Sometimes I feel...

lost
scared
stuck
imperfect
old
immature
lazy
sick
drowning
and incredibly sad.

But then...

gloriously,
I'm reminded off all the things than I AM...

blessed
creative
strong
curious
protected
pretty
okay
grateful
loving
eclectic
unique
and the best dang copier ever...even if I need reminders...and sometimes they're grey.


My life has been such a mess of life experiences lately. I've:

become invisible,
received my first university A...
...and F...
...and a current D-,
witnessed abuse,
cried at the thought of the slain bunny,
cooked Tofurky,
played Sinterklaas,
fought with my ISP,
wondered where my sense of calm was coming from,
and hoped that I was "enough".

I really hope I am...

29 before 29

A few months back, I came across Leni's blog-a happy, inspiring, picture filled blog. Inspired by her, her '26 before 26' post, and in honor of my birthday I give you my:

29 before 29:

A List of 29 Goals, Aspirations, Dreams and To-Do's before I Turn (gulp) 29

1) Go to NAMM

2) Attend 3 STYX shows-at least ONE of them gets to be out of town: 1 2 3 - OOT

3) Complete my first year at AAU and register for year 2

4) Start composting

5) Buy a Henna Luna

6) Learn to play 'Crystal Ball' on my acoustic, fluently

7) Re-invent myself every 4 months-exploring color, new styles and accessories: 1 2 3

8) Have a Psychic/Angel reading

9) Enter 12 contests: one for each month: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (I AM Lucky!)

10) Scrapbook Europe

11) Study a new artist each month: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

12) Watch EVERY James Bond movie: There are 18 official and 3 non-canonical.

13) Have 'All Alone' days every other month: 1 2 3 4 5 6

14) Take mini vacations with friends

15) Study Music Theory

16) Reach goal weight. 31 lbs to go!

17) Make Christmas-BY HAND!

18) Learn to Hula-Hoop (and explore the Hoopnotica Workout!)

19) Read a book each month: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

20) Go to more concerts: explore local artists, and big names.

21) Become more aware of where my money goes and what I spend my money on

22) Plan a vacation to someplace NEW!

23) Continue with my new Vegan diet and cut out artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils and processed foods

24) Photograph my life more and SHARE the pictures

25) Listen to more female artists. Find at least 5 I love: 1 2 3 4 5

26) Explore my family history

27) Create something by hand each month: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

28) Attend at least one ReAL game.

29) A secret. This item is actually TOP on my list...and the one I want most.

So there you go, my loves. 29 things to keep me REALLY busy. I will print and hang this where I'll see it often to keep me on track and mark off the items as I complete them. Please feel free to participate in any of these with me...

Stars and Kisses,

j

Personal Transformation

4 weeks ago, I made a big decision.

I had been toying with Vegetarianism for years now. I'd go a day or two meat-free and be VERY proud. I've been working on a new list, inspired by Leni, my "29 before 29"-a fantastic list of to-do's, to-tries, and to-be's before I turned 29. #16 on that list was, "Explore a Meat-Free week and record the results." I felt happy, fulfilled, light and free the days that I left the meat out...but I'd always get sucked back in because I LOOOVED cheese and butter and bacon and ice-cream and BBQ's and... The salads at Cafe Rio make me drool a little bit. Training Table? YES PLEASE!-One Hickory Burger Combo, added bacon, with Cheese Fries, dipping sauce and a large Diet Coke. East Coast's Ham & Cheese with everything but onions. Yummm...

Until I read about three pages in T. Colin Campbell's, (PhD) book, The China Study.

I decided then-June 24th, 2009 that I was going to cut ALL animal protein out of my diet.

No Meat

No Dairy

No Eggs

I did it not to be ethically sound or to save the planet-I did it for a perceived selfish reason: My Health. But...the good news? I AM being ethical and am saving the planet! By not consuming these "foods" I am almost eliminating my chance of getting cancer and Type 1 Diabetes (both diseases are in my family-on my Mother's AND Father's side.) as well as supporting animal rights and NOT supporting the chemicals and pollution that comes from "processing" animals. There's not even the packaging to deal with. When buying fresh veggies, you get the produce bag-which can be recycled in Murray (either in my city issued recycling can OR I can take them to work-my Elementary school recycles grocery bags!)

In 4 weeks I've lost about 5 pounds and an inch each off of my tummy, thighs and arms. My skin is smooth and glowing. I need less sleep, have more energy and am tolerating heat better. I'm eating less, burning more. I never thought that I could get so full on veggies and brown rice...

ALL by just by cutting out animal protein.

About three weeks into this transformation, I received an email from one of my favorite online shops, Mod Cloth. They are having a Terrific Transformation contest in honor of their website make-over and asked for each of their friends to blog about THEIR biggest transformation. When I read it, my new lifestyle had clicked so well that I didn't think that it HAD been a personal transformation-it was just my new, easy life. Then it hit me-when I finally took a GOOD look at myself. I had made this change. I made this choice. A change that gotten me on a great path. More energy=More accomplished. Feeling Better=GREAT choices. And so on, and so forth.

I really believe that because of the HUGE, yet simple choice of becoming Vegan it has made it possible to start so much and clear negative beliefs, feelings, and thoughts. I've started attending my Church meetings with a good friend and for the first time in my life, LOVE IT. I've also committed to attending fall classes at The Academy of Arts University. (I can earn my degree 100% online! I just got info back today!)

Life is good.

j

Let Them Eat Cake...

Sofia Coppola is one of my favorite writer/directors.
Kirsten Dunst is a HUGE fave of mine. So is Jason Schwartzman.

Naturally, I fell in LOVE with Marie Antoinette some years ago. Who wouldn't?

"Marie Antoinette defied both royalty and commoner by living like a rock star..."

Inspired by the look and feel of the movie as well as the AMAZING soundtrack (I'm in love with songs, 'Opus 36' by Dustin O'Halloran, 'Ceremony' by New Order and 'The Melody of a Fallen Tree' by Windsor for the Derby) and Donna Downey's 'Inspiration Wednesdays' I went to work transforming an otherwise blah journal.

The movie is so rich with color (pink, cream, orange, teal, light blue, sea foam green, sepia...) and sparkles and layers upon layers of INTENSE texture. I wanted to see what would happen when I pushed myself so I used the lavish feel of the music and the history as a template and completely ignored my inner instinct when I felt it was time to stop layering and adding. (Once I felt that "need" I pushed it another FULL day-about 6 hours of watching the movie and listening the music and adding MORE!)

THIS was the result:

Over the top Kisses,

j

M.U.S.E. you satisfy my soul...

Life is good.

Thanks to the time off (all total, I get 10 weeks. I'm in the middle of week 4 of 10 now) I've had LOADS of free time, creative time, down time.

Time to FINALLY get some of those "sudden bursts of stupidity" (thanks Mr. Miller) out into the open, onto paper, out of vinyl.

After sitting in front of the fabulously addictive Cricut, I had one of those inspiring moments and out of it came M.U.S.E. Guitar Bling! :)

So far, I've made a good 300. Lots of cutting, figuring, arranging, sitting with a quilting needle pulling off the vinyl that's not part of the design. Happily, they are selling and selling FAST at Starchild. Then...people in Bountiful saw the designs and wanted some-they then went to their local amazing shop (Murphy's Guitars) asking for them. I've since been in contact with Murphy's and sent them 80 designs, on a consignment basis. In less than a week, he's decided to place them ON the counter by the register and sell them full time! I'm in negotiations with him now...

I created M.U.S.E. Guitar Bling as a way to personalize MY guitars without damaging the surface. The brilliance of Static Vinyl is it's just that! Static! It sticks when you want it to (to any slick/shiny surface) and comes right off-no mess, no goo, no damage to your gorgeous piece of soul. (Yes, I'm talking about your guitar!) Or mirror, pic frame, sliding door, window, bathroom tile, candy jar, etc., etc., etc.,

Just HAVE to have one but can't make it to Starchild or Murphy's? Good news... 6 of my best selling designs are now up on Etsy!

Find them here! jonnajonna.etsy.com

Stars and Love, ;)

j

Follow the MUSE

Can I keep the goal I set for myself? Can I really walk 1 mile a day? (Seems like such a silly goal-but when you think about it...and the fact that I'm NOT working this summer...)

I threw it out there and asked my fb friends who was in. So far, the response has been amazing. To support us in the this quest I've created an open group, "Follow the MUSE" to connect us and get us motivated, etc. You can find us here:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=11167&uid=111570231513#/group.php?gid=111570231513

Come join us!

j

A Happy Space

(Me...)

(Best part? I still can't find everything.)

(The happy Cricut)

(Yes, Todd wrote my name... :))



So...a year or so ago I took over half of B's room and renamed it "the craft room". Then I decided that I wasn't going to just sit in the corner, putter and watch old VHS tapes, I was actually going to be productive.
{Hench the purchasing of the Cricut.}



Today, I reclaimed the space and named it:









"My Studio"









Why? I'm an Artist dammit! :)




I totally deserve a happy, happy, inspiring place to create M.U.S.E. I've earned that, right?

Enjoy the pics as much as I enjoy my space, My Studio.

j

...and I quote...

"That Tommy Shaw knows his shiz!"
says ever delicate B.


While playing the "Should I File it or Toss it???" game with a pile of old stuff I came across my receipt for my first guitar: an Ovation Celebrity MS 257. The receipt was dated May 20th, 2000. I also found the journal entry from the day I knew that I had to hold my own guitar in my hands...

Let's go for a ride...

"May 16th, 2000

STYX!!!

I saw STYX!!! I saw Tommy Shaw! Row 15 Sec. FAA. I stood on my chair for the opening song,
'Brave New World' and for 'Blue Collar Man' then a man with a flashlight yelled at me and told me to get down, I didn't want him to take me away, so I did...

Tommy played 'Crystal Ball' on his green 12 string Taylor. While singing along, I had an overwhelming feeling that I NEED my own guitar. Thank you, Mr. Shaw!"

I spent the next three days digging and researching to find my PERFECT guitar and found it on May 20 at Wagstaff Music (it was here in Murray-then it was torn down to build Borders, etc.)

Fast forward 9 years and 10 days to the night of my last STYX show, Tommy walks out with his green Taylor and talks about 'Crystal Ball' being his first song for STYX and how glad he was that it was the title track of his first record with the band. And then, he began to play...

I had that same feeling as I did way back then when he sang. This time, I knew that I had got to learn the song and make it mine.

I took my music (TAB) to B, who looked it over with wide eyes and said, "It's gonna be hard Seester!" I told him I gave myself a year to learn to play it "fluently". He told me he'd give me until the end of Summer. Last Saturday was our first attempt at the song (fingerpicking) and we got through THREE MEASURES!!! THREE!!!

It was then that B said what he said about Tommy. I second.

j

The Krylon Bandwagon

Inspired by the painting frenzy-patio chairs and the inside of the Studio-Donna Downey's "Inspiration Wednesdays", and my new love of yellow, I picked up a can of Sun Yellow Gloss Indoor/Outdoor Krylon spray paint, and my old wicker hamper and mag rack and ran outside.

Quickly I figured out that I also needed a change of shirt, an old sheet (No newspaper, recycling queen that I am...) and some sort of mask before I went much further. I found my DigiTech shirt: "The Power to Create" (DigiTech makes effects for studio/musician use), a Dr.s Mask and and old bed sheet and got to work.

Do you see the slight yellow tinge on the bridge of my nose?

I'm resisting the urge to somehow glam this project up. There's nothing wrong with a simple coat of paint...right? Besides that, they're going in the same bathroom as this:

Oh , glory be!

j

6 (blessedly important to me) Unimportant Things~

"Don't discount what's important to some, even if it's meaningless in your world".

Here is what you need to do:

1. List Six UNIMPORTANT Things That Make You Happy.

2. Mention and link to the person who tagged you

3. Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.

My Fave 6:

1: Dragonflies: my personal omen (READ 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, PLEASE!)

2: The squeal of my fingers as they slide up and down on my guitar strings.

3: Finding a first edition of ANY book!

4: Pilot Precise Grip Extra Fine Rollerball pens. They make me feel like everything I create is Art.

5: Cooking without recipes and relying on taste and knowing.

6: The absolute JOY that comes from combining Mustard Yellow & Teal. I've never been happier!

Thanks to my fabulous Kaydee:

Loved you yesterday. Love you still. Always have. Always will.

I tag... The Girls on Douglas, Andrea D., BOTH Stephanie B's., Des, and my KatieBuck!

Starchild

I've talked a lot about Starchild Music Productions and the projects that I'm working on for M.U.S.E. a lot lately, but I haven't shown any PICTURES! I took a few when I was in working the other day and thought you might like to see! Starchild offers guitar lessons taught by Jon and Brandon Dansie (all ages and skill levels encouraged), custom guitar work-done by THE Floyd Kunz of Artisan Guitar Works, M.U.S.E. (a line of goodies by me: static and adhesive vinyl images (that won't harm your guitar and look great on car windows, mirrors, walls, guitar picks, etc.), sterling silver jewelry (workin on it!) and a monthly newsletter-scheduled to be available in August (hopefully sooner!) called; 'M.U.S.E.ings of a Starchild'.)

Starchild Music Productions is located @:

650 E. Union Square Suite B

Sandy, Ut

84070

Can't make it to Sandy for M.U.S.E.? Items are also available at http://jonnajonna.etsy.com/. It's a slow process getting items up, so check back often!

What do you think???

M.U.S.E. Guitar Bling in action!

My workspace and home of M.U.S.E.

Some of the guitars and swag Starchild has to offer...
See the guitar keys?

Some of the available M.U.S.E. Guitar Bling images.

Starchild is currently accepting students AND teachers! Email me for more info!

j

Ahh...the bliss that is STYX...

Last weekend, the wait was finally over. My Tommy was in town and I had great seats-I was happier than a girl in a candy shop-and just as inpatient.

The fun part is that I took State to guitar-so I got to Sloooooooooooooooooooooowwly drive past (traffic was INSANE!) Rio Tinto and-YES-got to see the fabulous as ever tour buses, the tents full of goodies, The Arrow getting set up... I was tingling in anticipation (at 1:30...)!

4:30 rolled around (FINALLY after a particularly disastrous lesson-I was very distracted...) and Myself, Dad, Mom, Floyd, Julie, Erin and Hannah all met at Raphael's-an interesting sit-down Mexican restaurant that has plastic chairs and a salad bar with lots of beans on it-to carb load before we faced the MILE plus walk from parking (@ The South Towne Expo) to our seats at the Stadium. Our waiter was 12 (I'm guessing) and LOOOOVED all of our menu choices. Apparently "Billy" has a lot of faves.

After lots of hot sauce and a "confused" sour cream mishap or two, we were off. We all met at Starchild to carpool and just as we were getting in the car...guess what? IT STARTED TO POUR!!!!!! Not just rain a little bit. We. Couldn't. See. ANYTHING. Nice. It took us about 10 minutes to get from 7th to State and into the parking lot (it usually only takes a minute or two going 40...) We piled out of the car, donned the rain jackets, hiked the pant legs up and started on our way.

By the time we made it IN the stadium, the rain had stopped (how perfect???!) but they weren't letting us on the floor. Turns out, they were DRYING OFF OUR SEATS!! The poor peeps in the stadium seats got to sit on wet chairs. Why was it different? The fact that after everything was all said and done my tickets cost almost $90? Maybe. We made the long walk to our seats and got all cozy-by this time the sky was blue, clouds were white and there was a sliver of a moon peeking out-when the announcer said that 38 Special would be out in the next 5 min. or so.

They were great!!!! The show was being billed as "All Classics-All Night" and that's what they gave us. While I didn't know enough words to sing along, I DID know the songs, tunes, etc. Fab. Here's a quick video of 'Second Chance' and 'Caught Up in You'.



Silly as it sounds, I was REALLLLLLY hopping for REO to play second. I needed my Tommy like NO OTHER, but STYX PLAYS LAST. That's my rule. STYX MUST PLAY LAST. That way I can really enjoy REO, have fun, and not be all spent from acting like a complete idiot because I am in the presence (never mind the fact that he's a good 50 feet away...) from Mr. Shaw and the rock gods of STYX. Just then Keith came out (amazingly nice (yes, I've met him) Stage Manager for STYX) and while I was THRILLED to see him I was secretly let down. So much for my plans, right?

The music being played over the loud speakers (to keep the crowds tame) was interrupted to play the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again"-which is to let us know (those that DO know) that STYX is just seconds away (I was on my feet by the second note of the song). And then, my boys were there.

I've done some digging on YouTube and have found a few videos of the show. Some are better than others...but ALL prove how freakin amazing STYX is.



I chose this one because the guy with the red hat was one row and about 6 people down from me. This is special jonna vision JUST FOR YOU!!!! I don't know who took this one, but it's superb.

THIS one is loads better. It looks to be the other side and few rows up from my seats:
'Grand Illusion' Gowan's tie is a skinny lime green. Yum.



STYX is my favorite band. Always has been. I read a little something the other day talking about the parts of the brain that are stimulated (YOU know what I'm talking about, Steph. ;) ) when you listen to your favorite music and I must say that I fully support that. I am an absolute MESS when Tommy Shaw is around (in any form...). STYX makes me weak in the knees and short of breath. Always. They played with such passion and force that when they walked off after Renegade, I felt as if I had completed an extremely hard workout. Thank you.

REO did a great job-but they didn't pack as much power as STYX. To compensate, they just turned up the volume. However, 'Keep Pushin' On" is one of my faves:




REO played and I stood-for some songs...-and sat on my wet jacket for others. I was sitting when I heard a collective gasp from the crowd. THIS was the reason:




Yes, that IS David Archuleta singing with Kevin. I don't believe that this was part of the plan-but it was super nonetheless.


Afterwards, Kevin talked a little about the new song that STYX and REO did together: "Can't Stop Rockin'"-the song the tour is named after. STYX came piling out and EVERYONE started singing. Todd (master drummer of STYX) played guitar for this one. I found this video-a compilation of great photos and video from the road, shot and assembled by Tommy Shaw!



Yes, my peeps-it WAS a most amazing evening. Bask is the bliss...
(By the way-it POURED on us for the walk back to the car. I didn't care.)

j

Mustard & Teal

I've noticed over the last few weeks that I've become drawn to two colors that I have just...DESPISED the rest of my life. Interesting...

It started with the purchase of my "bumblebee" shoes-a FABULOUS pair of mustard yellow leather ballet shoes with ZIPPERS on the heal and three on the toes. I love them, love them, love them! Then I went and got a silk teal Express sweater-and well...between the two, I haven't worn anything else. I've actually run out of ways to wear them-I'm out of combo's. The good news??? I've discovered that mustard and teal are my new HAPPY colors! I LOVE them together, love them on me and LOOOOOVE how I FEEL when I wear them! How fabulous is that??? ;)

So, I went shopping at my FAVORITE shop: ETSY and have put together an inspiring wish list. Anyone looking to make me EXTREMELY happy???

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade jonnajonna.etsy.com

*5/31: By the way, my Lovelies, I fell so hard for the yellow "Keep Calm and Carry On" that I just HAD to have it. It arrived Thursday... The draw for the brooch in grey, green and teal was too strong as well. I just got that one and plan to wear it in my hair. Love it.

All is well...

j

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Yesterday was the fantastic field trip to Hogle Zoo with my K's, the other two Liberty classes and about 20 other school buses. My buddy David and I were partners and had a BLAST!

First thing first: RUNNING past everything in the attempt to be the ONLY people at the penguins. The good news? SOMEHOW we made it!











David LOVES penguins (so do I) and had a ton of fun watching them waddle around. I SO love the sound their feet make in the puddles. (...slappy wet peaches...) One followed us and posed for the camera. :)

Next we visited the black bears, zebras, gorilla, and the monkey house. Monkeys creep me out...bad...but David seemed to love them!

We were also SUPER lucky to have the bat cave to ourselves. David didn't like the bats or the smell (badbadbadbadbad) but LOVED that they were eating "fruit salad". I tried a couple of different settings on the camera but because they were flying around (like idiots...) most of the pics are blurry...



We also got to visit the reptile house and see the HUGE tortoises (eating with their feet in their bowls...), the BIG cats (the tiger was VERY vocal

and the cheetah's head was turned so far around I thought it just *may* fall off), the giraffes (one had a stubby tail and it made me sad), the elephant "experience" (we got to see

two back ends and no fronts), some

spiders, snakes, birds and...the train station. David LOVES trains! The conductor (a skinny 18 year old (I'm guessing...) boy) was fantastic. He had the whole shpeel down. He was no Kip, though. Anyway, while on the train we got to see some goatsheep thing, turkey vultures-"the cleaners of the desert", and HUGE buffalo. Best part? the track ran right through where they "live". What if we ran into one? What if ONE RAN INTO US?!?! I wasn't sure I liked that arrangement...

My FAVORITE part of the field trip? When I got to RUN with 3 kids from the reptile house UP to the playground and back down to the bus parked in the south lot. I had 10 minutes... My kids were amazing and kept up-even though they were hot, sweaty and DONE! Thanks guys!
You can KIND of see how far that trip was on the map...





;)

j

For the Love of Etsy

The glorious M.U.S.E. By jonnajonna banner!

As a starting point and to get all of my stuff in one spot, I've begun the process of getting ALLLLLLL of my fabulous makes in one spot. THAT means that my BabyCakes Hair Clippies, M.U.S.E. Photographs, the (in process...) M.U.S.E. Silver, M.U.S.E. Jewelry AND whatever else I feel inspired to create will ALL be available through the AMAZING venue of Etsy!

I've played around with a few things, listed some new, added some old and updated the info on my Etsy page! Yay! You can find me at, http://jonnajonna.etsy.com. AND there are a few of my creations over in my Etsy Mini on the side there. Enjoy those...

As always, I am open to creating custom items, turning ANY shot of mine into the best dang greeting card EVER, and adding YOUR own quote to my famous (really!) flour sack towels! Anything! Just jot me a note here OR over at my shop! Just CLICK (and you'll get FREE shipping!) and we'll go from there!

A fabulous friend told me once that I ought to be paid for my creativity. I second that. Do you?

;)

j

KITTENS!!!

Courtney, Love, I haven't laughed this hard in a LONG time. Thank you.

j

Really?!

Working in a Kindergarten room is an absolute BLAST! My kids are doing so, so well (at the beginning of school, each and every student needed LOTS of extra help and support to be on grade level. NOW, ALL of my kids are above bench-mark and MOST of them are reading on a 1st grade level or above!) and are just so much fun to be with.

I love being with the same kids from 8:45 am to 3:10 pm, Monday through Friday. I thought I *may* get burned out coming from the preschool where I had two groups of kids each day (morning and afternoon groups) that came every OTHER day. I was happily surprised! All day Kindergarten is just a DREAM! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Courtney (my teacher, mentor and friend) and I couldn't have hand picked a happier, funnier, more well behaved class. This is the BEST job I've EVER had! (And that's saying something!)

This week I decided to keep track of some of the BEST things I've heard the kids say...get ready...

The Top 15 Things Overheard in Room 14

"A baby fish is called a french fry."

"Miss Dansie...your hair...it's...wow...I wouldn't do it like that again if I were you..."

"My Gramma Cher Cher cut up the cheese."

While doing top to bottom addition: "2+4 'eek-wewls'... No. Not 'eek-wewls'. 2+4...line."

"That's my dog, Spike. And THAT'S his private body part. Let's just cover that up."

"...and then this one guy had a REALLY long tooth right here. It was just...weird!"

"OHMYGOSHAVERYYOU'RETURNINGORANGE!" --"...Huh?"--Ughh..."DUH, Dante! It's. Her. SHIRT!"

"I'm thinkin' about bein' a monster right now..."

"It's a robot with a vacuum."

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzeeeeeeEEEEEEeeezzzEEEEezzzzzzzzzZZZZZZuuuuzzz... Oh."

"GUYS! NO MORE PEEPING!"--"Oh. I'm just excited."

"Wanna hear a joke?! Knock, knock." "Who's there?" "Ninja!" "Ninja who?" "NINJA!" "Ninja WHO?" "Lettuce." "What?" "Say, Lettuce WHO!" "Lettuce who." "Lettuce you glad I didn't say ninja?" "Dude, I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be 'ORANGE'." "Oh. Wait. Watch this! Knock, Knock!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! A...." DEEP BREATH "...DOG!!!"

"You wanna have a cracker? They're called 'pepper-jon's! HEY GUYS!! I'VE GOT MORE 'PEPPER-JON'S'!! They're GOOD!"

"Let's get up the glitter. THEN we can play Twilight at recess!

I'M EDWARD! Oooaaahh...I love him..."

Yes, really.

j

4-5-6 come on and get your kicks

Effing Carrots.

About a week ago I decided that for Easter I would be in charge of the veggies (Brussels sprouts with leeks and bacon...yum!!!...and mashed yams with garlic, coconut milk and cilantro...Ahh!) a simple salad and dadadaada! A Carrot Cheesecake made with Splenda and low fat cream cheese.

Simple. Easy. No problem...

This morning I decided to get up and get myself put together early to get Easter errands run BEFORE guitar. I dumped out the change bucket, cashed it in at the Coinstar in Albertson's (cause Sunflower doesn't have one...) and got the cream cheese, because they were 10 for $10. On sale cream cheese! Yay! I made the decision to go to Sunflower-not only because they are my FAVORITE grocery store (it smells WONDERFUL in Sunflower!) but because they have the best prices on the best produce in the valley-but by the time I was done dodging the oldsters in the aisles and the pissies in the parking lot it was time for my lesson. So...I went up the hill.

Lessons today were positive, productive and happy! B's new studio has a window (blessed sunlight!) which gave me something to focus on while thinking through the various strumming patterns I was working on (and still get to...) I'm still working on Love and Some Verses, Look What You've Done and Alloway Grove, and today I threw Loving You by Paolo Nutini into the mix.

Afterwards, I flew to Ikea (for the 5th time in less than two weeks...) to pick up the random bits we forgot the last couple of times, check sizes on poster frames and to pick up a chair for my space in the Starchild Studios. Best part of THIS trip to Ikea??? I spent the entire time singing JET's Are You Gonna Be My Girl and while picking out the chair, it came on the huge speakers in the self serve furniture area! FABULOUS!

After Ikea (and a particularly enjoyable trip to Zuppa's), I ran to Sunflower to get the stuff for tomorrow's dinner. TONS of yams, 3 lbs of Brussels Sprouts (I loved Brussels...), the pecans and graham crackers, an itty bitty piece of fresh ginger, some sushi (for tonight...I was hungry) and was THRILLED to walk out with EVERYTHING I needed plus a magazine for less than $40.

I get home, put everything away, make a phone call or two, sit down and Mom says...did ya get the carrots? I literally sat there and said,

"No...but why would I need carrots???"

Certainly NOT for the Carrot Cheesecake. Nope, not for that. Honestly. So, I got to go BACK to Sunflower (thank Heavens they are just up the street!) to get the effing carrots. Beautiful, baby, organic carrots with the greens still attached...they smell and taste just like Grandpas... Until I drop the freaking bag on the floor and break ALL the tips off.

This trip to sunflower cost me MORE than the first. Somehow...

So HAPPY FREAKING EASTER my loves. I'm going to go brush my teeth.

j

M.U.S.E.

I've FINALLY finished my new business card for Starchild! I've decided to name both the Silver jewelry AND Starchild's "newsletter"*,

M.U.S.E.

M=music

U=unique

S=stars

E=eclectic

I've begun to build upon my ideas for the jewelry and can't wait to get started! We've decided that I'm gonna be the girl in Flashdance running around the backyard with my butane torch... ;)

*..."Newsletter" isn't quite the word or idea that I'm after though. Right now I don't have the resources, time or energy to make a full blown MAGAZINE but I'm so not thinking that I want to create a "church bulletin" style half sheet of paper either.

It's going to take some serious thinking time to put onto paper (and silver)what's forming in Starchild's collective minds...

j

Look What You've Done...

My love affair with JET continues.

Ever since Back Door Santa I've been hooked...happy and in love...mmmmm... I stumbled upon THIS little gem the other night and decided that it got to be my newest project for Guitar:

Look What You've Done

Mmmm...I love his voice...


Fabulous news! My lessons are now officially being held in the Starchild Music Productions Guitar Studios in Union Square! The guys-Jon, Floyd and Brandon are getting their rooms and work stations set up and ready while myself and Mom have been running to Ikea, printing pics, building and decorating for a week straight. Life is good...

So, today was my first lesson in the new building. While I was there, B was having a student of his sit in on his lessons because SHE will be teaching her own version of "Guitar Fundamentals" in the third Studio off and on throughout the week. She was taking notes on teaching techniques and answering questions B threw at her-to make sure she was ready to begin in a week or so. Sweet girl-but still intimidating. (I'm not a huge fan of playing in front of people, you know...) AND, the man from our alarm co. was in laying wire and drilling holes. I got to get up and move halfway through my lesson so he could do B's room and when I had about 10 minutes left, I got to have a quickie lesson in HOW to make the alarm not go off when I get to the Studios alone. (Scary-I need another lesson...)

It's also been decided that while I'm not at Liberty or at school, I get to hang out at Starchild to do a couple of things. I'd like to start a mag of sorts talking about the services and products we offer (SWEET deals are occurring left and right for Starchild!) as well as doing write-ups on locals bands that also take lessons from the guys, doing a bit of advertising, etc. Not sure all it will include, what it will be called or what it will end up looking like, but a vision has started to form! ALSO, I am in the works of getting things ready to have my own line of sterling silver jewelry for the rockers. I will be able to do custom orders, one of a kind pieces as wells as limited editions of amazing pieces.

More to come on jonnajonna for Starchild!

j

*Back to my audacious adventures...I've taken some pics of my practice time. These were taken while working on Iron and Wine's Love and Some Verses...

Yes...they hurt...

Little Lucy

This is what I did during my "All Alone" day! It took me about 4 hours with dish washing, "ugly dancing", fruit salad making and dog chasing in between the creative process! What do you think? (Sorry about the glare of the sunlight...It was MUCH better than the bad overhead light!)

Title page...

Detail from above picture

Detail from above again...

The left page says, "little"...

Detail from the above picture

Back

I had a BLAST making this one!!! I'm not sure if it was because I didn't have to choose the pics for it or do the journaling... It also helped that things fell together quickly!

I hope that Christy and Little Lucy know how much they are loved!

HEART,

j