ABOUT-ME and how all this got started

Hello I’m Teres and this is ABOUT-ME and how this all started I live in Missouri with my life partner JR.I came to live in Missouri because of the Provance Project. The Provance Project was an economic development project design to lure artists and crafts people into the 50 mile area. The area started in Hannibal followed Scenic Byway 79 through Louisiana to Clarksville. After luring about 20-25 artisans into the area the EDP Director took another job (climbing the ladder) and the project failed. That’s the short version…not the whole tale.

Suffice it to say I was stuck here and my plans to parlay my hard work with the ceramic arts dwindled. I’ll get back to that part of my life but for now I am starting over building again.

Then to my wondering eyes should appear but J.R. Until I met J.R., I had not done any yard decorating for any season. Thought about it, I just didn’t do it. J.R. was really passionate about putting up Christmas lights and doing something for Halloween. I don’t know how many times I heard about the haunted house he did for some kids at a project in Houston, TX. How the Haunted House got written up in the paper and all the single Moms’ adored him etc.

The decorations he had available to use were from the numerous auctions he had attended. When I looked at what he had available and the cost on new things I knew this wasn’t going to fly for me. So I told him I would help and the waited. He kept talking about decorating but nothing ever went out in the yard.

I don’t know how it happened, but he next thing I knew I was offering my opinions of the “stuff” we had; the space we had to fill and how a 3 foot Santa in front the school (the schools another story) would look more like a comedy than a decoration.

Buying large Christmas or Halloween items would mean spending thousands or having to listening to the constant hum of a motorized blow up of various figures that made no sense. I just couldn’t handle it.

I asked JR to wait and let me see what I could find or do that would be less expensive, more effective and could be put up/taken down quickly and then store in a small space.

I am elated to report…I DID IT! Not only did I achieve my goals but have received many accolades from all over town and drive by’s have increased year after year. I started with the idea to un-commercialize J.R.’s Holidays and fill a large space with something more appealing than the dime store (anybody remember those?) commercial holiday items. J.R. seems to be pleasee, so I am too.

We have yet to master synchronized music or dial up radio but we have that on the list. We are planning to open up part of the school as a light show walk through called Artistree Lights for Christmas and a Halloween shop with display area.

THE OLD SCHOOL.We bought this monstrosity because I always wanted to live in a warehouse with a little area off to the side to sleep/eat etc. I like being creative and that takes space. Be careful what you wish for…you may just get it! The School District was selling so I wrote a proposal and we got it, 45,000 sq. ft on 3 acres. Now we have to keep it up and it is a big chore….Be careful what you wish for…..

That is, about me, my story and all of this is more about J.R. than about-me. Enjoy the site…and let me know what you think, improvements, more ideas, and comments. Try these, they are fun and the compliments you get displaying them don’t hurt much.