T.G.I.F.

"Oh, and remember: next Friday... is Hawaiian shirt day. So, you know, if you want to, go ahead and wear a Hawaiian shirt and jeans."
Happy Friday!!

Tomorrow is Spay Day USA 2009!

Super yummy (and cheap) salad

I went grocery shopping yesterday after a big workout, so I was in a healthy mood. And I had watched an episode of Everyday Italian with Giada and had some great ideas for meals this week. In addition to a bunch of other stuff, I picked up a fully cooked rotisserie chicken. You know those smaller chickens they have at the deli that always smell so good? Well, they had taken some out of the oven a hour or so before I got there and had already marked them down in price (they had more in the oven and were needing to get rid of them!). They were marked $2.50 which was a steal. I think they are normally closer to $5-6. Anyway, when I got home I cut out the breast meat and took off the skin, then chopped it up in a yummy garden salad! It was delish and I couldn't even finish all of it! I had some Campari tomatoes (thank you mommy!), red bell pepper and red onion with lots of romaine. A super yummy cheap salad!Happy Monday!

She is Love, and She is my Mother.

So I'm in the shower last night just thinking about my day and things that need to be done, and suddenly start thinking about someone special in my life. Ok, that sounds weird, but I honestly do most of my ponderous thinking in the shower (and while driving, and when I first wake up on the weekends). Back to my story...I started thinking about someone who is so incredibly dear to me. And I started thinking about how she will never know how much I appreciate everything she is and everything she does.

I know that Mother's Day is a few months away, but I wanted to blog about my mom. This little post is just my little way of showing her how much I love and admire her. My mom is kind and generous, she is funny and spunky...she is incredibly loving and is the epitome of unconditional love. My mom has seen me through many hard times, and she was always there to support and comfort me. She spoils me. She always tells me how pretty I am, how smart I am...I realize all mothers are biased but I won't lie to you...what she says still makes a difference and boasts my confidence all the time.

We had some pretty rough times, especially during high school when I was a naive, careless teenager. But no matter what, she always let me know she loved me and she NEVER hesitated to apologize if she ever felt she was wrong. Over the years we have become friends and I value that so much.

But more than anything, she is my mom. And I am one lucky daughter. I love you Mommy!P.S. This is an older picture of us, but it's one of my favs!

Scary...but funny too!

No comment!
This is why you're fat.

Business Law

Here is some of what I'll be dealing with on my exam today:

1) Broken Bike. Mike's Bikes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, sells mail-order bicycles and bicycle parts from its warehouse in to customers living in all fifty states. Pam purchased a new bicycle chain from Mike's Bikes that Mike’s delivered to Pam's home in Oklahoma. A company in New Jersey manufactured the bicycle chain. After three days of normal use the chain broke while Pam was riding her bicycle. When the chain broke Pam lost control of her bicycle, fell, and broke her arm.

Who can Pam sue for the injuries suffered when the bicycle chain broke?
What court or courts would be able to take jurisdiction of Pam's lawsuit or lawsuits?

2) Pothole Shatters Windshield. ABC manufactures replacement windshields for automobiles. Custom Glass purchases windshields from ABC Custom Glass and tints the windshields before reselling them to auto body shops. Custom’s tinting process uses a chemical that causes the glass to turn so brittle that any hard jolt will cause the glass to shatter. Mary had a windshield manufactured by ABC, tinted by Custom Glass, and installed by Big Town Auto Body. While driving, Mary hit a large pothole in the road. The jolt from hitting the pothole was sufficiently severe to cause her windshield to shatter. The shards of shattered glass caused injury to Mary and to her passenger, John. Mary and John sued ABC, Custom Glass and Big Town Auto Body.

Discuss the product liability theories under which John and Mary might recover from the three defendants.

Brain Food

Here is my lunch today...it's very elementary but filling. I am still trying to wake up and be alert for my exam later. I've been chugging water and feel a little bit better. Anyhoo, here is my meal: turkey and tomato on whole wheat (I love the double fiber bread) with mustard, Sun Chips (garden salsa flavor-yum), a minneola and a Think Thin Brownie Crunch bar for later (pardon the ugly paper plate--it's all we have at the office!). I was going to have some organic butternut squash soup that I found at Target but it tasted horrible. It had a lot of cinnamon in it and I cannot stand 'sweetened' vegetables. I like my veggies plain (yams, squash, etc). No marshmallows or spices!! I like a little sea salt and evoo...not much else. So according to the Soup Nazi "No soup for you!"

Good morning...

Look what finally came in the mail!!!
I ordered this stuff after reading about it on Jenna's blog. Looks so yummy...I'll post pics when I make some pancakes this weekend.

I'm so sleepy this morning...I have an Econ exam this afternoon and a Business Law exam tomorrow. Why did my bed have to feel so cozy and warm this morning????!!!! I'm having some hot chocolate (since I don't drink coffee) to try and wake up. I also had a beautiful banana with some natural peanut butter for breakfast but forgot to take a pic. I'm thinking of posting pics of my food each day, kind of like a food diary. But we'll see...ok, time to wake up and get to work!!

Surviving Tuesday,
j.

The Verdict: 3.1 miles

I officially registered for the Oklahoma City Memorial 5K. I really want to do the half-marathon, but I don't think I'll be fully ready and trained until maybe September or October. Regardless, I am excited and looking forward to running the race.

I treated myself to a fancy new treadmill and LOVE it (it was almost 1/2 off the original price)! Mom and Dad helped me put it together last Friday and it's soooooo cool. I really do like to run outdoors but this gives me the ability to run (safely) any time of the day, and it helps when it gets too cold outside (I know, I am a wimp).

So in between classes and work I will be getting my train on!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

For a look at the true meaning of love, watch Marathon Love. It's airing again tonight at 7:00 pm CST on Discovery Health Channel. I've already watched it several times but WILL be watching it again (with my box of tissues)!

http://www.lynjame.com/

"If life is a race, their love is a marathon..."


Update: (sniff, smile, cry, laugh) Well, Marathon Love never disappoints...this was my 5th time to see it. I also read up on Jamie's Facebook page about their cute lab named Lulu! She makes several appearances on the show and is adorable (she also seems to stay fiercely close to Lynn at all times). Annalyn (their daughter) is so cute...I can totally see her running track in high school and her parents being so proud. Lynn looks more beautiful each time I watch the show...and I only hope someday I find someone to love me the way Jamie loves her. God bless the Parks family!

A cat will sleep anywhere...

...especially Miss Cleo. Luckily, this was dirty laundry and not clean (she has a habit of lounging on clean clothes). She was enjoying the sunshine, the birds and the squirrels! :)

Tornado Tuesday

...that's what I'm calling it! Here are a few pics of the storm from my office building (taken from my cell phone camera--not the best quality).


And here is the headline from Wednesday morning (actually 9 people total were killed):

A Birthday Wish

This is my Uncle Danny.He is 70 today. He is probably the most kind and genuine person I know. And I've always felt his unconditional love.


Happy Birthday, Uncle Danny! I love you!!

Wacky Weather

It's the middle of February and we are under a tornado watch! It's black outside of my office window and I can hear tornado sirens going off...and of course I have to leave for class in about an hour! Golf ball-sized (even baseball-sized) hail is coming down in some parts of OKC...leave my car alone!

Toto, we are definitely in Oklahoma!

Update: We had a tornado about 2 miles from the office...I stood outside just mesmerized by the storm! Mom and Dad don't have power. We had some quarter-sized hail for about 5 minutes. The clouds were amazing...low with a lot of rotation. The temp has fallen dramatically! I got some pics on my cell phone that aren't that great...will post later!

More Jenni Random-ness

1) Yesterday I flirted to get a discount at an auto store.

2) I cannot live without this stuff.

3) Or this.

4) I ♥ my laptop.

5) I have an ebay addiction.

6) I have never had a cup of coffee.

7) Sleeping in is one of my favorite hobbies (and I'm good at it).

8) I am a Brighton girl.

9) I had too many cookies for breakfast.

10) Because of #9, I am skipping lunch and feel ill.

11) This is ALWAYS on my person (watermelon).

12) The next 2 dogs I adopt will be named Mulder and Scully.

13) I like Banana Laffy Taffy way too much.

14) Sometimes I pick my nose.

15) My cat has stinky breath.

My colossal boot obsession rages on...

My boot obsession has not ceased at all since last year. I found these and MUST have them in Smoke. Ooooh baby, mama needs a new pair o' shoes!!

My Bucket List

I'm in such a good place in my life right now...I'm grown up, independent, and learning more about what I want out of life everyday. So, it seems like the perfect time to share my "things I want to do before I die" list. Or, more appropriately named, a Bucket List. Here is my list, in no particular order (and which may be added to on any occasion).


1. Have a baby.
2. Run a 1/2 marathon.
3. Learn to speak French.
4. Live on 5-10 acres of land.
5. Walk down the aisle with my dad.
6. Ride in a hot air balloon.
7. Travel the entire Route 66.
8. Go to Vegas.
9. Stay at a B&B in Vermont.
10. Ski in Colorado.
11. Go to Disneyland.
12. Hit up Bourbon Street.
13. Take in US history on the East Coast.
14. Visit Glacier National Park.
15. Run the full distance around Lake Hefner.
16. Fall in love.
17. Read the Bible.
18. Write a book.
19. Drink pink champagne.
20. Crochet a scarf.
21. Complete my college degree.
22. Cook an entire Thanksgiving meal.
23. Learn sign language.
24. Take swimming lessons.
25. Earn a handgun license.
26. Buy a piano.
27. Learn to read music (I play by ear)
28. Learn how to cook like my mom.
29. Sing in public.
30. Attend my nephew's high school graduation.
31. Run a 5K with my brother.
32. Camp/hike in the Arbuckles.
33. Eat pizza in Chicago.
34. See a Broadway show.
35. Get a heated stone massage.
36. Eat a Papaya King hot dog in NY.
37. Go to Knott's Berry Farm.
38. Successfully bake a blue cheese souffle.
39. Visit a winery with my mom.
40. See an opera.
41. Teach someone algebra.
42. Visit the Smithsonian.
43. Learn to play chess.
44. Get a Brazilian wax.
45. Dance with my husband on our 25th wedding anniversary.

Because Bob Barker Said So!

Just a friendly reminder...

Party on the Lake

Last night we held an amazing retirement party for one of our employees. Karl, our controller, is retiring after 7 1/2 years with TPX. The office crew was there with their spouses and we were all dressed to the nine. We had a private room at Lakeside Fish Grill. The room overlooked Lake Hefner and the sunset was beautiful. There were plenty of appetizers including decadent crab cakes, sweet coconut shrimp, and Baltimore blue crab dip. Some people ordered lobster, king crab legs, tuna...it was scrumptious and everyone was more than pleased not only with the food but with the service. There was wine and champagne, a touching toast and a velvety cake to top off the night. It was a helluva party!

Watch what you say!

We are reviewing Ethics and Intentional Torts in my legal studies class. This week we were to watch several online videos and discuss various legal aspects (i.e. negligence, assault and battery, misappropriation, etc). I thought this video was pretty funny and very cool of my prof to include. Check it out!

Tunes I Dig

I took this cue from a fun application on facebook. To get an idea of my musical taste, see below. I put my mp3 player on random and picked the first 10 songs. I love music and I am all over the board! :)

1. Space Between - Dave Matthews Band
2. I Love How You Love Me - The Paris Sisters
3. Hot Blooded - Foreigner
4. I Don't Need a Man - Pussycat Dolls
5. Diamond Girl - Seals & Croft
6. Like I Do - Live
7. Hold On - Sarah McLachlan
8. Out of My Mind - John Mayer
9. Be Yourself - Audioslave
10. Baby's Got Her Bluejeans On - Conway Twitty

Happy Thursday!

Song stuck in my head today:

Phil Says "Six More Weeks of Winter!"

Hear Ye Hear Ye
On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be!