My friend

I met  Gugi as we all called her November 30 1974. We were assigned four to a room at American Airlines Stewardess College and she was the last to arrive.  She came storming into the room upset and swearing because the airline had lost her underwear suitcase. I had never met a Puerto Rican let alone an angry one and she had an underwear suitcase?!? Oh man I simply had to have her be my friend! We spent six weeks together in training and when she was assigned NEW YORK CITY I begged another girl to trade with me. I HAD to go to NY and live with Gugi or die!

This is the four of us~ Gugi is next to me on the right. Oh so young!!

We moved into an absolute dive walk up apt with bums sleeping in the foyer but we were together and we would make it. She got called for her first flight before me so I got up at 0400 am to ride the bus to the airport with her. I was thinking she would not be afraid if I came along and to be honest I thought I would feel better practicing.

This is what she looked like the morning of her very first flight on American. So hopeful!

Our lives intertwined for years after the year and half in NY~ she went to DC and I went to San Diego. We continued to be best friends and visit each other, some years more than others.
I chose her for my bridesmaid and the godmother to my youngest son. Of the six godparents we chose for our boys she is the only one that continues to care about and love my boy. I love her for that and so does Ky. Gugi is the first person I want to talk to when something goes horribly wrong or blissfully right. She is a best friend of the best kind and I pray she is always in my life.

When I flew my last flight with American she met me at the airport for a celebratory hug as I boarded passengers for the very last time. It meant the world to me because she was such a huge part of my 13 year career with American Airlines.

 

This weekend my sweet friend flew her last trip with AA just shy of 38 years. I am so proud of her for hanging in there when she thought she couldn't. For smiling and enduring the changes our airline industry has experienced and most of all for saying enough...time for me to sit back and enjoy life and do whatever I please. Congratulations gf~job well done. I love you.

The end....

A bit overdue

I keep thinking I need to update and then my life gets in the way. However I cannot believe its been two weeks..Shees! Sup with that?
We continue to work on the house and sometimes I feel like we are making progress and other times I feel weighed down with how much still needs our attention. I worry I will one day come home and see my man pounding a for sale sign into the yard out of exhaustion. Such a fine line we walk...and unfortunately we are rarely on the same page anymore.
The biggest improvement that comes to mind is we, and I really should not include myself in this project, ripped up the carpet in our master bath and tiled it. Again...I went to the store with JK and TK but that pretty much is the extent of my involvement. Wait! I did make sure there was a variety of beers and deli meats for the workers lunches and that was huge!

This is our amazing tile man checking out his work.

This is our kickass inspector giving it the tail's up.

I wish I had taken the before photo but I get so excited about a new project I cant think clearly...anyway it really turned out lovely and makes the bathroom seem oh so wonderful! JK  has been stuck trying to redo baseboard and paint in the tiny toilet room before setting the toilet but it refuses to fit. There has been considerable swearing and moaning  but he finally got it to work and we are moving on.
Last week my mom had colon surgery and that seemed to consume quite a bit of my week. She is on the mend however and I am amazed at the technology available now. A robot performed the surgery (with some help) and it took over 6 hours. Crazy huh?
I wish I could tell you I have been busy creating but this time of year all I can think about it Christmas and finishing projects or making decorations and gifts.

I quickly sewed up this cute petutie for Ky's care package to help him get in the mood while away from home. Nothing like snowmen to make one smile!
Yesterday was Thanksgiving and while it is probably my least favorite holiday...(seriously people its just a big ol dinner) and sometimes it feels a bit forced. I invited Timothy and Jammie over because I really hate  holiday cooking for 3 people. They invited their roommate Jaclyn and of course Wolfgang hopped in the van. While they arrived a bit later than planned and Timothy had our car so he stopped to pick up his gdma.... I think it went really well. Food was good and company was too.  I have been cutting back on what I eat and I must say felt pretty darn miserable afterwards. I think that is just part of Thanksgiving and today we are back on track.  I did not ask everyone to tell what they are most thankful for this time. I seem to be the one that likes that tradition the most but didnt want to annoy my guests. I personally am most grateful to have such a nice home in a wonderful neighborhood and town. I also like that at least one of my sons can make a quick drive to my house for dinner occasionally.  It has been years since that was possible and it really is nice.
I did some Christmas decorating today just to see some old favorites that did not make it out of the boxes last year. Its always a challenge to try and find the right places for treasures in a new house. I rewarded my 'hard' work with an eggnog and we are now feeling like the season is upon us. I did not turn on the cds out of respect for Rande..boy he hates Xmas music...plan to save those for when we 'do' the real tree.

 

We plan to kick back this weekend a bit and enjoy the 80 degree weather. They have an art festival in Old Town tomorrow and its always a good reason to pull out the bikes.
I am also thankful for all of you. xo

painful subject

I know I know~ I already blogged today but I have something weighing me down and need to get it off my chest. You all know (because you are my homies and I tell you everything) I was told I could be artist of the month for Isenhower Winery. I cannot tell you how excited I was last Jan when I found out. It was like this creditability at being a real artist and a chance to see if the public approved. This is something I have struggled with because I lack that confidence to not care if you don't like my work. I also feel guilty if I ask an appropriate price which most people would not think twice about spending in a gallery. Put those two elements together and I am just someone that sews.
I have not been creative for over 10 months now and I quickly set up my art studio (I just deleted sewing room because it sounds less professional) so I could get busy. Did I? Nope. I had my computer in there at first and we all know that leads no where. So I removed it and after talking to my bf I started making something...a pillow. So then I realized there is a roadblock stopping me from jumping in and being amazing. I am pure and simple not sure I want to.  I mentioned this to Timothy and he actually seemed to be angry at me. So then I agreed he was right I have this amazing opportunity to be an artist and I need to take it.
The thing is in order to participate I will need to make at least 5 trips to Seattle(not free) and rent a car each time and possibly need a hotel as well. Then there is eating and of course buying wine while I am there to show appreciation to the Isenhowers. There is also the problem of getting at least 12 pieces on an airplane possibly with frames. What if absolutely no one buys a piece and its definitely a possibility then all of this personal expense is simply to have fed my ego. To be taken seriously...how great will I feel coming home with my work and all the above expenses? I just don't know if I want to risk taking the chance. Maybe if I release myself from the mental stress of worrying about it I can begin again. I wake up at the most ungodly hours designing in my head and then poof...nothing.
If you are reading this feel free to give me some feedback or support for pulling out. If anything I lack ego and don't need to do this show if its not fun and exciting to me. Thanks for listening~

Because I always post photos here is the pillow! Its a baby gift for a buccaneer about to arrive~ lol

Maui

I had someone ask me why I did not post anything about our trip to Maui. So here are are few photos of our stay at Wialea Maui. We had a wonderful time...seriously how could you not in such a beautiful place as Hawaii. The weather was perfect and we met new friends and old friends from Gig Harbor. We did paddleboarding and a sunset cruise and Jerry went snorkeling with the turtles. I was so disappointed I couldnt go too but still could not wear a shoe let alone a tight fin. We tried some lovely restaurants and all in all it was a great getaway from all the work and hassles of moving. I did remember that my hair is a big limp mess with the humidity so forgive me in these photos.
I guess I was fantasizing about a romantic honeymoon and a celebration of actually making it to 30 yrs. For Jerry is seemed to be more about returning to where he has the best memories of his flying career. Long layovers in paradise...needless to say we both came away a tad bit disappointed but happy to have made the trip and endlessly relaxed without guilt.
Aloha!

Sunset cruise 

I think this needs to be made in fabric!

Watching the sunset from the best chair ever!

Best glass beach EVER!

Amazing surfing, kiteboarding, and windsailing spot

Fine dining!

Ta Da! The progress of our pool~

These three photos are of the pool in the dirty phase when we first arrived.

You would not believe all the black widows that were living in the jet holes.

These are after they removed the plaster...a very white powdery day for all.

These are the men pebbletecing the sides. What a science!

Done plastering and letting it dry 

Fill er up!! Woohoo!

Finally done...and how many shots did Gracie manage to get herself in?!?! Look hard she is quick! lol

garage=house

Entry and office...

Well the men (Jerry and John) arrived home from Minnesota ready to spruce up the garage with the fancy pants epoxy treatment. While I am in favor of anything that makes my man happier and feel at home, this one caught me by surprise a bit. EVERYTHING in the garage came into the house and patio and seriously those garages were still full of boxes, etc. I have been working so hard to turn this into home, with everything in its place, that this kind of brought a tear to my eye.

So here is what our place looks like now! I admit it is extremely difficult to find what you are looking for but I am also taking advantage of this time to continue to unpack and toss.























 

My cute workermen before the job lining things up!

What it looks like now~but still drying...

They even added anti skid just for me since I fall so often! :^<

The latest is that its not drying quite the way it should be due to cement or desert weather...so instead of everything being back in the garage last night...it will be another week. We need to do a clear coat to really seal it on Monday and then wait another 3 days to dry. Again a few tears I guess because I have been living the messy confused life for so long now. It will all be fine and I can reach the wine rack AND beer drawer so I guess there really isn't a problem!

house update...

This photo is suppose to be below but refuses to move~ so fine...whatever!

I have been meaning to share a few photo updates with before and after shots but honestly I really should have  planned this better BEFORE. I seem to have very few before pics so difficult to show the improvements fairly. Everything seems to happen so fast I dont think to myself 'get a photo before it looks good!'

Dining room before

Dining room now

Great room before and with ugly shelves

Before but after we removed shelves

Sewing room before

I found cloth cubbies for my fabrics color coordinated!

There are other rooms to show you but I seem to be in a fight with the photo downloader and it wins...today. Everyday we get more done and more pictures on the walls and less clutter. I think the only thing I find fault with is I am too short for the house. Remember when you had little tyke stools everywhere so the kids could reach stuff? Well I have stools in every room almost because I cannot reach beyond the 2nd shelf. Perfect house for the boys for sure but its an adjustment for us shorter folks.
Happy November! I am going to start making calls to see if I can find a few orphans to fill up our table. I just hate holiday dinners without lots of people. You are all invited!
My man has been in MN doing the big halloween extravaganza and having a great time. I will be picking him up with John tonight and they plan to spend the week working on the garages. You know that fancy epoxy on the floors and shelves on the walls kind of thing. I am excited about any projects that help us feel organized. I am also anxious for the creative force to begin within me. I go in that soft soothing sewing room and nothing comes out of me. I am hoping its my mind feeling overwhelmed with all the to do list items and it simply cant think creatively. I feel like the poster child for ADD because I stop the task on hand everytime I enter a room and see something else that needs to be done. Yesterday I went to the nursery and bought lots of flowering plants and filled all the pots we moved here. Nothing says home more than sitting outside with the scents and colors of flowers. I even potted 2 gardenias and I cannot wait to enjoy their intoxicating perfume!
Time to get busy...