Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket, or a holding pattern over Philadelphia. - Judith Viorst

Happy Valentine's Day! I think in college I was always a cynic or just despised the fact that people felt the need to wear lovey colors and get all mushy one day a year. I remember wearing blue and turning my nose up at things. I don't mind the holiday at all. I remembered to wear pink. I sent people 'Happy v-day" messages. I really like this holiday. Mostly because I get a kick out of calling it v-box day.

Yesterday I got up and ran around. I finished cleaning, got to the gym, Home Deopt and the grocer's. And I hung a mirror that is still hanging. One point for me. Michael and Phil stopped in as part of their brotherly roadtrip and I made them brownie cookie things. We tuned the guitar, we talked and we took pictures. They were lovely. As you know... ;)



Alicia and I had decided to go to dinner and hang out for a while last night. We ate at Su Casa, where they gave us each a single red rose... which is currently over by the stairs. We drove out to Whole Foods and wandered for a while and then went to see Valentine's Day at the movies. Taylor Swift's character was really annoying. I like the ensemble cast aspect. Big names and all some how connected. I would probably watch it again when it comes out on dvd.

Also, Alicia told me people don't call ice cream places 'scoop shops'. I thought a place that you physically scoop ice cream into cones was considered a scoop shop. Maybe that's just her...

Red hearts,
JP

The Universe and You

February is shaping up to be quite the month. Part of me feels like the universe is telling me to step up and deal with miniature disasters without freaking out. And by disaster I mean things I wouldn't typically choose to deal with alone, or at all. So far I've had to buy a new washer and of course, in true Jen fashion, I researched my options ad got other peoples' opinions before making my move. I ended up wish something energy efficant and within a decent price.



I also had mice. This was by far the hardest and grosses part of my month. I actually felt violated because there was some gross little thing running around my spice drawer, sleeping on my dish towels and touching my silverware. I put aluminum foil over the silverware after washing it for the second time and the lovely little creature crawled up under my protective barrier. I ended up getting a kind mouse house to catch and release the bugger. I set it up the day after I descovered mousey presents in my drawers. I realized after a couple days that it was never leaving the drawers to wander the kitchen so I removed everything from 4 drawers and put the trap in there with a bar of baking crisco. It ate part of one bar so I thought I could trick it with the second. This Saturday, a week later, I discovered the trap had a mouse in it and of course, I screamed. It took me 6 hours to gain the courage to release the mouse. I packed him up along with cleaning gloves and mittens, and drove over to a parking area by the train tracks a couple blocks from here. I placed the trap on the group and just looked at it for a bit. Opening it was freaking me out. I was afraid the mouse would jump out and I'd have to run away. Have to. I tried to get the cleaning gloves on but decided to just wear mittens, open the trap fast and run away. I succeeded in this plan but also got to see 3 mice instead of just one. 1 was no longer alive. He looked like he was attacked by the other 2. And the other two couldn't figure out how to turn around and run from the trap. I tried to help them without touching them but it didn't work, so I left the bottom of the trap there and figured I could always go throw it out in a few days. But the thought grosses me out. I hope they found a nice home with someone else.


This is the trap before I opened it. That is a label with a mouse on top and a leaf next to it. Michael was concerned that was a real mouse in the picture.

Cause I am me, the universe and you.
JP

Every day is the start of something beautiful. - Matt Nathanson

January 2010
The first week was quite trying. One thing after another. Jocelyn and I decided to spill it all and put all the negative out there so we could get past it. It worked. There were a few pieces of the first week that I keep thinking back to that make me smile, so I'll say it was still okay. It was also really really cold during the month of January. Really cold.

On the 2nd I set my resolutions for 2010.

1. Read 12 books. I set the goal of 6 for the last 2 years. I read and listened to about 30 this past year. 12 should be easy.
2. Music. Take guitar lessons, self teach, join a gospel choir, play the keyboard more, or take up a new instrument like the ukelele. So far I've contacted people about guitar and voice lessons. I'm leaning toward some vocal lessons.
3. Make a monthly goal. I was hoping to work on some fears this way.
4. Be more fugal with money. Set up that retirement fund, spend less on randomness, save more.
5. June Goal. I set a weight/ health goal to make by the trip in June. JT and I are rewarding ourselves for meeting our health goals by going on a trip.



JT came to visit the second weekend. We ran our mini missions and tried to make new food. That Saturday we went to get me a haircut, had breakfast at Cohen's, stopped by the outlets while downing coffee, met up wth Chris B. for lunch at Archie Moore's in Milford and Whole Foods. We rested for about 5 minutes and then drove to Flats Tattooing in Waterford. I finally got my tattoo and met my January goal. While JT was here we decided our trip should be to San Francisco and Seattle. Yay! I booked the flights a few nights after and we decided we're taking the train between San Fran and Seattle half way through our vacation. Lots more to plan over the next few months.



Nate turned 3 on the 23rd. He's a little crazy and the two kids at the store is very difficult. Nate was running back and forth between the ATM and then threw a melon while Maddie took off with the onions. I made a big blue crane cake and we dressed in our favorite Wiggles colors for the party.


That night JT had a Mary Kay party/ girls night. Missa and some others came. Maddie also got to play with us. OH and Jennt taught Maddie to say "Auntie". Very exciting!

On the way back down that Sunday I stopped in Portsmouth to meet up with Jackie D. I had planned on having a late lunch with her and getting back to CT in a good amount of time. I wandered Bull Moose while I waited for, we met at the Friendly Toast, walked around the area, went to get coffee at Breaking New Grounds and walked over to Coat of Arms to people watch. I ended up staying through trivia and drove back down here at 10:30pm. Though it made for a long day, I think it couldn't have been a better day.


I took this one in Madison the morning of the 28th.

I should also note that I finished 3 books in the month of January.

And I've added more weights into my workouts to help reach the June goal.





CT Heather had 2 baby showers in the last week of the month. One at school and one at La Luna for the family. The Friday before her family shower her mum and I helped her put together the last of the shower gifts (chocolates... mmmmm...) and finish setting up the nursery. Heather and I had time to run errands and pick up food at the pub before I dropped her off at her massage. I picked her up an hour later so we could eat and put together Alicia's birthday present. :) I was the photographer at her shower but used her camera. Everything went well, the food was great and I want more chocolates.

January turned out to be okay but I'm glad it's over.
LOVE! JP

A Year in Review 2009. Imagine the Images.

I haven't written in a year, almost to the day. I'll do the 2009 update according to the pictures.

January

After the Philly visit there were only a few days left of the month. Only 2 things stick out in my head.

1. I got hit by some girl while leaving the grocer's and it got blamed on me.


2. Nater turned 2. We bought him a balloon at Walmart and didn't think about holding it when we walked outside. It flew away and I chased it over a snow bank and through the parking lot while yelling for people to grab it for me. Cris stood by the car trying not to pee her pants.

February


Superbowl was at Josh and Heather's new house with Sue.


Cris came down to pick me up while my Jeep was in the shop. We had a sisterly V-day. Thai food.


Josh had his birthday brunch.


We went to Michael's and he made us dinner. This was part of it.


JT and I met up with Jackie D. for coffee in the Old Port.


Maddie and Molly were baptized. Now Maddie is also my Little Godlady. Richie's too.


This was also the last time I saw Bri. Gosh, that's horrible.

March
March is supposed to be a month that drags on due to the school schedule. Looking back, I'm pretty sure it flew by.


To start off with, the Jeep was fixed. Yay!


I went to Milford to see the St. Patty's Day Parade and drink some beer with Chris and Ali.


Spring came and flowers started showing out in the garden.


I bought a vegan dessert cookbook and attempted to make some cookies. I like baking.


It rained a lot.


And was sometimes sunny.

April
This was a busy month of planning Heather's bridal shower. We had meetings to prepare for things.


I started reading this book and still have about half left. I also tried to sit and eat dinner quietly every so often.


Spring really hit Branford Center by April. I got some of my favorite pictures the day I took this one.


I'd get bored while driving between schools in Madison.


We had Heather's bridal shower and I made the center pieces.


I started walking to the gym and wandering the center more often.

May


Dave turned 30 and I drove to Maine.


Melissa, JT and I went to visit Whitney and Baby Bren.


I got quite sick and had to take a whole day off due to doctor's orders. It made for a boring day.


I participated in the relay. We had a lightening storm that night. Lightening hit a pole outside our tent. I've never seen Alicia move so quickly.


At the end of the month we had our ABAI conference in Pheonix. My favorite part was the farmer's market. I also liked the night we stayed in, ate pretzels and watched tv.

June


We had Heather's bachelorette party one weekend. It included time in Mystic, spa time, dinner out and a sleepover.


And then she got married and we did "wedding party shots" and played "Have you met Jen?". It was a good time.


At the end of June JT and I drove out to Ohio to spend a week.


For my birthday I wanted to go up to Chicago. Dad drove Mum, JT and I up. We spent time with Tony and ate lots of food. Totally worth the drive.


Happy 27th birthday to me.


July

The weekend of the 4th Mum and I drove to the Cape where we saw the Andersons and the Petersons. I want to go back this summer.


We saw Dan while Mum was visiting.


JT had her 27th birthday in Maine.


I'm pretty sure H came to visit this weekend because I wouldn't have randomly taken pictures around Yale campus on my own.


And to end my month, Michael and Sharon got married. Love!

August


I had to change my plates over from Alabama to CT. I was a little sad. I spent the rest of the month in CT and tried not to travel too far from town. We had a week off between extended school year and the regular school year starting. I'd walk to the green on Thursday evenings to listen to live music and I'd take pictures of the flowers.

September

The first weekend we all flew down to Florida for a weekend of Anniversary stuff. Cookouts, dinners and parties. We fit in beach time as much as possible.


As many family members as we could get together.


Beth's pre bridal weekend included brunch and shopping with 3 Jen(n)s. I stayed with JT one night and we made lots of good food from scratch.


The following weekend was Maddie's 1st birthday party.


And Beth got married.

October


I didn't take many pictures in October. I took pictures of leaves, I baked and I think I just hung around due to so much recent travel.

November


New Haven in the fall. It was definitely cooler out.


Thanksgiving baking.


Blanket making.


Cris got a new haircut. I'm getting good.


The first time Nate didn't completely freak out while getting a haircut. My first time using clippers on him.

December


I finally took some pictures of the Madison shoreline.


I went to a Christmas party in New Haven. It was a good night but terrible driving back to Branford. A storm hit while I was out.


And I drove back in it but was worth it. I enjoyed this one.


And what the storm left me the next day.


To end the year is Christmas in Ohio. The kids are a little bigger. BJ is a little crazier. Ohio was chilly but we got to see everyone and spend time together. I also read, caught up on Bones and watched a few movies. Airports were busy but people were still nice.

All in all, 2009 was a good year. Certain days stand out, like past years. It brought time for friends, family and happiness. Thanks, 2009.