Day 30-What have you learned in the past month?
Technically it's the 31st. I got behind. So, I wonder if this is asking what have I learned in the past 30 days of doing this challenge, or just what have I learned in general? Well, I feel like this month wasn't exactly the best month of my life. A lot of unpleasant stuff occurred. "Stuff." Like what? Oh, sickness and stress and a bunch of other stupid things. But aside from the crap, there were some learning experiences that I'm grateful for. This month I learned that you can try to plan your life, but sometimes the Lord has other plans for you. Not necessarily a bad thing, though. I learned that being happy is a choice. I learned that sometimes it's sad and hard to be myself. I learned that life is not worth living unless there is someone to share it with. I learned that prayer really does work. I learned that it's important to be passionate about something in life. Some of these things I already knew, but it's good to have reminders like this.
Showing posts with label 30 day challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 30 day challenge. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Day 29
Day 29-Picture of something you want to do before you die.
Meet Carrot Top.
Okay....that was a joke......
The only thing I really want to do before I die is be happy with my life, be happy with who I am, and have no regrets. Is that too much to ask?
Meet Carrot Top.
Okay....that was a joke......
The only thing I really want to do before I die is be happy with my life, be happy with who I am, and have no regrets. Is that too much to ask?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Day 28
Day 28-Picture of you from last year and now. How have you changed?
March 2010
March 2010
March 2011
Well, I haven't changed much physically. I've pretty much got the same haircut ('cept I seem to be parting on the other side now) and the same cheesy look on my face. Last March I was pregnant, and this March I'm pregnant too. Whaddayaknow? I've changed more emotionally. I've had a year's worth of experiences to attribute to that. I am still me, but I have grown and a matured a bit more.
Well, I haven't changed much physically. I've pretty much got the same haircut ('cept I seem to be parting on the other side now) and the same cheesy look on my face. Last March I was pregnant, and this March I'm pregnant too. Whaddayaknow? I've changed more emotionally. I've had a year's worth of experiences to attribute to that. I am still me, but I have grown and a matured a bit more.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 27
Day 27-What I would find in your bag
Cell phone, sunglasses, wallet, checkbook, organizer, notebook (for jotting down song lyrics in the car), tweezers, pocket knife, hand sanitizer, lotion, hand cream (which is different than lotion), gum, a fortune cookie, a piece of salt water taffy, fingernail clippers, keys, bee butter, 3 receipts, a pacifier, gum, floss, a safety pin, appointment card, a comb, 3 pens, an envelope, and a couple of cheerios.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 26
Day 26-Picture of where you live
Montana
Montana is known as "big sky country" or if you ask my husband, it is known as "man's country."
Montana
Montana is known as "big sky country" or if you ask my husband, it is known as "man's country."Friday, March 25, 2011
Day 25
Day 25-Picture of something you wish you were better at
I wish I was better at gardening. I want to be good at growing plants and food. I want to be better at using those foods and plants in my diet. I want to be more self reliant and self sufficient.
I wish I was better at gardening. I want to be good at growing plants and food. I want to be better at using those foods and plants in my diet. I want to be more self reliant and self sufficient.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Day 24
Day 24-A letter to your parents
Dear Mom,
It's been awhile since I've talked to you. 5 years, actually. Your birthday was this month. You would've been 48. Wow, so young. I still don't understand the timing of everything. Maybe one day I will. I've been thinking about you more. Mostly when I think of you, I just think of all my regrets. I wish I would've been better, especially during my teen years. I wish I would've spent more time with you. I wish I would've gotten to know you better before you died. There seem to be a million questions I want to ask you now. I wish I would've taken the time to ask them while you were alive. I wish the kids could know you. I wish they could have their Grandma Laura in their lives. I'm sure you're apart of their lives in some way. I just don't know how or really understand it. I wish I could just call you up and chat. I know Steph misses you a lot too. I hope you watch over her. She needs to know you are there, in some form or another.
You know what else I feel sometimes? Anger. But, anger is not a good thing. I know I need to get over that. But I can't help but feel angry sometimes. Angry that you left so abruptly. Angry that there are things I never had the chance to say. Angry because I didn't understand you better. Maybe you didn't open up to me very much for a reason. I will never know. But you were a good mom to us. You did the best that you knew how to do. If anyone ever asks, I will always tell them that.
Well, just wanted to let you know that I miss you. And...that I'm sorry for a lot of things. Hopefully you will forgive me someday, if you already haven't. I'm looking forward to the chance of seeing you again.
Love,
Jamie
Dear Mom,
It's been awhile since I've talked to you. 5 years, actually. Your birthday was this month. You would've been 48. Wow, so young. I still don't understand the timing of everything. Maybe one day I will. I've been thinking about you more. Mostly when I think of you, I just think of all my regrets. I wish I would've been better, especially during my teen years. I wish I would've spent more time with you. I wish I would've gotten to know you better before you died. There seem to be a million questions I want to ask you now. I wish I would've taken the time to ask them while you were alive. I wish the kids could know you. I wish they could have their Grandma Laura in their lives. I'm sure you're apart of their lives in some way. I just don't know how or really understand it. I wish I could just call you up and chat. I know Steph misses you a lot too. I hope you watch over her. She needs to know you are there, in some form or another.
You know what else I feel sometimes? Anger. But, anger is not a good thing. I know I need to get over that. But I can't help but feel angry sometimes. Angry that you left so abruptly. Angry that there are things I never had the chance to say. Angry because I didn't understand you better. Maybe you didn't open up to me very much for a reason. I will never know. But you were a good mom to us. You did the best that you knew how to do. If anyone ever asks, I will always tell them that.
Well, just wanted to let you know that I miss you. And...that I'm sorry for a lot of things. Hopefully you will forgive me someday, if you already haven't. I'm looking forward to the chance of seeing you again.
Love,
Jamie
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Day 23
Day 23-Picture of something you are afraid of
I hate cockroaches, (and pretty much any creepy, scary, crunchy kind of bug, but especially cockroaches.) When we lived in Japan we had to make sure we didn't leave dirty dishes in the sink, or food laying out, or water in the sinks (cos they LOVE water.) We only had a few roaches the entire time we lived there, maybe because I was pretty committed to keeping the house clean. It wasn't anything like some people we knew who lived in cockroach infested houses where if you went to get a drink of water in the middle of the night and flipped on the light switch, a million of those bugs would scitter all over the kitchen. But there was one night in the summer we came home from our dinner plans and I just had a feeling I was going to see a cockroach as soon as we opened the door. And I was right. There was a huge roach just waiting for us on the wall next to the door. I screamed and freaked out and then Mike and I both went crazy with the roach spray trying to kill it. Ahhh, memories.
Here are some facts I just looked up. Pretty freaking disgusting if you ask me.
Fact: The German cockroach is the most common house infesting cockroach and the number one pest in the United States.
Fact: The cockroach can live without its head for an entire week.
Fact: The word cockroach comes from the Spanish word "cucaracha" which means "crazy bug".
Fact: There are about 4,000 different species of cockroaches in the world. About 50-60 species live in the United States.
Fact: The world's largest roach lives in South America and is 6 inches long with a one-foot wingspan.
Fact: Cockroaches will eat almost anything: left-over human food, paper, wood, leather, cigarette butts, tooth paste, coffee grinds, glue, soap, feces, fabric, shoes, paint, the glue on the back of wallpaper, human hair, fingernails, etc.
Fact: German cockroaches are very small. They can squeeze through a crack that is about 1/16th of an inch wide.
I hate cockroaches, (and pretty much any creepy, scary, crunchy kind of bug, but especially cockroaches.) When we lived in Japan we had to make sure we didn't leave dirty dishes in the sink, or food laying out, or water in the sinks (cos they LOVE water.) We only had a few roaches the entire time we lived there, maybe because I was pretty committed to keeping the house clean. It wasn't anything like some people we knew who lived in cockroach infested houses where if you went to get a drink of water in the middle of the night and flipped on the light switch, a million of those bugs would scitter all over the kitchen. But there was one night in the summer we came home from our dinner plans and I just had a feeling I was going to see a cockroach as soon as we opened the door. And I was right. There was a huge roach just waiting for us on the wall next to the door. I screamed and freaked out and then Mike and I both went crazy with the roach spray trying to kill it. Ahhh, memories.Here are some facts I just looked up. Pretty freaking disgusting if you ask me.
Fact: The German cockroach is the most common house infesting cockroach and the number one pest in the United States.
Fact: The cockroach can live without its head for an entire week.
Fact: The word cockroach comes from the Spanish word "cucaracha" which means "crazy bug".
Fact: There are about 4,000 different species of cockroaches in the world. About 50-60 species live in the United States.
Fact: The world's largest roach lives in South America and is 6 inches long with a one-foot wingspan.
Fact: Cockroaches will eat almost anything: left-over human food, paper, wood, leather, cigarette butts, tooth paste, coffee grinds, glue, soap, feces, fabric, shoes, paint, the glue on the back of wallpaper, human hair, fingernails, etc.
Fact: German cockroaches are very small. They can squeeze through a crack that is about 1/16th of an inch wide.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Day 22
Day 22-What makes you different from everyone else
Good question. I don't know how to answer this. Like physically? Personality? Someone else should write this post.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Day 20
Day 20-Someone you would want to trade places with for one day and why
There isn't one particular person I would want to trade places with. But I wish I could trade places with a rock star for one day. A beautiful, strong, female rock star with a great voice and killer dance moves to boot. I think it would be so fun to perform in front of a million screaming, cheering fans and just rock out.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Day 19
Day 19-Nicknames you have and why you have them
"Wee wee"---Because my sister couldn't say "Jamie" when she was a just a tot. My dad still calls me that.
"Jamus"---A nickname from my college days. Some people really thought that was my actual name for awhile. Also Jamus cakes, or just "cakes." Don't ask me why that one came about because I don't have an answer.
"J"---Because adding another syllable is just too much work.
"Jaybird"---Something my sister called me for a few years.
"Hi-may"---Which is how you pronounce Jamie in Spanish.
"Dove"---Mike has called me "dove" or "my dove" since we got married. I think it's from the movie Beverly Hills Ninja.
"Wee wee"---Because my sister couldn't say "Jamie" when she was a just a tot. My dad still calls me that.
"Jamus"---A nickname from my college days. Some people really thought that was my actual name for awhile. Also Jamus cakes, or just "cakes." Don't ask me why that one came about because I don't have an answer.
"J"---Because adding another syllable is just too much work.
"Jaybird"---Something my sister called me for a few years.
"Hi-may"---Which is how you pronounce Jamie in Spanish.
"Dove"---Mike has called me "dove" or "my dove" since we got married. I think it's from the movie Beverly Hills Ninja.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Day 18
Day 18-Plans/dreams/goals you have
Plans---Have more babies, clean the house, read to Vessel, organize my craft room, do more scrapbooking, eat better, wait for spring to get here, play games with my kiddos, take a walk, get back to the gym, dance party with the family.
Dreams---Never worry about money again, become a dancer, spend an entire summer in a hammock just reading, buy a piano, live with no regrets, have a swimming pool, run my own nutrition shop.
Goals---Move somewhere warm, learn more about photography, have a huge garden and a fruit orchard, get a dog, magnify my calling, raise righteous children, serve others, be a better wife, travel to other countries, go back to school, Family Home Evening, smile more.
Plans---Have more babies, clean the house, read to Vessel, organize my craft room, do more scrapbooking, eat better, wait for spring to get here, play games with my kiddos, take a walk, get back to the gym, dance party with the family.
Dreams---Never worry about money again, become a dancer, spend an entire summer in a hammock just reading, buy a piano, live with no regrets, have a swimming pool, run my own nutrition shop.
Goals---Move somewhere warm, learn more about photography, have a huge garden and a fruit orchard, get a dog, magnify my calling, raise righteous children, serve others, be a better wife, travel to other countries, go back to school, Family Home Evening, smile more.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Day 17
Day 17-Picture of something you love
I love art. I am not very good at creating it, but I love looking at what other people's brains conjure up. I enjoy going to art museums and just taking my sweet time checking out all the exhibits. I love sculpture, drawing, photography, and even architecture. But I think my favorite type of art is painting. I've been getting really into Salvador Dali's work lately. Looking at his art is like being in a dream.
I love art. I am not very good at creating it, but I love looking at what other people's brains conjure up. I enjoy going to art museums and just taking my sweet time checking out all the exhibits. I love sculpture, drawing, photography, and even architecture. But I think my favorite type of art is painting. I've been getting really into Salvador Dali's work lately. Looking at his art is like being in a dream. Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 15
Day 15-Put your iPod on shuffle. What are the first 10 songs
1. Where have you been?---Reel Big Fish
2. Me and My Charms---Kristin Hersh
3. Hey Cool Kid---Cloud Nothings
4. Walking With A Ghost---Tegan and Sara
5. Nothing Left To Lose---Matt Kearney
6. Shake Me Down---Cage The Elephant
7. Parachute---Ingrid Michaelson
8. King Is Dead---Kent
9. Emotional Love---John Mellancamp
10. Jolene---Cake
Now, that was really random.
1. Where have you been?---Reel Big Fish
2. Me and My Charms---Kristin Hersh
3. Hey Cool Kid---Cloud Nothings
4. Walking With A Ghost---Tegan and Sara
5. Nothing Left To Lose---Matt Kearney
6. Shake Me Down---Cage The Elephant
7. Parachute---Ingrid Michaelson
8. King Is Dead---Kent
9. Emotional Love---John Mellancamp
10. Jolene---Cake
Now, that was really random.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 14
Day 14-Write a letter to someone who has hurt you
Maybe some of you were looking forward to this post. You want me to tear into someone and use a lot of expletives? I'm sure the old me would have had no problem doing that. The old me would've jumped at the chance to write a long, hateful letter to someone that has hurt me. But I just can't bring myself to do that now. I can think of about 4 people throughout my lifetime who have caused me some significant emotional pain. But what's the point of writing an angry letter and stirring up emotions that I have been trying to bury for years now? Anger is like a cancer. It can eat you up from the inside out. I know what it feels like to let anger control your life. So one day I had to make a decision. Not too long ago I learned that the only way I could truly be happy in my life was to let go. That meant not holding grudges, not dwelling on the past, and most importantly it meant forgiving people who have hurt me. When I stopped looking at situations from the perspective of a victim, I was able to understand why some things happened the way they did. If I didn't focus on myself and my pain the whole time I could actually kind of see the reasoning behind the other person's actions. A couple of those people, I'd honestly say, had some serious mental issues. Not that it justifies their actions completely, but it does shed some light on why they caused me harm in the first place. One of the other people I probably can't blame for everything because I believe I allowed them to hurt me. A "friend" from about 11 years ago was constantly verbally abusive and demeaning to me. The first time it happened was her fault. Every other time after that was MY fault because I continued to be her friend and I allowed her to treat me the way that she did. I let her opinions define who I was. I could have stopped it by walking away from the relationship, so in a sense, I blame myself. But anyway, the truth is, everyone gets hurt. I know that I have hurt people too. It sucks to be on both ends of the stick, but it happens. The only thing I realize I can do now to be happy is to control myself. I can't control someone else. If I hurt someone, I can try to make it right somehow. And as hard as it is sometimes, if someone hurts me, I have to let go. Letting go can mean forgiving and forgetting and still maintaining a relationship with that person. Other times, letting go means the only option is to cut ties with the person who hurt me or do whatever I can to forget them. I don't recommend pushing the hurt aside and pretending it never happened. I allow myself to deal with the hurt and deal with the anger but then I just have to move on. I can't hold onto it. Because the fact is, I have a future and I see no other choice but to move forward in life. You know, nobody can change their past so there's no use dwelling on it. It will only make you miserable, and that's definitely no way to live.
Well, not the post you were probably expecting, but it's all I could think about writing at this time.
Maybe some of you were looking forward to this post. You want me to tear into someone and use a lot of expletives? I'm sure the old me would have had no problem doing that. The old me would've jumped at the chance to write a long, hateful letter to someone that has hurt me. But I just can't bring myself to do that now. I can think of about 4 people throughout my lifetime who have caused me some significant emotional pain. But what's the point of writing an angry letter and stirring up emotions that I have been trying to bury for years now? Anger is like a cancer. It can eat you up from the inside out. I know what it feels like to let anger control your life. So one day I had to make a decision. Not too long ago I learned that the only way I could truly be happy in my life was to let go. That meant not holding grudges, not dwelling on the past, and most importantly it meant forgiving people who have hurt me. When I stopped looking at situations from the perspective of a victim, I was able to understand why some things happened the way they did. If I didn't focus on myself and my pain the whole time I could actually kind of see the reasoning behind the other person's actions. A couple of those people, I'd honestly say, had some serious mental issues. Not that it justifies their actions completely, but it does shed some light on why they caused me harm in the first place. One of the other people I probably can't blame for everything because I believe I allowed them to hurt me. A "friend" from about 11 years ago was constantly verbally abusive and demeaning to me. The first time it happened was her fault. Every other time after that was MY fault because I continued to be her friend and I allowed her to treat me the way that she did. I let her opinions define who I was. I could have stopped it by walking away from the relationship, so in a sense, I blame myself. But anyway, the truth is, everyone gets hurt. I know that I have hurt people too. It sucks to be on both ends of the stick, but it happens. The only thing I realize I can do now to be happy is to control myself. I can't control someone else. If I hurt someone, I can try to make it right somehow. And as hard as it is sometimes, if someone hurts me, I have to let go. Letting go can mean forgiving and forgetting and still maintaining a relationship with that person. Other times, letting go means the only option is to cut ties with the person who hurt me or do whatever I can to forget them. I don't recommend pushing the hurt aside and pretending it never happened. I allow myself to deal with the hurt and deal with the anger but then I just have to move on. I can't hold onto it. Because the fact is, I have a future and I see no other choice but to move forward in life. You know, nobody can change their past so there's no use dwelling on it. It will only make you miserable, and that's definitely no way to live.
Well, not the post you were probably expecting, but it's all I could think about writing at this time.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Day 13
Day 13-Picture of someone you miss
This is a picture of my mom as a senior in high school. This June will be 5 years since she passed away. I always miss her.
This is a picture of my mom as a senior in high school. This June will be 5 years since she passed away. I always miss her.Saturday, March 12, 2011
Day 12
Day 12-Something you crave a lot
ANYTHING that's battered and deep fried. And when I say anything, I pretty much mean ANYTHING.
ANYTHING that's battered and deep fried. And when I say anything, I pretty much mean ANYTHING. Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 11
Day 11-Picture of one of your favorite memories
May 15, 2008--A beach on the island of Antigua. It was like we had the entire place to ourselves. We had fun playing in the ocean, lounging in the sun, and then we explored some of the rock cliffs that aren't shown here, but were to the left of this picture.
May 15, 2008--A beach on the island of Antigua. It was like we had the entire place to ourselves. We had fun playing in the ocean, lounging in the sun, and then we explored some of the rock cliffs that aren't shown here, but were to the left of this picture.
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