THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

The holiday season is upon us - the seasons are coming and going like I can't believe. I just returned from a short trip home to Northern Cali. for Thanksgiving and it was awesome! My sister hosted the dinner at she and her husband's home and family and friends were in full effect. Lots of good food, games, and conversation. Thanks again Fran & Jeff...another successful Thanksgiving was had by all! (I've been trying to download my pics....but you know how this system wants to act a fool!)

I love this highway sign in West Sacramento. The first time I saw it was on a visit home when I lived in Washington, DC back in 1994 or sometime around then. I don't know how long this sign has been up, but I think it's pretty unique that they would post the miles from Cali to Ocean City, Maryland - my old stomping ground.

I arrived home on Wed. morning Nov. 22. That afternoon, my sister and I took my 10 year old great niece to see "Happy Feet", the story of a dancing penquin, his family and friends. It features awesome music and unbelievable animation. It was hilarious! The penquins were voiced by the likes of Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Paul Rodriguez, and Elijah Wood as "Mumbles". Alexis enjoyed herself, and we did too.

Ainie Christine and Great-Niece Alexis

No matter how how you try, you never get to see everyone while visiting home. However, I did manage to hang out with my friends from high school. The great thing about my friends is that they all come out to see me when I come to town. I can't tell you how "special" it feels to have everyone make the effort. Every year when I return we try and meet up. Sometimes it's the same people, and lately new people have joined in. No matter who comes, the good times get better and better.

I even had an opportunity to attend a football game at my alma mater, Grant Union High School. They are UNDEFEATED!! Yea...booooyyyy! Some things never change. When I was there, my class of 1974 was all that...as a matter of fact...from 1972 - 74, the athletic department at Grant was winning championships in all areas of sports...Basketball, Football, Volleyball...we had many great times defending our titles. For this game, Grant beat Del Oro 27 - 10!!!! Woohoo!

GRANT'S FOOTBALL TEAM - GO PACERS!

DEL ORO HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
CATCUS QUEENS OF CALIFORNIA (Sacramento that is...)

I was so happy to be able to visit with one of my family's dear friends, Marie. Marie has been collecting, growing, and showing prize winning cactus and succulents for several years now. I have "never" seen so many beautiful and unusual varieties of desert plants in my life. She's a member of a Cactus Society, and does very well with her show entries, as she had placed First a few times.

Marie shared her books, photos and stories on her beloved cacti. If you're going to do something (grow an abundance of cactus), then you must research that thing and know what it is you're dealing with. I was fascinated with the varieties of flowering cacti as well.

The best, best, best part of this visit was.....getting samples and potted plants that Marie and her neighbor Joyce didn't mind parting with. My sister and I came home with an abundance of beauties....and yes I carried those plants all the way back to L.A. I had packed them in carry on bags, which added to my already weighty luggage, but I was determined to take as many home as I could. I still have a few at my sister's but that's alright. I'll be home for Christmas and will make sure I bring my "big" travel bag. LOL - Thanks so much Marie and Joyce!!

Marie explaining the variety of cactus in her neighbor's yard.

One of Marie's Greenhouses

Now these are what I call Prick-lies.....:0)
Mini Greenhouse to accomodate the overflow....and what an overflow it is.

Marie's neighbor Joyce, in her yard It was like a tropical paradise.
Joyce's Sunburst varigated succulent. Just gorgeous!
Be fruitful and multiply....these five cacti in the pot are "pups" from one cacuts in the pot.


I can't remember ever seeing a purple cactus.
These ladies have an enormous love and dedication to gardening and I was so thrilled to see all of their wonderful plants. I too love growing flowers, but have always wanted to grow cacti. With their in depth knowledge and guidance...perhaps I'll join the ranks of being a Cactus Queen of California. Well done ladies!!!

I AM PUBLISHED!!!

Is this real or am I dreaming? It's really real...I am now a published designer/artist thanks to my submission to the magazine Altered Couture.

This past April, as I was browsing through my Haute Handbag magazine, there was an ad for a "Call for Altered clothing". I decided to enter and went about finishing a jean skirt I had been working on. I sent the skirt and an altered T-shirt into Stampington & Company, the parent company for these magazines. A couple of weeks ago, by total accident, I go online and see this magazine cover. So, me being the curious person that I am, clicked on the magazine to see what I could see. Lo and behold...there it was...a picture of my jean skirt in the "gallery" of skirts and dresses. I was at work when I saw it and I flipped out. Not more than a week later, I get my complimentary copy of the magazine in the mail. Now mind you, I had not heard one peep from these people about whether they were going to publish my items or anything. Talk about a complete shock! So then that weekend, I get my skirt in the mail and a congratulatory letter. I have been flying on high to say the least. I am so very thankful and give God the honor for making this dream come true. All my blessings come from God and this is my reward for stepping out on faith and just doin' the damn thang!!! :0) They kept my T-shirt, so I believe it will appear in either Belle Armoire, or in the 2007 edition of Altered Couture. Either way, this publication adds credibility to my work, and I am honored.
My skirt is on the top left.

I sent out an email blast to all my family and friends telling them of the news. The responses have been overwhelming and very supportive.

When I looked through the magazine I saw so many excellent ideas that I was a little intimidated by what I sent in. But I realized, these people received an overwhelming response of submissions, by their own admission, so it really made me feel exceptionally blessed to be chosen. Thank you Jesus! I will submit more of my designs and see whether they publish more, as you can't have enough published work.

Right now I'm working on completing 5 purses to send in to Haute Handbag. I decided to do an all Burlap material series of purses. They are very different in their shapes, sizes and category. I hope they like them.

GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS!

On Monday (Nov. 6), My sister found out that she is becoming a first time Grandmother!!! Whoohoo...yea baby! Her son and his fiance are expecting their first child in July 2007. I am so happy for Kevin and Cher.

RAY PARKER JR. at the Vault 350

Last night my cousin came through with a ticket for me to see Ray Parker, Jr. at the Vault 350. You know we got it like that...any artist, any time...we are up in there! I drove to work just in case I was able to attend and at first it didn't look like it was going to happen. Then the guy with the tickets came through at the last minute. Thanks so much Rodney!

The doors opened about 7:00pm. They had a row a chairs on the dance floor, so I found a front row seat. The show was very late starting. It was 2 hours before it began. But, once the show started it was alright. At first it was kind of slow, and the band took a break and left Ray on the stage as he rambled on about learning how to play the guitar and he even serenaded a woman from the audience. The band came back on and then it began to get a little more exciting. He sang his hits and played an instrumental cut from his new CD...I was shocked because I had taped this very song from the Smooth Jazz station and did not know who the artist was. He also sang a latin-themed song from the new CD which was nice..it also inspired a group of Lesbian women to take to the dance floor. They were getting their groove on with one another....it was interesting to say the least.

The really funny thing that happened was that there were a couple of old guys, old white guys dancing with some moves that did not match who they were. They were getting down!!!! This one guy was with a young sistah (twentysomething young) and they were all over each other. I was thinking, "Ok, ok we get it...he's you're Suga Daddy!" :0) The guy had on this red velvet jacket and his hair and beard were completely gray. Dude was smooth and just partying his azz off.

The last song Ray played was "Ghost Busters", and when it started, this white guy ran onto the empty dance floor and he started bustin' his moves.....I was in hysterics. He was doing all the latest HipHop moves and just having a great time. Then the crowd moved onto the floor and we were all up before too long. Man that was funny as heck!

But toward the middle of the program, the band took a break to go sign autographs and meet the people. When they returned to the stage, each band member began their solos and Ray gave their musical credits...the band was an awesome mix of producers, writers and performers. In particular there was the saxophonist, "Panther" and it dawned on me that I had met this guy 4 years ago at the Cultural Arts Center when the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival was going on. Panther was in the band for a musical "who dunnit?" play called "Black Legends in Blood."

There was also a guitarist who produced jazz legend Miles Davis' - "Man with the horn" album. This was the only album I bought of Miles'....great, great music. I was amazed to see it was this young dude who produced it.

Ray Parker and the band jammed, and jammed with songs the audience had forgotten about as well as didn't know he had written. It was such a great concert. The best part of Ray's performance is that he really loves to interact with the audience, so when he sang "A Woman Needs Love", he came down into the audience. He came over to me, grabbed my hand and sang to me for a minute, which I took a video clip of (I thought I was just taking a no flash shot). It pays to have a front row seat baby! How cool is that? He danced with the ladies, shook everyone's hand, and we all had a great time. I am so glad I went, it was well worth it. My oldest sister saw him perform in Catalina in Oct. and she couldn't say enough great things about him, so now I am in total agreeance with her. You go Ray Parker, Jr.!!!!!