No one to make me tea and toast.

npr: nevver: What happens Modern interpretation of “life is...

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:10:13 -0600

nevver:

What happens

Modern interpretation of “life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” -L

Oh crap… Did I just miss something??

Exceptions...

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:01:25 -0500

Today was a day full of exceptions. I woke up at 10am. I haven’t done that since senior prom. I then finished one paper well before tomorrow’s deadline. I then proceeded to go tree shopping, get groceries, finish a project for Peter’s class 12 hours before its due, and bake a batch of cookies and rolls. I feel quite accomplished for doing all of this AND sleeping in until 10.

However the most shocking exception came late this afternoon while washing grapes. In the midst of baking and homework I had a moment of silence. Those of you who know me know that silence is rare…either I am talking, blasting music or listening to internal voices organize my to do lists. This particular silence was accompanied with reflection. I had a bizarre feeling of emptiness. In the past 18 months since Jay left I have hardly had time to sleep let alone reflect. As I stood at my kitchen sink I realized how much time had passed, and how lonely I really am without Jay. Thankfully we are close to being reunited unless the Embassy has other plans…so please keep us in your thoughts and pray for a speedy return. No exceptions.

St. Davids

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:46:57 -0600

March 1 is St. Davids Day in Wales. For those of you who follow Jay’s blog, he wrote about our first St. Davids Day three years ago. He asked me to write about our St. Davids Day three years from now. Hmm…I honestly wish I could say I knew what three years from now will look like. However…who knows with Jay and I…I see us, together…making welsh cakes and glamorgan sausages for our friends and family. We will have a cozy little house and possibly a furry cuddly dog. Perhaps we can con our welsh friends to even send us some Brains and Cadbury…Heres hoping anyways…Ahh to have a simple life with the one I love…that will be nice…

This weekend was Jay’s bachelor party. I had the chance to...

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:18:26 -0600

This weekend was Jay’s bachelor party. I had the chance to email him back and forth as he got progressively more drunk yesterday. I am so thankful for all of our wonderful friends. Jay and I are both so blessed to have great people in our lives. Today I got the pleasure of talking to two of our best friends. It has been over a year since the four of us have been together. Vinny is in London, Jay in Wrexham, Pat in Iraq and me in South Dakota. I miss all three of these guys so much. They are hilarious, even if their jokes are predictable. I am so glad Jay has such great man friends. It speaks volumes of just how awesome my fiancé is. :) I cannot wait until June when we will all be reunited at our wedding.

When we're old.

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:24:28 -0600

Today I was hoping yet again the USCIS would make up its freaking mind. No such luck. However, I did see something that made me quite happy. I have been working out trying to get myself into wedding dress shape. There is an older couple in their mid to late 60’s who often work out the same times I do. They are so adorable. They each work out separately and then do certain exercises together. And let me just note this sidebar…this old guy can lift more weight than most guys half his age. It’s quite impressive. Either way, they are adorable. And I only hope that Jay and I are that happy many years from now. End cheesy scene.

Valentines is just another day.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:29:32 -0600

I have always been a firm believer that Valentines is a commercialized dumpster of a holiday. If you love someone they should know how special they are to you every day. This year is no exception. I do however get Jay a card and write a nice little note in it. And I don’t want to expect any gifts in return…I know he’s planned an amazing honeymoon…Is it August yet?? Either which way I digress. I know most people think I’m off my rocker for not going crazy without Jay around. The truth? I miss him every day. That being said, grad school, working 40+ hours per week, working out, family and wedding/life planning take up a majority of my days. This weekend though I got a few spare minutes on my drive to the farm to spend time with my family. As I sped down the highway listening to Mumford I was reminded of cooking in Cardiff with Jay and jamming out in his kitchen. Those 10 minutes were very sad and I just realise how much we have missed by being apart these past 16 months. But plus side?? We are on the last month or so of being apart if USCIS cooperates. So fingers crossed. So tomorrow will be just like any other day…except I might eat more chocolate.

Compliments...

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:39:59 -0600

It it not very often that I know a compliment when I see one…or perhaps they are just that few and far between…either way I got two of the best compliments to date from two very dear friends today.

1. While texting with Ali C. she informed me that she needs me…in man form. Love it. I am not sure the world could handle a man version of me…or am I already a man version of me…? who knows??

2. While sweating my ass off in our work out class Janelle asked me…’Were you a distance runner in high school?’ HA! i nearly fell over. All I gotta say to that is watch your ass Mateya Berg…Janelle and I are gonna be running along side you after baby b is born! :)

Welcome to my world.

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:19:27 -0600

Welcome to my world.

Go Fiance Go.

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:00:00 -0600

Every day Jay makes me proud. This Saturday he going to make not only me, but his whole family proud. Nearly one year ago, Jays dad, John Lennon was taken from us all far too soon. He was a wonderful, gentle and hilarious man. I may have only known him briefly, but I am so thankful for him making Jay who he is today. I see so much of John’s personality in Jay and I can only hope he will be half as wonderful as his father.

On Saturday, Jay will be running his first race in memory of his dad. He is running a 5k in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is going to be freezing and hilly. I don’t envy him one bit. Please consider supporting Jay in his run and in turn, the Walton Neuroscience Fund. They are the hospital that saved John and gave him 14 more wonderful years among us. Click the link below to donate. GO JAY GO! :)

https://apps.facebook.com/jgdonation/Jamie-Lennon0/on-facebook

Dec. 5

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:57:18 -0600

Today as I sat in class…avoiding at all costs our over-energetic APA citation speaker I was skyping with Jay. I suddenly realised that I have yet to find a florist and lock down a caterer. Crap. Just when I think I’m getting ahead of this wedding stuff something comes and kicks me in the shins. Then I found out how much bouquets and boutonnieres cost. I am going to become a self taught florist over the holidays. Jay and I proceeded to talk about what treats we want from Sinful Things for the wedding. Then I got hungry. Then I went to Pinterest to escape my anxiety. So needless to say I haven’t locked anything in yet. After I gave my final presentation of the semester (YAY) I came home and had soup and a miller light. Now just one more final exam and then I promise I will really start getting this wedding stuff figured out…until I get distracted by Pinterest or sweets…

So this is how I celebrate milestones of my career when jay is...

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:14:52 -0600

So this is how I celebrate milestones of my career when jay is not home. Good thing I haven’t had a ton of milestones.

This week has been full of Loen Family craziness. I have been blessed with a beautiful new niece...

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:09:55 -0600

This week has been full of Loen Family craziness. I have been blessed with a beautiful new niece Elyse Harper Loen. I thought that this post that my friend Mateya posted on her blog was a perfect fit for this weekend. Mom and I did lots of wedding things, one of which including doing arts and crafts while drinking copious amounts of wine. This wine drinking led to Dad and I drinking even more and staying up listening to the Doors and various other classics on Spotify. Apparently we were the life of the party. I am very thankful for my dad, for him following these rules and shaping me in the person that I am today.

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Today I got my birthday package from jay. All of its contents...

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:15:40 -0500

Today I got my birthday package from jay. All of its contents are marvellous. This in particular is amazing. With my nutso life jay agreed to plan our honeymoon. Thus far he’s done a real bang up job. We will be going to the 2012 Olympics…for the mens championship football (soccer) match. He has also booked our hotel, dining and a few surprises…so in my package he put in the official 2012 London Olympics tour guide and bookmarked places he would like us to visit. He’s just the bestest for my busy lifestyle!!

I do not consider myself a highly religious person. I honestly...

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:18:51 -0500

I do not consider myself a highly religious person. I honestly believe in treating others with respect and doing right by your fellow man. That being said, this performance nearly moved me to tears when I saw it live. I have been searching for a quality video of this performance since Bonnaroo 2011. This is the best one I have found so far. I dare you not to toe tap or dance around your apartment. Please friends and family write Mumford and Sons and OCMS to play at our wedding. It would be an even more joyous occasion if they were to perform. :)

New Florence is pure bliss.

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:18:19 -0500

New Florence is pure bliss.

So tonight Jay and I were talking about how next year we will...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:24:29 -0500

So tonight Jay and I were talking about how next year we will get to spend our birthdays together. We haven’t had a birthday together since 2008. And technically in 2008 we weren’t even official at the time of our birthdays. Later this evening as I was running, this song came on. We listened to this band a ton and even saw them live at Glasto. It brings back so many good memories and I am excited for *hopefully 5 MONTHS time when Jay will be coming home…

Support suicide prevention locally!!

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:22:53 -0500

The Helpline Center has been receiving some questions about the suicide prevention walk this weekend and I thought it was important to clarify. The walk being held this weekend is not affiliated with the Helpline Center at all, it is sponsored by a national organization. The Helpline Center will not receive any of the funds raised from this walk to support our local services.

The Helpline Center will be holding it’s own suicide prevention walk on June 23, 2012 called Step Forward to Prevent Suicide. 100% of the money raised from our walk will support the suicide survivor services and the suicide prevention services at the Helpline Center. We hope you will join us in June to Step Forward to Prevent Suicide!

Take that USCIS.

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:21:39 -0500

Tonight marks a monumental night. After months of frustration and confusion I submitted our marriage visa paperwork. South Dakota does not have immigration lawyers in abundance…let alone those who are affordable. Jay and I have been fortunate through our connections to have people who care about us and give us guidance. Throughout all of our struggles in putting together this document I think of those less fortunate than us. Perhaps it is my inner social worker coming out…who knows? Either way think of it this way…English is both Jay and my first language. We both are college graduates and professionals. This paperwork should be a breeze to us. However the immigration system is incredibly frustrating and confusing. We intentionally make it difficult for people to enter our country. I get it, we need to protect and defend our country…but weren’t our ancestors all immigrants at one time? So…please friends and family…pray, cross your fingers or do some voo doo to make USCIS speed up our processing time!

Mmm Irish soda bread. Wish Jay was here to devour it with...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:18:35 -0500

Mmm Irish soda bread. Wish Jay was here to devour it with me…also, notice great grandma maries bread bowl in the background…

For the past month Janelle and I have been going to yoga. Every...

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:25:00 -0500

For the past month Janelle and I have been going to yoga. Every session the teacher plays this song. Every session I get excited to hear this song. You can’t help but smile when listening to it.