Howdy Doody

I know I have been MIA for awhile.  I've had much to say, but need to be reserved.  I'm being censored so to speak, and to avoid being misunderstood or speaking of things before really thinking about it (hence my post a while back), I have been staying back in the shadows a bit.  Also, on a brighter note I have been wonderfully busy.

Work is still fabulous, although stressful.  I am so crazy about "my girls".  I'm a proud Momma of the young women they are and so grateful to be a small part of their lives.  They are patient with me as I continue to break the communication barrier.  My sign language has improved greatly, however my ASL stinks... Especially if you are asking my professor who is so frustrated with me and my old "English" habits.  I refuse to be a quitter and continue on (even through tears occasionally). I do think that I am learning everyday.  I just wish I could follow better and not miss so much of the conversations.  It is a struggle.  I do love my Boss! I could not ask for a more caring and wonderful person to work for.  She reminds me much of my friend Jill.  When I worked for Jill, she never made me feel inferior. I feel more of a team player than a worker bee.  My Boss is also very patient with my communication struggles and is very encouraging and supportive. I do believe that she is pleased with me and the job I am doing.  I hope to be working with her for years to come.  As the school year is wrapping up, the residential students are finishing up yet another year of education.  Making prom dates, practicing for the school play, busy with track and softball, and a few of my girls are preparing for graduation and what is to come.  I wrote a letter of recommendation for one of my girls as she anticipating getting accepted to RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology).  She is amazing and I am anxious to see her succeed. 
Speaking of ANXIOUS... soon we will know what Dorm we will be assigned for the coming Fall.  I am so hoping to remain with the High School Girls.  It will be a hard adjustment to have a new assignment.  Also I am in hopes that I will continue to work with the Co-Worker I currently have.  She is an incredible young woman that I greatly admire and have so enjoyed sharing the Dorm with.  We are a great team, and after some of the experiences we have had, I think we both feel pretty good together and hope to continue a team.

I am trying to secure a job for summer employment.  Trying to find a job for 8 weeks is not easy.  Our School schedule has changed, therefore, while many schools are on a different schedule, summer Nanny jobs are requiring employment through mid August, and I go back to ISD August 1st.  Being off sounds lovely but the fear of not getting those summer paychecks are too scary!

Hubby took Emily and Annie to Las Vegas this weekend.  He has business there this week and the girls are joining him for the weekend.  I considered going as well. However, I have been so Blessed to take so many trips with the girls and poor Hubby has not.  So, this was a wonderful opportunity for him to take them and enjoy a fast weekend with much to do.  They left yesterday.  Ms Emily hasn't been on a plane in about 6 years and was a tad nervous (it was Friday the 13th too).  Annie is more traveled, preparing to leave this summer for London.  Annie sent me this picture from the plane.

Splendid, isn't it?
It was a long flight with a layover in Phoenix.  They got there last night before 10pm, but with the time change, they gained 3 hours.     They got checked in at Bally's, grabbed dinner, and played some slots and looked around.  Today Hubby took them shopping.  Sounds like they all did well.  Emily found a dress, Annie shoes, and Hubby jeans.  I know they are having a blast. (Dad will spoil them and they so deserve to be spoiled alittle :)
Hubby just sent this to me.

Babies at Ceasars

Hoping they make at least one show while there.  So much to see in a short time.  Emily said its chilly so they haven't enjoyed the pool. Hopefully it will warm up!

Well, I hate to admit it... but I am enjoying the house to myself.  I have Pandora playing my golden oldies.  I have a fire in the fireplace. I'm cleaning, de-cluttering, purging, and catching up on Blog World.  Also pinning on Pinterest and nervous after reading a report on a favorite Blog of Pinterest in Jeopardy (copy write laws).. Please don't take my Pinterest away... People I have more than 50 boards and over 6,000 pins.  Yes, I have a bit of an obsession with it.  It's that great.  I hope to finish a couple of Pinterest projects this week while Hubby is away.  I'm also watching that goofy television programs Hubby would never watch with me.  Eating eggs for dinner, Capt'n Crunch for lunch and drinking a little wine too.  It's a mini vacation even though I am working too!

Which reminds me... I need to get some taxes done so I better go for now.

Hey There!

Hey There old Friends!  Remember me?  I know, I know. I have been away too long.  But, as you all know, life gets busy & we disappear sometimes from Blog World which is a good thing, except for when our Blog friends don't know where we go & worry.
So fret no more... I'm back!
Whats Up? 
Do you remember when everyone was saying "Whatzzzzzz up?"  wasn't that annoying? Glad that passed.

So... here is one of the main reasons I was ...MIA

Yes... this is my precious ASUS laptop that I am oddly very attached to.  A few weeks ago, as I reached for my fresh cup of coffee (with cream & sugar), my wrist gave out right as I was reaching with it across the laptop, causing me to pour the entire cup into this ole laptop. Seriously. I tried to rescue it, but well, it went into a coma.  Luckily, one of my heroes is related to me and knows a boatload of computer geek stuff as he works for HP.  My dear BIL , Brent, took ASUS to his home hospital where, he performed a miracle.
heavy exhale!
I can not tell you how happy I am to not only have this baby home, but... I didn't lose data! That is huge!  I am a photography whore and have way too many unprotected/un-back up-saved photos.

I am so relieved.

Second, the reason that I have been writing less in the past three months, is I am very happily busy with my job.  This job is such a Blessing.  It is the perfect fit, and I truly can say, I am one of those people that love their jobs & look forward to coming in every day.

And third.... there has been family drama.  Not within Hubby, Daughters, & myself. But outside those safe arms... on both sides of our family, separate craziness is brewing.  I found myself in a place where I knew I couldn't write my true feelings as the censorship "family" police would be up in arms and things would be taken wrong, feelings would surely be hurt (although the pain some have caused me seem to not be an issue for them). I feel so helpless when I can't "fix" things.  It really stinks.  The hurt cuts deep and sometimes you wonder if things can ever mend when it gets this crazy.  I won't go into it right now, maybe never.  There is no healing in writing about some things at this point. We will just have to see what time and prayers bring.

My beautiful youngest Daughter turned 21. I promise to do a post on her with pictures.

Also, today is Veteran's Day & I must post about it as well.

Gonna get some house work done & will return to do another post soon.

Love you all~
It's great to be back♥

Real Life Blogettes

This morning I got to meet two of my favorite Bloggers!

Very exciting!
Suspense was killing me as I waited for them to arrive.
In my little corner of the Blog World, I have a wide variety of Bloggers that I follow and enjoy.  They range across the world and of different interest.  I am fascinated with diversity as well as similarity.  Crazy that someone is so like me half way around the world.  Even CRAZIER? Finding fellow Blog Gals in my own backyard!
This morning, I drove 35 minutes to a half way location to meet two Blog friends.

Reality Jayne




and

Cindy Bee
I happily report, they are as marvelous in real life as in Blog world. No stalker weirdos here. They were genuine and I adored them!
Don't you love when you can just pick up with someone like you have known them forever? I look forward to more get-togethers and hope to meet more Hoosier Bloggers. The hours flew, and before we were ready out time was up and we had life to get on with.

I love my Blog World♥
Thank you so much Gals for meeting with me.  You both ROCK!

Blogette Gathering @ Janis' Dream House

Today is the last day you can enter to win the HGTV Dream House located in Stow, Vermont.

I have dutifully entered everyday.  I really want to win this. The contest just ended, but hear is the link if you want to see more photos:  Janis Dream House at HGTV
I'm sharing with you, because when I win, I want to have a big Blog World Party and invite my Blogger friends. Wanna see inside?

HGTV Dream House Living Room

This is the living room where we will meet and wait for everyone to get here. Herrad from Access Denied- Living with MS and Linda from Over The Fence will help me greet everyone.

HGTV Dream House Kitchen

We will get Kristen from Kristen in London and Pammy from Scotty's Place to cook in here. These two always make me hungry when I read what they are currently cooking up. Very different styles, but yummy yummy yummy!

HGTV Dream House Deck & Patio

After filling our tummies, lets enjoy the sunset, laughing on the patio with a couple bottles of wine. Emma from Garden Peas and Fleas , Cindy from The Bee Lady from Hilltop Farm , and Queenie from The Palace Post can entertain us with funny stories.  We might get some deeper thoughts from Rosaria from Sixtyfivewhatnow , Willow from Life at Willow Manor , and poor Mark {who will be so outnumbered but not care} from A Pirate's Look @ 50 . And a younger point of view from Bridgette at Lifes a Beach , Kimberly from A Spicy Boy, a Cat and My Big Ass and Erin from Dropped Stitches .

HGTV Dream House Family Room

Then we can move back into the Family Room, where Lori from Lori Times Five will show us how to make Green Sleeves and Brooke from Brookies Cookie Jar , Julie from The Harwards and Tina from akagramma can tell us funny stories about their sweet Grandbabies.
We might need to rest up. Who gets the guest room?

HGTV Dream House Guest Room

And then there's this fun room too!

HGTV Dream House Ski Bunk Room

If Darcel from The Mahogany Way brings her cuties they are gonna claim this fun room!

Wizz from An English Shepard gets the master bedroom, as there is an awesome Dog House/Bed for her in there.

HGTV Dream House Master Bedroom

We will need to rest up so we can go exploring as Anne from Anne Frannie's Green Acres , Carolynn from A Glowing Ember , JC from Lilacs & Cats , Barbara from Writings- the Ups and Downs, Ellen from Stuff from Ellens Head , Cynthia at Cynthia's Blog , Anne from Just I and Myself will get us going on enjoying the sights and shops.

Hopefully we can get Reya  from According to the Cosmology of Reya to take some cool photos while we vacation!

Anyone I did not mention, you are still invited, (this is just taking too long to post!). 

Lets hope I win! It would be a BLAST!

Beautiful Blogger!

JC from Lilacs & Cats, http://www.jcatmom.blogspot.com/ sent me this award! Yay Me! This one is soooo pretty. I am happy ! Thank you JC! I have been down and this certainly brightened my day.

JC is amazing. She is dedicated to Animal Rights, Animal Rescue, Shelter Animals... She is one of my heroes and she gets the word out. No wonder her blog followers have grown so. She is awesome and I am so glad that I found her . She takes fabulous photos of her fur balls and tells great tales of them.

Please go check her out. Also click on to her many links to help our furry friends in need!

I want to pass this Award on as well, so here goes. (In no particular order).

#1. Pam from Scotty's Place, http://www.scottys-place.blogspot.com/ . I love her! Love her blog! She makes me laugh all the time. I get giddy when she writes. I know I will either laugh at her humor, be hungry after hearing her cooking tales, or be envious from her crochet abilities.

#2. Brooke from Brookie's Cookie Jar, http://www.brookiescookies.blogspot.com/ Love her too! If we lived closer I would stalk her till she'd hang out with me! lol...jk. Brooke & I have enough in common that we have become good blogger friends. I find her inspiring and enchanting. She loves life and sprinkles happiness wherever she goes. She is Blessed to have wonderful family and she takes her bloggers on wonderful photo journeys on her trips.

#3. Speaking of trips.. Lori from Lori Times Five, http://www.loritimesfive.blogspot.com/ Incredible journeys into amazing places. Lori has a wonderful way of putting her story into words and photos. I have been following her seen earlier days (before she became famous!) she is always so sweet to me.

#4. My fabulous friend Reya from According to the Cosmology of Reya, (formerly known as The Gold Puppy) @ http://www.thegoldpuppy.blogspot.com/ Reya is also one of my popular friends (teehee). She still comes back to me & always gives me the best comments and praises. This woman has an amazing eye for art and her photography is marvellous!

Oh there are many others... But I am going to keep this to a minimum for now.

Love you all and thank you, thank you Ms JC!

01.01.10

2010
It's here!
The new year.
What do we have to come?
What will this year bring to us?

I have spent a good part of the afternoon & evening reading Blogs and comments from this past week. I feel very connected to them/you and enjoyed catching up. Just about everyone has written about The New Year.

My turn.

I am full of thoughts.
Should I say this or that?
What would my readers & followers want to hear?

I had a fun evening out last night that gave me many smiles. Sergio & I laughed all the way home. Should I post about it?

My head is very clear about my expectations for this year. Should I write about that?

Reviewing the year? I found it very interesting to read a month to month brief account of what the year brought to a couple of my blogger friends.

And, then, of course there are the New Year Resolutions. Although, my true Blogger Followers may remember that I do new year resolutions on my birthday in June.

I am listening to my New Year Songs as I type. I love these songs. I promise not to leave them up too long, but they are really good songs for the start of the year.

I think, I will just leave you with this:

I am looking forward to this year.

I will promise myself to make the most of it and embrace each day.

I will start every day with optimism.

I will be positive and try to bring that attitude with me to all I encounter.

I will be grateful and accept what God has given me and give back.

I will love my life.

Have a Blessed year my friends. Full of happiness, good health, great memories, the best of friends, may it be prosperous and the best year so far.

Number 500...almost

My Blog manager claims that last posting (Merry Christmas) was my 500th post.
Oh My Gosh! MILESTONE!
But, in reality, it is only my 476th that is actually posted. I have 24 drafts that I have yet to finish or post for one reason or another.
I have decided to thin through them, toss the ones that need to be purged. And finish the ones that I started and have a rightful place in my Blog.
To celebrate this milestone I have decided to print my postings in book form. Something just for me. And anyone that wants to see it in print here at home. There is a link in our Blogspot toolbox called Blog2Print that offers this service for a reasonable price. They cleverly have a link that can allow you to see your blog, how it will fit the pages and look. You can digitally flip through the pages and become mesmerized. Or at least that is what happen to me!
http://blogspot.sharedbook.com/blog2print/googleblogger/index.html
You gotta check it out. Very cool.
This Blog has really been a wonderful experience for me. It has exceeded my expectations. I was originally looking for a little pat on the back and recognition from friends. Maybe some understanding about what I go through. I never expected to find a world of new friends. I have "met" friends going through what I am. Be it Depression, Menopause, Oldies issues, and children issues. We are so alike. Regardless if you are my friend from South Africa, Texas, Australia, or California. I can count on advice, a little sympathy, a wish of congrats, and a simple "I care" from so many of my Blog World Friends. My friends have also shared some wonderful ideas, recipes, music, and books. They have widen my horizon and helped me to reach beyond my comfort zones.
My little "just breathe janis", has changed me. It has strengthen me. It has validated me. I am forever grateful for the encouragement to start this (thank you Sheri) and the support and encouragement to continue.
I try to carefully censor what I write. Sergio is particular about several issues and I respect that. I always make sure the girls are aware if they are posted, so they can veto if necessary (Emily, has become one of my biggest fans). I try not to write about anything that would embarrass those I love, or anyone for that matter.
I have also encouraged and helped others start a blog.
For the most part, I have been thrilled to get comments. I have only had a couple of Wackos, and a small amount of SPAM. I am lucky. Sometimes I get jealous of how many followers and comments others get, but then realize how silly that is and remember what two blogger friends told me about how overwhelming it can become and take away the simplicity. I don't want hundreds of followers and comments. Just sometimes am surprised when someone will comment to me in an email or face to face, instead of in print form. I realize that is just how it is. Funny thing, I started a Facebook to get more exposure for the Blog (and to find college friends). Within weeks, I had twice as many "friends" as I have "followers in my Blog. Maybe they glance at the blog, maybe they don't. I prefer my Blog and the comfy little~big world I have with it.
Thank you. Thank you all so much for the encouragement, the faith, the laughter and the Prayers. Without you I don't think I would have made it. My Therapist thinks you all have helped me come a long way too!
My blog has been my tears, my laughter, my hope, and my life. It's a journey that I am hanging on to for dear life. Trying to enjoy the ride.

Thank You Cynthia Louden!

This week I received my beautiful prize from Cynthia's "A Shimmy in my Spirit" blog. She is an amazing Artist and Blogger. Her studio out in California is "Willow Rosa Studios". Go to http://www.willowrosastudios.com or her blog at: http://www.ashimmyinmyspirit.com/
She has cool drawings to win her canvas art. I was the lucky winner last month and she personalized it to my liking. You must go check her out!
Her blog is fun, chic and creative. She gets you energized. I think Cynthia would be a great friend! I am glad to have found her in Blog World and love the smile she puts on my face. She even has gotten me up and dancing! Love to you Cynthia!

I've Been Dumped!

Someone just left me! I had 40 followers, and was so proud. I just posted one of my favorite postings, and tonight see someone dumped me!
I have 39 followers now.
Who dumped me? And why?
I am sad :(
Where did you go runaway follower?
Was it something I said?

...Bummer.

Coming Soon...

Sorry I have been MIA. Or as Emily so kindly mentioned, "neglecting my Blog". Ha Ha! (You are right, Baby, I have been busy!)

I have alot to say, but not sure what I will share.

ALOT has been happening in my busy little week, so I will ponder the who, what & why. Then decide.

PS.. Welcome to my Blog new followers! I am excited as I see a couple of new faces. I am anxious to catch up on yours and owe some comments to my ole faithfuls.

Stay tune, it may be a bumpy ride!

Starting off to a Good Week

I want to say something about my postings. This Blog is more for me than it is for anyone else.

Sometimes I write about melancholy subjects. I truly don't mean to upset or worry anyone. I am not looking for sympathy and I am not trying to say I got cheated in life.

I love my life.

I truly believe that every experience, regardless to how difficult, helped form me into the person I am. Who I have become.

I don't always understand why I have had to go through a difficult time, but I do know that it made me stronger.

My childhood was a "tad" dysfunctional. Many had it worst, some had it better.
It is what it is. We take what is dished out, and make the best of it. Sometimes we do not realize we are having a good time until it is taken from us.

The decision to start the Blog was to help me feel better. To air some feelings and learn to accept what is.

It has become much more to me recently. I love starting my day with a cup of coffee, and checking the blogs. I start with mine, reading comments, then move on to read my Blogger friends. The connection I have with these "Friends" is genuine. I care about them. I pray for them. I cheer when they are up, I feel sadness when they are pained. I laugh, alot. I have learned that it does not matter if you are from Indianapolis or Australia. We are very much alike. I have favorite reads. Depending on my moods. I certainly would love to meet some of these friends, as I feel I have known them forever. The similarities sometimes are so uncanny. Then sometimes I think... how odd, I would never! Mostly, I just love to peek into other peoples lives and discover how "normal" I am. How good I feel that there are other Jan's in this crazy world. I love getting a comment from you all.

So, please don't fret. I am mostly a happy person.

I look forward to this week. I feel it is going to be a good week. I am going to make it a good week, even if it kills me!