Kelly & Alyssa — Chester, Nova Scotia, 2008
Gratitude — this month’s R.A.O.K.A. theme. Where do I even begin?!?! I have nothing but GREAT things in my life.
I am so grateful for my Awesome WordPress Consultant friend, Kim Woodbridge, who made my blog vision of Big Photos come to life, yay!! Thank you so so much, Kim! People — if you want someone you can absolutely trust 100% to help develop your WordPress blog, Kim is it!! She’s been tweaking my blog for over a year now. And it’s no wonder she’s now got close to 5000 Twitter followers — she adds value to lives!!
Summer Cousins On A Beach At Sunset,2008
Speaking of photos, I am grateful that when my laptop’s power recently died, I didn’t lose any files on my hard drive!! Whoo-super-hoo!! I have experienced the heart-break of lost digital photos before, but not this time.
So so grateful, People.
(All pictures in this post are ones I thought were gone forever.)
Austin & Alyssa, (niece and nephew)2008
Yes, I know in the grand scheme, losing one’s digital photos is pretty far down on the list, but still — I’m so happily grateful I recovered them. And all the new songs I’ve been writing!!
First Time Roller Skating — age 5
And lastly but very very far from leastly, I am grateful for bloggers like Happy Lotus Nadia, whose following comment to someone recently helped cement my decision to stop blogging on a set schedule.
“So often people fence themselves in by rules that they created and then forget that the boundaries can be broken at any time.” Nadia — Happy Lotus
It’s only been 3 weeks, but I already feel so stifled by my self-imposed MWF blogging schedule, an experiment to see how it might affect my Google Analytics stats. But what do I care about stats if I feel hemmed-in while blogging?! Where’s the spontaneity, joy and fun in that?!?? Duh, Jannie. As of today I’m back to posting when I’m ready to, (whoo-hoo) and stats will take care of themselves.
And if I ever get to the point where I occasionally close comments because I’ve got a lot going on in life, I guess I’ll just have to take my blogging lumps. 🙂
ALRIGHT!!!
Oh, wait — another wonderful Gratitude Thing today!! Jeanne’s in town!!! Jeanne, who’s been rambling this great country in a 30′ motor home for the last 4 months — is finally swinging our way. I’ll be meeting her in a few hours and we’ll hang out hopefully a lot until she has to leave Monday. How great is that!?! I’m even going to wash my hair after I post this and don a pair of matched socks in Jeanne’s honor!!
As to R.O.A.K.A, I am not quite sure who is still in, but check here with Sami for the gratitude posts.
And of course, I am wondering, what are you grateful for today?
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxo
Family, Kitchen Sink | Posted by Jannie on 1 February 2010 @ 8:37 AM
Yes, Dad has been known to actually drive his snowmobile on SNOW — not just on summer grass!
Winter!! How wonderfully wonderful it can be.
Kalyani’s par-amour likes the coldest season because he doesn’t sweat as much as in summer, cutting down on laundry hassles.
What I like — no, what I absolutely LOVE about winter is being able to wear wonderfully wonderful long dark pants and long sleeved sweaters. That cozy covered-up feeling makes me feel like The Ultimate Real True Jannie, the Jannie destined for the happiest of hippity-hopping everywhere I go.
How ’bout you? What do you like about winter?? (If anything.) 🙂
(The above photo of Dad, niece and nephew, December 2009 was pilfered borrowed from my beautifully wonderful sister’s blog. )
xoxo
Style & Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 29 January 2010 @ 7:08 AM
How do I even start this whole series?
The old fireplace seems a good spot. Guess I’ll just jump on in.
But let me douse the flames first. Ouch!
🙂
Above was Christmas Eve 1992 with our now deceased friend, Nick. Gee, this is off to a cheery start.
Anyway…
We enjoyed that fireplace for quite a few years until we demolished it.
I think the photo directly below must’ve been from about 1997, because the one after it was from 1998 when Mom and Dad visited.
And there was the fireplace…
… Gone!
That’s Dad standing on the ladder in the corner where it had been. And I see we’d already started on the new kitchen, as per the white cabinet off to the left. (Much of the remodeling projects on this house have overlapped over the years!)
Then… Dad and Jim knocked that wall down, thankfully not a supporting one! Thus, our old master bedroom (that area with the one little window) became part of the front (entry) room too.
Then… we busted out from the old master to a new addition at the far end, making the whole shebang one room, with the archway for style, of course.
And — Ta-Da! Finished room here below…
Judging from Kelly’s toddler toys off in the distance, I’d say the directly above was from c. 2003.
I’d show you a photo of the area now but I want to de-clutter it a bit first — I’ve furniture and a dozen big storage bins full of Kelly’s stuff there, hanging out while her room gets the penguin update. So, you’ll need remodeling patience too until I show you these wonders, all no later than 2014. 🙂
The carpet on the other side of the archway Jim built? That’s the stuff our pets so enjoying puking on!!! (We don’t even have that dark green area rug anymore, the pets did not treat it kindly. )
Sooooo, that’s one view of our house as you walk in our front door! Except said door will actually become a window, because we’ve built a breezeway with a new entryway at the front of the house, with the breezeway connected to a new 2-car garage with a living room up over it. That will be our “final” living / theater room — started over 6 years ago, but not yet finished. Hey, why rush into finishing these additions, we say?! Mind you, Jim does this house stuff in his spare time. And he does tend to have a few projects on the go simultaneously. Never a dull moment here with my wonderful Jim! 🙂
Did I mention the plan is to sell this house, move back to Canada and start the whole remodeling thing all over again. Oy!
But back to this house….
As you can well imagine, there was a fair amount of ruckus involved in our front room remodel, over the approximately FIVE YEARS it took for this project from start to finish!!! 🙂
These next two photos depict just a bit of said ruckus.
There is a lovely new fireplace in the back corner, I will showcase it some day. (Have a little de-cluttering to do there too!)
Lots of fun!! 🙂
And remember a few paragraphs above I told you we added a piece onto the old master bedroom, which then became part of the whole front room scenario? Here are a couple shots of that addition during construction…
Framing…
And even earlier — me helping Jim level the first floor joists.
Oh, and check this out! The adjacent room (with the circle-top window over French doors) was actually the very first of the 4 additions we’ve made to this house. (And I’m not even including the tree house in those 4.) Said first addition was erected between c. 1994 to 1996 — a room to be featured in upcoming posts. It was originally planned to be our main living room, but will be the master bedroom when it’s finished — yes, we’re even now remodeling the remodel! But it WAS a completely finished living room indeed for a good few years, which was joyful beyond compare!
hoo-woo!
So that’s it!!
Did I lose you, anywhere, Sweeties??
Oh, and I must add that once Jim gets the calling and tells me he MUST build something else, we basically design these additions together, and go for them. I generally plan the room lay-outs and features and he builds them for me, with me helping, and usually with not too much grumbling on my part! 🙂 I so pine to live in a finished house, Friends. I really do! And have pined for some years now. I mentioned we’ve been working on this house for 17 years, right??
Btw, Jim does ALL this woodwork himself (remember our dining room, which used to be a bedroom?)
He does hire helpers for slabs, framing, drywall, plumbing and electrical. And I do a lot of the painting. And all the decorating!
Oh, and a couple of you newer readers have asked why I’m called “The Queen Of Remodeling Patience.” That was Patricia Wisdom’s entry in my Jannie Funster tagline “contest” some moons ago. Patricia ended up being one of the five top finalists, with Lance the grand prize winner for his entry of “Singing For Beer And Donuts.”
Well, if you still have an atom of energy left after getting through this whole post, have you any questions? Comments?
xoxo
Family | Posted by Jannie on 27 January 2010 @ 7:24 AM
Did you think he was nekkid at first glance? That’s what Kelly thought during our recent Great Photo Organizing Frenzy when she found this pic of her dad, taken right around the time I met him. Jim-Him, that is. Holy cow — a little over 20 years ago now.
And yes, that sofa was here in this house when I moved in 19.6 years ago, omg. Can’t you just feel it’s ugliness scratching your skin?? Couldn’t you just single-handedly heave it onto the nearest bonfire, or back into the college dorm beer room from whenst it came?!?!
Wait — you had one of those uncomely couches pass through your life at one point too, didn’t you??!
Edit: [It’s not that Jim has or ever had “bad taste.” Money was tight for him back then and the sofa was a hand-me-down he gladly accepted.]
Luckily, we’ve moved on to more appealing sofas since then. And you will get to see each and every one of them! I’ve tons of photos from over the years that I’ve been scanning at the library for my upcoming “Queen Of Remodeling Patience” series, which will be posted in at least 12 installments. Maybe 20! I mentioned we started remodeling and adding onto our house almost 17 years ago, right? We’ve gone from 1400 square feet to over 2700. And now we’re remodeling the remodel! I should have the first installment ready for you on Friday. Hopefully. Possibly. 🙂
Exciting to no end, eh??
🙂
xoxo
Friends | Posted by Jannie on 25 January 2010 @ 7:51 AM
An awesome awesome poet — I mean the kind of poet whose words routinely butterfly bludgeon my heart, has bestowed The Scary Clown Award upon me!!
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
Whoo-hoo!!
my jannie so kikking bucktotts.
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
(I do kick a little butt on occasion, don’t I?)
yes, yoo does my jannie. hoo-woo!!
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
Whoo-hoo!!
hoo-woo!!
Okay enough of the crazy crap!
hoo-woo!!
hoo-woo!!
hoo-woo??
ENOUGH!!
hoo…
woo
wate, wot meens krap??
Ahem.
ahim.
Sigh.
giggel
Anyhoo…
Thank you Shay Fireblossom for the Scary Clown Award! I apologize for the delay. (I was scared of the word scary, but I think I’m alright now.)
THE SCARY CLOWN AWARD!! “Given to blogs which display a great sense of humor, and just the right leaven of attitude.”
hoo-woo!!
hoo-woo!!
hoo-woo!!
Blue Bunnyyyyyy!!!!
hoooo…
sorree, my jannie. I iz carried away. i taeks my pills now.
Good idea, BB!
Continuing right along… as per the no-rule rules of this award, I’m passing The Scary Clown on to bloggers whose posts consistently chuck chuckles at the world, from light-hearted to downright hootfest-y moments.
And the awards go to…
1. The Zen Of Motherhood. Anyone who knows Mama Z, is well aware that she is, among other amazing things, one funny funny blogging entity. Move over Dooce — Mama Z is in the house.
2. Paradise Valley 2 Hell’s Mountain And Over The Edge! Talking here about Paige (Of A Book,) one of my all-time heroes, who is funny even when she probably doesn’t particularly feel like being so. She’s just that way!
3. Ma Vie Folle. Sheila, this wise-cracker never fails to amuse, and it comes real nattcheril-like to this dear kooky friend of mine, dubbed by her own town mayor as “Snarky.”
4. Interstitial Life. K has a way of writing things that never fail to amuse. It that on purpose, K, or just something you have no control over? (P.S. Her second child, Audrey Ann, is almost 5 weeks old!)
5. It’s All About Joy “Mean” Megan Joygirl Bond!! 🙂 (“Mean” because she often typos out the “g” in her first name.) I LOVE this super awesome fantastically authentic and funny woman!!
6. Deeper Issues. Dot has been through a lot of upheaval since I’ve “met” her but she still bats at life with her witty dukes up. She CRACKS me up consistently. And is one of the most honest bloggers I know.
7. Shades of Crimson. Davina! Not just beautiful creative writing in all her posts, but always with undercurrents of rib-tickling bedazzlement and hints of fairy mischief.
8. Mom’s Cookie Jar (Not in any way to be confused with my typo of Mom’s “Cokie” Jar.) Funny snippets, musings and observations on life and love with two little boys. It’s been such a joy getting to know Cookie.
9. Yaya Stuff. Funny. Sweet. Wacky. Dear. In every shade of orange imaginable! And friends, after multiple miscarriages, and the recent heartbreaking newborn adoption that fell through at the last minute, it sure looks like Yaya and her husband will be adopting 4-year Alex very soon!!! So please, please keep your fingers crossed and your hearts and prayers open for this sweet, funny lady.
10. Feel Free To Laugh. (And I always do!!) Lane Savant. Strange as all get out, but just my total cup of wacky tea!! And a talented music composer too.
11. Momisodes. Always some twist of ticklement in her wonderfully well-written wanderings and whimsy. Momisodes — who is expecting baby number two, very very soon!
12. Windows 2 The Soul. I’ve got Blue Bunny. Tammy’s got Psycho Bunny. (Psycho bunny — qu-est que c’est?) Off-the-wall and much loved is my sweet funny Tammy.
13. There is NO thirteen!!
14. Chronic Healing. Another blogger who gets to the heart and soul of my funny bone. She who found Blue Bunny’s brother!! And even when her chronic pain and health concerns get her down, dear Jeanne gets to bouncing right back and making my day, over and over again!
15. Happymaking!! This blog more than lives up to its name! Heather Kephart — a naturally nutty gal I’d like to have holding my hand and encouraging me onwards in any dark alley at night — not that I plan to be in a dark alley at night — but you just never know. Heather would be the one to keep my spirits up.
15. Passing Thru. Betsy Wuebker — blogging on travel, inspiration, house, home, cooking and you-name-it! Wonderful stuff, her writing woven with the kind of unpredictably fun Betsy Wordage that is very infectious indeed.
16. Dream A Happy Life. Jeanne’s a gal of frolicking escapades in more ways than one. And she’s going to arrive here in Austin this Thursday! And stay for 10 days. I love her attitude — “You bring the donuts, I’ll get the beer!” And always so fun to read her comments here.
17. A Little Bit About A Lot Of Things Natalia Burleson, more than a mix of moxie and mirth, more than a myth of magical mystery — this maven of merriment is real as rain. Whether she intends to amuse or not, I always find myself smiling at her posts.
18. CSquaredPlus3 A real treat of a blogger if ever there were one. Chris tackles any topic always from the lighter side, with beautiful writing and an honest pure heart. She’ll take you on a good-humored ride wherever she goes.
19. A Sharing Connection Sara Healey. Dancing atop life’s tables, this lady brings out the fun in all of us with her an ever-present eye twinkle and a giggling heart — just the right mix of sweet and off-beat to keep me coming back for more.
20. Rainy Day Adrenalynn. Who the heck IS this wild and wacky Norwegian woman who’s always clowning and laughing through the mundane and sharing in her most off-the-all way? I’m not exactly sure how I found her — but she’s more than a blast to read.
21. Life Laughs And Lemmings Sami. She dances, you know! With unabashed flashdance abandon on her blog. She kicks senseless random arse with grace and aplomb. She is a rich riot of guts and glory. She will make you laugh.
22. The Levity Project. Katie West. Last on this list but FAR far from least! Public car dancer extraordinaire. Wearer of umbrella hat. Initiator of a laughter project that is indeed sweeping this nation. Katie is sooooooo IT, people for all the fun you’ll ever want or need!!!
So there they are!!
hoo-woo!!
The Scary Clown Award. Recipients may choose to pass it along on their own blogs. Or they may not. But one thing is for sure — they will keep me smiling and lifted in spirits, and hopefully for many, many years to come.
(Stay tuned for the upcoming Kreativ Blogger Award.)
hoo-woo!!
And a bit unrelated, but a very important new feature here (as Blue Bunny and I do endeavor to address your every blogging concern) please feel free to avail yourself of the Jannie Funster Complaint Department. Your input is always more than welcome there!
hoo-woo!!
Oodles of toodles!
hoo-woo!!
xoxo
hoo-woo!!
