IT'S THE AIR FORCE COWBOY WAY...

 Where to start? 

Where to start? 

OH! 

I know! 

Let's look at some pictures from my wonderful weekend! 

I know I've kept it a BIG secret, but my Jared is in the 
Air Force Academy Band 

Wild Blue Country...

first you've heard, huh? 

Well, here ya go then!

 

My Air Force cowboy, waiting backstage in Destin, Florida for Wild Blue Country's turn to play. They went on to perform for a large crowd at the Destin Seafood Festival. They were enjoyed, cheered on and made to feel very appreciated for their service to our country!

The weekend started with a parade in the little town of Bonifay, Florida. It was the big Rodeo weekend! Wild Blue Country also played just outside the Rodeo gates and some of the band members sang the national anthem for the opening ceremony.

 Our Jared got to head off with us and visit his grandparents who live in the area...

we had a wonderful time with family and with our boy! 

Smiles for us when he saw us in the parade crowd. 

Playing for the Seafood Festival crowds, and making us so proud!

Though these still shots do not show it they put on a very energized show with lots of fun and lots of wonderful songs. They are touring through Florida right now with many free concerts and appearances so if they are near you please go and support these guys! There are more pictures and videos of their performances on the  Wild Blue Country Facebook page if you want to see more of the band. Once again...a very proud proud mama!

 

Best, 

Vicki

BE STILL AND KNOW...

THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; 

YOU NEED ONLY BE STILL.

EXODUS 14:14

Some of my favorite scenes from the stillness of Maine.

BELIEVE

Let me tell you about my sweet friend! 

You may already know her...if you are one of the blessed ones. 

I first met her through Junk Market Style...

my favorite JUNKIN' spot. 

This was a few years ago when some of us junkers were discovering there were others out there who loved creating from JUNK.  

Now, I'm not in the same JUNK realm as she is...

she is far more talented than I am when it comes to decorating 

and creating with a junking eye. 

And she hangs around with the junk queens and kings 

or maybe they could be called the junk jesters...

they are some humorous folks from what I can tell. 

When she started a blog, 

I found out she was just Chipping with Charm. 

As an extra blessing, 

as many of my Junk Market Style friends have, 

she became my friend on Facebook. 

But I'm friends with her and not the commercial side of her...

there's a lot of that going around on Facebook, ya know? 

You can BELIEVE whatever you want, 

but she's a very dear friend. 

Sure, I only know her from her profile pictures, 

and what I've gathered about her from reading her blog, 

or snooping her Facebook page, 

but I BELIEVE I know enough to know the kind of person she is.  

She's a sincerely sweet person, who loves God and is not afraid to glorify Him. 

She's a wonderful mother, wife and JUNK artist. 

She's my caring, encouraging, listening and generous friend...she's Laurel! 

Not too long ago, 

just after I found out I had breast cancer, 

I was chatting with another sweet junking, blogging, facebooking friend, Lezlee on Facebook, of course. 

We were discussing the decorating virtues of old rusty springs and I commented about some I have in a chair that I wanted to use, but also wanted to keep them in tack. Sweet Laurel chimed in and the rest is history... 

SHE SENT ME SOME OLD RUSTY SPRINGS!!!!!  

Since I was diagnosed so many have blessed me with meals and gifts, and I am so grateful to everyone!

 But this one gift means so much to me.
It represents what happens when you  

BELIEVE!

When you believe in 

your heart, 

your instincts, 

your friends 

and...

most importantly

 God. 

When you BELIEVE you are blessed!

The package of springs have sure brighten up this time for me. 

I've been able to put some of the reality of my life right now out of my mine for a bit.

I've been creating...

I used some of Laurel's springs to bring a little funkiness to my fall decorating...

I've had fun and took a break from my worries. 

Thank you, Laurel,

lots of HUGS back to you too!  

Chat soon!

;0)

 I love the collages, but thought you might enjoy seeing some of the photos a little closer...Savannah Granny I am not when it comes to tablescapes...I still have to change out a few things, but you can get an idea of where I'm heading with the springs and things.

I CAN AND I WILL!

I snitched this from someone on Facebook so I can't give credit exactly, but it ain't mine. The words would be mine however if I had created it. I didn't get the news I wanted yesterday from my Dr. It is not the worst of the worst and we all know cancer is never fair. The Dr. was shocked and so were we. I did have clear lymph nodes and clear margins BUT the pathologists found a little more in a node on the edge of the doctor's margins. What's that mean anyway? Well, I either have to have more surgery or just zap that sucker with some radiation and chemo. As it would go the Oncologist I am to see is on vacation next week...imagine, didn't he know I'd be calling? Anyway, someone is looking at my charts...it's a big practice and someone is there. I should know soon which direction I am going. 

Am I scared? Yes 

Am I worried? No 

Concerned? Yep! 

I know in my heart of hearts that this is not going to be easy, cancer doesn't just lay back and let you walk over it.  I'm an enigma according to my surgeon...I told him not to sweet talk me. I'd just a soon not be one, but I've always been strange...sweet, but strange.

It ain't over til the fat lady sings or so they say...I've gain back 12 pounds so there ya go. I am not making light of this...it is serious, but I have that peace that passes all understanding. I am not alone...got my family, my friends and my God. 

I am having more food brought to me than we will ever eat! I appreciate every bit of it too...it's good! It's so great to be southern, where your friends feed you and pray with you! I'm getting happy texts and more inbox messages on Facebook than I can keep up with...I'm getting used to watching The View and I love Nate Berkus...I'm good! I do wish HGTV would lose all the episodes of House Hunters!! Enough already! I say Junk Gypsies and Hometown Renovation all around! And where has Joan Steffen gotten off to? I miss her smile!

I do miss my students and I am worried about what they think happened to Mrs. Andrews...she was here one day and not the next. They love art with me and I do have a great sub, but is she letting them just make art without worrying if it's right or not? You can not make mistakes in my class, unless you just don't listen and you don't behave yourself...we all behave like primary age in there anyway. I'll go back soon though, I think. 

Thank you for being here to listen, or for acting like you are. Please keep the prayers I cherish so much coming my way! I love knowing some of you are out there. Smile lots!

VICKI

BLESSED NEWS AND RANDOM ME

THIS SUMMER WE VISITED FITZGERALD, GA AGAIN, THE SOUTHERN TOWN WHERE THE CHICKENS RUN WILD IN THE STREETS.

 THIS ROOSTERS GAVE US QUITE A CHASE, 

BUT WE FINALLY GOT A PHOTO OF HIM...

DOWN A FEW ALLEYS AND BY A DUMPSTER WE GOT HIM!

A MOSAIC IN THE PARK IN FITZGERALD. 

THE TOWN HAS A GREAT DEAL OF ART DECO MIXED IN WITH ITS OLD SOUTHERN CHARM.

A TRUCK ALONG THE BACK ROADS LEADING INTO FITZGERALD. 

OUR SURPRISE WAS THAT IT WAS FROM A BUSINESS IN OUR HOME TOWN. 

IT HAS BEEN HERE FOR SOME TIME.

 WE LEFT WONDERING IF THEY KNEW WHERE THEY LEFT THEIR TRUCK?

A GARDEN SIDE GATE NEAR THE FUNERAL HOME...SO PEACEFUL!

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP MY GRANDPARENTS LIVED BY THESE TRACKS. 

MANY SUNDAYS I PLAYED ALONG THEM, AND NEAR THIS COTTON WAREHOUSE...GREAT CHILDHOOD MEMORIES!

THIS IS AN OLD TRAIN DEPOT IN THE SMALL TOWN OF LILLY WHERE MY DADDY GREW UP...I LOVE HAVING THESE PHOTOS AS A CONNECTION TO HIM.

A LEGO CAR, PROBABLY MY FIRST AND ONLY ONE TO SEE. 

IT WAS ALWAYS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY SON'S DORM AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA. 

WONDER WHERE IT IS NOW?

I'VE USED THIS PHOTO BEFORE, BUT IT STILL IS SPECIAL TO ME. 

I HAVE A BOOK FROM MY GREAT GRANDFATHER, AND I LIKE TO FANTASIZE THAT HE DREW THIS AND WAS AN ARTIST LIKE ME. 

I HAVE NO IDEA IF HE DREW IT, BUT IT IS IN HIS LEDGER BOOK.

GOT A LOT TO BRAG ABOUT SINCE PHILLIP PHILLIPS WON AMERICAN IDOL...HE'S FROM MY NECK OF THE WOODS AND I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!!

 

THIS IS AN OLD ROAD MILE MARKER...THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH EXTINCT NOW. THIS ONE HAS THE TOWN I LIVE IN NOW AT THE TOP AND HAS OTHER TOWNS SPECIAL TO ME ON IT...IT'S JUST A COOL THING.

 

I SAVED THIS ONE FOR LAST. IT'S ALSO AN OLD ROAD MARKER FROM THE THE TOWN WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED. I SAVED IT BECAUSE THAT TOWN IS SO MUCH A PART OF ME AND IT IS A CROSS. RIGHT NOW PRAYERS AND CROSSES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. THEY ALWAYS ARE, BUT ESPECIALLY NOW WITH WHAT I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH...
GOOD NEWS!

I HAD MY BREAST CANCER SURGERY AND I GOT VERY GOOD REPORTS! 

MY LYMPH NODES WERE CLEAR AND THE DOCTOR GOT CLEAN MARGINS! 

DON'T KNOW ABOUT RADIATION YET, BUT WILL FIND OUT SOON. 

I CAN DO THIS!

THANK YOU ALL FOR LIFTING ME UP IN PRAYER...I COVET EVERYONE OF THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS YOU SENT MY WAY.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

LOTS OF LOVE! 

VICKI

photos taken by Bill Andrews, Gary Joiner and Vicki Andrews

GOOD FINDS...BAD PICTURES

Don't think I've shown you some of my favorite finds...the pictures are awful, but you can see the silver through the tarnish...hey wait...I like the tarnish best...most of the time.

Found this chair roadside as we were taking our boy to catch the shuttle for Basic Training...he did not want me to stop, but what's a junkin' girl to do?!! Turns out it is a match to a straight chair I already have in my den...meant to be, I tell ya, meant to be!!

 Found these at Goodwill a few years back. They have been hanging near my laundry room door ever since I brought them home. I finally looked on the back and realized they were individual typeset letters held together by tape...go figure!

My favorite find is this iron Peace Sign! I found it at a local antique mall and it said, "Here's your sign artteachergirl!" It made me buy it...made me...really!

I hope all of you are still out there, it's been so long since I've posted anything. This summer has been a rough one...my boy moved way out to Colorado to be in the Air Force Band and though I am bursting at the seams with pride, I miss him terribly!! Also, I discovered a few weeks ago I have breast cancer. I'm going to be a little busy over the next few weeks and I hope you will be busy keeping me in your prayers. With God's help I can do this, after all, He has me in the palm of His hand in a very tight grip. So, don't go away, I'll be around, but sure need your positive thoughts and prayers. I'll be seeing you soon...

                               Vicki

THE NEWEST BANDSMAN

 I just returned from Texas...

I saw The Riverwalk in San Antonio, and The Alamo...

I visited Lackland Air Force Base and...

I saw Airman Andrews in the Drum and Bugle Corp...

 I also saw him play for his own
Basic Military Training graduation, and...

 

 I was proud!

 God Bless the U.S.A. and my Bandsman!

YOUTH ART MONTH ART SHOW 2012...YEAR IS WINDING DOWN!

It's Youth Art Month...

so this must be March!

Just look at how busy we have been this school year!

My students have no idea, 

but most of the art project ideas 

for the work shown here 

came from ART blogs or Pinterest. 

Who says I waste my time 

on this laptop??!!

 The Lions were one of the most *funnest* projects

 we did this year! 

Yeah, I found the lesson online.

 The Kimonos shown here were a last minute project after I found some little Popcorn Chicken boxes in our cardboard recycling bin at school...

just looked down as I was passing by 

and the cafeteria had tossed in 

a huge bag full of these little treasures...

God is so good to Art teachers!

 Got to brag again that we made the 

National Council of the Arts Report for 2011...just gotta!

Has your school had it's yearly art show yet, and how are you celebrating Youth Art Month?

                                                     Enjoy your Spring!

                                                            Vicki