Mr. Sunshine Smiles

Well, hi folks!

Here we are celebrating another Monday of January!

And what a bugger Mother Nature has been throwing to everyone all over the world!

Throwing big balls of snow that is with a side of crazy, gusty wind!

Over the past couple of weeks since we rang in 2024, I’ve been seeing lots of people answer “this or that” type questions on social media.

And honestly, it seemed like fun, so that’s what you’re getting this week.

Enjoy!

Morning person or night owl? 
I can be both! But more of a night owl lately!

Cats or dogs?
Dogs

Cruise or resort vacation? 
Resort vacation

Cable or streaming? 
Streaming…Hulu, Paramount+, Netflix, Disney+ to be exact

Read the book or see the movie? 
See the movie

Coke or Pepsi?
Coke, but Cherry Pepsi

Sweet or salty? 
Sweet…but give me something salty right after

Apples or oranges?
Apples

French fries or onion rings? 
French fries

Beer or wine?
Wine

Beach or mountains? 
Beach

Scary movie or comedy?
Scary…but you better have a comedy movie in queue once that scary picture is done

Pie or cake?
Cake

Board games or video games?
Board games

Steak or seafood?
Steak…unless you’ve got some salmon

Fly or drive? 
Drive…flying makes me super anxious

Android or iPhone?
Iphone

Ketchup or mustard?
Neither…I want MAYO!

Walk or run? 
Run

East coast or west coast? 
East Coast

Zoo or aquarium? 
Aquarium

Mashed or baked potatoes? 
Mashed potatoes…MY FAVE!

Lego builds or jigsaw puzzles?
Jigsaw puzzles

Water ski or snow ski? 
I’ve actually done neither…so I’ll take water ski?

Game night or movie night? 
Game night

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? 
Dark chocolate

Stay in or go out? 
Stay in! Going out has to be planned way in advance these days as an adult.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee…give me ALL the Dunkin’

Fruit or vegetables? 
Fruit

Cookout or BBQ?
Cookout

Staycation or vacation? 
Vacation…but a staycation has good energy too!

Watch a movie at home or at the theater?
At home with a blanket!

Modern or traditional?
Traditional

Bright colors or neutrals? 
Bright colors

Pizza night or Taco Tuesday? 
Pizza

Hot dog or hamburger? 
Honestly…both!

Selfie or ask someone to take the picture?
Selfie

Designer splurge or bargain buy?
Designer splurge

Print books or audio books?
Print books

Plan ahead or live in the moment?
Plan ahead…but you can catch me living in the moment too just not as often

Summer or winter?
Summer

Sunbathe or swim?
Sunbathe

Camping or luxury resort? 
Luxury resort

Homemade or store-bought?
Store-bought…but homemade is something I want to continue trying for more of

City or country? 
City

Save or spend?
Spend…but 2024 goal is to put at least $100 into my savings every month

Mac or PC?
PC

Clutter or neat freak?
Neat freak…sorry not sorry

Lake or ocean? 
Ocean

Chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal raisin cookies?
Chocolate chip cookies

Hope you learned something new about me!

Cheers to your week ahead!

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, here we are.

Starting off the second week of 2024.

Last week, I was relishing in the fact that I didn’t make it past midnight on NYE (even though all other nights I can).

This week, I’m enjoying some episodes of The Price is Right and my squishmallow named Rocky who is currently sitting beside me on the couch as I write these words.

Also, welcome to blog post #246!

This past week during my video call with my fitness trainer Ryan, we talked about energy that I have been outputting in certain facets of life (mainly in the dating world) that just haven’t appeared to align for me recently.

And honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

I have been the person who has chased others in the past and I should be the one that is getting chased.

With me, what you see is what you get.

I don’t hide anything and I’m honest and upfront.

I’ve always been that way.

So, I’m being honest and upfront in that my energy is not going to be exerted in the dating world during 2024.

A relationship takes work, energy, and lots of focus–and frankly, with the life I live currently, they are just not entities that I have time to invest in.

I need quality time with people that I love.

And, if the spirits allow for some fun, no strings attached moments on the side, I wouldn’t be opposed.

With that being said, I feel it necessary to re-introduce myself to the world with 10 fun facts about Mr. Sunshine.

1. After reviewing how much money I spent on DoorDash food delivery during 2023, I decided it was time to make a change. Therefore, I am now adding $50 more to my weekly offering at church to support our faith community because food delivery service is NOT something I should be spending so much money on…and our faith community IS.
2. I secretly want to be a male model on The Price is Right.
3. I LOVE ranch dressing, but Hidden Valley Ranch is the best. All the other brands just don’t cut it…at least for me.
4. Washing dishes continues to be something that I enjoy doing as a method of therapeutic relaxation.
5. Since moving back to Lititz and living the single life on my own in Sunshine Studio, I burn candles EVERY night. (That means, if you ever need to get me gifts, candles are a definite YES).
6. One of my personal goals for 2024 is to read 3 professional development books. One of those books will be Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. If you have other suggestions, please send them my way!
7. I have to sleep my head on two pillows at night.
8. Whiff Roasters coffee is currently my favorite brand to drink. SO many great flavors! You can buy online at https://www.whiffroasters.com/.
9. I just discovered non-alcoholic adult beverages called De Soi! Katy Perry is one of their CEO’s and they are super tasty! You can buy them online at https://drinkdesoi.com/.
10. My voice is the one you will hear if you call The Ephrata Performing Arts Center and get their voicemail message.

Well, folks.

There you have it.

There are obviously a lot more fun facts that you can learn about me, but only if you chase me.

No more chasing on my part.

Cheers to 2024.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, hey there folks!

And a very happy 2024 to all of you!

Crazy to think that another year has come and gone already…the clock just doesn’t stop ticking or slowing down.

I hope all of your celebrations to say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024 were beautiful and wonderful!

This year, my NYE consisted of an evening in solitude at The Sunshine Studio with candles lit, comfy clothes, a blanket, watching Hairspray, and capping off the night with my favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz.

It was glorious. And for how busy and on the go, go, go I was during the month of December, it was the perfect way to end the year.

I hope each and every one of you (who I’m so thankful for coming back week after week to read these words) are able to look back on 2023 and find moments of JOY.

As I write this week’s words for you, I am extremely grateful for the fact that I have had so many JOY moments in 2023. This week, I get to reminisce and share some of the highlights from the past year that brought me energy of that very word above written in all caps.

January 2023:
-Celebrated my 200th blog post with some delicious cakes! One made by Cake and Cup in Lititz and the other by my amazing coworker, Sarah Katz.

-Took control of some moles that had been bothering me and made my first ever dermatologist appointment as an adult. (The moles came back benign! Yay!)

February 2023:
-Traveled to Florida for the NAFEM show with some great coworkers from Webstaurantstore.

-Got to experience Carrie Underwood and checkout my old college stomping grounds in the Happy Valley with Marissa.

March 2023:
-Kicked off a second year of house managing and bartending at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center with my partner-in-crime, Jamie.

April 2023:
-Got to experience an official Zoom audition for my favorite game show, Wheel of Fortune. Even though becoming an actual contestant didn’t come to fruition, it was still a super surreal and fun experience to have!

May 2023:
-Got to be a “celebrity scooper” at Greco’s in Lititz during the holiday weekend!

June 2023:
-Got to experience North Wildwood in the hot summer sun with Marissa and Missy.

-Officially put Sunshine Cottage on the market and sold it in 3 days!

July 2023:
-Traveled to Costa Rica with some handsome men (Paul, Adam, Jed, Jason, and Devin) to celebrate Jed’s 40th birthday! Got to see sloths in person and it was glorious!

-Officially moved into Sunshine Studio at The Apartments at Lititz Springs.

August 2023:
-Closed on Sunshine Cottage and signed it over to its new owner.

-Traveled to Chicago and experienced some fun times in The Windy City.

-Turned 36 and celebrated with a family picnic.

September 2023:
-Hit up the North Wildwoods for the second time of the year, but this time enjoying it with my parents and Devin.

-Enjoyed the first show of being an official subscriber at The Fulton and saw Something Rotten.

October 2023:
-Enjoyed my first time at Terrain Cafe with Sam, Abby, and Ally to celebrate Abby’s birthday.

-Enjoyed a Halloween themed Clark Party with Devin at Spooky Nook.

November 2023:
-Enjoyed Derek Hough and his dancing troupe command a stage in Hershey.

-Had my second holiday blog shoot at Historic Shady Lane with my incredibly talented coworker, Jessica.

-Enjoyed the second musical of The Fulton’s season and saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

December 2023:
-Witnessed sold out crowds for Ephrata Performing Arts Center’s young performers production of The Phantom of the Opera.

-Got to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for a second time with my fitness coach, Ryan.

-Got to plan, execute, and be a part of a beautiful Christmas Eve service at St. Paul Penryn.

-Experienced Christmas with family while opening gifts and enjoying time together.

-Watched Hairspray and Wizard of Oz during NYE in cozy solitude at The Sunshine Studio.

Of course, these are just highlights.

There are SO many other moments of JOY that took place this year including countless hours worked at all 4 of my jobs, episodes of The Golden Girls playing in the background as I wind down in the evenings, weights lifted at the gym that also included multiple selfies to hold myself accountable, and cups of Dunkin’ coffee that my body got to consume.

Here’s to 2024 and all the moments of JOY that await.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, hello folks!

Happy Monday!

Happy less than 7 days until Christmas!

Happy almost 2023 is over!

Happy post number 244!

WOO!

And it is currently a monsoon outside as I write this from the couch while The Price is Right plays in the background.

Yes, that’s right.

I’m NOT watching The Golden Girls.

Believe it.

Well, I guess I should get down to business before Santa heads down the chimney.

This week’s post is all about the world community.

When I looked up the word on dictionary.com, here is what I got:

Noun; a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

Guess what?!

I don’t like that definition.

I think community is so much for than that.

Community is loving each other and figuring out how support can be giving in all areas of life.

Community is banding together and showing up for each other.

Community is welcoming each other and setting aside differences to help make the world a better place.

Where have I experienced community?

Where can you experience community?

Well, read on and you will find out!

On Friday night, I was informed that a former individual that I got to work during my high school show choir and musical days had been diagnosed with cancer and the outlook was not good.

At the time I had donated, the goal was $20,000.

On Saturday, I woke up to that original being crushed and a new goal of $50,000.

That.

Is.

Community.

Seeing individuals of all walks of life come together help another individual/family.

It is beautiful to see and brings tears to my eyes.

While the outlook still does not look great, Dean and his family could use your love, prayers, good vibes, and support. The link to donate is below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-help-and-support-dean-and-his-family-now

Where else have I seen community?

In the pews at my church in Penryn.

I see people of all ages and all walks of life come together weekly to worship together in fellowship.

It is a community of love, warmth, and kindness.

And while I know religion is not everyone’s thing, I can promise you that our faith community is different.

And if you want to experience for yourself, I would encourage you to worship with us on Christmas Eve at 6:30pm.

Our service will include music, scripture, Holy Communion, and candlelight.

I promise you will experience community.

Where else have I experienced community?

In the young adults at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center who are currently performing The Phantom of the Opera.

The talent. The passion. The chemistry between the actors and actresses onstage.

It.

Is.

INCREDIBLE.

You MUST get tickets to see it before it is too late.

https://epactheatre.org/tickets/

Community is all around us.

Find yours to experience.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Happy Monday, all!

We are now just two weeks away from Christmas!

Like…AHHH!

You might not be able to see my panic face, but it is definitely there.

Anyone else wearing that panic face??

Just me?

Guess I need another peppermint mocha.

Before I move on to this week’s post, I must sidetrack for a hot second.

Yesterday, I got the opportunity to watch the new animated Netflix movie, “Leo.”

It was SO good.

You just watch it immediately.

Anyhoo, do you have your sugar cookie, peppermint mocha, and egg nog in hand?

I won’t keep you long this week.

I’m also writing this at 3:09am.

True story.

Before December slips away, here are 3 things that you MUST do!

1. Go see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The Fulton Theater. I’ve already seen it twice and want to see it again. The costumes, the music, the sets, the talent on the stage. It is insane. Beautiful. Magical. All the things. It runs through December 30th!

https://thefulton.org/

2. Go see The Phantom of the Opera at The Ephrata Performing Arts Center. It is young performers who will BLOW you away. Truly. My jaw dropped when I heard the singing. And the sets, lights, choreography, costumes—everything just brings everything to the next level. This also runs through December 30th with limited performances so don’t delay to purchase tickets!

https://www.epactheatre.org/

3. Whole religion might not be your thing, I would still highly encourage you to worship with our church faith community on Christmas Eve at 6:30pm. There will be music, Holy Communion, and candlelight. This year’s theme, “Christmas for All” will center around how the birth of Jesus doesn’t exclude anyone. I hope to see you there.

Well, folks.

That’s all I’ve got this week.

I have to get to wrapping presents and more Christmas Eve music practicing.

I hope all of you will have the opportunity to participate in one, two, or all three of these amazing events this December.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Happy Monday!

It is only 21 days until the Christmas season.

It might be even less days for you depending on what season you might celebrate.

Honestly, I need a personal assistant for the month of December.

Any takers?

You’ll most likely need to respond to emails, wrap Christmas presents, address Christmas cards, clean the apartment, respond to text messages…you know…the basics.

Just kidding…

Kind of.

Not really.

Anyhoo.

Let’s get down to business.

There were things this week that just didn’t seem to align well for me.

The stories in my head were making their chants louder this week.

And the stress of the season was really bringing its A game.

But amongst all the crap, the level of energy to keep shining was telling me to turn it up another notch.

So, let’s back track to this past Friday.

It was the day where things that were planned decided to not work out for me and the stars just weren’t aligning.

One thing after another.

And, on my way to the Fulton to meet my fitness trainer Ryan and see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I drove past and accident and the immediate energy of anxiety kicked in.

Seeing those types of things immediately start the stories in my mind thinking it was my family and friends that are involved. And shutting those thoughts off is hard.

Needless to say, that threw off the rest of my drive into Lancaster and focusing was incredibly difficult.

And then, the spiritual Gods were on my side.

I was standing outside the theater looking at the show advertisements in the window and a woman slowly walked by while I was admiring the cast pictures.

And a few moments later, the woman came back and asked me…

“Are you Mr. Sunshine?”

I was so taken aback and humbled by the recognition and immediately smiled.

The woman went on to tell me that she discovered and started following me through Ryan (my fitness trainer) and that she had been working with him on and off for several years.

It was a beautiful moment.

One that was meant to happen that the spiritual Gods knew I needed because of the way the rest of the day had worked out.

And it was in that moment where I felt so humbled and energized by someone who had been inspired by my words and Mr. Sunshine personality that I told myself I must keep shining.

Don’t let anyone or anything dull your sparkle.

I hope that you find your shine and continue to let it be bright to all those around you.

Because there is someone out there who is loving and appreciate your shine.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Happy Monday, folks!

This week’s words are super short.

And I mean short.

Be thankful.

Have an attitude of gratitude.

That’s all I’ve got.

Future blog posts will not be this short.

So, don’t forget to be thankful for all the beautiful entities in life.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Hi folks!

Once again, I am wishing you a very happy Monday as November continues to press on.

And I also welcome you to official post number 240!

I won’t keep you long this week.

We are going the short and sweet route.

The world has had multiple moments of darkness that continue to engulf all of us on the daily.

It can make it super hard at times to stay focused on being light to the world.

Which is why it makes it even more important to intentionally find joy in moments of our lives and cherish them.

On Saturday night, I got to experience Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance show at Hershey Theatre.

The moves of him and his dancing troupe were precisely perfect, beautiful, graceful, and moving.

And when I got home from that show, I put in my earbuds, threw on my favorite song (Katy Perry’s Firework OBVI), and danced around my house like it was a stage.

I was moving my hands, hips, and doing jazz squares and I mouthed the lyrics and smiled at every corner and open door as if there was an audience of cheering people looking for more.

It felt so good and was SO fun.

It was the perfect amount of joy that catapulted an energy of happiness throughout my entire body.

Dance as if no one is watching.

In my case, I was dancing as if everyone was watching.

And it was glorious.

Here are a few other places where I found joy this week:

1. Catch up time with some guy friends that I haven’t seen in a long time.
2. In-person chat and hang out time with my fitness coach, Ryan.
3. Seeing Derek Hough in Hershey with Devin.
4. Family dinner.
5. Dinner with the 2214 girls at Sunshine Studio and playing games that made us laugh.
6. Casino time with Marissa as we played penny slots.

Make the time to intentionally explore and appreciate the little moments of joy that sprinkle the light in our lives to carry us through.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

P.S.–Please check out my brother and sister-in-law’s consignment shop, Divine Consign on Friday and Saturday for their holiday open house. But in all honesty, check them out all days! Support local, small business!

Happy Monday, folks!

It seems that we are just days away from Thanksgiving and Christmas…and yes, the Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has begun.

But like, is all I want for Christmas you?

If you means ice cream, then the answer is definitely yes.

Anyhoo, welcome to post number 239.

Also, the washing machine currently is spinning out of control and it sounds like a railroad train going 100mph.

But, I digress.

A few weeks ago, my amazing fitness coach Ryan asked me what it meant to be emotionally available.

It was a question I couldn’t answer on the spot, but one that I felt excited to delve into, think about, and reflect on with written words.

And so here we are.

My first thought?

Yes, I am in fact emotionally available for that tub of ice cream hiding in the freezer that is calling my name to eat directly from the carton with the largest spoon possible.

And you better believe that I am emotionally available for all of the rom coms that tug at my heart with “you’re better than him” and “he’s just not that into you” storylines that make me laugh, cry, sob, drink, eat, and just about every other motion in the book as I sit, and watch cuddled in a blanket from the comfort of the couch.

All kidding aside.

Well, actually…stay with me.

Maybe being emotionally available means eating the other scoop of ice cream, having the other piece of cake, and crying uncontrollably at the rom com you’ve watched 1000 times.

The more I think about it, the more I believe that emotionally available is all of these things.

Being emotionally available means knowing how your soul feels and knowing how to process that.

Being emotionally available means knowing how to be 100% honest with your friends, those around you, the world…but most importantly yourself.

If you can’t be emotionally available for yourself in processing emotions, feelings, and whatever life throws at you, then you certainly aren’t going to succeed in being emotionally there and available for someone else.

Being emotionally available means that you can say with confidence “I feel like shit, so I’m going to eat ice cream” or “The news really depressed me today so I’m going to have a drink to relax.”

Being emotionally available means being able to do the above in a way that is healthy and not overkill.

Being emotionally available means knowing how to process all the emotions, knowing what triggers you, and being able to communicate those feelings to others.

Being emotionally available means showing empathy, providing support, and discussing feelings in an open and honest way…and knowing if a boundary has to be set.

When I strip away all the shit, being emotionally available simply means loving yourself 150%.

It means knowing when you need a boundary, setting that boundary, and sticking to it.

It means loving your body.

It means loving your soul.

It means loving your life.

It means being secure in who you are and what you were put on this earth to do.

It means having the other scoop of ice cream.

It means jamming out to your favorite song when no one is watching.

It means walking around your home naked with a confidence that is sexy.

Be present with yourself.

Be present with others.

Be present with the world.

And know when you need the time away from being present to give yourself the recharge of filling up the cup.

I think being emotionally available means a lot of different things, but when you get down to it, I simply think it means giving yourself that extra cup of self-love.

The extra cup of self-love that allows you to press 0 for being emotionally available for yourself.

Because if you can’t do it for yourself, you certainly won’t be able to do it for anyone else.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!

Well, hey there folks and happy Monday!

Or should I say happy Hallow’s Eve?!

Is that actually a term?

Hallow’s Eve?

I just looked it up and it is in fact a real term.

Speaking of Halloween, I have to say that I’m in the minority and it really isn’t my favorite.

I feel like Halloween was a holiday I enjoyed back in college, but as an adult of 36 years, it really isn’t my vibe anymore.

But…with my sweet tooth, I do enjoy me some good candy.

Anyhoo.

Moving on.

Time for this week’s post.

When you hear the alarm go off in the morning with that repetitive beep (or whatever your ringtone what might be) telling you it is time to get out of the warm covers and start your day, what is the first thing that you do?

Do you hit the snooze button craving those extra few minutes of shut eye?

Do you walk out in a zombie-like slumber to put the coffee pot in the on position?

Do you hop in the shower to clean and freshen up the muscles?

Do you scroll on social media liking all the posts you possibly can?

Do you check on the weather to see how you should be dressing for the outside real world?

Do you check the news headlines to see what is happening around you and in the world?

Did you answer ‘yes’ to any of these?

Maybe you are someone who does a mix and match of the above.

Maybe you do all of them.

Maybe you do none of them.

When I wake up, I check the news headlines, scroll on social media, complete my daily Wordle game, look at my bank account, and write my daily affirmations in my journal.

I am confident.

I am dependable.

I am loyal.

I am trustworthy.

I am kind.

I am strong.

I am beautiful.

I am loving.

And you know what?

You are all of those things too.

And don’t let the voice inside you say otherwise.

You. Are. Enough.

That is most definitely not a trick.

Each and every one is a treat to this world and even when our society tries to knock us down, we must stay strong.

Something my dad shared with me yesterday that I found quite relevant for this week’s post that I wanted to share:

Note to self:

-Your feelings are valid.

-You are allowed to enforce your boundaries.

-You do not need anyone else’s approval.

-You are capable of amazing things.

-You are enough.

No tricks here.

We are all worthy.

We are all capable.

We are all deserving of love.

We are all beautiful.

There are no tricks here.

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!