It's Thursday, WTH Am I Doing?

Make a list.

Check it often.

Dont forget personal stickies all over the house!

Have 4 calendars going between Dayplanner, Smart phone, desk top and laptop!

switch rings on fingers .....

But above all else.............

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!

Guess Who's Happy Birthday It Is?

Only one of the greatest women of the world!

Or is that quilter? Oh no, I think its friend... no... maybe its Mom, grandmom, sista or Aunti?

How about just great!

Happy Birthday Dear Ronda!

 I love ya!

Identity Fit & Mr Wizard /TaT

Upon further contimplation (cause thats what I do) ( while boiling eggs) I have decided that I have my foot firmly planted in an identity threat. Now WHO needed a team of shrinks for that? I knew the answer would come!Yes, it is entirely possible that I've lost whats left of my mind. But.........
Now one could call it meaningful collaboration with Mr Wizard, but frankly, THIS never came up.
What if.......... You were shook to your very core with loss,(es) death,(s) change,(es) fear, and add in a threat to your forever happy place?
So I'm quilting away over there, having a little hissy fit with a variegated silky thread. It wouldn't give me perfect tension and I was talking to it as though it were my first born. I had to stop and snicker because I remembered in the beginning how when this happened to me I would find a wall, slink down onto the floor, and bawl for awhile. How far I had come from those days. I actually evolved and BECAME a quilter. I wasn't born that way ya know. I was always somebody else until my quilting journey began. So and So's Mom. So and So's wife. Manager of... Food & Beverage director Of...Innkeeper For.... Even Owner Of....I had IDENTITIES. One day, it turned into that long arm quilter over there... Oh you know Dear Gina.. the quilter from yada yada yada....I found contentment in my identity. I found peace within my realm of colleagues. Then all hell seemed to have broken loose upon the tragic, untimely loss of my son. From that moment in time nothing right can be found. Nothing normal. Not even new normals, unless you would like to call CHANGE a new normal. However, I digress. Who was I now? The Mother of that poor boy? :::God I miss him so much I ache all the time::: WHO could keep track? With all of the moves and changes I think my identity has been IS BEING threatened and I am having an internal fit to defend and protect. WHO wouldn't protect their own identity? I had a good friend say nothing less than earth shattering words to me. "G, I don't think you want to quilt anymore". Another one said, "Hey sell your shit, get bitchy, and go make the big bucks again". And of course, the ALL TIME hair raiser, " Why don't you just go get a real J.O.B.". I was scared! I was am pissed! JUST because I have artistic discord does not equate to identity in trash can. Now, how exactly to locate that artistic harmony is anybodies guess eh? Where's my damn globe? I need it. I need to paste some spots on it. I figured something out. YAY me!
I'm sorry, but THIS identity I shall fight for to the death, and that's all I have to say about that.
 LAQ
Todays session with Mr Wizard was part two in a series of debate. I think that I failed that, AGAIN!

Crab Feed Number One /M & M's

G'morning:) I'm on my second pot, looking for the buzz.. I think I need to switch to expresso! I am fumbling in the shop trying to load a quilt but keep getting sidetracked organizing thread. Thread makes me happy, so its all good..lol I am in search of a perfect thread choice for my Crab Feed Donation quilt. A silent Auction for my cousin Glendas charity event.I took an underwear day yesterday, so I'm trying to find"doubletime" today. I needed it. Or I just didnt give a flying fart one... I dunno.
Jake was in town on Saturday and we went to a crab feed with Karen and Becca too.  I had such a good time that I guess I lost my crab tool box full of pics, crackers and tongs... dang it! Anyway...We had a great time and then went to see Kim ( heathers Kim) play his guitar at a local pub. I personally love his mellow acoustic more, but this was fun too. I tried very hard to have a totally different week end than last week... Maybe if I hit a crab feed every week end I will fake it til I make it? lol It could happen?Hey! I have so many UFO's going on I could donate to every one of them! I think my favorite will always be the SLO feed. I Miss home....CLIC
I will leave you with a picture and get my butt moving... or try!

M & M's:
A visit with Jake
Crab Feed number 1
Flowers for me on a Monday:)
The bird quilt done!
wow... hard and it shouldnt be...............
**EDIT** My poor BFF who has to deal with my self absorbed self on a weekly basis called my attention to yet another M & M. I am ashamed of myself:(
I had a wonderful time watching her Kim happily play his guitar after the crab feed and I saw a familiar look on his face. It was a look of sheer pleasure of enjoying his art. I dont know if I wanted to join him on stage, or just line up more events to see! Either way, it was truly part of my gratitudes for the week. Kim ya wanna team up?

ok, one more... THIS little pistal!

Human Bird Quilt

G`morning:) I tried to get a decent shot of this for ya but I guess I am camera phone impaired? I have used flash on/off...scenes.. nights... close.. far... NO CAN DO? I think that Avianas swear jar might very well turn into a Nonni camera jar! ( oh wait, I already robbed it.. chit.)
Its a 60 inch square wall hanging of needle turned applique human birds. I NEED it to be over today. I must get back to my Blue Beauty. Dont ya love zippered leaders??? Its really tough here since space is compromised but I still manage to drag my leaders around..lol The other night I had such a mess in the shop that I couldnt even hop around dancing to that new song Heather introduced me to.. Hey mama! Hey mama! I tell ya, that song and 2 cups of coffee theres no end to the JUMPING possibilities!
I made a dr. appt. Now I`m making a list!  It could be sinus related? Maybe it could all resolve with sun. I have no idea. They tell me that we should get some late today. I sure hope so. I`m on the rdge, I swear.
Okay, I am going to drag myself to it... TGIF Peeps! CLICK THIS!!!( I double dog dare you not to bounce something!)

Send a Happy Thought?

"We cannot do everything at once but we can do something at once."
Calvin Coolidge

Morning.... my coffee isnt hot. Crap. Why does this happen? I'm so grumpy! I have been having quite a few rough nights. My daughter has me diagnosed with some heart failure stuff..A friend has me walking around with my Moms Diabetes... UG.. I think its par for the course. ( no, I dont play golf so why the hell would I say that?) I know I havent been taking good care of myself. I'm so sick of pain, All of it. in and out. Hmm.. maybe I AM sick of it. Maybe stress really CAN make one sick. I was THIS close to going into the ER last night. I think the only reason I didnt call for help was because I know my iron door is locked! How is anyone to get in? But that was the plan? I need a new game plan. Before I have to go in! My DQL sucks big green wienies! CLIC
I have so much to do today so I better get the self talk talking. Such a cool lie..................But ya lub me right?
Peace out:)

*And THEN I forgot that today is stove demolition day!!! WOW! :::film at 11:00::::

The Debate Team & TaT

"Hope is not a dream, but a way of making dreams become reality."
 Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens

TaT= tell all Tuesdays, write it down:)

I wanted to discuss this week ends horrid happenings, (not to be confused with my stitch pal, mind u)  however Mr Wizard had a different adgenda.In an effort to calm the voices in Sybils head, he played with the dry erase board for visual aid today. I'm not certain that I would be good on a debate team arguing my point. Or anyone elses. I can site my good ole stand by. My head KNOWS the truths, my HEART refuses to listen. To help to turn down the volume, since we cant seem to shut my head the hell up....we did this.

Defend this statement:

I can effectively and successfully operate a winery.

 you have no education in this field

G: I have 35 years plus in the hospitality industry, it can be adapted into a winery

you have no capital

G: I can enlist investors to increase working capital

but you love to quilt not make wine

G: I will diversify to include my art

you're getting older

G: the older the vine, the sweeter the grape?

This of course is all very hypothetical, I am illustrating the technique. Will it work? I have no idea, but its homework. At any rate, as usual, Mr Wizard has planted a seed, given a tool to ponder. Done. I'm on it. 

Next week, it will be reversed.

I cannot successfully run a winery..... I shall be defending THAT statement. (not really, but its far too personal for TaT)

Maybe when I grow up... I will be a Wizardess!



Gifts Picture!



Hey Gayle, I finally figured out the camera phone, but I gotta tell ya, I MISS MY OLYMPUS!!!
For being such a faithful morning cuppa dear blog reader, I'm sending to you this lucious extra wide yard of double sided coffee suede for maybe one of your amazing art projects:) I fondled it before it was packed up. Right after before I ate this cookie. ( how the hell did THAT get in the pic?) I think you can click on it for enlargement.. not sure? Its on its way to you, and thanks a bunch, LYG!
Gina

Marvelous Monday Gratitudes Are YOU!

"Hem your blessings in thankfullness so they do not unravel."

A.Unknown

Where do I live  now? (HA!) Funny eh? I spent my most of my life firmly placed and now have moved 5 times in as many years! I am now BACK in the central valley near my daughter and family, pining away for the sunshine of the coast!
What was my first blog post about? If Home is where the heart is, I must have 2 of each. Kinda matches above only reversed now. Grunt.

What do I collect? I took a peak.. largest collection of many, FABRIC AND THREAD!!!
newest? Pandora charms!!
What was my first career passion in life, and what is it now?
I dreamt of being Entertainer of the year, and now I dream of being quilter of the year!
What do I do absent mindedly while pondering?
Hard boil eggs and draw happy faces on them!
Descibe your blog buddy (moi) in one word and it cant be trainwreck!
 Many moons ago, Dana ( a foodie friend) called me Effervescent and I am still tickled with this to this day! I find myself striving to honor her TAG. ( how cool is Gretchen eh?)
Whats my favorite day of the week?
Underwear days!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for playing! That was fun. I used the lil gizmo random Integer thing. Every one was entered twice, and the WIENER is  # 4 Gayle, her second entry! Congrats Gayle, email me your snail mail address for your gift! Yes, I AM TRYING to post a pic but if u remember my lil camera broke :(

 

Golden Globes

Are you watching??? My Fall over song in Burlesque? "You havent seen the last of me" Just won for best orginal song! Woohoo! Go CHER!!! I hope theres a win for Christina in here tonight!!

http://gina-deargina.blogspot.com/2010/11/burlesque-review.html


Now I must go FROG awhile, when I heard the news I screwed up a lil bit... grunt.

I Need A New Lil Camera!!

My lil Oly bit the big one finally:( It was a favorite, it did its job. Now its a big white blur. Dang it. I tried to shoot the new lil human bird quilt with my phone camer.. it stunk. I will keep trying, but On my list besides a new external hard drive is a camera!!!
We had a productive couple days quilting and piecing like crazy! ( me & Linda) I cant wait to get my hands on the black and tan that she is doing! For me.. well... this human bird at only 60 x 60 took forever and a days! Today I am finishing up a Bargello wall hanging, then I must quickly get to work on the Crab Feed donations!!!  I am in hopes of those being well recieved. I have to scoot, I will try to come back later with pics... Happy Sunday, and dont forget the contest entry down there! Do it!
LYG!!
G

:::Contest Alert:::: This Just In!

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just looked at my site metor and guess what? I`m  a few hours away from hitting 100 thousand!!!! I feel generous!! What shall I do??? You guys are so devoted.. Did I mention I love yer guts? I'm so happy to have all of your encouraging words, prayers, emails... messages, phone calls.. WTF would I do without ALL OF YOU!!!
Now listen.. I have a CUPPA ideas of what I want to send to my 100K wiener yet, but theres the clue. So lets see....  how about 2 chances in the hat to win...

How well have you come to know me via a cuppa in the morning?? Answer these 7 lovely questions in honor of 7 Marvelous Monday entries.....quick like a bunny!!

#1
Where do I live  now? (HA!)
What was my first blog post about?
What do I collect?
What was my first career passion in life, and what is it now?
What do I do absent mindedly while pondering?
Descibe your blog buddy (moi) in one word and it cant be trainwreck!
Whats my favorite day of the week?

 #2 clic the follow me button!! Let me know in a separate comment. ( if u are already there, say so!) I 'll put you in twice, and we shall see what I'm sending to ya!!! Hey!!! work done for me!!

I will give the correct answers and the WIENER on Marvelous Monday! Lets have some fun! Cause I NEED IT!!!!

Happy Thursday Morning.. Keyword: HAPPY

"Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid."
– Lady Bird Johnson

Sometimes ya just wish the qoute of the day would take hold!

I pushed go too soon! lol Wake up Woman, right? I feel ditzy this morning.. I made this long list then started sweating it... so I decided to get dressed instead. I put on this top and cords, looked in the mirror and saw a frog. Yep.. a frog. My Ma in the mirror me thinks. She would always see this whilst wearing green. I quickly changed while laughing. I instead went for the GREY look.. look of the year over here... Jamie's grey sweats always make me feel "homey".. now where's he at..sigh... I suppose he lives with Christmas... in the ole` heart...CLIC

I am expecting a friend this evening! We will sew and yak and hot tub and eat. Its a plan. Notice I DID NOT SAY DRINK NUFFIN. I have a pot of Hamhocks N Beans on. I have no flippin idea if she even likes this? LOL No worries.. I have a Nummy Pasta sauce, and my tortellini zoupa too! ( indecision is my middle name these days eh?) I seriously need a FAT Costco run. Wouldnt it fun just one time to have like a Costco Visa with no limit? Wow, I just had a rush....
I decided one thing for sure. Friends are a wonderful shot in the arm ( heart). I think my next Pandora charm may be a heart.. Just a reminder:)
Time to go blast some P!NK and quilt some birds!
Love yer guts!



Compass

"Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace."
Oscar Wilde

Not to be confused with a Mariners compass, Mr. Wizard introduced a Moral compass. A way to answer many questions and slow down the racing thoughts. Now I have tried it out on simple things and it worked. The tougher things, not so well yet. But then again, It may be because I am stubborn.

Hypothetical Question: ( has absolutely no bearing on my case...lol)

Your Mother in law wishes to host Christmas this year, taking the torch from you. What is your reply?

Compass:

APPLY Reason/logic

She is getting old, needs to feel needed. She hasn't many more years to do this with her children/grandchildren. but it makes no sense at all when you and your family have established your own traditions and are comfortable with them.

APPLY Intuition/Instinct:

Red Flag! The kids will be confused and out of sync. Bad idea.She may be trying to get back what it took awhile to establish for your own family.

APPLY Emotion/Feeling:

 I understand her need however I too have the need to be Ms Santa in our own home. I would be amiss without the exhilaration routine of the holiday. (Like she did with her young family)

The Answer should now come easily? PHISHAW!!! In my mind, this only brings on MORE questions!

What would husband think of me if I said NO? What if we lost her and I couldn't live with guilt? What if the kids think I'm a Scrooge? Mr Wizards answer to this is of course to make a WHAT IF question and answer page. Well.. Like I dont do that night and day right?

What If?

Pro Con

do, not do

I mean I am an experienced brain stormer! Analyzer! Feed back seeker!

This is so not easy. Grunt. Especially when I am a sun depraved, displaced emotional train wreck remember??? An interesting concept... Imma go pick up my ball, find a few spoons, do 5 minutes of mindfullness,  and do my homework. (Then make some Zoupa while Quilting) GRUNT.

Happy Birthday Sissy! A Marvelous Monday Indeed:)

Happy Birthday Dear Sissy! This may not be the "best" picture I have, but its so "telling" I had to use it! This is her favorite the 3 cats favorite place to sit in the family room. Not pictured is Tori, the Torti, who is the alpha cat and the PITA cat in my book! Not really sure why she loves these guys so much but she sure does! She also has two Border Collies running the land over there... hey, do ya think she likes black and white? All the animals say yes! Oh I think they need a new family photo with the 5 animals and the family dressed in B&W! LOL Happy Birthday Kel! Have a great day!



"Action is the antidote to despair."
 Joan Baez

Who says? Where did she come up with that one anyway? Words to a folk song gone awry? Hmmmmm

Good Monday morning :) I has a rough week end, could ya tell? I did enjoy visiting sis but yesterday was a funky funk beyond all funks! I thought I lost Sis bracelet, I slept too late, I couldnt find motivation on ANY list I had made. I was cranky and weepy all thrown into one frozen G. The first thing this morning that I see is above qoute. I snickered. ( or was that a sneer?)I'm working on a custom and my artwork was becomming a reflection of my mood, so I stopped. Thank God.. I came out this morning, took one look and scratched things! I have decided that its just GOT TO BE lack of sunshine. I'm already geting shots for vitamin D difiencies. I should go find sun lamps.. you know, so I can have an even HIGHER PGE bill! :::Sigh::: some things ya just get used to on the coast eh?I better move my touche and get back to my human bird quilt!

M & M's:

Heated seats in my car

Stitch N Bitch Night

The motion detector light working!

Movie Dates!

My Do it all cell phone:)

Hope

Country Strong Review NO Stars Here

What do you get when you mix EVERY wierd sterotypical thing about country western genre that you have ever heard of and mix it with a super good cast of characters?

COUNTRY STRONG!!

Oh Dear blog readers, believe me, if you are a CW "disliker", and joke about these sterotypes, you are about to be justified!!! All of them are present here except Mama, and YER DAWG! Yep yep yep.. even the train!

Now I gotta tell you that I am a long time "liker"of SOME CW music. I was country WAY back when, and then I decided that the whining slobbering sob stories needed to stop! I still enjoy some, but for the most part, I can leave it. Afterall, I have enough of a dang soap opera right here, I dont need to get a crying towel out to wallow in it with a brewski..

I'm so disappointed for Gwenyth Paltrow because she REALLY can sing! Tim McGraw, please keep singing instead of this K? The new cute kids... I wish you well and hope this didnt ruin your careers.Hey can you tell that I didnt enjoy this film at all? My poor Sis and I just cringed for 2 hours while stuffing popcorn in our pie holes rapidly as not to trash the movie aloud in public! Heres the bad news.. We were supposed to see True Grit!!!

To be fair, Jackie, 17 year old neice.. enjoyed the film. Her go to Genre is the likes of USHER... sooooooooo

Lottery Daydreams & A New Redhead?

 Congratulations to the winners of MY MEGA MILLION JACKPOT! Ahuh... Washington and Idaho's turn. BUT.. A lucky man here in my City won 200K! (yes I wrote down the stores address!)

For me? Well, I LOVE to go into the store to check my ticket in the little machine to see the magic words pop up that say, "YOU"RE A WINNER! The trouble is, its usually a short lived HIGH. This time I saw it, I felt it, and I won 2 big bucks. So I rolled it over to Fridays draw for 12 million! I can live with that too! I'm SO not greedy you know. I'm certain the Smurf house is under 12 Million right? Of course right. In the meantime, I still have a few bucks on Super Lotto too so it can sneak up on me for a surprise:) Ah California Lottery:::sigh::: What a fun distraction you are.
Did you like the Pozole? Did you MAKE some? I think today I will be quilting while making a huge pot of Marinara sauce to put up. I get this great sausage on the coast ( sweet italian) and blend it with hamburger for a mighty good start to pasta sauce! I think I need to go pick up more containers, they seem to disappear at an alarming rate. I called the Karebear and told her to come get some and bring her own bowl, and bring mine back too! Did she do it? No.......grunt. I have a huge list to get to so I will bid you all a great day!
LYG!
G
---------------------------------THIS JUST IN------------------------------------------------
My BLONDE Dear Daughter is now a redhead??? I love it! Hey, she really resembles her Mama now with dark hair! LOL
 Nice Do Karen:)

Chicken Pozole

OK, Its no secret I miss Ma right? I wasnt satisfied with a warm tortilla with butter this morning, so I went to work. While Mom's favorite is Albondigas, or Cocido.. she always made a mean pot of Pozole for the winter blues. I remember that she did this with Pork sometimes, but had to wait a day or so to skim the fat off. She hated pork fat..lol. The way to fix this is....... CHICKEN! I know Ma would be proud when she reads this.. in fact.. she was while it was simmering:) Manja Dear Blog readers...
This comes out spicy, NOT hot. If you prefer, you can omit the Jalepeno for the kiddies.

4  skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes (may use thigh meat instead)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, chopped ( I prefer Maui sweets)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 small jalapeño pepper,roasted, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 tablespoons New Mexico chili powder ( Lord I love red chili)
2 tablespoons chopped fine- garlic
1 15 ounce can roasted diced green chili's (Ortega is my "go to") ( Dont tell MA cause she roasted her own Aneheim chilis)
1 cup crushed tomatoes ( she roasted these too, but I used a can! ssshhh)
8 cups chicken broth
1 30 ounce can golden or white hominy (I like white)
Sea Salt and course grind pepper to taste
------------------------------------------------------------
1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 cup chopped green onions, with tops
Dollop of Sour cream
 Some say shredded cabbage atop this lovely bowl is delish, I havent tried, but I love cabbage!!

Pour the oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot and heat over medium heat.
Season the chicken pieces with your favorite "go to" seasoning. Add to the pot and sauté until well-browned. Transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside.
Add the onions, minced garlic, red pepper and jalapeño to the pot and brown until golden. (about 8-10 min)
When the onion begins to caramelize, and the kitchen is lit up in fragrance, pour yourself another glass of wine and delight in your accomplishments.. then return the meat to the pot, sprinkle with the cumin and chili powder, stir in green chilies and tomatoes. Marvel at the aroma now huh!!!
Add the chicken broth plus 2 cups of water, bring it to a boil over high heat. Lower heat and let the chili simmer, partially covered, for one hour.
Add the hominy. Continue to cook approximately 15 minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning ( S & P) and top with minced cilantro, minced green onions and a dollop of sour cream in each bowl. Dont forget the tortillas! I like a handmade white corn tortilla myself:) WITH BUTTER.. jis sayin?

I'm Sorry Means

Expressing or inclined to express an apology
Feeling or expressing regret for one's sins or misdeed.

Whats it mean to you? For me, it means, "I didnt mean to do that, and I damn sure that I won't do it again.

It shouldnt happen again, should it? Sometimes it does.

Today I leaned about the F2F Study. (fight 2 fun:::wink:::) Its research on the good times outweighing the bad and vice versa. What ratio it takes to repair erosion's. How the ratio can fluctuate due to I'm sorrys gone bad. Seriously interesting stuff. I have homework, of course. I shall call it, working on wording...lol Power, pleasure, pain..... Heather would just love it.

I feel like making some soup.. maybe Pozole. You peoples like Pozole? I will type it out if I make it ok? Also.. I think a big batch of sauce to freeze for pastas.. I have no idea why I keep cooking.. maybe its like my boiling eggs.. Just gotta bang some cupboards and create. Speaking of creating, I think my stitch n bitchers need to kick my butt into creating in the correct room! I have come to a point where there is so much that needs my attention that its much like racing thoughts... racing things!

M & M's For The New Year

I think I'm a day late because of my new Droid phone? Will you all buy THAT excuse? Well... its true Imma trying to learn it! Popcorn prayer, "please let me always keep learning new stuff as I grow older". Just when I figured out the Blackberry, I got twinkly eyed over the Droid. So here we go! I am amazed at how it syncs with my calender and emails, etc... I have been reminding myself daily to go and pick up a new day planner and last night it dawned on me... WHY? ( no longer nessesary). Now, if only I could get that Words with Friends game downloaded eh? Grunt. Thank you Dear Walt, for the super sized planner:) Happy New Year to me.
(PS: you wouldnt believe the sound coming from this lil Droid!!)
OK, Holidays over.. geez, thank goodness. Onto the next. I think right now its Mega Million Alert!! 330 million! Smurf house here I come! I have 9 bucks on it now... its all mine:) I think I will buy a FLEET of longarms in different colors...LOL Hows that for a dream? You know that Smurf house is a perfect quilt retreat too... sigh....
Much to do today as I am behind on quilting and its Mr Wizard day too. I want to make a soup tonight, so we shall see. I have a craving for Chicken Pozole, yummmmmm.
Have a great day, I will return with tell all Tuesday!
M & M's Include

NOT the rain
NOT the fog either
NOT S.A.D.

A mega million imagination
My new pocket Pal
Safe travels
Good Ginger Sitters
Lots of thread choices for today!