I want to personally thank the people who have meant so much to me and encouraged me in pursuing this dream.
To Perry and Mary Jean, thank you for your support and encouragement. So many times when someone strikes out on her own, family members try to say, "It won't work." or,"
You won't succeed". I never got any of that from you. Thank you for not "raining on my parade". Instead, you gave me nourishing rain drops that helped my garden grow. I
love you both so much.
My heartfelt Love and thanks to my dear friend, Heather Young, for your undying enthusiasm, your child like insouciance, your love and that little "nudge" that sent me
over the cliff into the best career I could ever hope to have. I wasn't kidding when I said," If life is a party, then you are the mirrored disco ball!" You are forever
in my heart. You are "Forever Young"!
My deepest gratitude to Charlotte Price, the gal with the tough exterior and a heart of pure gold. Without your support, teaching and friendship I might not even have
this business. You have been a wonderful mentor but, even better yet, you have been a wonderful friend.
Thank you to dearest Justine Thielemann, the lady with the zest for life. The friend that is always there to help me laugh when things are tough and to help bolster
me, when I start to feel self doubt. You are Ms. Positive Attitude! You indeed are a ray of sunshine in my life.
Deepest thanks go to Karen Hudson. From day one you gave me great ideas about how to grow my business, you provided me with fabulous leads, and have, to this day,
remained one of my best customers. Your loving support has meant so much to me.
To my forever friend, Patrice Mantovani, thank you for being such a fabulous new age cheer leader. Your terrific attitude and enthusiasm made our time together as room
mates a joy. What a good friend you were then and continue to be.
Thank you to sweet J.J. Brown, the sassy little redhead that gives me pep talks when I start back sliding. You also know how difficult it is to run your own business
and I do appreciate being able to bounce ideas off of you. Thank you for being such a caring, kind soul.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Ann Simpkins & Andy Pratt, Vick and Joe Bell, & Neevra and Jerry Walker. Your friendship, encouragement and support of my business
has been stellar! Never have I seen or spoken with you, that you haven't taken an interest in how my business was doing. Not only have you cheered me on but, you've
supported me by being some of my very best customers. I do not know how I would have gotten along without friends like you. You are the shining stars in my sky. You
have no idea how much I treasure each of you.
Thank you to my friend Lee Marinaccio for your "Oz" philosophy of life. "All in good time my pretty, all in good time." "It's likely to get darker before it gets
light." " It's always best to start at the beginning and all you do is follow the yellow brick road." ...I did and I think I "must be over the rainbow".
Much love goes to The Youngs, The Dells, The Bells and The Blacks for welcoming me into your hearts and into your family. Your open arms and loving spirits have made
me feel so at home.
A big hug to Susan Vaughn and Tina Heidrich. I have had a wonderful time collaborating with you on various projects and in various art shows. You gals have shown me
what a joy it can be to work with other artists who love what they do. What a fabulous experience it has been to have free and open exchange of ideas without fear or
jealousy. I have learned much about the benefits of partnering from you two ladies. What a joy it is to have two such friends.
With much love and gratitude I thank Keith Blankenship for being the wonderful friend that you have been over the years. You have touched my heart and my life in ways
I can not begin to express. Thank you so much for the work you did on this website. I will always be grateful for all of your help and support.
And lastly, I thank my Mother, Nancy Millikan, also known to me as "Little Bug", who passed away in May of 1996. Thank you for your never ending, over flowing, river
of Love. I will never forget the mantra you chanted from the time I graduated from college, " I wish you would do something with your art." You knew better than anyone,
I was missing my calling. Well, I'm doing something with my art. And it is with greatest love, respect and affection that I dedicate my present and future successes and
the name of my business to you.
Again, I express my deepest thanks to all the people listed above and those friends and business associates that have been there for me in so many other ways. Your help
and friendship have touched my life and shaped it in ways you are probably not even aware of. I look forward to what the future holds. And if it is true what the Great
Oz said, then I am truly honored and blessed with all of the Love my friends and family have shown me.
"A heart is not judged by how much you love but, by how much you are loved by others."
The Wizard of Oz
