Today over at Shutter Sisters, they’re talking about bubbles.

Jason took this picture of Caitlin back in 2004, and it remains a favorite of mine to this day.

Originally published at Jen Tucker. You can comment here or there.

Yesterday morning I came downstairs and sat at the computer like I do every morning. Occasionally I’ll find a group of pictures on the desktop that my oldest transferred from her cell phone. I have no idea what she actually does with these photos. Anyhow, I’ll occasionally find one that is questionable, and yesterday was one of those days. It wasn’t racy. She wasn’t scantily clad or anything. So what was questionable? She was flipping the bird. I made an improvement to the picture and want to share it with all of you.

Have a great day everyone.

PS: Shameless Self Promotion: Please take a few minutes and head on over to my jewelry shop and consider making a purchase. It would really help us out if you see something you like and order it.

Originally published at Jen Tucker. You can comment here or there.

I love the 4th of July. It’s my 3rd favorite holiday, right behind Halloween and Christmas. The funny thing is Jason and I rarely do much for it. Another thing is we just never know what the weather will be like. Some years it’s cold, others blazing hot. This year the weather was darn near perfect. It was in the mid to upper 80’s and had been for a few days. That gave the pool time to warm up, and what better way to celebrate than with a BBQ and a pool party?

Instead of writing all about it, I figured I’d show you snippets of our day. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Can’t wait to do it again next year!

Originally published at Jen Tucker. You can comment here or there.

I was chatting with a group of friends this morning, and we were talking about various hazards for each of our locations. Being in SoCal, we’re under constant threat of “The Big One.” Yes, earthquakes. Many people I talk with say they don’t think they could handle living someplace where the earth shakes beneath their feet. I just say that in my area, we haven’t had a really good shaker since January 1994. We’ve have a few small to moderate shakers since then, but I could probably count on 1 hand the number of memorable earthquakes we’ve had since then.

I say I don’t want to live where there’s a good chance your house will get picked up and moved to another location every year. Or just blown apart by wind and pounding rain. I mean there are people that call tornado alley home. Craziness! They call it that because there’s GOING to be tornados. Where as here, there might be an earthquake, you might feel it too. Then again you might not.

Anyhow, I’ve digressed. I was telling these friends that during the last decent earthquake we had, while my kids were diving under tables and getting in doorways, I stood up from my desk chair and prepared myself to catch any falling shot glasses.

Shot glasses are the only honest to goodness collection I have. So I snapped a picture and though it might be interesting to show you the collection. I’ve numbered each glass and will take you on a tour of where I’ve been.

Here’s what it looks like in all its glory.

And now for the detail:

Top Row

1. Blank square glass from the many buttery nipples I had at my bachelorette party
2. crazy shotglass with recipes from a gf given to me at my bachelorette party
3. Ensenada Mexico
4. Ensenada Mexico
5. Batman (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
6. Wonder Woman (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
7. Superman (Six Flags Magic Mountain) I had a season pass there years ago.
8. US Marine Crorps. This glass is awesome and if you want a slose up, just leave a comment. No I was never in the Marine Corp and technically displaying this glass violates my rules for displaying them. However, my sis-in-law is a former Marine, and my daddy was a Marine. Semper Fi!
9. The Ice House in Pasadena, CA. Got this one when we were celebrating a birthday.
10. Hard Rock Cafe, LA.
11. Dave and Busters 1
12. Dave and Busters 2 – My birthday shot
13. Dave and Busters 3
14. Florida. This one is a little iffy, it borders on violating my rules. I’ve been to Florida, but it was before I started collecting the glasses. A family member went and he brought me a Florida glass. I figured I’ve been there, it’s totally acceptable to go up on the shelf.
15. Seligman, AZ
16. Laughlin, AZ
17. The Grand Canyon,, AZ
18. Tortilla Jo’s, my favorite place to have cocktails with friends.
19. Boston, MA (Jason’s glass. He’s lucky I gave him space on my shelf)
20. Planet Hollywood, San Francisco (Also Jason’s.)

• Bonus 1 The Wicked Queen from Snow White figurine
• Bonus 2 Malificent from Sleeping Beauty figurine.

Bottom Row

21  Plain glass from When I stayed with friends in Vegas rather than a hotel
22   Gameworks, Vegas
23  Monte Carlo Hotel, LV
24  Luxor Hotel, LV
25  The Orleans, LV
26  Rio Hotel, LV
27  Star Trek Experience, LV Hilton, LV
28  Mandalay Bay, LV
29  Tropicana Hotel, LV
30  Vive Cuervo glass from Gameworks, LV
31  Imperial Palace Hotel, LV We stayed here 1 night, but I won a $1000+ Jackpot at this hotel on our first night in Vegas for this trip. It was CRAZY awesome.
32  Mammoth, CA
33  Mammoth, CA
34  Disney’s California Adventure
35  Disneyland 50th Anniversary glass
36  Disneyland,CA
37  Knotts Berry Farm, CA
38  Hollywood, CA Walk Of Fame glass
39  San Diego, CA
40  San Francisco 1
41  San Francisco 2
42  San Francisco 3
43  Ontario, CA (Got this one at the podcast expo a few years ago. I had such a great time and wanted a memento to remember it all)
44  Lake Arrowhead, CA (Went there for the 4th of July a few years back) Ack 44 is actually the bear on the side of the glass so my numbering is messed up a bit.
45/46   Two little Feigling bottles from Oktoberfest a few years back. It’s this goofy fizzy fig shot and it’s not good!

So there you have it. If there are any that you’d like to see in detail, Let me know and I’ll go ahead and smap a picture of it.

I’ll explain the rules. My rule is if I haven’t been there, it doesn’t go on the shelf. I’ve received shot glasses from people, and rather than display those, I put those to work.  None of my shotglasses are used for actual, you know, shots. They’re purely decorative.

What about you? What items do you collect? Do you have any rules that go along with the collection?

Originally published at Jen Tucker. You can comment here or there.

• 10:07 @mrxinu BART maybe? #
• 12:47 Here's the trifle I made. Please excuse the crap in the background. Oreo cookie trifle! twitpic.com/8oz01 #
• 14:50 @MrsXinu yellow cake, milk choco pudding, crushed Oreos folded into whipped cream; lather, rinse, repeat. #
• 15:33 @jasontucker If your own wife won't, then who will? <3 #

• 09:20 Jess is bumping Anberlin on my iphone while "playing" tap tap revenge2 #
• 10:18 Dang it. Just got back with laundry money and passed someone headed into the laundry room. I hate that we have 2 washers for 16 units. #
• 10:21 @mrxinu Not really. Most ppl here are SAHM's. Getting in is a crap shoot any day of the week. #
• 10:35 @mrxinu That's exactly right :D #
• 11:23 Once again I'm at the laundromat. Having to come here feels like I'm being punished for I don't know what. #
• 11:47 I need to pick up the trifle bowl today. Gotta make a dessert for tomorrow's graduation party. #
• 19:22 I had a coconut mojito and I made it myself. It was gooooood too! #
• 21:44 Jess fell asleep on the couch while waiting for her brother to arrive. I'll leave her for dad to carry up to bed. twitpic.com/8nggt #
• 22:29 Currently 80 degrees in my room. Ugh. It's a 2 fan kind of night. #
• 22:32 @JeroldsSis It doesn't cool the upstairs at all. Ever. Yet it "works just fine" says the ac guy. Liez! #
• 22:37 @JeroldsSis doh! #

• 11:13 @JeroldsSis You don't mean a REAL tramp stamp. Her parents didn't get her a real tattoo for her 12th birthday right? #
• 11:25 New blog post: Count Your Blessings bit.ly/4Mvit #
• 11:37 Leftovers for lunch again. that's 2 days in a row. At least it's food and It's still enjoyable as when I made it for dinner 2 nights ago. #
• 12:30 Made waffles for Caitlin and Kasia. From scratch, not a mix. Mom of the year. ok, mom of the day. #
• 13:00 @ivyartemisia light and fluffy. Yum #
• 14:16 wow, what happened? This morning was flying by and now? It feels like time slowed down and an hour is taking more than 60 minutes. #
• 14:20 @JeroldsSis No. Not particularly bored. I've been doing little things here and there. #
• 14:24 @JeroldsSis 107 isn't my idea of divine, but thanks anyway. #
• 14:27 Oh, you know what sounds good? A coconut mojito! Hey BARTENDER! #
• 15:07 My view twitpic.com/8i7sx #
• 21:00 @StephanieHolub sure but I can't contribute funds for another 2 weeks #
• 21:06 @twinklergirl you're in irwindale? Really??? #
• 21:10 @twinklergirl Dude you're like 30 minutes away. The heck? #
• 21:52 Right. Well thanks MTV jams for making this evening not suck. I really enjoyed the old mj videos. #

Lately, I’ve been thinking about all of the things I wish were different, better. I very rarely take a moment and reflect on the good things. It’s much easier to focus on what you don’t have, thus overlooking the good things you actually do have.

I’m going to just go ahead and take a few moments here in this space to do just that.

• I have a wonderful, talented, smart, attractive, loving husband. I’m so lucky to have found someone as terrific as Jason, especially when I wasn’t sure I’d ever find someone as special as he is.
• I have three amazing children. While they’re crazy far from perfect (believe me, I know just how NOT close to perfect they are) they each have qualities I admire deeply.
• My eldest daughter is outgoing, fun loving, and has a desire to live life to the fullest daily. That lust for life is often what gets her in trouble these days, though I’m sure it will serve her well as she’s enters into adulthood. She’s an extrovert; something I’ve never been able to call myself.
• My middle child, my son, is smart as hell. School comes easy to him. He struggles a little with language arts now and then, but on the whole, he sails through school with ease. School was a constant struggle for me.
• My littlest daughter is independent and brave. She’s got guts I still don’t possess. This was revealed to us once we started taking her to Disneyland regularly. There are very few rides she won’t at least try out. She may not like it and will refuse to something a second time, but she’s gotten on rides I wouldn’t get on until my teen years. I’m constantly amazed by her bravery.
• After 2 bouts of unemployment within the last year,  my husband is employed. So many people are still looking after being out of work for so long. It may not be a perfect job, but he seems to enjoy it.
• My family is healthy
• We have a roof over our head, even if it’s one we don’t own.
• We have 2 cars, one of which  we own outright.
• Even though my first marriage didn’t work out, I gained a a family I will belong to for life. They love me as if I were their own flesh and blood. And even better than that? They love my husband the same way. My littlest is as much a family member as if she were born with their blood running through her veins. It doesn’t matter to them that I’m the ex. We’re family.
• I’m a pretty good cook. This is a skill I pretty much taught myself. It isn’t because my mom didn’t try, she did. I just wasn’t interested in learning when she tried to teach me.
• My husband has taken on the role of sole provider so I can be here at all times to see the kids into adulthood. We struggle with money because of this decision, yet somehow, we manage to pay what needs to be paid. Although I think my oldest would disagree at this point in her life, I feel that *my* kids are better off than if *I* went to work. (I’d like to state that this decision isn’t right for everyone and that a working mom’s kids are worse off than mine because they have a working mother. I just feel this is the best decision for OUR family)
• I have the ability to make pretty jewelry that some people are even willing to pay for. I hope someday to help provide for an income in our family through my jewelry sales.
• I have good friends that I love and love me in return.

I’m sure I could go on and on, but I think this is a good start. I hope you take a few moments to reflect on the good things you DO have, instead of dwelling on the things you wish you had.

Originally published at Jen Tucker. You can comment here or there.

• 08:48 Want! tinyurl.com/cosl8n #
• 09:09 Holy cow, this is awesome tinyurl.com/mk8xh3 #
• 10:43 Jess just blew apart a necklace I made. Not sure how since I wasn't in here when it happened. Great. #
• 10:47 @Nobilis She did it while I was absent from the room. I'm sure she used her hands, I just didn't see it happen. #
• 12:00 Had leftover turkey white enchiladas for lunch and it was good. Grapes for dessert too. Yum! #
• 15:19 TMZ is going to look really stupid if it turns out Jackson hasn't died #
• 15:25 @PodcastJunky if it's a iMac it goes on the right side of the computer (monitor) #
• 16:12 RT @BoutiqueCafe: I feel how my parents must have felt when Elvis died. Rest in Peace Michael Jackson. I just can't believe this news #
• 16:13 I totally get that statement. #
• 19:20 @jasontucker *insert high voice here* marzipaaaaannnnn #
• 19:21 Found the funky smell source in my fridge. It was the steaks I planned to make for dinner. #
• 19:25 @JeroldsSis that's because it's a gazillion degrees in PS and sane ppl don't go out when it's a gazillion degrees! #

• 09:16 Yay my scanner seems to not want to work today. #
• 09:28 @jasontucker You're so smart! <3 #
• 10:08 10 a.m. and the little one just got out of bed. She had a rough night due to coughing. Poor kid. #
• 10:27 Three new items added to my shop. Wire crochet necklaces. www.jentuckercreatives.com/ Check it out! #
• 10:38 QOTD: While watching Yo Gabba Gabba, Jess notes, "DJ Lance Rock is darker than me." Indeed he is but, I think everyone's darker than she is #
• 11:00 I'm off to the post office, CVS and probably a stop at Joann's. Catch you later. #
• 12:17 @ivyartemisia I'm with your husband on this one. #
• 12:27 @roneyzone Good Vibrations - Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch or Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys #
• 12:33 @ivyartemisia Thanks! I have some more going up later today, a totally different style #
• 12:46 Thinking about lunch and not excited by my options. #
• 13:01 Taking my book and cherry limeade poolside. Not going to complain about it today. Nope. I'm not going to complain. Not gunna do it... #
• 14:14 back inside and having a hot link for lunch. #
• 14:20 @managerjohn yeah, a spicy sausage #
• 14:20 For the record: Sunkist brand cherry limeade is yum #
• 14:33 I'd so be taking a nap right now if I could. Instead, I'm going to upload some more jewelry to the store. #
• 14:57 @JeroldsSis That's how I cooked it :) #
• 15:34 @JeroldsSis Now that you're going to the fiery pits of hell, I mean the desert, I'd better not hear any "it's hot" complaints. ;) #
• 17:27 @JeroldsSis you're insane :) #
• 18:59 Some things just don't need to be broadcast to the world and some "family" members should know that. #

• 10:39 Oh wow. Mark Twain Catches on Fire During Fantasmic tinyurl.com/nbpfks #
• 11:48 Paging @JeroldsSis I'm trying to reach you!!! #
• 12:41 Uh oh, 1 lost iPod = 1 pissed off friend. Hope the girls find it. Too bad it's not an iPhone so it could ring. #
• 12:49 The iPod has been found. They can be friends again. #
• 13:22 Jk, the iPod is still missing. Girls are becoming distraught. #
• 15:47 Poolside but ready to go back inside. #
• 16:04 @mrxinu Nah, pants and a teeshirt. Just watching the littlest swim #
• 17:55 Poolside neighbors are discussing Jon and Kate. I try and avoid all J&K discussions. That's why I'm hiding out inside. #
• 17:58 @mrxinu Are you serious? You don't know anything about Jon and Kate + 8? I don't watch the show but it's hard to get away from all the hype. #
• 18:12 @jasontucker I've never even seen 1 episode! #
• 18:43 Picking up a get well treat then visiting a friend. #
• 21:59 @JeroldsSis it fits around though? #
• 22:03 @jeroldssis but it fits around it right? #
• 22:05 @jeroldssis ok I'll have a new one when you come back. Just measure the length. #
• 22:11 @JeroldsSis ok. I'll make a new one for you and you can get it when you come back. #
• 22:26 My eyes, they're heavy. Must be bedtime. #

• 10:31 Just got my son's report card. 4 A's and 2 B's. He had a very successful first year in middle school. #
• 10:31 Especially good since he was in several advanced and honors classes. Very proud mama here. #
• 10:55 Leaving the cap off of a Sharpie is a crime in my house. That's twice in 4 days. She will pay! #
• 11:24 The little one is asking to go to the library and pick out a few books. Guess we're off to the library. #
• 12:06 At the library with Jess #
• 12:47 Making Mac and Cheese while waiting for Chris to come over. #
• 14:58 Fudgecicles are delish! #
• 15:21 Paging @andycaster #
• 15:26 @andycaster thank god. I was getting worried. #
• 15:27 @chrismoody thanks chris #
• 15:43 Cooking the chicken and rice for my this-is-not-a-casserole-otherwise-Jason-won't-eat-it dinner #
• 16:24 Dinner is assembled and ready to pop in the oven when the husband gets home. #
• 16:55 My daughter is in the pool and I'm wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. #
• 17:40 @dinkycastjen why would anyone call you an idiot? I've been through 3 divorces; 2 were my mom and 1 with my first husband. The kids lose. #
• 17:56 Jen Tucker Creatives What's New? bit.ly/14lVUx #
• 19:11 @jasontucker I think it's the same as anyone else but we're so close you hear everyones business #
• 22:13 @JeroldsSis damn it chris! Stop posting dessert links - like forever. You're killing me. #
• 22:17 @JeroldsSis you're the baker I'm the crafter. Dessert is your domain. Need jewelry? I'm your girl. #
• 22:18 @JeroldsSis now... Where's dessert?!?! Okokok I'll look at the pattern tomorrow. #

• 07:02 I've been at the laundromat for 20 minutes already. Trying to knock it out early so I'll have a day free from chores. #
• 16:31 CM walking ppl off Small World, "this is the grand finale to your trip around the world, bet you didn't know you had to walk it" #ohatdl #
• 19:52 Gross RT @jasontucker: Do they sell cold corndogs? #ohatdl #
• 20:58 My family needs to get back soon. I'm getting the hairy eyeball from everyone for having a whole bench saved. I sat here at 7 so suckit. #
• 22:07 Magical was great! twitpic.com/82wph #

• 10:00 @mrxinu Good man! My husband hasn't done an entire load of laundry by himself since before we moved in together. #
• 21:21 @jasontucker hooters? Really? How cliche. #
• 21:40 Twitterfon pro is acting stupid. It quit displaying my @s and my dm's. Why twitterfon, why? #
• 21:42 @johnmartinez I love prodigy! The fat of the land is still one of my fave albums. #
• 21:45 Just realized I'm hungry but I think the tired is winning. Going to bed. #

• 08:31 Think I'm going to have to make a big ol' bath of pancakes or waffles this morning. I have 7 or 8 kids here that will be hungry this morn. #
• 10:59 woowoo! RT @OCdailyphoto: RT YUM! @FastFoodMaven Free A&W root beer floats today: tinyurl.com/md665m #
• 11:04 @findingmickey ºoº Sweet! Thanks for showing us how to make a mickey! #
• 13:02 Summer break is the devil. 5 teens in pajamas on the couch. I have nowhere to be but my room. We need a cable box in here @jasontucker #
• 13:50 Oh boy! The first brother/sister fight of the summer break. At least we had 1 full day of peace. #
• 16:50 @jasontucker you should hop on your uni and ride with them. Heh! #
• 19:02 @StephanieHolub hang in there Hun. You'll get through this. #

• 08:42 My mother loves to complain. It's getting old this morning. #
• 14:10 @roneyzone I'm here now, sorta #
• 14:14 @twinklergirl it's a special preschool at the elementary school. Free, and integrated with special ed kids. #
• 16:53 @donttickleme Hope you like it all! #
• 19:04 New piece I'll be adding to Jen Tucker Creatives soon! twitpic.com/7rkw0 #
• 22:33 @JeroldsSis Now you know 1 reason I wake up around 6 am. That's my me time. #

• 07:15 Well, as hard as I prayed, it didn't seem to pay off. Today's the last day of school around these here parts. Now starts 11 weeks of hell :) #
• 08:57 Guess where I won't be tomorrow at 10 a.m. RT @roneyzone: Lakers will be at Disneyland on Thursday at 10AM. tinyurl.com/l2lst5 #
• 09:58 Dear Word, I hate you. #
• 10:08 @donttickleme I disagree twitpic.com/6kux5 #
• 11:36 Summer break has officially begun for child 1. 1 hour left for child 2. Heading out in 10 to pick up Child 2 in Huntington Beach. #
• 12:10 Running late thanks to a train and now I'm also in red light hell #
• 15:51 Exhausted, need sleep. No can do. Make jewelry or veg out? I have some GREAT new beads. #
• 15:52 Or do I clean the living room? HAHAHahahaNO #
• 15:57 I've got it! I'm mentally making a checklist of what all needs to be done around here while I'm lying down. #
• 16:00 @JeroldsSis Hey, if your camera misses kids, I have a cute one you can shoot poolside this summer. Just for practice. Don't wanna get rusty #
• 16:40 How did I go from wanting to rest to actually cleaning up the place? #
• 16:46 For the record, I still hate Word! #
• 17:26 @slpenney My print preview and the printout are different. Preview shows my graphic, the actual print does not. #
• 17:31 @slpenney I didn't thoroughly explain. 10 graphics on page, all same, 1 prints, the rest do not. #
• 17:32 <--- sourpuss this afternoon. Sorry folks, I'll try to brighten up. #
• 06:56 My firstborn is being promoted today. She's "graduating" from 8th to high school. The hell? How did that happen? #

• 07:35 Got an order & the winner's prize packaged up and ready to go to the post office. Should I send you something too? tinyurl.com/lh9lqk #
• 08:47 On my way out the door for coffee and errands #
• 10:49 Home from the post office. Shipped off an order. Feels go that someone would spend money on something I made. I really appreciate it. #
• 10:49 Feels good too :) #
• 11:55 Dear #ATT your service, or lack of service I should say really pisses me off. Sincerely, Disgruntled Customer #
• 11:58 My website is being fickle and not my friend right now. Grrrr #
• 12:12 Just arranged to have Caitlin's yearbook from the school she attended until January given to her brother so she can still have it. #
• 12:12 @JeroldsSis Kicked off the PTA? YEAR RIGHT! #
• 12:13 @JeroldsSis PS I want pictures! #
• 13:23 I've been battling a sour tummy all day. Wish it would stop feeling so icky. #
• 13:42 @findingmickey It's a good thing their corn dogs are tasty! #
• 15:01 All I asked was that he washed the few dishes after dinner last night. He didn't do it. #reason238myhusbandsucks :) Love you Jason #
• 15:16 @rocketrobby ew. #
• 16:57 "mom I want to be just like you" you do? "yeah but not like dad. He's kind of, like, different". -Jessalyn #
• 17:00 @PodcastJunky good luck! They were at capacity by 5 yesterday. #
• 17:00 @PodcastJunky the good luck was sincere not sarcastic by the way #
• 17:20 I keep making jewelry. I can't help it. #
• 17:32 crap. going poolside. making coffee and got a sweatshirt. it's chilly out there #
• 17:37 @StephanieHolub why are you spending the night at the hospital? #

• 10:04 @JeroldsSis What are you doing this morning? You at the school? #
• 10:09 @JeroldsSis Not really, but I thought maybe we could have some morning coffee and chat a while since school is over this week. #
• 10:13 @JeroldsSis works for me #
• 10:14 @JeroldsSis We can do it here or go to Panera or something. Your call. #
• 10:45 I have a couple of errands to run but Jess is playing kid pix with a friend so I don't want to drag her out yet. #
• 14:44 Just got news that all summer school classes at the high school have been cancelled due to budget cuts. #
• 17:22 @TSDivaDani Hello TSDivaDaughter! #
• 21:00 Jen Tucker Creatives We Have A Winner! bit.ly/ZPJTx #
• 21:01 Just wrapped up my first giveaway over in my jewelry store. We have our winner! tinyurl.com/kl9bvm #
• 22:44 @findingmickey I was thinking about taking jess tomorrow but I don't think I'll be able to. Have fun! #
• 22:59 @JeroldsSis you and your massive ego are THE BEST #

• 11:48 Egads! What the hell is that bright thing in the sky and where is my June gloom? #
• 11:53 @JeroldsSis whew it's gone now. Clouds again in la habra #
• 12:30 @jasontucker I thought you were going to the normal park wtf mate? #
• 06:28 Jen Tucker Creatives Giveaway Update bit.ly/qnkT6 #