growing pains

My El Camino, which was sold to me by my grandfather in his final transaction and our final conversation before he died, is leaving me tomorrow. Through six years, three moves, three jobs, four relationships, two big garden overhauls and countless wild nights and art projects, my baby has been by my side. The night we put my grandfather's ashes in the river and he lingered in an eddy around my grandmother's feet ("I've got Daddy in my shoes!") I sailed her at 120 miles per hour, drunk and sobbing, down Merlin-Galice Road. The giant fiberglass baby bear my mother and I sculpted as a public art commission was a prominent passenger. One lazy afternoon (I used to have those) en route to the river my best friend and I collapsed in paroxysms of laughter so extreme they drew stares from other motorists upon realizing how funny the Beatles song "Why don't we do it in the road" actually is. These and countless other memories came flooding back to me as I was cleaning her out this evening.
Like all old cars, things fall apart that you least expect. The door handle, turn signals, ceiling upholstery, air conditioning, stereo, and shocks are all things I have learned one by one to live without, but slowly over time she has fallen into a state of disrepair which left me at a crossroads, realizing she needs an investment of time, money and mechanical expertise, all of which I sadly lack, to live on as she deserves. I, on the other hand, need a vehicle which can be both a farm truck and a commuter. (Also, the rest of the family has been insisting that Grandpa was fast and loose with cars, never kept them more than two years, and would find it ridiculous that I hadn't dumped 'that old thing' already.) So, I sold her on a handshake and a free tamale to a fellow Saturday Market vendor for a fair price, considering everything she needs, which became the down payment for her replacement. He is a hobbyist mechanic looking for something to fix up and love. Perfect. I would accept no less than an appropriate and loving home.
The pros:
1. Happy home for Raylene, as mentioned above.
2. '97 F150 pickup with A/C and tape deck. Whoo!
3. No more creepy men slowing down to leer at a girl in a classic car. Especially spooky when my dangerously beautiful teenage stepdaughter is driving it.
4. I can cross the county line without fear of breaking down.

The cons:
1. No more Raylene.

lost my PHONE

My cell phone fell out of my purse in Pizza Hut and some scum-sucking bottom dweller picked it up. If you need to get hold of me, you can through e-mail, work or hubby for now. If I had your number in my phone, please e-mail it to me. Rowr!

Happy new year

I am so grateful and appreciative for everyone in my life and for my amazing friends and family.. I am always striving to be as kind and compassionate as possible but a big component to that is "thank you". I love you all and among resolutions for 2009 Thank You is at the top of the list.
The far biggest thing that happened to me in 2008 was of course getting married, which was a testament to those who love and support us as much as it was about us and our family. I became a wife, step-parent, aunt and nana as well as being a daughter, grand-daughter, niece, friend and auntie.
I started a nursery business which expanded into a website, market stand, summer class and yard service, none of which I could have done without the help, support, craftsmanship of my husband.
My life was touched countless times by the people and their families at my job who I helped through sickness, crisis, death and loss, as well as those I was able to help through recovery and homecoming and living successfully after disability and my co-workers in the trenches with me. Among those I lost were Kieth, whose expertise and enthusiasm helped launch my business; Scott, a gentle, charming and funny man of my own age whose life was ravaged by AIDS; Lyrinda, who held me and begged me not to let her die; and many, many others. I loved them all and my heart has been broken a thousand times.
I gained and lost my confidence as a dancer and performer. I hope to reclaim it once and for all. Bellydance and the amazing teachers, friends, troupe-mates and sisters I have been fortunate enough to find this way have been at the center of my battle against mental illness and self-hate, and also my battle against chronic pain. I'll get there and I thank them all so much for sticking by me.
I saw my family through crisis which became a new beginning and the positive change nobody expected. My father is a new man at the threshold of life.
I am too. I found a new home, a new role, and a new life, all of which will continue to grow and develop in 2009.

Thank You.

mahwage...

It was a wonderful day, the weather was perfect and everyone seemed happy (especially us..) Judy's dressmaking skills blew everyone away, Devi was true-blue as our Taskmaster and kept everything running like clockwork, Theresa put flowers in my hair, my best girlfriends stood up with me, Mez blessed us as our Minister, and the locksmith was the hero of the day.. I received so many precious gifts that day (including two daughters and two grand-daughters, two new brothers and a nephew), and I felt such an outpouring of love.. My brother was even here on special leave from Iraq and played a song for us that he had written.. My friend J, who has been like my brother since childhood, played our walkin' music..We had so many precious family and friends there, although we missed those who couldn't make it (shout-out to AODC).. I love and appreciate everyone so much, and can't ever thank them enough for making it such a magical day.

The great plant migration has begun!

Getting ready to move... We are building custom raised beds and a big-girl greenhouse.. Now I start the process of uprooting my babies and hauling them out to Magical Merlin... I have one month to dismantle my garden, propagate what isn't mine, uproot the beds, reseed the grass and hack everything else into submission. This with two full-time jobs, an active dance troupe, wedding planning, the other joys of moving, and two needy old ladies.. Oh yeah, and 4 big trips coming up.. When this is all over it's pajamas and cartoons for me.

Attention California dance types!

I have a good friend in the Anaheim area who's looking for hip hop and/or tribal fusion classes (she's a beginner). Can anybody help me hook her up?

Thank you Halima

Thank you Halima.. You know what for. You are the first!