~*~*Parent Spotlight*~*~ - Jeanne! (jcc64)

kimberley wrote: way to go ediep for guessing our mystery parent!

In our spotlight this week is Jeanne! (jcc64)

Feel free to ask her questions just as we do with the child spotlight

Here is a little info about Jeanne....



Name: Jeanne
Birthday: 12/17/64
Where are you in the world?: Hudson Valley Region of New York
What are wearing right now?: black cords and black sweater
What book are you reading right now?: My Life in Heavy Metal by Steve Almond
What is the last CD you listened to the whole way through?: Lucinda Williams
Last movie you saw in the theater?: Coach Carter
How do you like to spend a rainy Sunday?: hanging out with the family watching sports
Who do you admire?: Martin Luther King/ the Clintons
When did you last cry?: last week when I had a fight with my mom
Any bad habits?: obsessive worrying
Have you ever met anyone famous?: Phish
What is the yummiest thing you cook?: anything Italian
Celebrity Crush(es): Samuel Jackson
Do you untie your shoes every time you take them off?: Hardly ever wear shoes with laces, but probably not
Song you sing along with everytime it comes on the radio: Tangled up in Blue
What do you listen to when you are sad?: Nothing
What do you listen to when you are happy?: Reggae, Motown, the Band, lots of stuff
Best song to sing in front of a mirror with a hairbrush: Gimme Shelter by the Stones
Do you believe in love at first sight?: no
What do you wish you were doing instead of this survey?: skiing
FAVORITES:
Favorite color: green
Favorite band: Grateful Dead
Favorite song: The Weight by the Band
Favorite food: chocolate
Favorite drink: grey goose and tonic
Favorite person: my husband
Favorite TV show(s): Six Feet Under
Favorite writer(s): Dave Eggers
Favorite painter(s): Matisse
Fave movie: Harold and Maude, Annie Hall

akbutterfly83 replied: i think I asked if you had a pet in the mystery parent thred... but what kind, and how meny pet's do you have.......?

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I should probably know this, but.... where you born and raised in NY?

What are you passionate about?

Do you have siblings?

What is your favorite restaurant in NYC?

Do you attend Broadway musicals? What is your favorite?

(can you tell I love NYC??)

jcc64 replied:

At the present time, we're down to 1 dog(lab/pitbull mix, my other child), 1 long haired cat, and 1 guinea pig. We used to have 4 cats, but last year was a bad year for pets in our family

jcc64 replied:

kimberley replied: you will have to tell me all the great places to go when DH & i come up for a weekend

what did you study in college?
what is your current profession?
what do you wish you were doing career wise?
if you won 10 million right now, what would you do with it?
telll us something we don't know about you.
can you post some pics of yourself

ediep replied: do you cook dinner most nights?
do you bake?
where did you go to college?
what was your major?
do you have any magazine subscriptions?
do you clip coupons?

kit_kats_mom replied: What has been the most challenging parenting moment for you so far?

What is your favorite thing to do when you get free time?

What would we be suprised to know about you?

What have you learned from your children?

How would your kids describe you?

What do you hope to pass on to your kids?

What would you say are the biggest pro's and con's of having children later in life?

jcc64 replied: what did you study in college?
I was a fine arts major at Syracuse University

what is your current profession?
I'm a textile designer, which means I design artwork that appears on upholstery, bedding, drapery, etc....

what do you wish you were doing career wise?
I enjoy my job, but sort of wish I was doing something more meaningful. Still considering a mid-life career change to teaching.

if you won 10 million right now, what would you do with it?
after paying off my Visa bill, there wouldn't be much left.

telll us something we don't know about you.
I narrowly avoided being victimized by someone who later turned out to be a serial killer. I'd say that's probably the weirdest tidbit about me.

can you post some pics of yourself
I am embarassed to admit I really struggle trying to post pics, for some reason. I think my resolution is too high and my files are too big. I'll try to figure it out.

jcc64 replied: do you cook dinner most nights? dh and I take turns, but I absolutely do NOT enjoy it.

do you bake? badly, during the holidays. I tend to overcook everything until it resembles jerky.

where did you go to college? Syracuse University, class of 87

what was your major? textile design

do you have any magazine subscriptions? The New Yorker, Elle Home Decor (for work)

do you clip coupons? no

jcc64 replied: What has been the most challenging parenting moment for you so far? Right now, I feel like Corey's poopy/control issues are exhausting me. I feel like I'm battling against many forces- her very strong personality, typical toddler negativism, her crappy eating habits, and a frenetic lifestyle. In general, the hardest thing is trying to put out the fires while still meeting everyone's day to day needs.

What is your favorite thing to do when you get free time? ski, ski, ski

What would we be suprised to know about you? I followed the Grateful Dead around for years, gobbled an obscene amount of hallucinogenic drugs, and loved every second of it. Would that surprise you?

What have you learned from your children? From Alec, still water runs deep. From Noah, every day has the potential to be a party. From Corey, how to cleanse a colon.

How would your kids describe you? I think my kids would describe me as fun, funny, and sporty, strict about some things (grades, chores, manners), lenient about others (media, music, movies,etc)

What do you hope to pass on to your kids? Empathy. A sense of responsibility to others beyond their own little world. Social and racial justice. To question authority, where applicable. Independence.

What would you say are the biggest pro's and con's of having children later in life? The con is obviously less energy. I'm TIRED in a way I don't remember when I had Alec. Also, I'm having to save for college and retirement at the same time.
The pros are that I have perspective and wisdom that can only come from more struggles and years on the planet. Makes it much easier to dismiss the small stuff,kwim? When Alec was little, I was so invested in the milestones, that they happen when the books or relatives said they should. By now, I just sit back and savor them, b/c I know it goes SO FAST.

DansMom replied: These are great answers Jeanne---I love getting to know you a little better.

What religious or spiritual disciplines do you observe or appreciate?

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Coffee or Tea?

Wine, beer, mixed drink or sparkling water?

Are you tired of answering questions yet?

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Being someone who is very interested in textile design, I've probably seen some of your work. Could you show us some of your designs? Is there one specific company that you design for?

MommyToAshley replied:
LOL! The last response struck me as funny, probably because I can relate.


I really enjoyed reading your answers and getting to know you better.

When did you realize that you wanted to go into textile design?
What other career choices did you consider?
How did you meet your husband?
What is the last thing that you laughed at?

Josie83 replied: Jeanne you are so funny. can I just say that I love having you on the board, your opinions are always so well-articulated and make me think! A lot of questions have already been asked but I will try to come up with some new ones

What is your favourite thing to do with each of your kids?
What did you like most about being pregnant?
What do you miss most about being pregnant?
Would you ever have any more children?
If you could have any other job, what would it be/

xx

jcc64 replied: Hey guys,
Thanks for all the interest. Your questions have made me pause and think about my life- you don't often step back and look at the big picture! First, let me make yet another attempt to post a picture, I don't know why this is so hard for me!
For whoever asked, here is what I look like, although I recently cut my hair a bit shorter.

kit_kats_mom replied: OK. You don't look AT ALL like I imagined. I was picturing something totally different.

jcc64 replied: What religious or spiritual disciplines do you observe or appreciate? I guess you could say I'm a reluctant atheist, still in search of enlightenment. I want to believe in something, but I just can't talk myself into it. I do believe the spirits of our beloved ancestors cling to us in one way or another, and I absolutely believe in Karma. But as for a one figure, central command kind of thing, I'm really not a believer. I was raised a non practicing Catholic, and I am convinced that Jesus was an incredible man who really tried to show us all how to love and care for one another. Unfortunately, I feel his compassionate message has been obliterated by people who want to use religion to exclude, judge, and discriminate in some misguided effort to elevate themselves. This was the very thing Jesus was preaching against, and unfortunately, it's turned me against organized religion. As always, I mean no offense to anyone here, and I'm not looking to start a debate. Just answering the question honestly.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Y'know, I'm one of those people that draw a complete blank in these kinds of situations. When I'm in a video store, I wander around aimlessly as if I just dropped from the sky.. I love Dave Eggers- so irreverent and hilarious, but incredibly astute at the same time. Also like Tim O'brien (very relevant to the events of the day), and if we're talking classics- Faulkner had a big effect on me.

Coffee or Tea? both, but can't really handle caffeine in any form.

Wine, beer, mixed drink or sparkling water? All of the above.

Are you tired of answering questions yet? Anything that prevents me from actually getting any work done is all good in my book!

jcc64 replied: Being someone who is very interested in textile design, I've probably seen some of your work. Could you show us some of your designs? Is there one specific company that you design for?


God, I'd love to Aimee, if I could figure out how. The files I work on are huge, high resolutions things, and as I said before, I haven't quite figured out how to post low res pictures on here that aren't the size of a postage stamp. I'm sure you've seen my work somewhere by now. It's been everywhere from Ethan Allen to Bloomingdales to La-Z-Boy to now Walmart (if your Walmart has a fabric section that sells a line called The Home Collection by Madison Ave Design- that's me), Joanne Fabrics, and all kinds of catalogues. We sell to one of the largest Jacqcard mills in the US, so our stuff is on furniture all over the place. You've seen my stuff, believe me.

jcc64 replied: When did you realize that you wanted to go into textile design? A professor in my freshman design class in college suggested it. I had no clue what it was, or that Syracuse happened to have one of the top programs in the country. Followed his advice, which turned out to be a good thing.

What other career choices did you consider? Teaching, which I'm still toying with.

How did you meet your husband? We were high school sweethearts. I was the capt of the field hockey team, he was a football star. We used to meet under the bleachers after practice to smoke and make out.

What is the last thing that you laughed at? A Bill Mahr interview on NPR.

jcc64 replied: OK. You don't look AT ALL like I imagined. I was picturing something totally different.



--------------------

Cary


Like WHAT?!

kit_kats_mom replied:
Oh, I dunno. I guess I just had a stereotyped vision of a chubby, older looking, earth mamma in a gauzy broomstick dress & a rock and roll tee shirt. Like the women you are likely to meet at a LLL meeting in my hometown. LOL

You actually look like my aunt did in her younger days.

jcc64 replied: Thanks for the kind words Josie.

What is your favourite thing to do with each of your kids? I really like to play sports with all of my kids. We are a very sporty family. A perfect day is spent with all of us on the slopes or on the baseball field

What did you like most about being pregnant? A new life is all potential and promise. Anything seems possible for your child at that point. It's a lovely mindset.

What do you miss most about being pregnant? Big boobs

Would you ever have any more children? I love kids, and I feel being a mommy is what I was put on this planet to do. But I'm 40, and while it's still possible physically, logic and reason tells me it's time to go out to pasture. I don't want to be eating cat food when I'm a senior citizen, and if I have to put anymore kids through college, that's where it's gonna end up!

If you could have any other job, what would it be/ Teaching.

jcc64 replied:


LOL- that pretty much describes half the women in my hometown too, Cary!

DansMom replied: Jeanne, I pictured you as very petite (can't really tell from the photo), more urban chic than hippie, with much shorter/darker hair (gee, could this expectation possibly be influenced by your kids' pictures, although I know they get their coloring from dad?). And you look quite young for 40!!! That's not fair at all.

I'd like to cut and paste your response to the spirituality question into a word file, so that I can use it next time I'm asked. Well, except I wasn't raised Catholic. But I am so in the same space regarding the rest.

jcc64 replied: Tracy-
I'm sort of half urban chic (when I have to look presentable), half hippie!
And you'd never be able to figure out what I look like by looking at my kids! People frequently ask me if they're adopted!

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
Same here!

MommyToAshley replied:
How cool is that! I feel like I know someone famous now!

jdkjd replied:
Ditto except Southern Baptist here.

That was the reason why I left the church-I couldn't understand how a group of people using Jesus's name could exclude and judge so many others...


What do you like most about your husband?
What irritates you the most about DH?
What's the last unexpected thing he did?

kimberley replied: Jeanne, i just wanted to say i am really glad to get to know you better. you are a fascinating person and i admire your passion, convictions, and most of all, your humor about life. i aspire to be more like you as i mature. and you are a very young looking 40!

ok, enough blowing sunshine up your butt lol...

have you always been so confident in yourself?
can you tell us about some of the major influences in your life.
what do you like/dislike most about yourself?
any advice for us about marriage and parenting?

jcc64 replied: What do you like most about your husband?
I'm in awe of my dh. He is a unique combination of a laid back musician, reckless thrill seeker, brilliant computer dork, and the crazy dad all my boys' friends want for their own. He's rebellious, athletic, spiritual, brainy and spacey all in the same cute little body. I'm more in love with him now than I was when we 1st got together 24 yrs (!) ago!

What irritates you the most about DH? Some of the same things I just mentioned. He's so laid back sometimes that he's not capable of anticipating the disaster around every corner that awaits kids. He's a complete slob incapable of rehabilitation. I want him to cut his ponytail off and he won't.

What's the last unexpected thing he did? Made an appt for me to get my hair cut with Nick from "What Not to Wear" on TLC. A totally un-Steve thing to do- drop that kind of cash on a haircut!!

jdkjd replied: COOL!!! How did the haircut turnout? What was he like?

jcc64 replied:

God, thank you so much, Kimberly! You're very kind

I think what looks like confidence is just an acute understanding of who I am at this point in time. As women, many of us are relentless "people pleasers" - we want to make everyone happy and for everyone to like us. I operated this way for many years, but the older I get, the more I realize no matter how hard I try, some people will not like/understand me or my views/lifestyle. I'm ok with that now- took me a long time to get here, though.

My parents are the obvious influences, both for ways to be and ways NOT to be. As most of you know, I lost my dad a few months back, and I feel I've learned ALOT from his passing. He was a complicated, tortured soul, but he brought a lot to the party- he was a real caretaker- trying to alleviate his own suffering by caring for others. Not sure it worked, but he sure did touch a lot of lives, many of them strangers. And I've learned you can be angry and disappointed with your parents, and still see the light they bring to the planet and to your life.

The thing I dislike most about myself is that I'm a relentless worrier. The thing I like? I guess that I have an easy time expressing myself- a handy little skill to have.

My advice about parenting and marriage and life in general is to never assume you have it all figured out. The older you get, the more you know what you don't know!