Hello there. Welcome to Picking Pearls. Let me introduce myself. I am Zoe Jayne but I prefer to be called ZJ or just Zee.
I am in my early 50’s, I get zits, am developing wrinkles and my hair is turning grey (though I dye it so you probably can’t tell). I have grown children (one of whom is on the autistic spectrum), I have been a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a work from home mom, and a homeschooling mom. Most of my working life has involved some sort of teaching or childcare. This has privileged me to work with infants all the way up to teenagers. Since my divorce and becoming an empty-nester, I have mostly worked in the retail and medical fields. The newest adventures in my life (besides blogging) involve dealing with menopause and getting remarried (to a wonderful man I might add), which means I also became a stepmom to my hubby’s grown children, a grandma or step grandma and a doggie momma.
My best friend and I used to always muse about writing a book or somehow sharing with other parents the things that we learned and wish we had known while raising our kiddos. This blog gives me the opportunity to finally do that, but it will be far from limited to just the topic of my child raising experiences. I have a LOT of other interests and I am sure I will write or touch upon most of these at one point or another.
The concept behind Picking Pearls is to share what I have found and continue to find helpful in life – across different subjects of interest and life seasons. I want to pass on the pearls in everyday practical knowledge, personal lessons and perspectives learned, life hacks, organizational strategies, recipes, and products that make life and tasks easier or more enjoyable. Isn’t that what we all want, better function, added ease, less stress, and more enjoyment?
What are some of my many, many interests you ask? I’m so glad you did! Let me share them with you…. cooking, baking, meal prep, gardening, DIY projects, decorating, crafts, hiking, being outdoors, traveling/visiting new places, music, taking pictures (and by that I mean photography with my phone not a fancy camera), collecting inspiring quotes, writing, reading when I can make the time, living healthy but still enjoying my chocolate, and spiritual/mental/emotional/relational health and growth. (O.k. inhaling breath now after that run down – It’s o.k. you can take a breath too).
Am I an expert about all these topics or life in general? Heaven’s no! I am still very much learning, growing and picking pearls. The hope is that in sharing my mistakes and what I’ve learned, you will find things that save you some time, effort, struggle and maybe even money. I am starting over in a new marriage, a new town, new state, new job field, new home and am new to being a dog mom. I hope you will come get to know me and join me on this journey as I set up, settle in, face struggles and grow through this new life season. Let’s go pick some pearls!
