JAK CHAT

Pink Optimism by JAK’s guest mom blogger from Racine, Hope Bosak Last week I bought a cozy, fleecy, pinky, jacket for my soon to be five year old daughter. It had a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon adorning the front. Now it wasn't cheap, and I don't have money to burn, but after what we've been through, I felt this jacket was made for her. What other four year old is so observant of that pink ribbon, that she would proudly wear it on her jacket? Her face beamed when I surprised her with it! One and a half years ago (April Fools Day, 2010), I was shockingly diagnosed with Stage 2 ,Grade 3 Breast Cancer Read More.... As a wife, mother of a ten and a three year old, and a licensed In-Home Family Child Care Provider  for the past 15 years, this was not part of our plan. Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer will tell you; when you hear those words” Yes, you do have cancer”, your life is immediately, and forever, changed.  You adapt to your NEW NORMAL, as it is current...

Attention:  This blog layout is experiencing some design challenges.  The reading is still good..... Blocked Parties    Racine sure knows how to party!  And this past week has been no exception to that statement. What a great week I had participating in two big celebrations.  The first was on Saturday at Downtown Racine's "Party on the Pavement" , and the other was last night at "Max & Ruby: Bunny Party" which was held at Memorial Hall. Probably wasn't going to write about what I am about to write about.  Bullying, breast cancer awareness were ideas floating around in my head, but was dealing with a bit of writer's block with the approach.  Thankfully, last night, being "blocked out" of the party with the bunnies from a cute little girl standing on her daddy's lap helped me overcome filling up this blank space. Take a look at the pictures, and you'll know exactly what I am talking about!  Read More.... [caption id="attachment_...

The Case of the Scandalous Bracelet (from JAK Happenings 08.12.2010) I love a great trend like anyone else. Some say as a young woman, I was a bit of a trendsetter. In the eighties, I was a huge Madonna fan and dunned the black lace hair bow in my blondish/brown awesomely ratted out hair. Along with that iconic accessory were the couple dozen black rubber bracelets mixed in with some other fun chains and charms on my forearms. Okay, so I didn't start the trend, but I wore it well (as I am sure did many of you)! We've all been active witnesses to the evolution of the rubber, now silicone bracelet crazes in our lifetimes. The black rubber version transformed into a colorful variety known as "jelly bracelets". And now, of course, our kids have Silly Bandz. Several weeks back, my 15 year-old daughter walked in the door from a trip to the mall with her hands full of several shopping bags. I was excited to see what she had purchased with, I am sure, her entire previous...