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

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

I Got The Boot!



Months of pain, swelling and misery upon my left ankle have finally come to an actual diagnosis! I’m not sprained, I don’t have arthritis or damage to my cartilage. Of course I naturally thank God for it not have been either of the latter to that list. I do however, have a severely torn tendon. It’s a pretty common thing to occur, more so with people who have flat feet. I don’t have flat feet, but I’m not going to question it any further. I’m just glad I don’t have to do another MRI and that there is an actual answer to the problems I have been experiencing in my ankle since the end of last fall/beginning of winter.

As you can see in the photo being shared, I have an ‘oh so stylish’ boot to wear now. I’ll have to wear this boot for six weeks. I am not to walk around unless I absolutely have to, as I must keep off my ankle as much as humanly possible. Fortunately I have a couple movies I’ve borrowed from a friend and some books to read. Unfortunately, I’m typically a semi-pretty-active person and well, it’s going to drive me crazy to be down so much.

The alternative though, is if I don’t take care of my ankle properly then I may have to look at surgery options and that just scares the BA-JEE-BUS right out of me! So I have definitely started praying that these next six weeks not only fly right on by, but also that this helps and that my ankle will show great improvement or at lease enough to avoid the need to discuss surgery by the time I see the foot/ankle specialist again on my follow up appointment.

--XOXO, Jane

Monday, September 3, 2012

The Versatile Award



A big thank you to Vickilicious over at The Greek Housewife blog for this second award of mine! I cannot believe she was so gracious to give me two awards. I practically feel speechless with all the extra attention my blog has been receiving lately and I am so happy to participate in these blog awards floating around. I definitely feel blessed to be circled in with a cluster of such talented bloggers out there. I so greatly appreciate beyond words how supportive and loving a lot of my fellow bloggers have really been with me and others around them as well.

So getting to the award, it’s called the Versatile Blogger. It’s an award being passed around to recognize budding talent in bloggers! I am so thrilled to not only receive, but to pass this one out as well!


The Rules For The Versatile Blogger Award:
01: Add the award to your blog.
02: Thank the person who presented it to you.
03: List seven random facts about yourself.
04: List the rules.
05: Pass the award onto seven other bloggers.
06: Inform each blogger they won by commenting on their blog.

Here are some more random facts about me!
01 – I enjoy cooking, especially when I’m cooking for others.
02 – I’m a big fan of Janis Joplin’s music! Love her voice!
03 – I’ve had the absolute pleasure of meeting author Kim Harrison.
04 – I’ve officially been in two of the five great lakes!
05 – I was born in Holland, Michigan.
06 – I don’t believe in limiting myself creatively.
07 – I’ve just recently experienced and enjoy my first manicure.

Now for the lovely blogs I am passing this award right onto!


Thank you again to Vickilicious! I definitely encourage everyone to check out her blog, as well as the ones I’ve just passed this award along to!

--XOXO, Jane Ridgewood

Second Liebster Award!



I am in a bit of blogger shock as I have received the Liebster Award for a second time! This came my way just seven short days after I participated in the first one. This time around though it comes from Vickilicious over at The Greek Housewife blog! I am so truly touched and flattered that my blog has been receiving the attention it has. Thank you so much Vicki for this award and now for my official participation in this. To get started though, for those who don’t remember or know what a Liebster Award is from my previous entry (Liebster Award!), here’s a bit of information on it.

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.

So here goes with my answers for round two of this fun award!

11 Random Facts About Me:
01 – My dream dog is a Giant Schnauzer.
02 – Jessica Alba is one of my favorite actresses.
03 – Robert Englund is my all-time favorite actor.
04 – Butterscotch is one of my favorite treats to enjoy.
05 – When watching movies I like to snack on popcorn and chocolate chips.
06 – I used to be a heavy autograph collector.
07 – I enjoy dancing even though I’m not good at it.
08 – I’ve only sang Karaoke publicly one night with friends to an empty bar.
09 – Out of all household chores laundry is my favorite.
10 – I want to go to college for web and graphic design.
11 – Though I don’t look it, I do enjoy working out.

Now onto the next step where I answer questions from Miss Vickilicious!