Happy Memories of Years Gone By....26 years

I've had quite a bit of death in my life.  It's become sort of numbing to me. There are, however, a few deaths that hit me right to my core.  Gary's death is one of those.

Today is the anniversary Gary's death.  Gary was my very first real love.....

I am NOT going to be all melancholy today.  I have been melancholy in the past.

Today, I've decided to reminisce about the silly stuff...The stuff that makes me smile when I think back.

When Gary and I dated, we were in high school.  He was a year older than me and he drove.  My parents hated that.  They hated everything about me being in a car with a boy on so many levels, but Gary was a nice guy.  He had an art of schmoozing parents and winning them over.  Whether they should have been won over or not.  When push came to shove - I was allowed to date him, but I was not allowed to ride in the car with him.

Truth be told - he was trouble and I loved every second of it...

He was fast and wild.  He had a really hot Oldsmobile Cutlass.  A total muscle car, souped up for racing and FAST.  Many a night he would call for me to come out.  I was not allowed to be in Gary's car... yeah OK.... (I was a bit rebellious as well).  No one really ever asked me where I was going when I left the house, so I'd say I was going out and walk a few blocks down where he'd pick me up.  Often times, we'd go to where he'd drag with the other guys in the area.  I'd sit up on the hill and watch.
I loved it!

Inevitably... one night, I got caught.  My uncle was at the Quick Check on Main Avenue and saw me getting into Gary's car.  He went straight to my house and told my parents.  I was grounded.  Actually, I was always grounded - but that's another story.

Gary STILL found a way to schmooze so that he could see me.  I loved that. He'd go above and beyond what needed to be done.  It was both a blessing and a curse in our relationship.

This particular time, he came to the door with Van Halen tickets and begged my parents to please let me out.  He'd spend a ton of money on these concert tickets and he really wanted me to be there.  That story would NEVER have flown if I'd told it... but sure enough, not only was I allowed out, but I was allowed to drive in his car AND go to the concert - arriving home well after my normal curfew.  All with parental approval.

I never understood how he was able to pull these things off, but I loved that he did these things for me - just to make me feel special.

Gary is gone 26 years today.  I'll never forget him or the ways he went out of his way to make me smile.  Even when I didn't want to.

Thank you, Gary.  Thank you for setting the bar high enough for me to know how I want people to treat me. Thank you for being a part of my life and a part of my heart.

Rest in sweet peace, friend...

~Jenn

Gary died tragically and suddenly.  We were not dating at the time.  We'd broken up a few years earlier, but remained close.  He is someone I will always think of with a smile.

Thank you for reading this tribute to him.

I wish you all someone who will cause you to set the bar high & make you smile when you think of them...


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My GOSH, put that thing away... Will you???

This whole Weiner's weiner thing is a bit much already...

No offense guys, but I don't want to see it.

Put it away where it belongs. 

I don't want to turn my phone on and see a penis on the screen EVER.

I mean, maybe some chicks are into that - but no thanks.  

And YES, I am straight.

Yes, I like men, as a matter of fact I LOVE men...

No, I don't ever want to see a picture of your penis.

Is that so wrong??

Honestly, that would piss me off (no pun intended.)

I feel like saying....
"Does your MOMMY know you're showing people that??
Put it away NOW!  And go stand in the corner."

Yes, I know it's a very proud item for you studly bunch.  I know that if anything ever happened to that body part, life as you know it would be over.

This was actually a joke in my household when my dad was alive.
My dad was sick, really sick, and we were taking care of him.  He had diabetes and was NOT taking care of himself properly.  We had him all fixed up and he decided to go to Florida to hide.  When my husband and I went to go see him, he was a mess.  We found Burger King wrappers, etc.  He could barely breathe.  He couldn't walk.  He was to the couch - very ill.  We tried to make him come home with us.... NO... He was going nowhere.  That was until a few days later, when he began to fill up with water.  He had severe pulmonary edema, but not nearly "sick enough" to listen to me.

THEN....  something terrible... something AWFUL happened....
He awoke to find that "the boys" were swollen to the size of grapefruits.
He could not breathe OR walk but OMG the boys..
What's wrong with the boys????  "Help me NOW!"

It was only THIS that prompted him to make an emergency call to me....  "I'm coming home.  I arranged a flight.  I need help."

Of course I was in a panic thinking he couldn't breathe, he was going to have a heart attack....  I called every doctor, took every emergency precaution from the airport to the hospital and drove off to meet him.  We found him immediately, swooped him into a wheel chair and headed to the hospital...  Only to find out that what he was really upset about...the boys.

REALLY????

Breathing... not a big deal at ALLLLLLL...the boys... super swollen?  AHHHHHHHHHHHH

I didn't care what his reasoning was at that point.  Whatever needed to happen to get him help, got him home...  As the ever dutiful daughter, I got him admitted for his PULMONARY EDEMA, not his swollen boys, and he was cared for.

Oh my gosh... Yes, of course - the boys were all happy again.  The swelling did go down AND he could breathe again.

Like I said - it became the joke...Oh crap, I just cut off my arm with a chain saw - let's just wrap a towel around that bad boy and continue.  Oh NO - I've just nicked my Zippity Doo Da with the razor - CALL THE PARAMEDICS.  QUICK!

So I get it... You like your manhood.  A LOT!

But do we really need to see it??

Put it away, will ya???

Before I go call your mommy!


Thank you for reading my blog!!

~Jenn


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What'd she just say?

I usually try to keep my blog posts clean and free of anything that might offend people...

When it comes to kids, especially young ones, and the things they say - all bets are off.

Our short one is slated to give us a run for our money.  She's just the cutest little thing, but she's a bit on the needy side and wants to make an impression.  A BIG impression!  She's also very smart.  Always listening and always ready to use what she's learned in any situation that it will bring attention to her.  Sometimes this is wonderful.  Sometimes it's a head shaking moment for momma.

Mornings are difficult here.  Hubby leaves super early - so there are three "girls" with three very different and strong personalities, trying to get ready for the day.  I...need my coffee and am not a morning person.  The short one...needs a stick of dynamite under her to get moving, and my older girlie just rolls with it most of the time (as she's bickering with the short one.)

One particular morning before school let out, I hear them bickering at the front door.

"NO, it's MY turn to stand first in line at the door."
"There's NO LINE at the door, GOSH."

And then, what I heard - I had to mentally question before I freaked out.... Because the next phrase I heard was....

"OUCH!"  (and a falling to the floor noise)  "You just hit me in the nuts.  My NUTS ARE KILLING ME."

WHAT the heck did she just say??  

So here's where mommy questions what she heard...  Did the short one just say that she got hit... in the nuts???  REALLY??

Enter mom...  Scratch that... Enter totally ANGRY mom getting ready to address the issue of the short female speaking in that way....

What do I see, but the short one on the ground holding her crotch stating that her "nuts are killing her."  UGH.... 

Ok, party's over kid...

First of all child, you are a GIRL.  Girls do not have "nuts".  "Nuts" are a slang, not nice term to describe boy parts - which you DO NOT HAVE - Because YOU are a GIRL!

Then she launched into the entire drama on how the older was swinging her lunch box and accidentally hit her in the "nuts."

AGAIN child....  You do NOT have those.  Does your private part hurt?

"NO... my NUTS hurt."

OMG Stop saying that!!  PLEASE stop saying that.

At this point, I was really just trying to not laugh... because, ya know... she was going for the full drama of the event and taking what she learned from a boy and projecting it upon herself....

It became time for a talk.  Not THE talk, but certainly A talk so that she will fully understand that at no time will she ever be hit in the "nuts".  Nor will she ever fall to the ground in excruciating pain for being hit in the non existent set.

Yeah, this one's going to give us a run for the money.

I almost can't wait for the next, "What'd she just say?"

ALMOST.

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

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The Heroin Epidemic....

I write this post strictly as a mom...

Not someone one with a medical degree, or years of experience and knowledge on this subject, or as anyone who's ever traveled down this dark road.  I'm just a mom.

This weekend, I learned of yet ANOTHER lost life due to a heroin over dose.  A young man I only knew as a ten year old child on my son's ball team.  A young man that as a teenager occasionally came by our home to hang out with my son.  A young man who was always polite to me.  Someone I didn't know well, but knew of.

Yet his death has hit me in a way that makes my heart ache.

The heart ache of another young life LOST.  Snuffed out by addiction.

I don't know if it was his first go round or his 100th.

I do know it was his last.

20 years old and GONE.

What a damn shame!

He's not the first, nor will he be the last.  There have been many heroin related deaths in my town.  I live in a nice suburban town.  I don't live in the big city.  Apparently that doesn't matter.  There are no rules with this stuff!  It's everywhere.

I made a statement on my personal Facebook page that when I was younger, I don't remember this drug being something that was around.  I remember pot and pills.  I remember drug busts on that scale.  I also remembered that kids (at least the kids I was around) were scared of needles/shooting up scenario and scared of the notion that "once you start, you can never stop."  I may have been naive.  I don't know.  I just don't remember.

What I do know is that this particular killer is $3 a postage stamp sized bag.  It's cheap.  Very cheap!  Kids don't shoot it up.  They smoke it, they snort it.  They get caught up in the endless cycle of the cheap high.

It's terrifying.

Information from Drugfreeworld.org:

“I’LL JUST TRY IT ONCE.”

Warning: Even a single dose of heroin can start a person on the road to addiction.

Many people experiment with heroin thinking, “I’ll try it once or twice. I can always stop.” But those who start down that road find it nearly impossible to turn back. Consider the words of Sam, a 15-year-old addict: “When you first shoot up, you will most likely puke and feel repelled, but soon you’ll try it again. It will cling to you like an obsessed lover. The rush of the hit and the way you’ll want more, as if you were being deprived of air—that’s how it will trap you.”

The threat of addiction is not the worst consequence of experimenting with heroin. Jim was 21 years old and usually spent his evenings drinking beer with friends. He had already experimented with heroin so when friends offered him a line to sniff, he accepted. Fifteen minutes after inhaling, he passed out, then dropped into a deep coma which lasted more than two months. Today, he is confined to a wheelchair, unable to write, barely able to read. Whatever dreams and aspirations he once had are gone.

There is no "trying it once."  It's a slippery slope that leads down an incredibly dark path.

According to the National Center for Disease Control's February 20, 2013 posting, drug overdose deaths have increased for the 11th consecutive year.

"38,329 people died from a drug overdose in the United States in 2010, up from 37,004 deaths in 2009. This continues the steady rise in overdose deaths seen over the past 11 years, starting with 16,849 deaths in 1999."

The former median age for over dose addiction had been 32-35 years of age.  That age has decreased to 20.2 years of age.

These are frightening statistics, and quite frankly - not something I can even wrap my head around or think of a way to "fix."

As a mom, a fixer, I feel helpless.  I don't know what to do.  I don't know how to help.  I don't know what more can be done.  I just don't.  Maybe I'm over emotional - but is that bad?

I can only thank God that my son is not around this right now, and I continue to pray that he stays away and that his other friends STAY AWAY from this stuff.

So that I don't need to attend another unnecessary funeral.

A funeral for a 20 year old young man, who didn't have to die.

Thank you for reading my blog.

~Jenn

If you are someone you love are suffering from addiction, please visit The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Get educated...  Get Help... 

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A little something for the bigger folks, please....

While I was on the Disney cruise there was quite a bit that I noticed.

One of the things that stood out to me is the lack of accommodations available to the bigger folks.

I'm not extremely over weight.  At this writing, I am finally speaking from an 8/10 size range.  But not without a ton of diet an exercise.  I still have a few extra lbs on me that I'm working on, but I'm no longer in the "obese" category.  (I hate that term.)  However, when I was pregnant with my daughter - I was GIGANTIC.  Seriously, GIGANTIC.  I'm 5'3".  When I was pregnant with my daughter, I stopped getting on the scale at 253.  Yeah, really.  That's big for someone my size.  I also completely blew out when I was sick because I was so loaded up with steroids.  These things are both very clear in my mind because they put me in a situation where I can relate.

Maybe these issues were medically related - but I have a point.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was itchy.  Very itchy.  All I wanted to do was take a nice hot oatmeal bath to stop itching.  I prepared the tub with the wonderful bath set my husband got for me to make our bath tub like a jacuzzi, I got all my things together and I was ready to go.  I took off my towel & went to settle in the tub and then....

I.DID.NOT.FIT.IN.THE.BATH.TUB!

Really!  My ass was so huge that I.DID.NOT.FIT.IN.THE.BATH.TUB!

Then, I reached for the towel and tried to wrap it around me.  The towel no longer wrapped around me.  I waddled out of the bathroom crying.

I did not fit in the bath tub.

I'll never forget that.

When we were on the cruise, we went to see the premier of the Lone Ranger.  I was very excited and climbed into the very comfy theater chairs.  Very comfy FOR ME.  A few rows up, a bigger lady came in and went to settle into her chair.  I watched her slowly lower herself into her chair and my mind re-wound to my bath tub experience.  My heart ached for her.  It ached even more when she went to get up and the arm of the chair broke off and she was stuck.  I can't imagine the horror she must have felt.  I was in my house for my incident - there were no outside parties seeing my plight.  I also saw another couple in the next aisle suffer the same fate, lowering themselves into the chairs.  She wasn't the "Lone Ranger" in her situation.

Why aren't there accommodations for the larger folks?  Especially on a Disney ship?  D.I.S.N.E.Y.

Before anyone starts on the whole it's their fault, they should control their eating, control their diet and my all time favorite "put down the bag of chips" Shut it!  Not everyone is blessed with the skinny gene.  Not everyone is big because they can't put down the chips and not everyone is trying to be big.  No one is TRYING to be big.  I never tried to be big.  I got pregnant & had medical issues that caused me to retain over 100 lbs of water. Water & fat weight that did not easily go away after I gave birth to a 9 lb child.  I held onto an extra 25 lbs after I gave birth and was never able to lose to get back to "my fighting weight".  When I got sick and went into the hospital, I was loaded up with steroids.  I gained 20 lbs in 6 days.  (on top of the 25 lbs I never lost)  I could NOT put on the pair of pants I came into the hospital wearing.  My weight continued to rise while on my steroid regimen and in total, I was oh so close to my pregnancy weight.

I knew I was big.  I hated it.  I couldn't get rid of it.  Often, while around some of my very skinny beautiful friends, they would make fun of the "fat mommies" & put out the "put down the bag of potato chips" statements.  (sorry, ladies - I love you, but I'm calling you out)   I'd address it - saying I was one of them, and I was killing myself trying to lose the weight.  The whole, "no, no - I don't mean you" thing never really flew.  I know my friends love me & would never hurt my feelings intentionally, but deep down - it hurt me.  I knew I had a skinny chick in there fighting to get out, but she was trapped and it wasn't inside a bag of potato chips.

YOU JUST DON'T KNOW what someones struggle is.

So Disney, I want to know....  Why are there no accommodations for the bigger folks??  You're DISNEY for God's sake!  You set the standard for so many things...  I get that Disney wants to make everyone feel the same, but some people need appropriate accommodations to feel comfortable.

A little something for the bigger folks... PLEASE!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

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We love the Disney Cruise...Want some tips?

Now that I've got all my pissing and moaning blogs out of the way...

Let's talk fun.

Want my two cents.... OK - well maybe you don't and who the hell am I anyway, right?? Just some chick that likes loves to vacation...  I'm giving it to you anyway - in my very Jenn way - short, sweet and to the point.

I did the best I could do to cram a 4 night cruise into Reader's Digest version, but let's face it - you're going to have to read past the yadda, yadda, yadda if you don't wanna hear it... Especially you man folk who are reading & thinking... Holy crap, is she still speaking.  Yeah I am :)

So here's the skinny...I love cruising.

It's not for everyone, but I love it!  I love being on the boat ship in the middle of the ocean and looking out at nothing but the endless sea.

For me, this is calming.

We only do Disney.

Not for nothing, but I've seen what happens on some of those other cruise lines....  Fires, loss of power, crashing into a sand bar & the captain jumps ship...  Yeah, none of that for me thanks.

Disney is clean.  My kids are happy and I can play like a big person without any issues... It works for us.  Yes, the giant mouse and his cronies are there - but it's not like they're all up in your grill 24/7.  I like that too.

This time, we went to the Bahamas.  AGAIN.  Truthfully, I'm Bahama'ed out.  Nassau is hot an tropical, but really - you could stick Atlantis on any tropical island and it would still be fab.... Am I right???

Atlantis?  Love it... Had a total blast at their water park with the kids... and we may or may not have stopped through the casino.  Shhhh.

I'll get back to Atlantis later.

We did the 4 night cruise.  We took the short one with us and weren't sure how she'd do.  Would she be sick?  Would she be scared?  It wasn't a chance I wanted to take on the 7 night cruise... so we went to the Bahamas AGAIN.

Here are a few of my personal recommendations... And since we've done this particular run on the Disney three times, (Once on the Wonder twice on the Dream) I feel pretty comfortable...  Dare I say expert... Mmmm - let's not say expert...

If you are doing the 4 night Bahama cruise...

Pack light!  Really.  This is something I NEVER do....  I brought 8 pairs of shoes, 6 bathing suits and numerous outfits.  Not necessary.  I only wore half of what I brought... even my shoes.  I can tell you for certain, especially if you're going to fly, pack light so you can carry your luggage on board.  It's $25 bucks per bag to check 'em now.  You really will NOT wear all you bring.

Here's what you WILL need:  A couple swim suits (the 6 wasn't totally out of line).  One outfit per day.  A pirate costume (really).  Your jammies &  under garments.  One fancy dress outfit.  Sunscreen, a hat, beach bag and whatever necessities you need.  They supply shampoo, etc.  I'm a real fuss pot when it comes to shampoo & conditioner and I love what they supply!

Diet before you go... All you will do is eat.  There is food EVERYWHERE. Oooh, look - self serve soft ice cream .. don't mind if I do... every single time I pass.

Order at least one 6 pack of water to your room before you go.  Water isn't free.  Soft drinks are.  You won't want soda all the time.

Day #1 is boarding day / out to sea.  It's pretty chaotic the first day trying to figure things out.  Have a day bag with you.  Have your suit, sunscreen, etc.  Also get the early boarding!  You then have all day to enjoy the ship.  If you have early boarding, wear your suit!  You can't get to your rooms until after 1:30.  Go to Cabanna's!

We spent many meals at Cabanna's because it's buffet & a good variety. There was no bad food at Cabanna's!  I was all about the eggs benedict for breakfast every.single.morning.  It's also deck 11 / pools, etc.  Easy access.  Flo's is also a quick and easy food stop.  Cabanna's is better, in my humble opinion.

You can bring your own booze on board with you - IN YOUR CARRY ON. Do NOT check your booze - your luggage will go to luggage jail.  Your booze may be confiscated and it may take a while to get your bags.  You can pretty much bring as much booze as you want, as long as you let them know it's in there.  They don't ask.  This saved us mega bucks.  Another tip, keep your receipt for what you bring.  If you don't finish it and bring it off, you can prove to customs that you brought it with you.  It's not usually an issue, but ya never know..

The first day they will come around with the souvenir glasses.  I think they charge you $4 for the glass and $4 for the drink.  After that, they take your glass back & give you a new drink for $4.  Eventually they get tired of keeping track of the souvenir glasses and you end up with like 105 of them.  It's all good... take them to your room, wash them & use them for the booze you brought with you.  If you have a very cool stateroom host like we did, he or she will keep you well stocked with ice.

Hubby double-fisted drinking...

You will spend.  Be prepared.

• Shopping!!  There is duty free shopping and there are fun things to buy!
• If you drink, you will buy booze when the drink guys come around.  Even if you bring your own you'll end up buying from the drink dude.  It's just easier.
• The kids will always want something.
• Don't forget about the excursions.  Atlantis is awesome but $$$$.

My recommendation is to put as much on board ship credit as you can afford prior to your cruise date.  If you're a spender like me you piss money away like I do, you'll attach a credit or debit card to your account as well.

Day #2 is at Nassau, Bahamas.  The first time we cruised we did the beach day excursion.  That was a bummer for us.  We called it the money sucker excursion.  I wouldn't do that again.  The second time, because we weren't impressed with beach day, we did the Nassau Junkanoo/Forts excursion.  I have already blogged about this and you can read about that HERE if you want to.  While this was pretty interesting for the nerdy mom who likes historical stuff, my kids were bored.  Also, the drivers taking you from place to place aren't the most patient fellows....  We started our tour with about 20 on our bus, ended up with about 11... you're not there, they're not waiting.  Heads up.

A little Junkanoo... very cool history.

This year, I wanted to swim with the dolphins at Atlantis, but my kids weren't into it.  That excursion is almost $300 a person.  Something I'd really like to do in the future.  I do believe that if you swim with the dolphins, you are also able to do the water park & everything else.  We found the best deal to be the water park option at about $169 per person.  You can do almost everything on this excursion.  The beaches, the water park, pools, the aquariums, the casino, etc.  The aquariums are super cool, by the way.  Atlantis is HUGE!  There is quite a bit to do/see.  Another thing to note is that the resort is cashless bring your debit/credit card.

Yeah, this is the water park at Atlantis

Also, prepare to go to the Hospitality House right away and get a locker.  You'll need your passport to get on & off the ship.  You won't want to leave them laying around while you're frolicking in the water.  Better to be safe.

Personally, I hated the food options you get for Atlantis.  You get food vouchers - but it's mostly for burgers & fries.  YUCK.  I wanted real food.  If you're like me, bring your credit card.  Eat someplace good.  There are good places!

Day #3 Castaway Cay - Disney's private island.

LOVE IT!!  There aren't many un-populated places to park your stuff.  Take what you can get.  The entire ship empties onto the beach.  We parked ourselves near to the water slide.  The water slide isn't great for real little ones.  The water is 6' deep at the end of the slide.  You may also want to rent a float or tube... you don't need to rent one for everyone.  Everyone won't want or need them.  There are quite  a few things to do, but for us it's basically hanging out at the beach kinda day.  We usually spend a few hours & then go back onto the ship to enjoy the pools & Aqua Duck while they're less crowded.  I'm also not thrilled with the food options at Castaway Cay.  Again, it's burgers, dogs & bbq type food.  If you like it, that's great...  We ate at Cabanna's on the ship.  Did I mention that I love Cabanna's?  :)

Day #3 is also Pirate Night.... Dress like a pirate for dinner.  Arrrrrgh.  Pirate deck party & fireworks at night - Jack Sparrow and all.  It's a really fun day all around.  We clearly go all out on Pirate Night...

Day #4 is spent at sea.  The pools are packed.  If you're going to go - go early get your chair & plan to stay parked there for the day.  I was pretty pool'ed & beached out...  I didn't mind finding inside things to do.  There is A LOT to do inside.  Check your navigator.  They leave it on your bed the night before.

We watched 3 movies and saw 2 shows.  The movies are "currently in theater" movies... We saw the premier of Lone Ranger, Monsters University and Oz the Great and Powerful.  The shows are adorable & very funny.  We attended the kiddie shows, but also had the option of putting our kids into the Kids' Club.  We did this a few time so the hubby and I could have big people alone time.  (wink wink)  We had the opportunity to go to the clubs and just relax and have a little romance... What's that, right??

Day #4 is also Dress Up night for dinner.  We noticed this time around that people don't really adhere to that, but I like to dress pretty.  So we dressed nicely.

Someone say cheese cake?  :)

Right after dinner, we headed to our state room packed up.  Packing ends up being a free for all, because who wants to pack the night before.  There's still fun to be had!!  Expect to do a lot of laundry.  Remember when I said pack light??  Yeah... I washed a lot of clothes I didn't wear because clean/dirty, wet, whatever.. in the bag.

You should have your bags outside your stateroom between 8:30 and 10:30 pm.  They will get your bags off the ship for you, unless you want to lug them around at breakfast.  Trust me, let them do it.  Just remember to not pack everything... make sure you all have a change of clothes, etc for the next day.  You're welcome.

Disney is awesome getting everyone off the ship.  It's so amazingly orderly, I was shocked.  Breakfast is assigned - you leave and go right to luggage, customs & out.

**Important tip, regarding tips....**  Your bill is supposed to be under your door by 7 am.  Ours wasn't.  Well, it could have been - but our breakfast time was 6:45 am.  We didn't get our bill.  I went to guest services prior to breakfast to grab the bill, but didn't check it until I got home.

On the last day, you will find a letter in your stateroom along with envelopes for tips.  Read the letter very carefully, because it is vague...  (borderline sneaky)  On one side they casually mention that unless you sign their letter & bring it to guest services, they will charge each person in your party $12 per night gratuity.  On the reverse, they give you recommended tips for your servers, stateroom host, etc.  Trust me, it's vague.  I don't usually miss much when it comes to the finances and this blew right by me.

We are good tippers - so we had cash tips prepared for everyone in advance & tipped others as we went along.  For this reason, I was excessively pissed off when I looked at the bill & saw almost $200 in gratuities charged to my card, when I'd already paid the tips in cash.  This is something that slides right by ... Don't say I didn't warn you!

That was my only true negative.  Well, that and no coffee maker in my room - but we know that I have coffee issues.  :)

As I'd said -- the ship, super clean.  There is someone inside every rest room, all day - cleaning constantly.  Cleaning hand rails, door knobs, sinks.  It's clean.  That is key for me because the short one touches everything.

My favorite restaurants... Cabanna's for breakfast & lunch.  Flo's is always open for an occasional sandwich, pizza or burger.  (The Tomato, Bacon & Brie pannini... YUM!)  My favorite restaurant was the Enchanted Garden.  Animator's Palate is cool IF you are seated near a screen.  If you're in the middle you don't get the full experience.  Royal Palace is good, but I don't care for French cuisine. The desserts were to die for!

I didn't hit the spa this time, but the cabana massages on the beach at Castaway Cay were fabulous!

My kids L.O.V.E.D. Kids' Club!  Always something fun for them.  All kids... Babies, toddlers, tweens & teens.  It's very secure, very clean & the kids don't want to leave!  Go be a big person!  Quick before they change their minds :)

Hmmm...  I think that about covers it.

Th, th, th, th That's All Folks!  (whoops, wrong company)

If you are considering this cruise and have questions that I didn't cover or would like more of my amazing and wonderful advice on this cruise, please feel free to email me.

Our next cruise will be Grand Cayman....  Woot...  Momma needs more time at sea and a change of scenery.

I hope I didn't bore you with all of this... I could go on forever, but how about I leave it here?  M'Kay??

Thank you for reading my blog!

Love you to bits & pieces!!

~Jenn

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Gonna Party... It's NOT my Birthday....

Is there any doubt at all that a picture like this can only be brought about by the plotting and planning of diabolical husbands??

Of course there's no doubt!

While we were on vacation we were able to meet up with our friends Carrie, from Carrie's Experimental Kitchen, her hubby Don and their kids.

They were going to be at Animal Kingdom Park.  We were going to be at Animal Kingdom Lodge - so OF COURSE, the only thing that made sense was that we meet up and go play!  Yayyyy!!  Love them!!

Finding a dinner spot was a feat, so we decided to head over to Downtown Disney to see what we could come up with.  After putting our names on several 2 hour waiting lists, we came upon Paradiso.  A bar/restaurant with really good Spanish food and obviously... Margaritas.

Our crowd, without the help of adult beverages, is pretty unique....  One bouncy 6 year old, 2 silly / goofy pre-teens, a teenager trying to pretend she doesn't know any of us... and the four of us goofy adults laughing like escaped mental patients.  Yeah...  It's like that.

We ordered food, and drinks.  Mr. Cuervo???  He's a sneaky little bugger. He strolls in disguised as a chick named Margarita and the next thing ya know, I'm all smiles making friends with strangers, trying to get a little girl to share her bubble gun with me (she was going to, ya know).  The next thing I know... my 75th drink is empty...  What the heck???

So my ever loving and wonderful hubby orders me a new drink.  I see whispering among the men and the waitress - meh, I don't care.  I want the bubble gun.  Oooh pretty, pretty bubbles...

Next thing I know - this giant Margarita is in front of me....  served up with the challenge - YOU MUST FINISH.   Pfffft... Don't you people know who you're dealing with??  Margarita & Jose - they're my friends.  My buddies.  My PALS...

Challenge accepted.

I began my drink journey, (picture above snapped) laughing, watching bubbles, being all "Jenn" and I hear singing....

Admit it, you want one...

Not mine

Ooooooh.... it's someone's birthday!!!

Yayyyy!!

So I'm singing.  I'm clapping.  I'm dancing.  Happy Birthday To you.. Happy Birrrrthdayyyyyyyy

...And the cake plops in front of me.

Huh??

It's not my birthday....

You guysssssssssssss.....

Can you not see it in their eyes???  D.I.A.B.O.L.I.C.A.L.!  :)

Let this be a rule to you, friends...
When your hubby & your friend's hubby are both diabolical AND they get along this famously, NEVER, EVER, EVER trust them to whisper anything to anyone.

Or this could be you!

Happy Unbirthday to ME!

....shortly there after almost $100 was spent at the Candy Caldron.

Margarita, Jose - my children thank you.
(Don, I owe you!)

Thank you ever so much for reading my blog!

~Jenn



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The Amazing Adventures of Jenn-eye..... (you should see the otha guy)

Hey... How YOU doin?

Pretty, huh??

Oh, the otha guy??  Hmmmmm....

Yeah, it's like this...
the otha guy?

"He" still can't move.

Yeah, that's right... I'm from Clifton.  I'm tough!  One round with me and "he's" still just standing there.  Suspended in time.  Can't move.

Enter Jenn-eye.

I was just sitting there, minding my own business.  My girls doing their thing.  First drink in hand, not even a sip had.

Short one, in Mickey pool.  Bigger one on the Aqua Duck.  Hubby by my side and nice comfy deck chair under my butt.  I set my lovely margarita down and go to scoot up my deck chair to get a better view of my kids and....

BAM!

No, it wasn't Mickey who hit me... the "guy" behind him

Deck railing to the face.  Yeah, can you believe it?   Pfft....

Oh, why didn't I see the GIANT deck railing directly in front of me??  Have ya met me?  I am lucky I can walk across the room without tripping over my own two feet... so deck railing in front of my face ... what's to see??

All I remember is BAM... Grabbing my face and falling back.  Apparently I yelled, really loudly - because I heard my husband saying, "Are you alright?  Are you OK?  You're making a scene."
In my brain, I'm saying -- did I break my cheek bone?  Should I go to the medic?  Shit, did he just kick over my drink?  He kicked over my drink. Wow, this hurts like hell.  I'm making a scene?  I don't friggin' care... Finally I sat up & the drink dude came over with a 2 for 1....  My husband bought and gave me both drinks (I needed them) and then ran to get me ice.

I scared the crap out of both of us....

Do we laugh about this every single second?  Yes....
Is this a total shock to my husband?  Um, no...
Frankly, I think he's surprised this doesn't happen every single day.
So we just laugh.  Even though it really hurts to laugh.  Or smile.  Or talk...

Meh, whatever....

So the otha guy that can't move?  Deck railing.

Score 1 point deck railing...

For me....  A souvenir from the Disney Cruise... Jenn-eye.

Isn't it pretty?

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

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I'm not that girl....

Hey all...
I know, holy crap - she's got something to say.

Amazing what a little R&R can do for you.

So recently I've been away.  A well needed vacation gave me an opportunity to relax, decompress and make friends with my husband again.

No, no - no issues.  All's well.  It's just that the whole daily grind definitely makes you forget, sometimes, how much you really love your partner and why.  It was nice to have "us" time, which was very possible thanks to the Kid's Club on the ship.

Recently while we were out, I was having a conversation with a woman I'd never met before.  She was this tall, skinny long legged, long haired blonde - very "Barbie-esque".

I don't judge.  I think I've established that many times here - so when I get judge, it sort of freaks me out.  Especially since what this other person said to me really shocked me on so many levels - because I'm not that girl!

While I was chatting with this woman, she began talking down about herself.  I didn't get it and told her, "I don't know what you see when you look in the mirror - but you're a stunning woman."  I was nice about it.  She smiled and was very accepting of the compliment.  My inner freak was tucked in tightly.  I was being nice and felt badly that she was so down on herself, especially in such a fun setting.

I'm not one of those people who will blow smoke up someone's butt and over compliment just so they like me.  Trust me, I've reached the point in my life that I don't give a crap.  I say what I mean and mean what I say, or I say nothing.  My days of  'over trying' are D.O.N.E. for me.  I am me.  The end.  Love me as I am or not at all.

She lightened up on herself, smiled and continuing chatting on.  We were by the pool area - and someone said something about going into the pool.  All I said is that I wasn't going in.  I was pooled out.  It was hot, yes - but I was done.  No more pool.

In a not so nice or complimentary way, I received, "Of COURSE you don't want to go into the pool.  You'd mess up your perfect hair and perfect nails."

WHAT???  Me??  Really??

Did she just say that TO and ABOUT... Me???

I'm NOT that girl.

I've never been the little stuck up, conceited everything perfect kind of "girl."

I am the overly friendly freak who bounces around and smiles happily like a squirrel on crack.  I'm not the ewwww, she's speaking to me kind of person EVER, to anyone!  How insulting!

I get my hair cut in a way that when I get out of the shower, I can shake my head like a wet dog, blow dry just to make it dry and move on.  If I'm going OUT, I put product in it so I don't have to deal with it for the rest of the day / night.  I don't want to fuss.

Yeah, I get manicures & pedicures - but that also doesn't make me a "little miss perfect".

It's something I do for me to relax and unwind when I can.  I work.  I have kids.  I take care of my house, my kids, my husband, my dog.  I do NOT have or portray the little miss perfect self image.  What the heck??  I don't see perfection when I look in the mirror.  I see all my flaws and the things that maybe no one else sees - but the things that freak me out on the inside and I want to change.

...and I'm friendly!  Overly friendly mostly, because that's who I am.

I know I don't know that woman, and never will - but that hurt my heart to be judged - in a fairly negative way because I looked a certain way in her eyes.

Me??  Not wanting to ruin my perfect hair?

I'm really not used to that.

Oh, and let's also mention that I'm sporting a huge shiner on my right eye (to follow in another blog).  So, little miss perfect?  (no caps for a reason)  Not me!

In another setting, I may have gotten my hackles up and given it to her with both barrels... but being out of my element - I tucked it in and walked away.  Clearly SHE is the one with issues.

It's amazing how judgement can stretch in so many directions.

I'm told that on some level, I should feel complimented - but I don't.  It's all in the delivery.  I was meant to feel insulted, and that sort of sucks.

I can handle anyone's inner freak.  My inner freak doesn't usually stay contained.  What I can't handle is intentional meanness.

So....someone who doesn't want to mess up her perfect hair and nails??

Yeah, that's not me.

I'm not that girl, nor do I want to be...

Before you point fingers, look out for the ones coming your way.

Because YOU may be that girl.

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

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Rock that freak flag, baby... You only go 'round once!

I'm socially awkward....

Pfft, there - I've said it.

I am, really.  I'll see something and have a thought about it and before I can fully think about the words coming out of my mouth, they're spilling all over the place.

Sometimes it's .. meh, whatever - let's see what happens and other times I'm back pedaling and tripping over my tongue repeatedly to fix it.

And ya know, I can't always do that.  I've actually given up on some situations recently -- OK - I've given up on one situation where one person ever, in the history of Jenn couldn't lighten up.  Boo!

I tell people this awkwardness of mine and they somehow seem shocked.  Of course it's people who DON'T know me well or just met me, because - ya know I can tuck my crazy in good and tight around new people.

You can only contain the beast for so long before she comes on out and raises her freak flag high, bouncing around like a squirrel on crack.  Yep, that's me.

Mostly, it's fine. As long as you know me it's fine.

I will also talk to most anyone.  If a fly were to land long enough, I'd become good buddies with it because I have that goofy way about me.

Again, people who don't know me miss that.

I have a point to all of this, I swear :)

It cracks me up when people who don't know me... at all... see me as "unapproachable" or stuck up..  Ha!  Clearly you have no idea of the inner turmoil going on inside me.  The contained freak that wants to run over and be your very best friend in the whole wide world.  I want to hug you and squeeze you and take you home and feed you cake.  See, I told you... freak.

Oh stop... I've never once uttered the words 'It puts the lotion on the skin."  lol  (look it up if you don't get it, sheesh)

Meh, again whatever.  I am who I am and I'm a pretty old me - so chances are I'm not changing.

The point is....

We all have an inner freak.  I don't care what you say.

My husband.  Big tough looking biker dude.

Freak.

Yep, he's a freak.  He doesn't want you to know it, but he's a total goof ball.  When he thinks no one's looking - he's being quite the fool and I just LOVE IT!  He is enjoying his life.  Even the crappy parts!

Listen, we're all on this planet for a very short time.  Sometimes life is just going to SUCK.  No way around it.  You have to take that crappy part and look for the good in it, because it's there.  No one said you need to be all pinched up while you're here.  No sense in being angry or soooo serious.  Lighten the heck up.  Relax...

Dance like no one's watching, sing like no one can hear and....

WAVE THAT FREAK FLAG HIGH, BABY!!

Have fun.

These are the things I learned from my daddy.

Be funny, be silly and have fun.

Life is too short to waste it on bad feelings.

Happy Father's Day to all you awesome dads out there AND to the moms pulling double duty.
Especially to my wonderful husband for being a great dad and to my daddy & poppie in heaven.

You all rock!!!


Thank you for reading this morning's silliness.

~Jenn

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Jenn-nny I got your number....

Ah the memories...

I'm very music motivated.  No matter what I'm doing, there is always music playing in the background.  In my car, at work, in my kitchen... It's what keeps me going.

Of course it's the music that rewinds my brain and brings me wherever I want to go.

This morning I opened my Facebook and saw a post by my lovely niece regarding the Jenny 867-5309 song from the 80's.  I suddenly lit up like the sun.

I was in my teens in the 80's.  S.H.U.T.  U.P.!!  Right??

As a teenager, I was grounded ALL.THE.TIME.  Really...

If my curfew was 10 pm and I walked in at 10:01 - GROUNDED.

I think it was the only way my (step) dad could control me at that age. Just ground her butt, keep her inside so she stays out of trouble.

So yes, I was grounded.  All the time.

Anyway, with all of my groundings - I missed many parties.  I think that was the idea.  Problem is that my boyfriend, Gary, was at the parties. Again, I think keeping me grounded was the idea.

Gary was REALLY sweet.  I've written about him many times on here because he was my first true love and someone I've kept special in my heart almost my whole life.

Sadly he passed away entirely too young.

The parties in the neighborhood were a mere 4 houses down the street.  I would look out my bedroom window and hope for a glimpse of what I was missing.  Knowing my boyfriend was there as well made me sad.  He didn't live in my town.  He lived about a half hour away and always went out of his way to come see me.

Now something else you should know is that Gary was H.O.T.!  He was super, super cute and before he and I started dating - he was a total player.  The girls dripped all over him. For whatever reason, I never felt insecure or worried, but my friends always felt compelled to give me the play by play.

At one party in particular, there was a lot of beer drinking going on.

Before I go further... this is an 18+ blog... If you're under... get lost.  If you don't get lost, don't take this as advice for things to do in your own life.

Ok....  To continue - there was a lot of beer. There were a lot of games of quarters and there were a lot of drunk girls trying to kiss my boyfriend.

And, MTV was always playing in the background.

MTV was HUGE back then.  It just started.  It actually played music videos and most everyone would sit in front of the television watching, amazed because it was something new.  The same music videos would be played over and over again.  A few specific to my memory are:  Pretty Woman by Van Halen, Heat of the Moment by Asia and of course Jenny 867-5309.

Although those girls were doing all they could to be near my boyfriend - every single time Jenny 867-5309 came on MTV, my phone rang.  Gary called me from the party to tell me he missed me.

Every.Single.Time.  That's the stuff smiles are made of.

These are the memories that come flooding back when I listen to my music.

Gary may be long gone from this planet, but things like hearing Jenny 8674-5309 on the radio or just a mention can still put a big smile on my face.

Thank you for the memories....

And thank YOU all for reading my blog!

~Jenn

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You see what????

I know, I know....
I've been doing a lot of reviews lately, but ya know what... This is my platform and I've got something to say.

In the Web-o-sphere, I've had an opportunity to meet so many fun and amazing people.  Some I've truly held onto and can call friend.  Seems crazy to say that about someone you've never sat in a room with, but it is.  I also like to help others on here when I can.

Last week, I was chatting with my friend K over at Queen of Sarcasm and we were discussing several different things.  One item she talked with me about was her friend Mike over at Psychic Sarcasm.  She mentioned how she'd developed an online friendship with him and he gave her a read - I should give it a try.  I'm up for almost anything...  So I thought sure, why not.

Now, let me tell you -- I'm a good little Christian woman.

I have been taught to not believe this kind of stuff.

I'm no angel - of course, in my younger days I have had a reading or forty.

I have definitely ventured into the realm of the unknown.

It's not something I've ever let rule my life - nor should it be.

It's for entertainment purposes only & Mike will tell you just that.

I went to his website, which you can find by clicking HERE and I signed up for a "quickie" which is an online chat reading.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much.  I was solely in it for the giggles and the let's see what he's got to say.  I formulated a situation that I wanted some information / clarity on and I was ready to go.

At my appointment time, he signed in promptly and we began our chat.

I let him know the specific situation I was looking for information on and asked my question.

I was both shocked and surprised at the accuracy of his replies.  Almost like he just knew.

I mean, yeah - I am a total open book online, BUT - I made sure that the situation I was asking about was not something that he could go onto my blog and read up on or read down my page.
It was something private to me.  Something I don't discuss.

Our chat session was only 15 minutes long - but in that 15 minutes, I had a feeling of clarity and ease take over me.  I truly enjoyed the reading.  I also enjoyed Mike's wit & flare for sarcasm.

So if you're someone who likes a reading or is looking for something fun to do, go on over & see Mike.

His Facebook page, Psychic Sarcasm is a page with silly jokes.  Light and funny.

His website to book an appointment is:  http://www.psychicsarcasm.com

Tell  him Jenn said he's a "super prophet"  :)

**  Disclaimer:  The information in this post is solely my opinion and should not be taken as anything else.  I paid for my reading and have not been paid for my review.  My review is done solely because I like to "pay it forward" across the net.  However - if the mood strikes ;)
I am not responsible for any information which you may be given, or advice you may receive.  This should be seen as ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.  Have fun! **



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I left my heart at the Jersey shore....

The place, not the show :)

This weekend for Mother's Day, my number one wish was to go down the shore.

I knew that I may be disappointed, but I figured I'd take my chances as Martell's, one of my favorite boardwalk places, is re-built and opened.

I was not disappointed!

Yes, there's still work to be done, but it's really looking good and will do just fine this summer.  It was very encouraging.

Afterward, I really wanted to drive down Route 35 to see how things were progressing further south.  I wanted to see the how the area just past the Mantoloking Bridge was coming along.

Wow.

What a heart breaker.

It's been 6 months and 20 days, at this writing, since Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey leaving a wake of destruction in her path.

I hadn't been down the shore until now.  In my area, Sandy's mark is still evident in many places.  Even looking out my own back door I can see the remainders of the uprooted trees that came down.  Our destruction is NOTHING like down the shore.

The destruction down the shore is something that can only be seen.  My description could never come even close to what I saw.  Pictures on TV can never truly depict the actual decimation of this once beautiful vacation haven.

Seaside Heights... The boardwalk and area made famous by shows like the Jersey Shore - a total horror show.  I drove down "the strip" and became very sad.  Though I was able to peek up some of the ramps and see that my favorite place The Midway was open, the boardwalk is not complete.
There is so much to be done.  So much is just...gone.  The ride piers are gone.  The roads and buildings looked more like a sad old town than any place people used to go to vacation.

Much of the area I used to frequent when I was in high school was unrecognizable.

All along 35, some the magnificent homes that used to stand proud; collapsed, crumbled and condemned.  I was amazed at how the ocean seemed to pick and choose what houses will stay and which will go.

My heart sank.

There are too many horrors to count as you drive by.

Yet, this is all long forgotten.  Old news.

It's been almost 7 months since Hurricane Sandy.  Several other tragedies have come and gone.  People have forgotten.  People like me, who took a drive and saw for myself, only to realize that the place so close to my heart - so big a part of me and my younger years is gone, and may never be the same.

This weekend, I truly left my heart at the Jersey shore.

I blew kisses to the Atlantic and said a prayer for my home state.

It's been almost 7 months.  Summer is just around the corner.

It's time to remember that place that has every Jersey girl & boy's heart...

Restore the shore.

If you wish to make a donation to help restore the Jersey shore, or would like more information, please click on the Restore the Shore link below which will take you to their site.

Restore the Shore

I love New Jersey and I love our beaches.

I left my heart at the Jersey shore.

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn



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