When I was 17, I had a crush on my friend, who shall remain nameless. He was one of my very best guy friends. I remember each boy that I had a crush on as a matter of fact, and not just when I was 17. It's quite a long list. I would need more fingers and toes to count all my boy-crazed crushes of my youth. For all you women out there, you remember how nerve wrecking it was to like a guy that didn't even notice you. You lingered around his locker in hopes that he would look at you this time. You even found out his favorite hang out spots and started showing up hoping that he would notice you. You did your hair just right and did not leave the house without make-up because heaven forbid he see you with a bare face. Or, now that Facebook has arrived, you look at his profile at least a dozen times a day. And you know he's only "friends" with you because you go to the same school or you have mutual friends. At least he knows who are you, right? That's all that matters! These are just a few symptoms of a crush.
Merriam-Webster defines "crush" in this sense as " an intense and usually passing infatuation." Notice the words "usually passing." This is what I was talking about when I said I have a long list of crushes. Crushes usually only concern one thing: physical attraction. For the most part, the guys that I had crushes on, I did not know. They were cute, athletic, popular, etc... Did you hear me mention anything about their personalities? Their beliefs? No. That didn't matter to me. Each guy was the Mr. Right Now. We were meant to be, I just knew it. Me and all those guys (not all at once because that would creepy). Each crush, at separate times was the one for me, until he got a girlfriend and then I moved onto another crush. That is the unsettling cycle of having a crush. You like a guy. He doesn't know you exist. You try to get his attention. He gets a girlfriend. You hate him. You hate her for stealing him. You like a new guy. And the cycles goes on, and on. The guy I liked when I was 17 was different. He was already my friend. I developed feelings for him, but I was afraid of what might happen to our friendship.
The other word in the definition that I would like to make point on is "intense" or in other words, obsessive. Having a little crush is really not that bad. Maybe you think the guy is cute; fine, whatever. But let me tell you, you are not in love with the guy. You are not meant to be (unless it is in God's plan for you, in which case you need to pray that God prepares you and him for each other). I have never been in love, but I know enough about it that Love comes from the Lord. True love and happiness only come from the Lord. If you truly are in love with someone, chances are you are already in a serious relationship and God has blessed you with each other. You cannot love someone that 1) you have never spoken a word to in your life, 2) doesn't know you exist, or 3) you've never even met (like a celebrity). I can remember writing guys' names in my notebook and drawing hearts around them. I would write Mrs. So-and-So, whatever his last name was, as if we were going to get married and live happily ever after. When I was in 6th grade, my class went to camp and all of us girls played with the Ouija board and asked if any of the guys in our class had crushes on us. There was a boy that lived down the street from me and he was in my class. He was the reason my friends pulled out that silly Ouija board. At the end of the school year, they all wrote in my yearbook, "Work it, girl." or "Work it for James." What does that even mean? I had to glam myself up in order to get his attention? I did not actually believe in the Ouija board, but for a slight moment I hoped that they were true. It was, and is false hope. It makes me sick now to think about how I was in middle school and high school.
You can ask any of my family members or my friends, and they would tell you that I certainly was boy crazy. I had all the boy bands and movie heart throbs plastered on my walls. I spent hours on the phone talking to my friends about boys or just talking to boys. However, while all my friends had boyfriends, I wished I had a boyfriend. I prayed to God that a boy would ask me out on a date. No one ever did. To this date, no one ever has. Don't feel sorry for me, because I'm not. I had two brief "relationships" in middle school, if you can even call them that. They each lasted a week. Basically we said we like each other, sat next to each other at church, and then it was over the next week. They were the typical break-ups in middle school; pass them a note through one of your friends. I can look back at that time and laugh because each "relationship" was just puppy love. They weren't serious. We didn't go anywhere alone. Where were we going to go at 13??? At least I don't talk on the phone for hours and hours anymore, which I am sure made my parents happy that I wasn't racking up the phone bill.
As for my crush when I was 17; I wrote him an e-mail telling him that I wanted to be more than friends. I remember the exact moment when he wrote me back. I was in photography class checking my e-mail and there it was. In my Inbox was a "RE:" from him. He told me that he didn't feel the same way and that he didn't want to ruin our friendship either or his friendship with my brother. Did I mention that he was my brother's best friend? Those are the worst! I read the email and I remember a tear falling from my eye. At that moment I knew I was kidding myself and our friendship changed after that. I couldn't even look at him let alone talk to him. It was incredibly awkward from that moment on. I was crushed, no pun intended. But maybe that is why they are called crushes because someone ends up getting hurt.
Now that I am 25, I can honestly say that I am content with being single. When I was in college, I did a Bible study called Lady in Waiting: Developing Your Love Relationships. It's basically about how God is preparing someone for you; for marriage. It made me realize that I don't have to worry about my hair, or my make-up. Just being myself should be enough and trusting God with my heart. I would recommend this book to any girl who has doubts about why God is keeping them single and I would love to do this study with you. My dear friend Emily recently said something about being single and it spoke directly to my heart. She said, "The season of singleness is such a gift from God!! A time to prepare to be the person God has meant u to be for ur future husband/wife. A time to reflect and allow God to change things in u that u did not see. A time to return to ur first true love, Jesus, and allow Him to change ur heart. Never be sad about singleness...! Instead, praise God for the time to become the very best YOU for HIM and for your future spouse!!" This is pretty mush the entire Lady in Waiting theme. I will admit, I have been sad about being single, but now I know that God is preparing me and no matter what I will never cease to give Him the glory in everything that I do! God's timing is different from my own. His is for the better because He knows my heart much better than I do. Not to break out into a Snow White song, but someday my prince will come.
Jennifer Nicole
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
To Play With and Enjoy
OK, this song makes me laugh every year. Who, in their right mind, really wants a hippopotamus for Christmas? I mean, REALLY!? Come on; a hippopotamus??? I can tell you right now, that I do not, nor will I ever want a hippopotamus!! Do you know how many people die from hippos each year? Me neither; I thought you might. All I know is that hippos are mean and they do kill, especially mama hippos. They are crazy protective over their babies much like mama bears. Have you ever tried to approach a bear cub, and then have the mama chase you down? Me neither, and I do not want to know what that feels like. But I digress. Let's get back to the song.
So, of course a little girl is supposedly asking for a hippopotamus for Christmas! Why wouldn't she? It's every little girls' dream. If I remember correctly from my childhood *let me reach deep into the back of my brain* I wanted dolls, or barbies, or stuffed animals. This girl does not want those things. She makes this clear when she says, "Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy..." Come on now. What does this song even mean. It makes no sense. I just keep coming back to the question, who really wants a hippopotamus ever? You already know that I do not, and for many reasons.
First of all, hippos are not even cool. I would justify wanting a cute puppy dog or maybe even a snake for you extremists, but a hippo; not cool. I would never get a snake either because they are slimy and they bite, but if you need a wild animal then get a snake. I would even justify wanting a kangaroo because they always come with a baby so it's a BOGO deal; Buy One Get One. But then again, kangaroos are pretty dangerous because apparently they kick really really hard. I'd prefer not to be kicked by my pets. Let's see, what is a cool animal that is not dangerous? Pigs are really smart, but then you'd have to deal with the mud. Pigs always come with mud. And they smell really bad. I've never been to a farm where the animals smelled like roses. Horses are pretty cool, but if you don't know how to ride them or take care of them, then they just stand in their barn eating grass. Actually, let's just stick with the normal pets; cats, dogs, birds, maybe a snake. Not hippos!!
Second of all, hippos ARE dangerous!! Do not be fooled by Gloria in Madagascar. They are not friendly, and they don't talk. I'm pretty sure the mom is right in the song, a hippo would eat you alive. They may be vegetarians but they are huge. What if it sits on you? You'd be crushed, literally. A hippo is not an appropriate gift for a child, or anyone for that matter. This girl wants to put the hippo in the garage. What about your parents' cars, little girl? Did you ask your mom and dad if you could keep the hippo in the garage? No, you did not. Of course they wouldn't let you keep a hippo in the house. Hippos need water and fresh greens. Is your garage a pool or large field of grass? I didn't think so. You didn't think about the responsibility of taking care of a hippo. They need more than just food, bathing and a massage; gee, a massage sounds really good right about now..oh sorry, I digress again. Animals like hippos need to be free in the wild to roam where ever they feel like. So ask your mom for a doll or toy, or something that be easily disposed of once you're bored with it.
I guess I don't have any more reasons.
Jennifer Nicole
So, of course a little girl is supposedly asking for a hippopotamus for Christmas! Why wouldn't she? It's every little girls' dream. If I remember correctly from my childhood *let me reach deep into the back of my brain* I wanted dolls, or barbies, or stuffed animals. This girl does not want those things. She makes this clear when she says, "Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy..." Come on now. What does this song even mean. It makes no sense. I just keep coming back to the question, who really wants a hippopotamus ever? You already know that I do not, and for many reasons.
First of all, hippos are not even cool. I would justify wanting a cute puppy dog or maybe even a snake for you extremists, but a hippo; not cool. I would never get a snake either because they are slimy and they bite, but if you need a wild animal then get a snake. I would even justify wanting a kangaroo because they always come with a baby so it's a BOGO deal; Buy One Get One. But then again, kangaroos are pretty dangerous because apparently they kick really really hard. I'd prefer not to be kicked by my pets. Let's see, what is a cool animal that is not dangerous? Pigs are really smart, but then you'd have to deal with the mud. Pigs always come with mud. And they smell really bad. I've never been to a farm where the animals smelled like roses. Horses are pretty cool, but if you don't know how to ride them or take care of them, then they just stand in their barn eating grass. Actually, let's just stick with the normal pets; cats, dogs, birds, maybe a snake. Not hippos!!
Second of all, hippos ARE dangerous!! Do not be fooled by Gloria in Madagascar. They are not friendly, and they don't talk. I'm pretty sure the mom is right in the song, a hippo would eat you alive. They may be vegetarians but they are huge. What if it sits on you? You'd be crushed, literally. A hippo is not an appropriate gift for a child, or anyone for that matter. This girl wants to put the hippo in the garage. What about your parents' cars, little girl? Did you ask your mom and dad if you could keep the hippo in the garage? No, you did not. Of course they wouldn't let you keep a hippo in the house. Hippos need water and fresh greens. Is your garage a pool or large field of grass? I didn't think so. You didn't think about the responsibility of taking care of a hippo. They need more than just food, bathing and a massage; gee, a massage sounds really good right about now..oh sorry, I digress again. Animals like hippos need to be free in the wild to roam where ever they feel like. So ask your mom for a doll or toy, or something that be easily disposed of once you're bored with it.
I guess I don't have any more reasons.
Jennifer Nicole
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Jewelry
It's no surprise that I love jewelry. I can honestly say that any piece of jewelry can dress up any outfit, even jeans and a t-shirt. If I had more storage, I would own a lot more earring, bracelets (I'm really into bracelets right not), and necklaces. Right now I would say that I have a small collection compared to the fashion gurus out there. I also have a unique taste for jewelry. Although the traditional pearls, small stone earrings are fine, they can be quite boring at times. I want a little pizazz, not a lot like some people I know who need to have everything sparkly and wear them all at once, but just a little to catch the eye of admirers. I really like owls. I have been searching for the right size pair of owl earrings at a decent price and I found them today at a store called Love Culture! My friend Connie and I went to Partridge Creek Mall this afternoon, and I have never even heard of this Love Culture before, but it's pretty similar to Forever 21 which I absolutely love!! I didn't buy the owl earrings today, but at least I know where to find them.
We were actually looking at Forever 21's jewelry making mental notes of the things we like, when Connie said, "I can't believe you don't actually make your own jewelry." That gave me an idea, and I will need your input. I want to do this. I don't just want to make jewelry for myself, but I want to be able to sell jewelry too. Finding the beads, gems, jewelry pieces and everything else I will need to make the jewelry won't be hard, but how do I go about actually selling it? I think I could do a really great job at this. This is just a start, where the idea has been put in my head. I am going to pray about it, but I would like your input and prayers as well.
Thanks,
Jennifer Nicole
We were actually looking at Forever 21's jewelry making mental notes of the things we like, when Connie said, "I can't believe you don't actually make your own jewelry." That gave me an idea, and I will need your input. I want to do this. I don't just want to make jewelry for myself, but I want to be able to sell jewelry too. Finding the beads, gems, jewelry pieces and everything else I will need to make the jewelry won't be hard, but how do I go about actually selling it? I think I could do a really great job at this. This is just a start, where the idea has been put in my head. I am going to pray about it, but I would like your input and prayers as well.
Thanks,
Jennifer Nicole
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Background Has Been Chosen
I have FINALLY chosen a background that I am satisfied with. It took a lot of thought and time, but I think it looks pretty great actually! I have trouble committing to just one background because there are so many to choose from. I found this great website that has many, many different backgrounds just for blogs. I wanted to find one that didn't have just white in the middle because that was getting borrrring! This website includes backgrounds that have some color and pizazz in the middle. I need the pizazz! Plus, this site has banners, accessories, and you know how I feel about accessories (the more the merrier), and lots of extras. I hope you enjoy the new background, but I can pretty much guarentee that it will change next month, much like my purse changes every month!
Jennifer Nicole
Jennifer Nicole
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Countdown of the Scariest Movies Ever!
Continuing my countdown with my top two scariest movies...
#2 A Nightmare on Elm Street
This has got to be the goriest, bloodiest, most frightening movie I have ever seen! Now how many of you want to see this after hearing me describe it?! I cannot even tell you how much this movie freaked me out. Some guy with a burnt face and a blue and red striped shirt (which should have been vertical because horizontal stripes are not flattering) kills kids in their dreams. Freaky! I mean what kind of a psycho kills in dreams? Freddy Kruger, that's who! The scene where Johnny Depp's character dies is so gross I can't watch it ever again. He gets sucked into a bed and then a geyser of blood shoots out of a bed. It's so disturbing. I think a girl gets sucked into the wall in another scene and there was a lot of blood in that scene too. My sides cringe whenever I see blood or skin being ripped open. And those fingers! He has knives for a hand; kind of like Edward Scissorhands, which starred Johnny Depp (ironic) only Freddy uses his to kill and not for cutting hair.
OK....now for my number one scariest movie ever!
#1 JAWS
Bum..Bum. Bum..Bum. Who knew that two notes could scare the pants off of so many people. I dislike this movie with a passion. A freaking shark eats people! He eats people!!! This is one of the movies that I would only watch on TV and change the channel when the shark is going to attack. He attacks and slashes around that naked girl in the beginning, which is actually quite stupid. I mean, who goes swimming in the ocean naked and in the middle of the night?? Not me. I won't even go in the ocean with my clothes on in the daylight! He bites the leg off of a guy in a canoe and the leg sinks to the bottom of the ocean. He eats a little boy playing on a balloon thing, and that part was actually sad because I'm sure that has happened before. And finally, the the worst part of the film; the captain of the boat slides down the sinking boat into the mouth of the shark. The shark bites down on the guy which of course burst blood out, and the guy starts throwing up blood. It's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo gross!!! I don't do bloody movies. I just don't.
That's all!
Jennifer Nicole.
#2 A Nightmare on Elm Street
This has got to be the goriest, bloodiest, most frightening movie I have ever seen! Now how many of you want to see this after hearing me describe it?! I cannot even tell you how much this movie freaked me out. Some guy with a burnt face and a blue and red striped shirt (which should have been vertical because horizontal stripes are not flattering) kills kids in their dreams. Freaky! I mean what kind of a psycho kills in dreams? Freddy Kruger, that's who! The scene where Johnny Depp's character dies is so gross I can't watch it ever again. He gets sucked into a bed and then a geyser of blood shoots out of a bed. It's so disturbing. I think a girl gets sucked into the wall in another scene and there was a lot of blood in that scene too. My sides cringe whenever I see blood or skin being ripped open. And those fingers! He has knives for a hand; kind of like Edward Scissorhands, which starred Johnny Depp (ironic) only Freddy uses his to kill and not for cutting hair.
OK....now for my number one scariest movie ever!
#1 JAWS
Bum..Bum. Bum..Bum. Who knew that two notes could scare the pants off of so many people. I dislike this movie with a passion. A freaking shark eats people! He eats people!!! This is one of the movies that I would only watch on TV and change the channel when the shark is going to attack. He attacks and slashes around that naked girl in the beginning, which is actually quite stupid. I mean, who goes swimming in the ocean naked and in the middle of the night?? Not me. I won't even go in the ocean with my clothes on in the daylight! He bites the leg off of a guy in a canoe and the leg sinks to the bottom of the ocean. He eats a little boy playing on a balloon thing, and that part was actually sad because I'm sure that has happened before. And finally, the the worst part of the film; the captain of the boat slides down the sinking boat into the mouth of the shark. The shark bites down on the guy which of course burst blood out, and the guy starts throwing up blood. It's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo gross!!! I don't do bloody movies. I just don't.
That's all!
Jennifer Nicole.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Countdown of the Scariest Movies Ever!
Continuing with my countdown...
#6 When A Stranger Calls (1979)
I think this movie is very freaky because this could actually happen. When I was in high school, my church youth group had girl's nights. We had a sleep over one night and for some reason we watched When A Stranger Calls, the original. And let me tell you, it was scary! It's about a babysitter who is stalked by some guy, that calls from within the house, and ends up killing the kids she is babysitting. Well, we were all laying on the floor, watching the movie, and at some point there was a scene that made you jump, and the girl next to be grabbed my arm. What is it about my arm that people grab during scary movies!? Do I want you to grab my arm? No. I'd watch scary movies alone for that reason but I just can't. I need someone's arm to grab if I get scared.
#5 Halloween
For some reason I did watch this movie alone, but it was on TV so I could change the channel if I knew something was about to happen. I don't know why I do that. My friend Sarah would just cover her ears if something was about to happen, but I wouldn't want to watch it either. I'd be covering my ears and my eyes! Anyways, I was watching Halloween on TV because I heard it was a really great movie. Well it wasn't. There was killing, and blood, and stalking. Creepy! It's not revealed until Halloween II, but Michael Myers is Laurie Strode's brother and that is why he stalked her. The theme song to Halloween is pretty scary too. That's how you know when Michael is around, the music starts to play. And why does he have to wear a mask. We all know his name and where he used to live. So why does he cover his face with a freaky mask? I'm just saying, it's weird.
#4 Pet Sematary
I absolutely did not like this movie! A cemetery that brings things back to life but not in a good way....CRAZY! It's kind of like Chucky only it's a real kid that comes back to life and kills his family. The part where he is hiding under the bed and cuts the old man's ankles grosses me out. Again with the ankles!! I just can't take it anymore!
# 3 Friday the 13th
The name says it all. It has bad luck written all over it. I told you that the killer wasn't Jason, right? Yes, yes I did. It was his mother in the first film because she wanted revenge on all counselors because her son drowned while no one was looking. So she shows up at the camp where her son died because some counselors are trying to get it up and running again. Well, she kills all but one girl, mainly because she didn't get naked, have sex, and she wasn't a jerk. You're pretty much going to end up dead if you do one of those three things. It's a given. Or if you're Kevin Bacon. He gets a knife of some kind shoved in him from underneath the bed. That was gross. But the stupidest part was when the girl was in the shower and all she does is stand there as the killer is approaching her. Run you fool!! Why would just stand there and scream? At least try to run for your life.
#6 When A Stranger Calls (1979)
I think this movie is very freaky because this could actually happen. When I was in high school, my church youth group had girl's nights. We had a sleep over one night and for some reason we watched When A Stranger Calls, the original. And let me tell you, it was scary! It's about a babysitter who is stalked by some guy, that calls from within the house, and ends up killing the kids she is babysitting. Well, we were all laying on the floor, watching the movie, and at some point there was a scene that made you jump, and the girl next to be grabbed my arm. What is it about my arm that people grab during scary movies!? Do I want you to grab my arm? No. I'd watch scary movies alone for that reason but I just can't. I need someone's arm to grab if I get scared.
#5 Halloween
For some reason I did watch this movie alone, but it was on TV so I could change the channel if I knew something was about to happen. I don't know why I do that. My friend Sarah would just cover her ears if something was about to happen, but I wouldn't want to watch it either. I'd be covering my ears and my eyes! Anyways, I was watching Halloween on TV because I heard it was a really great movie. Well it wasn't. There was killing, and blood, and stalking. Creepy! It's not revealed until Halloween II, but Michael Myers is Laurie Strode's brother and that is why he stalked her. The theme song to Halloween is pretty scary too. That's how you know when Michael is around, the music starts to play. And why does he have to wear a mask. We all know his name and where he used to live. So why does he cover his face with a freaky mask? I'm just saying, it's weird.
#4 Pet Sematary
I absolutely did not like this movie! A cemetery that brings things back to life but not in a good way....CRAZY! It's kind of like Chucky only it's a real kid that comes back to life and kills his family. The part where he is hiding under the bed and cuts the old man's ankles grosses me out. Again with the ankles!! I just can't take it anymore!
# 3 Friday the 13th
The name says it all. It has bad luck written all over it. I told you that the killer wasn't Jason, right? Yes, yes I did. It was his mother in the first film because she wanted revenge on all counselors because her son drowned while no one was looking. So she shows up at the camp where her son died because some counselors are trying to get it up and running again. Well, she kills all but one girl, mainly because she didn't get naked, have sex, and she wasn't a jerk. You're pretty much going to end up dead if you do one of those three things. It's a given. Or if you're Kevin Bacon. He gets a knife of some kind shoved in him from underneath the bed. That was gross. But the stupidest part was when the girl was in the shower and all she does is stand there as the killer is approaching her. Run you fool!! Why would just stand there and scream? At least try to run for your life.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Countdown of the Scariest Movies Ever!
In 2004, Bravo aired a mini series titled The 100 Scariest Movie Moments and to tell you the truth I have only seen a handful of these. Oddly enough my top 10 is pretty close to Bravo's top ten. Shocking. You can find the complete list here.
Here are my top ten scariest movies ever!!
#10 Signs
Signs was directed by the brilliant M. Night Shyamalan in 2002. This movie still gives me the chills. It's so suspenseful with the music and the way the aliens appear on the screen. When they are in the basement and the arm of an alien grabs the boy; or when Graham cuts the finger off of one of them; and certainly the ending makes me jump out of my seat every time! When the alien gets into Graham's house and Graham pulls the TV out into the living room you see the alien's reflection in the TV!! Creepy! The funny part of the movie is when the boy and his uncle are wearing the aluminum foil hats!
#9 Texas Chainsaw Massacre
A lot of screaming. A lot of people being chased, hit in the head, killed. No blood ever shown on screen. And yet this movie is considered one of the scariest movies of all time. It may not have had the best acting, and the story of a killing family was a little unimaginative (I mean come on, it was the 70s), but this film did the trick; it scared the crap out of me! I'm so glad I never saw this movie in theaters because I might have run right out of there. I went to a haunted forest one time and one of the characters had a chainsaw, granted the chain was not on the machine and it just made the noise of a chainsaw, but it still creeped me out. The scariest part of this movie is when Kirk enters the house and Leatherface hits him over the head and Kirk's body falls to the ground and starts shaking *Shivers in her skin*. I've only seen this movie once and that is enough for me! I don't like movies where some guy wearing the skin of another human on his face as a mask chases people with a chainsaw. No thanks. I'll pass.
#8 The Others
I can remember seeing this movie when it came out in theaters. I went with a group of friends. We sat near the top and I sat next to my friend Kristin. I didn't catch on to the fact that Nicole Kidman's character and her kids were actually the ones that dead. I'm slow like that. But the scariest part of this movie was near the end of film. The two children were hiding in a closet and the screen was black which meant the theater was pitch black. You couldn't see anything. Suddenly you hear the voice of an old woman. Kristin nearly tore my skin off. I mean I jumped too, don't get me wrong, it did scare the pee out of me. But what really scared me is Kristin grabbed my arm and dug her nails into my skin. I wasn't expecting her to freak out like that. So not only is the theater dark and a suddenly a woman speaks out of no where, but my friend grabs my arm at the same time!!! We had a good laugh afterward.
#7 Misery
"I'm your number one fan." Kathy Bates has got to be the creepiest stalker of all time portrayed in this film. I can't watch this movie without cringing or reaching for my ankles. You all know what I am talking about. If you haven't seen this movie, DON'T; unless you really do like misery. Get it, cuz the movie is called Misery. Nevermind. Well, the scariest and most bone crunching scene in this movie is when Kathy Bates' character puts a block of wood between Paul's feet. She then pulls out a sledge hammer and slams it into each foot breaking at the ankle. All so he wouldn't try to escape her craziness. Even talking about it makes my ankles hurt. And not only is the thought of it gross, but they actually showed his ankles dangle over the side of the wood!! I'm getting creeped out now.
Stay tuned for my countdown to the scariest movies ever!!
Jennifer Nicole
Here are my top ten scariest movies ever!!
#10 Signs
Signs was directed by the brilliant M. Night Shyamalan in 2002. This movie still gives me the chills. It's so suspenseful with the music and the way the aliens appear on the screen. When they are in the basement and the arm of an alien grabs the boy; or when Graham cuts the finger off of one of them; and certainly the ending makes me jump out of my seat every time! When the alien gets into Graham's house and Graham pulls the TV out into the living room you see the alien's reflection in the TV!! Creepy! The funny part of the movie is when the boy and his uncle are wearing the aluminum foil hats!
#9 Texas Chainsaw Massacre
A lot of screaming. A lot of people being chased, hit in the head, killed. No blood ever shown on screen. And yet this movie is considered one of the scariest movies of all time. It may not have had the best acting, and the story of a killing family was a little unimaginative (I mean come on, it was the 70s), but this film did the trick; it scared the crap out of me! I'm so glad I never saw this movie in theaters because I might have run right out of there. I went to a haunted forest one time and one of the characters had a chainsaw, granted the chain was not on the machine and it just made the noise of a chainsaw, but it still creeped me out. The scariest part of this movie is when Kirk enters the house and Leatherface hits him over the head and Kirk's body falls to the ground and starts shaking *Shivers in her skin*. I've only seen this movie once and that is enough for me! I don't like movies where some guy wearing the skin of another human on his face as a mask chases people with a chainsaw. No thanks. I'll pass.
#8 The Others
I can remember seeing this movie when it came out in theaters. I went with a group of friends. We sat near the top and I sat next to my friend Kristin. I didn't catch on to the fact that Nicole Kidman's character and her kids were actually the ones that dead. I'm slow like that. But the scariest part of this movie was near the end of film. The two children were hiding in a closet and the screen was black which meant the theater was pitch black. You couldn't see anything. Suddenly you hear the voice of an old woman. Kristin nearly tore my skin off. I mean I jumped too, don't get me wrong, it did scare the pee out of me. But what really scared me is Kristin grabbed my arm and dug her nails into my skin. I wasn't expecting her to freak out like that. So not only is the theater dark and a suddenly a woman speaks out of no where, but my friend grabs my arm at the same time!!! We had a good laugh afterward.
#7 Misery
"I'm your number one fan." Kathy Bates has got to be the creepiest stalker of all time portrayed in this film. I can't watch this movie without cringing or reaching for my ankles. You all know what I am talking about. If you haven't seen this movie, DON'T; unless you really do like misery. Get it, cuz the movie is called Misery. Nevermind. Well, the scariest and most bone crunching scene in this movie is when Kathy Bates' character puts a block of wood between Paul's feet. She then pulls out a sledge hammer and slams it into each foot breaking at the ankle. All so he wouldn't try to escape her craziness. Even talking about it makes my ankles hurt. And not only is the thought of it gross, but they actually showed his ankles dangle over the side of the wood!! I'm getting creeped out now.
Stay tuned for my countdown to the scariest movies ever!!
Jennifer Nicole
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Horror Of It All
Remember when the lawyer gets eaten by the T-Rex on the toilet, after Jeff Goldblum says, "When you gotta go, you gotta go?" Or when "Bruce" eats the captain of the boat? Or when Johnny Depp gets sucked into the bed and then a geyser of blood explodes out of the bed? Or when Michael Myers (not to be confused with Mike Myers, the voice of Shrek) stalks Jamie Lee Curtis? Or when Kirk is hit in the head by Leatherface and although it seems he is killed, his body shakes on the ground? Or when you found out at the end of the movie that it wasn't Jason killing everyone, it was in fact his mother? Or when Drew Barrymore is credited as one of the stars of Scream when really she is killed within the first ten minutes of the film? Or when you hear "One, two, Freddy's coming for you," the hairs on the back of your neck stick up?
Well I would like to wipe those images from my brain as they haunt me every Halloween. I do not like horror movies. They creep me out (as every horror movie director jumps for joy because that is the purpose of horror movies). I can remember when I was maybe 13 or 14, I stayed the night at a friend's house. We ended up watching Scream, during the day I might add, in her basement. I have to admit that Scream is really not all that scary now that I look back. It's actually comical. But, at the time it totally freaked me out. Not only did we watch the movie in her basement, my friend wanted to sleep in basement; the dark, cold, can't see if someone wearing that mask is there, basement. I got scared. I left my friend, went all the way upstairs to the second floor, and slept in her bed. I was not going to sleep in a dark basement. I still can't watch Scream today because the blood is quite gross and the fact that people do go around killing people kind of freaks me out. If I watch the movie on TV, then I can just change the channel when I know someone is going to die. That's usually what I do when I watch Jaws too.
I think that is why some of these horror movies are scary; they could actually happen. Now I know dinosaurs aren't roaming the earth eating people off of toilets, and I know that Freddy isn't in my dreams wanting to kill me. However, sharks have been known to eat people which is why I will never set foot in any ocean. What's funny though is I love Shark Week on the discovery channel. The documentary Planet Earth caught some really good footage of some sharks off of seal island. Sharks are magnificent creatures, but I do not want to go near them.
I also know that people don't come back from the dead after drowning in a lake, but people do kill just for the thrill of it. I went to Summer camp one year and a girl was almost kidnapped. The rest of the week, we had to walk in groups of three or more. It's pretty scary what people will do especially when kids are around. My dad doesn't believe me, but in the original 1980 slasher Friday the 13th, Jason is not the killer. It's his mother! If you don't believe me, then watch the movie yourself. Jason does not become the killer until Friday the 13th Part 2. When Alice, in the first movie, is the lone survivor she hears a car rolling up and it's Mrs. Voorhees, Jason's mom, but she doesn't reveal it until she suddenly attacks Alice. But when the boy Jason grabs Alice under the water at the end of the movie, I jump every time.
I am not always afraid of horror movies. I remember sleeping over at my friend Ashley's house and our friend Jessica was there too. We decided to watch House on Haunted Hill. Sounds creepy, right? Well it was, but I was too tired to notice. There was blood, and killing, and some creepy dark shadow following people. Well, the movie ended and we decided to keep the light on. Jessica slept on the couch, while Ashley and I slept on the floor. I kid you not, all of a sudden the lamp flickered and then turned off. I heard a soft shriek from the couch and the voices of my friends saying, "No, you turn it back on." I got up from the floor, walked over to the lamp, touched it lightly and then it came back on. I then looked over to find my friend Jessica now on the floor with Ashley. I remember saying, "You guys are a bunch of wussies." Then I went back to bed. That is the only time I wasn't scared of a horror movie.
I could talk forever about horror movies, so I am going to have to same some for other blogs. Be sure to look for my list of the top 10 scariest movies.
Jennifer Nicole
Well I would like to wipe those images from my brain as they haunt me every Halloween. I do not like horror movies. They creep me out (as every horror movie director jumps for joy because that is the purpose of horror movies). I can remember when I was maybe 13 or 14, I stayed the night at a friend's house. We ended up watching Scream, during the day I might add, in her basement. I have to admit that Scream is really not all that scary now that I look back. It's actually comical. But, at the time it totally freaked me out. Not only did we watch the movie in her basement, my friend wanted to sleep in basement; the dark, cold, can't see if someone wearing that mask is there, basement. I got scared. I left my friend, went all the way upstairs to the second floor, and slept in her bed. I was not going to sleep in a dark basement. I still can't watch Scream today because the blood is quite gross and the fact that people do go around killing people kind of freaks me out. If I watch the movie on TV, then I can just change the channel when I know someone is going to die. That's usually what I do when I watch Jaws too.
I think that is why some of these horror movies are scary; they could actually happen. Now I know dinosaurs aren't roaming the earth eating people off of toilets, and I know that Freddy isn't in my dreams wanting to kill me. However, sharks have been known to eat people which is why I will never set foot in any ocean. What's funny though is I love Shark Week on the discovery channel. The documentary Planet Earth caught some really good footage of some sharks off of seal island. Sharks are magnificent creatures, but I do not want to go near them.
I also know that people don't come back from the dead after drowning in a lake, but people do kill just for the thrill of it. I went to Summer camp one year and a girl was almost kidnapped. The rest of the week, we had to walk in groups of three or more. It's pretty scary what people will do especially when kids are around. My dad doesn't believe me, but in the original 1980 slasher Friday the 13th, Jason is not the killer. It's his mother! If you don't believe me, then watch the movie yourself. Jason does not become the killer until Friday the 13th Part 2. When Alice, in the first movie, is the lone survivor she hears a car rolling up and it's Mrs. Voorhees, Jason's mom, but she doesn't reveal it until she suddenly attacks Alice. But when the boy Jason grabs Alice under the water at the end of the movie, I jump every time.
I am not always afraid of horror movies. I remember sleeping over at my friend Ashley's house and our friend Jessica was there too. We decided to watch House on Haunted Hill. Sounds creepy, right? Well it was, but I was too tired to notice. There was blood, and killing, and some creepy dark shadow following people. Well, the movie ended and we decided to keep the light on. Jessica slept on the couch, while Ashley and I slept on the floor. I kid you not, all of a sudden the lamp flickered and then turned off. I heard a soft shriek from the couch and the voices of my friends saying, "No, you turn it back on." I got up from the floor, walked over to the lamp, touched it lightly and then it came back on. I then looked over to find my friend Jessica now on the floor with Ashley. I remember saying, "You guys are a bunch of wussies." Then I went back to bed. That is the only time I wasn't scared of a horror movie.
I could talk forever about horror movies, so I am going to have to same some for other blogs. Be sure to look for my list of the top 10 scariest movies.
Jennifer Nicole
Monday, October 18, 2010
Spiders, Bees and Plain Donuts.
OK, just because I do not like spiders and bees does not make me a pessimistic. I do not like when bees fly around my head and land on my food. It is gross and they have stingers that sting you. Now, I haven't actually been stung by a bee in a very long time (which is long ago according to my friend Andrew who called me a dinosaur on a count that I am old. hardy har har.) but that doesn't mean I want them all over me. I also do not like spiders. They are hairy, and creepy and crawly.
I went to Miller's Big Red Apple Orchard Greenhouses and Cider Mill. That is a very long name for a cider mill now that I read it. Wow. *Long pause as I think how the name could be shortened*
We carpooled to 32 Mile and Mound to a cute little town, Romeo, MI. Well, Melissa and I thought it was cute. I'd live there. It just dawned on me that we drove thirty minutes to pick apples when there is a Wal-Mart across the street from our church. Hmm....I guess it was the fun and experience we were looking for. So we're at the cider mill, a family oriented cider mill, and the 9 of us twenty-somethings picked apples. We got in line to pay for our $5 1/4lb bag, and the lady says, "You're gonna need a picker." I replied, "I am the picker. I'll pick my own apples." She says, "No, the apples are at the top of the trees, you're gonna need a picker. You won't be able to reach them." I pointed to the tall guys in our group and said they would help. She rudely replies with, "NO, you're gonna be a picker." And she pulls out this long stick with a catching net at the end. I was like...oooohhh. She could have just shown that to me in the first place. We had to put down a $10 deposit, which we got back when we returned the picker. Can I just say that even Connie, who is about 5 feet tall, picked her own apples without the picker. It was a little ridiculous.
We got on the tracker, and rode to the apple trees. I suppose since Halloween is just around the corner, the farm had all these creepy (but i had to take a picture) things.
a random house that was locked and had a beat up electric organ on the porch
A scene that looked like it came out of Harry Potter, but not really :)
Let's just say it was a fun Sunday afternoon. We picked our apples. We drank cider and ate donuts. And to the request of my sister-in-law, here is the story behind the plain donut. We waited in line inside the main barn where they serve all the food for donuts and cider, that were way over priced might I add, and when we walked outside this delicious aroma of different smells filled my nose and that was hard to do because I have a cold and I had to breathe through my mouth all day. I don't recommend breathing through your mouth because then your mouth gets dry which makes you want more cider and then you have to pee the rest of the night. Anyway, we found a table and just dove into conversations and laughs and all around good times! I did buy my own donut, but my brother Mike bought a dozen. Before I finished my donut, we were talking about spiders and that stupid bee was flying around me and landing on the jug of cider. I stated, "I hate bees," and "I hate spiders," somewhere in between all the talking. At this time I had finished my donut, which was cinnamon. I asked Mike if I could have one of his. He pulled out a plain donut to which I replied, "No, I want a cinnamon." Andrew then said I was a pessimistic. First I hate bees and spiders, and now plain donut. For the record, I do not hate plain donuts. I just wanted a cinnamon.
And you would think the farm could spell Raspberries correctly, but no.
Jennifer Nicole
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Hannah's Prayer
I was working on my first lesson in "Life Principles from the Prophets of the Old Testament" and was reading in 1 Samuel chapter 2. For those of you who don't know, Hannah was barren for many years and prayed to the Lord to give her a male child and in return would give that child back to the Lord. This is her prayer after her son, Samuel, was born. It's amazing!
1 And Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
My horn[a] is exalted in the LORD.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
My horn[a] is exalted in the LORD.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
2 “No one is holy like the LORD,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.
3 “Talk no more so very proudly;
Let no arrogance come from your mouth,
For the LORD is the God of knowledge;
And by Him actions are weighed.
Let no arrogance come from your mouth,
For the LORD is the God of knowledge;
And by Him actions are weighed.
4 “The bows of the mighty men are broken,
And those who stumbled are girded with strength.
And those who stumbled are girded with strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
And the hungry have ceased to hunger.
Even the barren has borne seven,
And she who has many children has become feeble.
And the hungry have ceased to hunger.
Even the barren has borne seven,
And she who has many children has become feeble.
6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and lifts up.
He brings low and lifts up.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
“For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
And He has set the world upon them.
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
“For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
And He has set the world upon them.
9 He will guard the feet of His saints,
But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.
“For by strength no man shall prevail.
But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.
“For by strength no man shall prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces;
From heaven He will thunder against them.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to His king,
And exalt the horn of His anointed.”
From heaven He will thunder against them.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to His king,
And exalt the horn of His anointed.”
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Jaw Dropping
I cannot even begin to describe what I am about to tell you! It's so crazy! If I was telling you this in person, I bet your jaw would drop like mine did. I cannot believe this woman did what she did!
So, I was helping a lady customer pick out a chain for herself. She said she wanted a yellow gold, box chain. I showed her the only two that I have in stock. They were too thin. I showed her the white gold, box chain. It was too thick. She then asked me, "Are these the only two you have in yellow gold?" She asked this after me saying "these are the only two yellow gold box chains that I have." I hate when people ask me stupid questions after I have just explained to them the answer beforehand. Well, she didn't think they were thick enough for the pendant she wanted to put on it. So then she wanted to look at the rope chains. She picked one out, so I took it out of the showcase to show to her. It was (notice the emphasis there) a 10 karat yellow gold rope chain. It was a really nice looking chain. It was $88. I explained to her that rope chains are actually supposed to be just as durable as box chains because of the way they are made.
Now just to point out that gold in any shape or form is a soft medal. If the chain is 10 karats, that means there is 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals to make the chain (or any piece of jewelry for that matter) hold together, to equal 24 karats. I don't care what country you come from, or what jewelry store you shop at, you cannot make anything out of pure, and only 24 karat gold. It's just not possible! It's way too soft and would literally fall apart in your hands. If something says 24 karat gold, then it is either plated with 24 karat gold, or has other metals mixed in with the 24 karat gold.
Ok, back to my story. This is where my jaw hit the floor. Just as I finished telling her that rope chains are just as durable as box chains, this woman...and I still can't believe she did this....This woman grasped the chain with both hands (like if you were to make 2 fists and put them next to each other where the thumbs and index fingers meet) and pulls on it and breaks it and says "Nope, they're not!"
And then she had the nerve to say, "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't actually mean to break it." Well what did you expect when you pull so hard on a necklace!? I didn't know what to say. My jaw fell down and there were no words. If she asked to see another chain I would have said, "Ok, but I'm gonna have to ask that you not break this one!" Too bad we don't have a You Break It, You Buy It policy. I mean, who comes into a store and purposefully pulls on something like she did, with force I might add, to see if it will break!? I didn't say that it wouldn't break, but with the ropes and box chains there a chance that they can take some abuse if they are pulled. But she pulled so hard like it was a tug-o-war contest. Who does that??
So now I have to claim out an $88 piece of jewelry because a customer broke it, and I lost a potential sale. I mean, since I am claiming it out, my warehouse will send me a replacement, but still! This whole thing could have been avoided if I had just called in sick. LOL. Just kidding.
Jennifer Nicole
So, I was helping a lady customer pick out a chain for herself. She said she wanted a yellow gold, box chain. I showed her the only two that I have in stock. They were too thin. I showed her the white gold, box chain. It was too thick. She then asked me, "Are these the only two you have in yellow gold?" She asked this after me saying "these are the only two yellow gold box chains that I have." I hate when people ask me stupid questions after I have just explained to them the answer beforehand. Well, she didn't think they were thick enough for the pendant she wanted to put on it. So then she wanted to look at the rope chains. She picked one out, so I took it out of the showcase to show to her. It was (notice the emphasis there) a 10 karat yellow gold rope chain. It was a really nice looking chain. It was $88. I explained to her that rope chains are actually supposed to be just as durable as box chains because of the way they are made.
Now just to point out that gold in any shape or form is a soft medal. If the chain is 10 karats, that means there is 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals to make the chain (or any piece of jewelry for that matter) hold together, to equal 24 karats. I don't care what country you come from, or what jewelry store you shop at, you cannot make anything out of pure, and only 24 karat gold. It's just not possible! It's way too soft and would literally fall apart in your hands. If something says 24 karat gold, then it is either plated with 24 karat gold, or has other metals mixed in with the 24 karat gold.
Ok, back to my story. This is where my jaw hit the floor. Just as I finished telling her that rope chains are just as durable as box chains, this woman...and I still can't believe she did this....This woman grasped the chain with both hands (like if you were to make 2 fists and put them next to each other where the thumbs and index fingers meet) and pulls on it and breaks it and says "Nope, they're not!"
SHE BROKE THE CHAIN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!!!!!!!!
So now I have to claim out an $88 piece of jewelry because a customer broke it, and I lost a potential sale. I mean, since I am claiming it out, my warehouse will send me a replacement, but still! This whole thing could have been avoided if I had just called in sick. LOL. Just kidding.
Jennifer Nicole
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Q: Are you 22 or 23? A: Neither, I'm 25.
I went to a birthday party on Friday for my friend Ashley. She just turned 27, although she certainly doesn't look it. I think nowadays people look younger as they get older. One of my brother's friends'(and one of my newest friends as well), Gina for example, does not look her age which will be disclosed as I think she would not want me to mention it here. Oh heck, I'll say it. She's 31. If you saw her though, you would think maybe 27 or 28 as I did. She thanked me of course because every woman wants others to think she is younger than she actually is.
The party was really fun. We had chips and dip, red velvet cake, pop, and spirits which I have recently learned means mixed drinks. Mine was pretty good. I am not a beer drinker, so I had a fruity drink which gave me a headache. Not a hangover headache, just a headache because I do not drink regularly. I probably had my last drink about 3 years ago when I visited my friend Jamie at school in Kentucky. I might have had a rum in coke last year at the karaoke bar, but I don't know. Needless to say, I do not drink. I'd rather have water!
Some of us girls played Boulder Dash where you are given 4 categories and one player reads one of the categories and writes down the real answer, and the rest of us write down what we think the answer is. Then the one player who read the questions reads all the answers and we have to choose which one we think is correct. We only played one round, but it was fun in the moment.
We also played a video game called Let's Dance on the Wii. Have you heard of it?! (*my sarcasm is coming out*). Of course you've heard of the Wii. Well if you haven't heard of it, it's a video game console where you use the motion of your body as you hold the Wiimotes (Wii Remote). It's only the most popular video game in the world. I did not dance but it was fun watching the others dance, badly I might add. Actually Gina was the best and kicked everyone's butt.
The funniest part of the night had to have been when my sister-in-law Nikki looked at me and asked, "Are you 22 or 23?" I looked at her and laughed and said, "Neither. I'm 25." She asked for reasons which might have to be a whole blog in itself, but she was thinking that my sister turned 21 this year so I had to be the next in line which I am not because my brother is younger than me. It was just funny. I guess you had to be there.
Jennifer Nicole
The party was really fun. We had chips and dip, red velvet cake, pop, and spirits which I have recently learned means mixed drinks. Mine was pretty good. I am not a beer drinker, so I had a fruity drink which gave me a headache. Not a hangover headache, just a headache because I do not drink regularly. I probably had my last drink about 3 years ago when I visited my friend Jamie at school in Kentucky. I might have had a rum in coke last year at the karaoke bar, but I don't know. Needless to say, I do not drink. I'd rather have water!
Some of us girls played Boulder Dash where you are given 4 categories and one player reads one of the categories and writes down the real answer, and the rest of us write down what we think the answer is. Then the one player who read the questions reads all the answers and we have to choose which one we think is correct. We only played one round, but it was fun in the moment.
We also played a video game called Let's Dance on the Wii. Have you heard of it?! (*my sarcasm is coming out*). Of course you've heard of the Wii. Well if you haven't heard of it, it's a video game console where you use the motion of your body as you hold the Wiimotes (Wii Remote). It's only the most popular video game in the world. I did not dance but it was fun watching the others dance, badly I might add. Actually Gina was the best and kicked everyone's butt.
The funniest part of the night had to have been when my sister-in-law Nikki looked at me and asked, "Are you 22 or 23?" I looked at her and laughed and said, "Neither. I'm 25." She asked for reasons which might have to be a whole blog in itself, but she was thinking that my sister turned 21 this year so I had to be the next in line which I am not because my brother is younger than me. It was just funny. I guess you had to be there.
Jennifer Nicole
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The weather is changing and I can feel my nose getting stuffy.
Harvest time is almost here! I can almost smell the apple cider and pumpkin pie as it passes through the house and into my nose when I walk in the door! This is such a special time of year. Soon the leaves will be changing into the most beautiful arranges of greens, reds, oranges, and yellows. I can picture myself walking my dog and filling my nostrils with the aroma of freshly cut grass. Hmmm... Autumn has a lot to do with smells! Well, let's talk about some of the things we get to do in the Fall, shall we?
I always look forward to doing things outdoors in the Fall. Cider Mills, apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, bonfires, cook outs, playing in the leaves, etc... I love it all! September through November, sometimes December depending on Michigan weather, allows for so many activities. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Last year my church went to a farm for a hayride where the wagon was in the shape of an ark, as in Noah's ark. We had many different and yummy types of chili, although I only ate the white bean chicken chili, and corn bread. Mmm mmm, cornbread! We also sat around a camp fire and listened to the Word of God being taught to us as we sat under the stars. The sky was so clear that night and the air was cool. It was a beautiful sight. Here are a few pictures from that night!
I can't wait for Autumn to get here. My mom and I already spotted a tree with it's leaves changing colors. So exciting!!
Thanks for reading.
Jennifer Nicole
I always look forward to doing things outdoors in the Fall. Cider Mills, apple picking, pumpkin patches, hayrides, bonfires, cook outs, playing in the leaves, etc... I love it all! September through November, sometimes December depending on Michigan weather, allows for so many activities. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Last year my church went to a farm for a hayride where the wagon was in the shape of an ark, as in Noah's ark. We had many different and yummy types of chili, although I only ate the white bean chicken chili, and corn bread. Mmm mmm, cornbread! We also sat around a camp fire and listened to the Word of God being taught to us as we sat under the stars. The sky was so clear that night and the air was cool. It was a beautiful sight. Here are a few pictures from that night!
Thanks for reading.
Jennifer Nicole
Monday, September 6, 2010
Mark Twain House Peach
So we all know that Mark Twain is famous for his novels such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but did you know that his real name is actually Samuel Clemens? I stumbled across a website called Welcome to the Mark Twain House and Museum to look up some info on him, and in his biography it mentions Sam Clemens. And I was thinking, who the heck is Sam Clemens? It's Mark Twain.
Now that that is clarified, I would like to tell you about my weekend. It started last week when my good friend Susie asked if anyone wanted to help her paint the front room in her house. I, for some odd reason volunteered. She sent me a text saying to be at her house around 11a.m. So I sent her a text back saying Ok. What seemed like 10 minutes had passed by when I received another text saying, and this is word for word, "Wear old clothes and a lot of deodorant." The reason I say it seemed like 10 minutes is because that is how long it took her to write that second text. She just got a texting plan, but can't quite grasped the concept of quick texts. I love her anyways despite this flaw! Anyhow... I went over there Friday morning around 11 and she quickly put me to work; taping off doorways with that lovely blue tape was really hard. I worked up a sweat taping more than I did painting, and to be fair she did warn me to wear a lot of deodorant (and I did!). The walls had already been sanded and Spackled in some spots so it was ready for a fresh coat of paint. I must have been taping for an hour and a half when we took a break. We are girls after all. Susie bought me lunch at Subway but before we could go to Subway, she had to run some errands; the post office and Rite Aid and the bank. Our lunch break had turned into an errand run. While I was waiting for her in the van, i tried to turn on the radio to listen to some music. I couldn't get it to work. I pushed every button but nothing seemed to turn it on. So I sat there in the parking lot of the post office, waiting. Good thing it wasn't hot out and she did crack the windows. When she got back into the van, she thanked me for waiting. I replied, "Where was a I gonna go?" Apparently, her son Noah does not like running errands with his mom and is always complaining.
We get back to her house and had our lunch then got right back to work. Somehow, I got stuck with doing most of the painting with the roller while Susie used a sliding tool along the ceiling so I didn't have to tape off the ceiling. And because I'm such a good steward in the Lord, I did the painting without complaining (Philippians 2:14). By 3:30 we got a huge chunk of the walls and hallway painted with a first coat, including a small spot on the ceiling where I accidentally brushed it with the roller. Oops!
As if I didn't have enough fun with her and her two boys, I tagged along to their karate class. Noah is really good and I think karate will help Caleb with strengthening his legs. I have to admit though, I was paying more attention to one of the older, taller, and very good-looking black belts. *Blush blush blush* Anyways, it's a really cool class. It's at a church in Warren and they pray, read Bible scriptures, and share a lesson with the students. I told Caleb I wanted to come see him and Noah get there new belts.
After the karate class it was time for Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. This was not my first choice in movies but the kids liked it. It was very Disney predictable. At one point the two main characters, Demi Lavato and Joe Jonas' characters (yes, I know there names now) got into a fight. I looked at Susie and said, "I know what happens. They're gonna sing a song, and kiss and make up and hold hands." Noah quickly replied with such seriousness, "You've seen this already!?" It was a brand new movie and first time premiere, so no I haven't seen it. I haven't even seen Camp Rock the first movie. We were laughing so hard!
Now it's 10pm and Susie was thinking she wanted to paint some more but some of church friends came over to see the room, so we ended up talking for a while instead. She kept saying I should just spend the night because she was going to paint in the morning and wanted my help. Her husband, Scott went to bed because he leaving for Cedar Point in the morning. He came back out around midnight and turned on the TV. We made cookies and watched Who's Line Is It Anyway? and then went to bed, finally!
I was awakened by their dog, Cino (as is cappuccino) when he jumped on my stomach. It was about 9 in the morning. Apparently the boys were waiting for me to wake up so they could watch TV and play video games. We had breakfast and started painting again. I was really tired so I took small breaks. When I went to grab some cereal and watch TV with Caleb, guess what he was watching? That's right! Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam again!! I now have one of the songs in my head; "I'm giving you the fire..."
We finally called it quits on the painting around 12:30 and as if I haven't spent enough time with Susie's family, she invited me to her brother-in-law's birthday party BBQ. I looked at her and said, "Susie, I"m running out of clothes and I didn't bring any deodorant!" So I took a shower to freshen up and borrowed her stick of deodorant. It sounds really gross, but I was not going to go anywhere without smelling nice. We're friends. It's OK. She also let me borrow a sweat shirt because it was cold outside.
The party was nice and the food was good. Some friends from church were there too.
So, that was my weekend with Susie; painting, Disney Channel, cookies, and a BBQ.
By the way, the color of the paint is called Mark Twain House Peach.
Thanks for reading!
Jennifer Nicole
Now that that is clarified, I would like to tell you about my weekend. It started last week when my good friend Susie asked if anyone wanted to help her paint the front room in her house. I, for some odd reason volunteered. She sent me a text saying to be at her house around 11a.m. So I sent her a text back saying Ok. What seemed like 10 minutes had passed by when I received another text saying, and this is word for word, "Wear old clothes and a lot of deodorant." The reason I say it seemed like 10 minutes is because that is how long it took her to write that second text. She just got a texting plan, but can't quite grasped the concept of quick texts. I love her anyways despite this flaw! Anyhow... I went over there Friday morning around 11 and she quickly put me to work; taping off doorways with that lovely blue tape was really hard. I worked up a sweat taping more than I did painting, and to be fair she did warn me to wear a lot of deodorant (and I did!). The walls had already been sanded and Spackled in some spots so it was ready for a fresh coat of paint. I must have been taping for an hour and a half when we took a break. We are girls after all. Susie bought me lunch at Subway but before we could go to Subway, she had to run some errands; the post office and Rite Aid and the bank. Our lunch break had turned into an errand run. While I was waiting for her in the van, i tried to turn on the radio to listen to some music. I couldn't get it to work. I pushed every button but nothing seemed to turn it on. So I sat there in the parking lot of the post office, waiting. Good thing it wasn't hot out and she did crack the windows. When she got back into the van, she thanked me for waiting. I replied, "Where was a I gonna go?" Apparently, her son Noah does not like running errands with his mom and is always complaining.
We get back to her house and had our lunch then got right back to work. Somehow, I got stuck with doing most of the painting with the roller while Susie used a sliding tool along the ceiling so I didn't have to tape off the ceiling. And because I'm such a good steward in the Lord, I did the painting without complaining (Philippians 2:14). By 3:30 we got a huge chunk of the walls and hallway painted with a first coat, including a small spot on the ceiling where I accidentally brushed it with the roller. Oops!
As if I didn't have enough fun with her and her two boys, I tagged along to their karate class. Noah is really good and I think karate will help Caleb with strengthening his legs. I have to admit though, I was paying more attention to one of the older, taller, and very good-looking black belts. *Blush blush blush* Anyways, it's a really cool class. It's at a church in Warren and they pray, read Bible scriptures, and share a lesson with the students. I told Caleb I wanted to come see him and Noah get there new belts.
After the karate class it was time for Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. This was not my first choice in movies but the kids liked it. It was very Disney predictable. At one point the two main characters, Demi Lavato and Joe Jonas' characters (yes, I know there names now) got into a fight. I looked at Susie and said, "I know what happens. They're gonna sing a song, and kiss and make up and hold hands." Noah quickly replied with such seriousness, "You've seen this already!?" It was a brand new movie and first time premiere, so no I haven't seen it. I haven't even seen Camp Rock the first movie. We were laughing so hard!
Now it's 10pm and Susie was thinking she wanted to paint some more but some of church friends came over to see the room, so we ended up talking for a while instead. She kept saying I should just spend the night because she was going to paint in the morning and wanted my help. Her husband, Scott went to bed because he leaving for Cedar Point in the morning. He came back out around midnight and turned on the TV. We made cookies and watched Who's Line Is It Anyway? and then went to bed, finally!
I was awakened by their dog, Cino (as is cappuccino) when he jumped on my stomach. It was about 9 in the morning. Apparently the boys were waiting for me to wake up so they could watch TV and play video games. We had breakfast and started painting again. I was really tired so I took small breaks. When I went to grab some cereal and watch TV with Caleb, guess what he was watching? That's right! Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam again!! I now have one of the songs in my head; "I'm giving you the fire..."
We finally called it quits on the painting around 12:30 and as if I haven't spent enough time with Susie's family, she invited me to her brother-in-law's birthday party BBQ. I looked at her and said, "Susie, I"m running out of clothes and I didn't bring any deodorant!" So I took a shower to freshen up and borrowed her stick of deodorant. It sounds really gross, but I was not going to go anywhere without smelling nice. We're friends. It's OK. She also let me borrow a sweat shirt because it was cold outside.
The party was nice and the food was good. Some friends from church were there too.
So, that was my weekend with Susie; painting, Disney Channel, cookies, and a BBQ.
By the way, the color of the paint is called Mark Twain House Peach.
Thanks for reading!
Jennifer Nicole
Monday, August 30, 2010
Does the Devil [Really] Wear Prada?
Did you know that the original budget for costumes alone for the movie The Devil Wears Prada was $100,000 only to find out that the most expensive item costs just that?! They had to raise the budget to more than a million just for the clothes. What a dream!
Ok, so I don't particularly like the movie The Devil Wears Prada. It's kind of like when you see a car wreck or a dead animal on the road. You don't want to look, but you look anyway. It was a typical Sunday afternoon. My dad had made some really yummy food. Fillet Mignon with bacon wrapped around it, baked beans and broccoli cheese rice. I think my mouth is filling with saliva just talking about it, but i digress. I turned on the tube to watch the usual Sunday afternoon movies that are on every week, and i stress every week. The Devil Wears Prada happened to be on AGAIN. I told myself, "Self, there has to something better on TV." There wasn't, so I watched it AGAIN. It's not really the movie that I dislike, or the actors or story. It's more the fact that I cannot dress like those women. I mean if I had a budget of $100,000 of course I would spend $1,000,000; and no I that is not a typo. I secretly envy the women that carry themselves in beautiful garments and it kills me that I can't. I would spend a lot of money on clothes. I like clothes. I like dressing for the occasion. I like all things clothes, but I don't do any of it because I do not have that kind of money.
I could buy Chanel, Prada, Calvin Klein. While I admire those designers and looking through fashion magazines, I like keeping a distance between this obsession of mine. I am not really a "material girl" like Madonna. I'm not a lot of things like Madonna! Although my mom would tell you to take a look in my closet and see things differently. I appreciate clothes and shoes and handbags, but I would never let those things get in the way of who I really am. This society we live in is under the power of Hollywood telling us we need more, more MORE!! We need the best things, the pretty things, the expensive things. What's wrong with Target, Kohl's, or dare I say Wal-Mart. And it's not just because I work there. Sometimes Wal-Mart has some nice things at nice prices. Don't get me wrong, if you shop at stores that have pricier items, or you have a lot of clothes, it's not a bad thing. It's only bad if that's all you care about. There's more to life that clothes. Did I really just say that? Me?! Wow! This must be what growing up feels like. Hmmm...
"That's all."
Jennifer Nicole
Ok, so I don't particularly like the movie The Devil Wears Prada. It's kind of like when you see a car wreck or a dead animal on the road. You don't want to look, but you look anyway. It was a typical Sunday afternoon. My dad had made some really yummy food. Fillet Mignon with bacon wrapped around it, baked beans and broccoli cheese rice. I think my mouth is filling with saliva just talking about it, but i digress. I turned on the tube to watch the usual Sunday afternoon movies that are on every week, and i stress every week. The Devil Wears Prada happened to be on AGAIN. I told myself, "Self, there has to something better on TV." There wasn't, so I watched it AGAIN. It's not really the movie that I dislike, or the actors or story. It's more the fact that I cannot dress like those women. I mean if I had a budget of $100,000 of course I would spend $1,000,000; and no I that is not a typo. I secretly envy the women that carry themselves in beautiful garments and it kills me that I can't. I would spend a lot of money on clothes. I like clothes. I like dressing for the occasion. I like all things clothes, but I don't do any of it because I do not have that kind of money.
I could buy Chanel, Prada, Calvin Klein. While I admire those designers and looking through fashion magazines, I like keeping a distance between this obsession of mine. I am not really a "material girl" like Madonna. I'm not a lot of things like Madonna! Although my mom would tell you to take a look in my closet and see things differently. I appreciate clothes and shoes and handbags, but I would never let those things get in the way of who I really am. This society we live in is under the power of Hollywood telling us we need more, more MORE!! We need the best things, the pretty things, the expensive things. What's wrong with Target, Kohl's, or dare I say Wal-Mart. And it's not just because I work there. Sometimes Wal-Mart has some nice things at nice prices. Don't get me wrong, if you shop at stores that have pricier items, or you have a lot of clothes, it's not a bad thing. It's only bad if that's all you care about. There's more to life that clothes. Did I really just say that? Me?! Wow! This must be what growing up feels like. Hmmm...
"That's all."
Jennifer Nicole
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Have You Ever Seen the Rain...bow?
I have currently been reading in the book of Genesis and I have come across the story of Noah. I love this part of history! But before I can tell you about Noah, you must read where it all began.
Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God created Adam, and Eve for Adam to, as the Bible puts it so delicately, "be fruitful and multiply." Everything was perfect in the Garden of Eden until Eve was tempted by the Serpent and gave into temptation and then offered it to Adam. So the pair get kicked out of the Garden of Eden and sin is born.
Let's move ahead to chapter 6. Sons and daughters of man are born, and the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were beautiful. Some say that the sons of God are angels, non-human; but they came into human form. Basically they were "fruitful and multiplied" with the daughters of man. This made God very angry because procreation was meant for humans. God said that He would destroy the earth and every living thing that He had created and regretted that He did create it. However, God saw favor in Noah.
Noah was a great, godly, faithful man. God told Noah to build an ark because He was going to send a great flood to earth and destroy everything except Noah, his family and 2 of every creature (and a few more for sacrifices and food) to repopulate the earth later. So now there's water every where covering even the highest mountains. Now we all know that it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, but did you know that the waters stayed on the earth for another 150 days? It's true. Read it in Genesis 7 about the great flood.
Chapter 9 is where I start to feel a tugging on my heart every time. God made a covenant with Noah that He would never send a flood again or destroy the earth in the matter that He had done ever again. As a symbol of this covenant, God made a rainbow in the clouds. So, now whenever it rains, a rainbow is seen in the sky as a reminder of God's promise! How amazing is that! God is so awesome in His love for us! I hope the next time you see a rainbow, you think about God and His loving mercy!
Keep the faith!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Name of the Game is...
I have been raised in church my whole life. I might as well have been born in the church nursery. That's where it all began. I am so blessed to have been born into a Christian family. My testimony does not include a life before where I was a drunk, a drug addict, or sleeping around with all the boys. I was simply a sinner, am a sinner. But by the grace of God I have been saved! What a wonderful thing to say! I have some time (and by time I mean all the live long day) in my daily life where I am on the computer, so I might as well document my thoughts and let you inside my head. Pretty scary, huh?
I was thinking about 2 Timothy 4:7 which says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." The author of the Timothys in the Bible was Paul. Now his testimony is far more complex than mine. He killed and persecuted Christians before he came to know the Lord. At the time when he wrote 2 Timothy, he knew his life had been complete according to God's will. He had preached the Word and glorified God in all that he did. He even spent time in prison for being a Christian! Praise God we live in a free country where that doesn't happen!
But....and this is a huge BUT! The next verse declares Paul's future as well as mine. "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." I cannot wait to meet my Savior face to face. What a wonderful day that will be! I feel like breaking out in song right here but I won't. As Carrie Underwood puts it, "this is my temporary home." My life is not yet complete here on this earth and I will patiently wait for God's plan to be made through me. In the meantime, I will try my best to glorify God in all that I do. He died on the cross to pay for my sins. The least I can do is give my life back to Him!
Keep the faith!
Jennifer Nicole
I was thinking about 2 Timothy 4:7 which says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." The author of the Timothys in the Bible was Paul. Now his testimony is far more complex than mine. He killed and persecuted Christians before he came to know the Lord. At the time when he wrote 2 Timothy, he knew his life had been complete according to God's will. He had preached the Word and glorified God in all that he did. He even spent time in prison for being a Christian! Praise God we live in a free country where that doesn't happen!
But....and this is a huge BUT! The next verse declares Paul's future as well as mine. "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." I cannot wait to meet my Savior face to face. What a wonderful day that will be! I feel like breaking out in song right here but I won't. As Carrie Underwood puts it, "this is my temporary home." My life is not yet complete here on this earth and I will patiently wait for God's plan to be made through me. In the meantime, I will try my best to glorify God in all that I do. He died on the cross to pay for my sins. The least I can do is give my life back to Him!
Keep the faith!
Jennifer Nicole
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