hair...

Zack and Jesse are not really big on hair cuts. Zack's hair is so thick, and he has a very unfortunate double crown that gives him a wicked mohawk. And Jesse just looks like a little hooligan. So when their hair grows out, they look like little beatles. Not the icky ones that crawl on the ground, but the ones that sang  "All We Need is Love". Either way, I think they're adorable. 

I took them for haircuts this weekend, and they look SO CUTE! They ordinarily scream bloody murder and cry the whole time, so I was hesitant to take them in.  But after discussing it a bit, and telling them that upon completion they would get a sucker, they agreed. They both sat at the same time. They were great! They talked with their hair dressers, laughed, and didn't flip out once! 

See... persistence, people!! If at first you don't succeed, wait for 3-4 years and try again! 

xoxo

In the blink of an eye

So yeah, the last time I was regaling you with the goings-on of my world, I was sick in bed. I puked, I fainted, I wanted to die. Little did I know that just 10 days later, my entire world as I knew it would change forever. 

I am writing this now because I have finally had time to wrap my head around it, and although I have not accepted it as fact yet, I realize that it is reality. (try to figure that one out, and you'll know where my head has been for a month and a half) 

My Grandma, Rita Campbell, peacefully left the earth on April 18, 2009. She suffered a rare, but massive, heart attack while making tea and watching Murder She Wrote in her home. My Grandma was an amazing woman; one I aspire to emulate as the years pass me by. She was warm and caring, compassionate and giving, passionate and thoughtful, and one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Most people know their grandparents, but never really "know" them. I, however, had the privilege of actually knowing my Grandma. 

For as far back as I can remember, she has been there. We always lived close enough for us to see her regularly, if she wasn't living with us. She lived with us for many years, and was always there for the major stuff in our lives. I had the joy of living with her for my senior year of high school. If I could do it again, I would have spent much more time with her in our home, and much less time out being a 16 year old girl. But alas, hind-sight is 20/20. Now all I can do is remember the times we spent together in our 2 bedroom apartment, watching the news and eating pizza and salad. 

That wouldn't be the last time I lived with her though, as she had a house just down the driveway from my family after I graduated. We lived that way until I moved out of my Mom's house, and into my own when I was 20. Despite the distance between us, we remained close, as she did with my whole family. 

She was there the day I got married, met my oldest son when he was only 2 weeks old, and was there with open arms the day we moved back to the city where my whole family lived. She was there the day I had my second son, and spent several hours in the hospital with me before I went home with him. She was there every morning I called her, crying because I had no sleep and my oldest was already awake. She was there the day I moved away, and visited me while we spent a year in Edmonton. She was there the day I moved back, expressing her approval for my new home. She was there for almost every single Christmas, birthday, anniversary, family get-together... among other things. Not only that, I saw her several times a week, and talked to her almost every day. 

So yes, I was incredibly close with her. And although that is making this so much harder to get through, I wouldn't change it for the world. Because I may miss her, and it breaks my heart every time I think of never seeing her again, I have so many memories to keep me smiling for the rest of my life... 

Good-bye Grandma. I will love and miss you forever. xoxo

ill, ill, ill...

I spent my day yesterday, in bed. The room was spinning around me, and it felt as though my heart was going to burst out of my chest. Ah, being sick - what a blessed event. 

I woke at 6am to an odd feeling in my stomach, only to have it get progressively worse over the course of the day. The breaking point came at about 6pm last night, when I hobbled to the bathroom, only to awaken around 5 minutes later. Yep! I fainted, and lost 5 minutes of my life. It is a truly unsettling experience, and I would not recommend it to anyone! The only thing I remember is hearing Tom watching American Idol, then there was a bunch of yelling in my head, and I woke up and he was watching NCIS. So evidently, my sub-conscious is a yeller. Who knew? 

I was mostly upset about yesterday because it was my movie-date-night with my honey! We were going to see Fast & Furious. But instead, I heaved 7 pounds out of my body. Sick. Was it a fair trade? Let's see! Paul Walker.... Barfing. Hmm... I'm thinking the hot-ass blue eyed boy wins by a landslide in that battle! But alas, that is not what my body had in mind last night. No popcorn for me! Instead I got to eat (and heave) multi-grain crackers and Canada Dry. What a day! But now here I sit, feeling slightly better, and 7 pounds lighter. I guess I will just use that as my silver lining, and go watch Paul Walker and the sexy cars next week. 

xoxo

my bad...

Holy crap! It's been over 3 months since I last posted? FOR SHAME, JENNIE! (I am sorry, Erin *wink*)

A bunch of stuff has happened, but I will fill you in on the most recent.... my undying love and adoration for a band called Marianas Trench. It is 4 boys (my age) from Vancouver, BC, and I am unabashedly in love with them! Don't get me wrong, I am not a star-struck groupie, but I did see them twice this weekend. 

I flew to Edmonton to see them with a friend on Saturday night, flew home on Sunday and went straight to their show from the airport. Two of the band guys got a real kick out of that story. YES! I got to meet them, and they are such great guys. They are very humble and personable. One of them even insisted on talking to me, grabbed my hand and made me stay. Yay - I'm special =) 

The show here was much better... not music wise, as both nights they sounded AMAZING. But the Edmonton show was an all ages thingy, and I am just not a fan of screaming teenaged girls! I never was one of them, nor do I appreciate being crammed into a small, hot, sweaty space with them. If anyone is going to annihilate my eardrums, it is going to be the people singing, NOT the idiots screaming! 

The show last night was good. The music was still friggin awesome, but the crowd was all over 18, and there were no screamers amongst them. Good times, indeed. 

And that is about all of the happenings right now for this girl. 

Happy day to you! Keep laughing! Not only is it infectious and wonderful, but it also works out your abs! Win-win!! xoxo

New Year; New Me - pt 2

It is January 1st,

and all through the land,

people are vowing to change,

vowing to give a hand.

To those in need,

or just to themselves,

to be different this year,

in to January they delve. 

To lose weight this year,

or be nicer to all,

to learn a new language, 

or accept they aren't tall.

To be funnier, or laugh more

or take up a new hobby,

to be nicer to be around

or clean up their lobby.

To make some new friends,

or reconnect with current ones,

to write their first novel,

or quadruple their funds.

But more often than not,

our intentions fall flat,

we lose our ambition,

our drive blows a flat.

We should try, every day,

to be the best that we can,

but every year it's the same,

only important in Jan...

uary, that is,

for whatever reason,

is the time we insist change,

like it's the point of the season.

So this year, maybe try

to be the best you you can be,

smile and love life,

and things will change, you'll see!

January 1, 2009 - JG

Old Year to New Year in the blink of an eye

All it takes to erase the goings on of an entire year seems to be a night out with friends, a kiss at midnight, and a dropping ball. 

Ah, if only that were true. And yet, many people believe in the sanctity of "New Year, New Me". I began this very blog last year, as a resolution of sorts. I believed it would be cathartic to get feelings, thoughts and wonderings out on "paper". It has done that, and also provided me with many laughs and memories. But it hasn't "changed me" as many people-I am sure-believe that resolutions will do. You have to want it, need it and seriously work at it. 

And change doesn't happen overnight. So don't be believing that just because Dick Clark drops the ball, that the slate gets wiped clean! It may be a new year, but the old you is still there!

Another thing I don't understand is the necessity to "ring in the new year" by being as blasted drunk as is humanly possible! But it seems to be a widely accepted way to begin a new year, so I suppose it is something to just accept. 

Still, we all need to remember that in order for this year to be better than last year, we HAVE to try! We have to change things, or else we will just be living perpetually in the year we just finished. So, throw out your garbage, hug your kids, pick up your laundry, help with the dishes, learn a new instrument, count your calories, actually go to the gym, and for goodness sake SMILE! Because like attracts like... so blink your eyes and embrace the new year we have all been given.

THAT time of year

There are 12 months in the year, and 365 days in those months. People float around in their own little heads, just happy to make it through their days. I enjoy those days... the ones where you don't get in anyones way, and they generally won't get in yours (except for those few, who I swear are only on this earth to be 'in your face') That is until November hits.... and then all rules fly out the proverbial window. 

Now, November is not December... but it is the December pre-cursor. It comes and people think "Oh, it's already November! December is next month! I must start shopping and acting like I have no idea that anyone else on the earth exists!" Oh, and the fun begins. 

The fun being: fighting for parking spots, dealing with traffic, fighting through swarms of people in overcrowded and overheated malls, stores and boutiques. Dealing with people who are looking for the very thing you are looking for, and have no qualms with ripping your face off to ensure they get it before you do. Fighting with overworked staff who really don't care if you get what you are looking for, because you are just another faceless cranky customer. Not to mention having to stomach the non-stop Christmas music that is poured through the sound system, which I truly believe is only there to make people more frustrated and cantankerous, because who can stay sane and calm when you've heard "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer" for the 37th time in one day. And then there are the children. Oh dear crud, the children! I love my kids, they are the greatest thing I've ever been given. But when I have to go to a store, all bets are off. I don't like other kids, with their runny crusty noses, whining and screaming in the cart, throwing tantrums in the aisles, wiping their dirty fingers on whatever happens to be nearby (even if it is your pants... yes, that happened to me). 

This time of year can either make or break you. And it seems to break many. Breaks their wallets, their spirits, their common sense and their will to live. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you know what I mean :) 

I think people just need to focus on the greatness of this time. The time to spend with friends and family. Time to evaluate the last year, and how to make the new one even better. Time to relax and enjoy the beauty in the fresh fallen snow, the pretty colored lights, and the closeness that this holiday season can bring. But I really believe that the commercialism kills it for many. 

So this year, try to remain calm, don't over indulge, and enjoy the company and warmth. Because this time of year should be something that we can carry in our hearts all year long (at least the really great parts... the rest should be avoided FOREVER!!!!!!)