xjaylahopkins

[xjaylahopkins]

"When do I ever not end up feeding you anyway?" Jayla rolled her eyes, laughing quietly under her breath. "Unless they're cute, I might keep some," Jayla shrugged a single shoulder, smile wide as she caught the bag of winter wear. She quickly rummaged through the bag, taking a quick inventory of what Ryder had found out. "Hmm.. I'm not sure. I don't think we grabbed any carrots at the market. Stones will do," she thought aloud of other options for facial features. At the question of where to build the snowmen, Jayla scanned around their yard. "I want people to see them.."

"Now you're speaking my language," because if Ryder could be given food and a hot beverage in exchange for doing something he might not otherwise do, he was going to complain a lot, lot less about being put up to it, that was for sure. After tossing the bag her way, he broke into a grin, nodding his head, "I got 'em at the thrift store on my way home one night, but I figured we could probably re-donate them after winter, wash 'em and clean 'em up real good, you know?" But until then, they could end up making some beautiful snowmen for their front yard. "I don't know if we have any carrots, but… we can improvise. Where do you wanna build these suckers?"

[xjaylahopkins]

"Hot coffee, hot chocolate, whatever you want! And I'll make you food." Perhaps Jayla jumped too far ahead with the bargaining, but anything to force Ryder to entertain her and her ideas. Though, force was a strong word for today and she was thoroughly enjoying how excited he seemed to be about creating snowmen. She stood, curiously watching as Ryder ran back into the house then back out, having retrieved a bag from inside. She couldn't help smile wide at the revelation that he had looked for and prepared some items to decorate the snowmen to be, well, snowmen. "Genius! I was just going to pull some of the scarves hanging by the door," she pulled out an extra scarf of her own from her jacket pocket.

Ryder had to admit that there was something fun about frolicking in the snow, running around in boots and gloves and a hat. Like a child. A spoiled rotten child. "As long as we can have lots of hot coffee later to make up for it," he laughed, hopping off of the porch and into the powdery white stuff, laughing in delight as it puffed up around him, filling the air with little snowflakes. "Wait!" Without actually waiting to find out if she was, he turned around to run back in, finding the bag that he had tossed on the couch earlier before returning, tossing it to her. "I found old stuff we can use for the snowmen. Hats and gloves, buttons."

[xjaylahopkins]

"I am more than chill!" Jayla rolled her eyes, laughing along as she waited by the door as she held onto it. Spotting Ryder approaching the door, she opened it back up for him to join her outside. Once he had, Jayla made her best effort to skip over from the porch out into the yard with all of the excitement of a toddler. "This is going to be fun!" she turned back to Ryder, grin wide.

"God, chill," he called out on a laugh as he hopped down the steps from his bedroom loft, pulling on the snow boot that he had just purchased for that year's winter, knowing that it was time to invest. Wearing regular old boots just wasn't cutting it anymore, not if he was going to be a true Mainer. "Have you seen my gl-- nevermind," he reached into his pocket, pulling the pair of heavy duty gloves he had bought, sliding them on and adjusting them into place with his teeth as he bounded towards the door. "Okay, let's go!"

[xjaylahopkins]

where: Their House when: December 2024 who: Jayla & @owenryder

There was a degree of joy that came alongside the snowfall for Jayla. Not only was she a December baby, she absolutely loved the holidays. She was also one person who didn't mind spending all the time she could outside, despite the dropping temperatures. That said, snow activities were always much better enjoyed with a friend.

After enough persuading, Jayla made her way to the door, waiting on Ryder to join her. "Hurry up!" she called back into the house, behind her, as she stepped outside.

[xjaylahopkins]

BEADSBYJAY AT MERROCK WINTER MARKET 2024

Whether you’re looking for last minutes gifts or to treat yourself this holiday, Jayla is selling both Christmas themed and non-holiday themed handmade earrings in various styles. All earrings are being sold at a discounted price, ranging from $45-$125 dependent on the item. Custom orders for the beginning of 2025 are also now open at $75-$275 dependent on the style and size ordered. Stop by to pick out your special pair of earrings for your holiday festivities or a gift before inventory runs out, or place an order to start the new year in style! Other beaded goods being sold but not pictured include but are not limited to: pop sockets, keychains, bracelets, and Christmas tree ornaments. Custom orders for hat bands, belts, and shoes are available to confirm with a deposit. Estimated order fulfillment time is 6-8 weeks from when item to be beaded is provided to Jayla, dependent on size. All smaller custom orders estimated fulfillment 4-6 weeks. Custom orders placed now will be fulfilled after the New Year. If you previously placed a custom order to be ready before Christmas, and have yet to pick it up, please contact Jayla and she will be happy to have your order available for pick up at the market.

photocred: [x][x] - friendly reminder to please support indigenous businesses and buy beaded goods from Native artists directly. Happy Holidays 🎄✨

[xjaylahopkins]

Oh, shut up! I am not helping you out because you think you're an old man all of a sudden. Yes, that's pretty much what's going to happen. It is not my fault that I have deadlines!

I'm thirty now, I'm pretty sure that I'm allowed to use old people words and I've stopped caring about whether or not anyone thinks I'm cool. I'm an old man now, and I've just come to accept that and live with it at this point. You're going to make me work with hearts and shamrocks when I'm thinking about Santa Claus and Frosty? Is that what I'm getting out of this?

[xjaylahopkins]

Once Chloe had buttoned up the flannel, Jayla took a second look to assess the fit on Chloe. "The oversized works. Even if you leave it unbuttoned, that might work better. Leave it as just an added layer. It's very fall appropriate!"

"That's a good idea," Chloe agreed, nodding her head as she moved to face the mirror that was nearby. Chloe's hands began to button up the flannel, cocking her head to the side as she observed the fit. She let her fingers brush against the texture of the jacket while she turned, trying to find a way to simultaneously be looking in the mirror and facing Jayla. "What do you think? It's cute, but maybe a little oversized. But that style is kind of on trend these days."

[xjaylahopkins]

"Some of the older kids," she nodded. "It is a little worrying knowing they have to be online to learn them, you have six, seven year olds who know the dances. They have to be picking it up from somewhere. But it is cute! The preschoolers are less likely, they prefer to distract story time in other ways. They do know the trending sounds," she laughed softly. "Sometimes it's fun! Don't judge!"

"Do your kids like to do the tiktok dances?" Iris asked, imagining it was probably a bit more cute and charming with the small kids. "Hopefully not during storytime or anything, but I know they're easily distracted." She laughed. "So you're the agent of chaos?"

[xjaylahopkins]

It might be the mood, but don't add fuel to it! You saying the word 'hip' makes you just as lame and I am, Ryder. I already turned in my Christmas program but there will be more crafts for you in a few weeks when I'm coming up with ideas for Valentine's Day or St. Paddy's. Don't worry!

Have you seen the state of the world these days? It's not a vibe killer, it's a mood. You're just not as hip as I am, obviously. But that's true, I do enjoy getting to reap the benefits of anything -- does that mean there are lots of crafts lined up for me to help out with this time around?

[xjaylahopkins]

"I wouldn't expect otherwise," Jayla let out a slightly louder laugh when Jaz threatened to take her down with her. Once their skates were on, Jayla too stood up alongside Jaz, waiting to assess as to just where Jaz was on comfort level and skill. She watched intently, just to be sure her friend didn't fall this early on in the evening. "If you're good, we can go," Jayla nodded, slowly making her way from the bench to the actual skating rink.

Jaz just hummed in response. “ ‘Decent’ is better than horrible, I suppose,” she mused. “But if you let me fall on my ass I’m absolutely dragging you down with me.” She was joking (mostly) but hopefully Jay got her humor. She wasn’t completely helpless, but the excuse of being a bit rusty was good to fall back on (though hopefully not literally, for her own sake). Surprisingly it didn’t take much to convince Jaz to get a pair of skates on, though it did take her a second to steady herself once she stood up. “Ready?”

[xjaylahopkins]

"Umm.." Jayla paused for a moment, assessing how the flannel jacket would look on Chloe. "Try it on. Let me see how it actually fits." Though the colors were pretty, Jayla wanted to assess the fit on her friend before signing off on a purchase.

who: CHLOE & OPEN.

where: Treasure Chest.

when: sometime during November.

Chloe loved going to thrift shops. It was like going on a treasure hunt every time she walked into one. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as she looked around, rummaging through the assorted dresses and tops hanging on the rail. The main thing she was looking for was more fall and winter pieces to fill her wardrobe. "Do you think this would look good on me?" asked Chloe as she turned to the nearest person, holding up a flannel jacket that had the colors orange and brown throughout it. "I don't usually wear these colors, but this is kind of cute."

[xjaylahopkins]

"It's part of what makes it fun!" Though Jayla spent more time on the daily with much smaller kids at the library, from time to time she got interaction with the teens which she often found quite amusing. "God, I hope so!" Jayla laughed at the mention of the cha cha slide. "Guess we'll find out! I will request it myself, if I have to."

"Kids are both the coolest people and biggest losers all at once," Iris explained. "I worked with my share of them in the teen library programs this summer and..." She shook her head. "Yeah, for sure, small town Maine is going to be different from the Midwest or even more urban Massachusetts. But we can all do the cha cha slide, right?"

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla couldn't help but shake her head, a tad dismissive at the sentiment. While deep down she understood that Riddy was probably right, Jayla never went out of her way to be a 'good person'. She simply lived her life with the deep values of community care that she had been raised with. She didn't know any other way of life. "When I first moved here, I did not know a single soul. The community center gave me something to do, a way to meet people, while also giving back to my new community." And really, she would have began helping out at the center regardless, even if she had known folks in the area. However, it had helped at a time when she moved across the country with nothing but a job lined up to land on. Now, nearly seven years later, it was simply routine. "No, I don't have a regular schedule at the center. I am not an employee, only a volunteer. So I have no set schedule. But if you have a day that you have planned ahead of time, clear and ready to go, if I know far enough in advanced I can make sure to be there that day. At least on the weekends."

" jayla, if the world had more people like you, we’d be something far better than what we are now. " there was such conviction in her tone, barely able to contain her admiration for jayla. " what made you join the community centre to help out? did you hear about it one day and decide to 'do your part' as well? " she rested her elbows on the table, her chin propped against her knuckles as she gazed at her. " i'll have next weekend free; they’re finishing up the work on the spa and dealing with the electrical setup, so starting thursday, " she mused, then asked, " do you usually work there on weekends? "

[xjaylahopkins]

Wishing for death was sort of a vibe kill. You're welcome! Okay, well, Halloween is over. Soooo... I do my best! At least it means that the joy of the holiday spirit comes early and we get to enjoy the benefits of my busiest season come new year!

Boo, hiss, you're killing my vibe. But I do appreciate you not forcing me to chew on plants, it's never been a goal of mine. Hm, well, too bad, looks like it's going to be chilly for a while, so ranch is out and, well, I'm busy with Halloween, so... huh. Rain check! That's just how business works, I can both appreciate and respect your hustle.

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla as the Rainbow Fish at the library during work, passing out candy (and out throughout the week) as Boo from Monsters Inc

[xjaylahopkins]

"Depends on what you consider risk.." Jayla slightly tilted his head in consideration. Though, tonight she had opted for comfortable items straight out of her closet, in a look reminiscent of Boo from Monster's Inc. She laughed when Jaz stated that she was not a seasoned skater. "Don't worry! I got you! I come here every couple months with friends, so I'm at least decent on skates."

"And what about you?" she asked, giving the other woman's outfit a once over. "Do you like the risk too?" Was her tone a little flirtatious? Maybe. Sue her. In a more normal voice she continued, "Can't tell you the last time I went roller skating, so you're gonna have to tell me you're at least decent at it if I'm going to put a pair of skates on too."

[xjaylahopkins]

Jayla looked around them, assessing people's risk probability with their costumes on wheels, knowing that Jaz was right. "Something tells me some of these people did not plan ahead. Or they like the risk of danger," she laughed a tad nervous for them. With her anxiety, Jayla had put more thought into the risk factor than was probably needed. And in that moment, she was grateful, hoping they wouldn't see too many costume related injuries that night.

Who: Jasmine and @xjaylahopkins Where: Roller Skating at The Fun Spot When: Hallo-Week 2024

After bonding with each other over s'mores at the Newman's wedding, the least Jaz could do to repay the favor was join Jayla at the rink. Whether or not she was going to join in the skating part of it all was a different story. "Y'know, I get that it's fun for people to come dressed up in costumes, but I feel like too many don't think about the practicality of them." You definitely wouldn't catch her in something here that was too restricting or that would get caught in her or someone else's wheels. Her own outfit was just her regular clothing, explained away as being 'a superhero on their day off, dressing up as her.'