jeanne who? The Scoop.

It's been nearly two years since I wrote the original "Jeanne Who?" profile below.

I figured it was time for an update.

November 2012

First of all,  If you read the original below....since then, the dog really did die.. in the living room on a Sunday.. poor Mike. So did my dad, but not in my living room.

And the children really are smart. More book smart then I will ever be and where they got it I have no idea. They amaze me daily. As in a 'what did you just say? I have to get the dictionary to decode it' sort of way.  Where did they get the brains? 

This past year, I did away with the minivan. (High five to myself and to mothers of children everywhere.) and purchased a zippy little car.  It holds garage sale finds splendidly and has a great stereo. Two essentials.  

In the past two years since starting the blog I've been a painting maniac. From walls to lettering and much in between.  Thank you for reading along and sticking with me. It's fun to see the blog evolve. It's my alter ego and has a life of it's own.  It's crazy. I've become the artist and photographer that I've wanted to be. Who knew?

What drives me insane:

• Spitting in public. Omg. I can't handle it. Gross. Please spitting dudes, control your saliva.

What makes me giddy happy:

• People who are genuinely kind.  Simple.
• Naps.
• Great coffee.
• When the dishes are done, the kitchen is clean and the lunches are made and in the fridge.

That's a tiny updated glimpse of me, a wildly creative gal, a working full-time wonder woman, a crafty and crafty.. mom.

xo jeanne.

January 2011

I need to make stuff, paint stuff, add stuff and then do it again. I need to write, draw and create.  If for no one else but for me- it's taken me 44 years to say it out loud.  Being creative comes easy to me. I used to think everyone could just do it if they wanted to.  I'd kind of look at them strange if they couldn't  picture a room totally redecorated in their mind even before the first paint can had been cracked open.  Can't everyone do this?  The same with a scrapbook page.  I see them in my head, finished and perfect before the paper is even bought.  Call me crazy.  Now I realize this is a gift and I should be thankful for it and share it.
Eureka! And so I have Bees Knees Bungalow.

I'm into 'how things really are' and not so much the fluff.  One thing you won't receive from me is a Christmas Letter.  Instead of how fabulous life is and how many trips to the Caribbean we took - my letter would sound something like this:  "The dog died, we put the couch on the curb with a 'free' sign on it, the basement flooded twice and oh joy of joys - the marriage counselor looked at us like we were hopeless. But by some gigantic miracle, the children really are straight A students!  Happy New Year!" 

I love a fabulous garage sale where I stumble upon Mabel selling her grandmother's old jewelry for well... a quarter.  I've seen it more times then I can count.    Or "That was my Aunt's china.....how about $10?"  Sold!  This blog is born of such stories. Filling the car and driving home looking like The Clampet's.  I can't wait to get that on film this coming Spring and Summer.  And oh the fun we have. Delirious and silly.

And the Vintage Love. I dig objects with character and style. I love grandma's linens. I like old stuff with panache.  Antique stores have me at 'hello.' 

Somewhere in there I can decorate my house, with the help of The Cabinet Maker - Paul my wood worker extraordinaire husband.  He is the reason I have a wrap around porch, fab kitchen, a fun little stairway and custom furniture.  He can build anything and is a perfectionist at what he does. 

Those four children:  The four kids did not come easy. There were years on infertility and losses.  If you told me then that I'd have 4 children I wouldn't have believed you.  I took more Clomid then I could calculate. I can tell you about basil body temperature and ovulation.  It's indelible in my brain. I am sure I bored my friends to tears. So hugs to anyone who is going thru it.  There is light - and lots of laundry waiting.

I love a deal, but not so much that I'll buy 12 of something just because it's on sale.  I love a deal because with 4 kids, a full time job, a mortgage, pets and a yard... well I have to love a deal.  I really don't mean to be cheap. Right now it just comes with the territory.  I am busy.  I work full time. This blog is not my job - I do it for fun.  I love a good nap. My home is not dusty, it merely has patina.

My decorating co-captain Linda inspires me, pushes me and we laugh along the way, thank god.  Because of our friendship I am a better person.  Thanks Quandie.  I am blessed to have many darling girlfriends who put up with me.
They are all saints.

Somehow, I get to write about it all, take pictures of it and share it here. It's amazing and I'm happy dancing that I get to do it.  I am a Southern California girl, transplanted to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.   During the long winter months I have learned that when all else fails.......Decorate!!

xo J.