Posted in authors, awards, blogging, Christmas, Disney, Disney World, Family, friends, goals, Holidays, Jansen Schmidt, love, resolutions, vacation, writers, writing, tagged anticipation, blessings, book launch, book signing, books, count blessings, count the days, countdown, planners, planning, planning trip, release day, sick, special days, special events, travel on February 5, 2018| 12 Comments »
We’ve probably all heard the expression, “Don’t count days, make the days count.” Well, I believe that’s a good motto. It reminds us to be thankful every single day for all of the blessings that happen around us, most of which, sadly, we don’t even pay attention to. (more…)
Posted in authors, Birthdays, blogging, Christmas, Family, Fiction, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, Paranormal, resolutions, writers, writing, tagged angels, art, Christmas angels, Christmas spirit, family, goodwill, holiday magic, joy, love, magic, peace, poetry, poets, Santa Claus, stars on December 25, 2017| 9 Comments »
I’m generally not a fan of poetry, but I appreciate the art and how so many people can express themselves poetically. Me, not so much. I’m one of those people who, if it doesn’t rhyme, I don’t get it. (more…)
Posted in Autumn, blogging, Christmas, dessert, desserts, Disney, Disney World, Family, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, pumpkins, writing, tagged animal enrichment, Autumn, bats, birds, decorations, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Fall, feeding animals, harvest season, monkeys, old pumpkin, peppermint, pumpkins, tigers on November 27, 2017| 13 Comments »
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Another end of the harvest season. Another end to everything orange and pumpkin and in with everything green and peppermint. That’s right, we’ve officially entered the fifth season – the holiday season. (more…)
Posted in blogging, bucket list, Christmas, dieting, drinks, Family, food, friends, goals, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, resolutions, success, words, writing, tagged crazy, dieting, eating healthy, funny video, good luck, gym, habits, healthy, hobbies, January, new hobby, new ideas, new things, new years, New Years Resolutions, simple, wild, working out, Youtube on December 26, 2016| 10 Comments »
It’s almost January – let the dieting, working out, eating healthier, spending less, drinking less, and other awesome goals begin! Here’s to a good two weeks of purging the old habits and staying focused on those resolutions. Mark my words, by the end of January there will be a noticeable decline in gym attendance and longer lines at the burger joint drive through windows.
Resolutions are wonderful; however, rarely attainable. Most people make the same resolutions every year or set such high estimations of their sticktuitiveness that they are setting themselves up to fail.
I’ve never been a fan of resolutions. I have goals, sure, long term things I’d like to do or accomplish. But I don’t set out to start something new every January simply because it’s a new year. I always make it my resolution to make no resolutions. And guess what? I always reach my goal.
However, this year, I’m changing things up. I’m going to make some resolutions. I’m going to do some wild and crazy things this year. I’m not sure when, or where, or how, but I’ll blog of them when they happen. Stay tuned.
If you’re a resolution maker – kudos to you and good luck. If you need some ideas for some simple, attainable resolutions, may I suggest a new hobby? Check out the video below for an idea that might work for you.
Happy end of December dear blog followers! Here’s hoping 2017 is fabulous. And here’s to making goals you can stick to.
Do you make resolutions? Do you start every new year on a diet, determined to do better than last year? Are you searching for your inner wild child?
Word of the day: Saxicolous
Fun fact about me: I’ve grown fond of pecans since living in Mississippi.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2016. Video courtesy YouTube (Studio C)
Posted in blogging, Christmas, Family, friends, goals, Happy New Year, Holidays, Jansen Schmidt, love, moving, success, toys, words, writers, writing, tagged chaos, Christmas, gift giving, holidays, hope, joy, peace, weep on December 21, 2015| 12 Comments »
A lot has happened this year. My family felt the pangs of a cross-country move. My life changed significantly for the better. Terrorism, radicalism, school shootings, disrespect for authority, hit all time highs. Daily news reports made us weep.
If you’re still struggling with gift ideas amid all of this chaos, I offer the following suggestions:
Image courtesy Google Images.
Merry Christmas loyal followers and best wishes for a peaceful new year. May god bless you and keep you safe in the months to come. Be kind; to yourself and others.
Word of the Day: Remarque
Fun fact about me: If I could find the right picture, I’d get a tattoo.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2015. Image courtesy Google Images.
Posted in authors, awards, blogging, Christmas, drinks, Family, food, friends, goals, Happy New Year, Holidays, Jansen Schmidt, Uncategorized, words, writers, writing, tagged 2015, aspirations, celebrating, healthy, new friends, new years, resolutions, sobersides on December 29, 2014| 10 Comments »
Dear readers, I hope this year has been rewarding for you all, or at the very least that you’ve seen, or done, or learned something new from whatever experiences you’ve had over the past twelve months.
Whatever your plans are for ringing in the new year, I hope you stay safe and healthy.
I’m looking forward to an amazing 2015, to making new friends, to learning new things, and to exploring new adventures. Cheers!!
Fun fact about me: I’m usually home alone on New Years. (My hubby always has to work the holidays. But not this year!!!)
Word of the Day: Sobersides (perfect for this particular weekend!)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2014.
Posted in Birthdays, blogging, Christmas, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, resolutions, words, writers, writing, tagged Christmas blessings, Christmas gift suggestions, Emily Matthews, happy holidays, Jimmy Kimmel, kindergarden, lie detector, merry Christmas, new years, Youtube on December 22, 2014| 10 Comments »
To all of my wonderful blog followers and friends, I wish you the merriest of Christmases, the happiest of holidays, the best of new years!
Here’s a video I found amusing. Enjoy!
Fun fact about me: Christmas is my favorite holiday!
Word of the Day: Roundel
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2014. Video courtesy YouTube.
Posted in authors, Christmas, dessert, desserts, drinks, driving, Family, food, friends, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, resolutions, words, writers, writing, tagged Christmas, Christmas cookies, Christmas gift giving, family, gift giving, gifts, perfect gift, stress, stressed out, stresses out on December 15, 2014| 10 Comments »
Photo courtesy Google Images
How many times have we shopped, found something extraordinary and thought, “This is perfect for so and so?” (Hand raised high.) When this happens to me, I usually make the purchase right then and there, depending on cost of course. More times than not, when Christmas rolls around, I already have a small stash of “perfect” gifts waiting to be wrapped and delivered.
On the other hand, how many times have you gone shopping for something specific only to be shut down, robbed of your shopping enjoyment because you can’t find the “perfect” thing you’re looking for. I know, I know, Murphy’s law and all that, but seriously, isn’t that such a let down? How hard can it be to find that one simple thing?
Christmas is an already stressed time of the year. Folks are strapped for cash, time flies by, your husband eats the cookies you baked for your boss’s holiday party. It’s stressful. Add to that the pressure of finding “the perfect gift,” and it’s down right painful.
Now finding the “perfect gift,” can be nothing short of euphoric when you see the happy smile on the face of the recipient you love. It’s a high that I personally find very satisfying. But hey, I’m a giver. I love giving, especially when it’s done right.
Photo courtesy Google Images
But how often have we found ourselves – settling? Buying something, spur of the moment, running out of time because it’s four o’clock on Christmas Eve and we still haven’t gotten anything for cousin Bob and he and his sleezy new girlfriend are coming over at six for drinks and we just know he’s going to bring us a gift so we have to get him something – (breathe) – and then we do the grab and go, dash home, wrap it up, present it to him in his stupid Christmas hat and goofy grin only to be rewarded for all of our trouble, angst and money with this:
Photo courtesy Google Images
Don’t do the cousin Bob routine.
Here’s what I suggest – stop trying to find the “perfect” thing. Think about who you’re buying for and why. If you’re simply buying because it’s Christmas and the season dictates that you buy a gift – don’t do it. Nine times out of ten the recipient won’t want the thing you’ve settled for anyway. Just suck it up and get a gift card.
I know, gift cards are a cop out, but let’s face it, who doesn’t like gift cards? I like gift cards. Let’s me pick out something I really want or at the very least, something I need but no one will ever buy it for me because it’s a practical everyday thing that’s – well – not “perfect.”
Come on people – ease up on the pressure – enjoy the season. Stop trying for perfection and give from the heart. Sometimes a dozen cookies or a sweet bread wrapped in pretty paper are more appreciated than that bottle of bath gel you picked up from an end cap at the grocery store on your way to the check out line. I’ve often given the gift of my time and taken a harried and stressed out friend out for lunch in lieu of a gift. You can offer to clean someone’s house, or pick up their dry cleaning, or mow their lawn, or rake their leaves, or some other act of kindness instead of buying some silly and usually cheap thing. Time is money – spend it wisely. To some folks time is more precious than money. Who wouldn’t want more time? Well maybe a lifer in Folsom Prison wouldn’t want more time, but you all know what I mean. Right?
Photo courtesy Google Images
I’m not suggesting you stop giving gifts, I’m merely suggesting that if you can’t find that thing that’s “perfect” who whomever, try giving in another way. Make a home cooked meal and deliver it to your busiest friend on a busy weeknight so they can sit down and relax for a couple of hours with their family – maybe watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or A Charlie Brown Christmas or It’s A Wonderful Life. You’d be surprised how something so small and easy to do can go a long way.
So happy holidays my friends. Relax. Put some thought into your giving. Stay safe in your travels and kind in your hearts, words and deeds. That’s why I love you all.
What have you done to show your appreciation to a loved on in lieu of giving a gift? Have any giving tips to share? I’m always open to suggestions.
Fun fact about me: I love to bake, especially this time of the year.
Word of the Day: Qiviut
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2014. Photos courtesy Google Images.
