The New

Yesterday I got my bellybutton pierced - no, it was not an impulsive decision. I have been mentally debating it for a few yrs now.  I think it looks cool :-).   My boys went “ewwww, that’s gross!”.  It was not like a pinch when you get your ears pierced - closer to getting an IV put into your arm.  But it only lasted a moment.  I have to wait minimum of 6 months before I can put my fairy charm into it but it will be worth the wait.  I am hoping, too, that it will be a great incentive to keep the 40 pounds off that I just lost over the past 10 months and to get me to tighten up the muscles there - hopefully everywhere!

The Old

I got this tattoo when I was 38 in a dingy tattoo parlor.  The tattooist kept having to leave the room to renew his high of whatever…. stupid for me!  I went in with a few friends to see how theirs was done and he gave me a good $$ deal so I went for it and I have always loved it.  My daughters went “ewww, it will get all wrinkled”!!  It is on my chest.

Wish I could have gotten a better pic - it is a heart with wings and a lightening bolt down the middle.  I talked to the people at the place where I got the piercing done - Burly Fish - yesterday about getting a fairy tattoo.  I just have to decide where I want it - I decided on the fairy years ago.

I, also, have 5 ear piercings - two on the right ear, one in the lobe and one at the top - 3 on the left ear, all in a line from the lobe going up.

Any tips on where to put the fairy tattoo?

Last Wednesday night my step-son graduated from high school.  Our boys stayed here - one in camp and the other with a great friend who, also, fed my animals.  We left here at 9am and drove through some pretty lousy weather to Benson - about 320 miles from home.  The wind blew so hard that I was getting hit by tumbleweeds and the wheel wells were whistling - while my mother in law cleared her throat about every 2 miles.  The motel was horrible - Days Inn in Benson.  The window was leaky so the wind howled and whislted into the room.  Most of the amenities were missing - no microwave, no iron.  And the outside doors would not open with our keys, so we had to walk from the main entrance down to the end of the hall.  Not so bad for me but my 85 yr old mother in law was with us - so one of us (my husband, usually) had to go through the front and go down to open the outside door to let her in close to the room.  We all chipped in and got Larry a laptop for his grad gift-

Larry’s mother had dinner fixed, so after I was hugged by her several times, we sat down to eat.  (I think I should digresss a bit here -I do not care for Larry’s mom.  I tried to 8 yrs ago when I first met her but after accusing my husband of being a child molester and I was unfit in an open child custody hearing, having no personal hygiene and not allowing Larry to grow up, I changed my open mind about her- so having her want to hug on me was not very pleasant for me. But for Larry, I sucked up) Then Larry got dressed for the ceremony and put his gown on-

Then we all got into my car and drove to the high school for the ceremonies.  We sat in the bleachers - packed tighter than sardines in the heat for 90 minutes.  Larry did good and looked good.  I had many memories of my oldest at her ceremonies - high school and college - and of my own, waaaayyy back in 1972.  So many fresh faces and ideas of the world.  So many doubts and goals in life.  I digress, again…. Here is Larry singing in the choir during the ceremony

Then it was finally Larry’s turn (by now my bottom was screaming at me to get off of it!)

YEAH LARRY!!

My husband’s sister showed up from Escondido, CA about 15 minutes before the ceremony started. (She and I got off to a bad start yrs ago cuz she thought that I was going to marry her brother and then take all of his money and possesions - but I let that go out of respect for great husband).  Two yrs ago, this same public school teacher called great husband/dad “a piece of worthess shit” (quote) in front of our boys.  After the ceremonies we went back to Larry’s for cake and then went to our room at the motel.  The wind had died enough so that the wind had stopped howling through the window - thankfully!  The next morning we all (except husband’ sister - too special to get up early, you know) went to breakfast.  I was showered, again, with hugs from the ex.  The drive home was rainy on and off, snowy near home, windy and lots of road construction - and I had the entertainment of the throat clearing on the way home. 

The whole trip was not near as bad as I had feared.  I was glad that I got to be there for Larry.  I am glad to be home, in my comfy bed, hugging my animals and my kids.  I have spent the rest of last week catching up with the kids, animals and sleeping!  Thank you!! Nicole for all that you did so that I was able to see Larry graduate

Twig

This is Twig - the fairy that I love at the AZ RenFest. I look for her every year and always enjoy her…….. she mimes, hands out “magic” stones and plays her flute.

My daughter, Jessica, was here yesterday and shared her pics and videos of Cochella Fest that she went to on her 26th birthday - April 26th.  It was a 3 day event with many many bands and DJs.  I went to see Pink Floyd way back in the 80’s - wish I could have seen him again.  Here is a video of Roger Waters that she took.

The Flying Pig got away

She slept in the campground every night

Thanks, Jess, for sharing your great weekend!

Well, I did it!!!  I got on the horse today all by myself!  I think it was just a mind over matter thing.  N and I had a wonderful ride.  We rode out to a pond and back to her place.  We rode for a bit over an hour.  As I ride, I get stronger physically and mentally.  I think it is like riding a bike, you never actually forget.  I can hardly wait for the next time!

I usually record American Idol to Tivo and watch both shows Wednesday night before the results are posted on the internet the next morning - kind of ruins watching it on Friday or Saturday night for me.  I like to record them and cut out the stupid ads.  But last night I watched it live.  I think it will be down to the David’s tonight.  Who do you think will win?

I hope that all mothers have a GREAT, lazy, loving and relaxing day today! 

Here is what Great Husband wished for me across the miles (he won’t be home until next week) - Tulips, Daisies, Iris and, my favorite - Lilies!

He sent some to his mom, too -

I have a song in my brain that won’t go away - not that I mind that it is playing over and over - so here it is

This is dedicated to my husband - my lover, my best friend and the soul in my heart

the song

You’re in my heart, you’re in my soul
You’ll be my breath should i grow old
You are my lover, you’re my best friend
You’re in my soul
~~~~~~

Not the movie, but me.  Yep, I am really pale :-)  But that should change soon since I am going to be horseback riding with a great instructor and a very very great friend.  She called me yesterday morning and asked if I wanted to ride with her out on the prairie that spans for miles behind her house- well, YEEESSSSS!  I rode her beautiful Arabian 2 and a half years ago and I rode him today. Yes, N - 2 and a half yrs!  His name is Zzari  (Ben Rabba x Ariezad)- his name will take you to a page that was written by his loved and lovely owner on Zzari’s 22nd birthday.  They have had a wonderful adventure together for the past 19 yrs.  I am excited because we have made plans to try to ride once a week together.  I know I will enjoy riding him because he is used to all types of riders and I need lots of his experience to get me back to the riding abilities that I had as a younger person….. My grandfather had an Arabian ranch outside of Olympia, Wa and I rode from sun-up to sun-down every day most every summer until I was about 16.  I was pretty good back then - I could even jump on bareback with no aids of any kind…. yesterday, I embarrassed myself because I had to use a bale of straw to help heave myself into the saddle!!    I need to be lean and mean (not that mean!) so that I can ride my own horse, Ruskie, more.  Like I said before, Zzari is used to the unskilled rider - Ruskie thinks HE is in control with the “yahoo” rider.

N took this pic of Zzari and me during our last ride together on the very same prairie.

Thank you, Zzari and N for the great ride and time together… I really hope that there are many more great days ahead for us!

Last Friday was “Safety Fair 2008″ at my boys school.  There were so many things to see, do and watch.  The mounted Sheriff was there, along with the drug sniffing dog.  There was a trailer where the kids could shoot b-b guns provided by the Arizona Game and Fish.  There was a bike safety station that gave the kids who needed a bike helmet.  The cafeteria had all sorts of demonstrations - one of the tables was fingerprinting the kids for free.  An emergency helicopter landed in the baseball field and let the kids get inside while telling about all of the features.  There were ambulances, fire trucks, a police car - with sirens blaring, the police tactile unit, a bomb deploying robot and just for fun, an air filled jumping room.

The helicopter beginning its landing and the start of a major dust cloud to the right

Full blown dust cloud as the helicopter lands

Helicopter tour

Luke behind the Police Tactile shield

The Arizona Game and Fish b-b shooting trailer

The Tactile vehicles and mounted Sheriff

McGruff the Crime Dog, Luke and Safety Pup