Lots of INK...BEAUTIFUL Cars & Handlebars.....2011

Our weekend kicked off with a step onto Big Mama Queen Mary...where Tattoo artists fly in from all over the world to display their art. I observe, have a good time and most of all appreciate the good fun that comes from this event. As much as you'd think it would be crazy or a tad out of control...it's simply not, it is simply awesome. Kris and I went up to the top and caught this picture...This was friday afternoon before the crowds started to arrive...our booth is down below under those red and white tents.

Sean enjoying the Vandals-

Me and Jaymee....Rockin' our attire....Girls just wanna have fun....

Jaymee and Bill

True love.

Krissoofferr....in the perfect people watching zone....

While the VANDAL'S played.....Good ol' Punk.....along with thee ol' mosh pit...Sean joined in the festivities...Good times!

Say Cheese....

Good music. I could stand by this stage all day and night. My little piggies were a'hollerin this morning...OUCH! Give me some live music...ol' Skool Punk and comfy shoes....I could stay all day.....

Photographers come from all over the world as well....She was capturing Fatal Clothing. Bill had 2 booths this year, and it was packed the entire weekend......as I blog tonight, Bill is still there and he says it's the busiest day yet....Wow.....Keep it rockin FATAL!

Kris and Angela.....

What's next on the agenda boys and girls?

Fatal Clothing....growing at a tremendous rate...recognized worldwide now....

And just like that....Ink-n-Iron rocked the Queen Mary....Good times, Good friends...This was my parking spot on Friday evening as I pulled in...not a shabby way to welcome the weekend... CODE 4 and all! (inside joke LOL ) ......See you next year Ms. Queen Mary.....

Another year....another fun weekend at Ink-n-Iron 2011

It's our fun weekend at Ink-n-Iron on the Queen Mary...This year Bill reserved 2 booths for Fatal Clothing. He's growing at an amazing rate, and this is the show that boasts the culture. What better way...all those walking around are sporting tattoo's, piercings and hot chicks and dudes....Fatal Clothing is rockin'! I love to check out all the people....good fun too! I love Burlesque shows.....It's so amazing to see these girls in all body shapes get up and tantalize the crowd with the prettiest moves...and thee most beautiful costumes and hair styles...it's a vibe on the ship that speaks it's own story. I simply love it.

And of course...good ol punk rock, blues and blue grass...rockabilly to toast the night! I love it!!! To my followers, please come down and see us. Our booth is as you walk down the main entrance. If you want a fun Friday, Saturday or Sunday...day, afternoon or evening to check out some VERY interesting "things", I'd love to see you.... In the ship they host Tattoo artists from all over the world. Burlesque shows and good bands all around the show. It's really a fun place to check out....

A good date with your mate....Cheers to Friday!

Can I just slow the clock down....?

My Dad turned 61 yesterday....as I spoke with him..it was just another day...actually a very rainy day. He mentioned to me that it rains on his birthday just about every year. I really didn't know how to take that, other than while I spoke with him and he walked out into the forest around his house...(probably to smoke a cigarette.....) I could hear the rain. I could hear peace. I sensed he was peaceful. I always hope so. I do feel that he misses me. He will sometimes say he does and it melts my heart. I do know as we hang up after some calls, he does tear up. I do too.

His birthday lands right in front of Fathers Day. And it's always the question of "what to buy"-But I just do what I think will work, buy what I think he likes...and always write him a note of LOVE.

When we were young, my parents were young. My parents gave us what they could. They gave up alot of their youth to be parents..I wrote my dad a letter a few years back letting him know of all things buried deep in my heart just in case there was a chance I could never let him know. He worked very hard for us. He taught me more about life than any teacher could have. I cherish and thank him for all that he's taught me. life can be complicated I do know that. But my dad has always taught me to be a good girl, work hard, and stand up for what is right. I am made of my dad that's for sure. We will stick up for what's right and give you everything in our soul. Love and respect is priority. I'm so glad to call you Dad. I love you....Happy Birthday Dad.

I moved out at 17. I started off very independent, always had to be. But when I'm in my blue days...I miss the chance to pull in my parents driveway..to walk in their house to have dinner...or just sit across from them to hear an opinion or advice. I miss the chance to eat my mom's amazing food, or my dad's famous Spaghetti. Their fried chicken that is so amazing. The laid back mountain demeanor has something to be said. It's not easy to drive 9 hours or fly 1...it's simply not easy right now with a daughter so involved in every aspect of sports, social and school. But in time I will get there...I just wish I could slow down the clock. I love you Dad. I miss you more.

Collect HAPPINESS...Captain Jacks....Dates...and Car shows....

We headed over in the little boat for a sunset cruise to dinner with friends Kyoko and Mark....when we arrived at the docks of Captain Jacks we soon realized it was a fun night...we ran into more friends, and the dock was packed...Summer is almost here....! Good food, good friends..fun times! Kyoko and Mark....hmmm what to order..?

Our server was very patient. We were rocking this little corner! lol! My fav place for Crab legs....so big and sooo delish! Kali was happy to have the extra's we brought home along with our baked potatoe....

Our saturday consisted of errands in the morning...and The Affliction show....Amazing art..amazing cars, and interesting people. I did get to see one of the House Wives of Orange County. Alexis. She is stunning to say the least. I didn't have the juevo's to ask for a picture with her. But I did stare quite intently while they walked next to us. There was a fighter guy there too..However Bill and I both didn't know his name and laughed because everyone was standing around to get a picture...haha! Beautiful building...nice shirts...nice people. Good bands. Of course Punk Rock that I love...and a super good band called Signal Hill Billy's that rocked the place....

Just as we arrived. We dropped the truck off in the morning...headed out to get stuff done for the house and this is as we got back at 2ish. Beautiful day too....

Some of my fav Rat Fink style cars....So harsh...So cool!

My hottie with some super cute hotties....Dos Equis...beer girls to be exact.

The hottest girls at the show though......Kali and Mac

I love art. Always have. This heart had so many meanings...read closely if you can...so awesome! Love, Devotion, Complicated, Hate, Lust, Empty..... So true in so many ways.....

This guy had a tattoo booth below his art...simply amazing. As most of you know, I'm not into Tattoo's. My son is covered. Most of his friends are. I don't see into it, but the art form is simply beautiful-Some is mind blowing....

Good ol' RAT FINK ART....pressed leather...so cool.

Cheers to New York....

Detail, detail, detail.....

Shortly after we pulled the truck from the show and headed home, Kali decided to head to Mackenzie's house to ride bikes to Seal and eat...then jacuzzi it with friends....Bill pulled in behind me to exclaim "Hun, let's head down to Huntington and watch the sunset"- I ran in, grabbed my sweatshirt, a cozy blanket and jumped in the truck. It's those unplanned moments that turn out to be the sweetest...and that it was....

Featuring Sandy's on the HB Pier's Watermelon and Mango Martini's. Y.U.M.

We were seated in the perfect spot. People watching galore.

Bill loved this sunset. I loved watching the little one's dance while their parents watched. It's the little things....

And of course when we pulled up, they parked us in the front...

Check out this woody.

The Sunday section...TENACITY...Museums..and Empanadas....

It's the tenacity that flows through Kali's little soul...Always giving that little extra to get what she's striving for. She's worked so hard to keep her GPA, to keep Honor Roll. It's never come easy. It's always been her goal to be a good girl...to work hard and to appreciate everything we give her. It's just Kali. Actually both of my kids work for what they get. Kris has worked so hard to keep himself in a position to prove to himself that he is worthy. Through hardwork, school, and saving..things ARE possible. Kali's and I started our Sunday morning with a sweet little walk to breakfast at Woody's on PCH. We sat and chatted...laughed and regrouped on how her day would unfold. The typical lazy sunday turned into a full day of learning experiences for her....and me too-Her 3D Design class offered extra credit to visit a Long Beach Museum close by..to view modern art. It's small but beautiful. It's located right on the ocean...She went...she viewed. Next project in the works for Sunday was making Empanada's (Chile' style) for Spanish class. They decided they would work in small groups. These were filled with cheese...and smell super yummy. Of course anything cheese for me please! And bread to mix with...? YUM!

Empanada Groupie....

Kali and Cole...more Empanada groupies.....Super sweet guy...imagine these girls tormenting him during the Empanada build! haha

Add a little flour...

And mix it all up......

Cole and Kaylie....Empanada ready- Note to viewers: Look at cellphone sitting close by..covered in flour. lol! Cookin' and textin' - What teenager could survive the hour without?!

And rolled out waiting for the cheese.........

Filled and ready to fry....

Delish! Not healthy...but of course amazingly yummy....

This is how she spent her Sunday afternoon....But what better way....new recipe..good food..fun memories..and end of year icing on the grade cakes!

Once upon a time......There lived a LEGEND....celebrating 84 years! Happy Birthday Gaylord-

The man of honor, the man of hardwork. This man is known for his craftiness, for his talent..for his tenacity to get the job done. Circa 1950's...during the Merc' phase...of choppin' and customizing the interior like no other left a mark in history of what the "True" meaning of kustomizing meant. Between "flat bottom" boats, custom cars, a shop in Lynwood and a family, he managed to juggle it all; to provide and expand his name that is known across the world today. He has raised all of his children to be VERY hardworking and successful. Happy Birthday to a man I've always admired. Such a fun soul. Who can party like no other- Surrounded by his sweets...and "Bridgette" his best friend. His rock. His confidant- Cheers Birthday boy...Keep it rockin! I've always loved this picture...it's from Easter a few years ago. I love it. I love hugs. Especially a hug from your dad.

One of his original boats. The guy was so honored to meet Gaylord at the races.

Gaylord....

When I sit and talk with him, I can hardly not look at his telling eyes without wondering what he really seen since a child...I look at his hard worked hands and finger nails...that have been tarnished from War. His hardworking arms..(that are the complete carbon copy of Bill's)- He's a man of great stories..and I'm glad I've been given the chance to listen.
While we were in Havasu celebrating Kali's birthday, we heard from Shirley that Gaylord's best friend from his childhood (Harley), who he stayed close to until..passed away on Saturday. But he waited until Gaylord was driven out there to see him in the desert...it just broke my heart, and reminds us of how fast life is...how things change eventually...how the people that we surround ourselves with...friends or family can slip away...be sure to make those calls often, visit the ones you love...when you think you should call or "text"...just do it. A simple hello..or I love you....won't leave a regret. Cherish every single second we can while we're here. And can.

Happy Birthday Gaylord......May you celebrate more healthy and peaceful ones....and know you are loved by many-