Getting Back to Normal

Ever have one of those perfect moments?  When you back to think about it, all you can do is smile.

That was Saturday afternoon after work.

I went to meet up with my family and brother at a local bar.  We haven't all gotten together in a very long time and it was nice to all sit there, laugh and tell stories about things going on in our life.  It was amazing, especially after all the troubles from last week.  

To be with some of the people I love the most?  In a place that I enjoy a lot?  It was wonderful.

It's Always a Good Time

Ever have one of those weekends that was so amazing, when you try to put it into words, they don't do any justice to it?

That was this weekend for me.  I wish I could account all the wonderful details, but whenever I try, I fail miserably.

Magic Mike.  Beach.  Patio dinner with the Milford family.  Margaritas.  Laughing until my stomach hurt with the Milford loves.  Prepping for Bar crawl.  Celebrating birthdays.  Sitting on the grass. Long lost friends. Cake pops. Pictures.  Fireworks.  Sam Summer. Oomcha Music.

A bunch of words that may not mean anything to anyone else, but it makes me smile to know I had such an amazing weekend.

Throwback Thursday: Simple Plan

Anyone remember Simple Plan?

I'm pretty sure this song came out when I was in high school and I loved it.  Last night it came on my Ipod and I remember how much I loved it. 


There's really no back story to this one.  Just that I really enjoy listening to a good throwback jam. And I couldn't help but dance around singing along when  I heard it last night.


Enjoy.

Even When You're Sleeping....Keep Your Eyes Open

Compliments get me every time.  I'm not good with receiving them because I never expect them.  But I guess that's what compliments do, they sweep you off your feet to make you feel special for that moment, or night, or day.  And I may not be the only one who is bad with receiving compliments, but when I do get them, and they are from good people, it honestly makes my whole day.

These past two days, random people have made my day and I don't even know if they realize they have done this.  And I'm not talking my family and friends because they really do rock.  But acquaintances, co-workers, customers.  And I feel this warmth in my stomach and a smile on my face for most of the day.

One of our regular customers came in today and told someone who was being helped by Holly that I was the best.  And he said it yesterday too when he came in.  He's the one who always makes it a point to come over and say hi to me and ask how I am doing.  And part of me knows he really do care.

Tonight, I was on this website for work and one of my coworkers praised me.  I didn't really think people notice my smile, or how I try to stay positive.  But here she was (and she is one of the nicest girls I have ever met) basically telling the company that she doesn't know how I do it.  Really?  I mean how can that not put a huge smile on my face.

To hear people want to say hi to me when I'm on my break, or make a solid effort to do things in appreciation of something I have no trouble doing?  Jeez, it truly makes a girl feel special.  I mean a lady brought me (well the pharmacy, but she made sure I was working too) cookies today.

I've felt spoiled.  And it comes at a time when I was feeling a little down.  So to get these compliments from people who may not be total strangers, but people who don't really know me all that much, it really makes my heart swell.  It means I'm doing something right in making others feel important.  Truth be told, I love seeing other people smile, to see that twinkle eye when they know someone cares.

Compliments....they really do go a long way with making this girl feel like she's a star.

Strong Enough To Lift Both of Us

To continue on with sharing my love for music, I think you should hit play on the song on the left and listen to a combination in music that many people would not expect.  Which is one of the things I love most about music, hearing a country girl sing with a rapper.  Ah-MAZING.

Funny to think that song kind of goes along with this weekend.  When you have good people around you, they are willing to lift you up and be strong enough to help carry you when you need help.  And boy, have I felt that countless times with my friends, but also witnessed it this weekend.

My friend Pam went off to training for the Air Force (I am probably wrong about this so I apologize Pam).  She has been dating my dear dear friend Louie for a while now and he was devastated when she left.  So we all tried to take him out and keep his mind off of it as much as possible.  

On Saturday night, we surprised Louie with Pam showing up at the local pool hall when he thought she was returning home this Tuesday.  I never saw big teddy bear Louie cry before Saturday night.  It felt amazing to surprise a friend with such a good surprise.

Sometimes, I wonder about being strong enough for the people around me, and not letting them see at my weakest points.  But then I think to myself that those people I try to keep out have seen me during my low points and have stuck around.  I don't understand why they do stick around most of the time, but I guess that's what you do when you truly care about someone.  It's a give and take with who has to be strong for the both of you at specific times.

And in Other News....

For the past two Thursdays, my friends and I have gone down to the bar at the local hotel to do trivia.  Not many people attend, or even participate, but it's still a fun time and we get to test our knowledge.  Yes, we are secret geeks and I'm okay with that.

Well, yesterday there were three teams playing which does in fact include our team.  We knew one of the other teams, but the third was a random customer at the bar.  No big deal right?  Wrong.  

The jerk on the team we didn't know was a HUGE tool.  Like screaming across the bar that we were cheating and using cell phones.  Oh, I'm sorry that we just are good guessers or know what we are doing.  Or that we have people who want to TEXT us when we are at trivia.  Our bad.

The first time he did it, we just laughed it off and ignored it.  The second time, it pissed me off because he went on a little longer with his rant.  So what did I do?  I started screaming back.  Yes, I, Jennifer, started to scream across the bar that he needed to calm down the the accusations of cheating because we DID NOT get the question he was bitching about right.  

I was proud of myself that I stood up for the dignity of my friends and I.  But also, I did something I never in a thousand years imagined I would.  I yelled at some random guy across the bar for being a HUGE tool bag.  Surprisingly, the possibility of a bar fight was thrilling and I wish he would have continued with me but he didn't.  He did end up trying to push my answers away, but turns out he dropped out of the contest anyway.  And we ended up second out of second. Gooooooo us!!!

Where Are All the May Flowers?

April showers bring May flowers is what the old saying states.

But four days into the month, I think I have seen more showers then the whole month of May.  It's totally fine though because the Earth needed a good watering, but still, some sunshine soon would be a nice thing.

I keep dreaming about the sunshine and summertime.  I changed over my closet yesterday which means I saw all my summer dresses that I hope I get to wear a lot.  And I just got so excited for the possibilities of the summer.  Last night when I went out for dinner, we talked about all the fun adventures we wanted to do.  Summers always hold great memories with my friends and I and we plan on documenting and creating those memories like crazy this year. 

I can not wait for these May showers to go away to give us some beautiful summer weather.
 

Here Comes the Sun....

I'm all about the summer.  It's my best time.  If you notice, the past year plus I have been dealing with these stomach things, I am best when it's the summer.  It's winter or spring when I have a flare up and while the steroids might not let me feel beautiful, summer is when I feel the most like me.

Now because summer is starting, I am making plans.  Big plans.  Because last summer was a magical time, and I want this summer to be the same, if not better.  How are you going to do this Jen, you may be asking yourself? Simple, I'm gonna share some of these plans with you.

1. Jump Signal Rock.  It's not even an option at this point in time.
2. Start running in preparation for my first 5 k at the end of the summer.
3. At least one concert on the green complete with picnic and good friends
4. Beach days
5. Bar crawl with the Milford kids
6. Tons of pictures
7. Backyard BBQ's--including christening Shannon/Brendan's place with a few
8. Bluefish games that include Seas visit after
9. Classy night out with everyone---we get dressed nicely and go out for a nice dinner somewhere we normally don't go. 
10. Dave and Busters
11. Beat Tom at Scramble with Friends
12. Create the ultimate summer music mix--obviously including Everything Tonight

Since I was a little kid, I have always believed the summer was a magical time.  This summer is not going to be any different.  With all of us together, we are going to have a wonderful time kids, just you watch.

Keep Me In Mind

I realized today while I was reading old posts that most of my titles are song lyrics. Go figure.

The other day I was told "You are one of the greatest people I have ever met".

Go ahead and try not to get choked up when you receive this ultimate compliment. I couldn't. 


Thank you.  Honestly I don't think you understand how much this means to me.

Do What You Love.

I have not read through this whole list.  But when you see online that someone has completed a list of secrets and tips to share with the world, that definetely means I need so share that website with whoever is still reading this thing.


Some of these things I whole heartedly agree with.  I feel better when I do work out, whether that be running or dancing, I feel better.  Which is why I'm trying to start working out again.  And the sun?  It's amazing, although I believe they should say life becomes so much easier at the beach.


Starting your day off right is completely important.  This summer I was told every morning that I was beautiful.  While I don't necessarily need someone to tell me this, hearing it from a very important person in my life always made me wake up with a huge smile on my face.  Which is another life secret.


The most important thing I think on the list is about love.  Do what you love, surround yourself with people who love you and keep the people you love close.  I try to push people away, and I do apologize for that, but I try very hard to keep those people I love within my inner circle.


And by inner circle I mean in arms length to give a huge hug to whenever they need it.


So whoever still reads this bad boy, please click the link down below.  And expand your life with these helpful tips and secrets.

Little Life Secrets

Shots From Washington

The bride looked absolutely stunning....like a Disney princess.  The crappy weather left just in time for a blue sky for the ceremony.  Vicky and Dave looked so happy to be getting married to each other that it brought a smile to my face.  I honestly was honored to be part of such a wonderful wedding, with some of the nicest people I have met in a long while.  And to have so many Disney songs play?  Fabulous

Hey Hey Hey Goodbye

As many of you know from either my facebook or an email from my mom, HENRY IS DISAPPEARING!!!

The doctor told me yesterday that the blood clot has gotten much smaller and it's almost gone.  He wants me to continue with the Warfarin until after my trip to Washington in July.  Originally he said I could be done with it in June, but when I mentioned the trip he said stay on it till after I got home.  He said I didn't need to do blood work every week anymore but every two weeks.

And he also told me to just live my life.  At this point in the appointment I started to cry.  Huge surprise right?  He told me to let it out and stressed the fact that I needed to live my life and not worry about Henry anymore, that stressing is not going to help anything.

I did tell him how difficult it was to deal with Dr. P telling me every week that my INR levels continue to decline and that it was somehow my fault.  He proceeded to tell me that I do not need to worry about my INR levels, that they change throughout the day and that if it was between 1.5 and 2.5 then it was fine.

What's the most frustrating thing about the whole thing is getting two different stories from the different doctors.  But I'm going to trust the experts.  And that means I don't have to worry about Henry anymore, and I can even enjoy a glass of wine (his words not mine).

I cried once again outside and my dad told me I have to start to trust some doctors.  I think he understands why I don't because it's been different stories for four months, but after four months I finally am told good news.  That the freaking clot is almost gone!  And it's finally sinking in that four months to the day I have finally reached the point I never thought I was going to.

So July be expecting a fiesta of epic proportions to celebrate, if that's okay with the parentals.  But I need some celebrating the fact that Henry is GONEEE.  And sorry to say this Henry, but I won't really miss you.

You Know What It Is

Here's the deal; I love UConn basketball probably the same level that die hard Yankee and Red Soxs fans love their team.  I love the Red Soxs as well, but UConn basketball games make my anxiety rise during close games.  While last night's championship game was no where near that type of anxiety, only when they drained that three at the end of the half, I was beyond words for how excited I was that they won.

I mean this team was not expected to do ANYTHING.  A team of mostly freshmen, with a few sophomores and a star junior, nobody really thought they would do anything.  Then they won the Maui tournament, and started to take the world by storm.  Maybe not the world, because UConn had a bunch of haters with the NCAA troubles from last year, but I mean they sure did shock me every chance they got.

I remember back to my senior year, when Kemba was just starting out.  And now he has brought the championship trophy back to the little farm town in Connecticut.  I loved how Olander cheered and celebrated like crazy after the win.  I love all the videos of the boys dancing.  And I love how at a bar full of older people last night, cheers erupted after we won the game.

 The man.  The myth. The legend.  I don't know what it is about Jimmy Calhoun but I really do love this man.  Maybe it's the fact that he freaks out when his players do bad.  Or the fact that I can now call when he will pull a player out right after they mess up on a play.  Or maybe it's because he truly does love this team and has never discounted them for anything.  But I'm SO freaking glad he won this game.  What a way to end a season, and possibly even bow out gracefully

Then last night they won; of course it was after I graduated, but I couldn't be more happy.  I loved watching the press conference, I loved all my fellow alum statuses and I loved seeing all the videos from people I know still on campus.  What I wouldn't give to still be on campus, to go see them as they arrived from the airport, or even to go to the parade.  While I wish the game was a little more exciting, I am still so freaking happy that they won, with the help of the supporting cast more then anything else to gain the win.

Sitting Waiting Wishing

This title is relevant in two completely different ways.  Remember how I said Fridays were similar to American Idol result shows with my INR levels?  Well Dr. P has been failing at giving me said results.  This is the second week in a row that I'm sitting on a Sunday night not knowing what the results from WEDNESDAY were.  Seriously, I understand I got the blood drawn late on Wednesday, but I should know by now.

And watch her give attitude when giving my INR levels like last time because they went low again last week, as if I should know why it isn't staying consistent.  Plus I should be giving her a bit of an attitude for not being more prompt with my results.

I'm seriously over doctors.

The SECOND thing I'm waiting for is tomorrow night at this time.  Which means I'm outta work and waiting for the UConn game to begin.

Last night I watched UConn beat Kentucky to get into the championship game tomorrow evening.  The game was not pretty by any means, I was made fun of by my friends for taking it so seriously.  In the final moments I was so nervous I turned my back for a few seconds so I didn't have to watch.  But we won!! And I love this picture of Kemba; it's rejoicing after a hard fought battle (or just a difficult game because it really wasn't that great of a Final Four game) to come out on the road to the championship game.

And Butler's coach? Completely reminds me of a my boss.  I asked him today if he gets that a lot.  He kinda laughed and said he's heard it a few times.

So here I am waiting for results.  One that directly affects my health, body and well being, and the other that doesn't necessarily affect my health, but my well being and happiness? One could say that is possibly.

I think I'm okay with people thinking I'm weird about my love for the Huskies