Things I Loved About Today

It seems like Mother Nature is punishing me for my letter, she keeps sending the snow! I wasn't very happy when I got up this morning to see the multiple inches of snow outside my window. Instead of letting it put a damper on my day, I decided to look for the good that happened today:

* I walked out to find my car already cleaned off by Trent. I was one happy girl!
* I woke up at 8:00, when I am supposed to leave by 8:00 to get to work by 8:30, I still got to work by 8:35.
* The day was just busy enough to make the time fly by without overwhelming me (even if I complained that I was).
* I splurged and let myself buy my favorite Cheetos while grocery shopping (you know the twirly, puffy ones? Yes, I may be 4 years old).
* Running 3.5 miles without stopping to walk and still feeling like I could have run more.
* Standing next to Jon at FHE when he proclaimed "there is a party in my mouth and everyone is invited." I should try that line sometime.
* Getting to spend some time with Shannon and realizing just how lucky I am to have her as my friend, through thick and thin!
* Countering my running by eating multiple desserts for FHE and Julia's birthday party and loving every bite (no wonder I am not losing weight).
* Realizing how lucky I am to be where I am in life.

Today was nothing special and it was really just like everyday, but it is amazing all the good things you can find about each day. Maybe part of the good of tomorrow might be better weather, I can only hope...

Who invited Mr. Winter Back?

Dear Mother Nature,

Why did you have to go and invite Mr. Winter back again? His departure last week brought lots of sunshine, warm weather and happiness to my soul! His presence is causing me to scrape off my car, endure bitter cold wind, snow, and dropping temperatures. I have lived with him for the past 6 months and I am ready to be done. I would appreciate it if you would kindly un-invite him so I can resume my enjoyment of the warm weather.

Yours Truly,

Jill

Maybe This Will Work

California Photo Shoot

Several weekends ago I ventured to California with two strangers. I had only met Kim once and had never met Ashlee. I had the time of my life and made two great friends out of the adventure.

I finally got the pictures back from Kim that she had shot and edited. There were about 1200 pictures to choose from and I have only shared about 50 here (I know, still a lot, but I just love them!). I was so excited to go through them and see how great they were. We had so much fun taking pictures and totally played up the photo shoot idea.

I hope you like some of the pictures I decided to share. There are are so many more, but felt this gave a good sampling.

SHE IS MINE!!!

I HAVE OFFICIALLY PAID OFF MY CAR!!! Lucy is all mine!
To make things even better that was my only monthly payment, I am now 100% debt free! Could there be a happier day?!?

Good For A Laugh

Everyday it seems I find something to laugh about, I find it helps make me happy. Luckily for me, I have a lot of things that allow me to laugh.

This past weekend Brooke was up from St. George and I LOVED IT! This girl always keeps me laughing. We were lucky enough to get to hang out For a straight 48 hours starting Friday after work. I loved every single minute of it and probably spent 47 of the hours laughing (almost). I had a way funnier picture of her but she promised me not to post it, I think this one still is a good reminder of how much I love this girl!...

This really isn't all that funny but the other day I washed me car (which doesn't happen very often), I was so excited to have her all clean and cute (on a side note: I finally named her: Lucy)...
The VERY NEXT MORNING I walked out to my car to find a treat from a little birdie. Why is it that I have made it through almost the whole winter without this and now the day after I wash my car. Typical.
Another one of my favorite moments was when I met my mom at Costco for lunch the other day. We had some time and wandered around the store. She stopped to look at the swimsuits and as she dug down the pile to find her size, the first three piles on the table slid off. I sat there laughing and had to capture the moment. It was so funny.

Other funny things: looking at old family pictures on slides (I'm talking 1980 childhood pictures), making fun of my mom in relief society (I still love you mom), loudest laugh in sacrament I have ever heard (you would think we were at a comedy club, I loved it), stalking people on Facebook with Brooke (her comments make stalking so much funnier).

Basically I have a lot that makes me laugh. I love laughing and always enjoy a good long belly laugh. I have an easily provoked laugh and often find the stupidest things funny, but I enjoy it. If anyone is ever looking for someone to laugh with, I'm your girl!

I'm In Love!

As many of you know I have a bit of an obsessive personality. I tend to get over excited and obsessed with the things I like and what fills my time.

Lately I have discovered some new loves (and re-kindled some old ones as well):

• I am in love with life! Seriously, does life get any better than it is right now? I have made a great effort to try and enjoy every stage of life I am in. Luckily I am in a great stage of life and there is so much to enjoy.
  
• I have fallen in love with running. I have never been one to run and I have always hated running. Transitioning from the treadmill to the pavement has yet to happen, but my 3 mile runs every night this week have been great!
• I love musicals (some day my life will be a musical, some day). Tonight I went to Aida at Viewmont High School. I know, a high school performance? But really, it was amazing! I have been to many a professional play that I would compare the quality to. I had never seen this musical and enjoyed that it was a full blown love story.
• My laptop and I have rekindled our love affair. I think it is due to my re-commitment to blogging and my relapse with my Facebook addiction.
• Stalking people. I know, it's super creepy right? But if we are all being honest, who doesn't do it? From Facebook to blogs, I am fascinated by other people's lives! I think I also liked being stalked too. I recently found out about a blog lurker and was pleasantly surprised they took the time to visit my blog at all, it made me happy.
• Reading. Since I have been done with school (and loving that to the Nth degree) I have had so much time to read. I think I have read about 8 books and I just love it! Getting sucked into a story and growing to know the characters is just captivating!
  

I'm sure there are so many more things I am yet to fall in love with, I will welcome each new love affair!

I Can Relate

Today I was reading an article today written by a guy about bad dates. He was criticizing guys sending e-mails to girls without looking them over and contrasted that with his approach. He stated:

"...before emailing a girl I intensely review my emails, edit, cut, copy, paste and then have two girlfriends check for ... general creepiness ... until the training wheels are off and I can write them on my own."

I loved that he said it because I basically do the same thing. With so much of relationships these days being electronic and in writing, I tend to stress and over analyze saying just the right thing. It is usually something as dumb as a text message, writing on some one's wall, or a simple e-mail. You have to make sure to be funny and witty but short and sweet and not too forward all at the same time. I usually write and re-write anything to a boy about 5 times before I send it, and then I still worry if that is what I should have said. I usually come up with something better I could have said after the fact. Am I such a girl?

Oh the things we do in this dating game! Maybe some day it will pay off and I will woo someone with my writing I stress so much over.

Made My Day

As I have said about a million times before, I LOVE when people comment on my blog. I don't know what it is, but I just enjoy the feedback and the things people have to say.

Today I received probably my favorite comment of all times (no offense to any of you) but today my Papa commented on my blog, and a comment about bags of all things! How cute is that?

Papa has always had a special place in my heart. He always tells me he is "in need" of my hugs, I came just when he needed me to, I am one of his favorites, "how sweet it is" or any of the other lines he has given me. He always has something nice to say and brightens my day anytime I get to see him. I feel like the most loved person when talking to him.

One of my favorite things to do when I would sleep over would be to rub his back with his back massager (that made my hand go numb) or rub his head. I loved it because I got to spend time with him. I would sit at the head of his bed and get to just lay there with him. They are memories I will always cherish.

I feel very blessed to have Papa in my life and I am grateful for the confidence he has instilled in me through his love. I have learned so much from him and enjoy his love and passion for things (his yard, his jewelery, his studio etc.) He is so smart, creative, logical, sensitive (the list could go on). I love him so much and am so grateful for his example to me.

Papa - If you go along with just one thing Maga asks you to do today I hope it is that you read this. I hope you know that I love you very much and I appreciate your unconditional love for me. I have needed that so much with the different trials I have had in my life. You may tell all your grand kids they are your favorite, but just for the record, I am going to think I am the only one you tell that to! I really do have a soft spot in my heart for you and I am grateful for our relationship. I love you and thanks for taking the time to keep tabs on me through my blog and even comment!

Spring has Sprung...

...At least I think it has. Today with the clocks changing over and the new light given off at the end of the day (one of the greatest things ever when you get off work until 5:30 everyday) I am ready for it to be spring!

To celebrate my own declaration of spring I brought out my official "Spring Purse." I purchased it last October in California and my mom said the one down side of buying it was that I would have to wait until spring to use it. I have had to look at it, all new and cute, in the top of my closet for 6 months now! The time has finally come to pull it out and use it! Isn't it cute?...

Other things worth noting: while driving to my parents I got to open my sun roof (I LOVE THAT!)

There may be snow forecasted for the next two days, but I am just going to ignore that and enjoy my self-declared spring!

Where Have I Been?

I don't know what it is lately, but all of my excitement for blogging has been missing. I am so lazy about reading blogs, commenting on blogs, and worst of all updating my own blog. How lame am I?

I am trying to re-commit myself to updating and making my blog much more active and fun.

So what have I been doing that I haven't had the time to update? The truth is not all that much but still I don't find the time to update.

I guess the happenings in my life in the past month are significant to me, but I have been avoiding blogging about them because I don't want to be Debbie Downer. I guess that is where I got deflated about blogging. I guess I'll catch you up to speed and we can move on.

What's new with me?

• I'm back to the whole singles way of life (not that no one could have guessed that)
• I am LOVING not being in school this semester, does it get any better?
• Work is so crazy busy I don't have time to read or update blogs (another factor)
• I have gained some good friends and strengthened existing friendships
• I have become more of a resident of the Jensen household
• Went on a date (shocker I know)
• Randomly went to California (as you know)
• Planned and booked my incredible trip to Europe in September with my amazing mom!
• Arranged my finances as such that I will be officially debt free next week when I pay off my car (hallelujah!)
• Had the chance to hang out with my favorite people: my family (evenings and a sleep over at Jamie and Mikes, evenings and a sleep over at my parents, birthday breakfast for Jake, etc.)
• Learned a lot of valuable lessons and things about myself
• Come to appreciate the joy of loving the stage I am in life

Life hasn't been easy and getting over a broken heart is tough, but an experience I am grateful to have. I have learned so much this past month of all that I am capable of and all that I have to offer. I have so many amazing blessings in my life that I need to count them continually to even think of half of them. Learning to move forward and grow from rough patches has helped me to become a stronger person and reinforce my resolve to be better and not settle.

I am in such a fun stage of life right now and I am going to enjoy it! My responsibilities are minimal and I have the freedom and ability to accomplish anything I want! I am going to count my blessings every day and appreciate all I have to live for right now! I am going to love life and all it has to offer me!

Since I am re-committed to blogging, you can all join me for the adventures!!!

Just A Little California Fun...

So I've just been hanging out in California this weekend, no big deal. I have loved that I came down with one my friends who just happens to be a photographer. We went to the Santa Monica Pier last night and took some really fun pictures. There will be more to come I'm sure, but just thought I would share. 

I'll just enjoy the rest of my day in Sunny California!