Getting ready for the Big Weekend

OK friday is upon us (after a night's sleep) and here we go. Two nights at Beluga for the pre-New Year's Eve then a big Band Cook off on sunday with friends and on Monday New Year's Eve at the St Ives Country Club. I got to stay home today (yeah) and rest a little. Kenny went to pick up LeBron and Darrin and Lauren joined us for a little rehersal. I worked on my cigar boxes (taking the labels off) while they went over some songs then we went over some together. We're ready for New Year's and I hope we have a good friday and saturday at Beluga. So Get Ready cause here we come......

Best of My Day: A clean house with Christmas Lights still shining and friends......

More Christmas

Dummy had deleted her photos from the computer trying to fix my Zune - good thing the pics were still in my camera!!!!!!

A Wonderful Quiet Christmas

Ah, the quiet and coziness of Christmas 2007. Mother and Daddy arrived on Christmas Eve and Daddy made the trip fine. He said he felt pretty good and at 94 years old that is a blessed thing! We got everyone and all the gifts in and settled in for a nice afternoon. I didn't have much to do because I had prepared a lot on Sunday night. Kenny (of course) had to do some last minute shopping HA HA - but he did have the flu last week so he did have a good excuse. Daddy rested some and when Kenny got back we had our wonderful "Filet" Steak Christmas Eve Dinner in the dining room. We enjoyed a fire and some wine and visiting. Christmas morning before we could even get a cup of tea and coffee Matilda wanted her presents - I think she could smell them! Her and Tatiana cried and scratched the boxes (this is true)! So we began to open our presents and having the fun. It was a wonderful year with very nice gifts. It was also cloudy and raining which you people know I loved (I was still hoping for snow but I'll take the rain!) We cleaned up had the big Daddy breakfast and just hung out all Christmas Day in our PJ's. This is how I LOVE to spend to Christmas. We cooked the ham and had our Tradition Sliced Bar-B-Que's with Daddy's sauce then played with our Zune MP3 players - Man, need Andrew to help me figure this out! Old people with electronics - now that is a hoot! Finally, after everything was done we all finally went to bed tired, full, and happy. So many things to be thankful for this Christmas with family, God, our country, friends, home and our babies. Merry Christmas 2007.....

A really nice Day

Kenny is feeling a little better and I actually sorta took the day off. I did cook us breakfast (at 1 pm) of french toast and bacon which Kenny felt like eating. Then I just messed around in the house and enjoyed the cloudy day with all my Christmas lights on. I brushed the girls hair and put in red and green bows, got my new outfit and jewelry ready for the gig. Then I took a little "kitty nap" during Oprah. Kenny was hungry again (that means he's getting better) so I made us a nice dinner. Watched a little TV then made homemade Cheese Biscuits. These are one of my favorite things in the world and this is my mother's recipe. Cleaned everything up and now just enjoying the quiet time. Man, this was a great day! Tomorrow start the marathon gig weekend but I'm looking forward to it. Mother and Daddy will get here on Christmas Eve and we'll enjoy another couple days of quiet before the next wave of busy time. It's nice to take a day and enjoy the season............

Best of My Day .....Baking cheese biscuits and eating them right out of the oven!

Bah Bah Humbug Flu

I'm afraid Kenny has the flu and it's not pretty. He started feeling bad on Sunday night and then had to go to Athens for a big meeting on Monday. He "crawled" home Monday evening and went straight to bed (you know he's really sick then). He has stayed in bed today and eaten a little bit and drank some Gator Aide and Apple Juice. We have one the biggest gigs of the year this Thursday night and we just hope he will be a little better. You know, the show must go on - believe me - been there done that. My first year in Las Vegas I had the flu on New Year's Eve and it was miserable. Good news is housekeeping came today so the house is clean, and I finished up my "little" stuff shopping for my mother - Yeah - Whoopee.. And I wrapped all the gifts tonight so there - DONE! We do have to go to Columbus this weekend too so it's going to be a rough one for Kenny. He keeps telling me to wash my hands - they are raw!! - I only have a sore throat but I think I'm OK. I believe the Scotch helps! I just hope Kenny will feel a little better by Christmas so he can enjoy it. I have to try on my dress with my high heels tomorrow and see if I have to hem it and pack for Columbus because I won't have time for that on Thursday. Tatiana was so sweet and stayed in bed with her Daddy today. Matilda followed me around - could not figure out what was going on! We're all snuggled in the bed now and hopefully get a good night's sleep - sleep well my Kenny and get well.

I can finally Post This!

I have been waiting to post this because Kristy reads my blog! This is one of my favorite paintings I have done. It's little "Zoey" and she is as sweet as she looks. Kristy took care of me when I had my surgery this year and her and Zoey spent the weekend with us. We would all pile in the bed along with Matilda Mae and Tatiana. So I got to give it to her last night at Beluga. We had a great weekend too and I wore my Santa suit last night. And FINALLY it's getting cold again - suposed to be 25 degrees tonight - yeah - whoopee - I feel a cozy fire, blankies, snuggle dogs and hot chocolate! Merry Christmas Baby Girl!!!!!

December 13th

This is the day my dearest friend became an Angel. It's hard to believe it's been 8 years that Kathy Morrow has left us. She fought a long hard battle with breast cancer. Kathy is my oldest friend - we were 3 and 1 when we built our house "across the road" and we grew up as playmates and sisters. Not everyone is blessed enough to know a friendship like this. This goes back to your earliest memories in life and there she is. It's different from having an actual sister because she is my "chosen" sister. As we grew from children our lives sometimes took separate directions but we always came back around to each other. And we were always there for each other no matter what. After Kenny and I moved back to Atlanta Kathy was already fighting her battle and Kenny got to know her for the wonderful person she was. He named her "Kitty Kat" and she loved him too. It's important to me that my "soul mate" in life got to know and love my "sister " in lie. That is a great connection. I still miss her every day but I know she is at peace now and I also know that she is my guardian angel. She looks down on me and gives me comfort and laughs at me sometimes too. She was the one who thought everything I did was great and was always proud of me - you don't find that in life too often either. So my dear friend I remember you on this day not because it's the day you died but because I'm so grateful I had you my life all those years. I love you Kitty Kat.

This is a poem I wrote in the spring after Kathy has passed away. I'd like to post it on this blog.

A Star

Today I picked a flower
It smelled so pretty and and sweet
The sun was shing in the sky
And the birds singing with their tweets
As the sun went down - The dusk rolled in
I took the flower outside
I made a wish and kissed it once
Then threw it to the sky
As I lookd up there was an angel
Who caught the flower in her wing
Then turned it into a shining star
As she began to sing
So when you look into the sky
Open your heart and release your sorrow
For the brightest star in all the sky
Has a name and it's Kathy Morrow......

Kathy Morrow January 3rd, 1952 - December 13th, 1998

The Last Week before Christmas

I finished Kenny's Christmas shopping except for his Ipod and we're going to go look at that tomorrow. And now I just need some little stuff for my mother and I'm done. I've been out every day this week and I would love a day at home - oops, I have to work the next two nights so there is no rest until sunday! I'm really trying to get everything done this week because I do love to have non stressful week before Christmas. Of course, we have the Vining Club party next thursday then to Columbus for the weekend so there's not much time! Kenny did take off this evening and we went to the Mall - believe me, this is the ONLY time I will go to the mall this year. But I had looked everywhere I normally do for a New Year's Eve Dress and NOTHING! I can't believe I finally found the Perfect Dress at Macy's! When all else fails, go to Macy's - it's not the NYC store but close! It's a long silver dress and I'm so glad I found it. I'm tired of Black and this is perfect. And the theme at the Country Club where we are playing is "Monte Carolo New Year's Eve" so it looks "Old" Hollywood! No pics yet because I had to try it on with black socks - HA - but when I get the whole outfit ready there will be pics along with Kenny in his Tux - ALL the guys will wear tux that night! Now I'm getting in the mood and de-stressing! I also got all my Art Tiles ready tonight also to give out at Beluga. I'm beginning to feel like Santa Claus and I like it. And I WILL wear my Santa Suit on Saturday night at Beluga. So let's begin the last week before Christmas - the girls are bathed and smell so good, my shopping is almost done, got the NYEve Dress, so HO HO HO!!!!!

Paw Prints in the Sand

I somehow found this once on line and wanted to post this for all of our Doggie Angels........

In Memory of Opie

My Sister in Law's little Opie went to the Rainbow Bridge this weekend. Here he is sleeping on Natalie this past Thanksgiving. Anyone who knows me, knows how important dogs are in my life. I simply do not exist without them. And I know Kathy feels the same way. There is a certain bond with us and our dogs that only God can understand. I'm sad for her and know the pain she and Bill are feeling. But the pain of losing a dog is overidden by the love and joy that bring into our lives. You never replace them but you do bring others into your heart and love them with the same fierce love you give to them all. Be at peace, Sweet Opie and you are with all of our other "angels" at the Rainbow Bridge......

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.
There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up!
The eyes are staring! And then one suddenly runs from the group!
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet you take him or her in your arms and embrace.
Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

A visit from our friend

Pat Juneau came in for a visit this past week. He was our guitar player who Kenny has played with for 31 years! Kenny first introduced me to Pat in Houston and I immediately wanted him in the band. He is a special soulful singer and I learned so much from him. We had a lot of laughs and memories and made some more! Friends are so important in our lives and we have had two very important people visit us in the last month. Rick and Pat were with us a large part of our careers and we treasure them. We also had a great weekend at Beluga and now it's on with the Christmas Season. We are in a record breaking "heat wave" for 3 days and it is so weird! 76 degrees is just so not right in December. There is a cold front on the way for the weekend and I'll be back in the Christmas feeling!

Best of My Day: Having our friend Pat here for good times!

Jeff Williams Art

http://www.jeffwilliamsartist.com/

This is my friend Jeff Williams Web Site - he is an amazing artist and just got selected to show at the Louvre in Paris !! Way to go Jeff......

Stage Photos

A friend of mine at Beluga who is a fellow artist took some photos of my on stage then messed with them on his computer - turned out kinda cool! I always have my mouth wide open in pictures - of course, I guess that's what I do when I sing!

Hot Chocolate and the Fireplace

Oh what a great evening. Today I worked on Art Tiles, paintings and stayed home trying to get over this cold and sore throat. But tonight I curled up in my chair with the babies, watched TV and made a cup of Hot Cocoa from Andrew and Emma! And THAT was the Best of My Day!!!

AHHHHHH Christmas

A sore throat and Christmas Shopping!

Not a very good combination but I did get some shopping done. I actually found a couple of books I think My Daddy will enjoy at Borders. That is usually the hardest part - finding a book he does not already have! And I found a great Christmas PJ set to wear Christmas Day and I don't plan on getting out of them all day! I look forward to a quiet day with Kenny, Tatiana, Matilda Mae and My Mom and Dad. With all the maddess going on before Christmas it's nice to take a breath and enjoy the moment. We've got a lot going on right now with extra gigs and band stuff. And I hate this sore throat - that usually never happens to me and I sure hope it's better by the weekend. My Baby Girl (Kristy) is 30 years old today and I want to wish her a Happy Happy Birthday! I know there is a great party going on in Buckhead but Mama can only do that 2 nights a week - I'm getting too old! I wrapped presents tonight and cooked chicken for the doggies - chop it up, put in in my food saver and freeze it - makes it easy! Kenny and Pat left for Columbus with LeBron and Arthur. I just didn't want to go and try to work 4 nights and I think they will have a good show and a good time. Just hope they have a good crowd. Now hopefully a good night's sleep and feeling better tomorrow!

Best of My Day: Wrapping Christmas presents and putting them under the tree!

Our Friend is Here

Pat Juneau from Las Vegas is here for the week with us. Pat and Kenny and I go back to the Houston days and then on to Vegas for 10 years. It's great having him and the gig will be very special this weekend with Pat's singing and guitar playing! The only bad thing is he has a bad cold and I have a sore throat! Hope Kenny doesn't get it! I don't feel real good so it's night-night! Pat and I both have "Vic's" on our chest - Mother was right about this one....

Best of My Day - Welcoming our friend Pat to our home and having a wonderful Pot Roast Dinner with Cornbread and Baked Apples.....

Bluebird

And here she is.......Blue Bird!!!!!!

Band Tiles

I took photos of all the muscians and made them tiles too for Christmas - I hope to paint all these later!

Art Tiles

My new project is Art Tiles. I'm making these for Christmas presents and they are turning out pretty good. They are transfers onto Tumbled Italian Stone and are 4 x 4. I'm spraying them serveral times with varnish so I hope you can use them as coasters too. I love new projects!!!!

It's Christmas!!!!

I decorated the house today - minus the tree - we'll get that this weekend and worked on my "Art Tiles" for Christmas gifts. It was a wonderful day and "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"!

Best of My Day: Lighting the Candles, Lighting the Fire, and cuddling up with Tatiana and Matilda in my Chair!

It's a long story

But I won't go into detail yet! Let's just say the "Rudolph" Red Van wouldn't start on Saturday and it's been doing that. We were packed and ready to come home so Kenny was sort of forced to make a decision! Soooooo, I got a new (well, new to me) 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan! I love love love it and it's dark blue with stow and go seats and all the gadgets that I love. Leather seats and butt warmers! A sunroom and DVD player (which I'll never see because I hate riding in the back seat). So now Mom and Dad have the red van - it started right up after we got back from Car Max with the new one! And I wasn't going to let Kenny take it back - I've waited a long time on a new van but I think I did have to sign a paper saying I would drive it for 10 years!! I'll get a photo up soon and need a name - I'm thinking "Bluebird"

Best of the Day I got my new Van: Duh, "Bluebird"!!!!!

Don't know how I missed this one!!!

Nana and Emma - what funny eyes you have Emma!!!!

Let the Christmas Season Begin!!!!!

OK, I'm tired of Turkey and ready for Santa!!!!!!! Natalie says!

More Florida

More of the Family - Andrew with his "thing" he built! My "Sissy" with Mom T, Mom and Dad relaxing in their chairs, The "Sallee's, Chris, Christy, Andrew and Emma, Uncle Joe with Natalie - I think this is the first baby he has held!, Uncle Kenny, Emma and Tatiana, and finally Nana Claiborne with Natalie!

This says it all

This is how we all felt after all the great food for our Turkey Day!!!! Natalie and Opie...

Thanksgiving in Florida

As Emma sets the Thanksgiving Table (out by the pool?????) - there's just something not right about this - G-Ma holds Natalie - and G-Pa smiles over her - this is their fourth great grandchild - Mom is Tess and Dad is Leon who is serving our great country in Iraq.

The Day Before Thanksgiving

Ah - Wednesday - the grocery shopping and cooking day! My last two Pecan Pies are in the oven right now and it is smelling good! Lots of other cooking going on and we're all ready for the big day. We all went out for Mexican last night and it was great and got to see almost everyone. We even snuck in a little nap this afternoon too because we got up way too early! A couple more pics - Kenny and Baby Natalie! More photos tomorrow.

A new Great Neice

This is Natalie and her mom, Tessa. She is our new great neice and very sweet and beautiful. Nana (that's me) even held her and gave her a bottle - but no diaper changing! I've never done that in my life and see no need to start now. We are in Florida with the family and it's so great to see everyone. I'll be posting more photos this week and lots of stories! And I know I beat my sissy, Kathy posting this because she was sleepy and I'm still up! And I even blogged on dial up! kful to be together.....

Tatiana says Happy Turkey Day!!!!

Ready for Florida

All packed up, babies had their bath, and we're tired but leaving tomorrow for Thanksgiving in Florida with the family. We're looking forward to seeng everyone. We had a great weekend at Beluga and I sold all my CD's - well, we only burned 15 but at least they are selling and I could have sold more last night. So, when we get back I have to do some more! Our hope is to sell them and make enough to go back in the studio and do another project. Sure hope we can do that. A very Happy Thanksgiving to all......

The weekend is here

I have really tried to take it easy today. I was so sleepy last night I - it finally all hit me this week. I'm pretty much ready for the Florida trip except last minute packing. Now let the Beluga weekend begin. Hope we have good crowds - I know a lot of people are already going out of town but we'll have fun I'm sure. The girls and I did play ball and monkey in the back yard - this consists of throwing the monkey for Matilda and just chasing Tatiana around with the ball! And it's a BIG yard. It's still very cool today and I'm loving that. But there is a warm up coming on the weekend but it finally feels like Thanksgiving! Everyone have a good weekend and I'll check in later....

Best of my Day - Cuddling in the bed with the Babies this morning with me tea!

Where has this week gone?

Oh my it's already Thursday (1:18 am) and I've been running around all week! Tomorrow I have got to start getting everything ready to go to Florida! All the table decorations, gifts, cooking stuff and clothes! I know it will be HOT there so I've got to dig out something I can wear. Rats, I wish just once we'd have a "cold snap" in Florida! Christy and I would just love that and Kathy would just sit by the fire!!! Tee Hee. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there and we will have lots of blessings to be thankful for. I really really did finish my Trinklein Christmas shopping today and got a very special project started (can't tell anyone!) I do know I have run all over Atlanta the past two days and today some one robbed a bank and put me in a traffic nightmare. They shut down 400 and is was a parking lot so I went around on back roads but it still took forever. So I called my girlfriend Doc and we had a nice talk! Oh, I also read a paperback book until it got dark - never go out in traffic without a book! I learned this living in New York City sitting in the Lincoln Tunnel! Now for the great news: it's RAINING IN ATLANTA! We need this rain so much and even though it won't fill up our lake it's wonderful. It thundered and of course, I had to hold Tatiana because she's so afraid of thunder - Matilda could care less! It's also hot - I've got the ceiling fan on AND my sleeping fan but the good news is a cold front coming right behind this rain and it's not supposed to get out of the 50's tomorrow and 30 tomorrow night - yeah - whoopee - fire in the fireplace (turn on the gas logs!) And I have stuff to make soup and cornbread - yum. Ah, a day at home, cold, soup, packing, wrapping and just enjoying the day - I guess that will be "The Best of My Day".....

Our Friend

See you again soon Ricky.........

A wild string of happenings

I just had to write this because it's almost unbelievable. We were taking Ricky to the Train Station so he could ride down and get to the Airport for his flight. Our friend Sandy was going to meet us there to say hi and bye to Rick. We took a few pictures, said our goodbyes, shed a couple of tears and waved him off on the train. Back in the parking garage we gave Sandy a lift over to her new car so we could take a look at it. Her purse spilled and she was looking for her keys and said oh Claiborne here is your phone - it was not my phone but Ricky's! We all said oh no - he's left his phone. What to do? Mail it (it's the only phone he has) and it could take a couple of days and he knows no ones phone numbers! Kenny said what would you want some one do do and we both said - Let's get to the Airport. We had no idea how we would find him at the world's busiest airport on a Sunday which is the busiest day. Now is when it gets more weird. Ricky had to change trains twice and had delays - he thought he would miss his flight. We couldn't find the exit out of the train garage and we drove around in circles for about 10 minutes. We got to the airport fine but went to "economy parking" by mistake- couldn't find a parking place, then when we did we had to walk like forever to get to the airport. We ran in - found the Delta check-in, explained about the phone and asked "Can you get some one to take the phone to the gate or could we get a pass to the gate". Absolutely NOT he said. Then we asked could you at least page him? He asked his name and we said Rick Champion - the light bulb went off in his head and he told us - Oh, I just checked him in a few minutes ago - the airline had misspelled his name so there was a problem! Well, he said follow me - around to the security check in and a guy standing there said you can't come this way. We saw Ricky in the line checking in! The ticket agent said give me the phone and told the security guy to let him under the rope and he walked over and gave Ricky his phone! When he saw us it was unreal! He could not get out of line but we got to see the relief on his face and we waved goodbye again. Think about it people, the train was delayed so he was not already at the gate - Sandy spilled her purse and was looking in the floor when she found the phone - we just HAPPEN to walk up the agent who had checked him in (there are a LOT of agents) - his name was misspelled so the agent remembered him - and he was still checking in at security! To say there was divine intervention is an understatement. I know it's just a cell phone but it's an important thing and our "lifeline" to our world. Another benefit was Kenny and I had a nice ride together to the airport and back and stopped for a nice lunch together in Buckhead. We are so busy so it was nice just to have time together. Ricky called us after he got to the gate and could not believe we had done that! We are all still shaking our heads - Kenny told him to go buy a lottery ticket - it was his lucky day! Just goes to show sometimes things in life DO go right and we are grateful!

Secret Silly Santa

Imagine my surprise when I got up Sunday morning, walked into my kitchen to fix my cup of tea and found "Santa"! Or is it Miss Santa? Or is it - what is it! It's my silly friend giving me one last laugh before he heads home to Las Vegas. It's a good thing I went to the bathroom before I went in there or I would have peed my pants! Ricky is sooooo funny and we have laughed a lot this week. Then we decided it was time to wake up Kenny (oh, yeah, with Santa rushing in and jumping on the bed) Talk about the Nightmare before Christmas! There is another long story about today but just had to get these posted!