Some New Stuff

Good Morning, Friends,  I have a few minutes to dedicate to computer time, so I'm going to utilize it to update some stuff on my blog.  This has been a heck of a few weeks.  I did a second art show, the first being in Oct., was almost 20 years since I had participated in one.  The one I did this past weekend was somewhat of a bust.  No, it wasn't the venue, the venue was most excellent, but around here, the winds come up from no where and cause a real problem for out-door activities, ie., art shows.

A few of us locals were talking about it, and we remember when we were kids, this area got the strong "winds" in the Spring, you know the saying, "In like a lion, out like a lamb," well, that doesn't hold true anymore.  Call it global warming or the natural flow of climate change, kinda like an Ice Age!  Now the wind blows whenever!!  If  Northern  NM or CO is getting rain, we get wind and blowing real estate from not only my home state, Texas, but from New Mexico and Mexico, the country (I live on the border).  When there's a cold front pushing through, we get the warm winds, before the cold air hits the following day.  This weekend, Canada is sending us our first winter weather, thanks Canada, I was getting tired of the mid to upper 70's temperatures, about 24 degrees for you Celsius folks.

Anyway, winds (the climatic kinds for you British types) and art fairs don't mix.  We tried to keep our canopy up, but the wind was catching it and causing more problems, so down it went.  We tried to put up peg board barriers as to keep the wind down more from it catching all my work and tossing it around and to the ground.  Well, at about noonish, we decided to call it quits and leave.  I was told that later on that day, the winds calmed down and there was a surge of attendees...just my luck!  Sunday, turned out to be a nicer day, breezy, but in some circles, you'd call it windy, but that's breezy around these parts.  Unfortunately, since we had to take down our canopy and remove everything from our original spot, we found ourselves in the "back row," of the "square due to the fact, it's "first come, first serve" rule...my hubby, or the "princess" as I call him, takes an hour to get ready, hence making us a bit late to the venue.  Needless to say, we hardly got any traffic and for those who were "curious" and came back there, they were holding bags filled with purchases and were pretty much spent-out for the 3 of us vendors in the back.  The people next to me were selling homemade doggie/kitty treats and I thought they were getting lots of business.  If I hear another "doggie or kitty" story, someone's gonna get a butt-load of hurt!!!  LOL  Later, I found out, that they were giving out "free-samples," hence why people lingered and told their canine and kitty stories, ad nauseum.  Hey, I love my doggie and if I had a kitty, I'd love that little critter too, but it's kind of like talking to people about how wonderful and talented your kids/grandkids are to those that have their own set of wonderful and talented kids/grandkids!!  For all counts, it better make me laugh...kid and critter stories can be very funny because, they are very funny beasties at times.

Thankfully, Shawn and John, the proprietors of  "Jonhnny Lolita's, " the art show venue, asked to sell my work in their coffeehouse/store.  So after the show, I took what was left of my inventory, which was pretty much most of it.  I sold a Santa doll, 2 dog, a cat and one bird ornies on Saturday, and did a trade with this fabulous, crazy Canadian lady who now lives in La Union, NM, for a great and funky crochet hat for my granddaughter.  I told her we Texans don't really utilize that kind of "warm" clothing, but she had a great way of putting it, she calls her work "fashion accessories!!"  LOL  Loved it!!  Then Tensy, one of my all-time favorite arteests, who hails from Las Cruces, NM, came by and purchased a bird ornie.  So I took Shawn my box of Santas and ornies and told her to just take  the ones she wanted in her store.  She wanted the whole shebang; she assured me they'd all sell...from her lips to God's ears!!

My sister mentioned that after viewing the selected artists at the show, she told me my work was very unique, different and outrageously wonderful (comments I received from others who found my work unusual and different).  However, it doesn't appeal to the norm;  it seems people prefer "cutesy" and I'm not a cutesy kind of gal...never have.  So my fellow artist pals, please tell me what you think and would my work be worthy someplace else?

So today, I'll be spending it here at home, working on Christmas gifts for family and friends and there's won't be any pressure for any shows till Feb.  One thing that reminded me of why I love doing shows, is the new folks one meets, whackies with like minds!  I had such a great time meeting new people and spending time with them.  A few of us will be having workshops at Johnny Lolita's in the future... we even discussed having pot-lucks and just sitting around and exchanging ideas and information.  I'm looking forward to 2014 now that I have found my little niche of lovelies and fun-loving folks who get pretty close to that edge and for some, take that leap.  I'm grateful for my experiences and those I call friends, both old and new, near and far.  So I thank you, my blog buddies for your friendship...if only many of you lived closer...we'd have to start saving for our bail money, though!!  LOL  Peace out.

GREAT NEWS!!

I've found my dashboard.  Yes, I was lost, but now I'm found!!  LOL  I thought all was lost, but somehow, luck, not technology or my understanding of it, brought me back.  Don't know if I'll be here tomorrow or even later today, but just letting you all know, I'm here now.  Also, I'm unable to connect with the address here at yahoo.  Don't know how to figure that one out yet, but I know one thing, my connection is just fine.  According to them, I'm unable to read my email due to my Internet connection being disconnected, I guess.  How odd that I can connect everywhere else, including places I don't really choose, but my email is "no workee" and judging from all the gripes listed on the Yahoo trouble-shooting page, it's contagious!!  So for those who want to just contact me the regular way (no, not snail mail) here's my new address on yet another server.  Kind of bringing back memories for me back in the day when I first began my adventure on the Internet, so here's the other address you can reach me:  gcdiaz05@aol.com.

Just a shorty one, my friends, but I've been very busy the last few weeks.  If your on FB, you've seen all the great pics of my nieces wedding last month in Phoenix, AZ.  Was a great weekend and quite frankly, I can't remember the last time I had such a great time at a wedding, including both of mine!!  LOL  Also, I've been busy with preparing for a Holiday show this weekend in La Union, NM.  For those of you on FB, go to Johnny Lolita's and hit the "like" on their page...Shawn and John are just two fabulous people doing so much for El Paso, TX/Las Cruces, NM and all the communities in between.  Here's a little sample of what I'm selling this weekend:

I call it "Trashy Chic," because...well, you can see why.  Shawn asked some of her artists to paint a Christmas board, one that was already painted and prepped with the tree design.  Of course, when I saw the bright pink one, it screamed, "YESs, more IS more!!"  Thus, the result.  She is selling the Christmas boards at the shop and all proceeds will be going to her charity...name escapes me now, but it's going for a good cause.  My sis texted me this morning and told me she had to have it, so I'll have to let Shawn know to put a hold on it since it's already sold.

Well, I just remembered, I haven't downloaded my art pics of the rest of my stuff from my FB file, so that I shall leave for later.  Below is a pic taken at my nieces wedding of my children and me.  From l-r, Ian, my youngest, me, Andria, the middle child and only daughter and my oldest, Joel.  We finally were all together for a family shot.  Like I said, it was a great weekend and we had so much fun.  My daughter hadn't  been without any of her 5 children in probably 13 years, the age of the oldest, so she had one helluva time being a free-wheeling, single, well, single in the sense she was without hubby and kiddos, but she had a great time.  I'll post more pics of our weekend and my work later, so my darlings, I bid you farewell and peace out.

Farewell

Farewell, my dear Anne.  I will always cherish the time we spent on those marathon phone calls.  My only regret was never having to really spend any "physical" time with you....just too much damn geography between El Paso, TX and Peru, IN.  However, I know we'll meet someday and we can then have that party we always spoke of throwing with no worry of making bail.  You're more than welcome to come visit me anytime in my dreams or make a suggestion as I'm creating something sinister in my studio...you were always good at "sinister and dastardly" suggestions...wink, wink, nudge, nudge.  You always showed me the stupidity of some human behaviour and laughed the whole time you pointed it out.  Because of you, I know not to waste time and energy on negativity, hatred and anger...life's too short and damn, too short!!

Now put on those Doc Martens and go kick some Heavenly ass!  Adios, mi amiga. I will always love you.  Peace out.

Grumpy Day

Yes folks, I'm a "grumpy pants" today.  Don't know if it's the heat resurfacing again after having some gorgeous cooler days with rain and all.  So add the friggin' humidity with the heat and you have "Grumpy Pants Diaz!"  Or maybe it's just about time I have a grumpy day, since I haven't had one in quite a long time.  Seems everything is just pissing me off today.  I was just asked my Pandora if I was still listening...well, YEA!!  Have I signed off yet, NO, so why ask!!!!!!!???  I'm listening to my created station, "Laura Nyro" but so far, it's less Laura and more whoever!!  OY  Ok, the music isn't bad, but I want to hear Laura, dammit!!!

Then I left a long comment for the lovely, Yve, at her blog,  but those stupid "are you a robot" symbols were not accommodating.  I must have attempted 8 times to decipher those stupid symbols and wasn't able to sign in, knowing I had gotten them right...GRRRRR!!  Sorry Yve, but I gave up after #8.  My dear buddy, Linda over at her blog wrote about this weekend...what's the big deal with Labor Day when all the stores are open and having major, mega sales.  As she quotes her grandson, the great Ry, "it doesn't tickle my fanny!"  Yep, mine either.  If it's Labor Day, then why are so many people working today..what an oxymoron!  It's advertised as the last day of summer vacation.  Around here summer goes into Oct. and in some instances, Nov., so much for summer...we want it over and gone for those few months.

Yesterday, I spent the day in the studio, so why so grumpy?  Well, I was just as happy as can be till I finished what had to be done to my little skellie coco-heads and moved on to "damage control."  I had some of my work at a gallery in AZ.  I know they were having some economic problems (who hasn't) and they were having to downsize and requested those of us who where still displaying there, for more of a cut of our sales...I didn't have a problem with that, they're a non-profit and needed a boost.  I believe they still were floundering when a new director came in and did some house-cleaning, and she began whipping things into shape.  Long story short, she asked if I would give more of my sales or I could request my work returned, I opted for the latter.  Two boxes arrived with what was left of my work and when I opened them, the damage was infuriating.  It was obvious that much of my artwork was displayed somewhere in a window or someplace where natural lighting was abundant. I ended up having to throw away some of my fragile sculptures and ornaments due to large pieces missing while others were faded so badly, I couldn't do much with them.  What I found amazing was that the director asked me for more $$ from my sales on damaged work!??!!??  I pride myself on quality and folks, most of this stuff was a far cry.  Well, as a friend told me the other day, "George, you always seem to find a silver lining in every dark cloud."  So my silver lining here is a lesson learned, be more careful who you trust with your work.  So far, I've learned just a little too much!

I said in an earlier post, maybe a few months ago, that I was going to have a giveaway, well, I haven't forgotten.  I'm going to have this little contest in a couple of weeks and don't worry, it's not anything from my damaged box of goods!! LOL

I know some of you saw this over on my Facebook page, but for those of you who are not complete social media suckers, like me (ok, I don't Twitter and never will), here is the photo of my little coco-head mini-skellies.  Today, I'm planning on designing and cutting out their little costumes...I just hope I don't go bonkers from working with such tiny pieces of fabric!

Also, I wanted to show you a pic of my mom taken this past Thurs. when I took her back to her house so she could sit out in her beautiful garden and enjoy the cooler weather.  All is so green due to her good gardener and the lovely rain we had for a week, after I read those rain clouds the "riot act."  All they did was hover over for over a week, bringing hot winds and humidity, so I guess they took heed and the heavens opened up and brought glorious rain.  Let me tell you, there's nothing like a rain storm in the desert...around here we say the rain smells.  We can smell it even if it doesn't rain in our area, but the scent is from the creosote bush, a plant that thrives out here in the harsh high desert.  When it rains, it emits it's perfume infused scent...it's beautiful.  I remember the first time I moved to Dallas, TX, in my other life, I recall never smelling anything other than "wet," and the same when I lived in Germany and visited other European countries...more "wet."  Anyway, she enjoyed her day out and I packed her a lunch, one that she specifically asked me to prepare, frijoles de la olla, con crema fresca and guacamole...I also included a flour tortilla.

Well my friends, it's time for me to jump into my day and finish "damage control" in the studio and move on to my happier little coco-heads.  Peace out.

What's with Blogger and other silly things

I have to admit, I'm a terrible blogger.  I'm probably on many of your "blogger s-list."  The S-List was invented by my dad years ago after my sister's big-ass wedding.  My father kept his guest list, checked off  with who attended without 'neary a card, let alone a gift or those who brought "toda la familia" when "toda la familia" weren't invited and didn't bring a gift (their names were CAPPED big time), hence, the birth of the S-list.  So returning to my being an terrible blogger, I must hang my head low and admit to this horrid offense.

I suppose my only excuse is that, life has gotten in the way, but then, who's life doesn't get in the way, so this is not a legit excuse.  Now that my mother is in a good state of health, comfortable in her nursing home, I still find my mind wrapped around her well-being.  Yesterday, she told me I don't have to come everyday, which I don't...I take off Tues. to prep everything for the cleaning lady the next day and Saturdays, so I can have some time to spend with my hubby and/or son when he's here for the weekend.  But she insisted on  telling me that I still don't have to be there every day to feed her lunch, she's quite capable to feed herself, albeit with out utensils, but she'll give it the ol' college try anyway.  My mom will turn 91 next month and she thinks nothing of it, but I guess I'd feel the whole "birthday" thing a bit anit-climatic too if I reached that age, which I pray I don't, not like that.  I already told my daughter I don't want to suffer like my mother, so please enlist in the hiring of a "hit-man or "hit-person' to be more PC..bleh!  One shot to the head and I'm lookin' at the face of God!!  I know, how morbid, but after seeing what my mother has endured and all the many residents in the nursing home, and mind you, it's considered the "Hilton" of nursing homes, even thought, the Marriott owns it, it's enough to want you want to cry.  As a dear friend told me the other day when she took her aunt to visit my mother, she said, "I wanted to come home and put a gun to my head and pull the trigger, but I don't own a gun and never will, but you do know what I mean??"  Yes, I do, sadly, I do.

Ok, enough of that and on to something lighter.  I finally finished my little Coco-Head dolls, after I began them in early May and had to put them on hold during my mother's journey to her eventual present state (Oh, there she goes again, Morbid Molly!!)  However, I now have more stuff  on the ol' work table to finish up and anticipating my completion soon.  I have so many ideas floating around, that I actually had to write them in my sketch book to remind me.  My sketch book is nothing more than a journal filled with ideas, many not even thumb nailed, but I do express the descriptions well.

So here are some pics of the completed work and I promise, I will return with more.

I had so much fun making them, that I'm making a series of little skelly coco-heads to be used for ornaments...can't wait!  Some might be thinking, "Why does she call them coco-heads," well, in Mexico, they make these fabulous wall hangings and the heads are made of half a coconut head, hence the name.  Of course, I have little to no access to coconuts and even if I did, I'm not into cutting, milking and cleaning them out...not this girl!! 

Oh, yea, I forgot, so what's with Blogger.  I had to come over here to another web server to access my blog and my list of blogs.  I was on my regular Google Chrome and when I went to blogger, I signed in, and my page came up but my list of fav blogs was gone, GONE, I SAY!!!!!  I almost lost it, so I came here to one of the other 3 I have and found it here.  So what's up with that???  I took it as a sign from the Universe to blog or ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!  So here I am.

Well, time for me to hit the ol' studio and begin to play since I took the day off, as advised by my dear ol' mom.  Hope you all have a great weekend and play lots in what ever you do and don't forget, if it's raining, don't worry about it unless your made of sugar, so go out and walk in it!  Before I go, I leave you with a pic of my Zoe-girl her mommy took after she asked her if she had eaten that chocolate cookie she was told to leave for her brother.  Peace out.

Hey!!

Just a real shorty, y'all.  Busy, busy, busy and even now, as I type, I'm watching the clock...errands then off to the nursing home to visit my mother.  Until later, hopefully tomorrow, I'll write more, but I leave you with a picture of my little Zoe-girl who decided she was a more practical fit in our entertainment centre's drawer than our old VCR tapes.  Peace out.

Just A Note

I'm back for just a few.  It's been a bit of whirl-wind in the last few days.  As I mentioned in a past post, after my mother was hospitalized last Sept., two weeks after she turned 90, all went to hell for her and my sister decided to return to El Paso to be her full-time caregiver.  I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate her for doing this, uprooting her life in Phoenix and returning home to care for our mom...she's a friggin' saint!  Anyway, due to my mother's deterioration, her needs have become more profound, making it an emotional and physical roller coaster for my sis, so she decided she needed to take off a every 2-3 months, just to reboot.

So she left for Michigan last Tues. to visit an old, dear friend who is terminally ill, but still enjoying her life at full throttle.  My mother was already complaining about feeling badly, again, but then what does one expect at 90??!??  My mother went up the road to Las Cruces, NM, to stay with my brother and we knew he and his girlfriend would treat her like royalty, which they did, briefly.  On Friday, Fred called and told me her bp was high, very high.  Long story already made long, I went to her house, picked up her living room on wheels (Buick) since it was more comfortable to drive her back to El Paso and take her to the ER.  She was admitted, eventually, and my brother told my sister of her hospitalization.  She was upset at my mother's condition, but not my bro and me.  You see, the last time she went out of town, Mom ended up at the ER the day after she left, same problem, her leg spasms.  However, we told her to stay put in Michigan, enjoy her time with Julie, her friend, and know Mom is in good hands...she knows there will be bigger challenges upon her return.

So my friends, please pray for Mom and Letty as rougher times are ahead for them. Of course, Fred and I will also be vigilant and there to help, always, but the bulk of that 24/7 is on Letty's shoulders.  Thanks.

Now for just a lighter little transition, we celebrated Mother's Day yesterday since my son, Ian, wasn't here last week on the official day.  Now my hubby was taught never, EVER, use gift-giving occasions to replace broken coffee makers, toasters or anything that deals with kitchen crap (my ex one year gave me those exact thing for a Mother's Day, plus, I didn't get a chance to eat my nice Mother's Day meal at our reserved table at the country club...had to take out a screaming baby, Ian, out to the lounge area since the little guy was hysterical, his autism was still unknown.  I thought that perhaps one of the 4 other adults, who were our guests would come out and take care of him while I went back to the dining area to enjoy a meal, but an hour later, they all came out to the lounge, bellies full and ready to go home...memorable!).  However, I told him I wanted a a cast iron skillet...yes, ladies, you read that right, a cast iron skillet.  During one of my visits to Austin last year, I was staying with one of my best buddies, Irene and she promised to show me how to make chiles rellenos.  Now Irene is not of Mexican heritage but one hell of a great cook and her chile rellenos are the bomb!  I suppose I wasn't paying attention when my mother used to make them and she didn't like making them very often due to all the mess of frying them up.  Anyway, Irene told me a good Southern woman always has a good cast iron skillet for such delectable dishes and I really never considered myself as a good Southern woman since I'm Mexican-American, but I'm also a Texan and this state did participate in that little war back in the 1861-65, so that does make me a "Southern Woman."   So last night, after a really nice steak dinner prepared by my honey, both Ian and he presented me with two cast iron skillets...told him he could purchase them at Academy and didn't believe me since it's a sports store...he was quite amazed at the variety of kitchen ware Academy carries!!  LOL  They're already pre-seasoned, so I don't even have to do that..Yay!!  So very soon I shall enjoy making chile rellenos in my new cast iron skillet along with whatever I can muster.

Well, time to check out...going to run to the hospital for my mother's lunch to feed her.  Take care all, and as always, peace out.