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Donators I'm Thanking!

  • Barbara Harkins
  • Christine Furman
  • Christine Moore
  • Cici
  • Colt Hubbs
  • D J Whitley
  • Dallas Magas
  • Dane Gavit
  • Genie Maples
  • Jennifer Lederle
  • Jennifer Lederle
  • Jerry Matthews
  • Joy Magas
  • Julie Anderson
  • Kai Gavit
  • Ken Hubbs
  • Kimberly Elliott
  • Kit Strandberg
  • Kristina Vaughn
  • Kuuipo Freitas
  • Lee Dickson
  • Lori Burgwyn
  • Maggie Crawford
  • Marie Hubbs
  • Mary Carnes
  • Nancy Caitlin
  • Pam Brisse
  • Pat Cotten
  • Paulette Wohmutka
  • Philip Hammond
  • Phyllis Musselman
  • Raelene Gibbons
  • Rosemarie Szostak
  • Sally Mc Kenzie
  • Sara Beck
  • Sarah Davis
  • Sharon Picchiottino
  • Shawn Gottschalk
  • Vicki Green

My favorite artist... Norman Rockwell

  • Girlinmirror
    Is......Norman Rockwell! This is my all time favorite artist! I love everthing he's painted!

April 15, 2008

Spring has sprung...

Spring has arrived!  Around here spring is about 2 weeks. Then everything is dead and summer takes over. I have planted my farm.  I will have to go take pictures later today. More on my farm later because....

Right now because I am getting myself psyched up for an event that would qualify me for some type of Olympic Medal if they only had a category for it.

The 2 day 1/2 acre clean-up by one mildly crazy woman category.

See that thing I am married to is out of town and I have rented a giant dumpster. I have only 2 days to tear down sheds, clean garage, and clear out all of his secret stashes of junk. But that is not the hard part. The hard part is how I place the items in the dumpster because when he gets home he will have at least one day to try to get in the dumpster and take back his treasures. I'm thinking I will need manuer. Or something stronger than that.
hmmm....


November 07, 2007

Happy Halloween

I really wanted to post this on Halloween but of course I'm late.
Happy Halloween!
Mlisawitch







Let's see, what have I been up to?
First...training for the 3 day walk. Can you believe I only have 2 days until the walk? Eeks!  My Mom and I have our uniforms all made and I can't wait to take some pictures. Everyday we have a different theme. No matter how bad we might be dragging along all of those miles at least we will be cute!
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO DONATED! You will be with me every step of the way. Look for us on the news. We will be dressed up as....
Day one....Energizer Bunnies.
Day two...Princesses.
Day three...Fairies.

I have tons of news related to my illustration and licensing jobs. I am happy to say I have some big news to unviel.  I will do that next week. I need more details first. I guess I will go to bed now.  It's 6:09 and I'm tired. Boy, that daylight savings is wasted on me.  Now I can't stay up late enough to watch any TV.  Oh well, good thing I like reading.  Here is some recent art to show you.

Day Dreaming...
Daydreaming_2







Roundevu'
Loversoonabridge

September 15, 2007

Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine

CUE THE CHOIR!
Romancin Red is in this issue of Mary Engelbreit's magazine!
Look on page 65....Oct./Nov. 2007

Here it is...
Redsad_2








I was lucky enough to get a one on one interview with Romancing Red. I will admit I was a bit star-struck and felt a girlish crush take over me once I met him face to face. It's hard not to fall for that twinkle in those beady eyes. I was delighted to learn he was still so down to earth after all of this fame and attention, just a regular guy really.

The interview....
Redsfans



What's everyone crowing about?
by Debi Hubbs

Me...
"Red,
(He insists on a first name basis)
I can't go anywhere without hearing your name.
Is all of this attention making you a little cocky?"

Red...
"Cock-a doodle doo!"

Me...
"Is it true Mary Engelbreit herself said she has never seen such nice thighs or is that just a rumor?"

Red...
"Cock-a doodle doo!"

(I chuckle here, he's just so funny!)

Me...
I hear you are off to Houston, Texas for The Quilter's Market in October to meet your 70,000 fans. I bet you are  excited.
(I start thinking maybe I should get a plane ticket to Houston...)


Red...
"Cock-a doodle doo!"

(Red distracted me here for a minute with that old joke: "How does the chicken cross the road?" For some reason when he told it, it wasn't corny at all.  I quickly apply lipstick and try to get back on track.)

Me...How would I , I mean, How does someone get to join your fan club? I hear you make appearances all over the world now. Do I contact Bigfork Bay Cotton Company?

Red...
"Cock-a doodle doo!"

(OK, I was blushing here. He is so romantic! A girl can dream can't she?)

Me...
I hope you don't mind a personal question. What kind of chicks are you attracted to?


Red...
"Cock-a doodle doo!"

(Now I'm a bit mad at myself for not wearing that feather boa!)

Thank you Red for this lovely interview. Will you sign my poster?

Romancingredsample





I won't tell you what he wrote on mine. Let's just say I'm framing it!

If you want a poster of your own you can print this out...

Redsfanposter

 




August 28, 2007

The 3 Day Susan G. Koman walk...again!

Well, the rumor is true. I am doing it again. I will walk with 6,000 other people for 60 miles in 3 days to save the world's mammaries.

This year it is my Mom and me walking. It is time for me to get busy with my fundraising! Eeks! I only have 10 weeks to raise $2,000. If anyone is interested in a making you feel super good that you are finding a cure for breast cancer donation you only need to donate $25.00  and I will send you any print you want from my store. And if you want 3 prints just donate $50.00. And if you want more... well, I will be very generous and happy!

Step 1 ...Donate Here, it's tax deductable!
Step 2...Pick out your art from here. Over 70 choices!
Step 3...Email me Tell me what you want and your address.
Step 4...Feel all warm and fuzzy because you are wonderful!


Here is what happened on last years walk. It was amazing.

I walked the Susan G. Koman 60 mile walk in San Diego! I was motivated by my Mother-In-Law’s diagnosis.  Sadly, she did not get to see me finish as she passed a month before, but she was with me every step of the way.

A lot of people have asked me what walking 60 miles in 3 days is like. That is something I have a hard time explaining because I think it was a life-changing event for me. I really learned a lot about humanity and true strength. I learned to value my body and determination in a way I never had. I was training, and training and training for the walk and yet I still worried that I couldn’t do it. Little did I know that finishing the 60 miles was not the important part. In fact, it is just a teeny, tiny bit of the whole event. Everything was more than I expected in so many ways. I loved it all, the crowd, the people I met, the stories.... it was so moving and rewarding.

I met women in their 20's who are survivors of breast cancer that were walking. I met a woman who was still bald from her recent chemo who was walking. She said she was walking because she can.
I met a man who was a survivor of breast cancer walking. I met two women who were over 70 years old walking. I met a family walking for a wonderful woman who just passed away at age 35 and left 3 young children. I met a lady who is walking in every 3day walk, every year, in every city, and her husband doing his part by encouraging everyone all day long.  I met a man who lost his wife and his daughter to breast cancer standing on the path clapping and thanking every person as they passed him. I saw him all three days and he cheered us on with love and gratitude tirelessly.  Every day I saw these two girls dancing and cheering us from sun up to sun down wearing wild pink wigs and funny clothes. They would turn up every 5 or 6 miles and they never stopped dancing.

10 or 12 macho Harley riders wearing tutus and pink clothes rode along everyday, hooting and cheering. I saw countless women standing alone quietly thanking us because they were survivors. Sometimes they would just clap, but their eyes were so warm, and it was so meaningful.  I saw a man driving alone all day long up and down the streets, honking and swinging a pink pom pom in his white convertible. There was a widowed man who gave us heartfelt hugs every single day. The San Jose Police dept. bike squad wore pink shirts and rode with us all three days. They played music on their bikes. I remember them playing "Walk like a man" full blast and they cheered us on and encouraged us up the steep hills. And they were struggling themselves, but acted like we were their heroes.  I saw two really, really, pregnant women walking.  I saw tons of laughter, tons of tears and tons of blisters. I heard heart breaking stories, and heartwarming stories. We all cried all the time. But it was a healing kind of cry.

My favorite part was after I was finished with the walk and we were all kept together in a park waiting for the closing ceremonies. I stood, and clapped, and danced, and "high fived" every new walker that came in. To see each of their faces, some with relief, some with glee, some with screams of triumph, and so many more with tears. Some were even carried in! I felt so proud of them all, not because they finished the walk but because they shared the walk with me. It was such a privilege to be a part of it. That was the best!!!

There is a lot of power created by 6,000 people trudging along with sore feet, knees, or ankles, all wanting to finish for their own personal reasons. That power energized me to finish each day. That same power is what will keep me walking every year until we find a cure.

 

August 23, 2007

Armadillo on my mind

Armadillo_copy_2

Don't you hate it when you have a deadline and you are supposed to be painting Kokopelli's and geckos in Santa Fe colors tossed on black and then the next thing you know you are painting an amadillo because you never have painted one before and then you add red shoes and then you name her Blossom and then make up a tiny story of her in your mind and she is going on a date and looks super hot in her red shoes and black dots but forgot to shave her legs, and then you realize that Blossom is a better name for a Possum. So of course you are just starting on a possum and then suddenly just in the nick of time you discover you are off track and get back to work.

August 14, 2007

Summer

Is this too cute... moosie in the baby pool.
Image0011


Image0022

May 30, 2007

Women in art

No time to write, but this is so lovely!
Click here to view women in art....

May 10, 2007

International Quilt Market

Some big news, the wonderful Bigfork Bay Cotton Company who is turning my goofy art into beautiful quilt patterns had their debut at the International Quilt Market Trade show this weekend. They were the buzz of the show, and look at the booth!
It won 1st PLACE! Fantastic!
Full_booth




And LOOK even closer...you can see my quilts. The chickens on the right and my blackbirds in the center. Not seen in this picture because they are on the right panel are my froggies.
Award




Look how happy the blackbirds are. Thank you so much for doing such a great job to everyone at Bigfork Bay Cotton Company!  If you want to order these quilting patterns you can go here...CLICK ME
They have some awesome patterns to see.

I going to start a page on my website showing different designs you awesome quilters come up with. I love seeing my art come to life this way.

May 08, 2007

New York here I come...

I'm getting pretty excited about the Surtex licensing show in New York. I will be leaving with my Mom and my Aunt on Wednesday. I have already shipped my display stuff and now I need to finish everything else. I tell you, I have not had a second to spare. I will also be going to meet everyone at the fabric company that I am now working with. My new fabric line should be out in the fall. It is pretty amazing!!! So far there are 12 or 13 designs. And I'm going to start another two different fabric lines when I get back from New York. So I have entered the fabric world with a storm. I really look at textile design much more than I used to.

Here is a Clara and the Creepers. She will be unveiled with all of her friends at Surtex.Clara



She will be cute on paper products I think. I have designs for plates, placemats, napkins etc. I can't show many more pics until the show.

And here is a new one from my Goosebumps Series. On The Lamb.
Otl

March 27, 2007

Rare Animals

How would you like these for pets?
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March 21, 2007

My Alias

Sometimes fame can put a lot of pressure on me. Recently I realized I should have an alias so I don't always have to live up to the "Debi Hubbs" image. I now have the freedom to travel and make appointments without causing a stir. After some painstaking decoding I now have a new name. Here is the formula so you can make your new alias....

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first
name: For example: deBi= B= Doombah

a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloopy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dink y
z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half
of your new last name: For example: hUbbs= Chuckle

a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = sn ickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = g irdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half
of your new last name: For example: huBbs= boob

a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pan ts
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l =  tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

Henceforth I will be Doombah Chuckleboob when I need to.

Let me know what your new name is...

March 19, 2007

Hellooooo

Boy, I can't believe how long it has been since I have bloggityblogged. I just don't have much spare time. I spend most of my time prepping for Surtex the licensing show I am going to in May. It is in New York so that should be fun.  My Mom and my Aunt are going with me, which will make it so great.

I have been trying to get all of my series completed. Some I need to repaint and all I have had to make borders, and extra images. I am working on two new Halloween Series(which is soooo fun!). I will post those when I'm done. I need to finish my Thanksgiving Series and Xmas Series by the end of next week. It is so much to do. But I want to have those finished ASAP. By April 1st I will be on the computer the whole month getting everything ready for print.

Now for my biggest news....I am designing fabric. Me, the person who flunked pattern cutting, hate to iron, and only sew at one speed...pedal to the metal! My poor Mom tried her best every year to get me to produce something, but finally gave up. She even had a speech, "Sewing is like life...blah blah blah."  In fact we were at a Quilt Shop together laughing about how weird life can be that I of all people would have my own fabric line, after I had said, "What a pretty spool of fabric". Turns out they are called bolts, not spools.

Here is a sneak peak from The Blackbird Jubilee Series.

Blackbirdjubilee

And I have stripes, and checks, and borders, about 25 in all.   


And here it is in gold...

Whimsicaljubilee_3

Stripedcherries

And some more...

Jumblingdream

January 25, 2007

Four Fashionable Fowls

Frenchhens

Click below to see the fashion show...

Four Fashionable Fowls

Frenchhens1

Frida Mc Feather has always had a wild side. But don't think she's birdbrained. She would never count her chickens before they hatch. Modeling is just a stepping stone to her big dream, acting.

Frenchhens2

Fiona Featherton is happiest when cackling with her friends.They always have something to crow about. She hopes modeling will help her find a nice Rooster who won't ruffle her feathers.

Frenchhens3

Florence Nightingcackle couldn't wait to grow up and fly the coop. Modeling has always been her dream and now she is very much sought after and struts in all of the big shows.

Frenchhens4

Fanny Fae Simpleton is still that same ol country girl at heart. She is only modeling to save for a nest of her own. In her spare time she enjoys gardening and telling corny jokes.

January 22, 2007

Autumn Ride

I really like this painting. Autumn Ride....
It's really pretty in person.
Autumnride

the latest

Well I have been too busy to blog and I still am until Jan. 29th or so. That will be nice to have this project over with. Here is a few things to see so you know I do still exist...
Mina22

One of the cards. BAD picture though, and I don't feel like adjusting it.

Here is another rare shot of the RedStockings, in action.


Runningredstockings

January 04, 2007

The Break-UP

A man and his wife are dining at a table in a plush restaurant, and the wife keeps staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sits alone at a nearby table.

The husband asks, "Do you know him?"

"Yes," sighs the wife, "He's my ex-boyfriend. I understand he  took to drinking right after we split up seven years ago, and I hear  he hasn't been sober since."

"My God!" says the husband,  "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long."

January 02, 2007

A hope for children

A Hope For Children is a wonderful place.

Click Here

If you can go to this page and scroll down to see this video. It is of an orphanage in Africa, that is dedicated to orphan children with Aids. I am trying to donate a percentage from my art sales, and get them noticed. These children must endure more than most of us will ever know. Once infected, (some by rape) these children become society outcasts.  I love seeing their smiles, but it makes me cry. We all need to do whatever we can so they survive. They are.

Good advice...

Take a Chance! ~ Be Excellent! ~ Never Give Up!

&

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

January 01, 2007

Need to quit smoking?

I'm not a smoker, but I think this is a good reminder...
plus, what a cool painting!
Smoking

December 29, 2006

Celebrating!

I finished my vocabulary sketches! Right on schedule too. I have about 5 or 6 days until I start painting them and I am so happy to have a bit of time to myself! I even worked on Xmas day. I have to admit this has taken a toll on my appearance... I think I am in need of my yearly make-over. Do you?
Here was my before picture...
Mefairylandnew
And here I am today after all of the stress of trying to draw a darling spider who talks to sky gods.
0000000mole_1

So, I plan on a bit of pampering today. I was too tired yesterday to enjoy this feeling of accomplishment and I spent almost the whole day in bed watching Malcom In The Middle and The Dog Whisperer. I guess these are my two favorite shows. What does this say about me you think? I do know one thing, I am triple-dog daring my two dogs to act up so I can try out my new skills. They must know something is up. They seem to be laying low. Tried a bit of subconcious mental power on my teenybopper Colt, and it doesn't seem to work, just got the standard eye-roll.

I created a few new projects in my overly active mind. I wrote a new book, and I need to write it down before I forget. It is a jewel. And I have another new Million Dollar Business Idea to add to my list. I really have quite a lot of them now. If you know anyone who seriously needs a Million Dollar Business Idea, I'm the person to talk to.

I'm listening to my new present I bought that thing I'm married to. Roy Orbison. He has made a lot of hits. He's so cool! Well, I'm off to clean... tomorrow is trash day here. I feel sorry for my trash man this week!

December 10, 2006

tis the season...

Way too busy around here! I have been trying to hussle and finish some vocabulary cards for Macmillan/McGraw-Hill and it has taken all of my time. And my extra time. And my shopping time. And my cleaning time. So needless to say I have not made time for blogging. Here is a bit of my art I have finished lately...
Roaming
Rare Radiant Red Stockings Roaming The Range.


Quiltingcrows


The Quilters.

November 15, 2006

I walked 60 miles....

I walked the Susan G. Koman 60 mile walk in San Diego! I was motivated by my Mother-In-Law’s diagnosis.  Sadly, she did not get to see me finish as she passed a month before, but she was with me every step of the way.

A lot of people have asked me what walking 60 miles in 3 days is like. That is something I have a hard time explaining because I think it was a life-changing event for me. I really learned a lot about humanity and true strength. I learned to value my body and determination in a way I never had. I was training, and training and training for the walk and yet I still worried that I couldn’t do it. Little did I know that finishing the 60 miles was not the important part. In fact, it is just a teeny, tiny bit of the whole event.  Everything was more than I expected in so many ways. I loved it all, the crowd, the people I met, the stories.... it was so moving and rewarding.

I met women in their 20's who are survivors of breast cancer that were walking. I met a woman who was still bald from her recent chemo who was walking. She said she was walking because she can.
I met a man who was a survivor of breast cancer walking. I met two women who were over 70 years old walking. I met a family walking for a wonderful woman who just passed away at age 35 and left 3 young children. I met a lady who is walking in every 3day walk, every year, in every city, and her husband doing his part by encouraging everyone all day long.  I met a man who lost his wife and his daughter to breast cancer standing on the path clapping and thanking every person as they passed him. I saw him all three days and he cheered us on with love and gratitude tirelessly.  Every day I saw these two girls dancing and cheering us from sun up to sun down wearing wild pink wigs and funny clothes. They would turn up every 5 or 6 miles and they never stopped dancing.

10 or 12 macho Harley riders wearing tutus and pink clothes rode along everyday, hooting and cheering. I saw countless women standing alone quietly thanking us because they were survivors. Sometimes they would just clap, but their eyes were so warm, and it was so meaningful.  I saw a man driving alone all day long up and down the streets, honking and swinging a pink pom pom in his white convertible. There was a widowed man who gave us heartfelt hugs every single day. The San Jose Police dept. bike squad wore pink shirts and rode with us all three days. They played music on their bikes. I remember them playing "Walk like a man" full blast and they cheered us on and encouraged us up the steep hills. And they were struggling themselves, but acted like we were their heroes.  I saw two really, really,  pregnant women walking.  I saw tons of laughter, tons of tears and tons of blisters. I heard heart breaking stories, and heartwarming stories. We all cried all the time. But it was a healing kind of cry.

My favorite part was after I was finished with the walk and we were all kept together in a park waiting for the closing ceremonies. I stood, and clapped, and danced, and "high fived" every new walker that came in. To see each of their faces, some with relief, some with glee, some with screams of triumph, and so many more with tears. Some were even carried in! I felt so proud of them all, not because they finished the walk but because they shared the walk with me. It was such a privilege to be a part of it. That was the best!!!

There is a lot of power created by 6,000 people trudging along with sore feet, knees, or ankles, all wanting to finish for their own personal reasons. That power energized me to finish each day. That same power is what will keep me walking every year until we find a cure.

Believe it or not I feel really good, not sore at all. No blisters. I rested one day but I walked 5 miles today because I missed it. Old habits are hard to break. Ha! Plus...I'M DOING IT NEXT YEAR!!! And I can't wait.

More to come on this soon....with pictures.

November 02, 2006

My African Watering Hole

Here is a cool link to watch animals live from a watering hole in Africa. I have seen baboons, duck, and a goat/deer thing. I love the sounds. It's relaxing and I just leave it on during the day and look at it occassionally. I feel like I'm camping by a watering hole.  It is hard to see the animals at  night but you do see some...
Debi's African Watering Hole Friends

October 20, 2006

Yippee! Art.com

One of my paintings was chosen for the Art.com calendar! A different painting for each day of the year is used by different artists.Here is the letter I just got. I guess it is for the misc. calendar. I wonder which painting they picked. I submitted a few. I will have to preorder one and see when it comes out. The day they picked for mine to show is the day after my son Colt's birthday. March 30th. Actually I better get one for my Mom.  The letter:

Debi,

We are pleased to let you know that your artwork has been accepted into one or more ArtWanted.com calendars for 2007. Here is a list of the dates/calendars your artwork will be featured in:

3/30/2007 - Misc. ArtWanted.com Artwork

We invite you to pre-order a copy of the calendar(s) you will be featured in, if you have not already done so. Every year we sell out of the calendars, so don't be caught without one. Pre-Order by Nov 15th, to be guaranteed a calender. After that date, we are unable to promise that you will receive a calendar, even if you are featured in it. 

To PRE-ORDER your ArtWanted.com calendar, click here

http://www.ArtWanted.com/ps/Calendar

We expect to start shipping out the calendars in mid-November.

Congratulations again on being accepted!

October 19, 2006

melody

Here is Melody...Melody

I'm home today, and I hope to get some painting in. I miss it.

Oh, here is a link to my interview for the Artist Choice Awards. I won 1st place Folk art and 1st place Fun/Whimsical art. Click here I think I'm the 3rd or 4th one down. in the interviews.

October 17, 2006

The 3day training update....

Yesterday I walked 18.13 miles. Today for dessert I get to do 15 miles. I thought I would quickly jot down a bit about what that is like. 

I ate a hard-boiled egg and toast then off I went. I walked by myself and left a bit before 9:00am. I carried my new double water fanny pack which I will not use again. It is too heavy and sits right on my fat humps and annoys me because it makes me feel fatter. I can't walk all around the county and feel fatter than I actually am. It's bad enough that I look like a bad tourist in my magic walking sandles (MBT Sandals and white socks). But to need a "Wide Load" sign is too much for me.

My first 3 miles were up hill. It is a busy road in the morning and I saw tons of people I know taking their kids to school. I tried to pretend I was just some other person, but I was seen. Speaking of seeing things, on that uphill I kept myself busy mentally recording what people litter. 1st place would be cigarette packs, 2nd place bottles, alcohol mainly, and 3rd place would be coffee cups and fast food trash. Hate to point out the obvious but people with vices tend to ruin the planet with their litter. I did see a few things of interest... dead snake, ept pregnancy test, clothes.  The best one was an extra crispy piece of bacon. I would be lying if I denied I was tempted.

Had my first break at Carl's Junior, went to the bathroom and then nonchalantly filled my two water bottles at the soda machine.  I just used the water but no one said anything, probably because they were staring at my big wide load.

Took off again for an uneventful 6 more miles except I made up a catchy song...
Do you know that country song "18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses"?
I changed it to "18 Miles And A Dozen Motrin".  After 8 or 9 miles that is very funny to someone walking alone. I did have a break at a park, I rubbed my feet with vasoline, and had a snack of 2 Motrin, handful of peanuts, and some Wheat Thins. My knee was hurting me and that sucks. I decided that when I get back to town I would stop at Carls Junior again and eat a Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich and lots of fries. Trust me when I say fries are a great motivator.

Made it the restaurant and called that thing I'm married to to bring me a sweatshirt. It was really cold and I was not warming up. I ate every bite of my food and had a big diet coke. I don't think I would have a diet coke again when walking that far. I was leery of doing it but it sounded so yummy. After I ate I walked to RiteAide to get a knee supporter and some tape and shoe inserts for my magic sandals. And a Snickers. I decided I would eat my Snickers after mile 13. I put on the knee thingy at a park but it was too tight so that was a waste of money. BUT MY SHOE INSERTS ARE HEAVEN!!! I am a damn genious! I used double sided scotch tape to hold them in. I didn't care if they hung over the toe and the heel of my magic shoes. My feet felt like I was walking on a cloud. So white socks, light blue shoe inserts hanging 1 inch in front and behind in my black sandals. I was making a fashion statement.

I felt full at mile 13 so I decided to hold off on the Snickers until I got to the coffee shop where I would have a tiny coffee with my Snickers. But when I got there around mile 14 they were closed. Damn.

Plus I really had to pee. I had to keep walking until I came to the Carls Junior again. Really full bladder! Don't do that! My feet were on auto pilot and I was feeling very spacey.

I got to the Carls Junior at mile 15 and I rested, ate the Snickers and drank a lot but I felt really dizzy for about 5 minutes. I went outside and sat on a bench and decided to go on. It would be down hill the last 3 miles. I just did not want to pass out in front of the Circle K. Too many people could see me in my shoes and wide fanny pack. I started to feel better, and up I got and took off. I think I should have eaten more. I am going to carry some more food in case that happens again.

I walked all the way home but had to pass my house to hit 18 miles. All the kids were playing in the street and they said it was 4:00! Wow! I bragged to all of the little twirps as I walked by but nobody seemed impressed.  I actually ended up walking 18.13 miles and I feel like an Olympic Gold Medalist! Today I'm going to walk at the beach...
Here are some other walkers doing their part to fight breast cancer...
Barnyardbrigade

October 15, 2006

Won the lottery!

A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Honey, pack your bags. I won the damn lottery!"
The husband said, "Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?"
"Doesn't matter," she said. "Just get the hell out."

October 14, 2006

Illustration Friday...Smitten

The theme this week is "Smitten".


Takingadrive_1


Takingadrive2


Takingadrive3
Takingadrive_2

October 13, 2006

A miracle...

I just have to share this story. It is about my Aunt who had a strange stroke in her eye which made her blind in that eye. She emailed me her story...

A great deal of my eyesight has returned. It happened when we were camping in the Sierras, September 18th to be exact! Nancy and Becky (2 of my "walk" teammates) went hiking in Mammoth for a couple of hours, while Joe waited for us on a rock at the trailhead (he's having knee replacement surgery next month so hiking was crossed off his itinerary).  When we returned we went to town for a couple of drinks and dinner.  While we were waiting for dinner a rock wall right outside the window of the restaurant became really clear and focused.  Not knowing what was going on, and actually feeling like I was losing more sight I went outside, only to notice that I could see every leaf on every tree, there was an amazing depth perception in the rocks, trees, and mountains.  Then I turned around and Joe was walking toward me with concern, not knowing what was going on.  That was when it really hit me........I could see all of Joe, every detail with both eyes open.  For four years and two months I have had to close the blind eye for the good eye to focus if I am to see something without big blackout areas in my vision.  It was more than emotional for me. All I could do was cry.  Every doctor I'd seen diagnosed the sight to be permanently gone.  If I had doubts about miracles, I certainly don't have doubts anymore!
It was too late to reach my ophthalmologist that night, but we called him first thing the next morning.  He was in surgery and we could only talk through the nurses for the whole morning.  Finally, that afternoon he had been able to contact the guru of Branch Retinal Arterial Occlusion (my type of stroke that caused the damage), Dr. Spiegel of USC.  It was determined that there are no recorded recoveries such as this.  Everyone was skeptical, knowing no scientific reason for regaining sight.  He had us come home right away for testing.  We pulled in at midnight and were in the office the first thing the next morning.  I went through and was given every test, measurement, scan, and eye photo possible.  In the photos that had come out black in previous testing now had areas of darker to light wispy gray.......which are areas that show I have clarity to send to the brain from the optic nerve and see.  They took pictures to sample the tissue in the optic nerve and sent them in to research to determine if any growth has occurred.  Yes it had.  Yesterday they took more tissue sample photos and there has even been a slight increase in the two weeks since the 18th.  The optic nerve occlusions are gone, though the bulge where they were is still there.  However the clots in the retina remain...which create two areas of black spots if I close my good eye.  However, with the optic nerve restructuring, both eyes open together work in sync to give me awesome vision.  I still need to wear glasses to see the best.  I will get tested again next month, and if it progresses as it has this past few weeks they will change my prescription to enhance even more.  The doctors, including Dr. Spiegel, still can't explain for sure scientifically how this could have happened and also deem it a miracle.  They are excited though, because if it happened to me they know it can happen for others... 

October 06, 2006

Illustration Friday

The theme this week is "Trouble".
320chef_1
There’s trouble in the kitchen, feathers flying all amuck.

Pecking, dodging, fleeing, could be the end for Marty Mc Cluck.

But then, the big chase ended, and Marty began to pout.

He looked Chef eye to eye, and said without a doubt.

“Don’t just plop me in the pot! I can think of nothing worse...

You should marinate me for a while with sauce and spices first!”

“And while I’m roasting, don’t forget to baste me, you big cretin!

It’ll make me much more succulent and tender when I’m eaten.”

“Yes, I am a little scrawny, but in places rather plump, so allow some extra cooking time for my chest, my thighs and rump.”

“Be sure to cook my giblets too, they’re really quite nutritious,

and I strongly recommend my gizards, they should be most delicious!”

Well, Chef found this rather odd, to get this kind suggestion.

Most victims only want to give him lots of indigestion.

He said to Marty, ”I think your right, you are a special treat.”

While gently rubbing herbs and butter into Marty’s feet.

An instant later Marty spurred the chef, slashed him right across the nose!

Then he jumped, and yelled to Chef “You should have closed the window!”

And this is how onion soup was invented.