This week has been a depressing loss not only for the stock market and our retirement plans, but as well as our hope and faith in this nation. I'll admit that I watch the stock market much more than I should. After all, I have an updated ticker on my computer screen all day. This issue goes beyond losing all of my gains this year.
I've always believed that after graduating college I would be able to find a job that not only challenged me intellectually, but also compensated me fairly. Now, I really don't yearn to be wealthy, but I would love upper-middle class. Why is this so hard to find? And I realize that this is not a problem unique to myself. And I certainly don't believe that it's an issue that only college educated people have to deal with.
It's hard to fathom how many people are really suffering. The kind of suffering that doesn't even allow you eat dinner out two or three times a month, or makes it difficult to pay your bills on an ongoing basis. I understand the need for the employee to make a healthy revenue; however, I don't understand why there is such a pay discrepancy between the two. I believe that when people are payed a low wage then they're quality of work will be lower. How do people increase their quality of life when everything around them rises except their pay? Gas prices increase, food prices increase, insurance premiums increase but your pay stays nearly the same. Not to mention, the worker is left to fend for themselves when it comes to benefits. Can you imagine how much more money your employer is making when not only do they pay you a low wage, but they don't pay for any of your benefits. It is time for the tide to switch and for the employee to be the one to call more of the shots.
I realize this is probably a Socialist thought - but why isn't more pay equal? What would happen if you is similar wage between the person who sold the product and the person who provided the customer service? Is this too radical?
I'm frustrated because I know that I'm not the only one suffering. Why are we paying the people who take care of our children and elderly wages that are too low to imagine? I think it's totally insane to take a quick search through open jobs and see how much work they want you to do for so little work. Puh-lease...$12/hour...oh, don't be too generous! Can you imagine how a difficult it would be for a single woman to get ahead.
This morning I was watching the news and one of the people said "whether is a recession or depression, people suffering." I don't want to be somebody who just complains about the issue. I want to be the person who works for the change. Does anybody know where to begin?
Enjoy one of my favorite songs of all time!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Whose Most Important?
I am wondering why it is so hard for women to put themselves first. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? Do we just have the instincts to put everybody before our self? Are we just born this way?
Before I met my husband I loved working out. And I'm not sure what happened along the way, but my feeling is that I got lost. It's not that I lost my love for working out, but I can only assume that I found a love for other things. My husband is a CPA and tax season at our house can be very lonely. I would have all of this extra time, yet I would sit at home pining for him. Does anybody see something wrong with this picture? I've always prided myself on the fact that I was not one of "those" women who lost themselves in their boyfriend/husband. Needless to say, I think I only got more lost when I got married.
My husband and I have had numerous conversations on why I wasn't working out as much. And the dagger to the heart..."that was one of the reasons I feel in love with you" Now, I think we all know that you can't really change until you want to. Then one day when I was driving to work I thought to myself "why am I not putting myself first?" I don't acknowledge that it was a profound thought, but that same thought did stick with me for the remainder of the day.
The last few weeks I think I've found my mojo again. I've been going to exercise classes at my gym. These classes have been intense and exhilarating! Most importantly I'm not worrying about what my husband will have for dinner or if our dog Bella is in her kennel for too long. It's more like a fleeting thought because I realized that I don't have to carry this burden seven days out of the week. I think that working on myself has made me a better partner (or at least I'd like to think so).
I've always heard that women should put themselves first, then their husband and followed by their children. Logically this makes perfect sense, but why don't we do it? If we did this would we be physically and mentally healthier? Would our divorce rate decrease and would there be less infidelity?
I don't have an answers on this topic since I'm still trying to figure it for myself. Well, who ever said that self discovery happens overnight? Either way, it's food for thought!
~~~~ and on a side note, I made an impulse purchase and bought a kitten when I was in Madison this week. I was a little nervous that my husband would be surprised, but not in the good way. The good news is that he loves the kitten. We've named him Albert but he goes by Squirt. The rest of the family is still adapting. I've got a dog that scared of a 3lb kitty and two other cats that aren't feeling the vibe yet. Pictures to follow soon!
Before I met my husband I loved working out. And I'm not sure what happened along the way, but my feeling is that I got lost. It's not that I lost my love for working out, but I can only assume that I found a love for other things. My husband is a CPA and tax season at our house can be very lonely. I would have all of this extra time, yet I would sit at home pining for him. Does anybody see something wrong with this picture? I've always prided myself on the fact that I was not one of "those" women who lost themselves in their boyfriend/husband. Needless to say, I think I only got more lost when I got married.
My husband and I have had numerous conversations on why I wasn't working out as much. And the dagger to the heart..."that was one of the reasons I feel in love with you" Now, I think we all know that you can't really change until you want to. Then one day when I was driving to work I thought to myself "why am I not putting myself first?" I don't acknowledge that it was a profound thought, but that same thought did stick with me for the remainder of the day.
The last few weeks I think I've found my mojo again. I've been going to exercise classes at my gym. These classes have been intense and exhilarating! Most importantly I'm not worrying about what my husband will have for dinner or if our dog Bella is in her kennel for too long. It's more like a fleeting thought because I realized that I don't have to carry this burden seven days out of the week. I think that working on myself has made me a better partner (or at least I'd like to think so).
I've always heard that women should put themselves first, then their husband and followed by their children. Logically this makes perfect sense, but why don't we do it? If we did this would we be physically and mentally healthier? Would our divorce rate decrease and would there be less infidelity?
I don't have an answers on this topic since I'm still trying to figure it for myself. Well, who ever said that self discovery happens overnight? Either way, it's food for thought!
~~~~ and on a side note, I made an impulse purchase and bought a kitten when I was in Madison this week. I was a little nervous that my husband would be surprised, but not in the good way. The good news is that he loves the kitten. We've named him Albert but he goes by Squirt. The rest of the family is still adapting. I've got a dog that scared of a 3lb kitty and two other cats that aren't feeling the vibe yet. Pictures to follow soon!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It's Getting on My Nerves!
What happens when multiple things start getting on your nerves? Well, if you're like me then you decide to make a list of them and post them on your blog! Here it goes:
1) Summer television sucks! In fact it sucks so much that I'm beginning to think my husband is right and we should cancel cable. There are only about three shows I might want to watch every week and yet somehow I miss them.
2) How does McDonald's think it's ok to charge $1 for a medium "hot" black coffee and charge me $2.09 for a medium "iced" black coffee. Really, $1.09 for ice?
3) What is "liquid sugar" and why is McDonald's adding this to my coffee without asking me? Do they know that they've increased the caloric intake on my iced coffee from 5 calories to 280 calories. This is not ok!
4) My gym needs to have more classes for people who work a normal 8-5 job. I find it unacceptable that there are only 2-3 classes offered at night for the entire week. I can barely drag my butt out of bed a 6 am to go to work, therefore, there is no way I'll be able to make it to the gym for a 5:30 am class.
5) My car is an enormous piece of junk and I'm not ready to purchase a new one. My "check engine" light has been on for over a year, my passenger side window won't roll down, my driver side window won't roll down, it goes through gas like a sieve and sometimes it idles a little to low for my comfort.
6) I think this heat is very draining. As much as I love summer, I don't like this type of oppressive heat. I hate coming home a night to a dark house because all of curtains are shut. I also have a very crabby dog that hasn't gone for a walk in several days. Any day now she'll probably start gnawing at the furniture to prove to me how bored she is!
I think that's about it. Well, there probably is more but I'm not sure they are appropriate for a public website. I'm in need of some cooler temperatures, a long walk with Bella and a night out with my husband. I'm not fussy, I'll take two out three!
1) Summer television sucks! In fact it sucks so much that I'm beginning to think my husband is right and we should cancel cable. There are only about three shows I might want to watch every week and yet somehow I miss them.
2) How does McDonald's think it's ok to charge $1 for a medium "hot" black coffee and charge me $2.09 for a medium "iced" black coffee. Really, $1.09 for ice?
3) What is "liquid sugar" and why is McDonald's adding this to my coffee without asking me? Do they know that they've increased the caloric intake on my iced coffee from 5 calories to 280 calories. This is not ok!
4) My gym needs to have more classes for people who work a normal 8-5 job. I find it unacceptable that there are only 2-3 classes offered at night for the entire week. I can barely drag my butt out of bed a 6 am to go to work, therefore, there is no way I'll be able to make it to the gym for a 5:30 am class.
5) My car is an enormous piece of junk and I'm not ready to purchase a new one. My "check engine" light has been on for over a year, my passenger side window won't roll down, my driver side window won't roll down, it goes through gas like a sieve and sometimes it idles a little to low for my comfort.
6) I think this heat is very draining. As much as I love summer, I don't like this type of oppressive heat. I hate coming home a night to a dark house because all of curtains are shut. I also have a very crabby dog that hasn't gone for a walk in several days. Any day now she'll probably start gnawing at the furniture to prove to me how bored she is!
I think that's about it. Well, there probably is more but I'm not sure they are appropriate for a public website. I'm in need of some cooler temperatures, a long walk with Bella and a night out with my husband. I'm not fussy, I'll take two out three!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Happy Birthday...or Not?
Today is my birthday and I'm turning a whopping 31 years old today! In recent years I've been known to get really bummed out about my birthday and even get down right crabby. Here are my reasons, and hopefully you'll understand where I am coming from.
I don't have a huge issue with getting old; however, I have a major issue with people around me getting older. It seems like just the other day that my dad turned 40 and we had a birthday party for him. Now he's on the verge of 60...and retirement! How did my 20's fly by so quickly? It seems like just a few short months ago I was in college and studying was my biggest priority (wow, times have sure changed). How is it even possible that I taught Sunday school to bunch of young third graders who are now in college? It's hard to handle that not only are you getting older, but that the people you really care about are getting older as well. I've seen other people my age start to deal with the failing health of their parents and that starts to hit a little to close to home.
I am way too analytical about my life. When I reach my birthday I question most things I've done, said or actions I've taken. Have I been nice enough? Have I spoken my opinion enough? Was I social enough? Am I happy at my job? Am I making enough money? Should I have more money? Did I sell myself short in any areas? Am I eating healthy enough? Should I be exercising more (yes)? Have I worked at my relationship with my husband sufficiently? Why am I entering into my early 30's with no children? Do I even want children? Is it ok not to want children?
I'm sure questions like that are enough to drive any sane person crazy! I think it becomes more difficult when you compare yourself to others. I know that I should not compare myself to others...but how many people actually do that?
Here's my plan for age 31: I am going to stop "shoulding" myself and just start doing things that I want to do (well, within reason). I'm also going to continue to work on those relationships with people that are the most important to me. I'm horrible at staying in contact with others, but I vow to make a serious improvement this year.
In the end, not everything about birthdays are horrible. This morning I came into the office and had my favorite Starbucks drink waiting for me as well as a triple chocolate donut from a fabulous local bakery. Tonight I plan to not make dinner and ask my husband where he's taking me for my birthday! And then, before the day is done I'll have a gigantic slice of birthday cake!
Yes, it will be a happy birthday!
I don't have a huge issue with getting old; however, I have a major issue with people around me getting older. It seems like just the other day that my dad turned 40 and we had a birthday party for him. Now he's on the verge of 60...and retirement! How did my 20's fly by so quickly? It seems like just a few short months ago I was in college and studying was my biggest priority (wow, times have sure changed). How is it even possible that I taught Sunday school to bunch of young third graders who are now in college? It's hard to handle that not only are you getting older, but that the people you really care about are getting older as well. I've seen other people my age start to deal with the failing health of their parents and that starts to hit a little to close to home.
I am way too analytical about my life. When I reach my birthday I question most things I've done, said or actions I've taken. Have I been nice enough? Have I spoken my opinion enough? Was I social enough? Am I happy at my job? Am I making enough money? Should I have more money? Did I sell myself short in any areas? Am I eating healthy enough? Should I be exercising more (yes)? Have I worked at my relationship with my husband sufficiently? Why am I entering into my early 30's with no children? Do I even want children? Is it ok not to want children?
I'm sure questions like that are enough to drive any sane person crazy! I think it becomes more difficult when you compare yourself to others. I know that I should not compare myself to others...but how many people actually do that?
Here's my plan for age 31: I am going to stop "shoulding" myself and just start doing things that I want to do (well, within reason). I'm also going to continue to work on those relationships with people that are the most important to me. I'm horrible at staying in contact with others, but I vow to make a serious improvement this year.
In the end, not everything about birthdays are horrible. This morning I came into the office and had my favorite Starbucks drink waiting for me as well as a triple chocolate donut from a fabulous local bakery. Tonight I plan to not make dinner and ask my husband where he's taking me for my birthday! And then, before the day is done I'll have a gigantic slice of birthday cake!
Yes, it will be a happy birthday!
Friday, June 3, 2011
I'm Falling In Love
I'm in love and I'm beginning to think this is pretty serious. Now, I'm not talking about my husband Jeff our cute dog Bella or our two cats August and Abagail (although, I do have lots of love for them). I am referring to my new love of reading!
Let me take this story back to February when my husband told me he thought I watched too much television. I know, I know, how positively embarassing to hear about yourself. I can't say I denied the statement. I come from a long line of tv watchers. I grew up watching more television than what was probably normal. On Sunday's when my family would come home from church the first thing we would do was turn on the television. I mean, really, tv goes with anything, completing homework, folding laundry, snuggling with your dog and working on crossword puzzles. But, at what point is it classified as watching too much? For me, it might have been when I completed some online questions about my favorite network "Bravo" and I scored 100%. How much do I really need to know about the Real Housewives or Orange County, New York City, Atlanta or New Jersey. My name is Jennifer and I'm a tv addict!
In response to comment which may have seemed a little harsh I vowed to read more. Now, I've always enjoyed reading and when I was younger I read quite a bit. I remember reading nearly all of the Sweet Valley High series, Fear Street series and volumes of VC Andrews books. Then, once I got to college reading became much more tedious. There are so many things we are forced to read in order to maintain that nearly perfect GPA. I'm sure you can already see where this is going...I pushed out reading and writting and hello television!
I've sinced become a platinum member of the Appleton Public Library! I'll admit that I'm a little picky when choosing a book. I totally judge a book by it's cover. In the past months I've read a couple duds, but more than that I've read several really good books. I look forward to my one hour lunch at work so I can sit at my desk and read. I find myself driving home from work and looking foward to diving into another good book. In fact, this morning my husband asked if I wanted to go out on a date tonight and I responded with "I think I would rather stay home and read"...wow, who could have predicted this?
I've come to this conclusion: everything in moderation. I still watch some tv because I am a Bravo junkie and who can go cold turkey? I'm also learning to love reading more than I thought possible. I can't believe how much free entertainment the library offers. I'm also feeling very positive that I can no longer be classified as "that person" who watches too much tv. AND, I think it's pretty cool that if you asked me what I've recently read I can give you an answer that wouldn't have been reflected in time period over 10 years ago! Happy reading!!
Let me take this story back to February when my husband told me he thought I watched too much television. I know, I know, how positively embarassing to hear about yourself. I can't say I denied the statement. I come from a long line of tv watchers. I grew up watching more television than what was probably normal. On Sunday's when my family would come home from church the first thing we would do was turn on the television. I mean, really, tv goes with anything, completing homework, folding laundry, snuggling with your dog and working on crossword puzzles. But, at what point is it classified as watching too much? For me, it might have been when I completed some online questions about my favorite network "Bravo" and I scored 100%. How much do I really need to know about the Real Housewives or Orange County, New York City, Atlanta or New Jersey. My name is Jennifer and I'm a tv addict!
In response to comment which may have seemed a little harsh I vowed to read more. Now, I've always enjoyed reading and when I was younger I read quite a bit. I remember reading nearly all of the Sweet Valley High series, Fear Street series and volumes of VC Andrews books. Then, once I got to college reading became much more tedious. There are so many things we are forced to read in order to maintain that nearly perfect GPA. I'm sure you can already see where this is going...I pushed out reading and writting and hello television!
I've sinced become a platinum member of the Appleton Public Library! I'll admit that I'm a little picky when choosing a book. I totally judge a book by it's cover. In the past months I've read a couple duds, but more than that I've read several really good books. I look forward to my one hour lunch at work so I can sit at my desk and read. I find myself driving home from work and looking foward to diving into another good book. In fact, this morning my husband asked if I wanted to go out on a date tonight and I responded with "I think I would rather stay home and read"...wow, who could have predicted this?
I've come to this conclusion: everything in moderation. I still watch some tv because I am a Bravo junkie and who can go cold turkey? I'm also learning to love reading more than I thought possible. I can't believe how much free entertainment the library offers. I'm also feeling very positive that I can no longer be classified as "that person" who watches too much tv. AND, I think it's pretty cool that if you asked me what I've recently read I can give you an answer that wouldn't have been reflected in time period over 10 years ago! Happy reading!!
Friday, May 27, 2011
An Introduction To...
Thanks for checking out this blog. This is brand new to me and I expect to find some bumps along the road; however, comments are always welcome!
I've always been interested in writing and as a child I would write short stories in a notebook. In high school I remember taking a creative writing class and really enjoying it. Things changed and I only wrote for the sake of passing a college course or for sending correspondence to clients at work. However, I think a lot can be learned about yourself by writing. Sometimes things only make sense as you see them on a computer screen. I'm willing to try this out and see how it goes.
"Jemmer's Jawboning" - interesting name, eh? My husband gave me the nickname of Jem several years ago. When I was younger my favorite cartoon was Jem. During the day Jem worked as a lawyer (or something professional) and at night she would rock it out with her band, Jem and the Holograms! How cool would that be? For the life of me, I have never found that cartoon on again, which is kind of a bummer. Anyway, I have found my nickname to be anything from Jem, Jemmie and Jemmer.
I've been wondering what exactly I would write about. I don't have children, which does not lend me to be an expert in child rearing. I do have a dog; however, I wouldn't admit to be an expert on raising her either. She has a submissive personality and my husband and I often come home to puddles of pee on our kitchen floor! I've recently turned 30, in fact, will be turning 31 in a matter of a few short months. Overall, I have a lot of random thoughts (I'm sure like many of you) and think this would be the perfect sounding board. I look forward to sharing them with you over the next coming months or years (depending on how much I enjoy this). Welcome!
Jen
I've always been interested in writing and as a child I would write short stories in a notebook. In high school I remember taking a creative writing class and really enjoying it. Things changed and I only wrote for the sake of passing a college course or for sending correspondence to clients at work. However, I think a lot can be learned about yourself by writing. Sometimes things only make sense as you see them on a computer screen. I'm willing to try this out and see how it goes.
"Jemmer's Jawboning" - interesting name, eh? My husband gave me the nickname of Jem several years ago. When I was younger my favorite cartoon was Jem. During the day Jem worked as a lawyer (or something professional) and at night she would rock it out with her band, Jem and the Holograms! How cool would that be? For the life of me, I have never found that cartoon on again, which is kind of a bummer. Anyway, I have found my nickname to be anything from Jem, Jemmie and Jemmer.
I've been wondering what exactly I would write about. I don't have children, which does not lend me to be an expert in child rearing. I do have a dog; however, I wouldn't admit to be an expert on raising her either. She has a submissive personality and my husband and I often come home to puddles of pee on our kitchen floor! I've recently turned 30, in fact, will be turning 31 in a matter of a few short months. Overall, I have a lot of random thoughts (I'm sure like many of you) and think this would be the perfect sounding board. I look forward to sharing them with you over the next coming months or years (depending on how much I enjoy this). Welcome!
Jen
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