Mojoy

Ok, so this is going to be a fuhuuunnny post. Know why? There's not one single picture of one of the people represented here which is actually good. NO. I mean, really really not good! With that said, don't you worry, friends! I have included a similarly horrid photo or two of myself just for good measure and so you don'tt hink I am being partial in some way.

The purpose of this post is to show the "talismans" I made for me and my friends to wear to help us remember our words! We all gathered at Staci's on the first, as Todd the Bod had made a bean soup, (to die for!), which included all of the basics for the first, including beans, cabbage, etc. Veronicia had been at my house helping me organize the girls' closets to squeeze in all the new stuff. Then, she and I went to Staci's, where we found her orgainizing her closet, and Staci and I were actually still in pajamas!

We seriously did NOT know that Don had texted several of our friends to come over to have dinner with us for the first! Anywhoooo...

as we sat there, totally humiliated as couple after couple showed up, I decided we needed to discuss our "words of the year" and share with each other WHY that would be our words.

First up... Veronicia. She chose Still. Or Steal. Or Steel. She felt they all pertained. She wanted to "still" believe (lots of fertility failures this year) in the possibilities. She wanted to be stand firm as steel and wanted to remember to not let any circumstance "steal" her joy. She will be steadfast and hopeful in this coming year. Sooo.... I made her this. It has that nut that represents her "steel". It has two dangles which, to me, represents she and her baby, which I am sure is to come, and the little white pearl is the egg/ ovum/ baby which she is believing in "still".

Example number one of very hideous photo of Mel, NOT realizing ANYONE was coming over!!

Ok, next up. Staci! She chose "Order"! She had been organizing all day, but also wants to see order in her schedule, order in how she raises her kids, order in her home, etc. So....

I made her a talisman which had a big golden "O" for order. I made the rest of the talisman, "happy" because I know Staci will NEED this upbeat part of her necklace to bring her back to her happy place when her attempt at "order" is about to consume her.

Above photo... my nails are EQUALLY hideous!!

Next up... Tashia. She is choosing to "simplify" in 2011! Therefore, we KNOW she needed a necklace which was "simple"!

I told her I see her as having two main areas which need her focus this year... her work and her family. They are represented as the two ends of the bar in the center. The pearl represents Tashia, swinging in the balance.

And ta-da...this would be Tashia's equally attractive photo. You are welcome, Tashia!

Tashia's daughter was only there momentarily, but she chose "cherish". This is her necklace. She left early. Taylor would NOT have been there hanging out with us had she not been grounded! Just sayin'! It was fun having you there for about the first 30 minutes though, Taylor! CHERISH your senior year, my dear!

Ok, next up, Ana. Ana says her word this year will be "trust". Trust in herself, her friends, and in God's perfect timing!

With that, we have the gear at the bottom which represents God's timing, the feather, which, to me, demonstrates a friend's soft support, and the ball which is Ana, standing alone, strong and independent.

Naturally, Ana didn't take a bad picture. Turd!

We're just waiting on her to age like the rest of us!

Ok, now onto Penny. Penny chose "Joy" as her word. I LOVE that word. Just sayin'!

So, as I am looking through my goodies to choose what I want to use to help her express her word and wear it all year long, I know it has to be "upbeat" and happy!

I said, "Of course, we need swirls!".

Johnnye walked through the room, and being the feminine male of the bunch, he decided he needed a word too! NOt only that. He needed a talisman necklace, he felt, too! Soooo....

here you have, "more". He chose "more". He explained all the "more" he needs in his life right now... some of them a little too vulgar to mention here, butttttt, he also had some fairly noble "more's". One of them being more accounts at his insurance agency, so I made his a gold circle symbolizing prosperity and circled with gold wire.

and then came Paula... she said her word this year is "Embrace". She has really been struggling with the idea that her firstborn will be going to college in the fall! I mean, cries at pep rallies, sobs at the last football game, etc! Sooo....

I loved this red coral which, to me, showed one trunk with two divergent roots, which come back together at the bottom. I told her it was just time for them to split a little, but they will always be bound together. The nuts above represent, John and 5 of his best friends, who are practically Paula's foster kids. I mean, over at her house DAILY!! The ball on the top, opposite side of the pendant, is Paula. The wing is obvious, as he is leaving the nest this year.

Again. Nice picture!

Oh my ! Pretty!!

Which brings us to my word for 2011! RELISH!

I want to relish the time I have with my girls, as I already have forgotten so much about Ellie at Gabbi's age. It pains me that I can't remember some of those special little moments. I am going to CONCENTRATE on them as they are happening. Similar to you, blessedmomof3! In fact, relish is a synonym of "savor" and I almost chose that word too! However, I liked relish because...

I also think of Relish as a topping, something that makes food a little more appetizing or exciting! I want to make sure our family life has the RELISH on it that makes it special!
Sooooo....

My talisman is busy! It is full of relish! It has two wings to remind me that life is not guaranteed! We never know God's plan for our lifespans. It specifically reminds me of Jake's short life and how I need to RELISH my time with my girls, because neither me nor they are guaranteed a tomorrow! Also, I have coins (10 and 1) which Staci gave me for Christmas, which represent my favorite number (11!!) and the upcoming year, 2011! The bright gold rings mean "special", "shiny", extra glitzy, the "relish" I am hoping for in our lives! When it comes to that definition of "relish", I actually envision more "sprinkles" than I do that green relish on hotdogs! Remember those Santa Claus cookies? That's how I want our lives. That's how I want them to remember their childhood. Just a whole lot of "extra" special!

So there it is. Thanks to those of y0u who shared yours! I bought a lot more supplies today for anyone who might like their own talisman or charm to wear to signify their word in the coming year. Let me know your word, WHY you chose it, and I will try to design something special for you. The cost will depend on the components used! All the pieces are pretty unique, as hopefully, you saw in the above pics.

So SURELY there are more than 5 of you who have a word! Let me hear them. And tell me why! I am still beating myself up for last year's word of the year debacle (spelling?!). I am so sorry to those of you who wanted to do the 52 week deal, who I messed up. The whole "move" threw me WAY off course, where I lost boxes , supplies, my cues of questions I had prepared for the ENTIRE year! I was NOT in a good place to take on such an endeavor! Again, I apologize!

Ok, let me hear from you. I am ready for a great year!!

Mo