Dec 24th and all is quiet within the house - quiet as a mouse (have you ever heard a mouse - they aren't quiet at all! All that nibbling, scratching and fake posing when they are heard... no, not quiet at all!
Finally the all I want, all I need...is over and awaiting the jolly fat man in the red coat overseeing the 'wise guys' antics as they drop gold, frankincense and myrrh on the bed of the long anticipated though unaware baby wrapped in the latest Gucci swaddling clothes. Like what kid wants metals and incense for their birthday?
Tis the season to be Jolly, receive mega presents and show off this season's colourful if somewhat gaudy decorations. Ho ho ho is that all this season is about?
I don't know about you but I find this time of year can be the most stressful, guilt ridden time and creates a mixed bag of anticipation, regret and finally acceptance.
We are led to believe that after we have dressed up the store bought Spruce in the middle of the floor dropping its dry needles while the pets are playing with the escaping ornaments that have rolled under the couch, monitoring the continual placing and replacement of the overabundance of the culinary goodies spread on the gold linen draped table surrounded with all our 'happy, happy Norman Rockwell family' talking about their trials and tribulations of work, kids, taxes and environment...
Yes, tis the season to be Jolly...
I prefer this time of year to be about family and friends that come together because they want to be together not because their last name happens to be the same or it is expected and therefore obligatory to attend.
Memories are attached to their owner and my memories of last years holiday will stay with me for a long time. We were all together (with the exception of one family member and his wife (due only to distance) the balance of the family arrived in stages combating weather and treacherous roads due to the huge snow fall that closed down the city. My husband and I had finished shoveling our steep and long drive for the fifth time when the boys & their girls finally arrived safe and sound. No sooner did they arrive and our power went out...
I lit the strategically placed candles, while my industrious Renaissance husband got our generator going, hooked up the stereo to play Christmas music and moved our well planned meal to the gas BBQ to continue the cooking.
We played games by candle light, around festive music eating creatively cooked appetizers. Though everyone's memory of the night was different, it will always be one of the best Christmas eves that I will remember.
This year will be much quieter as our family is enjoying their time at the 'other half's' family homes. That is as it should be and is OK because I hold the memories of Christmas's Past that will always fill my heart with joy. And that, my friends, is what this time of year is about for me.
I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful holiday weekend!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Autumn's Glorious Colours
Just Jan is BACK!
Ok, so it has been awhile. :)
I turned the big '50' this year! What's the cliche - oh yeah 'life happens when you are planning something else'. I love to be organized and have some structure around to make my life easier. Unfortunately, when you are always in renovation mode - nothing is where it will ultimately end up. It has gotten to the point that when my hubby is looking for something and can't find it he says 'Oh right, Jan must have 'organized it' Ha, Ha...'
Oh well in my office or when I cook (which isn't often) I mess up the entire work surface while my creativity is flowing. It's not pretty but the end results are usually worth it. [At least that is what I tell myself!]
I guess I can be a bit like the 'Tasmanian Devil' a whirlwind of activity, dust and all and when it settles - look out!
Oh yeah - back to my thoughts - I have always loved Autumn! Colours are full and richly displayed in nature as well human created products. I love to look through decor magazines and see the creations of talented architects, designers & artisans as they showcase styles for the upcoming season. I find it wonderful to be able to live in a time and location where information is so easily accessible and communication is instant.
Can you imagine where we would be if technology hadn't advanced?
But I have to admit, all this 'Social Networking' is hard on an old girl! My 'daughter in law to be' just signed me up on 'Twitter' and I now I have people to follow and followers that I am to "Tweet". What do you do with a follower and why follow me? Ok, so maybe I've got into some unique situations and have dived in where others fear to tread - but it is just because I have a curious mind!
Right now I am researching for a client of mine the best and most efficient way to heat a new home - Geo Thermal, Radiant Heat, Heat Pumps, Gas or Electric. Also it is very important that the system can be made to remove allergens. Any help would be appreciated...
Ok, so it has been awhile. :)
I turned the big '50' this year! What's the cliche - oh yeah 'life happens when you are planning something else'. I love to be organized and have some structure around to make my life easier. Unfortunately, when you are always in renovation mode - nothing is where it will ultimately end up. It has gotten to the point that when my hubby is looking for something and can't find it he says 'Oh right, Jan must have 'organized it' Ha, Ha...'
Oh well in my office or when I cook (which isn't often) I mess up the entire work surface while my creativity is flowing. It's not pretty but the end results are usually worth it. [At least that is what I tell myself!]
I guess I can be a bit like the 'Tasmanian Devil' a whirlwind of activity, dust and all and when it settles - look out!
Oh yeah - back to my thoughts - I have always loved Autumn! Colours are full and richly displayed in nature as well human created products. I love to look through decor magazines and see the creations of talented architects, designers & artisans as they showcase styles for the upcoming season. I find it wonderful to be able to live in a time and location where information is so easily accessible and communication is instant.
Can you imagine where we would be if technology hadn't advanced?
But I have to admit, all this 'Social Networking' is hard on an old girl! My 'daughter in law to be' just signed me up on 'Twitter' and I now I have people to follow and followers that I am to "Tweet". What do you do with a follower and why follow me? Ok, so maybe I've got into some unique situations and have dived in where others fear to tread - but it is just because I have a curious mind!
Right now I am researching for a client of mine the best and most efficient way to heat a new home - Geo Thermal, Radiant Heat, Heat Pumps, Gas or Electric. Also it is very important that the system can be made to remove allergens. Any help would be appreciated...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Hi I am Jan Addams - Just Jan or, Ask Addams...
I'll let you decide.
I have never done a blog before so forgive me if I do it wrong. But this is a cool place to babble and still get my thoughts across. So I am going to discuss anything and everything to do with expressing our inner style externally in our best authentic way.
Beauty is said to be in the eyes of the beholder - I say beauty starts from within, shines through our eyes then displays on our body and transitions into our home and business.
Style isn't about being perfect - nature isn't perfect and that is what makes it unique and beautiful.
Life isn't perfect either.
We all have good days and bad days. There are days when we want to just crawl back under the covers and go back to sleep. Then there are other days when we feel we can conquer the world... that is until we listen to the news which makes you think that the world is about to collapse. We wish and want for something that we think will make our life perfect.
If only I had...
Working from home: by Just Jan
It’s morning. Phones are ringing, faxes are coming in and deliveries appear at the door. The scent of coffee is wafting through the house and music (not the relaxing kind) teenage kind - is pulsating the air.
Welcome to my Interior Style Office.
Most people would love to work from home…they think. No commuting, great write offs, the convenience of having everything readily available at any time of the day. Ah, there’s the rub. It can at times be too convenient, to the point of work appearing at all hours of the day and night convenient…especially for fellow workaholics such as myself!
There are days that I dream of having an office in a large downtown building, penthouse of course. Reality sets in when I visit one of my clients whose office is my vision.
Let’s see, if I go around the block a third time I’m sure I’ll find a parking space and have to pay only 1.00 for a half hour instead a $5.00 minimum in the parkade.
Oh no, look at the time! Wait… there’s a spot right outside the building. I quickly pull in before any one else can. I’m so impressed with my luck (I’m a downtown ingénue’). I grab my binders and samples and prepare to put a looney in the meter. What? A Looney for 15 minutes! I don’t have the time to vent….this won’t take too long. I am sure I can be done in plenty of time. In goes the coin and I’m off.
Run Jan run. See Jan run. Watch samples fall out of Jan’s hands. Take furtive glances around, did anyone see? Must look professional we are downtown now. Take a deep breathe. Now move - you’re late, you’re late for a very important date…. sorry couldn’t help myself.
Great, the elevator is on the 24th floor and is in perpetual slow mode. Finally, I make it up to the 26th floor with two minutes to spare. Unfortunately, my client has been detained in their previous meeting.
Tick tock, tick tock. Ten minutes go by.
Thoughts of a parking ticket or worse - being towed are beginning to occupy my mind. I asked the receptionist how much longer she thought the meeting would be - as if she’s psychic! I realized I had to bite the bullet… Could you tell me where the nearest parkade is?
‘Sure’ the receptionist quipped. It’s in the building across the street. But, you have to go up three blocks turn right and then right again at the sixth set of lights. Go through the first back alley for a block and it’ll be on your left hand side. She paused to take a breath ‘then, you just take the elevator to the Plus 15 and walk over’. With an incredulous look on my face, I waited to see if her head was going to start spinning. It didn’t and she went merrily back to work. I glanced at her again to see if she was kidding. She wasn’t.
Off to the parkade.
Leaving my samples behind, I reversed the process. Down the elevator to the street, one minute left on the meter and a Parking Enforcement Officer half a block away. I climb into my car, pull onto the street while looking back at the parkade in my rear view mirror…so close and yet so far away. As I try to remember the receptionist’s instructions, I miss the first turn. Dang these one way streets… At the third street light I can finally turn right. Now, was the parkade five or six blocks back?
Needless to say by the end of that parking ordeal and the conclusion of my meeting – (which took all of 15 minutes) I determined to never again wish upon a Penthouse office!
Finally back home in my custom designed office, I grab a cup of java and close the door.
I sit down at my desk that overlooks our beautiful bay and take a sip of my coffee. I glance at emails awaiting my response, look at the array of samples, interior style profiles and communication binders of upcoming projects and seminars and thank my lucky stars.
I have the best of both worlds. Our home isn’t a glamorous show home, like the many I have created, it is a character home that is filled with characters. It welcomes our many visitors and is both kid and pet friendly… Oh, and the parking is free.
The phone begins to ring. I pick up the receiver and I enthusiastically say to the unsuspecting caller at the other end...
Good afternoon... you've reached the office of Image To Interior ... we transition your inner essence and style into your interior space and business - from Bedroom to Boardroom -Simply You by Design... This is Jan, what style challenge may I assist you with on this fine day?
I'll let you decide.
I have never done a blog before so forgive me if I do it wrong. But this is a cool place to babble and still get my thoughts across. So I am going to discuss anything and everything to do with expressing our inner style externally in our best authentic way.
Beauty is said to be in the eyes of the beholder - I say beauty starts from within, shines through our eyes then displays on our body and transitions into our home and business.
Style isn't about being perfect - nature isn't perfect and that is what makes it unique and beautiful.
Life isn't perfect either.
We all have good days and bad days. There are days when we want to just crawl back under the covers and go back to sleep. Then there are other days when we feel we can conquer the world... that is until we listen to the news which makes you think that the world is about to collapse. We wish and want for something that we think will make our life perfect.
If only I had...
Working from home: by Just Jan
It’s morning. Phones are ringing, faxes are coming in and deliveries appear at the door. The scent of coffee is wafting through the house and music (not the relaxing kind) teenage kind - is pulsating the air.
Welcome to my Interior Style Office.
Most people would love to work from home…they think. No commuting, great write offs, the convenience of having everything readily available at any time of the day. Ah, there’s the rub. It can at times be too convenient, to the point of work appearing at all hours of the day and night convenient…especially for fellow workaholics such as myself!
There are days that I dream of having an office in a large downtown building, penthouse of course. Reality sets in when I visit one of my clients whose office is my vision.
Let’s see, if I go around the block a third time I’m sure I’ll find a parking space and have to pay only 1.00 for a half hour instead a $5.00 minimum in the parkade.
Oh no, look at the time! Wait… there’s a spot right outside the building. I quickly pull in before any one else can. I’m so impressed with my luck (I’m a downtown ingénue’). I grab my binders and samples and prepare to put a looney in the meter. What? A Looney for 15 minutes! I don’t have the time to vent….this won’t take too long. I am sure I can be done in plenty of time. In goes the coin and I’m off.
Run Jan run. See Jan run. Watch samples fall out of Jan’s hands. Take furtive glances around, did anyone see? Must look professional we are downtown now. Take a deep breathe. Now move - you’re late, you’re late for a very important date…. sorry couldn’t help myself.
Great, the elevator is on the 24th floor and is in perpetual slow mode. Finally, I make it up to the 26th floor with two minutes to spare. Unfortunately, my client has been detained in their previous meeting.
Tick tock, tick tock. Ten minutes go by.
Thoughts of a parking ticket or worse - being towed are beginning to occupy my mind. I asked the receptionist how much longer she thought the meeting would be - as if she’s psychic! I realized I had to bite the bullet… Could you tell me where the nearest parkade is?
‘Sure’ the receptionist quipped. It’s in the building across the street. But, you have to go up three blocks turn right and then right again at the sixth set of lights. Go through the first back alley for a block and it’ll be on your left hand side. She paused to take a breath ‘then, you just take the elevator to the Plus 15 and walk over’. With an incredulous look on my face, I waited to see if her head was going to start spinning. It didn’t and she went merrily back to work. I glanced at her again to see if she was kidding. She wasn’t.
Off to the parkade.
Leaving my samples behind, I reversed the process. Down the elevator to the street, one minute left on the meter and a Parking Enforcement Officer half a block away. I climb into my car, pull onto the street while looking back at the parkade in my rear view mirror…so close and yet so far away. As I try to remember the receptionist’s instructions, I miss the first turn. Dang these one way streets… At the third street light I can finally turn right. Now, was the parkade five or six blocks back?
Needless to say by the end of that parking ordeal and the conclusion of my meeting – (which took all of 15 minutes) I determined to never again wish upon a Penthouse office!
Finally back home in my custom designed office, I grab a cup of java and close the door.
I sit down at my desk that overlooks our beautiful bay and take a sip of my coffee. I glance at emails awaiting my response, look at the array of samples, interior style profiles and communication binders of upcoming projects and seminars and thank my lucky stars.
I have the best of both worlds. Our home isn’t a glamorous show home, like the many I have created, it is a character home that is filled with characters. It welcomes our many visitors and is both kid and pet friendly… Oh, and the parking is free.
The phone begins to ring. I pick up the receiver and I enthusiastically say to the unsuspecting caller at the other end...
Good afternoon... you've reached the office of Image To Interior ... we transition your inner essence and style into your interior space and business - from Bedroom to Boardroom -Simply You by Design... This is Jan, what style challenge may I assist you with on this fine day?
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