New beginnings and an end

Today is Monday - I decided to title this post new beginnings because there are so many going on right now.  First up, Ryan left this morning to start his new job, almost six weeks to the day. I'd like to say that we spent a lot of time together over the last six weeks, but bless my husbands hardworkin' heart, he was busy most of the time with side jobs, projects, interviews and such. One thing I could count on was help in the morning.  He would get up and make the kids breakfast, while I helped get people ready.  The ultimate divide and conquer.  That ship has sailed so to speak, so now I fly solo or sail solo depending on how you look at it. I decided since I wouldn't have help, I should get up earlier than the kids (which is hard with my early risers) and get myself dressed and start my day.  We did that and it worked, but I am tired.  

It was a pretty lazy weekend, I painted a bit, got frustrated with one of my pieces, I decided to start over, but have to wait until my canvas' come in on Tuesday.  In the mean time I worked on a piece I am especially proud of, the inspiration is a bit heartbreaking, but I pray that it provides peace and a bit of joy to the recipients.  I started my contest paintings, I've gotten them sketched out and one of them started.  They are such cute ideas, I can't wait until I finish them.  When I first start a painting, I have a final image in my head and for a big chunk of the painting process I am frustrated because I want to get it to that point!  I also have to feel out some of the details.  The first time I do any theme it is so time consuming to get the process down, which is why it takes so much more time for custom work.  Once I have done it - additional pieces or replications take so much less time because my layering process and how I do certain aspects of the painting have been figured out.  So I hope to have my latest paintings done by this time next week.  So I can ship them out to their prospective homes.  I also have a few Christmas presents I need to get started on, so hopefully next week I will have a bit of time to flesh those out.  

In the mean time Ms. Leslie came over with her adorable daughter and shot a few pictures of my latest vignette that I finished up for Drew.  

The full piece!

Almost got it!

She also shot a few pics of my little drawers I painted last year for Penny for Christmas.  My mom wanted to get Penny something that would hold her doll stuff.  So we found this unfinished crate and drawer system.  Mom was my biggest cheerleader, so she entrusted me with the painting.  I am so happy with how it turned out and it was a special gift from my mom to Penny.  Something we will cherish.  I've wanted some pictures that do it justice and now I finally have them.  

Pretty purple vine flower

Thanks again to Leslie for being my photographer extraordinaire and turning them out so quickly.  

So for now the house is quiet, the little ones are busy playing together and I am enjoying some coffee, from my new coffee maker.  It was a surprise from Ryan that I am geeked to no end about.  Our other maker was on its way out and I have been ogling this little fella for a while. I love this coffee maker!!!!  

I had a great end to my birthday  - Ryan and I got a chance to see Burn after Reading.  It was great and in typical Cohen brothers style, very entertaining.  I recommend seeing it, if you are a black comedy type of person.  Brad Pitt's character is hilarious and I don't know if it was really as hilarious as I thought it was or if it was the fact that Brad Pitt was playing this type of character.  Anyway you slice it, he was great.  I enjoyed it immensely! 

So Annakah ended with a breakfast at Perkins, the Colts pulling a win out of you know where and seeing a great movie with my darling husband eating popcorn, raisinets and soda for dinner, the kids going to bed without a hitch and a great nights sleep.  What more can a girl ask for??

That's it for now, have a great day, thanks!

Firsts and food

Yeah School!

So today was Drew's first day of school.  Now he's attended school in the past, since he was about 21 months old to be exact. He had attended a mom's day out program and loved it (as did I!).  But this year Drew is in bonafide preschool - he goes Tue/Thurs. and also attends lunch bunch, immediately following school.  It gives mommy a nice loooonnng break.  Drew was THRILLED to get up, shower and get ready for school.  He picked out his clothes, got his backpack just right and couldn't wait to leave.  

Shiny new backpack!

He had a great day at school, but for whatever reason he and his little buddy Paige wouldn't smile for ANYTHING.  So I had them do what comes naturally...pout.  So when they are 18 they can look back and laugh.

  

Pouty pusses

Now we're happy!

Penny and I ran some unnecessary errands and upon returning home Drew tells me that I shouldn't put Penny down for a nap because he wants to see her - awww, big brother missed his baby sister.  So they played famously the rest of the afternoon.  Jon came home from school and had a great day as well and tells me - mom you shouldn't have to cook dinner for us, you work so hard, maybe you should call the pizza man.  Ha!  While I would like to believe that my six year old has such tremendous empathy and to answer him by saying "Finally someone understands!"  I realize this is his ploy to get take out pizza.  Jon could eat pizza morning, noon and night, so I see right through his tricks.  So as a compromise we ate frozen pizza.  

On the job front - Ryan will be starting his new job on Monday. It is for a local GC - called RLTurner.  He is thrilled, as am I.  This is not just a job because he was laid off, it is a great opportunity for him personally and professionally.  I am so proud of him and his abilities and his amazing work ethic - it paid off and then some.  We are truly blessed - we relied on our faith to carry us through this challenge and outcome couldn't be better.  This is truly the year of faith for us!

Okay, I need to tuck my chickens in, I have four paintings downstairs all in the process of being painted, three more to start and I have my fabulous friend Leslie coming to photograph as many as I can get done by Friday!  Busy night for Annie!  Here is one that I did last week for my cousin, it was a quickie, she is a demonstrator for Uppercase Living and she did the baby expo downtown this past weekend - so I made her a sign for her booth.  

Anyway - enjoy and thanks! Oh and one final picture - I have tomatoes a plenty - I will be making more salsa and sauce soon!  But for now, enjoy this salad - now I haven't acquired a cow, so the mozzarella is store bought, but the tomatoes and basil are straight from the garden picked!  MMMMM!!!!

Patience... the final frontier

Okay, the title is a bit over the top, but there are days when having patience is as unattainable for me as discovering new galaxies.  Where to begin...

Well Ryan is done with his interviews, they all went really well. He's had an offer, and the rest have said, "you're great, we'd love to have you, but we aren't slated for extra work or a need until after 2009", humphf!  However, there is one, Ryan had two interviews, they went great, he is suppose to go back in next week to finalize the details of an offer- but alas that hasn't been scheduled - so we aren't sure when that will be.  It is a "soft" offer, if you will. Which is fantastic, and out of all the companies he interviewed with, this one by far was his favorite, the one he felt most comfortable with, the one he feels he could "fit" right into.  Which is awesome.  It is a challenge, however, to still not know the details.  

With that, I always have a hard time with patience when I work.  When I finish something, I want to package it up and mail it out NOW. But there are things that need to be done first, sealing, photographing, packaging, waiting for UPS or USPS to process and deliver, and then waiting for feedback.  You see I am a psycho when it comes to tracking.  I check daily to see where my packages are-when I see something is delivered I freak.  "Why haven't they emailed?" "Do they not like it?" "Did it get delivered to the wrong house?" "Is it raining there?" "Do they have a porch?" "Did it arrive in one piece?"  Seriously, this is where I am nuts. I don't worry this much while I am painting or even as I am developing a piece, just when it ships and the client receives it.  My most recent client's computer is down. So for both of us until that is up and running (not to mention her having the time to sit down and write- with her busy schedule and two very busy little boys)- I wait to hear what they think.  

Finally, my kids.  Well who hasn't had their patience tested with their kids.  Okay if you haven't bless your soul, but mine happens on a daily basis.  One would think that I would be pretty good at it by now - nope, not so much.  Just when I get a handle on it or make a conscious decision to relax and stay calm one of them runs in with a humdinger.  Ah, the joys of being a parent. I can see my dad just chuckling now- he enjoys this spectator perspective, I know my mom did as well.  I now believe the saying "grandchildren are the prize for letting your children live."  

Exhibit "A"

On a happier note tomorrow will mark the beginning of my contest!!!! Check back for the details (there aren't many, but I've got to build up interest somehow - and seeing as I am terrified of clowns over exaggerated announcements will have to do!)

Random thoughts for the day...

Today is a collage of thoughts.  

Ryan had his follow up meeting/interview with a company in Zionsville.  He said it went very well - he is suppose to go in on Monday and they will firm up an offer.  Cross your fingers, pray, send good energy - whatever it is that you all do, do it please on our behalf, it would be nice to start the week with a job.  He is at an another interview this morning, he isn't back yet, so we shall see...

I am almost done with my most recent order for a nursery, its cool because I am hand lettering the babies name and birthdate.  The bedding that they have and what I modeled the painting after is so cute - I am moving right along and if I play my cards right I will finish this evening.  It is amazing to me how some pieces go so quickly and others not so much.  I need to do a quickie surprise gift, so hopefully this weekend I can whip that little fella up.  I am waiting on some feedback from two other pieces or else I would have some pictures for you.  But alas, I do not.  But I did find this little one - if you have a mac, you gotta love photobooth!

Me with two out of my three chickens!

Oh, the contest, okay so I am going to open up the contest on Monday!!!! I have my idea and I will explain what I need from you, then on Monday look for the posting, okay unless something bigger happens, then we'll start Tuesday, but for now its Monday!  I am excited for my first contest, now ask me next week when I have two entries into my contest, how excited I am.  So check back, tell your friends, until then...

Thanks!

it started as a normal day...

So today started off normal, I woke up early and ran, Ryan got ready for work, I began my day doing some errands and then the bottom dropped out.

Ryan called me at the grocery store and said "I was just laid off."  I don't remember much after that, I know I screamed "you are kidding!" and then we hung up and then I called my dad because I was so shaken by the whole thing.

So here we are, both jobless bums - no really Ryan is doing well - this wasn't performance at all - the company is hurting, like most and they are downsizing, again, for the third time.  So we sit here analyzing his small, but thank-goodness-he-has-one severance package and going over our options.  He's already putting out calls and emails and such, it isn't a matter of if he'll get a job, its when and hopefully soon.  

How does this effect you? Well extra prayers are always good - keep your ears open for any opportunities and pass them on freely.  Oh and did I mention that I can paint...