Life With Jules, and other stuff

I don't know about you, but when I blow out the candles on my birthday cake I close my eyes and make a wish. Does it come true? Not always. But it's just that bit of the child in me I've carried with me into adulthood. My birthday is coming up and I will be 48 years old. Oh my goodness! I am nearly half century old! Or half century young. Yea, that's a better perspective. And while we've been on stay-at-home restrictions the past couple of months I've had time to contemplate what I really want for my birthday wish. While I normally don't tell, because hey, we all know if you tell it won't come true, this one I will tell. What are the chances my birthday wish this year could truly happen anyway, right (you'll understand in a moment)? So, a few posts back I talked about a celebrity crush. More recently I discussed "The Americans." He starred in that show as well as the last few seasons of "Homeland." Yes, I am speaking of Costa Roni...

No, I am not going to write a blog about the American people. It's actually about the television series "The Americans." I started watching it 2 days ago. Yea, yea, it's because a certain Russian actor is in it, but he doesn't appear until season 2 and I'm just barely finishing season 1 as I write this post. I remember trying to get into this series when it first came out. For some reason, I just couldn't. I don't know why. Maybe, at that time, it just wasn't something that interested me. Or maybe I just had too many other programs I was more vested in. I don't know, but it sure is a great show! They really do have a great ensemble cast. I have seen several of the actors in other shows. Matthew Rhys in "Brothers and Sisters," Keri Russell in "Felicity," Costa Ronin in "Homeland" (of course), Richard Thomas in "The Waltons," and so many others in other movies and shows that I just can't name them all...

From time to time I think about my life. I look back on decisions I made. I look back on people I chose to have in my life and wonder why. What drew me to that person? They don't really fit the ideal of "my person," but who is "my person" anyway? So, I came up with a list of characteristics that I would like in "my person:" Characteristics (May 23, 2013; Updated April 20, 2020) God-fearing God-loving Caring Loving Loyal Compassionate Compromising Dependable Intelligent Adventurous Fun Creative Christian Nurturing Appreciative Respectful Best Friend Well groomed (maybe a bit selfish on this one) Committed - wants life long marriage Takes my needs into consideration as I would his Not a player Not controlling Not possessive Able to hold a conversation on any topic Not jealous Doesn't anger easily Loves me as I am as I would him Makes me laugh out loud Will just allow me to be in his ar...

Michael Shawn Hayes, July 2012 ©Julie Hayes I think I'm like my dad. I like to dream about things. I like to think about things I want to do, places I want to go, people I'd like to meet. I dream big sometimes. I was looking through my Facebook this past week. You know, the stuff that I like: movies, books, people, etc. Revising it. Removing things. Cleaning it up a bit. I came across a few Notes that I posted several years ago. My Bucket List being one. I thought I'd "freshen it up" a bit and post it here. I have posted the original first with the refreshed version following. Bucket List (July 30, 2013) Cruise Caribbean Bahamas Travel across Canada France England Germany Mediterranean Iraq Israel Earn Doctorate of Philosophy in History Publish a book Publish in another academic journal Marry again - FOR KEEPS Buy a home Lose 100 lbs Spend a couple weeks in the Florida Keys Spend a couple weeks exploring the Rockies ...

If I could have one wish granted one wish out of one thousand, It would be to share a sunrise with you   And if this wish were granted this one wish with you, I would want to be in your arms as the sun rises   If while in your arms we are watching the sunrise you dare to give me a kiss, I'll let you   You see, my one wish is to be in your arms on a beach watching the sunrise with you ~ Julie Hayes, 2013

…to an interesting start. It’s been weird adjusting to life without my dad. I miss him every day. Last week was especially difficult for me. I went on a short vacation to visit a dear friend, someone whom I have loved for many years, and watching this man interact with his child made me miss my dad more. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to miss daddy from time to time and last week was especially bittersweet. I really enjoyed my time there, even though at times I’m sure he didn’t think so, lol. It was a bit awkward as we hadn’t seen one another in a long time. But, I digress… While there, I came to some realisations about myself. One of the biggest is one that will remain between me, him and God. The other big one was that I am craving to learn more from God. I have been trying to spend more time in my Bible (I have been informed that I need to get the King James Version and put away my NIV; which I will). I actually do enjoy the olde English better anyway, just a bit rusty at reading...