Read to go Home

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

The reason I love hurricanes!

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

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????

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wow - 59th BD at Belloo's

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

It ain't easy being green!

I can't seem to catch up on anything! We had a great weekend in columbus - one of the best shows on Friday Night. I got to give my friend Donna her Smoke Ring and Wrist Warmers and she loved them and so did everyone else. The smoke ring is so nice because when it is cold (soon, I hope) you can cover your head without messing up your hair like a hat does. Of course, I still love my hats. I don't have a photo yet but I finished the first felted dog leash! How cool it is! I found the little thingie hook at Michaels too to put on the end of the leash. It's so simple - an I-cord for any length you want it then felt it. I didn't felt it too much because I want it to be long but it's very strong (at least for Yorkie's). I went for my 3 month check at the Doc and everything is fine and got my flu shot. I will probably get another one later in the season but I don't want to take any chances right now. We are around so many people and they all want to hug and kiss you - while I'm all sweaty coming off stage - yuk. My arm is sore but I'm glad I got it. There is so much to do around the house and I need to paint and I want to knit - you get the picture - Duh - I'm beginning to sound like Christy!!! Except without the kid stuff - I could never handle all that. We did have just a tiny tiny "touch" of fall in the air this weekend. It's suposed to get hot and muggy again by the weekend but surely fall can't be far away. Last week Matilda decided this ole Kermit Frog was her best friend. It's been down in the studio forever and she brought it upstairs and has been cuddling with it everywhere! And Tatiana is still on her 2 am play time! Kenny cut grass in the back today and I guess it was a lttle wet because right now they both have little green feet! And of course, they are in my bed on my new sheets - of course, they are worth it. Hope for a little rest this week and get something accomplished at the same time!

Christmas in August????

Smoke Ring or Cowl

Wrist Warmers

I've been knitting all summer - well, it takes me a while and although I'm getting better I am still such a beginner. I have so much to post (going back to Kenny's birthday) - I only got to download my pictures today since I got my laptop back. But tonight I sewed up little Wrist Warmers and I haven't counted yet - around 10 pair so far. But now I've realized I have birthdays before Christmas!!! So I'm dropping back and working on those. I did finish one project for my friend Donna in columbus. She is a beautiful, spirited 68 year old lady who comes to see me EVERY time I perform. She loves clothes and is very classy so I hope she likes her "smoke ring" and wrist warmers. The thing about the wrist warmers is I hate gloves and they are great to drive in - and they do keep your hands warm even without the fingers! So, I've done the laundry, cooked dinner, cooked for tomorrow night, cooked for the babies, packed, ran errands and now it's 1 am and I need to wind down - that means playing scrabble for a bit, then read until the xanax kicks in around 3am. I will catch up on the post hopefully this weekend - what am I saying I never post on the weekend! Oh well, everyone have a great one.

PS> I'm so ready for it to be cold enough to wear this shit....

I'm back (sorta)

Just a note to say I finally got my laptop out of the "hospital" Geek Squad and it's all better now. But cost an arm and leg - I was so hoping to save for the Mini but now have to pay for this one first! I'll get back to blogging but too tired tonight after a few weeks of work, trip to Florida, back to work, home, work - drive to a wedding in the middle of the night - back to work and everything in between so I need a couple days rest then I will try and post. I could sleep for a week!

Another Felted Bag

I'm ready for winter now! I finished my Black and Grey felted bag today. I'm not even sure what I'll use it for but everyone knows I'm the Bag Lady!! I was so proud of learning how to do the I cord for the handles. I also did a LOT of painting today - all cigar boxes and now they have to dry about a week. And I made homemade chicken salad with tomato, onion, feta cheese and black olive salad which was so good. Now, I've got so much to do tomorrow I'll be crazy! Pack for Columbus and Florida - bath the babies - run some more errands - load the van - then drive to Columbus tomorrow night! I will need friday to rest for the weekend! I'm also glad to post that my mother's cataract surgery went fine and she says she can see very well. She's already back to house work and cooking! We are looking forward to seeing all the family in FL but NOT looking forward to the weather. Oh well, it's hot everywhere this time of year. Good night - got too much to do!

A quick one

just a note to say I figured out how to knit an I Cord tonight for my bag - pics to follow after it has dried. I washed the bag twice to felt it - now I'm ready to tackle the "Cloche Hat"! Can't wait to see you next week Christy and hope we have a little knitting time!

The Elephant Charge

"The Elephant Charge"

24 x 48

Oil on Board

I think I finished this tonight. I enjoyed painting this so much and looking forward to doing some more wild life. This is for our special friends Shawn and Andrea for their wedding present which I hope will be dry and I can deliver it next weekend. I was so glad to be able to paint today. We had Mel and George (Shawn's parents and our partners in Belloo's) here last night for dinner and spend the night. We had such a wonderful time - a great meal - and good friendship. What makes this painting special is Shawn asked me years ago if he ever got married would I do a painting for him and he is marrying a wonderful girl, Andrea. And she has no idea that I know she loves and collects elephants! Hope I can get a camera shot of her face when she sees it! It's back to work tomorrow at Beluga and I've "done my roots" so bring it on baby!!!

For little Miss Maggie's 5 Birthday

I think I mentioned that I got a package with some very colorful yarn from Maggie in Florida. She looks at my Blog with her Mom and thought I needed some yarn. Of course, I wanted to make her something right away. Now, living in Florida (and me being a beginner knitter) I knew she would not need a hat or scarf or mittens in July - I thought about a picnic blanket then read that the yarn was felting yarn. Which means it will "felt" or shrink really tight when you wash it. So that was out. Then I came up with a bag - of course, I've never made one and the patterns I was finding had all the gibberish about yo and decrease and increase which I don't know how to do yet. And those pesky circular needles - not yet. So as usual, I made it up. I had to guess the size since I've never "felted" anything and believe me when I put it in the washing machine I was scared of what it would look like - BUT it turned out great and about the size I thought it would. I made the straps and sewed them on - I now have a video on how to make a I-Cord - but these are fine and I sewed buttons on each strap. Maggie LOVES stickers and glue and paper so I filled her bag with just that plus a notebook and markers and glue. It's going in the mail tomorrow for her 5th birthday next week. You know EVERY girl has to have lots of bags - this from the orginal "bag lady" - I can't get enough so YES I've started another one. I'm using wool and it's thinner that this other yarn and I'm trying to make it bigger so we will see. One of these days I'm going to learn how to read patterns!!!

Old Women fall down steps!!!!

Ouch. Yep, I did it - fell "completely" off the the stage and down the steps at Belloo's after my second show on friday night. I always go out into the audience on the last song and head for the dressing room. Of course, the lights are in your eyes and you can't actually see the steps. Dehra and I always help each other down and she is out right now due to throat problems. Larry said I'll help you but when I looked over he was playing with both hands on the sax and of course, I can get down the damn steps! I was going to balance myself on the monitor (which was sitting on a milk crate) and as soon and I put my hand on it to balance the "four inch" heels it toppled over and I went right along with it. Several people rushed to help me up I just laughed and said Somebody get me a Scotch!!! The elbow took the worse hit -I was trying to save my microphone by holding it up! There are lots more bruises but I will spare anyone those pictures. And for that show I had on blacks shorts and a frilly top so no one saw my girdle!! I think they did see it on the first show during "copa cabana" when I dance and flip my dress! Oh, well, the show must go on and it did - I was very sore the next day but got right back in those heels and danced the night away (only this time I made SURE there were plenty of young hard bodied soldiers to help me up and down the steps. And Kenny is very glad he doesn't have to buy a new cordless microphone this week - the things I do for this man!!!!

A Lovely Dinner Party

I typed all of this in and hit the wrong button and lost it all. You are suposed to hit control z and it come back but it didn't work this time. Damn.....Anyway our friend Sandra and her daughter Leah (in town from Boston) invited us to dinner. They are friends as well as clients of Kenny. I took along my knitting bag to sit by the pool and knit while did business. Well Leah - she is a doctor in Boston - is also a knitter and gave me a few pointers - yeah. I received a gift today from our little Maggie (and Debi) of 4 skeins of felting yarn. I've never felted so I want to make her a little bag so I'm searching for a very very simple pattern!! Leah gave me a couple of ideas so I hope to start it tomorrow. I do hope for a little down time tomorrow (and it's suposed to storm here). We went to SC on Sunday and came back on Monday so it was exhausting as usual. But my Daddy is getting so weak and I'm very very worried about him. I can't even talk about that right now. And I'm sad too - Dehra won't be with me and the band this weekend and not sure when or if she can come back. She's having major throat problems and is going home to NC to a specialist. So now it's back to Old Claiborne carrying the show. How long can I keep this up? I love what I do - just wish I could have a little vacation - a REAL one. So, I got a package today in the mail of some lovely felting yarn from our little Maggie (and Debi) in Florida - I want to knitt her a little tote bag so I'm searching for a very very easy pattern and to felt it. Leah gave me a couple of ideas so Ihope to start to work on it. I did take them Hostess Gifts - I made Ice Cube Soaps with Olive Oil soap and a little food coloring. Then I knitted Bamboo Face Cloths - put them in a Martini Glass and wrapped in plastic wrap. They were really cute but I tried to take pictures with my phone and they are not so good but you get the idea. I'm thinking cute Christmas Gifts!!! The soap is so easy and the Ice Cube Trays are great! Tatiana is wanting to play Blue Elephant - this is her play time - 2 AM - EVERY night! Matilda is just ready for sleep by this time but you can set the clock by Tatiana! I gave them a bath today and they are so pretty and smell so nice. And of course, it's going to rain tomorrow so their hair will be messed up - it's OK - we need the rain! I made my Micro Wave Sweet Pickles last night (yes, they taste just like the ones your Grandmother Made) and I grew the cumcumbers in my garden. - If anyone wants the recipe let me know - sooooo easy and soooooo good. Tatiana is relentless so I have to bury the Blue Elephant under the covers and let her dig for it! Other wise - she throws it off the bed and barks until I get up and get it. So it was a nice evening and good night to everyone......