An interview with me.

What does Jojesek mean?
JOhn, my husband, JESsica, my daughter, and derEK, my son. Thus jojesek.blogspot.com and jojesek@gmail.com

Where do you live? Where did you grow up?
I live in beautiful Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My dad was in the military so we moved around a lot. When I was in grade 4 my dad retired from the military and we moved to Radisson (that's in James Bay, on the LaGrande River hydro project, Quebec). When I was twelve we moved to the middle of the woods near Casselman, Ontario. (that's a whole other story!) Since I moved out on my own I have been in Ottawa.

Why do you craft?
I only know that I have finally begun to enjoy the process and not just the final product (which I wasn't usually happy with anyway). The more I learn to enjoy the creative process and not try to follow instructions to the letter, the happier I am with the results and the more I'm enjoying the doing.

What has depression taken from you?
Primarily time. Most importantly the time I could have spent with my kids when they were little. Someday I will learn to forgive myself for all that lost time. It also stole my confidence, my ability to enjoy the company of other people and the person I used to be.

What's the best part of having kids? The worst?
The best part of having kids is watching them grow into such wonderful people. The worst - feeling responsible and guilty every time they show poor judgement or make a bad decision. Obviously, I should have taught them better because I don't believe my children have free will (just kidding).


What do you love most about your husband? Do you have a pet peeve?
My husband is the kindest, wisest, most patient man I have ever met. What I love most about him is that he has stuck with me through everything, never made me feel guilty and always kept me going. "You did what you could" That's what he keeps telling me and that is how I will forgive my self for the above mentioned lost time.
Pet Peeve - sometimes when you say something to him or ask him something, he doesn't respond right away and I never know if he didn't hear me or if he's thinking about his response.

How did you meet your husband?
We used to hang out at the same pub although we didn't know each other. One night at closing time, I invited some of my friends back to my apartment. One of my friends invited him. Thanks Fiona.

What is Jessica's best quality?
She has many, she's beautiful for one but I would say I truly admire her social conscience and the loyalty she shows her friends.

What is Derek's best quality?
He also is very good looking and has many great qualities but I would say that his charm and compassion are what I admire most.

Pets?
We have a lab mix we rescued. His name is Max and he is the best therapist I have ever had.

Favourites?
Colour: Pink & Purple; Movies: Steel Magnolias and Sweet November, I'm a sucker for tear jerkers; Books: Nothing I would read twice but I loved "The Kite Runner" and I like mysterys; TV: I watch way too much while I'm crafting and I'll watch anything but my favourites are dramas that also make you laugh. Currently: Castle, Supernatural and Fringe are the ones I can't miss.

What chore do you hate most?
That's easy - laundry. I hate running up and down the basement stairs.

What should you do more of? Housework. I should probably shave my legs and underarms more often too.
What should you do less of? Watch TV - ask anyone who knows me.

Religion?
I'm definitely Agnostic. Although I would not call myself a Buddhist, I try to practice the principles of Buddhism.

If there's anything else you would like to know about me, ask away.