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June 29, 2007

Howdy Neighbor

We had a neighborhood meeting yesterday to talk about the park that we face everyday. It was pretty cool to hear everyone's desires and to actually have some of the "old" neighborhood represented. Part of me feels uneasy as we live in new development that all the life-long residents will get relocated. I guess that I have a security blanket of having many different people groups and cultures surrounding me. It makes me feel less of a magnifying glass on my little life/personality. I'm glad that there are people different than me to learn from, take interest in and give me jewels of knowledge of how diverse even the South Eastern US can be. The conversation in our Community House (isn't that awesome that we have a Community House? I mean, I have a copier, lawn mower, and fax ready for me!) buzzed with ideas Here's just a few: Use the drain swale as an enviroment for a wet habitat for flowers etc. Reduce the big soccer field into a smaller one to encourage neighborhood games but not league play. An ampitheatre, with screen for movies (that's Joel y'all), a fire pit, outdoor water supply, Wi-Fi, a new pavillion, meandering path with misting stations, a splash pad. I mean I could go on we had so many ideas. All I know is that I was in attendance to meet more of my neighbors and hear with my own ears that we will be getting a new playground. Yeah!! Also since Jefferson Heights is a "green" neighborhood it won an award this year for it's "green standards". I'll hafta look up exactly which one. Because we won though, we're getting at least 3 new trees added to our park. And in the meantime, we thought it would be nice to have some man-made shade screens installed so those of us parents wouldn't bake while the kids play. I just can visualize how beautiful these things could be. Little delicate sails that encircle a bench, echoing the shape of an ampitheatre. A interactive sculpture, a path that winds around with wild flowers, lillypads, and (someday) green grass.

The bummer is that it is not in the city plans as of yet. Lyndherst (old Coca-Cola money)has promised money but we were told it's not much money. But both Jeff Cannon and Sarah Morgan were encouraging that our ideas would help the park get into motion. My poor husband had his bubble popped big-time as he though that they plans were the only things holding this park back. I think the fact that the homes are selling so quickly is a sign to the city that the park will increase the motivation of folks to want to pre-own the land before the next phases of condos and townhouses go up.

And for icing to our neighborhood meeting we had some of our fellow neighbors over for dinner. Daniel and Brooke, and Emeris and Sandy. We had some good laughs getting to know each other and thanking God for our gift of a bonding neighborhood. It's pretty exciting to be part of something that has so much potential, and it's new to me, even though Chattanoooga is so much my hometown. I have a new stomping ground and I feel overly blessed, abundantly blessed to be here. What an amazing gift. I just can't shut up about it, go ahead, tell me to shut up if I need to.

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June 27, 2007

Internal Affair

I feel I need to give you a little sneak peek into my afternoon. I don't have anything of great news to report. Still working on being a teacher in the fall, new art for the Clothesline (although it seems my greatest artwork will be the frappin' card! phew), a neighborly neighbor, and a nurturer of my children.

I guess I have been a little stuck on how fast time has flown by lately. Now, those of you in my same phase of life will testify that some days seem to never end. And some weeks (especially those filled with sickness) seem to be a lifetime. But I can't believe that half of 2007 is over already. Our lives really are like grass. When I look across the soccer field to the dark grey storm clouds, and witness my baby boy become more man-like everyday, I am swept away with wonder. I am reminded that I belong to a greater purpose. My life is so small, and where can I make a difference in the huge world, and even huger Kingdom. Those thoughts fill me with a fear that causes me to want to absorb my little things and appreciate how lovely they are. Maybe that's why I am painting critters, children, flowers. I mean, I could be writing my artist statement/testimony over and over again.

And so with that, I give you Brownie and Cookie in the Summer Garden. I think it's done, but wow, is there a lot going on! Am I losing my mind?? I just can't bring myself to tone this one down. I'm a little trigger happy with the colors aren't I? I won't apologize anymore for it, click on it, adjust the brightness and bask in the rays of this neon growth.

We're having a meeting for the Jefferson Heights Park at 5pm at the Neighborhood House (16th block of Jefferson) tommorow. Anyone who lives around us come on down and let's discuss the future of our park. And after we're having some neighbors over for dinner, a new couple that just moved in and the Bakers who have been around for a while. It'll be fun! Our 'hood is special and I love being home in the afternoon to witness all the comings and goings, as fast as the days go by.

the spirit within | By | 4:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

June 26, 2007

Front & Back

Thanks for all your input blogland! I have made my executive decision, and this is what I'll go with. Took a long time to decide, but I need to have these cards ordered by the 11th, so I have a little while to change my mind. Anyone want to change it for me?

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June 22, 2007

photo phenomenon

After a happy gathering at Neidlov's with Mary and Jess, I wanted to kill a little more time so we went to say hi to our fishy friends at the Choo-Choo. Man, it's a sad sad place. The koi in the pools are the only thing that are much to gaze upon. I hope the Choo-Choo become something worth visiting again. But with the bright summer soltice sun shining down on us we snapped a few pics and came home with some wonderful visuals to take in. Thank God for these bright creatures that fill my children with such joy. See the whole set here

family | By | 4:31 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Summer in Paint

They're coming along, they love their bright surroundings. I just can't seem to keep them inside very long. They really love sitting on the porch, I'd love to think it's the pleasant summer temps we've had, but it's the plants I know. They're waiting for the tomatoes to turn up.

Thanks for all the input on the two card prototypes. Seems like my faithful readers and viewers seem to like both cards equally! I do like them both, but the reason I even created a second card is that I wanted something a little less conservative. But the decision will be mine with the help of all of you, if you haven't put in your 2 cents, don't hold back! I love seeing everyone come out of the woodowork!

fine art | By | 12:00 AM | TrackBack

June 20, 2007

More Photoshop to love

I might be good at this or just average, but I love making this house look funky. Let me know if y'all like this card better or worse!

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June 19, 2007

Herding Cats

I haven't written much these past few days about what is going on. Well, pretty much Summer is what's going on. We're playing in water, on playgrounds, taking walks, staying outside with friends until it's dark. Good stuff. I'm tired. We had the LaRose twins visit us last week to give Sember a break, pray for her back, she's been in pain.

But those 4 hours that we had with Elisha and Kaden were the 4 hours that Josiah was not testing me. In fact, it was amazing to take 3 four year olds and my little Eden, pile in the Prev, park across the street and up the hill from Collidge Park, splash and be splashed, eat and come home. Then we chilled out eating popsicles and played on our playground. But the highlight hd to be driving there and having all the kids sing along with me to "John the Rabbit" and "Shoo Fly". I mean, it was beautiful. I felt like the happiest busdriver. I actually was thinking,"I wish the whole world could sit here and hear this, this is something not to be missed!" It made my day.

Mothering has felt kinda hard lately. Josiah and Eden play together now and it's really cute and it makes me happy, but unfortunately it doesn't last very long. Josiah has entered the world of guns and swords and aliens and battleships. He wants to play all these things with Eden. Of course, she's a little girl who wants to cuddle her Curious George and color and push her shopping cart. They do both like to roar like lions, so if I can get them both to roar they have a ball! That doesn't help much when I'm on the phone. I just can't imagine taking care of more than 2. I just feel exhausted! I started taking a multivitamin again I was wondering if I wasn't getting enough iron. I need to farm my kids out because I have so much to do!! I could be making money making art but all I want to do after cleaning up after the day is crash & veg. I also need to complete last semesters grades so I can get going on this year!

Josiah took this picture, that's probably why she's screaming so much.
Complaining is so silly though. Life is so rich these days. Interaction I never had I get everyday. Exciting prospects. Friends that are new and I have a new bravery to just ask them, just ASK if they can hangout sometime. I have a drive to build more and more foundations. I desire to be enriched. And that means that I get tired. I haven't been taking very good care of myself, too many BBQ's and beer. So with more water, fresh veggies and sleep, less comfort food, alcohol and other nonsense, I think I'll perk up. I really do need to get to the doctor. So do the kids. Now that we have killer healthcare.

This past weekend I drove to Atlanta since Joel went camping and I just had to do something special myself. So yes, I drove to IKEA did all my shopping, ate meatballs, and then we went to meet Travis to drop off art. Josiah was beside himself the whole time I did the exchange with Travis. So ridiculous. I tried to keep my cool, I knew Josiah just wanted to be asleep. But hopefully my two birds and my morphing butterfly piece get bid on alot and I get to help the cause and make some money! Those of you in the ATL stop by the Young Blood! Bid on a birdie!

family | By | 9:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

June 17, 2007

Joel

Your an awesome Papa, we love you!

family | By | 11:40 PM | TrackBack

June 15, 2007

Get Ready for greatness!

We're planning again, so get ready to join us on the night of all gallery hopping, stop and see us all weekend! Sept 7-9 check out Our Clothesline for more info, and even though it's slow going, I'm trying to get this in every....single...publication. You'll see alot of us!

**And in case you're at all confused, the Pettit's house is historically called the Sessions House on the historical registry. Laura is finding out more info for me as I have many a press release to accomidate. And what so y'all think of the image? I basically just enhanced a photo of the house. We're going for the house this time because too many artists are involved for a mulit pic card. I'd love some notes. I plan on making a few more prototypes.

fine art | By | 9:16 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

June 13, 2007

Summer beckons

Like a foreigner in a far off land I enter the woods and explore with my children. I have to say, it is not natural for me to want to go into nature and just jaunt around. Especially when I find a tick on me in the middle of my urban jungle neighborhood! But the wonder that my children have for every stick, gap in a fence, buzzing beetle and bird makes me want to remember what treasures these little nature walks have.

Joel wanted a Chattanooga Nature Center membership for the canoeing and we haven't gotten around to doing that yet, but we have gone for walks and gone to see the animals. The treehouse was wonderful and I really think I could sit inside that little place and reflect for a while.

I thought Josiah might be closer to the cut-off for no more carseat. But alas, only 3 1/2 feet.

family | By | 4:12 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

June 11, 2007

What will it become?

In hopes of getting three pieces of art finished and framed and to Travis in Atlanta by the 18th I have my latest piece.

It's fascinating how this one turned out. I'm still getting used to it, but I do love it. I hope some happy bidders will too!

fine art | By | 9:29 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

June 9, 2007

Who's your Midwife?

No y'all. I'm not pregnant. But I do request the services of a midwife for well, just the purposes of womanly things. So you Chattanooga women, who do you recommend? It's been 5 years since I've seen someone for check ups in this town and I need a good review. It'd be nice if I didn't have to go out to Gunbarrel Rd. Thanks dudes.

community | By | 12:37 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

June 6, 2007

Fellowshipping

We've been fellowshipping with these young people from church the past two days. On Monday we had a get together at Tara's and last night we had our kick-off small group get together. Way fun. Our kids loved it too. And after eating awesomely good cheeseburgers (at least they tasted awesome because I was starving!) We played a make-shift bocce ball game in the park across the street. Chris the third Reich took these pictures of us crammed on our front porch. The fellowship took turns toward church tradition, worship, secular music with redemptive qualities, and what/when salvation took place in our lives. It's funny to those of us raised in the church that you can speak of these things in a safe way while drinking margaritas on a Tuesday night. It reminds me of the small group I was in at 22 and how fertile the ground was for integrating a comfortable, feast-like get together with many talks of the Spirit, prayer, family, relationships, sex, pop culture and life calling. It's what community is all about. It isn't pleasant to sit in a cold Sunday school room and try to get to know each other. If I can be the one who opens my home to people in the "after college-early career-before marriage-early marriage" category and give them a homey place that isn't 'Mom and Dads' I'll gladly take that role.


Now on the flip-side I've had to address some neighborhood kids this past weekend that I was hoping wouldn't be this uncomfortable.

Continue reading "Fellowshipping"

community | By | 5:14 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

June 3, 2007

Join with the creatures

Remember these guys! It's Brownie and Cookie! I have been putting some layers on them and Cookie's fuzzy face still needs some work. But I love sitting in the space in between my couch and my dining table where I have an easel and a table so I can be with my family and paint too. I did already splat the floor with paint yesterday. Thank goodness for acrylics, water and lots of papertowels!


Working on a few pinky pods for the Pink! show in ATL. Can't wait to see what the butterfly wings turn into!



I also have a portrait to do, I hafta get the right size canvas for it, but Luke's face is up there on my to-do's.

fine art | By | 9:58 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack