T-Day Report

Several years ago about this time of year, my dad began receiving hospice care. One of the programs that hospice provided was a social worker who came to your house to provide counseling (maybe to check up on you - who knows). The social worker came and sat at the kitchen table and talked to my sister, Mom, and me. Of course we were doing our usual teasing and picking on each other. The social worker said that we were the most functional family she had ever seen. I guess we are pretty functional – whatever that means. I do know that we enjoy each other and have a great time together. We are not without our disagreements, but we do love each other. This Thanksgiving was another great time together. I am always amazed at how much I enjoy my family. I love watching cousins, who rarely see each other during the year, come together as if they were good friends who spend lots of time together. The "in-laws" fit in well with us "outlaws" and get along with everyone, although I am awed that my brothers married so well – my sister too :) We can all laugh and tease and have fun. We can drink, but no one gets drunk and sloppy or ugly. Maybe we are a most functional family.


This year, Mom invited a couple of her friends to come by after lunch with their children and grandchildren and play in the annual Turkey Day football game in the front yard. We have known Ruth and her daughter, Susan, forever. I thought it was funny that Susan, an only child, wanted to stay at our house and join the melee even after the football game. She helped herself to leftovers and her husband joined the guys for a beer and watching football on TV. We are the best party in town.

Mom and her friend, Jean, had conspired to get Jean’s grandson and Jesse together. When they came in the house to meet everyone, Jesse had her ten-year-old cousin down on the floor wrestling. While Mom made introductions, Jesse continued to wrestle – never give up or give in. I don’t know what Jean’s grandson thought. Jesse just smiled and laughed and made polite conversation with the young man, but kept the cousin in place. Jean’s grandson was nice-looking in a fashionable sort of way, but I’m not sure if he could keep up with Jes. She needs a hero.

Here are a few pics from the day. Jesse took lots of photos with her camera, which she may post later. I took some photos of the football game with her camera (I could get spoiled) that I might get posted later. I thought you would like the "Rat Pack" in the kitchen while Toby carved on the turkey – he was very popular with the dogs. Here is GBN2 decorating a turkey cookie. GBN1 did a lovely job on her cookie.

Mom had bought Kathy and I matching shirts - we wore them around for a little while on Wed. Okay, so we do have some dysfunctional times.

It's Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I probably have said that before, but it is true. I love the fall season. I love big family gatherings. I love food. And Thanksgiving is lots less stressful than Christmas. I don’t even mind the all the planning and cooking – it is quality time with Mom, although, we will probably disagree on how long to cook the pecan pies or something silly. Still, it is good. My sister will want to decorate elaborately – it is easier to let her have her way than to argue with her. Besides, it keeps her busy and is one less opinion to deal with on the pecan pies. Personally, I’m not big on decorating – cloth napkins are too much for me. If it were up to me, I would do Chinet plates. Spending time with family is better than spending time washing dishes – my philosophy. I also want to mention that in past years I have never been bothered by stores putting out Christmas stuff early, but this year it bothers me. I have seen more houses with their Christmas decorations already up and more stores pushing Christmas than ever before - What's up with that!" It's Thanksgiving!

I may head to WF this afternoon to help with the shopping and maybe shop for some new hiking/tennis shoes. I don’t do Black Friday, but I do need some new shoes. The truth is that I just get too excited to stay home – I need to be where the action is. There is some action going on around my house – we are laying block for the foundation of our addition.

This is pretty exciting for me, but not something that I can help with. I will be more help with the framing. And I can’t wait!

I can blog from Mom’s and I probably will, but for now I will say Happy Thanksgiving. Eat lots of turkey and pie.

Here is a photo from Jesse’s blog – one of my favorites from her Paris pics (you can see more at her blog).

Here is my cactus to prove that I don’t kill every plant I own, and sometimes they even bloom – if you leave them alone.

Fun at Wal-Mart

Toby and I did a bit of shopping last night at Wal-Mart. I went down the spice aisle while he went down the juice aisle. Some lady had her cart blocking most of the spices and was seriously searching the spices. I was trying to find some cumin when the lady turned and said, "Do you see any sage? All I can find is this dalmatian sage, and I don't know what that is!" I responded with, "Well, you see, they take these dogs..." I didn't need to finish my thoughts, because the lady was LOL. Both of us stood there - perfect strangers - laughing with tears in our eyes. I found my cumin and told her she was on her own. She wished me a Happy Thanksgiving, and we went our separate ways.

Holiday Stroll

All art stuff is over for a while – at least until the spring show in late April. The Downtown Holiday Stroll was okay. I enjoy visiting with people and being out and about. Several artists from the Duncan Art Guild set up their work in different downtown stores. The idea was to help draw people to the downtown area. The real draw was the coupons and give-away’s offered by the stores. None of us artists sold anything, but it was good public relations. One of the artists did not show, so I called Jesse. Jesse dropped what she was doing and brought her paintings and photography to the shop. I greatly appreciated her participation. The store owner was pleased too. Jesse took these photos at the stroll.

Jesse’s set up in an antique store. Jolene in a gift store.

My art in the pewter store.

Glenna in the Antique Mall.

Here is Santa resting his feet near the cookies and hot wassail. Jesse took some artsy photos, but I will let her post them, if she wants.

We all had lunch together and did some shopping of our own, which made the day much more fun.

Duncan Downtown Stroll

My son takes his last CPA exam today, so I am off to babysit the GGs. We will have lunch with Crewcraw and Aunt Jes. We may go to a birthday party. And there is always Wal-Mart. They came over for a minute yesterday - like a whirlwind. GBN1 told me to be sure and get her a hammer so she can help build the house. GBN2 said she loved my big dog, Zoe, but that she did not like dog kisses.

I painted another cactus yesterday and also matted several old paintings. This weekend the DAG is participating in the downtown stroll. I will be setting up my art stuff at the Pewter Store - stroll by and see me.

Normality and the Self-esteem Diet

Although things are getting back to normal, this morning Toby’s alarm did not go off. The whole morning routine was thrown asunder. And Toby drank more coffee than usual leaving me with less. I still need to clean house, but procrastination is the name of the game. Yep, back to normal.

Yesterday I painted with the Ladies. Here is my painting – them is some skinny pears, huh? Jesse said the painting was not my norm – maybe we aren’t back to normal after all. Sometimes I like to try new things. It is just paper – might as well go for it. If it does not work out, you can always trash it or find someone who does like "abby-normal"

I love my Painted Ladies. They are fun and inspirational and were right there for me throughout the art show. I could not have pulled it off without them. Although we have painting in common, we have lots of differences. Maybe that is what makes us friends – our differences. I do love all sorts of different folks and find them interesting.

Getting Back to the Norm

Since the art show, I have been a little "off my feed." I have not been sick exactly – just yuck. My mother would say, "It’s nerves." But I don’t feel nervous. One of the Painted Ladies said it was probably stress. But I don’t feel stressed. I think it was the burger I ate after the art show reception. Anyway, it tried to take me down, but I have been fighting it. Sunday, I skipped church and slept until about noon before I had to be at the art show to close‘er down. I think the rest was much needed.

The rest only lasted for a short time. Even with the art show closed, I had lots to do yesterday to catch up with all that I had put on the back burner. Besides tying up loose ends with the art show, I needed to do stuff like grocery shopping. Toby and Jesse would like to go back to a regular schedule of eating. They would probably like to walk through the house without having to avoid piles of laundry, paintings, reception supplies, etc. They have been very patient with me and even helped me lots, but now it is time to get back to the norm. I also had to buy new jeans. The day after we set up the art show, one of my friends mentioned that my jeans pocket was torn off. Sure enough, when I got home I pulled those jeans out of the laundry and the pocket had a big hole. Lord, I hope I was not wearing my purple panties. Did I mention that we started building on to our house: By the way, Lou would you stop by the lumber yard and buy eleven louvered vents...

Sunday, Toby went to Houston on business, but will be back tonight. I think he secretly wanted to escape the mess here at home. It never fails that things happen as soon as he walks out the door – like the hot water heater decided to go on the blink. Fortunately, Jesse caught him in time to fix it. Remind me to tell about the time that Toby was gone somewhere and called to say that I needed to put anti-freeze in the bulldozer. Or the time I dropped him off at the airport in Albuquerque and drove through a snowstorm to get home, built my first fire in the Avery wood stove, and pulled porcupine quills out of the dogs mouth.

The weatherman reported that OK might get their first freeze. Some madness along with a burst of energy overtook me and I decided not only to bring in all the potted plants (I almost put "pot plants," but that didn’t sound quite right – didn’t want to freak anyone out). I also decided to pick the tomatoes and peppers in the garden. For most of the summer our tomatoes did lousy. Then about September they came on with a vengeance. Then they sort of stopped, and it was a good thing, because I was tired of putting up tomatoes in the freezer. But with the mild weather, they have gone crazy. The garden is overloaded with green tomatoes. And the peppers would rival anything Hatch, NM, has. I picked until it was dark last night. I have bags and bowls of tomatoes and peppers, and I left quite a bit in the garden. Now I have to do something with all this produce. So much for getting back to the norm! Somebody shoot me. PS: Toby said he really loves a woman who shops at Tractor Supply for her jeans.

Emotion Earrings

Years ago, I gave my friend, Anny (Mrs. Bear) a pair of earrings. The earrings were twisted gold hoops – they were beautiful and wild. I specifically chose them because they reminded me of Anny and I thought they would go well with her wild red hair. A few years later she told me a story about wearing those earrings. She had to go to her son’s school for a conference with his teacher and principal and she was ready for a fight. She put on her twisted gold earrings that I had given her. As she headed out the door her husband said something like this, "So you are headed to a fight, and you are taking Lou with you." It was a very astute observation by Mr. Bear (he is like that). Anny had specifically worn the earrings I had given her as moral support in her fight with the school. It is funny that a pair of earrings can do that for you.

Some jewelry means nothing, but I have several pairs of earrings that evoke different emotions in me, and I choose to wear them for specific reasons. I have a simple pair of silver earrings made from dimes (pounded flat with rough edges) that I bought at a fundraiser for a young man who had cancer. They are my favorite earrings, and I cannot wear them without thinking of Donald Wilson and wondering how he is today. I have some silver cross earrings stamped with hearts that were made by an up-and-coming artist in NM – I wear them when I want to feel artsy. My mother-in-law said that amethyst would keep you from over indulging – so I have a pair, and I think of my MIL when I wear them. My huge green parrot earrings are worn when I am feeling silly. I wear my big fake diamond earrings when working on the ranch because they make me feel feminine and chic when I am actually doing something dirty and manly. I have some Celtic earrings that are suppose to represent eternity. Since I bought them in Scotland, they always remind me of that trip and the good times there. I also bought a pair for my friend Ashley – so they remind me of my friendship with her. Ashley returned the thought when she bought me a pair of funky earrings in Hawaii. Whenever I wear them, I am wearing Ashley.

While choosing my outfit for the art show reception, I had lots to consider. I wanted to look nice and possibly artsy, but still be comfortable knowing that I would be on my feet all day and night. I started to wear my black corduroy pants with a bright shirt and black boots. If I wore that, I could wear my funky Ashley earrings. But I decided on a brown outfit, because I could wear my brown shoes, which were more comfortable than the black boots. The down part was that the Ashley earring did not work well with the brown. It all worked out. You might notice in this picture that Jesse looked quite stunning, and notice the earrings (click on the pic). I noticed them when Jesse walked into the reception. Those are the funky Ashley earrings. When I saw that Jesse had worn them to the art show reception I thought, "Good, Ashley is here."

2009 Art Show

The art show went off well last night. We probably had twice as many people at the reception as we have had in past years – and we sold 13 paintings! We still have the rest of the weekend to go, but usually it is opening night that the paintings sell. We had lots of positive response to the show. Because I was the coordinator and up close and personal with the show, I saw room for improvement – live and learn. Last night was rather busy and neither Jes nor I had much time for photographs, but here are a few. I will take some more of the other winners’ paintings today while I baby-sit the show.
Jesse won third place with her b&w photo of GBN2. That is also her photo of our house at dusk. Someone asked, "Is that a dug-out?" I answered, "Yeah." I won first place in pastels with my "Whitney." The judge almost picked Jesse’s pastel for third – I had to bite my tongue not to persuade her. Personally, Jesse’s pastel should have won.
Here is Kat, Jes, and me. Here is Toby manning the wine - he did not make that mess.

I was disappointed in the judging of the oils, which I did not participate in that category. The judge, who is a well-known artist here in town, chose three paintings that look exactly like her own work and style and exactly like each other (I’ll photograph them today and show you later). Although each of the pieces was nice, it was just a lack of variety - as if the judge was saying, "my style is the best." I learned some other things too, and will share later.

Invititation to the Show

I tried to post an invitation to the Duncan Art Guild's Holiday Miniature Art Show and Sale, but I could not get the invite to upload. Still, anyone can come to the art show reception tonight at 5:30 at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. The art show will continue all day Saturday and from 1- 4 on Sunday.

We (the Painted Ladies) took art in and set up the show yesterday. There were a few men who showed up and did some muscle work (I may have shown them up in that area; I'm a real cowgirl), but I was thankful for all the help yesterday. Sarah, my oldest art student (in years painting with me), came and was a big help. We sent the men off to do an errand, and then we moved the furniture around several different ways until we were satisfied. I did get one "chewin' out' from a lady who didn't like the lighting in the gallery. I tried to explain that we would be able to spotlight the paintings later, but she was not pleased. Then I just told her to hang her paintings any where she wanted knowing that when she left I would move them where I wanted. It went smoothly after that. There is lots to do today, and I must move a long. I will take pictures and report back on the show.

I would also like to say thanks to my friend Elza, who pointed out that our banners have a misspelled word (miniture). We have used those banners for three years, and have had one updated. I remember making the sign man re-do one banner last year that I saw was misspelled, but I did not catch the others. What a goof!

Veteran's Day Pics

If you know me and have read my blog for a while, then you know about my favorite veterans and the best Veteran Day's ever. Rather than write about my trips to Washington DC with my Uncle Bob for his Ia Drang Valley Veteran's reunion, I thought I would just post some of my favorite pictures of the trip(s). It was a tuff decision on which pictures to choose. We took lots of photos and had lots of fun seeing the sights in DC including some great memorial shots, but I thought I would stick to the photos of the Vets. Thanks for laying down your life for your country. And for those vets not pictured - like all my blog buddies - thank you, too.

These two photos were taken in the hospitality suite: Hal Moore and Joe Galloway and Jes.

My Marine cousin Jim, Bruce Crandal and Uncle Bob. Color Guard from Ft. Hood and Jesse.

These photos were taken at the banquet:

Uncle Bob and Aunt Caroline with their buddies. 2nd pic - cousins. Capt. Jeff Donnithore, Uncle Bob, MOH receipiant Ed Freeman, and (now) Major Jim Lively.

This picture is one of my favorites because it has Marine, Air Force, Army and Navy all pictured. Dress blues and new shined shoes...

Mistakes and Maturity

You should know that coordinating the art show has not gone as smoothly this year as it did last year. The Hospital Education Center, where we have had the show for the last few years, sold, and the hospital did not think to tell us. The hospital was very good to try and find us another place once they realized the mistake, but there was not a good location at the hospital. I had to look elsewhere. After much leg work (my short legs) and hassle from different guild members, we now have a great place for the show. It will be held at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum. Once we secured the place for the show, we sent out letters to artists involved in the show. In the letter, I specifically said that "Only the place had changed; all the dates and times were the same as on the prospectus," but I did not list those times and dates again as to not confuse people. Still, people are amazingly confused. I probably should have just listed everything out for them again.

Last year when we sent out the prospectus for the art show, my telephone number was listed wrong. I did not catch the mistake, the prospectus was sent, and there was nothing I could do about it. I did not get any phone calls, and yet, the art show went off without a hitch. This year, I made sure that my phone number was correct. Now, I am thinking that was a mistake. I have had a few phone calls from people concerning the art show, but this morning was the best. A lady called and said she had some questions, that she was confused. She said that the prospectus said that art was due in on Thursday, but the letter she received said that the art was due "as soon as possible." Now, I tried not to burst out laughing, but I couldn't help but tease the lady, "Nawww, it doesn't say that!" Then I very nicely explained what the letter did say, while she said, "I don't know where I read that." We got it all figured out and said our good-byes. I hung up and laughed my head off. Anny, you would have been so proud of me. I was so pleased that I did not say, "Why that is the stupidest thing I ever heard!" See, I have matured somewhat.

House Update:
Yesterday the backhoe did come and the footer was dug. Toby took a half day and came home to give the backhoe guy instructions. Then, Toby had to run to town for some iron, and left me with the checkbook and instructions to "pay the guy." I didn't know the backhoe man personally, but I knew he lived down Old Hwy 7 about six miles from us. When the guy finished, he pulled up in front of me and I paid him. Then he said, "Which way is north? I want to make sure I have my directions right." I'm sure my eyes blinked several times, but I managed to point north and give him directions on getting home. And I kept a straight face.

This morning the cement trucks came and we poured the footer. Next week, Mr. Gutierrez (I love saying that name) comes to build forms for the foundation. This is the first time we have done this - in the past, we have done cinder block. You can tell that the backhoe really mucked up the ground, which is now goop. Ya gotta love OK.

And the Wall Came Down

No, not that wall, but Buck posted a wonderful documentary on the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

Toby has been working to bust a hole in the foundation of our house before we start the next phase of building. This hole will be used to add central heat to the old part of the house from the new part. For the past four years, we have used one little wall heater, and it has done a heck of a job. Quilts and blankets were helpful too. Back before Jesse went to work, she did quite a bit of sewing and quilting. Ah, those were the days! I do miss having her around the house more, and I was a bit whiney about it last night. But she is a "Goin’ Jesse" and I cannot seem to slow her down. She finished her pastel last night. I would show you the finished project, but I think she plans on giving it to someone special, if it does not sell at the art show. And no, that "someone special" is not what you think. Hmm, my mind is rambling.

We stayed around the house this weekend getting some things done to prepare for the backhoe that is coming today to start the footer trench. Yeah, I’m excited! I will be taking pictures to mark the occasion – the starting of my house! It reminds me of when we built our house in NM. Toby had a backhoe contractor that he used now and then at the landfill. He was known as Juan Loco. Toby sent Juan to dig the footer for our addition. Juan Loco got a bit carried away and dug an amazing ditch, which we had to fill in later due to its depth. I remember standing there looking at the moat around our house and calling Toby when I saw the ditch, and I asked him if I could just bury Juan Loco in the ditch since it was plenty deep. Juan meant well. Later he brought his backhoe over to help us put the big beams up on the walls. This was a big help since we had no way to lift the 26'- 4x8 beams that made our ceiling. Big Bear came to help us, too (everyone in NM has an alias). I was wearing my canvas nail apron at the time and mentioned that I would like to have a leather tool belt someday. Big Bear looked at Toby and said, "You mean you missed a chance to put your woman in leather!?" Toby went out and bought me a leather tool belt soon after that.

Sunday was a bit slower around here. We went to church where GBN2 got up at least four times to go "potty." She waved to the crowd in her queenly way before skipping down the hall to the restroom. Ah, the joys of potty training and training your child to sit through church! You can just see the little light go off over her head when she thinks, "Hey, if I say I have to potty, I get to get up and move around. And if I actually potty in the toilet, I get candy!" After church, she was sitting in our truck adjusting every knob and gadget she could reach pretending to drive the truck. When her daddy said it was time to go, she decided she was not going, and she held on to the steering wheel with all her might. We had to pry her little fingers from the wheel, which did not make her happy. Bo, in his usual understating way said, "Good grip, huh!"

The art show is this week – could be a busy time.

Art Project

Last night as I was supposed to be going to sleep, I thought of something to blog about that might be interesting to folks. Unfortunately, as Bob would say, I don't have time to write a long post. With the art show coming up this next weekend, I am busier than a one legged man in a butt-kickin' contest (I love that saying). I did snap a photo of one of my projects. As all good procrastinators, I have waited until the last minute to get a pastel done for the art show, which is next Friday. Fast and furiously, I am working on a pastel. Jesse also signed up for a pastel and is currently working on it, too. The apple does not fall far from the tree. If my memory does not fail me and I get through this art show, I will try to do better on my blog writing. In the meantime, here is the photo of my latest art project.

Upcoming Art Show Stress

I had my beginner's art class yesterday, and it went well. Before the kids showed up, I did lots of house cleaning - still getting things back in order after the weekend of plumbing work around here. After my class left, I headed in to town to run some errands for the art show.

The art show is approaching fast and will keep me hopping for the next week. One of my errands was picking up some advertising banners at the local sign shop. They were supposed to be ready at 5 PM, but they weren't. I was told they would be ready in "a few minutes, if I wanted to wait." When questioned, they said, "Well, about 30 minutes." Okay, I'll wait. Last year these guys had months to do the banners and were late getting them done - so I thought I would put a little pressure on them by waiting. At 6:30, the signs were ready. It would have made me crazy, but I was determined, or as Toby would say, "bull headed." But hey, it is one thing off my list.

After picking up the banners, I headed over to the DAG president's house to stuff envelopes with invites (Okie for invitations) to the reception. We gott'er done, and I was home by 9:30. Part of that was waiting on the printer to catch up to us stuffers. That was a biggie off my list. I also spent lots of time on the phone arranging a photo shoot and getting an article done about the show for the local paper (the Duncan Banner - what is it with banners). I went to bed feeling like I had accomplished lots. Then I had dreams where I went to fix my new watch band and cut the clasp off. And another dream where I was at a large gathering of people and came out of the restroom without my pants. All my dreams had an underlying themes of art show problems. My stress does not show on the surface, but the dreams prove otherwise.

Speaking of art shows, Jesse posted some great photos of her trip to the Louvre in Paris. She has posted even more on her FaceBook photos. It pays to be friends with Jes.

Weekend Report - Perfect Weather and Plumbing Problems

It has been awhile since we have had such a beautiful weekend here in OK. Weather-wise this weekend was darn near perfect, and it looks like it will stay that way all of this week. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon for the GGs to come romp around the Lazy B. They went down to the pond and petted the horses. They threw sticks in the pond. They wrested the Bad Cat. They ran with the big dogs. And they found a caterpillar. What fun! This is not one of my better photos, but it shows the beautiful day, the full pond, the horses in the background, and Handsome Jack, the red heeler.

The downside of our weekend was plumbing problems. Due to the hard water here in OK, our hot water has been slowing down to a trickle for a while now. We have a tankless water heater, which is great, but it works on water pressure. When the hard water-deposits build up in the faucets, water does not run well and no hot water. We have been turning on the shower and the kitchen sink to get hot water to the sink – kind of a pain in the backside. So this weekend it was Toby to the rescue. We bought new faucets and cleaned out the heater with CLR stuff. It worked out well, but the process was messy – dragging everything out from under the sinks, pulling the water heater off the wall, everything torn up, etc. Then there was the in and out of the house – with last weeks wet weather, we still have some mud around here. Did I mention that Toby pulled the steps off the house? Well, he did, which is a good thing. It puts us one-step (no pun intended) closer to building on to our house. He also worked to bust a hole through the foundation – getting ready for putting central heat into our house. Jesse took photos of the house, which she said looks "so sad." To me, it looks like a work area :)

I know people wonder why our house is not built yet – why we don’t just getter’ done. But there are lots of little steps in getting ready to build – lots of ducks to get in a row. Then there are little setbacks like working on the plumbing in the old part of the house. Also, people need to understand that we won’t hire the work done; we will build it ourselves. Yeah, it takes longer, but it will be cheaper, and it will be ours in a special way. I can live with the wait. In fact, I am so looking forward to the framing part – I do love to swing a hammer. If there are any folks who share my passion for building, feel free to show up with your tool belt. Handsome, young, single men are preferred, but not necessary.