Reason to wear sunscreen....

So you dont get laughed at by your friends when you happen to match your shirt the next day! I wont mention any names, bu *Thanks Jess!!*

I have learned my lesson this year, as I have to every year it seems, that if I go to the beach, I should not delay putting on sunscreen. I had figured that if I waited to put on sunscreen until after an hour or so, then I would definitely get some color on my face and not head home pale as usual...never again...or atleast not this year...

I am finally starting to turn to a nice tan color - with the exception of some peeling (yuck!)

So here are a few pictures of the night after the beach that I took all by myself with the timer feature on my camera - yes I am a wonderful photographer and I should win awards for these! Keep in mind the flash actually mellowed out some of the red, but you get the idea. And of course some pictures of me and Lindz...24 hours after the beach...

New Perspectives...

Sometimes something happens in life that completely changes your perspective...this weekend was one of those times.

As some of you already know, I headed to the beach on Saturday for the first time this year. And me, with all my wisdom, decided to forgoe putting on sunscreen for the first hour or so in hopes of getting some color to go home with. I ended up coming home with the color red. Lots and lots of red. (Don't worry, pictures to come later...) My normal body temperature of "cold" was vastily different. I sat through church fanning myself, radiating heat to those people sitting around me. By last evening some of the red had gone down, but the swelling hadn't really (apparently bad sunburns cause me to swell, ug!). Then this morning comes...
I wake up and take a shower, but as I was solarcaine-ing and lotion-ing myself up, I glanced in the mirror and almost cried. The swelling was going down in my face - only, it wasn't all going down at the same rate or dispersing evenly over my face. The bridge of my nose and the area around the insides of my eyes was still swollen. Everything else was not. My face just doesnt look the same and I hate it. No amount of eye makeup tricks could solve the issue. Every time I look in the mirror I dont see me.

There have been many times in the past where I have thought it would be nice to have another face or body, but what I came to realize this morning was that I like my face. I like me. I want to look like ME. Crazy how a sunburn can change a person's perspectives on life...

What the...!?!

I swear, there are sometimes while at work that I honestly wish I wasn't young and nice and, what can I say, cute!

There's this guy who's probably in his 30's who comes in on a regular basis. He's always been nice and polite to everyone in the lab but lately he has been kinda creepin me out...for instance...last week he was heading down to the lab - he had just stepped off the stairs and started heading in the direction of the lab, when he glanced back and noticed I was behind him on the stairs and he stopped and waited to walk with me. I was more than a few steps away and he had to wait a good 20 seconds for me to reach the point where he was. Then he started talking with me and walked by me into the lab. While there have been a few other minor, little instances of slightly too much attention being headed my way, last week went to a new level of freaky. He always talks to me know if I am at the desk, and if I happen to not be, and just passing through the lab he always looks up at me and smiles. And just now when I got off the desk he looked up to see where I was headed and smiled at me...AH! Why me...while he is not nearly as creepy as many of the others who come in the lab, I must say, I'm creeped out!

*Sigh* like I always say, security guards, or even better yet, bodyguards, would be nice to have in the lab...

Amazing Read...

So I absolutely LOVE the book For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn - its for women to learn why men are the way they are...to give us females some insight into the craziness of males...

Well...she and her husband recently released a book titled For Men Only - can you guess what its about...women...and why we do and say the crazy things we do. So I decided I was curious if this book was any good and decided to purchase it to read...can I just say, WOW. I even have learned a few things from this book...for instance why I sometimes act the way I do...once I read what they discovered I had an "A Ha!" moment - a sudden realization that - yes, this is whats going on inside of me! And I am not the only one!

I highly recommend this book to any male who wants to try to truly understand and love a woman. A few of the things talked about in this book are so simple to do, yet mean so much to a woman...trust me, its worth the time to read!!!

Good Things...

This weekend was one of the toughest weekends I have experienced in a long time...while I was not directly involved in the "events" of this weekend, I was still worried sick and emotionally drained...After a weekend like that it is often hard to believe blessings will fall on you...but they have.

I tried my best to be faithful throughout the ordeal of this weekend, and consistently and constantly was turning to God.

Today my work schedule got changed for the better! I don't have to work Monday nights for a few months - which means more time to do computer work during the day, more free time, AND I get to watch the season finale of 24 live and not taped!!!! I know this sounds like a crazy kind of blessing, but it really is - the little things often matter the most...

AND - Melissa will be home tomorrow!!!! YAY!!!!!!

Thanks for the prayers...

Just wanted to thank everyone for praying for my boss and her family this weekend...some of you know the details, most of you don't, but thank you all so much! A situation that had the potential of being devastating to a family, turned out okay. God really watched over them and I thank God for it!

I also wanted to say sorry if I was snippy or tired or just plain stressed out this weekend...this was weighing deep on my heart and mind all weekend....

I can't believe I am at a loss for words as to what I should title my blog...I think I need more sleep!

So last night was Rich's birthday - which I must say was loads of fun to bombard Hacienda with people singing loudly and badly to Rich!! - which meant I was dead tired by the time I got home (I even skipped out of hanging out later at Laura's!) and there was no physically possible way for me to work out this morning. I knew I needed to get up and work out this morning to make up for taking a day off, and I also knew that was not going to be an easy feat. Lucky for me I have Lindsey - and together we devised a full-proof plan...if I didnt get up and workout I would have to do 20 pushups Sunday at nevaeH - in front of everyone. Now push-ups are not my thing...they hurt and I, well, suck at them. So the last thing I wanted to do was have to do 20 of them in front of people! Waking up this morning at 7 a.m. was not so hard then...thanks Linds!

Oh yeah - please pray for my boss...she is going to have to have surgery for her neurological problem and it may be coming really darn soon...more details later...

Quirky Quiz

Q1) Last thing you burned while attempting to cook?I normally dont burn stuff, but this morning my waffle got a little brown and almost burned because someone changed the setting on the toaster!

Q2) What is one good trait you have?I love helping others.

Q3) How long does it take to get ready for your day?Depends - in the morning - 40-45 minutes, in the afternoon or evening, 25-30 minutes

Q4) Where do you live?Mishawaka

Q5) How many people have you thought were "the one"?Honestly, one - but looking back it was obviously wrong

Q6) What is something that turns you off from the opposite sex?Creepiness

Q7) Who is the funniest person you know?Hmmm...Probably Jess or Aaron

Q8) What's in your CD player right now?Rascal Flatts newest album!

Q9) What do you like about the neighborhood you live in?Dont live in a neighborhood - live on a busy road

Q10) What are you hoping for?Many things - a great time in India, nicer weather, finding "the one", starting a family

Q11) What kind of toothpaste do you use?Crest White Expressions Vanilla - I love it!

Q12) What time do you usually go to bed?Varies, but an average of around 11

Q13) Last movie you saw?I can't even remember...

Q14) Last TV show you watched?House

Q15) Tackiest thing you have in your house?Hmmm...tacky huh...probably my big red stuffed dog with sunglasses on that I won!

Q16) What movie do you find funny that most others don't?Empire Records! I LOVE this movie - cracks me up all the time!

Q17) Who do you have a crush on?Matthew McConaughey - just kidding :)

Q18) What time is it right now?4:36 - I finally got to take a break at work!

Q19) Are you planning a vacation/travel?Yup - to India in August!

Q20) When/Where was the last time you traveled?Not much besides to Indy in November

Q21) What hair color do you like in the opposite sex?Depends on the guyQ

22) How old will you be in 10 years?35 - eek!

Q23) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?Married to a wonderful man, a few kids, hopefully being a stay at home mom or working part time, growing together as a family and serving Christ together

Q24) Sinful snacking weakness?Chocolate or Salt and Vinegar chips

Q25) Roller Coasters?Yeah baby!

Q26) Ever run out of gas?Nope - afraid I was going to once, but no fear, I made it

Q27) Ever been on a train?When I was in preschool but I dont really remember it - apparently I get to ride a train in India...apparently its a time I wont forget.

Q28) Ever been on a blind date? Kinda, I dont recommend it!

Q29) Ever been to Europe?nope but possibly in August on the way to India

Q30) Do you have a ritual before bed?Often I work out, then wash my face, take out my contacts, brush my teeth, put on my pjs, sit in bed reading and studying my bible, sometimes reading another book then set my alarm and turn off the light.

Q31) Projects you would like to start/finish?Reorganizing my stuff

Q32) Ever been arrested?Heck no!

Q33) Have a crush on anyone you work with?At previous jobs - and occasionally on guys who come in to fix things

Q34) What is something you believe in?God, love, goodness in others, people I love

Q35) What is something you fear?Snakes

Q36) Big or small?Hmmm...I'm going to not answer this question since I am not confident in what it is asking

Q37) What is the worst physical pain you have ever experienced?Pain that feels like someone is stabbing you with a knife and you want to cut parts of your insides out because it has to hurt less

Q38) What is your favorite television show?24!!!

Q39) Ever photoshopped yourself to look better in a picture?uh, no

Q40) Tell us something about your childhood?I was a cross between a tomboy (hanging out with my dad and grandpa building stuff) and a girly girl playing with dolls, dressing up and baking!

Q41) What would it cost you to flash the person next to you?Lots of money, although its Deb and she would just laugh

Q42) Best time to catch you in a good mood?When I'm around people I love, when its a beautiful day outside, when I am in my environment

Q43) Name one perk you have?I dont get fines at the library

Q44) Do you play an instrument?Used to play the clarinet and the piano

Q45) What instrument would you like to learn?Guitar or piano again

Q46) Ever been on a horse?twice - I really want to learn to ride though

Q47) Favorite kind of ice cream?Most recently Haagen Dasz Light Mint Chip - its amazing!!

Q48) What song are you listening to right now?Nothing at the moment

Q49) If you could sucker punch one person who would it be?One of the creepy library people!

Q50) Would you like to tell us one of your secrets?I wiggle my toes---almost always---at any given time a part of my body is moving, and it started in the womb...I am curious though if I stop moving at night...hmmm...

Quirky Quiz

Q1) Last thing you burned while attempting to cook?I normally dont burn stuff, but this morning my waffle got a little brown and almost burned because someone changed the setting on the toaster!

Q2) What is one good trait you have?I love helping others.

Q3) How long does it take to get ready for your day?Depends - in the morning - 40-45 minutes, in the afternoon or evening, 25-30 minutes

Q4) Where do you live?Mishawaka

Q5) How many people have you thought were "the one"?Honestly, one - but looking back it was obviously wrong

Q6) What is something that turns you off from the opposite sex?Creepiness

Q7) Who is the funniest person you know?Hmmm...Probably Jess or Aaron

Q8) What's in your CD player right now?Rascal Flatts newest album!

Q9) What do you like about the neighborhood you live in?Dont live in a neighborhood - live on a busy road

Q10) What are you hoping for?Many things - a great time in India, nicer weather, finding "the one", starting a family

Q11) What kind of toothpaste do you use?Crest White Expressions Vanilla - I love it!

Q12) What time do you usually go to bed?Varies, but an average of around 11

Q13) Last movie you saw?I can't even remember...

Q14) Last TV show you watched?House

Q15) Tackiest thing you have in your house?Hmmm...tacky huh...probably my big red stuffed dog with sunglasses on that I won!

Q16) What movie do you find funny that most others don't?Empire Records! I LOVE this movie - cracks me up all the time!

Q17) Who do you have a crush on?Matthew McConaughey - just kidding :)

Q18) What time is it right now?4:36 - I finally got to take a break at work!

Q19) Are you planning a vacation/travel?Yup - to India in August!

Q20) When/Where was the last time you traveled?Not much besides to Indy in November

Q21) What hair color do you like in the opposite sex?Depends on the guyQ

22) How old will you be in 10 years?35 - eek!

Q23) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?Married to a wonderful man, a few kids, hopefully being a stay at home mom or working part time, growing together as a family and serving Christ together

Q24) Sinful snacking weakness?Chocolate or Salt and Vinegar chips

Q25) Roller Coasters?Yeah baby!

Q26) Ever run out of gas?Nope - afraid I was going to once, but no fear, I made it

Q27) Ever been on a train?When I was in preschool but I dont really remember it - apparently I get to ride a train in India...apparently its a time I wont forget.

Q28) Ever been on a blind date? Kinda, I dont recommend it!

Q29) Ever been to Europe?nope but possibly in August on the way to India

Q30) Do you have a ritual before bed?Often I work out, then wash my face, take out my contacts, brush my teeth, put on my pjs, sit in bed reading and studying my bible, sometimes reading another book then set my alarm and turn off the light.

Q31) Projects you would like to start/finish?Reorganizing my stuff

Q32) Ever been arrested?Heck no!

Q33) Have a crush on anyone you work with?At previous jobs - and occasionally on guys who come in to fix things

Q34) What is something you believe in?God, love, goodness in others, people I love

Q35) What is something you fear?Snakes

Q36) Big or small?Hmmm...I'm going to not answer this question since I am not confident in what it is asking

Q37) What is the worst physical pain you have ever experienced?Pain that feels like someone is stabbing you with a knife and you want to cut parts of your insides out because it has to hurt less

Q38) What is your favorite television show?24!!!

Q39) Ever photoshopped yourself to look better in a picture?uh, no

Q40) Tell us something about your childhood?I was a cross between a tomboy (hanging out with my dad and grandpa building stuff) and a girly girl playing with dolls, dressing up and baking!

Q41) What would it cost you to flash the person next to you?Lots of money, although its Deb and she would just laugh

Q42) Best time to catch you in a good mood?When I'm around people I love, when its a beautiful day outside, when I am in my environment

Q43) Name one perk you have?I dont get fines at the library

Q44) Do you play an instrument?Used to play the clarinet and the piano

Q45) What instrument would you like to learn?Guitar or piano again

Q46) Ever been on a horse?twice - I really want to learn to ride though

Q47) Favorite kind of ice cream?Most recently Haagen Dasz Light Mint Chip - its amazing!!

Q48) What song are you listening to right now?Nothing at the moment

Q49) If you could sucker punch one person who would it be?One of the creepy library people!

Q50) Would you like to tell us one of your secrets?I wiggle my toes---almost always---at any given time a part of my body is moving, and it started in the womb...I am curious though if I stop moving at night...hmmm...

Belt Loops & Snakes & Freckles...oh my!

Randomness for today... (actually yesterday but my post didnt work right!)

For the last month I have been consistently watching what I have been putting in my mouth, chewing and swallowing...and for the last week and a half I have worked out everyday with the exception of one. Of course scales suck! But on Sunday someone noticed that my face was getting thinner...THEN...last night I was re-doing my belt when I suddenly looked down and realized that I had fastened it on the tightest notch!!! Now a month ago I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this task even with sucking everything in and here I was, fastening it on the tighest notch without even trying or noticing!! It just naturally went on its own!!! Needless to say I ran out into the vicinity of my family and proceeded to jump and flail around from excitement!

Monday night I had an India meeting - and near the end the topic of snakes - cobras to be exact - was brought up as some people have had encounters with them while visiting...as many of you well know - Jeanna has a deathly fear of snakes!!! PRAY FOR ME!

Noticed this morning that being out in the sun has made some freckles begin to appear - forgot this happens every year and kinda sorta like them...hmmm...crazy I know!

Missing blogs...

So I realized lately when I typed up quick blogs I only posted them on my myspace, which many of you do not have...so...to see those and read about the craziness that is my life...visit

www.myspace.com/jeanna37

I miss my friend...

Today has been a harder day than I expected. 5 years and a few odd hours ago I lost an amazing friend. Bob truly loved people, loved them like Christ calls us to love them. He was the first person I ever knew who lived that way. So today, on this terribly hard day, I am posting this blog in his memory...

Bob was the kinda guy everybody loved. I can honestly say I never met a person who did not immediately like Bob - he was loved by many! He was outgoing, absolutly crazy and yet always made you feel like you were someone...that you were special...that his life was better because you were in it.

Bob gave the best hugs. Many of my friends now are amazing huggers, but Bob just had a way about him. He was a fairly tall guy, measuring around 6'2 I would guess, and when he hugged me I always hit right in the middle of his chest. He would hold me tight as I breathed in the smell of his cologne. To this day whenever I smell "Bob" it makes me feel loved - like he is enveloping me in his arms.

Bob was one of those guys who would do anything and everything he thought would be funny or entertaining...he didnt care what people thought, he did it anyway. One night a few of us friends were at a video store picking out movies, when out of nowhere Bob dropped to one knee next to me and VERY LOUDLY begged me to marry him - that he couldnt live without me. I was mortified! I was shy and quiet in public places during my high school years and I DID NOT want attention called to me. I must have turned 3 shades of red! I told him I couldnt marry him without a ring. So he promptly bought me a plastic gold coin ring out of a machine and said we were engaged. He even bought me an "engagement" present - a single of my then favorite song, Truly Madly Deeply (yes I am that old that in high school they still had single albums on cassette)

Bob was one of my closest guy friends who was always there for me. At my prom he "saved" me a few times from my psychotic date - and he was the only person I danced there.

I can tell you exactly where I was and who was around the morning of the May 6th when I heard Bob had been killed in an accident the day before. At first I refused to believe it was true that someone so full of life could be gone. He had just finished up his first year at Ball State and had just returned home for summer break. We had emailed a few days before and were planning on getting together that afternoon I found out he had died. My world came crashing down. I dont remember a lot about the days before the funeral, only bits and pieces. His funeral was probably the hardest one I have ever had to attend. The thing that sticks out the most in my mind was the amount of people who showed up to his viewing. Hundreds of people came...some of them people he had only met once...they all came.

If there was one thing that came out of Bob having to die at such a young age, it would have to be my realization that life is too short. That I need to live my life without regrets. That I need to live each day to the fullest. And that I need to love people well.

Every year Cinco de Mayo gets a little easier to deal with...every year its easier to remember Bob with a smile, not a tear. But today, I still miss my friend.

Pain is good...or so I've been told...

Many many many times in my life I have been told "No pain, no gain" or "pain is good"...
While I know these facts are true, when you are IN pain, its not quite so easy to stomach.
This last weekend I re-dedicated myself to getting in shape. I actually love to work out, but when I get out of the habit, I tend to forget how much I love it. Or I just can't seem to find the time to fit it in.

Back in January I made a resolution to lose 20 pounds by my birthday, a task which will not occur by the way, but I decided I needed to lose weight, get healthier and overall feel better. Then February hit - a woman I was very close to died unexpectedly and I hit bottom without even realizing I was falling. I stopped reading my bible, I stopped working out, I stopped caring about myself. I was sad. Then I was just plain angry. I not only got behind on my weightloss goal, I got behind in my Bible reading also. I took me about a month to hear God calling my name - He had been reaching out to me for over a month, and I had chosen to ignore Him, too wrapped up in my own pain.

While I had started getting back on the right track with God, and have grown leaps and bounds since God's swift kick in the tush, I still hadn't been able to get myself to focus on working out. I started walking on my lunch breaks but still wasn't in any routine. Then this weekend happened.

I realized how far I had drifted from my goal in January and how important good health is to my purpose and mission (in case you haven't heard, I'm going to India in August...) We did a lot of walking uphill this past weekend and while it hurt by the end of the weekend, I felt great! So, last night, after watching 24, at 10 o'clock at night I decided to workout. And man was it an awesome workout! I just kept going, and then instead of cooling off and going to bed, I did a ton of ab exercises.

The ironic thing about my life is the correlation to my working out and my Bible study. I tend to work out at night since I can't get up early! But the cool thing is that when I workout I get a burst of energy for about an hour afterwards, which I put to use pouring into my Bible. Before I could only stay awake for about 15-20 minutes for time with God, and now, here I am staying up later, and yet somehow having energy today.

So while I am in pain (eek!) I know that tonight I am going to workout yet again - because I want to for me, I need to for me and most importantly, I need to for God.
I guess pain can be good sometimes...

This Weekend....

This weekend was one of the most amazing weekends I have had in a long time! I got to spend the weekend with some of the most amazing women, had some amazing God time, got completely crazy at times, and had some amazing conversations...I can't even express in words the joy inside of me right now. God is truly great!

On a side note, there is an extremely crazy "documentary" that was made of our weekend - let me just say, you will have a tiny glimpse into our lives this weekend and it may scare you...a crazy, wonderful time was had by all!

Here are a few pictures (of the MANY) to give you a little taste of our WONDERFUL weekend!!!

Kate filming our "documentary"

Luggage Cart RACES!!

Hotties!

Lo and Jeans worshipping!

Yes we are fabulous women!

We are every man's fantasy and God's reality!

Laura hunting peoples! I think she caught a Sarah!

Saturday night kisses

Erin and Stephanie!

Lindz and Cara lookin so adorable!

Jeanna and Julie on Sunday morning...yea we were tired by this time!

Crazy worship on Sunday!