I Miss my Mind the Most

Well today my hubby and I drove to a town called Duncan to look at cars. Suprisingly enough most of the used car lots were virtually empty! There must have been a used car blitz that we didn't hear about. We didn't find anything but It was a nice drive anyway.

On a different note, I discovered something cool in my patio pond today... [b]Lily pads[/b]!! There are three little lily pads floating on the water! It looks so cool. The frogs will like them too once they get bigger. Hopefully i get a Lily in there too, that would be so exciting!! Here's a shot I took yesterday:

[image]islandArtist_46181 2414.jpg[/image]

I hope everyone had a lazy Sunday and enjoyed themselves... I did. My laundry is piled to the rafters and my kitchen looks like a bomb went off... Oh well tomorrow is a new day. If your lucky tomorrow may even feature new portraits!!
Yahoo!

Creatively yours,
~jen

Well today has been a really humdrum yet exciting day all rolled into one.
First of all it's over cast, humdrum.
I'm not feeling well, humdrum.
My house is a disaster area... hum diddly drum.

My hubby went to the dump today and his pathfinder decided to spontaneously combust on the drive home... [i][b]exciting[/b][/i]. :shock:
He's okay but the truck is a shambles. The inside was completely gutted by the flames. We weren't expecting something like this to happen (does anybody??) so now we are looking for a new vehicle so he can get to work. Fun.

Paige decided she wasn't going to have a nap today and I decided to have a migraine. So suffice it to say I didn't get a chance to work on any portraits... I'll try my best tomorrow...
I think some sunshine would straighten me right out.

Well I'm going to go and finish my 'chores' for the day...
then I'm off to sleep...ah to dream.
Night all,
catch up with yall in the morning.
~jen

yes, finally the portraits are here!
I could have (should have) posted them this afternoon but my nap seemed so much more appealing and needed at the time. better late than never I always say... at least since I had kids I seem to say that alot.

First off... [url=http://daisymae.tblog.com]Daisymae[/url] - one of our in house seductive mistresses (the other being Jenn). She is JennsAbsent's best friend and we love her for it. She's also a sassy, foxy Lady (and the gentlemen love her for [b][i]that[/i][/b]). There is nothing she loves more than bonding with Jen over some great wine and fresh banana nut muffins. But you'd know all this if you read her blog. If you haven't- JUST DO IT!

[image]islandArtist_32290 7153.jpg[/image]
That eyebrow could sink ships

The next portrait is a special one, because without this gent there would not be ANY portraits on my blog. One night while chatting with [url=http://mblog.com/the_llunch_c...][b]Lloyd[/b][/url] on tblurt we came up with the idea of drawing stick men on our blogs- saying that he couldn't even manage a stick man. Well I've seen his stick men, pretty impressive if you ask me! Thanks Lloyd for starting me on a fun enjoyable path with my blog- also thanks for visiting my blog virtually everyday. You must be SUPA bored or else your waiting for your portrait. Or both. I hope you like it!

[image]islandArtist_62086 6598.jpg[/image]
Lloyd used to be a chef, he likes to walk his dog, Ivan, in the park and notice that Stylish shirt, that you could own!!

Well folks that's all for now, remember you can use the image however you please, it's yours. If you want a larger version or higher dpi or something (for you creative types) let me know I'd be happy to oblige you. But don't expect anything quickly, like I said a mother of a two year old is lucky enough to get her teeth brushed once every three days never mind anything else.
I hope to have two more portraits done for tomorrow but this time I'm going to leave it as a suprise... you'll have to come by and check it out.
I'd also like to thank all those folks who voted for me on featured blogs, there is a special place in heaven waiting for all 10 of you... I feel so special and was NOT expecting that kind of support. I always knew my readers were the BEST readers. That's why I like to give back with those funky portraits of mine. You deserve more but I give what I can.

Much love and crayolas,
[b]~jen[/b]

I'm just sitting on the computer, well actually sitting at my desk that happens to hold the computer as well. Anyway, i'm adding up all the bills. We went on holiday at the beginning of the month so as is our usual practice, we ignored last months bills to ensure we'd have enough money for our much needed vacation. So most of the bills are a month behind which makes the numbers not so pretty to look at.
I'm in charge of the bill paying... that's why i get kinda stressed out when this happens. Since we bought the new (samller) house it's happening less because there is more money to go around. I can't wait for the day when I can pay all the bills without worrying about prioritizing the bills so I can pay half now and half later.
Oh well, I'm not the first person in the world that has had to fret about money and I am absolutely sure I won't be the last.
...As soon as i get my paintings hung in a public place I'll be making so much money that I will be able to light the fire place with 100$ bills **She dreams**
Speaking of art, I am working on my portraits for the day RIGHT NOW! I'll have them up in a couple hours when my daughter goes down for her nap. right now she's 'calowing' with her momma.

[image]islandArtist_13217 93750.jpg[/image]
Check out the flury of activity in that drawing hand!

Someone, I know exactly who... Left a beautiful ROSE on my front doorstep this morning. Thanks Laurie and Dave, it's absolutely gorgeous and greatly appreciated by me and the family.

[image]islandArtist_59129 0341.jpg[/image]

So let me know if you have problems with money- and if you don't, Give me some tips on how to balance it so I don't feel like an idiot- err, well... at least [b][i]less[/i][/b] of an idiot.

Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you to make me feel better!
Hugs,
Jen

you guessed it, two more Crayola-fied portraits. I think Crayola should give me a large kit of coloring supplies in return for boosting their product name (yeah right, like they need BOOSTING!?!). Or maybe I should be paying them for letting me use their product... hmmm I better not say anything to them.

First off is [url=http://fireangel.tblog.com]FireAngel[/url] ... I happen to know what she looks like in real life. She's as cute as a button!! That didn't have any baring on how I rendered her portrait of course... It's a literal translation of her name. Fire & Angel, Get it? She doesn't have blue eyes either, but in my crayola 'angel' form she does.

[image]islandArtist_68192 9080.jpg[/image]
I beleive I can fly...

The next one is [url=http://shark99.tblog.com]Shark99[/url] . He's a great guy. If you have ever been on tblurt you have probably had the chance to chat with him. He volunteers (or works, not sure) for the Red Cross. He recently featured a pic of himself enjoying a cold brewsky- so the brew is also in my portrait.

[image]islandArtist_71760 9059.jpg[/image]
Real men drink beer and write blogs.

My next portraits will be Daisymae and Lloyd... so keep your eyes on the lookout for those...
the next one could be you (ya I know I always say that, but IT'S TRUE!)

Today was a lazy day, it was overcast and rainy and I have been headachey and tired. I did some laundry (still have to fold) and returned a toy to walmart. How exciting eh?? the exciting adventures of the domestic Goddess (that's me).

Well i will bid you adieu,
and post something later if the free time presents itself!
Hugs to all who comment (and handshake for those who don't)
:lol:
~jen

My aunt recently gave me a box of childrens cassettes and one cd. The other night while i was looking for a distraction I put the CD on for Paige. Well... She loved it. She danced in a circle in her bedroom for an hour. The unfortunate part is that she only LOVEs the [b]FIRST BLOODY SONG!!![/b]
I've heard it so much that the chorus just plays in my head constantly.
[i]"We're goin' to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo,
How about You, You, You?
We're goin' to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo..."[/i]
The repition goes on from there... every bloomin line in the song is repeated over and over ad nauseum.
That kid is lucky I love her so much and like to see her happy or that CD would be in flames on the BBQ right now. :twisted:

On to the artwork...
I've got another fairy in progress, but since I'm busy going to the zoo, zoo, zoo I can't concentrate long enough to complete her. She's the best one by far... my favorite of the three (including the two I showed ya'll yesterday).

[image]islandArtist_32156 9134.jpg[/image]
She's not finished but already looks very promising!

A note to all of the people who have asked for Crayola portraits: I have your names all down on my MASTER list. I will do a portrait for everyone, no worries, due to the length of the list it may take me a little while to get to yours but I WILL do them all. All i really ask in return is that you visit my blog once in awhile- It's difficult to get excited about doing a portrait of someone I NEVER see visit my blog!
To those of you who [b]DO[/b] visit and leave [b]lucious & tastey[/b] comments I thank you so very much. Your portraits have either already been done or are on the top of the list. ::kisses on both of your cheeks:::

Hugs to all,
~jen

I completed a couple new paintings last night while I was suffering from a bout of insomnia. I sketched these out while i was on holiday and they have been waiting patiently to be painted in. I really like the "Batwoman".
What do you think??


=http://img44.photobucket.com/...
The photo is a little washed out due to my cheapo scanner.[LINE]
=http://img44.photobucket.com/...
I don't like this one for some reason, what do you think? My first mermaid!

It's an over cast day, and due to my horrible sleep last night I'm really tuckered out today. Paige, my mother in law and myself will be going to Shrek 2 tonight. I think Paige is old enough to sit through a movie now :::fingers crossed::: Wish us luck!

Let me know what you think of my latest work, your comments are so much appreciated!

Doing it creatively since 1974
~jen

Okay I worked on a couple more portraits yesterday, though i can say I'm not entirely pleased with them... they are still cute none the less.

[url=http://jennsabsent.tblog.com]Jennsabsent[/url] , She's a mom, a lover, and a drinker of fine wines... what a woman. If that weren't great enough she's also got the gift of gab and her blog is one of THE MOST interesting here on tblog... you must check her out, you'll want to do it often.

[image]islandArtist_28055 8938.jpg[/image]
Sitting on a bar stool with wine in hand, discussing cleavage.

Next portrait is [url=http://Chicalookate.tblog.com...]Chicalookate[/url]. I've visited her blog regularly for awhile now. Her art posts featuring her brilliant photography keep me coming back for more.
She's definitely got an eye for it.

[image]islandArtist_86170 4532.jpg[/image]
Say Cheese!

That is my crayola portraits for now... I'll post more once they are completed... I've also got some REAL artwork ready to post as well. So it will be next on the blog.
Today is a sunshiney and very hot day so i'm going out to enjoy it.
Have fun all!

~jen

as you can tell by my posts today, I've been having a resurgence of creative juices. Paige has been such a good girl as of late, playing by herself, singing and dancing around the house and watching her favorite tv shows quietly- I don't know what's gotten into her.
I've been taking advantage of the free time by doing up several portraits.
So many of you have asked nicely and that's all you need to get one of these babies. For those of you that don't know how I create these wonders of crayon art, [b]I don't actually know what the person looks like[/b]. I simply read your blog for a little while and take details from it that will become part of your portrait. Sometimes I'm right on with the likeness, and sometimes not so much but it's fun.
I just finished [url=http://juniperflux.tblog.com]Juniperflux's[/url] portrait. I'm very proud to say she was thrilled with the results. She's been waiting for awhile so I was happy to finally oblige her.

[image]islandArtist_33147 0299.jpg[/image]
Notice the magnifying glass and forensic kit, They help her pick up on all those important details.


My next portrait is of [url=http://Janemma.tblog.com]Janemma[/url]. She is a Mom of 4 kids. Yes, I said [i][b]FOUR[/b][/i]! I don't know how she does it, I only have one and I'm going grey. I figured she must have a saintly streak in her so she is sporting a Halo... you can see her 4 children around her feet, aren't they cute?? The heart on her belly is for the next baby they are hoping to conceive... anyday now!! Check out her blog if you want to be updated on the progress...
[image]islandArtist_14597 2739.jpg[/image]

I hope you like it Jan! Feel free to use your portraits on your own blogs, as avatars or icons- whatever you like.

There are a few more portraits in the works and I should have them ready by tomorrow...
Do you want one of these artistic crayola wonders???
Link to me on your blog and ask me!

Have a good night all,
doing it creatively
~jen

I know, I've been promising these for days (weeks??) so here it goes...
The first one i'm posting is my good friend [url=http://anonymousx.tblog.com]Anonymousx[/url]. I donated some tbucks to her cause I while back and she has rewarded me with eternal gratitude, and a comment here and there. Read her blog, it's always fun and interesting, just like her.
[LINE] [image]islandArtist_70392 2582.jpg[/image]
[LINE]
In the portrait I tried to capture her new hair color but unfortunately i was limited by the pallet that crayola offers :wink: I also just realized that I gave her BANGS and she doesn't actually sport bangs... OOPS. Looks like I'll be redoing this portrait for her... it needed a smoke and a martini anyway.

[b]Speaking of crayola[/b], I haven't had an opportunity to use crayons for a long time and was recently suprised to see the new colors in the box. I suppose they aren't really new colors but really NEW NAMES of colors. I thought a few of them were really funky and you probably wanted to know about it...
[LINE] [image]islandArtist_11638 62074.jpg[/image]
Someone at crayola has been using their imaginations after all these years.

With names like Macaroni and cheese, robin's egg blue, razzamataz and tickle me pink... no wonder kids can't concentrate in school!! Well maybe that was just me.

Well that's it for now, but Juniperflux and Janemma... Your portraits will be coming up later on today... I just have to scan them in. I've even got a few more portraits waiting in the wings to be 'crayola-fied'... so you could be next!

~jen

[image]islandArtist_23872 5658.jpg[/image]
Roses from my climbing rose bush on the patio.[LINE]
[image]islandArtist_62569 7852.jpg[/image]
The patio in Bloom

Aren't those blooms unbelieveable?? I wish it would never stop blooming. You wouldn't beleive the smell of those roses, when we open the living room window the beautiful scent wafts into the living room- Natures own room deodorizer!

I think I may have a little bit of a Black thumb though, one of the trees has died and the roses have funny black spots all over the leaves. That's probably not good.
Anyway, I wanted to post a little something to say thanks to Rocky for the hard work and for putting up with all the 'GUFF' for the last little while. I know it's going to be great.

~jen

Okay already,
We submit- please give us our tblog back!
I miss being able to razz, hug and rant to other people with comments on their blog!!!
Rocky, you have a [url=http://www.tblog.com/]home page[/url] , why not post updates to keep everyone abreast of what is going on??? I keep checking there for some information but i get nothing, nada, zip, ZILCHO!

This can't be good for business.

You gotta know that this is a hard thing to cope with, for the completely blog addicted people like myself. I'm using my time wisely and getting some gardening done. I even managed to start two new paintings last night. So I suppose it's not all bad, just very frustrating.
I'm a Pro user because I think it's so much more fun... but after nearly a week of shinanigans from tblog i'm getting sad.
:(
I want my TBLOG back!!
Is anybody listening?!??!!?!?!

Regardless of wether or not you will be able to comment, I'll have some new drawings up later today.

Finally, something to look forward to.

~jen

I can't complain today, I was up early- took Paige to get groceries. Taking a toddler into any sort of retail outlet is simply asking for trouble (anyone with children can vouch for me) but my Daughter was a complete ANGEL today. It seemed like turning two has made her a better listener!
[i][b]Can it be true??? [/b][/i]
There must be something wrong with her, and when I find out what it is- I'm going to squeeze it out of her, bottle it and sell it to parents around the globe for $1.99.
I'll call it [b]'TFT- Trouble Free Toddler'[/b]!
I'll have more art to post soon... Tblog is cramping my style with all these new changes. HURRY UP ALREADY!
I'm going to have a nap while the getting is good,
I'll post more later,
~jen

Paige had her SECOND birthday party of the year today. It was her [i]official[/i] party today, being that today is actually her birthday. We had all the neighborhood girls over for cake (with their parents too) and fun was had by all as you can see in the pictures below;

[image]islandArtist_36994 8746.jpg[/image]
Paige posing with her NEMO cake

[image]islandArtist_11577 91867.jpg[/image]

Elisabeth 'Lisbet', Paige's favorite little friend.

[image]islandArtist_93554 4873.jpg[/image]

Des, Paige's [i]Other[/i] favorite little friend.

[image]islandArtist_84531 629.jpg[/image]
Once she opened the package with the gumboots, backpack and hat- we couldn't get her to take them off! She'll be sleeping in those tonight!

Thanks to everyone who came out, It is so nice to be able to have neighbors to get together with and enjoy a coffee while the kids entertain each other. One of lifes little joys!

Next birthday... Ken's! Anybody have any ideas on what to get/do for a big 30 party?? Or even any special gift ideas would be nice- I'm useless at gift giving.

Well I'm off to bed, it's been a hectic day... especially for a Tuesday! I'm not used to having a busy TUESDAY!

Night all,
~jen

Here she is, My little girl.

[image]islandArtist_91696 8100.jpg[/image]

Well, She isn't that little any more, she is Two years old today! I beleive that officially makes her a toddler! Or, as I affectionately refer to her, a rotton toddler!

I wouldn't have it anyother way. She's a smart little cookie and cute to boot (gets both of those traits from me, of course) and I can't seem to remember a time when she wasn't with me. Thank you sweetie for staying with me for two whole years (like you had any choice!) Your Daddy and I love you to pieces.

All the neighborhood kids are coming over tonight for cake so I'll have many pics to post tomorrow.
And yes, you may have noticed the fancy work I did on Paige's picture above. I started tinkering around in PS 7 and downloaded some brushes. I had no idea what everyone was talking about but ... I think I'm learning!

Anyway...
I have to get ready for a party,
Balloons for all,
~jen

Well, not just any apple.
Today I'm talking about [url=http://www.bctree.com/fruit/v...][b]the Pink Lady[/b].[/url]

[image]islandArtist_12938 30597.jpg[/image]
[b]'Artsy' apple pic I took today
I ate the one at the far back first because it was bruised.[/b]

Now, when you think of apples I'm sure most of you remember the red, bruised, fermenting fruit that Mom used to throw in your lunch box. They are so much better than those OLD APPLES!
I had an opportunity to visit a local farmers market a couple of years ago and while i was there I came upon some apples that were VERY reasonably priced. Being the frugal gal that I am I bought a large bag of them- even though I had never heard of the Apple type before.
After my first bite into the pink blushed skin of the pink lady I was HOOKED. They are crispy and sweet without being too sweet or too crispy... a festival for the senses.

I had started a love affair with apples. Apples seem so commonplace and 'ordinary' but really they are absolutely wonderful and there is a type for every persons taste. Unless you have not cultivated a taste for fruit (of anytype) like my husband... You might find a trip to the produce aisle quite rewarding.
The Pink Lady apple is new... well it's new to me, but over the last few years I've seen more of them in the grocery stores and not just farmer's markets.

When you locate some Pinkies you'll want to know how to 'prepare' them.
This is what I do: First, wash and quarter the apple. Remove the seedy parts. Finally, Sprinkle quarters liberally with lemon juice and eat slowly. Enjoy.

Some apple facts:
-There are over 2500 different types of apples Grown in the US. *So don't tell me you can't find any good ones!!
-A medium apples is about 80 calories. *Less than a slice of bread!!
-It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider. * It didn't specify if that was [i]Hard cider [/i]or the soft stuff.
-Apples are a member of the rose family. * Try giving your sweetheart a dozen of these on valentines day!
-Gwyneth Paltrow named her new baby girl 'Apple' but she looks nothing like an actual apple.

What's your favorite apple? Hate apples? What fruit do you prefer? Hate Fruit?? What the hell is the matter with you?!?!

Fruitfully yours,
~jen

I had a beautiful, eloquent, on the verge of pure genious, post typed up and formatted this morning- then I hit "publish' the the whole thing went poof because tblog was offline.
I wish they had some kind of back up for that (since they do it so often!!)
Not to worry... I will try my best to retype the blog entry... though it may not equal it's former magnificence I will try to repeat it.
I took a really cool artsy photo this morning too so It will be in there.
I'm currently finishing up a painting that I'm doing as a gift to my neighbor for taking care of the mail and yard while we were gone. Once I'm done with that, i'll REWRITE my blog.
I know I get so overly dramatic about these things...
It's nothing a cup of tea can't fix.

Hugs to all,
~jen

[image]islandArtist_54487 6921.jpg[/image]

This is an oil pastel I did a few months back as an experiment. I found out that I REALLY enjoy working in oil pastel and it also takes ALOT of elbow grease to make it look good (to me).

This Cuppa Joe is for my [b]Younger Brother Joe[/b]. He just completed his Power Engineer certificate and is out in the big world looking for a Job. I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments, I always knew YOU could do it!!

This Cuppa Joe is ALSO for my[b] MOM, JoAnne[/b]. She breeds Canaries and Parrotlets and is currently an attentive nursemaide to at least 25 little chicks. They are the absolutely most helpless little things and someone please explain how they can be so Cute and so UGLY at the same time???

This Cuppa is also a little for my[b] Grandpa Joe[/b]. He will be returning from FRANCE pretty soon... I hope he took the time to sit under a tree and eat some good cheese and great wine while he was there. I better see some pictures!!

I'll Also extend a bit of a Cuppa Joe to [b]my sister, Jes [/b](even though the crazy girl don't drink the stuff), she's bummed out about her shrinking savings account and collection of speeding tickets. Nothing like a strong cup of Coffee with lots of cream and a pinch of sugar to make you forget all about those piggish cops and your lead foot.

Well, If you happen to need a [b]cuppa Joe[/b] this morning, please do help yourself. I'd love to know why you need to have one of my supa dupa cuppa's this morning (or afternoon or evening) Maybe I can offer some advice while sipping my brew with you...

Many Hugs and Warm Java smiles,
~jen

What was I thinking when i took on this project?
This is the painting that I was working on for my dad while I was visiting them last week. Now that I look at the photo it doesn't look quite as bad as I thought. But it definitely isn't finished.
For those of you who need the technical details ([url=http://juniperlux.tblog.com]Juniperflux[/url] ) This painting is done in acrylics on masonite and it is 4 feet by 5 feet in dimension... HUGE for me.
[LINE]
[image]islandArtist_27197 7012.jpg[/image][LINE]
It's a stylized piece in the land between abstract and reality.

On another note of 'What was I thinking...?" What were my brothers thinking when they let me color their hair? They wanted blond streaks put in- NO problem. After I put the bleach goop in I noticed it was only bleaching near the scalp where it was warm so I got out some cling film.

[image]islandArtist_51991 3379.jpg[/image]

I made them Do rags (sp?) as it appears and when the bleaching was complete, they looked like blonde mushroom caps. Poor kids. LOL!! Oh well, the nice thing about hair, it grows.
The stupid thing is, everytime I touch someones hair with color... something goes horribly wrong. Why do they continue to ask me to do it?!?

Have you had any really bad hair experiences?? Has anyone NOT had anybad hair experiences?? Please make me laugh, I have been feeling so rotton- Laughter makes me forget about the nausea.

Hugs to all!
Comb your hair if you got it!
~jen

Okay I'm still feeling like super duper sh*t today but I felt I needed to get this out of my system.
A Random Portrait. I had sketched one similar to this last week in my sketch book but I forgot the sketchbook while on holiday!!
A good friend of mine- [url=http://shespecies.tblog.com]SheSpecies[/url] . She is into meditation and all things natural. We have recently started to hatch some glorious ideas together and I look forward to working with her! Check out her blog she is too cool for school.

Yes, I'm a dork.

[image]islandArtist_84755 7161.jpg[/image]

[b]Isn't she the cutest little thing??[/b]

I'll have more of my classic drawings coming up over the next few weeks. If you have asked me for yours, you better keep your eyes on my blog so you don't miss it...
I'm going to bed now...
Hugs,
~jen

I got the BUG.
I'm so ill right now I can't put it into words, and even if I could you wouldn't care to hear about my agony.
Of course I take care of eveyrone when they are sick but there is noone here for me.
:cry:
I was planning on doing so much on my blog today.. those dang random portraits I keep promising. Shame on me!
[image]islandArtist_10012 23041.jpg[/image]


I'll leave you with this long haired doxie I painted a few months ago. Hopefully I'll be back to my normal self soon.
Hugs,
~jen

This isn't my usual chatter but when my hubby told me this last night I nearly plotzed.
Allegedly, Playboy paid Britney [b]40 Million[/b] to pose nude in their magazine. What a waste of money. I can't believe they would pay her that much, I hope my hubby misread that.
Someone leaked one of the playboy photos on the net- so I hope that keeps some people from buying the mag... ya right.
Incase you haven't seen her pic... here is my rendition:
[image]islandArtist_22297 5743.jpg[/image][b]
It's a black and white photo so I didn't color it.[/b]

I'll be on later with more portaits... I promise this time!!!

Hugs,
~jen

Okay, here are some pictures I took yesterday from the very last leg of our journey home from Alberta.
While we were on the ferry Paige walked up to another babies stoller and started plucking cereal out of the tray so i pulled her away and sat down. As I sat down my husband Pointed to where I had just been and said "Thats Ryan Peake from Nickelback!" I looked back to discover him holding the baby that Paige had just stolen the fruit loops from! Being the complete dork that I am I went down to the vehicle deck and retreived my camera from the car... I went into the play room and snapped this shot through the glass wall. It's crappy but you can see it's him!
[LINE]
[image]islandArtist_22403 4768.jpg[/image] [b]
Ryan Peake Minding his own business[/b] [LINE] [image]islandArtist_71612 5030.jpg[/image][b]
A picture of him from [url=http://www.nickelback.com]Nickleback's website[/url] [/b][line]
He was completely unassuming and you would never guess by looking at him that he is a big rock star. If you don't already know, Nickelback are from Hanna, Alberta, and I was absolutely posistive I was looking at the real deal when i saw his cowboy boots. Yup that was him alright. My first celebrity sighting since i saw David Suzuki in Vancouver airport LOL!
Ken saw [url=http://www.peperfans.com]Barry Pepper[/url] on his last ferry trip too.
[image]islandArtist_51549 7038.jpg[/image]
[b]Barry in Saving Private Ryan[/b] I feel like I live in LA, I guess I kinda live near Canada's version of LA- Vancouver.
The rest of the ferry ride was pretty much uneventful with the exception of the Masses of hormonal teenagers on the boat. One of them managed to run into a pole and knock himself out. Dumbass.

Here is a pic I took over the side of the ferry (starboard or port, I have no idea)[line]
[image]islandArtist_10593 36626.jpg[/image][line]
[image]islandArtist_11297 87948.jpg[/image][b]
Nanaimo as we neared home[/b]
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I'm still in the midst of unpacking so I haven't gotten any artwork scanned yet. I'll have that up in another blog entry later tonight... Keep you eyes peeled the next one could be YOU!

Have you ever had a celebrity encounter?? Did you talk to them, ask for their autograph or picture? I wanna know- I know you got stories so FORK THEM OVER!

~jen

Hello Everyone,
I'm back in the land of the 'BLOGGING'!
We arrived home earlier today and I immediately hit the sack for a 2 hour nap. It was MUCH needed too.
I have SOOO many pictures and SOOOO many stories to tell ya! I'm so excited to get back to it.

We just about didn't make it home due to Paige developing 'projectile' vomiting yesterday as we started our journey home. We also had a celebrity sighting on the ferry of which I got pictures, well, A picture. It's not even that great of a picture but it is at least a little bit of proof of the story.
I have also been working on alot of my cartoony portraits which I will be posting over the next days & weeks along with the scenery and other misc. pics I took on my holiday.
Aren't you all So DANG excited??
I knew you would be!
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Here is my pic of me right now, bright eyed and bushy tailed after my long nap. You know, when I drew & posted that drawing a few weeks ago I didn't look anything like it really, but with my new shaggy hair cut I seem to have 'grown into it'!
Maybe I should draw a picture of myself weighing 130 lbs and I could grow into that one too....hmmmm

Well i missed you all, and I've fallen behind in the race for hottest blog of the universe, I'm ready and racing to go.
Talk to ya'll in the morning.
~jen

But i wouldn't change it for anything. When you try to cramp a years worth of visiting into 7 days it can get a little exhausting. I feel like i need to stay for another week (or three) but at the same time i miss my home, my properly flushing toilets, the freeloading frogs in my murky pond and my newly broken bed.
:)
I have been working on several of my 'Random' portraits. These ones aren't so random but they are cute none the less. I haven' had a free minute to scan them and post them but when i do you are in for a real treat. I don't know what possessed me to offer my dad a 4 foot by 5 foot painting for his kitchen but I got about a third through the project and realized [b]I NEED MORE TIME[/b]!! I was painting with Acrylics which are not my usual mode of expression. That being a difficult hurdle I also added the challenge of a 4 Foot by 5 foot Canvas which is about 3 x 4 bigger than I'm used to working with. What was i thinking???!?! It could be completed to satisfaction but i would need about another month worth of time to do it. So that project will have to wait until my next visit. I'll post a pic or two when i get a chance and you'll see what I mean.

We visited all of the relatives that live within a stones throw of my mom and dad's place. Well, if you could throw a stone an hour away LOL! Everyone is living in new homes and they are all absolutely beautiful. Even though my home is also beautiful i couldn't help but to get envious. Human nature i think. Don't worry i was quick to knock that [u]'green eyed monster'[/u] down to size. If only I had an extra few thousand dollars laying around...

Well Peeps, Thanks in advance for commenting i'm checking my blog everyday even though i haven't had alot of time to post, I LOVE the comments.
You all are so GREAT!

Hug a monkey today!
~jen

Howdy again!
I have been trying to update my blog all day but it's crazy around here with 8 people fighting for computer time. It's one o'clock in the morning and I'm just updating it now. Ugh.
Anyway- I managed to finally complete my Lampwork glass bracelet. [line] [image]islandArtist_43267 9357.jpg[/image][line]My sister took me to a store that specializes in beads of ALL types so i could find the sterling silver bali beads I was looking for. I bought some bali silver beads as well as a couple thai hill silver beads... the bracelt is stunning. Very whimsical and eye catching. I can't wait to wear it and show it off. It's so special having a one of a kind creation that you made yourself.

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That is my sister and I shopping yesterday... notice the shopping bag (it was full). It was nice to have some 'kid free' time and spend some time chatting with my sister. I wish we could do it more often.
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It looks like Aunty Jess has found a new doll to practice her make up techniques on. She had her face 'MAC- afied' 4 times today and her hair styled twice. Paige loved the attention but not as much as her aunty enjoyed giving it! We are going to be sad to leave on Monday that's for sure.

Hug your sibling today (if ya got one!)
Take it easy,
~jen

as promised,
here is my picture.
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This is featuring my new hair cut.
Yes, I got it at 'Supa Cuts'. It is possibly the [b]best[/b] hair cut I have had in 5 years. She managed to finish it in less than 15 minutes which would usually be a warning flag for me but I couldn't be more pleased. My hair really needed assistance!! I got about 4 inches cut off of the entire mop.

It's so light and full of body, I want to run through the streets shaking my tresses and singing "The hills are alive, with the sound of music..."
Well, maybe not- I'll just say I did.

Hugs to all,
~jen

So far the holiday has gone well. We went shopping today and spent too much money (is there any other way to go shopping?). They have the worlds largest Ikea here, I couldn't beleive it... I was in LOVE.

It was nice to spend some time with my sister- she's a good shopper. I'm usually a 'hunter' and not a 'gatherer' so I like to get in there, buy the thing I want and get the hell out. When I have money in my bank account I suddenly turn into a gatherer of the first order. I could shop for days LOL until the money is gone and my credit cards are screaming for mercy.

My sister is a 'Gatherer', she could shop, shop and shop, stop for water and shop some more. It's really a sickening habit... but I wouldn't have it any other way :)

I decided to do one of my classic "Random Portraits" of my sister. As you can see she's a happy go lucky shopper with a 'flipped' hair do. I LOVE her.[LINE]
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Speaking of hair dos, I went to Supa Dupa Cuts tonight and had my knotty mangy hair chopped off. It's a nice layered mop of shiney thick blonde now. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow. It will be a REAL photo... not a random portrait!

Talk to ya'll later!
~jen

[b]** Life is like a Mirror,
When you smile at it-
it smiles back**[/b]

The computer has been figured out and the photos are uploaded! All I gotta say is Technology really sucks somtimes. Once I got the computer figured out and the photos resized, tblog was down! Talk about frustrating!!
Anyway... on to the show.
First photo is of Terry Fox Mountain... we passed by on our way to Alberta and it made an impressive natural display even though the picture doesn't quite convey the feeling. [image]islandArtist_13951 25810.jpg[/image]
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This shot was taken at the Pancake Breakfast. They had a gentleman making balloon animals and Paige waiting *patiently* (for a two year old) to get her 'blue puppy'.
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The parade was short and sweet. There were some Horses, fire trucks, fancy cars and a clown. The sun was out with a vengence too, a perfect day! Here is one of the fat guys on a tiny firetruck, a few seconds after I took this shot he nearly drove his little cart into a vintage car...oops!


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The last picture I had to add because Ken and I laughed and rolled our eyes when we saw this and I had him stealthily take a picture while we were in line to get our pancakes. I know everything old is new again but WTF... these shoes should have stayed in her closet along with her tapered leg jeans! Caption: "Hey lady, the 80's are calling... they want their white bootie shoes back!! :lol:

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Well that's all I've managed for today...
I'm totally wiped and in need of a good sleep.
Thanks for the comments ya'll... I THRIVE on them!

~jen

We arrived last night at 11 Pm. It was a long day but absolutely beatiful, not a cloud in the sky for the entire drive (15 hours!!) Paige was a real trooper considering that she was strapped into her chair for the ENTIRE day! We were very proud of her. Piper (our pooch) did really well too and didn't try to climb into the front seat more than twice.

We saw some beautiful mountain scenery and I took pictures which I'll post later when i figure out how to get my pictures off my camera on this computer.

Flukie enough, we arrived just in time for Leduc's Rodeo Days! This morning there was a pancake breakfast and parade- How lucky are we!? I got pics of that too I'll show you later on. Parade Floats are so trippy, so are the fat guys on little bikes and sparkly horses LOL.

I'll post a few "Random Portraits too" so keep your eyes Peeled!

Hug a Monkey today!
~jen