Another rest in peace

Just when I think all the bad news is done with I get more.  

A co-worker of mine passed away last night from a drunk driving accident. I don't know who was the one drinking, but it's still terrible news to hear.

This is the third (and hopefully final) death in a month.  First was macs best friends cousin (not that I knew him but it still affected Mac so I'm counting it), then Brian and now Tiffany.  I guess death really does come in threes.

Brian's wake is Friday from 7-9. I'll be leaving work at 5 to make sure I get there on time.  I think my dad and his wife are also going to come with us. Stella (dads wife) used to bring Brian Spice Girl magazines or other memorabilia pertaining to them. Brian was a closet  Spice girl fanatic lol

Tiffanys death also means I'll have ANOTHER funeral/wake to go to. This sucks...

Rest in Peace Brian (1.27.11) and Tiffany (1.30.11)

Is January done yet???

Thank you!

I just wanted to say Thank You to each & everyone of you that left me a comment on my entries about Brian.  Between here and the other website I write at, I find that you guys tend to care more than some people that I know in real life.

I don't have anything to write about right now, but I will be back soon.

Again..Thank you

xoxo

Rest in Peace

hen somebody dies, a cloud turns into

   an angel, and flies up to tell God

   to put another flower on a pillow.

   A bird gives the message back to

   the world, and sings a silent prayer

   that makes the rain cry. People dis-

   appear, but they never really go away.

   The spirits up there put the sun to

   bed, wake up grass, and spin the

   earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you

   can see them dancing in a cloud during

   the day-time, when they're supposed

   to be sleeping. They paint the rain-

   bows and also the sunsets and make

   waves splash and tug at the tide.

   They toss shooting stars and listen to

   wishes. And when they sing wind-

   songs, they whisper to us, don't

   miss me too much. The view is nice

   and I'm doing just fine. 

Rest in Peace

Brian Schantz

10.23.85 ~ 01.27.11

Brian passed away about 3 hours ago.

Brian update

brians sister emailed me on facebook earlier

she said he made it through the night. they thought he was getting better. dr told them it's common for someone to act like they're getting better before they pass away. it's still unfortunately going to happen. it's just a matter of when.

I had some bad dreams last night that felt so real. I'm not liking this...at all

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Prayer Request Update

I just got this email from Brian's (my friend who has Chiari Malformation) sister:


Hey, sorry this is the only way I know to get a hold of you but Brian isn't going to make it through the night and I know you're one of his good friends so I wanted to tell you. I haven't been able to get a hold of Cheryl yet to tell her. My mom is making arrangements to go back to NJ for his ceremony.. When we know what days I'll let you know. And please, if you know of any of his other friends when we find out the date, tell them for me. Thank you.

---

I feel numb. So please if you pray, please pray that if he passes tonight he goes quickly and as pain free as possible and for his family and friends.

Tax Wants

I did my taxes last night & will be getting back a little over $1000.  I have plans for my taxes (or at least what I WANT to do w/them):

Pay $400 towards credit cards (and NOT use them after that)

Android Tablet.  While I LOVE my iPhone and would love an iPad, it's about the cost factor here.  Android tablets are MUCH cheaper

Apply for school ($75)

-Put $150 in my savings account and "forget" about it

-Rest to do what I want with it..

Wee Bit of Me Wednesday

{one} name one thing you worry about running out of.
Toilet paper..it just sucks when you run out lol

{two} what is your favorite pizza topping?
mozzarella balls

{three} what is your favorite Harrison ford movie?
Airforce One/Six Days Seven Nights

{four} apple juice or orange juice?
apple.  Don't really like orange juice.

{five} what’s your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon?
Just hang out and relax at home.  It's my one day of the weekend I actually have off.

{six} what is the wallpaper on your cellphone of?
Right now its a lighthouse looking over a sunset

{seven} do you have a favorite tv commercial?
Etrade baby



Geico Pothole commercial




{eight} what is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Nothing..I don't like "weird" food

{nine} what is one piece of clothing you can’t live without?
tank tops..I like to layer

{ten} if you were a character from “lost”, who would you be?
I never watched Lost, so I can't answer lol

I have a little prayer/good thought request

for this guy:

This is one of my closest friends Brian.  He was my prom date in June 2003.  He has a really bad case of Chiari-Malformation. (Chiari malformation (kee-AHR-ee mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward.).  When he was younger his parents took him to the DR because he kept getting really bad headaches.  They diagnosed him with migraines.  It wasn't til several years later that a different doctor (or hospital) figured out that it actually WASN'T migraines.  They tried several kinds of surgeries to help it, he's on the strongest medication possible, which doesn't even help him anymore.  There was a lawsuit and yes they won.

Now onto the bad news:

Brian is not doing well...at all. He was put on a feeding tube today. He also had a stroke a while back and lost feeling on one side of his body. He's slowly losing his battle I think, and I have a feeling he won't be around for as long as we all hope for.  Honestly, I'm surprised he has made it as long as he has.  He's been in so much pain for over 10 years.  If that was me, I would of given up a long, long time ago. 

He's probably one of the strongest people I have ever met.  He's been misdiagnosed, had several near death experiences, been told he would never have a normal adult life and yet if you ask him if he's afraid of dying, he tells you no and that he just wants to make sure his family and friends are okay before he goes (which is what I think has made him hold on this long).

So if you can, please keep him in your prayers or thoughts.

Also, makes the little things you worry or fight about not seem so important..so stop arguing with your significant other and hugs your kids or animals a little longer tonight since you never know when it'll be your last day.

I think Nickelback's "If Today Was Your Last Day" fits the situation perfectly:

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

Low carb diet?

Hello ladies :-)

I am again writing from my iPhone even though my laptop is on my lap. I tend to get distracted on my laptop.

Anyway..I have just recently gotten myself on the workout band wagon (yes, it was a resolution) and have gone at least 3x a week for the last two weeks. I eventually want to start going
5x a week (Sunday-Thursday).

Sunday is trainer/30 min cardio, Monday is 30 minute cardio and circuit, Tuesday 30 minutes cardio and trainer, Wednesday 60 minutes cardio and Thursday 30 minute cardio and one workout that trainer and I normally would do. I'm hoping if I keep that up for a while it'll help tone me up.

going to the gym really isn't my issue, it's my eating habits lately. I want nothing but carbs and I'm not sure why. I'm thinking about trying a semi low-carb diet for a few weeks.

do you have any diet suggestions, recipes, tips? I'm open to it all.

I'm starting to get tired so I
must go to bed. enjoy your weekend!!

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

just another reason to love my iPhone

I just found an app that allows me to write blogger entries from my iPhone. I belive it's called blog with iblogger. It's a $10 app but if you have an unlocked phone (like i do) it would be free.

this will be perfect for days Im not online or too lazy to sit with my laptop.

hope you're all having a wondeful day and I will probably be back later :)

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Pictures of me & the family

I have spent WAY too much online today and haven't accomplished very much besides snacking too much, playing random facebook games,beating level 3 in Angry Birds,reading Blogs and had 2 Mudslides..all before 8pm (I did make chicken & rice soup) .

Since I'm still new here I thought I'd post some pics (because who doesn't like pictures?!)  

Also I figured I would do a "ask me anything" entry that I'll answer this weekend.  This will help you get to know me better :) So ask away

Enjoy...

Engagement Pics (2007)

Some Family Pics:

A favorite picture of me & my grandpa...and then me in the same spot 22 years later 

  

My dad & I...Florida 2010

 The family dog

  

 My mom

My First Blogger Award

My first Blog award!  Thank you Kalina from Te Amo Mucho!!

The rules are to:

1.  Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award

2.  Answer 10 questions

3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy

4.  Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

Here are the ten questions:

1. Why did you create this blog?

I created Just a Jersey Girl because I wanted a place where I could talk about whatever was going on in my life. I had  have another journal site that I use, but there's just something at Blogger I LOVE so much more.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

I follow any blog that I can relate to in one way or another. Any blog that sparks my interest.

3. Favorite Make-Up Brand?

I guess I would say Rimmel. I'm not much of a makeup person.  Most days I'm Au Natural

4. Favorite Clothing Brand?

Anything that looks cute and is on sale.  

5. Indispensable Make-Up Product?

Mascara.  

6. Favorite Color?

It usually depends on the time of year but I love a nice soft green

7. Favorite Perfume?

DKNY apple.  I love the smell of it (even if I've NEVER owned a bottle)

8. Favorite Film?

Reign Over Me with Adam Sandler.  The role he played in that movie was just something I'm not used to & I loved it!

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

Australia. It just looks like a fun country

10. Would you rather forget to put on mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

Neither but if I had to choose I would say blush *since I NEVER wear it*

And now for the 7 people to get tagged and receive this award...
Sarah @ Moske Monkey Business
Melissa Jo @ Lady of the Flowers
Kristy @ Darn Near Domestic 
Julia @ Black Tag Diaries 
Jenni @ Templeman Times 
Sarah @ Scribbling Sarah  
Christina @ Skip to my Lou

Enjoy your awards ladies and thanks again Kalina!

What I'm loving Wednesday

I figured now that 11 in 2011 is over I would jump on another band wagon.  What I'm Loving Wednesday!  Sounds like fun. So here we go.

What I'm loving...

• That I have 4 Followers!! I've tried blogger before but got discouraged after a week of no comments or followers lol So you 4 will keep me here for a little while longer.  I'm hoping to eventually have more but we'll see :)
• The quietness of my apartment right now.  The only noise is the sound of my keyboard.  Sometimes I prefer no TV, no radio, nothing!
• I'm an only child, so I love being alone which I am right now.  While I love my fiance and spending time with him, I love my Tuesdays off so I can have some time to be alone (yes I know today is Wednesday, but I worked yesterday due to the "big snow"storm we were supposed to have so we didn't have to worry about coming into work)
• Gossip magazines.  Life & Style & In Touch.  I can't help it.  I try not to buy them but I do anyway..
• How my George Foreman makes really yummy sandwiches :)
• I love looking at clothing sites and picking out stuff I want.  I need something for my birthday.  I would love a cute lil black dress for Male Revue, but my birthday is in February and I know some people would dress how they want but I hate being cold, so I'll opt for a cute shirt and sexy shoes instead. 
• Lazy days like today.  I was up at 5am-7am with Mac, Napped from 7am-10am, went online til 11am and then napped til 12pm and finally got up

What are you loving?

Day 11: Things I look forward to in 2011

Today is the last day of the 11 in 2011 challenge. That means I finished my first Blogging challenge!  I had so much fun with this and I hope this is just one of many more I'll do.

Now on to todays topic...

Day 11: What I am Looking Forward to in 2011

Mac & I are going to TRY and take a drive down to Florida.  We want to stop at different places along the way.  It sounds like SOOO much fun & I'm hoping we can pull it off.  I'm sure I'll talk more about this as we continue to figure things out.

My 26th Birthday (February 15th by the way for anyone interested ;)

Since yesterday's post about girls night out came up I've decided that a) it's been WAY too long since a real night out with the girlies  b) it's been too long since I've been at Male Revue c) I've never really gone out and really celebrated my birthday (minus my 21st when I decided to bar hop til 4am with the BFF) that for my birthday I'm going to Male Revue.  I sent out the invitation via facebook yesterday.  So far it's me and 2 maybe 3 other people.  That's okay, small groups are better sometimes.  So February 12th me, my bff and a friend of the fiance will be going to see some good looking men dance for us.  I'm excited.

6th Anniversary

It's a weird number to celebrate but for our 5th anniversary last year we didn't do anything.  Mac was laidoff at the time and money wasn't something we really had to spend, so he's working this year and I'd like to celebrate it (I'm thinking that our trip to Florida would probably be our anniversary gift/trip since it'll cost quite a bit...all the more reason we HAVE to go!)

Mac turns 30!! I have til June to think about what to do for his birthday.  

Some other things I look forward to:

Possibly moving into a bigger place (with my mom and Mac)

Talks about when we're going to TRY and have a baby

Starting school again

Getting a drivers license

Can't wait to see what everyone is looking forward to :)

11 in 2011 (Day 10)

11 in 2011 Day 10: Favorite Girls Night Out Event

That's my best friend of  at least 16 years, Me & my ex-co worker but good friend Chelsea at her 22nd Birthday in August

I haven't done a real girls night out in FOREVER.  Back when I was 20 we used to go out regularly to Male Revue at Club Abyss in Sayreville NJ.  The last time I did a male revue was July 15 2005. One day before I met Mac.  Usually a couple of my girlfriends and I will just go out to dinner or just go shopping.  I think I'm going to have to plan a Male Revue night out soon.  My birthday is coming up so it seems like a perfect opportunity!

What do you like to do with your girlfriends?

_____________________________________________________________________________

 Only one day left & I will have finished my first Blogging Challenge :)

I have an entry that I need to write.  My 1 (and only) follower gave me a versatile blogger award and I need to write an entry on that but it'll have to wait until I sit down for more than 5 minutes :)

Day 9: Favorite things to do on a cold day

Day 9: Favorite thing to do on a cold day:

• Curl up on the couch with the fiance
• Watch a movie 
• Eat soup/chili
• play wii or kinect

What's your favorite thing to do?

Days left:

Day 10:  Favorite Girls Night Out Events

Day 11:  What are you Looking Forward to in 2011

Day 8: Healthy Snacks

I LOVE snacking.  While not all my snacks are healthy (like those FOUR snickerdoodle cookies I ate the other day), I do for the most part try not to eat junk.

I like doing 100 calorie snacks (Although I usually just do the regular boxes and throw them into snack size ziplock bags. I think it's cheaper), fresh fruit w/peanut butter, fruit cups, pudding cups and even occasionally a pb&j sandwich if I'm super hungry.

I cannot wait to read everyone else's snacks and get more ideas.

Days Left:
Day 9:   Favorite Things to Do on a Cold Winter Day

Day 10:  Favorite Girls Night Out Events
Day 11:  What are you Looking Forward to in 2011

The missing ring

That picture is very similar to my engagement ring.  It was passed down to Mac from my mom.  It was my grandmother's.  Grandma & Grandpa would of been married 50+ years by now.  When I got the ring, I took it as a good sign and that hopefully it would bring us as much love and happiness as they had while they were married.

Well...I went to the gym on Monday night and I take off all my jewelry because I don't like when rings turn, or necklaces move up and down while I'm running on the treadmill.  So I took off the ring, and my bracelet.  I slid the ring onto bracelet and closed the clasp.  After that I put it in my wallet so I could easily find it later.  Or so I thought.  I didn't think anything of it on Tuesday since I'm off of work and pretty much stayed in pj's all day.  Last night I went to put everything back on..only I can't find it.  I think I lost my engagement ring!  My Grandmother's ring!! I'm so sad and upset with myself.  It could be anywhere from Mac's car to the gym parking lot..Anywhere.  I have very little hope that it'll turn up.

Send good wishes that it shows up...

11 in 2011 (Days 1-7)

Day 1: New Year Resolutions

Day 2: Favorite Holiday Memory

Day 3:  Favorite Work-Out Tips
Day 4:  Best Leftover Recipe

Day 5:  Places You Hope to go this Year

Day 6:  Best Organization Tricks

Day 7:  Favorite Memory of 2010
Day 8:  Favorite Healthy Snacks
Day 9:   Favorite Things to Do on a Cold Winter Day
Day 10:  Favorite Girls Night Out Events

Day 11:  What are you Looking Forward to in 2011

 

So since I'm new & trying to get some readers, I figured I'd do the 11 in 2011 even though we're now 7 days in.. (Better late than never?)

Day 1 (New Years Resolutions)

• Go back to school
• Study for & get my permit.  
• Give up soda
• Go back to the gym and go at least 4x a week.
• Write more..even if it's just to post what I did that day. It's good for memories
• Be more positive in life.  
• Start seriously talking to Mac about kids.  We know we want them & we want them soon, but I'm a worrier, so I need to know we'd be okay when we have a baby (money wise...I know you're never really ready, but I refuse to be a struggling parent).  

Day 2 (Favorite Holiday Memory):

 

Before my parents got divorced...Christmas morning we'd get up, dad would set up the video camera so we could record Christmas morning & send it to my grandparents in Florida.  We'd open our presents, try on our new clothes, I'd play with my toys.  There would be Christmas music playing on the radio. After presents were done, mom & dad would put together breakfast for us.  In the afternoon we'd go to my mom's SIL and Brother's house to meet up with them, and grandma & grandpa (who lived downstairs from them), do presents and have dinner.  Afterward we'd go to my other Aunt's house for desert and presents.  Holidays definitely aren't the same anymore.  I'm hoping my love of holidays will come back when we have kids...

Day 3 (Favorite Workout tip)

 

  My favorite tip would have to be forget the scale and focus on the inches lost.  When I was going to the gym 4x a week and had a trainer my weight didn't always change but the inches came off.

Day 4 (Best Leftover Recipe)

 

Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots, thawed under cold water
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 3/4 cups turkey or chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
• Pastry for 9-inch two crust pie, prepared or purchased

Preparation:

Drain peas and carrots; set aside. Heat butter in 2-quart saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in flour, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly; remove from heat then stir in broth and milk. Place back on heat; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in turkey and vegetables. Prepare pastry. Roll 2/3 of the pastry into a 13-inch square; ease into ungreased 9-inch square pan. Pour turkey mixture into the pastry-lined pan. Roll remaining pastry into 11-inch square; cut out designs with small cookie cutter. Place square over filling; turn edges under and crimp. Bake in 425° oven until golden brown, about 35 min.
Serves 6.

 

Day 5 (Places you hope to go this year):

 

Mac just found out from work the other day that he gets two weeks vacation.  In our 5 (almost 6) years together, we've never gone on a real vacation.  Our plan is to drive to Florida while stopping at different places on our way.  We'll take 2 days by car to get there, stay in Florida for 3 days, maybe visit some family members while we're there and then drive home stopping at different places on the way home.  I've never done a road trip in my 25 years of life so I'm SUPER excited..I just hope we go through with it.

 

Day 6 (Best Organization Tip):

 

Ha! I have NONE for this.  I'm probably one the most disorganized person you'll ever meet. I'm looking forward to looking at other people's post on this.

 

Day 7 (Favorite memory of 2010):

 

Probably finding out that Mac had gotten the job and my 2 trips to Ft Lauderdale Fl with my dad.

 

I'm all caught up now..that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I look forward to doing the rest :o)

New Year, New Blog

Hello Bloggers!  It's a New Year & I'm looking forward to blogging here.  I've never been on this site before so any help would be greatly appreciated (and needed!)

I'm pretty sure I'll be the only one reading this blog for a while.  I'm just looking for a place to document my life and maybe even share with friends & family (near & far) one day.

That pic you see to your left is me & my fiance Mac.  We celebrated 5 wonderful years together in July.  We have no wedding date set right now, maybe one day, but for now we're just enjoying each other one day at a time.

I have high hopes that 2011 will be a wonderful year.  We've had a rough couple of years (3 layoffs, financial struggles, etc) and I refuse to have a bad year this year.

Here's to a wonderful 2011...