Fun Things to Do with Little or No Money

This year has been a whirlwind.  I am so glad that today is the last day of school.  I love summer.  I love every season, but I love summer because my children are home.  I am especially excited this summer because my oldest is home from college.  It is a treat to have her around.  I missed her.  I am also excited because I am not working 5 days a week.  I love my "job" at the old folks home, but I am a stay at home mom.  Someone asked me what I do the other day and I said, "I am a stay at home mom."  Then someone else who was with us said, "You drive a bus."  Well, yes I do, and I am also a teacher by degree, but I am a stay at home mom.  It is all I ever wanted to be.  You see, my priority is my children.  If you think about priorities as balls, Family is a glass ball.  Work, Time to Myself, Friends, Activities, Demands, They are all rubber balls.  They bounce when they are dropped.  Family is a glass ball and it breaks when you drop it.

I have many fun things planned for my family this summer.  If you spend your life looking forward to the big vacation then you will spend 51 weeks of your life disappointed.  I choose to savor the little things.  Last year I wrote a blog on fun things to do with the family on little or no money.  I deserves a reread this year as summer is here.  Here is a link to it.

http://funthoughtsonlife.blogspot.com/2013/06/fun-things-to-do-with-little-or-no.html

I would like to add a few things to that list for this year.  I am going to take my children to Burgess Falls in Sparta, Tennessee.  I have heard great things about it.  Here is a link to check it out.http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/burgess-falls

A trip to Rock City is a quick drive from Nashville and is something any age child would love.
http://seerockcity.com/

The Frist Art Museum is free on Mondays and I plan to take my children there this summer.  Even if you go on another day besides Monday, youth aged 18 and under are always free.
http://fristcenter.org/

Regardless of what you do with your family this summer, remember that the family ball is glass.  Treat is accordingly.  I wish you all the best summer ever!  I know I plan to have that with my family.

Don't forget me when you need a speaker for your next event!  Check out my website at http://www.funthoughtsonlife.com/ for more information and how to contact me!


Enjoy!
Jennifer

The Best Advice I Ever Received

I have been working on a book for close to a year now. At this point, I am not convinced that I am a book writer. Life gets in the way of long term writing. If God wants me to finish the book then it will happen. If not, then my children will have a nice memoir of their mother someday and her musings. It takes a lot of time to sit down and write a book. And the problem for me is I feel like my thoughts are all random. To put them into a book seems more like a toilet book or a coffee table book that would be something people would read while on the toilet or sitting for a moment. 

And then there is the topic of what to name the book. Fun Thoughts on Life?  Uniquely Genius?  Everyday Extraordinary?  These are things that keep me up at night. I feel that if I had a title, it would all flow. I think that God doesn't require a name right now. I think he says, "write it and don't worry about what it will be called. I will let you know when it's time. It will all make sense soon."  

My "job" is what is getting in the way of finishing the book right now. I don't have enough time to keep it flowing and the chapters coming when I am focused on driving Blue Hairs to doctor's appointments and Walmart. It's where God has me right now and I like it. So I feel like He doesn't need me to finish the book right now. He needs me to feed those who can't feed themselves. I'm ok with that. 

The best advice I ever got was from an elderly lady in a fabric store. I wish I could remember who she was but I can't. What I do remember was what she told me. She was looking for fabric for a quilt. I stated to her that someday I wanted to make a quilt. I said I would wait until my children are grown because now I can make clothing for them and want to focus on that and not worry about a quilt. She said, "Honey, if you want to make a quilt, make one now. Look at my hands. I said the same thing when I was young like you and now that I have time to make a quilt, I can't because my hands are crippled with arthritis. Whatever you want to do along the way, do it then. For tomorrow may never come, and if it does, you may not be able to do it."

I have never forgotten that advice, made a quilt at that time and now have no desire whatsoever to make a quilt. So I am glad I took her advice and did it when I wanted to. There are quite a few other things I have done when I had the chance. I'm still working on the book, but it is slower going than I ever wanted it to be. I am going to be like Nike and Just Do It when I want to because I may not be able to later when I have more time. 

Seize the day today and do something you always wanted to do. Let me know what you do!

Thanks for reading my blog. Please subscribe in the box at the right. If you are on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click on "view web version". Then you will see the box at the right. 

Also, don't forget to hire me to speak at your next event!  I can speak on your topic of mine. Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com for more information!  

Jennifer

Tattoos

I love tattoos. I don't have a single one and I would not get one. There are several reasons why I would't get one. First is that I never could decide what I would want to have for the rest of my life. I think if I like to rearrange my furniture I would decide that I don't like my tattoo anymore and it would be permanent. I also would never get one out of respect for my mother. She would flip if I got one. 

But I really like certain tattoos and people who are covered up in them don't scare me. I like their company. Some of the nicest people I know are covered in tattoos. If you turned my skin inside out I am covered in tattoos too. I think they are cool. Something that bothers me lately is that I think we are judgemental towards those who have a lot of tattoos. This trendy look of 2000 will be what the generation of war veterans who are now in their 70's-90's who have the pin up girl on their forearm or the Marine Coat of Arms on their bicep. It's normal to see an elderly man with their military tattoo. So many have them. The same will be true of the tattoo styles of today. It will be normal to see a heavily tattooed elderly person because many folks will be in that catagory in 30-50 years. 

Tattooing is also keeping our artists employed and making money. Artists have difficulty finding steady work and income. Their canvas is skin. Some tattoo artists may have been starving artists if not for the trend of tattoos. 

I am suggesting that we refrain from passing judgement on people who have tattoos nowadays. Most of them are the nicest people out there. And some of the most judgemental people fill our church pews on Sunday. If Jesus came back today I am convinced he would not darken the door of the church building. He would be in the tattoo parlors and on the streets mingling with the people, the lost. Not suggesting tattooed people are lost, just saying that I think Jesus would be out among the people instead of filling the church pews. Maybe we should be more like Jesus and mingle among the people in addition to worshipping with the congregation. 

May we all be less judgemental today.  Thank you for reading my blog. Please subscribe in the box to the right to receive updates when I write a new blog. 

Jennifer

I'm Not Valerie

I was going through the checkout and noticed the front page of a magazine. It showed Valerie Bettinelli now and a year or so ago. She was a spokesperson for Jenni Craig and did commercials for them for a few years. Yes, she looked great in the bikini picture. But I am suggesting she looks great now. 

That picture of now is not the most flattering picture that was ever taken. But I have been thin and fat and in both conditions I have had photos taken that were flattering and ones that weren't. 

I am certainly glad that I am not Valerie. I have gained some weight back this past year and I am so glad that my picture isn't plastered in the checkout reading "Jennifer Gained 50 Pounds".  The truth is that last year when I was so thin I felt horrible. I liked the way I looked but I was feeling poorly because I didn't have enough nutrients and fat to sustain that thin weight. When I started eating normally again, I felt so much better. And I gained weight. Just like Valerie. 

I saw Valerie on a daytime television show a couple of days ago and she addressed her weight gain with the host. She talked about how much better she felt and how her age played a role in her size at this juncture in her life. Me too. She said that she felt like her new role would be to be a spokesperson or a voice to women who are middle aged and happy with their bodies. Me too. 

Everyone, no matter what the age or body size can find clothing that is flattering and looks good on them. Some styles just don't work for tall people. Some styles don't work for short people. Some styles don't work for overweight or thin people. 

I am Valerie. I am the person who is happy with who she is today. Making healthy eating choices and exercising regularly. If I am heavier with that lifestyle then I can embrace it and be happy with myself. Truth is, no one really looks stellar in a bathing suit. Not normal people anyway. Sure, there are some attractive people who look good in a swimsuit but the majority of regular people look better with clothes on. Flattering clothes. My opinion, doesn't have to be yours. 

Let's embrace the body we have. Love ourselves for who God made us to be. Let us make healthy choices and move more. Let us embrace healthy. Healthy is the new thin. I have made the mistake of thinking "Oh if I could wear size 6 jeans I would be happy". Truth is I am just as happy now as I was wearing size 6 jeans. Happiness is not attached to numbers. It is from within. An attitude of people who focus on God and not man's standards. 

Have a fabulous day!  Please consider me to speak at your next event and thanks so much or reading my blog!

Jennifer

A New Recipe and a New Title

I looked up the qualifications for the coveted Wife of the Year award and one of the criteria is "make homemade pimento cheese salad while your husband recovers from surgery". 

Well my husband loves pimento cheese and I do not share his adoration for the spread. Me and Mrs. Grissom are not friends. But, I made him some homemade spread today and he loves it. So if you were in the running for wife of the year, the race is over. I got it in one quick swoop with a recipe for some stuff to spread on bread. If you are a pimento cheese fan, try this one:

2 cups extra sharp grated cheddar cheese(I bought block and grated it myself)

1 block softened cream cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

1   4 oz jar pimentos drained

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

Salt and paper to taste

Mix all together with a mixer on low speed until blended.  Spread on bread or crackers and enjoy!

Now this is how I feel about pimento cheese:

But my husband was quite happy about it. Try my recipe and let me know what you think!

Jennifer

Wife of the Year

Loss is Gain

I had the best, most exhausting weekend I have had in a long time. In the face of tragedy, I watched The Lord work His magic. I was so blessed to have a front seat for the show. God is the best screenplay writer there is. We are all actors in His drama. 

My 43 year old cousin died tragically on Friday. He just didn't wake up. It is always sad for a young person to pass. My heart aches for his wife and two young children as they are left to live life without their father and husband. 

Growing up, my cousin and I were like peas and carrots. We played together while our parents visited our grandmother. We were the closest in age of all the cousins and we both were the two youngest of the cousins. As adults, we had only seen each other once in past years. At that time I met his wife and first born. My cousin taught me how to suck a honeysuckle. I will never forget that day. We had gone to his house in the country and we played outside while our dads visited. He took me to the row of honeysuckle and showed me how to eat one. Life skills 101:  suck honeysuckle. Everyone should learn. He taught me. 

For whatever reason that doesn't even matter now, my dad and my aunt had not had contact with their brother for years. They missed him terribly. We all wondered if their brother, my cousin's dad would be at the funeral home. He was too sad to attend our grandmother's funeral so thus, our wondering of whether we would see him for his son's funeral. The loss of a child is the worst pain anyone can experience. We all ached for my aunt and uncle, my cousin's parents.  Upon arrival at the visitation, we saw my uncle. My dad immediately went to talk to him. It was a moment that was years in the making. My dad had missed his brother so much. 

My uncle was so sad. Sad that he had lost his son. Sad that he wouldn't receive the daily call from his son to borrow a tool or give advice on fixing a car. Feeling pain that is unimaginable. In the face of pain, my dad was comfort to my uncle. No matter how much water had been under the bridge it didn't matter. What mattered was two brothers, together again. I sent this picture to my aunt who was going to be coming to the funeral later. She had waited and prayed for years for this moment. 

My aunt arrived the next day and was able to be reunited with her baby brother that she and my dad had not seen or heard from in years. It was the best day of my life to witness the love. 

Their other brother is in heaven. The last brother is in Michigan. Their other sister in heaven. Tragedy brought healing. The loss of my cousin bridged a gap that time had made bigger. The reason is unimportant. The important part is how loss brought gain. Tragedy became triumph. Gap became bridge. Heartache became healing. I loved watching my aunt talk to my uncle like they never missed a beat. 

It was the best day of my life watching my dad, my aunt and my uncle reconnect in a way that would never have happened without losing my cousin. Hearts were opened this weekend. 

Way to go, God!  Excellent work. Thanks for the front row seat to see how you healed a family through tragedy. I heard my uncle say to my aunt through teary eyes yesterday, "I don't know how I would have made it these past few days without you."  They exchanged numbers, they will stay connected. 

My cousin is smiling down from heaven at the healing of our family. Great work, Johnny. You did good. 

God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes he works in horrible situations to bring glory for the greater good. My heart aches for my cousins wife and children and his parents and sisters. I don't think we ever get over the loss of a child, husband, father.  My prayers of comfort for all of them. 

Thanks for reading my blog!  Please consider me to speak at your next event! I can speak on your topic or mine. Visit my website at www.funthoughtsonlife.com

Have a great day and pray for my cousins family!

Jennifer  

The Gift of Hearing

Last year, almost exactly a year ago, my oldest daughter was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. She got hearing aids and, much like the man who dipped three times in the river Jordan, was healed. Our audiologist informed me that my daughter's hearing loss was hereditary. I immediately thought she must have gotten it from me because I never have thought I heard very good.  So I not only had my hearing tested but the rest of my family too. No one else had it except me. I was diagnosed with mild hearing loss. Hearing aids are rediculously expensive if you get quality ones. So we opted to purchase them for my daughter and not for me for the time being. 

Last Tuesday, I was driving an adorable little ole'Blue Hair to the doctor's office and she said something to me. I asked her to repeat herself not once, twice, three times, but FOUR times and I still didn't hear what she said. I agreed to whatever she said as not to have her repeat herself again. That afternoon I got to thinking "I have no idea what I agreed to with my little lady friend."  Then I went to the audiologist and had my hearing tested again. Same diagnosis as last year for me. Mild hearing loss and severe tinnitus. My ears have rung very loudly in a very high pitch for my whole life. I thought everyone's ears rung like mine do. But in my adult years, I discovered that my ears ring and others's don't. 

I was fitted with hearing aids that day just to give me a chance to see if they made a difference. The doctor said my form of hearing loss was like trying to play a piano when half the keys are missing. Sometimes you may be able to make out the song that was being played because the melody uses keys that are on that piano. Other times, I may not make out what is being played because the melody used keys that aren't on my piano. Which explains why I can hear some people and things and not hear other people and things. 

I am extremely proud of my hearing aids. I feel like I have been healed of an infirmity that I did not realize I had. I have shown them to anyone who would look at me. I am so proud I can hear. And the moment they put them on me, the ringing quit. When I take them out, the ringing starts again. I don't have to cup my ears to hear anymore. 

Here are some discoveries from the world of hearing for me:  

1. The microwave scared me to death. It must have been in the range of pitch that I couldn't hear. I didn't realize it made noise when it cooked. 

2. My oldest daughter's voice is beautiful. I could hear her before but now her voice sound like a real person and not a 2 dimensional person. She must not have been completely in my range of hearing. 

3.  My other two children and my husband's voices are the same. They must have been in my range. 

4.  At church yesterday, the singing was beautiful. It always sounded like only sopranos were singing. Now I can hear the harmony in 3D. Before it sounded like 2D. I kept plucking my hearing aids out to hear what it used to sound like and was overly amazed with the new sounds. When I take my aids out I feel like someone is shoving bananas in my ears and expecting me to hear. 

5.  Money was not in my range of hearing. I was in kohl's and the lady was counting down her drawer and I kept looking for where the ceiling was falling in or someone was throwing rocks through the window. Then I realized that money made a clinking sound when you toss it in a drawer. No telling what a ceiling falling or a rock going through a window really sounds like. 😳

6. When I take my hearing aids out, my ears feel physically heavy. I always felt like I wanted to go have my ears washed out because they felt so full of something. Now I know that they were heavy from not being able to hear all sounds. Once I put my hearing aids in, they feel light as a feather. It is really strange. I feel like a baby who is discovering the world. The bonus is that I am not a baby and I have enough wisdom to truly appreciate being able to hear. 

7.  The most noticeable difference is that I don't talk super loud anymore. I have always talked loud. I thought I was just a loud person. I'm not a loud person. I was a person with hearing loss. I talk softly now. It's very noticeable. 

8.  I have found myself to suddenly be very quiet. I am enjoying doing more listening than talking. It's like discovering the world all over again. Did you know that birds make a chirping sound and little dogs bark in a high pitch?  I just found that out. I also just found out that you can listen to the radio on low volume and still hear it. I have always listened to my music loud-or so people said. It's sounded fine to me. Now I listen to it low like most people do and I can hear it just fine. 

On this St. Patrick's Day, may we all appreciate our hearing, may the wind always be at our backs, and may we all be grateful for the gift of hearing. All glory to God for healing my ears with aids. 

Please subscribe to my blog in the box at the right. You can fill in your email address and will receive email updates when a new blog hits the press. If you are on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom and click on "view Web version". Then you will see the box to subscribe. Don't forget to hire me for your next event to speak!  

Have a great evening and enjoy the sound of a toilet flush and appreciate the fact that you can hear it!

Jennifer