Becky's Kit & Kaboodle

April 28th - Bye-bye April - Hello May!

2006-04-29T14:59:00.000-04:00

Been a while since I last posted. Last weekend just wasn't in the mood. ( I warned you all that this may happen)

We're finally getting spring-like weather in New York. I love it this time of the year. The Cherry blossoms are blooming, the skies are blue and all you have to wear is a light jacket / sweater. And if you're lucky.... sandals! Been looking for spring colored sandals; most of mine are either black or brown. Everywhere I go all I can find are high heeled sandals. Finally went to eBay and bought some nice Ecco sandals for just $30!!! What a bargain! Also bought some nice green sandals. Even Mom's getting in the act and placed a bid on a pair of Clarks. Gotta Love eBay! ( at least for buying.... selling is another story! Not had much luck in that department)

Let's see... what's been going on with me in the last 2 weeks? Went to another farewell party for Emmanuelle and Steven Winter. I enjoyed it much more that the other one, as I knew people at this one. Bertrand was there! Haven't seen him since I left Nouvelles Frontieres! (or was it since he left.... I think he left first) He's gained a few pounds and shortened his hair since we last saw each other, but he's still the same person I remember. Very "French"! We had the little shin-dig at "HURLEY'S", located in the Theatre District. Nice bar/restaurant; very casual. I've posted the pictures here if you'd like to see them:

Winter farewell

The tram got stuck last week. THANK GOD I wasn't on it! If it happened a half hour later I would have been! 5 1/2 hours it took to START rescuing passengers ( 47 + 1 on one car / 12 + 1 on the other) I have no idea how I would have managed. I am so afraid of heights. I'm fine inside the tram: it's enclosed and has a solid bottom. But when it would come time to climb out the window, up a make-shift ladder - onto a metal cage.... I think I would have freaked! I initially thought people had to climb up the ladder - onto the roof and onto the cage..... I just shiver at the thought. I wonder about David, a friend of mine that is one of the tram operator: I haven't heard if he was one of the one's trapped onboard. He might have lucked out, as it happened during his dinner break. Poor guys unemployed now that the Tram's not working.

Sunday marks my 3 month anniversary at Focus Travel! I am to have an evaluation meeting with Andi on Monday at Starbucks. I'm sure everything will be fine. She'll probably tell me to be careful and double check my work, as I had been making stupid typing error with the tour schedules for a bit. I realized why I was doing it and rectified the problem. But my stomach still went in knots when I was told about the meeting. I still keep doubting myself: more self confident issues I guess. Why do I doubt myself a lot? Why do I lack confidence in myself? Where does this come from? I tell myself it stems from my experiences in Elementary school. But is that true? I'm 41 years old and I feel I have no live because of my shyness / lack of confidence...Etc. I thought I'd out grow it with age; and from time to time I feel I have, but then other times... I'm right back again! Sigh.

Anyway......

Took a picture for Dad to use for his passport:

Such a serious looking person! He didn't want to smile.

Well folks! I think that's about it for now. Can't think of anything to say. I probably forgot something...

Have a great weekend!

Bisous! (Kisses!)

B

Easter day - April 16th

2006-04-16T15:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter one and all!

A beautiful day here in New York. A bit on the chilly side ( at least in the apartment) but clear blue skies! Hope everyone is having a grand day: wearing your Easter bonnets and all...

It's quiet here: a lazy day filled with reading newspapers, working on paper work for our apartment voucher program, working in the sewing room on various projects and working on a new computer ( Yep, that one is me!) I now have my iMac G4 with flat screen ( really cool!) up and running with all my previous files transferred over. Here's a picture of her:

Lovely, isn't she? And I have more space on my desk now! Let's see how long that lasts! LOL. As usual, I experienced problems trying to transfer things. It frustrates the heck out of me when something that should be easy, turned out to be difficult for one reason or the other. I think God has fun watching me go crazy from time to time! This time I couldn't figure out how to transfer the files. When I finally figured it out I found I needed Doug's computer password. Of course, I threw out his telephone number when I cleaned up my desk area and Chris, who was the one who told me about the computer and Doug and gave me his number, didn't have it. And David wasn't home. Finally found the number in an email he sent me, but, just my luck... he wasn't home! Sigh. More hair pulling and God Laughing ( not at me, but with me... I'm sure!) Finally David called back and helped me reset the computer's password, making ME administrator of the computer and teaching me how to transfer the files. Took only over an hour to get my files and most applications transferred over! Now, spending time looking for and downloading applications I couldn't use on my old computer. I want to thank Chris for telling me about Doug and his computer, Doug for being so kind and selling it to me for a good price and David for helping with transferring my stuff. I really do appreciate all of you!

Oh man! I just saw a video of Rascal Flatt's SKIN. I'm weeping at the end of it almost everytime I hear it! Here's the lyrics: (courtesy of letssingit.com)

Sara Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well, since the day that she fell
And the bruise just won't go away

So she sits and she waits with her mother and dad
And flips through an old magazine
Till the nurse with the smile stands in the door
And says will you please come with me

Sara Beth is scared to death
Cause the doctor just told her the news
Between the red cells and white, something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you

Six chances in ten, it won't come back again
With the therapy we're gonna try
It's just been approved, it's the strongest there is
And I think that we caught it in time
And Sara Beth closes her eyes.

And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

Sara Beth is scared to death
As she sits holding her mom
Cause it would be a mistake for someone to take
A girl with no hair to the prom

For just this morning, right here on her pillow
Was the cruelest of any surprise
And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands
The proof that she couldn't deny
And Sara Beth closes her eyes

And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

It's quarter to seven, that boy's at the door
And her daddy ushers him in
And when he takes off his cap
They all start to cry
Cause this morning where his hair had all been
Softly she touches just skin

And they go dancing, around and around
Without any cares
And her very first true love is holding her close
And for a moment she isn't scared

I remember Harry Chapin's "Tangled Up Puppet" would give me the same reaction.... I'd cry every time!... and give dad a big hug and kiss too!

Tilly's sleeping on my bed at the moment. She seems to prefer sleeping there this weekend. Fine with me.... I get to give her lots of kisses! Here's a few pictures for you:

That's my girl!

Well, it's 5 o'clock, gonna go get a snack. And then, who knows! Ham for Easter dinner tonight.

Hugs & kisses all around!

B out!

Day...??? oh, whatever! It's April 14th

2006-04-14T23:25:00.000-04:00

Hi, it's me again.

Well, I received my new computer on Thursday. Woohoo! I will be spending most of (most likely all) of tomorrow setting it up and transferring stuff from my old computer to my new one. Let's all wish my poor old computer a peaceful death and hopes it get reincarnated into one of the newest Macs out there! Here's a picture for all you to say good bye to:

She (yes she) served me well. I thank her everyday for brighting up my life....

Okay... enough of that!

Hi folks!

This week was a good one. A friend of mine, Emmanuelle Winter, Is moving back to Paris with her family. She was my boss at Nouvelles Frontieres. She's lived here in NY for over 14 years. The party was held at a canadian delegate's home, Located at the Museum Toer, next to MOMA. Posh-posh! Beautiful apartment on the 37th floor. Huge livingroom with ceiling to floor windows. I only knew Manu and her husband there, but I think I did fine. Parties with strangers are very hard for me. I can be very shy. It takes an out going person for my shyness to go away. My shyness drives me crazy most of the time. I hate that I fight to find words to say at times. I wish I had an outgoing / outspoken personality. But, I'm trying to accept myself for who I am. It's not always easy..... Back to Emmanuelle, I just got an invitation to another farewell party for her next week. I see, from the email, that they invited a few people We worked with at Nouvelles. I hope som of them make it. A reunion would be cool!

Well, that's it for today. Will update you all on the new computer and share picture.

Good night and kisses all around!

Becky

Day 2 - April 10, 2006

2006-04-10T20:23:00.000-04:00

As promised, I've taken pictures of the 3 felted heads I made in the past 3 weeks. Fun to make!

The man on the left was my first one. Absolutely no control on how he came out. I just kept added wool and Voila! An elderly Chinese man appeared!

The woman on the left turned out as a middle aged woman.

This was my last one, I made him this weekend.

Let's see how many more I'll make..... Maybe I'll start making the bodies to go with them next.

Any-hoot. The folks are back. We ordered Chinese for dinner. Gotta love them egg rolls! Watched last weeks LOST. Glad it was a Hurley episode. I like him. Poor guy! Maybe I'll watch some criminal Intent. Boy! That D'Onofrio is something else. I love watching him work. All the little quirks he gives Goren is great!

Until I write again..... bye!

Becky

Day 1 - April 9, 2006

2006-04-09T15:08:00.000-04:00

Well hello!

Duchess inspire me to start blogging! Let's see if I can keep this up. I've always been terrible keeping up a journal. I even failed acting class (Yes, I was forced to take an acting class in college) because I kept forgetting to write one: a mandatory assignment for this class. (Shame on me! I Know!)

I've always been one to keep my emotions / feeling inside. Even privately, in a journal. So here, I'm going to attempt to let as much as possible out.... in public via a Blog! I'm not going to make any promises. I'll take it one entry at a time. I think that's the best way to do this. So Let's begin........

Right now. I'm listening to my iPod via my stereo: Using iTrip. Right now Marc Broussard is playing. He's a wonderful country / soul singer. He has this one song called "Home" That is wonderful. I love blasting it and banging my feet and clapping to it when it plays. It's a great driving tune.... that is, if I drove! Another artist I highly recommend is KT Tunstall. I first heard her on The Ellen Show. She sung this song called "Black Horse & The Cherry Trees". That was absolutely amazing. She played all the music and background vocals herself! Not pre-recorded, but my using this echo machine! Twas truly amazing to watch and hear! Go here and listen to this song: Black Horse & The Cherry Trees

It's Sunday - It's been a lazy day for me so far. I've finished straightening up the apartment before the folks get back from St Louis. Watched Sunday Morning On CBS this morning, ate some breakfast, made coffee (Iced!) and now starting this journal. Tilly's at my window washing herself and looking up at me. I've discovered she does not like being alone. Poor thing is used to someone being with her all day. Now that I'm finally working again and the folks are away, she doesn't leave me alone. She follows me wherever I go. Meow's loudly if she discovers I'm not in the same room as her and wants lots of lap time! I'm appreciating every moment of this, as she's not this attentive with me normally. Lap time is with Mom or dad, not me. Most of the time is spent running away from me. (I think I over-love her at times). Can you believe she will be 10 years old this year? Wow!

Took this pic of her a few months ago. Very artsy! Even made a necklace for Mom with this image. I love the lighting and the long shadow!

Yeah! I'm finally employed! I thank God every day. I was nearly on my last dollar before this came my way. There was no way I was going to ask for money from the folks again: they had already been hit up by other family members. I found it through an ex co-worker. I truly believe God had a hand at this! I had emailed her at her private email address; asking for help, as everything I was doing was not working. Every resume sent got no reply. Very frustrating and stressful. She called me the next day. Not because she read my email. She told me she never reads her emails.... But because she wanted to know how I was and to tell me there was a job opening at her place. It's not where I'm employed at now. She also learned, right after she hung up with me, that her Sister's job needed someone. It worked out that that was a better fit for me. The Company's name is FOCUS TRAVEL. They deal with British /Irish / Portuguese and Greek clients. I work in the group department operating student groups coming into the United States. I'm doing everything I did at Nouvelles Frontieres. Everyone is wonderful! I work with a bunch of crazy people so I fit right in. The boss, John Martin is great to work for. I'm very happy. Pay is good and great benefits. He even give all employees a monthly metro card so that saves me $80 a month! The end of April with be my third month and I'll start getting my Health benefits! Yeah! Gotta find a Dermatologist as my Rosacea has returned. (Was diagnosed with this about 20 years ago. Seemed to have gone away but has now returned again) My poor face is always red. Had to buy blush to match the redness to even up my face.

Haven't made another dolls since I've went back to work. Have to update my website with the latest dolls.

These are my latest ones. The one with the bandana is Steve. I bought a motorcycle for him, but it's too small. Looks like a child's pretend bike when he's on it.

The female one started off being male. For some reason I discovered that when I create faces with Polymer Clay, they turn out male. When I create them with cloth, they turn out female. Odd! When I was working on this face, I purposely forced it to be female. Personally I think the final product turned out female, but can also be a transvestite. I paired her with Virgil, who I also think can be a gay men. If you notice, I made a t-shirt with Virgil's face for her. I haven't named her yet. If you have any suggestions, I'd love the help.

Mom started needle felting faces. Her first one came out great! She got me hooked and have made 3 heads so far. As soon as the camera battery charges, I'll take pictures and share them with you. She's made more whilst in St Louis: can't wait to see them! I love learning new mediums in doll making!

My poor computer (iMac G3) is on it's last legs. I got blue specs all over my monitor. They turn red when they have a dark background. Thanks to Chris, he told me a friend of his (and David) was selling his iMac G4 for a good price. Called him up and am buying it for only $500. Too bad I can't give this one to dad. He's still using a 6200 Performa! But he doesn't use it that much. Just for writing and some banking!. Told Doug ( the person I bought the computer from) to ship it on Friday. It's due to arrive on Thursday! Woohoo! Will spend most of the weekend transferring my stuff onto the new computer.

Wow, it's 4:30 already. I've been writing for an hour and a half! How about that for a first entry?!??! I'm sure I won't be writing every day. Will try to write an entry once a week. So check back.

Love to one and all. Thank you for being part of my life!

Hugs & Kisses!

Becky