tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10945157629646216802023-11-16T01:33:51.777-06:00She's a female! And all females is poison!Not really wicked and not really Snow White. Just commentary on life...mine and everyone elses.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-25386070145909941622010-03-31T16:46:00.004-05:002010-03-31T16:55:04.065-05:00Rest in Peace AloysiusFor my precious little daschund:<br />Mobile was a lonely city before I found you. You were the friendliest pup in the litter with a little red nose and a dark stripe down your back. I took you home and you slept curled up next to me every night for the next 7 years. <br />I'll forever remember your love of playing ball and how much you loved to dig. You would fetch for hours on end and always bring the ball back and drop it at my feet just the way I taught you. My favorite memory is of our trips to the beach where people walking by would laugh when all they saw was your little tail sticking straight up out of a monsterous hole in the sand. <br />And I'll never be able to look at chunks of rocks the same. I'm not sure what your affinity to playing with rocks was, but it's funny and I'll love you for it forever.<br />I'm going to miss you little man! Run free in heaven Ally D....love you, see you.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-37394688472440494222009-06-02T16:36:00.005-05:002009-06-04T16:11:20.920-05:00In LOVE- the new man in my lifeUPDATE: He has a name! Tyler Preston<br /><br />The title says it all! I'm sooo head over heels in love right now. And I don't expect it to go away any time soon. I have a brand new man in my life and boy is he adorable.<br /><br />Take a look!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342848034889664626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp441gm94XgQa4oNdnL5VzFXB1Yz2QaH9wZPGo4ds57O4s0dIfjvhjbtvA6MVlkqbHsYErmj0YvWkdT-K5wURT7xkmvmGrmLcT72nqF6xbzpNBBAW_faOQ7qD4TruzaUr02QisRnSMpMm9/s200/Baby+Fred.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>This is my friend Amy's brand new baby boy! I don't think Scott will be too jealous, however, he going to be nervous about me catching the "fever". </p><p>Anyway, Fred...that's the name I've given him since Amy and her husband haven't decided yet...was born at 10:50pm last night. He weighs 7lbs 6oz and is 19 in long. He has a headful of hair and blue eyes...even though Amy says all babies have blue eyes for the first couple of days.</p><p>I'm super-psyched because Amy only lives 2 minutes from my house so I can see the little booger any time I want...unless Amy bans me for calling him "Fred". I see all kinds of possibilities for this little guys future...I cannot wait to see him grow up! </p><p>Amy's already talking about him needing a girlfriend and she says that's my job. I'm not so sure, maybe I need to change a few diapers before all of that madness takes place....but I am feeling a little tickle in my throat, maybe the "fever" has already set in!!!</p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-84560462232633370372009-05-28T16:03:00.004-05:002009-05-29T13:24:36.751-05:00For Olivia<div>So my bestie Lu, from <a href="http://averytales.blogspot.com/">Avery Tales</a> asked her followers to write a post about a person who has changed their life in memory and honor of her beloved Olivia. I am more than happy to oblige! The problem is, I don't know of any one person who has "changed" my life, but I know of several who have made it sweeter, happier, more laughter-filled, comfortable and many more things just by being in it. So, in memory of sweet Olivia, my blog is about her wonderful mommy, Lu and how much she means to my life. </div>
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<br /><div>Lu and I have been friends since first grade. We danced together, went to daycare together, were in the same class sometimes. The great part about our friendship is that even though since graduating high school we've not lived in the same town, we can still call each other whenever and know the other is going to listen, help, laugh with or cry with....whatever is required. It brings tears to my eyes knowing I've been blessed with a friend like that. I'm a lucky girl!!</div>
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<br /><div>I can honestly say that Lu is the one non-family person who knows me better than anyone. She knows that I'm a lot of talk and really hate confrontation (unless I'm blowing up at the Dance Team sponsor). She also knows that no matter how frustrated I get, I'm a parent pleaser....and I know she is too. I have been there for some of her happiest times even if it's via phone and she's shared mine as well. And I've shared some of her darkest hours in person and spirit as she has ventured into mine as well. She's the one friend I know I can count on for a prayer, a kind word, a good story, anything to keep me sane. I also know she's going to "get" me. She understands my sense of humor and my beliefs and my idiosyncracies, just as I know hers.</div>
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<br /><div>Anyway, I am a better friend, woman, daughter because of Lu with her listening ear and open heart. And even though we're miles away and only see each other a handful of times throughout the year, I know we share a friendship that will last 'til we're old and gray. We'll be sitting beside a tropical pool with margaritas. We'll still laugh and cry and remember the defining times in our friendship all the while giggling about the cabana boys in their cute little swim trunks.</div>
<br /><div><br />By the way, I just realized that Lu and I have been friends since first grade meaning that we've been a part of the other's life almost 25 years...that's longer than a Hollywood marriage by at least 5 times. Love you, Lu! </div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-50882671269054046542009-04-13T12:48:00.003-05:002009-04-13T13:21:37.931-05:00Animal induced stress!I cannot commit.<br /><br />Obviously, I can't commit to my blog. It's been 2 months since my last post. I really haven't had a lot to write (whine) about in that length of time that I thought anyone would be interested in.<br /><br />Work's fine; the boys are fine; family is fine (other than my bro spending all of my money for me, but that's another blog) and I'm fine.<br /><br />Animals were fine....until the beginning of April.<br /><br />To start things off, my boxer, Cookie, has always had a spot on her leg that looked a little funny. I always thought it was scar tissue because it never grew or shrank, it just stayed the same. About a year and a half ago, the vet told me it wasn't scar tissue, it was a tumor or growth. She didn't think it had to be removed, but that I should watch it. <br /><br />Cut to Friday before last. I get home from my Mom's house after work, after a crawfish boil, after helping her set up for my friend's baby shower and let the dogs outside for awhile before we all go to bed, because it's about 10:30pm. I remembered I had to make pasta salad for the aforementioned shower, so I start that process. As I'm chopping and cooking, I notice that the boxer is incessantly licking herself on the floor next to me. It's driving me nuts...yes, it had been one of those days. So I tell her to stop and she does for, oh maybe 5 seconds. So finally, I look at her and realize that she's licking her leg and all of the fur around that spot is bloody. I freak! <br /><br />I grab the dog and take her to the bathroom (bathroom light is always better, as is blood on linoleum). I look at her leg and the spot has gone from the size of a pencil eraser, to the size of almost a golf ball. It's swollen and red and bloody and just generally nasty. So, being that it's 11pm on a Friday night and my pasta is about to overcook, I peroxide it, put some benadryl cream on it (with a Q-tip, not my finger...Ewww!) finish my cooking and go to sleep.<br /><br />First thing Saturday, I call the vet's office and they tell me that the vet won't be in 'til Monday and I can bring her in Monday afternoon. There's nothing they can do for her then. So Monday, I take the oozing boxer in, the vet (a new one) looks at the "growth" and tells me it's a "sebaceous cyst" and it may or may not be cancerous...they have to remove it and send it out for testing. So Cookie gets all of her shots done, her blood work done and some antibiotics and antihistamines (to the tune of almost $300). They schedule surgery for Thursday. <br /><br />She goes in and comes out Thursday fine (I'm broke, but never mind my checking account's well-being) Everything is going well for Cookie...she's got some stitches but it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all. However, apparently it was really bugging my Dachshund, Al, that she was getting all of the attention, because yesterday afternoon (yes, Easter Sunday) he decided to rip one of his claws out of his front paws and was bleeding out on my back patio when I finally realized I hadn't seen or heard him for a good 15 minutes. Again, blood=freak out. I grab the dog, page the vet's office, jump in my car and head.....where? Where the hell am I going with this poor little bleeding wiener dog? Aha! My dad, our family's version of the Dog Whisperer, is at my brother's house. I call Dad and tell him what's going on...he says he'll take a look at it but he's "not a vet". Really? Thank you, Captain Obvious. Can't a girl just need her dad?<br /><br />I get to my bro's house and the whole fam's there...I was going to be there a couple hours later sans dog, but whatever. We clean it, look at it and decide there's nothing the vet can do. My sis-in-law calls her friend who's a vet-tech....apparently she should be my friend too...and the girl confirms that we should just clean it and wrap it and keep him off of it.<br /><br />When I got home last night and sat down to watch TV. Both of the dogs wanted up on the couch, of course and since they're both "hurt" I have to pick them up for that to happen. I started crying. I took stock and all I have to show for myself right now is 2 gimpy dogs and a cat that plays with makeup sponges. Super!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-25883127537124295592009-02-12T10:15:00.003-06:002009-02-12T10:26:26.436-06:00What I've done...or not done.I was tagged by <a href="http://averytales.blogspot.com/">Lurenda</a> to play this fun little game.<br />Here's the Rule, bold the things you've done & post on your blog!<br /><strong>1. Started your own blog</strong><br /><strong>2. Slept under the stars</strong><br />3. Played in a band<br />4. Visited Hawaii<br /><strong>5. Watched a meteor shower</strong><br /><strong>6. Given more than you can afford to charity</strong><br /><strong>7. Been to Disney World</strong><br /><strong>8. Climbed a mountain</strong><br />9. Held a praying mantis<br />10. Sang a solo<br />11. Bungee jumped<br />12. Visited Paris<br /><strong>13. Watched a lightning storm at sea</strong><br />14. Taught yourself an art from scratch<br />15. Adopted a child<br /><strong>16. Had food poisoning</strong><br />17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty<br /><strong>18. Grown your own vegetables-yum Roma tomatoes</strong><br />19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France<br />20. Slept on an overnight train<br /><strong>21. Had a pillow fight</strong><br />22. Hitch hiked<br /><strong>23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill</strong><br />24. Built a snow fort<br />25. Held a lamb<br /><strong>26. Gone skinny dipping</strong><br />27. Run a Marathon<br />28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice<br /><strong>29. Seen a total eclipse</strong><br /><strong>30. Watched a sunrise or sunset</strong><br /><strong>31. Hit a home run--backyard baseball counts, right??</strong><br /><strong>32. Been on a cruise</strong><br />33. Seen Niagara Falls in person<br />34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors<br /><strong>35. Seen an Amish community</strong><br />36. Taught yourself a new language<br />37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied<br />38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person<br />39. Gone rock climbing<br />40. Seen Michelangelo’s David<br /><strong>41. Sung karaoke</strong><br />42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt<br />43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant<br />44. Visited Africa<br /><strong>45. Walked on a beach by moonlight</strong><br />46. Been transported in an ambulance<br />47. Had your portrait painted<br /><strong>48. Gone deep sea fishing</strong><br />49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person<br />50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris<br /><strong>51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling</strong><br /><strong>52. Kissed in the rain</strong><br /><strong>53. Played in the mud</strong><br />54. Gone to a drive-in theater<br />55. Been in a movie<br />56. Visited the Great Wall of China<br /><strong>57. Started a business</strong><br />58. Taken a martial arts class<br />59. Visited Russia<br />60. Served at a soup kitchen<br />61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies<br />62. Gone whale watching<br /><strong>63. Got flowers for no reason</strong><br />64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma-<span style="color:#ff0000;">I tried, but I passed out when they pricked my finger</span><br />65. Gone sky diving<br />66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp<br /><strong>67. Bounced a check--Ugggh!</strong><br />68. Flown in a helicopter<br /><strong>69. Saved a favorite childhood toy</strong><br /><strong>70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial</strong><br /><strong>71. Eaten Caviar</strong><br />72. Pieced a quilt<br />73. Stood in Times Square<br /><strong>74. Toured the Everglades</strong><br />75. Been fired from a job<br />76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London<br />77. Broken a bone<br /><strong>78. Been on a speeding motorcycle</strong><br />79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person<br />80. Published a book<br />81. Visited the Vatican<br />82. Bought a brand new car<br />83. Walked in Jerusalem<br /><strong>84. Had your picture in the newspaper</strong><br />85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve-<span style="color:#ff0000;">no but i did kiss a stranger at a Christmas party....too much tequila</span><br />86. Visited the White House<br /><strong>87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating</strong><br /><strong>88. Had chickenpox</strong><br />89. Saved someone’s life<br />90. Sat on a jury<br />91. Met someone famous<br />92. Joined a book club<br /><strong>93. Lost a loved one</strong><br />94. Had a baby<br />95. Seen the Alamo in person<br />96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake<br />97. Been involved in a law suit<br /><strong>98. Owned a cell phone</strong><br /><strong>99. Been stung by a bee</strong><br /><br />I've been a slacker on my posts lately. I'll try to catch back up this week. I'm not tagging anyone, because all of my peeps have previously been tagged.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-50665476089308690882009-01-27T21:05:00.003-06:002009-01-27T21:37:35.767-06:00Shut the hell up and find the hotel!!So, today I had meeting in Tallahassee and then drove down to Tampa. My lovely co-worker had booked my room at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Airport. Nice!<br />Well, as I'm leaving Tallahassee, I set my lovely British dashboard lady for the address on the confirmation email. She doesn't recognize it, so I spell it 5 different ways...she still doesn't recognize it. So I look at a map and find the cross street. I punch that into Ms. Garmin's face and finally get some assistance. As I'm flying down 98, smiling smugly and thinking, "I grew up in a relatively big city, finding a stinkin' Hilton Garden Inn close to the airport should be no problem", little did I know the HOT MESS that awaited me.<br />Part of the issue is began somewhere after Homasassa Springs which I once visited as a kid on a family vacation....anyway, after Homasassa Springs, I had to get on 589 which is Suncoast Pkway. My Google map (better safe than sorry I always say) told me that it was a "partial" toll road. I had my $10 bill and was ready to go. So I pull up to the first toll booth and pay my dollar, $1 that's it. GREAT! This is cake and the road is so nicely paved...those were my pleasant thoughts....until 10 miles later I see a sign for the next toll plaza. Hmmm, where's the you-already-paid-10-miles-ago-so-go-on-through lane??? Yeah, there isn't one, so I paid another dollar. Now as a girl from a state that doesn't put much into the infastructure, I had an issue with the $6.75 I had to pay to drive 50 miles on a road, on top of all $20 in Lotto tickets I bought. I mean, don't I get a free pass or something for helping out Florida's children...isn't that what lottery goes for...I don't know, I'm an Alabama kid, with a public education, so I'm not really sure.<br />50 miles down, $6.75 poorer (oh, and no receipts from the toll booths, so no company reimbursement) and I'm in Tampa. Well, there is road construction and the exit Ms. Garmin insists I get off on, is closed. Where's my $6.75 going anyway??? I pass the closed exit because I'm pretty sure no cop is going to be as intimidated by my British dash-devil as I am and wait for GG (that's short for Genius Garmin) to tell me where to turn. For the next five minutes as I'm driving down I-275, GG is simply saying "Recalculating" over and over again. By this time, I'm doing about 10 miles per hour swerving from left lane to right lane because GG is telling me "Turn Right" "Recalculating" "Turn left in .2 miles". <br />Finally, I find an exit with a street name I recognize from my trusty Google map. GG recalculates and I decide I'll give her another chance. WRONG move! Picture this: Scared little tear streaked white girl in her rental car in traffic yelling at the piece of technology on her dash driving through an area of town I can only equate to the Ensley area of Birmingham. Yeah, most entertaining to everyone around me. <br />So after almost chucking GG out the damn window, I call the hotel...I know, I know...should've done this along time ago, but I didn't know where the hell I was and I knew that would be the first question they asked. I get to a street I've been down oh, I don't know, 12 times in 15 minutes and call the hotel. The guy, WES-Savior-of-my-entire-trip, answers and asks me where I am (told ya so!). I tell him and he says, "Oh, just take a left at the light from the street your on and you'll see us on your right." I thank him, hang up, make my left at the light and Ms. Garmin, now known as Beezlebub, is "Recalculating". I decided to check in and just call it a night. Dash-devil doesn't deserve a night on the town and frankly, I don't think my nerves can handle it!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-67546696192550825332009-01-26T21:21:00.004-06:002009-01-26T21:52:01.365-06:00Traveling this week...I'm taking a whirlwind tour of Florida...and not the good parts like South Beach or Key West. Today I stopped in Pensacola before heading to Tallahassee. There are several great things about traveling for work though...<br /><br />#1. Rental car with GPS...this was a new experience. I've never had a rental car before and then I rented a Garmin too. I love Ms. Garmin, my British navigating Nanny. She hasn't gotten me lost yet. Even with road work, she pleasantly says "Recalculating Route" in that nice British accent...very efficient and official sounding. This lady definitely knows where she's going!<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.navigadget.com/wp-content/postimages/2007/08/garmin-nuvi-750.jpg" border="0" /><br />#2. HOTELS!!!! This should probably go first on the list, but I don't feel like copy/pasting tonight. I big squishy heart hotels! I love walking into a clean room (don't at home so much) and turning on every light and the tv. I love hotel beds...I know, that's a little weird. I love the glamour of hotels. Of course, it is a Monday night and I am in Tallahassee, so glamour may be a little over the top, but you get the idea. I COULD be doing something really cool!<br /><p> </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.shgonline.com/uploads/HotelSign.jpg" border="0" /></p>#3. Hours of actual work. Now this particular trip entails me visiting P'cola, Tallahassee, Tampa/Lakeland and Jacksonville and being home on Thursday night. I have about 3 meetings per day all lasting between 30 minutes and an hour then I'm driving. So that's what, 3 to 4 hours of work and then 4 hours of listening to XM radio (another cool rental car perk) and eating convenience store junk...Yay me!!<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://products.isc365.com/AVCat/images%2Fproducts%2Fdetail%2FASL%20Time%20and%20Attendance_detail.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>#4. Cozy little restaurants. I like to fancy myself the female version of Guy Fieri. I am in love with Diners Drive Ins and Dives on Food Network so when I go to a new city, I like to try the local cuisine. Tonight I had Chez Pierre...a French restaurant with a Southern twist. It was pretty great, especially the tiramisu (yes i know that's actually Italian). I like to research places and then go to dinner all by myself. Most people don't like to eat out by themselves, but there is something pretty awesome about enjoying a meal alone....it's like your own little secret.</div><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/3980247-chex_pierre-Tallahassee.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Anyway, that's my travel happies! What do you like about traveling, work or play? Know of any good restaurants in Tampa or Jacksonville that I should try?</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-46674775945803531712009-01-12T12:06:00.004-06:002009-01-12T12:37:33.006-06:00All in the same boat...at least I have a prospect!<p>I found another funny article on MSN. I don't have a whole lot going on in my world right now. I'm playing Mom this week, so probably have some anecdotes or rants (depending on the surly 12 year old) later.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28618163?GT1=43001">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28618163?GT1=43001</a></p><blockquote><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#666666;">BEIJING - A 107-year-old Chinese woman who was afraid to marry when she was young has decided to look for her first husband and hopes to find a fellow centenarian so they will have something to talk about, a Chinese paper reported.<br />Wang Guiying is worried she is becoming a burden to her aging nieces and nephews since breaking her leg when she was 102 and had to stop doing chores like washing her clothes.<br />"I'm already 107 and I still haven't got married," the Chongqing Commercial Times quoted her saying. "</span>What will happen if I don't hurry up and find a husband?"</span></p></blockquote><p>I hear ya, Wang! I'm really excited about turning 30, but I think I'm becoming a burden to my friends and family. I haven't stopped doing chores (but wouldn't that be nice), but I depend on my family and friends to entertain me when I'm not being entertained by the boys. If I don't "hurry up and find a husband", I'm afraid my self-appointed directors of entertainment will soon turn their backs on me. And for good reason! First, Amy is preggers and she's got a new puppy. Between potty training a dog and giving birth, she's not going to have time to cater to my every phone call whining about nothing to watch on tv. Second, my parents are going to disown me if I don't get married and have many little Zaden offspring soon. Gone will be the days of camping at the 'rents house on Sunday afternoon to play Wii and not do chores. </p><p>Which brings to mind another story...<br />So I'm sitting with my mom yesterday afternoon (playing Wii and not doing chores I needed to at my house) and I told her I was thinking about buying a new vehicle. She asked me when and what. I mentioned the 2 door Altima since my truck will be paid for and pushing 200K miles in April. She said, "You can't get a 2 door. Where will you put a baby seat?"</p><p><br />Whoa there Sidney! I had no idea she had these plans for my transportation or my uterus. I'm not planning to be the unwed mother at 30...I spent too many college years trying to avoid the "unwed mother" sentence. To quote Wang, <span style="color:#ff0000;">"What will happen if I don't hurry up and find a husband?"</span> My answer...I'll get to have a 2 door Altima sans baby seat, all the shoes I'd ever want to buy without having to sneak them in the house and pretend I've had them for years, and no friends or family to entertain me.</p><p><br />It's a tough choice (I am entertaining and resourceful in my own right)and although I'm really leaning towards the Altima and shoes, I do, unlike, Wang, have a prospect and I don't have to call local "old folks' homes" to find candidates for marriage. I guess my question should be, "What will happen if I don't hurry up and marry this one? Will I be a 107 year old in a 2 door Altima and the hottest SAS shoes on the block?" </p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-10691753203296421762009-01-02T12:27:00.003-06:002009-01-02T12:48:23.550-06:00Welcome 2009!I can feel it...this is the year of beginnings! I hope I'm right because I have high expectations for this year. 2008 wasn't bad, but it seemed very blah and monotonous. I guess that should probably be good, no dramatic sadness or anything, but there was also no excellent high either. So, that said, here are a few reasons I think '09 will be a year of beginnings.<br /><br />#1: May 5th--Yep, not only is this the well-known Mexican holiday for eating fattening Mexican food and washing it all down with yummy Margaritas...this year 5-5-09 will mark my 30th birthday. Most people do not look forward to their 30th...particularly women. However, I'm stoked about being 30 (and I'm really not just telling myself that to make me feel better!) My 20s were great; an era of self discovery and all that, but now I have a good sense of me and what makes me feel good and I think 30 is going to be a great year and a great beginning of adulthood.<br /><br />#2: House for Sale--In our New Year's Day/Scott's b'day festivities yesterday, I got the answer to a question I've been wanting to ask for several months now. If everything goes right, we will be fixing Scott's house up and putting on the market in 2009. This is huge! Scott and I have been dating for 2 years now and are both really tired of paying 2 households worth of bills. I have my fingers crossed that '09 will be the beginning of our cohabitation and steps toward everything else a single 30 year old woman wants (ie. husband, house, ?kids?)<br /><br />#3: Settled at work--So I've been with QTS for 4 months now (officially today). I don't know everything about the industry because there is still so much to learn, but I have a better grasp on my role with the company and how to do it best. I truly think that this year will be the beginning of a great career for me. This position allows me to meet so many people and build relationships with them. Even if I'm not in the staffing industry for the rest of my life, I think the people I meet and know will be a huge help in my future.<br /><br />#4: Bible study--In the year of beginnings, this is a big one for me and should probably be #1, but I'm not moving it now. Several people here at work participate in a Bible study on Monday nights. This Monday, I am going to join them...with the intention of participating at least twice per month. I'm beginning this instead of going to church for 2 reasons. First, in '08, my New Year's resolution was to go to church....I didn't go, not even for Easter or Christmas. Second, I'm already comfortable with most of these people and I'd like to find out where they go to church...then I can build into it, because church is one of those things I want to look forward to on Sunday morning, not hit the snooze as if it were work. So, I'm looking at Bible study as the beginning of my adult walk with God. <br /><br />All in all, I think this year is going to be great! I can't control the economy and I can't control politicians, but my little world is full of possibilities!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-48885609727608046822008-12-29T12:16:00.005-06:002008-12-29T12:48:08.482-06:00No pictures, but a new (embarassing) obsession.So Christmas was good! For those of you who would like to know, there was no sparkly this year, but no big deal....I wasn't really expecting it. I did, however, get to go to the Movin' Out show at the Beau Rivage! Scott got us a pair of tickets for the show on the 19th. It was my "big" Christmas present and it was soooo great! Our seats were supposed to be in the upper section of the theater, but we arrived about 5 minutes into the production and the usher asked if we would like to sit closer. I told her we would and she took us to our new, closer seats....2nd row, center stage! It was awesome!! You could see every expression on the dancers' faces, every pointed toe, everything....such a perfect gift for me! Then on Christmas, I got Tupperware from my parents...yep, that's a big deal because this is the 2nd year I asked them to get me a "nice" matching set of Tupperware. Last year I got a chest freezer instead...yeah, I didn't understand that either. Anyway, Christmas was fantastic.<br /><br />Now I realize that this would be the perfect blog to post fun Christmas pictures on, but I'm a dork and didn't take any pics. I don't know why. It could be because I refuse to add any more photos to the pile I swear I'm going to scrapbook...or it could be because I just suck at capturing memories. At any rate, sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll try to be better in '09.<br /><br />Onto my new, embarrasing obsession. It all started innocently enough on Christmas Day at my brother's house. My sister-in-law, who is a lovely chick, asked me if I had read anything good lately. I told her I hadn't read anything that I just couldn't put down because I normally stick to the fluffy stuff. She told me she had been reading some books about vampires. I thought, okay, I'll keep this conversation going, because it's not often that Amanda and I actually have anything to talk about. She's great, but is pretty reserved...and well, I'm not at all! So I asked her more about the books. She got really excited and brought 2 very thick books to me and said, "You've got to read these!" Of course, I'm sure you've all figured out that the books she showed me we the first 2 of the Twilight saga. Now I swear, I have not been living under rocks lately, it's just that as much as I adore celebrity gossip, I don't really get into movies. Apparently, this is a huge "tween/teen" thing....who knew? <br />I told Amanda I would read the first one and when I finished it, I would get the 2nd from her. She told me to go ahead and take both, but I didn't even though she said she'd finished the first in 4 days and the second in less than that. I thought, there is no way I'm jumping on this bandwagon! Boy was I wrong! So, I started the first book Thursday night around 7:30 and read for about 2 hours (Scott finally made me show him some attention). I finished that one on Saturday around noon. As soon as I finished that book, like the addict I am, I was trying to figure out how soon I could get the next one. I sent Amanda a text to tell her thanks for lending it to me and she was right. She called me and laughed that I'd finished it that quickly and told me she'd leave the 2nd one for me on the back porch the next morning so I could pick it up....<br />So I did pick it up, yesterday after lunch....I went to my parent's house and visited with Mom, the whole time wishing I could just find a quiet place to read undisturbed. I got home around 4:30 and piddled around....trying not to get the shakes, because the book was on the table and I felt obligated to do a few chores before I lost hours and hours in this story. So at 5-ish last night, I began the second book. I read for an hour and then had to cook dinner for my boys. Normally, cooking for them is no big deal, but they were interuppting my reading time. After dinner we sat around and I gave Scott and Tristan my undivided attention. When they finally left at 8:30, I was so relieved...I could finally find out what was happening to all of my "new friends". I read until 11 and I only have about 100 pages left to read now. I don't know what I'm gonna do when this book is over...Amanda is getting the 3rd and 4th book from a friend of hers for Christmas so it will be a week before I can get my hands on my next fix!!! I refuse to buy the 3rd and 4th books though...the less evidence the better.<br />Anyway, so I'm embarassed. The writing in this series is phenomenally easy to read and the characters are pretty easy to relate to and invest in, but I feel so guilty about reading this series. Is it 'cause I know that there are a million 13-18 year old girls crushing hard on the vampire boy? I don't have a crush on any of the vampires. Sure, they're way cool, but Edward and his clan are a little to "girly man" for me. Oh well, if you call and can't get in touch with me, you know what I'll be doing for the next couple of days.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-86706623917468609172008-12-19T16:35:00.004-06:002008-12-19T16:49:10.549-06:00Still Singing!Okay, I'm adding more to my Christmas song barrage. I got this article from MSN's website. <br /><br />10 Worst Holiday Songs<br />And why we hate them . . .<br />1. Dominick the Donkey, Lou Monte--If we wanted to hear that much braying, we’d sit next to our asthmatic uncle Fred. <span style="color:#990000;">WTF! I have never ever heard of Dominick.</span><br />2. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Elmo & Patsy--Because Nana’s drinking is no laughing matter. <span style="color:#990000;">Totally agree with the song, but the reason is a little lame...drunk Nana is always fun!</span><br />3. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late), The Chipmunks & David Seville--Regrettably, the Xanax is in our other purse. <span style="color:#990000;">I actually like this one, however, it could be grating after the 476th listen</span><br />4. Jingle Bells, The Singing Dogs--Hmmm, barking dogs. See also: reasons to move. <span style="color:#990000;">Not sure what this one is...and I think that's good.</span><br />5. Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano--The only Spanish we retained from high school. <span style="color:#990000;">So not true...I also learned the Elephant song in 9th grade Spanish...thanks Mrs. Smith</span><br />6. I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Tommie Connor--Fanning the fears of infidelity and broken marriages since 1952. <span style="color:#990000;">Hehehe...I like this reason</span><br />7. Mamacita, Donde Esta Santa Claus?, Augie Rios--Sparking the Santa-ain’t-real conversation in homes all across the country.<span style="color:#990000;"> It's probably not necessary to tell you that I have no idea what song they're talking about.</span><br />8. Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer--Someone’s gonna yell “like a light bulb!” and think they’re being cute. But they won’t be. <span style="color:#990000;">I'm the girl yelling "like a light bulb!" What's it to you?!?</span><br />9. Christmas in Hollis, Run-DMC--Santa doesn’t get jacked in the ’hood. How festive. <span style="color:#990000;">Well, of course Reverend Run has a Christmas song, it's now officially a hymn with his congregation (or not)</span><br />10.The Christmas Shoes, NewSong--Why would you do this to yourself? Seriously, people take medication to avoid this feeling. <span style="color:#990000;">I totally agree...this song makes me want to spike the eggnog just a little more.</span><br /><span style="color:#990000;">And my addition to this list...</span><br /><span style="color:#666666;">11. Last Christmas, George Michael (Wham!)--I know it's better to give than to receive, but George, you should've kept it to yourself....ALL of it. </span><br /><span style="color:#666666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#666666;">I'll follow up with the Favorite Songs list on Monday!! Have a happy weekend</span>!<br /><span style="color:#990000;"></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-51370073042122307592008-12-17T14:06:00.005-06:002008-12-17T14:15:41.357-06:00I love Christmas music!I don't know about y'all, but we have a station (or two) in Mobile that start playing Christmas music non-stop somewhere around August 23rd! Anyway, I've heard "I'll be home for Christmas", "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Santa Baby" about 47,069 times so far. So I thought I'd add a couple of new versions I found on Fast Company's website. I get the magazine in the mail and it's pretty interesting most months so I visit the website too. Enjoy these recession-ized favorites!<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">(SUNG TO THE TUNE OF “WINTER WONDERLAND”)<br />New home sales, they are dropping<br />No one feels like going shopping<br />It is awful, it’s true<br />But what can you do<br />Be happy that you’re breathing and alive<br /><br />No one has any money<br />It is not even funny<br />Your friends are all broke<br />But life is a joke<br />Be happy that you’re breathing and alive<br /><br />In a year the worst will sure be over<br />We’ll be back and strong and on our feet<br />Unless we’re second place by then to China<br />But being number two is just as sweet<br /><br />Suck it up, we will manage<br />We’ll repair all the damage<br />We’re just in a slump<br />It’s just a speed bump<br />Be happy that you’re breathing and alive</span><br /><br />AND.....<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">(SUNG TO THE TUNE OF “JINGLE BELL ROCK”)<br />Help us out, help us out, help us Barack<br />We’re in a sling, so please do your thing<br />You are the new guy and that means so much<br />Do you mind being our little crutch?<br /><br />Soon you’ll be, soon you’ll be in office, Barack<br />It’s up to you, we haven’t a clue<br />You have inherited quite a big mess<br />We expect the best!<br /><br />We’re in fright time, it’s the right time<br />To tell us it’s okay<br />Sure you’re human, but things are loomin’<br />We need a miracle, we need it today<br /><br />Hurry up, Prez-Elect, get on the stick<br />Solve all our problems now<br />We like to abdicate responsibility<br />So, please help us out<br />Won’t you help us out<br />Please just help us Barack!</span><br /><br />Seriously, don't forget that this time of year isn't really about the Biggest, Best and who can spend the most money....just being with friends and family should help take some of the stress away. And if it doesn't, just keep singing!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-88572221333484694282008-12-16T11:50:00.007-06:002008-12-16T12:11:08.603-06:00You love me, you really love me!! (and other notes)<div>Well, it seems that my BFF, Lu, hearts my poor, neglected blog.</div><br /><div>I swore that when I started this, I was going to make a point to write at least 4 times a week. This award has prompted me to soldier on and make my blog more than it currently is. So, Lu, my blog thanks you!!</div><br /><div>Onto the rules....as I understand it, I'm supposed to post the award to this blog. Here it is!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280448313079741378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yZbbOpDNYr-GToqBsIfB162sJxs6oGT4oqx7KD6FzsQ0f-tbArNhBrQqAn9LMF2pZq30u6CqNf4DS4j7Yf1MXNbJXqdATse7eG_QT8gy15iXyJCU-5OPCQwzzLTTtqio-ZU964k9fc_w/s200/blogger_award.png" border="0" /></div><br /><p>I am then to acknowledge how fabulous the bestower of the award is....and really, what can I say about Lu! She's known me forever and still likes me. She's a wonderful friend, mother and the strongest woman I know. I admire and love her and even though I don't get to see or talk to her as much as I'd like, I know we'll always be close!</p><p>Next, I believe I'm supposed to pass this award onto 7 of my blog friends. I'm going to beg of the committee that they allow me sometime in completing this task. I only have 3 bloggy friends and all of them have had the award within the past several weeks. As I make some new friends, I'll pass along the award with pride!</p><p>Finally! I have some holiday eating tips that crack me up. I got these from the following link and let me just say, I like the way this lady thinks! </p><p><a href="http://www.innocentmind.myhostforlife.com/cholidaytips.htm">http://www.innocentmind.myhostforlife.com/cholidaytips.htm</a></p><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><p>Holiday Eating Tips<br />I hate some things about this time of year. Not the crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds.<br />You can't pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday eating do's and don'ts...eliminate second helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, they say. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say.<br />Good grief. Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't think so. Isn't mine, either. A carrot is something you leave for Rudolph. <br />I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if you follow them, you'll be fat and happy. So what if you don't make it to New Year's? Your pants won't fit anymore, anyway. Enjoy the tips!</p><p>1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.</p><p>2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!</p><p>3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.</p><p>4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.</p><p>5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?</p><p>6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.</p><p>7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.</p><p>8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?</p><p>9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.</p><p>10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.</p><p><br />And remember this motto to live by:<br />Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"</p></blockquote>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-43493151478789621342008-11-25T19:00:00.005-06:002008-11-25T19:20:35.245-06:00My Giving of the Thanks!<div><div>Reasons I heart Thanksgiving:<br /><div><div><div></div><div>#1: Family!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272768894168196002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG35nBfAxh652MZHp9iaHIzOFA9YNI5AheTeYQQmMHo-k5iBclKCTIYWtTMVutoDMQZMOP1rgG2ez55ZvaTVL2jxBGzrENL596M4OT3TR-w17yQDdzhhHRGOGNFqTWNmD-Ta2hxmEe_RV/s200/DSCN0243.JPG" border="0" /> #2: Friends!! Thanksgiving is a great time to catch up with everyone so you guys better call or text me!</div><br /><br /><p>#3: Turkey and the fixins'</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.recipebits.com/recipes/thanksgiving/turkey_dinner.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="http://www.recipebits.com/recipes/thanksgiving/turkey_dinner.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>#4: After dinner nap<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ruggedelegantliving.com/a/images/Cat.Nap.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><p></p><p>#5: Leftovers (Nobody really wants a pic of that)</p><br /><p>#6: Shopping</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.kc-store-fixtures.com/TN/Shopping-Bags_kraft.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div><br /><p>#7: 29 more days til Christmas!!!</p><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/christmas-ornaments1.jpg" border="0" /></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-56933370724597251282008-11-21T11:44:00.007-06:002008-11-21T13:59:32.753-06:00Sales Blitz hell!!!This is the time of year for giving thanks, for relaxing and being able to slack off a bit, right? Well apparently not in the jacked up world of technical recruiting!<br /><br />So for those of you who don't know my history, let me take you back a bit. I started off 2008 in a nice office (if you like cheap wood paneling) all to myself, head of my department (me and a pregnant girl). The company was small, local and perfect for me. I got to use my very expensive Marketing degree (you hear the 'rents cheering in the background) and really liked what I did. The pay was just okay, but I liked my job description.<br />Fast forward to July 25th, around 2:13pm. I'm sitting in my retro office, planning an event and the HR manager walks in. Now this was not uncommon. She and I got along well and would occasionally waste a few minutes (hours) shooting the breeze. So I look up with my winning smile waiting for a cute anecdote about her 7 year old, Myles. Instead I'm greeted with a somber-look. So she basically says the company is not doing so well, we're having to let people go. Me being the invincible (ie naive) person that I am say, "Oh, well that stinks. Who has to go?" totally thinking since I'm the only one in my department, I'm safe. HR lady says she's sorry, but I need to collect my things and turn in my keys, I'll get severance pay, don't-let-the-door-hit-me-in-the-ass. Not a great situation, but hey, I got to go to the beach a couple hours earlier than I planned.<br />A month later, I get a job with QTS. Now during the interview process I knew this was the place for me. The office is 18 women and 3 guys. All of the women are anywhere from 25-50 and sooooo nice. It seemed like a great environment (and it really is). I accepted the job, not really knowing what exactly I would be doing, but the part I could determine sounded like cake. I started the first week of September and it has been interesting to say the least.<br />My main job is to call about a million people a day to find out how there business is doing and if they have any open jobs that my company can help them find employees for. We're not really a temp agency, more of a head-hunter since we deal with engineers, designers, CFOs and the like. These past few months have helped me learn more about myself than anything else. For instance, I despise talking with strangers on the phone!!! It's weird, because if I talk to them once, then they never feel like a stranger again, but I have to make myself call that first time. I've also decided that I'm not a salesperson. Luckily, the majority of my job doesn't require that but I can so easily take "No" for an answer. I think this is because it annoys me to be on the other end of that and get stuck with the uber-salesy telemarketer...<br />So, here's the point of my rant. This week the president of our company, who I really do like, tells us that she's come up with a great contest. Ooooh contest!! And a I'm <em>always</em> the Jackpot winner in Biloxi ....not! So the contest is to "dig up" the most job orders for our recruiters to work on next week. (A job order being an order to help fill a job the client has open) Yippee Skippee! The dutiful employee I am, I tried to be positive, but I was really dreading it. As I'm sure you all know, the economy sucks right now. Companies aren't hiring; they're laying off. The only companies hiring right now are the fuel companies and the insurance companies (80% surplus anyone???) Anyway, the contest started Tuesday and I talked to over 50 different hiring managers and got 48 are-you-living-under-a-rock responses. Two clients felt bad for me and I'm pretty sure they just made something up to get me off the phone (has anyone heard of a chemical company needing an elephant scrubber?). There are 6 other people throughout my company that do the same thing I do...4 of them are in the same boat I am; sucking...the other 2, who are based in New Orleans and Houston (can anyone say OIL and GAS?) did really well. They got, like, 15 orders and I got 2. Here's the really disappointing part, the grand prize was $1000. Yeah, there goes Christmas for the family. Everyone's getting cookies from me this year!<br /><br />Oh well, the contest is finally over and I'm exhausted. I really want to do nothing 'til Thanksgiving, but I have a feeling Prez is going to have another brainstorm this weekend and we'll be doing a Turkey Toss contest in the halls here next week. Wish me luck! Cookie and Al need new collars!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094515762964621680.post-19201013617978606012008-11-20T18:12:00.003-06:002008-11-20T18:15:48.348-06:00My first BlogSo with all the crazy in the world, I figured I'd add mine.<br />I originally hesitated to create a blog for a few reasons: <br /><br />#1: I don't have a kid, so I'm gonna have to work extra hard on Wordless Wednesdays.<br /><br />#2: My job is a little crazy so I don't know how well I'll keep up in the first place...what with the boys (more on them later) and animals I've got hanging around.<br /><br />#3: I'm not sure everyone wants to hear about my little take on the world around me. But have you read some of the blogs out there....wowee is all I'm saying!<br /><br />So here's my venture into the blogosphere. I hope you guys enjoy. I'm so open to suggestions since I'm a newbie.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05178797738869318003noreply@blogger.com2