I need to make this quick because it’s almost New Year’s. And that means I have to get some resolutions and goals together and pretend to be all organized and motivated about this 2010. And what do we call 2010 by the way? 2009 was oh-nine. (Or ought-nine if you’re country. Or my late grandfather.)  But 2010? Just twenty-ten? Simply ten? I dunno. (2010, you’re kinda proving to be lame already. . .)

I will talk more about Christmas and resolutions next week when I return from a little blogging vacation. So get ready to share your resolutions. Even the ones you know you’ll break before you wake up Sunday. (I’m not judging, by the way.)

I wanted to quickly pass on three things. One, this movie is either gonna be really good. . .or really bad.

And two, I got visit Novel Journey last week and talk about “the muse.” You can check it out HERE.

Finally, author Lena Nelson Dooley is giving away a copy of I’m So Sure. You can enter her contest HERE.

Have a great New Year’s. Be safe, have fun, and say your proper goodbyes to ought-nine.

JEN

8 comments

Did everyone have a great holiday? We got snow! Woo!  In fact, not to far away from my little town in Arkansas, they were under a blizzard warning, which has never happened in my entire life. (I think it’s new. I think it’s just a new term my favorite meteorologists like to use because they know it gets me all weak in the knees.)   So because the weatherman said we were going to see up to eight inches of the white stuff on Christmas Eve, my brother and his family and I spent the night at my mom’s. It was fun.

But we didn’t get eight inches. We got about three. Which made the three days-worth of clothes I packed pretty pointless. And the two lanterns in the car. (Hey, if the electricity goes out, you gotta think of yourself. How else would I read my stack of Christmas vacation books? You think my mom’s gonna share her light that attaches to her forehead? No way.

It also made the bag of sledding gear I packed useless. Because if we got a ton of snow, I was going to walk to Snow Loving Holly’s house and join her sledding party. Because Holly is the cool person in town who people flock to because she seems to have an endless supply of sleds and hills.

So how was your Christmas? What was your favorite gift to receive? To give?

I have two favorite gifts I received. One was a big wrapped box. And when it was presented to me by my sister-in-law, I could tell it was heavy. I liked it already. When I opened the lid (yes, the lid was wrapped and the box portion was wrapped. Separately. Because my brother said that’s how they do it on TV) there was a huge stack of books. Fifty-two, in fact. One for each week of the year. I loved it!

My other favorite gift was also a surprise–a digital picture frame. I love it too. In fact I’m looking at it right now. This is so perfect from me because I take millions of pictures but never develop them. They just sit on my computer. . .for years. So now I can look at them all the time. And force others to look at them.

I spent the entire day after Christmas getting files off my old, ancient computer and onto my Mac, using a flash drive. And then I deleted that flash drive and loaded my collection of pics for my frame. So later that night, I turn on the frame and just let it run. As I walk through the living room, I happen to catch a glimpse of myself. And then another. And another. And another. What? Every single picture was of me. Like old author shots. And then there’s my thirtieth birthday. Me, me, me. I yanked the off switch and put myself out of misery.

Turns out even though I had deleted my entire collection of photos from the jump drive, I needed to totally reformat the disk because they were still there like ghosts.  Because I do not display pictures of myself in my house. If I wanted to look at myself I would take the tarp off the bathroom mirrors. But I just sat there in my living room and thought, “What if I had had company over and someone had witnessed that display? They’d be all like, “Hey, did you catch the Jennifer Show?”   “Yeah, all 400 pics of it.”   So, yeah, minor catastrophe averted. That was a close one. Though that would make a funny gift–to give someone a pre-loaded digital frame with picture after picture of yourself. And here’s me. And another one of me. And another…and here’s me at nine o’clock. And here’s me at nine-oh-five. . .

Okay, so I want to hear all about your Christmas. What was your fave gift to give? What was your favorite gift to receive? (And of course we all want to hear about any amazingly bad gifts as well.)

Have a great week after Christmas!

JEN

14 comments

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
–Isaiah 9:2

I don’t talk about writing much on this blog because there are so many other blogs who have that covered. I don’t write inspirational and devotional things because there are many other blogs that do that ten times better than I ever could.  What I do is talk fluff–from Britney’s lack of underoos to  chasing down Chris Daughtry on the streets of New York to the summer of ‘09, when all I knew was poison ivy and spider bites.  That’s my job here.

But today I want to remind you of a story better than anything I could hope to come up with. Because unto you a child is born. . .

I never read the Christmas story in the Bible without latching onto something new, without being in awe of some facet of the account. I believe that Mary was a young teenage girl, given both the burden and joy of giving birth to the baby who would save the world as well as take her heart to the darkest place possible. I believe Jesus was born unto you. And me. And even your Aunt Ruth who gives fruit cake in the place of presents. I believe my Savior came to earth as a baby, walked as a boy, grew into a man, lived for 33 years, then took the cross for my every mistake. For your every mistake, whether you’re a believer or not.

I believe at Christ’s first cry, the world heard from God, after a 400 year silence. Four hundred years of nothing. And now. . .a baby brought good news. The people were not forgotten. I believe the moment was so amazing that all people could do was gather around and worship, some not even knowing why, but knowing if they didn’t they would burst. And knowing, despite the humble surroundings, they were in the presence of something mighty and worthy of reverence. And words couldn’t adequately express it, so much so that even Heaven’s angels had to take to the skies and just sing. They were exploding with joy on the behalf of Heaven and on my behalf. And yours. God had spoken. A child had been born. For you. For me.

The angel of the Lord appeared to people on the bottom of the social chain–the shepherds. I’m so glad that God didn’t go to the king in the fancy palace and say, “I bring YOU tidings of great joy.” But he went to the commoner, the worker, those who would come to Jesus with only tired bodies and empty hands. To those he brought great joy. To those he said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m bringing you good news. I have not forgotten you.”

When I was a little girl, I would look outside my bedroom window every Christmas Eve before I would go to bed. There was this one bright star always positioned in the same place. And I would imagine it was the star that led everyone to Jesus. GPS at its finest.  On this Christmas let us all resolve to be that star, to be the light that points other to where they’ll find their Savior. Because Jesus stepped onto earth for every man, woman, and annoying second cousin. Let’s be the light for step-parents, half-brothers, and those you wish you weren’t related to. To the people who won’t get out of the passing lane. To the neighbor you never talk to. To the parent who makes you feel like ten minutes is ten hours.  To the mother who has spent the last two days cooking. To the friend who got exactly what you had wanted for Christmas, but didn’t get. To the family member who still aches over someone who isn’t there. To the older sister who won’t stop texting her boyfriend long enough to pass the mashed potatoes.

We are the light. We are called to point the way toward Him and bring the Joy.To tell the rest of the world, “Fear not, because for you, just you, a child was born. And I have not forgotten you.”

Merry Christmas, blog friends. Much love to you all.

JEN

13 comments

I’m supposed to be Christmas shopping right now. I’m only half way done. But I’m blogging instead. Because I don’t have to use my elbows or my car horn to blog.

Last Saturday I went to my annual ornament party. I don’t even put up a tree, so I’m just there for the good time. I might’ve fallen off the diet wagon a bit too that night. A girl can only be around spinach dip and fudge for so long while eating a celery stick. This year we spiced things up by adding a scavenger hunt. Snow Loving Holly did a great job organizing and planning it. It was really cold–26 degrees–but everyone was up for it and all were total troopers.

Some of the things on our list were:

1. Find a cute guy and have your whole team pose with him in a picture.
Done. And extra points for finding an Amish guy.

That’s my mom front and center. My sister in law beside me. My aunt’s head peeping out in the back, and family friend Barbara to the far left.

2. Kiss a manequin on the cheek.

The mannequin had to sit down for that one.

3. Model a fedora.

Here’s my mom doing her best Britney Spears imitation. She is rocking the fedora.

4. Spray on perfume in a red bottle.

5. Play a video game.

I said, “Hey, kid, I don’t want to creep you out, but I’m gonna stand by you. Really close.” The kid behind him is like, “Cutter.”

One of our teams got kicked out of Wal-Mart and escorted out by security. That would be this team.

After the scavenger hunt, we went back to Snow Loving Holly’s and ate some more and did the ornament exchange. I think I win the award for receiving the largest ornament.

Here is my friend Cheryl (left) telling a dirty joke.

Here’s my mom trying to stop laughing at the dirty joke.

She didn’t try very hard.

Dirty Joke Laughing Mom brought a cute dessert to the party.

I made two good desserts this year. Even though I’ve never shared a recipe on this blog in the history of its existence, I thought I’d pass these two on. Because they were gooood.

First, I made a super easy trifle for the ornament party. You can find the recipe for the Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle HERE. (I modified by using boxed brownies–I’d go deluxe or something besides plain chocolate, two regular sized boxes) and I would definitely add more Reese’s candy bar to the top. You can’t have too much Reese’s.

And finally, I made truffles.

And they are so super easy and amazingly good. It’s a Sandra Lee recipe, so again, EASY.

INGREDIENTS

Remove wrappers from milk chocolates. Place milk chocolates and whipping cream in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at medium 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at medium 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolates are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Cover; refrigerate 4 to 6 hours or until firm. (Two hours was plenty for mine. I also did a batch of dark chocolate.)

Remove wrappers from caramel filled milk chocolates. Using about 1 tablespoon of milk chocolate mixture for each truffle, shape chocolate around each caramel chocolate piece; roll in hand to make ball. (Be sure to cover each chocolate piece completely.) Roll in pecans; refrigerate until ready to serve. For best chocolate flavor, allow truffles to soften at room temperature about 5 minutes before eating. (Sandra also gave the tip to spray PAM or cooking spray on your hands as you roll the chocolate. HIGHLY recommended.)  Great party food and great gifts. My neighbors have some sitting in their mailbox right now.

I look forward to this ornament party every year. So what about you guys? What has been your favorite pre-Christmas event so far?

That’s all for now. I hope your pre-Christmas season has been just as fun as meeting Chris Tomlin, wearing a leopard print bra, getting an ornament the size of a couch, and eating lots of carrot sticks.

See you Wednesday!

JEN

6 comments

Let’s just jump right in, shall we?
Here is the lowdown. Friday night I went to see Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Audrey Assad, and Louie Giglio in their Glory in the Highest Tour. Glory in the Highest, indeed.

As any of my blog regulars, as well as my friends and family (and that one lady who got stuck behind me in line at Target last Tuesday)  know, I’m a huge Tomlin fan. It was a great event. A really good reminder of the reverence that should be in Christmas and what it’s all about. And believe me, I needed that reminder. But anyway, let’s get on with the irreverence.

Here is Christy Nockels. Notice the drummer behind her rocking the Daughtry look.

I think I spent most of the concert TRYING to get a good picture of the keyboardist’s mullet.

Nope. Not good. Let’s try again.

Ugh. So fuzzy, but I think you get the idea. It was mullet deluxe. And deceptive. Yes, it was a wily mullet, because it took me a while to realize he had it going on. Well played, sir. Well played.

Here is the man of the hour, Chris Tomlin.

“Where is Jenny? I’m looking out into the crowd….the lights are blinding and making me sweaty under this man-scarf, but still will search…”

And here is Mr. Giglio. If you haven’t heard Louie G. speak, you really need to hunt the man down. In a nonassertive, sort of way. (And if you need some tips on hunting famous men down in nonassertive ways, I’m really not the girl to ask. But if you want tips for how to narrowly avoid a restraining order…)

Chris and Louie both had on skinny jeans. After this concert I feel pretty strongly in sharing this fashion advice. Gentlemen, if you are over 30, it’s time to let go of tight jeans.  Leave the skinny jeans to the college kids. (I have to tell my dad this same thing allll the time.)

Louie brought a little girl on stage and talked to her for a bit. He said, “After the show we have something called meet and greet. Do you know what that is?” She just kinda stared at him. “Well,” he says. “It’s where we get with people like you and meet, and…” He pauses and waits for her to finish his sentence. “Meet and…” Here’s her answer.

Blank stare. And I was like, “Ew, me! Me! I know this one!”

On an unrelated note, I realized my teaching is missing one essential element.

A smoke machine. Could also really perk up our fire drills. And family reunions.

A highlight of the night for our whole group was when newcomer Audrey Assad took the stage and sang “Winter Snow.”

Have you heard it?

I love that song.

Here’s the whole group.

Here’s Audrey again. She’s in a deep moment of prayer.

“Dear Lord, please let Jenny get to meet Chris Tomlin on his bus, er, I mean backstage at meet and greet. Even though that little girl got picked and she didn’t. And that little girl has many years left to meet Christian singers after the show. And if she went to meet and greet she’d probably be up past her bedtime. And Jenny’s bedtime isn’t for another 30 minutes. . .Amen.”

So the concert is over. I am in my car. I’m about ten minutes down the road, and even though I had this weird feeling like, “Don’t leave yet. Stay at the church like a creepy lurker,” I didn’t. I left and kept driving.  And then I get a phone call. My friend Kim, who had been a chauffeur and gopher all day for Audrey and some of the folks on the tour, was on the other end of the line.

“Where are you?” she asks.

“Um…I’m about 10 minutes from home.”

“Well turn around. Mike (one of our pastors, bless his soul) has a Meet and Greet pass for you.”

“Get out. Are you serious?” (As I brake on the interstate.)

“Yes, can you make it?”

“Turning around right now.” In the median.

Just kidding. But I did shoot off the  next exit and turn Old Blackie (my car) back toward the church. Touched up my lipstick. Rolled my sleeve up so my “Chris Tomlin is The Best Thing Ever and I Would Fight to The Death Anyone Who Says Anything Different” tattoo on my arm was visible. And here we are.

Isn’t that cute? Isn’t it so cute how he’s leaning AWAY from me. And check out the partially frightened look on his face. Oh, I know that look… Maybe he’s worried about where my other hand is.  Also if you zoomed in REALLY close on my forehead you would see the red whelp where I ran into a clothes hanger right before the show. I don’t really want to explain that one except to say there was a bathroom scale also involved.

But I digress. Let me recreate the moment of meeting for you–I want you to feel like you were there. He came up to us, and looked at me for a WHOLE milli-second. I stuck out my hand and said, “Hi, I’m Jennifer. I think I love you.” Or something like that. He glances at me…looks through me (and not in a hot way), and then moves between Kim and me for the picture. 1-2-3 “Click.” Picture over. I looked at him and said something intelligent like, “You did a great job tonight.  I really enjoyed it. You sure do sing pretty. Wow is that a man-scarf? I mean I’m not judging, and it’s okay that you’re wearing super tight pants too, but I don’t know how you sing in all that, with the scarf and the pants, and all. Do you like puppies because I might be getting one in a few weeks, or not, because if you don’t like them I don’t have to get one.”  I think it came out more like, “We really enjoyed tonight and mumble mumble insert low talking here as he walks away…”   Yeah. The End.

Later, about midnight, Kim and I were texting our thoughts over the evening. We had both been analyzing the meet and greet. She said, “He didn’t talk to us. We didn’t have any products for him to sign like everyone else.”
And I said, “You’re so right. That’s it. Shoot.”
“But we didn’t know we’d get to meet him,” Kim texts. “We needed some CDs.”
“Or your chest. . .you should’ve asked him to sign your chest.”
Kim didn’t like that idea.
I don’t know why not.
It’s not like he could sign MY chest.
It would’ve clashed with my tattoo.

Have a great day. I’ll see you back Wednesday for my final blog of the week.

JEN

14 comments