Thursday, May 31, 2012

Surprise!!! :)

It's a POST!!!! First of all, I apologize in advance...this is going to be scattered. - you have been warned. I don't know what it is about tonight but I feel very wired!! I feel like I could talk a hundred miles a minute, soooooo maybe I'll just type that way... LOL I can't explain the mood, I don't know if it's because it's my Friday and I have a 3 day weekend, or because of the fact that I just spent an hour listening to Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Katy Perry and some other artists that just plain Rock!  It could be the acoustics in my living room, I love singing in there it sounds so cool - I feel like a rock star!! ;) LOL ooOOoooo or it might be the fact that I really feel like going to the pool tomorrow and working my tan - which at the moment is nonexistent. LOL Note: Blogger does not know how to spell nonexistent...or maybe I just don't. It kept giving me resistant. lol Weird.

So it's after 9pm and I haven't eaten dinner yet, I keep trying to decide what to have. So far I have come up with possibly having blueberry waffles or having Strawberry Revel ice cream (vanilla ice cream w/Strawberry like thick syrupy stuff in it). Ice cream for dinner rocks! (Man everything just rocks tonight doesn't it?!) OOooooo I know, I'll have BOTH!! Blueberries and Strawberries go together right?! LOL

Now I have a final decision to make, read, waste more time on Facebook, waste time on Pinterest, write something - like a creative writing prompt something - or Ohh idk...there are lots of things. Too many things...my nails are painted and pretty so I'm not going to paint my nails. I really feel like getting out of the house and singing karaoke...lol Or I could go do relaxing yoga to try and calm down for the night but what fun would that be?! LOL

Thank you for listening to my scattered thoughts...LOL I warned you in the very beginning, I think my first blog post was even about that right?! Ahhhh the memories....my 1 year blogiversary is coming up in July...Maybe I'll have to do something really fun for that!! ;)

Until Next Time
     Jessy <3

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Nail Files 5/26/12 - You get 3 designs!! :)




Oh boy, it has been a while since I've uploaded one of these. My nails have not gone without polish trust me. I just haven't linked up with you guys. So let's see....how many designs do I have this time. Last time it was two...

This time it's 3!! :) 

Ah yes....I found that I only had a few polishes that weren't shimmery. So I got two new polishes from N.Y.C. Color (Lexington Yellow and Water Street Blue) and I loved the little chicks so I decided to pair the two! (Hey that rhymed and I didn't even plan it!) I found this idea on You Tube, OF course! ;) The link is below. 

 




This next one was an idea from one of my friends. Her baby was turning 1 and the party theme was Snoopy. So I found a picture of this pattern online and used a black striper to create the little Snoopy and Woodstock. :)




This last one was just this past week and I did both my fingers and my toes!! It's the same base color (Warpaint Beauty's, Shocking Pink) and then opposite tips and hearts. I think I liked the black tips better than the white ones. And I found that painting white tips on your toes is rather difficult. I won't include the picture of what my hands looked like when I was done...LOL




Oh here's a tip for creating hearts! Use a dotting tool (or something round) and put three little dots in a triangle shape to create a heart that's all filled in. :) See....isn't that easy?! :)



Btw, I am super excited about the 101 Challenge that I am doing for myself. I have created a list of 101 things that I want to try and do in 1001 days. If you want to know more about that, check out my 101 in 1001 page on my blog and follow my blog if you want to see my progress. :) Doing a pedicure every month was one of my goals, so there should be some cute pedicure designs in my near future! :)

Until next time
   ~ Jessy <3


Chick Design



101 Challenge - May 2012

Well, I have been really excited about this 101 challenge and I am proud of myself for what I have done in such a short amount of time! Maybe it's just part of the initial excitement! :) I said that I wanted to blog post every month about what I have done, well since May is almost over, I thought I would post one today. (I guess now that I look at the date I still have a work week left eh?! O well...)

Here's what I have done so far:

~ Wrote a letter to a friend
~ Wrote a letter to open once the 1001 days is up
       (I also scheduled a blog post for Feb 4, 2015)
~ Took 2 pictures of hearts
~ Started a Journal
~ Started a "Rainy Day" fund - it's just coins atm lol
~ Joined a Book Club - now I just have to stay active ;)
~  Finished reading 3 of the 7 books that were on my "Currently-Reading"
    bookshelf on my Good reads account
           The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss by James Kemp
           Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke
        * The Book Thief * - finished 5/29/12
~ Did Pedicure - Oh look there's one of the hearts ;)








~ Blogged about Dr. Seuss Books
~ Blogged about Joy Boxes
~ Song of the month: Hiding my Heart by Adele (I love her!!)



Since I still have a few more days, I may be adding to this post. For instance, I have to finish my book for my book club, so there may be another book to add soon! ;)

 * Update: Finished - The Book Thief too!! :) * - finished 5/29/12


Until next time
   ~ Jessy <3


Joy, Joy, Joy Boxes!


What is a joy box? It is simply a box to keep mementos of your memories in; it is place to keep track of what has brought you joy over the years.




I was introduced to Joy Boxes when I was a teenager. I made my mine in youth group at my church in ID. One day Jenna, our youth Pastor’s wife, brought in poster board and other craft supplies for the girls to create Joy Boxes. We made boxes out of the poster board then used stamps, and other craft supplies to decorate the boxes. I have had my Joy Box ever since and it brings me joy just seeing it. It’s moved with me, several times, so it’s tattered and worn, but it is filled, literally to the brim, with memories from my teen years.

I went through my Joy Box the other night for the first time in a while. It is filled with pictures, old letters from friends, concert tickets, sand from the Great Salt Lake (that’s in a baggie), a huge jaw breaker (trust me, I will never eat it again…lol), a little thing of Smucker’s jam (also not eating that), and so many other things.

While looking through everything I started reading some of the old letters. I found some that were filled with secrets that I am supposed to take to my grave, some of the letters were novels and one even made me cry. LOL Reading the old letters made me realize that I have lost touch with some of my friends over the years. I plan on changing that very soon!

Aside from reading old letters, I found 4 note cards that I had written to myself. They were written during a time in my life when I was battling with bitterness and running from my problems. It was interesting to look back 10 years and remember where I was and then see how far I have come since then, it kind of felt like I was in one of the “Back to the Future” movies. It’s amazing to see all that has changed and it helped me realize just how great life is right now.

When I graduated from High School, I made a Joy Boxes for 2 of my best friends. Some of my 101 goals are about Joy Boxes. I want to make myself a new Joy Box, since mine is tattered. Once I have a new one, I want to update mine since there are so many new joys in my life, and I want to make a Joy Box for at least one other friend.

I really believe that Joy Boxes are worth having. I think it’s ok to hold onto some of your old junk that has sentimental value, as long as you keep it to a minimum and don’t end up on Hoarders. I don’t get mine out very often but when I do my joy is renewed with the simple memories from my past.

I hope that my little blog post will inspire you to create your own joy box, if you haven’t already. If you have one, I hope you will open it up and reminisce. They are definitely a tangible reminder of all that has happened over the years and sometimes we just need to see the mementos to have the memories come flooding back. Personally, I believe that everyone needs to jog their memories of the good times, we need to remember the struggles that we have overcome, and we all need a renewed joy to be able to see the potential in our future.


What? You haven't read that Dr. Seuss book?!


I recently read a book called “The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss” by James Kemp. It is a book that my mom gave me a few years ago and I never got around to reading it until recently. It is a short book, only 90 pages, but it is one that I enjoyed. Kemp, former Pastor, gives his insight into the deeper, Biblical meanings that he found hidden in Dr. Seuss’ books.
The more I read this book the more I realized how many Dr. Seuss books that I HAVEN’T read. Out of the 12 books that he wrote about, I’ve only read 3 of them. That’s not even half!!
So one of my 101 challenges is to read all of Dr. Seuss’ books, I have listed them below. I will be checking them off as I read them. All of books that are already dated I have read before, now onto the rest of them. ;)

 

Theodor Geisel wrote over 60 children's books during his life. He used the pen name Dr. Seuss for all of the books that he both wrote and illustrated. The pen name Theo LeSieg (his last name spelled backwards) was used for books he wrote but others illustrated. Full list of all books written by Dr. Seuss.

Classic Seuss
  • The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
  • And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street - 5/26/12
  • Bartholomew and the Oobleck
  • The Butter Battle Book
  • The Cat in the Hat Songbook
  • Daisy-Head Mayzie
  • Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? - 5/26/12
  • Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book
  • Gerald McBoing Boing
  • Horton Hatches the Egg
  • Horton Hears A Who!
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 5/26/12
  • Hunches in Bunches
  • I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! and Other Stories
  • I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
  • If I Ran the Circus - 5/26/12
  • If I Ran the Zoo - 5/26/12
  • The King’s Stilts
  • The Lorax
  • McElligot’s Pool
  • My Book About Me
  • Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
  • On Beyond Zebra!
  • Scrambled Eggs Super!
  • The Sneetches and Other Stories
  • Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose
  • Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

Bright and Early Books
  • The Foot Book - 5/26/12
  • Great Day for Up!
  • Hooper Humperdink…? Not Him!
  • In a People House
  • Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? - 5/26/12
  • The Shape of Me and Other Stuff
  • There’s a Wocket in My Pocket
  • The Tooth Book - 6/30/12
  • Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog?
  • The Eye Book

Dr. Seuss Nursery
  • All Aboard the Circus McGurkus
  • Circus McGurkus 1, 2, 3!
  • Dr. Seuss’s Circus McGurkus Squirt!
  • Happy Birthday, Baby
  • Horton Hears a Who! Can You?
  • One Fish, Two Fish, Three, Four, Five Fish
  • Up, Up, Up with the Cat
  • Wet Pet, Dry Pet, Your Pet, My Pet

Beginner Books
  • The Cat in the Hat - 5/26/12
  • The Cat in the Hat Comes Back - 5/26/12
  • Dr. Seuss’s ABC - 5/26/12
  • Fox in Socks
  • Green Eggs and Ham - 5/26/12
  • Hop on Pop - 5/26/12
  • I Am Not Going To Get Up Today!
  • I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
  • I Wish That I Had Duck Feet
  • Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! - 5/26/12
  • Oh, Say Can You Say?
  • One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish - 5/26/12
  • Ten Apples Up On Top!
  • Wacky Wednesday - 5/26/12
  • Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!
How many of these books have you read? I'd love to know! :)

~ Jessy <3

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Eleven!!

Rules
1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Tag 11 people
6. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them

11 Random Things About Myself

1. I think I am in love with my iPod.
2. My favorite soda is Barq's root beer.
3. I have recently lost 20 lbs!
4. I am currently working on a list of 101 things that I want to accomplish (or at least attempt) in 1001 days. (See my 101 in 1001 blog page)
5. I am so glad that this semester is over!
6. I really want to get into writing more.
7. I just painted my nails yesterday and am already contemplating what design to do next! ;)
8. I really love Adele
9. I have had this post sitting in my "Drafts" for FAR too long!
10. I really love blogging!
11. I am looking forward to my summer 4/10 schedule that starts tomorrow!!! YAY!

1. What's your favorite morning beverage? That would be coffee!

2. Where would you go on vacation right now if everything was paid for and taken care of (including children and work taken care of!) Also, who would you take with you? Or would you go alone? Well that is tough. I guess if everything was paid for I would go to Disney World. BUT, My hubby, mom, dad, brother and his family, The Miller's, The Durfee's, Sarah, and Rachel would have to be paid for and coming too!!!

3. What is something you will never forget? My first kiss, but then who could ever forget that?! ;)

4. What is something that changed you for the better? The college that I went to. Without going to that college, I wouldn't have met my hubby and all of the great things that have followed.

5. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I want to learn it all!! But right now, I want to learn to play the guitar. :)

6. What would you do with an extra two hours in the day to yourself? I could say, blog more or a number of other things. But in reality - I'd probably sleep. lol

7. What language would you learn if you could? French, but really the more practical choice would be Spanish...lol

8. What's your favorite kid movie? I love Disney movies!! Right now I am really wanting to watch some of the classics mainly Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.

9. What brings back memories from your childhood (thing, scent, place, etc)? It's odd but the Fourth of July. I always seem to get sentimental about that time in my life. I have such great memories of the Fourth of July. Sometimes I wish I could go back and re-live those moments.

10. Interesting fact about you? Didn't I already give you 11 of these?! lol Well, here's one. I grew up in Utah and somehow ended up Baptist instead of a Latter-Day Saint. Yes, I was in the minority.

11. Romantic date night in, or out? And, doing what? Night OUT!! I am in too much. lol I love dinner and movie. :) But dinner and mini-golf is fun too! ;)




Questions for YOU


1. What is your favorite Disney movie?
2. How long have you been blogging?
3. Did you ever see yourself living where you are living today?
4. What is your favorite vacation spot?
5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
6. Who do you miss the most right now?
7. If you could go back in time, what year would you go back to and why?
8. What is your favorite holiday tradition (Could be any holiday)?
9. Is there anything that you would change about your life?
10. Who is your favorite song artist/band?
11. If you could play a role in any movie/TV show, which one would it be and why?


Tags:
Jill - The Geeky Peach
Julie - Love JulieBug
Christina - A Homemaker's Journal
Lucy - Find Your Sparkle
Laura - A Day in the Life of the Railings
Angel - Confessions of a College Angel
Vicki - My Vickilicious Life
Priscilla - Life, Love and Other Drugs
Sarah - Crazy Beautiful Life
Leslie - Polish Art Addiction
Tara - Fabulous But Evil



99 Things

I saw this on Angel's blog and had to steal it to see mine!
(Rules: Bold the things you've done)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort 
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

What could you bold from these 99 things?

I would love to see your list so leave a comment or link up if you do this or have done it!

Happy Mother's Day!

What is a Mother? She is kind, loving, nurturing, and understanding. She is someone to look up to, she is beautiful, she makes you smile and she loves you no matter what you do.

When you are little she needs to be firm but she also makes owies better. She is a teacher, she is a chauffeur, she loves you more than you realize.

When you grow up she is a friend. She is someone to lean on, someone who gives advice, someone who prays for you and will pray for you when you can't speak through your tears. She still loves you more than you realize.

I haven't become a mother yet but the depths of a mothers love is not only visible in the mothers around me, but they are also evident within my own mother.

My mother and I had a rough beginning but she has always chosen me and Alex (my brother) above all else. Looking back at the times that were hard she always made sure we were taken care of and had what we needed.She always put her kids first, even if that meant that she went without. When I was little I didn’t see it. But now, looking back at my childhood I can see the sacrifices that were made. I can see the love that was there, even when we had our differences.

I have had the privilege of having a wonderful relationship with my mother. We have had our moments, all mothers and daughters do, but fort he most part all I have are very fond memories. We’ve been through a lot together. During my teen years, when most kids are in their rebellious stage,my dad left. I feel that experience drew my mother, my brother and I closer than ever. We were not your typical family. Oh, sure I still squabbled with my brother, but I feel like were the Three Amigos stickin’ it out till the end. I believe my mom and I became friends during my teen years as opposed to later in life and I am so grateful for that. We have enjoyed great things. We’ve gone out for tea, spent hours playing Hand & Foot, gone on trips, made jewelry together, spent more hours searching for her keys or glasses and so many other things.

This Mother’s Day my mom is in Kansas; that’s where she lives now. I am very happy for her, she has a wonderful life there with her hubby but I miss her. We talk on the phone every week and Skype sometimes but that just isn’t the same and we all know it. lol

This year I am broke and I really wish that I could just spoil my mom on Mother’s Day cuz she definitely deserves it. But instead I have written her a letter. If I know her as well as I think I do, my thoughts and memories will mean more to her than any gift I would give her.

This is for you Mom.

Dear Mom,
I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I’ll start in the beginning. Even though there were some bumps in the very beginning of my life,you have always chosen me and I don’t know if I have ever thanked you for that.So, thank you! I have always admired your courage.

Throughout my life you have always been there for me. You have always been loving and supportive. You have always known which battles to fight, and which ones could be left alone. Someday, when I’m a mom, I hope to be at least half the mom that you are.

My whole life I have been told by pretty much everyone I meet, “You look so much like your mother.” Most kids would cringe or roll their eyes, but I am proud to look like you. You are beautiful – inside and out. You are beautiful because you look to see the best in people and you always want to help. As I have grown up, I have watched you grow into this person who can’t do enough for those around you. I don’t think the word“No” is in your vocabulary. I’ve seen you with too much on your plate but somehow you always pull everything off. Then seeing how happy you are in the end lets me know that all the stress was worth it for you. The drive that you have to serve others is inspiring and makes me want to be more like you everyday.

I miss you now that we live so far apart. I know I say, “I miss you” every time I talk to you but I don’t think I tell you what I miss. I miss sipping coffee together, and I miss going out for tea. I miss the little adventures that we would have around town, and I miss the big adventures that crossed over states. I miss playing games with you, especially Hand & Foot. I miss simply sitting and talking about everything and nothing at the same time. I miss your hugs.

So on this Mother’s Day, and everyday really, I want you to know that you are loved and admired. You make me smile. You are my inspiration.You are one of my closest friends. Best of all you are my Mother and I love you more than you realize.

With all my love,
Jessica


















Wednesday, May 9, 2012

101 in 1001

Well, I have decided to challenge myself. The other day I was on Confessions of a College Angel and she had the coolest idea! She was challenging herself to complete 101 things in 1001 days. I thought it was Awesome!! It's like a bucket list, that you actually may have the ambition to do.

So, I have created one for myself and added it as a page to my blog so I can keep track of what I have done. One of my things to do is to blog about about my progress each month so you will be hearing more about this in the future.

My hope is that I can inspire some other people to come up with a list of their own. If you do, I would LOVE to hear about it. So you can link up at the bottom of this post or on my 101 in 1001 page too.

~ Jessy <3

Friday, May 4, 2012

Rebellion...it's not just for teenagers anymore!

Ok so like what is up with getting a cold/flu the first week in May?! Yesterday, Thursday, I woke up with a dry cough, thought it was weird. I went throughout my day and then at like 9pm I start getting the chills. I was so cold that I wore a long-sleeved night shirt, pj pants, fuzzy socks and scarf to bed. LOL!!

When my alarm went off this morning I decided that I didn't want to share the wealth, so I called into work. I am so glad that I did. I have been in bed all day. I've still got my cough, I've had a headache pretty much all day, but the worst part is being achy and weak. No fun, not at all.

The only reason that I can come up with as to why I got sick, is because my body is rebelling. I have been waiting all week to start my new seizure meds and the day that I was going to start them, I get sick. I don't think that is coincidence.So now I must wait until I am better before I start my new meds. Fail.... Plus I have to miss a party tomorrow. :(

I am starting to feel better. So, *raises cough drops* here's to being better by Monday!!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Quizzical Question 5/3/12

It has been a long time since I've posted a Quizzical Question. Today I have 2 and they are very deep.

As I was calming down from yet another panic attack, they seem to be something very regular now, (I can't wait to switch my seizure meds.) I decided to read the little devotional that I've been reading everyday, it's called A Jolt of Joy. Today's story was about Paul (Paul has been the topic for the past few days - it's amazing how much you can learn about joy from him). He was standing before the King giving a defense as to why he was caught preaching in the wrong place at the wrong time. When asked to explain, Paul started his eloquent defense by saying, "I think myself happy...because I shall answer for myself this day." (Acts 26:2 KJV)

I'm confused. Paul, who was imprisoned and could possibly be sentenced to death right on the spot., said "I think myself happy." wow...I would probably "think myself nauseous."

So my questions to you are these:

1.  How can you re-train your mind to focus on the positive and not on the negative?
2. What are some ways that you can "think yourself happy" everyday?

It's a lot to chew on - believe me. Three and half pages of my thoughts, notes and scribbles and I still don't have a grasp on it.

Until next time
~ Jessy