Be Back Soon

To be honest, blogging began as a hobby for me and it's only ever been just that for me. I'm just not fulfilled by it right now. When I see a list of blog things to work on, I feel unmotivated. I have some new ideas that I want to put my whole heart in before writing half-assed posts about it. I want to be a better writer and write quality over quantity. If that's not obvious by the decline of Friday Faves, I don't know how else to show you. I'm just busy with classes and work and moving that my life is not blog worthy to me. I plan on coming back soon. Hopefully in time for the first birthday of the blog but no promises. If you miss me, I better hear some wonderful suggestions of what new, exciting things I should write about.

BzzAgent: Dr. Scholl's® Massaging Gel® Insoles

Disclaimer: I got this stuff from BzzAgent.com for testing purposes. All of the views expressed are entirely my own.

This could not have come at a more perfect time for me. At Family Video, we stand all day. That is not an exaggeration. Part of good customer service is always being at the ready to help a customer or putting titles away or cleaning. No time to sit and take a break when every copy of Side Effects is sitting on the counter waiting to be put back out for customers. Who needs a rest when there are phone calls to answer and Iron Man titles to find? (Not sarcasm! I genuinely enjoy the fast pace at work!) But my feet would not like to find Iron Man again. They instead would like me to point from my station that Iron Man is in the Prequels/Sequels section as you might imagine what with Iron Man 3 in theaters and all. They would like me to stay put and possibly sit on the floor, hiding from all the movies staring at me from the drop box. No time for that, feet!!! We have customers to serve!! I did have a pair of insole so I was skeptical that these would really do anything for me. Well, lesson learned. Replace your insoles every few months. My feet can now tolerate the 8 hour work days once again. Which is great, because my job isn't one where we stand still. Not much else to say except my feet sure do appreciate the extra cushion in my flats and I will definitely hold on to a coupon to replace my insoles again at the beginning of September!

Wednesday Writings

A few weeks ago, I wrote a letter to myself from four years ago. Now I'm going to write a letter to myself for one year from now. I'll be graduating from college so it's appropriate with the letter I wrote a few weeks ago.

Future Jen,
What are you going to do with the freedom of choice? Are you as scared as I am? I've never had complete freedom to go and do whatever I want with my life. Right now, my brain is overrun with options. Will you go to grad school? Get a certification in a healthcare field? Take a year off? I hope you have more clarity than I do. Wait. That's a lot of pressure. I'm sorry. I know you might have even less clarity than I do right now. So don't feel pressure. I'm sure we will get through it.
Graduation! Yay! Are you relieved? I think I would be relieved. But I also think I might be sad. Leaving AST and the first home I picked for myself, GVSU, will be scary. How was alum ceremony? Because my goal is to make Emily cry. So did you accomplish that? Please tell me you did.
Don't let Mom, Dad, or anyone else ruin this for you. Don't let them bring a negative attitude to graduation day. Don't let them have too much say in the future. Just take your chance to be completely free and run with it. Everyone gets to have an opinion but you are not obligated to listen to it. I love them but let's just take this first chance to fall flat on our faces all on our own, mmk?
You go this. You so got this. Remember 4-years-ago-Jen? She is nothing like me and I am nothing like you. I've grown so much and I still have more to do. So I know you got this. Just remember how much you've grown and remember that whatever has happened, we've always figured it out so you will get it.
Love,
Past Jen

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

Blah blah. I have no witty nonsense today. Just this yummy fruit salad. Joe and I made it for our failed picnic. There is this other "perfect" fruit salad that calls for vanilla pudding mix. What the heck is that? This is perfect with honey and lime juice. Way better for you than pudding mix on fruit. Plus I'm pretty sure this dressing would be perfect on any fruit. Not sure how pudding would be on everything. So yeah, this is the best. Light and sweet and tart. Om nom nom get in my belly!

Recipe from Oh! You Cook!

Jelly Doughnut Muffins

You know what my least favorite thing to move is? Food. I hate moving food. So when I was sure I was moving, I started to make plans to eat all my food. Baking supplies are the worst to move. I was searching for recipes that would use baking supplies I had without going out and getting more. I found a lot of recipes but jelly doughnuts won. Why? Because. Jelly. Doughnuts. They were yummy and moist and the jelly was the sweet little nugget on top. Next time, I will definitely go with a pastry tip instead of just poking a hole in the top with a knife and using a baggie filled with jelly. #poorcollegekidproblems Anyways. Aren't they cuuuute?! You know you want one.

Recipe from Brandy's Baking.

Friday Faves

How do these weeks keep going by so fast. It doesn't seem real.

1. S'more Blizzards

Dear Dairy Queen, I hate you. You are one rude son of a bitch. S'mores blizzards? Thanks for ruining my life. Seriously. How am I supposed to move on from s'mores blizzards? You suck, DQ.

2. Family Video

Another week of manager rentals, an awesome review with our district manager, and a 50 cent raise? What a great week! If I haven't said it before, I love my job at Family Video! 

3. Nephew Time

I got to have lunch with my sister and my mom this week and I got to cuddle the baby. I made him dance to Wagon Wheel and shared my water with him when he ate a crayon. Oh Liam, you are going to be so fun when you start dating. I'm going to tell everyone you ate two crayons in a restaurant. 

4. Pioneer Woman's Shrimp Tacos

Joey and I made them this week. This is not my photo. Because I'm lazy and my camera is way over there. I'll share my pictures in a post, I promise. I think I enjoyed time with my bestie more than the tacos. Sorry Joe. I know you loved them.

5.  Toby

My inner bear's name is Toby. He's a polaaa beaaaar. 

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

I am so excited to share this pie with you. You came here, probably looking to laugh a little because let's face it, I'm hilarious but instead, I'm going to tell you about this pie and you're going to want some right now. Please don't hate me. This pie is seriously the best desert I've ever put in my mouth. I am completely obsessed. It is light and fluffy. The strawberry flavor is sweet but not overpowering. It is ridiculously easy to make. The graham cracker crust is buttery and addicting. I ate like half a pie in a day. That's how amazing this is. It is just too good. I'm sorry for ruining your life. This recipe recommended making it in a spring form pan but instead we made it in two pie plates. Definitely worth it. There is just so much filling. Also, I did not add red food coloring. I like the natural pink from the strawberries and I didn't think red dye would really matter.

Again, I'm so so so sorry for ruining your day. But not really.