Fancy, New Blog!

Come visit my new blog-home....

http://alongtheohio.wordpress.com/

Moving along

And so I've decided to redo this blog thing once again....I'm moving to word-press and rethinking how I want to use this interweb-posting mechanism we call BLOGGING....

I'll keep those who want to know posted when I resurface...until then, take care & peace be with you :)

love love,
jessie

Not Chicago

This post has nothing to do with Chicago.
I know, I promised Chicago details...but if I tell you, I'll have to kill you...all..and then where would we be? Or...maybe the time has just passed and I got insanely busy with the Meaningful Day Open House EXTRAVAGANZA....which turned out really well =) Thanks to all who helped. Most notably, my amazing husband who rocks at life.

Now...I think you all should take a look here at this book series I've been wrapped up in for the past month. The Hunger Games is the 1st of the trilogy, followed by Catching Fire and Mockingjay. The 1st book introduces you to Katniss, a teenage girl living in a post-apocalyptic society. The government in this new society hosts an annual event called The Hunger Games which is televised throughout the nation and used as a warning to deter any rebellion against the government. The Hunger Games are a brutal and somewhat unfair competition that Katniss finds herself involved in. The book is an easy read and full of action. I won't spoil anything by telling about the other 2 books, but I will say that I loved the first and second, but found the last book a little disappointing...so many other ways I would have ended the story. After speaking with a few friends, it seems other people we dissatisfied with the ending too. However, I think it is still worth reading the books.

Peace :)

Plug

Oh the things to see in Chicago! I love visiting big cities. More to come - but - let me say just this for tonight...if there is a Renegade Craft Fair anywhere near you...ATTEND. Even if you don't have a spare cent to splurge on origami earrings, knitted goods, journals made from old book covers, magic wallets, or fun prints for the home...go, look, and maybe you'll get some ideas to make something of your own!

http://www.renegadecraft.com/

Makeover 2010

In the past month: Matthew and I have rearranged our house, stained and added furniture, gone to war with the weeds in our yard, moved his classroom in the newly renovated high school he is teaching at (still FC), and moved Meaningful Day Services (my job) into its very 1st building in Southern Indiana. Classroom set ups for a teacher are grueling enough...add to that working on our own home and assisting with moving, cleaning, painting, and organizing an entire building for a company that has been literally living out of cars, boxes, and home-offices for 3yrs. We used to hold our staff meetings at coffee shops...Now we have a conference room! We barely had the budget for the building itself...and through donations from our client's families to the employees of the city of Jeffersonville to a local Catholic school...we are nearly all furnished. We are also refinancing our home through the bank in exchange for a sweet interest rate.. All I can say is that God is good and faithful and so, so generous. But also...we are so exhausted this month...and I think "exhausted" is kind of an understatement. I have definitely had some angry "WHY can't I be sitting on a beach right now" moments....some "2 Pina Coladas" moments.

It feels like everything in our lives is being renovated right now. Our work spaces are different, my job is different, our home is different, our bills will soon be different...crazy life! But I suppose if we're going to be so busy it is good to be busy with exciting, positive things. I've just been a bit overwhelmed...I think Mattie has been too.

Another positive to report...my Grandma is now able to be in her own home after a LONG battle with hip surgery + infection + more hip surgery + rehab. Yippee!


Maybe Next summer we can take a real vacation...

"Now I’ve got a smile
That goes on for miles
With no inclination to roam

I’ve gotta say
That I think I’ve gotta stay
‘Cause this is feelin’ more and more like home

So bring me two pina coladas
One for each hand
Let’s set sail with Captin Morgan
And never leave dry land"

Puppy-wuppy

Alright folks! Its cute, sweet, adorable, mischievous puppy-time!

Parker snacking on apples, playing with Lena, & my VICTORY at the bathing him battle....

Retraction...

I suppose an apology is in order. I spent an entire 20 minutes recounting my frustrations with the weather a few days ago...flipping out about the little lightning bolt things covering our local forecasts...and do you know what!? All my complaining was for nothing...because the clouds parted between the hours of 11am and 2pm on Tuesday (for swimming!). THEN, the rain held off from 9am until well after 2pm for our zoo trip. AND today the chance of rain had completely diminished. I'm also sorry you have had to sort of walk thru this little meltdown with me :)