tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32008632828386139502024-03-12T20:45:44.974-05:00JJ's WaysA Decaffeinated Life in the Heart of DixieJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-67027361787996695262017-01-20T13:00:00.000-06:002017-01-20T13:00:23.208-06:00Me, The "Real" WriterI made the intention to write more on ye ole little blog, and what did I do, not write at all last week. Forgive me Father, for I am a Sinner. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, as part of my "day job" we had our annual meeting of the minds, planning for the upcoming year ahead as well as look to the two approaching. As part of that annual review, my Editor-In-Chief gives the round up of byline articles. (A byline article in our publishing house is considering a full-length feature, so about 3,000 words, with photos.) I came in with 27: the most of any of our writers. By kind of a lot. (Six to be exact.) If one where to use editorial math, that's about one full-length college term paper every ten days. <br />
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Last year was really challenging at work in all the ways I never saw coming. But I wrote 27 features. I did 27 interviews, countless nights in Hampton Inns, and a few hundred thousand typos. I proved something to my superiors. Most importantly, I proved something to myself. <br />
<br />
See, when you are a real writer—nothing against the bloggers out there hustling for a few hundred bucks in sponsored posts or freelance gigs, but when you are a writer whose family has health insurance because of your ability to tickle the keys, after years of schooling and seemingly insurmountable debt, it's a little different. There's something to prove not because you're out there hustlin', but because you sit in a space in a bullpen with taped up photos of your family and your favorite pen for jotting down notes. <br />
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There's always something to prove because you get to do this wonderful thing, you can be this super creative and undefined mess on a daily basis that’s a little bit magic, a little bit insane and a whole lot of nothingness. <br />
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But you have to prove your worth. I feel like I have to prove my worth, every single day. Prove every penny spent to put you in a coffee shop waiting for a 7:58 a.m. flight to nowhere is worth it. Inherently, I feel pressure attached to that.<br />
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Perhaps it's because I am a working mother now, and life as a writer and a mother isn’t how I saw it going in my mind. There are too many days where I am half a to-do list short or up too late drinking wine and watching television because I haven’t seen my husband, aside from a passing glance over morning coffee, in weeks.<br />
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Maybe my feelings of inadequacy at work stem from feelings of inadequacy at home. Lord knows I wouldn’t be the first working mother in that position, nor would I be the last. <br />
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Yet, when my boss and de facto mentor, read the totals yesterday morning everything came together. I belonged at the table I was sitting at. I felt a sense of pride in myself and my work that was almost selfish. <br />
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I had my "Hell yea mother fuckers, I volunteer, and mother twins, my husband doesn't abhor me most of the time, and I still cranked out more than you and they all did not affirmatively suck!!" moment. It felt so, so good. <br />
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Then it didn't. Then the doubt crept in and I was back in that <a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/2014/12/alexs-time-at-childrens-healthcare-of.html">CHOA-Egleston hospital room</a> looking at my tiny son with all his wires and tubes and cords and I was so lost and unsure. <br />
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That's what being a real writer is. It's not the fun columns about breaking glass ceilings or finding clever ways to use hunting analogies in letters from the editor; it's realizing your shit can sometimes not stink, but only fleetingly. Luckily, in my case at least, the same fleeting confidence is what pushes me to write more, better, clearer, from the heart. <br />
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I'm not a poet; I'm not an essayist. I'm not a mommy blogger or a lifestyle blogger. I'm an English and Communications grad with a job in publishing I have no clue what I am doing with. And I'm just going to be okay. It will all work itself out because ten years ago I was going to be Rick Bragg or Elin Hilderbrand. Today I am Jessica Johnson and that means something. I've already turned in my first byline feature. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-56974482338349728732017-01-09T10:54:00.002-06:002017-01-09T16:25:56.235-06:00My TruthMy sad truth is my house is too small. And I've known that for a while, but I didn't want to admit it—I've had to be the one to fight for our little home when my husband wanted to move, because it financially didn't make sense. It still financially doesn't make sense for us to move (shout out to child support payments, daycare, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the student loan administration!) but I am suddenly starting to be a little OCD about the mess.<i> The walls *might* be starting to close in a touch. </i><br>
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Too many mammals live in my house. <br>
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And too many train tables. <br>
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And too many pieces of furniture my husband insists we have. <br>
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And too many little things I've refused to get rid of because I might need it at some point and doesn't everyone decorate for St. Patrick’s Day? <br>
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My guest room used to be a room with spare things that we didn't have another place to put. It has now mushroomed to be so much more. You can hardly walk in there. I keep meaning to get it cleaned out, and I have the best intentions, but then it will just mushroom again and like my life, I never seem to have control over it. <br>
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But the real thing that's irking me is the mess in the rest of the house thanks to two busy little boys and their beloved big brother. Every time I put one train car in the bag, three more crawl under the sofa. <br>
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Every time I find six Nerf bullets, another six roll to the bathroom.<br>
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A few months ago my mother sent me this quote, when I first started to complain about the mess the twins could make in no time flat. <br>
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I remember clucking and thinking that it's hard to say I’ll miss this stage. Two is no joke. Two times two is really no joke. But every day when I go home at lunch and clean up the morning mess, I think how oddly quiet it is without them. When I am home alone for prolonged periods it feels like something is missing. <br>
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Perhaps the quote is right, the mess is like fairy dust and when it goes away I won't be less tired; I'll long for the little boys who would scream for their momma to cuddle them in their "Bubba Nest" so they can fall asleep.<br>
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Or maybe one day I'll step on a spare Percy, then trip on a bunch of Nerf bullets and land head first into a stuffed animal and I'll just crack. <br>
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Either way, I'll one day miss this stage.<br>
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<br>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-59705623019601571062017-01-06T17:00:00.000-06:002017-01-06T17:24:56.711-06:00Intention In ActionI had a different little something planned for today on this little blog. In fact, it was all ready this morning and I couldn't bring myself to click "publish."<br />
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Last night, I saw a post on Facebook from a friend asking for specific needs for a tight-knit homeless community in Montgomery. This tent city, along with the rest of the city, was bracing for freezing rain and supplies were running really low. In fact, she reported that one member of the community didn't have any warm clothes for the night. I didn't want to go to the store in the mess I knew today would be, but I couldn't help myself from asking my friend what the needs were.<br />
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I posted this picture on Facebook this morning—it is all the things I was able to get out of my house, brand new or nearly new, from the list of needs. I packed up my stuff and went to the Church where a group was gathering the supplies for the tent city. I included a few of our leftover Christmas candy canes, to remind tent city residents that the Good Shepherd always looks out for his flock.<br />
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The leader of the group's effort was thrilled with the two fishing poles and tackle boxes: given the proximity of the tent city to the river, the fishing poles and tackle will let a few of them catch fresh fish for meals.<br />
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While there, my friend shared with me that the tent city has seen an outpouring of supply support since the action call was made yesterday—but no one was really bringing food with pop tops. I promised her I would share the need list with anyone who asked, and left.<br />
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In the car I started thinking. As part of our family's intentions for 2017, Mark and I decided to better use our time, treasure and talent to make our community better. All of a sudden I found myself steering my car to Winn-Dixie. I needed milk and laundry soap anyway. I purchased enough cans of vegetables and meat so each tent city resident had one can of each. I threw in two jars of peanut butter because it was buy one, get one.<br />
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It cost all of $23.<br />
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I hope it makes a difference to these people, because I have some skin in the game. My father’s older brother, my Uncle Tommy, is a homeless resident of Atlanta. I won't share the "how" or "why," because his story is not mine to tell. Since I was a little girl my father and I have always gone to see him a few times per year, bringing him supplies. When I was driving to Winn-Dixie my mind flashed to the last time I saw Uncle Tommy, when he asked me about the twins and I showed him some pictures. Each tent city resident is someone's Uncle Tommy; I wouldn’t have felt right if I claim to intend to try to better use my family's time, talents and treasures to make our world a better place, but turn my back on the most basic need for the homeless in the winter.<br />
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It cost all of $23 and a simple scan of my medicine cabinet and pantry.<br />
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"We have been created for greater things, to love and be loved."-- St. Theresa of Calcutta</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-2698379829497840372017-01-03T12:00:00.000-06:002017-01-03T12:00:21.776-06:00New year, newish meI realized during my hiatus from this slice of internet that I missed sharing myself. It's funny, as a full-time writer, I cranked out more stories in 2016 than I have ever before (final count isn't in yet but it was probably close to 40 full length features with at least 10 opinion pieces and at least 5 columns of other sorts) but my heart wasn't always in it. Perhaps that's why I let this little blog of mine slide. I felt like I was always "too busy" to ramble about my kitchen disasters or semi-unwieldy craft projects.<br />
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But if I am being honest, it's because I just got lazy and let everything else become more important. This slice of the internet is for me, and I would be lying if I didn't look back on some of the entries from when I was in college and laugh. The girl who wrote those had no idea where life would take her.<br />
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Perhaps that's why I am starting fresh.<br />
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I love my life. Not in a smug, I'm a better mother/wife/writer/friend/volunteer than you way, but in a very real I am content in my labels as mother, wife, writer, friend, volunteer way. Each and every day I wake up tired with an arthritic back and bad hips, but I feel decently happy to try to conquer my to-do list at home and at work.<br />
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2016 wasn't my best year. My marriage wasn't always social media perfect and I struggled. I really struggled in who I was and what I wanted in all aspects of my life. I like to think that mimicked the state of our country—some days were good, some days it was total hell in a hand-basket chaos.<br />
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I still struggle with who I am and what I want. But in this, effectively the first "real" day of 2017 I am starting fresh.<br />
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In a handful of days a new person will assume head of our country, and while he wasn't my pick, Lord god he wasn't my pick, I love our country and I am raising two children of my own and offering (sometimes unwanted) opinions on the raising of two more, so for all our sakes I hope he matures, grows and leads with love. I want the same things for my life in 2017: I hope I mature, I grow and I lead my life with love.<br />
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My intentions for this year are simple and follow along with my desire to just be "better." I intend to show myself more grace, try to retain more patience with Fitzgerald and Alexander, finally take 500 pure barre classes, read more, say a rosary with Fitz and Alex once each week and stick to sharing more of my true self in everything I do (at work, at home and on this blog).<br />
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I'm going to share my kitchen disasters. (And successes, there are lots of successes!) I am going to blather about sales I want to shop and the drive-myself-insane projects I do with the twins and my stepkids. I am going to blog my books so I can hold myself accountable to the intention of "read more." It takes 21 days to form a habit, today is day one.
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-69733708478843264562016-05-13T12:00:00.000-05:002016-05-13T12:00:29.844-05:00Crockpot Stuffed Meatballs The longest relationship I've ever been in has been with my crockpot. She (usually) never lets me down. And this, well, this is one of those times where I love her more than life itself.<br />
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Taken—and adapted—from one of the uber popular <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty/videos/1651159751803334/">Tasty</a> videos on Facebook, each time I've made these meatballs every single person has cleaned their plate and gotten seconds.<br />
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There's nothing better than an easy meal that makes the whole house smell amazing that even a toddler will take seconds of and not throw a single morsel to the dog.<br />
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<b>Crockpot Stuffed Meatballs</b></div>
<b>Ingredients </b><br />
1 jar of favorite red sauce<br />
1 pound ground beef<br />
1 block mozzarella cheese<br />
1 egg<br />
1 medium onion, diced <br />
¼ cup of parmesan<br />
½ cup of bread crumbs<br />
1 clove of garlic, smashed<br />
2 teaspoons of salt<br />
1 teaspoon of black pepper<br />
½ cup of milk<br />
½ cup of Italian seasoning blend<br />
½ teaspoon marjoram<br />
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<b>Directions</b><br />
Cube the mozzarella to be about the size of a square nickel. Mix together beef, onion, all spices, eggs, milk, parm and bread crumbs. Taking the beef mixture, form balls around the cubed cheese. Cover bottom of crockpot with red sauce, then add in meatballs. Smother meatballs in remaining sauce—covering them well. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with pasta, sauce from the bottom of the crockpot garnished with parmesan Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-6504416471479883182016-05-09T16:00:00.000-05:002016-05-09T17:00:20.806-05:00Two<div style="text-align: left;">
"I avoid looking back. I prefer good memories to regrets." -- Grace Kelly</div>
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Two feels like 22, but we somehow came out alive.<br />
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Here's to three, and making it through the terrible twos.<br />
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Happy <a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/2014/05/we-eloped.html">anniversary</a> to my personal George Clooney. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-43099879257807335512016-05-02T16:00:00.000-05:002016-05-02T16:05:48.664-05:00Currently<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Linking up with <a href="http://choosehappybb.blogspot.com/">Becky</a>*</td></tr>
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Currently around the Johnson Anderson house we are...<br />
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<b>Recovering from a busy, busy, busy weekend. </b>This weekend was seriously insane. I had a baby shower; my step daughter had a state qualifying track meet (she got a wild card spot for state!!); the twins had a zoo playdate; and Mark and I went to a black tie gala for the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald museum—and that was just Saturday.<br />
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Sunday was a little more low-key, we only went to two festivals in two different neighborhood parks. I love that our neighborhood organizes fun afternoons in the spring. Plus, I don't ever have to worry my kid might starve while I have the Sunday Scaries...<br />
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<b>Working in my container gardens like a fiend. </b>I saw this on a walk two weeks ago, and I’ve been using it to encourage my own container efforts. So far nothing has died, but we are going out of town this weekend so my confidence is in the toilet. I just love how my neighbor used plants I wouldn’t think to put together to make such a vibrant color display. It is bold without being too cutesy. I have a tendency to go cutesy—I love daisies, zinnia, salvia and foxglove. Gimme all the pink, orange, purple and yellow flowers possible.
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<b>Gearing up for another fun trip to Maine in late May. </b>I keep having visions of <a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-hardhat-diaries-great-white-north.html">my last trip </a>to the most northern point of the continental U.S. and am hoping to not lose my suitcase this time. Or the requirement of a full length mink coat.<br />
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<b>Cheers to a great week!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wineharlots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/champagne-f-scott-fitzgerald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://wineharlots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/champagne-f-scott-fitzgerald.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wineharlots.com/2013/07/too-much-champagne-is-just-right/">Wine Harlots</a> via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18225573466127023/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-39236670294488233282016-04-26T12:00:00.000-05:002016-04-26T12:00:14.673-05:00#posituesday<div style="text-align: left;">
A few years ago, a very dear friend of mine started a social media campaign called #posituesday.</div>
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The "rules" are simple; you share something positive on Tuesday. Last year I pushed myself for every Tuesday in July to "shake it up" posting my own <a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/search/label/%23posituesday">#posituesday</a> here—to forget the bad stuff and focus on the good. Epic fail on posting a #posituesday on the first Tuesday of the month during 2016. </div>
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Forgive me internet, I'm trying my best. </div>
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<b>What do I love today?</b></div>
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It's flower planting time! One of my favorite things to do in the spring, when I organize my container gardens, is to dumpster dive at Walmart. Walmart policy is (basically) if a plant looks like it is on its last legs, and hasn't been watered, to mark it down 50% off. Over the years cruising these little carts I've got some killer plants for no more than a few dollars! Score!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pKxbTITmNha3qUUTo-NCqjxuc8vUm6hjl-qtGSmU_kSLVWJi_LU5Z19ysM8fhyLY6lAumtpMCSRPu_4QKRGqoKMEI1HnWey644on0MXsYA89zLurBtTYtz-945ByW0je3gMOg3_neXEX/s640/blogger-image--1416340070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pKxbTITmNha3qUUTo-NCqjxuc8vUm6hjl-qtGSmU_kSLVWJi_LU5Z19ysM8fhyLY6lAumtpMCSRPu_4QKRGqoKMEI1HnWey644on0MXsYA89zLurBtTYtz-945ByW0je3gMOg3_neXEX/s1600/blogger-image--1416340070.jpg" /></a></div>
Sometimes I don't have a ton of success—the damage has been done—and the plant dies a few days later. But more often than not, after some water and good soil not only does it come back to life, but pops back better than I could've hoped!<br />
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Here's my haul from this weekend. Can't beat three 8 in. pots of daisies, two six-packs of dwarf foxglove and two 3 in. pots of foxglove for $15. <br />
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<b>What are you loving today? </b></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-17649780824701638302016-04-25T14:30:00.000-05:002016-04-25T15:33:20.088-05:00Getting Cutesy with Erin Condren: MarchI knew April was going to be a little, shall we say nuts for me, but I don't think I actually let it sink in that March AND April were going to be completely nuts for me. I'm still blaming Leap Day for throwing me off the month of March. And pneumonia. I can get away with that, right? <br />
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I'm back with my second (super, duper, probably slightly embarrassingly late) <a href="http://erincondren.com/referral/invite/jessicajohnson-6362">Erin Condren Life Planner</a> month review. To recap: I absolutely love my planner but have been, previously, terrible at using the month view and am trying to get cutesy with stickers. As part of my non-resolutions for the New Year, I am trying to take time at the beginning of every month to plan out what goes where. I'm also taking the opportunity to look back at the month I just finished—hoping this helps me reach and set attainable goals.<br />
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It was a busy March. Not as busy as I thought it was going to be from the start, but busy all the same. I fell off the sticker wagon. This was the month of the flu and pneumonia so the fact that I even wrote ish down makes me feel like I accomplished something. AND I did use the cute little <a href="https://www.erincondren.com/designer-dots">do-it-all dot </a>for my dentist appointment #winning <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNMctW-UxM0f_I18-JdB22ORw_PypaJKo-mmKvPjSroHPwIFw8zlCGAQ6OT_graUuMC7-nLo2oJlgK2C9qXU8GL2_hp4ENwS3_sMJvdEtPrMeV8JZ-qLVK71nmlmjSAhiahgv3xX5Me3u/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNMctW-UxM0f_I18-JdB22ORw_PypaJKo-mmKvPjSroHPwIFw8zlCGAQ6OT_graUuMC7-nLo2oJlgK2C9qXU8GL2_hp4ENwS3_sMJvdEtPrMeV8JZ-qLVK71nmlmjSAhiahgv3xX5Me3u/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
April, which I am going to pretend like it isn't Apr. 25th and act like I have the whole month ahead of me here, is going to be an absolute blur with a weeklong trip to Atlanta for a conference my company produces, plus some charity meetings and exciting things like a <a href="http://www.magicmoments.org/our-stories.php">Magic Moment</a>s reveal and a baby shower. Maybe this week I will really give it my all and start stickering the hell out of my planner. <br />
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Right. There's always the idea you can start fresh when summer comes. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-24161336648149319922016-04-22T12:00:00.000-05:002016-04-22T15:00:45.129-05:00Friday Favorites I'm celebrating the end of this week with some Friday Favorites. Because all the basic white girls love Fri Yay! right?! <br />
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<img alt="Friday Favorites" src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab42/endlesslybeloved/jjff_zpsa849a422.png" title="Friday Favorites" /></div>
I am #obsessed with <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/baby-daily-protective-balm.html">this balm</a>. My friend <a href="http://www.beautycounter.com/kelleyblakelee/">Kelley</a> gave me a sample to try on Fitz's patches of eczema and in just three nights the patches were mostly gone. By morning four they were so hard to notice—and you could just tell his skin looked better. I promptly texted her that I needed <i>much, much</i> more of this magic elixir. <br />
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<a href="http://static3.beautycounter.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/645x/af097278c5db4767b0fe9bb92fe21690/p/d/pdp-new-baby-daily-protective-balm_selling-shot-2x_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static3.beautycounter.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/645x/af097278c5db4767b0fe9bb92fe21690/p/d/pdp-new-baby-daily-protective-balm_selling-shot-2x_1.png" height="640" width="390" /></a></div>
Speaking of Fitz and Alex, this made me quite literally laugh out loud last weekend. We were out running errands, and it got to be lunchtime so obviously I wanted to go to Chipotle—because when we are on that side of town, where Chiptole is, I always want to go to Chiptole.<br />
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I craved, like FIERCE craved, Chiptole when I was pregnant. Jury was out for a while but the verdict has finally returned: they love Chiptole as much on the outside as they did on the inside.<br />
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I need help Disney people!! So I am a "<a href="http://magicmoments.org/volunteer.php">Magic Maker</a>" this year as part of my volunteer efforts with <a href="http://www.magicmoments.org/">Magic Moments</a>. I am in charge of helping to make the magic last a little while for one very special girl (and her family) as they prepare to go to Disney!! I am so excited but so overwhelmed. I am not a Disney person, and the available crafts on Pinterest seem insurmountable. What are your favorite things to do for kiddos when preparing for a Disney trip? I've got a limited budget, but I really want to knock this out of the park. Help!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/tnl_redesign_article_landing_page/public/disney-auction-park1215.jpg?itok=OZz4Xjd0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/tnl_redesign_article_landing_page/public/disney-auction-park1215.jpg?itok=OZz4Xjd0" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/disney-world-travel-tips">via</a> Travel & Leisure</td></tr>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-14632697450990383382016-04-18T12:00:00.000-05:002016-04-18T12:00:12.860-05:00Seriously The Best Cookie Recipe EverIt is not often I can say without a shadow of a doubt I know something to be completely true. I blame that on being an overthinker and Catholic school. Without a shadow of a doubt, the following is seriously the best cookie recipe ever. I've baked and ate my fair share of cookies, so I can tell you this is easy-peasy and totally delicious—complete crowd favorite at my house.<br />
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I got this recipe via my darling and fantastic baker-mentor, my mother, when I was in college. She's been making these cookies since the 1980s. I have no idea how it crossed her path, but my god, I am so glad it did.<br />
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Typically, she used to make them at Christmas, and so we called them Santa's Cookies. Now though, we both make them at any/all times of year so I call them Momma's Cookies. Who cares what you call them, they are DELICIOUS. #trust<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Previous to this post, the recipe is a print out from my
college email address, that she sent me in 2008. I wanted to make them
to impress a boy, go figure. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UBJVUYVo1IRpRcnH38IEaYPz5Xs1kNH9hUOBSenyxa938I6ZR1yRAYaUCKCJqjoA5zcLaXMkoOXivRwoQn2gPooM2yR3LV8iWVXiIALHrlyo6CUmVjvZh9UngDR9KvoCzCHYbux5-VEk/s1600/oatmeal+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UBJVUYVo1IRpRcnH38IEaYPz5Xs1kNH9hUOBSenyxa938I6ZR1yRAYaUCKCJqjoA5zcLaXMkoOXivRwoQn2gPooM2yR3LV8iWVXiIALHrlyo6CUmVjvZh9UngDR9KvoCzCHYbux5-VEk/s640/oatmeal+cookies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Momma's Cookies</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Ingredients</b></div>
<ul>
<li>¼ cup coconut </li>
<li>½ cup chocolate chips </li>
<li>½ plus 1/3 cup oatmeal </li>
<li>½ cup cornflakes </li>
<li>1 cup flour</li>
<li>½ cup brown sugar </li>
<li>½ cup white sugar </li>
<li>¼ tsp baking powder </li>
<li>½ tsp baking soda </li>
<li>¼ tsp salt </li>
<li>1 stick of unsalted butter, melted </li>
<li>1 egg </li>
<li>¼ tsp vanilla </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
Combine melted butter, egg and vanilla, beating well. Add all dry ingredients, mixing well. Once mixed, flatten dough onto piece of plastic wrap and place in the fridge for a few hours to let butter set. Once butter has set<i>, I usually leave mine in for about an hour and a half,</i> form into quarter-sized/small balls. Bake at 350° for approximately 10 minutes, longer if balls are larger or you like a crisper cookie. <b> </b> Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-67759472670833930962016-04-15T11:00:00.000-05:002016-04-15T11:14:26.252-05:00Weekend Getaway: Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga.Why was Easter so early this year? For me, Lent seemed to be extremely long, but then all of a sudden—BAM! It was Easter weekend. My parents are in the process of buying a house in Amelia Island, Fla. and we were thinking we would spend the weekend of Easter there. But of course, life never goes as planned and instead we found ourselves at a cottage on the <a href="http://callawaygardens.com/">Callaway Gardens</a> property. <br />
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Originally I was hesitant, only because I wasn't sure what we might do with Fitz and Alex at Callaway for an entire weekend. <i>Like with 98% of everything, I worried for naught. </i><br />
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<a href="http://callawaygardens.com/">Callaway Gardens</a>, located in precious Pine Mountain, Ga. actually has a lot to offer families with kids of all ages. Since it rained off and on the entire time we were there, we didn't fully enjoy the hiking and biking trails, and the real star of the spring: Callaway's famous azaleas weren't fully in bloom yet. Even factoring that in we had an incredible time.<br />
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The <a href="http://callawaygardens.com/where-to-stay/southern-pine-cottages">cottages</a> were fully stocked and made it so easy to transition to the weekend with F&A. Kitchen had everything you could think of, and we brought our own groceries to have dinner Friday night, breakfast both Saturday and Sunday and lunch Saturday at the cottage. Bonus!! Since they are part of the Callaway resort I didn't have to bring the pack and plays, they were already in the cottage when we checked in. I love not having to lug those things places. <br />
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Mark spent all of Saturday on the lake system fishing. I think he enjoyed some peace and quiet. His catch wasn't all that bad either.<br />
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While Mark fished my momma and I took the boys into town and browsed the shops. I fell in love with a little place called <a href="http://www.sweethomeantiques.com/Whisk.php">Whisk</a>—a local Williams-Sonoma of sorts where I wish I could have bought the entire store. I found a few good finds, as I seemingly always do. <br />
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After the boys woke up from their naps we walked around the property a bit. As part of the Easter weekend celebrations, the Gardens had tethered hot air balloon rides available, and I OF COURSE couldn't pass up the chance to live my own Bachelor moment. <br />
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I'm so glad we didn't let the rain stop us from having a good time. Well, until the Easter Bunny and his weird looking green friend showed up. <br />
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After that completely traumatizing experience we trucked back to the cottage to get ready for dinner. We originally weren't sure about the food offerings in town, but spotted <a href="http://www.153mainbistro.com/">153 Main Bistro</a> shopping and decided to try it for dinner. I am very glad we did!! <br />
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A local favorite, <a href="http://www.153mainbistro.com/">153 Main</a> knocked it out of the park. We sat at a sidewalk table, which was perfect for F&A. <i>Side note: one of my favorite things to do is enjoy a nice meal with the people I love over a great bottle of wine on a sidewalk.<a href="http://www.153mainbistro.com/dinner/"> </a></i><a href="http://www.153mainbistro.com/dinner/">Known for steak and seafood</a>, all three of us chose various meat dishes. I really enjoyed my bistro steak. Momma couldn't stop raving about hers either. F&A completely devoured the fried green tomato and okra plate we ordered as a starter. <br />
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This restaurant was a pleasant surprise in Pine Mountain and should not be skipped! You can call ahead to put your name on the list—seats fill up fast on Saturday and Sunday. <br />
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We enjoyed Easter Sunday mass at <a href="http://christthekingpinemountain.org/">Christ the King</a> and followed it up with brunch in one of Callaway's ballrooms. It was a buffet style brunch in a ballroom, so not out of this world but not garbage either. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDVlshOzpOJqeRz4MqyBcu1nduJtEyiqXRLA-1JI7CZ_alSPwAWvst3pUIbxOqJFVMXCpu7E5I_I1YTxZn_PSIqeccm_crVXfYXiMlkKc8Nt4f5pdEu36mp0jdGhINWCXxUzqbOmk_I-y/s1600/12923301_10153764204749934_424904428589179698_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDVlshOzpOJqeRz4MqyBcu1nduJtEyiqXRLA-1JI7CZ_alSPwAWvst3pUIbxOqJFVMXCpu7E5I_I1YTxZn_PSIqeccm_crVXfYXiMlkKc8Nt4f5pdEu36mp0jdGhINWCXxUzqbOmk_I-y/s640/12923301_10153764204749934_424904428589179698_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
After brunch Mark and I just weren't quite ready to leave and decided to walk around the famous <a href="http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do/attractions/day-butterfly-center">Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center</a>. <br />
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F&A absolutely LOVED seeing all the plants and swirling butterflies. Another activity on my list that should not be missed! <br />
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All in all, I would say Callaway is a great getaway.<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-69216781903533262662016-04-11T14:00:00.000-05:002016-04-11T15:55:50.443-05:00The Hard Hat Diaries: Feeling PunchyYesterday, someone told me they admired my ability to cope and juggle my life. That really struck a cord—because half the time I feel like I am not coping or juggling anything.<br />
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Do you ever see those instagrams from people with a picture of coffee and say they have completely dominated the day? That's never me. I am usually warming up my coffee five hundred times before 10 a.m. and I never am on top of emails or the to-do list. And to have a Starbucks is a real treat.<br />
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But I do stay busy, and because of that busy-ness, and constant travel, and constant terrible juggling act, sometimes I go a week without remembering I need to double check the drafts of my little online space and hit publish on the very best cookie recipe I've ever made. So I promise, even though it was written in my planner to share that recipe last week—it's happening this week. <i>I hope. </i><br />
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Life lately has been dominated by a week long conference and expo my company produces in Atlanta, Ga. at the OMNI Hotel at CNN Center. Being a tourist in my hometown is weird. Like super weird. Anyway, I worked five 16-hour in a row days in five-inch heels and a set of black pencil skirts, so I've been a little punchy.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i>How punchy, you ask? </i><br />
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Well, there are four new videos of me on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChehR-8huAqotrqt9wHpGJA">internet</a>, punchy.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KQJWrwASv-g/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KQJWrwASv-g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<i> </i>Great screen cap, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChehR-8huAqotrqt9wHpGJA">youtube</a>. Really appreciate that one. <br />
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I have a stack of paperwork and story notes to swim through about seven feet high, so if you need me I'll be practicing how to not bob and weave while a handheld camcorder is six feet away from me—because clearly I need the practice. #thisiswhyiwriteandnotbroadcast<br />
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...KILLING ME WITH THE SCREEN CAP FREEZE FRAMES YOUTUBE KILLING ME....Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-55515250954755870482016-03-30T10:00:00.000-05:002016-04-07T22:46:03.854-05:00Massaging Sensations Thanks To Kushyfoot<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**I was given free samples of the following Kushyfoot products in exchange for my open
and honest review. All opinions are my own and I have license to use all the following awkward cocktail party photos. Cheers!</span> <br />
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Sometimes the best-laid plans fall to complete ruin. At least, that's my life lately. I guess it has something to do with having twin toddlers and a husband, a full-time job that has me traveling, various volunteer commitments, a Pure Barre addiction, this little ole blog and a few IRL friends. Oh, and tennis. I also play tennis. And I have a penchant for getting sick. Like real sick: You have a cold? Ehh, give me those germs and watch it become pneumonia—sick. <br />
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So back in January I traded emails back and forth with a representative of <a href="https://kushyfoot.com/">Kushyfoot</a>, and she sent me some samples for me to review. I was so excited! Of course, our mail is as slow as Christmas; I am convinced it has something to do with having in-door mail slots over the traditional boxes at the end of the drive. I received the products in February and was super excited to put them to the test. <br />
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Then we had a heat wave and the last thing I wanted to do was put on knee high socks and knee high boots. But because this is Alabama, our February heat wave quickly gave way for a March cold snap. <br />
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During the middle of that cold snap, Mark and I attended a cocktail reception for a society I am a member of through the Junior League. The society celebrates our League's founding president, Lillie Lee Milliner, who got together with a group of her friends 90 years ago and formed what is now our League. She left a pretty awesome legacy. To honor that, we all donned our cocktail best and snacked on appetizers and enjoyed some libations.<br />
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Since we never get truly "cold" in Alabama, I never know how to dress for dressier occasions in the winter. I had this adorable French Connection purple dress I wanted to wear to the reception but it was short sleeve and short. THEN I REMEMBERED I HAD THE <a href="http://www.kushyfoot.com/category/tights.aspx">KUSHYFOOT TIGHTS</a>. And the closet angels sang hallelujah! <br />
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So at first I was a little concerned that the <a href="http://www.kushyfoot.com/products/opaque-tights.aspx">tights</a>, which came equipped with ribbed gel at the base of the foot, would drive me nuts and not work. Especially since I knew we'd be standing for hours on end as we mingled, and the only shoes I had that would work with the dress were five-inch stilettos. <br />
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I was wrong, oh so wrong. Not only did the little ripples of gel not bug me, they actually worked!! My feet didn’t hurt even the tiniest bit during the evening. I comfortably was able to move from the bar to the food, to groups of friends and acquaintances without worrying that my feet were throbbing. See, this action shot clearly shows my feet weren't a concern. <i>Or maybe it shows I had one too many gin and tonics on an empty stomach and less than five hours after this picture was taken I would wake up with the flu, which would turn into pneumonia, but I digress.</i><br />
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The tights were thick enough offer some warmth traveling from the car to the door, without being too hot once we got inside the building. Don't you hate when the heat is cranked up somewhere and you are wearing warm clothes? I always feel like I am a little sweaty once I step back outside. Not cute. <br />
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Black tights are literally the answer to every outfit question I have now in relationship to cocktail parties and cold weather.<br />
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In addition to the tights, in my little Kushyfoot goodie bag, I also got some of their <a href="http://www.kushyfoot.com/category/knee-high-socks.aspx">knee highs</a>, which worked really well under my Frye boots. Typically I hate to wear knee highs with them, just because the socks always end up poking out the top and that’s just not my style. Kushyfoot's version actually hit below my knee a bit so they were completely covered by the boot, giving me the sock I needed while maintaining the look I like. <br />
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My final Kushyfoot product I am now in love with is the <a href="http://www.kushyfoot.com/category/flats-to-go-shoes.aspx">flat to-go</a>. I've seen these before: ballet flats that are designed to fit in a purse or glove box and be completely packable. In the past, I was worried that these type of shoes would be cheap plastic and not look good. <br />
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Again, Kushyfoot proved me wrong. As fate would have it, our new puppy recently actually ate one of my black ballet flats, so I was in need of a black flat for work. I grabbed the Kushyfoots and headed about my day. They didn't look cheap at all; they are the perfect basic black flat. They are comfortable—feels like I'm not really wearing a shoe at all. I haven't tried the "packable" element to them yet, mainly because with pneumonia and work travel I've gone exactly nowhere I would need a packable flat. But Mark and I have a gala to attend in the coming weeks and I have a feeling they will definitely be making an appearance. <br />
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Kushyfoot's online store is currently closed while they transition to spring, but I was able to score a few extra pairs of tights at Nordstrom Rack in Atlanta, on some major sale. One of the benefits of being constantly off-kilter is being able to shop super sales because you're buying tights while the rest of the stores wants you to buy swimsuits. <i>I have spent years working in retail and I still will never understand beginning to sell shorts in January when it is still only 40°. </i><br />
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<i> </i><br />
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Photography by <a href="http://carterphotodesign.com/">Carter Photo & Design</a></div>
<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-65947858915691576332016-03-25T14:30:00.000-05:002016-03-25T14:40:28.160-05:00Audible Review: Elin Hilderbrand's The RumorOne of the biggest challenges about traveling for work is the obscenely long amounts of time I spend in the car alone. I don't mind being by myself at all, but spending upwards of six hours alone in a rental car every day gets old. Quick. <br />
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When I first started, I would go to our local library and check out books on CD so I would have something to hold my attention while I navigated the back roads of America. For some reason I fell out of the habit and relied solely on the radio. I don't care what anyone says, there's only so long before listening to the radio gets repetitive. I am convinced satellite radio only has three CDs to pull from. <br />
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Over four days on my last trip I spent 17 hours in the car alone. I was dying. My husband, in one of his more annoying habits, is addicted to listening to books on tape through Audible. I swear the man never not has his earbuds plugged in. During what seemed like my third desperate call of the day to get him, someone, <i>anyone, </i>to talk to me, he suggested I download <a href="http://www.audible.com/">Audible</a> and listen to a book. <br />
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I really liked being able to have a book through my speakers without having to remember to go to the library, or be at the mercy of their selections. Since I was searching for a title while I was pumping gas, I saw <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Rumor-A-Novel/dp/B00UXW794A/ref=sr_1_1_twi_audd_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1458934634&sr=8-1&keywords=the+rumor+elin+hilderbrand">Elin Hilderbrand's <i>The Rumor</i></a>, and went for it pretty quickly.<br />
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I wish I hadn't.<br />
<br />
This is the second of <a href="http://www.elinhilderbrand.net/books.html">Hilderbrand's books</a> I've read, and while I did enjoy parts of <i>The Rumor</i>. It was seemingly a little repetitive of the first I'd read, <i>Nantucket Nights. </i><br />
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Both books are set on Nantucket, are focused on a group of extremely close girlfriends, and are propelled by a scandal. Granted, the scandals in each are different, but both stories felt very similar.<br />
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I don't know if I would have drawn the parallel, and been as disappointed in the writing as I was, if I hadn't read them back to back.<br />
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I have a third Hilderbrand book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Bistro-Elin-Hilderbrand/dp/0312628269/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458934473&sr=8-1&keywords=the+blue+bistro+by+elin+hilderbrand">The Blue Bistro</a>, </i>that a friend passed to me, and I will admit I buried it a little on my shelf to give myself a Nantucket summer scandal break.<br />
<br />
All in all, I would give <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rumor-Novel-Elin-Hilderbrand/dp/0316334510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458934634&sr=8-1&keywords=the+rumor+elin+hilderbrand">The Rumor</a> </i>three stars, if only because it seems like Hilderbrand is just writing what she knows, as a Nantucket resident herself. The story was filled with trite suspense and lots and lots of sex. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-18034411200710490592016-03-21T07:00:00.000-05:002016-03-21T07:00:03.281-05:00Currently<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Linking up with <a href="http://choosehappybb.blogspot.com/">Becky</a>*</td></tr>
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Currently around the Johnson Anderson house we are...<br />
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<b>Finally recovered? </b>I kept saying the flu and pneumonia and walking pneumonia and all the nastiness was finally out of our house last week. And that was a lie. I still felt terrible and had more than a few "struggle" days. Every time I said I was fine, I made it worse and relapsed. So I'm not saying I'm fine, I'm saying I'm officially done being sick. <i>Don't have time for this ish. </i><br />
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<b>In love with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2503944/">this</a> Redbox find from Saturday night</b>. It's a great quick movie that didn't get rave reviews online, but that I am so glad we rented. In my opinion, a few of the plot lines could have been a little more developed, but overall, I thought it had a very clear story with some good acting.<br />
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<b>Stressing about what to bring as a "chip and dip" for the twins' Easter party. </b>By the time I got around to looking at the sign up sheet for the twins' party pickins were slim. Ergo, we're bringing chips and dip (????) Thinking I'm either going to make some sort of ranch dip and make veggie "chips" or <a href="http://wearychef.com/peanut-butter-chocolate-yogurt-fruit-dip/#_a5y_p=2384288">this</a> Pinterest find that isn't really a chip and dip but more of a fruit dip. Anyone have any suggestions? </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wearychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/peanut-butter-chocolate-yogurt-fruit-dip-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://wearychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/peanut-butter-chocolate-yogurt-fruit-dip-2.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://wearychef.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/peanut-butter-chocolate-yogurt-fruit-dip-2">Wearychef</a></td></tr>
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We're heading to Callaway Gardens Friday for a little Easter fun with my parents, so this is my mood all week—including during a quick trip to south Georgia for story gathering—just. keep. swimming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/11/6/20/enhanced-buzz-14533-1352253374-4.jpg?no-auto" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/11/6/20/enhanced-buzz-14533-1352253374-4.jpg?no-auto" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/how-to-cope-if-your-candidate-lost-the-election#.rh0Z99p1V">Buzzfeed</a> via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18225573463706837/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-26769832566700559952016-03-15T07:00:00.000-05:002016-03-15T07:00:09.918-05:00#posituesdayA few years ago, a very dear friend of mine started a social media campaign called #posituesday.
The "rules" are simple; you share something positive on Tuesday. Last year I pushed myself for every Tuesday in July to "shake it up" posting my own <a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/search/label/%23posituesday">#posituesday</a> here—so I could forget some of the bigger, heavier things on my mind and remember all the things I love about my life.<br />
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I told myself for 2016 I was going to try to let go of the negative clutter in my mind and bring back #posituesday on the first Tuesday of the month. <i>That has been an epic fail. </i>I have been posting a #posituesday each month, they just haven't been on the first. Forgive me internet, I'm trying my best. <br />
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What do I love today?<br />
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We are finally all just about back to healthy status. <br />
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What are you loving today? Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-24587473496332867962016-03-11T15:45:00.000-06:002016-03-11T15:53:57.201-06:00Friday FavoritesFor the last ten days, survival has been the key to my days. First, Fitzy just wasn't feeling his best. Then he started having a fever and coughing. Then Alex slept one day for almost 18 hours. He too had a fever. By day four, I was sleeping 18+ hours a day: The flu hit the Anderson house like a ton of bricks. I'm still trying to dig us out of the mess.<br />
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The last two weeks have been anything but normal, I've been back at work for three days and have no idea which way is up. It's funny how much the world doesn't stop turning when you do. Life is humbling like that isn't it? I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that I thought described it perfectly: Adulthood is like looking both ways before you cross the street and then getting hit by an airplane.<br />
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I'm celebrating the end of this week, and the sickness, with some Friday Favorites. <br />
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<img alt="Friday Favorites" src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab42/endlesslybeloved/jjff_zpsa849a422.png" title="Friday Favorites" /></div>
I've kinda fallen off the Pinterest bandwagon, mainly because it overwhelms me—I always feel like I don't "do" enough, after I browse it. I mean, where the hell do these other mothers find time to make three meals a day from scratch plus craft, and refresh their towels and read five books a month and read the entire Bible and write in their Erin Condren planners? My Erin Condren planner is scribbled with all kinds of things, and half the time I'm still late to meetings. HOWEVER, I needed a recipe for something I thought I pinned long, long ago, and stumbled across this illustration. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I'm not a huge #lillylover, but this illustration is my new motivation for summer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.lillypulitzer.com/2014/06/24/lilly-loves-national-wear-your-lilly-day/">Lilly Pulitzer Print Studio</a> via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18225573467386379/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
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My other Friday Favorite is an excerpt from a reader-contributor email I received today. Usually, when people take the time to email me they do not have a single nice thing to say. Imagine my surprise when this popped up! Thanks Sam in Indiana, I think you're pretty awesome too!<br />
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"I actually thought of you during the sales training! We were learning about the four main personality types, and one of them was called an 'influencer.' We were told that one of the first things we'll notice about an influencer when we meet them is that they tend to have a big grin from ear to ear. The times that I've seen you at the EXPO in Louisville and your picture in the magazine came immediately to mind. You carry the biggest smile I think I've ever seen!"</div>
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I love this picture of Alex from this past Tuesday. He was starting to feel better and instead of reading just one book, he decided to read all the books. Stumbling into these moments is my far my favorite part of being a mother. <i>Not pictured my ashen face covered in the sheen of a 102° fever with the glaze of Tamiflu in my eyes. </i></div>
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-61889657547503451892016-03-02T16:15:00.000-06:002016-03-02T16:20:51.163-06:00Getting Cutesy With Erin Condren: February Leap Day is throwing me off, majorly. I conceptually knew Super Tuesday was March 1st, but in my mind I kept thinking it was already the middle of March. Then, I completely spaced on March entirely and wrote a check with Feb. 27th as the date. I swear if I'm not late, I'm early. I'm never on time. <br />
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I wish I could blame that on my current "season of life" but I've never been a particularly punctual person. <br />
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I've had an <a href="http://erincondren.com/referral/invite/jessicajohnson-6362">Erin Condren Life Planner</a> for a few years now and I love them. I hate the nearly obscene turnaround time (and the accompanying nearly obscene cost) but they work really well for my schedule and me. <br />
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What I haven't been good about with the planner is using the full month view, or getting cutesy with stickers—mainly because I have giant handwriting and nothing ever fits in the damn squares. Plus, I have a lot of stuff going on during a given day/week/month that I don’t always stop to write everything down. <i>Or find some cute sticker to tell me I need to get my brows waxed in three weeks at 3:30. </i><br />
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As part of my non-resolutions for the New Year, I am trying to take time at the beginning of every month to plan out what goes where. I'm also taking the opportunity to look back at the month I just finished. I've got some lofty goals for 2016 (<a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/search/label/pure%20barre">500 Pure Barre classes being one</a>) so hopefully this new system will help me attain them. <br />
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Previously, when a month was finished I would rip out all the pages and recycle them responsibly—toting around a year's worth of paper when you already had that meeting six months ago got annoying. Now I am getting rid of just the weekly pages, and hanging on to my month view. Hoping this will also help me track goals better and have a realistic look at my year come December 31st. Paper clips on the front side of the monthly view help me keep little notes and invites I want to save to remember how fun and special things were.<br />
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I also keep a copy of<a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/search/label/intestinal%20malrotation"> Dr. Jonathan Meisel's card as well as Alex's hospital bracelet</a> on the inside front cover to remind me that no matter what fills these pages, there's <strike>something</strike> a few someones much more important. <i>Because life is all about perspective. </i><br />
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I set a goal of 20 PB classes for February and that went out the dang window. I had a week long trip to Memphis and Atlanta I wasn't planning on, plus a stomach bug. Despite writing my niece's birthday in my calendar (and purchasing the gift) I still mailed it late. It was a busy February and that's exactly how I like it!!<br />
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March looks to be just as ridiculous with three work trips to three different states in three weeks—plus St. Patrick's Day events and Easter. Can't forget the 20 Pure Barre classes in 31 days challenge I stupidly signed up for, in addition to three full length feature stories to write and one complete magazine to put together. Good thing we get more daylight, I sure could use more time…<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-69204633101334102152016-02-29T07:00:00.000-06:002016-02-29T07:00:05.374-06:00Life LatelyLife lately has been a touch busy around the Johnson Anderson house. It feels like warp speed, actually; I blinked and about ten days went up into thin air. Part of that had to do with a whirlwind trip to Memphis, and the beautiful Peabody Hotel, for a work conference.<br />
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Of course, one cannot go to Memphis, the birthplace (and current location) of one's best friend and not find themselves into a little bit of trouble.<br />
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Obviously, an up to 3 a.m. jaunt around Beale Street, with a Silky's bucket in tow, made for a super fun Monday morning of conference! <i>Obviously. </i><br />
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<i> </i>Then it was a pop down to Atlanta for The Rental Show, a few glad handing opportunities and lots of smiling. I didn't hate the chance to hang with my momma, eat some Willy's Mexicana and get a mani-pedi in peace. Never one to not over-extend myself, I woke up at 6 a.m. to take my first <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h835BdU4fVA">Pure Barre Platform</a> class at the studio around the corner from my parents, and holy hell, I've been sore for three days.<br />
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As a member of a social society for women, I had our annual meeting Thursday night, enjoyed a fun time with friends, and came home to my handsome husband with my favorite sushi and two sleeping angels—until about 1 a.m. when Alex woke up to a stomach bug covered in vomit and just generally feeling crappy.<br />
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The weekend was dominated by said stomach bug when Fitzy started projectiling Saturday. By Sunday afternoon all was well and we all enjoyed a quiet afternoon catching up on some reading. <i>Kids are so resilient. </i><br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-55603500312229856562016-02-15T14:00:00.000-06:002016-02-15T14:00:19.756-06:00Product Review: Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**I was given free samples from Seventh Generation in exchange for my open
and honest review. All opinions, adorable baby pictures, and messy
laundry pile photos are my own. </span><br />
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Since I was little I've struggled with sensitive skin. <i>If you ask Mark he might say I struggle with sensitive everything, but I digress.</i> Since no one thinks a rash is sexy, for as long as I can remember I've used "Free and Clear" detergents when doing my laundry. I usually grab All or Purex, I'm allergic to Tide in all forms. On average I do seven loads of laundry per week for Mark, Fitz, Alex, the dogs and myself. That amounts to a lot of laundry!!<br />
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Since we don't have a money tree in the backyard, and I do care about the chemicals in our detergent, I try to shop sales and use coupons. Typically, I grab Purex Free or All Free and Clear at Publix, Winn Dixie or CVS on sale, which helps cut down on the added costs of being without added chemicals. <br />
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When Fitz and Alex were born, I would buy the jumbo containers of Dreft—I wasn't sure about their possible allergies and the last thing I wanted to deal with was a baby with a skin rash. The more I can do to cut down on baby fussiness on the front end, the better.<br />
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When I was approached, through Generation Good, to sample Seventh Generation's Free and Clear detergent, I jumped at the chance. I already knew that I loved their diapers, so I was curious about their detergent. Not being a stranger to the "free and clear" game, I went in prepared to rewash my clothes.<br />
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With some other brands I've tried, that don't have the added chemicals, I've noticed they just don't get clothes clean enough. Taking that into account, I was obviously concerned that a plant-based product without artificial brighteners might not be tough enough on stains.<br />
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Because let's face it, twin toddlers mean stains.<br />
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Generation Good sent me three packets of detergent. I used one on a load of my clothes; one on a load of baby clothes and I gave one to a friend.<br />
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I was pleasantly surprised on how well the detergent handled both loads of my clothes. On stains that were pretreated, you couldn't tell at all. On stains that I missed pretreating, they were mostly gone, with the exception of a chocolate chip smear on a white onesie—which let's be real, that sucker probably wasn't coming out no matter what I had put on it.<br />
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Overall, I thought the detergent performed better than some brands and as well if not better than my go-tos of All Free and Clear and Purex Free.<br />
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The friend I gave the third sample to reported similar findings.<br />
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Will we change over to Seventh Generation all the time? Probably not. Will I add it to my arsenal of brands I buy when on sale? Absolutely. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-69471669226533060182016-02-10T15:30:00.000-06:002016-02-10T16:36:07.469-06:00#posituesdayI'm a day late and a dollar short (plus a week) on this, I swear Feburary has just totally escaped me. I thought about skipping this month all together for <a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/search/label/%23posituesday">#posituesday</a>, given that Lent has now officially begun, but then I remembered the entire point to this exercise was to just remember to be positive.<br />
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While the tenets of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving, I do believe that part of growing closer to God in prayer is realizing what you have—how good you have it—and how thankful you must be. This is one of the biggest things I struggle with, because when I look at a picture like this one, all I see is the mess on the floor, the rug that needs cleaning and the chair that needs a spot clean, not the adorable, healthy fuzzy headed boy with a big-ole smile. <br />
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The "rules" are simple; you share something positive on Tuesday. So here we go for February. What do I love today?<br />
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These breathtaking photographs of Misty Copeland channeling Degas. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hbz.h-cdn.co/assets/16/06/768x400/gallery-1455117039-hbz-4-misty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://hbz.h-cdn.co/assets/16/06/768x400/gallery-1455117039-hbz-4-misty.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photography by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory of the NYC Dance Project via <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a14055/misty-copeland-degas-0316/">Harper's Bazaar</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Simply incredible—makes me miss my dancing days! Check out the full report from Harper's Bazaar <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a14055/misty-copeland-degas-0316/">here</a>. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-49822454895418817052016-02-03T12:00:00.000-06:002016-02-03T12:05:01.511-06:00Day Trip: Hopewell, Va.; City Point National ParkI really love to travel. I always have and I always will. There's just something about a great adventure. Obviously, my love of adventures comes in handy when it comes to going on<a href="http://jjsways.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20hard%20hat%20diaries"> story gathering trips</a>. Usually my trips consist of a lot of time in a car and lots of back roads and Hampton Inns. <br />
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On a recent trip to Virginia, however, I found myself with a few hours before an appointment in the very charming and historical city of <a href="http://www.hopewellva.gov/">Hopewell</a> 25 miles south of Richmond. Hopewell is home to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/pete/learn/historyculture/city-point.htm">City Point, a National Park </a>and <a href="http://www.virginia.org/listings/HistoricSites/GrantsHeadquartersatCityPoint/">Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters</a> and the Petersburg National Battlefield.<br />
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I will be the first to admit that I am no Civil War history buff, but felt the urge to stop anyway. I am so glad I did!<br />
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Grant's headquarters are a National Park, so I was able to tour the grounds and the house with the aide of a Park Ranger. I was the only visitor on a dreary November day, and it seemed like the entire area was heavy. Heavy is the best word I can use to describe it. <br />
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I struck up a lovely conversation with the Park Ranger and he gave me a full tour of the Grants house, including some of the exhibits that were in the process of being restored. I was amazed at how small everything in the house was. I had to duck to clear the doorways.<br />
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One thing I did notice throughout the main house was the wallpaper. It's been on these walls for centuries and was still gorgeous.<br />
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While we were walking up a set of somewhat rickety stairs, and my steel-toed boots made loud thuds, he said something that I don't think I will ever forget.<br />
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<i>"These old places are full of stories, they will tell you many things, and you only have to listen."</i></div>
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Suddenly, the tour took on a new meaning; walking the grounds changed my point of view a bit. As our country struggles today, not unlike it did during Grant's time on t shores of this Virginia river, I couldn't help but be grateful for all the men, Union and Confederate, that helped bring us to this point. <br />
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We've got a long way to go, but we must not forget the sacrifices of these men (and their families) to make sure that America didn't fracture then, and won't fracture now. We might all have opposing views, but this country was built on debate, differences and acceptance. Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-7210032610261519302016-02-01T12:00:00.000-06:002016-02-01T12:00:11.003-06:00'Timber Processing' Man of the YearMy job is unlike most. <i>I'm not just a writer, I'm a cool writer.</i> Being a trade magazine writer concentrating on the forest products industry means I have a lot of useless knowledge of supply chains, a working understanding of lots of heavy machinery, and perhaps most importantly, a realization that I am not like the rest in this field. A feeling of otherness I have never experienced before.<br />
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As a upper-middle class white girl from Atlanta that went to the right schools and ended up in a sorority at Alabama, I've never felt "otherness." Then I became Jessica Johnson, Associate Editor with Hatton-Brown Publishers. Since I began the Woods Barbie journey, things sure have changed—but the otherness never went away. If anything, it was amplified.<br />
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I remember as clear as a bell meeting old Tommy Battle in Wadley, Ga. in the meaty part of a Southern summer seven months pregnant with Fitz and Alex. It was hell. He stared at my belly for a good five minutes before speaking. Then he was unsure he wanted me to poke around his hardwood sawmill; I ignored him and walked right on in, asking the questions I needed to, showing him I wasn't some shrinking violet. When we finished, I got in the car, drove to a Hampton Inn, promptly took off my maternity work gear and laid on the bed with the air on 50° trying to cool off. I was not shrinking violet but I was hot as hell. I felt like I had something to prove. <i>I feel like I have something to prove.</i><br />
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The otherness changed drastically though in late 2015. My boss announced that for the first time in 28 years, the annual<i> Timber Processing </i>Man of the Year award, an award that recognizes a figure in the sawmill business that is involved in their community, runs an excellent and high producing mill, and is involved in furthering the positive face of the lumber business, was going to be Jill Snider Brewer. <br />
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As the only woman on the editorial staff I was tasked with writing the story on Jill, her mill and why she was worthy of the award. It was a huge honor for her and for me. The following is an excerpt of the editorial I wrote for the Man of the Year issue, which hits mailboxes around the world this week. It was my "I am woman hear me roar" moment. It was the definitive point where I decided to stop noticing my otherness and just do my damn job. Stop acting like I have something to prove and realize I've proved it. I deserve what I've gotten and everything I have coming because I haven't stopped working hard. I now just have to keep the path.<br />
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<b>From One Woman To Another</b> </div>
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I’m really proud of what came about from just two girls at two very different points of their sawmill exposure having a conversation. Above all else, Jill Snider Brewer inspired me. I’m a twentysomething young mother with a lot to learn about life and about sawmilling. She told me repeatedly she didn’t have all the answers, but the more I listened, the more I realized how much her comments about running a sawmill actually apply to real life. </div>
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When I spoke with Jill about the importance, and perhaps greater ineptitude of certain folks (read: fathers) on details she laughed it off. We then wound the conversation back to the topic of the day. I noticed how she was shy at first to tell me about her accomplishments and overall signature on Snider Industries.
She told me at first she wasn’t so sure she wanted to accept the award at all. Throughout the interview she kept attempting to deflect the spotlight. Defaulting to her employees and her father as the real face of Snider Industries. “I’m always happy to be in the background, hopefully making everything successful,” she told me. </div>
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That’s when it all came full circle. A real leader whether, in the home, in the front office or in the filing room, doesn’t try to be in the spotlight, they only care about setting everyone up for success. </div>
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I’ve read nearly all 28 Man of the Year stories, and that’s one thing they all have in common: a desire to set their mill, its employees, their communities and the lumber industry as a whole up for success. </div>
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It just took 28 years, and a woman, to articulate it.
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200863282838613950.post-44525312147470517482016-01-25T07:00:00.000-06:002016-01-25T07:26:09.779-06:00Currently<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Linking up with <a href="http://choosehappybb.blogspot.com/">Becky</a>*</td></tr>
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Currently around the Johnson Anderson house we are...<br>
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<b>Tired from a full weekend of celebrating! </b>Charles recently turned 10, and we had the chance to celebrate his birthday this weekend. I can't believe he's 10 already and halfway through third grade. We went to hibachi, per his request, and then enjoyed some chocolate cake. I was going to make the cake during the twins nap time, only to discover I had no white sugar...Thank god for google and the ability to get creative. I found <a href="http://www.lifewithgremlins.com/brownie-mix-cake-recipe-making-cake-from-brownie-mix/">this recipe</a>, using boxed brownie mix and it turned out great. I made a few tweaks (mainly I used oil and not applesauce as she calls for.) Virginia and my mother-in-law proclaimed it one of the best cakes I've ever made. Charles loved trying to cut it with one of his presents. And they say city boys don't know how to correctly operate power equipment.<br>
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<b>Speaking of a fun weekend...Sunday gave us the ultimate surprise, a puppy! </b>You know how this story goes, we were just going to look and play with some of the dogs. That went over like a lead balloon. Meet Chance Anderson. Mark and the kids are so in love and I have to admit he's really cute. We really are turning into #andersonpettingzoo. So far I've been able to resist chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. Here's hoping that trend continues.<br>
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<b>Anyone else a <i>Chopped </i>fan? <a href="http://ucatholic.com/blog/franciscan-sister-wins-food-networks-cooking-game-show-chopped/">This</a> tickled me. </b>I love watching <i>Chopped</i> and get some of my best dinner out of the pantry ideas thanks to it. I love when they do theme shows or have a special twist to the already challenging format, so coming across this <a href="http://ucatholic.com/blog/franciscan-sister-wins-food-networks-cooking-game-show-chopped/">Franciscan sister who actually won </a>is pretty awesome!! Her dessert looked awesome, who knew pancakes could be so decadent. Way to go Sister Torres!<br>
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<b>Is anyone else not that great at saying no? </b>Because I'm freaking horrible at it. Last week I agreed to chair a fundraiser and take on some extra work projects. I don't mind, but I probably should have said no.<b> </b><i>Just like I probably should have said no to the puppy... </i>I am considering printing this poster out and tacking it to my forehead.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://justinemusk.com/2012/10/22/25-badass-ways-to-say-no-poster/">Justine Musk</a> via <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18225573464422767/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
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Cheers to a great week! Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15188465814118512924noreply@blogger.com1