About Joi

I can give the basics and even a few little extras, but the best way to get to know about me is to get to know me. So  hook up with me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/JoiTaniaSigers), Become friends with me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/joisigers)  or e-mail me (joisigers @ aim.com). That way, I get to know you too!

My name is Joi (pronounced Joy).  I was born in Madisonville, Kentucky and  currently live in Owensboro, Kentucky.  I absolutely, positively am in love with life and spend most of my time admiring it, laughing at it, and just drinking it all in.

I’ve never done drugs, never smoked, and never sipped or guzzled anything stronger than espresso.  I think it goes back to the whole loving life thing.

I have the greatest husband in the world, Michael, and we have three beautiful daughters:  Emily, Brittany, and Stephany.   These people hung the moon and the sun in my galaxy.  My girls’ boyfriends (Dill, Chris, and Rusty) hung the stars – I love them like family… which is exactly what they are.

I am obsessed with animals and would have 200 if my husband would look the other way for a weekend.  As it is, we have 5 gorgeous cats who are also family:  Alexa (the only one who resides inside with us – the spoiled little diva refuses to allow any other cats inside her castle), Ming Li, Hannah,  Jelly Bean, and Peanut Butter.  I also consider all of the birds, squirrels, raccoons, and possums that I feed and watch each day to be my pets.  And, yes, I name them.

I do not have a degree in social work or psychology.  My education has been 75 percent self-taught – through books and (of course) life.  I have had incredible experiences – some fantastic, some horrible – and I draw upon them often in my writing.  I believe that God has given me a natural ability to relate to people and even to help them.   If I didn’t believe this with 100 percent of my heart and soul, I would not be here.

I lost both parents at relatively young ages, I had and lost the house of my dreams, I have faced illnesses and car wreck injuries, and have lived in 6 different states across the country.  I taught my three daughters at home and count this amongst the greatest experiences I’ve ever had.

When I was in middle school, I was sick so often (hospitalized often with severe asthma) and missed so much school that I fell into a deep pit and suffered from very painful shyness.  One of the smartest things I ever did was to realize what was happening before it got too far.  Even though my parents thought I was off my rocker, in my Freshman year of high school, I enrolled myself in debate class AND drama class.  I figured that they’d either snap me  out of the darkness that shyness had cast over my life or I’d crumble so much that I wouldn’t care.

My drama teacher seemed to adore me and took me right under her wing.  I believe she knew what I was up to (trying to perform shock therapy on myself) and she was totally game.  As luck would have it (excuse me while I change that to as God would have it), this wonderful woman was also my debate class instructor.  Right off the bat, she gave me the lead in our first performance.  In a series of Carol Burnett skits we were to perform at a local rest home, she gave me Carol’s role.  Front and center.   I was too flattered and too excited to be scared.

Until the day of the performances.

I couldn’t breath and this time it wasn’t the asthma!  As though it were yesterday, I remember looking out at the adorable men and women waiting in the Rec Room.  I thought, “They just want to laugh…” – then I made up my mind to make them do just that.  A true ham, in every sense of the word, was born that day.  I got that life wasn’t about me – it’s about others.  It has, genuinely, been my greatest desire to bring smiles to other people’s faces and shine a light in other lives whenever I possibly can and in whatever way I can.

My parents, an aunt Penny and uncle Bobby who were like “second parents,” and a few of my teachers (Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Watkins) helped me get back what extended (and frightening!) hospital visits took from me:  Confidence and strength.  They also brought out, and encouraged, my voice.

In fact, it was my aunt Penny who encouraged me the most in my writing.  She made me feel like my writing was special and that I had a gift.  Because of her, I developed a passion for stringing words together and having fun with them.

I do work from home and generate all of my “Mall” and “Starbucks” money with my websites.  However, I will never compromise any of my sites and have no intention of selling out.  If I recommend a book, video, author, or even Starbucks drink – know that I have enjoyed it myself and simply want you to have the same experience.

The Polar Bears and Other Animals

You’ve no doubt noticed all of the beautiful pictures of polar bears, arctic seals, wolves, dogs, cats, and so on.  I warned you – I’m obsessed with animals!  I do have a clear incentive, however.  I feel that everyone should “adopt” several animals that they are associated with.  This brings more attention to the animal(s) and their causes and needs.  For someone like me, this can be tough because I love all animals to distraction.  How to choose?!  For Self Help Daily, I’ve gone mainly with a few of the animals that are most danger – and also, happens to be personal favorites:  The Polar Bear, the Wolf (knock it off Sarah Palin), and the Arctic Seal.

I heard from a woman once who said that the presence of polar bears on my self help blog distracted her and she thought they were unprofessional and “childish.”  She said she wouldn’t be back – to which I replied, “Good. I don’t think I could help you anyway.”

She is the only negative feedback I’ve ever gotten – most people respect another person’s feelings and most are cool enough to actually love animals as well.  Anyway, the animals most definitely will stay.  It all goes back to listening to and respecting your inner voice.

Once mine was pulled out, it has stayed out.  – Joi

Below is the original About Joi page on Self Help Daily. I’ve updated the preferences as well as other specifics.  The reason I’m leaving it on the page is this:  I hear from so many people in regards to these likes and dislikes!  I love to hear from fellow lovers of Andy Griffith, Dean Koontz, Gwen Stefani, spinach artichoke dip, and Kanye West (man, we have to stick together!)  – Joi

I tend to ramble, so I thought the easiest way to do this would be to do a “The ABC’s of Me” type of About Page.  It (might) keep me on track and (may) keep me from chasing minute little thoughts all around the page.  Check it out – I’m rambling about rambling.  (You officially just got to know the real me.)

A. Artichoke-Spinach Dip.  I make the best on earth – and I’m actually pretty cocky about it.

Andy Griffith – not too many things I’d rather do than kick back on the couch and watch Andy Griffith Reruns (only the b&w ones, though)

B. Bracelets – I’m positively over-the-top with my bracelets.  I LOVE jewelery of all kinds, but I have a real thing for bracelets.  My collection is in the hundreds and grows daily.  I never wear less than four at a time – two to an arm, I even stopped wearing a watch so I could wear more bangles and bracelets.  If I move one of my arms and don’t hear any clanking or clinking, I know I don’t have enough on.

The Bible – The best book ever written.  It’ll change your life.  He’ll save your life.  He’ll give you new life.

C. Causes: Alzheimer’s,  Animal Protection, Ocean Conservation, Diabetes, Breast Cancer, and the Pujols Foundation

Cardinals.  The St. Louis Cardinals are my fave baseball team.  Love them muchly.

Chocolate and coffee – they’re why I understand and sympathize with anyone facing any sort of addiction.

Cats – Our cats light up my world like the fourth of July.  They’re family, plain and simple.

Candles – LOVE candles – the fragrant ones.

D. Dean Koontz.  If I could only read one author for the rest of my life,  (In addition to the Bible.) it’d be Dean Koontz.  He’s just on another level….and possibly from another world.  If you’ve never read him, go out and grab “Odd Thomas,”  “Watchers,”  “Midnight,”  “Sole Survivor…”  Oh, heck, if it has Dean Koontz on the cover – grab it.  (Disclaimer:  If you’re easily offended, creeped out, or scared….disregard the grabbing.)

Denver Broncos – my favorite NFL team.

E. Eighties Rock – nothing like it, you know.  I’m like so sure I could totally, like,  listen to 80’s rock all day.

F. Family.  I cherish mine more than my next breath.

Food Network – If Paula, Rachael, Ace of Cakes, Alton, Emeril, or the Iron Chefs are on – I’m pretty close by.  I’m not sure where Jamie Oliver went, but I wish he’d come back…..miss him and his thick, thick accent.

The Flintstones are my favorite cartoon.

G. Gwen Stefani – one of my favorite singers ever.  There are some artists I could listen to 24/7 – she’s one of them – along with Fergie, Beyonce, Lenny Kravitz,  KISS, Faith Hill, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson,  Justin T, Daughtry,  Montgomery Gentry, Charlie Pride, Christina Aguilera,  Kanye West, Nickelback, Seether, Prince, Shania Twain – is that a wild group or what?

Garfield – favorite comic strip

Gladiola – favorite flower

H. Heaven – it was made all the sweeter in 2006 when my mother suddenly passed away.  Ironically she had told me on the phone the night before, “When Spring gets here, I’m finding a bigger house.”  I told her, “Well, if that’s what you want, I’ll help you find one.”  She couldn’t wait for the spring and she didn’t need my help.

Harriet Tubman – A personal hero.  She didn’t just seek freedom for herself – she sought it for others.  Imagine – she was free as a bird but went back into the most vile, evil cage of all, voluntarily, to free as many others as she could.  Guts!  Someone else I can’t wait to see in Heaven.

Home – I work from home as a writer and web publisher.  Yet, at heart, my knee-jerk reaction to “What do you do?” is, “I’m a wife and mother.” That’s where my heart is. Even if I’m working online, my heart is in the kitchen fixing a huge Kentucky-style supper with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, yeast rolls and pecan pie. Maybe that’s why my family always urges me to “follow my heart!” Hmmmm…

History – I love American History – especially the Colonial Days and the Civil War Era.  I’m a history buff and love a great historical biography.

I. Ice Cream – my favorites are Butter Pecan, chocolate, chocolate chip, and vanilla.

J. Jack Black and  Johnny Depp = favorites.  (Also love:  Denzel Washington,  Robert Downey Jr. Jamie Foxx, John Travolta, and  Bruce Willis)

Jeremiah 33:3 – My favorite Bible verse.

K. Keira Knightley – A favorite movie actress. (Also:  Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder)

L. – Lost – It’s an addiction.

Lucy – are you kidding me?  I ADORE Lucy and watch her every single day.

M. Music – I like artists and songs from all genres – if the music’s good, I don’t care what name it goes by.

N. Normal – normal people make me nervous and suspicious.

O. Old Movies – I love them muchly.  Lucille Ball, James Dean, Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, and Ava Gardner are some of my favorites.

P. Poetry – My favorite poets are both named Emily:  Emily Dickinson and my oldest daughter Emily.

Q. Queen Latifah – one of the most amazing voices ever given to a human.

R. Robins are a favorite birds.  So fat and happy!

S. Speeding tickets – I’ve gotten two/deserved hundreds.  I drive too fast, play the radio too loud, and seat dance way too much.  I’ve gotta knock it off – except the seat dancing.  That’s cool.

Save the World Complex?  Check!

T. Tiger Woods – my favorite male golfer.  (What indiscretions?  Are you sure it was that Tiger Woods….)

U. University of Kentucky Wildcats!!!  During basketball season – if the Cats are on, approach our house with caution.  We get pretty wild.  Objects fly, people stand on furniture,  curses are cast upon referees, Hoosiers, Verne Lundquist, and Billy Packer.  Not.  In.  That.  Order.

V. Vanilla – favorite milkshake.

W. Wednesdays?  Underrated.  I love Wednesdays!

Weeping Willows – favorite tree.

X. Malcolm X, the movie, left me thinking and feeling for weeks.   I’m still waiting for the next movie to pull that one off.  I cried like someone had belted me!

Y. Yesterdays – I think about yesterdays too much.  That’s about as logical as driving while looking out the back window.

Z. Zebras – I’d like to ride one.  Not really, but I needed a Z.

This page is forever changing because I’m forever changing.

The picture, below, is one my youngest daughter, Stephany, took.  It’s the only picture I’ve ever had taken that didn’t make me want to throw myself in front of a bus.  So, yeah, I went with it as an About Page pic.  So what if I’m kneeling at the bathroom counter trying to straighten out my naturally curly hair and snarling about the process?  I’ve got on my favorite Tommy Hilfiger top, so let’s put it out there!