Jillian Hope Joyner
It’s the Catch 22 of life and blogging – so much is happening that you don’t have time to blog, and then when you do, so much has happened that you don’t know where to begin, how much to say, or what to include/leave out so you don’t bore or scare your readers away. I like to write, in fact I love writing. I prefer writing to talking. If you know me you know that generally, I’m rather quiet. I prefer to listen. But with writing, I could go on forever – given time.
I’ll start with the most recent news first – my new granddaughter, Jillian Hope Joyner. That’s news enough, but the story is even better when you learn that she was born on my birthday, and we share the same rare blood type O neg, too. I could give you all the details, because I was blessed to be there for ever minute of it (who else can take all those once-in-a-lifetime photos?) But I won’t. I’ll share the usual, 7 lbs 12 oz, 20″, 10 fingers, 10 toes, a rosebud mouth and a very calm temperment.
- Big sister meets little sister
That sums up November 16 to present – a most memorable birthDAY and week spent with this wee priceless gift I received and her family.
Crowned with the Birthday Sombrero
- Amazing what a little lighting, wardrobe, hair and make-up will do.
This was taken at the amazing (and more discreet when it comes to acknowledging your bithday) Volt restaurant, home to (so cute) Top Chef contestant Bryan Voltaggio. Sunday brunch was a birthday present from my sister. Maybe I’ve been living wrong, but I have never had better food anywhere, than I had at Volt. Each bite was a bit of heaven, and of course the presentation was artistic. We all know cooking is an art, but Bryan’s art is a masterpiece. At one point he stepped into the dining room he made my eyes light up. (Star-struck? A crush? A fan? ) If I could have taken him home a gallon of his pear sorbet, it would keep me satisfied until my next visit, but I’ll just have to wait and dream. I’m rooting for him to win.
Sights on the Vegas Strip
Fountain show at the Bellaggio
This was taken inside the Pallazzo hotel where we stayed. Inside!
Another way I celebrated my birthday was to have my first ever Birthday Bash sale on TAP and had an amazing response. Thanks to all of you who participated. Timing was good because of all the holiday crafting taking place right now. Did you miss out? Be sure to sign up for my Newsletter where I announce all sales and other goodies FIRST. In fact, I’m considering a first ever (and maybe only) sale on my Fragments. I’m sure you won’t want to miss out on that.
Wow, it seems like so much is going on here (and believe me there is) but now you have the highlights. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes and exciting things are in the wings. It was in 2000, just about 10 years ago, that I went “public” with my LaLasLand website, began teaching and took the first steps of this journey I’m on – long before blogs, Facebook & Twitter. I like the fact that new, big changes are on their way in 2010, a new decade, tryly a new age.
My “If You Were Born on This Day” horoscope reads “Your expectations are high for this year and you’ll be able to meet them. You want the love and loyalty of certain people in your circle, and you’ll get it in January. You realize your leadership potential in March. Spring brings inprovement in your professional scene and probably a new cast of characters, too. I’m ready, with arms wide open. This sums it up perfectly.
Jillian, ready for the world with arms wide open
Are you ready with arms wide open? Drop me a line, make a comment. I’d love to hear your plans for 2010. And if you’ve read this very long blog entry this far – THANK YOU!
Wow! That food must have been something else! Looks like it ran away with the real Cake!
Happy Birthday!
in the Volt photograph, you are holding your hands PRECISELY as you held them, always, in the back seat of wendy and graeme’s car as we tooled across the north island of new zealand. i can just see those thumbs revolving around one another, always. ever the buddha, you are, and i miss you. stupid me, and you’ll think i’m an idiot for this, but i honestly did not realize you had changed your blog address, and wondered why i was never getting any notifications that you has posted. shows you how much i know.
so glad to see your beautiful face. i miss you, miss our talks. xoxo
I had to write after reading your post…My husbands birthday is 11/16, we have a daughter named Jillian (with red hair – do I see a hint of red in your precious little granddaughters hair?) and I have O neg blood!
Love reading your blog, thanks for always being thoughtful and thought provoking.
Happy birthday again Lesley!! Arms wide open is a great way to be, thanks for the reminder. and congrats to you on all your endeavors and your perfect new granddaughter and your arms wide open…
Well Happy birthday to Both of YOU!!! Jillian is beautiful and you are both so very lucky!! you to be albe to great her first moments and to watch her grow and she to have such a wonderfully creative and brave Grandmom.!!!
You trip and seminar in Vegas sounds very powerful. Hopefully I will be able to attend such a conference soon!!
Thanks again for all of the wnderful inspiration!!
Happy Holiday!!
Elizabeth
Lesley,
What a beautiful entry—I realy enjoyed reading about your new granddaughter and your new passion for whatever path your business takes. I am so happy for you that you were able to attend a conference to help you plan your direction. All things are looking great for 2010!
I too struggle with the direction for my art. The blog you encouraged me to start (remember me asking you, ‘What is a blog?’?) has been an evolving project. It has kind of taken on a life of its own, not at all what I intended. But I am dedicated to it and am enjoying it more and more. I need to get more art on there….but for me, the art is the photograph, I have found. And any fabric, jewelry, or paper form thereof…
Congrats again on all things going your way. You deserve it all and I am still so inspired by your words, your art, and your genuine self.
Congratulations again! Beautiful baby.
So glad you were able to get away and think about 2010 and what’s next.
Happy Birthday and blessings for the next decade.
Judy
Lesley:
It was great to meet you at SHINE! I see that you were blown away from the event as much as I.
Perfect title – Birth ~A New Beginning and writing. So TRUE! Sometimes we must look backwards to walk forward. I am so glad that you realized “it’s time for me to step up my game and step into my true purpose. It means moving outside of my comfort zone and living my passion. It’s big ideas and baby steps.”
I suppose I also am taking baby steps to move forward. I am in the midst of redesigning my website and changing my business model to fit my true self.
Best of luck.
My best for your success,
Mary Beth Huffman
Happy belated birthday. You are younger then I am and I have been where you are. New babies are wonderful and the love you have for them is unbelievable but make sure you carve out time for yourself and your business or you will too busy to do it. Make those teaching engagements and make sure you have at least a art day or two all by yourself so you can become more of what you already are -a creative artist with an “eye” for color and placement. Enjoy these good days. Peggy
What a busy fall! It was so wonderful to see photos of your new granddaughter. She is so sweet. I am eager to see what the New Year brings for you and your artistic endeavors. Thanks for posting news about your blog update on Twitter.
Happy Happy Belated Birthday, Leslie. Huge congrats on the birth of your lovely grand daughter!!!
Here’s to many more wonderful happy years for you both!