DC Pictures

we stayed on Ft. McNair in DC... in the building the Walter Reed died in, to be exact.

Bryan & Nia holding the capitol ...
first day out after we got our groundings on where in the heck we were.

Candid photo of Brandon underneath the Washington Monument.

A relief sculpture at the WWII Monument. (Most amazing one of them all.)

A view of the Washington Monument and the disgusting reflecting pool.

Lincoln Monument... (Most crowded place, ever...)

Bryan and I in front of a million unappreciative 8th graders ... I mean, the Lincoln Monument.

Night view of the WWII Memorial.

Biggest motorcycle ride in the Nation with proceeds going to POW & MIA's.

Bryan in the Air & Space Museum.

Merry-go-round on the mall.

Jeep Shows, Tractor Pulls, Drag Races - Oh My!

Yee-haw!

Well, Bryan, Robbie, Russell, Matthew, Mike, Jess & I went out for some good 'ole southern fun... yes. Jeeps, tractors, and drag races.

Started off with the gals heading to Ebenezer Creek to look at some deep south scenery. Was beautiful - trees with large buttresses and old churches from the 1700's.

We met back with the 'boys' at the jeep show in time to see them driving jeeps over railroad ties with a bucket of water on the hood. He (or she) who spilled the littlest amount of water won. Interesting.

Then - the highlight of my trip was lunch. Robbie and I went to town and ate at Blockers. I had a Chicken Sandwich. Problem was ... there was bone in my chicken and that's just how Chicken Sandwiches are at Blockers. So... I took the bun off and had Fried Chicken for lunch instead.

Back to the Jeep show (yes, still going on) to see the raffle giveaway. Storms came in - rest of the events were cancelled and boys got wet.

(Oh - and let's not forget that Robbie FINALLY ordered her wedding dress! BIG DAY!)

Marshmallow Eating Contest...

In the wise words of Joel McHale ... "there is nothing to say..."

Mom & Dad Neal Visit Statesboro!

Rick & June decided to leave the cold New Jersey weather behind for a weekend in South Georgia ... I mean, really - who wouldn't? It was a great weekend! We took a ride in the Scout ... though we thought "it looked like it's going to rain."

 

We had our friends over Saturday night for some Boston Butt & Brunswick Stew ... which I was able to use my tureen (yay!).  We watched the storms roll through, watching lightening & sitting in the iron chairs on the deck-probably not the smartest idea.

Sunday was great - we sat outside and worked on 'projects' where June and myself got some awesome v-neck and scoop-neck tan lines ... can't get those in NJ this time of year, can ya!? Bryan & Rick worked on flower beds around the deck - which turned out GREAT while June and I tried to find flowers that like the shade ... options were limited. But, we found a couple + a gorgeous Bougenvellia in hopes it will climb the shed. 

While the men were working, the women found a huge caterpillar from the stone ages. It's curled up because June dropped it - so it's recovering from a 100-million-caterpillar-story drop. He survived. After curling up for 3 hours in a state of shock, the tough fella finally made it's way far, far away from the tormenting humans.

And the final picture of the weekend ... Bryan & June; taken with her super awesome camera.

This That & The Other Magazine

This That & The Other Magazine's March issue is out! That means my 1st month of working with the magazine has been published! (Check it out...) My picture is horrendous. But oh well.

The "Grand Opening of the Center for Art & Theatre"

wow. new job. big test.

I was thrown into an ocean without a  raft for my 1st two weeks of work. After putting in an extra work week of overtime in ONE week, the squalls have definitely tamed. I got to meet a hell of a woman, Betty Foy Sanders ... the giver of ALL of the money for the "Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art" and play the role of 'barker of orders'

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, however.

In the picture is the Honorable Governor Sanders & his wife, Betty.

More Pics - Toys & Puds.

Bryan l-o-v-e-s doing yard work on his new riding lawnmower!

The new golf cart ... hmm.

And of course the Scout --- However, now the top is off because of the gorgeous 75 degree weather!! (in February!!)

And the little ones had no problem getting comfortable! 

New Job

Freelancing graphic design ... check.

New, full time job ... check, check.

That's right. I am now employed by the state. So thanks, Georgia. I am looking forward to my 401k, benefits, credit card, and paychecks. :)

I am now the Gallery and Outreach Program Assistant to the chair of the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art at Georgia Southern University. (Long title, I  know.) I will be overseeing exhibits, preparing galleries (in a brand spankin' new building...) supervising graphic design interns, and maintaining the Departments web site. 

Should be a challenge, but a good one. I am looking forward to diving back into the fine arts ... head first.

A Dream Come True

Some little girls dreamt of their weddings when they were little ... I dreamt of Scouts. 

International Scouts, that is. 

And finally, after many years of waiting - one has been added to the Neal family. :)

Jackpot!!

Well, it's been a successful week. The top is off of the Scout (because the weather is gorgeous !!) and I landed two jobs. I will be designing for a local magazine here in Statesboro (This That & The Other Magazine) and will also be redesigning a local town's web site! Hooray. I have been keeping up with my prior job and am also designing stuff for them and and there. So, it should be a good run. I have also been honored to help with some upkeep of my college mentor's business, who suddenly passed away last fall. It's still awkward working on his files that he used as examples in class - but am more than happy to help keep his name alive.