That's What Jenni Said

...to Facebook. So if you're there, add me: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=603259739 NYC last weekend was fabulous. Went with 3 friends and we enjoyed the night life and saw Wicked on Broadway. This is going to be a wonderful summer.

Here’s what’s new with us… Things have been going well for both of us as far as our jobs are concerned. J is still with Learning Tree and very much enjoys it. He will soon be at the tenure level that will allow him additional vacation time each year. My annual employee review was recently and it went well. I think I am going to stick with my current company most likely at least through the end of our current contract (2.5 more years) if not longer, assuming they have additional work assignments for me once this contract is concluded. I’m working on obtaining my SAS Programming Certification which should be a benefit to the company and myself. Outside of my full-time job, I continue to take on small, part-time IT consulting projects through ParJen Consulting ( www.parjen.com ). Outside of work, we enjoy our playtime. J is quite busy with the church softball league. There are numerous practices a week and the games begin Monday. I’m wrapped up in my various Meetup groups planning and at...

The most strange thing happened to me today... I went to put in a call to a web design client in Cincinatti, OH (area code 513) and instead dialed 315. Probably because 315 is familiar to my mind as I grew up in NY in that area code. Anyhow, the person on the other end answers the phone and he sounds just like someone I grew up with. Apologized for the wrong number and tried my number again, getting the same guy. I realized after he told me I was dialing 315 what was going on but I was still stuck on the fact that he sounded just like someone I used to know. Turns out he IS someone I used to know. A close childhood friend. We started chatting a bit and caught up with each other. How strange is that? Small world. In other news, I've been meaning to post the pictures from my 32nd birthday party. The theme was "Ides of March" and everyone dressed in Roman costume. Here is my favorite picture- my best friend Anna and I standing at the ready.

Life is good. I am healthy and happy. I have a fantastic husband, wonderful friends, a great job and I'm enjoying the other gifts in life God has blessed me with. I'm turning 32 on Saturday. The outlook is great! So far no wrinkles. Just a lot of joy, peace, and gratitude for life and everything God has provided. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. ~Jenni

I'm looking for the words to describe a situation that is sad and happy at all once, depending on which party to the situation you interview. Not the good kind of sad either such as weddings sad or sending kids off to college sad, but plain old-fashioned rip your heart out sadness. Today the remaining four sets of bone china that we needed to complete our service for twelve arrived in the mail. As we've continue to build and strengthen our marriage over the course of almost twelve years we've also taken steps to build our china collection. It came to us by way of a divorcing couple who chose to sell their place settings on Ebay for next to nothing. The place settings arrived, new in their elegantly themed gift boxes, the delicate wedding ribbons still fashioned around the boxes a luxurious bows.  So incredibly sad. Log onto Ebay.com at any time and you can peruse the remains of divorcing couples whose hopes and dreams were once focused on the joy that they were sure the fut...

This week I had my annual performance assessment with the federal contractor I do most of my work for. It went well and I received a small increase in my compensation. I finally caved and went shopping at Dress Barn. I have avoided the place for eons, despite the fact that the answer to the question I've posed many of my well dressed friends ("Where did you find that beautiful dress?") is often "Dress Barn". It's all about the name. Why would I shop in a venue that infers all of its clients are barnyard animals? Regardless, I saw yet another stranger beautifully attired in Dress Barn apparel so I felt I owed it to myself to take a look at what they have to offer. I fell in love instantly. Dresses - beautiful dresses- as far as the eye can see. I picked up 6 on sale for 60% off. A parade of dresses. My dream is to have so many dresses that I never have to wear pants ever again and this store may actually make that possible. My purchase was limited only by m...

A most productive weekend. Saturday morning led my walking group on a path from a nearby landmark to my home and back again and then we enjoyed a shared lunch. 5.2 miles round trip. Sunday after church Jon proved his claim to awesome husband of the year by spending the entire day shopping for kitchen items and small appliances with me. We went to two different towns and 6 stores in all. What a trooper! We have now replaced all of our kitchen items that were destroyed in the fire with the exception of the 3 fondue pots and all of our tupperware. And I may pick those up today after work. Sunday night we enjoyed cooking dinner for our friends Doug and Katy. I made roasted tilapia with a citrus spice rub, coconut infused jasmine rice, green beans and creme brulee for the finish. It was pretty good. The only downer to our weekend- we saw what is quite possibly the worst movie EVER - on Sunday evening. "Good Luck Chuck" - and it was the unrated version to make matters worse. Gra...