“Hello again, hello

Just called to say: ‘hello’…”

… Wait, I’m not Neil Diamond. Although, those sequins coats and my closet would get along quite nicely. Also, for the record he was my first favorite band (if you will). Can I get an amen?

I digress…

Hello again, hello

Just writing to say: ‘hello’ …. That’s more like it.

Welcome to Melanie Jeanne!

Formally and lovingly known as, Quirky Chaos. I’ve been writing in this little corner of the internet for 10 years. 10. Freaking. Years. And the majority of this time I’ve noodled with words that touched me. I’ve been consistently inconsistent in my writing and the message I have shared with this community. It was not for lack of heart or passion, but rather due to life happenings. For the past 10 years I have been honored to share stories about our life, our family and our interests and received beautiful and knowing responses from so many of you. That is what this place and space is all about – community coming together to support one another through life. To know we are not alone. To know our struggles are similar, our goals the same, our interests alike. To know that redecorating a home can be a passion that consumes you, as well as knowing that blending families is hard, as well as knowing the best places to get cookies in New York and of course knowing you are not alone in traveling through learning disabilities with your kiddos. It’s a space for everyone, or so I’d like to think.

When I started Quirky Chaos I just wanted to write. I had no goals. No audience. No real purpose. I wasn’t jumping into the blogosphere to become a “blogger”. I wanted a space to create, be creative and share a little bit about myself in a way that made others feel connected.

These past 10 years have been filled with so many ups, downs, turnarounds and life that my writing often followed where my heart lead. I often wrote about deep feelings, movies, travel and of course peanut butter. Yep, the words ran the gamut. All the while I knew this space was meant for more. I was meant for more.

So here we are… Welcome to Melanie Jeanne.

Why the name change? Well, I am still quirky and life is still chaotic, but Quirky Chaos does not feel authentic to who I am today. I fondly and lovingly know that a name can paralyze you. I struggled to tap into all the topics I wanted to write about because they didn’t fit neatly into the quirky or chaotic categories. Melanie Jeanne on the other hand is exactly who I am. Over all the years and all the last names (Armstrong, Thornton & Moore), one thing has remained the same – my name – Melanie Jeanne. “I am whatever you say I am, If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?” … (shoot, not Neil Diamond, not Eminem either)

Here we are today. Today I introduce you to Melanie Jeanne. Me. My heart. My soul. My blog. Melanie Jeanne.

This space will remain the same. A space focused on community. Bringing others together. Stumbling through life together. Testing new styles (I don’t look good in trends, I should really stick to jeans and tank tops). Trying new recipes (I often forget an ingredient because I move too quickly). Traveling the world (I’ll share my favorite spots if you share yours). Celebrating family (we are blended, there’s a lot to share from that vantage point and all the others too). Navigating a learning disability and the tough stuff (we’re exploring a dyslexia diagnosis now). Finding fitness and health (I am a wellness junkie mind and body, lets dig deep). And sharing it all with one another (definitely launching a “Women of Influence” series, because there are millions of incredible women out there).

This space is going to be your place to come and feel like you are a part of something, feel like you are not alone. After all, together is always better. And to realize your feelings, your experiences (wonderful and miserable), your dreams and fears, they are similar to another’s, gosh, that feels good. Shoot, let’s hang out for a while. Let’s make this community bigger and better together. Because after all, as hippie dippy as this sounds, we are all in this together!

Here I am, wonderfully and fearfully made, putting my heart out into the ethos. Sharing my families and other families journeys in an effort to build community and comfort. I dream of owning a beach house, preferably near the ocean, but specifically where I can hear crashing waves. I dream of having richly colored hardwood floors, walls upon walls of windows that remain open, a cool breeze blowing through my house, a view of the ocean out one of those many windows mentioned. I dream of wearing the softest light grey sweatpants, a light weight sweater (it must be fall in this vivid dream of mine), padding around this beach house barefoot and cozy, gripping a warm coffee mug with both hands and folding into the couch sitting criss-cross-applesauce and chatting with you. Whether you are sitting in the chair next to me, or in your own chair a world away, I want this space to feel that cozy and welcoming to all.

For those that have been here a while, let’s have a BBQ and roast marshmallows for s’mores over my oceanside fire pit too. For those just joining, let’s get to know one another some more so that you can bring the potato salad to the next BBQ.  This space already feels more like home than any other space I’ve created. It also feels like the best girls weekend, family BBQ or quick therapy session I’ve ever had.

Here’s to the next 10 years… Glad you’re here, stay awhile. I’m already planning my next BBQ.