Boogers

Lovely Christmas program in church today. Everyone dressed in their holiday best. One particularly adorable Nursery toddler dressed in a sparkly new skirt and sweater. Sitting on her mom's lap ... digging for gold! 

What is the fascination with little noses? Why must little fingers venture upward? And then ... pulling out a "prize," quickly suck it up in one quick lick. 

Maybe she's being environmentally conscious ... saving forests one Kleenex at a time. 

Ahh ... the joys of childhood. 

Starbuck's Santa

I was at the Starbuck's drive thru yesterday morning, ready to hand my debit card over to the cashier when he startled me.

"High 5," he said.

Ummm, OK.

"The lady in the car ahead of you wanted to wish you

a Merry Christmas and your order is on her!"

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yep ... enjoy your breakfast!" he said.

What a simple, thoughtful act of service and giving during this holiday season. I had a grin a mile wide, shaking my head in disbelief and glee all the way to work.

The best part? I'm officially inspired! Not only did that just brighten my day, but I now can't wait to do something similar.

I encourage each of you reading this to follow in Ms. Honda Pilot's generous footsteps and make someone's day with a small, simple act of kindness. And why not carry this into the New Year. Creatively wish someone a "Merry Monday" one of these days or "Happy Groundhog Day!"

The Power of Three ... Tagged

What are the last three things you purchased (aside from groceries)?

* Tile and scrapbook paper for craft projects

* Holiday scented candles

* Dinner at Bajio's

What are the last three songs you downloaded to your iPod?
* A remix of "Defying Gravity" from Wicked

* "Let it Rock" from Kevin Rudolf

* Newest Xtina Aguliera song

What are three of your favorite movies?
* Addams Family Values

* Army of Darkness

* My Big Fat Greek Wedding

What are three things you have not done yet?
* Skydiving

* Played in the Atlantic Ocean

* Gone snow skiing

What are three things you can't live without?
* iPod

* Propel water

* Curel lotion

What are your three favorite dishes?
* Lasagna

* Lobster

* Salad with everything on it

What are three of your favorite tv shows?
* Monk

* Gray's Anatomy

* The Office

What are three of your favorite desserts?

* Cheesecake

* Apple Crisp

* Costco White Cake with Vanilla Mousse Filling

What are the last three places you traveled to that are more than 100 miles away?
* St. George

* Seattle

* New Jersey

What are three things you'd buy if money weren't an issue?

* Dyson Vacuum

* iMac

* Acura TL

I now tag anyone who reads this. Share your top 3s.

In honor of the upcoming premiere!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Winter Joy

My Winter Bliss has begun! 

Sipping on a Starbuck's Caramel Apple Cider

Trying on a new cozy sweater. 

I love this time of year! 

Japanese Flashback

Right after all my September travels, I had the chance to host my friend Naoko from Japan! She was in Utah for about 2 weeks and I was lucky enough to be one of her stops on her visit. It was so much fun to spend time visiting and catching up. I just wish it had been longer and that I didn't have to spend my days at work instead of hanging out with her!

While she was here, she, my roomie Angie and I took a trip to SLC to tour the Beehive House in the hopes of seeing a particular Sister Missionary. Vivian was one of the many great friends I met while I was in Tokyo, so it was so wonderful for both Naoko and I to see Vivian. It was a great reunion!

Afterward we decided to grab a bite to eat at the Lion House. So tasty. 

Workin' my way through Wyoming!

In September I managed to travel to Wyoming twice for a couple of trade shows. While we did spend pretty some busy, and some not-so-busy days, in Wyoming, we did manage to have some fun! 

The first trip was to Jackson Hole. I haven't been there for years, but this town sure does hold some great memories for me! Lots of trips down the Snake River! 

Kelly and I had to get a few photos at some of the popular tourist locales. 

Kelly and I couldn't resist getting our photo under one of the the Antler Arches.

On our way home we traveled through Bear Lake. So incredibly beautiful! I forgot just how BLUE that lake is! 

After Jackson Hole, Jill and I traveled up through Yellowstone and then spend 5 days in Cody, Wyoming. It was my first visit to the cute, kinda sleepy town ... or so I thought. 

When I mentioned to my parents that I'd be traveling to Cody for the first time, they both, in completely eerie unison, said ... "Oh, you've been there!"  Ummm, what? 

Turns out, I was conceived in Cody, Wyoming. Ahhh ... now it all comes together! So that's why they almost named me Cody. 

Cute Jill. This was her first trip to Yellowstone ... We should have spent more time! Sorry Jill!

The case of the missing flowers

EDITOR'S NOTE: I wrote and posted this entry on Oct. 9 and, after reading it, realized I sounded pretty pathetic. But ... after some thought I've decided to re-post it. It was a pretty crazy story ... fitting for my crazy life! hehe And since this blog is about my life ... let the "crazies" be documented. 

I turned the ripe old age of 35 over the weekend! I know, I know, I know ... I don't look a day over 29. Thank you! You are too kind ... and so very right!

Having recently started dating a great guy a few weeks ago, I was excited for a possible delivery (ok, so a little birdie told me I would likely receive something) of a floral arrangement or gift of sorts to my office the Friday before the big birthday. Obvioulsy I was over-the-moon giddy that I was going to receive flowers for my big day. 35, afterall, is a pretty big landmark birthday! 

As the end of my day at work drew near, I began to realize there wasn't going to be a delivery in my future. Even though I was disappointed, I figured some sort of eventual surprise from this great guy would find me somehow.

Spending the weekend in St. George with friends, I was apart from my crush but received an early morning birthday wish with a question about when I was coming home. Ahh, I thought, he's planning something for my return.

Well, sadly he sent me a message the next day telling me he actually did send me flowers and chocolates to my office on Friday! What an incredible guy!! But ... where did they go? Why didn't I get them?

Apparently there is a "Jennifer" out there enjoying the aroma and beauty of MY flowers while munching on MY chocolates!

So, to that Wannabe Jennifer: I hope you are allergic to flowers and breakout from eating all that chocolate! 

Calling all phone book companies

YellowPages. Local Book. Dex. Verizon. 

When will the phone book parade stop??

I'm so incredibly sick of finding a new, hefty volume sitting in the driveway. In fact on Saturday I actually received TWO different phone books within about 20 minutes of each other. 

What a completely ridiculous waste of paper! And where in the world am I suppose to store all 12 phone books I've received in the last 3 weeks? 

Now, if only there some way one could look up phone numbers digitally? 

Oh Wait! There is ... Dexonline and Yellowpages.com and trusty 411 (even if you do have to pay for it). And ... I almost forgot ... 1-800-FREE411

I am sure hoping the parade has stopped! Although I'm sure the "festivities" will begin again in a short 6 months. Maybe I can find a way to take my house off the parade route! 

A new holiday I can't wait to celebrate!

Happy, er I mean UNhappy, National Grouch Day!

I was reading a blog, actually dedicated to all things chocolate, and the blogger announced that Oct. 15 is National Grouch Day! And of course, her remedy is to medicate with chocolate -- Brilliant!

So, to celebrate ... before indulging in some warm, gooey chocolate ... here are my GROUCHES for the day!
* I have a sinus headache.
* My face continues to breakout (no, I'm not going to blame chocolate!).
* I haven't received nearly enough text messages lately.
* I keep missing phone calls with my best friend in Seattle.
* Payday isn't for another week.
* My roomie is thinking of moving out.
* My sprained ankle from nearly 3 months ago still aches!

What are your GROUCHES? How are you going to celebrate? We all should mark our calendars for this time next year and really have a great Grouchy Day!

Oscar would be proud!

Blog worthy?

As a huge fan of Seinfield, I loved the episode where Elaine judges her dates for their "Sponge-Worthiness"... is this man worth the precious, nearly extinct form of contraception? As I recall, very very few men were ever deemed "Sponge Worthy."

No, this isn't a post about contraception! Rather, a quandary as to what in my life is actually Blog Worthy. What minutia of my life is worthy of a comical, tragic or even heart-felt blog post? There are little things that strike me a humorous every day, but are they worth jotting down for blogosphere readers? Does anyone even really care? Does anyone even read this blog? Hmmmm, now maybe that is the real question here.

Do people really care about my dating dramas ... and believe me there are a lot (Which boy I'm dating now? Old boyfriends and their excessive baggage -- no way that is EVER going to fit in the "overhead bin" of my life! Which online date had which disease, brain injury or other ailment?) Do people really care about what movies/plays/concerts I recently bought tickets to? Do people really want to hear me gush on about my adorable niece and nephew?

Maybe it's simply a time for a revival of this blog. A renewed love for posting is in the near future, so stay tuned for more humor, photos, and quirky observations.

Life on hyperdrive!

The last 3 weeks have been a complete blur! A hilarious, grin-inducing, heartbeat-skipping, exhausting, invigorating, reality check, I've-seen-the-light, bucking for a job promotion incredible blur! 

More posts to come soon! 

Let's go down to the OzDust Ballroom

I just got home from a quick work trip to Los Angeles. I went there to sell cookbooks for one of my authors. Before all the cooking demonstrations and book selling, however, I managed to plan a trip to Pantages Theatre to see Wicked. It was so incredible! 

I've always loved going to the theater and I've been so blessed to have many opportunities to watch amazing plays and musicals (Thank you Utah Shakespearean Festival!) It's always such a joy to sit and watch a whole new world unfold through stunning scenery, powerful music, award-worthy acting and impressive dancing. From classic, much-loved productions like "Les Miserables" and "Phantom of the Opera" to comical farces like "Servant of Two Masters" and "Complete Wrks of Wllm. Shkspr (Abridged)," to little known powerful plays like "Stones in His Pockets" ... I have logged many an evening at the theater and that's not even mentioning all the Shakespearean productions! 

And now I'm so excited to add "Wicked" to my continually growing theater list. Here's a trailer for the touring production I thought I'd share. Check out the musical's website here.

Some overdue credit

I must apologize for my neglect in giving my talented, brilliant and fabulous sister in law Juline the much-deserved, much-appreciated credit for being the mastermind behind hanging all those great photos and pieces of art in my wonderful home!

Thank you, Juline!

Your handiwork will be treasured for years to come!

OK ... am I out of the doghouse now?

Today's fairy tale

Once upon a time a talented, vivacious, yet oh-so-klutzy 30something woman took a bit of a fall. Balancing on clicky heels isn't always an easy thing, after all. Stepping off a curb, her favorite kitten heel decided to slip, and down on the concrete she went, spraining her ankle in the process. 

Wounded, but not broken this good-natured woman was quick to make fun of herself and her not-so-graceful spill. Sharing the story with a close friend, she was hoping to net a bit of sympathy ... fully knowing she would make this handsome guy laugh hysterically. And laugh he did ... first via email, then in person when the two met up one morning before work. 

After poking fun at her lack of grace, he offered a sweet farewell and trudged off to jump into his truck. Within a blink of an eye, (unfortunately while our fare damsel's back was turned) Sir Teases-a-Lot was lying in the road, Starbucks coffee spilled on the asphalt, a divot in the grass the apparent culprit! 

Enter our heroine ... KARMA! 

*********************************************************************************

I'm STILL laughing at how perfectly timed Karma can be! Luckily he wasn't too wounded ... His pride? Quite possibly. 

Think, think, think...

For some, great ideas are found in the boardroom. Others have sudden epiphanies. Still others hash out their discoveries over hours, days or even weeks. 

Well, my ideas  are usually uncovered in ... the bathroom! OK, let me explain. I tend to sort out my thoughts, come up with ideas or work out problems while in the porcelain-filled room. Usually it's while shampooing my hair, but I'm not ashamed to admit I do some of my best thinking while sitting on the commode. 

I'm going to call it Bathroom Brilliance!

Online Home Tour

It's feeling more and more like HOME!

Here's a quick photo tour of my new abode.

Home Sweet Home

The artwork hasn't been hung yet. The weeds aren't all pulled. Not all my furniture is put together. The boxes still aren't aren't all unpacked. 

Even though I still have a ton of work left to do on my wonderful new home, I'm ready to party! 

So it's housewarming time!!

Saturday, July 26 at 5 p.m.

I guess I still have a week to do some more cleaning and decorating ... and luckily two of those days off work! 

If you're thinking you might be in the neighborhood next week,  give me a shout and I'll give you directions to my new pad. 

Zoo Zoo Zoobalee Zoo

Here's a TON of photos from a recent trip to Hogle Zoo. It is so amazing having Jeff, Juline, Adi and Kohen living so close! And my camera sure doesn't slow down whenever I'm around these adorable kids!

Loves her Hello Kitty shades

Hanging with our long-necked friends

Look at that chubby boy!

So beautiful

The next show on "Must-See TV"?

I've always thought most of the quirky, unbelievable, odd, hilarious, humiliating, ridiculous, painful, bizarre and even heart-breaking moments of my life would make a PERFECT sitcom ... Some situation that would be a classic Ross story from "Friends" or even an Elaine tale from "Seinfeld" (no ... I do NOT dance like her, thank heavens!)

Here is a quick rundown of some classics in Jenn's life:
* The Peppermint Head doll. Ok, this is a lengthy story that is worth a whole post, but the quick version is this was a "Doll" adorned in starlight mints that a so-called boyfriend (I use that term VERY loosely) gave me for Valentine's Day. HORRIFYING!
* Being run over (nearly knocked down) by a car while walking through the parking lot at work. And ... it was a hit and run!
* Having my home and car broken into a total of 3 times ... all within 1 year. The cell phone being the victim all 3 times.
* Fainting a couple of times while working on stories for the newspaper.
* 3-inch-long cockroach crawling through my hair while I slept.
* Falling down the stairs (falling is a common occurrence in my life) and not only seriously bruising my fanny, but actually causing a deformity.
* Being attacked by a cat in the middle of the night.
* Exploding television sets.
And the list could go on and on and on...

I was recently reminded of a CLASSIC moment in the dating realm of my life...

Online dating has never been that big of a deal for me. Maybe I’m a little too trusting. Maybe I’m a tad naïve. Maybe I’m overly hopeful. At any rate, I have had many a date where we “met” online.

The most memorable, and actually one of my first, online dates was with a guy we’ll call “Jackson”. After emailing back and forth, texting and talking on the phone for several weeks, we decided to meet up for lunch.

My dad, who thinks himself quite the clever comedian and prank-instigator, mentioned how humorous it would be to spook this blind date.

“Ask him if he has experience with wheelchairs,” he said with a devious grin. “And then tell him you’re going to need help getting from your car to the restaurant.” Knowing full well teasing this unsuspecting guy and making him think I’m wheelchair-bound would not be nice, I of course kept Dad’s idea to myself.

D-day arrived and I met Jackson at the restaurant and everything went smoothly. Conversation was quite comfortable. In fact, it felt so comfortable I decided to relate my dad’s prankster idea, laughing near-hysterically as I told the story.

“Actually,” Jackson began … “my daughter is in a wheelchair.”

Oh My GOSH! I was so embarrassed, mortified, floored and shocked!

Needless to say, Dad doesn’t get involved in the “planning” of my online or blind dates anymore.

Posting Promise...

I hereby promise to post more regularly on this blog!
I hereby also promise to visit and comment on my friends' blogs more regularly as well!

OK, that said ... here's a taste of what is in store for the next few days!
* Author Signing Starvation
* Zoo-tastic
* Making a "Spectacle" of myself
* And whatever other photos, observances, stories, embarassing moments or other blog fodder I can come up with.

It's the simple things...

A load of laundry these days really does make me feel like all of my dreams have come true, namely ... no more LAUNDROMAT!!!

No more hefting, hauling, dragging, hoisting or wheeling loads of laundry through the courtyard of an apartment complex.

No more scrounging for every spare quarter I can find and begging the people at Wal-Mart to exchange a $10 or $20 into the precious coins.

No more running back and forth to switch loads and trying to time it just right so no one would steal my undies.

Now I have my OWN washer and dryer in my OWN laundry room a mere 12 steps (or so, not that I've counted) from my bedroom.

There are so many amazing things about home-ownership, but this is one I suffered a whole year of Laundromat hell for. And boy have I enjoyed every load these past few weeks!

Why the lack of posts?

Boxes.
No running water.
Broken garage door openers.
Boxes.
Delayed Comcast installation.
Stinky refrigerators.
Dusty furniture.
Piles of clothes.
Boxes.
Replacement sectionals.
Couches too small for the doorway.
Umpteen loads of laundry.
Boxes.
Odd bruises.
Sore arms and shoulders.
Broken sprinklers.
Did I mention boxes?

Ahhh ... the joys of home ownership!

Google is so cool!

I've found a great tool and I thought I would share it with my fellow bloggers...
It's called Google Analytics. Check it out! Sign up and get the html code to add to your blog and then you can track exactly how many people visit your site! And ... you can find out where those people live, too! It's pretty fun. Oh, and I'm now a huge fan of Google Reader, too. Pretty easy way to keep tabs on all my favorite blog sites!

Twilight Trailer

Vamping

Ahhh, my latest obsession. Not really a new obsession ... just a bit renewed, re-ignited. It originally began with  Buffy and Angel a few years ago, but now the obsession has evolved.

These days, the vamps are Mick St. John and Edward Cullen. 

There's just something about these brooding, brawny, blood-suckers. 

And with another "Twilight" book coming this fall, the movie a few months later and a new series of "Moonlight" on the horizon, the vamping will continue. And then there's that copy of "The Historian" sitting on my shelf waiting to be read as well. 

Long live the Immortals!

The "M" Word

Mortgage, that is...

Here are some photos of my soon-to-be "ball and chain."
It's in Clearfield and I should close (fingers crossed) May 15 or so!

The front of the house. (I neglected to get a "full-body" shot)

The front room (paint is actually a beautiful dark green).

The kitchen

The family room (kitchen, dining and family room part of a great room).

Backyard complete with a swingset and playhouse for Adi! The patio also has stamped concrete.

Master bathroom

Master bedroom. Those "nobs" are actually little reading lights!

GOAL!!!

A training session at work a few weeks ago concluded with a challenge: List 101 Goals. There were no limits, no boundaries. It was no easy task, but I managed to create a full list! I thought it was completely cathartic and certainly fun to dream up a string of possibilities. Here are a few, some legit while others a bit more frivolous:

* Exercise more regularly

* Pay off my car

* Buy a house (DONE!! Post on that coming up next) 

* Go skydiving, hopefully for my 35th birthday

* Return to Japan

* Fly first class

* Be on the Ellen Degeneres Show

* See the musical "Wicked"

* Take singing lessons

* Read 100 books in a year

* Become a Senior Publicist

* Launch my own Public Relations company

* Cut my hair for Locks For Love

* Travel to Spain

* Visit the Louvre

* Write a novel

* Take piano lessons again

* Learn to swim

Well ... the list goes on and on. So I hereby challenge all of you to come up with your own 101 Goals! See where your wishes, dreams, desires and ambitions take you. Tell me your top 5, you might inspire me to add even more to my list! 

A Fowl Meeting

Every morning on my drive to work, when I don't detour to Starbucks (I'm a sucker for the chai tea latte!), I drive pass the Layton City Park, aka the Duck Park. 

Now the water is actually a lovely walk deep into the park and not near the street, but one morning as I was driving by, I noticed a flurry of fowl, a gaggle of geese, a myriad of mallards.

 

It appeared to me like Mr. I-Once-Was-An-Ugly-Duckling GooseNeck had called a meeting of all the feathered inhabitants to discuss the severe stale bread shortage (this was during the cold winter months, afterall). It was either that, or the city park officials had rustled up the crew and herded them away from their watery home. A little Pre-Spring Cleaning perhaps? 

Well, over the ensuing weeks, I've realized this is a regular gathering. Clearly there must be a very important aviary revolt about to surface. 

You've been warned! 

12 things I can't live without...

I was just flipping through a magazine and saw this "12 Things" feature and thought it might make a fun blog entry (since my life is pretty dull, I'm always looking for interesting stuff to blog about).

Here goes... (in no particular order)

12. Magnetic Dry Erase Boards: First off, I love to write things down and then be able to wipe them off when I complete them! Then I have this amazing, growing collection of magnets and I gotta put them somewhere, right?

11. Napolean Dynamite talking doll: I LOVE this doll! He says 17 phrases from the movie! GOSH!

10. KitchenAid Mixer in Emerald Green: Not only does it help make the best homemade bread ever, but it's stylish, too!

9. Digital Camera: I would never have started this blog without it. 

8. Weight Watchers meals and snacks (where the points are already configured): A scale-saver

7. iPod ... and my general music collection: Has revolutionized my life.

6. Other electronics stuff ... laptop, iHome alarm clock radio/iPod dock, cell phone: They have all become like additional appendages

5. Lotion: Dry climate = Need for vats of lotion

4. TiVo: Again, has revolutionized my life. Enhances my couch potato-ness

3. Pilot G-2 gel pens, black ink, medium point: I love these pens! 

2. Notebooks: Gives me a place to use those gel pens.

1. Memory foam mattress topper: Sleeping on a hideabed for the past few months ... well, it's a God-send!

New Jersey-ites in Utah!

Here are some great photos from the past week...

Adi LOVED her tent ... she asked for it nearly every day!

Such a silly girl!

The Easter Bunny found Adi!

She got a new Easter dress, hat, purse ... man that Bunny has got some style! And ... she got not one, but TWO new babies! A sleepy baby (above) and the "BIG Baby" (in the background)! What a generous Easter Bunny!!

Did the Easter Bunny bring Guitar Hero?? Nope ... it was Jeff's two generous sisters spoiling him on his 30th birthday!

Dressed in their Easter Sunday best.

Kohen was all dressed in a pin-striped suit for his uncle Jarett's wedding. Here he's enjoying some "Wind, Wind, Wind the Thread" with Grandma Beth.

Just can't resist those cheeks!

A Daddy's Girl for sure!

Kohen LOVES his Aunt Jenn!

I can't wait for these guys to move back to Utah!! Next month Jeff, Juline, Adi and Kohen will be Utahns once again!!

Birthday Boy!

Jeff turned the big 3-0 while in Utah and Juline and I conspired together to throw him a surprise birthday party at ABC Mandarin in Roy! He was totally surprised!! 

Brush with Fame in Chi Town

I just got home from Chicago earlier this week for a work trip manning the Gibbs Smith booth at the International Home and Housewares trade show. This show was HUGE! The Today Show was even broadcasting live featuring all the latest in home and kitchen gadgets. It was fun to see all the latest in peelers, pans, cutlery and even water bottles.

The Grand Dame of Southern Cooking, Ms. Paula Deen (make sure to say that with a sweet southern drawl), was one of several Celebrity chef guest speakers. Paula was scheduled to speak at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and for a brief moment I thought it would be fun to go see her, but ... that's awfully early to wake up for a lecture, even if it is the Queen of Butter! 

Once we had set up the booth Sunday morning, I got word that Paula was actually signing autographs at her booth, just down from ours! So I ran down, completely unprepared for this celeb siting. Just as I turned the corner and saw her stunning, perfectly coifed silver mane, I turned on my heel and ran back to grab my camera! But what was I going to have her sign? I asked if they were selling copies of her cookbook at the booth, but was out of luck! So I had to setting for a signature on expo badge. Pretty good memento of the event, right? 

So with a signature on my badge, a fun conversation about her beautiful hair and a couple of snapshots, I still wasn't quite ready to completely say goodbye to Paula. Her publicist, however, shuffled us all along our way, so my visit was cut short. BUT... my boss later informed me that there was a booth selling her books! Not wanting to miss her, I RAN to the booth, quickly paid for the book and jumped in the Meet-and-Greet line once again. 

While Paula was signing my books, her other publicist, GiGi, commented on how beautiful my smile was. "Don't you think she as a beautiful smile, Paula?" she said. "Well, yes she does!" Paula enthused in her sweet drawl. "Well, Paula brings it out in me," I said with a grin. (Doesn't hurt to schmooze any way you can, right?) 

So, even though my visit to Chicago was fun, the food amazing and the trade show was pretty enjoyable, nothing could quite hold a candle to meeting Paula Deen!