The Gypsy on Adventure

Quote

What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist. Salman Rushdie, writer

 

My girl is home.

The Torino was an upscale version of the Ford Fairlane and was originally considered a sub-series of that line. The name”Torino” comes from the city of Turin, which was considered the Italian equivalent of Detroit.

And she is FINALLY home! I took her for a little ride when we got her off the trailer!  I put some gas in her, and just enjoyed learning about her quarks all over again! My sweet 1969 Ford Grand Touring Torino.

100 Faces Project

On July 22nd, I started another 100 day project! This time 100 faces! but you don't have to do one every day...just a commitment to doing 100 faces! Its funny because some of them ARE coming out looking a little like people I know. I am not a "Fine" artist, I am more whimsical...but I am continuing the PRACTICE!!!!

So it just made sense to me that I try to do Bill since he died...

 

Did time stand still? Because it felt like my heart stopped and time stood still.

Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is.

It's been an incredibly hard day.

Grateful to have had so many awesome years working with this man...I am going to miss him singing me Happy Birthday the only way HE could, and all the times we would talk and just laugh. I learned SO much from him, and changed my life when he had his first heart attack and open heart surgery I quit smoking...that was 18 years ago...so every day I had with him after that scary event was gravy! This time, from his death, his heart gave out on him, I am making another change, cardio! I had WGB pull my bicycle out and I am going to ride it 2-3 times a week and the other days I am going to walk and hoop! Even in his death he teaches me! 

 

Death cannot take away our memories or our friendship. You meant the world to me. I love you. So many years he was the departments photographer...but he will ALWAYS be the best School Resource Officer we ever had! I love you to the moon and back...I like to think of you telling Jokes with Hugh and enjoying your freedom! Kiss our Ellen when you see her!

 

 

I will always miss you Bill.

 

I remember the day after he retired in 2003 and it felt SO weird to walk into the building without him there! Now it feels strange to walk in a world where he isn’t anymore. And my grief is all over the map!

 

Trying to find my feet again.

100 Days Project April 3- July 11th

Wow! I highly recommend committing yourself at some point, to pick a theme and do the 100 Days Project! It kicked my creative ass! It forced to me try to fix problems. I used a really bad Moleskine book where I wanted to do watercolors! It was awful to work in! I then tried Watercolor Ground for the first time and this project and book FOUGHT ME EVERY SINGLE DAY! But I grew! I grew as an artist! 

The crazy thing, ok I completed my 100 Days of Frida and I learned a lot about her! I learned a lot about how to paint and my technique on faces IS improving! Practice Practice Practice! A few of the examples out of the 100 days.

   

 

 

Frustrated

Some times I just get worn out. Since 2004 I have had bad sciatica. And my ass is killing me again and of course straight down my leg all on the right side...

Still playing phone tag with the PT place...I am sure not in the Bay Area ... I would have been scheduled and already in the office... I guess I will leave a message AGAIN tomorrow....fuck! I love living here but the pace is hard to get used to! Especially when you are in pain.

 

 

Now off to pretend to sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ooooh 100 Day Project Starts tomorrow!

Tomorrow starts the #100dayproject. Join in. To play you pick something to do, read, create, research.... whatever for 100 days. I chose drawing Frida Kahlo, because I am taking a class called the Frida Notes and thought this will get me comfortable arting her! #100dayprojectfridakahlo .... draw them, doodle them, write prose, letter lyrics, whatever. Frida Kahlo!! That's it. Join in the fun!!!!
https://www.the100dayproject.org/

Frida was born around the same time of Grandma Carmen, and she was as strong willed as her...so that is why I have enjoyed learning about her..and being inspired by her art...she reminds me a lot of Grandma Carmen....I know a lot of people are over her...but I still find her fascinating...and relatable...

Happy Birth Day to this guy! And Happy Easter!

We had an hour and a half conversation today...there was a couple of silent times as he talked about religion and I had to remind him I wasn't a Christian...but the nice thing is we communicate and let each other just be ourselves! It's a nice place to finally be.

 

Goals and Practices

Life is hard. 

Even when you are in a really good place in your life, life is hard. 

Reminders to myself...I always choose a word for the year, and this year it is two... "Be Kind".

And in January I decided to start meditating again...and being more mindful. I love following Dan Harris Podcast 10% Happier. Have you ever noticed when you make a decision to enrich your life, that all the odds come at you to derail you? And it has happened...my mind gets so cluttered with thoughts from the pain of other people. I have to remember to L E T G O...  Breathe through the hard parts. I cannot change their lives for them, I cannot fix things...I can try to give them wisdom...but it is up to them to take it.

I have been enjoying my kitchen and cooking...feeling a connection to my grandma as I figure out how to really cook. And then I read this today: 

Seriously, Just Chop the Carrot  

• Turning cooking into a mindfulness practice does not require fancy broiling, braising, or basting. We don’t need to have a Michelin star to be a mindful chef—all that is required is our five senses.

• “When you cut the carrot, just cut the carrot,” says Lulu Cook. Don’t mindlessly chop. Notice the colors, smells and sounds, and feel your fingertips as you prepare the food. Paying attention in this way can be nourishing not only to our taste buds, but all of our senses and state of mind.

• Stuffing the closest edible item into your mouth without a second thought to how it got to there is an easy habit to develop. Try taking a mindful moment to reflect on where your food came from, who was involved and the effort it took to make it to your plate. Adding a dash of gratitude into the meal can be a nice seasoning.

And I would add a dash of gratitude for learning how to prepare a good meal...a really flavorful meal...every thing tastes vibrant to me since I started to really cook. It is amazing! I even enjoy leftovers...like this beautiful chicken soup with lentle, barley, leeks, squash and zucchini.  Some how with the preparation of food I meditate and clear the crap that rattles around my head from other peoples noise. I find a connection that is deeper with WGB...in this really great life I have with him. It is the simple rituals of life that are the sweetest.

 

Alcohol Inks

What do you do on a wintering kind of day in March? Have friends over for home made chicken soup and fruit salad, while my friend Judith showed Loretta and I how to play with Alcohol inks!Oooooooh! So much fun! I can see a lot of cards being made! And you can use glossy photo paper! 

 

Another reason to be grateful! Being around your tribe and getting together to play! To be able to share my home and new love of cooking. They had not been able to see the house yet and we were well over due for a visit. 

 

     

 

WGB and I wish you joy flying among the stars! Now you can explore all of the universe!

Around the Mountain and Back

Today we took off and went through Fish tail up to Custard National Forrest and then up through the Bear Tooth Mountain to get into the Yellowstone National Park. (The photos are in albums on the right side of the blog)

I was so happy going through the country and Custard National Forrest, didn't see any animals, but man such beautiful country and mountains. Then we back tracked and went up through Bear Tooth Mountain, which I have to tell you I did not enjoy. It was higher than 12,000 feet! there was a sign that said "The Top of the World" and I believe it! gah! my ear still hurts!

Then down the other side and into Yellowstone National Park, it was wild to go to the park where Ranger's were and we bought a year pass to all the parks! It was like the game National Parks that I play! So fun to be there! This Park is SO beautiful!

So stunning AWE inspiring! Coming off of fear and into this park was jaw dropping! We saw Antelope and Bison!!! This park is massive! I am so happy we were able to go.

High Maintenance Day

Today we got up early and drove into Billings for the 2nd time in a row, but this time was partly to get my eyelashes taken off. They started to get really crunchy and I was glad to find someone that could take them off...it is the same gal that is going to do my eyebrows! I am glad that I can get some maintenance on the road...and the sweet thing is WGB just keeps telling me to be myself and be natural! I love him but I have my limits! giggle  Afterwards we took Barb to lunch at Applebee's...great day but long. When I got home I uploaded my may pages to facebook and called it night.

Natural Bridge Falls MT

17 years ago WGB took me to see these falls and it was not flowing as good as it was today. This is truly a beautiful spot in Montana especially when the water is flowing from the snow run off. WGBs sister Lisa, and her husband came with us with their mom and dad. Beautiful little hike and photo op! Afterwards we had a nice dinner.

I am uploading the photos in an album you will see on the right side called Natural Bridges Falls

Fish tails

 

Today we took a little trip out to an auction, before we got there we went through Fishtail MT and took some photos of the fish tail sticking out of the building!!! I so want to get a fish tail for my studio when I get a home!  It was fun watching the auction,WGB tried to buy me the ORANGE fiesta ware that they had!  But it went over what we were willing. Man it was fun seeing the Orange!

An amazing event was on the way I saw a Bald Eagle flying and as SO close to us! I could really see him! he was HUGE! In real life! HUGE!  gave me goose bumps!

We went to dinner at WGBs sisters place the Thirsty Turtle, with some of his dad's friends. I don't know why  I let my insecurity get to me, I always feel so damn judged...they kept saying how rich we were...this just showed me how some people will always judge us, because we are from California; and worked in government, even if it was local government people don't like it.  I won't apologize for where I am and at what age I am, I worked my ass off and we all make choices in our lives. WGB and I do better together than we would by ourselves, and I will give him his dream of traveling and will not feel one bit bad about it.  I just have to learn not to bite through my tongue. I refuse to talk politics or religion...

Montana Adventure begins

I must say that we did get up early, had breakfast at the hotel, I must say I still get self conscience around people, and I don't know why I get so intimidated by strangers! Especially when they stare at me.  I wish I was more like WGB who doesn't care and believes he belongs every where and that he is just as good as everyone else. STILL working on that...so I grabbed my food and went to my room. WGB says it is because I dress and look different from them and they probably want to be brave enough to dress and be like I am. (Ok...I will try to be more like him and not so damn freaked about my weight).

I was a little grumpy this morning because it was so busy around the Starbucks I didn't get my coffee for on the road and I had the shitty coffee from the hotel. My fault...should have made my good coffee!

We found out what I thought would happen, at some points WGBs GPS on his google phone  does not work, and when I said I told you I should have brought my garmin, he looked at me like I had 3 heads! And said I didn't tell you not to bring it....and ehem, yes he did! LOL  So a little grumpiness occurred when we couldn't find the bank in Bozeman! To be expected, but still hard when you have the space of the cab in the truck and are with each other 24/7.

This is all a learning curve for traveling ...

I must say we kept in front of the rain most of the time. Which is good since my stuff is getting wet! Ha! Ah...my stuff...I pared down and not enough...such a friggin learning curve as to what you can bring and be comfortable! We did find a Starbucks and bought a traveling mug and had a white chocolate mocha! NEEDED that!

We pulled into Big Timber MT about 4:30 pm...yup, gas, nerves, smile...ready!

On the move and making time

Today we got through the rest of Oregon, scooted through Washington, but didn't stop, it wasn't that far to Idaho. Trying to drink more water on the road, because yesterday was brutal I didn't drink anything because I didn't want to be stopping every 30 minutes! but I don't need the headache I get from not drinking water! So today I did better! One thing I can say is Idaho is beautiful in good weather! We were driving through Coeur d'Alene we saw from the Freeway, while we passed it an old Mission...when I said I would love to have seen it, we turned around! Mission of the Sacred Heart.

Coeur d' Alene's Old Mission. What a beautiful State Park they turned it into!  I know you all know how much I love Catholic Icons and relics! I was in history heaven! When standing too long in the Mission and taking photos, WGB said come on honey, enough Catholic Guilt! I laughed and continued to take photos! Seriously a beautiful space...and easy to meditate and think about history and what occurred here.

To the right on the blog you will find the photo album...on the road it is way to hard to include the photos in the body of the post.

We finished driving through Idaho and made it as far as Missoula Montana...stopped at a Best Western for the night...did I say it was raining? Yup my stuff in the back of the truck is getting wet...I will be glad to get that topper on the truck that we ordered in Oregon! But that is not for a few weeks...

We ate at a really horrible pizza place near the hotel...it was just too spicy for me so WGB ordered us a couple of salads to get by with...eating on the road is hard...I am going back to plain...nothing fancy! Tomorrow we head into Big Timber MT!

On our way again

We had breakfast with Pallie and Bob and then took off on the next leg of our journey. We visited the Bonneville Lock and Dam and Hatchery where Herman the Sturgeon lives!

       


The hatchery

   

 

Up for sale...

Glad we came so we could see the house in all of its glory! They have put it up on the market if you are interested.

I so wanted WGB to see this beautiful place before they sold it. Bob has done a fantastic job in the garden! Wow we were SO lucky to come while it was all blooming. AND they have so many birds!

After lunch Pallie and I went to her studio and made a purse for my sketchbook and phone! OOOOOoh I love it so much...I had fun but I think Pallie was frustrated because we didn't do it from a pattern.

   

Sharing our lives

We spent the day just sharing our lives. Catching up and telling stories. I was able to journal as well. It was a really nice day! Pallie cooked a pork loin and it was yummy! WGB really loves talking to Bob he said Bob is a hidden national treasure! So glad he got to meet him and see their house. They are in the process of selling this beautiful place. Asked if we could stay another night...just to be able to enjoy them!

This is a really nice way to start our adventure!

"We are all in this together"

 

Exploring Oregon

We left the resort and drove the back roads to Crate Lake, unfortunately we forgot it was a holiday weekend!!! (My freedom weekend!) there was SO much traffic we couldn't wait or we would reach Pallie and Bob's place after dark! So when the traffic started to move again we drove straight though instead of turning to go to the crater...we will be back to see it though!

  One long as road!

It was a beautiful drive even if we hit a ton of bugs and had to remember we can't pump or own gas! LOL 

We had a little of a hard time finding the house...we found it and I thought it was the wrong house! But the color was changed and SO much garden I didn't recognize it!

We had a really nice dinner and conversation with Pallie and Bob. WGB loved talking to Bob! he really enjoyed the conversation! I always tell him he needs smart friends! We de-stressed from the road, looking at the river can help calm a soul and didn't get t bed until after 1130pm...so worth it!

Another night!

We were able to get another night to be able to stay we just had to move rooms. It is so beautiful here, and they had a salon so I went in and asked if I could get the under cut redone, so the lady was able to shave the undercut for $15. It helps me to stay cooler...and I have been super hot lately!

We went into town to the grocery store, bought dinner, and breakfast. We BBQ hamburgers and salad. Took a nap, played on the computer and watched movies.  Had a nice evening even though WGB hurt his back...he says from my luggage. Sigh.  It was a nice day...grateful for Chris and Brian!

 

 

It begins...

Chris helped me pare down MORE with my clothes, but them in the orange suit case and put all my art in the pink one since the black art case was too bulky. Left the excess in my car.

Chris and Brian got us a REALLY nice place in Klamath Falls Oregon, they belong to a time share. What a nice drive we had about 4.5 hours, and Mt. Shasta was completely covered in snow! I had not seen that side of the mountain before.

Driving through Oregon there are a lot of grass lakes! Literally grass growing out of the lakes!

The resort is AMAZING! it is like a 1 bedroom apartment! it is beautiful here! We went to their grocery and bought Koby Steak and asparagus and purple finger potatoes. It was nice to treat ourselves to a beautiful home cooked meal. We relaxed by watching a movie and catching up on our computer stuff. What a nice gift to be able to relax.

"Just because my path is different doesn't mean I'm lost."

Resort in Klamath Falls Oregon

 

 

Art time

We stayed with Chris and Brian so Chris and I could go to her art meet up. Gail and Cory were there and Brian's sister, Sandra and her best friend Karen! Nice ladies! I worked trying to catch up in my journal. I am so behind! had a little lunch together and just played! It is so nice to meet women and find out you have so much in common!

We had a nice evening with Brian and Chris...before we take off for traveling...

Thankful

We picked up my car today and had to clean it up a bit and gas it up. I followed WGB up to Chris and Brian's house in Grass Valley, bought a car cover for it and parked it out of their way.  They have been so good to us. We took them out to dinner at Maria's what a nice time we had and great food! A little something to say Thank You!

Details in details

Left the kids in Nevada and said goodbye to Crackers...the hardest part for me is leaving the girl behind for awhile.

We drove through to Yuba City to see a trailer...rude awakening of 100 degrees outside, and it was not fun seeing those trailers...SO HOT! They were a good price but not what we really wanted.

We then drove on to Bruce and Suzannes to pick up the keys to my car, we were so tired we will pick up my car in the morning...we drove to Scotts Valley and stayed at a Best Western...SO exhausted we needed a flat spot to crash!  It was a long and emotional day. It was great to lay flat!

Trying to figure it out

Here is the tough thing about learning how to travel when you really have never traveled before...I brought too much, I pared down, and pared down again...I am still having trouble finding things I need and where the hell to put it all. Today WGB and I went to the stores to try to find a Patio Storage Bin, we found one so WGB and Vernon put it together when we got back to his place and it fits perfect in the back of the truck. We were getting some rain so some things needed to be covered...And while they were putting it together I played with Twinkle.

We had a ton of food left over from the party last night so no cooking!!! Giggle

We went to the Skate Park for a little while to get out of the house and let the dog go play!

           

Enjoying Twinkle before we take off. She was SO cute, she took me on a tour of her room and wanted to play with me!

 

It is all about love

We woke up early and started to make sure that the house was clean, then we decorated it for the party. Started to put the drinks and food out. Of course I could not find my battery and charger for the Canon camera so I was glad that I had my Nikon with me!

The one thing I love about a Mexican and Phillipino family party is the food! We all seem to show our love by food! We had SO MUCH FOOD! OMG so good!  The baby loved the party was super tired by the end of it! The Pinata was so cute! How fun!!!

It was a success and I think we all had fun! Bubbles good food and fish in the pinata for Twinkle!

 

Prep for party

Mizz V and I went to the store to pick up favors for the kids coming to the party tomorrow, and last minute decorations. It is going to be a Hawaiian theme, the baby loved Hawaii when they went last month.

I am getting annoyed not being able to find things. I am trying to consolidate my stuff...I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

We cleaned the house some for the party tomorrow. Trying hard to just be flexible and go with the flow. I am starting to feel nervous about the party...

Love

We are trying to recover. Didn't sleep great but that is the story of my life.  My entire body hurts. Just trying to enjoy the time with the kids and the baby. The baby started to warm up to me. When I was telling my son I had to leave my plants (especially the ones Lucy gave me) I started to cry. So WGB took off to go pick them up in Mountain View. I wish he would not have done that...but he insisted.

Mizz V had to go on a girls trip and my son had to go to work so I got to babysit Twinkle! Since she had warmed up to me it all went really well! She is really into her big bouncy balls, and totally into fish! We are watching Dory a lot!  She is cute as a button!

WGB was able to get the plants and my rose and made it to Chris and Brian's again by 11 pm...of course he hit commute traffic trying to get back to Grass Valley. At least he got a nice nights sleep!

My arms hurt so bad they cannot be lifted up!

One of the hardest days of my life

Well, yesterday we moved out of our house of 16 years. We are emotionally exhausted as well as physically! Yesterday from 630 am to 1:00 am we were moving moving moving and I feel extremely broken, my arms and legs went numb. This is what happens when your partner decides to be self-sufficient. In reality we could have used help from about 3 guys! I am going to be paying for this move for a long time with pain. But I sure appreciate my friends!  Especially my girls that I have known over 30 years. Fan and Maryanne, they came, they helped pack, and fed us through the horror of moving.

I have purged, given items to thrift, and raft. Now I only have clothes that fit me...less shoes and I am more determined to have my own studio! I am not having all of my art supplies in the house again. It needs to be separate and our house our house!

I had to leave my plants behind and our bird Crackers was in the middle seat of the truck by midnight in the cat carrier and so tired when we pulled out at 1:00 am...gassed up the truck and started to head up to Grass Valley. Good bye Mountain View. I feel so weird leaving you behind.

It was SO hard to keep both of us awake trying to get to our friends Chris and Brian in Grass Valley. We had to keep the cab warm for the bird so my eyes were rolling I was so tired.  We got to their house at 4:30 am and we just crashed! My arms and legs were numb...for hours!

Then we were up by 8:30 today and started to drink coffee and get ourselves moving! SO grateful for them and letting us stay with them! We saw on the news that Donner Pass was going to have snow today so we left around 12 to go into NV to my son's place to drop Crackers off with him, he is going to take care of her as we are on the road...the trip was good we took Highway 20 to highway 80 so beautiful! Crackers did really good until we got to Truckee then she started to shake her head. I knew then that she was having pressure in her ears poor baby!

Once we got passed the summit Crackers did better, but by the time we got to Vernon's she had been in the cat carrier for a long time..she was looking wilted.  The first thing WGB did was set up her cage and she started to feel a little better with her cage and her food. I am a little worried about her.

We are exhausted and made it a short night.

It begins

Today WGB went to the Post Office in East Palo Alto and stood in line to get me a number for submitting my passport papers. We went and took a photo for the passport and I don't look as bad as a serial killer but man what an ugly photo!  Then we went back to the post office around 1 pm and had to sit there until 3:30 pm when I was finally able to put my paper work in! I was next to last...but hey, its done now.

Jan Kuersten sent me a cool photo of her drawings of the plants and garden items I gave them! yay!!!

And Twinkle got her letter from me!!! She loved the envelope hated the butterfly puppets! She was afraid of them for awhile...now she is playing with them.

Crazy town

So today is Thursday which means it's garbage day, and since we are doing the BIG pile of garbage that the guy rummaged through like a rat earlier this week, WGB is standing guard over garbage! Ridiculous! 4' x 8' of garbage gone! Nothing left on the side of the house!

My POD was picked up at 3pm today and I feel strange with my stuff gone. weird.

Reality is setting in more and more.

So sweet

Today I went in to get my nails fixed, not having the gel on and my real nails being weak I kept breaking them  and splitting them and they hurt when I am packing. So Chi recommended that I do acrylic for now since they are stronger and went with a simple french, instead of getting fancy or art.  

She told me she wants me to live her shop, there is room, so I won't leave! Love her!

I finished packing my POD and tomorrow they pick it up. Strange strange feeling!

Set up the retirement dinner for my friend Sherry, we are going to La Fondue! can't wait! I bought a groupon last year and didn't use it so this will be nice to do!

Clothes

Maryanne came over again and we were able to get through the rest of my clothes! Lots donated again to goodwill. Yesterday she took the art supplies to her friend for RAFT and she was really excited!!! yay! It feels good!

Today...all the rest of my clothes were sorted and packed! What is crazy is I have packed 8 large tubs on wheels with clothes...and I left out a tub because I don't know what to pack for the road. I still have to go through the shoes...sigh 

WGB went to do some errands and while he was gone Maryanne drove me to Walmart (I hate that place) to get a couple of totes! When we got back WGB was laughing because HE picked up 3 totes! Thankfully he did I used them ALL!!! Those blue totes you see there are all my clothes that I kept! Bags and bags and bags donated! There is absolutely NOTHING left in my closets or the drawers!

Maryanne was so sweet she brought us pasta chicken salad! Man it was good!!!  I am exhausted and my back is KILLING me...Ice ice baby!

Tonight was the Oscars! And I called Carol back, we must have talked for over 2 hours! I miss her a lot! She can always make me laugh until I cry! It was a great day...weird ending on the Oscars but I had a good day!

Moving along

Love my friends. I am so lucky to have them!  This morning Maryanne came over to help me and brought lunch. Then Dale and Jan came by to take some of my plants. I can't handle the thought of my beautiful plants being tossed out without a care. The took my 4 orchids that Fan's mom gave me, my 2 hydrangia, my mini myers lemon tree, the flowers in the tea cup planter, my special orange iris, and my pixie, fence, and dragonflys, some frogs and plant movers too. SO happy they could take some of my babies

Then Maryanne and I packed the Art White cabinet up and ready to be placed in the POD. That was a hell of a job! I could not get through my life without my friends! I have a hell of a support system! I am so grateful and lucky!

I had a lot of stuff packed in here including my wax pot and sewing items and spinning items.

 

The kids sent a photo of Twinkle to give me a little bright spot during the day. She is with daddy in his office...

Clothes

I really am a clothes whore! I think I inherited that from both my grandmothers! They loved fashion and had tons of clothes. Well...I have been meaning to PURGE this for a long time!

Chrissy and I worked from 9-12 today just on my clothes. Went through ALL of my closets and PURGED I kept only 2 tubs of clothes from what we went through and she packed her SUV with the art supplies and at least 8 bags of clothes and coats! I only kept my art clothes and that which fit me! 

I still have some to go through but mainly the ones I have been wearing. Most of the stuff I purged I have not fit into in years. So it is good to let them go and have someone else enjoy them! I got rid of most of the coats except my art ones and my leather that fit me. I still had some of my super skinny clothes and leather jacket...it was time to say good bye! I feel SO much better that they are gone!  Chrissy even found a few outfits she wanted! And some jackets for her grands! win-win.

Then I passed out when she left!

Thankful for friends

My girlfriend Christine came down from Grass Valley, we went and had lunch at Amici's and fed her well, then came back to the house and hit pack mode! OMG I hurt! I hurt in places I didn't know I could hurt. We got SO much done in the studio! Working like a boss in the packing! We sorted, donated, packed and threw away garbage! SO many bags for a donation!!!  We worked from 1-7:30 pm when I couldn't move anymore!  

Christine thought she was going to have to tell me to save some things after awhile because I kept saying donate, toss! She had thought I would want to keep so much of it! But really it was a lot of stuff from the friends I had that passed away that was not my style or my desire anymore. The burden was lifted from keeping it all and now someone else can enjoy it and I can get some well deserved flow back into my life. 

I could not thank her enough! She is a force! And I love her so much! Thank you Chrissy! Part one down.

I am going to bed early! ooof...

Exhausted and anxious

I have been cranky all day...feeling pushed...and prickly. WGB insisted I go get my certified birth certificate in San Jose, which only took an hour, but I just didn't want to do it. He wants to get my passport done and ready.

My heart has not caught up with my head. I KNOW we can't stay here, but this has been  my home all of my life. But in retirement we cannot afford to live here, and then the final blow, our owners called, they are coming with a Realtor on March 18th, so we REALLY have to have most of our stuff out since that means less than a month once they put it on the market! Fuck we have a lot to do, think of and try to get a plan which WGB likes to fly by the seat of his ass...I am a planner... it creates anxiety.  

So most of the night was spent packing...this will be my life for the next few months...

It is tough

Well, it has begun. In the garage pulling down Halloween and Christmas to pack in the POD, put all the boxes I had ready in the POD and sorted out some old boxes that have been sitting in the garage since we moved in.

Tomorrow my focus will be in the house, I want my studio/clothes and shoes sorted and packed before I tackle the garage. WGB cut the limbs hanging on the roof and fixed the gutters before the next rain. 

It was Grammy night! Bowie won "5" grammys for his last album Dark Star. I still cannot believe he is gone. 

Oof - panic has set in.

My first POD came this morning at 9:30 am. With all of the rain that has been happening we decided to take a drive to The Lexington Reservoir, near Los Gatos, Calif., in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, nearly dried up during the drought, but recent rains have seen the 450-acre reservoir fill up and spill over. The reservoir feeds Los Gatos Creek, which merges with the Guadalupe River in downtown San Jose. From there, the river flows to Alviso and out to the San Francisco Bay via the Alviso Slough.  The photos before are in October and after now.

     

February: Ice Moon

The typically cold, snowy weather of February in North America earned its full moon the name snow moon. Other common names include storm moon, ice moon and hunger moon.

Unfortunately it was so overcast here in Mountain View I could not see the moon, so no photos tonight. 

I spent the day packing in my studio. And throwing out garbage and stuff that is crap.

One down

Today PODs picked up WGBs first POD...and I ordered my first one! Shit is getting real now! Been starting to pack up my treasures. It is wild to watch them actually pick the POD up and put it on their truck...and weird to have it drive away to there warehouse. Gulp

Aw!

This morning WGB woke me up so sweet! Apparently it is the 32nd anniversary of when we MET!  I was working in the City Clerks office (for a brief time), and I was the one who gave him the Oath of Office when he was hired! How funny is that! 

So my best friend has been in my life for 32 years! Crazy! There is nothing better than being in love with your best friend.

The Chaos Begins

WGB has started to pack his stuff into the first 16 foot POD, going through the boxes that are already in the garage and in the 3rd bedroom. It is happening.  I was never going to be ready for this. I hate leaving my home town behind.

One step on the new journey. 

Need to figure out who to contact?

We have to speak up for every woman no matter the side

Part of a blog post, please read her entire post here.

 

You don’t have to identify as a victim to recognize your victimization. You don’t have to be public about your victimization, but what you should consider is how you re-victimize millions of girls and women when you deny theirs.

Believe this: when you claim that we are crazy, stupid, overly emotional, and overly sensitive to distance yourself from us, you bolster misogynistic stereotypes that are then applied to you. No matter how you try to distinguish yourselves, you will continue to be categorized as sexual objects and second-class citizens only useful for reproduction.

Because we understand the toll heterosexist white supremacist patriarchal oppression takes, we recognize that being “woke” is an emotional commitment many of you reject. So you don’t want to fight for your own freedoms…fine. But please, if you’re not going to join us or build us up the least you can do is refrain from tearing us down.

Pay attention...don't be distracted

And, so it begins...watching This Week with George Stephanopoulous on ABC...where you cannot get a straight answer from Conway, the media has their facts and they have Alternate Facts!  1984 was NOT a play book dear one, it was a book of caution!

Once upon a time...

Going dark on social media and news.... See ya!

 

 

Thank you First Family...

Art Day!

Great day!!! I got to do art with my friend Jan and visit with her husband Dale!!! Ha and Jan kicks art butt!!! I thought she was going to be super new to watercoloring! Um, that would be a no!!! I think she rocked it!  She was also gracious and made me lunch! Home made Chicken noodle soup, and salad with a slice of pizza...on a beautiful raining day that we could hear while we worked! These are the best kind of days to share! I had lot of fun! Then when WGB came to pick me up, he got to sit and talk too...great to be with friends.

The first one is Jans the 2nd is mine! She rocked it! She taped hers in the journal I gave her! (I brought her a little goodie bag!)