Remembering My Friend...

Larry who passed away on Thursday. You've read me blogging about the love I have for golf but it is in no way as big as the love Larry had for the game. When my husband (who played with Larry on the high school golf team) couldn't play with me in tournaments because of work, Larry stepped in as my "subhub" as we called him. I really loved playing with him and not just because he was a fantastic golfer, but because of his infectious, very dry sense of humor. I felt no pressure in trying to play great, but to just have a good time. If I hit a bad shot and apologized to him, he would just say "no reason to say you're sorry" and we'd move on...neither one of us however, wanted to lose! We only did once - on a card off. It was quite a bummer but we decided we did our best and it was all we could do. I grieve for the loss of a dear man and for his kids and family who are in shock. I hate that I won't see him almost everyday anymore, but I will however, carry his smiling face, his positive attitude and the memories I have with me always...never forget to tell your friends and family you love them every time you see them...you may not get another chance...

Do Guys Still Wear Ties???

I was wondering that not long ago when at "Art in the Park," (see a few posts back regarding this!) a guy comes up to me and says..."You're artwork would sure look good on a tie..." - I was extremely surprised coming from a conservative small town that someone would like abstract paintings on a tie! I was sure it wasn't possible to do, but then I discovered Zazzle....wish I wouldn't have! It is so addicting putting your designs on products! I already had my CafePress store and was keeping busy enough with that when lo and behold... Zazzle pops up and guess what they have?!? Yep, ties....now I'm not sure other than bankers, lawyers and executives that anyone still puts one on everyday, but if they want a funky one, here they are! I sure wish I remembered the guy at the park talking about art on ties in the first place......I would call him and get on to him for ever mentioning it!!!!

Just A Few Funky Ties...

A Web Award!

ok....first off, several posts ago, I mentioned that I was going to make myself blog more often...obviously from the date of the last one, I'm full of you know what! With that being said, I received a Brillante Web Promo Award and must nominate 7 other blogs that I feel worthy of an award as well! Not hard to do with all of the fabulous artists/bloggers out there! Here are my 7:

1) http://decor8blog.com - an extreme inspiration to those of us who love interior design!

2) http://designspongeonline.com - another lovely interior design blog with sneak peeks into what is hot and new and upcoming!

3) http://shuttersisters.com - beautiful and inspiring photography!

4) http://hulaseventy.blogspot.com - wonderful projects, ongoing works and moving photos!

5) http://inspiremethursday.com - just that...features inspiration we can get from every day objects!

6) http://kimberlyhurst.com/blog - all about life, business, photos and more!

7) http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com - absolutely stunning photos and great stories!

Duties when receiving these awards:

1. Put the award logo from above on blog sidebar.
2. Link to the person you received the award from.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4. Add links to those seven on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you nominated.

These are just a few that I love and find great ideas and inspiration from them every time I check out their blogs....thanks to all of you....

Relay For Life Fundraiser Cookbook

My fabulous Coldwell Banker Complete Realty office has participated in the Relay For Life fundraiser for the last couple of years. We lost our dear friend and broker Richard Conley to cancer and he is still to this day missed sitting at his desk. He is, however, on our minds all of the time and I swear he watches over us. I can also guarantee that he laughs at half of what he sees. Sherry Conley, his wife, has been our broker ever since and she came up with the idea to do an office cookbook for our team to raise money with. We all thought it was a wonderful idea because most of us really enjoy cooking and share recipes all of the time anyway. Why not put them all together! She came to me and asked if I would do the cover for it...I was scared to death. This to me was something I was doing for Richard and his memory and I wanted it to look good for the short time I had to get it done. I did a collage, mixed media painting and of course, had to add Richard's precious smiling face to it. This years theme for the relay was the 80's, so we chose the song "Love Shack" as our theme - appropriate don't you think since we sell homes. You can see Sherry and our Marketing Director Wendi in our booth set up which Sherry had done to match the cookbook cover. It turned out great! I am really proud of how our office pulls together not just at work, but out in the community for such a good cause. We do this for Richard, for Sherry and the rest of the family, for us, as we've all been affected by this dreaded disease in some way and for the hope that a cure will be found someday.

It's Now My FAVORITE Time of The Year...

except for the fact that I fried myself in the sun yesterday laying out by a friend's pool! I did go and purchase sunscreen, but lo' and behold, the darn can wouldn't spray. Needless to say, I am taking it back!! Wonder if they'll pay for some aloe since it's their fault I look like a lobster!!! Just kidding...I thought I would share with you some of my favorite items from my CafePress store - you can go to http://cafepress.com/kellyvanhook and see everything, but I've posted a few samples! If you are heading out for a vacation, or just sitting by the pool, these would be great to take with you! I pretty much stay in shorts, a tank top, hat and flip flops when I'm off work...much better than jeans, sweater and cramped up feet, stuffed in boots wouldn't you say?!! I love, love, love this time of year!! Grab you a journal, tote bag, a hat or a tank and head on out!!! Have fun and don't forget the sunscreen!! P.S. Just an idea...spray it in the store to make sure it works first!

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...