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.