Operation Maple Leaf

As I type this blog post I am sitting in relative cushiony comfort inside a metal tube at an altitude of 36,500 feet. According to the little animated map display on the screen in front of me, I am 719 miles from Halifax, Nova Scotia, where I hope to land safely in approximately an hour.

The cute little plane icon is over the blue colored area on the map, therefore we are flying over the water, southeast of New York City, if the data are to be believed.

Of course, by the time I post this, I'll be safely on the ground, and the soles of my shoes will have touched the land called Canada for the first time.

I've traveled a bit, including internationally, but I've never visited Canada. Why now, you ask?

Love.

(Isn't that the most perfect answer to any question beginning with the word "why"?)

In this case, I am traveling to witness a declaration of love and commitment made by two dear friends.

These friends, Jodi and Jason, will be wed on Friday, February 5, 2009, and I will be there to see it. All because of love... and the Internet.

I've never met Jodi and Jason in person. Neither has my dear husband, though he's known them both longer than I have. He met Jason online, liked him, followed Jodi's adorably geeky proposal via a blog chain... (just pretend I told you the rest, okay? Otherwise this could get long) ...and then I followed them both on Twitter and realized just how super fantastically awesome they were! And the rest of our friendship is history!

When we received an invitation to their wedding, we knew they probably meant it as an honor, and were hoping we wouldn't come but would send a large monetary gift. :-P

Bah! Why follow convention?! Let's leave our kids with family and friends for four and a half days (something we've never done for longer than one overnight), and fly to Canada for the wedding! That'll show them!

As it happens, we developed an online friendship with another couple, Sophie and James, who live in Nova Scotia as well. So, clearly, we thought... Hey! Let's visit them too. After all, we'll already be in Canada for the wedding!

And actually, I had a list of other Canadian friends I'd love to meet in person, but apparently I have a poor grasp of geography and the concept of "Canada is effing huge!!"

So we're winging to Nova Scotia- for love, for friendship, for adventure, and for the amazing opportunity to connect with people who were unknown 1s and 0s not long ago.

And when I hug each of my friends, and look into their faces for the first time, I'll feel grateful, and full of love.

Thank you, Internet. Thanks for the love.

Minivan Captain's Log

Today is a Wednesday. There's nothing particularly significant about this Wednesday, but on this crazy ride we call life, every day should be significant, shouldn't it? So, in the interest of preserving the history of Jenny Wadley, I present these facts for your amusement and pity.

Today I:

• Woke up in bed alone
• Heard my daughter cry
• Had a fight with my husband
• Debated the necessity of the potty with a three-year-old
• Made up with my husband
• Sang Code Monkey
• Went to the laundromat
• Stuffed $20 in quarters in my pockets
• Taught math via coin-operated washing machines
• Did eight loads of laundry
• Talked to a long-distance friend about visiting
• Fished a plastic heart out of the toilet
• Found some presumed missing mail under the seat of my car
• Cleaned up smeared chocolate with a baby wipe
• Cleaned a poopy bottom with six baby wipes
• Waited in line at the utility department
• Explained a water meter to my seven-year-old
• Used the last three quarters to buy bubblegum
• Spent two hours in Target
• Literally begged my children to behave
• Bribed my children
• Spoke sternly to my children
• Took my children to the potty
• Took my children back to the potty
• Allowed my children to try on a woman's zebra-print dress
• Adamantly refused to purchase zebra-print dress for my son because it wasn't in his size
• Held my ground
• Decided that my perfect job is evil henchman
• Contemplated buying a Starbucks coffee
• Reminded myself that I am no longer spending $5 on a cup of coffee
• Listened to repetitive vocal sounds over and over and over
• Asked my daughter to please get up off the floor and let the nice lady push her cart down the aisle
• Picked my daughter up off the floor while she screamed
• Bought myself the damn coffee
• Took my children back to the potty
• Didn't scream when a $5 cup of coffee was poured down my thigh
• Ignored stares of horror
• Smiled helplessly at looks of knowing pity
• Drive home while breathing deeply
• Received words of wisdom and wonderful news from a dear friend
• Played a game with my kids
• Heaved a big sigh
• Held an origami butterfly
• Told my husband I love him
• Found peace
• Lost peace
• Wept
• Smiled
• Felt loved
• Loved

2009 - The Year of Jenny

The most wonderful thing I've experienced in 2009 is the absolute joy of feeling that I am completely and honestly myself, without excuses, without regrets. I am all me - geeky, sexy, loving, creative, smart, funny, dorky, sweet, and real. -my answer to a formspring question asked by a friend.

2009 has been the year of Jenny
I embraced myself this year. I decided to stop waiting for my life to be perfect, for my body to be perfect, for my relationships to be perfect, and I discovered that I am perfectly imperfect, just the way I am.

Times were hard
I faced very real, very depressing challenges - financial, personal and medical - and I overcame them or made friends with failure. I became angry. I became determined. I became confident.

Moments filled and overwhelmed my heart
I watched the Space Shuttle Atlantis break free from her earthly chains and power forth into the perfect sky, while tears fell from my eyes.

I gazed at the lifeless body of my cousin JJ, all alone in the funeral parlor, and felt the wave of love for him that allowed me to look away and decorate the area with evidence of his full and too-short life.

I witnessed my children grow, learn, and laugh, each second seeming too precious to be real.

People centered my world
I found Twitter. I made friends with fantastic, unique people from all over the world.

I deepened friendships of more than 20 years, and established bonds with new friends who touch my heart.

Life happened
I laughed. And giggled. And chortled. And snorted.
I kissed. I snuggled. I put cold feet on a warm body.
I wore sexy panties and short skirts. I wore pigtails.
I got a dog. I got drunk. I got laid.
I wrote. And sang. And danced.

I loved.
I lived.

And I am so grateful for it all.

My Big Fat Greek Family

My niece Rebi turned one year old during her trip to Florida. To celebrate, we gathered as much of the family as possible at my house for a big, fat, Greek birthday party.

Some cousins drove down from Georgia. Aunts, Uncles and cousins traveled from around central Florida. We all piled into my somewhat-clean house to visit, chat, reminisce, laugh and play.

Know what I love about this picture? No one is holding their own child. :)

Cousin Jennifer holding my nephew Tommy, sister Keri, cousin Carey holding the birthday girl, Uncle Chris holding Carey's daughter Cadyn.

Me, my cousin Carey, my Dad, and my sister Keri. So much love here.

Some of my extended family. Believe it or not, this isn't everyone. In fact, less than half of my greek cousins are represented. (And none of the cousins on my mom's side are here.)

Yes, I have a big family. And we're all pretty close. I love that we get together for events and celebrations whenever we can. This event was particularly meaningful for me, because the last big family gathering occurred for my cousin JJ's funeral.

This was pure celebration and love! I felt such joy at being surrounded by all of these aunts, uncles and cousins.

Me=thankful <3

"I Didn't Get To Pee My Panties", or Greedy Santa Regrets

Sometimes the best laid plans...

Friday night, one of my favorite events of the entire year occurred - the Greedy Santa Party. Hosted every year by my friends Christyne Albury and Kim Ross, it is the holiday event. In fact, it is my only chance each year to catch up with old friends from work, and share laughter and wine and crazy gift-grabbing hysteria.

I never miss this party, because it warms my heart, soothes my soul, and makes me laugh until I pee my panties.

Except, this year, I missed the party.

There are several reasons. I was cleaning my house for a party the next day. I was dealing with a major, major meltdown of communication between children and adults. I was helping my hubby throw toys into black garbage bags to be taken away, forever.

I was pulled so tightly by family issues and obligations, that I couldn't break free, not even for the night.

This doesn't usually happen. I value my personal time highly, and I get away for Jenny Fun Nights at least twice a week. My personal, social, or private time is important for my continuing sanity. And, my hubby knows exactly what Greedy Santa means to me, and it isn't even a option to miss it.

But I did.

I'm sorry I did. I understand, from the other Jenny, that it was a riotous, hilarious and fabulous party. I mean, come on, one of the most-frequently-stolen gifts was a gift card to Fairvilla Megastore! (Full disclosure - that was TOTALLY going to be my gift this year. Pinky swear. Either that or a candy-cane striped dildo.)

I know that I missed hanging out with some of my favorite people. I know that I missed all of the updates, the funny stories, and the sharing memories of Kim dancing on a table, and the year of the stripper.

I'm sorry. I missed everyone. I'll try to make sure it never happens again.

Christyne and Kim, please keep inviting me. I promise that next year, as usual, I won't RSVP, but I'll be there with bells on, and maybe something candy-cane-striped in a gift bag. :)

Love you guys!

Sisters

My sister, Keri, is visiting from Colorado with her family. Squeee!

I love it when Keri visits. She and I are very close, and we don't get to see each other in person very often.

Her week-long visit has included many days at Walt Disney World, family time, laughter and general frivolity. (Also, fevers, bagels, and a face slap.)

And hugs. And tickling. And putting my arm around my sister. And holding her beautiful babies.

OK, got to go hug my sister now.

Open Letter To The Haters

Look, people. Get over it. I am a devoted, loving mom. I am also a damn sexy woman who feels confident and good about myself.

And you know what? I like wearing sexy panties!! They're awesome! And I love wearing beautiful underthings to complement my beautiful exterior (and posterior)!

And know what else? I will not be defined or limited or caged by your opinions, expectations and prejudices!

I own my power! And that power is nurturing, loving, and sexy! (Those are NOT mutually exclusive!) And I have enough power to share it with the world!

So take that, haters! I feel good and beautiful and loving and sexy, and it has nothing to do with you!

It has EVERYTHING to do with me!

(Whew! Never had a rant quite like that. Feels good. I'm quite proud of myself.)

Thank you

This has been a most wonderful, exquisite birthday.

So many people I love and respect sent good wishes and hugs my way, I am surrounded by warm fuzzies.

It is fitting that the last day of the month, and therefore, the last day of NaBloPoMo, is my birthday.

It allows me to celebrate myself and my accomplishments, but also to fill my heart and my blog with gratitude for all of the generous people who gave of their time, and of themselves, to help me celebrate, today and every day.

So this post goes to you- my friend, my family member, my follower, my reader. Thank you for listening and for letting me know I am heard. <3

35 Favorite Things

Tomorrow is my 35th birthday. I never imagined what 35 would feel like, or look like, but if 34 and 364 days is any indication, 35 is fantastic!

So, in honor of my 35 years, I decided to post a list of some of my favorite things. Nary a rain drop or a whisker among them.

(in no particular order)
35 of Jenny's Favorite Things

1. The movie "Better Off Dead"

2. The smell of someone's neck, whether that neck is new to me or dear to me

3. Homemade lemonade

4. They Might Be Giants' Flood album

5. Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" (the original version, not the crappy incomplete version I hear on the radio sometimes)

6. Breyer's chocolate ice cream

7. The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

8. The rush of emotion I get when a plane takes off (or, to a greater extent, when a Space Shuttle takes off)

9. Jane Austen's novels - Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Sense & Sensibility, and Mansfield Park especially

10. The 1995 BBC miniseries Pride & Prejudice starring Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle

11. Depeche Mode

12. Tulips

13. The scents of vanilla and lemon

14. Lush bath and body products

15. The movie "French Kiss"

16. Hammocks

17. Swimming in the ocean and jumping the waves - it feels like I'm flying

18. Good, fun sex (may or may not include laughter)

19. The Colorado Rocky Mountains

20. Singing songs in harmony with my Dad and sister

21. My mom's cooking (and my Nana's cooking) (and my Yiayia's cooking)

22. Knowing the answer and being right

23. Rain outside, good book inside

24. Turkey, stuffing & cranberries (always whole berry sauce, not canned)

25. Being the oldest of three crazy kids (hi Keri and Ernie!)

26. Playing The Angry Vagina in "The Vagina Monologues" (and saying the word vagina)

27. Singing really loudly in the car, especially Barenaked Ladies, or the Indigo Girls' "Get Out The Map" and "Galileo"

28. Being known as a fun, cheerful, happy person

29. Looking up at the stars and contemplating all of the big questions

30. Traveling - London, Ireland, New York City & Paris are my favs so far

31. My wonderful, dear friends

32. Crafting, scrapbooking- making something & telling my story

33. Being called Mommy or Mama or even Mom

34. Being married to my best friend

35. Going to bed with my down comforter, pleasant thoughts and other infinite possibilities of tomorrow

Here's to 35!!