Some Family Photos...

So, We went out to Garden of the Gods and took some famshots (sort of like glam shots, but for the fam...). I decided to have a little fun with PW's actions and then editing in photoshop... So here is the first one.

Before...

After...

Here is another one...

{Before}

{After}

{And we have black & white}

{oh and of course we have the 70's}

Well that is it.

White Sand and Blue Seas

This is where I will be in 2 1/2 weeks!


And this is who I will be soakin up the rays with!

Can't wait to travel...

Thankful Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving was a special one for our family. There were definitely moments when it was a struggle to keep the tears at bay, for it was two months ago when we were unsure whether my Dad was going to be here.

God had his hand on our family and chose to spare us from that tragedy and for that I am thankful. I am grateful that my Dad is still here with us, I'm grateful that our family from Atlanta came out to celebrate with us. I'm thankful that we can make just about any situation a fun time.

This has been a great week.

Wow...

I can't believe a whole month has gone by... that is NOT possible. Just to give you all a quick update...

Pops is doing GREAT! He is now in cardiac rehab and goes to work out there 3 days a week and loves it. It really gives him a great way to talk to other people that have gone through similar situations. Today he took me around town to look for some furniture and we found this cute little night stand at a flea market, then we went to Lowe's and he helped me pick out the right stain and then we went home and he taught me how to stain it! I think he loved going around town today and it was fun to see him perk up.

In the last 2 1/2 weeks I have been home for 1 whole day. I traveled to Arkansas and got to spend some quality time with the Megs and Bunchster. Spent several days in Loveland and Denver area. Went to Ohio, met with The Limited. Went to Kentucky and saw the U.S. Granprix of Cyclocross... it was awesome. Then came home for my one day and then went back up to Denver, Loveland, and Ft. Collins. It was an awesome two weeks, but I am also very thankful to be home!

Now I am getting ready to move into a house with a couple other girls here and then Jason and Dani will be out here for Thanksgiving! I just don't seem to have enough time!

2+ Weeks in the Hospital part 2

Sorry, it has taken me so long to get back to this...

After the cardiologists came to the ER, they took my Dad up to the Cath Lab. This is where they go into an artery in your groin (OUCH) and inject a dye into your arteries in the heart. This then will show them what arteries are blocked. It was here that they found his Right Coronary Artery was 100% blocked - the cause of the heart attack.

While waiting in the waiting room, my Mom and I were constantly on the phone and 3 hours went by incredibly slow! When the doctor came out to tell us that they had found the blockage and had put 2 stents in, we were able to take a breath of relief! They allowed us to come back and see him right before we moved to ICU. It was so hard to keep the tears at bay. To be thankful, scared, and running on adrenalin all at the same time is an exhausting thing. I remember taking my Dad's hand and tried to make a joke so that way he would break down and would stay calm. I think it worked, but we were all still so frightened. At this point Jason was rushing to the airport trying to come out. My mom and I were both so thankful for this!

The rest of that day was spent just trying to keep Dad comfortable in ICU. Because of grateful support systems, I spent the night at some friends of ours because I didn't think I could stay home by myself, and my mom spent the night in the hospital.

Thursday morning, I picked Jason up at the airport and we drove to the hospital. It was so good to be all together, although we would have liked it to be in different circumstances. Thursday was a quiet day. Dad was moved from ICU to the Cardio Vascular Unit (CVU) and had a good rest of the day and night. It was Friday morning that was going to change all the progress he had made.

2+ Weeks in the Hospital part 1

I have been meaning to blog for quite a while, but it has been hard to put two thoughts together. September started out as a pretty normal month, only to be completely flip over on it's head on September 9th. Here is the first 2 hours. More to come...

September 9th was the day that I received a phone call from the YMCA, where my Dad plays basketball 3 days a week, telling me that my Dad was not feeling well and that they had called 911. So I changed directions from traveling up to Denver for a business meeting and headed down to the YMCA. Just as soon as I pulled up, a team of paramedics came rushing out with my Dad on a stretcher. Amazingly at this point, I had concern for my dad, but I was not panicking. All I could think about was driving and getting to the hospital. The paramedics handed me Dad's stuff and I jumped back into my car. This was the first time that I have ever seen my Dad in a state of weakness. He has always been the strong, steadfast Father and it almost broke my heart to see him laying on that stretcher.

My Mom works at one of the hospitals here in the springs, and was actually waiting for my Dad in the ER. I arrived about 15min later and my Mom came out with a worried look on her face. She explained to me that it was his heart and they were not sure what was going on. So I followed her into the Cardiac Room where I saw my Dad in a position that I will never forget. All I could think of was if he was going to make it.

He was surrounded by about 5 to 6 people at all times with several IV's and a breathing mask, but all this was secondary to the electrodes that were making his whole body jerk, which were keeping his heart pumping. It was almost more than I could stomach watching my Dad go through something that possibly he wouldn't come out of it. I just remember telling him that I loved him and then he turned his head, opened his eyes and made eye contact with both my Mom and I.

After about 2 hours of sitting there hoping that the doctors could get him stabilized, the Cardiologists came down and knew right away that he had had a heart attack. I don't know about you, but I was pretty much in shock. I was in denial, I don't remember too many other things that happened that day. But I remember that I was scared.

Kooza

Kooza was awesome. And we went on opening night so they had so much going on that it was well worth the price of the ticket!

The Big Top!

Kooza on the top of the Tent. Suz with our FREE cupcakes and Popcorn! Only on opening night though! We got free soda, popcorn, wine, cupcakes.. and more!

Ladies on stilts creating a tunnel for us to walk under...

Chillin during intermission.

They asked us to be in the show...

Us with our flowers that we got!

It was so much fun. I would totally recommend going. The talent was amazing. Sometimes you are just wondering if someone is going to fall and break their neck right in front of your eyes. It as incredible...

Generation Gap - It exists

I am part of the Gen Y. Meaning, I'm 24, I have a certain outlook on life, and am the future... Atleast that is what all the books are saying. I have always been one to think that no matter what generation you are apart of you think about life because of the stage you are in.

For example:: I have only probably about 5 real years of work experience (not counting the little jobs that I did). I probably have a very different perspective than some that has 15-20 years of work experience. Both perspectives are good, and I think that if both perspectives are willing to be open and learn new things from each other they would have a greater chance of growing.

I say all that to point out that there are 2 of us in the work situation that I am in now who are GenYers (the rest are in the more mature generations :). We (genYers) are creating our marketing, branding, website, designs, process, forms, vision, strategies, etc... Our idea of what is cool is usually very different than the others idea of cool. So we laugh about it and learn from each other. I think ultimately this brings out a much greater product/service/design/website... (fill in the blank). Because If we have all the perspectives weighing in on something than it will surely meet each individual out in the world! At least that is what we are hoping for!!!

Animal lover...

I do not have a dog... but I like dogs... sometimes. (I just don't like to be licked) I write this because I offered to dog sit this week for 2 dogs that look like this...

[You might think this looks cute...]
[All I see is a dirty mouth, smelly breath, slobbery tongue and needy personality]

They really aren't that bad, but it has made me realize that I will probably not be a dog owner any time soon. Which reminds me... I need to go feed them... oops!

The Single Life

**This post is not meant to be in any way looked at as though being single is a bad thing. It just happens to be the state of life that I am in**

Moving to a new state and being single has provided some quite interesting times. I love the freedom of choosing things that I want because I don't have to think about any one else. I love the flexibility to do basically whatever I feel like because nothing is tying me down. I am a firm believer in being grateful and content with the place you are in, so I am very content. Sure there are those times where I wish that I was sharing some of these moments with some one else, but I am pretty sure that day will come some time, so I am not worried about it. So this post is written from a very single perspective (no pun intended).

Being single means:

• Experiencing things a lone. I know what you are thinking, wow Jenn that was deep. The stories below I have not shared with anyone and enjoyed them alone. You really have to like yourself a lot to be single... haha
  
• Going to a new church, looking up the directions, getting lost, laughing, showing up late, sitting by your self in the smack dab middle of what can be assumed as the most newlyweds in one location, enjoying the service, leaving alone, going home, getting lost again, and laughing again.
• Standing in line at Panera with a strange guy standing in front with his sunglasses on the back of his head (weird). The backwards sunglasses guy kept trying to not-so-nonchalantly look at me and make eye contact, but I couldn't get over the backwards sun glasses...
• Going apartment shopping and realizing that you are the only one that can make what seems like a huge decision, so you just keep putting it off... by "you" I mean "me"
• Driving alone at night when guys feel it is totally appropriate to holler and talk to you... Never understood this. We are in two separate cars, driving two different directions, but yet you (the guy) have the sudden urge to talk to me... If some can explain that would be great.

So there is a little peak into my single life right now. Maybe some day I will share the Vegas stories...

Good Intentions

I am almost done with my cake for Threadcakes... Here is the original design that was designed for a t-shirt

So I started by Making the Rice Krispies that I would use for the sun and houses.

Then I got all the necessary equipment ready to be used!

Here I am coloring the Fondant green... this is quite the work out...

Love my Kitchen AIDE! It makes making the buttercream frosting so easy...

I forgot to take a picture of making the cake, but because I was pressed for time I just used a mix... which it is always a little more tricky getting it out of the pan for some reason...

Adding lots of frosting to the middle because I am going to cover the cake with Fondant and I don't like the taste of fondant... so hopefully this butter cream will make up for that...

As you can see a piece broke off when I was taking the cake out of the pan... no worries though... I am going to carve that right off! Good thing I wanted to do a sloped cake...

Getting the Fondant on the cake...

Getting all the wrinkles out and smoothing it to the cake... I always get to this point and want to just smash the last wrinkle... but if you keep working it out pretty soon it will all be flat on the cake...

Oh hey SUN! That is a rice krispie treat covered...

Here come the little houses...

Not perfect... but will have to do

It is starting to come together! Assembling it all is my favorite part!

Adding the water

Adding the little pitcher for the water to come out

Almost done!

And it is complete! Well almost, I just have to paint on the trees to the bottom, but can't find my paint brushes...

So it took me some time to do this cake, but it was definitely worth it! What do you think?

started...

I started my contest cake today.

• Rice Krispie Treats - check
• Shape into a ball - check
• Eat some of the Rice Krispies - check, check, check
• Shape tiny little houses - with gooey treats - check
• Tons leftover - check, means yummy snack for the week

Tomorrow I will bake the cake, color the fondant, carve the cake, frost the cake... If I have time I will assemble it all... If not, I will assemble it on Saturday.

I have been trying to decide what to do with this cake, so I think I am going to take it to Chick-fil-a in the afternoon (do you think they would think that is weird?) and show them all how much I love that place! I have loved the free breakfast tuesdays this whole month as well as those amazing little nuggets...

Start-Up Phase

I just recently noticed that everything about my life is in the start-up phase.

• My Job - Just started with the company recently
• Finders Keepers - The Company that is in the start-up phase and about to take off!
• My living situation - I am trying to decide whter or not to live in Colorado Springs or Denver... decisions, decisions.
• Adulthood - I have to laugh at this one. Because of being a student for so many years and gracious parents, I am not just starting to take over phone, insurance and other bills... yikes. Not sure I like this part of the start-up phase.
• Church - I definitely took foregranted my community group and church in NWA. It is hard trying to find somewhere by your self. Even though I did it in Arkansas, it just seems to get harder... I just need to suck it up and go!

So with all this starting and change I have gotten really excited several times because I am really defining my life right now! It is grea tot have fresh starts and be able to make what you want happen...

So have a great week and be inspired to start something new in your life. I know it has been the best thing for me right now!

**Warning - In this start-up phase there is nothing that is consistent, normal, or predictable**

Cowboy Cake

A cake that I made this past week for a little boy's 1 year old birthday! It was a picture from a napkin that I tried to replicate... It was really detailed, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

virus, fun, relapse, gone

Last week, I was hit by an incredibly terrible virus. Ok, maybe that is a little dramatic, but I seriously stayed in bed for 3 days. I am rarely sick and this one just knocked it out of me! I'm so glad that it is gone for GOOD!

Thanks for your comments about the cake. I am either going to make the bubbles, cows, or giraffes one... You will have to check back to see how it goes.

Last night right before it stormed... the sky looked like this...

Cool... Yellow... Colorado...

Cake Contest

So I have decided that I am going to participate in this cake contest!

Here are a few ones that I really like that I might do. Let me know which one you think I should do! If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate. I haven't decided if I am going to make it 3D or 2D yet...

1. Blue Sky

2. Fail - Cows and Moon

3. Bubble Blowing

4. Giraffes

5. Pillow Fight


6. Doing good

So just leave a comment and let me know which one you like the best...

10% of Retail Value

If you could get something that was slightly used, but still in very good condition, and sometimes brand new for 10% of what that person paid for it... would you?

If anyone answered no to that question... stop reading.

I have some great friends who have spread the infatuation of Garage Sales to me. At first I was skeptical. With thoughts of, "I don't want to buy other people's junk." I might have even thought I was "too good" for that sort of thing.

But my first trip to a garage sale was a couple years ago. I was half awake and wanted a rice maker. What are the odds of finding a rice maker at a Garage Sale you ask? Well... evidently pretty good (although I still look and have yet to find another one). So the first place we went to, I found a BRAND NEW, NEVER BEEN USED, rice maker. This rice maker (pictured below) sells for $24.99 at Target. I got it for $1, yep one dollar. That is 4% of the retail value... or if you like to think in terms of Discounts... How about seeing a sign that says 94% off... would you buy it... So I say this because some people at Garage Sales do not realize how to price or sell their "treasures". They put way too high a price on their valuables, adding their emotional value on their items. My dear friend said multiple times over this weekend when she saw things were overpriced "10% of the retail value (or what you paid for it)" is what people should sell things for. I completely agree with her.

I love telling people about the treasures that I find at garage sales and seeing their surprise about the quality of it. I love knowing that I saved a ton of money by purchasing things that I needed at a 90% discount! It is the joy of the hunt that keeps me coming back for more. Below are two pictures of the treasures that I found yesterday!

Not exactly what mine looks like, but very close. Walmart - $269, Garage Sale - $20 = 7% of price.

3-Cup French Press Brand-New (exactly the same as what I got), Target - $24.99, Garage Sale - $1 = 4%... YES!

Tech Support

This is where your phone calls are going to in India! AH, no wonder there is so much confusion on the line...

On a positive note. Life is great! I am quickly learning what it mean to be involved in a start-up company. It is so exciting to be able to create everything from scratch and be part of some big decisions! This is an incredible experience that I am getting and I am so thankful for it. Once we have our website up and running I will post a link to it...

My first lesson that I have learned is:
Do not underestimate yourself. Sometimes I feel like because I am 24 I should not have this much responsibility or freedom. But I do and therefore I must do well!

On another note, went to the dentist yesterday... I'm just wondering... who grows up thinking {Man I want to take little tiny drills that spray water and make a terrible noise, stick them in peoples mouths and grind away their teeth.} That is way beyond me...

Hope you all have a great weekend!

The Sky's the Limit :: Really It Is

As kids we have always heard that phrase and others like it. "Shoot for the moon", "You can do anything", "Think outside the box". I think my generation especially does not feel any restraints as to what we can accomplish. This can be a positive thing, but as a twenty-four year old, who just completed a two year fellowship obtaining her MBA and is now in search of "the job", these thoughts seem way too vague.

So... I decided to make a list (you know how I love lists) of the things that I do want:
I want to accomplish great things in my life and be proud of the work that I do.
I want to enjoy working everyday and build new relationships.
I want to be creative and not be limited by uncertainty.
I want to be challenged and grow in each new adventure.
I want to work with a team of individuals that strive for excellence not only in word but in deed.
I want to be true to who I am, never faltering from my core, but always learning.
I want to be transparent, so everyone will know what you see is what you get (just to add another cliche...).
I want to add excitement to the world and find awe in the little things.
I want to laugh at life and be surrounded by those that are continuously optimistic!
I want to be passionate about the place that I am working at.
I want to serve God in all I do and honor Him by using the gifts that he has given me.

I am committed to this list. I do not think that it is all encompassing and I am sure that I will think of other things to add to it. As I search for a job, I will not compromise these desires. I have been honored by the experiences that I have had in the past and know that there are more to come in the future.

What are some of the things that you want in life? It feels good to write it down!

A phase of life is finished...

Today is my last day in Arkansas. I can't believe that my life here is almost over... I have had such a great time with friends these last several days! I have felt so much love and support it is incredible. So the only sad part is, everything we did I took my camera... but didn't take any pictures! haha... so you will just have to trust me! Here are some pictures from our morning so far...

Love these girls! (said with an Arkansas accent).

For old times sake... this never gets old...

Yep... like I said... never gets old.

The HAM'S MEGABUNCH!

Complete Rest

I am laying in bed exhausted, but sleep does not come. I have just been out at Greystone Estate for two days for our Ethical Leadership Summit. I always learn new things whenever I am coordinating one of these events, mostly because the different participants that come always bring such unique discussion. But it wasn't the participants, the topics at ELS, or the discussion that made an impact on me this time (although I always find something to take away with me). It was the fact that an almost broken relationship is now on the mend, all while we were hosting 12 CEOs and senior leaders in an intense 2-day session. I know now the caliber of leader that I work with at The Soderquist Center.

Pros and Cons

Wow... job search is interesting... I know that is a very vague description, but that is really the only thing I have to describe it with.

It is full of:
ups and downs
pros and cons
questions and some answers, very few, but some
certainty and uncertainty
waiting and praying
known and unknown
good and bad
exciting and exhausting

For a typically even-keeled person this is probably the most "drama" I have been through in a long time! I am so thankful to be surrounded by amazing family and friends that are giving support, wisdom, love, prayer and laughter during this time.

It just seems like one thing after the next keeps happening. I am thankful that things keep happening, but I just want to have things figured out by now. But I don't so I keep trusting, walking, resting, moving, looking, to that next step.

This is broken

Hilarious video about marketers/marketing.

Governor's Cup

Well, our team went down to Little Rock today to find out if we got first, second or third. It is bittersweet, but we did not place today. I am very thankful for everything that I have learned going through this process, but I am also so thankful to be done working on the business plan as well. It was a lot of hard work and it is so nice to have some more time on my hands. If you want to see some pictures from today you can go here.

On another note. Job stuff. I am currently staying at The Soderquist Center through May and then I am still looking for that next opportunity. God has just been really showing me that he is in control of the whole situation and knows exactly where I need to be at. Although there have been many awkward interviews and conversations with people... phew, those interviews just exhaust me!

I think my newest obsession is Survivor! I would love to be on the show one day... I don't know if I can pull of all the secrecy and backstabbing, but I would love to be physically and mentally challenged like they are! go ahead, laugh it up.

Oh and let me tell you about an embarrassing moment at work the other day. The story starts back in November 2008 when I went to NYC with two co-workers... well one was my boss... anyways. We were flying in over the city and I looked out the window and asked "what body of water are we flying over?" IMMEDIATELY, I wished that I could just hit rewind or suck those words right back in, but they were out and it was too late! I have been teased all the time about this (probably deserved), but to top it off on Monday, The Center had a farewell/celebration for the graduating Soderquist Fellows (me) and one of my gifts, from prior mentioned boss, was a plastic Walmart placemat of the the world with all the oceans and continents correctly labeled! Now I just need one of all the states... really need to work on the geography... of the U.S. that is...