Decorating for the Debutante Ball: The Painting

Recently I have had the privelege of working with 2 other artists on a project for the upcoming Debutante Ball. In the lobby of the Coliseum will hang 2 very large sections of canvas fabric, upon which we've painted this scene:

Myself, Norma, and Cathy in front of our finished project!

It has been a joy working with these ladies and being able to watch other artists and how they work.

Cathy tackled the sky as I worked on the foreground below her.

Cathy and Norma working hard!

Norma making the water look just right!

Cathy took a step back to see how it all looked

Be watching for photos of the ball, which is only a week away and we'll be dancing the night away! I've already warned the ladies I'll be having a photo snapped of us once again in front of these panels, but next time we'll be all dressed up and at the ball looking our very best!




Should make a great contrast to these photos in our absolute grungiest!

1, 2, 3..1, 2, 3...1, 2, 3....

Sunday afternoon found all 3 of us learning to waltz for Heather's upcoming debutante ball.

First Heather and the other debutantes learned how to perform their bow:

Here the dads and escorts lined up to begin learning the basic waltz and the box step:

As the girls were learning to waltz the dance teacher reminded us all that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did...but she did it backward and in high heels!

The debutantes lined up to learn their steps. They practiced while wearing their hoops so they, their dads, and their escorts could practice with some of all the excess fabric the girls will be wearing the night of the ball:

Heather and her escort (and one of her best friends) Ryan:

Of course my favorite moment was when Heather and her dad began to waltz together and before they danced she gave him the biggest hug:

Ryan learned the appropriate way to "cut in" on Heather and Marty's waltz:

Heather and the dance instructor Mrs. Amanda. Amanda was a student teacher at the dance studio where Heather danced when we first moved to Texas:

10 for 2010

Ten things I'm going to strive to achieve in 2010 (Hats off to my cousin Carmen for I am simply copying her post title!)

1. Read my Bible daily. This was brought about by our church as we've all been challenged to COMMIT to read each day and given a One Year Bible with daily Bible readings for each day of the year. What a difference I've seen in my family after only a few days! Can you imagine what 365 days will do???

2. Get organized. Seriously. My life is a mess and I've got to get it on track before I drive not only myself bonkers but everyone around me.

3. Reprioritize. God. Family. Job. Church. Everything else.

4. Save money. Get back on a budget and stick to it. Rebuild the emergency fund.

5. Paint. More! It has felt wonderful getting back into painting and artwork. I've set a goal and booked the local coffee shop for the month of October to sell/display painted antique windows. So now, I've got to get painting!

6. Think positive. A positive attitude and frame of mind is contagious. It's also key to better overall well being. When I have a positive outlook I just feel better about everything in general. When I don't, it's easy to let things spiral out of control. Time to take control and put things into perspective.


7. Keep taking pictures. Keep striving for better photos and keep learning how to get the best shots in even the most difficult lighting situations.

8. Drink more water. I'm not ready to give up my sodas yet but I do know I need to drink less of them and more water. I have even begun to order water at restaurants (sometimes). Saves money too!


9. Let go. My daughter is 18 years old and will head off to college this fall. Time to let her spread her wings. While I may not always agree with her decisions/choices, they are hers to make. This one may be my hardest obstacle.



10. Get fit. I know exercise is important that's why it's on this list. It's at the bottom of the list because I do know that if I set too many goals and can't achieve them I'll feel like I've failed. This one made it to the list because I know it's important, but it's #10 because I know I have other things that I have GOT to work on before I can get to this one. I'm tackling these things one at a time to make some big changes in my life.

What are your goals for 2o10? Post yours too and comment here so I can come see what you've set for yourself.

Wordless Wednesday

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Bring on 2010!

We celebrated New Year's Eve with friends and stayed to ring in the new year, complete with a bonfire and fireworks. Happy 2010! May your new year be blessed and may you look forward with a positive outlook and strong resolutions to improve your life and character.








The first thing the three of us have committed to do in 2010 is to read through the Bible. Our church challenged its members to make the commitment to read every single day. If the commitment (promise) was made, a one year Bible was furnished. So far so good, we're on the 4th day and we haven't missed a day yet. What a difference this will make in the life of each of us, our family, our church family and who knows what else!

Christmas Lights at Windcrest

Each year our family tries to find a night to drive around looking at Christmas light. My friend Kendra recommended driving over near San Antonio to see the lights at Windcrest. I am so glad we took her advice! We certainly saw some beautiful displays. Here are photos of a few of my favorites:


This house was awesome! The lights were set to music and the line of cars waiting to drive past this one was very long, but so worth the wait.


I loved the decorations outside this house and it appeared from what we could see of the windows the inside must have been spectacular as well!



I absolutely fell in love with the Santa on this porch!

Christmas Day 2009

I hope you and yours had a blessed Christmas Day! I know we did. Tradition at our house has us waking on Christmas morning to find what Santa left in our stockings. Anyone can grab his/her stocking as they wake and it is not necessary to wait upon the rest of the household to awaken to do so. The wrapped Christmas gifts are another story. Those have to wait until everyone is up and ready.

When Heather was little she'd wake at the crack of dawn, (or earlier!)and want to open gifts. Now that she's a teenager she's usually the last to get up.




Heather wrapped one of my gifts with so much tape scissors were necessary!

Marty as he unwrapped his gift from Heather:


Digging in to my box from Missouri!



We added some notes to some of Heather's gifts so she had some reading to do!



Marty and I searched and searched until we found the perfect gift we had in mind for Heather. We wanted her very first diamond to come from us:






Marty's family joined us for Christmas dinner and more gifts:



Marty's twin brother Mike joined us from Iraq via skype on the computer. The highlight of our Christmas day was listening to Mike read us the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke:



My sister in law Debbie, my niece Cheyene, and my nephew Tony:



My mother in law began a tradition a few years ago in which each Christmas day she draws the name of a family member to receive next year's "Gifts from Granny." She lavishes that person with many gifts, most of which are gag gifts that must be opened as they make their way to the big gift. This year was my niece Cheyenne's turn:






Cheyenne and Heather cleaning up:



I made everyone an ornament. Here is Billie with hers:



I think Tony loves his gift from Granny! She folded money into the shape of shirts so he could choose some new shirts for himself:



Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

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Photo Story Friday: Sugar and Spice

I took Friday off to catch up on some housework and prepare for hosting my family on Christmas Day. On top of that, I had a photo session for this beautiful baby girl, Elizabeth. This is my first infant portrait session so it was a freebie so I could put into practice some ideas I had. I sure enjoyed this session and snapped a few photos I love and hope her mommy does too!

Elizabeth receives a kiss from her mama, Lanie:

So precious

And yes, what photo session of a little girl is complete without borrowing my daughter's first tutu???

When I saw this tiny foot peeking out from the blanket I couldn't resist snapping a photo of it

Such a precious gift place beneath the Christmas tree!

Such bright beautiful eyes!

Sights like this just make you want to pick her up and cuddle her, don't they?


What a sweet sweet photo shoot! Thank you Lanie for loaning me your precious baby girl for photos!

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