Monday, November 24, 2008

The Dark Side of Technology

Yarsh! You're probably wondering why my website hasn't been updated since last week. You may also we wondering why my Etsy page was empty the last time you visited. I promise you I'm working to remedy that and here's why.....

Last week our computer hard drive crashed. BIG TIME! We lost tons of pics and worst of all I lost my website files. So, I've got to redesign my site and the DCM site from scratch. Sounds awful? It is.

We sorta solved the problem by buying a new computer, BUT we found out that our old software doesn't work on the newer operating system. So, not only did we lose our data but we lost the ability to use Photoshop and our web applications. More Yarsh! I thought I'd be able to make updates and start my new site today, but now we've got to figure out what software we need to buy and how much it's going to cost.

Just in time for the holidays. yea. (sense the sarcasm)

It's not all bad. I love our new computer. It's so cute. We're running Leopard now and it's quite stylish. I also like that I now have the latest IPhoto and IMovie etc.

I just added a few new items to my Etsy page and I'll add more later tonight and tomorrow. So, you'll be able to shop again. Be sure to stop by Make and House of Dang to see what's in stock and I'm bringing new goodies to them this week.
If you want to place any custom orders, please do so before November 30th if you want them before Christmas. :)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Girlie Show 2008



What a fantastic weekend we had!!!! It really was perfect from beginning to end. Let me tell you all about it......


We left for OKC in the early day and really had an nice drive and enjoyed the weather and the music and especially the Carl's Jr. that we picked up along the way. I swear they have the best fast-food chicken sandwich. Yum. We arrived at the Public Farmers market building, which is a gorgeous, historic space with wood floors and high ceilings and giant windows. Our load-in was really pretty easy, because I wisely didn't bring the grids and I had no ceramic pieces with me. All of my mafia girls were there setting up and I was very happy with my space because it was well lit. :) The time flew by and before we knew it, it was time to get changed and ready for the people. Oh, the people!!!! There was a line that snaked around the block 3 times. It was crazy.



We proceeded to be swamped for the rest of the night until around 11:45 when it slowed and finally quieted down. I managed to make it through the whole night with heels on, but when the clock struck midnight I was back in my Chucks.

Sales were great and everyone had a swingin' time. We saw everything that night! There was a guy in full Liberty spikes and girls wearing ceramic corsets and we saw lots and lots of color in everyones hair. It's a see and be seen situation there and we were really diggin' it. I saw 4" heels and 5" heels and roller skates and multi-colored tights and tutus. The creativity was flowing all around. There were toddlers dressed like punks and women wearing feather eyelashes, it was incredible. They had so much great food and pink martinis and the DJ was rockin' it all night.


The next day was much more peaceful and the crowd was more subdued, but it was still a really fun day. They had live bands and Sara Sara Cupcake bakery was serving everyone the most delicious cupcakes. We handed out almost all of my biz cards and I was really happy to meet more people and get to chit-chat a bit. Kent stole away for part of the afternoon to shop for vintage records and get us checked into the hotel. We finished the day strong and then I finally had a minute to walk around and snap a few pics and say Hi to everyone.



When it was all said and done, we met with the mafia group and Pamela Michelle and Claudia's Burning Ink for sushi. We were laughing so hard by the end of the meal because Tara and Megan told the craziest stories. It was really fun. We said our goodbyes and headed for our crazy-cool hotel. We stayed at the Hyatt Place and were pleasantly surprised to find out it was the size of a small apartment and had a 50' flat screen tv with HD. Nice. We made cocoa and munched on Chex mix while watching The Incredible Hulk with Ed Norton. What could be better?

The next morning we slept late and then took our time checking out and having brunch. Our drive home was smooth and we were feeling very grateful for how wonderful the weekend had been. Sunday afternoon we caught up on our Stars games and ate BBQ. Monday morning we eagerly picked up our pups from the boarding house and after a very high-spirited reunion, we went home.

The Girlie Show is really a unique experience and I am so thankful to have been a part of it again. Thank you to all the Girlies and to everyone for their encouragement and help over the weekend. :)

Adios mi amiga.

Well, the news is grim. Cuquita's, a legendary Dallas eatery has given up it's original location. I having been eating at Cuquita's for nearly 20 years and I can remember when it was just a small house with 10 tables. My mother introduced me to their authentic Mexican cuisine and I have always associated Cuquita's with comfort and home. Like no other, Cuquita's created a menu rich with tradition and they stayed true to the old ways of Mexican cooking. Kent and I had our very first dates there and it had stayed a favorite for us both. At least once a month we went for lunch and almost always had our favorite dish Chilaquiles. I have yet to find a restaurant that served Chilaquiles like Cuquita's does. We are both convinced that they also have the very best salsa we've ever eaten.

Yes, there are other locations that have opened up over the years, but all my memories come from the Henderson restaurant. We knew something might be brewing when new development began in the area. First, the houses began disappearing and then small stores and soon the over-priced apartments popped up in their place. Jerry's supermarket was demolished to make way for trendy restaurants with valet parking. I thought Cuquita's would survive it. They were packed for breakfast, lunch and dinner but as the economy failed they became less busy. We were saddened to hear the news that they were calling it quits, but we have hope that a new location with open up somewhere near East Dallas very soon.


Many people wonder why I don't have much affection for Dallas. It seems that in Dallas appearances are what is most important, not history and not tradition. There is no respect for historical architecture or the memories of those that have come before us. Tear down the old to make way for the new. That's how it goes here. Time and time again we've seen the beautiful houses of the 20's, 30's and 40's demolished to be replaced by cookie-cutter McMansions. Lakewood is literally disappearing before our eyes. The problem is that new isn't always better. Whatever comes in place of Cuquita's will not be better, it couldn't be. I see Henderson being torn to bits and the community that once lived there has been scattered and driven away. When will it end?

Yesterday we treated ourselves. We drove up north to the Spring Valley Cuquita's and had a wonderful lunch. It was delicious and comforting and reminded us that all is not lost. I encourage you to try it for yourself someday.

Favorite items: Chilaquiles con Chorizo, Chicken Enchiladas con Mole, Gorditas, Carne Tampiquena, Caldo