Sling Those Tri-Folds.

For the last few months, most especially during the holidays, our type of business takes a punch in the gut.  Back in the day the most natural way a consumer would find us would be by magazine.  

Hot Trucks, Truckin', Mini Truckin just to name a few would adorn the newsstands and book shelves. Folks would get their monthly subscription, and the calls would roll in.  We'd attend shows with high intentions of really showing off the newest and fanciest.  

Fast forward 20 years later, and the world is knee deep in an affair with social media. The life of trees would be saved as the world became dependent on that shining little computer or phone in their hands.  

No more magazines. 

No more displays in every corner "Kustom Shop".

We'd have stores all over the USA, along with Australia, and all throughout Europe.  I can so perfectly remember my favorite customer in Italy.  

We still sell and distribute all over the world, don't get me wrong. 

There's just many different avenues and rivers one must take to get there.  

For us, it's shows. 

I won't lie to you and say it's super fun getting up at the crack o' dawn to flat iron my frizzy hair, so I can cruise down the freeway in 45-degree-cold-morning weather with no windows in my lovers custom truck. At 7:00AM.  Because really, I'd prefer to sip coffee and saturate my own self with that little screen of light in my face. 

However, there is something about the vibe of the show.  The kind hearted ol' car and truck lovin people that arrive.  With their groups, chairs in a circle. EZ Up's and ice chests.  The smiling faces of yet another "National Anthem" playing while we all stand in salute.  The many war veterans I witness each time.  Their hats as a trophy. 

I never miss an opportunity to give my thanks as I pass.  The wives that are there because they've endured many many chapters together.  

The shiny cars with fancy wheels, and sometimes not. Because hey, different strokes for different folks. 

The oldies but goodies that play in the background.  The food trucks that serve everything from snow cones to garlic fries.  (I had garlic fries) 

The raffle tickets sold by the many people whom run the show.  This particular show held at a church in Whittier.  Proceeds from this particular show would go to the fallen police officer that was murdered by that creature last week.  I mean, what the hell was he? Creature of slime from the sewer. 

There was a bounce house and face painting for the kids, for free.

The one event coordinator "Bob" that continued to make his way around a show with close to 800 cars, and every time I'd hear him greet people with sheer love, "hey good to see you, thanks for coming out" it made my heart melt even more.  Every corner I'd turn, I'd see the holy cross.  And each time I'd keep thinking...."signs Lisa, signs". 

I know I've digressed.  A whole bunch.  

But this show was good. 

And while we're out trying to survive and push business and keep our name out there, think of us as you hear of someone lookin' for a fiberglass piece. 

Just ask, if it's not listed, we do custom work! 

As I sling my flyers in and out of old trucks, I keep reminding myself....you are your advertisement. Get out there girl.  Go.  

Here's a few of my favorites.  

 The sticker says it all.....

 Tina, remember going to the movies and fighting over who could have the speaker closest to them? But not before playing on the playground because mom and dad "wanted us to go play" LOL

 Now this thing....I mean, come on.  Teal top, and all white.  S.E.X.Y.

 VW forever and ever amen.  This thing was all original. I couldn't help but stick my big nose in the little side window to get a whiff of the original vw leather seats. I can remember being scrunched down with a surfboard over my head as a little girl.  Holding my brown bag filled with a Laura Scudder's peanut butter and honey sandwich cruising down PCH. Which is now dog beach.

  All too too good.  MEMORIES-

Gaylord told me one time....."you don't want one of those, that's a rattle box"  HAHAHA! 

This paint job was one of my favorites.  And I'm not an orange type of girl...but this thing.  dang 

One of my favorite classic cars in general.  

Who cares if it rattles......

Just turn the music up a little louder...who's with me?

How was your weekend? 

Our Saturday night rolled into catching a friend Lowel play at our local watering hole. 

Nothing like huggin our six pack and listening to some classic rock and roll.  

The best part is we didn't party hard which meant for a good Sunday filled with mama's homemade soup-  I did substitute pork sausage for spicy turkey sausage.  

 Toscana Soup with Kale

My plea to have Bill watch the Oscars with me worked but I fell sound asleep at 6:30pm last night and didn't wake until 5:15am this morning.  First time in 2 years you guys. 

I was so thankful this morning I actually teared up cruising over the bridges on PCH this morning. 

Little hills of victory.  Little things in life we all take for granted. 

Moments like that where I felt 100% relaxed. Safe. Cozy.  

And I knew my kids were too.

Happy Birthday Regina Rosas! 21!! Can I get a woop woop!!

Happy Birthday Riki Lynn!  17!  Where'd the time go?

I wish you good health, good moments, and lots of peace.  Most especially health you two beautiful birdies. We love you!

To the rest of you, keep going.  And never stop working hard. Even if it's for peace.  For you. And for the world.  A smile goes a million miles deep.  In someones heart.  Even at first it's hard to get them to break it back to you.  Eventually they will.  

NEVER GIVE UP!

This Mama Lisa

ps.  My oldest birdie has been in Texas for the last 4 days for a truck show.  To say he's experiencing all the little beautiful things life has to offer is an understatement.  I say, go live.  Go heal. Go learn. Go spread love.  And good times. 

pss.  My littlest birdie is learning the ropes of work, school, quizzes, love, life and friendships. 

With an amazing boyfriend at her side. 

Our latest and greatest is her request to study abroad.  In Florence Italy.  For 4 months. 

My last words, let's talk about it. 

Because just yesterday she was a freshman in high school. 

Eight Year Old Buckie-Boy

To the little dog I rudely called "ugly" eight years ago.

You are not ugly.  You are everything to us.

The little scrawny, freckled face, half a blue-eyed little grand-doggo of mine, happy birthday.

Yes, I realize I'm talking to a dog, but shhh don't say anything just go with it.  Because one day in heaven maybe he'll be able to talk back to me.  For now, he just shows me with tail waggles.  Nothing too dramatic, because he's way too cool for that.
Everything with this dog is minimal in the PDA department. 

This dog will NOT kiss you.  Unless it's on his terms and he misses you really, really bad.
He will however shake, lay down, dance and do a fall for "bang-bang" thanks to his uncle Corey.
But only if a good treat is present.
Otherwise, don't bother. 

This dog "purchased" (trust me, rescue is the way, but with an impulsive 18 year old this stuff happens) and was taken to an apartment of that said 18 year old's house with a variety of "friends" that managed to shack up at that said apartment most nights.  So with each and every one of those visits, he'd manage to eat through shoes, bathing suit bottoms, fancy purse straps, and most always take off with chonies.  As Kris said, "man, if Bucksie could talk"-

He'd tear apart the q-tip bowl in seconds flat, scattering them around that apartment like a true boss. 

The minute he'd find a pack of gum, all hell broke loose.  

Kris would come home each afternoon to one surprise after the other.  Sometimes he'd be up on the counter. 

Kris would be reminded by his mom after each escapade of all the reasons "why he shouldn't of got a dog".  

Here's the thing.  

We all fell madly in love with him.

So much so, I'd invest in doggie beds just for my car.

He'd win our hearts over something fierce. 

I'd buy chicken, brown rice and carrots making him my own dog food.  

I'd drive to a special animal store because he loves these little treats there.

We'd go home from places because he'd been alone too long.

We'd leave classic music on, and sometimes the tv, because I just knew he was lonely.

He'd come to the shop every day acting as the new little sheriff in town barking at whomever he thought was a threat. 

At one point he ran across the street on a busy street after a black plastic bag protecting Kris and I-LOL, meanwhile I almost shit my pants, while Kris had a mere heart attack as he stopped traffic. 

We'd take him on his first boat rides. Always smiling at one another as we'd see his happy smile just to be with us. 

He was never the cutest dog in those beginning days. But man, he's sure our everything now. 

Eight years of loving on him.  

Of him putting up with us.

The dog placed on the table in the middle of a pool party, with music he'd rather not hear, because I just know that.  Because I didn't even want to hear it - LOL- #technorapmusic  #shootme

He is thee most gentle lover to baby kitties.  Always offering a quick love and kiss to a foster kitty.

 The dog that can rock a snore louder than some men. 

 The little dude that won the heart over from his new mama.  She's the only one to cradle him like a baby in her arms.  He has soaked up every bit of her love from day one. 

Most especially the love from one of his sisters.  Zeppy loves her Bucksie! 

Of course he's filled out a bit more. Those ever present eyes.  The same sweet eyes that have stared at us for the past eight years.  Sometimes the only way to tell us what he wants.  Followed by that "erkk" bark he lets out.  Always, always barking out of control if someone he doesn't know shows up.  Don't get him started on a squirrel.  Between he and his sisters that squirrel better leave the lbz. 

He's loyal to the top of his couch.  Always finding the top spot out of everyone's way.  When grammy stops by he stands way back just waiting for me to scoop him up.  That sweet look, his tail wagging away...

The same routine when he comes to grammies house.  Stopping at all the familiar piss spots before running in the door. 

He taunts a bird on the dock we call "eggs with legs". A little game played by a dog and a bird. 

He loves long car rides. 

He loves loves loves fresh blankets out of the drier.  The warmer and fluffier the better. 

He loves his mom and dad.  

He loves his routines. 

He loves to run, run, run at the park as he hears his mama holler out to him. 

He's our little furry world.  

I can't believe I ever called you ugly Bucksie. 

We love you so so  much.  Happy Birthday you little cutie.

Eight lucky years you've given us. 

Minus the chewed up undies, and bathing suit bottoms- let's not talk about that. 

Grammie and Grampie

xo 

ps- Happy Birthday Charlie!  

Those Full Three Years.

Of loving. Of learning. Of laughing.  Of crying. Of arguing. Of hugging.  Of kissing. Of reminding. Of sorting. Of compromising.  Of struggling.  Of silliness.  Of wrestling.  Of falling head over heels in love, and at times, pushing away. 

Because love is just that. 

At first it's that lust of love. That yearning to dive deep into the others skin.  Then heart. Then soul.  

And we watched you navigate the new love into something incomprehensible.  Navigating through sickness and health without those vows read outloud. It was out of unselfish love from her. And for you Kris as you struggled with image.  Baldness.  Sickness.  Tears. Skinny.  

You held on to one another. 

I can remember one night after checking out of your 3rd round of a weeks long stay of chemo, and you could hardly keep your eyes open, and yet she tucked you in her little white car. A trunk full of blankets and those ever so important meds.  

You'd both drive off into the darkness of the night and I just stood there crying into Bill's shoulder.  For many reasons, but it broke my heart to see you both navigate through that.  

Jen drove in one HUGE circle each day for you.  As you'd do for her.  You both offer bits of love to one another.  Your silly ways, her devoted ways. Her love for you is real. As I know by the look in your eyes just how much you love her.  I can remember your face light up when she'd arrive at the hospital.  Her smile would light up the room. Most especially for you. 

Love is a wild thing.  Staying in love is the trick. It's finding the balance of what the other likes and while moving through the chapters helping the other succeed.  

Join me in wishing these two a big HAPPY THREE YEARS anniversary!  Three years with so many chapter pages filled all the way up! 

You two make me so proud!  Much love and all my wishes to you both for chasing dreams.  For cleaning up after one another, even at times I'm sure the mess was all the dogs.  Or that cute kitchen of yours, I'm quite sure it's had its fair share of fish slime that didn't quite make the cut. 

Or the hair strewn around because beauty just works like that.  Or the articles of clothing that gets shuffled from one table to the next because you are working, and living, and working out, and taking care of 3 dogs, and resting, and loving.  

Your love looks good.  On both of you.  

 I hope I get to witness it for many many oh, so many years to come. 

--Love is not about how much you say "I love you" but how much you can prove it is true--

This Mama Lisa

May 2014

In My Personal Opinion

For the last couple of months I've reached my arms out to a couple of young adults in transplant. What starts as a simple gesture eventually turns into wrapping my heart around helping in any way I possibly can.  While every single person is different and every single person handles the situation different, we ultimately all feel the same in "just wanting to get through it"-  With hope, fear, love and help.  Just get through. 

Any sort of comparison or similarity generally offers HOPE. 

As I sit back and watch the trials and tribulations of western medicines, many many times I'd shake my head at the missed opportunities of one dose not working, to move to the next.  All along I'd think to myself, hmm wonder if we could just discuss our other options openly. 

At one point in the beginning days Kris would share with his first oncologist. Dr. C. He is quite the dry type of human being.  Never to offer a smile. Even if you'd smile first.  It wasn't until our 10th visit or so that I began to break this man down.  Enough at least to probe a smile. Or the day I asked a little about his family.  Kind of forcing him to get to know us.  lol

You know the whole human to human vibe. 

After he'd handed Kris off to the next Bone Marrow Oncologist, we'd casually said our goodbye's and thank-you's.  

It wasn't until we received a call from him a month later as he asked Kris to visit another young man in the fight. In need of CBD oils. As a matter of fact, he asked to go visit the family and share the information we had on it. All love from my son, whom visited this young man. And family.

Unfortunately he'd progressed too fast and didn't get a chance for transplant.  Lost the battle.

 Kris visiting him three days before he'd admit into COH for transplant.

And so, with that said, here's my opinion of CBD oils.  Medical marijuana is making its debut here in Ca.  Not after a much guided fight to stop its factor here.  And I get all sides. I see the necessary need to keep it from children, teens and our youth.  My opinion stands firm on that.  100%.

What I do believe however, is the therapeutic attributes if offers.  I watched it with my own brown eyes help my son. During some of his hardest days filled with anxiety and nausea. We'd manage to get just enough oils into him.  Do yourself a favor and just read a little bit of this website.  

Take it from me, it works.  I am a witnessing mama warrior.

Not only does it work, it fights.  And it fights against many many diseases. 

Read for yourself. Once you navigate to the first home page, click on conditions.  And go from there. 

Of course I dove right into leukemia and other cancers it's known to fight. 

Project CBD

With an open mind and an open heart you'll learn to appreciate the natural things in this life that just might help.  Whether gosh forbid it happens to someone in your family, or someone close to you that you'd be happy to help.  Any way you can. Trust me.  I can remember reaching out to a guy in Laguna Beach that sold the entire package of CBD oils for $4000.00.  We declined and moved forward with closer and less expensive options. But you can imagine my flurry at the time.  There isn't any amount of money in this life that would stop me from helping my son. You quickly learn to do lots of research as quickly as you can so that was my vice. I was a research ninja. 

These are my thoughts and opinions only.  Do your research.  Read into Parkinson's.  

Sure we must be skeptic.  Sure we must guard our children from the nasty stony syndrome of just rolling joints and getting high.  It's more than that. It's more important that our western medicinal world would like to acknowledge or admit. 

Do your research. 

I certainly hope you're never forced to. 

Looks like the Mega Doppler 7000 calls for lots of rain this weekend, so while you stay in at the corner of Healthy and Happy....read up kids. 

Never stop reading.

And THANK YOU MINDI!  This made me laugh first thing this morning...

All my love, 

This Mama Leese

Forty Nine.

You stood by one another at times when you surely felt like walking away.

You laughed together.

We camped together.

You cook together.

You shop together.

You hugged.

You loved.

You cried.

You birthed and you raised.

You were young.

You're growing older.

You fell apart.

You grew together.

You bicker still, and yet you hold eachother up. 

You've been married 49 years today.

All at times, I feel for us. 

And I thank you.  Because I am thankful you have eachother.

I love you Mom and Dad. 

Happy Anniversary. 

Forty Nine. 

Woah.

Lisa Lynn

My Perspective

I had a post about Valentines and the reasons I don't get caught up in it's glory.  But deleted it because I sounded like a sour puss.  What my message is and was, went something along the lines of feeling for others when yet I used to feel so "entitled".  Throughout the years I tend to fall deeper and deeper in love with Bill. And if my records indicate anything real, I think he feels the same about me.  So when Valentine's crept in  I found myself quickly caught up in the mix, and so I pushed back. Lots of reminders of this life every single morning as I walk around my house and stare at pictures.  Or myself in the mirror. I have this area in my heart that has been taken over by a different outlook these days. My children. My children who aren't little children anymore, so I call them my birdies.  This includes Jen.  So this year instead of "expecting", I instead "showered" my birdies.  The 3 of them working so hard in this life.  One out in college busting butt and partying..jk  She's moving mountains.  She's pushing her goals and doing what she knows will be a good future for herself. And so I sent her a box of things that she doesn't like to buy, like laundry soap, razors, household things, and of course the girlie things us girls love.  I also filled a basket for Jen and Kris.  Jenny working her tail off, working out for this competition coming, along side her boyfriend whom is pushing through all the new days.  Good and bad.  

The idea of a flower delivery doesn't ring the same as it used to.  At least for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE FLOWERS, and I love when he surprises me. I love cards.  The words he writes.  The meaning behind them stick so much better than in years past.  The history of building love. 

The example of sticking through things. Thick and thin. Heartbreak and melting hearts in good times.

This year his card was spot on.  And we can only stare right into the eye of the other and smile.

Love is such a beautiful yet complicated deal.

The goodness of it all. 

Watching others fall in love.

Empathy for those that aren't.

Compassion for the single mothers and fathers out there making dinners, while putting together little Valentines for their babies. 

For the single people out there just looking for their right soul mate.

I love to see love. I love to see people happy.

 

Realizing that I have a good life, albeit hard at times, I am ok.

And so I just spread kindness.

Why not go give out some of what I can. 

Our Valentines was two of us, with trays on our laps filled with left overs from Sunday. A glass of wine. Clinked it and smiled at the one I love. While Two And A Half Men played in the background.

Simple. 

But my birdies were deservingly (nother'made up word-Ha!) happy.

That's my perspective. 

 

To me, the best feeling is to see others happy. And most important, in love.

Especially that new love. 

Yummy.  

Enjoy every second----

Big Love,

This Mama Lisa

My Favorite Car Show In CA

We did it you guys, we did it...blinked our eyes and another weekend slid by....!

A few years ago Bill surprised me with tickets to Bad Company out in Indio, remember that?  That, was one heckofa night...remember our shithole hotel motel, and the door wouldn't close, and I almost peed my pants as he kicked it in? LOL!  I am convinced that was the funnest night we've ever had.  By far, the best night. It sincerely was a Valentines weekend for the books.

What we discovered that year was the best car show in all the land.  Sunshine, smooth grass, nice people, hot cars, and a hop skip and a jump from home. We missed it the last couple of years but managed to jet out there this past Saturday morning.  While the rain fell all Friday night, I kept telling myself...just roll with it. The sun will come out. And it did....

Just like the wind on the way to Catalina.....

 I love this color.  So so...much! 

 Forever and ever....baby!

 God Bless America.....

Beautiful eyes you have there....

 This interior is too cute!

 Wouldn't this be such a cute daily driver?  LOVE it!

 For you Kali....SD forever baby....

 Let's do it!

I'm a sucker for steering wheels....

 Got wood?  LOL

Love this BRONCO....and the license plate too....

 So sexy....

 How fun!

 Til the day I die....

Once checked in to our room, here's our view.  San Jacinto Mountains...

I'm pretty confident that red wine in a hotel cup while wearing jammie bottoms while rockin' cramps isn't the most popular gig in the world, but a girls gotta go through whata girls gotta go through.  DON'T BE JEALOUS.  And why I'm telling you this means that I love you and want you to be proud of me because I didn't cry not one tear the entire two days prior.  So there's that.  boom -  I did however manage to zip my lip and put my hands in my pocket a few times last week as that full moon revealed its beautiful self, and I felt like sucker punching a few people but didn't.  I instead just smiled.  And MF'd them under my breath.  While eating chocolate.  LOL

Six stories up.  Each time I looked down, my tummy would flip all the way over. #scaredofheights. 

Tipping my hat to my friend Roxanne for suggesting we visit The Nest.  Talk about a TRIP! A place to go grab a good drink, stand in the corner, or dance on their floor and P.E.O.P.L.E. W.A.T.C.H.  

This fine feller on the way out.  Side note:  Bill and I seemed to have kissed quite a few times inside this lovely joint.  It wasn't until he went to the bathroom that he noticed his red lips were over the top. Never mind though, he fit right in.  BEST LAUGH of the night!  boom. 

Here's the thing about me.  I take my pillow everywhere.  In doing so, I have to hide it with a blanket most times from car to room. Or it's usually stuffed in my luggage. HAHAHA!   For one, Bill is so over it I'm sure.  For two, the print would make you guys roll.  At the end of the night I'd haul it from hotel bar to pool.  FREAK

And while that little getaway was so worth the cramps, and pillow hauling around antics, there is no place like home.  

Kali nailed her sorority recruitment.  I've always reminded her to put her WHOLE heart in whatever she chooses to do. 

Looks like it's working....

Deans List letter emailed to me this morning...Thank you Kali...nice way to start our week....

 ----ALWAYS ALPHA CHI----

And because we didn't take a picture together...here you go.  3 years ago.  Valentines weekend. 

Happy week to you sugar plums.....go be nice.  Do your thing.  Work hard.  And do your part.  

Happy Valentines Day Eve!

This Mama Lisa