LA Gear Was The $#it When I Was A Kid ~ Totally Had These!!!!

Love this Commerical

Dude that is so totally gross!!!

What Is Considered Romantic?

Sunday my oldest Lilia and I had a conversation about what was considered romantic. She is only 12. My "hunny bunny" was running errands, which included a trip to Walmart. This man is incapable of staying within his spending limit at Walmart. Usually his overages are fishing items. So there isn't any point in me repremanding him. He called to inform me that he had went over his limit again. I expected as much! He reason was "I got you something". I HATE surprises. Absolutely hate them. I must be in control of EVERYTHING!

When he gets home, we empty all the bags and he hands me my "surprise".

Well, what do you think?

Lilia had an opinion. If you knew her, you would know she has an opinion about everything. She is overly opinionated for being only 12.

This is how our conversation went:

Lilia: Mom what are those knives for?
Me: H.B. got them as a surprise
Lilia: he's not very romantic is he?
Lilia: flowers and chocolate are cheaper. It makes girls love you for.....well a long time. It's worked for centuries.
Me: knives last longer than flowers
Lilia: Mom there knives who thinks steel and plastic are romantic.

I shared this with H.B. and his response was "Harsh". She wasn't meaning to be harsh. But it did remind me of my ideals of being "romantic" at her age.

I'd rather have knives from him than all the flowers and chocolate in the world from someone else.

I'm sure her views of what is romantic will change when she gets older. I can't wait to remind her of this conversation when she gets older.

ღஐ jennifer ஐღ

Little Talks ~ I ♥ this song

Hey! Hey! Hey!
I don't like walking around this old and empty house
So hold my hand; I'll walk with you, my dear
The stairs creak as I sleep; it's keeping me awake
It's the house telling you to close your eyes
Some days I can't even trust myself
It's killing me to see you this way
'Cause though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore
Hey! Hey! Hey!
There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back
Well tell her that I miss our little talks
Soon it will all be over and buried without past
We used to play outside when we were young, and full of life and full of love
Some days, I feel like I'm wrong when I am right
Your mind is playing tricks on you, my dear
'Cause though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore.
Hey!
Don't listen to a word I say
Hey!
The screams all sound the same
Hey!
Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore
You're gone, gone gone away; I watched you disappear
All that's left is a ghost of you
Now we're torn, torn, torn apart; there's nothing we can do
Just let me go; we'll meet again soon
Now wait, wait, wait for me; please hang around
I'll see you when I fall asleep
Hey!
Don't listen to a word I say
Hey!
The screams all sound the same
Hey!
Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore
Don't listen to a word I say
Hey!
The screams all sound the same
Hey!
Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore
Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore
Though the truth may vary, this ship will carry
Our bodies safe to shore

ღஐ jennifer ஐღ

A trip back in time

Today I took my kids to my old home town Issaquah. Growing up a military brat, we moved every three to four years if we were lucky. My grandparents lived in Issaquah. No matter where we were stationed, our grandparents house was always stable. When my dad would have to go, we went home to Issaquah. We spent a year there when he went to Iceland. We spent a year there when my Dad was in Desert Storm. I had my first kiss in the front yard, spent the whole summer I turn 12, and got my drivers license at this house.

It was reassuring and comforting to be able to come home anytime and see everything the same. In a life of constant change, this was the place of stability.

One of the things I loved the most about Issaquah as a kid was the salmon hatchery. I remember walking by the big bays of water and seeing the large trays of salmon eggs. I remember seeing the three to five inch baby fish jumping.




Everything seemed so big. And I remember at the beginning of the school year seeing the big salmon come back to swim up the ladder.




Back in those days, the hatchery was quite small. But Issaquah was also much smaller than it is now. They have built on to the hatchery since I was a little girl. There are educational areas for every age group.




Watching my kids walk through the hatchery was amazing. There will be only a few places I will be able to share with them from my childhood. Maybe that makes it a bit more special for me.




We had a great picnic lunch in the same area I did as a kid. It wasn't anything special.




But a blanket, some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and cheese puffs and it was as Elizabeth said "The Best Picnic Ever"




Hopefully our next Issaquah adventure will include a visit to the 12th Ave Cafe and a plate of Mickey Mouse Chocolate Chip Pancakes for each kid!

ღஐ jennifer ஐღ

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Why I Love Britney Spears

I didn't like Britney Spears when she first came out.  All I could see was another blonde "little" girl singing about normal teenage shit.  You must remember that there was also Christina Aguliera and Jessica Simpson on the map.  My little sister adored her.  She said "I can relate to her in so many ways."  I love my sister, but I rolled my eyes anytime I she said that. 

Fast forward a couple years, and I completely adore Britney Spears.  Maybe it's ironic, but I feel like I can now relate to her in way I would never have before.  Mental breakdowns, marriage, divorce, babies, a full time job are all things an average woman has been through.  Although we might not be on the same scale,  I can relate to all of those things. 

Aside from the image of Britney, I prefer her music now to her "Baby Hit Me One More Time" era.  She might not sing anything earth shattering or profound, but she is relatable for most women.

I'm looking forward to seeing her on the X-Factor. 

Keep Kicking Ass Britney!!!

You're Cool...F U...I'm Out!!!!!!

Ever felt like you were having one of these days???  I do, at least once a week!  Every once in a while I want to just scream.  Life is not easy! Between being a mother, lover, daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, employee, and employer, there are days I'm just beat physically and emotionally.  Fortunately for me, I am reminded instantly why I do what I do! 

Darkside By Kelly Clarkson

Ohhh

There's a place
That I know
It's not pretty there and few have ever gone
If it show it to you now
Will it make you run away
Or will you stay even if it hurts
Even if I try to push you out will you return
And remind me who I really am
Please remind me who I really am

Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me
Can you love mine
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it

Will you love me
Even with my dark side
Like a diamond from black pearls
It's hard to know I can become if you give up
So don't give up on me
Please remind me who I really am

Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me
Can you love mine
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it

Will you love me
Even with my dark side

Don't run away, don't run away
Just tell me that you will stay
Promise that you will stay
Yeah yeah
Don't run away, don't run away
Just promise me you will stay, promise me you will stay

Will you love me?
Ohhhhh

Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me
Can you love mine
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it

Will you love me
Even with my dark side

Don't run away, don't run away

Don't run away, promise you'll stay

Adjusting Expectations

Growing up I had an excellent example of a marriage and family.  My Dad was a strong man.  He provided for his family, financially and emotionally.  My Mom was an amazing woman.  She took care of her home, her children, and her man.  They weren't perfect and they didn't expect perfection from us.

My Dad took care of all the manly things; i.e. garbage, yard, cars, pests, putting together bunk beds, etc.  My Mom took care of the inside things; i.e. laundry, cleaning, sewing, cooking, schooling, etc.  My Dad was in the military, so there were times my Mom had to do take care of everything.  I never remember her talking badly or being bitter about it.  We were always told that Dad was taking care of his family, that was his priority.  We knew that he loved us.

Even though he would be gone for weeks, months, or even a year at a time; we were always in his heart and thoughts.  When my Dad was home, he was home.  He wasn't watching the game somewhere, out with his buddies, or spending the day away from his family.  I'm not sure if this was because he was gone so much or because he didn't really want to be anywhere else but with his family.   I did acquire my love of football from him.  Somehow through the chaos of five children, he still had the game on and was watching it any chance he got.

My parents were always united.  They had their disagreements, but at the end of the day they both had the same goal and purpose.  When they did fight, my Mom was usually the vocal one.  She would be upset and my Dad would always let her get everything "off her chest".  My Dad would just hug her after she was done and everything was fine.  My parent's showed us that a good relationship did not mean there were no fights, disagreements, or trials.

They showed us that a relationship is made of two imperfect, flawed people.  They instilled in us that family is first.  We don't have drama in our family because it will not be tolerated on any level.  They would cut off any extended family member or friend at the slight hint of drama.

Being blessed with this great example of a relationship and the different roles each person played, I have developed very deep rooted expectations of what a "good" relationship should be.  I come from a long line of hard headed first born woman.  My Dad knew how to handle my Mom.  My Grandfather knew how to handle my Grandmother.  On my Dad's side of the family, the women swung the cast iron skillet if the men didn't listen.   So I get my stubbornness equally from both sides.

In the past, I did not focus on the flaws of my expectations.  No one has made it worth the time in self reflection.  That is not the case anymore.  Anthony Robbins has a saying "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten".  I don't want the same type of relationship I have had before.  I want a relationship like my parents.  I realize that takes a lot of work and realignment of my expecations.  I am willing to put the work into that.  My only problem is I don't know where to start or what to do. 

I'd like to believe it was the generation they were raised in or the place of their marriage, that has made my parents who they are.  But it isn't either.  Who they are is what has made their marriage work.  Awareness is the first step to solving any problem.  So I guess I'm headed down the right path.

My Lil Angelina is 3 today

My baby girl Angelina Grace is 3 today. I remember the day I found out I was pregnant! I was excited and nervous. Angelina is baby number 4. She was born with a guarded yet adventurous spirit. If you can get past her "mean mug", you will find an amazing smile, infectious laugh, and a love of music. She is the true definition of a daddy's girl. She will spend hours watching fishing, football, and WWE just to be next to her daddy. She will sit next to her daddy and "play" with him to get his fishing gear ready. She sometime sits next to him for hours holding bobber, weights, and line. Her attention span amazes me!

ღஐ jennifer ஐღ

Everybody Got Their Something

LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

My face to the sky
Dreaming about just how high
I could go and I'll know
When I finally get there

Taking of my glasses
Sun pokes through my lashes
And somehow I know
There's a time for every star to shine

Everybody got their something
Everybody got their something
Make you smile like an itty bitty child

People keeping score
Say better hurry up and get yours
Cause somebody else get your spot
Before you even dropped

Seek and you shall find
Everything in my own sweet time
I'll take my chances
With what I believe is only mine

Busy holding on
So the roof don't fly
Keep you from moving on
So get it right
Turn the tide over
Like a love song
Like a butterfly
Believe if you hand it over
You'll come out all right

Everybody got their something
Everybody got their something
Make you smile like an itty bitty child

Illuminate the silly things
Shed some light on all that's wrong
Everybody need it sometime
Sometimes the only thing you got
Is what makes you feel like
You're something else altogether
You have everything don't need
Another reason to be something
I've been on a ride
And caught up in the landslide
But I'm gonna spread my wings and fly...

Everybody got their something
Everybody got their something
Make you smile like an itty bitty child

There's a time for every star
There's a time for every star...

Everybody Got Their Something




ღஐ jennifer ஐღ

Officially Entered The Last Year Of My Early 30's AKA My New Driver's License Picture Is Appauling!

Yesterday was my birthday.  And beside having a sick baby boy, it was actually a pretty decent day.  I got a Keurig, which I have been wanting FOREVER!!!  Yea Me! 

One extra thing about this birthday:  My license expired.

First, my picture.  I was so looking forward to getting a new picture.  So I went to the DMV first thing this morning.  I got up early.  Put on my makeup, did my hair, the whole shabang.  Figuring the whole time that there is no way in Heaven or Hell that this picture could be as bad or worse than the last one.  (Yes I know this is a run on sentence...DEAL WITH IT!)  Well, what can I say?  I WAS COMPLETELY TOTALLY 100% DEAD WRONG.  What the hell is wrong with the photographers at the DMV?  Are they that miserable that they have to give everyone a really crappy picture?  I only got one re-take and it wasn't any better than the first attempt.  Apparently I have 14 chins that only come out at the DMV.  I explained my picture catastrophe to my significant other.  He is so supportive.  His response was "Ahhh.  They are just love handles."  My response "ON MY FACE???!!!"  At that point I had to hang up because he was laughing so hard he couldn't keep talking.

Second, my weight.  Being a responsible woman in my "early" 30's I decided to be a little more honest about my weight.  I have had it at 125lbs since I got my first license at 19.  I told them I weigh 150 lbs.  So that will account for the added weight of my 14 CHINS!!!!

Third and the thing I'm most proud of, my license actually has my correct, current address on it.  It's been almost 5 years since that has happened.  Wait.....maybe I shouldn't be proud of that!!!  Now I can be found......DAMN IT.  Just kidding!!  LOL!

I have a feeling with this beginning to my new year, it's going to be a very interesting year in my life.  I'm looking forward to it! :-)