Off to Austin and Other Observations

Well, I'm off to Austin again. I was planning on going for just a weekend, leaving this Thursday evening and returning next Monday. Well, lots has happened since I made those reservations, so now I'll be leaving tomorrow and returning Wed., the 27th of Oct.

Let me explain. My daughter has had problems with ovarian cysts since they were first discovered when she was 18 years old. I recall the day she complained about severe cramps, her father came over to see what he could do, we were either separated or already in the process of divorce...don't recall now, but she was in her bedroom when he came over with a heating pad...to replace the one she had already burned out. I had made an appointment with my gynecologist for the next day, but noooo, I'm stupid and I don't know what specialist to call, so in walks Dr. Blah Blah (dentist) and tells me he has made an appointment with one of his golf buddies, a gynecologist!! So he goes back to her bedroom and I suddenly remember her butterfly tattoo she did out of resentment for something or other towards her father...can't recall why either, since she had so many towards him. Anyway, he told her if she ever got a tattoo he'd take away her brand new red Mustang!!! I'm not saying I approved of her doing this, but I know her better and to tell her no is like saying yes...some of you might know what I'm talking about. She showed it to me after if was done and told me why she did it...told her I didn't like her doing that to her body, but it was on her right hip, viewable to only her and whomever later on in her life!! So back to the story, I ran back there and signaled to her, pointing to the right hip! Her eyes grew wide, her father thinking she was in lots more pain, I'm trying not to spew with laughter and she's doing the same. Well, he never discovered it or about it, so the butterfly stayed put. After 4 children, however, the poor butterfly is encased in a web of stretch marks, so it's escape is impossible!! LOL

A few weeks ago, it was discovered that nasty ol' cyst had enlarged with a vengeance. During the time she went off her birth control hormones and little Sammy began weaning himself from his mommy, there was nothing to prevent it from growing and it made up for lost time. What alarmed her and all of us, was that it looked very suspicious...ya know, that "C" word was bandied about. She's not in the age group that is susceptible to those problems, but hey, there are exceptions to the rules, always. Anyway, the oncologist doesn't seem to feel it's anything other than a cyst, but of course, he wants some pathology done on it. So she goes in Tuesday, the 19th, and has it and her ovary and tube either surgically removed, cutting her open or the less invasive method of removing it through her belly button...let's hope for the latter method. Regardless, it will be considered an "out-patient" procedure! Insurance companies suck!! Now if she's in a lot of pain, they will keep her overnight, if not, it's home bound, where Mommy (Meema) will be waiting..oey vey! My daughter is meaner than a wounded badger when she's sick...I told her if she yelled at me or was ugly, someone will die!! LOL I'll also be there for my 4 grandsons. The older 3 will be in school, so I will acquaint myself with the 14 month old, Sammy. He's not too keen on strangers, so I've been told, so this is going to be fun!! I haven't seen him since he was 8 months old and I doubt he remembers! So my friends, I'll be in Austin for a grand total of 10 days. I will have the opportunity of meeting with one of my best buddies for the day, the 22nd, and I told Andria that no matter what, I was going to be ready to spend time with Reenie!!!

Here's an observation or just my rant. El Paso, TX is really the red hair, freckle faced stepchild of TX! This city is predominantly Democratland. Most people just pull on that donkey tail without knowing the political issues. I have nothing against Demos or Republicans, for that matter, as far as I'm concerned, the two parties are "same donkey, different saddles!" I'm quoting a local gentleman who was at some political rally the other night. Or to get a bit more crass, one of my favorite comedians, Lewis Black, put it, "It's like one bowl of sh-t, staring at it's reflection in the mirror!" So as for politics and politicians, they blow!!! When I was in Chicago a few weeks ago, the political advertisements on the telie were amazing....the caca that was being launched by these people was hilarious. No one in IL, it seems, is free of any kind of scam, criminal negligence, fraud, etc. Very entertaining. However, here we El Pasoans are treated to the same outrageousness going on in NM politics...Denish or Martinez for Gov. Personally, I like Martinez cuz' she's a local girl, but has lived and practiced law in NM for many years...El Paso can no longer claim her. Then there are the other constituents...NM is apparently a hot bed of political goings-on!! The reason we get all the political stuff from NM is our proximaty to the NM state line...it's just down the street from me...the small town of Anthony is in both states, TX and NM, hence the political advertisements about NM politicos. Here in El Paso, it's only about the Gov...White and Perry. The TX gov has no real power in this state, but if he's good, he can yuck it up with the Lt. Gov and the Legislators, hence, getting his way. Perry, the Hair God, has been in too long, so it's time for a change, kind of like with Obama, but won't get into that, so let's give it a try. Then there are the U.S. Congressmen. We've had Sylvestre Reyes in there for 14 years and the only thing he has done in 14 years is take advantage of every photo op out there. He did a great job when he was in the Border Patrol; he was the guy who designed and instituted "Hold the Line." Had Border Patrol agents all up and down the Rio Grande and surrounding desert areas, popular with illegal entry. I heard his campain caca the other day on tv and he was going on how he was going to strengthen the education system and the usual blah, blah, blah...you've been in office for 14 years, Sylvestre, whatcha been doin'????? He's a straight party guy and has never met a tax increase he's never liked or raises for himself and cronies. He's also the "Nepotism King!" Ok, he's a typical politician, what can I say. So when people go on the campaign trail, they don't come to El Paso because if they're Democrats, they know they'll get the vote here and if they're Republicans, they won't bother! So you see how we are left out of the TX poli game? Hey, they don't call it El Piso for nuthin'! So when in Austin, I'll get to hear all the wonderful political stuff that's being flung out there...can't wait. I wonder if it will be as entertaining as IL...or better yet, LA...now that some great political goings-on...love that gumbo and LA politics...whatcha think, Anne??? LOL

Well, before I close, I want to show you the remainder of my dolls I have already sent off to Xico, Inc. in Chandler, AZ. I received 2 emails pertaining to my last shipment from the Outreach coordinator and the Exec. Director of the gallery...they think my work is fantastic...music to my ears!! Now let's hope the nice people of the Chandler/Phoenix area and all those wonderful Snow Birds and other tourists think so too!! LOL Their big Dia de los Muertos show will be on Oct. 30th in Old Town Chandler. If any of you live in the vicinity, please don't miss it....have heard it's a great time for all!!





The red "King Calaca" is going to Austin with me. I've heard that the grandsons have quite a nice Halloween display in the living room, so the Meema is taking her contribution. Well, my friends, I will update you later on my daughters surgical outcome, pray it's just a nasty cyst and that the only thing she'll lose is her ovary and tube, plus the cyst, of course. I will have access to a computer at their home, will have to get my s-i-l to show me how to "crack the code" to enter...sheesh!! Have a great week, take care and if anyone is interested in any of these dolls, I do special orders!! Peace out.

Chicago and Can-Do Dolls

We returned from Chicago last Saturday after a 4 day whirl-wind visit with my stepdaughter and her family. Our 2 year old Aiden is absolutely adorable...very talkative and a little man who knows what he wants. He's really into Guitar Hero and watching him focus on the songs and attempt to keep up with the lyrics is hilarious. As we were coming out of the underground parking lot at Millennium Park, he joyfully exclaimed "What a beautiful day!" You just don't expect something like that coming out of a 2 year old. We went to see "The Bean," a large metal structure/sculpture (it's all yard art) showing downtown Chicago from different angles. That was fun, especially looking at ourselves and saying, "No deep-dish pizza for us!!" Actually, I don't like deep-dish pizza or sausage, so I didn't partake, but my step s-in-l's mother ordered this great thin crust pizza the other night while visiting them at their home...OMG, thought I had died and gone to pizza heaven!!! Funny, many of my memories to Chicago will be about the food we ate...typical!!

Well, we did more than just eat, I had on my "to do list" was to go the Art Institute of Chicago. Since my art history days, we studied many paintings that are on display there. I just love George Surrat's "La Grande Jatte," and of course, the American classic, "American Gothic." I was there for 5 hours, the first accompanied by SM, Jessi, his daughter and Aiden. Now Aiden did well for about the first 45 mins., after I showed him the cool ceramic bowls in the Greek and Roman areas, telling him Meema used to make big ceramic bowls, so he just had to point out all the bowls he saw, with great 2 year old enthusiasm. Well, after a while, a two year old's fancy turns to shear boredom, as it should, so at my urging, I suggested they go do some other sight-seeing and would call them when I was finished at the museum. So I spent the rest of my time, just gawking with amazement at the paintings and sculptures from all those people I read about, studied and probably missed a few questions about them during my testing on the material. As I was in the American section, I spotted a painting that looked so familiar, well, a lot of them were, but this one isn't all that well-known. Let me give you a little background. One evening my honey and I were talking and we got on the subject of Oscar Wilde's book, "The Picture of Dorian Grey." We normally don't have such literary infused conversations, but that evening we were actually talking about movies. We both recall a movie we saw as children on the boob tube based on that book. I had told him I did a book report on it in my senior year of high school and the teacher gave me a C because I mentioned the fact that Oscar Wilde was gay, YA THINK???!!?!?!!? She said it merited an A+, but I didn't have to mention that little tid-bit about ol' Oscar...hell, the guy went to prison because of it...well, there's more to the story, but won't go into it now. Anywhoo, (saw that little blond sassy witch teacher some years later and she didn't age well!! LOLOLOL) he mentioned that he flipped out when he saw the end of that movie, when Dorian put a knife through the self-portraits heart, hence, killing himself. I too remember the portrait, but even then, this little artist saw it as bloody neat-o!!

Well, as I was walking about that salon, there on the wall...THE PORTRAIT!!! AAHHHH!! I said to myself. However, since it had been several years since I saw that flick, I had to get closer to read the little info card next to the painting, however, there was a group of French tourists trying out their English by attempting to read the info card too. I patiently waited till they gave up and moved to the next piece of art work and I was right, it was THE PORTRAIT. The painting was by an American painter who was known for his macabre artistic sensibility...yea, my kind of artist!! His name was Ivan Le Lorraine and was hired to paint it at the request of Albert Lewin, the director of the movie, during it's making between 1943-44 and released in 1945 (yes, I Googled it). Well, slap me silly and call me Shirley...I just had to let SM know it was here at the Art Institute. I sent him a text with a photo of the painting and said, "Here's that portrait from that movie...hehehehehehe" He wrote back, "Are you trying to make fun of me?" Well, YEA, mwaha-hahahahaha!!! Anyway, if you can Netflix it, rent the movie...it's all done in black and white except for the end of the movie, there it is, it all it's bloody, splattered beauty!! And my children wonder why they're the way they are???


Since my return, I have been working diligently in getting my contract work out to the gallery in Phoenix. I felt so overwhelmed at the beginning of the week, but I can now take a sigh of relief and say it's all done. I shipped off two boxes on Thurs. for their opening next Thurs., even though I'm not one of the featured art-eests...I'm the contract one. I completed the rest yesterday and here is a sample of what I've made thus far.






There are more dolls, but I still haven't downloaded them from my camera. Thankfully, one of the guards at the Art Institute showed me how to turn off my flash in order for me to take pictures in the gallery...works great in my very well lighted studio. The majority are my Can-Do dolls, made with ordinary cans, and paper clay heads. Going to buy more popcorn from my grandson's boy scout troop to get those cool larger cans...and the popcorn isn't that bad anymore either.

Well, my friends, time to move on. I'll write more next week and hopefully, well have retrieved those photos of my remaining work and more that I'm doing now. Peace out.

I'm Still Here and Alive

So my friends, this is what I've been up to lately. I'm preparing for a Dia de los Muertos show at Xico, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ. I made a series of calaca earrings and some funkier stuff above the skulls. I'm also in the middle of making some skelly dolls. I also made an assortment for my sister to take back to Phoenix to sell at her place of work, "Chicanos Por La Causa," Chicanos for the Cause. So far, she's sold quite of few of them and I love the Phoenix market, they're appreciate the hard work artist put into their stuff and are willing to spend the $$, unlike here, in my hometown, El Paso, where if it's not free, forget about it!!! Anyway, everything is turning out really great but...yes, friends, there's a but, or is it butt!!??

I have to have everything shipped before the 30th of Oct. and I'm feeling a bit of a squeeeeze, or is it a , smoooosh!!! Mick Jagger may have time on his hands (although, have you seen him lately!!! eeewww) but Georgina has very little time on her hands. Yesterday was a good example. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling a little queasy, well, a lot queasy!! I ran to the bathroom to do a bit of kneelin' and prayin'...get my drift??? The 3rd visit prompted me to do something very stupid, I reached for the terlet seat and the cover to help myself up and both heavy wooden seat and cover came crashing down on the bridge of my nose...now if that's not adding insult to injury, I don't know what is. I knew that I might get a black eye or two if I didn't go and ice my my schnoz down, but at that point, da ya think I cared??? So all day yesterday I spent in the bed (I rarely lay in the bed, but when I do everyone knows I'm sick!!) sleeping on and off and listening to my own breathing and worse yet, my own thoughts of worry and woe!!! So there went a day of any work in the studio. You just can't really plan!!!

Today, I'm going to my mother's, Miss Daisy Day, and set up her sewing machine and change her bobbins when she's completed altering her new pants. My family has a problem with having no real buttocks. Both my parents have none hence, the off spring are also buttless!! My brother in NM is worse...he's concave!!! Glad he doesn't read my blog!! hehehehe!! Anyway, my mother, in her 88 year old vain fashion, has to fix the back part of all her pants if they're a certain size...the pants, not her butt, that's pretty consistent! I, on the other hand, don't really give a Rhett Butler damn!!! If they hang, then they hang...just gives me more room to sit in comfort.

Then my youngest, Ian, is coming today at around 3:30. Tomorrow is his birthday, turning 25 (I was married for almost 5 years and had a kid by then) and he has asked me to make him banana pudding in lieu of a cake. So I have to get back home and make his pudding for it to be just right for tomorrow's consumption. You can not eat banana pudding before it's time...it's a Southern thang. I'm no Southerner, beaner yes, Southerner, no, but after living with one for almost 26 years, things just stick, like chewing gum, old hair gel, already-sucked Starburst candies between the cushions, etc. Of course, this is after doing Miss Daisy's bitch work...."Georgina the mighty bobbin changer!!!!!

So you think why not next week, the last week of September!! Yes, I had planned on working that week, but that's when my honey decided that was a good time to visit his daughter in Chicago. I'm not complaining here, never been there and looking forward to the Chicago Art Institute, House of Blues and some eateries that have become popular through Foodnetwork, "Drive-in, Drive -byes & Dens" or something like that!! We'll be there for 4 days then back home the 2nd of Oct. when the race will really begin. I also have to have everything shipped way before the 30th because this travlin' soul will return to Austin to see daughter and grands for a weekend...just a weekend...can't stand much more time than that...we'll kill each other!!! Just read my after-Christmas visit to Austin blog from 2009!! I think I wrote one.

So my dear friends, time to get ready, go to the store to buy an extra piece of Tilapia and Mexican squash for tonight's dinner...never got around to making it last night...uuggghhhh!!! And since we'll have another boca (mouth) to feed, need to buy the extra stuff. Also, need to make that visit to my mommy's for her sewfest. Hmm, maybe I'll have to pick up some more bobbins!! Peace out.

Laundry

My wonderful hubby and I rarely argue, well, we rarely have any of those hot-tempered, mean spirited type of arguments, thankfully due to the fact I did plenty of that in my younger days and now don't see the point. Well, last night we had a small misunderstanding about the laundry.

Let me give you a little background on my sweet man. He's loving, generous, considerate, hard-working, funny (very important) and just a really swell guy (oh no, Georgina, you didn't say swell!!). He has his quirks, well, who the hell doesn't, but his are at times a bit on the "your driving me crazy," type. He's a perfectionist in certain aspects, not all aspects, you should see his desk in our office...looks like someone threw a hand grenade on it. I thought that if he removed his old computer, that has been lying in a dormant stage for years, he could organize it better, but then I thought that might not work either, just give him more room to spread his paper chaos. And our dining room table, actually it belongs to my oldest son, Joel, but when he moved to Dallas he didn't want to store it, so he lent it to me till he was settled...still waiting and that was 3 years ago! Anyway, "his side" of the table is looking like his desk....paper everywhere...magazines, mail outs, credit card forms, etc. you get the drift. I have never seen his office at his place of employment, but I can assure you it's a show case, that's different, right?

Now let's move on to his closet and dresser drawers...they're so organized, you have to just take it in...it's awesome!! Everything is in geometric perfection, and I venture to say, a bit algebraic too...I know there's a quadratic equation lurking in there somewhere!!! I'm not "allowed" to fold his handkerchiefs since I don't know how....apparently rocket science! His underwear has to be folded and put away a certain way as are his socks. I myself had to "relearn" how to fold my own chonies (panties) under his direction, again, rocket science! I started calling him "Mr. Fifiruchi" (pronounced, "feefeeroochee"...Spanish spelling is easier and uses less letters, hence the spelling) which is a word I've been using since I was a child. I don't know where it came from or maybe my father used it or I corrupted the original word or phrase, "Ay Fuchi-la-caca" meaning, "Oh, la-dee-da." My father's phrase, not mine, but it works. The last time he used that phrase we were in Ruidoso, NM at a very hoity toity eatery in the Inn of the Mountain Gods, a Mescalero Navajo hotel and gambling joint. The waiter was just a bit too much into the evening specials and as he walked away, my Dad looked at me and said, "Ay, fuchi-la-caca!" Don't you hate it when white wine comes dribbling out your nose while your stifling your laughter?

So we now enter this past evening. He began complaining that I don't help with the laundry and he's right, I don't. The reason being is that when I first moved into his house, before we got married, I did the laundry. It went from mine and my son's to his and his daughter too. No biggie. I did laundry for a family of 5 for many years, so the extra clothes weren't a big deal. However, he began redoing some of his and his daughters and I asked him why and his reply was, "Well, honey, you're not doing it right." Not doing it right??? Ok, let's see, colours with colours, whites with whites, broken down to delicate, permanent press and bleach those nasty tidy whities with hot water, right? According to my love, NO!!! There's a system and I'm blissfully ravaged from the intelligence of Vern laundry. So, did he teach me the ways of Vern laundry, no, he just decided to do it himself. Now if I were a younger woman, I'd be furious...hey, that's challenging my intelligence!!! But now that I'm a fluffy and happy post menopausal lady, I have no objections to him doing it. After all, according to our cleaning lady, I married into her, she said he's been doing the laundry since she started working for him, back with wife #2, I'm wife #4. So this is his M.O...he likes the power of the laundry, so I happily have adhered to his wishes and stay out of it until last night. The more frustrated he became, the more I laughed...I thought he was kidding. I told him that he always did the laundry, long before I came into his life and that I was incapable of doing it right, according to him, hey I know when I've been defeated, but he insisted I now learn the ways of Vern laundry....you can teach an old dog new tricks, but this old dog prefers not to learn that particular one. I found I was getting a bit hot under the bra and decided it was time to leave the living room for the bedroom...fighting over dirty laundry was just too much to take at 10 p.m. As I left, I told him I was amazed that I, a somewhat intelligent woman or whatever child-bearing and menopause left of my brain, and a college graduate plus years of laundry experience under the belt, was going to fight over such a stupid thing!!! Hey, I like a good challenge, but laundry???

I went to bed, head hung low, I have failed miserably, I'm an unfit laundress. So today, I'm making up for it by doing what I do best, other than my art work, I plan to make a wonderful meal, something I don't do very often. Hopefully, I'll make him all happy again and take his mind off the laundry. However, I'm going to make sure that I get plenty of my homemade barbecue sauce all over my apron and my shirt. That ought to bring a smile to his face...the idea of removing all those dark, spicy, sticky brown smudges off my delicates...now there's a challenge! And I helped!!! Peace out.

Good News

Good morning all. I'm a bit addle brained right now since I returned home from Phoenix after spending the weekend with my sis. I came from a very hot, humid climate (rained like a mother while I was there), but the indoors were beautifully air conditioned. My sister was so sweet and even lowered the temps in her house just for me!! Now that's love!!! LOL I had a wonderful time but more importantly, I rested...needed that!!

She treated me to a pedicure/manicure (can't remember the the last time I had a manicure...perhaps before I got married the first time....1972-73!!!!!) My sister lent me one of her wild colours, so my toesies and until last night, my finger nails are a dark frosty blue!!! Just love it!! I told the manicurist that I don't paint my finger nails since I work so much with my hands, but everyone there at the shop persuaded me since I was on vacation....I caved. However, last night, I removed the polish since it was already chipping and I hate chipped nail polish!!

We also were scheduled to go to a massage Sat. morning, but as we got into the car and she started up the engine, the very familiar sound of a dying battery gloomed over our plans. Apparently, batteries in S. AZ have a 3 year life span due to the extreme heat. She was furious since she was told her battery was good from the nice people at Car Fax where she purchased it back in Sept. Well a call to AAA and a rescheduled appointment for the massage, we began our Saturday a bit late. We got dressed and went out to this adorable area of Old Chandler where there are little shops and many bars and eateries.

I had emailed this one gallery earlier last week about them representing me since no one here in El Paso won't even look at me or my work unless it's on canvas or something that's better suited for your front or backyard. The individual in charge of new artists emailed me back telling me she would be there Saturday afternoon. So I went prepared with a new series of beer bottle cap earrings which turned out great and unusual (but then I'm "greatly" unusual), photos of some of my dolls and other work and my sister took her doll I made for her a couple of years ago. Well, the youngster that took care of me was very impressed and loved my work, so I will be displaying it for the Dia De Los Muertos show in Nov. I am now represented by http://xicoinc.com

It's a great little gallery and has all sorts of wonderful art pieces from Latino and American Indian artists. My sister has been after me for a while now to contact them and introduce myself, but since I don't get up to Phoenix much these days, I just never saw the point. I now have much work ahead of me and have an Oct. 30th deadline...have to have my work in by that date, so I'll be in the studio working my leetle fingers to the bone...yea!!! I even signed a contract...wow, now that's a big one for me!!

Today, I'm also getting someone to look at my air conditioner. Let's face it folks, this has been a very long, hot summer for most of us and you know how much I've complained about my house being a balmy 84 degrees in the afternoons....inside my house!!! My honey's relpy to that is that it's been very humid this summer and hot, so the swamp cooler can do so much, but I've been inside other homes who's Master Cools, like the one we have on our roof, actually work much better, soooo, I told him I was going to call American Home Shield, a wonderful service we have, and I don't care if it cost $60 for them to come out here and check it out, I'm tired of sweating and being blown away by all the oscillating fans I have surrounding me; I have them set on gale -force winds!! He asked his son, a jack of all trades and master of all of them, to come check it out with his air conditioning specialist friend this a.m., so if I find out that there's been something wrong with this machine above my head all along and something quite simple, I'm going to be pissed!!! My hubby refuses to go up on the roof and I would go if I weren't so damn afraid of heights...trust me, I've been desperate these days and a broken bone of two might have been worth it!! LOL I knew all I had to do was threaten with a $60 charge, he'd get motivated, but I was going to do it regardless.

Well, I need to get dressed and finish reading my book for book club tonight. I have less than half to go of "Little Bee" which is a wonderful read if you're interested. Take care and Peace out.

Just a Complaint

Coming out of seclusion for just a bit, but I have something to say:

IT'S FRIGGIN' HOT OUT HERE!!!!
I'M HATING THIS SUMMER!!!
I WANT SNOW...YEA, AS IF!!!
I WANT REFRIGERATED AIR!!
I WANT A BLOCK OF ICE IN MY LIVING ROOM!!!
I NEED TO BUY STOCK IN SPRITZ BOTTLES...
KILLING THE LITTLE SPRING THAT MAKES THEM SPRITZ!!!
NEED TO RUN OUT AND BUY MORE!!
I THINK I'LL LIVE IN MY CAR..IT'S COOLER IN THERE!!
CALGONE AIN'T GOING TO TAKE ME ANYWHERE!!
I'M GOING TO HEAVEN SINCE I LIVE IN HELL!!

Peace out!!

Bye Bye

Dear Friends, I'm going to take a short hiatus and will return at a later date. I'm fine, but I have a few small dragons that need to be slain and a few rats that need capturing. For those of you who have my email address, please write when the mood hits you or call...some of you have my numba!!

Have a glorious summer, or what's left of it, and I shall return before the first leaf drops, well for those of you in the Eastern part of the U.S. that might be sooner than expected...LOL. Hopefully, I will be at a better place, refreshed, regenerated and rip-raring to go!! Love ya all and as always, peace out.