Hello All!! You are cordially invited to the Opening Reception of "The Collaboration" presents - A Duo Show - Digital Prints Created by Father and Sons Saturday, October, 4th, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.Kerrytown Concert House, 415 North 4th Ave., Ann Arbor. Special Musical Performance by The Legendary Candy Band at 5:30 and 7:30. For those Architects, Designers and Builders reading this. here is my reasoning and hope. We have been presenting our work to other architects, designers, builders, government officials, hospitality officials and corporate businesses with wonderful response regarding bringing our prints into large public, corporate and hospitality spaces. I feel they lend themselves perfectly for large format printing and display. My hope is to garner some of your attention and convince you to give us a chance to be specified and or incorporated into current and or future projects. Please consider taking some time and coming to our opening and or the show that is open through out the month of October. Also please feel free to pass this notice/invitation along to any and everyone you feel would be interested in our work. Thank you and enjoy! Paul M. Hickman, Inc www.paulmhickman.com THIS SHOULD BE A SUPER COOL GIG!!! XOXO A.JOY

Ok - so this is last years picture - BUT - we played yesterday once again, with the infamous Big Daddy Lackowski and the La De Das!! Big Daddy even stood on a table to sing his famous La De Da song to me!!! He is so rockin!!! And - the best - I mean the BEST - Mac and Cheese (and if you noticed, I did capitalize that!!) in the whole wide world!!! If you've never been to the Clarkston Union in beautiful Clarkston, Michigan - ya gotta go NOW!!! xoxo A.joy

Ok - I am in desparate need of some serious shut-eye!! My daughter is on the end of a "cough spasm" thingy so I have been getting up every 4-5 hours to give her broth. It's the only thing that works - forget over the counter cough medicine - they should bottle hot broth instead (oh wait, they already do - just not heated). Now my husband is home sick in bed. I need rest!!! xoxoxo zzzzzzzzzzzzzz A.Joy

I took my daughter to the doctor today - she has been coughing and is totally congested. The doctor diagnosed her with acute sinusitus. As the doctor was looking in her ears and nose, I became curious. I have always wanted to look into one of those instruments so I could see what they were talking about. Finally, today I asked if I could "take a peek". Well, the picture at left is an eardrum and that is what I saw when I looked in her ear. Cool!!! xoxo A.Joy

HAPPY 250!!! Ok - I don't know who Matthew is, but I liked the picture of this cake that I found on the internet. Anyways, not only are we playing at the Clarkston Union on Saturday at 4pm with the world famous "Everybody do the La De Da" Big Daddy Lackowski - but this will be the Candy Band's 250th show!! Can you believe it - please come and help us blow out the candles!!! xoxo A.Joy

Next Saturday is one of my favorite gigs!! We are playing at the Clarkston Union Annual Oktoberfest (why is that spelled with a "K"?)

Hope to see you all there. We go on at 4pm and at 6pm is Big Daddy Lakowski and the La De Das!!! See ya in Clarkston!! xoxo A.Joy

Ok - here's a time saving tip for you: My daughter (who is 8 years old) wants to get the most sleep that she can in the morning. Her solution??? Wear the clothes that she will wear to school the next day - to bed!! She has even gone as far as putting on a top, skirt and knee socks and going to sleep. Her rationalization of this "I can sleep an extra 5 minutes in the morning!!". I have put my foot down on this and will absolutely not allow her to wear shoes to bed though!! I must admit - when I was her age, I used to hate to make my bed - so I slept in a sleeping bag on top of my bed (that was made). Ah, the things we do to save time!! Do you have any time saving tips you would like to contribute to our readers??? xoxo A.Joy

Yesterday - we had rain, rain, rain!! It was the remnants of Hurricane Ike. I found this picture of Isabel online and thought it was cool - but I guess it's not cool if you live on the coast and get bombed by one of these things. Does anyone love wacky weather like I do?? (at least on TV) xoxo A.Joy

So I recently bought a new Schwinn Voyager. I love my new bike. I had a double basket installed on the back so I can take it to the grocery store. Here's the problem: Everytime I go to the store, I get carried away and buy too much stuff. Luckily, my husband gave me a bungee cord "just in case". Thank goodness for that!! Today I went to Trader Joes and bought milk, eggs, 2 pizzas, veggies, breakfast bars, frozen chicken, pancake mix, teriyaki sauce, lunchmeat and this weird green pea snack. I honestly didn't think I was going to make it home (1 mile). But - lo and behold - the eggs made it just fine (everything else is a little smushed though). Rock on and save gas!! xoxo A.Joy

This Sunday, Candy Band invades wonderful Ann Arbor Michigan (home of the University of Michigan!!!). We play at the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor Library at 2pm. It's on 5th and Williams!! Hope to see you there!! xoxo A.Joy