cherry blossoms

Valentine's is special for the arrow that cupid shot but sometimes the cupid misses and lands not on target so then I think about my friends. Gets old mailing letters but it feels you with surprise when you receive one. I went to the post office to buy some stamps for my valentine's day cards. I wanted them to have a heart to serve the purpose but for some reason or another they didn't have them so I asked to see what they had available. I almost walked away with out any when I asked Heather if the pink on these stamps would be okay. She said "yeah why not". As we drove away I noticed that on the back of the stamps there was a meaning of what the stamp stood for so I read it aloud to Heather and realized that these were the perfect stamp to our friends valentines. I love how when you don't expect it, it really works out. If you didn't receive a letter I'm sorry all I can say is I don't have your address you failed in the past to give it to me or in my parents case they still haven't received their Christmas card that we mailed out this past Christmas. If you don't mind me sending you a note every once in a while let me know and I'll do just that.

To this year valentine's (friend) day I say it's not how long we've been friends but how the quality of friendship it has been in just the right amount of time.

Ace

Remember when I mentioned that this year I was going to start reading more well I picked up a book from half price book store and decided to buy it when seeing the title "Diary Of A Mad Fat Girl". I said to myself  hmmm sounds a little like me. Started the end of January and finished it last week. Loved it so much I decided to email the author and tell her about my point of view. As I was reading the book I was reading words that I would say if I were writing it. The character in so many ways fit me. Felt myself laughing and realizing I was smiling from reading this book. Felt saying oh no, and gees, and no she didn't aloud to where I thought I was seeing the picture of a movie. Maybe because I got too into the book that it really got me intrigued. I told the author that I would love to see this in motion picture one day so if  the opportunity arose that she should go for it. I'd want to see Ace get played by Melissa McCarthy, Lilly played by Nikki Reed, and Chloe played by Jayma Mayes at least they are who I picture when reading the book. Loved the book so much I insisted Heather read it. After her I am passing it along to someone else but I plan on buying some extra copies because I have friends that I know would enjoy it. Had me crying for minutes after reading it but of happy tears couldn't stop thinking about it for days and still do.

Then I realize is this what really happens when someone reads a great book?

I couldn't have picked a better book to start my read. This book just came out last year and the author came to Dallas in January but I didn't know about it so I wrote her that she needed to let me know next time she was in town. I don't know if she will replay since for some reason people are afraid of my email address or just to busy to respond. I just can't wait until the sequel comes out this summer to see Ace's shenanigans. I love a character that is make believe. If you happen to cross this book the title is just that "Diary Of A Mad Fat Girl" you will love it. I thanked Stephanie Mcafee for showing such emotions on paper and that I would be recommending this book.

Don't let the cover photo fool you it has nothing to do with the book. Its about three friends that go through what seems like (cant believe I just did this) to help each other out through their lives chapters. The things you do for your friends, true friends.

Heather started reading it and said "i know why you love this book?" Ace says "are you freaking kidding me..........."

On another note:
Just in case you haven't found out yet BREAKING DAWN PART TWO the FINALE comes out FRIDAY. Will I be one of the special kind that waits till midnight to buy it?

indie rock

I told myself that if I ever reached a limit on my pictures then I'd have to delete and start over. Well I've exceeded my limit and it's time to delete. I have shared with friends and family over 10,000 yes ten. thousand. photos. Some you loved and some you didn't really care about them but heck, I wanted to share them anyway. So some time next week it's delete mode. :(

photo from june 2011 at the prophet bar

On another note & surely another "photo op" I'm looking forward to tonight's Girl In A Coma concert . Strange name for an all girl band but man can they play. Girl In a Coma is an indie rock band from San Antonio, Texas on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records' label. The band is made up of sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz and friend, Jenn Alva. Saw them in a photograph awhile back in the Texas Magazine as a new coming up group. So decided to hear them back in 2011 loved the way the singer ( Nina Diaz) performed. I've been to a couple of bands here in the area and she is not afraid to feel the music and sing. By the end of the concert she is pouring in sweat from her performing. Gross I know but that just means that she doesn't play around. If you have come to see them perform they will give you just that, a good performance. They will be performing at Sue Ellen's tonight and we bought our tickets last month. Didn't want to miss it.  One of my favorites http://youtu.be/0VfN6UmQlfI . If you have seen the movie Machete (2010)  they have a song featured in the movie. I havn't seen it yet.

If you get to see them tonight be prepared to hear the voice and feel the music. If you don't get to see them tonight don't worry they will be back.

smile

We moved to a rural side of Irving back in 1998 and we had a special neighbor that greeted us from day one. She has watched my sisters grow up and now watches them as they come home and leave to their own homes.

I visited her today but not my regular visit. You see she fell in love and married and it had been 56 years this year when she unexpectedly had to say goodbye to her husband. He made it just one more valentine before he left. I accompanied my mother to visit with her. She married a navy man. We didn't make it to his service but she told me of the flag folded that was given to her. She is one special lady. It was always just him and her. They never had a family. I didn't want to ever ask why they were not able to have a family. I felt that there might be more to the story if I had asked and didn't want her to feel any less for not having a child. My concern is that she has no one but her mother who lives an hour away. On his side only a sister and a niece. She doesn't have any plans of moving but she disliked the fact that, that was the number one concern on other peoples mind. I told her that for us it would be just fine if she stayed, that if anything we were just around the corner.

She told us a story of her husband and that included saying " how I would give anything to see that big smile of his again".

His death was sudden. She wasn't prepared for a goodbye.

Picture a 77 year silver hair with light pink lipstick on sharing with me a photograph of her and her husband back when her hair was red.

Her birthday is in May and she jokingly said "if I make it another birthday".

She is a strong woman. I just don't want her to feel alone.

I came home to share the story and tried to capture Heathers smile.

You capture a smile.

faulty

The tiger with a mended heart. A valentines approaches but we are at the store for another reason when we have to pass by all the red I love you items.

I have in my life a stuffed animal lover. It has gotten better with the years but I have to share with you a story. She spots it and says "I want this can I have it?" I say really. "Yes really". So I keep it photographed in my mind for later. You see its hard to buy or surprise with something when we are always together. We start to walk away she goes back and says " no we have to get him now, today". Why I say? " Look at him he is different, no one will buy him, he will get sent back". Why? I still say. "See he is different than the rest". I come closer and see what she is talking about. We gather another and check the rest and sure enough he is different. I say okay I guess we can get him today.


the tiger has his heart defect or just a special tiger

I have a collector of odd things in my house due to my (no one will buy it) other half. You think it's not real but let me bring you to just one more example. This ceramic dog was on a shelf at a store a couple of years back and she also had to have it. When I said, well let me see if they will give me a discount on it first. I didn't understand then why she would want this broken trinket. When they said no on the discount I knew I had lost my battle and bought it anyway.


broken leg

The only thing I can come up with is that everything broken still means something to someone. That it may not be whole but it's still complete. It may not serve it's purpose to anyone but just to that one. That if it had real feelings it would feel like a lot of people feel when they are rejected.

By this point in time I have given up all whys and just agreed to okay let's get it.

If you have someone in your life like I do then we both know that feeling.

This is one aspect of my better half that I somehow admire, she finds ways to save the up most out of anything  

beads and a snake

Familia Shoulders

I'm going to start by saying that I'm happy to announce that Heather was part of a unique group of artists to join together for the first time at Converge Artist Workplace. A new gallery in the making. Didn't realize that she would be apart of a group that made it's first beginning. I know to some it might not mean anything but it really is a big deal.

Had a very fun and eventful weekend. Love doing things with my senorita and I love the fact that we share the same interests. The one thing that was out of the ordinary was to attend a live performance of Susan Nicely as Julia Child. It was a free event and there was going to be food involved. I was expecting to see Susan perform like Julia but we didn't realize that she would also be singing. I say singing because it was put together by The Opera House in downtown Dallas. She had the audience laughing she was quite a performer. Did she act like Julia? Yes she did and some extra. Julia Child was known for her french cooking. She was featured in cooking shows and if you ever had the opportunity to see a show you would love her not your Paula Dean kind of stuff. Since it was at the farmers market we couldn't pass up buying some fruits and veggies.

If you haven't been to the Farmers Market Downtown Dallas it is a must on your to do list.

lucy the last time i saw her was when her little girl standing next to her was in her belly

Celebrations this week include Mardi Gras and the Chinese New Year. I know you probably are saying " but you're a Mexican, why would this be something you would celebrate?" I see it as why not. I have friends from different backgrounds and it wouldn't hurt to learn more. It's feeding my brain and enjoying the possibilities. Went to the parade for Mardi Gras, had we not gone Heather wouldn't have collected a real krewe doubloon from Louisisna. This year I ran into a high school friend and caught and image of a special boy with his mother.  This was his first Mardi Gras Parade. Just so you know anyone can go no rated "R" stuff unless you get beads that are sticky from that one float that soaked them with alcohol.

It's also Chinese New Year. It's the year of the snake. There will be a celebration downtown Dallas this Friday. I'm pretty sure if you go there will be a lot of hissing going on along with dancing dragons. It is also free to attend your opportunity to check out the Crow Asian Museum with the festivities they will have.

Almost forgot the most important holiday this week (not really) Valentine's Day. It's not just for lovers its also for friends so while you are sitting lonely at home because you have no mate to love you for you, you do have a friend that accepts you for you so celebrate. I am asked the question every time it never fails "what are you doing for valentines day?" I'll respond and say nothing special. I don't celebrate it by going out, everywhere will be busy. I stay home with my love like a regular day just know that I love her. We end up celebrating it later when all the food places have slowed down. I mainly use Valentines Day for friends and family. I'm not a diamond kind of girl. I'm more of an, I love the special CD you made me, girl. So friends just know you are loved.

ATTENTION
ATTENTION
ATTENTION
i almost forgot if you plan on getting married but have no clue on how to plan it
if you are getting married one day not tomorrow but one day
if you are not planning to get married but know someone that is
if you don't care about being tied down to one lover but want to have a fun night
then this is for you
freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
with just reservation call 972-237-7500 to experience a bridal show at the Ruth Jackson Center Tuesday fed 26 5:30- 8:30
"A Midsummer Night's Dream!"
there will be free food and even a fashion show

till next time friends be safe and make memories.

a typical weekend

So ready for this weekend to be here. I get excited over anything. Work has made it too unbearable to be there. Walking out the doors will feel literally like having a huge amount of weight off my shoulders. Then I think about how hard it will be to start over and wanting to help provide for my little family, wanting it to grow won't allow me to just walk away and never look back. So when that time clock hits end of shift I'm too tired to run out of the doors. I have gotten better at walking faster. I like to think I live another life when I am not at work. I turn into this other person. So when I say I'm so ready for this weekend I am.

"Heart Song"

If you would like to join us. We will be at Converge Artist Workplace tomorrow Friday 02/08/2013 for The Love You To death Art Show starts at 7pm. This show continues onto Saturday 02/09/2013.

Heather also has a piece for one night only 02/09/2013 at Kettle Art for The Love Of Kettle starts at 7pm.


"Strings"

Both are free events. Swing by and check out the artwork. Heather has accomplished more than I could have expected. As long as I have known her she has always been my artist but others have just seen her work in the last two years.

A while back when we saw the movie about the true lives of Julie and Julia I vowed to buy her cookbook and try a recipe I have yet to do that. In the meantime we have decided to let Susan Nicely as Julia child cook for us. This I could not have imagined so we will see how interesting this will be.

Sunday there will be a Mardi Gras Parade in Oak Cliff. Yes Oak Cliff knows how to throw one heck of a party so you might want to check that out.

So even if work can be just a tad too crazy I look forward to what I make my life exciting. We are into February already and have only done one thing for this new year that I had mentioned. I have a list I need to start crossing them off.

Want to say thank you to friends and family for voting my photo in the Nasher Sculpture Center Contest. Thank you for taking the time to check it out.

Onto the next adventures.......