SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Hello again,  I seem to be running behind on my blogs.  I am getting back into it.  Believe it or not I have had requests to continue these meandering  pros.   Sunday last…… Jerry and I went over to Orland to join our “west side family,” for the Portuguese Festa.  There were several hundred people there, even buses from Tulare bringing folks to the festa.  We got over to Orland in time to see the parade.  That was very nice.

The food was especially good.   They had the traditional Sopas, made with beef broth, wonderful french bread, and cooked cabbage.  Then there was the meat platter with the beef, only boiled here, not cooked in the ovens. Along with sausages and cooked fresh pork, most delicious.  On  the meat platter  there was cooked potatoes and carrots, and they had wonderful red wine and sodas.  Mary Hubbard,  my  good friend , and her daughters Renee and  husband Brad and  Denise and the kids met us there. It was really different from the Chico Festa.  First much bigger and I liked the food better.

The auction was fantastic.  There was everything in the world on auction.  Even the cutest little puppy.  Lots of cows were auctioned and of course lots of food.  Wonderful sweet bread, baskets of apples, even baskets of quinces.  The auction took up several hours so we didn’t stay for the music which I really love.  Emily was singing for this occasion, and she’s the real deal.  Straight from the Azores. She sings in Portuguese and shes so great to listen to.

Well it was a wonderful day with some of my very most favorite people in the world and both Jerry and I enjoyed it very much.  The more I get into the Portuguese culture the better I like it………………..Hugs……….Shari and Jerry

Now that we are short timers, soon to head out for the “Wild West,”  I  am thinking of all the wonderful things here in the DFW Metroplex that we will miss.  It has been a wonderful adventure, started out very scary but thanks to all the prayers and wonderful people and the extraordinary heart surgeon, Dr Michael Mack, the nurses at Baylor’s Heart Hospital , and the rehab nurses at Baylor’s Rehab Hospital, our newest adventure has been wonderful.  We have had the most special loving support from our kids, that really saw us thru.  We most of all will miss them, Tommy and Angie, and Felecia and Tyler.  The 4 legged family we will so miss too.  They have become like our own and I treat them so.  They have accepted us unconditionally, and I know they will miss us.  I know we will be in phone contact but it’s just not the same. Ruby won’t be able to tell me how she is, I can tell now by looking at her. Tommy will have to hook us up to the camera on our laptops.  It still wont  be the same.

We have been to so many restaurants, from the very high end, Texas de Brazil, to the many Mexican restaurants , “Rose’s, ” where they have the best taco’s and condiment bar,  and “ Mi Cocina,” where they have the wonderful Mambo Taxi’s   This is a frozen margarita type drink with secret ingredients, and believe me two is the max, or else you could be sorry. They are the best.  The fried pickles at Hooters are great, and Bone Daddy’s has good pulled pork sandwiches, both have scanty dressed , pretty girls to wait on you. . There is of course our good ole standby “ Joe’s,”  they have the best down home country cooking.  They also have a singing waitress that sings Happy Birthday to you on your birthday and she does it in a most unusual manner.  Sooo funny. This week end we are going to try “Babe’s,” a very popular place in Roanoke, a little town nearby.  They specialize in fried chicken and chicken fried steaks.  Guess you can tell we love to try all the different foods in all the areas, esp cultural foods.  We like gourmet restaurants, but who doesn’t and let me tell you Dallas, Fort Worth area is the place to be.  It’s definitely ” Happening Here.” Tommy and Angie have seen to it that we have been totally exposed to the very best of all  here.      And I will miss Sonic drive inn’s, ask Jerry, the best burgers.

I will miss the shopping here, there is everything a person could possibly need and more, esp lots of  speciality places. It’s all available and with same day delivery.  The one thing that really impresses me is the people around here.  Texas folks are wonderful, friendly and most helpful in any manor you need them to be.  They are just polite and accommodating.

Some odd things that I will miss……….like driving the 114 or the 121 after dark and watching the jumbo jets lining up to land at DFW airport. Often there are 5 and 6 coming in at various altitudes,  the landing gear is down and all the headlights are ablaze.,at the same time on the other side of the freeway are various planes departing and gaining altitude at various levels.  They fly right over the freeways and it seems like you could just reach up and touch them. I would not want to be a traffic controller here…….I will miss listening to 96.7 Platinum radio show..while driving anywhere…..I will miss the wonderful efficient health care here.  They have their system down pat. The hospitals are beautiful……..I will miss all the beautiful spectacular buildings  in the Metroplex.  It’s really an experience to drive in both cities.  Dallas is very sophisticated, while Forth Worth is laid back and country. I love both cities.  I will just flat miss TEXAS!!  Plain and simple….I will really miss Three Dog Bakery and so will Teddy…..speaking of Teddy his full name is,” Texas Teddy.” We are bringing home a genuine Texas cow dog.  Teddy is a georgous Red Heeler, and as smart as a whip.  His breed is one of the most intelligent dogs there is, really I didn’t just make that up. Teddy is a whole nother blog., soon to be included. He will always be our pride and joy from a Texas street corner.

The saving grace is, is that we will be back.  There is so much here for us and it will always be wonderful to spend time, lots of it here in The Metroplex. Our kids are here after all.

Both Jerry and my daughter Angie make use of the Veterans Administration health benefits, and are grateful that they are available.  Esp. in light of all these up and coming  problems with the traditional medical system. As a retired RN, I am totally impressed with the available facilities and the specialities in place. I am certain that Karen Statt, Jerry’s PA at our local VA facility in Chico Calif.   is absolutely thorough, dedicated to the vets and a source of   the best medical care available.  Jerry has a private cardiologist and family MD, but I can tell you that our local VA is absolutely the best.  The VA also has a low co-payment on some very expensive meds that Jerry takes, makes our life easier.

So, while here in Dallas I have had a couple of occasions to accompany Angie on her routine visits to the VA here. Now I am really impressed.  Dallas has the largest VA facility in the USA, next only to Long Beach Ca. Here it covers 86 acres, and believe me they have not wasted any space.  It’s an incredible, beautiful facility. It’s like a small city. They have every speciality and test facility available here. The inside is also to be proud of.  There is an abundance of seating, comfortable seating, and snack areas and vending machines and even a canteen  food court in the basement, a Bistro, Cafe VA, Starbucks and even a PX.  The busiest place tho is at the pop corn machine, my favorite snack ever, well ice cream too.  Anyway its here where  all the  social action takes place.  They sell the pop corn and have a condiment table so you can flavor the pop corn with many flavors, from cheddar cheese to parmesan to Chile powder , Cajun flavorings,my favorite, plus garlic powder.  Sounds trivial but sit there for awhile and watch the activity.  It’s run by volunteers and these guys know everyone  of the employees and some of the regular patients, and as they  pass by  never fail to call out greetings of some kind. A very social area.  Angie bought me a 10$ bag of pop corn, it didn’t cost that much of course, but Angie told the guy to add  the change to the money bucket, it’s for a good cause.

While sitting by the pop corn machine I felt certain that I would encounter some vets who would feel free to let me interview them.  I was interested in their feelings on this magnificant facility. In no time I had several Vets sitting aroung in wheel chairs or leaning on walkers or sitting beside me and we were deep into conversation by the time Angie had finished with her appt.   She came out and saw all the activity and wondered if I was being mobed.  You know me, I’m naturally friendly and people seem to like to talk to me.  I was lucky enough to be there on the day of the week that lots of vets meet there in a support group for each other.  They talked to me about various degrees of disability and both medical and psychological problems related to seeing active duty. All of the vets  that I talked to seemed to appreciate the benefits and care they were recieving.  The main complaint is that there are so many of them that need some kind of attention, therefore the waits can be long.  Also as with everything else everywhere in the civilian medical community the red tape and paperwork is tremendous. For some of the vets this is difficult to get it done and keep up with it.

This facility also has a domiciliary, social workers,  mental health inpatient units, psychology service , hospitalized patient units, med surg units, respiratory therapy , orthopedic surgical nursing unit, diabetes clinic, woman’s clinic and clinical research units. All medical specialities are in house.  These are among the many available options for these wonderful Americans who have given so much.   I love the saying,” If you can read, thank a teacher, if you can speak English thank a Veteran.”  It’s the least we can do for these dedicated men and women who have given us our way of life. God Bless one and all. I feel so privileged to have been able to see this place in action because it truly is unbelievable.

Wow, had to get up earlier than usual this morning.  Big day, places to go, people to see, stuff to do.  Jerry and I started out with the requisite bowl of honey nut cheerios and bananas and of course 2 cups of coffee.  Then off to Tommy’s shop.  Tommy had our truck down there and was having his people detail it.  So far Tommy has wrapped the truck, had the windows tinted, some mechanical work done on it and now totally detailed it and it’s ready to roll west. Less than 2 weeks now before we hit the road.

Today was also baby band day. Always one of my favorite times to visit the shop.  There were some real cuties there today. Got some cute pictures. These parents are slways so happy to get their baby’s head bands wrapped in cute colorful  wraps.  My favorite is the dinosaurs.

Then we were off for a very interesting few hours. We got directions to the Sixth Floor MUSEUM. But like Tommy said if we get lost just drive around because Dallas is a really beautiful city.  He was right on both accounts, we got lost and did see some really lovely mansions. I still wonder what people do in a house that covers an acre.  One thing Dallas has is fab homes and really fast and wonderful cars.  These two abound.  We visited the Sixth Floor MUSEUM, at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.  For anyone who has not been there, its truly a moving emotional experience.  Jerry and I are very fond of museum’s, and have seen some really wonderful and important ones. Most of them cover a period of yrs.  This one basically covers one day in our history.  I’m talking about the assassination of President  JFK.  This took place,  as some will remember who read this,on Nov. 22, 1963.  The Sixth Floor of the old Texas school book depository now houses this incredible museum, because it was from there  on that floor that Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated a President of the United States of America.  In Oct of 1989 the Sixth Floor Exhibit opened to the public to help visitors find meaning in the tragic event.  It took three decades after JFK’s assassination for the Secretary of the interior to designate Dealey Plaza a National Historic Landmark District. Who hasn’t heard of The Grassy Knoll?  This then finally became of historical significance in US history as the spot where John F. Kennedy died.  Since the museum opened in 1989, over five million people from all over the world have visited.  I am proud to now be able to say that I too have visited and I came away with a deep feeling of sadness that that kind of thing really did happen to this man and to this country. I personally cannot find any meaning to this tragic event.  It’s said all things happen for a reason, where’s the reason? Aside from my personal feelings, the exhibition, entitled “ John F Kennedy and the memory of a Nation,”  examines the life, death,  and legacy of the 35th U.S. President.  It covers the time of his presidential campaign ,through his influence on current events.  The exhibit features documentary films, historic footage, hundreds of photos and artifacts. There are 2 short movies and 3 video events.  The perch where the sniper sat and the stairway from which he eventually made his escape on that eventful day is highlighted.  The exhibit covers the Warren Commission and the various conspiracy theories.  I did leave there wondering about the fourth bullet? Was there one or not, was there a conspiracy or not?  How was it that the cops were so careless as to let Jack Ruby just walk up and murder Oswald?  Since Oswald is really apparently the only one who really knew the truth.

We do know that we were very glad we did go to see the museum.  Since I am such a history buff it was very important to me to see  this very interesting and famous exhibit.  It’s something everyone who appreciates United States  history should see.  I think some of you who read this remember exactly where you were and what you were doing at 1 PM central time on Nov. 22, 1963.  Do you?

On the way home we stopped off at Jason’s Deli for late lunch.  That place is always so good.  We usually get the soup and salad.  There are 10 different kinds of soup to choose from. The salad bar is fab and they have the most delicious mini corn bread and ginger breads.  The desserts are good too, Jerry had chocolate mouse.  All in all it was a really good day.

I was lucky enough to be here in the Metroplex for this momentous snow storm. It has not snowed like this in over 50 yrs.  Here at Angie’s house we got a foot of snow.  I was out side last night at midnight taking pictures, it was so bright out side, Angie said the moon was out but it was still snowing. It looked like a Christmas card picture .  Across the street and down the block they have the most creative snowmen. I am putting a picture in here to show off their masterpieces.  The dogs are having a great time playing in the snow.  Teddy sticks his nose into the snow and pushes it like a plow.  Then he climbs onto the lounge chair by the pool and wallows in the snow there.  Casey runs rings around the pool with teddy close behind.  They are hilarious. Casey has such long legs and Teddy just trudges along on his little short legs.  We thought a Red Heeler was not a water dog, but oh contrare, he seems to love water.  So far he has not seen fit to jump into the pool yet.  He does recognize icy water.  Lucky, the cat, has not requested his usual outside stroll since all this started.

The news reported 22 accidents in Dallas last night alone.  We can watch out the window and see the cars slippingaround on the street outside. Jerry trudged out into the snow in the back yard yesterday to fill the bird feeder for the beautiful red cardinal pair who depends on us. There’s not a lot of food out there right now. Half the flights out of DFW are canceled, 180,000 folks are without power, not us, thank goodness.  They have brought in 2500 repair crews from other states to help out.  The kids are enjoying snow days off from school and using everything they can find to help slide in the snow. They are using laundry baskets , garbage can lids and old election posters. The whole south is getting hit including Fla.  The snow storm of yesterday has now moved on into the Atlanta Georgia area.  It’s been a fun run here and we are so glad to get to be here and see it all. It may never happen for another 50 yrs.

The kids are stranded in Dallas and will end up spending two nights at a hotel.  Tommy shop is in Dallas and this isthe big All Star Week in Dallas and lots of Tommy’s business is tied into all the festivities  there in Dallas.  The roads were to frozen to come home last night so they are doing the hotel route for 2 nights. Its warming up now and the snow is falling off the trees.  That was one of the most beautiful parts of the snowfall.  The snow just glistened on the trees esp last night at midnight. It was truly a winter wonderland that I got to see in person.  Remember I’m a California girl not used to such glorious sights. I will enjoy all this beauty while it lasts, but like most beautiful things , their time in the sun, little pun there, are fleeting and will soon be lost to only memories, blogs and pictures.  Those will last for a long long time.

Ok Ok, I know I have written about some unusual experiences I have had while on this extended adventure we are on but this one literally takes the cake, dogie carrot cake that is.  Angie and I had received such glowing reports about the local Three Dog Bakery that Angie decided to do an article for her column for Examiner.com. ( She does articles on local interest.) Well this one is of definite interest, esp for dog lovers. 

Thurs night we attended the Mutt Mixer at the Three Dog Bakery.  This has got to be the most hilarious evening I have spent here in the Metroplex area.  This is a twice monthly affair.  There were about 25 dogs all meeting and greeting one another during the evening.  They were served gourmet treats that looked exactly like people hor’ devours.  All made from natural ingredients and fit for human consumption as well.  In fact Tommy had a cookie resembling an Oreo, and said it tasted like an Oreo, but just not as sweet.  Maybe I should begin to get Jerry’s oreos from the doggy bakery. I’m sure they are healthier as well.  There were wonderful objects of desire like Peanut Mutter Bars…Pet-it-Fours…large Pup Cakes…Boxer Brownies…Boston Terrier Cream Pies…Drooly Dream Bars…and Muddy Mastiff Paws, to name a few.  All displayed in cases like a people bakery.  All these goodies definitely caused a lot of tail wagging.

At the peak of the evening there were about 25 doggy parents there with one or more dogs each.  There were all breeds and sizes from 5# Precious, the Pekingese,  to Kodi the 210# English Mastiff.  The owners of the bakery Christy and Brad Howard have five grown Mastiffs of varying ages.  They are Dozer, Daisy, Diesel, Danica and Duchess.  These are wonderful gentle giants.  Imagine if you can 25  to 30 dogs all sizes and colors and temperaments and personalities loose in a doggy bakery, while the pooches parents are enjoying pasta and  garlic bread with wine and beer, plus dessert, as their treat.  One of the most interesting  things were the various conversations among the doggy owners and all the laughs provided by their canine buddies.   It was quite an evening.  All along the floor are baskets of chewies and dog biscuits in open containers and the canine visitors simply ignored them to play and visit with each others, not a thief among them.  Frequently one of the staff mingles among the mutts with trays of treats generously  handing them out as they made their way thru the store.  The dogs are all very polite, did not crowd or covet their friends treats, they would wait their turn and everyone has a wonderful time. You had to be there to truly appreciate the experience.  It took one person full time to keep the water dishes filled, all that visiting and sniffing caused great thirst among the visitors.  Have you ever seen a giant Mastiff drink water?  I have as I was sitting by one of the watering holes.  What a wet experience that one was.

We voted Godiva , a medium sized brown dog , as Miss Congeniality.  She was everywhere, visiting with all the other dogs and all the people.  There was Elenore  who seemed to be the official greeter of both dogs and their people. Her momma owns Serendipity a cute little shop not far from the bakery, specializing in home furnishing and accessories.    Teka and Puka, the Pugs were darling and quite social.  Sly a beautiful Weimaraner was there with the love of his life, Jamie, who took him to Baylor University while she earned her degree in pre med.  One of the most wonderful dogs was Flannel, a beautiful Golden Retriever, who was there with his mom an international photographer, who recently returned from a shoot in Cambodia.  Flannel just captured my heart, he was so much like Liz’s baby,  Max, who we loved so much.  Captain and Kodi the two visiting Mastiffs seemed to enjoy spending time with on another.  All these pooches hung out together, shared treats and sniffs and to tell you the truth I’m not sure who had the most fun the pooches or the parents.  My Teddy is still too young to attend, the Vet says one more set of shots before he can socialize with bunches of pooches.  He’s now 10 weeks old and so wonderful.

One of the most rewarding experiences Jerry and I have had here in Dallas has been being able to become acquainted with Tommy’s business, 360 Wraps.  We are fortunate enough to get the inside track on what’s happening at the shop., and especially Tommy’s charity which is  called ” Wrap Buddies.”  It did all start with one father approaching Tommy about wrapping his son’s helmet.  Now we are not talking about sports helmets, which Tommy has done many, but about a medical device helmet used to reshape his son’s head. He stated that he was tired of people staring at his son because he had on a sterile white plastic type of head band.  These helmets are very conspicuous, made of hard white plastic, they are very expensive, and insurance usually does not cover them. So Tommy designed a wrap that makes the helmet  more cool.  His designs include sports themes, nursery rhyme themes etc, usually with the name of the child on the front of the helmet.  This really personalizes the helmet and then people know the child’s name too.  The parents leave 360 Wraps with happy smiles, and the babies become fashion symbols.

These helmets are usually worn for several months until the condition of Plagiocephaly is remedied.  This is sometimes referred to as “flat head syndrome”. This condition occurs when a portion of an infants skull becomes flattened due to pressure from extended outside forces.  It can happen in the womb.  Twins or multiples are at higher risk due to lack of room during development.  Preemies are also higher risk because underdeveloped skulls are softer.  To remedy this situation these babies are fitted with a helmet to help reshape their little heads.  It’s not unusual for Tommy to see twins and he also had a set of quads come in.  Talk about excitement. click here to see the Cox Quads

This entire concept was new to 360 Wraps, as Tommy and his team were used to wrapping big trucks, auto’s and SUVs, as well as other large speciality items.   After completing his first helmet Tommy decided to wrap the devices free of charge.  When this news got out the phone never stopped ringing.  So now one day each month is devoted strictly to Baby Band Day.  It’s kind of a baby party time.  The parents bring something to snack on, everyone shares, even the team gets a treat that day.  The shop has a Keurig coffee brewer for coffee and hot cocoa for all to share.  The parents get together and discuss their precious bundles, compare notes and generally have a pleasant time while the helmets are wrapped by Tommy and Tyler his production manager.  It has been so fun and rewarding for us to be able to interact with this special group,  esp for me , coming from an RNs background, anything medical just naturally attracts me.   The usual number of Baby Band Wraps is between 14 and 16 on that day.  This day has become so popular now that 360 Wraps asks parents to please make an appt. that way all helmets can be done in a timely manner.

These are the happiest babies, usually between 4 and 10 mos. old.  I think personally that having to wear the helmets, which they adjust to quickly, makes them more flexable and easy going.  This is a big investment for the parents, so making them look attractive is Tommy’s passion.  The wrap really makes a difference in their look, now they get stares of envy by their siblings and outsiders, and Tommy and the team of 360 Wraps get a feeling of satisfaction of a deed well done. 

Tommy has plans to expand the wrap buddies program to offer wraps to more than just the baby bands.  In the future the team at 360 Wraps plan on going into the childrens hospitals to wrap walls, floors, medical equipment and anything else they can get vinyl to stick to.  The first project that they have done that was not a child’s band wrap was for a 13 year old girl with Scoliosis.  She has been wearing the back brace white for almost 5 years and was very excited to get the wrap done to jazz it up.  Please visit www.wrapbuddies.com

Another fun filled episode of the Hip Hop industry.  Jerry and I had the best time yesterday afternoon at The Club Onyx, in Dallas.  That was the latest  BET and MTV video shoot for Money Militia.  Love that kid.  He has quite a story before all the fame and someday I may interview him on that. Until then I’m going to just appreciate him for all he represents.  He’s a sweet huggy bear.

It seems all the biggies were there, supporting one another.  This is a good thing. ”  Hezeleo ” and ” Valentino”, were there in their wonderful jazzy coats.  It’s still freezing here in Dallas.  These guys have class. They were looking GOOD!!! ’ Mario, (personality plus),  and” Valley of the Kings producers, “came by for the show.”  DJ Murk,” DJ,d the event, great as ever. ” Casu’elle”,sang me a song personally, this kid is fab.  He has a voice that sooths the savage beast in you, if need be. But from what I hear he simply dazzles the ladies.  I can see why.  Casu’elle will be doing an upscale event at the “Ghost Bar”, next week.  It’s at the top of the W Hotel in Dallas. Hope I’m invited. Then I will know he’s singing just to ME.  If you would like to hear Casu’elle sing click here to go to his my space.

“Denver,” in all her glory, was there to entertain the house and incorporated into the video. This girl is especially talented.  She told me her profession is Choreography,  well she can choreograph my dance team anytime.  It’s amazing what she can do with that stripper pole, both winding herself up it and winding  herself back down. The girl is poetry in motion.  Very Very tastefully done, I might add.  I for one could watch her all day. She was a hit with the guys and the gals. She’s a very sweet girl. 

“BJ Diva “ was there. I had hoped to see her again, we sat with her group for awhile until”  Money” called Grandpa Jerry and I to the front, for a front row seat for the finale of the video.  The “Diva” is representing the dancers and models for the video’s.  She has a vast experience with stage productions and sings so beautifully.  She has experience with speaking and singing and pageants.  She will be helping the girls with their makeup, proper application, etc. with all the little intricacies that prepare the younger girls for the camera roles.  she’s great with makeup, all the girls looked beautiful. She will be helping them with their wardrobe choices and shoe styles. Plus The Diva is a HOOT, a personality plus. It does suit her tho as she was Mrs. Texas Plus, for 2007.  She can backup up her qualifications. She is so much fun to be around. We all had lunch at the club and let me tell you, and I’m not a burger fan, but those cheese burgers and fries were fab. The food the others got looked equally scrumptious.

Money the star of the video was his usual cool dude persona.  This kid can do no wrong, everything he does turns to money.  Wow, did I just say, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.  They wound up the Video with Tommy’s 360 Wraps Camero, and Tylers 360 wraps Chevy pickup, loaded with hot babes.  Be sure to catch the next round in the Hip Hop world.

Sunday was one of the most interesting and definitely most fun events I have ever been to.  Tommy does a lot of business with the local and some national Rap Artists, ie:  They travel from far and wide to have their Vans wrapped with Tommy’s designs.  Tommy’s other fact to fame is that he is a fantastic marketer.  Most everyone likes his design ideas and he is so good at presenting them to the clients.

This event was sponsored by 360 Wraps, Detail Werkz, and Yum’s shoes and accessories.  Brian, the owner of Detail Werkz, works out of Tommy’s shop,  and details high end autos for the folks with the Maserati’s and Lamborghini’s Mercedes, Beemers etc. Often there is a million $ worth of cars sitting in the shop. For this event there was that much in just two cars. The other sponsor is so fun, it’s Yum’s.  They have the neatest shoes on earth.  Tommy just brought home a pair for Jerry called “Smores.”  Like I said Tommy is quite the marketer. Also featured in the video shoot is famous DJ  Bay Bay’s Old’s Cutless.

The filming of the Video is being made for BET and MTV, it started about 2 PM and went until 7PM.  It was quite a day.  It was also 32 degrees outside and some of it was filmed outdoors.  There were lots of pretty girls there to dance with the star whose name is “MONEY.”  They all had very little on and it was freezing outside They had to dance fast just to keep from freezing. I’d say half of the day was spent outside, because they were featuring Tommy’s Camera as he spun donuts in the parking lot, coming within a foot of the line of dancers and MONEY, the artist. Good thing Tommy has really good control of his driving skills. It was cool the see a professional video being filmed. MONEY said at one point he was thinking Tommy was going to hit them, but he just kept on dancing.

I have never met such a professional and polite group of people.  There were about 150 participants, camera men, lighting directors and of course a director and co director.  Valley of the Kings, are MONEY’S producers. He’s known as MONEY MILITIA.  They look so tough on film but in reality they are respectable professional business men.  I had the pleasure to meet such characters as ” White T”, ” Danger”,  ” Lil Wil”,” Bobby Blue”, ” DJ Merk”,   ” BJ Diva”, she’s 49 yrs old and was Mrs. Texas Plus of 2007, she was really special, she could sing like an angel, and did on several occasions.  I met the  “GoDJ’s”, “Valentino”, “  HEZELEO”, and the  guys from Money Stretch Entertainment. The various Rapper’s come to the shoots in support of their own. One of the dancers there called “ Denver”, is reported to be a famous stripper out of Denver.  Boy could she dance, we couldn’t take our eyes off of her.  She was fab. 

Tommy ordered in 15 large pizzas and cases of soft drinks for everyone.  It was one big party while , as Elvis used to say,” Taking Care Of Business.” Jerry had a lot of fun with all the girls, They were calling him Grandpa Jerry when they found out he was Tommy’s father in law and Felecia’s grandpa. I was thinking maybe I better find his heart pills.  He really had a good time, not that I didn’t.  I thought MONEY was one of the sweetest, most considerate people I ever had the pleasure to meet, esp since he is famous in these parts.  There were lots of groupies hanging around , but even they were polite and helpful.  They had to dismiss about half of the girls as to many showed up, they culled them out and kept the best of the best.  Naturally” Denver”, the dancer, made the grade and she was fantastic.  She was almost more fun to watch than the actual artist himself.  I said almost, because MONEY was fantastic.  He was so tired by the end of the shoot, because they kept retaking and retaking so they could get it just right. Jerry and I were privileged to watch most of the shoot from the VIP lounge. That is when I was not out there in the midst of all of it mixing it up with all the crazy fun people.  They were into introducing themselves and telling me what part of the business they were involved in.  Such a surprising polite interesting group of people.  I really had the time of my life out there mixing it up. There I was out there amongst the entire group, a slice of pizza in one hand and a Dr Pepper in the other, dancin around to the Rap Music, just livin it up to the max.

After the wrap of the Rap Video, about 50 of us adjourned to Chili’s for dinner.  They actually have really good steaks there.  We sat next to the camera and lighting guys.  Boy they lead an interesting life, one drove up from San Antonio and the other from Austin, just for this shoot. The Chili’s joint was jumpin. Everyone was tired and the Margarita’s were flowing.

A good time was had by all!

Snow on the Cars in front of the house.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, snow flakes in the air.  Here, yes, here in Dallas,we have pictures, rare, but so has the weather of this entire year been rare everywhere.  Just remember winter chased us from Chico all across the Midwest and finally caught us in the Amana Colonies.  Well now it’s time for the cold weather and snow. A couple of yrs ago here in DFW at Christmas and New Years it was in the 80′s.  It just didn’t seem like the holidays. I think this year will be different and I’m looking forward to it.

We went over to our 5th wheel trailer today to be sure the cats were staying warm.  It’s been hard on them us living here at Angie’s and them over there.  We visit regularly , daily in fact, but it’s just not the same.  Soon we will be moving back to our home away from home again.  Jerry starts his cardiac rehab this Fri. and things are really beginning to level out now.  Jerry is able to be more active now and breathing is much easier.  He’s working very hard to make it happen.  First mention of home in Chico, he asked me if I was getting homesick, I had to say no, because frankly I haven’t had time to think about it that much.  Besides I know things are OK in Chico, Liz would let me know.  I think what Jerry misses most is his wood stove. In the winter we both love the heat from that stove.

Got the message that Chico city council will not talk Wal Mart anymore.  I feel sorry for Chico.  I just came back from grocery shopping at a Wal Mart here.  I love to shop there.  Yesterday I paid $2.50 for a loaf of bread at Albertson’s and today same bread at Wal Mart $1.50. There stores are spacious, well lit, things are nicely packaged, and they have everything in the grocery line, plus the other side of the store has everything else and you don’t have to run all over creation to find something. One stop shopping.  Sounds like I have stock in the place, I should have because every town in America that amounts to anything has a WAL MART.   I guess I will be shopping in Willows when I come home.Enough said!!!