Hi… I’m Jackie.

Here are my 5 minutes…  All about me.

I am Jackie and I first read this at Kirsten’s place, Kir Corner. Of course she got the idea from Jana’s Thinking Place for the SOC (stream of consciousness) prompt. So, this was last week’s prompt but I loved it so much that I asked Kir if I could borrow the idea and she readily agreed! So here it is.

I am a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, an aunt, a grand daughter. But that isn’t what defines me.

I went to college late in life and loved it. If I could I’d continue to go if only just to listen and learn… I may be one of the odd ones that loves listening to the lectures. History… English… Psychology… Sociology… all of them were wonderful.

I have a great career and it’s not what I went to school for. I just got lucky, but luck doesn’t make everyone happy. I have bigger dreams of a better, more fulfilling career.

I love reading. I love writing. And most of all I love books. I could spend hours and hours in a library or book store just taking them all in.. the look, the feel, and smell of all the old books lining the shelves. I read for fun…. pure pleasure and rarely for learning. Odd since I love learning.

I’ve been told that I’m pessimistic. I refuse to believe that though… I consider myself more of a realist because I feel that there is no point in getting my hopes set on something that I know will never happen. I hate disappointment and have had more than my fair share of disappointment in my life. I know what’s possible and what isn’t.

I love my kids more than anything and would do anything that I can to help them succeed. They are everything to me.

I’m not a leader… I’m better as a follower or a 2nd in command type. I don’t like to fail and let people down.

I’m dream big and live small.

I have ups and downs just like everyone else.

My life is far from perfect but it’s my life… I am where I am because of choices that I have made…. many of those choices I would never change. Others.. well, I ponder those often.

I believe that the past should stay in the past and we learn from the decisions that we make.

I believe that we are in charge of our own destiny.

I’ve learned as time goes by there is so much that I don’t know. Guess I must of forgot stuff… when I was younger I thought that I knew it all.

I like sweets. Cupcakes, cookies, pie, and everything in between. More than that I love to bake those tasty treats.

I love fashion… clothes… shoes… all of it. But for some reason I lack a sense of style. Good thing I have teens to help me out.

I’m frugal… sometimes.

I love to travel even though I don’t get to do it often.

I love holidays… especially Halloween.

This is me.

This is who I am in 5 minutes.

Getting to know me – Bloggy Bootcamp Style

Alright, if you didn’t already know I’ll be heading to Chicago this weekend for Bloggy Bootcamp which is an incredible one day blogging conference hosted by the SITS Girls!

Of course I’m excited to be going and that I’ll be meeting up with some old friends, Julie & Elena (my roommates), Jen and then meeting some new people as well! Kmama, Mother’s Hideaway, and Coffee Lovin’ Mom. Of course there are so many others that are going to be attending that I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know but it’d take a lifetime to list all 125 women!

I can’t forget the SITS girls who will be our hostess’ for the day, Tiffany and Francesca! Because without them we all wouldn’t be going to this great event or learning everything that they have to offer through their website. Seriously, they’re incredible!

Oh, one of the cool things about going to Bloggy Bootcamp….  My SITS day was just the other day! It’s like the holidays have come early!

So for those of you who haven’t met me I’ll give you a bit of background in case you don’t feel like poking around here all day trying to figure things out.

  • I’m married to a pretty good guy who puts up with all my social media addictions and idiosyncrasies. A big thank you goes out to him for letting me get away this weekend and staying home with the kids.
  • I have 4 kids. Yup, you heard me right. And even more fun is that there are 3 girls (15, 11, 9) and 1 boy (19 months). Big age gap, huh?
  • I work full time outside the home as a product owner at a small software development company in Michigan. It’s a good job and a even better place to work but it’s not my dream job.
  • I’m somewhat reserved and I suppose that at times I can come across as mean/rude/bitchy or something along those lines. But believe me I’m none of those things (at least I don’t think I am). I just don’t know what to say and have this fear of looking/sounding like an idiot.
  • I can be fun so come talk to me. Please…. don’t leave me alone sitting in that hard chair in the corner.
  • Yes, I’ve been stressing over what to wear. Do I change before the cocktail party? Should I dress up or go more casual? Do I find something new or wear what I have? Ugg…. decisions… decisions. I really need Tracy to help me!
  • This is my second blog conference so I can officially say that I’m not a newbie. This May I went to Gleek Retreat right here in Michigan and had a great time! I suggest that you check it out.
  • I love social media! A lot. So much that I have a goal to make a career change and find a job in the social media field.

Come find me and say Hi!

Me

By the way... this is me.

 

Things I like about ME!

Today I am linking up with C.Mom and we’re all talking about ourselves. Yes, ourselves! And for a change all the things that we LIKE about us.

More often than not we as women tend to look at ourselves and find fault in so many things whether they are visible to others or not. I know that I am terrible with this as well as being worried about what others think of me.

I’ve always had the issue where I am concerned about what others think of me… am I to heavy, my hair isn’t perfect, my clothes aren’t the latest trends, and the list goes on. Honestly, I know that I shouldn’t care, right?

So what do I like about me? Let’s make a list because that’s easiest.

Blue eyes – I have blue eyes, dark hair, and as the summer progresses my skin turns a nice golden brown which accentuates the blue color of my eyes. Sometimes I feel that it sets me apart… kinda like the person who has dark brown eyes and silky blond hair. It’s just different. My guess is that the dark hair & skin came from my mom’s side (Italian) and the blue eyes came from my dads (Scottish).

My hair – it’s not straight that’s for sure! It’s really thick and wavy/curly and that makes it pretty easy at times to wash and go! There are times that I wish I had that smooth straight hair that everyone seems to have lately, but I can always straighten it or go curly and make it look great.

My ability to let things go – I don’t let things get to me or bother me because I’ve learned that holding on and being upset doesn’t help me or the situation at all. I realize that there are times that this just isn’t possible but for the most part if we all just relaxed and let things go we’d all have a lot less stress and upset in our lives.

I think that we can all take a look at ourselves and say that we’re pretty good people and that it’s just the small things that bug us. We let those things get to us and if we focus on the good things we could be happier.

We are who we are….let’s embrace us.

a rare photo of me

It's me!