Randomness...

Why do gently rolling thunderstorms {you know, the ones that are perfect for sleeping during} always roll through on weekday mornings right as its time to get up?

And also, on the subject of rain:  Why does it always start sprinkling right when you get to work, so you have to walk through it?

I hope this doesn't come off wrong, but how do we know that Stephen Hawking is actually saying the things that his computer says?  Also, how does he keep the computer from saying everything he thinks?  Cause I think a lot of things that I wouldn't actually say!

I know this is probably old news, but it's relatively new to me and I just can't stop laughing about it.  In case some of you have been living in a whole like me, I'd like to share with you, the Honey Badger...  

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This week has been INSANE! I finally painted a rain barrel for some friends that's been on my to-do list for about 4-5 months. It turned out great! Can't wait to give it to them! The shop went nuts this week too, and I currently have 10 piggy banks to paint! {and at least one more order in the works!}  On top of that, my 9-5 is crazy as well....it's that time of year!  Madness all around!

That being said, life is so, so good right now!  Yesterday was an exceptionally good day.  Just was.

Tonight we're going to the rodeo with some friends, which should be super fun!  I haven't been to the rodeo since I was a kid.  Ready to get my cowgirl on!  YeeHaw!  Apparently Lynard Skynard is playing afterward, so we might stay for that as well. 

Tomorrow we're having dinner with Jon's mom and stepdad. {Her birthday is Sunday...Happy Birthday, Wanda! Love you!} 

Sunday we're hosting small group, and Monday is Halloween and Chiefs Monday Night Football with my Dad and Linda! Whew. 

Oh, and things are not looking good for a Halloween costume.  This just might be the year that I flake out.

So busy, but so good! 


Do you have one month that always seems to be crazy? Ours is most definitely October.

Randomness...

This is by far the most hilarious video I've seen this week.  Just a note, it's not a political statement that I'm aware of.  {At least I don't see it as making fun of anyone...just funny.}  There's a version with Obama, one with Rick Perry, and apparently some others.  Whoever thought of this is brilliant, cause it really does look like they are saying these totally off the wall things.  Right about 1:50 is my absolute favorite part.  I replayed it like 20 times last night and was laughing that crazy, eyes watering, silent laugh.  You know the one.


I learned this week about "fencing".  Apparently it's this new thing with rowdy teens where they go around and kick slats out of people's fences.  A couple of our neighbors had damage done last week.  Has anyone ever heard of this?

I fell asleep watching Kim's Fairytale Wedding the other night, and dreamed I was hanging with the Kardashians. It was super creepy. I really, really tried to give the new Facebook a chance. {I wasn't one of the people that started crying immediately.} However, I've decided I don't like it. Maybe I just don't get it. 

I cannot stand it when people just sit and bounce their feet. 

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So, what's up this weekend? Another busy one around these parts. Tonight we're headed to our good friends' house to eat some chili! There's a chili cook-off going on down the street, so they're making some of their own. We'll be hanging out and then watching fireworks...sounds fun! 

Tomorrow evening we're headed to Worlds of Fun with the family.  I've never been for the "Fright Night" stuff, so I'm hoping I don't pee my pants...I'm kinda a chicken.  I usually just have to worry about maintaining composure on the roller coasters {which scare me, but I will ride anyway, usually.}
Now, I'm gonna have to worry about getting attacked by zombies too.

Sunday, we'll be back with the friends for small group!

It's looking to be a fun weekend, and I'm excited!


What do you have going on?  
Are you guys chickens too, or are you calm and composed in "haunted house" situations?  

29 Ways to Stay Creative...

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Someone shared this with me last week, and I thought you all might like it.  

I absolutely love that "drink coffee" made the list.  How sweet is that?

I really need to get better about writing things down in my notebook.  I carry one around with me, but rarely use it.  I guess I'm halfway there! 

I feel fortunate to be surrounded with creative people, IRL and online.  You guys constantly inspire me...Thanks for being such rockstars! 

What do you do to stay creative? 

A pretty bicycle picture and random thoughts from the week....

                 Source: stardustandsequins.wordpress.com via jennifer on Pinterest

I miss those "Real Men of Genious" commercials by Bud Light.  "Mr. Giant Taco Salad Inventor" is my favorite.  "I don't see no lettuce."  Ha!




I really, really dislike when people send passive aggressive emails under the guise of a "friendly reminder". All caps is not friendly, sorry.  I just realized that that statement of mine, was in fact, a little passive aggressive, and well, passive aggressivism sucks.

Me:  I think when someone learning English hears the phrase "Old Wives Tale" for the first time, they must think that sounds pretty weird.
Jon:  Yeah, they must be like, "Since when do old wives have tails?"

When I'm laying in bed with the windows open and hear someone doing something outside {walking by, talking, getting in a car, whatever.}  I have to get up and see who it is.  Yes, I'm that little old lady in training. 


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Ahhhhhh.  We made it!  It's Friday, and I'm so, so happy.  It's been a busy week at work, and I'm ready for a couple of days to relax!

This weekend is actually pretty open.  No big plans like the last few weeks, and I'm thrilled.  Sometimes you just need a weekend to do whatever comes about, you know?

One thing I am determined to do is go on a bike ride.  I haven't gotten out on my bicycle nearly enough this summer and it's driving me crazy! 

Are your weekends usually full of activities, or relaxation? 

In case you missed it:
Make sure you enter the giveaway!  Winner will be announced on Monday.
Some pretty leather goods.
How to set up your profile so bloggers can respond to your comments.
*New* in the shop:  Wedding Party Frames.

A pretty bicycle picture and random thoughts from the week....

         image by Ken Stutsman (my dad) altered in Photoshop by me!

Apparently cilantro tastes like soap to some people.  That's crazy!  I love cilantro.  How about you?  {Thanks to Elisa for cluing me into this phenomena!}

I love how many blog post ideas have come to me this week.  I couldn't post them all at once, but they're in the queue.  

On Wednesday morning, I made some yummy banana and blackberry oatmeal.  I put a few generous shakes of cinnamon in it, only to realize it was not cinnamon at all...it was cumin.

Later that same morning, I stepped out of my friend's van, and whacked my head on the door.  The door didn't swing into me, I didn't slip, I just all out rammed my noggin' into the door.  I'm graceful like that. 

Best video from the week found on Etsy's blog:
 
 The Move, Paper Animation from Mandy Smith on Vimeo. 

I'm seriously obsessed with prize ribbons. I can't stop thinking about them.  I guess that's why they call it an obsession.

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Can you believe it's Friday again?  This week kinda flew by!

This weekend I'll be working on some custom piggy banks...oh gosh, they're cute!  Can't wait to share with you all!

We also have to get the office finished up...or at least functional...before Sunday, cause the small group is coming over, and I know at least one of them is going to want to see it!  {hi Amber!} 

Oh, and look at this forecast...

46 on Sunday, and almost 60 by mid-week.  Holy cow!  How is that even possible!?  Whatever, I'll take it!

What's on your agenda for the weekend?   What's the weather like were you are?

Best for Last...

Weekends are good. I enjoyed mine, how about you?

We really didn't do all that much this weekend. But, our house is finally, mostly clean! {there are some spots that need dusting, and the floors need to be mopped, but overall it's so much better!} That took up most the day Saturday. We intended to go to the grocery store Saturday evening, but it didn't end up working out. Which, led me to eat next to nothing healthy on Saturday {we're talking garlic cheese toast for dinner at 10:00...seriously, what is wrong with me!?} That led me to the worst 4 mile run of my life Sunday morning. I just didn't have any fuel in the tank! :( It was awful. I have ran so much farther with so much less effort. On a positive note, I still ran it, even though it sucked, and I've now determined that my eating needs to change. We stocked up on healthy foods yesterday, and I've decided to start counting calories again. Only for a while, until I get myself under control. I have gained some serious weight over the last year or so, and it's gotta stop. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for pity, or for you to say, "oh, Jen, you look great!" I know where I am, and I'm not satisfied with it, so I'm gonna change it.

Anyway, enough about that. Did you all watch the Super Bowl? I can't really say I watched it, but I watched some of the commercials. Mostly disappointing, I'd say. This one did stand out to me as one of the more funny ones though.

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=8a69ecae-1bfb-49a9-9e3d-5679464c5fda" target="_new" title="">Doritos: Best for last</a>


What was your favorite commercial last night? 

You can watch all the commercials at www.foxsports.com/ads

Oh, and I upgraded the comments to Disqus over the weekend! I'm hoping it will make it easier for me to connect with you all. If you sign up for a Disqus account, which is quick, free and easy, they'll keep you informed of replies to your comments...pretty cool, you should check it out! When I signed up I saw some replies from bloggers I read that I never even knew were there.  It's a great tool for turning comments into discussions!  If you have any issues with posting comments with the new system, please let me know so I can fix it!

Have a great week! 

Christmas 2010...

I got a Flip Video Camera for Christmas!  Wheee!  So, that will mean more videos here on the blog!  To start off, I made a little movie of our Christmas.  It was fantastic!  I hope you enjoyed your day as much as we did.

And now,  hooray for vacations!

Anyone else have the week off?

How To Be Alone

Found this here.  I think it's pretty awesome.  Being alone is something I've always struggled with, but I'm learning to be better at it.

We've been talking about solitude with our small group as we study this book, and about how it's in those quiet moments that God speaks to you.  It's when you stop trying to fill the void that the void within you is filled.  I found this video fitting to my recent appreciation of solitude.

I hope you enjoy it too.

Do you get any solitude in your life?  Do you enjoy alone time?

I found out long ago it's a long way down the holiday road...

A friend of mine at work told me the other day that he has never seen the National Lampoon's Vacation movies.  I repeat, never seen the National Lampoon's Vacation movies!  I thought they were mandatory viewing for all american kids of my generation.  I had no idea you could make it well into your 30's and not see them.  i mean, Vacation is probably one of the funniest movies of all time.  Am I right?  and Christmas Vacation, just try getting through a holiday season without quoting it...i dare you!  European Vacation is the worst of them all, but still a classic. 

Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy?  Have you all seen the vacation movies?  Do you love them as much as I do?

Let the holiday madness begin!

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get down...

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calmed...

i came home stressed from work, and poured myself this...

my favorite.  gin & tonic.

then i was catching up on some emails, and was sent this link by my dad.

it made me feel thankful and happy again.

now i feel all better.

what's your favorite cocktail?

jump, jump...

my dad emailed this to me, and i thought it was amazing!  i usually don't have the attention span for long videos, but this one was totally worth it!