Happy 38th to Me!

Thanks, Autumn and Melissa for year #2 ;)

Imprisoned for blogging

Ever thought about what life would be like without the abiltity to voice your thoughts and opinions here in this vast forum?

An Iraqui man has now been sentenced to years in prison-19, I believe for content on his blog. Now, I don't know exactly what was there, but I am thrilled to post this blog entry without threat of my liberty, safety or fear of any kind.

I share my gratitude with the world today.

Jess

Here is my tile inspiration. I am so attracted to this ecclectic fabric life story!

One Hundred Day QUILT

This is my 100 day project:

A quilt top that is yet another journal - a personal picture journal. These icons represent places I've been and how I've grown; what I love; pieces of me. Appropriate that I will wrap my life's experiene around me and it will warm me. Hmmm. I think I'll hurry. So, I work on one applique piece per day. I have it planned out in my quilt journal, but I can already see it taking turns that surprise me. Pieces of the puzzle that connect daily. I borrowed a book from our library about old "tile quilts". It was as if this book jumped into my bag to come on the journey with me. It was already a part of me. I am using some of the methods in this quilting style, but adapting it for my purposes. One day I'll do an authentic tile quilt.

Couldn't live without this block. Charles, Jane and William; my inspiration.

Mary E.'s ecclectic color and fabrics. Love her!

I love to collect fabrics. I can almost smell Great Grandma Dale's house dress as I look at these retro fabrics-especially the white and yellow floral. This is the perfect place to see them all together and be carried away in childhood memories.

I hope to chronicle my progress here.

We Are Family

Been thinking. A lot. I'm just about 38, reaching out, screaming, writing, working, changing, asking for change. I am beginning to understand more.
Life is an ever-amazing teacher. When I put myself in a place to, I can be taught by Heavenly Father. I am grateful.

Growth and regrowth

This tree is ancient,
yet has new growth,
new green,
new visitors
and a deep memory.
I prune it.
I step back.
Regrets.
We wait for regrowth.

Cold Treat Traveling Salesperson

Ice Cream Man

I watched horror movies as a kid. Yeah, part of the demented big picture I call "growing up". I also have big brothers, so I KNOW scary. But few things strike fear into me like the dreaded tinkling music floating from down the street on a warm, summer day. Yes, it's the dreaded ICE CREAM MAN!

I wrote a short story last year that I was going to enter into a contest by year-end, but it still needs refining. It's about how this SAHM hates nothing more than and is striving daily to shut down the store on wheels.

I really do think the concept is brilliant...for molesters and killers! Hate the idea that someone whom we know nothing about is attracting kids with his mesmerizing music and sweets. Something more like a slasher movie than summer dream! Remember Chitty Bang? Totally! That guy still haunts me. "Lollipops. Candy!"

Soapbox, yes. I agree. But it's one of the ideas I have that separates me from most others and it's unique to write with. So I enjoy this crazy tangent of mine. I hope you do too. J

Samples of Chilly Mom:

-I stage a protest during the first week of summer vacation in my neighborhood. I even enlist the help of 100 mothers to picket at the entrance of my subdivision. We all have our own plastic ice cream cones we bought "for educational purposes" from the local dollar store. This is the most effective point of punctuation, I believe. We're saying, "Already have some. Thanks. Now leave!"

-"Do you know WHY they call it a 'FatBoy?' is my official campaign slogan, but I'm working on something else equally clever since I can't use the registered name. I've renamed it, "Your obese child" in hopes that no one will ever feed their kids treats that call you names or create the very monster they are laughing at.

-I go door-to-door promoting the weekly ice cream/frozen pop on a stick ads, informing moms of what deals are going on around town and telling them how much, on an average, the ice cream man sells his items for. Next month I'm expanding to an official newsletter, but I have a lot of study I need to do on the software I just bought. I even carry a cooler with samples and have offered to keep them on-hand so people won't buy from the "bad van man", as I call him. There's only one neighbor who demands that I vacate their property and I am writing to the city council about that crazy! I do, however, keep my approach light and airy. I feel that I am improving our community one street at a time.

"Are You Prepared To Take A Dive Into the Deep End Of My Head?"

Lessons I learned today:

1) Falafel: A yummy middle-eastern dish. Not easy to make, but WELL WORTH the wait!
2) I am not a born supervisor. In-fact, I think I'm born to speak my mind, to be uptight and to to irritate others, but "I'm Working On IT!" I'm going to visit with Dr. Autumn. "Put it in a bubble and blow it away:)"
3)Family Scripture Study pays off after weeks of persistence. It's coming along very nicely. .. most mornings.
4) Thumper could teach a thing or two to some adults I know.
5) Speaking of rabbits, Watership Down is going to be one cool book.

Soon to follow: Exerpts from my writing. I want feedback. Preview and tell me what you think.

California Dreamin'

This is love!

From Farm to the Table...are you too Chicken?

I thought it was rather amazing and beautiful.

It depends on how you look at it....

Where does YOUR meat come from?
The farm or the supermarket?
My kids know now!

Perhaps they consider being
VEGETARIAN;)

Duh, nuh. Duh, nuh. Is that a dorsal fin?!

I love sharks. Well, I love sharks when they are dangerously close and separated from me by a 3" plexiglass tunnel shaped window. They glide over my head, bearing their impressive collection of teeth and I can't believe I get to be right here.

This is something out of my serene dreams. I am at peace and in awe. I want to live underwater-undetected, of course- and enjoy this quiet world. It feels like part of heaven. Jess

Life in the Underwater world

Our recent trip to Cali to hang with my bro, Jared and his family

included a visit to this marine life park.

A promising day of learning and fun turned into

an expensive shower!

It rained and rained

until the skies opened and gave Southern Cal

50% of their rainfall for the year...

right on our heads!

Park closed early,

sad, but here are a few of the things we enjoyed that day in January. Dolphins are so elegant and playful. So fun to watch swim and jump.

Can't help wonder if they like this small circle they swim in.

Hmmm.

Otters: My mom and grandma's favorites.

So charming to watch them play.

These two were spinning circles, playing with toys

and totally performing for us.

Happy mommy:)

Shamu show, Believe.

Go see it.

I cried.

Oh? You're not surprised?

Notice the smiles on some and the fierce frowns on others.

What a day! Guh-rumpy is all I have to say.

I mean, You spent $400 plus dollars and STILL

some kids can't be made happy--

trust me, stay at home and take 'em to McDaunkers playland.

JK. The education we received at S.W. is well worth the moisture we dealt with.

I felt like I was in some kind of dream with all of this marine life.

Feeding time for the sea lions.

Bonus for us.

The animals sit right next to you thinking you are preparing lunch-

a little too pricey for me,

BUT

here's the view from below.

The kids get a kick out of the burping/barking noises the

sea lions make.

Their skin is so beautiful, you want to reach out and touch them.

Don't be fooled! Teeth are sharp and this one is HUNGRY!

Alexandria- another dear member of our family came on our trip with us.

Here she is next to the beautiful jelly fish. So cute.

A wonder to behold.

Oh yeah, the jelly fish are pretty amazing too:)