Friday, March 26, 2010

A Mish of a Mash

For someone who promised herself that her blog will always and only remain voluntary and not obligatory, keeping up with posts and comments after a week in Aruba and then a week of off-and-on being sick has been a challenge: not because of guilt, but because I MISS my friends and visitors.
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This morning I finally have time to write and linger. And I have time to hold in my hands memories and gifts that are the wind for my sails, even when I've lost my map and my compass.
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This morning, please join me:
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Mim, Marianne, Soulbrush. I have never offered an ATC and I give each of them so little--hopefully an honest or silly word here and there and certainly the sincere hand of friendship--but in return I am the recipient of the happiest mailbox in town. I don't say'thank you' enough. THANK YOU so much! I love every stroke!

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JB and I have gotten in habit of hanging our favorite cards and memories on our front door. Renee's Christmas card was there for the longest time, her silly happy goose, and maybe I will return it to the front door and keep it there all year. I miss Renee as much as I thought I would.

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. My friend Ms. Sonia Rodriquez decided to send me her handmade and heart filled presents without notice and for no good reason. Awww Sonia. What shall I keep in this box? Letters and cards? Jewelry? Jellybeans?

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Emily Plush arrived this week from Pam of Yoborobo and she has promptly gone to work with JB. She is made of the soft fleece personified and honest to God, what have you done, Pam, that it is impossible to look at her without smiling?
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I also spread my weary body on the couch one night this week and read one of Pam's childrens' book, called The Last Burp of Mac McGerp. Anyone who knows me knows I shrivel at hearing the details of bodily functions, burps included. But this wonderful little book was totally compelling. I read it until I finished it, and I loved it.
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My friend Caroline. I adore her watercolors. I think of Renee when I look at this painting she called Blur. How free and strong, her expert paint strokes, those angel wings....
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My Jessica caught the sunset in Aruba, which I utterly failed to do because I was too busy hightailing it to the Casino. I love those slot machines. I didn't win, but I really didn't lose either, and to slot machine aficionados, not losing is actually winning.
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Jess, Mike, and Mr. Ryan. I love seeing my family together and happy. If they're not I'm not. Any species of Parent totally understands that.
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I've been blessed with a special friend, one that I hope to have and hold for a lifetime. You may know her: her name is Laurel Gaylord and her moniker is Studio Lolo. She's a great listener, a prolific artist, an impish and clever and compassionate and fun-loving friend. But if you are reading this perhaps many many of you know this already?

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I can't resist posting my kj Angel again. It was a Christmas present from Angela Recada--this one and another. I was overtaken by her kindness then and even now I look at this with such joy. Look at her wings. Isn't she just beautiful?
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And finally:
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It's time for kj Babe's SECOND Annual Sex Survey.
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Should I?
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Should I?

33 comments:

  1. Dear KJ, that was just an utterly happy and charming post! We are so lucky in this blogging community, aren't we?!? Much love, Silke

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  2. There you go again, dear kj, making me blush. Thank you for showing us all the wonderful treasures you've received from all those lovely, lovely people. And I'm humbled, once again, to be mentioned in your blog in their company.

    You are our treasure, you know.
    :0)
    xo

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  3. HA. That song is not a favorite of mine!!! Although there was a lot of trampling going on in the phone conference with Big Take Over this morning. Oh much trampling indeed.
    **sigh** Deb

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  4. but silke!

    but angela!

    WHAT ABOUT THE SEX SURVEY?!

    :)

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  5. but deborah!

    WHAT ABOUT THE SEX SURVEY?!

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  6. so many lovely gifts for a lovely person. did i miss the first sex survey?

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  7. that was so much fun, it felt like i was walking around with you while you were showing all your treasures, what a friend you are k.j. to recieve so much love!!

    okay, what is the sex survey??

    XOXO lori

    p.s. i hope you are feeling better now? i'm sorry you weren't well, did you get sick on the trip? get well!!

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  8. LOL! Whta is the sex survey???

    I love all of the lovely gifts you have received, you are indeed blessed!
    I love Emily she is so cute and looks so natural in JB's pocket.
    I am so sorry you were sick and I hope you are recovering rapidly.
    Great photos, family, and friends, life is good!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  9. How wonderful to see you back in the "Blog-o-sphere"! And....happy you are feeling better...

    Beautiful gifts for a beautiful lady... I especially love "Pocket Emily".... how does the REAL Emily feel about this?

    OKAY - I will go first - although I'm not quite sure what the "Sex Survey" is.. I say...YES....let's have one! Ha-ha...

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. Ha! That card of the woman drinking wine? I just sent that to my sister for her birthday.

    I always have that problem if I take even a little time away.

    I missed the last sex survey so I'll be interested to see what you put in this one.

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  11. oh what total joy mixed with some sadness about our renee. yes please a second sex survey is just what the doctor ordered. keep chirpy, it is always darkest before the dawn. (Ooh i had forgotten that one). love ya kj. xxx as for our lolo, she is an absolute gem, that's all i can say.

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  12. You're so lucky. I'm such a terrible friend. I never send cards or drawings just happy thoughts! As for the sex survey . .what do I know?

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  13. So good to drop by and catch up! Your mish of a mash is glorious - a feast for the eyes and mind. Thanks (as always) kj. (Yes, to meet for a cup of coffee would be great ... one day perhaps, you never know).

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  14. I'm in for the sex survey. I must have missed the first one.

    A lovely post, kj, you receive because you give so much! You are such a giving, loving person...it's no wonder you receive treasures.

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  15. Mish mash?? You should rename this mush mash ;) It really is a very mushy post and I love it!

    You sure do get a lot of goodies but you're so much fun to give things to!
    Pocket Emily is very cute but I'm confused. Does she have anything to do with Emily Rabbit? Did Emily dress up as a skeleton for halloween and forget to take her costume off? (That's something that she would TOTALLY do!)
    I love the cards on the front door. Every time you leave the house you're both reminded of how much you're loved :)
    Does it get any better than that?

    Oh, btw. Yes, we'll be friends for a long long time. As long as I'm alive.

    xoxo
    Lo ♥

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  16. ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

    first off, to anyone who wants to know:

    the results of the first annual sex survey can be found at:

    http://karenjasper.blogspot.com/2009/06/survey.html

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  17. suki, thank you; however,since we're all lovely, your logic can't work. you missed the first sex survey? soulbrush didn't: she had the best answers of anyone! xo

    lori, i am feeling way better and i have the weekend to myself. i wish you would walk around with me! and the sex survey: well, it's the brainchild of my aspiring babe status. ♥

    hi there marie, how are you today? our pam made emily plush and she is so cuddly. i may take her to bed with me (no connection with the sex survey...) :)

    here i am, robin, back at the keys feeling better and almost best. glad you're volunteering. i wonder what questions my prudish reserved nature will allow me to post this year? :)

    cs, HOW could you have missed last year's survey?! some things are just not right! this year: we'll see. i feel more shy this year, but maybe i will be overtaken by excitement! :)

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  18. soulbrush, i love you too. did you like the sound of lo's voice? because it's one of my favorite parts of her. ♥

    baino, the truth is you are one of my closest friends, in the blogs and in my non-blog life. i would trust you with anything. no cards, but happy thoughts? deal! ♥

    ah, kay, you are welcome here at # 9 anytime. i like to imagine you will be in the states receiving a high honor for your poetry and i will surprise you, stand in front of you with a big grin, and see if you know it's me. ♥

    marion, we did not know one another last june. funny, because you have moved into my heart as a longtime dear dear friend. i could chicken out about the sex survey.
    i almost did last time.... :)

    lo, the arrival of emily plush is being slowly evaluated by ms. emily rabbit: so far so good.

    "Oh, btw. Yes, we'll be friends for a long long time. As long as I'm alive." lo, this choked me up. how easy you are to love! lucky me.

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  19. If I can borrow a bit of Renee, HAR-HAR! Just went back to your last years' Survey...... and yes, bring it on!!!! Renee was all for it - seeing her comment made my heart ache, but still made me smile to read it -and I think we, as a group, could use the laughs! It has been a hard Winter in oh-so-many ways!

    Those were some pretty amazing questions, KJB! (KJ "Babe") And now you have the whole weekend to work on new ones!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  20. i love this post...

    i can remember your first sex survey and i can remember what renee wrote as if it was yesterday.

    i hope you are feeling well and all sickness is just memory.

    love to you and keep of being loved ;)

    x Ribbon

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  21. robin and ribbon, OMG!!!! i just reread the first annual sex survey and i am rolling on the floor. i have tears in my eyes! oh renee!
    oh everyone!

    not to be missed (unless you want to)!! hilarious! how can this be topped?

    HAR HAR HAR!!!!!!!!!!

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  22. WOW! you get lots of good stufff, wonderful stuff, unique and special stuff and you know what that means right???
    you give good stuff too ;)
    love you back and course you can
    move nest door :D

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  23. HAR HAR indeed! Yes, Another sex survey would be fun. Renee will be with us in spirit.
    xoxo

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  24. oooh, WV 'hiatica' - like a holiday and a bug at the same time! Loved this post, and those gifts and art works are wonderful. I feel richer already.

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  25. oh and YES. no idea what the sex survey is but count me in.

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  26. all caught up now? I don't know about a second survey because nothing has changed from the first so i would probably cut and paste the answers...unless you have new questions.

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  27. val, the yin and yang of giving....

    annie, i'm getting nervous about the coming up with questions. see walking man's good point....

    sag, yay that you're in! and yes, i am so appreciative to have such wonderful talented people in my life.

    mark, do you want to help me with questions? haha-gulp? maybe they will be more spiritual this time... :)

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  28. Thanks for your kind comments on my crazy photos kj! Wow, what a wonderful lot of goodies you get, all so unique and beautiful!

    The sex survey, hmmmm - just read the first one - hilarious! Yeah go for it, why not, kj 'hot mama' babe! I'll answer at least the five - happy Saturday! xoxoxo Susan

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  29. How spoiled you are,,,and ain't it great!
    Gifts galore!

    Oh, and I remember Joss's answers from the first,,,
    (big HAR, huh Renee?)
    but I'm gonna go read it again.
    Just because,,,,,

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  30. Hi kj! I am sorry to be so late posting. In my defense, I had my head exploding from sinus-related material and I am just now becoming NORMAL. Well, normal for me.

    You have made me blush with your compliments. Thank you so very much for all your kind words. It brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of something Renee would say to me. I didn't tell you this before, but I have only had 2 blog giveaways. Renee won the first (she won a skelly dude), and you won the second. Coincidence? I think not. And I named Emily Plush weeks and weeks before I met Emily Rabbit. Coincidence? Perhaps. :) As for bodily functions - I think you have that covered with your sex survey. LOL!!! xoxo Pam

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  31. Just stopping by to say hi and thanks for visiting my blog! So glad you enjoyed the emerging plants and flowers in our garden... Love, Silke

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  32. Oooops, forgot to comment about the sex survey again... I'm not quite sure what to expect. Sounds like it could be quite interesting... :)

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  33. Oh KJ, Aruba looked wonderful...the hummingbird like a butterfly so of course it reminds us of Renee; the catching up...heck, I try and keep up with comments pretty well, but then don't get to read everyone else's comments on their blogs...should I follow less or just enjoy and know that comments are appreciated but not obligatory...

    Anyway, another thing I haven't made time for is thanking you for your emails, just checking in on me.

    You don't know how comforting that is, like someone said to me when Mike died...if every friend thinks of you once a day, you are always on someone's mind...

    hugs round you,

    Teri

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