Jax's Artistic Journey...

Mr. Right spent about 4 hours hanging out with my 4 older brothers at the BBQ dinner outdoors. I basically abandoned him to hang out with the women inside to help handle all the 10+ kids ranging from 2-18 years old. It was exhausting and made me relieved I didn't have kids of my own to deal with. Gotta love their energy--but, man, they wiped my butt out! I must have gained so much weight with all the food feasts but now it's back to the grind and work obligations. Yes, I was terribly proud of Mr. Right for getting along with everyone and catching a glimpse of my insane family!

Today Mr. Right has a day off so he's finally taking me on a partial day date. We're going to see Julie & Julia and spend some quality time together. Then I'm going to take a few hours in the evening to work so I am not totally swamped this weekend. Wow, life does pass quickly when you're busy!

Okay, I've got to get ready and I'll report back on what I thought of the movie. SQUEE--so excited!

It's one of those spur of the moment family reunions. My siblings attend an annual Catholic retreat in St. Louis, Missouri every year and this year they decided to make it a family road trip. For the last three days I've been spending it with my siblings and their children. We've had a feast at various brother's homes and yesterday I brought Mr. Right. It's the first time they've ever met him so I made him extremely nervous about the customs and proper etiquette. He was all nerves by the time he made it through the door at my second oldest brother's home. There was at least 25 people which included adults and children in one place. My sister-in-law made a traditional hot pot of duck stew with Asian veggies. It was scrumptious! I haven't had authentic home cooking in a while. Tonight my oldest brother invited us all to his home for a steak and BBQ dinner as a way to include Mr. Right into our mix. It's such a sweet gesture because I think they really like him. I feel a sense of relief, after all, he's the only Caucasian in the mix and it's just funny to see him try to interact with a traditional family. It's reminds me of those big Italian families...we have enough people to make up a clan! I hope we'll survive the chaotic evening. Mr. Right may be a little overwhelmed with the amount of family I have, but that's not everyone, I'm afraid :) He's taking it better than I've expected and he has no clue of what he's getting himself into!

I've been busy working on my YA and it's starting off well. My niece read the first five pages and has given me the thumbs up that she likes it and the premise! YAY for me, which she is my demographic! At least I'm doing something write. I'm hoping to finish this project by Monday night if all goes well. Of course, I've got several things planned to participate in this week for my chapter and going to a Super Saturday conference in the Cocoa Beach area Saturday. Seems like there's always something going on. I haven't been able to write at my favorite cafes because my laptop is having operating system issues. Basically, I need to re-install the operating system..now, if I could only find my original disk! The cross country move has made it difficult to locate anything. Can't even find my suits and some of my favorite clothes! Sigh...

I don't know about you but I just realized next year is my 20-year high school reunion!!!! Yikes! I have participated in my 10-year in 1999 and it was a total blast, but 20 YEARS! Has it been that long already? Some folks weren't able to make the 10-year but I am wondering if they will come this next go around if it's being organized. I hope it will take place. I loved my high school and had good times there...sorry, took a moment to digest that I'm in my mid-thirties.

Well, growing up in a small town was amazing. You really do get to know EVERYBODY. You get to see everyone's personality come out and where each person was heading in school popularity. It's those moments that are great for writing about. Most of my classmates were kids I went to elementary school with and it's sad that I didn't keep in touch with them after graduating. It didn't help that I moved out of state senior year but the school still invited me to participate. Good times.

What about you..do you have a reunion coming up? Any good juicy stories? Wanna walk down memory lane... I may just walk down with you...

I recall those college years when life was carefree and there was a whole lot of craziness going around. I can't tell you every sordid details but it was the time in my life where I could only say I would never forget or regret. So many faces, people, friends, yet I remember them all. Lately, I've been contacted by many people from my past. People I had never seen or spoken to in YEARS! Ex-boyfriends, college buddies, childhood friends...A few weeks ago I was contacted by someone from out of the blue. He was the first friend I met when I went away to Gainesville and because of him I met a whole network of people. Twelve years later he is a doctor and has a well established practice in Maryland. How strange life can be that most of these friends I've re-connected with are living the same life...they are going through divorce or are divorced. Some with children, some without. Some are successful, some still finding their own way. It's a time when a glimpse of the past tells you that the person you are now is the person you should be. I'm thankful I had good experiences. I'm thankful I had fun and took what life had to offer. I'm thankful that I can look back and know that I did those stupid, insane, exhilirating things and took those portions of youth with me...I wouldn't change a thing. Never.

So we talked for hours, going through adventures and memories, discussing who we were then and who we are now. It's so amazing that over a decade has passed and we still have this friendship, this connection. As if it was yesterday! WOW! Is all I can say. I'm going to have a reunion with the friends whom I shared crazy times with. It's going to be a bit of a surprise...seeing as I haven't changed one bit. Maybe a little more rock 'n roll and a bit more daring than before, but inside, I have only changed a fraction...for the better.

I can only see vast opportunities in my future and I am so fortunate I have shaped my own destiny in my own way. I'll continue making new memories, new friends, new love, new life...but the past will remain a teaching ground for which to grow....