My Friday Last Week...

Last Friday was an exciting day--the Mission Makeover Reveal Concert was the following night on Saturday night. Dr. Light, also on the MM team, and I were scheduled to do the WAFF News show at noon to advertise for the Event. Did you see us? It went really well.

Have you ever been on the set of WAFF? Here is what it looks like. I'm always fascinated with sets for news, commercials, photo shoots (that I'm not shooting) and how they operate, etc. Below is just a general shot. You can see Robyn McGlohn (so pretty!) barely, in the red suit doing the news. I've always wondered about that cool window-looking shadow they have to the right of the anchors on the news--and there it was!

Above is Dr. Light talking to "Utopia" a lady from Books-A-Million who was touting the release of the latest Harry Potter book. I got to touch it!

Jeff Castle (one of the Storm Team Weather Men!!) was working on the weather report as we sat waiting for our turn to go on the air. He was encouraging everyone to be weather-aware that day--if you'll recall, there were storms all around us. Below are the wild and wacky Alabama Blue's Brothers who had JUST rolled in (on 2 wheels probably) from South Carolina, advertising their performance at the Handy Festival this week in Florence. Are you going?

After the WAFF News interview, I had lunch at Shea's Express, which is Cynthia Shea's new location of Cyn Shea's (that is in Hampton Cove in Huntsville), and Shea's Express is on Church Street just north of the square in Huntsville. Oh was it divine!! If you have never been, you must go. I admire her for such a beautiful and comfortable place with amazing food. She plays Christian music as her house music. It was awesome to hear Sara Groves singing while I was eating....Check out some images.

This is Cynthia Shea herself! She came and introduced herself to me and was so kind. I caught this shot of her talking to a nice woman...

Umm. Just look at these images.

MMMMMmmmmmmmm!! Is your mouth watering???

They have fun and friendly service there too!

After lunch it was off to Hazelgreen to meet with Sister Grace's graphic designer for our soon-to-be-released CD. Her name is Heather Troupe with Emulation Media--highly recommended by Johnny Sandlin, our producer. She totally rocks. You won't believe how great-looking our packaging is. This is Heather with her dog Buddy.

So, a very exciting Friday last week. Look soon for another post about the awesome Mission Makeover Reveal Concert at the Princess Theatre last Saturday night! Geez, so much excitement in my life--too little time to post. I am painting too! I'll post up soon what I'm working on. Stay tuned!

Mission Trip Highlights

WARNING: LONG POST!

If you saw my post from a couple of weeks ago, you know that I went on a mission trip with my youth group at church to Copperhill, Tennessee. The mountains and the Okoee were beautiful and cooler temps were a nice break from the 90s we'd been having in Athens. After our sweaty busride to the campsite, we opened our week with a nighttime worship with a cool band, but I forgot their name. Seen here are Adalene, Courtney and Kelsey.



The next morning we got right to work at our worksite that was the home of a family who lived in a trailer near a ravine full of trash that had been thrown in there for over 20 years. It was gross. This family had lots of work needed around their home to make it look nicer and more functional. The youth did everything from clean off toys to building a playground for the family's 3 year old daughter.



This was our lovely cabin in the wood there at Whitewater Express Campsite.


At night--the main cabin where we ate and worshiped.


I loved being in the deep woods where the floor of the forest is packed down pine needles. It reminded me so much of my childhood, building forts in the woods. The trek from our cabin to the bath house was not that great--a walk through the woods then another walk on the dirt road another several yards--total, probably 100 yards away. Not good if you have to go during the night...

We all rode the bus back on Day 2 drenched from the rainstorm that came soon after we got going that morning. Drenched-to-your underwear kind of drenched!


A highlight of my experience was the group time we had the 3rd night with our youth, just talking about some of our experiences of working for Christ and praising Him through singing. Jonathan is so talented and provided our music with his guitar.


Patrick our youth minister leading our worship time...


Typical ways time was spent after our workshift--playing cards, throwing frisbee or football, but not on cell phones, tv, or computers! Yay! They did without those technological luxuries really well. Shown here: Hunter, Max, Mitch, Jonathan, Trip and Will.


Here are some bathing beauties at the beautiful Okoee visitor's center where they found a neat swimming hole. Shown here are Caroline (my daughter), Maggie, Bess and Morgan...


After 5 days of work and fun (paintballing, horseback riding, white water rafting, low ropes courses...), we headed back home to Athens. It was great being with these kids--they worked so hard without complaining and were really the hands and feet of God, showing this family unconditional love. I was so proud of them!


Me? Well, I made it. Bruised from having fun on the low ropes course scaling a 10 foot wall! It was tough seeing how spoiled I am to having clean floors and a bed to sleep in with about 12 feet above my head versus 24 inches. Yikes! This trip reminded me how claustrophobic I am still. That was not good. But God delivered me during a couple of panic attacks the first night--He really did. I shouldn't act surprised, but I was panicked that I didn't know if anything would work to make me not want to run out of the cabin for "more space!" But after a prayer time, I was able to lie back down and sleep without any further problems. Boy, you learn alot about yourslef on a trip like that...

This middle bed was mine. The bunks were 3 beds high, and to get in bed at night, I felt like a monkey hiking myself up and swinging myself into the bed. Kind of fun, actually. Here, you see the kids a bit worn out on the way home on the bus. God is good!

There were 22 kids and 5 of us adults. A shot of our motley crew.

A big thank you goes out to Patrick Gunn for organizing such a great mission trip through "Team Effort." It was an awesome time for everyone. It sure is great to be home though. ;) All praise to Christ for our safety, our ability to help others and our love for one another! When will I take another mission trip? Hmm. Don't ask me just yet! :)

Be the Winner of over $5000 in Services!!

At the Mission Makeover Reveal Concert Saturday night--get your tickets now!--you will have a chance to win an awesome MEGA MINI MAKEOVER from the team of Mission Makeover. You can only be eligible for this by attending the reveal event Saturday night at the Princess Theatre. Scroll down to see the invite. You are invited! Look at what the mega mini makeover includes!

MEGA MINI MAKEOVER
Win a makeover for yourself from the professionals of the Mission Makeover Team! One lucky person’s name will be drawn to receive a Mega Mini Makeover – it could be you!

$10.00 for one ticket * $25.00 for three tickets

Professional Services Include:

Dr. Ben Light, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Facial Cosmetic Consultation, One area Botox, 1.3 ml Radiesse or .8 ml Restylane, and an in office Chemical Peel. Total value of $1600.00


Dr. Stephanie Teichmiller, DMD

Dental Consultation, Cosmetic Dental Services.
Total valued at $2000.00


Dr. Chris Teichmiller, OD

Comprehensive Vision and Eye Health Evaluation
Option 1), Glasses or Designer Sunglasses;
Option 2) Contact Lens Evaluation and fitting, plus one year supply of contact lens.
Total valued at $750.00


Glenn Mitchell, Master Stylist
Owner - Red Jasper Salon & Spa

Hair Consultation, Color, Cut and Style; Manicure, Pedicure, Massage, and Facial.
Style and Makeup at photo shoot location.
Total valued at $500.00


Carole Foret, Photographer
Owner – Carole Foret Fine Art Gallery and Studio

“New You” Photo Shoot and a 16x20 print.
Valued at $500.00

Disclaimer: The Winning Certificate is non-transferable or negotiable, no cash value. Certificate expires January 21, 2008, and must be presented at each appointment. Professional services are limited to one individual and may not be divided or shared.
The winner may give entire certificate to another person, i.e. spouse, but a member of the Mission Makeover Team must be notified of the recipient on the night of the Drawing.

You must be 21 years of age to enter and you must be present at time of drawing.

AUsome Devotion

Just had to share what I heard on our sound system that plays throughout the house--playing was the Rick and Bubba show. I don't typically listen to them, but today was different. They had Chette Williams on. Chette is the chaplain for Auburn University's (our alma mater) football team--remember how they would sing "I'm a hard fighting soldier on the battlefield..." and it would ramp them spiritually to play in a hard-fighting, Godly way. The interview was amazing in that everyone on the radio show was openly speaking about Christ and their testimonies--it was great! And this served to be my devotion for the day. Chette has a book out now available on Amazon.

Denim & Diamonds

Remember Mission Makeover
The Team: Dr. Chris Teichmiller, Dr. Stephanie Teichmiller, Dr. Ben Light, Master Stylist Glenn Mitchell, and me Official Photographer. Photo shot by Claire Kayser.

Most will never forget our first ever Mission Makeover candidate Donna Quarto.


She was a most awesome woman to have receive such an honor to be made over. What a joy to work with her, and did she ever look amazing?!! Well now we are ready to reveal our current candidate at an exciting event: Denim & Diamonds Concert & Reveal at the Princess Theatre in Decatur Alabama. In concert will be Cook & Glenn, featuring Jeff Cook of the super group Alabama and Mitch Glenn. Don't miss this awesome event that will include not only a great concert, but a silent auction, raffle drawing, delectable hors d'oeuvres and, of course, the reveal of our latest beauty! Contact the Princess for tickets! See the invitation below that my wonderful assistant Leslie Willard designed. (She's talented, isn't she?)

On Vacation!

I am on vacation right now in a lovely place--Alabama's beautiful white beaches! After this trip, I will be working on a mission trip in beautiful Tennessee. Other than being closed on the 4th of July, Leslie will be at the gallery to welcome you should you want to visit or place an order for anything. I will be back int he studio on July 16th.

My sister and her family are with us, and I'm so thankful to have them here. We celebrated our 40th birthday with an awesome street party outside my studio uptown on the square--thank you to all who came out to celebrate. We loved the awesome sounds of the Valley Cats too! Thanks to all for a wonderful time! I'll post some pics soon.