Life Inspires Me

A Few Too Many…

Jess — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:20:25 +0000

I have a bit of a problem, and that’s my on going obsession with… cowbell… I need more cowbell!?

No seriously, this week I’ve made countless trips to Home Depot’s painting department. My newest canvas, Josh’s house.

Tonight is date night: dinner + wine + maybe a movie. Ok well it didn’t happen in that order. originally Josh was going to be my assistant in another painting project tonight, but that fell through… guess who’s date night included a trip to Home Depot’s paint department?!

I give Josh a lot of credit for putting up with my “What do you think of this color?” broken-record excitement.

After dinner Josh says to me while looking through paint samples “Why don’t we get a roll of tape and stick the samples to the wall?”

The ironic thing was I think he was serious.

paint samples I picked out for Josh

A Fantastic Way to End the Day

Jess — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:25:29 +0000

No matter how many times I see it, it still takes my breath away. Sunsets on Lake Michigan are what summers are all about.

Catching something beautiful

The Distinguished Gentlemen

Jess — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:00:36 +0000

I had a blast painting this very comical portrait of a friend and his pug. We agreed it needed to be manly like 007, yet highlight Phil’s personality.

This is Phil and Pudge, my distinguished getlemen.

The Distinguished Gentlemen

Love Your June

Jess — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:22:08 +0000

This is kind of a bit late, but June was packed with so many great things!

Progress at the gym

I’m still doing chemo… it’s kicking my ass. I’m not going to let it stop me. I’ve been working with trainer, and I finally have biceps!!! Juli you rock!!!

(L to R) Me, Sylvia, and Juli

Holy Mortar I’m a Quarter!?

I turned a quarter century old. In honor of reaching my milestone birthday that I planted a tree… and with some of the people I love the most- my family. : )

Happy birthday tree- let's flourish

Tyler took me out for a drink with friends

Sam and I all glammed up for my bday

Stepping out of my comfort zone

I don’t mind being a wallflower, but I’m really trying to break this habit and participate more. I tried frog legs for the first time recently… whoever said they taste like chicken lied. At least I can say I tried it. Gathering enough courage is half the battle.

I gathered buckets of courage and stepped far out of my comfort zone to parade down the street with a handful of other zombies. 2 things I thought I never say “Zombies practice good hygiene” and “I walked Lakeshore in my pj’s.”

Zombies brush their teeth?!

In Good Company

Beach time with Cooper!!! I am such a gushing aunt. He’s walking now, and still makes the world that much brighter every time I see him.

Future beach bum

In good company

A Monkey Named Colton

Jess — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:20:19 +0000

A few months ago my cousin gave birth to the cutest little guy, Colton. As a baby shower gift I did a painting for his nursery.

It’s summer now and Colton is growing like wildfire…. he just learned how to roll over!!!

Colton, this post is for you. Keep being awesome! You are going to do great things.

Colton with his painting

A Monkey Named Colton

Happy Birthday Cooper

Jess — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:28:32 +0000

Where does time go, seriously?!

Cooper is already a year old!

I spent a long weekend with him to celebrate.

: Nom nom nom!!!

We partied on Saturday.

: AJ & Coopie

We ran through his new sprinkler on Sunday.

: Water bugs

Monday fed giraffes at the zoo.

: Cooper was excited to go to the zoo

And yesterday built a sand castle on the beach.

Happy 1st Birthday Cooper!

yours, AJ

Doodle Day 2010

Jess — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:16:18 +0000

1st treatment: A walk in the park

I started treatment today, which was a walk in the park compared to surgery. I slept through most of it, and thumbed through a few magazines’. Fingers crossed this works.

Post treatment status-

I’ve never been more tired in my life! I have to start a new diet to make up the nutrients that get wiped out. Tyler moves home this weekend, so I’m taking full advantage of this by teaching him to cook.

Tuesday: lots of IV's to put in the port... WTF?1

I’m still on the mend from having the port placed in my chest on Tuesday. As expected, my right arm is weak, putting all art projects on hold. RM said I move my arm like a t-rex… Thanks for the laugh!

It’s National Doodle Day-

The eBay auction to benefit NF, Inc. begins today, There are an awesome combination of celebrity Doodlers and superb artists, illustrators, cartoonists and caricaturists for a total of 161 Doodles! You can go straight to eBay and search on seller nfinccharity or you can click on the eBay link at www.doodledayusa.org. Below is my doodle I did this year, my food for thought.

Paper bag Lunch

Jess — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:28:12 +0000

4/30/10-

Little Man making Huge Strides

Look who’s starting to walk!!!!! It was a Cooper weekend filled with a few surprises and tons of laughs. Cooper amazes me with something new every time I see him. I can’t even believe that he is already turning one later this month.

5/2/10-

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa!

60th Wedding Anniversary

5/8/10-

Freezing for NF?! 5K River Bank Run

The River Bank Run was this past Saturday. Over 75 of braved the cold. The weather definitely effected made it hard for me to even function, but I did manage to finished with the many loved ones by my side… over 75 to be exact.

...And a milestone is made!

After unthawing from the walk it was time for the ‘Walk with Grace’ fundraiser at Grand Rapids Art Museum for Neurofibromatosis (NF). The event took my breath away; such a magical evening filled with tons of great people, that flew by in the blink of an eye. The Hanlon family did a wonderful job. Hope it raised lots of money for NF.

Minus the glass slipper, although my cousin did surprise me with a beautiful flower, I know exactly how Cinderella felt when the clock stuck midnight. At 9:57pm I was headed home to rest my tired body from such an action-packed day.

My glass slipper

5/9/10-

Happy Mummie’s Day to all of the moms in my life, especially mine because she does so much. My manager; my #1 cheerleader; my best friend; I LOVE MY MOM!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

5/10/10-

Back to reality, a busy week ahead filled with new challenges to overcome.

Tomorrow is Surgery Day to have the port placed in my chest to make it easier to receive treatment. We are on a roll this year with soon to be 3 surgeries before my quarter century birthday.

Speaking of treatment… It starts Thursday, which ironically is when Doodle Day kicks off. I hope you like this year’s doodle; it’s food for thought.

Everyday is a struggle, but with perseverance [and support from loved ones], milestones are made. – Me

NF Awareness Month

Jess — Sat, 01 May 2010 16:44:50 +0000

Happy NF Awareness month!

Education is crucial; Knowledge is power; Awareness is paramount.

Help proliferate the word about NF this month.

Get the facts, and spread it like wild fire!

Peace, love, rock on!

Jessica Stone

Hangin with Mr. Cooper

Jess — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:46:38 +0000

Hangin with Mr Cooper: Snoozing

This weekend was so much cooler than the 90’s sitcom “Hanging with Mr. Cooper”.

Friday afternoon I watched Cooper. We had such a blast! Played the drums… jumped on my bed… Took an epic nap in the livingroom…. spent time with Mama & Papa Stone… opened every cabinet & drawer in Coopers reach.

Barely a year old and he’s just so animated and curious. We know I can’t hear him, but watching his face as he laughs is quite contagious… I can’t help but get giggly when I’m with him.

Life inspires me to- Hang with Mr. Cooper.

Peace, Love, Rock on!

Jessica