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Title: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 07, 2008, 09:32PM Needless to say the Baton Rouge signing could not compare to anything I have ever experenced, there were only about 125 lined up for this and all expextations were far exceeded. Pictures were taken, video by a few and the ladies were exeptional, they went over and above for all who attended, if I can gather my thoughts and come down from the clouds I'm in I hope to explain it.
We arrived about 9:45 to find about 10 people waiting, Sandy was at the head of the line, who I must say was a god send, we were told that nothing but purchased Barnes and Noble cd and dvd would be signed but when the doors opened and we went to get our wrist bands we were surprised there were plenty red ones for the 1:30 line which was the first line to be received. We found out from the girl handing out wrist bands that anything brought in not for sale at Barnes and Noble could be signed, well we realized we didn't have anthing except my prints of the portraits I did, that is where a friend of ours came in she saved the day with a picture for us to get signed besides the cd we purchased. After talking for a while we all left either for breakfast or as we did, for lunch. We returned to Barnes and Noble to see if anyone had arrived but we were first out of the people we knew to get there, shortly after Sandy and Jody arrived, we wandered in to find where they would be signing then met some people we already knew and some new people, Ryan and Norma from Texas, Phillip and Susan from Birmingham, Lester, and John and a few others that right now I can't recollect, we stood for quite some time before getting into line around 1:45, to my surprise we were way back in line. We waited until about 2:35 or so when a man on the balcony started playing the bagpipes, we then realized they were entering the signing area. I saw Lisa first then Orla, I couldn't see the rest because we were behind the bookshelves, the camera's started going off right awayl We were in line for about an hour or a little less by the time we got to the signing table, as I did I gave Joann my Christmas Cards and ornaments for the ladies, also Rachel, David and Alex as they were not there. I asked Joann if I could give the presents Scott sent me from the Mairead forum and she said that would be ok, it contained several gifts from the Mairead forum members and cards. I finally got to go next and Chloe greeted me and I gave her the cd to sign, I also told her I was the one who gave her the framed portrait and she thanked me and shook my hand and told me it was above the fireplace in her moms house, next was Lynn, she signed the cd and I gave her a copy of the portrait to sign and told her the real portrait was coming at the end of the signing, she was so gracious and thanked me shook my hand and next I met Mairead, I gave her the gift bag full of cards and presents and roses, her face just lit up, I explained to her Scott had sent me those from her forum and I was honored to give them to her, I asked her if she liked my portriat from last spring and she said oh my it was so lovely and thanked me and shook my hand. Next was dear Orla, I told her it was so nice to finally meet her up close instead of talking to her from a distance after I gave her the portrait I did for her over a year ago, she lit up and thanked me, shook my hand not once not twice but held my hand with both of hers, you can imagine how my mind was swimming after all this, of course last but definitely not least dear Lisa, I gave her a copy of the portrait I did and she signed it, and as I told Lynn I told Lisa it will be coming at the end, I had already arranged it with Joann, she shook my hand thanked me so very much and I waited for Brenda to get through the line, as we did we picked up our signed items and I was off to the car to get the portraits. What happened next I didn't expect, I came back in and they were forming a line of people to get pictures taken with them, I never expected them to tell me I can present my pcitures to the girls and pose with them and the portraits, I was ecstatic. I was even having trouble breathing because it just took my breath away, posing with all five of the girls with my portraits in front of them, my head was swimming. I posed with my arms them as they stood on each side of me. To top it all of Lisa came over and started something I just never expected, she gave me such a hug as to take my breath away and that started it, now Lynn hugged me then Chloe, Mairead and as I was walking away Orla reached out for me and just gave me the sweetest hug ever. Nothing will ever surpass this, that I could ever imagine, I asked Brenda to pinch me to see if it was real and to show how dazed I was I almost forgot my portfolio. A great day with the greatest ladies I have ever met, thank you god for the gift of a lifetime.Brenda and Phillip took pictures I will post when I get and chance. Title: Re: The best meet and greet ever. Post by: cool2it on December 07, 2008, 09:58PM What a truly wonderful day you had!! A dream all of us would like to have come true, for sure. You worked hard and the girls knew that. They are just an unbelievable class of Ladies. Congratulations on a job well done and a reward the rest of us but wish could happen to us.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Kelli on December 07, 2008, 10:04PM What a great day indeed! It's so wonderful that you were able to get your picture taken with them. I do so hope that one day I can make it to a signing where I can get my photo with them (and I have my camera ready LOL). I'm so glad you were able to deliver your portraits. They were/are a labor of love, and I'm sure the girls know that. Congratulations!
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: OldFart on December 07, 2008, 10:52PM WOW! That's fantastic! I don't think my old heart could have taken it! That's definitely something you can always cherish!
Congratulations! Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 08, 2008, 05:43AM I was begining to wonder if I would make it without a panice attack lol, I was a nervous reck, dehidrated, my legs wern't holding up well and my eyes were burning, I was determined and did make it through, I thank everyone who was there, what a super great bunch of members we have on the forums, everyone helps everyone and I wish I could have done more. I was asked by a few of the members to deliver personal messages and did get to remember a few of them but forgive me for not being able to say more to them, it would have taken most of the afternoon, I did feel however I did what I could, I didn't even get to tell the ladies all I wanted to say. I sure hope I didn't sound like an idiot, so many of them to talk to and to remember what I wanted to say to each, I sometimes stumbled and had trouble finding the words. I love them all dearly and they are my inspiration, thank you to all the ladies including Joann.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: OldFatGuy on December 08, 2008, 05:55AM thank you to all the ladies including Joann. Stan,Really happy that it went so well. And thank you for mentioning Joanne's part in it. She's a very special young lady with a tough job, and she does it with great charm and grace. I like to kid Rachel and Joanne about being such great cat-herders. :D Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 08, 2008, 07:08AM Thanks Rich, but if it wasn'te for dear Kelli and You and the forum this would have never happened. The forum's unselfish help when I couldn't find my way to what I wanted to do for the CW women was unbelievably generous, being a starving artist instead of taking the easy road is very hard and sometimes I didn't think I would make it, but all the people and especially you Rich were so helpful as to who I see and how to go about getting my artwork to them. Rachel has been especially helpful because she was the one I always was in touch with to get my work to the ladies.
After meeting Joanne how could you not help but love her, she is very special lady with a very special job and I thank her with all my heart. I heard about her from Scott for the first time this year and she did not dissapiont. I sometimes wish I had more time to devote to the forum you created. Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: bpea55 on December 08, 2008, 03:19PM Artist, we are so happy for you ! I'm really glad you got to present your gifts to the Ladies. ;D
And to get pictures besides..That is a truly great day..I once told Kelli that if I ever meet Orlagh, I'm sure I'd just babble a lot..so Kell could slap me if needed... :D I don't think I'd be as calm as you! Congrats to you and our Thanks to all the people that make CW what it is! You are amazing! Bp Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Shywolf(Craig) on December 08, 2008, 03:42PM Stan, Lucky you :) And I understand with all that was going on and in your head and mention our personal messages to ask an mention to the ladies would be forgotten. And Rachel is a sweetie. But what a day not to be forgotten.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Jeanine on December 08, 2008, 04:21PM That's so awesome for you, Stan! What an unforgettable experience!! Wow! :)
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Celtic Fiddle Chick on December 08, 2008, 04:37PM Wow Stan, what an amazing experience. I am so jealous of you but also glad that you had that rare chance to do what you did. Also, I am glad to hear that the package was delivered to Mairead okay. I hope she likes the gift I gave her.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Starman on December 08, 2008, 05:17PM Stan, we could not have been better represented! The girls no doubt recognized the many hours of work you have spent in painting their portraits and so were enthusiastic in their appreciation! An unforgettable experience no doubt for you, which also serves to reinforce our affection for this fantastic group of people!
I owe you particular thanks for printing my Christmas card to Mairead sent to you electronically, as I otherwise would have missed having something in the Mairead forum package. You are a class act and you thoroughly deserved this moment! ;D Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Emily! on December 08, 2008, 06:48PM Awww that sounds so wonderful!!! I wish I could have been there but I'm also glad I can live vicariously through you, Stan. :D
I'm glad Máiréad liked the goodies from the Mairead forum. I hope she is reading my card as we speak. ;D Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Wife2CWFan on December 08, 2008, 07:00PM Stan
I am sending you Odo's pucket. Phillip is almost done with it! ;D He melted into it when Mairead hugged him. What a great time! I hear people spend years and tons of money tring to meet all of the ladies. WE REALLY LUCKED OUT! :) We HAD A AWSOME TIME! Look forward to Birmingham concert. OH BTW. From the looks of your picture you were in cloud nine. ;D Susan Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: howard on December 08, 2008, 07:02PM Stan,
I am so happy for you!!! I know how proud you are of your portraits, and rightly so. That you were able to present it in person. This I know is the M & G of your dreams. But one question how were you able to remember everything that happened? If it were me i would have just fainted through the whole thing. Congrats!!! Howard Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 08, 2008, 07:38PM Our photos are in, hope you like them we could have done better, Phillip has much better ones and as soon as I receive them I'll post them.
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC00177-1.jpg) what can I say, it was like being in heaven with the angels. (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC00172-1.jpg) Lisa you made me feel so special with the first hug. (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC00171-1.jpg) I'll never wash that hand LOL. (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC00170-1.jpg) Dear Mairead, thank you from your forum, you are so special. (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC00169-1.jpg) thank you so much Lynn, you are very special to us thank you Joanne (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC00168-1.jpg) Thank you Chloe, now I know where my portrait of you hangs. Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Celtic Fiddle Chick on December 08, 2008, 07:42PM Stan, those are wonderful pictures.... they are looking very good, like angels.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Cash on December 08, 2008, 07:58PM Stan,
You're a lucky man! Great pics. But I think the cop in the background is even luckier. Think about what a great detail to get. Getting paid to guard CW. Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: MrPeabody on December 08, 2008, 08:01PM Wow, what an amazing time you had. Love that fourth one of Máiréad. Simply gorgeous!
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 08, 2008, 08:08PM Stan, You're a lucky man! Great pics. But I think the cop in the background is even luckier. Think about what a great detail to get. Getting paid to guard CW. Yeah but didn't get the loving hugs I did. Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: JRRacing64 on December 08, 2008, 08:27PM Thanks Stan for posting these, It must have been an incredible experience :)
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Starman on December 08, 2008, 08:32PM Sunday..December 7...2008?! He'll not need the anniversary of Pearl Harbor to remember that date from now on, I guarantee it! :D ;D
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Emily! on December 08, 2008, 08:49PM Aaaaahh!!! Amazing photos, Stan!!! Máiréad looks so beautiful! They all do, actually (but especially Máiréad...and Lisa...and all of them! aaah!) ;D
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Thomas on December 08, 2008, 09:18PM Stan,
It's great that everything worked out for you and I could not be happier for you. These are life long memories that I want to thank you for sharing. Thanks, Tom Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Shywolf(Craig) on December 09, 2008, 11:47AM Stan, Fanstatic for you and priceless. Thanks for sharing :) Oh and to have Joanne in the pic too ;)
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: nbrock on December 09, 2008, 01:10PM Charlie & I were also blessed to attend this fantastic event! :o It was indeed THE BEST EVER! LPB and Barnes & Noble are to be commended too - they did a brilliant job!
It goes without saying that having all the ladies together was phenomenal, but it was also an honor to meet so many of you folks. Stan did a better job of remembering the details than I did, but I'm old - and sleep deprived after the long journey back & forth to Baton Rouge. Thanks for sharing the story Stan. It was a pleasure to meet you all. :) Norma Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: kathleen on December 09, 2008, 01:30PM Those are great pictures.
Its great to see the ladies with their portraits! ;D I am so glad you guys got to go! hugs kathleen Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 09, 2008, 07:07PM (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC05625-1.jpg)
Here is a much better picture, taken by Phillip. (http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee84/swd692002/DSC05630-1.jpg) Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Meow on December 09, 2008, 08:24PM I'm confused... did you draw (or paint) those portraits? If so, they are AMAZING!!! Wow! I can't tell if they're photographs or paintings!
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 09, 2008, 08:29PM They are done in pastels, oils take too long to dry. And yes it is considered a pastel painting.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Mel on December 10, 2008, 04:15AM Me thinks Lisa likes Purple ;D
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Wife2CWFan on December 10, 2008, 06:16PM I still can't believe it will be the last time I ever talk to Oral ! :'(
If I knew I could have said good bye. Man! I will miss her!!! I hope she will come back to the group. It will seem weird with out her. :'( Bye Oral I will miss you. Susan Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Kimberly AJ on December 10, 2008, 06:23PM And I really like the flower pinned on Chloe's top. :)
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Artist1 on December 10, 2008, 07:32PM From an all time high to an all time low, I wish I knew at the signing, I would have made a special effort to spend more time with her, or tried anyway, as always I could listen to her talk for hours, love always, your artist, Stan.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Starman on December 10, 2008, 08:23PM From an all time high to an all time low, I wish I knew at the signing, I would have made a special effort to spend more time with her, or tried anyway, as always I could listen to her talk for hours, love always, your artist, Stan. It's like the heartbreak of realizing in retrospect that you were seeing a friend/loved one for the last time and wishing you had made more of it. Many of us must deal with that now in one form or another, but with at least the hope that we'll get another chance to see and interact with our Orlagh. :( Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: SusanZ on December 10, 2008, 08:48PM Stan,
What an amazing day you had ! Loved the pictures you shared and the portraits of Lynn and Lisa are beautiful. Zee Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Kelli on December 11, 2008, 10:30AM Here are some photos that Sandy shared with me of the Signing. Enjoy!
Orlagh and Lisa laughing with Sandy: (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNOrlaghLisa.jpg) Orlagh signing something for Kelli (sure looking forward to seeing that!): (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNOrlaghSign.jpg) Orlagh with flowers Sandy gave her on Kelli's behalf (awwwwwwwww) (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNOrlaghFlowers.jpg) Group Photo with the stockings Sandy made for each of them (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNGroupStockings.jpg) Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Celtic Fiddle Chick on December 11, 2008, 11:45AM Wonderful pictures. I especially like the one with Orlagh holding the flowers.
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: SusanZ on December 11, 2008, 02:47PM The only thing more beautiful than the flowers is our lovely Orlagh holding them!
Thanks for sharing those,Kelli! Zee Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Starman on December 11, 2008, 06:03PM Wonderful pictures! Many thanks to Sandy for what must have made the signings much more memorable for the group and for the pictures as a lasting memory to us all! Thanks for posting them Kelli and for your part in this!
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: John910 on December 12, 2008, 01:34AM Great pictures, I wish they would do that in other cities. (specifically Scranton or Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania)
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Kelli on December 12, 2008, 05:31PM More pictures from Sandy:
Lisa discussing school systems with Sandy, who is a second grade teacher (there's a caption game somewhere begging for this picture!!!) (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNLisaSandySchools.jpg) Chloe looking so sweet! (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNChloe.jpg) Mairead, Orlagh, and Lisa (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNMaireadOrlaghLisa.jpg) Mairead showing us her stocking...she said she hadn't had one since she was a little girl! (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNMaireadStocking.jpg) Orlagh signing something for Sandy (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z176/bmfrescue/BNOrlaghSandypicture.jpg) Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Kimberly AJ on December 12, 2008, 05:41PM I like those big images. :)
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Emily! on December 12, 2008, 05:50PM Máiréad looks so preeeeeeeeety. ;D
I like that photo of Lisa too. She looks very engrossed in the conversation hehe. ;D Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Starman on December 12, 2008, 07:05PM Not a lefty (like me) among them! They've been spared that, at least! :D ;D
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Emily! on December 12, 2008, 07:08PM BTW, the stockings are adorable! What was in them? Are we allowed to know or is it something personal? I'm nosy. ;D
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Cash on December 12, 2008, 09:51PM BTW, the stockings are adorable! What was in them? Are we allowed to know or is it something personal? I'm nosy. ;D Interogation from the law (student). Is the person in custody? Did you remember Miranda? What is your PC for searching the stockings? Did you get a warrant? :D Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Emily! on December 12, 2008, 10:25PM BTW, the stockings are adorable! What was in them? Are we allowed to know or is it something personal? I'm nosy. ;D Interogation from the law (student). Is the person in custody? Did you remember Miranda? What is your PC for searching the stockings? Did you get a warrant? :D LOL. I'm just practicing. ;D Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: SANDY on December 12, 2008, 11:16PM BTW, the stockings are adorable! What was in them? Are we allowed to know or is it something personal? I'm nosy. ;D HI EMILY... THANK YOU VERY MUCH .... THE STOCKINGS WERE SO MUCH FUN TO MAKE...BUT...I HAD REAL TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT IN THE WORLD TO PUT IN THEM.... NOW I AM A 2ND GRADE TEACHER SO YOU KNOW THAT I DEAL WITH LITTLE FOLKS AND HAVE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS...SO I COULD ONLY THINK WHAT I COULD HAVE PUT IN THEM FOR THE CHILDREN... SO-OO-O...AFTER MUCH THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT MAYBE I WOULD WANT IN A STOCKING MADE FOR ME, THIS IS WHAT I CAME UP WITH....NOT MUCH...JUST A THOUGHT.... 1. A SMALL PACKAGE OF 100 LITTLE LANOLIN WIPES 2. A NICE, GOOD SMELLING HAND CREAM 3. A LITTLE GIFT BOX OF FRESH LOUISIANA GLAZED PECANS 4. A GIFT BAG OF OL FASHIONED SOFT PEPPERMINTS WITH A LOUISIANA PRALINE IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG 5. A LITTLE FLIP-TOP GIFT BOX OF MONOGRAMMED PERSONAL PURSE SIZE CARDS 6. A PACKAGE OF PERSONALIZED (FULL NAMES WITH THE FADAS AND ALL) NOTE CARDS WITH MUSICAL NOTES AND A RED AND WHITE POLKA- DOTTED BOW 7. A FLAIR WRITING PEN 8. and,,,A LITTLE FUNNY -LOOKING OL FASHIONED SANTA CLAUS OR SNOWMAN THAT POPS UP AND DOWN.... AND A HAND WRITTEN THANK YOU CHRISTMAS CARD TO EACH GIRL FROM KELLI AND ME... THAT'S IT....SO MUCH FUN TO FILL... NOT A WHOLE LOT...BUT THIS FILLED THE STOCKING UP TO THE TOP... THANKS FOR ASKING EMILY.... SANDY Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: Emily! on December 12, 2008, 11:23PM That's so wonderful, Sandy!! All of those things are perfect for a stocking. You are much better than me, I wouldn't have had the first clue what to put in them for the girls, haha. :D
Title: Re: The best signing and meet and greet ever. Post by: CelticWomanFan425 on October 17, 2009, 09:32PM Lynn looks incredible!!!!!!
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