She's at it again!!

Sorry I have been gone for so very long. I've been a little pre-occupied.....


Things here have been a little nuts. My friends husband of 34 years up-and-moved-out, in a fast and furious week....without any notice. It came as a shocker to all of us. So, I have been trying to be there for her. Trying, being the operative word.


Besides that, Dean is getting over being sick. He NEVER gets sick...so this was an anomaly. To add to that, a couple of weeks ago, during his cardiac rehab, they stopped him during his workout, and said there was a problem. Took him straight up to his cardiologist, and was told that he was in atrial fibrillation. He's been on coumadin and Toporol, and sees the doc again on Monday. Looks like they will be taking him to the Heart Hospital and de-fib'ing him there with the paddles. Doesn't sound like fun to ME. On Tuesday, he is supposed to leave to Las Vegas. He gets to race a NASCAR around for 10 laps....3 times. He comes home on Thursday.

I am trying to have an old high school friend over for dinner on Tuesday night...but, was just reminded that I am subbing for "old ladies" bunco. I was the VERY youngest, until another lady brought her daughter-in-law. So, I am next to oldest now. Most of the ladies are well over 60...all the way up to almost 80. They're a HOOT!! I'll have to figure out how to rearrange my schedule now. :-\

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me. Things have really been wearing on me. A couple of you are aware that I had an issue one week ago this past Friday. I was considering suicide. Seriously considering it. I could visualize exactly how it was going to go down. With MUCH prayer, I just took my day, minute-by-minute...and made it through. Since then, I have come to realize how very much I mean to my friends and family, and how much I am loved. I greatly thank all of them for the support that they have shown, and the prayers that they have been praying for me. I'm just at an all-time low...and I can't do it alone. Thank you all.


On a MUCH more positive note, Briana is at it again! Not only did she finish her charcoal sketch of the sheet that was AMAZING, she was handed another project in her "beginning art" class. She was to reproduce a famous picture, using shapes, rather than lines and curves. She chose a picture of Marilyn Monroe, and then changed her mind because it was too difficult. Upon telling her art professor, he said she could do better work....so.....she switched back to Marilyn, fearing that she would NOT be able to finish the project. Well....she finished. And she texted me to tell me that her art class "hates" her again. Here's what she came up with, against the picture she copied it from:





Here it is by its beautiful self:





Her next project is to do the same picture, using geometric shapes. I can't WAIT to see how that one comes out! I'll keep you posted!


My upcoming schedule of travel should be fun. I was invited to go to Harvey's in Lake Tahoe with a couple of girlfriends. One was invited to play in a golf tournament with the Teamsters. I guess she kicks ass (besides BEING a kick in the ass!!), and all the guys want her in their group when it comes to golfing. I just knew that she had a gold medal in softball from the summer Olympics that were in Japan several years ago. RaeAnn....YOU ROCK!! So, we will be leaving sometime next Sunday and returning shortly after. Quick trip, but should be a nice little get away. Hopefully, I will get as lucky on the slots as I did on Dean's and my trip to Vegas!! I won over $1000 on the nickel machines! Well....ONE machine. ;)


So, have you seen JUNO yet? I LOVED it!! Was SSOOO glad that I bought it! The gal that plays the part of Juno, has the demeanor and wit of Janeane Garofalo. HILARIOUS dry wit. The girls and I have just ADORED watching that movie over and over again. Other than that...the only other thing that's been on TV (at least while Dean is home), has been the Dodgers. So, I have being doing a lot on the computer. I love the Dodgers....but, watching it constantly is not a strength of mine. I can listen to it in the background, that's fine.

Been working out a lot. My workouts will be getting longer and harder starting May 1st. This will be the second time I have pushed them up since I started back after my surgery. Feels GREAT!! I have had lots of compliments already about how I look like have lost weight. I haven't. I think I have gained muscle. However, I have lost one size already. My trainer says I should lose another size within 4 weeks!! I CAN'T WAIT!!

Well....I think that's about all of the exciting news in MY little world.


OH! If you know my mom and her house situation, we met with her attorney on Friday. We will be going to binding arbitration by the end of May. I presented him with a bunch of pictures of her house....UNFINISHED....and he was REALLY thrilled that I had thought of that. So, he's going to ask for a 6 hour meeting, instead of the 4 that was originally scheduled. Say a little prayer for her (and me!!). She and Heather need to get moved into a new house....and we need to get ours back!


Hope all is well with you. Once again...I apologize that I have been so preoccupied and not "mentally" available to blog. ;)

I'm SSOOO in LUST!!

My cousin JoAnn has done it. She's created a monster.

Forget the stupid Disney pins...I'm movin' on to bigger better (and, yes...more EXPENSIVE) things!!

OH MY!!

She sent me a blog from a Disneyland art creator by the name of Kevin Kidney (who also works hand-in-hand with Jody Daily). I've seen SOME of their work (whilst looking for PINS...), but NONE of their SPECTACULAR creations!!

That image above is their "Tangaroa Tree" from the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland. They have a penchant for the tiki room right now, because June 22, 2008 will be the attractions 45th anniversary. LOTS of goodies to buy AT the park that day. NOTHING for online purchase.

Guess I will have to be there that day.

'Cause I want one of these:




19.5" tall...the water lights change color. Limited edition. There's GOT to be one with MY name on it!!


Along with missing out on the Tangaroa Tree lamp, I also missed out on this little 7 inch beauty:





Both were released in 2005 for the 50th anniversary. Piss. Well, good thing I am an eBay wizard. I already found one of the tiki drummers that was also produced. (Actually, there are currently TWO listed on eBay.)


All this would look SPECTACULAR in my game room!! Right behind the bar. I have already decided that all of my Disneyland framed artwork is going somewhere between the pinball machine(s) and the arcade machine(s). Once we finish the outside of the house...that's the next I get to do!! YIPPEE!! That's the deal that Dean made me once I decided to close my business and donate all of the gowns.

For better or for worse....right?


Speaking of artwork....

...Briana has finished her charcoal sketch that I previously showed you while it was "in progress". Actually, she says she doesn't know if it's actually "finished" or not. ***laughing*** A true artist. Here's a pic of it:





(For those of you who hadn't read what the sketch was OF...the students were to sketch a picture of a sheet that the professor had draped on the classroom wall, using as much depth and sharp edges that they could. She did MOST of the work for memory, while here at home...)

I guess her art professor took her by the hand yesterday, and said he wanted to show her something. Walked her down the hallway of the college, and there was her sketch, behind glass, in the hallway for everyone to appreciate!! He told her that there are quite a few people that are pretty angry with her. When she asked, "Why?"...he responded that his Advanced Art students are upset that a "BEGINNING ART" student can do that caliber of work...and they can't. He offered to set up a table under her sketch, so that she could sign autographs.

She amazes me.

Well, I'm in the middle of a no-score game between the Dodgers (YEA!!) and the Giants (YOU SUCK!!). We kicked the Giants BUTTS last night...was hoping that they would have 161 more games like that one!!

Dean's 50th will be coming up soon.....maybe I should do another surprise party at Dodger Stadium for him...

Hhhhmmmmm.....


So, I'm looking for some good April Fool's Day stories. I only got dinged ONCE today...and it was by YouTube. By one of my favorite subscriptions: ArtieTSMITW . I got "rickrolled" by him.






In case you weren't logged on to YouTube today, or possibly you live under a rock and never GO to YouTube...either way, they had a FABULOUS prank for all of their viewers today. No matter WHICH "Featured Video" you clicked on to view, you were taken to the same link of Rick Astley's 1987 hit: "Never Gonna Give You Up". Sad, SAD excuse for a video. So, that was it for me. I was rickrolled.



I stayed inside today. Maybe you didn't. I'd like to hear YOUR April Fool stories!

Past, present or future are all welcomed!!

Simply Amazing...

So...I have been running crazy all day long....Best Buy...Lowe's....Vivo (a home decorations store, locally, that is going out of business)....took mom to a nice lunch. Gone all day long.

LOTS of stuff happening in the house. More pics to come soon. We will be getting our couch this week....moving the other furniture into the media room. Picked a a velvet curtain to try out for the room. Don't know if it will work though.

Anyways...just typing out a quickie before I leave. We have been invited out to dinner...an "Invitation Only" dinner at a nice restaurant in town. Lee's parents are treating us...thanking us for taking him on all of the trips we've been doing. Should be a great dinner!

Above, you will find a charcoal sketch that Briana (my eldest daughter) is working on in her art class. She's been spending hours looking at a draped cloth....and this is what she is coming up with. She amazes me. She's going into art/fashion in college...good choice, eh?

Well, I am off to go and get dressed and ready for dinner. I hope to write some more later!

I have a new PDA that I need to rave about!!