Heartfelt Farewell…At Last.

Today the world said farewell to a legend…
Etta James.

No, I wasn't there, however a friend from the ol' days was. He went from playing with my BFG in all the hotspots of Sacramento to the streets of LA, around the world with Rod Stewart, Tom Petty and yes, toured At Last with Etta James.
Our friend Jimmy Z was there today…he and the the Roots Band paid tribute as well as…
well, some well knowns. Here is his recap. Unedited.

It's been a busy, sad 2 days with Etta James' viewing last night and her memorial service this morning. Jessica was with me and it was awesome. The whole Roots Band was there and we played At Last and some other Etta songs. 

Rev. Al Sharpton and Maxine Waters did the eulogies. Sharpton nailed it.

Stevie Wonder played piano and sang and then played a harmonica solo that was so incredible. Pristine and flawless.

President Obama sent a heartfelt, poignant letter that Rev. Sharpton read to the crowd.

Christina Aguilerier sang At Last and did her usual heavy handed approach but people seemed to like it.

So good to see Lupe De Leon, Etta's longtime manager. Etta's husband Artis. Meredith from the office.

Sons, Donto and Sametto. All the kids and grandkids.

Pat, Etta's longtime friend and nurse.

Rudy, make up man to the stars and Etta James.

Thelma Jones and Gary Ballen.

But the best part was playing with my brothers in the Etta James Roots Band probably for the last time as a group. And sending Etta off in style. Josh Sklair, Bobby Murray, Dave Mathews, Reggie McBride, Lee Thornburg, Nick Lane, Mike Olmos, Chet...and all the other alumni members in the crowd.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

We love you Etta and you are and will be missed immensely.

As Rev. Sharpton said, " She is irreplaceable."

From one of the local news reports:

"The genius of Etta James is she flipped the script," Sharpton said, alluding to her struggles with addiction, which she eventually overcame.

"She waited until she turned her pain into power," he said, adding that it turned her story away from being a tragic one into one of triumph.

"You beat 'em Etta," Sharpton said in concluding his eulogy. "At last. At last. At last!"

The assembly roared to their feet, and did stand to applaud performances by Wonder and Aguilera, who filled the sanctuary with their voices.

Sneaky Peak...

Why I could wallpaper a house with this paper!

Coming Soon!

I'm Not Hormonal, but I have Hotflashes

I am not hormal, I am not hormonal, it's the HorMONigees or lack thereof..
Whatever it is, it started with the Breast Cancer 11 years ago and I've been flashing, lighting fires, and living with my head in the freezer ever since.


I've also developed the VSP Veinte. Generally most new employees at VSP gain at least 20 pounds.
It could be the cafe on-site with good to love and hate to love foods on demand.
It could be the snack machines with not so good stuff available 24/7.
It could be the Fabulous Cake Day the last day of every month.
It could be the endless Potlucks.


It's most definitely a combination of all of the above. But please add to the fact that we are sedentary in our jobs. Hooked to a phone for 8 hours. Bio breaks acceptable but otherwise that's what we do.


Mind you that my arms and legs are still skinny as a rail, and I could disappear behind most fences,
frontal wise.
Side wise ain't pretty I tell ya.
I've always said I don't make New Year's Resolutions and this year was no different.


It's just coincidence that in this New Year, I've noticed that something touches my legs while sitting and my pants' waistline is touching my rib cage so I have vowed to do something about it.


Just sayin' it out loud. Tap! Tap! is this thing on?


I think it might be gross to document…but then no one is listening…right?

January Blog Hop-Wonderland!

These are a few of my Christmas Cards using this paper pack. You'll notice they may look familiar…and that's because when you hopped over from Vicki's Blog, I CASED them from her! I love her artwork!
So this month we are featuring Wonderland Papers…and since it's been unusually cold here 'n da Hood, it fit!

Yes, those iddy biddy white dots are Liquid Applique!

Here's a project that conceptually, I've been working on for a few weeks. (a few weeks you may be thinking?) Well, yes. An hour commute and a 9 hr day doesn't allow for quick projects too much anymore!
What threw a wrench in the whole project was that the young man in the said photos broke my niece's heart at Christmas. I do not like him. Oh wait…I've never met him. But still. Anyhoot, the whole theme had to change…
I used the concept from CTMH's Idea Book "Magic" called Juggling Act(note snowflakes)
lots of glitter, mini sparkles (sorry had to throw in a MS snowflake punch), Liquid Applique, and a touch of grunge from t!m holtz, too.

You can hop on over to Betsy's Blog for more chillin' artwork!