Support

I am amazed over the amount of love and support I have gotten from my friends and family over my book. I am so happy to have people in my life that genuinely care about me and my leap into unfamiliar territory.

I just want to give a heart felt thank-you to any and all of my friends and family who congratulated me, offered support, gave kind words and/or just plain "liked" my book in general and/or on Facebook. Please know that every kind word and "like" goes a long way with me and I am so happy you all took the time to show me love and support.

Thank you so much!

My Book

Dear Family and Friends,

After much anticipation, my short story book is published and ready for distribution. My hope is that you will consider purchasing a copy. 

If you read the book, and like it… please recommend it to a friend. 

The link below will take you directly to more information on my book and purchasing options. In about a week the book will also be available on Amazon.com. Thank you for your time, and thank you in advance to those who buy a copy.

Love + Laughter = Life, 

Jenay

https://www.createspace.com/3781407      

  

Together

Authored by Jenay Blackwell

List Price: $4.95

6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm) 
Black & White on White paper
38 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1469974064 (CreateSpace-Assigned)
ISBN-10: 1469974061
BISAC: Fiction / Short Stories 

For Nick and Gina, the idea of escaping and spending quality time together was years in the making. While experiencing new adventures with each other, they attempt to disregard a mystery that won't be ignored.

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/3781407

Low Carb Diet

I got on the protein diet and quit because I didn't drop much


weight, then I got off it and gained 15 pounds - now I got to


go back on it to get rid of the weight I gained because I 


started it in the first place.... Such is life;)

A thought....

Looking back a year ago, a month ago, or even a week ago...

I am embarrassed at how I've behaved, the things I've said, 


the temper I've displayed...

I only ask that you be patient with me, God's not finished 

with me yet.

The Magic Sweater

     Once there was this lady who was hurting really bad over the loss of a baby to be. She cried and worried she would never have a baby, 'til one day months later, her wonderful uncle and his beautiful wife gave her a teeny tiny puppy to love and take care of.
     The puppy was special to the lady and she began to stop hurting over the baby that wasn't to be. In fact, taking care of the puppy was such a change for her that she wasn't sure if she wanted to have a baby at all.
     Soon the little puppy became more curious and daring. He started to be a bad boy and ripped up her precious pink rug in her bedroom. He also would sneak into the bathroom and shred the toilet paper not to mention when she wanted to go to bed, he would not let her. She had her hands full when she remembered something.
     The lady had bought a grey sweater for the puppy because it was very cold outside. She usually only put it on him before they went for a walk, but on this day she decided to put it on him to see if the sweater would settle him down.
     Sure enough, the sweater calmed him down and he was sleeping within a minute of wearing it. After a couple months of dealing with a cute, silly, hyper, crazy puppy she realized she had the cure.... a magic sweater.... that has worked ever since.

True Story

Cassette Tapes

Hunting season for me, is officially over and now it's time to change gears. I got Christmas decorations out of the shed and decorated a little.

While I was in the shed, I decided to throw away hundreds of cassette tapes I have been holding on too for over 20 years. I am not sure why I was keeping them, nostalgia mostly.

Dean thinks I'm a hoarder and I think a crate of cassette tapes may support his argument.... but not anymore.

It kinda hurt a little. I am still contemplating going through the trash to pick out a few favorites. My truck (which I rarely drive) has a cassette player. My Jeep has a cassette player too, but I usually by pass it and plug in my MP3 player.

It seems I may be able to rationalize a little dumpster diving tomorrow..... we'll see how strong I am.

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Hunting Season

It's amazing how much time and money is consumed with hunting, but I am having a great time hunting with my pops..... Dylan..... Steve and my husband when he is home...

Grandmas

Last summer, my mom worked on a special version of Que Sera and taught it to my sister’s kids, Hailey and Trevan.

THEIR SONG 

(may not be 100% accurate):

When I was just a little girl/boy

I asked my grandma what will I be

Will I be pretty/handsome will I be rich 

Here’s what she said to me

Que Sera Sera 

What ever will be will be

There’s one thing for sure

You’ll be special to me

When my sister’s mother-in-Law (the kid’s other grandma) was sick and in the hospital, Hailey and Trevan sang that same song to her. My sister recorded the singing as Trevan did his best to speed through the song while Hailey finished at a slower pace.

In the video, you can see how happy and grateful Ellen was to hear her two only grand children sing such a sweet custom song to her.

I don’t know if she knew my mom had taught them the song, I know she wouldn’t have cared either way, but I can bet that when my mom was teaching the kids the song she did not know what a true blessing that very song would bring to Ellen.

My mom loved Ellen very much and was happy to share her special song with the other grandma who’s days were numbered and every precious moment mattered more than we will ever know.

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Random Memory

A weird and random memory popped into my head today.

When I was in elementary school, mind you elementary school, there was a girl who rode the bus with me. She was sucking on a baby pacifier. I couldn't help but to stare, but I wasn't the only one staring. Someone asked her why she was sucking on a pacifier.

She pulled it from her mouth and said that it was to help her get off drugs. She did not laugh and was very serious about it.... 5th grade was the oldest she could have possibly been, unless- and this is probably the case - she repeated a grade or two, but either way it was disturbing and weird.

That's all I have to say about that random memory.

Life

Life is not fair, but life is not fair for everyone... which actually makes it fair.
Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we
should forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over
grievances that, in a year’s time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. Instead we should devote our time on worthwhile thoughts and actions. Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life.
Everyone in life is gonna hurt you, you just have to figure out which people are worth the pain!






I am not sure who the author is, someone posted it on facebook and said they didn't know who the author was, but it was too good to ignore.... 

The good ones die young

I don’t think I will ever fully grasp the extent of all Ellen’s illnesses. When I first met her over 10 years ago, she had just beat breast cancer. Since then she has had one thing after another happen to her health and this is not to mention all the things she has been through before I knew her.

I am sad my ultimate prayer for a miracle was not answered, but when I think about it, Ellen has had so many miracles over the years. She was blessed with life over and over again as life threatening illness attacked her over and over again, she was blessed with two strong beautiful boys, one of which provided her with two perfect grandbabies. Her life was filled with miracles.

There will be no more heartache, no more pain for a woman who has endured more than her fair share of both.

The bravest person I know passed away yesterday at 11:20 a.m. Ellen was only 54 years old.

“The good ones die young”.

Please!

If you believe in prayer, please pray. If you believe in fasting, please fast. If you believe in


faith, please have faith that our Heavenly Father will heal Ellen Fry. Doctors have failed her and


now it's time for us to lift her up to the Lord so that he will hear our cries and save a woman


who is too young die. To know her is to love her. Please Please Please Lord heal her.

43 Pounds

After I got married I gained 43 pounds. I was already disappointed in myself for weighing as much as I did when I got married. I did not think I could possibly get any bigger than my heaviest I have ever been on my wedding day.

I am not depressed or feeling bad for myself because 2 years ago (1 year after I got married and gained 43 pounds) I started calorie counting. I didn't focus on loosing weight, only on documenting what I ate and how many calories I was consuming.

As of today, I have lost 36 pounds. It has been a long road, and I plan on staying on this path....pretty much for the rest of my life because lets face it, it's not going to get any easier.

Sometimes I get sad because this summer I know like 4 people who have lost a ton of weight and are looking pretty fantastic and I am still in slow-mo land, but ultimately I believe in the process and myself. I am glad for their success as well as mine;)

Now lets eat..... jk

9/11

I don't have much to say about this 10th anniversary of 9/11 that has not been said on television and articles everywhere.

I am pretty sure we all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard of the horrible news. I am also sure that to many, much like myself, it still feels like it happened yesterday.

I just want to take a moment to thank the good Lord for all the heroes that emerged from the tragedy and my heart goes out to the family of those who died.

9/11 should weigh on all our hearts everyday and then maybe we could set aside our own petty differences and get along with one another.

We are all American's under God... we all love strong and deep, so may today be a reminder of bigger things and may we have perspective on what really matters.

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Things are different

It's hard to write when I'm overwhelmed with words and thoughts. 

I got back from Tucson a little over a week ago and I returned home with a different sort of feeling. I can feel the fall in the air and hunting season just on the horizon, but it feels different this year. I think my time in Arizona changed me in a small way. 

I discovered a lot about my family, myself and my friends. Not all the things I discovered were good, but a lot of it was and it left me longing to go back to the Southwest in the near future.

In my short stint in Arizona I discovered that just because your family is your family doesn't mean they have to be friends. I love my family very much, but if they make me feel bad for being me than I want to do a better job surrounding myself with people that love me unconditionally the way I love them.

I discovered I have friends and family that accept me for me and love me and find me interesting (words from a great friend named Eddie) just the way I am. I am going to spend less time with those who make me feel bad or those who are negative and too busy pointing fingers at me to see they have the same flaws they accuse me of having.

I feel a veil has been lifted and all though much ugly has been exposed, there was so much beauty and loyalty exposed too.... and that make me very happy. 

My heart goes out to those I got to know better during my Tucson trip: Sarah and Eric T., Ken S., David D., Crystal D., Pocket and her husband, Tom and Brenda, Becky T., Chris B., Barbara (Tyrel's Aunt), Steve, Marina and their kids, Grandma and pa Turner, Mikey Blackwell, Eddie, Amber and even Robert P. whom I did not get the chance to see- but I still adore, Patricia B.and her family, Kelly L. and her family, Lisa, Paul and Catrina, and Kenny P.      

If you feel you should be on this list, please accept my apology for not including you.           

Jenny I am so sorry we couldn't come see you. You are always on my list of favorite people.

I am not sure if those listed above even know how much I needed their friendship and love, but you helped me get through a very tough time and I will never forget it. Thank you all for being so great to me;)

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The Big Dipper

Earlier tonight, Dean and I were in the jeep driving home from watching a movie with my sister and Tyrel (her husband), when I looked up and noticed the big dipper. I told Dean that the big dipper will always remind me of my dad. He asked why.

I told him of a time many years ago when I lived with my mom after my parent‘s divorce. My mom and I had gotten into another fight and once again I was torn between living with her and my dad. I had called my dad over that night so he would pick me up so I could stay with him.

While I waited for my dad to come, I remember my sister and I crying and holding each other in the hallway. She told me that she loved me and wanted to go with me, but she didn’t know if she wanted stay with mom or go with me to dad’s.

When my dad came, I went outside to meet him. I was upset and still crying. My dad was and still is not good with that sort of stuff, so he directed his attention to the stars. He showed me where the big dipper was and talked about what he knew of other stars that shined above us.

I later connected that conversation with my dad as his way of distracting and helping me through a tough time. It was his way of saying I’m sorry it’s got to be this way and I love you.

Since that night and ‘til my last night on earth, I will always be reminded of my dad when I see that big dipper.

*****************

WHITE KNIGHTS

There's this house down my street on the corner, it looks pretty normal, but then there's this truck parked out toward the main street beside the house, it is not normal.

It has a huge American flag raised in the bed of the truck, then there is a slightly smaller confederate flag also raised in the bed of the truck and then to top it off the bumper has the words WHITE KNIGHTS printed very obvious and big.

I am not 100% sure what the WHITE KNIGHTS means exactly, but I am pretty sure they are trying to make some white power stand.

My question to them is.... if you wanted to make a stand, why would you choose to do it here in North Idaho where almost everybody is white?

Why don't they go to the south side of Tucson where I'm from, and then sport that racist crap to make their stand... let's see how long they last down there where not everybody is white?

I can not stand racism, it's a pet peeve of mine, I dislike racist attitudes, jokes and comments. I got my ass kicked growing up because I was a white girl.  Imagine how bad it would have been if I was racist and sported prejudice paraphernalia, I would have gone from getting beat up to being killed.

I hate seeing that stupid truck, but when I do see it, I think of all my friends and family who are not white and I love them just a little bit more..... every time.

****************

He did not win

He injured and killed innocent people, but he did not win.

She received a huge warm welcome as she entered the building. I think if we were there we would have all joined in as tears, cheering and clapping filled the floor of the House of Representatives today.

Our prayers have been answered and all though we lost innocent beloved people, we gained a miracle. Her strength and endurance is stronger and bigger than the evil that caused so much devastation last January in Tucson.

He did not win.

Today's Ride

I went riding this afternoon at Liberty Lake ORV Park in Washington. Before I left home, I told Dean where I would be and around when I would be back so he could make phone calls if I did not return.

Dean had said this park was kinda hard, but when I asked him if I could do it, he said "you should be okay". Well I was not okay. It was freakin hard core. I would have really been screwed if there wasn't a really nice guy and his son there to help guide me up the mountain the easiest way (which was not so easy).

When we got to a big junction, they took off and rode and said they would check on me from time to time (which they did) and they said to flag them down if I needed anything. I was so glad to know that there were nice people to help me if needed, since almost all of it was difficult terrain.

So I took a shot in the dark and picked a trail to ride up. I found an easy trail and rode it for a ways and then took other trails that looked easy, but I did get into a couple pickles and had to walk my bike down a few steep, rocky and rutted spots. I'd like to think that if I would have attempted to ride down them, I would have hurt myself pretty bad (this way of thinking helps me to not feel like a wuss for walking the bike down the tough stuff).

There was one trail that had a two foot drop coming off a rock, I was already committed so I went for it. I imagined the front tire diving into the ground and me fling over the handle bars, but it was fine. I rode over it with no problems.

On my way back down about 3 hours later, I ran into a flock of turkeys (that was pretty cool).

The two guys where wrapping things up and getting ready to go home by the time I was done riding. I thanked them and told the dad that he was really helpful because it would have been even more scary if he hadn't of been there.

I almost wonder if the dad and his son were there on that day and time because the Lord was looking out for me.................I'd like to think so.

**I took this picture as I was walking my bike down a stupid steep hill. I tried to make light of how hard it actually was. If you look close you can see sweat beads all over my face... ewww...**

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Please help me

There are a handful of people that I talk bad about. I'm not proud of that fact, I just can't stand these people or what they do, or how they treat me... so I vent and go off for short and long periods of time talking bad about them.

I know people talk bad about me; for example, there is a girl, who hates everything about me and she makes sure that I know it. Therefore, logically I talk bad about her because I feel she is a complete idiot for being so cruel and evil to me.

The point to this blog is that I need help to rise above my bad habits and the people that talk bad about me.I want to be better. I have been praying for a while about it but I think I need more prayer from whom ever may be reading this now.

Please pray that I will not need to talk bad about anyone and that I may speak good things or nothing at all.

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