POST DATE OPTION

I quickly hopped onto the National Blog Posting Month Web site … yes, there’s a Web site … and I didn’t see the exact rules. It said something about blogging daily, and I didn’t see any mention of not using the post date option. Then again, I didn’t dig deep … I was expected red big letters with warning lights and everything, but I didn’t see it.

So, anyway, to make up for the lack of blogs … I will attempt to post a blog every day for you. And yes, I am going to use my post date option so that I can be on top of things. If that’s considered cheating, then call me a cheater if you must. And I promise that I won’t fill my blog with cute pictures of cats with funny sayings every single day. And I promise that I will try my best to post updated stuff … I promise. 

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

FINALLY! A NEW POST!

I apologize for the lack of posts the past week … my bad. It’s a combination of being busy and not feeling well and not wanting to sit at my computer to blog after sitting at a computer for eight hours.

I know I still have to explain why I won’t be able to complete my New Year’s resolution and how my 2010 New Year’s resolution is going so far. I haven’t forgotten about blogging … whenever something funny or interesting crosses my mind, I think, “I should blog about that.” I’ve just been lazy. Really, I have no excuses.

So, where do I even begin? Let’s start with life updates. Charlie is doing well in school. He’s doing his homework, and as far as I know, he hasn’t skipped any classes. I would chew him out if he did … he’s thinking about extending his education years for another two years. He has the opportunity to enroll in another local college or a Milwaukee school after two years at the technical college. We’re mulling our options.

The new job is good. I’m getting used to talking on the phone for eight hours, but I’m getting the hang of it. There really is no downtime, which makes the day go by pretty quickly. I don’t like getting up in the morning, but I like coming home at 5 p.m.

According to my sister, Kristen, November is National Blog Posting Month … she took on the challenge of blogging everyday after a slight delay. I suppose I could hitch a ride on the train and try to blog every day, but honestly I would be using the blog’s post date option … is that against the rules? I don’t know because I haven’t read the rules … I’m just following Krissy’s lead.

I haven’t hopped on a treadmill or ran around the block since I last blogged about running and getting into shape to run 6.5 miles in May. I walked on the treadmill for about 30 minutes and then biked (the stationary bike) for about another 30 minutes. I didn’t do anything strenuous because I just had lunch with friends before I hit the gym. And I haven’t been back to the gym since then … I’m making progress.

UPCOMING BLOG POSTS:

• I Heart Cafe World
• Why I won’t complete my 2009 New Year’s resolution
• Book review: The Next Accident
• Cute cat/animal photos

2010 RESOLUTION: 6.5 MILES

It’s not even the new year, and I have a resolution. I’m either really bored or just really organized. You can pick. After blogging about my stupidity to participate in a team marathon, I decided to blog more about this tiny little adventure because if I write about it and others read my stories, then this should motivate me to hit the gym and start running. Not to mention, I don’t want to let all six of my readers down.

So, if you look to the right of the screen, I even added a new category: 2010 RESOLUTION: 6.5 MILES. 6.5 miles doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a lot to a person who hasn’t ran 6.5 miles straight since high school. Running four or five miles during cross country and track seasons was a breeze. Now, it takes effort to haul my butt out of bed. Hopefully, if I blog about my training, this will hold me accountable. Hopefully, this will motivate me to hit the gym more. Hopefully.

My sister, Kristen, isn’t worried. Oh, the team … I should talk about the team. It’s me, my sisters, Kristen and Becky, and my brother-in-law, Jason (Kristen’s husband). We’re running the team marathon in May. Anyway, Kristen isn’t worried. She plans to start training in April. Of course, she goes to the gym more often than I do. I feel I need to start now. I need to work my way up to running 1 mile or something. I can barely run a block without stopping to gasp for precious air.

So wish me luck. And please pray for me, too. I’m going to need all the luck and prayers because the months ahead will be tough. And at this point, I need all the motivation and support I can get.

I’M A DUMMY

I think I did something really really really really dumb. I told my sister, Kristen, that I would participate in a marathon in May. Before you become all impressed with my ability to run 26 miles, it’s a marathon relay. Four members of the team each run about 6.5 miles. I think it’s in May, and I think it’s in Rochester, Minn. See! I don’t even know all of the details of the event, and I signed up! How dumb am I? Not to mention, I haven’t really run in awhile. The last time I hit the treadmill was about a month ago, and since then, I’ve found numerous of excuses not to return.

Six miles isn’t really that long, right? Well, if you’re driving in a car … it’s not that bad. But hoofin’ it by foot … that’s another story. The last time I hit the treadmill, I walked/ran for a little over a mile … and I was exhausted by the time I stepped off the treadmill. Oddly enough, my body didn’t scream at me the next day, telling me that I’m a dummy for exercising. Anyway, I kind of forgot about my participation in the marathon relay and then realized that I really need to get into shape.

The last time I seriously ran was before I started dating Charlie. And I am not ashamed to totally blame him for my loss of interest in running when we started dating. I totally blame him. 100 percent. Come on! Would you rather run in the bitter cold or play Scrabble in the warm living room with hot chocolate? Hmmmmmmm. That’s a tough choice to make. Would you rather run in the bitter cold or dine out at Olive Garden with unlimited soup and breadsticks? Why, yes, I would love some more breadsticks with my meal. Thank you.

Here’s the really sad part about this story … my new place of employment even has a GYM! It’s free. And I get PAID to work out. Up to three hours a week, I get paid to work out. And have I taken advantage of this benefit? Yes. I have spent a total of three hours working out at the gym since the beginning of September. Yes, I am a dummy. Go ahead and tell me I’m an idiot for not taking better advantage of this wonderful health benefit. I already know I’m an idiot and I’m not afraid to say it out to the world. I’m an idiot.

So, starting today, I am heading to the gym to run/walk on the treadmill and then maybe using the stationary bike. And training for this marathon relay will be my New Year’s resolution. Not only will I be able to run 6.5 miles, but I will run it in a decent time. Yes, I can run six miles right now … it will just take me six hours. Maybe seven. I think if I start training now, I can work my way to running 6.5 miles by the end of May. That’s a good New Year’s resolution, right? By the way, I don’t think I’m going to complete this New Year’s resolution … but that’s another blog.

BOOK REVIEW #17: THE NEIGHBOR

“The Neighbor” by Lisa Gardner

I don’t know if I’m going to fulfill my New Year’s resolution of reading 25 books … the end of October is nearing, and I’m writing my 17th review. Between now and the end of the December, I have to read EIGHT books! Can I do it? Just so you know, I am reading. I’m reading during my lunch breaks at work and reading whenever I do laundry because what else I am going to do during the laundry run? I’m reading and reading, but it doesn’t seem like I’m reading fast enough. Eh, if I don’t succeed … I guess I will always have next year, right?

Back to my 17th review … holy cow! I’ve read 17 books this year. OK, back to the review … I hate to say this, but “The Neighbor” was by far my least favorite book by Lisa Gardner (which is also her latest book). I thought the premise sounded promising, and once again, Gardner’s ability to build characters was brilliant … but for some reason, I didn’t quite enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed her previous work.

The summary: Beautiful 23-year-old wife and mother disappears. Police immediately zero in on two suspects: her emotionally deattached husband and a 23-year-old sexual offender who lives a few houses down. Because he shows no emotion about his wife’s disappearance and seems cold and distant except with his 4-year-old daughter, Ree, Jason Jones becomes a suspect. The police don’t trust him. “What are you doing to find my wife?” “Find my wife!” are statements that Jason Jones never uttered once to the police during the investigation. Not to mention, Ree was the last person to see her mother.

As D.D. Warren and her partner, Miller (I forgot his first name) investigate the disappearance, more suspects are added to the list: The 13-year-old student madly in love with his teacher; the victim’s father who reappears after a very long absence; and a state computer tech who was helping the victim look into her husband’s past.

Was the victim afraid of her husband and ran away in the middle of the night? Why she was so afraid, then why did she leave their daughter in his care? Was their marriage on the brink of disaster? Instead of going through a messy divorce, did the husband decide to permanently end their marriage? Did the wife threaten to reveal her husband’s past and leave with their child? Is that he killed her? So many questions. Not many answers.

What I liked about the book … the victim sharing her past and memories and the husband’s trains of thought during the investigation. I thought Gardner did a fabulous of job building the characters, making them believable and their marriage happy but distant and yet lonely. And the small gems of humor and wit in a suspense novel. Loved it.

What I didn’t like about the book. … Gardner became a bit repititious with the characters’ line of thought. Yes, I get that the wife and husband were distant with each other but presented a united front for their daughter. I get that they respected each other but yet they still felt alone in their marriage. The victim got what she wanted, but she was still lonely.

I kept turning the page because like all good mysteries I needed to find out how the mystery ended. Unfortunately, this was not one of my favorite books by Gardner. And that makes me a little sad and little hesitant about reading her next release.

Recommendation: *** (three out of five stars)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ETHAN!

Happy birthday, Ethan! Just wanted to wish you birthday wishes on your ninth birthday, which by the way is kind of freaking out your mom. HINT: If you want your mom to cave to something, just mention that you will turn 10 next year.   That will probably just melt her heart because I think she wants you to stop growing up so fast. Keep that hint between you and me, kid.

Here is one of my favorite memories with you … I think you were about 3 or 4 years old, and you and I got to spend quality time in La Crosse. About that time, I got my first cat, Calvin, and he wasn’t too thrilled to have you hanging out with me – even for a day. Anyway, we spent the day together before heading to Rochester … we got breakfast at McDonald’s (you love their hashbrowns). We went to the local zoo, where you really wanted to see the monkeys. We found the monkeys, and one of them scared me because he sat near the fence and his tail shot between the fence near my camera phone. You laughed. Then we headed to Rochester and visited Papa at his school.

I hope that I will remember that day for a long time because I had such a fun day with you. Holding your hand, listening to you talk and laugh, and carrying you around the school was fun, and the memory makes me smile. Happy 9th Birthday, Ethan. I hope your day is filled with love, laughter, and a lot of cake!

Love, Jenny (and Charlie, Calvin, and Riley)

I LIKE MY NEW BLOG LAYOUT

Isn’t it pretty? After Krissy change her blog layout, I thought it was high time that I changed mine … I like to change mine once or twice a year to just mix things up a bit. I really like this layout because I get to customize the big picture at the top! The original layout had some lovely photo of a bridge, mist, and some trees … but I got to replaced that photo with one of my own! I’m very excited by this feature.

Krissy used to change the main picture on her layout all of the time, and I was very jealous. But NOW I get to personalize my blog. The picture at the top was taken at a state park in Door County. I love Door County, and I miss it. Every time I visit my blog and see the picture, I smile because I have such a good time every time I’m there. It’s just so relaxing and peaceful … one of my favorite places in the world.

Anyway, whenever I change my blog layout … I try not to go too crazy. I like to keep the layout the same because I don’t know if people really click on the buttons to the right. Well, I LIKE to click on the buttons to the right … I like change but sometimes I like things to stay the same. Does that make any sense? I feel a political debate wash over me … now, it’s gone. Anyway, enjoy the new layout because I think it’s very pretty. 

MY CUDDLY CAT

Isn't he adorable? This is Calvin curled up on Charlie's lap while Charlie plays on his computer. This happens often when Charlie and I are working on our computers (which sit side by side). Calvin usually heads for my lap, but then decides that Charlie's lap is bigger and better and probably more comfortable than mine. I love my cat.

MY LITTLE PUMPKIN

Whenever Charlie and I enter our apartment, Riley hears us at the door and comes racing down the stairs to greet us or make his great escape. But when he races down the stairs, he makes so much noise and just thunders down the stairs. I think it's adorable.

I don't understand why I take so many pictures of my cats. I have a billion pics of my cats doing funny things or just simply sleeping. I'm not sure why I took this photo Riley napping, because I have a hundred pics of him napping. I guess I thought he looked adorable with his head on the blanket. Now, I have to take some adorable photos of Calvin with my cell phone ... I don't want to be accused of favoritism.

TACO JOHN’S

I have a love-hate relationship with Taco John’s, which is about three blocks away from my apartment. I love that it’s near my place, and I can get a chicken quesadilla and potato oles whenever I want. I hate that it’s so near to my place that I can grab potato oles and the cheese sauce on the way home. I love that it’s Taco John’s and not McDonald’s or Burger King because then I would be hitting the drive-thru like no tomorrow and gain 50 pounds in the process.

Taco John’s also makes me think about my short-lived softball career when I was in grade school. When I was younger, I played in a recreational softball league. I think it was probably one of the first times I had played softball … and for some reason, I thought I would be great as pitcher. Yeah, no. That dream fell flat after I threw a couple of pitches that went absolutely nowhere … at least I didn’t hit anyone … I think.

The softball coach saw my limited softball skills and figured that behind home plate is where I truly belonged. In my mind, I think I was an awesome catcher … I think I was a fifth- or sixth-grader at the time … so this wasn’t super fast softball or anything. But I geared up with the catcher’s equipment, the chest pad thingy, the face mask, my knee pads, and my mitt.

My memories say I was an awesome catcher, and I really should ask my dad about it because he attended most of my games. At the time, we had a big fat van and he usually tried to park it behind the fence in left field. I think he said he would give me $10 if I was able to break the van’s windshield or a window whenever I was at bat.

My father is a very smart man. He knew I was too weak to hit a softball that hard and that far to break anything. I simply wasn’t strong enough. But he made the bet at every game, and I tried my hardest to hit the ball toward the van. To be honest, I wasn’t a very good batter … I don’t remember being a good batter. I just remember being a good catcher.

I remember catching fly balls like no tomorrow. I remember tagging runners at home plate and the umpire yell, “Out!” I remember smiling when the coach and my teammates said, “Good job, Jenny,” after I caught a very quick and high foul ball. The batter hit the ball, which headed toward over my head and headed toward the umpire, who was in the process of ducking when I jumped up and caught the ball.

I love that memory. At the end of the season, I think my team was really good. Here’s where my memory is a little fuzzy … but I think my team made it to the championship game and faced off against a team that was sponsored by Taco John’s. I don’t remember much specifics of the game except that we lost to Taco John’s and I was really upset. I was so upset that I vowed to never eat at Taco John’s again … not that my parents took us there very much to begin with.

And I think I kept my promise for a couple of years until my mom and I were running some errands around town and she wanted to stop for lunch. She suggested Taco John’s, and I said no. I honestly don’t remember what my mom said to make me break my promise. We ended up having lunch at Taco John’s … and I would like to say that I didn’t enjoy it but I really don’t remember.

I love Taco John’s because it brings back that wonderful memory of playing softball when I was younger. I remember being a good catcher, and that makes me smile. I’m sure I totally didn’t enjoy softball, but for now, I remember the good stuff. Maybe when Krissy reads about my softball memory, maybe she will tell a story about when she was in t-ball. If she doesn’t tell it, I will tell it for her because that story also makes me smile. And I know my parents know which memory I’m talking about.