I t was COLD and Rainy all day - but even so you cannot help to be moved by the incredible history and power this city represents for all of us Americans.  We toured the city with Edie Grace.  This was our first time visiting the World War II museum and standing in the “actual” place where Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech.  They have now engraved the spot where he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  Standing in that spot - trying to explain to Edie Grace about Dr. King - I was overcome with emotion.  This is a city and a place that will humble you.  From there we walked over to the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial Wall and on to the World War II Memorial.  As the quote says, “Freedom is not Free”.

DeWayne’s father, Herschel Grice, served in World War II.  He wanted to see the memorial but became too sick to travel to see it.  They opened the Memorial in March of 2004 and he died in June of that year.  I took a picture of DeWayne and Edie Grace in front of the Georgia part of the memorial.  Papa Herschel was very special to me and Edie Grace.  We miss him greatly.  But Edie Grace often tells us that he is her guardian Angel looking down from heaven watching over her.  His presence was felt today. 

The city is electric getting ready for the inauguration of President Obama.

So much to see - SO LITTLE TIME.  Only TWO more DAYS until the White House visit.

Today, we began the trip to Washington, D.C.   We have been to D.C. many times but this was our first with Edie Grace and our first time in a long time driving.    I remember as a kid driving up I-95 and seeing all the signs to South of the Border.    Well the signs are still there and so is South of the Border - but somehow it just was not the same as when I was 13.  Actually I do not think anything has changed sine then.  It is a great piece of Americana however and I am glad that we shared it with Edie Grace.

So only THREE more days until my White House visit and I can tell you all about my great secret. I hope you are going to be as excited as I have been.

We are going to make Christmas shopping VERY easy for you (your husband, your parents or who ever wants to give you the ONE thing you really want for Christmas) a Lori Grice gift certificate.   HERE IS THE REALLY GOOD PART!  Because you opened this blog today I am going to sell you a gift certificate for HALF OFF!  That is right - you can get LORI GRICE FOR HALF THE PRICE - ONE day ONLY - BLACK FRIDAY, November 28.

To take advantage of this early gift from me to you email me today, November 28th by clicking here.  In the subject line put HALF PRICE GIFT CERTIFICATE and tell us how much you want to purchase the certificate for.  Please include a cell phone number so we can reach you to finalize the details of your gift certificate.  You can also call us at 912-764-7274.  Our phone lines will be slammed - because we have NEVER done this before - so leave a voice mail if we do not answer and we will follow up as soon as possible.  If your voice mail or email is received on tomorrow your HALF PRICE will be honored - even if we do not get back to you tomorrow.

Now for the fine print.  The minimum gift certificate purchase is $50 ($25 your actual cost) and the maximum is $500 ($250 your actual cost).  The gift certificate must be used for sessions booked 12/22/08 through 2/28/2009.  The gift certificate can be used for session fees and any size portraits (from wallets to wall portraits).  Frames, albums and other non portrait product will be excluded.  The certificates can be used to purchase portraits from previous sessions.  Other exclusions may apply.

Don’t miss opportunity to get the Lori Grice portraits you have ALWAYS wanted for HALF PRICE! 

We have SO MUCH to be THANKFUL for today.  You are on the TOP of my list!  Thanks for allowing me to be your families portrait artist.

Lori

Edie Grace and I enjoyed the Nutcracker’s opening show tonite.  Shay and the dancer’s 2008 version is the best yet!  If you don’t have tickets yet call 912.212.ARTS today!  It is the perfect way to kick off your Holiday Season!!!

For months I have been dropping hints throughout the blog about something incredible - a very special project I have been selected to participate in.  Have you ever tried to keep a VERY big secret?  It is SO hard.  When DeWayne and I learned that we were expecting, our doctor gave me strict orders not to TELL anyone - until we got through the first trimester.  He felt this was necessary because our journey had been so long and difficult to get to the point of expecting a child.  I thought that was the LONGEST three months of my life.  Well - I have learned since being selected and working through the commissioning of this project - just how short and easy that three months was.

OK, I know - I should JUST tell you right?  Well, I can’t - until December 2nd.  However, I will be making the announcement from the WHITE HOUSE.  Yes - THE WHITE HOUSE as in Washington, D.C.  The First Lady, Laura Bush, has invited me and to a reception at the White House to honor this announcement. 

Every year, during the holidays, we are always blessed to get more invitations to wonderful Holiday parties and open houses than we can attend.  This season is such a busy time for me - trying to get everyone’s Christmas Cards, gifts and gift portraits ready that we simply can not fit all of the great invitations into our busy schedule.  However, this is one invitation that we will be putting everything else on hold to attend.

Saturday I received the “official” invitation to the Holiday open house hosted by the First Lady at the White house.  After the reception - I will be allowed to share with you what all of this incredible, mysterious excitement is about.  Until then - it will be our secret.

can be a little overwhelming some  days.  These verses always make me feel better.

Psalms 91

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
       even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
       no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
       to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
       so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
       you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
       I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
       I will be with him in trouble,
       I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
       and show him my salvation."

(pictured above:  Vatican 2008)

For the past two days - lots and lots of VERY good little boys and girls have had an early opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Santa was very kind to sneak away from the North Pole for a few days to check things out at the studio.  We had one of the largest Santa events EVER.  The first day sold out just a few days after I posted the dates on the web.  We added a second day and you snapped up the sessions quickly.  So for those of you who did not make the list this year - Santa missed you and encourages you to BOOK EARLY next year.

Edie Grace and her cousin Olivia had a blast with Santa.  Nothing excites Edie Grace more than Santa’s visits to our studio.  She has been working hard on her list and even shared a few lists from her friends at school who could not make it to see Santa this year.

I realize how incredibly blessed I am to have some of the greatest clients in the world with the cutest children anywhere!  Thanks for making Santa’s visit terrific again this year!

Sneak peak of the back cover:

"After losing her ten-year-old son Clay and husband Paul in two different auto accidents in less than 3½ years, Lisa Oliver found herself in a dark cocoon of grief.

But, just as the caterpillar hatches from its cocoon with new wings, new color, and new freedom, Lisa emerged from her sorrow a renewed believer. Her painful incubation stretched her faith, deepened her trust, and strengthened her confidence in God. As she awoke to a more intimate relationship with Him, she flew into freedom on Wings of Hope—the hope of comfort, peace, and eternal life given only by God.

Come along on this spiritual metamorphosis from bondage to freedom. Fly with Lisa on Wings of Hope!"

Faithful blog readers will remember Lisa from our "Your Portrait, Your Story" event in 2007 and from all the blogs about Edie Grace’s first grade teachers.  Read her "YPYS" entry by clicking here.

Reserve your copy of Lisa’s inspirational book today.  They will make perfect gifts for the Holidays!

Just email Lisa @ cpoliver@bellsouth.net for more details

  Jan is a great friend, client and a terrific County Commissioner in Bulloch County.  DeWayne, Edie Grace and I have been long time supporters of Jan.  We have hosted events for her and been great cheer leaders for her throughout her tenure.  Of course, you know I am all about "girl power" so I always enjoy supporting and encouraging capable women in positions of leadership.  From her first election, Jan has exceeded our expectations.  She quickly became a much needed moderate voice on our commission.  She is known for studying the issues and LISTENING to both sides before making her decision.

If you do not know Jan, she is certainly someone you need to get to know. 

As an elected county Commissioner, Jan is a member of an organization comprised of commissioners throughout Georgia.  It is the Association of County Commissioners (ACCG)  It is an important and powerful group of elected officials who unite in one voice on issues of importance to all of our counties in Georgia.

Several years ago Jan was elected to the ACCG board of directors.  In January, she will become President of this impressive organization.  As part of this distinct honor, she will be featured in their monthly magazine in January.  In addition to featuring Jan, they will also feature our community and region that Jan is such an integral part of.

Even though my week has been tremendously hectic just returning from being out of the country for nine days - I made room for Jan to update her head shots for the publication.

Nothing thrills me more than to see friends and clients continue to give of their time and abilities to lead our communities.  Jan is certainly a great example of this. 

I also predict that this is just another step along a very bright path for Jan.  We anxiously await the next step of her journey.

Many of you have asked about the ship that we cruised on in the Mediterranean.  We chose the NCL Norwegian Gem.  There were several reasons we chose this cruise line.  We have traveled with them before and had a good experience.  We were also attracted by the "freestyle" cruising concept which allows you to choose when and where you would like to eat.  We had planned to spend as much time as possible off the ship exploring the ports and did not want to be bound by a schedule on the ship.  The ship is one of the newest ones sailing.  If fact, the Gem celebrated its one year anniversary during our cruise.

The ship is also one of the best deals at sea - especially in the Mediterranean.  So you know that caught DeWayne’s attention.  We flew direct from Atlanta to Barcelona, Spain which is a great airport and a direct flight. 

The ship had some wonderful features other than the food choices.  It is very geared for families, with pools, water slides, rock wall, tennis and basket ball courts.

Here is are the ports we visited and links to our daily journal so you can get a feel of what each day was like - if you have missed our daily blogs.

Barcelona, Spain

Sea Day

Valletta, Malta

Naples, Italy(Pompeii and Sorrento)

Civitavecchia, Italy (Rome)

Livorno, Italy (Florence and Pisa)

Villefranche, France (Nice)