The Meandering Thoughts of Jan

Today I was reading a post online, nothing deep or too thought-provoking.  In it the author said, "I was so blessed to be able to visit (insert awesome country to travel to here)."  When I read it the first thought that came to my mind was, "Hmmm, I would have probably said 'lucky' in that phrase, but I really like that this person said 'blessed' instead."  I don't know why this struck me at this particular moment.  It isn't like it was the first time I've ever heard the word, but it got me thinking.  My whole drive home from work I pondered on the idea and knowledge that I am blessed, in so many countless ways.  I had this desire to never use the word "lucky" again, to eradicate it from my vocabulary and instead incorporate the word "blessed" as a way to send a simple praise of gratitude to the one above from where all good things come from.  Blessed: it's a prayer of thanksgiving in just one word.  I am blessed.

I've been dealing with a mental blogging block for weeks now.  Even as we speak, I've been staring at my keyboard for a full 2 minutes trying to decide what else to say after this first sentence.  At the same time, I feel this pent up need to write something, anything.  A lot has been going on with my life, but I just don't know how to put it all into words, well coherent words, so I've been sticking with not saying much. Two weeks ago I had a little bit of a burned out melt down (just ask Danny)  about how life lately has been feeling like an eternal check list.  My melt downs usually consist of me dramatically flinging myself on the bed and complaining to Danny.  Work has been a marathon and my church calling seems to fill in the cracks of spare time.  I shouldn't complain, since I really have been enjoying my new responsibilities given to me at work.  It's just been a lot lately.  However, this Saturday I went to an activity to help out some young women who

I haven't blogged for awhile, not about recent life anyway. The reasoning there is that I haven't been feeling particularly well lately, which causes me to toss and turn at night, which leads to me being cranky and whiny.  To avoid everyone having to endure a cranky, whiny post, I have stayed silent.  Well, online silent, Danny has definitely heard my whining, but he is nice about it. (Or puts on his headphones and plays the guitar, one of the two.)   So here is some stuff that has happened lately.  I'm not promising super exciting stuff, just stuff. One evening, I was particularly not feeling that great and in the mood described above.  Danny, in his brilliance, suggested we watched a Coldplay concert that was on Netflix, telling me it would make me feel better.  Guess what, it actually did make feel better!  Thanks Coldplay and Danny.  I particularly enjoyed and giggled a little at all of their English expressions.  That always makes me so happy and a bit England home

I finished reading The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean awhile ago, but I found it so meh, that it has taken me awhile to actually sit down and write a review.  Maybe I just don't love vintage dresses enough, but I really found it a mediocre chick-lit book.  I should have known, since I don't really love chick-lit books in the first place. Anyway, it is about a girl named Dora who is in her last semester of college, but doesn't have any direction in her life and is in love with her boss who is flirty but really isn't in to her.  Dora gets a call from her aunt that her grandma Mimi has had a stroke.  She drops everything and heads home.  Mimi was the one who raised Dora, since her parents died when she was a baby.  Dora comes back to run Mimi's vintage dress shop while Mimi is in the hospital in a coma.  Then she has to fight off her "evil" relatives who want to take over the shop and of course she meets some guy and there is a love triangle.  We

Feb. 2 - Even though it was Groundhog's Day, I felt rather accomplished that I put my Valentine's decorations. Feb. 2 - How Danny and I commemorated Groundhog's Day.  We also watched the movie IQ.  It's a cute one, if you haven't seen it. Feb. 3 - Bonding with the newest nephew.  Isn't he so precious!? Feb. 9 - While visiting my parents, my dad got out his cool guitar from Brazil.  Danny has always wanted to play it.  Since he wasn't there, I decided to strum a few chords and take a picture to make him jealous. Thoughtful, I know. Feb. 9 - My, what lovely eyes you have...I love hanging out with my awesome nephew, JM. Feb. 13 - Twas' the night before Valetine's when all through the house, there were red and pink decorations and a cute beardy spouse. The sugar cookies had sprinkles and were frosted with care, They were delicious, sweet treats from ma mere... Feb. 14 - Best. Husband. Ever.  Danny surprised me for Valenti