I Like You, I Really Do!

I love when I write a blog and have friends approach me and ask "Was your blog about ME?".

It happens WAY more than you might think.  And it always makes me proud a little inside.  It means people are connecting - good or bad - to the words I am writing.  So in honor of all those inquiring minds, I put together a little testimony of how YOU make me feel!

I LIKE YOU

1. You make me laugh out loud.... often.
2. Your sarcasm is often lost on me as I'm quite naive and far to literal.
3. You make me giddy when I know I get to see you.
4. You make me mad at you sometimes, but I don't stay that way very long.
5. You make me want to be a stronger woman.
6. You inspire me to create more.
7. You demand I rise up to the challenges placed upon me.
8. You are a fantastic father.
9. You make me smile just by smiling at me first.
10. You remind me how much I love chocolate.
11. You make me strive to be a better person.
12. You provide me tons of guidance when it comes to wine.
13. You make me want to go dancing.
14. You bring out the rebellious side of my personality.
15. You encourage me to run.
16. You remind me I should try a little harder to be "fashionable".
17. You give me a reason to look forward to things I don't want to do.
18. You make bad news bearable.
19. Your laughter is contagious to me.
20. You take an opposite position to me most of the time, and I enjoy the debate.
21. Your crazy dreams make me jealous that I don't dream (at night).
22. Your memory of your life experiences makes me envy my inability to remember.
23. You have a great knack of making everyone around you lose their inhibitions.
24. You remind me that God loves me even when I feel he might not.
25. You are a fantastic mother.
26. You can make a grown man cry.... or a good friend, sometimes.
27. You sometimes forget your own strength but can be easily reminded.
28. Your technical skills are off the hook.
29. You tell me when you are sorry - and you mean it.
30. Your shoulders are broad enough for me to lean on whenever I need.
31. You remind me it's really not okay EVER to leave the house in jammy pants.
32. Your ability to remember statistics from before you were born is AMAZING.
33. You give me the best hugs that linger for hours after you're gone.
34. You help me be accountable when I need to most.
35. You are a great friend.

I'm sure each of you committed readers will find something that will fit US.

Have a great Tuesday, friends!

Jen

Falling into Fall

I love Fall.  Do I say that enough?  Being a Missourian my entire life, I used to feel jipped that my parents never moved us around the country.  I had such a desire to know if there was more than just our boring little cul-de-sac as a kid.  So I grew up and just moved into a bigger house with a bigger 'sac. Same city, same state, slightly different zip code.  I'm quite the adventurer.

Most families settle down, get a routine and live their lives in one (or few) homes.  It provides great stability and consistency for kids (and adults).  Although we did bounce a bit in the first three or four years, we've been in one (now two) houses since '97.

I don't think I minded that much because my occupation has lent me some great travel abilities.  I've been all over the map in small towns, big cities, ocean to ocean.... in all seasons.  I've run on the beach in the winter, enjoyed cool crisp mountain air in the summer and peeled myself out of a car in Phoenix in August (ugh).

But I always come home to Missouri.

Knowing now what I know about my kids, I wish they were born in reverse order.  My oldest has a fantastic ability to go with the flow.  He is laid back and accepts change really fairly easily.  He would have loved moving around and seeing different parts of the country.

My little guy?  Uh - not so much.  He strives for consistency, doesn't yearn for change (that's putting it mildly... we've eaten waffles every morning since kindergarten pretty much) and is quite happy in the status quo.  Moving him would take an act of congress.  Or a promise of a giant football scholarship somewhere.

I've had friends ask me through the years what makes it special in the midwest.  Some of them have never seen it here, so they only assume we all live on farms, fields and the like.  Expansive land, no culture.  Not exactly.

But it's the people that truly make the difference.  We are quite an awesome bunch.  I really don't know that many people that I am even just acquaintances with that I couldn't call if I needed a cup of sugar or a jump start of my car.  

Oh, and the season changes.  Most of us will bitch and complain about mold, pollen and air quality inflicting damage upon our sinus at each change of weather, but by and large it is celebrated.  Change is accepted because it occurs whether we like it or not.

This weekend was no different.  We slipped into the 30's at one point between Friday and Saturday morning.  Leaves are changing and falling (which reminds me it's time to drive through the old 'hood - I miss the mature trees there so badly (but NOT the raking!).    

Fall has descended upon me.  I'm yearning for long country road drives with the top off the convertible, taking in the crisp cool air (with four layers on, of course).  I'm snuggling on my front porch stretched out in my Adirondack chair with my coffee and blanket in the mornings.  I made chili for the third consecutive weekend.  By winter I will once again be nesting.  Oh, and it's only a few short days until my girls weekend in Hermann Wine Country!  This will be our third year and I think we are finally figuring out the do's and don'ts of the weekend.  Here are a couple of shots of the past two trips:

Downtown Shopping (and Laughing)

Oak Glen Winery

Oh - and I haven't packed away my shorts just yet.  New month I'll be off to see the kids and according to Sassy it's still 90 there (and the locals HATE it... "Ugh, it's so damn HOT here all the time!"  Welcome to California, kids!

Have a great fall Monday, friends.  I hope you are loving the changes in your lives right now! 

Jen

FRIDAY FAVES!!

Fall Fridays are the BEST.  I love the changing weather, the turning of the leaves, Friday night football and of course, the end of the work week!

Hubs says it best:  our society totally has it backwards.  We should work two days (two EXTREMELY productive, long days!) and be off 5.

Oh, a girl can dream.

Here are my faves for the week.... enjoy!

FAVE APP

Oh lord.  Apocalypse is here and our world is overrun with zombies.  You must build up your ruined city, put your survivors to work making stuff and kill the zombies.

Yes, I'm totally serious.  I'm completely addicted to this stupid app - No Zombies.

The kicker?  It's all my 2 year old grandson's fault.

Little guy actually put this on my phone but I found it in Chicago with the fam and cannot get enough of it.  It's so stupid... and I love it!

FAVE HOODIE

Ah, I love fall (I can't say that enough).  Fave season!  Time to break out the hoodies!  Here's a sweet little number from North Face that I think needs to accidentally jump into my closet.

FAVE OCTOBER ACTIVITY

Bring on the BBQ!  The American Royal Barbecue is an opening event of the historic American Royal and the season finale for the competitive barbecue circuit. Spreading over 20 acres in Kansas City’s Stockyards District, and with 545 teams competing in four meat categories, The Royal is the largest barbecue contest in the world.

I landed a SWEET ass job as Party of the Year judge (with my fellow G Girls).  Bring on the mayhem!

FAVE NEW FALL TV PREMIERS

Although I'm still glued to the tv when the likes of Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Dancing with the Stars, I'm super loving some of the new shows!  Thank god for DVR - I have to record everything and watch it back either late at night or early in the mornings.  I need more time for tv!

Here are my faves (in no particular order):

Last Resort

The show is about the renegade crew of a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, the fictional USS Colorado (SSBN-753), that receives an order to launch nuclear missiles at Pakistan. When Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) asks for confirmation, he is relieved of command. His second in command, Lt. Commander Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman), also questions the orders and the vessel is fired upon by the USS Illinois and two nuclear strikes are also made on Pakistan.
Realizing that they have been declared enemies of their own country, they seek refuge on the island of Sainte Marina (a fictional French island located in the Indian Ocean), commandeer a NATO communications facility, and declare a 200 mile exclusion zone around the island. When bombers are sent to attack the submarine and island, Captain Chaplin launches a nuclear missile towards the USA to impress upon them that he is serious.

Now the crew must find a way to prove their innocence and find out who set them up so that they can return home.

Oh - and I get to stare at Scott Speedman.  I miss Felicity!

The Neighbors

Who wouldn't love an alien show? 

The series, set in New Jersey, revolves around a family that has relocated to a gated townhouse community called "Hidden Hills". Upon their arrival, they discover that the entire community is populated by residents from another planet. These aliens have adopted as their own, the names of sport celebrities, receive nourishment through their eyes and mind by reading books rather than eating, and cry out green goo from their ears. They have been stuck on Earth for 10 years, still awaiting instructions to return home.

666 Park Avenue

Yikes - this show is CREEPY!  It's about the devil.... not saying anymore!

And the new one coming this week:  Nashville

A fading Nashville superstar is forced to team up with a teen sensation or face the loss of her tour and promotion of her latest records.  Fade to Hayden Panettiere.  WOW - she isn't that little girl on Remember the Titans anymore!

FAVE FASHION

Ah, this just screams fall to me.  I love big bulky sweaters, cute jeans and sassy boots.  Bring it on!

FAVE SNACK

Oh YUM!!  I've been making White Trash Popcorn for years but this just takes the cake.  What an awesome mixture of halloween yummos!  Candy corn, which chocolate, reeses pieces.  Heaven.

FAVE SASSY

This is totally me... I correlate music to almost everything that someone says, in some way, shape or form.

Have a great Friday, friends!


Jen

One, Two... KNOCKOUT!

The 2012 Presidential Debate may have turned out to be a little lackluster in it's performance but you wouldn't have known that in my house last night.

I timed dinner perfectly, jumped on twitter and set the DVR for hubs.  Finally all the trash talking, mud slinging ads would be explained with policy, procedure and facts for each platform.

Uh... not so much.

First off.... I realize that Jim Lehrer has earned the right to moderate the debate, but seriously?  He couldn't keep either candidate in line with timing, transition to the next question or even on point with answering the original question.  Both candidates walked all over him.  It was ridiculously embarrassing.  At the point the President said "move on to the next question, Jim" I was laughing at the television.

From the beginning, Obama was on defense.  I have to admit I was shocked.  This is not the eloquent, confident man I saw standing on that podium last election.  He stuttered, stammered and kept looking down at his notes.  I almost felt sorry for him at times.  He didn't defend a single moment of his presidency, even noting once that (paraphrasing, of course)... the past is the past.  This is what I will do in the NEXT term.  Um, no Mr. President... I prefer accountability NOW, thank you very much.

Romney presented exactly as I thought he would.  Pompous.  Arrogant.  To much product in his hair.  But just as many men before him (dems and reps), he was on the offense.  He was brazenly confident, unapologetic in his direct hits to the current administration.  He corrected the President over a dozen times on his platform.  Quite frankly, he made him look ill prepared and off balance.

Our current technology is absolutely mind blowing to me.  Twitter had 10.3 MILLION tweets during the 90 minute debate.  Obviously, people are watching.... and talking about it.  My entire learning strategy during election season has shifted - online, mostly.  

Obviously last night's debate hit me on my fiscal conservative side.  Thank god little guy had to shower and get ready for bed - I was flinging expletives at the tv like a wavy sprinkler.  Taxes, healthcare and government's position in my life... Romney nailed it.  Obama kept spouting "5 trillion in cuts" even though all fact finder sites (and Romney himself) indicated that is NOT his plan.  Again... embarrassing.

I'm sure the next debate will be overly heated, given we haven't even scratched the surface of their total platforms.  Romney will have to defend his social positions, most of which I'm sure will be staunchly conservative.  I'm sure we will all be inundated with how he hates homosexuality, women (and their rights) and how his God is the only God.  I think that may require a few glasses bottles of wine in the Davis household.

In true fashion, I remained on the liberal media station after the debates to hear both perspectives (unlike hubs who ran upstairs to get Fox on).  I try to be objective, hear it all and make my choices based on my beliefs.  I try not to get swayed by political pundits.

But sometimes I just have to laugh.  Dennis Miller's dry sense of humor got the best of me last night and I could not stop reading his twitter feed.  Fave comment? "Romney keeps this up and Obama's gonna vote for him".

Let the discussions continue!  If you missed it and want to read it, click here for the full transcript of the debate ----->  2012 First Presidential Debate

Have a great Thursday, friends!

Jen

Young Women, Strong Voices

I'm a sucker for finding new music so it's no surprise that this fall has brought about two artists that are taking over my playlists.  I'm totally obsessed with them at this point.

MAGGIE ROSE

Oh my - this girl is SASSY, which I absolutely love!  She has a playful streak that is endearing and a dry sense of humor that will sneak up on you. Her songs have the ability to move an audience with their depth and intensity, yet she’s equally capable of delivering a light-hearted romp that will make audiences want to get up and dance.

My fave song is all over the radio right now.... "I Aint Your Mama".  Sassy pants!  Check out these lyrics!

I'm puttin' on pearls, I'm puttin' on pumps, got a little lace apron on me
Gonna make you stop, gonna make you wanna watch me do the laundry
Gonna put some fun back in this ho-hum honey
Gonna be so hot you'll think it oughta cost you money

I won't make your rules, I won't wipe your nose, I ain't gonna check up on ya
Stay out all night long as that sunlight don't end up tellin' on ya
I won't be your boss, I won't be the bad cop baby
But I'll be the one you just wanna love like crazy

You ain't gonna wanna leave home, 'cause I've got it goin' on
I will be most anything you want
I'll be your laughter, I'll be your drama, I'll be your best friend, I'll be your lover
You can be my baby any time you wanna
But I ain't your mama
No, I ain't your mama

Click here to hear it... you won't regret it! ---->  I Aint Your Mama

And seriously - how cute is she??

KATIE ARMIGER

Another young beauty, Katie comes off confident, secure, bold, assertive, vulnerable and in your face.   Katie released her first album when she was just 15 years old and she has amassed a collection of songs on her third album that touches upon just about every emotion imaginable - love, infatuation, anger, sadness, hurt, happiness - and she is unabashedly unapologetic in showcasing her feelings, whatever form they may encompass.

And I love her, of course.  Who wouldn't?

My fave - "Better in a Black Dress".  Duh, she's no dummy.  Sample lyrics:

I don't need a white veil, I got a black dress,
Don't need a preacher, no no not yet,
Don't have the blues when I've got my red wine.
Out on the town, or in the city,
Ain't nothin like the way it fits me,
So take that gown and lay it down to rest,
Cause I'm better in a black dress.

Click here to watch the video... wowzers!  ------->  Better in a Black Dress

She is seriously beautiful!

So add these fantastic young women to my likes of Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.  I am devoted to strong women with a message!

Happy Wednesday, friends!


Jen

Room with a View

When I look out my office window each day, I see similar surroundings.  Trees.  A Sonic.  An intersection.  Not much day dreaming scenery, that's for sure.

Bubba gets this:

WOW.  Of course someday it will actually be sea on all sides.  For now, we are quite lucky.

The ship he is assigned is sitting in dock at the moment.  It will intend to go out for a few short trips but it's ultimate intent is to dry dock.  Dry docking a naval ship gives it time to be updated, overhauled - generally detailed.  And we SO lucked out.  Apparently once dry docked, a ship can stay put for up to 15 months.  Which is absolutely PERFECT for right now.

If all goes well, he will be able to continue to work Monday - Friday, 6:30 - 3:00 ish (yes, I know... some weird HUNDRED time.  I refuse to adapt and learn it) and he will be home in time for dinner with his beautiful family.

Life is GOOD!

It is so awesome to listen to him talk about his future plans, his dreams.  They are doing so well there, despite the fact that 12 out of the 15 radio stations are in Spanish.  The weather is fantastic and Kate is settling them into their home, cooking and cleaning away, and loving her time with E.  I'm so proud she has this opportunity!  She is such a hard worker and has worked since high school.  Finally - she has a chance to be a stay at home mom and love all over the boy!

It's so weird to think that in just a few short weeks they are settled into their home, coming and going to work everyday and living life... 1,600 miles away.  Some days I can't really wrap my mind around it.

Have a great Tuesday, friends.  Hug your kiddos a little bit closer today!

Jen

Church on Sunday

Saturday night I sat totally bummed at one our fave local Mexican dives.  I looked over at Hubs and he gave me a little smile.

We were missing the Eric Church concert.

Okay, I know... it's just a concert.  Who cares?  I'm sure he'll come again anyway.

Yeah - clearly you don't know me.  I am infatuated with Eric Church.  From the first time I saw him in his tight wranglers, aviator glasses, camo hat and scruffy face, I just knew.  All of his albums have made their way into my car, house and every playlist I maintain.

Seriously... who doesn't love this?

Okay, not for everyone I realize.  I think my main desire is truly his music anyway.  That and he's so damn sexy on stage.  No worries... I couldn't get near him anyway - he has a gorgeous wife and a beautiful baby.

Oh, and I'm married, too.

So I wallowed a bit Saturday night thinking of how much fun we would have had at the concert.  Music is such a huge part of me and hubs' lives.  We listen almost everyday to something at home, avoiding screens until absolutely necessary (did you SEE Revenge last night?!?  AHH!!)

Sunday morning I went to the Chiefs game with clients and coworkers.  We had an awesome view of the stadium from suites... a place I don't typically sit.  I couldn't help but think this must be where the high rollers watch my beloved Chiefs get their asses kicked each week.

Towards the end of the first quarter, I look over to my left, spanning the fans.  The suite directly next to us is empty... no doubt, they cost $90,000 a season so that doesn't surprise me.  The suite next to it has a few people coming in and out of the seating area.  A couple of people walk inside, and I'm left with this view:

Oh yeah - you guessed it.  ERIC FREAKIN' CHURCH!!  Sitting there, drinking a beer, playing on his phone.  OH MY.

I wanted to scream like a little girl.  Instead I did what all good stalker weirdos do... I stopped watching the game and stared at him.  For a L O N G time.

Guess I didn't need that concert after all.  I still got my Church fix... and on a Sunday, no less.

Dreams really do come true.

Here's some Church for you, in case you live in a hole and have never heard him (click link):  Creepin'... my new fave (which changes every time he releases a new one...)

Happy Monday, friends!  Hope you have a great week!

Jen