Let's just get it out there: dieting sucks. Right ladies? I mean, what is better than a hot donut first thing in the morning, a big, juicy hamburger with a buttery bun and a soda for lunch, or fresh pecan pie with ice cream after dinner (maybe with a glass of port or sherry)? I'm drooling just thinking about it! Why is it that all the good foods make us gain weight?! Because I rely on everyone else to move me around, it's important that I watch my weight (as annoying as it is) for the sake of their backs and knees. Also,[...]
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For those of you following along, you already know that music is a HUGE part of my life, and that I live for my next concert. For those of you just joining us…You will soon know. I promise. There are a few bands my friend and I follow closely, and today I’m going to tell you about one of my all-time favorites – Little Big Town. Christy and I have been following LBT since before they had more than one song on the radio. Little Big Town consists of four members, Karen Fairchild, Jimmy Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman[...]
If you've spent any time with me, you know that there are some basic activities I do very differently then most people. One of those is riding in the car. I lay on the floor (on a cushy mat) behind the driver's seat any time I am in my van with my wheelchair loaded in the back. Laying down not only allows my back to rest, but it also lets me easily move and change positions at will if we are on long road trips. When I tell people this, the typical response I get is "But you're not buckled in! If you are in an accident, yo[...]
I never understood this, but one of the most common fears people who aren't familiar with the way I function have about me is that I will choke because I usually eat lying down on my side. I've been doing this for nearly 29 years at this point, and so far so good. I'd say that's a pretty good track record. I can think of one time where I legitimately choked on a carrot, but that was because my cousin was goofing off and making me laugh hysterically at the dinner table, and I inhaled as I was chewing. Apparently I turned a li[...]
For any of you that know me, you know that my dogs are three of the most important people in my life. I can't remember ever not having at least one dog, and since my parents were/are veterinarians, I grew up with four-footed siblings instead of tw-footed ones. This week, I thought I’d formally introduce you and give you some background on each of my furbabies. Lexie: Sheltie/Border Collie Mix | 8 Years Old | 34 Pounds First and foremost, meet Lexie. Lexie is probably the dog that I’m most proud of, the one that[...]
I've recently embarked on a partnership with the Humane Society of Louisiana where donors are awarded a piece of my art based on how much they donate. The Humane Society focuses on fighting animal cruelty, neglect and mistreatment throughout the entire state. As you would expect, my family has known the head of the Humane Society of Louisiana, Jeff Dorson, since before I can remember, and when he approached me with this partnership idea, it felt like a natural path for me. A local news station, WGNO, recently featured my[...]
As most of you know, I am a total concert fanatic. Other than art (which in most cases is at least 50% work), I don't have a whole lot of hobbies. Concerts give me a chance to get out of my house (where I live AND work) and to allow me to take a break from the real world. It's not only a change of scenery, but also a total and complete brain rest. Here in New Orleans, we have a massive music festival every April and May called the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. There are usually no less than nine stages set u[...]
My friend Christy (with whom all of my avid blog readers should know well by now) and I have been following the band Florida Georgia Line for some time. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, along with their band, put on an absolutely amazing show. How they have not won Entertainer of the Year yet, I honestly have no idea. Although they sometimes get a bad wrap for not being traditional "country," their music is fun and upbeat, and their concerts are a place to let loose and have a good time. They may not be the ABSOLUTE BEST voc[...]
Today I want to give you guys a look into my process when creating a watercolor pet portrait. I started painting pet portraits when I was about twelve and had immediate access to clientele through my parents' veterinary practices. Over the years, as my style evolved and became more refined, I got more and more requests to paint people's favorite furry friends. They also make great gifts, and help ease the pain when a favorite pet passes away. Step 1: Drawing I had an art teacher in high school that instilled in me[...]
I started making handmade jewelry when I was about fourteen. My dad had just had his double lung transplant, and in a weird series of events, reconnected with an old veterinary client of his who was into all kinds of art, including jewelry making. Ellan Vavrick is extremely talented in a number of mediums, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, stained glass, and print making. Although there is about a forty year age difference between Ellan and I, on many levels we connect like we've been friends forever. She has[...]