Merry Christmas Eve!

Hi Everyone!!

Well, it's Christmas Eve. I can't believe it's here already. I've baked 6 dozen cookies and one cake... now I just have to make candy for John's Christmas present. There's only one more sleep til Christmas. . .

That brings us to the last day of the Christmas Movie Countdown!!!

My #1 Favorite Christmas Movie is. . . .

Muppet Christmas Carol

I love this movie. It is, by far, my favorite version of A Christmas Carol. It follows the original story perfectly... almost line for line, but it also includes classic muppet comedy! I have watched this every year since it came out (when I was in 3rd grade) and it's just not Christmas until I've seen this movie! It was hard to pick a favorite scene, but I choose the song (yes, it's a musical!) that I've had in my head for the last few weeks. I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhjTHlui2ws

Christmas Movie Countdown... #2

Hey Everyone!

I know that I've missed blogging a couple of days. Maybe you thought I was trying to stretch my countdown through Christmas Eve... well, you're wrong. I took my cat, Piper, to the vet to get spayed and declawed and that has been preoccupying me. I even had to take her to the Emergency Clinic last night at 11:oo. Not fun... but she's fine.

On with the countdown... #2

It's a Wonderful Life

I love It's a Wonderful Life. I love it because of the beautiful message it has... to treasure life. I love it because it's a classic and so many other movies were copied from this one. I love it because I love old movies! I love how romantic it is when Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed are on the phone and he gets to angry and it turns into a fit of kisses! I've included one of my favorite scenes from the movie... enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5J8Eg_Ru9Q

Christmas Party!!!

Merry Christmas!

Today was wonderful! John and I had our 2nd annual Christmas party. I've always dreamed of having a Christmas party every year. I really hope that one year it will consist of little kids opening presents, making gingerbread houses, and joining around the piano to sing Christmas carols. But as for tonight, the party was great!! All of my closest friends came. My parents, my brother, and Erin's parents all came. There was a TON of good food to eat and we took pictures by the tree. Even though my guests didn't seem to enthusiastic about it I have always wanted pictures in front of the year every year! :o) I know... I'm so cliche, but I can't help it and I love every minute of it.

Now... for #3

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

And I DO mean the cartoon, not the newer movie version. The old cartoon is the best. I couldn't really find any videos from the original cartoon. Everyone had put their own song in the video or just images from the cartoon. Though I love the whole cartoon, and the songs, my favorite part of the whole movie is when the Grinch's heart grows too big to fit in that little x-ray box. I well up everytime!

Christmas with the Family... and #4

Merry Christmas!

Today was such a wonderful day! I got to spend lots of time with my hubbie and my big brother. We drove to Kenly to pick Mackenzie up and stopped at Shoney's in Smithfield for breakfast. We headed over to my grandma's house in Wade where we spent the rest of the day. We got to see everyone... and I mean everyone. We watched Mackenzie and Lacey open their Christmas gifts and ate our Christmas dinner. We also played a VERY long game of Canasta. My team lost, but I blame Elaine for picking up the pile... no matter what anybody says I didn't "give" her the pile! ha ha!

So... onto #4

The Santa Clause

You gotta love The Santa Clause. Tim Allen is hilarious and he looks JUST like Santa by the end of the movie. You know... like the Santa from the Coca-Cola commercials?! I also think this movie is the best for explaining how Santa works. It explains how he fits into chimneys, how he visits children without a fireplace, and how he can visit all the children in one night. It just restores the magic in Christmas. Gotta love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDchb9nB83k

Christmas Movie Countdown... #5

I'm free!!! Today was the last day of school. I've actually gotten a lot done, so all I have to do is pop into school for about an hour on Monday to finish up my lesson plans! Wohoo!! Bring on Christmas!!!!!




#5 The Christmas Toy

This is not a well known movie. It was played on regular televion in 1986 for Christmas and then that was it! It wasn't released in VHS form until later... and it is still so popular with the children who watched it (like me) that they've released it onto DVD. I remember watching this when I was a little girl. My parents taped it for me and I watched it every Christmas since... even with the Kraft commercials!! Ha ha! Now I own the VHS and I continue to watch it every Christmas. It's a very sweet movie that is about your toys coming to life when you leave the room. Rugby the tiger is the star and he is discovering that even thouh he is Jamie's favorite toy from last Christmas that he isn't ALWAYS the Christmas Toy. This movie added to my weird quirk of feeling like I was hurting my other toys' or stuffed animals' feelings by "leaving them out." Oye. Me and my personification of inanimate objects... enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-AB5lsc7qs

P.S. If you EVER (and I mean ever) find a stuffed animal of Rugby the Tiger, PLEASE let me know!!!

Christmas Movie Coundown Continues...

Hey!

Today was complete chaos. My students have checked out and are pleading Christmas Break! It was like pulling teeth to attempt to teach today!! But, we had our Christmas party and I think they all had fun. I, however, just had a headache! Did a little Christmas shopping tonight and LOVED walking through Michael's. I wish I could just do crafts all day every day. I would love it. I wanted to buy everything I need to make wreaths, ornaments, decorations, candy, and cake decorating!!

On to the good stuff.... #6

Elf!

Elf is such a wonderful movie. It is just TOO hilarious because Buddy is like a big kid at Christmas! I usually don't like Will Ferrell movies, but this one is awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jyCfRHumHU

#7 on the Christmas Movie Countdown!

Hey Everyone!

Well, today was a pretty good day. My kids are very ready for Christmas break and it's becoming obvious in how antsy and talkative they are. The staff had our Christmas breakfast today and it was a blast, as usual. It's so nice when all the staff can just relax and have fun with each other! Unfortunatley, I'm having some bad cramps in my neck tonight. I had it last night too, but John got me some ThermaCare patches so I can keep it on my neck.

Alright, on to the good stuff... #7 on my Favorite Christmas Movie Countdown is...



Home Alone!

You gotta love Home Alone. It's a classic for the people who grew up in the 90's. Every kid wanted to be Kevin McAlister and have the whole house to themself! Eating junk food, watching whatever you want, oh, and boobie-trapping your house to wart of some criminals. Ha ha... John and I actually watched Home Alone 2 tonight and made me realize how much I loved that movie too... so I think it deserves an honorable mention!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaWYOdHK8aM

The Countdown Continues... #8

Hello All!

Today was a good day, even though it seemed to drag on forever. I have the feeling that this school week is going to be loo-oong. I was still tracked down for my famous oreo ball recipe at school. I left at 3:00 (took some of that blasted furlough time) and went Christmas shopping. I couldn't find John the present I wanted, but I did get part of his present. I ran into some old friends and got to chat too. I also picked up things to make goodie bags for my students' Christmas gifts.

Okay, okay. Now, for what you were waiting for... #8 on my Favorite Christmas Movie Countdown...




#8 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

I love this movie because it's just so true. You love your family, but their quirky and can drive you crazy! Cousin Eddie is just too funny! Oh... and I have to mention... if you watch this movie, spending Christmas with Clark Griswald is like spending Christmas with my dad... just watch what Clark does when the lights won't work... ahh... just like Christmas with daddy... :o) hehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qc_RYm0ylA

Top Ten Christmas Movie Coundown... #9

Today was a great day. At school we had our Christmas Social, a.k.a. pig-out fest. We all bring a goodie and actually have what seems like a teacher's lounge for once. We get to socialize in a room that is decorated for Christmas. Anyway... I made Oreo Balls and EVERYONE loved them. They were the talk of the town... I was asked repeatedly for the recipe. Hmm... let's see... what can I trade them... maybe library duty? Ha ha!

Okay... now for the countdown. On my Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies...


9. Classic Clay-Mation Movies!!


It was too hard to pick just one clay-mation movie, but it's just not Christmas without them. I love how they come on ABCFamily every year. I do have to have a special mention of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's the only movie that tells the classic story and it's just not Christmas until you hear the sound that Rudolph's nose makes. Here is a video of one of my favorite songs from a clay-mation movie. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yon2YuXssvo

Join Me... Christmas Movie Countdown!!

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry for not updating this blog more... maybe I'll get in the habit of it over Christmas break.

Now that John and I have decorated our house we are oficially ready for Christmas!! I am so stinkin' excited. We watched Elf, and all 3 of the Santa Clause movies today too! So that brings me to Christmas movies...

I'm going to post my Top Ten Christmas Movies. I'm only going to post 1 each day... and I'm going to include a little video with each one.

My #10 Favorite Christmas Movie is....

A Christmas Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFu7SjF7Hfg

I love how the whole story is told from the kid's point-of-view. There are a few funny parts (I think we all remember the leg lamp) but I chose this clip... of the kid getting his tongue stuck to the pole. This movie would probably be much higher up on my list if it wasn't for those stupid 24-hour marathons every year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow... I can't believe that its time for Thanksgiving already. This year is flying by so fast! Well, I hope you cherish Thankgiving as a time to spend with your family and show them how much you love them. I also hope you remember that this is a time to give God thanks for everything He's done for you.


This year I am most thankful that my God loved me so much that He sent His Son to earth. I'm thankful that Jesus loves me so much that He would take every sinful thing I would ever do on as His own and died for me. Not only did He die for me, but He spent 3 days in hell for me... 3 days of complete seperation from the presence of God. If we have nothing else to be thankful for this Thanksgiving... we have that... and that is more than enough.

On a MUCH lighter note... John and I have been watching the Friends series from start to finish again. That show never stops being funny to me. I love all of the Thanksgiving episodes and I hope you get a chance to pop them in your DVD or check them out on Youtube. You can also find them at this link . http://www.thewb.com/shows/friends

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Long Day

Whew... it's been a long day.

My kids are great, I love my job, I love my family and friends, but it's been a long day. I've got some family issues I can't really talk about, but it's bumming me out to say the least. More to come, I'm sure...

On the other hand... I have an opportunity to get lots of stuff done this weekend for school. Both because I have TONS (and I do mean tons) to do and because John is gone this weekend. I'm really glad that he gets the opportunity to go on a "boy's only" spiritual retreat, but I'm really going to miss him. It'll be hard going to bed without him next to me. Sad night. Pray that I can make it through a productive and relaxing weekend without him...

Sisters

Today was full of randomness! School was fine... check that... great! I actually got out of there at 3:45... amazing, I know. I plan on doing that tomorrow too! I totally forgot I had a chiropractor appointment and ended up getting my haircut and getting to the Dr in time... thank goodness! I needed an adjustment badly!

Then I get a call from Melissa and Amy-Jo... I got to drive to Kinston and have dinner with my sisters! These girls are so important to me and I love them so much. I love the fact that we can be silly and totally random with each other. We can giggle at each other's quirks and have fun. But we can also get serious and real. I can remove my mask when I am with them... individually or together. I love that our friendship is so deeply rooted in our love of Christ... every conversation comes right back to God and His love for us. They always make me realize that I am a mighty woman of God.

Woven together, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Full Day

I had a full and fun day today. I drove with my parents to Dunn, NC (a 2 hour drive) to visit my family. I saw everyone... well, just about... today, including my family from Indiana. I had such a good time. I even got to play with my cousin, Elaine's, little baby girl for the first time. She's 5 months old and her name is Lacey. She's beautiful. I also got to see my other cousin, Amy's, little boy who is 2 years old now! Brody's gotten so big so fast!
Here's a current picture of Lacey. Too cute, right?!

That's all for today. Oh... we're trying to SERIOUSLY save some money. Any money saving tips?

Umm...

So... I swore up and down that I was going to update this blog and completely forgot about it once school was up and running!! So here's my update:

My class is wonderful. They are very sweet and smart. They're cutie pies and make me smile and laugh everyday, which is good for the soul. BUT... school is stressing me out. Between school, being grade chair, selling Aloette, and a little something, um, I don't know... called TRYING to have a life... I'm stressed to say the least. By the way, I totally stayed at school tonight until 9pm... totally not my idea of a 25 year old's Friday night. A picture is worth a thousand words...

On a lighter note... John and I got a new kitten! Totally spontaneous. My parents found the cutest little stray outside their house. She's the only animal in our house that has any wild animal left in her! Ha ha... She is a gray tabby and we've named her Piper. Pictures coming soon. . .

Hello!

Welcome to My Blog!

I have no idea what my blog is going to be about... hence the title, "Jen Jabber." This blog was random inspiration. This is what happened... I took a quiz on Facebook and turns out if I were an 80's awesome female cartoon character I'd be Rainbow Brite. So, I searched for and watched (yes watched) some Rainbow Brite videos. This lead me to searching for Jem and the Holograms (as most things do) and I found an awesome blog (http://glammed.blogspot.com/). So here I am. I have no idea what you'll find out during this adventure, but I'm looking forward to it.

I'll share one thing with you tonight...
This is the picture that lead to my inspiration. I searched for Jem and the Holograms and this bathing suit came up... totally Jem, right?!