I NEVER...

Disclaimer: I have to thank Patty, Stacey, and your guys' "blog idol", Cathy Zielske, for the topic of this post.

Only being 22, there is a lot in life that I have never done, or been faced with, at this point. At the same time, I like to consider myself somewhat cultured for my age. Thanks to my parents love for travel and my horrible medical record...at 22 I have actually experienced many things in life that most people will not.

Like Patty wrote on her post, using the term "I never" is rather depressing. Lets just say it's not a term I want to use often. Here goes nothin'...

• I have never liked fresh tomatoes.

• I have never drank a full beer.

• I have never been pulled over for speeding.

• I will never have long legs.

• I would never trade in sweats for jeans.

(Notice the short legs AND sweatpants next to preggo's legs for days.)

• I have never broken a bone, although I DO have an extra one in my right foot that has been bruised too many times to count.

• I never thought I would question organized religion.

• I never thought I would grow up so fast. Kindergarden seems like it was yesterday, yet graduating college is right around the corner.

• I will never get over my minor case of OCD.

• A night of drinking wine and playing Apples to Apples with fun people will never get old.

• Talking about my cancer has never been a touchy subject.

• I have never taken a sleeping aid, nor will I ever (with the fear of never waking up).

• You will never find me without painted toes.

• I have never been the quiet girl...or the shy girl...or the girl who keeps her feelings to herself.

• I will never be too old to enjoy Disneyland.

• I will never shoot Jagermeister...again.

• I never miss Shark Week.

• I will never be a cat person and will always be a dog person.

• I will never be a morning person & I will never wake up tomorrow if I don't end this post NOW.

xo, SJ

The Reason for the Season!

It's about this time every year that I start thinking about how blessed I am. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas time and only worry about the numerous parties you have to attend, Christmas gifts, vacations, ect. Volunteering at the community food bank earlier in the season made me realize how many families are not fortunate enough to have food on their tables without the help from others.

A few weeks ago, my mom came home from school (she teaches 7th & 8th grade language arts in a very poor area of Fresno) and told me that it broke her heart to talk to one of her students about Christmas that day. She asked one of her students if he was excited for the holidays and he replied "not really". My mom asked why not and he told her that they don't usually do anything special and last year all he got was a t-shirt. My heart broke a little bit too.

Take some time this holiday season to remember what's important & give back to your community and others in need. Even if it's the change in your pocket, it can make a difference in someone's life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What to get the people you DONT LIKE this Christmas...

In my desperate attempt to find unique Christmas gift idea's for the 'impossible to buy for' on my list this year, I stumbled across the best invention...EVER.

Alarm Clock for the Morning Impaired

"introducing the alarm clock that runs away and hides when you don't wake up! Clocky gives you one chance to get up like a normal person. But if you try to cheat and stay in bed (you know who you are!), Clocky will jump off of your nightstand, alarm sounding, and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide...."


What a wonderfully annoying gift to get someone this Christmas...

For twi-hard's only...

Newest addition to The Volturi?...I don't know about you, but I totally see the resemblance.

"The Volturi aren't supposed to be the villains, the way they seem to you. They are the foundation of our peace and civilization."

-Edward Cullen

Jenkins, 'party' of 4...

So, for Christmas cards this year, my mom insisted that we all wake up early on a Sunday morning, look presentable, coordinate our outfits, and go take pictures at Woodward Park. This, my friends, is NOT an easy task for the Jenkins bunch. Somehow though, we got it together and took some pretty darn cute pictures. (Photography by Patty Schmidt, of course)

(yes, I realize my hair is a bit on the wild side, but it was windy...)

By far, my favorite. Dad & Brian.

For being somewhat dysfunctional at times...we have a lot of love in our fam, and that's all you need :)

-SJ

The Small Stuff

A few things that make me a happy girl...

1. Fresh Loreal Voluminous Mascara (with the curved brush)


2. A new pair of Nike's. It just makes working out so much more enjoyable. The newest addition to my family...


3. Clean sheets on my own bed. I don't care if I've been sleeping on silk sheets at The Four Seasons...my bed is still better.

4. Large red wine glasses...with wine in them, of course.



5. A clean house...with freshly vacuumed carpet and the smell of Pine-Sol coming from the kitchen and bathroom floors. (It's the OCD in me)

6. Good hair days. You know those very few days that you swear you could star in a Pantene Pro-V commercial?...those days :)

7. Good TV nights with nothing better to do than snuggle up on the couch and watch your favorite line-up.

8. Spending summer days on Bass Lake.



9. Dance. You never miss something until it's gone.

10. The bittersweet feeling you have right after a hard workout...a combination of exhaustion and accomplishment.

xo, sdj