Ali's getting Married

Yes, this little pixie.

Happy Birthday Mom

This time of year Mom is always on my mind. Halloween, the World Series, every holiday at her house, and especially her birthday. She would have been 83 this year. She would still be doing her own yardwork, she would still be hosting every holiday - and we all would come - and she would still be my best friend. I miss her so much sometimes it's like a physical pain. She would be so proud of her great grand children, and so much in love with them. Michele reminds me of her so completely it's scary.
I spent the day doing Mom things... helped out at a Renaissance Faire, worked on costumes for "The Sound of Music", and even talked to Fanny. After all that I came home and wished she was still here (I'm selfish that way) and even cried a little. I always felt like I was special to her, but she made every one of us feel that way.
I was very lucky to have such a great mother.
Happy Birthday Mom!

The Commodores

So Long Fair

It's been almost a month since I've written an entry. The Fair has come, the Fair has gone, work gets busier, all the little ones are getting bigger... The most fun in this last couple of weeks was the pranks we tried to pull on each other in the office area back stage at the Paul Paul theatre (mostly involving rigging up chairs at the desks). I'm always pretty tired by the end of the run, but I'm also sad when it's over. Last year I had one of the crew stay at the house so they didn't have to sleep at the fairgrounds - this year I had two of them stay with me. It was nice having people to talk to when we got home so late, and they even did yardwork (volunteered, not required). I've already invited them to stay with me again next year.
Next on the line up - costuming for Sound of Music in Reedley, working production at the Johnny Mathis concert playing at the Warnor's theater (both due the first week of December), and costuming a new play that will run at the tower theatre. There are a couple of operas and concerts in addition to these, but I think these will be the most work. At least I'm ready for Halloween.

I'm Back On

I've been without internet for about 2 weeks, give or take a few days. So I've been really disconnected... the only saving grace was being able to check my email while at work. I guess I never realized how much time I spent on the computer.
I'm glad to be back.

Sometimes I Feel So Cool

When I work at the fairs or other music venues I get to be in the vicinity of some pretty iconic people. This summer I went to Santa Maria and worked the Santa Barbara County Fair as a runner (driving the bands around and running around for them if they request anything special.)

The fair was only 4 days, but I was excited for two bands that were playing. The first day Grand Funk Railroad played. It was my teenage years all over again!
The last day The Beach Boys played. I actually drove Mike Love around quite a bit, and sat and visited with Bruce Johnson backstage. It was my most fun day there.
I have been trying to upload the pictures I have with both groups but something is wrong with this blogger or the way I've saved the picture. Arrrgh!
I'll put a call in to Nick to see how I can get it posted.
I have to say, even though this was cool, the coolest group I've worked with is still ZZ Top.
Billy Gibbons just rocks!

Has It Really Been a Year?

Nick called me this morning to say he arrived at school the night before and only had energy to go straight to sleep. His road trip with fellow SVU-vian Colby was a good time for him.
His comment - "Colorado and Utah were beautiful, but the mid-west sucked!"
I also got a list of things forgotten that I'll send to him.
I'm so proud of the man he's becoming. It was wonderful having him home this summer. And having all of my electronic devices put in perfect running order wasn't a bad perk either. My plan is to go visit him this fall, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Busy Times

Now that school is starting it seems that my time is really flying by. I anticipated working for Fresno Unified School District again, and in fact received a call from Dana Counts, the inclusion specialist at Figarden Elementary, to fill a long term sub position. However, working at the office for Fresno Grand Opera this summer has culminated in season tickets going on sale and a big push to fill seats for the concerts this season (Johnny Mathis and Juan Diego Florez). Both of these things coincided in the same week. So I sat down with my boss at FGO and discussed the possibility of employing me on a full time basis (in this case, full time is 33 hours a week). He agreed to move up my hours, and so I called Dana to let her know. She was very understanding and told me she would keep my info, and asked me to call her if my schedule opened and I became available to work with her. It was a decision based solely on finances, and it tore at my heart to make it. I'll miss the children at Figarden that I've worked with the last two years. And I'll especially miss my teacher, Karen. The up side is that I am working with a wonderful group of people in the office. We went on a day trip to Walnut Creek yesterday to see an opera staring a young singer who worked with us last season and the trip was so enjoyable because of the traveling companions. So, once again my working career has taken a turn in the road. I guess I'll see where this path takes me.

Team Bella

We had so much fun at the midnight show! 3/5ths of us sat on the floor so we could sit by each other and it was still a blast. The only downside to these type of showings is that the audience tends to get a little rowdy. So, yesterday, as I was on my lunch break I went to Michele's house (she lives about 4 blocks from the school I'm working at) and told her I knew it was dumb, but I really wanted to go see the movie again - without all the screaming, oooohing, and catcalls. She confessed that she really wanted to go again also, so we went to the last showing last night.

Theatre was only half full, crowd was much more subdued, and we had excellent seats. A little more than half way through someone a few rows in front of me decided to start texting, and it really interrupted my line of sight. So to fix the problem I extended my arm and held my hand so that it blocked the extremely bright light of the cell phone - I thought it was ingenious - Michele and Theresa (Tree came along with us) thought I was deeply involved with the movie and was holding my hand out to caress Edwards face or shoulder. They started giggling, and when I finally knew what they were thinking we all had tears in our eyes from laughing so hard.

If nothing else this movie has provided the best family entertainment I've had in a long while.

I'm Eclipsed!

The girls are coming over (yes, all of them. Lo is coming into town) - we're ordering take out - watching the first two films - then heading to the theatre
MIDNIGHT SHOWING HERE WE COME
(I'm so excited!)

Now That I'm Over 50

OK, technically only a few days, but my two best friends and I start counting the upcoming year as soon as our day hits. One of the gifts I received was a book entitled "100 Things I'm Not Going To Do Now That I'm Over 50". Wonderful advise for any age, and I had to share a few things - things I already embrace.
#67 I'm not going to wake up houseguests. Especially if they're my own children. They are adults who know how to manage their own time, and I am not the Marriott.
#71 I'm not going to bargain with God. Never again. He holds us to our promises to the last syllable of recorded time. Better to just talk things over.
#74 I'm not going to avoid mentioning the dead. Grief is not assuaged by oblivion; wounds are not exacerbated by remembrance. Our immortality may be only in vigorous memories; our healing surely is.
#80 I'm not going to override the afternoon window of sleepability. I am a vision of feline sensuality, stretching languorously on a sun-warmed chaise. I am not a middle-aged woman taking a nap.
Today, right now, life is good.

Still With Me

Yesterday I was blessed to have attended the funeral for
little Wyatt Thomas Yuan. The eulogy spoken by his parents was beautiful.
That they had the strength and presence of both mind and body to do so, was utterly amazing.
As I was hugging my good-byes to Brittany she asked me how long it would be until it felt better. I told her that after 20 plus years I still occasionally have a hard day. That what she would find after time is that the bad days would be further and further apart. That she would have longer stretches of good days with happy memories.
Brit and Ili seem to be more grounded than I was when I lost Jimmy. But I also remember putting up a strong front to those other than my very closest family. I felt like I was swimming through sludge, and I remember just wanting to sleep. And then while sleeping, I'd dream of him in my arms and awaken just to lose him all over again. It helped the most to talk about Jimmy - to know that others kept him alive in their thoughts as well. And I had to learn to be tolerant of others who, in misguided sincerity, and with only the best intentions, said things like "you'll have another child" as if my Jimmy could be replaced - or "this was for the best" when to me, with the wound in my heart still so fresh, nothing about it felt like "the best".
If I could give Brit and Ili any words of comfort,
it would be that for me, twenty-four years later, Jimmy is still with me. He is never far from my thoughts, and many times over the years I've felt his spirit like a physical blanket wrapped around me. I speak of him often and I always include him when I'm asked about my children. I'm grateful for the understanding I've gained because of my loss, and I count every moment till I can see my son again.

For Brittany and Ili

God's Lent Child

"I'll lend you a child for a little while
A child of mine," God said
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two, or three
But will you, till I call him home,
Take care of him for Me?

I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught below
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the whole world over
In my search for parents true
And from the paths that crowd life's lanes
I have chosen you.

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief
You'll have his loving memory
As a solace for your grief.

Now, will you give him all your love,
Not think the effort vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take
This lent child back again?"

I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the happiness we'll know
The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness
And love him while we may,
And for the happiness we'll know
Forever grateful stay.
And should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."

Annonymous

My heart is broken for you and the difficult time you face right now.
I love you - Saucy

There are two sides to every story...

There are two sides to every story...

I'm Goin' To Graceland, Graceland...

Last Saturday I had to go to Reedley to meet with my friends about some Charlie Brown costumes. They were working at the theatre that night and invited me to have dinner and see the show. An Elvis Impersonator show.
Now, I like Elvis as much as the next guy, but going to this kind of show has never been my kind of thing. I accepted because it was the most convenient way for our meeting to happen. I never anticipated actually enjoying myself.
The impersonator was a great entertainer. He never acted like he wanted you to think he was the real Elvis. He told some trivia about Elvis, and even talked about the year the post office put out the Elvis stamp (to date, the most purchased stamp in history) and how quite a few people mailed letters with the stamp to fictitious addresses just so they'd be marked "Return To Sender" and sent back. This guy has performed all over America, but he is actually from Reedley, so he had some funny local stories as well.
He sang well - The costume was fantastic - And the crowd was fun to watch - Needless to say, I had a great time.

His costumes are made by a company that has the original patterns used by Elvis, and the jumpsuits weigh between 20 - 40 lbs. when you factor in the belt.

Yes, I had to get a picture!

Spring Is In The Air

You Know It's Spring When...
Everyone is blogging about flowers and blossoms!

After much rain, and no attention to my yard for the last 6 - 8 weeks I am ecstatic that I am finally able to spend time outside. Yardwork is very cathartic for me. And last summer I had everything the way I wanted it. Then came the Hell-puppy. I know I will survive this time, and more importantly, my yard will survive, but... I've had to work out a system of keeping Spanky (puppy's name) away from my plants.
Another indicator of Spring is that the local SuperMarket starts putting plants out for sale. Plants don't do well in the florescent lights of a grocery store, so after they start looking bad everything goes on clearance.
Just look what I got!

I have no idea what this flower is - please someone, tell me so I can look up the care of it.
It was on clearance for $1.00!

I love this corner of my flower bed. It is right in front of my door. Don gave me the Margaret Hudson piece over 25 years ago - It was supposed to be Me, Michele and Jimmy - and I've always loved it.

Last year Michele gave me a bunch of Lily plants and I threw them in this pot and forgot about them. I actually got a flower!

These bromeliads were on sale at the grocery store also. Only $8.00 a piece! If you look at the first two pictures of these you can see the new growth on the top. I'm very excited about these.

These did not come from the grocery store. My friend Andrea has a very large Japanese Maple that produces many seedlings every year. She gave me one last year that was doing very well, that is until Spanky decided to chew on it. So she gave me these two, plus 4 other smaller seedlings that I'll guard very carefully.

I love this weather!

No Pictures for This

I can't believe it's already March 15. I've been very preoccupied at school with the autistic boy that I'm 1:1 with. Let's call him X.
A typical day in an autism classroom exposes one to yelling, grabbing, and the occasional kick or punch. It can get worse. These last couple of weeks X has been in rare form (the family is going through some stressful stuff.) I've been subjected to spitting, hair pulling, pinching, kicking, and punching. After several extremely brutal days, during which time two pairs of my glasses were broken, I'd finally reached my limit and told the teacher I needed to be away from X, and she readily provided me with another student to sit with. I sat down with E ( an autistic girl) who decided to windmill her arms in my direction.
Well... after taking care of my bloody nose I had to stop and really think about continuing - not just the day, but the job! The thing about autism is that bad behavior is rarely pre-meditated, nor is it very long lasting. In fact, even after X displays behavior I would never tolerate from one of my own children, and says he hates me and wants me to leave, he'll calm down, re-group, and come to me, wanting to hold my hand and have me play with him, or help him do work. The brain is a funny thing. I thank God every day that my children, and now my grandchildren don't have to deal with this kind of hardship.
I'm staying in my job. I won't get rich there, but I do feel needed.

Funny Costumes

Well, the latest batch of costumes for Reedley have been finished. Three women's costumes (to be worn by men) and one duplicate costume for a woman. This is the "Dale Evan's"-ish costume I told you about in an earlier post. I've built other dresses for this same guy as the character of "Fanny Feastyoureyes". This is the latest play in the series "Blossoms Up"



This is a small bit of the closing number.

Happy Birthday Dad

Everything I ever knew about how to be crazy, when to eat spam, how to rub backs, and why you should never "ooze out", I learned from my father.
He would have been 83 tomorrow, February 12th, and as much as I rolled my eyes, laughed with my brothers and sisters, and spread the tales of Mr. from Hawaii, he helped make me who I am today.
Hau'oli lā hānau Papa

My Life

Yes, this is me with BareNaked Ladies. I was a runner at the fair this year so I got to drive them all over. They stayed at the Sheraton right around the corner from my house so I was able to give them some good suggestions on things to do while they waited for the show. It turns out that the highlight of their stay was a trip through Manchester Center. They even wrote a song about it that they sung at the show.

From October through May my schedule does double time because that is the time of year I do the majority of theatre/production work - The Big Fresno Fair, Fresno Grand Opera, River City Players in Reedley - in addition to my 9-5 job. I didn't take any pictures at the fair (although I did get this picture of myself with The BareNaked Ladies from the fair photographer.) And now that I have my own camera - thanks again kids for the best X-Mas present - I was able to get some fun shots of the last opera. I'm currently building a Dale Evans-ish costume for Reedley to fit a very large man. It'll be pretty funny so I'll have to post that picture when I finish. Meanwhile, hope you enjoy these shots.


It was a men's chorus with only a few female supers.


Rigoletto (with a deformity on his head instead of the classical hump on his back) and Gilda.


This was the Wig/Make Up artist, James Geier with Gilda again.


The tenor (also the villian) Raul Melo





This picture didn't do the man or the costume justice. He looked so good I had to get a picture with him.
Andrea Bocelli performed in Fresno in December. We were one of only 8 shows he gave in the United States this year, and it was the third time I've worked back stage on one of his shows. I've never had my picture taken with him :(

XLIV

Yay New Orleans!

New Year - New Post

Well, it seems the Blog Gods have been against me. Twice I've tried to post, but when it came time to add pictures everything was deleted. I'm sewing up a storm today to try to finish some costumes for Reedley, and I've got the Super Bowl on in the background. I'll try to post again with pictures in a few days.

Wish me luck!