Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall

Randy and I visited the Moving Wall. It is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was created by three California veterans.

It truly was a "moving" tribute. Randy's cousin, Daniel Case, was on the wall. He was only 19 when he was killed. His tour began Feb. 12th, 1970 and tragically ended Apr. 11th, 1970. Very sad.

We found his name and did a charcoal etching for Randy's mom. The display was impressive. It kind of creeps me out that we were smiling in the pictures, standing in front of 58,178 names of the people that died in Vietnam. Sorry...

We went back the next day and volunteered to help tear it down, pack it up, and escort it out of town. Four of us from the Patriot Guard were there. (I'll post pictures later.)

I was the only woman there, except, of course, the woman that was in charge. I was the "screw girl". Yes, that's me; the screw girl. That's what the old veterans were calling me as I held the can for the screws as we tore down the wall. It was pretty tough for them to keep their composure as they would call out, "Screw Girl", to collect the screws they had for their part of the tear down. I just don't know how they would have done it without the screw girl. Oh, those guys were sooo sweet. Whatever, those Vets are some crazy sombitches; crazy fun. It was very interesting to hear the good stories they had and disturbing to hear the others. I don't think I could survive a battlefield, emotionally or physically. God bless 'em. All in all, we actually had a good time together.

The VFW served us lunch and we got on our bikes and escorted them about 20 miles out of town.

To our Vietnam Vets, the families, and the communities, you have our sincere condolences to all the names on the wall.

If you would like to search the wall for friends and family, you can do it here.
http://thewall-usa.com/

Pictures taken by our local newspaper...
http://communityfaces.kcstar.com/?action=slideshow&id=671&expand=new&s=1&ac=1&ct=1&pc=1&fs=1&stf=1&currentPage=26&play=1#slides

Randy did a little work

My man did a little work on Lori's Dad's house. She wanted me to post them on blogger. So, here it is.

He weeded the flower beds, mowed, painted the basement, and unfinished trim, power washed the back of the house, and laid the flooring in the bathroom. The biggest accomplishment was power washing the deck. Whew, what a difference. It was a grey-black-green color and looked like it needed to be replaced.... It almost looks brand new!!

Whataya think Lori?

Tip of the day

Alaskan Sister

Back in 1975 my sister (Goldy) and her then live-in boyfriend (now husband, Gold Digger), being the hippies they were, packed up their VW Van, and drove to the last frontier. In Alaska, you could still homestead. When they arrived they did several odd jobs to survive; and indeed, it was survival. They had no where to live. As my sister said, they lived out in the bush.

They plotted out gold mining claims for a large property owner. Living in a tent with a camping stove and dutch oven and supplies they could carry from their van on the long hike. She told me stories of digging out the snow in area large enough to accommodate their tent. The deeper they dug, the warmer they stayed. Fine dining included, black tailed deer , canned vegetables, and fresh baked bread. Goldy said she would mix her dough and sleep with it in her sleeping bag so it would rise and not freeze. Goldy and Gold Digger panned for gold for extra money as well.

My Aunt and Uncle owned small hunting lodge and lived in Alaska for two years. Goldy and Gold Digger grew tired of living in the bush and working for the man. Cold and tired, they trekked out of the bush, back to their hippie van for the long drive back to town. As luck would have it, their love bus broke down. On a remote highway, out in the middle of nowhere, it died. Goldy said it was a miracle. They spotted a truck and waved it down. Can you believe it? It was my Aunt and Uncle. They stayed with the relatives for a couple of days and it was time; time to homestead.

They packed their tent, clothes, and supplies and paid a Cessna pilot to take them to a small island off the coast of Alaska called Montigue Island. They built a log cabin and small barn. Of course, the cabin had no electricity and no running water. There were three other couples living on the island. A community hut was built were the islanders would eat dinner together. All couples took turns cooking. They hung their black tailed deer outside the hut and would lower it to get cuts of meat. A small plane flew in every three days delivering supplies and mail.

They cut tree bulbs and crafted sconces and furniture. They combed the beach with a metal detector to find treasures, and panned for gold so they could afford supplies to live.

As nature has it, Goldy found she was with child. Natural childbirth was the hippie way and Montigue Midas was born. (Yes, this what they named their son.) Montigue was for the island and Midas after the mythical King Midas with the golden touch. Goldy would strap Monty on her back, strap on her 357, and hall water back to her home. She had to protect herself and her baby from the bears. Goldy was and is tough as hell; all 110 lbs of her.

Around two years went by. Goldy and Monty were out in the barn when Monty fell from the loft and broke his collarbone. Poor baby, they would have wait three days before the mail and supply plane would arrive so they could take him to a doctor.

That was it. Goldy insisted they move back to civilization for the safety of her child. Living in Wasilla, Alaska, my sister is no longer a Kansan, but a true Alaskan.

A picture of my Alaskan sister and brother (who lives in Lori's town). I love those guys...

Hair

Hi all,

I have missed all of you soooo much. I have been working and have had people to see and things to do every weekend.

This weekend I cut my hair and taking it easy. My neice donated her services and I donated my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Pantene Beautiful Lengths was created to support and encourage women who have lost their hair during cancer treatment.

I thought the second picture made my ass look big. Sooo, I tried to suck it up. I then noticed it just looked like I was humping my kitchen counter. Damn it to hell, I just have a big ass.....Becky's gotta a big'o butt, oh yeah....

Ten inches gone. Now, if I could just do the same thing with my arse!

This is for my fellow sistas. Kick cancer's ass girls!




















www.locksoflove.com
http://www.pantene.com/en_US/beautifullengths/index_home.jsp

Thinking about my friends

Cool Graphics at
REVOLUTIONMYSPACE.com


I have been thinking about all of you. I ran across this "Hello Kitty" and thought of Rain. I picture her being sparkley and happy. Hi Rain! How are you? I have been far too busy to blog. Re did much of the house and now we are finding there are many small things we have to do as well. We need to re varnish a large shelf, mirror, and table to match my cherry wood day bed in the extra bedroom. I need to find three new prints to frame for my living room. We definitely need new kitchen and entry way flooring. It doesn't mean I'm not thinking about each and every one of you!!! Miss ya!

A message to all of my blogger friends

I know I have been very busy. But I love you all. This says it all. Fuck, fuck , fuckity fuck.

XXXXXOOOO, Becky

Why does this post twice? I dunno. Cute huh?

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The Wizard for James

Alright, I obviously don't know what I'm doing. Click on the URL below and listen to the song that reminds me of my friend James. I hope it works! For you James!!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1716752378

Try not to focus on the sexy dancing girls in the back. Just listen to the words. The song is "The Wizard" by Uriah Heep. One of my favorite bands of the seventies. Man this video is dated. It makes me feel oooold.

The words:


He was the wizard of a thousand kings.
And a chance to meet him one night wondering.
He told me tales and he drank my wine.
Me and my magic man kinda feeling fine.
He had a cloak of gold and eyes of fire.
And as he spoke I felt a deep desire to free the world of its fear and pain and help the people to feel free again.
Why don't we listen to the voices in our hearts?Cause then I know we'll find we're not so far apart.
Everybody's got to be happy, everyone should see.
For we know the joy of life and peace that love can bring.
So spoke the wizard in his mountain home.
The vision of his wisdom means we'll never be alone.
And I will dream of my magic night and the million silver stars that guide me with their light.

The Bathroom has been painted!

I have missed you all so much. I have been so busy with painting, reorganizing and cleaning, I haven't had much time to blog.

In the middle of all of, Lori came to visit. And yes, she helped me with all of it. I painted my bathroom a very bright yellow. There isn't really anything special about my bathroom except for THIS BEAUTIFUL, ORIGINAL MURAL, FINE ARTIST PAINTED ON THE WALL! This is Lori's blank canvas.



This is the finished MASTERPIECE! I LOVE it! I also love my sister very, very much. Thank you Lori. You are the greatest sister and artist in the America....in the world!




Poor Lori. I worked her to death. We finished painting the kitchen and redecorated it as well.


All is well at my home. I'm lovin' the new look. I'll post pictures of my kitchen next. We still have the downstairs rec-room to go, and it is a wreck, but it will not be for long. Oh, did I tell you Lori is the greatest sister and artist in the world?!!!!

Slow progress painting the house

Progress is slow painting only when you have the time. In this case, it is a process, not an event.

The first two pictures are of Devin's room. He chose the lovely color (???) of white duck. He worked so hard on it, the only thing he will hang on the walls is his tapestry and his Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calender.

The third room is my living room, painted utterly tan with a second darker color to make the fireplace pop. We also painted the mantel. We didn't want to but paint dripped all over it. I personally think it looks better than what it did.

The fourth picture is my dining room. It and the kitchen will be a very pale blue. It has not been painted yet. I just thought I would share it because Snowball looked so cute trying to help with the preparation. If I absolutely love the color blue. It is a good thing there are other opinions to consider. I would truly get carried away and paint the entire house different shades of blue. I find it calming.

The fifth picture is our extra bedroom, painted a color we created from some oops paint mixed with white. It is tan as well with a bit more of a gold hue in comparison to the living room.

I can't wait until it is complete. We will lay ceramic tile in the entry way and possibly in the kitchen next. Maybe we will do laminent in the kitchen. I will have to wait and see how easy or difficult laminent is to lay from Shell and Ron.... But that will be another long drawn out project. I haven't visited the blogisphere as often as I had been. I have been spending most of my spare time painting.

Chou think your bad?

Way back when, I lived in Phoenix (Glendale), AZ. I had been there about a week. My friend Chris and I decided to go for a ride. Chris and I were new to Phoenix and had no idea about the Glendale element. Chris had a beautiful blue Harley Davidson Panhead chopper. It was a bad ass bike. It was all chrome, springer front end, hard tail, pulled back ape hanger handle bars, with a tall sissy bar. It was your classic, old school chopper.

We stopped a QT to get some ciggies. A low rider Chevy pulls in. The young man in the car was glaring at us. He was looking all gang banger with his blue bandanna-doo rag on his head.
He got out of his car and walked towards us. He was wanting a fight. He approached us and asked in a very strong Chicano street accent, “Sooo, chou think your pretty bad on your on harleydavisonmotorcycle, DON'T chou?

Chris and I turned and looked at each other and just started laughing our a$$e$ off. I don't know if it was the accent, the way the guy carried himself, or what. It was just funny. Hell, it was hilarious. The guy gave us a very confused look and just walked away with his tail between his legs, got in his car, and left. Chris and I were still laughing as he pulled out.

Right after I moved to Phoenix

Oh, the Phoenix night life... We were new to Arizona. One night, my buddy Chris and I went out to have a beer. We arrived at this little dive and headed in. We ordered a pitcher and began watching the people. The clientele were mainly bikers. They would enter, their long hair, braids, beards, leathers, and guns. Yes, guns. At the front door was a gun rack. You see, it is legal in Arizona to carry a gun as long as it's not concealed. They would check their guns and sit down, order, and party.

I was sitting at our table thinking, "Hmmm, if I'm going to live here, am I going to need one of those?" So's anyways, I'm drinking, watching, and realizing how much crazier the bikers are in Arizona than Kansas. Drinking beer...I had to pee. "Chris, I'll be right back."

I go in the bathroom, lock the door, and I'm doing my business. Suddenly, I hear chairs and tables being overturned out in the bar and what sounded like a man grunting and growling. Alarmed, I'm thinking, "What in the hell is going on out there?" Suddenly and abruptly, the bathroom door is kicked open. A large, scraggly, bearded, dark haired man, rushes into the bathroom. There I am, sitting there in shock with my pants around my ankles. He comes right up to me, bends over and nose to nose he growls, "You're lucky you're not her." His nose was touching mine, while I was peeing! I would have peed my panties if I didn't already have them pulled down. I said, "Er um, yea". With that, he exited the bathroom and then the bar.

I came out of the bathroom a little shaken. The bar tender was out picking up the chairs and tables. Most everyone was standing up except those at the bar. Many were acting as if it was nothing and most of them were laughing...Well except for Chris. As I was coming out of the bathroom he was running back to me. "It all happened so fast. Are you alright?", he asked. I said, "You know what that guy did?" Of course, I told him, "I was peeing...nose to nose...he said... yadda, yadda, yadda" ... He was trying to keep a straight face, and then we just busted out laughing. I mean, come on, he didn't hurt me. I didn't feel victimized. It was just extraordinarily odd and extremely uncomfortable. What do you do when you feel weird and uncomfortable? Well, I'll tell you. You laugh.

We finished our pitcher and left.

Yours, mine, and ours, and, and....

The Family Dynasty for Jo


Ruth Elvira and Otto Laverne – birthed Grandma Martha who married Grandpa Isaac

Martha Lucille and Isaac Henry – birthed Mom Sharon

Sharon and 1st husband Charles – birthed Pam
Sharon and 2nd husband Dutch – birthed Bill
Sharon and boyfriend Michael – birthed Lori

My dad Jim and 1st wife Verna – birthed Mike and Marian - Verna died after giving birth to Marian

Sharon and 3rd husband (my dad) Jim – birthed Becky, Crystal, Tom, and adopted Judy

Sharon and 4th husband Larry – birthed Brian
Sharon and 5th common-law husband Dick - thank God, no children
Sharon and 6th husband Ted – birthed Kelly
Sharon and 7th husband JD – thank God to old to have children
Sharon and 8th common-law husband Duffy- thank God to old to have children

All brothers and sisters: Mike, Marian, Judy, Pam, Bill, Lori, Becky, Crystal, Tom, Brian, and Kelly.

I know this leaves you begging for a story....Oh, no, I don't want to go there. So, I'm referring you to a post Lori wrote back on 07/28/05. One thing Lori left out is our adopted sister Judy. Jim and Sharon adopted her when she was 15. Judy's mother committed suicide and she had no where to go. She was Marian's friend and Mom and dad legally adopted her so she would not be sent to a foster home. She lived with us until she was married at 17. The second thing she left out was Mom's drunk common-law husband Duffy (yes, he was the last one).

Click on the link below for the sorted story.

http://fineartist.blogspot.com/2005/07/m-is-for-mother.html