OLIVIA JANE!

My brother David just called, and his 2nd child has finally arrived! Olivia Jane Jackson came at 10:52 this morning, 8lbs, 11oz.
They live in Houston now, so I may need to find some time for a road trip, cause I cannot wait to get my hands on that kid! Just the other day I mailed them some onesies with funny sayings on them - my favorite: "Does this diaper make my butt look big?" (I was the only one who knew a girl was coming)
This makes 2 nieces & 2 nephews for Aunt Robyn!

John Lennon Would Be Proud!

My daughter is obsessed with this flick. I finally got to see it last night at home, courtesy of On Demand.

If you're a Beetles fan, you'll love this musical. Its a take on the lives of several New York young people during the time of the Vietnam war. Every song was a Beetles tune, and the versions of each one and how it pertained to the situations were just awesome! Some of the lyrics finally made sense to me. (except for the toejam football thing . . . still don't get that one.)

There were a few big name musicians present, including Bono, who played a wacky peace loving American hippie, and Joe Cocker, who played a few odd characters, including a subway bum. My favorite actor/comedian, Eddie Izzard played the part of a creepy big top ringmaster during what can only be described as a wicked acid trip after everyone drank some funky "pink punch." (you know somethin' trippie is gonna go down when someone says "Hey look! Pink punch!")

I truly believe John Lennon would have absolutely loved this movie. Now I have to go out and get the soundtrack! It was that cool!

KOOKOOKACHEW!

Thank Heavens The Strike is OVER!

Oh, I am SO glad the writers' strike is over. My shows are starting to come back. Including Big Bang Theory. If you haven't seen this sitcom, you MUST. Too cute. A couple of genius geeks, but they are so funny! And Medium has been new for quite some time. So Mondays don't stink anymore! Now, I need some new House on Fox. Good show. He always says the cutting stuff I would never think to say.

Speaking of Mondays, Track Season starts this week for my Special Olympics team, and swimming is on Mondays. But I haven't been asked to help yet, and I've always helped with swimming. Not suprisingly, no one wants to get in the pool with folks that are afraid of the water.....except for me. I ain't scared. I've had my suit pulled down a few times, my hair pulled in a moment of panic, but I'm not scared.

I'm wondering if I should sit back and wait to see if anyone misses me. I bet they won't. Petty? Yes. But since we moved back from the KC area, sometimes I've kinda felt like I'm in the way and I don't feel needed like I used to. Maybe its time for a break from it. I dunno. I can't stay away from those athletes. I love them. But I just don't feel appreciated like I used to. Makes me sad.

Easter Grub with da Moms-Ginger & Tesla.

I love my mother-in-law, Ginger Garrison. She's the best. I love her love her love her! She treats me like I'm the best thing since sliced bread. Jim really looks like her. Its creepy. (Jim and his brother Tim are twins, but I think Tim looks more like their father.)

She came over to see the remodel work at the new (old) house and all the changes we made, and to have a little Easter din-din.

Potato soup for Easter. Why? Kitchen is still wacked, so I made it in the crock pot. But it was wicked tastey. We had some big yummy pieces of garlic/parmesean bread with it, and I guzzled wine because I don't like Mom's boyfriend of 14 years that she brought with her, and I have to be loaded to tolerate him. Seriously.

I had pictures of the feast, but accidentally deleted them, so please do enjoy this shot of a few table settings.

After dinner Moms-Ginger checked out the flower beds to give me the low down on what might be in them.

Damn. I was so close to getting a butt shot . . .

So tonight I'm watching "AFTERMATH - The Station Night Club Fire, 5 Years Later" A tribute to those who lost their lives in the night club fire the night Great White performed there. HAIR BANDS GALORE.....INCLUDING TELSA!!! I drunk dialed fellow rocker-chick-sista Heather to see if she was watching, and her hubcap said she was ASLEEP AT 9 P.M. ???? Sweet niblets! I guess I'll have to rock it on my own . . . hence the name, Rockyn Robyn. I may have to start calling Heather "Homebody Heather" . . . 9 o'clock? REALLY?!?!?

**NOTE TO HOMEBODY HEATHER**

Sister, the lead singer for Stryper (memba them?) sang with Boston and he looked so damn hot I think I pee'd a little!!! He looked super HOT.

Good Friday, Sad Mommy.

Tonight Jimbo & I delivered the Silver Bullet to Rebekah. I cried all the way out to her house. Not over the car, though. Alone in the car on the way out to there, all I could think about was my teeny little pre-schooler that loved Barbies and anything Princess related. I could hear that squeakie little voice singing in the tub as she played and splashed.

Needless to say, I'm taking this milestone REALLY hard. I'm not sure why. Its not her skills as a driver, she's good there. She drove us to dinner tonight. Its just so bizzare to have a 16 year old, driving, sophomore. Yesterday, she drove herself to get a hair cut and then picked up a gal pal for lunch. ?!?!?!? Where does the time go?!? Its seems like just yesterday I was strapping her into a car seat!

I'm completely freaked out. And so sad. But I'm also very lucky, as I have a very grateful, responsible kid, and a husband that loves to spoil her . . . I wonder if she'll keep the wicked cool Eagle Parking sticker . . .

Where've You Been All My Life?!

I am 35 years old, and for the VERY first time tonight (since turning 21 eeeeons ago) I had a "Seven & Seven" down at Barney's Maple & Ridge. One of my favorite bars.

I think I might have found my drug of choice, and dare I say, I may no longer be a beer drinker. After two of them, I was a rock star. Comfortably numb. Melted the wretched workday away.

Why I never had this nectar of the Gods before is beyond me.

The Big Brown Helmet

I've been trying for months now, to grow out my hair. I think this is the longest I've gone without getting it all hacked off.

I have worn it short and choppy for years, but at 35, I figured it was time to let go of the spikey.

So here's what baffles me. If I don't do anything to it, it looks like I didn't do anything to it. If I do something to it, VIOLA! The big brown helmet. Poofs out like Sideshow Bob from the Simpsons.

So I'm not sure what to do, with my 'do, at this point.

I'm frustrated. Look at this chick! Why can't I get mine to do this!?!? How come SHE doesn't look like she didn't do anything to it??!?!

Am I trying too hard?? Am I over thinking it?? Do you think I should hunt her down and kick her ass?!

Speaking of good hair, I just noticed our biker nurse, Amanda, (on Idol ) just got the boot. She took it well, though.

**UDATE**

I almost had a weak moment Thursday night and drove down to my usual stylist to get it ALL cut off short. When I got there, she talked me out of it and trimmed and shaped it up a bit for me. I feel better, and plan to keep growing it out for now.

More Photos From the Weekend

More S.O. fun stuff. Here's the little guys' team. Number 30 is Skylar. He's 13 years old and the ladies LOVE him. He's just adorable! And the kid's got game!

Here's Jim and his team during a timeout. They really spanked the teams they played over the weekend.

The Douglas County Gators out of Lawrence was the team we coached for while we were living up near Kansas City a year or so ago. They usually wear bright neon green shirts, but this year, in honor of one of the athlete's mother (and my dear friend, Sherry) who battled breast cancer recently, they wore pink - they gave me a shirt the night of opening ceremonies. I cried like a bitch. We miss those guys! Go Gators!

This is cowgirl Stacy. She had a blast at the dance, and very obiviously, loves her country music. Especially Reba. BIG Reba fan.

These two studs are a few of my very best (drinkin') buddies, Danny(left) & J.J.(right). This picture doesn't do them justice. They're really a couple of handsome guys. J.J. is a big teddy bear who LOVES ice cold Rumplemints in an ice cold shot glass. You'd think it would take a lot of booze to defeat a guy that size, but not so! And he's REAL affectionate when he's hammered. Danny is single, ladies, and I cannot figure out why, for the life of me. He's going to make a fabulous husband and daddy someday. He's a real catch. I sure do miss those guys! (cause they tell me I'm pretty and crap! - foolish drunks!)

So that's it for the Hays trip photos for now. I'm still trying to decompress. It was long and tiring, but I already can't wait for next year!!

Long Weekend, Lots of Fun! (And Gold!)

All smiles from my pal, Stephen Lee to you!

The Special Olympics Basketball Trip to Hays is over and I'm exhausted!
Here's the entire team at Opening Ceremonies. Including coaches, volunteers and staff from some of the group homes, we had nearly 170 people with us all weekend.

This is Biker-Babe Kristen, one of the cheerleading coaches - she's straight crazy, and I love her! She makes everything more fun!

Instead of coaching a team this year, I was the floater (and team photographer), and boy, was I busy! We made 170-some sandwiches in like 15 minutes for lunch on Thursday. We got luggage to all the rooms. We heated chicken and noodles for that many people as well for dinner Thursday night, with 5 roasting pans! It was craziness.

All TWELVE of our teams did very well, but the highlight of the weekend was one of our own athletes, Rex West, getting "Most Inspirational Athlete" - which means at next year's tournament, he'll get to carry the torch and light the cauldron at opening ceremonies! Very exciting stuff. I asked him the next morning if he slept with that trophy . . .no, but it was right next to him on the night stand. I'm surprised he let go of it long enough to play basketball! I love this guy. He's my age, a graduate of Wichita South High (he's very proud of that) and father to 2 min-pins, that he calls his babies. I don't believe he's EVER made a basket, but he's got so much heart and love for the team, I just have to hug on him every time I see him. He's the coolest.

The dance was a hot, packed house again, but WOW was it a good time as usual. You can't ever get out of there without hearing "Who Let The Dogs Out" . . . . and to this day, everyone goes nuts for that tune.

This is Marcia & Marty dancing together. They don't date, but they've both been on our team for nearly 20 years. Looks like he's trying to pull her off of him here, but they danced like that all night.

Here's Tabitha and her boyfriend, Danny. He plays for our rivals. She's so stinkin' cute. She's one of our cheerleaders. Check out his zoot suit! Its funny how many athletes will dress up for the dance. Its big business!

It was a good time, but I'm glad its over and super happy to be home!

Man! This is my year.

I am sooooo pleased with THIS new development . . .

Does life get any better for Rockyn Robyn?!?! I think not! It REALLY is the year of the rat. 2008 is treating this rat pretty good so far!

I got to work this morning, looked at page 1A of the paper, and Sweet Niblets! They FINALLY fired Wichita State Women's Basketball coach, Jane Albright. Now, if someone would get rid of their A.D., Jim Schaus . . . ah, that would truly be super-awesone.

I'm not a fan. Of either one of them. I hate to wish ill of anyone, but THIS IS SO GREAT I THINK I PEE'D A LITTLE!!

I hated going to the girls games and have to watch her have a damn coaches meeting during a time-out, in the middle of the floor, with all the players sitting on the bench. Hello?! Every time, I swear it. She brought her girls to a Special Olympics fund raiser we were having once, and stayed a whole 30 minutes. Way to give back there, Jane.

The only way this year (so far) could get any better is if ice cold Miller Lite starts flowing from my kitchen sink. That would be SWEET.

Ah....Mommy Like....

Last night, Jimbo took me to the movies. We finally made it over to the Warren to see Fool's Gold with Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland and Matthew McConaughHEY.

Super cute flick, we both enjoyed it, but let me tell ya . . . nearly TWO HOURS of Mattie-McHotness without his shirt is so damn fabulous, I have not the words for it.
That guy could read the back of a cereal box and it would be brilliant, as far as I'm concerned.
A surprise to no one, he's on my list of people I'd like to me. (or in this case, lick.)

I don't care if the tabloids say he's nuttier than squirrel poo, he's adorable and SO sexy I think I broke a sweat right there in the theater. Wow. I believe this is movie #2 for these crazy kids as lovebirds - their chemistry is somethin' else! (How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days was good too!)

I highly suggest seeing this one. It was WELL worth the ticket price! (are ya' feelin' me girls?)

A Little B-Ball Action This Morning.

Well, next week is the big trip to Hays, KS with my Special Olympics team, The Wichita Independents, for the State Basketball Tournament. Three days of meds, restroom issues, motel room-mate issues, honeybun breakfasts & wet wipes! Seriously, though, its quite exciting, and its the biggest trip of the year for us. We'll take two VERY large buses, two pickup trucks full of equipment . . .and then on Sunday its TEAM LAUNDRY!! 130-some sweaty, dirty, sticky uniforms to go through and wash. Its a rubber glove job, and it sucks, but its gotta be done.

This morning we had our last of the weekend league games.
These 2 yahoo's, Eddy & Phillip, are on Jim's team. They got their butts kicked this morning.

I'm hoping to get some great pictures at the dance Friday night. That's where all the fun (and funny) stuff happens!

( Insert Sinister Laugh Here )

MY NIGHT IS COMPLETE!!

I just returned home from having a cup o' joe with my buddy Jeannie down at the Riverside Perk, to discover that our Idol Hopeful, and all around Diva, Danny got eliminated!!!

Cry, bitch, cry, and then take your ass on home!!!!!!

(Did you know the Perk is going smoke-free after tonight? They were chainin' it down there this eve! You could cut that air with a knife!)

I'm a Leo, by the way.

I've been on the hunt for a while now for my zodiac sign in the form of a pendent. I knew I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it, but I've really wanted one. Accidentally, it seems, I've got a necklace to match every tattoo I have! I have an ankh, a sparrow, a peace sign . . . its only fitting that I have a zodiac bobble as well!

After some irritating searches online, I found one at pugster.com that was at a VERY comfortable $15.99 - with standard shipping its $18.99. Chain not included, though.
This is a pretty good web site! I believe it was originally a site for Italian charms, but they've got all kinds of jewelry, and the prices aren't bad! I may have to shop there again in the future. They even called me last night to let me know that it had been shipped out and to thank me for my order! How 'bout that.

**UPDATE!!**

This is unbelieveable! This pendent that I ordered on Wednesday, came TWO DAYS LATER! Standard mail. AND It DID come with a chain! I'm pretty pleased. Excellent quality, too! WOW! Its hard to get good service these days, so I called them and told them so! And thanked them! Seems like you never hear from customers unless they're unhappy!

It was actually a banner Friday! I got home from work to find not only my necklace in the mailbox, but the kid that sold us our car sent us a big thing of chocolate chip cookies! Wow. Jewelry and cookies . . . what more could a girl ask for?? Its DEFINITLEY the Year of the Rat, Jenn!

FINALLY!! New Episodes!!

HOW COOL IS THIS PIC OF THE BOYS?!?

YEEEEHAAAAAW!! Finally! New episodes of Ghost Hunters begin tonight! I'm super stoked to have my boys back! Those re-runs were killing me! (no pun intended there)

Luckily, the new season doesn't start till 8 o'clock, so I can catch me some Idol action first.

For the last several weeks, they've been showing Ghost Hunters International - they sent a team to Europe, sans Jay & Grant. I CANNOT ghost hunt without Jay & Grant.

But, back to Idol . . .I was getting ready to go on a rant.

Danny, Danny, Danny.

pardon the lanuage, here, but . . .

This kid needs to go the HELL home. Everybody loves a Diva, but damn. He can't sing and he's bitchy. I can't fucking STAND to watch him make his faces during the tear-down from Simon. (c'mon kitten, you deserve the verbal bitch-slap, your performances lack.) I can't fucking STAND to watch him perform, even. Kid's gotta go. He's "TMTH" - I WANNA KICK HIS ASS!!!!

My new fav is the Irish girl. Carly Smithson. Love the voice.

WHAT is going on with the high waisted jeans?!?! I keep seeing the Idol girls stepping up to the mic with mom jeans!! Sweet Judas!! No WAY can that be comin' back.

GOTTA GO......30 MINUTES TO GHOST HUNTERS! RIGHT ON!!

Rockyn Robyn: Music Critic

Even though I'm a hair band girl and an all around rocker chick, I have a few odd guilty pleasures, and Janet Jackson happens to be one. Its Robyn. Miss Jackson if you're nasty . . . that worked out well, since that was actually my name! I've LOVED her since junior high, and have thoroughly enjoyed just about everything she's done. UNTIL YESTERDAY.

Don't get me wrong, I still love her, but I purchased her new CD, "Discipline," and there's one good song on it. The rest is a real stinker. I would not suggest it. At all. I'm super disappointed, and I want my nearly fifteen bucks back. On the other hand, I also picked up an el-cheapo "Best Of" Motley Crue, and its pretty awesome. And an old Johhny & June Carter Cash album. Its really cool!

So today is my "Sunday" . . . I think I may stay in my jammies a while longer and sip some coffee. Then maybe I'll color my hair, do a mani/pedi, maybe see what old movies are on. Its suppose to be a lovely day, though . . . maybe I'll venture out. Haven't had too many lovely days lately . . .

Still Not Used to The New Life.

The hardwood floor virgin had an interesting experience this morning.

I jumped out of bed to put some coffee on, but before I did, I padded on into the living room and turned on some lights. Barefooted.

Flap, flap, flap across the cold hardwood floor, then CRUNCH. Hmmm....cold, wet, crunchy on bare feet....don't look down. It can't be good and you're half awake. Don't look down........CRICKET!!!!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHhhhhhhh.......thats nasty.

Oh, good Heavens! Talk about getting completely freaked out!!!!! That has NEVER happened to me before. I'm kinda missin' carpet today. Just another little thing at the new (old) house that I'm just not used to yet.

I think I need to get some super thick socks!!

Gimmee a Two Pull.

Its even cool to say!

Last night after work, Jimbo and I met his boss and wife for a few at Granite City out west. I was introduced to what is known as a Two Pull Beer.

Rather tasty. Its just what the name suggests. Its a combo of two different beers. Its not quite a dark lager. Actually, its a nice in-between. And it went down smooooth. Very good with a lemon wedge, as well.

I highly suggest them. Super tasty, and it only takes one and you're feelin' just fine!