Oh Hey Blog!

I have not forgotten you blog.  There has been SO much going on lately, and between all that has been going on I've been doing nothing, which I enjoy very much.  Thanksgiving was great, ate lots of food with family, played games.  I learned how to play Pitch..now I want to start a card club.  We did have friends up a few weekends back for our first shot at a card club.  We had a pretty good time!  In other news, one of my best friends, Brooke got married this last weekend!  It was a beautiful wedding, and we had a great time!  I will try to get some pictures up on here sometime, I also need to update you on my Pinterest projects! And as for this weekend, we have the 3rd annual Sliva Family Outing!  I'm getting excited... and curious as to what we are doing.  My sister Lisa and Bryan are in charge this year and have been keeping their lips sealed pretty tight.  Hmmmm.... we will see!  It is also my dad's birthday on Saturday, this year we will also be including Tom's family in our outing.  It will be a bittersweet day that's for sure.  But with all the suprises in store, I have no doubt it will be a day to remember! :)  Is everyone done with their Christmas shopping?!  I plan to start and finish on Sunday.  Yes, start... we have not gotten a single gift yet.  I work better under pressure, always have... =S  I can't think of anything else to share right now, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet.  Just like me, HA!!!  Ya right, some of you are thinking.  Any who.. enjoy the last weekend before the holidays and God bless you... everyone. : )  Jenna xoxo

Broken

I broke my blog... As you can see to the right and left, my background is cut off.  I thought I was more advanced with this whole blog thing than I actually am.  I went to add a different background from a different website, and made a big uh-oh, and now I cannot get it back to how it used to be.  So there for, the only solution to this is to start a new blog page.  In the next week, I will hope to have a new page started.  I will post the new site on to this blog.  What a pain!

On the bright side, Thanksgiving is tomorrow!!  I love this holiday.  There are no costumes, no gifts, just family, food, and fun.  I like to call it the "Triple F Threat."  No, I actually don't... I just pulled that out of you know where.  I'm weird today... oh wait, I am everyday.  So remember to give thanks tomorrow for everything around us.  I am thankful for a 4 day weekend!  And MANY other things. :)  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Jenna xoxo

So True.

Phew!

Tis the season…for fertilizing fields??  So much for that fresh, crisp fall air.  At work, we couldn’t be luckier to have freshly laid manure to the south of us, with blustery 30 mph winds coming directly from the south.  Take a whiff of that… YUCK!  I think it left a lasting impression on our New Jersey customers yesterday.  Nebraska already get’s a bad enough rap, and then to throw that crap on top of it, (pun intended.) 

On a fresher note.. It’s Friday!!  Gosh it was a long week, but worth the wait because tonight I will be gallivanting the streets of downtown Lincoln with some girlfriends!   So watch out Lincoln, I will be frolicking around my college playground once again!  I can’t wait to go to Duffy’s and get a fish bowl, get Elk Creek water at Sandy’s, the inevitable late “lunch” at Jimmy John’s, and then stay at the Holiday Inn Downtown.  Hmmm, I’m thinking packing a hangover kit of Gatorade, water and Tylenol may be in my best interest.  As for the rest of the weekend, I plan to start on my collage project (stay tuned for more details,) relax and head to Thanksgiving in Norfolk on Sunday.  I couldn’t be more excited to have a short week next week!  Having Wednesday be my “Friday” is enough to make me want to jump up and down and do a happy dance.  It’s almost sad how excited I get about a day off of work… oh well, at least I’m enjoying the simple things of life! J  

Is anyone else getting as excited as I am for the holiday’s?!  Every day when I get home from work, I turn on either Christmas music or a Christmas movie.  I actually just bought a Manaheim Steamroller Christmas cd at Goodwill the other night, best $2 I've spent in awhile!  My favorite Christmas movies I watch from, um.. Halloween until Christmas are the Griswold’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, Home Alone, and Polar Express.  Last night I watched Elf…. Again.  I really want to go see the new Christmas movie that is coming out, Arthur Christmas.  The last time I went to see a Christmas movie in the theater is when The Polar Express came out.  My mom and I went on a Sunday afternoon at the ripe young age of…… 17.  Go ahead, laugh, I don’t care.  It doesn’t matter what our age is, we all still have the kid we once were inside of us. Last weekend while I was babysitting I helped Ava write her letter to Santa. J  I hope Santa isn’t on a tight budget this year.  She asked for a BIG pool in the backyard, a BIG jumpy house, a Mercedes toy car, oh and popcorn.  Can’t forget the popcorn!  That was just to name a few of the items.  We went through the Target catalog and she picked out everything she wanted.  Then she signed her letter no less than 15 times, we sealed it all up, and she remembered she forgot something!!!! Playdoh.  So we opened it back up and I helped her write the word all by herself.  Boy was she excited about her letter.  Though she really didn’t know how the mail man gets it aaaaaallll the way to the North Pole. J  It little things like helping a child write a Christmas letter that makes Christmas such a special holiday.  Seeing the excitement on their faces is priceless.  Well I hope everyone enjoys their weekend!  Make everyday count! Jenna xoxo

11/11/11

Happy Friday ya’ll!!!  Sometimes I wish I had a southern accent.  Like the way Reese Witherspoon talks in Sweet Home Alabama.  Love that movie!  Have any of you ever wished you had an accent?  Well, we actually do.  I work with people all over the country and world and maybe a few months ago, I was helping some people from Canada and a guy was telling me that I have a strong Midwest accent, Midwest accent??  I asked him, what it is that I say or how do I talk that makes me have an accent.  And he said just right there, just how you said that!  That was the first time I was ever told I had an accent, but I suppose it makes sense, I just never thought of the way we talk here in Nebraska to be an “accent.”  But just like in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Minnesota, and North Carolina, we here in Nebraska have our own way of speaking also.

Today is 11/11/11, so that means a couple different things.  One, a boat load of people will be getting married today so their husband’s have no excuse not to remember their wedding anniversaries.  Second, it’s Veteran’s Day and Remembrance Day for you Canadians out there (I know some of you up there look at my blog, because it shows it on my demographic page J.)  Today lets remember those who have served our country, past, present and future.  These people have all made huge sacrifices to help protect us and our country, and for that we should all give thanks!!  We should all feel so proud to live here in America, the country of “awesome possibilities.”  I heard on the radio this morning that this is our countries new motto or slogan.  Mmmhmmm.  I wonder who came up with that?  They should be fired.  Just sayin’.

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend!  I will be heading to Lincoln to watch my little niece’s as my sister works and my brother-in-law’s go on a group bike ride from Lincoln to Columbus.  So I wish them luck!  You guys are crazy. J  As for the rest of the weekend, I hope to squeeze in some shopping, put all my fall décor away and get all my Christmas décor out.  It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a month and a half away!  Everyone have your Christmas letter’s sent to Santa?? ;)  Enjoy the weekend and the weather!!!  Jenna xoxo

Something Sweet

                                                     Stella Rossa
This wine is a must try!  It is my favorite.  Even for those of you who aren't big wine drinkers, I can promise you will like this one.  It has just the right amount of sweet.  For you West Point folk, you can find this wine at Petro Mart,  they usually have it in the cooler too so you can pop it open as soon as you get home!

Pray

Changing Traditions

As much as I love Christmas and am looking forward to Jarrod and I's first Christmas as husband and wife, my heart sinks when I think about the upcoming holidays.  For as long as I can remember, the Sliva family has spent Christmas Eve either at Grandma Sliva's or at my aunt and uncle's on the lake in Columbus.  I think back to Christmas Eve over the years and remember so many special moments that I will always remember...  Uncle Bernie giving me a hammer or screw driver and pouting until he gave me my real gift.  Putting on my new tutu and Lacey decorating me with bows and ribbon.  Ice skating with my very own skates my aunt and uncle bought me under the Christmas Eve stars.  Christmas caroling around the lake.  Driving around looking at the lights on the lake.  Watching everyone play Sheep Head.  Playing pool and ping pong downstairs with all the cousins.  Watching our family grow year after year.  The smorgasbord of everything from wings, clam chowder, turkey, and of course the infamous Sliva Blood Soup.  Midnight Mass in Tarnov.  Santa (Uncle Bernie) and his Elf (Denny) handing out the gifts.  Listening to the little cousins sing Christmas songs to Grandma Sliva.  Christmas music playing on the radio in the laundry room where everyone kept their coolers.  It was all these little things that made Christmas Eve so special to me...Last year was the first year that we changed our Christmas get-together to Thanksgiving weekend.   Even though it wasn't on Christmas Eve, it was still everyone together, and that is what Christmas is about.  Being with family.  I wish I had the appreciation for Christmas when I was young like I do now.  This year, there will be no Sliva Christmas.  My heart drops when I say that, not because of me missing it so much, but because I know how much Grandma and Uncle Tom loved Christmas Eve with the family.  These two special people in our family passed away this year.  It breaks my heart to know how hard Christmas will be this year for my Dad and Tom's family.  I just pray that God gives everyone in our family the strength to get through the holiday's and remember all the special moments with Grandma and Tom.  Another Christmas memory I have that I didn't know would be so special to me until this year, was Tom telling me about his favorite Christmas Eve memory... A long time ago, when Uncle Jim still lived in Tarnov, they all just got out of Midnight Mass in Tarnov and as they were walking out it started snowing the most beautiful snow he ever saw.  From there, everyone went down to Jim's for a late night breakfast.  That memory meant so much to him, he would tell everyone that story over, and over again.  With everyone getting together for Grandma's funeral, Tom's funeral, our wedding, Tom's golf benefit, and the reunion, everyone decided to put Christmas on hold until next year.  It makes me sad, but it's just the way it's going to be.  I am very thankful to at least still be having the Krings Christmas this year.  As much as we all hate change, it is inevitable.  But as traditions change, it opens a door for new traditions.  As my family is getting older, and bigger it gives us the opportunity to start our own family traditions within my immediate family.  This year I'm going to be sure to be thankful for every moment spent with family, you just never know what changes will come in the new year.  Remember the reason for the season, and give thanks to God!  Jenna xoxo

love.

Ready For Winter!

I just ordered my new coat for the winter off of Victoria's Secret! I decided to be daring and order it in eggplant purple.  I sure hope I like it!  I've worn the same red pea coat for the last 3 or 4 years?  So I think it's high time for a new one.. 

I want..

                         Stella and Dot - Starry Night Necklace
                                                  
Since Christmas is just right around the corner, here's the link to purchase this for whoever (cough) Jarrod, wants to surprise me!
http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/shop/necklaces/necklaces-delicate/starry-night-necklace.html

Who Run the World?

Happy Fabulous Friday everyone!  What makes you feel fab-u-lousicious?  A new rockin’ pair of jeans?  A fresh hair cut?  Some new kicks?  All those things sure make me feel fabulous!  But it’s not only the “things” that can make a girl feel fab.  I just received the nicest compliment from my friend Jared, who said he loves to read my blogs and has book marked my page.  That felt so good to hear.  I write these silly blogs for pure entertainment for myself, so it makes me happy to know that even ONE person can be entertained by them also!  That was very inspiring to hear, and that is what has inspired me to write this next blog.  This brings to mind that we need to be there for our friends and encourage them in even the littlest ways.  There’s a lot of “this and that, and that and this” going on her.  Ok stay on task here Jenna… I did hear that A LOT in elementary (no joke.)

 I feel as if there are a lot of people in this world and even people that we think are close to us that get joy out of seeing others hurt or fail.  Does anyone else every now and then go through your underwear drawer and clean out the old, raggy, “been around the block” looking ones (over share.)  You know, the one’s that make you feel less fabulous than you are?  Well sometimes you just gotta clean out life’s drawers also.  Embrace your friends, and just be happy for one another!  Life is too incredibly short to not enjoy the small things in life.  Put your positive underwear on (since we’re on topic) and look around you and see what all there is you have to be happy and grateful about.  Ok, I’ll go first.  Looking, looking, looking… ok, something as small as newly filed finger nails.  I am blessed with finger nails that are as hard as nails.  I’ve never chewed on my finger nails in fear of chipping a tooth.  No lie.  And that I should be thankful for, right?!  Well the whole point of this blog to remember to inspire one another to do good and be the best we can be.  A little inspiration can go a long way.  So who’s all looking forward to the weekend?!  I sure as heck am!  I think we should all indulge in something that makes us feel good this weekend… whether it’s a couple bottles, I mean glasses of wine, a good book or movie, a night out with a good friend, a nice dinner, or just put on your favorite jam and dance around your house.   It doesn’t matter what is, just do something for you, because we do run the world!  Make it an awesome weekend! xoxo

As If I Have Nothing Better To Do

Pinterest, pinterest, pinterest.  I’ve heard it from friends before.. “I spent ten plus hours of my day today looking at pinterest,” but it wasn’t until this weekend at our Husker get-together that a friend introduced us to each other. We’ve been inseparable ever since.  So, I would now like to quit my job and spend every waking hour decorating our home with all these fun décor ideas, fantasize about my dream home, try new hair styles, work out (Thanks to the motivation from Fitness,)  and attempt to make crafts and cute cupcakes and cookies.  And yet there is still so much I have yet to discover on this ever so addicting website.  I just introduced this lil devil of a website to my friend this morning, and she as well has been sucked right in.  I just had to a laugh when she sent me this photo off of the website that couldn’t be more true, especially as “baking challenged” as I am.  So, for all of you that are new to this website, please.. enter with caution... http://www.pinterest.com/

Commit To Fit!

Does anyone else start evvveeerrrryyy Moooonday morning with, “today I’m going to start my diet.” “this week I’m going to lose two pounds,”  “this week I’m going to start exercising,” to only fail miserably at it week after week, after week?  I go through my weeks torturing myself over M&M’s, cookies, portions to the size that are meant for a linebacker, ice cream cones (damn you Schwan’s man, just go away!)  Come on ladies, isn’t there a less stressful, less painful way to go about these simple goals?  I mean, I’m not trying to train for the Olympics here!  I’m just trying to peel my ass off of the couch and go for a jog.  I’ve been putting some heavy thinking into my failures at this dieting gig.  Why is it so hard?  Why can’t I just do it?  I’ll feel so much better about myself if I just do it!  I’m not alone here, right?  I’ve concluded that I’m over-thinking, over-analyzing, over-stressing, obviously over-eating, and under-doing.  So here is my new approach to this vicious cycle, I’m putting a ban on that nasty word…..diet.  I’m not going to make each week a diet, I’m going to make a better lifestyle and make smart/realistic choices.  Going for a 30-45 minute walk/run 3 or 4 times a week, that’s realistic.  Instead of hardly taking the time to sit my purse down before my face is in the fridge after work, how about I go change into work out clothes or take Harley out to play?   This way I haven’t already disappointed myself with a priming session for supper.  This reminds me of a pop-art coaster I have that is a picture of two women with their glasses in the air toasting “I suggest we drink before we go out drinking!”  Instead in my case it’s “I suggest I eat before I eat!”  I know what my body needs and what it doesn’t.  Some days I may feel like my body does need that peanut butter cookie, well damnit I’m going to have one.  But I’m not going to have three more after that.  And then have another one the next day.  That is where those pounds like to sneak up on a person!  Don’t deprive yourself of anything your body wants.  This is when you find yourself at ten o’clock at night eating an entire bag of Cheetoh’s or a carton of chocolate brownie fudge ice cream, mmmmm…Snap out of it!  Portion, portion, portion!  I think this is key.  Am I going to get as much gratification from that 30^th Cheetoh as I did the fifth or sixth?  Probably not, so quit eating them!  So this is going to be my new diet, oops I mean lifestyle. ;)  I think I’ve heard it takes two months to make or break a habit?  Well with the holidays literally right around the corner it’s important I take this serious.  The way our vendors bring us food at work, you would think we all worked at the dang food pantry.  So be strong ladies!  Know when enough is enough, or even better know when to just stay away.  I hope my little self pep talk can help pep anyone else who is looking for some motivation to better their lifestyle.  And remember, nothing tastes as good as feeling skinny, HA!  Happy Hump Day! xoxo

Words of Advice...

Feeling down and out?  Do something nice for someone else, lend a helping hand or just give someone a compliment.  You will instantly feel better about your day and yourself!  By showing love to others, you will feel love in return =)

Congrats To The Newlyweds!

What a great weekend in Albion, Nebraska!  It couldn't have been more beautiful, and love was in the air!  Our good friends Brent and Ashley Bygland tied the knot =)  They are such a great duo and couldn't be more in love.  We felt very blessed to part of their big day.  Their wedding day was a blast and so many good memories were made!  We wish you guys a lifetime of happiness and love!







You Only Get One Chance..

I often find myself getting down on myself.  I have a bad habit of comparing things about myself to others and having feelings of inadequacies.  I look back on my life to when I was younger, living back home and I don't remember ever having these kinds of feelings.  And I wonder, when did I start allowing my mind to go to such a negative place??  Isn't a person's self-confidence suppose to build as we grow older, not the reverse?  I've decided I can't let my mind go to these places any longer.  Having these kind of negative thoughts are like poison to the mind and your well-being.  Life is short, there is no dress rehearsal, this is it.  I have to remind myself of this often.  When I find myself dwelling on a situation, I ask myself, "will this matter to me in a couple years?"  If the answer to this is no, then let go of it...it doesn't need to matter now.  So I've decided there needs to be a change and the only person that can change the way I feel about myself, is me.  So it's up to me, myself and I to make the change.  I want to change the way I think of myself, my attitude and open my heart.  If there is one thing that drives me crazy it’s the attitude of “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me and I don’t care what anyone says.” That’s a harsh statement to make, especially to the person your saying it to.  (Insert experience.)  I take it as, ok you don’t care about me or my opinion on anything.  This isn’t the attitude I wish for myself.  I wish to acquire an attitude of "know who and what matters, and know who and what does not."  Open your mind, open your arms and open your heart and life will open up to you.  The picture I have below is the screen saver on my computer at work.  I read it every day and it helps me to remember what is important in life and reminds me to live it up every day, and just be happy!!!  Thee most important thing in life, after God is be happy.  Without happiness, you have nothing in life.  I hope if anyone who reads this ever has these kinds of feelings that my words can help you feel better about yourself and motivates you to make the change!  Keep life simple.  Have a wonderful Monday! xoxo

Happy October!

Awww, October has arrived.  This month is my favorite month of the year!  The leaves are turning beautiful shades or oranges, reds and yellows, pumpkins are in season and Halloween is right around the corner.  I love to throw on a cozy sweater, light my Spiced Pumpkin candle and put on my favorite Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus.  I'm hoping to carve pumpkins this week for our front porch.  I love to decorate for fall.  One of my biggest inspirations is Nell Hill's.  Nell Hill's is a home interior store in Kansas City at Briarcliff Village.  It's the most beautiful store I've ever stepped into.  The owner Mary Carol Garrity has a talent for decorating like no other.  Every year she has a Fall and Winter Open House at her home in Atchison, Kansas.  My mom and sisters and I talk every year about how we need to go down for it, but have yet to find the time to go, I'm hoping this will be the year we make it!  Her home is my dream home!  Here are a few pictures of this year's Fall Open House and her home.  Get inspired!

A Feel Good Day

Depsite my cold going no where but downhill today and feeling terrble, I love these kinds of days at work.  I got my desk picked up and dusted, dust is my own worst enemy and Pledge is my best friend.  Pledge is one of my favorite things in life and this is no joke.  The weather is absolutley beautiful out, I can't wait to get outside at lunch for my walk.  And I have my Pandora - Michael Buble' radio playing.  I love songs such as Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World, Harry Connick Jr. - Just the Way You Look Tonight.  They just make me feel warm and happy inside.  I even played my favorite Christmas tune today, yes I also love Christmas music.  It drives Jarrod bananas.  I'm already laughing inside thinking of his reaction when I turn it to the "nothing but Christmas music" station between Thanksgiving and New Years.  The day they change it back to regular music is one of the saddest days of the year!  One of my dreams is to go to NYC for Christmas.  I would love to go ice skating in front of the giant Christmas tree, and go shopping at Macy's...(sigh) someday, someday.  Geez, it's not even Halloween yet, what am I doing here!  Have a wonderful day everyone, and make every day count!!  

 

Since I was a little girl and watched Peter Pan, it has been my dream to be able to fly.  Can you imagine the rush this man experienced?!  I wonder if Jarrod would mind if we put our wedding money towards one of these jets?? Hmmm......I'll mention it tonight and let you know what the verdict is =)

                           Jeff Bridges - What A Little Bit of Love Can Do

2011 Summer Recap

The other day while I was out on a walk I got to thinking, where did the summer go and what a great summer it was!  In my mind I replayed all those summer nights and events that made it so great.   Here are my summer 2011 memories...

I kicked off my summer on Memorial weekend with my bachelorette party.  What a fun and crazy day it was!  We started the day off golfing, ok not so much golfing, we started the day on the golf course driving around on the carts drinking and then went to Sportman's Lodge for lunch.  We then all packed in vehicles like clowns and headed back to West Point for a crazy night on Schinny's Wild Ride!

The very next weekend, we headed out to the Knobbe farm to support the Cattlemen's Ball.  What a great event!  This year's profit for the ball was $1,490,000.00 that goes to cancer research in Nebraksa.  Wow, wow, wow.  Way to go West Point!!  The Knobbe's sure did a great job in putting the event together and throwing an awesome party.  They even got country singer, Sara Evans to perform after the meal.  That night was definately one for the books!

June 18, 2011: Most important day of my life!  This summer I married the most amazing man, Jarrod.  We couldn't of ask for a more perfect day.  Everything went smooth, the weather was absolutely perfect and we all had the time of our life!

We spent the 4th of July weekend in Okoboji!  It was so nice to get away after the wedding just to spend some time with just the two of us, and go boating with friends and family.  Okoboji will definatley be seeing more of us in the future!

On August 6th we golfed in the Tom Sliva Golf Benefit.  In March, my dad's twin passed away from a stroke.  He was an avid golfer and and always wanted restrooms out on the Humphrey golf course.  Tom's family decide to organize a benefit to raise money to make his dream come true.  The benefit was a HUGE success and there are now restrooms out on the course.  We had such a fun day with our family and it was a great way to remember Tom.

Jenna's Beauty Tip

While shopping at Sephora this weekend, I stumbled across this brow pencil.  Love, love it!  It really makes your eyes pop.  I fill in the entire brow and extend the brow just a tad to give myself a more wide-eyed look.

Brow Wiz - Skinny Brow Pencil
Anastasia
Beverly Hills
$20.00

my life.