Just for fun...

***************

What is one fun thing

and

one serious thing

that you want to accomplish in your life?

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Um... I'm not a runner

So, I realized that while running is okay and I can do it, it's not my favorite form of exerices. I prefer variety and I need something more realistic. I know not everyone is the same as me; some people can run their 3-4 miles a day, every day and they love it!

I have found other ways to stay active; ways that I enjoy staying active long term. The first thing is hockey. I have been playing a few times per week and I will be on a team this coming winter. That is definitely a workout!

The other things I do now are an ab/cardio video and some interval training at work w/friends.

Here is the interval routine that I do and really think anyone can do (even my mom! hehe) and it's very realistic; you get a good cardio workout, work your abs, and can even read or chat w/a friend for most of it!

There are 3 steps (after you do a few minute warm-up of course):

Step 1: walk quickly for 8 minutes (I walk about 4.0 mph)
Step 2: sprint as fast as you reasonably can for 30 seconds (I go between 8.0 -8.5 mph)
Step 3: run/jog for 90 seconds (I go between 6.0 and 6.5 mph)

**Steps 1-3 take 10 minutes to complete... you will want to repeat 4 or 5 times**

When you are done be sure to take a few minutes to cool off.

*Be sure to consult your Physician before starting any workout routine*

45 things

1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing? Never had it, never want to.

2.Have you ever smoked heroin? no... And I didn't know you smoked it? Don't you shoot it?

3. Do you own a gun? No.

4. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks? 6 pump, non-fat, no whip, white mocha

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? depends

6. What do you think of hot dogs? ewwwww... don't eat 'em.


7. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells


8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water


9. Can you do pushups? not real ones... I can do the girls ones

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my toe ring

11. Favorite hobby? playing ice hockey

12. Do you have A.D.H.D? Nope

13.What's one trait that you hate about yourself? bad memory

14. Middle name? Renee

15. 2 thoughts right now? I should be going to bed but I'm clearly not; I can't wait to see my nieces tomorrow!

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, cherry coke zero, Crystal Light

17. Daily routine you hate right now? having to study for my insurance test

18. How did you bring in the New Year (2009)? Don't think I'm a loser please, but I was alone in my room watching Friends and didn't realize it was the new year until my friends in CA called me to wish me happy new year!

19. What is your biggest beef? When people complain and there is a logical solution but they would rather complain than fix it.

20. What age would you like to be? If I could stay 27 forever.... sure why not.

21. Do you like to travel? It's my middle name... oh wait, I just said my middle name is Renee... let's just say that in a recent 14 month time frame, I went to about 12 destinations by flying...

22. Name three people who will complete this? um, it's a blog so no idea

23. Do you own slippers? yes - I think so? I never wear them

24. What color shirt are you wearing? Red - a State Farm shirt!!!

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I have. I like flannel in the winter and cotton in the summer though.

26. Can you whistle? yes - barely - definitely not a tune

27. Favorite color? pink!!


28. Would you be a pirate? for a day or two, but I'd be the nice kind!

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? whatever is on the radio.... I play the radio when I shower

30. Favorite girl's name? tough one... if I gave birth to a girl tomorrow, I would name her Eleanor Grace probably

31. Favorite boy's name? again, if I gave birth to a boy tomorrow, I'd name him David Harry

32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets

33. What is the last thing that made you laugh? My roommate throwing away the vanilla instead of opening it when it was handed to her.

34. Best bed sheets as a child? probably my pink ones with hearts...

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Haven't really been too injured (knock on wood)... oh wait, got hit by a car as a pedestrian once... that bummed my shoulder out for a while.

36. Do you love where you live? Absolutely!

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2

38. Who is your loudest friend? Rachel... for sure... hands down hehe

39. How many pets do you have? NONE! TG!

40. Does someone have a crush on you? on me... yeah... sigh.

41. What is your favorite book? Liability Insurance

42. Favorite candy? Mini and Plain M&M's

43. Favorite Sports Team? MN Wild

44. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping!!! yay!!!

45. What was the first thing that you thought of when you awakened this morning? I like the tune to my alarm clock... it's very catchy and cute! hehe

**Consider yourself tagged if you wanna do this survey too!**

dear jessica has moved

At the suggestion of my aunt pup, I have created a new blog just for "dear jessica" -
Click on the link at the top, right of this blog to head on over to the new "dear jessica" blog.
Comment moderation will always be turned on so you can ask a question in any comment field.
The "dear jessica" blog will stay alive so long as you keep asking questions... have fun!

Hockey Team

I know that previously I've mentioned this new pick-up hockey league (called, "JMS") I have been playing on... it's a blast... one of the funnest things I've done in a long time! I can sign up to play as much or as little as I want during the week.

A few weeks ago on a Wednesday night game, I was asked by a few guys if I would be interested in checking out their AHA (adult hockey association) club team. They play 20 games a season plus playoff (if they make it). They had a practice today and I decided to go check it out.

Well, as I suspected, I loved it and everyone is super nice! They had a spot open for a forward and a defense position so I took the forward one. Probably center. The captain is even ordering my jersey tomorrow with the number I picked (#87).

I am so excited to be playing organized hockey. Granted the season doesn't start for a few months, but there will be several practices this summer. And I will continue to play JMS hockey until the league starts.

This, my friends, is what I love.

dear jessica

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dear jessica,

What are your thoughts on divorce... do you think people give up too easily these days? Are there Biblical grounds for divorce other than marital unfaithfulness? What about spousal abuse?

Signed, Pondering in Pennsylvania

Dear Pondering,

I definitely think there are some people who give up on their marriage too easily these days. I think the problem lies with people thinking from the beginning that divorce is an option if they fall out of love. A marriage commitment is one to take seriously and one of the most important decisions of one's life. It goes without saying that you are going to have hard times, differences of opinions, and things to work through. Also, people change... maybe not in big ways, but things happen in the course of your life that causes you to grow, change, think differently, etc and you have to go in to marriage knowing that people are not going to be exactly the same as they were on your wedding day. You just have to find a way to grow together, listen, and communicate... and the biggest thing... always put your spouse before yourself. If you are putting their needs before your own (and they are doing the same) you should be able to work through anything. And another thing... no close friends of the opposite sex... mutual friends, yes. But seriously people, you can't have close friends of the opposite sex...

Besides marital unfaithfulness, I also believe a Biblical grounds for divorce is if your unbelieving spouse leaves you. And in regards to abuse... this is my own opinion and I don't have a verse to substantiate this, but I think if you are being abused (physically, sexually, emotionally, mentally) then you can leave. At that point it's dangerous to be in the situation and especially if you have kids involved... no good.

with perseverance,
jessica

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dear jessica,

What is a good way to approach confronting a family member? Especially when you'll see that family member(s) often...

Confused by confrontation in Connecticut

Dear Confused,

First, really evaluate your motive for wanting to confront the person. Then, I honestly think a mature, adult conversation is the best way to handle this. Call them up (or if you are comfortable emailing... no texing) and ask them if you can meet for coffee, dinner, a walk, etc. And as hard as confrontation is sometimes, you gotta just bite the bullet and address the elephant in the room. Once you get together, bring up what is on your mind... be nice about it... if your motive is genuinely pure, your concern for them or the situation should show through. If it is something that the family member will need help with, offer to help or be willing to find help if you can't be that person. And be willing to listen to feedback... maybe you have a part in this and you have something to work on to. Be humble. If this is an issue you have to agree to disagree on, then be willing to set aside your differences when you are at family functions and avoid that issue. If the issue comes up, be the bigger person and bite your tongue or excuse yourself and leave the room. Life is too short to live at odds with family. You may not always agree with them, but they are still family and it's important to always support the person, even if you don't support their decisions. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about a family member who refuses to be civil and in those situations, once you've done all you can, just be nice and enjoy the company of everyone else.
Hope this answers your question...

peacefully yours,
jessica

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dear jessica,

What should I do about being friends with someone who I really like, but they want more out of the friendship than I do? I'm content with an occasional phone call and email, but every time we talk, she wants to meet for a meal or movie or some such thing. I should mention we are both girls, so it's not like a guy/girl problem.

signed, 30%

Dear 30%,

This is a tough situation to be in... I've been there. I think you can let this person know that while you really enjoy the friendship, you don't have as much time as she does to go out. Give her a realistic idea of how much time during the week or month you can actually spend outside the duties of your work, family, and household. Let her know that you still want to keep in touch by phone and email because while you may not have a few hours in your day to spend with her, there are times where you are busy doing something but can still chat on the phone (like cooking dinner, etc)... I think if you really like this person it's important to make time for the occasional meal or movie. Or maybe, you can invite her along to chat while you're waiting for your kids at soccer practice. Or let her know that you have a few errands to run, but she can ride along so you can "catch up." If you aren't honest with her, though, you will become frustrated each time she contacts you and that is just no good for anyone.

Been there,

jessica

*my only qualification to answer these quesions is that people asked. I am no expert.

PS: Feel free to comment on these "dear jessica" posts; if you agree, disagree, etc... =)

dear jessica logo

I've decided to just make my own logo for the "dear jessica" feature...

But I do want to post the honorable mention "dear jessica" logo that my aunt pup created... Pretty cute hehe

So now that we have a logo and and a system, let the questions roll in... ask a question on the comment section of THIS POST... I will be turning comment moderation on!

Jessica's Practical Tip #6

Do you LOVE Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches?

Do you hate when you go to eat it on your lunch break (or half way through your nature hike, or when you need a snack during your day at the beach, etc) you find that the jelly has made your bread soggy?

Put peanut butter on both pieces of bread (you can do it lightly if you don't want extra PB)... and then put the jelly on one (or both) sides.

As long as you cover both slices of bread completely with a layer of PB, your bread won't get soggy at all!

dear jessica

Ok... so clearly "dear jessica" (lower case "d" and lower case "j") will be the new feature... as for the others... maybe they will show up periodically... we'll see...

So anyway, first thing is first.... I need an image to post with each "dear jessica" entry. And since I don't want to make one, let's make it a contest... if you want to enter one, email it to me (jessicaclark87@gmail.com) and then I will post all entries and let YOU all pick the favorite!

Next, I will go with the comment moderation idea! Each time I solicite "dear jessica" questions I will turn on the comment moderation... I have never done this before but I am assuming I will just copy the questions and then not approve the comment? When I turn comment moderation back ON, I will try to post a notice on my blog so that you know not to post anymore questions.

I agree that the question askers will be left anonymous so if you forget to sign it "Lost without Him" (or something like that) then I will make one up for you!

I will do my best to answer everyone's questions... just remember... you have to ask questions because I can't ask myself for advice =)

Did I forget anything? Any other suggestions?

PS: COMMENT MODERATION IS NOT ON YET... =)

New Feature

So it looks like the "Dear Jessica" feature is winning and I doubt I need 5 or 6 more "voting" days to realize that this feature will win...

So the next step is to solicit ideas on how people can ask questions... this is where you come in...

-Should the questions be confidential from other readers? or in other words, should the questions be asked by posting on my blog or a private email sent to me?
-Are you willing to submit questions (I'm not going to make them up... it would defeat the purpose of the feature )?! This is only fun if everyone plays =)

What I do know:

-the questions will be fun, serious, hypothetical, etc (as my dear cousin Elizabeth suggested)
-you can sign your name as your real name or make up something, like, "Fed up in Phoenix"
-I will answer questions honestly, as if I were giving advice to my best friend
-I give good advice =) hehe

OK... any other thoughts or suggestions?!