ORD to SFO = Heaven in the 02.07

A few weeks ago I finally got to go to San Francisco, a city I was raring to see! It was a work event, which had its pluses (paid airfare, hotel and meals) and minues (crunch times, touring solo, and looking like a fool when squealing about wonderments to oneself).

Nonetheless it was fabulous! And the trip came during a very chilly spell of the freezing winds and snow of Chicago.

The first thing I did upon arrival was to hop on a trolley, or is that a cable car...hum the cute bus-car things seen in the Rice-a-Roni commercials, yes those ones!

On the car, they let you dangle off the side! For absolute fun!

While riding I took in the amazing homes and architecture.

Pretty....

Destination: Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco's own 'Navy Pier'.

Here you can find loads of fresh seafood, including yummy crab! After this pic was snapped I ate this whole lot...in 5 minutes...piggy style. I'm NOT kidding.

Near the Wharf is the Ghirardeli Chocolate Factory, hmmmmmmm!

A look inside the main square of the factory shows there are no oompa loompas running this choclate haven, sad. But there is a pretty fountain.

Down by the water there are sweet little smelly sea lions. This one here was packed in my suitcase and now lives in my tub. Doesn't she look like Miss. Honey!?

Oooooh!!! Jolene's Dream House!

Later I decide to take a bus tour on this renovated trolley...cable car...noo trolley, um whatever...

My new friend Veronica from LA (we just met on the tour!) takes my pics, then I take hers!

On the tour we see the Presido... did you know the Spanish were posted in this area first, then the Mexican army took over and in 1846 the US Army took control of the area....Um yes you probably knew that, and, um yes so did I!

On the grounds is a pet cemetary for the deceased pets of the army families that lived on the grounds.

Here the bus drives under one of the modern seven wonders of the world, The Golden Gate Bridge. AWESOME!

And viola! I'm on the otherside!

Back on the trolley to Union Square where I was staying.

On the way I get to see the North Beach neighbor, this area is considered Little Italy.

Between Union Square and North Beach I found the cutest cafes in various allies, like this one here...at night they are bumpin'!

Before I left, and after days of hard work at the Moscone Convention Center, :) I got a chance to explore Chinatown, where they were celebrating their new year, the Year of the Pig.

Chinatown is crazy fun and the children, in celebration of the year, throw snaps for fun....and the grown-ups dress in costumes, light firecrackers and play music throughout the sidewalks and streets....

I decide to stay for lunch in this lively neighborhood. While waiting for my lunch, the couple next to me left and this other couple quickly sat down to clean their plates!


Now promise me, you'll go visit somewhere fun right now too! Go, now. Scat! Scoot! Go on! Get!

Marilyn Jean

On February 11, 1942 an amazing baby was born, Miss Marilyn Jean.... Little Marilyn was the most perfect creation of Marjorie and Lee. Beautiful Marilyn grew up as the second of eight children, ooooofta!

Look here and see how GORGEOUS Marilyn is!

Marilyn was soooo helpful to her Mom, and she still is today! First she helped her Mom raise Michael, Steven, Susan, Lisa, Cindy, and Johnny....and now she drives her to her favorite store and helps her around her house... Once, when her Mom was a smoker, she even tried to get her to stop smoking by poking holes in the cigarettes.... She's always watched out for her health!

Here's Marilyn with her big sister, Barb.


I know it's hard to decipher which girl is cuter, but it's pretty obvious to me that the CUTEST girl is Miss. Marilyn! (Hint that's her on the right!) Barb and Marilyn were only a year apart and were often dressed in matching outfits.

The sweet and smart Marilyn was always in style...here, in high school, she dons some very cute specs!



After school Marilyn grew up to work for Mr. H in his downtown office....
Once a photographer took her photo while on her lunch break and the next day the shot was in the Star Tribune! I SO wish I had that photograph...basically she was walking by a group of men on their "smoke breaks" and they were all gawking at her...of course they were! So the caption went something like this: "On Nicolet Mall business men on their smoke breaks ogle the attractive secretaries on their lunch breaks."

Well since I don't have that photo, I do have this one, which does showcase the super-duper hottie factor of Miss. Marilyn!



Ooooh here she is again, working a fundraiser I believe..um let's hope!

One and All Come to the Picnic!


Soon Miss. Marilyn decided to quit breaking so many hearts and get married to the very lucky Jack Turner. They lived in Coon Rapids together and began their family with, first little Davy, then Joey, their precious girl. In 1978 they moved to a newly built home in New Brighton, a wonderful place, not only because it was bigger, but also because it was much closer to her own Mom.

Marilyn began to decorate her home and decided to dive deep into the luxury of 1970's decor!


The only thing that was not hand-sewn by Marilyn in this room was the plant... she made the bedspread, curtains, rocking cushions, planter holder, and yup, even the clown suit! Her wonderful husband put up that GORGEOUS wallpaper. The flowers on the left was the one other purchase. She found them on a romantic outing with her husband at the Minnesota State Fair.


Here is another Marilyn creation. For Halloween one year Jolene wanted to be a teenage girl of the '50s, so Marilyn designed the costume and made the darling poodle skirt! Anyone ready for a sock-hop!?



Oh look, yum!


Throughout the years, Marilyn took WONDERFUL care of her family. She provided delicious foods, such as the nummy spinach dip shown here (hello Martha, eat you heart out), and she was always there for her kids during chicken pox, kitty sicknesses, and tantrums....

She also played Santa VERY well! Her perfect children, Davy and Joey, were always in shock over all the fun gifts!



Miss. Marilyn is the sweetest, prettiest Mom... she is truly the most selfless person I know... She is so absolutely generous and giving...the whole world should take life lessons from Miss Marilyn and then we'd for sure have world peace!

Jack Turner

In 1941 something amazing happened! On January 27 a son was born to John Samuel and Jewel Emily Turner in their home in Monett, Missouri. This baby was christened John Joseph and already had a cool big sis, Jerrie! Legend says that little John Joseph was the cutest baby born that year, and he was quite well-behaved.


Eventually the baby grew up into this hansome man shown here...but not just yet....
Baby John was dubbed Jackie and grew up being as crazy as any child that resides in Monett. He played sports, mainly basketball, his favorite, and wreaked havoc with his friends. Often they would drive “the strip” to ogle the ladies, and cause chaos. A favorite pastime was lighting firecrackers to throw them through the windows of passing cars —of course there is a tale that plan backfired, so to speak, when a firecracker was not thrown properly and landed in their own car.


He was silly all the time! Here is scarecrowing around at the "mansion" in Monett.

Jackie soon grew up to be Jack and attended college at the University of Missouri, Rolla. After graduation, Jack began working and moved to chilly Minnesota where one of the most important events took place.

At the Thunderbird motel in Bloomington, Minnesota he met the lovely and delightfully sweet Marilyn Turner.

She is a hottie!

It was love at first sight for both as they knew they met their match — goodbye Rosemary, goodbye Dale, or is that Dell, it didn’t matter, because Jack was now the man.

They were a breathtaking couple

Marilyn soon introduced him to her parents!!!!

And then, on a breezy autumn day Jack and Marilyn wed on October 4, 1969. Marilyn looked Jackie-O-esk in her mini wedding dress and veil! Oh those legs. The two would party with their friends, dance on pianos, play softball, and lounge about at barbecues.


In 1971 their family began when Marilyn birthed a son, Davey. And then, in April of 1974, their greatest creation was born, their precious and perfect daughter, Jolene.

Oooooh so sweet!


And she even sings with her brother!

Their lives were now complete. Jack doted on Jolene and even stayed up with her in the hospital in Monett when she nearly died a horrific baby death. She was so cold in that tent, but dad stood by her side all night. Soon Jack's favorite child grew older, and somewhat irritating. On a ride from Minnesota to California she was a terror, but always right. Once her father purchased some fuzzy peaches and began to complain about the fuzz. Little Jolene just told him to “Eat the Fuzz,” he laughed because she was right— she obviously had inherited her father’s good sense.

On that same trip the two saw moose! Meese. No mooeses. Meeses...whatever.

Throughout the years Jack continued to be the BEST father a girl could ever hope to have.

He snuggled with her kitty, Miss Ginger.

He taught her to drive, first an automatic, then years later a manual; he’s given her sound advice on life, jobs, and money. He gives her genuine compliments on her striking good-looks, and constructive criticism on her clothing choices. He makes jokes and acts goofy, all to make her laugh, but maybe more so to make himself laugh.

He also enjoyed the summers in Minnesota.


And the winters too.

Jack was always excited to visit Jolene at school in Duluth and visit pretty waterfalls.

he was there on graduation day as well, of course!


Aside from being the perfect father to both his children, Jack is also a very good husband. He takes very good care of Marilyn. He takes care of her with all his might. He takes her out on the town often, communicates well with her, makes her laugh, and will always appease her silly requests, such as re-wallpapering a room that had just been wallpapered. He’s also the favorite son-in law of Marilyn’s Mom, the cute Margie Glynn. He helps her out often and makes certain she knows that she's the best Lady in Columbia Heights.

Today Jack is known by many, especially by Lulu the dog, as the best man that ever lived. He continues to do right by his family and Miss Lulu too.

J's 2006 World

Well well well well well... here we go again....new year, new bat time....
Ahead are some 2006 highlights of Jolene's World, circa 2006, (READ: highlights because I had access to a camera) Enjoy!

One of my boyfriends won best actor for his portrayal of the great Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, I am proud.


I purchased a scanner early in the year, all so I could scan stupid photos like this pic of me and my first husband, Big Bear. The critters are our children. I'm not sure where they are today, but I reckon they are doing well for themselves.


I took a silly freelance gig, but I got my brother featured in my story! yay!


Got a Kickin' role as Karen in David Mamet's Speed the Plow, a role Madonna first played on broadway... pssst told I was better than Madge!


My body looks huge, but look at cute Adam being so serious behind me!! Tee-hee!


Hello Karen has Cleavage!


Then I met a boy...he sells T-shirts on the internet.


Took a dramatic pause in my dressing room at the cast party.


Adam behaved a little more dramatically in the theatre's ghetto kitchen.


Made a great friend in Mark, the show's most important crew member...here we celebrate at the Chicago Pride Parade, just after the show's final matinee


A moment of happiness from that crazy parade.


I love this outfit!!!! Pink is always the new pink!


In the Summer of '06 I loved hanging on my 'patio.'


My darlings, E and Kim came for a very quick visit...too quick! But enjoyable none the less!


A randomly funny photo that remians to be an inside joke!


In 2006 I adored the DVD the Mirrormask!


Oh that boy again! Our first awkward pic together.


ROAR...according to the Chinese I was born in the year of the Tiger! So fitting!


Enjoying the summer!


Oooooh the EP Suites welcoming Goat...


And on the South side one of EP's Giraffe's


Cute. I found out I'm dating a dumpster diver. UH, actually... this is for real!!!!!


But yet he makes me the most interesting dinners!


Ooooh a beatiful friend gets married!


Her wedding ceremony at Theatre in the Round In Minneapolis!


While home I shot this pic of my baby sister.


I also celebtared the 4th of July by the Mississippi river in downtown St. Paul.


Then I squeezed my parents goodbye at the airport.


Summer in Chicago is soooo nice!!!!! I miss it!


Too much fun, scamming my way into Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago.


Seeing The Flaming Lips! Yes!!!!!!


Frankie and I having fun at the festival.


Getting too addicted to a television show.


My boyfriend, Sawyer.


And yet another addicting show...


My boyfriend from this show...yum!


While home in the Fall of '06 I got to visit with my good friend Cate and her cute hubby, Tyler.


Ooooh it's Halloween time! These pumpkins have since been eaten by rats. :(


For Halloween we dressed as Donnie and Marie Osmond.


Seeeeeeeeeeee! We almost look just like them!


A good Chi-town friend...and the kicker? She grew up minutes from me in Roseville, Minnesota!


An unseasonablely warm day in the winter of '06.


And this is my weird boyfriend... after Halloween he got a discount on Pirate make-up and couldn't let it go to waste... this was a random night in November.

HAPPY 2007!
Kiss Kiss