Monday, August 27, 2012

Faced A Fear



At times in life we find ourselves thanking God for the people around us. I know I often do, especially as of late. Recently I worked up my courage on a weekend getaway with my girlfriends, Melly Belly, Hollers and their Ma Lori. I’ve known these ladies since I was twelve and indeed, they are all like family to me. I cannot even begin to thank these ladies enough for the recent Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island trip we took back on through the seventh to the nineteenth of this month. It was just a little weekend getaway, but it was enough to breathe a little better and to challenge myself to face a fear. This is a fear of boats that I have wanted to conquer for quite a while now. I’m not sure I could have done it without these three ladies by my side. I can’t say I’m over it; as a matter of fact I’m not. Am I proud of myself for getting on the boat? Yes. Will I do it again? Most likely, just not anytime soon! LOL!

It was Saturday the eighteenth of August as we stood

in line together. I did my best to muster up courage and keep all nerves down, while I awaited my fate on The Hope, which was the boat we took through the Shepler’s Ferry service from Mackinaw City right on across Lake Huron that morning to Mackinaw Island. It was a little rocky on the way and a big thank you goes out to Melly Belly for letting me hold her hand on the way over. Of course I did my best to shoot some pictures from inside the boat in between my jaw clenching and ducking down for not wanting to see. I will admit here and now, that the boat ride to the island was not as bad as I had expected it to be. It made me feel a little more comfortable even with the idea of getting back on it, when we were done with our group island experience. Now just because the ride over to the island wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated, didn’t mean I was any less happy to get off the dang thing! As you can see, I did manage to snap a front view shot from the dock at the island of the boat that brought us on over.

Now skipping over the Mackinac Island experience just for today, let’s remain on topic and discuss this boat ride back. I was brave at first. I didn’t think it would be as bad, heck the ladies I was with kept guessing it would be an easier ride back. Unfortunately, it was a rather scary ride – for me at least. There were a few times on the way going back across Lake Huron to Mackinaw City that it felt like the ferry lifted off the water and slapped right back down onto it, rocking rather largely all the way. While didn’t get nauseous, I did hear myself yelp a little at that first feeling of the boat going airborne. It was the most terrifying sixteen minutes of my life to date!!! Now here’s where I confess something I find rather embarrassing. While others around us seemed to cheer and laugh with all the boating commotion with the waves and wind, my yelp of fear was followed with some tears. I ended up in a sort of laugh-cry state for a few minutes there on the way back. I can’t even begin to express how relieved I was to make it to land again! Although, I feel absolutely awful as you can see… my dear friend Hollers held my hand on the way back…the scarier ride and ended up getting my fingers imprinted on her own hand for a while there. I still feel really bad about that Hollers!

Overall, I would have to say it was well worth the fear facing to see that Island. I know I would do it again to see that island especially…as long as someone is there to hold my hand! LOL! Also, I would definitely recommend Mackinac Island to anyone for a vacation spot! Next time I go I definitely want to go for longer and I will be sure to share more of my island experience in the near future – with pictures of course!

--XOXO, Jane

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Liebster Award!

I took a few days off this weekend after going away to Mackinaw City and the Island itself over the weekend. I went with friends and it was a freaking blast to say the least! I will however, need to write more about that later as right now I am so giddy that I was nominated by the lovely Selma over at Meteo Beauty blog for a Liebster Award!! It was definitely quite the exciting treat to discover upon my return to the online world! Thank you so much Selma for the nomination! Now of course, I’m going to have to copy the following information on what the award is from Selma’s blog, before I get to my answers and nominations!

So… What is the Liebster Award?
The word Liebster is German and it literally means “dearest” or “favorite”. Other meanings include sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kinda, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome. The award recognizes new and upcoming bloggers with less than 200 follwers (or friends) who deserve recognition and support for their contribution in the blogosphere. In order to accept this prestigious award, one must abide by the list of rules.

The Rules:
01)  Each person must list 11 things about themselves.
02)  Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you PLUS you MUST create 11 questions of your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award.
03)  Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
04)  Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.
05)  Absolutely NO tags back. Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers.
 

 Alright, with that here goes with the first step. Eleven random things about me!

01 – I have a serious love for coffee!
02 – I stand five feet and eight inches tall.
03 – My favorite television show is I Love Lucy!
04 – I was born and raised here in Michigan!
05 – I love horror movies!
06 – My favorite tree has always been the Willow.
07 – I love to read, but tend to read slowly due to time.
08 – I have a subscription to Marie Claire magazine.
09 – I will forever love and appreciate the Spice Girls! LOL!
10 – My absolute favorite season is autumn!
11 – I have a tendency to nickname my closest friends.

Okay now onto the next step! The eleven questions Selma has selected for me to answer.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

First Blog Milestone!


This time last year I made my very first blog entry. I officially opened up the doors (as it were) and my blog had begun. It’s almost funny, because this time last year I feel like I was in the same place. Pondering what this momentous entry should be like. You know, wanting to come up with those perfect awe inspiring words that will make any reader smile. Unfortunately, while I laugh at myself for the silliness of wanting to be perfect again exactly one year later… I do come to realize there are no perfect words to be said. As I feel so appreciative to everyone who has been so supportive of this blog. I can honestly say a year ago today, I did not think I would have a community attached. Nor did I feel even sure that my blog would last this long. I was in such a different place a year ago today.

Now I sit back and I think of all the bloggers who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, help explain and give tips throughout the year. I still feel like I’m learning many things in the blogging word as I go, but I have loved every minute of it. You know, I really do need to thank my friend Melly Belly for her help with introducing me to a wonderful site called The Blog Frog, as well as helping me with little technical matters over the past year as well. She’s been a wonderful support on that front! I also want to take a moment and thank all of my wonderful readers and visitors. You’re comments and encouragements have kept me going! I have really come to discover that I like blogging quite a bit. I love in fact. I find that as the year progressed I became more active on it. Okay the past couple summer months have been a little slow, but let’s hope for a turn around on that – yes? LOL!

Unfortunately, I do bring a bit of sad news. I am temporarily losing my domain name (janeridgewood.net), but you can still access the blog through the Blogger URL (janeridgewood.blogspot.com) and be able to access everything just the same as always! Quickly getting off that bit of sadness though, I would like to say thank you again to all of those who have been so supportive of this blog! I really appreciate the continued support I receive both on and off screen!

Have a beautiful day!

--XOXO, Jane

Monday, August 13, 2012

Hello Again Old Hobby!


I don’t want to sound like a cliché here, but I feel as a venture further away from this sort of ‘dark cloud’ of depression I really do learn more of myself. That includes the fact that in part of my self-neglect during my darker days came with stepping away from one of my favorite hobbies. This epiphany actually struck me last Friday while I was out with a friend. I was waiting in her van at one point with her youngest son in the backseat and it had been raining, so there were drops along the windows. Upon glancing over the driver side window, I felt the inspiration to capture what I was seeing. So with that, I pulled out my camera and snapped a shot (as you can see) from inside the car. I’ve always had a favorable fascination towards drops like that on window panes. I love the rain as it is, but I find drops along a window pane like this to be so pretty to look at.

As I put away my camera it got me to thinking. Why am I not taking pictures as regularly as I used to? I can’t use the problems I’ve been experiencing with my ankle as an excuse. I’m not immobile. I can hobble outside and roam around the yard for various pictures. Or even take my camera along with me while I’m out of the house to snap random things as I used to. I also used to make one of my best friends model for me regularly – I think it’s time to get that going again if she’s up for it! LOL!

Photography has always been special to me. I was even once told by a few relatives of mine that I have my grandfather’s eye. My grandfather (on my dad’s side) was into photography heavily at one point in his life. Call it a biased perspective, but the man was brilliant with a camera. I don’t think I could ever do with film what he did, but it was beautiful. To this day I do have copies of some of his work that I cherish, including one big picture of my father as a toddler walking uphill through the snow. More recently one of my aunts commented to me via Facebook that I should stick with my photography.

So perhaps that’s why last Friday when I snapped the photo of raindrops that you see along with this post, it struck me…I really need to start nurturing myself better. Of course that goes beyond the health aspect of things. I really need to also nurture my personal interests and allowing more growth.

--XOXO, Jane

Friday, August 10, 2012

Nephew & Doctor


Waiting at the doctor’s office is so much better when you have a little one with you. Or perhaps that’s just my view, because I’m an aunt. My friend ‘Cuddle Monkey’ and her beautiful seven month old son DJ accompanied me this afternoon to my appointment. I swear this little boy knows just how to capture the hearts of anyone who passes him by. Such an intelligent little one too, he’s already do things that most 1 year olds (or a bit older) do. He’s one of those babies that seems to always have a smile on his face and he definitely knows, he has his Auntie Jane wrapped around his finger already. LOL! With his mommy’s permission I’m sharing the photo attached to this post. I snapped it of him while we were waiting for me to get called back! Love his little face!

Now moving onto about the appointment, it started off where I got weighed, blood pressure and temp checked. The usual rundown – except given I was told I’m “pre-diabetic” at my physical, they did have to poke my finger (the middle to be precise) to do a test. While I wasn’t necessarily happy about that, as let’s face it – I hate needles, it was quick and painless. I am happy to share though, that my numbers were looking better! So here’s to still being diabetes free! I went over with things about my ankle and well, it might not be a sprain. My doctor wants me to see a foot/ankle specialist – so that is what I’m going to do. I don’t have an appointment set up yet, but here’s hoping it happens soon. I also got my tetanus shot as I was due for it. I must say the nurse who gave me the shot is a miracle worker! I swear I did not feel it at all! I’ll definitely have to request her next time I’m told it’s time for a shot. LOL!

Overall it’s been a pretty good day. The appointment went smoothly and well, aside from now being a little unsure of what’s going on with my ankle – it seems my health is for the most part in check. Plus I’m getting some extra time with my youngest nephew (the one in the photo) today, along with his momma. Must confess it makes me miss all my other nieces and nephews when I see one and not the rest. I love being an Aunt!

--XOXO, Jane

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Book Blooper


I honestly cannot recall coming across a book blooper before. Perhaps I have and just forgot about it, but most recently I’ve stumbled across a rather small one. I’ve been reading a book called ‘Angel’ by Nicole “Coco” Marrow (and Laura Hayden). It’s sort of a slow read…although many reviews I’ve read on it would suggest otherwise. Definitely a depends on your type of storyline or not. Now I am determined to finish the book, because a – I confess I like Coco and b – I actually want to know how it turns out. Plus I have to admit I’m rather amused to have found a blooper in a book. This just seems so much more fun than catching one in a movie or television show. Books don’t seem to very often have bloopers. Not that I want to encourage such a thing, but on the rare occasion one is found it’s a little amusing.

Anyways, while I was reading the other night right on page 96, I stumbled crossed a nice little blooper that my eyes took a second to catch.  Reading over the words it was clear the sentence was supposed to be, “then they have another thing coming.” What it read though was, “then they have another think coming.” Okay, easily it’s a small tiny little blooper. I am not faulting either author really, because how many of us haven’t made a type-o while writing? I’m a little surprised no editor had caught it, but as I mentioned it was tiny and it took me a second. I actually found myself reading it, then thinking – “Wait… what?” Re-reading it a couple times and then grabbing my camera to take the lovely snapshot you see attached to this post. You know I had to share this rarity, LOL! Have you ever caught a book blooper?

--XOXO, Jane

Friday, August 3, 2012

Oh Lucie Goosy


Is it strange to feel so sad and torn up over the loss of another person’s pet? I’ve asked this question a few times to those around me and each time I was told no. Lucie was a special Yorkie that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know these past few years. I’ve house/dog sat for her owners a handful of times now, watching her and her brother Ricky (a Pomeranian). Lucie was always my little buddy when I was staying at the house with them. She followed me everywhere and even slept with me at nighttime. Granted, she would wake me up between 5:00AM and 6:00AM every morning to be let out, but despite my extra sleepy state I could never be mad at her for it. I thought it was brilliant she let me know when she needed to be let out. One of my favorite memories of this loveable little life-force though, is whenever she wanted to play she would grab her favorite pink squeaky ball and bring it close to me. Put it down on the ground and look up to me, giving little light barks to catch my attention. The barks of course got louder and more consistent if I didn’t get right down on the floor to play with her when she was ready. She was a funny little dog and knew how to make those of us she liked, feel special. Lucie also had the cutest little smirk I ever did see on a dog’s face.

Unfortunately, Lucie had been suffering from pancreatic issues. The last time I stayed with the dogs, there was a special medication to give her in case of an episode. There were signs I had to watch out for and sadly, signs I believe I started to witness. Fortunately she didn’t have a full on attack, I stayed right on top of things with her giving her a pill on the few occasions it seemed she was about to have problems. It was also fortunate that I have so many good memories with Lucie. From times I stayed overnight, to times I was simply out that way and stopped by to help out with the little dogs. Tragedy struck back on July 26th. She was brought into the emergency vet and unfortunately she passed. They were able to diagnose that the pancreatic issues she had were actually cancerous and it sadly it went to her brain. I cannot deny that I am still devastated by the loss of this little dog. She wasn’t MY dog, but she was such a special little pup in my life. Definitely one that has left a positive impression on my life and one I had a bond with.

She was a beautiful little dog inside and out, and she will definitely be missed.

--XOXO, Jane