Life is good, and more questions answered....

                                       Source: creativeinspiration.tumblr.com via jennifer on Pinterest

Good morning, friends!

So, my instinct is to complain about it being Monday, and the weekend being over.  But, I'm going to try what my pastor talked about yesterday.  I'm going to cultivate some love and joy in my life.  {fruits of the spirit}  I may be faced with another week of work, but life is good, and in the whole scheme of things, I have absolutely nothing to complain about!

This weekend was wonderful.  Although I think we just skipped right over spring and moved on to summer.  But, warmer weather is here, and I am glad!  

I didn't really have anything planned for today, and I've had a few more questions roll in from last week, so I thought I'd just answer a few of those for you today!  Sound good?


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What's something you would tell the future you? The past you?

Future me:  Don't ever forget where you came from.  I hope you are doing something meaningful with your life, and that you appreciate all I'm doing to get you where you are.  ;)

Past me:  Lighten up!  Stop taking everything so seriously and have a little fun!

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What's your lifelong dream?

This one's tough!  I guess my lifelong dream would be to become the person God has made me to be.  To be a loving wife and mother, and to leave behind a legacy of love.  {Oh, and make pretty things.}

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What came first - the chicken or the egg?

I'm going to have to go with the chicken.

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What made you start painting piggy banks? Whatever it was, I'm glad you started because ours is AMAZING.

First of all, thank you!  I'm so glad you like it!

I started painting piggy banks during college.  I worked at a local gift shop personalizing all kinds of stuff.  I always really enjoyed it, and truthfully, it was that job that set me on a path to being a full time artist.  Once I graduated, I moved on to my "real job" as a graphic designer.  A couple years ago, my former boss sold the gift shop, and I decided to introduce personalized gifts to my Etsy store.  I never wanted for her to feel like I was trying to compete, but once that was no longer an issue, I jumped on it!  I've always loved creating something unique and special for people to give {or get}.  I find great joy in playing a part, however small, in making a special memory for my customers.

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how do I get 400 something followers just like you :))

Honestly, I have got caught up at times in the number of followers I've had, but I know I shouldn't...and neither should you!  Just be yourself, and like minded people will find you.  If you're looking to grow your blog, I suggest commenting on other blogs.  People will come check out your blog from there.  Also, keep your layout simple and easy to read.  There's nothing that sends me running faster than a bunch of blinking or hard to read fonts.  :)

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When's your next half marathon???  :)  xoxo

I wish I had an answer to this one!  I honestly don't know.  I do, however know that I will do another.  {It was too awesome not to do again.}  At the moment, I have my eyes set on another goal.  I'll keep you guys posted though! 

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Thanks again for all your love on the questions post!  I look forward to getting to know you all even more!

Here's to a wonderful week!

Oh, and Sandy has posted her A to Z that I tagged her for....go check it out!

I really, really do....

                                    Source: mixedplateblog.com via jennifer on Pinterest

You guys are the best! I am so blown away at your participation in yesterday's Getting to know you post. Seriously. Freaking. Awesome. I'm just giddy that you all are as excited about this as I am!

So, today, I'm going to answer some of your questions to me:

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How do you stay organized with all that you do? And how do you balance your life on and off the web?

Honestly, this one made me chuckle.  I really am not an organized person in the least.  I think it's a constant balancing act.  I usually focus on what has to be done today.  Sometimes that means painting piggy banks, sometimes it's cleaning the house, or sometimes it's just spending some time with my hubs.
My full time job is a creative position, so being out there {whether in real life or on the web} is part of staying inspired and doing my job well.  This blog is just my personal expression of that.
Sometimes it is really difficult to figure out what to post.  That's where a schedule comes in handy.  I have a couple weekly posts, like a few fun finds on Tuesdays, and random thoughts on Fridays.  The rest of the time, I usually just tell you all what I'm thinking about that day.  {I contemplate this during my morning shower...I told you, that's where I do my best thinking!}

What takes your breath away?

The last thing that really took my breath away in a memorable way was on my flight back home from LA.  We took off from Orange County and circled out over the ocean.  The sun had just set, and the lights along the coast had come on.  I was absolutely in awe of how beautiful it was.  {Now remember, I'm not a good flier.}  It just seemed to me in that moment, that I was seeing God's glory.  I continued to watch out the window periodically, and as we came over the Rocky Mountains, I had that same feeling again.  So, so beautiful. Breathtaking.  {Then we hit turbulence and I started praying like crazy!}

Other things that take my breath away...certain worship songs at church, kittens, and Italian paintings.

What are your favorite songs of the moment?

Okay, this is where my lameness shows.  I have no idea.  Yeah, I know.  I've always said, I'm musically challenged.  Honestly, I can't even remember the last time I listened to music.  I know that's shocking to most people.  I carpool, so I do alot of talking.  I can listen to headphones at work, but I usually don't.  I do listen to my iPod while I run, but it's just a bunch of old songs that have been on there for like 5 years.  I really need musical help, people.  I do know that I love Jack Johnson, Michael Jackson and Jason Mraz.

Favorite color?

Green.
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You guys made me thirsty!  And gave me a bunch of ideas of yummy things to drink!   Very diverse answers.

You also left some pretty sweet comments.  Awe, shucks.  I feel loved, and am so happy to get to know you better!  Let's do it again!  ;)


Now, what do you think?  Do you like the google form format?  Would you rather do it in the comments so everyone can see, or do you like it private just between us?

And seriously, once again.  You guys are the best!  Thank you.

Sleepy morning, and a request...

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

It's a cool, rainy fall morning here in KC.  I did not want to get out of bed.  {it didnt' help that the hubs got to sleep in since his scheduled job for today was outside.} But, it was nothing that a nice hot pumpkin spice latte couldn't fix.  

How was your weekend?  Mine was good.  Packed full once again, but just lovely.  We ran our 5k on Saturday morning, and the weather was just wonderful!  And yes, I made it to the pumpkin patch that afternoon...bliss!  Yesterday we went to an inspiring church service and to visit a brand new baby.  So sweet!  

This week, I'd like to share:
A pumpkin patch recap,
some thrift store finds, 
and of course my random thoughts on Friday.


I'd like to try something....
What else would you like to hear about this week?  Do you guys have any questions for me?  Anything you'd like to know more about?  I'd love to touch on subjects requested by my readers, so bring 'em on!  

You can ask me anything in the comments of this post, email me at jennifer.mae.davis@gmail.com, or if you want to be completely anonymous, you can ask questions on my formspring as well.


{I really hope you all ask some questions, cause otherwise I'm gonna feel really lame...}

Happy Monday to you all, and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!  Hope you all have a lovely day with friends and family!

Burning questions...Internet help!

I'm without internet at home!  Eeeek!

Any advise you could give me would be greatly appreciated!  

It's been out since a storm we had the other night.  We've unplugged everything, waited and plugged it all back in multiple times, but nothing.  I was on the phone with Comcast waiting for a representative for about 20 minutes last night {my call is very important to them} but I hung up after I noticed that in my network settings the ethernet port is flashing in and out.  I guess I should have stayed on the line, but I thought maybe it was the actual ethernet port again.  grrrrr.  I'm not making a very good case for my Mac right now!  However, it is almost 10 years old!  I'm not convinced it's the computer either.  I like to think it's Comcasts fault!  ;)  Oh, and the light on the ethernet port itself on the back of the tower is flashing green...any idea if that's normal?

Help me please!  I don't want to be without internet all weekend!  :(  

I guess I'll have to call Comcast again if I can't figure it out.  Boo.  

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On a happier note...It's friday!  We made it to another weekend!  Hooray!  

What are your plans?

We're participating in the Relay for Life in our area this evening, and then laying low tomorrow {as far as I know}.  Then, Sunday, we're having a barbeque with our dads!

Hope you all have a glorious summer filled weekend!  ;)

{photo credit:  Dmitry Mordolff }

Questions...

Happy Friday!

 I was hoping you could help me figure out some burning questions that I have!  Would you mind weighing in on the following?

1. Have you ever had your smoke detectors go off randomly?  

photo by Speg24 on flickr

Our upstairs detectors were going off every few minutes last night.  Not just beeping, but sounding!  They'd sound about 3-4 times, then stop for a few minutes, then it would happen again.  Of course, we checked the whole house and were certain there was no fire, but it was still quite unnerving!  I was worried for a bit that they might be carbon monoxideWe changed the batteries in the ones that were sounding.  I think I'll go buy all new batteries this weekend and change 'em all again, just in case the ones we used last night were no good.  Besides, we're due for that anyway.

Any idea what's causing this? 

2. Have you tried the OFF! Clip-on Mosquito Repellent?

via here.

I have really bad reactions to bug bites.  {like giant mounds of red itchiness that lasts for a week}  I hate using bug spray all the time.  The chemicals can't be good, right?  So, naturally I was drawn to the idea of this product, but wasn't sure if it would really work.  Mosquitos are so drawn to me.  I mean, we're talking I'll  have 10 bites within minutes an everyone around me will have nothing!  

If you haven't tried this, but have a great suggestion of something else, do share!  

3. Anyone know how to make a perfect mojito?  

photo by Marco Veringa on flickr

I'm thinking after this week, I'm going to relax with a drink on my patio!  I tried making some last weekend, but they just didn't seem as delicious as I remember.  Or, if you have another great summer cocktail, I'd love to try something new!  I'm usually a gin and tonic girl, but I'm craving variety!

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Thanks in advance for your help!  I'm excited to hear what you guys have to say!  {especially on that last one!}

I hope you all have fabulous plans for the weekend.  Ours will consist of a little of this, and a little of that.  Nothing to regimented, just how I like it!