Journal entry 148--New Year's Eve

Describe a memorable New Year's Eve.


When I was 17 years old I had the opportunity to ride on a float for the Pasadena Rose Parade. My church group that night held a dance but I had to leave early to get some sleep because I needed to wake up extra early to be at the float. My group and I were picked up in a limo and taken to the float site where we stayed in a trailer to keep warm until it was time to line up. Then we put on our costumes and took our positions on the float which was a spaceship and we were the space crew. I enjoyed riding down the parade route, waving to the spectators and throwing them flowers from the float. Although I was quickly reprimanded for doing so and had to stop. That day was long but memorable to have been able to ride a rose parade float.

Journal entry 147--Journals

How do you keep a journal? Is it online as a personal, for your eyes only blog? Or do you hand write your entries in a beautifully bound book?

My friend keeps a private blog that she copies and pastes the topic and then writes her entry. Since she's the only person who views the blog it stays completely private. Later, with any blog you can have it published into a book form to cherish forever. Some companies that offer this are www.blurb.com, www.lulu.com, or www.blog2print.com I really can't tell you which is the best company as I haven't put my blogs into book form. If anyone knows please tell the rest of us!

Journal entry 146--

What little victory has given you the most joy recently?


Last time we went to Disneyland, we rode on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and I ended up with a high score of 545,600. In my family there's a little competition of who can score the highest. This competition is really between my husband and I but the kids try to keep up. I was thrilled that I scored so high beating my husband, two 11 year olds and a 6 year old. Okay, so my competition wasn't so much but it was my little victory that led me to strut out of Astro Blasters with my head held high.

Journal entry 145--Cookies

What is your favorite cookie?  Do you make these cookies at home?

I absolutely love chocolate chip cookies!  They are my all time favorite cookie.  I enjoy making them from scratch with my children and eating the dough.  My good friend, Julie makes the best version of chocolate chip cookies.  Whenever she comes to visit, she always makes sure she brings a big bag of cookie dough with her.  She makes us cookies with whatever dough is left and then we spend the rest of the evening eating chocolate chip cookies!  Yummy!

Journal entry 144--Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers! Thank you for supporting me! I appreciate you all! Have a great holiday and eat a lot of junk, candy and food. Do absolutely no work today and enjoy your family and friends!

Journal entry 143--Wishes

If you could have one wish about the world, that could change the world for the better, what would it be?

I would wish for more respect. Respect of others, their beliefs, religion, politics, etc. If we had more respect for others, perhaps there would be less wars, or terrorist acts. More respect for our bodies might make people take care of themselves better take things that are harmful to their body. Respect for husband or wife might lessen the amount of divorce. I could be wrong, but I think more respect for others may be what this world needs.

Journal entry 142--Tonight

What are you doing tonight? Write about your plans for this evening.


Tonight my family and I are going ice skating at the local rink with some other families. I can't wait! I love ice skating and roller skating, but my kids are not too sure. They've never really ice skated before and know they will fall the entire time. One of my children hates to fail at sports so I think he's the most worried. I keep telling them that they have to fall in order to learn. I know I'll fall a bit tonight but that's okay. I'm better at roller skating than ice skating but it will be fun just to be with my family and friends.

Journal entry 141--Movies

List your top 5 Christmas movies of all time. They don't necessarily have to be about Christmas.

1. Elf
2. A Christmas Story
3. A Christmas Carol
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas

These movies are fun to watch and of course give a wonderful message of family and togetherness during Christmas. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope it's a happy one!

Journal entry 140--Traditions

Describe a holiday tradition you either did as a child or now do with your family.


Every year at Christmas time, I love going to see the Christmas lights. I've done this since I was a child and now continue to do it with my children. In fact on the way to see the lights, I make the kids count other house lights and see how many we can count. Last night we went to a house where a light show was connected to music you received from your car radio. It was so much fun and the kids loved it. Also every year since I was a child, I've gone to see the lights on a huge mansion. The owners decorate the mansion with millions of lights and displays. It's beautiful and hopefully my children enjoy the lights as much as I do.

Journal entry 139--Envy

What makes you envious?


I could spend quite a while writing about what makes me envious! I envy people who can dance so effortlessly and people who do whatever they think they can. I envy my children's carefree attitude in life and that they don't really have to worry about most of the craziness of the world. Other than that, I'm okay with my life. I have a great life and a great family and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Journal entry 138--Child

Describe one of your children. If you do not have any children, describe a close friend.


My youngest child is Olivia. She is spunky, precocious, logical and sensitive. At times, I feel like I'm talking to an adult who challenges anything I say with a logical retort. Olivia is a girly girl who loves makeup, nail polish and glitter. She loves to play soccer and the piano, but hates to make mistakes. She's a perfectionist, which can be very annoying when I'm trying to teach her something. Livie (her nickname) also loves to talk and can give a lengthy answer to the simple question: "how are you doing?" I love my little girl. She balances out our male dominated household and brings us all joy. Livie has so much faith in God that I'm constantly impressed by her. She's thoughtful and kind to others, smart and challenging and I can't imagine life without her.

Journal entry 137--Rain or Wind?

Which do you prefer and why--Rain or wind?


Many times there's rain with wind but if I had to choose, I would pick rain any day. Where I live the wind gets so bad that I sometimes expect to see some sort of animal fly by my window. The wind is so loud that my husband sleeps down stairs just so the noise is not so horrible. At the end of the windy season, my trees are stuck in a wind blown position and I thank heavens they are still standing. The next day, I usually spend the morning picking out leaves, toys and other strange things at of my pool that were blown in from my neighbor's house. The one good thing about the wind here, is that is blows off all the balls thrown on the roof by my children. Now rain, I love. It's cozy and comforting, especially if you don't have to drive anywhere. Give me the rain anyday with a mug of hot cocoa, a fire in the fireplace and a warm blanket and movie. That's my idea of cozy weather and wind is not invited.

Journal entry 136--Tickets

Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket or some other moving vehicle violation ticket? If so, describe what happened.


I've only gotten one ticket in my entire life when I was 18 years old. I was driving home from school at 75 miles per hour and a police officer pulled me over. At the time, I thought you were suppose to drive as fast as everyone else on the road and I wasn't watching for the cops. At school, I was taking a Zoology class and had a dissected rat on my passenger seat. The police officer looked at it like I was some strange animal killer. I calmly explained to him why there was a dead rat in my car. The hardest part of getting a ticket was telling my mom about it, who was not happy. I ended up going to traffic school all day on the weekend. It was annoying and I haven't gotten another ticket since. Not that I haven't been pulled over by a cop. I've just learned how to talk my way out of a ticket!

Journal entry 135--Sick

Describe what you are like when you are sick. Are you the type that lies on the couch moaning for attention or do you quietly sequester yourself in your bed until you're better?

I'd have to say that I'm a little of both. I want to not be bothered unless someone is making me soup or hot tea. Otherwise, I'm happy to lie on the couch with a blanket and my dog. Unfortunately, that usually doesn't happen since I have three kids and the odds that one of them will get sick with me is high. So I usually need to take care of the child before myself, however, I do have a great husband that takes care of us all whenever we're sick. After that, he gets sick!

Journal entry 134--Music

Describe what music does for you. What kind of music do you enjoy listening to and why?


For me, I choose music according to my mood. Of course right now all I listen to is Christmas music because of the holidays, but usually I like listening to jazz, classical, and some alternative. If the music is yelling at me or has heavy, heavy guitar, I turn it off, but if the songs give off a peaceful feeling, I'm there. It's all about relaxation and calmness in my crazy life and I try to listen to music that helps me with those feelings.

Journal entry 133--Wanted

Is there something you've always wanted to do or have? If you could have it right now, what would it be?


I've always wanted to have chickens in my yard. I'm not sure why I've wanted this, but the thought of fresh eggs is intriguing. Chickens also can help eat all the nasty little bugs that hurt gardens and their manure can be used for fertilizer. I think I like the idea of living independent of others and knowing where your food is coming from. There are so many reasons to raise chickens, but alas, the area where I live won't allow them. Fortunately for me, my friend has 13 chickens and she is happy to share fresh eggs with me.

Journal entry 132--Competition

How competitive are you? Do you pout after losing a game or happily shake hands with the winner? What drives your competitive nature?


I've always been competitive, more with myself. I know my abilities and potential and if I don't live up to it, watch out, me! Growing up with a brother 10 years older, I always lost games to him. He coached me along the way and I was determined to beat him in a game someday. I think it finally did happen but my continual losing to him made me more competitive. I don't pout if I lose a game. I've learn that as an adult that is an undesirable trait, but I do get mad at myself if I lose a game that I know I should win. For example, Scrabble. I hate losing scrabble! I have to keep telling myself that it is just a game! I need help!

Journal entry 131--Names

How do you feel about your name? Have you always liked it or wanted to change it the moment you turn 18? Does your name have special meaning to it or were you named after someone?

I've had a love/hate relationship with my name. I never liked how at school no one shared my name with me and I also didn't like how plain it sounded. I did like, however, the fact that my name lends itself to a thousand nicknames. It seems as though most of my close friends have a nickname for me--their own unique nickname that only they use. My parents almost named me three other names, either Joy, Jacqueline or Jennifer. I always wanted to be Jennifer. In fact many of my best friends growing up were named Jennifer. My name was chosen because it was the only name on which my parents could agree. I'm used to my name now and am not planning on changing it anytime soon. I figure when I die my tombstone will say, "Here lies the girl with a thousand nicknames."

Journal entry 130--Birthday

What month is your birthday? Do you enjoy having your birthday then?


My birthday is this month--December and having a December birthday has its ups and downs. The ups are it's December and everything is Christmasy and cozy. It's also my birthday so any month will do because there are always presents associated with it! The downside of having a December birthday is that most people forget about it so I never get birthday cards. Growing up I usually had school finals on or the day after my birthday and many times my gifts were wrapped in Christmas paper. I really don't mind though. It's something I'm used to and I'm just happy when people remember my birthday.

Journal entry 129--Death

Have you ever lost someone close to you? Who was it and how did it affect your life?

My mother died when I was just barely 20 years old. She had been sickly my entire life but I still thought that she would live forever. What kid doesn't think that about their parents? It took me awhile to really believe that she was gone. After she died, I was alone for awhile. My sister and brother were already married and living on their own. My mother's death definitely taught me to be more independent and take care of myself. It also got me out of the house so I was eventually able to meet and marry my husband. Before, I thought it was my future to stay and care for my mother. I loved my mom very much and know I will be able to see her again.

Journal entry 128--Enterprise

Have you ever started a business? Ever wanted to? If so, describe what this business is or was and if you still have it.


When I was 16 years old, I started a window painting business for the holidays. I had always wanted to paint holiday windows for businesses but was unsure how to do it. My mother would tell me to wait until I was in high school and there would be a class that would show me, however, there wasn't. At the time, I happened to be dating someone whose mother was a window painter and she showed me all the tricks of the trade. She was also retiring so I got all her contacts. So every year after Thanksgiving, I would paint Santas, reindeer, holly leaves, snow, etc on business's windows for the holidays. It was a great little business for a high school student and I was able to earn enough money for my family for Christmas presents.

Journal entry 127--Ability

Name something you think you are good at doing. What makes you good at this particular thing?


I've always been good at observing and watching people closely and then copying the good things they do. I watch how other people parent their children, teach lessons or classes, cook, draw, sing, everything--you name it, I watch it. There's a little place in my brain which holds all this information and uses it when the time arises. I have a great memory and can recall all the moments I've stored in my brain that I think I'll use in the future. So watch out! I may be watching your actions and storing them away for future use!

Journal entry 126--Book

Describe a book that you've read recently that you really enjoyed. Would you recommend it to a friend and why?


I finished a book called "The Book Thief." I loved this book, even though it is a teenager book! It's about a young girl living in war torn Germany who goes to stay with foster parents. Throughout the story the girl steals books and learns to read them. The most interesting part of the book is that it is told by death personified, so much of the story is foreshadowed. I would definitely recommend this book because I already have! It's a quick read and the writing is almost lyrical. Beautiful story.

Journal entry 125--Accidents

Have you ever been in a car accident or had a near miss? Take a moment to describe this event.

The stupidest accident I was in was caused by me. It was completely my fault and was the most ridiculous accident. I was parked in my garage and, naturally in a hurry. Usually I open the garage door while I'm walking to the driver's side to get in, only this time I waited until I was in the car to open the garage. Because of this change in pattern, I didn't notice the car parked directly behind me and to the left. Really, who looks over their left shoulder when backing out of a garage? Remember, I was in a hurry, so I rammed into the parked car, which happened to belong to my pool guy/insurance agent. He handled it quite well and so did my husband.

Journal entry 124--Change

If you could change one thing about your appearance what would it be and why?


When I was eight months pregnant with my twin boys, I developed Bell's Palsy which caused the left side of my face to become paralysed. I've since recovered, however, there has been some nerve damage to that side and as I grow older, only the right side of my face is in sync with my age. Now the right side of my face is getting wrinkles and the left side is looking like a 30 year old. I would just like to be even! I do know that I wouldn't change a thing if it meant not having my boys and Bell's Palsy was just a part of my pregnancy.

Journal entry 123--First computer

What happened the first time you used a computer? Was it when computers were just starting to become mainstream or was it on an ancient relic?

My first computer was an ancient relic. It was big and bulky and sat on a special computer desk that took up most the room. I remember this computer was from Radio Shack and had a booklet that gave different computer commands. If I inputed these commands, I ended up with a stick figure person walking across the screen. Back then that was cool! I also remember when I had to use DOS programming to get anywhere on the computer. I'm so glad computers have come so far and are now much easier and faster to use.

Journal entry 122--Memorable

Describe an event in your life that was memorable.


One of the most memorable event in my life was when my daughter was born. Aside from the fact that you have a child coming into the world, this event was memorable because of the way she started coming. I was already four days over due and woke up with contractions 10 minutes apart. I took it easy that morning, as easy as any mother of twin 4 year old boys can. That day was also the day the electric company was installing a new electrical pole in our back yard. The front of our house was filled with trucks and huge cranes. My boys loved it! Our entire neighborhood was out of power as well as my cell phone so I had no way to contact my husband to tell him I needed to go to the doctor. I packed up my boys and waited until a contraction stopped, then headed over to my husband's work. I timed it perfectly because as soon as I parked, I had another contraction. We dropped the kids off at a friend's house and headed over to the doctor, who after checking me told me to go home, drink water and rest to make sure it wasn't false labor. I was already 4 days overdue!! My doctor, I found out later, had tickets to a Laker's game and didn't want to miss it. We picked up the kids and my husband had a brilliant idea to get some ice cream, only he ordered a handmade smoothie that took the worker 20 minutes to make. By this time, my contractions are 5 minutes apart. I honestly thought I would give birth on the floor of Cold Stone Creamery. Finally we went home and I waited until 5:00 to call the on call doctor, who thankfully told me to go to the hospital. After dropping the kids off again at a friend's house and listening to my hubby chat with that friend, I got to head over to the hospital where I gave birth 6 hours later to my daughter.