LISTENING to Congressman Kevin Kiley speak our truths (the micks!)
i repeat, i did not understand many years ago, why gavin newsom was voted in as a governor of a state; having left the city of san francisco in worse condition than it was; as mayor
why are people voting for more destruction? on a larger scale? one thing to leave an iconic city in worse condition,
but then a state.. THE STATE of California; my state.
and so, doesn't surprise me if he runs for president... track record dictates track records don't seem to dictate. -but they should!
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so, couple reasons i really appreciate Congressman Kevin Kiley's address to "Mr Speaker.."
regarding the 10 radical failed policies of governor newsom.
1) he articulates what we've been witnessing.. experiencing..
2) even more valuable and wonderful... he does not exclusively point out the failed policies
HE OFFERS/SHARES what's being done about it .. Actions not just words. Solutions not just complaints.
You should get out a paper and pencil and listen too.
Hallelujah & Amen
Entire Fireplace Wall Re-Do from scratch: Earthy, 2025, by (me!) sandra, topps, writeousmom
done.
fireplace wall; earthy 2025
and a great joy! it's been to remove everything, primer the entire wall.. primer bricks..
begin again. -my beautiful MIL, (Mother-In-Law), asked me if i could duplicate it -this very painting in someone else's house
"heavens no.. i might be able to 'approximate it.. "
but the way i paint is very spontaneous, very make-up-my-mind-as-i-go..
i do not keep track of time. i do not keep track of how much paint or which ones i use in combination with what..
i just pour paints i like.. some of this, some of that.. stir; dont stir; paint the wall; make several adjustments! along the way..
but i did watch some youtube videos on mottle painting.. and as a result, i used a lot more water on the top wall to create the orange mottle look.. tuscany.. i added water to the paint itself.. added water to the paintbrush.. and i sprayed water on the wall as i was painting, used a sponge to spread certain colors thinner or thicker..
i must have painted the wall with a dozen colors, a dozen layers, a dozen times.. until, at last! i was pleased with the result.
i knew i wanted an abstracty green hills, earthy look on the bricks themselves, and knew in advance i would be painting some california poppies, /i also watched many youtube videos how to paint poppies..
and when it came to the many-different-greens waving in the background... i also must have painted using a dozen different greens, a dozen different layers, a dozen different times..
until, at last! i was pleased with the result.
already mentioned how much i crazy love my 'floating' and 'invisble' book shelves; those are new, and i could not be more pleased..
i repainted all of my book storage crates brown, to contribute to earth color palette..
and changed the mantles from bright white to sand colors..
i repainted inside the fireplace itself.. earth tones.. many layers/many times; placed some crates for risers, added a couple river rock sheet tiles from home depot (designed for backsplash purposes, but i did not add grout, i used them for our pakistani dishes to sit on; -love the result.
with my books in crates.. enjoyed getting to display the L.O.V.E. collaged letters fancy nancy gifted us for our wedding.. + family photo gift from our daughter for our wedding looks great on the upper wall..
lots of small things i enjoyed rearranging, displaying.. i don't keep track as i go, i just fidget, adjust, readjust.. stand back look.. make decisions.. fidget some more..
love every minute of it. and a great feeling to be officially done! /until the next one.. in 1 or 2 years from now..
****
from memory.. this is the 5th fireplace wall re-do.
all white, when i met my husband..
1) first creation included a crown, cross, stencils, mosaics..
then; 2) bright giant abstract shapes; color blocking
then; 3) paper mosaic each individual brick
then 4) purples; egg plant at farmers market inspired.. with a lot of extra 'funk'
then.. 5) current 'earthy' look.
i do not know now.. and won't even spend anytime thinking about the next creation/design.. when, how, what..
i'll just enjoy this one for a good long time.
****
extra "Thank You!" to my sexy husband.. helps with prep, primer, organization, hanging/placement with leveler, measuring, rulers..
(i really only eye-balled place things, my entire life); amazing results, his way..
funky to earthy.. great fun!
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's 'Responsibility to Shelter' Initiative PASSES 9-2
60, 59, 58, 57... open mics @ san jose city council chambers june 9, 2025 (the micks!)
Correcting course (if i could cash in on a miracle):
KEEP the SAN JOSE FLEA MARKET at 1590 Berryessa;
invest in it; make it great, safe, family-friendly, fun.
Back it up with promotion for the treasure and historic
landmark it is.
CLOSE/RELOCATE:
the parking site for 85 homeless/RV’s at 1300 Berryessa.
-not the other way
around.
Receipt:
#vellumdays in progress... june 2025
Mag Time Frames 2025 YouTube Video by (Harvey Lee!)
YOUTUBE Video Here. relevant content:
They Got Me Good!Inspired by the WSU marketing piece with wonderful stickers... !!
Spent the afternoon with our -movie producer in the making- grandson, making "Mag Time Frames!"
as fun today as it ever was..
"Thank You Harvey!" you did a fantastic job!!
and as you can see... we were having so much fun, we made several more..
one for his brother/dad.. and "Congrats!" he made the ALL STAR TEAM!
one for his mom.. award winning professional photographer
and one for his teacher..
and we made one for him! movie producer theme..
fun, fun, fun.. they turned out great! archives: magtimeframes.com
love you! xoxo
The very definition of a treasure. -handwritten, hand drawn; paper and pen #loveletters
authenticated. real; from his heart..
direct grand slam hit into ours..
"Thank You!" LOVE YOU! our All-Star...
Catch (the micks!) in lies & arguments
if you want to catch us in a lie; easy.
just listen in on our conversations after every. single. san. jose. city. council. 60 second. open. mic.
-how we vow to never attend another stupid, waste of time & energy city council open mic;
which ends up being a big fat lie...
*****
if you want to catch us in an argument; not so easy. unless, of course, we are driving on a freeway.
my mind has a TOGGLE SWITCH when i am a passenger and my husband is driving.
if i am looking out the window; the switch toggles to: FATALITY RISKS EVERYWHERE; which i cannot seem to override.. so i sound kinda like,
"BRAKES!! MY GOD.. PUMP YOUR BRAKES.. WARN EVERYONE BEHIND YOU!
WATCH OUT OVER THERE!! ARE YOU CONSCIOUSLY CHANGING LANES?
WILL YOU PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!!"
and even though my husband KNOWS, i am only responding to my own stress, (valid & phobic) and not criticizing him personally or his driving; he cannot seem to override that knowledge, and defaults to taking offense..
then our voices will rise; our attitudes take a nose dive.. and that's when i realize, you should never drive when you are angry,
that will only result in: "FATALITY AHEAD! BRAKES!! ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROAD!?!"
what is SUCCESSFULLY saving our lives, our sanity, our marriage:
if, when my very sexy, remarkable, wonderful, amazing husband is driving,
and i am a passenger,
if I DO NOT LOOK OUT THE WINDOW, and instead, engage my mind in NYT word games, i do not even have to work at overriding valid or phobic concerns.
once my mind is engaged, i am having a great time! i LOVE these games, these puzzles, the challenges..
so, THIS IS WORKING!! i'm okay, for the most part on city streets, back roads.. but, upon entering a freeway, i just whip out my phone,
click on my NYT app,
engage. solve puzzles. play games.
I DO NOT LIFT MY EYES from the activity at hand,
once i can tell, from the motion, we are exiting the freeway.. or i feel us pull into a parking lot and park.
i immediately shut off the phone, and sometimes out loud; sometimes just to myself:
"Thank You Jesus! "Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus...."
and then fully engage in whatever we are doing.. where ever we are..
Hallelujah & Amen...
Return to the scene of great times! Japanese Friendship Garden 2025 (the micks!)