Well Done Senora Perez

Another Hope for Oklahoma Auction purchase I made was this soldered necklace by Charlotte Perez. I like to think of her watching the children that were lost.

Senor Perez filled a large box with goods.

 Unexpected. Welcome. Deeply beautiful...

This Mirror Mirror she could see in my house by this other Charlotte piece I have.

I love her so.

 

Thank you.

 

Besos.

 

Soooooo, eight of us crammed into two rooms in downtown Oklahoma City. There were tears and laugther. I danced. I brought joy. And people need joy. There were gifts, sunscreen and salsa. Little sleep.

I rarely show personal pictures but I think I will this time. I have been in such a dark and sad place for so long. My mother is doing better now that she is recieving full time care. I cared for her, worked, took care of my house and family, and had three enormous, emotional growth events occur during that time. One of those was the cleaning out of her house. That was difficult and healing. It was an excavation and a burial. With that behind me and mother doing better, I am enjoying this time with some of the deepest peace I have ever felt. I think it shows in these photos I share with you and myself to show the summer of my life. The summer in my life.

Thank you Angie, Gina, Kim, Lori, Penny, Shelley, and Tina. Thank you Oklahoma City for introducing us and hosting us over and over. I love you, I love you.

Eight is Enough

This weekend represents another in a long line of nearly annual visits with essential women I have known and loved for many years. We went to high school together. Factions of us were close at the same time or different, forming and reforming units like marching band formations. About 9 years ago we started emailing regularly. There is rarely a day in all these years that there is not an email from one of us. We are resolutely supportive. We are loyal. We are tough. We don't mind saying "hey, stop it, you deserve to be treated better," "girl, you look good," "go for it, you are smart and the capable," and even "you better pull your head outta' your ass."

We have buried brothers, mothers and fathers. Even a child. We have been married, divorced, remarried or are currently looking for love. Promotions, changes, moves, hormones, surgeries. Darkness, despair, floating, happy, light. Often things are shitty for many of at at once. Always we are happy to be together even when there are tears, fears and tension. There is no competion only accolades. There is no putting yourself down, only getting lifted up.

And I bring joy to all with my dancing.

Angie put it very well in a blog post that ends like this

     "So the stars lined up for us, doors were opened that had previously been slammed shut and all eight of  us will be there to laugh and cry, to expose our outer beauty and our inner demons. If you feel the earth shift a bit in mid-July, don't worry, it's just Tina giving everyone a good hard mushing.

     I need these women like a horny dog needs a leg to hump. I want to grab on and never let go (figuratively of course)."

Bookends

I just passed through the most recent phase of the Care and Keeping of Betty Jean and I call it "All I Could Do." That phase was bookended by the receipt of gifts from two of my HSGs (High School Girls aka Leaders of the Free World, more later).

The first was received during the non-existant, dismal, cold, blue Christmas. Last year I had written a blog post that included my admiration for mosaicist Amy Baldwin (actually it went something like she is so talented I could just want to run her down with my car). I received a box from Angie. You must say that to the voice of Mick Jagger like "Ain-Jay" and repeat. I am Bert to her Ernie. She sends this piece she commissioned from Amy herself.

So blown away. It was an otherwise giftless Christmas, not without lessons to be sure, this was so welcome and tender, perfect. But Ernie and I do that.

Four months later and at the end of this certain phase where I have given all I have to my particular situation I receive this. The note reads that she is sure I will never photograph or blog about this gift. From Babe aka Shelley. I am Babe to her Babe. 

Never be too sure, girl.

The mirror reads "I can deal with anything with the right drink and a girlfriend." 

It was utter concidence and without my awareness that the gifts received from these two landed when they did.

Well, not by chance.

What would I do without my girls?

Dear God, please don't make me find out. Amen

Noting the Presents

So, my birthday was last week and I wanted to share three fabulous gifts I received. I don't want to talk about the cake my husband ordered for me. Not yet. I haven't sewn nor knitted enough to be able to talk about it. I will throw one word out there...orange. Okay, that is enough.

My dear friend Penny sent a bouquet of flowers. She sent it early in the week which is so wise, so I could enjoy them all week.

Jemellia's gift is so pretty I have to start with the exterior and reveal in layers.

It is delicious when someone knows you so well.

Earrings from Elizabeth Williams. I had just finished complimenting Jemellia on her earrings which were EliWill of course.

And a coveted tote from One Hundred Wishes.

Without a doubt one of the best gifts I have ever received was this tribute in Angela's blog. I do not know what to say about it. I love it and am overwhelmed by it and it rendered me speechless regarding it for a whole day. That speaks volumes.

I feel the love.