My pure bred puppy still has nightmares about the "pound"

General Lee and me at the cabin

It was only for a little while, and it really wasn't the pound, but try telling that to my puppy General Lee and he tells a different story.  If my dog could talk he would probably tell you all sorts of terrible things about a woman named Stephanie who bought him for a little while telling me, "Oh he will be my special puppy," something straight out of the PETA articles is more along the lines of what was going on there. 

I had a bad feeling about her after a month or so of her buying General from a litter of 10 puppies that we had a couple years ago.  So I called Stephanie and she confirmed that "she hadn't taken care of him right and had gotten really sick."  So I offered to buy him back for half the price she paid.  I went to pick him up and he was literally skin and bones.  There were tons of other dogs there as she was breeding dogs and the big ones ate all of Generals food.  He had a really bad upset stomach and was very skidish, I think the doctor said he had parasites too!  When he ate his food if you didn't sit right by him he wouldn't eat, he would follow you. 

Most of these things he has gotten over with tons of love and caring support but still gets anxious when we leave for even a little while.  The other day I was going to the Eye Doctor and General has been so good lately I thought maybe he would be good for just an hour while I was there.  Well the doctor's appointment ran late and it was 2.5 hours before I was back.  The other day before I had done some really pretty paintings and some how General thought he could do paintings too just all over the carpet. 

After three bottles of cleaning solution there is still quite a mess but not nearly as bad as it was.  Now we have to get it professionally cleaning.  A local cleaner is coming next week.  But poor General just got anxious and then destructive.  It was such a mess I almost couldn't handle it.  He is such a sweet boy though!  I love our dogs, even if they can be a hand full sometimes!!!

Not a Win Win

Tonight at my soccer game I got there early to warm up.  As I was practicing on the field and I was juggling.  You may remember my soccer ball that I blogged about a couple weeks ago.  It was a really nice Nike light blue soccer ball.  Well I was on my marry way warming up getting ready for our last game of the season, when I kicked the ball up and took a shot at the goal.  It went way over and I thought I saw where it went but when I went over to find it, it was no where to be found.

I lost my brand new soccer ball.  First loss.

Then it was unbearably hot at the fields at 6:30 and I was out of shape for the heat.  It was a relatively close game until about 10 minutes until the end of the game and 3 girl goals slipped in.  Girl goals count for 2.  Second loss.

Can't be a win win all the time!  Better luck next time!

A different kind of Skyline

North Atlanta

Buckhead

Piedmont Park

How often do we look outside and see the skyline and think about how beautiful it is and give reverence to God?  I know I do this more often than not.  These three pictures were taken recently at three very different locations.  One thing is for sure beauty is at work in all of them!!  Nature, one of God's greatest gifts.

From a Small Stage to a Sold-out Concert

Rocking out to Karaoke

Every singer has a start, and every music career starts with a dream.  When I was little I fantasied about being a music artist.  I even took music lessons, some might have called it a pipe dream.  One thing is for sure the music lessons I had growing up helped my voice and my piano skills.  I didn't really stick with the piano lessons but I did continue to sing, sing, sing.  Pictured above at a birthday party, I still love to sing.

Finally at Britney Spears concert

I usually sing songs I know really well, over maybe more popular songs.  I would rather do a better job with a song I'm comfortable with than a song to get the crowd going.

Britney Spears on the other hand can do both!  This picture was taken at her recent concert in Atlanta. Where me and my three friends had the best time! 

So until I can be on a huge stage I will have to settle for enjoying other people sing and enjoying the simple life with my friends.

I have everything I need to be happy and I am not quite sure more money would bring any more happiness to my life.

Right now, all I need is love of my family and friends.

From left to right Jen, Kathryn, Nicki, Jen

If I Make It or Bake It at Home it is Homemade

Delicious Homemade Banana Bread

If I don't use a box it is from scratch!  Haha  If I am in the kitchen making food I make the rules too. ;)

I was in Kroger, which is to say, the only place I buy groceries.  From my commercial real estate experience I know, Kroger is the largest grocery store chain in Georgia with a 30% share of the market.  I was in their corporate office and found out they strive to achieve customer loyalty, that is their number One Goal.  Well for me, Mission Accomplished!!

So, I was saying I was in Kroger.  I was in the fruits and vegetable section and I was thinking about my over ripe bananas then saw this box of Chiquita Banana Bread Mix, and thought to myself "Ah, perfect product placement," but I gave in to the impulse purchase thinking, "It would be delicious, fresh baked banana bread, oh it doesn't get much better than that!"  With that, I put the box in my cart. 

Sometime later, I was on a mission: Don't forget any ingredients,  don't under-bake, don't over-bake!  It is a lot of pressure.  One thing I have learned about our house is the stove runs accurately on the lesser time of baking or cooking since we have a automatic gas stove.  I will tell you I love cooking with gas appliances.  Electric is for the birds.

As you can see from the perfect loaf I created, Mission Accomplished!!!

On a side note for those of you who are following our soccer team, we played the number one team tonight and lost 3 goals to 2 goals. I say it like that because the actual official score was 6-3 because they had all 3 girl goals and we had one girl goal and one guy goal.  Girl goals, as you remember count for two.  So there it is,  stay tuned as I have been doing more post lately!!  I have gone from once a week to 3-4 times a week.  

Hans Daniel's Band Performed an Amazing Show

Showing my support for the Hans Daniels Band

We were so excited to see Hans Daniel play at the Vinyl in Atlanta on Friday night. If you are looking for a new rock band look no further.

Band Members:

Ace - Bass Guitar

Ettienne Hugo - Lead Guitar

Dante Parker - Drums

Hans Daniels - Vocals & Guitar


Contact: (e) NewAmericanRock@gmail.com (p) 404-396-7303
Website: http://HansDanielsBand.com




Cutting up before the performance



The best thing I can tell you is to just check them out for yourself! We had an amazing time at their show and hope to see you next time they play!! You can follow them on twitter @HansDaniels and if you are not following me-you should, mine is @FunLovingJen

Transformers Transformed Toys

Legendary... Living the Dream

There is nothing I like more than a quiet night at the movies.  On the other hand, I love a good action suspense drama thriller like Transformers!   We went to see this new movie in 3D at an IMAX by our house and let me tell you nothing can compare.  It was quite the experience!!  (No Spoilers here)

The cast was enhanced and mostly the same, Meghan Fox was replaced by a sandy brown Victoria's Secret Model. Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky and they realize an event from Earth's path is affecting their future with the Transformers. 

For the Trailer you can click here. 

But Kyle and I were talking about the way the Transformer toys revolutionized the toy industry and especially the toy car industry.  The movie was based on the toys which I think is cool usually the movie comes first think Toy Story or any other children's show or movie for that matter.  It is cool.

Original Optimus Prime Transformer Toy

Cancer Sucks!

Brandi's dad

I have a special request this time from a good friend at work.  Her name is Brandi and her dad was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and they are going to Charleston this Monday for his surgery. 

She is trying to raise money to help with medical expenses by selling these "cancer sucks" wristbands for $2.00 each.  They are purple for the ribbon color of pancreatic cancer.  If anyone is interested they can email Brandi at blsimpson412@yahoo.com

On the Water for the Fourth of July

On Captain Andrew's Boat for the Fourth of July

Nothing says American like being on a Boat for the Fourth of July!  Hanging out with some of my friends on the water is one of my favorite things!  Andrew was nice enough to invite a couple friends out to the lake and we enjoyed a full day of boating activities.  We were looking sharp in our swim suits and I must say it was a pretty good looking group!  All in all we had a pretty good time.

Any time I get to hang out with my husband Kyle I know I will have a great time!  It was a great day for sun and fun.  Considering how busy our schedules have been lately the time we do spend together is so special to me.  Kyle is working really hard on work and school and I know it must me difficult.  I respect him so much and love him to pieces.

The weather didn't last all day because it started to rain at the end of the day but it was nice most of the day.  Sunny and warm is my favorite kind of day.  It is too bad I didn't get to see fireworks on the Fourth but I saw some at the Braves game not too long ago!

Chocolate Heaven with Willy Wonka

Friends gathered to watch Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

We had such a great time on Atlanta's Screen on the Green at Piedmont Park!  The movies are always a classic and last Thursday was no exception.  We enjoyed sweets and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was playing!  There were so many people there to watch the movie so we got there early to get good seats. 

I made homemade Sprinkles cupcakes.  They were really moist and everyone enjoyed them!  Gosh I had not baked cupcakes in a while and they were a lot of fun to make!  I had fun baking and the best part was I didn't forget any ingredients or steps.  I'll never forget the time I forgot water when I made brownies!  Oops. 

The movie was really good, though.  When I was younger I was scared of the movie and missed a lot of the main points.  I thought it was like a chocolate house of horrors the way the kids all kept getting messed up in the different parts of the house.  I didn't even realize how good the ending was, no spoilers here!

Friends having a good time after the movie

Here is another picture of more people at the event, we had quite the group get together!  The balloons were perfect because there were so many people it was the only way to help people find us!