"Anybody?!"

Having a 4 year old in the house is like having your own personal comedian. I just wanted to share a conversation between Katheryn & myself this morning, starting with Katheryn (K):

K: Is Splash (our dog) 7?

J: Yes.

K: It will be along time until she can have puppies.

(Now, Splash is neutered, but who wants to explain that to a 4 year old?!)

J: Splash can't have puppies, Katheryn.

K: Why not?

J: **wracking my brain for a good reason** Because she doesn't have a husband!

K: Then she can find one!

J: She doesn't know any boy dogs.

K: I'll take her for a walk and she can find one!

She then proceeds to walk around, calling "Anybody?! Anybody?!" 

J: Is that how you're going to find a husband? 

K: Yep! 

And resumes walking. =)

I wish I had things like that on video. Because it was really funny.

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Stay tuned!! Guess what tomorrow is? It's my 100th post giveaway! Check back then! =)

I *heart* Bath & Body Works

Yes, I really do like Bath & Body Works. I've mentioned this fact before. Today I went because I was out of my Eau de Toilette. And got my signature scent (at least to Hayden); Black Raspberry Vanilla.

Because I bought that, I got a body lotion for free. I decided to get Vanilla Noir, as a thank you gift to my favorite co-op teacher. She likes vanilla.

I had a coupon for a free Signature Collection item, so I ended up getting some more shower gel. I won't even tell you how many of these I have right now. But hey, I love 'em and I'll use them all eventually! =)

Yes, I might like Bath & Body works a little much. But I never really buy 2 showers gels. I buy one and get the other for free. So it's justifiable to me. =)

Wasabi, anyone?

I'm not an adventurous eater. I like chicken. Potatoes. Rice. Normal-ish foods. However, I went to a sushi place on Saturday night with my friend Elisabeth, her boyfriend Mike, and Hayden . I had never had sushi, but I had that preconceived notion that I hated it. I decided I should probably at least try it, since we were going to a sushi place. 

As we were sitting down, Mike goes "Don't eat the green stuff! It's really bad." I filed that into my memory bank, and Mike and Hayden ordered. I had dinner, and I didn't really want anything. I just said I would try it, not gorge myself on it. =)

The place had some really weird lighting. Like very dim lights over the tables, with black lights around the edges of the room. And, of course, chopsticks! I like chopsticks. I'm not a master, but I think they're fun to play with.

So when the sushi came, I was playing with my chopsticks (in a very adult way, of course), and I dipped them into this white paste. And then licked my chopsticks.

Only the white paste wasn't so white after all. 

It was green.

Mike was shaking his head no as soon as he saw what I had, but it was too late. Way too late. 

I just wish I had a picture to share of my expression. Or a video of my reaction. It was BAD. I was gulping down my water like crazy! So now I know which green paste to avoid.

As in like a mile away from it.

Coincidentally, I did try the sushi. And I definitely did not like it. At all. So now I know.

Thankfulness Goes a Long Way

I'll make a confession. I tend to complain. A lot. Really, I should be more thankful. I am a very blessed girl. You know that little song "Count your blessings, name them one by one"? I should. Let's see...

1. I got to chat with a friend last night (online), which I thoroughly enjoyed.

2. Half of my piano lessons are paid for, by someone other than my dad.

3. My mom went grocery shopping last night, so I can eat yummy food.

4. Hayden loves me.

5. I have a lot of paper stockpiled from good sales.

6. I had pizza for lunch.

7. I can listen to classical music for free on the radio.

8. My cousins (first cousins) all live near me.

9. I have a sweet 4 year old sister.

10. I can teach what I love (history) and get paid for it.

That's only 10. There's a TON more. And those are just random things that popped into my head as I was typing. =)

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And since I already listed some things I'm thankful for, I'll say something I want:

I am craving a Starbucks Caramel Frappucino like crazy. I may go get one on my way to pick up the family from co-op. I don't need the calories...but the caffeine and sugar are calling my name.

"Jaquelyn..."

See? I told you it was calling me.

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I just have to tell you. A fellow blogger made my day today. Kerri over at Messes and Mudpies wrote a super sweet post spotlighting my blog! Definitely made me very happy. =) Go visit her! The post she wrote about me is here.

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I need to run if I'm going to answer that Starbucks call. I don't know. I'm fighting the temptation. But not very hard. 

HTML is not my friend...

I've decided that HTML and I are not good friends. But not mortal enemies, either. Thanks to Jill, I actually figured out the whole numbered comments thing! Yay! So when I have my giveaway, I don't have to sit there and count...that would be a pain. I was going to do it, though. I love doing things the hard way. =)

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Any pomegranate lovers out there? Yeah. It's sooo good. Yesterday I got this juice...

And (to borrow from Rachel Ray) YUMMO! =) It was very good...So that was my splurge. To buy juice for myself that cost $2. It was less expensive than the Bolthouse Farms smoothie I wanted, which they didn't have. But it's all good. =)

Etsy Favorites!

(Okay, after several (hundred) tries, I got this to work...)

I just have to say. I love Etsy. I really do. And not just because I can sell my cards there. I spend (or waste) sooo much time just browsing around. And drooling. And wishing I had a ton of money to spend. But I digress...

So have fun looking at what I "heart" on Etsy! And trust me, I'm sure there's more where that came from. Oh, and if you would happen to buy one of those lovely things for me, I'd love you forever. But I'm just kidding. =)

Etsy Buy Handmade TheArtOfPaper

Pray for Stellan

How can you not fall in love with that little sweetie? I love him. And I don't even know him. But Stellan needs prayer right now!! I really don't know how to explain all the medical stuff, but he's having heart problems (major!) and is in the hospital. Please pray, and visit MckMama to get the full scoop. Stellan, you are loved! 

Loooong Day!

I am not a morning person. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Not even when my alarm clock drags me out of bed at 5:30 IN THE MORNING!!!! I didn't have any choice, however. Today was our annual Youth Yard Sale. Everyone in the church brings in their things, we spend 2 nights before sorting/pricing. And then we have to be up at the church by 6:30. So it has been a very looong day!

And even though Hayden had to work, he brought me Starbucks when he dropped off his sister and brother. Starbucks makes the world go 'round. Especially at 7 in the morning. =)

But I got some deals for a quarter! 

I love the dress. =) Sorry for the really bad pics, though. And the good thing is, my friend is the one who used to own the skirt and dress; otherwise, wearing other people's clothes (as in strangers) creeps me out!

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My open house invites came today! I ordered them from VistaPrint, but I wasn't expecting them so soon. You might not be able to tell from the picture, but they turned out really well. =) I didn't want the front to look too invitation-y, so all the pertinent info is on the back.

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I just have to share this because it really excites me...

I L.O.V.E. clear stamps. I really do. I don't have very many, because I don't have a huge budget for such things, but I think they're so much easier to use than rubber stamps. Hayden's mom even gave me a big acrylic stamp block for my birthday (I had a tiny one), so I'm always on the lookout for great stamps. I was at Target tonight, and see what I found?? I love them. And they were 50% off! Two for one is always good, right? =)

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This is my 92nd post! Can anyone say 8 more until a giveaway? =)

Anway, that's all I've got for today. I'm exhausted. 

Win Something (or try, at least)

Okay, I'm just going to quote for this so I'm sure I get it right!

"I am going to send one reader a personalized jewelry package - all pieces custom chosen for the winner. The package will include a necklace, bracelet and earring set, three pairs of earrings, and some surprises. Value over $100!"

She's got some pretty stuff!! See...

So, if you would like to win, head on over to Natalie's Sentiments!

Me, the Poet

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of poetry. When I was 12, I was like obsessed with it. Especially Robert Frost. I spent hours writing my own poems...though looking back, they were a little, shall we say, pathetic? Hey, I was 12. If I still had the copies of them, I'd post one so you could see how great a poet I was. At the grand old age of 12. =)

A few semesters back, I took a writing class. Creative writing, mostly. I love to write. We did a paper on whatever we wanted, a research paper, and then, a poem. I wasn't thrilled about the poem part.

The week of the assignment, I was a little worried about it. I ended up scribbling down most of my final work at like 2 in the morning. I finally got it all the way I wanted it.

Apparently, I should have been a poet. At least according to my mother. Enjoy!

The Music 

My hands on the keys

I breathe deeply in

These pages I see

As now it begins

That opening line

The first single note

Strikes deeply within

The first chord has broke

And so on it goes

No chance to stop now

As freely it flows

A blessing somehow

The theme it repeats

Rings loud, like a bell

Then dropping below

Ever softer and still

It suddenly ends

As swift as it came

Until the next time

When it plays once again

A Pinch of This

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you've probably picked up on the fact that I love to bake. And cook. And all that good stuff. Especially muffins and pies. =)

But as much as I love to bake and cook, it can be a challenge. At least in our house. We have a tiny, tiny kitchen and absolutely no counter space. Most of the mixing and measuring is done at our dining room table. We also never seem to have measuring spoons/cups! Very frustrating...

I was browsing around Etsy one day, and I came across this:

They're from beehivekitchenware, and I LOVE them! Unfortunately, I don't have $92 to spend on them...So I kept looking and I found these:

Adorable, but again, a little out of my price range at $48. =(

A few days after that, I was at Michaels buying paper, and I found these in the wedding section. I think they're supposed to be used as favors?

I think they're pretty cute. =) So I bought them, and they ended up only being $1.20 with my 40% off coupon! And they've been sitting on my ironing board ever since...

That's right. I've had them for about 2 weeks and have yet to use them. But I will get my chance tomorrow! Our annual Youth Yard/Bake Sale is on Saturday, and I am making 4 cherry pies and hopefully some Mixed Berry Muffins. So I can try out my cute little measuring spoons. =)

Another Dose of Random

You should be proud of me. I actually dragged myself out of the house and went for a bike ride. I'm so bad about exercising...Not that I'm terribly overweight or anything, but I could stand to lose a few pounds. And exercise is good for anyone, right? I was going to go for a bike ride on Monday...and Tuesday...but one out of three is better than none out of three, right? =)

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I'm kind of a word nerd. I love words. Especially big ones. Like obsequious, popinjay, soliloquy, etc, etc...I was reading The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Dickens) last night, and found a fun new word. Grandiloquent. It means speaking or expressed in a lofty style, often to the point of being pompous or bombastic. I do love words. Anyone have any other fun words to share?

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If anyone was wondering, the picture I ended up using for my open house invites is this one:

I liked all of them, though. They definitely turned out better than I expected. =) If you missed the post with all of them, you can check it out here. 

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Well, I had a lot more swirling around in my head, but I'm out of time. I'll post again soon! =)

Not Me Monday

Welcome to another edition of Not Me Monday, hosted by none other than the ever-fabulous MckMama! Hop right on over to her blog if you want to join in on the mass therapy session that everyone could use now and again.  Except me, of course. Not me! 

I did not pull an utterly pathetic Not Me post last Monday (which I refuse to link to), and so decide to make this week's much better--and even if I did, I would never admit to such a thing...

The time change also had no effect on me. Of course I was my usual cheerful and chipper self every morning this week, not a grumpy, bumpy toad who woke up on the wrong side of the bed every morning this week--Not me!

I have not sorely neglected my piano over the past few weeks...3 hours of practice a day? Not a problem. 

I certainly have not been pretty much at the breaking point with my parents over the last week. And when they decided they would preview every book anyone in our house reads, I did not read Little Women, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Around the World in Eighty Days (and working on Treasure Island) just because I know I'm allowed to read them. And certainly not because I know they wouldn't like most of the books I read...

62 kids did not attend our Good News Club (Bible club) last Tuesday. They were not really loud, thus giving me a splitting headache. I did not skip praying with my group of 1st graders because I could barely hear myself think, much less talk. I also did not promise to pray about their requests and then promptly forget about them until yesterday. Definitely not me.

And speaking of Good News Club, I am not the teacher who's on the schedule for teaching the Bible lesson tomorrow, who didn't so much as glance at the lesson until yesterday. It just wasn't me.

I did not nearly have a stress-related meltdown on Tuesday night because I couldn't fix the stand for the keyboard at church. And being stressed and really hungry does not make me suer whiny. I'm mature, remember?

I was not at all thrilled when Hayden brought me Starbucks (caramel frappucino) at music practice on Thursday night. And since I wasn't thrilled, it totally didn't make up for not getting to see him very much that night.

It was not I who turned off her light at 12:30 only to toss and turn until after 4am on Friday morning. My alarm did not go off at 6:30am, leaving me with 2 hours of sleep to survive a busy day...

Consequently, it was not I who slept in until 12:40pm on Saturday, feeling fully justified because of my lack of sleep the night before. Not me! 

I am not the girl who harbors a love of old musicals (anything with Bing Crosby will do, thank you!), and so, watched Hello, Dolly! on Saturday night, and most of it again on Sunday afternoon just to laugh at lines like this:

Mr. Vandergelder: There's going to be some changes around here. You're going to have a mistress!

Barnaby: But I'm too young, Mr. Vandergelder!

And I'm not the girl whose 4 year old sister is running around the house singing "Hello, Dolly...Well, hello, Dolly." and asking when we can watch it again.

And I absolutely did not write this post on a pad of paper at 1am this morning just so I can gather my thoughts and write a better post. Not me!

Happy Monday, everbody. =)

Photo Finish: You Pick!

I have a thing about photography. It has to be good, or I don't like it. I know, I'm picky...That's what happens when you blog-stalk really good photographers like Kristen, Sarah, Jasmine, Jessica, etc, etc, etc...

But I digress...

I wanted to take some pictures for my Senior pics, and especially one I could use for my open house invites. But I can't afford a professional photographer (not by a long shot), so I'll admit, I was a little bummed about it. But yesterday my hair looked okay, so Jessica and I headed outside for a "photo shoot"...

What I want to know is, which one is your favorite? Leave me a comment and let me know! =)

(You can click on each picture to view it larger...I couldn't make them any bigger on screen or they wouldn't load right.)

Sweetest Petunia?

You know what I just realized? That I've never explained why my blog is called "The Sweetest Petunia". Anyone curious? Read on!

Actually, "Petunia" is not something I would have ever dubbed myself. I mean, it doesn't necessarily sound all that flattering. I don't mind now, but when I was first called that, I was kind of like, "Oh, okay..."

Are there any Veggie Tales fans out there? I love Veggie Tales. Of course, I only watch it for my little sister...Maybe. Anyway, you may remember this movie...

...where I was first introduced to "sweet, sweet, Petunia sweet". And it was actually Hayden's mom who first called me that, after she watched it. =) I'm his petunia. =)

So when I was thinking about what to call my blog, I wanted it to be something that would have to do with me, but not be normal/boring/commonplace like "BookwormGirl" or "PianistInTraining". Not that those are bad, but I liked the sound of "The Sweetest Petunia" better.

And here I am!

Coincidentally, Hayden gave me a potted petunia last year...and I killed it! I felt sooo horrible! I really just don't have a green thumb. As you may recall from my poor roses...=)

Latest Project: Invites

I have been cutting and double-stick taping invitations since Saturday. =) I'm making invitations for my friend Katie; 80 of them! And yes, that is my sewing/cutting board. It's the only large, flat surface I have that I can move around easily! 

Pierced through the...Ear Lobe?

So, on Monday I mentioned vaguely that I had gotten my ears pierced without my parent's permission. If anyone was at all curious about that...here's the scoop. Of sorts. 

I'd been thinking about getting my ears pierced for a while. And the reasoning for not asking first was all hinged on one conversation where my dad said that they never pierced our ears when we were little so we could make the decision for ourselves when we got older. Apparently he didn't mean I could get my ears pierced just because I wanted to. Oops. 

I don't think my dad was as upset about the fact that I get my ears pierced as he was that I didn't ask first. I really wish I would think things all the way through...But, oh well. It's a learning curve, I guess. So my dad requested that I take the studs out and let my ears heal. =( 

The surprising thing is that he said I could appeal in 6 months if I want to get my ears pierced again. I'm thinking that I will not throw a fit about taking the studs out and be very submissive and respectful, and maybe, just maybe...I'll be able to get my ears pierced and keep them pierced this time. I'll keep you posted. =)

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Ah, Monday. I don't have the normal Not Me Monday image at the top of this post. Did you notice? It is not because MckMama removed the button from her blog, and I am not incapable of figuring out how else to get it...

I did not skip out on Not Me Monday last week. And the reason was not because I was too lazy and didn't have enough time to finish a post. It was also not because I couldn't think of anything good to write. Not me.

Last Tuesday, I did not go get my ears pierced without checking with my dad first. The verdict is not still out on this one. I'll be sure not to write about it another day.

I did not help out with a Bible club on Tuesday where 50 kids attended! That was not the biggest club I've ever helped with. It wasn't super exciting, either! =)

My sleep schedule is not super messed up. I did not get 3 hours of sleep on Saturday night (or Sunday morning). I did not nap for 4 hours yesterday evening. I did not stay up until 2:30 this morning. I'm not tired either...

And my time is not up, and I'm not ending this post now.

Happy Monday! =)

Fluorescent Yellow?

Okay, I just have to share something that struck me as funny. Last night Hayden and I were talking (in the car on the way to his house), and he was trying to figure out what color my skirt was (or something like that). It was pink and brown. You may remember this post when I said I was thinking pink and brown for my wedding. And that I should have told Hayden I was going to wear a fluorescent yellow dress. Well, he read that, so when he realized my skirt was pink and brown, he was like "Oh, that sounds familiar..." He told me that we totally should do the fluorescent yellow dress, just for fun. =) I don't think I could do it. Pink, brown, and fluorescent yellow simply do not go well together. But it was funny because I wasn't expecting Hayden to read it (even though I told him about my blog and all)...

This probably wasn't the best re-telling of the story, but it made me laugh when it happened...=)

If I...

If I rubbed a magic blog creator lamp, what would I ask for?

Hmm...Good question. First of all, I would ask for 100 new followers to go along with my fancy new blog design. Oh? The magic blog creator lamp isn't capable of that? Oh well.

I want my blog design to be simple, but in the best kind of way. I think that's why I picked the background I have now, because it's not too busy, but it suits my personality. I would love a cute button that my few followers and people who really love me could add to their blogs. I would want it to be adorable, but not in a little-kid kind of way. The kind of adorable that makes me happy. =) Do adorable and elegant mix well? They totally should.

I wish I could add that this post has nothing to do with a giveaway. Of course, I also wish I could add that I am not addicted to giveaways...But yeah. I can't honestly say that. =)

If you want to find out what I'm rambling about and maybe win some blog re-design for yourself, click here!

Guys are Funny...

Do you remember the boy from my class that I wrote about last Friday? His name isn't really Paul, but that's what we'll call him (I'm not sure he'd want to be featured on my blog). =)

I walk into my class this morning, and...

Paul: Would you have a guitar pick, by any chance?

Me: Um, no...they're all in a cup in my room. I don't typically carry them around with me. Guitar is not my main instrument.

Paul: Oh, really? What is?

We then proceed to discuss my piano playing and other random topics until class starts. I pull out my paper and write The History of the Bible: March 6th, 2009.

Paul: Why are you taking notes?

Me: I'm bored.

Now, I wasn't necessarily bored, but I always tend to take notes because otherwise my brain wanders all over the place, I start to fidget, and I get really annoyed. Apparently Paul does not understand this...

Paul: She hasn't even started talking yet.

Me: I know.

He makes me laugh. I just wish I could remember everything he said to me today. Because I sure got a kick out of it. =) When I started doodling, he was like, "Now you're doodling."

Yes, thank you. I think I know that. =)

Coincidentally, I don't know if he's talking to me because he remembers my name. I didn't ask him. I get the feeling he didn't remember. =)

Would You Rather?

Today is supposed to be a fun post. Which would you rather? We have a whole book of Would You Rather?'s, and yesterday the 4 of us sisters were just sitting around reading them out loud, and picking which we'd rather...

Would you rather be rich or famous?

I'd rather be rich. Definitely. Fame really doesn't appeal to me, but I could think of a lot things I would do if I were rich! =)

Would you rather drink Coke or Pepsi?

I like Coke. For some reason I've just never really liked Pepsi all that much. Of course, if I really got to pick what I wanted, it would be Dr. Pepper all the way!

Would you rather sweat because of exercise or because of humidity?

I live in Florida. It's very humid. I would much rather sweat because of exercise rather than sweating because I walked outside for 5 minutes!

Would you rather eat pie or ice cream?

I like to bake pies. But I like to eat ice cream. I love Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Mint Chocolate Chip. =)

Would you rather eat only chicken or only red meat?

I'm a chicken kind of girl. I don't refuse to eat red meat, but I prefer to eat chicken. Bawk! =)

That's all I have time for today! Which would you rather? Leave me a comment and let me know! =)

Blog Makeovers

I like my background. Do you? But I'm writing this post to enter a contest for a blog makeover. I've been thinking about getting someone to redo my blog, but I can't really afford it. So maybe I'll win it! =)

Toni @ A Daily Dose of Toni is giving a way a blog makeover--she just got her's redone, and it turned out nicely! =) It was done by Sara @ Subjective Beauty. So maybe I'll win and get a brand new blog look! =)

Go check it out if you want to win, too!