Tag Archives: Facebook

Dream Big Follow-Up

7 May

On April 4th I posted the article Dream Big to share some of my goals and dreams with you. I promised to be back in one month to let you all know how I was doing…I did post once in between (I couldn’t not post about Foxy Knoxy). Click here for Jlee’s Review – Amanda Knox Speaks; a Diane Sawyer Exclusive.

So, here’s where we’re at (side note: as I type that I’m like, wow, I feel like I’m sitting down with my teacher to discuss a progress report…scary):

Let me start with the GREAT news! I was able to get Safari by Jlee’s wine glasses placed in a local store! Safari by Jlee is launched. :D

Safari-by-jlee

Logo by IT Article

Safari by Jlee wine glasses are available for purchase at The Clothes Attic’d in Naperville, IL. I’ve written about Clothes Attic’d before…remember my post Hello does my butt look good in these jeans? I am so honored and excited to be working with Jen, the wonderful owner of Clothes Attic’d. Please do check out her store and ‘Like’ Clothes Attic’d on Facebook. :)

My work on Concrete Boots has been slow but its improved. I’ve written a synopsis of my novel and shared it with a couple of friends for feedback. It’s been edited twice, and I’m awaiting one more round of feedback. I started my letter to the publishers….and I don’t know what to say other than I’m struggling to sell myself in a one-page document.

It’s like a resume. Except you go through your whole job life being told that resumes get tossed into recycle left and right…send out 5 resumes for 1 to be viewed…that kind of stuff. With this I feel such a sense of urgency and perfectionism. Like they have to read it, they have to like it, they have to want it. I don’t have time to be thrown aside. I keep telling myself it will sell because I do believe it will!

I’ve started training for my 1/2 marathon, which is on July 21st. Training is going slow…I’m at 3 miles and there are days I feel like dying. Omg, 13.1 miles?!? But, I refuse to give up. I’m going to do it. This weekend I’m up to four miles….Eek.

I’ve also been reading the book “A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life” by Bethenny Frankel. You know Bethenny is my new obsession. I am completely obsessed with her. Sorry, G [Giuliana Rancic for newbie readers], you’re still my bestie, but currently I am in major like with Bethenny.

bethenny-frankel-a-place-of-yes

Anyways, this book has literally changed my life, and I highly recommend it. Bethenny has a way of writing like she is actually speaking TO YOU. I feel like we are sitting down drinking Skinnygirl Margaritas … I read and I’m all “If Bethenny can do it so can I!”

It’s very empowering, and I’d like to share more on why but I can’t at this time. I will though when the time is right. I’ve hit a rough patch but I’m staying positive and continuing to move forward on my goals.

I think that about catches you up on the last month of Jlee’s life. Tomorrow is my 34th birthday so let me share a fun photo from last year’s b-day trip to the Cubs game!

Celebrating my 33rd birthday at the Cubs game with dear friends last year.

Celebrating my 33rd birthday at the Cubs game with dear friends last year.

I am doing a Cubs outing this year but with work and babies schedules aren’t allowing us to go until the end of the month. I will share pics then.

I hope you all have had a great month! I’m going to take the next month to continue my work on Concrete Boots, but I will post occasionally if I can! Thanks for the support and Happy Mother’s Day to all my Mom readers and friends. xx

**To purchase wine glasses by Safari by Jlee please go to Clothes Attic’d or contact Jlee at jlee5879@live.com.

Dream Big

4 Apr

Dream-Big1

You may have noticed that I haven’t been posting as much lately. It isn’t because I’m sad…or have nothing to say…or am too busy.

Sure, I’m busy, we all are. But I always make time for my blog because this blog is my livelihood. That said, I’ve recently taken a step back from blogging and I’d like to tell you why and share some dreams.

I attended a communication seminar (for real…apparently I need to work on “being professional”) about three weeks ago. The seminar instructor said something that has stuck with me…he said “If it’s ever gonna be it’s up to me!”

I know this is common sense…but sometimes it takes hearing something out loud to make you go AH-HA!

Light bulb

The light bulb was illuminated. I thought: I wrote this book that I constantly talk about and blog about and I seem to keep thinking it will somehow sell itself???

How is my book ever going to sell if I’m not actively trying to sell it? I have to contact publishers and submit queries and bios and chapters and don’t ask me why I haven’t done it….lots of reasons…time, fear, laziness…

I decided that very day at the seminar to take a break from my blog and make a goal of sending 5 queries by my birthday, May 8th.

This has been on my mind. I need to tell my readers,,,,but say what? Then, today I read an inspiring blog post a friend shared on Facebook:

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

#5  on the list hit me, again, like a 2nd AH-HA moment! #5: Dream Big!

This is from the post, which I strongly encourage you to read in its entirety.

Dream Big5. Dream big.

People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.

And I have been dreaming big lately. Real big. So here it is. I’m putting it out there; hoping my readers will support me and hoping I’ll come back to you in a month or so with some success….no matter how small it may be. Whatever it takes.

I posted in early 2013 some of my goals for this year. Read the post here.

I mentioned in the post that I want to run a ½ marathon this year. I’d like you all to know that I SIGNED UP FOR THE ROCK N ROLL ½ MARATHON IN CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is July 21st and I am so ecstatic. :) I don’t care what my time is; I just want to finish.

I also mentioned getting Concrete Boots published in 2013. I still have that goal – I’m going to dream BIG. But, my goal for the next month, as I said above, is to submit five queries.

What did Communication Dude say??? If it’s ever gonna be it’s up to me.

I’m also trying to launch Safari by Jlee, my hand-painted wine glasses you saw in this post. Since I’ve been painting the wine glasses I’ve realized how happy painting makes me…painting, writing; both are very therapeutic for me. And I don’t want to stop. I want to fill my days with painting and writing. And that’s what I’m trying to do. That’s what I’m going to do.

Here is a recent sample of a wine glass by Safari by Jlee:

green glass

I can’t share much on this yet because it’s still in the very early stages, but I’m going to dedicate the next month to trying to make a go of Safari by Jlee. If nothing happens then so be it; at least I’ll know I tried. And I’ll have a ton of gifts to give away. ;)

Enjoy your next month and know I’ll be back to let you know of my successes and failures…please use the comment section below to share your big dreams with me or to give me some inspiration!

I’ll continue to post to Jlee’s Blog’s FB page, so if you haven’t ‘liked’ me yet please do! :D

Inspiration and Sunshine

28 Feb

Inspiring isn’t a word that comes to my mind when I think of myself. This isn’t a slam at me; it’s really due to the fact that I see myself as more crazy than inspiring, i.e., more what not to do then what to do.

inspiring blog award

I’m accepting the Inspiring Blogger Award – presented to me by the lovely and ever sweet Menopausal Mother – with some deep thoughts here instead of following the usual guidelines. I’d like to give a quick shout out to Meno Mama who is a very sweet and encouraging blogger friend of mine. She also always gives me a good laugh when I read her blog – and omg, get this, she tried our buddy Alex’s sangria, too, and got seriously hammered. She wasn’t naked, but she’s still awesome, right? Check her out!

But back to the rules. The rules for accepting the Inspiring Blogger Award are as follows:

1. Display award image on your blog page
2. Link back to the person who nominated you
3. State 7 facts about yourself State what inspires you
4. Nominate 15 5 others for this award
5. Notify said bloggers

I’m changing it up because you don’t need to read seven facts about me. You know pieces of me from reading my words so I don’t need to list it out for you. You want some facts…here we go; I have brown eyes, I’m left handed, one of my favorite TV shows is Three’s Company…

What I’d really like is for you to share with me what inspires YOU. Yes, you.

You reading this post. What inspires you each day?

What inspires me????  Bravery.

I remember reading The Hunger Games and thinking Katniss is soo brave.

I remember reading The Hunger Games and thinking Katniss is soo brave.

I don’t think of myself as a very brave person. I know some people think I’m brave because I put myself out there…I talk about my anxiety and the Postpartum I suffered from. I talk about not only the good things about life and motherhood but I also share with you the bad…things that hurt me and things I fear.

To me being brave is reaching for the stars without being afraid of failure. I am terrified of so many things. Remember New York? Luckily I’m working to improve. I want to get to a place where I can be fearless about my writing.

I got this post on my Facebook page recently: I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.

It was followed up with a chapter from a book. These words are still dancing around in my head. It’s like I get it, but I don’t get it.

The note on the front is my favorite (even better written on an infamous post-it): You ARE a great writer. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Take Chances! Love you-Aunt.

So let’s inspire each other. Here’s some of my inspiration: :)

red

~Chantell at Miss Understood has inspired me to not let anxiety bring me down.

~Morgan at The Inklings of Life has inspired me to be the kind of mom I feel I need to be and not let others determine how I raise my daughter.

~Katie at The Intrinsic Writer has inspired me to step away from only reading chick-lit. Not that there is anything wrong with chick-lit, but I recently picked up Animal Farm and had a great read. If only in high school you knew how great the classics are!

~Jen at Rumpy Dog has inspired me to not give up on those who need a voice.

Thank you to these lovely bloggers and thank you Menopausal Mother for this wonderful award. You, too, inspire me!

I’m also proud to accept another award I’ve received. A big thank you to Chantell at Miss Understood for presenting me with The Sunshine Award. Chantell has had a hard couple of months, and I am so proud of her for standing up, dusting herself off and jumping back in the saddle! Wait, is that a cow girl reference? Because that’s just weird.

image76

Now onto the rules.

1. Post this award on your blog site.
2. Nominate 10 5 fellow bloggers.
3. Answer 10 5 questions.

For the sake of not losing you all I decided to cut the questions from ten to five…so here we go.

1. Do you watch TV and if so, what are your favorite shows?
First of all, who in the hell isn’t watching TV?? Uh yes, I watch TV. A lot of reality TV. I’m getting stupider…or is that more stupid…by the second. Here’s what I watch: Kardashians, Teen Mom, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Rancic’s, Bethenny (my new love). Oh yeah, and Pretty Little Liars.

These bitches would have me in the corner wrapped in a ball crying! But sure is good TV.

These bitches would have me in the corner wrapped in a ball crying! But sure is good TV.

2. How much time do you spend blogging?
Way too much time until Concrete Boots is published.

3. What food can you absolutely not eat?
If I was stuck on a deserted island and I had to choose between eating you and eating salmon I’m sorry to say but I would eat you. (Remember I have a fish phobia).

4. If you could go anywhere for a week’s vacation, where would you go?
ITALY!! I gotta go meet my brethren.

Italy_color

5. What is your dream job?
My dream job would be to sell my book, be on the New York Times Best Seller List and then from that get a speaking gig where I can travel the world and speak to people on all my knowledge. (Hilarious, right? They said dream so there you have it.)

And now for my fellow nominees: :)

~Josie at Go Momma!
~Simona at Fiammisday
~Gloria at Granny’s Colorful
~Jules at McCrabass
~Darryl at The Weddington Adventures

Each one of these bloggers puts a :D on my face for many different reasons! Check them out. :)

~Thank you to Marcia and Chantell for my awards!
~Thank you nominees for passing on the awards should you choose to.
~Thank you readers for your support. Please always remind me to be brave.

Top 25 Funny Moms…Maybe This Year

25 Jan

ImageProxyLast year I was a part of the Top 25 Funny Mom Blogs. Read the post here.

I honestly don’t remember how I fared but I know it wasn’t anything to write home about. I was still proud though.

After giving up writing during the Post Partum Depression I suffered from after the birth of the Chiquita I was excited to be featured on the Circle of Moms site and be a part of this fun competition.

The truth is, even though it is a competition the writing community is very supportive of each other. In fact, one of my blogging friends, who is also a mother, who I’ve written about before – Menopausal Mother – well, she actually has a shot at this. I probably don’t. Not at the Top 25. Just being realistic.

But, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to make a solid effort. I still want your votes. Please. I’m desperate and begging. If I could make it into the Top 50 – that’s my goal for this year – the Top 50! – I would be so darn excited. If I do this….I’ll share with you a picture of my boobs. Wordless Wednesday – Jlee’s Boobs!

Just kidding.

Unless it gets you to vote.

So here’s the deal. It’s so easy a Cave Man can do it. Just click this link: Vote Jlee’s Blog. And while you’re at it scroll up the list and vote for Menopausal Mother. We gotta keep her in the Top 25. Click on Menopausal Mother to vote for her. You can vote once/day every day until February 13th.

TO VOTE FOR JLEE'S BLOG!

TO VOTE FOR JLEE’S BLOG!

And if you’re not already – you can follow me on Twitter @jlee5879blogger or on Facebook!

Thank you so much to everyone who reads, votes, comments, shares and likes me. Remember, my self-esteem depends on YOU! ;)

#4: Get to Know ~ “The Wingman” James Holeva

10 Jan

“The Wingman” James Holeva and I “met” via Twitter. I checked out some info on him and thought he was a pretty sexy and interesting guy. Since I do have several male readers and really cool chick readers I knew that you guys would definitely want me to introduce you to this ladies man.

I’m so excited to have had the honor to interview this talented up-and-comer because I can assure you in no time at all he will be walking the red carpet, the next George Clooney, with a different hottie on his arm at every event.

While I have aspirations of walking the red carpet, see I Owe It All To Poop, I would never be the girl on “The Wingman’s” arm because let’s just face it, I’m totally not cool enough. And I’ve never been titty-f*cked and don’t think I’d ever want to be. It sounds painful. Does that make me a prude?

Well, don’t read on if you are a prude because this interview is Rated R. For those of you interested in testing your sexual prowess keep reading….and for my Chi-town readers “The Wingman” is having a live show this weekend — flyer below!

promo shot hat

What made you decide to not only write but to publish The Wingman Chronicles?
I figured it would get me a lot of ass, and make me a lot of money, and ass and money are what life is about. Relax I’m half-joking. Honestly I heard about Sex and the City when I was in high school and I thought how cool would it be to read something like that but from the guy’s perspective. I looked everywhere for something like that but couldn’t find it, so I had to write it myself. I always felt my life was a movie, show, book etc. and write what I know. I remember I had an English teacher Mrs. Kelleher in high school and her saying to the class about writers and fiction, and how nobody’s life is that interesting, and raising my hands and telling her my life is, and she said, you should write about it. And I was like, I have been. I don’t think she knew at the time it would be quite as filthy but like I said, I write what I know, and I write it the way I’d want to read it.

Wingman1

How long did it take you to recount your sex-capades in your autobiography? Were there any stories you just couldn’t share or did you really put it all out there?
Well like they say in music you have your whole life to write your first album so it was a situation of that. I’m a fast writer but the first story of the book was written in August of 2008, and then I would write a story here and there, then in September of 2009 I started writing a column called The Wingman Chronicles for Northeastern PA. arts & entertainment weekly The Weekender so I compiled a lot of ideas I drew from there, then kept going. It was on and off while I was working on many other things but the actual spurts of writing were very quick. Recounting the stories is easy—one thing I have going for me is although I may pretend I don’t know a lot of girls I don’t want to talk to I actually remember just about everything I’ve experienced, and I’m talking about exact conversations, what was said, how the word was said, and this goes back to being a little kid. It’s not an autobiography, it’s an autobiographical novel so there is some fiction thrown in. I originally was going to go the memoir route until the last minute but I planned for this to be a series and had some fictional ideas for the future books so I wanted to keep my options opened creatively. The book is 90 percent completely true, and the other 10 percent based on true experiences and true feelings, with some fiction mixed in. A lot of the stuff the reader will be like “this is so fucked up, this can’t be true,” it probably is true, and some of the fictional parts are actually the most personal to me. I pretty much put it all out there, and the next book will go deeper.

How do women respond to you knowing you may write about your adventures with them? How do you handle any criticism?
They go out of their way to try to do crazy shit that will get them in the book. All I could say is stay the fuck away from my ass, and stop trying to pee on me. As for criticism I used to let it get to me but I’ve learned you can’t please everybody, and when you do this kind of work any reaction is good reaction. So it’s a combination of ignoring and taking every chance I get to call a cunt a cunt. I think all the kids out there should do the same thing.

You created and star in “The Wingman” a TV pilot currently being shopped to networks…maybe the next Sex and the City? How do you like acting?
Yes, I see it as a male version in many ways, and I see it being very close to the book. In fact, I wanted the book to feel like the reader is watching a show on DVD or Netflix and the chapters to be like episodes. You could watch, in this case read, one episode at a time, or a few, or go right through the whole season like I do when I find a new show I like. I love acting, and have always wanted to act. In fact, while writing I get up and act the dialogue out to make sure it feels right.

Check out the trailer for the pilot here.

Which actress would you love to work with?
A couple who pop out are Scarlett Johansson, who I see as perfect for the Noelle character from the book, and Gina Gershon who would be great to play a character in the sequel.

Gina Gershon

Gina Gershon

You also have a debut album coming out and a radio show! How do you do it all and what do you envision for your future?
I recorded a comedy album last year, and it should be out soon. It’s going to be called “Bedrooms, Backseats and Bathroom Stalls.” The recording went awesome and really has the live experience I try to give in my shows, and wanted it to have. I think sometimes albums come off very rehearsed but my show is very interactive and crazy, I do a lot of crowd work, I do the #askwingman Q & A portion of the show where I answer sex, dating, relationship and creepin’ questions on-stage and I wanted that live energy to really come out and I think we got that. I did a syndicated weekly radio segment “Wingman Wednesday” originating on 97 BHT from 2008-2011 and that was a blast. I had to be toned down since it was a top 40 section but it went very well, and I’d answer dating and creepin’ questions every week. I’m hustling constantly and always have a ton of ideas going on. And more than half the time is spent on the business end of it all but it’s what it takes. I envision myself of course writing and starring in my own TV series, writing and starring in movies… comedy/drama, doing great work, more of The Wingman Chronicles book series, writing other books of other genres, world tour, playing Madison Square Garden, and also have other TV series and scripts… Both for me to act in, and stuff I wrote with other people in mind. And in the short term keep writing, and touring, trying to go everywhere. My book is doing well all over the world and I want all my fans to have the chance to come see me live. Yeah, I have a few plans.

Let’s talk breasts since you’ve seen a lot….big, small? Real, fake? How’s your motorboat skills?
I don’t like real tits, I don’t like fake tits, I like great tits. How they got that way is none of my concern. I don’t order dinner at a restaurant and go into the kitchen and ask the chef. What exactly did you put in this sauce, are the spices natural, is it gluten free? I just slop that up. Same with tits, which is why my motorboat skills are top notch. It’s all about the passion and the nipple sucking. However having a huge cock and all I do prefer to titty-fuck. The best part about it is keeping a girl in suspense about where I’ll blow my load.

Do you have a background in journalism/writing/communications? What would you be doing if you weren’t starting a “Wingman” brand?
Yes I do. I was a journalist for six years writing primarily sports features but a little bit of everything, from game stories, to entertainment, and some hard news. I also had a ski column “The White Stuff” (and no, I didn’t even name it), before I had my sex column “The Wingman Chronicles.” Hmm… If I wasn’t starting “The Wingman” brand I’d be working on another writing, acting or comedy related project but otherwise I’d be pursuing journalism actively or working in marketing/public relations… If it was something completely different I’d be a lawyer. You’ll see in my book I have a solid legal background, learned primarily from watching Ally McBeal and Boston Legal.

Being a native to New York I’m sure you’ve been to The Sex Museum? What was your favorite exhibit?
I’m actually a native to Clarks Summit, PA, but live in New York City now. My favorite exhibit would have to be the bathroom. Me, sex museum, horny girls… I kind of was the exhibit. Don’t worry I’m thinking about merchandising replica hard-eights.

What is your drink of choice?
Diet coke… I live on that. Alcoholic drinks is what I’m sure you actually mean and lately either Vodka Tonic or Vodka Cranberry. I used to be big into Sugar Free Red Bull and Vodka but lately the majority of my drinking is at shows, a little bit before and during, and then primarily after and I’m already amped enough from the performance so I don’t need more caffeine.

Who is your favorite sports team? Be careful…you’re talking to a lifelong Cubs fan!
Well I’m more about watching a good game in general. Baseball is by far my favorite sport to watch, but I would have to say the Phillies.

Any words of wisdom for Jlee’s readers?
Read my book, come see me live, follow me on twitter… If you’re a hot girl let me spank you on-stage, sign your tits and ass. Don’t use an endless amount of coupons in line in front of me at the grocery store. Every time you cockblock you’re not helping your friends, you’re making them hate you, and most of all don’t ever let anybody stifle your adventure.

Live in Chicago January 11th and 12th! Get your tickets!

Live in Chicago January 11th and 12th! Get your tickets!

Please follow “The Wingman” via twitter or you can ‘Like’ his FB page here. A big thank you to Mr. James Holeva! This interview has been a pleasure. I’ve been laughing and cringing. ;) Thanks again.

Facebook!

12 Oct

Many people know of my love/hate relationship with FB.

There’s: What the %$@! is a Facebook War?

- and -

Facebook – DELETE

But, surprisingly I have been pretty drama free on Facebook over the last year. Probably because my meds are regulated (Reason #26 Why I’m Crazy).

Soo…I decided to join the likes of many others before me and create a Facebook Fan Page for Jlee’s Blog.

I know, I can’t stop laughing myself. It sort of feels weird to ‘like’ myself and ask others to ‘like’ me.

Then I stop laughing and I cry. OMG…only XX amount of ‘likes’? I’m a loser!!!!!

Sigh.

Like I need something else to stress about and wonder “Do they like me? Do they really like me?”

Artists are so painfully insecure.

The reason I decided to make a FB fan page is because my writing coach told me I have to prove to publishers that I have people behind me; that I have a following. People who want to actually read the garbage I spew out and the book I’ve supposedly written. [See Jlee's Excerpt: Concrete Boots]

I said: “I do!”

He said: “Prove it to them.”

So that’s what I’m doing. I said I was going to make this book thing happen in 2012…it might roll over into 2013, but I’m not giving up on my dream of being a published author. :D

If you haven’t already I would SOO appreciate your support of me and Jlee’s Blog by clicking the ‘like’ button to the right.

I am also on Twitter were I spew even more useless crap so please follow me:  https://twitter.com/JLEE5879blogger

It’s Just a Blog People

22 Mar

I have a rant.  A Jlee rant.  I’ve been trying to reform myself.  Be a little bit more positive.  I don’t know if you’ve noticed this in my writing or not.  I don’t know if this is good for Jlee’s Blog or not, but really, I just strive to be myself.  I strive to share my hopes and dreams and failures with all my readers.  You know the good, the bad and the ugly.  And I do think I succeed at that.

Sure I want to make people laugh, I want to make people think, I want to make people say Omg, so and so needs to read this and forward my blog to their friend or share it on Facebook.  Sure I want my blog to succeed.  Sure I want to sell my book because of this blog.  Sure I read my blog stats and hope for lots of hits.  Sure I sometimes get obsessive about my blog – do they like me?  Do they like what I write?  Do they think I’m crazy?  I think hope that’s normal.

Sure I speak a lot on Post Partum Depression.  I feel good about sharing my experience with other people because I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through.  PPD is hard on everyone and it’s something that I want everyone to know about and not be ashamed to talk about.  My goal is to continue to speak on PPD and hopefully write a 2nd book about my experience and how to help someone you know going through PPD.  What to do and what not to do… I don’t want other women to feel like a failure like I did.  And I still struggle with that at times.

But what I’m not here to do is change the world.

While I hope that my honesty and experience helps other people – even the Bad Mom stories which just remind everyone that no one – man, woman, grandma – is perfect.  We need to give 100%, but know failure will still happen.  It’s how you get back up and brush off the rejection and move forward.  It’s how you hold your head high and teach your kid to be the kind of person you want them to be.  And it’s how you settle in at Book Club with a glass of wine to talk about life with your friends – you know, it’s not forgetting to do the little things for yourself.

This is what I hope and strive to accomplish!  This is what I’m trying to morph Jlee’s Blog into.  But there will still be some rants along the way.  I’m an Italian girl with a lot to say.  It’s inevitable. [Shrug.]

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of different blogs…a little bit of ‘doing my research’ and a little bit of enjoying what my blog friends have to say.

Omg...I am like sooo smart!

I’m sorry I’m not sorry even though I feel a bit like Regina George…like I think I’m better than you or like obvs I’m jealous because I’m taking the time to post a rant about it….but I just can’t help but be annoyed that there are blog writers out there that think they are actually CHANGING THE WORLD.

Lmao, seriously, are you sane?  I’m not talking about high-power million-hits-a-day political or health blogs.  I’m talking about a simple little blog like mine.  People just like me who are maybe a little bored, a little crazy and happen to be good writers so they decide to start writing a blog and now suddenly they’re the Dalai Lama!

ooohhhmmmm...read Jlee's Blog and then meditate

Hold your horses there, friend, it’s just a blog.

It’s unfortunate because I did enjoy reading one of the blogs which I speak of.  I found the writer to be very interesting and enjoyed the stories the writer would share.  And now suddenly said writer has posted on how people reading said blog can change their lives….you know because of said blog and said writer.

I’m sorry to tell you all, but Jlee’s Blog is probably not going to change your life.

I only listen to Jlee....and the Dalai Lama!

I think why this bothers me so much is because while I can share my Post Partum Depression experience with my fellow blog readers and friends I cannot change things for you, and I don’t pretend like I can.  I think it’s delusional – and honestly dangerous – to post a blog about how you are going to help someone change their life.

People must make their own decisions to, or not to, change their lives based on their own life experience and support system.

We’re not doctors or counselors or spiritual guiders or celebrities …. We’re just blog writers trying to share a little piece of our hearts and our heads with anyone who may listen.

Get to Know

9 Feb

Even though my “Bad Mom” posts have taken some time to get rolling I am getting positive feedback on the idea. I like the idea of adding other people’s voices to my blog because just hearing from me may get a little bit boring. I mean I know I’m pretty awesome, but after a while talking about my wine and Juicy Couture might get old. ;)

Last week I randomly came up with the idea to start a section called: Get to Know which would feature interesting people doing fun and exciting things with their lives. We all need inspiration from time to time, and I thought, what a great way to help those people out there trying to DO something…those people not spending 24/7 on Facebook (my most hated addiction).

So here you have it. I came up with this and approached a friend about being my first post, not knowing how she would take it. Would she think this is stupid and a waste of her time? After all, she’s big time now and this is just a silly blog full of bitch sessions on etiquette! I figured it was worth a shot. If she said no I told her I wouldn’t be mad, and I really wouldn’t have been.

But she responded and said YES! She loved the idea and would be honored to be my first post in the Get to Know section. Yayy!! :D

I don’t know if I love the name “Get to Know” so if you have a better idea shoot me a comment or an email at jlee5879@live.com. And if you have an idea for someone you’d like to be featured in the “Get to Know” section please pretty please let me know. I know a lot of rad people, but I want these to be exceptional peeps!

And check back to see who will be featured as #1: Get to Know!

Being featured in Jlee's "Get to Know" section is totes awesome...

Reason #26 Why I’m Crazy

6 Feb

I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life.  Well, not my whole life, really since I was 15.  I like to blame my parents for it, you know, because of my genetic make-up and the fact that they were so hard on me during my teen years.

In hindsight it’s probably a good thing.  Who knows what would have come of me if I wasn’t grounded every other weekend of sophomore year and permanently grounded from sleepovers from 15 until I got kicked out of my house at 22.  Yes, I’m dead serious.  Grounded from sleepovers for life!

I remember walking around my house with a nervous stomach and loving going to work at Dan’s Pizza.  It was my only saving grace.  I would beg people to let me take their shifts because work and school were the only places I was allowed to go.  And I preferred to be anywhere except home.

My parents scared the shit out of me.  I wasn’t raised with hugs and time-outs.  I was raised like an army recruit.  Sir, yes sir!

You don’t sleep past 8 am on weekends.
You don’t swear in our home – and swearing includes saying ‘what the hell’…
You were never – ever – late for curfew.  1 minute late is still late…
You are allowed only 1 C per quarter or NO driving until the next progress report 3 months later.  We strive for excellence in this house…

I’m not saying whether this is good or bad parenting.  As a mother, I know that I will be tough on the Chiquita because I don’t want her to end up a 15-year-old prostitute working for crack.  Yes, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but we have addiction in our blood, and I think that’s why I always steered clear of drugs.  I knew if I tried it I would probably love it.

I think I’m like most kids-turned-parents in that I’ll take with me some things I learned from my parents and other things I just choose to go to therapy for.  One thing I’ve learned since becoming a parent is that parents are only human.  They are bound to make mistakes.  I pray I don’t damage the Chiquita in some way, but I’m sure she’ll have some story to tell, just like we all do.  We all have something that our parents did to us…it may not be abuse or neglect….but I’ve never spoken to anyone who says they’ve had absolutely the perfect upbringing.

And while I wish my parents weren’t so hard on me, and I wish they would have given me more hugs and encouragement from time-to-time I know I didn’t make things easy on them either.

I’ve always been a very emotional girl.  Why do you think I started a blog?  I have a lot to say and a lot of feelings to go with it.  I needed some kind of an outlet, and a journal just wasn’t cutting it.  I do journal, yes, but more out of necessity than desire; it’s a chore for me, something that I have to do.  I put the really crazy thoughts in my journal…Haha.

But something that has taken me years and years to figure out is that I have PMDD.  I have officially been diagnosed with PMDD, which is Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.  I find that PMDD is relatively unknown.  It affects 3% – 8% of women, and like PMS, follows a cyclical pattern. 

According to Wikipedia:  Emotional symptoms are generally present, and in PMDD, mood symptoms are dominant. Substantial disruption to personal relationships is typical for women with PMDD.  Anxiety, anger, and depression may also occur.  Click here for more information about PMDD from Wikipedia.

Why am I sharing this with all of you?  For two reasons:

#1 because a lot of women thank me for my openness and honesty about suffering from and overcoming Post Partum Depression.  It absolutely warms my heart to know that the hell I went through can result in me helping another woman get through it, too.  Maybe someone out there has PMDD and doesn’t know what it is and why they are going bonkers.

And #2 because for one week (to 10 days!) out of the month – every month – I go absolutely bat shit crazy.  Not normal PMS crazy, I go mad scientist crazy.  Many of my friends know about it, and I’ll explain any more than usual craziness with a simple “It’s a PMDD week,” (Que nods and ohhhh that explains it…) but others (Facebook friends, for instance) don’t know why I become such a whack job.  So here you have it – during a PMDD week I get very angry, crabby, inpatient, sensitive, emotional, feelings of being stressed or overwhelmed…basically for one week out of every month I’m just not myself.  My evil twin, Jsux we’ll call her, makes her appearance.

Jsux during a PMDD week…YIKES!

Doctors are bad about diagnosing PMDD and would rather just say you’re depressed and throw you on antidepressants.  I take a wide range of natural herbs and vitamins with hopes of controlling my mood swings during this time of the month.  Some months are better than others, and some months are so disruptive that I find myself hibernating so I don’t lose all my friends.

There was a time when I hated my PMDD and hated that I got stuck with this weird and unknown disorder, like why couldn’t I just have something “normal” like ADD?  But, now, I look at it like I look at the parenting thing.  Everybody has something.  No one’s life is perfect.  I’m fortunate enough to have a great husband who is so supportive and loving that I really don’t deserve him, and obvs the Chiquita and my bonus daughters, and I have a good job, and I have a nice home and nice “things”, and I have a wonderful support system of friends and family who all love me and care about me despite my craziness, so I guess this is my thing.  My thing is that once a month I go bat shit crazy and sometimes act like an insane person.

Here’s where if you could see me while I write this you would see I’m shrugging.  That’s my “thing”.  [Shrug.]  This is God’s plan for me.  Just like my PPD, which I will tell everyone about and shout from the sky to help other women (and maybe Book #2???), my “thing” is PMDD.

What’s your thing and how do you stay strong to overcome it?

What the %$@! is a Facebook War?

19 Jan

Every morning...take your pills and check your Facebook

I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook.  As a person with an addictive personality I find myself often desperate to delete my Facebook account, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

I enjoy Facebook for the ease of being able to “keep up” with friends through status posts and photos, but I despise the drama that comes along with it.

As an emotional person I wear my emotions on my sleeve.  My emotions then work their way onto Facebook.  I try to be real; some people like it and some people don’t.

During my bout with Post Partum Depression I took a brief break from Facebook, not necessarily because I wanted to, but rather because I kept posting crazy talk and people started to worry.

I remember my dad randomly showing up at my house one afternoon and asking me if I was going to kill myself.  I felt terrible; he was practically in tears recounting to me the game of Telephone that ended with him hearing the words “Jen” and “kill herself.”  I was livid.

Things like “Mind your own business!” and “Don’t worry about what I post!” were running through my head.  Shortly thereafter I “temporarily” deleted my account.  I couldn’t bring myself to do the official complete delete.

Looking back I know people were just concerned about me, and for that I am very grateful.  I’m blessed to have people in my life that care about me, and cared about the hardships I went through.

Now I would say my relationship with Facebook is pretty “normal,” with the occasional aggravation over a group of posters that drive me nuts.

1. The Always Sunny Posters: People who only post about how great they are, how great their babies and husbands are, basically how great their lives are. ALL THE TIME.

2. The I Have No Life Outside of My Kid Posters: People who post ONLY about their children and how great their children are; their children’s straight A’s, multiple awards, sports abilities, and organic diet.  Basically their child is Jesus.

3. The Philosophical Socrates Posters: People who post their “philosophies” on life.  Follow their advice and you will be better, smarter, healthier, and happier.  Also known as “Know-It-Alls,” they’ll tell you how to raise your kid even if they don’t have one!

And finally, my favorite:

4. The Passive-Aggressive Posters: People who passively-aggressively write status updates hoping their friends will see what they wrote and feel bad because of something said friend “supposedly” did, i.e., “checked-in” somewhere just to make THEM feel bad.  You know, what you put on your Facebook is all about them.

I’m not saying my posts are perfect and witty; I have sporadic frequent posts complaining about traffic, weather, work, my husband, my crazy family…but sorry, see above.  I wear my emotions on my sleeve so if this is how I’m feeling in life this is how I’m feeling in Facebook world.

Don't you wish you could tell the annoying Facebook posters to STFU???

I’m not going to make an imaginary status update so people think I’m so happy and my life is so perfect.  I will post that I’m ready to kill my kid right now or I poured Bailey’s in my coffee this morning.  I do stay away from posting about my sex life and my bowel movements.  I’m sure my Facebook friends are grateful for that.

You’re probably wondering if I’m going to get to the point of this post which is “Facebook War.”  If you don’t know what a Facebook War actually is, I guarantee you are either currently in one or you’ve been in one at one time or another.

A Facebook War is when you and a friend, an actual friend not a Facebook acquaintance, refuse to “like” or comment on the other’s Facebook page.  This may happen because of an argument you are both aware of that hasn’t yet been resolved – or – maybe your friend is one of the annoying posters listed above, so you decide to ignore them and then find yourself in a mutually “silent” war yet you’ve never actually discussed what the issue is that has caused the Facebook War.

Am I in 5th grade?

What the &*%$ is the purpose of a Facebook War?  Facebook Wars in my opinion are complete ridiculousness, but in saying that, I should probably disclose that I’m currently involved in two Facebook Wars. 

One is because of a fight we had – about Facebook – and the other is because a #4 Passive-Aggressive Poster pissed me off by posting yet another passive-aggressive post (like the 12th one.)   

Will my Facebook Wars end? 

What drives you nuts on Facebook? 

Are you involved in a Facebook War?

 

 

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