Monday, December 31, 2012

Bring On 2013!

Am I the only one that feels like 2012 went by super-fast? Here we are already though, saying goodbye to one year and preparing for the next. Personally I am feeling pretty damn optimistic for this coming year. I have so many personal challenges and goals to conquer over the next twelve months. Naturally, I am planning on sharing my ventures along the way on here. So of course, this means one of my personal goals is to re-prioritize my online time and schedule my general day to day life better. This blog is important to me and I enjoy it quite a bit. Yes I know I’ve fallen short these past few months by a lot, but I am going to push myself to make self-improvements, including pumping up my blog more.

So much in store for this fast approaching year, but first let me take a quick step back. While I have failed to come back and finish my thankful days of November I am going to be doing a thankful post once a week  - starting very soon. I also want to step back to my last post on here and thank everyone who sent well wishes and prayers over my brother’s health. Although he is out of the hospital, and has been for a while now – he’s not completely out of the woods. Blood clots still remain in his legs (don’t get me started on how angry I am at that particular hospital right now) and he is pretty much bed ridden. So prayers, well wishes and good thoughts/vibes sent his way are always appreciated from the bottom of my heart!

Well let’s get on with the photo being shared! I quickly snapped this shot of our Christmas turkey buckled up on the local bus. I’m presently out of town for the holidays and the particular bus driver we had decided for safety during our travel from the bus back to the house, the turkey needed to be buckled in. It was quite the laugh fest with him that day, needless to say. LOL! Anyways, I should put this entry to a stop. We are just about an hour away (here in Michigan) for ringing in the New Year and all I got to say is bring it on! I’m ready to begin reaching out further and improving myself and life for me.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

--XOXO, Jane Ridgewood

Saturday, December 1, 2012

A Special Request

Before I can type anything else, I first must do something I rarely ever do. I am asking for prayers, thoughts and well wishes for my older brother Tim. He is a husband, father of five and just an amazing older brother – one of my absolute best friends. Presently he is in the hospital due to kidney failure issues amongst other things. The official diagnosis is something called Rhabdomyolysis. Which basically means muscle tissue is breaking down and getting into his bloodstream. We do not at this point know how this happened. Now granted there has been a very, very slight improvement on his kidneys today, but he’s not completely out of the woods just yet. Although the upside is, that the improvement was great enough the hospital canceled their plans of putting him on dialysis today. I saw my brother for a few minutes today though and he’s in a lot of pain. I myself am praying that improvements continue and that the medical staff assisting him may find the answers and cures needed here.

Aside from that I do want to apologize that November ended up being a bust on the blog. Between being sick, going out of town for the holiday and now facing this family emergency amongst other things I have been heavily distracted from this blog. So my deepest apologizes to my readers. I fully intend to come back on here either tonight or tomorrow to write down the rest of the month (that I missed) of November with my daily thankful tidbits. As truly even in times of great stress it’s good to count our blessings. Therefore after a bit of rest and a bit more coffee gets injected into my system I shall return with that.

--XOXO, Jane

Monday, November 12, 2012

Birthday Thankfulnes!

Well there is nothing quite like spending the majority of your birthday sick in bed. I really feel I could just lay right back down - get all snuggled right back in my covers, but I wanted to tend to the blog. Maybe I’m just too stubborn and determined, sitting up like this and slowly typing out an entry for the blog tonight. I have been a bit distracted in life the past few days and I don’t like going too long without posting up something on here…so without further ado (and despite feeling miserable today) here I go catching up on some more thankfulness!

November 09th)
I am thankful for “bags of crap”. LOL! Okay, seriously it’s what one of my best friends, Malice and I have referred to gift bags for one another over the years. Whenever we can do it, we like to get one another bags full of fun and cheesy little things filled inside. I got one this year as an early birthday present from her. It was fantastic; especially the room scented stuff that makes my bedroom now smells like apple cider. So yummy! LOL!

November 10th)
I am thankful for time with friends and family. Although last Saturday I had a nasty migraine, it did not stop me from getting out of the house and having a television show marathon with some friends. Also of course getting to see two of my nephews and one of my nieces was a big bonus as well! Despite the fact the night ended with everyone feeling pretty crappy, I always cherish my time with loved ones.

November 11th)
I am thankful for a comfortable bed! The best way to end a day (in my opinion anyways) is to crawl right into a comfortable bed. Get all snuggly with the covers and rest my head for the night. So yes, as silly as it may seem to some I am thankful for my comfortable bed!

November 12th)
I am thankful for even numbers! Oh yes, despite my being sick today I am happy to have turned 28! I don’t know why I’ve always had such an odd preference for even numbers, but I do. LOL! So yay for me on getting to be even once again!

Alright, I do believe my bed is calling for me again! I just had to pop on and catch up though with my November thankfulness. Of course I am still encouraging all of you to share what you’re thankful for! If you make a post on your blog link me, I don’t want to miss it!

--XOXO, Jane

Thursday, November 8, 2012

More Thankfulness!

Oops! I accidently missed a whole day… already! However, in all fairness though I had quite the migraine yesterday. I swear I thought my head was literally going to explode. Jumping right off that though, as this is a month of thankfulness and positivity – not misery, here I go with some thankfulness for yesterday and today!

November 07th)
I am thankful for my old worn out and oversized sweatshirt. Now I’m not normally a sweatshirt friendly person, but this one has always been my exception. I’ve had this sweatshirt since I was fourteen years old. It was too big then and it’s too big now. No, it’s not the most fashionable thing – especially after all the years, but I love it. It’s warm, it’s comfortable and it’s perfect to curl up in. It’s perfection for lounging around the house – therefore I’m not concerned with the minor holes, rips, tears and stains (thank you bleach accidents) from over the years. It still keeps the warmth in it and it still is my favorite cold weather accessory.

November 08th)
I am thankful for soy almond milk! No seriously… I have a lactose allergy and just within the past few days was I able to finally try some of this stuff. It’s freaking delicious! At least to me… not to my friend Cuddle Monkey who practically gagged on it, but I find it to be an amazing drink! Not even going to try to hide it or deny it, it excites me to be drinking some kind of milk. I can’t exactly just pour myself a glass of the real stuff without getting a bit sick – so this substitute is wonderful to someone like me! So yes, today I am thankful for almond milk – more specifically the vanilla flavor that I tried. Freaking delicious people!

Alright, let’s hope I can be more right on top of this tomorrow! LOL! Again I definitely want to encourage that you all share things you’re thankful for as well. Be it here to me in comments or on your own blogs and social pages!

--XOXO, Jane

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

A Month Of Thankfulness

Let me preface this with the fact that I normally don’t jump on board with trends. I’m really not ashamed to say that I am so not a trendy person! However, with Thanksgiving fast approaching I must say I am admiring what seems to be the latest with social media sites and blogs this month. Each and every single day thousands upon thousands of Americans (and likely others) are posting something they are thankful for each day. They are going as far as if they miss some days; they make up for it when they can post online. I love this trend! I love the positivity and expression of gratefulness for the blessings of life. So this time around I am definitely jumping right on board!

So yes, I realize it’s the sixth already and therefore I have some days already to make up for! I am seriously going to try and get on to post something each and every day though. Naturally if I can’t I will make up for it as soon as I can post, but I think it’s too good a trend not to participate in it and regardless if you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I definitely encourage others to also partake in this!

Without further ado though and in no particular order, I bring you the first six days of thankfulness!

November 01st)
I am thankful for my close family. They are my cheerleaders, my support system and the people I feel I can turn to for anything. They are great for advice, unconditional love and to put me in check when I get out of line. They tolerate me as much as I do them and somehow in the peaceful dysfunctions it just works. I thank God every day for the blessing of the family I have. There’s a theory that floats around about how we pick our families before we are born. I have to admit I like that; I definitely would pick mine on purpose.

November 02nd)
I am thankful for my friends. Lord knows I am not the greatest friend. I’m horrendous with picking up the phone and well, let’s just say I’m not perfection. Who is though? Anyways, onto point my friends whom I cherish so much and tolerate me so well! They stick by my side through thick and thin and I could not be more grateful to the understanding and loving souls I am surrounded with. Especially when they admit such things to me as Melly-Belly has about disliking gum simply because it’s “tedious”.

November 03rd)
I am thankful for large coffee mugs. Sometimes it really is the simplest pleasures in our lives that we can be thankful for. Seriously, what better way to kick back for a self-proclaimed ‘coffee addict’ than to sip from an oversized mug on a cool day? Some days I just really love a good takes two hands kind of mug to use for my hot coffee.

November 04th)
I am thankful for my driving permit. Okay, this is a partially embarrassing one as I know at my age it’s not so common not to be driving yet, but depression and anxiety can hold you back on a lot in life. Now that those things are well under control for me though I am taking charge in my life on many levels. I’ve recently had the excitement of successfully attaining my permit and with some luck, soon hopefully my driver’s license. At this point in time though, I’m just so thankful to be getting to that point for myself.

November 05th)
I am thankful for role play. Now you just get your mind right out of the gutter! I do not run that kind of a blog. I am merely talking about the writing game. It’s a creative source to write with others, creating characters, building storylines and so forth. I know this one sounds positively silly, but I strongly feel it has truly helped me hone and develop my writing skills on a much better level. So for that, along with it just being a wonderful creative outlet for me – I am actually thankful.

November 06th)
I am thankful to be an American with the right to vote. Okay, I don’t want to get too politically charged here, but I voted today. As you can see in the blog photo being shared I even got my sticker to prove it! I shamefully admit this is the first year I’ve voted, but I happily will say it will not be the last. I felt like such a giddy geek though when I arrived to vote. I was positively cheerful and felt myself nearly skipping up to the person who handed me my ballot and off I went to my seat to fill in my votes. No, I won’t say who I voted for publicly, but I will say I’m not going to lose sleep over who wins or loses this election. My despairing feelings for our presidential candidates though did not prevent me from feeling patriotically charged up as I submitted my votes! I’ve had a smile on my face since. Damn it’s good to be an American!

Well alright, there we have covered the first six thankful days of November for me. I most certainly won’t be stopping on Thanksgiving by the way; I plan to keep right on going to the final day of the month! I do hope you all feel inspired to share some things you are thankful for with me. I would love to read them, be they big, small or just plain silly to some!

--XOXO, Jane

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween Everyone!

It’s the best day of the year boys and ghouls! LOL! My favorite holiday has finally come and it’s officially the best day of the year! I woke up in such a good mood today. Despite any bit of headache that wants to try and lurk around me, I am so excited this evening. I think perhaps getting to see three of my nephews have got me in such a good mood. I love being an aunt and love that I got to watch the three of them get ready. As you can see (with permission from their mom of course) I am sharing a photo of my trick or treating ready nephews, the creepy pirate, vampire and ninja! Technically right now the boys are out and about roaming the neighborhood collecting their candy as I can hear them in the distance still yelling “TRICK OR TREAT” at the top of their lungs. Oh it makes my heart smile this holiday.

Presently I am awaiting my first batch of trick or treaters to reach my door. The porch light is on and the bowl of candy is ready to go. I will be passing out candy to all the little ones who come yelling at my door. Although it’s not quite like it was when I was a kid, where the streets were filled with dozens upon dozens of children in costume running about with glee going from house to house, it’s still an amazing thing to me. I love seeing whatever costumes we do get and I love wishing them all a Happy Halloween!

What are (or have) you done this year for Halloween? Did you dress up? Do you have a favorite memory regarding this glorious holiday?

--XOXO, Jane

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Gotta Brace Myself

Precisely six weeks ago I went to the ankle specialist and well, ‘I Got The Boot’. Today, I go to the ankle specialist nervous as ever worried that despite the pain and swelling lessening I may still have to face surgery someday. Well, that never once came up. Instead I actually felt no pain while the good doctor was messing with my ankle and foot. I also was happily able to delight in the fact that indeed the pain and swelling have gotten better. Granted, it’s still a little sore occasionally and a tad swollen, but it’s definitely improving. So my good news of the day is that I was able to take off the boot once and for all! Six weeks of an immobilized ankle is not fun, let me assure you!

As you can see in the photo though, I am not completely out of the woods from ankle care. I do now have a brace to wear for the next month or two. The good news to that is I am able to wear both shoes again! The concept of putting on my shoes has never excited me this much before! Six weeks is definitely enough to make a person appreciate their left shoe. LOL! At least it has for me. So now the game plan is that it’s recommended I do a little physical therapy for my ankle (which has yet to be scheduled) and wear this brace. Naturally take it easy and just ease back into the walking. Oh how I look forward to the day of mile walks once and no contraptions around my ankle.

I’m feeling quite thankful though, because I was more than prepared to throw a fit – I mean a two year old styed tantrum of throwing myself on the ground, if surgery was still on the table of possibilities to happen here. So hurray to the notion that surgery wasn’t even discussed and my ankle is making good progress here!

--XOXO, Jane

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Bring On The Coffee!

It's one of those days I feel like I could receive an unfathomable amount of coffee. In fact...as much as I am a bit needle-phobic, I'm about ready to just set myself up for a Coffee IV. Let's just pump me full of something highly caffeinated that will help boost those inner gears at a little quicker pace. My coffee cup of choice lately (as you see pictured) says it all! Now don't get me wrong, it hasn't been a bad day. In fact it's been a fairly productive one thus far. It's just one of those days where I woke up a hour before I really needed to. Of course I couldn't go back to sleep, so I started my pot of coffee. Ate a small breakfast, got ready and headed off to nutrition class.

While at class I was fairly awake, paying attention and taking note of things I didn't already know. Some things were noted that I did technically know, but it's good to give ourselves certain reminders. Anyways, afterwards it was off to lunch with some peeps and now here I am at home. Feeling suddenly sluggish and sleepy, but knowing it's much too soon to fall asleep. Plus I'm not really a good napper, when I go to “nap” it usually ends up with me just being crashed out for a lot longer then an hour or two!

So no naps for me today! Besides there are some things I really want to get handled and done. Some writing I wish to do and some reading I need to do! Got a personal (and only semi-embarrassing) milestone of life I hope to be sharing with all of you in the near future. No more talk of that for now though. LOL! For now, let's just keep it to the notion that it's just one of them days where I just can't seem to get enough coffee in me!

Hope you all are having a much more alert Tuesday than I am! LOL!

--XOXO, Jane

Monday, October 8, 2012

Monday, Monday...

So what happens when a Monday is indeed true to its reputation? Well I don't know about the rest of you, but today I am looking back through photos of the Mackinaw City trip I took back in August with friends. Part of the trip, was an actual visit over to Mackinac Island. That's where this particular photo I'm sharing on this post comes from. It was during the carriage tour did we pause by this natural limestone occurrence. It's called Arch Rock and formed during the Nipissing post-glacial period. It's recorded at standing 146 feet above the water levels over Lake Huron! As someone who saw this first hand (and snapped that photo you see), I can't say I argue. The thing was pretty high up. Seemed like quite the drop down to the lower part of the island.

When we got back on the carriage though for the rest of the tour, our tour guide shared that the Arch Rock is sadly deteriorating. Now it's been a couple of months since the trip, but if memory serves right he said there is a prediction that in a matter of fifty or so years it won't exist anymore. At the very least it won't look like it does now. My mouth sort of fell open at that shared prediction. As, looking at that breathtakingly beautiful sight, it's hard to imagine it won't always be there. It's also kind of sad and exciting to know that as well. Sad, because generations to come may miss out on such a sight. Exciting though, because I did get to see it. I got to capture it with my camera and stand there in awe of the beautiful view it provided.

Now see... this is exactly how I have turned my “Monday blues” around. Thinking about Arch Rock has seriously just put a smile upon my face again. It really was beautiful and I strongly recommend that anyone who goes to the Island, makes sure they stop by and see it for themselves. It's just simply amazing and more beautiful in person.

--XOXO, Jane

Friday, October 5, 2012

Good Friday Everyone!

Coffee is officially poured and now my mind can wake up! Okay, it's in the early afternoon so it seems a bit late to be waking up... but I have been in a fog since I crawled out of bed around ten this morning. No particular reason, I just think my bed had the right amount of comfort and my body was not wanting to part from those warm comforting blankets that had me so snug and tucked in. Oh yes, it was a morning when I peeked one eye over at the clock and mumbled against my pillow because indeed I could have slept all day long.

Now that I am up though...and the coffee has hit my system, I am happily plotting away today for the blog. I don't want to give anything away just yet, but I will say you all can expect a couple of weekly themed posts in the near future! Aside from that though, I must say it's a beautiful Friday. The world may not be perfect and life may have it's present challenges. However, there is so much to still be thankful for. Like for big brothers and today happens to be my big brother Tim's birthday! So if he catches this post - HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO! I love you and I thank God he gave me you as a brother!

It's also a day where I am feeling that motivation to get things done. Like, finally folding and putting away my clean laundry from yesterday's washing. I suppose I could blame the influence of growing up with older brothers and live out of my laundry basket until I run out of clean clothes again. However... I just can't honestly recall any of them actually having done that. Least not to my knowledge, LOL! So instead, I think I'll suck it up and stay on top of things this time around and get that laundry put away. With my ankle/boot scenario still going on I can't exactly do a whole lot of other physical activity unfortunately. Therefore my day will probably result in getting some writing done, getting some reading done and perhaps just relaxing in front of the television with a good movie on for viewing.

What are your plans for the day?

--XOXO, Jane

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Sisterhood Bloggers Award!

Another blog award has been passed my way from a fellow blogger! It may seem silly to some, but quite honestly I am finding myself completely touched and inspired with each of these I've received. I'm so touched to know that my fellow bloggers do support me in such a way. I'm inspired to keep going with the blog. It's been such a positive experience for me and I really appreciate all the support this blog has received!

Getting onto the award though, a big thank you goes out to Vickilicous, The Greek Housewife for this latest one I'm receiving; Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!

THE RULES OF AWARD:
  • Thank the blogger who gave you the award.
  • Post 7 things about yourself.
  • Pass the award onto 7 other deserving bloggers. (Let them know about it!)
  • Include a logo of the award in your post.

Well there are the guidelines as mostly copied from TheGreek Housewife blog. Now onto seven things about me!

Facts of Jane
  • Robert Englund is my absolute favorite actor! I completely adore him!
  • I could watch cheesy Halloween specials and movies year round.
  • When I was 3 years old I carried around a rubber skeleton and called it my “baby”.
  • Year round I keep at least a small touch of Halloween fun on display.
  • One of my favorite Halloween movies is Hocus Pocus. Watch it every year!
  • A favorite Halloween tradition for me is passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters.
  • Captain Barbossa is my favorite pirate – no offense Captain Jack!

Now onto the nominees!

Well there we have it! Thank you so much to Vickilicious again for the award! Hope everyone has a beautiful day today!

--XOXO, Jane

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Hurray for Halloween!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! No I have not confused October for December. I am simply a rather big fan of Halloween! It's the time of year I truly feel peace, happiness and extra good will towards others! Okay I'm sure this makes me a little strange to some out there, but I can't help it. I adore Halloween! I love the costumes, the horror movies, the décor and more! Quite frankly I've always been a fan of Halloween, even when I was a little kid. Granted, it was probably more for the candy in those days than the fun of the rest of the holiday, but still. It's always been a favorite! Although I haven't been able to dress up every year, I still at 27 years old have no problem what-so-ever dressing up for Halloween! Be it spooky, silly or somewhere in between.

One of my favorite memories of Halloween involve the photo I'm sharing with this post. It was taken back on Halloween of 2005. Now I will say this is an edited version of the photo – hence the eyes, LOL! But even with my plain brown eyes carrying me in reality through the night, I received plenty of compliments on how my teeth looked so real. People were giving me double-takes all night long as I was out. I was a confident vampire that year, but I was indeed one with a lisp! It was one of those nights, that even throughout the night I was giggling and laughing with friends. With those realistic fangs in mouth, I could not talk normal for the life of me. It was a challenge, but I managed to get through the glorious holiday with a smile and a good hard laugh at myself.

As a vamp with a lisp though, I did actually and accidentally manage to intimidate a trick-or-treater. It was while I was getting ready to head out for the evening that I was passing out candy. Oh I love passing out candy to all the little ones who dress up! One of my favorite parts of Halloween is to see all the creative costumes kids come up with. Getting back to that one particular trick-or-treater though, who ironically if memory serves right was dressed as a vampire himself, seemed rather unsure of my costume. I opened the door with the bowl full of candy after hearing those wonderful words “TRICK OR TREAT!” being shouted from the other side of the door. I let him pick out a couple pieces, but he stood there in what seemed to be unsure shock. His little face looked up to me and he began, “Nice... nice...” then he glanced down briefly, before making eye contact with me again, “...costume?” It was a clear question with uncertainty heard in his voice. I simply said “Thank you sweet heart” and gave him more candy. LOL!

Now I confess I still feel a little bad for that trick-or-treater, but it was over all one of my favorite Halloweens! What are one of your favorite Halloween memories?

--XOXO, Jane

Friday, September 28, 2012

Betrayed Coffee for Tea!

It started off with an illicit affair with a nasty migraine. As the migraine seemed to be letting up (after about a week and a half of existing), a sinus infection – as I've self diagnosed – appeared encouraging me to have quite the scandalous affair against coffee, with tea. Yes for the past few days in particular I have been sipping hot tea with some honey mixed into it. It's been the savor to sooth what could have easily turned into a sore throat. Plus let's face it, the steam of a nice hot cup of tea is great to help clear the sinus passages. It's been dreadful spending the majority of the past two weeks in bed. On one hand, it helped pass by more time while I'm stuck off my feet and in this boot. On the other hand, I was feeling mostly miserable and would rather find other things to do to occupy my time then be in such a state.

Fortunately though, I woke up this morning feeling more like myself again. I am still just a little stuffy, not too badly. My throat is mostly feeling better and I am reunited with my lover, coffee. I am aware though, that while I happily sip along my cup of black coffee I will eventually, prepare myself another cup of tea today. Just to play it safe as I really would rather continue to soothe over any icky feeling in myself, verses suddenly jumping to life back to normal and turning around to feel worse than before. As that just feels like it would be my luck right now and well, I would much prefer to be an over all healthy woman once again.

So my apologies for being ultra quiet lately. Fighting migraines and sinus infections don't exactly put on in the mood (let alone give the energy) to blog. Although, neither of those issues have prevented me from putting a bit of creative thinking into things to include and add onto this blog. So now that I am on the mend, I think it's time to start getting stuff.

--XOXO, Jane

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Almost A Runaway

Once upon a time I almost ran away. I was about fourteen years old, sitting up in my bedroom and going a little stir crazy. I felt this sudden urge to leave, though it was in the middle of the night. My parents were sleeping, actually most the house seemed to be aside from one brother chilling out on a computer in the sun-room of the old family home. Maybe it had to do with my depression, or perhaps it was just that teenage angst taking over, but I soon enough found myself getting dressed and sneaking down the steps.

Clearly I can remember slipping out the backdoor trying to be as quiet as I possibly could. The night air took over me, it was a cool Michigan night and I felt a rush come over me with each sneaky step I took. I edged around the outer part of the sun-room as the windows had been open and I didn't want my brother to notice me. I wasn't trying to get caught. Actually, I had always been petrified of being caught.

As soon as I had made it around the house I walked quickly through the front yard onto the sidewalk and made it down a couple houses before I slowed my pace. I remember taking in deep breaths and just feeling confident. Feeling brave – or well, feeling myself trying to be brave as I walked aimless around the neighborhood I had grown up in. I hadn't gone very far really and I didn't even know really why I was doing it. It was like something inside me had taken over and I just had to leave the house in that moment.

I made it as far as a couple blocks away heading past the elementary school I attended when younger. I was crossing through the playground and headed towards the old park behind the school. There's a large field area between the playground and that park. I was about midway through when I stopped in my tracks and just peered through the darkness ahead of me. I could see the outlining of the park's playground near the building that had picnic tables set up by it and hosted the restrooms that always seemed to be locked.

Standing there I almost felt frozen looking ahead. Asking myself what I was doing there and what would happened if I continued. I clearly remember this sinking feeling that if I had ventured off into that park, something bad could happen. Maybe I had watched the news too many times or heard of enough bad stories of real kidnappings and such. Whatever it was, something inside me made me turn around and book it for home.

Fortunately for me, I was only just a couple blocks away from home. Once I had arrived back I slipped back around the house, made it quietly into the house and up the steps to hide in my bedroom. Nobody had noticed I took off. It helped most of them were asleep. I'll admit to this day I shake my head about that night. I have no idea what could have possessed me to actually attempt to run away. I grew up in a loving home, sure my family had their faults – what family doesn't? My only guess, even after all these years was that it was somehow perhaps tied into my depression issues. I was just twelve when I was officially diagnosed after all and I certainly did not have a handle on signs and symptoms like I do now.

Whatever possessed me back then, I just thank God now that something took over me and I came running back for home. Back to where I knew I was safe.

--XOXO, Jane

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Distractions Must End



As I sit here and sip my morning coffee, I confirm to myself that I need an attitude change. No, it’s not that I’ve been in a sour mood per-se, but I have been allowing myself to get distracted. I’ve been distracted from writing on the blog. Distracted from working on specific writing projects and just generally distracted. Going back to the blog, I’ve even been a bit distracted from working on other things around the blog; like picking out my new color scheme and potentially all together new layout. I am still going to be messing around with that in the near future. I have so many ideas for the blog, but again… I’ve unfortunately let myself be distracted by other things going around me and more specifically this ankle business.

I can happily say that I’ve noticed the swelling is coming down and the pain is not as frequent. I am hopeful and doing my very best to remain positive. I think I’m just a little too fearful for my own good, that no matter how better my ankle feels when I go back to see the ankle specialist I’ll be told I have to look into surgery options. I pray that is not the case, but time will tell. In the meantime though, I know I need to kick my own butt right out of this slight funk and get myself back on track with my blog and writing once again!

Okay, so moving on I am happy to share (in case some missed it from my Facebook post), that I got my domain name back! This is thanks to donations I received for the blog that I am so grateful and appreciative to those of you who pitched in. I am just delighted to be able to have, say and use janeridgewood.net all over again! I have so many plans for the blog and I am definitely going to be pushing myself to not let my worries distract me further so I may put all these plans into effect!

--XOXO, Jane

Monday, September 10, 2012

Passing The Time



What does a single girl do when she’s basically immobile? This one, for at least tonight is allowing herself a mini-marathon of season one of one of her favorite shows, Sex & the City. This will be happily followed with my curling up in my covers and my copy of Geri Halliwell’s first novel, ‘If Only’. I read the book once years ago when I first got it and recently decided to read it again. Aside from that, I’m still debating to myself how to spend my six week sentence of staying off my feet. I was up to my elbows in a braille project for a few days there, but now am facing the rest of my sentence with nothing really planned. Although, I’ve spent a good portion of my day giving careful contemplation to things I can accomplish while I’m being forced to kick back and relax.

One thing is more of a fun thing. I think I’m going to make myself a little Amazon Wish List of office supplies and goodies to help aid in my writing – for both the blog and non-blog writings. As I can accumulate the funds I will purchase off the list. Create my own little nook of creativity one piece at a time. I’m actually quite excited for this little task I’ve given myself. Another task is to get some real writing done. I have an article I need to write up, as well as some other forms of writing – including, oh yes, getting this blog pumped up all the more with my random thoughts! That is one reason why I want to get myself some better office supplies. So I can jot down my blog ideas more easily and not forgot them when I get to sit down and actually write them out! I also need to take the time to sit down and finish going through my pictures from my Mackinaw getaway and finally share more of that on here!

Now of course, not everything I plan to do over these coming weeks is to sit on my laptop. I’ll be the first to admit I’m a net junkie, but even I can only take so much online time. There are movies to watch, books to read and naps to take that I wouldn’t otherwise. There is also, potentially getting out of the house for coffee trips with friends and such. Of course there is also the offline organizing I need to do around myself. Granted, some of that organizing will have to come when I am on my feet again (due to moving stuff around), but still. I can at least make the plan of exactly how I want things arranged and perhaps even enlist the help to do it beforehand. LOL!

Getting back to stuff to do online though, I have contemplated hosting a random live chat over in my community. I’m not sure when it will be, but I’m definitely thinking it’s about time I get around to it. I also need to figure out how to re-install the “pin-it” button for my Pinterest account. I’ve had to re-do my laptop since I created my account on there. So if anyone knows, please don’t hesitate to pass on that little tidbit to me! I’m also considering giving my blog a makeover. I need to get some photos done of myself for my “about me” page and such still, but perhaps this weekend. Perhaps this weekend when my friend Melly Belly comes to see me (and help me around), I’ll be able to get some done. Of course if I do give the blog a new look, then the Facebook, Google+ and Twitter accounts will certainly get a face-lift as well. After all, I got to keep the theme as consistent as I can throughout my social pages. Oh those creative ideas just keep coming to me on what I can do with the blog. LOL!

--XOXO, Jane