Flair

Flair ~ noun
1. A natural talent or aptitude; a knack.

2. Distinctive elegance or style.

Related Words for Flair: genius, dash, elan, panache, style

My sister Shannon has Flair. And I don't just mean a sense of style. She has all the extra trimmings that make flair... well FLAIR.

When we were young, the three of us were fairly artistic. I always colored in the lines, sketched fashion designs and portraits. Nathan rarely colored in books, instead choosing to draw his own pictures. Shannon loved coloring books, but when it came to drawing... she seemed more interested in painting. As we grew up, Nathan's art became more detailed and when he used his talent, he was skilled at all types of drawing, but only took high school classes. My work centered more on painting, portraits mainly, back to fashion for a while and now it seems to center in the more technology-based graphic design area; I minored in Fine Art in college. Shannon never took art classes in high school or after. She was quiet about her skills. Over time you start to notice things about Shannon's world... her picture frames are carefully chosen, she has framed pictures and artwork in ways that express her. When she can't find what she wants, she makes it herself, and then is asked where she bought it. Shannon has a true gift for copying fonts in almost any medium, but she happens to excel in paint, and not just any paint, but puffy fabric paint. She can also draw in this paint. It's crazy to watch, and more amazing to see the results.

I think she could start a business. She's been making these shirts as baby gifts for a while now, but I don't think that she gets nearly enough credit for the work she does. She goes to the effort of making these personal... and then someone flat out tells her that they are going to use the beautiful new hand painted onesie as an undershirt. What the?!? yeah... I know. Anyway, here are a few samples. I am taking orders to set her up for business, so if you need any, let us know. (She's also starting to try these onesies out on puppies!)

I actually painted this shirt after watching Shannon do a few. What you can't see is the small lettering that Shannon did of Weston's name matching the Tonka logo.

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Shannon did this rockin' One shirt for Weston's 1st Birthday. He looks so cool that we used it for his 1st birthday pictures. (He was sick in this picture and was getting overly tired, but the outfit looks great!)

Shannon did this for a baby shower. The mom's nickname was Worm when she was little.

Same mom... this is the motto for the baby's last name. The Grandma (on Daddy's side) understood it immediately.

When the baby was first conceived, her parents called her their little Gummy Bear until they knew she was a baby girl.

For a Christmas gift, Shannon drew out the bars of "You Are My Sunshine," since this is what the musically inclined mom sings to her new baby.
On the back, Shannon wrote out the first verse...
For Christmas, Shannon made Weston a shirt that says, "Little Jones 01" just like a basketball jersey! it's so cute. I love it. In the Damon house, we each have numbers. I'm #1, Nathan's #2, and Shannon's #3. So, Weston would be Jones #1 or in our family, he could be counted at Damon 2.1. She made our niece Paisley onesies (I wish I still had pictures!) one was three paisley patterns in a row. Another says Damien 2.1, in reference to being Nathan's daughter. She's also done two other sets of onesies that I don't have pictures of.

Shannon is so incredibly talented and caring. She puts her heart into all she does.
If you are interested in her talents, let me know...

I can hook you up.
:)

"Hazy Shade of Winter"

This is my view from the window of my boss Ed's office. (He's currently braving the snow on I-80 in the Grinnell area. "Not good," he says.) It looks all hazy and cold and gray. What you can't see on my pathetic cell phone camera are the fluffy huge flakes that are falling at a pretty fast rate. Snowing since almost 2pm, my car is completely covered in the white powder. It actually looks light enough to wipe off with the wind shield wipers.

This light, fluffy snow is supposed to accumulate in amounts of anywhere from 4-8 inches by the time it's all said and done tomorrow morning. Now, sometime early Thursday morning, the winds are supposed to kick in... gusty dangerous winds. Since the snow is so light and the winds are so strong, we'll have blizzard-like conditions and of course, Travel Is Not Advised. (But we'll be expected to arrive at work on time.) Look at this nasty forecast:

The high on Friday is -2!!! Seriously! Automatic snow day. I do not want to leave my bed. And next week's highs will be like Spring after this week. (It was -22 during the day last weekend when we were Cherokee.) Anyone from Iowa remember what February usually looks like? If December and January are this bad... how horrible will February be?

That's it. I quit. I am all wintered out!

A ~

I got your card today (our mailbox has been frozen shut.) I can't tell you everything that I need to right now. I promise to write back as soon as I can. I just wanted you to know that we got the card, and that I can't thank you enough for your gift to Weston. I would never turn any gift away, even a kidney. (By the way, same goes for me too. Any organ that I can spare is yours.)

When in doubt, remember... we've known each other half our lives, and I love you too, just as you are.

~ E.

Christmas and Birthday

I promise to post something fabulous about our Christmases and my (gasp!) 30th Birthday.
For now... just know that we still have the Jones Christmas in Cherokee this weekend.

Also... I always said that I was pooling birthday money for a memorable 30th birthday tennis bracelet. But... I am contemplating not getting the bracelet and instead getting a Wii Fit. Thoughts? Is it worth the money or should I go with the bling? let me know.

Post Script: I did get one piece of Bling this year... my parents (dad specifically) gave me a diamond tiara ring for my 30th birthday. This way I can be a Princess any day I want to. (tear!) good Dad!

gifts

This year I knew that we had to get our daycare providers a Christmas gift.

They love Weston almost as much as we do. They take care of him, teach him, kisses his owwies.

So, I needed to show them that they are loved too!

I was going to go with a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, Jasmine Thai in Altoona.

Then I learned that 3 other parents had the same idea.

So I made them a Movie Night Bundle. Something for Kris and Todd and their daughter, Kaylie.

Jingle Bells?

Once upon a Midnight clear...

As Weston and I sat near,

There was a rustling...
what some might call a Jingling,

within our Christmas Tree.

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Since Weston was next to Mommy

there was no way that he was naughty.

He gave me a look as if to say,

"Hey! How come I don't get to play?"

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We crept around our glowing tree

looking for the source of the holiday clatter.

And what should we find was the matter?

(see below)

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Nola... our cat in disguise as the Griswald Christmas Chipmunk!

Superman Jones

Weston had a huge, very busy weekend. Late nights, early mornings and little to no naps.

He left all Christmas presents alone and under the tree.

He was especially adorable around all extended family.

He opened his Christmas present at the Dalton Christmas Party with the wonder and laughter that we all hope for our children.

He raced that car up and down his "Mommy-ami's" legs, arms, and tummy as if I were a NASCAR speedway! He kept going, "Broom! Broom!" (No clue where he picked up the car sounds.)

The best part of the weekend?

As we're getting ready for bed, I hand Weston his sippy cup and ask if he wants a drink. He takes the cup from me and replies, "Tan You, Mom." I about cried I was so thrilled.