At a therapist appointment a few weeks ago, I was asked, “In what ways is your anxiety a positive thing?” What a weird question.
What was even weirder was that I couldn’t stop listing reasons.
Visit me at Flourish in Hope to extra! extra!
By Jenna 2 Comments
At a therapist appointment a few weeks ago, I was asked, “In what ways is your anxiety a positive thing?” What a weird question.
What was even weirder was that I couldn’t stop listing reasons.
Visit me at Flourish in Hope to extra! extra!
By Jenna 11 Comments
Remember how I said we were going to Konmari our house? Still on. Like this:
And, in the wake of Konmari, my birthday sits. The big 3-0. Actually, I asked Mike if we could Konmari our house. Instead of receiving in celebration of my third decade, I want to give it all away.
But, what if you want to give someone a gift, but they don’t want more stuff? Here is what I would want:
Carpet Cleaning: Did I mention I was turning 30? We have a little postage stamp piece of carpet in our living room, but oh my. Oh my. Does it ever gather the grime. I would love a gift certificate for a nice carpet cleaning. I feel like I should just stop here. Everyone has left, yes?
Dinner and a Date: I always love going out to eat. I never do not like going out to eat. So, if you send me on my way to grab some pho with my bae, we’re alright.
Replace Something: I could really use a new set of flour sack towels or dutch oven. How much do you hate me right now?
Consumables: Anything that I can eat or use up…anything that goes away. Chocolate, fancy soap, flowers, et cet errrr ahhhh.
Amazon Gift Cards: What would I buy on Amazon, you ask? Books for my Kindle…which I love…because it’s a ton of books without the shelf space. Kindle haters gonna hate.
What are your non-material gift? Tell me in the comments or link up your #5Faves (about anything!) below. .
By Jenna 5 Comments
In honor of Papa being in the States this week, I thought I’d get real.deep. on your and talk about my favorite pieces of Catholic jewelry. I mean, if you can’t be at the party in Philly with him, you can celebrate by looking fancy at home.
Sacred Heart Leather Wrap Bracelet from Tartan Haus
Our Lady of Guadalupe Cameo-style Ring by In the Lavender Haze
Pope Francis Earrings by Please Buy My Art
Mary Locket by Chloe’s Vintage Jewelry
Miraculous Medal Brooch by Bad Chihuahua Designs
(No one buy this unless you’re buying it for me, then have at it. I want it hard.)
What are your pieces of Catholic jewelry? Tell me in the comments or link up your #5Faves (about anything!) below. .
By Jenna 21 Comments
You know that awful moment when you realize you accidentally let your kid sleep until 6:30 and his bedtime is at 7? There’s basically no choice but to declare a family movie night, and let those kids rock the evening out with you.
That may have happened to us the other night.
© Scott Harms / Dollar Photo Club
You’re probably not a Johnson, so the one you’ll get will say “Family Movie Night.” You’re welcome, unless you’re a Johnson, then, well, sorry.
Personal Creations generously donated a family movie night popcorn bowl along with a bunch of snacks that I generously did not eat. Enter below to win. U.S. only.
By Jenna 2 Comments
I am just so incredibly thrilled and elated by all of you. You stormed Heaven with your prayers, you shared my Kickstarter campaign, you donated your money. And, guess what? We made it! I can finally get this journal published!
I talked to my publisher yesterday, and he should have it formatted for print by next week. Then it’s go time!
The Kickstarter will still be live and accepting donations until Oct. 3. Every dollar made after the goal amount will go toward printing more copies to help more people.
So, please, keep praying, keep sharing, keep donating. You’re not just making my day, you might be helping dozens of people too! Muah!
I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:
#5Faves: Kickstarter Campaigns
My Current Workout Playlist…Needs Halp
Making a bird’s nest because I am so good at homeschooling…
Mr. Mustachio
getting our hair did for the nuptials
Also Mr. Fancy
relegated to baking duties while we whooped it up
bachelor party catchings
When the bride is a 31 consultant ;)
follow me, mmkay?
Here are my latest pins. I could tell you were wondering.
Visit Jenna @ Call Her Happy’s profile on Pinterest.
I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:
You Can’t Out-Exercise a Bad Diet
The Secret to Teaching Kids to Read Is…
Reading: We’re going to Konmari our house. Eep.
Eating: Bringing these with me on busy mornings.
Listening: Sam’s words of wisdom. Kid has been talking enough for his own post lately.
Wearing: not a bra, that’s for sure.
Praying: for direction in a recent offer
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Squaking With Kelly
some links may be affiliate
My very first experience with crowdfunding was with the site DonorsChoose.org. It’s an easy-to-use site where you can donate money to teachers and their classrooms.
My first year teaching high school English, I didn’t even have an overhead projector. So, I applied for a campaign on the site, and wouldn’t you know? Enough people backed that small potatoes drive, and I had me the newest out-of-date technology on the block.
It seems people do want to be philanthropic, but they are also concerned about what their money is being used for. They also want to see their dollars making an actual, tangible, immediate difference. Sites like Donors Choose or, what I’m here fave-ing today, Kickstarter, enable people to have that power.
Here are five of my favorite recent (9.15.15) Kickstarter campaigns:
PhotoPop! Box: A one-time box with all of the tools you need to create drool-worthy images for your brand or shop. Images are the best way to show off your product, and this box makes sure you have the best.
Preserve History: “We have the unique opportunity to be able to tell children what it was like to live without all this tech straight from the mouths of those that lived it. This is a generation of children who play outside less than 1 hour / day, compared to the 3+ hours of our elders. I believe the narratives of our elders are a critical step in ensuring an understanding of where we’ve been.”
GoBox: “GoBox is a fun and easy way to learn programming through a build-your-own robot kit with monthly robotics missions that are delivered right to your door!”
The A to Z Guide to Jobs for Girls Board Book: “The A to Z Guide to Jobs For Girls is an adorably illustrated ABC Board Book for children featuring young women in different career roles such as Firefighter, Heavy Metal Guitarist, Librarian, and Quarterback!”
30 Days to Calm: You knew this was coming, right? Well, I wrote a book, and I need to raise $700 by October 3rd in order to have it published. Wontcha consider donating or sharing my campaign all over social media?
What are your crowdfunding campaigns? Tell me in the comments or link up your #5Faves (about anything!) below. .
By Jenna 5 Comments
The dawn of Theo’s sixth earthside month brought back my most beloved activity: dropping the kids off at the gym daycare of sweating/showering all.by.myself.
And, while I only get there a couple of times a week and eek out the measliest of sad workouts, I still think it’s allllllll worth it. The two hours alone? I may have cried the first time I took a shower there realizing it was hot and uninterrupted. Just the way I like it.
But you know what is standing in the way from a devastatingly awesome experience at el gimnasio? Ye olde playlist. It’s so tired.
So, right now, give me your best fit hit (mental note: coin that phrase). Clearly I prefer gangster rap and low brow musical productions. So, keep that criteria in mind. Muah!
p.s. If you haven’t had a chance to read about my book or view the Kickstarter, check it out here.
Mike, Ellen and I are standing up in a wedding on Saturday. Ellen is pretty stoked to wear her flower girl dress. She has been practicing flower distribution mechanics and her step-step-toss strategy. She is also excited to meet the lucky young gentleman who will be walking with her aka “the ringmaster.”
I care enough to make sure you don’t miss out on anything I posted earlier this week. Obviously you have a good excuse for why you didn’t read. I forgive you. And I update you:
My BIS devo is live today (Sept. 11)
Hear my interview on Little House Mothering
can’t figure out why his straw isn’t working
aprox 15 degrees
selfie game on fleek
shielding him from the fun he could be having
making a bird’s nest, obviously
follow me, mmkay?
Then email me a pin from your site so I can feature it. Click pin to read more.
I’m not the only bard in this neck of the Internet. Check out some gems that I didn’t Mark as Read before even getting to. In fact, I saved them to savor later. So, are they good? I don’t know. Let’s find out together:
I love the Whole 30 but I’m never doing it again.
Reading: Fangirl
Eating: Mike bought Pop Tarts!!! Praise him!
Listening: Paw Patrol theme song…
Wearing: every day
Praying: for Lisa and Jason as they get hitched this weekend
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Squaking With Kelly
some links may be affiliate
By Jenna 7 Comments
You may have heard (ha!) that I am publishing a journal this Fall. It’s all about anxiety and the best methods for coping. So, Imma make this week’s 5 Faves all about the struggle. Here are my favorite articles on anxiety and other mental illnesses.
And, consider helping the final stages of this project by funding (or sharing!) the Kickstarter.
Do Catholics Have Crisis Pregnancies?
What It Feels Like When You’re Having an Anxiety Attack
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Blog Hop
What are your favorite blog posts about mental health? Tell me in the comments or link up your #5Faves (about anything!) below.
Back the 30 Days to Calm Kickstarter
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By Jenna 5 Comments
Ok, it’s more of a journal, really. But if I titled this, “I wrote a journal,” you’d be like, “Oh, LiveJournal is still a thing?” and then you’d be all sorts of confused…as if you’re not already.
Moving on.
So, I wrote this journal called 30 Days to Calm: Create Your Own Anxiety Toolbox, and I hope to have it ready for purchase before Christmas.
Here’s a little excerpt from the journal:
This journal is designed for use over the course of one month. Take it more slowly if need be. Just don’t try to rush through it. Instead, each day read the tip or tool. Then use the space provided to answer the journal prompt. The prompts are designed to help you practice your new skills, reflect on your current beliefs, and ignite new ideas to help yourself.
Each tip builds upon the next, meaning it is designed to be carried forward and practiced the next day. I encourage you to try to think of each tool as a new habit. Then, incorporate the ones that work; forget the ones that don’t. Just be consistent in your practice of the ones you keep.
By the end of thirty days, you will have a whole new set of skills on hand during times of anxiety and stress. Save this book as a reminder of what you have learned along the way. Reference it when needed. It is your toolbox.
This journal is for anyone who has chronic stress, suffers from generalized anxiety, has panic attacks, or has any combination of those maladies. While I wrote it from my perspective (a woman, a mother, a Catholic), I truly believe that the tips and prompts are valuable for people of all walks of life.
I say things like “walks of life” now.
The next step is actually printing these babies o’ mine. And, that is where you can help:
As soon as I hit the $700 funding goal, I can start taking orders and getting this journal out to those who might need it.
Thank you to everyone who has already supported me in these ways. You’re not just helping me – you’re helping anyone that is dealing with anxiety and panic in their lives. Muah!