Why I Haven't Been Writing

So here's why I haven't been writing: I'm pregnant.

At first, when I wanted to write about it, I couldn't because it was too early. And later, I just didn't feel like writing. At all. About anything. I don't know if it's simple tiredness or what, but I don't feel like doingmuch of anything. It's like all my creative energy is sapped and I can't write or finish (or even work on) any art projects. It's really weird and annoying.

The pregnancy is good (I'm 15 weeks!) and it's been relatively easy so far. No morning sickness or nausea-- just exhaustion that's getting better the further in I get. We get to find out next Wednesday what we're having which is really exciting.

Birthday Wishes

Tomorrow is my 32nd birthday. I just got back from Paris about an hour ago (more info in the next post), so I'm a little jet-lagged and tired, but I wanted to log on to thank Drew for continuing to remember to send me birthday wishes. I'm such an old lady now! But it's nice to think fondly of you and college when I wasn't so old (or so much of a lady).

Back from Hibernation

My self-imposed hiatus is over. I'm sorry I've been absent. I really have no excuse other than suckitude. So, what's happened recently?

My sister had her baby in mid-March and I'm totally in love. He's soooooo cute and sweet and loveable. He was a little small (4 lbs 6 oz) but is growing and gaining weight like a champ. I went to KC to see him for his bris and now that he's close to 7 lbs he totally looks like a different baby. I miss him!

The art thing is going ok but I'm not being as pro-active as I should, so I started applying for PR jobs. I've been interiewing to be the Director of Communications at a really great non-profit, but so far the process has taken 6 weeks and I'm not holding my breath.

I know this post isn't very exciting, but I just wanted to write something to get myself doing this again. I'll have another post up soon. Soon soon, not like in a few weeks soon.

My New Website

Sorry I've been MIA. Some stuff has been going on that I can't write about, but what I can write about is my new website! I finally have enough pictures up on my etsy site and I'd be so happy if you checked it out!

You can either click on http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5743952 or type in jensimon.etsy. com

I make handmade mezuzahs out of stained glass and enameled copper. Mezuzahs are the items your Jewish friends and neighbors hang in their doorways. Not merely decorative, they also contain a piece of parchment inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah.

Unfortunately, so many mezuzahs are boring are old-looking. Not mine! My mezuzahs are colorful and fun--they're a great way to add interest to a room.

So please check out my site and let me know if you have any questions.

xoxo

Wedding Hightlight Video

My God, it seems like the wedding posts will never end. After this one there'll be one more and that's it. Promise. Here's a link to a video of our wedding highlights. It's short (4 min) and sweet. It made Matt cry! Super cuteness.

http://creativevideokc.blogspot.com/2009/01/jennifer-and-matthew.html

Stacey's Wedding Speech

The speech my sister gave at my wedding was very sweet, but she kind of ad-libbed it so I wasn't able to post until now. We just got the video from the videographer and Matt transcribed it. Of note: Stacey's husband is also named Matt. Also of note: Matt's mom made several references to us staying in Brooklyn in her speech the night before.

For those of you that don't know me, I'm Stacey. I used to be Jen's little sister, but now that she weighs 105 pounds, I think I can call her my little sister. I always looked up to Jennifer as a child even though she was the kind of big sister who, when we went to Baskins and Robbins, she'd do things like this: she would say, I know Stacey, let's have an ice cream eating contest -- we'll see who can eat up all their ice cream the fastest -- and then I'd gobble up all of my ice cream and she would laugh with delight and say ha ha, I still have ice cream left and you have nothing.

Fortunately, despite being that kind of sister, she was also the kind of sister who would do anything for me at all at the drop of a hat -- from rewriting and re re rewriting my essays through college, to being a safe refuge for me when I lived with a crazy house of 8 people in New York City when I would come and escape to her -- she's been a fabulous older sister and continues to be.

Things in our household always had to be fair -- we always switch off who would sit in the front and back seat, we always had to have equal portions--when we had a piece of Bubbie's blueberry pie we looked to make sure the other person didn't have a millimeter more of pie --
and now I'm happy to say we each have our very own wonderful Matts. Now it'll be perfectly fair when they come back and move to Kansas City!

And I'm happy to say that our family really does absolutely adore Matt. Matt, you're sweet, kind funny, and the least weird person my sister has ever dated. I'm thrilled to have you marry such a wonderful man who will love and cherish you forever. You're a wonderful big sister to me and I'm so happy you're going to be a wonderful wife and mother. And Matt, I promise to never wake you up again.

So here's to a happy life for Jen and Matt living together long and healthy in Kansas.

Bah, Humbug

Matt and I spent our Christmas going to see a movie and eating an excellent meal that he cooked for me. Since we're Jewish, we don't celebrate the holiday and since we don't have kids, we're not really doing anything for Hanukkah either.

I don't like this time of the year. In fact, I kind of hate Christmas. For a few reasons.

1) It's cold and it's only getting worse. There's a huge buildup to Christmas but the letdown is that once it's over, the cold weather only gets worse for the next two months. There's nothing to celebrate or look forward to until Spring.

2) The music sucks. It's cloying, grating and never ending.

3) Sure, I'm jealous. As a crafty person, I would love to decorate a tree and my apartment. I'd be a cookie baking queen! No wonder my mom gets so obsessed with Halloween--she needs a substitute holiday.

But the worst is when people wish me a "happy holiday." You know, I would rather get a 'merry Christmas' card than a 'happy holiday' card. Why? Cause we all know what you mean. You don't mean Hanukkah, you mean Christmas.

This grinch is going to go watch the Law & Order marathon. Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all of my non-grinchy readers.

xoxo
jen