I'M BACK!!!!

Well, my darlings, the Big G is back and ready for bidness....chatty bidness that is!!! We got ourselves a spankin' new Gateway!! I have to get used to the keyboard and add all the lost addresses on my other email address, so it's going to take a while before I can get situated.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and looking forward to a sober New Year!!!! hahahahaha, did I say sober. Well, I have to be in order to make my "menudo." So many of you vomminted, I mean, commented about our popular soup/stew for the "crudas" many of us go through on New Years....cruda in Spanish means "raw," and let's face it, isn't that the way we feel after a night of over indulgence???!!?!?!?! Bought almost $80 worth of stomach, chile and I just remembered, I have to buy the posole, hominy, but I don't like the stuff in the can...I buy it fresh.

The hubby is going to the Sun Bowl game tomorrow...oh, it has another name, can't remember it, but Stanford and Ok are playing. I'll be home, cutting meat, and start the cook off, and stink up the house...that stuff really reeeeeks, but it's sooooo good when it's done. My brother's girlfriend doesn't like it, this coming from a Japanese woman who eats bait!! LOL Frankly, I love sushi but I think it's funny.

Saturday, the Diaz fam, or the ones that are here, will be celebrating Christmas...opening gifts from each other. I'm providing the meal, menudo of course. Should be a fun evening spending with my fam. Frankly, we don't intend on going anywhere again for Christmas again. My Christmas wasn't what I expected, but it was great to be with my little penis posse and get to know the newest little guy, my Sammy...he's a super chunk!!! Once he got used to my face, he was just adorable...that's usually the way it goes for most people!!! LOL

Well, need to get running and do some other stuff on this contraption. I can't tell you how much I've missed you all; as the old Joni Mitchell song goes, "Don't you know it seems to go, you don't know what you've got till it's gone..." Peace out my friends and thanks for not forgetting me!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Hellooooo my darlings!!!! Damn, I've missed you all so much and thanks for the comments you left me on my last blog. Well, the jury's in...the computer is a fried goner!!!! My poor little Dell sits there looking so forlorn and sad, but I will replace it soon with a brand new spankin' new Dell. My sweet man's company has a deal with them and he'll be able to buy one for a really good price, so hopefully, I'll be back online in January...from my lips to God's ears.

I'm getting ready to go to Austin tomorrow for Christmas. I'll be gone from the 22nd to the 28th just in time for the "menudo cook-off." For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a really great soup made with....drum roll please.....cows stomach and I add an ox tail in there for more flavour!!! Ok, I see some of you making those sour faces and sticking your tongues out going "YUCK!!" Well, I'll have to admit, it's an acquired taste. I grew up with it and I didn't touch it as a child, but I fell in love with the stuff as an adult. My sweet, late uncle, from Ohio, used to come by on New Years Day to our house to get his share of "menuuudo!" A very brave man for his time!! LOL I already have the list for my hubby when he arrives on the 26th from Chicago to go grocery shopping at my favorite Mexican shop, Mandos, for my stuff....can't wait. Didn't make it last year since I was still in shock and mourning from my dad's death. Oh speaking of Mexicans, how many Mexicans does it take to fill up a gas tank???? From what I witnessed today while I was gassing up, about 8!!! It was "toda la familia" trying to figure it out, till I went over there to help them..oey vey!! I guess it was my good deed for today. Anyway, you all have your black eyed peas for good luck for the year...we have menudo...not for luck but for the hangover the next day!!! We're really quite practical when it comes to these things...besides, I hate black-eyes peas. Made them when I was married to my ex...was from TN.

My sweet man and I have already decided no more Christmas' away from home...the little mountains can just come to Mohamed, dammit!! I'm still not threw packing for Ian and me and I think that I'll just be up late tonight with the laundry...you ask what the hell I was doing all weekend....not a friggin' thing. Saturday, my mom and I went to the cemetery to lay some flowers on my dad's grave...it's been a year and some on my aunt's since her birthday falls on the Virgen de Guadalupe day. Then I came home and spent the better half of the time wrapping gifts. What was I thinking....I can't take wrapped gifts on the plane...Doh!!! So the next day, Ian and I went to the $ General to get some bags, then I just labeled them all and packed the gifts in a piece of luggage. My butt, knees and lower back are really pissed off at me right now for putting through those wrapping sessions on the floor...ouch!!

I also saw one of my fav movies...well 2..."It's a Mad, Mad Mad World, " and "The Name of the Rose." Didn't stay up to watch the "Hangover," but I'll watch it in Austin since Andria has it. Tonight, I'll be washing, packing and just the usual one does before a trip and leaves all the details to the last minute. I did invite my poor daughter-in-law to come over as soon as her husband arrived. She was shorted some pills, Concerta, for her 6 year old steps0n and called me for advise....told her the pharmacies are notorious for doing that and the customers always ends up paying for it....metaphorically, or in her case, physically!!! LOL The kid was pinging off the walls and speaking in tongues....so I told her Benedryl is her next bet...it worked!! Hey, been there,done that!!! So I told her as soon as Lance get's home, just cross the street and come over to instruct her how to feed my doggies during our absence and have a 6 pack on me!!! LOL

Well, my dear friends, this is the end of my story and I'm sticking to it. If I don't get to blog before Christmas, have a wonderful Christmas or whatever and please be happy, safe and stay a little crazy. LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!!!! Peace out.

Computer Go Ba-bye

Hello my bloggy friends. I've got devastating news, my computer has bitten the dust, been kidnapped by virus and Trojan horses pirates, blown up, kicked the bucket, crash and burn...ok, you get it....it's brokie!!!

Would you believe that I lost it due to some research I was doing on Christmas traditions around the world for a story I'm writing for my grandchildren. I was on this one site and clicked on the Netherlands, and POW, was hit hard...both Microsoft and Trend Micro went crazy....then everything went blank. Called my little brother for help, since my son is such a grouch. My poor little bro tried to help me via the phone, but to no avail. So my sweet man put a call into a computer nerd who used to work for him....hopefully he can restore some of it or just build me a new one.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know I'll be out of the loop for a bit. Right now I'm using my dad's old Macasauris, but hell, at least it works!!! So when I come to Miss Daisy's house, my mother, I'll check in with you all. I won't be around till next Monday when I come over to take her out, so till then, have a wonderful week and weekend, and I'll miss you all terribly...tear! Love you all and miss you, peace out.

An Award & Other Ramblings

Good morning all, I received this award some time back and I'm so very sorry to Linda for not posting it sooner, but here it is. This is from my crazy friend right up the road in Albuquerque, NM... http://lindaomasoldebaggsnstuftshirts.blogspot.com. Unfortunately, I'm to send it to others, but I ran out of people, so I guess the "Buck Stops Here," thank you Harry Truman!!! I'm supposed to tell you 10 things about me....hmm, I did this once before and I came up with some pretty funny stuff, but right now my brain is eaten up with Menopauseitis!!! Hold on, I feel a hot flash coming on.....I'M MELTING!!!

Ok, that's over with for now, so here are 10 things about me:

1. I think everyone knows this one, but I don't like snow, bleh!
2. My great-great grandmother was an Irish Jew....didn't even know such people existed!!
3. I was married almost 26 years to a toad, but met my Prince Charming finally.
4. Returned to school when I was 47, graduated with a B.A. in Art in 2005, at 53.
5. I'm an artist (oh duh, really???).
6. I have 3 kids, Joel, 33, Andria, 31 and Ian, 24. I didn't give birth to them, I folded!
7. Love my grandkids, Sean, 9, Ryan 7, Zach, 5 and Sammy 4 months
8. I have many acquaintances, but few really good friends...I'm very picky!!
9. I used to lie in the confessional...told the priest all sorts of stories till he recognized my voice.
10. Ok, this one is really personal, but I've had farting contests with my grandsons!!! My daughter put an end to that, the ol' poop!

There's the 10 things you most likely don't know about me, or maybe you do..I don't remember what I say in my posts from time to time. Oh well, as my ex father-in-law used to say when he'd repeat a story and we called it to his attention to the fact we had already heard it, he'd say" Goddammit, I like that story and I wanted to hear it again!!" He was a hoot!

Has anyone ever thought about those stupid made up words you have to type to get your blog comments published? Well, I have. I thought maybe someone, like a linguist, could come up with a language using those stupid pseudo words. I was listening to some guy the other day on the radio and he spoke nothing but Klingon to his son till the kid caught on at age 3 and refused to speak to his father in the Klingon language again!!! Ya think that guy needs a life???? Anyway, I thought the same could be done with these little letters that sometimes we have to decipher with a squint. So, do you think I need a life???? Just one of my crazy ramblings.

Well, hopefully will complete most of Christmas gifts today and get them ready for shipping or packaging to take with me to Austin. Right now I'm playing with glass paints...having a blast and the glass and paint are so forgiving...you make a mistake, you wipe it off and "all gone!" Well, my dear friends, it's off to my happy place and hopefully will take pics of the final projects and post them here. Peace out.

Snow, snow and more snow!!

Hello all in blogoland, just wanted to touch base with you all and let you know that the snow didn't hamper my attempt to strand myself in my house, as most El Pasoans do...it's not the weather but the horrific drivers. Desert people have no idea as to how to drive in wet weather, snow and oey vey, ice!!!

I had my fill of that when I lived in Germany back in the mid-late 70's. I was amazed at how these people went out for walks or their daily visit to the stores to buy food for the days meal. They had their youngsters bundled up, many looked like little ticks, and they had no problem taking their babies out, in well insulated strollers. I just watched all this life go by me as I stood at my warm kitchen window. Well, I wasn't about to be left out, so I got my 4 month old son, now 33, and put him in his stroller and decided to take a walk in the fields across the street from our apartment complex...thought I'd go buy some honey from the honey lady that lived in that area. Well, I never made it to the fields, let alone the honey lady. The wind was sooo cold and sharp and after a couple of blocks, I said this is crazy, I don't belong here, I'm not a winter person and I don't like the cold, and the snow sucks!!! However, as my little ones grew older, I did take them out to play in the snow and laughed at all the crazy Germans and Turks driving in the ice...they'd put on their breaks and slide for a good 2 blocks....the Turks had this thing about driving backwards...must be a Turk thing.

Well, I will say one thing about snow, it looks beautiful on our Franklin mountains. These are pics I took on Wed. and Thurs. This scene is right outside my front lawn...just love it. This was the day after the storm.



This one was taken yesterday morning. The clouds hovered all day and the only thing peeking out are the peaks....lovely!


I shouldn't complain since I know there are a lot of people who experience lots more than here...we measure by inches, whereas in other area, measure by feet!!! I like our inches better.
So dear friends, hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of love, laughter, family and food....oh yes, Anne, you also try to enjoy spirits....not talking about the "BOO" type either!!! Peace out!

Straight, No Chaser

Good Monday Morning my dear friends! Hopefully everyone survived the Thanksgiving meal and for those of you who actually partook in the Black Friday fiasco, "You're a better man than I, Gunga Din." I will be going to the Mall today (bleh) with Miss Daisy...she's looking for some warm jammies for her CA trip later this month. Also, my sweet man flies in this afternoon from Houston, after being gone a week. We are actually experiencing winter here in the Southwest, and the forecast is that it will begin to snow this afternoon, right around the time I pick up my honey at the airport...can't wait to hit I-10 when that mess starts...oey vey!

This weekend I watched much on PBS and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of concerts from Andrea Botcelli to the Celtic Women and many more. The only one I didn't watch were the Rockets...eh!! However, I just wanted to introduce you to a group of very talented young men that I enjoyed the most...they're fabulous!!! I'm sure many of you have already heard their music, but for those who haven't, I've included a link to Lala where you can listen. Please check it out and enjoy.

Blog buddies, may I introduce you the Straight, No Chaser:
http://www.lala.com/#artist/Straight_No_Chaser

Peace out.

The Day After Thanksgiving

Good morning all you wonderful people out there in blogland, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I couldn't find a recent family pic in my pic folder, so I pulled this one taken back in in the early 70's. I couldn't believe how beautiful we all were, well, we still are, but in a more spiritual way! LOL I still can't get over my bro in that Miami Vice jacket, even though this pic is older than the series. Maybe Fred should have just kept up the look and the costume designers would have to come up with something new for Crockett!! LOL We were all so young and looking forward to the future. Ironically enough, my ex took that picture of us...wonder what happened to that ceramic horse??? L-R, me, my Dad, Mom, Letty, Fred and seated is little bro, Jaime.

Our family dinner at my brother's, a.k.a., Sonny Crockett, house was wonderful...we ate entirely too much but I did stop with the meal and had no more room for dessert, homemade cheesecake, my pumpkin and apple pies. It was so much fun as we all sat around the table and thoroughly entertained my sister's best friend from Phoenix. Terry came along with my sister and niece. She has such a fractured, toxic relationship with her own family in CA, my sister wanted her to see how a "normal" and I say that loosely, family operates. Of course the subject matter was mostly about my Pops...I know he was present and laughing his arse off at our reminiscing.

However, when you get the Diaz family together the conversation always deteriorates to the most simple and basest subjects of all at a dinner table, potty humour. Don't know why we do, but we find flagellants, feces, hemorrhoids and even boogers, very funny. As mothers, my sister and I brought up our children around such humour as now I do with my own little brood of grand babies (they're better than I can ever be, but they're boys, what do you expect?). I think it all started with my beautiful, intelligent, adorable niece who began having some "wind" problem. Excuse me if I say, but she had a very chatty ass!!! Well, the conversation went down hill from there. My sister's friend was laughing harder than the rest of us, so now she knows how a REAL family behaves, NOT!!! hahahahha!!! But who said we were normal...those of you who really know me, know better. "The apple don't fall far from the tree!"

So my friends, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of laughter, memories and so much love, gratitude and lots of left-overs. Well, I need to call my daughter and see what happened, she just texted me and told me we're going to have to change the Christmas menu since she never wants to see another turkey again in her life!!! Me thinks she over indulged, oh well, maybe we can have the Christmas roast or easier yet, the Christmas hot dogs!! Peace out.

Post Script

Just want to thank all of you wonderful people how much I appreciate your sweet, uplifting comments. Yes, I am sad, but I do have all those wonderful Christmas memories. One in particular was just in a few years ago. My grandsons had received these huge cans of popcorn from my brother. My daughter told the little one at the time, my Zach, that he couldn't have any right then. He began with his typical temper tantrums and my father began to just tease him by telling him to shush in both English and Spanish. I suppose Zach had had enough and turned around and pointed to my Dad and yelled out "You a caca!!" Normally, he would have gotten a spanking for that, but it was so random, we all broke out laughing.

The good news I want to tell you, is that I will have all my babies with me at Christmas. The ex texted me, of course, and told me to go ahead and buy the ticket, so we're all set. Now to wait outside his driveway on Sunday when I take Ian back home and wait for my check!!! LOL

Again thank you all for your comments...I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends out there in the world...you all means so much to me. Peace out and blessings.

Memories

Good Morning all you wonderful blogger friends. I haven't been around much lately since I really haven't been my ol' self. It's getting to that time of year that reality is very busy knocking on my head. This time last year my Pop was still around, ill, but still with us. He was able to attend our Thanksgiving celebration at my brothers in Las Cruces, NM, right up the road from here. I remember driving my folks up and singing along with Frank Sinatra on the CD player...my dad loved to sing. When he was in the hospital a few weeks later, he began singing "YMCA" and we both laughed about that, then we proceeded to go into old show tunes...we were brought up with Broadway music. Anyway, that was the last family meal we had together.

My wonderful father passed away just a few weeks later on Dec. 19th, 2008. The photograph above was taken 6 days later on December 24, are usual family Christmas get-together. That night we all knew a family tradition was gone. One that we had celebrated since our births, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our dad was the heart of the Diaz' gatherings and our heart was now gone....we felt lost. We knew things were going to change, perhaps the beginning of new traditions, but change was definitely in the air. I think it frightened us because this is all we knew our entire lives. Change can be so ominous, but we've always rolled with it and see where it takes us, usually better places, but how could it get better without my father?

This year, there will be great changes, my mother is going to Southern CA to visit with my little brother and his family, my sister and niece will stay put in Phoenix, AZ, I will be traveling to Austin, TX to be with my older 2 children and my grandsons. My brother, Fred, and his family haven't decided since we were going to celebrate CE at my mother's house, but now that I'm going to be out of town, he's undecided whether he wants to spend it at home, or maybe drive up to Phoenix to celebrate with my sister. I so wanted my youngest to go with me to see his siblings and nephews, but without going into too much detail, his father has objected to the fact that he would have to purchase the ticket since I told him that this was my Christmas gift from my husband and I couldn't afford it, but this wasn't about him traveling with me, this was about Ian being with his sibs. He and wifey apparently have been a huge sores on every one's buttocks since I announced I would be going to Austin to spend Christmas with OUR children and grandchildren. Originally I was going to have Ian for the entire month of Dec., and I still intend on having him for 4 weeks, there will be a small break between them, though. He's angry because he can't control me anymore and usually blames everyone else, me being the biggest and baddest bee-atch, and if he can't blame others, he admits to lose of memory...jerk!

My daughter is thrilled and we're talking about having the Mommy/Daughter bake-off when I arrive bringing along our traditional Christmas Eve Mexican tamales. My little guys are ecstatic and can't wait and my son-in-law is also very excited...he's a great guy, wonderful step dad and daddy!!

However, with this new adventure waiting for me, I'm still very sad about it all. Like a child, I want things to be the way they were, but as the adult, I realistically know that's not going to happen. I'm keeping an open mind and looking forward to spending this holiday with my children, sadly, minus Ian and my hubby, but the hubby is going to Chicago to visit with his daughter and our sweet, adorable Aiden. I just wish I could win the lottery and take my son, but don't you have to play the lottery to in order to win????? LOL Well, I've rambled enough and I don't know if I feel any better, but it was good to mark these feeling with words. Peace out.

Celtic Women Concert

First of all, I just had to show you pics of our grandsons costumes for Halloween. John-Michael was a gum ball machine and Hunter went as a picnic table....with ants and all. They were so adorable and really hammed it up for the photo!!

The Celtic Women were absolutely wonderful! I took my 87 year old mother and she was more interested in the venue than the concert. The Plaza Theatre was the most beautiful theatre in it's heyday...there was nothing like it between San Antonio and L.A. back in the 30's. My mother used to go to the Mickey Mouse Club, movies and they even had talent shows which many of her friends participated. My father also took her on dates. She said the balcony was considered the "cheap seats," and my dad always made sure they sat in the main theatre!!! I wish I had taken my camera to get all those wonderful, nostalgic expressions. We went from bottom to top and she recognized many of the old furnishings and the light fixtures.

As for the concert, like I said, they were wonderful. Those gorgeous angelic voices filled the theatre and that cute little blond that dances and plays the fiddle at the same time was amazing. Anyway, they put on one hell of show!!! I asked my mother what she thought and she said she couldn't really understand some of the lyrics, except for "Danny Boy!" Of course I told her some of the songs were sung in Gaelic!!! LOL No one understood them!!! However, she agreed, it was a fun show.

Of course there's always that one small group that can be so obnoxious...I called them the "Celtic Women Nerds!" There were 5 of them, one guy had a notebook with Celtic Women memorabilia, protected in plastic sheets of course, wore CW pins and small badges on his jacket (1980's called and they want their jacket and pins back!!!) and was rather large in girth. Then there were the 3 tall, skinny, balding guys wearing CW t-shirts and last but not least, the only female, about 5"2 and weighing in at a ton!!! And lest I forget her hair colour...bright red....let's not call attention to our self, now!!! Just glad it wasn't green!!! oey vey!! Now I'm not making fun of their weight, I'm a rather big girl myself, but come on...don't they have mirrors!!! They also carried some kind of signs, but wasn't near enough to read them. They had front row seats, natch, and when the music started they started clapping...I'm not opposed to people getting into the tunes, but they obviously lacked rhythm!! The would stand up after every song and wooo and holler and hold their signs. Eventually, someone came down and must have told them to control their enthusiasm and just watch the show!!! I'll bet they got their asses kicked a lot in high school!!!

Ok, I'm terrible about describing these people, but it was just too funny. If my daughter were with me, she'd rather die than attend a CW concert, we'd be rolling in the isles!!!! Anyway, it was a great evening and my mother totally enjoyed it and that's what it's all about. Peace out.

Clean Bill of Health

Howdy All,

Glad to say I got my clean bill of health today...all clear of any piggies in the lungs and anywhere else!! My poor sweet man is still hacking and coughing up spleens and leevers!!! The doc said he hadn't seen anyone clear the flu as fast as I did....gave him my secret....contempt, lots of it!!! Scared that swine out of me!!!

Unfortunately, my honey won't be taking me to the Celtic Women tomorrow because he didn't think that he could sit there without hacking and wheezing, soooo, I'm taking my mother. She is soo happy and pleased besides, I know she'll like the music. Now if it had been AC/DC then I think my honey would have grabbed his butt and go....no one would hear him hacking and wheezing!! hahahaha, just got a visual of my mother sitting at an AC/DC concert!!!

Will, not much else to say except I wanted to show you a pic of our Fall here in El Paso, TX, as far west as you can go in TX. Thankfully, neighbor Rudy, provided our street with a lovely Fall leaves display so here it is:


We have sporadic Fall leaves here. So y'all have a great weekend and do some misbehavin'. Peace out.

Monster Swap

I would like to introduce you to "Frau Honkerbooger" from the land of Athena Workman's mind!!
Athena and I were paired up on Zan Ashas Monster Doll Swap and as usual, we had a blast. You can find more of Athena's work at her blog, which has other information as to where you can find her work, at athenaworkman.blogspot.com. Also, I strongly urge you to go to Zan's blog to see the rest of the wonderful talent that's on parade from the swap...there's some really funny stuff there, wildatheartart.blogspot.com.
Now here was my offering for Athena...pretty messed up, huh??? Well, she was something that scared me as a child and that's what this swap was about...something from your childhood. When I was a kid, I remember going to the theatre downtown with my sister and her friends to see , "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." I recall it had a very young Sean Connery in it, but that wasn't the scary part, there was this banshee who was after people. She would come out in the cold of night and try to swoop down and take as many souls as she could. After that, I could have sworn that banshee lived in my room...ready to get me at night, but as long as I wore my trusty scapula I was free from danger. I used to wake up in the middle of the night with that thing almost choking me, but hey, kept that banshee away, so it was either the scapula or the banshee that would get my young little soul!!!

Here she is in all her glory. Athena has been quite nice to actually display her in her home....I'd hide the damn thing!!! Anyway, thank you Zan for such a fun exchange, and thank you Athena for not thinking I hate you!!! LOL But that banshee scared the crap out of me. From what I hear, the banshee is behaving herself over at Athena's. As for Frau Honkerbooger she will also be displayed in my living room, next to all the other dolls I've either decided to keep for myself and the ones I've purchased from other talents. Peace out.

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy!!

That's pretty much how I feel right now...down and just plain tired (excluding the mud, please!). Hep, it's official, I tested positive for the H1N1 virus, better known as the swine flu...bleh! Luckily, I'm not as sick as most. I contracted a close cousin back in 1976, so my immune system has already gone through most of the "been there, done that" list.

For the exception of sore stomach and back muscles, from excessive coughing, wheezing like Linda Blair and fatigue I'm actually doing alright. It's hard to fall asleep listening to your angry bronchials, I decided to give them a name, Earl is the deep popping sound and Yolanda is the loud, shrill weeeee-heeee sound. Poor Earl never gets a chance to give his side of the story and finish a sentence because Yolanda constantly interrupts...crack, cra.....weeee-heeee, weee-heee!! Ok, you're thinking, she's turned into pig brain matter, but it's a way of just trying to fall asleep...give them a personality, name them and forget those sounds are coming from your body!! LOL

Now my sweet man has it and I think it's going to be worse for him...he never had it's close cousin back in '76. He's called his doc and so far no one has called back. I told him she just can't prescribe something over the phone....he has to be tested and the results have to be turned into the local, state and national health depts. I think she's trying to avoid seeing him. Told him to go to my wonderful baby doc...he's so adorable and will take him...no, he's a man, doesn't ask for directions nor does he see the logic in making an appointment with another physician instead of waiting and waiting for his to call...oey vey!!!

Well folks, feeling a bit tired. Just letting you know I'm fine, I'm under house arrest till next Friday when the doc releases me from my piggy constraints and hopefully, can enjoy the Celtic Women concert next Sat. Peace out!

Sicky Poo

Morning Friends. If I don't respond to your blogs, please forgive, I have some kind of grunge and I thought I was going to cough up my spleen last night. I get this every so often this time of year. Don't know if it's the allergies or the crappy inversion layers, but it gets me down. Hopefully, I won't have to visit my M.D. just so I can be exposed to more wonderful things sitting in his office!!! I promise to take care of myself and behave.....oh bother! Have a great week and I promise I shall return!! Peace out.

Ebay

Good Morning All! Hope you all had a great evening. After reading some of the blogs, seems many had lots of Halloween...as a matter of fact, I noticed some the regs haven't posted yet....hmm, could it be a bit too much of the witches brew!! LOL Well, I say let's carry this fun into the next holiday....CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Holy cow, if it's not one thing, it's another!!!

Ok, folks, need some marketing advise....not asking you what your secret selling tactics are, just need some feedback on which venue has worked better for you. I'm contemplating going over to Ebay to sell my work. I'm on Etsy for now, but I haven't been very successful there. I know times are rough and people are holding on to their $$, but the Christmas season doth approacheth very soon!!!

So if you would consider telling me what and why you like a particular venue, I shall be eternally grateful for your advise. Have some great pics of grandchildren in their Halloween costumes, but still haven't posted (oh boy, here she goes with the grandkids again!!). Have a great week and peace out.

Looky, Looky What I've Won & Gratitude

Look at what I won at Pam's blog giveaway... Yoborobo.com. I just love my little Constance Pettigrew ornie...she just brightens up my living room. Pam also sent me one of her adorable prints....again, just too adorable. Thank you Pam for everything...I'm very excited!

Lately, I've had some rather difficult decisions that will eventually be in my very near future and I just want to tell all of you how grateful I am to have such wonderful friends. I wish I could just give you all a great big hug and chocolate chip cookie!!! I've been playing with monster cookies...still have to figure out that high altitude thingy!!!! LOL Anyway, I'm so blessed to have buddies like you all. Life is good and it's been without it's trials and tribulations, but that's the way the cu-cumbers (those of you who remember "Laugh-In will remember Goldie Hawn playing the dumb blond always using one syllable words...like "Well, that's the way the orange!).

Now onto the immediate plans, we'll be watching some spooky flicks this weekend. My sweet man ordered the last installment of "Saw" and Rob Zombie's rendition of the "Halloween" movie...he loves Rob Zombie, I on the other hand, not so much!!! LOL But hey, this guy is taking me to see the Celtic Women next month...got to cut him some slack!! Should be a fun weekend...I loved last years Halloween, we took our little grandson out, wearing his sock monkey costume. People just couldn't get enough of him, including his grandparents!! LOL


Oh going to recommend 2 great movies I saw this past week, "Inherit the Wind," and "Milk." These are wonderful flicks and you should really rent them. "Inherit the Wind" is a movie based on the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trials. This teacher introduced Darwin's teachings into his classroom and the town went nuts. The case was tried by 2 very famous attorneys at the time, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. Spencer Tracy's character, Henry Drummond, is Darrow and Fredric March played the famous conservative and religious, Matthew Harrison Brady, his Bryan. Much of the trial's dialog was taken from the original court documents, so those scenes are just amazing. I held on to every word said...poetry, prose, critique...it's all there. So go rent it.

The other is "Milk" a more recent movie about Harvey Milk, first gay assemblyman in San Francisco. Sean Penn played Harvey and did a fantastic job. As for Penn, personally I think he's a pseudo-intellectual bully, but he's a great actor. If that movie doesn't move you to go bash a few rednecks, then it's lost on you!!! LOL Only kidding about the rednecks, but it sure got my blood to a boil....great movie, go rent it!!!

Well, my friends, time to close this up and get my butt into the studio. The Chihuahuas are calling...they're cold and we still don't have are heater turned on. Winter introduced it's self to us yesterday and there was even a sprinkle of snow on our mountains...was beautiful, but the sun's out now and it's all gone...oh well, that's the way "squash!" Peace out, buddies.


P.S.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Need Important Advise

Dear Blog Buds,

Something has just recently come up and I need your advise or the advise of friends and/or family who have gone through this. Last night I received a frantic phone call from my youngest, Ian. As I have mentioned, he is a high functioning autistic and has many behavioral and physical problems related to his condition. He begged me to pick him up because he was fighting with his step-mother about breaking a rule. Now, the rule he broke was trying to sneak candy into his room. He's not allowed to eat in his room at all at his father's house. Here it's a different story...he's allowed, but has to pick up the mess, plus, we have tile in his room so the clean up is easier for all of us. I could hear the woman yelling in the background and right then, his father called me on his cell. I told Ian I was not coming to pick him up, but would talk to his father to see what the big deal was. I told him to calm down, go to his room and just take some time to cool down.

His father told me that he does this every time he breaks "her" rules, I told him I was quite aware of Ian's tantrums, duh! Of course I don't criticize the woman since it is her house and Ian has to follow the rules, anywhere! I tell him he's doing wrong by breaking the rules, regardless who's house or rules they are. Well, I did tell his father that I had spoken with my daughter not long ago and she and my older son know they will inherit Ian when their father and I can no longer care for him. I told my ex that they resent the fact that neither of us really ever did anything aggressively to prepare Ian for a job. I had something lined up when he was living with me...training through his school district, but he decided when he turned 18, he wanted to live with his father. I was very reluctant since I knew I was the better parent and my sweet man a better step-parent. But I relinquished him to his father with hopes that his father could help him in a better field since that school district was more active in helping it's special students and their future because they were a wealthier school district and in El Paso, TX, that's not saying a whole hell of a lot.

Ok, here is where I need you advise. He told me today that his father is going to put him in a group home. I don't have a problem with that, but I've heard horror stories about these places, especially the local ones. I had a lit. prof in college who worked in the school districts at different levels of education before shifting to a university setting. When mentioning to her about my son, she said that the homes here are horrific, so I told his father this, but this was about 4 years ago. Since Ian will not leave the city, I need to do some research. I looked up those homes available here and of course they're in a crappy part of town...high crime area. I need to know what I'm looking for in a home, what kind of staff is needed to care for these individuals and how many patients per staff is a good number.

I'm sure there are many more questions I'll need to ask, but right now I'm so overwhelmed by this news, all I've done is cry in my studio...working of course!! LOL I have so much guilt that I didn't do something more for him and I'm sure his dad is feeling the same. He was in a very good program at his school while living with his dad, but the funding stopped and Ian is trained to be an assistant h.s. athletic trainer, but isn't being paid. I know his dad tried, but stuff happens, if you get my drift. Do to all kinds of laws, Ian is limited to what he can do with the athletic teams. He's not allowed to go on away games due to the heavy duty meds. he's on. It's not that he won't take them, the problem of having them around the students and they knowing he's on them could create a very serious delimma. There are other problems, but I won't go into them...not that important. My guilt stems from my gut feeling he would have been better off with me, but my sweet man assures me his dad did the best he could.

I can't help but feel this wife of his is putting the screws to him and forcing him to make some very serious decisions. She knew he had a son with problems and 2 other children when she decided to break up our marriage. I suppose she knew I would never let him go and she would be free to live out her life with his father....I don't know, it's all water under the bridge now and I have no real harsh feeling anymore, but I know she's behind it and who can't blame her. Ian is a handful and has many times behaved violently. When he was little, I could control it, but as he grew up, just his size and weight became an issue. I'm a pretty hefty size lady, but the step-mom isn't so I know she's had some scares. However, the last time he did this, my husband had to step in and hold him back from hurting me...that's been a few years now, thank God, but one just never knows when he'll blow and what will set him off.

Well, now that I have completely exposed myself to you all, if you can help, please do and if you can't, your prayers will do...yes, Anne, I have a box of St. Jude candles, so don't worry!!!! hahahaha!!!! Thanks for reading this long "blah,blah, woe is me" blog....just to knowing there are people out there that are going through this, or have or know other that are, helps. When he was an baby, I felt so alone because I didn't know what what wrong, but time changed that as did the research on his condition and others like him. Thanks and peace out.

Mean Jalapeno

I think Montezuma has forgotten about me, because the other night as I had a plate of delicious homemade nachos, some time during the night this little critter crawled into my dreams, or so I thought. He was ravenous....working his way down the esophagus then into my stomach and sometime yesterday, decided to hang around in my entrails!

Here I thought I was an outstanding Mexican...could handle anything hot. Even though my parents didn't partake in such heated experiences, my grandfather did. He'd even bring his own jalapenos to my mother's when they came over for dinner...since she and my father weren't much into it. When he and my grandmother traveled to Europe on the Queen Elizabeth, back in the 50's he took his hot sauce with him....a French chef apparently got his shorts in a tangle because the waiter reported him to this poo-poo, pinched faced cook! No problem...my grandfather just told him "no speekie Francee" and continued to enjoy his steak. They traveled everywhere and he took his capsicum along with him. When in Yugoslavia, yep it was still Yugoslavia back then, my grandparents and uncle, who was traveling with them, attached themselves (yikes, they sound like parasites) to the Mexican Ambassador to Yugoslavia's diplomatic attache and company. At a reception, Marshall Tito approached my grandfather and welcomed, "Senor Embajador" to Yugoslavia. Well, I'm sure you could hear a pin drop, but my grandfather had to explain that he wasn't the ambassador when the attache quickly took ol' Tito and introduced him to the real McCoy. My grandmother said the Mexican ambassador was this little short Mexican chap with a small waxed moustache...quite insignificant looking, well, according to my grandmother. Anyway, seems Tito liked my grandfather so they hung out for a bit while my grandparents waited for their next destination. My grandfather's the one to the left with the cigarette in his mouth, right is Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia.

So How did I get into this little sidetrack...well, my granddad was one hell of a guy. He passed away in 1972, just 6 months before I was wed. He was a wonderful guy and taught me how to enjoy mangoes, exotic fruits, chiles, Russell Stover candy,( the mint patti), chiclets and told wonderful stories from their days living in Revolutionary Mexico until he and grandmother came to this country. I'm ashamed that one little tiny jalapeno was the culprit in putting down this hu-eg hulk of a woman for 12 hours, and tonight, I will attempt it again, since he never gave up, I won't either...but could someone pass the Pepto!!!! Peace out.

A Most Lovely Gift

For those who are not familiar with Magaly Perez Ohika's work, well, I want to introduce her to you. She's this wonderful happy little spirit that lives in Connecticut, living happily with her beloved, her cat and a new puppy in their recently moved home.

I first met Magaly, as many of us have met, through blogs. I found her blog on someones else's and the rest is history. We've been leaving comments on each others blogs, plus corresponding via emails. This wonderful friendship has developed between this very special young woman and me. When she was going to move into her new home, I told her I'd send her a little house warming gift. She decided we'd just send each other pieces of our artwork. Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather, (and you know I'm no light weight) when I received this package yesterday and found these 2 absolutely adorable paintings. The Frida painting is called, "Frida's Charm and Wonderful Style," and the other is, "Beauty." Her work is magical, always uplifting and comforting.

If you haven't discovered her yet, please do so. You can find her at:

Etsy shop-http://etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7360828
Blog- theitsybitsyspill.blogspot.com

I can assure you, you'll love her work...if you don't, then you're a big grump!!!

Another person I want to pass along his link is Jonty, a English fellow I met some time back in one of my Yahoo groups. He makes the most "bitchen" stuff you've ever seen out of paper mache. One of the many marvelous things about Jonty, is that he shares so much of his knowledge with his readers...he has great tutorials. Check him out at http://darksidecreations.blogspot.com
Well dear readers, I must return to the ol' idiot box to get my fix of zombie and monster flicks on the SyFy channel. Peace out.

Blog Halloween Party

Well, where do I start???!?!?!? We had a wonderful little get-together last night over at our place, invited son, Lance, wife, Dana and their sons, John Michael and Hunter. But before the real goulies showed up, I want you to see what my little party table looked like before the cookies and candy disappeared...even my little critters couldn't stop the "candage!"

First pic is my little tree. I bought a regular green Christmas tree at Hobby Lobby and painted it black, using that special Krylon spray that won't melt plastic...eeewww, wouldn't that have been a mess!!!

Most of the decorations are mine, but I want to call attention to a 3 very special ornies and a dolly from other artists. The tree topper is a prize I won at sideoftheroadnews.blogspot.com made by Tracy Martinez. The little devil ornie was made by Flora Thompson at boneheadstudio.blogspot.com and the adorable little dolly, Dorothy, was made by Lorri at wingingit-wingingit.blogspot.com. If you haven't gone to their blogs, I highly recommend it.

Hmmm, this is definitely a chocolate and peanut butter family. I didn't notice till I emptied the bags of candy and there was a plethora of Reese's peanut butter candies...even the eyeballs are chocolate and peanut butter...oh well. Now the M&M's were the regular kind...my sweet man asked me not to put out the peanut variety till everyone left!!! One of his favs. I also made those tiny cupcakes..that was fun and my Chihuahuas helped me clean up as some of the frosting fell on the kitchen floor...you see, everyone got involved!!!

Here are the little goulies, Hunter with his Halloween pencils and John Michael and Maya at his feet. Then there's Pancho Ian hamming it up for the photographer, moi of course.
Other family members participating in the fun, daughter-in-law Dana with her adorable little head band, son Lance....he don't eat no stinkin' candy!!! Senor Ian again, and my sweet man giving me his adorable smile!!




















































































Of course, I got into the the celebration and probably a little libation too!!! LOL Wearing my t-shirt I got in Austin at this really cool store, Tesoros Trading Company, www.tesoros.com. Also, just had to bite into my wax teeth. Wow, it's been years since I did that...too long!! The boys decorated their own little pumpkins and over all, everyone had a great time. Plenty of pizza, beer, wine, sodas, and of course, candy, lots and lots of candy!!!

Well, hope everyone enjoyed coming over to my little family party...this was so much fun, I think I'll do it again soon!!! Y'all come back...adios!!

Another Award!!

Well, you can just tip me over with a feather. I received another great award from Pam at yoboro.blogspot.com. I just got this award last week, so I'm going to fudge this, forgive me Pam, and use my same answers from my previous blog...cutting and pasting!!

1. I have no fear of nonpoisonous snakes.
2. I took piano lessons from ages 7-10 and never went past the 1st grade music book. I was tired of the teacher telling me I wasn't practicing so I practiced for 3 hours every day and was expecting an A for the lesson...nah, it was the same ol' same ol', "Georgina, you're not practicing." Hence my musical days came to an abrupt end. I pretended I forgot a lesson and my mother put me in the corner for 4 hours as punishment....it was sooo worth it!!!
3. At girl scout camp I talked a girl into putting Kleenex into her bra for the dance that night. She did and as she was showing off her moves, the Kleenex fell out...still feel badly about that, but that's what she gets for being beautiful, talented and flat!
4. Used to spit into my sister's milk when she angered me....would tell her about it after she drank it...she had a very high gagging reflex. OK, my bad, however, I did confess this to the priest every time I did it....had to pray a mess of Hail Marys and Our Fathers!!!
5. Met my wonderful sweet man on the Internet.
6. Got stoned with my sister on a New Years Eve a few years ago...forgot I could giggle that much!!!
7. Returned to school in 1997 after my ex and I separated. Received my degree in 2005 in something really relevant, where jobs are a plenty, a B.A. in Art with a discipline in ceramics, "Would you like catsup with those fries?" Good ol' Liberal Arts!!! LOL

Ok, so I changed the last one but these are 7 little things that most people don't know about me or don't want to know about me. As for the 7 people I'm going to award this, well, I've run out of friends!! LOL So again, Pam, forgive me for not passing this on, but know how much I appreciate this and want all my blog friends to know that they are the absolute best! You're all winners as far as I'm concerned! Peace out.

An Award

Was given this award from my pal, Anne at http://elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com/

Anne is one hell of a lady. She's not only brilliant, but very talented...her art is amazing. Please go over and check out her blog that sometimes will send you to the bathroom because your bladder can only stand so much pressure while guffawing!!! I have some wonderful blogger friends and they are truly good friends. I wish we could all get together, maybe at Bernadette's little cabin on the river in Indianapolis and seriously party down. Would recommend everyone bring extra $$ for bail!!

So I'm very honoured to not only to receive this award but honoured to give to some of my wonderful blog friends, so here's the list:


Linda from lindaomasoldebaggsnstuftshirts.blogspot.com
Gloria from glorv1.blogspot.com
Lori from wingingit-wingingit.blogspot.com/
Yve from http://freakylittledolls.blogspot.com/
Stef from gufobardo.blogspot.com/
Pam from yoborobo.blogspot.com/
Tracy from sideoftheroadnews.blogspot.com

I know there are many more of you, but I just can't think right now...the Allegra hasn't kicked in yet!! But I want to thank all these wonder people for being great friends. There are others I didn't mention since Anne and Tristan are already taken!!! Peace out.

A New Skelly

Here is my little Senorita Carmelita Concepcion Diaz de Huesos...whew!! You can go see her and her throne on my Etsy site, barrobabe.etsy.com or if you interested and find you must have her now, just let me know in a comment on this post.

Hopefully, I can get that done right now, baring any more doggie interruptions. Seems the 4 legged kids are not getting along...must be something in the air or not in their bowls!!

Have a great weekend, all, and will have more to say later, as always!! Peace out!

Back Home Jiggety Jig

I'm back home now from my little vacae to Austin. Was great to see everyone including my little men. I was able to get acquainted with my newest little guy, Sammy. He's just adorable, but what else can Mama Crow say about him. He's put on lots of weight as a result of my daughter's vigilant breast feedings. I tried to talk into going out for a little longer and allow Michael to feed him a bottle of her own milk, but she wouldn't have it...it's the boob only!!! shish!!! Of course, I wasn't a breast feeder...love those bottles and formula. I tried, but bottom line, I didn't like it...oh well.

We all went to the Pecan Festival in downtown Austin and it was like a sauna out there. The weather had gotten warm again and the rains came, finally, however, that equals humidity, my Moriority....hate it and it hates me more! Andria kept asking me if there was something I might like to look at in the way of art but I was too busy looking at all the freaks including the famous Lesley, Austin's own homeless homosexual icon and quite a character...only in Austin!!! As we were walking along stopping at every water vendor, we spotted the guy with the snake. We watched giggly little college girls trying to impress their boyfriends or group, screaming at the last minute and refused to put Senor Snake on their shoulders. My daughter wanted the boys to feel it since they are NOT slimy to the feel. What a brave little soldier but she eventually allowed her phobia to take over and she yelled, "Get this off of me!" Snap, that's when I gave her the Kodak moment. Since I have no fear of snakes, except those of venomous variety like our local rattlers, I put him on for size. I do believe I got my 15 mins. because cameras were flashing everywhere...I'll probably show up on some poster, stating "Don't do what this idiot's doing!!!!" Or one of those many emails of with pics of stupid people!!!

I'm home now and looking forward to getting back into that studio. I haven't had the chance yet, but I'm getting there, so hope everyone has a great weekend....Falls here and it's cooled down in this desert landscape and the smell is beautiful...love the smell of rain here.

Remember my post about my honey taking me to the Celtic Women concert? Also, remember that I think there was an AC/DC concert in my future, well, I'm good, really gooood. Will attend the Celtic Women on a Sat. and the following evening I'll be moshing to AC/DC!!!!!!!!!! Oh well, that's the least I can do, but I'm trying to talk my stepson into going with his father...that would be a nice evening out for father and son!! Will update you on that later!! Peace out.

Award

I want to thank Yve at freakylittledolls.blogspot.com for this wonderful award. I'm very honoured, but I have to come up with 7 things people don't know about me or just aren't really interested!! LOL Alright, I'll try to come up with something as I go along. Here are the seven little secrets or just inane stuff about me:

1. I have no fear of nonpoisonous snakes...picture will follow in next blog.
2. I took piano lessons from ages 7-10 and never went past the 1st grade music book. I was tired of the teacher telling me I wasn't practicing so I practiced for 3 hours every day and was expecting an A for the lesson...nah, it was the same ol' same ol', "Georgina, you're not practicing." Hence my musical days came to an abrupt end. I pretended I forgot a lesson and my mother put me in the corner for 4 hours as punishment....it was sooo worth it!!!
3. At girl scout camp I talked a girl into putting Kleenex into her bra for the dance that night. She did and as she was showing off her moves, the Kleenex fell out...still feel badly about that, but that's what she gets for being beautiful, talented and flat!
4. Used to spit into my sister's milk when she angered me....would tell her about it after she drank it...she had a very high gagging reflex. OK, my bad, however, I did confess this to the priest every time I did it....had to pray a mess of Hail Marys and Our Fathers!!!
5. Met my wonderful sweet man on the Internet.
6. Got stoned with my sister on a New Years Eve a few years ago...forgot I could giggle that much!!!
7. I'm an huber beaner and love it!!! My husband called me a Mexican today because I took the left over biscuits at Red Lobster. No, if I were, I'd also take the salt and pepper shakers and the Sweet n' Low....oh wait, that's my daughter!!!!

OK, that's the 7 little deadly sins and/or joys in my life...of course I have more than 7, but the rules are only 7. Now the next part of this little award is now I pass it on to seven people, so here are my seven:

1. Flora @ boneheadstudio.blogspot.com
2. Anne @ elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com
3. Tristan @ tristanrobin.blogspot.com
4. Gloria @ glorv1.blogspot.com
5. Janine @ joinjanine.blogspot.com
6. Linda @lindaomasoldebaggsnstuftshirts.blogspot.com
   
7. Kim @ http://peachycheek.blogspot.com/
   

Getting Out of Dodge

I just found out my sweet man is taking me to the Celtic Woman concert at the beautiful old Plaza Theatre in Nov. I'm so excited and I know I'm going just enjoy it to bits. I love their sound and style...I think I was a Celt in another life. Love their history, jewelry and music. Kidding, I told Ian, my youngest, that we were taking him...he HATES them. Sometimes I tell him to put his headphones on while in the car because I'm playing his favorite CD...the guy can't put them on fast enough!!! LOL Anyway, I know my poor sweet man will not enjoy it as much as I, but I have a sneaking suspicion that A/C D/C is coming soon...he's just waiting for me to do the same....AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! I call them the Screaming Man!!!

Oh well, on to the original subject, I'll be heading out to Austin again this weekend. Will be there till Thurs, Oct. 1. Going to spend some quality time with my youngest grandson, Sammy. Last time I went which was last month, I didn't really get to know him since my main objective for being there, was to care for the other 3 while Andria and Michael had the freedom to and spend time with the little guy while he was in the NICU. Now he's healthy and plumped out. She said he's happiest being held and on the tit...sounds like a typical man to me!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Anyway, I'll enjoy my time with him and my daughter. The other 3 will be in school, so I won't have too much time with them, hence, no long hours of Pink Panther cartoons and endless hours of Kung Fu Panda, again, and again, and again! I used to like Pink Panther cartoons too!!!!

On Wed. one of my dearest friends will pick me up that evening, her birthday, and will be spending the remainder of my time in our state capitol...going to spend the night there and then spend the day with her till 2 pm. when she takes me to the airport. So I'll have a really nice week, I hope!!! LOL My daughter and I can't be together for too long....one of us will kill each other...she's younger, faster and meaner than I, so if you don't hear from me, you know what happened!!!

I also have my Halloween display up, well, partially, so when I return, I'll post some pics. Have a great weekend and week and I'll be back soon. Peace out

Having Fun

Wow, 2 posts in one day...but just had to show you what I've been doing today. I've been working with this new clay, Plus Clay by Activa. I'm using it for one of my doll swaps and it's perfect for the effect I wanted to achieve....UGLY!!! Well, the instructions say that you can also throw with it, so since I do have a wheel, I decided to try it out. This clay is not at all easy to throw unless one is a master thrower, then they can throw with just about anything, but I'm not! Of course I'm way out of practice, it's been four years since I've thrown and the back just isn't that used to being slumped over, explains why my friend went from throwing to metals, now she makes beautiful silver jewelry...she was spending too much money on her orthopod.

Anywho, I tried my hand, hahaha, no pun intended, and threw my little heart out and what did I get, a leetle wonky pot...very wonky. It was hard centering it since I must have been throwing with about 1/4 lb. of clay. The least I've ever thrown is 3lbs., but that was then, this is now. The reason for such a small amount of clay is $7.99 (+4.25% tax)/2.2lbs. worth of reasons. It's friggin' expensive. So I think I'll just stick to my paper and polymer clay and once in while, play with real clay, which I've got about 100lbs. in my studio, and just practice my throwing. Maybe I can talk some really nice person who has a kiln in the area to fire my work once I'm happy with it. Peace out.