tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293251972011-04-21T23:31:05.386-05:00Author Jenny B. Jones' blog about writing, life, and everything crazy.Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.comBlogger1441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-79700128254541783972008-04-02T19:29:00.001-05:002008-04-02T19:30:48.967-05:00

The new site is up (mostly)!! So now you have one stop shopping--you can see the site AND the blog all at one place. It's like Wal-Mart! So for the latest blog, please visit:http://www.jennybjones.com

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-33479799221941546172008-03-29T08:09:00.006-05:002008-03-29T08:47:29.007-05:00

It's 8 a.m.And I've been up since 6:30. I am soo ticked! This was one of those weeks where all that gets you through is the knowledge that you can sleep in on Saturday. So obviously there is some law of science or nature that says a Worn Out Body With the Opportunity to Sleep Until Nine Will Wake Up Before Roosters and Howling Neighbor Dogs. (AND it's even raining--PERFECT sleeping weather!

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-74292098940774672812008-03-26T18:11:00.010-05:002008-03-26T18:42:54.215-05:00

Happy Wednesday. It's been a rough week coming back after Spring Break. I was born to be a lady of leisure. I do "nothing" really well. Speaking of nothing, that's exactly what I'm eating. Remember the strict diet? Well, seems I fell off the wagon (more like jumped with all my might), and my doctor was not impressed. So I have to start all over again. Some of it's only for about six weeks, but

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-58683975862452736052008-03-24T07:49:00.003-05:002008-03-23T20:08:08.690-05:00

It's back to work, back to school, back to the real world. So sad. Maybe our presidential candidates should focus on some real issues--like making spring break two weeks. Or adding another day to the weekend. A movement like that could really unite a country. Had a great time in Hawaii. White pasty girls are definitely the minority. But short people were plentiful, so I enjoyed hanging out with

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-59393901054605309932008-03-19T06:06:00.006-05:002008-03-14T18:25:55.552-05:00

It's me again. Just sunning myself on the beach of Oahu. A cabana boy is fanning me and I'm sipping ice tea and reading The Wall Street Journal. Okay, as I write this I'm still at home, I leave in eighteen hours, and I have not packed a thing. And I keep eating my snacks for the plane. And more than likely by this time on Wednesday, I'm a nice shade of pink, I have a collection of bugs stuck in

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-37637437438645435532008-03-17T05:33:00.005-05:002008-03-14T18:05:08.161-05:00

Okay, so it's not really Monday as I send this. Here's the first half of chapter one of The Big Picture, coming to a shelf near you in April. Mark your calendars. Call your friends. Take a sick day and camp out at the book store. Before I post it, I would like to make a random comment and say that there is nothing like the grief of getting home with your Mexican takeout and finding your queso

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-80220779097874093162008-03-14T08:11:00.006-05:002008-03-13T21:41:19.354-05:00

Well, it's that time of year again. Time when my school shuts down and gives me a whole week off. So you know what that means, right? No, it doesn't mean I'll be painting. (I heard that.) It does mean that I will be going on a little trip and more than likely not blogging. But when I return I will have lots of pictures of really, really important things. Like this memorable one from London.Or

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-40760391229276582008-03-12T09:13:00.005-05:002008-03-11T21:39:51.188-05:00

So this weekend I had my annual church retreat in Branson, MO. If you haven't been to Branson, you should definitely go. Maybe not when it's 35 degrees like I did, but it's something to see. It's like the generic, Rated G version of Vegas. And really--once is all it takes. Anytime I see pop references to Branson, MO on TV, I'm always so excited. "Oh, my gosh! I've been there!" Unlike when they

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-487696574956031322008-03-07T07:32:00.001-06:002008-03-06T20:17:04.701-06:00

Happy Friday!I will be picking the winner of Camy Tang's Only Uni Monday. So there is still time to leave a comment on Wednesday's post and get in the running for a free book. A friend of mine is shoe shopping for ballet flats, but accidentally found THESE instead. Not quite what she was looking for. But if you don't have toes, they'd be perfect. The new James Bond movie will be called Quantum

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-49941769187931657892008-03-05T05:48:00.006-06:002008-03-04T19:32:55.441-06:00

Today Asian chick-lit author Camy Tang has stopped by to talk about one of her favorite topics--historical fiction, sometimes referred to as "bodice rippers." I might've read one or two in my day... It's hard to resist them when the people on the cover are so life-like. The females always remind me of myself--10 inch waist, perfect bod, long wavy hair. And beautifully matched to a total hunk. Yep

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-23262112539709563942008-03-03T08:05:00.001-06:002008-03-02T20:15:37.760-06:00

I keep a running list of things my students say that crack me up (and usually it's a laughing on the inside sort of thing). Thought I'd share a few. Beware though--they might make you want to become a teacher. (I'll send you my pay stub if the temptation becomes too strong.) If you had one super power, what would it be? Student: I’d have meat vision. Who’s your hero?Student: Mario from Nintendo.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-28327575231570390542008-02-27T15:41:00.001-06:002008-02-27T18:41:10.521-06:00

So if you haven't read the Twilight series, you really do need to. It will be all the talk this year when the movie comes out. And I love how one of the few MAJOR best sellers to happen this year is a YA novel. And it's a love story. Specifically...a vampire love story. And I applaud this. Because frankly, it's about time someone came out of the closet, stood up and said, "I love vampires." When

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-2128435934478458652008-02-25T07:05:00.004-06:002008-02-24T15:49:55.573-06:00

First of all, thanks to the flu, I taught one single day last week. And even though we got this MIRACULOUS snow day with nothing but rain, which meant I could've gone to the mall guilt-free in between GMA and Oprah, I was logging in more couch time clutching a box of Puffs. Seriously, my butt bonded more time with the couch last week than in the last few years combined. I think there's a

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-54136631552278422392008-02-20T07:06:00.002-06:002008-02-19T19:33:37.135-06:00

Okay, who the HECK gave me this stinkin' cold? Whoever you are, whoever DARED to breathe your germ breath on me, you KNOW who you are, and you're EVIL. My nose is about to rot off from all the Kleenex. And NOTHING was on TV today. NOTHING. I tried to watch Regis and Kelly, but Kelly is so skinny I got mad. Then on The View they were talking about exercise equipment. YAWN!!! Then I tried to take

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-53522514824771225242008-02-18T07:22:00.004-06:002008-02-17T21:24:00.227-06:00

Occasionally there are some funny things in our high school announcements. Like this event:Second Annual Shark Dissection/AP Biology Lock InI ask you, who the HECK wants to have a slumber party so you can cut up a SHARK? Of course, I'm the one who took a whole batch of obscure science classes in college so I would never have to dissect anything worse than a tree limb. One of the students who gave

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-62891334174138023312008-02-15T05:30:00.006-06:002008-02-14T17:54:53.136-06:00

Teaching has it's moments, it really does. One of my favorite birthdays was made special because a group of my drama kids took it upon themselves to throw me a party in class complete with a sash, crown, beautifully tacky jewelry, Jones Soda, and my own director's chair. Today two students shared some Valentine's Day cookies with me. We all have this mandatory study hall at our school 2x a week.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-12637818206871039032008-02-14T09:00:00.002-06:002008-02-13T21:15:51.242-06:00

I finished my book today. Sent it off to the publisher. Free at last! And I celebrated by getting illegal fajitas with illegal guacamole and illegal chips. All that was missing was an illegal Diet Coke! But there's always this weekend...I then topped off the memorable day by a shot to the butt. Because why let the fun stop with fajitas?I will stop talking about shots eventually, but I'm still in

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-36679769020745619362008-02-13T05:04:00.000-06:002008-02-12T17:59:53.376-06:00

It's been an interesting week of a down-scaled diet. I dare you to look at this picture and NOT shed a tear.That's an entire trash bag of "no-no" foods. I practically chased the trash truck down the street as they carried it off. But I knew I had to let it go. Set it free. Plus I have contraband snacks stashed throughout the house, so whatever. I'm a total grazer. I'm used to eating every few

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-7491883758750593592008-02-11T14:28:00.000-06:002008-02-11T15:07:05.733-06:00

So a few weeks ago God granted us a miracle in some sled-worthy snow. Schools for miles around were closed for two days in a row. (Some were closed today due to some light ice, but I can't discuss that without crying.) Anyway my friend Holly has the perfect area behind her house to sled. You just have to be able to dodge a few of these.And there were a few wild beasts. Like this one. And snow

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-35639365480928557672008-02-06T20:01:00.000-06:002008-02-06T20:07:41.965-06:00

Oprah and I finally have something in common besides curly hair. It’s an amazingly fun thing called hypothyroidism. Today, after years of “what the heck is wrong with me?” I finally got my diagnosis. Turns out I’m not just naturally lazy. There’s a reason I long to take a nap at any given point of the day. I’m now excusably lazy! (And somehow this belongs on a t-shirt)So today we got some

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-9403776992233549142008-01-31T09:58:00.000-06:002008-02-01T10:08:40.733-06:00

So it's been a quiet, sad week in the Jones house. I appreciate all the kind thoughts sent my way. I don't have my fair share of mercy when it comes to people, but I'm absolutely cursed with a pathetic amount of sensitivity when it comes to animals. There's a reason they know me by name at my vet's office. But God, in his infinite wisdom, looked down, saw me and thought, "That girl needs a little

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-57523650751240062932008-01-28T16:10:00.001-06:002008-01-28T16:16:47.071-06:00

In a month that has seen such loss as Heather Ledger and that child star I don't even recognize, the world has suffered another loss. Today Psycho Kitty went to be with the Lord. Or where ever psycho kitties go. He loved kibbles, water, and naps.Enjoyed belly rubs. Was an excellent shedder. His hobbies included digging toys out of the trash that he hadn't played with in a year. Other past times

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-62355272043847220662008-01-24T17:27:00.000-06:002008-01-24T21:00:22.593-06:00

I'm hoping to finish a book this weekend, so I've been a horrible blogger. And absolutely nothing exciting has happened in my life this week, so when your week is totally unglam, what can a girl say? First off, rest in peace, Heath Ledger. Shocking or what? And why was an Olsen twin the first person called? Maybe it was in his living will: If something happens to me, do not call 9-1-1. Call

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-16252422734703231362008-01-21T17:27:00.000-06:002008-01-21T17:49:49.050-06:00

Once again I have placed all my self-worth on the wrong things and come up short. Snow. Well, actually, this time--ice. I have tracked this system for DAYS. For nearly a week, in fact.And it was all a go--until this afternoon. Yes, the school-closing, couch/tv promising ice we were supposed to get Tuesday has been scaled back at the last minute to "a little bit of insignificant sleet." It will

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-15416933898099091772008-01-18T06:15:00.000-06:002008-01-17T18:39:32.351-06:00

One school in my general area got cancelled this morning. It wasn't mine. But since I know you're on the edge of your seat, worried about my weather situation (or lack of), let me tell you there is a chance of sleet and a wintery mix Monday, and I'm all over it. Oh, let it be like a water into wine miracle. Turn that barely frozen precip into school closing snow!!! And is "winter mix" weatherman

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-62242774488087339612008-01-15T18:36:00.000-06:002008-01-15T18:47:28.956-06:00

I would've blogged Monday, but I was too distraught. We have a chance of flurries to a light dusting this week. Specifically tonight. Dusting. What a nasty word. I've been riveted to the TV, watching every weather report available. And I'm so blue, I don't know how I've even made it to work. It's all so punishing. Here are some words I don't want to hear any more:1. The front is heading south.2.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-83386977070977725942008-01-11T06:48:00.000-06:002008-01-10T19:07:43.038-06:00

It's been a wild week of Britney watching, tornado ducking, and of course...no snow. I know you're dying for an update, so I wanted to let you know that I've made no progress in my yoga and my quest to balance myself on my elbows while upside down. But I bet when I get there, I can also do this:But apparently roller skating under cars is much like yoga--you have to practice. And that's not my

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-37528850198357889252008-01-09T09:37:00.000-06:002008-01-08T19:44:12.177-06:00

Seventy degree weather in the winter doesn't just make Al Gore angry. It makes Mother Nature totally freak out. Ugh. last night was cray-zay! It all started about seven. Then continued through two a.m. Funnel clouds, rotations, get to your safe place (really? I should take cover from a tornado in a vat of Ben and Jerry's?), all is safe, no, cancel that, take cover again! Etc. EXHAUSTING. A lot of

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-33230562156951424352008-01-07T07:52:00.000-06:002008-01-06T20:14:31.087-06:00

I need a vacation. The lack of snow in my 68 degree world is about to do me in. I'm about to go all Britney and call Dr. Phil. And when I get stressed, I like to think about. . . otters. You can't look at these two and not get a peacful, easy feeling. You know those otters are like, "Ugh. They're staring. Again.""I know, like watch the flash, lady!" Otters aren't always that calm though. I may

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-28047844960637210822008-01-03T18:39:00.000-06:002008-01-03T19:10:55.165-06:00

Wow, lots going on in the world. Trouble in Pakistan, chaos in Kenya, the hustle and bustle of Iowa, my former governor on Jay Leno.Lindsey Lohan boozing it up on New Year's, Brit's lawyers quitting (the third set), and Brit finally sitting down to her deposition (a whole whopping 14 minutes--what's that about?). And a story that also came out this past week--the poor girl whose essay won her

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-18181262463760946142007-12-31T16:33:00.000-06:002007-12-31T16:59:28.747-06:00

It's that time of year again. Time to make resolutions. Here are some of mine. I personally think it's important to pick resolutions you can actually accomplish so you don't spend the rest of the year hating yourself because you didn't learn Italian or climb Mt. Fuji. I resolve to:1. Pack lighter on my next trip. I don't know what possesses me to think I need to bring every pair of shoes I own

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-58244891946601498032007-12-28T10:38:00.000-06:002007-12-28T11:36:30.508-06:00

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I sure did! I've had a really great week off from all things writing. Except gift tags. Had to write those. In bulk. Here is a breakdown of my Christmas break so far (or Winter break as my PC school likes to call it). Thursday night before C'mas was the yearly ornament party at my friend Holly's. It was a great turn out. And by that I mean the food brought was

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-44379610667943448202007-12-21T08:10:00.000-06:002007-12-21T09:43:01.773-06:00

Welcome! Welcome! I konw you're super excited--the enthusiasm is palpable. (Or maybe I'm just feeling the after effects of all that bean dip from last night.)Drumroll please... (D.R. Hint: I find the rolling of the tongue more effective than the pounding of hands on a hard surface, but my friend Leslie prefers the method of. . . nevermind.) ...It's the Jen's Favorite Things Show 2007!Just like

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-59952394919292544972007-12-19T06:12:00.000-06:002007-12-18T18:22:03.664-06:00

Or maybe I have a compulsion. I seem to have a teeny, tiny obsession with buying--and taking back--digital cameras. I can't help it! As soon as you buy one, an ad comes out within a few weeks for something bigger (actually smaller) and better. But it's getting harder and harder to return them. Monday I went to two Wal-Mart stores, spoke with five different people, all because I was wanting to

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-34719187057333039462007-12-17T08:51:00.000-06:002007-12-16T21:21:30.536-06:00

Here's our first snow! Can you see all the flakes?OF COURSE YOU CAN'T!!!!I think the weathermen out there are all conspiring against me. They toy with my feelings. So our 4-6 inches, which later got moved to 2-4 inches, ended up being a teeny, tiny dusting. Just enough to look pretty coming down...then melt immediately on impact. It was heart-wrenching. Maybe it didn't stick because I kept

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-64315047174891750492007-12-14T09:16:00.000-06:002007-12-13T21:36:04.492-06:00

Toward the tailend of a deadline, I take on a new persona. I get cranky, I guard my time like a pitbull, and everything stresses me out. And occasionally I forget to bathe. ...just kidding. Well, except for today, but who showers on Fridays anyways?So let me tell you my woes. First of all, one of my favorite Mexican restaurant chains has shut down. A moment of silence if you will...I seriously

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-86479931111400925962007-12-12T08:36:00.000-06:002007-12-11T20:51:50.204-06:00

I'm a loser blogger, and I have nothing prepared today. I have gifts to buy, gifts to wrap, Christmas programs to attend, papers to grade, a couple hundred pages to write, a toilet or two to clean, snow to pray for, and a speech to practice on why Christmas makes me happy. So in the meantime here's some fun things to check out. If you're like me, you are snow deprived. It's not something the FDA

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-10201716815599020552007-12-10T14:42:00.000-06:002007-12-10T17:12:12.012-06:00

I'm a little late on the blog today. Sighhh...see, I wasn't supposed to have school today and I was going to have all day long to blog. Then my dreams were dashed. Crushed like the cigarette butt of the teenagers who hide in the bathroom during lunch. Shattered like Britney Spears reputation. Hiijacked like the poor guys in the Tahoe victimized by Lindsay Lohan. I would explain, but let's just

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-70946907057814353312007-12-06T19:53:00.000-06:002007-12-06T20:15:29.785-06:00

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog to tell you there is a chance of frozen precip in the area. Jen could not be available to write her Pulitzer-worthy post today because she is busy begging her Lord for snow and ice. She cannot be torn away from the snow altar she has built in the back yard for occasions such as this. These special prayers take concentration and sometimes it takes many

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-65994598479831185552007-12-05T06:31:00.000-06:002007-12-04T18:52:14.437-06:00

So I'm a little grumpy. And I've been watching too much Dr. Oz on Oprah. Because now everything I see is a potential health hazard. And I tend to obsess about that stuff. My new thing is aspartame. I drink Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke. And it has aspartame. So this week at work I've had to spend a lot of time in the computer lab...with nothing better to do than to randomly Google things. And I

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-78142208527360464392007-12-03T07:10:00.000-06:002007-12-02T19:43:58.178-06:00

It's that time of year again. Christmas carols. Tinsel. Jingle bells. And Christmas emails. I got this one last week and thought I'd share (translation: I had a really slow weekend and couldn't think of anything else to blog about). Feel free to contribute your own or pass it on to others. Some of us are not afraid to halt work day productivity to participate in some mindless emailing. Especially

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-88407834883791048382007-11-30T06:19:00.000-06:002007-11-29T18:28:20.076-06:00

Last weekend I saw a great movie. Enchanted. I told my students about it, but most were not impressed in the least. They are only impressed when we discuss movies that involve decapitation, blood, and guts. This movie definitely doesn’t qualify. So the gist of Enchanted is that Giselle is a cartoon. And she lives in this perfect cartoon world. She wonders “Where oh where is my true love?” And

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-72625878972526549082007-11-27T20:38:00.000-06:002007-11-27T20:51:11.317-06:00

Day two at work without any email. That's right--can you imagine? It's been sheer torture. So we're all about energy conservation at my school. (Seriously, we have somebody whose job as "Energy Czar" is just to monitor our energy use and constantly pop in and out of the buildings AT NIGHT and check to see if our stuff is all turned off.) So I had to turn off my computer over the Thanksgiving

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-32238998850132613902007-11-26T04:49:00.000-06:002007-11-25T17:12:25.676-06:00

Mondays... they're way too frequent. And why do they have to follow a weekend? Why make the worst day of the week follow the best TWO DAYS of the week? BUT...I only have to get through this week then I get to wear JEANS through all the month of December at school! YIPPEE!! All because I donated money to a local charity. And only 25 bucks! Is that not the best deal ever? I would donate a KIDNEY in

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-2841186021819172182007-11-22T19:44:00.000-06:002007-11-22T20:00:14.894-06:00

Just a quick post. It's only 7:44 p.m. here, but I should've been in bed two hours ago. Seems Early Bird Sales (I capitalize it because it's a holy time for my family members) start even EARLIER this year--four a.m. If you check the JCPenney online ad it says "Open At Four" then there's an asterisk. The fine print reads: Unless prohibited by state. The shopping hour of four a.m. is so indecent

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-57165275505765224742007-11-21T08:17:00.000-06:002007-11-20T20:39:56.490-06:00

Once again it's time to reflect upon the things I am thankful for. 1. I'm thankful that Michael Jackson no longer lives in this country. I don't know why I care, but somehow I sleep better knowing he's elsewhere.2. For my family not sending out MISSING alerts on me. With the writing and working situation what it is, I don't know if they remember me. But I will be the one in line for pie Thursday.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-68015799912008604462007-11-19T08:37:00.000-06:002007-11-18T20:56:44.607-06:00

Okay, for all of you who have been asking about Paula Abdul, yes she's THAT short! And that's really cute that some of you GOOGLED her height and it SAYS she's taller than me at 5'2, but she's NOT! She is NOT taller than me! Stars change their height and weight stats just like they change their names. I totally could've towered over her. In fact, I tried, but security intervened...So let's go

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-24600078354486024982007-11-15T19:25:00.000-06:002007-11-15T20:10:49.268-06:00

I have seen FIVE stars this week. Five! Cinco! Before I get into last Saturday's super star sighting, let me show you who I saw today. The pictures are of course awful! She was right in front of me and my camera would NOT cooperate! Okay, if you close your left eye and squint with the right, you will clearly see that you are looking at none other than Miss Paula Abdul. For real. She was at my

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-67291823274861183932007-11-14T06:33:00.000-06:002007-11-13T18:59:37.668-06:00

So Monday I stopped by a local junior high to talk to seventh, eighth, and ninth graders. It was interesting. (I doubt they'd say the same...)Speaking to schools is not a comfortable feeling. Yeah, I do it every day as a teacher, but to go speak as someone who writes books...not too cozy. "Hey, kids, even though there are a 100 things you'd rather I discuss, let's talk about ME! And writing--

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-72825087809952036302007-11-11T16:34:00.000-06:002007-11-11T18:07:02.904-06:00

Happy Monday! Hope you had a good weekend. I sure did! Friday night I stayed home and "worked." Okay, well, that was the plan. Somehow I managed to get nothing done. Saturday morning...well, that will be a post for another day. But it was a stinkin' cool Saturday. And Saturday night...Chris Tomlin concert! Woo-Hoo! It was a lot of fun, despite the fact that the concert was at a track arena. WHO

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-27570559968454336872007-11-08T19:34:00.001-06:002007-11-08T19:39:17.645-06:00

I'm really lazy, so I thought I would post my blog entry from Girls, God, and the Good Life. I struggle with negativity. (Can a sister get an amen?)A friend of mine (who does not struggle with negativity, though I still like her...) told me about these bracelets that people at work were wearing. Apparently on Oprah this pastor told about his campaign for a "Complaint Free World" and his mission

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-552891058674807552007-11-07T09:47:00.000-06:002007-11-06T22:03:59.858-06:00

So some big shot architects have unveiled their version of a green home. You can read about it HERE. This five bedroom, four bath wonder is really into recycling. It includes a chair made of trashed margarine containers. (A lot of muffin eating went into making that chair.) And it has a lovely bench constructed of recycled milk cartons. I bet that smells really good. And the wood exterior of the

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-75894135663408778142007-11-05T14:23:00.000-06:002007-11-05T14:57:14.009-06:00

Happy Monday! Have you accomplished anything significant yet? I have! I hate to brag at my skills, but I just single-handedly ate ALMOST an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake. Yes, indeed. See, I thought, "I'll just have a few bites." But then the graham cracker crust bits started calling my name, and I thought, "How many bites will it take until they're all gone?" Not many. If

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-32479387956194923782007-11-01T19:31:00.000-05:002007-11-01T19:50:03.343-05:00

Children getting hurt is never funny.Unless it's this video. And before you flame me, this cheerleader was not hurt, and if CNN can report it, so can I. Cheerleader Run Over By Football Team - Watch more free videosNotice how not a SINGLE football player stops to pick her up? Not even the B string in the back. It's all fun and games until a cheerleader gets mowed down.But you know children really

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-27672670963817728232007-10-31T20:17:00.001-05:002007-10-31T20:37:30.845-05:00

Halloween is a holiday that many Christians do not take part in. Some say it promotes evil and darkness. In my family, we think it promotes candy.But it's not like we'd ever let our young family members wear ghoulish costumes. No, if we did participate in Halloween, we'd dress them up in cute, positive outfits that reflect light! And joy!Oops. Okay, so this one slid by us. This is my uber spooky

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-50041449861408615742007-10-29T20:07:00.001-05:002007-10-29T20:23:52.595-05:00

I should so be editing right now. So behind. But I just got back from a full night of parent-teacher conferences, and more work is the last thing I feel like doing. Vegging out in front of the TV and watching some E! or Conan sounds so much better. (but I will edit anyway...)It's been fun to read the reviews coming in on On the Loose. You can read the latest one here. Funny that Jamie, the kind

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-60610801820822750802007-10-27T13:14:00.000-05:002007-10-27T13:33:29.072-05:00

Friends, neighbors, and random people I've never met...We are gathered here today to say goodbye to an old, dear, dear friend. Black Dishwasher Number One. Black Dishwasher Number One, or BDNO, to those who knew him best, was an overworked soul. He tried in all things, even when he didn't feel like it. I have learned many things from knowing BDNO. Things such as eating off a plate with a little

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-83922936972002092952007-10-24T14:54:00.000-05:002007-10-24T15:12:41.895-05:00

So I'm stressed. I have a lot going on and nothing getting done. Plus all my neighbors are outdoing me on the Halloween decor. Maybe cuz I have nothing up. But I think the cobwebs and dead plants near my porch add a nice touch. What do you do when you're stressed? This week I've been aware that I have a few habits during these anxious hours, days, or months not belonging to summer break. 1. I

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-62714906836733569392007-10-22T14:39:00.000-05:002007-10-22T15:12:47.674-05:00

So last week I colored my hair. And due to reasons that would totally bore you, I can no longer use salon or drug store type of hair color. (It's tragic really.) So now if I want my hair colored, I have to use henna. Henna is what gives people those fake, red looking tattoos. And if you don't want your hair the color of a fake, red tattoo, the color of a pumpkin or GREEN, you have to add some

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-53143060338145515812007-10-18T22:05:00.001-05:002007-10-18T22:20:07.601-05:00

So I ask my students a "question of the day." On Monday they might have to tell me their favorite TV show, Tuesday their least favorite band, etc. When you ask teenagers for their opinion, you better be ready for...well, their opinion. Here are some recent quotes. Me: "What animal would you want to be?"Ninth Grader: "A dolphin."Me: "Why?"Ninth Grader: "Because they’ve got good mating calls."Me: "

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-22419957709257097002007-10-16T19:00:00.000-05:002007-10-16T19:04:27.689-05:00

I’ve received a few common questions lately, so I thought I would address some of those. 1. How do you come up with the names for your characters? Well, the bad characters get the names of students and possibly distant family members who gave me grief or bad Christmas presents. Characters I like are sometimes named after friends, family I like, and names I get from peeking into Cabbage Patch

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-66697428972585999382007-10-11T20:37:00.001-05:002007-10-11T21:08:18.183-05:00

This chipmunk should enroll in Julliard.You only need about the first 50 seconds or so of this one. Watch the dude on the left. Clearly he trained with the chipmunk. I don't know about you, but this answered a lot of questions for me. You know underneath it all, Weird Al really is a good musician. I love the "Drop It Like It's Hot" segment.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-12429841431388526152007-10-09T20:58:00.000-05:002007-10-09T21:17:44.305-05:00

Here’s a little poem I made up.Stuff To Do Blues (A poem that does not rhyme, but is no less artistic)Supposed to be writing a bookBut I’m notCause I’m lazyI’m lazy, lazy, lazy.Oprah should do a show on lazy.Instead of how to puree butternut squash.Facebook is evil.Got me tangled in its snare. “Check me out every two seconds,” it says. I try to ignore its siren’s song. But can’t.Oprah should do a

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-43189893182808621792007-10-07T18:36:00.000-05:002007-10-07T18:48:51.550-05:00

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Also hope it was restful because we have a big day of celebrating to do. It is Columbus Day. Here are the reasons I am grateful for Christopher Columbus:A. The date of your voyage is the only historical date I’ve ever been able to remember. Whenever I’m feeling blue about the fact that I can’t recall the end of the Civil War or when the Magna Carta was signed

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-73180640201031387252007-10-03T18:23:00.000-05:002007-10-04T06:47:54.364-05:00

Congrats to "Deborah," who won a copy of On the Loose just by leaving a comment on my blog last week. When Oprah and Steven Spielberg come calling, Deborah, that thing will be your meal ticket when you sell it on eBay. Just kidding. Unfortunately.Anyway, so as I mentioned days and days ago, I went to Dallas for a conference. I was so good and kept my snarkiness to myself (not that there was

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-9714295882051800572007-10-01T20:38:00.001-05:002007-10-01T20:58:26.239-05:00

Okay, I need a few days to process my feelings on Brit losing custody. I probably need to go to a quiet place, drink chamomile, and write some poetry. I will turn my feelings into art. Brit and I will get through this. Congrats to EDGE, who won a free copy of Camy Tang's book Sushi for One? (And Edge, email me: jen at jennybjones.com for details.) Thanks to my good friend Heather for referring

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-41470631143562072972007-09-29T21:02:00.000-05:002007-09-29T21:31:54.858-05:00

I'm in the process of revamping (totally demolishing and rebuilding) my website. And when I say "I," I mean somebody else-someone who knows what they're doing (which counts me out). During a meeting with the web designer, he jokingly mentioned having a tab on my site for recipes. But you know what? There are a handful of authors who do have recipes on their site. I don't want to deprive anyone of

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-60945150390519214632007-09-26T15:41:00.000-05:002007-09-26T16:34:39.148-05:00

First of all, don't forget to leave a comment on Monday's entry to get your name in the running for Camy Tang's Sushi For One? You do not want to miss it. So last week I went to Dallas for a writer's conference--the annual American Christian Fiction Writers conference. I went to this event two years ago, armed with a whopping 25 pages of a novel. A favorite author of mine critiqued it, contacted

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-61591936806049373662007-09-24T06:08:00.000-05:002007-09-23T20:55:25.314-05:00

Today I'd like to welcome a special author and friend to the blog, Ms. Camy Tang. (And the crowd goes wild)Camy's first book, Sushi For One? hit the shelves this past September. I was lucky enough to get a preview and snag an interview. You can be lucky, too, and WIN a copy yourself. Just leave a comment on this blog to be entered. Jen: What is Sushi for One? about?Camy: Here’s the blurb:Will Lex

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-68850964945482189902007-09-22T13:43:00.000-05:002007-09-22T14:03:35.606-05:00

I'm in the Big D for a writing conference. It's been a lot of fun, I've met a lot of great people, but I'm ready to go home. I know my cats need me. Their little kitty hearts cry to me from Arkansas.Actually I know they haven't even noticed I'm gone. I know I'll walk through the front door, and it will be a look that says, "You couldn't have gone ahead and finished out the whole month of

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-10193852058411306962007-09-16T08:56:00.000-05:002007-09-16T16:47:06.550-05:00

I gave away a bunch of advanced copies of On the Loose on Facebook. Are you my friend? You totally should be! Even if you're one of my former students and I gave you detention. Or interrupted your mid-class texting. Or gave you an F.Now for this week's contest. It's a very complicated two step process to enter. Here's what you have to do in order to be entered to win a copy of On the Loose, the

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-65228495159078714072007-09-15T17:04:00.000-05:002007-09-15T17:37:29.572-05:00

On the Loose hits shelves this week. I know, I know there will be lines and people camping out at midnight Monday night, but please, no fights. And share those candy bars and "waiting-all-night" snacks. It stresses me and J.K. Rowling out when our mobs of eager readers get violent. But we do understand. So ask your local booksellers for the book. (Say, "You know--On the Loose. By Jenny B. Jones.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-19589982419119323782007-09-12T15:06:00.000-05:002007-09-12T15:17:48.552-05:00

Did you know today is National Encouragement Day? This proclamation was signed by President Georgie Bush and originated by some kids in Arkansas. I learned that at school today. (And then celebrated my cerebral achievement with a Diet Coke)So in light of National Encouragement Day I will not pick on Britney Spears and her VMA performance. In fact, I don’t really want to. I have to admit, I am

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-12218120730127528822007-09-09T18:55:00.000-05:002007-09-09T19:02:44.056-05:00

Had a great weekend watching back to back Tyler Perry movies of Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion. If you have not checked out the phenomenally talented writing, acting, and directing talents of Mr. Perry, you gotta get on it. The man is a genius. Tyler Perry’s new movie I , Why Did I Get Married? comes out next month, and I’m totally psyched about it. It boasts a stellar cast

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-2038558750634028442007-09-05T18:25:00.000-05:002007-09-05T18:29:01.327-05:00

So I’m still trying to think up a tagline, a one word sentence that sums up me and my writing. I’ve made sooo much progress. Actually, like the pile of laundry I’ve been staring at, I’ve made zero progress. But my friend Sheila had some great ideas. Or maybe they’re just funny to me because I knew this girl when she talked to salt and pepper shakers in the eighth grade. Still, here are her

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-19528049773128678562007-09-03T19:58:00.000-05:002007-09-09T20:24:05.082-05:00

I had business cards made recently for a conference I've got coming up. Or to pass out to total strangers who could benefit from my phone number--whatever. Anyway, the lovely Dineen Miller of Designer Girl Graphics created them, and they're great. But when she asked me what my "tag line" was, I panicked. A tag line is a clever sentence that sums up you and your writing style. Some favorites I've

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-38702074447124902312007-08-29T14:16:00.000-05:002007-08-29T14:21:23.068-05:00

Here is the other half of chapter one. Just to refresh: Tornado. People in bathtub. Rocky’s whining is louder than both the siren and the TV. His big dog mouth is near my ear, and his breath is more of a natural disaster than any twister. I try to shove the dog off me with an elbow, but he’s rock solid. “Doing OK?” James holds his cushion up with one hand, his other arm curling around me and

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-37517068623524354662007-08-27T15:49:00.000-05:002007-08-27T16:03:18.387-05:00

Look for On the Loose, book two in the Katie Parker series to hit shelves the week of September 15. What's the book about? Why, thank for asking. What's a girl to do when the glass slipper doesn't fit? Six months into her stay with her foster parents, Katie Parker is finally adjusting to her new family. But when a tornado rips through the town of In Between, nothing is ever the same again. When

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-70490866517067598322007-08-25T17:30:00.000-05:002007-08-25T17:33:23.045-05:00

I hate peas, but I love this commercial.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-18572988633927240852007-08-22T15:34:00.000-05:002007-08-24T21:58:45.170-05:00

From my friend Sheila: "The security guard at the American Embassy in Paris was OBVIOUSLY flirting with you. Why didn't you flirt back?" "Because he had a machine gun." Totally took all his charm away. Anyway, after Paris, we hopped the Chunnel to London. I was nervous about this because it goes under the English Channel for about twenty minutes. That's not a thought that brings about feelings

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-56998742379804638822007-08-18T20:26:00.000-05:002007-08-18T21:18:01.472-05:00

Long time, no blog. I am editing The Big Picture, attempting to write back cover copy for the same book, trying to write a new series, starting back to school, and on top of that, I squeezed in a fun weekend trip with my family to good 'ol Branson, MO. But other than that, I have no excuses for not blogging. I took over 700 pictures while in London and Paris. I wanted to share every one of them

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-90627006959956288292007-08-12T20:22:00.000-05:002007-08-12T20:45:11.091-05:00

Vacation is so over, and it’s back to school time. Woo. Hoo. Had a great time in Europe. I survived the world’s largest Ferris wheel, the London Eye, though it’s resemblance to my childhood bicycle wheel worried me. Here’s something else that didn’t exactly comfort me. Don’t touch because you don’t want to break out the Windex, or don’t touch because I could fall through and go plummeting to my

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-82829719593809487952007-08-08T12:36:00.000-05:002007-08-08T13:32:05.375-05:00

I know you're just dying for all the juicy details about my Euro trip, such as my altercation at the US Embassy in Paris (pictures = no no), getting frisked at the airport (hand violations!!), and almost getting taken out by a manic biker (I didn't know I was in "her lane." Excusez moi.). But it will have to wait. I must catch up on drinking ice tea (when will those Europeans see the light?),

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-45810689484176266592007-07-27T09:44:00.000-05:002007-07-27T10:03:14.576-05:00

I love the feeling when a paint job is over. No, not as in when you blow your nose and Dover Hills Beige comes out. Or when you scrub for two days straight and you STILL have white paint in your hair. But that feeling of accomplishment. I think that’s why I like to paint—because I have to finish the job and you have a new room in a short amount of time. So no mishaps this time. Other than a few

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-83952941546626894122007-07-24T12:57:00.000-05:002007-07-24T13:34:19.124-05:00

The pre-travel eating has begun. When I’m on vacation or especially in an airport, it’s like I think calories don’t count. Though I hate flying, I LOVE airport food and all the choices you have. And when my layover is mere minutes, I get STRESSED that I can’t stop and eat. Last year I had a millisecond to get to my connecting flight, and this of course, intersected with the time most people would

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-77444888512509978352007-07-19T19:14:00.000-05:002007-07-19T22:02:02.305-05:00

Dear close friends and family, I regret to tell you that at this time…I will begin painting. Yes, I know. When the paint rollers come out, we all suffer. But this time will be different! It will! What could go wrong? I’m painting a basic cream color. No tri color stripes. No uber cool green. No Tuscan effect that looks like an Orange Crush exploded on my walls. I must rid my bedroom of the green.

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-32839679400612090742007-07-17T14:20:00.000-05:002007-07-17T14:37:45.712-05:00

Since I finished The Big Picture, I went out and got a massage. As I was reclining there, I thought, why don’t I do this more often? Why just reward myself for finishing a book, which only happens twice a year? I have other major accomplishments I need to celebrate. Like I ate vegetables yesterday. Massage! Or I went a day this summer without my friends Ben and Jerry. Massage! Or I how about the

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-40490716305614473872007-07-12T15:02:00.001-05:002007-07-12T15:07:02.270-05:00

The Apocalypse has begun.Tori Spelling is now an ordained minister. Thanks to everyone for their help on my character’s name. I especially appreciated the past student who suggested his own name. And the former friend who listed an old grade school boyfriend (I still can’t talk about that one). And of course, there was Aloysius—which I have to look up every time I reference it to make sure I

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-49031428301958683372007-07-10T12:19:00.000-05:002007-07-10T16:52:34.227-05:00

At 12:08 p.m. I typed the last word to book three, The Big Picture. I will now nap the rest of the week and eat bon-bons. Actually I went directly to my car and down the road to McDonalds for a quarter- pounder, fries, and a shake. My mouth says, "Ohhh, thank you." But my arteries say, "Can't...breathe...please send help...like broccoli." And I think I scared the people at the drive-thru. Did

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-35497072921106793102007-07-06T12:35:00.000-05:002007-07-06T12:38:33.159-05:00

Here’s a tip. Don’t buy the Stouffer’s Corner Bistro smoked turkey club panini. I don’t really like those frozen things—they gross me out. But I thought—smoked turkey. How can you mess that up? Well, they did. I bit into it and thought, “That’s funny. This tastes like beef jerky.” But I had to be wrong. Turkey CANNOT taste like beef jerky. Bites two, three, and four confirmed that it indeed, did

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-20856067567785818482007-07-05T10:53:00.000-05:002007-07-05T11:01:38.730-05:00

Nine more days until my third book is due. And instead of sticking to my “I’m going to watch TV vs. read” idea—didn’t work. I can’t just go straight to bed. I’m in the habit of reading. But if I read, I have to finish the book, and that means I won’t be writing. It’s a vicious, vicious cycle. Like coloring your hair. But I’m climbing back on the wagon I fell off of, and I’m not going to read

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-91028715499264259452007-06-28T14:24:00.000-05:002007-06-28T14:29:14.098-05:00

Okay, I think I have this whole RSS/Atom feed business finally solved. After procrastinating, er, working all day on it, I think I have it arranged where you can have email notices sent to you when I post a new blog. Which we know is only when I do something really stupid or there is a full moon. So if you are game, enter your email addy in the box on the left hand column, and then verify some

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-65227033217130432852007-06-28T10:23:00.000-05:002007-06-28T10:29:50.725-05:00

I’m on the tail-end of a deadline. My third book in the Katie Parker Production series is due July 15. And I still have a lot to do. So as usual on the tail-end of a deadline with a ton to do, I find other tasks to occupy my time when I should be writing. It’s usually on the last week of a deadline when I have not allowed myself time to do more than sit, type, and occasionally breathe, that I get

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-42294084742562676662007-06-24T03:55:00.000-05:002007-06-24T20:19:55.065-05:00

Dear Neighbors, I would like to apologize for the events that transpired on Saturday night at 10:06 central time. You see, as I tried to explain to the neighborly strangers on my doorstep, my house has a security system. But it’s never been…um, put to the test. But all this week it’s gone off every morning at exactly 6:15 a.m. Just an annoying little beep—like a loud alarm clock. And lo and

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-7187708778420996832007-06-20T17:06:00.000-05:002007-06-20T17:29:25.991-05:00

Did you watch Dateline? I know some people did! And you know who you are. It was a great interview. Those princes are funny. Who knew? I wonder if the Queen approves. Though I hear she has a sense of humor, as well. I guess you'd have to to pull of those outfits. I liked how Prince William said, "We will never be normal." Could he and I be any more alike? My good friend Jessica brought this

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-51678701264504382672007-06-18T13:27:00.000-05:002007-06-18T13:56:43.576-05:00

Tonight is the Matt Lauer interview with Prince Harry and Prince (and one day king) William. I have church tonight, or else I would park myself RIGHT in front of that TV and soak it all in. Now I will have to settle for taping it. And yes, I said "tape." I am not with the DVR/Tivo generation yet. (But in my defense, I stopped listening to eight track tapes last year, so things are improving.)I

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-45334687200733143042007-06-14T16:00:00.001-05:002007-06-14T16:03:37.901-05:00

I’ve been so busy cleaning my house that I haven’t had time to blog. Bwa-hahaha! Okay, not really. There have been some documented moments of dusting though. And I did unload the dishwasher this week, so that has to count for something. I am eagerly anticipating the Matt Lauer interview of Wills and Harry, otherwise known as my future family. Though since it’s a Dateline interview, I don’t know

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-12981115394734027542007-06-08T22:00:00.000-05:002007-06-14T16:08:07.464-05:00

Paris Hilton went to jail.Paris Hilton got out of jail.Paris Hilton went back to jail.Screaming.Her lawyer claims she was put on house arrest due to medical conditions. Intially the press said the medical condition could be summed up in one word: RASH. Playing the rash card never works. Trust me, Paris. I try and use it all the time to get out of stuff. "Sorry I'm late for work. I had a rash."

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-64381060639966344292007-06-06T17:02:00.000-05:002007-06-06T17:12:02.658-05:00

Today was my last day of school. So long school year, 2006-2007. It’s been…real.As in real long. Real exhausting. And real glad it’s over.My summer plans (after the four days of school meetings, which I refuse to comment on): 1. Painting. The disaster known as my bedroom (John Deere threw up here), must be corrected. I stumbled upon inspiration and a theme a bit more calming today and will go

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29325197.post-55032536218249617502007-06-01T21:07:00.000-05:002007-06-01T21:41:14.530-05:00

This list was shared by my friend Lizann, also a teacher. Sooo true. (Though she is done with school. And I am not. It's a wonder I'm still speaking to her.)Top 10 ways to know you are ready for school to end(and a little editorializing from moi):10. You are so tired, you want to answer students' questions with "shut up." (I'm not proud, as this is a banned word in my classroom, but this happened

Jenny B. Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05643299478944403275noreply@blogger.com1