tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45167605074264489692024-03-13T15:37:56.195-07:00Living Joyfully oldJessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-9667553441634623272016-02-05T04:00:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:08:52.262-07:00Wisdom From the Elderly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've had the opportunity to work several hours a week with a sweet older couple in their nineties. They were high school sweethearts, he is a World War 2 veteran, they had 7 children, and were missionaries in two countries. While getting to spend time with them, I've learned a few things about their life that applies to someone of any age.<br />
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<b>First, growing old is a choice. </b>Old is an equivalent to giving up. If you ever visit a nursing home or assisted living facility; look around at the different people. There will be the one lady who goes to all the "events" and talks to everyone, and then there will be someone else sitting in a corner. The lady bouncing around the middle of the room could be 20 years older, but will still seem much younger. Some people give up, some people just keep on living. A body wears out naturally, but a soul will only wear out by choice.<br />
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<b>Second, no one ever really figures it out. </b>I work along side a 94 year old woman, and she still doesn't know what to cook for dinner. She still dreads some chores and still asks me for recipes and advice. That was so strange to me; her asking me for advice with little things, like if I knew whether fruit would last longer if she covered it or not. But I also realized: we never get to an age where we have life figured out. It's okay to not have a perfect schedule, or to never get around to doing everything the internet says you have to do. It's life, and it is imperfect. Don't let that fact keep you from living it.<br />
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<b>Third, people don't change with age. </b>It comes as kind of a disappointment to me, I'm afraid. You know that annoying-boy-thing your little brother does? That those teenage boys you know do? That your dad also occasionally does? Well, guess what? A 95 year old man does it too. It works the other way around, of course. We, as girls, never stop trying to fix guys.<br />
As young people we tend to view old people as, well, <i>old. </i>Like, in our minds, they just kind of sit there. They walk really slowly, don't hear well, and just seem pretty disconnected from the rest of society. But, actually, they don't change a bit. If you get to know them, they still crack jokes like parents, flirt like teenagers, and tease like little kids. They are actually pretty awesome: the wisdom of long life with the goofiness of someone who doesn't care what people think anymore.<br />
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<b>Forth, don't sweat the small stuff. </b>Even "big" things now will be small memories way in the past soon. Failing a test, knocking out a tail-light in your dad's truck, saying that really embarrassing thing in front of your crush; these all may seem like game-changing mess-ups that make you want to curl in a ball and die. But don't give up. No matter what big; it will move into the past if you let it. Now, there is a difference between stupidity and a mistake.<b> </b>This isn't an excuse to live like nothing matters; more to live with the intention to make the right things matter and to let the little things go. <b> </b><br />
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<b>And finally, a lifetime is not that long. </b>My dad would always say things like, "Don't blink," and "I was 8 years old, and then the next thing I knew I was 35." As a kid I never understood that, like, how on earth could time pass <i>that </i>quickly. But it seems like just a couple months ago I was 7, and now a whole decade has passed. The lady I work for has an amazing memory and she has so many stories; of saving her money to buy a cake pan as a gift for her mother, of going on road trips in a Ford Model T, of first meeting her husband and her uncle teasing them about each other, of surviving months waiting for him to return from war, of learning Spanish and living in Mexico and South America, of keeping toys around for great-grandchildren. Just think of how many million, billion, trillion lives have been lived on this planet. How many tears, and laughs, and wars, and loves, and memories. It goes so fast, friends. Live every day for all it is worth, because it will be gone before you know it. </div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-5446748023326016232016-02-02T12:50:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.313-07:00Bullet Journaling: Getting Started<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you've never heard of<a href="http://bulletjournal.com/" target="_blank"> Bullet Journaling</a>, let me introduce you. A bullet journal is a system designed to be a planner, calendar, diary, notebook, to-do list, and basically anything else you want it to be.<br />
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My mom and I stumbled across this a few months ago, but I couldn't get the hang of it. But at the beginning of this year I decided to try it again. And I love it. I haven't used it every day, and I'm still working on getting it to do everything I want it to do; but overall I'm excited.<br />
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I decided to walk you through how to set up a Bullet Journal of your own. I would recommend that you check out the<a href="http://bulletjournal.com/" target="_blank"> website</a> and read about it in more detail. But what is special about the Bullet Journal is that everyone's can, and should, look a little different to suit their needs. I'm showing you what mine looks like.<br />
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<b>First off, pick a notebook. </b>It should be big enough to be comfortable to write in, but small enough to carry it around. I switched to a bigger purse to accompany my notebook of choice. (But that means the purse is also big enough for a reading book, a full wallet, and snack. So, win-win-win.) My notebook is from the Answers in Genesis's Creation Museum, and it is really good quality. And was pretty cheap. I highly recommend getting one. And going to the Creation Museum. And basically anything to do with Answers in Genesis. <br />
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<b>Second, open to the first couple pages and label them: "Index." </b>This is what holds the bullet journal together. The idea behind the journal is that you use it for whatever you need, and you keep track of all those different things in the Index. It is the Table of Contents. Later I'll show a picture of what mine currently looks like. I labeled 4 pages "Index", so I don't have to worry about running out.<br />
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<b> Third, set up your monthly page. </b>I have February filled out already, and I like to stay one month in advance. On a new page, write the month at the top and assign a day to each line. Write the number first, and then the initial of the day of the week next to it. Fill in the events happening that day; like a calendar. I also have a "Goals" section where I can write ahead of time whatever I want to get done that month.<br />
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<b> Forth, start tracking your day! </b>This system works where you simply write the date at the top and fill it in day by day. Because the daily includes your to-do list and notes; it is best to prepare your daily sections the morning of or the night before. The original Bullet Journal has different symbols for marking to-do's, notes, ideas, and importance. I use a box for to-do's, a dash for notes, a circle for events and an star for importance. For ideas or many notes of one theme; I find it easier to create a separate page for them. I use the notes in the daily for keeping track of how many glasses of water I drink, activities I did that day, and such.<br />
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<b>Fifth, make it your own! </b>The steps I laid out are the pieces of the Bullet Journal that make up the planner part. The rest is up to you! So far I have pages for music I want to buy, French phrases (I'm going to Paris this summer!) grocery lists, GF recipes, and more. For every page (even the ones covered in past steps) mark a page number in the bottom corner, and then add the title and page numbers to the Index. It is important to write the title first, because you may add more pages later. For example, my French could be on pages 4, 5, and 18. This is why the Index is important; you can always just start a new page, without worrying about things being in order. Don't worry about having all of your daily sections for an entire month next to each other; it will be impossible; unless you don't have any other pages. Don't be afraid to put pages of notes or lists in-between days. To start a new page simply put the title at the top, such as "Blog Post Ideas," start a list of ideas, and then add it to the Index. <br />
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And that's it! I hope this was helpful. <i><b>Have you ever heard of this system, or used it before? </b></i><br />
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-2324208904077719812016-01-28T15:32:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.267-07:00The Seventeen Cats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My siblings and I had a 'writing contest' today, based on prompts. (I got a "Writer's Toolbox" for Christmas and it is <i>a.w.e.s.o.m.e.</i>) I decided to share my story here. The first line had to be, "There were seventeen cats in Larry's basement." and I had to include "a weekend in Duluth" and "He was skating on thin ice- that's all I can say."<br />
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There were seventeen cats in Larry's
basement. He took us down there one time while we were over to his
house. Larry was the kind of person with slicked back hair and a
razor sharp part. He was always wearing a bow tie. On the morning
in question his bow tie was sky blue with pink polka-dots. Totally
hideous. We had just finished off an entire bowl of popcorn while
playing Scrabble, and we asked Larry if he had anything to drink. He
smiled a full-tooth grin and beckoned us down into the basement. We
crept down the steps, and Larry flicked the lights on. As our eyes
adjusted we saw to our relief that it was a pretty normal basement.
There was a fridge, some shelves, and a gallon of fruit punch sitting
on the floor. My brother scampered towards the fruit punch, and,
holding it above his head like a magnificent prize, scurried back up
the steps. I turned to follow him when I noticed something. A shelf
was hidden in the dark, almost behind the stairs, but light was
reflecting off of something sitting on it. I took a few steps
forward when Larry spoke.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ah, my dear, I was hoping you'd
notice that! Would you like to see more?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not waiting for an answer, he flipped
another switch, and the bookshelf was illuminated. But there were no
books. Just three rows of ceramic cats. They were all identical in
every way it seemed. One right after the other, equally spaced; and
dispute being tucked away, perfectly clean of dust. They were quite
small, I suppose, about 5 inches tall. I counted quickly: three rows
of six cats each, minus one on the last row.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What are they?” I asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“They were my late wife's. They
look pretty ordinary, but looks can be deceiving. Each one holds a
little secret. Here, I'll show you.” He flipped the first cat
over, and revealed that it was hollow. Inside was a single, blue
button. He handed it to me, flipped the next one over, and handed me
a small screw. The third revealed a key; the forth, a piece of a
shoelace; the fifth, a sewing thimble. By the time he reached the
end, I had a whole handful of little articles. He turned around to
face me and grinned broadly.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Do you understand now?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I looked up at him, deeply confused.
“No.” I looked down at my hands, and back at him. “No, not at
all.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He laughed cheerfully. “I didn't
expect you too. Now, I'll tell you.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He took from my hands the little blue
button from the first cat. He rubbed his fingers over it gently.
“This was from Millie's jacket, I mean my wife, of course. She got
this jacket for her eighth birthday. She lived in Vermont, you see,
so getting a jacket was a big deal.” He replaced the button in the
first cat, and then pulled the screw out of the pile in my palms.
“This screw was from her first radio. That was her Christmas
present the year she was fourteen. She loved listening to different
bands and all sorts of music. She kept that radio until after we
were married. At first almost every evening we would turn it on,
push the couch out of way, and dance; just the two of us.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He took the key from my hand, and held
it up to the light. He chuckled softly. “When we got our first
apartment; dear me was she bad at remembering things; she lost her
key four times that first month. Finally I went to the store and had
the man make me twenty keys to our front door, and then I placed them
randomly around the house. I figured, that way, she was bound to
find at least one of them in her search. We laughed about that for
years.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Next he grabbed the shoelace. The
edge was frayed, but he smiled when he saw it. “This was part of
the lace off of her ice skates. She ice skated as a child, but I had
never been before. It was on a natural lake, and as I got more
confident I skated farther from the bank. I guess I went too far,
because I hit some weak ice and plunged right into the water. Millie
and our friends scrambled over to me and I got out all right. When
we got back to the lodge people asked if I was okay, and Millie just
laughed and responded, “He was skating on thin ice- that's all I
can say.” That was a joke in our house for many years.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Slowly, piece by piece, he told me the
story behind each article. A ticket to a theater from their weekend
trip to Duluth; a piece of yarn from their favorite quilt; a scrap of
a newspaper article on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Finally,
all the memories were back safely inside the cats.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“There were only sixteen items,
though. What is in the seventeenth cat?” I asked. Larry smiled
warmly, and flipped the last cat over. It was empty.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“This,” he said. “Is for all
the memories still yet to be. Because, you see, the importance is
not in the things, but in the life <i>behind</i> the things. When
Millie was dying, she made me promise that I wouldn't stop living and
making new memories. That's the real lesson here, darling.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-----</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mr. Larry has long since passed away.
My brother and I grew up, and moved. I don't know what ever happened
to those seventeen cats in Larry's basement. But I know that I'll
never forget to treasure the moments, and the little memories.
Because in the end, those end up being what really matters.</div>
</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-77784620513066984872016-01-21T14:32:00.001-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.336-07:00I Think of Your Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESZp_4chdXFKI_GlILHg2jvEVwEI2VYhs8DqEq3jfTdujXnFcN8OGlkvyupsH8w952-NQwrB9IYkgQM_L685m7SPqgiEngNNA8QBM4a5fsW-Mgj6wxqxRHUc4fmvou2g6R0CH4ybBxcqg/s1600/worldsbeautypoem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESZp_4chdXFKI_GlILHg2jvEVwEI2VYhs8DqEq3jfTdujXnFcN8OGlkvyupsH8w952-NQwrB9IYkgQM_L685m7SPqgiEngNNA8QBM4a5fsW-Mgj6wxqxRHUc4fmvou2g6R0CH4ybBxcqg/s640/worldsbeautypoem.jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXhBoTUQ8waj0VIJqQv81sSHQkbCZ83rcD7Sq7scwCEwsQgI8b80LlNROntowH62UfC_TrSvDqZLQGpRtkuubAEZ_ECWKTL3jyyO_bx4GaIIcOKr85DjcYvdx9TbPHefa2-vKPpQSMtXi/s1600/worldsbeautypoem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>I'm told of the world's beauty.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The Eiffel Tower's lights,</i><br />
<i>New York City at night.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The grass of faraway lands, </i><br />
<i>The beaches filled with sand.</i><br />
<br />
<i>China's streets filled cars,</i><br />
<i>And the majesty of the stars.</i><br />
<br />
<i>All this is wonderful,</i><br />
<i>I'm sure.</i><br />
<br />
<i>But for my part,</i><br />
<i>When I think of beauty,</i><br />
<br />
<i>I think of your heart. </i></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-37379004996725122572016-01-19T18:31:00.000-08:002016-01-19T18:31:10.788-08:00Story Spinner Contest Winner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sorry for the delay! Since I only got 3 entries, and they were all <i>so </i>good, I've decided to post all three. The two runner-ups are listed in no particular order.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Runner-Up #1: Rachel B.</b></i><br />
<br />
<div class="yiv9344132386MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453252881601_2141" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b> </b></i>She looked in the mirror and smiled. <i>There</i>, she thought, <i>I'm ready
for whatever comes.</i> She walked out of the room, pausing to glance wistfully
at the picture on her dresser. "If only I could have saved her; however,
you'll have to do." A deep Irish voice said, startling her from her
thoughts. </div>
<div class="yiv9344132386MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453252881601_2201" style="text-align: center;">
"Don't do that, you know it scares me! Anyways, to the
matter at hand; tonight is the night." She turned towards him, though
staying a safe distance away.</div>
<div class="yiv9344132386MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453252881601_2206" style="text-align: center;">
"Indeed it is, little one; the trap is laid, only
missing the final piece. The<i> <b>star</b></i> of the show." He sneered.</div>
<div class="yiv9344132386MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453252881601_2207" style="text-align: center;">
"I'm ready. Let's go." She firmly stated, her
confidence shrinking with her words<i>. Gotta
fake it till I make it; unless I want to die. </i>So with those final thoughts, she followed him. </div>
<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Runner-Up #2: Julia Ryan <a href="http://thebarefootgal.blogspot.com/">@ The Barefoot Gal</a></b></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b> </b></i>just a mirror <br />just a heart <br />slowly breaking, <br />tearing apart<br />the broken pieces fall to the floor<br />shattering dreams,<br />now no more<br />the shadows darken<br />the lights fade<br />then she's reminded<br />of His loving grace<br />the heartache is painful<br />the transition - beautiful<br />just a mirror<br />just a heart<br />growing stronger <br />with every dart</div>
<br />
<br />
And, the winner, who took my breath away the moment I read it:<br />
<br />
<b>Winner: Mikayla H. <a href="http://thebubblegumballerina.blogspot.com/">@ The Bubblegum Ballerina</a></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5567" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5566" style="color: black;">A
beautiful fleeting image passes in the mirror. An image of what will
be, what could be, and what should have been. It was startlingly
different from what I saw now, it hardly seemed to be the same person.
But that image gave me hope, for there was no fear in those eyes. They
were clear, happy, and at peace. They had a small shadow of past
hardships, but your barely could it through the peace. The image in that
mirror looked perfectly loved. In that moment of seeing it, I knew,
without a doubt, I would do whatever it took to become that person.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5567" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5566" style="color: black;">Mikayla, darling, I'll be in touch. ;)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5567" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5566" style="color: black;">And thank you all to my 3 in-real-life friends. This contest just proved how truly much I need y'all! ;) You all ROCK and I love you very, very much. <3</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5567" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1453254413611_5566" style="color: black;">More posts should be on their way...I'm working my way back to normal. (Or at least as close as I can get. hehe) </span></span></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-21243600370324583192015-12-29T04:07:00.000-08:002015-12-29T04:07:04.266-08:00Story Spinner Contest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey!<br />
<br />
I've decided to hold a little contest. I've seen these around, and they are always so fun, so I thought I'd see if you'd be interested. This will be a one time thing for now, but if I get a lot of feedback I may do it more regularly.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took this picture, and I thought it was "interesting" enough to use as a story starter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is your job to write off of this picture. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your entry could be a short story, a couple words, a poem, etc. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not going to put a word limit on the entries, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but try to keep it down to only a couple paragraphs or less. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Send your entry to my email: livingjoyfullyblog@yahoo.com </div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
The contest will close on January 6th, and I will try and pick a winner within the couple days after that. The winning entry will be posted on my blog, and the winner can choose if they would like to do a guest post, or if there is some other prize like that which they would like.<br />
<br />
Here is your picture, and happy writing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ23-bM7makFtN1d_Re4OmVFGtCWF22BQXROCMUhJYkkuDrCsLN41mxqlZfteZyhyMEhrNmxqRMjT-aFfqTphSzGOhz5gPHMMrd-XBOsie9yd3JU55chW4sWmb_4_4h4p1IGqbkk6F2N7/s1600/Story+Starter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZ23-bM7makFtN1d_Re4OmVFGtCWF22BQXROCMUhJYkkuDrCsLN41mxqlZfteZyhyMEhrNmxqRMjT-aFfqTphSzGOhz5gPHMMrd-XBOsie9yd3JU55chW4sWmb_4_4h4p1IGqbkk6F2N7/s640/Story+Starter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Jess</div>
</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-75611201961846392382015-12-28T15:10:00.001-08:002015-12-28T15:17:37.390-08:00I Hope You Had A Merry Little Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Long time no see! I accidentally forgot to write, and then I felt like I shouldn't start writing again until I have "inspiration" and all that. I still don't feel ready to start blogging again, yet. But I figured you needed to hear from me anyway.<br />
<br />
<i>(I post on Instagram almost everyday: my tag is @livingjoyfullyblog)</i> <br />
<br />
I'm still here. I had a quiet Christmas, and I can't believe that 2016 is this week. It blows my mind just thinking about it. But January is good because January is fresh starts, new beginnings, and a whole 'nother chance to make things right. Plus, my birthday.<br />
<br />
I hope to go ice skating, for the first time, tomorrow. My grandparents are here and we are working on replacing our floor, so there is a hole in our kitchen through which you can see dirt. I said a part for our church's Christmas Eve service and only messed up once. I got sick and have ate way too much sugar.<br />
<br />
I really don't have anything to say, and I can't promise that this is the start of blogging consistantly. So if I'm not back before New Years:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Live your life. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Every second, every minute, every hour, day, year is a chance to start over.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The things that seem so big now will, good or bad, be so far away by the time we are old.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Say what you need to say, apologize to those you hurt, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and sometimes just drop everything and go on an adventure.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Goodbye, 2015. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You were wonderful, you were exciting, you were rough, you were downright terrible, and you went by in the time of a month. I loved you, but I am so glad I don't have to struggle to write "5" without it looking goofy every time I write the date. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
See you memory,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Jessica</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have a wonderful rest of 2015, everyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i><br />
Jess</div>
</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-61630144124788484662015-12-05T06:16:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.323-07:00The House That Friendship Built<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Fs8LVqDPnT-K2UmmqId5ESMnSeCocPW3FSJ0set8MS_aj9wWg5NF9FWTm78KA7fhp7FidO6XeGtw0r0BQ8syW7_HPzCeNcYw6wNyA58Dv8qsrHOPmKqO455QcdCBMMmfoH5C83lsxma/s1600/HousethatFriendshipBuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Fs8LVqDPnT-K2UmmqId5ESMnSeCocPW3FSJ0set8MS_aj9wWg5NF9FWTm78KA7fhp7FidO6XeGtw0r0BQ8syW7_HPzCeNcYw6wNyA58Dv8qsrHOPmKqO455QcdCBMMmfoH5C83lsxma/s640/HousethatFriendshipBuilt.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
//<b> The House That Friendship Built </b>\\</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>it all started long ago</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we knew</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>with a look and a smile</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we would be friends</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we laid out plans</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and collected supplies</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>giggling over little details</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>our hearts were tied</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a foundation of trust</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a wall of similarity</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a ceiling of love</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and furnished with memories</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>memories of play dates,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>tears and hugs</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>countless laughs</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>promises</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we lived in that house</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for so many years</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we forgot it needed care</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>one day at a time,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the cobwebs snuck in</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the corners went unswept</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and our old couch grew dusty</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we were still together</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>though not as much</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we forgot to greet in the halls</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and hug a lot</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>until one day you just moved out</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>my friend</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i looked around</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and opened my eyes to the empty rooms</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i saw the peeling paint</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and the burnt out light bulbs</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i saw the dirty rugs</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and the empty envelopes</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i cried</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for i missed you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>but i admitted you weren't coming back</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>locked up and walked away</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i still saw you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>but it wasn't the same</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i wondered why i didn't see it coming</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>you've built many new houses</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>with lots of new friends</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and i will too</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>but i will never, ever forget you </i><b></b></div>
</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-18076130301309617602015-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:002015-11-30T05:00:02.586-08:00Reader Survey 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey Y'all!<br />
<br />
2016 is, terrifyingly, right around the corner, but it is just another chance at a new beginning! Because of that I created a Reader Survey to help me see where this blog might be headed and where it needs to be pushed in the New Year.<br />
<br />
Please take a minute and fill the embedded survey out, if you'd be so kind. You don't have to be a follower or even a regular reader (yet!), I'd still like your opinion. <br />
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Thank you! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">None of the questions are required, so if you don't want to / can't answer all the questions, you can still submit your answers.</span></div>
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-1012873123301848222015-11-27T05:00:00.000-08:002015-11-27T05:00:07.031-08:00Christmas Here We Come!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy Day-After-Thanksgiving!<br />
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Or, otherwise known as Let-Christmas-Officially-Begin! I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving to start celebrating Christmas, but I did decorate a Christmas tree at the library and listen to Christmas music. But now Thanksgiving is out of the way, so let the music be played openly and the lights hung.<br />
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Besides all the well-known Christmas songs; like Joy To The World and Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, there are some lesser-known Christmas songs that I absolutely love. <br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6W_tZlXwbc" target="_blank">All I Really Want (For Christmas) - By Steven Curtis Chapman</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeqMb57EXR8" target="_blank">While You Were Sleeping - Casting Crowns</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cP26ndrmtg" target="_blank">Christmas Canon - Trans Siberian Orchestra </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVrQkgLM-PQ" target="_blank">ChristmasTime - Michael W. Smith (I love this song; this version doesn't sound exactly right however)</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vbwCPKI8CA" target="_blank">Joy - 1 Girl Nation</a></div>
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I will try to add more as time goes on.<br />
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<i><b>Are there any lesser-known Christmas songs that you like?</b></i><br />
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Happy Almost-December!<i><b> </b></i></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-4717251746672332042015-11-19T07:24:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.303-07:00Bigger Than The Problems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The world is a mess.<br />
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So many people, since the very beginning, have had terrible lives. Have lost loved ones. Have experienced heartbreak. Have been angry, and hurt, and wanted to die. Been hurt by our fellow humans, no better than we are.<br />
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As you should know, the world was turned upside down with a serious terrorist attack in Paris this past weekend. The same day several other countries also experienced national tragedies. Millions upon millions of refugees are fleeing for their lives with absolutely no possessions or security. Death in the south, closed borders and freezing cold in the North. Trapped between ISIS and scrambling government leaders wanting them out. Children in my own county sit in foster care with no family or love. Orphans live homeless on streets all over the world.<br />
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<i>And the internet is worried about the color of coffee cups and minimum wage.</i><br />
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It can be so hard for me to look at the world. I feel a knot in the pit of my stomach; my heart physically aches. There is so much pain in the world. And I can't <i>fix </i>it. <br />
<i> </i><br />
I'm a fixer. I want to handle the situation, smooth everything out, and keep everyone from getting hurt. But <i>I can't</i>. I can't keep other people's relationships together. I can't comfort every child, or heal every broken heart. I can't feed every starving, cold parent. I can't. <i>But I know someone who can.</i><br />
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I was thinking about the Bible accounts of Christ feeding thousands of people. (John 6:1-14) There were 5,000 <i>men</i>, <b><i>not </i></b>including<i> </i>women or children. If you assume there were as many woman and children as men, that is a minimum of 10,000 people. That is a lot of people. Think of a place where you know about how many people are there. At my church on a typical Sunday there are 120 people. That means the crowd that Christ fed was over <i><b>83 </b></i>times that size. That is crazy!<br />
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Take a minute and actually imagine standing in the middle of that crowd. You are lost in the middle of thousands of people. You hear babies crying and mothers comforting children complaining of hunger. Men start grumbling about how they are supposed to get food so far out in the middle of nowhere. Then you look down at your hands and see your lunch: a couple loaves of bread and some fish. You look up helplessly. There are so many hungry people; and you might have enough to share with one other person, but who do you offer it to? How could you possibly make a difference with these thousands of people? But, despite the odds, you decide to try anyway. You zigzag and push your way to the front of the crowd, calling the attention of the disciples. You hold up your small basket and ask that it be shown to Jesus. He should know what to do with it. He smiles warmly at you, draws the attention of the crowd, and prays over <i>your </i>meal. You step back and mingle back with the crowd. The disciples might eat a little, at least. But instead, before long, the man in front of you hands you a loaf and part of a fish. You take it in shock, tear the loaf in half, and pass it to the person beside you. Later, after most everyone has left, you look and see baskets, including yours, filled over with pieces of bread and fish.<br />
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This is a true account, and this actually happened to a boy probably younger than most of us. It was a miracle; not humanly possible. But because one boy knew he couldn't do anything on his own, and went to Christ, 10,000 people were fed that day. <br />
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I can get overwhelmed with the problems of the world. There is too much pain. Too much hurt. Too many problems. I can't solve them. I'm sitting in a crowd with one load of bread surrounded by millions of hungry people. But I have to take it to the One who <i>can</i> do something. The One who isn't intimated by sin and pain. The One that overcame all of this. The One that can comfort every child, and heal every broken heart. I don't need to know how God will solve the problem. I just need to give my all to Him. The boy didn't perform the miracle. And Jesus would have brought Glory to God some other way if that boy hadn't stood up. But he did. And he spent his time and gave his possessions for Christ's use. <br />
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And what a pleasure it is to serve Jesus Christ.<br />
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~Jessica Joy<br />
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-84921261582658324762015-11-14T05:00:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.350-07:00Contrast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A flash of color,</div>
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A gray sky.</div>
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A twirl,</div>
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A tear.</div>
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A childish giggle,</div>
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A choking sob.</div>
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A victor,</div>
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A fighter.</div>
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A heart ne'er broken,</div>
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A heart that healed.</div>
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A foot ne'er stumbled,</div>
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Legs that stood up again.</div>
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Unrealistic dreams,</div>
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Goals within reach.</div>
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Childhood friends,</div>
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Lifelong companions.</div>
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The whole world,</div>
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Or having a place in it.</div>
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The lover,</div>
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The forgiver.</div>
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The one who never failed.</div>
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The one who survived and stood back up.</div>
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<b><i>Which do you think you are? </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Who would you rather be?</i></b></div>
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<i>I seem to be transitioning into a "mostly-poetry" blog. I've got some other posts planned, but what is your opinion of all the poems. Yay or Nay?</i></div>
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<i>-J. </i><b><i> </i></b></div>
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<b><i> </i></b> </div>
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-36162642218525369722015-11-09T16:07:00.002-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.280-07:00What You Are to Me {A Poem}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>You are autumn to me, my dear.</i></div>
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<i>The wind in the trees,</i></div>
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<i>The color in the leaves,</i></div>
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<i>You are autumn to me, my dear.</i></div>
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<i>You are winter to me, my love.</i></div>
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<i>The bright Christmas lights,</i></div>
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<i>The shadow of the night,</i></div>
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<i>You are winter to me, my love.</i></div>
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<i>You are spring to me, my friend.</i></div>
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<i>You are new beginings,</i></div>
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<i>Fresh flowers blooming,</i></div>
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<i>You are spring to me, my friend.</i></div>
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<i>You are summer to me, my darling.</i></div>
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<i>The clear, starry sky,</i></div>
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<i>The want to fly,</i></div>
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<i>You are summer to me, my darling.</i></div>
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<i>You are all these things,</i></div>
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<i>The song I must sing,</i></div>
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<i>That is what you are to me. </i></div>
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-41837091740228181982015-11-06T06:30:00.000-08:002016-04-11T12:16:40.290-07:00Dear "Perfect" Me [A Letter To My Other Self]<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b></b></i><i><b>Dear "Perfect" Me,</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b> I know you think you are living the high life. You got a boyfriend, and a best friend that lives next door; you go to school and live so close to town that you can ride your bike. You have a group of friends you take to the mall, an Iphone, and a walk-in closet filled with the newest fashions. You'd probably sneer if you saw me in my last-year's-trend clothes and dirty sneakers. While you're posting pictures to Instagram of your prom date, I'm at home taking pictures of a dying rose because I can use it in a blog post. You'd laugh at me giggling with my sister about that one 12-year-old that flirted with me, when you have boys looking at you all the time. You'd want to gasp in horror at my nail-polish-covered cracked phone case and my lumpy, old comforter that I refuse to throw away. You don't know what it feels like to sit alone at lunch, or to be the last one picked for any sport. You'd have a fit about my fast-food-wrapper-filled car, with missing knobs and only one working window. You never have to worry about hiding your tears from the world.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>But, despite all this, I know I got the better end of the deal.</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Because, you see, you don't realize how hard your heart will break when your boyfriend leaves. You don't realize how much you are going to regret what you gave him. You won't know how happy I'll be on my wedding day knowing I saved my heart and love-filled-glances for my husband. As tough as homeschooling can be, I know I won't have the same spiritual struggles and temptations that you go through. Living close to town is pretty cool, but not as cool as being able to race across open land and explore woods. You may think that you have a better relationship with your best friends, but I know who my true friends are. The hugs are a lot tighter, the laughs a lot deeper and the smiles a lot sweeter when a love stands the test of time and distance. A lot of clothes and expensive stuff is nice, but closet space is a small price to pay for a relationship with siblings. My sneakers might be dirty, but they tell a story of everywhere I've been. I know it feels good when boys look at you, but that isn't the kind of attention you want, darling. You don't know what it feels like to be depressed and lonely, but you also don't know what it is like to have your wall covered in "I love Jessica" notes from 8-year-olds. You don't know what it feels like to be the worst at soccer, but you also don't know what it is like to be the first-choice-toddler-watcher at church. You've never sat alone, but you've never struck up a conversation with someone who needed a friend. You don't know what it is like to drive a hand-me-down car, or how much fun it is driving that car across-country or singing to the radio. You don't know pain, but you don't know victory. You don't know the joy of spinning words into poems, or the fun of always having a little sister tag along. You don't know the excitement of dropping coins into a pasta jar saving for a dream trip, or the smiles that Bible verses on sticky-notes produce.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>So you see, dear, you really don't have that much. Your hair will always curl, and your handwriting is perfect, but you miss a lot of little joys along the way. It's the rough spots and the little things that grow us, not our possessions.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>In the end, I'm so thankful I get to me instead of you.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>Love, the Real Jessica Joy. </b></i></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-43466479564158346272015-10-31T09:16:00.000-07:002016-04-11T12:16:40.296-07:005 Habits To Adopt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There are a lot of big things we need to do; eat healthy, finish school, act like a respectable human in public, etc. However, there are some little things that are easier to start doing, and keep doing. Here are some things that you can start learning to do <i>today.</i><br />
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<b>- Keep Track of Your Money</b><br />
<b> </b>This is something that I started doing early in 2015, and it has helped me a ton. Recording how much money you bring in, and how much you spend not only allows you to know exactly how much money you have, but it also encourages smart spending. It is a lot harder to spend $50 in one place if you know you have to subtract it when you get home. My routine is super simple; I made a chart on Open Office Spreadsheet, I keep track of receipts, and then I fill in the date of the transaction, whether it was with my card or with cash, income or expense, what it was, how much money was exchanged, and then my totals. <br />
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<b><i>- </i>Collect Coins in a Jar</b><br />
<b> </b>If you buy things with cash a lot, you know how much change you can acquire in a short amount of time.<b> </b>When recording my spendings, I round each purchase up to the next dollar, and then put the extra change in a jar. In 6 months I've collected over $30 dollars in coins. That's a lot for money you don't even realize you are putting away into savings. This is a painless way to save without subtracting out of your records.<br />
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<b>- Drink More Water</b><br />
<b> </b>Drinking water is something that almost all of us need to work on. <a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/things-you-can-do-right-now-to-feel.html" target="_blank">Water has so many benefits </a><b><a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/things-you-can-do-right-now-to-feel.html" target="_blank"> </a></b>and<b> </b>coffee, tea, energy drinks, Gatorade, etc, just can't compete with it. If you have trouble wanting to drink water, slice some lemons, strawberries, limes, etc, and put them into your water. You can also get a nice bottle, carry it around with you, and drink whenever you get bored or while you are working.<br />
<br />
<b>- Write Letters</b><br />
<b> </b>Nothing is better in the world than getting a letter in the mail from a friend. You can write a full letter on a lined piece of paper, or, if you feel less ambitious, buy a pack of postcards or greeting cards and fill them out. Even just a postcard is still a nice reminder that someone was thinking of you.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>- Keep a Journal</b><br />
<b> </b>Journals are tough things to keep up with, but they are so worth it in the end. I kept daily (like, literally I took it with me everywhere) journals as a 7-11 year old, and it is so cool (sometimes embarrassing) to have recorded what I did and how I thought. For 2016 I'm doing a 5-Year Journal, which is basically a question a day, and you answer it for 5 years in a row. It is really cool because all of your answers are on the same page, so you can see how your answers change over the years. I'm DIYing one, but you can also buy them.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b><i>Do you already do any of these things?</i></b><br />
<b><i>Are there any other good habits that you've adopted? </i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-7963474863873780982015-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:002015-10-22T09:00:06.455-07:002 Year Blog Anniversary! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudDJ2_N2Gycmqhahhuoq3zOUm3mZ9_r3ltYwKNMm4o25nEMfThoEPANiqmw8KO-e-ro_JgZCXB6YKbC78roj7nAeV-HszueCMsCGiNXwZ4l_VqO61msUqhc0OUo83Geyt4J1ZMnvnuwV/s1600/Happy+Birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudDJ2_N2Gycmqhahhuoq3zOUm3mZ9_r3ltYwKNMm4o25nEMfThoEPANiqmw8KO-e-ro_JgZCXB6YKbC78roj7nAeV-HszueCMsCGiNXwZ4l_VqO61msUqhc0OUo83Geyt4J1ZMnvnuwV/s640/Happy+Birthday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span id="goog_650072490"> Well, you know you are got problems when you didn't even think for a second about your blog's anniversary until you look up the date to write at the top of science notes. It took me a couple seconds to remember why October 22nd stood out to me for some reason.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_650072490">Last year I made a big deal about my anniversary, this year I almost missed it. It's called natural balance. </span><br />
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<span id="goog_650072490">Well, <a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/random-facts-about-yours-truly.html" target="_blank">my second post was random facts about myself,</a> so I decided to see how much I've changed in 2 years. On my original post I posted a ton of commentary, as all 14 year old girls do, but I'll just put the actual facts here. If you dare to go that far back to the archive, have fun.</span><br />
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<br />
<span id="goog_650072490"> <i>1. I am a writer. </i>Still true, but not to the extent I was at this time. I did much more long stories than poems then, and now I'm almost entirely poetry.</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /><i> 2. I love the color pink. </i>Still true; although my blog name doesn't reflect it anymore. Pastel pink and rich reds are my colors right now.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">3. My favorite domestic animals are dogs, rabbits, and goats. My favorite wild animals are
lions, eagles, and giraffes. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">The domestic animals are still the same; I only own a dog now, though, rather than all three. I still love lions and giraffes, but I have no idea where eagles came from. I don't remember ever liking those especially...weird. </span><br />
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<i><span id="goog_650072490">4. I am running out of facts. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Smooth... You couldn't just think for a minute, huh? XD</span><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">5. I am homeschooled. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Still true, but I've moved from just starting 9th to working on 11th. Super scary...</span><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">6. I have many best friends. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Still true, but my friends have become more solid. Sometimes people let you go, sometimes you drift away. I'm still super thankful for the friends I have; including the one(s) that I didn't have at the start of my blog!</span><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">7. I hate licorice. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Still true; although I haven't tried it in forever; so this might have changed.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">8. I love, love, LOVE York Peppermint candies, 3 Musketeers candy bars, and Crunch candy bars, Skittles and Starburst. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490"> I still like the first three; I'm more of a chocolate girl than a candy girl now. Except for now I'm a refined-sugar-proccessed-food-gluten-free-girl, so adios to all of that.</span><i><span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">9. I like swimming, but unless in extreme situations, I can't go under water without a swim mask on. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Unfortunately, still true. I can swim; but I still can't go underwater confidently. But I'm okay with that, and I'm not around water a lot anyway. If I need to learn, I will. </span><br />
<br />
<i><span id="goog_650072490">10. I like every season, in it's own right. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Yes, but I have decided that I don't care for winter; and I do have a favorite now: fall. </span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span>
<i><span id="goog_650072490">11. My favorite holiday is Christmas. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">True again. I can't wait to start decorating!</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"> </span><i><span id="goog_650072490"> <br />
12. I have straight, blond hair. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">That refuses to be anything else. At the original writing I was just starting to grow out side bangs, but I haven't had bangs now for probably over a year.</span><br />
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<i><span id="goog_650072490">13. I love Subway, Golden Corral, and Chipotle Grill!!!! </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">Okay, <b>not </b>Golden Corral. That place is disgusting. Subway; eh,eh. I don't dislike it, but it wouldn't be a favorite. Chipotle Grill, however, still my favorite. My three now would be Chipotle, Jason's Deli, and Olive Garden.</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span>
<i><span id="goog_650072490">14. Whenever my grandparents come to our house (a couple times a
year) we eat strawberry shortcake, and watch The Apple Dumpling Gang
Rides Again. (It has Tim Conway and Don Knotts in it, and it is SO
funny! I have watched it so many times I could probably dictate it, but
I still love the family times we have! =) ) </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">We still do this. Same movie, same dessert. =)</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span>
<i><span id="goog_650072490">15. For now, I have run out of facts. </span></i><span id="goog_650072490">And that is were my 14 year old brain stopped. It's actually pretty surprising how little, and how much I've changed. A lot of these things are the same; but I've had a lot of experiences that have changed me. I definitely not the same person I was two years ago. And that is a really good thing.</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_650072490">Well, there you have it. Sorry once again for my fickle posting schedule; things are crazy but I plan on getting some posts up soon!</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_650072490">Happy October 22nd!</span><br />
<span id="goog_650072490"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_650072490">-Jessica Joy</span></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-87924586359488824342015-10-15T18:20:00.003-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.845-08:00I'm Still Alive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know I said I wasn't going to do posts like this anymore, but I figured at this point it is better than nothing.<br />
<br />
Life's still about the same: I'm still tired, still behind in school, still not getting enough exercise, and still Stressy-Jessy. (My newly-dubbed nickname around the house thanks to a friend.)<br />
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But, I went to work today and got paid, tomorrow I'm going dancing, and the weekend is right around the corner.<br />
<br />
Hallelujah.<br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
See ya around, peeps.<br />
<br />
ps. If anyone wants to do a guest post. (Pretty, pretty, PRETTY please...) then shoot me an email. You will be my hero. XD </div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-71920789219999847442015-10-01T05:16:00.000-07:002015-10-01T08:26:25.770-07:00Fall 2015 Bucket-List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_seBVH9S3Ef4JRRUUMx6_cYTRPh85jxNSniM5Ejiudm1py7n09nhAUc1eD2o-g_61SUCaP5MscVFRJyMyHFg9yVsws0SiqIqeSp7L1-0OBJXVGq3etJx9n93vpjUNXxHWT5MrMD75zJZ/s1600/Fall5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_seBVH9S3Ef4JRRUUMx6_cYTRPh85jxNSniM5Ejiudm1py7n09nhAUc1eD2o-g_61SUCaP5MscVFRJyMyHFg9yVsws0SiqIqeSp7L1-0OBJXVGq3etJx9n93vpjUNXxHWT5MrMD75zJZ/s640/Fall5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, it is that time of year again! <a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/first-day-of-autumn-tacit-tuesdays-28.html" target="_blank"> Last year I created a fall bucketlist for the first time</a>, and while I didn't do everything on my list-who does?-it did motivate me to accomplish some things I wouldn't have done otherwise.<br />
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<br />
* Go on a Hay Ride<br />
* <strike>Go Apple Picking</strike> <br />
* Rake Leaves<br />
* <strike>Have a Fall Photoshoot</strike><br />
* Go Through a Corn Maze<br />
* Make Cookies<br />
* Carve a Pumpkin<br />
* Bake a Pie<br />
* Make Caramel Apples<br />
* Decorate<br />
* <strike>Go to a Football Game</strike><br />
* Take Pictures of Fall Leaves<br />
* Write Letters Telling People Why I'm Thankful for Them<br />
* Drink Apple Cider<br />
* Make Pumpkin Spice Coffee<br />
* Go Hiking<br />
* Visit a Farmers Market<br />
* Make Popcorn<br />
* Eat S'mores by a Bonfire<br />
* Go to an Autumn Ball<br />
* Go for a Scenic Drive<br />
* Go Ice Skating<br />
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As you can see, I have already completed a couple of things. (Ha, ahead of schedule for the first time <i>ever.</i>) And of course I've done most of these things before, but not this fall. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing!<br />
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<b>Have you done anything on this list this fall?</b><br />
<b>Are You Making a Bucket List For this Fall? </b><br />
<br />
-Jess <br />
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ps. A blog-world friend of mine has a crochet shop! She would really appreciate it if you took a look! =) <a href="http://ashleysyarnworks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://ashleysyarnworks.blogspot.com/</a></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-3686272563257557482015-09-27T15:39:00.001-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.819-08:00Fall Thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uTIH0kz9FA3Hyn_C2eAbkw8GCN5KalNPlse-93a9LZC-eYBGB9KvLFXl36xBq0k4QNshHpdHUxN12skZpeQjImlnSKPq1cwGiiKsAzFutE003O-bpeBqG59VPFqKv7Km_D5P_Ad6P2Ca/s1600/Fall4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uTIH0kz9FA3Hyn_C2eAbkw8GCN5KalNPlse-93a9LZC-eYBGB9KvLFXl36xBq0k4QNshHpdHUxN12skZpeQjImlnSKPq1cwGiiKsAzFutE003O-bpeBqG59VPFqKv7Km_D5P_Ad6P2Ca/s1600/Fall4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first day of fall has come and gone. I meant to post, because <a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/first-day-of-autumn-tacit-tuesdays-28.html" target="_blank">I had posted on the first day of fall last year,</a> but it was a really busy day and I didn't get to it.<br />
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Thursday's weather was b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. It was cool enough that I could wear long jeans, but warm enough that I didn't have to wear a jacket. The sun was shining; a gentle breeze was blowing. And then it started raining. And it hasn't stopped since.<br />
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I'm still constructing a Fall Bucketlist. We did go apple picking yesterday, and I even got to take my dog. The apples were <i>amazing</i>. Our church is having a fall picnic again this year, and we have games, go-cart and wagon rides, dessert contests, a huge bonfire, skits, the whole shabang. We didn't have it last year, which makes it even more special. It is one of my favorite things about fall.<br />
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The fall weather has come in full blast, so<a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/tips-for-organizing-clothes-and.html" target="_blank"> I need to go through my clothes and switch out to winter clothes.</a> It will be a little bittersweet to see my summer clothes packed away, but I'm also excited for fall clothes. I've been rocking jeans and scarves and boots all weekend, and I don't plan on slowing down.<br />
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Side-note: thank you all for commenting and reading my blog. It's been a little rough switching URLs and trying to post consistently, so all of y'alls support is really amazing. I just wanted to thank you. And I'm going to try and get back off the ground with posting regularly! <br />
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Enjoy the first full week of autumn, lovelys.<br />
~J.<br />
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<i><b>What are some things on your Autumn Bucketlist?</b></i><br />
<i><b>What are your favorite things about fall?</b></i><br />
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<i><b> </b></i> </div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-53970086576453117802015-09-21T19:51:00.000-07:002016-04-11T12:16:40.310-07:004 Ways to Make Your Blog Look More Professional<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsotBVgT1TeDknRR1lHLJq9V_bOtlpXAmsrt6pV-2emGADe73NwtVhkdouXtvpjT68xQGkjyhEddinAZTCs_1jMSkCpDLrSrEq4N1mQg5aYKaDvmLrvoMzeN6v0x-IfHAkzsqpwEst_jhe/s1600/ProH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsotBVgT1TeDknRR1lHLJq9V_bOtlpXAmsrt6pV-2emGADe73NwtVhkdouXtvpjT68xQGkjyhEddinAZTCs_1jMSkCpDLrSrEq4N1mQg5aYKaDvmLrvoMzeN6v0x-IfHAkzsqpwEst_jhe/s400/ProH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Having a successful blog is a combination of a lot of components; good content, good pictures, and a good blog design. While having good pictures and content is extremely important for keeping a good followers base, a good blog design is your very first impression to new visitors. The design gives the reader a subconscious opinion of your blog before they've even started reading. However, sometimes new, professional blog designs can be really intimating; especially with a hefty price tag. So here are some ideas on some little things to do to make your blog look more professional, without coding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_itRL4TKgDAArmaF3U_78DWd7W0w6_T00-s6In4pBeIFn9rOtBCKCqwT1vRKBfm1jFK6ICkgK70cPA-5u38Gq3BdnRBjP4KyEto3XPm8L0rGgjs4QmNxLo2M4irA-i8otsyf8bdcesIC/s1600/Professional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_itRL4TKgDAArmaF3U_78DWd7W0w6_T00-s6In4pBeIFn9rOtBCKCqwT1vRKBfm1jFK6ICkgK70cPA-5u38Gq3BdnRBjP4KyEto3XPm8L0rGgjs4QmNxLo2M4irA-i8otsyf8bdcesIC/s320/Professional.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is something that shouldn't be taken too far, but should be at the back of your mind as well. Your blog should have the right balance of the same colors, without going overboard. For example, you don't want your blog to have blue font, bright pink links, an orange title, etc. But you also don't want everything to be all one color, either. A good rule of thumb is to have two or three main colors that look good together. For example, my blog colors right now are peach and light orange. Alternating these colors makes the blog flow well to the eyes, without being overwhelming.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEockfDJogva7n-HBQkD9VDEB0WvPBB14CwUmH2hU_wn9NRqmO92ebCSeRqNz2TRxcYv_IwUuYcMG1-XOgacHxLdSHzsh3-__LdsJhgADT-E438k9BhYmOwyKzDE-g6bV-KHYr8We-Blb-/s1600/pro2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEockfDJogva7n-HBQkD9VDEB0WvPBB14CwUmH2hU_wn9NRqmO92ebCSeRqNz2TRxcYv_IwUuYcMG1-XOgacHxLdSHzsh3-__LdsJhgADT-E438k9BhYmOwyKzDE-g6bV-KHYr8We-Blb-/s320/pro2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is big. Oftentimes new bloggers, even myself, started out by playing with a lot of different fonts. Not only do difficult-to-read fonts distract the reader from what you are trying to say, but they also force the reader to pour much more focus into reading, which is tiring and leads to an easy excuse for the reader to give up reading and move on. Easy to read, classic fonts make the blog look sleek, professional, and it is much easier for the reader to get what you are saying at a glance. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy2TbvuP_725WvWpP4tuEAB5AUN3srCKcipmD2oqqVEEDV-K7LexpnDhZxemgv0_MfNw-12T424Qk8koowwOf4BBA2vCcryZ5n-ApQKq3STzVqLNscB9EJXCjTbUg66NbX1daKOlC7jS1/s1600/pro3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy2TbvuP_725WvWpP4tuEAB5AUN3srCKcipmD2oqqVEEDV-K7LexpnDhZxemgv0_MfNw-12T424Qk8koowwOf4BBA2vCcryZ5n-ApQKq3STzVqLNscB9EJXCjTbUg66NbX1daKOlC7jS1/s320/pro3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A floating title is when your title is on a white background without a frame, and the background is white as well. This limits distractions and your title is the first thing your viewer sees. Minimalism is big right now, and for good reason. This is not to say that a header with pictures or a colored background is unprofessional, but having a simplistic design is popular right now and brings the design together. You can make headers on the "Design" feature of both <a href="http://befunky.com/">befunky.com</a> and <a href="http://picmonkey.com/">picmonkey.com</a>.<br />
(I recommend and use them both frequently, so if you have any questions/problems, shoot me a email.) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKTV-SMVyr1KKrYflRoTTzreI7MBeDnFMPCj4A1X3xcuoyFn-0mFeiJ4MYUeNUxbRvilkA7ndnXmlBjTr386rV8-8mEafSdDxmm1K1UvbmL-tK-wNId0ES4048r3Ad1qEXGmziYX8GJKn/s1600/Pro4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKTV-SMVyr1KKrYflRoTTzreI7MBeDnFMPCj4A1X3xcuoyFn-0mFeiJ4MYUeNUxbRvilkA7ndnXmlBjTr386rV8-8mEafSdDxmm1K1UvbmL-tK-wNId0ES4048r3Ad1qEXGmziYX8GJKn/s320/Pro4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Labeling your pages simply and straight to the point not only makes your blog look more professional, it will be helpful to your readers. Rather than having your email address way down on your sideline; having a "Contact Me" page right at the top will make it much easier for people to find out about you, your blog, and how to get to know you better.<br />
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<i><b> Well, there you have it. What are some small things you do to improve your blog design?</b></i></div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-86927120352377047132015-09-14T14:45:00.001-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.840-08:00Is It Fall Yet?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g3O_FnoIP9bIXiKMwVAyhHpJ6clCeE7BpaVkbwS0hFQtFqBUqlYNtQd8P1uoWeshamX3h02ZvAamWYh-i8PzQJsOOh-aivm2zOI8ssqLZw0G9iFu7mTVaihRz899l2bIeP5ADSJwLXnO/s1600/Fall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g3O_FnoIP9bIXiKMwVAyhHpJ6clCeE7BpaVkbwS0hFQtFqBUqlYNtQd8P1uoWeshamX3h02ZvAamWYh-i8PzQJsOOh-aivm2zOI8ssqLZw0G9iFu7mTVaihRz899l2bIeP5ADSJwLXnO/s640/Fall3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This morning, I woke up...chilly. That is right, folks, the windows were open, the air was off, and I was cold! I practically squealed with excitement. Why?<br />
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Because I love fall.<br />
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I love summer, too, but see, way down here in South Carolina, it can get pretty crazy hot during the summer, and stay that way until Thanksgiving. So, I celebrate fall when I can.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zc_WdyfLvp18y53EIMt76DucAJcMJTwVGbJTiUIHUjXn9zsdITiu0a9po0L2Whpu_LWJBJ-p_9Brm8cTMhnB4zofmJQ6HaKGtaGjr0ConnEn7-KtuBFs5OgtMhAewHr386gjjHGaHiMq/s1600/Fall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zc_WdyfLvp18y53EIMt76DucAJcMJTwVGbJTiUIHUjXn9zsdITiu0a9po0L2Whpu_LWJBJ-p_9Brm8cTMhnB4zofmJQ6HaKGtaGjr0ConnEn7-KtuBFs5OgtMhAewHr386gjjHGaHiMq/s640/Fall1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I normally celebrate the start of seasons on the calendar start, because the weather never cooperates anyway. But, today I decided to be 9 days early. I put on my yoga pants, ate pumpkin spice english muffins for breakfast, drank my fall tea, took a couple pictures, got out my fall scented candle that I didn't use up last year, and BOOM. Fall has arrived.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0nimwZef2H-C0wYeKlc635aNvZ-EECBtb1vh5rKdzr3o9aNoC-0qEggn7mHyouzLMLDmqCs2RiJI1V22Go-aL3yVtayIpEXn4BFT8f0RVjG6WtTJHFKZPzwPdvN3bInLSzOsZOBY5MTb/s1600/Fall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0nimwZef2H-C0wYeKlc635aNvZ-EECBtb1vh5rKdzr3o9aNoC-0qEggn7mHyouzLMLDmqCs2RiJI1V22Go-aL3yVtayIpEXn4BFT8f0RVjG6WtTJHFKZPzwPdvN3bInLSzOsZOBY5MTb/s640/Fall2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little background; A couple years ago was really rough for me. We had some family issues, and school was not going well, and I had been sick a ton. So I had really lost my excitement for basically everything. Christmas had come and gone, and summer only reminded me of the school year that <i>wasn't</i> ending. So, when fall came around last year, I decided that I would make myself excited about it. I came up with a <a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Bucket%20Lists" target="_blank">fall bucketlist</a>,<a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/updates-diy-painted-pumpkins-ramblings.html" target="_blank"> I painted pumpkins, I carved pumpkins</a>, I wore a beanie (Which I discovered that I loooved), I bought fall scented candles, I ate pumpkin spice everything...You get the idea. And, it worked. I remember getting my love of life back. So, this year, I'm honoring the season that I grew to love so much.<br />
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So here's to celebrating fall a little early; and enjoying life's little moments.</div>
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Jessica </div>
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-8885107391139420002015-09-12T11:00:00.000-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.851-08:00Bloglovin' Test -UPDATE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14440521/?claim=dedm8zu47f9">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
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UPDATE!<br />
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Bloglovin' is listing the new URL as a completely different blog, so if you were following (Almost) Perfectly Pink on Bloglovin, you have to go and find Living Joyfully and add it. Type the URL (livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com) into the BL search engine and it will come up with my blog.<br />
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Thank you so much!<br />
~Jess</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-33493141379125662872015-09-12T10:43:00.000-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.810-08:00First Post of Living Joyfully!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello Friends!<br />
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Well, the switch is made! Living Joyfully now happily resides at livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com. Because I know that URL switches can be troublesome, please make sure that any way you are following me; whether through Blogger or Blogspot, you are following the new URL. As you should notice, all my old posts and everything are still here.<br />
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I am working on getting my Facebook page and Bloglovin' page updated. Man, switching URL's is a ton of work. *Whew* But I'm glad I did. Once this is all settled I will be able to continue to grow my blog without worrying about changing again. =)<br />
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Hopefully I will be creating a new button soon, for those of you who have my old one on your page! Please hang with me as I try and change everything that I need to change. If you see something that needs to change, shoot me an email; I will probably forget a lot of stuff! Haha<br />
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Speaking of which, I made a new email for my blog! If you have my old one, don't worry; that will remain my personal one/one for stuff I'm already subscribed to. If you do not have my old email, personal or not, send it to my brand-new, lined-up-with-my-blog-name-so-it-sounds-all-cool-and-professional email: livingjoyfullyblog@yahoo.com<br />
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That's about it! Thank you guys for sticking with me on this transition! You're the best!<br />
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~Jessica</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-64318892438973270362015-09-04T18:59:00.003-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.829-08:00Big News<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey, y'all<br />
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Okay, so, I've been thinking since last week, and.....<br />
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I'm changing my blog name.<br />
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Yup. Now, before you, like, do whatever you happen to do when you find out news like this from a strange person like me, le'me explain.<br />
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The other day I was going to make a new account on a website, and I was going to do something along the lines of my blog, when I realized that I don't think the name fits me anymore. Don't get me wrong; I loved, and still love, my blog name. And I think it was a perfect match for me...2 years ago. But I've changed a lot in these last two years, and my blog has too. And I think the title of the blog should reflect that. I mean, honestly, none of us could say that we are the same person we were two years ago. (Thank goodness; I was in a really awkward "barrettes everywhere" phase. *shivers*) And that's okay!<br />
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Long story short, my new blog name is "Living Joyfully." One, I think it reflects what my current life mission is. Two, it's kinda a spin on my middle name. (Trust me though, I spent, like, 2 weeks trying to think of a name!)<br />
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<u><b>I created a URL for the blog, so that you all can save bookmark the site. On September 12th, the URL will go live and be matched with this site.</b></u><br />
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The URL is:<br />
<a href="http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://livingjoyfullyblog.blogspot.com/</a> <br />
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It will probably take me a week or so after the 12th to get everything sorted out and with the right name. If you have any confusion about any of this; shoot me a email at dogs4j@yahoo.com<br />
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Let me know your thoughts on this change, any questions, whateves. =)<br />
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Have an awesome September! (Question, though...<i><b>How on earth is it September already?!? Summer flew by!</b></i>)<br />
~Jess <br />
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Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4516760507426448969.post-54506029086388368262015-08-25T19:22:00.000-07:002015-11-09T16:16:44.824-08:00Hey! Wanna Vote For Me?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, so I entered this t-shirt contest, like forever ago. You had to enter a quote to go on a t-shirt about writing. And my quote got picked as one of the top ten! So now you guys can go and vote! I forgot to tell you, so the voting ends on the 27th. So, it is ending really soon. Anyway, go to this link:<br />
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<a href="http://kingdompen.org/t-shirt-quote-contest-let-the-voting-begin/" target="_blank">http://kingdompen.org/t-shirt-quote-contest-let-the-voting-begin/</a><br />
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My quote is: "A Writer: someone who loves words enough to bring them to life, and life enough to put them into words."<br />
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If the link above doesn't work, go to this link: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LDF6TTT" target="_blank">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LDF6TTT</a><br />
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If both links work, though, you can vote twice. So, once for me, and once for your other favorite. =) If you don't have another favorite, but don't want to vote for me twice, vote for this one that says something like: Being a writer is an excuse to keep your imaginary friends around longer than everyone else." It is right below mine.<br />
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Okay, that's all. Thanks =D<br />
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*If this whole big rambling thing made no sense, sorry. It is late at night and I'm trying to be quick* #Notimeforproofread</div>
Jessica Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973320642654205586noreply@blogger.com6