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Looking Back


Remember when I wrote this last year? I hate to say I was right but boy was I right. 2013, you were indeed not a “lucky” year as I suspected. However, when I was reflecting back and flipping through photos of this year, I see you were pretty kind until October. October 21 to be exact but I promise to try not to focus too much on the last 67 days. I want this posting to be a recap of all the great things that happened the other 298 days. If you remember, I also wrote this in September about how this year (meaning my 28th year on earth) would be the year of focusing on the blessings in my life. So yes, enough with the bad. Let me make room to reflect on all the good.
 
 

1.       We moved AGAIN! Yes, call us crazy. In short summary, we received a notice in January that a 300+ unit apartment complex was going to be built in our backyard. We loved our home and had been in it exactly one year but we did not want that many neighbors behind us. We decided to stick a for sale sign in the yard to see what happened. Well we sold our house in 13 days. We found our new home in which we love even more.

2.       2013 was the year of weddings. Three of my closest friends got married. Lara married in April and I was honored to serve as her wedding coordinator. Rachel married in June and I was honored to serve her as one of her wedding photographers. Then Andrea married in September and I was honored to serve as her matron of honor.

3.       My childhood dog Missy came to live with us in June. We thought Missy’s time was coming to an end so my dad brought her to me this summer for me to take to my brother-in-law who is a vet. Well wouldn’t you know it a week here with me with some baby aspirin as prescribed by Michael was all she needed to be back to her ole self. Sweet Missy turned 16 in October. I absolutely love having her with me again.

4.       Greyson and I did a lot of fun stuff this year. We celebrated our third wedding anniversary with our friends, Andrea and Steve at Lairdland Farms, where we got married. We also went to the beach twice this summer. Once with his family to Pawley’s Island, SC and once to Saint Simons, GA with our friends, Trina and Marshall. We were able to celebrate Trina’s 30th birthday while we were there. This fall we went to a University of Tennessee vs. Auburn football game in Knoxville. This was the first time our teams ever faced each other since we’ve known one another. We had a great time (expect for all the walking but that’s another story) especially since Auburn won.  

5.       Professionally it has been a great year. I exceeded all of my sales goals for the year. I also had the privilege of serving on the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Women’s Council again and Murfreesboro Young Professionals as Director of Membership/ Chair- Elect.

These things and all the other great things that happened are the things I want to remember about 2013. Am I sad to see 2013 go after my time of reflection? Heck no. You still can go and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. However, I do hope that in years to come when I am reflecting back on this year that these things come to mind long before the memories of the heartache.

Speaking of NYE. How about a blast from New Year’s Past. Looking forward to carrying on the tradition another year.
 
 

How Did We Go from the Manger to Madness?



I've been dreading the holidays, particularly Christmas this year. I first threatened that I wasn't putting up a single Christmas decoration. Then I decided I needed the distraction of decorating and entertaining this year.  I've stated to wonder why it seems even more painful to be going through stuff during the holidays than any other time of the year. I think it is because we set all these expectations for ourselves and feel all this pressure to have the perfect holiday. When in fact, we live in a far from perfect world where no perfect day or season exists. No matter how great your mantle or tree may look, you have neighbors hungry or hurting. There are family members who are not with us again this year. There's illnesses, divorce, poverty and so much more robbing us all of that perfect holiday we think everyone else is having.  And we can't be left out by having a far from perfect Christmas. Besides songs tell us it is the most wonderful time of the year. And how could we not feel left out thanks to everything from Christmas commercials to everyone's overly joyous Facebook posts! 
 
Sure your Elf on the Shelf has done some funny things this year. But how much time did you spend setting up your elf’s shenanigans and then take the perfect picture and then lastly upload it to every social media outlet? But really who am I to judge? I just spent days (ok really a month) planning the perfect Christmas party for my girlfriends. Why? I had to overcompensate that my entire family wouldn’t be together on Christmas day. This party had to make up for my less than perfect Christmas I have planned with one parent instead of two.
 
How in the world did we go from such humble beginnings of this holiday in a manger to all this madness? Our Savior was born in a stable surrounded by animals and all the “gifts” that come with barn animals. And He did it for you and me. And how do we commemorate this glorious day and seasons as Christians? We stress ourselves out to the max to take the perfect picture for the perfect Christmas card. The most thoughtful gifts must be purchased for everyone we know and stuffed in the cutest gift bag imaginable. We have to plan the perfect menu for the perfect party. And let’s not forget we have to attend 1,001 Christmas parties. Our Christmas decorations must be grander each year. We can’t be the only house on our street without a blowup Santa and every bush has to be adorned with lights. Our Christmas tree has to be filled with all color coordinated ornaments that match every other Christmas decoration in the house. And why do we do all of this? To have the perfect Christmas! Everything else in our lives should be perfect as well. There’s no room for heartache on Christmas. If the Joneses are having a great and over the top Christmas then I should be too. Those are the expectations we've set for ourselves.
 
So how do we get back to what’s important? How do we take the pressure off of ourselves to not be like everyone else? How do we make this season hurt a little less when we are enduring so much heartache? I think for me it is to truly acknowledge that nothing is perfect and can be perfect. The word really shouldn't be in our vocabulary.
 
I pray that over the next week I place my focus on the manger. My hope is to have a grateful heart because even in the midst of this far from easy holiday, I still have countless blessings. First and foremost, I serve a God who sent His only son to this imperfect world to save me from my imperfections and the imperfections of this world. And that in and of itself is a lot to focus on and to be thankful for. So if you see me start to have a pity party this week  or try to over compensate and start planning the "perfect" Christmas dinner, make me re-read this post. Help me refocus if needed and send me back to the manger.  
 
Much love to you all and Merry Christmas! 

Stopped. Me. In. My. Tracks.

Lord, I pray I am teachable and even in the midst of this storm I praise your name. 

Hell on Earth

Today (or should I say yesterday and today since it is past midnight) I've wanted to do nothing but kick and scream. I am tired of this nightmare I'm living in. In a nutshell this has been what's going on.  My mother had a medical set back in late October. During her recovery, she filed for divorce from my father and moved out. At times this all feels like more than I can bare. I have so many questions but there are no answers. My mother continually shuts me out. This causes me great hurt. This hurt builds up and turns to anger so when we do talk it gets ugly. I take blame for the ugly part these days. However, imagine the hurt if your mother wouldn't even tell you where she lives or didn't even tell you she was filing for divorce. I know I have to learn new coping mechanisms. I've also been fighting for better treatment for her and my parents' marriage. I'm trying to stop fighting her battles. But then I listen to the despair in my fathers voice each day and it tears me a part. My mother and father have always adored each other.   Wow, just typing all of this brings me to tears. I cannot believe this is my life. My family life has spiraled out of control over the past two months. If you would have told me on October 19 that all of this would have happened I would have called you a liar. I use to talk to my mom daily about the most insignificant stuff like what I was having for dinner and now I have no clue what is going on. Everything about my mom has changed like the flick of a light switch. And nothing about this nightmare ever gets better. It only gets worse. That first week was easy street compared to the weeks that have followed. 

What's the point of sharing this? It certainly isn't to air my dirty laundry. In fact, I've been doing a lot of blogging but not publishing. I've been scared of the backlash. But you know what, this is what is happening in my life right now. This is my journey in life and that's what this blog is about. I pray that I look back a year from now and can't believe we went through all of this. I pray for healing all around. I pray this isn't the end to my parents' marriage. I pray we celebrate their 34 wedding anniversary next year. Most of all, I pray we survive this mess. My dependency on God has significantly increased and I am thankful for that. Because although my parents are not the same, the God I serve never changes.  

Christmas Cards, Invites and Prints

 For pricing information, please contact me at amy.stokes.painter@gmail.com. Merry Christmas!






Conversing with God

Lord, I didn't ask Psalm 26:2 for my life. I am being tested and tried and I did not ask for it. You see there must be a mistake. I signed up for the easy track. You know the one where only these type things happen to other people. My form must have gotten mixed up with someone else's. It's ok though. You can fix it real quick and everything will be ok. Alright? 

What do you mean you never promised me an easy track? It's been pretty easy so far. Sure there have been bumps along the road but I've been able to take care of those bumps. What's that? Yes, I realize I said I've been able to handle them. That's what I do. I'm a problem solver. I have a career in the hospitality industry. I was born to solve problems. But now I can't fix this one. I can't get through to the one who needs to be fixed.  Wait, wait, wait a minute! You want me to step back and surrender my control to you, Lord? Do you really know what you're asking of me? Of course your ways are greater than mine but you can use me to solve the problem. I don't mind at all.  In fact, I want to help. 

I don't understand you when you say you don't need my help. Of course you do because this impacts my life and so many others. I need to have some of the reigns.  

Alright, I will try to listen. I will lay it all at your feet. Please forgive me when I try to pick it back up. I want to honor you. After all, you do know what's best.

 Lord, I want to let you know that most of the times things don't go right if I'm not in control. I've seen things come crashing down too many times without me. That's right you are the Alpha and Omega. So I'm laying it at your feet once again. Asking you Father to bless this situation. Sharpen us Lord. Let us grow in you.  Let us glorify you. Change heavy and stubborn hearts because if anyone can do that it is you.  Help me not to correlate my hope and joyfulness with the outcome of this situation or how it plays out in the process. My hope is in you. My strength is in you. 

Update

When I began Project 28, I never could have imagined the trials that were going to be a part of my path. This past month has been tough. It has without a doubt been the hardest thing I've ever been through. Having a sick parent is painful. There has been a lot of ups and downs but mostly downs. My whole world has been shakened.  Some days it has been a real challenge to find something to give thanks for. While other days, I've been overwhelmed by God's great blessings for my life. God knew what He was doing though when He gave me this idea on my 28th birthday to find something new to give thanks for everyday. He knew of the trials ahead and knew I needed to focus on the good and the blessings in my life. As I told a co-worker who sent me an encouraging text the other day, I've always been the glass is half empty type of girl. It is time for me to focus on the fullness. Although it has been challenging at times to look for new things to be thankful for, this trial has also given or shown me new things.  For example:
Day 43- the ability to take everything to God in prayer
Day 48- God's design of marriage. I'm so thankful to have a helper in this crazy thing called life. 
Day 64- The promise of brighter days ahead. 
Day 67- Comforting words 

Before I end this post, I must thank my incredible support system. God is so amazing how he has put some many people in my life right now that are able to relate and have opened up their loving arms to me. You all deserve more than just one day of thanks. 

So there it is folks. Here's your update on Project 28. Until next time.  

What a Difference a Week Makes

Wow. Last week was a doozy. There is nothing more stressful than having a very sick loved one and nothing you can do to help (except lay it in God's hands). I don't want to go into details about what happened out of respect for my family. But the reason for this post is to express my overwhelming gratitude for the AMAZING and BEST support system anyone could ever ask for. I never knew how truly loved and cared for I was until last week. All the prayers, kind words and continuous texts and phone calls held me together when I felt like I was going to crumble apart. Great things happen when you have a network of people praying for you and great things have. I am beyond blessed to be so cared for and to have friends who pray for each other. So if you sent a text, made a call or said a prayer last week for my family and me, THANK YOU.

And thank you Lord for carrying me through and giving me so many amazing friends. God is so good and faithful.


Project 28


Tuesday was my 28th birthday. I previously shared some of my anxiety about getting older. I'm relieved to say that my anxiety is now gone. I woke up an hour early on my birthday. Our air conditioner was out on our entire main floor. Since it was 81 degrees at bedtime the night before, I decided to sleep on an air mattress in the bonus room because we have a separate unit upstairs. I surprisingly had an overall great night’s sleep but awoke to an aching back (that part was not a surprise).  I went downstairs to get ready and prepare for my 12 hour workday ahead. I decided I was going to use some of my extra time to meditate. I'm not very good at meditating. My mind tends to wonder very quickly and often. I decided I would try to focus my prayers on all my blessings over the 28 years of my life and not so much my requests. I praised God for so many loved ones and named them individually. I gave God all the glory for my successes and where I am in life. When I was finished praying, the phrase smell the roses came to mind. I then thought, there's no need of worrying about what the future holds or what it is going to look like but I need to stop and smell the roses every day. I just imagined how much fuller my life would feel if I consciously took time to look for something new to be thankful for. I've decided to do just that. I'm going to thank God for something new and different for each day of my 28th year on earth. I am going to share them on here as well. I know it's going to be hard to post everyday and I certainly don't want to bore my surprisingly growing followers to tears. However, I do plan to journal something every day and share my list periodically.  I'm beyond excited now about being 28. It's funny how quickly your prospective can change. I know one day I will look back and laugh at myself for my fear of getting older when I was only 28. For those who know me well, you know I'm not a naturally positive person.  It is going to take some effort and disciple on my part to focus on the blessings.  I hope in this year that I can change the way I see the world. I also hope that my relationship with God will deepen and that my praises do nothing but glorify His name.

Funny thing after I decided on doing this, a friend posted this on Instagram. I'm hoping project 28 will do just that.


Also, my devotion on day 2 was this. I think God is reaffirming with me that this is a good plan.



And here's my items of thankfulness so far…
1.  All the love I was surrounded with on my birthday.
2. This gorgeous sunset. This sunset actually gave me chills. It's beyond humbling to me to know that the God that created the universe loves me.

3.  A supportive group of family and friends that prays for me. 

Another Crazy Fall

Oh I wish I could say I am looking forward to fall but just thinking about the next couple of months brings me nothing but anxiety. I have a full plate. I realize having a full plate means I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a job where I am in demand. However, just looking at my schedule gives me an ulcer. No kidding, I really think I’ve developed a stomach ulcer. When I think about my upcoming week this week makes me want to run to my momma’s house. You know because running to your momma’s house means no responsibilities and no real worries. First off, this work week is going to be like 60 hours! And it is my birthday. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun? Oh my birthday…. That brings another load of anxiety to me. If I skip the presents and cake can I skip getting older? It’s a deal so don’t worry about writing on my Facebook wall on Tuesday because I am skipping it this year. I do not know why I am having such a hard time as I inch closer and closer to the big 3-0, especially when my friends who have already reached that milestone birthday take it in stride and make it look not so bad after all. Each year just goes faster than the one before. I need things to sllllooooowwwww down a little. I cannot believe how fast the months fly by.


I am also very grateful that in the midst of my crazy fall schedule that we have some really fun things planned.  In ten days (if I survive hosting Business After Hours and a football team) we leave for the beach.  And just not to any beach. I am going to my happy, happy, happy place which is Saint Simons Island, Georgia. I must keep my eye on the goal. I am so excited that our friends Trina and Marshall will be joining us. While we are there Trina will turn 30 (which adds to my own anxiety about getting older but this is the part where I am supposed to focus on the positive… ha ha). We are also planning to attend the UT vs. Auburn game in November. Plus my best friend is getting married at the end of this month. I cannot wait! I must keep focused on all the good and exciting stuff and not how overwhelming and almost impossible my schedule seems. I would appreciate any prayers and support. 


A Bridal Tea

I hosted a bridal tea for my best friend Andrea last Sunday. It was the first tea that I've ever hosted. I had three teas when I got married (one from my church in Florence, one from Greyson's church in Hartsville and one given by my bridesmaids in Murfreesboro). I've learned that bridal teas are not as popular here as they are at home in Florence. I've found myself having to explain the difference between a tea and a shower to a lot of people the last couple of years. Here are the main differences in a nut shell.
1. For showers there is normally a set arrival time but at a tea it is flow event. Teas are usually an hour and half to two hours. That is why tea invitations have a start time and end time listed and showers mostly have just a start time.


2. The honoree doesn't open her own gifts at a tea. The hostesses unwrap the gifts as they come in (typically in another room) and records the gift and who it is from and then takes the gifts in the main room and displays them on a table.

3. My favorite difference. There are no games at teas! Sorry gals, there is no toilet paper bride or how well do you know your groom games. I know, I am no fun. Your time at a tea is just spent visiting with guests and eating.

So now about Andrea's tea.

I absolutely loved her invitation. Ignore the black line, I had to black out my address. 

Now my favorite part... THE FOOD. Her menu was as follows.


I worried myself to death about coming up with the perfect menu and the perfect recipes. I am not sure if it was perfect but it was pretty close in my "humble" opinion. A huge shout out to my mom for coming up early to help me prepare all the food. 

In typical Amy fashion I used several recipe specs to come up with my very own and great chicken salad recipe.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup light or regular mayonnaise
1/2 cup light or regular sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
3 cups red and white seedless grapes, halved
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
½ cup celery finely sliced

Directions:
Stir all ingredients together adding the grapes last. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. We scooped the chicken salad into little puff pastries. 

I also found this amazing recipe for chess squares. They were a hit at the party. We actually followed this recipe exactly how it is listed. 

The last recipe I want to share with you is Almond Tea. I fell in love with this stuff at my bridal tea in Hartsville. I think it is a must to any bridal tea. 
Almond Tea
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar or Splenda (I’ve used both)
1 gallon water
8 tea bags
2 TBSP almond extract

Directions:

Brew tea, add sugar to warm tea to dissolve and add almond extract
 

There you have it folks. It was a great tea for my best friend. Let me know if you decide to host a tea of your own. 

Cranking Out More Designs

I am having a blast designing invitations and custom prints for friends and family, in addition to making more samples. Here are a few of my latest projects. Please remember custom designs just start at $5! Please contact me for more details.





















Allison

I’ve been proud of my friends before but I don’t think anything even comes close to how proud I’ve been of my friend Allison these last four days. Allison lost her mother to an aggressive and a considerably short battle with cancer on Friday afternoon. The service for her mother yesterday was nothing like I’ve ever experienced. It was such an amazing tribute to her mother and an even greater one to the God her mother so devotedly served. The song “I Can Only Imagine” was played yesterday at the funeral. This song has always had an overwhelming emotional effect on me. I cannot listen to it without crying. The thought of one day standing in the Glory of God brings me to tears. Yesterday, the song literally took my breath away. I think the entire congregation heard me gasp for air between my sobs. Just thinking about Allison’s mom there with her new heavenly body that is cancer free standing in the presence of our Savior was a true worship experience unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  I left there yesterday feeling so close to God and in awe of all His wonder.

God laid two important lessons on me during the service. One is I want to live a life worthy of my calling. I want to impact the lives of others and serve mankind just as Mrs. Hinton did. She was a great example of a servant heart. The things she did were not always something noticed or acknowledged at the time either. One example is she would smock burial gowns for stillborn babies. I cannot imagine the impact those small gowns had on so many grieving family members. I really left there thinking that I need to be doing more. I need to show others the love of Christ through service. Secondly, Mrs. Hinton was in full submission to God. She surrendered everything to Him. Throughout her battle with cancer, she would always say she would be healed by God, whether that was on Earth or in Heaven. She prayed for His Will to be done over all else when it came to how she was healed. Her full trust was completely in Him.

When I told Allison last night that she and her family did an amazing job planning the service and that I was so proud of her grace through it all, she quickly reminded me that the praise belonged to God and not to her. She faced the hardest thing any of us in our group of friends has faced and she did it with such grace. She has continued to praise Him in this storm. She hasn’t questioned His ways but has accepted His will. She has actively chosen to see God. While others would declare this a tragedy and question God, Allison has acknowledged God’s will was done. Not only has she continued her mother’s legacy through doing this but she has also honored her Heavenly Father. And all this is why I cannot be any prouder of her.

I feel like I should also mention how humbled I am to have such an amazing core group of friends. We came from all over and dropped everything to be there for Allison. My friend Ashley and her husband, David drove from Chattanooga, TN to Florence, AL and back in one day just so that they could be there on the day of the visitation. A large crew of us all piled into my parents’ house for two days just to be there in Florence. We wanted to be there to pay our respects and offer whatever support we could. The support and love that was there this weekend was beyond overwhelming to all of us. Allison’s baby girl, Alexis is probably happy not to have at least three of her mom’s sorority sisters in her face at all times. Although, we did have a lot of fun fussing over her and blowing bubbles in the backyard. I know Allison was extremely grateful and honored by not only our presence but the presence of so many. The line at the visitation wrapped around the funeral home. I think this speaks volume to Allison and her family as well. I’ve always said Allison is the friend that will drop anything for any of us, no matter what it is. I am so pleased we were able to do that for her. I am so thankful for the gift of friendship.    

Allison wrote these words below and they were shared at the service yesterday. As the preacher who read this said, “This was spoken better than any Baptist preacher.” Allison, my friend, you have a gift in your writing. You also have the gift of a servant heart just like your mother and you’re a Godly lady that seeks Him first. You demonstrate love just as 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 reads. And that my friend, will forever make me proud of you.  I also acknowledge that the glory does belong to Him above.

 
To some of you she is known as a teacher, friend, mentor, creative individual, seamstress, quilter and even more characteristics than I can think of at the moment. To one person for 42 years she is known as wife and companion. To mine and my sisters’ children she is known as grand momma and finally to my sister and I she is simply known as mom.

I kept thinking of this verse and this version throughout the time we have all been on this journey. It was a quick nine months but even with all the ups and downs along the way one thing remained the same LOVE, I witnessed firsthand 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,

“Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence; and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.”

To endure whatever comes, my dad showed this above all measure. He nurtured her, had everything programmed down to the second as to where he wouldn’t miss one little thing. He prayed along with my sister and I without ceasing for ultimate healing, Earthly or Heavenly. There was always trust and hope in the LORD and knowing that he is in control.

From the very start of this journey mom always told us that wither she had Earthly healing or Heavenly healing she was a winner either way. Selfishly we all wanted her here with us, but the LORD knew that he was preparing a place for her and knew just when he was going to call her home to him.

It was a pleasure and humbling experience I know for me and I’m sure my sister too, to be able to be there these past few weeks. Take some of the weight off of dad, sit there and talk with mom, pray for her, just be near her. Witness her visits with the grandchildren and her sons-in-laws. We all have our meeting places with her in Heaven and what a wonderful reunion that will be.

Our mom might not be physically with us anymore but she is and always will be forever present in our lives. The values, beliefs and traditions that she incorporated into our family will live on. The memories of her loving our children so much that no matter what was going on that day she would always come to their aid if one of them was sick or just needed her. One time she drove from Mississippi after taking care of Caleb back to the house in Florence to repack and drive all the way to Nashville to take care of Alexis all in the same day. That was just another way that she showed her love not only to the grandchildren but to us girls.

Some parents you can ask which child do you love more, now smart parents will say I love all my children the same. My mom was a smart lady, even though I tried to get her to slip up from time and time and admit it was me. But mom truly loved her children the same, neither Adrienne or I lacked the same amount of love, it might have been expressed differently from time to time but she loved us both very much and did everything in her power to make sure that we were ok. Mom would say that God gives you children to keep your prayer life current. Those long time friends of the family know exactly what we are talking about, if it wasn’t a four wheeler wreck resulting in a coma in Birmingham Hospital or Kidney Stones resulting in being airlifted from the Bahamas to Florida or numerous other illnesses and accidents. Mom would also say that my guardian angel was off playing in left field when some of those things took place. Well now I know not to worry anymore about my angel getting off track. Our mom is in heaven today glorifying God with her new cancer free body. And she is also giving our guardian angels just a few pointers on how to take care of us just a little better.

We don’t look at it as mom lost her battle, she got the ultimate prize. Being in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, who we will all see not all too soon enough. The angels were rejoicing when mom walked through those heavenly gates on Friday and she not only walked but ran into the arms of Jesus and all of those we have lost before.

 If you walk away from here to remember anything remember that through everything she did, she did it through love.

                “These three things continue forever: faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

                                1 Corinthians 13:13

And her love for the lord, family and friends has left an imprint on our hearts that will last forever.

 

Gone but not forgotten,
a memory deep in my heart,
a promise of tomorrow,
of one day we won’t part,
You went ahead of me,
seeing all I want to see,
but I know where you will wait for me,
its just beyond where I can see,


time might be slow before we go home,
to reunite on Gods golden shore,
but I know where you wait for me,
its where you have no pain anymore.

I know where you wait for me,
in the presence of our King,
He’s preparing a place for me,
only he knows how long I’ll be.


But I know where you wait for me,
It’s just beyond where I can see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Newest Painter


We've grown by 4 feet. And no, I'm not pregnant with twins. My childhood dog who will soon be 16 is now a permanent resident at the Painter house.  My parents brought her up a few weeks ago to take her to my brother-in-law who is a vet. We all thought he would say  it was time to put her down. She wasn't eating well and was barely getting around. Well that soon changed. She got a great report. She does have arthritis but  he advised us to give her baby aspirin and a vitamin supplement. You would not believe the difference these two things have made.  We've seen a drastic change since we started doing this. Before she wouldn't attempt to climb our deck stairs and now she is up and down them all day. She also is already at her food bowl waiting to gobble down every bite when we go to feed her. At this rate she may very well live forever. She has been doing so well here we decided it was best for her to spend her final time with me. Plus I think my parents were happy I finally came back for my dog.  Dad said she just missed me.  I seriously doubt it considering I've been gone for nine years! Libby isn't the biggest fan of Missy but she mainly just ignores her. Thankfully Missy is an outside dog and very low maintenance. She is a sweetheart. Welcome to the Boro Missy. 


















Free Prints


Below are four FREE prints. All of you have to do to claim your free print is e-mail me at apaintersdesigns@gmail.com by Friday, July 19. I promise there are no gimmicks and your e-mail will not be added to my mailing list unless you request. Please provide what number print or prints you would like and what size. Size options are 4X6, 5X7, 8X10. Thanks for your support on my new endeavor. Be on the lookout for more free prints.

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