Authentic

Get real.

That's what I want.

That's what I crave.

I've noticed that some people are afraid of authenticity. It's much easier and comfortable to stay where they are, in their own little, safe box labeled, "complacency."

I have found that some people get angry at me for wanting to be real. Some people run away. Some people cannot bear the thought of change.

But I can't stay there anymore. It's suffocating.

Life is too short.

I want what's real.

I want what's true.

Happy Valentine's Day, My Friend!

Do you remember grade school? Valentine's Day was a BIG deal. We would spend weeks (it seemed) decorating shoe boxes with construction paper, paste, colored paper, hearts, doilies, candies, foil, and whatever other cool media we could find. Then we would sign scads of Valentine cards, carefully seal them in mini envelopes and address them to our classmates and friends. The party was so cool! Passing out the Valentines was fun but it was even more exciting to get home and open each one received.


But then....puberty arrives and suddenly a fun holiday has shifted from that of friends to that of feeling pressured to have a "sweetheart" at an age when I still thought most boys had cooties. Not to mention, if I did like a boy, I would rather DIE than let him know my true feelings!!


So since I have been about 13, I haven't liked this holiday very much. Even when I had a true love, I always felt sorry for all the single people out there who were meant to feel like losers for being on their own on this holiday of supposed love.


Even during the years of my marriage, I suppressed a bitterness because marriage was not what I had imagined or expected it to be. Sure I received the obligatory flowers and candy, but decided I would rather have nothing rather than a reminder of what was missing in my life.


So now, I'm past the divorce and experiencing such a relief and freedom in my life and I have declared that THIS Valentine's Day I am changing my attitude. I'm going back to grade school in my thinking...excited about sharing a fun holiday with my friends. No pressure. Love is fair and love is equal and love is cool.......for everyone, no matter if you have a sweetheart in your life or not.


I hope YOU have a wonderful Valentine's Day, no matter how you celebrate!!

Journey - Girl Can't Help It

I've been obsessed with Journey lately. This song is constantly in my head!

Train drops of jupiter

missing Marco Polo

Catch Up!

Hello! Wow, I miss my blogger world! Tax season has been in low gear so far this month, so I thought I would catch up before the storm hits in about two weeks.

Em dropped and broke my camera in December. Accidents happen so I bought her one for Christmas. And she dropped THAT one! So my pictures are very limited now *sniffle!* I will look into getting repaired ATS ("after tax season").

We're snowed in here in St. Louis (well, not literally snowed in, but the driving is dangerous and violin lessons have been canceled for tonight). Last night the three of us played a terrifically fun card came called Nertz.

Tonight we're snuggled in again. We're going to make brownies, put on some Delilah on the radio and play some more nertz! I love this time with my girls!

Long Time!

Hello everyone!

I've disappeared from the blogger world for awhile because of a) holiday busyness; and b) my obession with Facebook! I hope this finds everyone well. We had a nice, but busy Christmas. And from there, I head straight into tax season. The years seem to be flying by. January is been slow for us at work (thankfully), but the storm will hit about mid-February and you won't see me for awhile until mid-April! (Seems like I just posted about last year's tax season not too long ago!) I look forward to catching up on reading your wonderful blogs. I've missed you all! Take care and God bless! - MJ

A very tried three-of-us late on Christmas Eve, wearing our new Christmas jammies!

One of Katie's Megaglomper friends made this for her. How cool! (Does this make me Edward's mother-in-law?!)

Baby Aly is no more. Now she's Little Girl Aly! She was the highlight of Christmas morning, helping to pass gifts out to everyone (even though she had a look like, "Why am I handing out gifts?") Christmas Eve was dinner at Barb and Brad's. Christmas morning breakfast was at Chris and Jeneane's.

Christmas morning at our house.

Teenagers! (My, how fast they are growing!)

A few weeks before Christmas, Sister-in-Law Jeneane, organized a "pottery night" at the Painted Pot. I learned a new technique - glass cutting. I was taught how to break pieces of glass and glue them together to make an artful project. That's my penguin on the right. It was later put in the kiln and melded together. I hope to do more of this in the future!

Barb, Jeneane, and Melanie at the Painted Pot.

Concentrating on that glue!



On New Year's Eve, Barb hosted her tradition "Kids NYE" party. Every year they write out the highlights of the old year, predictions for the new year, and read previous years' predictions. It's fun to see what they have written in the past!

The "Rob Your Neighbor" game. It's lots of fun, but they look oh-so serious!

My church had a New Year's Eve dinner and service. My pastor had asked me the day before if I would speak 3 - 4 minutes on the past year and how God had taken me through some troubled times (my divorce). I'm so glad I'm in the Toastmaster's public speaking club at work. It made me a lot less nervous and I actually enjoyed the opportunity to speak!

Holiday Happenings

We've been busy elves around here! Keeping this Christmas time simple so we can enjoy the reason for the season and experience some true PEACE (instead of the normal holiday chaos!)

I'm loving the prelit tree I bought last year! This is the first year ever we decorated the house the day after Thanksgiving. In fact we set the tree up at 12:30 a.m. after Thanksgiving, night owls that we are! ;o)

I've been trying to cook more at home and finding out how more settled I feel. Above is Greek chicken and potatoes served on my mix-and-match holidayware I've collected over the years!

Feefers is taking it all in. He recently experienced his first snowfall and loved it!

I had some friends over for a spa night. We had such a RELAXING, fun time!

Lesia's stylin' baby! LOL This was the part where we exfoliated our lips. It was hilarious!

I've been using BeautiControl products for over a month and can honestly tell the difference. (Do you think I'll get free products for saying that?! LOL)

I hope everyone is enjoying the season.

Make someone feel special today!