Lanker Time

Watch Out Adele!

2012-01-29T14:58:00.001-06:00

Dallas Cash & Carry

2012-01-25T08:57:00.001-06:00

This weekend Jason and I went down to the Dallas World Trade Center for the Home and Gift Show, they have many shows through out the year but this one allows for the Cash & Carry. Cash & Carry is different b/c it lets boutiques do personal shopping and not have to wait for merchandise through ordering. We did really well and it helped us get a clear vision of Heather Hill’s next step!

This is a part of the world trade center – (just a small part), there were a few of these put together with halls.

Another part of the Trade Center…

Market Hall (end of show)

Our booth getting torn down.

We packed up and were out in 20 minutes, we are getting good at this!

Outside was a trailer selling cute cupcakes- I wanted to show Madison.

After being lost and walking the buildings for hours a nice man called this bus to drop me off at Cash & Carry. Yes I was the sole rider-lol!

Latest Painting

2012-01-16T13:05:00.001-06:00

This one is the biggest one I’ve done so I went for a simpler subject. I got to use my new painting room with all the natural lighting and am pleased. I did however snap my favorite brush in half

Hiking in January…

2012-01-16T13:00:00.001-06:00

Hands down this has been the best winter in Arkansas! No snow or ice, this past week we had temps in the mid 60’s (and by experience we know when it’s 40 or higher go outside). Sadly today is 69 and tomorrow 42 (which could mean severe weather).

Character Awards–Compassion

2012-01-08T20:51:00.001-06:00

Elise was the one chosen from her class and Madison received it for 5th grade Music.

We took them out to lunch after the assembly – their choice: Mazzios (pizza of course)!

My New Painting Room

2012-01-01T14:07:00.001-06:00

Before- this “office” is attached to our master bedroom, we just were using it for storage and J suggested we turn it into a painting room. It was perfect b/c of the windows ( I need natural light) it just needed better flooring.

Some wood flooring was left over from my store and it fit perfectly in the space.

It took most of the day but we got it done and now I’m all set!

Pillowcases and Ideas

2011-12-30T20:29:00.002-06:00

About a year ago we had a friend stay with us after he went on a year long mission trip around the world. He talked a lot about his favorite place,Thailand, and an organization that he had worked with, called Remember Nhu. He explained to us that many young girls are sold into the sex trade in Thailand and this organization raises funds to buy these girls before that happens. They have many safe houses where the girls live and learn a trade (like hairdressing or sewing).

Madison was appalled by the injustice of this, and with a childlike passion, has been trying to tell others about this. She also decided that she would make a change donation container at my store that says “Free the Slaves” and in the process has raised over $400.

This Fall she decided that she wanted to do something to help raise more awareness and funds. I told her I thought that she could try to sell some things at our towns Dogwood Festival in the Spring. We ended up making 47 pillowcases & our next project is clay necklaces.

Here is more info. on the org: http://www.remembernhu.org/

A friend from church came to help with the girls.

Pizza Time!

This is the letter she wrote to her friends

The Trampoline is UP!!!

2011-12-25T17:15:00.001-06:00

Quick Painting–Messy Oil

2011-12-25T17:07:00.001-06:00

I really wanted to paint quickly with this piece. I strayed away from the colors that were shown and used imperfect strokes to give it some mystery. I really like how this one turned out, I think it might be my favorite!

Elise Leading School Music

2011-12-25T15:33:00.001-06:00

School Assembly–Madison Singing, Ella on Piano

2011-12-25T15:10:00.001-06:00

Christmas Eve Day–Crystal Bridges Again!

2011-12-25T14:41:00.001-06:00

The kids pleaded with us to go to the museum so I took the day off and we headed back to Crystal Bridges. The girls checked out an ipod so they could listen about the paintings (which they were thrilled about).

Jason dreaming of the ocean!

It was a super nice day, there are hiking trails around it so the kids did a little exploring.

This was crazy real – it is a huge head, Elise asked if they cut off a giants head? It is made from silicone and has real hair. Freaks you out when you stare at it long enough.

Christmas Eve… Only One Present!

2011-12-25T14:33:00.001-06:00

Christmas Eve

2011-12-25T14:24:00.001-06:00

I think it is becoming a tradition now that we have dinner over the Bland’s house for Christmas Eve. This yr. we had dinner before our candlelight service, last yr. we had it after and just about got snowed in!

Leslie made Muffalotta (? spelling on that), it’s steak wrapped and cooked with cheese, salami, and other good stuff.

Lunch is Served!

2011-12-25T14:18:00.001-06:00

Birthday Party for Jesus Before Church!

2011-12-25T14:16:00.001-06:00

The Later Morning–off to church

2011-12-25T14:12:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:18:00.001-06:00

The organized child had this waiting for us in the living room this morning! See where she put herself in the order

American girl clothes – They are already newly dressed! Thank you Petricks!

New shoes from gma & papa… she needs them since she destroys a pair every 3 months.

and a camera – and it’s red!

Thanks Aunt Sue & Ted for all the girly things!

A photobook of the Great Wolf Lodge – Madison got a kick out of herself sleeping in a pic. Thanks nana & papa!

Jason and his Dutch oven – he spent the morning looking up recipes for it. It is already conditioned and ready for use.

Mind Games for Elise

Madison dug her crocheted hat – she put it on and said “Oh my gosh I’m so cute!”

Nancy Drew books!

Jason enjoying his coffee and looking through the book.

Footed pj’s for Elise – her favorite kind

Wii Draw!

Lazer found his spot amongst the wrapping and choas!

Home from church Santa left a trampoline in the garage!

Crystal Bridges Museum - Bentonville, AR

2011-12-20T22:34:00.002-06:00

Jason and I finally made it up to the new museum that opened 30 min. away from us! The museum was funded mostly by Alice Walton and is completely free forever. It was an incredible place – it has been ranked as one of the top museums in the country, & now Bentonville is in the top 10 places to visit.

Article & Pics of the outside by Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/crystal-bridges-in-arkansas-a-world-class-museum-from-the-land-of-wal-mart/2011/09/27/gIQAN6OiDL_story.html?hpid=z2

This one was my favorite just b/c the satin looked like real satin…amazing!

This was one of my favorites too – I really like the messy oils.

Good ol’ Andy Warhol…

Cassatt

Me & the giant cube

This one just made me laugh, reminded me of Elise when she gets mad.

Madison Narrates Video

2011-12-18T21:06:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZFfih4a4bg&feature=youtu.be

Christmas Pageant–Elise as Mary, Madison Narrator

2011-12-18T20:07:00.001-06:00

Latest Painting -

2011-12-18T13:51:00.001-06:00

After I went horse back riding I started painting this, we hung it in our hallway.

Spoiled Rotten Lazer!

2011-12-18T13:37:00.001-06:00

Madison& Elise love to baby Lazer, every night they put down a pillow and blankets for him. But when we go to bed he goes in the laundry room!

Christmas Season!

2011-12-18T13:33:00.001-06:00

Car Trip Home

2011-11-27T22:04:00.001-06:00

One of the girls presents was pretty huge (what I got at Walmart on Black Friday). Jason thought he might have to come back to KS just to get it but we managed to pack everything up. Lazer had the smallest spot in the very back, just enough to curl up into a ball and sleep.

Stop Over in OKC to See The Taylor’s

2011-11-27T21:54:00.001-06:00

On our way home we swung by to see the Taylor’s for dinner. Their girls are so big, it was fun to see their personalities bursting through!

They loved Lazer, and Lazer was happy.

Thanksgiving - 2011

2011-11-27T19:09:00.001-06:00

Playing Basketball…Feel free to add your own captions (we already did)!

I’m not sure what the final people count was but I believe it was in the 30’s.

Susan & I did go to Walmart at 9pm. Got our tickets for the items we needed and were out by 10:25. This is what it looked like right at 10pm, CRAZY!!! We climbed over racks just to make it to the register, it was gridlock in the isles.

Holiday House Show in Little Rock

2011-11-14T21:36:00.001-06:00

This week was my big show of the season, I have been making inventory for it since the summer. I was really stressed out b/c I had to pull the trailer, learn how to hitch and unhitch it and unload but everything worked out. My friend Leslie came down with me and we had some adventures. We survived “murder alley” every day and had record sales for the 4 days.

The line to pack up that night was 3 hrs. long so I pulled to the front of the hotel and used the elevator to load up. It took us about 11 trips but we got it done by midnight. Got back to the hotel and had me a cup of noodles (which is practically a lumpy drink) .

Birthday Party/Book Club with my friends

2011-11-14T21:18:00.001-06:00

Patty surprised me at book club and baked me a wonderful chocolate cake for my birthday. Fun times with the girls.

Horseback Riding – Devils Den

2011-11-14T21:12:00.001-06:00

Jason and the girls went camping with some other dads two weekends ago. While they were away Patty, Nancy and I went up to Devil’s Den and met Nancy’s parents to go horseback riding.

Yes, I did take her for a spin.

Happy Birthday to Me

2011-11-04T10:22:00.003-05:00

Had a fun birthday - we had our young marrieds group that night and my girls decorated the room in a beach theme (brought out the surfboards and palm tree :)). I got an electric blanket (b/c I loved it so much in WA)- ironic.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T21:47:00.004-05:00

I had the Downtown Trick or Treating at the shop - this yr. I was Mary Poppins. The girls handed out candy for awhile until Jason came by to get them. Madison was a genie and Elise a pirate.

Up into the Space Needle

2011-10-23T22:52:00.001-05:00

It’s a 41 sec. ride up… but its pretty far up, once we arrived we were a little freaked out! But got used to being so high up .

Our Trip to WA -

2011-10-23T13:35:00.002-05:00

We started our trip at the American Girl store! Elise has wanted one for awhile and Nana got her a look a like. Also, it was Madison’s b-day so Aunt Bekah got Madison’s dolls hair done at the salon.

Jason had such a great time there too!

Happy 11th Birthday Madison!

She got her first manicure.

We all went to the movies – all the walls inside had a street scene. We went to see a Dolphin Tale.

We celebrated Thanksgiving.

In Seattle we went to the Children’s Discovery Museum. Here the kids are in a dinosaur footprint.

Butterfly Garden

One landed on my head.

For the last part of our time Jason went to his NAPCE and AYME conference, here he is presenting his research.

Riding the bus around Seattle.

While walking downtown somehow we ended up in front of some protest – we tried to hurry up but J ended up in the lead. The news was filming and it was pretty intense! Always an adventure exploring with J!

In front of the water, nice and chilly!

At Pike’s Place

Starbucks on every corner!

Figure Drawing and Such…

2011-10-04T07:57:00.001-05:00

This semester I was encouraged to take figure drawing. I really love to paint people (not landscapes) so I realize I need to figure out how to draw proportions. It has been an intense 4 weeks standing for 3 hrs. drawing people and me not seeing much improvement. But this weekend I hurt my back and could not walk so I decided to paint a figure with movement and see if I was improving. I noticed that I was using techniques from figure drawing to get the twists of her body. All that to say this class is definitely helping me see movement. Now my biggest challenge…faces!

Little Snake on our sidewalk

2011-09-27T21:40:00.003-05:00

Almost ran over this guy with my bike, he was chillin on our driveway. We took a closer look and he had a triangular head so we are thinking it was a Copperhead...anyone know for sure?

Visiting Family and Hillsboro Show

2011-09-19T12:38:00.001-05:00

After 4 yrs. of not doing shows in KS I decided to give Hillsboro, KS a shot (it is all handmade things). So we left Fri. night and headed to the Lanker’s in KS (they are about an hr. from Hillsboro). Early Sat morning Jason and I left to set up. It had rained all night and was still raining. I told J we should just forget it but he thought I should stay and set me up in the rain! After 30 min. it completely stopped and didn’t rain for the rest of the day. Greg, Susan and all the girls came up later to help and we had a really great day (in sales too)!

We had record timing in tearing down (15 min.) – what a small clan can do . Traveled back to Hutchinson and went to the KS State Fair for the evening. The girls got to go on rides and had a blast. Woke up Sun. & went to church down in Hutch and then stopped in Mulvane to see our fellow show goer Jolene and eat her yummy pie. Got home Sun. evening around 9pm which was perfect b/c tornado sirens were going off in Siloam earlier!

Cute pic. of Elise

2011-09-19T12:22:00.001-05:00

This is Elise and her friend Tristen at the 5K. Tristen’s mom just gave this pic. to Elise. I asked her about it and she said he has been in her class for 2 yrs. and that she is his helper b/c he doesn’t like loud noises and lots of kids are noisy. Love that kid!

Paintings…

2011-09-19T12:10:00.001-05:00

I repainted the red dress oil (I just wasn’t happy with the proportions of the original). J liked this one better so we put this one up – so if anyone wants the original let me know .

I painted this little one for my mom’s birthday – its Madison and Elise at Doheny.

Here is my Brown Recluse Cemetery

2011-09-07T21:29:00.001-05:00

The doctor told me to change out my sticky traps so I gathered them up and had about 30 all together.

Grandpa stops in Tulsa for a bit

2011-09-07T21:26:00.001-05:00

They really liked the sleep number bed!

More Grand Lake…

2011-09-07T21:23:00.001-05:00

I cook & measure…be impressed!

Grand Lake

2011-08-28T21:39:00.002-05:00

After our doctors visit and work we headed up to Grand Lake where my friend Patty’s family has a lake house and boat. A big group of us rotated through all weekend but Sun. we spent the day on the boat, tubing, water skiing and swimming.

Madison jumping

Elise Jumping from the rocks.

Spider Bites and Stitches

2011-08-28T21:23:00.001-05:00

We headed into the doc. this week, me to remove a mole and Madison to look at a spider bite. Well, things took a turn for the worse and one of my moles was not a mole but scar tissue that was taking over (he thinks from a shot b/c it was so deep). He said it was great I came in when I did b/c it was growing so quickly it would have taken over my arm. Madison was put on antibiotics and steroids for her spider bite. Jason left for the weekend and Elise shows me her booty and she too has a nice spider bite. So we head back into the doc. Sat. morning she puts Elise on antibiotics and drains Madison’s and let’s us know that she probably has a staph infection too. We are all doing much better now and drugs are working.

Tarantula in our Garage!!!

2011-08-17T22:37:00.001-05:00

I found this big fellow by our door and told Jason to kill it but of course he tried picking it up…eventually he set it free in the fields.

Full on Double Rainbow over Siloam

2011-08-17T22:33:00.001-05:00

Outside temp 113!

2011-08-17T22:31:00.001-05:00

Elise likes to accessorize…

2011-08-17T22:29:00.001-05:00

First Day Of School

2011-08-17T22:27:00.001-05:00

Madison started 5th grade, Elise 3rd, this is the first time that they are at the same school (but only for one yr. then again in high school).

Our Trip To Ohio

2011-08-11T09:35:00.006-05:00

This weekend we flew out to Dayton, OH for Joey and Haley’s wedding. They were a couple in our engaged /young married JBU bible study, we did their premarital & asked if J would officiate. It was a fun / hot weekend!

Rehearsal…the chapel had no a.c.

The Big Day

All Done…

Reception

On our weekend we saw...

2011-08-11T09:35:00.004-05:00

Since we were in Ohio we called the Fishers to see if they could meet us half way somewhere (they are in KY). So we met up in Cincinnati, their two kids were at a sitters but we got to meet Boaz the newest little guy!
Jason also married them back in CA a few years ago and I wore the same dress to their wedding that I did at Haley & Joey's...wierd!

2 color oil

2011-07-29T19:02:00.000-05:00

Wanted to try something different so I just used two colors for this painting. I really put the paint down thick this time, like the overall effect but want to paint it again.

Last Beach Days

2011-07-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

San Clemente

2011-07-22T21:16:00.002-05:00

Out to breakfast – BEST Breakfast Ever! San Clemente Café Rea

Elise got the stuffed French Toast, finger lickin good…

Swimming with Cousin David

2011-07-22T20:19:00.002-05:00

Park Time

2011-07-22T20:13:00.002-05:00

Disneyland

2011-07-22T19:59:00.003-05:00

Disneyland

2011-07-08T13:46:00.011-05:00

Bob's Big Boy - Hot Fudge Cake

2011-07-08T13:43:00.002-05:00

Yes, this is what I miss! Everytime we are on a freeway I check my phone to see if there is one around us.

Glen Ivy Day Spa

2011-07-08T13:34:00.002-05:00

One thing we love (mostly Jason) is going to the day spa, spending the day there is so relaxing and you leave feeling so clean. Although Jason has learned in the past to do a light dusting of the mud otherwise it sticks to his hairy body and hurts!

Hanging

2011-07-08T13:32:00.003-05:00

We got to meet Paulo's girlfriend Jen, we all headed up to Santa Barbara. We also saw J's childhood friend Jeremy Chaffin (went to his house for lunch).

Beach Time

2011-07-08T13:30:00.001-05:00

Family Pics

2011-07-06T11:01:00.008-05:00

I know it's been awhile...(like 5 yrs)! These are all big enough to copy and there may be more since I don't have them all yet.

Surfing on Monday

2011-06-28T11:27:00.002-05:00

We went out to Emma Wood Beach late Mon. afternoon. My first paddle out I duck dove and the board came down on my nose (it's black and blue now and I guess it bled during the night). Yep, we are going out again today!

Heather Hill Lands in Santa Barbara!

2011-06-28T11:16:00.004-05:00

While at the Summer Solstice Festival the owner of My Sweet Pineapple (a boutique in Santa Barabara) came by and asked if she could carry some of my things in her shop. I was thrilled b/c her store was so unique and eclectic...a perfect match! She had even put some of the sets in the store window :).

Going Back to Cali...

2011-06-28T11:07:00.003-05:00

Jason and I started our drive back to Cali Tues morning. The girls stayed with a friend in AR b/c their gma flew to get them on Thursday. We drove all over Kansas dropping Lazer off and then having lunch with our friend Jolene. We ended the day in OKC with our friends Jon and Randi, slept at their house and then was on the road the next morning.
We drove 13 hrs. Wed. and landed at a rest stop near Flagstaff, slept in the car for 4 hrs. and drove another 8 hrs. on Thurs.
Had to be in Santa Barbara Fri. morning to set up for the Summer Solstice Festival there. The show was interesting :) Alot of hippies and dancing...

We went to a Brazilian restaurant where we got to sit out on the rooftop, fun times!

Whirlwind Time...

2011-06-20T08:58:00.004-05:00

So I have discovered that 2 weeks at camp equals 5 loads of laundry, which was directly put back into suitcases b/c we are leaving for CA Tues. (and the girls are flying out on Thurs.). I have sewn about 500 dresses this month in preparation for my 4 shows (in 4 weeks in CA) and having enough inventory for the store to stay open.
On top of all this Jason was asked to preach/speak on Sat. at JBU chapel and then preach on Sun. morning too. He did a great job but this excerpt was really funny - there was a little kid who kept saying he had to go potty and it finally threw J off.
I was recording b/c he is teaching a sermon prep class next semester and he was using this for critiquing.

She likes it...

2011-06-20T08:54:00.002-05:00

After two weeks at camp the girls came home, Elise was completely surprised by her new room and loved it. She said half of it will be New York and the other half London. She spent some time checking to see if all her stuff had been transferred correctly.

Elise gets her own room

2011-06-15T17:01:00.005-05:00

The girls have been mentioning that they want their own rooms. We thought we would surprise Elise for her birthday (and redo her room while she was at camp). So we turned the guest bedroom into hers. We are leaving the queen bed in there (for guests if needed) and the bunks will stay in Madison's.
I have been probing her for about a month to see what colors and themes she would want... she mentioned New York or London (so I went with a city painting) and her colors were blue, red, yellow.
The day we dropped them off I just ran into the Goodwill in hopes to find a dresser and there was a perfect one (the drawers actually slide and don't fall out) and there was a bookcase too. We painted those black and then the backboard blue to match. I figure she can decide which city she wants to make it and we'll add more when she gets home.

Trip to Branson - Again

2011-06-15T16:56:00.004-05:00

We were up in Branson again this past weekend, J was recruiting up at Kanakuk so I came along. He came back in the evenings so we took a walk around the Big Cedar Lodge up there.

Camp - Some notes and the Beginning

2011-06-15T16:51:00.003-05:00

The girls left last Sun. to go to camp War Eagle - this time they are there for two weeks. Madison was pretty aprehensive about leaving for that long and Elise was consoling her that everything was going to be fine. We just got postcards from them and their counselors - basically Madison wrote us a book, Elise just wrote "I'm having fun" Love Elise.

Pan"cake" Breakfast for Elise's 8th Birthday

2011-06-05T09:31:00.002-05:00

Today we had Elise's Birthday breakfast b/c tomorrow is her 8th B-day! Madison and her are going to camp today for 2 weeks so she will celebrate it at camp. She is ok with that b/c the camp brings her cabin a cake and ice cream at lunch.

More Lankers Come for a Visit

2011-06-05T09:13:00.007-05:00

How many things could we do in 2 days??? Celebrate Elise's 8th b-day, have a campfire, walmart run for more chips, canoe all day down the Elk River, almost drown, burn to a crisp, go to the casino, watch Susan blow $10 bucks in 15 min, watch a lady blow $700 in 15 min., have Jason cook way too much yummy food...good times!

Girls Singing at Choir Concert

2011-06-05T09:01:00.002-05:00

Choir Concert

2011-06-05T08:52:00.004-05:00

The girls sing in a choir at the Episcopal church, tonight was their concert. I have some of it on video but am not sure if it will upload (time). Madison also had a reading and both girls got to play an instrument on a song.

Trip to Branson - Chateau on the Lake

2011-05-30T20:38:00.006-05:00

Memorial Day weekend Jason had to go recruit up in Branson at the Kanakuk camps. Since he was leaving on a Sat. we all joined him (b/c I have Sun. & Mon off work). So while he was off working the kids and I were at the pool or watching tv (since we don't have tv anymore this is exciting)...we are fascinated by the show Swamp People!

Movie theater in the hotel.

Movie being played while night swimming (How to Train Your Dragon).

The biggest pancakes we've ever seen!

Quick stop to Ann Taylor Loft where Elise accessorized herself and Jason.

I included this one b/c I just love Madison's attitude - so tween like :)

On our way out we stopped at the trout hatchery, it's where all the trout in Missouri are raised.

Peony Painting

2011-05-29T22:03:00.003-05:00

I was talking to my friend about painting & how I didn't have anything in mind but wanted to start another one. She mentioned that she wanted a close up painting of a red flower to put in her living room - and that her b-day was June 4th (hint hint). So I finished this one for her, it's a 20 x 20 square canvas and my first flower. With this one I really tried to speed up my painting and not get lost in the details.

Jason's Landscaping the Front Yard

2011-05-29T21:50:00.005-05:00

Jason has been working hard landscaping the front yard. We put off planting b/c we had to wait for the "right" season and now that summer has begun for JBU he has more time. He planted rose bushes, butterfly bushes, azaleas, tulip tree, heathers, crab apple tree, blue rug fern, and Madison planted gladiolas from Nana. He also put solar lights along the pathway and by the trees so in the evening it's all lit up.

Elise Goes to Terra Studios

2011-05-17T14:51:00.002-05:00

Last summer Robbie brought her grand daughter and Madison out to Terra Studios and promised Elise she would take her some day. This past week she took Elise and her friend. It's a "magical" kind of a place - has a labrinth, bridges, trolls, and lots of bluebirds (they blow glass to make them all). Elise declared that it was the best day ever!
Robbie took lots of pictures :)

5K Wellfast

2011-05-14T10:45:00.005-05:00

Jason and the kids ran their first 5K for Spring (they have not been running all winter so they knew they were not going to do well). However they all got first place in their age divisions (J & Madison actually did do well, Elise petered off pretty quick).

Accident Next to My Store

2011-05-10T09:07:00.003-05:00

I just left to go around the corner to shoot my new line with Main St. Studios. I arrived and one of the moms said there is a car through the window by your store. She thought that it didn't do any damage to my window but I went down to check on my neighbors. Sure enough the car had gone through the window but everyone was in the back so noone was hurt. It was a younger girl driving and her breaks went out.
Who says living in a small town is boring?

Latest Painting

2011-05-02T21:20:00.004-05:00

Really liked this vintage image, trying to push myself to do faces - my prof. said for this one just to blend the face and focus on the eye and lips. I think next semester I will take his figure drawing class b/c it's hard for me. Not sure where this one will end up.

Dogwood Festival!

2011-05-01T14:26:00.001-05:00

We closed up the store this weekend and headed to our towns Dogwood Festival. We had great weather Fri. & Sat. and lots of fun talking with everyone! Sunday I woke up at 7 and saw a big storm headed our way so we went down and packed up before we got rained on.

Elise wants to miss school on Fri (like Madison did last yr) to help me at my next show. I told her we would give it a trial run for a few hours and see if she can last... we are still in negotiations ;).

I finally got a new banner with the new logo printed. I also repainted the doors more Heather Hill colors and then reaattached them to fold differently allowing me to use waterfall displays on the top row.

Elise and Madison fighting in the aisle.

Love it when they wear their Heather Hill - ADORABLE!!!

Easter Day

2011-04-24T21:02:00.004-05:00

We went to church Easter morning and then headed over Breck and Robbies house for lunch. Jesse also came over (he is one of the soccer coaches at JBU) and we all cooked and ate. Had a few egg hunts (inside b/c it has been raining for days now). Robbie put on the Dawn Treader for the girls and we all ended up watching it. Great day! Then we went over to the Gambill's at 6 for dinner, more hunts and fun.

Evening Easter Shin-Dig!

2011-04-24T20:40:00.002-05:00

Another update on bite

2011-04-23T21:14:00.002-05:00

I had a ruff Fri. night, I took my antibiotics and some sleeping pills before bed and woke up to violent shaking and dry heaves till the early morning. I finally woke up at 11am, drank a Sprite and went to work and forced myself to eat dinner to take the antibiotics again.
Tomorrow is the last day of steriods for me and the bite is almost completely healed. Tonight will be the first time I go without a bandaid on my head. All that is left is a tiny deep hole (looks just like a pierced ear)...weird!

Update on bite

2011-04-19T07:53:00.004-05:00

The doctor called me in yesterday and had to cut the bite open. 3 shots into the wound was worse then childbirth. He then razored it open and squeezed out the infection (what came pouring out was the width of a dime). Then he had to tweeze out the black dead tissue which was indescribable- the numbing shot was not working so they gave me another. My shirt and my pants were drenched from sweat and he said he did his best to get all the dead tissue out but it was attached to good flesh so he didn't want to keeping tugging. He believes the infection is contained and now that it is cut out the steroids can get to the center to fight it.
I have declared war on bugs - bombs were fired in every room at work and today I do my house!

I knew one day one of these buggers would get me - Brown Recluse!

2011-04-17T15:16:00.005-05:00

On Mon. morning I felt a pain above my left eyebrow, I thought it was a bad zit forming since I was painting with oil. I put some Retin A on it and went to bed. The next morning there was a larger bump but no head. Next morning my eye started to swell and a blister came to (tried popping it but it was too deep). Thurs. morning my eye is completely swollen and I go to the doc.
He looks at it and tells me it's a spider bite and it's black in the middle so we are talking Brown Recluse. I freak! He puts me on antibiotics and a drawing salve & says it should look better over the weekend.
Sat. it looks the same so I call Robbie (our pastors wife, prof. and nurse). She asks me who my doc. was and we find out that the doc. is her next door neighbor so she asks him what to do. He called in a steriod for me to help. Now the redness is getting better but the black is still there (dead tissue). I read not to pop it b/c then those tissues collapse causing the hole and infection. So for now it just feels like my brain is bursting through my head. I will refrain from actual pics of the bite :).
Although my store is crawling with them I don't think I got bit there b/c I was off Sun. & Mon. Read conflicting reports on how fast it breaks out. Only guess is I changed out my clothes from winter to spring and maybe it was on my hair.
Doc. said to keep a bandaid over it to keep it moist & also not to gross people out :) I think I caught it in time before it really spread!

And the Last Final Portrait - Madison

2011-04-14T10:31:00.003-05:00

I took pics. of the progression to help me see the painting better. This one was very tricky b/c of the cool shadows, at one point Madison's face was very blue (although my prof. said he liked it that way) I just didn't. He showed me how to mix the colors to get more of a warm flesh color which was extremely helpful (so I reworked the arm on my last piece and reposted it...much better).

#2 for the Final - Jason and Elise

2011-04-11T13:58:00.004-05:00

Yesterday as my family napped I got my second painting painted (I have to do a series with either all landscape, still life, or people). So I took this pic. of Jason and Elise and decided that's what I wanted to do.
Getting my proportions correct is really time consuming (even though you aren't supposed to I maybe should draw it out first) but overall I like the coloring and J wants it for his office :)

Reworked the thigh and I like it much more.

My Oil Painting Class

2011-04-06T21:36:00.008-05:00

This semester J had to teach a Wed. night class so I decided to audit an oil painting class at JBU (the prof. said to bring the girls and they could hang out).
I have never painted in my life but have always wanted to try and the medium of oils appealed to me (since you don't have to draw in so many details). I have painted portraits, landscapes, still life's and fruit - biggest challenge for me is mixing the colors into what I see.
Alot of people have asked to see my paintings but they are still at school. I did paint this one for one of my finals here at home. I need to rework the thigh and add something to the empty space on the wall but here it is...be gentle :).

JBU Jr./Sr. Banquet

2011-04-03T20:59:00.003-05:00

We were asked to chapperone the JBU jr./sr. banquet this year. It was held in downtown Fayetteville, there was ballroom dancing (hence the need for chapperones :)). Had a good time.

Dr. Roby and his wife were chapperones too.

The New Car

2011-03-24T18:23:00.003-05:00

Well, it was a sad day when the diesel's engine broke but we had been looking into getting a car (since the seatbelts broke in J's truck and it's 25 yrs. old). So we decided to get something that could pull my trailer. I test drove the Highlander and the Murano and did not like the Highlander (it was too big for me) and if I was going to pull the trailer I needed something smaller.
The dealership had only one new 2010 on the lot and they knocked the price so low to move it (we couldn't find a used one cheaper). So after a few weeks of research we decided that was the one. I must admit it was a little overwhelming with all it's technology (it is the luxury version) but I dig it! And if you call me in the car everyone hears b/c of the bluetooth, so watch your language :).

Love this note

2011-03-15T14:48:00.001-05:00

I was out and Jason was sleeping, when he got up he found this note hanging on the door. I dig Lazer's signature :)

Elise does a commerical for Books on Broadway

2011-03-03T10:25:00.004-06:00

The store Books on Broadway has seen Elise in action (at their store downtown). The owner was getting to redo her commercial for the movies and they needed a expressive kid. She ran over to my shop and asked if Elise would be interesed. They filmed it in town and she practiced the script - ask what the best part was, she'll tell you she got paid :)!

Intramural Volleyball

2011-03-01T22:05:00.004-06:00

We all ventured out tonight to watch Jason play volleyball. He had hurt his shoulder earlier this season and has been going to the chiropractor who said he should start to use it again. Madison is becoming addicted to volleyball too, she likes to bounce the ball and count how many times she hits it. J had her go in for him near the end of the game, they let her serve and rotate through...and they won both games.

Valentines Treasure Hunt

2011-02-15T10:13:00.010-06:00

I am in charge of Love Day for the family (and J does our anniversary since they are so close). So I planned a surprise treasure hunt for them all...I even met J for lunch and he was a little perturbed b/c he thought I wasn't really doing anything :). I talked with people around town who love our girls, grandparents, went to JBU's campus, snuck into J's office, and at 5 I handed them a card to start it off. All of them were so excited, J's eyes got huge, Elise started shaking b/c she was so happy and Madison went running around trying to find the clues. We ended up having 20 destinations and finally ended back at home around 8:30. Thanks for everyone's help...Fun times!
My camera is being fixed so I only have my phone pics :(

Our pastor's house...

4 way stop...

J's office

Brooke's apartment - RD at JBU

JBU Library

Dorm rooms

Church - they were attempting to jump to get the note.

Jason & Madison's favorite food - wings

Skyping for clues.

Nana's presents ended it all - they were in the washing machine.

Father Daughter Dance - Tonight!

2011-02-11T18:44:00.005-06:00

Jason rang the doorbell and two excited little girls answered. He brought them each a bouquet of flowers and offered them a dinner of their choice. They are off dancing the night away.

CORRECTION to the last post...THIS is the most snow we have ever seen!

2011-02-10T16:47:00.009-06:00

Woke up Wed. morning expecting it to be snowy...the weather channel predicted 8" of snow...they were terribly mistaken - by 5pm we had 23" of snow! Siloam Springs made a new record for the state of Arkansas! Our street rented a bobcat so we could get out onto the main road. The girls spent the entire day making forts in the snow, they lasted a good 4 hrs.!

I have tried to flip this and it just won't work for me...

This is the most snow...Ever!

2011-02-04T16:32:00.002-06:00

Yes, we are experiencing the most snow ever since moving to AR! The girls have been out of school from Tues-Fri. and they say more is on the way. We have been traveling around town in the camper b/c it is such a beast. I actually had J drop me off at work today so I could get some online orders mailed, and I did some sewing there too.

A view of the house and what is all around us.