Usborne Books Giveaway on 'Life as Lou' Blog!

Hey fellow readers and book lovers! One of my fellow Peas is giving away a HUGE gift certificate on her blog, Life as Lou. She has a great blog, filled with stories of military life and mommyhood, always with great pictures illustrating her adventures.

Be sure to check her out, and leave a comment for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Usborne Books.

*SJ*

Confession #4

I'm a craft-a-holic. You name it, I've tried it. From latch-hook in the fourth grade to my recent obsession with stamping (ok, what I really mean here is collecting stamps), I have a serious problem. Some other crafts that I've tried include:

Papier-mache
Ceramics
Painting
Scrapbooking
Candlemaking
Jewelry making
Photography

What crafts have you tried and loved? What would you like to try? Please share!

*SJ*

Confession #3

I am horrible at following through with what I start. This probably isn't a huge revelation, since I started these confessions quite some time ago. But just in case you're not convinced, I've also never finished college, although I did start back two years ago. Of course, in keeping with the theme of my life, I've changed my major/career path approximately 842 times, most recently just before this semester started.

I also have a hard time sticking to a diet. I'm sure that's true for a lot of people, but I at least feel guilty when I "cheat." Also, I *love* to make lists! Things to do, things to buy, places to go, photo shoots, vacation ideas...you name it, I always have at least half a dozen lists started in my head. How many of those things I actually get accomplished on the other hand, is a different story!

One thing I will say for myself is that I am very loyal to my friends. Of course, as with just about anyone, I've had friends come and go over the years. But there are friends who I don't see often, and we speak seldom, but if I ever needed them, they would be there in an instant.

What types of things do you have trouble following through on?

*SJ*

Confession #2

I love sports, but I'm a *huge* fair-weather fan. Example: When I was in high school, my dad told me about a quarterback named Brett Favre. So for the next 12 years, I proudly proclaimed myself a loyal Packers fan. Then Favre retired. Then he came back, but as a NY Jet. OK, OK, we all know the story. The point is, I used to be able to name the Packers players, give you stats about the game, the stadium, who had how many yards, etc. Now, I couldn't even tell you what their record was last year. I guess in truth, I am more a fan of individual players, rather than a team, necessarily.

Football does hold a very dear spot in my heart, right next to mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combination of jiu jitsu fighting, wrestling, boxing, and muay thai fighting. It's really dangerous, and the fights can get pretty graphic, but it is so exhilarating to watch! I can name most of the seasoned fighters in the UFC (the most well-known league), and I definitely have my favorites.

I know I can't be the only girl who likes to see someone taken out by an arm-bar or a flying knee. Anyone else out there...anyone? Speak up! Let me know what your favorite sport is!

*SJ*

And So She Began Another Year of Her Life...

I made it to 30! LOL, I'm being silly, of course, but I was really afraid of turning 30. I know I haven't been very faithful to this blog (or to the Shoppe blog, for that matter,) but so many things have been changing recently.

I've mentioned that I lost my job as a financial advisor about six months ago, and we've been struggling a bit ever since. Well...three weeks ago, I finally started working again! Albeit a place where things are not exactly on the up-and-up (let's just say their idea of business ethics is a little different than mine)! Still, it was a job, and I was bringing in a little money while I continued my job search.

Well, I was able to find another position, and I started yesterday. The previous job was as a server/bartender at a local sushi bar that just opened. This job is bartending also, but this time for a place with which I am very familiar. I've also had an inquiry this week about a very large candle order, and received an email order yesterday from a very loyal customer.

So...things are finally looking up for us! In the interest of doing something fun, and in keeping with the title of this blog, I decided to post some "Confessions of a PRG." Since I just turned 30, I'll post one confession each day for the next thirty days. Today's confession is...

I am a horrible housekeeper. Truly, I *love* the idea of organization, I just can't seem to find "a place for everything, and everything in its place." I am getting better, and Jay and I spent most of the day today doing "fall cleaning" - clearing out cobwebs, throwing out old mail and files we had been hanging on to, that kind of thing. I am still amazed at how many spiders there are in Texas! But I digress. That's my confession for today. Tune in tomorrow for another!

*SJ*

Taking a New Direction

I have decided to take this blog in another direction. Instead of my day-to-day ramblings and sporadic posts, I am going to be vigilant in updating this blog as well as the Shoppe blog. This time, though, I am blogging with purpose.

I am exactly 60 days from a *milestone* birthday, and it has caused me to take stock. I realized some time ago that I am not where I thought I would be at this stage of my life. I assumed I would have a great career, be well-traveled, and didn't see a serious relationship for the next 2-3 years. Instead, I am trying to create a business after being pushed out of my previous career (thank you, bad economy), still haven't seen everything I want to, and am about to celebrate my three-year wedding anniversary! As a very wise person once said, "We plan, and God laughs."

So for the next 60 days (and hopefully beyond), I am going to use this blog on my journey to self-rediscovery. I absolutely *must* start taking care of my health, get serious about my business, and take control of my life again. In the interest of transparency, I am even going to post "before" and "after" shots of my weight loss, as well as progress reports along the way. Here's my first "before" shot:

I will post more as I find the courage!

*S*

So this is me

I decided to go ahead and start updating this blog again, too. I figured some people might wander over here from my candle making blog, SJ Candle Shoppe. This is the blog I used to update pretty regularly with my personal stuff. My life just isn' that interesting anymore (some might argue it never was) so I haven't paid it any attention for a while.

So here it is: My position at my full-time job was terminated two months ago, and it's been a struggle to find work ever since. Since I'm in the financial sector, it's been especially difficult.

The one good thing that has happened is that I have really been able to focus on our business. I've been booking shows like crazy, and hope to stay busy for the duration of the summer. Fall is crazy in its own rite, what with all the high school shows I try to do.

I've regained an interest in stamping and cardmaking, although I don't have the money or the time to focus on that right now. Hopefully in the very near future I will have a chance to pick it back up again.

I guess that's all I have to say for now. I will try to remember to keep updating.

*S*