Jennee Thompson

Fashionably Unusual

2012-01-27T08:17:00.002-05:00

I mentioned yesterday that I finally landed an interview with a company that for a year, I had been trying to get an interview with.

You can imagine my excitement when they called to set up an interview. (I'd only applied 4 times in the last year and for every position that they offered...)

Let me tell you more about the job and company so that you can really grasp my interest in this position. The place is at clothing corporation, and yes, the corporate offices are in Wooster. The company is world wide and has been pretty successful for a while. Working for this company includes mandatory world wide travel and fashion shows, which is my cup of tea. Plus, there would be constant room for growth which is good for an over-achiever like myself.

The interview was set up right after I got done working at my current job...you know, a cook. Hot, sweaty, no make up, hair pulled back job...not my best look. The last thing I wanted to do was go to an interview for a fashion industry job looking unfashionable. I requested a later time in the afternoon for an interview but they told me it was that time or next week. Since I already had a job offer in my hands, I wanted to do the interview sooner rather than later.

I left from work and drove over to the interview location, arriving with plenty of time for me to do my make-up, fix my hair and change my clothes (while still in my car.) With 20 minutes to spare before my interview would take place, I headed into the small corporate office building.

Quickly, I felt like I was over dressed. In my heeled boots. Dark jeans. And swoop neck sweater. Of course, I was carrying my D&G bag.

The receptionist had an outfit on that she'd probably been wearing for the last ten years. Faded and wrinkled, she looked like she could careless about making a fashion statement. Her hair was a big frizzy mess and she maintained her desk like she did her appearance.

"Hi, I'm here for a 3:00 interview." I gave her a smile.

"Who are you?"

"Jennee Thompson."

She looks around her desk and then walks into another room. "Do you have a resume, I can't find yours?"

I always take a resume with me on an interview, even if I already emailed it in. I get it, a lot of resumes come in and it's hard to keep them all straight so I tried not to judge her for her lack of organization as I awaited my interview.

She took my resume and walked into the other room. She came back with a stack of magazines and handed them to me so that I would have something to look at while I waited.

When I say a stack of magazines, I kid you not, she gave me probably 20. It wasn't awkward at all since there was no table or empty chair to put the stack on. So now, I was holding my purse, my coat and trying to flip through 20 magazines without dropping them.

I listened in to the other receptionists talk as I waited for my interview. There was some traveling conflicts where their hotel lost a reservation and several times they wondered if so and so knew he had an interview and would be coming back into the office today.

Finally, an Indian man walked in followed by his teenage son. He approached me with excitement and shook my hand. I gathered my stuff to stand but he insisted that I stay seated, "It's only 2:55." He assures me, and apparently we can't start the interview until 3:00.

So I wait. For five minutes.

Then, the Indian guy (named Raj) comes out and asks me to follow him to his office and have a seat. (A seat beside his teenage son!) He sits down behind his desk and starts reading over my resume.

"Very good. Very good. Ah, Miami, very nice place. Very good." He says without looking up at me.

"I have a lot of variety." I add since I feel like I should say something in my interview.

"That's fine, all very good." About a minute later, he says this.... "We have a show and we'll be gone until Feb. 18th. I'll call you then with my decision."

My brow crinkles. "Uh, ok."

He offers his hand, we shake again and I walk out of his office, out the door and back to my car, mumbling WTH?!?! Was that even an interview?

There was no discussion about the position that I applied for, no discussion about my work experience, no questions about my strengths and weaknesses.....I literally drove out there to watch him read my resume.

I've had some strange interviews in my days...but this was a new one.

Part of me hopes that he'll call me on the 18th. I guess I'm hoping he'll tell me something about the job but if he offers me a job, I'm going to have to decline...because something tells me that this company doesn't have the greatest communication skills.

So much for traveling abroad and going to fashion shows.... but hey, I tried.

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Things Are Looking Up

2012-01-26T16:25:00.000-05:00

Just before New Years, everyone I knew said things like "2012 is going to be my year, I just feel it."

I was a little concerned because I didn't get that feeling. I hoped that I would find that feeling just as I hoped that 2012 would be a great year for me.

January kicked off and I was incredibly sick. Sicker than I had been in probably 5 years. It took everything out of me, including my motivation, happiness and good thoughts. By the time I recovered from my intense and unusual sickness, I was lost in depression. It happens this time of year for me, no matter how many vitamins I take or how warm this winter has been. I need sunshine on my skin and to be absorbed into my soul. Yes, every Fall and Winter, I become victim of SDD.

On top of all of this, there was dieting drama (as it cravings...)moving drama, work drama, singledom/boy drama and life just sucked.

So, I tried to change things.

Nothing changed.

I turned to art to sooth my soul and take away my stress. It calmed me yet frustrated me at the same time.

Still, I felt tortured about everything. Tortured, unhappy and restless. The weight of everything was burying me and just waking up in the morning was work.

I thought everything over and pinned the problem areas that were keeping me up at night.

I apologized to the boy, I ate a piece of cake and I applied to a few jobs. Nothing can change the fact that I'm moving. (It's not the move, it's the fact that my parents bought a house and I have no choice but to move with them when they move...)

It helped more than I thought it would.

Even though the boy still won't talk to me, I gained my pound back and I didn't have any phone calls for interviews.

So, I put the past in the past where it belongs, did some more art work and focused on living the life I want to live and not the life that keeps getting thrown at me. I focused on changing my attitude about boys, work, moving and dieting.

As I was in the middle of painting, my phone rang. I did my best to hit the send button without getting paint on my phone.

"yell-ow" It was a bit obnoxious but it was my mom on the other end and I hadn't talked to any human in 4 hours. (I say human because I'm pretty sure that I talked to my fish a time or two...)

"You need to call Tim about a job." She vaugly fills me in on what she just heard. I quickly hang up with her, push my painting aside and call Tim.

"Tim's Employment Agency" He answers, joking about how this could be the THIRD job he has found for me. We talk over what he knows and I decided I'll stop by his shop tomorrow so he can introduce me to his neighbors, the one's looking for someone to hire.

The place is a jewelry store and as much as I fear that I might find it a little boring, it will be nice to have a different pace, plus the hours and pay are better than what I have right now. And, best part yet....SUNDAY's OFF! A girl has to look out for herself and since I haven't gotten anywhere in the last 3 years, I don't see how staying at my current job will ever change that.

When I met them the next morning, I put on my friendly and sweet face and did what I do best, make people look better so they forget that I'm actually interviewing. (I've been through enough interviews to know that the secret to people liking you in the interview is to get them to talk about how amazing they are and to sell them that you find it all to be fascinating. Then, the interviewer feels so good about themselves by the time the interivew is done that they "think" they like you because of what you offered in the interview.)

They loved me and offered me a job on the spot.

They loved me even more when I asked if I could be trained on how to engrave jewelry. (I need another trade since I claim to be the Jackie of All Trades!)

And then they learned that I sew and well, I thought they might faint from excitement. (Then they told me why they loved knowing that I was a seamstress and I immediatly loved them.... the owner guy does Civil War reenactments and sometimes they need tents and costumes sewn. How cool is that!)

I accepted their offer and felt the weight of my troubles lift. Finally, a change in my life!

As I was making a few phone calls about my good news, I got a phone call from a place that I have been trying to get a job at for about a year now. A job that I am REALLY interested in. And then I got an e-mail about another job that I would like to do as well.

I set up an interview at the place I'm REALLY interested in. It's a fashion company and there offers a lot of growth in the company, such as international traveling and going to fashion shows....however the position that I finally got a call for an interview is bottom of the totem pole. I don't know what the pay is but if it is better than the jewelry gig, I think I'll have to say goodbye to the possibility of this job and head towards the fashion industry.

Then the email is a sewing job but I don't know a lot of details about that one just yet.

Still...

I guess a lot can change in 24 hours.

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Dr. Seuss Style Blog Hop Coming Soon!

2012-01-25T13:36:00.000-05:00

In attempts to have a little fun, have a writing challenge, and get a little creative, I offer the Dr. Seuss Style Blog Hop!

March 2 was the wonderful Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel's day of birth, and to honor his day of birth (He'd be 108...) post your best version of a Dr. Seuss style story or poem. It can be something that copies your favorite Dr. Seuss book, or it can be whatever you want.

You are the winninest of all the writers,

Winninest of them all whether your story be big or small

The story told is the best of all

Take your pen and cross it over your heart

Believe in your mind

Now, let's get ready and start

(I'm working on my style still, it's not as easy as one would think!)

Ok, I'll let Dr. Seuss offer you the inspiration you need....

Link up, spread the word and visit as many Dr. Seuss style posts as you can on Friday, March 2.

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Project 52; Week of January 23

2012-01-23T07:36:00.002-05:00

I've been working really hard at goal #31 this week, so much so, that I'm getting a bit obsessive about it.

Goal #31: Write a cook book, take photos of the dishes and turn it into a Blurb book

I have 35 original recipes (inspired from some rather familiar recipes) that I am dying to perfect. Actually, I'm dying to try them all but since I'm also working hardcore on goal #17 to lose at least 35 more pounds this year (and keep it off) it is making this process a little torturous.

Cheat the diet and taste delicious food so I can finish my cookbook or hope that I can hold on to this inspiration until I've met my weight loss goal? It is a dilemma, I tell you, major dilemma!

I can't help it. I love to eat and experiment with food.

Hence, the weight issue.

On top of that, people have been asking when this long awaited cookbook will be available to them. I know, I can't believe it either but people actually want to know how I make some of the food that I make at work. The problem is, I can tell them the ingredients but when I cook, I don't follow recipes, I just throw stuff together....and it turns out.

I have noticed while working on these recipes that I pretty much add black beans or spinach to everything. I was kind of impressed at how many meatless meals I have in my collection...and a lot of them are fairly healthy. That is, until I start thinking about dessert.

I confess. I am a chocaholic, sweet tooth crazed, dessert lover. Really, it is my weakness. I eat healthy all the time and work out on a regular basis...but give me some darn sugar so I can make it through the day!

So, all this to say that I am working towards my goal but there are a few limitations to being further along on this project that I am.

However, I'm in need of your help. I can't decide on a title for my cookbook, and so I started a poll on my right side bar. Please vote and help me decide which is best. Think in terms of...if I were walking through the grocery store, which one would grab your eye and make you purchase it?

Eat Well, Eat Much, Eat Often (Inspired by my favorite quote)

I'm Not Your Personal Chef, Make It Yourself! (I say this at least 6 times a day at work)

Don't Worry, Eat Happy (Because we worry way too much about eating)

Forget the Calories, Eat and Enjoy (Pretty much self explanatory)

Feed Me, I'm Hungry (That's what recipe books are there for)

I Was Told There Was Cake (It gets my attention every time)

I Try to Eat Healthy But My Sweet Tooth Keeps Taking Me to the Dessert Recipes (My dilemma!)

If you have some suggestions, please let me know. If I use your title, I'll give you a copy of the recipe book.

Oh, you want a recipe do you? Ok, this is an oldie but a goodie. I've even tweaked it a little since then...

but yes, this one will be in the cookbook....

Nutella Popcorn

How are you doing with your goals this week? What stopped you from reaching them? Did you write a blog about your weekly goals or attempts, it so be sure to link up over at Karen's!

Be sure to link up so everyone can visit you. Remember, Project 52 is a support system. If you truly want to make progress on your list this year....GET INVOLVED! It really does make a huge difference.

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Down With The DC Talk....

2012-01-18T11:47:00.001-05:00

It was a mild day for December in Ohio. No snow was on the ground and I was content in my unbuttoned winter coat. My brother and I were driving down the hilly and swerving roads to Loudonville, attempting to be good grandchildren and show up for our Grandma Thompson's 85th birthday.

As we drove through the country, we chatted about important brother/sister topics, like XFactor and Dexter. Suddenly, my ears perked up and I strained to hear the song that was softly playing thanks to Ipod Shuffle.

"Is that D.C. Talk?" I said mid conversation with Brother B. He turned up the stereo. In fact, it was D.C. Talk. "Wow, I completely forgot about them!"

And then I started laughing hysterically. (My brother looked at me like I was crazy but shrugged it off because he already knows that I am crazy.)

"Michael Tait bit my shoulder. I mean, how many people can say that?"

Michael Tait as in Michael Tait from D.C. Talk. (Or, as I just learned while googling him that he is now the lead singer of Newsboys?!?! I don't listen to Christian music much anymore.)

But in the early 90's...I lived for music from D.C. Talk. It was edgy, it was different and it wouldn't send me to hell. I had all of their cd's and listened to them regularly. When their Jesus Freak album came out in 1995, I had the whole thing memorized. Best Album of my teenage years (aside from my extreme addiction to the Broadway Musical RENT).

Life happened and I found other music that I liked more than the good old D.C.Talk boys. When they split, I got all of their individual albums but I only liked Tait's album.

I moved to Nashville in 2005, the land of musicians and my year of misery. I had a good friend that did her best to involve me in a social life but I had sever depression (that she didn't know about) and she often got frustrated with my lack of effort in involving myself in the social activities. However, we had met this guy Robbie at Bar23 one Wednesday night. (Wednesday night was 80's night and yes, we dressed up from time to time.)

Robbie invited us to go play darts one night and we agreed. When that night came, we got to know each other verses dancing with each other in 80's attire. He mentioned he worked on a sound crew (because every one in Nashville has a cool job in the music industry) and that a few of the guys might be joining him.

Not the photo of the night but from another time I played
darts while living in Nashville.

And then Michael Tait walked in and I was like holy crap, that's Michael Tait, I used to adore him as a teenager. And so, we played darts.

I'm terrible at darts. Sometimes I can't even hit the board. I don't remember whose team I was on, all I know is that I wasn't on Michael Tait's team and that he went after me. Somehow, I managed to get a bulls-eye at the moment that would cause my team to win the game. Honestly, it was a miracle.

And as a result, Michael Tait bit my shoulder because he was angry and couldn't believe that I just did that. And when I say that he bit my shoulder, I mean bit me like he was a vampire because I had his teeth marks in my skin for a good amount of time.

And that is my story of the time that I met Michael Tait from DC Talk.

See why I started laughing as the music brought back my memories? Anyway, Brother B and I hadn't listened to DC Talk in at least ten years. And so we thought that we would play the song Jesus Freak and see if we could still do the rap.

Yes, rap.

We still knew the words (isn't it amazing how we can remember the words of songs we haven't listened to in years?) and then we laughed at how we used to think that was a rap!

It was a nice little trip down memory lane as we headed to the birthday party (where I was the horrible granddaughter and told my Grandma that I was her favorite grandchild since she had no idea who I was. She has Alzheimer's and even by telling her that, she looked at me as if she knew I was lying.)

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Project 52; Week of January 16

2012-01-16T06:18:00.002-05:00

We're a few weeks into the new year and life is back to normal (or less hectic than it was during the holidays). Most people start giving up on their resolutions around this time because they tried for 3 weeks and didn't get the results they wanted, and so they give up.

If you want to quit, then quit but don't hold me responsible for any feelings of failure or lack of follow through you have when December sneaks up on us again. You alone are responsible for everything put your mind to this year. I hope you haven't gotten discouraged already and find yourself crossing things off of your Project 52 list already.

I've already crossed 2 things off of my list. #16 and #33. I'll tell you all about #16 next week because I want to tell you about #33 - Donate money to a good cause.

Saturday night a benefit dinner and auction was held to raise money for a young guy battling cancer. (I think he's 35...just a few years older than me!) It's a rare cancer of the adrenal glands, and I've been told that his cancer came back after he thought he was cured. Needless to say, he could use a little help financially to pay off his medical bills.

I talked my parents into joining me for this outing and I remembered to stop at the bank and grab some cash for the auction. I spent a little while mingling with all the people that I knew there and it was a really great turn out, probably close to 200 people! Then, I checked out the items that had been donated for the auction. I made my mind up when I saw a Ghirardelli chocolate gift basket that this would be the item that I would be bidding on.

Once the auction started, my parents and I decided that we would put all of our money together so we could go higher on bids. I liked the idea because I knew that chocolate would go for a decent amount of money. I bid on a few things but never followed through with anything, like I said, I had chocolate on the mind.

My father didn't get the memo because he got the highest bid for a tupperware set. And then he got the highest bid on a ton of kitchen supplies. And then he got some lamps. And we were out of money and the chocolate hadn't come close to being auctioned off.

So yes, I was a little sad when I didn't actually get to win anything from bidding during the auction, and I was a little sad that my dad spent all my money at the auction, but I remembered that it was going to a good cause. We still got a really good deal and I decided to take the tub of kitchen stuff since he bought it with my bidding money.

Then someone had the brilliant idea of auctioning off a crispy $50 bill and it went for $70!!!!! Talk about a fun auction and way to raise money. It was amazing, fun and all for a good cause. I intended to take more pictures during the event but I didn't want the auctioneer to think my raising of my cell phone to snap a photo was a bid.

So there you have it, #33 - Donated money to Steve Babb's medical bills = good cause.

Did you cross anything off of your list this week? Tell me all about it! Link up over at Karen's and be sure to visit and encourage others as they work towards their goals for 2012.

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Sunday Sermon Sidenote

2012-01-15T17:42:00.000-05:00

Where I attend church, it doesn't feel much like church at all and I love it. There are maybe 30 people that gather in a small location and we gather around for a lesson. It's an open discussion lesson, not a sermon and I have learned more in the past year about anything Bible and God related than I have my whole life. (And this is just attending every other Sunday!)

There is no church stiffness in this setting, it really feels like a happy family gathering to study from the Bible. (Who wouldn't want to be a part of that? If you live here and want to go to church with me, I'll be happy to take you!)

Today, the lesson-leader-preacher-guy got a bit distracted. He wanted to dive into Romans but he wanted to give us a quick thought about the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 - 7.

This quick little thought lasted 15 minutes but it was a great discussion that tied in to what the lessons have been for the past few months. The New Creation.

(It's hard for me to dive into this topic without sharing with you all the other things that I have learned about this and I had considered writing a weekly post to share everything. So I borrowed the notes from the lesson-leader-preacher-guy and started writing a blog. I was 6 pages in before I got through the third note. There is to much background information to put together....so I hope you can follow this jump.)

Anyway, the New Creation is a part of restoring the Earth to what God intended it to be. God made humans to rule Creation as Adam ruled over the creation in the Garden of Eden, as Jesus came as human to show that it was possible to live the life that God intended. However, His creation got lost in sin, wickedness and evil. It turned everything upside down and we now live in a cursed and broken world.

During the lesson, the lesson-leader-sermon-speaker-guy (ok, his name is Dean) said "We (God's Children) reflect what creation has been looking for."

My brains started swimming with thoughts and next thing I know, I was writing and I missed the rest of the lesson. I think it was worth it. This is what I wrote.

We reflect what creation has been looking for....so when people go out to "find themselves" they are really searching for New Creation, seeking God's original purpose for humanity yet society has turned us to self help books, selfish wild goose chases and other distractions that will never truly lead us to New Creation. So we keep wandering and wondering where life is leading us, what our purpose is and soon we find ourselves walking in the dusk of the evening. Dusk always turns to darkness and once it is dark, it is hard to find the light. Instead of searching for the light, we find comfort in the darkness and conclude that our search is complete and we have found our purpose, yet we are still sitting there in the dark. When the sun breaks the darkness, that will be New Creation shining through. Will our lives be lost in the shadows of the world or will we be the ones living as Christ did, and bring the light into the darkness, and show the world a glimpse of the New Creation that God has in store for us?

And so I'll stop there, as I did while writing it (and since I missed out on the rest of the lesson writing this...) I don't intend to conclude this post but leave it as an unfinished thought so that maybe you can think about it too.

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I don't often post much about religion or politics, not because I don't have strong opinions about these topics, but because I hate starting an "I'm offended and I'll tell you why" comment war. In hopes to put all of this aside, I thought about turning off my comments for this one post but that would just be really silly. If this post bothers you, don't tell me and go read a post that doesn't bother you. Simple solution.

Just Like That...

2012-01-14T22:21:00.000-05:00

Just like that my friend tells me that she is unexpectedly expecting.

Pregnant.

With Child.

Soon-to-be-Mommy.

My closest single gal pal is going to change her chatter to baby talk.

I panicked when she told me the news.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that I freaked out more about it than she did. I paced the room with shaking hands trying to wrap my head around this change in my friends life....the change in our friendship...the permanent change of.... everything.

Once I got over MY shock, I asked how she was handling it. She said she was trying not to think about it and we decided it was time to get together and have a real life chat....since the reveal of the secret was done via text.

And it was a secret. Besides herself, her mother and the father of the baby that was beginning to form, I was the only other person that knew this piece of information.

I don't like when I'm one of the few selective people that know important time sensitive information. The last time someone told a secret about an unexpected pregnancy, it was to ask if I would take her to the abortion clinic. (Just so you know, that did not go over well since the thought of abortion makes me sick to my stomach.) To this day, I think I'm the only person she told that she was pregnant and got an abortion. To this day, it still bothers me that I know this.

I didn't ask my friend if she was planning to keep it or any of her plans about the pregnancy. That talk will come once she has sorted through all of her thoughts and feelings about her new role in life.

And just like that, I became a little bit jealous.

Maybe I've been around my niece a little too much lately, maybe it's because I'm getting older, maybe it's because all of my friends have moved beyond the single life and maybe it's because I'm tired of watching everyone else have what I've always wanted....

I don't want to be a single mother or have an unexpected pregnancy but I want to be someone's mom. I've always wanted that and it feels a little further from my reach every day.

Friends with children tell me to never have kids, they're too expensive, the birth is too painful, they are loud and annoying, they don't listen.....but what my friends don't know is that I watch them transform when they see their children. I watch everything they've just complained about disappear when their baby is in their arms and they look at their child with so much love. After seeing that unconditional love, it's really hard to not want to experience that for myself with my own child.

*Let me just add that I will not be going out in hopes to get knocked up by some stranger just so I can fulfill my dreams of being a mother.

I've watched friends that are single mothers struggle with all the responsibilities of motherhood and being the head of the house. I've watched friends that are single fathers struggle with figuring out how to be a father to a child they rarely get to see and spend time with, to find the balance in being the cool dad that spoils the child and disciplinarian. Raising a child is team work, whether it be in the form of a husband and wife (which is my goal) or a mother and friends, mother and grandmother, or even a community gathering around to help out.

I'll push aside my own desires for a family life like I have done so much in the past and lend my support to my friend, throw her an amazing baby shower and anxiously await another "niece" or "nephew". (I currently have one blood niece but I have somewhere around 7 "nieces and nephews".) After all, I'm the coolest Aunt Jennee EVER.

And wait for the day when I find out that I'll be a mom, just like that.

Single Ladies Ready to Mingle...

2012-01-13T16:25:00.000-05:00

The plan was perfect. So perfect, it was amazing that we hadn't come to this conclusion before but once the idea finally clicked, everything fell into place as perfect plans often do.

I had met my friend for lunch a few weeks back while she was in town. Her sister, Kyle tagged along for lunch because she thought it would be fun, and fun it was! We became instant friends and decided that since we were both single and actively looking in a dumpy town for classy men, we would become each others wing-women.

We made plans to go to one of the "ritzier" locations for happy hour drinks and appetizers, this way we could eat within our budget and scope out the men that are willing to dress it up a little more than jeans and t-shirts. (We know we'd just have to go to Leroy's to find those boys... ) But the truth is, we're getting older and going to the cheap bar only brings in the college boys and old drunks. To find men in our age group, we'd have to find the places and mingle where the "young professionals" mingle.

And so that was just what we did.

With my fresh knowledge of mingling taught to me by Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love, I felt confident and even spent a little extra time on my hair and make up. The only thing I had left to do was to walk out into the raining weather, drive across town and put our plan into action.

That's where my pep talk came in. I really hate the bar scene. I really hate the pointless flirting, the games and more often than not, the utter humiliation of attempting to meet someone in a bar.

However, Kyle and I both want to increase our social lives and the best way to do that is to actually leave the house.

Three hours and a few cocktail drinks later, we covered every topic from every bad online dating experience to the joys of being an aunt. However, there were no potential men in our sight and so we set up plans to prowl at a later date.

I didn't get to practice the art of mingling, nor give out my digits to any guy that looks like Ryan Gosling. (Bummer!) I know that we'll have some great single lady adventures together and I can't wait!

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The How To: Button / Embellishment Bowl

2012-01-12T11:40:00.010-05:00

Today's prompt that I've decided to partake in is....
Create an "instructional" post where you show your readers how to do something cool.

I got this idea from Pinterest and let's just say that I had crafter's fail. Since it is my instructional, I'll tell you how to do it and I'll share with you where I went wrong.

The inspiration:

The first thing to do is to decide what you want to use as your design. I loved the button idea but I'm not much of a button person, so I decided to one up it and go for some lovely embellishments. *This may have been my first mistake, but it is still undecided.

Now, since my niece was in town and she loves being artsy crafty, she worked on a button bowl.

After you decided what you are going to make your bowl out of, blow up a ballon to the size of a bowl you'd like to have. I decided to draw a line around my ballon to know where I should stop gluing but *another fail* the marker line gets soaked up in the glue.

Then, ever so gently, pin the part of the balloon that makes the tie, to a cardboard box (another fail, It's easier if you have a bowl that fits your ballon perfectly*).

From here, you glue your buttons to the balloon. I used Modge Podge *maybe another fail* and watched as my niece quickly glued her buttons to her ballon but my embellishments wouldn't stick at all! Talk about frustrating...getting showed up by a 5 year old!

Glue, Glue, Glue! This is very time consuming and you have to take breaks for the glue to dry. Sometimes the buttons move while drying, so then you have to go back and fill in the gaps.

Add final coats of glue, once dried on the outside, pop the ballon and apply an inner coat of paint.

And ta da! You have a bowl!

But here's where crafter's fail takes place..... after everything was dry, we put something inside of the bowl...

No, the bowl won't break and you can remold it into whatever you want....it just never really keeps a shape. Blame it on gravity, the weight of the buttons, the glue...we don't really know why the bowl won't keep shape.

After seeing what happened to my niece's bowl, I have yet to put anything in my bowl, and so far it has kept it's shape.. but if you ask me in a week, it might look a little different. Oh well, it was a good try....a neat idea and fun for me and the niece. I really think it was the choice of glue. If you try it and it works for you, let me know what kind of glue you used or where I went wrong!

Follow me on Pinterest!

Lately....

2012-01-11T11:03:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks were a whirlwind of fun and sickness, holidays and crafts and play time with the niece. Yes, oh yes, for two weeks I was the Best Aunt Jennee in the whole wide world. (Even while having the strangest sickness...a different symptom each day, one day the fever, one day the flu, then just a bad cough...name the symptom, I had it...went on for 2 weeks!)

The niece (I like to call her Lulu even though that is nothing like her name...and I don't remember why I started teasing her with that name....) arrived on Christmas Eve's eve and I already had her presents under the tree. Being the smart 5 year old that she is, she quickly found all the presents that started with the letter S. (The first letter in her real name.)

The holiday excitement could finally begin and children really do bring the holiday spirit alive. Christmas morning, Lulu was so excited that Santa left her a note thanking her for the cookies. We had a few good laughs when "Santa" and Dad bought Lulu the same gift. Plus, I threw in a few prank gifts for my brothers.

Yes, I was sneaky and taped the gift card on the inside of an apron. The funny thing about this is I asked my brother what I could make him for christmas. Brother B said he wanted pillows but Brother J said..."what can you make me that isn't girly or frilly?" He didn't want pillows either. So, I just had to give him a frilly apron for Christmas.

All in all, Christmas was great.

I know I normally play the "Wilson" game with Lulu's photos but that was when she never wanted to look at the camera and it made it easy, so I'm breaking all my rules and letting you see pictures of Little Lu....Sorry Brother J, I know you don't like this.

But we still had 2 weeks of the little one and so, we took her ice skating. The last time I went ice skating, I believe I was 13 or so...yeah, 15 years-ish. That's a long time...but I didn't fall once! I surprised myself.

Lulu did amazing as well. She only fell once and once she got it down, she didn't ever want to stop ice skating.

There was baking, many rounds of go fish and then it was time for crafts. I had a moment where I wondered why I wasn't a kindergarten teacher and then I remembered my experience as a teacher's aid....

Anyway, we got a lot of the ideas from Pinterest. In fact, Lulu liked pinterest so much that we created her own board and she just sat at the computer pinning ideas to her board.

Have you ever tried painting with a 5 year old climbing up your back just so she can see?

We did a lot of painting! And she picked out the materials for the owl. Remember how she was climbing on me to see while I was painting? She did the same thing as I was sewing! There were a few times she would tell me that I was making the owl wrong, so I asked her how long had she been sewing? She grinned and said, "you've been sewing longer than I've been alive."

It was so much fun having Lulu over the holidays and even though my room is a disaster and I spent all my Christmas money on craft projects for us to do, I wouldn't change it for the world.

Pin It

Land of Men...Sexy Men of the African Descent

2012-01-10T10:24:00.001-05:00

Let me just start of by saying a few things and then we will get to the sexiness....

1) It's been a long time since I've done a lustful post.

2) I stole all of these images through google images.

3) I was going to say more but it is time to focus on these kissable lips...

Dijmon Hounsou

Dule Hill

Javiar Colon

Taye Diggs

L L Cool J

Brian White

Denzel Washington

Don Cheadle

Columbus Short

Marcus Canty

Lenny Kravitz

Boris Kodjoe

Usher Raymond

Will Smith

Ah, can't you feel the lust in the air! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! The best movie to get your fill of sexiest black men ever (or as I accidently told my mother....blackiest sex men ever!)

Stomp the Yard

Oh yeah.

Who did I forget? Get your lust on!

Project 52: Week of January 9

2012-01-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

Whoa, wait a minute here....is that right, can it be? We're already NINE days into 2012!?!?!?!? Well, I guess it is time to get down to business and go over game plans.

I kinda failed big time at introducing Project 52 last week. Honestly, I forgot that new people might be joining in and it was a post out of habit verses a kick off. So, before I go on any further.... WELCOME NEWBIES!!

For those of you that still don't know what Project 52 is about....let me tell you all about it....

What is a goal without a project? What is a project without a goal? Call it whatever you like but Project 52 is a fun way to make goals to accomplish whatever you want to do during the next year.

Here's how it works: Make a 52 "to-do" list and try to work on one project every week. And then blog about your adventures every Monday with me and Karen.

It makes succeeding fun and easy. Plus, it's always better with support!

Speaking of support, have you signed up at the year round linky? Right now, we have 17 courageous people working on Project 52. Are you on that list? Please let us know so that we can encourage you and support you throughout 2012. As Karen mentioned, sharing really makes a difference. Who knows, I might be able to help you with something....

I feel like I had a really great kick off. I didn't cross anything off of my list officially but I am working towards it already. Now that you've made your list, it is REALLY important to take the time to do a little research.

That's what I've been working on. I now know when there will be a renaissance festival in Ohio (goal #4) and I have the number for the local D.A.R. chapter (goal #3) and I've been looking for photography and writing contests to enter. (Goals #25 and #28)

Now that I know what to plan, now I can work around that information. I promise, if you research now you'll do better with your list. But...doing the list is up to you.

Did you write a post about Project 52 this week? Link up so that we can ~~stalk you.~~...hear about your first week.

Hehehehe....Opps.

2012-01-06T15:39:00.000-05:00

Funny thing happened the other day. My phone rang.

(I sometimes question if that really is my ringtone that I hear when it does ring. I think I used 44 minutes of my plan last month.)

I answered the phone with a friendly hello, as one might do when a phone number that isn't familiar pops up on the caller id. I figured it would be a wrong number or a sales call.

Which reminds me, I "won" a cruise to the Bahama's the other day but I hung up on the recording before I could get all the details.

Anyway, the caller on the other end wasn't a recording but an actual person. I know this because she was struggling to pronounce my name. "Is this Janeanne? Jeanne? Thompson?"

"Yes, It's Jennee (Jenny)." Quickly I back tracked on anyone that I gave my number to, had I applied to a job or was it simply a reminder call for me to donate blood again?

This lady told me that she was down at the cafe that I work and picked up one of my cards. Silly me, I assumed she was calling me about aprons but really, she was calling me about my photography that had been on display for over a year now.

"I was on your site and there is nothing there about photography."

Oh, yeah, about that...... yes, this blog is the site that is on my business card and until last week, I had something about my photography on this blog. After a year of no photography interest from anyone, I decided it was time to take it off the page and strictly focus on writing here at JenneeThompson.com and not plaster the page with every business that I have ever attempted.

I did my best to explain this to her but I don't think I impressed her with my professionalism.

After several minutes of confusion, we settled that I would talk to my printer about getting some prints made and she placed an order for 2 prints. I about fell out of my chair! One of my goals for 2011 was to sell some of my photography and I only did that because I got my mom to purchase one of my photo blurb books that I made over the summer. I guess this means that I really need to work on that photo portfolio that I've been putting off for a year.... and I need to put my photography information back on the site.

To check out some of my prints, visit my new site on photobucket. (It is still under construction.)

BONUSES! #OneTreeHillOnDVD

2012-01-05T10:40:00.000-05:00

There is so much that happened in Season 8 of One Tree Hill, and there is going to be so much more happening in Season 9 (tune in on January 11 so you don't miss out!)

For fans of One Tree Hill, the Eighth Season will definitely be one to own! Includes all 22 episodes on 5 discs plus all-new featurettes, commentaries, deleted scenes and gag reel! Purchase your copy here: http://bit.ly/w2DhRu!

Bonus material is great for letting the true fan really get involved in the stories. Sometimes it's almost like it is a whole new story when you learn about what happened on set, or why things happened the way they happened on the show.

I love gag reels and I can't wait to tear into the bonus features on my brand new DVD and see what makes these actors giggle so much they mess up their lines. I also really love watching the audio commentary. The audio commentary is like the secret key to gossip and goodies. It is what gets you on the inside and can really feel a fan with pure enjoyment as they indulge in knowing even more about something they already love.

Recap, rewatch and review is a great way to get even more excited about Season 9! By owning Season 8 on DVD or BluRay, you'll be able to experience everything about One Tree Hill over and over again and escaping into the bliss of bonus material.

One Tree Hill - S8 'Stop!' by thewbdotcom
Season 9 Premiere on Wed. Jan 11, 2012 at 8/7c on The CW!
I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote One Tree Hill Season Eight on DVD.

Insecure Writer's Support Group

2012-01-04T06:39:00.001-05:00

It's that time again.

The time to be vulnerable.

Trust me when I say that I don't look forward to this each month but at the same time, I know that it will help me grow. Grow as a writer, possibly as a person, and as an encourager.

Good can come from vulnerability.

So I keep telling myself.

Ok, (sigh) here it goes. Back in October, I told you about my somewhat lack of support group and I got all sorts of encouraging words that really boosted my confidence. However, there are other "problems" that I need to get off of my chest. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has had this situation come around.

I got an offer for a paying writing gig. Just a one time gig but still, it isn't very often when I get paid for what I have written. Thrilled about this little gig, I told my most supportive friend. Instead of a pat on the back, I got a lecture...do you trust these people, are you selling out, you have to be careful about people who approach you with a writing gig, they may be spammers....etc.

I just gave her this look of, seriously?!?! My goal is to make writing a source of income (a steady income would be nice but I'm a realistic dreamer at this phase in my life...) and when the opportunity for a paid writing gig comes along, I take it. To me, I see it as an chance to prove myself. I get to write (which is what I want to do and like to do), make a little money (which is what I need), and get a little experience in the process. Plus, it's a challenge to see if I can get what the client wants the first time I show off my work.

I took the gig and they only wanted me to change one word, overall though, they were thrilled with what I offered.

That made me feel good but the doubts that my supportive friend left in my mind left me wondering...

Am I selling out for a little bit of experience? Will these little writing gigs someday bite me in the butt? Or am I just being true to my dream?

Have any of you experienced this? The support until something happens and then it is time to re-evaluate the game plan? The I-want-your-dreams-to-come-true-when-it-feels-right-to-me-and-don't-do-anything-now but at the same time do-whatever-you-can-to-reach-your-dreams-just-not-that....

I thought I was heading down the right path...

I might have made a mistake but I got a paycheck.

Over all, I'm satisfied with my writing and try not offer anything to anyone that I'm not sure if it is well written. After all, it's the writing that will get future offers, not my dreaming about it.

What do you do when people start forcing realistic thoughts in the middle of your dreams? Or tell you that you are selling out because you see the next step in accomplishing your dream?

Insecure Writer's Support Group is brought to you by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The first Wednesday of the month we all share either a struggle or some words of encouragement to all the writers in the blogosphere. Get involve. I promise, it is awesome.

Abandoning a Shameless life? #ShamelessonDVD

2012-01-03T22:03:00.000-05:00

Costa Rica sounds amazing this time of year.

Not just because it is less than twenty degrees outside but it’s just been a hectic week. I suppose mothers understand but a single gal like me doesn’t understand how to have a functioning life around a 5 year old. I tell myself that if I would have had a gradual exposure from baby until 5 year old, I would understand this feeling of overwhelming exhaustion from running around to keep up with the niece. There are some days where she about drives me bonkers. I love her but I could use a trip to Coast Rica….especially with Mr. Tall, Dark and Rugged. (Spotted him the other day and I intend to find out who the mysterious fellow is…)

In Season One of Shameless, Steve offers a carefree life to Fiona in Costa Rica….all she has to do is leave her family behind. The family that she has been taking care of, the family that is reckless and unpredictable, the family where the father spends all the money on booze, the family that, honestly, would stress me out. Fiona initially agrees to run away from her responsible life and go to Costa Rica with him but then, last minute; she decides to stick with her family.

Shameless - 'We Have a Proposition' by thewbdotcom

I love my family but I don’t know if I could turn down a chance like this, a chance to start over, a chance to change everything about yourself, a chance to run away with love….a chance for endless possibilities. Even though I am a family oriented person, I’d be out the door in a heartbeat. (Sorry fam.) I did it once, six years ago and I still feel that one of my biggest mistakes was moving back home. Being away was such freedom, I felt alive the whole time and my adventure wasn’t a margarita and a cabana boy…it was a struggle but it was worth it.

Yet, like Fiona, there is a part of me that just can’t leave my family…no matter how much they annoy me, my family is always there for me. Even though we don’t always say it, I love them and they love me. I supposed most families are like that and sometimes you just have to look past the chaos and just deal with your family. Plus, comparing my family to the Gallagher’s….we’ve got no drama, just a lot of pointless bickering, and I’ll take that any day!

Catch up with the Gallagher's....The first season of Shameless is now of DVD and bluray.

Season 2 premieres on Sun, Jan 8 at 9PM ET/PT on Showtime.
“I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Shameless Season One on DVD."

Project 52: Week 1 - What I Wanna Do in 2012

2012-01-02T08:26:00.003-05:00

Here it is.... the insane list of projects that I will be working on over the next 52 weeks of 2012.

1. Travel somewhere new - I have a few places in mind....Seattle, Dallas, Singapore, Boston....do you live here? Let's talk.

2. Pay off car - pretty self explanatory

3. Learn more about my ancestors - I used my two week trial on ancestry.com and found oodles of information of people from my past. I'm a DAR on both sides and I want to figure out how to officially claim that, along with learning about the supposed ancestor that was tight with Daniel Boone.

4. Go to a renaissance festival - I'm talking getting dressed up and eating a big chicken leg and all!

5. Organize my quotes - I have a huge file of quotes and have been trying to figure out a way to organize them for years.

6. Get an After Thoughts apron or product to all 50 states - I'm almost half way there already but I've still got a lot of product to sell. Need an apron, scarf, sleep mask? Contact me.

7. Publish something (and not self published) - I have a few things in mind that still need some tweaking but I gotta stop piddling around and go for it.

8. Edit 2011 Nano novel - I loved writing it. Still loved it after the end of it. Now, hopefully, I'll love editing it.

9. Win Nanowrimo 2012 - I have a few ideas in mind already. Hurry up November so that I don't forget!

10. Find an income that'll allow me to move out or move away - It's not that I don't love my parents.....I just want to feel like an adult and live on my own, decorate my own place, have a job that I love and can afford my lifestyle...just knowing that I can support myself is a feeling I would like to find.

11. Get my heart broken so I can be a tortured yet inspired artist - Seriously. I need some motivation about something.

12. Finish my corkboard - Just need to frame it which is why it hasn't gotten finished yet!

13. Do 5 of the creative ideas that I've found from pinterest - This should be easy because I've already done about 5 ideas in the last week....I just love all the ideas there, it makes me feel so creative!

14. Attempt a Dr. Seuss style short story - I rhyme all the time and thought it might be smart to start a little project from this habit with a tale about a rabbit with four ears that was wise beyond it's years....

15. Drink 100 oz. of water a day for 30 days (preferably in January because I'll need to hydrate and cleanse!)

Yep, I actually started this one on January 1st...one day down, thirty to go!

16. Blog2Print my 2011 blogs - Because it is so much easier, nicer and more compact that printing them off at home.

17. Lose 35 more pounds - Maybe I should up it since I gained 10 pounds over the holidays.....

18. Read at least one Shakespeare play - He's just so brilliant and I have the whole collection that I've never opened to read!

19. Pick up archery or go to a shooting range - Since I got rained out every time I attempted this in 2011 I wanted to give it another shot. (hehe...I'm so witty!)

20. Host a painting party - I got the idea while I was at JoAnn Fabrics. It's like a Sip n' Stroke, Drink n' Dabble.....can't wait!

21. Go out dancing - Honestly, I have to do this at least once a year!

22. Donate blood - Hopefully more than once.

23. Go to a singles event - I need to meet more people.

24. Go on a good date and try to break my record and make it passed a third date - This is going to be my most stressful goal of 2012

25. Submit photos for a contest - Winning something cool would be a bonus

26. Don't spend any money in the month of February - Shortest month of the year and I need to save some money for my vacations this year...or uh, for that rainy day and emergency fund.

27. Organize my art closet - It's a hot mess.

28. Enter a writing contest - Winning something cool would be a bonus

29. Transfer my a:// drives to a flash drive - I avoided it in 2011 and I really need to do it but it's going to take forever!

30. Save $1000-$5000 - I'm poor. I need an emergency fund.

31. Write a cook book, take photos of the dishes and make it into a blurb book - I have a lot of ideas and have thrown together a lot of great creations but I never write down what I do or take pictures!

32. Make a quilt from my scrap material - I haven't done this for years and I have a bunch of scraps because I never throw out a scrap!

33. Donate $ to a good cause - I'm trying to be more giving this year

34. Do zumba a minimum of three times a month - I plan to work out more than three times a month but zumba is the one thing I love that I often don't do....so I want to get back to those Latin roots!

35. Write a short story from my "end of the world" dream - I better do this soon. It was an intense dream that I didn't think I'd ever forget but the details are drifting now.

36. Take a picture every day for a month - I take a lot of pictures but not on a regular basis, plus I want to get back into photography again.

37. Get rid of my huge stack of magazines by making collages or doing something creative - pinterest has given me a few ideas!

38. Make 5 pieces of jewelry and give away as gifts - I have so much jewelry making stuff from my years of being obsessed with that hobby...and then I stopped.

39. Spend my 30th birthday in Hawaii (or do something spectacular!) - Crap. I'm turning 30 this year.

40. Put my dirty dishes in the dishwasher at least 3 times (my mom will love this goal!) - I hate doing dishes. Hate it, hate it, hate it!

41. Don't say no for a whole day - I'm not telling you which day and it's in hopes to be a little more open about things in life!

42. Read The Frugalista Files - I'd rather be frugal than cheap.

43. Finish The Chronicles of Narnia - Just a few books to go...

44. Get in a craft show or find out how to get involved in something like that - turns out that you can't just show up and sell stuff but now I just gotta find out how to get on the inside.

45. Purchase a galaxy tab 2.0 - I need something that'll let me swipe credit cards for my After Thoughts business and I've heard that this has that app

46. Organize my photography/online portfolio - Oy! Lots of time and patience. I hope I have that this year!

47. Send out a minimum of 5 birthday cards - I know someone with birthdays in Jan, Feb, March, April and May.....I think I'm set!

48. Get mani/pedi with BFF Kelly - We did it a few times in 2011 and now it's more of a tradition that we don't want to die!

49. Restoring Love Rally - The plan is to meet Karen in Dallas for the Rally in July. I went to the Restoring Honor Rally in Washington DC in 2010, couldn't afford to go to Restoring Courage in Jerusalem in 2011...so here's to Restoring Love!

50. See 4 movies in the theater (this includes The Hunger Games on opening night!) - It's true, I never go to the movies....but I like movies and want to see them....

51. Attempt to grow something in the garden - Last year I bought seeds and passed the job over to my mom. I kill things and I wanted it to have a chance.

52. Memorize the order of the Presidents - I know it's nerdy but I start getting confused of the order after Jefferson and it'll help for trivia nights!

53. Since it is a leap year and we get 53 Mondays...it's almost like we get extra time in 2012 for one extra special goal....so my ultimate goal of 2012 is to.....write something everyday. - By this I don't mean blog every day, but I made a box of index cards and so I want to write something on the index card everyday.... a journal jot or whatever.

So, this is what I'll be working on in 2012. Karen has an amazing list of goals for 2012 as well. Do you? Are you going to join us (again) this year? You don't have to have a list of 52 things, it can be as many or as few as you want...as long as you do something for yourself this year, that's the ultimate goal.

Link in, link up.... stop waiting and get going! The time is now.

New Year’s Resolution #1. Tip the dating scales in your favor!

2012-01-02T00:03:00.001-05:00

Welcome to 2012. The first holiday of the year is now over and you've just seen the results of your holiday fun in the mirror.....ugh, extra weight.

I got some too.

Now, it's Monday. It's back to "real life" and the daily grind. The routine is what you've been missing and you're going to need that routine to get back on track.

Most people make the same New Year's Resolutions.....to lose weight/be healthier.

The Fresh Diet is the place to be. Think of it as the party scene for 2012! Or, think of it as taking yourself on a date every night because with The Fresh Diet, you don't do any cooking! It is like having your own personal chef.

The best way to loose weight is the healthy way. Don't deny yourself of eating or even deny yourself of desserts but eat balanced meals that are filled with the right calories and will help you drop a healthy 1 -3 pounds a week.

Based out of North Miami, The Fresh Diet is a great way to live the life of a celebrity with daily food deliveries of delicious meals. This diet plan is perfect for the life of a fabulous single person since cooking for one is never easy, especially when the food is "diet" food. Now, you can push cooking aside and focus on the dating pool or the promotion at work.

And speaking of dating and dieting, you'll really tip the dating scale in your favor because men are attracted to happy women, not the women that feel like leftover holiday food. By eating fresh, you'll feel fresh and better about yourself and that means....more dates.

It's a way of eating that will fit your lifestyle and not a "diet" that never fits in with your life! Those kind of diets plan on failure while The Fresh Diet gives you the opportunity to make those changes while living a fabulous life!

Don't wait to get started! Start today for $29.99 per day and get 3 days free with the purchase of a 31 day plan. And as a bonus – The Fresh Diet will even give you a 6 day supply of Hint Premium Essence Water and a fitness DVD from Jessica Smith to help kicj your weight loss plan up a notch. All you have to do is just go to www.thefreshdiet.com/single to take advantage of this special offer or call 866-FRESH-50 (866-373-7450) and use Promo code: singlejan3

Visit the website to learn more about The Fresh Diet today. Plus, they're on Facebook!

Feel Good, Be Healthy, Stay Happy!

Currently - January 2012

2012-01-01T09:35:00.004-05:00

Current status: single

Current Facebook status: Finally, it's 2012....can I go on my diet now?

Current book: 51/50: The Magical Adventures of a Single by Kristen McGuinness. She's 30, single and on a quest to find true love because she's tired of waiting on fate. Kristen decides to go on 51 dates in 50 weeks..... very entertaining read. It reminds me that I really need to write about my own adventures as a single gal.

Current album: Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Current song: Para-para-paradise

Current color: Silver

Current drink: Today I am starting my goal of drinking 100 oz. of water for the whole month...so water, lots and lots of water.

Current food: blah, I need to go on a diet

Current celebrity crush: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Current favorite tv show: I've been making my way through White Collar, thanks to Netfix. Hello, Matt Bomer. :) I know I just said that Joseph is my current crush and he is...but Matt is nice to look at, as well.

Current wish list: persistence to stick with my goals for 2012

Current need: to get organized!

Current triumph: my room is still clean after the niece visited for a week...here's to week number 2 with the niece...

Current bane to my existence: any type of cold symptom...stuffed up nose, runny nose, cough, sore throat.....

Current Favorite Movie: How to Train a Dragon. I finally saw this animated movie and LOVE it! Oh the joys of the niece being in town, I get to catch up on kids movies!

Current Shame-inducing Guilty Pleasure: butter. I know I'm going to give it up when I start my diet once the niece leaves...so I've been adding butter to everything!

Current blessing: spending quality time with the niece and the rest of the family

Current indulgence: downloading free books on my kindle. It just makes me feel all giddy inside!

Current outfit: pajamas. I really need to stop blogging in my pajamas.

Current excitement: I'm hosting a Lia Sophia jewelry party in a few weeks...so I'm excited for FREE jewelry!

Current favorite photo that I took:

It's SNOWING!

Current Quote: “I am a father. A son. A serial killer.” –Dexter (Ok, I couldn't resist! The final episode was so good!)

What are you currently up to?

2011: A Year in Review

2011-12-29T15:42:00.001-05:00

The easiest way for me to look back on 2011 is through photos.....

This was my year...

Number of dates: 3

Number of marriage proposals: 0

Number of men kissed: 2

Number of speeding tickets: 0

Number of books read: 19

Number of places traveled: 4

Number of movies seen in theaters: 4

Number of new cars purchased: 1

Number of times I've been requested to be someone's teammate on the Amazing Race: 2

Number of time I fell down the stairs: 0 (It's been a good year!)

Number of new burns on my arms: 7

Number of songs downloaded: hundreds

Number of pictures taken: thousands

Number of memories: millions!

Having others to share my life with....priceless

"I Don't Wanna Be" Re-Recorded #OneTreeHillonDVD

2011-12-28T11:43:00.000-05:00

Music heavily impacts a lot of televisions shows. Sometimes, it is the music that is matched up perfectly with a scene that makes that moment so much more emotional and memorable. One Tree Hill is one of those television shows that uses music to impact the story. In fact, one of my favorite thing about One Tree Hill is their selection of music in every episode.

In Season 8, One Tree Hill pulled a fast one. The theme song, "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw had now changed and was rerecorded by different artists for each episode. Kate Voegele, Aimee Mann, Tegan and Sarah are a few artists that took Gavin DeGraw's famous song and made it their own for the opening credits of One Tree Hill.

I love this song and I love Gavin DeGraw. When it occurred to me that the theme song changed, honestly, I was a little tiffed. There is something in the way that Gavin DeGraw performs this simple, yet beautiful song that has always made me buy into the lyrics. Some of the versions of his song that played for Season 8 just didn't feel right. Some styles were too simple, some styles were too slow and some styles just didn't flow at all.

There are some artists that I would have loved to hear do a remake of the song but I don't think anyone can really sing it like Gavin. I would love to hear The Script sing it though. I did enjoy One Tree Hill's very own Kate Voegele's version of the song. With a great piano lead and a softer side, it keeps the same simple and honest feel that Gavin offers.

Did you notice the different songs for each episode? Did any stand out to you? Do you still like Gavin DeGraw's version the best? Didn't notice them at all? Well, Season 8 is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray and that means you can now listen to all the different recordings of the theme song and also catch up on anything you missed because Season 9 premieres on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 8/7c on The CW!

One Tree Hill - Season 8 on DVD & UltraViolet by thewbdotcom

I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote One Tree Hill Season Eight on DVD.

Confessions of a Sell Out

2011-12-28T02:38:00.000-05:00

Every young artist has a dream.

To change the world (or someone) with their passion and talent. Whether it comes through the lyrics of a song, the style of painting, the words on a page or a design of a dress, they young and starving artist lives on this desire. It's everything they breathe. It's how they spend their free time. Their current project is their opening line at a party (unless it is a socially awkward artist...then their art is usually top secret!)

Most people don't understand what it is like to be so driven by art that it consumes them. They slave away at their craft just waiting for that moment when someone sees past the project and sees their talent, sees their potential, and to be discovered.

I'm a young(ish) starving (not really thanks to my parents...just poor) artist with ADD. I've dabbled in painting, photography, sewing, cooking, drawing, designing....I just want to try everything in the crafting world. (Pinterest offers no help!) But above all, writing is the art that consumes me.

Three years ago, I started a blog.

I had no idea what blogging even was, I just heard that people were getting book deals and movies made from their adventures in blogging. I'd also heard that people were making money.

Prior to blogging, I dreamed of writing but I had the famous I-don't-know-how-to-complete-anything-itis. I'd stew on brilliant plot ideas but never follow through. Thanks to blogging, I started to learn the craft of writing (hopefully witty) stories about my every day life. Soon, I got people following my blog and even commenting.

It was like I had accomplished my dream....

except I wasn't making any money.

It started with one small opportunity. Write about this book and it is yours. I can't turn down free books...no matter how terrible. I snatched that up and quickly became obsessed with book reviews.

Now, I was getting free books but that wasn't helping me cover my bills for all the other art projects I'd been working on to the side.

A few more opportunities came my way and out of desperation, I snatched them up as well. Now, I write so many sponsored posts, I hardly write for myself anymore.

I never thought I'd be a sell out....but...well....choosing between going in debt again or taking up some sponsors...it just makes sense to sacrifice the dream for right now and pay my bills.

I recently got asked if I'd be willing to work with a sex toy company. The pay was amazing and I'd just gone to a Pure Romance party, so I knew all about some of the kinkiest toys that I didn't know existed. (It was a very educational night! lol) However, I turned it down.

See, just because I have been picking up every other gig that has been offered to me doesn't mean that I have stopped thinking about my readers. (Mom don't read this next line...) I have no problem writing about the topic of sex (please don't interpret this as Jennee is a dirty whore...but instead thing Jennee's main characters are sometimes involved in the sex industry) I know that not all of my readers want to read about things like sex toys.

I like to think I have a reputation of keeping a clean blog around here. I have male and female readers. Mom's, Grandma's and Singles.... and I don't want to loose you. It's because of you that I have gotten these opportunities.

All this to say, please don't give up on me because I post a lot more sponsored posts these days. I like to say that I've worked hard to get to this step in the blogging world and that I'm one step closer to that dream that once felt so far away.

I may be a sell out at times....but I'm still thinking of you.

If I Could Take Frank's Money...#ShamelessonDVD

2011-12-27T07:24:00.000-05:00

Shameless 'Disability' by thewbdotcom

Just when you think that Frank Gallagher can't get any lower....he says something like that. Frank has done a lot of shameless things throughout Season 1 and I'm sure his classic streak will continue well into Season 2. One thing that Frank does is spend all the money he can muster up on alcohol (after all, he is an alcoholic)!

I've been thinking about his children....Fiona is the daughter/mother/sister/friend....she's the glue that holds the Gallagher's together. Fiona has to find ways to pay the bills because Frank is too busy spending his money elsewhere.

So, I've devised a plan but I need your help. See, while Frank is passed out, we are going to steal whatever money he as left. Who wants to be the person to be with Frank until he passes out? I would but I'm a part of Operation Pamper Fiona. I've already made the appointment for a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure....so we have to get Fiona to the spa.

Fiona doesn't get to many breaks and she could really use some relaxation. She might argue that the money could go towards fixing up the house or a bill but we have to tell her that if her father can spend all his money on having a good time, then she can spend his money on having a good time too! If anyone deserves a little pampering....it's Fiona.

What would you do if you could take some of Frank's money and spend it on his family?

Season One of Shameless is now on DVD and Blu-ray, pick up your copy today!

Season 2 premieres on Sun, Jan 8 at 9PM ET/PT on Showtime. Be sure to tune in to see what the Gallagher's get themselves into this season!

I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Shameless Season One on DVD.

Project 52: The Last Monday or 2011

2011-12-26T15:41:00.001-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS! You did it! You made it through Project 52, 2011 version! Karen and I are so happy with the many of you that participated in this ~~insanity craziness~~ adventure with us this year. In fact, we are so happy about it that we're doing it again in 2012! That's right, it's time for you to sit down and think of 52 projects, goals, to-do's and gear yourself up for another year of improving your quality of life.

That saying goes....if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Karen and I were not goal makers when we first gave this a whirl in 2010....but it is amazing how each year, I get a little bit better at setting goals and actually sticking to them. It's a process. It doesn't happen over night, so don't think that just because you don't make goals doesn't mean that you can't participate in Project 52. If I can do it (all time slacker and procrastinator) then you can do it. I promise.

I'm still in the process of completing my list from 2011....and writing the list for 2012 (I need 4 more...any one have any ideas?) It's a heck of an adventure, and I'd hate to leave you behind....so I'll see you in 2012 at the starting line.