Do you like to get dirty?

Well, I like to have good clean fun and sometimes that means getting dirty! I am gearing up for the Irvine Lake Mud Run happening this weekend! I am so excited! It is my first one and I get to share my experience with a few of my homeschool mom friends. Our team name is the Crazy Homeschool Mudders! If you don't know about this amazing obstacle course of a track you can get the info at: irvinelakemudrun.com They have been preparing this track for a couple of weeks now. Crazy Homeschool Mudders will be running this Sunday, April 11th. There will also be food and a concert! Come have some fun in the mud and Cheer us on!

Season's Greetings

Well it is that time of year! The time that we are all rushing around trying to figure out what to get or do for our loved ones this holiday season. While I feel happy and am enjoying the carols, lights and decoration, I don't feel that special feeling that usually comes this time of year. I can't quite put my finger on why, or what is missing. As I think about it though, just what does create the feeling? How about you? What creates it for you?

Even if I don't find my inspired holiday feeling, I am happy and grateful to have such a wonderful family and large group of friends!

What ever you celebrate, I hope yours is a happy and festive one!

I am back!

Recently I had lost the ability to log into this blog. I have changed my e-mail and will be changing my blog address soon. I am so glad I could get back in here so I wouldn't loose touch with those of you that have a link to me or, are following me. I didn't have any other account for some of you and would have completely lost you. I am SO glad to figure out this glitch. :)

As far as my journey through realty,...it is quite a journey! So much going on and so many options! I am excited to get out there and help anyone that I can.

My office information is 1900-C St. Andrews Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740. Bus (562) 594-0515 Fax (562) 594-0535. My cel# (714) 398-6913. I can personally help you in Seal Beach and surrounding areas! I am now also a Relocation Agent. So, If I can't physically go there I can make sure you have someone who is excellent to help you out. No matter where you are going, even outside of the United States!

Hope you are all happy and healthy!

A Flash From The Past!

We went to Jimmy Black's Benefit yesterday and had a great time! I saw people that I haven't seen since my early childhood. It was so cool to reconnect! I had a lot of family that was there as well that I haven't seen for a long time, since they had moved to other states years ago.

There were lots of people. Musicians, fans and family that turned out for the event. All of the musicians had a chance to play, which made for an array of music styles. Of course we went over our time allotment. The park was very gracious to allow us to keep rockin into the night. Our numbers started thinning out once people could no longer feel their toes. They raised some money for the family, the film crew got some great shots and most of all....the Black family felt much love.











Jimmy's son Geronimo and a few musicians setting up.













From the left; Denny (Steelfingers, and my Uncle) Walley, Tom Leavy, Janet (my Aunt)











Jimmy's widow Moni and Uncle Denny at the shirt kiosk.




Last but not least...these are the grown up children that were in my earlier 70's pic. From left; Jared Walley(my cousin), Geronimo (amazing singer and musician, like his dad) , Darin (Jared's cousin who plays some wicked drums!).

Update on Benefit...

The entrance fee for the event will be $20 for an individual, $30 for a couple or $40 for a family (including all children) There will be food and an auction as well as booths. Here is a link to the park with all the information about its amenities; http://www.thousandtrails.com/getaways/california/soledadcanyon.asp !

Childhood memories. Remembered in a time of loss.

Growing up I was exposed to a lot of great musicians and a lot of great people when I would visit with my Uncle Denny. Jimmy Black was one of those. He is someone in my childhood that I hadn't thought about in years. That is until I heard how sick he was. Jimmy crossed over last night at 11pm is what I am told. Being that he was in a German Hospital, I don't know if that was German time or ours.

My Uncle and a very good friend of his (Tom Leavey) were working on a benefit to help pay for the ton of hospital bills Jimmy had racked up with all his medical bills. This benefit has now turned into a memorial. Here is what Tom had sent to my mom;

Hi Everybody,
Jimmy Carl Black a dear friend since 1969 and fellow bandmate
(GERONIMO BLACK) is dealing with cancer of the lungs,kidneys, brain and
leukemia. To help his family with mounting medical expenses we are throwing a
benefit concert on Sunday December 7th. 2008 from noon til dark at Thousand
Trails Campgrounds in Acton, Ca. The location was found by Candy Zappa and Nolan
Porter who used it for a benefit last Sunday and when myself and Peter Lovio, a
member of Frank Zappa's 1st. band (The Blackouts) saw the natural beauty of
this venue we decided this would be the perfect place for Jimmy's benefit
concert. There will be many musical guests connected to The Mothers Of Invention
with several original band members. Also, Jimmy's sons Geronimo & Darryl
will be driving in from Jimmy's home town of El Paso to perform as the New
Geronimo Black. We will keep you updated with guests that will be appearing, but
we guarantee there will be many,many surprises and lots of great music. If you
had a good time during the 60s we're
gonna bring it back to you by celebrating Jimmy Carl Black's 50 years in
show business. Hope to see you all there.
Thanks, Tom Leavey

I have tried to post a picture that I am not sure will turn out. It is of the dads with their sons. Jimmy Black with Geronimo on the left, My Uncle Denny Walley and Jared in the middle and Tom Leavey with Darin on the right. Us kids were probably about two at that time.

I am going to do everything I can to go to that gig! It would be nice to see and reconnect with lost friends (and family) before we loose another one.

Calm before the storm...

Lately I am feeling like it is the calm before the storm. I have about a week and a half with not much on the calender and then....chaos irrupts. It really isn't that bad, but feels that way. Cameron is back from camp and now I have both kids back at home and things feel normal.

In between the camps we went on a field trip to the J.Pual Getty Museum and took advantage of one of there many amazing lessons, Body Language. It was very cool to see how the art work told a story by the way the bodies were positioned and the stories went from one work of art to the next. Very cool. I do love the Getty though. The grounds are just so beautiful and the cafe has actual good food (though a little pricey). It is a shame that it is so far from us. I was hoping to have pix to share but my daughter forgot to take any and I haven't received any from anyone else yet. This Friday we go to another museum called the Muzeo. It is in Anaheim (much closer) and has Jane Goodall's Chimpanzee exhibit at present. This will be my first time at this museum, as it is pretty new.

There is just so many fun things coming up I am feeling a bit anxious. Chalise turns in a decorated cake to the OC Fair this Saturday. We need to go to that fair! Then there s the CHN Expo, the picking up the cake and see how she placed, then....a Food Show! Oh, this food show looks like so much fun! We have never been to one but have watched challenges on tv. They will have a cake challenge and food from top restaurants. Not to mention Duff, Marry Ellen and Geof from Ace of Cakes will be there. Chalise loves that show and is inspired by Duff and the crew. I hope we see them somewhere walking about. Are blackout day will be over so we can again run and play at Disneyland. Then Chalise starts back up going to classes. This time (hopefully) at IVC, she has registration yet. She will be there three days a week. Cameron will be starting drum lessons about the same time. I can't believe summer is almost over and we only have been to the beach once! What a shame. We need to move closer to the beach! OH, and we need to still go to Raging Waters in San Dimas! That place is awesome! I guess you can see why I am a little anxious....right?

This morning though, we are helping a neighbor plant some flower. Well, I guess that is enough for this morning....

Chinatown Field Trip in LA

We had a very exciting time in Chinatown last Friday. We were given a walking tour explaining some of the buildings and how the immigrants started their new lives in America. It was funny to see that they had re-opened a former French Hospital that had a Joan of Arc statue and memorial in front. The Chinese had left the statue/memorial there and takes care of it to this day because Joan of Arc was important to the French. We also were treated to a temple. Beautiful temple, such gorgeous workmanship and the incense smelled so good. We got to go inside and experience it all, some even lit incense.

After the walking tour we had luch! The food was good and they even had a show. We saw a traditional fan dance and ribbon dance and were told about the hierarchy of the Imperial family down to the Imperial Guard. They had asked a person from several tables to dress up like the family. :) Then there was a wonderful balancing act and a funny magician. It was all very good!

A smaller group of us decided to go shopping after all the festivities and the teens ( and one young adult) decided to try the Century Eggs. Century Eggs are fermented duck eggs and they are so purple they are almost black. I didn't even have the courage to smell one, by my daughter was one of the teens to try one. Ugghh I staid away from her for a while.

If you would like to see the pictures you can go to share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZuG7VuzZM2NQ You might have to copy and paste it in your address line. Some of the pictures there are from an earlier field trip to Tucker Wild Life Sanctuary. These photos are courtesy of Karin. Karin is kind enough to take them and she is the other half of the field trip excursions we put together.

BEACH DAY!

We had ourselves the first beach day of the season! It was so nice to lay on the sand and snack from our picknet basket of goodness. The water to was to cold for me, but the girls jumped in for a bit. Cameron made himself a new sand Pokemon with tentacles. Then we strolled along the beach and down Main St. On Main St. a man was handing out "free" flattened pennies with the ten commandments pressed into it. The kids later threw them into the fountain.

We were very hungry by then and asked the police officers which restaurant was a good deal with good food. They gave us a couple of suggestions and we wound up at Fred's Mexican Bar & Grill. The food was good and they had a party atmosphere that we would have enjoyed, if we hadn't been so tired. The price wasn't to bad, especially since we shared plates.

It was a fun exhausting day.

Inspirational Friends

Isn't it wonderful when you have inspirational friends? I have had a couple of moms lately that have really inspired me. They have nudged me to create, get involved and have fun. These moms have kids that are inspiring my kids. LOL It is very nice to have such interaction that touch our lives. Hope to touch yours lives as well. :)

Normally, I would post a picture. Blogger is having a problem at the moment, so no picture. I will try again later.