From my own experiences

baby cousin

2007-01-17T06:06:00.000-08:00

Isn't she the cutest thing?

hello 2007

2007-01-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas is over. The decorations have been put away. We've exchanged our unwanted Christmas presents for things we really wanted... 2007 is no longer waiting to arrive. It's here. The year of my wedding is here.

The way I see it - by jen leigh

2006-11-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

The way I see it - by jen leigh

isn't it ironic?

2006-09-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

WORD OF THE DAY: irony.

Midnight and I Just Saying "HI"

2006-08-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

getting dropped off

2006-08-15T19:49:00.000-07:00

My baby cousin got dropped off at college. Don't know who I feel worse for, him or his mother. As the oldest of four, he is the first one to leave the nest.... His siblings are sad to se him go-the first thing they did was ransack his room. Just kidding Ty!

why men are trite

2006-08-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

So this afternoon mark and I went to our local sandwich for (ready for this? ) a sandwich. We were sitting there enjoying our philly cheese when in walked a lady that literally made the every guy in the place do a double take. (yes, even mark) Now, I'm not going to sit here and dog the poor girl....maybe she had no money to buy clothes that fit. Those jeans, though they were about two sizes to small, may have been the only ones she had. Jeans aside, she wasn't exactly what I would call 'hot. Not even slightly attractive. Why the doubletakes? Apparently this nice young lady had made a sport out of showing off her butt. Men are such trite creatures. I learned today that all a girl needs to have to look 'hot' is well-shaped butt. Who cares what her face looks like...in the words of metallica, nothing else matters.

Kellie and I

2006-08-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

The rock

2006-08-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2006-07-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

I love reading. I love reading about differnet people and how the choices they made affected their lives. It's amazing, really. Every story is a story. Every person has experienced their own pain and suffering as well as (hopefully) happiness and achievement. I've always preferrd to read non-fiction stories. But, lately I've read some fictional stories that have been extremely captivating. Although they may not be real, they very easily could have been. My latest book that I couldn't put down was: The Memory Keeper's Daughter. Every once in awhile a book comes a long that leaves me breathless. The title comes from the name of the digital camera that the main character gives her husband as a way for him to capture memories. This story begins in 1964- when clinical depression and mental retardation were very taboo. During a blizzard one night, a doctor's wife has twins. The first, a boy,is born completely healthy. The second, a girl, is born with Down's Syndrome. While his wife is sleeping, he decides in a drastic moment, to tell his nurse to take his daughter to an institution. The wife is told her daughter died. The nurse raises the daughter as her own. In a word: POWERFUL!

What A Thrill!!

2006-07-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Who would've thought I would shoot a gun and actually really enjoy it? I sure didn't it. I'm glad that I decided to learn to shoot correctly instead of letting Mark show me.....I really didn't much like the semi-automatic-it was pain reloading the stinkin' thing.....The revolver is much easier, I love that it can't get jammed.

Lord of the Rings

2006-07-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's finally happened. I knew it was only a matter of time. No turning back now. I've become a nerd. I know- shockingly dificult to believe, but alas, it's true. What led me to this path of nerd-like attributes? I think it all started with this blogging thing. As every self-respecting nerd knows, it's all about the blog. (I know-I'm gagging myself) But, I couldn't just stop there...OH NO! I'm on a quest. A quest to bring out the complete nerd. What better way to help that process along than by watching Lord of the Rings So, I watched all 3 movies, and quite honestly, I had no clue what really was going on. (I did,however, learn two important things about the movie: I learned that hobbits have big feet but can't walk very fast, and the elves are the most good-looking of all the creatures (well done, orlando bloom) Unsatisfied, I went to Barnes and Noble and bought the book. So, here I am a self-proclamed nerd who is actually reading AND enjoying The Lord of the Rings (a book that is 1,178 pages, including the index.

The Other Boleyn Girl

2006-07-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

For about a month now Mark's mom has been telling me that I simply had to read "The Other Boleyn Girl" She said I would absolutely love it. But, I have to admit, I really wasn't looking forward to reading a 661 page story on the life of Mary Boleyn, Anne's younger sister. Everyone knows Anne Boleyn as the wife of King Henry VIII who ahd the misfortune of having her head chopped off. (OUCH!) Needless to say, I was not very nxious to begin this book. However, after only the first two pages, I could not put it down. It is written from the viewpoint of Mary Bolelyn, from her days as a young lady in court to winning the favor of the King of England. It's intersting that everything that she must endure is not for her sake, but the sake of her family. NOthing, and I mean nothing, is a private matter when you are competing for the love of the king.

The way I see it - by jen leigh

2006-07-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

The way I see it - by jen leigh

My Wedding Plans - by Jen

2006-07-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

My Wedding Plans - by Jen

"The Brother I Never Wanted"

2006-06-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Somewhere a friend is hurting. Truth be told, we are all hurting. Doesn't seem fair, hasn't he suffered enough? I've never been very patient. I don't like to wait. And yet, waiting is all we can do right now. Waiting for the inevitable. Waiting for what is to come. Just Simply Waiting.......

The Prettiest Girl in the World

2006-06-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

you have never have TOO MANY cloud pictures

2006-06-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

www.my.opera.com/j.leigh

Bunco

2006-06-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a first for me. I played Bunco. My future mother-in-law asked me to substitute at her monthly game. The game was supposed to have started at 10:00, but thatnks to me it didn't begin til nearly 10:30. I wish I could say that I merely forgot, or perhaps I was running late, but no such luck. I got lost! Embarrassingly lost. It doesn't matter that I've been there before, or that I live about minutes away from where I was going. How hard could it be to find a house on the golf course? Boy, was I wrong. To make matters worse, My dear Mark, who has never been lost in his life, gave me wrong directions. So here I was wandering around the golf course hoping upon every hope that I would miracously arrive at her house. Thankfully, I made it without sobbing hysterically and embarrassing myself even more.

one with nature

2006-06-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

From time to time Mark likes to become one with nature.

2006-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last night, Mark & I were quite the motivated couple. When it was almost dusk we walked 2 miles(granted it wasn't running, but whatever.) I didn't realize how hot it still is at that time. Stupid me didn't drink much water yesterday, needless to say, by the time we got back to the truck I was pretty parched. Downright dehydrated. Never drank a gatorade so fast.... On the bright side, it was definitely a good night for pictures...

Check this out!!!

2006-06-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mark and I ate at little outside cafe. While waiting (for nearly an eternity I might add) for our hamburgers I noticed this tree. Notice how it's growing? Right through the fence.

Can you figure out where this picture was taken?

2006-06-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what you think of this picture. Trust me-it'll grow on you.

A story about Data

2006-06-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

I realized, shockingly for the first time, that I've forgotten Data. "what Data?" "No, not what Data?" "Who's Data? This is Data. Our big German Shepherd. Data is the reason Midnight has been so well trained, and I swear he understands most of what it said, especially when it's about him. He can do all the boring dog stuff: sit, lie down, shake (yawn, yawn) But, how many dogs do you know that can close the door on command, or give kisses when told......he even faked taking his heart worm pill. Mark put it Data's mouth and held his mouth shut so he would swallow it. This is the only way that Data would take the stupid thing. Data would unwillingly swallow it and Mark would let go of his mouth-end of story. But this last time he faked us out. Mark held his mouth as usual,Data swallowed, and Mark let go. Data opened his mouth and out came the soggy pill. He did a fake swallow. I just stood there staring. Next thing I know, Data's tail is wagging and he's heading out the door.

My first trip to Starbucks

2006-06-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

I remember when I bought my first Starbucks. I wanted to see what all the hype was about. People everywhere were holding their precious paper cup filled with their preferred coffee. I wanted that, too. I took my place behind a line of about 3 people. I was honestly quite shocked at how easily each patron gave their order. With seemingly no effort they rattled off orders like "Grande Cafe Mocha with soy," "Tall Caramel Macchiato" and "Tall Cafe Americano." Not wanting to appear dumb (imagine that!) I ordered the same thing as the person before me- a "Tall Cafe Americano." The experience did not leaving me wanting more. In fact, quite the opposite. I don't know what I was expecting, but I no sooner put it in my mouth that I nearly spit it right out again. That was a few years ago. These days, I'm the one that rattles her order off breathlessly,if at all.

The answer is "no"

2006-06-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how many people live in the city, and yet how few actually step out of the box long enough to do something different. OR in the off chance that someone actually wants to do something a bit different, you can bet your bottom dollar that it'll be considered illegal and highly offensive.

why check the weather?

2006-06-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon I walked outside and found Mark busily washing down the boat. This could only mean ONE thing. I don't know why we would bother checking the weather-it's not like there was a tropical depression out there......

I'm gonna write me a letter

2006-06-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

It's definitely summer now...no question about it. It's downright disgusting outside. My car thermometer said 100 degrees. Totally ridiculous. Much too hot. I feel like writing someone a letter- maybe some tree huggin' politician can tell me why it's to stinkin' hot. (of course they can, don't they know everything?) Y'know what? I would not want to be a plant right now-having to rely on someone like mark and I to give me water.....I can see myself withering away. I've been on this running kick-doing pretty good, too. Midnight and I have been getting up early and heading out before Mr. Summer has fully woken up from his night across the ocean.

under the bridge

2006-06-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

102_5032,
originally uploaded by jleigh350

tags:bridge

The Pinecone

2006-06-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

102_5972,
originally uploaded by jleigh350.

Isn't this a beautiful picture? I wish I could take all the credit for it , but I can't. Mark spotted the pinecone and suggested that I photograph it. I was hesitant, but as it turns out...it was a great shot! tag:pinecone

Can you guess where this was taken?

2006-06-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Care-Bears

2006-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

I have always loved clouds. As a girl, I would watch them until they disappeared....or I got tired-whichever came first. I had so much fun finding a tiger, a whale, a pillow....you get the idea. Like most young girls of the early 80's, I was a big fan of the Carebears. Don't tell me you forgot about the CareBears. Well, they were bears who cared ( yes, I figured that out ALL by myself) But, the best part is that they lived in the clouds....maybe just one cloud, I don't remember anymore. I sincerely thought that because CareBears could hop, walk and live on the clouds, then so could we. My sad little story gets even better.....for you, not me. My fiance,then boyfriend, and I were talking about clouds one day about 10 years ago. He said that he wished he could walk on a cloud. Laughing, almost hysterially, I asked him why he couldn't.....I thought there was something wrong with him. (Come to find out, there was something wrong with me, very very wrong) That's the day I learned that people can't walk on the clouds like the Carebears. It was a very sad day. tags:weblog tags:clouds tags:nature

lets make this easy on both of us

2006-06-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm dog tired tonight. So instead of rambling on and on about nothing really important...I'll simply say good night.

Take Time to Notice the flowers

2006-05-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a happy flower? On Saturday, I spent nearly 4 hours cleaning out my classroom for the last time. (I think a Yippee is in order!) By the time I was finally finished I was hot, tired and ready to go home. For the past three years, I have passed this bush, without ever really seeing it. Truth be told, I probably wouldn't have noticed yesterday, if not for Midnight. Midnight, being a curious puppy, was fixated on a dead bug and would not come when I called her. I swung back around to call her again and literally looked at the flower head on. My first thought was "Where did this thing come from? Surely I would noticed it......." How many more things have I missed that are right in front of my face?

As far as I'm concerned....

2006-05-29T12:58:00.001-07:00

This afternoon, I was on my way to Barnes and Noble (my mother ship) when I looked at the thermometer on my truck. 96 DEGREES! It's not even June yet! Somehow that does leave me with high hopes for a cool summer. As far as I am concerned, SUMMER IS HERE. As long as my air conditioning keeps working the threat of the impending heat and humidity won't bother me at all. Of course, there are some foolish people that are dancing around like sun-baked bunny rabbits at the thought of frying their skin for yet another season. I, however, have begun begin my season of hibernation. It's just too stinkin' hot to go outside. So, I stay inside as much as I can during the day- I only go outside in the early morning hours or after the sun has gone to sleep.

Happy Non-Partisan, Completely American Day-AKA Memorial Day

2006-05-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Q: Do you know why today is called Memorial Day?

Meet Midnight

2006-05-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

Meet Midnight. (Yes, I know she's white) She is a 9 month Big Boned White German Shepherd puppy. Don't let the word puppy fool you, Midnight is huge. Our other German Shepherd, Data (5 years old) has had to give up his comfy place as the "spoiled only child"--the crowned prince, if you will. As you might imagine, Data was very reluctant and downright unwilling to share anything with Midnight...from cuddle time and toys to the conveted Bye Bye time. Yet over the last couple of months, Data seems to be getting used to this bouncing baby beluga. (Maybe he's realizing she's going to bigger than him.......) He is training her better than I ever could. He is sharing with her all his tried and tested wisdom on what it takes to be a dog: she's learning to guard the house and has already mastered the technique of grabbing a mouthful of dogfood and dropping it a few feet away.

serenity is a beautiful thing

2006-05-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

Why I'd Rather Drive

2006-05-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

It's no secret....I positively hate the entire flying experience. Everything from driving to the airport and walking to my gate, to sitting on the airplane trying to pretend that I'm enjoying my book. Then there's the landing. What's not to love about being securely fastened in your seat as the plane is hurling itself onto the runway? So, this weekend I had a flight that left at 7:00 a.m. That's bad enough....what could be worse? I'm glad you asked. How about almost missing the stupid flight?! I got to my gate just as the door was closed. I was told rather rudely that the flight was closed. So I stood there and simply said "please" The mean lady told me again that the flight was closed. So, once again, I simply said "please" This time she ignored me. For the third time, all I said was "please." By this time, I think she was tired of putting up with me. She took my ticket and told me to run. The flight attendant met me on the plane, " Are you Jennifer? " Thankfully, I am. I made the flight without having to shed any tears. Yippee!

Why graduations should not be outside.....

2006-05-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was excited about my cousin graduating. Then, I learned that the ceremony was going to be in the stadium....OUTSIDE!! The announced time of 7:00 was changed to 8:00 due to the possibility of rain. (Shouldnt that have been thought about more than 2 hours before the ceremony? But, I digress....) If the powers that be had kept graduation at 8:00, I shudder to think of possibilities-the obvious one being that the torrential rain would've been over by 8:00 and the graduation would've been a great success. But, things weren't goofed up enough, so the graduation was moved again to (you guessed it) 7:00. The outfit I had brought from Tampa to wear to the graduation I didn't even take out of my suitcase. Can you imagine trapsing through mud and muck in Chico's attire? Me neither. At 7:00 it began, and at 7:07 so did the rain. It didn't just rain a little bit. It poured. I was half expecting to see Noah sailing down the football field in the ark. Every speaker was drowned out by the noise of falling rain. The crowd of anticipating people instantly became a sea of umbrellas. Of course, my cousin Kileigh and I seemed to be the only two people in the stadium that were trying (unsuccessfully) to keep dry by holding on to a broken and slightly psychotic umbrella. *** Word to the Wise: a broken umbrella does not keep you dry....in fact, you may actually get wetter than not using one at all

Ty

2006-05-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my cousin, Ty, was a grumpy little boy with glasses and braces. Today, he is getting ready to graduate high school. He has traded his glasses for contacts and his teeth are as straight as an arrow. My baby cousin is no longer a baby. His brain and intellect are as big as his 6'3 frame. Tomorrow he'll be off to college. Next week he'll be graduating from college and I'll still be wondering where all the time has gone.

Everyone Needs A House To Dream About

2006-05-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

There's a house. It's not just any house....it's my house- well, my dream house. It is only a few miles from here. Every once in awhile, my fiance and I drive by and look at it....... it's beautiful! It's big enough for us to have a family and never need to worry about buying a bigger house. I'll have the home that I've always wanted....a home where my kids will be raised in, and where my grandkids will come visit me.

2006-05-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

It's nearly the end of the school year. (8 days, but who's counting?) Am I sad? No, I can't exactly say that. I've been at my school for three years now and in the life of a small private school that is nearly a lifetime.