Shame On You

Shame on you, Conrad Murray.

You knew, you knew everything and still you didn’t stop the madness! You took it further than it had ever been before. You are like all the rest, caught up in the “celebrity” of it all and not in the human who needed to be helped.

And then you taped him, so now the world is left with that horrific memory of his slurred and drugged speech. And even then, you still did nothing. He was your patient, not your meal ticket.

I am sickened beyond words, between the tape recording and the picture on his death bed now etched in our minds, Michael left this world without a shred of dignity. He did not deserve that, nor did his family.
That would N E V E R have happened at Neverland. WE loved him too much. We cared. He wasn't just our boss, he was our friend. We were family.

Thankfully, my last moment with him was a giddy one. There were giggles and laughter coupled with that infectious smile and playfulness. It’s a snapshot moment that still brings a smile to my face….even now thru my tears.

Shame on you.............

I'm Home

Back from Virginia City and Reno and this is what I come home too.

No matter where I go, I always love comin' home to the sunsets on the beach.

Just a Cali girl thru and thru.

Almost there. N on HWY 341 in Nevada now

Now heading N on 395

Follow me ..101 S. now I'm on 14 N. Updates hourly ...

Thanks Eleanor

Eleanor Roosevelt once said "do something every day that scares you", she obviously was never a single woman.

But that got me thinking. Many things that scare me I have no control over. They just happen, I can't stop them, I face them and its done. However, what if I got to pick things that scared me and I overcame my fears? Would I find courage like the Cowardly Lion in Oz? Hmmm.

So over the last few days I decided to try a few things. I leapt down the staircase while in heels and landed it, only to slip on the linoleum in the hallway. I drank expired milk. I ran 3 red lights on the way to work, (ok so I live in Mayberry), but still.

Or maybe I could have walked outside waving one of Dad's golf clubs high in the air during our thunderstorm last Friday, or ignored my jury summons this week or better yet drank a cup of lake water (that one's for you Ashley).....the possibilities are endless.

But after careful consideration, these acts could have rendered me sick, in jail, unemployed, in the hospital or dead. So maybe I should just stick with the daily fears I don't get to chose and be surprised.
I am still gagging over the lake water one.......

Always

We will always remember the Eleventh of September.

That was the day we witnessed hell on earth.
That was the day the world stopped turning.
We are without question, a more fractured nation and we lost our innocence that day.
I visited Ground Zero several years ago.
It was overwhelming. The silence was deafening.
I was surrounded by others , but no words were spoken among us. Just a quiet respect to those victims who had hopes and dreams. To those people who were just trying to go to work and earn a living for their families, just like us.
But we rose from the ashes, I believe stronger and united.
We are kinder and more patriotic.
We didn't sweat the small stuff.
I still can't get thru the Star Spangled Banner without tears and I always take the opportunity to thank a person in uniform with a nod or handshake for their bravery and protection.
But most of all, I want you to hug the one you are with right now and tell them how much you love them ~
Because you can...........

Oh Bummer ~ It's the end of Summer

but we bid farewell with a bang! Spent an incredible weekend at the lake with my peep, Patty and her adorable family. There was boating, jet skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding, paddle boarding and tubing. And yours truly tried the tubing. Now I can take that off my bucket list. Nothing a few Advil didn't cure the next day. Spent lazy hours on the dock and awesome boat rides flying across the lake. Beautiful weather, about 98 degrees and nice cool nights. Pitched a tent on their dock and drifted off to the chorus of chirping crickets, jumping fish and crisp cool breezes. Meet my new life coach, 4 year old Kate. I learned more this weekend from this darlin than any therapist ever. I learned how to wear a life vest as a diaper and float in the lake. While floating in my "diaper" drinking a beer, she adamently asked if I was old enough to have that drink.

I asked her how old she thought I was and she said....wait for it...... sixteen!

While I was applying make-up, she asked if she could use itand I said no, that it was special make-up just for me and she said do you wear that so that you won't ever get old?

If only that would stop the aging............

She asked if I was married and then gave me some firm instructions on that subject too!

Ahhh, from the mouths of babes.

And then there was the fishing from the dock. Check out this catfish! Hours later, it was barbq'd and on our dinner table.And then there was the floating outhouse. The SS something. You fill in the blank.But lastly, there was the beautiful sunrise every morning bringing us a new day filled with laughter, great friends and new memories. Til we meet again........next summer.

Miss Noel

OK Blogland, need your good thoughts and prayers for Miss Noel.
Noel is my sister Gina's golden retriever who was bitten this weekend in the face by a rattlesnake on their property.
Sadly, she may lose her eye, we'll know in the next few days.

Luckily, she had previously been given the rattlesnake vaccine, which played a huge roll in saving her life.
She is home now recuperating.
Hugs to Gina and her family right now and thanks for sending them good thoughts.

Noel is wagging her tail to thank you.

Happy First Month!

The Newlyweds celebrate their one month anniversary

We Are Family

I vaguely remember leading a conga line, however, there are no pictures to prove it.........hmmmm

We Are Family

Another tradition in our family began at one of my weddings....yes there were 2 and I hear the third time will be a charm :)... is my Dad and his tie. We all start the wedding well dressed, in nice dresses and suits, tuxes and shiny shoes, but by the end of the night, its shorts and flipflops. The reception is officially over when Dad ties his tie around his head. Thats our sign.
He drove home that way from my wedding complete with a balloon bouquet tied to the back of his car streaming in the wind.

Chelsea surprised Allan at the reception by belting out one of his favorite songs, "Black Velvet" .

There's one song, that cannot be played at any event without our ENTIRE family getting up and dancing. When that song starts, it doesn't matter where you are....in the bar, in the bathroom, across the room or in a parking lot. When they play OUR song, we hit the floor.

Turn it up some, grab your family and dance!

Sisterhood

Hey Sister, Go Sister, Soul Sister, Flow Sister

Meet my sistas, between us, we total 186 years in age. Yikes....and someone is hitting the half century mark here soon...not me, been there done that, now it's someone else's turn!

It's rare we are ever in the same place at the same time, but thanks to Carly's wedding, it happened. So let me introduce you.

On the left is Joanne, fitting as she is a "leftie"

Next is Gina, also known as "Bean"

me, the Matriarch

and then Teri Ann, the baby, also known as Baba.

I am the oldest, so I blazed the trails for the youngins'.

Gina and Joanne are only 23 months apart

while Teri and I share a 16 year age difference.

Three of us were cheerleaders.

Two of us are divorced.

One of us married her high school sweetheart.

One of us had a set of boy/girl twins

and between us we brought 7 grandchildren into the family.

We all live in sunny California.

One of us lives in a log house.

Two of us drive American cars.

One of us was born in England.

Three of us are blind as bats.

Three of us had braces.

One of us never ever had blond hair.

One is a hair stylist, one is a travel agent

and one has retired from the Air Force.

Four of us however, shared someone really special,

our mum.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.

Carly and Allen

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Out of 1704 pictures, this has to be that one.

Carly and Allen's wedding took place up in the beautiful Santa Ynez mountains. It was a gorgeous summer afternoon, nestled among a canopy of oak trees they exchanged their vows. Carly arrived in a blue and white 1956 Chevy Bel Air, which revved it's engine wildly as she exited the car onto the arm of her father, Bob.

Friends and family were seated on hay bales under the oaks, while two oak wine barrels served as their altar, adorned with two bouquets of long stemmed red roses.

Simple, yet elegant ~ that was their theme.

The minister shared the story of how they met in high school and then parted ways only to meet again many years later by chance at a friend's bbq.

He then told us how he asked both of them separately, prior to the wedding, to share with him what it was about each other that they loved the most.

It was during their vows, that he then shared with each of them what the other had said. They were unaware what the other had said until now. It was absolutely beautiful and heartwarming. So personal and touching. And then a gentle breeze came thru the trees. That's when I felt someone put his hand on mine and that's when the tears began to fall......for everyone.

Even Mr. Moto.

So much joy and love that day,
I will share all the lovely moments with you in snippets

like chapters in a romance novel.

Until then, enjoy the song that Carly walked down the aisle to, covered in red rose petals with her Daddy on her arm.

The Meeting

Funny, the questions I receive on this blog. Last week, someone inquired "where did you meet Mr. Moto"?

Now that's a good story. I dropped in unexpectedly at a peep's home. I ran in thru her back door and into the kitchen which was filled with people. She began to introduce me to everyone. I shook his hand. We exchanged a few words. There was something about his eyes....

I continued meeting the rest of the guests and when I glanced back at him for another look, I caught his eyes doing the same thing....busted dude!

I said my goodbyes and ran out. I remember him yelling goodbye. He then quizzed my peep Patty, about me, who I have known for over 30 years. She has known him 22 years, but amazingly our paths had never crossed at her home until that day in the kitchen. I call that serendipity. He asked her for my number and being the good peep that she is, she called to check with me first for permission. And then he called. That's how it all began, but I knew he would. Sometimes you just know :)

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Hello Darlings,

Yes, I know I have fallen off the blogisphere. But I have my reasons. So now that the planets have realigned, thank heavens for small favors, we can pick up where we left off.

This is a sunflower that is growing thru a tiny crack in the asphalt in a busy Solvang parking lot near my office. When I saw this, I stopped dead in my tracks. How could this be possible in cement? It was leaning toward the sun, swaying gently in the breeze. It stood strong and happy, unnerved by the chaos and noise around it. Where it was growing was not the best of situations, but it did not waiver. It stood proud and happy. It made the best of what it had and it bloomed.

It made me smile, both inside and out. I just stood there and marveled at its determination....how it fought and pushed up thru that cement and grew. And then it hit me.... I am that sunflower and I too am beginning to bloom again.

Remember, we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. Bloom where you are planted my lovlies. I've missed you and will catch you up on the last month, pinky swear soon.

Now if you will excuse me....I have over 1600 wedding photos to sort thru so that I may bring you the highlights on Carla and Allen's awesome wedding....

Happy 4th You All!

Hope you all had a wonderful and safe 4th.



Mr. Moto got a new girlfriend. Her name is Kawasaki. She was born in 2012 and she is a hot 450! We spent Saturday morning at the track with her in the 95 degree weather and then headed to the Beach where it was almost 20 degrees cooler.
That's where we tried a new sport...kayaking. After a few important pointers, we were ready to launch. Final words were "keep the kayak straight as you enter the ocean". Andy was on the left side and I on the right as we pushed forward over the surf. And then it happened. Kayak was no longer straight, it was now sideways(my side) in the surf. As much as Mr. Moto tried to keep it straight, the surf had a mind and a strength of its own. Suddenly,
I felt the weight of the crashing wave and the kayak upon me. My little left chicken leg was no match for their strength. But I stood strong, like an idiot, determined not to go down as my leg was screaming to do otherwise. Andy is yelling jump in, jump in and I did as you only have a small window of opportunity until the next swell hits. We paddled out into the glassy ocean. It was awesome and quite peaceful out on the sea. I was secretly hoping I'd grow a new leg while we were out enjoying the ocean. We were also told to keep the kayak straight upon returning to land, so as not to barrel role it coming back in. We had a smooth beach landing and then I tried to step out of the kayak. My left leg buckled and I hopped around the sand like a one legged pirate. I couldn't put any weight on it. It hurt like hell. I was wincing with every step unable to put my foot down. Mr. Moto said to "walk it off". Grrrrr. OK tough guy! I hobbled over and dropped into my beach chair, and suddenly a glass of wine and 2 Advil appear (thank you ladies!) Felt no pain soon after that and stayed on the beach until dinner. Then had a beautiful bonfire. Everyone was gathering driftwood to add to the fire. It was dark and I bent down from my seat to pick up a piece of wood that was near me for the fire. Hmmm, why does this wood feel odd...kinda soft? As I tossed it up and into the fire, I saw fur and a hoof!!!!!!OH MY GAWD, it wasn't a piece of wood, it was the front leg of a dead deer and I had just thrown it onto the bonfire. If I had had two working legs of my own, I would have jumped up and began doing the GROSS dance at this point. But I couldn't. There was not enough soap and water to get the cooties off. EEEEEEEEWWWWW. Poor Bambi. Damn coyotes. I still shudder when I think about it. Bad day for legs I guess.

Had an "old fashioned 4th of July" at the historical Stow house, saw antique tractors, pumps and farm equipment. Even a working blacksmith shop. Spent the afternoon sitting on the shady lawn listening to great country western band with an ice cold
beer. Life is good.

Watched the fireworks from Mr. Moto's roof. Got up there ok, but couldn't get down. Damn leg. Bless his heart, he had to drag out another HUGE ladder to get me off the roof. Looked like something the Fire Department would use.

Did I mention he still opens the car door too?

Me and My Bee Gees

Yes I am needing a BeeGees fix.

Go ahead, make fun. Most people do.

But, next to country music, I love these guys. And right now, it's long overdue for some Bee Gees.

So crank it up and sing it loud.

Seacrest out.

Three Weeks and Counting

In just the last three weeks I have - in random order

- packed and moved a two story, 4 bedroom home with 20 years of crap in it.
- unpacked the above crap and moved it into my Dad's home (thanks Dad!)

- had my 4th garage sale in 3 months

- started a new job

- trained at new job

- attended my youngest child's high school graduation and threw a bbq
- attended my first husband's wedding reception. (Congrat's Bob & Deborah!)

- planned and sent out bridal shower invites for Carla's shower (a luau here at new digs)

- celebrated my first niece's 21st birthday at a cowboy bar

- stepped on glass and embedded it in my heel

- shopped for a MOB dress (mother of the bride) to no avail

- had my awesome sista Gina stay with me for a week (I miss ya already)

- gave myself a 2nd degree burn on my wrist with my curling iron

- entertained out of town guests on graduation weekend

- spent time with Mr. Moto :)

- had the most insane job interview EVER

- visited Neverland in honor of Michael's 2nd anniversary of his passing

- had a meltdown.

- had glass in foot cut out by Dr. and curling iron burn "cleaned" on my lunch hour. OUCH.

- killed the ivy plant in my bedroom due to neglect.

- wrote this blog post

-saw Hangover 2 movie

- and finally

wondering how I could possibly hire my own personal assistant.

Never Can Say Goodbye

It's been two years now.

I will be at the gate soon and will be joined by many others, some staff and many, many fans. There will be tears, (like now) laughter and dancing.
I am filled with such emotion as I try to put into words how special you were.
"I'll Be There" was the first song of yours I remember in my childhood. It was the first song I "slow danced" to at a school dance. Your pictures graced my bedroom walls.

When you performed on the Motown 25 year anniversary special with the sequined glove and your breathtaking moonwalk, I knew history had just been made. It was a defining moment, not like one where a war has been announced, or a tragic incident, but one of those RARE historical moments that was fun and brought joy for a change, where the history involved magic.

You were magic.
And then you brought the magic to Neverland.

In my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined I'd be a part of your world. You taught me such grace, generosity and love. You were a gentle soul. You inspired me by your humanitarian efforts and your indescribable influence on dance and music. But your biggest role of all, Michael, was that of a Daddy and you rocked it, my friend.

I miss you so. May you sing with the angels above.