Creature of Habit

For those of you who know me, you would probably agree that I'm a creature of habit.

I do the same things, in the same way, every day.  I'm not sure if this is a regimented behavior from my childhood or just me.  You could really clock me most days.  I wake up, do my business, set up my coffee, feed the cats, grab my coffee, grab my computer, hit my spot on the couch in the living room watching my DVR'ed shows at 5 am with my laptop, blogging.  At 7 am, I wake the girlies - get them dressed & fed, unload the dishwasher & hit the shower.  I could go on - but why bore you with my redundant behaviors.

I like consistency.  I hate change.  I could eat a ham sandwich every day for lunch and be Ok with it.  I like nice things, but I prefer simple.  Is that bad?  I hate complications - but will deal with them if I need to, and rather well.

My behaviors are those I know that I can control in this little life of mine - no upheaval, please.

This may sound really boring...  Friends... would you call me boring??  lol

I actually believe this is just another small part of my daily psychosis that keeps my little planet from exploding all over the place.  There's enough crap I actually NEED to deal with - so the things I get to control get to stay within my power.

My husband used to tease me that I was an easy mark for anyone who would want to rob me.  I wouldn't try it though, because I have good aim...  Just sayin'

This is my sanity - and this insanity is what keeps me sane.  Scary, huh...  And you thought I had issues before!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

After Christmas Returns...

So here we are after Christmas, with returns of things that don't fit or we don't like.

Cece and I set out bright and early.  Well, Ok - 10:30ish not too bright & early - Momma's tired!  Hit the bank & then hit the stores.  Returns were incredibly easy (yayy) and the store remarkably uncrowded.  I knew what I wanted so I went from rack to rack looking for an incredible bargain (eh) and grabbed about $200 worth of stuff in 10 minutes.  I think that was pretty good, considering I didn't hit the shoe department.

Then it was my daughter's turn.  Seriously, in less than 5 minutes this kid had $80 worth of clothes in her hot little hands.  Yes, like mother like daughter - BUT her gift card was for $25.  She's lucky mommy was in a giving mood & shared.  :)

After she found her stuff, I again scoured the racks for a sparkly top for New Years Eve.  Ciarra had long lost her patience with MY shopping now that she was done (and SHE had her sparkly top).  I found a top, and even though it was a size small - I deemed it able to be squozen into!  Whoopie!!

Then we went the ever dreaded Walmart... Not by choice - by gift card.  Straight to the toy department and it was barren.  Sorry kid, we're outtie!

All in all, not a bad day out.

2 hours out
Less than $60 spent out of pocket
No crowds of psychotic shoppers

Priceless!!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

Things where "they belong"....

So, while I've been home over the past few days, I've had the "luxury" of having most of my family home as well.

During this time I've been in marathon present wrapping mode, still in holy crap laundry mode (Kyle's room was not nearly as clean as he'd said) cooking mode & having everyone home at the same time.  I do much better without everyone underfoot, but I manage.

Soooo... During this time of my massive chaos - my dearly beloved was looking for the hash browns, which he could not find in the refrigerator.

The comedian, Rita Rudner, had a bit about men looking for things & how if it didn't drop out of the sky and into their arms - it was missing.  Same bit with the refrigerator.  The mighty staring contest, as if the milk would move out of his way - intimidated.

So there I was, vacuuming & "Honeyyyyy, I can't find the potatoes... Where are they?"  In the refrigerator, I say.... "I can't fiiinnnnndddd them."  So of course, I go to the refrigerator, open the door & look past the dozen eggs & grab the package of shredded potatoes ... Here ya go.  Sheesh.

Now of course I mumble under my breath as I walk away - because that could have been done in a second without my assistance - and in response to my mutter I hear... "well if they were where they belonged......"   Screeeeeech.... (that's me stopping in my tracks & shooting off the LOOK)

At that, I defiantly look to the not one, not two, but three pair of HIS shoes in the living room.  Then to the 2 boxes of Christmas lights in the living room next to my sofa (that didn't go up) - over to my dining room where the other 5 boxes lay - because, ya know the lights need to warm up to 70 degrees before they go up...  Ok, so we're busy - they didn't go up... no fault there - but the lights didn't need to stay in my dining room & living room.  Oh - but wait... there's more.  His sister's sewing machine & sewing kit on the floor in the dining room.  2 sweatshirts on dining room chairs and random paperwork on my dining room table.  I'll stop there - because there is more.

Um, wanna re-think that "where they belong" line, dear?

Thankfully, the clutter was promptly removed (since I called him out) but I fully expect him to not be able to find something else.  It's just the way it is.

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

Merry Christmas from me!

I may be a little lax in posting over the next few days due to the holidays & visiting family.

I love this time of year and all the joy it brings.

Wishing you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed & Happy New Year!

Thank you for your continued loyalty!

Here's to 2012~

Peace, Love & Joy to all :)

~Jenn

Screw Top Wine...

So I've been hearing this rumor that screw top wine is going to be the new norm in wines...

Um excuse me..  I don't know about you, but to me - nothing screams cheap or "kindly escort me to the water chamber so that I may continually worship the porcelain god" louder than screw top wine.  Especially screw top red wine!

I mean, screw top wine was fine when I was a rebellious teenager and it was incredibly naughty and wild to share a bottle of Boone's Farm Strawberry Blossom wine, or even the dreaded and terrible Thunderbird.  Talk about a projectile vomiting incident.  Sheesh!  At least we had an excuse to purchase cheap wine - all we could scrape together was $5 or $6 dollars between the lot of us.

Now you may call me a wine-o.  I call me mom.  Touch my red and I will hit you over the head with the empty bottle!  They don't call it Mommy Juice for nothing.

There is a natural progression in wine taste - cheap screw top (teens), jug wine (20's), box wine (20/30's), White Zinfandel (20/30's) & then the foray into reds - usually beginning with Merlot then tip toeing through to the next red.  I know that I'm being a little general here - but I've lived it & see it.  I actually think it's very funny.  Especially knowing that my very good, sweet and wonderful friend is still currently emptying a box of wine left behind by her 20'something cousin.  :)   Seriously, am I not on the right track??

I don't care what the "trend" says.  I don't care what the guy at the liquor store says.  I will avoid the screw top wines like the plague & enjoy my lovely Tuscan Mountain wines, which are corked.  'But that's just me...

Thank you for reading my blog!!

~Jenn

There's nothing like forever friends...

I am truly blessed to have some really awesome girl friends, and no offense to my girlies, because you know I just love you to death - but there's nothing like forever friends.

I think to some degree you could all nod you heads and think yup, she's right and there will be no offense taken.

We all have that one, or if we're really lucky two friends that we've had for longer than we can even remember & if we took the time to calculate years it would just get down right depressing!  The friends who know entirely too much & you know that the dirt you've got stored up on each other could partially fill an ocean.  Those are the forever friends I'm speaking of.

Lynne and I have been friends since the 8th grade.  She and I constantly joke back and forth that we could never get into a huge fight & stop being friends because we know too much about each other.  She is the forever friend I know I could tell anything and her jaw wouldn't totally hit the ground.  She may say, "Jennifer, what the hell is wrong with you?" and get away with calling me Jennifer in a tone only a pissed off mother would use.  She would also laugh it off with me & it would just blow by like the breeze.  I love that.

It's not that my other girlies would judge me, but there's something special about someone you've had almost your whole life. Someone who's known all the stupid crap you've done - all the really bad stuff (and sometimes has been part and party to same) and loves you anyway.  No judgement, no back stabbing - just in it with each other.  Lynne is my go to girl, and I know I'm hers.  We are here for each other always.  Even for the really stupid stuff.

In all our years as friends, we've never had a knock down drag out fight.  Yeah, we've pissed each other off - but we've never stopped speaking because of it.  I've said things, she's said things - and we get over it.  Done and forgotten.  We know how important our friendship is and nothing is worth losing it over.

I'd love to say that we have never, ever lost touch.  The fact is that she went her way for a while & I went mine - then we met back in the middle again.

We may not see each other every day - or even once a month (which needs to change) but we talk all the time and are totally involved with what's going on in each other's lives.  And, from time to time - we act like jealous lovers if the other hangs out with another friend too long, lol.  And NO, Lynne - it's not always me, lol.

I think this is important for us women.  Having our girlfriends, but also having our touch stone(s) who know us through and through.  The good, the bad & the psychotic....

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

Acting on emotion...

I don't know about you, but I know that I personally have made some of my absolute worst decisions while acting solely on emotion.

I'm a very "in the moment" type of person.  I fly by the seat of my pants.  If it's good, I enjoy the ride.  If it's not, I look for the happy boat - or any way I can find to make the bad feeling go away.  I'd love to say that I've outgrown this as I've aged & matured.  Partially, yes - I have learned to think first before diving into a really big decisions, but mostly I look for ways to escape the ick.

I think about this quite often, as I am an example (eek) for my baby girl & other little ones who come through my house.  How good an example is it to teach to lead with your heart?  While the heart feels & wants what it wants - it is sooo often very, very wrong.  The paths it leads you down are often filled with more heartache.

When I was younger, my two worst decisions were based on loss and the emotion attached to it.  I lost my dad - mistake #1.  If my "mistake" reads this by any chance, nothing personal.  If that's even possible.
Big mistake #2 came after I learned that the person that I was absolutely head over heels with - well I'm not going to expand on that.  Let's just say I don't handle rejection well.  It's all good, because those "mistakes" were lessons that gave me more in ways that I never expected.  My mistakes led way to blessings.

Of course, my heart leads me around by the nose - but I'm a love bug.

I fully believe that you should always follow your heart to a certain point & suck up all the love.  I mean, how great is the Love High?  Like any other high, the head does need to take control and throw on the brakes.

I'm in a good place in my life.  A great place actually.  I wouldn't trade my life for anything.  This life is based on a foundation of love & of course God.  It's also based on not only listening to my heart, but checking in with my brain and God to keep me on the right course.

Emotion will always play a huge part in my life.  I am an emotional being.  I am a tad psychotic female at times - but I'll also give you anything you need at a mere say so.  I will yell at you for hurting my feelings, but I will also hold and comfort you when your heart breaks.  Yes, as a woman - I am a total emotional being who will always act on emotion.  I guess that's fine too.


Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

Meetings with friends from "back in the day"....

I've said before that regardless of how much information is out all over the place, I do just love Facebook!

It has truly awarded me with the re-kindling of some really great friendships from when I was younger.  Life does get in the way & we can't always be in touch with EVERYONE - until Facebook!

I've been so blessed to connect with old friends, and it's like we've never skipped a beat!

Several years ago, nope - not telling how many...  Our group of neighborhood friends was invited to our friend Elina's birthday party.  We were all preparing to go when we found out... No Boys Allowed!!  There were about 5 guys that usually hung out in our group of friends on a fairly regular basis.  My brother & step brother, Kelly's brothers and another boy down the street.  Elina's parents were strict Italian.  No boys meant no boys...  Got it, no boys.

The boys were already invited by the birthday girl.  How could we pull this off??

What to do, what to do??  Our devious little teenaged minds went into full gear & we decided to give the birthday girl a surprise!  With my parent's permission, we all went up to my room and dressed the boys up as girls!  We gave the boys my sweaters & bras - did their hair & put make up on them.  Voila, girls!  It was hysterical and they looked great, though they made some pathetically homely girls, lol.

Sadly, the photographic evidence is currently missing.  Guys, if you're reading this... the potential of these pictures hitting the internet may still exist...

In any case, we all walked down to Elina's house, nicely greeted her parents & strolled right into the party without a hitch.  It worked!!  We went in and had a really fun time - at one point, the boys all started ripping off their "bras" and putting their T-shirts on.  It was a memory never to be forgotten.

I got to share this memory again with Elina when she & I met for lunch a few months ago.

When we saw each other we hugged & cried - but once we sat and started talking, it was as if the 20+ years in between just melted away.

It really is just amazing, that no matter how much time passes - the heart will always remember & stay as full as it was 20, Ok maybe 30 years later.

So to Elina & the rest of my friends Facebook has blessed me with again...  I love you all & I'm happy to have had you in my life!

I wish you a day full of love and good friends!

Thank you for reading my blog!!

~Jenn

Ugh, my kids are such slobs!

This is not a secret.  Most people are full witness to this. 

How many parents are nodding their heads right now thinking yup, that sounds like mine too.

Here's my scenario...  The short one will run through the front door, kick off her shoes where she stands, drop her back pack & her coat - leaving a full trail to the bathroom, where she of course won't flush!  Then she'll strip naked in her bedroom & put on new clothes head to toe.  The school clothes will remain on the floor.  She will then tear through the house to the kitchen - ripping apart her lunch box in search of un-eaten snacks.  Papers will fall to the floor, as will crumbs.  Then she will run to the toy drawers.

AH, STOP!!  Mind you, she's only been home for 5 minutes.

Then there's my daughter.  Equally a human tornado, though not as bad.

I'm a bit of a neat freak.  I like things to be WHERE THEY BELONG.  This is definitely something that I am working on.  Stop at the front door, take off your coat, hang it in the closet.  You wouldn't think this should be such a big deal, right?  Ok, I'll give the short one the fact that she can't actually reach to hang her coat up, but make an attempt please!  It makes me crazy to see shoes in the living room & coats draped over my couch. I can deal with the back packs - because they need to do homework, but this is my living room.  Put your flippin' shoes in your room!

My son is the same way - his room was never clean.  I don't get it.  It's not that I don't teach them.

You can ask yourself a million times, why they don't get it?  Someone once told me that you need to tell a child something 40,000 times before they actually hear your voice in their head.  Holy crap!  Can I do this all in one day?  Well at least there is hope.

Now, I'm not dogging my kids here - I love them from the tip of their heads to the tip of their toes.  Especially now that one has officially left my nest, I realize how quickly it goes by.

There's a country song that says, "you're gonna miss this."  It is hard to believe, in the moment - that you will miss cleaning up that little trail of clothes & crumbs.

It may be annoying to clean up the little messes over and over again, but the fact is - I will miss the little people when they grow and leave.  Not just my own, but all that come through from chickadees to my children's friends.  They grow so quickly.

Now I look at my boy's empty, clean room & then I look at the trail of shoes and clothes & crumbs and I smile.

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

The view from inside the dog house...

A few weeks back I vented about how my husband totally insulted my blogging...

I promised I'd let y'all know how that went.

First, he read that particular blog.  Then he check out my stats.  His initial reply was - "well of course you're at almost 4000.  You write about me & every one wants to hear what you're going to say about me."

Uh, really??  Nice ego... Go back and re-read the OTHER blogs sweetie cakes...  You are not always the star of the show.   So he browsed through.

Now I know that he doesn't really READ my blogs through unless I want him to be aware of something, or if he's directly involved (which explains his self involved attitude).  This time, he actually LOOKed at the stats, read through some of the blogs & then formed a real opinion.

Speechless.. he said, "Wow, that's great."  Not just because he wanted out of the dog house, but because he actually is supportive.

As for me, I'm really just a big talker... there's no dog house.  I can't be bothered with the fighting, grudge holding nonsense.  I get pissed off in the moment.  I say what I have to say & then I'm done.

So yeah, no real dog house for the Wag-o-nater.  Just an education & added appreciation of his wife.

Sometimes it's just necessary to grow.

As an aside, I'm currently working toward 5000 reads - so thank you!!  I love you all & am in humble appreciation of you continued support!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

This couch ain't big enough for the two of us....

So I'm up REALLY early every day.

Intentionally - I like to have quiet time while I caffeinate.  Sometimes I watch the shows that I DVR from the night before, but mostly - I like my quiet time.

And from down the hall comes the "Bouncing Chickadee".  It's like Ringling Brothers, I swear!  Boing,Boing, Boing, Twirl, Twirl & BOUNCE right on top of me.

Admittedly, for the first 30 seconds I'm loving the love - but after that, when she climbs up into my lap & kicks over my lap top and my kitty and I can no longer reach my coffee - I've lost that lovin' feeling.

Mind you... MY couch - my sacred spot, is the love seat.  It's in the exact perfect position, with my end table and lamp - view out the front window & television if I choose.  It's small.  I'm usually curled up under my Snuggie® with my kitty & laptop.  Sounds so warm & cozy doesn't it??

I write this now - because my once warm & cozy feet are now cold without my Snuggie®.  My comfy area on my love seat has been invaded by the short one - who has taken up not only my Snuggie®, but 3/4 of the love seat.  One leg across my lap, the other jamming into my leg trying to push me further into the arm of the love seat.  Really?  It's 6:30 am on Sunday morning.

Listen kid, this couch ain't big enough for the two of us....  Beat it!

Can ya relate?

Thank you for reading my blog!!

~Jenn

Givers & Takers...

In all relationships, there are givers & there are takers.

Being the oldest child of 3, I was largely responsible for taking care of my younger brothers and making sure they stayed out of trouble.

This started from the time I was about 7 years old and continued through my teens.  I was so used to taking care of someone, I continued to do so well into my adult life.

This "co-dependent" behavior was most likely the cause of the many failed relationships I'd had in my life - rolling right across the board from friendships, to family, to love relationships.  I was always wanting to give all to the other person & take care of their every need.  So much so that I neglected my own needs.  With a few exceptions, I continually chose people who were in some way "needy".  Someone to take care of, but didn't know how (or want to) take care of me.

At some point, the giving got old & I became resentful.  My fault, really...  I invited the situation.
This continued on for years and years.  I was so good at taking care of myself and doing for myself that I never really wanted anyone to take care of me.

Any time someone offered me their help, I politely thanked them & declined.  Even when I really did need help - I never called upon anyone for help.  However if anyone needed me, I was there in seconds.  Doing all I could to make sure everyone was happy.

Fortunately, as I've aged and matured - I've realized that I can't do it all.
I do need to be able to depend upon someone else every once in a while & that's Ok.  It's actually good to have someone take care of me if I need it.

I do still have the perpetual need to save the world, but that's just who I am.  I'm a giver, and that's Ok.  I like to see people happy - but I like to be happy too, so I've learned to not only give - but to take too :)

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

A heart is not complete until it has been broken...

Ahhh, heartbreak....

No one is immune.  The toughest of the tough.  The strongest of the strong.  The bravest of the brave. They've all had their hearts broken from time to time.  Who hasn't?

Whether it be the loss of your true love, a death of a family member, a beloved pet, or even someone just leaving your life for whatever reason...  As long as there is love, heartbreak in inevitable.

I've suffered my fair share of heartbreak in my life; many deaths, lost loves & people just moving on.  The pain is the same, an ache is an ache.  It dulls some over time, but it still hurts.

Has it ever been in my best interest to shut myself down and not love - absolutely NOT!  I cherish every ounce of love I've ever had in my life.  Love is as much for you as it is for the other person.
It IS better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

How can you get the full feeling of the highest of the high - unless you also experience the lowest of the low.  No joy without sorrow.  It really IS all good!

During this holiday season, show someone they are loved - especially if you know they are alone or struggling in any way.  It's amazing what a small act of kindness can do to brighten someone's day.

Sometimes it's as simple as a smile.  :)

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

 Hearts will never be practical, until they are made unbreakable... ~Wizard of Oz

Dang Women Drivers!

Yep, that's right - I'm one of 'em!

My always husband goes on and on about how he's such a superior driver ... yeah, yeah, yeah.... whatever...

I believe that I'm a good driver.  Not to temp the fates, but I haven't caused any accidents.  I'm a responsible & careful driver.  I don't text while I'm driving and I'm always hands free if I use my phone  I always pay attention to all that's around me and I keep everyone safe.  Yes - I have a lead foot, but I've always been able to get by.  Nuff said, lol.

I do have to admit, I have a little curse attached to my driving.  Things find my windshield...  Almost every vehicle I've owned has had it's windshield attacked while I've been driving.  Scares the crap out of me when some projectile comes flying toward my windshield & crack...  Ugh!

I can't be held responsible for that, though...

Other than that - I do Ok.  Sometimes I hit things, and I can't always back into my driveway properly (unless, of course I've hit something and need to hide it from the hubby, lol)  I'm not making such a great case for us women drivers, am I??

Well, who cares - I can back in and out without hitting anything (unless I'm parking in a garage, where I rip off side view mirrors, but that's another story.)

Yeah - so I may not be the worlds best back'er upper, and maybe I don't always see things & hit them...  But when it really comes down to it - I don't hit anything major - like a person or another car.  But that's me...  I've got so much going on at the same time that silly stuff just happens. Yeah - I've driven over the corner of my husband's precious lawn several times...  I hit curbs sometimes, but like I said never hit a person or another car.

Look at the statistics - most accidents involve men.  Most speeding tickets, men.  So phooey....

Yeah, I'm one of those women drivers...but go easy on us, please.

We can't always be as perfect as you :)

Have a happy day!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

Things coming from where you don't expect them...

Thank you!

We all expect, or at least hope, that the people closest to us will be our biggest fans.  That in itself is a huge gift, but when it comes from where you least expect it - it's even more wonderful!

I wish I could know, or see exactly who comes to my site regularly, but I'd like to thank a few random groups for your support....

Russia!!!  Thanks guys!!  You guys rock and are right behind the United States, where I reside & most of my audience comes to the site from.

How could I forget my Canadians?  Aye!!  With my Germans right behind!!  Love you guys!!

My aged 45-54 male readers!!  Thanks guys!!  You are 14% of my monthly readership!  This makes me smile big!!  I know that not every male on the planet says, Hey - Let's hear what Jenn has to say before starting my day.  :)  It means a lot that you continue to come back & support me!!  I know who a few of you are, so thank you guys!

My high school class mate from across the pond & also venturing into Spain xxoo

I can't leave anyone out, these are the stats directly from the site!!  Thank you all, I love you all!!!

United States 4,101 Russia 117 Canada 37 Germany 35 United Kingdom 17 Malaysia 14 Ukraine 12 India 8 Latvia 7 Spain 6

There are also many other visits from other countries that don't show in the stats - I'm not leaving you out -- the site is!!  Thank you Denmark, Netherlands, Japan, China, Taiwan & the many others that continue to come back without being properly counted on the site....  Almost 4500 & still going!!!

Life is good!  Simple as that :)

Thank you for your continued support!!

~Jenn

Do as I say, not as I do...

Getting through the teenage years with my son was not an easy task!

I've said numerous times - he really made me earn my mommy stripes!

Having not been a stellar teen myself, I guess this is my payback.  My son, however - not as good at getting away with things as his momma was....  I told him, "Boy, don't you realize that I've been there, done that AND I never got caught???  I know your tricks before you try to pull them on me."  I've needed to proved myself on this a few times over...

He once snuck out his bedroom window in the middle of the night to hang out with his friends...  Psst, really?  I did that & got back in without waking anyone from the second floor when I was that age.  So what did mommy do??  I went right into his room & locked his bedroom window, causing him to HAVE to ring the doorbell to get back in when he came home.  SNAGGED!

He tried to drink & smoke with his buddies...  Again...I know what it smells like.  I know how drunk kids act...  Really??  Do you really think that's going to fly by me without notice??

He finally got used to the fact that he wasn't going to be able to blow things by me so easily.  Some things I let happen, just because he needed to learn on his own - but for the most part he knew what I expected & wouldn't tolerate.  It never stopped him from trying - but that's a teenager for ya!

I've always been really honest with my son.  Maybe a good thing, maybe not... Only time will tell.  I do know for sure that if he ever has a major problem, he'll never be afraid to come to me.  He may expect me to be Saint Mom, but he knows that I'm not & that's Ok.  We are ALL a work in progress.

I reflect back on these things now, as my boy is getting ready to move on to the next phase of his life.  In a matter of less than a few weeks, he will be leaving for boot camp for the U.S. Navy.

No more peeking in while he's sleeping, just to watch him sleep.  He's a big boy now & I am so incredibly proud.

It will be hard for me to have that missing spot at the dinner table, but I know that I've done the best I can pushing him to be all that he can be & I know he's got so much more!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn

Yes you CAN!

Remember that exercise guru, Tony Little from the 80's?  "You can DO IT!"

Yes, you CAN do it!!  I don't accept the words, "I can't" from my kids!  As far as I'm concerned I can't means I won't.  Try!

Of course, they don't appreciate this.  They're looking for me to step in and do it for them, but ya know what - NO!  I'll show you, I'll guide you & I'll help you - but I'm not going to do it for you!  You may not be the world's best, but I'll betcha that you'll learn!  Who knows - maybe you WILL be the world's best!

I've said many times before, I did not grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth.  No one went out of their way to make my life easier or do things for me & I'm quite alright with that.  All of that is what made me who I am today.  I won't just sit there & watch my kids struggle or get too upset before I step in - but I also won't let them succumb to the "do it for me".

Nope, it wasn't easy & yup - I could very well have been one of those who fell through the cracks - but I want-- and as long as I want, I keep going until I get.  That means I can & I will, so I try and I try.

Believe me, I was no poster child or shining example of how to be or what to do when I was growing up.  I was not always on the best path & I almost never chose the right road - but that's Ok.  I'm here now.

I'll admit, doing it wrong took me probably an extra 10 years or so extra to get where I am now.  I'm in no position to preach the don't do it - I definitely go by the do as I say, not as I do and follow the right path.
Yeah - I may have made it through the crap... but as I said, the road was a lot rockier & there was a lot more crap to wade through.

There is so much truth to the statement, "Once you hit rock bottom, there's only one place to look...UP!"

So yes you can!  Everyone can!!  It may not be the best or world's greatest, but who cares!  You CAN!

Thank you for reading my blog!

~Jenn