Donuts and Red Shoes...Embracing Jiggy Day

It's Jiggy Day...and I am eating freshly glazed donuts for breakfast and wearing new red shoes.


Because anything red ALWAYS reminds me of my girl...but especially red shoes!

 My heart generally surges and then constricts on Jocie's birthday...causing joy and pain simultaneously.

I find it incomprehensible that my youngest daughter would be 22 today and even further unfathomable that this is the seventh birthday we have celebrated without her. 

The inability to make new memories is one of the cruel realities about losing someone very close to you. As friends and family age...she remains forever fixed in time. A beautiful rose oblivious to seasonal changes or passage of time.

This beautiful rose will always be 15.

I see so much of Jocie in the world around me...like the antics of her teenage brother choosing Hello Kitty for his senior year backpack.

Or downloading the photos from my camera...to find these gems waiting for me! Harassing mom used to be a favorite pastime of Jocie's.

Certainly Jocie would have been on the top of this boulder rockin' the Warrior pose with her siblings.

And she would be completely supportive of this behavior...

as well as this nonsense!

When Jocie was this age she liked sugar, shoes and shopping...

and hated having her hair fixed each and every morning...which completely describes Olivia.


Playing with crazy lovable Kenya always reminds me of Jocie, because she picked her out of that litter of puppies the day we brought her home. Kenya being the most hyper pup...I remember Jocie exclaiming, "See mom, she acts just like one of us!"

Sometimes I wish I could sneak just one new memory out of the past...

one moment I've forgotten.

Something ridiculous that Jocie said...

or even better...a breathtaking mother daughter memory that belongs to just the two of us.

So today my friends I have a wish for you,

or shall I even make it a challenge!

Do something extraordinary...

or even ordinary today,

with someone you love,

doing what you love...

and photograph it, sketch it, journal it,

just document it in some way. Record that memory and tuck it away for safe keeping. Trust me...you will be so happy you did. Happy Jiggy Day to all our friends and family!

Birthday Parties in Heaven

Today is Jiggy Day...my baby girl's birthday, and I find myself wandering and wondering...

Are there birthday parties in heaven...

filled with colorful balloons sent aloft from heavyhearted ones on Earth,

with scrumptious chocolate cake and soft billowy frosting scooped from heavenly sweet clouds.


Will there be dear little friends...


 gathered close to help her celebrate in my absence.

In heaven are there thoughtfully chosen gifts...

filled with her favorite things...like ski suits,

and giggly bubble bath.

And what of birthday shopping in heaven...

gazing through shop windows...

stopping for Juicy Couture...

and shoes...lots and lots of shoes...but especially heels!

Likewise on this birthday...

is she giddy with excitement at the upcoming ski season, as the first blanket of snow has covered our mountains. 

I can only imagine if Jocie has anything to say about it...there most certainly are heavenly birthday parties...

 along with puppies,

exciting vacations to fun places,

barrels full of Diet Coke,

and cell phones.

So today my friends as you go through the details of a Saturday routine...remember that it's Jiggy day!

The day we eat brownies for breakfast and ice-cream for dinner. The day to wrap your arms snug around friends and even tighter around family. Make every moment of your life magical and make each moment matter!

You can bet there will be a celebration both here and in heaven. Go big or go home!

Coming Soon To A Location Near You

Following a lovely honey harvest this fall, the Bee Master Dean took notice of the leftover beeswax, sweet smelling and golden in color, and he had an epiphany.  It began as a thought...a crazy thought...rolling around in that math brain of his.  Upon consulting his bee friend Mark (aka Papa Smurf) the wheels were set in motion. And since that epiphany there's been no looking back.  When the Bee Master gets something in his head, it's best to either get on board or just "move...get out da way"!

This project would take extreme hours of Internet investigation and then precise computations and formulas.  How do you compute fluid ounces to ounces to grams?  What ingredients will be the smoothest?  What scent will be the most pleasing?  Where can I find Essential Oils?

 

This would require the expertise of Chemistry Girl known these days as Momma Girl.  Don't worry...I'll take care of Olivia while you both postulate formulas and play with pipettes.  We all have our strengths and abilities and I know mine! 

Beeswax...Shae butter...sweet almond oil...oh my!

Chemistry Girl will need a trusty assistant...one she can order around.  Ahem...I mean ask for assistance, and K-Dawg is up for the job.  This is wonderful news considering the pay is lousy!

 

And then we will need to sample the product.  Several packages of the lip balm were numbered and sent to a test data group.  The Bee Master sent along an evaluation form with strict instructions.  

Everyone knows that I am the queen of lip balm...it's in my genes...and also in my jeans.  I once had an awakening while watching Tom Hanks become a "Castaway" on that deserted island.  I could never be without lip balm, ever!  I now carry one in every pocket I have.  I also have several in my purse...car...craft room...office...kitchen...sewing kit...fridge...I think you get the idea.

It was a tough job, but I couldn't wait to try out all the different lip balm formulas. 

Evaluations were made.  A label designer was hired.  Health Department regulations were consulted to verify compliance. Paperwork was filed with the government.  Display boxes were crafted.  And then final choices for formula and scents were chosen.
 

Fast forward a couple of weeks and it's time for the actual production process. This time, careful consideration was given for a "clean" environment including gloved hands.

Do they act and look like they are father and daughter or what? 

And so...without further ado...I am thrilled to introduce...

 

The Jiggy Stick

Brought to you with introductory flavors of Coconut Lime, Vanilla Mint, Lemongrass, and Mountain Snow.

Coming soon to a location near you... try the Jiggy Stick for yourself!  Tell them the Bee Master sent you.

 

Congratulations Bee Master...and Papa Smurf...and Chemistry Girl...and K-Dawg!
 
I think Jiggy would be very proud of the Jiggy Stick!

I wonder when his next epiphany will come?