everything vintage

It's been a LONG time coming...

2012-01-18T20:06:00.001-06:00

The title of the post says a lot ~ to say the least.

It says a lot of what has happened in the past,

what's going on at the moment,

& what I hope the new year will be for me.

Let me start by saying that it's been a while since I've ran my fingers through velvet millinery and vintage lace...

Although it is all at my fingertips, I have been short on time.

My love for creams & browns still remains, along with mixtures of metals and lace and everything in between...

Although it is all at my fingertips, I have been short on time.

I am longing to play with the little trinkets and goodies that beg my attention to create something beautiful...

Although it is all at my fingertips, I have been short on time.

I beg for the time to sit and visit with you, my heart is lonesome for the inspiration you always provide to me...

Although it is all at my fingertips, I have been short on time.

I admire those of you of whom time has been generous...

for that I am jealous.

As a creative (& nosey) soul, I have been short on time ;)

It's been a LONG time coming since I've been creative "for no reason at all" but in the meantime, good things have happened too!

I have slowed down a little and learned to appreciate the things that really matter in my life such as:

no expectations

no promises

no regrets

no rush

and most importantly, lots of happiness.

Friends do come and go,

but the special memories still remain.

After all, it's creativity that led me to blogging,

blogging led me to great friends,

great friends led me to the unforgettable memories,

so therefore...I'm always looking forward to what's coming my way next!

It can only get better, right?

I guess the point that I'm trying to make here is...

It's been a LONG time coming that I've told you that I miss all of you on my side bar, all of you in blogland, all of you that I've met on the road and all of you that I've met at creative events.

And, it's been a LONG time coming that I've told you "Thank You" for making {everything vintage} what it is today!!!

I am hopeful that 2012 will bless me with time to stop in and visit with you and catch up, just like old friends do.

The above photos are from a "pocket swap" hosted by Jessica in 2010.

My swap partner was Leslie and everything you see above are the beautiful things she sent to me.

It's been a LONG time coming that I post this...

~ I am hopeful that time is generous to me in 2012 ~

Christmas at the Mouse Pad...

2011-12-24T23:04:00.001-06:00

There isn't anything more "Magical" (that I know of) than spending 7 days at Disney World during the Christmas season...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

Now don't get me wrong...Disney is "Magical" at any time of year but only once a year is it even more "Magical"!!!

Somehow, I keep returning to Disney every year (sometimes twice a year), since I first stepped foot on the Mouse Pad in 2007.

This time, I had two very special guests with me...

My sister (Penny) and my 18 year old niece (Payton), both have never caught the mouse fever until now...

ON FLIGHT TO DISNEY...

WITHIN 24 HOURS OF ARRIVAL,

WE ALL HAD MOUSE FEVER!!!!

It's contagious! I know! Maybe I should warn you...

the photos below are really "Magically Contagious"!!!!

(guaranteed to put a smile on your face)

We visited all four Disney parks with a five day pass...

EPCOT...

Where Payton found Nemo and friends!

Visited 11 countries...including France!

And Payton gave Santa her Christmas wish list...

(poor baby still doesn't have an iPhone)

Then she decided to phone home and let everyone know that she wasn't coming home anytime soon...

After traveling through the countries and riding everything at Epcot, we rested and woke up early for a big day at...

MAGIC KINGDOM (twice)

Where we felt like Princesses!

(which we truly are in real life because

our tiaras are invisible to the "real" world...

did you know that? ;)

~~Alice~~ Penny spun round and round in a "Magical" tea cup

in Fantasy Land...

We had 1st class seats for the "Dream Come True" parade

to see Mickey & Minnie...

Pinocchio...

Aladdin...

Cinderella...

and the Beast (my all-time favorite fairytale of all)...

We also had 1st class seats for the "Magical" Electric Parade which is a Disney Classic Must See!!!!

Tinkerbell...

Puff the Magic Dragon...

Tribute to America...

and much MUCH more!!!

And of course...

the finale of the "Lighting of Cinderella's Castle"

The Castle went from this...

to this...

to this...in a sequence of Magical Lights & Fireworks!!!!

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

Spectacular...Disney style!!!!

Then on Day Three, we were off to

ANIMAL KINGDOM...

And stood in awe at the "Tree of Life", carved with over 300 animals...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

We went on a "real" African Safari ride, with "invisible" boundaries to the most amazing animals!!! ...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

and birds!!! ...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

LOTS of giraffes...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

and baby elephants!!!! ...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

We were able to see the Broadway-style musical

"Nemo & Friends"

which made Payton a happy little mouse!!! ...

And Payton and I braved the Yeti of Mount Everest!!!

(Note: Penny totally chickened out)

We sang along in the "Lion King" musical, which brought out the animal in some of us...

And basically had a "wild" time :)))

Our last park after 4 days of Disney was

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS...

I have to say, I really enjoyed this park. Of all the times I've come to Disney, I never stopped here as everyone said it was their "least liked park"... whaaaat?

All I can say is I've been missing out because I LOVE HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS and I will be back here next month!!!!

Payton and I learned a lot about Walt Disney himself...

and little tidbits like...

After creating Disney Land in California and years of planning Disney World in Florida, Walt Disney never saw the completion of Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney died December 15, 1966.

Below is his original office from California...

His brother (& partner of the Disney trademark), Roy Disney proceeded with the Florida project after Walt's death, opened it's doors on October 1, 1971 (my 1st birthday) and named it after his brother ... "Walt Disney World".

Later came Epcot, then MGM Studios (now called Hollywood Studios), and then the newest and largest park, Animal Kingdom.

There was so much to learn here, so much to see.

But we DID walk through the haunted lobby of

The Hollywood Tower Hotel...

(above photo taken by Payton Fruge')

Yes...the Tower of Terror...we did it!

Me? never again.

Payton? over and over again.

And there are over 100 variations of the ride so chances are, you will never have the same elevator experience in your lifetime!

I think we saw it all, and rode it all except for the "Rockin' Rollercoaster"... somehow we missed it :(((

We even enjoyed "The Little Mermaid"... even though Payton doesn't remember watching the movie when she was little.

Chances are, she fell asleep as she does with all movies!!!

One of my favorite shows was the musical

"The Beauty and the Beast".

"Belle" is so beautiful...and such a simple girl...

I'm not sure why I love it so much but I always have.

(maybe because I LOVE "Lumiere",

he's so cute with his french accent!!!)

I think it's the fact that someone could truly love something so scary, so mean, so ugly...

without knowing something (like a prince) could come out of it in the end.

To me that is real love...aaahhh. A true fairytale! ;)

Yes...I'm definitely going back to Hollywood Studios when The Man and I go back to Disney next month!

Since Payton and I had done (almost) EVERYTHING possible at Disney, we designated a whole day for...

HARRY POTTER!!!!

Can you tell in the photo above that she is pooped out?

I'm practically having to hold her up!!!

This was Day 6 of non-stop park fun.

ALL day. EVERY day.

Let me give you a quick update ... By this time, my voice was gone, Penny had flown home already (good nurses can't play that long), Payton and I went to Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba" (late night show) and we were two tired little ~~mice~~ princesses!!!

Notice she has forfeited her Minnie ears?

Now...

Here we were in Hogsmeade...waiting for the Hogwart's Express to take us to Hogwart's!!!!

Well, not exactly...

This Hogwart's Express doesn't "really" move so we had to actually "walk" to Hogwart's, plus wait 75 minutes to ride "Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey".

Me? ... It. Was. Awesome. As. Usual.

Payton? ... Loved the castle. Not impressed with ride.

I usually come here in January and there are NO lines. On this day, school was out for the holidays and everyone in Florida was at Hogwart's!!! ;)))

But the weather was gorgeous and we had all day to browse...

And shop for things we need for Hogwart's...

Vintage Broom ... check

Chocolate Frogs ... check

Owl ... check

And MOST importantly...

Wand ... check!!!!

And before we knew it, we were off to Hogwart's.

Professor Dumbledore would have been soooo proud of us!

;)

The cat is out of the bag...I'm a Harry Potter freak.

I could have run around the park in a Gryffindor robe and scarf (but I should be in a Slytherin outfit), waving my wand and casting spells.

But wait. I'm just a Muggle.

Back to the real world.

Wow! This was an awesome trip!!!

Oh! Did I mention that we spent the day in New Orleans before we even flew out to Disney? Yep...we sure did!

All three of us princesses are home safe and sound, spending Christmas with our loved ones.

I wonder if I could "Mobilicorpus" myself to bed before Santa arrives down our "fake" chimney...

No...it's impossible... sometimes I forget I'm just a Muggle.

Good night everyone, it's Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas!!!

Don't forget to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday and thank Mother Mary for such a wonderful gift she's given us!!! :)))

And, if I don't see or talk to you again before the end of the year...

Happy New Year!!!

May 2012 bring you many blessings,

and much happiness!!!

A Vintage Engagement Affaire...

2011-11-24T07:23:00.001-06:00

It started with an Engagement Party (postcard) Invitation that I created.

(some names & addresses have been deleted for privacy)

FRONT...

BACK...

About 100 invitations were sent out and we had an arrival of approximately 125-150 guests that attended.

It was a success!!!!

It was a fairytale night indeed, full of family and friends.

Here are a few photos of the decorations...(I have to brag about it...because it really WAS awesome)

The engagement party was an "end of the road" country setting, located outside in the evening light.

It was a little breezy, low 60's, bright moon...just perfect with the DJ playing our favorite music in the background.

Each of the 8 table centerpieces was decorated differently.

Several weeks before the party, I bought some small (real) pumpkins.

I taped off the stems and spray painted the pumpkins gloss ivory. After they were dry, I hot glued some moss to the tops of them. Simply elegant.

I pulled out all of my vintage "stuff"... lanterns, books, doilies, old frames, and everything I could find and we had a blast decorating!

I also printed "Thank You" cards and placed one on each table. I love that special personal touch and to say "Thank You" is always appropriate!

I have this old desk that we used as the "sign in" table and decorated around it with personal touches...

We used my vintage Samsonite suitcase for the gift cards...

**an idea I ~~stole~~ borrowed from Suzanne's daughter's wedding!!!

My old vintage Underwood typewriter with a cute little note that I printed and "vintaged up" a little...

On the other side of the desk, we placed some hay bales and covered them with a vintage inspired blanket.

There we put the gifts.

We also covered some Hershey Chocolate bars in some coordinating paper and fluffed them up for the guests to take home on their way out...

We placed other hay bales and covered them with vintage inspired blankets so the guests could cozy up and visit with one another...

We also had an open bar...

I had some old military burlap that I've been wanting to use.

Since I didn't have a stencil large enough for the letters, I printed out the letters "B" "A" "R" as big as I could each on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper.

I used an exacto knife to cut out the letters, leaving me a nice sized paper stencil.

Using a sponge, I dabbed some black paint inside the stencil, let dry and hung them with safety pins.

The glassed frame above is from a garage sale. I think I picked it up for $2 last year. It was a picture of a boy and girl (not too cute) but I had big plans for it and it had been sitting in my garage for way too long. There was no better time to "convert" it as now!

So I took it apart, turned the picture board around and painted it with black chalkboard paint.

**Correction: I did not paint it...The Man sprayed it for me!

The best chalkboard paint to use is Valspar and you can get it at Lowe's for $14.99 a quart.

I've tried the Krylon spray can and wasn't too happy with the results. At all.

After drying, I used chalk to write all the liquor, wines and beer that we were serving...

I then put the frame, matting and glass back together.

I know what you're thinking...

In Southern Louisiana, we sure can drink! And yes we do!!!

We find a reason to celebrate anything and everything!!!

Also on the bar table, I decorated a glass vase and turned it into a tip jar and placed it on some old books. I also placed some napkins in an old sewing machine drawer...

The tip jar must have worked well as the little guy we "hired" to bartend emptied it quite often and was very happy!

As for the beer, we gathered "feeding" troughs and wash pans from family members.

I knew I was serving only four varieties of beer so I only needed four large containers and after looking through family member's barns and sheds, this is what we came up with...

(after much cleaning!!!!)

Again, we used hay bales to lift them up (plus the hay absorbed the condensation) and gave them just the right height we needed.

We tied some can openers and labeled each trough/wash pan with the choice of beer that was chilling inside.

I must say, the guys were impressed!

We also had the white wines (chardonnay, riesling, & pino grigio) chilling in a smaller wash pan and used another wash pan for the bar ice...

We set up a "self-serve" table that included sodas, tea and ice for those who do not drink alcoholic beverages.

(Just a note...that table was rarely touched!) haha!

And last but not least, we had one more useful old hay bale...

We placed my old vintage bath tub on it and filled it with bottled water and ice (and labeled that too of course!)

One thing was for sure at this party...

Everyone knew "what" they were drinking!

So as the sun began to set and the guests began to arrive, our decorating job was finished and it was time to spoil the guests upon their entrance...

One by one they signed it and took in each and every little detail...

And all of us hostesses just sat back and smiled at our job (very) well done.

Oh...and there was food too!

Each hostess brought a side dish of their choice from the menu that I prepared in advance...

How could I be so rude as to not show you?

We transformed a carport into a dining extravaganza, filled with appetizers, meats, veggies and fruit...

The main course was Jambalaya and white beans...

and desserts plenty...

So feel free to fix you a plate full of goodies and dine by the pool...I'm so happy you came too!!!! ;)))

It was a lot of planning, a lot of preparation, and a lot of detail but it certainly all paid off in the end.

It was nice visiting with all of our aunts, uncles and cousins and most of all, knowing the couple of honor had just as much fun as we did!!!!

They say this party was the talk of the year...

and that makes my heart happy (& proud).

Now it's time to unpack all of my vintage goodies and save them in their rightful places here at home...

Save all of my laundered linens (thank you Sonya)...

And sit back and enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday!!!

(no more parties for a while...I think I may be just a little sad)

just a little...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!!!

~ be safe, be generous, & be thankful ~

cheers!

I Remember...

2011-11-20T17:56:00.001-06:00

On this lazy Sunday while watching a Lifetime movie, something happened to me...

Without leaving the comfort of my couch, I grabbed my iPhone, logged in to MY blog, read the last post and each comment that was left for me.

I realized that healing does take time.

I still have good days and bad days, but that seems to be my new normal.

However, I did not realize so much time had passed since.

You were with me every step of the way...

Thank You!

From my blog, I then logged in to my Flickr account.

I really can't explain how my heart could be happy and sad all at the same time, but it was.

There I saw beautiful photos ... MY photos all of which hold priceless memories of creativity, happiness and friendships.

I turned to The Man and said "You know, I really used to be creative and I enjoyed it so much. Every photo has a memory."

He said in the softest voice...

"You ARE still creative Jodie...you ARE."

And...with that said, I jumped off the couch and jumped on the computer because I AM LONESOME for YOU and CREATIVITY!

I believe creativity comes from within. I also believe everyone has a touch of it, but some may not believe they do. I don't think God would have made this world in such a way that we could not put our personal touches everywhere...do you?

And that goes for blogging too. I cannot count how many times that I was touched by something a blogger posted about or commented about. Touched by a photo I saw, or something someone created and shared with us all.

Creativity is just plain amazing!

With all the time that had passed since I last posted, I thought I would go back and remember all of the things that have mended my heart (as much as possible), cleared my mind (but not forgotten), and kept me alive (which was much needed).

Here we go...

APRIL

The Man and I bought us a camper... (love love)

MAY

My beautiful niece graduated from high school and was Valedictorian I might add!!!!

I just love this baby girl of mine!!!!! :)))

JUNE

One of my best friend's daughter was married...the bride and groom (Dr. & Mrs. O'Neal) baked me a cobbler before they left for their new home 7 states away!

I'm so lonesome!

I went to Vegas with my girlfriends, aka The GG's! These girls are the best! I can never keep up with them...they are way too crazy for me but I just can't stay away from them! I was pregnant at the time but never told them until we arrived home. And...they were too busy drinking to notice that I NEVER drank a drop! ;)

AUGUST

One of my nephews was married!!!!

It was a simply beautiful evening from start to finish...

(I stole this photo from my niece...thank you Payton!)

Please meet Mr. & Mrs. Creasman...

Also in August, I enjoyed our Annual High School Co-Ed Softball Tournament. I'm not much of a "player"... I'm just a catcher.

I was just out of surgery 5 weeks at that time so I only played two innings throughout the whole tournament. I enjoyed being with my classmates...go 88!

We ended up winning the Championship for the first time this year!

How ya like that game face of mine?

And...also in August, I spent the day helping my niece move into her very first apartment for her very first college semester.

We hauled boxes, clothes, went shopping, ate and had a wonderful day decorating her room while I forgot that I parked my Suburban in a handicapped spot.

I really intended to run up the stairs and run back down and move it...only to forget for two and a half hours and walk out to this scene...tickets in the window and wheel chocks! Geez!!!!

AND $275 worth of fines!

At least my Suburban was clean for the photo, right? ;)

The Man thought that was not funny.

Moving on to

SEPTEMBER

I decided to make a spur of the moment trip to Round Top/Warrenton Texas since I didn't go in the spring.

Besides, it was Cat Daddy's birthday and I needed a big hug from both he and Debbie!!!!

As an added bonus, I was able to met their daughter Jennifer in person and spend some quality "hug time" with baby Bella!!!!

Pictures were taken from my camera but for the life of me I cannot find them so I'm stealing these from someone's facebook...probably yours Lisa P!!! ;)

left to right:

Sarah, Me, Lisa P, Debbie and ~~red neck~~ Robelyn

This was really the first road trip I took since I was down and it sure felt good to smile again :) Thank you girls!!!!

OCTOBER

Yep...I had a birthday. No big birthday MONTH bash like all my previous years. I was still on the mend. I appreciate all those who remembered...you bloggers and good friends are the best!!!

One of my other nephews announced his wedding engagement and I was honored to be the photographer of their engagement photos...

Gosh I loooovvvve that ring!

Their wedding will be coming up in February and I'm looking forward to taking those photos too.

They are such a cute couple, aren't they?

The future Dr. & Mrs. Fruge'...

NOVEMBER

The first few photos of this post are from an engagement shower that I helped coordinate/decorate for my cousin's son last weekend.

I have a lot more of the engagement shower to show you but I will save it for my next post.

Thank you for visiting and catching up with me...I know it's been a while!

I can't believe we are already into Thanksgiving Week...which makes me count all of my blessings, both big and small.

Before I close this post, I want you to know that YOU are one of my biggest blessings! I know I've been a terrible, bad, horrible blogger (not posting and not visiting) but I want you to know how very grateful I am that you haven't given up on me.

Thank you for the sweetest comments and emails and most of all, your patience!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

For a split second...

2011-07-14T21:51:00.001-05:00

How long is a second?

A minute?

An hour?

A LIFETIME?

It seemed that as quick as I was...I was not.

On June 15th, my whole life changed in a split second.

Me, at 40 years (young)...

with a loving husband of over 26 years...

and a wonderful 23 year old son...(yes...23 years)...

It was confirmed...WE were expecting! Again!

On what was to be a "happy day", I was already emotional as that was my Dad's birthday and I miss him terribly.

In the back of my mind, for a split second, I could hear the words "When one door closes, another one opens".

My husband and I knew I was pregnant (almost 7 weeks) but hearing it and actually seeing it was overwhelming...especially after 23 years.

I never in my life would have thought I could have SO many mixed feelings all in a split second.

And oh did I!

What was three was about to be four...

Life as I knew it was changing forever...

And what seemed like a lifetime of tears that I shed on my steering wheel in the parking lot of the doctor's office that day was only for a brief moment...

Little did I know that I was soon to learn what the difference between a split second and a lifetime really is.

For the next month, it seemed like we spent hours of planning our new future (+1) together, chatting before falling asleep and giggling at the fact that we were going to be new parents again...after 23 years.

If any father could have the chance to be pregnant, it would have been MY husband.

Thad's blue eyes shined brightly every time someone congratulated us...and it tickled my tummy every time I saw it. He was so happy. We were so happy!

Our hearts felt young again, just like the first time since our Brett was little. But this time, without any struggles nor worries.

If anyone could love and provide for a child, WE could and in a split second, I finally accepted that no one would be more perfect than us as parents, for it was His plan.

I soon began thanking God every night for choosing US.

Being expecting parents in our forties, we were so embraced by friends and family. Their excitement and happiness for us was overwhelming. We were bringing new life into a huge empty house and everyone was anticipating every second of it.

Imagining what our future Christmas' would be like with little pitter patter of feet, fingers pulling on the tree ornaments and in years to come, patiently waiting for Santa.

I know...all the thoughts of a whole lifetime of what was to be, was gone in a split second.

Never in my life and certainly never for a split second would I have thought that a routine check-up at the doctor's office would change my life forever. Our life. Many lives.

In a heart beat...

but without a heart beat...

What was four was now three...

Life as I knew it was changing forever...

all in a split second...again.

And for a brief moment, there I was ... shedding tears on my steering wheel in the very same parking lot of the doctor's office once again.

For a split second, I thought I was going to die.

I had NEVER felt so alone in my life.

I had never lost something so precious that was MINE.

I never in my life would have thought I could have SO many mixed feelings all in a split second...AGAIN!

At that time, at that split second, I felt like I was the only one in the world that ever experienced a loss such as this one.

But...

I couldn't be the only one.

For it was then and there did I realize what the difference was between a split second and a lifetime is...

it is forever.

I am not the only one because for whatever reason...

I know that each and every one of you that will read this,

you carry your own split second in your heart forever.

And...now I understand.

Many thanks to our family and friends and to those of you that we do not know but have experienced a loss in some way.

There is comfort in words.

Comfort in hugs.

Comfort in flowers.

Comfort in a simple smile.

My comfort is writing about this and sharing with you...

that I DO understand.

For a split second I was there and I will be forever.

Am I the ONLY one?

2011-04-27T07:21:00.001-05:00

I'm sure you're sick of hearing about the "Royal Wedding" but I just wanted to let you know that...

I'll be up early Friday, in the wee wee hours of the morning watching the royal fabulous-ness ALL day.

That's right. I sure will.

I have the day OFF and I will be glued to the television.

(just letting you know that you're not alone)

;)

It started with a green onion...

2011-04-01T07:18:00.001-05:00

Let me explain...

It "really" started with a new gas grill,

BUT...

The "real" question was...

What's for supper?

I was too lazy to go to the grocery store and The Man had some yard work to do around the house.

Like a "good" wife, I followed him around the yard asking him what would he like for supper...and...as any "good" husband would respond...he said "anything as long as it's quick and hot."

(hmpf! very typical. not much help there)

I turned the corner and noticed that in a planter pot that I had put away last winter, there was a huge bunch of fresh green onions that returned from last year...yum yum!

I quickly picked a handful and ran back into the house, opened the fridge and...realized that I really "should" have went to the grocery store after all.

Besides the normal "necessities", the fridge was bare!

{{{ok. I cannot believe that I'm showing you the inside of my fridge but I want you to get the full idea of my story!}}}

{{oh...and the beer is not ours...I swear! My girlfriend Cindy stocks my fridge for when she comes to visit. She knows it's safe with us because the The Man and I are whiskey people!}}

Okay...back to the green onion story...

We had these beautiful steaks defrosted and seasoned, ready to break in the new grill.

But we had nothing to add as a quick "side dish" and now my mouth was watering for those fresh green onions.

I was even MORE determined not to go the grocery store because I wanted to get to grillin'!

So back to basics, I opened the pantry and low and behold...I found some leftover hot dog buns that were soon to be thrown away.

And...in my solemnly bare fridge, I found some butter and some leftover Velveeta cheese...

I added a little bit of bacon bits and some garlic powder and those fresh GREEN ONIONS and I made our own garlic bread...

Who needed to go grocery shopping, right? ;)))

I was so darn proud of myself, I couldn't wait to slap them on the grill...

along with the steaks...

and a wiener for the pooch.

I know, I'm sure you're thinking simple things like this is done all the time...we all "make do".

~~ I remember when I was an impressionable teenager, I'd watch my mother come up with the most "interesting" meals. Growing up with divorced parents, we didn't have a lot, but she always managed to pull stuff together from the most simplest of things. Even buttered biscuits filled with bologna and pickles were awesome. And the best part...anything and everything tasted better with green onions from her tiny container garden! ~~

But when I do it, it's such a good feeling because I'm guilty of being one of those "just go buy it done because I'm too busy" kind of girl. It just feels good to make do with what we have, don't waste anything and just live a little simpler.

Are you wondering about the wiener?

Oreo said it was nose smackin' delicious!

And the steaks and bread?

Well.

They surely got The Man's approval too...

New grill.

Happy dog.

Happy hard working Man.

And me? I love the simple things...

{gotta love those green onions}

Happy April

and have a wonderful weekend!!!

Where does the TIME go???

2011-03-19T23:42:00.001-05:00

Seriously?

I'm sure most of you have been wondering where in the world is Jodie LeJeune.

I know...I've been MIA (but for GOOD reason!)

Let me tell you where I've been...let's start backtracking for a moment since it's been over a month since I've posted! Geez!

First of all, I've been behind my camera, snapping away at my beautiful niece and editing HUNDREDS of senior photos! I still have 999 left to go but the one above is my all-time favorite!!! Her Mom hasn't even seen them yet so please feel privileged that YOU are the first to see some of them...hot off the press!

I've never taken photos of "people" before, especially for something as important as senior photos! I'm more like a "take a photo of an apple on the table" kind of gal...you know? So this was a big deal for me but it was SO fun because I had the BEST subject in the world to photograph! She's just adorable...inside and out.

Just giving you heads up that come May, I will be bragging my ass off about this little girl. Not only is she graduating TOP of her class with a 4.00+ but she's accumulated every scholarship there is out there and there's NO stopping this girl!

(do I sound like a proud Auntie?)

How come all seniors take a photo with a tree? She and I laughed about this the whole afternoon. I must have snapped at least 50 photos of her and "the tree".

Anyway, as I visually brag here about my beautiful niece, I'll catch you up on what's been going on in my world.

I haven't been on the computer lately (as you can tell) except for editing photos.

I checked my email early this morning and was flooded with over 200 personal emails...THANK YOU for thinking of me!!! :)))

I saved them all and I hope to respond to each and every one of you as soon as I can get some free time. I know, I've said that before but I really mean it! I miss all of you!!!! Rest assured that all is well on the home front...I've just been a busy girl!

(dang it...I gotta edit that vine out from the top of her head!

See? I told you I've never done "people" before! haha)

Anyway...Round Top is coming up and guess who's home? Me! Maybe I'll catch it in the fall...I sure am going to miss everyone!

I've been enjoying time with The Man and good friends lately.

We've been taking our Corvette out a lot lately in this gorgeous Spring weather we've been having.

I've been eating a lot of crawfish too! This IS the season and we've been indulging every chance we get! Yum Yum!

Have I told you that we went to Disney World? I wanted to go see the new Harry Potter world at Universal Studios and I must say I'm speechless! It is FANTASTIC and I have lots of photos but they are not even downloaded yet to share them with you...you're just going to have to take my word for it! It's worth every dime (or Ben Franklin!)

I also survived Mardi Gras! It was a rainy one but that didn't stop anyone. We still stood on the side of road, watching the parades, and catching some beads IN THE RAIN!

Nothing stops us Cajuns from having a good ole time! ;)

I also went to see Clint Black! Remember him? Am I showing my age? ;)

He gave an awesome concert and lordy is he still pretty to look at!!! Some girlfriends got together to celebrate "being 50" and I was happy to tag my 40 year old butt along and enjoy the fun too! We spent the weekend at the casino in a luxury suite...it was high class country come to town! It was so fun!!!! There's nothing like girlfriends getting together!!!! ;)

{{{Payton says that her best feature is her eyes...they are beautiful! I can't even edit them because anything I do makes them look fake. So every shot of her eyes are REAL! Trust me! I have to disagree with her because I think that her best feature is her WHOLE PACKAGE...it's what's INSIDE AND OUT!}}}

It's springtime here and the azalea bushes are blooming! I love this weather before it gets really hot. Right about this time, I usually get the huge fever to go out and buy all kinds of pretty flowers and flower pots and dirt and play in the yard for days on end. Then it gets hot, I hate to sweat, nothing gets watered and all the plants die. I have learned to quit committing murder and just not plant anything! When I feel the urge, I just jump in the car and ride around in the fancy neighborhoods and get my fix of pretty landscaping while sitting in the A/C and sipping on my Dr. Pepper...no sweat! ;)

I've also been busy helping a good friend with her daughter's wedding. We've already attended two showers (hosted one of them) and the wedding is coming up in early June. It's been so much fun planning and creating and the bride-to-be is such a cutie. She agrees with everything and everyone and she is such a pleasure to plan with. She's certainly not BrideZilla! She and her fiance' are both graduating graduate school in May. She will be an Occupational Therapist and he will be starting his residency...she's marrying a surgeon!

The weekend after the wedding, us girlfriends will be getting together again and going to VEGAS baby! Remember those 50 year old girls I spoke about earlier? We are all booked up and ready to go...I can't wait!

So there you have it...a snippet of what I've been up to.

I haven't forgotten about you...not at all! Matter of fact, I'm feeling pretty darn guilty that I haven't been over to visit and see what you're up to.

To all of my new followers out there, HELLO and I'm so happy that you stopped by! I do make a point to return the visit but that just hasn't been possible lately...please don't give up on me! Thank you for all of your kind words and I hope to visit soon!

I've had some WONDERFUL comments on my "Starting a Blog 101" post lately! I'm so happy to hear that the post is still inspiring others to start a blog and share what's going on in their part of the world...you KNOW we are all nosey, right? ;))))

Thank you for sharing my bragfest and catching up with me today.

Oh and by the way, if someone out there knows where I can find a "time" tree, let me know. That's one thing I wouldn't mind buying, planting, watering and watching it grow!!!!! I'd certainly sweat to reap the benefit of having MORE TIME!!!

;))))

Instead of promising you when I'll blog again, I'll just end this post today by telling each of you that I miss you and I'll be back again soon :)

Asleep for 20 Years...

2011-02-16T00:51:00.001-06:00

If I were to run away from the world...

And if I were to fall asleep for 20 years...

This is where I would wish to lay...

Curled up on the green grass under the moss covered oaks near the banks of Lake Peigneur.

After all, it did happen to

Rip Van Winkle,

didn't it?

Well...That's the story that I heard.

(Mind you, all stories told in Louisiana are BIG stories)

He escaped to the mountain top for refuge from his nagging wife...

(um hum)

He had a few drinks and fell quietly to sleep...

(yes he did)

for 20 years!

Only it's not "really" true.

It's just a fictional short story that was written in 1819 by the acclaimed author Washington Irving.

The role of Rip Van Winkle, which was played by aspiring actor Joseph Jefferson, made Mr. Jefferson a very wealthy man.

Mr. Jefferson acquired Orange Island in 1869, built his winter "home away from home" and spent the next 36 winters hunting and fishing and enjoying all of what the South had to offer him...until his death in 1905.

Showing signs of age but never losing it's grace, the mansion was sold some 12 years later.

After a few decades, the new owners properly renamed it

"Rip Van Winkle Gardens".

Even the name of the island was changed from "Orange Island" to the most fitting "Jefferson Island" in honor of the man who made all of this possible.

As I stood here in front of the mansion, I closed my eyes and imagined what it would feel like to sleep for 20 years, only to wake up to this beautiful site.

Maybe this story isn't fictional after all.

If ~~Rip Van Winkle~~ Joseph Jefferson were to wake up today, not a thing has changed in almost 150 years.

Imagine that.

Well, let me rephrase what I just said.

Maybe a "few" things have changed since...

like the automobiles! ;)

The Man and I, along with MANY of our Corvette friends spent Valentine's Day together on Jefferson Island.

We had a beautiful lunch at Cafe Jefferson...

Walked the beautiful gardens...

And enjoyed the gorgeous weather.

As for me?

Many times during my walk through the gardens did I close my eyes and just imagine.

Many times did I smile and think of how lucky I am to have these beautiful places to visit with good friends.

All right here in my backyard...

I just LOVE Louisiana!

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day where ever you were too!!!

I'm still here...Happy New Year!

2011-01-16T15:50:00.001-06:00

The clock just doesn't stop, doesn't it?

Well, not for me at least.

I just keep spinning a web that never seems to end, all the while I am determined that 2011 will be a GREAT year.

I've had so much fun preparing for the Christmas holidays, enjoying festive parties, relishing in the company of my family and friends BUT...

before I knew it...

It was all over.

There was so much preparation and such a busy holiday schedule, but it was SO worth it and I loved every second of it.

I have so many happy (& not-so-happy) memories.

It was a holiday that I'll hold dear, never to be forgotten.

I've put my heart on the edge of breaking for the sake of the people I love, but it was worth the risk.

Sometimes, taking a risk is worth it and prevents one from making the same mistakes over and over.

In the past month, I've learned things since and...

I have grown wiser.

If you are wondering if my Christmas decorations are still out...they are.

I still light up the house every evening when I return from work.

I'm sure soon I'll slowly start taking it down...but what's the rush?

I really think it should be Christmas every day...

No, not the expense of it...but the JOY of it!!!!

;)

So far, I am 16 days into the new year and MANY things have changed already!

Without making any resolutions or promises to myself or others,

I prayed for a sign to lead me in the right direction for the new year...

and I got it!

Do you see the PEACE sign above?

Funny...I really didn't even have to look hard for it...it was right there in front of me the whole time :)

(it's amazing what I see through my camera lens!)

I am living life, enjoying every second and I'm determined to be POSITIVE and at PEACE!

Changes were made at work...LOVE it!

Changes were made in my eating habits...not-so-loving-it but it needed to be done.

Changes were made mentally...learning to accept the things I cannot change.

Changes were made physically...walking and bike riding does a body (& a brain good)!!!

But most importantly, my biggest change wasn't a "change" at all.

It was remembering who I AM.

Sometimes in life and also in the blog world too, it is easy to forget "who" we really are.

There are all kinds of influences, trends, fads and temptations and before you know it...you are sitting front and center on the bandwagon.

I can say this because I know this.

It's happened to me and although the ride was good, I'm over it.

I'm not much of a follower. I never was.

And I wouldn't even call myself a leader.

But I AM a friend and a great CHEERleader!

I've met some beautiful people along the way and for that I am grateful.

Sometimes it's hard to appreciate the new growth when we are covered in rust...know what I mean?

We get set in our same old routines and then we start thinking life is boring...

NOT!

It's not boring at all!

It's all what WE make of it, and the possibilities are endless!

If I don't succeed in anything else today, I hope at least I'll light a fire under your butt to step back, take a breath, and ask yourself...

Are you where you want to be today?

If so...I'm so happy for you, I love your PEACE!!! :)

If not...it's never too late to be YOU! :))

I am determined to never let another night fall without being grateful for who I am, what I've accomplished with my own two hands, having people in my life who love me and most of all...praying that I never forget it!!!!

Not even for a second!

I apologize for being absent for a month but I really needed to regroup and think about which road I will take next.

My computer is not attached to the edge of my fingers but I do hope to start posting often again.

My blog is very important to me...it is my soul and I have no intentions of giving it up.

I appreciate that you visit and I love love LOVE hearing from you.

Thanks to all of you who checked up on me...you are awesome!

I'm so looking forward to spending 2011 with you...

if this is where you choose to be *wink wink!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter Five

2010-12-17T18:06:00.001-06:00

Everyone who knows me, {{{knows}}} that there is always something to eat in our kitchen :))

Our love of food is as deep as our love of entertaining and having dear friends and family home for the holidays (or any time of year!)

Call it a "Cajun way of life" or call it whatever you'd like, I can assure you that our kitchen is the social area of the house.

It's a small octagon-shaped kitchen, but it's filled with good times and LOTS of memories :)

For the holidays, I "borrowed" a good friend's Lefton China Christmas Colonial Village and placed it on top of our cabinets.

My sister came and helped me place everything and made sure the "snow" was perfectly landscaped and lit. We had such a great (busy) day together! We always do!!!

When company comes, chances are that you'll find everyone standing and visiting around the center island table.

Of all the places to sit and visit, this is where they choose to be.

I just L-O-V-E that! :)))

You can usually find a Gumbo simmering, or maybe a HUGE roast cooking, or some big FAT gulf shrimp boiling.

There's always something to eat and Christmas is no exception!

But today, finger foods will have to do.

I'm not "cooking" anything major until Christmas dinner so the kitchen will stay clean for at least a few more days.

The glittery decorations on the stove will remain pretty and untouched for now...

And there aren't any dirty dishes at the moment...

For when the Rougeau-LeJeune families collide on Christmas Day, this kitchen will be alive with the sights, sounds and smells of everything "Christmas" (including LOTS of dirty dishes!)

I cannot wait! :)

Now don't get me wrong, even though we hang out around the food in the kitchen, we do "play" in the living room too!

We've been known to find a comfy spot on the floor to call our own and play some old fashioned BINGO or a crazy game of Pictionary.

Don't let the Christmas decorations in this room fool you...things can get pretty crazy in here. It looks nice and neat right now but just ask Cajun Santa how crazy things can get in here...

This room is where we "live".

We break out with the pillows and blankets and cozy up.

We play games, watch football (which can get pretty rowdy), and we watch NHRA and NASCAR (which puts me to sleep).

We sit and visit and sometimes, we tend to just be lazy in here on a Sunday afternoon.

I know, the photos are dark.

There's not much light in this room as we keep it low because of the big screen tv...sort of like being in the theater.

If you're wondering what that "thing" is in the corner, it's a mahogany bird house. It's 6 feet tall and intricately ornate.

We have no bird...it's only for show!

It's usually in the library but I moved it to make room for the main Christmas tree.

When my sister came for the day to help me decorate, she was DETERMINED to decorate the bird house too. I just let her do and I must say...it's the prettiest thing in the house!

Everyone who comes to visit just says how pretty it is and I can't even take credit for it!!!! (Thanks Sis!)

I love it all.

Everywhere I look is so full of Christmas memories and I'm constantly smiling.

I am SO enjoying the holidays and looking forward to Christmas Day.

I'm slowly getting my shopping done, the presents wrapped and I'm looking forward to being off of work.

There's so much to celebrate.

Health, Happiness, Family & Friends.

But most of all...

We'll be celebrating the most special of birthdays!!!

Thank you for following along in our Noel a la Maison LeJeune Christmas decorating and Home Tour.

We are wishing each of you a VERY MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS...& A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thank you for all of the sweet comments and emails. Those of you who are new to my blog...I thank you for following!

I am quite behind on returning the visits and comments but I hope to catch up with you soon. Thank you for being so patient with me!!! :)

Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter Four

2010-12-15T07:58:00.001-06:00

Born and raised in Southern Louisiana,

we LOVE our New Orleans Saints football.

Whether it was growing up watching the football games with paper bags over our faces or watching them win the Super Bowl this past season, the Saints were always "our" team...

{{{no matter what}}}

Season before last, I bought a 7 foot black Christmas tree at the "after Christmas sale".

I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

Right before football season started last year, I fluffed the tree next to our big screen tv in the living room.

I glittered some black and gold balls with our favorite Saint's players and some balls with a fleur de lis.

I proudly decorated our "Saints Tree" and there it stood the whole season, through the Super Bowl and it is still standing today. I've never taken it down. Can you imagine having to dust each ball on the tree? whew!!!!

However for this holiday, I went a teeny bit further!

I moved our "Saints Tree" to the breakfast room and decorated the WHOLE room in black and gold!

This room is small but the tree fit perfectly in the corner.

I've inherited my parent's 70" round table and chairs that hold MANY memories of the six of us kids growing up, spilling milk, doing our homework, not eating all of our vegetables, etc.

Every time I look at the table, I smile and remember how many times I couldn't get up until everyone was finished eating because I didn't eat my black-eyed peas. For the life of me, I never knew why Mom put them in my plate in the first place...she knew I couldn't stand the sight of them! ;)

I set the table with four place settings using a simple black place mat, a white dish, a black and gold mug filled with gold beads and a white feather for accent.

In the center of each plate, I placed a gold fleur de lis ornament.

In the center of the table is a lazy susan filled with three candles that I wrapped with black and gold ribbon and hot glued a gold tassel. I placed various sizes of black and gold balls in the center to complete my table centerpiece.

I also inherited my parent's old hutch which is now my liquor and wine cabinet.

I removed all the wine from the top of the hutch and placed my gold Christmas reindeer up there.

I tied the same black and gold ribbons around their necks as the ones that I glued on the candles on the table.

I placed a white feather in each collar to add an elegant touch.

On the open shelf of the hutch, I just gathered some black and gold items that I had in other parts of the house and grouped them here to continue to the black and gold theme.

And last but not least, on the back door in the breakfast room I placed a Saints wreath that Sarah made for me last year.

It's been hanging on the back door inside the living room so I moved it to the breakfast room for the holiday season.

I just LOVE our Louisiana heritage and

our Cajun culture.

I LOVE our Saints football too...

Black and Gold just "fits" into our Christmas home perfectly...don't you think so too?

I just may leave this room like this forever :)))

Next up, Chapter Five...

Noel Kitchen and Living Room

Are you finished Christmas shopping yet?

You only have 11 more days!!!!

Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter Three

2010-12-13T07:57:00.001-06:00

"Come" they told me

pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see

pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring

pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King

par rum pum pum pum

rum pum pum pum...rum pum pum pum

So, to honor Him

pa rum pum pum pum

When we come.

In all of my 40 years, I've never owned a Nativity scene of my own...until now.

When I was out shopping for a birthday gift the other day, I entered a local hometown store and my heart just dropped when I saw this beautiful painted tin metal Nativity scene.

It was the perfect colors for my dining room and I just knew it had to come home with me.

I had the perfect place to put it...

I arranged the pieces atop of my dining room table.

I started out with a gold crushed velvet throw. Then I added some plastic containers (various sizes) underneath the velvet throw to give some of the pieces different heights.

Once I situated the Nativity scene just how I liked it, I added some floral Spanish moss on top of the velvet throw.

Then I tucked in several small battery powered flickering tea lights beneath the Spanish moss. They give a glorious glow in the evening. I keep them on 24/7, they've been burning for about two weeks now!

Then I set two place settings, one at each end of the table.

One for me and one for The Man.

Instead of using my fine china (because "we" don't eat off of fine china), I used my everyday dishes and dressed them up a bit with gold utensils and chargers.

I had a little fun with the drinking glasses below.

I added some bronze plastic "ice" to the wine glass...

And I added some clear plastic "ice" to the water glass...

This "ice" can be found at Hobby Lobby in the bridal department. They come in many colors and are fabulous to use for parties too. You can sprinkle them anywhere for a little sparkle and reuse them over and over!

Instead of using a cloth napkin, I rolled a vintage crochet doily and placed it in the napkin ring.

As for the dishes...I kept it simple.

To add interest, I added a simple handmade coffee filter rose (from Julia), a tassel and a bronze glittered snowflake in the bowl.

A glittered sprig of gold on the side balanced the setting.

To carry the gold, bronze and green theme throughout the dining room, I decorated a small tree and placed it in the corner.

To add the height I needed in the corner of the room, I placed the tree on a small round table and topped the tree off with feathers.

The tree is decorated in our "normal" dining room colors...

green ribbons and balls, bronze balls and snowflakes and gold glittered grape picks.

At the base of the little table, I placed a tin basket full of pinecones that I picked and spray painted.

I set an old Santa atop of a book on the floor to hide the tree wires ;)

On the opposite wall, the china hutch is decorated with the same colors.

I added a gold angel (she's a tree topper) in the center, looking down on the Nativity set...

She gives such devotion to our dear Baby Jesus :)))

I also added a festive detail to each of the eight chairs at the dining table.

It's something I love to do for each occasion we have.

It's so easy and makes a huge impact...

With some Christmas ribbon, I just tied a simple knot and let the "tails" hang. I inserted a "pick" of gold glittery grapes in the center of the knot.

I kept the buffet area simple as I wanted to leave my dining room table as the focal point of the room...

I didn't add much to my "everyday" decor except the lighted garland full of picks, a little golden angel and a Santa book...

The whole room just came together perfectly...

Just as I imagined it would when I walked in the store that day and saw the beautiful Nativity set for the first time...I love it and I'm sooooo happy!

My new Nativity scene is Merry Christmas to me! from me! ;)

This just may be my favorite "Christmas" room of the house...especially in the morning light :)

Let me not forget to mention the beautiful ribbon tassel that Chantal made me for my birthday. It's hanging in the middle of the curtains. It's so perfect there :)

Chapter Four is coming up next...

Please stay tuned for a little Black & Gold Christmas coming up soon!!! It's Saintsational!!!!

:)))

Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter Two

2010-12-10T07:36:00.001-06:00

Thank you for sharing Christmas with us in our home...I'm so happy that you are still here :)

Let's continue through the tour as we walk through our son's wing of the house which is now the Guest Bedroom, Guest Bath, and....MY Studio! Our son has left for college since 2007 so therefore, I am really the only one who uses this part of the house, unless we have overnight guests/family.

There aren't any signs of a teenage boy in this bedroom anymore but I did keep it a "little" masculine by placing my Dad's childhood family portrait on a chest by the nightstand.

I also added a "little" bit of fluff in the opposite corner too.

I placed some of my favorite pieces such as a beautiful vintage hat on a stand that once belonged to a dear friend of mine when she was a young lady.

Another favorite piece is this art collage that I just adore, given to me by Lisa.

We put a king size bed in there as I wanted to make it feel more like a "hotel getaway" with plenty of room for our guests to spread out when they come, yet I still wanted to make it feel like home.

In the far left corner is another art collage given to me by my sweet friend Leanne recently. I haven't had the chance to post about it but I will soon! :)

I still need to add curtains...I haven't found any that I've fell in love with yet, so for now...the blinds will have to do.

As for the headboard, those louvered doors are not really meant to be a headboard. I bought them years ago when I used to scrapbook in our master bedroom. They separated my little creative spot from our sleep area. Now that I have my own studio, I didn't want to get rid of them, so I placed them behind the bed to give it a headboard "look".

Do you see that beautiful velvet bag hanging on the louvered doors? That's another favorite piece of mine, given to me by Julia, my sweet friend from Germany. I just love it as much as I love her!!!

Since our little Miniature Pomeranian "Oreo" is getting old now, she really doesn't use her stairs to enter our bed anymore. We have to "carry" her to bed so I placed her steps in this bedroom just for show. Maybe in the back of my mind, I'm still thinking that one day she'll use them again.

Opposite the bed is a TV entertainment center. I really didn't decorate with a lot of Christmas in here but I did put a simple touch on the nightstand...

I made all of the stained glass in the home...a total of 5 pieces.

I love the old vintage transom windows of long ago and I wanted to add a touch of that throughout our new home.

Here's a view of the entrance to the guest room...

And...here is a view to the entrances of the guest bathroom (on the right) and my studio (on the left)...

For the Christmas Tour of Homes last Sunday, I didn't want anyone to enter my studio as I have SO much "crap" in there so I thought I'd leave the door open, hang a sign across the door and actually entertain the all of the visitors instead of just closing the door.

So with Sophie's help, (my dress form and studio partner in crime) I created this little scene and it was a big hit as I think everyone "got it"...

Sophie was so busy wrapping Christmas presents for me while I was entertaining! haha

Seriously...those boxes around her "feet" are all of the birthday presents still waiting for me to open!!!! :)))

As for the studio, that will be a future post at a later date. I promised to show it to you a couple of months ago and I never got around to doing so. I apologize for that, but it's slightly a mess at the moment. I hope to get to it after the holidays and take you a little more closer up into my clutter!!! ;)

Now for the guest bathroom, it's one of my favorite rooms that's SO full of Christmas...

I posted earlier with sneak peeks about what I was doing in here with the "old" new bottles...

I was making a sweet little vintage Santa vignette that included old books, a silver brush and mirror set and bottles filled with snow and pearls.

And as for the snowflakes, I hung them on the wall...

and in front of the mirror...

What started out as a little old world vignette in a round pewter platter totally inspired a room full of Santa and snowflakes!

As for the tub, I just kept it simple. A towel and a washcloth with three mercury glass ornaments placed on top.

Even though it's just a bathroom, this room was so much fun to decorate!

I think I'm ready to have Christmas guests over!!!! :)))

Do ya think the bathroom is RED enough?

;)

Chapter Three is coming up next. We'll give the RED a break (for a little while) and we'll bask ourselves in green, bronze and gold...

& baby Jesus too!

~ Happy Friday ~

Only 16 days until Christmas!!!!

Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter One

2010-12-08T08:56:00.001-06:00

My wish for today would be for you to join me for a walk through memory lane of Christmas past, enjoy Christmas present and be inspired by Christmas future...

Oreo has been waiting for you...

She'd love to sit on your lap while I tell you a little bit about how we decorate for the holidays.

It's such an exciting time of year for us when we anticipate celebrating with friends and family.

Our home is always welcoming and the doors are always open.

Toasts and cheers, stories and smiles, food and games, memories and good times are extremely abundant here.

We wouldn't have it any other way :)

All of our decorations throughout our home reflect our heritage and our simple Southern Cajun life which we are SO very proud of.

Old porcelain tubs filled with pinecones and poinsettias and tree bottoms covered in burlap...Simple is sometimes beautiful.

Most of all, I would like to think that our home reflects our appreciation of the reason that we celebrate this glorious season...

the birth of Jesus Christ.

You need not take your shoes off but I would ask you to leave all of your worries at the front door and come on in.

I promise to take your mind away from the holiday hustle and bustle and beg you to relax and enjoy yourself so that you can begin to experience first hand...

Noel a la Maison LeJeune

(Christmas at the LeJeune Home)

I believe it's the little details that make a house a home ~ don't you agree?

You won't find a fancy interior decorator nor any expensive ornaments here.

Sometimes, all it takes is adding a little red and green to your favorite everyday things and you can have an instant Christmas atmosphere too.

First stop is the Front Room or the "Library" as we call it.

Of course it's not massive like the Library of Congress...

But it's cozy and warm and it does hold our favorite reads such as The Man's love for aviation and automobiles, our son's love of military history and as for me?

Well, it holds our main computer and I just love to sit here and blog with you every chance I get!

I personally have a lot of inspiration in this room, it is one of the favorites of our home.

And using some of that inspiration, I hung our Christmas stockings on the old trunk with care, hoping that St. Nicholas would soon be there!

Nestled in the corners and arranged on the shelves among the books, this room is also filled with gifts from friends, garage sale finds and family treasures from the past.

With these little treasures at my fingertips, I'm always inspired to be a little creative outside of my studio which can be so much fun, especially during the holidays!!!

I just love mixing the past with the present.

It's sort of like crossing an imaginary time warp and I'm always saying that I was SO born in the wrong era (but I cannot do without my modern day air conditioning...and my fast food!!!)

A whole family memory was created and enjoyed by all in just one little vignette that included my grandmother's eye glasses, an old world atlas (so Santa can find me), a vintage Underwood typewriter, a vintage-looking letter I made on the computer (to remind Santa that we've been good all year) and a few touches of red and gold here and there and ... voila!!!!

It feels like Christmas!!! I'm SO ready for Santa!!!

(I hope he finds me)

:)))

I just couldn't stop there, I had too much family treasures to leave out so I tied some green silk ribbon around some of my Dad's old Catholic school books that are from the 1940's.

And with that stack of books, I created a little vignette on the coffee table that included some more treasures that are truly dear to my heart...

Treasures such as gifts from friends who share their family treasures with me...old postcards and letters from their loved ones...they totally make my heart skip a beat! :)))

When all of this fabulousness was arranged together, I added just a touch of Christmas red, green and gold and it became totally holiday PRICELESS!

The red alarm clock was a flea market find earlier this year. I just LOVE it!

The feeling of old Christmas is certainly in the air in this room.

Since one of us is always in this room at any given time of the day, AND since it's the Front Room aka Library, we decided to put our "main" Christmas tree in here by the front door. It's nothing fancy, only a tall slim tree but it's filled to the brim with old ornaments from Christmas past.

Along with the Christmas presents, I love tucking some of my favorite vintage items under the tree to add a warm and cozy feeling. Some items are previous gifts, or garage sale finds such as the lovely octagon-shaped Holmes hat box, and some are sweet memories of special friends and family.

This beautiful pair of vintage children's shoes below and the altered silverware box under the tree above, (just to name a couple) were both gifts from my girl Lisa.

Incorporating the past with the present makes me feel like my loved ones are still here with me...near and dear to my heart :)

This beautiful China Doll was loaned to me by a very sweet friend of the family. Growing up, she lived in the same town as my parents and she now has become like a mother to me since my Mom has passed away 7 years ago. I found the old wooden child's swing at a flea market for $8. I cleaned it up (but left it all chippy), placed the beautiful china doll in it, set the precious pair of shoes near her and tucked an old "Night Before Christmas" Golden Book by her side.

She's so beautiful sitting under the tree :)

On a high ledge in the library, over the grandfather clock that my Dad bought for us as a housewarming gift when we built this home in 2003, I placed an old Samsonite suitcase filled with a "Santa" Golden Book and some vintage ornaments that I've collected over the years. The photo may be a little blurry, it's about 9 feet high and I tried to zoom in on it so you could see the detail...

The rest of the ledge is filled with fun little Christmas icons such as a metal sleigh, the three wise men's camels, a Christmas hat box and some other little treasures. It was so hard to photograph...sorry I can't show you the big picture.

Another little vignette that I put together was on the entrance table near the front door...it was SO simple.

Do you keep old Christmas cards that you've received over the past years? I do.

I taped one of my favorite old cards to the back of a backless garage sale frame and stood it up on an easel. I placed it on a metal tray along with a brass trumpet and bow, some "wish" tickets, a crystal vase filled with snowflakes and red glittery filler, a huge glass ornament that my MIL gave me YEARS ago, a vintage wooden carpenter ruler that I folded out into a star (loved the idea from Jane), and a vintage Railroad log book that I picked up at Homestead in Fredericksburg Texas while visiting and shopping with Anne earlier this year.

It's a simple vignette but it's cute. It's full of reminders of fun times and all of the wonderful people that I've shared inspiration with. It was just enough for the narrow table...

And not one thing is "new" on it...just all sweet memories!!!!

We had lots of fun over the past month decorating our home this year.

One of my sisters and a few local friends took a day here and there to come over and help me put my things out. I think the best part about the decorating was spending time together, reliving all of the memories, telling stories to each other and just plain being creative! We even surprised ourselves at times!!!! :)

In our home, the Christmas music is ALWAYS playing in the background, can you hear it? :)

I hope you've enjoyed Chapter One...we are SO NOT finished experiencing Noel a la Maison LeJeune by any means!!!

We've only JUST begun!!!

~ Please stay tuned for Chapter Two ~

In the next post, we'll continue the tour to another holiday room.

Note: After much consideration, I chose not to photo the layout of my home and post it "to the world" due to security reasons, however...I do promise to show you all of the Christmas highlights and inspirations that we hold dear in the LeJeune home for the holidays.

Thank you for stopping by for the tour...but please don't leave. Just sit back, relax and read a book in the library.

Make yourself at home :)

Christmas Chaos...

2010-12-07T08:38:00.001-06:00

I survived!!!! :)

If I could tell you how much FUN and REWARDING the Christmas Tour of our Home was on Sunday...you just wouldn't believe me!!! There were between 150-200 people that strolled through the house in 3 hours, oooohing and aaaaahing about the smallest little details that I didn't think anyone would notice.

My heart was SO happy!!!

I promised to show you photos and I will soon. For the past 48 hours, I've caught up on my sleep (I think), The Man made me go into work full-time again (he said the "party" is OVER! hahaha!) and when I tried to download almost 300 photos, my computer started acting funny yesterday (I'm crossing my fingers that a "new" computer will not HAVE to be on my Christmas list).

I plan to play with the post again this evening when I return from work and I hope to start walking you through the tour soon too!

I have over 100 emails to answer, birthday presents that are still waiting for me to open, and I haven't even sent out my "thank you" cards nor my Christmas cards yet...I'm just terrible! Have I told you (my loyal visitors and friends) that I THANK YOU for the sweetest comments you've been leaving here? Even though I haven't returned them, you have NO idea how they make my day!!!! You sure know how to make me smile!!!! :))))

Can we PLEASE postpone Christmas at least 15 more days??? Am I the only person in the world running late?

(just kidding...there's NO postponing sweet Jesus' birthday!!!!)

Oh...and did I mention that I'm hosting two parties this weekend in my home? One Friday night and one Saturday night?

Is there a discount when you buy Calgon by the case???

;)

Snow and Pearls...

2010-12-02T08:24:00.001-06:00

Hey Friends!!! Do I miss all of you here in blog land or WHAT?

I haven't been on my computer much in almost two weeks. Aside from having blogging withdrawal, my fingers are so sore from cleaning and decorating, I can hardly type! ;)

THIS Sunday (5th) is the 2010 Parade of Homes and I can finally say...Our home is really looking (& smelling) like Christmas! :))) I'm soooo excited to be a part of it!

I'm putting some final little fun details here and there and thought I'd share with you...

I gathered some glass bottles, some were old and some were "old-looking", but new.

I filled up one bottle with pearls from a broken strand of old costume jewelry...

Matter of fact, any colored pearls or gemstones in red and green or even silver and gold would be gorgeous too!!! I just used what I had on hand but the possibilities are endless!

I filled up another bottle with Christmas snow (out of the bag)...

I love the "fluffy-ness" of the bagged snow, it totally makes me soooo happy to run my fingers through it :)))

Then I arranged these bottles, along with other vintage items to create a little vintage vignette in the bathroom by the sink...

oh dang! I almost forgot!!!!...

I can't show you until AFTER the 5th! (sorry)

Next week when you come here to visit...you'll have Christmas home overload...I'm just warning you in advance :))))

The Moral of this Post...

I was surprised at just how much "everyday" stuff I had on hand to make MANY decorations with. Instead of going out to the stores, fighting the shoppers and coming home exhausted, I opened my cabinets, dug in the closets and found things that I forgot I had and brought them out for a "new" vintage look. And all the while, I was still warm and in my pajamas with NO stress! Yay!!!!

I hope you are being creative and using little things around your home to create those special Holiday touches :)))

There's nothing like a Christmas cozy home that you can call your own...

{sigh}

Thanksgiving Blessings...

2010-11-24T05:26:00.001-06:00

I'm wishing you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Holiday...

letting you all know how much of a blessing each and every one of you are to me.

My heart is overflowing with tons of thankfulness!!!!

Snowflakes Anyone?

2010-11-19T08:09:00.001-06:00

If you've read my last post, then you know I've been a cleaning monster as I've been fluffing our house for the Christmas Parade of Homes on December 5th. (16 days & counting...)

As of today, I am dropping my title as the "cleaning monster" and I'm moving on towards becoming a "decorating diva".

Oh hell...Just call me the Snowflake Queen for the day...

What started off with some simple dollar store snowflakes, a box of small glittered snowflakes, some glue dots and ribbon has become such a total joy and yes...I AM playing with glitter, can you believe it? Just don't go tellin' the world now, okay?

Simple and plain white dollar store snowflakes...

(they look red because they are reflecting off of my red walls)

A box of small glittered snowflakes...

(which are 50% off)

Insert a glue dot and place the small snowflake in the center of the large white snowflake...

(you can place one on each side if you like)

Just add some ribbon for hanging and you will have a collage of glittery elegant snowflakes!!!!

(Just in case you are wondering, yes...that is a bathroom sink.)

The layers also look great on any kind of snowflake, I even embellished some larger and thinner ones too...

I cannot show you my snowflake masterpiece until after December 5th but let's just say it involves a bathroom mirror...

I'm having snow much fun!!!

With Love,

The Snowflake Queen

Renovation...

2010-11-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

What started out as a simple "house cleaning" turned into a two week cleaning extravaganza in the LeJeune household...and I'm still not finished!

Can you believe it all started with a measly light fixture?

and the fact that our house will be on the Christmas Parade of Homes in 14 days?

It's really about the light, let me explain...

I hate florescent light.

~just hate it. I'm a romantic, soft light kind of gal~

I called an electrician and replaced the huge wooden boxed florescent light with lots of recessed lighting in the kitchen.

~why didn't I do this when I built the house? seriously!~

The electrician made a dust mess so I wiped down the kitchen cabinets.

~I almost forgot how much I love my black walnut wood~

While wiping down the kitchen cabinets, I decided to clean and weed out the inside of the cabinets.

~how did I accumulate so many plastic containers without lids? like who needs 20 empty pickle jars anyway?~

After cleaning the inside of the cabinets, I noticed some the baseboards were slightly nicked on the corners so I broke out with the paint touched up a few corners here and there.

~3000 square feet covered in blue tape. imagine that~

While sitting on the floor, I noticed the tile was in dire need of a steam clean. Needless to say...I did that too.

~love my Hoover floor cleaner. it really got a work out. and...so did I~

I don't know about you, but when I'm in "cleaning mode"... I am a MONSTER. Don't talk to me, don't make me stop to eat, don't you dare make a crumb on the countertop, don't walk through my house with your shoes on and most of all...don't EVER disturb me when I'm in "cleaning mode".

leave. me. alone. until. I'm. finished. grrrrrr!

Got it?

Well! And if I was going to be a monster, I wanted everyone in the house to be in "monster mode" too...

So I made a "to-do" list for The Man.

You know the old saying...

"If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

It was just a simple list...I don't know why he had that look on his face but he's been a good guy, scratching off one honey-do after another (with only minor huffing and puffing).

A few things on the list were simple...

Pressure wash the rest of the house.

~I started a month or so ago, but didn't finish~

Take the faded shutters off and repaint them.

~while he was at it, he painted the only exterior wall that's not brick or stucco. looks lovely. I'm happy~

Take the Christmas decorations down from the attic. There's only a million and one totes up there.

~the son came to his rescue~

Take all the light fixtures down so I can clean them.

~If I weren't scared of heights, I'd have done it myself~

And while on a ladder, change all the batteries in the fire detectors.

~whether needed or not...it's time...don't ask me why!~

Caulk and paint the front door.

~pronto. I need to decorate it for Christmas~

And...paint the two rear doors too.

~it only makes sense since he has the brush in his hand, right?~

And there are a few other small little "to-do's"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the meantime, I'm still cleaning but it IS starting to look like Christmas in the LeJeune household.

No more florescent light, no more dust.

I'm not "quite" such a monster anymore.

I'm seriously thinking of calling a therapist about my OCD...

(thanks for reminding me of my illness Lisa! You and The Man must be in a conspiracy to put me away)

In the meantime, I'll be walking around the house in my white socks...

~ maybe the next time you'll hear from me, I'll be wearing a white straight jacket if my white socks become dirty ~

;)

Note to self:

* I still have many birthday presents to open. If I haven't posted about it yet, I haven't opened it :)))

* I still have to send "thank you" notes :)))

* Thank you to all of my new followers...I can't wait to stop by and visit with you soon too :)))

* Thank you for all of the comments you leave here even though I haven't had the chance to visit you lately...please don't give up on me...I beg of you! :)))

* I'll try and post sneak peeks of my decorated home but I can't show you the "big picture" until after the Parade of Homes on December 5th.

Hopefully by then, my green skin will return to a pale shade of freckled white, the hair on my teeth will have disappeared, my claws will have shrunk and I'll be back to the same old Jodie as once before ;)

Sorry this post is oddly short of photos...

Instead of my camera, my swiffer has been my new best friend lately!

Are you ever a CLEANING MONSTER?

For the love of Vintage Gloves...

2010-11-11T06:22:00.001-06:00

You know I'm crazy about "Fat Books" right?

Well this one indeed is NO exception!!!!

Fat Book = A book made of fabric, bound by ribbon and embellished with every bit of FabUlousness known to mankind.

oooh, did I say FabUlous? Yes, I did!

Only ONE girl comes to mind when I say FabUlous and that would be none other than the hostess of this beautiful swap...

(insert Hollywood lights here)

~ Miss Sandy Navarro of SMN Designs ~

Sandy gathered several girls together and I have to tell you...we totally made some magic with vintage gloves!!!

There were eight participants and each participant made eight embellished fabric pages consisting of a vintage glove in the theme of "Fall".

Once complete, each participant mailed their 8 pages to Sandy.

She then created the covers, inserted a fabric page from each participant, bound them together and mailed a completed Fat Book to each of the eight participants.

Sounds easy enough right? NOT hardly!

Much time and effort is involved in a swap to this extreme.

MONTHS ago, Sandy contacted a select group of girls. Some agreed without a second thought and some wished they had the time, but declined. After gathering all the participants together through ongoing emails, she set a deadline for returning the pages to her.

Do you get the picture of how much is involved in a Fat Book swap? If so, let's carry on so we can appreciate the beauty in the details...

Opening the book was simply amazing...

The first page was from

Sandy Navarro (hostess)

front...

back...

Page Two...

Charlene Gray

front...

back...

Page Three...

Sandy Marotti

front...

back...

Page Four...

Pam Kern

front...

back...

Page Five...

Jodie LeJeune (Moi)

front...

back...

Page Six...

Sarah Huckman

front...

back...

Page Seven...

Joy Campbell

front...

back...

Page Eight...

Karen DeCapite

front...

back...

The rear cover...

Just FabUlous!!!!

It's all in the FabUlous details.

Look what Sandy attached to the front cover...

She asked for a childhood photo and I sent her a photo of me when I won QUEEN of the Harvest Festival back in the late '70's.

If you look closely, there IS a crown on my head!!!

But really...who cares "how" they picked me, they picked ME! right? ;)

Sandy, along with all of the other girls, did a wonderful job and I'm so excited to be a part of this FabUlous Fat Book!!!!

I would like to be excused for now...

I'm going to run my fingers over all of the embellishments and textiles AGAIN!

Sweet as a Georgia Peach...

2010-11-04T19:05:00.001-05:00

As a rule of thumb when referring to all things good in life,

some people come into your world and make a huge impact.

It may be a nod at a grocery store, followed by a smile.

Or, maybe a courtesy wave at a four-way stop sign.

Sometimes...

I really believe that FATE brings two people together and before you know it, a lasting friendship is formed.

I have been blessed with some wonderful friends and one of whom I'm singling out today is Heidi Meyer of Sugah Beez.

Heidi and I have visited each other's blogs for a while and luckily, we were able to meet (in real life) in Savannah Georgia this past Spring while attending an art retreat hosted by Jennifer Hayslip.

As her tag stated above...this was the postcard that started it all :) This postcard from Savannah, along with the handmade tag in the first photo are now very very dear to me :)))

A Georgia Peach with a heart of gold and smile that will melt your heart, Heidi surprised me with a Birthday Gift in the mail (November IS my post-birthday-month!)

After a busy entry into November and being glued to the political elections (both local and national), I came home from work today and relished in opening one of my many gifts that are still waiting for me that I've yet to open :)

This was such a sweet sight as I opened the box. Little gifts wrapped ever so softly in tissue paper, adorned by the most fragrant of handmade tags and vintage bling.

ummmm...I smelled both vanilla and coffee...ummmm.

I. was. in. heaven.

One by one, I opened them while all the while thinking just how thoughtful this girl is.

She sent me this totally sa-weet headband lined in brown velvet (velvet...my favorite!) and adorned with rabbit fur applique!

Soooooo Soft!

Heidi also reminded me that I was 40.

This tag (along with the others) is going on my inspiration board.

She's so thoughtful and knows exactly what makes my little heart go pitter patter...

And most of all, Heidi SO knows how to spoil me with not only Victorian trims but also with her beautiful handmade goodies...I love this little tablet! It's going right on my desk!!!!!

But I really think that this little gift below was the icing on the cake.

Her sweet birthday wishes and sentiments will last me a lifetime...

Only to turn it over and get weak in the knees...

The personal touches are amazing and SO ME!!!!

The "J" on the crown and the glittered "1" could stand for the following:

a.) me being the number one queen

b.) me being the birthday queen on the 1st

c.) I am her number one queen

d.) all of the above!

Just kidding, I'm not full of myself!

(or am I?)

(okaaay...maybe I am just a liiiittle bit)

(but this is MY blog so if I'm not full of myself, who will be?)

;)

All I can say (without being too full of myself) is that YOU, my friends, are TREASURED...each and every one of you!!!!

Old ones, new ones, bloggers, emailers, stalkers, lurkers, locals, and those far far away...all of you are TREASURED.

Thanks to FATE and our paths crossing...

YOU have made a huge impact on me :)))

By visiting your blogs and reading your delightful comments you leave here, I am soooo blessed.

I am STILL working on my birthday "thank you" notes as I cannot say "thank you" enough for making my 40 so special!!!!

I'm writing them one by one but I will mail ALL of them off at the same time :)))

I just can't seem to find the right words to say except I'm truly thankful to have all of you.

Speaking of "thankful", Heidi has the sweetest post up.

It sure made me reflect...I'm sure it will touch you too.

Did I wish you a Happy November, full of thankfulness???

I'm seeing RED...

2010-11-03T07:35:00.001-05:00

and I've NEVER been so happy!!!

My ingredients for breakfast this morning:

~ add a touch of white

~ add a touch blue

~ pause 5 minutes to admire my Flag

AND Thank God we are headed in the right direction.

Happy November everyone!!!!

Birthday MONTH: Day 31

2010-10-31T18:08:00.001-05:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Do you want to hear a scary story?

I woke up this morning to voices in my head saying...

oooopen meeeee

oooooopen meeeeee

oooooooopen meeeeeeee

I rose out of bed all sleepy eyed and I looked around.

I saw a huge white box floating in the air...

(seriously! i really did!)

It started circling my head and I heard voices again...

yooooou bettta...

yooou betttttta ooooopen meeeeeee...

yooooooou bettttttttttta oooooooopen meeeeeeeee...

ooooorrrr eelllllllllsssse!!!!

Could it be?

Oh no...

Could it be...

the voice of...

Lisa Marie?

Without a second thought, I reached for the box in the thin air because I'm too chicken sh*t to wonder about what the alternative of "or else" would be.

For forensic sake, I grabbed my cell phone and I documented the whole ghost story~

(just in case I wouldn't be alive to share it with you)

warning: this is a long post.

Like SCARY LONG!!!!

Trust me, it was SO scary.

Once I grabbed the box, my cell phone and my camera, the voices in my head had stopped.

I was the only one in the room...

but I felt like I wasn't.

(continuously looking over my shoulder)

With shaky hands and my heart pounding...

I sliced open the huge white box.

~ for the record, it's 9:12 and no sign of a ghost ~

~ only sightings of beautiful things to come ~

I removed everything from the huge white box and this is what I was left with...

Circumstantial Evidence #1

~ a French and English Dictionary ~

I gently opened the inside cover and noted that long ago, someone had a wonderful sense of scary (but true) humor.

It reads:

Alice Catherine Word's

French Dictionary

If you have any use for this,

use it well.

If not my dear Mr. or Miss

Go to Heaven!*

*a woman always means the opposite of what she says

This old French English dictionary is certainly in good hands with me...until I DIE!!!!

Circumstantial Evidence #2

~ a little white shipping bag full of love ~

With my eyes closed, I nervously reached in the little white bag and pulled out the soft velvety contents...

What's so scary about this is how much Lisa Marie loves me...

I could NEVER have let this perfume case go!!!! E.V.E.R.

It's now MY favorite thing in the world...

buuaaaahhhahahaha!

(insert crashing thunder and lightning here)

(clearing throat) So how are you liking my scary story so far?

Grab you some tootsie rolls 'cause we're FAR from through!

~ for the record, it's 9:22 and no sign of a ghost ~

Here we have a little gift wrapped in sewing pattern tissue...I just love that!

Circumstantial Evidence #3

~ Some Tim Holtz Love ~

okay. This is VERY SCARY!

How would Lisa Marie know that Tim Holtz is my Rock Star?

...unless she stalks me every second of the day...hmmm

(looking over my shoulder again)

ooooh...we have another little blinged out sewing pattern gift...

The house was quiet except for the crinkling noise of the sewing pattern tissue as I unwrapped this...

Circumstantial Evidence #4

~ A Vintage Atlas ~

It is a beautiful old French Atlas once belonging to...

Patille Grady of 5 Rue Lion Dieux

I'm sure he/she is DEAD by now.

I LOVE DEAD PEOPLE'S STUFF.

And it now belongs to MOI!

buuaaaahhhahahaha!

(insert crashing thunder and lightning here)

Every page is colorfully illustrated containing beautiful French script and perfectly aged edges...

Perfect for planning my next trip!!!!

muuaaaahahhhhahahahahhaha!

*****

Part TWO: THE BOX

Circumstantial Evidence #5

~ THE BOX ~

Instead of doing the Monster Mash today, we are going to do the Les Sauterelles Polka which in English = the Grasshopper Polka

{wth Lisa Marie?}

But first Ladies and Gentlemen:

I must have your attention!

Today is Halloween and my story only get's scarier from here on out.

I must warn you that if you have a pacemaker, an artificial gut, or a metal plate in your head...

I advise you to stop here.

Symptoms of continuing on with this post may include, but not be limited to:

heart attack, cramps and severe discomfort, severe bouts of jealousy, loss of bodily functions, demonic intuitions, and Tim Holtz fantasies, just to name a few.

Are you with me?

We shall now OPEN THE BOX...

(insert freaky creaking noises here)

it's about freakin' time you open me...

Did you hear that?

It's that voice again!

I could have sworn it said...

It's about freakin' time you ooooppppen meeeee!

Lisa Marie...is that you?

(grabbing my garlic and crucifix)

All of the sudden, "things" started floating out of the box before me...

oh no!

It's a photo of Lisa Marie (in the center) and I hear the voices in my head again!!!!

They are saying...

Jooooodddddieeeeee...

"I should have given you a swift kick in the ass for not opening your gift while we were in Round Top.

You made me spend a small fortune at the Post Office. I'll get you my little pretty..."

and...and...could that be...could that be Dawn and Anne standing behind her laughing at me???

(shaking my head and clearing my eyes)

I blink again and see...

Whew!

That was a SCARY VISION there for a second.

I'm so happy to know that Lisa Marie wasn't haunting me.

She'd NEVER say anything like that to me.

I know she loves me too much to be mad at me ;)

Besides, she made this just for me...

Circumstantial Evidence #6

~ The Hauntingly Beautiful Diary ~

On the inside cover,

She cast a spell for our friendship to LAST FOREVER...

buuaaaahhhahahaha!

oh wait. that's not a spell...my bad...it's just a sentiment! ;)

Inside of the back cover,

She made a secret pocket to hold all things SCARY...

Lisa Marie is one talented WITCH.

She even sent me a noose to two...

Circumstantial Evidence #7

~ Beautiful vintage lace ~

Circumstantial Evidence #8

~ Funeral trimmings ~

Still secured inside the box were lots of potion ingredients...

such as DUCK FUR...

Circumstantial Evidence #9

~ Feather Plume ~

Secret codes...

Circumstantial Evidence #10

~ Medals ~

Mysterious Crystal Ice and Scalpels...

Circumstantial Evidence #11 & #12

~ Vintage Bling and Calligraphy Pen ~

With "things" still floating in the air, I was surrounded by inspiration. It was then and there that I knew I had to document this paranormal experience as soon as I could.

(The scariest thing is that it's taking me over 7 hours to write this post so far!)

Circumstantial Evidence #13

~ Rubber Stamp ~

Helping me write my Petite Histoire (little story) was this Tout-Petite Dictionnaire...

Circumstantial Evidence #14

~ Little French Dictionary ~

I love the inside cover...I love all things French :)

Trust me when I tell you that it's really SCARY petite!

Speaking of petite...

I wonder which of Lisa Marie's triplets these cutie bootie belonged to????

Circumstantial Evidence #15

~ Vintage Baby Shoes ~

Oh the Hell with the voices, the ghosts, the Halloween spookiness! I'm WAY to excited to be scared now!!!

All of these goodies are so awesome and there are STILL plenty I have to show you!

The only SCARY thing I can think of is...

How and Where did Lisa Marie find SO many beautiful things to send to me???

She must have a secret place that she's not telling the world about.

Is "Mummy" the word???

(can you tell that i'm getting delirious now?)

How much sewing pattern tissue does this girl have? ;)

I unwrapped it and out floated all kinds of little goodies!!!!

I have NO clue what this is...but I love the packaging!

Circumstantial Evidence #16

~ Undetermined (1) ~

Circumstantial Evidence #17

~ Undetermined (2) ~

This is an Elgin watch part.

The envelope is sealed and...

dared to be opened ~ muuuhaaaahahahaha

(insert crashing thunder and lightning here)

OH MY GAWD!

Where does she find this stuff????

Circumstantial Evidence #18

~ Ghost Story ~

(i'm about to faint...please call 911)

Are you having bouts of jealousy?

Cramping?

Loss of bodily functions?

I told you so!!

It's too late to go clean up now...keep on reading.

Look at the inside...

It's written in one-on-one dialogue!!!! Sa-weet!!!!

(guess what I'll be reading tonight?) bahahaha

Circumstantial Evidence #19

~ Vintage Sympathy Card ~

(love love!)

Circumstantial Evidence #20

~ Vintage Cemetery Photo ~

(love love LOVE!)

Circumstantial Evidence #21

~ Fabric Image of a Funeral Cabinet Card ~

(okay...I LOVE everything DEATH!)...except stuffed ducks

Circumstantial Evidence #22

~ Hotel Monteleone Correspondence ~

(I LOVE everything New Orleans too!!!!)

It's postmarked 1925!!!

Circumstantial Evidence #23

~ Fabric Image of Hotel Monteleone ~

{sigh...I'm just in LOVE with it all}

~ for the record, the box is almost empty and it's 10:01. STILL no sign of a ghost ~

We're almost to the end.

After hearing all of those voices, I just better see a ghost in this damn package!

;)

Here's another little gift wrapped in sewing pattern tissue...

Circumstantial Evidence #24

~ Paris napkins ~

oh...did I tell you that I love everything PARIS too?

Almost overlooked was this tiny little envelope, secured by a pearl stick pen...could the ghost be in here????

Circumstantial Evidence #25

~ Fleur de lis and Moon and Star pin ~

What an awesome combination...I'm loving this!!!! Just look how the fleur de lis has that perfect shade of "vintage" on it ;)))

Circumstantial Evidence #26

~ Some more Tim Holtz Love ~

I'm adding it to my wall collection containing HIS goodies!!!!

Circumstantial Evidence #27

~ Letter "J" Printer's Stamp ~

I love ANYTHING with my initials...ANYTHING!!!!

One last gift in the box and guess what...it ain't no ghost!!!!

Circumstantial Evidence #28

~ Sheet Music ~

Can a girl ever have enough sheet music????

:)))

Well folks.

Thank you for staying with me until the end.

No Ghosts.

Plenty Birthday Love.

Numb legs.

Dirty teeth.

Aching back.

Crossed eyes.

Starving husband.

Neglected dog.

28 gifts and 52 photos later...

I'm ready to go to bed even though it seems like I just woke up!

Do me a favor. Look at the time stamp at the bottom of this post and see what time I finished writing this.

Right about now...it's SCARY how much I love Lisa Marie.

But it's even SCARIER how much she loves me!!!

I love her enough to sit at the computer for this long AND I'm wondering where the hell my day went!

The End.

of my scary (not so scary) story.

The End.

of my Birthday MONTH.

And tomorrow is the beginning...

of my POST Birthday MONTH.

I received some more packages over the weekend and I will open them throughout November. I'm sorry I couldn't fit them all into the month of October but you know me...I love to savor the moment and enjoy each gift...no matter "when" I open it :)))

To me, every day is my birthday and I Thank You!!!!

I just need a break from posting almost every day and that will be my gift to MYSELF!!!!!

See ya again soon~

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

(what's now left of it!)

;)

Birthday MONTH: Day 30

2010-10-30T13:19:00.001-05:00

Zandra is all about Zebra Print.

Every time I see zebra print, I think of her.

Nestled inside my birthday box were presents wrapped in zebra print, which by the way looks great with Halloween colors!

Also inside the birthday box, I found this spooky glittery candelabra tassel...I love it!!!!

SO creative!!!!

I think it was then and there that I knew what direction this birthday present was going...everything was going to be "Halloween"...my favorite holiday :)

If you noticed in the first photo, the bottom present had a little orange tag tucked under the bow.

It read:

Well hell...

The last time she sent me smelling salts was when she surprised me with an autograph & photo from Tim Holtz...my Rock Star!

Can you just imagine this scene:

I was really nervous to open it.

I felt a panic attack coming on...could it be?

I thought, should I call a friend to come stay with me while I open it ~ just in case I faint?

(this was one time that i wished i had LifeAlert!)

ok. I'm a big girl. I'm 40. I opened it...

Whew!

It was just a rubber stamp, one of the new ones from Tim Holtz.

I love it!

But...But...

OH...

(I suddenly wished that I'd have phoned a friend)

It's not JUST a rubber stamp...

oh noooooo~

It's an AUTOGRAPHED rubber stamp from my ROCK STAR!!!!

Sure enough, I could NOT breathe.

My knees were weak.

WHY didn't I listen to her warning on that darn tag?

LOOK!

Tim Holtz actually TOUCHED this stamp!

(I smelled it. I rubbed it back and forth across my cheek)

Can. You. See. IT???

I really think Zandra is trying to kill me.

I mean...I know she loves me and she DID give me a warning before hand but...It's just that us Cajuns don't follow directions very well. (lucky if we even read the directions at all)

{sigh}

~ i need a break all over just talking about it ~

okay. i'm back.

I still had a little bit of life left in me, it was time to open the second present...

{love that purple zipper flower!}

okay. REWIND!!!!!

Did. You. See. His. Autograph. on. MY. stamp?

Let me show you again...

;)

Gah! I just wanted to make sure you saw it!!!!

Let's get back to the second present!

(are you sure you saw it?)

oh-kaaaay!!!!

Let's peek inside...I'm sure you are all nervous and sweaty now too, huh? um hum...I know the feeling...believe me! :)

This looks SO familiar...can it be?

Yes!!! Yes it IS!!!

This is the SWEET little Halloween Top Hat that Zandra made and she posted about it (click here). I remembered reading her post because she said she made it for "someone special" and I thought wow...that must be really someone special!

Never thought that her "someone special" would be ME!!!!

Zandra was inspired by Laura at The Vintage Key who designs for Graphic 45, Provo Craft and more!

She even wrote and signed the inside...

I absolutely LOVE it and I'm so honored that she thought of ME!

There's one thing about Zandra...she's certainly not lacking in the thoughtfulness department!!!! She's surprised me with little gifts throughout the year...she has a HUGE HEART OF GOLD!!!!

of course she does, she's a Libra too!!!! :)))

I opened this birthday box on Thursday and I couldn't post about it. It was killing me not to.

Zandra was in London and she asked me to post about it when she returned home to the states...

...and today is the day!!!!

:)))

This rubber stamp autographed by Tim Holtz will remain close to my heart...

forever and ever.

It's sitting high on a shelf in my studio now, right next to my framed photo and autograph of Tim and Zandra from last year...

(I guess I could have stood on a chair to take a better photo for you, but I'm still light-headed from all the excitement :)

I just LOVE everything Z...thank you!!!!

I'm just checking ONE more time...

Did. You. See. IT???

:)))

Be safe on Hallow's Eve!!!!

Birthday MONTH: Day 29

2010-10-29T19:00:00.001-05:00

Oh Dear...

I have only TWO more days of my "birthday MONTH celebration".

Did I just say only "two" more days?

NOT!

We will just have to declare November as my POST Birthday Month!!!

"Why?" you ask???? oh let me tell you!!!!!

Believe it or not...I still have FOUR more birthday boxes to open.

i know, i know! i'm too spoiled for my own good :)

After October 31st, I will take some time off to send "thank you" cards and catch up on all what I "didn't do" while I was having fun celebrating my 40th!

You know, things like clean the house, pull the weeds, wash my car, bathe the dog. The "chore" stuff that birthday queens just do NOT do during their birthday MONTH celebrations!

Yep...it'll be back to "real life" for me soon. I'm not too sure if I'm going to adjust to it very well ;(

What I AM enjoying is...is being so spoiled! I am SO eating up the month of October and enjoying every second of it.

Today, I opened a birthday box from my girlfriend Pam in Ohio. I met her a few years ago (through blogging) and we've made a pact to see each other in person at least once a year. She is my soul sister and my best friend, even though we are separated by five states!

When I opened up my birthday box, the sign above was the first thing I saw. Naturally, I started giggling as this is something Pam would put in my package! She's hilarious and she loves Halloween! She just posted her spooky decorations throughout her home...you gotta go see! Click here

I dug a little deeper in the box and my giggles turned into gasps...

There were all kinds of fabulous lace and fabric remnants and a 1948 Ladies Birthday Almanac with the coolest illustrations...

And, there was an old book about New Orleans' gardens and courtyards...{sigh}

I love me some New Orleans!

I immediately thought of the fun times we shared there just a couple of months ago when her and Sandy flew down and we stayed in the French Quarter!

After reminiscing, I dug a little deeper into the birthday box and found this...

Can you guess what it is?

At first glance while pulling it out of the box, I was thinking "what the heck is this?"

Once out of the box, I was like...WOW! It's a beaded basket made from nothing more than beads and safety pins! Too cool!

It's just beautiful in the sunlight. My photo does not do it justice. You're just going to have to trust me on this one!!! :)

She left a note telling me that she has the matching one...except hers is blue/green! She knew that I'd love the rust/amber colors...she just knows/loves me!!!! :)))

Do you know exactly HOW MUCH Pam loves me????

This photo below may give you a little hint of how much...

She loves me enough to "Share the LOVE of jewelry"

:)))

Pam sent me a ring...

We are engaged!!!

{of course I'm just kidding about the engagement}...but she DID send me this BEAUTIFUL ring!!!

Pam sells Lia Sophia and knows how much I love it!!! Matter of fact (please don't tell The Man) but I have like...um...maybe something along the lines of...four bracelets...two rings...a beautiful brooch...two necklaces...and a "few" pairs of earrings. Like I said...it's somewhere along the lines of that. *wink

Seriously. It was my duty as a friend to help her start her business. (that's what best friends are for, right?)

;)))

And besides, Pam is my "personal jeweler".

What other person in the world would know to size my ring "especially" for my "PUFFY FINGER DAYS"???

I'm serious when I tell you that she's the bestest friend!

{and as an added bonus...she comes with bling!}

Like I said earlier, five states separate us. That makes me sad.

But...God knew what he was doing because if Pam and I lived ANY closer to each other, we'd be terribly dangerous together and I'd be broke! :)

One thing I know for sure...I AM terribly spoiled :)

Keep Calm and Scary On...

HAVE A

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEKEND!

See ya tomorrow with some more b-day goodies...

Birthday MONTH: Day 27 & 28

2010-10-28T15:40:00.001-05:00

~ A beautiful heart full of charm ~

I received my heart from my "Mystery" partner...

Needless to say, there is no more mystery! ;)

Tracy Suzanne was my fabulous swap partner and she made me this BEAUTIFUL heart above.

It's SO me! I truly love it :)

Along with the heart came some fabulous handmade charms from artists who also participated in The Charming Heart Swap...

Sarah Huckman of Gypsy Mermaid Life

(our hostess)

Robin Sanchez of Once Upon a Pink Moon

Jan Fursdon of Fursdon House

Sandy Navarro of SMN Designs

Mercedes Scott of C.R.E.A.T.E.

Lisa Hodge of Happily Scrappin' Today

Debbie Hembree of Mosaic Magpie

Zandra Cudney of Scraps to Beauty

Sharon Starnes of Sun Moon Starnes

Wendy Aspinal of Bliss Angels

Jody Jara of A Home and Heart

Tracy Deloach of Cotton Pickin' Cute

Molly Pearce of Material Gal Molly

aren't they just wonderful???

I'm so happy to have a piece of each of their art :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In return~

This was the heart that I had made for Tracy...

{front}

{back}

and a charm that I made (out of a wooden ruler) for each one of the girls above...

{front}

{back}

This was such a fun swap and many THANKS goes to Sarah for all of her hard work in making it all happen :)))

Thanks for including me girls!!!

Birthday MONTH: Day 25 & 26

2010-10-26T21:15:00.001-05:00

Hey there...

(pout pout)

I know some of you were wondering where I was yesterday.

I was curled up on the couch sulking because the SAINTS lost (& lost BAD to the Cleveland Browns, no less!) augh!

But I'm over it and today IS a GOOD DAY! :)

Are you ready to open the BIG BIRTHDAY BOX from my sister Karen????

You know...the box that's been sitting in my library since October 1st?

STOP!

Just wait a second Nellie...

Before we start, I'd like to share "something" that I just found out today...

I was "told" that one of you, or maybe SOME of you (YOU know who you are!) may "think" that I've already opened all of my birthday presents, photographed them and now I'm "pretending" to open them one at a time throughout my Birthday MONTH...

SHAME ON YOU ;)

I cannot BELIEVE you don't believe me!!!! ;)

Let's see now. I have to find a way to prove it to you that I give EACH gift special attention and special recognition. How can I "show" you that I savor EACH detail?

I STILL have gifts to open! I swear! :)))

I know it's DAY 26 and it's kind of late to be convincing you, but if this doesn't do it, I don't know what will...

Here are a couple of boxes that are STILL waiting for me to open and I'll prove it to you with my iPhone!

from Pam...

Look at the date on my iPhone...it's TODAY! the 26th!

I took the photo at 4:11 pm and whadoyaknow...the box is NOT opened!!!!

Here's another box from Lisa...no broken seal on it either!!!!

I'm no David Copperfield...I can't unwrap 'em then wrap 'em back! I swear to ya!!!!

;)

I'll be the first to admit that whenever someone tells me "I'm crazy" for not tearing into a box as quickly as I get my hands on it...I do believe them. I AM crazy but I DO wait. I wait for that perfect time to enjoy EVERYTHING without being disturbed or distracted. I savor each thought...it's just who I am :)

(i forgive ya for not believing me)

So NOW are you ready to dig into the BIG BOX???

Let's begin...

Just for the record, the time is: 4:13p.m. October 26th

Just a little warning about my sister Karen:

I want you to know that...

SHE LOVES ME VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

She spoils me constantly. Not just for my birthday. Not just for Christmas. But I'm always receiving little surprises from her throughout the year and when I least expect it.

Her reason? 'cause "she loves me" :)))

And...she loves Thad a.k.a. The Man too.

She sent him three birthday gifts in MY birthday box. (too bad he had to wait a whole month before he could open his gifts!)

His birthday WAS 9-28! poor thing!!!

According to Karen's note above...let's start with the black and white bag...

Inside was THREE gifts and a sweet card...

In the bigger box of the three was a BIRTHDAY APRON and a SWEET embroidered hand towel...

Last year for my birthday, she gave me the "Happy Birthday" hand towel so now I have the matching set!!! I leave it out the whole month of October!!!! :)

I love this little hand towel...isn't it sa-weet???

Next up is combination of the two smaller presents...

A bracelet with the coolest charms and two funny note pads ("pep talk" and "sweet nothings") too cute!

We still have all of these to open from Karen...I told you she loves me!!!!

(sorry the photos are not that great today. it was SO cloudy and I didn't have enough natural light coming through :(

Another card was tucked inside one of the brown bag gifts...my sister Karen is such a sweetheart! I love the punched lace at the bottom of the card...it's even inked!!!! Love it!!!!

Are you feeling the L.O.V.E ???

STOP!

it's "package opening proof" time...

;) are you believing me yet???

This little cutie was in the second brown bag...

Aren't they just THE SWEETEST COUPLE????

Now we are down to three more gifts...

The beautiful lady on the card above looks just like our Mother. She loved to dress up and wear beautiful hats like that. Mom wore a similar dress and hat just like this one at Dickens on the Strand one Christmas holiday many years ago. Mom was in all her glory being able to dress and play the part of a beautiful Victorian woman...oh those were the days. I love the memories!!!

Are you getting the idea of how much my sister loves me?

She really REALLY does...

And this card says it all. I was full of tears...happy tears!

Just in case you can't read it, I'll share it with you...

The card itself reads:

Once upon at time you were born...and there was much rejoicing, for in one instant the world had become a more beautiful and magical place...

Happy Birthday

And Karen wrote inside:

Jodie~

You may be 40 but I remember when you were born. And I remember how I couldn't help but pick you up, hold you close to me, kiss you and smile, and think of my precious sister. That's when you stole my heart forever.

I love you Jodie, I have loved you and will always,

xoxo Karen

(sniff sniff)

I warned you just how much she loves me! Didn't I? ;)

Let's open the Charming Charlie bag...I LOVE that place!!!

Our Auntie Belva took the three of us (my sister Karen, my sister Penny and me) to CC's one day and it was SO awesome. (The store was awesome but even more awesome was the time us girls spent with her!!! She's the coolest Aunt ever!)

Like I said, I love the memories!!!! :)

Get a load of this loot!

Sister sent me a necklace...

some hair pins...

some earrings...

some bracelets...

and some more bracelets...with BLING!!!! :)

I know someone who is VERY jealous of me right about now...she's my idol of everything BLING!!!!

:)))

STOP!

it's "package opening proof" time...AGAIN!!!

Are you believing me yet??????

oh...just in case you forgot how much my sister Karen LOVES me, here's a reminder...

Let's open it up and see what reminds her of ME...

It's a book box and the lady is beautiful! {sigh}

...but doesn't she look pregnant? eeewwww.

oh dear, please don't wish that on me at 40!!!!

Inside the book box was a black (even though it looks blue) shirt encrusted with fleur de lis BLING!

Perfect to wear with my new Charming Charlie BLING!

Wouldn't I look great wearing all of this to a SAINTS game?

(hopefully not to LOSE & come home and sulk again...hmpf!)

It's okay. I'm a die-hard Saints fan. They'll be the death of me.

There was one more little gift that sister Karen tucked way down in the bottom of the bag...

It's a cute set of Fall dishtowels with a card attached on top. This was from a set of cards that I purchased from one of my "bestest" girlfriends, Jamie. I bought a pack for sister Karen and sent them to her for her birthday.

It totally made me smile when I saw it!

...and reassured me that she loves me!!!! :)))

STOP!

it's time to confirm the END of "package opening proof" time. It's a good thing 'cause it was really getting dark outside!!!!

So to you, my friends...

There are at least THREE things that you should have learned about me after reading this post...

1.) My sister Karen LOVES ME a lot!!!

2.) I DO WAIT to open my gifts!!!

3.) Don't ever send a birthday present for The Man in one of MY birthday boxes. Chances are...he WILL NOT get it on time!!!!

;)

However, he does like the idea of having a POST Birthday MONTH all for himself!!!!

(He was BAD!)

and he's going to be very very bad with his crawfish pajama pants...

and his "HOT" Fender guitar shirt...

I'm a good sport...

I'll share my birthday MONTH with The Man.

I'll be back later...we're going "be BAD"

(just kidding...we're 40/43 ... how "bad" can we be?)

{too late...it's past our bedtime}

;)

Birthday MONTH: Day 24

2010-10-24T13:05:00.001-05:00

This is certainly a lazy Sunday for me as it's the first Sunday that I can remember being home since...well, I don't remember when!!!

I'm about to watch the Saints whip up on the Cleveland Browns while I fold and save a mountain of clean clothes.

The Man plans on cooking a gumbo, I'm still in my jammies and Life is wonderful!

I think it it's time for me (us) to open a couple of birthday presents this morning as the pile of presents in my library are still waiting for me!!!! Yay!!!!

Every morning feels like Christmas morning here at the LeJeune Compound!!! I'm such a lucky girl :))

Let's start off with the red bag from my friend,

Barbara (no blog)

Can you relate to this cute card below???

I just wonder...

what's in the BAG!!!!!

Let's see...

Awe...I love handmade gifts!

Barbara paints on anything she can get her hands on and she painted this just platter for me...

I love the Cajun theme...yummy crawfish, shrimp and crabs!

Thank you Barbara!!!!

(I know she can't hear me. She's on a trip right now but she'll read this when she gets back...one day!)

Another gift that was waiting for me to open was for me AND The Man. His birthday is September 28th...3 days before mine so this was to the BOTH of us from our dear friends,

Tom & Vicki (no blog)

Vicki always finds the cutest birthday cards.

The inside...

Tucked neatly inside was this yum-yum surprise!

A gift card to Chili's!!!!

The Man and I love us some Chili's!!!!

Hello Presidente' Margaritas...The Man and I are coming!!!!

We need to plan a date-night soon :)

Thank you Tom & Vicki!!!!

So these boxes below will still be waiting for me and I'll open them one by one... (i'm so excited)

I think I'm going to open the BIG box at the bottom next. It's from my sister Karen in Texas and she SPOILS THE HECK OUT OF ME (all year long). Last year during my Birthday MONTH, I think it took me 8 days to post all what she sent me! Not kidding!!!! :)))

I think I really need to open it soon as

I only have 7 days left of my Birthday MONTH :)))

See ya tomorrow!

*****

IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS:

For those of you who were in the Charming Heart Swap recently hosted by Sarah of The Gypsy Mermaid...

Sarah and I were supposed to meet this weekend for a girl's day and I was going to receive my heart and charms from my surprise partner (which I found out today is Tracy Suzanne).

Unfortunately, Sarah was in an automobile accident late Friday evening. SHE IS FINE but her little Mustang is not. It was towed away at the scene and her little heart is broken.

I'm thanking God that she is OKAY!!!!!! Her Mustang can be fixed or replaced, however SHE could never be replaced!!!! :)

I'm going to visit Sarah tomorrow (if she's up for company) and hopefully post about the swap soon. Until then, I'm sure she'd love to hear from you~

Birthday MONTH: Day 23

2010-10-23T23:06:00.001-05:00

A SPA DAY WITH THE GIRLS...

Every woman DREAMS of being pampered and spoiled for the day and I agree that every woman should treat themselves to such a day...as often as they can.

As a woman, we hold MANY job titles all rolled into a daily 24-hour shift such as...

wife, mother, taxi driver, home accountant, maid service, nurse, chef, counselor, and we'd be here all day if I kept on but I'm sure you understand where I'm going with this...

You deserve to be pampered and spoiled!

Me? deserve it? Not so much.

Okay...I do "deserve" it but...I'm NOT a "spa" kind of gal.

I NEVER get my nails done. I used to when I was in college and throughout my banking years, but that's been over a decade ago.

Presently working in our vehicle collision center...mixing paint, sanding cars and playing with paint thinner is not a great combination for acrylic nails and nail polish. Trust me!

(No matter what you think, I do not just sit behind the desk and pretend I own the place! ;)

oh. and I don't do feet either. I can't stand the sight of feet. Mine nor anyone else's. To me, flip flops are the devil as some people should just NOT wear them...I'm just sayin'.

To wrap it all up...I don't like anyone (that I don't know) touching me. Again...I'm just sayin'.

Besides ... the last time I had a body wrap, I left looking like this and I just don't think the "thin look" is right for me...ya think?

Seriously...all jokes aside...we had a WONDERFUL day!!!!

Eight of us hometown girls left early this morning for a full day of facials, pedicures, body massages, and laughs!

And let me not forget to mention we had fruit, chocolates, sandwiches, boudin and champagne!!!

{I learned how to pop the cork (the wrong way...oops!) and also learned how to make a Mimosa (lots of champagne with little orange juice)}

believe it or not...

This day wasn't about me nor my Birthday MONTH.

This day was to spoil all of the women who helped make our annual high school alumni co-ed softball tournament a tremendous success for the 4th year in a row!

These women above are educators and nurses who devoted their time and talent to organize this sports event and certainly deserved to be pampered from head to toe.

Me deserve it? Not so much.

They just let me drive them there, fix their drinks and hang out with them ;)

While they were planning, organizing and sweating their patooties off at the end of August, I was playing in New Orleans and romping across the Southern states on a 10-day road trip, remember? It took me the whole month of September to post about it ;)

I have to really point out here that this is the Queen that makes it all happen every year (with the help of her court, of course)...

She got the full work-up from head to toe...

She hadn't painted her toes since high school...until today!!!!

(i can't believe i'm posting feet on my blog...i'm not looking)

;)

I'd post some CRAZY photos of the rest of the girls but I was sworn not to. I can't even post them on facebook.

I am a faithful friend ;)

*****

The moral of this post is plain and simple...

You deserve to take time for yourself (either alone or a fun day with girlfriends)

Pamper yourself.

Do something silly and laugh about it.

and most of all...

Do all of the above as often as you can!!!!

:)))

Birthday MONTH: Day 22

2010-10-22T18:51:00.001-05:00

From a million miles away (or so it seems)...

I am certain that a shockwave of happiness flowed throughout the earth today, from Louisiana to Germany...and back again.

Seriously, did you watch CNN? Did you hear about it?

Well...let ME tell you about it!

(who needs Robin Meade in the morning anyway?)

As I opened the box, this cute little handmade card was tucked neatly atop three little packages that were nestled inside.

Have I told you lately that I'm enjoying 40?

For those of you who haven't reached this milestone yet, believe me when I tell you that it's not so bad!

Since I've turned 40, I'm realizing how fortunate I am...

I am still married to my high school sweetheart (happily!)

My only child is 22.5 and on his own (permanently???)

The Man and I are in good health (only my mentality is ?able)

The two of us have a wonderful business together...

therefore we work hard and we PLAY even harder.

So there are some things that may be questionable (such as my mentality), but the majority of being this fortunate at 40 is such a gift in itself :)))

Speaking of gifts, meeting Julia of Vintage with Laces (through blogging) was one of my biggest gifts this year...

What she sent in this little box is only lagniappe!

Lagniappe in Cajun French = extra; bonus

She doesn't have to send me a birthday gift to spoil me.

no. not Julia.

She always spoils me by sending me the sweetest emails at least once a week (& I look forward to them so much!). She also lets me know what she found at the flea market (most of the time leaving me very jealous), and on a rare occasion, she'll surprise me with a phone call from Germany!!! (I just love when that happens)

We love the same things and even though we're thousands of miles apart, she really REALLY knows me.

I asked her once...

"Julia, if there is anything you'd want from the United States, what would it be?"

Her answer without hesitation was... "Lace and coffee filters"

I sent her some plain old coffee filters (& lace of course!).

Who would have thought that I'd get the coffee filters back in the form of beautiful roses above???

I didn't know there was anything positive about being an Indian-giver...I was wrong!

;)

While leaving me jealous when I hear of her flea market finds, Julia has such a big heart to actually share them with me...

This little metal tin took my breath away. I love the rustiness, the foreign script, the embossing...heck! I love everything at about it!

But it's when I opened it up, I wasn't expecting this...

Cushioned by a little button-embellished velvet pillow that Julia handmade herself was a gorgeous vintage black beaded necklace to DIE for! I can only imagine the beautiful woman (or women) who once wore this.

It is so elegant and yet so classical, never going out of style.

I saved the small "40" package to open last, not having a clue as to what it was.

She had the sweetest note to me, typed on onion skin paper, explaining to me what gave her the idea to make this for me.

This summer, I made a cuff for a cuff swap for Paper Cowgirl but my partner was a "no show". Even though she didn't show, I mailed my partner the one I made for her, but I never received one in return...much less received a "thank you" note for the one I sent her.

That has been months ago and Julia felt sorry for me that I didn't have one to call my own. She totally made up for it and made me the most beautiful cuff bracelet with my favorite (non) colors!

:))

I absolutely adore it and it fits me to a "T"!!!!

I'm telling ya...this girl knows me even though we've never met in person!

She used the prettiest of vintage laces (even some that I sent her!), mother of pearl buttons, and the most gorgeous rhinestone centerpiece ever!

It's soooo me...don't you think?

I photographed the cuff on my arm through my dining room mirror and it's amazing how it totally blends in with my decor!!!! :)

She just KNOWS me!!!!

All of the things that she sent me are so dear to my heart.

It's amazing how two people can become so close via the computer without ever meeting each other...

Blogging is better than all those online dating services! ;)

Please excuse me for now...

I think I'm going to email Julia and thank her for making my 40th so special.

Living in Germany, she's 9 hours ahead of me so I hope this is the first thing she reads when she wakes up in the morning :)))

Believe me...

~ There is nothing wrong with turning 40 ~

Birthday MONTH: Day 21

2010-10-21T18:00:00.001-05:00

While walking around the Antique Fair the other day,

I stop cold in my tracks and say...

"Oh my gosh...I LOVE this!"

With a crinkle in her nose, she says...

"Ewww Jodie,

What would you do with THAT old thing?"

I giggled, looked at the price tag (& cringed) and told her...

"Oh, I don't know...

I just have a "thing" for everything vintage."

She shrugged her shoulders and we both walked off without looking back, never giving it another thought.

After all, I'm used to finding the majority of my treasures at garage sales. It's hard for me to pay a dealer's price on anything (unless I just "have" to have it).

You gotta love this story:

So a week or two passes by and I'm at work.

(really! I swear!!! I was at work!!!!)

I get a surprise visit from my little Antique Fair shopping friend.

She unloads something from the back of her SUV and my eyes focus on the prize.

My heart just melts!

I squeal (rather loudly)...

ME: "Where did you get that?"

(I'm walking toward her with my mouth wide open)

HER: "My attic."

(she's huffing & puffing 'cause it's super heavy)

ME: "I'm SO jealous girl, I LOVE IT!"

(My eyes are squinting, I'm secretly green with envy)

HER: "It's for YOU! Happy Birthday Jodie!!!"

(I feel like a fart for being so jealous)

ME & HER: Big Big Hug Fest!!!!

The Man is looking at us like we're crazy.

Then, the "mechanic" in him kicks in and he plugs it in to see if it works. Of course it did, what was he thinking? Typical Man!

Besides, who cared if it worked? Not me!

It working was just a bonus!!!

It's a show piece!!!! Don't you think???

But that's not all...

She brought me a little wrapped present too!

(this was the photo from my fonky little camera at WORK so you know I'm not lying!)

;)

I just can't believe some of you think I don't work! hahaha!

Inside the pretty wrapping was this...

A beautiful glass Christmas ornament with my initial "J"!!!

I love it!!!!

I'm not going to decorate for the Fall season this year (I'm sad-sad) but I will start decorating for Christmas VERY soon.

My home was selected for my little town's "Christmas Tour of Homes" this year so this little glass ornament will certainly have a special spot!!!

Even though I'm not decorating for Thanksgiving, the thought of giving Thanks is certainly NOT forgotten!!!

The "she" that spoiled me with these goodies above is my little hometown friend Pam (who has no blog, shame-shame) who is so creative and so talented and has the coolest studio EV-AH!

One day, I'm going to sneak my camera in there and write a post just about her studio.

Then, while she's not looking, I think I might even sneak into her attic and see what else she's hiding in there!! Are you with me?

Isn't that hunk of a cast iron metal 1949 oscillating fan that blows air so quietly just the BOMB?

Birthday MONTH: Day 19 & 20

2010-10-20T14:14:00.001-05:00

I promised you that we'd open a birthday present today...

This gift, as much as the ones before, has totally touched my heart.

Once again, I am reminded of how I have the BEST friends & family in the world.

What on earth have I done to deserve you?

Through blogging, you and I stumbled upon each other because there was something about you that I just loved and I wanted to know more...

Was it your words? Your photos? Your art?

Or... maybe it was the way you reached out to me with your smile, the smile that I always imagined you had when I would read your bright and cheery thoughts everyday.

Maybe...it was all of the above.

I always wished that one day, I would be able to see your beautiful smile "for real".

I wanted to get to know you and let you know that you brightened my day every time I stopped by to visit you...

My wish came true.

I did meet you.

And I DID see that smile and all of the beauty surrounding you.

You were everything that I thought you would be (& more).

The love of family and friends...which is something we both cherish deeply...shined from within and it was then and there...I knew there was no turning back...we are FRIENDS.

We've shared laughs and tears, our art and souls.

We (virtually) watched our children spread their wings and comforted each other at times of loss.

You've shared your Mother with me when I no longer had mine. It is such an honor to call her "Mom" :)))

When God did not give me a daughter, you've shared yours with me. I could not ask for two more beautiful girls than yours.

You have such a generous soul Chantal and for that, I will be ever so grateful.

Just like the ribbon in this beautiful tassel that you made just for me...

your smile, your spirit and our memories will forever be intertwined in my heart.

Forever and Ever!

Thank You.

*****

Now if you are thinking that I was only talking to Chantal here...guess again.

As deep hearted (& mushy) as this post was, I am saying this to ALL of you who visit here...

there IS something that you and I have in common, something that we both LOVE about each other, and most of all, there is something that we do share and I'd like to call it FRIENDSHIP.

Whether you are a lurker, a stalker, a follower or even if you leave me a comment or not...

Just the thought of knowing you came here to visit me is a gift in itself and I cannot tell you how appreciative I am :)))

I can't believe that I only have 11 days left to celebrate my Birthday MONTH.

I still have LOTS of presents to open!!!!

I hope I'm not boring you with my "all about ME" month...

After all, it is about US! Yes...YOU & ME! FRIENDS!!!

If it wasn't, then you wouldn't be here with me right now! Right?