Things To Do in L.A. The Renaissance Faire!!

Goodness gracious, the Renaissance Faire... I just went on Sunday and I had a blast! There is so much to do, see, and experience. Located at The Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, it feels remote once you are inside, but you will be surprised how much "civilization" is around as you drive up. Tickets are readily available online at the gate or even at select Walgreens stores.  This weekend 5/18, 19, 20 is the FINAL weekend and it is their 50 year anniversary this year so if you have been wondering what's up with the Renaissance Faire, I'd encourage you to get going!

Although you don't have to spend a lot of money I would suggest taking as much as you can muster for this event because there is plenty of food, drinks, activities, and LOTS of cool stuff available for purchase.  This time I engaged in the food and drink and when I go again I plan on making it a little more of a shopping trip. ;)

As far as dress is concerned, you are more than welcome to dress up in Renaissance gear which is another thing I will engage in the next time I go. If not, that is perfectly fine too. When we went, we saw the opening ceremony, a joust, the Queen's court, tons of cool costumes and outfits, loads of food, activities, a lake, ducks, lots of goodies I wanted to buy, a "naughty" show with sexy jokes, and much more. I also saw fairies, strapping men, and quite a few bosoms... Hello corsets!!!

Click here to find out about tickets, location, hours, etc. 

And now, for some pictures!!

So many things I wanted to buy

Will you find these?

The Queen is coming!

The most delicious ale ;)

I almost thought she was a statue until she moved!

Beautiful and entrancing, this one...

Ah bring on the mischief indeed.

Finding A Home For Your Cats Pt. 2

Last I wrote, I was frustrated and struggling. I had created a chain of events that was much harder to navigate than I had originally estimated. When creating your life, this is sometimes what happens. At one time we (hubby and I) had 4 pets and two kids living at home. We both continued to strive toward our personal goals but our family life definitely held the forefront. The majority of my life to this point has been all I've known. Putting other people first.

Soon, things started to change. We found a paradise of a home for our turtle. He went to live in a lake with another turtle and koi fish on a private property in Malibu. Then we found a fantastic home for our beloved doggie PJ. He went to live with my Mom were instead of being one of the bunch of us, he is the prince of the house! He's the only child there and he gets all the love, attention, and goodies a dog could ever want.

Then one by one my two kids left. Now they are off, playing house like we all do when we are learning what it is like to be on our own. Their absence was hard to handle. I struggled.

Eventually, it was my husband and I with our last two pets. 2 cats. My furry baby Leo, and our other cat Queenie.

Allergies developed. I couldn't hold Leo close like I used to anymore, we got a purifier to help but I missed rubbing faces and would sometimes take the chance only to find myself rubbing my eyes out for hours afterward. I started to entertain the thought of building a life with just my husband and me. A new adventure. A new place with no cats or cat hair or allergic reactions.

I put the plan in motion. We started looking for a home for our cats. We started looking for a place of our own. We signed a lease on a place with a no pet policy. Then I hit a wall. It was harder to find a home for them than I thought. I got worried and scared. What would happen when we moved?

By the grace of God my mother struck up a conversation with someone at the Pet Smart in her area and it turned out she was in a position to possibly help. The timing turned out where 2 spots opened up at a Petco in the area, a rescue was able to have them live there until they get adopted. We went from wondering what was going to happen to getting a call the evening before we would have to drop them off to take advantage of this opportunity. It was the best blessing and the hardest to receive.

It tore my heart in two to give up Leo.

He was my special friend and will be the only cat I will ever love. I cried a lot that day. Not just tears, sobs. I had to lay down and sleep after a while. I had to write about it and talk it out. It hurt me real bad. My husband too. But we did it. And we are grateful for the opportunity we were given.

I don't write a lot about the hardships that go into making your life what you want it to be and that is something I will be changing. Tee-riffic will always be about creating your best life but in doing so we all have to go through something. It would be great if all our dreams came true without us having to leave the couch but that isn't a reality. I want to share this with you so you can keep going and push when your faced with a decision that hurts but will be better for you in the long run. Every time, these hard decisions are best for the other people or kitties, ;) involved too.

Trying to find a home for your pet? Try this:

1.Reach out to your friends and family first. You know them well, and they know you and most likely our pet.
2.Ask your vet for leads, talk to your groomer. They may know someone.
3.Create posters with your pets picture and information to post up at animal friendly places like your local pet stores, etc.
4. Try petfinder.com or craigslist.org

If you do reach out to adoption agencies you will sadly learn that most do not help private parties and you may run into a bead attitude or two. Don't take this to heart, I believe this is because they are inundated with lovely animals that have no homes and are finding themselves overwhelmed. What I learned is that these agencies seem to get their animals from shelters when the shelter is about to euthanize an animal because it hasn't been adopted. Still, if you feel in your heart like reaching out to them, try it! You may get lucky and get some help. A list of organizations can be found at the www.spcala.com

Good luck!

May you always find the rainbow that awaits you after the rain.

Finding A Home For Your Cats

Haven't been able to get out of my head lately. Setbacks, obstacles, analysis. Ugh. As I write this I feel self indulgent and stupid. That is why I haven't posted in over a month. I have sit down numerous times with a feeling, a desire to express myself and then started typing only to delete it and walk away from the computer in judgement of my own thoughts and feelings. Does anyone else ever feel this way?? *Taps microphone: Is this thing on???


Right now, I am trying to find a home for my cats. I have 2 of them that I rescued years ago. I have loved them and been good to them. They have had regular visits to the vet, grooming, exams. They have only known indoor life, premium cat food, and up until this last year and a half, even filtered water. Because we adopted our animals so easily, I never imagined that it would be so difficult to find a home for them. The SPCA, various rescues, have all been no help so far. Each "organization" telling me they can't take my pets, not to go to the shelter, and here's another place you could try. I follow the advice only to get the same line somewhere else. What is to prevent people from being cruel to animals and dumping them off when this is the response they are given when seeking help?

I am at the end of my rope. I have not just contacted the supposed animal lovers and organizations previously mentioned. I have also reached out to friends, family, and people on my network via social media. I've driven to Petcos in the area and posted notices. Why is this such a big deal?

I remember when I visited Malyasia noticing a dog roaming the village streets and I commented on how skinny he was. The people in the group laughed and pointed out to me that he was a normal sized dog. It was just a dog. Happily living free in the village streets. No biggie. As I learn more and more about the world outside of the United States I feel more and more duped. The "problems" that I have feel like complete and total bullshit. Have I loved my kitties, yes. Have I been good to them, yes. But hell, they're cats. Does this really deserve days of my life? Drives, talks, postings? I don't know. The more time I spend on it, the less I feel it is.

Sunday I learned of a group of people in China. They have lived the same way for centuries. Using bamboo for housing, furnishings, and even food. Today I read a post about children living in Niger, Africa in a "camp" that is nothing more than trash and dirt. Most of these children are only partially dressed. What would they have to say about this cat post? 

Silence

There is treasure in the quiet

Pillowy breaths mimic sounds of the ocean

The stillness of mind a treasured trove 

The universe within

Holding the galaxies 

The answers in the ether.

Lest we forget during our movements and all of our outward calling. 

This is a dance. 

It does not stop. 

Not even, when we relinquish our lead. 

-Tee

The stuff that Dreams are made of...

Ah to dream. We all have things we wish for. Things we would like to see come to pass in our lives. No matter how blessed we may or may not seem, there is always something we would like. Something we are working towards. I think that this is the joy and gift of life. Here in lies the magic. The thing that makes us so different from animals. After all as human beings, we are God like here on earth. Creating and manifesting. Dreaming things up and making them so.

I have been at work at some things for quite some time now. Things in my Acting career and things in my personal life. Tonight, I sit here in a time where patience is required and I am focusing on being a beacon of faith not because anyone needs to see it but because I am in a place where the answers I want are not being delivered instantaneously.

I am on avail for a commercial and I really would love to be able to share news that it turned into a booking. Lately, I have been blessed in that my audition numbers have been high and I have also had quite a bit of callbacks. It would be great to feel the win of a booking. Not only do I love reporting to set but the financial gain is always welcome too.

Personally, I am waiting on some news regarding finances. I am hoping for a couple of wins that would equal savings. I am determined to live my life financially free and in doing so, I have had to make some tough decisions along the way. Currently, I am poised to pay off one of two of the last remaining debts I have and am hoping for a slight break on the total amount. There is also a repair on one of our cars that is necessary. It could prove to be quite costly but I am looking to find out it will be less than we imagined.

These things may be mundane, even trivial. However, I remember a time when these types of things rocked me. They would cause me constant anxiety or stress. I am still not above it all. If I do not sit in my faith and use my common sense when applicable, I could still find myself getting worried. I think these are things we all go through. And since I usually speak only of the wins or the "positives," I wanted to share this moment with you because I think it's important to remember that we are all the same. Cheers to all of us realizing our dreams. however BIG or small they may be.


*** 3/1/12
I realize how worried even though it was calmer than past times I still was about these events. This update is to let you know that I didn't get the commercial after all and the car repairs turned out to be more than we thought initially. It isn't good, it isn't bad, it just is. I've had quite a few revelations in the interim. That's what my next post "Silence" is about.

Peace.....

Getting my Model on for Comcast. Join me on set!

Hey there, ever wonder what some of these model shoots are like? I still get excited and intrigued when I'm on one and this last time, I thought of you! I figured it would be fun. A "take your friends to work" day... :D Hope you like it. Here's how it went down.

Call time had me getting there at 2pm. Parking was available for us which was great since the location was in Downtown L.A. Getting there, I turned the corner and walked right into a lovely trailer complete with comfortable surroundings and a chef at the stove making lunch! Is that an awesome greeting or what??? ;) That day Comcast was shooting three ads and it just so happened I was scheduled to be the last. So, I enjoyed some delicious food, read a magazine I had brought, filled out some paperwork, and then waited to be called to get ready.

Upon being called I walked over to wardrobe. A magical place filled with clothes, shoes, accessories, YAY! For those of us that love fashion, this is a wonderful experience. People pulling clothes to make you look your best for the project. I have yet to do a high fashion spread but I still feel fancy every time I go through this process. Even if I were being dressed up in overalls it would be 10 different sets all in my size. :) Believe me, it rocks.

Once that was done, it was back to waiting. I got to meet some people, talk. I even ate again. Got my hair and makeup done, and of course, took some pictures:

My view rounding the corner on way to set.

I've arrived!!

Is it night already?!

Our trailer. Complete with chef!

Production trucks...

A glimpse at wardrobe.

On set for Comcast.

Comcast set pic #2. 

Comcast set pic #3. 

Now, the final product! The Comcast ad. 

AND NOW FOR SOME TIPS for aspiring Models/Actors:

**Make sure you always have your exact and correct measurements and sizes available and posted because you will be put into clothes for these shoots and you do not want to cost production time and money by not being spot on with this information. Even after you've been hired, you could lose a job if this information is not correct.

**Taking pictures is usually forbidden on set. Doing so can is considered a major no no. If you are allowed to take pictures (meaning you have been cleared to do so by an authority on set) you must NEVER release anything about the job until it is wrapped and legitimately released to the public.

Hope that helps! &

I hope you enjoyed coming to work with me. Cheers to fun and flashes!!

Healthy Products, Healthy YOU!

Did you know virtually everything we use today in our every day life contaminates our bodies and our planet?

This is a hefty statement and it seems totally unreal but sadly, it's true. :( In my quest to build the best life possible, I have found purchased and enjoyed the following products and figured I would share them with you. Check out the pictures below for what I'm currently using:

This peppy body wash smells WONDERFUL and is over 99% NATURAL

This toothpaste is not only NATURAL, but it is FLUORIDE FREE!

Best lip balm ever! 100% NATURAL, 100% ORGANIC, & comes in great flavors. 

The best air freshener! NATURAL, & really works! Yummy scent, no weird smell mix.

Here's a natural air freshener by CVS!  Smells and works great!

Guilt free dishwasher soap! Free of phosphate, chlorine,  dyes, fragrances, & does a great job on the dishes!  

This detergent smells divine, is biodegradable, cruelty free, no Petro chemicals, & works with all temps and colors.

Trader Joe's is where I find a lot of my natural products. There are other stores I have visited but Trader Joe's also seems to offer the best prices. Do you buy natural products? Which ones? Where do you get them? I'd love to hear from you.

New to this idea? Here's a tip!! When looking for natural products keep in mind, they usually have short ingredient lists with items you can pronounce and understand.

Cheers to healthy bodies, minds, and environments!! Have a great day. ; )