I did 3 miles today and burned off 325 calories. I had to save some energy for yardwork so I cut it a little short today....besides....it's Sunday. When I got home I went out in the yard and cleaned all the leaves out of my flowerbeds, raked, bagged up all the crap, hosed off the sidewalks and driveway, and then came in a took a hot shower because I was freezing to death....My hose had a leak in it and I was soaked...shoes and all. But.....it looks beautiful outside. I worked on it for 5 hours. It was nice to be out in the sunshine all day. Probably worked off another 300 calories working out there today. That's harder work than going to the gym! More than likely I'll be sore tomorrow, because I was working different muscles today. My arms feel like they're gonna fall off right now. Ron fixed dinner, which was nice of him to do....and cleaned up the kitchen....woo hoo. Bonus.
I think I'm gonna hit the hay....I'm tired. Later! xoxoxo

Cheetah!

2005-04-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Cheetah!

Just Babbling

2005-04-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day here in British Columbia. The sun is shining and more of my bulbs are flowering every day. Mostly just the daffodils right now, but the tulips will be blooming before long. I can't wait to get outside and start working in my flowerbeds. I always like to plant those creeping petunias around the edge of my flowerbed....they spread like crazy, are low to the ground and get real thick with tons of bright color. My perennials are starting to pop through the ground too. I have Black Eyed Susan's (which I love) and are good for cutting and bringing indoors. And there is Yarrow, Bee Balm (which is a spiky, bright red, tall flower), and some funky little ground cover....I can't remember what it's called. I need to re-pot some of my house plants too....and get rid of a few that the Husband killed while I was away. He forgot to water them. Luckily my fig tree is still alive. I love that tree. The trunk on it is all twisty and it looks neat. Plants and flowers make me happy and digging in dirt is good for the soul!
The summers are beautiful here with sunshine almost everyday. Not much rain , but our underground sprinklers keep everything nice and lush. We haven't cut our grass yet, but our neighbor, who has to be the first at everything, has cut his about 4 times already. Ron had a dream the other night that "the neighbor" was cutting his grass with a zamboni (for those of you that don't know what that is...it's a machine that they clean the ice with at the hockey rinks). I told him he was subconciously thinking that our neighbor cuts his grass while theres still snow and ice outside. Which is pretty close to reality. And he likes to make noise. With his power tools. At 7 o'clock in the morning. Which can be annoying in the summertime but oh well. I kinda like to have peace and quiet in the morning because my house is so noisy all the time.

Today I have to go to Shannon's dance rehearsal and then Ron and I are going to the gym. After that we're going to the grocery....joy joy....then I will come home and fix dinner, do some more laundry, and then do who knows what. Just another exciting day in the life of Jen.

Oh, I found out yesterday that I have to go for the singing competiton on June 8th. I won a spot in the semi-finals and if I win that then I will go into the finals with a chance to win a trip to Vegas. I still don't know what I'm going to sing. I have to sing two songs. I wish I would've had a career in singing. It's what I really love to do. I like to entertain. Kinda late for that though. You never see anyone 45 years old gettin discovered. The song "Pour Me" usually gets everybody going, so I will probably do that one and maybe a Norah Jones song.

Gotta run for now....have places to go and things to do. Have a great day! Stay cool my babies. xoxoxoxoxo

GYM

2005-04-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 525
Miles - 5
WATER
3 bottles so far
WILL POWER
0

I feel like eating a whole Peach Pie by myself today. WITH ice cream. So there. Or maybe a super deluxe pizza instead. Hmmmm... this night could be disasterous. I'll tell Ron to be on "Food Patrol" tonight and don't let me pig out. Oh for cryin-out-loud....control yourself!

Springtime!

2005-04-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring

GYM

2005-04-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 600
Distance - 5 miles
WATER
4 bottles
WILL POWER
7

Today was the best workout I've had since joining the gym. I ran for 10 minutes straight and then off and on for the rest of my workout. Probably a total of 35 minutes of running. I want to be able to do all 5 miles at the one hour mark. It will take me another month or two to reach that goal.

2005-04-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

The ABC's Of Living With Teenagers - A Colorful World

2005-04-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes living with teenagers can be tough and exhausting. These are just my ideas and thoughts of what makes it a little easier.

A - Awareness of friends, behaviour, school, and their life in general.
B- Be there when they need to talk
C - Cuddle with them when they'll let you.
D - Dance around the house...they'll make fun of you but so what.
E - Encourage them constantly.
F - Feed them well, physically and mentally.
G - Give & Take
H - Have faith in that they will turn out to be good, responsible adults.
I - I Love You's at least once a day.
J - Join in the conversations when their friends are at your house.
K - Keep your eyes and ears open.
L - Listen to what your kids are saying. Really listen.
M - Motivate as much as you can.
N - No. Don't be afraid to say No.
O - Observe their daily activities, friends, phone calls, internet use etc.
P - Peer-Pressure. They are dealing with an over-dose of it everyday. Talk!
Q - Questions. My parents did the 20 questions and I hated it. Has to be done.
R - Realize they are going to make mistakes.As long as they learn from them, its ok.
S - Simplify their life by having structure and a routine everyday.
T - Talk to them even if you're not getting much participation. They're listening.
U - Understand as much as possible. We were that age once.
V - Value the time you get to spend with them. They grow up fast.
W - Work on being a good parent every day. Some days are easier than others!
X - X-ecute a Parent Watch around your neighborhood.
Y - Youth-the early period of existence, growth, and development. Guide them.
Z - Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's...Make sure you all get plenty of sleep!

Trust me, after 20 years of raising kids, I still don't have some of these mastered! It takes patience, persistence, and discipline. Some days I have it and some days I don't. But I won't give up! I'll keep working on it!

GYM

2005-04-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 250
Distance - 2.50
WATER
2 bottles so far today
WILL POWER
7

Yesterday at the gym:
TREADMILL
Calories burned - 350
Distance - 3 miles
WATER
4 bottles

I have to take it easy until I get rid of my soreness. I'm lucky I can even walk at this point. Waaaaaaaaaa.

Owwww......

2005-04-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ok...so my 2nd day of being 45 and I get out of bed this morning and can hardly walk due to me going back to the gym and exercising like I had never been away for 2 1/2 weeks. I didn't think it would make that much difference so I just went to the gym and did my 5 miles on Wed. and my 3 miles yesterday. I need freakin crutches. HA. Well actually, it's not quite that bad, but I have been taking pain medication (Advil) to relieve the discomfort. Seriously. How absurd.

My friend Judy brought me a birthday cake yesterday which was really nice, and when Ron took me out for dinner last night I told my kids to make sure it was gone by the time I got back because I didn't want it sitting around. They did a pretty good job...I think there is a small piece in the fridge that keeps hollering my name every time I walk past it. Maybe Ron will eat it, because I'm not going to. It was a nice white cake with thick creamy icing, and on the top was glazed kiwi, grapes, mandarin oranges, and strawberries. Probably a mere 2,000 calories a slice. However, I did eat some yesterday since it WAS my birthday but today I must get back to the discipline! Why can't I be one of those people that can eat everything they want and never gain a pound? I love to cook when I have the time, and I DO love food. It's one of the highlights of my life for gawd sake. Anyway, back to the calorie counting, water intake, exercise, and ignoring of food. Oh joy.

Today is my Birthday

2005-04-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Wow...I can't believe I am 45 today. Seems like yesterday that I was the age of my kids and running around without a care in the world. Where has all the time gone?
Well, I'll tell you....I have spent the past 20 years raising children with all my focus being mainly on them. Which is the way it's supposed to be. I had my first daughter when I was 25 and I have always told her that "she" is the one the changed my life. For the better. She used to go to work with me in my hair salon and all my clients would spoil her rotten. She used to sit on their lap while I did their hair. The used to bring her presents and read books to her. Life was pretty easy then.
At 29 I gave birth to my twins...a boy and girl. And Lindsay became a mother..haha.. at the age of 4. She would help me feed them, carry diaper bags, hold them, give them toys, and occasionally terrorize them, like the time she put some spirograph gizmo over the top of Shannon's head and then pulled it off and marked her forehead for life with some little zig zaggy scar. You can hardly see it now...but it's still there and we laugh about it. I guess at 4 you can't handle the stress of doing Mommy duties as well as you can when you're 29.
Derek used to steal Shannon's food, use her as a step-stool to crawl out of the playpen, and basically just boss her around. I thought Shannon needed to learn how to take care of herself so I just let it happen, and pretty soon she started defending herself. Then we went through the school era....Lindsay was in kindergarten and it was Thanksgiving time. The teacher let the kids make pilgrim hats and when the kindergarten class marched out of the school at the end of the day to meet their parents, all of them were wearing their hats except Lindsay. She told me at age 5 that she didn't want to look like a dork...HA! I made her put it on when we got home and I took pictures of her. Lindsay was on the basketball team later in Jr. High and High School and I remember we had a New Year's Eve Slumber Party with the whole bloody basketball team! I think they went to sleep around 6 in the morning.
I remember when Derek started 1st grade, I took him to his classroom and started to walk back home, when I turned around and saw him running down the sidewalk after me. He wasn't going. I should've known then it was going to be a long 12 years. He's in 9th grade now and still doesn't like school. But what boy does? He was excited today because not only has he made the Golf Team....he is now on the Golf Club. Totally different....and it allows him an extra day of golfing during school hours. Maybe he should become some sort of sports director.
Shannon's school years have just been an oblivion of social gatherings. She calls her friends and talks to them on MSN as soon as she gets home from school.....she just left them 10 mintues ago and she's talking to them again! She's a good student, and enjoys school. One of her teachers told me one time that Shannon and her friends could run a city. I believe it. When she was little, she thought if you ate "college cheese" you would go to college!
I did hair for 23 years, 16 of which I owned my own salon. My clients came from every walk of life and they were some of the best people in the world. I weeded out the ones I didn't want after I got going in the business! They taught me a lot and I will be forever grateful to all of them. After 23 years, I got a little burned out, but I am thinking about doing hair again. I always loved it, but I needed a break.
I'm a very artsy person and if I had the money I would like to open a store like the one that did the set for Sharon Osbourne's show...it's called Bountiful and it's located in Venice, California. www.bountiful.biz Very unique. But, there is still time for that....maybe in the future when I'm done raising my kids. And maybe I will have it on the beach somewhere in California. I would be in heaven.
Who knows what the next twenty years will bring. All I know is that the past 20 years of my life have been good, bad, happy, sad, smart, dumb, all rolled up into one. Overall, I wouldn't change a thing. I know for some that read this that is hard to believe, but that is what has made me the person I am and I think I'm a pretty good person...most of the time anyway. So, on my birthday, I have looked back at my life and look forward to what the future brings. The older I get, the more I become the person I am. And I will do it gracefully. In other words....I hate people who are middle aged and try to act like their still 20. There is a difference between being "young at heart" and acting like a middle-aged idiot.
Well, I need to get to the gym...I am sore today! I guess I over did it yesterday. Hope all of you have a great day. Stay cool my babies! xoxoxoxo

The Gym

2005-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 500
Distance - 5 miles
Incline - 1-3
WATER
3 bottles so far
WILL POWER
7
Today was my first day back at the gym since I took 2 weeks off to go to Ohio. It felt good to work-out again.

Revised 60's Hits for Aging Baby Boomers

2005-04-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

It was fun being a baby boomer...till now. Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include:

1. Herman's Hermits--Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker
2. The Bee Gees--How Can You Mend a Broken Hip
3. Bobby Darin--Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash
4. Ringo Starr--I Get By With a Little Help from Depends
5. Roberta Flack--The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face
6. Johnny Nash--I Can't See Clearly Now
7. Paul Simon--Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
8. Commodores--Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom
9. Marvin Gaye--I Heard it Through the Grape Nuts
10. Procol Harem--A Whiter Shade of Hair
11. Leo Sayer--You Make Me Feel Like Napping
12. The Temptations--Papa's Got a brand new Kidney Stone
13. Abba--Denture Queen
14. Tony Orlando--Knock 3 Times on the Ceiling if you Hear Me Fall
15. Helen Reddy--I am Woman, Hear me Snore
16. Willie Nelson--On the Throne Again
17. Leslie Gore--It's My Procedure and I'll Cry if I Want To

Remember: "Gettin old is not for sissies"!

Cross Country Adventure

2005-04-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weeks have been adventurous for me. I packed up my two kids, Derek and Shannon, and headed back to Ohio to visit family while they were on spring break. We just got home today around 1:30. It was a long road trip, but something that I felt I needed to do and now that we are home safe and sound, I'm glad we did it. It's a total of 2700 miles one way and four 10 hour days of driving.

We went across the border of Canada into the U.S. and we were on our way. The first obstacle we came across was driving through slush in the mountains which was not good considering my car is terrible in snow. When I stopped at the Beaver Lake Lodge to ask how weather conditions were up ahead she told me that it was worse than what I had just driven through and advised me to take a different route to by-pass more bad weather. "Just follow this highway and take the ferry at the end across the river and you'll be better off". So I did. Well the "ferry" looked like something that Huck Finn had operated, but I drove my car on and we floated across the Columbia River. I occupied my time reading the map so I didn't have to watch when we went under. It was only a 10 minute ride so it wasn't bad.... a lot better than fighting snow.

We continued on our way through Idaho and made it to Butte, Montana the first night. When I pulled out the map and looked how far I drove, I couldn't believe we were only in Montana....I figured with all the driving I did that day we should at least be in Massachusetts by now. The United States of America is BIG. The next day we drove through the rest of Montana, Wyoming, and into South Dakota. We were faced with more snow and I decided it was time to get off the road, so we hung it up for the night. Two semi's overturned on the side of the highway told me this day of driving was finished. Tuesday, I braved the weather, even though it was still snowing, and took off hoping that we would drive out of the bad weather.

We drove through the rest of Dakota, into Minneapolis, and then down through Iowa....we stayed in Davenport which is on the Mississippi River. Finally, on Wednesday we drove through Illinois, Indiana, and into Ohio. That night was probably the happiest I've been for awhile. I got to see my oldest daughter and meet Jordan! The next day I got to see my Mom and Sister which I hadn't seen for 2 years. We all had a nice visit and I realized how lucky I am to have family. I also realized I hate being so far away and not being able to see them anytime I want. I visited my Dad's grave and talked to him in the pouring down rain, I drove past the house where I grew up, and reminesced about my childhood. I saw people I used to work with, and went in my hair salon that I owned and operated for 16 years.

When I lived in Ohio, I guess sometimes I took all these things for granted. But now that I'm almost 3000 miles away, I realize even more how much it all means to me. Time went too fast though, and before I knew it we had to pack up and leave to drive back to Canada. Derek and Shannon were real good on the way home except for one fight. We drove to Minnesota the first day and stopped for the night due to what felt like tornado type winds. And colllllllld. The next morning we were up bright and early and took off about 9am. About 9:30 I was pulled over for speeding and the "Darling State Highway Patrol of the Great State of Minnesota" issued me a ticket. Don't ask how fast I was going. You would think I would use cruise control, but no. I didn't use it until after I got the ticket, and even then it was hard to keep my foot off the accelerator. I do have a speeding problem.

Continuing on through South Dakota again, the weather was much better, but windy. And if you ever go to Murdo, South Dakota, just be prepared for crappy weather. Every time I've been through there the weather has been nasty. Wyoming is so pretty though. But weird names on everything like Crazy Woman Road, and Dead Horse River, Prairie Dog Lake, & Beavertail Rd.....who thinks up those names? I even saw a real cowgirl....cowboy boots with spurs...haha. Lookout Pass in Montana and Idaho was a real treat on the way home. Low clouds, snow and rain, and twisty turny mountain roads.

All in all it was a great trip and I'm so glad I was able to take Derek and Shannon back to see their family. They were good company too, and I'm proud that they're my kids. I'm proud of Lindsay and everything she has accomplished so far with school, work, and her apartment. I'm happy that Jordan loves her and treats her good. I just wish we were closer. Much closer. It hurts not to see the people I've been with all my life.

I will just have to save money and make the trip much more frequently. Thanks to all my family for being there for me while I was home. I love all of you very much.

Golf

2005-03-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

Derek came home from school today with exciting news. He made the Golf Team. Now every Monday we will be traveling around town to all the different courses. Congratulations Derek! Tiger.....watch out!

Day # 24

2005-03-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 500
Distance - 5 miles
Time - 1 hr 15 minutes
WATER
3 so far today
WILL POWER
7
Today I wasn't in the mood to run so I walked most of the 5 miles today. I guess I went to bed too late last night and I was feeling a little tired. Oh well, I accomplished 5 miles so it doesn't matter....walking or running....its all the same. It's just that time seems to go by faster if I do a little bit of running.

2005-03-17T18:23:00.000-08:00

May the luck of the Irish be with you

Day # 23 - Music motivates me!

2005-03-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 525
Distance - 4.75 miles
Time - 70 minutes
WATER
3 bottles so far today
WILL POWER
7
Today I did the 4 miles at a time of 56:30. That's 1 1/2 minutes faster (woo hoo) than yesterday. It doesn't sound like much but it felt like it! I am really starting to run at longer intervals. Time went by pretty fast today. They had the music on upstairs today and I was just about to stop running, when a fast paced song came on and I continued to run through the entire song! I need to get an ipod so I can download some good running music. It's much easier when listening to good songs. I just hope I can control myself and not sing while I'm on the treadmill. Might irritate some people....then again....I could become a treadmill entertainer....hey...there's a thought....and something no one has ever thought of! Yeah baby....dance and sing while we're running.

Honk Honk

2005-03-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

Why is it when some people blow their nose they have to make a big production over it and cause everyone to look their way? Is it just the construction of their nose? Or are they doing it on purpose? I was at the gym today and this old guy (gotta give him credit for being there) was on the treadmill and pulls out his grody little hanky and starts honkin away. I just about gagged. Anyway, like I said before I have lots of time to think about things while I'm on there .... actually maybe it was good, because it took my mind off what I was doing for a few minutes. HA!

I took Shannon to dance tonight, and afterwards we went to the grocery store and got lots of yummy vegetables, yogurt, granola bars, cottage cheese, applesauce, strawberries, grapes,....all the good stuff! I came home and cut up veggies and made a big salad so I can munch away on that for the next few days. Derek didn't have hockey tonight thank goodness. I think after this weekend, hockey is finally over for the season. He went golfing in the rain today. He said his game sucked but it's only the second time he's been this year. He's a little rusty I guess. By the end of the summer he'll be golfin like Tiger again.

HEY!!! I got an email from LINDSAY today!!!! YEA!! It's about time brat! I miss you so much it hurts. When I logged on to my email and saw your letter I was so happy! For all of you that don't know...Lindsay is my beautiful first born daughter. And she's smart too!! Second year of college....she's going to be a nurse. Just a little mom-braggin here. Hey, I'm allowed. She's going to make a great nurse too. She loves kids, so she will probably work in Pediatrics.

Friday is Jack's birthday....that's my Rottweiler. Jack the Brat will be 1 year old. Still doesn't listen very well. And hyper.....gawd.

Better get some rest. My muscles are a little sore....what do I expect after not exercising for 5 years?? I'm gettin there though....feels good....and I'm happy about it!
Nitey nite....xoxoxo

Day # 22

2005-03-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 515
Distance - 4.50 miles
Time - 70 minutes
WATER
4 bottles so far today
WILL POWER
7
Today I got the 4 miles done in 58 minutes. I'm going to try and do it faster everyday until I can do 5 miles in 1 hour. I'm turning into a running machine! HA!
WEIGHT MACHINES
I haven't been doing much on these yet. Want to stick with the treadmill awhile longer before I start doing them.

2005-03-15T23:00:00.000-08:00

Rustic Blooms

Day # 21

2005-03-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 425
Distance - 4 miles
Incline - 1-5
Time - 1 hour
WATER
5 bottles
WILL POWER
7
Had a good workout today. I am able to run at longer intervals!

2005-03-15T00:35:00.000-08:00

Passion Flower

Day # 20

2005-03-14T20:07:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 440
Distance - 4 miles
Time - 1 hour
WATER
5 bottles
WILL POWER
7
Didn't make it to the gym today until 7pm....but after I got there I felt great!!

2005-03-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Cabana Sun

2005-03-13T23:13:00.000-08:00

Pacific Palms

Day # 17

2005-03-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 434
Distance - 4.10
Incline - 1-5
WATER
4 bottles so far
WILL POWER
6
WEIGHT MACHINES
Did Abs, Pecs, shoulders, back

Hawaiian Paradise

2005-03-11T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hawaiian Paradise

Hockey Tourney

2005-03-11T00:47:00.000-08:00

We are going to Derek's hockey tournament this weekend. It starts Friday night and ends up sometime on Sunday so I will write more when we get back! Have a good weekend!

Ethel

2005-03-11T00:02:00.000-08:00

Tonight, Ron and I had the great priviledge (cough cough) of picking up some "so called friends" of ours from the airport. I was dreading it since Monday when he told me we would be doing it. They are an older couple...in their early 80's, so I guess I can excuse a lot of how they act on that.

The entire time we were with them tonight, I just kept thinking to myself.....if I act like that when I'm that age, throw me in the ocean and feed me to the sharks. My GAWD.

From the time we picked them up at the airport, we heard about every sickness imaginable. From prostrate problems, to bowel problems, to spine problems, to heart problems, to who the hell cares. Real uplifting and inspirational conversation. Not to mention they took us for dinner....so it was the dinnertime conversation, which means I didn't have a problem sticking to my diet tonight.

And Ethel....(not her real name, but it suits her) is a non-stop talker. If her husband starts to talk she shuts him right up and takes over the conversation. She talks about people whom we have never met, never will meet, and I'm just sitting there trying to be polite with a smile on my face thinking....I really don't give a damn. (Lord, I apologize) For two hours I sat there and all I could say was ...uh huh, oh really?... wow....you're kidding....awww...that's too bad. And when I did try to squeeze in a couple words here and there, she would just override me like what I had to say didn't mean diddly-squat.

How in the hell has her husband been able to handle it for over 60 years?? She insults him, but insists that she is the reason why he's lived so long. All I can say to that is BullShit. Did I mention that she has about 10 different personalities to boot???

A lovely friend. Ah yes....just the kind of person I want to socialize with. Gawd. She gets on my nerves. Doesn't everyone know an Ethel?

Day # 16

2005-03-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. Yesterday I skipped the gym because I wasn't feeling well. I think it had something to do with the chocolate cake I ate on Morgan's birthday. Yes. I said cake. (Dumb dumb can't avoid sweets yet....aka ME) Anyway, I went back today, still not feeling too hot, but I worked out and feel better now.

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 300
Distance - 2.50 miles
Incline - 1-5
WATER
4 bottles
WILL POWER
6

Day # 14

2005-03-08T22:18:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 500
Distance - 5 miles
Incline - 1- 5
WATER
8 bottles today
WILL POWER
6

My Dad's Birthday

2005-03-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Dad,

It's been 24 years since you've been gone from my life (in a physical way). But spiritually, I know you are still here with me.

After I moved to Canada, and being 3,000 miles from home, I was sad one day because I couldn't go to the cemetery to visit and talk to you. But, while I was feeling sad something told me that you were right here with me. It was then that I knew you lived in my heart and that you would be there forever. And nothing could ever take that away from me.

Today, you would've been 71 years young. It seems like an eternity since I gave you your last kiss. I think of you every single day and the pain is still there just as much as it was the day I found out you had passed away. It has never gone away and that day I changed forever. For the past 24 years I have lived with a void of not being able to see you, talk to you, hug and kiss you, and to tell you how much I love you.

I know that someday we'll be together again and when that happens we will never have to part again.

Happy Birthday Dad. I love you.
Love, Jennifer

2005-03-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Morgan

Antique Tapestry

2005-03-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

Antique Tapestry

Day # 13

2005-03-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 347
Distance - 3.15 miles
Time - 45 minutes
Incline - 1-5
WATER
8 bottles today
WILL POWER
6

I have better workouts when I go in the morning.

PMS

2005-03-07T17:13:00.001-08:00

My husband has just returned from the store with my MIDOL PMS medication. I should start feeling better shortly. I'm already laughing at the thought of him buying those. He probably hid them under the bread in his grocery cart.

Update on Weekend

2005-03-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Derek's playoff game for first place in hockey. Unfortunately, they lost the game and Derek had to have 2 stitches put in his chin. Actually, he's proud of them but he would never tell anyone that. The Doctor told him that all he needs to do now is lose a few teeth and he would really look like a hockey player. NOT! He still has a couple tournaments to play...one this coming weekend, and the other in April....Shit....Hockey never ends!!! I like to watch him play, but I'm tired of smelling hockey equipment. GAG.
I love you Derek.
Shannon and I went out for a little bit yesterday and she wants to get glasses now. She says she can't see, but personally, I'm just wondering if this is a little ploy to get a little more fashionable with her wardrobe. She tried some on....some were cute and some were disgusting. I'm not an old codger, but my god, some of those glasses in that store were ridiculous. I wouldn't put them on my dog for gawdsake. I guess she does need them but I think she would be better off with contacts. I mean, she's lost her bank card I don't know how many times....I'm sure she would do the same with glasses unless I make her wear one of those old lady bead chains with them....don't think thats gonna happen.
Anyway, I love you Shannon.
What did you get on your group project for Early Childhood Development Lindsay?? I've been laughing about that since you told me. I bet you went home and re-did the whole thing to your liking. HAHA. I can see you now staying up until midnight repainting everything...funny. I'm so glad to hear that you're doing good in school. I miss you! And I love you! Tell Jordan I said hi.
Well....it's that magical time of day when I have to return to the laundry room and make-believe that I'm a slave. I think I only have 5 more loads to do....I know, I know ,mother.....if I did a little everyday then I wouldn't get behind. But....but....but....my dryer hasn't been working very good....besides....it's boring!
Ron and I are going to the gym this evening because I need to get caught up on housework....yuck....so after we play taxi-cab with Derek and Shannon we are heading over there to workout! Yea.....I'm still doing good! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

2005-03-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Antique Tapestry

Morning Peace

2005-03-07T11:19:00.000-08:00

Morning Peace

2005-03-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

Seize the Day

2005-03-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

GABE

2005-03-06T08:29:00.000-08:00

Just Do It

Just do it!

2005-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

When I'm on the treadmill, I have time to think about all sorts of things. And today I was thinking about the NIKE symbol and their motto....."Just do it".....or did they change it to "You Can"? Either way, I like both of them. I think about all the whining I was doing last week.....oh, I can't eat this or that, my muscles were sore, and just the fact I had to get out and exercise was a little disturbing...haha. But now, I just think to myself......JUST DO IT. And it's made it a lot easier. I am actually enjoying the gym, my hunger cravings are not nearly as bad as they were last week, and I'm starting to see little results of my hard work which makes me feel really good. I am eating extremely well which is shocking to say the least. Well...I have always ate lots of vegetables, but now I'm cutting way down on the daily calories and I make mental notes to myself throughout the day as to where I'm at with the calorie total. I am constantly aware of what I'm eating and drinking. No snacking....no eating after 7....except for maybe a couple nights a week. I have finally gotten a grip again and it feels good!

Day # 11

2005-03-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 430
Distance - 3.50 miles
Time - 50 minutes
Jogging - 15 minutes
Incline - Alternated 1-5
WATER
3 so far today
WILL POWER
7

Tranquility Lake

2005-03-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

Tranquility Lake

Happy

2005-03-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

Happy

Day # 10

2005-03-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 330
Distance - 3.25
Time - 50 minutes
Jogging - 8 minutes
Incline - alternated between 1 and 5
WATER
4 bottles so far today
WILL POWER
6

Day # 9

2005-03-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories Burned - 330
Distance - 3.0 miles
Jogging - 12 minutes
Time - 50 minutes
WATER
4 bottles so far today
WILL POWER
7

Dumb Blonde Joke

2005-03-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

A blonde, wanting to earn some extra money, decided to hire herself out as a "handy-woman", and started canvassing a nearby well-to-do neighborhood.

She went to the front door of the first house, and asked the owner if he had any odd jobs for her to do.

"Well, I guess I could use somebody to paint my porch", he said. "How much do you charge?"

The blonde quickly responded. "How about $50?" The man quickly responded and told her that the paint and everything she needed was in the garage.

The man's wife, hearing the conversation, said to her husband, "Does she realize that our porch goes all the way around the house?"

He responded, "That's a bit cynical, isn't it?"

The wife replied, "You're right, I guess I'm just starting to believe all those dumb blonde jokes we've been getting by e-mail lately."

A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money.

"You're finished already?" the husband asked.

"Yes", the blonde replied. "And, I had paint left over so I gave it two coats."

Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the $50 and handed it to her.

"And by the way", the blonde added, it's not a Porch, it's a Lexus.

Day # 8

2005-03-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Calories burned - 273
Distance - 2.50
Time - 40 minutes
Jogging - 12 minutes
Incline - 2.0
WATER
2 bottles by 11 am.
WILL POWER
6
DON'T EAT AFTER 7pm TONIGHT!

Top 10 Songs of 1985,1986,1989,1990

2005-03-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

Thought this bit of trivia might be interesting for Lindsay, Derek, Shannon, Morgan & Spencer to read since these were the top 10 songs the year they were born. The Trivia came from "Uncle John's Big Bathroom Reader". LOL.

1985 -- LINDSAY
1. Careless Whisper -- Wham! Featuring George Michael
2. What's Love Got To Do With It -- Tina Turner
3. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go -- Wham!
4. Everybody Wants To Rule The World -- Tears For Fears
5. I Feel For You -- Chaka Khan
6. Money For Nothing -- Dire Straits
7. I Want To Know What Love Is -- Foreigner
8. Out Of Touch -- Daryl Hall & John Oates
9. Crazy For You -- Madonna
10. Take On Me -- A-ha

1986 -- MORGAN
1. That's What Friends Are For -- Dionne & Friends
2. Say You, Say Me -- Lionel Richie
3. On My Own -- Pattie Labelle & Michael McDonald
4. I Miss You -- Klymaxx
5. Broken Wings -- Mr. Mister
6. How Will I Know -- Whitney Houston
7. Party All The Time -- Eddie Murphy
8. Kyrie -- Mr. Mister
9. Burning Heart -- Survivor
10. Addicted To Love -- Robert Palmer

1989 -- DEREK & SHANNON
1. Look Away -- Chicago
2. My Prerogative -- Bobby Brown
3. Every Rose Has It's Thorn -- Poison
4. Miss You Much -- Janet Jackson
5. Straight Up -- Paula Abdul
6. Wind Beneath My Wings -- Bette Midler
7. Cold Hearted -- Paula Abdul
8. Girl You Know It's True -- Milli Vanili
9. Baby, I Love Your Way/ Freebird Medley -- Will To Power
10. Giving You The Best That I Got -- Anita Baker

1990 -- SPENCER
1. Hold On -- Wilson Phillips
2. Nothing Compares 2 U -- Sinead O'Connor
3. It Must Have Been Love (from Pretty Woman) -- Roxette
4. Poison -- Bell Biv Devoe
5. Vogue -- Madonna
6. Another Day In Paradise -- Phil Collins
7. Vision Of Love -- Mariah Carey
8. Hold On -- En Vogue
9. Cradle Of Love (from Ford Fairlane) -- Billy Idol
10. Blaze Of Glory (from Young Guns II) -- Jon Bon Jovi

Day # 7

2005-03-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

TREADMILL
Minutes - 40 minutes
Calories burned- 260
Distance - 2.42 miles
Incline - 2.0
Jogging - 12 minutes within 30 minutes
WEIGHT MACHINES
All 13. (15 reps each)
WATER
5 bottles so far today.
WILL POWER
On a scale of 1-10, I am around 6 today. (With 10 being the best)
Needs big time improvement!

Time for Bed

2005-02-28T22:11:00.000-08:00

Shannon had a choir concert tonight at the Community Theatre. She had a solo and did a real nice job on it. After the concert she told me that she gets nervous singing in front of me. I don't know why because she sings for me all the time and I tell her I think she has a beautiful voice. Once she gets over singing in public she'll have it made. I watched three jazz bands, one in which the saxophone player needs to hang it up right now because he was awful. I know they're just beginning but my lord.....it was horrible. The two guitar players were great as was the drummer. (All friends of Shannon's)

Ron just left to pick Derek up from hockey practice. It's been run run run since they got home from school. Earlier Ron was running Derek over to the driving range so he could practice his golfing techniques. He has informed us now that he wants to try out for the Golf Team at school. Now that hockey is almost over it's time for golf. I want to go golfing with him this summer. If he can be patient enough.
Sometimes it takes me 4 swings before I hit the ball...:(

How was school today Lindsay? You could leave me a comment once in awhile on my blog ok? Since you don't like to email...haha. I was thinking that you should dig up some of your old artwork and frame them so you can hang them in your apartment!! Good idea eh? Keep working on your art because you are talented. It would be nice to see a collection of all the work you have done on your walls. I would like to do watercolors. They had a featured artists work on the walls tonight at the theatre and they were really pretty.

Gotta go to bed now....I'm being a baby tonight and whining around about eating something fattening. I've done good today and don't want to mess it up now so I think I will go to sleep and forget about it. Ron and I are going to the gym first thing tomorrow morning. Nitey Nite.

Day # 6

2005-02-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

I don't want to bore anyone with these details .....I just want to keep a record of what I'm doing at the gym on my blog because it will be easy for me to see my progress. So...read if you want, but just know that there's going to be a little update everyday.

Treadmill - 40 minutes today. I was only able to jog a total of 10. Not consecutive.
Weight machines - Did all 12, only 15 reps each, plus the ab machine.
Water - Have drank 3 bottles of water so far today.
Weight - Down 5 pounds all together.
Diet - So far so good. Had a slim fast for lunch. Planning on fixing dinner, (roast beef with a lot of vegetables). Plus, I think I will fix a veggie tray to snack on in case I get hungry later on tonight.
Watch the FAT grams!
Will Power - Ok. Eat mostly veggies for dinner tonight! Be good!

Day # 5--Fitness Update & Hockey

2005-02-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

Fine...actually great today. I've done the diet, not so much water today, and we took the day off from exercise but we are going back tomorrow. I feel good and I know I'm getting more will power because I passed up Tim Horton donuts tonight. Chocolate cream filled donuts....yeah for me!!! You don't even know what a milestone that is for me. Will power is a weakness of mine, so not only do I have exercise, diet, and water to worry about I have to work on the will power thing. But as of now........ALL IS GOOD!
Spencer came for the weekend and he went with us to Derek's hockey game today which was a couple hours away from home. It was an awesome game. They played their rivals and the score was 6-4 with Derek's team winning and he got 2 goals! I was so excited! I think it had something to do with the 2 Red Bulls he drank before the game....that's an energy drink...not beer...haha...either that or the "NEW" way he is taping his stick. He swears that had something to do with it. In any event, it was a great game and he played like Wayne Gretzky. I told him that and of course he just rolled his eyes at me like it wasn't important hearing those kind of words from his mother.
Shannon has a choir concert tomorrow in which she is singing a solo. She doesn't want me to go...waaaaa.....she doesn't like singing in front of me. I don't know why. She has a beautiful voice. I guess she just hasn't gotten over singing in public yet. She went to the hockey game as well and it was nice to have a family day even know she went against her will. Once she was there she had a good time because there were lots of cute guys to look at.
Lindsay and Jordan were doing good today when I called and sounded like they were having fun. They were getting ready to go 4-wheelin.....Lindsay.....did you wear your helmet?? Haha. I will be sending you some things soon. Maybe I can get around to doing that this week sometime. I've been putting it off because I wanted to go shopping and pick up a few things for you before I send your box. Sooner or later you will get something from us ok?? I can't wait to see your apartment.
I need some sleep....have to get ready for a wonderful week of fitness....haha....no seriously, I am enjoying it!! YEA! I'm scaring myself.....my attitude is changing. Good for me.

GOALS

2005-02-26T23:14:00.000-08:00

Jen's Fitness Goals

1. I started my exercise and weight loss goals on February 23, 2005. So far I have done great with the exception of the 3 cookies I ate (Shannon made them). WHY did I do that ???? Water consumption, exercise, and diet have been great. I am proud of my efforts this week and look forward to getting stronger.

2. Next week I plan to continue going to the gym every day and doing the weight machines along with the treadmill. I think I will work on getting more jogging minutes in, because I can burn more calories that way. I need to start sweating. My muscles are limbered up so I think I can handle it. So…out of the 30 that I’m on the treadmill, I want to be able to jog for at least 15 minutes. Wonder if I can accomplish that by next Sunday, March 6, 2005. I’ll work on it! I would also like to lose at least 3 pounds by next Sunday.

3. By March 13, 2005 I would like to have at least 6 pounds off total. If I want to continue to lose 3 pounds weekly I have to be strong and dedicated. No cheating, because if I do I’m only cheating myself. And I want to be good to me! My workout goals will be continuing on with jogging until I can do 20 minutes non-stop jogging. I can walk the other 10 minutes for now.

4. By March 20. Another 3 pounds for a total of 9. By this week I should be getting stronger and should be doing more weights on the machines as well. If I haven’t added more weight machines to my workout … do it this week. Abs machine, and maybe start doing fifteen minutes on the elliptical machine.

5. March 27th- By this date I should have my weight down at least 12 pounds. Now it will start getting exciting because I will be seeing lots of results! Weight-wise and fitness-wise. So, the moral of the story here is to keep up the good work for at least 4 more weeks and by this date I will begin noticing big changes!

6. April 3rd – Down another 3 pounds for a total of 15! Just in time for my April 7th birthday! (45 but I’ll feel like 30!) That would be awesome. By this time I would like to be jogging for a total of 20 minutes still, but increase the incline and the speed. Stay at that level for a few weeks before increasing the total number of minutes. Extend the time on the ellips machine to 20 minutes.

Will do more goals when I get to April 3rd! Be STRONG!

Run against the wind, Swim against the tide, Build endurance in your life.

Day # 4 - Going good

2005-02-26T20:01:00.000-08:00

Today wasn't bad. Ron and I went to the gym this afternoon and I did a couple miles on the treadmill. Since I'm just beginning I alternated jogging and walking with mostly walking, but the few minutes I did of jogging felt good. It will just take some time to work back up to where I want to be. My grades for today....water A+....diet A+....exercise A+. I still need to change my attitude towards it all. The weight comes off too slow and I get discouraged. Bear with my whining fits.
Shannon had a friend spend the night last night and now she's at work until midnight. Derek had to ref a hockey game this morning and has a play-off game tomorrow. Should be an exciting game because the team they are playing are rivals. There's always fights in that game and Derek usually gets a few penalties.
We went to Karaoke last night and I sang "Pour Me" by Trick Pony. Everyone loves that song so I think I will sing that for the contest. People were dancing around AND the applause I got when I was finished was awesome....made me feel good that they liked it! I like classic rock better than country but that's one country song that makes you feel like gettin on your feet. Karaoke can be a good thing or a bad thing. Some places you go the singers are so bad, you just sit there praying for the song to be over. But our weekly hangout has the best singers in town and just about everyone there has a great voice. I need to pick another song for the contest and I've been thinking about doing a Norah Jones song.
Time to sign off for now. I have work to do around here since we're not going to be home much tomorrow. We're taking the day off from the gym but we'll be going back on Monday! Actually, I can't wait. It's hard to motivate myself to go but after I leave there I ALWAYS feel better. Amazing what exercise can do. Better than any pill I've ever taken.

Day # 3 - Everyone say "Poor Baby"

2005-02-25T10:12:00.000-08:00

I am such a whiner. Day # 3 and I am sore and sick of not eating anything. (I am eating...just not much).

Why does this have to be so hard for me?

Why does it take so long to see results?

(It's only been 3 days goofball, what do you expect?)

I'm impatient. I want to see results now. I'm acting like a baby. STOP!!!! Good things come to those who wait....be patient.....you'll eventually start seeing results and you will be happy with yourself. OK people...this sounds weird but I'm talking to myself here.

What does it take to motivate me?? Why am I feeling sorry for myself?? Oh stop all this nonsense and get to the gym and on with your day.

I'm going through withdrawl. Food withdrawl....hahaha....pretty funny when you actually think about it. How can you let a peanut butter sandwich control your life?????????? Or an Oreo.....right Susan??

I feel better now that I have written and got my feelings out. Sounds so juvenile. I will be strong again today .... I'll be mature about this.... and do what I have to do. I will be thanking my lucky stars this summer when I put on my bikini....yeah right. FrEaKiNg HILARIOUS.

Day # 2

2005-02-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

So far, so good. If I don't write in my blog for a few days I need everyone to send me a message and find out what I'm doing (to keep me on track). Not writing in my blog means "I'm fallin off the wagon" with my weight loss and work out goals.....so help me!! I need motivation. And "thanks" to Barb for commenting. I appreciate that. I cannot believe it has been 5 years since I've worked out. Today was great.
TL showed me all the machines and I couldn't believe it when I sat down to do my 15 repititions how hard it was for me. And I wasn't even using that much weight. I'm in worse shape than I thought! However....it won't take long since I'm going to stick to it. So, my grades for today....day #2...water consumption A+.....diet A+.....exercise A+....I'm gonna jinx myself if I keep doing all this bragging. But hey.....I'm happy!

Day # 1 Crunch Time

2005-02-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

We joined the gym! Finally. After not working out for 5 years I didn't do too bad. I took it easy today because I still want to be able to walk tomorrow. 30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 on the elips machine. Not too shabby....and I feel great. Just knowing that I am doing something good for myself has changed my outlook. It takes all my stress away. Tomorrow, I'm going in and the "trainer" is going to show me all the weight machines so hopefully she can set me up with some kind of program on those. Not looking forward to even standing beside her.
Barbie Doll body. Guess I can look like that too if I work at it. But wait....who wants to be Barbie and be 6'5 and weigh 95 pounds. No....I'm almost 45 so I just want to be toned and feel like I can go for a walk without dying. OK....day #1 and it feels good. I drank all my water today and was careful what I ate. Now if I can say that in 2 or 3 weeks I'll feel like I'm makin some progress. I gotta get in shape for spring and summer!

Casino

2005-02-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

Last night proved to be an exciting night. Ron and I went out to eat at our favorite restaurant and I had Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon, with a blue cheese crust and cloves of garlic. Very dietary I might add....lol. They serve it with horseradish if you wish ,and we always get that because it is awesome...if you like hot. Personally, I think the hotter the better! We overheard the waitress at the next table telling the customers that the horseradish is so strong and hot that it would knock her earrings off.....she didn't look like the kind of person that could handle it. I don't know if she tried it or not. I love that stuff though.
After dinner we were looking for something to do and thought about going to the movies although there was nothing playing that we really wanted to see. So Ron suggested that we go to the Casino. Being the non-gambler that I am, I hesitated, and then decided to go because I know he likes it. So...off we went. Once there, I sat down at a slot machine and stuck my 20 bucks in....which kills me....remember, I'm not a gambler, and I always think to myself, "I could be spending this on something useful". Anyway, I played on that twenty bucks for a long time and didn't think it would ever end. Ron came over and asked how I was doing and all I could do was roll my eyes and say "BORING". Shortly after that, my machine started making noise, bells were going off, people were staring at me saying Congratulations, and the guy at the Casino came over and asked for my name. Ron told me that I had just hit the jackpot and I had won $1,125!!!!!
(That's One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Five Dol-la!)
AWESOME. Now, I want that slot machine sitting on my kitchen counter. I love it! So, today we are going to buy our memberships to the gym!! YEA!! I feel better already. Have a good day.....Ta ta.....xoxoxoxoxo.....wooo hooo.