I Gave it Away

There are some moments in life where you have to chose between good and evil.
Speaking up or keeping quiet.
Sacrificing for the better or settling for the worse.
These moments can be really hard. And troubling.
I know we have all faced them, whether with people, circumstances or events and we all have chosen one or the other.

As I get older, I realize the importance of people's characteritics and how they play a key role in my life.

And a big one is T R U S T.

If you can't trust someone, there is no solid ground, no foundation to really base the relationship off of. You can pretend it is there, but a day will come when you realize it is hurting both of you.

T R U S T is hard.

How many people with the exception of your family do you trust with your whole heart?
It takes a lot to earn my trust. And when that trust gets broken, it breaks my o'l heart, too.
I believe there are two kinds of people.
People who you have to earn the trust from gradually
and
People who you trust until they give you a reason not too.
I tend to fall into that second catagory.

But isn't it wonderful to know you have some people in your life that you trust completely?
Like your Dad, my kids, your peeps, your sisters and sometimes that special guy in your life?

Then there is L O Y A L T Y.

Being loyal is HUGE to me.
I love knowing that I have sooo many loyal friends and family who have my back always. I admire people who are so loyal to their friends and family, that never a harsh word is spoken. I admire relationships where the loyalty is so strong that you are never alone because you will always have that person. And I am especially lucky, because I have some amazingly loyal friends and family.

So my dear ones, look for these qualities in others and in yourself. And if you find them, consider yourself lucky. They are out there, I know, I've met a few of the good ones in my travels. Even some that were solid gold.

Sometimes even when surrounded by these gems, we are faced with things that seem more than we can handle, but even during those times, when I feel I am facing something all alone, I STILL know who am, I know what I've done, I know my truths, and I know I don't need to PROVE myself to anyone because.... guess what......the Man Upstairs knows ALL of that too.

He, I and the Universe had a mightly long talk recently and I've decided to hand it all off to them, because I know I've done all I can and its time to let it go. What will be, will be....and I am at peace with that cuz it's time for a "cool change"........

M E X I C O

Mr. Moto and I went to the Mayan Riviera, it's just an hour south of Cancun. We stayed at an amazing all inclusive resort in the jungle on the caribbean. I think I laughed more in a week than I have in months. Neither one of us speaks a lick of spanish which only added to the entertainment. It took us 5 days until we finally figured out how to get back to our building the correct way. I cannot tell you how many times we got lost trying to find our way back to our room. This resort had 7 restaurants, 3 swimming pools, including a swim up bar, a private beach, a disco, a sports bar (no motorcross, poor Andy) though he did catch a few minutes of it in spanish at one point....and cool paths in the jungle to explore. This all inclusive trip included airfare, bus from Cancun to resort and back to airport, all meals 24/7, and alcohol. Yes I said alcohol. I have never been anywhere where the alcohol was free. 7 days of Corona's and Margaritas and beaches and hammocks and monkees, oh my.

Mas Mexico

Here is what the paths looked like at the resort. We were in Building 21. Our first day we ended up at a time share. We went because we wanted the 2 free Tickets to Xcaret, a real cool water park next to our resort. We ended up with 2 free tickets, a beach bag, a t-shirt and a bottle of Kahlua (which was confiscated at the Cancun airport). By the time, the time share people got done with us, they had dropped the price significantly and offered us two weeks in Costa Rica to join. They asked Mr. Moto what he thought and he said....."I'd rather go jump in that pool outside".
We used our free tickets to go to the Xcaret park. I have never walked so much in my life. My blisters had blisters. The humidity was insane. My hair became 4 inches shorter and 4 inches wider. I looked like Bozo the Clown. Thank goodness for hair clips. I took a million outfits but lived in flipflops, a bikini, and a sarong.
There was a stow-away. Ever since Troy got his passport, there has been no stopping him.
We loved the Chel-Ha park. Thats where discovered "Hammock Island". As you can see, we spent a lot of time there.

First time we went to an ATM, we asked for $100 and they gave us $100 pesos. We couldn't stop laughing, we had no idea what the heck a hundred pesos was worth. We bought a $9.00 bottle of hair conditioner and got just a little change back. So that's what $100 pesos will buy.

We got to know the staff real well at the resort, one fella in particular named Sergio. One day during one of our many conversations, Sergio says .. "Are you two married"? Nope we replied. More conversation passed. Then Sergio says "Do you two live together". Nope, we replied in unison.

More conversation passed. Then Sergio asked " Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?" And I said "we are just dating" and "this is a 7 day date". There was dead silence.....and then Sergio exclaimed.... "NO WONDER YOU BOTH LOOK SO HAPPY"!! PRICELESS, ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS. Something to be said for the single life!!

Here's Mr. Moto wondering how he can extend this vacation........hmmm.

They found their Star.....

First there were 24 semi-finalists who performed last night at the Clark Center. Approximately 600 guests filled the theatre, and saw some incredible talent. And then there were 10 finalists, and then there were 3. The crowd had found their favorite.

Chelsea performed "Maybe this Time" by Liza Minelli from Caberet. She was on her last verse and my heart was beating out of my chest, her voice was becoming more and more powerful as she worked towards those final HUGE 3 notes.......I overheard my Dad say "I can't even breathe" and then she delivered them. As she hit that last note, the crowd screamed and began applauding madly before she could even finish. You couldn' t even hear her last note completely over the applause. She stood in front of the mike stand and raised her outstretched hands as she belted out those last three notes. She nailed it and she knew it. She was in her element at that moment and had the crowd in the palm of hand. The last 5 words of that song were "maybe this time, I'll win". And then I felt the warm tears roll down my cheeks......that was my baby girl up there, living her dream.

There were five judges, and one that was especially important to Chelsea. He was the casting director of the PCPA (Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts). He was blown away. He told Chelsea that in his role of a casting director, that on the rare occasion that they discover her type of talent, they base their plays around her kind of talent, not the talent to fit the play and she was one of those rare finds. After those words and several more glowing accolades, I don't think Chelsea heard anything after that. She was on cloud 9. She basically had just had her own private audition with the conservatory she had hoped to apply with next January. It doesn't get any better than that.

Chelsea was awarded 3rd place. First place went to an amazing woman who sang her own material and played the guitar, 2nd went to a young man who played piano and does Irish dancing (like River dance). Chelsea was beaming, and we were all so proud.

What a night, what an incredible night. I am still tingling. As soon as I receive the DVD, I will post Chelsea's performance so you too can have goosebumps...

Oh and P.S. American Idol is taking on line auditions this year and Chel plans to try out....

Hola, I'm baaaaaack!

Complete with a monkey on my back!

Lots to share. Had an incredible time in the Maya Riviera.

Post real soon.

Stand by.

P.S. I love you

I can not tell you how much it warms my heart, the response I have had about this blog and the fact it is now going private. It will take a few days until that happens.

Thank you so much for all your emails, the texts, and the phone calls of concern. Please rest assured that you will all have access and I will continue writing. You have no idea how much it has meant to me.

Time for a group hug.
.
Now go out there and be good to one another.

Smooches,

Trace

Sadly, this blog now needs to go private.

It has come to my attention, that there are some unwelcome eyeballs viewing this blog.
That will now cease.

To the remainder of you who I love and adore, you can continuing enjoying the blog by writing me at tupwarelady@msn.com and I will give you the permission you need to continue viewing.

Shame on you.

GOOOOOOSE BUMPS AGAIN

SHE MADE IT

TO THE SEMIFINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!

The song you are hearing now is what she will sing (with a band) if she makes the top 3.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH - 7:00 pm

Clark Center - Arroyo Grande

Tickets on Sale at http://www.clarkcenter.org/

Driving Miss Chelsea

Someone got her learner's permit a few weeks ago, even did the "happy dance" right there at the DMV. She's now driving me............everywhere.

I love the way when she gets in the car that it takes 5 minutes before we leave the driveway. Checks all the mirrors, adjusts the seat and then plans her exit out of our 15 foot driveway. It's like planning for the space shuttle launch.

I have already worn a hole in the passenger's side of the car where the imaginary brake is.

Chelsea started her Senior year at high school yesterday and yes she drove us to school. So strange to be the passenger now, seems like just yesterday I was driving my baby girl to kindergarten. Ok and yes there was a tear, maybe even two.

Last Saturday, Chelsea auditioned at the Clark Center for a shot at this competition. They called her name and she disappeared into a studio while I waited in the lobby. And then I heard her. Clear out in the lobby, I could hear her sing. It was the very end of the song, the part where she gives it her all. She came out grinning and said, "I think it went well, Mom, they said I gave them goosebumps".

They weren't the only ones.

They will announce the results this weekend.

The show will be Saturday, September 18th.

Stay tuned....more goosebumps forthcoming.

Life can sometimes be like a rollercoaster ride. And I'm on the ride of my life. There are ups and downs, and dips and curves. Moments that take your breath away and times where you can barely hold on.
If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, "I wish I had your life", I'd have lots of mula! But, I just want to set the record straight here and now. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. I have my moments, believe me, it is not always a bed of roses. I just don't tell you about the thorns! I have disappointments and heartache too. In fact, I am having a very difficult week folks, even had myself my very own pity party. Didn't you get the invite ?
But do you know what I do when I get blue? I don his Fedora, blast his music, and DANCE, baby, DANCE! Complete with spins and the moonwalk! And then all is right with the world. I know you are tapping your foot to the beat right now. Get up and join me. I'll even bet you Never, Neverland you will! Try it sometime. You'll see.

Two Tickets to Paradise

As we survived our first ROAD TRIP together, it is time to take one by AIR!

Somewhere WARM, with white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and waterfalls to explore.

Perhaps an all inclusive resort, where one only needs passports and flipflops?

And we leave in 17 days, but hey, who's counting?

Viva!

Our View

A picture can paint a thousand words or toes for that matter.

I will say that view of the snow covered mountains while laying on the beach in 90 degree weather was unreal......oh and by the way playing "footsies" wasn't so bad either!

.

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Mr. Moto & I at June Lake, July 2010

Almost

Tonight about 10:30, I went out the front door to set out the trash cans. Wow, smells like a fire out here. Perhaps a BBQ next door? Awful late, though. Go back inside and shut the door but the smell is really strong and really close, so I go back outside on my porch. Smells like a campfire, walk to the front yard and look. Nothing. Where is that damn fire smell coming from? It's getting stronger. Go back on my porch, smell is overbearing. Is it electrical? Is there a fire between the walls in my house? Just happened to glance down to my wine barrel planter and OMG, Holy Mother of Pearl, my planter is on FIRE!!!
Apparently, my room mate who only smokes outside put her cigarette out in the dirt of the planter. HOWEVER, the dead crispy roots where there were once flowers are buried in that dirt and when she snuffed out the cig, it ignited the dry crispy roots below and then they smoldered up to the surface and caught fire. Thank goodness, it was trash day tomorrow o r I would never have been gone outside. The wooden half barrel lays flush against my house surrounded by wicker furniture. I shudder to think what could have happened after we had gone to sleep. Luckily we were able to put it out ourselves. She feels horrible and can't stop apologizing. My guardian angel was definitely looking out for me today. Never a dull moment around here, folks! Good night!

Weekly Wrap Up

Monday brought insomnia and the loss of my ATM card.

Tuesday brought an awesome day spent with Miss Rona in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Amazing how you can thrive on no sleep, drive to and from LA and put in a twelve hour day without batting an eye. Oh, but there were a few yawns, 9 gallons of coffee and a pair of toothpicks that propped my eyes open.

Wednesday brought opening night of Chelsea's play, Fiddler on the Roof and the a trip to Santa Barbara's Fiesta to see Jeffrey Perez perform as MJ at the El Mercado.

Thursday night brought the Huey Lewis and the News concert at the Casino. They still got it!

Friday night brought the Fiesta RODEO complete with ice cold beer and

kettle corn for dinner. Thanks Mr. Moto for the fun date! Loved the mutton busting, bull riding and the clowns.

Saturday began with a visit at my home from Jeffrey Perez. I loved the look on
Chelsea's face when she him come thru the door looking like Michael Jackson. He was kind enough to teach Chelsea a few dance steps from Thriller. Next off to a Fundraiser for the Rona Barrett Foundation at the beautiful Sunstone Winery, complete with great music, weather and food. Especially the caprese, those yummy morsels on a stick. I could have eaten a hundred of those. Then off to closing night of Chelsea's Fiddler on the Roof Play where she performed as Fruma Sarah, the dead wife who comes back to life in a dream and sings an incredible number. She gave me goosebumps during that song. I'm her Mom and I am still in awe every time I see her perform.

Sunday - now isn't that supposed to be a day of rest?

Counting Sheep

I don't know about you, but lately I have had the worst case of insomnia. Monday night was insane. Went to bed about 12:30, still awake at 1:30. Tried reading, warm milk, infommercials, and even blogging. Nothing worked. It is now 2:30....what to do...can't seem to turn my mind off. Could it be that there are 2 full moons this month? Hmmm, maybe I could listen to a nice, calm CD. Get up and start the search, only to find "Greatest Hits from the 70's", "Bad Boy Ballads" and "Three Dog Night's Greatest Hits" stuffed in my nightstand. Geez, am I stuck in the 70's or what. But now I remember Chelsea used to have some CD's that she would drift off to sleep with. It is now 3:15 and I am on my hands and knees rummaging thru Chelsea' s CD collection. Ahhhh, at last a CD titled "Dream Scape". Happily I climb back in bed, load the CD in my lap top and wait for Mr. Sandman. I glance one last time at the clock, 4:15. Wonderful, I leave in 3 hours to drive Miss Rona to LA. At last my eyes feel heavy, I'm beginning to drift away, feeling warm and fuzzy, being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves gently washing up on shore, the sound of an occasional seagull and then sudden silence. My lap top just died. No problem, I'll just plug in the power cord..............but wait, where is the cord? Rip my bedroom apart only to remember it's in my car, downstairs out on the driveway in the dark where the boogeyman lives. Oh hell with it. What's on my mind you say? If I told you, your brain would explode. Oh look, the sun is coming up now. Lovely........sweet dreams everyone.

A note from above

Dear Patty, Larry & Philip family,

I just wanted to let you know that I made it home safely. The journey wasn't an easy one, but it didn't take very long. Everything is so pretty here, sky so blue, such green grass to romp thru and blue lakes to swim in. Tell the grandbabies, I'll be watching for their balloons. I wish that you could close your eyes and see it too. Please try not to be sad for me.

I had a wonderful life with you. Please know that God is taking very good care of me and I am with all the others who went before me including J.D. :) Here there is no sadness, no sorrow and no pain. Here there is no crying and I will never hurt again. Here it is so peaceful where all the angels sing.
I really have to go now........ I've got to try on my wings.
. .
Twas' heaven here on earth with you.

Love you all -

Kodi
(age 14)

Troy Boot Camp

Came home the other day, only to find Troy running up and down the stairs, just like the scene from the Rocky movie.



Apparently someone is just a little intimidated by the new man in my life.
There were lots of push ups, even the hand clapping kind.

I then found him in the kitchen, doing pull ups from my cookbook holder.

But then defeat.....it's ok Boy Toy Troy, you are still the man!

Road Trip - Day 2 & 3 - Silver Lake

Day 2 brought us to this

darling cabin at Silver Lake. This is just off of Hwy 395, 50 miles past Bishop and right next to June Lake. While driving to the cabin we passed this awesome waterfall and planned a hike to the falls. The first part of the hike was great, mostly flat and somewhat rocky, and thanks to the 9 gallons of mosquito spray I was wearing, the bloodsuckers left us alone. It wasn't until about three quarters up the trail as I was stepping over some rocks, I saw it. IT being a SNAKE. (I always remember my brother-in-law Jim saying, watch where you step when you hike) good advice as I caught sight of it just as I was bringing my foot down, just inches away. I calmly screamed "SNAKE" (as calmly as one can scream) to Andy who was just a few steps ahead of me and then I backed away.....SLOWLY. We both just stared at it for a moment, Andy on one side of it and me on the other. It wasn't a rattlesnake, that much I knew. It was completely brown in color and that's when Andy says "its a black mamba". Very funny Mr. Moto! It remained completely still, so I took my chances and lept over the thing. I'm sure I could have walked on water at that point. My eyes then never left the ground after that. We are now at over 7000 feet elevation and I am becoming winded, exhausted from my snake watching and the sudden steepness of the trail. Mr. Moto of course is bounding up the trail. Note to self - never hike with someone who works out, trains and rides motorcross, you are way out of your league. But he was a real trooper and waited patiently. We finally made it to the waterfall and it was well worth it.

The cabin where we stayed was awesome tucked among the trees with a view of the lake and no connection to the outside world. No internet, no TV, no cell phone, no radio.....just crickets and moonlight. And oh yes, I even had candlelight because someone, we won't mention his name, thought to pack a candle. Cause that's how he is..

....Some kind of wonderful.

Day One of Road Trip

On a sunny Thursday morning, Mr. Moto and I begin our trip. His white chariot whisks me away from palm trees on the coast, to

the red rock in the desert and then up Hwy 395 to beautiful June Lake. At every gas station, we bought lotto tickets, maybe that way our vacation would never have to end. In the quaint town of Bishop, we picked up some yummy sandwiches, and then Mr . Moto pulls off on a country road and parks by a stream in the shade. He jumps out, drops the tail gate and there we sat, legs a swinging, enjoying lunch. This is the first trip in my life, that I have not had to make all the arrangements. He made all the plans - all I had to do was be the passenger and relax.

.

Life is good and that's only day one.

.

P.S. And he doesn't make my palms sweat, when he drives.........inside joke.