Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

*hugs*
~JD~

I love the fall. The rich colors and the warm glow of the sun on a crisp day.  One of the things that Chris and I do EVERY year is go up to the Columbia Gorge. We like to go see the salmon spawning. Then we go to this little burger stand for lunch.  For me, this is a very emotional experience that I get to enjoy every single year. The struggle that those Salmon face, then coming back to the place they were spawned is pretty amazing.  Only to start this cycle for the next generation over again…wow.  I don’t know if it’s because of my birth sign… Pisces the fish swimming in opposite directions.  It may also be that I have a great love and respect of the outdoors.  Maybe it’s all these things combined, but it’s one of those things that touches  my soul.  I am thankful that Chris took me to see this, for the first time and that he continues to take me every year.

Another great thing I am thankful for is, Chris of CLSteele.com.  We have been together for ten and a half years and we have a beautiful daughter who is nine years old.  Recently, since I decided to go down this career path,  he has helped and encouraged me along the way. Believing in me and who I am.  I have done the same for him and it really shows in the length of our relationship and the way we love each other.  It’s wonderful when you find the person to experience your journeys with.  Someone who just takes you as you are.  He is that person for me.

While we all have these struggles in life, kind of like the salmon each year.  I fully believe that we can overcome them.  Nothing is perfect and those obstacles that we wake up and face with the dawn each morning, or lay are heads down worrying about each night, only build our character and make a stronger foundation.  Life is kind of like the tide, that will always ebb and flow.  At the end of the day,  it’s the person that holds your hand and experiences the great journey,  with you.  Here are a few photos from our day.  I love you Chris. 

I like to think that I am a pretty crafty, creative person.  Sometimes my projects turn out amazing and sometimes, well… I hide them in the closet! When I find them again,  I wonder “What was I thinking!?”.   However,  I was reading a book one day when I saw these beautiful peacock feather earrings and knew I was on a mission.  So there I am trying to figure out if anyone knows where to “buy” these earrings.   Many feather earrings out there, but NOT with the peacock feathers.   So in lieu of my frustration trying to buy these things,  I went and bought 2 peacock feathers and made them myself!

Then I was on to the next step of this peacock fascination…Who would wear these for me and let me do their makeup?   My thoughts instantly went to a friend that I work with named Victoria.   Now,  she is not your average lady here.  She is going to be a counselor and is going to graduate in the next year or so.  When she is not at school, she’s at work and likes to spend time with her boyfriend.   I try to think of a way to describe Victoria and it’s hard to put into words.  She is incredibly intelligent,  an old soul, one of those women you can sit and talk with for hours, thoughtful, considerate of feelings, stylish ( has an amazing sense of style) and always looks impeccable.  She is just a beautiful person and her outside beauty,  barely touches her inner beauty.  She truly is an example of the complete package.

When I had Victoria over, I had the time to talk with her about life matters.  She sat patiently,  while I tried to get the look I was going for and even showed me a lil secret on getting eyelashes to stick!  She volunteered her afternoon, before she went to work (she was out of school this time…but I told you she did one or the other ALL the time!) =)  To hanging out with me, to get poked and prodded.  Still being very new to all this, I think it turned out well.   She is stunning!  I always have to give a shout out to my other half.  He takes all these amazing pictures for me.  So, thanks Chris of CLSteele.com for taking the time out of your day to work your magic!   Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, to hang out and help me Victoria!  I always enjoy being around you.

*big hugs*
~J~

It sure can be interesting how you meet people.   My best friend Mel and I met almost a year ago (however,  it seems like I’ve known her all my life!)  We met because I play an online game called World of Warcraft and so does her hubby!  So, Chris (my fiance) and I knew him for at least a year and a half.  We would all talk online and just hang out together.  We considered him a friend already.  He is an amazing guy!  =)  But then they were having this “WOW” get together.  Well,  come to find out we have quite a few of us “gamers” that live in the Portland area.  So, we all met one Friday night and Eric brought Mel with him!  We just instantly hit it off and ended up huddled at the end of the table,  gabbing each others ear off  the entire night!  It was wonderful and that’s all she wrote!  Our one year BFF anniversary is January 16th!

Sometimes I sit and think ( well,  a lot of times I sit and think lol ) about how wonderful it is to have important friendships, relationships in our lives.  How fragile life is and how we really need to cherish,  the great times we get to be in each others company.  Over Labor Day weekend I was invited by my best girl to Hood River, Oregon.  It was an overnight trip, with wine tasting ALL day!   I wasn’t going to go because  1) I thought I should use all that money for school clothes.  2) It was my best girl Mel, her sister Mindy, and Momma Kathy’s trip.   I was feeling like I didn’t want to intrude on “their” girls trip. There I am,  JD the third wheel…well I guess technically fourth wheel,  but you get the drift!  Well, everyone can use an extra wheel right!?  So, I went!

This was my first all GIRLS trip ever!  I had one of the most memorable times in my life!  We started down the road at around 11am and hit Hood River, Or. about 1pm give or a take a few.  As we were making our journey down to our hotel, we meandered to a few Wineries. Mindy had everything mapped out like a professional tour guide! Wineries preselected and Kathy was a superb Copilot and Mel and I got to do our best impressions,  of  Penny 2 cents from the back seat!  Some wineries  were more appealing than others but when you are in good company and not on a timer, life is GOOD!

The scenery was beautiful, the drive so relaxing and we were just able to be girls!  I had this amazing time to get to know Mel’s family better.  Her sister Mindy is this totally outgoing, HILARIOUS, fashionable person.  Kathy is just one of the kindest souls you will ever meet.  Now I know where Mel get’s her amazing heart, compassion for everyone and their dog (literally) and her wonderful sense of humor.  I love her in all her SO NOT  “Vanilla-ness” (yes I know…not even a word! lol) =D

I think we had the BEST time at Naked Winery!  The girls working were running the rail like champs! Tattooing everyone with their “signature” kiss marks!  We were all laughing and when you go, you will know why!  Keep those glasses clanking and read the labels! =D  

We ended the night with some dinner at Full Sail Brewery and some shopping.  Then headed back to our rooms for some of the wine we bought!  Because it was my first girls trip and a WINE trip at that, I made each of us a wine glass with beaded stems (in different colors of course!) So when we got to our room we had a nice glass.  It was a real treat.  A fun, beautiful experience in the world of mothers, sisters, daughters and good girlfriends!  Thank you for letting me into your lives so sweetly.  To Mel, you are an amazing person and I’m happy to have you in my life! I look forward to many more girls trips with the 3 of you!

*hugs*

~J~

Yes, yes I know it’s been a bit too long.  It’s funny  how time kind of just sneaks up on you…                                                                                                                                                                                   

This week,  I learned how to perfect the mascara wand!  No, not the kind you pull out of your mascara tube ladies!  I like to call it “The fan”.  You should have seen the first time I ever looked at this thing!  I was baffled by it.  Looking at it made me nervous.  But I am telling you, it is great.  The nice thing about this brush is that it makes your lashes look perfectly layered.   I had fun with it and had the opportunity to use it a few times in the last week.  Thanks to Cacie and Katy, I feel successful in the mascara fanning!  =)  This is not one of those “handy” tools that you would use EVERY day either. It is a bit time consuming and hard to perfect, but fun anyways.   Mascara is a fun item to use,  so many different kinds to try.   What I have found to be so insane is that, ALL the ladies I have had the pleasure of applying makeup to,  have had REALLY long lashes,  I mean LONG!  It almost makes me jealous.   I guess that’s why they make the falsies…my sister would be totally envious because she has hardly any lashes.  I’m sorry SIS… mine are shorties too! *le sigh*

I have heard that the Maybelline BIG mascara is pretty good.  I think I might give it a try!  If anyone has used it and would like to share, please feel free to leave a note.  Because some of those “drug store” brands,  may just surprise you! =)  I hope that this finds you all well and in good spirits!  Hoping that YOUR Thanksgiving planning is going on without a hitch!  Till we meet again!

*hugs*

JD