Happy New Year

Kenny and I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Hopeful New Year in 2009. We are playing tonight at a Country Club (boring but pays well!) Dad T is improving and we have gigs so everything is good. I have my babies Tatiana and Matilda lying in bed with me and it's quiet, the sun is shining but getter cold - Yeah - and I look forward to tomorrow - a New Day, A New Year..........

A nice Christmas after all.....

Men and their gifts!!

I ALWAYS ask for a Monkey and my Mommy got me one!

Finally we can open our presents!

Playing Santa

I'm not giving up my spot until I get to open a present!

Hey, Tatiana and Matilda Mae said who almost cut us out of the picture, Granny???

Mother and Daddy have celebrated 64 Christmas's together with me tagging along for 58 of those!

My 95 year old Father sitting in the sun - you know I have to paint this....

With all of us worried about Dad T and Kenny driving to Florida last Sunday night we were not sure how we were going to spend Christmas this year. But Kenny got home on Christmas Eve after some slight improvement in Dad T and Mother and Daddy came in from SC. So we had our Christmas Eve dinner of Fillets and visiting with everyone here safe and sound. Then we really enjoyed Christmas Day of opening gifts, cooking the "Big" breakfast that Daddy loves so much and relaxing in the afternoon, then the tradition of "Hemphill" sliced Bar-B-Que sandwiches with Daddy's sauce with all the trimmings. A very quiet day which is what we love and the news about Dad was still positive. They did try to remove the respirator and external pace maker but had to put it back because of fluid in his lungs. Today, Sunday they did get to remove that so every day there is a little progress, Thank Goodness. It's little baby steps but at least he is responding now and I think the healing process is starting. We thank everyone for their prayers as we continue do pray for him. So it was a Happy Christmas and we are all Thankful for our families and our blessings. We also had a good weekend in Columbus and now Wednesday is the big New Year's Celebration where we are playing a very nice Country Club close to our house. Then is back to Columbus next weekend - now when am I going to get to take down my tree????

Home for Christmas

While Dad is a long way from a recovery, Kenny is on his way home tonight from Florida. He was more stable today but there are a lot of complications still. Kenny is going to stop and get a room for the night and be here some tiime tomorrow afternoon. My parents are arriving around noon so we will try and have some time together. Thank you all for your prayers for Dad T and please continue to do so. We know he is fighting right now and we also knows there are a lot of prayers out there for him and Mom T. We may be heading back to Florida soon but for now we will just through tomorrow......

Long Drive

Kenny is driving to Florida right now. We got the phone call this afternoon that Dad T was not responding well and we decided he should go there. It was a good decision and I just want him to get there safe. Dad T did stablize some but there are problems now with his kidneys too. I'm staying here to hold down the fort and do the stuff that needs to be done. Of course, if he gets worse I'll drive down with the babies. We have to be in Columbus on friday so we may have to meet there or if Dad gets a little better Kenny will try and come home before Christmas. So everything here is on hold for now. Mother and Daddy are supposed to come on Wednesday but we'll just have to wait about that too. All we can do is pray for Dad right now and hope he can get better........I realized that had not posted on what happened yesterday. Dad T has been in the hospital all week and on Saturday morning they did a quadruple bypass and replace a heart valve. It was a very long surgery especially for a 85 year old man. He did wake up yesterday but was not responding well today so Kenny is on is way to see his Dad.....

That's it!`

I'm done and ready for Christmas! I finished little stocking stuffers and wrapped all the presents tonight - a little light this year but that's OK - we are going to be together with my Mom and Dad and enjoy the season. We still do not know what is going on with Dad T. - he's still in the hospital and they are still doing tests - how many tests can there be???? We really think it will come down to putting in a pace maker but we're still waiting on the Docs to decide - we just pray he is alright and comfortable right now and Mom is not too stressed out. We're at Beluga this weekend and just hope some folks show up. I'm sure there are a lot of folks traveling this weekend - so glad we aren't. There's no place like home for Christmas! The ONLY things I have not wrapped and put under the tree are the doggies "Santa" because I'm afraid they just might try to open them! Ya think? It's supposed to get cold again on Sunday - YEAH - FIREPLACE - so I'm waiting on that! After Saturday night I'll go into full Christmas mode and clean and cook and enjoy a couple of days before Mother and Daddy get here on Christmas Eve. Hope everyone can slow down and take a moment to just "enjoy".....

Christmas Luncheon

Santa Baby Hurry down the Chimney tonight!
And I want a diamond ring and a monkey! (I've always asked for a Monkey)

Me and Arthur

What a nice gig today - even though it was REALLY early for me....Arthur and I played at the Overlook Office Building in Vinings today for their Luncheon with Santa. My friend Leah got me the gig and it was great to have it right now. I got to sing all Christmas songs which I love. I got up so early and by the time I got back home I had to take a nap - you know I'm NO good on NO sleep. And it's so HOT here in Atlanta. We have the fans on and the doors open with all the Christmas lights on - this is weird but what is more weird is Ricky called from Las Vegas and it's snowing like crazy out there....Man, this is all backward. It is supposed to drop back down to "December" weather on Sunday - I sure hope so - don't want it to be hot on Christmas. I had enough of those in Vegas. Dad is still in the hospital in Florida and they are running more test but it looks like he will have a pace maker put in so we are all just praying for him and Mom T. I can't believe it's almost Christmas but I'm ready for a day of rest and relaxation and family time!

Weekend in Columbus

We had a great weekend in Columbus - very busy and great crowds! And boy I was ready to go back to work. It was cold so Tatiana and Matilda got to wear their "Mellie" sweaters. Deb had sent us all of her sweaters (because she now has little boys) and looked so cute. Kenny also is trying to get a Head Shot of me and Dehra but we need a better background. We'll take some more on New Year's Eve when we are all dressed up. I going to my last Art classs tonight and I've got to go get shrimp and make cocktail sauce for our party. We are home now thru Christmas and I'm so glad to be able to enjoy our tree and our home. Gotta get going but I could stay in bed a while!!

Home to Florida

Mom and Dad are back in Florida tonight - Kenny and Kathy started driving and met somewhere in South Ga and Kathy and Bill took them back to FL. I know it was a long trip for all but I know they will be glad to be home also. They went to the Doctor today and he got a release and he's doing pretty good. He's still dizzy and we're not sure where that is coming from because they ran so many tests. Dad T. fell again yesterday and Mom T and I were here by ourselves. He didn't pass out and was co-herent so we did not call 911 but he gave us a scare anyway. It is very hard to watch the people you love get older and more feeble. I have been so blessed with my parents - my Mother is still a fireball and at 95 (almost 96 in January!) Daddy is still so sharp but getting more feeble himself. Kenny had a bittersweet moment today - he dropped them off at the Doctor's office (it was pouring rain) and told them to go on in and he would park the car. He said they slowly got out and walking together toward the door looking old and tired but they were holding hands just like a young couple in love........Blessing to all our parents everywhere......

Art Group

"Pop's New York"

16 x 20

Oil on Canvas

I finished my commission for Deb's Dad who lives in upstate New York and wanted a painting of the beautiful fall mountains..this is a little different than what I'm used to painting but I enjoyed it. I may do some more fall themes. We had a great group tonight and next week is our last one until after the Holidays. I just get so inspired!!! And Shane is the greatest.....

Tired

I'm too damn tired to blog and I need my Zoloft - I'm dizzy and Pat is sending it - hope to get it by Tuesday or I will go to the "Streets".....

Finally Thanksgiving Pictures

Turkey Dinner!!!!

Who wants Turkey - all SIX Dogs - that's who - hurry Kenny!

Kenny and Mom in the Kitchen

Nana, Uncle Kenny, Emma and Andrew (Ebbie to the left)!!!

The Right Tree.....

I ALWAYS want a Bigger Tree!!! Ha - The look says it all...

It's a wonderful tree after all!!!



With all the excitement and worry over Dad T. this week I have just now gotten a chance to look at all the Thanksgiving Photos. We did have a wonderful day and then on friday we got the Christmas Tree and the kids got to help decorate it. All in All it was a wonderful time with Kenny's family.

Dad Trinklein sugery success

Dad T came through his surgery this morning just fine. He's in ICU tonight and maybe if he does well can come home here tomorrow or the next day. We are so grateful and thank all of you for your prayers. We now have to keep him still for a week and he will go back to the Doc in a week to be released and see if he can travel to Florida. We are just so glad he was here and we have a wonderful hospital and Doc's here in ATL.

carotid artery

I will have to post about Thanksgiving with pictures later. As the family was leaving Dad passed out in the garage and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. He has been there since Saturday and had all kinds of tests run. The latest is he has carotid artery's on both sides of his neck and will make the decision whether to operate here this week or go back to Fl to have the surgery there. We are grateful that he is still with us right now and will pray for him. We did have a nice Thanksgiving but now we just need to get thru this. We will know a lot more tomorrow.

Oh Well

Miss Sami

Miss Bo Jangles

I tried to wear my heels on friday night - ouch! Made it through the first show and had to change to boots for the 2nd. Damn - I know my knee is getting better and I'll have some time off of it the next 2 weeks so we will see. We had great crowds this weekend and lots of fun. Kenny and I did all the grocery shopping for our big Thanksgiving today and came home and collapsed on the couch for the AMA awards. I love Alicia singing Super Woman which I now sing every night. It was a great performance that she did. Last night poor Dehra had lost her voice and said do you want me to come anyway? I said get down here and just smile and shake your booty which we did and she sang some back up so Mama sang a lot last night but all is well and I can still talk today. It's cleaning day tomorrow and some cooking - everyone arrives on Tuesday and we're looking forward to it. On my trip home last week I took a couple of pictures of Mother and Daddy's "Kitties" - Gray Boy was outside so he missed the photo op!

Second Shot

I got the Second of my series of lubrication shots today and it hurt like hell. I could not hardly walk out of the Doc's office. But after the shock of the pain wore off it got a little better and I got a few more Christmas things done before I headed home. It's supposed to really cold and windy tomorrow and I'm going to stay and get ready for the weekend. (dye hair, do nails, etc)! Now we're out 2 weekends at Beluga in December so that's gonna hurt. I just wonder when and where all this will stop. There are so many people losing their jobs I'm just glad right now we have some weekends. We haven't had a weekend off in over a year so it's going to feel weird. I guess I get some painting done. What would really be nice is if it snowed on the weekend we were off - it would at least feel like a holiday! I need to wrap some presents tomorrow too but I don't have my name tags. I always use my Christmas painting to make my tags and my new printer is broken! But Kenny talked to Epson and they are sending me a new one but it won't be here until sometime next week (I hope). I may try and use Kenny's to get them done. What did we do without printers? I had to hand write my grocery list - Yikes! Everyone have a good weekend and we're looking forward to the Florida Family to arrive on Tuesday (cold weather awaiting you!!!!)

Can't stop to even write!

Way too busy! But I did want to post that after my first shot (and not wearing the total 4 inch heels) my knee is a little better. I get my second shot tomorrow so we'll see after the Beluga weekend how it goes. I went home to SC on Monday and had a great visit with Mother and Daddy. Nothing like my Mother's homemade chicken and dumplings!!! It was the first real cold night (in the 20's) and thank goodness I get to sleep in the living room on the fold out because Daddy keeps the house so hot! I kept the door closed and the vent closed and I wasn't cold at all. Bless his heart he's so thin and I guess at 95 you just get cold! Mother and I did her Christmas shopping on Tuesday and boy was I tired then. Drove home and had to unpack from Columbus and SC and fell into bed. I got up this morning and set out to do some grocery shopping for Thanksgiving and wrapping paper! I got home and made a ton of spaghetti sauce for next week and to have some in the freezer. And did 4 loads of laundry, cooked dinner, had to clean up the mess and re-arranged the living room furniture. NOW my whole leg hurts! It's going to be another cold day - yeah - and I'm to finish my little Christmas shopping for Mom and Dad T - get my shot and come home to Thursday TV night! We do have Beluga this weekend but like everything else business is down and we have had some dates cut in December which is a real bummer but we do have the Country Club gig for New Year's - I'm sure glad some folks still have money! It's going to be a slim Christmas and tough year but we're together and grateful or what we have - especially our babies Tatiana and Matilda and our families. Got to get some rest because it's up and start over running tomorrow - I'll rest in January!

First Shot

Wow - I got approved yesterday by Blue Cross so I got my first shot today in my knee. Of course, Dr. A had just put a shot of Cortisone in on Wednesday so I said you aren't going to put in the same spot are you????? So he put it in the other side of the knee. The shots are not fun at all but I hope they work. They say it take a couple of them to start the lubrication so we'll see. We're in Columbus and got here just in time for the rain to begin. It's a nice gentle rain - hope I'll sleep good tonight. Then it's supposed to be cold on Saturday - hope so because I brought a bunch of cold weather clothes! I did bring my cane and some lower heel shoes for the weekend - I really want my 4 inchers but I'll see how I do. Have a great weekend everyone........

Knees

Well, it was back to the surgeon today about my knees. He IS a Dr. McDreamy but I really don't want to see him that bad! They did the X-rays and then I got the good news and the bad news. I did not re-tear anything from the surgery but I have severe arthritis in my left knee. He said remember I told you after the surgery??? Duh, I was on pain pills - actually I do remember him telling me that I may have trouble. There is a series of 5 shots once a week and I can do them every 6 months. It has to be approved by my insurance and that takes about a week. So today, he gave me a cordisone shot right in the knee - ouch dammit - and hopefully I can start the series next week. It's a lubrication shot but suposed to work pretty good. They are also very expensive so I hope I get approved by Blue Cross. So tonight it hurts really bad but I think part of that is the shot so maybe it will be better tomorrow. I just hope I can be back at least enough to perform this weekend in my high heels! It's suposed to rain tomorrow so I plan to be in my studio all day!

Back to Art Class

" Walking Thru Life"

50 years

9 x 12 Oil on Canvas

This was the last group until after Thanksgiving so I was so glad to get there. There is something about being around other artists that is amazing and inspiring. I wish I could do it more often. I wanted to do this small painting for my friends Donna and James in Columbus. They are our most loyal fans at Belloo's - I don't they have ever missed a night when we are playing there. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October and we were not able to attend their party. I wanted to do something that would represent their 50 years of marriage so I thought about a winding path thru the fall woods. I thought it says 50 years of walking the path of life and all the while, holding hands. I hope they like it and hope they have many many more. I also have an appointment with Dr A the knee surgeon tomorrow so we'll see what he has to say about my knee. This is absolutely miserable not being able to walk without pain. And sometimes just the ache is horrible. Not to mention I could not wear my 4" heels this weekend - now you know it hurts if I can't to that. I hope it's not torn again - I really think I overdid it last week and of course, have only had one day to stay off my knee. And I know he going to say I have to ride that dreaded stationery bike. I would love to ride my Trike but it's at my mothers and there are too may hills around here anyway. I'm tired tonight -Matilda woke me up early this morning - so I'm going to try and read for a bit and sleep for a long while......

Find of the Day: A $10.00 filing cabinet at the thrift store for Kenny! It's in good shape and he needs one real bad!

Day Off - For real

I did it - I really did it - I stayed in bed all day! Well, I got up to fix something to eat. My body just said no way you are going anywhere. I woke up early - I hate this - at 9am - had my tea and read the news. I did get up and tell Kenny I wanted to go for a ride and take the girls and my camera to see some leaves. I really wanted to do this. My knees hurt so bad so I limped back to bed just to rest and stayed there. I did research for art on the computer, watched soap opera's, read some of my book, took "Kitty Naps" - that's 15 minutes or less. Turned the TV off and read for a while - took a "Cat Nap" - about 30 minutes. Kenny brought Chinese so I moved from the bed to the living room and we ate and watched "Grey's" and another show. I did sketch some around midnight (in bed) and now I'm going to read my book again and try to stay up really late so I can sleep in because it's a Beluga night tomorrow. I do feel a little rested but my knees are still horrible. I'm really not sure what to do about tomorrow night. I broke down and took 1/2 a pain pill today - and no, I have not even tried the stationery bike - they hurt too bad. I wonder how my little flat silver boots will look tomorrow night????? Oh, Matilda has "claimed" the Snuggle Ball - she absolutely loves it!! Tatiana has not even tried to get in it......

Yorkie Christmas in November?????

Boy, did Matilda and Tatiana get a surprise today! A HUGE box with their name on it got delivered to our door. It was from Florida so we suspected who it was from - our Florida Yorkie Friends of course! We put the box in the floor and opened it up. Wow - a Snuggle Ball! And Sweaters from Adam and Jerry and Angel Mellie. See, Mellie went to the Rainbow Bridge last year and her mom now has two boy Yorkies. Soooo, she sent Mellie's sweaters for the girls cause they don't fit little boys - it covers up their little thing! There has to be special sweaters for boy Yorkies I guess! Anyway, it was like Christmas for Matilda and Tatiana and they loved it. We send lots of hugs and kisses to the boys, and Mom and Maggie for making our day so special. I tried to work today and did get all my laundry done and all the blankets from the art show washed and folded. Did a little cleaning but my knees are still so swollen and hurt so bad. I'm not sure what to do - I think stay off of them tomorrow and Kenny says ride the bike but I know that is going to kill me. I have no idea how I'm going to work in heels this weekend - it may have to be the flat boots. This is not good and it they don't get better I'll have to go back to Dr. McDreamy (the knee doc)! They hurt worse than they did right after the surgery and they ache all the time. On a better note I did get all my Christmas Yorkie paintings hung upstairs already - hey, Thanksgiving is almost here! I do have to put a light on the newest one because it goes on the easel. I have 5 Yorkie Christmas Oil paintings now - I love it! I'll got pillows under my knees and right now Matilda has claimed the snuggle ball and it's in the bed! I am going to "try" and take it easy tomorrow - if I can paint I'll do it sitting down!

Halloween at Belloo's

Our favorite - we all think Larry should wear this wig every night - FINE!!!

Me and Dehra

Arthur - the Serious Jazz Musician!!

Clarence as King Tut

Me and Mel


Fun fun night at Belloo's and a great costumes!

Belloo's Art Show

Roy and his "painting"

After an exhausting week I finally am finding time to post about the art show. It really looked beautiul with all the paintings hanging on the brick walls of the club. It was somewhat of a light turn out but still successful and that is what counts. I sold three paintings and all of my cigar boxes - could have sold a lot more of those! I even got some orders for more boxes and I think another future sell of a painting. The people were great and I had two wonderful artists come and buy boxes from me. It was a lot of work but I enjoyed doing it and have missed my art shows. We hope to do another one in the spring there and maybe one at Beluga too. We covered all the expenses and some left over for our "budget" so I feel like I at least contribute to something to me and Kenny. So thanks everyone for a good art show and now I'm ready to get back to painting - that's the real fun part!

The Set Up

Well, it's not done but Pat and I worked until 3 am hanging paintings at the club. He had put me on some very strong anti-biotics and given me a B-12 shot. I am so tired and still sick but the "Show must Go On"! I thought I would come home and sleep but nooooooooooo - I got up 3 times to smoke a cig, drink a glass of milk (after I had drank a big glass of Scotch thinking it would let me go to sleep), played solitare, and finally at 6am took a xanax! I was up by 10:30! I've got to go back to the club by 1 - finish arranging everything - then back to the house, dressed and "make-uped" and back to the club by 6 for the art show! I hope I stay on my feet "high heels" tonight! Kenny hasn't left Atlanta yet (he's trying but he's always late) - is that a "Trinklein" thing? Now, the bright side I'm sitting on the deck with a sweat shirt and hat drinking my tea on this beautiful autumn day - things are looking up already. And just think - after tonight I have to dress up like Mrs. Santa Claus and do two shows tomorrow night AND Saturday night! I'll make it - I'll just click my heels three times.........

Packed and ready to Go!

The trailer is packed with 28 paintings, easels, and stuff. Now if I can just drive it down to Columbus I'll be fine! Kenny is coming later but I'm leaving today to get some things done before the show. We had our first "freeze" of the year - There was "frost" on the Pumpkin this morning - yeah! I've still got this cold or some kind of krud but at least I got some sleep. Got a busy busy weekend and will have pictures to follow!

Getting Ready

I'm busy framing paintings and printing brochures for the art show next Thursday. We got a hitch on the van today so I can haul a trailer (and a camper too, Kenny!) My friend came for a visit today and we had some nice girl time together. We have not seen each other in years so it was nice and I cooked a Crab Quiche. It's COLD (I love it) and going to rain tomorrow with the high of 52 - that is for Christy - and we turned the fire place on tonight for the first time. Love it, Love it, Love it! Tomorrow it's Beluga day - yikes that means do my roots and nails! Gotta go.....have a great weekend....

Tea in Fontaine Vaucluse, France

"Tea in France"

24 x 48

Oil on Canvas

Fontaine Vaucluse, France

On one of the best days of my life - a little town high in the mountains of France called Fontaine Vaucluse - we were winding down the day with a cup of tea. This was one of the most beautiful villages we visited in France. It is the home of a wonderful place where very very nice paper is made and we saw how they did this with a water wheel. I also watched an artist in her studio paint Poppies with a palette knife which inspired my love of painting Poppies. Kenny and I had a picnic on the river and just a lazy day in this wonderful town. Eight years later (almost to the day) I finished this painting. This photo was taken in 2000 on my 50th Birthday trip to France. I think it captures the peace and contentment of the day. It was one of the best!! I think I'm keeping this one! In the photo of the village we were sitting in the restaurant on the left! And I do remember the waiter being very "French" Handsome - I think I asked Kenny if I could bring him home but he said no! Ha Ha ......

A Quick Visit

Maggie and her Uncle Kenny

Maggie and Adam playing in New York

Maggie and the Green Tomatoes


Just a short short visit from Maggie, Adam, and Deb last night. They are on their way home from New York after visiting "Pop" - Deb's Dad. It was so great to see all of them and Maggie was sooooo sweet when she got here. We met them at the top of the hill and got here out of the "House on Wheels". I got hugs and kisses and then "let me down I want my Uncle Kenny" and then she tore off down the hill into his arms! And Adam was so glad to get in the back yard and out of the crate! Maggie wanted to catch "fire flys" like we did this summer and we got the jars and everything but I think they have all flown south - is that where fire flies go??? We ran and played in the yard then came inside. Kenny was going to watch the debate and Maggie (they always remember) said I want some ice cream! Well, we didin't have any ice cream but I told her Aunt Claiborne has something better - a Snow Cone!!! I found a "pampered chef" shaved ice thingy this summer at the thrift store. Brand new and still in the Box for $2.00 - I love it and you mix up this syrup with kool-aid. So I made her a Cherry Icie and she loved it. Mommy Deb liked it too but Maggie wanted hers so Deb did not get very much. Maggie said I made the best "icies" in the world. So Deb said it was jammie time and oh no - not yet - please mama - Aunt Claiborne tell me a story. So we go and I make up a story about Maggie Fire Fly and how she had to get from New York to Georgia - it was fairly long (you know me) and when we got to the part of how all the fire flies found their way to the Back Yard in Georgia and The End - you KNOW what happeded - Tell it again, Aunt Claiborne!!! So after lights out and a short version of the story Maggie was gone night-night. Deb and I got a bit of time to sit in the swing downstairs and visit which was really nice. I miss her and so glad I've been able to see her 3 times this year! Poor Adam was so tired he laid between us and slept. We all got up this morning and had some more backyard time and Maggie found the last of the green tomatoes. Too soon it was time for them to hit the road to FL so we all had lots of hugs, kisses and licky's from everyone and off they go. We hope to see them again this spring. It's alwasy so nice for them to come and Maggie is just a dream (although I have no idea how Deb keeps up with her!!!) So they should be home safe and sound tonight and I'll bet Maggie says Mom, tell the story of Maggie Fire Fly!!! We love you guys!

Dr J and Beluga

Dr J in Action
Dehra, Dr J, and Me

My Favorite - us laughing - we do this a lot!

Dehra and Me

Girlfriends

Reaching out to you

A couple of weeks ago Dehra's friend, Fontaine came by and took some photos of us at Beluga. It's really hard to get good "live shots" because my mouth is usually wide open and we do make some ugly faces when we sing!! HA - But Fontaine is great and he got some good ones. On this same night Dr J (Julius Evring) the Basketball was there and we got a nice picture with him - and he was a great man too. Usually when someone like this comes in no one has a camera so it was great Fontaine was there that night! So for some of my favorites......

Cool Weekend

The weather was wonderful in Columbus for a change. Cool, breezy - just perfect! We all just hung out on Saturday and Will cooked. We had a wonderful audience on Saturday night - just not enough of them but they were all really into the show. We just don't know how we can continue to take a 7 piece band with us. That's gonna suck but we'll just have to see how things are going to shake out. Now, I've got to get busy unpacking, laundry and hope to paint tomorrow! Have a great week.

Night Line

I'm watching one of my favorites- Night Line. There was a wonderful piece on "Robin" from Good Mornng America and her journey with Breast Cancer. I know it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so many people are affected by this. My heart is still heavy after all these years and I miss Kathy M. so much. As I watched Robin tell her story I remembered Kathy describing some of the same things and I wish I could have been there thru the whole process with her. Sadly, I was there mostly at the end. Robin went into the whole "I'm losing my Hair" Thing. Kathy did this and so many people don't understand it - I know I didn't at the time either. She had to take Chemo agan and didn't want to because she would loose her hair. I talked and talked and finally said Iwas coming home from Vegas and if she would pick me up at the airport I would be the one getting off the plane with a shaved head. She did the Chemo! Oh, how I wish if all I had to do was shave my head and see her meeting me with a smile. Don't forget to get your mamagrams.......I must cry a little now......

An Old Friend

I got a phone call today from a childhood friend. Well, we met in the 2nd grade but go way beyond that - we shared a lot of our adult lives together too. Then of course, as things go - got busy, a "child"to raise, lifestyles, and even though we don't live that far apart we just didn't get to see each other. It was good to hear her voice and catch up a little. I thought I heard some sadness in her voice and it finally did come out. I won't go into the story but this is a smart, beautiful, lady who has been mentally beat down by a controlling man. I knew it but thought OK everything must be better now. Well, it's not and she reached out today to "Get her life Back" and I'm proud of her. It's so hard to admit something like that and even though it might have been a tiny step for her it's a big step in her life. I wish things could have been different for her but I do know the man and can't say I'm surprised. At one point, she said to me, You would never have let a man treat you that way, would you? I said no but at the same time no one is perfect. I had to go through some men to find my soul mate Kenny. And believe me, he's not perfect but I did realize something as I was hearing her story. No matter if we don't agree, argue, fight, pout, or get disappointed we always know that there is love backing it up. That is the difference. To find that kind of love comes along very rarely. We all have done things or said things in anger but to be cruel and hurt someone just for the sake of hurting has no love in it. I'm angry for her, hurt for her and yet I have hope and I know that there is a strong woman left inside her. I pray for her to have strength and I hope I can provide comfort and be a friend to her. We all need that sometimes.

Christmas is right around the Corner

"We been good, Santa"

I haven't bought any presents, or made any crafts but I did finish my Christmas Card painting tonight! I know some of you will get to see this before I send out Christmas Cards but I just can't wait to post it. This is always such an accomplishment every year for me so I'm just excited. This is the fifth Oil Painting in my series. I can't wait to hang them all in the dining room! I love painting the babies and Matilda and Tatiana look very sweet this year. Of course, they are whispering to Santa what they want in their stocking! I haven't written the poem yet but it will come as I look at the picture. We did not get to go camping - Kenny has a ton of phone calls (wall street) and his Desk Top crashed so he was pretty stressed out. I said let's wait until we can go and relax so instead I went to Art Class which is a good thing. It's supposed to rain on Wednesday too so we would have been packing up in the rain. I think we'll wait until the time is right - of course, now I've got to unpack everything! And then repack for Columbus this weekend. I'm living out of a suitcase again (well, several suitcases)! It was wonderful to get back to my Art Group and see old friends. Jill brought me a lovely little flower arrangement that is on my night stand for my Birthday (YES, I'm STILL celebrating my 58th) HA. I worked so hard at Beluga this weekend I could not get out of bed on Sunday until 4 pm - my body is just really tired. So I guess tomorrow I'll unpack and do laundry! But this is always a very important day when I finish my Christmas Card so I have had a good one!