Hundreds of Reasons to Smile...

My gosh! For the first time since my Dad's funeral one week ago today, I sit at my computer to find HUNDREDS of emails and loads of comments from all of you.

Your words were heartwarming, touching and so comforting...I am truly speechless and I cannot describe how giving and beautiful this blog world of ours truly is.

Most of you I have never met in person but I feel like I've known you forever.  Those of you whom I have met, I am so honored to be your friend. And, some of you who live across the world from me, it feels like you live right next door. It's just amazing. YOU are amazing and on behalf of my Dad and the Rougeau Family, I thank each and every one of you for the kind and generous gestures of love and thoughtfulness.

In the midst of my broken heart, you managed to put a smile on my face and you've pulled me back here...back to my blog...back to my happy place...back to my writing...back to my camera...back to YOU!  Thank you!!!

I hope to continue posting about my Silver Bella trip, that is if you are still along for the ride with me. I think I left off at Welcome Night so the best is still yet to come! Thank you for hanging in there with me...you are the BEST!

I'll see you here again soon...I'm glad to be back ;)

Through his eyes...

 

Today, my Dad is happy again for the first time in four months.

Alzheimer's had robbed the smile from his face, the blue from his eyes, the spirit from his heart, and time spent with me.

I am thankful that he no longer sees the effects of this disease nor does he feel the pain anymore.

Through his eyes, I hope that he can see how much I love him and miss him, I always have and I always will.

Dale Rougeau

June 15, 1936 ~ November 21, 2009

*****

Dear friends and family, I cannot thank you enough for traveling this journey with me. Your caring words and your powerful prayers were my foundation of strength as I traveled this road of uncertainty. I was not alone because of you. Thank You.

Silver Bella 2009: Welcome & Smiles!

 

I promised you I'd post on Friday but I swear I didn't mean to make you wait until Friday night! (eyes rolling here) I hope these photos will make you smile and forget that you're mad at me ;)

The Welcome Dinner was wonderful ~ and Italian Buffet with delicious desserts. No photos available...I had my fork in hand, not my camera, sorry! ;)

But I do have photos of smiles!

Sharon & I...oh I was so looking forward to meeting her in person! 

Robin Sanchez & I... (Robin SO needs a blog! hint hint ;)

Lynn & I... (note the angelic halo glowing on top of my head ;)

The 3 stooges...me, Pam & Sandy (no halo for Pam, it's just the light of the wall sconce! ;)  Doesn't Pam look like Meryl Streep?

Susan & Rita (Texas redheads) with their beautiful Texas Mums...

And do you know what we were all smiling about??? Well, besides meeting each other for the first time and some of seeing each other since last year, we were drunk from the hotel bar. JUST KIDDING! I just wanted to make sure you were reading this and paying attention!   ;0

Seriously, we were smiling because Teresa spoiled us again this year with lots of Welcome Goodies provided by the most generous sponsors!!!

 

 

And speaking of generous, I love all of my gifts brought to me by my sweet friends. Let me remind you that these are gifts and not swaps! Bellas are soooo generous!!!!

Warning:

If you are going to be jealous...stop here.

If you will still love me in the morning...you may continue.

Here is what sweet Sharon gave me. Some beautiful rhinestones, Louisiana charms and a silk rose that she made herself! I think I wore it for 48 hours straight!

Pam gifted me with a beautiful embellished envelope filled with post cards and cabinet FUNERAL cards! Yes people, funeral cards.

They are cabinet cards with the deceased person's information and I was lucky enough to get one with a photo! yay!

Just in case you are wondering...I'm not morbid! I just love these and they are very hard to find!!!! And she found me four!   :)))

And then there was the gift from my Little Bella Sister, Lynn.

After opening the cigar box, I could have just went back to my room, gathered all my things and flew back home...I was soooo full of goodies and the weekend hadn't even started yet!

I'm begging you, pa-leeze don't be jealous...

 

 

Tucked deeper inside was an awesome stash of cabinet cards!!!

Check out this one how funny...

It reads:

"Probably Henry Peterson's son, a cousin of Ruth Nelson"

Now...is he or isn't he?

And this one below looks simple enough...

Until you pull the little photo away and read this...

Hmmm.

Just in case you are wondering...there is more gifts! :))

BUT I haven't unpacked everything yet, see?

And trust me, you can count on TSA for doing their job as they searched BOTH of my suitcases!

I felt sorry for the agent who had to dig through these goodies ;)

*****

Well that's about all for today on this late late LATE Friday night.

There is so much more I need to post regarding Silver Bella but I must say that my Dad is not doing well at all. Coming home from my wonderful trip was bitter sweet and I do not know what the next few days will bring. But I hope to be here...back in my "happy place" with you soon ;)

Wishing you have a wonderful weekend!

What's In A Name???

 

Well, I must start by answering the question above...

My name consist of every letter that makes ME unique...

Sure, I know that there are a million people named Jodie out there. Some are spelled with an i, an ee, a y, or an ie.

But...there is only one ME ;)

Before my Mom passed away, I asked her why she named me Jodie and she said there was no special reason except for the fact that she just liked the name. If she were to have a girl or a boy, the name would have been the same either way, just spelled a little differently. I'm content with that as my name is my lifelong gift from her. I was born Jodie Maria Rougeau.

Jodie ~ meaning "Grace of God"

Maria ~ My chosen Catholic middle name

Rougeau ~ My French heritage (pronounced Roo show)

I love my maiden name. When I was married, I debated if I was going to keep it or not...hubby didn't like that very well so I gave in to the new last name of LeJeune.  It is still French so I'm happy.

LeJeune ~ My Married name (pronounced Le Jan)

And when I say "French"...let me make this clear. When one speaks of "French" we automatically think of France. In our case down South, most of us came from Canada and other French speaking countries (sort of like a jambalaya ;) and we settled in Louisiana. With lack of education and resources, we (Acadians), speak the ever so popular "Cajun French" which is a derivative of the proper French language. It is similar in some ways, but certainly NOT the same.

I can't drop the Rougeau...ever, so I always bring forth that "R" as a reminder of my lifelong gift.

Jodie R. LeJeune...I love it! ;)

And do you know what else is ME that I LOVE?

This gift was from Heidi Woodruff back in October 2008. She was a dear blog friend and no longer has a blog. She is missed by many, including me.

Here is an excerpt from my blog post on October 31, 2008:

I love my name everything vintage.

I must be what one would call an "old soul".

I know this sounds really silly to some, but my heart pours this feeling of utter joy when I am "junking" and come across something as simple as an old cabinet card, or vintage baby clothes, etc.

I go into this state of mind of wondering who were they and what was their story.

I hold vintage lace and tatting in my hand.

I admire the beauty of it just like any other vintage lover would, but my admiration is much deeper than the beauty of it all.

I stare at it and wonder who's patient and talented hands have done this and how long did it take them by candle light?

This is why I decided that I could only explain my feelings as...everything vintage.

Not just one thing or two, but everything vintage.

And with that said, that's why there is no caps & no punctuation of any kind because there is no beginning and definitely no end to my love for everything vintage.

Hopefully when I hang my sign from Heidi in my craft room/studio, I can look at it, smile and be reminded of where my soul is...it's in everything vintage~

And, this still hangs in my studio today...a constant reminder of a wonderful blog friend who painted on my heart with her generosity...permanently.

*****

So back to the question: "What's in a name?"

LIFE, emotions, gifts, heritage, memories, love, example, feelings, attitude, individuality, preference, uniqueness, meaning, devotion, the past, the present, the future, ETC.

*****

So if you are thinking where in the heck did I get the idea to post about my namesake,

I'm participating in Sares' Blog Party...

If you'd like, you can click HERE to read about Sares and all of the other "loveleigh" participants.

Thank you Sares for hosting such a wonderful party!

*****

So today when you get a break from your hectic schedule, think about how unique your name is...maybe you will see it in a whole different light. It is...uniquely YOURS in every way.

:)

Speaking of unique...HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA!!!!

Silver Bella Teaser...

 

My sincerest apologies go out to Julie Ann, Zandra, Tammy, Sharron, Jane and Sue...

Gosh darn it...I just don't have the full post together so it'll have to wait until Friday :(

I hate being a tease but I thought I could squeeze some time in today to do it.     S-O-R-R-Y...do ya forgive me???

Friday...I promise! :)

Cross my heart...

Silver Bella 2009: Thursday

 

Good Morning!!!

Okay now, let's pretend it's early Thursday morning of last week:

We on the Bella Bus hosted by Scrappy Jessi. We are going to the Brass Armadillo, Hobby Lobby, Archiver's and enjoy a wonderful Italian buffet lunch.

Just look at all of these smiling faces around you...

Meet my Silver Bella little sister Lynn of create...breathe and her real little sister Karla of Back at ya Babe...

Meet Kana of Kana Creates and Sharon of A Fanciful Life...

Meet Maryse and her daughter Chantal of  Wishblooms...

And meet Sandy of Sew Revived and Pam of Frippery...

And can you believe that I took a couple pictures of Jessi and they didn't come out? I was sooo sad. But these are just a few Bellas that I caught on camera. So put your smile on and come along!!!

Our first stop was the Brass Armadillo. I had never been to one as they only have 5 locations in the country: Des Moines, Omaha, Phoenix, Kansas City and Denver. We had a little over 2 hours to shop but I could have stayed in there ALL day. I really could have done some damage in that store but I only picked up a few little things that would fit in my suitcase.

A few cabinet cards...more addictions additions to my extended family ;)

I think I will use the one in the middle for a book cover. It's really thick and I love the tattered right side of it.

I really love the one on the right...I guess you can call it a funeral card as it reads "In Memory of Geo Reitz". I have a "thing" for funeral cards...you'll see.

A couple more cabinet cards of children...

And a beautiful hard cover book that I couldn't pass up...

And I stood at the post card boxes for almost an hour looking at each and every one of them. My favorites were the flocked velvet and the embossed ones.  They ranged from free to $1 each so I picked out these...

I picked up some other things but at the moment, I cannot remember what they were. As I unpack some more, I'll be sure and let you know.

We loaded the bus and headed for lunch at a quaint little Italian eatery. Those of you who know me, when it comes to eating, I really don't even think about pulling out the camera as I am armed with fork in hand and getting down to business! ;) I must say that it was the best pasta that I ever ate. I think it was called tortellini. I gotta get some of that stuff!!!

Then we loaded up the bus again (which I think was getting smaller) and we went shopping at Hobby Lobby. Now don't faint or anything but even with my 40% off coupon, I didn't buy a thing. Nope...not one thing. I was disciplined. I have a Hobby Lobby about 45 minutes from my home so I was saving my money and my extra space in my luggage for other things that I couldn't get my hands on elsewhere. I know my hub and son do not believe me, but I swear it's true!!! ;)

From there, our last stop was at Archiver's.

I had never been to one of those either as the closest one to me would be in Katy Texas, about 4+ hours away.

They really had some good sales and I sort of went crazy on some items by my favorite Rock Star artist Tim Holtz...

I know I know. I just pulled one of each off of the shelf. What can I say? I just love him so much! :)

We returned to the hotel about 4 in the evening...tired and almost broke ;) but we soon caught our second wind as it was almost time for the Silver Bella Welcome Dinner. The official kick off of the artsy weekend!!! Us girls ran to the hotel bar, grabbed a drink and Chantal had our table reserved for us, such sweeties!!!

Should I stop here and leave the suspense of Silver Bella kick off for Friday's post???

Or...

Should I post about it this evening???

You tell me what you want...this is YOUR trip too!!!! ;)

*****

Jokes aside now as I'm letting everyone know that tomorrow, Thursday, November 19th ~ I will be participating in a blog party hosted by Sares @ Loveleigh Treasures

What's in a name?
That which we call a rose
by any other name would
smell as sweet
~From Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet, 1594

Hop on over to Sares' loveleigh blog to see what it's all about and if you want to hop in, write your post, link in with Sares and be ready for tomorrow morning...I'd love to hear all about your name too!!!

*****

So what did you decide about Silver Bella kickoff...do I post tonight or can ya wait until Friday? ;)

Silver Bella 2009: Wednesday

Silver Bella 2009 was last week and I flew in 2 days early to do some vintage shopping and relax before the "big weekend". So if you are wondering about the titles of my posts...I'm taking you along with me each day of last week!!!!  :)

Thank you for all of your "Welcome Home Wishes" and I'm so happy to be back home and sharing my trip with you!!! I have to say it was a fabulous weekend and it was so nice to meet blog friends face to face for the first time and to meet up with some friends that I haven't seen since last year.

{But I must say that I did not get to meet Robin Thomas nor Marilee in person this year. For some reason, our paths did not cross and I'm so sorry for that. However, I'm sure Robin had her hands full of glitter waiting to sprinkle it all over me so maybe it's a good thing I didn't see her! (just kidding) If you are reading this...know that I looked for you and I'll be crossing my fingers for next time!}

So before I overload you with more photos of gorgeous art, let me grab my camera...

And show you some sights while we are passing some time in Omaha before the big event...

On Wednesday morning, Robin Sanchez and I hit the cobblestone streets early expecting to get some more shopping done but what we didn't realize was that most of Omaha doesn't start moving until mid morning. Nothing really was open so we strolled around taking in the scenery and stopping for coffee and a muffin and browsing some little shops that were open while waiting for Sandy and Pam to fly in.

I love Omaha for it's timeless beauty in the center of Old Market. Cobblestone streets, painted brick, and wrought iron...it all reminds me of New Orleans in a charming sort of way.

In an alley, we found two quaint little shops and made a few purchases.

I could have bought this enameled stove for $195...

Or this one for $195...tucked in the corner in the dark...

OR even this one which I didn't even look at the price...

Because I didn't think Southwest Airlines could fit it in the cargo hold for me. (pout pout)

Then we made it back to Second Chance Antiques again, sitting in the cabinet card section, digging through the delightful photos of whom we call our extended families. (by the way...my extended family has tripled in size thanks to this trip! ;)  I can't wait for you to meet them! (they are still in the suitcase!!!)

We had the cutest four legged friend join us for company...one of four beautiful felines that call the antique shop "home". What lucky cats...don't you think?

Then my cell phone rang and it was Sandy telling me that her and Pam arrived safely and were at the hotel. I told her to come meet us at Second Chance. She was mad because we started shopping without her but I promised her that there were plenty to go around!!! It was soon a hug fest full of smiles as I hadn't seen Pam since last year at Silver Bella. I was soooo lonesome.

After spending hours in that store...my eye lids were getting heavy and I was ready for happy hour at the hotel...time was expiring for me, it was getting dark time!

I made myself a promise that I would stay up past my bedtime (8:30~9:00) and sleep when I got home. Needless to say, I AM EXHAUSTED now!!!  Happily exhausted :)

We headed for the hotel bar which was beginning to be packed with Bellas flying in from all over the country. So we had no choice except to continue the hug fest and we just had a blast! After relaxing in the lobby for a while, two Bellas walk up and sit on the couch next to Pam, Sandy, Robin and I. We asked them what their name was and we screamed for joy when she said her name was Sue E of My Mother's Pearls. I have been blogging with this dear girl and visit her faithfully since she started her blog not too long ago. If you haven't found her yet, I suggest that you stop by...she's soooo talented!!! When I get everything unpacked (if I ever do), I'll show you the enameled charm she gave me. She made it!!! It's too cute!

I'm going to stop here today because tomorrow (which was last Thursday) we'll attend a bus tour hosted by Scrappy Jessi and Silver Bella welcome night. Tomorrow will be full of familiar faces and mucho smiles, pretty eye candy from the places we visited and I'll show you some of my goodies that I got along the way!!!

Oh you want a sneak peak? I don't blame you...I'm so nosey too!

 

*****

Just to let you know in case you are wondering, the very first photo is of a Bella crown. It is all handmade by Debbie Murray and was given to lucky swap partner Heather Ales in a Silver Bella Crown Swap. This gives you an idea of the enormous talent, graciousness and beauty of this art event.

Now don't get bored here...the party hasn't even began to start here. I flew in early just to get some playing done...you have NO idea what's yet to come. The "real" party starts Friday!!!!