Where have all the bloggers gone?

Well fam, I wish the blog site had been a bigger hit. I miss my family and I really hoped that we could all keep in touch with this blogsite :(

Here is what I am up to!

Gary and I moved to Chicago in February of 2008. We love it here! Such diversity in the city but also in our neighborhood. We are bracing for our first full winter. I have my first pair of earmuffs and think they are wonderful!

I am the Controller for a small marketing/advertising agency that specializes in hotels. Work has been slow lately due to the sluggish economy. We laid off a few people last month, but I think we should weather the storm fairly well moving forward without any more layoffs.

Gary is working for a variety of different casino party companies. He does everything from dealing to supervising to training dealers and supervisors. His schedule varies greatly depending on which company schedules him for which events. He is also thinking of getting back into the acting business. Chicago is a great place to do that as at any given time some movie or television show is being filmed here.

We have been exploring the city and making new friends. I travel mostly by bus and train now and don't miss driving at all. Gary still drives alot because of his work. We realized very early that we needed to purchase a parking space close to home rather than relying on getting a spot on the street. Forget trying to park in Chicago!

I would love to hear from other family members about what they have been up to.

Write soon!

TOAD SUCK????

Fair Warning Department: Rick is working on a blog about his experiences as a transplanted Californian in Arkansas. Tentative Title:

Dateline: Toad Suck

samples forthcoming. Maybe even fifthcoming.

Jeannie and the Brenda Stockings Project

Jeannie made these way-cool Xmas stockings for Brenda's Friend Heather and her son Evan. See what you think!

--rick

Dan's New Jobs

Dan made it safely to Van Buren the night of Thursday the 7th and began his job search on Friday. Monday the 10th he landed a part-time job. Tuesday the 11th he also found and began a full-time job. Fortunately, the manager at the part-time position is willing to work around his FT schedule. He's pretty busy already, but is in the process of touching base with family and friends in the area.

Jamie's Kids Pics

Hello! Here are pictures of my "kids".

The little Ritty passed away this past November and I miss her surly disposition every day.

Here is my little Kitty. She is 21 years old this year. She looks alot skinnier and frailer now than in this picture taken over a year ago. She loves to annoy Gary by meowing at the top of her lungs!

This is my Sweetie. She is my biggest baby. She is my joy! I love her so much! She is the best dog in the world!

Mom and Dad's Wedding Pics

Hey! Look what I found! Love mom's cat glasses!

Gary with his Grandma Carolyn in Virginia

Look at those socks! I think he misses his long golden locks:(

Gary's Kid Pics

Hello! Here is a picture of Gary with Santa when he was around 3 or 4. Isn't he the cutest thing! I would put up pictures of me as a kid, but I just looked dorky!

More Family Pics, Please

Great stuff! I'd love to see more kid pix, especially of my sisters-in -law as girls. ;-)

--rick (Seen here at age 3. And yes, Jeannie, this was before the invention of color film.)

Uncle E.T., Aunt Helen and A Very Young John

I digitally retouched this piece of a photo to remove the rust spots. Apparently the photo was cut with scissors and I only have this portion in my album. Also, I'm not a professional, so it's not the best retouch job you might find, but here's Uncle E.T. and Aunt Helen with (about) 1-2 year old cousin John! (And I think that's cousin Carole Jean in the red coat in the background.) Mom says she believes this photo was taken in front of Grandma & Grandpa Simmons' house on Winans Avenue in Hot Springs.

Mom & Neal

Here's a photo to bring back memories...
catfish fry, anyone? May 24, 1989

More Loved Ones We Miss

Papa Neal

Edna & Herman Weathersby - Dan & Nikki's Paternal Great-Grandparents from Camden, Arkansas

Photo from Dad's 72nd Birthday

Danuel's Big Adventure

Danuel Thomas begins his trek to Arkansas tomorrow, Sunday, September 2nd at 7 in the morning. His first overnight stop will be in Rock Springs, Wyoming - 732 miles from Gardnerville.


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His second overnight stop (Monday night) will be with his Aunt Jamie and Uncle Gary in Council Bluffs, Iowa - 756 miles from Rock Springs. He's very much looking forward to seeing them both. It's been over three years since he saw them last.


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Tuesday he'll drive to Van Buren, a mere 465 miles from Jamie's house, and begin sleeping on his Aunt Brenda's couch.


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He's hoping to be able to transfer to the Michaels' store in Fort Smith and continue working part time while he looks for full time work. He won't know about the Michaels' position, however, until he meets in person with the store manager there and is approved.

Art Show

Wow. I've got great news. I've been invited to show (and sell!!) my work at a show in Reno on Saturday, September 15th. I went to a printmaking workshop last month and the instructor really liked the stuff I did. She invited me to join the printmaking group she established. Now the group has invited me to do this event with them.

That means I get to spend the next two weeks making prints so I'll have enough to show. Whee! Please add me to your prayer/positive thought lists!

I'm including a couple of samples of my prints here. Once I have digital images of all my pieces, I'll be posting them on the website Rick is building for my business. Oh, yeah, my business name is Blue Woman Studio and the URL will be, you guessed it, www.bluewomanstudio.com.


This one is "Belle of the Ball."


This one is "Koi."

By the way, it's okay if you don't like my stuff. You won't hurt my feelings. Everyone has different tastes & mine change pretty frequently! :D

Love,
Jeannie

This is going to be great.

Hello to all,
How great is this? We can keep in touch, share photos, and ideas without having to pick up a phone. We can say something once and everyone will know it with only a mouse click.

It will take me some time to learn to do the photo thing, but when I do look out. I probably sound like I am writing a letter, but this is new and exciting to me. It is more fun than regular e-mail.

I'll write more later.

Good Night

Loved Ones We Miss

They live on in our hearts and memories.


Cousin Annie


Uncle Dale

Jeannie's Arkansas Photos

The Whole Clan: (top from left) Vikki, Lesa, Jeannie, Kathy, Jamie; (seated top step) Chris; (seated below Chris) Ronald and Donald; (standing beside Donald) Brenda; (standing left) Teresa, Tommy, Linda; (seated beside Linda) Mom, Bryan; (bottom from left) Cairis & Evve


Uncle Ron, Mom & Uncle Don


Cairis the Conquerer

Tommy Turns the Tables

Awww - Brenda & Linda being Sweet


All the Children:(top from left) Linda, Bryan, Chris, Brenda, Jamie, Kathy, Tommy, Lesa, Vikki, Jeannie; (bottom from left) Cairis & Evve


Jeannie Smooching Brenda


Vikki and Cairis Appear Skeptical...


Kathy & Mom


Unca' Don

Poll Question

Jeannie has asked me to never, ever, post a particular picture of her, um, tipsy. Personally, I think it's cute.

But I thought it'd be best to leave it to a majority vote.

--rick

PS: I understand that there's a number of good ol' boys who've volunteered to take me Snipe Hunting when we move to AR. I am touched by this fine example of Southern Hospitality and can't wait to take advantage of them. Er, um, it.

Jamie's Wedding Pictures

Hello Family!

Here are my favorite pictures from mine and Gary's wedding last October. It took place in Kenosha Wisconsin and was just fabulous!

More later!

Gary and Jamie at the altar.

Gary, Jamie, Cairis and Brennan (Gary's son) at the Altar

The vows.

Vikki strikes a pose.

Mom and all five girls at the reception.

Jeannie introducing her new friend Mr. Moose.

What happens in Wisconsin.......

Who are you and where is my nephew Tommy?

Where the party at?

Uncle Dale shows Jamie some dance moves.

Mom and Linda plan their next coup.

Uncle Ron is stylin!

Linda shows Gary how to dip.

The Blog is Now Open for Bidness

Okay, Fambly, the blog has been establified, as my dahling husband would say. Now get out there and BLOG, girls!! And TRY to keep it clean, huh, Brenda?!? ***smooooch***