Wow, it's been a looooong time...

Sorry about being away from my blog so long...I guess life got in the way!

Hmmmm,,,what's been going on...Jodie turned 4 on December 1, Jaylin will be 2 on December 7, and Jake will be 8 on December 20. Wow, it makes me feel so old having a child who is 8. On December 20 I will have a 2, 4, 6, and 8 year old. Man oh man, time really does fly when you have kids.

Me- Still working along. Trying to put money back for a "rainy day."

I'll end with a bit of cuteness from Jodie:
We went shopping and I had all 4 kids with me (a regular thing these days), and I had Jaylin in the front and Jodie in the cart. She did NOT want to be in the cart though and she was a little upset that I was making her be in there. So we're going along and she's just talking away and I finally hear what she's saying "Mommy, I do not want to be in here. I am not groceries!" Haha, it made me laugh. And no, I didn't let her out, mean mommy! :)

Jen

Here I am!!

OOps, I think I missed my every day for 30 days post! I think I need to start it ALL over again. I just got so busy.....yeah right, it only takes 2 minutes to post so I have no excuse. :)

Well, I started the 6 week body makeover the other day. I was going to start last Thursday morning, but that was the day after Jason's birthday and we still had a lot of yummy home-made strawberry cake. I did okay with not eating that all day, but then came the planned dinner and I just couldn't take it. It was spaghetti and anyone who knows me knows that spaghetti is my favorite meal. So, after eating good for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, I finally caved in and decided to start the diet on Monday because everyone knows that's when you start a diet. Then I allowed myself to have cake and spaghetti. Kind of a last harrah.

Now it's going along good. I have lost 5 pounds since Tuesday so that's great!

Jason is taking the kids camping with the cub scouts this weekend. They should have so much fun and I really wish I could go to. They are going to Gulf Shores. Oh, and my dad is going with them :) Also, my mom will be here with me and we will be working on some sewing projects that I have to finish up! (sorry I haven't sent it yet Kim, the week has been so full, but I promise it will be mailed out first thing Monday morning!!!) Is it bad that I'm looking foreward to that camping trip? I love love love my family but it will be nice to have a quieter house the next couple of days.

Anyways, I have to get to work and make my breakfast (1 bowl of oatmeal with splenda, 1/2 banana, 2 hard-boiled eggs with the yolk taken out).

Jen

Starting the 6 Week Body Makeover

Well, my mom got the the Michael Thurman's weight-loss system. Supposedly you can lose 30 pounds in 6 weeks if you follow the program and I will. I was going to post some before pictures but this blog is open to the world and I don't want anyone to see me in my before pictures as I'm only wearing shorts and a bra. I will post them on a more private forum tomorrow. I'm sure it will be the most embarassing thing I have done. But that's why I'm doing it, so I don't have to be embarassed any more.

Six weeks, here I come! :) I went and got some smaller clothes at JC Pennies and I WILL fit in to them!

Okay, I'm out-

Jen

Thinking of crafts..

KIM- My payday is Wednesday and then I will get some fabric for the apron! I'm looking foreward to making it :)

So, I was thinking about ways to get money for Christmas and my "pay off my credit cards" fund. We do have a flea market out here and we are fastly approaching the "season." I was thinking of opening a little booth and selling some things but I have NO IDEA what I would sell. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Here are some thoughts I had:
1- I could make little and big aprons and little chef hats for the kids. I just think that would be cute you know?
2- The shopping cart covers?, maybe.

I'm thinking and racking my brain trying to figure out something I can make for cheap and then sell for a little profit. Anything that would help during Christmas time would be awesome. Please give me some ideas okay? ......did I say please? :) :)

Jen

Testing

I'm sitting here watching TV working. What I really need is a nap!

Testing, so see if the strike thingy worked...
Jen

Trying to get in a better mood,

I'm just in a bad mood today, yesterday, the day before, you get the picture. What the heck is my problem? Actually, I KNOW what my problem is.

I just don't know what to do about it.

UGH, I guess I'll go back to work, wahooh. (catch my enthusiasm)

Jen

I'm a cheater and I know it..

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm the kind of person who reads a mystery book, gets about 3 chapters in, and reads the last page. I do go on and read the whole book though. I just like not having the stress of worrying about "who did it." :)

Jen

Does anyone sing along with the radio...

when you are driving? Do you sing loud, or pick up random things and use them as a microphone? I do, a lot.

Mystery solved

When I was in college I drove a Geo Tracker. A purple Geo Tracker. Super cool (hahaha)
Well, after my first semester my parents flew down to drive home with me. (We were moving from AZ to TN, and I was going to school in FL) SO, out of town we are driving and we have this thing PACKED, I mean, I am squished in the back of the car without any leg room. It's a good thing I'm not claustrophobic!

My dad was driving, my mom was in the front, and I was squished in the back. We are almost out of town sitting at a red light and all of a sudden *someone* opens the passenger side door. My mom screams because she had been resting her head on the door and someone just comes and opens the door. Well, just as fast as it opened, it closed again and I couldn't see who it was. We were like, "Who in the heck could that have been?" I probably would have known, but the back was so packed, I couldn't even look out the window. So I guess it would stay a mystery. We laughed and laughed about that the whole way home..

Fast foreward 1 1/2 years. I'm in school just hanging out with a guy named Bob. He was also a student at my college ****Southeastern College, Lakeland FL****. We were talking and he was like "Hey, remember the time I walked up to your car, opened the door and was going to get in the car with you?" Ummmmm, NO, I don't remember that! It took me a second but then I remembered back to the time something strange had happened at a red light.

Mystery solved, It was him! He said he saw my car and he knew it was me. Not everyone had a purple geo tracker. He was going to get in the car with me and ride until the next red light and then get out again, just to be funny. So 1 1/2 years later the mystery got solved. The thing is, I didn't even really know Bob when that had happened. I had maybe said 1 or 2 words to him. Still funny though.

Jen

LABOR day

Well, actually did a lot of Labor today! I cleaned our downstairs, which has become a makeshift storage room. There were so many things in there, I can't believe I got it looking as good as it is. It isn't perfect yet, and neither is the rest of the house, but I like it down there much more. Now all we need to do is lay down the new flooring. And when I say WE, what I really mean is my DEAR HUSBAND :) Too bad he doesn't read this, maybe he could get the hint! Haha.

So anywyas, the kids were out of school today and it's been nice. They have played together outside and inside. Jaylin is napping right now, although I'll be waking her up soon.

Tonight I think I'll just work and then be lazy...more to post later :)

Jen

KIM

Hey! I tried to leave you a message on COF! Can I get an invite to your blog? I would LOVE to make you an apron, just let me know what color/pattern you want and your address :)

(my e-mail is jenarias5011@hotmail.com. I actually can't access the 5jarias address any more)

Thanks :)

Jen

Short post today

My stomach has been hurting since last night. I have no idea why either. Every time I eat, it just starts cramping up. SO, the result is a very short post. I just took 2 Advil PMs and am thinking about going to bed!

Jen

*GREAT* morning (catch the sarcasm)

I woke up a little late this morning, which in and of itself isn't too bad. But I got the kids up to get ready for school and walked into the kitchen to get Jada some cereal. Right in front of my refrigerator I stepped in a puddle of CAT PEE. UGH, this cat has a litter box and I have no idea why he wouldn't use it. So I had to go change my clothes because I had on my satin pajama pants. Then I went and cleaned up the mess and mopped the kitchen floor. I also had to pick up the (almost new) huge bag of dog food, because some had gotten on the bottom of the bag and I wanted to clean it.

About 5 minutes before the kids bus comes I pick up the bag of dog food out of the sink to put it away and the bottom came open and a TON of dog food fell out of the bag right onto my kitchen floor. Yes, the kitchen floor I just mopped. So Jake is helping me sweep it up and put it in a clean trash bag, and we almost miss the bus. We are having to RUN to get there. I got the mess cleaned up, but ended up starting work late.

The rest of the day has been fine though (So far) :)

On a different note, I have still been sewing. I made another pair of those shoes for Jaylin, because my first ones were a tad bit too small. I also made a little apron for the girls to wear, just a half apron. It's cute though, and I put 2 pockets on it. I have to say it's so much better than the first one I had made! :) I'm going to try to make something else today and post a picture of it. I'm learning.

It turns out I DID need glasses. Dang Walmart eye center! They said I didn't really HAVE to have glasses and that my eyes were definately not giving me the headaches. I went to another place 2 weeks later though here in town. Well guess what? I do need the glasses and yes it is my eyes that have been giving me these headaches. So, I got the glasses yesterday. We'll see, hopefully it will take care of the problem. I'm just mad because I had to pay WM almost 70 dollars and they didn't do anything helpful. Then I paid 190 dollars (including exam, frames, and lenses) at the better place. I just feel like that 70 dollars were wasted. Grrrr. I hate losing money.

I think I'll go sew something, that is very theraputic :)

Jen

Funny thing happened at Wal-Mart today.

First of all, I am shocked and saddened to know that the new Wal-Marts and the Wal-Marts that are being updated will be without the fabric section :(

So, I went to a WM (a newly updated one) and was horrified to find the fabric section GONE. So I had no other choice but to go to a different one. (Which really was only about 5 miles away, but anyways) I got to this other WM and pick out my fabric. I have to say this took forever. I had to find the right combination of colors. Finally when I was done I made my way to the big counter/table thing to have my fabric cut. Only there wasn't anyone there. So I walked around a bit longer to see if someone would come.

Finally I went back to the table and no one was there still. There was also another college-aged girl waiting too. We were trying to figure out what to do because we had already rang the little bell...numerous times (that was me, I was trying to get someone's attention). So I went and found an employee and asked them to page someone to come to the fabric section.

Back to the counter/table. A couple seconds after the page, the phone rings. I figure it's someone who works there asking if anyone had helped us yet, so I answer it. Turns out it was NOT a WM worker, instead it was a customer calling with a question. I believe she wanted to know if they had fleece material with certain kinds of patterns on it. I didn't want to leave the lady out in the cold so I just acted like I worked there and put her on hold. I went to the fleece section and found a couple that she wanted, went back to the phone and described the kind I had found. Kind of like "Maam, we have this kind and this kind." She was happy and said thank you very much and hung up.

Jason couldn't belive I actually answered their phone and then helped the lady like I actually worked there. But hey, who else would have answered her question? Obviously not the person who was supposed to be at the counter.

HA!
jen

Made the shoes.

Well, it took FOREVER, because I kept on messing up and had to undo what I did. I probably did that about 10 times, no lie, but they are finished! When I went to try them on her they were too small :( Oh well, I'm giving them to a friend and will make another (bigger) pair!

These are the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) shoes. :) :)

Picture of that apron

So here's the apron I made yesterday. It took me HOURS. But, not bad for my first attempt, especially since I didn't have a pattern. I looked at another apron of mine and tried to duplicate it. I really did learn a lot and it was fun, (although I had a headache by the time I was done).



Maybe the next one will be even better!
Jen

Sewing like crazy

So, way back when my aunt died (over a year ago), I inherited one of her sewing machines. She loved to sew and make blankets and other stuff. I decided this weekend to try to teach myself to use the thing...it's been interesting to say the least! I haven't done **too** bad. Let's see...I made a baby doll blanket, 2 pillows, and an apron.

Someday I would like to be really good and make clothes and everything. I guess we'll see!

Today is day 2 of my whole doing the blog every day thing. I didn't do much to the house because I was busy sewing!

Okay, a more interesting post for tomorrow :)

Jen

IS that you grandpa?

So, a long time ago, when I was still living at home, this happened to me....Yes, this is a typical Jen story...

My parents were out of the house and I was home alone, (don't worry, I was around 17 or 18). Someone calls on the phone and I go over and answer it. It was my grandpa asking to talk to my dad. This is how the conversation went.

CALLER: Hey, can I talk to your dad?
ME: Hi grandpa! No, he's not here right now, but I'll have him call you back when he gets home though.
CALLER: This isn't your grandpa.
ME: Haha, yeah right. You're so funny.
CALLER: No, seriously, this isn't your grandpa.
ME: Okay then....Well, I'll have him call you when he gets home.....GRANDPA...then I hang up.

Yes, I really emphasized the word grandpa in my last sentance.

Guess what?? It turns out the guy was NOT my grandpa and to this day, I have no idea who it was. He never called back. He really DID sound like my grandpa though.

Oh well, it must not have been that important! :)

Jen

Trying to make a change,

I find when I keep myself accountable I do much much better with things like work and keeping the house clean. SO, I have decided to post every day for the next 30 days. In addition...I am doing to try to make some kind of improvement (big or small) to the house every day. I'm curious if I will see any actual change. I bet I will, as long as I take it seriously!

So help keep me accountable okay? :) :)

Jen

How Embarrassing!

So, I went to the Library today.... Me, Jason, Jodie, and Jaylin. Anyways, I bent over to pick Jaylin up and...passed gas. Loud.

It didn't even give me a warning! Oh well, I was amongst old ladies and I'm SURE they could relate. But still, my cheeks are still red...

Jen

Question,

What's the difference between partly cloudy and partly sunny?

A couple things about me

- I LOVE spaghetti. I will eat it for breakfast at any chance I can. I always make it at least one time per week sometimes twice.

- I hate swimming in lakes. It really makes me nervous not knowing if something is in the water about to touch me. We went this afternoon and I had to get out because little fish kept on bumping into me.

- While listening to my Ipod I will sing out LOUD and dance all around while I clean the house. Because of this, it takes me about 4 times as long to actually get it clean. I will listen to show tunes too and try to act out each song.

- I went to a Christian college, slept with my boyfriend, and worked as a bartender......all at the same time. (I was a heathen, but not any more!)

- I care way too much about what people think of me.

- Which is funny, because I'm a wierdo.

- I'm a closet neat freak. You would not be able to tell by looking at my house, but I want things a certain way. If someone loads my dishwasher for me and they do it wrong, I will go back and re-do it the way I like it. (Never in front of the person though)

- I want to be crafty, I just haven't found the time.

- I would rather eat beef jerky instead of chocolate any day.

- I secretly want to go hunting and wear camo and paint my face.

- There's more, I just can't think of them right now!

Jen

Weekend before school starts!

Well, on Thursday 2 out of the 4 children will start school (grades 1 and 2). I think it will be nice for them, although Jake doesn't act too excited. Those kids get so bored here at home and then they start to argue and they get in trouble etc.. It's just good for everyone that they go back to school.

So we went school shopping this weekend. It. Was. Crazy. Let me tell you, it was not worth it, even though it was tax-free weekend. Actually one store (WalMart) was absolutely crazy. We couldn't get through the aisles and we were literally bumping into people. They were also out of a lot of things. Soooo, we strolled on down to Target and it was beautiful! There were even workers there asking us what we were looking for and helping us find it. I know where we'll go next year for school shopping!

Jason was out of town all last week and so my mom took that as an opportunity to come for a quick visit. It was really nice! I always feel bad because she always buys the kids so many things. I can't think of the last time I have HAD to buy them any clothes because my mom keeps them well stocked!

Okay, I'm off to get a snack :)

Jen

Thinking I need glasses??

My eyes are just so tired. Also, every day I'm getting this headache. Yesterday was the worst. I don't know if it's because I'm at the computer screen all day, or the fact that I'm trying to read more books instead of watch TV, but I want these headaches gone.

Last night I had a big headache and so I took 2 Advil PMs. About an hour later they kicked in and I was so out of it, it was funny. I picked up the phone to call a friend, dialed her number and immediately laid the phone down on the counter. Good thing I didn't leave it sitting there too long, and she wasn't home anyways. I just think that was funny.

Anyways, I think I'll give my poor eyeballs a rest from the screen and go.....read a book? Yeah?

Jen

Pictures? Hopefully...

Me from a little while ago. I don't have many pictures of myself...I also wear my hair curly or straight. This one is straight, but with the summer heat and humidity, I've been going curly. I'll post a picture of that (maybe)...


This one is of Jada the night she graduated from Kindergarten..the other person was her teacher!

Here is a VERY messy Jodie after she had just made a mess in the kitchen. Yes, she got a bath later...


Here is Jake and Jada on Easter (yes, it's late I know). Please pardon the mess, it was Sunday morning and we were running late..

This is Jaylin and Jodie on Easter. I have better pictures, but they are on my phone and I can't get them right now.. again, this is the play room/living room/office in the background. We are working on a much nicer (no paneling) adult livingroom downstairs.


I took this at the zoo a couple months ago. It still scares me to look at it. I really think he wanted to get to me...

I din't know what to write about..

I'm trying to get ahead on my bills by working some overtime these next couple weeks. I have suspended going to the gym until I know for sure that I can afford the gas. I wish they had a Gold's Gym here in Columbiana but instead I have to drive about 40 minutes each way to get there. I guess I could go to a different gym, but it's so convenient because my gym has child care. I can't wait to get started in the classes again though. I think my favorite is the Body Flow class. Second is the Body Pump (although that really kicks my butt!). Least favorite is the RPM (bicycle) class because it seriously takes so much out of me. I have tried the Body Step class twice now and I have come to the conclusion that those ladies are CRAZY! Maybe I'll try it again, but I don't have that much rhythm and I end up laughing at myself as the steps get more complex. Then I'm laughing and they are getting more and more crazy and I just can't do it!

So, Jason was thinking about joining the Marine Reserves. I'm not sure if he's actually going to try but he was seriously talking about it last week. I have mixed emotions about it. One thing- it would be really good for him I think. Really, the only negative thing is the possibility that he would have to go to Iraq. I can't imagine my life for 1 year on my own with the kids. Crazy!! Anyways, there are so many benefits other than that so I guess we'll see if he's serious.

So in the background I hear Diego singing "masa bajo, to the bottom of the sea." It's sad, I don't know many of the newest songs out there but I can quote any song word for word if it's from Nick or Disney....oh the life of the mother :)

Jen

A case of mistaken identity

Ever think you know someone and then take a closer look and realize that person is NOT who you thought they were? Like in the store- There have been many times I see a friend and my face will brighten up and I'll wave like a mad woman and be like "Hey! Hi! How are you?," and then realize that it wasn't them. Then I have to pretend that, no, I wasn't waving at you, I was waving at the person who was behind you. The person that isn't there anymore. I never get too embarassed at stuff like that. Except one time....

My family used to own a convienent store in Arkansas, this was when I was 10 or 11. We actually lived on top of the store, it had been turned into an apartment. Well, we had made friends with this one family that we went to church with. The man was this guy with a really big gut. I mean, he looked almost 9 months pregnant. What I would do when I saw him was bounce off his stomach. (It really was bouncy and wouldn't hurt him at all) I would throw my body into his stomach and promptly bounce back in the opposite direction. Fun :) (I know, I was/still am a dork).

One day I was walking out of the store and there he was at the gas pumps getting some gas. I waved and went over to say hi. When I got to him I did my usual greeting of "bouncing" off of his big belly. I looked up at him to talk and then realized that this guy was NOT the family friend of ours. Instead, he was just some random stranger. So, I continued walking and crossed the street (it was out in the country) and stayed until the man had left.

I wonder what he thought of me. I bet he was really scratching his head over the strange girl who came over and plunged her body onto his stomach, bounced back, and then walked across the street....

Yeah- sounds like something I would do..

Anyone else do this?

I'm not ashamed to admit it. When I'm sitting around and working or watching TV or whatever, and I have a runny nose, I will get a tissue and stick it up my nose in such a way that it stays there. That way I don't have to continuously wipe my nose all the time when it's running. It seems logical to me. Jason gives me many strange looks to the point where I eventually take it out of my nose...... Some people just don't understand. :)

Jen

Medical Transcription- My Job

I work from home and that always gets people asking me various questions about what I do. I am a medical transcriptionist. Here's the deal.....if you get sick and go to the doctor, hospital, have a procedure done, get an operation, anything having to deal with seeing a medical professional, there has to be a specific record kept of each encounter. A doctor might do this himself, but not usually. What usually happens, is a doctor will make a dictation- or a voice file- that goes into detail about the patient encounter. This is where I come in. I have access to these dictations through the wonderful Internet, and of course, my employer. I put on my super-cool head set, log onto the internet and my special work program, and begin to transcribe- or type- what the doctor says.

Sounds easy? Think again. It takes skill to be a medical transcriptionist (MT). We have to be able to spell and recognize medical terminology, laboratory values, and medications. Sometimes a doctor will misspeak and dictate a wrong word, or lab value or medication and we have to be able to catch that and flag it. It's hard! We have to keep a 99% accuracy, and if we don't, then it's trouble. If we want to make any money doing it, we also have to be not slow at it too. Honestly, it's not what I want to do for the rest of my life. There are many pros and cons to my job, and I would like to list those.

Pros:
- I get to work from home! I don't have to use expensive gas to get to work, I just walk down the hall.
- I don't have to pay childcare. That gets expensive, especially when you have 4 kids like I do.
- The pay isn't bad, as long as you know what you are doing and are "not slow" at it.
- I have control over what my schedule is.
- It's easy to take off when I need to.
- I don't have to deal with office politics.
- If I want to go out of town, all I have to do is bring my laptop and I can take my work with me.

Cons:
- Sometimes being at home with 4 kids day in and day out starts to get to me. I need some ADULT time!
- It can get boring.
- I always have my work (computer) staring me in the face. It's always there, I can't leave it behind at the office.
- I get paid on production, so if I have an off week then that means my paycheck will be lower.
- More and more MT jobs are being ousurced to India.
- People who say "Hey, I can be an MT because I know how to type." That isn't true at all. Just because I know how to give my child Tylenol doesn't mean I can go to the hospital and be a nurse. It's a professional job just like any other.

So there it is. My list of pros and cons. I'm slowly going back to school though. :) Until then though, MT is what I'm doing. Some days are better than others!

Jen

The GHOST of our livingroom.

This happened a couple months ago but I just remembered it now.

My sister-in-law and I were in the kitchen talking and all of a sudden Jodie comes in scared to DEATH. I mean, she is crying and wants out of the livingroom. She is screaming "No! No! Go away!" At this point we look into the living room and no one is there. What in the world? We ask her what she is scared of and she points to near the couch, but again, there is nothing/no one there. So we look at each other and both of us are getting a little spooked. We go in there and she starts crying again and we are trying to figure out what she's afraid of.

Of course we are like "Is it here now?" By now we are both getting a little scared of what in the world was scaring Jodie. On the floor is her magna-doodle. It's a fancy one my mom got her, it has a button that you push and Dora talks to you while you draw. Soooo, it turns out that the batteries were almost out and made Dora's voice drag and just make crazy freaky noises. So, the "ghost" was Dora. I can really see how it scared her though, if I were little it would have really freaked me out too!

What makes me laugh is how my sister-in-law and I were almost ghost hunting that night trying to find it!!!

I miss her, she's living in CA again...:)

Jen

Bad blogger!

I know I'm a bad blogger. It's so hard especially in the summer time. So, I was reading back through my prior postings and noticed some spelling mistakes. I hate it when I catch them a couple months too late! Even more, is HOW I am misspelling them. I will write patients instead of patience. Which, is understandable for me because I do medical transcription so everything gets turned medical whenever possible :)

So what's going on in my life?
- I quit that second job. It really became too much for me to take and some things happened that just put a bad taste in my mouth.
- I got a raise with my other job! Always a good thing. I will never turn down a raise.
- School starts in less than 4 weeks. I guess I should fill out the forms that I should have had filled out already. I am quite the procrastinator.
- At any given moment I have about 15 loads of laundry waiting for me and I can never seem to catch up. I'm always secretly jealous of someone who braggs of just finishing their laundry. No need to rub it in my face! ;) Speaking of which, I think I need to go switch a load.

Okay, I guess I need to get off this site and start to work. I'm trying to go FT and need to get my 40 hours in for the week (which really shouldn't be that hard this week, I'm actually AHEAD- go me!).

I'll try to post sooner next time....

Summertime

So, the kids are out of school and it's officially summer. I would have to say that it's my least favorite season of the year. I think Fall is my favorite, followed by winter, then spring. Lastly... summer. I don't know why really, I guess it's because it's so dang hot! I love the fall and the fall holidays. I would have to say Thanksgiving is my favorite. It's all the food I think, and without being obligated buy many presents :) .

Anyways, the summer started out fine. Jake's baseball is over and that's great news. It's always fun but it's a relief when it's over because it takes up so much time. Then, we went to Arkansas for 2 weeks to visit my family. It was a very good visit! for the most part.

My job(s) are doing good. I'm not exactly sure how long I will be able to do both of them. My goal is to get all of the credit cards paid off and then save money for Christmas and some extras. It would be great if I could put money back to fix up this house. I just want it DONE...NOW.

I love my cat but I hate fleas, and the poor kitty is bringing them in. Guess who is the one who gets bit by them ALL THE TIME? Yeah, you guessed it....me. They love me and it's driving me crazy. I did the fogger in the house on Monday and I think I'm going to do it next Monday too. It's getting too much for me and I just want to pull all the (nasty) carpet and put hardwood or laminate. Seriously, this carpet has seen better days. I know my kids can be messy but I think it was messed up before we came to live here anyways. So I think hardwood would be so much cleaner and easier to clean up spills and everything. Maybe by the end of the summer I can have all those credit cards paid off and enough money to do what I want to do. Fingers crossed!

Well, I better get back to work because it's how I'm getting the $$ to do all this stuff I want to do. :)

Jen

My poor family!

I have been so busy lately!
1- My regular job. I'm helping out with QA this week. If you don't know what that is, it's just where I go an basically check other people's work. I enjoy it because it's an hourly job, as opposed to production.
2- I'm trying to get a promotion at my work and to get it I have to pass this test. It's HARD. I have to make a 98% to make a passing grade. Then I second guess myself and end up getting all confused.
3- I have gotten another medical transcription job to do on top of my regular one. It's been crazy trying to learn everything and finding the time to do it.

On top of all this, I am taking care of the kids and trying to keep a clean house. Poor Jaylin is so sick of me sitting at my desk that she will cry when I sit down! It won't always be this busy though. I need to pick a job and stick with just one.

Well- Jaylin is getting redy to wake up from her nap so I think I will take a few minutes to visit with Jason before she does!

Jen

Almost Summer!!

Well, school is almost out for the kids!! Oh to be young and have a summer break again. I had it made and didn't even know it. I guess I could get a job as a teacher but then I would have to spend all school year with a whole bunch of kids that aren't mine and I just don't have the patients for it.

Anyways, I think there are 6 or 7 baseball games left. I'm so ready for that to be over. Last night we had a 6:00 game which is so much better than a 7:30 game. The kid's bedtime is 8:00, so obviously everyone gets to bed late on those nights. It was crazy, Jodie disappeared about 3 times. I would look the other way and then all of a sudden she would be gone again. Twice she went to a game that was right across from us and was sitting and visiting with this lady. The girl has no fear and it's scary. I know everyone out there is nice but I'm considering some sort of leash/restraint system/straightjacket for her. You think it would be cute if I got one in pink and put glitter on it?

After ball and school I am taking the kids to Arkansas with me for a couple of weeks. My whole family lives there and I'm looking forward to the trip.

ANYWAYS, I guess I better get to work as the reports won't do themselves. Although, in this day and age they will be doing themselves soon enough. ;)

Jen

I'm alive

But barely! Actually, I went into it a little nervous, like the new kid in class, but I had nothing to worry about. It was a small class and everyone was nice. I liked it! At first at the end I was like- Well that wasn't too bad at all! And then I started walking around and picking up kids and was like "Woah." I was getting spaghetti legs and arms big time! I have a feeling I will be VERY sore tomorrow- which is a good thing because it means I made progress. Anyways, I think I will take a nap, I am so tired. Then I'll get to work :)

Jen

On my way out

I'm going to do the body pump class this morning. I'm actually a little bit nervous because I hear it's a big fat workout. Ahhh! All in the name of getting into shape and shedding a few pounds! I'll check back in later today- If I'm still alive~

Jen

Spinning Class

WOW, I took the kids with me last night to the gym so I could take a spinning class. It is supposed to be an hour-long class but I only lasted 25 minutes. Maybe next time I'll last for 30 or more. Let me tell you, I was pouring sweat and I really did do it until I couldn't do it anymore! My face was red and it was hard to breath, so I think I did good. I then went and tanned to cool down. That sounds funny huh? The one I do has giant fans on it and it's almost cold. I like it :)

Today is supposed to be very stormy so I decided to get groceries last night while I was in town. I actually like going to the grocery store, but this time I had all 4 kids with me and we couldn't get out of there fast enough! They really are good kids, it is just so crazy when I have them all at one time in a store. One wants to go this way and the other wants to go that way. All the while, I'm making sure they stay by me. I was beginning to regret going right after the gym. But it's done now and I can dedicate my day to working and doing all the laundry in the house. We'll see how long I last today, I'm hoping for at least 12 hours :) :)

Okay, speaking of work- I better get to it before Jaylin wakes up.

Jen

Well, I decided on the sandwich

Following Kriss, I'll post a picture of my lunch! It is ham, turkey, fat free cheese, pickles, mustard, on a toasted onion bagel. I know it looks huge, but it's all in the way you fold the meat. It IS big, but not as big as it looks :)


Jen

Funny story

I posted about this on a different blog a long long time ago, but I thought I would post it on this one because I STILL laugh about it! ;)

So, have you ever had anything strange happen to you? I just remembered a funny thing that happened to me in College and I thought I would share: My second semester of my second year of Southeastern I got to live in the apartments. The thing is, I had to find 2 roommates as fast as I could because I had to fill it. I asked an acquaintance friend of mine if she would like to move in with her current roommate. They said sure! So we ended up moving into the campus apartments together and we really didn't know a lot about each other at all.

One night, I think about the second night in the apartment we were all in bed talking. (there were 2 sets of bunk beds. I was in the bottom left. Amy was on the top right, and Deana was on the bottom right. Anyways, we were just getting to know each other and talking and stuff. Out of the blue, Amy asks us "Have you ever had a the top bunk of a bunk bed fall on you before?" We were like- ummmm no. She said that she had never had one fall on her but she had been on the top bunk when it fell through before. We were like, "Oh, ok. That's kind of funny." Then we went on to talk about something else. About 5 minutes later, out of nowhere....CRASH....the top bunk that Amy was on fell down onto Deana! I was like "No Way." We were laughing so hard and Deana was like "HELLLLLP!!" And we were laughing so the bed just stayed on top of her probably for a full minute and minutes can be long in a circumstance like that. Anyways, Everyone was fine and noone got hurt.

After that night we did't feel wierd being around each other. Maintenance came and fixed the bed, but Deana was still a little bit nervous about having someone sleep above her again. I wouldn't let Amy sleep above me because I am certain that she has a thing with top bunks of the bunk bed that makes them fall in. Amy ended up sleeping in the living room that night and we probably stayed up close to all night just talking and laughing. That was funny. I gues talking about something can make it happen........So, have you ever won a million dollars? OK, have a great day!!

Working today

I'm working right now and all I can think about is hot wings. I really want some. I think I have to have some. Maybe BBQ? That just might be just as good as hot wings, maybe. I think I may call Beverlies and order me up a platter. Today is pay day and although I don't have A LOT to spend, I think I can afford just one little plate...right?

Tune in next post to see if I follow through with it or if I just make me a sandwich..

Jen

Lesson learned

I went to the gym today and really just felt like crap. What happened is, I have been taking these vitamins called Advocare. It's more like 15 vitamins a day. You take one packet 30 minutes before breakfast, one packet 30 minutes before lunch, and there are 2 additional packets that you take during a meal. I usually take those with lunch. So, I decide to have spaghetti for breakfast (my favorite!) and took the vitamins 30 minutes before I ate. Then I guess I got confused because when I went to eat I took the next package. Why?? I still don't get it. Basically I took the breakfast and lunch pack all at the same time and I think it had some sort of a reaction. UGH. So I had to get a java smoothie from Sonic- to help me feel better....Right?

Rachel- to answer your question- I go to the Gold's gym in Pelham, but I have been thinking of switching to 280 because it's closer I think. I have a free 7 day pass for a friend if you want it- then you can check it out! I would LOVE to take a class with someone, it would be fun. I'm thinking about doing a spinning class (which totally doesn't sound like a bike class, it sounds like old ladies sitting around one of those spinning machines making yarn) anyways- :) I better get to work, I have to pay for the gym membership somehow! haha,

Here's to me feeling better and not ever taking 11 vitamins all at one time again. UGH. I think I need another smoothie....j/k..

Jen

RACHEL

Hey! I have tried to write a comment on your blog 3 times but for some reason my computer WILL NOT let me! Just wanted to let you know that I'm reading!! :) :)
Jen

Hey there!

I have been meaning to come back and write some things, but time is NOT on my side and I keep on putting it off. Sorry! :)

What has been going on in my life now? Oh- I joined a gym. I'm so excited, maybe I can lose a good 30-40 pounds. That would really rock. I went for the first time yesterday and today I am so sore. I had my initial evaluation and everything where they weighed me and did my body fat...I am officially overweight. You know- I have always thought that but I didn't want somebody else telling me! They are supposed to say "Oh, you look great.....for having 4 kids." Well, maybe I can just start to look great and it ending there. One thing I love about my gym (Gold's Gym) is that they have childcare and the kids LOVE it. It so great not having to depend on anyone but me to go exercise.

I'm trying to watch American Idol right now but I'm just not that "in" to it right now. I will go clean the kitchen during a commercial so I will cut this short...although I could actually go and clean the whole house and then come back here and no one would know the difference.

Okay, I'll write a more interesting post later!!

Jen

Sorry, it's been awhile...

My parents took the three oldest kids for the week and so I have only had 1. What a crazy time that was. What did I ever do with myself when I "only" had one child?? Actually, she didn't have anyone to entertain her so in a way it was more difficult.

So, I have so much to talk about but can't right now. I will though. Soon.

Jen

Tithe challenge

For a while now I have stopped tithing. I looked at my bills and then the cost of tithe and decided I really couldn't afford it. Lately I have been having so much financial hardship that it has really opened my eyes. Maybe I should be faithful. Maybe I should listen to the voice inside me telling me I should do this again. Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying these things have happened because I have not tithed, I just think I may have missed out on many blessings because of my unfaithfulness. From now on, after each and every check, no matter whether I think I can afford it or not, I WILL tithe. I'm not saying this to boast AT ALL. I am doing it as a beginning of a testamony. I know this is the very beginning for me. Even if nothing amazing happens- I know I am being obedient. So, I will update on this matter again. This in no way is to make myself look good, but only to show how our God is faithful. Whether I have a lot of money or close to nothing I know that I am blessed.

:)

Jen

Facing the lies with truth...

Due to recent things going on in my life I have started to have a bad attitude. In this attitude I realize I have been lying to myself. I have been listening and believing these lies. Therefore, I'm going to face them and then replace it with truth....

I am a bad mother.... I am a wonderful mother. I love my kids and would do anything and everything for them. I will raise them in the way they need to be raised. I will be a good example to them. I will pray for them and be there for them. I will forgive them when they do wrong and praise them when they do good. I will lift them up when they are down and I will not overbear them with too many expectations. I will teach them to reach for their goals and always do the best they can do. I will be proud of them whether they become a doctor or a hair stylist.

I am a bad wife... I am a good wife. I love my husband and will do anything and everything for him. I will love him no matter what. I will pray for him and believe in him. I will hold my hand out for him to hold onto and I will not point my finger at him in accusation. I will come to him with problems, I will listen to his counsil. I will believe in him. I will gently speak the truth to him when he's wrong. I will step back and not smother him when I think he should do things my way. I will be proud of him.

I'm a bad housekeeper.... Even though I am almost always behind in laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, decluttering, mopping and sweeping.... hey...I'M A BAD HOUSEKEEPER!! That's okay, I can do better. www.flylady.com I can do it. I CAN do it.

My finances are a wreck and I will get ahold of them. I can work and save and pay off. I can do without things. I don't HAVE to have a starbucks. Folgers will do.

I have been way too negative lately. I have decided to change my mindset. I can do this. I cannot do this alone. I will ask for help when needed.

There. I feel better

Jen

A Typical Jen story

This happened about 9 months ago, but I thought I would share.

I have a problem with returning things like movies from the movie place and books from the library. I am waiting for amnesty day. I missed it the last 2 years, so maybe this year will be my year!! Anyways- I had been getting some phone calls from the library **reminding** me to return my books. I was getting tired of them calling and just wanted them to leave me alone. I have got to return them on amnesty day because that way I won't have to pay a fine. SO, the phone rings one day and on the caller ID it says something about Shelby County. Great, I thought. They are calling me AGAIN. Here is the conversation.

THEM: Hello, is Jennifer A** there?
ME: No, she's not here right now, can I take a message?
THEM: Well, this is the nurse from Jake's school and I needed to talk to her.
ME: (Panicking inside because I can't just turn around and say Hahaha, just kidding- it's me). I'll try to get ahold of her and have her call you back.

So I get off the phone and am wondering what to do. I had to know what she was calling for- what if Jake was sick or something happened? I start calling people here in Alabama seeing if they could call for me- but no one is home. Last resort, I called an Arizona friend and thank goodness she was able to call for me. Here is that phone call.

HER: Yes, this is Jennifer A*, Jakes mom. I'm returning a call from the school nurse.
NURSE: Hello! I just wanted to let you know that Jake has pink eye and you need to come get him from school.
HER: Oh, okay. Is he okay?
NURSE: He's fine. Here, do you want to talk to him?
HER: (Very fast) Oh no, I'm coming right now.

Can you imagine if Jake had got on and realized that it was not me on the phone, just someone pretending to be me? So I go to the school and walk in and Jake's sitting in the office. Here's THAT conversation.

ME: I'm here to get Jake.
SECRETARY: Okay, just sign this..yadda yadda yadda
ME: SO, do I need a doctor's note to get him back into school or what?
SECRETARY: Just do whatever the nurse told you to do.
ME: Oh, I didn't talk to the nurse.....(pause)....(saying kind of fast so I can get out of there) Except for when I just got off the phone with her before I came. Okay, thanks!

Then we high-tailed it out of there.

The moral of the story is to ALWAYS return your library books :)

Jen

He came home with WHAT??

A couple weeks ago Jake came home with something on and I was like what!!??? While to some this may not be a big deal- to us here in Alabama it IS. He came home with an Auburn jersy shirt on.......

We are NOT an Auburn family, we are 100% ALABAMA fans. To those of you who don't know- Alabama and Auburn are both in Alabama and here you are either for one or the other, they are rivals. We have chosen our team and now we have to stick to it. Jake was like "I'm for both teams." I said "nooooooooo" You can't be for both teams. Like the Bible says- kind of- you cannot serve 2 masters. You will love one and hate the other. It just doesn't work. So we had a talk and he will NOT be wearing that shirt again.

Hahahaha, all this in good fun really. If he chose to go for the ...other....team, I would still claim him as my son. He would just have to walk 5 paces behind me. Just kidding. Honestly- It's just something fun to do. My life will go on whether they win or lose, so whatever. ;)

Jen

Today

Whew! I am tired :) I have done a lot today, but it's the stuff that you can't actually SEE, so it looks like I haven't done anything. I have just joined the world of online banking. Just so I don't look totally lame, I access my bank account online and have for years, but I am doing the bill pay with my bank. I set up all of my bills with my Wachovia account and instead of going to 20 different web sites and logging on and off paying 1 bill at a time, I will just go to my bank's website and pay them all there. Crazy I tell you! :) :) :)



Jason suprised me today by going to church this morning for the men's meeting, they were having breakfast. :)



It's starting to be busy season around her with baseball and everything. It always starts out as fun and then gets soooooo tiring later on in the year
*************************************************************************************
yeah, that's as far as I got and then stopped for a week! I'll do whole other post for the weekend ;)

Jen

Does it ever really slow down?

I don't think so!! I haven't done too much today...I'm just sitting here trying to talk myself into going to the mall or something. Should I stay home and save money or go anyways? I don't know- there's something I really want and I'm just not sure......I guess we'll see. I do need to save money though just in case...you never know.

:)

Later- I think I have talked myself into going to the mall....I think....

Jen

Getting Caught Up

Well, by no means am I *ahead* yet but I think I'm almost caught up. The Holidays really stretched my pocketbook and I probably spent a lot more than I should have. Next year will be better. I should start saving now. My mom had an idea to get 20-50 dollars giftcards every time you get a paycheck (whether that be Walmart or AMEX or whatever). Then by the time Christmas rolls around I'll have a big chunk set aside for Christmas. I think I will do that- I really need to do something.

Today I'm going to get my finances in check. I have been so scared to look at them because of knowing there wasn't enough to cover everything. But I'm turning over a new leaf. Just because I don't look doesn't mean the bill isn't there, so I have to have some sort of reality check.

Speaking of checks, we got our taxes today!! Yeah!! Jason and I are splitting them this year which is really awesome. Also, Monday is my payday and it should be a good one, and although I'm probably not too much ahead, I AM going to be caught up (or almost caught up). My next paycheck will be just as good if not better than this one and it includes a bonus, wahooh! My goal is to pay off all my little bills this year...

My goal is to improve my credit in the next 2 years. I just want to pay everything on time and still have some left over to put in savings. I enrolled in a credit watch so I'm going to be checking my credit every month to see if the changes I am making will have a positive affect on the score.

So that's that. My next post will be about anything but money :)

Jen

Working at 3 am

Before I start my post I would like to thank everyone who read my previous post, your comments were taken to heart and I really appreciate you ladies! I love you!!

So, around 2:30 Jaylin wakes up and I get her a little drink for her sippy cup. I just threw her bottle away a couple days ago so it's still a transition for her. Actually, ever since getting that sippy cup she hasn't been waking up at night, except for tonight. After I put her back in her bed she just stands there and cries. Now, this is something I can handle- a crying child. Jason though, cannot handle it and he got her up and was trying to get her to lay down on him. She really wasn't having it, she just wanted to try to crawl over to me. (awwww) So I finally tell him that he needs to just put the covers over his head and let her cry it out. It was 3:00 so I just decided to start my work day. She only cried for 6 minutes- then she was out.

All this confirms that we REALLY need another bedroom. So I have to work work work to save for some kind of an addition to the house or who knows. Jason is in love with the land that we live on. I think I would like the house better if ***someone*** would start doing things like putting drywall in place of the wood panneling. Do you know how much I HATE wood panneling? Yeah- a lot!! Honestly, I would do it myself if I knew how. And doubly honestly- I don't think Jason knows how. He got a book and read it. We'll see now won't we. Of course, if he does it and it looks perfect I will be the first one in line with an apology ;)

Jen

:)

:)

Tuesday, January 15

Okay, it's writing in Hindi and I can't make it stop! Well, Christmas has come and gone. I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. I LOVE the excitement in the air, looking at all the lights, teaching my children about the true meaning of the season. I HATE all the long lines at stores, traffic, greediness of my children caused by being overrun by commercials about every toy imaginable. But one year down and now life can get back to normal.

So my birthday is soon, January 22....I'll be 29. My very last year in my twenties. I hear life starts at 30 so we'll see! ;) Life has been just crazy these days. I've been trying to work and get ahead and the more I try, the more behind I am. That's how it is these days I guess. It's stressful. Now for me to just be honest....I have been in a struggle the past oh, lets see...years. Spiritually I'm in a desert and I want out. I am living my life day to day in what seems like a cloud and just getting by. So we have been going to Church lately and ever since then life is getting hectic again. I'm getting frustrated with my husband more it seems and he's getting more frustrated at me. I'm paying tithe and I'm having money problems. What in the world? I feel like I'm being attacked on all sides and I need a bit of relief! I'm trying to be OBEDIENT to what I should do. It's hard to have faith though and I'm really trying. With the tithe I prayed "Lord, if I'm not giving this with the right attitude, please change it. I want to be obedient and do what you say but I'm going to be honest here, it makes me nervous writing out this check. PLEASE help me." Did I pray it wrong? I don't think so, but maybe I did. Maybe I showed lack of faith by being nervous. I didn't pay it expecting a big return, really...I just didn't think I would get to this point...

So, that's what's going on in my mind. It's a battlefield. So now what? Keep doing what I'm doing? I just need some help here! And I'm not talking about money, I'm talking about everything else. Why is it that I'm having one of the best years in my marriage right now and then I try to get involved in Church again and do right and all this crap is coming back? I need to fight it and claim it. I must be doing something right or headed in the right direction though right?? Right? OHHHH, I'll stop rambling now!!Jen