The Jenna Daily

Top Ten Thursday: 1/26 Edition

Jenna — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:16:39 +0000

Since it is a new year, a lot of people in the blogosphere are resolving to post more often. My motto for the year is “Make Yourself Proud” (a.k.a. do the right thing, don’t feel guilty, etc.) so one thing I want to stop feeling guilty for is not blogging as much as I want to. According to Brad it’s a faux pas to promise to be better about blogging, but I don’t care. Plus, I’m feeling inspired, so … take that.

Here are the Top Ten things I’ve been up to since you heard from me last:

Not only did I paint my bathroom, I also painted my bedroom! Warm Embrace! I love it, though I’m not going to post a picture until the wall is fully decorated. (Soon, I promise. I’m getting antsy.)
I’ve been cleaning up kitty footprints o’ Warm Embrace, since Honey decided it would be super fun to jump into the full paint pan and then — after realizing it wasn’t such a super fun idea after all — she jumped onto my [white!] bedspread and ran all over my [light!] carpet. Pretty sure the bedspread is ruined, but I haven’t tried too hard to get the stains out yet. It kinda just looks like I have poop on my bed. (I don’t.)
I’m in the middle of creating a new headboard. I haven’t had one since I was about 11 years old, so I’m really excited. I just feel like a headboard creates a more finished look to a bedroom. Also, I’m pretty sure it will involve glitter (my current obsession), so that’s pretty awesome.
What else have I been doing? Not working out, that’s for darn sure. I’ve kind of boycotted exercising this month, but I’m planning on starting again Feb. 1. Hopefully by then all the New Years Resolution Gym-Goers will have given up and it won’t be as busy. Fingers crossed!
I just joined Netflix again today, and added a ton of movies and tv to my instant queue. So pumped to get caught up on all the goodies I’ve been missing out on. (I’ll probably cancel after one month, but hey, it’s only a loss of $7.99, and really, after I watch Helvetica it will have paid for itself.) :)
I canceled my Match.com subscription as of Jan. 10. After three years, over 20,500 profiles views, and no dates, it was getting to be a little more than disheartening. On a positive note, before I left, I emailed a few guys of interest to let them know if they were still interested, they could contact me outside of match (and gave them my email address). And they all did! I’m curious to find out what will happen, if I’ll end up meeting any of them, if we’ll hit it off, etc. Oh, the possibilities!
I also got asked out (on a real date!) by a friend-of-a-friend the other night. The main question is: Will he follow through? (Usually they don’t.) There’s definitely potential, but I know I’m still guarded, so we’ll see.
I have been working really hard at getting to work on time and staying motivated while I’m there. It’s helped to be able to be a part of the office organizing and decorating committee (there’s not really a committee, but I would DEFINITELY be on it if there was). It’s also been great to have my BWFF (best work friend forever) start working full time. We work together really well, and let’s be honest, it’s just much more fun.
I dyed a few strands of my hair turquoise. That’s pretty fun. I feel like a punk rocker (or at least my hair does).
I’ve been looking forward to a lot of things: this weekend’s 1st Annual Girls Day in Rochester; Feb. 11 – Twilight: Breaking Dawn 1 dvd release (and forthcoming “movie release screening party” with my parents); Feb. 28 – my first of many appointments before my sleep study; a massage – someday! – my shoulders/neck are practically broken; hmm, I feel like there are a ton more things I’m looking forward to, my mind is just blank right now. Sorry. (I’m not really sorry.)

Regardless of what Brad says, I do really want to post more this year. I think about it every day, so you’d think I would take the five minutes every day to post something. Even if it’s dumb. It’s still something. Right?

Bathroom Makeover

Jenna — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:52:09 +0000

Last night I finally painted my bathroom a nice warm grey color and put up the shower curtain I got about a million years ago. Ok, so I guess it was only a year ago — ahh, I just looked, it was exactly a year ago! Hilarious. Anyways, I’m really excited about it. It’s new and fresh and calming. I love that. I still have to hang up the artwork, but otherwise it’s just about done. Up next: my bedroom wall!

2011 in review

Jenna — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:56:43 +0000

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 12,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

The Jenna What???

Jenna — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:53:06 +0000

One of my goals in 2012 will be to blog more often, preferably daily, to live up to my blog’s title. (I am planning on making a list of the 12 things I want to do in 2012.) Just sayin. Even if it’s stupid stuff. It’s fun to go back and read the chronology of my life, even if it’s kinda mundane. So, hang in there readers, it’ll only get better from here.

p.s. I’m obsessed with my Family Feud & Friends app on my phone. The end.

Coming soon…

Jenna — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:23:40 +0000

Just wanted to say hi and apologize for the lack of posts lately. It has still been busy at work, although my main reason for the hiatus (unintentional as it may be) is because I’m pretty sure I had bronchitis the last week or so. Not only was my voice super awesome and squeaky, I had a killer cough that kept me up most nights. Good times. I slept the majority of the weekend and I think that really helped.

Anyways, there will be more coming soon, I just wanted to thank all of you for being patient and for the few of you that still check my blog on a daily basis (in hopes that there will be an update, perhaps? You may want to look into subscribing via email or reader… just sayin’), you’re the best.

Top Ten Wednesday! 11/23 Thanksgiving Edition

Jenna — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:26:33 +0000

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are the top ten things I’m thankful for this year:

My family. I’m thankful for my ever-loving, ever-protecting, ever-beautiful mommy; for my most unconditionally caring, generous, goofy dad; and for my wonderfully uniquely humorously gifted brother who I thank God for with each new day. I love laughing with them, having great conversations, and spending time together. I feel extremely lucky.
My friends. I’m thankful for real friends that support me, encourage me, and challenge me, and for feeling like an extension of my already amazing family. (And for forgiving me for not always being the best friend, but also understanding where I’m at in life and being patient with me in the process.)
My pets. Finny – who greets me with a smile every morning, in the way only a goldfish can; for sticking with me for almost 6 years (especially when I don’t have time to clean his bowl and he swims around in his own sludge). Milo, for being such a precious big-boned kitty, for having such odd quirks like jumping into the fridge and pawing around if he doesn’t like the way something smells, and for being even more relaxed now that he has a buddy to play with. And my sweet little Honey girl, for coming into my life at just the right time and being so playful and curious and just being the cutest little friend for Milo to play with. It melts my heart to know that they all (well, with the exception of Finny who pretty much keeps to himself) get along so well.
My job. Even though I wish I made more money, I am thankful for a great place to work, with great people, and for a great institution. It fits me well and I really do love it.
My condo. After living there for almost five years (in February! Wow, time flies…) it actually feels like home. I love that I live so close to work, so close to the gym, and really, so close to just about everything. I know I’ve been antsy about making some changes around my place (which I’m still planning on doing), I am thankful to have a great place to live. Oh, and my bed is there. That alone is worth giving thanks for. I love my bed.
God. Endless thanks to God for never drifting away from me, even when I haven’t always been as faithful, for never giving up on me, and for loving me unconditionally.
LA Fitness. I’m thankful for my gym because, without it, I wouldn’t have lost 15 pounds last year and allowed me to feel better about myself than I have in over 15 years. Also thankful for all the cute guys that work out there. It makes the long workouts a lot more manageable when there is a plethora of eye candy.
My phone. I love having an amazing phone. I can do/find/look up just about anything all with the touch of a button. It makes me feel infinitely more resourceful just by being in my pocket.
Bravo television. Yes. I’m thankful for Bravo. For being so strangely entertaining, but also since it’s the only cable channel I still somehow get, it all consistently reminds me how excitingly normal my life is. For the Millionaire Matchmaker, for all the Real Housewives, for Fashion Hunters, even for Top Chef (and I don’t even like cooking shows).
Christmas! I love Christmas! And now that Thanksgiving is almost here (and almost over!), I can start listening to Christmas music and decorating and wrapping presents and all that other great stuff that comes along with Christmas. (You know, like celebrating baby Jesus.)

Top Ten Friday: Special Edition

Jenna — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:25:17 +0000

It’s been a busy week and haven’t had a chance to post anything since Monday, so I’ll do a special Top Ten Friday edition.

Here are Top Ten things I’m looking forward to this weekend:

Leaving work to pick up dinner for Emily and me tonight, and then hanging with Jax (her kitty) and watching a movie. A nice low-key Friday night.
Sleeping in on Saturday morning.
Possibly getting my hair trimmed (a.k.a. fixed from the horrible experience earlier this fall).
Getting all dolled up and…
Going out on the town for Gwen’s 30th birthday extravaganzaaaaaaa.
Hotel room adventures.
Going to see TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN PART 1 on Sunday afternoon!
Ahhhhhh, I’m so excited!!!!!!!!
Going home after the movie and relaxing with the kittens.
Going to bed early and getting ready for a new (short!) week. (I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving.)

Looking Up from the Bottom

Jenna — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:59:52 +0000

I really hope this is my rock bottom, because I don’t know if I can go any lower.

Some of you know that the last few years have been tough with my brother/family situation, and the last few months have been personally hard with a bad breakup as well as a number of other factors (and not dealing with all my emotions properly). The last few days have been exceptionally hard for me.

Thankfully I can look up and know there is hope. And yes, I know there is great hope in what’s Above.

Last night (after a great conversation with my mom) I was driving home and “Blessings” by Laura Story came on the radio. I’ve heard the song many times before, but for some reason this time God used it to speak to me, and I cried the rest of the way home. Healing does come through tears, and I’m experiencing it firsthand. And I’m so grateful.

Top Ten Wednesday! 11/2 Edition

Jenna — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:43:18 +0000

After only a week, Honey and Milo are getting along like the best of friends. I could not be happier about it! After hearing horrible stories of friends with multiple cats who required weeks/months of separation, I was a little nervous about how my two would get along. I am so pleased that after such a short amount of time, they are sleeping and playing and enjoying each other’s company. Makes my heart melt a little. :)
One unfortunate thing that Honey has picked up from Milo is his love of jumping into the fridge. Milo does it mostly because the only way to get him out is to give him treats (or pretend to give him treats), but Honey doesn’t care so much about the treats, so she will just stay in there forever. What is up with that, I mean, really. Fortunately for them, it is cute. (Perhaps if I actually had food in my fridge, there wouldn’t be room for cats. Hmm. I wonder what that would be like…)
Ok, this is totally lame, but I’m actually really sad for Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries and the news of their divorce and how they can’t go through their personal stuff without constant criticism from the media. I mean, sure, their marriage was extremely public, and Kim isn’t one to shy away from being in the spotlight, but I just feel bad for them. Give them some privacy for crying out loud.
And can someone just pass on my phone number to Kris? I’m just sayin’, I wouldn’t mind being his rebound. (Basketball pun intended.)
In other news, I dyed my hair dark again last night (perhaps I was subconsciously channeling my inner-Kardashian in hopes to run into Kris in Minnesota and woo him into falling in love with me). Kidding. I mean I did dye my hair, but it was only because I was buying shampoo at Target last night and an old lady came up to me and offered me her $2 off coupon for hair color. It was already on sale for $5, so it was hard to turn down a $3 color job. So I took the dang coupon and I’m dark again.
And I don’t know what it is, but I can’t seem to take a normal picture of myself to save my life. It just feels weird.
I’m getting back into my gym routine slowly but surely. I did a bunch of planks yesterday and my abs are so sore today. I love that feeling.
I also love going to the gym (not only for the new hot trainer, but for the hot guy that I’ve been eyeing for the last year). I’m telling ya, there is some good eye candy at LA Fitness New Brighton.
I have to run to a dr. appointment now. I’m going to get my antidepressant assessed (see if it’s doing its job, I don’t think it is), as well as get my flu shot, and see if I can get a referral for another sleep study.
Exciting! (I can’t think of 10 things today, I’ve got Kris Humphries and hot guy from the gym (that ironically kinda looks like him) on the brain.)

Top Ten Wednesday! 10/26 Edition

Jenna — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:54:28 +0000

Here’s wassup.

I’m loving my new little Honey. I feel like she’s getting used to her new home (and her new older brother, Milo) and feeling more comfortable by the hour. That’s super reassuring for me.
Honey and I went to the vet this morning. She had to get two vaccinations and also got her ears cleaned out (they were pretty nasty, though no ear mites, PTL). I left the “free exam” $99 poorer (and because it’s the end of the month and I’m already scraping bottom, I have to go back with a post-dated check since both of my cards were declined; awesome.), but at least I know my new kitty is healthy. Now it’s probably time to get Mr. Milo in for a check-up. He’s more than overdue. I’ll at least wait until my next pay period.
As good as I was at going to the gym last week… this week? Not so good. I’ve been a little distracted. Plus, I haven’t gone 12 times this month, so it’s not like I’m going to get my insurance reimbursement anyways. I might as well wait and start the month off on a good note, starting next week.
I do want to get back into going to the gym regularly, not only for my health, but there is a new super hot trainer that must have recently started working there. And he alone is motivation enough to get back to the gym. Amen.
This week, not only did I buy a new kitten, I also got my oil changed. I know, almost equally as exciting. I didn’t even realize I was over my “recommended mileage” by over 500 miles, until I randomly glanced at my odometer the other day. My guess is that my spontaneous road trip to South Dakota at the end of September was the main culprit. Probably not my 2.2 mile commute. Just a guess.
I think I finally figured out my Halloween costume. I think it is the best use of my resources (mostly, it’s not costing me much) and will still be fun. We’ll see though, I change my mind just about every day.
I still want to crank out that list of 12 things I want to do before 2012. Perhaps I’ll start that on Nov. 1st too.
This week is all about getting winter athletic stuff and the annual report chart section done. And playing with my cats. And figuring out my Halloween costume. So much to do, so little time.
I cooked last night. I know. Miracle of miracles. It was deeeeelish. And it wasn’t even grilled cheese. I know! I made chicken breast (cooked with the most delicious Asian sesame dressing from Panera), asparagus with parmesan cheese, a mojito (had some leftover mix), and some light french silk chocolate ice cream for dessert. All the while watching Wheel of Fortune and Sex and the City and playing with my cats. I know!!!
It is the dangerous week of the month when I only want to eat sweet treats. I think I had about 10 laffy taffy pieces in just one sitting. Thank goodness my dental clinic called to remind me of an upcoming appointment. Mmmm sugar! (Thanks, dad.)

Ok, that’s all I got. Happy Wednesday friends and foes (though I don’t think I have any foes, nor would they probably read my blog, but whatev). Love you all.