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!

In the Spirit…Merry Christmas

Just a few snapshots to "feel" the spirit of Christmas for the children.

You may recall this Christmas I sent out in '07…

It was just one of those priceless snapshots that turned into the best annual Christmas card.

Over the years I have had a lot of stress during the Holidays. One year I found myself driving around on Christmas Eve trying to find a tree I could afford. Another year, late Christmas Eve shopping at Wal-Mart with a gazillion other parents with some found cash to spend.
Some years I had to sell gold for cash…but as a young child, my daughter never knew.

And no matter how few presents she had from me, Santa ALWAYS took care of her.

Tis the Holiday Season...

Who am I kidding…it's the CHRISTMAS season!
I am quite frankly tired of being politically correct…'scuze me but what politician tells me what to say about any given holiday?

A lot has been going on…outside of my home and blog, of course.
Still dealing with mom's health issues, although she is better. Just a few setbacks here and there.
My camera and laptop are not communicating still! This has been a struggle for me.
I am mentally exhausted from the "day" job…not that it's bad, just draining.

I did want to take a moment to wish all of my followers a very Merry Christmas and a joyous, healthy New Year. I appreciate all the comments you have left over the past year, whether it be cracking a joke (love those at my expense) or a compliment on a piece of artwork. I know the art isn't published as often as I would like…some nites it's all I can do to get through the (totally illegal, but I didn't do it) DVD of the latest Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 ! (oy vey, I'm head over heels about cold, hard and sparkly things!)

Meanwhile back at the business side…here is the latest and greatest special from Close To My Heart!

From NOW until Jan. 31st, when you place a $25 minimum order from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book, you get TWO valuable new products for just $15: the My Creations Collage Cubes  and the EXCLUSIVE "Rock the Block" E-size stamp set (available only during this promotion and a $29.95 value). 
That's over a $45 value for only $15 bucks!

I recently received mine and can't wait to make a sample to show off here (after the current project I'm working on…)
And with the Rockin' Stamp of the Month promotion, don't forget that if you spend $50, you also qualify for the awesome December Stamp of the Month set (Mad About You) for only $5 !!!! 

December Blog Hop-Roxie

Happy December! What?! Did someone say DECEMBER?! Don't even get me started on how the months have just (pa-chew) flown by!

If you have arrived from Pam's Blog you're on the right hop!
This month we are featuring the Roxie Paper Kit. I love this kit and have made many projects with it. The great thing about these papers is they just go so well with any theme, whether girlie-girlie, fun and funky or masculine. You just can't go wrong with Roxie!

Since I was outta mah mind last month and couldn't cough up any samples for the Believe Hop,you will benefit now with multiple Roxie projects! 

Lucky you!(or ehm…maybe not depending on if you like them or not!)

Favorite peeps from High School and our first (of many) get together in 30 years!

Someone really had to talk me out of this one… some co-workers bought it from me for their Sup…and I really like her, so it wasn't too hard to let go…

THIS was a super something special from my trip to Anaheim for our Annual Convention.

Each year, I'm able to go is more special than the last…and as you can see, we were ALL smiles!

Using the Memory Cube Game (nim-nut name) but it can be many things…12 days of Christmas, chore charts, etc.

I took that up a notch:

Please continue your "hoppin'" and bounce on over to Connie's Blog!

Don't forget to hop on over to my website to order any of these fabulous products!

Stay Tuned...

Until THIS has run the course and is imbedded in my brain…

I will be an absent blogger!

To All of Our Veterans…Near/Far, Fallen/Here, Still Serving/Last Tour

I salute you.
I thank you.
I am eternally grateful.
I hold your families close to my heart.
I can say, pray and do as I please because of your sacrifices.

Rock-it-Babeeee!

Get ready to Rock the Block with our fabulous December/January Constant Campaign! Place a minimum order of $25 from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book and get two new products for just $15: the My Creations® Collage Cubes (a Spring/Summer 2012 sneak-peek product!) and the exclusive My Acrylix® Rock the Block E-size stamp set (available only during this promotion). That’s a retail savings of almost $30! You’re going to love how the collage cubes and the Rock the Block stamp set work together for interactive, 3-D fun; it’s a perfect way to celebrate National Papercrafting Month in January! More details and samples coming soon!