Jenny On the Spot: Caffeinated mom, lover of dancing, glitter and glitter.

Nope.

Still nothin’.

I thought maybe getting a title in might start the fire.

Not so much.

Actually there is quite a bit to be written on this my tablet that sits on the interweb… but

(BUT with one “T”, by the way).

Not everything should be shared. I mean, I WANT to, but

(with one “T”, BTW…). Why y’all keep starin’ at mah but? Sheesh.

I guess I could tell you about the time (the other night) that I went to a Facebook game developers meetup. Of the 330 (give or take) in attendance I was one woman of about a dozen. I wore my hair like Princess Leia. I’m kidding. I wore my favorite new hat. Wanna see?
Continue reading ‘Oh My Gosh’

A tweet on Twitter lead me to browse Facebook… and I noticed a number of my friends’ statusii,

If you don’t know, as of today, Facebook will automatically index all your info on Google, which allows everyone to view it. To change this option, go to Settings –> Privacy Settings –> Search –> then UN-CLICK the box that says ‘Allow indexing’. Facebook kept this one quiet. Copy and paste onto your status for all your friends.

My first thought was, “Oh dear!” But my second thought was, “Wait. I have privacy settings in place. Facebook can’t allow indexing on info I have made private. Right?”

So I did one of those long-string searches — “Can Facebook allow yadda, yadda, yada… and whatnot, blah, blah, blah….”

The interwebs just stood there. Blinking.

Just as I thought.

I logged in and out of my account. Checked the box. Unchecked the box and whathaveyou. Testing my theory. I am aware Google is indexing me, BUT she is only getting as much information as I permit. This is what my Facebook profile looks like to the searching masses with the settings I have decided are acceptable to me:

I allow my groups to be seen, cuz I that is what I have decided I think is just fine… I also allow my friends to be seen. I feel it helps people know if I am A Jenny or THE Jenny. Guilty by association and whatnot. Besides, I want to be found. I’m on Facebook. I want to have friends.  I also want to complain about pestering paparazzi someday. *tosses locks* Sue me.

And of course we ALLLLLL know I am THE Jenny, right?

I digress.

Then I went and followed the directions of the several friend’sesses statussesii re: the Google indexing. Say THAT 5 times fast. I unchecked the indexing box. This is what happened when I searched myself:

What? No Jenny? That will make so many people sad. HOWEVER! If this is what you want, GREAT! It’s your choice to make, but this has been possible for years. But for some reason, it’s all the rage… tonight.

And then I noticed a little note from Facebook at the top of my settings >> privacy settings page:

AHA! I thought so! I recall way back “in the day” having the option to make my profile not available for public search inquiries. I decided I wanted to be out there… just a little. I kinda like the fact that people can find me… but are left wanting.

*makes tiger claws*

I will assume most of you know this. About Facebook and indexing, not my “makes tiger claws” thing… But in case there are a few who missed it somehow… I am here to comfort you:

>>>If you have been choosing the your privacy settings wisely, you should be found or not found according to what you have already established. No Facebook/Google indexing magic has happened overnight. I do, however, encourage you to double-check you security settings. Especially your pictures. Did you know each album has it’s own privacy setting? It’s true.

Speaking of fame, have you visited my Facebook fan page? Click HEEEEEEEERE. And join. If you’re smart. *wink*

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*This piece was originally written for another site. However, despite my savvy, wit, charm and wicked-awesome… they chose a different path. Had they checked with Google, they might have seen my shizzle-esque SEO skillz… Who knows why a social media “push” would turn away a force such as myself? I have my theories, but in an effort to not burn bridges, I hold my tongue on theory and name and instead publish the post here… and keep my traffic here. It is HERE I can keep you safe, warm, glittery and caffeinated. In an “online” sort-of way…

I have learned so many valuable things from my children.

It would be impossible to share all of the things I have learned in my motherhood journey, so I will limit myself.

Besides, I went to the BlogHer Conference in Chicago this year, and at one of the SEO sessions I heard top ten lists are HOT. Therefore, in an effort to stay on the cutting edge… my Top Tizzle-ten. Oh, and this is not in any importance of order. I am not planner-y like that…

1. Stop and smell the dandelions. And blow on them. Then stop and look at the shape of bark. Then follow the ant and see if your spit will fall on it’s back. Slow down and observe. Oh the wonder we discover when we take the time to just look… and also spit on the backs of unassuming bugs.
2. It is not the end of the world if we are late to the doctor/tumbling class/school (see #1). Yes, it is important to teach responsibility and the value of being on time. BUT, it really isn’t the end of the world (see #1).
3. Matching shoes are not a necessity. Really. For an adult, it is more important, but for the 10 and under set… it can be a good day if we get out of the house with one left-foot and one right-footed shoe.
4. Laugh. A lot. And Easily.
5. Accessorize. A little color or a little sparkle can perk up the darkest day, for oneself and even others (particularly one’s little princesses). I add sparkle daily. Also, when you eat lunch with your daughter’s 1st grade class, you will get LOTS of compliments. Beggars can’t be choosers, people. Beggars can’t be choosers…
6. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches CAN be eaten everyday. No one will get scurvy. I speak from experience.
7. Play the music loud and dance… in the living room, in the kitchen, on the front porch…
8. Silence is not golden. It is the sound of danger and probably the sound of marker and paint (or worse!) being applied to select pieces of furniture or carpet  or bodies during naptime.
9. The Tooth Fairy is a flake.                                         
10. The best behavior modification method… *drumroll*… TIME. Time spent snuggling, time spent listening, time spent playing WITH our kids is the best way to help change… not only the child, but the parent.

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Ummmm… I just made a Jenny on the Spot Fan Page on Facebook. Madonna prolly has a bunch of fans make fan pages, but I make my own. Don’t judge me. Or do. That’s cool. This is just how it goes in the life of a sad little woman… desperate for love… attention… affirmation… attention… a fan base… And hungry for international fame. Renown. A walk on the red carpet.  I don’t think paparazzi are bad, I think they’re cute. *places crown on head, dances in front of mirror*

I’m kidding.

I’m not kidding.

*clearing throat*

Any advice on Facebook Fan Pages as opposed to using the Networked Blogs app? I don’t like how Networked Blogs posts to my wall with feeds AND notes. I like how a fan page will let conversations happen… But I know I can turn off the feed altogether on NB, but, but, but??? Any social media genius reading this? Mentor me, mentor me…

And when it all boils down… I just want to be in your head… spraying glitter and whatnot.

This sleep deprivation is gonna land me in an institution someday. I just know it.

My amends.

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Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

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You can also follow me on Twitter!

I just want to thank you…

A couple of weeks ago I submitted my application in a dream that I might land a gig with Verity Credit Union as their Verity Mom. This gig offers legit pay, a few perks (a laptop, a Flip, and a reason to live) and a tremendous opportunity for my personal professional growth.

I know. I wrote “professional”. Yes, we are all laughing. Jenny + “professional” = Whut the whut?

Continue reading ‘Dear Friends, Thank You!!!’

“Jenny??? Jenny On The Spot? What are you talking about?”… your query falls on understanding ears. I will tell you.

A local credit union) was on a quest to find a mommy blogger… a spokesmom, if you will — a V???? Mom! They want to find a woman who will listen (I have ears!)… a woman who will help Verity Credit Union learn from and understand moms better (I am a mom!)… they want this woman to connect people (I am a HUGE fan of people!), and in their Facebook ad, they… they… well, look:

V?????… you had me at “wildly creative”. I mean, have you seen my Swine Flu Mask video? Not only do I share my creative potential, but I also contribute to global wellness as well as global fashion.

Continue reading ‘Jenny Ingram for ?????? ???’

But first, a video:

Crazy, ehh?

This is a different world for us. For our children. How do we navigate this new social world?

I recently went on a bit of a social media fast. I am still processing what changed for me. Some quick thoughts:

• I feel like I lost ground… in the social media world. I lost some of my grip on the fast moving train, but I don’t feel like I fell off. I am still not back to Twitter like I had been. That could simply be due to the fact that life demands things of me where I simply cannot tend to that area of my interest… of my life.
• I feel like I gained ground. But not much. The laundry was never completely done, the kitchen was never completely cleaned, the kids were never completely satisfied.
• It was not a complete fast. I still had paid gigs to tend to and I simply could not abandon email. Not that I NEED email, but my circle of contacts and friends have come to expect email is as reliable as a phone message. I cannot ignore email.
• I found I missed Facebook. “No kidding” was your first thought, right? I find I missed it for a reason I didn’t expect. I felt left out. Like the kid who was grounded. I felt like I missed out on news and happenings… good news, sad news, writing birthday wishes on walls, jokes, banter… I learned Facebook has become a tool I really rely on to feel connected. That seems obvious, but  this “fast” showed me the extent it has affected my feeling of connectedness.
• Email is still my nemesis.
• It is hard to read all the blogs I desire to read. During this time my passion to try to keep up on other blogs was realized. Now the struggle is finding a system.

But what got me thinking about writing this was a post at Mashable, Facebook Quitters: Find Out When Someone De-Friends You.
Continue reading ‘Personal Thoughts on Using Facebook & Twitter’

THIS is called the Ring of Fire. It is a popular carnival ride.

Every time I see the “Ring of Fire” I cringe… even squeeze my legs together a little. As a woman who has given birth, the “Ring of Fire” has a very different meaning to me.

I have survived the Ring of Fire. I have ridden rides similar to the one pictured here. Speaking as an authority on both, the ride pictured here is more deserving of the name “Stupid Dumb Circle Ride That Cannot Even Begin To Compare To The Horror And Utter Pain And Agony  OF THE REAL RING OF FIRE”.
Continue reading ‘Summer, Fall, Boys, Dogs, Hydration and the Ring of Fire’

[Before I launch into whatever I am about to launch into... Take a peek at my new venture - Jenny On The Spot Reviews! All week I am taking a The Crystal Light Water Way Challenge... Each day I will write about my journey toward good hydration. So far (today), all my organs have taken all the water. My poor shrunken dehydrated organs... Anywho, you can read about it by clicking here and there is an opportunity to win a $1000 Visa gift card. Just read through the post to find out how! See ya there and happy hydration!]

Why don’t we put great big “air quotes” around that “online break” part. I think “Chris Farley” demonstrates it best:

Aren’t you curious what I did with all my extra time? Well, I spent a lot of time on my pot business. I still didn’t get email squared away. You may have noticed new posts here, but those were scheduled… I got a lot of laundry done last Monday. Monday only. I made banana snickerdoodles and the ice cream part of ice cream smores.
Continue reading ‘What I Did on My Online Break’

…ucuz I’m classy like that.

Before I expound on my my wordage skillzesses… perhaps I will start from the beginning. OR… as a word creator such as my self might say… the beginnitives.

*dramatic pause*

My friend Carrie of the highly acclaimed Stop Screaming I’m Driving! put a little call-out on her Facebook for FB addicted moms, or whathaveyou. I was all, “I’m not addicted. I want to teach the world how I am not addicted, but rather an efficient and frequent user of social media!” And whatnot.

*dramatic pause*

Carrie had the privilege of, of… experiencing her first-time radioness (I am on a flippin’ new word roll!!!). The podcast of her smooth talkin’ can be found here. And as a result of her gig, she was asked by the producers if she knew anyone who’d be willing to make themselves vunerable.

Enter Jennyonthespot… a.k.a. “will do anything to get more people to hear her… giving no thought to reputation or consequence” or WDATGMPTHH…GNTTROC,  for short.

Prior to my interview on the the local station KUOW 94.9 FM…

…I had to give my kids the “what for”. Basically, if you interrupt my one shot at infamy, I will lose it… dear offspring. You owe me this, you OWE me!!!

*pops chill pill*

I took all three of my lovelies and told them,
Continue reading ‘I used the “word” MODERATIVE on a radio interview…’

I know, I know, I know!!! You are all waiting to find out who the Swine Flu Mask WINNAH is… I don’t know yet! I am soooo sorry! I will have the results tomorrow! I have been partying it up in real-style with mah Viking and crazy Norwegians here in faux-Norway. Our Viking Fest  is this weekend and the sun is out and living in the Pacific Northwest — when the sun makes an appearance — we all stand at attention. All responsibilities go to pot, and like ants to sugar, we Pac North Westies stand out in the rays and go, “Oooooh…. Ahhhhhhh…” and lap in the sweetness of it’s warmth.

In the meantime, this post in inspired by my friend Shayne, who, is known locally for her “word issues”. She has an EXTENSIVELY long list of words that gross her out. I remember having dinner at her place, oh say, a year ago (oooh, time for you to feed us again!)… standing around the fire pit… enjoying a loooooong discussion about all the words that made us squeem. Then today, I peek at Shayne’s Facebook status and it read:

Just added the word “snippet” to words that gross me out. Other words you ask? Foamy, frothy, moist, rotisserie, the P word, the V word, (cannot even type them apparently). The best word you ask? Splice, definitely splice. I know I’m a freak. Anyone else have words they can’t stand, or totally love?

I would say, I am pretty on par with her little list there… really it is “little” compared to her full list. “Rotisserie” ??? Oh. My. Heck! Shayne, gurl… ya kill me! Now the word “rotisserie” is ruined for me!!!

My contribution to her wall? GARNISH. My newest gross-out word has been GARNISH. It just feels wrong, doesn’t it? I also am a bit uncomfortable with cabinet. Not sure why. Annnywho…. Of course there is the long-standing business and junk, but those 2 words just make me snicker. 

In the words of my friend Shayne, I ask you… Anyone else have words they can’t stand, or totally love?

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Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

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You can also follow me on Twitter!