Monthly Archives: April 2012

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Fostering Community

Exciting things are happening here at Learn with Jenny. Lot’s of behind the scenes work is coming together thanks to you and this community that has grown over the past several months. Last week I asked for your feedback about this blog. I was overwhelmed with the responses and emails that I received.

I came away inspired by this community. I knew you were great, but oh my some of these emails just pierced my soul.

This was one of my favorite excerpts from an email I received:

“I come to your site every morning not only for you but for the comments left by your lovelies. Your lovelies are people who are searching to be better people and want to be surrounded by other lovelies who want to make their lives and the lives of others better. Please don’t stop writing, Jenny. You and your lovelies inspire me to be the best person possible. After 35 years, I realize that I can make a difference in the lives of my family, friends, and strangers. I have been sitting on the sidelines for my entire life watching others live their dreams. You and your lovelies make me feel it’s possible to have that for myself. I have read every post and every comment and it’s real and refreshing – not just your voice, but their voices too.”

Ok, first of all I have been referring to you as lovelies all weekend long. The thought makes me smile. One person can make a difference, but there is such power when many of us work together. Something is building in this community of readers that is making me bubble with excitement. I think this community is far greater and more powerful than I realized! Real, authentic people who want to make their families, neighborhoods, and this world a better place.

 

 

So thank you. Thank you for taking the time to encourage me and others with your comments and emails. And please comment. I treasure them, but it is clear that other readers treasure them more than I ever realized was possible.

I want to see this community grow. That is big step for me. You see, I wasn’t certain that’s originally what I desired. But now, because of your encouragement and some fervent prayer, I have no doubt that what I’m being called to do. And it’s going to happen friends. So tell your friends who are positive to come here. And tell your friends that are negative to come here – we all need encouragement, right?

So many great things are happening but I won’t overload you today.

After the great response to Sam’s story yesterday, I am going to start a series where I share your stories every Sunday. I think there is tremendous power and encouragement that can come when we make ourselves vulnerable to show others how we are overcoming obstacles and trying to live a full and meaningful life. If you would like to submit your story, please email me your post at jenny@jennymeyerson.com. Please have the story be limited to 800 words and include at least one, preferably two pictures to fit with your post. I’m so excited about this! I have other exciting things in the works and will share those very soon.

Yes, I am excited about accomplishing items off my life list. I’m more energized than ever. But I’m more excited seeing others inspired to finally get off the bleachers, starting living life, and doing so with a spirit of gratitude. Do you see the blessings that are coming full circle?

Let’s encourage one another. You lovelies are indeed a blessing to me.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

If you are new to my site, welcome! Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

Sunday Stories – Sam’s Life Test

While I am excited to have a great friend of mine, Sam Jacobs, do a guest post today, it does feel like I am “guest post cheating” on Jeff. But when Sam sent this post to me in an unsolicited email this morning, I felt like it was something I needed to share. I love men that are comfortable sharing their stories.

Finding where we belong, our purpose, what God wants for us, is difficult sometimes. Pain and injustice stand in our way and knock us off the right path. But comfort and joy can be found when we understand that God made us how we are for a reason and those traits fit with the path He wants us on. Repeat after me: He didn’t make a mistake on any of us. Please enjoy Sam’s story…

Before I get started, I have to say the Jenny Meyerson is the best! There I said it, and we all know it’s true! It is her ability to reflect on life and truly get to the heart of the issue that has inspired me to take a moment and share my challenges, anxieties, fears, desires, and heart for God as I take on the next stage in my life. So here we go.

My Life Test is on Monday. And the Question that keeps running through my head is, “Am I ready?”

I was born into a family of amazing people. We were often referred to as the Cleavers. I had two wonderful parents and two over achieving siblings who demonstrated how to eat excellence morning, noon and night. And up through high school, I did my best to follow suit. I was student body president, captain of the football team, and graduated number 4 in my class. Looking back now, I feel that God was grooming me for leadership.
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52 Cupcakes – #29 Nutella Cupcakes

So excited to bring you cupcake #29. This week was Emily’s 9th birthday. As I wrote about her here a couple of days ago, nutella is it’s own food group for Emily. She loves it with a passion. So naturally when I had found this recipe over a month ago, I bookmarked it to make for her special day.
 

 
Emily isn’t crazy about rich recipes, chocolate, or nuts. But she loves nutella. Strange, I know. But she is such a unique soul. So I was excited when I found this recipe with a vanilla base. Most nutella cupcake recipes I came across were heavy on the chocolate and nut garnish side.
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What is normal?

After my journey as a divorced, single mother I remember praying, “God, I just want to be normal again.”

After our journey with cancer, I remember Jeff and I praying for life to just return to normal.

What is it about the word normal that has me searching to live a life just like the people around me? Is that what I truly want? And more importantly, is that what God wants for me?

 

 

I received an email from a reader who is experiencing a fear of the unknown after a life with cancer and a husband who chose to walk away. Body image issues can be a difficult struggle for those who haven’t had cancer, so multiply that exponentially with cancer. I shared this story and she thought it would help others. It’s just taken me a bit to get to the point where I could hit publish on this post.
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I blinked and then she was 9

9 years ago today God blessed me with a mighty and miniature version of myself, Miss Emily Ann. I get a little misty thinking that half of her life at home is over. I had to go and blink again. I need to desperately stop blinking.

 

 

Emily is a voracious reader.
Emily’s hair looks like Albert Einstein’s every morning.
Emily stands out from the crowd.
Emily has a special bond with Sam.
Emily loves mashed potatoes, nutella, and ice cream.
Emily dresses like a California beach surfer crossed with Punky Brewster.
Emily giggles when she is nervous.
Emily turns her her head to the right and has an inquisitive look when she watches TV.
Emily has a mighty spirit inside of a tiny 52 pound body.

 

 

Miss Emily,

I love you.
I love you for your heart and who you are.
I love to watch you swim and you are so competitive, but if you quit today, I wouldn’t love you any less.
I want you to make a mistake and laugh at yourself daily. It’s perfectly ok.
I desire for you to love your brother and sisters with all of your heart. The stage has already been set for an amazing future with them.
I pray for your future spouse to love the Lord and to be able to keep up with you.

And now I must wrap this up because you want me to bake cupcakes for your classmates and swimming teammates (75+). We couldn’t possibly leave anyone out.

Wow Emily, you are so much like me. But better.

Love you to the moon and back silly goose – Mom

Thank you for your comments and emails to my blog post yesterday. I’m humbled and have appreciated the heartfelt advice. Good things are in store for this community. I just feel it.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

If you are new to my site, welcome! Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

At a Crossroads

When I first started blogging I read an article that said 90% of blogs shut down within the first year of getting started. Not to worry, I am not planning on shutting my blog down, but I do feel like it is time to examine the direction it is going.
 
photo credited to http://www.martin-liebermann.de
 
If you follow my blog on a regular basis, you have undoubtedly noticed that I have been taking a little break. It doesn’t mean that I have not thought about my blog. Quite the contrary, I have probably thought about my blog and the direction it is headed more in the last couple of weeks than I have since I started.

During this break, Jeff and I have had an amazing couple of weeks of renewed faith and our marriage has been incredibly blessed by that. I have been praying about my purpose as a wife, as a mother, as a friend, as a nurse, as a Christian, and as a blogger. I have learned that I don’t want to simply cross items off my life list or make a cupcake or craft. This sounds so cliche, but I want to truly make a difference in everything that I pour my energy in to. And anyone who blogs knows the tremendous amount of energy it takes to keep it going on a daily basis.

As I explained this to Jeff, he just smiled. He explained that he fell in love with me 13 years ago because he had never seen someone more passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. He pointed to my blog and you as my readers as proof.

I ask this humbly, not wanting you to simply shower me with compliments: WHY? What is it about this blog that keeps you coming back? Because whatever it is that is making a difference for you, I want to do THAT. I want to give you what you come here for. Is it the crafting? Is it the life list? Is it the cupcakes? I want to know what you like about my blog, what you don’t like about my blog, and any other constructive criticism you may have. If you are more comfortable sending me an email, please feel free to do so. No matter what, I want you to know how thankful I am that you are along for this ride. I truly appreciate all of you.

Blessings sweet friends
–Jenny

Blue Lily Photo Shoot Video

Often I am verbose. Way too wordy. But not today.

Today I am just grateful for who I get to share my life with. And I am beyond excited for this past weekend. Jeff and I have been given a renewed energy and newfound clarity that we are still processing. Excited for the peace and possibilities.
 

 
To see the photos that Wendy and Tyler of Blue Lily Photography took with this photo shoot, go here. So thankful for their talents and inspiration to pursue their dreams.

Edit: The song is You Got Me by Colbie Caillat. Isn’t it perfect?

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

If you are new to my site, welcome! Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

8 ways to become more grateful and positive

1. Spend 10 minutes and write down everything you are grateful for. Your pencil can not stop. Yesterday I promised myself that I could jot down the things I wanted to change if I couldn’t fill up my paper. Within 10 minutes, I had started on the back side, so that made me quickly realize how much I have to be grateful for.

2. Create a visual board or journal of positive affirmations. I have created a board of Word Love on my pinterest page. I look at it every morning for 2 minutes. And yes, I set my timer so that I don’t get sucked into the infamous pinterest black hole. If you don’t have pinterest, then start a book of quotes or positive thoughts that can quickly guide your mind towards positive thinking. I also have Becky’s list of ideas to cultivating a good life bookmarked on my computer and probably read through them every couple of days.

3. Take a walk outside. Amazing how a simple, easy stroll can clear my mind.

4. Stop the negative self talk with positive affirmations or quotes. My inner critical spirit’s name is Jane. When she starts talking, I am now armed with index cards in my purse, my car, and on my refrigerator, filled with scripture, famous quotes, or positive things that my family and friends have said to me. Loved Ali’s creative lift this week that speaks a lot about this very topic. {The link is to receive her weekly newsletter of creative lifts. I look forward to them.}

5. Escape to your happy place. I have written about my love affair with swimming and it’s environment. I also love to go to the movies, theatre, play the piano, and go outside. What place can you escape to that will allow you to redirect yourself towards positive thinking?

6. Don’t engage in gossip or comparison. As Teddy Roosevelt says, “Comparison is the thief of all joy.” I’ve been guilty of both and the person it effects the most is me. It might feel good or warranted at the time, but take my advice when I say the consequences can be great. You might lose a friend over gossip. Or you might become paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy when comparing yourself to others. The end result is never positive.

7. Take pictures or spend time looking through journals and scrapbooks. For me it’s Project Life. I’m working on the last 2 weeks of my Project Life album and it only took me 5 minutes to think, Wow, I have an amazing life.

8. Choose to be grateful. I always tell my children, “You are your choices.” So when Rebecca reminded me this past week that “Mom, you are your choices,” with that sarcastic teenage grin of hers, I had no recourse. Today, I am choosing joy and gratefulness. It really can be as simple as choosing a different path. I know that sounds trite and simple, but it works.

Life is so tough. But life is oh so good and delicious. I told a friend today that my blog needs to be renamed to Learn From Jenny. I have felt that I have learned 500 things more about myself and my life journey than teaching others about skills or giving tutorials on the latest and greatest DIY project.

Thank you for being patient with me as I seek to grow and become a better person, like you desire as well. I have many posts scheduled over the next several weeks that are focused on “doing”. But I’ve been visiting a land called “just being” that has been long overdue. It’s foreign territory to every part of the planner, list maker, and doer of me. But it’s just what I’ve needed.

What helps you to feel more grateful and positive? I would love to learn from you.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

If you are new to my site, welcome! Like what you see? I would love for you follow along on this crazy adventure of mine by subscribing to my blog and joining me on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

Happy Tax Day!

Yesterday, marked 7 years since I heard the words, “Your cancer is gone. It is in remission.” My 6 foot 7 inch Jewish oncologist told me those words in his South African accent which I had grown to love.

I looked down at my watch at that moment that those treasured words were spoken and I saw the date was April 15th.

I remember laughing because it’s tax day in America, typically a day most Americans aren’t quite crazy about. But I am forevermore enamored with tax day. Another April 15th has come and gone which means that I am still breathing and living life. And for that I am deeply grateful.

So initially I was going to write a jingle about 7 things I learned from cancer or some other yada yada yada to offer my readers something because that is what bloggers are supposed to do! But I’m feeling led to share something completely different.

This past month God has been working on my heart. I’ve always been a decent person who often makes the best ethical/moral choice. But I have always struggled with dependence, especially on God. I have been asking Him to help me see my life and His plan for my life through His eyes. I was raised in church, but have been disappointed in people who do unkind things in the name of Christianity and other religions. But to be honest, I’ve used that as an excuse not to really look at my own heart and shortcomings.

So last week I read an article from Tara about spending time away from my computer and I thought, I need to do that. And I felt an urging from God to just turn my computer off. And I did… for 90 minutes until I just needed to check one more thing. An hour later my entire hard drive crashed. My computer is only 9 months old and had never given me any sign of trouble. So I took the “forced” break that I so desperately and unknowingly needed. And I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.

Within the same week I was approached about being featured in a local magazine and sharing my story. Then 2 hours later I received an email about interest in publishing my story about how I met Jeff, our cancer journey, and our journey towards living an intentional life. These were supposed to be exciting things with possible exciting things for the future, right?

But I felt like I heard nothing. Nada. No direction on where God was wanting me to go. Like God, where are you? The fear of the unknown was essentially paralyzing and I was somewhat discouraged at not hearing His voice.

Jeff and I met with some friends and really prayed, tears were shed, and some answers were received. We have been through an enormous amount of trials in our 12 years of marriage. We know how immeasurably blessed we are, but we both went to that meeting beyond exhausted. After this meeting we were given this book of daily devotions that take about 90 seconds to read each day. Powerful.

This might sound strange as I don’t often voice my prayers or much about my spiritual beliefs on this blog, but I poured out my heart. I literally waved a white flag in the air and hit my knees.

God, I know that you love me as Your word tells me so. But given what Jeff and I have been through these past 12 years, do you like me?

God, what do you want me to do? Am I supposed to be blogging, writing, nursing, or grow in my role as mom and wife?

God I am tired. I’m at my limit of bad news and trials. I know people have it much worse than I do, but I’m tapped out. (This is where the white flag came out).

And then part of the passage I read on April 11th – the day I received my devotional book.

“To find Joy in this day, you must live within its boundaries. I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four-hour segments. I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past. There is abundant Life in My Presence today.”
 

 
After that meeting, Jeff took my hand and said, “Please come with me and follow me on the rest of this journey. Let’s look at the unknown as exciting rather than daunting.” I’ve been really wanting to flee and runaway. Sometimes fleeing is easier than staying and working through the muck. {To clarify: I’m referring to life trials in general, not our marriage or family.}

I would like to tell you that I have received many more revelations but I have received very little other than “just be and wait”. Any of you who have read this blog for any length of time, know that I am a doer. Give me a list, and I can check that thing off quicker than anyone else I know. Just “being” is a foreign, but necessary word in my new vocabulary.

I don’t feel as if God is telling me that my life list is wrong or useless, only that He has additional plans for my family and that I need to spend time just being so that I know what those are when He is ready to reveal them.

So today I’m thankful for life, for my family, a new computer, and for you. And I’m lifting my iced tea glass up in cheers for 50+ more tax days!

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny

Creative spaces

I received my Master’s Degree in Healthcare Innovation. Essentially for me, it was this degree that has allowed my mind to expand and crave creativity unlike anything else. I’ve always been a life long learner, but this group of people and area of study helped to reintroduce me to the vast potential within myself. To be honest, I learned little about healthcare except that it wasn’t my passion anymore. Instead I found a love of exploration, design, art, reading, and renewed creativity. I found a renewed appreciation for life and all that it has to offer.

My favorite book I read in school was the The Ten Faces of Innovation. It was written by Tom Kelley who is the general manager of IDEO, a Palo Alto based design company. When learning more about their company, I was struck by their work space. They are encouraged to be surrounded by items and spaces that encourage their creativity and productivity.
 

 
Think about how much more productive companies (and possibly families) would be if they were surrounded by a creative work or living space? Must we be surrounded by rows of colorless cubicles without windows or homes that are dark and cluttered?
 
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  • 52 Cupcakes

  • Project Life

  • 39 Before I am 39

  • Jeff's Story