Our Burning Up Tour!

This weekend I reversed my age and went back to being 14 (some people in my family think I have never left that age but that is a whole other story!).

Flossy, two of her good school friends and I boarded the Jonas Brothers Bus (our car) and we travelled to Hershey, PA (yes Aussies, where the chocolate comes from) to see these boys in concert.


The journey started with plugging the ipod into the radio system and having the JB album pump out for the first hour, girls singing, me trying to talk to the Goddess (yes I had my ear piece in) with coffee's, vitamin waters, sour worms and M&M's to keep the sugar levels up. With an hour of JB done, we moved through the series of Disney albums, sang all the broadway musicals, played our favorite ones twice (Lion King) and discussed the history of Disney and its entertainment value.

We arrived in Hershey at about midday so we decided to do the Chocolate tour! Yum! As we walked around my freaky daughter would casually drop the word Jonas into conversation, just loud enough so that she could see who was interested! You know she is amongst friends when her buddies looked at her with laughter in their eyes but absolutely no puzzlement in their face, for they knew just how excited she was to be there. A sign of true friendship!

Then of course we moved up to the stadium to blow all our babysitting money (thank you Bronte and Kathleen!) on tour t-shirt, bag, poster, shorts and program.




We checked out the bus that is purely their autograph bus, then along with many others we tried to gain a glimpse of the boys as they rehearsed.

With the concert starting at 7:00pm, gates opening at 6:00pm and the time being 3:00pm...it was time for me to sit in the gate line and wait. All I can say is thank you Somerset Workshop! Reading all about the old fashioned but latest craze...paper mache...kept me very sane and instigated many conversations with those around me. So whilst I did what only good mothers would do (and there were a few of us), Flossy and her gal pals cruised the area, did the chocolate tour again (because you got a free "Bliss"...oh my oh my have you tasted this...chocolate).

And then we were in. Have you ever seen a grown 14 year old cry with joy? The first time was when she got tickets to see the Jonas Brothers and the second was when she realized we were 13 rows from the front!
Such a thrill to see such joy on her face and it was then that I truly realized just how passionate she really is about her music and how much joy it brings her. Of course listening to her sing every single song in the car on the way down should have given me an inkling and her ability to answer any trivial question that I raised about their favorite food, first big break, ages, likes/dislikes should have also turned the light on and perhaps the 132 posters (her friends counted them) on her walls is also a tell tale sign, but it truly wasn't until I saw her face shine with pure delight in that split second.

Of course we had Demi and Avril to listen to before the boys came out and for opening acts they were not that bad!! I actually knew most of the words of the songs (Rose was in shock) !

But at 9:00pm, after Demi and Avril had whipped this girl crowd into a frenzy ...the pyro show started and we were away... transported, to JB Land!

I had forgotten what it was like to have music pumping through your veins.

I truly enjoyed myself. The show was great, the music was great, the staging was great and I forgot I was "an old girl"...until the 12 year old beside me screamed her scream that only dogs can hear and then I thought how great it would be if we could all sit down, stop screaming, listen to the words of the songs and watch the spectacular scene before us and then I realized that whilst my heart felt like it was 14 again my head had certainly aged a little more!

At the end of the night, it was back to the hotel to review our photos and discuss every last detail whilst we all lay in bed with our bodies numb and our hearts full from a great day and night of girls on tour.


We had a great weekend together with lots of laughs. Flossy's friends are truly wonderful girls who have become very special to us. They reminded me of my highschool friends - Stokes, Coops, Bannigan and Hendo (we all called each other by our last names). I am glad that she has found her own little group (one was missing because she was at Ballet Camp with the Boston Ballet) and that she is content.

Memorable Moments?

1. Realizing my daughter can blow through $150 in 5 minutes when she is passionate about something.

2. Wondering if they had hand sanitizer off stage - the performers touched a lot of hands whilst they were out on stage.

3. Tears of joy.

4. Putting my hand to my chest and enjoying the sensation of the music pumping through my body.

5. Holding my camera up high to get "that" picture for my daughter to enjoy post event.

6. Realizing that I want to do it all again!

Postscript: Maxamillion and the Engineer bonded over Thomas videos, lawn mowing and learning that you don't leave your lap top within reach of little hands...

Free Spirit

I had the unique opportunity this week to go para-sailing. It was a brilliant experience. So incredibly civilized.

My girlfriend and I were strapped into the harness by these two lovely tanned guys and then the wind caught the chute and we were away.

Higher and higher until we were touching the sky.

It was like we were sitting on the edge of the world with our feet dangling in the breeze and all I could seem to do was laugh.

Thank you Su Su for making me do this! The spirit and the soul were renewed

Same soul - different bodies

Do you have someone that makes you feel this?

My maternal grandmother has four children, 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She is the center of our family. She is known as Nanny, Nan, Big Nan. Nanny is not well at the moment. I wish I could be with her.

Creating Sunday

Well as I sit here and write, the Engineer is cruising down the Grand Canal in a Water Taxi!...He is off for a 10 day visit of Vienna, Genoa, London and on to Windsor. Who goes to Vienna to test glass? That is what I want to know!!

Mr Mischief has just finished his pannies and apple juice and is now watching Blues Clues,

Note how we have to have all the pannies in front of us so we can take a bite out of each. Interesting to watch him eat hot food. I am sure his palette is free from feeling because he loves hot things! Also note the big boy cup which he is handling like a pro.

Flossy meanwhile is exhausted from a hectic 14 year old weekend of sleep overs and babysitting. With the air conditioner blowing full force and the fan on full force, she is wrapped up in her Jonas Brothers doona and dreaming! Oh to be 14 again.....no thanks! (I think Mum would agree to that too)

Yesterday was a creating day but not entirely creating what I would have liked. With Flossy as Junior Counsellor at the Musical Theatre camp, I have ended up doing costumes (yes call me Karenne). So we have six purple martins .... the Engineer wanted to know why I had made six Donald Duck heads!...

and then I made tails....three fox, 1 cat, six opossum, six beaver. Then it was onto six turtle shells...Now you will have to wait for photos because the camera is currently cruising down the Grand Canal!


Did you know that Turkey baking trays make great turtle shells!


Finally it was time to do something for me (sort of) so with the inspiration of Jennifer Hayslip via the wonderful Inspiredideas, I made a lovely door sign for Mr Mischief's babysitter. Then it was on to covering 10 laminate discs with papers, birds and quotations in readiness to give away at for an event that is occuring in December this year. My inspiration? The wonderful Melissa and Amy.

Which brings me back to today. Sheets to be washed, turtle shells to be finished and my Kitchen Maid doll to be completed for the East Coast Day with Dolls on August 2nd.

Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be.

The Wheels on the Bus....

Many have asked where the bus photo is....well it has taken me three days. Day two I remembered to take a photo of him with his school backpack (it has nothing in it) but forgot the bus photo and day three we got THE photo!

Again, this is one time that I can honestly say..."only in America"!

Brillante Weblog

This week the magic wand came over me and I was honored by my beautiful friend, mentor, sister, advice giver .... Ellen

The rules are as follows:

1) Put the logo on your blog.

2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4) Add links to those blogs on yours.

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

The seven bloggers I have chosen are people who touch me with their words, ideas, simplicity and depth. They don't know me but I enjoy their thoughts when I am able to stop by. The art of communication is changing and we have people like these wonderful girls to thank.

Inspire Company and her associated Inspire Ideas - gorgeous eye candy. Amy is obviously a generous and kind soul. Make her a regular on your blogging prowls.

Ordinary Courage Brené has a true gift that she is sharing. Her words make me stop and think. Her words are what I need sometimes to reset the agenda. "My blog is a way to celebrate the idea that it’s much more fun to discover who I am rather than create the person that I’m supposed to be (Dianaism #2 – stop creating start discovering). The term “Ordinary Courage” is something I came across in my research. You can read more about it here. The bottom line is that ordinary courage is about telling your story with all of your heart. My blog is a space for my story. " See what I mean?

Melissa McCobb Hubbell - ok so we know each other through blogs and emails and the best news is that she is a teacher at Art Is...YOU! Melissa has a way of taking the smallest of objects in life and creating something that is meaningful and beautiful.

Susan Tuttle - her photos alone are enough to force you to wipe the drool off the keyboard! She has just revamped her site and it is phenomenal. She has also got a book about to come out EXHIBITION 36 so we are very proud of her and look forward to her classes at Art Is...You!

Ok so I am cheating a little bit with my next one. Diane Sedo has a magical site Sentimental Celebrations and her book launches tomorrow (If I have my dates correct).

Miss Jenny B Harris - She has "allsorts" of things on her blog which is so colorful it truly is like a jar of candy!

and finally an Aussie just has to vote in another Aussie Amber lives in the most magical part of the world - the Blue Mountains! She has lots of great, simple ideas to do with kids. Bringing art and craft into every day life is what makes her special.

It was 11.58 and he was gone. Up the stairs of the little yellow bus. Big yellow M&M backpack handed to his carer - Jennifer. Dressed in his new orange M&M t shirt, little shorts, his favorite sandals. Strapped into the car seat he blew his standard kisses (lots of major lip puckering blowing kisses), said his good byes with his backward hand wave. Then after about twenty two 3 point turns in the driveway, the little yellow bus turned and was away. I was left stranded with mixed emotions. A huge day in his little life, lots to learn on his new adventure and all without me...and the other emotion - take a guess....I forgot to take the PHOTO!!!!!!!!!

This week really began on Friday 4th July as we headed up to Camp Legare for three days with the Goddess, Big Kev and their wonderful brood who have entwined themselves into my heart where I can hold them close. We came bearing a few gifts...we shopped at our favorite Walmart and picked up a breadmachine so the Goddess can make bread every day for her brood and after she got over the shock of trying to fit another kitchen appliance on her bench, I presented to her a special little piece of art from my heart. My Goddess is so incredibly talented and I am so wonderfully lucky to have found her.




Unfortunately when we stay at Camp Legare, we always seem to find the rain and bring it with us! It certainly doesn't dampen our spirits - the teaching of French cricket in the rain being one achievement but it did cancel our big Tag Sale that we were excited about attending. Instead of the tag sale, we went to the indoor market and collected a few "treasures".

Back to camp again for the setup of the highly anticipated chocolate fountain!

CONVERSATION:

J-Man: What happens when we are finished?

Sal: We wash and clean the fountain.

J-Man: Does it have to go home with you?

Sal: We could let it have a summer holiday at Camp Legare if you like?

J-Man/Z2 (in unison): Works for me!

The sun broke through the clouds on Sunday morning just in time for us to go home! The kids camped out with us and announced that there was a Bear at Camp Legare. After close analysis it was agreed the bear could have been the Engineer having enjoyed a few beers.

We left Camp Legare with cuddles, kisses and promises to play again soon.

July 4 in America is much like January 26 in Australia - a day where we all seem to take the time to enjoy being Australians and celebrate the birth of our Nation.

Waving, displaying, raising the flag is something that "the Americans" do really well. As we drove home in the traffic with all the other families returning from their weekend of celebrations with family and friends, we passed homes with flags in their flower pots and gardens.


Flags flew on poles, across overpass bridges, on car aerials...they were everywhere and it truly was a wonderful site. Just Gorgeous!

JoAnnA Pierotti

How is it that you can become good friends with someone that you have known for almost two years but only set eyes on once? ... the internet, art, and breast cancer.

We started corresponding in 2006 and it was ArtFest4theSoul (now known as Art Is...) in 2007 where she got her teaching feet wet. Soon after we started corresponding, JoAnnA found she had breast cancer, so October 2007 became a goal for her to meet and she did. Great joy it was the day that we were able to meet and then to see the joy she brought to her students was an added bonus.

She is back again this year teaching assemblage classes (with her one of a kind famous dolls) and tattered threads!

Her work brings me great joy and I am the proud collector (horder) of some of her pieces. Her latest work - her little dresses are set to inspire the mixed media audience.

Meet JoAnnA Pierotti