Thursday, November 19, 2009

What's In A Name???

 

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

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

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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?

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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~

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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...

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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!!!!

30 comments:

Mollye said...

Hi Jodie, I loved your post and by the way we are neighbors, I am up from you in Shreveport. My late hubby was from Avoyelles parish so I had a cooney name for many years. And what;s not to love about vintage. I especially feel the way you do when looking at the old pictures and cabinet cards. I just signed on to follow you. Have a great day, Mollye

Lori said...

what a great post Jodie!!! i was teased mercilessly in grade school about my middle name..."jo"...i hated my name so much then...it doesn't bother me now of course...i do tease my mother about watching too much "petticoat junction" though...makes me laugh!!!

vintage girl at heart said...

Fabulous post.. as I ALWAYS want to know peoples stories!!! Now I have a little more of yours!!!
Funny... last night I read your email and was just so excited and my 25 year old daughter was asking me about you and Silver Bella etc. anyway I was wondering aloud to myself if you have that wonderful Cahun accent??!! And now I know that of course you do!!!
I need to plan a trip a bit East one day to meet ya in person! :))

Inspired Comblogulations said...

That was a remarkable post, I enjoyed every word. I was butchering your French name with my southern accent.
Lousianna is interesting...my Daddy came from Leesville, but that is not where I got my name.
LOL,
Lee
I am glad I met you, and I love the name Jodie.

trash talk said...

Well I'm afraid, Ms. Le Jan, there isn't such a great story to go with my name....unless Trash counts! I also use my maiden name as a middle one. I, like you, never want to forget who I am or where I come from.
Trash

Jessi Nagy said...

hey cutie,
great post!!!
see ya soon
oxoxo,
Jessi

Anonymous said...

Hey lovely! I love your name and your blog! I wish I was Cajan lol oh well maybe I can just act like it while living here! I miss Heidi also... HEIDI if your reading this WE MISS YOU!!! Cant wait till tomorrow!! I have missed my JoJo sooo much! BIG BIG HUGS

toodles-
sarah

The French Bear said...

I just love the story about your name Jodie. I have always called myself Margaret because my family insists on saying Maggie, but now I have remarried and my name is Bouwmeester. That plus Margaret takes way too long to write out, maybe Mag-Bou?
I love every part of the French culture, from Canada, the USA and France!
Have a great time at the party!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Hearts Turned said...

What a lovely post, Jodie! I love reading about your name, your mother, and your heritage...thanks for sharing this. I've always loved my name, and tried to give my three daughters names they would always love. I still love saying their names, seeing them written...names are so important, aren't they!

Hope you have a lovely day!

Claudia said...

What a beautiful story behind your name, Jodie! I really loved reading it. Thanks for sharing it with us, as well as the name, Everything Vintage.

Tristan Robin said...

What a nice tale!

I'll have to ask my mother why she named me as she did - I've never even thought to ask.

Though, as an opera fan, I've always assumed I was named after Tristan and Isolde.

Unknown said...

Jodie, what a great post! Your story is wonderful and your pictures are awesome.

I love how you explained the 'French' language thing. It's so interesting!

Thanks for sharing today!

Blessings,
Teresa

Vicki said...

Hi, Jodie,
Such a beautiful post! I loved hearing the history behind your name. I love the French language, nothing more romantic, I think. I, too, love vintage. The history behind each piece always makes me wonder about the story behind it. I hope you are having a lovely day. Blessings to you! Vicki

Tara said...

Good morning Jodie! I love the spelling of your name, it gives it panache! I have some relatives that were French Canadian by the name of Hebert(ee-ber). They settled in the Pacific Northwest though, so the French language was lost. It must have been so fun growing up in Louisiana too! I always wondered if I ever got married if I would keep my last name. I think the older you are when you marry, the harder it becomes. My sister got married last year at the age of 35 and she kept her last name.
Your tale of your blog name is beautiful too, it's too bad your blogger friend went away, but it sounds like you have some good memories of her. Thank you for joining me today and sharing your beautiful stories. Have a terrific day!

WIZARD OF ONCE WAS "WooW" said...

Jodie,
You pushed me over the edge! It's a good thing, girl (I think). It was a diffult post for me, but I joined in Sares blog party! So thank you, my friend...you were my inspiration here!
Gale

LiLi M. said...

I love these kind of personal stories Jodie!

VS said...

Hi Jodie,
I'm new to your blog & want to Congratulate you on your lovely article in Artful Blogging!! I Love that magazine, it's how I got started with my own blog, but I also LOVE your post. My Mother's name is Jodie, she passed away when I was 16 & I don't get reminded of that name often enough. There's something so friendly & open about that name, a Jodie is your friend before you've even been introduced. Thanks for reminding me of my Jodie.... :)

LemonyRenee' said...

Jodie, I love your post. I love names with purpose and legacy, but my own name has none of that . . . so I have come to see my name much as you see yours. It does not represent an ancestor or anything like that, but it does represent my parents' taste and style; that's a precious thing in itself, isn't it.

Jane said...

Hi Jodie:
I really enjoyed reading your post. I loved getting to know a little more about your name and your blog name. When I was reading your post from October, 2008 I was thinking that I could have written that (not so eloquently) because what you expressed is how I feel about vintage pieces.
Thanks for a lovely post.
Jane

The Old Parsonage said...

Jodie what a great way to write about yourself. I like your style my friend and just became a follower.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be back!
Leann

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jodie,

What a lovely post and I enjoyed reading about the uniqueness, of what makes Jodie ~ Jodie.
I have enjoyed reading about your heritage and learning a little more about you dear friend.
Have been thinking of you lots and wonder how your Dad is? I hope he is doing better.

Hugs
Carolyn

Geralyn Gray said...

Geralyn Helen Marie Stelle Gray thanks you for her lovely and thoughtful birthday gift and hopes to post about it soon! I used to hate my name (named after St. Gerard whos feast day was my anticipated birth day ) because everyone would way what????when I was introduced.....I don't get that as much lately and I really like the uniqueness of Geralyn.....Marie is my confirmation name. I haven't left a paragraph in a while.....felt good!

The Victorian Parlor said...

Jodie,

This post is beautiful and it speaks to my heart!!! I have the very same feelings when I hold a piece of antique jewelry or an old photo in my hands. I love the thought of who the people are in the picture or who wore the piece of jewelry. It makes me sad to think that the photos are no longer held by family memebrs and that their identities are lost so I adopt them and have 'instant relatives'. I guess that's why I love all things Victorian-I feel more comfortable in the Victorian era than I do this one thus the name of my blog:).

Blessings,

Kim

Hearts Turned said...

Good morning, Jodie! Me again...so glad you came by for a visit--and glad you like my blog! Thanks for saying such kind things...I was just reading over your post again, and I think we have a lot of the same feelings for "everything vintage" and for those that have been here before us...nice to find someone who really gets it! So glad I found you yesterday!

Hope you're having a marvellous day!

Sue said...

Awesome post! Your creativity obviously extends to written form as well :)

Miss you bunches

Sue E.

Linda said...

This is a wonderful, thought-provoking post - I love it. And you're such a sweetie for the Birthday greeting - THANK YOU!!!!

I love to think on the meaning of names. My Mom also said that she just named me Linda because she liked the name. But my middle name stems from my Dad's Mom - My dear Grandmother whom I never had the opportunity to know because she died in 1961 and I was born in 1964 - Martha.

I hope you have a blessed weekend my friend.
Love,
Linda ♥

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I am really enjoying your blog and your story about how you got your name. What a wonderful tribute to your Mother.
I signed up as a follower and I'm going to spend some time looking around. If you have time, please come over and visit me too. I'd love to have you.

Ginger said...

Sares idea was great wasn't it. We get to know each other a little better. Your post was great!!!

Ginger
glitter and roses

Weathered & Worn said...

Nice post, nice Blog. It's good to like your name, I surely like mine too!

Robin said...

Hi Jodie, I'm enjoying reading through all your blog posts! This is my first time here and you have a beautiful blog! I'm Robin and I was at Silver Bella too! I was the roomie of your "little sis" Robin! Confused yet?
I had a great time as a first time Bella and hope to go back again.
I also wanted to share that my mom also has alzheimers and I know just what you are going through. It's a long hard road.....I'm here to talk if you need to!
XoXo
Robin