Let the adventures begin!

Nick and I left Wichita on Saturday and started heading East as planned.




We stopped in Springfield, MO so I could check out a crafty store called Red Velvet Art. My sister and I have followed the owner's blog for almost 2 yrs now, but the store just opened this year. Of course, I was thinking about my sister the whole time and even tried to call her when I was there (but no answer). Since she wasn't able to be there with me, I made sure to take some pictures. (btw sis, no one famous was there... oh except I saw the bf and heard him practicing.)





By the end of the day, we made it to Wynne, Arkansas where Nick's mom lives. We're gonna stay the week with her in her homey little house. Here's a cozy little spot in her backyard.


Yesterday, his mom had the day off so the three of us hopped in the car and drove to Marianna. We ate in a local place that served us some traditional southern food. Nick had chicken spaghetti and we both had purple hulled peas for the first time. We also had mash potatoes and fried okra. Tonight his mom is cooking fried fish, fried potatoes, and fried okra. Yeah, I weighed myself yesterday so I can keep track of what I'm gaining this week. Yikes! Good thing we've been hiking and riding our bikes.

So the real reason we went to Marianna yesterday was to check out a trail there. It will forever be known as the spider trail in my memory. Nick led us through this forest with stick in hand, clearing the spider webs after I managed to run right into a full body length one. The other spiders must have sent out a death threat for him, because two managed to jump on his shoulder and we had to get them off. I ended up with one on my foot and you know my shoe came flying off as I hopped on the other foot. We made it out alive with only a few mosquito bites.


Nick and I then went for a bike ride through the neighborhood. It is pretty hilly here and we don't know the area so... we'd be working hard, pumping up the hill, get to the top and see a dead end sign. That kept happening over and over so I was a little frustrated. It was really pretty though and we did catch some air coming down a few of those hills.

As most of you know, we love playing games. We decided not to take any with us on the trip though, but we are trying to learn some card games. Last night, his mom taught us to play Rummy. Not sure if we were playing by the actual rules though ;) so we'll need to research that.

Today Nick worked and I took it easy for the most part. I went for a long bike ride by myself. The thrift store in town was a bust, but the weather was beautiful.

hugs from afar. Jess

We have a Renter!

we finally got renters. they signed the lease last night and we are already on the road. i am sending this post from hwy 60 just west of cabool. ill post soon with pics from our stop in springfield.

Me and Grandma

Just for fun, I gave grandma a facial last night. She seemed sooo happy. She kept smiling and talking that I was sure she'd "crack her mask". Now I'm trying to convince her and grandpa to get massages while they are in town.

this is just the cutest picture ever of grandma!


oh, of course, I did mine, too. For some reason it doesn't show up as well in my picture.

Visiting the Grandparents

I have been visiting my grandparents since Tuesday evening. It always seems to do the trick when I need a little slowing down.


We have eaten up at the cafeteria for 2 of our lunches together. I sat with Grandma while she watched the Country Store, one morning. We also volunteered to fold and label the home's news letter. And we participated in the Bingo night (Grandpa won one, but we all walked away with consolation candy bars.) So they know me quite well around here now. :)

I managed to talk the two of them into going for pizza one night and we met my aunt, uncle, cousins, and my cousin's kids there. I was happy with how things went, but unfortunately both of my g-parents are so hard of hearing that neither of them could hear what was being said. I had to fill them in later.

Yesterday, I cleaned out my car (for 3 hours) and then took it for a final drive out to the farm where my cousin is going to watch over it. It was like handing over my freedom. It's a little sad, and a little scary, but it'll all be ok.

Gma and I have gone on a few walks around the lake here at the home. The weather was just beautiful walking weather the first couple days. We have been baking and cooking all day today and haven't gotten a chance for a walk. It's probably just as well, since its pretty warm out anyway.



To say the least, I've been eating well. Bread from scratch...well, everything pretty much from scratch now that I think about it.

Tomorrow morning, the plan is to be up and out of here by 7am. There is a family reunion being held in Cheney, KS.

And I almost forgot. My grandparents taught me how to play Rumikub. We spent one evening playing it and now it's making its way back to Wichita with us.

the Finished Bunny Box

So yesterday, I finished the bunny box. I ended up using only one pattern paper for her name and a solid color for her location. My sister was nice enough to let me use her Cricket for the letters. The bunny with glasses (as requested) was placed on the side. The swirls were painted on and the flowers were stamped. It all seemed to tie in together with the rug and colors chosen. The g-pa was very happy with the results.

Bunny Box

I have a new art project. It just arrived tonight and I'm already excited to get started on it. It is a handmade "box" ... I'd be more inclined to call it a table or stand... used for grooming bunny rabbits. The maker of the box created it for his 16 year old granddaughter who shows rabbits. And I know she's gonna love it. The legs are black and the box has a pale pink wash on it. The g-daughter's favorite color combo is turquoise and brown (one of mine too!). The maker also was clever enough to pick out a playful rug to line the inside of the box. How FUN! So working off the legs, box, rug, and fave color combo... my job is to make all that come together with her name and location (and possibly small illustration). So paint, paper, maybe ribbon, oh my.








I just sat it on the top, but it'll be cut down to fit inside the box.





some paper I might use on it.

NO to Porn!

So the publisher sent me some excerpts to the books (as I requested) and didn't seem so bad til I got to the exploiting of children, rape, incest, and religious slander. So, I said NO way. Too bad, too. It would have been nice to do some design and earn some moolah.