Farm Fresh Eggs!!!

We thought this day would never come. Six months of waiting finally paid off. This morning, Trae walked outside to check on the hens and there were T.W.O. eggs, freshly dropped, one white and one brown. Wow. Our dream is finally a reality. I'm hoping they keep it up and the others get the hint because I've got a lotta baking to do.  

The Giving of the Thanks...

I know, I know, one post in two months. Wow. That's disappointing. But I promise you, I've been doing lots of things away from the computer that warranted my absence...like getting married, going on a honeymoon, workin' my tail off at ol' Working Class, teaching, listening to great music, and trying to enjoy every passing day. I'm not gonna lie, I've also been a bit down in the dumps because of the upcoming holidays and the vast distance between myself and my family. And I'm trying to rise above and just be thankful that everyone is happy and healthy and plan on definitely seeing them next year. 

I have so much to be thankful for in my life. Instead of listing each one of those things here, I'm going to use my time to facebook or e mail everyone I'm thankful for and make sure they know it. 

Sorry for the light posting as of late. I promise, I'm back to regularly scheduled blogging. 

I hope you have a wonderful Turkey Day--enjoy this day where we get to tell everyone what we're thankful for...but I think this next year, I want to make sure that I tell people more often. 

xo

Happy Birthday, Bro...

Look man, that's us right there, seriously 20 years ago. TWENTY YEARS. Can you believe it? Man, we've come a long way, huh? I am sure in twenty more years, this picture will still be hanging at Mom and Dad's in the exact same spot...Your sweet face in that picture has grown sweeter with time...and more teeth of course. :) I love you bro, and on this special day, I just wanted to share some of the things I love about you the most...

You're willing to try new things...even if they make you look like an idiot. :) You're a great adventurer, for sure and I can see you traveling all around this great country and many more over the course of your long life...
You're freakin' hilarious and I miss your laugh all the time. You're always in a great mood and your good attitude about things is definitely contagious. You take time to appreciate the little things and you always want people to be happy, no matter what's going on, and you try your hardest to make them laugh. I know I've benefited from many a phone call from you--when I was way down in the dumps and your humor lifted me up...

Every time I watch Billy Madison I miss you :). 
You are a great pilot, so focused for someone so young. You have a lot to accomplish in this life but you've gotten a pretty great head start. I know sometimes it's hard to know if we're on the right path and it's a constant struggle to stay focused...but you do a great job of visualizing what you want and you get it. I'm so proud of all you've done and I know the next 100 years on earth (yes you will outlive all of us) will be full of successes.
You love me even though I was a jerk to you for most of our young lives. I'm so happy we're friends now. I'm glad we're both in good places in our lives and we can share all the joys, sorrows and struggles we go through. We have seen so much family drama in our lives and I'm glad you and I have seen how hard it is for people to get along when they don't want to. I'm glad we're not like that. You accept people with all of their faults and try to look for the best in everyone and are genuinely concerned about people. That's one of the best parts of you, ol' boy. 
I have missed so much of your life by being far away...I just hope that you know how much you mean to me and how much I love you. You know I had to venture out on my own, and you don't hold that against me. Thank you for that. Plus, you get a sweet place to visit...and, hey, you could always move here, you know?? 
I can't wait for you to be an Uncle, either. This year is big for our family...I just wish I would have waited to get married until you were 21 so you could really participate in all the debauchery that is coming up next month. :) I'm sure you're still have a great time and be the best designated driver this town has ever seen. It's just how you do...
I love you, bro. I am so lucky to have you as my brother. I hope you have the best birthday ever...well, next year, I'm coming up to Idaho to celebrate for sure, or we're going to Mexico...something spectacular will happen and Dad will not be allowed to pick you up from the bar. We're not letting that happen again... ;)

I can't wait to see you in a few weeks and give you the biggest hug possible. I miss you every day. 

So much love,

J

The Natives Have Become Restless...

And by natives, I mean my mother. And Mr. Travis Dodd, the two most loyal readers I've got...

Sorry, guys, it's been a busy few weeks. But I'm gonna hop back on the blog here...let's see if I can condense the past month into one post...

I went to New York for almost two weeks. The trip was long, but Jonathan and I had a great time...selling melamine and meeting new friends. It was definitely a difficult market with the economy in its current position, but we persevered...Of course, we had to go to Anthropologie (a wee scene above full of delicious succulents...) and we walked around a ton. You'd think I would take a thousand pictures but I was so sweaty most of the time, I could barely do anything but move straight ahead!

So much good "street art" up there...Little vignettes everywhere. 

Jonathan was kind enough to accompany me to this little place which can be found at the end of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King (which I am currently geeked about)...This spot is the home of the Rose, which represents the Dark Tower. In the book, Hammarskjold Plaza is built over the rose to protect it from destructive forces. I couldn't go to New York City, reading this wonderful series, and NOT venture here. So here  I am. At the beginning and end of it all. 
I do wish I would have been sucked into some parallel universe, but  guess since I'm not done with the series, I'm not equipped to live in such a place...Soon, though...I did venture home the day after this little adventure. And it did feel like a parallel universe compared to the weeks we spent in the city.
My man built this wee fence at the front of our house to give our side yard some room to grow. We put that little path in, as well. Things are shaping up for sure. The wedding is officially 31 days away!
That's our sweet Reebsie, trying it out. She's the only one who will walk on the rocks, the others go around...
And we've been manicuring and planting as much as we can to get ready for the big day...
And, mom, I'm sure you want to know. No, no eggs yet. And it's a point of contention. They need to get layin'...Everytime I buy a dozen eggs, I curse them...Maybe that's the problem...
Despite the chickens sad performance, the garden is doing pretty well. Some harvesting here and there. No gourds yet, unfortunately. They were going to be my pride and joy, but they've turned into my biggest enemy. I'll know better next year, for sure. It's all about beans next time around. 
Skyler turned 9 yesterday and my mom turned 40...Kidding. but she could pass for it. We went to a party at Trina's all day Sunday...little girls, presents, cake, family, friends...it was a great way to spend the day. And yesterday, I got the pleasure of going out on the boat with the whole gang, which for me, is a big step. Boats and I have always given each other the stink eye...Or maybe I just thought the boats all hated me...I fared well yesterday and had a great time, though I came home with some crispy red skin...A little aloe vera and I'm all set.
It was so beautiful out there. Very peaceful...I'm so glad I got to go. It was nice to sit and talk with family with no phones, no computers, nothin' but chatter and laughter and little girl squeals!

It has been a great month and I'm sorry I don't have more pictures to share. I promise I'll start documenting a little more...Wasn't my last post about how I suck at taking pictures? Ah well, I'll try again! Happy Birthday, Mom! I'm sorry I didn't do a special shout out...You know I love you more than words can explain. I can't wait for you to get here...xoxoxo

I Never Take Enough Pictures...

(Side note: At this point, we migrated and the camera swam around in my purse while we enjoyed ourselves..We drank and danced until the wee hours on the morning and headed home with smiles on our faces and sore legs...I awoke without a hangover, which was a great birthday present indeed.)

My 9,490th day...

We slept in a little.

My man kissed me Good Morning.

He wished me a Happy Birthday.

He went to work.

I fed the dogs. 

I took a shower and brushed my teeth.

I tried to do something with this mass of hair.

I got dressed.

I made the bed.

I swept the floor. 

I walked around outside and looked at my plants.

I picked some leaves and fed them to the chickens.

I went to get coffee.

Skyler called and sang me happy birthday.

My heart melted.

I hugged 20 people in less than 10 minutes.

I sat and talked and laughed and drank.

I drove to work.

Julia called and sang me happy birthday in Finnish.

I wrote some e mails.

I printed some papers.

I checked Facebook.

I couldn't stop smiling.

I shared earphones with Megan and listened to new music.

I got a call from my mom.

I got a call from my dad.

I got some work done. 

Not enough, probably.

But my boss let me go home early. 

I went to lunch with a good friend.

We talked about food and religion and the past and the future.

We went to get more coffee.

It was drizzling when we came out.

My favorite kind of weather.

I got a call from Eddie and Mary Kate.

I sang my favorite song in the car on the way home.

The dogs greeted me and licked my legs with fervor. 

I sat down in my favorite chair.

I read a beautiful story from a good friend.

I cried a little because I'm so lucky.

And thought about how many days I've already had.

And how many more I will have.

I got a call from Trae.

He's on his way home.

In the rain.

On this, my 9,490th day.

I Must Have These...

And I want hundreds of them. I just saw these lovely book jackets on DesignSponge and I had to post them.

Made by Brooklyn's Book City Jackets.  They are $9 each, made out of kraft paper. How delightful.