Jerri's Empty Nest
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Why So Excited?
I graduate May 8th!!!!!!!!!!!
Why so excited? I am 51 (well, I'll be 52 then) years old and this will be my first (and probably my last) graduation ceremony. Yes, I'm excited!!
I graduated a semester early from high school and immediately entered the Air Force. When it came time for the graduation ceremony that spring, it happened to fall on Memorial Day weekend. Because of the holiday weekend, I was unable to obtain leave to return home as there were already too many people who had requested leave for that weekend. I missed my high school graduation. I never had the opportunity to wear the cap and gown, or to walk with my class.
Now, as a grandmother, I finally get to take that walk when I receive my Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Technology. I finally get to wear that cap and gown. I will walk with my friends with family in the audience. Yes, I'm excited!!!
Let this be a lesson...never give up!!! It may have taken me 34 years to get there...but I'm doing it!!!
Love,
Jerri
Why so excited? I am 51 (well, I'll be 52 then) years old and this will be my first (and probably my last) graduation ceremony. Yes, I'm excited!!
I graduated a semester early from high school and immediately entered the Air Force. When it came time for the graduation ceremony that spring, it happened to fall on Memorial Day weekend. Because of the holiday weekend, I was unable to obtain leave to return home as there were already too many people who had requested leave for that weekend. I missed my high school graduation. I never had the opportunity to wear the cap and gown, or to walk with my class.
Now, as a grandmother, I finally get to take that walk when I receive my Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Technology. I finally get to wear that cap and gown. I will walk with my friends with family in the audience. Yes, I'm excited!!!
Let this be a lesson...never give up!!! It may have taken me 34 years to get there...but I'm doing it!!!
Love,
Jerri
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Saying Goodbye
A couple weeks ago, the day I had been dreading finally came. It was time to say goodbye to my beloved Max.
To be perfectly honest, I would have kept him with me if I could. His cancer had gotten to the point where keeping him with me would have been the most selfish, hurtful thing I could do to him. I so wanted to be selfish. Like any dog lover, I wanted him to live as long as I would. That's not the way it works. It comes with the territory of owning a pet. The day will arrive when you have to let them go.
Max was 16 years old. For a lab, that is extremely old. He was rescued as a puppy and I did everything I could to make each one of those sixteen years full of love, comfort, and happiness. I know I received unconditional love from him for each one of those years.
With a broken heart...Rest in peace, Max. You are so dearly loved.
Love,
Jerri
To be perfectly honest, I would have kept him with me if I could. His cancer had gotten to the point where keeping him with me would have been the most selfish, hurtful thing I could do to him. I so wanted to be selfish. Like any dog lover, I wanted him to live as long as I would. That's not the way it works. It comes with the territory of owning a pet. The day will arrive when you have to let them go.
Max was 16 years old. For a lab, that is extremely old. He was rescued as a puppy and I did everything I could to make each one of those sixteen years full of love, comfort, and happiness. I know I received unconditional love from him for each one of those years.
With a broken heart...Rest in peace, Max. You are so dearly loved.
Love,
Jerri
Monday, October 14, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The Best Advice
As you know, I've been having a rough week. My friends have been INCREDIBLY supportive but I've struggled to pick myself up.
I then remembered something. When Mutual of Omaha was doing their AHA Moment tour, they had contacted me to participate. I revisited the spot I taped today. What I needed to hear? Turns out I already said it.
Jerri's AHA Moment
I listened to my own words and the conviction with which I spoke them. Those same beliefs are still deep inside. Time to bring them back to the surface!
Love,
Jerri
I then remembered something. When Mutual of Omaha was doing their AHA Moment tour, they had contacted me to participate. I revisited the spot I taped today. What I needed to hear? Turns out I already said it.
Jerri's AHA Moment
I listened to my own words and the conviction with which I spoke them. Those same beliefs are still deep inside. Time to bring them back to the surface!
Love,
Jerri
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Here I Go!
I have a confession to make. Yesterday, I had a full-blown meltdown! I was feeling overwhelmed and didn't even know where to start. So I melted. And not in a pretty way...you know that ugly cry? Yep...that was it!
But just like every other woman on the planet with a full plate, I got up this morning and started over. I actually got quite a bit accomplished! I tutored at an elementary school, attended a meeting, wrote a newsletter, and even managed to feed myself! (Hey...sometimes it's the little victories!)
We all know the saying, "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it!" Well, here's the size I needed!!
Upward and Onward!!
Love,
Jerri
But just like every other woman on the planet with a full plate, I got up this morning and started over. I actually got quite a bit accomplished! I tutored at an elementary school, attended a meeting, wrote a newsletter, and even managed to feed myself! (Hey...sometimes it's the little victories!)
We all know the saying, "Put on your big girl panties and deal with it!" Well, here's the size I needed!!
Upward and Onward!!
Love,
Jerri
Monday, September 16, 2013
Celebrating Womanhood 2013
My post is extremely late today. It was an overwhelming day at school. When I got home, I looked at my calendar for the week and seriously wanted to curl up in the corner and cry. Then I remembered what today was. How was I to write a post about celebrating womanhood when this particular woman was barely hanging on by her extremely ragged fingernails?
But that is the best time to write this post. Too often, we forget that everyday activities and surviving them is something to be celebrated! Here's to:
The women who get up every morning and do the same chores over again and again and again.
The women who go to work each day even when their beds are still calling their names.
The women who answer a toddler's same question a hundred times...and then answer a hundred and one.
The women who juggle school, a family, and a job...and don't quit.
The women who put on a uniform and risk their lives for their country.
Honestly, this list could go on forever. Look around...one of these marvelous women is right there.
Love,
Jerri
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tomorrow
Tomorrow Jerri's Empty Nest will go dark in observance of 9/11. Please join our fellow Americans in the moment of silence tomorrow morning. Hug the ones you love and tell them you love them.
Love,
Jerri
Love,
Jerri
Monday, September 9, 2013
Seriously?
Obviously, the comments policy and stating that trolls are unwelcome wasn't stated strongly enough. Here it is in no uncertain terms!!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
New Page
There has been a new page added to Jerri's Empty Nest...the Comments Policy page.
Unfortunately, due to a troll, it was necessary to set forth some guidelines for commenting on this blog. I hate that it became necessary to post actual guidelines but I found myself with no other recourse.
What is a troll? A troll is a person who attempts to "stir the pot" by posting comments that are extraneous, off-topic, or inflammatory. In the specific case of Jerri's Empty Nest...the trolling took the form of tagging serious, heart-felt posts as funny.
Why trolling? I honestly cannot tell you. I do not even pretend to understand a person who would take the time every day to read my blog and wait for a serious post to tag as "funny". Personally, I have too much on my plate to have that kind of time to try to annoy another person just for pleasure. It confounds me.
Please take a look at the new Comments Policy. For 99.999% of you, this won't apply and you can freely continue commenting as you have been. Each and every one of your comments is appreciated and valued!!
Love,
Jerri
Unfortunately, due to a troll, it was necessary to set forth some guidelines for commenting on this blog. I hate that it became necessary to post actual guidelines but I found myself with no other recourse.
What is a troll? A troll is a person who attempts to "stir the pot" by posting comments that are extraneous, off-topic, or inflammatory. In the specific case of Jerri's Empty Nest...the trolling took the form of tagging serious, heart-felt posts as funny.
Why trolling? I honestly cannot tell you. I do not even pretend to understand a person who would take the time every day to read my blog and wait for a serious post to tag as "funny". Personally, I have too much on my plate to have that kind of time to try to annoy another person just for pleasure. It confounds me.
Please take a look at the new Comments Policy. For 99.999% of you, this won't apply and you can freely continue commenting as you have been. Each and every one of your comments is appreciated and valued!!
Love,
Jerri
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Studying
I spent the majority of my Labor Day weekend with my nose in a book. I have a weekend class coming up and I spent the weekend noting my chapters in advance of the class.
I realized that I enjoy the actual process of going through a chapter, pulling out the relevant facts, and putting them in a neat format on a piece of paper. There is something about the detail of the process that puts me in a deep state of concentration.
Although I didn't make it to the parties, I feel a sense of accomplishment from the work I did this weekend. I have tangible evidence of my labor and a lasting proof of my hard work. That is a great feeling!
While I may not have had the typical holiday weekend, I definitely had a productive one! I hope your weekend was fantastic!!
Love,
Jerri
I realized that I enjoy the actual process of going through a chapter, pulling out the relevant facts, and putting them in a neat format on a piece of paper. There is something about the detail of the process that puts me in a deep state of concentration.
Although I didn't make it to the parties, I feel a sense of accomplishment from the work I did this weekend. I have tangible evidence of my labor and a lasting proof of my hard work. That is a great feeling!
While I may not have had the typical holiday weekend, I definitely had a productive one! I hope your weekend was fantastic!!
Love,
Jerri
Monday, September 2, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Yikes!!
It's 8 o'clock on a Friday night and I'm just now getting around to today's post!!
I do have an excuse. The carpets were cleaned today and I spent most of the day moving furniture around. I am one whupped girl!
I admit, it's not a spectacular excuse...but it's the only one I've got. So here is just a quick note for Frugal Friday.
I am taking Public Speaking this semester. One of the speeches we have to give is on communications in our chosen field of study. I'm studying to be a paralegal. Obviously, paralegals are not expected to be doing much verbal communication or public speaking...because a book on the subject was almost impossible to find!!
I did finally find ONE book that dealt with interviewing skills for the paralegal. This is going to be the required book I need for my speech. But I'm a full-time college student. Translation=I'm broke.
Luckily, I had some Amazon credits built up from using Swagbucks. Score!! It paid not only for the book but the shipping! I've got my book for class!
That's it for tonight...Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!
Love,
Jerri
I do have an excuse. The carpets were cleaned today and I spent most of the day moving furniture around. I am one whupped girl!
I admit, it's not a spectacular excuse...but it's the only one I've got. So here is just a quick note for Frugal Friday.
I am taking Public Speaking this semester. One of the speeches we have to give is on communications in our chosen field of study. I'm studying to be a paralegal. Obviously, paralegals are not expected to be doing much verbal communication or public speaking...because a book on the subject was almost impossible to find!!
I did finally find ONE book that dealt with interviewing skills for the paralegal. This is going to be the required book I need for my speech. But I'm a full-time college student. Translation=I'm broke.
Luckily, I had some Amazon credits built up from using Swagbucks. Score!! It paid not only for the book but the shipping! I've got my book for class!
That's it for tonight...Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!
Love,
Jerri
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Judgment
What is it about the human race that so many think they not only have the right but the responsibility to judge others? Whether it be a pop star's performance on television to what someone thinks is going on in your life; it seems to be irresistible to so many to pass judgment.
The truth of the matter is that no one has a clue about what is going on in anyone's life once their front door closes. No one has any idea of what kind of problems one is dealing with on a daily basis. The demons of addiction, abuse, poverty, and depression all hide behind those closed doors. People seem to believe that the tiny flashes they get of someone's life are a complete picture. It's not.
To exacerbate the problem, these same people also feel the irresistible urge to share their opinions with others. How can spreading misinformation help anyone? Is it helpful to the person struggling? Does it place an unnecessary burden on the person receiving such information? The only thing is does accomplish is that the person judging feels self-important and superior.
When the temptation strikes to make a judgment of someone else's life, resist. They are walking a path that is hidden from you. You don't know what twists and turns their life has taken and it truly is not your place to know.
Above all else...be kind.
Love,
Jerri
The truth of the matter is that no one has a clue about what is going on in anyone's life once their front door closes. No one has any idea of what kind of problems one is dealing with on a daily basis. The demons of addiction, abuse, poverty, and depression all hide behind those closed doors. People seem to believe that the tiny flashes they get of someone's life are a complete picture. It's not.
To exacerbate the problem, these same people also feel the irresistible urge to share their opinions with others. How can spreading misinformation help anyone? Is it helpful to the person struggling? Does it place an unnecessary burden on the person receiving such information? The only thing is does accomplish is that the person judging feels self-important and superior.
When the temptation strikes to make a judgment of someone else's life, resist. They are walking a path that is hidden from you. You don't know what twists and turns their life has taken and it truly is not your place to know.
Above all else...be kind.
Love,
Jerri
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Wahoo Wednesday!
I've seen a few bloggers do this on a regular basis so I thought I'd give it a shot. Here goes...
What is my Wahoo Wednesday? I have a week off school starting now!! All of my classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays. With Monday being Labor Day, I don't have to be back at school until Wednesday morning!
That gives me an entire week to get all my homework done! Wahoo!!!
Love,
Jerri
What is my Wahoo Wednesday? I have a week off school starting now!! All of my classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays. With Monday being Labor Day, I don't have to be back at school until Wednesday morning!
That gives me an entire week to get all my homework done! Wahoo!!!
Love,
Jerri
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
One Week Down!
One week down in the fall semester!! So far I've managed to keep up with all my work and I've only cried once from exhaustion! I'm counting this week as a win!
Now that I know graduation is within reach, I seem to be putting even more pressure on myself. I've noticed that I'm actually getting obsessive about my note-taking, organization, etc. I've also had a friend comment that I need to relax a bit and ease up. After she told me that, I did stop and take a look at myself...and she's right.
My goal for today? To relax just a bit more.
Of course...that comes after the dishes, and the laundry, and cleaning the bathroom, and straightening the patio, and.....
Love,
Jerri
Now that I know graduation is within reach, I seem to be putting even more pressure on myself. I've noticed that I'm actually getting obsessive about my note-taking, organization, etc. I've also had a friend comment that I need to relax a bit and ease up. After she told me that, I did stop and take a look at myself...and she's right.
My goal for today? To relax just a bit more.
Of course...that comes after the dishes, and the laundry, and cleaning the bathroom, and straightening the patio, and.....
Love,
Jerri
Monday, August 26, 2013
My Weak Spot
I received my Herrschner's catalog in the mail Saturday. For those who haven't heard of it, it is a craft catalog with the most beautiful things inside.
Truthfully, that catalog is like porn for crafters. It is page after page of kits, supplies, and patterns. The unfortunate part? I'm not rich.
Some of the most beautiful kits are upwards of the $50 mark. Is it just me or does that seem like a lot of money for something you still have to make yourself when you receive it? Granted, some of them are absolutely breathtaking...I'm just not made of money.
For now, I'll peruse lustfully through the pages. If you happen to borrow my copy...please excuse the drool marks!!
Love,
Jerri
Truthfully, that catalog is like porn for crafters. It is page after page of kits, supplies, and patterns. The unfortunate part? I'm not rich.
Some of the most beautiful kits are upwards of the $50 mark. Is it just me or does that seem like a lot of money for something you still have to make yourself when you receive it? Granted, some of them are absolutely breathtaking...I'm just not made of money.
For now, I'll peruse lustfully through the pages. If you happen to borrow my copy...please excuse the drool marks!!
Love,
Jerri
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Indulgent Comfort
Herb Linguine
Ingredients:
8 oz. linguine, uncooked
1/3 cup butter
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/3 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 Tbsp. lemon
Cook linguine according to directions and drain. In saucepan, melt butter, including the garlic. Stir in linguine, herbs, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thoroughly warmed. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
My personal variation: I add shrimp.
Enjoy!!
Ingredients:
8 oz. linguine, uncooked
1/3 cup butter
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/3 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 Tbsp. lemon
Cook linguine according to directions and drain. In saucepan, melt butter, including the garlic. Stir in linguine, herbs, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thoroughly warmed. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
My personal variation: I add shrimp.
Enjoy!!
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