COMMENTS FROM VALLI-MARIE

2015-08-18T15:12:00.001-05:00

A Few Days Off Refreshes the Soul

Last week I took a few days off of work, the heat, the day to day doldrums of August and went to meet my two best friends in Pass Christian, MS. We celebrated an anniversary, birthday and their grandchildren (almost all of them).

It has completely changed my mindset. I feel happier and less bogged down. Even though I sat in the New Orleans airport for almost four hours waiting on my plane, I still felt happy. The Flight Attendant on Southwest Airlines was hysterical (funny). At first she announced someone had dropped their wallet and then when everyone looked to the front, she said "now that I have your attention......." and everyone laughed. Then she said "she was dimming the lights so she would look better to all of us and if that didn't work, she was serving alcohol". Truly had everyone in a great mood.

Life lesson.....when you are bored, depressed, hate the heat.....go off on a small journey with friends.

You will perk right up!

2015-08-07T10:58:00.003-05:00

Things I CAN DO now!

I am 64 years old and until this year I could not touch a peach. They were too furry! Gave me the shivers or as we like to say in Louisiana the frisson.

(Frisson (French for 'shiver') is a sensation somewhat like shivering, usually caused by stimuli. It is typically expressed as an overwhelming emotional response combined with piloerection (goosebumps). Stimuli that produce a response are specific to the individual.

All my life whenever I saw a peach I got the frissons. Now that can be good or bad. Me and a peach.....bad. Once I went to Dorignac's (New Orleans wonderful grocery store) and picked up a peach instead of a nectarine and screamed. Silly, I know.

But about two weeks ago my next door neighbor brought me about 25 peaches. I just kept staring at them, because all my life people have been peeling them for me or I put on gloves and peel them. And then I just took the plunge.....I picked one up and peeled it WITH MY BEAR HANDS.

No one knows what a triumph that was for me....(Hey in this stage of my life, I take what I can get).

Now I have been eating a peach every day (but I have to admit, I still have to peel them).

I guess Life is One Insane Event After Another. (a phrase that was written on a note give to me by my good friend Winfield Campbell when I was crying one day). You string them together (along with the touching of the peaches) and it hasn't been so bad).

My friend Lynn H asked me yesterday why I wasn't blogging....I may start again......thanks Lynn.

2014-01-27T12:58:00.003-06:00

MY TWENTIETH GODCHILD

I have the good fortune to be a Godmother many times over. Some of my godchildren I talk to all the time. Some I never see. (and that is a sad thing). But the one thing I thought I knew was that I was out of the godmother business. I mean all of my friends are having Grandchildren. Imagine my surprise.....

My good friend Damion who is a policeman at Past Era Antique Jewelry and one of the best guys you will ever meet, well, he and his precious wife had a girl (finally) after three boys. They named her Kaylee Miriam. And she is the cutest thing you have ever seen. The first time I met Kaylee last year, they asked me to be her godmother. So excited! I went to lunch with them yesterday and had a ball with the three boys and just oohed and aahed over Kaylee (or Kay Kay as her brothers call her) I am confident that Kaylee will be the most well protected daughter and sister there ever was.

2014-01-21T12:21:00.001-06:00

Addendum to Blog Written on January 17, 2014

Wasn't I smug when I wrote that I hadn't eaten sugar since December 1, 2013? How much better I was feeling!

How much energy I had.

Well, Friday night I attended a party and was over-served! I drank too much. I imbibed more than I could handle. I don't remember going home, leaving the party or the last half of the party. I was sick as a dog and this went on until Saturday evening. But the worst thing was my good friend Melanie calling me and asking me if I was going to confess in my blog to the sin of eating wedding cake. Cake with lots of sugar. Not even a piece of cake served to me. I ate someone else's cake off their plate.

So here it is. My confession. And the worst part? I can't even remember. But I am sure on one thing......I probably enjoyed eating the cake.

No Sugar Since December 1, 2013

2014-01-17T11:08:00.000-06:00

Ok, I am not saying it was easy. The first four days I had an horrible headache. And if I hadn't written 31 days on my chalkboard at work and made a big deal of marking through each day without sugar with a big slash, I probably would have caved. We had cake, cupcakes, candy, etc. in the kitchen big time for December. And I won't even mention the delicious caramel apples at Randalls that I use to partake of (I ate the caramel and dumped the apple).

The fact of the matter, is I am always blue in December. That's funny, because December is my birthday month and I love my birth date. But the whole aspect of Xmas, Family, etc. leaves me feeling blue. My mom and dad are gone....and while I used to always hate flying home for Thanksgiving and Xmas......well, I miss it terribly now. Thank goodness I have my two sisters living in Houston. We do try and make a great day of it and this year it was wonderful.

But getting back to the sugar. Or NO SUGAR. Besides the fact that I lost 10 lbs. (how much sugar was I eating), the best result of "no sugar" is my attitude. I am go much "gentler"; not prong to outbursts of anger. I have been in a good mood since about the second week I gave up sugar. I did have three documented "no sugar" outbursts at work during the first few days, but now it is smooth sailing. So much more energy, enthusiasm, and ok, I'll say it, zest for Life.

Don't Eat it, you'll like it.........

Time Is Short

2011-06-21T08:01:00.002-05:00

Tonite I got a call from a college friend who has cancer. Things have accelerated in the past few weeks and the news did not sound good. She mentioned to me that she had to get a "lot of stuff done" and soon. She then went on to say she had to redo the kitchen, etc.

I am so proud of my friend. If that was me, I think I would put my head under the pillows and the kitchen be damned. I would like to think I would get everything in order but is that ever done? And why should I do it if I am not going to be here to enjoy it?

But that's my friend. She always thinks of others and has been that way most of her life. She is amazing, has a heart of gold and I am proud to know her and call her my friend. I wish her every happiness and the time to finish all of "her stuff". Knowing her, I'll be long gone before she is.

What If?

2011-06-20T08:38:00.001-05:00

What if I had gotten married (yes, I have had four proposals). What if I met someone in Paris when I went four years ago for 7 weeks and stayed in Paris? What if I would have accepted the job I was offered with Fayez Sarofim when I first moved to Houston in 1975 and I was retired now with a bucket load of $$$$? What if I had never left Houma when I was a junior in high school? What if I had gone to LSU instead of USL to college as I had always planned?

I cannot imagine not living the wonderful life that I have now. The people I have met, the wonderful town of Houston, having my two sisters living in Houston, traveling, enjoying. But every now and then, I have fun and imagine What If?

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T14:25:00.000-05:00

I miss my dad.....Here he is swinging my godchild, Benjamin, who is now 28. So I guess this picture was taken about 25 years ago. I was living in Houston, and probably was home for the weekend. My dad was a father of five, a war hero, and the most generous man you ever met. He was also offshore for a lot of our life when we were young, had a short temper, and was an alcoholic . But the great thing about missing my dad every day of my life is I can remember all of the good times and I have an uncanny ability to forget about the bad days. So dad, Happy Father's Day! I love you very much.

Weekend with the Siblings

2011-03-28T07:38:00.000-05:00

I have just had the best four days in a long time. My brother and sister in law moved up to Missouri a few years ago (after Katrina) so we only see them once a year. Jeff and Shirley arrived on thursday and we had a great time this weekend. John and Missy from New Orleans arrived Saturday morning. We hung out all day and just enjoyed each other's company. It was a great weekend and we all made great plans to go on a cruise next year......Can't wait. Anticipation is 3/4's of the enjoyment......

2011-03-17T05:42:00.000-05:00

Today is my third anniversary of working at Past Era Antique Jewelry. Little did I know when I accepted this job, I would not only learn about Antique Jewelry (of which I knew nothing about) but I would gain another family. I adore the girls I work with. I have always worked with men, for the most part and had my doubts about working with six women, but it has been an awesome experience.

The owner, Marion Glober makes you want to work as hard as you can for her. She is such a wonderful employer, knows everything about antique jewelry and is an astute lecturer on the subject matter of Antique Jewelry. Michelle, who is in charge of repairs, takes wonderful pictures, designs jewelry, and is awesome at her job. Then we have the two graduate gemologists, Cristina and Melissa. Cristina is the “loud one”, always laughing and singing. She is currently out on maternity leave and we are counting the days until her return. Mel, is more quiet and reserve and knows everything about everything (or can find out). If you have a question that you need an answer to, Mel is your girl. Lindsay, who went to school in London, came home with an English hubby and a Masters degree in the History of Art and Connoisseurship from Christie’s Education. She is responsible for our fabulous web site PastEra.com and the daily upkeep of the Web. Hildi, is our Saleswoman, Extraordinaire. She can sell “ice to an Eskimo” as the saying goes and has a wonderful rapport with all of our Customers.

I am blessed everyday that I come to Past Era Antique Jewelry. Come and see us, you will love our store!

PastEra.com

Lindsay, Lindsay, Oh Lohan

2011-02-21T08:24:00.000-06:00

I keep reading about LL and think to myself "all that fame and fortune and she is partying it away". But then I think, has she ever had a normal life? Does she read books? Does she shop with her friends (Well, we know she shops......) At any rate, I saw her Mom on 20-20 the other night (who I think is one-half her problem) Her mother said that Lindsay is under a microscope with the press, etc. and well, I guess she is.

Here's my suggestion for Lindsay. Go to Europe for a while and get away from the press. Study up on anything......just live your life and if you still want to be an actress, go for it.....( I personally think you are a great actress, but stay away from the Debbie Does Dallas Roles).

Its Going to Be A Great Year!

2011-02-20T08:59:00.000-06:00

OK, ok, its not January 2. I am a little late in getting into the spirit of this year, but I am getting with it, non the less. I am thankful for so much.....my sisters and brothers, my friends, my work and my health.

Hannah Girl

2011-02-18T18:03:00.000-06:00

Hannah

It's been a while since I have blogged. Many reasons....Free Floating Anxiety, turning 60 (I didn't think it was bothering me, I just wanted the actual day to be over), death of my dear Hannah Girl. Hannah was about the most perfect dog one could ever want. She mastered the "stare".....you could try and ignore her but she was going to stare you down. She loved to go to bed early and wake up early (just like me, I guess I must have trained her that way). I can't imagine having another dog, but now I see why people clone their pets.....I know they look like the one before, but do they have the personalities?

The Happiness Project: "I Have Zero Tolerance for Self-Inflicted Drama."

2010-12-05T07:47:00.000-06:00

The Happiness Project: "I Have Zero Tolerance for Self-Inflicted Drama.": "'I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming" by Goethe.

Very frightening, very true.

Do you think our precious "Snoball" has too many toys? She doesn't.....(smile)

Happy Holidays!

FROM THE HAPPINESS PROJECT

2010-11-10T20:47:00.001-06:00

I love to quote the thoughts and words of Gretchen Rubin......she just makes sense to me.....When I read her book I often think, if I had known this in my 20's, 30's or even 40's I would have been a lot smarter.....

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/about.html

This Wednesday: 10 common happiness mistakes.
To delay to do something important until you have some “free time,” because you may never have any free time

To retreat into isolation when you’re unhappy

To neglect to make a small change because you think a big change is necessary

To refuse to consider a big change because you assume you can only make a small change

To “treat” yourself to something you wouldn’t ordinarily permit yourself, because you’re feeling blue

To postpone something important until you’re feeling healthier, or thinner, or married, or whatever

To think that you can “make” someone else be happy

To imagine that what’s true for other people is true for you

To spend too much time, or not enough time, thinking about the past, present, or future

To ignore the truth about your own temperament, interests, and aptitudes

November 1, 2010, Monday

2010-11-01T08:37:00.000-05:00

What is it about the first of the month appearing on a Monday? For me, its the chance to renew and start again. Lately, I haven't been exercising or watching my diet.....I guess you can call it a "lull in the life of Corky". But today I woke up (4:30 am) and felt renewed. I drove 14 miles to work out with my trainer Tarsha (Sugarland) at a new gym. I loved it. Lots of machines, different from the gym I have been going to. Its hugh.....and you feel like you are working out alone....(well, with Tarsha). I got home and ate breakfast and have a list of errands to run today. I have decreed November to be a sugar free month......and will work out 6 days a week. (3 days walking, 3 days gym.) I know I can do anything for 30 days. Wish me luck....

Do I Wish I Were In Paris?

2010-10-19T04:19:00.005-05:00

Weather in Paris

Today and This Week

45°FCurrent: Mostly Cloudy

48°Tue

43°Wed

37°Thu

Yes and I don't even like cold weather!

Perfect, Lazy Day!

2010-10-17T20:28:00.001-05:00

Saturday morning I woke up at 8 am. That's the advantage of living alone. I woke up on Friday night at a little before midnight (I fell asleep around 7:30 pm after a full week of work). I was exhausted. So I stayed up from midnight to two a.m. reading and poking around my office. Then today I had a great day of almost absolutely nothing. I walked for 45 minutes. I had my hair colored (no, I did not succumb to my pledge of letting it go natural, i.e. gray). I had full intentions of going grey and Eric, my colorist, told me to sit down and promptly colored my hair. You know, he is the only person that I absolutely listen to .......

At any rate, I came home intending to do some office work, monogram some blankets and get some readiing done. Instead, I sat on the sofa (mistake #1), turned on the t.v. (mistake #2) and watched Hope Floats followed by Legally Blond. Somewhere in there I took a nap. Then I shared a birthday dinner for Rhett at Deborah's and we played cards for five hours. Perfect Saturday of doing nothing!

You really ought to try it......

ISN'T THIS THE TRUTH?

2010-10-15T07:11:00.000-05:00

Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live" Chamfort

Isn't that the truth? Most days I spring out of bed, put on my workout clothes and I am out the door before I can think about laying in bed, turning over, getting a few more z's. This morning I woke up and thought of things I had to do and what I was doing this weekend and what I needed to purchase at the store, blah, blah, blah. So guess what? (If my trainer is reading this, please stop) No cardio for me today. And don't think that I can do it this afternoon. When I get off of work, its at least 20 minutes on the couch to wind down ......

Now I am still thinking (very dangerous). Who was Chamfort who uttered the words quoted above?

Nicolas Chamfort (6 April 1741 - 13 April 1794) was a French writer, best known for his witty epigrams and aphorisms. He was secretary of Louis XIV's sister ... I continued to read his story. Of course if he is witty, he must have been French. He had a very interesting life, and then it turned sad and then he was put in prison and then....well you will just have to "wikipedia" him. Let's just say, it didn't end well for Chamfort.

At any rate, stop thinking.....it can only get you in trouble.

Happy Birthday Sisters!

2010-10-14T07:49:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, I haven't been writing....So much going on. Deborah (sister) was sick in the hospital and I was dog (x3) sitting for a week. Trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with wonderful friends from college for a week. (You have to check out Casaheyne.com) Then precious Paris left us.......Its a wonder I am not in a mental hospital.

Paris is on the right

I like normal. I like doing the same thing day after day. Don't put a kink in my armour. Oh, I am good in an emergency (not), but on the whole I would rather be on the same schedule. Get up, write my blog, play scrabble, exercise, go to work,come home and read. Perfect day! But for the past three months this has not been my normal....but I am determined to get back to it.....

Today is my sister, Rhett's birthday. She is such a delight. Even keel. Loves a good Martini (she has taught Sister Deborah to love them as well). Happy Day to you, Rhett. And then Deborah had her birthday two weeks ago (yes, she was in the hospital). Talk about Mother Earth. Loves to wait on you (especially if you are a dog). The bichons never had it so good. Here's hoping that will be the worst birthday you will ever have.

Sooner or Later We All Quote Our Mothers

2010-09-10T07:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked four years since my dear mother died. It seems like 40 years sometimes and then it seems like only yesterday. I hear her voice in my head every day. I hear her words coming out of my mouth every day. Yesterday I told one of my co-workers, "I am going to knock you naked and hide your clothes".

That is a Nitsy-ism. I told my sister "Little kids, little problems, Big Kids, Big Problems". I can hear Mom saying this a thousand times. When I shuffle cards and I do it too long, I can hear her say "Are you going to shuffle the tits off the Queen?" (all right, every thing wasn't g-rated).

What I remember most about my mom was that she knew what she knew and everyone around her knew it too. She was a bad sport when she lost. She was racist (raised that way in South Louisiana). But boy, was she fun. She loved to have a good time. I still remember her going out with my dad and when I went to kiss her in the morning, she had her red lipstick on. I love that memory. She was awesome at golf. I loved her red beans, fried shrimp and spaghetti. I loved our card games and bets each week on the pro games.

I just loved my mother.

TO GREY OR NOT?

2010-09-08T19:05:00.001-05:00

I have made the decision. It's mostly a financial one, but I have made it non the less. I am letting my hair go to its natural color. No, it is not brown. It is mostly grey I fear. But fear, or not, I am going there.

I am going to have my hair frosted (heavily) grey on Monday to allow the grey some room to come out without making me look too much like a zebra. Everyone will not love it, but I think I will. For one thing, I am going to be $aving $o much $$$$$. Every three weeks I spend over $$$$ to have this hair look natural. But I am sick of doing it and I kind of want to look like I look like.....(know what I mean?)

Over the Labor Day holiday I visited with my 75 and 77 year old GodMother and "Godfather" (one aunt was married to my dear Godfather) in Florida. We had so much fun .....and guess what...they both had grey hair and it looks great....So I am giving it the college try. Wish me luck.

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW STRONG YOU ARE UNTIL STRONG IS THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAVE

2010-09-02T05:58:00.002-05:00

I haven't been blogging lately. Lots of FFA (please see blog of August 12th). I cannot escape it...IT being the five year anniversary of Katrina. It is everywhere (and I am not turning on the television). In my perfect world, they would never mention Katrina again, as it is baddddd memories for me.

New Orleans Underwater

Because of Katrina, I left my job of 31 years with FJH. I miss him. Not the work, but seeing him everyday and talking with JKH everyday. Because of Katrina I lost my family home. You might say it was just a house, but it was our family gathering place. It's where we went on holidays and spent Christmas and visited with Mom and each other. Talk about feeling like an orphan at 54 years of age! Because of Katrina, I lost my mom. This is literally not true. (I blame Katrina for everything). If I am going to be honest, she was in poor health before the storm, but I blame Katrina for everything.

But I have to look at the good things that came because of Katrina.

My friends and the entire City of Houston reacted instantly and there was such an outpouring of generosity, I will never forget it. Clothes, food, everyday articles......my garage was packed. And my sister in law, Missy moved in with me for 4 months. We became sisters. She is the kindest, most wonderful person and to this day says that she has a guilty feeling about Katrina because she was so blessed. She had a great place to live, wonderful clothes (ala Susan, Lee and Claudia) and was given a car by the people she worked with. (She doesn't even consider how she had to live in a trailer when she returned to New Orleans for 8 months with her husband, son, 3 dogs and a bird and let me tell you, those trailers were SMALL). I want her outlook. Because of Katrina I now live in a City with both of my sisters. We play cards, go to the show and talk almost every day. We are blessed. Because of Katrina we were with Mom for a year before she died and got to spend every day with her.

Siblings Jeff, Deborah, Me, Rhett and John

Katrina helped me to grow up and take responsibility for things I always thought my parents would handle. Even though my parents died years ago, it is just lately that I realize that I am in charge of my life and they are not here. Weird, but like they say "You never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have".

WHAT WOULD I DO?

2010-08-19T06:00:00.004-05:00

Every morning I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.

Actually this is a quote by Robert Orben. Today I am talking about the lottery...What would I do if I won? Would I work? Keep the same friends? (as opposed to getting New Rich Ones?) Buy a new car? What would you do?

When the lottery was first introduced in Texas I was working with my friend Jill. We used to talk about this, fantasize about it, all the time. My friend Janet used to tell me I was never going to win as in "stop wasting your money". The one thing I know is that SHE is never going to win since she NEVER buys a ticket. ha!

What I have learned about myself is my life wouldn't change much. I would immediately pay off my debts (which could take up most of the winnings, haha!) I wouldn't buy a new car, but I do have my eye on some jewelry at Past Era Antique Jewelry. PastEra.com

I would travel .....to Paris anyway. And I would set up some kind of charitable corporation. My friend CBW is going to be my lawyer and advise me. But I want to share my winnings with people I know that need it. That would be my wish. You have to think about these things. Don't get caught winning $100,000 or even $100,000,000 without a plan.....And I am still going to work (I know when I have a sweet deal). So my plans are made....I just have to buy a ticket.

Heat, Heat and More Heat

2010-08-17T08:50:00.001-05:00

The heat is getting me down. People complain about the rain, but I am praying for it....The heat zaps my energy, makes me lethorgic and also makes me eat. Did I really say that? But its true. I want to eat cold fruit, cold ice cream, iced drinks, cold chicken salad, and on and on. Frozen Grapes....Frozen Blueberries....Don't talk to me about soup, hot meals, hot dogs, hot tamales or anything with the word "hot" in it.

Yesterday I was at work and had to go to the Post Office (twice). Once to mail a package. I came out of the post office and this SUV runs into the back of my car. I stepped out of the car and naturally her car was perfect. Mine looks like an SUV scratched it. She said let me get my insurance information and we can call the police. I said "never mine, its too hot, be careful", got back into my car and drove away. Probably a bad decision but I am blaming it on the heat.

I am trying to cut down on my a/c bills. Which means I put the thermostat to 78 when I leave the house in the morning. I come home to a hot house....ugh! I am stripping my clothes off as I hit the bottom floor and hope no burgulars are in the house (boy, would they be in for a shock). I try to be productive at night, but all I do is get in a cold bath, read and go to bed. Yesterday when I left work, I saw these clouds in the sky and a few drops of rain fell. Yippee! I want everyone to do a rain dance. (I happen to look better wet, than I do dry). Pray for rain and cool weather....and stop talking about the heat. It only makes us hotter.