Where's Jessica??

This year in the Junior League of Macon, I was fortunate to work with Barnes and Noble on collecting books for local preschool libraries. We offered two ways for local residents to give. One was a Holiday Book Drive. Customers of B&N could go to their store, purchase a children's book, and immediately donate it to the schools. Second, JL held a book fair. This event kicked off with a wonderful night of cookies, hot chocolate, and a reading of the Polar Express. 125 kids showed up!! If you know anything about me, you can imagine how nervous I was!! But the event was a huge hit with very few hiccups and many new ideas to make it even better in the future! During the book fair, a portion of all sales to JL members, sustainers, and friends would go directly to the purchase of more books.

In total, JL and B&N was able to give 900 books to these preschools.

I cannot begin to tell you what a great treat it was to see the kids excitement and the joy of the teachers when we dropped off the books.

Below is the story on our local news. I'm in the video twice... but where?? Leave your guesses in the comments. It's a game of Where's Jessica!

I might be eaten by the dog

My favorite place to study is Starbucks. The smell of coffee, light distraction of strangers coming and going, the occasional friend who stops to say hello. It's wonderful, except that it means I don't come home most nights until late. Jeremy understands this during a test week. He'll even join me on a night or two, but what he does not understand is why I have to continue to study at Starbucks when I don't have a test.

Well, you see, I'm terrified of our dog.

I think he is contemplating a way to eat me. And when I am studying he can study me in an effort to plan his attack. Oh, and trust me, I wish I was joking. I wish that the scary pictures below weren't real and that I dreamed it all up. But trust me. He thinks his middle name is danger and my name is food... dog food.

This past week in an attempt to satisfy my husband, class requirements, and sanity in my house, I set up my study area in our dining room. Instead of Starbucks, I settled for water out of the tap. Instead of people watching, I watched TV. For about 5 minutes, I thought, "Hey. This could work. I may actually be able to study in our apartment." Apparently, I spoke too soon, because at that moment I noticed Parker...

 

staring at me. He was standing about 4 feet from me, completely still, not being distracted by anything, staring right at me. At first, I thought he wanted to get in my lap. I told him to come. He didn't move. I asked him what he wanted. He continued to stare. And it wasn't just staring... it was staring... creepy staring... FOR OVER AN HOUR!

Here is a photo catalog of my evening with the dog who wants to eat me. (Sorry for the bad resolution. Photos were taken on my phone because I was afraid if I moved, he would think I was weak and attack.)

These pictures were taken in about 10 min. increments.

 

  

He did move to reposition himself so that he could continue to stare at me.

 

  

Yes, he even sat to allow himself to be more comfortable. Thanks, Parker. I'm glad you were comfortable!

 

Finally, I had enough and called Jeremy to come help. Jeremy told him to get in his bed. Which he did. Except he could still stare at me from his bed... which he did.... great. Just know, sweetheart, you're probably next.

 

  

 It didn't take long for him to sneak closer. I held my breath for a good 5 seconds hoping it wasn't the end.

 

It wasn't. I just have a psycho dog who wants to eat me.

And by the way, Honey, this week you can find me at Starbucks. I don't think studying in the apartment is for me... heck, I don't think sleeping in our apartment is for me either. So please forward my mail. I'll let you know where later... just in case Parker can now use a computer and is spying on me.

The American Pastime

Shopping.

As a woman, it is the American pastime.

I love it like a fat kid loves cake...maybe even more.

But I like shopping my way. I love shopping in boutiques where outfits are put together for you and selection is small. Where you can look at a mannequin and say, "I want that outfit." Then, a wonderful salesperson finds that outfit for you to try on. I am notorious for using salespeople. I walk into the store, find the nicest looking employee, and become his or her best friend. It makes shopping quick, more exciting, and a lot less stressful.

Shopping this way, though, means that I rarely, if ever, bargain shop. I just don't have the patience. I have many friends who can go to Kohls, Ross, etc. and find the greatest, cutest outfits for nothing. I, on the other hand, walk into those stores and just stare blankly waiting for that bargain to let me know it's there. When it doesn't I try to search. I've even coached myself up to that moment, "You can find it. You can find that awesome outfit." But inevitably I leave disappointed, bruised, and beaten by the millions of clothes I just sifted through. Culling is just not my thing.

Over the years, I have learned to adapt to my method of shopping. Why change a good thing? Right??

And Houston.. that's where we have our problem.

You see, my method of shopping apparently does not work in home search department. I've tried to make it work. I've gotten a Realtor. I've looked online at pictures (i.e. a home's version of a mannequin)

But still... I'm learning that with home searching comes a great need to be patient, shop around for weeks (which I'm starting to wonder if it will be months), look for bargains, and put things together myself... everything I hate.

Jeremy and I have gone out three times so far and have looked at over 20 homes... none of which made us sing songs, embrace, and sigh happily at the thought of living there.  Jeremy is still determined and happy. Me: I'm frustrated.

For one, why don't people at the very least, post pictures of the entire home online. That way I can view the good, the bad, and the ugly before I go out to see the home.

Second, this patience thing is kicking my butt. As a solution, I tried get Jeremy to look at the homes and then take me to look at his favorite... except Jeremy, well, he's just a romantic... and he wants to be that cute couple that finds their dream home together... ugh... I even looked into hiring a "pretend" Jessica. A friend who would go out and look at the houses with Jeremy... and then I'd go look at their favorite... but even my friends agree with Jeremy... double ugh...

And third?? Well, boys seem to change their minds like they change their underwear. We'll go into one house and Jeremy will say, "I don't like this house because of XYZ." And at the next house he'll say, "I like this house because of XYZ." Except XYZ was the exact same thing at both houses.. so not only am I trying to figure out what I want in a home, but I also have to somehow interpret what Jeremy wants in home... and how can I do that if he doesn't even know??

And so here we are. Approaching day 4 of looking at homes. Jeremy is wishful. And me?? Well, I'm hoping a margarita and mexican food will be awaiting me.. although.. preceding may not be a bad idea either....

It's a parrot... no a cat... no it's Parker!

 

Me: "What the heck??"

  

Parker: "Am I not supposed to crawl on Mom like this?"

So, Jeremy and I figure Parker either likes to play make believe... or he's in the middle of an identity crisis... We're just glad he hasn't caught a glimpse of a red convertible...

Dear Megan

 

Do you remember over Christmas when you convinced me to try Judaism for this year? Your push was Hanukkah: 8 presents, no Santa, and, of course, gambling with the dreidel. After about a second, I agreed. Remember??

Well, Jeremy is getting concerned.

You see. We are trying to buy a house... and I'm in school... and, well, we just aren't rich. And I'm beginning to think that to be Jewish you must have to be rich.

It all started when I downloaded all the Jewish holidays to my calendar... Megan, do you know how many holidays there are??? I do have to admit I love holidays and a reason to celebrate. But then I started to look into the first few coming up.

Did you know that this past weekend was Tu B'Shevat? Yup, Jewish Arbor Day. I read that we were supposed to eat dried fruits and nuts, celebrate the first flowering of the trees in Israel, and donate money to plant trees. So I immediately went out and bought you trail mix and a beautiful card. (I'll send it to you through Ryan this weekend.) I figured since I directly work to raise money for trees, that would suffice for the donation...

Like I said, Jeremy is getting concerned.

The next holiday is Taanit Ester.

It is a fast to remember Esther and how she saved the Jewish nation. Except... I have a huge luncheon that day and I am speaking as a guest... at lunch!

Now, I'm concerned... I really like free food.

Then, three days later we come to Purim.

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. I was really excited when I told Jeremy. There are even special cookies called hamentaschen. (I'm hoping a local bakery makes them... Come on, I can accept defeat before I even step into the ring because that's just the kind of woman I am.) Then, I explained to him that we would also need to take food baskets to a couple our friends... and donate money to a food bank...

And, then he said it... "Jessica, how much is this going to cost us???"

I tried to explain to him the little I knew about minor and major holidays... and how much I was learning... and how you and I were bonding... but then he showed me a picture of a home... a cute little home...

and the Jewish holidays mysteriously disappeared from my computer...

But don't worry. I'll still take you to the Jewish Temple...



Disclaimer: My sister has always been interested by the Jewish faith, although, she herself is not Jewish. I think it has something to do with the color blue and the eight presents at Hanukkah...or maybe it was all the time we spent growing up watching Seinfeld...who knows...Just note that she nor I are in it for the jokes...