A Few Days Late...

...but we wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year! We hope you try something new in 2009 that has always interested you, but you never took the time to do...

Rick, my sweet hubby, you know - the one always golfing, lol, is definitely into painting...he is totally entertaining to watch, he's loving it and we've had a blast doing it together. Stay tuned to my Etsy shop, as I will be adding some of his work soon!

We wish you much happiness, hope, prosperity and health in 2009 and thank you for a fantastic 2008...

I've Created a Monster...

with my husband and his newfound craziness for painting! As promised, here is an image of the painting he was working on in the last post! It's not varnished yet, but it looks really cool! I am totally impressed and happy he is painting with me...it's something he's always wanted to do as I said before...with that comment I will say that he's gone nuts! He's already painted three more (alot smaller!) and he's wanting to go to the canvas store with me - I'm scared - I'm not sure there is enough room in my truck for what he will want to buy! I will keep you posted on how this love affair progresses...

Oh What Fun...

it was to get my hubby Rick and my mom together last week for a morning of painting! Mom and I have done it on numerous occasions, but Rick was off that day and he wanted to join us. He has always wanted to paint but between work and golf getting in the way, he never has gotten around to it until now! He loves art - modern and bold. He was actually an art major for a whole semester in college - didn't like the fact you had to take english, math and other classes as well! Mom and I worked on some small projects but Rick decided for his first painting, to do a 48x48! Jeez...talk about a challenge! Anyway, it was a refreshing way to spend a morning I can tell you. I will post his finished piece as soon as it's finished...he's off this week and is determined to get through...

We Left White County...

yes...I said we left White County! For anyone that knows my husband, he's pretty much a homebody and unless it's a golf trip overnight, doesn't like to go too much. Our 10th anniversary however, was on 08-08-08 and we decided we had to go somewhere...we both thought Eureka Springs would be nice. Neither of us had been since we were small and we both enjoy the arts, scenery and a few adult beverages with dinner, so off we went! We piled in the truck, with me driving and him telling me how to do so and made the journey...we had an absolute fit as we drove into the historic district to find the Basin Park Hotel! It was like a little village in another country and I swear you would almost think you were dreaming...the streets are a little narrow to say the least and it's not easy to maneuver for the most part, but we did manage to drive around a bit before popping into the Pied Piper Bar and Grill, a hangout for the locals. Everyone was extremely nice and it seems like most of the people that lived there had visited and not gone back home! We had the same feeling...we talked about if it wasn't for our home we love, our fabulous friends and family in Searcy and the fact you would have to drive 8-10 miles to play golf, we would have packed up and moved! We saw some beautiful artwork (I wanted to go because I needed a good, creative kick in the pants!) which made me want to go right back to painting, a ton of lovely, renovated and well maintained victorian homes and buildings and a town full of locals who are so proud of their little city, as they should be...we visited the Balcony Bar and met several people...it was extremely hot though and we all had fun as the misters came down on you and cooled you off while you were relaxing. Catherine Reed played music and was absolutely entertaining! If you're ever in Eureka, she usually plays there on Thursday or Saturday. We also met a fantastic music duo called The Golden Ticket... Joshua Irwin and Lyndsay Pruett at Chelsea's Bar...they are a very talented violionist and guitar player and write their own music. They have a bluegrass, rockabilly and kind of a new age sound. We hung out with them a few nights and really got to know them...they are 2 friends traveling across the country and playing music...they are probably the most soulful people I have ever met and it actually felt like it was meant to be...I've really never felt that way about strangers...they were very motivating to me...we bought their CD and said our goodbyes...I think about them alot and so does Rick. You just don't get that often...Eureka is kind of odd that you can drink alcohol, but yet have a very spiritual feeling as you sit in Thorncrown Chapel, the most beautiful building I've ever been in, stand in front of The Christ of the Ozarks and meeting people who are living life every day to the fullest...kind of makes you wake up and do the same...

Another reason I loved Eureka is because it's sooooo laid back...when I say laid back, that's actually an understatement. I am an extremely early riser and couldn't get a cup of coffee until about 7am! Shops don't open up until about 10:30 or 11:00 and close at 4:30 or 5:00! It seems like a ghost town at times, but under all of the buildings are bars, restaurants and places to go after everyone gets off. It's so cool! For all of these reasons that I love it...I think after a while it would drive me insane! I would however love to go back often and am going to research some galleries there that would give me a good excuse to pop up there from time to time! It is truly a magical place and I am glad we made the trip...

My Obsession with Golf...

...is starting to get in the way of my art when I have any spare time! This time of year (I am a fair weathered golfer only!) I really get the itch to get out and play. It's really the only outside activity I do besides some lightweight gardening and sitting on the patio relaxing. I have the best golf pro in the world that I took a lesson from last week and now I am bound and determined to make my golf swing look like a pro...ok, maybe not a pro, but much better than it is now! For all of you that have young children that may have an interest in the game, please find a way to get them some lessons! I really wish I would have played at a younger age - 31 was a little old to start, but at least it's a game you can play until you can't get around well anymore! My hubby is a great golfer and of course, encouraged me to start. He sure didn't know what he was getting into when he bought me my first set of clubs!! We do have a great time playing couples tournaments together and on our weekly night play on Thursdays. I do take my camera some and enjoy taking lots of pictures of our friends and different things you find on the course. You never know what you are going to see. Last night we saw huge bass fish trying to eat some baby ducks - it was the strangest thing I've ever seen! It is beautiful and peaceful, for the most part, to be out there and enjoying the scenery and good friends. I hope you all have something that you enjoy doing that is a great diversion from every day life...

1 Year Anniversary in our NEW HOME!

OK.....as I said, I would post a slideshow of our home we have been in now just over a year.....had to figure out the Picasa Web Album configuration....once again, something new to learn. Thanks to my mother, we have an extensive collaboration of images from the building process. This is just a few pics believe it or not! She is awesome.....made me want to get a new camera and delve into capturing images from all the events we are involved in and also friends and family. I just celebrated my 41st birthday on Tuesday, yes, April Fool's Day - came down with the flu so I can tell you it was a total bummer! We are celebrating tonight as we watch the Final Four play - it will be much more fun than the actual birthday I can tell you that! I did however get a new camera and I can't wait to use it for everything! I have warned everyone. It's a Canon Rebel XTi and I can tell you this for sure - it's not a disposable!!!! That's about what I was used to and I told my hubby this morning I am definitely going to take a photography class so I don't have a regular cussfest using this aparatus like I do when I'm learning something on the computer! Anyway, I have posted a new home slideshow...hope you enjoy it. We are glad to be here....it's a vacation every day I wake up.

Home Sweet Home!

My husband Rick and I have now been in our new home for a year!! Just goes back to the previous post about how time flies!! Now, it definitely did NOT fly by during the building process, but I have to say it was all well worth it. We have a long way to go though in the decorating department as I am making up the time I took off to build the house and catching up at work! I will be adding a slideshow from start to finish in the next few days. Needless to say until the good Lord takes me home, I AM NOT MOVING AGAIN! I've said that countless times being in the construction and real estate industry for the past 19 years and have moved 18 times during that period. This is home....am actually putting nail holes in the wall because I'm not having to worry about selling it! That's all for now.....

Days Going By Too Fast!!

My, my.....took a look at the date on my last post and realize I am not blogging often enough! It has been crazy at work, was out of town for a Coldwell Banker Sales Rally (pic on the right of post is me, Janice, Steph and Robin, 3 of awesome team members at work!!) and then back home for hubby's 50th birthday party....time just flies and the older I get, the faster it goes. I always heard that but realize it more and more! The birthday party was a smash! Rick (above) was born on St. Patrick's Day so naturally we had the green beer and other green drinks and had karaoke/dance music which was hysterical AND tiring! Some of my best friends Carrie, Lynne Michele, Sara and Suzy and I did a play on words with the song "Oh Mickey" but of course changed the name to "Oh Ricky" and I sang while they did a cheer - it was fabulously fun and I have to say, felt like the old days in high school.....we are definitely not to old to have a blast! I am glad it's over though.....I could barely walk to the truck that night my feet hurt so bad and the next day the legs were sore from dancing and running around all night! The things we do for love......Time to go watch the first basketball game of the day even though I should be painting........

Watching the Snow

I am sitting glued to the couch and have been since 5:00 am! The snow is falling and it is breathtaking - I wish we got more snow but it doesn't happen often. I can't quite make myself get up and get something going........watching the snow is so relaxing when you don't have appointments to go to or work calling! My sweet hubby had to run in to work for a bit so he took the grocery list and is stopping on his way home to pick up everything so I don't have to get out! What a peach! I think he's just doing it so I don't have to drive......if I don't go 5 miles UNDER the speed limit, he thinks I'm reckless! Some of my friends and I call him PAPA when he moves slow.........he's hot and fixing to be 50 so he thinks he's getting old already!! I need to be working on his party since it's the 15th of this month!! He was born on St. Patrick's Day which is appropriate being the biggest beer drinking day of the year next to probably the Super Bowl!! We are having kareoke night and should be lots of fun. It's hard hitting those milestone birthdays.......but it's much better than the alternative! Must remove myself from the couch now and get something accomplished - enjoy your weather today and all we have been given!