thanksgiving by the numbers

$8.10………….was the cost of my self-serving frozen yogurt

$4.50……………was the cost of the rest of my family’s self-serving frozen yogurt

 18…………..hours of riding in the car between Wednesday and Friday

11……………pancakes I ate within those 2 days

2,309………..times I looked down at my thighs and thought to myself, “there is no way those are yours.”

0…………..times that stopped me from eating pancakes and/or anything else in my sight

173………..times I chased my nephew down the hall of our hotel.

0………….naps he took while on our trip

89………..times my parents stopped at rest stations between Meridian and Memphis

20………….hours of studying anatomy despite being on “vacation”.

26………..times I said out loud how thankful I am that I don’t have children

8,4670………kisses I gave to my nephew

0………..hours of exercise attempted or accomplished

3……..hours I studied the paleo diet while riding in the car all whilst eating

copious amounts of candy

5……..times I was told how good the extra curves look on me

25…….times I was told that I “glowed”….and that I was more peaceful and content than people had seen me in years

36…….times I laughed while hanging out with Josh, Theresa and the kiddos

78……..times I laughed while hanging out with Patrick and Eric

89…….times I laughed hanging out with Krilecia, Lee, and Stacey.

3792 …….times I thought about how awesome and hilarious my friends are.

2738……….times I laughed while re-calling adventures of the past

6……….hours of visiting with my 89 year old grandmother

10,0000………times I thought to myself how lucky I am and how grateful I am for this wild and precious life.

This has been the longest I’ve been gone from my little home and routine since our week long break in August. I enjoyed every minute of it but I must say that it feels so good to be home. I missed my little apartment.

Not having to work Black Friday feels amazing. I am so glad I picked a career that will not require that I  work Black Fridays.

In exactly two weeks from today I will be finished with this long-stressful semester of school. However, that means, within the next 14 days…the amount of studying that needs will be done is going to be insane. Please remember my classmates and me as we prep for our upcoming comprehensive finals.

I must get off the pancake-diet and onto the paleo- diet before I bust out of my “fat” jeans. Oh how much fun aging is. My poor little metabolism is shot to hell. Time to jump start and get a move on it. My 30^th birthday is approaching rather quickly!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are fully embracing the Christmas season that is officially upon us!

I hope everyone will Shop Local and Shop Small this holiday season.

Blessings to you and yours,

Jen

 (and although i'm slacking in the pic department these days, here are a few of our "community baby")

giving thanks

What a wonderful time of the year! This will be the first year in 3 years that I haven’t worked retail during the holidays and let me just tell you that I’m ecstatic! I have been able to fully enjoy my week long break by being with my family and re-visiting dear friends. It has been such a joyous week and I think it’s only right that I express my gratitude and thankfulness.

In no specific order, I am thankful…..

...for the sacrifice my parents made and continue to make each and every day. They are our biggest cheer-leaders and more importantly, they are my best friends. The relationship that I have with my parents is priceless. You would have never in a million years told me that this would happen.

...to be back in school and headed towards a wonderful career. I really do love OT school and I’m especially thankful for all of my classmates! Such gems.

...for my sweet homey apartment. It’s really been my favorite place to live thus far….my little pink palace.

...for all my friends both past and present. I’ve reconnected with a lot of old friends this past week and I really did tear up when I thought about each and every one and all the many adventures we’ve shared in this life together. I am so blessed.

...for this stage in my life. Even though I am not married, do not have any children, nor is any of that in my immediate future, I have never been as content and fulfilled as I have this past year. there really is so much to be said for truly being comfortable in your own skin; for knowing who you are; and the acceptance that comes along with that.

...for grace. and it’s continual out-pouring in my life every day. I don’t ever want to take that for granted.

...for community and being more specific, my community, my kula.

...that I’m not in control. That was a big job when I thought that I was. I’m glad that’s off my shoulders now;)

...for the ability to see and admit when I am wrong; for perspective.

...for frozen yogurt. Especially Berry Berry Good in Flowood.

...for the writing opportunities that have opened up because of this blog—I’ve been asked to write two articles for different publications within the past month. i am truly honored. although in no way do i consider myself a "writer", it does feel good when people tell you that they like the "voice" you've found.

...for the ability to start life over each morning when I wake up.

...for my nephew and the joy he’s brought to my family.

...for the ability to let things go.

 ...for High Noon Cafe's carrot cake.

...for yoga and the joy that it’s brought to my life. And for all my yoga teachers both past and present.

...for both the highs and the lows of life. Without the bitter, I wouldn’t know the sweet.

...for my past and the lessons I’ve learned and continue to learn.

...for good books, music, and conversation.

...for the ability to think outside the box.

...for dancing.

...for early morning runs on the reservoir.

...for art in all its many forms.

...for new seasons and all that accompanies each one.

...for the ability to laugh at myself.

...for the sweet peace and freedom I’ve known for a little over two years now.

I could on and on…..

Gratitude is an expression of the heart, a cure-all for resentments and self-pity

~Chris Timmins

With much joy and thankfulness in my heart,

Jen

When our ability to love is greater than our need to be right, we exist in a dynamic place of peace ~Unknown

birthday-party-weekend-extravaganza

That’s right, folks. This weekend was a big one for me.

Not only did I turn 29 on Friday.

I helped throw two dear friends an all-around-the-house shower Saturday.

And then my folks came up and celebrated my birthday (again) today (Sunday).

My birthday started off with over 200 notifications on Facebook. I know this seems ridiculous but every year I look forward to reading all the “happy birthdays” on my wall. All. Day. Long.  It’s like being a kid at Christmas again.  Call me conceited but it always makes me feel like the most special and well- remembered person ever (even though I know every friend got a notification TELLING them it was my birthday. Still….it feels so damn good). So, if YOU wrote on my wall for my birthday, THANK YOU;) It made this birthday girl feel very super duper special.

I had the privilege of having lunch at High Noon with two of my favorite people in the whole world…..Seth Pennebaker and Lydia Gamble. And believe it or not, we managed to get through lunch without one single picture being taken. How that happened, I have no idea. But alas, I have no picture of my birthday lunch. that’s okay. It was so wonderful to see Seth again.

And Lydia gave me two amazing presents.

This wind-up toy knight

And this gorgeous orange ring.

And yes, I had my nails painted for my birthday. OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacques has been my favorite for years now.

 My oldest (as in longest) best friend, Catherine Dufour Moore, wrote a BLOG about me that made my day the most specialist ever. Thank you, Cath. You are amazing and I love you. You can check out her amazing blog here.

For my birthday dinner, some of my closest and dearest friends gathered at Spice Avenue and we enjoyed a delightful Indian meal together.

I, of course, had the tofu curry and it was AMAZING. I just love curry.

my sweet brother and me

my beautiful roommate and me

The gorgeous Richard and stunning Sarah

Jess and Mike

Richard, Mac, and Sarah

Me and Angela

Steven and the birthday girl

Hawmi and me

Angela and Eamonn

They brought me out Indian “sweet balls”

I only ate 1. The only bit of sugar I had all weekend.

Saturday evening, a few friends and I threw a shower for two of our dear friends, Carrie and Forrest,  who are getting married in April.

It turned out to be a lovely little party and I enjoyed getting to visit with so many friends that I don’t see all the time.

The punch looked like two boobs. Unintentionally of course;)

 The Handsome groom

 The gorgeous bride to be and her lover—Dixie

 mother-in-law to be, bride, and her mother

 my mother and my other mother

 Gifts galore

Jess and Mike

 Denise, Todd, and Betsy

 Me and my mama

 My Pops and Virden

 Me and Liz

 My silly roommate and Dixie

And I think the cute couple got some good gifts to kick off their new life together.

Carrie and Forrest, I wish you all the happiness in the world!


Moving right along to Sunday........

We kicked Sunday off right with a little church;)

And then a delicious lunch at Char.

Lydia, Moi, and Mac 

 Lydia and myself

 Me and Mac

 Clint and I

My birthday happies

my favorite present by far…because I AM a Mississippi Girl

My amazing parents and I 

I am blessed beyond belief with the two most amazing parents in the whole-wide world. I honestly can’t even begin to describe how amazing my parents are and how much they mean to me. They are my heroes. They not only gave me life but have saved my life numerous times. Without them, I would not be where I am today. Mom and Pop, I love you more than life itself and I hope one day to be just like you.

You know, I think I’m really going to enjoy my 29^th year of life. If this weekend was any indication of how my year is going to be, then it’s going to be amazing.

God has been overly good to me.

I continue to stand amazed at all the goodness and love that keeps being poured on me.
Thank you friends, for making my birthday weekend so special. Thank you for your endless love and support.

With deep love and gratitude,

Jennifer

P.S Check out my new header for my blog! Thank you, Cath! I love it!