Back in the spring of 2002 just months before I moved to Los Angeles I flew to St. Louis to visit my brother who was in seminary. He had a friend who worked for Mary Engelbreit and arranged a tour of her studios where her magazine "Home Companion" is put together. It was certainly a highlight of my life. I even got to hold an original piece of her art work and made my brother do the same - he had no clue about how lucky he was to hold her art in his hands. I told him he would regret it if he didn't do it. He held her pencil sketch reluctantly then carefully handed it to his friend. It was on our way out that we ran into MARY ENGELBREIT. I was so excited, I was speechless. All I could say was how nice it was to meet her and how much I really liked her magazine and art... she must hear that a thousand times a day. Well, now that I'm moving to the city of Mary Engelbreit maybe I'll get a second chance to say something better... who knows.

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Life is like a bowl full of cherries" But I would have to say, my life has been like a bowl full of hot peppers. Spicy certainly can be nice, but sometimes it just plain ol' hurts going down. So my peppery life continues as just recently I've made the choice to move to St. Louis - having to choose between St. Louis, New York City or stay in Los Angeles. This decision was dropped on me at work just hours before I left to visit my folks for some R&R, mom's birthday and painting time. I have to say, I couldn't not have planned a more perfect place to move to - St. Louis is a wonderful place and chalk full of artists, designers, my brother and his wife and their coming baby (YIPPEE!!! I'm going to be an aunt for the first time) and affordable houses. WOO HOO!! I am soooo looking forward to owning my a home and decorating it! My head is swimming with ideas. But best of all, I'm hoping for a studio with lots of light pouring in. Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday Mom!