Birthday Bash through J-Land

                     

 

I'm not sure if all of you remember the Trick or Treat through J-Land or Christmas Caroling through J-Land but the newest trip is going to be a "birthday bash" through J-Land to coincide with the J-Land memories entries that Krissy came up with.

Starting tomorrow, decorate your journals and post your entries for the 3 year birthday celebration.  Your J-Land memories can also be a part of this entry.  Be creative.  You can title it any way you would like.  LOL...I'm sure we will all be able to tell if it's a birthday entry.  Make your journey through J-Land through out the day and evening tomorrow. As you find a journal that is decorated for the celebration, wish J-Land a Happy Birthday and leave your link to your journal.  Visit as many journals as you possibly can. 

These trips have always been a huge success.  It's a wonderful way to meet new friends and continue the awesome community tradition of J-Land.

If you want, please copy and paste this entry into your journal to spread the news as this is a last minute brainstorm.....HUGS TO ALL 

                                  

 

Dear Chrissy

Most likely another serious entry but you can blame it on Brenda  Brenda's Way because I got this from her journal.  I wasn't going to do it but kept thinking about it.  The tag above is probably my favorite.  I did it for a tube entry a few nights ago.  So fitting for an entry that I had no idea I would do.

 

Knowing what you know now as an adult, if you could write a letter to the little girl/boy you once were what would you say?

Dear Chrissy,

The first thing I want to tell you is that I love you finally.  You are a loving child.  You have had an uncanny ability to put yourself in others' shoes.  You are sensitive.  Use that to your advantage.

Don't let others squash the wonderful aspects you possess...your vivid imagination (and, yes, you keep those imaginary buddies you have).  Continue to lose yourself in books, even though you are told that you spend far too much time closed away and reading.  This will give you the ability to present yourself eloquently and master the English language plus open up new worlds for you to explore.

A half a decade later you still travel with me.  I wish I could prevent the pain and anguish you suffered for many years from adolescence through adulthood with clinical depression.  Knowing what I know now, I don't think I would change it because that has made us what we are.

Let me try and explain something to you that a wise leader in my Bible study revealed to me a good many years ago.  An epiphany of sorts.  Depression is a long, dark road.  I was asked what I would do if I walked out of my front door and saw a child with a dirty, tear stained face sitting on the curb.  Of course, I would embrace that child, wipe the tears away, and offer assistance.  The epiphany occurred instantly.  I knew what was going to be uttered next before it was spoken.  "Chris, that child is you.  Why are you kicking yourself off the curb constantly?"

Healing began and continued once I learned to embrace the child, Chrissy, which will always be a part of me.

So, my child...whenever you speak, I will listen; whenever you cry, I will wipe away the tears; whenever you are in pain or hurt, I will embrace you.

Together we will Fly with the Angels and Dance with the Stars......

Love,

Chris (the adult)

      

LOL...ok ladies, what's in your purse?  Got this from Terri You think you know, but you have no idea...  If you decide to do it, leave the link or you can just list it in the comments.  Now, remember, the comments section is limited to 25,000 characters......

A little purse history (now I know you're just dying to hear this)...No matter what size of purse I carry, I will fill it until it is bulging.  I have rotator cuff problems in my right shoulder, and my left one is getting bad from overuse.  So....my purses keep getting smaller but still bulge no less.

I rarely change purses (LOL, Penny) because it simply takes me far too long to procastinate over what sections to put things in so I carry a purse until it falls apart.

So...what's in my purse?

1.  My wallet, which is also bulging and very small.

2.  Cellphone in a neat little case that a girl who rides my bus gave me.

3.  My glasses I wear at work.

4.  My checkbook.

5.  A tube of lipstick.

6.  My bus pass.

7.  A couple of tissues.

8.  Advil.

9.  Various bills and the ends of bills already sent. (Penny can attest to this as that is all I had for us to get Brian's autograph on at the Alive Festival...rofl)

10.  Once in a blue moon, a pen, which somehow is never there when I need it.

11.  Loose change in the bottom...don't know how it gets there but I always have some.

So, there ya have it.  That is what I carry around with me.  Now, the biggest dilemma, how in the world am I gonna fit anything in that tiny little clutch that I'm using for the Red Carpet event?????

Have a good one!

                                

Get this Party Started

Two entries in one day...how lucky can you get...hehehe.  I had to post my red carpet outfit.  I don't want someone else putting the same dress up.  Now, ya'll, I got this one first.  Of course, it's Vera Wang.  No other for me.  Picked it up for a bargain....$3,295 because it's ready to wear.  Hmm....Aug. 20 is a week away.  I'll fast and look like the model.  I might need some extensions for my hair.  I haven't researched my hair style yet but do plan to visit Sugar's Salon for a touch up.

                        And of, course I'm going for the leopard accessories.  A little satin Fendi clutch for a mere $295 and Jimmy Choo pumps for a bargain $575.  Haven't picked out the bling bling yet.  I'm saving my budget for some flashy bling.

Although I might go with these...can't remember whose they are but I'm going simple on the jewelry. 

Ok, girls, let's see your Red Carpet outfits.  LOL..no stealing someone else's.  You know the dreaded showing up in the same dress.... 

Go see what Kathy is wearing....Time to feel like a princess!!!! Sugar has her outfit posted also.. A LITTLE BIT OF SUGAR, PLEASE.....

 

To be continued.......................

Thanks to Dianna for making this tag for snag.  I went to church with Becky today again.  She has gone every week for the past month or so.  The hospital for sinners; not a sanctuary of saints is how one of my previous pastors referred to church.  We fail miserably everyday; some more than others.  Enough of my reflections.  I feel some changes coming on.  Don't know what and am a little afraid to think about it.

I wanted to let those of you who read Penny's journal Penny`s Place that she was in a car accident on the way home from church today.  Her car is probably totaled but she was not badly injured.  I believe her daughter was with her.  Keep Penny in your prayers.  If we don't see her around J-Land for a while, she is resting and recuperating.

The celebration stuff is continuing.  There is a cyber chat party scheduled for next Sunday evening.

Clicky on Kathy's link and go cyber shopping for the perfect outfit to wear.  Time to feel like a princess!!!!

The official 3 year Anniversary site is up and running.  Check it out...really pretty.  Lots of time and energy went into its creation.  Thanks Viv.  3rd Anniversary - AOL Journals1

Sugar has her pet memorial journal up and running...make sure to go and visit.  CELEBRATING 3 YRS OF J-LAND with OUR BELOVED PETS

Krissy has an activity she would like for everyone to join in for!  Go to her journal to check it out.  Announcing a J-Land Activity: My Past Year in J-Land  She would love for everyone to post their entries on August 21st.  So go read what it is all about!!!

And don't forget to add your entries to Shelly's quilt and send a picture to Stevie for the video.  His deadline is tomorrow.  I believe Shelly's is Friday.

Love/hate AOL or somewhere in between...J-Land is about us.  We are J-Land and can choose to make it as much as we want it to be.

Have a great week to come.  I'm slowly catching up on journal reading. 

Chris

Thoughts

         

The tag above was made by Diama/Cherry Chocolate Cherried Creations.  LOL...yep it looks just like me.  Herein, though, lies the struggle I sometimes face.  Well, more than sometimes.  I like SAC (some adult content) tags and such that are in good taste.  But does my religion?

I've been pondering my beliefs lately and wonder where to draw the line, what does God think of me, etc.  Pretty heavy stuff to which I know the answers but fight compliance.

My biggest struggle, which I've hesitated so long to even mention and wonder if I should or not or go private for certain things is my BF.  His problem right now is a divorce which is getting uglier by the minute.  He had a court hearing and represented himself with some guidance from his attorney.  It was awful but he won the first round. 

My mind goes round and round.  I was separated for 7 years before mine was final.  I would still be married if my ex hadn't found someone he wanted to marry.  My BF's separation is over 10 years and has escalated over reduction in spousal support since he retired.

Many have asked why we aren't married.  That is one reason but only one.  Will we marry when his divorce is final?  I don't think so.  We've both lived alone for far too many years and have our own ways of doing things which are so totally opposite.  I truly don't think I could live with someone else in my space.  I'm getting very set in my ways, as is he.

So, throw my religious beliefs into the mix and it doesn't gel.  I pray for forgiveness but continue to do what I want forgiven for....make sense? 

LOL...honestly, we've talked of marriage and when I'm able to sell this house when the kids are gone getting an apartment adjoining his.  How's that for insanity? Married with separate spaces.  There is total love, support and commitment between us and has been for years.  But two total opposites who like their own space.

Nuff of that.  My electric meter was leaking water into the breaker box.  The sealing outside had worn from being exposed to the weather and the location on the west side of the house.  The duct seal is only good for 5 years and was pushing 10.  The electrician couldn't believe it lasted that long.  The first two breakers were shot.  My family room and the swimming pool, which explains my pump problems.  Luckily, the first breaker was the familyroom so it was noticed.  If it had been the breaker for the diningroom the leaking would have continued until it hit a breaker that was noticeable.  He closed of the two damaged slots and put new breakers in open slots at the bottom.  I still have three open spots left.  Had I shot more breakers, I would have needed a whole new box.  $80 was the cost....not bad at all.  $60 for the labor and $10 a piece for the new breakers.   He only charged me what he paid for them.  He loaded on the duct seal.  My BF has to get 35 yr electrical caulking at Home Depot and fill in the areas that would allow water in.  Then replace the duct seal so I'll have double protection.  The previous homeowner hadn't caulked it.

I'm very thankful that I called the electrician and caught the problem before it escalated into something far worse.

Oh and Rose and I are definitely getting our own offices...whoo hoo.  We are all going up to the 16th floor next week to take a peek.  The move is scheduled for after Columbus Day now.  I can't wait.  I don't take my lunch very often now because I'm right out in the open space of the reception area and feel weird eating there.  Buying lunches everyday is putting me in the "poor house."

Megan's last day at work is the 19th and then off to her house she is moving.  She is taking my full bed from my room.  I'm moving into her bedroom, the master bedroom, and turning my old little bedroom into a sitting room.  ROFL...it was the baby's room when I bought the house and I still have Disney Babies wallpaper border around the top.  I pulled down so much darned wallpaper in this house over the years that I let mine go.  Well, it's coming down this fall.  I'm buying a daybed or something so if she does decide to come back next summer, there will still be a "guest" bedroom.  Times are a changing around here.

I've been so super busy so I haven't had a chance to visit much.  Last night was dancing night so I'll be around tonight.  Joey is back in Pittsburgh watching the Steeler game and Megan has to work so I'll have a nice, quiet evening to myself.

Gotta run...my chef, Megan, barbecued some center cut pork chops on the grill and steamed some cauliflower.  Yum, that girl can cook.  Oooo, I just peeped in the kitchen, and she has cheesy potatoes in the oven.  Now I really gotta go......Later!!!!

                 Isn't this siggy just the cutest?  We have a new budding PSP creator, Missie. Missie's Upside Down World  I just fell in love with her siggy tag and being the "shy" one I am (hehehehe), I begged her to tag one for me.  HUGS Missie! 

Not that this was in the plans for my week.  I was hoping to get in a full week of work for once.  Seems like one thing after another keeps coming up. 

I solved the mystery of my tv problems.  It should have dawned on me a little sooner.  The outlet was replaced and the circuit  sizzled in the breaker box twice when my BF was messing with it.  I noticed occasionally my light on the deck was flickering when I took Grizzly out.  My powder room light was doing it also occasionally for a week or so.  Silly me thought they both were just getting ready to burn out.  Sunday night close to midnight, it all came together.  I was brushing my teeth in the powder room when the light started to flicker.  At the very same time, the sound on the tv was fading off and on.  I looked out on the deck; sure enough, that light was flickering.  LOL...sort of a pun but the lightbulb came on in my head.  It was that darned circuit that was sizzling off and on.  Everything I'm having problems with it on that circuit.  This is the same circuit that my previous AC caught fire on 5 years ago in the family room.

My BF said something about coming over and changing the breaker.  This didn't make me comfortable.  I called my electrician yesterday morning at work and left a message.  He called back in the afternoon and asked me if lights were flickering and explained the symptoms word for word.  He said he's sure it's because of the rain we've had that moisture has gotten into the box from the outside and fried the one circuit.  Silly me asked why it was only one circuit.  He said "for now."  It happens to be the first circuit in the box.  He's coming this afternoon to do an overhaul on the breaker box, if possible, which he thinks it should be and recaulk the outside area that it leads into.

I absolutely dreaded asking for another day off.  I've had to take so many days off for things since June.  This is a new job.  Luckily, I had a lot of vacation time to use and still will have at least 2-3 weeks left.  This is something I can't let go for any length of time.  I'm gone 11 hrs every day.  I can't worry that I'm going to come home and find no house.  So, I'm rephrasing my term for myself.  I'm not OCD; just vigilant.

Electrical fires are the main cause of homes burning down.  It's not just the rundown homes that most think that burn down from this.  It almost happened to me previously.  Luckily it was my day off when it happened.  Many of you have seen pictures of the wood in my familyroom.  It's from an old barn and well over 1/2 half an inch thick.  It burnt my hand at the time when I touched it.  Joey pulled the wood off at the time.  We have a fire extinguisher in the familyroom and put out the fire immediately.  I shudder to think what would have happend had I not been home that day.  Both kids were but they wouldn't have noticed.  I did because a storm was coming, and I was unplugging the AC.

Megan works each night until well after midnight and sleeps until well past noon.  Smoke alarms are good to a certain point but fires between the walls are so far gone before there is smoke. 

New homes are also at risk because the contractors short cut on paying good electricians to do a through job.  Pay the extra couple of thousand and have your own electrician do wiring if you build your own place.

Go around your house and check your outlets.  If the plugs are the least bit warm, have the outlet replaced.  I did this after my first fire.  I had several "warm" outlets that my BF replaced, and the electrician inspected afterwards.  This is something most never think of (I didn't) until it happens to you.  Outlets are like anything else and wear out after time and use.

Today I feel an enormous sense of relief that this is going to be taken care of professionally.

I'm stepping down off my soap box and getting Megan up.  It sounds like she has a sinus infection and looks like she's developing pink eye in her one eye so off to the doctor she is going. 

Oh and before I forget, in case you don't know, Shelly, RoxyMama, is making another quilt for the Anniversary celebration.  You can visit her journal and leave a comment to have a memorial square made for your lost loved ones.  It will be a beauty...... XX Roxy Mama XX

ROFL...I'm editing again....if you want a mug shot in an anniversary video, Stevie  'J~Land' 3rd Anniversary tribute video has graciously offered to put a video together with pictures of J-Landers.  Clicky on the link to get all the info.

Have a good day all............