Jolly's Drive In

Today is one of those days that I really wish I lived closer to Home.

Don't get me wrong, I love Chicago and everything this amazing big city has to offer. But home has my family, my life-long friends... and Jolly's.

Jolly's is a 1950's style Drive-In that was started by my grandparents, Vince and Betty Jolivette in 1938. For all of my life (and before) my Dad has since taken over the reigns of this Hamilton! Ohio, Hometown Favorite.

For as long as I can remember, Jolly's has always been my most favorite food. From a delicious mug of ice cold Root Beer, to a mouth-watering Footlong with Everything (Chili, mustard, onions and cheese); it's a comfort food that (for me) is like no other.

I can remember being little and playing on the big mounds of Sugar bags in the back room with my brothers. Wanting to "help" by "washing" the mugs for the carhop girls, and "late" night car trips in the Summer to help my Dad close for the day (really just getting my very own Brown Cow). Is there anything better than vanilla ice cream and Root beer? (doubtful)

So today, my Dad opened Jolly's for it's 73rd season.

How amazing is that? Almost three quarters of a century and it still gets me (and a few others) watering at the mouth.


So here's to that delicious fresh-popped popcorn, that glorious chili/cheese combo, and that glass of root beer that always seems to taste better in a mug.

Congrats Daddio! I'll be home soon.

Jolly Family Palooza 2011

Every first weekend in February, my Dad's side of the family comes from near and far to gather in the great city of Chicago.

A weekend among Jolly's finest includes a great amount of catching up, eating, drinking, dancing, shopping, and drinking. This year karaoke was even added to the mix. (Amazing!)


Who knew partying with your family could be this fun?

Here's to a really great Jolly Family with an even better Jolly Tradition.

                                                                     Cheers.

Snow Day

For the first time in over 10 years, I had a snow day.

Now, I am not afraid to admit that I am one of those people that are always completely jealous of my teacher friends when they get random days off or "snow days", especially when there is a meer dusting on the ground. I have honestly considered (more than once) about completely changing my career to be able to snag one of these jobs that encourages you to stay safe and home through monsoon, flooding, snowstorms, earthquake, as well as any other natural disaster.  But as my journey continues through the "real world", I have slowly accepted the fact that gone are the days of waiting up, wishing and hoping school would be closed for a day of freedom.

So on Tuesday night, the 1st of February, I can honestly say that I was pretty doubtful with all of the hype and hysteria over the brewing Blizzard that was supposed to come our way.

I. was. wrong.

Waking up and looking out the window to my car looking like this...

 Felt amazing. 

I knew that even if I wanted to go into work, there was absolutely no way I was digging out my snow covered car, anytime soon.

And then I got the email. 

The office will be closed today. 

YESSSSS!! 

I was literally 10 years old again, bouncing around in my PJs, so freaking excited that the "real world" actually granted me a Snow Day. 

Because I realize these days happen (well almost never), I made sure to spend the day doing some of my favorite things;

Napping, eating some great comfort food (pizza), enjoying some day time television, and of course..

Playing in the snow.

Create the Connection

     I believe that everyone, everywhere needs to feel connected. Think about it. All anyone wants is to belong, to be loved and to love...to be understood.

In order to graduate (like most Colleges/Universities) I had to participate in a Senior Comprehensive Review. As a Studio Art major, I had to create a cohesive body of work that embodied, not only what I felt strongly about, but challenged and pushed me with the skills I had learned the previous four years.

I chose a series of figurative, acrylic paintings that spanned to 10 feet long and about 5 feet tall (being only 5"2, that was a challenge within itself). When putting together this blog/website, I found the photos and artist statement that accompanied the art show. 

My twenty-two year old self wrote in April 2007 the following;

I have always been fascinated with the power of relationships. As human beings, we relate to one another through verbal and non-verbal gestures in order to provide meaning and focus in our lives. It is that human connection made each and everyday that is vital to our emotional growth. As a summer camp counselor, I dealt first hand with twelve and thirteen year old girls who constantly struggled with this human connection.

            Through my acrylic figurative paintings, I reveal the non-verbal gestures that identify the desire one has for a positive and successful relationship. Through a warm smile, a disgusted look, a helping hand, or a cold shoulder, these girl’s interactions are the epitome of the worldwide effort to feel connected; to feel alive.

It's been almost four years (eeks) since that Artist Statement and my "glory days" at Saint Mary's College. Since then, I know I have a better understanding about what it means to desire the connection. 

Maybe it's being in the "real world" and meeting new people in a big city; impressing the "boss-man" with a really great new concept; falling in love with a really great guy; or just enjoying and growing in the already amazing friendships I have proudly kept. Whatever it is, I realize that in order to feel connected, I must create the connection. 

Through painting, smiling, laughing, crying, concept-ing, listening, talking, loving...I try to create the connection. 

So take the time and ask yourself, what makes you feel alive; connected? How do you create the connection?

(see Paintings-Misc. tab above for more Senior Comp Artwork)

It's Friday, I'm in Love.

"I don't care if Monday's blue

Tuesday's gray and Wednesday too
Thursday I don't care about you
It's Friday, I'm in love."

 ~The Cure

Finally Friday. Happy Weekend:)

What Makes a House a Home.

Considering the fact that I spend (on average) more time at said company, than my place of residence, I figured I would do my best to make it the most tolerable of spaces to spend some a lot of time.

So this is my house cube.

Nice, right?

So what makes my house cube, a home?

• An uplifting/encouraging saying, directly on top of my monitor. 
•  Some fun music boxes which include a Dolly Mama original stating, "It's not the Age, its the Hat-titude" as well as a porcelain musical turtle, dressed as Vincent Van Gogh (complete with band-aid over the ear and straw hat) 
• Oh and a fairy, with a hook. 

• A funny and really great picture of my Best Friends.

• A classic 30 Rock quote that directly relates to my life. And makes me chuckle. 

• A super cute photo of 2 out of 4 nieces and nephews.
• The purpose of Life, according to Henry Miller.
• And, the Love.

So, although I've done my best to make my cube a nice little place to spend a lot of time, let's be honest... 

There really is no place like Home. 

-

Do What You Love.

     Tonight, I picked up the aforementioned book and the page fell open with this statement;

          If you Do what you Love you'll never work a day in your life. 

Today, for work, I took a field trip downtown to be inspired. Apart of my job is to come up with ideas. A lot of my friends often ask, how do I do it? How do I come up with an original idea/concept that is different (or different enough) day after day, week after week, year after year (ugh years). 

But to tell you the truth, it kind of comes naturally. For one reason or another, I have been able to "train" my thoughts into thinking about things a little differently. 

Maybe it was the endless hours of doing fun and exciting new crafts when I was little. My friends and I (literally) did a different "project" (as my Mom would call it) at every one of my birthday parties until I was 18 years old.  Or maybe it is my Mom's constant preaching, "Anyone can give a gift, it's the presentation that is key." Whatever it is, guess I can attribute more than just my squinty eyes to Mama J. :)

While I certainly do not like my job everyday, I do love the fact that I get to be creative. And if continuing to be creative gets me to never work a day in my life... 

 

I'll take it.