Feb 3 - I'm ashamed to say I haven't updated my website since November. OOPS - I've been so busy with projects, family and roller derby it's hard to keep up! First up: I received a hard (sample) copy of the Tiptoe guide to Tracking Mermaids and I am very happy with the final product. It's always so exciting to hold a copy (even if it is a sample) in your hands after months of piecing it together. I believe the book is due out in April. Also, I've been doing a lot for work for The Nate Berkus Show. I create illustrations for their "before and after" room make-over segments. You can watch a couple of segments above. For you roller derby fans, my team's first bout (The Strong Island Derby Revolution) should be coming March 31st - if all goes according to plan. We have been training hard all winter, and recently started some hard-core training with a military-style boot camp (oh the pain!) We have also been training a group of new recruits, so we are hoping to have them ready to bout not this season, but possibly next year. Overall, things are good by me, and I hope by you as well! Cheers from New York!
NOV 17 -Finally! The Tiptoe Guide to Finding Mermaids has gone to print! I'm really excited and cannot wait for it to hit store shelves in April. Saturday Nov 19th is my first roller derby bout ever. I'm a bit nervous. Its a fairly big to-do with intros, live music, rink-side fan seating, vendors, etc...I've only practiced in front of a handful of people at a time, so the possibility of 500 fans is a bit unnerving. Pray for me - thanks :)
OCT 28 - Once again, I cannot believe how much time has gone by since I last updated my website. First and foremost, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids was completed yesterday. I am really excited about it. The release will be spring 2012. In addition, I am still working with the Nate Berkus Show, and about to begin a book cover for an author-friend (Book and author to be announced later!) Roller derby is taking up a lot of my time (new photos in my photo section!) We are preparing for our first bout in November, and have lots of events planned. Tomorrow night (Nov 29th) is our big Halloween Party at the Huntington (Greenlawn) Moose Lodge. If you live in the area and have nothing planned, come on down! Tickets are being sold at the door - 8PM! I will be dressed as Bat Girl :) Super fun!
Oct 3 - So excited for October! I love the summer, but fall is a close second (except for the fact that it turns into winter) I just finished a bunch of projects (see above Nate Berkus shoe interior designs) as well as the book illustrations for "The Tiptoe Guide to Finding Mermaids" By Joan-Ammi Paquette. The book comes out in Spring 2012. I just painted my living room, giving it a much needed mini makeover inspired by a Nate Berkus design (yet to be aired) new couch covers, chairs, throw pillows, furniture and accessories slowly making their way into the room. I will post a before and after, as well as the design that inspired it as soon as it's all complete.
Sept 18 - Attended the Hot Rod Riot in Huntington NY . Lots of hot rods, rockabilly bands, a hula hoop contest, the Coney Island freak show peeps...tons of fun with my derby sisters (see my photos)
Sept 12 -The video clip above is a segment from (todays) season premier of The Nate Berkus show . The segment is for a viewer-room makeover, and uses my interior design illustrations. Have a look...
August 29- I need a champion
August 23 - Sooooo - this earthquake. What the heck??? I live in New York on Long Island, and could not believe what I was feeling. I was sitting at my computer working, when suddenly the desk and my chair began to bob and shake like I was riding ocean waves. It made me feel dizzy. I thought my cat was climbing up the back of my chair because it was rocking back and forth so much. I looked around and the walls seemed to turn to jello...like I was drunk - it was at that point I knew it wasn't a train or large truck. I think I heard rumbling, but I can't be sure. It freaked me out (and probably everyone on the east coast) I didn't like it....not one bit
July 22 -A big thank you to everyone who came out last night to the first official fundraiser for The Strong Island Derby Revolution -All female flat track Roller Derby League! We had had a great time at The Brokerage Comedy Club with y'all and raised a lot of funds thanks to the help of our fans, family and friends! Hugs to all xoxoxo.
On a different note - it was a brutal 105 degrees here in New York today. It's now 9PM and it's only down to 95. Thanks goodness for AC, but sheesh, was it hot! I hope everyone affected by this heat wave is staying safe and cool. Drink lots of water :)
July 18 -Well...everyday brings a new little surprise.
July 1 - Happy 21st Birthday to my son, Alexander. Woot Woot!
June 24 - Revisiting a little George Harrison today. His music holds so much emotion for me. It's so beautiful...
"Let me in here, I know I've been here, let me into your heart"
June 22 - Sadly, I'm no longer surprised when people disappointment me.
June 14 - I hate missing people
June 8 - May 20th was my last post? Ug....Okay well here's the rundown for the last couple of weeks: Working A LOT on the new mermaid book. It's non-stop everyday. My deadline is September
May 20 - I keep meaning to update my website more often - just been so busy. Updates are as follows: The editor of a wedding magazine called me the other day and wants to do a photo spread of my invitation designs (wedding stationery) I believe the issue comes out in August, so until then my lips are sealed on which magazine....
The Pilates bench is working out okay. I'm not 100% sure it was worth the amount of money I paid for it, but eh - whattyagonnado? I think it's acceptable as far as a workout goes - the bench is a little awkward at times to use. and I haven't really used it long enough to see any results yet, but will post when I have a better grasp on the situation.
Derby: I'm still skating - although I might be changing my plan up a bit . Can't really say what it is right now - TBA later...
Sorry if my posts are just full of "to be announced later" stuff...I'm a lot better at keeping secrets and not letting the cat out of the bag these days. I guess I'm just in no rush - as it should be
May 3 - Some of my recent favorite things: Lemon Pound cake, cheese straws (both baked fresh by yours truly) growing herbs and veggies in pots, watching the red headed woodpeckers in my yard, making paper flowers, pedicures :)
May 1- Okay, so I didn't get the JC Penney call back last week, but they only took 2 girls out of like 50 - so....okay fine. Believe me, I wasn't crushed (it just would have been decent money)
Today, on the other hand, I did finish ALL of my sketches for the new upcoming book I am illustrating for Tanglwood Press. I am SO happy it's done! I also finished all of my invitation design projects for the summer and was actually able to get a bunch of yard work completed this weekend (see my photos!) I'm still skating with the derby team, but today I decided to take my exercise up a notch and ordered a Pilates workout bench with DVD's. I hear great things about pilates, so in addition to skating 2-3 days a week, I will be 'pilating" 3-4 days a week too. Look out bathing suit season, here I come!
April 20- Tomorrow Im auditioning for a JC Penney commercial in Manhattan- they are looking for real roller derby skaters - coool :)
April 18th - I can't believe how long I haven't updated my bloggety-blah! Well, you haven't missed much anyway. I'm still busy with the invites (almost done for the summer!) and commissioned work. I've stepped up my sketching for the new book I'm working on with Tanglewood. I've been doing a lot of derby skating (practicing) and starting my gardening which I am excited about. I love to garden. Planted some herbs and flowers already and digging in the dirt. Reading another Deepak Chopra book - pretty interesting....basically I'm happy and content and life is good :)
April 6- Spring has arrived here in New York - we still have an odd cold day every now and again but whatever. My hostas and other early spring plants are pushing up through the soil - very encouraging and makes me happy. I'm still pluggin away at the wedding invitations, but can see light at the end of the tunnel...only 3 more projects until I close down for the summer and begin work on illustrations for a new book. I will resume taking invite orders for September when I should be done with the book ( it's in my contract to be -fingers crossed) No vacations planned for the summer just yet, but there's the possibility of renting a house in Montauk with friends, or possibly a road trip to New England to visit some relatives...my husband and I used to take road trips up North all the time before we were married (and even after the kids were born) He thought it would be fun to resume the tradition 23 years later. I'm game as long as we have air conditioning and plenty of rest stops along the way :)
March 24 - I passed my derby skate test last night - yeah! Amongst other things, we had to do 25 laps in under 5 minutes (gets a little grueling around the 15th lap! - sucking wind, sharp pain developing in the thighs) I want to congratulate all my derby sisters who also passed, "Cookie", "Crash" and "PMA" ! Luv to you all - you rocked it last night! Oh, and my new derby name is "Jett Bruise" #747. I wanted "Reese Killersoon", but it was already taken
March 20 - It's been a very tough week . I've been busy with my family, Granddads services and trying to catch up on my illustration work which has been hard. I took about 5 days off. It was really hard to pull myself out of this daze I was in. Grieving is extremely draining. The wakes were packed - esp. the evening service (There was barely space to move around the room. ) I have a very large family as it is, so with everyone's friends and acquaintances showing up, it was jammed. The funeral service was hard and sad. My grandfather served in WW11. St. John's Cemetery arranged for a military send off, with saluting soldiers, TAPS, and the presentation of the flag to my father. The least I can say is that my grandfather will be sorely and dearly missed. He was my friend. I spent a lot of time with him over the years laughing, learning and loving. There's a hole in our lives now, but I am glad to know he is at peace. In a few weeks I will plant flowers at his house for him....we had a tradition each spring. He loved his flowers and wanted to get out of the hospital to plant with me :)
March 11 - It's a very sad night - my grandpa died this evening. He never made it out of the hospital. We think he just gave up. We never got to plant the flowers together in the springtime - something he had hoped we would do. I love you Grandpa - you were my dear friend. We had so many laughs together. I will miss you forever. xo
March 6 - I am scheduling invitation design orders for the summer, but space is very limited!! If you or anyone you know are in need of custom wedding, anniversary or birthday invites please email me at letourneaudesigns@yahoo.com
March 4 - I wrote this poem (or is it a song? Yes, I think a song) after seeing the words "Paper Heart" somewhere. I thought, what a great premise to liken the romantic heart to one made of paper. They both are so fragile - so easily shred and torn. It's a work in progress, but....this is my song so far :)
March 2 - Congrats to all my derby sisters who passed their skills assessment test last night! Hopefully I will pass my referee skills test in a couple of weeks (I have to skate 10 laps in under one and a half minutes, amongst other things!)
Feb 28 - Just had my first lesson as a ref this past Saturday- my first mini scrimmage for roller derby. While I didn't do much more than keep time and blow some whistles, I learned a few things. Mostly I enjoyed not being crunched in the pack getting banged up :)
Wow - tomorrow is March already - bring on the spring! We've had 66 inches of snow in New York (norm is around 22 or something like that) and 12 days of below freezing temps....I'm done!
Feb 24 - Happy Birthday George! And if you don't know which George I'm talking about, then I don't know what to say.....
Feb 23 - Soooo hello world :) I've been MIA for two weeks - no bloggin or updates. Relatively busy . I am working on writing another children's book. Just started this past Saturday and I cannot give out details except to say it has a fox in it (and some other forresty-friends) Im also sketching a book for my publisher, plus the load of invites I am currently trying to whittle down. It's a lot and I'm a bit drained.
On the sports front: I have officially ended my roller derby career (before it ever really began) After having a few of my friends break bones and junk at practice, I kind of said....NAH, thanks I'm done...... I always said I would stay until I felt uncomfortable - and once we started hitting drills I pretty much became "uncomfortable". I got flat-out-on-my-back decked a few times and decided I like my hands, feet, legs and head where they are (esp my hands! Lord knows I cannot afford to break them, mostly the left one!) I might be reffing instead (which is much much safer) so I can still skate with the team minus hitting drills - yay.
My gramps is still in the hospital too - he's been there since December. I don't know if he's ever getting out :(
Feb 10 - Not too much to report. I'm up to my ears with wedding designs (not complaining) and soon to start sketches for a book I am illustrating for Tanglewood Press (can't say what the books about yet) Waiting for spring - the sun, the warmth, the sweet smell of flowers and grass....waiting ...waiting - I wait.
Feb 4 - What I've done today : emptied a closet (intentions of cleaning it) but just put all the junk back even more unorganized, found a box of junk, threw it out, uploaded photos to Facebook from my phone, drank 3 cups of coffee - not very productive....
Feb 1 - Alert: There's a 5 foot snow wall in front of my house that I'd like the owner to retrieve ASAP. (Sorry, that's my sarcastic take on this freezing New York winter!) We have been overrun with snow in the worst way (okay, possibly not worse than Antarctica, but close) We have had snow on the ground every single day since December, and I'm pretty sure it aint over yet. I literally had to dig away two and a half feet of snow from my backyard fences because my dog was walking right up and climbing over.
Jan 22 - And a happy belated birthday to my husband Marc (Jan 21) and (today) to my sister Michelle and bro-in-law Johnny Letourneau - and tomorrow to my sister-n-law Debbie! Lots of b-days.
Get well wishes to my friend and roller derby 'sis' Julie. Julie broke her ankle at practice Thursday night and she's still in the hospital after surgery. Luv you Jules - feel better gurl!
JAN 16 - ONE WORD - JETS (Post Script - they lost - booooo)
