Royal Announcement! JAAAG Resurrected From The Dead

 

Okay, maybe "royal" is pushing it a bit, but only a bit.  I mean, hey, if Kate can announce her baby bump, I can trumpet the rebirth of one of my babies of sorts.

So, your attention please....

"It is with much gratitude and excitement that I announce a resurrection like none you have seen since Indiana Jones entered the tomb of the Templar Knights and correctly selected the most convented secular goblet in all of history.  Without further ado, Bellas and Hotties, may I present to you Just An All American Girl 2.0!"

It has been almost three, YES three years since I put this baby to bed.  Since then much has change, happened and been lived and loved in my life.  I have so much more to share and explore with you.

Why bring the blog back and why now?  Truth be told I mourned the loss of Just An All American Girl like loosing the connection with an old friend.  In it's heyday it brought me great happiness, sharing my thoughts, joys, mishaps and triumphs with what turned out to be a group of followers who humbly could relate to some, and at times, even much of what I had to say.

Yet, as they say, life happened.  Days turned into weeks, then months and well, you know how that story goes.  Still, there in the dense fog of memories a light burned in my heart, fueled by passion, for the light tapping of computer keys, the spinning of words and the self banter of rambling wit.  I think I always knew somewhere deep inside I hadn't seen the last of my faithful blog; or at least I held a hint of hope locked away with a itsy-bitsy blinged out skeleton key that JAAAG hadn't fallen too far down the rabbit hole.

So why now?  The stars have aligned.  Seriously, I don't know any other way to say it than that.  The timing was right, but probably more influential were the thoughts roaring around in my head needing an outlet so as I could get a good nights sleep.  And here we are.

What, oh what can you expect from Just An All American Girl 2.0?  That, my friend, you will just have to wait and see.

A Note To The Twenty-Three Year Old Me

I ran across some old pictures of myself from right around the time of my wedding twenty years ago. How interesting it is to look at that person I used to be, still want to be on some days but mostly would love to have been able to sit down with and have a good one-to-one chat?

If you could, what would you say to yourself? 

Here is what I would say to the twenty-three year old, soon to be newlywed - me:

I look like such a kid here.

Girlfriend,


Relax!  Just let it roll off your back and relax. That's the first thing you need to know if you ever want to make it through this life with a shred of sanity left.  Oh, they'll be people who certainly deserve a good piece of your mind and whom you could justifiably give it to and no one would argue with that.  But resist.  Resist not because you need to spare them a lesson or two, don't worry, karma is alive and working just fine in this universe. Resist the urge to school every wrong doer who has the audacity to offend or insult you for your sake, not theirs.  Girl, stress will wear you out and eat you up alive like a man-eating tiger.  And you want to know the real kicker in that whole thing?  It won't change their opinion one bit.  So save your breath, calm down and just let it go.  You deserve better.


And while we're on the topic let me just say that you don't want to get a stomach ulcer, I promise you, you don't. Those dang things hurt - a lot.  It will keep you up at night,  you'll feel like you've lost ten years off your life with each attach and it will make you wish you could go back and tell yourself to relax about most, if not everything, in life.


So please, for our sake, RELAX.

By the way, congrats on the marriage.  You know, after twenty years of marriage I'm still working to figure it all out but let me see if I can give you a heads up on a few things.

Wedding rehearsal with dad. (Sorry about bad photos - their old, ya' know, like me.)

First, you've got yourself a good guy there, no make that a great guy.  He's one of them that every women wants and girl you knocked this one out of the ballpark, so don't screw it up.


I know it is all turtledoves and roses right now and that's good because if it weren't I'd say not to get married, but reality will, as sure as you'll side swipe your husbands car on a post or get perms for another ten years, it will set in.  That is where a marriage really starts.  So let's see if I can give you some pointers on to Dos' and Don'ts when it comes to matrimony.


Major Don't number one.  Do not make your husband responsible for your happiness in life.  Now, I know you're pretty independent so you don't tend to lean towards anyone for your happiness, but the years will roll on, there will be disappointments, lost dreams, wrinkles and God forbid even a pound or two.  It isn't his problem how you feel anymore than it is your problem how he feels.  Get this in your head right now and you'll have most of this marriage think licked.  The only one responsible for your happiness is you!


Do however, remember to appreciate him, even when what you really want to say is "big deal, I can do that too."  A little appreciation goes a long way in a marriage.  I know you've got a good heart and deep down in there you do appreciate him, but you've got to let him know.  Men are like dogs, they need their egos stroked everyday, so I'd start practicing now if I were you.


Another Don't.  Don't get upset when he crosses over into your domestic territory and starts cleaning the house. I promise you this will be your biggest challenge FOREVER!  It is your nemesis, your Achilles heel. You tend to be a bit of a control and neat freak, now be honest, you know you are.  And he's a guy, right?  So inevidably he will not, I repeat he will not fold the laundry, wash the dishes, make the bed or load the dishwasher like you do.  It won't even come close no matter how many times you show him.  But I can promise you he will try to do those things for you because he loves you and wants to help.  Now I'm telling you, this one will cause you daily angst if you don't get control of it immediately and realize it just isn't that darn important which slots the forks go into in the dishwasher, he's gonna think your nuts and you'll be in too much dang pain from your ulcer to care.  Good luck on this one, your'e gonna need it.

Wedding Day with Mom & Dad - 12/89

Moving on to more positive things...stick to pink, blue, orange, fushia and chocolate browns they still are your very best colors to wear.

Keep working out and taking care of yourself, you'll be glad you did in your forties.


Mom was right, pamper your skin.  It will feel good when people think you are years younger than you actually are.


Your teeth, ugh your teeth.  All I know to tell you here is either have good dental insurance or save up lots of money.  I'm sorry, I don't know how to get you around this.


Speaking of money - you might want to sit down for this one.  First the good new. You and hubby's hard work and drive will award you with an abundant income. Within a few short years you will be able to afford many of lifes little luxuries.


Now the bad news.  Oh were to begin, where to begin.  Okay, I hate to sound like Nanny No Fun, but let me just lay it out straight for you.  If you don't screw up your finances, you and hubby could be millionairs within a little more than a decade.  How's that for a kicker.  And now for the climatic BUT...


But there will be things tempting to derail you on this path.  First, take that credit card you got in college, yes I know it has a very low balance, but take it anyway and tear it up.  Right now.  I'll wait.  And if you ever, I mean ever get another one I want you to immediately slice and dice it up with a pair of scissors like it's the main ingredient in a chef salad.  Those little plastic buggers will cost you years of your financial freedom.


Next, when it comes to buying cars and boats and any other little toy you two can dream up, don't take out a loan to purchase them.  Instead save up your money and pay with cash..


What do you mean that is not possible, sure it is.  I know for a fact it is so hush up and just do as I say so we can live in the lap of luxury in years to come.


You need to heed my warning on this one or your going to have a rude awakening one day and it won't be pretty  Do you want to find yourself forty-three years old, in debt and with very little put into retirement?  No, I didn't think so.  Now please, I'm begging you, avoid debt like it was Satan come a knocking on your door.  Tell it to go away and leave you alone because this is a house of God fearin'- financial freein' people. 

Now, for a bit of useless wisdom...

Mr. & Mrs.

Keep wearing those bikinis honey for as long as you like.

Your baby will throw up on you a lot and after that your husband will never want to eat, smell, see or even hear about blue, goat or feta cheese again, so enjoy as much of it as you can until then.


Remember to actually put tuna in a tuna casserole.


A new show will come out in a little over a decade called American Idol.  Watch it , you're gonna love it.


Your feet will permanently go up a half a size after you have a baby so the sooner you stop trying to squeeze into your old shoes the sooner your feet will stop hurting.



No matter how many ways you make meatloaf your hubby will not like it.  So stop trying and just order it in a restaurant.


When you cut a live extenstion cord with a pair of scissors it will create a heck of a spark.


Don't drink alcohol on an empty stomach, you'll throw up every time.


Something else I feel compelled to pass along to you is to not wear your heart on your sleeve.  I know you won't listen to me on this one but try to anyway.  There are a lot of bloody idiots out there who get their jollies by hurting other peoples feelings.  Try as best as you can not to let it get to you and even more importantly, try not to let it create enough fear to keep your from living the life you want.


Stick to writing my dear.  It was your first love and will bring you lots of joy over the years.  When you were a little girl you knew it and you should have listened to yourself more.  It will bring you much, much comfort in life - I promise you this.


By the way, what the keck happened to that girl who loved to fly in airplanes.  I mean, you're in the Air Force for God's sakes.  All I know to tell you on this one is when that day comes where you all the sudden decide you are afraid to fly (and I think it has something to do with becoming a mother) stop those irrational thoughts right there in their tracks.  I do not want to spend the rest of our life dreading impending flights for weeks before they actually happen mixed with a love to travel.  It is just too dang difficult a situation to figure out.  So get it together women and never give up your love for flying.  You better listen to me on this one because I am not dedicating the rest of my traveling years to just seeing the country in an RV.


When you become a mom many years from now, your going to be a great one.  That little boy will be your world and there won't be anything you wouldn't do for him.  So relax.  You aren't going to be perfect at it, your going to have difficult days with him, he will push you to your emotional limits if you let him because he is just like you.  There are only a couple of things you've got to know to be a good parent and I think you already do, you're just going to need to remind yourself from time to time.


First, love him for who he is. He will bring into this world a mix of you, your husband and somethings you have no idea where they came from.  But he will be uniquely who he is.  Give him space to grow, teach him how to make good decisions and love him right were he is on his journey.


When you can look at him with love in all he does (note to self,  that doesn't mean you have to like everything he does) he will honor you later in life by becoming the best version of himself, because you got out of his way and allowed it.

I've saved the most important for last. Don't be afraid to live life to it's fullest.  You are only going around once or at least only one time you'll remember, so do it all. You have a unique way of looking at life that has always been a blessing, but life will try to wear you down at times, don't let it do that.  Stand your ground and be the person you know deep down you are.  You have so much to offer the world, don't hide it away for years out of fear of criticism or the "not good enoughs", life is so, so short.

On Honeymoon in Hawaii.

Remember to dance every dance.  Laugh even if you are the only one laughing. Reach for the good feeling thoughts in all that you do and the universe will yield to you the life you've been dreaming of.


It's a good life.  A really, really good life your going to get the pleasure to live.  All you have to do is relax and enjoy!

From me to You, Jamie

My All American Guy

Since I homeschool our son, when I need to go somewhere and it is probably best he not go (like the hairdressers - little boys hate it there) then Ethan hangs with his daddy while he works.

Such was the case the other day.

After I got all beautiful thanks to my wonderful stylist Jenn (please just agree with me it makes me feel good) then I went to where my husband was working to pick Ethan up.

Ken has a company that does Paintless-Dent-Removal, which means they take door dings and hail damage out of vehicles with out having to paint and do body work on them.

For the past sixteen years I have spend countless hours having conversations with my husband while watching him do exactly this.

I love watching him work (in a proud sort of way, not a lazy one.)   He truely is my All American Guy.

And then came the switcheroo with Ethan.  You can tell what was important to our son while he left dad to get the rest of his "things to keep busy while dad works".  Love those guys.

Also...

Congrats to the winners of my Dave Ramsey Book giveaway.

Kelly from The PursuitofMommyness.com

and

Carla

So ladies send me an email with your shipping address so I can get those books off to you ASAP.  Congrats!

The Snow Storm That Hit The Southeast

Okay, those of you know me understand that I have a servere allergic reactions when it comes to snow and cold weather.  Really, I do!

Okay, maybe not really but I might as well.  God created me to live in warm climates and that was just the way I popped onto this earth.  I can't help it.  (Ironically I was stationed in Grand Forks, ND while in the Air Force, hows that for karma?)

Anyway, if you've all been watching the news the last couple of days you are aware we got a snow/ice storm here.  We obviously did not move far enough south.  Global warming anyone?  Where is the global warming I was promised?  I demand to see my share of it.

Oh well.

So the snow began and this is what I woke up to yesterday morning.

Ken, being the smart man he is, illegally parked his van at the top of the hill in front of the house instead of leaving it in the garage.  Last year he almost didn't make it up the hill.  No worries this year, he just played hooky from work.  Shhh, don't tell his boss.

I took Lego and for his morning duty...

...and that's me in by pajama bottoms and snow boots I've had for over a decade and probably will have the rest of my life because they see so little action.

It was a dreary overcast day - aaaallll day!

I swear I would go bloody mad as our British friends like to say if I had to live in cold dreary climates for more than one day at a time.

So to occupy my mind and ward of the crazies, I baked.

I baked bread.

Then I made a Coconut Cream Pie - trust me when I say it was delicious!!!

Oh - I also started on an apron I should finish up soon.  I'll show you the pics and how-to when I'm done.

Today, thankfully we awoke to a more humane greeting with the sun shining.

So we took a walk...

And this is where we walked to.

As long is there is a Starbucks open I know a hint of civilization still exists in a land of frozen tundra.

Thank God for small miracles.  Jamie

Look At These Divine Dishes I Discovered

These are my Rosanna Dishes I've had for quite a number of years now.

I pull them out when someone in the family is having a birthday.

I thought I would give you a preview of the new line of Rosanna dishes coming out next months.  They make me just want to bake and bake.

Take a look and vote for your favorite.

Artist's Loft

Mixing together an eclectic blend of Retro, Baroque, Paisley and Victorian somehow makes these whimsical dishes work.

Buon Viaggio

Inspired by the jet-setting of the 1950's - Bon Voyage!

Cupcake

Deeelishh!

Decor BonBon - Colors

Love the retro feel from the 1930's.  Where's my apron?

Decor Bon Bon - White

A throw back to the Victorian inspired cake pedestal.  Love the simplicity in the white.

Eat Dessert First

These remind me of the birthday ones I own I showed you at the top.  Perfect for all kinds of festive occasions.

Farmers' Market

Love the fact that this set would be great for everyday dinning.  Reminds me of the Sonoma Valley.

Gelato

You say Gelato I say Gelatoe...

Ice Cream

Again, the 1950's inspired her whimsical design here.

La Petit Hameau

Named for Marie Antoinette's "little  village" of Versailles, these dishes give way to the splendor of 18th century toile.  Love the pink and chocolate combination.

Les Petit Pois

Wonder Bread meets tea time.  Fun!

Petite  Treat

This my favorite.  Love the little pedestals for the cupcakes.  I most certainly will be getting these.  The only question is how many to order?

All are made of refined procelain and microwave/dishwasher safe.  Although she does recommend hand washing on most.  I always hand wash mine.

Here is the website you can go to to find out more about these dishes or check out the other great collections she has.  Rosanna, Inc.

Okay, time to vote on your favorite.  Feel free to facebook, tweets or just scream across the lawn to your neighbor to check these out and vote.

HINT:  I'm thinking about giving the most popular out next month in my next Giveaway.  So get those votes in. 

Use the poll at the top of this page to give your answers!

Live a Delicious Life,
Jamie

All American Girl: 101

You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl. When I was four I foolishly walked up behind my older brother just as he was preparing to deliver a round-house blow to a baseball on a warm June day in a neighbors yard. Five stitches later, a swollen lip and a doting father passed out on the cold linoleum floor of the doctors office from watching a needle and thread disappear and reappear from behind my lip, you'd think I would have learned. Somewhere shortly within that time span I decided that Evel Knievel had nothing on me when the words "Daddy look!" cheerfully escaped my mouth as I rushed proudly down a steep rock driveway worthy of the Appalachian mountains, my father running behind me shouting fearfully, "Peddle backwards! Peddle backwards!" But it was too late. The big oak tree and I had a date at the bottom of the hill and I wasn't about to stand him up. So second round of a swollen lip and scraps all over my face, my family no doubt feared the rearing years ahead not for the first time in my very short life. I on the other hand, secretly held to the notion that if I could just try again I know I could make it down without a crash. A belief, by the way, I still hold true today. Then there was the time I was about seven and my bother slammed my head (yes my head, not hand) in the door of my dad's old pickup truck. So technically this one is not my fault. Did I mention I have four brothers. One of my favorites was the time at about 10 years of age I flipped my bicycle over and passed out. All I remember was a sing-songy version of the words "Captain Crunch" repeated over and over in my head like a nursery rhyme. There also was the time when another brother and I were riding motorcycles on a dirt bike trail and he hit a bump, I flew off and... ...did I tell you about falling out of the car when I was a toddler? I've almost forgot about that one. It's amazing what 40 plus years can do for your selective memory. From fear of boring you further, let's just leave it at the fact that I was, and in many more ways than I care to admit still am, a tomboy. If my brothers did it I was going to do it better, faster and smarter. I always dreamed big: big ideas, big aspirations and big expectations of myself. "Fates be dammed" was my motto, it has served me well. So, flash forward to today. I may be more polished, have a higher education and dress modern and stylish, but I'm still that little country girl growing up in the rural communities of southern Illinois and once again I find myself not walking but running like Harry Potter through the maze in search of the next new adventure this little girl can sail away on and live to tell about. It is daring, it is bold and yet some will say outright simplistic. I'm going on the adventure of a life time. I'm going to relearn my old country girl ways and with the wind at my back and all synapses firing, it is time to set sail. So the stilettos will go in the closet (for just a little while,) the Italian food at Vivace will have to wait a bit longer for this girl to savor it's gifts, as I take on the homesteading life of an All American Girl. Up first, an attempt to make jelly...