Gonna Party! 'Cause It's My Birthday!

Woohoo! Happy Birthday to me!

I hope y'all have as great a day as I'm going to have. Family and friends and presents and cake and Mexican food. Can it get any better?
As the years pass by I think of all the things I've learned, the things I've done, the things I wish I'd done or said and the things I can't wait to do.
I truly believe you wake up each day and choose what kind of mood you're going to be in. Most days I'm a happy girl. I've weathered my share of trials and tribulations but I've always made it through.
Here are a few of my birthday brain ramblings:

Treat everyone with respect unless they do something to make you lose it.

Love yourself. If you have issues and you beat yourself up for whatever it is, think about your sister, best friend, mother, grandmother. Would you ever say anything like what you're telling yourself? If you heard her saying something horrible to herself, wouldn't you stop her and tell her she's crazy? Then do it for yourself.

Take a moment to breathe every single day. Sit, relax, decompress and de-stress. Taking five, ten, thirty minutes or more for yourself is not a crime. You need to re-charge your batteries to be your very best self. Think of all you can do if you have the energy and the mental fortitude.

Don't take a minute for granted. Life is short. Life can be unfair and it's damn sure fragile.

Mend fences when you can. Apologize to those you've hurt. Forgive those who've hurt you.

On the flip side of that -- know when to let go. Of things, of grudges, of people who've moved on from you.

Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you.

Hug a cat or dog or bunny or bird or whatever pet you own. Love them as much as they love you.

Drink water.

What about you? What wisdom do you have that you'd like to pass on? Leave a comment and you'll be entered in a random drawing for the book of your choice in my backlist.

Happy Reading!
Jennifer

Happy Birthday, Elvis!

The king of rock and roll would have been 78 years old today. The mind boggles. I grew up with Elvis in my house. My parents were huge fans and passed that appreciation on to me. I was just seven when he passed away but I remember being as shocked as the rest of the world. I have all of his movies, almost every song he's ever recorded and even the Elvis Pez Dispenser set (I know you're jealous!).

When I was a kid he was handsome and intriguing but most of all he reminded me of my dad. Seriously! On-screen Elvis was fun and adorable and quite often vulnerable. My dad, while rarely vulnerable, was also fun and adorable. He had a wit that could not be beat.

My handsome dad

Elvis Presley

As I grew up, I appreciated his music more. The way he switched from rock and roll to country to pop to blues to gospel. I get shivers when I hear him sing How Great Thou Art and revved up listening to Steamroller Blues.

Please don't ever ask me what my favorite Elvis song is. There are more songs on that list than my top three movie list (which, as we all know, has like 100 movies on it!). Off the top of my head, I'd say American Trilogy, Suspicious Minds, Silver Bells, Amazing Grace, Devil in Disguise and T-R-O-U-B-L-E are just a few on my favorited list.

I also adore his movies (except for Love Me Tender). Again I'm torn between Blue Hawaii and G.I. Blues. It's kind of funny though. In Blue Hawaii, the fabulous Angela Lansbury played his mom and she was only ten years older than him while Juliet Prowse was a year younger in GI Blues and looks way older (in my opinion). 

All in all, I'd say Elvis had a profound on me growing up and to this day. I will often listen to his music and think about my dad. It's a sweet way to remember both men for me.

So, happy birthday, Elvis. I hope you're rocking it in heaven.

Happy reading,

Jennifer