Cheryl Willis, MO BROKER Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora, Barry & Lawrence Co.

Spring is here and the entertainment is looking good- check out what Joe sent me from his latest newsletter:

Dear Friends of the Arts & Live Theatre Center of Southwest Missouri Inc. {a not for profit corporation} (d.b.a.) Horseshoe Theatre - Monett

FROM WASILLA, ALASKA --Saturday March 7th: 7 PM --- Donation $5. (Age 10 & Under $2.50) Click on to the Horseshoe Website for details. www.mvmohorseshoe.com and read about Dusty Sourdough and his show. He will simply delight you with all his talents.

You may also check his website at: http://www.dustysourdough.com/cart/ and be sure to catch Dusty's interview with Jeanie Evans on her Show "Bluegrass on the Hill"on the Internet from Rogers University - Oklahoma Sunday evening - March 1st - 8 to 11pm. http://www.rsu.edu/rsuradio/live.asp

Dusty is giving the 2009 season a great kick start,and the following weeks will continue with some old favorites and some great new bands too. Keep checking this website for updates of shows. www.mvmohorseshoe.com

We appreciate your support.

See you at the Horseshoe.

also I just want to add:

JOE will be the Guest Speaker at the Springfield Ad Club. Wednesday March 25th at the Clarion Hotel on Glenstone Avenue - Springfield. His Topic is: "Clearing the Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual and Psychological Clutter in our Lives." A subject he personally has been dealing with for the last three and a half years, so he speaks from personal knowledge and expertise.

Joe Levanti The Arts & Live Theatre Center of Southwest Missouri Inc. (d.b.a.) Horseshoe Theatre - Monett PO Box 516 Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 (417) 466-8013 - (Mobile) (417) 466-0343 - (Horseshoe Theatre) Email: levanti@mchsi.com www.mvmohorseshoe.com "My Life is GREAT and just keeps getting better every day."

Cheryl(be good)Willis

Everyone that knows me, knows I love my inspectors. I have to take a minute to brag that I have 'found' another one that knows his stuff. I would like to recommend Sean O'Rear to customers & clients in my lovely part of the state of Missouri.

It is very refreshing as a REALTOR to be able to know that the peers we work with are worthy of our recommendation. Feel free to let him know I said to call- I always look forward to seeing a job well done.

Here's Sean's direct link to his website Be good- cheryl

This years theme for the CLUB CHAOS EYE CANDY CONTEST is Winter! No problem, I have plenty of time to get some great shots to share with my readers and show off my lovely part of our great state of Missouri.

Biggest problem I ran into is I am a procrastinator when it comes to taking time to have a bit of creative fun. I also am finding out that I tend to like to tweak the rules a bit. When Carolyn sent me a notice that today was the last day to submit to the contest I knew I had to stop what I was working on and get my winter pictures posted! short version of the RULES are 5 photos and 100 words.

Ben-----Andrew------hurrry with the dishes so you can vacuum, clean your playroom, rotate the laundry, start lunch and..... then get dressed and run out and do something cute so I can take a picture!

Yeah right Grandma- you want us to drop our favorite chores and play outside- don't think so!!

Doesn't look like the boys are going to help me find any great winter shots to show off especially b/c today is trying to decide if it wants to be rainy.

NUTSEY... Have you got a minute to help me shoot some eye candy in MO?

Sorry...CW you're on your own- it is not near cold enough in your part of the state for me drop what I am doing (translated from squirrel for the convenience of the readers)

Favorite Oldest son- can you give me a hand for a minute- I need a couple of 'winter pictures"

*MOM - I love you so much and I hate to ever let you down ....have you have been outside? This is not what most people would consider wintry)... Ask Karlee. *(edited for literary license---I made that up)

Most wonderful grand-daughter- please help your granny find a winter-photo to share with my readers so I can enter a contest.

Grandma- you can take a picture of my quilt!

Somehow I don't think the family is taking me serious about this. Where am I going to find a place to take traditional winter pictures when our temperatures are barely even considered fall. I only have a short amount of time to get this entry together if I hope to participate in the contest. PLEASE..... I need snow!!!

Finally...... here is the best WINTER PHOTO I can produce.... it has it all....even a snowman......and the best daughter-in-law ever for taking time to pose with our son.

See the short sleeves--- Maybe for the spring contest I can have the weather man schedule a nice late snow. Missouri really does have four seasons. We just don't get much advanced notice as to when they are going to show up. Sometime we get several on the same day. Stay tuned.....

A most Blessed Valentine's Day

Thursday, February 14, 2008 .....

I wrote the most loving note about part of my day today that I wanted to share. I of course

didn't 'save' it and when I hit spell check- lost the page.. I am too tired to try re- draft my

thoughts (or the mini novel I typed), and I know that tomorrow I won't remember the mood I

was writing BUT this page will serve as a reminder that I need to pay attention (even at night-

when I am tired). So sorry everyone missed it- it was a good one!! -be good cheryl

Edit...and continue...... (kinda like reading a Dear Diary, isn't it?)

I have a few minutes so I am going to write about my prior writing. One note to make is that

the time is off on my computer so I was actually writing late Thursday night (thus the

"Valentine's thoughts). I think writing is like dreaming, one can never describe it exactly like

she is thinking. My friend, Pam, called me early this morning (Friday) to talk about a

possible trip to Chicago to the quilt show.

I told Pam about my attempt at romantic writing and she agreed, somethings just can't be duplicated.

When I speak about Love verbally I sometimes sound sarcastic (not my intent mind you, just my

voice tone and extra chromosome of sarcasm).

I remember starting my story (a true account of my heart at the time) b/c I had been reading

and viewing fellow quilt blogger posts of joy at the gifts received for the holiday. My love language is

'giving gifts'. I shared that and explained that my husband's language is 'service' (now I am

giving away the ending).

When others are participating in the traditional commercial banters and exchanges of this time of year I

get a little introspective as I observe the processes. (Here's where I add the side note that

who ever said it is more blessed to 'give' than receive, was a 'giver'- that's how WE (givers)

show OUR Love)

In the original writing I remember throwing in the line my husband uses to excuse his lack of verbal

affections, you all know the one: "I told her I loved her when we got married, if I change my

mind I'll let her know." His rationalization for not purchasing surprises: "I bought her live

flowers once, and they died" Followed by: " I brought home plastic ones and she still has

them".

It would be funny if not true ------ (I do still have them, - ----- both!........... flowers and husband)

Needless to say, the idea of dinner and a show never enter my mind........cliff hanger......oh

what will happen next?

.....

Several days before, a dear friend had asked me visit 'when I had some time". What she

didn't tell me was she wanted to 'clean' out her guest bed room closet.........OK, I am glad to

help......What's in it?........

Guess.......

fabric, fabric, fabric, and more fabric.

After awhile of pure joy, sorting, piling, visiting, planning projects........ I realized I had no

way to transport it all in my car.

Favorite hubby, was home enjoying a bulging disk (I say enjoy b/c men are

sooooooo happy when they are sick and sooooo much happier when they are in pain).

I phoned to check on him and to let him know it would be 'awhile' before I could get back

(pun intended) and fix supper.

(I know you think that this is where the "Dinner" part comes

in but you would be wrong.)

When I explained I still needed to bag everything up, and get it to my car, and probably take

several trips to haul the stash home.....he responded with the unthinkable- boo-boo-back-

boy said: "Give me twenty minutes, I'll bring the truck"

Marie, and I kicked back and girl talked until he arrived.

When Carl arrived, Marie was so excited to show him the volume of what we had freed from years of

confinement behind closed doors.

He responded with his usual: Do you want me to haul it to the dump?"

Followed with the backup grin getter: "Or do you want me to just set it on fire here?"

I just wanted him to stand there and not hurt. I wanted him to read my mind about how nice

this was to only have to make one trip. I wanted him to sit in the truck and just honk the

horn (different story).

What I didn't expect was his show of strength as HE carried bag after bag down the steps to

the back of the Dodge. My man, loves me so much he thought of my convenience over his

comfort. (Either that or the pain pills were starting to work) Even after getting things all

outside, he came back in a visited a bit. (The visiting had to be the meds.)

Marie, is 81 and lost her dear husband 23 years ago. I am sure she misses him every day. She

told us how he worked long hours for the rail road and she learned to keep busy while he was

gone. Sewing was a much enjoyed activity for her and explains how she came to have so

much stash. Her gift to me, was the overflowing abundance of material to add too or start almost every

charity project I dreamed to do. My gift to her, was the hope of opportunity to accomplish tasks she

could no longer perform.

Carl's gift to us both, was the act of a Godly man, taking care of his woman in front of another woman.

(Nothing makes us prouder than to have our guy fight dragons, leap tall buildings and be

there for us. If there are any men reading this far- we like the door opening ritual too.)

Marie, enjoyed his stupid jokes, his rolling his eyes when we spoke of making quilts, his

screaming in pain as he descended the steps. (OK that didn't happen, just checking to see if

anyone is still reading.)

It meant a lot to her to speak about her husband and to have company visit, for a chance

to talk. She told me even though the days go fast, the nights are long when you are alone.

When I started the original story Thursday night, I was in a reflective mood, my cup of love

was over flowing. I wanted to make a quick statement about love languages and brag a little

about my hubby riding in on a white truck to save my day (and a little brag that I got sew

much fabric- did I tell you about the fabric?). save it for another post.

I had started out with one of our daughter, Christin's favorite statements: "LOVE is an Action

Verb". Even though I rarely get flowers or romantic words to tickle my ears. I got the best-

est gift of all. The gift of self sacrifice.

Depending on the tone of the reader, I can see sermon potential or a least a good stand-up

bit. (there goes my sarcasm- NO that is not a 'Gift of the Spirit', I've looked it up.)

I'm a bit off track again, but about done. Scripture tell us that of Faith, Hope and Charity the

greatest of these is LOVE. I truly feel blessed to be able to see the greatest of these in action.

- (last nights account was way better)

If you are wondering about dinner.........

I cooked!

Be good and be blessed. cheryl

This piece was written for a quilt blog I journal on.

When Sally announced the Holiday contest, I just had to send in an entry. I love the Active Rain community of my peers and anytime one has a project that is dear to them, it is dear to me.

In the past we use to tell and re-tell our stories and traditions. In today's cyber-space age, we can blog and re-blog.

Who knows, maybe one day one of Marie's great-grands will get a chance to banter on Active Rain and run across this story of a moment in love.

Dear Friends of the Arts and Live Theatre Center of SW MO. (dba) Horseshoe Theatre.

Joe Levanti's Road Show of Monett welcomes The Award Winning Brightwater Junction Bluegrass Band Saturday November 22nd - 7 pm.

If you're not familiar with them, you are in for a treat.

BRIGHTWATER JUNCTION, PLAYS TRADITIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AND STAYS ESPECIALLY BUSY PARTICIPATING IN BLUEGRASS FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST.

BRIGHTWATER JUNCTION HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN FOR MERLE HAGGARD IN APRIL OF 2003.

MEMBERS OF THE BAND INCLUDE: LYN AND TONYA COONES AND THEIR SON ERIC, AS WELL AS STEVE JORDAN AND JASON JORDAN.

LYN SINGS LEAD AND HARMONY AND PLAYS THE BANJO WITH A THREE-FINGER SCRUGGS STYLE.

TONYA SINGS LEAD AND HARMONY AND PLAYS BASS WITH A RHYTHM THAT IS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE BEAT.

ERIC SINGS BOTH LEAD AND HARMONY AND PLAYS THE MANDOLIN WITH A MONROE STYLE THAT IS SECOND TO NONE. ERIC WAS VOTED MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR BY THE SPBGMA ORGANIZATION IN 2008.

JASON'S CONTRIBUTES A POWERFUL VOCAL TO THE GROUP AND PLAYS A GOOD SOLID RHYTHM ON THE GUITAR.

STEVE'S FIDDLE PLAYING GETS THE AUDIENCE MOVING IN THEIR SEATS WHEN HE LAUNCHES INTO AN OLD FIDDLE TUNE.

BRIGHTWATER JUNCTION GATHERS AROUND ONE MIC AND PRESENTS THEIR SHOW WITH EXCITEMENT AND HIGH ENERGY, NOT TO MENTION A LITTLE HUMOR

We are closing the Horseshoe Theatre for the winter and we will re-open in March 2009 What a great band to help close out our season. the show is at the Monett City Hall Auditorium Fifth & Bond 7 pm $5. Admission Age 10 & Under $2.50 Directions? (417) 466-0343 ========================= Thanks again for all your support. I will fill you in with details about next year as they develop. Sincerely, Joe Levanti

I plan to attend and invite all my readers for this end of the season show! be good cheryl