Floor with base coat

Just sitting next to the road

Lost my camera cord!

I seem to have misplaced the cord to download pictures from my camera to the computer. Therefore, I can't blog with pictures today (unless of course, Priority Mail delivers the cord I ordered yesterday off the internet!)

The floor guys have been prepping the concrete floor for a few days. Today, they put the first coat of patina-colored stain down. They should be done by Sunday, so we can get back in and walk on it by late Monday. With any luck, the electrician will show up and finish his work on Monday so we can set up computers on Tuesday. Then we can start staging the store with merchandise while the punchlist work gets done around us. We are getting down to the wire!

Artwork arrives everyday now. Tom DeHoog (Metalweaver from San Francisco) sent another crate of magnificant metalwork yesterday. Tom made the piece you see in the corner of our ad. That particular work will hang behind the cashwrap counter as our signature piece.

Good news...Bob Stange is out of the hospital and back at home. Gerri and Bob just celebrated another anniversary - congratulations! Gerri is an avid internet user and sends us links to artist's websites that she has discovered. Hopefully they will be able to take that warm weather trip soon.

Amy takes the advertising up a notch

We attended the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner last night. The "Patina" table was comprised of Jim and Suzie Ogg (our landlords), Rob Morrison (our GC), Big Al (friend) and Chris Bentley and Kimberley Dart (Kimberley is the store's on-site interior designer extraordinaire).

In addition to being Kimberley's romantic interest, Chris is also a talented artist. He makes beautiful furniture, sconces and sculptures out of metal. Kimberley introduced us to the new Chamber President and the Editor of the local paper - she is a wealth of local knowledge and a fun friend. We had a great time and are even more jazzed about Marble Falls!

Chamber of Commerce Dinner with Chris and Kimberley

Wayne Delyea

Today we had the honor of meeting Wayne Delyea, a furniture-maker specializing in extraordinary rocking chairs. When Wayne is not working at his "real" job in upper management of the railroad, he talks to wood in the workshop behind his house. After they converse awhile, a maginificant rocking chair is born.

And it is comfortable!

Front of cashwrap/counter/bar

Cash wrap area

Semper Fi

The bad news is that Bob Stange is still in the hospital. The good news is that he is on the mend and happy with the food, service and choice of roommmates (a fellow marine). Gerri prints the blog for him each day so he can stay current. We love you Dad/Bob!

Laurie Justus Pace

We received another shipment of Laurie's work and got goosebumps when we opened it. I've posted only 2 of the paintings here, but you can see more of her work on her blog (www.lauriepace.blogspot.com).

Laurie's outlook on life comes through in her art. She is truly an inspiration and we look forward to a lifetime friendship.

Laurie's Poppies

Shared parking field

Striping

It took these guys all day to paint those big fat black stripes!!

Our landlord, Jim, and Anthony work on cashwrap cabinets

New desk in office area

Grid wall

New blacktop

Get well Bob Stange!

Wouldn't you just know it? Just as Bob and Gerri were ready to fly to Atlanta to visit the Peachtree Stanges (and enjoy some warmer temperatures), Bob's cough worsened. He has been in the hospital since last night. This is one of those times when we realize just how far from family we have moved...

Please send him positive thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.

Amy Shalles, Graphic Designer Extraordinaire, comes thru again!

Grand Opening

While much has been accomplished, much still remains to be done. Therefore, we have officially delayed the Grand Opening to March 14th. We plan to throw a party in the store after hours on Saturday night, March 15th - you are invited to attend!

We're in print already!

Last summer, we went through the Parade of Homes and found one that had been staged and decorated by local designer, Kimberley Dart. We tracked Kimberley down in nearby Burnet and quickly became friends. She is a talented, creative and energetic mother of three. Kimberley will hang her shingle at the store when we open and keep us on our toes. Recently, she was named as 2008 Burnet's Reader's Choice Award winner as Best Interior Designer.

Outside cement work before parking lot is repaved

Grid wall to hold artwork

Starting to paint

Dinner in San Antonio with Joe, Donna and my sister, Monica

Yard art

J.R. wraps counter in copper

I think this dressing room may need some drywall

Cashwrap/counter/bar gets polished before coloring

Prayers

I have kept Tommy Leach and his family in my prayers for many months now as they face the task of battling his cancer again. Tommy's parents are good friends who have weathered more than one health scare with their boys. I know that the power of prayer and positive-thinking can move mountains.....Today we learned that Vince Stange, an Indiana University student, is also facing a scare after a recent MRI revealed a brain tumor. Our hearts and prayers go out to Vince and his parents.

Can you guess which one is named "Cheech"?

Everyone has big hair in Texas!

Picking up local fashion tips

Things are starting to move a little faster

Donna came to stay with us for the week-end while Joe was in Florida for Super Bowl week-end. On Saturday, we dragged her along with us to check on the electrician who has been MIA on and off for a week now. He was nowhere to be found, so we went out to Highway 29 to check on the baby eagles. There are 2 babies in the nest.

Hopefully, my father has (finally) figured out how to read the blog so that he knows that my sister arrived safely this afternoon. We picked her up in Austin and have a few days to visit before she goes to San Antonio. We also dragged Monica along with us to check on the electrician - still MIA! The good news is that the cement guys are working and the drywall/painters start tomorrow. Who needs electricity anyway?

New sidewalk will be poured tomorrow

New base for water fountain monument sign

Water monument progress