Do you remember as a child – climbing trees or playing in a treehouse – and thinking life can’t get any better than this?  Well it can – this is the view from our family room!  The deck is an “L” shape with different levels – I love to sit just outside my office in the early morning and be eye level with the birds – a great way to start the day!

Do you have a Treehouse view – if so I would love for you to share it with me.

I knew I was in the right place at the right time recently when I came upon a display and immediately recognized the artists’ work – Christine Mason Miller – the quote was perfect and I came home with it.   The past few months have been a roller coaster – and I don’t mean when I am driving here in Rome – up and down and around the mountains.  We have been working our way through 184 boxes that were unloaded three weeks ago.  While looking for a particular piece that should have been in a box labelled “living room decor” – I found KC’s roller blades!  Anyone that knows me – knows you would never find my kids roller blades in my living room! 

The piece I was looking for is still hiding – most likely in one of the boxes in the studio – which is where a lot of mystery items have turned up.  So as I unbox and find new homes for items I just think about Christine’s quote and LAUGH!

A Currier & Ives “Happy New Year” print from 1878 – Library of Congress

A final post for 2011 – for when the clock strikes midnight – no matter where you are – 2011 is in the past and 2012 is your future!  2012 will literally be a new start for me – with many photography opportunities and projects that were put on hold while we prepared to relocate our family to NW Georgia.  I am looking forward to the move – now down to single digits – and the possibilities that await me to settle into my studio and new home.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Is there a date on the calendar that has meaning to you?  November 11th is mine!

• 11/11/98 – I introduced my three children to Steve – a man that stepped in and accepted three children as his own and has been the best Dad they could have ever had.
• 11/11/05 – Steve received an unexpected once in a life time phone call and six months later we were living on the SE Coast of Georgia – 14 hrs away from our families.
• 11/11/11 – Veterans Day and the day my very own Veteran took a call that once again would change our lives!

That call lead to a Road Trip – huge decisions – and faith that God was once again laying out a plan that would not only change our future, but our children and extended families.   After four weeks the road trips have ended with Steve in NW GA and me in SE GA – for the time being.   The thing I dreaded the most was finding a new home that everyone would be happy in – and it was a piece of cake.  The first one on my list – just as when we moved from Arkansas to Georgia was it. 

I want to spend time enjoying our last Christmas here on the coast – and will only be popping in and out online during the holidays as we have tons of things to do before the movers come to pack, load and move us to Rome after the 1st of the new year.

From the expansive ocean view to waterfalls such as this – my inspiration will come.  Some projects have been put on hold  as well as new ones waiting to be shared until I am settled in my new studio.

To celebrate our upcoming move - get 10% off retail price on my 2012 Jekyll Island Calendar when you visit HERE.

Maria Brophy and Tara Reed have been working hard over the past few months writing an eBook titled: How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts. With 173 pages of information including stories from 11 other artists and insights from 5 attorneys, this is going to be a valuable resource for artists wanting to better understand the legal side of the business. 

Here is a peek at the Table of Contents:

This 173 page “How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts” eBook is divided into 10 sections:

• Part 1: There are Two Sides to Every Contract
• Part 2: How Your Goals for Art Licensing Affect Your Contracts
• Part 3: Common Contract Fears (and how to overcome them)
• Part 4: Anatomy of an Art Licensing Contract
• Part 5: Contract Sections and Samples
• Part 6: Contract Considerations
• Part 7: Putting Yourself in the Driver’s Seat
• Part 8: Attorney Insights
• Part 9: Where to Get Help with Your Specific Contract Questions
• Part 10: Glossary of Key Terms
• Appendix: New Contract Review Worksheet (also available as a Microsoft Word Document download)

If you sign up for their Contract eBook pre-release eMail list, you will not only be the first to know when it is ready, but you will get a special 48-hour pricing.  Sign up today and check your email Tuesday, November 8th for the 48-hour “early bird” email only pricing!  Sign up HERE or click the image above!

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”  Albert Camus

Julie Fisher get ready to spend every day of 2012 at the Beach thanks to my “go-to-guy”  -  he drew your name out of one of my seashells before he left for work this morning!  I wish I could give all of you a calendar – but we know how that goes over with the accountant!

Thank you to each of you that left a comment – you could be the next winner!  Yes, there will be another giveaway in the coming weeks – so be sure to

Become a Fan on Facebook | Join me on Google+ | Connect on LinkedIn | Follow me on Twitter

Julie please email me at debbie@debbieoverton.com with your mailing address so I can get your calendar in the mail to you.

How would you like to spend everyday in 2012 at the beach?  You can – just leave a comment below and you will be entered for a chance to win my 2012 Jekyll Island Calendar.  You can read more about the calendar in this post from several weeks ago.  Comments will close on Sunday, October 30th at Midnight EST and the winner will be announced here on the blog – Monday, October 31st no later than 12 noon EST.

No tricks – No contest – No telling me why you would like to win – No word game – No which is your favorite image in my portfolio – just a TREAT to be mailed to the winner.   See you Halloween morning!

Become a Fan on Facebook | Join me on Google+ | Connect on LinkedIn | Follow me on Twitter

What did you see when you first looked at this photo – the flower or the tiny details?  On one of my afternoon walks recently I noticed the blooms and immediately starting shooting.  After several clicks I decided to get up close and personal – after checking the ground for creatures that might slither my way – I stepped in with my Macro lens and was pleasantly pleased.  I couldn’t wait to get home and download the images – and see the tiny details I had discovered.  I was looking at the blooms and by looking through another lens I found something else – tiny little pink spots within the center and baby fine hair on the petals.

This reminded me of the analogy one of my physicians used recently.   You are looking out the window and see a huge horse go by and you are so focused on the horse you didn’t see the zebra in front of it or the two donkeys behind it or the small pony beside it. 

In the past few weeks I have had several tests run due to continued elevated lab results.  An ultrasound was ordered as a precautionary to rule out any problems with my liver.  By accident the radiologist found and noted a very large cyst in my left kidney – but there was no evidence of liver disease.  To further evaluate the cyst – picture a very large orange – a CT scan was recommended followed by a referral to a specialist.  When the specialist looked at the CT scan he found something else that the radiologist that had read the CT didn’t mention – two kidney stones on the right side!  He said most likely I will pass the small stone, but there was no way that quarter size stone was going any where!  I had an IVP yesterday to see if when they pushed the contrast through it would dislodge the small stone and to evaluate the situation of the large one.  Well one or both started moving but it is a start & stop, start & stop and if I don’t see him in the ER before next Tuesday I will find out where we go from here.  Right now the biggest concern is to make sure the stones don’t cause any damage to the kidney.  Then we will talk about the cyst.

Remember the analogy?  The radiologist reading the ultrasound was looking for liver problems but found the large kidney cyst.  The radiologist looking at the CT was focused on the left kidney cyst – but when the kidney specialist took a look – his eyes focused on the stones first and then the cyst!  I can’t wait to see what the radiologist reading the IVP finds!

There is a lesson in this – don’t focus on just what is in front of you.  Look around – and see if you notice details that just might move you to the next step in your art, photography, business and etc – and remember if three people look at the same thing – they are most likely going to each see something the other didn’t!

Become a Fan on Facebook | Join me on Google+ | Connect on LinkedIn | Follow me on Twitter

Spend a day at the beach and never leave home with my 2012 Jekyll Island Calendar featuring some of my favorite Jekyll photographs.

• Stir your memories from past visits
• Bring calmness and beauty to your day
• Support the Jekyll Island Foundation.  Between now and January 1, 2012 – $1 from each calendar sold will be donated to the Jekyll Island Foundation to help towards Conservation, Preservation and Education of Jekyll Island.

Printed on heavy gloss paper with a white wire binding, the calendar measures 11″ x 17″ when open – and makes a great gift for:

• Jekyll Island residents, visitors and our “Snow Bunnies” here for the winter from the north
• Beach and Nature lovers
• Hostess gifts for all the upcoming holiday parties

To preview all 12 images and purchase your 2012 Jekyll Island Calendar visit HERE.

Become a Fan on Facebook | Join me on Google+ | Connect on LinkedIn | Follow me on Twitter