The Roaring Twenties (mine that is...)

Weekend Update and other Randomness!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Since I was a bad blogger, some of these pics are from last weekend... Annnnd here we go!

Gracie hates her Santa hat, but she's oh so adorable.. :)

Kristy and Josh's Christmas party last weekend! Marla and Beth pose with Griff in his holiday sweater... haha..
If we had a holiday card, I'd photoshop Gracie in to this photo and it'd be done. Just sayin. :)
Had a dirty santa exchange... a snuggie was one of the more popular gifts. Here Josh is saying "drink the kool aid..." *giggling*
And if the girls had a holiday card, this might just be the winner... :) Sara, me, Marla, Beth, Kristy and Oscar
Marls and I took the snuggle, added a scarf, and made it a dress. It'll be on project runway. You just wait. (When does that start again btw?)
Jackie=driving to lunch and accidentally got stuck in the traffic for the annual toy run. Buuut lookie how many motorcycles! Kinda cool! (All the way back beyond the horizon line)
Thursday night=one of my friends threw a holiday partay along with her guy friend. He has an amazing house and was a great host. This pic, however, is a little (a lot) creepy. Please look at him between Marla and me... haha...
I mentioned the wine cellar right? Yeah. Those are quite a few corks.. just sayin...
Which one shall we pick? haha..
In retrospect, it's kinda gross that we sat in the bed for this photo, but it is what it is.

Saturday afternoon, Sara and I took a flat doll around named Gracie and took photos with it. Apparently, it's tied to some story called "Flat Stanley" that her friend's niece is doing in 3rd grade. It's kinda a morbid story-something fell on some kid and made him flat so he could travel the world in an envelope.. Uh.. I think? haha.. Anyway, we took "flat Gracie" all over Tulsa and took photos with her in the cold while we laughed hysterically. :) The Mayo, Route 66, Cains Ballroom, Indian statue in Woodward, Golden Driller.. We called it "Gracie does Tulsa..." haha! Anyway, her next stop is Australia to Sara's aunt! Here's Sara at Cain's. :)

Sunday, the weather was GORGEOUS! So Gracie (as in my dog, not the flat doll we took around Tulsa) and I went to the pup park! Here's a classic example of her being an only child and being more engaged in sniffing than playing.. :)
But, she quickly took to playing...as long as I was close by :)
aww...muddy paws = indicative of a great time :)
Crowded dog park with the great (60 degree) weather!
I look like hell and had no makeup, but this pic is cute.. soo.. yeah.
How cute is my baby dawg? :)

Ah, what a great weekend! Friday had sushi with Timberly and then Saturday, had sushi with Sara and Eric joined us after the TU basketball win! :) (Yes, that is a lot of sushi. I know this.) :) Then, great, fat kid breakfast at Blue Dome Diner this morning with Eric and then finished Christmas shopping! (yes, I braved the mall.. it was whoa.).

Just have to wrap everything and grab a hostess gift for Eric's aunt for a Christmas Eve shindig he invited me to. :) Definitely bringing vino, but if ya'll have any addl recs, I'll take em!

Hope ya'll had a GREAT weekend and are ready for Santa! :) Sending blog lovin from T town! Little Gracie dog says woof.

Side note: I've decided to blame everything that I'm mad at.. on Tiger Woods. Try it! It's fun and it'll make you laugh... In traffic? Annoyed? Say out loud "Ugh.. this is Tiger's fault." Immediate move improver. Just saying.. haha!

Friday Wrap Up

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:41:00 +0000

E! does the Friday wrap up on their Daily Ten show.. sooo.. I'm doing one. B/c I can and I'm unmotivated b/c it's Friday..

1. THANK YOU for all your sweet comments on my last post! You gals are seriously awesomesauce and I was dying to blog about all that business b/c this blog, your feedback, etc, have really come to be part of my therapy, my sounding board, etc. Thanks, friends. For reals. Some of my blogs are randomness, but when I have something I really need affirmation on, advice on, thoughts on, etc.. ya'll are there. And, I'd buy you all a beer (b/c a glass of wine could get expensive and I'm broke.. haha) for reading that whole rant. Whoa. I looked at it again and thought "oops." haha..

2. I think I need to spend more time at TJ Maxx. A girl at my meeting had the most ADORABLE black bag... that was Cole Haan..that she got at TJ MAXX?! What?! Someone may be stopping there on their way home today for a quick browse...ya know.. just in case.

3. Tiger Woods drama needs to stop b/c um... I had a dream last night that Eric cheated on me with a porn star and I found out by watching the news. What?! Yeah.. haha.. I woke up very angry.. *laughing* (side note: Sassy Cassie had the SAME thing happen and I didn't realize mine was Tiger's fault til I read her blogiddy.. haha)

4. Went to a holiday party last night with some girl friends and the host had.. a wine cellar.. a tanning room..and multiple waterfalls outside. Quite fun! And I kinda want a wine cellar. haha.. Pics to come! :) Which reminds me I never posted last weekend's photos. Getwiththeprogram, Jax! Sheeeesh!

5. Meetings this week=success. Jackie, however, is TIRED. I dont get um.. anywhere before 8:00 am and I had to be AT the hotel across the city at 6:45 every day. Sleepy=me.

6. Things to do this weekend: Christmas shop. Christmas wrap. Christmas shop. Sheesh. I should be done by now. *head hung in shame*

Hope you have a great weekend, peeps!! I look forward to blogging more since my time is freeing up a lot after this last meeting I had.. :)

"The Situation" (the post about why I've been stressing)

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:48:00 +0000

(Jersey Shore reference...haha).

I took tonight to catch up on some of ya'll's blogs. I'm not wireless in my meeting so lemme tell ya what torture it is to be able to READ your blogs on my phone but not be able to comment (why cant I comment via crackberry or palm?! Arg!!!) So, I've been a bloggy slacker. Plus, I think I've had a lot on my mind... And here's the post about why!

So, you know how I said I had something stressing me and I'd tell ya'll when I could.

Well I can!

In a nutshell, I was talking to another potential employer (PE if you will) and it was getting awfully close to getting offered the jobbie and it was stressing.me.out. Let me start at the beginning...(this is where it gets long. Sorry).

While working at the UW, someone at PE recommended I apply for X job. X job was open, seemed right up my alley, would likely have been a LOT more money, etc. And while I wasn't looking, it posed some interesting bonuses.

To move up in my company, I might have to move at some point... and well.. I'm in my later 20s now..and I am kinda not wanting to start all over. all alone. somewhere random (our offices are NOT in cool places for the most part.. haha).

So, this gig at PE is local. And did I mention it pays well?

So, I thought "I'll hear this thing out." Then, it got filled the day I turned in my resume! I thought "eh well..wasnt meant to be..." Until.....that person couldnt take it and they pulled me in again! So, I thought "Fate? Maybe?"

I had my phone interview and the job had gone from being X to ...well...something CLOSE to X, but some of the duties had shifted a little. I was like "okay, that could be cool..." They dug me. I opted to go in for a "chat" in person.

Lemme back up, I had to take said phone interview IN MY CAR parked by a dumpster b/c well.. I think taking calls like that at work would likely be frowned upon.. haha..

Okay, so I go in for this "chat" with HR and end up chatting it up with the VP who I'd be working directly with for about an hour. We reallllllly got along. Great person. The company is large and stable... Okay, but through this "chat" day, some red flags were sent up. The job, X, I'd applied for, was now not just "Xish" but had become more of Yish! I was like "What the heck?" There were still strong elements of what I'd originally applied for, but it was being blurred with quite a few "other duties as assigned." Lemme just say it like this.. We have a whole dept to do what I think they might want this one person to do. Still a cool gig-just not certain it was for me anymore...

Side note: That kinda happens in PR/Communications sometimes... People often don't fully grasp the work and think it's a catch all.

Okay, so.. I had some mixed feelings. After some SERIOUS lost sleep, feeling UBER shady at work, inability to focus, etc, I got a call for another chat..this time over lunch with the managers who I'd be working with.

Cool.

By the time said lunch rolled around, I'd somewhat decided I didn't want the gig anymore. BUT, I was REALLY second guessing myself. Was it b/c I didnt want to take a risk? Was it b/c I dont like change? Was it b/c I'm scared? Lots of people underestimate how much I internalize everything and how hard I can be on myself b/c I talk so much and am so outgoing. But, I'm a BA in Psych and have a law degree. This chick analyzes EVERYTHING oooookay? ha!

All in all, I realized I didn't want it b/c well...the job I originally was recommended for, I REALLY LIKED. But the thing it had merged into was likely not where I saw my career headed, I think.

So, I opted to hear them out at lunch anyway just in case... And mind you, I work in a jeans/casual office. I mean.. business casual is a norm, but when it's this cold, everyone is in jeans and sweaters. Okay, sooo wearing a suit would have looked weird... esp since I'd worn one the day I had the "chat" only a week prior. Soo yeah.. I changed into and OUT of my suit... in the car. Yes, I changed for lunch and then changed back again to go back to the office. Good Lord.

This was really started to royally stress me out! ha!

Gets better. I walked in to lunch...not really nervous b/c I'd decided "I'm gonna get ALL my questions answered and if that makes em hate me, it wasn't meant to be..." So, I'm feelin good.... I thought "I hope I dont run into anyone I know" b/c I was downtown at a popular eating place....

.....and cue two partners from my old firm walking in at the same time I did.

Are. you. serious?!

Anyway, so then I became uncomfy and may have terrified the hostess by asking if she'd seat us as far away from those peeps as possible (before the interviewers got there. Duh). She thought I was nuts, but she did it. :)

The lunch went well, but there was just a vibe.. something that I was just not keen on. I believe you have to go with your gut. And I wish I could write details, but you never know who is reading. They were VERY nice people, but some of the things they said led me to believe the position was just a bit well...vague.

I didnt like that.

And I decided it wasn't for me. I was oddly a lot more calm once I made that decision (that's a sign, right? haha), but it was tough.. b/c I knew the job would offer a lot more than I make plus some other bonus factors and might end up being really cool.*shrugs*...and well.. I'm single. I live in an apt. With my dog. With a lot of student loans.

And oh how I want a house. So badly. And I wonder where I'm headed with my company sometimes.

But, that doesn't mean this was the best fit. Ultimately, I'm one of those "trust your gut" people...

So, (this is getting long-sorry) I called my boss and talked to her a lot about stuff in general. I'd been up for a level promotion for a little bit and was concerned with the economy that it wasn't going through...which is kinda an interesting facet to this whole ordeal. I mean.. if you're going nowhere fast, it might be a good idea to re-evaluate...if not for this position, then maybe one later... To my surprise, my boss had GREAT news, peeps...

I GOT THE PROMOTION!

It's not huge or anything, but it will certainly help this student-loan-paying girl out and put me in a better place should I decide to apply for higher positions. :)

I definitely thought that was fate. :) I discussed this jobbie thing with my boss and she's so freaking cool. She totally got where I was coming from. Phew. I mean.. I wasn't saying I WANTED to leave...and I hadnt even been looking, but rather.. this whole thing had gotten me all in a tizzy thinking about everything, ya know....She's awesome. sauce. period. So from there...

I opted to wait to see if PE called me again... I mean.. if my (maybe overly candid) questions had offended them, I might not be getting a callback, so I just hung out.

And they called.

So, Monday, I officially told them I wasn't interested and washed my hands of it.

Until they called me.. again....and again....haha.. I talked to them and explained why I wasn't planning to leave with a heavy heart. I didn't want to look flaky or like I led them on, but I really DID like the original gig...just not what it had seemingly evolved into in many regards. After THREE chats, I still wasn't 100% sure what the overarching duties were for sure. That's a bad sign.

She said "We havent even made you an offer yet-we'd love to have you come in again one last time. You're our top candidate...just so you know." (flattered)I said "thank you, but that's not fair to other applicants when I've decided it's not the best move for me right now." (Not sure she loved that. *nervous*)

Lemme just say....this is why if I ever left my current company, I KNOW I'd have to be fairly confident about leaving: I've been in a bad fit before re a job. I hated my life. I hated every.single.day. When the alarm went off, I thought "ugh." I'd walk in the building with a sense of dread. I'd sometimes cry in the bathroom b/c I hated being in trouble there or having someone perpetually mad at me it seemed. I was a mediocre employee b/c I hated it. That's NOT fair to me when I KNOW I have talent and know I'm better than that.. and should be happy, too.

That, my friends, is why I don't practice law anymore.... I realize it was likely a bad fit for me at that ONE place, but I just opted to give another career path a try and I.love.it. I love my team.. I love my job! I work in public affairs and have handled everything from testifying in a senate hearing about a bill we support to strategic communication planning to earning a seat with the big dogs as they discuss things that will affect our entire business. I write speeches. I work with almost all the initiatives and plans and promotions. I love the people I work with including EVERYONE I encounter with the company...well..almost everyone. ;) haha! We goof off, we "get" each other, we stand up for each other. And I LOVE the VPs I work with, too... They challenge me and have my back. They trust me and the work I do. I get to travel. My management believes in development and are happy to support anything I feel would help broaden my horizons-my management is so supportive. I mean.. hello.. my boss has been going to bat for me for a promotion of sorts for likely MONTHS in this tough economy.

And just sitting at that table at lunch with those peeps, I realized "wow, I know my stuff. Like I REALLY know my stuff. And I LOVE it. And I'm good at it. And I'm passionate about it."

So you see why it would be hard to leave...even for more money. But in the end, I'm happy and blessed to be where I am. :) I'm not struggling by any means... The right next step opportunity-whether with my company or not-is out there..maybe not this year or next....but I'm happy...and that's something I won't easily risk.... :) And I KNOW I am on the right path for me...to leave and enter something that might take me down a rabbit hole that could negatively affect my long term resume isn't worth it. (if that job ended up becoming more "Y" than "X" as it seemed it might).

But, lemme tell ya.. despite all the "what am I doing?" stress, it was kinda cool to be wanted like that. I've NEVER had an employer be that interested in lil ol me! haha! And the company was okay-the peeps were nice-I just wasn't certain about THIS gig.

Well, now you know what my little brain was all worked up about. You guys are SO right about having difficulties blogging when something's on your mind that you can't talk about (I've read that one a few of yours). Anyway... I hope I made the right decision. I feel in my gut that I did. :)

Normal bloggage resuming tomorrow. :) XOXO!

Happy 101 award-Top 10 holiday things!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:27:00 +0000

Jenny DB at So Say I gave me the Happy 101 award last week! Thank you so much, Jenny!! Go read about her adventures with her fabulous pup, Bondi and her fun friends! (She just posted some fun photos, too) :)

Rules:

* 10 things that make you happy

* 10 bloggers who brighten your day

Okay, soooo I opted to do 10 things that make me happy about the Christmas season! :)

1. I've never had a mantle... We didn't have a fireplace when I was little (I dont know how that's possible considering it seems all houses have them now. And of course mom's house has one now... sheesh.) and my apt has one, buuuut it has no mantle. *sigh* Oh how I want to have my own mantle to decorate and hang stockings from! Someday for sure. :) Anyway, they're my fav for holidays!

2. Lights! Lights! Lights! They just make everything all aglow and pretty and almost seem magical!

3. Cookies! I saw some poinsettia ones on the CBS early show and really want to try to make em... yum! (I've been on a baking/cooking kick lately. Maybe I'm just hungry.. I dunno.. haha)

4. I heart Santa cokes. I dunno why. I just like em.

5. Gift lists on my favorite blogs (thank you for some GREAT ideas!) I've seriously gotten some GREAT ideas from you guys-hostess gifts, friend gifts, stuff for my own wish list.. Thank you! I scour the blog world for these... :)

6. cider. cider. CIDER. (and cocoa)

7. SANTA!!!!! You can't help but smile when you see a jolly dude in a red suit. :)

8. The smells! I recently got a Tyler candle called "Cathedral." Get it. It's holidayriffic! Like Christmas trees and yumminess!

9. Holiday parties with friends and time with family! I had one of these this past weekend actually. I need to post pics, but I'm trying to knock out my remaining online shopping tonight and I'd already started this blog, so weekend stuff will have to wait. :)

10. Last but NOT least... New Years!!! I LOVE New Years Eve! I'm actually quite a freakshow about it. I make resolutions and evaluate how I did every year (prepare for that one b/c I kinda rocked it this year...er...I think). And there's just something refreshing about New Years Eve. It just makes me smile to celebrate with people I care about. I'm a cheeseball, but I.just.love.every.second. The countdown part makes me feel like a kid at Disneyland.. no idea. I'm weird. I know.

There's so much more... finding that perfect gift for someone, wrapping presents while playing holiday music, jamming to Christmas Carols in my car, midnight mass with my mom on xmas eve and watching the kiddos struggle to stay awake through it...ahh.. I could go on and on.. I'd like to say I wouldn't list the bitter cold that we've got going on right now. hah.. That is all.

And for the tagging part, I'm copping out again (I know I know) but seriously.. I know we're all cuhrazy busy.. But I would like you to do this if that counts for anything...and I'd love it if you'd stick to your top 10s of the holidays! That's so fun to read! If you did it, feel free to leave a comment that you did b/c I totally want to read!!! :)

I have a BIG meeting tomorrow morning early early.. like 7am. Whoa. Well, the meeting isn't that early, but I have to be there that early since I prep the speakers/presenters, etc. Annnnd our 8am speaker just got stuck somewhere sooo we had to fill the agenda with randomness. Niiiice... haha.. Could make for an interesting day tomorrow, peeps... haha...

Hope your week is off to a great start and you're getting closer to being ready for Santa!!

Honest Scrappness

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:10:00 +0000

Yo yo yo! Two posts in one evening! Woohoo! Fun stuff-Ashely over at My Acronyms Give Me Character gave me the Honest Scrap Award-Thank you so much, Ashely! She has an adorable blog and my personal fav is the running list of acronyms down the side...Some of them never fail to break a smile on my face..She's freaking entertaining. Just sayin. :)

So, here are the rules!

Rules for the award:

1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.

2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.

3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.

4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

********************************************************************

So here are some random things about me lately... I didn't feel like posting all "truths" about me, but rather just stuff I'm thinking about currently..I mean it's all true.. yeah yeah I make my own rules...haha..

1. All the emails I'm getting about sales, specials, coupons, etc from everyone from Amazon to Pottery Barn and JCrew are freaking.me.out. I can't get personal email at work ...and those are sent to my personal email.. so they arrive on my phone. And for reals.. it's like my phone is on freaking crack with the way it's hyper-vibrating with every email. I go see it and guess what.. it's another special. Good gracious. And while I'm on this...hey, Cole Haan, that $100 bucks off the $400 is great, but if you're gonna send me an email, I'm gonna need it to say $300 off $400. Thanks. Also.. Jcrew sends me emails called "Jenna's picks" Okay.. who the hell is Jenna and why is she picking things for me? hahaha! (I know she's the creative director...just sayin).

2. I think I want to do a couch to 5K program. So far, I have the couch part down. Goal: St. Patrick's Day Run (aka when it's not 5 degrees outside). Thoughts or advice appreciated if you've done a program like this to get in gear. I am also looking for easy, healthy recipes...EASY.. haha.. :) Jackie=wanting to get healthy AND save cash/stop eating out.

3. I see the pics of pretty lights in big cities and it really makes me want to get all bundled and freeze my arse off walking around NYC or Chicago or somewhere. *sigh* I really don't dig cold, but I dig taking trips when it's cold...even to somewhere ELSE cold. *shrugs*

4. I really dig my job. Yesterday, my co worker and I were moving offices and while packing individually, each came across our "incident response team" vests. Basically, if there's a major catastrophe, we help direct people. (I guess that's 'other duties as assigned.' No idea how we were lucky enough to be selected for said job. You're jealous. I can tell). Anyway, we each put ours on without knowing the other had done it and then saw each other and laughed. My co workers are fun. Fact. (please ignore the fact that I look like a crazy person. Someone woke up late...er..me.)

I also have a lot of randomness in my office. I'm sure people think I'm a wack job if they used my office while I was at the United W@y. I really dig kiddie meal toys that shoot things like disks, etc. Sonic is awesome at these kinds of toys. I randomly shoot said projectiles at coworkers. (ignore the 100 calorie oreo pack. It was my lunch. Busy day today).

5. I have a concert addiction lately. Our new concert arena/center is new... as in a year or so old. And we've gotten some AWESOME acts.. and have one of the top ticket sales in the country (yeah, we really do-who knew?!) But, I'm about to go broke buying tickets for things. And the worst part.. I wanna get my boom boom pow on b/c Black Eyed Peas are coming and tix are on sale this weekend. I will resist..b/c I have to. *sigh*

6. Another addiction: Emergen-crack... er... Emergen-C.. It's the same thing I think b/c I can't.stop.drinking.it. I drink two one or so daily and yeah... amazing. My recommendation: raspberry

7. Confession: I'm still laughing at the Tiger Woods jokes. I realize they're not that funny. Maybe I'm just needing a laugh. hah.. I dunno. And also.. I really dig the name Elin. Never dawned on me, but I do. Anyway....

8. I thought the gap commercials with the kids were cute for about 5 seconds.. Now, I'm kinda over them. "I love my comfy sweater..how cute are these boots?!" Aghhhhh stuckinmyhead!

9. I got tickets to see Legally BLONDE when it comes here just after the first of the year! YAY!

10. I made Gracie wear a Santa hat yesterday. Pictures are to follow.

I hate it when people just say do this if you want, BUT it's a VERY busy time of year and I know a lot of us have been hit/missing on our regular bloggage... So I'm quite serious when I say I want to read your random honestness if you're game to post them so please consider yourself awarded and tagged!! XOXO!

Happy Birthday to My Mom!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Thurs is my mom's bday! We don't always see eye to eye, but I know she has my back no matter what..and I've got hers. She's an awesomesauce lady even though I have no idea how she's so short considering our whole family is taller.. haha.. I used to pick her up and spin her around for fun. She didn't love that. I was definitely a challenge to deal with at times in my life, so this woman gets a LOT of kudos.

After my dad died, she worked a second job (she's a teacher) in the evenings to help make ends meet..(and when I could work, I worked too (in high school)). Yet, no matter what, at every swim meet...every football game (I was on the pom squad), there she was...cheering me on. She let me get away with enough to feel like I had freedom, but kept a watchful eye on my activities and ensured I made good choices (read we had screaming fights where I almost got my car taken away repeatedly for doing something stupid or jerky or basically teenage dramaish).

Her favorite show used to be Jeopardy (think it's the Apprentice now) and she's always had beagle dogs. No matter how many times they HOWL with the sirens and eat everything in sight, she swears by the breed.... *sigh* haha... She used to march around the house with me singing "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" carrying sticks/canes/whatever we could find.. and we'd change it to "born on the 3rd of July" b/c hello.. that's my birthday. She helped with Camp Fire, even though she's seriously one of the least craft people I know.. haha... But she tries. That's something. It's weird to think of our parents getting older, right? Yeah. It is.

And she doesnt know this.. and doesn't read my blog, but her boyfriend (who she only calls her "friend"...even after over a year) invited me to dinner with them tomorrow night as a surprise! Cute. :) So, Happy Birthday to MOM! (My dad was a photag.. hence the life size photos of Jax as a child in the den. I purposely cut them out). These are from Christmas last year.. Self timer-awesome. The dogs didn't behave.

Her beagle, Beau, is abooooout 100 year old.. or more like 14.... haha.. :) Gracie annoys the hell out of him keeps him young when she's over there.

Grounding Myself

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:42:00 +0000

Alright folks.. we're in the TEENS in terms of days from Christmas. And if you're thinking about ordering something online, then well.. you've got aboooout 10 days MAX to get it here by Christmas, so realistically, we're looking at what....5-8 days for some gifts to be ordered. Holy.sh!t.

Let me tell you about gifts and me.

I like to give them.

A lot.

And random, little, spur of the moment, "I was thinking of you" gifts are well.. kinda something at which I'm awesome. (hear that? it's the sound of my own horn tooting).

And timed gifts...like birthdays, etc.. well.. I'm okay at them b/c I get to hone in on ONE person.

But Christmas...where I have more than one person to buy for...all at once...stresses.me.out.

You'd think the solution would be to plan further in advance? Yeah, I'd think so too. Yet, every year.. here I am... haha.. Arg.

I think I know what I'm getting my mom at this point...and I've picked up a few things for friends along the way I know they'd like...and well..Gracie is a no brainer-bones, toys, t-r-e-a-t-s (we have to spell it around here b/c if she hears it, she goes bananas ;) )

But Eric....

...the person I care about more than lots and lots in this world...

..has.been.kinda.stumping.me.

I refused to ask him what he wants b/c I can come up with it on my own! Hmph! And we set a budget this year b/c we tennnnd to overspend with each other...or just in general...haha... So, I have great ideas, but they're not within my "budget." (mocking voice like a child's saying "buuuuuudget.") hahaha... :)

I have lots of ideas...but I'm the person who likes to get "the" gift.. ya know.. the one that shows you pay attention...that shows you know someone...that shows you planned ahead...that shows you have a vested interest in the relationship! *frazzled, overdramatic raised voice as you're reading that sentence* ;)

So basically yeah, I'm overdramatic about the whole thing.

Anyway, I grounded myself to do some serious intense research tonight (aka no blogger, no facebook, no twitter...Biggest Loser was a different story.. Hello, it was the finale!) and I think I'm about 75% there in the narrowing it down department! YEEHAW! Hopefully by the end of this weekend (5 days, folks), I will have ordered what I needed to! I need to do some investigating first.. *sneaky pose with head down and eyebrows raised*

(We can go ahead and admit now that I'll change my mind 150 times and then have to pay ridiculous fees in shipping, but it is what it is).

I hope you're gift-buying is coming to a close! Who's the hardest person to buy for on your list this year?

Weekend Recap!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:13:00 +0000

LIVE! from my sofa watching Desperate Housewives on the dvr a little late ..and blogging of course. :)

My Friday evening kicked off with Eric's work Christmas Party-it was really fun... especially as far as work parties go. :) He works with a great group of people! We played some Pictionary (yes, we did.. and...the girls won), had some festive beverages and lots of food. Then, the men all went outside and smoked cigars and had a few belly laughs us chicks could hear all the way inside... then came inside smelling...um.. interesting. haha.. And I had enough of a voice to not scare anyone! :) Seriously.. I WASNT sick, but I sounded sick. I had this fear that no one at the work party would talk to me for fear I had the swine or something.

Afterwards, Eric and I headed to meet up with Timberly and some peeps for her bday! Her birthday isn't til this week, but some of her friends surprised her :) I would like to borrow her long, gorgeous hair for just an evening. Just sayin.. :)

Saturday night, Eric and I had dinner at a fab little Mexican place in Broken Arrow I'd never tried (side note: Eric knows ALL the best little Mexican places and I know how to try them all. Together, we're a good pair. haha.. mmmmmm... ) (Additional side note: I can't stop craving Mexican. I'm usually pretty bad, but it's getting ridiculous. I could eat it um.. right now... and then again tomorrow) Anyway, then, headed to Rhema for some Christmas light looking :) I was a leetle over excited for some colorful lights wrapped around trees. It is what it is.

No idea.. bahaha...He looks like someone stole his candy cane...
Things every light display needs: techno music. (Sandstorm may or may not have been playing as the lights flickered with the beat at one part of the walkway). Dance party ensued for like 3 seconds :)
Self timer + hilarious leg kick = this photo
Played with some camera settings so you could actually make us out in the pic without killing the lights.. Not great, but I still dig it! :)

"Is the security guard looking? No? Okay.. go now!" We're so mature... :)

Then we headed to a coffee/tea place for some warm beverages b/c um.. we were numb. Side note: Did you know red tea doesn't have caffeine? Like it. :) I had so much fun Sat night! If there hadn't been a line for Santa, I might have sat on his lap. Or stood next to him. Whatever is less creepy. ;)

Excellent, but COLD weekend! A water main broke down the street (it seems things are always breaking around here, huh? haha). I didn't have water for awhile, but now it's back. Now if the incessant drilling would stop... Eh, well.. I just hope they restore everyone's water tonight. It's so cold; I couldn't imagine working out there right now..esp likely standing in water. I'll take my job as a strategist inside the warm office even if I did have to go in to work for a bit today...

I've been going back and forth from holiday cheerful to semi funktastic. It's very bizarre and I'd like the holiday cheer to just come and stay. I'm actually kinda excited about the post where I tell you what's been stressing me b/c I'm totally hoping for "good decision, you rock" comments.. haha...

Today, I put out my nutcrackers (did you know I LOVE nutcrackers)? When I have a mantle, I will have lots and lots of nutcrackers on it.. I mean.. not an absurd tacky amount, but ya know...haha... :) And my little tree is all lit up! I kinda think I want xmas lights to stay up til March.. b/c they make me happy. When spring returns in March, people can put them away. Jackie has spoken. *affirmative nod*

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend!

(and did you see Holly's show? It makes me sad.. b/c it's um.. a bad show. But also b/c I miss her with Hef. :( I actually sat and thought "maybe they'll get back together.." Wow. I know).

Festive Friday!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:41:00 +0000

I was sitting here and decided to post randomly about Christmas. No rhyme or reason, just random stuff I was thinking about.. Sooooo...

My fav all time Christmas movie-White Christmas. :) My dad used to LOVE it and I felt so grown up getting to watch it with him when I was a little girl. And it has dancing...and we all know I heart dancing... And it has romance...and well, I'm a sucker for romance... And it's not the typical fav....and I like that. So, yup. I haven't watched it in a couple years.. I dont even think I own the dvd actually (I should fix that)... but totally love this movie! :)

Do you do tree toppers? If so, what? Angels? Stars? Light up? Non light up? My parents used to let me select what we put on the top of the tree when I was a kid.. and it was hands down my fav thing ever about decorating the tree. We had a few and would alternate every year (well, unless I was indecisive and wanted to alternate every week-bonus of being an only child). My personal fav was a pretty angel. When she broke somehow, I cried. A lot. Too much to be in 5th grade or so.

I have years where I seriously hear Christmas music and immmmmmediately turn it off. I guess sometimes I'm just not in the spirit. Dunno. Side note: this year, I'm diggin it. Anyway, regardless, this song makes me so.happy. :) I was reminded of how much I loved this song when Tracy posted about it the other day! Christmas songs shouldn't be sad. Just sayin.

And b/c I'm feeling like I want to make some superfluous purchases to destress myself (I'm not going to. I need to save.), I'll list some things I'd totally buy and wrap for myself under the tree.. haha...

Lookie at the fun bag I found online....

The only TU sweatshirts I have are from law school or say Chi O all over them (and why did we think including the year was a good idea on those shirts? B/c um.. pretty sure I forget about that til I'm at the store in sweats and a Chi O 2002 shirt. *nervous* I'm old. Sometimes my sorority shirts still make it in public. Whatever.) And Suzanne got this super cute one at the bookstore not too long ago! Love the plaid, don't you?!
Gracie's hair is whoa. But I wouldn't trade her for anything, so it is what it is. But, um.. her fur is about to destroy my semi cheap vacuum. I never thought I'd lust after a cleaning tool, but dyson animal, you're pretty cool. Just.sayin.
I have cute lounge pants. I have a couple cute hoodies. They do not match each other. Apparently, I didn't think that was a good idea? *shrug* Kinda want some cute, matchy track suit or something.. but not b/c I plan to wear it anywhere except my sofa, the gym...and possibly to the grocery store. And this isn't one I love, but the VS fashion show this week just made me remember how much I dig Miranda Kerr. She's cool. So, the suit she modeled got posted. :)
I don't want anything with brands screaming from every angle. *ew* And for some reason, I really didn't care about the Burberry trend... til recently. No rhyme or reason, but I want a scarf. This is the reg pattern, but slightly off.. kinda fun I think....

Oh, and I'd buy that bedroom set I posted about not too long ago. Yeah, I would. It shot back up to regular price the DAY after I blogged. Lame!!! So, whatevs. Wasn't meant to be. *sigh* (That's code for- I'm stalking it online every day in hopes it goes on sale or shows up on ebay).

Thanks for the fun comments on my weekend post.. that I finally got around to yesterday. :) Ooooh yeah and thanks so much for the kudos about the dress/tights I had on last weekend! I actually borrowed it from Marla! She got it at a local boutique, I think! I'll def tell her how many fun compliments it got! :) Prepare yourself for many more ridic photos b/c Ashley is coming back over xmas! YAY!

Hope you have a great Friday and weekend, peeps! Eric's work holiday party is Friday night and I'm hoping I sound less like Darth Vader and more like myself, but hey.. at least I don't feel bad..it's just the voice! (knock on wood). :)

Um, I take a lot of pictures...

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:57:00 +0000

Thanksgiving weekend in photos...and this isn't even half of the ones I took...My camera is still recovering from the random firing I kept doing all weekend...

Brooke and Paul were blessed with little Parker on Thanksgiving! A week late and just in time for a great day of thanks, Parker decided to make his appearance! Sara, me, Ashley and Jenny headed up on Friday to hang with the new, adorable family! :)

Hello little guy!! :) (if you'd heard me out loud, it would have sounded like "Herrow widdle gwuy.." haha) (isn't he simply beautiful?!)

Proud dad :)

So happy for them!! :)

Wednesday night was a friend's annual Thankswigging party (aka people wear wigs...except for the three of us apparently). Note the Wendy's wig behind us.

******Things I feel pretty badly about-not getting a photo of my mom and me on Thanksgiving. We went out to eat and since I'd locked myself out of my apt, I forgot my camera. :( Major boo. Picture my mom and me smiling and laughing over a table full of food.. HERE. ********* I shall not make the same mistake at Christmas.

However, I also DEFINITELY consider my friends part of my family and am so very glad I got to spend so much time with them this weekend. I love these peeps. :) I'm very blessed to be surrounded by great people.

Friday, went to dinner to hang with Ashley and Tinoush in town from LA! It was Tinoush's first trip to Tulsa! From left to right: Ashley and Lee, Tinoush and Ashley, me and Eric, Andrew and Sarah :)

The girlies
Headed to a new local bar afterwards... :) A couple serious photos....

And now for the photoshoot that always occurs when Ashley comes to town... I'm sorry in advance for the minutes of your life I'm wasting...

First, "the pose" that we MUST do when she's here. I cannot explain it, but we make people dive through it. Just go with it. We take great pleasure in it and don't care about people rolling their eyes at us... :) It made it in quite a few photos this time.. hahahaha..

And now for the "why are our bangs always messed up in these? arg. I know, let's take pics like cousin it!" photos.

Take one.

Take two.

First glance "That's funny." Second glance "We look like we're making out." Retake.
Third take: "Maybe if we hold drinks we don't look like we're making out." ....*picture ensues* "We still kinda do...haha..crap."

Randomness=these photos.

Yes, he's licking my face. No, I don't know why. No, this is not a normal thing. And uh... no, I dont know why I felt compelled to share this photo with you. haha..

And the inevitable....senior photos.

(No, this never gets old. Every time she visits, stuff like this takes place and I love it. Miss you, Alove! )

Saturday morning, had dinner with Audra at Utica Square and took this photo! I look weird..like my head is floating all off my body or something, but it's the only one we got so it is what it is... :)
So, there ya go... last weekend in photos for the most part. :) I'm kinda sicky... I sound like a 12 year old boy going through puberty. It's hott (with two t's). Ew. So, I'm going to bed to rest my throat. I've been stressing myself out lately over a random decision. I will explain later (promise!) but I think the added stress hasn't helped my health. I came to a conclusion today and actually feel tons better. I really stress myself out about random things sometimes... I mean.. this certain thing deserved a lot of consideration, but probably not the undue stress I was putting on myself. I mean.. it's not THAT big of a decision.. haha.. I'm not meaning to tease. I'll totally blog about it when I can-cross my heart! :)

Take your vitamin C, peeps! Otherwise, you can join me in a career as a 1-900 operator soon. *ew* Have a great Thursday! XOXO!

Part of the weekend!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:45:00 +0000

I try to comment on your blogs and once I get to like blog 5, my work computer FREAKS out and starts opening about 300 windows all at once and I have to force quit and reboot. Sheeesh. It's not like I'm a slacker.. This is my lunch break! Arg. So, anyway, looking forward to catching up on more later! :)

I don't have ALL my weekend pics n stuff, but figured I could blog about Eric and my one year anniversary for now! :) So, I know some of you remember this post and are therefore confused about Eric and my one year anniversary NOW... :) But, I think I said before that we're both stubborn, stubborn people...And had also each had our own respective reasons for taking things slower...and I'm so glad we did b/c I feel like we are all the better b/c of it. :) So, we officially threw all caution to the wind (overdramatic? me? Never) and got serious a year or so ago! We decided to celebrate this "official" anniversary on Saturday!

Oh yeah.. here's me taking my flowers home from work :)

Saturday, Eric had made reservations at Mahogany, a really nice local steakhouse. :) They even had a little anniversary card for us (in the center of the table). Awww. :) It was yummy all the way from the tuna app to the berry dessert! *just got a little hungry thinking of it* Then, we headed to Ciao to hear Eric's friend/former classmate, Olivia sing. She's awesome, peeps.. and I love jazz... :)I like playing with iphoto's affects.. It is what it is... haha.. :)
This guy has put up with me officially (I like to say "officially"..It's funny) for a year now.. and sometimes I ask myself how the hell he does it... (one of those times may have been recently when I got kinda seasonal-cranky for no reason...*oops*). Anyway, we had a really fabtastic time! :)

The rest of the weekend was family, friends, more friends and some shopping. :) Pics to come later!

Today, I'm all Sniffles McSniff! What are my allergies doing attacking in DECEMBER? Goodness. Don't they know it's winter? Arg. While I'm really excited for the Presidential Address tonight, I'm seriously hoping I don't miss the Biggest Loser finale (that's tonight, right?) or the Victoria Secret fashion show. I realize I should want to know what's going on with our country.. I know.. but I also have a sinus headache and was looking forward to some tv therapy. Hope you're having a great day!!

Lazy Sunday

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:05:00 +0000

* Knocked Up is on.. and I forgot how funny some of the one liners are "I googled murder..." haha.. "Go home and step on the scale.. and write down how much you weigh...and then subtract 20...and weigh that." haha...

* The scarf I'm wearing was hanging on my coat rack right next to my Bath n Body wallflower and smells like some kind of spice. I'm smelling myself a lot and liking it. That is all.

* I'm kinda cranky, kinda bored, and kinda unproductive. Those things add up to getting a lot done.. riggggght.

* Ever feel like you've been taking yourself too seriously? I think I have been lately in some regards. Blah.

* I have something I'd LOVE to blog about but I can't. *crunched up nose* At least I can't yet. It's not good news...or bad news...It's just news right now. :) The good or bad part will be filled in this week or next. Ahhh, suspense.. haha.. I'm not meaning to be like that. We'll see....

* My dress came in the mail for the 1920's New Years Eve party Eric and I are going to! Annnnd... it fits! HOORAY! Now for some feathers in the hair, bulky/beady necklaces, etc! YAY!

* On that note, I've been scouring the town and the interwebs for a sweater dress that (1) isn't too tight, (2) isn't too bulky, (3) isn't too long/short.. Anyway, I couldn't find one that I loved enough to buy.. til I went to Target yesterday and just randomly saw this one when I wasn't even on the hunt for a dress. Isn't that the way things happen sometimes?! Sheesh. :) But, I immediately bought it. Duh.

* I don't know where the long weekend went, but I know I should be more motivated to make Sunday count. I prefer searching for cruises and playing on blogger. Nice.

Happy Thanksgiving!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:22:00 +0000

Hope you had a GREAT Thanksgiving!

Didya watch some of the parade? (I used to watch it with my parents when I was a kid... looked SO forward to it! And Snoopy was, is and always will be my fav balloon) :) Would love to see it in person someday even though I'm sure it's chaos there..haha..

Hope you had some awesome foooood! (My fav-turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing. I could pretty much eat my weight in those three items alone).
And I also hope you had some fun time with family, friends, pets...whatevs! :)

Had a great day.. although it started off a bit rocky.. May have left my bank card somewhere and in the process of going to look for it in my car, locked myself out. Yeah. haha.. Sooo...plans changed and mom had to come get me for Thanksgiving lunch..since I had no keys. But, we ended up having a great meal with my mom and her friend who lives here and doesn't have kids or anything. We actually go out to eat on Thanksgiving every year now. With just mom and me, it's become quite the hassle to cook everything for just us two. Going out is actually kinda fun-no dishes! :) That said, I definitely miss the whole "big family" meal.. I'm sure tonsa peeps who have the "big family meal" would kill for my total chilltastic Thanksgiving day..haha.. Regardless I'm so lucky, blessed, and thankful to have my mom in my life and here locally, etc. :) Us three chicks had a pretty good time and stuffed ourselves quite nicely. :)

Then, mom and her friend headed to a movie and I went to Eric's parents' house (he came and brought me a spare set of keys btw-thank, E!), to hang for a bit. :) I dig his family.. They're just really fun to hang out with. I LOVE my mom and my traditions and that we really don't have anyone to please on holidays except the two of us... But, that said.. I really dig his bigger family dynamic. It's fun to all just kinda hang and chat, etc. I love that Eric's fam gets along really well and has a good time no matter what they do. :) I feel really thankful to always feel so included with them. :) I really hope to have two or three kids someday...(like years from now, people.. years). It's cool being an only sometimes, but I think having siblings would be pretty awesome... Just sayin...

Eric and I headed to his casa and rented a movie on his AppleTv (that I got him for his bday! YAY that it's getting used!) We saw this:

It was okay... like 45 min too long, but otherwise fine. :)

Overall, a fantastic Thanksgiving! Hope you had a great one! I have a lot to be thankful for-my family, Eric, friends, Gracie (but she's included in the "family" category), my health, my job... I feel so very blessed. I'm even very thankful for this blog. When I need to vent, need opinions, have a story of celebration, I turn to my blog...and ya'll are there. So, I am thankful for you in case I haven't said it in awhile... :)

Hope your weekend is rocking along and you had good luck at the Black Friday sales if you ventured out today! My weekend is filled with some friend time tonight, Eric and my anniversary dinner tomorrow and some xmas shopping! :)

Oooh and got to go seemy friend, Brooke's baby today! Parker arrived yesterday on Thanksgiving almost a week late, but lemme tell you.. He was definitely worth the wait.. What an ADORABLE little guy! I took pics and will upload later. :)

Tuesday=Friday :)

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:10:00 +0000

So, I was already going to write a good luck post.. but with the post below, he definitely gets an official good luck post on today's exam! He's taking the hardest part first.. which is typical of him... Kick @ss and take names, E! Thanks so much for all your good luck thoughts on the last blog btw, peeps! :)

Some random Eric photos I enjoy for fun...

(this was when I convinced him to go shopping for my friend's baby shower. He's holding the diaper genie.. bahahaha)
Enjoying his bowl of pork in a banana plantation in St. Lucia... as I was hungover and sweating profusely and refusing to be in photos... haha..
playing with lighting in Dallas... We're easily entertained.
Warning: cheesiness ahead.... On this week of Thanksgiving, I'm not going to be over the top here but I definitely need to add how very thankful I am for Eric. This past year has easily been one of my fav years...ever.. and it's due greatly to him. He's my support, my laughter, my friend, my love, my sounding board, my boyfriend... I feel so lucky and blessed to have him in my life and to be able to share the holidays with him. :) Plus, my dog likes him..always a bonus. ;)

This morning, I went and paid my speeding ticket. Ugh. Mary tried to get it reduced, but to no avail. Well, actually I could have taken a defensive driving course + court costs and gotten rid of it.. but that would have only saved me 50 bucks and taken away my Saturday. Whatever. But HUGE thank you to Mary for trying! :) I marched my little leopard heels (with jeans and a black sweater.. I'm not over the top here peeps) into City Hall and paid my 150 bucks before I'd even had breakfast. Arg. And did you know that's officially the CHEAPEST ticket now? I think that's stupid. *pouty, annoyed I-didnt-get-my-way face* Happy holidays, motorcycle cop. Hmph.

I think tomorrow is going to be a vacation day for Jax. I have no real reason other than I want it to be a vacay day. *shrugs*My VPs are out of the office.. my dept is empty.. There is no reason for me to be here sooooo yeah. I have the "absense request" form up on my computer and haven't filled it out yet, but think I'm about to... Are you off tomorrow? Whatcha doin if so? :)

My boyfriend rocks :)

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:34:00 +0000

So, my boyfriend.. as in the one taking the CPA tomorrow...sent me FLOWERS at work today for our upcoming official (aka when we stopped being stubborn morons and realized we only wanted to date each other..officially..haha) anniversary! Hello, he rocks. A lot. :) And made my day. A lot. And they're my favs! pink roses and lilies. Thank you, Eric!! Thank you a zillion times!

Weekend Recap!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:09:00 +0000

Hi peeps! So, this was a good weekend-a chill weekend. :)

Friday-NEW MOON! We got there an hour or more early (we already had tix) and we still had to stand in a line that made Kristy's husband nervous. haha..And it was FULL of tweens. Kristy's quote "Why does the line smell like high school gym class?" haha.. However, I did have a very sweet convo in the restroom line with a 10 year old girl who told me how excited she was for the movie and how her sister was taking her to see it, etc... *awwww*

Okay, so the concession story... We literally all went home from work, changed, and then met at the theater, so we hadn't eaten. Sara and I were STARVING and once we got our place in line, we headed to get some hot dogs. I think we may have given the concession teen worker a coronary. First of all, we paid for all our stuff...including an extra buck for Edward cups...and also made him actually go dig out some Edward cups b/c we refused to take Bella ones. Yes, we're in our mid-late 20s. Yeah. So, he already hated us...and then they ran out of hot dogs. They offered nachos and I was like "great!" Sara, not so much. So, the kid was pretty confused and really stressed and finally Sara made him promise he'd give us hot dogs when they got some more since she paid for them. (Note-we weren't rude at all. The guy was just seriously overwhelmed by all the mob at the counter, I think) The whole thing was hilarious. And as we left the mob line, Sara adds "Gawd, I need a xanax."

Fat kid Jackie is holding our nachos AND sour patch kids *under my arm* sooo.. I made us take a second shot...haha.. (ps these were taken at our place in LINE. nuts).

New Moon review: It was awesome. Duh. BUT, while most people didn't LOVE this book, I was okay with it b/c I'd been warned about the whole Edward being gone thing before I read it. Anyway, I was disappointed in some of the parts they changed and cut short...like the motorcycle rebuilding. I LOVED that part of the book and they didn't give it enough time in the movie. But, overall, the book was a TON of Bella's thoughts so they likely had issues portraying that in the movie and I was very pleased with the result. And I might see it again. Might. Definitely buying it. :) And if I hadn't read the books, I'd be team Jacob. I'll admit that.

Saturday, I had the BEST day with Maureen! We went to lunch at Queenies (one of my favs) and then proceeded to walk around Utica Sq, shop a little, chat, etc then headed to Target for some more shopping. We should have taken a photo! Arg. Well.. I did take ONE phone photo modeling a head lamp at Restoration Hardware, but it was meant to be funny..and it got me a couple bad looks from Prissy McPriss whining to her hubby and mom about wanting the leather sofa in the store and then huffing and pouting a little when apparently they said no (For reals). It was a head lamp. At Restoration Hardware. It was funny, prissy girl. But seriously.. we had a great day. :) I also got stuff to make Eric some good luck on the CPA treats! I stole these from Lauren at Dreams Take Flight! I substituted peanut m&ms b/c Eric loves em. Seriously, SO EASY and SO YUMMY! Thanks, Lauren for the fun idea!

I bagged them in a little snowman bag for him, too! (I may have made extra here for myself.. mmm..) Ya'll, I am SO ready for him to be done with the CPA. I miss his face. :( hah... Lame? I know. Tuesday, the first section will be over for him! YAY!
Saturday night, I was planning on staying in.. til I realized some of my girl friends were in the same.mood.. Kinda wanting to have a glass of vino, but not go overboard and not spend a ton and not be overly social. It ended up being a really great night at Sonoma, a local restaurant and wine bar! Lots of laughs-a shared pizza, and this cute photo! And I was home by 11:00-fabulous!
Today, I decided to do a bit of xmas shopping before the insanity next weekend. I didn't get very far, BUT I also wanted to check out B and BW's new fragrance, Twilight W00ds. And I ended up loving it! Get this... with the sale they had today, I got SIX full sized items for 23 bucks. So got mom some stuff and got myself some Twilight Woods.

I'm looking really forward to doing a thankful post later this week b/c there are so many reasons I feel so very blessed.... I hope you all had a great weekend and are looking forward to a fabulous holiday, shorter work week, and time with friends and/or family. :)

I want this.

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:47:00 +0000

And I had my bedroom all planned.

And I don't know why I searched online anyway.

B/c now I really want this.

And it's more expensive than the other one I wanted. B/c it's piece by piece.

But it's all the pieces that make it AWESOME.

I mean hellllllllo giraffe print WITH paisely that's black and white with throw pillows and Euro shams?!

My name is Jax and I may have pulled out the credit card as though drawn by some other force. *picture that. it's funny*

Then put it away to think about it. B/c I need curtains. And a dresser. And a rug. So, just gonna be really sure what I want.

And then... I think I somehow broke my power cord and might need to buy a new one. :( FOILED! *pounds fists on table at sides* haha.. So...yeah we'll see about other superfluous expenses.

My friend (no names here.. She's MY connection..haha) is seeing if she can get my speeding ticket reduced... if so, that comforter is MINE. And so is a nice gift for her b/c that would totally make my day. pleasepleaseplease... hahaha...

I was going to finally catch up on some blog awards tonight or my United W@y post, but those posts would take longer and kill my ever-draining battery....so soon. :)

Wishful Wed...Genre!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Kelsey's got a great topic today, peeps, so I had to participate.. All this blogging is making my blog feel so loved compared to last week... :)

Okay, so.. I wish my life was a movie and I would want it to be.....Action-Adventure-Romance..ish.

Yes, that sounds like a crazy category. And if I was choosing everyday life, I'd totally go with romantic comedy adventure. :) But, I opted to take a different spin...even though hello.. Jax and Eric in a romantic comedy adventure? Duh. However, I added the romance part b/c I'm a total girl and it would feature Eric :)... but really it might be more of a comedy adventure b/c let's face it, I'm really clumsy. ;)

Soooo I went ahead and thought "hmm.. If I could just insert myself into any given movie for a short period of time for fun, I'd totally want to be a spy...or solving some crime...or racing fast cars being pursued by the bad guys (I'd get away. Duh. It's my movie.) And of COURSE there'd be an element of romance between me and my co-spy (who would be Eric-obvi.). And we'd save the world in our movie and then resume our normal lives as though nothing had happened. ;) Yup. There ya go!

Happy Wednesday! Just trucking along back at the regular jobbie.. and settling in again pretty quickly. :) I missed these peeps. Off to grab a sandwich.. XOXO!

Ringing in 2010 in Costume(ish) and WBW :)

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:37:00 +0000

So, it's not even close to New Years, but I want to blog this. (It's only November. I'm ridiculous. I know this. Admitting it up front.) Today, got an invite from Eric's friends who are hosting a SPEAKEASY for NYE! Um.. flapper dresses! 1920s! Hellllo awesome! It's gonna be a small shindig at their casa, but to be really honest, that fits what I wanted to do to a t!! Just not feeling a huge, cuhrazy event this year. I am so excited to find the perfect flapper dress since I think we've both determined this sounds like a fabulous plan to ring in 2010!

And um, I immediately recalled Gossip Girl's flapper attire... I heart Blair. I also heart the girl who plays Blair, Leighton. I just do. And a party that enables me to use her for inspiration rocks.my.socks. PS.. have you SEEN her new photos from Dec's GQ mag? They're haute... For reals.. Prepare yourself (and make sure no one is behind you.. haha). Here they are. Click on em to make em larger.

Oh yeah.. HillDuff is also in flapperish attire for the show. I'm liking her character, Olivia. Hoping she doesn't leave.

I.love.theme.parties. :) If you've seen any fun dresses lately, feel free to recommend, peeps! XOXO! :)

And for Way Back Wednesday, why not post some prior years NYE pics?

Last year at Oscars-such a good time! Easily my fav nye as long as I can remember.. for reals. Good plans. Good friends. Fabulous date. (and great dress on major sale, too. haha).

The year before in Chicago with Lauren! Blondies in black. Love it. :)

And the year before that one at the Ice Ball with Maureen and lots of other peeps :) Just b/c they start selling the champagne by the bottle reallllly cheap after midnight, that doesn't mean it's a good idea to buy it and switch to champagne only. Just sayin.

And the winner is...

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:46:00 +0000

I did a random number generator my friend used for her giveaway here! And I tried to copy/paste it and then it totally regenerated a new number! AGH! After clicking it a zillion times trying to make it get the original winner's comment number back, I finally gave up and decided ya'll are just gonna have to trust me here...haha... So the original comment number it picked was comment #36...which is....easily a favorite blog of mine and we even share the same background...drum roll please....

~Leslie at A Blonde Ambition! ~

YAY! Congratulations, chica! I'll email ya as soon as I'm done posting-just shoot me an email back with your address so I can renew my subscription AND sign you up for yours! YAY!

Thank you all SO much for entering my giveaway! This was super fun! LOVED reading all your answers to the question I posed! And as for my answer to what I'd do with $1,000 solely on making myself feel glam, I'd DEFINITELY get an awesome handbag (have one in mind from Cole Haan right now for 300 bucks) and then spend the rest on re-doing my bedroom...likely some awesomesauce sheets/lush linens for sure!

Roses & Thorns

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:47:00 +0000

I first saw this on Mrs. EyeCanSee and have since seen quite a few of my other fav bloggers out there doing it too.. and today, it seemed fitting. :) Except.. I'd like to end on the positive, so I'll start with Thorns and then switch to Roses (plus it'll make the roses make more sense).

* Thorns to the hose in the back of my toilet bursting on my day off- floor was filled with water in .2 seconds

* Thorns to not being able to get a hold of my LL, calling a plumber and being told to call the fire dept to shut off the water

* Thorns to 8 firemen in my apt, traipsing around...awwwwwwkward...hahaha...

* Thorns to not getting as much done today as I originally intended thanks to the toilet drama...

* Thorns to not receiving some news I've been somewhat waiting on...

* Thorns to getting a little pimple on my chin! What is THAT?! Sheesh.. haha..

* Thorns to the 206 emails my blackberry says are waiting for me at work tomorrow...

* Thorns to realizing I have like a month to get Xmas presents and am clueless! Agh!

* Roses to being home at the exact.right.time.today when the toilet thing burst b/c if I hadn't been, would have ruined everything in my apt!

* Roses to Eric for being calm and giving me a plumber's number when I called him at work, exclaiming "my bathroom's flooding and my LL isn't answering-WHATDOIDO?!" Jackie=apparently not calm in household emergencies. Good to know.

* Roses to getting my apt fixed up pretty quickly and my LL washing all my towels I'd used for the mess, folding them and leaving them on my table. :)

* Roses to having a roof over my head, in a cute warm apt, despite a plumbing issue today.

* Roses to Eric's official first day today in his new dept at work! (yes, I called him on his first day in the new dept with my potty drama.. Good gosh...)

* Roses to my mug of hot peach tea I just made for this cold night

* Roses to my adorable pup laying beside me

* Roses to preparing a yummy dinner tonight thanks to those pre-cooked chickens at Target :)

* Roses to going to Sephora to get lipgloss & realizing I never got my free bday gift-so got THREE addl fun lipglosses!

* Roses to figuring out exactly how I want my bedroom to look when I'm done!

* Roses to seeing all my co workers tomorrow and the regular jobbie and having a cafeteria on-site again (fountain sodas whenever I want. So unhealthy. So amazing.)

* Roses to New Moon coming out this week!

* Roses to having a shorter week since I took the day off today!

And don't forget to enter my giveaway (a few posts down) by noon tomorrow! I'll draw a winner tomorrow night!

Weekend Recap!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:33:00 +0000

So, I have quite a bit written on the UW post and quite a bit to go... It's really more for my memories, ya know.. Anyway, in the meantime, I'm going to post pics from the weekend! I feel so behind on blogger.. ever get like that? With this being Eric's last week before the first section of the CPA exam (aka he will be locked in studying all week/weekend)....and no more UW (kinda sad admittedly), I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to catch up on all things internet and dvr... :)

Friday, I headed to my friend's house-she's an excellent cook and was so sweet to make dinner for us! Then, we made cookies (and they were yumtastic!). No photos for some reason. :( But, fun and chillax night. Then, headed to Eric's and watched some tv (after he was done studying for the night) to continue chill time. With all the studying he has to do, his free time Sat needed to be spent doing some stuff in the yard, etc while the weather was good... so I helped to both get to hang...and help him cut down on yard work time. :) It's likely b/c I don't own a home yet.. but I really get a kick out of all things having to do with raking, yard-cleaning, etc...haha..

I also get a kick out of this photo...

We took all the leaves and some plants to the "green dump" just outside of town.. which I'd never been to.. It's the little (admittedly bizarre) things that get me kinda pumped.. haha.. Please remember this when I buy a house and am complaining...

Anyway, this is what the leaves looked like when we got there.. hi.larious.
Then, this is embarrassing to admit. But, if you read my blog, you remember the bed I've been trying to paint black for.ever. Yeah, well....life happens, people. Things get busy.. haha.. Soo, here's me priming and finishing the last piece! Almost done! YAY! I need to pick out new linens for a bigger bed and a new room design!
Saturday night, housewarming party! Beth threw the party for her boyfriend who just bought a home in an older area of town redone with modern amenities...like my fav-the awesome staircase that you see here which extends down to a finished basement.

Here they are-aren't they adorable?
I.love.chandeliers. I don't really blog about that b/c well.. I can't put any in my apartment (without my LL's being pissed.. haha), but Beth found this one at an estate sale and I made her take a photo with it...haha...
Our friend cooked and it was so yum. As Marla said, "this is so guy style-I love it!" Very camping-comfort food.. mmmm... .
Some of the girls :)
Then, Timberly and I headed to Oscars for a glass of wine and met up with some friends. :) This pic amuses me b/c everyone is doing something kinda random.. haha.. Scott and I are in our own photo.. Timberly has "sexy face" (as she puts it..lol!), Sara photo bombed and Robbie doesn't look like he likes us with how far he's sitting.. haha..
Today, taiiiiilgating!! Sunday night game! It was cold and rainy and that didn't stop us! We're fans, people! Someone loved his grilling gloves....
His dad invited everyone from work tonight so we expected about 100ppl. So.much.food! :) The weather kept some peeps away, but we still had a good crowd!
Grills-good for cooking annnnnd warming hands....
Our tailgate! Rented an extra tent (the pointy one) for more peeps this time :) I kinda heart the blue trees... Just sayin... Good call, TU.. Good call.
Timberly had tix in the club level (inside).... and shared with her friends Jax and Eric. Thank you, Timbo for contributing to my warmth and comfort tonight.. I kept saying we had the princess seats.. I'm okay with that. haha. :)
Coach's face... We look scary...
Better. Or at least less frightening... hah! :)
Hope you had a great weekend! Don't forget to enter my giveaway ending Tuesday! :) Loved reading your answers to my question! I took tomorrow off and feel like I have a zillion things to do... On the list...a trip to sephora. As lame as it sounds, I've been conserving every ounce of lipgloss b/c I haven't had time to go out there...haha.. That's gonna be my favorite errand tomorrow out of the zillion I have to run... Hope your week starts off fabtastic, blogfriends. :)

Hi peeps!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Hi peeps! I'm working on a blog about my time at the UW..and trying to get stuff done. It's been a BUSY week, but I'm glad to say WE MET GOAL! There was so much celebrating on Thursday, I think my cheeks still hurt from smiling! ha! :) I did, however, get a speeeeeeeding ticket. in my work rental car. on the last day of the campaign. And the motorcycle cop totally didn't care that I was working for the Un!ted Way (jerk.). Anyhoo, I hope you're having a great weekend and I'm sorry I'm missing in action... Tonight is the TU football game and then tomorrow, I took the day off to play catch up on lots of things I haven't gotten to do lately-regular errands and the like. Then, I start back at my regular jobbie on Tuesday! So, updates soon and I think I'll use some time right now to catch up on what some of you have been up to!

This week is FLYING!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Just a quick blog to say thanks for signing up for my giveaway! So fun! You still have til Tuesday to sign up if you haven't yet! I wanted to do Way Back Wed and Wishful Wed, but I am pooped. I had an EARLY meeting (7am) and we busted it all day long (I even got on channel 8 answering phones at our phone bank earlier!) trying to hit goal before our deadline tomorrow.

23 million. 898 thousand. 673. We.can.do.it.

There's so much I've learned about our community...about generosity...about what it means to give back to those who need it... and as we inch closer, I actually get kinda emotional as stupid as that sounds....

I think I also need sleep in all fairness.

So, I will try to blog tomorrow, but as you're working, know we're busting it again in the final hours trying to make goal so our area citizens in need can receive services next year...

...and on this Veterans Day, I am reminded how many stories the agencies told me about our local Veterans being served by the agencies. Did you know the avg soldier today has over 200 concussions during his/her tour(s)? Did you know many suffer from PTSD? And many have no where to go to receive help...except to our agencies. And with the state cutting funding, our funding is more impt than ever.

So I hope we can do it.

Tomorrow evening, I will be at the campaign's Celebration event downtown! We're celebrating regardless b/c raising the amount of money we've raised in this economy is definitely something to cheer about!

I want to blog all about how much this experience has meant to me as it's coming to an end-things and people I will miss... Things I won't miss as much but will definitely take with me as I move forward....

So that will be coming soon... along with some much overdo blog awards (that I really really appreciate and want to be able to put some thought into...hence waiting to blog about them). :)

I am also debating of taking Monday off instead of heading straight back to my regular job.

As for tonight, I had a much needed girly night with my friend, Marla (and some vino) and decided to go tan reallllllly briefly (dont judge me..I needed it. lol!) However, I was so tired, I may have fallen asleep in there for the full 20 min. And people, I'm like Casper right now. Soooo yeah...tomato city, one way ticket for me. Sheesh. haha....Hopefully it won't be too bad. *nervous* haha..

Anyway, hope ya'll are having an awesome week! :)

My First Giveaway!

jackiemwells@gmail.com (Jax) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:44:00 +0000

Hey everyone! :) A testament to my day.. I started this blog post at work at lunch and am just now getting around to finishing it... haha...busssssy day!

Sooo..here goes.. I wanted to do a giveaway when I hit 100 followers...and the week I hit that mark, I was crazy-busy so it just got away from me...(still astounds me that I have over 100 followers-thank you, peeps! :))

Anyway, I rec'd some mail this morning that presented the PERFECT giveaway! I opened a letter from Glam0ur with my renewal details, and when I renew by the end of next week, I get a FREE subscription for a friend with my paid one! YAY!

So I think you see where this is going... I'm giving away a year's subscription of Glam0ur to one of you fabulous blogger friends!

So, without further adieu, the rules to this Glam0ur Mag Giveaway are simple!

* Leave a comment on this post with the answer to this question: If you had $1,000 to spend solely on something(s) to make you feel glamorous/pretty/sassy or just plain good, what would you buy?!

* You must enter by one week from today, or Tuesday, November 17th by noon CST

* I'll pop everyone's names into a random drawing and select a winner! From there, I'll announce the winner and get in touch so I can get your addy to send your free subscription!