Hula Lua Loo

I am officially an official cake decorator. Here is the fruits (PUNS!) of my very first assignment. If you're thinking it looks a little goofy, it's alright because this is just what the customers asked for. They picked it. I just made it. But I didn't do the writing. No way I could write that pretty on there like that. I need a lot of practice for that shizz. But yay! I'm learning stuff!

Humpday Surprise!

What a splendid Wednesday. My mother came back from Texas, there was a sweet thunderstorm, and I got promoted! No longer am I Cookie's little candy bitch. In record time, I've moved up in the world (but down in the building) and am officially now a cake decorator! This is not only good for me creatively, but it's awesome for my sanity! I won't have to deal with customers OR hear about Cookie's adventures in the bathroom! Hump Day Hurray!

Just coffee, not sex.

Keeping with the theme of the weekend, I went with Jimmy to his father's surprise birthday party. When my family goes out of town, I just hang out with all of my friends' family. I'm like the girl you can introduce to your mother. Date for hire. Well, not for hire. I'm not an escort. Don't get any funny ideas. Clearly I'm no hooker or else I could not retain the title of being the girl you can take home to mom!

In other news, Jimmy is a giraffe.

How many did you eat?

Alissa Terry of the Millville Terry's was married today. I bore witness; along with God and friends and family. Every time I go to a Catholic wedding I say that it's the last one I'm ever going to (unless I marry a Catholic....). They're very long, there's lots of sitting and standing, and a little creepy. I wasn't raised Catholic so some of the practices are a little alien to me. I mean no disrespect to anyone that practices, but communion creeps me out. Ceremony aside, a good time was had by all. Food was good, cake was yummy, and Nathan and I are probably going to be on the next season of Dancing with the Stars. Holler!

You look like you don't give a damn

After a frustrating day listening to Cookie (co-worker) talk about things I never wanted to hear for far too long, I rushed my unwell self to Pitman to play at the Bus Stop Cafe for Uptown Pitman's 4th Friday shin-dig. It was an enjoyable set despite how sick I felt, Jamie's broken back, and Steve's complete absence. And then I ended the night with some delicious tempura. Guess where I got it from...

Hello humans

This doesn't look boring or mundane!

...but it was. ;)

The Beatles are more popular than...

John Lennon circa August 1966

This is something I started last Wednesday and worked on off and on throughout the week. Finished it up. I should take a photo of them when I start them because they look awful. But keeping at it does pay off. And I think this came out better than all of the other portraits I've done. My mom has been working on one of Hugh Laurie and after close inspection of her work, it gave me a few ideas of things to try to help with my shading. I can't wait til she finishes that. It's beyond amazing. She's so talented and completely under estimates herself constantly. My work pales in comparison to my mother's. No doubt all of my talent I got from her.

This photo has nothing to do with this paragraph

I suppose it's worth noting, I got a job. Just a little part-time thing at the Lollipop Tree (which is a custom cake and candy shop here in town). I had originally applied to be a cake decorator, but they gave the position to someone with cake decorating experience. Understandable. I only had cake eating experience. But then a few weeks later, they called me out of the blue and asked if I was interested in doing something else. Due to family illness, they need someone to help out with the candy making and other Lollipop Tree duties. So, I'm just coming in a few days a week for a few hours and doing that. It's not bad. We'll see how it goes. Oh lolli lolli

The terrible two's

My one and only nephew, Samuel, had his 2nd birthday party today. I haven't seen him in months, unfortunately, and he's so big now! I hate saying that cause it's such a cliche thing to say, but it's totally mind blowing how fast they grow and change in such a short amount of time. I know I'm bias, but he's adorable. I could take pictures of him all day. I might not be able to video record him, though. He screams like a little girl. Just like his daddy used to!

Do you all not like me anymore?

Got home sometimes after 2am with a bad headache. This is the best card I could whip up under those conditions! It doesn't really matter. It was for a 2 year old after all. I knew he'd barely look at it. But Jesse and Andrew liked it so I didn't regret making it.

I'm going to hit you so hard you'll be blind

Despite a very sore back and very hot, sticky weather, I gave Gizmo a bath followed by a walk down the Maurice River Path. At least, I think that's what it's called. Be that as it may, it was a pretty exciting walk. I got bit by a mosquito, we saw a man on a bike, we had a laugh at the spelling disabilities of Millville graffiti artists, and nearly stepped on a big snake. It wouldn't have been as scary of an experience if I had realized it was a snake rather than thinking it was a snake. In my mind, this stick suddenly moved and slithered away very quickly. It was freaky. Of course, Gizmo failed his terrier breed by being completely oblivious and looking up at me with a face full of, "what is your problem?" Can't wait for our next walk! Never know what will happen!

We didn't say lose weight

Been keeping myself busy the past few days taking care of things around the house. Gave myself a little creativity break. But Jamie and I did step out today and visit the new foot bridge over the Maurice River. I just made up that term "foot bridge" since I'm trying to say it's a bridge for people to walk over, not automobiles or trains. So, yeah, foot bridge. It's a pretty nice little bridge. It's also a safe haven for the most spiders I've ever seen. So, even if people aren't loving it, spiders are. And, guess what, we didn't kill a single one!

Don't look now, but I think we're up in a tree!

Baby Mine

On Wednesday I talked about this piece I was working on for my cousin's wife, Loraine, for her baby shower. Well, the shower was today so I can display this now. I also learned today that the nursery theme is lady bugs. As you can imagine, they're having a girl. I didn't know that til today either so I'm glad that Dumbo at least has big pink ears. It was a hit at the shower, though. It was the only gift that got passed around for everyone to look at, which was nice, but also kind of embarrassing for me. Ah well. I'm glad it was well received.

What kind of buddhism is this?

Played at "The Spot" in Woodbury. I think I should start playing more acoustic solo gigs to make some dough on the side. They're easier to arrange and to play; I can play whatever I like. I can change my mind half way through and no one is put out. I can play songs I like and not worry about anyone else's opinion. I hadn't done a show on my own in a long time and I forgot the advantages. It was pretty nice. The angel food cake I had after my set was even better, though!!

Raw sugar

I suppose this is my official announcement: I eat sushi. It's left the safety of tasting and trying with my mother and become something I can do on my own with my friends! It's pretty exciting! Look how excited Jamie is!

Note: Sushi must meet certain Jenell standards. There must be rice around the exterior. There must be cooked things on the inside. There must be sweet and sour sauce; must not be soy sauce. And sushi must be reasonable bite size. Thank you, carry on.

A little bundle of trouble

What's a baby?

My cousin, John, and his wife, Lorraine, are having a baby... soon. The baby shower is Sunday and my mom asked me to draw something for them. The above is not what I'm giving to them; I can't post that yet for obvious reasons. To be honest, this originally was going to be for them, but I wasn't satisfied with it. When I was half way through this, I thought of something else I wanted to do, but I completed this first. I probably shouldn't have bothered with this one and just done the other cause my hand is so fucked. Ah well. At least it gave me something to post!

ps. today at 12:34:56 it was 123456789. yaaay

We're having no fun at all

Went to WORLD CAFE LIVE in PHILADELPHIA to see VINCE of ARMY OF ME. I had a delightful turkey wrap while Reni Lane (opener) measured her microphone cord and sang atop tables and chairs. This is when I missed John the most! Then Vince took the stage and, opposed to Reni, was very happy with how quiet everyone was. After many songs and many stories, he departed the stage and juggled his many female followers. After a near fist fight with a Dove model, it was time to lock up. Outside I was appointed keyboard guard, wherein I had to fight off many aspiring pianists, 12 monkeys, and jamboree of ninjas. You know, believe it or not, I'm working hard at making this night sound more interesting. Not that it wasn't a great show. It's just hard to enjoy life without John. LE. SIGH.

ps. It was my half birthday too. Geez.

Anything that can go wrong will

It might seem a little creepy for me to be taking pictures of strange kids on the beach, but these kids deserve some recognition for the incredible work they were doing. Every time I go to the beach, without fail, there is a bunch of kids digging holes. This is something I never did in my childhood, but it's been a phenomenon that seems to be passed generation to generation without any help from parents. I think some children just have it in their genes; natural instinct. They sit on that sand and they have to dig. I never got it. I still don't get it. That being said, I love it. And these kids made a hole so deep they had to hang their bodies inside of it to reach the bottom. Fantastic! Bravo!

Do you have anymore gum?

I have a few confessions. I just need to get them off my chest. This is hard for me. Whew. I never thought this day would come, but here it is. I want an iPhone. Check out that high quality photo my mother's took! I don't think I'll get one unless they release them to other providers, but I just had to get that off my chest. I wasn't really on the bandwagon for a long time. Even after I saw all the incredible benefits on the Conan O'Brien show. But, I finally admit it, I think they are pretty sweet. I can't help myself!

In other news, sushi isn't so bad either.

Happy New Year!

The Fourth of July. Independence Day. Shove It England Day. Got reacquainted with family tradition and went down to Wildwood to see the fireworks. They were alright, but they just made me want to go to Disney World! I don't want to trash the fireworks display, but there was no music and no discernible theme whatsoever! They were just shooting up fireworks willy-nilly! There was no whimsical message or talking crickets! Just talking tram cars and smoking spectators. But there was some sick Octo-mom fireworks. I don't think they have those in Disney World. But where was the MJ tribute firework? Lame.

One more time with feeling!

Is it just me who is really annoyed by this? This has got to be one of the stupidest things I've seen. Who in their right mind would do this? And if you're looking at this picture and have no idea what's off about it than you're an idiot along with the people that did this!

Then your butt falls off

Braved the growing summer/holiday traffic and made a little visit to the beach. I was a little weary of rain while I was getting ready, but it turned out to be a really good day for the beach. There was clouds rolling by, but it was warm, mostly sunny, and breezy. But it wasn't all sun and fun! While I was relaxing on my towels, I was thinking that I should move further away from the tide in a bit. But there was a girl further down from me and she hadn't moved so I figured I could chill a bit longer. I was wrong. Suddenly *whoosh* came water. Just one wave and my shit was soaked. And so were all the other people around me, which goes to show you how unexpected it was. But it sucked! Luckily for me, my aunt lives a few blocks away from the beach I frequent so I went down there and threw my clothes in the dryer and threw myself in the pool. Spent the rest of the time chilling out down there with my little Republican, Obama-hating cousins. I told the littler one, Lauren, that my name was "Jenell". Apparently this name was too hard to remember so she wanted to nickname me. First one she came up with? Jenny. I vetoed that. So her next one? Jennifer. People that know me will see the irony!

So that's what's happening with that

Best time to go play in the rain: right after you work out
Worst time to work out: while there's a thunderstorm

Gizmo was not pleased. About either thing. But we worked it out.