Friday, October 29, 2010

The Process: Getting Dressed


Alarm goes off.
Alarm goes off again. And again.
Get out of bed.
Shower.
Put my face on.
Coffee. Yes, I need coffee.
Sit and read for a bit.
Blow dry hair (sometimes)
Say “good morning” to my groggy hubs.
Get dressed.
Brush teeth.
Run out the door.
That is pretty much my morning routine for every week day. Sometimes I opt for coffee before I put on my face. Sometimes I don’t wash my hair (thereby skipping the blow-dry part). Sometimes the alarm goes off a few more times than three. Sometimes I tell my hubs about the weird dreams I had during the night. (My dreams are usually very bizarre.) Nonetheless, my process generally stays close to the same every day, with the exception of getting dressed. It has its own process altogether.

Most of the time I am dressed and out the door 30 minutes before my hubby, so he doesn’t witness my “getting dressed” process. However, he finds it comical when he does watch me going through “the process.” He thinks it makes no sense that you could be “feeling” one article of clothing one day and not another day. To him you either like the shirt (or whatever it may be) or you don’t. Men and women are very different in this area. Or perhaps I’m just weird. I mean, not liking the color brown on any given day doesn’t make you clinically insane does it? Of course it doesn’t! Changing outfits is not a crime. That would be silly. If it was I’d be in big trouble.

People are different, and so are their “getting dressed” routines.

Here’s how my hubs gets dressed:
“Hmm…these jeans are clean. This shirt looks good. Okay, great.” He puts gel in his hair and then he’s done.

Here’s how I get dressed:
“Hmm…what do I feel like wearing today? This shirt? No, I’m not feeling that color today. I didn’t wash my hair this morning, so that means it will need to be put up. Well, I’m not wearing that because I don’t like to wear it with my hair up. Hmm…I really want to wear these boots today. What goes with them? Darn, the pants I want to wear with them are dirty! These might work! Ok, now what top? Let’s try this one. Eww, no! This one works. Ooo, and that will look cute with these earrings and this headband. Hmm, now I need a belt with this. Where in the world is my brown belt? Oh here it is. Ok, this is coming together. Yay. This bracelet would match too. Ok, I like this. I’m ready.” I put my hair up. Then I am done.

When I lived at home, I remember my sister would start off her morning by sitting in front of the closet for what seemed like an eternity. She’d sit there until she came up with an outfit (especially on Sundays) and also to wake up a bit before getting in the shower. (That last bit is just my speculation on the matter.)

Very different approaches, eh? I’m quite sure my dear hubs did not pick what he was going to wear today based on his shoes (like I did). Sometimes a whole outfit will revolve around a pair of shoes. That’s not so with my hubs. As a matter of fact, he wears the same 3 pairs of shoes every day and they are all a variant of brown. BORING! (I love you babe and I am not in any way saying that you are boring.) Basically all his shirts match with those shoes. Is my wardrobe the same way? Far from it! I love variety.

In conclusion folks, people are funny. They are diverse. They have different tastes, styles and routines. I love to hear funny “getting ready” stories. If you have any, by all means pass them along!



Thursday, October 28, 2010

Hate Mail



Yes, yes. I am sending hate mail (to Mr. Weather that is) for being so dreadful. Yesterday was so icky!
Here it goes:


Dear Mr. Weather,
I suppose you think it is very witty of you to procure such horrid weather so close to November. We should be enjoying crisp fall days, but you have us sweating. I mean really, 90 degrees? And in late October! We’re supposed to be curling up in blankets, but instead we have our fans on. I know, you just want us to pay more money to the electric companies. They bribed you didn’t they? Admit it. You sicken me. How much are you getting? Are you happy that you are ruining the joy of fall-time? Can your money ease the guilt you will carry for the rest of your life? Huh buddy? What do you have to say for yourself now? Badly done, badly done. You are a vile man and I hate you.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Jennifer Blair

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Ha, hap, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I love getting dressed up. I always have. Pretending to be someone else is a ball. I am very excited that we get to do just that this Friday.
WE’RE GOING TO A HALLOWEEN PARTY! (If you can type at the top of your lungs, that’s what I just did.)
This is the first time Jonathan and I have ever dressed up together. In years past, I went home most weekends, and most of the time he had to work anyway. But that’s not the case this year! The hubs tried on his costume last night and it looks AWESOME! Mine however, need some work. The best part about dressing up (as a character) is getting to act like them. There will an accent going on for sure. Fun, fun, fun! We were definitely practicing our lines last night in front of the mirror. Don’t judge. You know you’d do it too if you were dressed up like us.
We are going to be ______. I would tell you, but if I did I’d have to kill you. I don’t want to kill you, so I will refrain for your sake. (Insert mischievous giggle here.) But don’t worry, you shall find out soon enough. If there is something special going on, rest assured that I will take pictures. Lots.
Here’s a clue about what were going to be. I love guessing games.
Where guns and swords and treasure abound, there you’ll find this lad and lass are found.
Do you know yet? Any guesses?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

What's In a Name?




"What is in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Nay, Shakespeare. I think not my good sir. If a rose was called a “Ploofinmizer” (which is a word I just made up), I am certain it would not smell as sweet. Names are very important.
For instance, there is a town that I know of called Two Egg. I am not kidding. Can you imagine if the President of the US revealed that his home town had a name similar that? I can hear the laughter now. That name just doesn’t evoke the same prestigious air as a city such as Jamestown, Philadelphia, Jerusalem, or Rome.
Good writers will tell you that names matter as well. I am certain that Elizabeth Bennett might never have become beloved by so many if Jane Austen had given her the name Fannie Fainfeather. Or what about Sherlock Holmes? He wouldn’t seem nearly so clever if his name were John Brown. What if King Arthur, Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere were called King Knut, Sir Belch and Lady Bertha? Might you find them as romantic then? Ha ha! In literature names are clues to the identity of the character. You just know that Gandalf the Grey is good and that Soromon is evil by their names. How could a man named Voldermort be anything but cruel and a woman named Lilly Evans be anything short of angelic? Much is in a name.
Have you ever met someone that didn’t fit their name at all? It’s quite comical really. It would be amusing to meet a very tall model named Sally Short. (I am laughing at the mental picture in my head!)
After all that being said, you should know that I absolutely love my name.
Jennifer means “fair one” and is of Welsh origin. It is a variant of the name Guinevere, who was King Arthur’s wife in the Arthurian tales. (Which is really cool to me. I love those stories!)
Christine means “anointed” or “Christ follower” and is of Latin origin.
Blair is a famous Scottish surname, originating from the pre-9th century Gaelic word “blar,” meaning field, plain or battlefield. There were many prominent men named “de Blair” in Scottish history.


I love that my first and last names now have Celtic origins. And in the middle I have a very “Christian” name. Call me an odd-ball, but I was really excited that Jonathan’s last name was Blair. I had always hoped that I’d marry into a good name. (Not that my maiden name is bad, just very common.) I love the way it rolls of the tongue! I feel that it fits me very well.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m the only one that feels as such about names. Needless to say, I’m going to have an extremely hard time choosing names for our children (especially the girl’s names). Then again, Jonathan jokes that we’re going to have 4 rambunctious boys. Maybe I won’t have to worry about it after all. I like lots of Celtic boy names anyhow.

BTW, I’ll take any suggestions for elegant, somewhat uncommon girl’s names! Not that I need to worry about that for quite some time (Lord willing). I just want ideas!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Wit Wonder

I like to read when I feel like my life is boring. Sometimes I bang my head against a wall, but most of the time I read...I also might cook, clean, watch TV, go for a run, write, organize, or take pictures, but that is besides the point. Today, (which is all that matters) my life feels boring so I read. Why I felt compelled to type "witty quotes" into Google, I cannot tell you. But what I can tell you my dears is that I found some great comedic relief for my life just now. Let me share of few of them. Prepare to be amused, if you are into that kind of thing.

  • If pro is opposite of con, then what is the opposite of progress?

  • Every rule has an exception. Especially this one.

  • Nothing is more discouraging than unappreciated sarcasm

  • Hyenas laugh becasue they know what's coming next

  • You win again, gravity.

  • The real trouble with reality is that there's no background music.

  • Sarcasm helps keep you from telling people what you really think of them.



    I hope you enjoyed.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Newly-wed goals (Check up)

Back in June I posted about my newly-wed goals. Well folks, it's time to weigh in and see how I'm doing.

My goals were as follows:

HOME:

1. Learn how to cook meat well (my last attempt at steak didn't turn out as well as I would have liked)
  • Yay! The first goal has been successfully completed! The crock pot has come in handy for meat.
2. Try a new recipe once every 10 days
  • Ok, I was good at this for a while. Life just seems so busy these days. I try a new recipe around once every 2 weeks these days.
3. Find healthy go-to meals for the Mr. and myself
  • I've found some...but not nearly enough!
4. Finish sorting out all of our wedding things that are stacked in our spare room
  • DONE!!!! Our spare room is finally organized and semi-decorated. I guess it is as decorated as a spare room needs to be.
5. Thank you notes.
  • I've done half. Do I still get a good grade on this one? Etiquette says I've got up to a year right?
FITNESS:

1. Start my running routine again (I stopped my daily habit soon after we got engaged)
  • I started running again 3 times a week. However, I've slacked off again lately. Maybe I'll run again today? No promises though.
2. Go on a bike ride every once in a while (which means getting a bike :)
  • I fail this one. I still don't have a bike and I've yet to even get on a bike.
3. Drink more water
  • Check. That one was easy.
FAITH:

1. Spending more time in the Word in the mornings
  • I'd be lying if I said I didn't (still) struggle here. I'm up and down these days.
2. Pray for my husband and our marriage every day
  • Not everyday...still working on it.
3. Pray for the ministries around me
  • Better, but still not great.
4. Seek out more ministry opportunities
  • God has been so good to give me opportunities to serve Him. I hope He entrusts me with more!
5. Become an encourager
  • I started with my husband and I'm slowly trying to encourage the other people I'm around daily.
6. Pray for the opportunity to go overseas again soon!
  • I might go to Turkey next Spring. I'm still praying about that!
FRIENDS:

1. Make some new friends in Dothan! (Lots of my good friends don't live close to me anymore. Sad day)
  • YES!!! I've made more friends. I'm so thankful for them!
2. Throw a fabulous diner party complete with three courses
  • Wahoo! Yes I did. I loved it. It's about time for another one as well.
3. Have a fun game night
  • Jonathan and I bought Life and Clue. We played together one night if that counts. Or maybe we played at the dinner party. I don't remember.
4. Have a "girl's lunch" once every couple weeks
  • Nope. I meet with 3 other girls every other Thursday though. (It's lots of fun!)

Well, I suppose it's time to make some new goals. However, I will have to think about it for a while.

Stay tuned!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree

I LOVE Christmas Trees! I am so very excited to announce that our first Christmas tree came in the mail today! At first I didn't think we were going to be able to get a tree. We don't have much space and I definitely didn't want needles falling everywhere. I happened to find a gift card to Crate and Barrel left over from our wedding presents, so I went online to see what they had. To my utter delight they had this cute little tree! It is perfect for our living room!


How cute is this little guy?

I can't wait to dress it up with some homemade ornaments and such.

I'm thinking about making a cute card tree like this for the dining room.

I'm planning on make some book page ornaments like this...

And some cute sheet music boxes like this.

I was also able to get some adorable birch bark candle holders. 

I am totally loving the natural minimalist look for Christmas decorations. I want to put up a ledge near the tree to hang stockings from. To bad it's not time to decorate for Christmas yet. Oh, Christmas come soon please!



Tuesday, October 19, 2010

My husband has cupid's arrows



Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with love for my husband. I don't know if that is normal for a newly-wed or if it will happen for the rest of my life. (I'm hoping it's the later.) Most of the time it catches me completely off guard. I'll just be driving, brushing my teeth, or working on a project. Suddenly I will think about my handsome man and then...

WHOOSH!

It hits me. I am swept up by love and transported to a perfect utopia. There's nothing like it. Everything is suddenly viewed through love colored lenses. I see nothing but the one my heart belongs to. I could be doing the most mundane task in the world, but I will feel as if I'm floating on a cloud. My heart swells like the crescendo of a symphony. My soul writes the most beautiful music, the kind that can only be heard by the one consumed by it. It is glorious rapture.

He isn't always there when it happens. But when he is, I wonder if he sees it in my eyes. I wonder if he feels the heat radiating from my bursting heart. I don't think he realizes how much he triggers it. Or maybe he stole some of cupid's arrows. Sometimes, all it takes is one small token of affection and my heart swoons. Sometimes it's only a glance.

Someone once said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. I think they were right. There are moments when my eyes meet his, I find that I see past the brown iris facade and into the the soul. There I find the essence of the man I love. There's no fear, no trying to cover up...There lies layers upon layers of the quintessence of my husband. It it is complex, intriguing and mysterious. I love to see it.

Marriage is quite a mysterious thing indeed. And I thank God for it.

Thus I end with one of my favorite sonnets about marriage and love. Props to you Shakespeare.

SONNET 16


Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
That alters when in alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! It is an ever-fixed mark
It looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Who's worth's unknown, though his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved, 
 I never writ, nor no man ever loved.


Glamping. Say what?

So apparently "glamping" is the new way to camp. I must admit, it looks pretty stinkin' awesome. Whoever thought up this up was a genius. Nature + tents + sleeping bags = fun. Nature + a humongous ten + a really big comfy bed + a nice bathroom = something no one can refuse. Of course it's probably on the pricey side. I don't think I'm quite that high up on the totem pole. One can dream.


Ok, so I'm going to dream that I am staying here tonight









I am in awe that we can take anything and turn it into luxury. I feel like I am "glamping" in my spiritual life sometimes. The Bible says that we are sojourners in a foreign land. We are temporary residents. Yet how often to I settle down and make myself comfortable? Hmm...food for thought.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Birthday Addendum

My mother told me this weekend that I better blog my birthday festivities at home this past weekend. I always listen to my mom, so here it is (per her request).

I had a wonderful time at home!  I was welcomed home by a large camper sitting in the drive way. My parents recently purchased it and I was soon given the tour. After that we looked at my wedding pictures and enjoyed the evening together.

The next day the girls went shopping.

We ladies had a wonderful lunch at JJ's Bistro.

It is a quaint little French restaurant.

Lunch proved to be quite hilarious. We decided that we make mistakes in life because we are happy. Apparently mom was really happy after lunch because she couldn't find the car. Love you mom!


I was very excited about shopping at the Town Center. Where I live, shopping is not so great.

I found some FANTASTIC deals. I came away with some great deals!
  • Urban Outfitter sweater: $20
  • Black Silk Dress from the Loft: $15
  • Cute army green top from the Loft : $6

Then we returned home for a family celebration. I opted for pumpkin pie in lieu of the customary b-day cake. Luke was absent due to being invited to the UF vs. MSU game. I might forgive him one day. Maybe.

PRESENTS!!!!

Michelle found the entire collection of Jane Austin's works. I was thrilled!

YAY for fall clothes! They really are my favorite. I'd prefer a scarf and sweater over a tank top and shorts ANY day.

I thought it was very appropriate to end with this lovely picture. My littlest brother looks so intelligent.

We ended the evening by watching Anne of Green Gables. So fun.

It was a good weekend. The end.



Saturday, October 16, 2010

I'm not young enough to know everything


  

 Lately I've started reading Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. I have loved the story for as long as I can remember. On long trips with the family it was the movie of choice. I do believe we watched it so much that we wore out the poor little VHS tape! This story (along with the Box Car Children) was probably one of the reasons I had a fasination with orphans when I was a kid. Imagination was the fuel of our afternoon play-times. We'd run out into the backyard pretending to be orphaned princes and princesses, making up whole worlds as we romped.

Though this tale is so beloved, I never thought of reading the original. (I don't know why it hadn't occured to be before now!) Let me just say that I am LOVING every bit of it! I feel like I've stepped into the realm of my childhood daydreams again. 'Tis a wonderful place indeed.


I feel like I could be Wendy. I'm the oldest too.

This is us as kids. Really! I'm Wendy, Matt is John, Michelle is Tink, and Luke is Michael. I'm sure Barrie wrote this about us. I just know it.

Adorable Michael is so endearing. I hope my little boys are just like him!

Oh the lost boys!

Smeed has to be one of my favorite characters. I can't tell you how much we laughed at his folly.

There's something so magical about the imaginative realm of a child. It's not hard for them to believe things. As adults we rationalize, calculate and come to cognitive conclusions. A child will just take you at your word and think twice about if it's "rational" or not. They naturally have a trusting spirit. They are also well aware that they don't know everything. They're always learning, always asking questions.

I need to me more like a child sometimes. I need to take God at His word instead of trying to figure out how I can work things out. I need to trust Him without a second thought. I need to follow Him with enthusiasm. I need to seek to learn from Him. I need to have a sence of wonder at the things of God. I need to be more like a child. Indeed I am a child of God. There is no reason to be so adult-like with Him.

I am reminded of an old hymn my family used to sing in Bible time (our daily devotional time with my mom), Trust and Obey. When I hear it, I think of a child walking through life holding their fathers hand. May I do the same.


Trust and Obey

Stanza 1:

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way
While we do His good will
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Refrain
Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

Stanza 2:

Not a burden we bear
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He does richly repay
Not a grief not a loss
Not a frown not a cross
But is blest if we trust and obey

Stanza 3:
But we never can prove

The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay
For the favor He shows
For the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey

Stanza 4:Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet
Or we'll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

Refrain

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Home is where your mom is, of course!

It's true. Home is where your mom is...and your daddy, sisters, brothers, dog, hamster, and where all your old stuff from when you were a kid is kept. Or at least that's how it goes for me, especially the old stuff part. My mother probably doesn't know how much junk I still have packed in the closet. (Insert mischievous snicker here.) But then again she might read this. Dang it. My secret is out! Maybe? Maybe not?

Moving on.

Home is a wonderful place. I love to walk in the door and take in the smell, that is after I get past the laundry room. (You never know what you might smell with 5 younger siblings wreaking havoc all over the place.) I might be crazy, but my house has a certain smell. I think every body's house does. Admittedly, some smell better than others, but they have a distinct scent nonetheless. One of my relatives homes smells like laundry detergent and Lysol. My Granny and Granddaddy's house always has a fragrace of fresh baked/ cooked something or other, mingled with hints of nostalgia.

But home...(correction), my parent's home....

That home has such a welcoming aroma. It's almost like I get a wiff of the very beams the house is made of... I smell the essence of the place. I can't put my finger on exactly what it smells like, but I do know that when I take it in...I am home. I don't quite have that same feeling about our town house. I love coming home (to our apartment) because it means I am coming home to Jonathan, to our life together, to diner, to comfort, etc, but it's different. Maybe it's because I know we're not going to stay there. Then again, I've always had a feeling that I might not ever have a permanent home. I've never really felt "tied" to a place and always been ok with moving across the state or across the world.

More on that later.

Anyhow, I get to take in the smells, sights and sounds of home very soon, this Friday actually! I haven't been home since August and I am so thrilled about seeing everyone. (Minus my oldest little bro. He will be missed!) I love them all so much! I'm going to upset if they've changed even one little bit. The sad thing about being the oldest of so many brothers and sisters is that they change while I'm not around. I miss their parties and games. Oh well, such is life. Thus, I'm going to make the most of this weekend and revel in every single second with my precious family.

As I leave I'll drink up the aroma of home until I'm full. Then I'll put it all away in a safe place in my mind, so I can pull it out to savor when I miss them.


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My 1st Birthday As Mrs. Blair

Being married is da bomb. It makes everything in life better...like birthdays. I had a fan-STINKIN'-tastic birthday. There's nothing else in the world like your birthday. It's a very special day. I always wake up excited on mine. Nothing special may happen the whole day, but it still feels magical. Sigh!

My birthday this year was full of surprises, though not nearly as big as last years engagement surprise.


This is what my bosses surprised me with on Thursday. I wasn't expecting anything, so it made it incredibly sweet.

Then my aunt, uncle and cousins visited me at work and left me flowers!

Upon my arrival at home, I found a card addressed to "wife" (I assumed that meant me) on the coffee table. The contents were full of sweet things, and directions to meet my dear hubs at his work-place.

We then trekked to a place of eating...a Japanese hibachi restaurant. YUMMY! We were there exactly one year ago. It was the night we got engaged, except I had no clue about what was soon to transpire in my life. My gorgeous ring turned 1 year old! Oh the memories!


It just so happened that the hubs had Saturday off after my birthday. We decided to make the most of it by taking a day trip to PC. We were able to visit with most of his dad's side of the family, as well as my aunt, uncle and kiddos. Afterwards, we wasted away the evening at Pier Park. I came away with a lovely lightweight jacket thanks to my boo.

The only thing that was NOT lovely about the day was the temperature. I wanted to wear my cute fall things, but NO! It had to be hot. Fail, fail, and fail. I wore a long-sleeved shirt out of pure spite for Mr. Weather. I hope the he gets my memo. I might throw a tantrum in the near future if he continues this horrid behavior. Right now he sure is acting like an annoying little brother, except I can't really put him in his place. I tried tattling to Mother Nature already, but she doesn't listen very well. Alas! Maybe I should consider sucking up to him. Hmm, I'm not sure exactly to go about that. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Don't judge a book by it's cover

Crafting.

It's in my blood.

I'm serious.

I used to make lots of crafty things in high school. I even had my own little (and I mean little) business called, The JenChristine Boutique. I made all sorts of cute accessories such as purses, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, belts, and so on and so forth. It was a nice way to make some money without having to work at McD's, which was just about the only alternative. Now that I look back, I was probably a bit eccentric. I couldn't help it really. What better way to express yourself as a teen than with what you wear and how you decorate your room? Ok, maybe you could write a book or do other smarty-pants type things. But I'm a dreamer, and sometimes it just overflows into what I put on, my music, well everything...including little crafty things here and there.

One such example is my love of books. Books really are so wonderful. You can read them, decorate with them and (last but not least) craft with them! This love has overflowed into my home decor, our wedding, and lots of other embarrassing fashion items that I used to wear. (Let just say I made them, and I'll leave it at that.) I have tons laying around the house. Thus, I decided to have a little craft project with the ones I didn't like as much.

So without further ado, here is how I made a book page canvas:

First, there are several things you need:
  • Mod Podge
  • Paint brush
  • Canvas
  • Glue gun
  • Books!
Step 1: Put all your supplies out within reach.

Step 2: Tear out the pages you want to use. I added some scrapbook paper to my collection for a pop of color here and there.

Step 3: Layer your pages on the canvas.

Step 4: Paste the pages down and then put a layer of Mod Podge over all the pages. Let dry.

Step 5: Fold the edges over and glue in place. I used Mod Podge and the glue gun.

Step 6: Let it dry completely.

Now you have the finished product!

 I hung it over our bed. The photo doesn't really do it justice. It looks WAY better in person.


I will definitely be making more of these in the very near future! It has so many possibilities!


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