Happy Thanksgiving, a little late!

Hello, Friends! Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you all had fun on this past turkey day, eating you hearts out and enjoying your family or whatever Thanksgiving traditions hold for you.

Growing up, we NEVER, and I repeat, never, traveled for Thanksgiving. It just wasn't what we did. We stayed home and enjoyed a nice quiet meals together (with plenty of leftovers... yummy!).

Well, this year, for the third year in a row (whoa), we went out of town. This year we went to Michigan to visit my Nana (dad's mother). She has been lonely since the death of my grandfather this past February. It was a nice weekend, but I have to admit a little boring. No offense to my Nana's house, but there isn't much to do. There is no Internet (hence why I am posting now that I am back), and the TV can only entertain for so long. I did a lot of reading, which is nice... and even more sleeping, which was even nicer. Now, let's just hope I can re-learn how to function with the normal eight hours.

On a fun note, we went to my favorite place on earth while we were up there... Little Sable Point in Shelby, Michigan. We own land there and my parents are talking of finally building a cottage on the land. We used to vacation up there every summer and I can't wait to start that tradition up again, but this time in our own place! :-). Here are a couple pics of the land... love it!

Enjoy the Christmas season, friends! It will be over before we know it.

The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares

My roommate lent me this book to read. She did preface the loan with, "I really like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, so I read the authors first foray into Adult Literature." While it wasn't a bad book, I don't know if it was memorable.

This is a story of two sisters and their last year together. One sister doesn't quite fit in with the world; it is never stated but she may be autistic, or something. The other sister, the younger one, is beautiful and is moving on into "adulthood" while the other is firmly planted in youth. It is their story of journeying into the next part of life, the sacrifices you make for love and what you learn along the way.

I like the easy read, and would say pick it up if you wanted something to read on the beach or on the plane, but I wouldn't say it is going to change your life.

This book, however, did get me thinking about the transition into adulthood and how it is natural. I never thought about not wanting to move into "adulthood" if you will; I mean, sure would I love to not have to pay bills? to not have to work full time? sure! But, the transition is natural, it is one that everyone has to make, right? We can't stay standing in youth, not matter how much we want to. This is actually something I think I have been thinking about a lot lately, especially because in someways I am still in the middle of that transition. Maybe soon I'll be able to put into words more about my transition, some of the things I have learned and what I miss from "youth."

If I don't get to blog over the weekend, let me wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy whatever you plan to do over this holiday weekend.

Comic Strips

Who was like me when they were a kid? I LOVED the comics, or the "funnies" as we used to call them. I would get up in the morning and go straight for them to read over breakfast. Who needs the news when you can just read the funnies.


When I went off to college, it was the thing about the newspaper I missed the most. And as I still don't get the paper on a regular basis, I don't get caught up with my favorite ones. However, as with most things in this day and age, you can always find some online.


I read "For Better or For Worse," each morning when I get into work (it is bookmarked, people). It was sooo sad when she decided to end the strip, but at least she is revisitng each strip from the early years and 're-releasing' them if you will. Here is the last strip; it was a great wrap up to a family I come to love.

I also really like "Baby Blues." I am not even close to being a parent, but anyone who has ever been around children knows how accurate this comic strip is. I have been known to laugh out loud at it in my silent office.

Recently I have been introduced to comics.com. It doesn't have all of my old favorites, but it does have some good ones. Once you create an account you can choose to have some sent to your email every morning and the others show up on your comics.com homepage. I am sure I am going to love this site.

What were your favorite comic strips growing up? I'll have to look at the Daily Break next time I go home and see if I am able to find more of my old favorites online... because who doesn't like to keep up with their favorite characters?

Fall Retreat

This past weekend was Fall Retreat for the Foundations Life Class (what we call my Sunday School Class). We went to Camp Mundo Vista, and it was so much fun! This is my second year going, and I have to say that this year was fabulous. It helped that I was no longer the "new" girl and that I felt more comfortable with the people I hung out with. And, to be honest the dynamics of the class have just changed... and in a good way.

Anyway, here are some photos from the weekend.

Here is our whole entire class. We were 53 people strong this weekend... what a blast to get to know each of them better!

This is our Sunday School teacher, Mike Williams, with his wife Amy and their son Luke. Doesn't Luke look adorable as he tries to keep warm in the 30-40 degree weather we had this past weekend?

These are some of the coolest girls I know... that is Stephanie and Rachel on the left; me and my roomie, Laura, in the middle; and Lauren, Laura, Rachel and I on Saturday night checking out the AWESOME sunset (check out the photos below).

On Saturday we did a photo scavenger hunt... it seems to me that people had fun with it. They had to do a group pyramid with at least 6 people, recreate a Disney scene, find a place that fit "I can't believe we all fit in here," etc. Lots of smiles were abounding.

And as promised, here are the sunset photos... it was gorgeous. Overall, a great weekend. Glad God took me there... I learned a lot. I know most of these photos are of the fun things we did. I'll try to blog more about what God taught me once I work through it more.

Just a little panic...

A couple of days ago, I was late for work. See, I have a cat. Her name is Belle. And normally in the morning, she won't leave my side. She follows me into the bathroom, around the apartment; she attacks my feet as I pack my lunch, etc. Well, on Wednesday she was no where to be found.

And, I panicked.

I know, I know. She is just a cat. But, she is also my baby.

I looked everywhere for her... under the bed, in my roommates room (where the door is closed and Belle isn't allowed); I moved the couch, looked under all of our chairs. I could not find her. I just paced the apartment because I didn't know where she was.

Where was she? Well, here is where I found her...

That's right... in my closest curled up on an old comforter. The best part? I had to pass her two or three times as I was panicking... she probably just looked up at me laughing. "What is that stupid human doing?"

Oh well, at least I found her!

Go Blue!!!

This past weekend I went to Michigan to visit old friends and go to a football game. The football game was pretty miserable... about 35-40 degrees, rainy and we lost. But that's ok! I still got to have dinner at Pizza House (yum!!!) and hang out with some really great friends. Here are some photos from the weekend.

I am...

Sorry all... I have been kind of absent these last couple of days. I will hopefully be a bit more regular on my blog updating/commenting soon. I have a couple of books to review, some musings from turning 25, fun life adventures to update you on. Whoa... when I put it that way, why haven't I updated yet? Probably because I am forgetful and lazy.

Well, until then, I'll spend today's lunch break do this fun little survey.

I am: frustrated with people who don't know how to find out information for themselves.

I know: I should be working on my Area Newsletter or the Photo Scavenger Hunt rather than blogging.

I want: the new Tony Lucca CD and the new Andrew Peterson CD... maybe for Christmas!

I wish: I was more of a disciplined person.

I hate: Ohio State. Game Day on Saturday people!

I miss: Ann Arbor, snow in December and the general care-free-ness of college days. If only I knew then what I know now about being an "adult."

I fear: never being married or having children.

I feel: pretty good I guess...

I hear: Ray LaMontagne's "Within You" and my floor-mates talking

I smell: my co-workers soup... smells good!

I crave: Coca-Cola all the time.

I search: the web for random things when I am bored or need a mental break; normally it is spoilers for my favorite shows.

I regret: not being better at showing those I care about I love them, especially those far away who need me to spend time on the phone with them, etc.

I love: Chick-fil-a, Coca-Cola, any gummy and sweet

I ache: when I remember embarrassing moments.

I care: far too much about what others think of me.

I always: hit the snooze button in the morning.

I am not: very good at styling my hair... it must have been skipped in my gene pool.

I believe: in Jesus Christ and what He came to do for sinners like me and you.

I dance: like a goof-ball, but I love to anyway... you'll definitely see me on the dance floor.

I sing: ok, but you probably won't hear me. I only sing in the car. It's actually my secret dream to be a famous singer.

I cry: occasionally... really only when I am really mad and frustrated.

I fight: with the best of 'em. I'm very stubborn. And especially if you are my mom and trying to convince me to do something.

I write: seldomly. I am using this blog to try to work on getting my thoughts down onto "paper."

I win: seldomly. But I am very competitive, so this frustrates me.

I lose: my temper fairly fast.

I never: know what to say at the time, but ask me thirty minutes later and I probably have a funny, witty thing to say then... just not when the timing is right.

I confuse: people. I am sure I don't make very much sense.

I am scared: of the unknown.

I need: to learn how to be disciplined.

I am happy about: Fall Retreat this weekend!

I hope: for a better tomorrow, but know it will only come when Christ returns.

No Comment

I have no comment. I am stunned beyond belief. Is it even necessary? I mean, the High School Musical movies are already squeaky clean. Anyway... no comment.

PS. Any of you out there like the HSM movies? I for one think they are cheese-tastically great! :-). And yes, I went to see HSM3 in the movie theaters... but to make it not look weird I took a 8 and 6 year old with me... they had a great time with Miss Jaye and I enjoyed myself. (and yes I did roll my eyes a couple of times, but I also was tapping my foot slightly wishing life was a musical).

A to Z

Thought I would do one of these since I have been so opinionated recently.

A-Z

A - Available? yes

B - Best Friend? Jenn Calhoun

C- Cake or Pie? cake (confetti cake w/ confetti frosting)

D - Drink Of Choice? Coca-Cola... too bad it has so many calories and is NOT good for you

E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? gel for my unruly hair

F - Favorite Color? blue

G- Gummy Bears Or Worms? sour gummy worms... but really I like anything gummy

H - Hometown? Virginia Beach, VA

I - Indulgence? buying something I can't afford at the time

.J - January Or February? Feb, it is one month closer to spring... and besides this year I am going to Disney in Feb

K - Kids & Their Names? not yet people

L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Jesus, friends and family, music

N- Number Of Siblings? one great brother, Ross

O - Oranges Or Apples? apples, most definitely

P - Phobias/Fears? spiders, grated stairs, or stairs with no backs

Q - Favorite Quote? can I get back to you on this one?

R - Reason to Smile? LIFE! The Lord has blessed me with an awesome life that I do not deserve.

S - Season? Fall or Spring because you can sleep with the windows open and that is my favorite

T - To Tag? whoever wants to!

U - Unknown Fact About me? I can waste time like no one's business... seriously I procrastinate like no one else.

V - Vegetable you don't like? just one? How about this... I like cucumbers and spinach (although not cooked), and that is really about it. I can tolerate a couple of other veggies, but not many.

W - Worst Habit? procrastinating and lack of motivation sometimes
X - X-rays You've Had? my back, for Scoliosis; my foot when I was little to see if it was broken (it wasn't)

Y - Your Favorite Food? Papa John's Pizza or Chick-fil-a

Z - Zodiac Sign? don't really follow it, but I am a Scorpio

Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World!

As I have mentioned, I am going to Disney World! Because we have some fun things between now and February 27, I won't start my official countdown until after Christmas. However, it doesn't mean I am not super excited and can't do a little prep reading.

Now, I know what you are thinking... Jaye P, you have been to Disney a million times before. Why do you need to do some prep reading?

Well, because this is my first time when I, by myself, am planning the trip. Before I have either just gone along with the 'rents or only been for a day trip to the Magic Kingdom.

And, well... because Disney is ever changing. I just wanted to make sure that I knew what was going one. For instance... did you know they are "refurbishing" Pleasure Island? No more club hopping at Disney... and now I don't have to worry about trying to do that. See... doing your research pays off.

Anyway, I really liked this book. The "Valuable" Coupons might be a little bit misleading... but other than that this book is well work the $12 I paid for it on Amazon.com. Seriously... full of "insider" tips despite being an "official" guide. I feel better prepared to hit each park, knowing which rides fill up fast, which ones have the fast pass option (the greatest amusement park invention ever), and when the shows are. We are on a tight schedule in Feb, and I want to make sure we get the most out of the trip.

The downside to this book? It made me that much more excited to go... at least the time between now and Feb 27 will fly by!

Sin Boldly by Cathleen Falsani

I am not sure what I expected when I picked up Cathleen Falsani's, "Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace." Part of me half expected a book that I would dub "way over my head theologically." However, once I picked up this book, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Each chapter was told in such a way that you as the reader felt like you were on a Journey with Falsani, just privy to her thoughts as she went along. Each chapter seemed unrelated, but yet somehow you just knew they were all heading in the same direction.

In the end I enjoyed greatly Falsani's story-telling ability and her challenge to live boldly, because it is there that we find God's grace. I don't agree theologically with everything Falsani says and really wished that there was some more "truth" statements to go along with all of her "love" statements about faith, but overall I do agree that we need to live boldly... I am a big fan of living life by taking steps of faith, because it is only then that God can truly open or shut doors. Look for God's grace everywhere and live boldly!

One Last Post

Good Morning All! Happy day after election day! No matter who you voted for, aren't you glad that you won't be getting phone calls from the "candidates" (recorded voice messages), fliers in the mail, awful, negative election ads or harassed by people of both sides of the spectrum? C'mon, I am pumped about that alone!

Anyway, I will bore you with a couple of other good blogs I have found... well, just because I like what everyone had to say...

This is about flyering at a church, and their policy. But what I like is this paragraph:

"I explained that we wanted Grace to be a safe place for people on the Right and the Left, that we had many people here just starting their spiritual journey, and that we weren't going to confront them with political conversion."

Ok, and while I don't always agree with Donald Miller, I for the most part like what he has to say... as well, I just think he is someone who really thinks through his decisions. Read this article... what a great mind he has, and I praise the Lord he is using it for Christ!

Finally, I must say, I am most excited for the election to be over because of how hateful we all are during it. With the Facebook phenomena, people have status updates, and over the last weekend, I have been sick to my stomach reading them all. By far, the worst one was...

"Person is thankful that God is in control... even over stupid people."

-OR-

"Person is moving to Iraq...I'd probably be safer from terrorists there."

But I also saw some I liked. This one from a friend who was overall sad about McCain losing, but I respect how he handled it...

"Person is glad the election is finally over. No more calls, commercials, or flyers in the mail. Alright President Obama lets get this country in order."

I am sure you all saw some you liked and some you didn't... just glad we don't have to deal with this for another 4 years. Whew...

Election Day

Well, folks... Election Day is upon us, and I for one am ready for it to be OVER! That's right... I want it to be over. And at this point, I don't really care what happens, who wins, etc. I am just ready for us to know who our next leader will be.

It's funny, I have lots of opinions right now... all of which I want to share with you. But I have no idea where to begin.

How about this? I voted today. I chose to vote today, because I feel like I can, in good conscience, vote for one of the candidates. I have always heard people say that we have to vote, to not vote is the wrong choice. My opinion may have been swayed today. Read this article by Derek Webb. Interesting. But like I said, I, in good conscience, voted today.

Who did I vote for? I am debating on whether I should share this information on a public forum... but I feel like I should. Why? Well, first of all, if you know me at all you can probably guess who I voted for. But also because why should I keep it a secret?

I am proud to say that I voted for Barack Obama.

I think he is a good choice to lead this country for the next four years. I like his policies, how he has presented himself, and personally I think that we do need change in this country (ok, ok... it has become a cliche, but I do think we need it). How is that for vague? Not much substance... just know I have thought about it and done my research. I feel like Obama is the choice that I can in good conscience vote for. Here is a blog I read from time to time and the 14 reasons he voted for Obama... Part I. Part II. Overall I agree with what he said about Obama and am in line with him as to why I voted the way I did.

So what is next? I guess my final opinion (for today). I happened upon this guy's blog from the Burnside Writer's Collective Blog. Love the Burnside Writer's Collective and all the thoughtful opinions there. Bryan posted his thoughts about the election yesterday and I have to say I right there with him. Especially the part about how he hates what politics have done to America. Don't I know it.

Folks, I have been raised a Democrat. My parents are both Democrats so it is fair to say that was the way I was raised. However, I consider myself an Independent, a moderate, middle of the road voter.

Want to know something else? I have always, always been the "liberal" in the conservative circles. I grew up in Virginia (which has not always been a swing state... up until a couple of years ago it was always Republican). I went to a school with a heavy military base population. Needless to say I was a minority.

Then I went to the University of Michigan... which is very, very liberal. But not the people I hung out with.

I am a conservative, evangelical Christian.

So, needless to say my friend groups (both in college and now) tend to be on the right side of the political spectrum. And again, I am in the minority.

And normally, I don't think this is a bad thing. Unless it is an election year. And then I just am floored with how divisive and ugly and hateful politics make people, especially Christians.

Do you know that I once had a person I consider a friend tell me to my face "I don't know how you can call yourself a Christian and vote Democrat. Makes me think you aren't a Christian."

Yep, you read it right people... someone called into question my faith because I vote Democrat.

Correct me if I am wrong, but where in the Bible does it say that Republican=Christian and Democrat=unbeliever? Last time I checked the definition of a Christian is someone who has made a genuine decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. But, again, correct me if I am wrong.

Neither party is perfect. And both have policies that are blatantly against what Christians believe. But is our affiliation with one political party expressing to nonbelievers an incorrect view of what Christianity is? Christ came to this earth to reconcile us sinners with God. No matter what else is going on, I believe that nonbelievers need to know what we as Christians stand FOR, and not for what we stand against.

I stand for Christ first.

Then everything else. Let's spread His word. And by the way... politics isn't the best way to do so. I am finishing up Philip Yancey's "The Jesus I Never Knew," and in it Yancey points out that the church has failed the most to spread the Gospel when it has depended upon the government to do so. Forcing our beliefs on others isn't the answer.

Ok... so I feel like I have spent a lot of time ranting and raving today... just a lot on my mind. I lift up this country in prayer today... because we are all fallen and need help. Good thing God is in control.

PS, Go out and vote, if you can do so in good conscience. And if you do, make sure to get your free Starbucks, free Krispie Kream donut, and free Ben and Jerry's ice cream scoop!

PPS. Thanks for sticking with me to the end... I know it wasn't very linear in thought today.