A Quickie

I had the most enlightened day today and thought I would share it. I finished a piece I was making for our niece in Minnesota. Her husband is a farmer and I tried to bring their life into the piece. Its different from my usual work but I still liked it. Basically I had fun creating it and that is all I need in life.

I do wish I had the confidence to know if someone really likes what I do besides offering to buy it. I do like the idea that a part of me is present in so many parts of the country. Maybe this is my way of making a difference...being an artist is such a love hate relationship I never seem to get to the love.

This is Kassie and I think her smile is sincere. She is the only one in the Kamolz family to reach out and make me feel wanted so I had to do this. She is special and kind...
We had a wonderful visit in MN and saw lots of good friends and favorite places. I love how the air there feels like velvet on my skin. I actually think my desert wrinkles plumped up and felt happy there. Its crazy because I am a 3rd generation Californian but when I am there I feel home.

So yesterday I began a new vision and I am having so much fun listening to the voices in my head telling me what to do. I realized today that I have become a true artist that observes life and recreates it in ones art. I love that I am that person...If you dont know me well you have no idea of my dark side and how much I dont feel I am worthy. My art gives me such joy I am able to cross over to the light.

This is only day two but I am having fun and loving the joy this piece is bringing. I will share my final piece but wanted to show you the path I am taking right now. My art is giving me hope for a better tomorrow.
Thanks for dropping by...

If I stop posting does it mean its time to say goodbye?

I believe this was the longest stretch of not journaling and I cant help wondering if its time to stop. I peeked into the archives and I began this blog June 28, 2011. For some reason that motivates me to continue on until at least that date to complete 3 yrs of Chering My World~ I would love to hang on to all the stories and photos that have been my life for 3 yrs. Remember when we use to put together photo albums and one had the sense of reliving ones life and memories for that year?  I rarely even print photos and somehow looking at them on my computer is never very satisfying. The progress of technology seems to make life a bit impersonal and disposable.
In an attempt to share what has transpired since my last post I looked at our calendar. Honestly every box is filled with something to do or some place to be. Yet nothing stands out as newsworthy...my life feels a bit like just keeping busy and filling boxes with meaningless events. Maybe that IS life...

Rande is still staying with us and while its not a problem we dont feel its a healthy productive life for him. He rarely leaves home except for an occasional work trip to LA and he has no social life here. It just seems sad and lonely to us. He will be leaving on tour in June with Hundred Waters and stay on the road thru the summer. I am sure he is relieved to be getting out for the summer heat. He is in NY right now and having a blast...maybe he needs to move there as well!

Jetta continues to grow and develop her funny personality. She was just spayed and started dog obedience school which she handled perfectly. At home its a different story!! We have never had a dog quite like her and most days I wish I had just left our family alone. She continues to be overbearing to Grace and finds it difficult to settle down if we have company or run into people out walking. I am sure it will just take time but I truly miss how easy our family was before. She is such a pretty, sweet dog I feel guilty saying this but I also feel badly for Grace. Who knew one simple decision could change our lives so much.

Jetta watching other dogs misbehave! Good girl Jet!

She sleeps in the craziest positons!

The biggest news is Ky graduated from Delta training.. a long 7 1/2 weeks and he is now living in NY! Brooklyn to be exact and so far he loves it! He has been flying constantly and making lots of new friends. He lives in a house with 4 others but has his own room and was able to acquire the furniture to go with it.  I flew back to Atlanta for the graduation and Delta asks everyone to pick someone impt to pin on their wings. I put on my old AA uniform and passed my dream job onto him. It was a memorable moment for us and his Delta friends thought so too. I hope its everything he wants it to be and has half as much fun as I did.  Seriously ANY job working with the public now is a challenge but the benefits should make it all worth forcing one more smile~ I wish him endless adventures and happiness.

 

My bf Gugi that I went thru training with almost 40 yrs ago, flew in for the day as well. She is Ky's godmother and has always been such a loving caring influence in his life. It was so great to have her there to celebrate his future together. 

Isn't he darling in his brand new uniform?!

After graduation we flew to Charleston and spent the weekend there. Neither of us had been before and I so wanted to experience such a wonderful old city. I loved all the history and beautiful old homes. The weather was rainy and cool but we still managed to see quite a bit and get a good feel for the town. We visited with people wherever we went and it was lovely. I wish J could have been there as well to share the memories.

Isle of Palms beach...finishing my book!

I am in a book club and the choice for April was The Invention of Wings...takes place in Charleston and could not have been better to actually walk the same streets as the characters. It was as if I could feel their presence and experience the sounds and smells they shared. Its based on real people and I loved it immensely.

This is the house where the Grimkes (my book characters) lived in late 1700s-1800s...how amazing to have it still standing and be a part of the city's history. I loved it there and want to return to also visit Savannah.

Oh here is something to share...I took my mom out to lunch for her 89th birthday!  Doesn't she look wonderful?!? We went with Sayonna and her mom (also March birthdays!) and it was a lovely day!

Yes, I had a dad ~I just dont happen to look like him! lol

I finally completed another winery piece for our dining room...I have struggled with it and kept sticking it back in the closet. My goal is to finish all the things I quit on and to use up fabrics I wont use in my art. This turned out really pretty and I felt I improved on the first winery piece which is always a good thing.

I actually began making the little dresses for Africa yesterday and look fwd to emptying out the storage containers full of fabrics. I hope I can stay on task and make a difference...I say this because there is absolutely NO creative force behind it. I tend to get bored and distracted in a sweat shop envirionment yet I am anxious to have less. I will show you a few when I make more progress.

I continue to go to yoga class and enjoy the friends I have made there this year. Many have already left for the summer so I will admit its not as much fun. While we all take the yoga seriously we have fun interacting with each other too.  I  feel stronger and healthier but wish I would be more disiplined at home and work on a daily practice. Here was a little beach yoga! Try this...its harder than it looks! lol

Last night spur of the moment we went with our neighbors to Dave Koz and Friends Jazz Fest. It was outdoors at the Indian Wells Tennis Center and so awesome! It was a beautiful desert evening and the jazz was spectacular. I get a thrill watching musicians on stage playing their hearts out and having fun. I couldn't help feeling remorse Timothy lost interest in playing the sax...he had great potential and talent. We gave all our kids endless music lessons and none of them play a thing. Oh well...you never know.

SOOOO MUCH TALENT AND ENERGY ON THE STAGE!

I continue to dream of ways to get away this summer but so far all I hear is no. I don't mean to complain but when its so hot its impossible to be comfortable.  I may just hit the road with Grace and go visit friends and family...let me know if you are looking fwd to seeing me!
Thanks for dropping by and have a lovely May!

Last week of 60

Well I have arrived at the end of my 60th year and I must say its been a good one. As with every year there was some bad thrown in with the good but those are the times we learn impt life lessons.  I want to work on positive thoughts and reactions to my life when I am 61. Go with the flow and look for the silver lining kind of thing. Stay calm and be kind...

Ky packed up and drove from Phx to LQ on the 22nd. One more time I helped unload a son's Uhaul into storage with us both wondering where his things would end up. He tends to be a disposable person thinking its easier to get rid of something and then buy it again if you need it down the road. Not sure I will ever be that person but hopefully one willing to let go of more things. I have these conversations in my head constantly about having WAY too much stuff. I will get there one day....please!

Gracie and I driving to storage.

Poor Gracie has moved more times than most Americans and yet she is still the first to jump in the truck! Let's go!! Journey on!
We had a lovely weekend together and on Tues I dropped Ky off at Palm Springs airport at 0430 to catch his flight to ATL and his new life.

As excited and nervous as he was I think I was more. I am also a bit envious of where he is in his life and the adventures he has to look fwd to. I like being retired and all but excitement, adventure and unknown and have been replaced with routine, naps, and playing it safe.

My friend Mary Kay agreed to play in a golf tournament with me the following day. There is an organization called Dusty Wings (retired FAs) and they were playing at Odonnell. It was a scramble so MK and I figured no biggy and we might have some fun and meet new people. Well we ended up winning first place and had a wonderful time! One never knows what the day will bring!!

There are quite a few of our WA neighbors down here in the desert. I saw on fb they were all having a party together this week. At first I felt kind of hurt because why wasn't I included? Why do I always become the one that is out of sight out of mind? I tried analyzing what I must be doing wrong and then decided it was way too much work. We drove to SD this week to have a lunch with a friend we were neighbors with in the 80s and I hope to visit her in MT one day too. Maybe I just dont need so many friends and the ones that want me in their lives are enough. I seem slow to learn this baby for some reason but I am working on it. I feel as I age I have stopped putting my heart into friendships. When we have moved there has always been a few people I cant wait to visit and I miss dearly. This time I feel I can leave tomorrow and while I have a boatload of friends...none of them have my heart. Its easier and safer that way but maybe a bit shallow at the same time. Do you find yourself doing the same?

Today I went to the dentist..ugh...then to a luncheon meeting for the Dusty Wings. My new friend Sayonna flew for Eastern and wanted to go as well. The club is for FAs present and retired and is 72 members strong. We had the best time and I loved the conversations about flying because most were during the 60s-70s. Very few represented existing airlines and that just felt so sad. Pan Am, Eastern, TWA, Northwest..just to name a few. It was such a different world when we all began and so classy. S and I are definitely going to join and it doesnt hurt they have some awesome parties! I am excited to make new friends and make a difference for some organization.Kind of excited about something new to look fwd to actually.
Rande left today for a music fest in TX...so its kind of quiet and relaxed around here. We enjoy having him around and he has been a godsend working with Jetta. She is such a sweet girl and getting so big. We just need to teach her to leave Grace and Buster alone and she is golden. haha

What?!? Are you talking about me again?!

I had this great idea in my head to make for my bff in Mn for her bday. Its been such a cold hard winter I thought she could use some spring. I will say it seemed easy in my vision but took forever because of all the small details and beading. She said she loved it so my work is done. Its definitely bright!

it is upside down but I cant seem to rotate it so just pretend ok?
Thanks for dropping by and have a lovely last week of 60 with me!

9/11 and American

I came across a news article about a young man in pilot training with American Airlines and it brought back so many memories I wanted to share it with you.
While we were living in Bonsall I was a member of the Bonsall Woman's Club and for the year of 2002 I was the spiritual advisor. I would get up once a month before each meeting and share something that would make us all think or simply feel entertained for a few minutes. Here is my reading for that Sept day...

"I know you are all expecting me to entertain you with an amusing story and a good laugh but I felt I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the anniversary of 9/11. It so changed America and how we all live and think. So I decided to share a personal story with you.
Not so long ago there was a woman named Cheryl, as I am, and she lived here in Fallbrook. She had children in school at Fallbrook High School and Sullivan Middle, as I do, and they even had similar classes with my children.
Her son was in Boy Scouts and in the same troop as my sons.
Her husband put on the same uniform to go to work as my husband does. They were both pilots for American Airlines. But for the grace of God this is where our lives separate.
On Sept. 11th 2001 that Cheryl's husband put on his uniform and kissed her good bye for the last time. Not a day goes by that she doesn't miss everything about him.
I am the lucky Cheryl this time and my husband is still here to put his arms around me.
In honor of her husband please...

Dream what you want to dream; Go where you want to go: Be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do."

So here is the awesome part...Cheryl's son Tommy is now 26 yrs old and in pilot training with American Airlines. He said he wanted to be a policeman, fireman or a pilot growing up and when he lost his dad he knew exactly how to honor him. They showed a photo of his dad looking back in the cockpit smiling and his son said I know he is smiling down on me and feeling proud.

What a wonderful heartwarming turn of events. I wish him nothing but blue skies and good memories in his flying career. He is right...his dad would be ever so proud.
Thanks for dropping by...

Good and bad..

Let me begin this post with some really cute photos of Jetta. I was gone most of the day so J and J spent it out working on the trains. Jetta loves the train yard and when the cars are running she runs along side looking in them. When it stops she barks at the engine to get going.

She picked up a screwdriver to help!

Doublechecking his wiring work.

Helping!

Helping to clean up his big mess!

Worn out from all the train fun and of course helping!

Jetta is growing like a weed and so full of energy...wish we had just a fraction of it! We are making progress on potty training which makes all the difference in the world. So much more to teach/learn!

I have been fighting the blues this last week and felt the need to nurture my soul in the sewing room.
I combined the colors of the sky and the sun and suddenly all was well in the world. This piece simply makes one feel happier looking at it.

I mounted it on stretched canvas and its about 20x26 so a nice size. I started beading the center and ran out of the triangle bead...went to 3 different stores and no one had it so I ripped them all out and began again. The best part is I usually only see what I have done wrong in my work and with this one I only see what is right. That's a good feeling.

This photo gives you an idea just how many beads I used...

As I told you previously we signed up to do the Tour de Palm Springs again...this time 25 miles.
Our friends from MN said of course so the 4 of us gathered for the big event. They had 9000 sign up to ride and honestly I thnk 1/2 of them were doing the 25 mile ride. It was pretty darn crowded and they changed the route placing us on some busy roads and riding with busy traffic.

We were at 16.7 of the ride when a biker in front of Jerry cut across blocking his vision of the road. He hit deep sand and lots control of his bike and went down...yes again. Poor guy! The bike and lower torso were on soft sand but his shoulder hit the road. He felt he dislocated or broke it and we had an angel in a bike suit stop to help. He turned out to be an EMT and made a sling out of my jacket and told us to get to the hospital. I called my mom to come get him but that left me stranded with 2 bikes. Fortunately a motorcycle policeman arrived and he called for a truck to come get me and the bikes so I could load them up.
We ended up driving to the ER in LQ because the PS one was jam packed with sick, coughing, mask wearing people and J cant do that exposure. So after an exray he has separated his shoulder from his collarbone and we will be calling an ortho dr tomorrow. Pretty darn painful to touch or move his arm and back in the lazy boy to sleep. Rande and I joked he would do anything to get out of the puppy night shifts!

 We are both so sad because this is the best time to be out and about in the desert. I guess the only recreation left for us is Happy Hour with friends. Bar stool jumping?!? I couldn't help wonder if the west nile balance issues were part of the problem but both accidents are ones that happen to anyone. He didnt see the sand and most do lose control of their bikes in it. I guess the silver lining is at least we are trying.
I  simply cannot end with J's shoulder pic so here's a beautiful sunrise we were blessed with this week. Thanks for dropping by~

Ah February...the month of LOVE

January turned into a fantastic month of good news and awesome changes.
Let's start with Ky flying to Atlanta for an interview with Delta. They are looking for danish speakers so it seemed like the perfect chance for him to begin a career. He was among 9 chosen out of 60 but the danish interview didnt go as well. They actually call Denmark to do the interview but it was a bad connection and he couldnt hear some of her questions. He felt he was completely qualified in fluency but didnt quite meet the benchmarks. They did however hire him as a FA and said he could retest for Danish speaker when he is in training. We are all over the moon excited for him and he begins training Feb 26th.

He will be perfect for this job because he loves to travel and use his languages, he is more than flexible about where he lives or flies to, he is charming and he is soooo ready for a new adventure. Go be amazing  Ky!
The other big news is we have a new baby and her name is Jetta! She is a 10 week old golden retriever and she is beautiful.

The other side of the story is how much attention a puppy requires...we have not had one for 11 1/2 yrs and have simply forgotten. We also had no idea how set we are in our daily routines and right now everything is about her. We feel blessed we had Rande around for the first 2 weeks to help out with potty training and not crying all night. I have struggled with giving up my early morning sewing and having a clean house. If you know me these are huge issues and I am so hoping I can at least sew again soon.  Everyday we see a bit of progress and she is so happy and loving, its worth it.
A few more photos just because she is so stinking cute!

Our latest decor....plastic prison walls. "hey can someone come play with me?"

She loves the trains and runs along side looking in the cars and barks at it when it stops! Shes a crack up! Need to work on how fast she can get off the tracks tho!

A girl has to have accessories! She empties the toy box daily!

Yep...she is a Kamolz dog for sure!

 Rande leaving on tour with Childish Gambino for a few months and saying goodbye to 'his' girl. We are wondering if he will be able to pick her up like this when he returns. She is growing like a weed and will only be a lap dog in her mind.

 We also had a wonderful visit from our Alexandria MN friends, the Ringdahls. We have been asking them to visit since we left MN and they finally came! Woohoo! We also had our dear friends Lynn and MaryKay arrive the same day for their winter getaway! I was in heaven to have two BFs at the same time and perfect weather thrown in! Thanks Ky for the great MN home shirt to wear!!

 I made dinner, J poured wine, we pulled out the Mexican Train game and topped it off with lemon meringue pie from our tree. It was a perfect evening and I think everyone had fun.

Cheers!

                         The next day we hiked the Palm Springs mountain...what a workout!

Then we all met up for a 25 mile bike ride thru La Quinta and stopped for lunch at SilverRock. Gorgeous day!The bad news is J caught a tire on a curb and got thrown to the ground on the way back. He was pretty cut up and his hand was swelling so we quickly headed for home. I do not know how he managed to continue but he is not a quitter and insisted on riding. Its been a show recovery but he just keeps on trucking! 

Yep. We ended up in urgent care getting his wounds cleaned and stitched. Just not how one wants a great day to end but when you do sports~ stuff happens. The cool thing is the dr came in and said "first let me congratulate you on being active and trying to stay young. Now lets see the damage!" We have managed to ride over 100 miles this month and feel ready to ride 25 miles in the Tour de Palm Springs this weekend with our friends. I am praying for no wind because we are riding east where its an issue. I ride like a snail in the wind and will have to meet them at the finish line!

I thought I would end here with this heart I found one summer...its made from corrugated metal found after hurricane Katrina and I just love it. Hope you all have a month of LOVE and good times. Thanks for dropping by.