Hangin’ with Corndog

Jeanette and I have been friends for a decade. We’ve laughed together, cried together and celebrated together. Neither of us will ever lose our friendship. Besides, we can’t. If one of us runs for office, we definitely need to be on each other’s good side. Here’s a pic that I got her years ago when we were going through another transition. It still hangs on her wall!

Little Corbin is Jeanette’s womb mate. I couldn’t be in another state when he was born because I was in physical therapy for my hip. I just got to meet him and I am so in love.

Balance a blue duck on your head if you love Jamie!!!!!!!!

Tonight, Corbin was inconsolable. We think he is teething. I took him to his nursery, put on a chill playlist and we danced to this song:

He fell asleep in the nape of my neck. He’s got me wrapped around his little fingers. I’m going to miss him. Lil C- I will always be your cheerleader. And I will love you forever. I know I am going to cry tomorrow when I say goodbye. But I suppose people part just to meet again. I hope that your spirit is as wild and free as your Aunt Jamie’s.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It’s the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here’s a happy one for you.
~Dale Evans

I wish everyone peace, love and contentment.

Love you Corbin!

–BV– Jamie

meeting up again is a certainty for friends.

Another day on my journey and more pics. I used the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 lens for this shoot. I really wanted to bring the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 but it is so heavy that it would probably take an extra tank of gas to haul it all over the country. So I brought this lens and use the wide angle for landscapes and the telephoto end for portraits. I didn’t want to be weighed down with lenses on this trip. Doing this shoot was a little stressful because the temp was way hotter than we anticipated and I felt like I was having an ‘off’ day (the artist’s mental curse) but we made it through!! How cute is the outfit and tutu?? She inspired me to dress in a colorful silk floral romper today.

These Colorado/Wisconsin/Okies are about to make a big move to the west coast. I’m so lucky to be friends with my dear Sara and her daughter Halle looks like a little model. Such an adorable family! It was so hard saying goodbye to Sara. I cried as I was walking away from her but I know that God wants us to evolve and move to new places that cultivate our souls. I’m just lucky to have a friend that was so difficult to say goodbye to.  Sara, you are a light. Shine on sister. I know that you are going to do your part to make this world a better place.

Well, here’s some pics!! I wish everyone peace and contentment. =)

–BV– Jamie

for the love of the future.

All generations rebel against the domineering attitudes of the society in which they come of age and diversify cultural norms. Adults tend to point fingers at the current kids for their own offensive media, but think about this: often, it is the thirty year olds who write it, the  fifty year olds who produce it, and the seventy year olds whose portfolio’s profit from the trash! Today’s younger culture is filled with dialogue and pictures that are offensive to most adults. It sure doesn’t stop the adult producers from making (and hoarding) profits. I’m here to tell you that the younger gens find it offensive too! They just go along with it is because for the time being, they have to. But just you wait.

“The only positive outcome of this continuing crisis is a clear and dramatic demonstration of what happens to a country when a privileged few decide to take what they can get and let the rest of us be damned. Our founders knew that if we didn’t all hang together then we would hang separately. The Millennials know this and they are using the technological innovations of the past 20 years to transform themselves and the country, binding us together as never before.” – the TRUTH

Please click here and read this!

For those of you who fear for the future, fear not. Something is happening here. A shift is about to take place. This nation will be turned around if we work together!!! I am not affiliated with a party and will probably remain that way but do not doubt that my vote will be made in 2012. Please be educated on your representatives’ policies and promises, then voice your own opinion and be heard! Twitter to the reps and let them know what you think. Make a funny youtube video. Technology is here and it’s not going away. Be heard.

kaleidoscope

It’s one of those crisp nights and I wish that I were looking at the stars with my husband. My road trip is a blast but this is where we met years ago and I was broken and he never stopped loving me and I miss him. I remember listening to jazz music while he showed me the stars. Nerds are so hot. This time of year always makes me want to be closer to him. But I’ve got to do this. I have to go to the places that defined me and say goodbye so I can totally move forward in Houston. This trip is supposed to end with my grandmother’s official funeral that hasn’t happened yet. I brought her head scarves with me so I can feel close to her. I don’t know why but I somehow thought that I’d move back home one day. God had other plans for me. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a mountain change from pale green to bursting shades of goldens, yellows, oranges and reds. It’s the year’s last smile and I’m here to smile with it. Texas is in a drought this fall but I’ll be damned if I will be.

There’s something about the wind on my face, my hair blowing long and wild, crazy printed outfits, hands on the steering wheel, music blaring and singing along to the soundtrack of my life without a care in the world. I love not knowing what is going to happen next. There really is no place like roam but I do miss my partner in crime. I’ll have new pics up soon because I’m already with the most amazing Oklahomies I know.

Until then, here’s some pics of my doggies that I also miss! And my mother in law is taking care of Roxy (the third dog) who had to get her second ACL surgery. Please keep us all in your positive thoughts!!! I look forward to posting photos and tips on this trip.

Both photos taken with Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens. My go to lens. So in love. These photos were shot wide open, which means that they were shot with the maximum aperture of 1.4. Basically, the lower the number on the lens by the f/ means that you can use a faster shutter speed and shoot in lower light. A 50mm lens is a fixed lens, meaning that it doesn’t zoom. A lens that just has one number is a fixed lens. I love fixed lenses because they are simpler and they make you do the legwork, like how I took the pic of Sir Cocoa the Great on my stomach. Real photographers move!!!! Supposedly Brad Pitt owns a Leica with an $11,000 f/0.95 lens and I would relive Nancy Grace’s nip slip to get my grubby hands on it. But I digress. Happy day lovelies. =)

copyright bellavitabyjamie

copyright bellavitabyjamie

dawn.

you can be the best looking

it will not matter if you are broken

you can think useful thoughts

it will not count if they are never spoken

you can pump yourself with fake

but we are tired of dumb b*tches

while they take and take and take

we will be busy building bridges

you can lose yourself in the stars

it will not count if you are not grounded

you can hate instead of love

but in our generation it is unfounded

we are here for a makeover of the mind

a makeover of the soul

tired of closed minds

left or right

black or white

and the wealthy on cruise control

we believe in equality for all

grass roots and urban sprawl

everyone has a voice

everyone has a say

but it is the problem solvers

that will give America a new day

we were chosen

it is time to rearrange

the revolution is here

and the revolution is change.

 

words copyrighted bellavitabyjamie

no warrior left behind.

I didn’t think that I would like the movie ‘Warrior’ but I’ve heard a lot of Oscar buzz hype regarding Nick Nolte’s performance. Plus, I owed it to my husband for making him see ‘How Do You Know’ with Reese Witherspoon (trust me, you didn’t want to know). Not only did Nolte hit beautiful notes on both emotional restraint and outbursts, the rest of the cast did an exceptional job as well. To me, this movie wasn’t as stimulating as ‘The Fighter’. It was missing an edge that only David Russell’s genius artistic directing skills can master. Christian Bale’s performance in ‘The Fighter’ is one of the best supporting roles of all time in my opinion. But this isn’t just a movie review.

This movie touched me in a way that ‘The Fighter’ couldn’t. Tom Hardy, who plays a former Marine, portrays an individual suffering from PTSD. Not once in the entire movie is PTSD mentioned but Hardy gave a heart-wrenching performance and you could see the pain and rage in his eyes. I immediately thought of a friend who was honorably discharged from a secret squirrel combat job. He and I used to go to lunch together, sing 80’s songs at the top of our lungs with the windows rolled down, support one another because we were both wanting more out of life, and we would pick apart each other’s girlfriend/boyfriend. I’m so glad that he got to meet my husband before he left for the other side of the world. I’ll never forget telling him that if he ever gets lonely, just to look up at the moon and stars and realize that his friends and loved ones were looking at the same moon and sky. He laughed and said, “Good one master poet Jamie, I’ll have to feed that one to my girlfriend.” He called me last year and told me that he had one last deployment and then he was getting out and he wanted me to come to his wedding. Yes, he was engaged and I was so happy for him.

That was the last time we talked. To my friend, if you are reading this, please know that I still pray for you every night. My husband and I miss your laugh. I miss your voice. I miss having lunch talks over coffee. I know you must have seen some things that no human being should ever have to experience. Sometimes there simply are no words and that is alright. Please know that I’m still under the same sky, waiting. –Your forever friend.

I’ve been dreaming a lot about a cruise ship lately. It’s docked. In this recurring dream, I go on this ship but don’t know where to go. I think that this is God telling me that it is time to pick a direction. I often get passionate about ideas and then never follow through. Plenty of ideas, not much organization. I’m going to take my road trip, re-connect with loved ones, get my spirit stronger, and pick a direction. I have a feeling it will be to the VA hospital. To visit the mecca of warriors.

Let’s be a little nicer to people. Everyone is fighting a battle and we have no apprehension of their circumstances.

New York, I love you.

I didn’t watch this movie when it came out because I was going to school and working full time. I was so stressed and lonely. The last thing that I wanted to see was a love movie. I finally saw it and am kicking myself. It’s about quirky love and how strange love is. I enjoyed most of the short films that comprise this movie. Here is my favorite short film (I hope this is my hubby and me in sixty odd years):

Bee aware.

As a little girl in SW Virginia (not to be confused with West Virginia), I remember having to avoid bees as I picked little white flowers to chain into a crown. Now there are few little white flowers and no bees. Think about it. When was the last time you saw a honeybee? I’ve heard a little bit about the disappearance of bees but had no idea how vital they are to one of our three basic needs: food. So if you eat, please watch this movie. Yes, models, even if you only eat gum. Your honey-food is most likely from China.

 

twenty-nine south of the mason-dixon line

You know what, being 29 makes me happy. There was a freak out when I turned 25. But 29 rules.

The party started right after midnight when the hubbs came home with a vanilla frap and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin (<—-AMAZING). Here’s all the remaining evidence:

We watched a movie in bliss together.

Time with him is rare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I slept in and then opened up cards/gifts from family:

We had no plans on purpose.

The gift card worked out nicely.

Outback bloomin' onion- something I eat about once a year. I could feel my blood pressure rising with each blissful bite.

We also had cheese dip and coke (him)/diet coke(moi). Unfortunately, we do this weekly. Neon cheese is so bad but oh so amazingly good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My grandmother passed away a couple of months ago. I dressed fun and colorful because life goes on. I wore one of her headscarves to feel close to her. This one actually was a belt from a reversible silk robe that my grandmother used to wear when I was a small child. I remember loving the feel of silk. Just seeing this polka dot number makes me smile and instantly takes me back to running barefoot up to her house for a meal fresh from the garden.

I wanted my wardrobe to feel the spirit of living and happiness. (Clarks boots from my birthday loot blog)

On the weekend, my mother in law wanted the family to get together for my birthday for her infamous spaghetti and meatballs. I walked in and was amazed at how much work she had put into the party.

Family was there… even part of the zoo was there….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food was MMMMmmmmmmmGood!!!!

There was plenty of entertainment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then there was cake. My mother in law made my favorite cake, carrot cake, home made. She had even done a trial run cake earlier in the week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much gratitude to be given for all the people in my life. And I am especially thankful to my mother in love, who put in a lot of time, effort and hard work into making this year special. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve had a party like that and you made me feel like a kid again.

This has been a year of rehabilitation, both for my hip and my soul. I used to be anxious and afraid. But as time passes, I slip into age like that perfect silk robe that will always fit you perfectly. My creeping wrinkles keep on creeping but I like to think it’s from smiling so much. I have no problem with that. Without God’s goodness, I could have had a nervous breakdown with all that I’ve been through. I couldn’t even walk this time last year. The fact that I am mobile is the goodness of God. The fact that I have support from the ones who care, the occurrence of a small beautiful moment that helps me appreciate the uniqueness of the world– that’s the God of the universe breathing life into my soul. Today, I see grace in the simpler things. Saturated light and colors. A good long slow rain. The feel of fall. Ice water in a mason jar. The first smiles and wags of tails in the morning as my furry friends await breakfast. A nudge on the hand or a lick on the face. The steady sound of my husband breathing. My own breath as I dive into moments.

I’m here. Standing like a skyscraper. Alive. May life never be taken for granted.

MAC ATTACK!

I bought two things at MAC today. First of all, I love Mac’s paintpot in Bare Study.

Bare Study- wonderful creaseless base

 

Been using for four years.

My only complaint is that it dries too quickly.

I might have a mental breakdown if paint pots get discontinued.

That’s how much I love them.

 

I also have:

Mac Delft- amazeballs with black shadow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

Great as a base for neutrals, browns and golds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAC has solved my woes by putting out a Posh Paradise campaign with a new formula for the ol’ paint pot. I’ve been doing cat eyes a lot lately (mostly due to the fact that I’m obsessed with Adele) and the Painterly or Canvas colors look super yellow on my fair skin. I bought Treasure Hunt, a beautiful wash of pale gold. The new formula doesn’t dry out as quickly and has a beautiful texture.

Here’s my swatch:

Treasure Hunt ($18.50 )- looks awesome over black and can be used as a highlighter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other Mac goody that I got is the Fix spray. It has glycerine so you can mix it with shadows, pigments and cakeliners to make eyeliner. It can also be sprayed on the face to reduce redness and set makeup. I’ve been trying to use water to mix my liners and ruined a Laura Mercier liner because our Houston city water is probably poison. But I digress…. I like the Fix. It’s pretty awesome.

Mac Fix ($20.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mac embraces all races, ages, genders, and sizes! I am a huge fan.

I’ll post pics when I do my makeup and update this blog! Toodaloo kangaroos!!!!!