Happy Blog-a-versary To Me

I remembered in June that I wanted to post an anniversary edition on July 3rd to commemorate my one year anniversary on Word Press.  My site was originally named Musings and Ramblings or Ramblings and Musings … I forget which.  Eventually this little gem became the behemoth that is J-Dub’s Grin and Bear It.  

Behemoth! Haha! I slay me.  Grin and Bear It is tiny.  In the big scheme of things anyway.  I just like to use big words.

Anyhoo, here is where I would insert <my stats > to show my growth.  And to show how behemoth I am.  If it mattered.  Do I protest too much?  Because … it matters! Of course it matters!!!

J-Dub’s Grin and Bear It 

Stats As Of

 July 3, 2016 to July 9, 2017 @ 2:30 PM CST

• 402 Followers
  • Without YOU I am nothing or am I something else alright?!?
  • I was ecstatic to hit the big 50 so over 400 followers … my mind is blown
  • DRAMATIC bow and courtesy – thank you, thank you, thank you!
• 14,505 Views
  • What does that mean? Time someone looked at my site or a post or either, both or neither??
  • I’m really asking.  Anyone know?
  • Hehe
• 5,703 Visitors
  • Woot!
  • Come on by and sit a spell … I love company
• 6,762 Likes
  • When I got that first email saying so and so thought my post was awesome and to check out their blog, I about keeled over  
  • I did! Actually I swooned because it’s called swooning when you faint from extreme emotion
• 1,860 Comments
  • Your comments are worth more than gold
  • I will beg for comments and continually try to entice you into playing along
  • C’mon, you know you want to and here I offer a safe space
• 663 Posts
  • From my brain to the virtual world
  • You’ve saved me
    • from the empty nest
    • by providing an outlet for
    • my zany thoughts, worries, hopes, dreams and fears
  • Sweet free therapy (my poetry is not the best but I think even I could do something with SWEET FREE THER-A-PY!)

“Once you get your feelings down on paper, you’ll be able to move on. You’ll be able to think through your emotions. You’ll find closure”

By Quinn – character created by Mary Kubica

Then I promptly forgot and missed the date.  Doh! That’s happening much more frequently lately.  Too many things on my mind vs. the alternative which we will not speak of as this is a happy uplifting story.  Plus, better late than never. Am I right? To which you think, maybe J-Dub … if you entertain us.  Well did I? <yet another shameless attempt to get comments> FEED ME Seymour, FEED ME!

My first post July 3, 2016. Okay, this post is really 1A. 

You see after a very lame attempt in August of 2015, I let the blog go dormant.  If someone asks, as they occasional do, for my first post, I dig up August 2015.  But and it’s a BIG but, that doesn’t count.

All links are active … those above and those below.  I wish I had more pictures and maybe a video or two.  However, I am a technical dweeb and stumble along the site …  Occassionally sprucing up the place and adding new categories.  

I am frugal and will not spring for a premium site.  

Bells and whistles, we don’t need no stinking bells and whistles.

As always, more to come.

Kindle First For July

I am digging through emails to spruce up the place and found my Kindle First for July reminder.  Previously I selected my free book by whether or not I liked the cover.  Now that’s NO way to pick a book :).  This month as I have the time leading into my week off, I am reading the synopses and more importantly the reviews.  And of course this leads to indecision.  Ugh!  Oh well, I will figure things out eventually.

Still having the BEST Sunday ever!  I hope you are too!  As always, more to come.

JDubs Review of Don’t You Cry by Mary Kubica

Set in Chicago, present day this story of mystery disappearance begins Sunday and runs through Thursday in a single week.  Told in alternating verse by two characters Quinn a 20 something year old girl and Alex an 18 year old selfless boy, the short chapters move the story along quickly like a heated conversation.  As usual I will not have any spoilers.  In fact, that’s the review.  

You get to decide the rest.  For me, I enjoyed and would recommend.  JDub rating 4.25 of 5 stars.  

Side note 📝. As life imitates art the following hit close to home 🏡.  

Quinn is betrayed by her friend Carrie. Her mother gives her the only good advice that she’s ever given. Apparently the mom was pretty hard on Quinn and she has issues because of this.  Mother daughter issues? Project feelings much? Codependent JDub and Lulu? Yep I’d say life imitates art right there!!!

Quinn: mother suggested I write notes to my friend turned arch enemy Carrie. Jot down your feelings on paper.  Tell her how you’re feeling, she said and with the PS. Don’t send the letters. Don’t give them to her. Keep them for yourself.

But once you get your feelings down on paper, you’ll be able to MoveOn. You’ll be able to think through your emotions. You’ll find closure”

And in the end Quinn does feel better as she writes out her venom, things she felt to her core but that she could not bring herself to say. She never gives the letters to Carrie.  But she in the end feels better; she finds closure and along with that new friends.  

Better out than in ~ Shrek 😂

OK, now I’m really done. As always, more to come. I hope you enjoy your Sunday.