'Tis the Season.

It's finally here.

College football season has officially started and Saturdays are once again the highlight of my week. I will be prepared with beer in hand, sporting an OU t-shirt and ready for the hype. Ok, so OU is not playing on TV for this first game, but that isn't going to stop me from perusing this year's competition. Here is my tentative Saturday Football schedule:

09:59 AM - Wake up

10:00 AM - LSU game (rescheduled due to Gustav)

11:30 AM - Georgia game via internet (should they be #1??)

14:30 PM - USC at Virginia

18:00 PM - Oklahoma game via internet

19:00 PM - Michigan State at California

20:30 PM - Illinois at Mizzou

In addition to the games I would like to watch, I am certain my dad will be flipping through an assortment of games in HD. And we are cooking up a mess-a-somethin' for snacking all day!

Have a safe & happy holiday weekend!!

Reflection.

As we enter the last few months of 2008, I have begun to reflect on the last year. Since turning 30 and moving from Texas to Oklahoma I’ve become so much more introspective. I’ve grown up a lot in the last few years mentally and spiritually. So, just for fun, let’s take a look at my 2008 horoscope. My birthday is October 24th (and I am every bit the Scorpio I must say)

Scorpio: 2008 Outlook
With overflowing passion in all areas of life, you enjoy sharing, learning and developing your wonderful communication skills. Your ability to offer compassion and emotional sensitivity will help you connect to others, indirectly benefiting your home and career. You strive to get to the roots of issues, and develop intelligent and direct conversations. As you have a strong awareness of your own philosophical and spiritual inner world, you benefit greatly from private exploration of these concepts.

Being a more introspective, and focusing more on alone time instead of the outer world, will help you gather in some of your passionate energy and recharge your inner needs. You will become more interested in visionary ideas, and this will help you to use your latent creativity. Your desire for security is strongly connected with quality material possessions, and how much money you have. Your earning ability will dramatically increase, which will provide for enough left over both to enjoy life and put aside savings.

Your dreams of creating a perfect home sanctuary will come true. Many of your deep desires to make changes in your outer world will draw the attention of others. Your abundant optimism will attract great benefits and resources. You could spend time creating visions for large groups of people and helping them achieve their highest dreams. This will create a new sense of self-worth in them, and in you as well. Your optimism in your love partnership could lead to interesting and exotic travel plans. You love the feeling aliveness and vibrancy travel and spontaneity bring to your life.

Ok, let’s focus on a few key things…

With overflowing passion in all areas of life, you enjoy sharing, learning and developing your wonderful communication skills.
Hey, I started a blog right??!!

Your earning ability will dramatically increase
Right on! I got a very nice raise at work last month.

Being a more introspective, and focusing more on alone time instead of the outer world, will help you gather in some of your passionate energy and recharge your inner needs
Ah, yes. I’ve really gotten to know myself better and continue to spend a lot of quiet alone time at home (with the kitties of course)

Your optimism in your love partnership could lead to interesting and exotic travel plans.
Not necessarily…I’ve not found that special someone...yet. I’ve been out of a not-so-great relationship for about 3 years now but I am still learning from it and trying to be more open to new love and adventure. But I AM trying to be more optimistic!

There are still 4 months left of 2008...let's make the best of them!

Truly,

Cleo Lady Marmalade

This is Cleo. She is my other kitty and Charli's sister (not really, though they are the same breed and live under the same roof). As I've said before, Cleo is a little more independent than Charli. She likes her space most of the time, but when it's snuggle time she's all over me. I found Cleo in 2000 outside of a Taco Cabana. I was ordering some (horribly bad-for-you) food and kept hearing tiny mewing coming from the bushes. Sure enough there was a little scrawny kitty in there and she was hungry. I could see the mommy-cat in another area and I had a feeling she was trying to wean baby Cleo. I asked the nice lady at the drive-thru if she wouldn't mind coming to catch the little kitty for me...after all, she smelled of meat and grease so it was more likely a hungry cat would approach her. The mission was a success and I officially adopted Cleo that night. We have been happy ever since.

Cleo wants what she wants when she wants it (what woman doesn't). But Cleo likes to make sure I know when she is in need of something. For instance, lately Cleo has been jumping up on my dresser around 3:00-4:00 AM. She then proceeds to 'bat' any piece of jewelry, hair clip or make-up brush off the dresser and onto the hardwood floor. Needless to say she succeeds in getting my attention. Besides being in the spotlight, Cleo enjoys catnip mice, stalking and killing bugs, and playing with Charli.

During the winter Cleo always sleeps on the bed with me and Charli. But for now she has been content to sleep on the computer chair in the study. She always greets me when I come home after work. Pretty, green-eyed Cleo. She's my sweetheart.

Gone, baby, gone.

Lost baby whale euthanized

SYDNEY, Australia - An injured and abandoned baby humpback whale was euthanized by wildlife officials Friday after veterinarians determined it was too weak to survive on its own.

The 4.5-yard-long animal was guided close to the shore and could be seen thrashing underwater. Officials reached out to stroke the calf before others hoisted it onto a tarp. The whale was then pulled into a tent on the beach and gray tarps were hung to cover the operation.
Sally Barnes, deputy director-general of the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change, said the whale would be given a sedative to relax it, then a lethal dose of anesthetic.

"Shame! Shame!" cried Brett Devine, a marine salvage and rescue worker who had hoped to feed the whale via a tube that lay unused on his boat where he watched the event. Eight maritime police boats patrolled the waters to keep the public and media from approaching.

The plight of the whale calf, which Australians have nicknamed "Colin," dominated news coverage since Sunday when it was first sighted and began trying to suckle from boats it apparently mistook for its mother.

Officials believe the 1- to 2-month-old calf was abandoned by its mother, possibly because it was ill. Wildlife officials said it appeared the whale had also been attacked by a shark. It spent days among the yachts and other boats in the waters off north Sydney, swimming back to the boats each time officials lured it out to sea in the hope it would attach to a passing pod of humpback whales.

"As the calf is still being breast fed, we have no way of feeding or socializing it, so taking this humpback into captivity is not an option," the National Parks and Wildlife Service said in a statement this week.

On Thursday, veterinarians and marine researchers who examined the whale found that its condition was getting worse and that euthanizing it was the most humane option.

"We have a whale whose condition has deteriorated rapidly over the last 24 hours, and who now experts are telling us is suffering, and we've had to make the hard decision to euthanize the whale," Barnes told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio Friday morning.

"Everyone is very connected to this animal and it's a very emotional decision," she said, likening the animal to a family pet that had been adopted by many in Sydney over the last week.
She said officials had sought national and international advice on how to help the lost whale but its condition had become too poor to treat.

Some Australians have accused wildlife officials of not doing enough to help the calf and not trying to feed it. A few people designed feeding mechanisms, many gave advice, and some journeyed to Pittwater Inlet just to watch the lonely calf.

Best. Episode. EVER.

I have very fond memories of babysitting my nieces and nephew when I lived in Texas. Since I am still a kid at heart, I would often partake in watching cartoons with them. And I remain a fan of Spongebob Squarepants to this day. This is an excerpt from the episode "BubbleStand/Ripped Pants" and it's HI-larious. Even my older brother thinks it's pretty funny. Spongebob is demostrating the 'technique' to blowing bubbles. The best part is at the very end...Patrick makes me laugh out loud everytime. I can't listen to Patrick without thinking about Dauber from the old comedy series Coach. Anyhoo, watch the video. I just hope Spongebob and his gang are still around when I have kids...

Whale Song

I came across this article...so very sad. My heart goes out to the little guy. I am praying that he finds a mother very soon. Also, if you've never heard the beautiful sound of a humpback whale song before, take a listen here: http://www.whalesong.net/


Lost Baby Whale Tries to Suckle Australian Yacht, Herald Says
By Ed Johnson

Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- A lost baby humpback whale has mistaken a yacht moored off a beach north of Sydney for its mother and is trying to suckle the vessel to stay alive, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported.

The calf, which may have been abandoned by its mother, was spotted yesterday and coaxed out to sea by wildlife authorities, though it returned to shore, the newspaper said on its Web site.
Television news reports yesterday showed images of the whale circling beneath a yacht. A sailor who identified himself as Peter telephoned local radio today saying he awoke to hear a “strange suckling sound” at the bottom of his boat anchored near Palm Beach, about 35 kilometers (21 miles) north of Sydney, according to the report.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has investigated whether it would be possible to formula feed the whale in captivity and decided it isn't feasible, the newspaper said. The calf is incapable of surviving without its mother's milk and has only days to live, the Herald reported.

Fatty McButterpants

So I've been on a diet for, like, a year now and man it's hard. I started to gain weight in my late 20's, but when I hit 30 it was all downhill. Life just isn't the same as it was 10 years ago!! Now I have to work at everything, whereas when I was 22 I could skip dinner one night and my stomach would be flat the next day. I've managed to lose some weight but I have a long way to go and I am of course very hard on myself. The process of losing weight is actually quite simple--it's the sticking to it that's tough. I've started cooking at home a lot more mainly to have lunches prepared for work the next day. That in and of itself is a lot of work, but at least cooking can be enjoyable. I work full-time and have started back at school again, so working in some exercise time is going to be a tight squeeze, not to mention the fact that I am tired when I get home. But I want to be healthy, strong and happy. I might as well admit another reason I want to get healthy is because I would like to have a baby in the next few years. Mind you, this equation would need a man and there is no one special in my life right now, or even on the radar! But I'm hoping life and love will unfold in their own special way for me. It's time to get healthy, have more energy and feel GOOD. So, farewell, Braum's...ciao Mazzio's...adios Taco Bell.

Cheers (with a glass of water),

Recipe of the Week: Green Chicken Enchiladas

No, the chicken is not technically green...the green in this recipe comes from salsa verde. This is a simple, easy recipe. Because it is still summer, I served it with slices of fresh tomatoes and some salsa. But it would also taste great with a side salad or Spanish rice. So without further ado, here is the tasty recipe:

Green Chicken Enchiladas
Serving Size: 2 enchiladas (serves 5)

3-4 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
3-4 T taco seasoning mix (I used 40% low sodium seasoning)
10 white corn tortillas (I love the brand La Banderita)
10 slices pepperjack cheese (I used half of a slice per enchilada)
1 jar (14 oz) salsa verde
1/2 cup fat free sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt

Place chicken breasts in a large pot with 1 cup of water and taco seasoning mix. SLOWLY braise the chicken (cook over low heat with the lid on) for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. Remove the chicken from the pot. DO NOT throw away the seasoned water. Shred the chicken with fingers or two forks. Place chicken back in seasoned water and cook over med-high heat without the lid until the liquid is reduced to a thick sauce on the chicken.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread 1/4 cup of the salsa verde in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. To assemble the enchiladas, it's best to heat up a nonstick skillet over medium heat to make the tortillas easier to roll. Working one at a time, heat a tortilla in the nonstick skillet until hot and very pliable (not crispy). Place one slice of cheese in the middle of the tortilla. Place a little less than 1/4 cup of the shredded chicken on top of the cheese. Roll the sides of the tortilla around the chicken and cheese (the ends will be open). Place the rolled tortilla seam down in the baking dish. Repeat until you have rolled and placed all 10 enchiladas. I usually get 8 from end to end and 2 across one side.

Mix the remaining salsa verde with the sour cream (or yogurt) and pour over the top of the enchiladas. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. You just need to give it time to heat through and absorb the sauce.

NOTE: I did not have any black beans in my pantry, but next time I will add a can of drained black beans for variation.

Enjoy!!

Saturday Night Lights

I'm very excited. There are only 15 more days until kick-off for OU Football. According to the USA Today Pre-season poll, OU is ranked #4 -- our 2007 pre-season ranking was #8 so we're off to a good start (Texas comes in at #10, tee-hee). Our dream team this year will be lead once again by Sam Bradford. As a freshman, Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency last year...as a FRESHMAN. With 36 TD passes and only 8 interceptions, I think he had an awesome year. Now a sophmore, I think Bradford really has what it takes to stay focused and lead our Sooners through a grand season. I don't like that critics are waiting for Bradford to 'prove' himself this year...it's like they assume he will fail. Come on, people! Stoops is no dummy...he's coached the Sooners in 5 of 6 Big 12 Championship wins. But it's never enough. Oklahoma faces harsh criticism every year, but I am not a fair-weather fan. I come from a long line of OU fans. And I am proud to be Sooner born and bred. August 30th can't get here fast enough. Sam, if you and the team are listening, I'm here for you. I'll be there every step of the way.

Boomer Sooner,

My Heroes

When I was about 5-years-old, I fell off my bike outside our house. I vaguely remember going in a circle several times in the street and somehow falling and sliding into one of the turns. According to my brother, he heard me cry and looked out his bedroom window only to see me lying in the middle of the street. I’m positive he came out and carried me into the house. He has always been a great brother.

Turns out I had scraped up the inside of my knee pretty badly. No stitches were required; I had what my dad always called a ‘strawberry’ and my mom had to bandage it up everyday. I could walk fine but had to be very careful.

The next memory I have is of the family leaving the mall at night. We were all walking to the car, and I must have tripped over something. I remember my Dad literally dropping everything he was carrying to make sure I didn’t fall. I mean he really jumped into action. I’m not sure if it was because my leg was still so scraped up or just because it was his instinct to rescue me. But I’ve never forgotten it.

So here’s to my dad and my big brother. Thank you for always picking me up when I fall. I love you more than you know.

xo

Quote of the day...

Time is a wheel in constant motion
Always rolling us along
Tell me, who wants to look back on their years
And wonder where those years have gone?

~ I Hope You Dance song lyrics

A Pause for Paws

I've seen this video on TV several times, and though it is very informative and very real, I have yet to watch the entire thing. I usually have to change the channel until it's over. I am a Lifetime member of the ASPCA and donate (as much as I can even if just a small amount) every month. It is automatically deducted from my bank account.


Please watch this video...and if you can, please make a donation. If you can't afford to make a monetary donation, browse the internet for ways you can make a difference. And next time you are stopped at a light or stop sign, take a moment to really read those "Lost" signs...someone has a void in their heart and world because a family pet is missing. Whether you donate $10 or $10,000, volunteer to wash dogs at a local shelter, or adopt a pet...you CAN make a difference.

Wishing it was a purr-fect world,

Randon questions...and answers.

What is your occupation?Geoscience Technician
What are you listening to right now?Jack Johnson
What was the last thing that you ate?
PizzaIf you were a crayon, what color would you be?Cornflower blueFavorite drink?Non-alcoholic = Dr. Pepper , alcoholic = Vodka Tonic
What is your favorite sport to watch?
College footballHow many tattoos do you have?
2
Pets?2 cats, Charli & CleoFavorite food?NACHOS!
Last movie you watched?Gilda Radner: It's Always SomethingFavorite Day of the year?
ThanksgivingWhat is your favorite, fall or spring?
Fall
Current living arrangements?
House built in 1943
Last time you cried?
Watching Gilda Radner: It's Always SomethingFavorite smell?Cinnamon or VanillaWhat do you notice first about the opposite sex?
Eyes that smile
What are you afraid of?
Losing my parents
If you could travel anywhere? Micronesia - Island of PalauFavorite old movie?The Philadelphia Story
Favorite cat breed?Any kitty that needs a home
How many years at your current job?
2Do you sing in the shower?
All the freakin' time
Favorite day of the week?SaturdayHow many states have you lived in?Texas, OklahomaFavorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip
Favorite book?The Five People You Meet in Heaven
What would you do with a million dollars?Pay off bills, buy my parents a house, donate to animal shelters, travel…What is the best advice you have ever received?When I was young & whining about not having enough clothes, my mom wrote this down on a piece of paper: “Man looks on the outside of man; God looks on the inside—the heart.” I still have that piece of paper.
Biggest pet peeve?People who don’t like math.
What makes you smile?
As I said when I was 5-years-old, a hug from my dad makes me smile!

Over and out,

Sunday Morning Prose

I watch it slowly saunter by
As though it sees yet has no eye
Black as night and straight up high
Can it see me where I lie?
I listen for a sound or clue
And watch the periscope peruse the room
When suddenly I hear a sound
And when I turn to look around
What do I see perched on the rail?
Why, it’s only my cat…and her tail.

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

Five years ago today Samantha Renae was born. She is the baby of my brother's family and my 'littlest' niece. Samantha gave us quite a scare when she entered the world and had to spend 2 weeks in the NICU because she was premature and at risk of infection. But she showed strength and courage even then and pulled through just fine. Today Samantha is a beautiful, smart and sweet girl who will start kindergarten this month! I can’t believe how fast she is growing up...I am so proud. She is Daddy’s little girl and I think my brother is having a hard time watching her get older! I don’t get to see her as often as I would like since we live in different states, and I miss her everyday. Have a wonderful birthday, Samantha! I love you very much!!!
xoxo

Politics Schmolitics

I could really care less about politics in general, but with the election heating up, I have given a lot more thought to where I stand on important issues. Not that I never had an opinion before...but I have embraced the issues and tried to make more informative decisions. I tend to fall into the Republican category, but I truly consider myself to be “leaning to the right” for the most part. I’m not going to get into the issues here…that’s not my cup of tea. But I feel I should do my part and at least mention this really cool website my mom showed me. It’s www.speakout.com and it really helped me sort out my thoughts on some of the major issues. What really boggles me is just how many positions there can actually be on an issue…you believe in A but not quite in B or maybe you agree with D but also C. Sometimes it’s hard to choose a side, especially since I fall into the gray area a lot. I rarely see black or white in life and have the ability to see things from many differing sides and opinions. There are people in this world (one of whom I used to date) who would see this ‘ability’ as a weakness…but I think it’s a source of compassion and strength. (You go, girl!)

Side Note: Why is it a major news headline that John Edwards had an extramarital affair?? Is there nothing else that is newsworthy? It seems in this day and age if a politician, or anyone (in)famous for that matter, makes any kind of wrong move, it must be national news. As John Stossel would say "Give me a break!"

My pinky toe.

Pinky toes are an unusual appendage. But mine is even stranger than most. Supposedly, this 5th toe abnormality is a peculiarity on my father’s side of the family. The fact that my pinky toe looks this way is even noted in my baby book, something like “she has the Rush pinky toe.” I’m not sure what it means, but I treat it like a badge of honor. Throughout my life there have been people who commented on it…"Why does it face the wrong way?” or “It looks weird.” But despite the fact that lays flat against my 4th toe and faces the wrong direction, it’s not a BAD looking toe. It’s just, different. And there ain’t nothing wrong with that! So here’s to you, Pinky Toe. Thanks for being there at the end of the line. Cheers!

Post Script: This is not a foot-fetish site. Those of you with foot 'issues' need not apply. Thank you.

A first lesson in the art of Jenni-isms

Jenni-ism (jen-ee-izm): noun

A theory or statement made by Jenni that often misses the mark (but is cute and charming nonetheless).

Some examples of a Jenni-ism include (but are certainly not limited to):

"Accident Investigation Site"

You know those signs on the highway? Well, I thought they were used to describe an area where several accidents had taken place. Makes sense, right? Perhaps it was a warning sign to be more careful. WRONG!

"Radar Enforced"

A sign like this was placed near the entrance of my old hometown in Kingwood, Texas. I thought for sure that this meant radar detectors were strongly recommended. I kid you not. Again, not totally idiotic, but just not quite right.

There are many more, but a lady does not reveal all of her secrets at once! Now, don't get me wrong...I'm not stupid. I do not channel Jessica Simpson or Paris Hilton. As you can see in the "About Me" section, I'm actually quite the nerd. But a good life is full of Jenni-isms and they are part of what makes me, well, ME! My mom created the name many, many years ago and it suits me fine. It's all part of the charm...

Charli. Kitty. Pretty.

Charlamaine Dupre "Charli"

I must introduce you to my little kittycat, Charli. I have two cats, Cleo and Charli. But Charli is my baby. She is one of the prettiest, softest, smartest and most talented kitties I have ever had the pleasure of loving. She is sweet as could be and talks to me sometimes. Her talent is fetching balls like a dog. I buy these little spongy soccer balls from Petsmart...they are soft enough for her to 'catch' them in her teeth and carry them back to me. She will literally bring one to me and drop it, then look expectantly at me until I agree to throw it. She somehow hooks it onto one of her teeth and trots it back to me! Charli loves this game...especially when I have settled into bed for the night. I can hear her talking to her ball and can tell by the particular 'meow' that she is wanting to play. I'll be in bed, usually laying on my side and watching some TV. I feel/hear her jump onto the bed and then I feel a little ball drop near my back. Yes, she has brought me the ball at 11:00 at night in bed. If I'm really tired (and being a mean mommy) I will try to fool her and stick the ball inside a pillowcase. But most of the time she is wise to me.

I like to sing songs to Charli. There is no particular melody, but I do tend to stick with certain words: Charli, pretty, kitty. Some phrases include but are not limited to "Charli is my kitty...she is so pretty" or "Charli is my baby girl...the sweetest kitty in the whole world." And she loves it. Her purr will speed up and she will look sweetly at me with love. I don't know what I would do without her...seriously. She sleeps on the pillow next to mine every night and sometimes she will curl just inside the small of my back when I sleep on my side. The best feeling in the world is waking up to feel a warm little kitty next to you!! Try it sometime...I promise you will love it.

Side note: Cleo thinks Charli and I are strange. She is your average cat, curious, nosy, hungry all the time and very independent. Cleo sleeps at the foot of the bed and is happy to be on her own. I talk to her, too, and she always just looks at me with her wide green eyes. Most of the time she is content to curl up in a spot of sun on the floor or on the bed 24/7. Cleo is a sweet girl, just very low-maintenance when it comes to lovey-dovey. Don't get me wrong, she purrs with the best of them. She is simply not a needy cat...but she will get her own post with picture soon!

It's a Blog World, after all...

It's a blog world after all,
It's a blog world after all,
It's a blog world after all,
It's a blog, blog world!

Everyone's doing it, why not me??!! Welcome to Jenni-isms, a blog by yours truly. This site is simply a means to jot down my daily trials and tribulations, deep thoughts and sometimes-not-so-deep thoughts, innermost secrets as well as the occasional rant and rave. Stay tuned!!