Day 264 (December 29th)--House of Charity

Today I volunteered along with a community group I am involved with, to serve meals at the house of Charity in Downtown Minneapolis. I was on the hots side and served over 134 people by myself! They said it was a good thing our group showed up or they would not have been able to get everyone served. Upon talking with the assistant manager I found out that the people are amongst the increasing number or people have jobs but cannot afford the cost of food because every bit of their paychecks are going to meet their mortgage. I am planning on helping out here at least once a month.

-Jackie

Day 263 (December 27th)--Caps

I love stuffed mushroom caps so today I decided to try and make some. They were good but not restaurant quality. I might try to make them more often anyway.

-Jackie

Day 262 (December 26th)--Forgiveness

Early in 2008 I had a friendship of mine come to an end after 14 years. There was a lot of hurt on both ends and I spent a good part of the year struggling with this. Over the last few weeks I have been finding myself really being able to let it go and today I was able to send a letter of forgiveness to this former friend along with an apology for things that happened on my end. I am sure if I will ever be at the point where I can be friends with this person again but it's enough to be able to forgive and move on....

-Jackie

Day 261 (December 25th)--My RAK

I have been very inspired by Jen's everyday giving blog (see link on the side of this page) and all the Random acts of Kindness she has done. She has reminded me you do not need a lot of money or be a board member of a charity to help them out. The little things can help just as much. So today I figured out what my main Random act of kindness for the year will be. But you will have to wait and see because it will be the subject on a new thing coming soon....

-Jackie

Day 260 (December 24th)--It takes a village

My family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve and then has a more laid back day on Christmas itself. Tonight as we were opening gifts we found out that my Mother has bought in all of our names six tons of bricks (I believe it was six tons) to help build a hospital in Africa through Worldvision. I was very excited to hear about this as this is something I have been wanting to do.

-Jackie

Day 259 (December 23rd)--Family Style

Today for our work company Christmas party we went to Buca, which is an Italian Restaurant in Minneapolis. The meals there are served family style so I had a family style dinner with my co-workers. We passed around many dishes from Eggplant parmigiana to Brushetta to garlic mashed potatoes. I also tried Clam Muscles for the first time. YUMMY!

-Jackie

Day 258 (December 22nd)--Care Package

I have a friend who has had a pretty rough year. She is really struggling to get into the Christmas spirit this year so I decided to send her a small care package to let her know I am thinking of her. I am hoping it will brighten up her Holiday season. It went to Atlanta and will probably get there after Christmas.

-Jackie

Day 257 (December 21st)--I blew it off

I am a HUGE football fan and I usually do not miss a Sunday. This week I decided I did not want to get myself worked up so I took a break from all football games and spent the day reading/napping instead. I need to do this more often.

-Jackie

Day 256 (Dec 20th)--DOing my research

I attend a church where their motto is "Real and Relevant". They have been doing a series of sermons inspired by the book "UN CHristian" by David Kinnaman which is based on studies done as to why younger people are avoiding the church. I decided to follow up with the information presented in the messages and read the book. What I loved about this book was it did not just present the problems the young people are presenting but also possible solutions to those problems. I bookmarked so many points I will be purchasing this book on my own.

-Jackie

Day 255 (December 19th)--When life hands you lemons

This weekend I was supposed to drive down to Iowa with my friend Michelle to celebrate my niece's first birthday. We had a hotel right on the lake and were very excited about it. But there's a blizzard warning in Iowa this wknd. Usually I would have a fit and sulk when my plans change like this. But I took those lemons and made lemondae. I ended up making plans for lunch and shopping with Michelle tomorrow. We are going to go before the snow hits. Should be fun! =)

-Jackie

Day 254--(December 18th)--Densensetization

Today we were able to get an excercise bike for free. My hubby put it in the bedroom--while we were trying to today our dog Pretzel would just freak out. First he would bark, then he would jump up on his and then bite our feet. We ended up finding a way for him to get used to it. He likes to be wrapped in a blanket when he is on the bed. So we curled him up in a blanket while we worked out. After that the barking, jumping and biting ceased.

-Jackie

Day 253--(Dec 17th)--Happy Feet

Back when I interviewed for my current position, I was told it was a casual environment and many people even wore slippers around the office. I had been reminded of this many times since I started (9 months ago) but I never took that step. Today was a bit of a stressful day and my feet were cold. So I took the big step and put on my slippers. They are not just any slippers, however. They are Green Bay Packers Happy Feet slippers. Yes it is true too--Happy Feet slippers are just like walking on clouds. They have a really cute pair of NY Jets slippers too...might have to get those to wear at home...

-Jackie

Day 252--Dec 16th-Don't Break the Ice

Here in MN this week it has been c-c-cold and snowy too! =) I took my dog out this afternoon and as we were walking through the yard the area we were standing on fell through---it was a thin sheet of ice over the snow! I thought it was funny and my dog thought it was a game--he kept taking the chunks of broken ice and throwing them with his mouth across the yard!

EXTRA CREDIT: This morning it was freezing so I put a cup full of bottled water on our deck to see how long it would take to freeze. After 40 minutes there was a layer or ice on it...but I went to the office and forgot about it. When I got home it has froze solid and left a crack all the way around the plastic cup that was holding the water. Talk about your water displacement!

-Jackie

Day 251 (December 15th)--Driving while Impaired (it's not what you think)

Minne-snow-ta, is known for it's snowy and bitterly cold winters. Today we had bitterly cold roads as well as icy roads. It took me twice as long to get to work.

But here's where it gets interesting. I am driving to a clients house out in the country and I run out of windshield washer fluid. I have to navigate my way on a 2 lane highway with a very dirty windshield and a impatient driver on my tail. I make it to the gas station and wipe my windows and replace the washer fluid (Note: I got the car in May, this is the first time I have had to replace the washer fluid). I begin driving and his the washer fluid button and get no fluid. I stop at a service station and talk to a mechanic who says it is either frozen washer fluid or a frozen hose but to wait it out and see. I cancel with my client and navigate my way back to work. I go to leave and warm up the car. For kicks and giggles I his the washer fluid button. It works! Makes me thankful it is something I can look back at and laugh, however I do not want to be stuck in this situation again.

-Jackie

Day 250 (December 14th)---24 hours straight

The orgininal Jen has one of her new things last year be eating nothing but candy all day. I decided to put a twist on this. For one day I ate nothing but Shrimp Salad Sandwiches and Chicken Chipolte appetizers. It was interesting but NOT something I want to do again.

-Jackie

Day 249 (December 13th)--Alexandra House

With being a Social worker, I have come to know a lot of good charities out there. One of them that has really touched my heart has been the Alexandra house which is a shelter that helps battered women and their families.

Today the local high school football team was collection donations while bagging groceries though I did not have enough items to bag, I made a donation to the Alexandra house. I am also hoping to do some volunteer work with this organization in the new year.

-Jackie

Day 248--December 12th--Unplugged

We saw on Oprah a couple of months ago a helpful hint to save money. A viewer talked about how she saves money on her electric bill by unplugging all the things she uses when she is not using them. With the exception of the alarm clock, microwave and fridge/freezer, we started doing this.

Today we got our electric bill and it went down by $30! I showed my husband and we were both in shock.

EXTRA Credit: I wore one Christmas Sock and one white sock to work. Just felt like making a statement.

Day 247 (December 11th)--I finally figured it out

Some background on me is that until this year I had never had a car with a rear windshield wiper. My first car was an 88 Grand Am, then I had 3 different Dodge Neons and then my current car which is a PT Cruiser. This car come with a rear windshield wiper. The gadget to run the rear wiper is a little tricky and I could never figure out why it did not spray washer fluid. Today I was fiddling around with it on the way to work and finally figured it out. Yay! This may seem like a boring new thing, but in Minne-snow-ta! It's huge for me to have this and be able to work it!

-Jackie

Day 246 (December 10th)--Sweet Potato Fries and Mormons

Today I spent much of my day in the car heading up to a small town for a client team meeting. We had lunch in "the new restaurant" in that town and my sandwich came with sweet potato fries. They were okay but not a huge favorite in my book.

Extra Credit: On the way out I got stopped and evangalized to by some mormons waiting at the crosswalk. I have nothing against mormons I just do not want to be preached to on the way to my car after a client meeting. I told them I had a 2 hour drive home (which was true) and I was already running late. They told me to check their website. I went home with a migraine from all the driving and such.

-Jackie

Day 245 (December 9th)--If I could be sweet

Today I was picking up some groceries on the way home when I found the Nature's Sweet tomatoes. They come in a special container that you do not refrigerate. So I tried them. They are a lot better than the cherry tomatoes I have been getting lately...too bad my husband feels the same way.....I keep catching him grabbing one or two at a time on the way through the kitchen....

-Jackie

Day 244 (Decmember 8th)--That makes you larger than life

I was a little bored this evening and needed to figure out a new thing to do. I began to organize my CD shelf when I came across one of my Backstreet Boy Cd's from my College Days. I put it in and began to listen to Larger than life. It was then I remembered the scene from Napoleon Dynamite. So I did a cheesy reenactment of Summer's skit from the movie. I do not know that much sign language so it was a little off but it was funny!



-Jackie

Day 243 (December 7th)--Broke my Goal and then some

In January I set a goal for myself to read 50 books in one year and then list them all on my website (which then was Xanga). About a month ago I broke the record and decided to shoot for 52 books in a year--one for each week of the year. I ended up breaking both records. I finished book #53 this weekend and am halfway through book 54. It's not speed reading without remembering either--I take time to enjoy each book and remember them a great deal. My husband wants me to make a goal of 60 books by December 31st....I am not going to even try that!

-Jackie

Day 242--(December 6th)--Gators and Craft shows oh my!

Today I went to a Craft store in the Sports Center my city was putting on. I found some nice gifts for my Brother and niece. Unfortunately, there was a nice hand carved box I originally wanted to get my brother but since we are in a recession and finances are tight, I could not afford it. The gift I got him he will love though. =)

I also watched a College Football game for the first time! Gators vs Bama! I was rooting for the Gators and was glad they won. I really like their Quarterback...he seems very genuine!

-Jackie

Day 241 (Dec 5th)---Eggs Dino

I was seeing my out of area clients today and on my way found out the small town restaurant I normally go to closed down because of the recession. =( So I stopped for Breakfast in the small town of the first client I saw at a hole in the wall called Dino's and had Eggs Benedict for the first time! I think I will have it more often. It was delicious!

-Jackie

Day 240 (Dec 4th)--You know you are in a recession when....

Today Mike and I went to McDonalds and they have substituted the Double cheeseburger with the McDouble--same thing but one slice instead of 2 so it could still be on the 99 cent menu. So my husband and I got that. But then when we were leaving our server gave us 2 small fries also! We didn't order them but did not argue! Never had that happen before!

I will say I do not like this recession at all and would not wish Obama's job of cleaning this big mess that built up over the last 4 years to anyone! (NOTE: PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS MY BLOG AND I WILL NOT ALLOW ANY COMMENTS AGAINST OBAMA IN. I feel that as our new President people need to come and support his Presidency instead of being hateful and saying rude comments. I will step off my soapbox now...)

-Jackie

Day 239--December 3rd---Why??

Today I had a meeting downtown. The last time I was downtown I could not find the destination I was looking for--Block E by the Hard Rock Cafe and the Target Center amongst other things. Today I ended up driving right by it on the way home. Why is it that when I am not looking for a destination it is right in from of me?

-Jackie

Day 238--(December 2nd)--Wrong Month

Today I was getting working and planning the day around a doctors appointment I had at 4PM this afternoon...or so I thought....I went to my insurance's website to check my upcoming appointments....I had an appointment all right...on the 2nd of JANUARY! :0 So I had the right day...but the wrong month!

-Jackie

Day 237--Dec 2nd--Here's the Story...

....of a lovely lady....yeah....you get the spiel. Today I began reading a book I have been waiting for (for months). I was #75 on the waiting list to start out with, if that gives you any idea. It's called "Here's the Story" by Maureen McCormick....better known as Marcia Brady. I was worried at first that this book would mirror the horrible read I had when I read Valerie Bertinelli's Book "Losing It."(that book was TERRIBLE). But this has been a pleasantly surprising book to read. She does not make excuses for herself or flaunt her past trists with men (like Bertinelli did.) She was honest about her upbringing and Life's lessons.

-Jackie

Day 236--(Nov 30th)--Our own Turkey Day

Thanksgiving was a little Rocky for me this year for reasons I do not want to get into (family stuff) but I have always wanted to have my own Thanksgiving dinner so today we did. Watched some (terrible) football games and had our Turkey, rolls and Mashed Potatoes. Here are some pics of this. I posed my dog for the one by the stove. He would not normally jump up like that! =)

-Jackie

Day 235--November 29th--Random Sernenade Part 2

Last year I started a yearly tradition to bell ring for the Salvation Army. This year while doing so I was randomly serenaded by a donor to the Red Kettle. I did not know the song...it was something about giving a penny and God blessing you. My volunteer work there each Holiday season warms my heart and I enjoy helping out!

-Jackie

Day 234--November 28th---where do I begin?

Today was one of those days where I did a lot of new things....here they are in no particular order.

-Watched Sisterhood of the Traveling pants too and did not like it. It was as if they smooshed the last 2 books together into one big mess!

-Watched the Polar Express. This could become one of my favorite Christmas movies!

-Tried Cerries Chocolate covered Cherries. I think I will stick to the Queen Anne kind from now on.

-Jackie