Claiborne's Corner

The Chopstix Piano Bar

2011-01-21T15:24:00.008-05:00

"The Band"

Me and the "Moms" at Chopstix

Oh lord, that "split" in the dress!!

Still dancing on top of Baby Grands at 60!!

I'm really enjoying doing the piano bar at Chopstix on Wednesday's even though it meses up my "middle of the week". I'm getting to sing the torch songs and swing tunes that I love and still enjoy the weekend "madness" of R & B and Rock. We have a guy that takes a lot of pictures there and he's pretty good - just wish he that lens that makes you look very slender!! HA HA....so here are a few pictures. I love the Black and White one of the band with Pat Juneau in it from Vegas. We had a great time. In the photo s Larry Jackson, Sax - Arthur Turner - Piano - Pat Juneau - Guitar - me and Kenny - Drums.....

New Year's 2011

2011-01-19T01:27:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year......

2011-01-19T00:56:00.011-05:00

I supose I should keep this blog going just so I'll have a record of things but sometimes I just get too busy to write it. I think I'll try again this year! Mostly I think it will be pictures because it is fun to go back and look at the past sometimes. Let's see - Christmas - home - stomach virus YUK - snow - YEAH - kinda a blur.....New Year's Eve - great at Belloo's and our 5 year anniversary..... Missing my Daddy on January 14th - (his 98th) birthday) and SNOW again - this time got snowed in for 5 glorious days. It was needed too as we are giging more than ever right now. We cooked, ate, and slept just about the whole week and I could use another snow storm thank you very much!!!! Now on to the pictures.....

December 22, 2010

2010-12-22T11:54:00.002-05:00

Just reflecting today on my Daddy. It was one year ago this morning we awoke to find him peacefully sleeping in heaven. It's been a hard year but also such a fast year that it still does not seem real to me. Mother has good and bad days and I have this sudden saddness at times too. My life is not the same and it never will be. I wish I just hug him right now but I know I can't and there is no way to describe that feeling. I haven't been keeping up with this blog and maybe I will next year and maybe not too. I don't know right now. We're going home tomorrow for Christmas and I so missed scouring the book stores for a book on Thomas Jefferson that Daddy did not already have. We will have our Christmas dinner of Daddy's sliced Bar-B-Que's and carry on with traditions but it won't quite be the same. I am grateful for the 59 years he was in my life and shaped me and loved me. I've spent the last couple of days remembering good times and that's what I'll continue to do. So until we meet again Daddy I miss you and I Love you....Your Daughter Claiborne

First Sleigh Ride

2010-11-23T11:02:00.005-05:00

This was a tough but very special painting for me to do this year. Mother found this photo of me and Daddy from 1958 (I was 8 years old) and I remember it so well. We had to gone to Fries, VA for his Aunt's funeral in Feburay and woke up that morning to find a beautiful snow storm. Hard for the adults but us kids were awfully excited. I had never ridden on a sleigh and this was my first with my Daddy. I knew I had to paint it this year and although it was filled with love there are some tears mixed with the paint on this one. Of course, I had to paint in Tatiana and Matilda Mae because that's what my Christmas Cards are all about. For those of you who do not know, when I'm long gone I have requested that all my "Yorkie Paintings" donated to the Yorkshire Terrier Resuce to rainse money for all yorkies!! So, here's 2010!!!!!

Art Tonight

2010-11-10T00:35:00.001-05:00

I had a good/sad art class tonight. Working on my Christmas Card and let's just say this year's will be a little different. Of course, Tatiana and Matilda Mae will be in it but it's also a tribute to my Daddy. So I cried a little in class tonight.......

The Frost is on the Pumpkin!!!

2010-11-08T00:50:00.002-05:00

And it killed my flowers!!!! Oh yeah, we had the first "freeze" of the winter on friday night and it was just lovely! I always like this as it ushers in my favorite time of year - winter! Snow would be nice but for now I'll take this great weather. After a very busy and exhausting weekend of gigs Kenny and I sat on the deck in the sunshine today and I made a fire in the chimnea and we ate Chinese Take Out! The fire was fantastic. Kenny did a little yard work I rested! Ha. Got a busy week ahead - art, gig on wednesday and back to Columbus on Thursday - so I need my rest! We will be doing Beluga every other weekend starting in December and Belloo's every other weekend so it will be nice to be home a little more. Now I've got this Wednesday Piano Bar gig that I'm not sure I really want to do but I'll try it a bit. It's just going to take up a lot of time in the middle of the week and if it wasn't a Classic Piano Bar I would not even attempt it but the owner really wants us to do it so we told him I'll give it a shot. But I'll need some wednesday's off too. I'm already looking forward to Thanksgiving and having both of our Mom's here with us. I think it will be so good. It is hard to even think about a year ago we were planning our trip to Florida when Daddy had his heart attack. I guess that was on my mind a little tonight and during a TV show I just missed my Daddy so much and the tears just started. It's an overwhelming feeling of saddness and Kenny still has it too about his Dad. We lost them in the same year 11 months apart but feels like yesterday. I think I'll always have times like this....I am looking forward to getting back in the studio this week. Shane had to cancell last week so it's finally back to work on my Christmas Card Painting. Oh Lord, I can't even THINK about Christmas shopping right now - I have NO idea what I'm doing this year and don't know when I'll have time to do it either! I finally did sit down tonight and knitted a pair of TV slippers and I do like them. I do know I don't have time to knit a lot for Christmas! I'm thinking another vacation would be good!!! But for now, I'm going to enjoy my little slice of winter because it's back in the 70's by tuesday!!! Ah, but tonight I'll be cuddling with the Tatiana and Matilda! Oh and Kenny too!!!!!

Where was I

2010-11-03T01:14:00.004-04:00

Oh yeah, posting pictures of the last 2 months! Anyway, it was a great 60th Birthday and even better vacation. Our little cabin in the woods was just what we needed. The stream and the firepit was wonderful and we sure enjoyed our campfires. Having mother come for a couple of days was great too. Let's see, after that we shot another video at Belloo's - hope to have that edited soon - and had a great Halloween weekend too. Right now I have NO voice - did three nights in a row and just hope I'll be alright by Friday. After Kenny and I voted today (and our candidates won in GA) we had a nice Mexcian Lunch and then I came back and decided since it was the first really cool and cloudy day and the fact I'm so tired, I lit the fireplace for the first time this season, got on the couch and knitted. I made a lovely scarf and hat with the yarn I bought for my birthday - in a real yarn shop! It's a big difference than knitting with Michael's yarn! I didn't have too much of it but it was nice. I'm trying to be very very quiet and get my voice back. And I do hope I can get back in the habit of blogging. I do miss it and it's nice to go back sometimes and see what you were doing. Hope I haven't lost my few "follower's" so I'll be back soon.

I Know I know I know

2010-10-28T11:18:00.013-04:00

That I have not posted on here is soooooo long - just got out of the habit and too much to do. Let's see, since the last time I've had a vacation (wonderful), turned 60 (Yikes), started back to art classes (Yeah, whoopee), shot a video (yikes again) and working. So there that's it, now I'll say it in pictures and promise to write more later!!!

one week

2010-09-21T00:07:00.001-04:00

One week from tonight we'll be in our cabin in the North Ga. Mountains for 7 nights - maybe I'll have time to Blog!!!!

today

2010-09-15T11:08:00.002-04:00

I am going to paint today
I am going to paint today
I am going to paint today
I am going to paint today .........get the picture????

Once in a Lifetime Night

2010-09-09T23:29:00.007-04:00

Mother and Me waiting to go in to see Liza....

Yes, it was. Mother suprised me Tuesday morning calling and asking if I could come up on Wednesday. She was taking me to see LIZA at the Peace Center in Greenville. I knew she was coming but didn't have a clue I would get to see her. Not only that, we had seats 7 rows back and I could see her every expression! It was Magic. A little background -I had always been a huge Judy Garland fan since childhood and the first time I saw Liza in a movie I loved her and her look. Then, in the 70's a movie called New York, New York came out and I was on the road with my sales job and went to see it in Indianapolis with a girlfriend. I came out of that movie totally entralled with Liza and her music. NOW, not that I wanted to sing - I just loved her music and bought the "Tape". On the road driving for hours and hours I listened to that tape - wore it out and DID sing along as loud as I could driving down the road in my Black Thunderbird! In the late 70's she came to Atlanta to perform at the Fox and I sent in for tickets right away. I think they were $25 back then - HA - and went we arrived at the Fox her light man has set his equipment up on our seats - I thought oh no, but then they escorted us to the second row - right behind the Mayor and guests. THAT time I saw the sweat and the eyelashes and the tears and she totally had me. AGAIN, singing had never crossed my mind - I was super business woman! And still a blonde!! You know the rest of the story, turned 30, had this crazy notion to write songs - got invited to get up and sing at a Steak and Ale and the rest is history. I HAD to try it for just a little while - 6 months is what I told my parents just to get it out of my system. After all, my dream since childhood was to be a New York Rockette and this was close! 30 years later almost to the day I saw Liza last night. I have sung her songs all these years and loved her music and her talent. I know all about the wild times for her - haven't we all been there a little bit - but how many could have lived the life she did? Believe me, I've read everything about her and her Mother and the "Taker's" in their lives. She's 64 years old, looks beautiful and still belts them out. Maybe not in the same key - maybe not holding that note as long (I never could hold them as long as she could) but most of all she made you feel like you were in her living room and just hanging out with a friend. You just don't see that in entertainer's anymore. Now, it's all about production, dancers, lights, pyro-tech's and smoke and mirrors. You really don't know if they are really even singing. Believe me, Liza was singing and when she did you could hear a pin drop with 2500 people listening. All I can say is It really was Magic. All these years people have told me - you look like Liza - you perform like Liza - you sound like Liza - you coulda been Liza - well, no one can be Liza but I thank her for her inspiration, her love of the stage, her music, her laughter and her tears. You are a legend and I do feel a kinship with you. Our stars have crossed somewhere in time and I just think you are THE BEST...........

I made it almost to the end of her show and when the first notes of NY NY began I grabbed my Mother's hand the tears begin to roll down my face. We held hands thru the songs then rose to our feet for a standing ovation. She told me going to the car arm in arm that I was just as good as Liza, of course, that's my Mother. We went for an after show dinner then home. 60 years old and 85 years old - THAT was a girl's night out!!!! And I thank my Mother for just letting me be me.... and I Love her. The tears are rolling down my face right now and I know the "Magic" is will be with me always and I've never forget this night as long as I live.......

Labor Day

2010-09-07T00:56:00.003-04:00

Well, we certainly "Labored" today - we wanted to try and finish some projects that put on hold all summer because Kenny has been so sick. We did get a lot done but not finished. He's cleaning out the music room to make more room for some files and I swear more stuff keeps piling up in my studio!! He did make some progress but still a long way to go. 'Of course, we always get a late start - about 2 pm but we just chilled last night and watche "Shutter Island" which turns out is a great movie. We watched Crazy Heart tonight - no the most orginal story but Jeff Bridges sure did deserve the oscar - he was great. I did take down the old swing and put the old wooden one back up. I like it so much better and cleaned our my "Secret Garden" downstairs and it's much nicer. It was hot but later I started pulling up the dead plants in my garden and couldn't stop so I got all that done too. I helped Kenny clean his bass drumn - re-inforced a book shelf and even built a tray in my shop. While doing all of this I cooked a potroast on top of the stove with carrots, onions, and potatoes and cornbread -it was sooooo good. To top that off my neighbor brought us two pieces of her "homemade carrot cake" - I mean she shredded the carrots - toasted the walnuts, etc - it was just too good. After a hot bath we watched the movie but not getting much knitting done - Kenny likes it dark and I'm not nearly that good to knit in the dark. Still working on a man's scarf for one of our "fans" in Columbus this weekend - and it's gotta be a big scarf - he weighs about 300 pounds but soooo sweet so I hope I can finish it. Matilda and Tatiana loved that we were downstairs all day - of course, they think we should spend the whole time playing with them which I did do some of that too. All in all, it was a good day - we are tired but it felt good to just hang around the house and do "stuff" - there's still a lot of "stuff" to do so we'll keep chipping away at it. Errands tomorrow and laundry! Sure would like to paint this week but we'll see. Less than three weeks til V-time (vacation). The evenings are getting so nice and cool but still in the 90's this week in the daytime. Come ON FALL I mean REALLY FAll which is 60's and low 50's at night. This really has been the hottest damn summer I've ever seen and I'm ready for it to be OVER. Could be worse - it was 112 degrees in Vegar yesterday! Hope everyone else had a great Labor Day - next holiday - Thanksgiving yeah - my favorite!

The Boots

2010-09-03T00:31:00.002-04:00

Above is the picture of the $6.60 Bran New Boots I got at Goodwill last week. Wore them on stage last weekend and could dance like a mother!!!! Love them.....

Getting There

2010-09-01T19:39:00.005-04:00

At least it's 7:39 pm and I am sitting on the deck - it's ONLY 81 degrees - still WAY too hot for me but bearable. I just did my nails and it's nice to sit on the deck again. I'll just be glad when I can have a fire in my chimnea WHILE sitting on the cool deck. I really need to go cut the grass and if it stays light enough I will after my nails dry! Finished a couple of knitting projects and have a couple of birthdays I need to knit for. I'm going to knit my first men's scarf - for a friend in Columbus - and hope it turns out. Men are too hard to knit for. I love the arm warmers that match my hat and vest. Can't wait to wear all this stuff. We got the Belloo's commercial up on you tube and now I have an account! I need to find the babies snow video - it's somewhere on the other computer and I can't find it. For anyone who didn't see the page go to youtube.com and type in claibornescorner - the commercial and me messing around with a song is on there. It's fun. We're going to have to re-shoot because of the sound (bummer) but Spiro worked magic on the camera except I look so old! Wait I am old - 28 more days until the big 60.....and we'll be at the cabin hopefully with sweatsuits on and a fire. I think I will go cut grass now then cast on the scarf!

Thursday Already?????

2010-08-27T00:43:00.007-04:00

My Felted Fall Bag....with a Pocket!

Blue Ridge Mountains

12 x 16 Oil on Canvas

Wow - it's time to pack up again and go to Columbus for the weekend. I hope the next 4 weeks goes this fast so we can go on vacation but I know the last couple of weeks will be torture before we can leave! Plus, it's still wayyyyy to hot. Still hitting 90 most days and we did have a great shower today which the temp dropped a little but then got steamy again. Where are the hurricanes??? That always cools things down in Ga - not that I really want any bad ones to hit anywhere but cool rain sures sounds nice. I found a real treasure this week at Goodwill or as we say in Atlanta "Gootwill" - The Fall Fashion reports that English Riding Boots are big this year and I've been looking at them on line knowing I can't afford them. BINGO........Goodwill -Brand New - My Size - Black Leather - $6.60..........whoopee - you KNOW I'm going to wear them on stage this weekend and sing Tower of Power - Don't change horses in the Middle of the Stream .....I finished the Blue Ridge Mountain painting last week from the picture I took from our Balconey at the Pisguah Inn on our 22 anniversary. I decided that Kenny should have this one so he can look up from his stressful days and remember the cool peaceful mountains and so it is. It's not a real good photo I'll probably try and take another one later but just looking at it makes me feel better. My Daddy would love it! We did get Kenny a new printer/scanner, fax today so at least I can scan stuff now too. So, packing up my Boots and off for another journey this weekend at Belloo's - hope it's as good as last week. We were exhausted but what a night saturday was......Night Night .........

My Moment Today - Holding Tatiana in the storm and kissing head little head saying Mommy is right here with you.......

One Last Thing

2010-08-24T12:43:00.002-04:00

We drove straight to SC on Sunday and Mother of course had a wonderful dinner. We were both so tired from the GREAT weekend in Columbus and I actually slept soooo hard that night. There is still something about "going home"! We completed the last thing to do with Daddy's estate at the courthouse on Monday and now it's in probate. It will be done next May even these small things are so hard on Mother - I can see it in her eyes. We all miss Daddy so very much but try to get thru another day. Of course, it's still so damn hot which drains me so much. We decided to drive back Monday night in the cool and so I had another good night's sleep - 2 in a row - that's unreal for me - and woke up in my bed - had my tea and "morning time" (I need this so much) and now it's time to get up - unpack (again) and do "something" today. On the countdown it's 5 weeks until "Cabin Time" - just trying to make it until then. Right, now Tatiana is lying beside me and softly snoring (sometimes not so "softly" snoring - it's so sweet! OK, it's almost 1 so I'd better get up now - I'm cooking white buter beans with pork, cornbread and South Carolina ripe tomatoes!!!!!

blogs

2010-08-20T10:49:00.011-04:00

Great Flaired Leg Warmers - ready for winter...

Mother cooked a "feast" for the boys -drove to Atlanta by herself - cooked in the kitchen all day - not bad for 85 years old and looks good too!!!

Ricky's "anti-Mosquito attire" for Columbus - he got "eat up"!!! Too funny this boy..

Happy 58th Birthday Kenny!!!!

Best Friends.

The BEST rhythm section EVER!!!

I've been a very lazy girl about the blog lately - I don't know - just too much going on and I'm just so tired of this long hot Kenny being sick summer. It's been a rough one so far. For the first time since Memorial Day weekend Kenny feels more normal this week. He's still in a lot of pain from the Shingles but taking the meds helps. We had a wonderful visit with Ricky from Las Vegas and he got to play with us at the club in Columbus which was soooooo good. The three of us on stage together is magic and I miss that. Mother even met us in Atlanta that Sunday and cooked a "feast" for Kenny's birthday and Ricky - they really enjoyed that. We've been going back and forth to SC a lot too - going thru the probate on the house and it's really really hard to talk to mother about the "estate" and how to protect the house in case she needed full time care or a nursing home. This is not something anyone likes to think about. Kenny and I are actually going to do our wills too - you just never know. I'be been finally painting a little the last couple of weeks - mostly some cigar boxes to sell but I did finish a small painting for Kenny of our "Blue Ridge Mountain" one night anniversary!!! We are going to hang it where when he gets stressed he can look at those beautiful mountains and think Ahhhhhhhhh! I'll take a picture next week! I love my knitting and getting a "little" better (not nearly good at Christy) but my Thumb hurts so bad sometimes and I know the arthritus (sp?) is setting in. Of course, it HAS to be my right thumb - something with the use of you feel so helpless. And of course, we are counting the days to our Sept 27th vacation - the first in 3 years - in the cabin - in the mountains - on a creek - and hopefully PLEASE sweatsuit and fireplace weather!!! I'm putting up a few pictures and I have to remind myself to keep posting - it's fun sometimes to go back and read about your "stuff".....so I'm back!

Oit h Yeah

2010-08-01T12:26:00.002-04:00

I KNOW I've already posted it on FB but I want it on my Blog - on my phone, on my compter!!!!

I FINALLY met Evander - you see, my favorite boxer and simply beautiful!! So here it is.........

Too Damn Hotit

2010-07-28T00:07:00.004-04:00

This is the worse most hateful time of the year and I'll be so glad when the temperature drops into the 50's!!! We have really had such a hot summer and it's not even August yet. Usually, Kenny's birthday is the hottest day of the year - august 6th - but we've already broken a record here in Atlanta so I hope not! I'm still reeling from the fact that I got all my stolen items back and you bet I wore those shoes to Beluga this weekend. We had a great time but it was also so hot in the club and I only had one fan and tried to share it with the band. We all almost passed out - remember we DANCE and even though the air was on with the doors opening it was almost unbearable on stage. BUT!!!!!!!!!!! *************** I MET EVANDER HOLLYFIELD - YES, THE REAL DEAL HOLLYFIELD and actually had my picture taken with him. It's on Dehra's camera and we hope she can find a cord to fit the computer to get it. He was sooooo nice and sooooooo beautiful. If you don't know I've always been a big boxing fan -from way back when me and my DAddy watched the Friday Night Fights in the 50's. My boxes was always Smokin Joe Frazier but I do love me some Evander. He lives here and is a friend of our "door" guy, Rick at Beluga. We hope to get the photo - Kenny took one of him with me and Dehra - of course, it was after the second show and we had sweated so bad we probably have on no makeup but I don't care.

My friend, Jolene surprised me today by driving up from the southside of town (that's a big deal) in Atlanta traffic and we had a wonderful lunch and catch up girl time. We go all the back to when I lived in Arkansas and she's here now and married to a great guy. It's just we live so far apart it's hard to get together. It was just such a nice day - everyone should take time for friends.

A note for Christy - I'm soooo pissed - I cast on a HUGE purse (160 cast on) and knitted about 20 rows before I discovered I had twisted the yarn - I had started over 3 times - I'm not sure I can get that many stitches without the twist thing. I want a big purse but I want to felt it and you know you have to make it so big - Maybe, I'll try a smaller one......

That's all the news - Kenny is still having a LOT of pain from the Shingles - we don't know how long this will last and he just keeps working. We're trying to plan our vacation in the NC mountains for my birthday week at the end of sept and I hope it snows!!!!!

See ya on the next blog....

Been So Long

2010-07-23T01:10:00.006-04:00

Since I have posted to the blog - it seems with FaceBook you tend to forget but I still like having my blog. It's nice to go back sometimes and see what all has happened. And believe me, it's been a whirlwind and a doozy! I'm typing on my new Laptop and the keyboard it much smaller - which I love - but still getting used to it. I got a Toshiba Statelite which is very nice and only weighs 3 lbs and has a 13 inch screen. I've been wanting a much smaller computer forever and thought I wanted an Ipad but this is a real laptop and does so much more. Probably not quiet as "cool" but need to wait for a future generation of Ipad anyway. This one doesn't have a CD Rom which is why it's so light but it's not a mini either - it's got 4G and tons of memory so you can tell I'm very excited! But there may be lots of boo-boos in the typing but then again I usually do that too! Kenny is STILL recovering from his bout with Shingles and it looks like the post pain may be here for a while. He says there is no way to describe it and that is what I've always heard too. I'm going to get the vacination very soon because I do NOT want shingles! He's really had a rough summer with illness and I hope he can get back to normal very soon. I hate it when he feels so bad. The other big thing (if anyone has been on FB you know) that a bunch of stuff was stolen from my dressing room at Belloo's last Saturday night. It's too long of a story but a friend of mine was talking to a friend of hers and she said a girl told her she found some shoes at Belloo's. Anyhoo....turns out my friend had seen my post about the stolen items and long story short they went to this girl and "recovered" all my items. They mailed them to me and believe me it feels good. I'm so grateful to my friend for not only thinking of me but acutally doing something about it. Unbelieveable!!!! The worse thing that was gone was my keyring. Not to mention it would have cost a lot of money to replace the fob key and change all the locks on the house and cottage in Columbus but when my Daddy passed away last year I got to have the "Coca-Cola" bottle opener that he had carried on his keyring since my Grandfather died in 1969. It had belonged to my Grandfather probably since the 1920"s. It's those kind of things that mean nothing to anyone else but irreplaceable to me. I just cried when I found out I was getting it back. Also on the keyring is a pewter Yorkie key chain head that my mother gave me when I got my first Yorkie, Lacy, in 1981 and I've have it all these years. So it's nice to have my new shoes back, my jewelry, my body glitter and my knitted vest but it's the keyring that was so important and I thank God I got it back. Everyone says it was my Daddy looking down on me and saying hey, my little girl needs some help! So Thank you God and Thank you Daddy!!! Let's see, I'm writing a book here but it sure has been a while. It's so damn hot here and I'm ready for fall. We are trying to plan our first vacation in 3 years and I think we're going to the mountains where we hope it will be nice and cool. I had really hoped to spend my 60th birthday on Cape Cod but it's just too much right now. I WILL get back to the Cape someday - wish it was to live there!!!! I did get to paint a little the last two weeks (only a couple of days) but it sure was nice. I had to do a couple of gifts (cigar boxes) but I did start a nice "Blue Ridge Mountain" painting from a photo from our Anniversay trip. I sure feel my Daddy in the painting and wish he were here for me to give it to him. I still miss him every single day of my life and I'm sure I always will. My mother at least is doing fine and she just works too much but she sure has some hard times too without Daddy. I can't imagine how it feels for her because I know how much I hurt. It's friday again and off to Beluga for the weekend gig. At least we are in town and I don't have to pack any bags!!! I hope to keep up with the blog more but if not see ya on FB!!!!

wierd day

2010-07-18T23:59:00.001-04:00

I'll explain later

Vougue Vest Pattern

2010-07-16T02:02:00.007-04:00

This is only the 2nd pattern I've ever bought (for $1.99) off the net and I had no idea what it would look like. It was very boring (yes Christy I like a lace pattern) and you knit all these squares then attach them together. As it turns out I really really like it - it's funky and fun! I plan to add buttons where all the squares attach and I've got 100's of buttons but I'm going with a grey and can't find enough of them tonight. I think it will be cute with jeans but you KNOW I'm gonna wear it on stage for one show this weekend - I'll put rhinestone pins on it and really funky shoes! Thank you thank you thank you Christy (and Doc) for teaching me how to knit -just need to get better so I can move to more harder stuff!!!! I love it!

House Cleaning Day

2010-07-13T01:35:00.002-04:00

You know how I hate to clean house but I did it today - even scrubbed the kitchen with a brush and rag - my knees hurt now dammit - but try mopping the floor when there is a thunderstorm and Tatiana is freakd out and just wants to be held.....well, pull out the ole "Puppy Pouch" and keep mopping so you can be done with it....

Tatiana is 6 years old

2010-07-11T10:53:00.002-04:00

I can't believe our baby Tatiana is six years old --July 10th. It seems like yesterday we brought her home and put her in a Tea Cup for a picture! She is truely Kenny's Baby and she follow him like a shadow and sits in his office everyday with him. Sometimes she's "ugly pants" to Matilda but then again they play and kiss each other - sounds a lot like "sisters" to me! We love you so much Tatiana and you bring such joy to our lives - Happy 6th Birthday....

Bath Time

2010-07-09T01:00:00.004-04:00

Matilda Mae says poo poo on you Mommy
Grrrrrrr I hate my toenails being trimmed!

No picture of Tatiana - she ran off and hid in her Daddy's office and would NOT let me take her picture!!! Matilda wasn't really mad - she actually feels soooo good after a bath except she hates the toenail clipping and when I pull her hair with the brush. They are both all clean and smell so good. Oh, while I had hair all over the bathroom I cut mine, colored it and THEN cleaned the bathroom! Cut mine really short and love it.

Our wonderfull 22nd Anniversary on the Blue Ridge Parkway

2010-07-07T01:02:00.011-04:00

Morning Coffee

The Lodge and our Room

Yum chocolate cake from Granny

Happy Anniversary to us!

My Wedding Dress 22 years later....

Ahhhhhh , Relax

The Mountain Laurel

Daddy's Rainbow

View from our Room

The Pisgah Inn - Daddy's favorite and ours. Mother treated us to one night (and kept the babies) to this beautiful magical place. The temp was low 60's/50's and slept with the windows open. It was so peaceful a great place to "re-charge" - just needed about 4 days of it...

wow too much to post!

2010-07-05T23:25:00.005-04:00

Me and Dehra and Kenny

So much has been going on and I haven't even had time to do a post - I think I'll do a picture post!!!

Video shoot at Belloo's - great fun and can't wait to see the final project from Spiro~ more later...

A strange but peaceful meeting

2010-06-22T00:31:00.002-04:00

Saturday night after the show - having cocktails at the bar - a soldier ask for a cigarette........his friend had heard me sing but this kid Dan had not. I shook his hand and said "Thank you, Soldier" - I always do that and told him my Daddy was in the Army Air Corp. His grandfather was too and he started talking about how he wished he could have fought in THAT war. Then he started talking about music - not just talking - singing all the songs from the 1940's and he knew all the words. "I'll be Seeing You", Boogie, Woogie Bugle Boy, Lena Horn, Ella, Frank, Gene Kelley, etc. He pulled songs from his phone and had me listen to them. It was the songs my Daddy taught me to love. I got him a beer and knew at once he was an "Old Soul". Dehra and I left to go home and I started crying - HARD - for it was Father's Day. I said Dehra I've prayed for a sign from God that my Daddy is ok. She said just maybe your prayer was just answered..................Thank You Soldier.....

Birthday Surprise

2010-06-18T12:54:00.002-04:00

I'm am giving Dehra her portrait for her birthday but I wanted a little something extra to surprise her so into the "basement" I go (at 7 pm on Wed) - found one of my old train cases and painted it. I do this is acrylic then spray the hell out of it with clear poly. I haven't done one of these is years but it's great for makeup and jewelry (I have all my nail supplies in mine). Hope she likes it! Gonna fill it full of goodies from the Dollar Tree!

Tears

2010-06-16T00:42:00.002-04:00

I know it's just a TV commerical but if I see another one about Father's Day I think Ill scream. I have had tears in my eyes for 2 days and a couple of down right floods. It's the year of "First" with Daddy and I'm sure that has something to do with it. Plua, I'm just so tired and was very worried about Kenny last week. He's getting better which is wonderful but he's lost a lot of weight too. The only pants he can fit in are my Daddy's pants! I wish Daddy could see my Garden, see my new paintings, or get up and hug me when we walk thru the door. I wish I could hear him tell the same World War II stories about the Time in "A Bar in Austria" or just call me Bar Maid and ask for a glass of wine. I did not go to sleep until 7am this morning so it was just a bad night. I'm going to sleep tonight for sure - already taken one of my xanax and may take another one to do the trick. We had to go to Columbus on thursday so tomorrow is laundry and back to the grocery to fix something that KT can eat. I did bath and groom the girls today so they smell so sweet now. I think a good sweet cuddle from my babies if what I need so I'm going to do that right now. After all, tomorrow is another day!

Turning the Corner

2010-06-14T01:45:00.002-04:00

For the first time in three very long weeks Kenny says he thinks he's turning the corner on this bacteria thing. We did get thru the weekend at Beluga and although hard on him it was good. He's still taking anti-biotics for another 10 days and eating very bland right now. It was a bad bad bug and I'm glad he's getting over it. Plus, I am exhausted in every way right now and would love to have a couple of days somewhere in a cool hotel room with room service!!! My Garden is growing and I love that - I'll be making my first run of pickles tomorrow with my cucumbers and I just can't wait for the tomato's to get ripe. I was watering last week and have decided that my Daddy just reached down from heaven and stuck his "Green Thumb" in my garden this year - Thanks Daddy! Oh God, how I miss him - just knowing that he was always here.

Poor Kenny

2010-06-10T01:35:00.002-04:00

This has been a horrible 2 1/2 weeks for Kenny - he's been so sick and most know of all the details of him being in Florida and Pat and I going to get him - getting him to the Doctor - working last Saturday night - worse this week - Doctor finally found the bacteria - strong antibiotics now - lost at least 10 pounds - still not eating - poor baby feels so bad and we have to work on Friday - he says he will do it but I'm not sure how...We just hope these meds start working FAST....

Kenny on Drumns

2010-06-07T10:48:00.003-04:00

This is how I met him - This is how I fell in love with him - This is how we have spent our life - This is the love of my life - This is Kenny.....

Friendship Brunch

2010-05-28T00:47:00.002-04:00

I WAS going to take pictures but had too much fun to remember it. My friend Doc came up on Wednesday and brought Roxy - her poodle. She lives in this beautiful High Rise in Buckhead (2 floors down from Elton John) and I love going to visit her there but when she comes to the "country" Roxy gets to run free in the yard. And THAT is a beautiful sight! She always has to go out on a leash in the doggie yard so at first she doesn't know what to do then she just takes off and runs and runs! All the girls enjoyed their "playdate" and we had NO ugly pants at all. I had such a good time planning this - just me and Doc and Kenny got to join us for lunch. I put the white table cloth on the deck table - used my Blue and White china, white napkins, and beautiful Hybisscus flowers I cut from my bush. And I had 3 blue and white china balls just lying on the table. A little side story about my Hybisscus Bush - my favorite Aunt Tady had these bushes when I was growing up (we called them snowball bushes) and I always loved them. Tady passed away in 1962 but my Uncle Terrill lived there until he was 91. After his death, his granddaughter and I went and dug up some cutting from the bush. I planted my at the back of the house not knowing if it would ever grow. It did and is sooo pretty. I have 2 more in the yard that I bought but of course this is my favorite. AND my mother tells that Tady got HER cutting of the bush from their Grandmother Forrest - my great-grandmother! So how about that for some family history. I have my favorite Aunt's bush from my great-grandmother! I love my Snowball Bush! Back to the Brunch I searched the internet and we have a Mexican Fiesta Brunch. Of course, I had homemade salsa, quamocole (sp) and tortilla roll up with cream cheese, roasted red peppers and onions, Avacodo Shrimp Boats with Pico and shrimp with lime juice. then I baked a Chilli Relleno dish and had a hot corn cheese melt salsa with chips. It was really good and fairly simple. Oh, I had to make my favorite cherry cream cheese pie for desert too. But the best part was just sitting on the deck with Doc and us talking and catching up and just being friends. There is nothing like this and I treasure all my friends so much. I don't have the time I would like to do this kind of thing so when it happens I just roll around in the happiness. Damn, I wish I had taken pictures - I will next time. Christy, you would have loved the table - I thought of you! Now, I'm packed and it's off to Columbus for the weekend. I've had this Yuk in my throat and chest this week - hope my voice will last but at least we have the big band this weekend - lots of vocal power - I love that. And our "Tower of Power" songs are coming along great and everyone loves "Stairway to Heaven"! I got my words and I'm going to sing "America the Beautiful" for the shows - Ray Charles version - love that one! It's to honor all the soldiers who have given their lives for us to be free - especiall two My Daddy, Richard Claiborne Hemphill, Army Air Corp and Bob Trinklein, Kenny's Daddy, Army. God Bless Them and God Bless America....

Baby Bunny

2010-05-26T00:41:00.002-04:00

Well, he really fought a good battle and we tried so very hard but Baby Bunny didn't make it. At least he had two night of a warm bed and food and cuddles. He's probably crossing the Rainbow Bridge right now - Sleep little Baby Bunny......

I KNOW YOU ARE NOT SUPOSED TO.....

2010-05-25T00:25:00.005-04:00

Try and raise a wild cottontail bunny. I did the research and all the sites say don't do it. Matilda found Baby Bunny in the side yard and after searching and searching we can not find the nest. We were going to put it back in the yard last night but at the last minute was afraid Mr. Hooty Owl would get it. Soooooo, Bunny drank a little milk from an eye dropper and cuddled in my neck. I fixed Matilda's baby dog carrier with a towel and shredded newspaper and put Bunny in that. I really did not think it would alive this morning but sure enough he was and was hungry! Then wanted to crawl under my chin and go to sleep. Oh shit, here we go. I could not find goat's milk so Bunny is still getting cow milk which they say is bad. Now, realize that Kenny has told me the story of how they raised a baby bunny and it would even beg from the table and use paper to pee and poop - sooooooo maybe just maybe we could....I'm not holding out a lot of hope and I have NOT named him except Baby Bunny. I just can not leave him in the yard not knowing if Mama will come back if there is not a nest. I would love to get him strong and release him back to my backyard so we will see. In the meantime - I have a whole new perspective on the word "Cuddle Bunny"!

Told You So

2010-05-25T00:20:00.005-04:00

Matilda has CLAIMED the lap blanket I knitted - of course, she can have anything she wants!

Summer Lapghan

2010-05-18T01:20:00.005-04:00

I finished my Spring Green Lapghan and I think Matilda will claim it! I love the color and I even made up the pattern. It's not that big - just enough to cover my lap on a cool night. I'm not sure I want to do a big one -(I get bored easy)! but this one was nice. I would love to pick up this color in my liing room with some other items - I guess that's means a thrift store search. speaking of thrift stores I finally found a fireplace set - missing a couple of things but had what I wanted - a poker to use in my chimnea on the deck and the little shovel in a brass stand - the best part - $1.50!!! And I had a great Art night tonight even though my legs hurt. My butt muscles were even sore from dancing inthe 5" platforms at Beluga this weeekend! I'm working on a VERY VERY special painting - no sneak peeks yet -I want to finish it first. I think I'm going back to some landscapes after this - at home in my studio. And I'm so proud of my nails - they are staying fine and look good. Yeah - no more nail salons! Kenny and I had such a nice day yesterday at home. We slept late - took our laptops on the deck and enjoyed a nice quiet afternoon. I knitted some then we grilled steaks and had salad (lettuce from my garden) and aparagus and Texas Toast. Then late night ice cream with magic chocolate on it. All my season finales were on so it was a good TV night and restful. Man, could use more of these. Gotta do some "stuff" around the house this week and yard work then it's back to Columbus on Thursday. Gonna rest my little feet now and get some sleep!

Wine Bags (Christmas Spoiler Alert)

2010-05-14T18:32:00.005-04:00

ooooh I love these and they will make great Christmas gifts - everyone likes a nice bottle of wine and they are perfect to give them in. I really like the felted one because it can be used as a container but boy it's boring! I'm not sure how many of thoses I'll make - I like doing the pattern one - I never thought I'd get to that point but I don't like the just knit knit knit! Maybe I'll make one up that is more interesting. I'm still working on my lapghan and it's very pretty - I just do it when I need to not pay attention! I was knitting on it last Sunday on the drive back from Columbus and I laid it down and Matilda promptly curled up on it so I guess we know who will claim this one! It's off to Beluga tonight and the "sequin" bra worn on the outside - watch out Madonna. I've got to get a picture of this! I've watered my garden and it's growing great right now. I have rested more this week that I have in MONTHS. I just made myself do it. I cleanned the deck and cooked and did laundry and stuff like that but nothing heavy. I need more it AWAY from home and Kenny is so exhausted he can hardly think straight. I sure hope we get a real vacation this year. Love ya all our family but that's NOT a vacation....Kenny and I and the babies need one all by ourself...Well, at least maybe for my 60th birthday! I'll be counting the days....

Sleep1

2010-05-12T01:08:00.003-04:00

Sometimes your body says That's it - That's enough - I quit!!!! I have been so tired for at least a month but kept on pushing and pushing. That is just who I am and I used could do it for a long long time. I knew I was very exhausted but I did go to art class last night and did have a good night. I came home and went to bed as normal and slept good. At 10 the girls woke me up and I knew I was not ready to get up. Kenny took them out and 5 minutes later they were jumping back on the bed saying get up mommy get up! So I did and had some tea, read the news, email - did my morning thing. I could have gotten up then but decided not to. By this time it was around 1 pm. So I ate a bowl of oatmeal -I never do that - and went back to bed - no tv - no computer - nothing. At 5:15 I woke up. I slept soooo hard all afternoon and although I'm a little droggy I do feel better. I need sleep to re-juvinate my body. I think a lot of stress lately has contributed to it too. My mother bless her heart is crying a lot - I mean a lot lately. I think she's getter better and then she will call crying and it breaks my heart. I can't cry because I'm trying so hard to be strong for her. She told me she would go back on the anti-depressants that the Dr gave her when Daddy was sick but I don't think she did. And if I push that too hard she'll get mad - so I'm not sure what to do. I miss my Daddy everyday and yes, I cry but I'm sure that losing your partner after 65 years is something I can't comprehend. She's working like a mad woman cleaning out the house and fixing things up. I think it's too soon but on the other hand that's my mother and I hope this will help her. It's a very hard process but she thinks she HAS to get it done. I pray for her all the time and I'm very proud of her - I just want her to be OK. I know that the sleep had something to do with that too I think. So now, I'm back in bed and it may be a very long night for me! Oh well, i have 1072 page Stephen King novel I'm reading now. Tomorrow I hope to get some things done - not too much - I'm trying to take this week a little "down". I cleaned last week and did all the stuff so this week just a little cooking, gardening and knitting. And at least we're home - we work Beluga this weekend so I've unpacked my bags and put everything away. No packing until next week! Actually, I think I'll sleep pretty good tonight.

Red Hat and Nails!!!

2010-05-06T01:29:00.004-04:00

Wow - I recieved the red knitted hat that Christy made for me - what a special treat. I looked at it so close and said how the hell did she do this on such small needles????? Mine look a little shabby beside hers but Idid start one tonight - on size 6 NOT size 4 needles. My hands are already hurting and my eyes are blurred! I may have to stick to messier hats on size 8's! Thank you dear Christy and thanks so much for trying to teach on Nana to knit. I'm really loving it a lot - and someday I'll get better! I have made a wine bottle cozy - forgot to take a picture and I'm also working on my "Lapghan" - it's almost half finished. And if you're going to wear a great red hat you HAVE to have the nails! It hasn't been in my budget the last couple of years to pay the $40 nail job then given the "evil eye" if you don't tip enough so I said I'll let my own nails grow. When I was a lot younger I had beautiful nails - long and RED! As I got older (the change dear ladies) they just won't grow. Now, granted I work a lot in oil paints, turpentine, dirt and just plain messy and the acrylic nails did great with all that stuff. Plus, you don't have to polish so ofter it doesn't chip off . I've spent a lot on "guarateened" to grow - that's BS. so last week my sweet Mother bought me a starter kit and I took my time today and did my first set of nails. They are NOT perfect but hey, it was the first time. And I don't have the little drill they all use either. Hopefully I'll get better because I love the way they look. I made them pretty short - not "Ho" length! And they will surely look better on stage than my little ragged nails. So there, a Red Hat and New Nails. Now, I figure since I cleaned house yesterday (saved $100 for housekeepter, did Nails (saved $40) I think Kenny should buy me a new pair of shoes!!!!!!

Yuk Yuk Yuk

2010-05-05T00:44:00.002-04:00

I hate cleaning house and that's what I did all day long! I did manage to get my makeup drawer cleaned out too - I try to do this at least twice a year to throw away all the old makeup. Then the Dust Pan was lying in the floor and stepped on the handle and went down HARD on my bad knee. Just what I needed. I did ice it for about 15 minutes but it's really swollen -I'm STILL wearing my 4 inch heels this weekend damnit. So the house is clean and I'm taking tomorrow OFF........

Garden and Visit

2010-04-30T00:24:00.009-04:00

Yep, that's my sister!!!!!!!

Tatiana says I'm clean, I'm a princess, and I'm not going to get dirty!

AH, springtime!!!

Matilda Waiting for me to throw the ball

My favorite flower blooming in my garden!

Mother came for a short one night visit yesterday and we had a great time. I have been worried about her - it seems the grief is hitting hard right now. But she would only come for one night because of the kitties. So I put on a pot of my homemade spagetti sauce then we headed for Home Depot. She bought me dirt, plants (mostly tomato) and flowers (red begonias). It was just a fun day. She got better as the day moved on and we talked a lot about Daddy and how she feels right now. We even built a little fire in the chimnea and sat on the deck. Then we had a great dinner with Kenny and just visited for the evening. She left about noon today and she stopped and ate a the Cracker Barrell in Commerce before going home. She has not been eating well at all and she said she enjoyed that. I sent spagetti sauce home with her too so I hope she will eat that. So after she left I hit the garden!!! And planted all my little plants I've been babying and the ones we bought yesterday. I think that's my favorite part - digging into the dirt and placing the plants knowing they can grow so strong. Then I re-potted some greeen plants and was dirty and tired! But it WAS bath day for the girls so we got that done. I was going to do my "roots" but got too tired so I'll just use that little stick to cover up my grey hair this weekend! I made stuffed flounder (stuffing with celery, onions, and shrimp), baked potato, green beens and salad for dinner - the fish turned out great. Almost like Red Lobster. I'm so tired right now but it's such a good tired. I always feel this way after working outside in the garden and yard. I think Daddy would be proud of my little garden and I know he helped me plant today. Oh, how I miss him. So, after the girls bath we went back down to the yard for a little play time. I just sat at my iron table and chairs and looked at the beauty. OK<>

Street Car

2010-04-26T23:45:00.003-04:00

"Street Car"

24 x 30 Oil on Canvas
I've got some photos of the band to start on but I had started this 2 years ago and never finished it soooo decided to take it to art tonight. I wasn't sure I still liked it but I do like how it turned out. Adding the cobblestone street really changed it and made it more interesting. So, another on done. Now, it will be back to the band portraits. We hung mine and Dehra's behind the bandstand this weekend and they looked great - now I've got 3 more to do and I have great pictures of Arthur and Larry - you KNOW who the problem child is - yep - it's Kenny - he is so hard to photograph (need Christy here) but I did get a fairly good one. I want to show his drums and hands but he makes goofy faces! We had a great weekend at Belloo's and really good crowds. My "Soldiers" who have been here a few months are shipping out this week and I'm very scared for them. They became friends and I feel like a Mother sending her boys off to war. I got to meet one of their wives and she was so sweet. When you get to know the boys on a personal level it's really hard to see them go. I'll just keep them in my prayers and hope they come home safe. As always, after art and it being Monday I'm jacked and exhausted! It's suposed to rain tomorrow and it's very cool tonight - I actually turned the heat on coming home from the chill. But the warm up is coming on Wednesday and I'm planning on getting my tomato plants and cucumbers out in the garden. I'm been babying them for a few weeks and I think they are ready to fly on their own! I just can't wait to get that first tomato!

On the Road Again

2010-04-23T01:46:00.002-04:00

We're off again tomorrow for Columbus for the weekend. I'm actually looking forward to a good time - hope the crowds come to Belloo's. We are suposed to have bad storms in Atlanta on Saturday night and just hope our house will be OK. I decided to wait until next week to plant my little tomato and pepper and cucumber plants. I would hate for a storm to mess them up. And I think for real the cold weather is gone even thought it has been in the 40's at night this week. I even had to a blankly out one night! I got the grass cut today and now all the leaves are out and it's so pretty in the back yard. I love all the "green" and the Privacy most of all. My crazy neighbor knocked on my door twice today wanting to know if I wanted something - she's cleaning out I guess. Weird..... And I made great pork bar-b-que for sandwiches in the crockpot and they are good! Kenny loved it. Well, I shall go to sleep trying to keep the words of my new songs in my head - And she's buying a stairway to heaven...........
Oh, and Tower of Power - Don't change Horses in the Middle of the Stream - LOVE this one
and we're learning another TOP - "Souled Out"

Cool Rainy Day

2010-04-21T01:07:00.002-04:00

It rained and was very cool today - and I just could NOT get going - I'm exhausted again. My art class last night was great and I always feel good when I finish a painting. But I push myself to go on Monday's because of the weekends. We had a late day in Columbus because our partners, Mel and George were here from Germany and we only had the one day with them. It was so nice to have a long lunch and visit. We hope to go to Germany before they come home - maybe next year. So I hung out in bed on the computer and knitted some too. I'm starting my first small blanket. I wanted a "spring" lapghan so it's a fern green - not a great yarn but it was on sale and I didn't want to spend too much in case it turn out bad. But right now Im loving the pattern! I'm worried about my Mother right now. It seems the real "Grief" is setting in and she's having a very hard time. There's just so much to do at first and it seems to take forever. It's been 5 months since Daddy has passed and it's still going on. AND Daddy had taken care of almost everything he could think of but companies just take forever. I swear I don't know how most people do this. Without Kenny I don't think she could handle it which is sad because of all the bullshit people put you through. She needs to get away and come down here but she still won't leave the 3 cats. And she gets very snippy with me if suggest that they will be alright. I cried going to art yesterday and almost turned around but I'm glad I pushed through it and went anyway. I miss my Daddy so much because he could handle Mother when I could not. I have to have patience with her and sometimes it's just hard. I love her so much and it hurts me to see her hurt. I can't begin to imagine what it feels like to all of sudden some one you have spent 65 years with not being there everyday. She even said you don't know what it's like to be alone in a house day after day and she's right. Your mate may get on your nerves but can you imagine it without them? I can't - and don't want to know either. Oh Boy, here come the tears again but I guess that's a way to deal too. God, please tell my Daddy I love him..

Dehra

2010-04-20T00:13:00.002-04:00

"Dehra"

16 x 20 Oil on Canvas

I finished the painting tonight of Dehra - my friend and my singing partner. We have so much fun on and off the stage and we love to laugh a lot! Now we both can "Hang" in Belloo's in columbus! We had a great weekend at Belloo's and even though I've never been a Rock 'n Roll singer I did "Stairway to Heaven" for the first time and the crowd went crazy! They stood in front of me and held up lighters AND knew all the word (which I still don't yet)! This is such an amazing feeling - can't really describe it. I've gotten this reaction before on songs (mostly Broadway stuff) but this was unreal! And I actually like singing it - especially the end! So OK, I'm an OLD Rock 'n Roller but what the hell? Keep on singing!

Back on Track

2010-04-15T01:11:00.004-04:00

Lady Bug - 3 months old
Of course, the "Track" is a fast one. After one day at home, I have to pack again for the weekend in Columbus! We're just trying to get our laundry done right now and get ready to go. The weather is just so beautiful and I really hope we have a LONG Spring! I'm sure Summer is just waiting to hit us with a heat wave so we'll enjoy every moment right now. As I said our trip to Florida was stressful and busy but out of all that the great news is Mom T does not have to have Chemo and she is on her way to recovery - Thank the Lord! We also had a "hectic" but nice visit with my Mother the last two days. It's still so very hard to go home without Daddy being there and I went to the shed to get something and what broke me this time was the gardening tools. They were just where he left them and seem to be waiting on him to plant his garden. I'm getting some of my planting done now so hopefully he'll watch over my little garden from heaven. My cousin gave me tomato and pepper plants and I'm going to wait ONE more week to plant - I'm still bringing everything in at night right now. Like I said I HAVE seen snow in April in Atlanta! So, it's off to Columbus to perform at Belloo's this weekend - it was a wild one last weekend at Beluga and we had a blast. I can't believe I'm still saying this after all these years but I know at some time there will be a "Last Cabaret" so I'm going to enjoying every moment on stage right now. Kenny is getting the taxes done to send tomorrow and believe me we're going to celebrate - not getting money back - just him getting them all done - and a bunch of other people's too. It's always so hard on him and he's a buger until it's over! We brought back wonderful book shelf that Daddy built for his office. It's still in the van right now and it will have to stand in my dining room until he can clear out space in his office but it will look so very nice. I just hope it won't sit here all summer - he's got to clean out that office! I have to share a picture with you - my cousin got a new puppy and she's sooooo cute and gives lots and lots of kisses. It really makes you want a puppy really bad - no no no no - I would have 100 puppies if I could! Hopefully I'll even take some more pictures to post but at least I'm back writing on my Blog. So see ya soon!!!! Oh, I'm so proud - I finally learned how to knot on circular needles and even learned the Magic Loop - Christy will understand this and I'm loving it. Just knitting away and hope to get in my art studio again real soon!!

Too Much Time

2010-04-14T00:08:00.002-04:00

I know I know - no posts. But it's been a crazy month - trip to Florida for Mom Trinklein's Surgery (she's getting better every day) - 2 work weekends - changing over winter to summer clothes - bathing dogs - cutting grass - planting seeds - a hectic trip to SC and now home again! I'm exhausted but plan to get back to my blog very soon!

Trip

2010-03-19T00:57:00.002-04:00

Packing - unpacking - Packing - don't know what to take - hot, cool, hot, cool????? gotta cut the grass tomorrow here. It's going to be 70 and by the time we get back the grass will be knee high with all this rain. The girls got their bath and a "Florida" haircut - they look so funny - and I've got tons to do tomorrow. Then it's work 2 nights at Beluga - repack the van - drive to Columbus - unpack the equipment - leave for Florida on Monday - man, I'm tired of "Packing".....

Happy Birthday Matillda Mae

2010-03-16T01:18:00.001-04:00

My baby is four years old
It seems like yesterday
We brought home this little ball of fur
And into our hearts to stay
When she looks at you with those big eyes
Your troubles seem to melt away
Sweet kisses come out of no where
She’ll dry your tears that way
To see her run is like watching
A flowing waterfall
Her little heart is so happy
When she is just chasing her ball
But at night after treats and rolly food
And all of this done in my bed
The best time of the day for me
Is when she lays down her little head
She cuddles up in my arms
And I hold her little paw
We say our prayers and thank the Lord
For the love of a little dog

Sold!!!!!

2010-03-15T01:12:00.003-04:00

We got home really late tonight from Columbus but we have a good reason. I sold my painting "The Tango" and we delivered it to their beautiful home on 300 acre's. They had bought one my earlier paintings so the two will hang together. This is a very real blessing right now because we are taking a weekend off to go to Florida. It's funny - the week Daddy had his heart attack I sold a painting at the club and I had to take that weekend off and now once again having to not work and sold another one. Someone is looking out for us! We had a good weekend too at Belloo's and now it's time to get busy and pack for Fl. I've got so much to do this week and we'll work at Beluga next weekend then drive the equipment on Sunday to Columbus because we come back there to work. We're driving down on Monday the day of Mom's surgery. Now, that I have lost that hour of sleep and I'm extremely tired I hope I can get some rest tonight - thanks xanax!!! Now work your magic and put me to sleep.....

Rainy Day

2010-03-11T00:50:00.003-05:00

We've had about 3 inches of rain here in Cumming today -I mean it rained steady ALL day and I loved it! Got a little bit done but not much - and I needed that too. I've been knitting some today and actually did a hat on circular needles!!! First time I've been able to get the "make sure they are not twisted thing right)! Oh, and I made a buttonhole even if it was off center of the piece I made!!! So I say that's 2 good accomplishments on a rainy day. And the girls peed and pooped on the "rocks" because they didn't want to go out in the rain and ya can't fuss at them for that! At least they did go outside. I did also put up a few really winter clothes today and pulled a few summer clothes to take to Fl. We can still have more cool days so I'm waiting until we get back to do the dreaded "change over". And I keep putting off spring cleaning too. It's really not spring yet - right??? I swear the first thing I would do if I won the lottery (which we don't even play!) is hire a full time maid! My mother is such a house cleaning freak and I absolutely hate it. I love the clean house and I always "straighten up" but I hate the mopping and dusting and stuff. I did make a great new Wild Rice Chicken Salad last night that we have really enjoyed today. If anyone wants the recipe just let me know and I'll send it. Well, tomorrow is laundry and packing for Columbus on friday and it's suposed to rain more too - too bad it didn't rain this hard last week - we'd be up to our neck in snow!!!

The Girls

2010-03-08T23:58:00.002-05:00

I've been trying to get this shot for years.......Matilda will put her paw on Tatiana's head and it's so sweet. I finally sorta got one this weekend. I wish I could get their faces in it so I'll keep trying. She's been doing this since she was a puppy! We had a good weekend in Columbus and I think I'm finally over the sinus infection. My nose stills runs some but at least I kept my voice this weekend and I could hear better - hate those stopped up ears when you have to hear yourself in a moniter. I had a tough week thinking a lot about my Daddy. Lots of teary moments and some dreams. Kenny was right - it just hits you out of no where and it's very painful. We are starting to think about and planning our trip to Florida on the 21st. I've got to dig out some summer clothes because I know it will be hot! Would you believe we got home last night and there was still SNOW in our frount yard. I couldn't believe that after the weekend but it was there. But today all melted away - over 70 degrees and I just needed to get out so I cut down the monkey grass, cut back my lantana bushes and just piddled in the yard a bit. It felt pretty dang good too. Now it's rain for three days so I'll have to unpack tomorrow but I didn't waste this beautiful day inside!

What a Beautiful Day!!

2010-03-02T17:51:00.008-05:00

I woke up to the biggest snowflakes coming down and the ground already covered! This is such a rare treat and it's beautiful....I could not help just sit and watch the snow and it lifted my spirits a bit. I made us a French Toast Brunch and then later Kenny and I and girled got all "Layered up" and went to play in the snow. Tatianna and Matilda love love love the snow. They would stay out there all day if we would let them. It's still snowing right now but will get warmer tomorrow and up to 70 by Sunday - like I said - such a treat....

Snow

2010-03-02T01:19:00.001-05:00

Whoopie - supposed to get some snow tomorrow!!!! Rain too but hope to see it falling. It will be March 2nd and 6 years ago we moved into our house here and it snowed that day too! It's one of my most favorite memories. Kenny and I and Chloe and Isalbella having a Kroger Fried Chicken dinner watching the snow fall in the back yard!!!

Summer Hats

2010-02-27T19:04:00.005-05:00

yeah - whoopie - summer hats for bad hair days -made of cotton. I must have a small head though - my hats are too big!! I'm wearing these when we come to Florida!!

Snow pics from Feb

2010-02-26T12:23:00.007-05:00

I didn't get a chance to post any of these so they are late but it was such a beautiful day - snow in Columbus GA!!!

Just had to Post this Picture

2010-02-25T00:42:00.003-05:00

Everyone knows I'm trying my best to knit - some things turn out OK some things not. But THIS is a treasure. I didn't knit it - it's a wool sweater from a Thrift Store - 100% sheep's wool from Peru. I had been looking for a wool sweater to play with "felting" and when I found this I almost squealed. It is now my 'knitting supplies bag". All I did was cut the sleeves off, sew up the sides and make an icord for the handle, then felt the whole think in the washer. I decided to leave the neck line because stuff won't fall out of it. But having the sheep on it - especially the little black one - priceless.....Can't wait for Christy to see this and giggle!!!!!

Way Way Far Behind!

2010-02-24T00:48:00.002-05:00

As I lie here with a Sinus Infection I realize I haven't posted in so long - you get behind and it's hard to remember what you did!!! I do know I spent last week in SC with my Mom - Kenny took me up on Valentine's so we could all be together. He came back to GA and I stayed to help with Daddy's clothes. This is one of the hardest tasks to deal with. Mother had a story for every suit and shirt - how many times did her hands laundry and iron these pieces for him..there were lots of tears and finding lots of hankerchiefs in his pockets. Daddy always carried a hankie. I remember that is the first thing I learned to iron - then went on to ironing his boxer shorts. Yes, his boxers were always ironed. Mother tripped and fell in the floor and really hurt her shoulder - I'm just hoping it didn't tear the rotator cuff - she's still very sore but getting a little better by now. We were so tired and it was very cold and windy and I guess that's when my sinus's starting messing up. On wednesday I drove her car back here and she spent the night - we were both so exhausted and I was getting sick. She left on Thursday and I had to do my laundry and pack for Columbus and cook that night. By friday I was sick but pushed through the shows and Pat got me some meds on Saturday. I actually felt better Saturday night and we had a great show (I think it was the steroids) but by Sunday I was tired again. I had a Doctor's appt on Monday for my regular checkup and yep - sinus infection. I had planned to go to Art Monday night but at the doctor's office I realized I just could not do it so I came home and went to bed. I tried again to get up today and do some laundry but gave up about 3 pm and went back to bed. I'm so exhausted and know that I have to get through this weekend at Beluga too. At least I don't have to pack those damn bags this week. I'm so tired of living out of a suitcase. The only way I want to pack anymore it to be going somewhere to do nothing! And just me and Kenny and the girls!!! I have knitted a little in the last few days so that was fun but I'm so far behind on painting I don't want to think about it. I'll just post some random pictures that I've missed putting up on the blog. Hope everyone else is fine and well and I'll bounce back soon.....

Ta Da

2010-02-12T00:59:00.004-05:00

The Smoke Ring

It took 2 months - and there a LOT of mistakes - I really don't want Christy to look at this close up - but I made my first "Turtle Back Jacket". I think I could better on another one plus I made the extra large which is usually wear but this one is HUGE! Don't care - I love it! And just in time for the snow tomorrow I finally made my "smoke ring" for my head and I'm keeping this one - I've made 5 and given them all away. I love the smoke ring because you can wear it and not get complete hat hair. I do love the shruggy things and I need to figure out a silk one to wear year round (and smaller). I have a pattern but need to figure out the yarn and I'm not real good at swatches (maybe Christy and I can figure that one out)! Now for the great news - SNOW tomorrow and most of it south of Atlanta - Columbus is expecting a couple of inches so I can't wait. We're leaving tomorrow and it's suposed to start about 9:30 in the morning so I guess we'll be driving in the snow - in a one horse open sleigh - o're the fields we'll go - oops I'm getting carried away and hope we don't end up in a field!!!! I hope to get lots of snow pictures and I have my snow boots ready to put on in the morning, the doggies coats, my smoke ring and gloves - I'm ready for it - bring it on!!! Just hope some people venture out tomorrow night to the club - come on people it's NOT but a couple of inches. I invited everyone to come to Belloo's and make snow angels in the parking lot with me - you know I will be doing that. Maybe a couple of scotches first - just to keep warm - HA. It just feels good to complete a first big project even though it's a mess - I'll enjoy wearing it. We are also going to go straight to SC on Sunday to be with Mother on Valentines and I'm staying a few days. Kenny has to come back on Monday and Mother will take me to Commerce to meet him on Wednesday. We're going to start going through some of Daddy's books so it's going to be hard but has to be done. I'm looking forward though to spending some time with Mother. OK, now everyone sing LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW!!

"The Last Cabaret"

2010-02-08T23:52:00.003-05:00

I'm not saying it's just yet - but getting closer all the time! I still love the audience, the applause, the singing - that feeling - the chills - the lights! But I'm also getting tired and know that I can't do this for too many more years (year)!! I've never painted myselft on stage and Shane liked this photo that was taken a couple of weeks ago at Belloo's. I have no idea what I was singing but would like to think it might have been "Over the Rainbow"! In reality I was probably singing something by Prince! But I finished it and not sure I want to sell it just yet. We'll see. I am going to hang it in the club for now. Sure wish my Daddy could see this one.....

Wow

2010-02-04T01:58:00.002-05:00

I actually worked today cleaning up my art studio and it needed it. Now it's all neat and I won't be able to find anything! I also found some old discs with pictures and I started going through them. Kenny and I took Mother and Daddy to Fries, VA a few years ago for a "memory trip" for my Daddy. There are lots of pictures but when I saw this one of course I started to cry and then became very happy at remembering this moment. . This is front of the Fries damn on New River. I think the picture says it all........I miss you Daddy.....

New Dishwasher (sorta)

2010-02-02T01:11:00.004-05:00

Where is the Plumber's Crack??????

I want my damn dinner - I learned that word from Daddy!!!

Long story short - my friend who is letting her house go back to the bank (she's getting married and moved in with her boyfriend so it's all OK) said she had just put in a new dishwasher and stove a while back and not used it very much at all. Nice Kenmore Stainless steel. She wanted to sell them really cheap so Kenny said let's not pass this up. Our dishwasher is fine - just getting old and we need a stove in the house in Columbus. It's electric and I like my gas stove. Soooo, we go way over to Marietta on Saturday and Kenny and Marvin unhook everything and we load it in the van and drive back home. I said Kenny surely you can hook up this thing - I mean really the stuff is already there and we knew some one would charge us another $100 to do it. Well, he did it - in about 5 hours - and cussing like a sailor! (or, as he said cuss like Claiborne) You see, Kenny is NOT Mr. Fix-it. He doesn't do that well at all. I try but I don't mess with any wires that have voltage running thru them and I don't know about colored wire either. It was just a little hard working underneath the washer and lying on the floor - we are way too old for that. He had me lay down on the floor and pull the hose thru - I almost couldn't get up! But good ending - it's hooked up - nothing leaks - and it does work great. The dishes are a lot more "squeaky" clean. Thank God we're not even going to try and change over the stove! I did drive back to Marietta tonight for my art group and that stove is still in the van. Kenny said we are not going to unload it then re-load it to take to Columbus. Maybe I should just pull over on the road, open my van and cook hamburgers and sell them on the street!! HA. I stayed out of his way unless he needed me - let him rant and rave and cuss while I just sat in my chair and knitted and saying Oh honey, I'm sorry - you'll do just fine - be careful for those Drummer hands - it's ok sweetie - I'll fix you a brownie and some ice cream, etc etc etc........But I have a new dishwasher - not if I could just get him to unload the damn thing!!!!

The visit

2010-01-30T01:39:00.003-05:00

My wonderful Mother drove to Atlanta by herself for an overnight visit. Kenny had papers for her to sign and things to still do. We could have gone to SC but we thought it was a good time for her to get out of the house. So at almost 85 she got in that big Lincoln and drove to Atlanta! It was only for one night and she left early this morning by 10 am because it was going to snow in SC but she got home fine. We just stayed here and enjoyed being together. I got to cook her a spagetti dinner and she brought brownies and ice cream. We got all our business done and spent time talking about Daddy - cried a little - and loved a lot. We have a stronger bond I think now because it's Mother Me and Kenny. He is taking such good care of her and she is very grateful because it is very overwheming the things that have to be done. Kenny has gone through this with his Mother also this year and he's so good and compassionate making decisions and wading through paperwork. I'm grateful for him everyday. Well, they may be getting snow in SC and all we're getting is boring ole rain. Probably 30 minutes above us on 400 they have snow. We are close to the mountains but not quite in them but the pictures on the news tonight are beautiful. Oh, I wish we were in a little cabin snowed in somewhere!! We are actually off this weekend - first time I can even remember that we stayed home! We did go to Barnes and Nobles (have a $30 Christmas Gift Card) but did not buy anything. Kenny looked and I looked at knitting magazines but they were all too advanced for me yet. We came home and watched a movie - had hot chocolate with marshmellows too! So very very nice. Kinda miss my high heels though!!! If we were a lot younger we would have jumped in the van and driven to the north georgia mountains today - we did that one Christmas Eve in Vegas - drove to Mt Charleston in the snow and it's one of my greatest memories there. I've got to find something else to paint on Monday so I'm going to do some research this weekend too - and hopefully work on cleaning up my studio and the downstairs which is WAY overdue. But tonight we were just lazy and it was nice....I'm so thankful my Mother came down and she enjoyed it too. Now, we just have to get someone to help with the "kitties" and she can stay longer!! Ah, let the weekend off continue....

'The Tango"

2010-01-26T00:20:00.004-05:00

"The Tango"

24 x 30

Oil on Canvas

Last Monday I was coming down with a cold and exhausted. I really was not in the mood to paint but decided to try and do something loose and fun. Soooo the tango...I posted last week how Shane made me do the drawing upside down and I thought I'd never get it. It started coming together and when I went back tonight it really come together. Shane was so proud of me and I cried a little. I just wasn't ready I think - my whole being has been shattered and I didn't know if I had it in me since I lost my Daddy. I could sing automatically which I did but this stuff has to come from the soul or it just won't work. I think Daddy was telling me to jump back in and do what I love because it felt like someone was guiding my hand tonight. So, when Shane said quit messing with it and SIGN it I was thrilled. I am taking this to Belloo's and hopfully someone will buy it. I may try and do a "music" series as I've never done that before. I really need a good picture of Kenny to paint on the drums. I never get a good one of him so I'll just have to set it up here and take one.

OH, by the way: Cure for the Common Cold - Go to Bed - Sleep - wake up - have tea - have macaroni and cheese soup then chocolate pudding - have a cigarette - sleep - eat oranges and more pudding - cigarette and diet coke - sleep - sleep - sleep for 2 days. I did and got up on Thursday, packed and went to Columbus and had a great weekend!!!

Oh Crap

2010-01-20T00:36:00.004-05:00

I really thought I was bullet proof to this cold because Kenny and Mother had it and I didn't get sick. Well, after this weekend at Beluga where everyone wants to hug and kiss I've got it. Felt it coming on yesterday and by the time I got home from Art I knew I had it. Woke up feeling really bad so made some soup, changed my sheets and blanket and spread and crawled back in the bed where I'm staying!!! I did start a new painting last night - I could not get inspired at all and had nothing to paint. So I messed around with some reference photos and decided everyone loved the Tango so much and I sold it very very quick at an art show, so I decided to do anthoer one. This one is much bigger - 24 x 30 and will look great on a wall. I'll be taking this one to the club in Columbus because it will really fit in there. So many people ask how do you start, how long does it take blah blah blah. I've decided to show the process. Shane had me NOT sketch anything - start with the thinned painted and draw shapes - I even had to turn the painting upside down so I would not think of "body parts" but shapes. This is really hard to do because your mind doesn't want you to see that. You have to keep shaking your head to get the pictures out and just look at "shapes" and negative space. I do want this painting to be very lose almost abstract. Believe me it looks abstract right now but there's lots more work to do on it. Anyway, just thought I'd keep a record of the progress and can't wait to see the final painting! I'm getting excited again - I knew I would when I got to class and I need this very bad right now. I'm going to stay in bed again tomorrow and really fight this cold and hope it doesn't get as bad as Kenny's did. Stay well everyone!

New Game

2010-01-16T18:05:00.003-05:00

Just uploaded this one for fun from last weekend....Warming of the Hands

My wonderful talented neice has started a great game. She's taking a photography course - of course she is wonderful but she's posting her assignments for us to try too. I didn't have much daylight time today (that happens when you sleep until 2pm)...but here are a few I managed to catch in "reflections and shadows".....Just had to do the raindrop on my birdfeeder because I thought it was cool.. We had a great night at Beluga and although it's raining hope to have another on tonight!

Daddy's Birthday

2010-01-15T00:15:00.002-05:00

Today Jannary 14th is Daddy's birthday - he would have been 97 today. We have been in SC all week still helping Mother with everything that has to be done. It's hard and on top of it all Kenny and Mother have been very sick. We got through it and we even went out to dinner last night in honor of Daddy's b/d. Karen and Paul, me and Kenny and Mother went to California Dreamin - one of Daddy's favortie's and I even had the Prime Rib. We talked about him a lot and told great stories and cried a little too. It's still too unreal for me yet. We are home now and work tomorrow at Beluga so we'll see what the weekend brings. We just still so tired and I need a vacation really bad. Just me and Kenny - he said I'll take you somewhere you haven't been in a long time - HOME!!! That's nice too but there's too much to do around here. And I could not believe when we got home there is still patches of snow in our back yard. It snowed last thursday! That's how cold it's been here in Atlanta. Gonna be in the 50's tomorrow so I'm sure it will all go away now. I'm really too tired to be typing this but I just wanted to say Happy 97th Birthday Daddy - I miss you everyday and I love you.....

Oh how we love the SNOW!

2010-01-08T00:54:00.005-05:00

tonight Matilda and Tatiana playing in the snow!

six years ago March 2nd - moving in and snowing with Chloe and Isabella

It came, it was beautiful falling, it barely covered the ground and now we have to get out of the driveway tomorrow and drive to Columbus for the gig at Belloo's! I enjoyed watching the snow so very much and sat in front of the fire and knitted today - and that's about all I did. Kenny is really sick and I'm not sure how he will get thru the weekend -The Show must go on......I did cook chicken wings and smashed potatoes, broccoli and baked apples for a late lunch and we sat at the table and watched the snow. It reminded us of 6 years ago on March 2nd when we moved in and it snowed. We sat at the same table eating fried chicken from Kroger and Chloe and Isabella were in their buggy! Wow - almost 6 years in this house. It's still my favorite house I've ever lived in but it sure is a lot to clean!! I did pack (at Midnight) so I'm ready for the trip. Tatiana and Matilda did NOT want to come in tonight - they love to play in the snow and they were chasing each other in the yard. I was too dark to video - maybe in the morning. It's all stopped now but what a wonderful little treat. I just hope Kenny gets better and I don't get it!

Oh, I did finish the second little tote bag for me so now Dehra and I have one each for the Gig! And I could see a mistake in my turtleback jacket so I frogged it and started over - much nicer now that I understand the pattern better.

new Project

2010-01-07T00:54:00.004-05:00

Well, I've started my new knitting project - a "Turtleback Jacket" - it's the only thing easy enough for me to start my "New Year" of learning more about knitting! It's going to take awhile and I think there may be some boo-boo's but I'm going to get this. I did make this little tote bag for Dehra and almost finished another one tonight for me. We can carry out little gig stuff - lipstick, cig and lighter and business cards in it. I love the charms I got to sew on them at Hobby Lobby. Just makes them a little different. I put a snap at the top too so everything won't fall out! I should have mine done by the weekend so we can carry them because it's going to SNOW tomorrow so I'll have time to finish mine. I love love love love love snow! It's only going to be about an inch but I know it will be beautiful and I'm charging my battery for my new camera tonight to get plenty of pictures. (of Yorkie's in the Snow) Ha Ha. I think maybe my Daddy is sending it to me from heaven because he knows how much I love snow! My poor Mother AND Kenny are sick with a very bad cold. She went to the Doctor today so she's got medicine and Kenny is taking some too. I actually made him homemade chicken, veggie, rice soup last night so that what he has eaten today. I can't believe I don't have it - but I still could get it. I'm telling you people - smoke, drink diet cokes and Scotch! Oh, and eat M&M's....I finally got all the laundry done, babies bathed and groomed and house cleaned (upstairs) so I took this afternoon and evening to finally sit down in front of the fire and knit. I'm still very tired but hope I don't get this cold. I'll enjoy the snow but we DO have to drive to Columbus on Friday so not too much will get on the roads I hope. We are going back home on Monday and I may have to be the "nurse" to Mother and Kenny and we all know what kind of nurse I am - not good!!! My heart still aches for my Daddy and you never know what will trigger it but it hurts so bad. But I know he's not tired anymore too. For all my Florida Folks stay warm down there and don't let the oranges freeze! Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.....

The Hardest Blog I'll ever Write

2010-01-05T01:17:00.005-05:00

Richard Claiborne Hemphill

January 14th, 1913 - December 22, 2009

My Daddy

I know it's taking me a long time to post because it does not seem real yet. Daddy passed away on December 22, 2009 - it's hurts to even type that because I have to believe it. We are all so very very blessed that after his heart attack we had 1 month and 4 days of wonderful happy times with him and I'll be able to write about those later. I do know this that when someone passes away you don't have time to grieve at all. There's too much to do and too many people around you who really do care but it's all like you are walking in a dream. We had the Memorial Service on December 28th and interment that morning with part of his ashes. I do have the rest of his ashes and we are going to Fries, Virginia in the spring to scatter them in New River - also a few along his beloved Blue Ridge Parkway and Spring Valley Church where his mother is buried. That will be a hard trip but it will give me a lot of peace also. There are lots of memories I would like to write about and I might later. Daddy had been working on a book many years about Fries and the Fielder Family and I'm going to try and write the "last Chapter" to that so everyone can enjoy his writing about everything he loved. We are going back to SC next week to be with Mother and be there for his 97th birthday on January 14th. He had a very peaceful passing and again I am blessed but very very sad. My life will never be the same.....

Read to go Home

2009-12-21T01:21:00.001-05:00

We made it through the weekend at Belloo's and did have a wonderful time. I got some lovely Christmas gifts from fans and friends. We are headed home in the morning to spend Christmas with mother and daddy. I'm pretty sure this is my last Christmas with Daddy so it's going to be wonderful and sad at the same time. He has fallen twice in the last 3 days and now not hardly eating a thing. I need to get there quick...

My friend and a lovely visit

2009-12-17T01:03:00.002-05:00

My friend Sandy came over tonight - it's the only time we could get together over the holidays. We both are always so busy so this was very nice. I made a big pot of Potato Soup (from scratch) HA HA and added asparagus and had crumbled bacon to go in it. Baked some bread (not from scratch but from Kroger) and made a salad. Kenny and Sandy and I had a great time visiting. Marvin (her finiance) is out of town but we do plan to get togther with them soon. she gave me some yarn for Christmas and I've aready started to knit it tonight! I love getting yarn! And Kenny got a Starbucks Card - whoopee - too bad Christy you're not here to go with him! Daddy has one good day then sleeps a lot the next so we are prepared to go at a moments notice now. We probably are going to go up on Monday instead of waiting until wednesday. We think we should spend as much time as possible with Daddy right now. We are going to Columbus to work this weekend and should be a fun "Christmas Show" - you KNOW I"m going to sing Christmas Songs (and cry)! I always cry singing Christmas songs...Even though we don't have a tree this year I have my "Six" Yorkie Christmas paintings hung with the art lights over them and a few decorations out. I took my Grandmother Green's Butter churn that usually sits on the fireplace and put it on a table. I put some pine greenery and red berries, tied a red bow on the handle and put presents around it - not my "usual" tree but hey, it's looks pretty. We're packing everything up tomorrow and going to Columbus to have dinner with Pat and little Brock. That should be fun - Brock decorated our tree in the cottage - Oh, we do have a live tree there - he loves to put Christmas trees in everyone's house! I would take but my camera is broke!!!! Hope everyone is surviving the mad last week rush and just remember to spend time with your loved ones - that's most important of all......

Wonderful Visit

2009-12-13T11:20:00.002-05:00

We are home after a 2 day visit in SC with Mother and Daddy. It was a nice one and Daddy sorta seemed stronger but not really. When we got there he was sitting up, dressed in his pants and black shirt and said I want to go to Cracker Barrell! He looked good and talked to me and Kenny a bit. He wore himself out pretty quickly though. Of course, we didn't go to Cracker Barrell - I wish he were strong enough because we would certainly take him. He's in a routine now, eating very little, and sleeping a lot. He stills wants his "Happy Hour" with his 2 glasses of wine - hey, give the 97 year old man anything he damn well wants! We stayed with him and let Mother have some time out by herself which she really needed. She went to the bank and the grocery store for a while (man, she bought a lot of groceries!) but it did her good. This is the first time she's been anywhere since his heart attack on Nov 18th. I did get to surprise my cousin Karen with her painting and of course, we both cried! She was very surprised and I'm so glad to have done this for her. Kenny and I did get out for a bit one evening and did a little Christmas Shopping - mother had given us money to pick out a couple of things so we did get that done which is a relief! It was very very hard to leave again but we'll be going back for Christmas if not sooner. Again, I'm just so grateful for every moment I have with my Daddy and I love him so very much. It's cold and raining in ATL (I love it) and we are going to stay home today and do some cleaning, and wrapping and just enjoying being together with Tatiana and Matilda Mae and each other......

Painting

2009-12-08T10:58:00.005-05:00

Photo from around 1950
Sam and Karen
16 x 20 oil on Canvas

I don't think my cousin will read this blog so I'm going to post it. I'm so excited I got to finish this painting last night. My cousin found this photo probably taken around 1950 and said some day I want to get you to paint this. It's my cousin Karen and her father Sam, my Daddy's youngest brother. Like me, Karen was always a "Daddy's Girl" but she did not have her Dad around as long as I have. Sam died in the early 70's. Karen is now 64. This photo was taken in our Great Aunt Rachel's yard in Fries, Va where Daddy and Sam were born. So there are lots of special memories in this painting. I wanted to surprise her at Christmas with this and I feel great that I got to finish it. I wasn't sure I would be able to. She has been so much help with Daddy and Mother and me these last few weeks. Karen is also a 20 year cancer surviver of Bladder cancer. Her son, Stephen is a screen writer in LA and has a movie coming out with Richard Geer - can't wait to see that one and her daughter April lives in Florida. This is the best part of being an artist. To create something that will live on in families lives forever (and hopefully not end up in a flea market!!!). So I don't think anyone knows my cousin but if you do be very very quiet about this painting (Aunt Jane)!!!!- I'm going to give it to her for Christmas!

Been so Long

2009-12-07T01:49:00.004-05:00

I know I should have been posting but I've been on such a roller coaster ride and so tired. First of all, Daddy is resting at home but still getting weaker. I came home to go to Columbus and work the gig not knowing if we would have to rush back to SC. Well, we made it and so did Daddy. I'm not sure when I've ever been this tired and on top of it all we did a "double" on friday - a military ball AND Belloo's. Man, I thought I gave up that non-sense in Vegas but we needed the work. I also kept waking up at 8:30 every morning - this is NOT a good thing when you get to bed between 4 and 5 am. I finally did sleep today until noon but it doesn't help that much. We had a great "cold" weekend weather wise. I really enjoyed the chimnea on the deck in Columbus. I just love sitting by the fire and feeling toasty warm. And I put the snuggle ball right in front of it and Matilda loved that too! Tatiana NEVER gets out of the bed until her Daddy does. I've talked to Mother every day and Daddy has not changed much since I left. He does keep asking about when he's going to the doctor and I just don't know if he can do that or what the doctor can actually do for him. The hospice nurse is coming tomorrow and we hope to get some answers there. I wish I could talk to him but he can't hear me well enough on the phone. I've decided to stay home tomorrow and go to my last art class to finish a Christmas present. My Aunt Laura is leaving on Tuesday and Mother said she could use a little time just for her and Daddy. She has had someone in the house all the time. So we are going to talk every day and we'll find a good time to go back up this week. We actually have the weekend off - a scheduleing mess - and Kenny and I sure could use a weekend at home but we also need to be ready to go at a moment's notice. After I "unpack" from Columbus I'll "re-pack" to have ready to go to SC - man, I'm tired of all the living out of a suitcase thing too. As I have said before I'm so grateful for the last two weeks of the having the time to spend with Daddy and taking care of him. I want to be there all the time right now but I also know I may be needed more soon and I should get as much done here as possible. And I would love to just a few "Christmas" decorations around this house because we sure "need a little Christmas". And I've done no shopping at all and I do need to get a little of that done too. And I've got to mail the "Florida" package - oh no, I'm not going to list everything I have to do on this blog - I'd be typing all night! I took a few pictures last week on my phone - my camera has really crapped out (hear that Santa?) and this is one of my favorites. That saturday night Mother, Daddy, Kenny and I all sat down at the kitchen table and had dinner together. That was so very very special because we have spent so much time at that table enjoying meals together. These moments are so precious to me right now. I thank everyone for their prayers and I continue to pray for my Daddy. And for my Mother. Any time I have left with him I'm grateful for now. As I start another week I just hope to have the strength to get everything done that I need to right now. And also, right now I think I'm about to fall asleep!!!

Thankful

2009-11-26T18:49:00.002-05:00

wow I did not know this Thanksgiving would be spent in SC with my Daddy recovering from a heart attack. Last Wednesday Daddy had a heart attack in the Doctor's office right across the street from the hospital. If he had been anywhere else I would not be writing about this. Kenny and I got here from Atlanta as soon as we could and we really believed he would not make it that night and so did the Docs. Well, he did and although we had a couple of very rough days in the hospital he was able to come home on Friday. The way this was possible is the wonderful organization of Hospice. Enough cannot be said about the people who do this and how special their work is. Very very slowly Daddy is getting up more - he ate at the table twice today - and is walking to the bathroom by himself. Now, it's not just that he survived this it's that he will also be 97 years old on January 14th! It is still a very long road and I don't think he will ever fully recover at his age but there are no words to describe how thankful I am to have had this time this last week with my Daddy. I've been sleeping downstairs with him and we have had some special moments in the middle of the night! Mother is taking great care of him and he's eating (of course!!). I am so blessed not only to have my parents here at our ages but this time with him is pricless. I have really not been able to post at all - this roller coaster of emotions is very exhausting - but I need to get back at it. I'm so sleepy right now even though I took a nap! My cousin Daddy Green and Betsy brought us a wonderful thanksgiving dinner which I am very thankful for - I didn't have to cook it or clean it up! wow. Tatiana and Matilda have loved being her too - playing in the yard - Matilday is doing sooo good off leash now. Kenny and I have spent some quality time together even tho stressful and he is my rock as always. We do have to go home soon and do the gig this weekend. So many friends and family have been praying for Daddy and us - a feeling that is so wonderful. So on this Thanksgiving with so much to be thankful for we wish everyone wonderful and happy times. Most of all, Thank you God for my Daddy

Yikes only 2 days!

2009-11-17T00:48:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Tatiana and Matilda Mae
got soooo much to do in two days to get ready for Trinklein Thanksgiving!!!! See everyone soon.

Oh, I just can't wait any longer!

2009-11-12T12:36:00.002-05:00

Sneak Peek - 2009 Christmas Card!!!!!!

The reason I love hurricanes!

2009-11-11T02:28:00.002-05:00

Ah, the rainy day, the leaves falling, gusting wind and chilly temps! My favorite kind of day. See, I KNOW I could live in London or Seatle. Of course, the bad part today was I had to go do errands and get groceries! And I had a horrible "sleep night" - heartburn, bad dreams that almost led to a panic attack, knee aching - actually like a knife stabbing pain. The last time I got up and drank a glass of milk, chewed two Tums and finally went back to sleep was around 9am. THEN the next time I woke up it was 2:30 pm. That kinda screwed the day but I did manage to get all my stuff done, cook a great pot of homemade soup, clean up the kitchen and living room, and do some knitting. Of course, it's 2:30 am again. Oh well, I'm just going with the flow because this really IS my schedule. I just normally like to get up around noon so I'm a couple of hours off right now. We should have a little more rain tomorrow then clearing up for a beautiful week. I still love the rain and hope I'll get it one day when I can light the fireplace, cuddle up in a blanket with the puppies and knit! Come on January!

A Long Time

2009-11-10T01:19:00.003-05:00

Our Partners at Belloo's and Dear Dear Friends, Mel and George...
I know I know it's been a really long time! I just got busy and then I forget to post and then it was Halloween - wow - now it's almost Thanksgiving! We had a nice Halloween - worked at Beluga and I wore the same ole thing so I'm not going to post any silly pictures. I did go to SC last week and spent a couple of nights at home. Daddy is declining faster and faster and I honestly don't think he will leave the house any more except to go to the doctor. He stays in bed a lot and sleeps. This is very hard on my mother and it's hard for me to watch. At this point I am just grateful for everyday I have with Daddy here on this earth. We were back in Columbus this past weekend and had a good time and a bittersweet party on Saturday for Mel and George. I'm so excited for them but will miss them terribly. They are moving to Germany for 5 years and that is a great thing. I said can't you get Kenny a job??? That is one thing on my "bucket list" I have not acheived yet - living in Europe for a while. Now we hope to plan a trip over there to see them. Next year is the plan and I have that to look forward to. I DID finish my Christmas Card Painting tonight but I'm not going to post it yet. (It's just too early!) Let's get to Thanksgiving first. I'm already hearing Christmas music on the ads on TV and I'm just not ready. And I'm so tired tonight I was hoping for a day off tomorrow but I think I have too much to do. Hurricane Ida is on her way - we are suposed to have heave rain all day and I would love to sit in from a fire and knit. I do plan on going to the store and making a nice pot of soup. And at least tomorrow night I will take a little down time. My legs and feet are hurting so bad - stood up at our art group and we all painted up 11 pm! Then a 45 minute drive home. So now, I'm so ready for sleep (well, read first then sleep). I need to get back on track and do my posts more often!!!

HOW much for Halloween candy????

2009-10-30T00:47:00.002-04:00

I mean really - does candy really cost that much???? We are performing here in Atlanta this weekend which means before I go to do my 11pm show (yes, I LOVE it), all the little trick or treaters will be ringing my doorbell while I'm trying to put on stage makeup, making the dogs bark, and Kenny hiding somewhere in the house not to be found. Now, we usually buy the candy that we like in case we have any left over. Not this year. I could have spent $50 on the candy we like! So it's some good stuff and some sour little things that came in a great big bag! I know, Halloween is for children but right now I can't spend that much on candy - not when I need cigarettes, my dogs need treats, and my health insurance just went up to over $550 a month! And now we are going to have to pay for everyone else's health care too - don't get me started. So I'm sure all my lovely neighbors who have all these children that will send to my door saturday night will have lots of good candy to hand out at their house. NOW, if my great neices and nephew's were here I'd bake cookies - not from scratch but at least from that roll! And I will be dressing up as Santa's Helper again with my "Ho" red shiny shoes and maybe the clown for the 2nd show (did I say Halloween is for children?) HA! And friday night I'll be wearing my Over the Knee Ho High Heel Boots too! So Happy Halloween where ever you are and don't ring my doorbell after 7!!!!

New Hats

2009-10-28T01:10:00.004-04:00

The Second Hat - Purlpe Striped

Deb's Chemo Cap!! The first one...

I don't know why I wait until I have pictures to do a new blog! Guess all my days run together or I'm getting more like my Sissy - not much blogging at all. Except I did enjoy your blog tonight! The weekend was good and exhausting as normal and Kenny and I are starting to wonder just how long we can do this. It's still great fun to be on stage and to sing and I would miss it - just wish we didn't have to do it so much but that's the nature of the beast. If we don't work every single weekend we won't have a band and without a band you can get a gig! We did have a nice birthday party for our German friend, Martina at Belloo's and she had a great time. Of course we had her a cake and flowers and Martini's and I gave her a red neckwarmer and pair of wrist warmers inside a hand painted cigar box. She loved them and she's going to go home to Germany soon for a visit so she was excited about wearing them. One of our partners, George and Mel are moving to Germany for 5 years and that does make me sad. But he got a great offer (he's a PA for the Military) and the good news is we hope to visit them next year. I swear if I ever get back to Europe I may never come home again! Wish Kenny could get an offer like that - we'd be gone in a heartbeat. Of course, I'd have to take a slow boat over with the girls! We're giving them a going away party On the 7th and it will be bitter sweet. Mel doesn't want to go but it's too good of an offer for them. ANYWAY, I made TWO - yes TWO hats in TWO days! Thanks to my wonderful knitting niece - hey, I like that "knitty neice"! I got a pattern I can knit on straight needles because I can't do those stupid double pointed ones or circular ones ( I plan to learn those Thanksgiving while we are in Florida). My dear dear friend in Nevada has started her chemo and I'm so proud of her. Not waiting for that silly hair to fall out - gonna shave it off on Halloween! And so is her MAN! She wanted something in Black and Gold so the hat is black with gold crystal beads and and a gold pin. She knows it's on the way so now she won't be that surprised about it but I had to post it! Hope you like it Deb and there will be more to come. There is love in every stitch and I cried a little when I finished it. So there is love, laughter and tears in that hat - that's what you give to a friend - love, laughter and tears!
I was so excited about the hat I make another one today -it rained about 2 inches today (all day) and it was just a great knitting day. I did get laundry done and a nice dinner cooked but mostly sat and knitted. I needed this very bad too. I'm in a painting funk right now so it's a good thing I have something else I want to do. I striped this one and you can't see the color very well but one has different colors and I used the purple for a strip too. I found that button at a thrift store (everyone keep their eyes out for great buttons!!!!) and it matched perfect. I think I'm going to make a neckwarmer to match it and maybe some gloves it there is enough yarn left. I am going to try and paint tomorrow. I have another friend who has a birthday this weekend and I'm doing a cigar box for him. I'll have to do it in acrylic because oil won't dry by then but I'm going to do it. And I am going to start on a Christmas present soon too. I'm almost done with the Christmas Card so at least that is exciting. Suposed to get back to 70 tomorrow and dry so down in the studio I go. I'm trying hard this week not to overdo too much - I've been so exhausted lately that I just needed a week of not too much going on. Of course, we'll be in Atlanta at Beluga this weekend and I guess I'll be Santa's Helper again and maybe even change into a clown for the second show. We also have to go by a friends house before the gig - she throws a GIANT halloween party every year and it's great. I hope everyone else is having a good week and I'll try not to wait so long between posts!!!!

The Frost is on the Pumpkin

2009-10-19T11:47:00.004-04:00

It's cold - and I love it- and I got to wear my hat and wristers that I knitted - all is well with the world!

The Dreaded Closet Change Over

2009-10-14T01:06:00.002-04:00

Every Year I say the same thing - I have PLENTY of clothes to wear - I don't need a thing. Then I will see something that will just look so damn cute! I could not believe I was sweating lugging the storage tubs upstairs and unpacking the winter clothes! I sure hope it gets cold soon or I really won't have anything to wear! I still have to do my "stage" closet but at least I have the "regular" stuff done. And I've got all my boots upstairs - yeah - boots!!! My friend has a lady she works with who needs some clothes - she's a single parent - and I was able to fill quiet a few bags to take to her. We are suposed to get more heavy rain tomorrow so I'll be staying here - still got sooooo much to do. Would love nothing more than sitting in front of a fire (with the air on) and knitting but that ain't gonna happen this week. I am working on a scarf made with this suede yarn and I'm liking it so much I think I'll keep it! Now this is NOT getting my Christmas presents done! I tried and tried to knit booties and every one of them came out different so I'm looking for an easier patter. Actually, it seemed like an easy pattern but some how I would get it turned around! They may end up funny Christmas Stockings! I have not painted in so long it's crazy. I hope next week to get into the studio a bit too. I am working on the 2009 Christmas Card but that's about it. I'm in the bed now with my knee elevated - it's either the rain coming or going up and down the steps so much today - I think a little of both. Just hope it doesn't keep me awake. I've finally gotten a couple of good nights sleep (thank you xanax) and hope to get one more tonight - I think that's my cue for nite-nite - well, gotta play a little scrabble then read my book. Right now, Tatiana and Matilda are wanted to play with the SAME squeaky toy I got them yesterday. Yes, I bought two but NO - they want the same one. I'll have to hide Mr. Squeaky Bear before I can actually try and go to sleep!!!!

Mother's Cateract Surgery

2009-10-08T23:20:00.002-04:00

I'm so tired - going on 3 hours sleep - but Mother's surgery went great and she's home and resting. Of course, we had to get up at 5:30 AM - that's in the MORNING people, and I had gone to sleep around 4 am - Why Why Why do people even bother to get up this early??? And they were so damn cheerful in the Doc's office! Ha - I wanted a IV of what they gave mother and I would have been happy. They offered coffee and I just went out to my van, drank my diet coke and smoked my cigarettes and listened to my Book on CD! The surgery only took about 45 minutes and Mother did great. We stopped at McDonald's for an egg McMuffin - that is the ONLY good thing about getting up early. It's been years since I had my favorite breakfast because they won't serve them after 10! We got home an Daddy had been up, let the kitties out, cooked his breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen! He wanted to go with us but just doesn't have the energy. We all three collasped - me on the couch, Daddy in his chair, and Mother in her chair. This sounds like the "Three Little Bears"! Mother is the only one that didn't go to sleep. See, that Happy Juice is great! I slept for about an hour, then got up and had a bite to eat and hit the road. I did good on the drive but really fuzzy. THEN we had to pack the van and all of our stuff and we drove to Columbus tonight. I AM going to bed! I'm just so grateful Mother did well in her surgery so now she has both eyes done. She is an amazing woman. And thank God for my cousin Karen who will take her back in the morning to get the patch off. In so many ways it's so hard to see your parents get really old but then again so grateful to still have them in our lives.....

chimnea

2009-10-03T11:10:00.002-04:00

Oh, I have wanted one of these for the longest time! Pat (our partner in Belloo's) gave me this for my birthday. We got the deck all cleaned up and had our first "fire" last night - I've got a feeling I'm going to be spending a lot of time in front of this! And the weather is just PERFECT! Oh, Christy I wish you were here and we'd be knitting in front of the fire! I finished another "Smoke Ring" (knitted) last night too. We're doing the big Country Club gig tonight - outside - and it's going to be perfect weather for that too. Doing my nails and gotta get that wig ready! It's a wonderful day!

59 years old

2009-10-02T09:55:00.016-04:00

59th birthday trip

me and Matilda

The girls loved the river too!

Ok, I can "sorta" sling that leg up at 59!

Birthday Peace!

Love this Picture - Daddy and Taitana

View from our room

I had a wonderful relaxing birthday with Kenny and the Girls. We took off Tuesday and drove through the north Georgia Mountains headed for Cherokee, NC. We even took the "long" way which Kenny usually wants freeway and I like backroads. It was so beautiful and "cool" too. We drove the switch backs and the sun coming thru the trees was awesome. Plus neither Tatiana or Matilda threw up which is good! We arrived in Cherokee and after getting lost a couple of times found our little motel. The room was big and the rushing river with the private patio was heaven! The girls loved it and we just sat for a while and enjoyed. We had NO phone service and NO internet - I wasn't sure how Kenny would take this but we did fine - went over 24 hours without it! This is so funny that we even think about this now. What a techie world we live in. We did put my phone on roaming and called my mother because it was my birthday and I knew she would freak if I didn't talk to her. And we had her call Mom T in FL to give the motel number just in case! We rode around a bit and walked thru Harrah's Casino just to see - same ole same ole - then decided instead of a dinner out we went to the grocery store and got great snacks for the room - cheese, salami, grapes, celery, etc - went back and had a picnic in the room listening to the river. We put on our sweats and jackets - that was so nice not being HOT! Got a good night sleep and had tea but river in the morning. We left and got lost (again but it's fun) and hit the Blue Ridge Parkway! I am still amazed riding the parkway even though I've done it since I was a child. When we were at 5000 ft it was 52 degrees around noon! We stopped at the lodge in Pisgah but the dining room was full and a long wait line so we just went on down and pulled to an overlook and had the rest of our "picnic" from the night before. We had stopped also and got mountain apples - Yum! We drove thru Henderson and then had to hit the freeway for SC - the temp was up but still very nice. Arrived at Mother's about 6 and Daddy was already in bed. He's sleeping a lot now and not up very much - just to eat (he's still doing that pretty good!) Mother had us a wonderful dinner - fillet, potatoes, asparagus caserole, and our favorite salad. Of course, pound cake and she baked brownies too. We enjoyed the evening and it was nice and cool there too. We did all get up EARLY on Thursday and had a "Birthday" Breakfast for Mother's 84th! Daddy had his big breakfast and all sang to Mother. She had bought me a flat of Pansies and we dug up some Monkey grass to go in the big pots she made me too. Headed home (so sleepy) and found the weather is great here too. We did go get the Chimnea and we're gonna have our first fire tonight. We have not had a friday night off in over 2 years but we are working the Country Club tomorrow - I've still got to unpack from last weekend and do some errands today. This was just a great birthday and we got to take a micro-mini break which we both needed so bad. Not quite the same and celebrating on top of the Eiffel Tower but I'll take it! Well, now I guess I'm on my way to 60! And it really doesn't bother me at all - I love what I do and I love everyone in my life and I'm so grateful for Kenny and my girls!

PS> Finally got to wear my lovely 'Christy" scarf! I love it...

Too Tired

2009-10-02T00:19:00.001-04:00

Can't even post tonight but Birthday trip pictures are coming soon. It was wonderful and relaxing!

Wow - 59th BD at Belloo's

2009-09-29T00:28:00.007-04:00

Best Friends and Singing Partners - me and Dehra

The Yorkie Cake

Now that was a party!!! Belloo's threw me a fabulous Birthday Party on Saturday! Actually I had a great day all day. Kenny and I and Dehra and Pat went to Ezell's (my favorite catfish place in Columbus) for lunch then Dehra and I had our "girl" time. She got me a pair of red boots at Shoe Time, then we went and tried on wigs for about 2 hours! She also got me the wig and I love it. I've almost cut my hair back like this but hated to go so short I could only do one style - well, now I don't have to. I love the wigs and we can change our look every show! It's so much fun. Pat also got me a BIG surprise - the Chimmnea I have wanted for 2 years. Actually it's prepaid here in Cumming so we have to pick it up at Lowe's and I can't wait. And my friends were so wonderful. I got so many nice presents - a Silver Pandora Charm braclet that I LOVE and hope to keep adding to, a silver ring and earrings, 2 purses, a glass necklace, picture frame, a Martini Tote Bag and mirror, a new stainless steel "Diet Coke " bottle (I never go anywhere without that) and beautiful flowers in a fall vase. Also my friend Stevie and her boyfriend Phil drove down and got a room and she makes these wonderful vintage aprons and towels and she made one for me that I got to open on stage. Of course, there were cupcakes and the very best, Kay found a tiny little Chocolate Yorkie Cake - it was precious and delis too!! And my Birthday is actually tomorrow! We had to pack ALL the stuff on Sunday and I had been leaving clothes so we had a extremely full van. Everything is still in the bags because I had my first Art Group tonight and came home and "re-packed" a small bag. For my Birthday Kenny and I have a room in Cherokee, NC tomorrow night -with a private balcony overlooking a river and pet friendly! Just one night in the "cool" mountains is all I want! Then we are going to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway on Wed and end up at Mother and Daddy's that evening. Thursday morning we'll have a Birthday Breakfast for Mother - she will be 85 - then drive back to Atlanta. We don't have much time but I just could not be this close and be there for my Mother's birthday. So, I think it's going to be a wonderful 59th birthday and I'm so blessed to have such great friends. More pictures I hope from mountains soon!!!!

And Kenny says he has NO help in the office!!!

2009-09-25T00:23:00.006-04:00

Daddy's Helper's

It's such a hard life being a secretary!

Matilda says me and Froggie guard the front of Daddy's Desk

My I-cord Braclet

HA HA - just take a look at these "secretaries" that stay in their Daddy's office all day and all night. OK, so they bring their toys and play but still how in the world could Daddy get all his work done without them? Especially Tatiana, as you can see how she "looks up" to her Daddy while he is working. Kenny texted me to come in and take a look and I got the camera and she's still laying there!! Ah, the love of a dog! Now, I'm REALLY REALLY tired of sweating and it feeling like I'm in Florida!!! Come on now, it's almost my birthday and it's always cool on my birthday. So go away you humid 80's and come on 50's!!! I keep looking longingly - is that a word? - in my closet at my velvet sweat suits and cute little jackets and boots. And that's all I'm doing - looking! I can't wear white (gads, it's after Labor Day) and anything that looks like fall I'm going to sweat like a pig - I guess I'll just go to work in my "Birthday Suit" - oops, I don't think we have a lincense for that plus I would run off all the customers! We're off to Columbus for the big Birthday weekend - even though it's Tuesday I celebrate a "season" - take note Emma. I have no idea what we are doing on Tuesday- Kenny is swamped with paper work we - I'll settle for a drive to the mountains if it's cooler there. On a good note - yeah - whoopie - Fall TV is back which means I had a great 2 hour Grey's and knitting time. Now that I actually knit something this TV season will be a lot more fun. I sure need to get better at it - actually I need a class from Master Christy - I STILL cannot figure out those double pointed needles - we'll try again Thanksgiving. I am hooked on "I-cord's" and of course tried to make jewelry out of it - I like the braclet and I made a necklace tonight - it's drying now. OK - happy Fall - it's official now except for the temperature and start the BD celebration NOW>......
Thanks to everyone who checked on us with the Floods - we are very very grateful we did not have any water in our house and are safe and dry.....

No Photos

2009-09-22T01:48:00.002-04:00

I'm sooooo glad I don't HAVE any flooding photos to post. We do water at the back fence but that is normal and we are very dry in the house and have not even lost power. We are very blessed because a lot of people here in Atlanta are flooded out of their homes and I'm sure it's a big mess. We've had over 20 inches of rain so it's pretty wild. It rained HARD at our house all night and all day today. It is suposed to slow down tomorrow so I just hope people can get around. Most all the schools are closed - some under water - and lots of roads out. Well, at least we're not in a drought! Now, why could this not have been january and we've have snow up to our ass!!!!! Thanks to all who were asking about us......

Bad Cold - YUK

2009-09-17T00:11:00.004-04:00

Mel and I enjoying our cigar after the chili!!

My first bad cold of the season and it's not even cold!!! It's rainy - which I love - but muggy and that makes a cold more miserable. Our Chili Night at Belloo's was great and everyone loved the chili. On the way home yesterday my ears stopped up and by the time we got home I was feeling pretty bad. I lay down in the bed and just passed out! I slept about 4 hours - that deep exhausted sleep and then Kenny got me some tomato soup an crackers and I went back to sleep. That's the best thing for me when I get a cold and this exhausted - sleep. I stayed in bed today but we had a dinner engagement planned so I got up - took a shower and dressed - actually felt a little better by then. We had an amazing dinner with friends Kristen and Bill. We've been trying to get together for a while so there's was no way I was not going. It was a very nice evening and I'm back in back now. All my "stuff" from Columbus is sitting in the floor of the bedroom and I guess I'll just do the laundry and repack tomorrow. Damn, I need a real vacation so bad. I'm going to rest now.....The photo's are some of my "Big Boys" in Columbus eating my chili!!!

A Hell of a lot of Chili

2009-09-11T01:54:00.003-04:00

Papa and Tatiana
Black Cherry Hair!!!

Wow - when you start with 12 pounds of Ground Beef and add all the other stuff you end up with about 8 gallon's of chili!!! I had to keep adding pots but I got it all done and in the freezer. We go to Columbus tomorrow and play the weekend then Monday night is Claiborne Monday Night Football Chili Night at Beloo's. I think I have enough chili for Fort Benning - I shoulda been a cook in the Army! And Kenny says it taste good too. I had a wonderful but short overnight in Sc with Mother and Daddy - he tried to be perky and did a pretty good job of it. He looked better this time and I loved seeing them. We had a great thunderstorm right before I drove back to Atlanta and as I left home I saw the most beautiful rainbow. Along with all the chili cooking today I did all my laundry, packed for the weekend, finished a red hat, cut my hair and dyed it really dark!!! I would say that is enough multi-tasking for today.....

going to SC

2009-09-08T00:29:00.005-04:00

The Girls have their "Fall" bows in after a bath
Tina Turner on the loose!!!

The girls and I are going to run up to SC tomorrow for an overnight visit with Granny and Papa - I just need to see them both so it will be a very quick trip. I have to get back and make Homemade Chili for next Monday's Belloo's Monday Night Football. Now realize I doubt I've ever watched an entire football game in my life and really has no desire too but I'm sponsering the Chili Night - we have some mighty big boys in Columbus and we need for them to DRINK at the bar so what better way than to serve hot chili with football!! I'm going to make it all here and freeze it - of course, got to save some out for the band this weekend too then on Monday we'll set it all up and have a party! I have no idea who is playing and really could give a rat's ass but hey - it's for Belloo's! And I love to cook my chili! Now, if I could just find a short little plaid "Catholic School Girl" skirt and tenny shoes - I could be the cheerleader - and OLD cheerleader but a cute one! HA HA ....So we had a very nice Labor Day - went to eat Chinese for lunch - WHAT - I wanted ribs!!! We came back and Kenny changed the "snares" on his snare drumn for the first time since we lived in Houston - over 24 years ago! He cleaned the hardward - tried to me to wire brush the screws but all of a sudden I decided that was the perfect time to give the girls a bath! I also changed around the living room furniture so I can have the perfect view of the fireplace (anticipating cold weather) and I put out fall decorations - yes, FALL - it's after Labor Day so no white shoes and I can to put out my pumpkins!!! Then I looked out and Kenny is cutting the grass so I go to help - can't let him love my tractor too much but by the time I got on it was almost dark. Trust me, you do not want to see the front yard!!! Back up for a nice Salmon Salad and French Bread dinner and I've taken my nite-nite pill so that's that......Oh, the scary picture at the bottom is me in Dehra's "Tina Turner" Wig - actually it looked better than the picture and everyone at the club loved it!! The dye job this week is gonna be dark!!! Happy Labor Day to all.......

Beautiful day

2009-09-03T00:36:00.003-04:00

I've been in such a funk lately that I almost missed a beautiful day. I tried to paint yesterday - bad idea - well, I did paint 3 cigar boxes but mostly looked at photos and tried to find something I want to paint. My neice, Christy is taking a photograpy class and judging by the pictures on her blog I'll have plenty of fresh idea's to work with - great great job Christy! I'm also happy to report that Baby Nolan is doing very well and so is Mommy Mindy - he is breathing on his own now and Thank you Lord for this precious tiny baby. Soooooo, got up, took a shower, and decided to go check out a campgroud about 37 miles from our house in the mountains. It was just OK and I think I'll keep looking. I rode through the town of Dahlonega and walked around the square. It was such a beautiful day - rolled down all the windows, opened the sun roof and listened to my book on CD. I found one shop that might be a painting. Drove back home and to Kroger - came back and made us a nice dinner. I really really need a break right now just from the day to day stuff. What I really need is a week's vacation but that's not going to happen. So, I'm hoping for about a 3 day camping trip sometime this month. Tomorrow it's laundry and packing for Columbus this weekend. I've got all the window's open and gonna sleep with them like that!!!

New Baby Great Nephew

2009-09-01T01:46:00.002-04:00

Just a short post to say we have a new Great Nephew today. Nolan came 8 weeks early so we are all praying hard for him and Mama Mindy and of course Papa Joe. He is breathing on his own and that is a good sign right now. Very Tiny - somewhere around 3 pounds. We are blessed. This is also the anniversary of Kenny's wreck that was horrible. On this day every year I say a prayer of thanks for Kenny and he is alive and well. Nothing much going on around here except work and in need a vacation really bad. We are planning to some how fit in a camping trip close to home in Sept. The weather is getting cooler and everyone knows I'm soooo happy about that. I did finish another "smoke ring" and wrist warmers for Mel's birthday this weekend - didn't post a picture because I figure everyone has seen that on enough! Oh, also, 5 years ago yesterday we brought our baby Tatiana to her forever home. I'll never forget that night - I don't think I slept at all! We had a good weekend at Beluga and a great show on saturday night. It's back to Belloo's for the month of September and hopefully cool enough to sit on the deck and just enjoy. We are going to rehearse and learn new songs (Prince, Tower of Power and Stevie Wonder so far) so that will be good. I still trying to knit every night a little and working on the christmas dish cloths too. I really need to paint tomorrow so hope to spend the day in the studio. I'm going to say my prayers for Baby Nolan and Mindy and try and get some much needed sleep!

Day Off

2009-08-27T01:16:00.003-04:00

I took a day off.....sorta - I did go to the store and made a really nice dinner for us. Yesterday, I cleaned house, did laundry, cut grass etc, etc and decided I needed a very down day which I did. I knitted this evening and did a lot of research on the computer for art/knitting too. I really do need to paint tomorrow so we'll see. Ah.....sleep...