black fabric

This past weekend we went to Denton to check out an exhibit dedicated to coffins. Weird I know. How the coffins are used. The many ways to bury someone. We like to feed our brains with knowledge be it what it is. Found out some things that wanted to share with you.

Back in 1998 my moms father died and at the funeral I took some pictures. It sounds crazy I know. I had never taken any pictures of lost loved ones but my mom asked me to. I thought to myself why would my mom want me to do this? Well it was the man that had raised her and she loved him as a father so I figured to be her last memories of him. Later I had to keep the photos from her because she would fall into such sadness that I felt it was best that she didn't remember in pictures. As the years passed by I didn't see this at funerals but then Heathers grandfather died and I cared for him that I wanted to take pictures of his last stay here on earth so I did. I thought no one would know this feeling, I had to try to keep the very last memories of him. I could keep him in photo form. I didn't share these pictures with anyone else but I knew then why my mother wanted me to take some of her father.

covering a mirror

Now a days a funeral is blasted on cyber world like crazy. I think it's something private. Something shared only for the intimate. This leads me to what we learned. Back in the earlier years people would take pictures with the family member that had just passed. For example if my brother died today I would have him sitting in a chair and me and the family would sit next to him for one last picture. If my great aunt died today I would have her dressed laying up in bed with her eyes open and us sit next to her on the bed for one last picture. If a mother had three children and one died she would have her two living children sit next to her passed child and take a picture together. This was very normal. If it was normal then what happen to today? It would be considered taboo. A story that was shared with us by the guide that day was that a soldier was at war. Back home his wife was ready to give birth when she lost her baby. The soldier was able to come home for the loss of his child. While the family waited for him to arrive they had someway preserved the baby. They preserved the baby so that when he did arrive he could hold his baby and a photographer would take the one photo of father holding his child. The one memory that he and the family would have. Some would say creepy while others would look at it to be something sad and beautiful. 


wreath made out of hair

preparing the body

One thing that I noticed was that when the families took pictures with the deceased person they were not smiling but had sorrow in their faces the reason I say this is because I have seen pictures of family at funerals smiling. I think that they don't realize that they are at a funeral and the thought of a camera shot made them smile.

When someone passed the body would be placed at their home all the mirrors would be covered with black fabric. Superstitions would be so that their souls wouldn't get lost in another realm. We use flowers today for the beauty of decorating the space where they will be seen last or put to rest but back then it was used to cover the smell of the body. Back then they would have the undertaker come to the home to perform the embalming. The body would stay there for some days so they had to find a away to cover the smells. It sounds gross but that is natural when you die. We have come along way with the way this technique is used. Things that would be kept from the deceased would be locks of hair or something of very importance. Today would be money or objects of affection. An object from the exhibit was a wreath made out of human hair. The lady that had done this had collected years of hair and had turned it into a wreath to preserve as a family heirloom. Another thing that was significant was that at the time the person was pronounced dead the clocks in the home would be stopped. When you would come visit the family you would know the time of death. Wicker caskets were used as body bags.


wicker coffin

I filled my brain with knowledge that might help me see how it would be when I die. People don't really talk about death don't sit around a group of people and talk about it over drinks. I know I hadn't but now that I'm getting older that is always on my mind. One day you are here the next moment you don't know what happened. I believe in when I say  " if I die today will you care tomorrow". The reason I say this is because if you didn't take the moment to speak to me yesterday, and I died today why care about me tomorrow. When I pass only the very few will know.

Will you take pictures?  There was more meaning to the way someone was remembered back then than today.  However you decide to honor your loved one make it you not of what others might think. If you decide not to wear black don't do it. A funeral should be a celebration of a loved one that lived his or her life here on earth the way it was intended to be. A gathering of stories of the celebration of the life lived.

They have moved on to the next level because does it ever end?

1313 mockingbird lane

This past Saturday we had an adventure that could date back to black and white. The Munster Mansion was awesome. We arrived late around 9pm and waited in line for about an hour and a half. They would let only twelve people at a time. Only two groups were allowed inside the house at once. Outdoor activities took place and characters in costume entertained us. The question I had asked was the tour worth it. People replied with "yes it is awesome."

I learned about the mansion three years ago. I learned that they had opened their home to the public in 2002 and have dedicated to one weekend in October to showing their home. Everything you see from the characters, food, games, prizes are donated. Everything made this weekend goes to a special charity which is the SPCA of Ellis County. I was like a kid when they let us go ahead of a group. They opened that door and you could see the dragon under the stairs. The house was just unbelievable. They have made friends with people that have helped them make this possible. Some were original props from the show to some were made to be replicas. Every year you never know what will be an original. My favorite room was Eddie's. From the huge human size birdcage to the secret passage way. They live in the home the way it is dressed on the show. From the beds to the dinning room. They even had a fridge made to be identical to the show. They had the phone booth in a coffin. Lily (Sandra Mckee) even had dresses that were made to look like the originals. One was made out of the fabric from a coffin. It was just out of this world. We couldn't take pictures on the inside but some people were being sneaky in doing so. I just didn't want to get thrown out. I got the opportunity to ask Lily (Sandra) what made all this possible? If she is a fan? She laughed and told me that it started from a joke and it grew. They built the house from ground up. Someone asked a tour guide what their profession was. I bet everyone was thinking it. You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Lily and Herman (Charles Mckee) are some of the nicest people that I have dealt with in a long time. We plan on going back but it won't be till five years from now. I want to see how much it has changed. Lily (Sandra) never met the real Lily (Yvonne De Carlo) but got the opportunity to talk to her over the phone before she died. They have a room filled with memorabilia. People all over have sent them items for their collection. Talk about fans. The tours started at seven there wasn't a wait in line then but I have to say my wait was well worth it. If you grew up watching the Munsters you have got to check this place out. Kids went to accompany their parents but couldn't understand why the house was the way it was.

Walked to the living room then the kitchen I asked the guide do they move the objects to keep them safe? The guide said no the way you see it is the way they live. The kitchen had permanent spider webs and the dust and fog were an every day look. Then we walked upstairs to the bedrooms. Herman and Lily's first, then Marylin, then Grandpa's, then Eddie's. The secret passage way from Eddie's room took us back downstairs to the memorabilia room, then an antique room and the one room in that house that looks normal. The normal room led us believe to be just a relaxing room where Herman keeps his guitars.

If you didn't get an opportunity to go this year there will be next year. It's a must see attraction.

If they made this home their mansion ....what is your passion?

episodes

I haven't been able to write in awhile or to tell you of my adventures. I would like to say that one day I'm in Mexico and the next back what I call home. Mexico is where my parents grew up, met, feel in love, and married. Mexico is a part of me. I'd like to believe it to be a fairy tell. They've had so many obstacles and when I hear stories they have me thinking I wouldn't be who I am today if it not for them. I would have wanted to be a better person but things happen. I can actually say that things have happen in my life that can not possibly happen to someone else. So I say don't judge me because you don't know where I've been or where I come from. What you see is what you get. My life consists of my soul mate Heather, my parents, my sisters, my nieces, nephews and my in laws. The word in laws is just horrible so my family sounds better. The very few good friends I have make up a part of my life.

jealousy turns into hate and hate makes you do things that will blow your mind.

i live my life not thinking of looking over my shoulder for my enemies but they are there.

the devil finds ways to bring you down always. it's a continuing battle.

you stand there looking and without realizing it, it attacks. you scream because you didn't see it coming. the next thing you know to do is shield. not realizing how lucky you are that god made it seem less painful and harmless as it could have been. i cried out of anger....... not from pain.

teeth marks from a dog in Mexico
yes i was told he had his shots.

just a chapter in my life and I'll be ready for future ones.

munster mansion

The quest to find the famous Munster Mansion. A while back I came upon a read that stated that this house exists here in Texas. I was thinking could this be possible. I searched and found out it's closer than I thought. For three years now I've managed to search for the correct address and with the help of my lovely lady we went on our quest. We almost gave up. It is on a major farm road in Waxahachie, Texas but it's driveway is covered by trees so it makes it hard to find. We parked the car on the road and we walked to it. I got that silly feeling of omg it does exist.

They tell you in advance that you are not allowed to cross the gate but it's tempting when it's wide open. So we honor their wishes. They have dedicated to transforming their home into the Munster Mansion (stands on 5,000 square feet) both inside and out. 1313 mockingbird lane is written on their gates entrance but there physical address is a mystery. Besides being known as having a replica house of the TV show the Munsters they (Sandra and Charles McKee) like to live a private life.

We visited the outside of the mansion in July and couldn't wait til October to actually see it from inside. The family holds an annual fundraiser one weekend in October that benefits the Ellis County SPCA. They love our furry animals so all proceeds benefit will go to them. You can buy tickets to tour the home this one weekend and they have what I would call carnival activities outside their home to fit the Halloween theme. Anyone can dress in costume. Tickets for adults go for $20 dollars and tickets for kids under 12 are $12 dollars.

These are some of the activities
Food
Kid's Costume Contest with prizes
Midway Games
Face Painting
Bounce House

I have waited long enough to see this home hope that this year I can cross it off my bucket list. I hear that Eddie Munster will be there this year. We lost grandpa Munster.

If you decide to go this is where you will meet the shuttle that will take you to the Mansion.
Munster Mansion
2401 Brown Street
Waxahachie TX, 75165.

the dates are October 19 - 20

cindy marie

This past Friday we got to hang out with what I like to call our older group of girls. We get together when we can and we go have some laughs. I don't discriminate against age. It was going to be extra exciting for me. You see Cindy has a boat and we were going to be the few lucky that are able to try it for the first time. Heather grew up around boats. I didn't know she knew how to drive one. I should have since both sides of her family love the open waters.

It was my first time to ever set foot on one. We ate at the restaurant on the lake called "The Oasis on Joe Pool Lake". It has a good vibe. They have bands play out there on the deck. The atmosphere was nice and cool. Its a good place to relax and sit back. I wouldn't recommend the food.

When we finished we walked over to Cindy's boat. The boat her husband help name the "Cindy Marie" I wonder where that name came from? We had drinks, it was relaxing something out of the norm. To me every little thing I turn and make it big. Did you know that you can also rent boats out here per hour? This information is good to know,  I told heather. The problem is whether you want it to be the two of you or a group. It's always hard to get a group because someone forgets to chip in.

We played truth or dare. Yes us playing truth or dare. I guess this game never gets to old. Being third to young that night I don't recall playing this game. I was always just dared to do things. One question that was asked was," did I ever have an embarrassing moment?" I don't remember being embarrassed. I was just always getting my feelings hurt. I'm not a shy person and don't really get in situations were I get embarrassed.  It was a tough question.

I'm going to share the story I shared that night. When I was in the sixth grade I had just gotten a brand new pair of LA Gear shoes. We lived in oak cliff and my mami had a chicken coop in our back yard. Our back yard was huge. I loved that house. We had chores to do after school like make sure the chickens had water and food. One day I came home from school and went straight to the chickens. I didn't change my clothes or shoes. Wanted to make sure the sooner I did it the better. I went to a junior high school that was known as a bad school. You would say the name and people just gave you that look. I remember that fights between races. I was a lucky one. I made friends no mater the color of their skin.

The next day I went to school. There was an odor in our class room. All the kids even me just brushed it off. As the day progressed the odor grew. We started pointing fingers to each other thinking it was the other person. We had two hours left to go when I realized it was me. You see since I didn't take off my shoes the day before I had managed to step in some chicken poop. I was what you call devastated. I went to the bathroom tried to clean it off. Took my shoes off and tried to rinse them but it helped a little. When I went back to class I now knew that everyone in the class room knew the smell was coming from me. I will never forget the moment when we had to stand in line to exit the class to exit the school when the kid in front of me turned to the kid behind me and did the most sweetest thing. They both said that if anyone opened their mouth to say something or made a bad gesture they were going to regret it.  All I remember is that they were both black kids and they were like my bodyguards. I never wore those shoes again for school. I had used my brand new shoes to now tend to the chickens.



We shared things on that boat that we will probably not talk about again. Sometimes I get surprised by the adventures we endure everyday by the people we meet. They help me form my path in life. You may learn the good with the bad. It's what you make of it. I choose to give everyone a chance I don't discriminate.

Friends if you ever get the opportunity to do something out of the norm go for it you will be surprised what comes out of that experience.

I loved sipping on some wine that chilly night on the Cindy Marie with my older group of girls. When the night is over it's back to our regular routine.

mustaches

A big and important part of my life is Heather (my babe). I support all that she does. Whether small or big. You see she is full of so much creativity. She is good at anything she sets her mind to and I'm here to give her that push. Just recently she started to show others what she had been doing all this time. My life would not have been what it is today had I not met her. Who is to say I would even be here writing this blog if it not for her.

This past Saturday we participated in the 4th Annual Main St Event in Irving, Texas. It's actually our second time what I like to call setting up shop. Heather is really shy so she wasn't that crazy about it but me on the other hand was excited. We don't like to do this for the simple fact that we are always on the other side of the booth. We like to go to the festivals and see what we find. We have fun doing this one especially because it's in a city we know well. Heather gets to show a totally different crowd of people the things she loves to do. She makes jewelry and small paintings to sell. Love the reactions from people when they stop to look. It's different every time.


small staches on wood

pearl , shell , and wood necklaces.

This year her knew project was to make mustaches. Why you ask? People actually did ask. Well because it's something new and people are crazy about mustaches. Aren't you? I mean if you don't consider a mustache an art then why does a male even think about shaping it and making sure it looks good on his face. This is where the famous phrase of the day was introduced to us :

I mustache you a question?
But I will have to shave it for later.

Love the family that stick it out with us. Love the company and friends that stop to say hi. I'm sorry for the friends that find out a little to late to attend but I just know that we will probably do this again. This will probably be the one thing that we will continue to do till we get old or heather takes a break.

We are already coming up with ideas for next year. I can't contribute much but support. Heather is the hands on and the brains to do it. Check out her fan page on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucahroo-Studio/122212734502309




eveything you find here is made by heather

We are sorry if we missed you we were not able to stay to 6pm. We closed shop at 4pm to attend Heathers artist reception for Made In America.

Thank you again until next years Main St Event.

Till then be proud of your mustaches we all have one.

Chihuly

 

I love the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens but you have to be careful when you go. You see we went on a hot, hot day for my birthday in July. Yeah you are probably thinking, Are you crazy? I wanted to go and well I didn't want the heat to stop us from going. There we were with a couple of other crazies trying to enjoy the scenery.

Have been seeing all the advertisements for the Chihuly Exhibit and was waiting patiently the time to check it out.  I want to see it and before you know time flies by and you missed it. We got a good deal buy one get one free ticket. You have to hunt sometimes for deals. If I can save the better. You can also buy parking online half the price as actually paying there. You can bring outside food. We stopped at a racetrack and you better believe we each grabbed the biggest soft drink they had.

When we finally arrived there weren't that many cars.  I don't understand the whole tearing down the Winfrey Point for parking. Winfrey Point is a building set on whiterock next to the arboretum that is used for wedding receptions or just a place to rent out and a field were baseball is played. We only know this because we checked into renting this place for our I Do's. I was loving the looks our tall containers of cold drinks sipping on my straw was getting. Next time we plan to bring a picnic. For you drinkers you can also bring adult beverages. When the weather cools down a little we will try to go back before the chihuly leaves. We want to try the chihuly at night exhibit. That will make the colors bright differently. The Chihuly Exhibit is a new art experience showcasing the most significant works of internationally acclaimed artist  Dale Chihuly. Love the colors and the shapes and sizes of them gets you thinking, How in the world did he make them come together?

The Chihuly Garden and Glass just opened in Seattle, Washington. Another good reason to visit Seattle. 

Make plans to attend the one here in Dallas. Make it a hot sweaty date or a romantic night. Bring the two of you or bring a group. I like the two of us better only because I don't have to annoy anyone when I stop here and there to take pictures.

 

Whatever you decide to do just remember it's here til November 5, 2012.

If you happen to wonder upon our picnic hope I have plenty to pass around.