Annual Update

Hello there! It's hard to believe that nearly a solid year has passed since last I updated this old blog. But I'm here now, wishing you all another Happy New Year!

When last I wrote, Bob and I were looking forward to 2012 - here are the updates:

• New challenges and opportunities at work - We enjoyed some of these, but perhaps not as many as we might have like. Onward!
• A hugely successful (and hopefully final) surgery for our nephew - HOORAY! The nephew's surgery was a great success and he is doing very well!
• Finally undertaking long-neglected home improvement projects - kitchen, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, lighting, etc. - It is done! After many years of dreaming, we finally have a brandy new kitchen + many updates to the living area, and we love it!

• Two - or perhaps three - big family weddings - My cousin's son and his new bride, and my sweet niece and her new husband celebrated their nuptials with loads of family; ourselves included. Fun times! 
• Unprecidented vacation time with some of our favorite people (to include our first trip to Canada!) - We spent a gloriously relaxing week with S. and D. in Vermont. It was beautiful, though we did not venture into Canada. Next time, perhaps.
• Planning and saving for our 15th anniversary trip to Germany (2013)! - We decided against Germany for several reasons, but we have begun planning the trip for this summer. We'll wave hello to you as we travel through the great northwest by train!
• And, perhaps, a renewed interest in writing... ? - This one obviously didn't pan out. Perhaps 2013 will bring a change of heart? You never know.

My very best Happy New Year wishes to you and yours!
XO
Jodi

Dear 2012 - Please Play Nice

After a difficult 2011, we are happy to welcome a brandy new year!

We're looking forward to:

• New challenges and opportunities at work
• A hugely successful (and hopefully final) surgery for our nephew
• Finally undertaking long-neglected home improvement projects - kitchen, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, lighting, etc.
• Two - or perhaps three - big family weddings
• Unprecidented vacation time with some of our favorite people (to include our first trip to Canada!)
• Planning and saving for our 15th anniversary trip to Germany (2013)!
• And, perhaps, a renewed interest in writing... ?

So, 2012 - You can see that we have big plans... Please play nice!

XO
Jodi

An Apology, Anniversary & Announcement

First, an apology: There are loads of reasons I haven't updated this blog since the dawn of time. The reasons belong to me and my family, and we're not saying exactly what went down. So please, accept my unapologetically cryptic apology for being absent from the blogging world. I mean no harm!

Second, an anniversary:  My dear, sweet, beloved husband and I celebrated our THIRTEENTH wedding anniversary this weekend. Yes, yes we DID get married on Independence day, with the full knowledge that doing so was sort of an oxymoron. But we had the wedding of our dreams, complete with a giant hog-roast, melting wedding cake, tons of booze and free fireworks!  And because the 4th is an annual event, we simply rinse and repeat, year after year. We love that y'all set off fireworks in our honor. You're too kind!

Third, an announcement: I have finally landed a brandy-new job!  When I quit my last gig in January, I wasn't at all sure I would land something better - I just knew I needed something different. As it turns out, I've landed something similar, but also more exciting and challenging. I can't wait to dig in to my new role!

Thanks to my reader(s) for coming back here to check that I am still breathing; sorry it took so long to show signs of life.  I am here and I'm looking forward with great anticipation to all that is to come. I think it's gonna be HUGE!

XO
Jodi

Living on the Edge

After ages of considering and praying over a difficult and life-changing decision - I did it!

For too many years I have worked in a dead-end job I loath while sending out bazillions of resumes without getting much in the way of response. I have finally taken my life back. I submitted my notice of resignation this week, and I could not possibly be more pleased!

I have no new job lined up.* I have no real plan for making ends meet while I'm unemployed. What I do have is a sense of optimism I haven't had in an incredibly long time. And DAMN that feels good! The world is my oyster, once again.

Yes, starting over is scary as hell, but I believe I'm up to the challenge. Sure, we'll suffer a bit while I'm unemployed, but we'll deal with it - I'll find some part-time gig so we can pay the bills while I search out my new career.

It feels so wonderful to dream again. I'm so happy I could dance a jig!

XO
Jodi

* If you happen to know of an Indy-based organization searching for a brilliant publishing expert, writer/editor, and/or operations/office/support manager with ages of experience, the aptitude for quickly learning new processes, and glowing recommendations from co-workers, employees and clients... let me know! ;)

More Christmas Shopping...

I just ordered Bruno's Christmas gifts! As per my usual ways the gifts are more practical than fun, but I'm anticipating their arrival none the less.
The truly practical purchase is in the form a more suitable crate for the delightful boy. He's outgrown the 30" W x 48" L x 32" H crate we bought when he was still a pup. I had hoped by now (at 15 months old) he could casually hang out in and roam the house during work hours, but he's still too full of puppy mischief for us to allow that kind of freedom. So, Merry Christmas, Bruno! A new 37" W x 54" L x 45" H crate is all yours, with love from Santa.

Look how tiny my baby boy was just 12 months ago!

And look at him now! WOW!

The more fun purchase is another MollyMutt dog bed (stuff sack and duvet)! Bruno loves the one we have in the living room and I've been thinking for awhile about buying another for him to use at night in the bedroom. I hope having a bed there will encourage him to sleep outside of the crate during the night. Even with the larger crate on order, and the fact that we never close the crate's door at night, I hate that he spends so much of his time cooped up. Though truth be told, he doesn't seem as bothered by it as I am.Check out the new duvet fabric from MollyMutt. It speaks to the teacher deep inside me. I love it, and YES, I ordered it!

XO

Jodi

Merry Christmas to Me!

There is at least one person in my audience who will not believe that I am typing this entry on a brandy-new laptop computer! My one and only Black Friday purchase is turning out to be a BIG winner. Who would've guessed that advanced technology was so... advanced?

I've relegated the seven-year-old, slow as snail laptop to Bob. He's happy to use it as entertainment during commercial breaks in his television programs. I'm personally thrilled that I can surf the interweb with lightening speed, AND stream videos or music simultaneously.

I know! How remarkable is that? Before we know it they'll be making telephones that will fit in our pockets.

I'm thinking about putting the abacus out with next Friday's garbage.

XO
Jodi

Regarding the New TSA Screening Procedures

I don't really have a problem with the new scatter-back body imaging machines at airports. But then, I don't fly all that frequently and I am somewhat opposed to being blown to bits when I do*. While I'm less than thrilled to have some random TSA employee checking out my overweight, middle-aged naked body, I'm fairly certain the TSA agent is no more pleased with seeing my nakedness than I am every morning. Who wants to look at that?

So, what happens if I opt out of the naked body scanner do-dad? It seems we've learned recently that opting out of the scan could result in a fairly invasive pat-down, but before we all get crazy about this "invasion", we should maybe ask for a little clarification on the pat-down protocol.

What if the potential airline passenger were allowed to select the TSA employee of their choice for the pat-down screening? As an long-ago married woman, if I find myself in line for the naked body scanner and spy a hunky, delightful example of manhood in the TSA agent lineup, I may choose to refuse the scan, just for a momentary thrill.

I think if the choice of potential pat-down agents were made available to all passengers, the need for and cost of those machines could be cut dramatically!

Saving your tax dollars with common sense, and the occasional thrill of a pat-down.

XO

Jodi

* No, I do not believe that either security measure actually makes us safer to fly the friendly skies. Nothing short of the abolition of hatred could accomplish that task.